Worldwide Awakening: My Soul Kinds Are Lost-Chapter 482: Kill the Letter, Destroy the Temple, Bury the Root of Disaster_1
After Yuan Lin arrived in the Capital, just as the Temple Master of Mount Tai Temple had said, his progress was far from ideal. Fortunately, with the help of the Dai Temple in the Capital, he was able to live comfortably.
"Are you not making good progress, Yuan Lin?" asked a familiar Temple Master from the Dai Temple in the Capital after seeing Yuan Lin’s worried expression.
"Alas, I have been in the Capital for three months now. Relying on the prestige of the Dai Temple, I’ve been running around the Capital, and although I have the support of the Great Families and the officials, I have made no progress whatsoever."
"Now, all the steam machinery in the world has been confiscated and destroyed. Such regressive actions... and we’ve returned to a previous state—no, even worse. Ordinary people can’t even afford to eat." Seeing all his previous efforts come to naught, how could Yuan Lin not be worried?
"I, too, am powerless to change this." The Temple Master of the Dai Temple in the Capital also looked helpless. "You know, we Temple Masters do not involve ourselves in worldly matters, but I managed to find out some things."
"Really?!" Yuan Lin couldn’t hide his excitement.
"Though we rarely leave our temple, other faithful followers come to visit. I heard rumors that this was perpetrated by the Royal Family. Emperor Jing has been reduced to a puppet, and his edicts never leave the Imperial Palace." The Temple Master looked around before whispering cautiously.
"This... isn’t the Royal Family supposed to be on equal footing with the Great Families? How can they sideline the Emperor?" Yuan Lin was puzzled.
"I don’t know. These were the words of Chief Assistant Zhang. I overheard their conversation yesterday when he came to offer incense and was chatting with Li Command Envoy while I was serving tea. I can’t vouch for the authenticity of this information, though," the Temple Master added, implying he wasn’t certain.
"If that is indeed the case, then its credibility must be quite high." Yuan Lin knew that in the imperial court, the struggle between the Tianqi King Party, led by individuals like Zhang Lin and Li Zheng, and Emperor Jing had never ceased.
Now it seems they aren’t fighting against Emperor Jing but the Royal Family itself.
"Do not speak rashly." The Temple Master warned, "This matter came from my mouth and entered your ears, Yuan Lin. You must not spread it further."
"Rest assured, my lips are sealed." Yuan Lin would not create trouble for the Dai Temple. He owed the Dai Temple an immense debt of gratitude; if it hadn’t taken him in and lent its influence, he would have been thrown into the great prison long ago.
"I haven’t offered incense to the Holy Emperor yet today, so I must be on my way."
By this point, Yuan Lin felt it was about time to leave. After offering his incense, he would continue his efforts, hoping to restore steam machinery to Dajing, even if the original welfare system couldn’t be brought back.
Just as he arrived in the Main Hall and was about to test how much his piety had improved, his contemplations were interrupted by a commotion outside.
Many worshipers also looked outside, curious to know what was happening.
"By His Majesty’s decree, kill the traitors, destroy the evil temple, and cut off the treasonous sacrifices!" a deep voice ordered.
This made Yuan Lin pale, and the Dai Temple was thrown into chaos.
The next moment, a hail of crossbow arrows rained down from the sky, turning the chaos into carnage.
"Quick, into the Main Hall!!!" someone, likely a Temple Master, yelled, prompting a mass of people to surge into the Main Hall.
In the Main Hall was enshrined the golden statue of the Heaven Equivalent Benevolent Holy Emperor, and those who entered inexplicably felt a sense of peace.
However, the people outside showed no mercy.
"Pour the Fire Oil! Burn it all down!"
Smoke and fire began to appear.
Yuan Lin looked panicked. Before he could react, someone pulled him into an adjacent hall.
"Temple Master Gong, what’s going on?" Yuan Lin asked hastily.
"I’m not quite sure, but I can faintly see they are Imperial Guards. It’s very likely the Royal Family is making a move against us," replied Temple Master Gong.
"Ah? This...how dare the Royal Family..." Yuan Lin stammered, such was his shock.
"This isn’t the time to be discussing this. I’ll get you out of here first. Return to the Northern Prairie, and don’t set foot in the Central Plains again. Just live a quiet life for the rest of your days." Saying that, Temple Master Gong took out a bundle, which seemed hastily packed.
"What about you all? Come with me," Yuan Lin said, unable to fathom leaving alone.
"We can’t. We’re too conspicuous a target. It’s better to ensure a Class B Devotee like you escapes," Temple Master Gong refused. He then warned, "These past few days, your activities in the Capital must have been spotted by the Royal Family. Be careful when you leave." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮
"If you encounter any danger, seek help from any Dai Temple. Even if we all perish, we’ll ensure that you return safely to the Northern Prairie."
Although Temple Master Gong spoke with sincerity, Yuan Lin felt heavy-hearted.
"If so, why not just stay? I’ll live and die with everyone here, so as not to involve other Dai Temples." Yuan Lin wasn’t the type to run scared.
"Alas, you still don’t understand. If the Royal Family has made a move against the Dai Temple in the Capital, do you think they won’t do the same to others?"
"If you can return and continue the faith, it might not be impossible to reforge the Holy Emperor’s golden statue."
"I’ve met many devotees, even Class B Devotees, but none are like you."
"Although they are devout, they possess only self-interest. You strive for the world, embodying selflessness, and share the same ideals as the Holy Emperor. I believe, one day, you will certainly become a Class A Devotee!" When Temple Master Gong said this, his words were powerful, stirring Yuan Lin’s emotions deeply.
"I..." Yuan Lin wanted to say something else, but he saw that the fire had already spread toward them.
"Go! If you don’t leave now, it will be too late!" Temple Master Gong didn’t wait for Yuan Lin to finish speaking; he grabbed Yuan Lin and headed towards a hidden place.
After navigating a series of mechanisms, a passage opened.
"Follow this path. Go ahead confidently; I’ll handle things here," said Temple Master Gong, pointing at the passage.
"Let’s go together, Temple Master Gong. As long as we are alive, there’s still a chance," Yuan Lin urged.
However, Temple Master Gong shook his head and said with a relaxed expression, "I can’t go. If I leave, who will hold back the pursuing soldiers for you?"
"But..."
"No buts. Go on." Temple Master Gong pushed Yuan Lin forcefully into the passage and closed the mechanism, sealing it completely.
Yuan Lin’s eyes were bloodshot. Wiping a tear from the corner of his eye, he turned and proceeded down the passage.
One day, I will slaughter the entire Dajing Royal Family! Yuan Lin’s voice was filled with hatred.
Before, he had wished for Dajing to return to its apex. But now, he desperately wanted Dajing to meet an even more miserable end, if only to appease the hatred in his heart.
His only thought now was to return to the prairie.
Only by surviving and returning could he make Dajing pay a blood price.
So what if it’s rebellion? It’s not like I can’t do it!
Dajing had destroyed its own airships, Steam Air Cannons, and a series of military armaments, regressing everything to an era of cold weapons. Therefore, he couldn’t be blamed for taking action.
Outside the secret passage, Temple Master Gong’s figure slowly faded. The fire and arrows turned the magnificent Dai Temple in the Capital into ashes, as if its previous prosperity had merely been an illusion.
...
"I didn’t provoke you, yet you attacked me first!" Wang Linchi’s face darkened.
Of course, he knew about the incident at the Dai Temple in the Capital. He didn’t quite understand why the Royal Family was targeting him. They had no conflict of interest, and his Dai Temple forces weren’t involved in any court politics.
Yet, they had suddenly taken action against him.
The true controller of the Imperial Guard was the Royal Family, not Emperor Jing. By now, Emperor Jing and the Royal Family could no longer be considered one and the same. Emperor Jing was more like a human shield for the Royal Family.
Gong Temple Master had, of course, been sent to Yuan Lin by Wang Linchi.
"So you want to play this game with me, is that it? Then don’t blame me for being ruthless."
A mere Dai Temple? You can have it.
The Dai Temple was never the point; it was just a conduit for faith. If they want to destroy it, so be it. I can completely dismantle it and then rebuild.
The Rite of Taishan Sealing... I hadn’t originally considered wanting it, but I can’t stand you not playing by the rules, Wang Linchi thought maliciously.
Next, I will not only let all Dai Temples be destroyed but also ensure that these Dai Temple forces die protecting that Hidden Dragon.
Adding flowers to brocade can never compare to sending charcoal in snowy weather.
If the Founding Emperor of the next dynasty is my Zealous Believer, then with my intervention, it will become a divine kingdom on earth.
As for the Royal Family’s cunning? Could they possibly be more cunning or stranger than I, an indescribable world embryo?
Wang Linchi deeply understood one thing: one must be willing to part with something to gain something.
He didn’t need to worry that this matter would capsize in the gutter. The System of God Road was a part of him, not his entirety. Even without the faith from incense, his Mana could serve as a substitute. The reason he hadn’t chosen Mana from the start was naturally because an additional channel meant an additional path for him.
