The big dog, puzzled, looked at Fang Jie and asked in a low voice, "How did you overdo it?"
In front of Shen Qingshan, he was truly embarrassed to use the word "pretentious" as naturally as Fang Jie. He had only been shocked by the power of the Daoist red-robed official's single finger strike and hadn't thought about anything else. But judging from Fang Jie's tone, he was clearly surprised by much more than just the power of that single finger strike that caused the pit to collapse.
"A small scene of a few hundred people, and you dare to trouble a red-robed official... Xiao Zhenren's second disciple, this show is indeed a bit too much."
Fang Jie glanced at Shen Qingshan, too embarrassed to use the word "pretentious" again.
"Even if this mad bull wasn't pre-arranged, and it was just a sudden incident, did it really require someone of such high status in the Daoist sect to personally intervene? That disciple in blue robes who spoke earlier, in terms of strength, could probably kill that old bull with a single palm strike, right? Even if the red-robed priest wanted to intervene, couldn't he just hit the bull? Did he have to poke a huge crater with his finger?"
"Yeah, why?"
Big Dog was taken aback by Fang Jie's explanation and asked almost instinctively.
"It's a show."
Fang Jie lowered his voice and said, "Deliberately displaying his cultivation. You'll see… the people will be completely convinced, and after that, they'll be filled with gratitude."
Sure enough, as soon as Fang Jie finished speaking, the few people who had been saved knelt down first, repeatedly expressing their gratitude. Seeing everyone kneeling, the red-robed Crane Cry Daoist rose from his carriage, walked to the crowd with an otherworldly, ethereal air, and helped each person up. He possessed a cold and aloof appearance, yet spoke with polite gentleness, winning over the hearts of the common people almost instantly.
"A few hundred people isn't many," Shen Qingshan smiled.
"But if these few hundred people spread the word, it won't be long before the news reaches the entire capital."
Hearing this, Fang Jie's eyes lit up, and he muttered, "I understand."
"Understand what?"
Shen Qingshan and Da Quan asked almost simultaneously.
Fang Jie shook his head, offering no answer.
Looking at the solemn Taoist priests in the distance, at the noble and courteous red-robed officials, he realized how superficial his previous assumption that this was merely a show put on by the Daoist sect to expand its reputation had been. Since the Emperor of the Great Sui had already established a sect, why would he need Daoist officials like them to lower themselves to perform magic tricks for a group of commoners?
The Daoist sect had only just arrived outside the capital and had already put on this show; its purpose was far more than simply guiding the people to believe in the Daoist sect.
It was for the Great Sui court, for the Emperor! When Fang Jie encountered Wanyan Liyao on the way, he guessed that the Sui Dynasty would soon launch a military campaign against the Northwest. Raising a sword against the behemoth that was the Mongol Empire would be far more complex than simply reforming the court and reorganizing the military, or merely about the emperor enhancing his own prestige.
Everyone knew that the Mongol Empire possessed the Great Snow Mountain and the Great Wheel Temple, and that Buddhism, outside the Sui Dynasty, had been elevated to the pinnacle of power. Even if the people of the Sui Dynasty didn't believe in Buddhism, they still feared this sect that controlled almost all the countries outside the Sui. Legend had it that the Great Snow Mountain had the highest number of ninth-rank masters in the world. And the three thousand golden-bodied monks under the Great Wheel King of Buddhism were said to be invincible.
These legends fueled the anxieties of the Sui people.
Although the people and officials of the Sui Dynasty were confident that the Sui military was unparalleled, no one would back down even when challenging the Mongol Empire, which boasted millions of soldiers. But Buddhism is different. If the Mongol Empire is a behemoth, then Buddhism is merely the tip of the iceberg.
If the Sui Dynasty and the Mongol Empire were to go to war, and Buddhist masters were to intervene, the people of Sui, and even the court officials, would be filled with fear.
Therefore…
The Sui Emperor's personal decree inviting Master Xiao of the Yi Qi Temple on Qing Le Mountain to the Chang'an Martial Arts Academy for a ceremony could not possibly be merely for that purpose.
Therefore…
The red-robed priest, Crane Cry Daoist, demonstrating his cultivation to the townspeople could not possibly be simply to stop a mad bull from injuring people.
The Sui Emperor summoned Master Xiao to demonstrate the strength of Daoism to the people and the court officials. Only by displaying extraordinary power would Sui officials and the people have more confidence in the impending war. With Daoist masters as a backing, the Sui army would have no need to fear Buddhist practitioners.
The emperor's seemingly ordinary actions concealed a profound meaning that commanded respect.
Therefore, when Fang Jie deduced these things, he was filled with reverence for the current ruler of the Great Sui Empire. If he knew the other things His Majesty had done in preparing for this war, he would likely be utterly awestruck. This was the composure a ruler should possess, having anticipated almost every difficulty to come.
Fang Jie couldn't help but think that if all the emperors of the Great Sui had such shrewdness and foresight, it wouldn't be unbelievable that the Great Sui had remained powerful for a century. He even believed that if the emperors of the Great Sui were like Emperor Tianyou Yang Yi, then after five or six more emperors, the Great Sui might very well unify the world.
While he was lost in thought, Qilin Henggun and the other three also noticed Shen Qingshan and the others sitting on the tree branch watching the commotion. The eldest, Tie Nu, quietly shook his head, signaling the other three not to approach and acknowledge them. Although the fifteen-year period had passed, none of them dared to truly relax.
Not only was he worried about the tireless monks who had relentlessly pursued him, but he also had to be wary of the person behind it all. Who knew… would that person discard him after fifteen years?
Or… eliminate him completely?
…
…
Through the gap in the carriage curtain, Master Xiao was quite satisfied with the lively scene he witnessed. Although the crowd wasn't large, he was certain that news of this event would spread throughout the capital within a few days. At that time, another miracle within the Daoist sect would be widely circulated. While it wouldn't compare to the story of the peach blossoms blooming overnight, its effect at this crucial moment would likely be even better than that peach blossom incident.
The Emperor's secret edict mentioned launching a military campaign against the Mongols, and he was tasked with finding a way to eliminate the people's fear of Buddhism. This would be extremely difficult elsewhere, but not impossible in the Great Sui Dynasty. Because the people of the Great Sui had no faith, while instilling faith in them wouldn't be easy, it was ultimately much easier than erasing their existing beliefs.
Since his journey north from Qingyue Mountain, he had instructed the Crane Cry Daoist to perform such so-called miracles numerous times. The people of the Sui Dynasty's faith in the Daoist sect had grown increasingly strong.
He knew that His Majesty the Emperor was a magnanimous yet cautious man, and before launching such a great war, the Emperor would undoubtedly consider all aspects. A courageous populace is essential for victory; a fearful populace guarantees defeat. The Sui army was the strongest in the world, but that didn't mean they were invincible. Only when the people firmly believed they would not lose and wholeheartedly supported this war that could potentially change the world order would the soldiers unleash their full potential.
Therefore, Master Xiao knew he had to fulfill the Emperor's instructions.
He was also happy to do it.
Because if this was done well, it wouldn't just benefit the Emperor. Although the Daoist sect held a unique position in the Sui Dynasty, Master Xiao was self-aware. In terms of overall influence and strength, the Buddhist sect far surpassed the Daoist sect. In terms of leadership and cultivation, that Great Wheel King was likely far superior to him.
If the Daoist sect didn't dedicate itself fully to its development, it would never truly rival the Buddhist sect, not even in this lifetime, nor in many future lives.
The Daoist sect was confined to a corner of the Sui Dynasty, while the Buddhist sect had spread throughout the world.
When he was still a lazy, wandering Daoist priest swindling money, he didn't harbor such grand ideals. But ever since he swindled one hundred taels of silver and a promise from Yang Yi, who was then the Fourth Prince, his fate had quietly changed.
The Fourth Prince became Emperor, and he became the Imperial Preceptor.
But this position as Imperial Preceptor wasn't solely earned through his efforts to promote the Daoist sect for His Majesty. He had played an indispensable role when the Fourth Prince, Yang Yi, seemingly without ambition and humbly vied for the throne. It was because of that that His Majesty trusted him.
Seeing the people's enthusiastic reaction, Master Xiao quietly instructed the young Daoist disciples outside. The young Taoist priest hurried forward to find the Crane Cry Taoist and whispered Master Xiao's message in his ear. The Crane Cry Taoist nodded and slowly walked to the farmer squatting beside the large pit, watching his ox whimpering. He himself felt a pang of sorrow.
The Crane Cry Taoist had the young priest fetch a piece of silver and handed it to the farmer, saying gently, "Injuring your ox was truly unavoidable. This silver is compensation. Your ox has broken a bone and will likely be unable to plow the fields in the future. Use this silver to buy a strong ox. If you have any further requests, you can come directly to the capital to find me."
This act of humility immediately won the favor of the villagers.
Some cheered, some applauded.
The Crane Cry Taoist turned and got back into the carriage. The farmer, holding the silver, stood there dumbfounded, unsure what to say.
The procession resumed its journey, leaving the accompanying officials from the Ministry of Rites somewhat bewildered. This was the first time they had witnessed the abilities of cultivators, and the first time they had truly felt the awe-inspiring power of human strength, comparable to the might of heaven.
The large procession slowly began its journey, with the people lining the streets to see them off.
As the carriages passed the edge of the woods, Tie Nu and the others nodded slightly to Fang Jie, who sat on a tree branch. Fang Jie smiled but remained silent.
Just then, the curtain of the third carriage was suddenly lifted a crack. A calm, detached gaze peered out, first glancing at Shen Qingshan, then quickly shifting away before finally settling on Fang Jie.
The gaze was calm, devoid of any hatred.
Fang Jie thought it was his imagination, and when he looked again, the carriage curtain had already been lowered.
Until the carriage disappeared from sight, Fang Jie still couldn't understand the meaning behind that gaze. There was no hostility, no resentment, nothing at all; it was as calm and clear as a still lake.
Yet, this gaze sent a shiver down Fang Jie's spine for no apparent reason.
...
...
On a high slope about two or three miles from the official road, a hawk-like figure in black robes watched with keen eyesight the young man sitting on a tree branch, a pipe dangling from his mouth. A chilling smirk played on his lips, not a smile, but a sinister killing intent. Although Vice Minister of War Yu Donglai had warned him more than once, he felt no real fear of Fang Jie, a seemingly insignificant figure with no powerful background.
Behind him stood a row of a dozen or so men, also dressed in black robes, their entire bodies shrouded except for their eyes, their chilling presence like a row of knives stuck in the ground.
"That woman seems a bit troublesome, the rest are nothing to worry about," the hawk-like figure muttered, frowning in thought for a moment before suddenly remembering something.
"I heard... tomorrow, Li Fubo and his group from the Martial Arts Academy will be practicing military tactics in the open area south of the city. Prince Yi is going to personally attend on behalf of His Majesty? This is the final competition between the top three students of the Martial Arts Academy; I wonder who will emerge victorious."
One of his subordinates nodded, saying, "The Vice Minister just made that arrangement; it's true."
"If that fool accidentally gets caught in the trap tomorrow, his death in the battle formation shouldn't cause much of a stir, right?"
Eagle Vulture sneered, turning back to instruct, "Think of a way to lure him there first thing tomorrow morning. Those nobles in the top three of the Martial Arts Academy are all aloof and ruthless; anyone who trespasses into the training grounds won't get away with it. Even if he doesn't die, the Ministry of War can use that as an excuse to expel that kid."
"As long as he's no longer a candidate for the Martial Arts Academy, what's there to worry about?"
He raised his telescope again, only to find that the young man sitting on the tree branch was gone.
He was less than three miles from Fang Jie.
If Mu Xiaoyao were there, she would definitely have sensed his presence.
But unfortunately, Mu Xiaoyao had entered the capital and the Imperial Guard.
Eagle Vulture used his clairvoyance to find where that damned boy had gone. Soon, he discovered that the boy had walked to the middle of the official road. He seemed to be waving in this direction. Startled, Eagle Vulture looked closer and saw that another procession had appeared on the road, a series of seven or eight carriages. At the head of the procession, a fat, pig-like Taoist priest was vigorously waving his arms, responding to the boy.
Eagle Vulture gritted his teeth, silently praying that the fat Taoist priest hadn't come with Master Xiao. If the Taoist sect members were involved, things would become much more complicated.