957 Who (1/2)

Liu Yiqing's question of when the Academy would take action was referring to the Qinghe Prefecture. As long as Qinghe Prefecture was still seized, then the South Jin and Tang would still be connected. Thus, if the Divine Halls of the West-Hill were to attack, then it would be much more difficult to do so.

The Divine Halls of West-Hill's target was definitely the South Jin. However, the South Jin was powerful and prestigious. If Taoism wanted to win against the Tang, then it was impossible for them to give it up, not to mention the South Jin had always been under the influence of the Divine Hall.

Liu Yiqing was about to say something when Tang Xiaotang just came back from grocery shopping. Liu didn't continue. Instead, he fared the two well and left with disciples from the Sword Garret who were waiting outside.

Looking at them going away in the dusk, Chen Pipi fell in silence for a while. He knew that the South Jin was under great pressure from the Divine Halls of West-Hill, especially recently.

Ning Que and Sangsang went into the Buddha's chessboard. For commoners, this was certainly a secret, but not for the ones who had kept in touch with the Academy. Because of this incident, the Academy probably had to change its original plan. The Taoism, especially Chen's own father, wouldn't let this opportunity get away.

Chen Pipi said, ”I've been learning Taoism ever since I was a child, without any obstacles. I was referred to as the first genius that Taoism had met in a millennium. After that, I was recruited by the Academy as the top student in all six disciplines, recognized by the Headmaster and directly promoted to the second-floor. Back then, as a member of the Back Hill disciples, I achieved the State of Knowing the Destiny naturally. In this sense, cultivation for me had never been difficult.”

Chen Pipi was standing beside the window, looking into the direction of Chang'an, and continued. ”Probably because of this, or because I didn't want to fight against my elder brother for power. I have never been very devoted to cultivation or obsessed with power. However, since I'm disabled in cultivation now and could no longer access power even if I wanted to, power has been something that I've hungered for.”

He wanted to do something for the Academy, and that was why his hunger for power was increasing.

Tang Xiaotang walked to him, held his hand, and said, ”Don't be too worried.”

”It's impossible not to be.”

Jun Mo and Ye Su, the two brothers whom Chen Pipi respected most, were both currently doing the most impossible thing. Every time he thought of it, he would be anxious and unsettled.

Tang Xiaotang said, ”The Fourth Uncle sent a letter saying that the Academy is racking all of their brains to open the chessboard, but has achieved nothing. Why aren't you worrying at all?”

Chen Pipi said, ”The Buddha's chessboard can't trap Ning Que.”

Tang Xiaotang was puzzled. ”Why?”

Chen Pipi said, ”Because he is together with Haotian.”

Tang Xiaotang said, ”But doesn't the Buddha want to kill Haotian?”

Chen Pipi said, ”Even if the Buddha was really capable of predicting things before and after his life including Haotian, the Buddha can't predict Ning Que's next moves because Ning Que is unpredictable.”

Tang Xiaotang trusted him, so she stopped worrying. With that, her face was much clearer and brighter. She said, ”Will you eat one more bowl of steamed rice tonight for celebration?”

Chen Pipi sighed, ”Not yet. My appet.i.te has not been good.”

Tang Xiaotang was at a loss and asked, ”What else are you still worrying about?”

”As long as it is related to Taoism, it will be part of my father's scheme. Whether or not the Buddha's chessboard could trap Haotian and Ning Que, Haotian would ultimately go back to the Divine Kingdom.”

Chen Pipi said, ”Then, wars in the human world will resound. Will the Academy be able to withstand them? Every time I think of this, the food is as terrible as wax. How could I have a good appet.i.te? So I can only have five bowls tonight.”

...

...

In a city of the Song, Ye Su stood at the old yard of a shabby abbey and was explaining some parts of the West-Hill literary canon, in front of dozens of newly-developed believers.

After leaving Linkang, he travelled around the world, and hoped to spread the scriptures of the new sect to waken more poor and miserable believers. Finally, he came to Song and preached here, where Taoism was the most powerful force and its population's belief of Haotian was the most pious.

He was wearing a light-colored garment, blown tenderly by the wet wind from the ocean. With spotty stains here and there, it smelled horrible, after being hit by many many stink eggs.

Preaching in Song would be undoubtedly be more difficult here than in Linkang. He had been well prepared psychologically once he had made the decision. However, the people's resentment was so blunt that it was out of his expectations.

Several broken bricks flew over the wall and fell on the ground. They rumbled and then were broken into pieces. The dozens of believers looked pale and flurried.

Later on, the wooden gate of the small abbey was kicked out violently, and then dozens of people took bludgeons and rushed in, cursing. Amid the adults, two children looked exhilarated at all this, carried bricks, and were itching to throw. These broken bricks must have been thrown by them.

Rotten eggs and vegetables were all over the yard of the abbey. Within minutes, Ye Su had vegetables hanging and rotten eggs sticking to his hairs. The dozens of disciples were hit heavily and were bleeding all over the body. They were only let out the abbey after begging hard.

Ye Su was the only one left in the abbey. He looked at the furious people peacefully without any hatred, disappointment, or compa.s.sion often seen on the face of a monk. He was calm and even smiled.

His reaction irritated them. Some men held up bludgeons and attacked him.

A lot of people surrounded the small abbey. Noises went out all over the walls, and those who had nowhere to let their anger out couldn't help desperately cramping into the door.

Within an instant, hundreds of people crammed in before the situation was out of control. Many fell down to the ground and couldn't get up. Everyone was tramping. Sounds of fractured bones and screaming were heard again and again amid the crowd.