Chapter 240: Chapter 105: Founding of the Compassionate State Religion, Great Yin’s Demons Collected

At this moment, just one glance and she knew.

She stood up, clasped her hands together, and saluted from afar, calling out in a pure, girlish voice, "Arhat."

The illusionary monk created by Li Xuan also saluted the young Empress Dowager and said, "Empress Dowager, you have come from afar, and Buddha has sensed your sincere heart."

The Empress Dowager covered her mouth, showing a bit of shyness, and said, "Actually, I have always wanted to serve at the feet of Buddha. Unfortunately, the state affairs are busy, and my son has yet to govern personally. This autumn, I sent my family members here to become a monk in my stead."

Li Xuan sat on the distant melting snow, gazing at the Empress Dowager through the eyes of the illusionary monk.

The illusionary monk was remarkable, created purely through demon skill, and did not exhibit any "fire poison" or "spiritual influence." It was a natural envoy he could send out.

The illusionary monk said, "Then the Zen Sect of Xinci Temple will always be open to you."

The Empress Dowager smiled charmingly, like a darling little girl, and whispered, "I thank Buddha so much."

After saying this, she continued, "Previously, I kept urging the late king to spread the incense of Xinci Temple throughout Great Yin. But he was unwilling.

Now that the late king is gone, in Great Yin I can speak a few words too, and plan to notify the Northern Mountain Road and the river route, allowing the entire Great Yin to build temples, providing incense offerings for Buddha."

The illusionary monk looked at her for a while, then suddenly said, "Prince Qing’s Mansion will not step outside Cyan Wood Province."

The Empress Dowager was stunned for a moment, and then joy overflowed her face, and she laughed aloud.

During her journey, she knew about the entanglement between Prince Qing’s Mansion and Xinci Temple.

Simply put, Buddha Mother and the abbot were adamant about supporting Prince Qing’s Mansion, and Buddha seemed to want to maintain this situation to avoid conflict with Buddha Mother.

In such circumstances, receiving a promise from Buddha made her heart almost ecstatic.

She softly exclaimed, "Namo Buddha, Namo Buddha."

Then she said, "Even though I cannot become a monk, I have brought my cousin from home.

My cousin is also devoted to Buddha, and she will become a monk at Xinci Temple for me; Arhat, please don’t refuse, okay?"

The illusionary monk nodded.

Li Xuan knew about the "cousin."

She was indeed the Empress Dowager’s cousin, a lovely and beautiful young girl.

But the young girl had cried her eyes red many times on the way here, swollen from crying. Today, she dried her tears, mustered up the courage, and accepted her fate to enter Xinci Temple.

She is undoubtedly a political sacrifice, pitiful...

The Empress Dowager, seeing the Subduing Tiger Arhat agree, wanted to discuss Buddhist Dharma with the Arhat.

But Li Xuan was not interested in Buddhist Dharma, he merely chatted casually for a few sentences and then stopped.

Finally, it reached the point where the true intentions were revealed, and the Empress Dowager softly said, "Arhat, I want to decree Yu Sect as the national religion, is it possible?"

Li Xuan replied, "It should be Xinci Temple instead.

But Xinci Temple does not wish to be involved in any dispute within the dynasty.

If you agree, so does Buddha."

The Empress Dowager bit her lip, feigning pity.

Li Xuan said, "But no matter when, if someone from the Wang family is in trouble and seeks refuge, they should come and become monks at Xinci Temple, and Buddha will guarantee their safety."

The Empress Dowager pondered for a moment and said, "Okay."

When the doors of the main hall reopened, sunlight shone on the snow, illuminating the dignified and majestic Buddha.

And just moments ago, the transaction between north and south was completed.

For Empress Dowager Wang, she was victorious.

She solved the most troublesome issues of Prince Qing and the Prime Minister and established a relationship with Buddha of Xinci Temple. From now on, she need not worry, but... her cousin suffers.

Li Xuan?

He naturally won as well.

Without shedding blood or lifting a hand, he made no enemies, and Xinci Temple became the national religion, allowing its incense offerings to spread throughout Great Yin.

Meanwhile, Prince Qing’s Mansion will not be targeted excessively.

Regarding the matter of "Prince Qing’s Mansion not leaving Cyan Wood Province"... wasn’t this originally what Prince Qing and the Prime Minister wanted?

In the East Sea Black Mountain Tuo battle, the Prime Minister suffered heavy losses and should have retired gracefully; now, a peaceful retirement was something Li Xuan was glad to see.

If he had intervened forcefully back then, though he would have showcased his prowess, the benefits would have been extremely limited.

As long as Prince Qing and Xinci Temple are not in cahoots.

Then those wanting to deal with Prince Qing would offer benefits to Xinci Temple.

And those aiming at Xinci Temple would seek out Prince Qing.

Either way, he profits.

It’s good.

...

...

Wang Qingyan sat on the meditation cushion in the main hall.

She was ordained in place of the Empress Dowager, holding a high status, thus Jing Miao herself performed her tonsure, and they were both of the "Jing" generation, appointing her as the head of the scripture collection pavilion of Xinci Temple, studying scriptures daily.

As her thousands of strands of worries fell, the beautiful maiden transformed into a monk.

"Since you are ordained, your dharma name will be Jingxin from now on, seeking only for the mind to reflect the scriptures, seeing the ten-directional suffering, and giving rise to compassion," Jing Miao said.

To give the Empress Dowager a dignified explanation, Li Xuan sent the Subduing Tiger Arhat to appear once again.

This was indeed the first time the Subduing Tiger Arhat appeared openly before everyone.

Subduing Tiger Arhat personally accompanied Jingxin to the scripture collection pavilion.

The two remained silent until arriving at the door, where one entered and the other departed.

...

...

Jingxin was sorrowful, yet Empress Dowager Wang was cheerful.

But as she walked, she suddenly realized someone was missing from their group.

At once, the young Empress Dowager seemed to become a tiger with bristling fur, jumping up and bellowing, "Xie Feng! Xie Feng!"

No one answered.

Upon questioning the surrounding servants and palace maids, all said, "General Xie left early."