Chapter 630: Zhongyin Temple

Chapter 630: The Middle Yin Temple

"Monks from Qingqiu?"

Li Huowang's mind recalled that three-headed, six-armed black-robed monk, along with his three heads representing different methods of death.

"You mean... this sect has been in collusion with the monks of Qingqiu all along?" The possibility made Li Huowang's expression suddenly grave.

The celestial law of Yu'er God was darkness, and those black-robed monks worshipped death. If these monks intended to exploit Yu'er God's heavenly calamities, aiming to bring the entire world into death through the sect, then the logic would make sense.

Even though the sect was considered an abominable heresy by courts and the various Heavenly Observing Departments across nations, in this utterly deranged world, there were always people who found common ground with such heartless scoundrels.

"Hmm... not necessarily. After all, many of the masters at the Middle Yin Temple have joined the Qingqiu Heavenly Observing Department," Li Huowang learned for the first time from Zheng Boqiao the name of the sect of those black-robed monks.

"The Middle Yin Temple..." Li Huowang remembered the neatly arranged half-human, half-goat corpses he had seen beneath the grasslands of Qingqiu.

For such a pure sect devoted solely to the worship of death itself, Li Huowang thought it impossible to imagine anything worse.

"Could it be that this so-called Middle Yin Temple has completely taken control of Qingqiu's Heavenly Observing Department? Perhaps even Qingqiu itself is now under the control of the sect?"

Upon hearing this, the Buddha Jade Incense Burner beside him shuddered. If what he said was true, it would be terrifying indeed—internal strife and external threats, the Great Liang Dynasty might already be on the brink of collapse.

Zheng Boqiao shook his dustbrush. "That's not likely. Before, the former Xuan Pin had traveled throughout the land, gathering all the Heavenly Observing Departments together to discuss matters. If there were problems with Qingqiu's Heavenly Observing Department, Xuan Pin would have discovered them long ago."

"Xuan Pin..." Li Huowang recalled how, when he sought out Xuan Pin to confront the Forgetful Dao Sect, the man had seemed to have urgent business outside the city, only returning after the dice had possessed the dragon vein.

At the time, he had wondered why Xuan Pin had left during such a critical moment. Now, combining Zheng Boqiao's words, he realized Xuan Pin had gone to consult other Heavenly Observing Departments about important matters.

"Hmm..." Zheng Boqiao paused mid-thought, turning his gaze back to Li Huowang.

"Friend Li, you needn't worry about this matter. We'll send specialists to investigate thoroughly. But what you said isn't wrong either. Allowing the Great Qi Sect and the Great Liang Sect to collude could easily cause trouble."

"Just now, I obtained information through alchemy from He Xin’s mind regarding several major strongholds of the sect. Perhaps we can find more remnants of the Great Qi Sect there. Friend Li, if convenient or willing to assist the Heavenly Observing Department, you may go take a look."

Hearing this, Li Huowang's expression darkened, and he looked anew at Zheng Boqiao before him.

His purpose in leaving was to help the Heavenly Observing Department deal with the sect. Intelligence was good, but why did this man seem to deliberately keep him away? Could there be something fishy about the Middle Yin Temple?

"Minister Zheng, you know I serve the Emperor. The Emperor sent me to travel through the Great Liang to oversee all injustices. If there's anything I'm hiding from the Emperor, that would be treason."

"Heh, Friend Li, what are you talking about? This is a matter of the Heavenly Observing Department—the Emperor probably couldn’t care less."

"The Emperor doesn't care, but does he also not want to know?" Li Huowang's suspicions grew stronger from the evasive reply.

Zheng Boqiao sighed helplessly, as if conceding defeat. "Fine. Once our people return from Qingqiu, we will report everything clearly to the Inspector General about the situation at the Middle Yin Temple. As for the sect issue, will you still help, sir?"

Looking around at the others nearby, Li Huowang didn't want to press too hard. The sect issue was more pressing now. After all, the people he cared about were in the Great Liang, not in Qingqiu.

"What nonsense is this, Master? I live in the Great Liang too. I am also a member of the Heavenly Observing Department. It's my duty to resolve the sect issue. Why do you think I'd refuse?"

"Heh heh heh, I apologize. Time is short. To prevent the sect followers from relocating, I’ll write down the locations for you right now."

With that, Zheng Boqiao walked back to the incense burner, grabbed some ash, and quickly wrote on the ground.

Soon, several addresses drawn in ash appeared on the floor. Most were remote villages outside the Jiangnan region, suggesting the sect, like the White Lotus Sect before it, had disguised themselves as ordinary citizens hiding throughout the Great Liang.

After finishing, Zheng Boqiao swept the ash with his dustbrush, and the scattered ash quickly gathered into a small pile, floating into his hand.

Holding this small clump of ash, Zheng Boqiao hurriedly brought it forward to Li Huowang and handed it over.

"I specialize in alchemy. Friend Li, don't go yet. I have some rare pills for recovery and healing."

Li Huowang reached out his hand, grabbed the ash from his hand, stuffed it into his chest, and turned to leave. "No thanks. I don't like taking pills."

This time, he planned to go alone. Bringing along these members of the Heavenly Observing Department who weren't on his side would only be a burden.

"We'll also send someone else to search. If you encounter them, just announce your name—they'll let you pass."

Zheng Boqiao called after Li Huowang's retreating figure.

Li Huowang pretended not to hear and departed with Li Sui like a gust of wind.

After Li Huowang left, Zheng Boqiao slightly turned toward the Buddha Jade Incense Burner behind him and said, "He's not on our side. We can try to win him over, but we should proceed cautiously when dealing with him."

The Buddha Jade Incense Burner nodded immediately. "Understood. This man clings to imperial power; it's disgraceful to the department."

Hearing this, Zheng Boqiao stood still for a while, then gently shook his head. "No, no. I suspect he's not on the Emperor's side either."

Despite discussing such crucial matters, Zheng Boqiao showed no intention of having the abbot of Zhengde Temple step aside.

Hearing Zheng Boqiao's words, the Buddha Jade Incense Burner hesitated slightly. "He's not on the Emperor's side? Then whose side is he on? Could it be he's a spy for the sect?"

"Never mind him. Don't let it delay important matters. In this world, caution is always wise. If you ever meet him again, contact me immediately."

"Understood."

Having finished his instructions, Zheng Boqiao put on a smile and bowed respectfully to the old monk Chan Du. "Master Chan Du, since all the trivial matters are dealt with, shall we go to the Rain Flower Pavilion?"

"May the Buddha bless you, Friend. You've been generous."

Chan Du clasped his hands together, holding a string of prayer beads, and made a Buddhist gesture toward the approaching Taoist.

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Next chapter update at 11:45 PM.

(End of Chapter)