"But if we have to let go just because of this, then all our previous efforts would be in vain? Besides, we've bullied those monks so badly, do you think they'll let us off so easily?"
After Zhang Ruhui finished speaking, even Lin Ling Su gave a wry smile.
That's right, they had already gone so far. They changed Buddhist temples to Taoist temples, Sakyamuni to Tianzun, Bodhisattvas to Dashis, Arhats to Venerables, and monks and nuns were all made to keep their hair, wear crowns, and hold scriptures. Could such enmity truly be resolved?
"Forget it, you go out first. Let me think again!"
Han Mo's words indeed made Lin Ling Su waver. After all, it had been proven that this young man Han Mo was terrifyingly monstrous. Almost everything he did was a step ahead of his enemies.
With such an impressive track record, coupled with Han Mo's meaningful words, Lin Ling Su found it difficult not to believe him now.
However, this immense chariot had already started to slide downhill. Was it truly within human capability to change its course at this moment?
"Yes!"
Although Zhang Ruhui was still unwilling, he cupped his hands towards Lin Ling Su and retreated.
***
In the meditation room of the Xiangguo Temple, after patiently finishing the storybook, even Monk Dao Jian fell silent.
"Master, are you alright?"
Seeing him sitting there blankly, Zhi Yuan, holding a bowl of medicinal soup, quickly asked in a low voice.
"This Bianliang city is your territory after all. Immediately send someone to investigate who wrote this storybook. No matter the cost, I must see him tomorrow morning!"
Disturbed by Zhi Yuan's question, Dao Jian suddenly came to his senses. He grabbed Zhi Yuan's hand and stuffed the storybook over.
"This..."
"What? You can't even manage such a small matter?"
Seeing Zhi Yuan's hesitant demeanor, Monk Dao Jian glared at him with displeasure.
This guy had caused them such a catastrophe at such a critical juncture, and now he was being hesitant about handling a minor matter. How could Dao Jian not be angry?
"Master, you misunderstand. There's no need to investigate. The author of this is currently a guest at the Yu Xiang Tower. It is said that tonight, Li Shishi, one of the ten famous courtesans, will personally play the zither, and Wu Lian'er will play the xiao. They will be singing the tunes from this storybook. Almost everyone in Bianliang city has gone to watch the excitement..."
As Zhi Yuan spoke, he let out a wry smile. No one expected that such an unremarkable little booklet would become so popular throughout Bianliang city.
And based on the current situation, it was likely that by tomorrow morning, the price of paper in Bianliang city would increase.
"Have someone prepare the carriage. I really want to see who this divine being is who can write such a thing!"
Hearing Zhi Yuan's explanation, Dao Jian felt even more distressed.
These things were causing such a stir, known to everyone in the city.
Especially at this time, as the biggest villain in the entire book, even Dao Jian himself, upon reading it, wished he could slap Monk Fahai. Not to mention the foolish men and women in the countryside.
In the past, such things would not have been a major issue. But it was precisely at this time.
Even he could see that the story was not finished and had stopped at the most exciting point.
A story that was only the first half had already caused more than half of Bianliang city to glare at them. If the villains in the second half of the book were still monks, they would likely be in for great trouble before long.
Moreover, if it went further, and the celestial beings appearing later in the storybook were all Taoist deities, then even if they won, the disputes in the imperial court would make it difficult to win people's hearts in the end.
Therefore, after careful consideration, he finally decided to meet Han Mo first and see if he could win him over.
"Master, going to a place like that seems a bit..."
Although the Yu Xiang Tower was famous throughout the land, it was, after all, a high-class brothel.
Even with a hundred times the courage, Zhi Yuan would not dare to send Dao Jian directly to such a place.
"Have someone prepare the carriage. Tonight is a matter of life and death for Buddhism. How can personal reputation matter at this moment?"
With a wry smile, Dao Jian still stood up and adjusted his kasaya.
With the joint performance of Li Shishi and Wu Lian'er, just the publicity alone had the Yu Xiang Tower packed to the brim tonight.
Those who had the qualification to enter had already occupied all the seats on the first and second floors much earlier.
As for the rest, who did not meet the entry qualifications, they could only listen from outside.
With so many people crowding here, there was naturally no shortage of vendors.
Whether they were selling food or drinks, they were all making a fortune tonight.
And Han Mo, as the main guest of the evening, was naturally honored to be invited by Li Shishi to her private room on the third floor.
"We will play it through lightly first, and you can point out any mistakes, how about it?"
Seeing that Li Shishi's ancient zither had been tuned, Wu Lian'er picked up a jade xiao and cast a charming glance at Han Mo.
For some reason, looking at the jade xiao in her hand, Han Mo felt a tickling sensation in his heart...
"Since that's the case, then I shall listen with respect!"
Feeling his face heat up under Wu Lian'er's ardent gaze, Han Mo quickly coughed and made a gesture of invitation.
"Alright, here we go!"
Judging by their demeanor, Li Shishi could probably guess that something had happened between them.
However, she did not expose them at this moment. Instead, she smiled and focused her attention on the zither strings under her fingers.
As her right hand strummed, a melody that had traversed millennia echoed through the Yu Xiang Tower, and the entire world seemed to fall silent.
Even the vendors who were busy with their business stopped their movements, and everyone looked in the direction of the Yu Xiang Tower.
Both of them were masters of music. Although they had not rehearsed for a long time, their first collaboration had already astonished everyone.
When the piece ended, the entire Yu Xiang Tower erupted in thunderous applause...
"Ten years to cross the same boat, a hundred years to sleep in the same bed..."
Listening to the singing from afar, Monk Dao Jian suddenly felt a sense of desolation...