Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 724 The Zhao Clan of the Divine Dynasty

The old monk looked at Lu Zheng and asked in surprise, "How could you have entered this place if you hadn't deciphered the Buddhist temple's secret inscription?"

They possess a Buddhist artifact here that is capable of sensing the deciphering of the cryptic text, and thus came here because it sensed that someone had deciphered the cryptic text, rather than someone forcibly entering this place.

Otherwise, even Buddhist artifacts would issue a warning.

Upon hearing this, Lu Zheng smiled slightly and said, "I actually didn't understand those coded messages, nor do I know how many secrets the Buddhist temple holds. However, I have a way to break all laws, and the arrangement of that Buddhist temple will have no effect on me."

One method can overcome all methods?

Upon hearing this, everyone was incredulous. The construction and layout of that Buddhist temple were extraordinary. Even a high-ranking monk at the Dao Inquiry Realm would find it difficult to unravel its mysteries if he were not proficient in the orthodox methods of Buddhism.

As for other practitioners, it is almost impossible for them to ignore the Buddha Hall and come here without using force to break through, but rather by using some method to break through all methods.

The old monk asked in bewilderment, "What kind of method did you use, benefactor?"

He had already believed that Lu Zheng was the destined person they were waiting for, but then the other party said something like that.

Upon seeing this, Lu Zheng raised his right hand and opened it, revealing a golden mark in his palm, but without any fluctuation of energy.

Hu Feng, standing nearby, glared at him, curious and wanting to use his divine sense to investigate, but his subconscious told him that this was an extremely dangerous action, so he forcefully stopped the impulse.

However, Hu Feng could also clearly see that these were marks unique to Buddhism.

When the monks, including Miaokong, saw this seal, their Buddhist energy resonated with it.

The old monk standing in front stared wide-eyed, sensing a trace of Daoist energy from the mark on Lu Zheng's palm—pure, primordial power of Buddhism and Taoism…

Feeling this aura gave everyone the illusion of facing Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

"This is……"

The old monk's lips trembled. This was the first time he had seen a Buddhist mark containing such extraordinary power, but his intuition told him that such a mark could only come from the blessing of the will of an ancient Buddha.

"My Buddha is compassionate..."

The old monk bowed to Lu Zheng, his eyes fixed on the mark, his expression full of piety.

So, this is how it works: one method can overcome all methods. That makes sense...

After all, this is the mark of the Buddha, possessing the power of the Buddha's origin. Even the Buddha's power within their bodies will be affected by it, making it easy for them to completely ignore the arrangement of the Buddha Hall.

If this isn't a destined person, then what is? The old monk's gaze was intense.

None of their founders had such a mark.

If we really talk about it now, Lu Zheng's status in Buddhism is probably higher than theirs.

Lu Zheng slowly withdrew his hand and said unhurriedly, "I may have a connection with Buddhism, but not necessarily with you. So you still need to think about some things more carefully."

"Of course, I'm currently operating in the Northern Region. If you want to leave, I can allocate a place for you to live in, and I believe no one should cause you any trouble."

"If you're still willing to stay here, then let's pretend we were never here. We'll keep quiet about what happened here..."

Upon hearing Lu Zheng's words, the monks exchanged glances.

The old monk thought for a moment and then said, "This is a major matter concerning relocation, and we do indeed need to gather people to discuss it thoroughly. Please rest here for a while, both of you... If you have any needs, just let us know, and we will try our best to meet them..."

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "There's nothing needed. However, I won't be staying here for long. If you really can't make up your mind in a short time, you can send a few representatives with us to go outside and see the changes in the world. Things outside can't be explained in a short time, so it's best to see for yourself."

The old monk nodded and said softly, "You are right, benefactor."

The old monk bid farewell and left with Miaokong and the others.

However, they left two monks in a nearby courtyard so that they could be notified if anything happened.

The old monk looked at Miaokong and whispered, "Miaokong, go to the city and tell them everything in detail..."

This blessed land is not solely under the control of these monks.

There are other important figures in the city.

The decision on whether or not to go out needs to be reached through discussion among everyone.

Miao Kong nodded upon hearing this, then asked, "Is he really the person we've been waiting for?"

Seeing Lu Zheng's confident tone just now made Xuanmiao somewhat puzzled.

It's truly incomprehensible that Lu Zhengming, who clearly possesses such a special mark, doesn't consider himself a destined person.

The old monk said calmly, "The Patriarch is not wrong. If someone like him doesn't count, then who does? That demon? Or some future figure?"

Everyone agreed, and even felt that Lu Zheng's refusal to admit it meant he didn't trust them.

Miao Kong pondered for a moment, then left the temple for the city.

After a while, Miaokong arrived at a mansion in the city and was led by the servants to a martial arts training ground.

On the open ground, a burly, tall man was practicing boxing shirtless. His movements were fluid and powerful, with the sounds of tigers roaring and dragons howling emanating from his body.

After finishing his set of punches, the burly man was enveloped in white steam, and his imposing aura gradually subsided.

Only then did the man slightly turn his head and look at Miaokong with a calm gaze.

Miao Kong bowed and said, "Miao Kong greets General Zhao."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wei's expression grew even colder. "You want to see me about something?"

Miao Kong remained calm and said, "Someone is coming."

Zhao Wei was slightly taken aback, then realized what it meant.

Zhao Wei's eyes flashed, and he waved his hand to dismiss those around him.

The servants nearby hurriedly retreated, not daring to linger there for even a moment longer.

Miao Kong calmly recounted Lu Zheng's story.

Zhao Wei's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, and he said leisurely, "After waiting for hundreds of years, you have finally waited for a person, oh, and a demon..."

"That young man sounds quite capable. What, you think he's the one you've been waiting for?"

Miao Kong asked, "General Zhao, do you not believe me?"

Zhao Wei chuckled lightly, "Master Lingci is indeed highly skilled and helped us a great deal in the past, but his prophecy..."

"I don't believe he has the ability to predict a person hundreds of years from now, nor would I entrust my trust to an outsider so easily..."

"Even that young man who came here didn't believe he was some kind of destined person, and you still believe him?"

Zhao Wei looked at Miao Kong with a playful smile.

Miao Kong said softly, "There is a predetermined fate in the world."

Zhao Wei said calmly, "You believe in fate, but I don't. If you want to leave, I won't stop you. But there are some things I don't want outsiders to know, otherwise don't blame me for turning ruthless."

Miao Kong said, "General Zhao, so many years have passed..."

Zhao Wei glared and said, "And then? Is everything over?" Zhao Wei walked towards Miao Kong, his burly figure completely obscuring Miao Kong from view.

Zhao Wei's eyes were sharp, and his voice was deep as he said, "Even if the Divine Dynasty is gone, even if hundreds of years have passed, even if you have converted to Buddhism, you still bear the surname Zhao! You have the blood of the Zhao Clan's royal family flowing through your veins! I am still your elder brother! Remember that!"

Miao Kong's expression was calm and indifferent. "We were born here, but we have never seen the scene of the Divine Dynasty. Some things should be let go. How long can you hold on, elder brother? This world will not last much longer. The people here have changed several times and have not known their homeland for a long time... There is no point in continuing to insist on some things."

Enraged by these words, Zhao Wei raised his hand and struck Miao Kong.

However, that thick, large hand ultimately only gently landed on Miaokong's thin shoulder.

Zhao Wei said quietly, "The legacy of our ancestors must be carried on; that's the meaning. I was born into the Zhao family, and I'm your eldest brother, so it's my responsibility to shoulder this burden. There are some things you don't understand..."

"But since you want to go out, then go out! Forget your identity outside, and be a good monk."

"I am already aware of the matter. Tell me when you have reached an agreement."

Zhao Wei patted Miao Kong on the shoulder and turned to leave.

Everyone has their own aspirations, and he couldn't force Miaokong, who had already entered the Buddhist order, to do so, since he was his own younger brother.

Miao Kong watched Zhao Wei's retreating figure, opened her mouth as if to speak but then stopped, and said nothing. With a deep sigh, she bowed and bid farewell before heading to other parts of the city.

Zhao Wei went to the bathroom to shower and change, then went to a room to rest, his expression gloomy and not good-looking.

Nothing major had happened in all these years, but now this unexpected turn of events has left him deeply troubled.

After a while, Zhao Wei called out loudly, "Someone come here!"

Zhao Wei summoned his servants and even brought out his armor to change into, preparing to personally visit the two outsiders.

Before long, Zhao Wei arrived at the courtyard where Lu Zheng was resting with several trusted subordinates.

Sensing the situation, Hu Feng quickly stepped forward to open the door for Lu Zheng.

Zhao Wei led his men into the courtyard, his gaze quickly sweeping over Hu Feng before turning to Lu Zheng, who was slowly walking out.

Zhao Wei's gaze was scrutinizing. "You're Lu Zheng? I've heard you possess a strong sense of righteousness. Let me see what you're capable of?"

Seeing that the newcomer seemed rather hostile, Lu Zheng didn't pay much attention to it. With a thought, a wisp of righteous energy from heaven and earth enveloped Zhao Wei.

Zhao Wei immediately felt a powerful aura approaching, and he instinctively focused his energy in his dantian to stabilize his body.

Soon, Zhao Wei sensed the extraordinary nature of this righteous energy, which was even more remarkable than the supreme yang cultivation technique he practiced.

Lu Zheng quickly concealed his aura.

Zhao Wei immediately felt the pressure lessen, and his intuition told him that he was no match for this young man.

"Not bad, not bad, you do have some skill!"

Zhao Wei grinned, "My name is Zhao Wei, and I am the city's garrison general!"

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "So it's General Zhao..."

Lu Zheng paused for a moment, then said, "General, your armor looks quite extraordinary, and it seems to be armor from a previous dynasty?"

Zhao Wei narrowed his eyes slightly and said with a smile, "I heard you are a scholar. You are indeed very knowledgeable."

Lu Zhengdao: "I met a ghost general from the previous dynasty in Ghost Prefecture in the south a few years ago. His attire was similar to that of a general, so I have some memory of him."

"Ok?"

Zhao Wei's eyes lit up. "Who are you talking about?"

Lu Zheng spoke up: "Wei Xing."

Zhao Wei exclaimed in surprise, "Wei Xing, he's still alive?"

Although Zhao Wei was born here and was unaware of the current situation in the outside world, he was very clear about some historical events from the end of the previous dynasty.

At that time, there was indeed a famous general in the Divine Dynasty named Wei Xing, but he knew nothing about what happened to that general afterward.

Because the world was in chaos at that time, his ancestors had already taken refuge here, so they had no way of knowing what would happen next.

Lu Zhengdao: "Having become a ghost, receiving a little incense offering from the Chu Kingdom, can hardly be considered alive."

Zhao Wei's expression shifted between light and dark. "I've heard of General Wei's loyalty and righteousness, but I never expected him to actually..."

Lu Zhengdao said, "Life is unpredictable, perhaps he has his own difficulties. But I digress. I see that you have an extraordinary bearing. Could you be a descendant of the royal family of the previous dynasty?"

Lu Zheng made this guess for two reasons: first, the person in front of him was surnamed Zhao; second, the armor Zhao Wei was wearing had some special details, unlike the armor that ordinary soldiers could wear.

Besides, Lu Zheng also vaguely sensed something unusual about this place.

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed slightly.

Even Hu Feng was somewhat surprised. This fallen royal family was still a royal family; even after hundreds of years, they still retained some prestige and influence...

However, he had also heard that the royal family of the previous dynasty had been wiped out by several major dynasties, so the fact that such people could still emerge now made things even more complicated.

Zhao Wei's eyes flickered, and he smiled, "If I said I was, would you believe me?"

Lu Zhengdao said, "Why wouldn't you believe it? But there are plenty of powerful families in the world. Even if you say you are a direct descendant of the previous dynasty's royal family, it's not that surprising."

Zhao Wei narrowed his eyes, realizing that Lu Zheng seemed genuinely unconcerned about his status.

Zhao Wei couldn't help but laugh and said, "I wonder which prominent family you come from?"

Lu Zheng slowly said, "Me? I am just an ordinary scholar with no family background to rely on."

Zhao Wei was somewhat skeptical, but sometimes one has to believe certain things.

When it comes to Confucian and Taoist self-cultivation, it seems that one really does rely on one's own true abilities.

Zhao Wei asked, "I heard you're doing something in the Northern Region?"

Lu Zheng said, "We killed some harmful demons and monsters, occupied a little land to improve the lives of the local people, and put the sages' teachings into practice... Our place is not far from here. If the general is interested, he can go and take a look. It won't take much time."

Zhao Wei couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you from some southern country? What made you decide to come here?"

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "I am small and powerless, and it is really difficult for me to do anything that benefits the people in China. This place is very suitable for me."

"I see."

Zhao Wei nodded, wondering if Lu Zheng had been ostracized, which was why he came to a place like the Northern Region to develop his career.

After all, this kind of thing has existed since ancient times.

Upright scholars without connections are not valued by the court and are ostracized by their colleagues, leaving them frustrated and unfulfilled...

Zhao Wei had read many classic texts and had already imagined some scenarios from them.

For a moment, Zhao Wei even felt a sense of shared fate with Lu Zhengsheng.

Lu Zheng noticed a change in Zhao Wei's gaze, as if he had misunderstood something. (End of Chapter)