In Dong Hua Pavilion, silence continued for a good while.

Qi Tian Di retracted his finger and smiled, “What wild ambitions you have, Jiang Qing Yang!”

Under the pendants, shadows seemed to flicker across his face, the cloud cover of this vast empire. “Even I, the Emperor, cannot say that everything goes smoothly and as one wishes in this life.”

Jiang Wang said, “Your humble servant believes that to go smoothly as one wishes is a first-class right. Your Majesty is supreme, possesses the Eastern Country, your holy heart is heaven’s heart, how can there be anything not as wished?”

“One who enjoys first-class rights must bear first-class responsibilities,” Qi Tian Di said. “Ah, people, the higher they stand, the farther they see, the more they think. It’s not that you can have things exactly as you want, following your heart’s desire. That would be a foolish ruler. Acting arbitrarily and recklessly would be a tyrannical lord. Receiving the offerings of ten thousand people, how can one not consider the ten thousand people?”

Jiang Wang lowered his eyes and said, “Your humble servant’s vision is like that of a rat!”

Qi Tian Di said languidly, “You’re not thinking that because you suffered enough hardships in the Demon World, I just can’t bear to treat you harshly again, are you?”

Jiang Wang said, “Your humble servant doesn’t understand, your humble servant only knows that Your Majesty wants to reward your humble servant.”

The Heavenly Emperor was angered into laughter, letting out two cold laughs, then said, “The method of Dong Zhen is only for self-discovery. But by analogy, it’s not impossible. You, Jiang Qing Yang, have great merit for the human race. The insights into the true heart in the treasury can be fully viewed!”

“As for your request for Zhen Ren invincibility, where in this world is there an invincible method? Only an invincible person! Even if the Great Qi national treasury has ten thousand kinds of wondrous methods, it still depends on whether you yourself are capable.”

Jiang Wang thought for a moment and said, “Your humble servant should be.”

Han Ling stood motionless, his eyes seemingly fixed, as if contemplating the wonders of the universe. The Heavenly Emperor was silent for a moment, then said, “I have a suggestion.”

Jiang Wang said, “Your humble servant washes his ears to respectfully listen.”

“A great man should learn to be an enemy of ten thousand! Not knowing military matters is not enough to dominate the world. The God of War’s might lingers in all directions, not only relying on his fists,” Qi Tian Di said. “Xiu Yuan probably has some conflicts with you. Go to Jue Ming Island. I will let Qi Xiao teach you.”

Originally, after Jiang Wang fulfilled the responsibility of Ling Xian and went to the Wan Yao Gate to temper himself, the Heavenly Emperor intended to let Xiu Yuan take him to temper and learn some military strategy. No matter what, he was a Marquis with military achievements; only knowing how to fight and charge wasn’t very presentable.

Now, having circled through the Demon Race in such a grand manner, learning military strategy was out of the question. If he went to the Demon World battlefield now, he would definitely become a priority target for the Demon Race. Military strategy would be useless.

The Heavenly Emperor finally didn’t want to waste this rough jade of good talent and still hoped to carve it a bit. Jiang Wang also had no reason to refuse, so he cupped his hands and said, “Your humble servant is willing to go.”

After a while, seeing that the Heavenly Emperor had nothing more to say, he very perceptively performed another ritual, “Your humble servant takes his leave.”

“Wait,” Qi Tian Di said casually. “Who is on duty in the Affairs Hall?”

Han Ling only then came alive, “It is the Court Discuss Doctor Ye Hen Shui.”

The Heavenly Emperor waved his hand, “Drag him to transcribe documents. Follow the old example.”

Jiang Wang opened his mouth to speak, but after thinking for a moment, finally said nothing and honestly followed Han Ling out.

After Jiang Wang left, a figure turned in from the side chamber and sat down facing the Heavenly Emperor.

He had kind eyebrows and benevolent eyes, gentle and harmonious, yet it was the current state prime minister, Jiang Ru Mo.

The Heavenly Emperor picked up the scroll beside him but did not immediately open it, instead saying, “Not easy, ah. I see his physique is vastly different from half a year ago. He must have died and lived how many times in the Demon World.”

“Marquis Wu An’s experiences this time are enough to be recorded in history; no one can find fault,” Jiang Ru Mo’s voice was low and slow. “But observing today’s behavior… Is Marquis Wu An somewhat arrogant?”

“He has knots in his heart,” Qi Tian Di said. “Sometimes I also want to overturn heaven and earth, regardless of whether mountains and rivers are upside down. Moreover, he is a young man full of vigor, barely an adult… State Prime Minister, when you were young, didn’t you have moments of wanting to not care?”

Speaking to here, the Heavenly Emperor himself laughed, “I forgot, State Prime Minister is someone without temper. He didn’t have one when he was young either.”

Jiang Ru Mo, always one to endure humiliation, only said at this time, “Your Majesty has very high expectations for Marquis Wu An.”

Qi Tian Di said lightly, “I desire to achieve the great undertakings of ancient times, how can I do so without the great talents of ancient times?”

Jiang Ru Mo sighed, “You are expecting the next God of War, but Marquis Wu An is after all young, and I don’t know if he can understand Your Majesty’s painstaking efforts.”

“That depends on whether he sees far,” Qi Tian Di’s tone was calm. “If one day he becomes Jiang Meng Xiong, it’s possible for his horses to trample over Tian Jing. What’s so difficult about drawing his sword in Xin An?”

Jiang Ru Mo had a face of compassionate worry, “Just afraid he is not.”

Qi Tian Di laughed once, opened the scroll in his hand, and read it carefully, saying, “World affairs, how can all be as I wish?”

Not quite as the Heavenly Emperor wished, the Great Qi Marquis Wu An felt an unprecedented enthusiasm in Lin Zi these few days. Not only were visitors endless and the threshold worn down like a market, but also poetry gatherings were continuous and banquets ceaseless.

What four great famous halls, eight great famous towers, all were open free of charge to the human race’s hero. Claimed to “pour out Lin Zi’s wind and moon, tie Marquis Wu An’s joyful heart”.

The Yang Xin Palace’s Wen Yu Shui Xie even spent money to invite Lord Jiang to play. Jiang Wu Xie put out words saying, “If we can get Marquis Wu An to add glory, then we will pave the ground with Yuanshi.”

Jiang Wu You said, “Then that rich person, come to Hua Ying Palace to pave.” Those famous scholars and crazy students vied to compose poems for the hero. Those young ladies in their boudoirs threw flowers towards the Marquis mansion every day.

The hero’s deeds of fleeing into the Demon Race’s hinterland, his heart tied to the human race and returning alone, spread in the storytellers’ mouths…

Jiang Wang at this time, alone went south.

Having already decided to go to Jue Ming Island to cultivate under General Qi Xiao, before this, he also had a period of time to settle remaining matters. And the Heavenly Emperor, considering he had just returned from the Demon World, thoughtfully gave him a holiday.

This time going south was first to go to Xu Mi Mountain to return the supreme treasure, the Zhi Jing Zhong. This treasure, used by the Shi Zun when preaching, was truly hot to handle when carried on his body. Second, he also wanted to personally go to Hui Guo Gong’s mansion to thank Lord Zuo for his deep affection and friendship.

His original intention was to let Master Ku Jue go to return this Zhi Jing Zhong, also counting as repaying his multiple life-saving graces. But Master Ku Jue refused to take it, saying that a master of the East Holy Land cannot bow at the door of the West Holy Land… He then had to go alone.

Master Xing Nian’s karma fire burned his body and opened the road for him. This sentiment he could not forget. Xu Mi Mountain is located in the southwest, and the name of the Buddhist holy land has been around since ancient times.

It can be said that the source is far and the stream is long.

Jiang Wang had been back and forth to the South Territory several times, yet only had one chance encounter.

This day, he came alone with his sword. In that group of mountains, he suddenly saw a monk with a clear face, appearing on the dawn light.

This monk had a radiant appearance, naturally making people trust him, only the left eyebrow had a break, adding a bit of sternness.

From afar, he bowed, “Is the comer Great Qi Marquis Wu An, Benefactor Jiang Wang?”

Jiang Wang knew it should be a monk from Xu Mi Mountain, so he raised his palm in return and bowed, “I am Jiang Wang. May I know the great master’s Dharma name…”

“This humble monk’s name is Zhao Wu.” Master Zhao Wu was very gentle and polite, “I just happened to go down the mountain… Truly fate!”

What just happened to go down the mountain.

Earlier, when he was still in the Demon World, Master Ku Jue said that the bald monk named Zhao Wu from Xu Mi Mountain always lingered at the gate, not knowing how many circles he lingered every day.

Jiang Wang estimated that he had just left Qi Country when Master Zhao Wu followed. To be able to endure until now to come out, he is truly worthy of the determination of a Zhen Jun.

He is now also a person who understands human emotions and worldly ways. Seeing through something without saying it, he only said, “It is indeed because of past connections. This junior has specially come to visit the precious mountain. If the senior has leisure, may I know if you can lead the way?”

Master Zhao Wu hurriedly said, “I have leisure, I have leisure!”

Once having an intersection with Huang Wei Zhen, the most alluring person in Chu land for three thousand years, Master Zhao Wu was also an outstanding figure for a time. Later, he even proved the way to Zhen Jun and obtained the Boddhisatva fruit position, which counts as a sect master in Xu Mi Mountain.

Treating Jiang Wang, who was young and only cultivated to Ling Xian, with such courtesy, was naturally for the sake of the Zhi Jing Zhong.

Jiang Wang also did not act arrogantly and still respectfully maintained the junior’s etiquette, following behind Zhao Wu.

But Zhao Wu was not in a hurry to go, instead flipping his palm and holding out a miniature small mountain. This mountain was misty with spiritual energy and crafted with ingenuity. Cloud forests, flowers, and grass, none were untrue.

It was a pity that Jiang Wang did not have the elegant interest in appreciating carvings and very dampeningly asked, “Great master, are we not going to Xu Mi Mountain?”

Master Zhao Wu smiled brightly, “Xu Mi Mountain has already arrived!” As he spoke, he waved his large sleeve, and in an instant, heaven and earth shifted.

Jiang Wang still held his sword in his hand, and already he was “body in this mountain”! A thousand mountains, ten thousand mountains were all before him. Xu Mi Mountain was originally in a mustard seed!

A vast sea of clouds unfolded limitlessly before him. In the depths of the clouds, a huge Buddha platform was seen. In the center of the Buddha platform was a lotus seat, and above the lotus seat sat a giant Buddha.

This Buddha’s golden body was dazzling, its belly could contain everything, its large ears drooped like beads, and its broad face always smiled. Its brilliance was boundless, its radiance endless. No matter from which direction one looked, it seemed to face this Buddha directly.

Surrounding this giant Buddha, sitting in a circle were dense crowds of Xu Mi Mountain monks. All the monks faced Jiang Wang and sat.

At this moment, all of them simultaneously put their palms together and bowed towards Jiang Wang, offering respect!

And Master Zhao Wu, standing beside the sea of clouds, made way, letting all the courtesies return to Jiang Wang. This was the top禮 of a thousand Buddhas, the highest courtesy of Xu Mi Mountain!

Since the establishment of Xu Mi Mountain, those who have received this禮 are few in number. “How can I receive this?!”

Jiang Wang hurriedly avoided.

Yet, he was fixed in place by Master Zhao Wu’s face-to-face禮.

“The entire Xu Mi Mountain, from the mountain master Yong De downwards, except for those in seclusion, are all present! All giving礼!” Zhao Wu, on this sea of clouds, virtually led the vast monks on the Buddha platform to say to Jiang Wang, “We use such禮仪, hoping Benefactor Jiang knows how great his kindness to Xu Mi Mountain is.”

“Jiang is ashamed! I truly dare not receive such a great礼!” Jiang Wang said earnestly, “I only received the assistance of Master Xing Nian and fortunately got a glimmer of life to return to my homeland. I truly have no merit to speak of. To say great kindness, it is Master Xing Nian who has great kindness to me.”

Zhao Wu grasped his arm and said, “Moreover, follow me.”

Following his words, the giant Buddha suddenly lifted its hand, and with an infinitely radiant huge Buddha palm, it spread flat in the air, facing the sky dome, and extended flat towards Jiang Wang.

This was the revered Buddha, the worshipped ancestor, the revered ultimate way of Xu Mi Mountain! Yet, it used the Buddha palm to build a bridge, leading Jiang Wang to that pure land of Xu Mi Mountain.

Jiang Wang felt deeply ashamed, knowing it was difficult to bear this礼, yet he was supported by Zhao Wu as he walked onto the Buddha palm. Endless Sanskrit chants were in his ears. At this moment, his heart had great purity.

Those knots, indignation, suppressed and unresolved pains, for a time, were washed away!

This road was like a road to the other shore, everywhere surging with the glory of redemption. Golden lotuses paved the ground, and Buddha light bathed his body.

One step was ten thousand miles away, one step was a change of wind and clouds.

After three steps, he was already with Zhao Wu, appearing in a magnificent golden hall that seemed infinitely high and broad.

Although it was a hall, one could observe the vastness of the universe and see the vastness of heaven and earth.

Looking up, it was a vast starry sea. Looking down, it was the ultimate principle of the Sanskrit diagram. Looking in all directions, it was Bodhi wisdom, Vajra fruit resolve.

Enshrined in the center of the hall was still that giant Buddha. Its palm supported the sun and moon, and its face smiled upon all beings.

And the fat monk who had earlier led the crowd on the Buddha platform to perform禮, at this time, draped in a brocade kasaya, walked with an amiable smile to Jiang Wang.

He tightly grasped Jiang Wang’s hand, “Xu Mi Mountain has waited for you for how many years!”

Zhao Wu introduced from the side, “This is the contemporary mountain master of Xu Mi Mountain, Dharma name Yong De.”

Speaking of which, the current abbot of Xuan Kong Temple, Master Ku Ming, whom Jiang Wang had also seen, was also a fat monk.

If “fat” was the standard for a holy land abbot, senior Ku Jue would probably find it very difficult to wish for.

However, although the body types of the two abbots were both relatively “plump”, from their facial expressions, Master Ku Ming and Master Yong De were two extremes.

Master Ku Ming’s face was as his name, truly bitter to the core, always with a sorrowful face, an appearance of burning with anxiety.

Master Yong De, on the other hand, had a face full of smiles, brilliantly endless. As if he had many happy matters, so happy he couldn’t hide it. Just like he was pulling Jiang Wang’s hand at this moment, smiling and exposing eight grains of white and round teeth. He was so 친切 it was completely unlike a first meeting.

“Waited for me for how many years. Where to start?” Jiang Wang said puzzled.

Yong De 친切ly grasped his hand, grasping again and again, “You and my Buddha have fate, have great fate! I don’t know if you have interest, enter my door? It would be good to let my divine powers have a successor!”

Zhao Wu explained from the side in a timely manner, “Mountain Master Yong De mainly cultivates the ‘Maitreya Descent Sutra’, his cultivation shakes heaven and earth, suppressing five hundred years above and five hundred years below. By the way, this part is the abbot’s own sutra… Do you understand my meaning?”

These Xu Mi Mountain monks were so direct, it really made Jiang Wang not very adaptable.

He stammered, “I only came… to return the bell.”

Yong De looked at the Zhi Jing Zhong in Jiang Wang’s hand, smiled, squinting his eyes, and said, “Is this bell easy to use?” Recalling the scene of holding the Zhi Jing Zhong and sweeping across the demon kings, he still felt 畅快 until now.

Jiang Wang honestly said, “Truly a supreme treasure!”

Yong De said, “You are a Marquis of a dominant country, with an extremely deep background. This bell was seized from the Demon Race, if you insist on keeping it, Xu Mi Mountain cannot do anything to you either. Why come to return the bell again?”

Jiang Wang was silent, finally saying, “On the bell, Master Xing Nian’s warmth still remains.”

Zhao Wu looked up at the starry sea, silent for a moment.

Master Yong De spoke again, “That fellow Ku Jue gave you a list, didn’t he?” From the tone of this mountain master, senior Ku Jue truly had a reputation outside.

Jiang Wang sincerely said, “I have come to Xu Mi Mountain carrying Master Xing Nian’s last wish to return the Buddha treasure, and have no requests.”

Yong De said, “True Dharma is not lightly transmitted, and if transmitted, it is paved with gold bricks. If you come to my Xu Mi Mountain and gain nothing, then where is the preciousness of the Zhi Jing Zhong?”

Before Jiang Wang could speak, Yong De spoke again, “Ku Jue doesn’t actually understand my Xu Mi Mountain; he doesn’t even understand Xuan Kong Temple very well. He’s just used to crude entanglement… That list he gave is just so-so. If you can come to my Xu Mi Mountain, I’ll give you some truly good things.”

As he spoke, Yong De looked towards Zhao Wu again, “I feel that if Benefactor Jiang enters Xu Mi Mountain, he can hold the Zhi Jing Zhong. What do you think, uncle master?”

Zhao Wu was greatly shocked, “How can this be? The Zhi Jing Zhong is the supreme treasure of our mountain gate, left by the Shi Zun. Generations of mountain masters can only hold it!”

“Why not?” Yong De said angrily, “This Zhi Jing Zhong was brought back by Benefactor Jiang. It can be seen that his Buddha fate is deep! What cultivation did Master Xing Nian have, he saw through cause and effect, and delivered it with the Zhi Jing Zhong, explaining that he is the future!”

Zhao Wu gritted his teeth to dissuade him, “Mountain gate matters are great, and cannot be rash! Where is the precedent of someone holding the Zhi Jing Zhong as soon as they enter the door? There is no such precedent in generations! If the abbot insists, how will he block the endless gossip!?”

Yong De argued, “Then I will pass him the robe and bowl and cultivate him as the next mountain master! If anyone has an opinion, feel free to come find me!”

“I disagree!” “It’s not up to you!”

They argued more and more intensely, arguing until their faces were red and their ears were red. But as they argued, they saw that Jiang Wang had been silent all along, then both cast glances.

Master Zhao Wu lightly coughed, “Little Benefactor Jiang, what do you think? Feel free to speak frankly.”

Jiang Wang earnestly performed a 礼 and said, “A gentleman has three戒s, the old also has戒 in gain. If I come because of greed, I fear I will not receive Xu Mi Mountain’s blessing.”

Yong De and Zhao Wu looked at each other, speechless for a moment.

Jiang Wang untied the Zhi Jing Zhong on his wrist, held it out with both hands, and恭恭敬敬 placed it in Yong De’s hand. “This treasure object is returned to its original owner. Jiang Wang has not failed the Tian He agreement. This heart has no regrets.”

“If Xu Mi Mountain insists on giving me something.”

“Then please recite the Rebirth Sutra for me.”

“The road to the Demon World is far, and souls have no reliance. I was lucky enough to come back, but many people can never come back.”