Having recovered Xiangsi, Jiang Wang completely extinguished his desire for violence.

Regardless of how unreliable this old monk Kujue was, his unfathomable strength was undeniable.

The difference in power was so vast that it was impossible to even perceive its extent, let alone bridge the gap.

Escape was also impossible, as evidenced by his earlier inability to move.

Fortunately, the yellow-faced old monk did not seem to harbor any ill intentions.

Jiang Wang sighed, “Master, if you are truly in need of a disciple, there is a man in my town who is detached from the world, indifferent to life and death, and unconcerned with anything… I believe he possesses great wisdom.”

He thought to himself, *Xiang Qian, Xiang Qian, this master is so powerful. Becoming his disciple would not be a disgrace. The Three Peaks of Flying Swords are a thing of the past; it’s time to forget them.*

“He will not do,” Kujue immediately refused. “He might die any day. This old monk relies on his disciples to mourn him; I absolutely cannot accept such an unlucky star.”

From the old monk’s words, it seemed he had some understanding of Xiang Qian’s background. But why he called Xiang Qian an “unlucky star”… that was a harsh term.

But now was not the time to dwell on such matters. Jiang Wang asked with a wry smile, “May I ask, Master, how did I catch your eye?”

“Predestined!” Kujue insisted.

Jiang Wang: …

There was no way to argue with that reason.

Kujue seemed to realize that his words were not very convincing, and added, “You protect the people here, ensuring peace in this region. This old monk has seen it all. You have a compassionate heart and the will of enlightenment, which aligns perfectly with my Buddhist teachings!”

Jiang Wang quickly said, “If we are talking about compassion, there is one in the Yang Kingdom who has saved countless lives and is revered by tens of thousands. It is the Hengyang Commandery Pacification Envoy, Huang Yi…”

Unexpectedly, the yellow-faced old monk suddenly flew into a rage, “You wicked disciple! What is the meaning of all this evasion? Do you look down on my Buddhism?”

The accusation was so severe that Jiang Wang even overlooked the very involved “wicked disciple,” and hurriedly explained, “There are countless paths to cultivation. Until one reaches the end, who knows who is right and who is wrong? Buddhism is a prominent force in this world, how dare I harbor any contempt?”

Old Monk Kujue said in a sinister voice, “So you look down on my Hanging Temple?”

Good heavens!

He turned out to be a monk from the Eastern Holy Land of Buddhism, the Hanging Temple!

Jiang Wang had only ever heard of this famous sect in the Eastern Region and had never interacted with them before.

But why would the Hanging Temple take a fancy to him?

He quickly said, “The Hanging Temple is a world-renowned sect, one that I have always admired!”

The yellow-faced old monk’s face became even more withered and yellow, “Then you look down on me, Kujue?”

*You are so strong, even if I did look down on you, how would I dare say it…*

Jiang Wang had no choice but to say helplessly, “Master, everyone has their own aspirations!”

He now had the Illusory Realm of the Void to deduce techniques, and he had also obtained a noble title from the Qi Kingdom. He could acquire all kinds of techniques and secret arts through legitimate channels from the Qi Kingdom. He did not want to, nor did he need to, find a master to control him, especially since he had never had the idea of shaving his head and becoming a monk.

In the end, he had never been exposed to Buddhism before. Now, having cultivated to this point, his development was going well, and he was not inferior to others. There was no reason to suddenly choose a new path.

Unfortunately, the situation was stronger than him.

The yellow-faced old monk stared at him and said, “Isn’t that right? You want to be my disciple, and I want to be your master. Truly, everyone has their own aspirations.”

*What kind of nonsense is this? Can ‘everyone has their own aspirations’ be interpreted like this!*

Putting aside everything else, his ability to twist words was unmatched.

He couldn’t beat him, he couldn’t escape, and he couldn’t argue with him.

Jiang Wang had no choice but to become serious. “Master, is there any reason to forcibly accept a disciple in this world?”

“You are just unwilling now, but you will be willing in the future. Since you will be willing in the future, what is wrong with ‘forcibly accepting a disciple’?”

“Let’s talk about it later, Master!”

Monk Kujue had an expression as if he had expected this. He smiled and said, “Look, you are already less firm about the future. What does this mean? It shows that your current firmness is just a bluff, it is meaningless! Our master-disciple relationship must have been arranged by the Buddha, there is no avoiding it, you might as well accept it sooner rather than later.”

Jiang Wang frowned and asked, “Doesn’t Buddhist cultivation require one to be free from worldly desires?”

“That is the principle.”

“What if I have hatred in my heart?”

“Emptiness of the four elements!” said the yellow-faced old monk.

“I cannot empty it!”

Jiang Wang’s words were very resolute.

Kujue couldn’t help but sigh, “When will the cycle of vengeance end?”

Jiang Wang said calmly, “Wipe them out completely. And then I will die.”

This monk was unreasonable, and he was unwilling to become a disciple for no good reason. He knew that the title of master and disciple was very important, it was not just something to say. Both master and disciple bore responsibilities. In Buddhist terms, their fates were intertwined!

Even if the other party came from a famous sect like the Hanging Temple, even if the other party had enough strength to guide and protect him.

He had only met this yellow-faced old monk today. He knew neither his person nor his heart. How could he willingly become his disciple?

Jiang Wang’s statement about having hatred in his heart was simply the truth. He did not expect it to make Kujue give up. He was still thinking about how to escape.

But to his surprise, after hearing his answer, Kujue fell silent for a long time.

Finally, he only sighed, “Foolish child!”

He turned around and disappeared in an instant.

Jiang Wang only blinked, and the place was already empty.

This monk came inexplicably and left inexplicably, making people feel completely bewildered.

Jiang Wang pondered for a long time, trying to guess the yellow-faced old monk’s purpose.

After thinking about it, he could only come up with one reason – if the Hanging Temple wanted to take a share of the Yang Region after the war, the Rizhao Commandery Pacification Envoy would be a good entry point.

However, he was still vying for the position of Pacification Envoy. Gao Shaoling had the support of the Jinghai Gao clan, and Huang Yihang, a man who had lost his country, would probably not refuse a thick thigh like the Hanging Temple. Why did they choose him?

Old Monk Kujue left without a sound. Jiang Wang walked out of the dining hall, and Dugu Xiao only noticed the movement and came to greet him, peeking inside: “Sir, where did the monk go?”

“He left.” Jiang Wang casually instructed, “Do not publicize this matter.”

A monk from the Hanging Temple appearing in Qingyang Town at this time, with unclear intentions, he did not want people to have any bad interpretations.

Dugu Xiao readily agreed.

Leaving here, Jiang Wang went to find Xiang Qian.

As the strongest combat force under his command, he had not had a good chat with Xiang Qian since the assassination of Song Guang.

He had become the Qingyang Town Male, it was the Qi court’s job to reward and punish, and he himself had to be fair in his rewards and punishments.

The weather outside was fine, but Xiang Qian was still fast asleep.

Although he had that sword array, his Inner Palace Realm-level combat power was enough for him to live comfortably.

But the dignified Three Peaks of Flying Swords from the Flying Sword era, apart from the time he fought against the rat plague, spent his days either drunk or asleep, it was really too unambitious…

Jiang Wang knocked twice lightly, considering it a knock on the door, and then pushed the door open and entered directly.

With Xiang Qian’s strength, even in his sleep, he would not ignore such movement.

He only turned over in bed, facing away, and said discontentedly, “Disturbing my sweet dreams in broad daylight!”

Jiang Wang ignored his complaint, found a place to sit down, and casually said, “Today, an old monk from the Hanging Temple came to town, insisting on taking me as his disciple. He seemed to know you, saying you were an unlucky star.”

Xiang Qian’s complaints stopped.

“Hanging Temple?” He did not turn around, but his voice came over faintly.