In the fields, an old man tilled the soil.

This work was not urgent; turning over a portion each day would make planting in the coming spring easier.

His body would only rust at home; it was better to come out and move about.

A handsome young man walked along the ridges between the fields.

This youth possessed clear eyes and brows, and an exceptional demeanor.

However, his expression… was somewhat shifty.

“Esteemed elder, may I inquire about something…”

However, as this was the domain of the Buddhist Holy Land, the customs were simple and honest. The old man harbored no ill suspicions.

He merely slowly broke up the clods of earth, a benevolent smile on his face. “What is it?”

This young man was naturally Jiang Wang. When mentioning the name Ku Jue, he glanced left and right, a testament to the shadow the yellow-faced old monk had cast upon him.

He cautiously asked, “Has Master Ku Jue returned to the Buddhist Land recently? Does the elder know?”

The old man shook his head. “I have not heard tell of it.”

Perfect!

That old monk Ku Jue was powerful and highly respected. If such an eminent monk were in the temple, the faithful would surely know. After all, high-ranking Buddhist monks often need to perform meritorious deeds.

The Suspended Temple was also inclined towards asceticism, with eminent monks often laboring in the fields, close to the common people.

Jiang Wang felt relieved. His back straightened, and his complexion became composed. “Thank you, elder!”

After a polite farewell, he headed towards the mountain gate of the Suspended Temple.

The old man continued to till the soil, but he couldn’t help but feel some doubt.

“Is there a Master Ku Jue in the Holy Temple? I haven’t heard of one. Sounds like he’s from the same generation as the abbot!”

The mountain gate visible to the mortal world was only a part of the Suspended Temple, commonly referred to as the Outer Mountain.

A sect like the Suspended Temple naturally had guest monks specifically to receive cultivators.

Those from prominent families and noble houses would send a calling card ahead of their visit, stating their family, name, and rank.

Jiang Wang did not stand on such ceremony, but he still followed the proper etiquette, informing the guest monk of his identity.

After all, he was here to visit, not to challenge the temple.

“Jiang Wang of Qingyang, entrusted by another, has come to pay his respects. I request…”

As Jiang Wang was formally going through the process with the guest monk of the Suspended Temple, a monk leisurely walked past.

Suddenly, he stopped, retraced his steps, and exclaimed in surprise, startling Jiang Wang so much that he forgot where he was in his introduction.

“Little Brother Jing Shen!”

Jiang Wang’s scalp tingled.

Turning around, he saw a monk with delicate features, clean robes, and a gleaming bald head – it was the “old acquaintance” he had met in Qingyang Town…

Even the wisest can make a mistake!

He had calculated everything, yet he had overlooked the monk Jing Li!

But Jiang Wang soon realized that he had made more than one error.

Because the monk Jing Li had already turned and joyfully shouted, “Master! Little Brother Jing Shen is back!”

His voice, infused with Dao Yuan, carried far across the mountain gate.

The wind rustled.

“Where is he? Where is he?”

The voice arrived first, followed closely by the yellow-faced old monk, who immediately spotted Jiang Wang’s stiff expression.

“Good disciple!”

He praised, “You haven’t thrown yourself into a net… You’ve thought things through clearly!”

“Enlightened?” Ku Jue grinned, revealing a set of not-so-white teeth, and nodded approvingly. “I knew you had the roots of wisdom!”

Monk Jing Li looked at him with affection. “Little Brother must have suffered greatly in a place as corrupt as Linzi, right? You look somewhat haggard…”

The guest monk stared blankly at Jiang Wang, wondering if this was the legendary junior brother of Master Jing Li. Why hadn’t he shaved his head yet?

Jiang Wang: …

How could I not be haggard after meeting you lot?

“Two masters,” Jiang Wang took a deep breath. “I think you have misunderstood.”

“No misunderstanding, no misunderstanding. We are all family. Master understands you.” Ku Jue beamed, reaching out to take his hand.

Jiang Wang quickly dodged, but failed completely. As soon as his Dao Yuan began to stir, his hand was already seized. The clash of Dao Yuan felt like striking an iron wall, impossible to budge.

It looked as if he had willingly allowed his “master” to hold his hand.

The scene was quite harmonious.

Monk Jing Li chuckled beside him, “Little Brother has finally returned to the path, returning to the mountain gate to enjoy blessings!”

Ku Jue was already leading him inside, “Come, this Master will take you to familiarize yourself with the grounds!”

Jiang Wang was secretly alarmed. The stronger he became, the more he recognized the power of Ku Jue. The Jiang Wang of today was immeasurably stronger than the Jiang Wang of Qingyang Town. Yet, in front of Ku Jue, he still had no power to resist!

Wait, familiarize himself with what grounds?

Realizing what was happening, he quickly said, “Master, Master, please listen to me.”

“Hey, you’re still shy!” Ku Jue deliberately winked to show his affection, then feigned anger. “Still calling me Master?”

Jing Li also added, “You should call him Master now.”

Having said that, he smiled contentedly to himself, “And then call me Senior Brother!”

There was no reasoning with these two monks, old and young.

Helpless, Jiang Wang circulated his Dao Yuan and shouted loudly, “Entrusted by Master Guan Yan, Jiang Wang, a male of Qingyang Town, Qi State, and a Fourth-Rank Blue Badge Constable, has come to pay his respects!”

He stated the purpose of his visit, hoping to draw out someone who could restrain the old monk Ku Jue. At the same time, he pointed out his official rank in the Qi State, implying that he had backing and was doing well in the Qi State, hoping to dissuade both the old and young monks from their plans.

His voice reverberated through the mountain gate.

Monk Jing Li was one of their own, so shouting was fine. But Jiang Wang’s outburst had a hint of provocation.

However, no one cared about that at the moment.

“What Yan was that?” Ku Jue turned to ask his obedient senior disciple.

Monk Jing Li honestly said, “It seems to be Guan…”

“What Guan was that?” Ku Jue then asked Jiang Wang, “Good disciple, you’re happy to see Master, but don’t speak carelessly.”

Neither of them cared about Jiang Wang’s official rank, but they were very sensitive to the master he mentioned.

For no other reason than Guan Yan’s seniority was too high!

The current generational names of the Suspended Temple were “Du Xing Ding Zhi Guan Yi Xin, Bei Ku Jing Kong Jie Fa Yuan.”

The “Guan” generation was four generations higher than the “Ku” generation!

At this moment, a voice that sounded worrying to everyone echoed in their ears.

“Invite Layman Jiang into the mountain gate.”

The owner of the voice gave this instruction.

Firstly, the term “Layman Jiang” indicated that he did not recognize Ku Jue’s unilateral acceptance of a disciple. Then, the word “invite” showed his attitude, that there should be no coercion.

Apart from the Abbot Ku Ming, no one could persuade the monk Ku Jue, who was so eager to accept a disciple.

And the mountain gate he spoke of was, of course, where the Suspended Temple truly resided.

Since the Abbot Senior Brother had spoken, Ku Jue could only release Jiang Wang’s hand, but his expression was still displeased.

“Alas, good disciple, did you really come for something else? Not just to see Master?”

“I was indeed entrusted by another,” Jiang Wang said helplessly. “Also, Master Ku Jue, please stop calling me disciple.”

“Disciple, you must think carefully before speaking.”

The yellow-faced old monk automatically ignored the second half of his sentence and pouted. “Those bald donkeys are quite troublesome, especially one called Ku Bing, who has been annoying since he was young. But don’t be afraid.”

He patted his chest. “This Master will protect you!”