Li Xuan secretly guarded against the people in front of him, but he couldn't just turn around and run away.
These three monks and one Taoist priest were all Upper Three Ranks powerhouses; no matter how they ran, they couldn't outrun them.
Seeing Chen Tan and Jiang Shanao obediently stay without any other movements, the three monks and one Taoist priest no longer paid much attention.
Although Chen Tan and Jiang Shanao were prominent figures in the martial arts world, they were indeed insignificant here.
The three Grandmasters and Three Creeks Taoist seemed to know each other well and began to chat, discussing the disturbance of the night.
From time to time, they would also ask Chen Tan and Jiang Shanao a couple of questions to understand the situation.
Facing such high-level experts, Chen Tan and Jiang Shanao dared not lie, but they only told part of the truth.
They only said that they were entrusted by someone to help pursue a criminal, not mentioning that they and Belgrade were also cellmates.
Li Xuan waited anxiously, hoping that Chief Steward Shang and Zhao Feng would find them first.
Such a big commotion here must have attracted both sides fighting in the Ministry of Justice Prison, but he didn't know who would arrive first.
"Li Xuan, why are you here too?" Grandmaster Chenghai came to Li Xuan's side and asked softly.
The others looked at Grandmaster Chenghai strangely, wondering why he would ask a cat, surely not expecting a cat to answer his question?
Among those present, except for Chen Tan, who had some guesses, everyone else was bewildered.
After several interactions, Chen Tan found Li Xuan's intelligence to be truly extraordinary, and even if he had the ability to communicate simply with people, it would not surprise him.
Grandmaster Chenghai extended a palm towards Li Xuan, and Li Xuan unceremoniously jumped onto it.
"Junior Brother Chenghai, isn't this your temple's guardian beast?"
"Shouldn't you be very clear about his whereabouts?" Monk Clear Sea asked sarcastically from the side.
Previously, when Li Xuan fought for Cien Temple and defeated their Yuanhu, he had already felt that something was wrong.
If Cien Temple had such an impressive guardian beast, they would have brought him out long ago to shame their Fuhu Temple.
Why would they hesitate for several days before bringing out such a powerful weapon?
As for the claim that Li Xuan had been newly subdued, Monk Clear Sea didn't believe it at all.
Li Xuan looked like a well-trained battle pet exotic beast, who must have undergone many years of training to achieve his current strength.
Although Monk Clear Sea understood in his heart, Cien Temple's ability to borrow Li Xuan was also a testament to their skill.
In fact, he was also very clear that in a situation where strengths were comparable, a debate solely on Buddhist principles would yield no results.
Tonight, Monk Clear Sea and Grandmaster Chenghai appeared here also to invite Grandmaster Shanle, a highly respected figure in the Buddhist community in the capital, to mediate for them.
However, before this mediation could be completed, the disturbance of the night occurred, which led the three eminent Buddhist monks to block Belgrade's path.
Especially Monk Clear Sea, he had finally managed to arrange a time with Grandmaster Shanle to discuss a conclusion tonight, but it was disrupted by Belgrade's prison break; how could he not be angry?
Furthermore, Monk Clear Sea's temper had never been good.
Belgrade's beating tonight was truly not undeserved.
Seeing Grandmaster Chenghai ask, Li Xuan subtly wrote on his palm with his tail, saying that he was doing something for Princess Ankang.
Grandmaster Chenghai immediately stopped asking, just nodded, and continued to hold Li Xuan in his palm.
Mainly because Li Xuan showed no signs of wanting to get down, Grandmaster Chenghai also found it hard to make him leave.
Chen Tan and Jiang Shanao, seeing Li Xuan's familiarity with Grandmaster Chenghai and his nonchalant attitude of being held by an eminent Buddhist monk, were secretly surprised by Li Xuan's great influence.
Moreover, they had just heard the loud-voiced burly monk say that Li Xuan was the guardian beast of Cien Temple, which made them feel even more mystified by Li Xuan.
"Isn't this cat raised by Princess Ankang?"
"How did it get involved with Buddhism?"
"Looking at it, it seems to have a deep connection with Cien Temple..."
Chen Tan's expression was calm and composed, but his heart was in turmoil.
He had previously managed to keep the Money Gang standing in the capital by skillfully navigating between various forces, offending no one while providing excellent service, creating the image that the Money Gang only cared about making money.
Only such a Money Gang could be reassuring, and Chen Tan had understood this very early on.
If the Money Gang changed its nature, would it still be tolerated by the major powers in the capital?
Chen Tan was very clear about the answer to this question.
This was also one of the reasons why he had always been unwilling to submit to Prince Zheng.
And Li Xuan... no, it should be said that Princess Ankang and the Imperial family power she represented behind her seemed to be not as simple as Chen Tan had previously understood.
Chen Tan looked at Li Xuan, held in Grandmaster Chenghai's palm, deep in thought.
They didn't wait too long in place.
Soon, Li Xuan felt a familiar breeze.
Zhao Feng elegantly descended before everyone, riding the wind.
The three monks and one Taoist priest also stopped their chitchat and turned their gaze to Zhao Feng, who had arrived.
"Chief Zhao, it's been many years since we last met, and I didn't expect your strength to advance further. This is truly gratifying."
Grandmaster Shanle stepped forward and performed a Buddhist salute.
"Grandmaster Shanle, I didn't expect tonight's events to alarm even you."
"As for my breakthrough, it's insignificant in front of you all." Zhao Feng chuckled a few times, exchanging pleasantries with the three monks and one Taoist priest.
Zhao Feng was very familiar with Grandmaster Shanle, Grandmaster Chenghai, and Three Creeks Taoist, but he felt unfamiliar with Monk Clear Sea.
However, seeing that Monk Clear Sea was a Buddhist disciple, it didn't make Zhao Feng overly suspicious, and he just casually asked:
"May I ask who this Grandmaster is?"
"This humble monk is Clear Sea of Fuhu Temple."
Monk Clear Sea was not rude, introduced himself, clasped his hands together, and bowed.
Grandmaster Shanle and Grandmaster Chenghai also helped with the introduction, and Zhao Feng immediately understood Monk Clear Sea's background.
However, upon hearing that Fuhu Temple was a secluded old temple located in the deep mountains of Jiangnan Province, Zhao Feng's expression flickered unnaturally for a moment, but he quickly concealed it, and only Li Xuan, who was familiar with him, noticed the anomaly.
After chatting for a few moments and clarifying the situation, Zhao Feng requested the person and prepared to report back.
The three monks and one Taoist priest did not make things difficult for Zhao Feng, but politely allowed Zhao Feng to take the person away.
Seeing that there were no further complications, Li Xuan also breathed a sigh of relief and jumped from Grandmaster Chenghai's hand onto Zhao Feng's shoulder.
Although he had many questions he wanted to ask Zhao Feng, the current occasion and timing were not right.
"Today, the four of you heroically intervened, and I will personally request commendations for you all before His Majesty."
"Chief Zhao, there's no need to be so polite." Grandmaster Shanle waved his hand at Zhao Feng's words, then continued, "We merely lent a hand. This matter was also thanks to a chivalrous person who kept sending warnings through sound transmission. Otherwise, being unaware of the situation, we monastics would not dare to easily intervene."
"If Chief Zhao is willing, please help to repair these damaged market districts as soon as possible and bring justice to the suffering common people."
Upon hearing Grandmaster Shanle's request, Zhao Feng nodded and said, "The four of you are compassionate, and I admire you greatly. I have noted this matter, and you can all rest assured."
"Haha, Chief Zhao doesn't need to be too nervous. The common people in the surrounding market districts were only frightened, with no casualties. When that Great Desert villain was rampaging earlier, Grandmaster Shanle secretly intervened to protect the common people. Only the buildings in the market districts suffered some damage."
Three Creeks Taoist, who had not spoken much, now spoke.
These words greatly eased Zhao Feng's expression.
This area was in the northwest of the capital, just west of the Imperial City.
The nearby market districts were quite special, with many temples and Taoist monasteries, and even some mosques.
Xiuxiangfang, Xiuzhenfang, Xiudefang, Puningfang, Andingfang... just from the names of these market districts, one could see the clues.
There were many temples and Taoist monasteries built by imperial decree in this vicinity, and their geographical location was excellent, right next to the Imperial City, inhabited by devout believers from wealthy families.
If the casualties here were indeed significant, even Zhao Feng would find it difficult to handle.
Three Creeks Taoist's words had indeed allowed Zhao Feng to relax quite a bit.
Although he hadn't had much contact with Three Creeks Taoist, Li Xuan had a good impression of him.
Although Three Creeks Taoist was also a cultivating Taoist priest, his actions and words were quite unrestrained, free-spirited, and straightforward, which made people feel good about him.
Speaking of which, Li Xuan had not had much contact with Taoist practitioners before, and Three Creeks Taoist was the first Taoist priest who left a deep impression on Li Xuan.
After finishing these matters, Zhao Feng bid farewell to the four and hastily left with Li Xuan and the others.
Zhao Feng didn't dally, directly riding the wind and leading them away, quickly heading towards the palace.
The three monks and one Taoist priest watched Zhao Feng's elegant departure, nodding and saying:
"Chief Zhao's Dao seems quite interesting." Three Creeks Taoist commented first.
"The wind-attributed Dao is the most unpredictable, and Chief Zhao's Dao seems to have grasped its essence even more." Grandmaster Shanle also agreed.
"The wind he rode when he came and went was too natural, making it difficult to detect any anomaly. If his comprehension deepens further, it will likely become even more concealed." Grandmaster Chenghai also added.
These Upper Three Ranks experts loved to appraise others' Daos.
The manifestations of Dao were ever-changing; even with the same attribute, there could be completely different applications.
Especially, everyone's Dao would also largely reflect their own disposition.
Some even understood a certain aspect of their personality only after comprehending their Dao, deepening their self-understanding.
To comprehend Dao is to comprehend heaven and earth, and even more so, to comprehend oneself.
And others' Daos are also a part of this heaven and earth.
However, Monk Clear Sea, looking at Zhao Feng's retreating figure, expressed a different opinion.
"Is he the Chief Steward of the Internal Affairs Bureau?"
"His strength is quite ordinary, actually." Although they were all of the same Third Rank, due to different comprehensions of their own Dao, the difference in strength could be quite significant.
Monk Clear Sea was qualified to say such a thing.
"Senior Brother Clear Sea, Chief Zhao was injured in his early years, and his cultivation had been stagnant. Recently, he must have had some opportunity, which allowed him to accumulate and then burst forth, reaching a higher level." Grandmaster Chenghai knew that Monk Clear Sea had little understanding of matters in the capital, so he immediately explained to avoid any misunderstandings.
After all, there was an outsider standing nearby, and it would be bad if any gossip spread.
Their internal conflicts within Buddhism were internal conflicts; if the reputation of Buddhism were to be damaged because of this, then both Cien Temple and Fuhu Temple would become sinners of Buddhism.
This kind of thinking was incomprehensible to the Taoist sect.
Three Creeks Taoist pretended not to understand, stood aside chuckling, and chatted with Grandmaster Shanle again about the damage to the two market districts earlier.
Although Monk Clear Sea was reckless, he was not a fool, otherwise Fuhu Temple would not have confidently sent him to lead the team to the capital this time.
Monk Clear Sea pouted and said nothing more.
"Alright, with this incident today, there's no time to discuss other matters. Let's first help the surrounding common people clear the debris."
"This old monk will go call the disciples from the temple as well. Please bear with me for a moment." "This humble Taoist will also go call my disciples." Three Creeks Taoist bowed, lightly flicked his whisk, and smiled as he departed.
Only Grandmaster Chenghai and Monk Clear Sea remained at the scene.
With only the two of them left, some things were easier to say.
"Senior Brother Clear Sea, the capital is full of hidden talents, and coupled with the current treacherous situation, it is truly not a place worth getting involved in."
"Fuhu Temple's future, I'm afraid, is not here." Grandmaster Chenghai earnestly advised.
Monk Clear Sea raised a hand, stopping Grandmaster Chenghai's next words.
"Junior Brother Chenghai, although we only have the title of fellow disciples, there is still a bond of shared lineage. I know you also have your difficulties."
"But if our Fuhu Temple had other options, we wouldn't have had to come to this point today."
"Fuhu Temple's future might not be in the capital, but it is even less likely to be in that deep mountain of Jiangnan Province."
"There are only two paths before us: either seek change, or watch Fuhu Temple's lineage be severed." Hearing this, Grandmaster Chenghai couldn't help but frown deeply.
"What exactly happened to Fuhu Temple?"
"Why has Senior Brother been unwilling to speak clearly?"
"Even in front of Grandmaster Shanle just now, why were you always so secretive?" Grandmaster Chenghai asked, puzzled.
"If you don't agree to me, I will never reveal a single bit of this matter!" To this, Monk Clear Sea's attitude was firm.
This stubborn attitude left Grandmaster Chenghai helpless; he could only shake his head silently.
It was clearly Fuhu Temple that had a request, yet their attitude was so unyielding, which even made Grandmaster Chenghai feel a bit of irritation.
Grandmaster Chenghai couldn't quite understand why Fuhu Temple would send Senior Brother Clear Sea, with such a stubborn personality, to negotiate. Did the others in Fuhu Temple not know he was like this?
Seeing Monk Clear Sea's firm attitude, Grandmaster Chenghai stopped asking.
But looking at Monk Clear Sea's stubborn demeanor, Grandmaster Chenghai ultimately couldn't bear it and reminded him:
"If there's a problem that Fuhu Temple cannot solve, and Cien Temple cannot solve, can't other Buddhist fellow practitioners help?"
"In the worst-case scenario, you can even ask Floating Cloud Temple to intervene. I hope Senior Brother can consider this more and seek help from others." In Grandmaster Chenghai's view, since Monk Clear Sea was willing to ask Grandmaster Shanle to mediate, he should be open to seeking help from other Buddhist fellow practitioners.
But unexpectedly, Monk Clear Sea, upon hearing this, sneered disdainfully:
"Out of respect for you calling me Senior Brother, I'll give you a reminder."
"Today's Buddhism is no longer the Buddhism of yesteryear."
"Who is truly united with whom is truly uncertain!" Monk Clear Sea's words carried strong personal emotions, and Grandmaster Chenghai was startled, hastily asking:
"What does Senior Brother mean by this?"