Dragon's Origin

“Abbot, don’t be fooled by Miss Tantai’s appearance; she is a true legendary master,” Wang Sheng said with a smile. “She captured an assassin at the eighth level with one hand. I only discovered it by chance because of my keen senses; otherwise, things might be very different now.”

If it weren't for Tantai Yao's display of power, Wang Sheng would still have accepted these women, but their fates would be different. Most likely, Wang Sheng would have arranged for them to live in the Qian Sheng Yuan, ensuring they had no worries about food and clothing, but they wouldn't enjoy the many benefits they have now.

Wang Sheng even suspected that Tantai Yao might have initially just wanted to find a place to retire and live a carefree life. If she had followed Rose to the Marquis's mansion, Wang Sheng would definitely have made good arrangements for her. Unfortunately, the three kingdoms sent those women over, and Wang Sheng saw through Tantai Yao's cultivation level as soon as they met.

All sorts of coincidences led to the current situation. However, this is the ending that Wang Sheng is most satisfied with.

“No wonder!” The Grand Abbot had met Tantai Yao before and never imagined that the seemingly gentle and weak woman was actually a legendary master. It truly shows that one cannot judge a book by its cover.

This is good. With these women, once their cultivation is successful, Me’er and the others' safety can be entrusted to them. The guards currently around Me’er include those placed by the Emperor, those Me’er originally brought with her, and some from the Old Lord Temple. Their identities are complicated, making these women, who have no way out, more suitable.

Besides, it's easier to provide close protection if they are all women. Me’er’s current personal guard is given by the Emperor, and Wang Sheng is not entirely at ease. Now that everyone is cooperating, everything sounds good, but if one day he and the Emperor have different opinions, Me’er might be used as a pawn.

“I underestimated the heroes of the world.” The Grand Abbot was good at reflecting. While reflecting, he also applauded Wang Sheng’s arrangement.

Who would have known that a group of delicate women sent as playthings could become powerful legendary masters? Moreover, powerful masters whose realms even the Grand Abbot couldn't discern? Such a hidden force is a way to save lives when necessary, and may even be the main force for attack. No one can see through their realms, which means they won't be guarded against. The thought of a legendary master suddenly attacking anyone unprepared is exciting.

While speaking, the two had arrived at the Scripture Pavilion. They sat down at the table where Wang Sheng often drank with Lingxu, and a young Taoist served tea before they began to discuss serious matters.

“Grand Abbot, did you ask me to come over late that night because there was something major happening in the temple?” Wang Sheng asked after taking a sip of tea.

“It’s not exactly about the temple, but about our Taoist sect,” the Grand Abbot said slowly after taking a sip and taking a deep breath. “A few days ago, the Emperor sent someone to discuss with me, willing to make Taoism the state religion and appoint me as the national preceptor, asking what I thought.”

The Emperor sent someone to discuss making Taoism the state religion and the Grand Abbot the national preceptor? Wang Sheng frowned as soon as he heard this. What was the Emperor doing? He had warned him not to have designs on the Old Lord Temple. Did he take his words as wind?

The Grand Abbot saw Wang Sheng frown as soon as he asked, and was immediately surprised. However, the Grand Abbot was very composed and waited patiently for Wang Sheng's reaction.

“What does the Grand Abbot think?” Wang Sheng didn't immediately express his attitude, but instead asked the Grand Abbot.

“From the perspective of promoting Taoism, it's a good thing,” the Grand Abbot replied methodically, not hiding his attitude. “This is also a great promotion for the reputation of our Taoist sect. However, there are still some things I haven't figured out, so I haven't replied yet.”

As soon as the title of national preceptor came up, Wang Sheng's mind flashed with images of those famous Taoists in Chinese history and literature on Earth. Which of those so-called national preceptors wasn't a villain? Which one didn't end up with a tragic ending? Some even implicated Taoism. Who came up with this method of framing people by making the Grand Abbot a national preceptor?

“Lingxu is not here. What do the elders of the Qing generation say?” Wang Sheng asked again, still not stating his own opinion.

“There are various disputes,” the Grand Abbot replied succinctly. “Those who agree and those who disagree are probably about fifty-fifty!”

“What are the reasons for disagreeing?” Wang Sheng asked.

“Our Taoist sect has never been involved in politics, and it is also inconsistent with our Taoist ideals of purity and non-action,” the Grand Abbot replied concisely, because the reasons were very simple.

“If you become the national preceptor of the state religion, what do you need to do?” Wang Sheng asked again.

“You don’t need to do anything, and there will be a large amount of offerings,” the Grand Abbot replied. “You only need to preside over some sacrifices on some major festivals. In the future, Taoism will become more prosperous and its reputation will be even greater.”

“If the Emperor and some other forces have disputes, or even wars, what should our Taoist sect and our Old Lord Temple do?” Wang Sheng asked again, the question becoming much sharper. “Which side should we help?”

The Grand Abbot suddenly hesitated, because he had already discovered the pitfall of this state religion and national preceptor. It was not easy to jump into.

“Help the side that is right?” The Grand Abbot’s hand stopped on the teacup, stroking it, and he opened his mouth hesitantly.

“Which is right? Who judges what is right?” Wang Sheng suddenly laughed. “What if the other side is right? You are the national preceptor appointed by the Emperor, but you have to stand against the Emperor when there is a dispute?”

The Grand Abbot stopped talking. According to reason, if he accepted the Emperor's appointment, he would have to work for the Emperor. Could it be that he would really use the power of the Old Lord Temple to help the Emperor conquer the world? Besides, there was also what Wang Sheng said, who is right? As the Grand Abbot of the Old Lord Temple, did he not understand the principle of the winner being the king and the loser being the villain? Whoever wins is right.

“Taking a step back, if there is a problem with the imperial court's decrees, and someone says that the national preceptor is a demon and a sorcerer who is the culprit, and who is embezzling a large amount of the imperial court's expenditure,” Wang Sheng continued, “is the Grand Abbot planning to go somewhere with them to reason things out?”

Some fine beads of sweat had already appeared on the Grand Abbot's forehead. He had not thought carefully about these things. At first, he only thought it was a good thing for the prosperity of Taoism, but now that he thought about it, there were pitfalls everywhere! Fortunately, he did not agree on the spot, but wanted to consider it.

“I once warned the Emperor not to have designs on the Old Lord Temple.” After thinking about it, Wang Sheng revealed more to the Grand Abbot. “The person you saw, was he really sent by the Emperor?”

“It seems that someone is trying to stir up trouble!” The Grand Abbot’s eyes began to sharpen. At this moment, he became the Grand Abbot who commanded the Taoist sects of the world again. “They are even plotting against my Old Lord Temple. Very good! Very good!”