"This humble monk has just received news that Marquis Wu'an, for personal grievances, disregarded the law and massacred all the monks of the Bright Temple. I ask Your Majesty to punish Marquis Wu'an."

The plea for help from Miao Jue and the news of the destruction of the Bright Temple reached his ears almost simultaneously, leaving him no time to meet with Great Governor Xiao Jing of the Heavenly Patrol Bureau!

Chen Yuan serves as the Heavenly Divine Envoy of the Heavenly Patrol Bureau, governing the Three Southern States with immense power. However, his power formally falls under the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Patrol Bureau. Thus, originally, he intended to leverage Xiao Jing's authority to suppress Chen Yuan's murderous intent.

Yao Xin's death was inevitable, as he had voluntarily resolved the cause and effect himself, and could not blame others. However, Bright Temple was presently the strongest foothold of the Buddhist faction in the South and could not be lost.

The grand plan of the Buddhist teachings spreading across the Central Plains had not yet fully unfolded, and Bright Temple must be preserved.

But just as he had prepared to invite Xiao Jing, before he could arrive, he received news of Bright Temple's annihilation. In an instant, even with a mental state as calm as a secluded spring, he felt a surge of anger.

Chen Yuan dared to slaughter Bright Temple!

Disregarding the grand plan of the Buddhist faction.

His demonic nature was too deep!

The Emperor must impose punishment.

Upon hearing this, Jingtai's eyes flickered, and his lips curved slightly with a hint of joy in his heart. The growing strength of the Buddhist faction had long been irksome to him, but given the many dependencies on the Buddhist faction, he could not openly express his feelings, only quietly observing the spread of the Buddhist teachings, gradually encroaching upon the Jianghu forces.

What Chen Yuan did aligned with his desires.

But with Pu Xian Bodhisattva present, he could not voice his thoughts and had to feign anger, asking sternly:

"Is there such a thing? Marquis Wu'an is truly audacious!"

"I beseech Your Majesty to impose punishment!"

Pu Xian Bodhisattva clasped his hands together, continuing in a deep voice.

Jingtai nodded, turning his gaze towards Cao Zhengxian:

"Eunuch Cao, what law has Marquis Wu'an violated that necessitates severe punishment?"

Cao Zhengxian, having caught sight of the profound look in Jingtai's eyes, let out a light sigh in his heart, adjusted his demeanor, and bowed:

"Your Majesty, actually, the old minister intended to report this matter to you earlier but was interrupted by State Preceptor."

"Oh? Then elaborate on the process."

"Yes..." Cao Zhengxian avoided meeting Pu Xian Bodhisattva's gaze and spoke softly:

"The incident originated from Bright Temple's host, Yao Xin Arhat, who declared an intention to settle grievances with Marquis Wu'an. Outmatched, he was slain before Shuzhou City.

Subsequently, Marquis Wu'an, enraged, accused the monks of Bright Temple of plotting to rebel and attacking court officials. Citing that the temple harbored No-Life Sect demons causing chaos, he then led men to destroy Bright Temple, slaughtering its entire household."

"Has the presence of No-Life Sect demons been investigated?" Jingtai frowned, leaning forward slightly.

"Currently unknown; it may take a report from the Shuzhou Heavenly Patrol Bureau to headquarters to ascertain."

"Did Marquis Wu'an violate any laws?"

"Uh..."

"Speak freely, the State Preceptor is present; nothing shall be concealed." Jingtai spoke firmly, seeming to address Pu Xian Bodhisattva notably.

"No guilt."

Cao Zhengxian lowered his gaze, avoiding Pu Xian's expression.

"No guilt? How can there be no guilt? Marquis Wu'an massacred Bright Temple, how could there be no guilt?"

Jingtai seemed somewhat surprised.

"Your Majesty, since its inception, the Heavenly Patrol Bureau received the Imperial Decree from the previous emperor, allowing them the power to execute first and report later, granted a special imperial prerogative to make judgments independently.

Throughout the years, the Heavenly Patrol Bureau has operated in this manner, with countless souls perishing under their blades, contributing significantly to the taxes of the Heavenly Patrol Bureau and the court."

"Indeed..." Jingtai sighed softly:

"It's still the inadequacy of the laws, my failure. Record my decree: for the near future, let the Heavenly Patrol Bureau be more prudent regarding clan annihilations, conduct should not be excessive."

This display was naturally intended for Pu Xian Bodhisattva, for while he harbored animosity towards Chen Yuan, he also held disdain for the Buddhist faction. The court had offered much leniency to the Buddhist faction, becoming increasingly excessive in recent years.

Capable even of inciting the common people...

Now that Chen Yuan served as a vicious dog to take a bite out of the Buddhist faction, he felt inwardly gratified, though he could not reveal this in the presence of Pu Xian, who represented Spirit Mountain.

"Yes, the old minister obeys the decree."

"Your Majesty, will the matter be simply left as such? Nearly a thousand lives lost at Bright Temple, is it just to be left to the Heavenly Patrol Bureau's self-investigation?" Pu Xian Bodhisattva frowned.

Jingtai observed the other's expression, his face impassive, a hint of coldness flickered in his eyes, which then shifted to agreement:

"What the State Preceptor says has some validity; as such, let us penalize Marquis Wu'an by halving his salary for half a year as punishment. It's a pity that, had Marquis Wu'an violated the court's laws, I would certainly strip him of his title."

With indifferent eyes, Pu Xian Bodhisattva met Jingtai's gaze for a moment, placing one hand together:

"Your Majesty discerns right from wrong, this humble monk admires. There are urgent matters at Little Thunder Temple, so this humble monk will take his leave first."

Having said this, Pu Xian turned and left without pause.

He represented the towering Spirit Mountain, the Buddhist Holy Land. Generally respectful towards the Emperor, there was no problem, but now, with Bright Temple annihilated, just a light decree of salary penalty.

One can already see that the Sima Family's tolerance towards the Buddhist faction is nearing its limit.

Given this, there's nothing more to be said.

"State Preceptor, go slowly."

Jingtai replied blandly.

A moment later, when Pu Xian had moved farther away, Cao Zhengxian asked quietly:

"Your Majesty, are we truly to penalize Marquis Wu'an's salary for half a year?"

"He's been in Shuzhou for so long without locating the murderer of Lu Renjia, and has now caused such a major incident, naturally, he deserves punishment, but... this young man also eradicated a Refining God bandit from Liangshan for me, so he should also be rewarded, hmm... of the spoils from the destruction of Bright Temple, the half to be submitted to headquarters shall be his reward."

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