Chapter 432: Actually, This Official Has An Affinity with Buddhism

Yang Ling adhered to the principle of never striking someone who greets you with a smile, so he immediately nodded with a smile in return:

"So it's Master Jie Hai. It's been a long time."

From a distance, Li Ruhai felt as sick as if he had just swallowed a fly.

He was "Brother Ruhai," and Jie Hai was "Master Jie Hai"?

Why the difference?

Jie Hai felt a slight sense of relief in his heart and immediately introduced the several monks beside him to Yang Ling.

Actually, there was no need for his introduction. A casual glance at their Status Panels was enough for Yang Ling to know exactly where they came from.

One young monk hailed from Arhat Temple, with the monastic name Jie Shu.

This one's attributes were cut from the exact same mold as Jiu Xingkong's.

Strength 150 points, Agility 149, though his Spirit was slightly higher than Jiu Xingkong's at 70 points.

He also cultivated the Arhat Salvation Sutra, and his martial arts techniques were also Mighty Vajra Palm and Gecko Climbing Wall Technique.

Whether internal technique or martial arts technique, both had already reached Transcendent level. His combat prowess was definitely not ordinary.

"He should be counted among the top echelon of Arhat Temple, and he still hasn't been taught a Top-Tier Internal Technique?"

Yang Ling couldn't help but secretly grumble to himself. These first-rate sects were far too strict in their control over Top-Tier Internal Techniques.

Fortunately, he was lucky enough to be a player. If he had been born directly in Zhao State, he wouldn't even have had the right to catch a whiff of a Top-Tier Internal Technique in his entire life.

He would probably have exhausted every effort just to obtain a Third-Rate Internal Technique, cultivating it until he was seventy or eighty years old, becoming a minor expert in some prefectural capital.

"Today's Sixth-Rank Top Hundred Battle is extremely important. On the Zhao State side, royal members like Zhao Zheng and Zhao Yingying have come out in person."

"Yet looking at the four first-rate sects, the disciples they dispatched still aren't their absolute core members. It seems these sects are holding something back and don't intend to go all out."

"Are they afraid their own disciples might accidentally die on Fire Flood Dragon Island?"

At this moment, Yang Ling suddenly recalled the condition for reaching Transcendent level in the Vajra Bright King Technique.

One needed to meditate and comprehend within a Buddhist temple!

The smile on his face grew even more sincere.

The other two Sixth-Rank monks came from Bitter Awareness Temple, both of the Jue generation, fellow disciples of Juewang.

When Jie Hai introduced them, the two forced rather stiff smiles and pressed their palms together in a greeting.

After Jie Hai finished his introductions, Jie Shu finally pressed his palms together and intoned a Buddhist invocation:

"Amitabha. This humble monk has long admired Chief Constable Yang's reputation, and now that I finally see you in person, you are truly extraordinary."

"Master Jie Shu flatters me too much. I hardly deserve the title of Divine Constable."

Yang Ling clasped his fists and replied courteously.

Seeing this, Jie Hai took the opportunity to speak in a low voice:

"Chief Constable Yang, this humble monk has a matter I wish to inquire about. Might I ask..."

"Is it about Martial Monk Jue Ming?"

Yang Ling said casually.

The expressions of the two Bitter Awareness Temple monks turned somewhat complicated.

The man before them had not only killed a Mingxin, but had also detained Jue Ming and over a dozen other martial monks.

This matter had already caused Bitter Awareness Temple considerable criticism within Buddhist circles.

"Exactly. This humble monk wishes to ask whether Jue Ming truly has any connection to the Rong tribe..."

Master Jie Hai's tone was extremely polite.

At the same time, after asking the question, he felt somewhat apprehensive, bracing himself for potential ridicule or sharp rebuke from the other party.

Not far away, Li Ruhai witnessed this scene and couldn't help but reveal a hint of gloating delight.

Bringing up this matter at such a time—wasn't that just handing the other party an opportunity to make trouble?

"Director Yun, how is the investigation into Martial Monk Jue Ming going?"

Yang Ling looked thoughtfully at Yun Ruo.

Yun Ruo spoke frankly: "For now, we haven't found any connection between him and the Rong tribe."

Upon hearing this, Yang Ling made the final decision:

"Then I'll write a letter back to Xiangfeng Prefectural Capital and have Jue Ming and his disciples released."

Yun Ruo naturally had no objections. She had already confirmed long ago that Jue Ming had nothing to do with the Rong tribe; she just hadn't figured out how to bring the matter up with Yang Ling.

Master Jie Hai was somewhat stunned, disbelief written all over his face. He never expected this matter to be resolved so easily?

He had thought the other party would at least take the opportunity to mock them a bit.

The two Sixth-Rank monks from Bitter Awareness Temple exchanged glances, both spotting a glimmer of surprise and joy in each other's eyes.

Jue Ming himself wasn't important, but as long as he remained detained, it was a significant blow to Bitter Awareness Temple's reputation.

Li Ruhai had originally wanted to watch the drama unfold, but upon seeing this scene, he fell into silence.

He had already guessed why the other party was being so courteous.

"This kid, he responds to kindness but not to force..."

...

Jie Shu's face was beaming with joy:

"Chief Constable Yang truly sees all with keen perception. This matter can finally be put to rest."

Jie Hai and the other monks were also extremely delighted, shamelessly flattering Yang Ling with a few subtle praises.

Yang Ling sighed emotionally: "Actually, this official has an affinity with Buddhism.

When I was in Xiangfeng Prefectural Capital, I got along extremely well with Master Juewang.

I also treated Monk Huishu of your temple like a brother.

Recently, I've also been studying some Buddhist scriptures in my spare time between cultivation sessions."

Huishu? Jie Hai thought for a long while before recalling this Arhat Temple disciple whose lay name was Li Shou, and a strange glint flashed through his eyes.

Jie Shu clearly didn't know Li Shou, but upon hearing Yang Ling's words, his expression immediately shifted. He quickly smiled and said:

"Chief Constable Yang, so you also have some insights into Buddhist scriptures. Then you truly do have an affinity with our Buddha.

Why not wait until the Sixth-Rank Top Hundred Battle concludes, and then come visit Arhat Temple for a look around? Perhaps it might provide some inspiration for your martial path."

"Go to Arhat Temple? Would that not disturb your temple?"

Yang Ling revealed a hesitant expression.

Jie Shu shot Jie Hai a meaningful glance.

Jie Hai immediately said: "How could it possibly be a disturbance? If Chief Constable Yang could come visit Arhat Temple, the monks of our temple, from top to bottom, would all be absolutely delighted and welcoming!"

Yang Ling clasped his fists and gave a cupped fist salute: "Very well then. I shall pay a visit to Arhat Temple at that time and experience the boundless Buddhist teachings!"

Boundless Buddhist teachings! These words brought beaming smiles to Jie Shu and the others.

Yang Ling secretly scoffed to himself. These baldies still hadn't cleansed themselves of worldly desires.

Yun Ruo looked somewhat surprised, as if she wanted to say something but held back.

On the upper deck, Yun Buchuan and Zhao Xun observed the scene from afar.

"What is that kid scheming?"

Yun Buchuan murmured to himself.

Zhao Xun: "Could he genuinely be interested in Buddhism?"

Yun Buchuan shot him a glance:

"Developing an interest in Buddhism out of nowhere? Do you believe that?

What he's most interested in should be the Rong tribe spies."

Zhao Xun frowned: "He wants to investigate a case at Arhat Temple? Has he found some new lead?"

"We'll ask him about it later. Arhat Temple is not just some ordinary place. Even if he wants to investigate a case, we can't let him run wild."

Yun Buchuan said.

On Yang Ling's side, he chatted pleasantly with Jie Shu and the others. They talked for nearly half an hour before both parties finally dispersed.

Over the next few days, the fleet completely sailed out of the great river and entered the vast open sea.

At first, they occasionally spotted some islands, but eventually, they could sail for days without seeing a single one.

On the fourth day, Zhang Wei came to invite Yang Ling to see Zhao Zheng.

When Yang Ling arrived, seven or eight figures were already seated in Zhao Zheng's cabin.

Several of them were Sixth-Rank experts from the Divine Sect, including Li Ruhai, Dongfang Haojie, Tong He, and that strongest Upper Sixth-Rank expert sent by the Divine Sect.

In addition, Nine Immortals Dao Palace's Hua Zhuo, his junior apprentice brother, and even Chi Qingyao were all present.

What surprised Yang Ling was that Xu Qingnian was also sitting here.

When Li Ruhai saw Yang Ling, his expression turned somewhat stiff.

Hua Zhuo showed no discernible emotional fluctuation, a gentle smile hanging on his face.

"Chief Constable Yang has arrived. Then we've got everyone we need this time."

Zhao Zheng smiled. Behind him, Xu Wuji produced a wooden box and handed it to him.

"This box contains Flame-Averting Pills, enough for everyone present to take one more each."

Flame-Averting Pills!? Everyone's expression shifted, a strange glint flashing through their eyes.

Didn't this mean they could stay on Fire Flood Dragon Island for half a month longer?