sbdcsierra Chapter 1644 Master Xingchen is Arrested (Bonus Chapter for 264 Million Reward Points)
Chapter 1644 Master Xingchen is Arrested (Bonus Chapter for 264 Million Reward Points)
"If the Chu and Feng families are truly involved with the rebel king, they deserve to die!"
"This servant will thoroughly investigate and ensure that the evidence is irrefutable and the case is airtight, so that no traitor will escape justice!"
If His Majesty says both families are guilty, then they must be guilty!
Nangong Xuanyu said, "This matter is not urgent. We will proceed after Xingchen has been brought to justice and the turmoil in the palace has subsided."
"The Chu and Feng clans, regardless of age or gender, will be wiped out!"
Li Changde's heart skipped a beat: "This servant obeys the decree!"
The power of God is unpredictable.
When an emperor is enraged, millions will die and rivers of blood will flow!
Making both families disappear completely would be an easy task.
Nangong Xuanyu then asked, "How did you handle the situation at Fatu Temple?"
This matter must not be made public.
In the eyes of the world, Master Xingchen remains a highly respected monk.
If there is no plausible reason, how would the princes, ministers, and devout believers react if a Buddhist leader who is hailed as a holy monk were to be arrested rashly?
If it is exploited by those with ulterior motives to attack the royal family, blaspheme against Buddhism, or harm eminent monks, it will cause unnecessary turmoil.
Li Changde said, "Your Majesty, after Consort Feng and Lady Chu confessed, I sent secret guards disguised as pilgrims and servants to secretly control all entrances and exits of Fatu Temple and the surrounding main roads. There are also people inside the temple keeping an eye on Xingchen's movements."
"Everything at Fatu Temple is currently normal; Xingchen has no chance of escaping!"
Since we're going to use the name of the rebel king to eliminate the Feng and Chu families, why not start by setting things on fire?
Nangong Xuanyu said coldly, "The people sent by the palace unexpectedly discovered something related to the rebel king's henchmen at Fatu Temple. There are clues pointing to the fact that Fatu Temple once received a large sum of offerings from the rebel king's maternal clan, and there are monks in the temple who have close ties with former members of the rebel king's family. We need to clarify these matters one by one."
"In order to thoroughly investigate this major case of treason, we request that Xingchen enter the palace for questioning and cooperate with the investigation."
Li Changde instantly understood the emperor's intention.
In this way, whether it was taking Xingchen away or searching Fatu Temple, it all became legitimate, and no one dared to obstruct it.
Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!
"Your Majesty is wise!" Li Changde praised sincerely, "In this way, we can not only proceed smoothly, but also gain the upper hand and silence any criticism."
The emperor's eyes were filled with murderous intent: "I want to see how many other shameful secrets Xingchen is hiding besides the filth of his illicit affairs!"
……
Fatu Temple has recently been shrouded in an atmosphere of impending doom.
Master Xingchen felt this particularly deeply.
After Huichen was arrested, although no one did anything to him, Master Xingchen could sense that the people in the palace were investigating even more thoroughly.
Can't wait any longer!
Xingchen had already made arrangements in secret.
Several famous temples in Jiangnan jointly invited him to hold a Dharma assembly to promote an important newly translated Buddhist scripture.
The itinerary, carriages, and accompanying disciples were all prepared and ready to depart.
Once he leaves the capital, far from the emperor's reach, he will have a sufficient escape route even if the palace discovers something.
However... Master Xingchen was ultimately too late.
Before he could leave, Li Changde arrived with his men.
The monks put down their work and gathered near the front hall, looking around with surprise and uncertainty.
Upon hearing the news, the abbot hurriedly led several elders out of the mountain gate to greet them.
Li Changde cut to the chase: "...Upon investigation, clues in the old case of Prince Nangong Xuanche's treasonous plot point to Fatu Temple. I am here on His Majesty's orders to invite Master Xingchen to the palace for questioning. All those in the temple must do their utmost to assist, and there must be no mistakes!"
The monks stirred, their faces filled with disbelief.
Fatu Temple is a royal temple, always a place of tranquility. How could it be involved in a treason case? This is simply unbelievable!
After a brief moment of shock, many monks breathed a sigh of relief: "I knew it! That's why there have been people from the palace investigating Fatu Temple lately. It turns out it's about the case of the traitorous king!"
"It startled me; I thought something had happened at the temple..."
“Uncle Xingchen is a highly virtuous monk with noble character. The palace must have made a mistake. We should go and clarify things.”
"..."
The vast majority of monks present, including the abbot and elders, shared this view.
With Xingchen's virtue and wisdom, he will surely be able to clear up the misunderstanding and restore the true name of Fatu Temple.
Therefore, although the abbot felt it was somewhat sudden, he did not stop him, and only said, "Eunuch Li, please wait a moment, this old monk will send someone to invite Xingchen."
"There's no need to trouble the abbot."
Li Changde smiled slightly and looked in the direction of Chengxin Pavilion, saying, "Master Xingchen is a highly accomplished monk. It would be more respectful for us to personally invite him!"
After speaking, he left some guards to maintain order, while he led another team of capable men straight towards Chengxin Pavilion.
A quick-witted young novice monk has already come to inform Master Xingchen about this.
Master Xingchen's heart sank to the bottom!
However, he also knew that if he ran away at this moment, not to mention whether he could escape, it would be a blatant admission of guilt.
Therefore, when Li Changde brought his men over, he was sitting upright in the meditation room, calmly chanting scriptures.
"Master Xingchen!"
Li Changde smiled amiably and spoke respectfully: "His Majesty has decreed that there are some questions regarding the case of the rebel king, which require verification from the master. He has specially ordered me to come and invite the master to the palace."
Master Xingchen stood up, his white robes fluttering, his expression serene: "Amitabha!"
“Since it is His Majesty’s decree, this humble monk will naturally obey. However, I wonder if His Majesty has any doubts? This humble monk has lived in the mountain temple for a long time and has not been involved in worldly affairs. I am afraid that I am unable to share His Majesty’s worries.”
Li Changde's smile remained unchanged: "I am not entirely clear about the specifics either. His Majesty only instructed that we need to consult the master in person."
"You'll know once you go there, Master."
He then stepped aside to make way: "The carriage is ready outside the mountain gate, Master Xingchen, please!"
Master Xingchen's gaze swept calmly over Li Changde, then fell upon the guards blocking all paths behind him, and his heart sank uncontrollably...
"In that case, please allow this humble monk to make some adjustments."
"Master, there's no need for that trouble."
Li Changde stepped forward, blocking Master Xingchen's path: "His Majesty is still waiting in the palace. If we delay any longer, it may be inappropriate. Master, please!"
Master Xingchen paused for a moment, then nodded slightly: "Eunuch Li is right, then let's go."
His steps were steady, and his white robes fluttered gracefully. Anyone who saw him would think he was a truly enlightened monk!
Li Changde followed closely behind.
The guards quickly followed, forming a semi-encirclement around Master Xingchen.
The monks they encountered along the way all trusted Master Xingchen very much, believing that he would return soon.
However, Master Xingchen knew that once he left, he might never be able to leave the palace again...
The carriage stopped at the palace gate.
Holding special warrants, Li Changde and his entourage passed through the many palace gates and turned into an increasingly secluded passageway, which was heavily guarded.
Master Xingchen sat in the carriage, already prepared with his words of greeting to the emperor.