[Buddhist Immortal Ranking – Rank 6]
[Sweeping Monk]
[Force: Shaolin Temple of Northern Song Dynasty]
[Cultivation: Late Mythical Realm Land Immortal]
[Technique: Nameless Buddhist Scripture (Created by integrating various Buddhist Dao Cultivation Techniques of Shaolin Temple based on his own foundation!)]
[Reward: 2x Intermediate-Tier Bodhi Seed (Enhances Buddhist cultivation techniques and comprehension), 1x Intermediate-Tier Buddhist Skill, 1x Intermediate-Tier Buddhist Divine Weapon]
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"Abbot, this is a high monk from our Shaolin Temple!"
"You're mistaken. That Shaolin Temple is not our Shaolin Temple!"
"Junior Brother, didn't you see? It says Northern Song Shaolin Temple. It has nothing to do with us!"
"Damn it, why isn't it our Shaolin Temple?"
"A mere Northern Song Dynasty, a state about to be destroyed, what right does it have to possess such a powerful high monk?"
"Indeed, once the Northern Song Dynasty falls, their Shaolin Temple will become nothing more than a floating weed without roots."
"Unless they join the Vast Sea Dynasty, they'll definitely be severely suppressed or even exterminated."
"Abbot, should we send a letter to invite that high monk to join our Shaolin Temple?"
"With his support, we would no longer need to fear Wudang Sect's Zhang Sanfeng or Founder of Emei Sect!"
Although the monk who made it onto the ranking belonged to the Northern Song Shaolin Temple, he was not one of them.
Despite being branches of the same lineage, there was competition between the temples.
So long as it didn't involve the total destruction of the orthodox lineage, the branches often saw each other as rivals.
To have such a powerful monk emerge from a soon-to-be-destroyed temple left them feeling extremely indignant.
The formerly composed monks now showed ugly expressions of jealousy.
Unfortunately, all they could do was sigh.
They had no power to change the outcome!
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Northern Song Dynasty Territory.
In the southern region.
In a certain city.
The Former Crown Prince of the Song Dynasty and now the emperor, Zhao Huan, looked up at the ranking in the sky with a flash of joy in his eyes.
As for Zhao Huan's father, the previous Emperor Zhao Ji...
He had already abdicated in haste to Zhao Huan.
Then fled on his own.
Before the Liao Kingdom and Jin Kingdom armies invaded the capital, he had taken a group of loyalists and escaped in another direction.
Leaving Zhao Huan to face the invasion alone.
In the end, it was only because of prior preparation that Zhao Huan managed to escape with the last elite forces of the Song Dynasty when the defense failed.
The Song Dynasty's government was now completely fractured.
It could even be said to exist in name only.
The remaining Song Dynasty territories were carved up by various forces.
The emperor's commands were no longer obeyed by anyone.
This filled Zhao Huan with deep resentment.
But there was nothing he could do.
"Your Majesty, our situation is dire. All major powers nearby are eyeing us covetously."
"If we are not cautious, we might end up slain by these forces at any moment!"
"This place is no longer safe. We must flee again!"
"Minister, I remember Shaolin Temple is not far from here, right?"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Shaolin Temple lies three hundred li to the east. Within ten li in all directions is their territory."
"Your Majesty, are you planning to go to the Shaolin Temple?"
"You mustn't! There's a high chance that Shaolin Temple has already submitted to some dynasty or powerful force."
"If they harbor ill intentions, Your Majesty could be in grave danger."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Huan's expression turned conflicted.
"We can only take a gamble. Death is inevitable anyway, so why not try recruiting this Mythical Realm monk from Shaolin Temple?"
"Such a pity. Our National Master Lin Lingsu followed that old bastard Zhao Ji. If he were with me now, how could I be without even a single cultivator at my side?"
Mentioning Zhao Ji, Zhao Huan's eyes were filled with anger, hatred, and loathing.
When Zhao Ji passed the throne to him, Zhao Huan had felt no joy, only despair.
At the most critical moment, not only did Zhao Ji fail to help, he became a major liability.
The greatest culprit behind Zhao Huan's current plight was Zhao Ji.
If Zhao Ji were present now, Zhao Huan would tear him to pieces to vent his rage.
"Your Majesty, what if Shaolin Temple really turns against us? We might not be able to handle it. What should we do then?"
"Let fate decide!"
"Those nearby forces have yet to act, just because no one wants to bear the crime of regicide."
"Hmph, if Shaolin Temple dares to do something so insane, then let me die there."
"Let them bear the crime of killing a sovereign."
"No matter how they try to cover it up in the future, no dynasty will accept them again!"
Zhao Huan sneered coldly.
A strong hint of madness flashed in his eyes.
He had no other options left.
This was the only desperate move he had.
The trusted minister nearby was speechless after hearing this.
What kind of idiot comes up with such a plan?
For Shaolin Temple, keeping Zhao Huan alive and under control, then handing him over to their backers, would not only free them from guilt but earn them immense merit.
Such a scenario was very likely to happen.
But this trusted minister did not speak the truth.
Instead, an unusual glint flickered in his eyes.
Zhao Huan didn't notice the faint smirk tugging at the corners of his minister's lips.
It was obvious.
This "trusted" minister was no true loyalist.
He was undoubtedly a hidden spy from a rival force.
Was it the Black Ice Platform? The Bad People? The Supreme Master Mansion? Or the Secret Intelligence Division?
Or perhaps someone from the Military Advisor Division?
Now, within the crumbling borders of the Song Dynasty, all major powers had deployed spies.
Intertwined and entangled.
You infiltrate me, I infiltrate you.
Secret wars erupted endlessly.
No one knew whether those under them, or even their most trusted aides, were actually spies planted by other forces.
This applied to Zhao Huan.
And most likely, it was the same with the Retired Emperor Zhao Ji.
Once the mastermind behind the scenes decided to close the net, neither Zhao Ji nor Zhao Huan would meet a good end.
Even the major warlords and powers inside the Song Dynasty would not be spared.
The fact that the Liao Kingdom and Jin Kingdom could so easily "destroy" the Song Dynasty was likely due to deliberate manipulation by hidden players.
Using the hands of Liao Kingdom and Jin Kingdom to destroy the Song Dynasty.
And then destroy Liao Kingdom and Jin Kingdom in turn, swallowing up the remnants of the Song Dynasty to justify their conquest.
The Qin Dynasty, Sui Dynasty, Tang Dynasty, Vast Sea Dynasty, and Ming Dynasty.
All were seemingly working in silent unison.
Acting at the same time.
In the end, who would get to take the spoils of the Song Dynasty would depend on their abilities.
And clearly.
This spy planted beside Emperor Zhao Huan had his own scheme.
He seemed to be planning something big between Zhao Huan and the forces behind Shaolin Temple.
After leaving the imperial hall.
This spy wasted no time.
He quickly sent out a secret message containing all the information he had obtained.
Soon, someone would covertly coordinate with him.
Using Zhao Huan, this "bait", to fish out a truly "big fish".
Imagine, the dignified Emperor Zhao Huan.
In the eyes of some people, he was nothing more than bait.
Fortunately, Zhao Huan didn't know. Otherwise, he might have gone mad from rage.
But then again, he was a fallen monarch.
And the fate of a fallen emperor was often worse than that of a beggar.
It wouldn't be long now.
Within the lands of the Song Dynasty.
An unprecedented, large-scale war would erupt.
All major forces would be dragged into it.
Even the Liao Kingdom and Jin Kingdom, currently enjoying the spoils of victory.
And all the ambitious conspirators.
Would be caught in the storm.
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At the same time.
Northern Song Shaolin Temple.
"Abbot, how can this be? That monk is actually from our Shaolin Temple?"
"Who is he? How could he have reached the Mythical Realm?"
"I remember clearly, there was no such person in the temple!"
"If we really had a Mythical Realm monk, we would've treated him with the utmost respect. Why would he be sweeping the floor?"
"Wait, sweeping!"
"I know who it is!"
"In the Scripture Pavilion, there's an extremely elderly monk who always carries a broom and has been sweeping there for years!"
"It must be him!"
"Every time I passed by him, I always felt an inexplicable sense of peace and calm."
"Sigh, I was such a fool."
"A true high monk was right in front of us all along, but we were blind and couldn't recognize him."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go welcome him!"
"Hahaha, with this high monk, our Shaolin Temple will no longer have any worries!"
"At least in the upcoming chaos of the Nine Provinces, we won't have to fear the destruction of our orthodoxy by power-hungry forces!"
"Yes. Even those in the God Demon Realm would be cautious of such a monk!"
"Later, everyone must show the utmost respect. Do not slight him in the least!"
"From now on, his position may surpass even this Abbot's!"
"We shall follow the Abbot's command!"
The other monks did not hesitate and respectfully responded in unison.
Soon, a group of bald heads dashed off toward the Scripture Pavilion at full speed.
They even used their lightness techniques.
Clearly, they were in an extreme hurry.
To see the once dignified Shaolin Temple brought to such a state.
It was truly an ironic twist of fate!