CHAPTER 143: CHAPTER 90: THE FORTUNE-BESTOWING CHILD

"The people of the Yao Race are all liars!"

Yao Qing was worried that the protagonist would be deceived by the Yao people when he went to the Cultivation Conference. As soon as Linglong left, Yao Qing went to find the protagonist and revealed all the dirty deeds that the Yao Race had done over the years.

Finally, Yao Qing looked at the protagonist and earnestly advised, "If the Yao Family comes looking for you, don’t believe anything they say! Especially be wary of those simple-looking Yao disciples. They’re all liars, and if you trust them, you’ll end up with nothing remaining!"

The protagonist sat cross-legged on the meditation mat, eyes closed, wholeheartedly reciting scriptures.

He didn’t even lift an eyelid at Yao Qing’s words.

Yao Qing didn’t know if he was listening. She wanted to say more but was afraid she might annoy him by saying too much, so she left reluctantly.

After Yao Qing left, the protagonist opened his eyes, his gaze calm and unwavering.

No matter how good the Yao Race is at scheming, so what?

He had already decided to retreat from society.

The protagonist, knowing that the fact he was cultivating the Dragon God Technique had been exposed, no longer hid anything. In recent times, he had collected a lot of rumors concerning the Zhao clan.

The protagonist mainly focused on the bloodline issues of the Zhao clan.

He knew the deadly fate of the Zhao clan’s descendants.

Initially, the protagonist just wanted to find a place to hide and recover from the ordeal he had been through lately.

Now, knowing the tragic fate that awaited, he felt even less inclined to struggle.

"Grandmaster, I’ve thought it over carefully."

The protagonist withdrew his gaze and looked down at the ring in his hand, his voice low, "I appreciate your kindness, but I’m tired of the grudges and entanglements of the Cultivation Realm. Now I just want to find a place where no one knows me, work from sunrise to sunset, and live a life far away from the cultivation world, farming and reciting scriptures."

An old monk’s voice echoed in the protagonist’s mind, "Wherever there are people, there is strife and contention. The place you speak of doesn’t exist. If you want a peaceful life, you’ll need to rely on a powerful force. I have some influence at Arhat Temple. Once you return me there, if you don’t wish to join the temple, I can ask the Abbot to allocate a piece of land for you, where you can live the life you desire."

The protagonist remained silent.

Neither agreeing nor opposing.

After a long time, he finally said slowly, "Grandmaster, I will help you return to Arhat Temple, but I won’t join them, nor stay there. I just want to find a place where no people exist to live out my remaining days."

Although the protagonist had suffered a lot recently, he had also grown significantly.

If it had been before, he would have agreed to the old monk’s suggestion without hesitation.

But now, he thought differently.

Since the West Mountain Temple had been secretly wary of him for a long time, they surely must have been prepared.

If he dared to join Arhat Temple, his end might not be far off!

Seeing that he couldn’t persuade the protagonist, the old monk could only sigh helplessly.

He truly saw great potential in the protagonist.

The protagonist indeed had deep roots in the Buddhist path.

If he could bring him into Arhat Temple, it would not only suppress the arrogance of the rival West Mountain Temple but also gain a Buddha’s Son with astonishing understanding.

It would be killing two birds with one stone!

"That woman is infuriating!"

The old monk thought of Su Qianqian, feeling a pang of frustration.

In all his years, he had never seen a woman like Su Qianqian, whose actions were so unbelievably bold and reckless!

The old monk could actually understand the protagonist’s thoughts.

If he had encountered Su Qianqian, he might also have seen through the mundane world by now.

"Forget it!"

In the end, the old monk said, "Since your mind is set, I won’t try to persuade you further. If you ever change your mind, you’re always welcome at Arhat Temple. As long as I’m still there, the temple’s doors will remain open for you."

The protagonist’s expression remained calm as he thanked him and then closed his eyes to continue reciting scriptures.

At the same time.

After leaving the Patriarch Yao’s small courtyard, Linglong returned to the Crown Prince’s Mansion to report to Zhao Yi.

"Su Changyuan is indeed commendable."

After listening to Linglong’s report, Zhao Yi nodded slightly, "Huang Ying and others have investigated Su Changyuan and the Su clan, confirming that they are all good people, which is why Su Qianqian was made the Sixth Prince Consort."

He shook his head, "It’s unfortunate that you can’t truly know a person’s heart; who’d have thought Su Qianqian would be so daring?"

Zhao Yi paused for a moment, then said to Huang Ying, "Instruct the Imperial Clan Court to pardon Su Changyuan and others for their involvement with Su Qianqian and Heaven-Facing Sect."

Linglong, who did not hold an official position, could investigate the situation in the Death Prison for Zhao Yi, but she was not qualified enough to liaise with the Imperial Clan Court.

For formal dealings such as this, only a Female Official with a formal rank, like Huang Ying, could proceed.

After Zhao Yi finished speaking, he paused again and said, "Su Changyuan is to be penalized with a year’s salary for not raising his daughter properly! The Su clan’s inadequacy in managing the household makes them liable to be sent to the palace for the Empress’s instruction."

Linglong was a bit surprised to hear this, glancing at Zhao Yi.

Zhao Yi treated Su Changyuan quite favorably.

Su Changyuan had committed a crime punishable by the extermination of the nine clans, yet Zhao Yi not only pardoned him but also imposed only a light punishment.

For Su Changyuan, losing a year’s salary was insignificant and didn’t really hurt him at all.

As for Su’s entry into the palace to receive the Empress’s instruction, it seemed more like a favor than a punishment.

Though it appeared that Su was entering the palace as a penalty, how many people in the vast Shengjing City could be personally admonished by the Empress?

Rather than being punished, it was more like Su was getting a chance to gain prestige by visiting the Empress.