Chapter 474: The Mutiny at Chengkang Temple (Part 2) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]

"It's broken?"

The scholar's words struck Gongxi Chou like a thunderclap.

He hurriedly asked, "Then what about the Prefect of Longwu?"

Despite Gong Xi Chou's constant indulgence in bead playing and vocal activities, and his limited involvement in warfare, it doesn't mean he's oblivious to the surrounding powers. Previously, when Xin Kingdom was powerful, it treated Shi Wu as an insignificant vassal; now that Geng Kingdom is in charge, it similarly sees Shi Wu as a sucker to be exploited. Shi Wu is nothing but a victim, a victim who can be bullied and exploited at will.

However, Gong Xichou did not think so.

Whether it's Shiwu or Beimo, it doesn't matter.

Both share a common characteristic.

Born in a vast but resource-poor land.

Although the land offered a large area for physical activity, its resources could not keep up with the demands of their ambitions. Coupled with the wealth and power of their neighbors, deep-seated jealousy and resentment festered and decayed over time.

The arrogance and self-importance of the Ten Crows, who consider themselves the center of the world, and the servile and thieving behavior of the Northern Desert, who constantly steal and adapt from others for their own use, are both largely related to their scarcity of resources. The more they are suppressed, the more powerful their rebound will be once they gain power.

Gong Xiqiu had previously received information that before Shen Tang took office in Longwu County, the county seat had been massacred by the Ten Crows. The methods were cruel and brutal, such as dragging ordinary people to their deaths alive and using hooks to cut open the abdomens of young boys and pull out their internal organs...

After capturing the woman, they sexually assaulted and humiliated her.

In the eyes of the Ten Crows, their actions did not constitute killing; they were not killing living people, but rather despicable, lowly, and filthy thieves who shamelessly seized the wealth that rightfully belonged to them. Moreover, this kind of thinking was not unique to a few.

It has penetrated the heart of every warmonger. And from top to bottom, regardless of age or gender, all members of the Ten Crows can take to the battlefield to kill the enemy!

Gong Xichou dared not think too deeply about it.

If Yonggu Pass were to fall completely, and the Ten Crows were to march south with the full force of their territory, what a hell on earth they would be in their path!

Immediately afterwards, I thought of Shen Tang.

As the prefect of Longwu County, she could not possibly retreat in the face of battle.

Its fate will likely be to perish alongside Longwu County.

Seeing his nervousness, the scholar asked, "Are you very concerned?"

That's really strange.

He had been secretly observing Gong Xichou for several years and had a fairly good grasp of the man's temperament. On the surface, the man seemed easy to coax and deceive, as if he could be tricked into being sold to the elephant brothel with just a piece of malt candy, but in reality, he was quite cunning and wary of strangers.

This Shen Tang...

I don't think he had much interaction with Gong Xichou.

Gong Xiqiu was displeased: "Of course I care!"

How difficult it is to find a true friend in life!

Scholar: "..."

He seemed to fall into a strange and prolonged silence—although the Gongxi clan was open-minded and occasionally male clansmen would find each other attractive, they were a minority. At least, the scholar had never imagined that this simpleton Gongxi Chou would have such a bias.

He didn't keep anyone in suspense.

"I don't know."

Gong Xichou automatically understood: "Where is unknown?"

The scholar continued, "According to the news we received recently, Yonggu Pass has been breached, but not completely. The border barrier has indeed been completely destroyed by the Shiwu army, and the defenders have suffered heavy losses. However, for some reason, the border barrier has risen again."

The main force of the Ten Crows attacking the city was dumbfounded.

Gong Xichou: "...That Longwu County?"

The scholar said, "It seems that Longwu County received the news long ago and has adopted a scorched-earth policy. The losses should be acceptable."

Although the intelligence report is limited in length, one can imagine that the actual scene was far more dangerous than the scholar's brief description.

Gongxi Chou was puzzled: "How could the shattered border barrier be rebuilt in such a short time? Even if it could, it wouldn't be enough to withstand the full force of the Ten Crows pressing in..." But, it was still a good thing that it had been held. His anxious heart could be relieved a little.

The scholar sneered, "You're like a clay bodhisattva crossing the river, barely able to save yourself, yet you have time to care about other unrelated people?"

Gong Xichou was so angry that he unconsciously puffed out his cheeks.

"It's none of your business!"

The scholar's usual gloomy expression evoked a mocking tone.

"Of course I have to take care of you."

Gong Xi Chou was about to retort with "Who are you calling father?", but then he thought, "The eldest brother is like a father, this guy really is my father."

Frustrated, he turned off the engine.

Before leaving, the scholar gave Gong Xichou a deep look: "Three days from now, at Chengkang Temple, you only have one chance."

Gong Xichou's back stiffened, and he coldly snorted, "I know."

Chengkang Temple held extraordinary significance for the royal family of Geng. Consorts and women of the royal family who had been favored but had not borne children were required to become nuns there. They recited handwritten scriptures daily, praying for the fate of the royal family and the kingdom of Geng.

Most importantly—

The Queen Mother of the Geng Kingdom is also here.

Yes, you read that right.

Although the Queen Mother held a very high status and was kept at great expense by King Zheng Qiao, this was because Zheng Qiao and the Queen Mother had reached a mutually beneficial cooperation. Currently, Zheng Qiao resided in the former territory of Xin Kingdom, while most of the territory belonging to Geng Kingdom had fallen into the hands of nobles led by King Zhi. King Zhi and his associates had no familial affection for the Queen Mother; in fact, they harbored a blood feud.

Empress Dowager Wang's treatment was naturally reduced to mere formalities.

The King of Zhi was determined to humiliate him.

Her days were going to be tough.

To save her family and herself, she followed the advice of her confidante and decided to become a nun at Chengkang Temple. At least on the surface, the King of Zhi wouldn't dare disrespect her as his legal mother! Of course, a queen dowager couldn't truly become a nun; nominally, she would remain outside the palace, practicing Buddhism with her hair intact, to bring blessings to the nation. After some initial opposition from the court officials, they eventually agreed, allowing the queen dowager to smoothly enter Chengkang Temple.

However, the Geng royal family has a history of mental illness.

The Prince of Zhi only managed to survive Zheng Qiao's clutches with his inhuman forbearance, and even managed to secretly gather strength for a counterattack; he's clearly not in a sound mind. In terms of holding grudges, he's no different from Zheng Qiao. Why would he let the Queen Mother live an easy life?

After the Queen Mother moved into Chengkang Temple, he ordered people to find several commoners with feminine features to disguise themselves as nuns and secretly send them to Chengkang Temple. He wanted them to seduce the Queen Mother, who had been widowed for many years, and have her engage in sexual intercourse with him every day.

The King of Zhi also used this as leverage to threaten the Queen Mother.

The humiliation had come to an end.

The forbidden love between the legitimate mother and the illegitimate son was physically and emotionally torturous, even harming other women who genuinely practiced Buddhism there. From then on, Chengkang Temple, ostensibly a place to pray for the fate of the Geng Kingdom, secretly became a place for the Prince of Zhi and his cronies and like-minded members of the royal family to indulge in pleasure. The humiliated women of the royal family, mindful of their reputation, dared not speak out against it.

Despite his pursuit of pleasure, the King of Pigs was also a coward who feared death and was constantly worried about being assassinated. However, he couldn't openly reveal what he had done—after all, he still needed the support of the scholar group, and his reputation couldn't be too bad.

Therefore, although they did not bring many people, they were elites. Throughout the Geng Kingdom, no one could harm them!

Three days later, at Chengkang Temple.

A convoy of only a few dozen people and carriages, disguised, quietly drove into Chengkang Temple, where people had been waiting for a long time at the mountain gate.

"No need for formalities, just the usual."

The middle-aged man at the head of the group waved his hand, indicating that there was no need for formalities. He was dressed like an ordinary wealthy man and did not stand out, except that he was overweight and his face was covered with greasy fat, which squeezed his already small eyes down to just slits.

He then invited the person beside him, "Uncle Wang, please."

The man called "Uncle Wang" was much older than him, with mostly gray hair and beard, and his face was deeply wrinkled, bearing the marks of time. He had a somewhat square face, but his eyes exuded a lewd air, making one feel uncomfortable being stared at by him.

He said, "You're really bold."

The middle-aged man is the disguised King of Pigs.

He chuckled and said, "What benefits will I get from you, Uncle Wang? I'll do whatever you want, no matter the risks or the boldness."

After saying that, the two looked at each other and smiled.

King Zhi's uncle, though indulging in wine and women, was not without his talents. He held military power and was an absolute elder in the royal family. Despite his lifelong arrogance and domineering nature, he harbored a deep-seated resentment: he had fallen in love at first sight with one of his elder brother's young consorts, the previous ruler of Geng. However, after his brother's death, she became a nun at Chengkang Temple.

He could only watch as the beautiful woman wasted her youth in the temple, accompanied by the ancient Buddha and the dim lamp, and sigh with regret.

I never expected the King of Pigs to be so reckless.

They even dared to touch his nominal stepmother. You know, even someone as crazy as Zheng Qiao was quite respectful to these women. At this moment, another person said, "Don't waste time in front of the mountain gate. Although there are no outsiders here, it's not a place to talk."

"Alright, alright, let's go up."

They sneaked up the mountain.

At first, the Prince of Zhi tried to conceal his actions, fearing exposure. However, as the offenses became more frequent, he became less vigilant. In his view, Chengkang Temple was even safer than the heavily guarded royal palace, as it housed his most elite warriors!

There are also patrols down the mountain, ready to provide support if there is any disturbance.

How could something happen to me?

"You can go about your business."

The King of Pigs waved his hand.

Then he noticed a young man in the crowd, looking around curiously. He remembered this man well; he was the adopted son of Tang Guo, a former pillar of the Geng Kingdom. The King of Zhi disliked that old man Tang Guo, but had no choice but to use him, so he tried to win over both Tang Guo's biological son and adopted son. The biological son was also fond of beautiful women and could be easily bribed with pretty girls, but the adopted son was much more difficult to deal with.

They only care about money.

They didn't show much enthusiasm even after receiving the money.

Using beauty to bribe?

The King of Pigs brought Gongxi Chou to Chengkang Temple several times, and each time the man would sit on the rooftop and admire the view. It is said that martial artists have superhuman senses and can detect even the slightest movement, so why couldn't the beautiful women and their music and sights at Chengkang Temple arouse his interest?

The King of Pigs was somewhat puzzled.

When asked about Tang Guo's sworn brother, he said, "What's going on with this?"

The other party replied, "Perhaps it's all show and no substance."

The King of Pigs was then relieved.

On the contrary, they pitied Gongxi Chou.

Despite his towering stature, he's all show and no substance. Gongxi Chou can wander wherever he wants; as long as he can protect him in case of danger, that's enough. The King of Pigs abandoned his thoughts and exchanged a smile with his two uncles.

He entered the guest room and discussed scriptures with others.

Gong Xichou looked at the three scoundrels and cursed them in his heart. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his sworn brother going to meet his "old flame". He quickly stepped forward, hooked his arm around the other's shoulder and said, "Brother, wait for me."

The other person raised an eyebrow.

"Gongxi Feng'en, what are you doing?"

My sworn brother still has his full beard.

However, his long-term indulgence in alcohol and women had eroded his body. He was thinner than he had been in Xiaocheng, and his once firm and well-defined muscles had been replaced by fat, even his abdominal muscles had become almost entirely flat. He walked unsteadily, completely lacking the appearance of a martial artist.

Gong Xichou sneered inwardly, wishing he could shove the disgusting title "Feng En" back into the other's mouth, but on the surface he opened his innocent and curious eyes and said, "Isn't this really boring... I'm summoned to serve the emperor every time, but I never have anything to do."

The sworn brother raised his hand and brushed Gong Xichou's hand away.

“You have nothing to do, but I do.”

Gong Xichou tilted his head and said, "Then, brother, will you take me with you?"

Sworn brother: "..."

His eyes looked as if he had seen a ghost.

Those who knew Gong Xi Chou were well aware of his lack of interest in women. Even the dancer and concubine in his harem were forced upon him by Tang Guo, solely to test and suppress Gong Xi Chou. He would have grown tired of just one woman long ago, but this barbarian wasn't.

Such a person...

You actually want to lead the group to play by yourself?

The three of them together?

The flavor is quite strong.

However, it's not unacceptable.

She's just a woman.

He had been with those playboy sons of wealthy families he got along with, and there were at least twice as many, let alone three. The experience was indeed different from before, with a stronger sensory stimulation. Gong Xi Chou rarely asked for this, and as his sworn brother, he had no reason to refuse.

Hmph, I'll tell my father again later and see how Gong Xi Chou will continue to pretend to be naive and ignorant!

Thinking of this, he readily agreed.

"Alright, come with me."

Although Chengkang Temple is called a temple, it was, after all, a place where royal women became nuns. The buildings were modeled after palaces and halls, complete with artificial hills, flowing water, pavilions, and towers. If you didn't see their clothing, you would think you were in some extravagant imperial palace.

(ω)

It grew a little bit today, which is rare.

Sigh, it's almost the end of the month, please vote for me!

This is the last time Shiitake Mushroom will receive the monthly ticket bonus this month, boohoo, it'll be December after this month... sigh, what a pity.

P.S.: If you're participating in the fan title event, be sure to create a thread, add a title, and choose a title!

(End of this chapter)