Hulong Mountain Villa.
In the main hall, Zhu Wushi sat quietly on a high platform. However, compared to before, the chair Zhu Wushi sat on was now made entirely of gold and covered with dragon patterns.
Compared to before, Zhu Wushi exuded an even stronger domineering aura and imposing presence at this moment.
Even just sitting upright on that dragon throne, he exudes an aura of authority without anger.
At this moment, inside this hall, apart from Zhu Wushi, only Shangguan Haitang stood below.
After Shangguan Haitang methodically reported everything to Zhu Wushi, she hesitated for a moment before asking, "Father, who are those masked men? Why are they preventing me from going to Yushui City to find Chu Qinghe?"
Hearing Shangguan Haitang's question, Zhu Wushi replied, "They are from the Azure Dragon Society."
"The Azure Dragon Society?" Shangguan Haitang looked at Zhu Wushi in surprise: "Wasn't it said that the Azure Dragon Society disappeared a hundred years ago? Why has it suddenly reappeared now?"
Zhu Wushi said in a deep voice: "Although the Azure Dragon Society was besieged by the imperial court and several top forces such as the Southern Shaolin Temple, the Divine Sword Manor, and the Round Moon Sect a hundred years ago, it only lost other branches and some famous masters in the martial arts world."
"In fact, the Azure Dragon Society was much more powerful than anyone thought at the time. By the time they found the Azure Dragon Society's headquarters, it was already deserted."
"Since the battle a hundred years ago, the Azure Dragon Society has disappeared from the martial arts world and secretly developed. It was only in recent years that it reappeared. The first thing the Azure Dragon Society did after reappearing was to wipe out the entire Southern Shaolin Temple in just one day."
Finally, Zhu Wushi paused for a few breaths before continuing, "And the Emperor's death was also the work of the Azure Dragon Society."
Upon learning that the emperor's death was actually the work of the Azure Dragon Society, Shangguan Haitang's expression changed.
"The Emperor's death was also the work of the Azure Dragon Society. Are they planning a rebellion?"
Zhu Wushi said in a deep voice, "It's not a rebellion, but rather an attempt to seize control of the court."
After a slight pause, Zhu Wushi said slowly, "The martial world is composed of countless sects, forces, and martial artists. But in fact, whether it is my Great Ming Kingdom, the Great Tang, or the Great Qin Kingdom, the imperial court is actually the strongest martial world force. Moreover, the number of Heavenly Realm experts in the imperial court is more than that of the top forces in the martial world. This is why the imperial court can suppress a number of top forces."
"Therefore, if any top-tier force in the martial arts world has a reputation or power that can influence the imperial court, the imperial court must also step in to change the course of the dynasty. This is part of the emperor's strategy."
"Even when necessary, the imperial court will secretly instigate and create some conflicts, causing some of the top forces in the martial arts world to fight each other, thereby constantly weakening the strength of these top forces and attracting their attention, so as to prevent them from developing ambitions."
"Otherwise, the Great Song Dynasty is the best example."
Shangguan Haitang asked in confusion, "The Great Song Dynasty?"
Noticing Shangguan Haitang's expression, Zhu Wushi slowly said, "Why do you think that while other top forces in the Great Song Dynasty have gradually declined, only the Northern Shaolin Temple remains standing?"
Shangguan Haitang asked in surprise, "Does Godfather mean that all of this was done secretly by the Northern Shaolin Temple?"
“That’s right!” Zhu Wushi nodded and said, “Since the founding of the Great Song Dynasty, the Northern Shaolin has been a top force in the martial arts world. Over the past few hundred years, many top forces have risen in the Great Song Dynasty. There have been periods when martial arts were prevalent. The number of martial arts sects and masters in the country is no less than that in our Great Ming Dynasty.”
"But based on the information collected by the Dragon Guard Manor over the years, I have discovered that many of the top forces in the Great Song Dynasty have fallen, and Shaolin has a part in it. The Beggar Clan of the North and South of the Great Song Dynasty has thousands of disciples, but because of the slogan of the Northern Shaolin to protect the country, a large number of Beggar Clan disciples die on the border battlefield every year, resulting in a loss of talent."
"On the contrary, the Northern Shaolin Temple, which shouted this slogan, still worships Buddha every day and does not care about worldly affairs."
"Now, in the Great Song Dynasty, Shaolin Temple no longer produces masters at the Grandmaster level."
"The so-called Five Greats, Qiao Feng in the North and Murong in the South, are only at the Grandmaster level, and none of them can shake the position of Shaolin Temple in the North."
After hearing Zhu Wushi's words, Shangguan Haitang asked in confusion, "But the strength of a country's martial arts community and its practitioners is closely related. The actions of the Northern Shaolin are tantamount to weakening the national strength of the Song Dynasty. And the Northern Shaolin is full of monks and nuns. Why would they do this?"
"Why?" Zhu Wushi sneered and then said coldly, "Because of interests."
As he spoke, Zhu Wushi looked at Shangguan Haitang and said, "In the Great Song Dynasty, even those in power in the court only own about ten thousand acres of land. Do you know how much land the Northern Shaolin Temple owns?"
Shangguan Haitang shook her head and said, "Haitang doesn't know."
Upon seeing this, Zhu Wushi slowly said, "At least one million mu."
"Hiss~"
Upon hearing what Zhu Wushi said, Shangguan Haitang couldn't help but gasp, clearly shocked by the number.
Amidst Shangguan Haitang's shock, Zhu Wushi slowly said, "Currently, the only top-tier power in the Great Song Dynasty is the Northern Shaolin Temple. The imperial court relies on the Northern Shaolin Temple, and its position in the martial arts world is as stable as Mount Tai."
After listening to what Zhu Wushi said, Shangguan Haitang suddenly realized, "No wonder my godfather has always disliked monks; it turns out that this is the reason."
Zhu Wushi said in a deep voice: "Therefore, we can see from the situation in the Great Song Dynasty that once the imperial court loses control over the martial arts forces, the final result will be just like the Northern Shaolin Temple in the Great Song Dynasty, where the guest becomes the host."
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
