IDWBE -Chapter 275 Vajra Platform

After returning to the main camp, he drank two consecutive cups of tea, then snorted coldly:

“Jizhao Convent is truly something. They actually forced my imperial father to bow his head and even brought Prince Yong out.”

He Jixiang said in a deep voice, “Based on my understanding of His Majesty, this matter is unlikely to end here.”

Lin Yi replied, “Under heaven, all land belongs to the king; within the seas, all are his subjects. For Jizhao Convent to act like this is the same as slapping my father in the face. If he could endure that, I’d be shocked. But Jizhao Convent has two Grandmasters. Even if he can’t endure it, he’ll have to, won’t he?”

“Not necessarily,” He Jixiang shook his head. “Your Highness, do you know which temple is truly the royal temple of our Liang Kingdom?”

“Of course it’s White Horse Temple, twenty li outside the North Gate,” Lin Yi blurted out. “Surely you don’t think I wouldn’t know something like that.”

“Not so,” He Jixiang cupped his hands. “The true royal temple of Great Liang is only one—Vajra Platform. Every abbot there serves as the State Preceptor of Liang.”

“State Preceptor?” Lin Yi exclaimed. “How come I’ve never heard of this?”

He Jixiang continued: “When the founding Emperor Gaozu was young, his family was poor. As the youngest child, he herded cattle for others, though he was dearly loved at home. Then disaster struck. A plague swept through Chuzhou. His parents died one after the other, and his life fell into ruin. He and his elder brother went their separate ways to survive. He drifted to Baocheng in Yuzhou, alone and helpless, and entered a temple to become a monk. At that time, Vajra Platform was only a small temple with five or six people.”

Lin Yi was astonished. “Gaozu became a monk at Vajra Platform?”

He had once read historical records about Emperor Gaozu out of curiosity—but none had mentioned the details of his monastic life.

“Indeed,” He Jixiang continued. “Gaozu was humble and diligent in his studies. In just two years, he reached the Third Rank—truly gifted beyond measure. Later, a great drought struck Baocheng. The temple’s tenant farmers could not pay rent, and the monks had nowhere to seek alms. With no other choice, they each descended the mountain. Moved by the suffering of the people, Gaozu joined the rebel forces. After years of campaigning north and south, he eventually won the realm. After ascending the throne, in gratitude for Vajra Platform’s kindness, he rebuilt it. Later, Emperor Guze, devastated by the death of Consort Jin, lost all desire for the throne. He abdicated and was tonsured at Vajra Platform, devoting himself to cultivation. His son, Emperor Yuanshuo, ascended the throne and visited Vajra Platform many times, hoping for a reunion. But Emperor Guze secluded himself in spiritual retreat and refused to see him. With no other choice, Emperor Yuanshuo officially declared Vajra Platform the royal temple. Since then, every emperor has made pilgrimages there, and each abbot has served as the State Preceptor of Liang. However, Vajra Platform has always lived in seclusion and never involved itself in worldly affairs. No abbot has ever entered the capital. It’s only natural that Your Highness wouldn’t know. By custom, every emperor selects talented members of the imperial clan or officials’ families to cultivate at Vajra Platform. The Second Prince, Prince Pingchuan; Nie Youdao; Your Highness’s uncle Yuan Qing; and Ji Province’s Commander Kuang Daxiang—all came from Vajra Platform.”

Not only Lin Yi was stunned—Shen Chu and Ji Zhuo beside him were equally shocked.

Especially Pan Duo. He finally understood why every porter he had sent to Baocheng had disappeared one after another.

After a long pause, Lin Yi said, “But Jizhao Convent is so formidable. Yet we haven’t seen Vajra Platform make any moves.”

He Jixiang shook his head. “Your Highness, if Vajra Platform did not exist, Jizhao Convent likely wouldn’t have sought out Prince Yong.”

“Hm?” Lin Yi pondered for a moment before finally catching on. “You mean, if not for Vajra Platform, Jizhao Convent would have simply set up their own king—perhaps someone like Tang Que. Prince Yong wouldn’t even be relevant.”

“Your Highness is wise,” He Jixiang replied.

Lin Yi added, “But I heard Vajra Platform only has one Grandmaster—Master Wuxiang. How could that serve as my father’s support against Jizhao Convent?”

He Jixiang answered, “The true strength of Vajra Platform is unknown to the world. All that’s known is the existence of Master Wuxiang. In my estimation, if there were only one Grandmaster, Jizhao Convent would have already pressed the advantage. They would not have remained restrained all this time.”

Lin Yi sighed. “My head can barely keep up with all this.”

Every day brought new surprises.

Hong Ying bowed and said, “Your Highness, there’s something I haven’t mentioned before. When I accompanied you into the palace and stood outside the Golden Throne Hall, I sensed a stern and formidable aura. I’ve fought with members of Jizhao Convent and am familiar with Attendant Liu—it wasn’t theirs. Now, hearing Mr. He speak, I suspect it may have been someone from Vajra Platform. The aura was very similar to Nie Youdao’s.”

The Blind Man added, “The night I entered the palace, I also felt someone watching me. I knew immediately I wasn’t a match.”

Lin Yi drew a breath. “So there’s more than one Grandmaster in the palace?”

Hong Ying hesitated. “From what I observed… most likely.”

A chill ran through Lin Yi’s heart. “Has the Grand Princess left yet?”

Hong Ying shook his head. “I do not know.”

Lin Yi sighed. “Enough. Pass down the order—break camp and return home.”

“Yes!”

Everyone answered in unison.

The horns sounded throughout the Sanhe Camp.

“Break camp!”

The signal officer galloped back and forth across the several-li-long encampment, waving his flags.

By the end, the shout had changed to:

“Home!”

“Going home!”

“Going home!”

Everyone joined in the cry.

Inside a tent, Consort Yuan was startled awake by the noise. Lin Ning hurried over to comfort her.

“Mother Consort, Elder Brother has ordered the return to Sanhe. The commotion disturbed you.”

Consort Yuan, still drowsy, murmured, “Sanhe… that land of scorching heat. I fear if I go there, I truly won’t endure it. Perhaps it’s better not to go at all.”

Lin Ning said softly, “Mother Consort, Imperial Brother came all this way to bring us back. If we refuse, he won’t be able to rest easy.”

What she did not say was this: if she and her mother were captured, they would surely be used as leverage against her brother. And knowing him, he would compromise without hesitation for their sake.

That would only harm him in the end.

Consort Yuan sighed. “Do you think I don’t understand this? I’m simply worried about your grandmother and the Old Madam. And your imperial brother… he has changed so much that I scarcely recognize him.”

Lin Ning protested, “Imperial Brother has never changed.”

Consort Yuan shook her head. “You’re still young. What do you understand? My greatest regret is not marrying you off earlier. Then you wouldn’t have to suffer this hardship with me.”

Lin Ning wrapped her arm around her mother’s.

“Mother Consort, I’ll never marry. I’ll stay by your side all my life.”

“Nonsense,” Consort Yuan said, affectionately stroking her hair.