IDWBE -Chapter 430 Influence

And on top of that, he was a member of the Court Guard!

This was outright disregarding the Court Guard!

Looking past the monk’s face but respecting the Buddha’s?

To mock him like this—where does that leave the honor of the Court Guard and Qi Peng?
Qi Peng was right there in Ankang City!

Sure, the Court Guard only had Pan Duo as a ninth-rank, with very few who could fight.

But it still depended on who they were being compared to. Compared to the Prince He’s guards or the Capital Garrison, there was simply no comparison. The Prince He had once said openly: the Court Guard is just an oversight organization; why would they need such high combat power? If you couldn’t be matched against “Capital Garrison” or the “Guard Squad,” two professional enforcement units, I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night.

That was the “role” the Prince He had assigned them.

In plain terms, they were just an oversight agency—why would they need extreme fighting ability? But that didn’t mean the Court Guard could be looked down upon.

Back in the day, He Jin’s power dominated the court and the country, commanding the Court Guard with authority that struck fear into all. Yet Jiang Zhong’s secret guards could still hold their own against them—the Court Guard’s influence was somewhat restrained.

Now, the Prince He had taken over Ankang City, Jiang Zhong was dead, and the secret guards uprooted!

All oversight of the officials of Da Liang fell squarely on the Court Guard!

To clear-eyed people, this “responsibility” was really just “power”!

The weight of this authority made many people’s eyes glisten. Tan Fei, Lei Kaishan, and others, while not currently under Court Guard oversight, could not guarantee they wouldn’t hold office in the future.

Offend me today, and as soon as you dare to hold office, I dare to expose your secrets!
Bastard! Fang Pi was truly furious.

He was no child—he couldn’t endure such humiliation anymore.

“Brother Fang Pi,” seeing Fang Pi’s ears and face flushed red, Tan Fei finally sensed something was wrong and hurriedly said, “Everyone was joking, no disrespect intended. Don’t take it to heart. I’ll apologize on behalf of everyone, just don’t take it personally.”

He wasn’t afraid of the Court Guard, nor of Fang Pi reporting him to the Prince He.

In terms of closeness to the Prince He, how could they, his guards, lose to anyone else? They were the most sentimental people to the Prince He. They weren’t even considered “old hands,” just “newcomers.”

Actually, what everyone feared most was the so-called “Orphanage” faction behind Fang Pi—something even Fang Pi probably didn’t fully realize.

The Orphanage faction came from the Sanhe Orphanage, mostly people from the southern provinces—the most notable being the Monk, the Blind Man, and Yu Xiaoshi.

These people might be missing limbs or have intellectual limitations.

But they valued loyalty above all.

When making friends, they never looked at martial prowess, because no one’s skills surpassed theirs.

Anyone from Sanhe Orphanage or the southern provinces was their friend.

They always protected their friends.

Especially Fang Pi—both the Blind Man and the Monk held him in special regard.

Today, having angered Fang Pi, if the Blind Man or the Monk were displeased, it would be bad for everyone.

“Do you think I’m a fool?”

Fang Pi was indignant, “With an attitude like yours, isn’t this bullying me? Damn it, Lei Kaishan, you bastard! Come out! If you have guts, kill me right here! If you don’t dare, then you’re a cowardly son of a bitch!”

He spoke with righteous indignation, voice hoarse from shouting. The dense forest fell silent.

Occasionally, snorts of disdain echoed, but no one dared speak.

After a long moment, Tan Fei gave an awkward smile, “Brother Fang Pi, we’re all family—no need to be so serious. Later, we’ll treat you to a drink and properly apologize.”

He was surprised—the hot-tempered Lei Kaishan remained silent!

Not speaking meant he was backing down!

But who was Lei Kaishan? Among the Prince He’s guards, he was the most powerful!

Trained personally by Chief Hong in the Grand Demon Subduing Hand, perfected to the point of splitting mountains and rocks!

Even the proud Ye Qiu had praised Lei Kaishan’s palm technique, saying he was only half a step away from Grand Master.

Potentially, he could be the first of the Prince He’s guards to become a Grand Master!
Even Jiao Zhong would give him three steps of courtesy.

So Fang Pi’s insults barely provoked him—a cold snort and nothing more. Completely illogical!

After all, Lei Kaishan didn’t normally give the Court Guard face.

Out of caution for the Monk, the Blind Man, and others, he didn’t dare strike Fang Pi, but he certainly would have punished him!

Nothing like what was happening now—completely unpredictable.

“Hmph,” Fang Pi’s temper flared even more, “If it weren’t for Lord He sending me, I wouldn’t have come! You bastards just look down on people!”

This time, he cursed all the Prince He’s guards. The forest remained utterly silent.

“No offense intended—you misunderstood,” Tan Fei said helplessly, then asked, “Lord He sent you?”

Fang Pi snapped, “Are you doubting me?”

“Of course not,” Tan Fei hurriedly replied, “This was all Lord He’s idea?”

“Of course,” Fang Pi fumed, “Lord He said, Captain Jiao carries the heavy responsibility of protecting the Prince He—how could personal matters of love and marriage delay his duties?”

“What Lord He said is correct,” Jiao Zhong suddenly stepped from the forest, planting his great sword on the ground, and said to Fang Pi, “Brother Fang, go back and tell Lord He—I will not disappoint the Prince He.”

Fang Pi, seeing Jiao Zhong, first froze in shock, then looked embarrassed, bowing his head, “Captain Jiao, Lord He sent me. I could not refuse.”

Tan Fei smiled, “Fang Pi requested something of me—I couldn’t refuse to speak.”

Jiao Zhong’s voice was cold, “Then why take such a long route? Why not speak directly?”

Tan Fei remained calm, “Sir, I felt I hadn’t concealed anything—just telling you directly that you and Captain Cao are mismatched.”

“Good, very good,” Jiao Zhong puffed, glancing at Fang Pi, “Did Lord He give any other instructions? Say it all.”

Fang Pi thought a moment, “Lord He only said you are clever and would never act foolishly.”

Jiao Zhong took a deep breath, “Then thank Lord He properly—he has troubled himself for us.”

“Amitabha.”

As soon as Jiao Zhong’s words ended, a Buddhist chant rang from the forest.

“The Monk,” Fang Pi recognized the voice immediately, calling out with delight, “You’re here! I was just thinking of you this morning.”

“Good, good.”

Accompanied by the chant, a figure crashed from midair to the ground.

Bang!

Followed by screams.

“Lei Kaishan.”

Everyone recognized the towering figure.

Who else could it be but the guard Lei Kaishan?

And how could he have fallen silently to the ground?

“Master.”

Tan Fei respectfully saluted the Monk as he emerged.

Now he finally understood why Lei Kaishan had been so obedient earlier.

In front of a Grand Master like the Monk, even a small movement could be a provocation.

Punishing Fang Pi? Even more so.

A ninth-rank in front of a Grand Master had no right to act arrogantly. He signaled the Monk, but the Monk ignored him and turned to Fang Pi, sighing, “My fault, my fault.”

“Thank you.”

Fang Pi felt relief and guilt at the same time.

The Monk was gentle by nature, avoiding killing or harming.

For the Monk to intervene against Lei Kaishan, it had to be for him. He felt deeply guilty for causing the Monk to break his discipline.

“Amitabha,” The Monk now looked at Lei Kaishan, covered in mud and blood, “I was reckless. Are you alright, devout sir?”

The Prince He’s guards increasingly gathered in the forest.

They all silently watched Lei Kaishan.

The iron-bulwark of a man swayed, barely able to stand.

Mud and blood mixed—a pitiful sight.

This was a ninth-rank peak! How had he not survived even one move?

Earlier, they had only seen the Monk approach slowly; when he was near, Lei Kaishan’s body was hurled into the air like a shrimp, landing with a bang.

No escape. No evasion.

From start to finish, no one saw the Monk’s moves.

Lei Kaishan had no ability to resist, like a heap of sludge.

Many were terrified—more than even by Chief Hong.

Even Chief Hong could not incapacitate a ninth-rank peak in a single move.

More frightening—they couldn’t read the Monk’s mind.

Unlike the Captain, whose emotions were visible.

Before killing, there were always signs.

Not so with the Monk—expressionless, unpredictable.

The Monk killed without leaving a trace.

“Master, you’re too kind.”

Lei Kaishan coughed, swallowed the blood, steadied himself, and said loudly, “I am unharmed. Thank you for your concern, Master.”

To be beaten and comfort your assailant—what a humiliation!

He had never been so wronged in his life!

But he could do nothing.

This was the Monk!

Even the Blind Man, Ye Qiu, Wen Zhaoyi, and others had to be courteous. You couldn’t provoke him, and you wouldn’t dare.

But he didn’t understand—why was the Monk here suddenly? He had seen the Monk go after the Southern Valley Dharma King Ding Lun—never returned.

Even the Prince He had asked yesterday.

No one knew the Monk’s fate.

Unexpectedly, he appeared before them.

“That’s good; I can rest easy,” The Monk clasped his hands, then said to Jiao Zhong, “Please, Captain, take me to see the Prince He.”

Jiao Zhong faced the Monk’s calm eyes; if not for his ninth-rank cultivation, he might have agreed immediately.

But reason told him he could not.

There were strict rules for audience with the Prince He.

Breaking protocol was a grave offense.

Even as Captain, he could not appear without permission.

He took a deep breath, steadying himself, “Master, wait. I will inform the Prince He.”

Only with the Prince He’s consent could the Monk appear before him.

The Monk smiled slightly, “Thank you, Captain.”

Jiao Zhong nodded and turned to leave.

The early autumn sun was gentle, warming the skin.

These days, Lin Yi had been exhausted by the girl’s antics.

Finally having free time to fish, his mood was light, humming a tune no one could understand.

When Jiao Zhong finished reporting, he carefully said, “My Prince, the Monk has returned.”

Lin Yi yawned, “Where?”

Jiao Zhong said, “Waiting for your summons.”

Lin Yi smiled, “Let him come.”

Turning, Jiao Zhong saw the Monk already standing behind him.

He stepped aside, allowing the Monk to approach.

The Monk clasped hands, “Greetings, Prince.”

Lin Yi asked, “And the boastful Dharma King of Tuigu Temple?”

“Prince,” the Monk said with eyes closed, “I was incapable—I could not detain him.”

“Ran off?”

Lin Yi was unconcerned, “Then it’s fine. As long as you’re unharmed.”

“I am well, Prince,” the Monk said.

Lin Yi thought a moment, “Jiao Zhong.”

“Yes, my Prince.”

Jiao Zhong quickly responded.

Lin Yi leisurely said, “Hand over all captured Southern Valley people to the Ministry of Rites. They will negotiate with Southern Valley. The Southern Valley people are uncivilized, lacking education, but our Da Liang is a land of propriety—we cannot emulate them.”

Jiao Zhong said, “I’ll take care of it.”

Lin Yi waved, “Go.”

Then he looked at the Monk again.

The Monk clasped hands, “Does the Prince have further instructions?”

Lin Yi smiled, “You’ve done well. Go rest.”

“Thank you, Prince.”

The Monk walked slowly, but in the blink of an eye, he vanished.

Lin Yi sighed, “So this is what they call lightness skill.”

He could never learn it; even if he wanted to, he couldn’t endure the training.

He could only watch others float high above.

By sunset, he had caught two wooden buckets of fish—a bountiful haul.

Back at the mansion, he instinctively wanted to see the child, but, covered in fishy odor, he bathed first before going to Hu Miaoyi’s room.

The child had just woken, nursing in her nanny’s arms.

Once the child finished, Lin Yi carefully picked her up, soothing her to sleep while humming a tune:

“Amen, amen, a grapevine,
Tender and green, sprouting anew,
The snail carries its heavy shell…”

“Prince, this tune is so amusing—I’ve never heard it before.”

Hu Miaoyi complimented him, rare for her.

Lin Yi smiled, “Feeling a bit better today?”

“Thank you for your concern, Prince,”

Hu Miaoyi smiled, “I am well.”

Lin Yi nodded, “Good. If you need anything, call for it directly. Don’t inconvenience yourself.”

“I understand, Prince,” Hu Miaoyi hesitated, “There is something I wonder if I should say…”

“If it concerns the Prince, you decide yourself,” Lin Yi casually said while rocking the child, “No need to inform me—full discretion is yours.”

This trivial matter was beyond him; he didn’t care to manage it.