The Lord of Void and Real
Chapter 670

Chapter 670: Chapter 666: Sacred Lotus Dharma Altar Chapter 670: Chapter 666: Sacred Lotus Dharma Altar Although Shen Luo was indignant about the conduct of these city guards, they currently had important matters to attend to and it was not suitable to attract attention. He was just about to step forward and let Bai Xiaotian give up on the matter.

“Amitabha, gentlemen, all beings are equal. Other people only need to pay two silver coins, so why are we alone required to pay two gold ones?” Chan'er, however, took a step forward and spoke before Shen Luo.

Only then did the city guards notice Chan'er, their expressions changing instantly.

“Esteemed Master, are you companions with them? I beg your pardon, I was blind and didn't recognize you. Misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding. Please, come on in!” The extortionate guard immediately let them through, his attitude now contrasting sharply from before.

The other soldiers also put away their smirks and paid their respects to Chan'er with a sincere look.

Chan'er too returned the gesture to the men. Shen Luo and Bai Xiaotian didn't understand the situation, but they considered averting trouble as a good thing. They immediately followed Chan'er into the city.

The city of Bai County was high and broad. Shen Luo thought it would be bustling inside, but was surprised to see that the streets were narrow and dirty, the houses on both sides in poor condition with humans and livestock living mixed together, and very few shops. Even the existing shops were badly rundown, and the people seemed to live in extreme hardship.

However, unlike the dilapidated houses, the city had numerous temples which were well built, majestic and austere. The chanting of scriptures was faintly audible, and there were thriving offerings of incense.

In his attire as a high-ranking monk, Chan'er, despite being young had an extraordinary demeanor. The city dwellers would make way and pay respect whenever they saw him.

Shen Luo exchanged a glance with Bai Xiaotian. The standing of monks within the City of Bai County was unexpectedly high, no wonder the soldiers at the city gate had let them through as soon as they saw Chan'er.

“This city sits on the Silk Road, it should have been thriving. Yet, people live in such poverty while Buddhism flourishes so much – it's strange.” said Bai Xiaotian, quite astounded by the sight.

“Amitabha, indeed strange.” Nan'er nodded.

“What's so strange about it? The lands of Western Regions are far from rich unlike the Central Region. And as for trading, given the conduct of those city guards, who would dare come here from the Central Region? Even if they were cheated, there's nowhere to appeal.” said Chan'er with a scoff, adjusting his Buddhist beads on his wrist.

Chan'er sighed upon hearing this and softly chanted the Buddha's name.

“We shall look into the situation of this place later. It's getting late, let's find a place to stay.” said Shen Luo.

“Sounds good.” Bai Xiaotian agreed.

“Benefactors, you may go seek accommodations. I, being a monk, will lodge in the temple ahead. We will meet here again tomorrow.” said Chan'er.

At this, Shen Luo remembered Chan'er's presence and agreed that it wouldn't be appropriate to lodge at an inn.

“Master Golden Cicada, we cannot be careless about your safety. I'll stay with you at the temple while Brother Shen finds a place elsewhere in the city and gets some information about the Black Chicken Kingdom in passing.” suggested Bai Xiaotian.

“Sounds good.” Shen Luo, who was already considering this, nodded in agreement.

Thus, the three of them separated. After a long search in the city, Shen Luo finally found an inn to stay.

The inn was quite small with only two assistants besides the innkeeper. The inn had likely not seen patrons for a long time, so the innkeeper personally sent Shen Luo to the room, graciously bringing him his tea and dinner.

“Landlord, It's my first time in the Black Chicken Kingdom. I've heard in the Great Tang that the Black Chicken Kingdom is one of the larger nations in the Western Regions and due to its location on the Silk Road should be quite thriving. Why is Bai County City so rundown?” Shen Luo asked after giving the innkeeper some silver coins.

“Sir, you come from the Great Tang? No wonder you are so remarkable! Alas, speaking of our Black Chicken Kingdom, it used to be quite prosperous but the recent years have been marred by natural disasters, bandits and monster attacks, leading to widespread suffering among the people. Foreign merchants no longer come here, and thus, the city has fallen into disrepair.” sighed the innkeeper.

“Oh, attacks by monsters!” Shen Luo's eyes sharpened.

“Indeed, for some unknown reason in recent years, many places in the Black Chicken Kingdom have been plagued by monsters. While the holy monks of the Sacred Lotus Dharma Altar have tried their best to eliminate them, the monsters are too numerous to be exterminated entirely. It may be because our devotion to the Saint is not sincere enough which is why such a calamity has fallen upon us.” said the innkeeper, his hands put together in prayer.

“Sacred Lotus Dharma Altar? What is that? A Buddhist temple?” asked a slightly confused Shen Luo.

“Ah, sir, you don't know about the Sacred Lotus Dharma Altar? I have always heard of the flourishing Buddhism in the Great Tang so I'm surprised by your ignorance.” The innkeeper frowned, and seemingly angered by Shen Luo's lack of knowledge about the Sacred Lotus Dharma Altar, left in a huff.

Shen Luo raised his eyebrows, but paid it no heed. He got up and closed the door.

It was already dark outside, and unlike Chang'an, most people in this place had already gone to sleep. He flew out of the window, transforming into a silent shadow that disappeared into the distance.

After more than half the night had passed and it was nearly dawn, he returned from outside with several thick books in his hand.

Shen Luo had strolled around the city, listening to some of the private conversations of the locals, thus obtaining a slightly better understanding of the current situation in the city.

The books were historical records found in some of the smaller temples.

He flicked through the books, reading quickly. With his current spiritual power, he could skim through ten lines at a glance. He read through all the thick books quickly, the expression on his face showing a sudden comprehension.

Today, the Black Chicken Kingdom was weak and in turmoil, the people immersed in Buddhism in order to seek spiritual sustenance. Buddhism here was even more prosperous than in the Great Tang.

The Sacred Lotus Dharma Altar was the current state religion of the Black Chicken Kingdom. Most of the temples in Bai County City were local branches of it.

“Sacred Lotus Dharma Altar?” Shen Luo's brow knitted.

In a chaotic world of hardship, it's not entirely wrong for common people to seek spiritual sustenance. However, through some of what he had heard, it seemed that this Sacred Lotus Dharma Altar was somewhat sinister, utterly unlike the Buddhist temples in Central Region such as the Hua Sheng Temple and the Golden Mountain Temple. While these respected the principle of equality among all beings, the Sacred Lotus Dharma Altar considered its followers as sacred monks, a step above ordinary people. Furthermore, they didn't offer their monster hunting services to people free of charge. Every time they set out to exterminate monsters, they asked for a substantial amount of silver coins.

One of the recorded statements in the books revealed that a monster had appeared in a city of the Black Chicken Kingdom. The City Lord had requested the help of the monks from the Sacred Lotus Dharma Altar. The so-called sacred monk, however, demanded half of the city's savings. Reluctant though the Lord was, he eventually paid half of his wealth to get the monster exterminated.

Such means of collecting money was akin to robbery in the Great Tang. Still, the Sacred Lotus Dharma Altar referred to it as making an offering to the Saint, and constantly brainwashed common people to accept this explanation. After a few years, the inhabitants of the Black Chicken Kingdom had gradually come to accept this.