Chapter 252: Before the Incense Altar

The incense offerings at Xuan Yuan Temple were never abundant, and when Chu Danqing arrived, there were few worshippers.

Chu Danqing himself was curious: why did a world teeming with spiritual beasts have temples and deities at all?

From Yang Qianyuan, he learned that in ancient times, humans had not yet unlocked the use of their purple palaces, so spiritual beasts held dominance.

Thus arose the worship of spiritual beasts; later, when humans became dominant, this belief persisted.

But after the roles reversed, continuing to worship spiritual beasts became inappropriate.

So the images of the venerated spiritual beasts gradually transformed into humanized gods and buddhas.

Moreover, every dynasty used faith as one of its tools of rule, maintaining stability among the common people.

Lastly, it was a means of accumulating wealth.

In the An Yong dynasty, temples were not only taxed, but heavily taxed.

Yet even so, temples still profited handsomely, revealing their extreme profitability.

“Esteemed patron, please come this way,” a young monk at the gate hurried over upon seeing Chu Danqing and Yang Qianyuan arrive.

The two men’s demeanor and attire were far from ordinary—they were clearly major donors who would give generous offerings.

Such people must never be neglected; if treated well, even a few coins spilled from their fingers might suffice for a month’s rice, oil, salt, and firewood.

“Hmm, this place is fine,” Chu Danqing said slowly, his gaze sweeping the surroundings: “Lead the way.”

In contrast to Chu Danqing’s casual demeanor, Yang Qianyuan appeared uneasy.

Before arriving, he had used celestial divination and received a result of extreme peril.

After telling Chu Danqing, he suggested they consider another approach.

But Chu Danqing reassured him: no need to worry—he had his own methods.

Back when he was in Lin Yuan City, the A-rank difficulty he faced wasn’t because it was only A-rank—it was because the reserve tier’s upper limit was A-rank.

This sprint-class bonus dungeon could reach A-rank only because it was capped at that level.

He might not even need to call on Guo Ming or Xiong Mou to act.

Yang Qianyuan had confidence in Chu Danqing—he had already witnessed far more than ordinary power.

Yet having glimpsed even a fragment of the future, how could he remain calm?

In his celestial divination, he had seen the presence of a Blood Demon Nightlord King.

A Nightlord King, evolved from a demonic spiritual beast lineage.

Its power could not be underestimated.

Demonic evolution was cruel and bloody, yet offered swift, convenient advancement and far greater strength afterward.

The drawback: such demonic evolution corrupted the purple palace.

The purple palace was tightly linked to the spiritual beast; this corruption naturally spread through the purple palace into the beast.

Minor cases reduced potential; severe cases led to the beast devouring its master.

This was forbidden not merely for its bloodshed and cruelty, but because it damaged one’s own innate talent.

Thus, most avoided such demonic evolution—unless they possessed a unique purple palace.

“Esteemed patron, this way,” the young monk adored Chu Danqing’s attitude—a classic young master.

He hurried ahead, eagerly introducing Chu Danqing to every feature of Xuan Yuan Temple.

Chu Danqing had no interest in listening; his mind was already considering whether to strike immediately.

Behind him, Yang Qianyuan, though uneasy, used his perception to weave a living map of the entire temple with the threads of his Qianming Spider perched on his shoulder.

They had two purposes for coming: one, to destroy Xuan Yuan Temple; the other, to rescue someone.

Chu Danqing chatted casually with the monk, subtly probing for information about the temple.

The monk seemed unaware of the temple’s true activities.

Unless the man’s cunning was so deep it could deceive Chu Danqing’s Level 3 Domination Mastery.

That was clearly unrealistic.

More likely, Prince Ning used Xuan Yuan Temple as a cover, maintaining a group of monks ignorant of the truth to serve as decoys.

Though not flawless, this method provided sufficient concealment.

Chu Danqing was glad he hadn’t acted at once—otherwise he’d have slaughtered the innocent.

“Esteemed patron, look,” the young monk led Chu Danqing on a full tour of the temple, bringing them back to the front hall.

The route was carefully planned: sufficient for a complete visit, yet cleverly designed to prompt offerings.

Seeing this, Chu Danqing casually pulled out a silver ingot and dropped it straight into the merit box.

“The scenery here is pleasant—I wonder how your vegetarian meals and night views are?” Chu Danqing raised an eyebrow, speaking like a spoiled noble.

The monk’s heart leapt with joy: someone willing to stay overnight, and a wealthy one at that—perfect.

“Not to boast, but Xuan Yuan Temple’s vegetarian meals are unmatched within ten li.”

“The night view is especially serene—add some pastries and tea, and it becomes one of life’s greatest pleasures,” the monk hurried to add.

It was true—within ten li, Xuan Yuan Temple was the only place serving vegetarian meals, so naturally it had no rivals.

As for the serene night view—any quiet spot would look the same.

“Good. Arrange it,” Chu Danqing said, as if money meant nothing: “If I’m satisfied, tomorrow morning’s offering will be generous.”

The monk hurriedly led Chu Danqing to the guest quarters in the back courtyard and brought fresh, sun-dried bedding.

He then dispatched someone to the kitchen to prepare the vegetarian dishes.

“Well? Found them yet?” After the monk left, Chu Danqing checked the Qianming Spider’s web-map—no one nearby—and asked.

“No,” Yang Qianyuan shook his head. “No anomalies around the temple.”

“They’re likely in the temple’s rear mountain—we haven’t been there, and it’s too far for Qianming Spider’s perception to reach.”

“Even if Prince Ning uses Xuan Yuan Temple to refine the Blue Orchid Blood Dew, he wouldn’t store it inside the temple—he’d need a hidden location.”

Such deeds were an affront to heaven and earth; they could never be done openly.

“Let me perform celestial divination again—I should reach a conclusion.” Yang Qianyuan gathered intelligence to improve the accuracy of his divination.

That was why Chu Danqing had insisted on touring the temple.

“No need,” Chu Danqing stopped him: “We’ll go to the rear mountain tonight to enjoy the night view.”

“If they’re truly there, we won’t have to worry about harming innocents during the fight.”

Chu Danqing was certain the monks currently bustling about knew nothing of the truth—only the higher-ups or administrators likely did.

In truth, Xuan Yuan Temple was less a temple and more a scenic attraction, not engaged in religion but in hospitality.

It provided everything: food, lodging, travel, and even local specialties.

It was expensive, yes—but it was a scenic spot, and Chu Danqing understood the pricing, even if he didn’t endorse it.

After all, it was outside the city; transportation costs were naturally higher.

“Still, I can’t quite grasp why Prince Ning does all this. He can’t be planning rebellion, can he?” Chu Danqing had initially thought Prince Ning was profiting from selling Blue Orchid Blood Dew.

But upon reflection, it didn’t feel right—it felt more like troop buildup.

“Correct. It’s rebellion,” Yang Qianyuan said gravely. “And if I’m not mistaken, he’ll raise his banner soon.”

“How do you know?” Chu Danqing asked, puzzled—Yang Qianyuan had been with him on the road, with no intelligence-gathering activity.

And celestial divination wasn’t omniscient.

“Earlier,” Yang Qianyuan recounted what he had divined from the two wandering monks.

Of course, he didn’t rely solely on divination—he combined it with real-world evidence.

“The Emperor’s southern tour last month—now is the perfect moment to rise.”

“Prince Ning has long harbored rebellious intent; Xuan Yuan Temple’s layout has existed for at least three to five years.”

“Using Xuan Yuan Temple as a base, my divination reveals a vast network—once activated, it will sweep across several prefectures.”

“The Emperor is on tour—he won’t be able to respond in time, and may even be captured by Prince Ning,” Yang Qianyuan said.

Chu Danqing heard the political situation of the An Yong dynasty for the first time.

“What kind of man is this An Yong Emperor—his character, his ability?” Chu Danqing asked.

If he were capable, this might become a fierce struggle.

Yang Qianyuan had been about to offer polished words, but the phrase died in his throat.

“Eight Tigers rule the court, luring the Son of Heaven with music, beauty, dogs, and horses,” he finally said.

Meaning: the An Yong Emperor had ability, but he favored eight corrupt men.

So he was a mediocre emperor.

“These Eight Tigers are eight eunuchs deeply trusted by the Emperor.”

“Because their spiritual beasts are all tiger-type, they’re called the Eight Tigers.”

“It sounds like praise, but it actually means these eight are as cruel as tigers,” Yang Qianyuan explained.

Chu Danqing sneered: “Hmph. He’s just incompetent, then blames eunuchs and women. If he were truly great, he wouldn’t need such excuses.”

Power is in your hands—if you can’t discern right from wrong, then shift blame afterward? Chu Danqing wouldn’t indulge him.

As for being sidelined or a puppet? If he’s on a southern tour and still gets overthrown, that’s absurd.

“Still, how can the Emperor be wrong?” Yang Qianyuan echoed, hearing Chu Danqing’s words.

“If he sits on that throne, he must not fail—that’s his duty,” Chu Danqing said.

Seeing Yang Qianyuan didn’t wish to continue the topic, Chu Danqing changed the subject.

“What about Prince Ning? What do you know of him?” Chu Danqing probed.

He didn’t know Yang Qianyuan’s identity, but it was certainly high.

“A little, but not much,” Yang Qianyuan recalled. “I once saw him briefly—he showed no signs of treacherous ambition.”

"He treats others with such warmth and grace that he is famously known in the court as a virtuous prince," said Yang Qianyuan.

He had never imagined that Prince Ning would secretly plot rebellion.

With just that answer, Chu Danqing elevated Yang Qianyuan’s status yet another notch.

To meet Prince Ning and be received by him personally.

"Find a chance to inquire about the imperial family’s surname in An Yong Dynasty," Chu Danqing suspected Yang Qianyuan was a member of the imperial clan.

(End of Chapter)