Chapter 925

The news of the public debate between Buddhism and Daoism spread throughout the capital at the fastest speed, and spread throughout the world along the Grand Canal.

Believers from all over the country learned the news, dropped everything, and rushed to the capital in a hurry.

Local believers in the capital booked positions early, just to listen to the scriptures of Buddhism and Daoism at close range, wash away the sins of this life, and welcome wealth and glory.

Learning that the debate location was set at Jixia Academy, the common people discussed it heatedly.

"Jixia Academy is reopening its gates?"

"When did this happen?"

"There was no movement at all."

"Without a sound, they stirred up such a big movement; Jixia Academy is going to revitalize its momentum."

Jixia Academy was very satisfied with this effect.

Nothing is more sensational and promotional than a debate between Buddhism and Daoism. If there were, it would be to let Chen Guanlou fight Master Qi of Jixia Academy again, letting the little thief surnamed Chen ride on the face of Jixia Academy and be arrogant again.

Being ridden on the face again?

Don't!

Let's debate scriptures instead!

Debating scriptures is civilized, and Jixia Academy can lie down and win.

Master Qi himself wanted to fight Chen Guanlou again; he didn't believe he could lose a second time. However, Jixia Academy firmly stopped it; regardless of winning or losing, the only one who gets the reputation is always the little thief surnamed Chen.

Win!

It's a matter of course, not worth mentioning!

Lose!

Jixia Academy's last bit of face is lost. From now on, it will truly become a second-rate institution, becoming a laughingstock of the world.

No matter what the result is, it is unacceptable and not worth taking the risk again.

Master Qi felt deep regret!

Standing on the top of the mountain, blowing the strong wind of spring, he sighed repeatedly, lamenting his bad luck that he actually let the little thief succeed.

"I heard that the one surnamed Chen has improved rapidly in the past few years. Last year, he even obtained an opportunity in an ancient tomb. It's just unclear what the specific opportunity is."

The student stood by, bowing, without sorrow or joy, reporting the situation with an expressionless face.

Master Qi snorted coldly, crushing the stone in his hand, "He is still serving in the Heavenly Prison?"

"Exactly! It seems he really likes that job in the Heavenly Prison."

"Sure enough, he is rebellious. He doesn't join a sect, doesn't study, doesn't join the army, and doesn't become an official, just nesting in the Heavenly Prison all day—what for?"

"The one surnamed Chen once publicly said that he nests in the Heavenly Prison just for money."

"Joke! Can the Marquis's Mansion lack his money? Whether joining the army or becoming an official, can money be lacking? This matter is strange!"

"Many people have thought so and have tested him, but it seems he really just wants money."

"You believe it? This old man absolutely does not believe that a dignified Ninth-Rank warrior can nest in the Heavenly Prison for a long time. What kind of place is the Heavenly Prison? A dirty and cheap industry! Without huge benefits, would you do it?"

The student didn't make a sound.

Obviously, he couldn't accept nesting in the Heavenly Prison for a long time; he couldn't afford to lose that face.

"For this debate, remember to send an invitation to the one surnamed Chen and invite him to watch. Remember to arrange his seat next to this old man."

"Sir, this is not appropriate."

"There is nothing inappropriate. This old man knows the weight and won't fight with him. This old man has been in seclusion for many years; what's wrong with greeting an old opponent."

"But..."

"There are no buts. If the superiors blame me, this old man will bear it alone."

The student was helpless and could only bite the bullet and agree.

Chen Guanlou was not surprised that he would receive an invitation.

He was just very surprised that the invitation was sent by Jixia Academy, not Baoguo Temple or Yuquan Palace.

He asked the person who sent the invitation, "Why is it your Jixia Academy? Don't Buddhism and Daoism care?"

"Let Jiang Jiang Yucheng Chen know, for this debate, our academy undertook all the preparatory work, including the invitations."

Compared to the first time the Jixia Academy student visited and caused a big disaster, the student who came to send the invitation this time was much more polite. He was well-behaved, acting like a junior who was at the mercy of others.

Chen Guanlou found the other party pleasing to the eye and didn't make things difficult, "Fine, I will go on time. How many invitations have you prepared?"

"About one thousand!"

"So many."

"Not to hide from Jiang Jiang Yucheng Chen, one thousand is not enough to distribute. Many people have pulled strings to get to the academy, wanting a front-row seat. The teachers are worried every day, fearing that if the arrangements are not proper, they will offend people."

"Knowing it's a job that offends people, your Jixia Academy still scrambled to do this job; it can be seen that the benefits inside are huge."

The student didn't dare to respond and had to apologize with a smile, appearing polite and awkward.

Chen Guanlou raised his eyebrows slightly and teased: "There won't be a Hongmen Banquet waiting for me, right."

"Jiang Jiang Yucheng Chen is really joking, there is absolutely no Hongmen Banquet. In a public occasion, everyone is a witness."

Hearing this, Chen Guanlou laughed happily and followed the other party's words, "I like to hear this; everyone is a witness. I assume your Jixia Academy can't do things like bullying the weak and oppressing people with power in public."

This kind of thing is best done secretly behind people's backs.

Think about it, on the day of the debate, the people who go will be figures with faces and heads in the capital, and everyone will have a heart with seven orifices and exquisite hearts. Your little calculations will be seen through by anyone with a discerning eye."

The student was covered in cold sweat, so awkward that he wished he could dig a hole and drill into it, never to come out again.

He laughed awkwardly twice; clearly, this question was beyond the outline, and he couldn't think of a way to deal with it for a while.

Looking at the other party's awkward and helpless appearance, Chen Guanlou felt uncomfortable for him, "Alright, alright, I won't make things difficult for you. You go back!"

"Thank you, Jiang Jiang Yucheng Chen!" The student bowed and retreated, leaving the Heavenly Prison in a hurry.

He threw the invitation on the table, and Mu Qingshan walked into the office and saw it.

"Does the Warden really want to go to Jixia Academy to watch the debate between Buddhism and Daoism?"

"Of course I want to go. Let me tell you a little secret that no one knows: this debate was facilitated by me."

Mu Qingshan naturally didn't believe it, "The Warden is bragging again."

"When have I ever bragged? Even if I brag, which time has the brag not been fulfilled? Little Mu, don't use your shallow knowledge to speculate on my actions."

Mu Qingshan:...

He simply put a stack of documents on the desk, "Warden, these are all waiting for you to look over, sign, and press fingerprints."

"Why are there so many?"

"Warden, don't think about it; many prisoners have come to the prison recently, and the cells are almost not enough. These are still few; there are several baskets of documents waiting to be processed behind."

Chen Guanlou clicked his tongue secretly.

The grain embezzlement case, plus the request to establish a Crown Prince, the Heavenly Prison has indeed been very lively recently. A string of officials were thrown into the big prison. Even the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War could not be spared.

And that bunch of loud-mouthed censors from the Censorate!

He picked up a document, opened it, and the case records, detention records, and various materials of the prisoner were all complete.

"What's going on? Hunger strike to death? Eating so little."

An official in his prime, thrown into the Heavenly Prison, actually only eats one tael of rice a day. How is this different from a hunger strike? If he starves to death in prison another day, he will occupy a death quota.

Mu Qingshan leaned over to look, "Oh, this one, Warden, keep reading; there is a record that this prisoner is seriously ill and has no appetite, so his daily diet is only a small amount."

"Has he taken medicine? What illness?"

"Medicine has already been taken. I don't remember the specific illness, only that the cause was excessive worry, scaring himself, almost scaring himself to death."

"He's been sick for so many days and still hasn't recovered? Sigh, your uncle is not here, and this bunch of disciples and grand-disciples can't hold the scene. You are also stupid, a dignified descendant of the Mu family, and you can't even understand a prescription."

Mu Qingshan's face collapsed instantly, but he couldn't refute it.

Who told him he was a person without talent, learning medicine for many years and failing to understand it.