In any case, since he returned to the capital, the emperor still had to see him.

The next day, Yuan Xing didn't do the morning class, cleaned himself up, put on a robe, refused the company of the little maid, and went straight to the palace with a lantern alone.

It's still early, and only the sky is faintly shining.

In front of the palace, however, the light of countless lanterns gathered, as bright as day.

The ministers gathered together in twos and threes, chatting and waiting for the palace door to open.

A bald monk is very conspicuous in this place.

In the past, Yuanxing has always appeared in front of the world as a rich idler but enthusiastic about public welfare. It gives the impression of being modest and elegant, and mysterious.

Nowadays, although he is also handsome, his hair and beard are gone, and at first glance he has changed a lot. There are well-informed people who know that this famous master has entered the empty door. Those who are not familiar with him guess his identity in their hearts.

Yuan Xing also looked at the group of people in front of him, because after all, the time he had been an official was too short, except for Bai Dadu, who had lost power, and Jin Yuanzheng, who had returned to his hometown, few important ministers in the court knew each other. Some middle-level officials have dealt with each other, but they are not familiar with them.

Of course, his disguised identity is still relatively famous in the end, and there will be no shortage of complicated eyes cast on his body. Those who have dealt with it are ready to come forward and ask.

Fortunately, the palace door opened at this time, which saved the trouble of explaining one by one.

Even three years ago, as a five-grade idle official given by the emperor, there was no need to go to court.

Now that he has come as a monk, the official has already resigned, and he is not qualified to follow everyone into it.

However, he was not in a hurry, and naturally someone would bring the news in. So I found a corner and sat down cross-legged and waited.

Sure enough, when the sky was white, a palace person sent a decree ordering him to face the saint.

The square in front of the palace was heavily guarded, and the young eunuch was half-respectful and trotted ahead to lead the way. Although Yuanxing seems to be walking slowly, the speed is actually not slow.

Only when he passed through the center of the square, he stopped and looked at the wooden shed that was tightly surrounded by dozens of vigorous warriors.

As if sensing his presence, there were bursts of hoarse and piercing roars in the shed, and those warriors were quite bold, and there was no strange color on their faces, and the hand that was only holding the hilt of the knife tightened a little.

Yuan Xing smiled slightly, withdrew his gaze, and slowly followed the little eunuch up the stairs.

"It was the relics who suppressed the monsters before, and some people asserted that he was a lay disciple of Buddhism, is this finally a monk? It's no wonder that he lives in a simple house and never participates in cocktail banquets......"

"Then his supernatural powers are all Buddhist supernatural powers?"

"Likely ......"

The sound of discussion entered the ears of the edge line without missing a word.

In the court, the civil and military officials were on both sides, and he had appeared, and at this time, he naturally attracted all the attention to himself.

Yuan Xing treated it indifferently, held his head high, and slowly entered the hall with a solemn face.

His Majesty the Young Emperor sat on the dragon chair and looked at the monks who were gradually approaching the stage, but his face was complicated.

After the other party lowered his eyebrows and lowered his eyes, he said in a sighful tone: "Bai Aiqing is indeed less than in the past, I heard that you have become an ascetic, and you have had a hard time in the past few years." I don't know whether to regret or be relieved. It's a pity that the dynasty has one less talent, but it is also fortunate that there are more virtuous monks in the world, which is ...... Ay! ”

Obviously, Fang Fang has just declared his legal name, but the emperor still calls it "Bai Aiqing".

The pupils of the lower edge line shrank slightly, and then showed a smile again, and said: "Thank you Your Majesty for your concern, the poor monk is not bitter, there is only one thing, if it can't be solved, it really can't practice with peace of mind." With that, he took out the fold he had written last night from his bosom and offered it with both hands.

The emperor got the fold handed over by the eunuch, and the color changed only when he opened it. After reading it quickly, he closed the fold, stared at the monk with complicated eyes, and asked in a deep voice: "Three years ago, Aiqing said that he couldn't completely solve the demon seed, and now this is a way?" ”

The fate is silent.

"Are you sure?" The Emperor asked.

"If you don't succeed, you will die." Yuan Xing raised his head slightly, looked directly at the emperor, and smiled again.

The hall was silent for a long time, and everyone could hear the determination in his tone.

The emperor's eyes drooped slightly, all the expressions on his face were retracted, and he only sighed: "I agreed to this matter, the master returned to Beijing yesterday, and the journey must be tiring, so he will rest in the mansion for a few more days." When you're ready, just look for Yin Zheng. With that, he stood up, took the fold and walked away.

Some eunuchs hurriedly shouted: "Retreat to the ......"

"Congratulations to Your Majesty." After the ministers gave their salutes, they walked out of the main hall in order.

Yuan Xing was also among them, but as if there was a barrier around him, no one dared to approach him.

He didn't care, he slowly crossed the threshold of the main hall, and saw Gonggong Yin, who he had seen in Yanzhou before.

The two nodded to each other, and then walked together one after the other.

"I don't know what the master has to say, do you want us to make some preparations in advance?" The attitude was completely different from last time, and the smile on Grandpa Yin's face this time was much kinder and kinder.

At this time, the two had already descended the steps, Yuan Xing pointed to the shed in the center of the square, and said with a smile: "Set off in two days, just prepare the carriage, let's take that thing to Funiu Mountain." ”

"Huh?" Grandpa Yin was stunned and his eyes widened: "Then, can that thing be moved?" ”

Yuan Xing glanced back at him: "With the poor monk here, it is naturally fine." ”

After that, the two discussed the specific details as they walked, and Yuan Xing left the palace satisfied. I didn't care about the exuberant blood and hostility hidden in the shadows when I entered the palace......

----------

When he returned to Baifu, the emperor's reward followed, and the treasury was almost filled with jewels, gold and silver, scriptures, and ancient books. He didn't even look at it, and locked it in the storeroom as it was. Originally, he planned to return all the people when he left, but he only had this thought, so his heart moved slightly, hesitated for a moment, and solemnly put the title deed and key on his body.

Then, he really stayed honestly for two days and didn't go anywhere.

In fact, with Ning Mu's help, the information he wanted to convey had already been sent out through special channels long before the face saint.

The emperor didn't urge him, which was exactly what he wanted, at least he could give the people he contacted more time to prepare.

Before the afternoon, the news that Mr. Bai Da had returned to Beijing to face the saint had completely spread.

Different from the sighs of the people, the officials in Beijing have a keen sense of smell, even if they are not qualified to go to the court, they are very conscious not to talk about this matter.

Unlike the endless invitations when he first entered Beijing a few years ago, the door of his house was very deserted. Even if someone passed by, they were in a hurry, like hiding from the plague.

However, several young masters of Buddhism who had participated in the interception and killing of Jiang Tongfu before did not shy away from it and came to the door openly. However, he was rejected by the porter on the grounds that the host was tired of traveling and it was inconvenient to meet guests.

No matter what the wind and rain in the outside world were, Yuan Xing only meditated, copied scriptures, ate and slept in his own yard, and lived a very fulfilling life.

"Tomorrow I will set out with you." It was another moonlit starry night, and it was still the gazebo, Ning Mu still didn't go to the main door, and sat down lightly.

"Senior brother has helped a lot, so I don't have to enter in person this time." Yuan Xing shook his head.

"Among the people who accompanied him, there were even good results of going to Beijing to study." Ning Mu said lightly.

Yuan Xing was stunned: "Good fruit? How could it be him? ”

"Yes, there are so many high-ranking monks in the capital, but the palace has chosen a foreign monk by name, don't you say strange?" Ning Mu looked at him with a smile.

"Sure enough, it's been exposed, it's a warning." Yuan Xing sighed.

"Earlier, the palace suspected that you were a member of the Buddhist sect, as long as you identified yourself as a monk, anyone with a more active brain should know how to check you. Not to mention the retired Lao Jin, and the Xixin Temple where you placed an order more than ten years ago. Even inside the Governor's Mansion, there are actually quite a few people who have seen you, and it's only a matter of time before it's exposed. Ning Mu said slowly: "So, what's the point of continuing to hide it?" ”

"I've been outside for three years, and I've really seen a lot in all aspects, and today's reputation is much better than that of the first emperor." Yuan Xing thought about it and asked again: "I just don't know how much qi is?" The day before yesterday, the face was saint, and it looked good. ”

"The emperor has the demeanor of a benevolent monarch and is reasonable, but he has just taken power this year, and the power of the harem is still huge, so you and I have to guard against it." Ning Mu held the teacup in his hand and took a sip for a long time: "I'm ready to resign, this capital is really boring." Your sister-in-law has also mentioned it many times, and she is also homesick. ”

"Since you're not happy, it's better to go back and be a rich man, and it's good to get a grandson." Yuan Xing answered with a smile, but as soon as he finished speaking, his ears moved, his face changed slightly, and he opened his mouth to say something, but he temporarily stopped stiffly, staring straight at the senior brother opposite.

And Ning Mu was still staring at the tea in his hand, not seeing the slightest look from Yuan Xing, and still said to himself: "It will take a long time to tease Sun, Ning Chengyun's heart is flying, and he will follow your apprentice all day long. It's just that your sister-in-law's tigress is still nagging in her ears all day long, if you are really bored one day, it is a big deal that I will shave my head again and go back to the mountain, anyway, ......" At this point, my leg hurts.

Puzzled, he went to see his junior brother and wanted to ask him why he was kicking himself, and then he noticed that something was wrong from Yuanxing's facial expression, but it was too late to react at this time.

I only heard a creepy voice behind me: "You have been secretly going out these days, I thought you were fooling around with a fox spirit from me, but I didn't expect that you came to gossip about me with my junior brother, so you Ning Mu, you don't want to live, right?" ”

"Misunderstanding, misunderstanding." Ning Mu hurriedly explained, but his eyes kept staring at Yuan Xing.

The latter shrugged his shoulders innocently, then stood up and bowed: "Yuan Xing has seen the third sister-in-law." ”

That's right, the person who came was Ning Mu's wife. Yuan Xing didn't expect that this third sister-in-law, who is usually extremely low-key and only stays at home with her husband and children, is still a master of light skills.

"Senior brother doesn't have to be polite." The third sister-in-law replied with a fist, looked the monk up and down, and sighed: "The junior brother is much thinner than a few years ago, but he seems to be more energetic, unlike some people, who have not improved their kung fu, but their meat has grown a lot." Glancing at the smiling husband on the side, he snorted angrily.

Ning Mu stepped forward and soothed him in a very small voice before pulling his wife away. It's just that before leaving, he was still sneaking, but he viciously nodded with his hand, and the meaning is self-evident.

Yuan Xing watched their figures disappear into the courtyard, sneered, then covered his mouth, recited the Buddha's name, and went back to the room to rest in repentance.

----------------

The next day, Yuan Xing went to the palace again, and watched with his own eyes that the unsightly wooden shed was torn apart, revealing an amber-like thing that was more than one person tall inside. The humanoid monster inside that was sealed and covered in spikes was motionless and dead. The faint roar from it clearly tells people that this thing is still alive.

In the face of this kind of creature beyond cognition, naturally no one dares to approach. Yuan walked forward and put it into the carriage with both hands raised.

Outside the palace gate, there was already a queue of hundreds of people waiting. Yuan Xing saw Shanguo with excitement on his face in the crowd at a glance, and Ning Mu with dark circles beside him.

Although his identity is already known in the palace, it is still a secret from the outside world. There is still some surface work to be done. Several people looked at each other, and after that, they were like strangers, and they didn't communicate again.

The emperor did not show up, but sent his eunuch to issue a holy decree, to the effect that he would encourage everyone and wish the action well.

After thanking him, the team of about 500 people, composed of Ouchi guards, palace worshippers, and two monks, stepped on the light of the morning sun and quietly left Beijing from the west gate.

Hurried all the way, and half a month later, we arrived at the junction of Henan Mansion and Nanyang Mansion, which is the destination of this trip, Funiu Mountain.

Their destination was the hinterland of the Funiu Mountains, where the terrain was steep and the mountain road was difficult, and when they reached the foot of the mountain, they asked the guards to stay in the county seat and wait on the grounds that it was not easy to enter the mountain.

The leading eunuch Yin Gonggong hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement. He only brought two worshippers and a few wrestlers, carried the piece of amber, and followed Yuan Xing up the mountain.

There weren't many people at this time, after camping at night. The three people of Tianchan Temple were finally able to get together openly.

"When I heard the familiar name of the law when I was in the capital, my disciple thought it was the same name. I didn't expect the world-famous Mr. Bai Da to be really a little uncle. The two uncles hid me so hard. Shanguo looked at the two uncles with resentment.

"This is also a helpless move, none of us want you disciples to be implicated." Yuan Xing laughed. I haven't seen him for more than ten years, Shanguo has been studying everywhere all these years, and now he is a well-known monk in the north, with an elegant and gentle temperament that is eight or nine points similar to his master's fate.

Remembering that when I went north, I was just a stupid boy who couldn't read a few words, but I had this achievement in a blink of an eye, how can I not be amazed?

"Although Uncle Xiao has often sent letters to the temple for many years, he has never returned. There were frequent disasters outside, and the disciples and several juniors were really worried for a long time. Co-authored Master, they already know your whereabouts, so do they hide it from us juniors? Shanguo took down the kettle from the brazier in the tent and made tea for the two elders, still complaining.

"We hope you can practice with peace of mind, the less you know about these bad things, the better, but it's a pity that ......" Yuan Xing shook his head, took out a piece of paper from his arms, and handed it to Shanguo.

Shanguo unfolded suspiciously, and there was a key in it, and a string of addresses were written on the paper.

Yuan Xing continued to instruct: "The emperor's reward in my house has been entrusted to your third uncle to send someone to Jinan Mansion, if there is an accident in Tianchan Temple, this money may come in handy." ”

Shanguo was shocked, he was no longer the hairy young man he was back then, and he easily felt something strange from his uncle's words. He thought for a moment, lowered his voice and asked tentatively, "Could it be the imperial court?" ”

"Don't worry, the emperor is not small, and he won't be angry with Wutou Mountain because of my relationship. Besides, your master's martial arts have reached the realm of transformation, and there is your uncle and ancestor in the temple, so it is easy for those people in the temple to settle down wherever they go. You're given these just in case. Yuan Xing smiled faintly.

His tone was flat, but Shanguo looked to the side and folded his arms silently, and Ning Mu, whose face was heavy, became more and more worried in his heart.

He asked solemnly, "Uncle Junior, what about you?" ”

"Me?" Yuan Xing was dumbfounded, shook his head again, and said with a smile: "Let's talk about it then." ”