The Abbot spoke, his tone frantic and frustrated.
Liao Kong also gripped the Buddhist beads in his hand tightly.
"If the Ji Family lacked external support, they could never have breached the secret chamber’s mechanism, much less moved everyone off the mountain so silently."
"Grandmaster Uncle, you suspect that..."
"Is there even a need to suspect?" Liao Kong retorted. "The timing of the Empress Dowager’s sutra recitation was too coincidental. When the Phoenix Vehicle first arrived, she was adamant about seeing the Eldest Princess. If I hadn’t used public sentiment to reason with her, she would never have compromised. I never imagined this was her scheme! The Empress Dowager has truly played a masterful game of chess!"
"But Grandmaster Uncle, how can you be so sure this is the Empress Dowager’s scheme? Could it not be a plot by the Ji Family? Ji Youze, the Emperor’s study companion, is one of them. I just had someone briefly investigate the Ji Family members; their most outstanding individuals are the seventh and eighth children. And did you know? The renowned Lord God Hunter is none other than Ji Youzhi!"
"Ji Youzhi is the renowned Lord God Hunter?" Liao Kong mused. "If my memory serves me, the Ji Family earned their military accolades fighting alongside the Great Emperor. I wouldn’t have expected their descendants not to have entered the military camps to gain experience and take command of troops."
"Have the particulars of the other Ji Family scions been investigated?"
"To answer Grandmaster Uncle, the eldest of the Ji Family is a cripple. It’s said he has been seeking medical treatment away from the Capital City for many years and hasn’t returned for nearly a decade. The second son of the Ji Family is a Doctor, reportedly holding the title of Divine Physician, and is suspected to have studied at the Medicine King Residence."
"Medicine King Residence?" Liao Kong’s brow furrowed deeply. That is not a place one can afford to antagonize! he thought. The Eldest Princess is young, yet her connections are formidable, one stronger than the next!
"Indeed, Grandmaster Uncle. What you may not know is that the head of the Medicine King Residence is an eccentric medical genius. He seldom intervenes to save lives, but he has a penchant for intractable and complex cases and excels in the use of poisons. It’s rumored that of the poisons he concocts, only he himself can devise an antidote. In fact, for some of his creations, even he lacks a cure."
Liao Kong’s breathing grew heavy. One must never offend a Doctor, let alone one of a Divine Physician’s caliber! And this one is skilled with poisons! Dammit, how could I have been unaware of this information until now?
But then again,
However, the Eldest Princess is so profoundly blessed and has even comprehended the profound mystery of communicating with all things. If I could surreptitiously guide her to the Western Buddhist Sect, perhaps by leveraging her immense fortune, I too could grasp that very same profound mystery? At that point, I wouldn’t just be the foremost figure in the Central Plains Buddhist Sect, but potentially the paramount figure in Buddhism worldwide! The old monk Liao Kong plotted silently in his heart.
The Abbot, oblivious to Liao Kong’s thoughts, glanced at him cautiously and inquired, "Grandmaster Uncle, what should be our next course of action?"
Liao Kong closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and finally sighed. "Amitabha. The Eldest Princess is fated to have an affinity with our Buddhist Sect. Send men down the mountain to first ascertain her whereabouts, then return and report to me."
"This..." The old Abbot was momentarily stunned upon hearing this. Then, as if a realization had dawned on him, he nodded. "Yes!" After affirming, he asked again, "Grandmaster Uncle! What if the Eldest Princess has gone directly to the Palace?"
"Then first confirm if she has indeed entered the Palace."
If she has entered the Palace, then I can directly take her to the West from there. That is also feasible! Liao Kong thought.
He waved his hand, dismissing the Abbot.
「The Empress Dowager’s Courtyard.」
Xie Pan’Er, noticing the Empress Dowager’s extreme fatigue, stepped forward to massage her temples.
"How is Suisui? Is there any news?"