The head monk of the temple among them lay on the ground, beaten black and blue.

Chu Ji was startled by the scene before him as soon as he entered.

The head monk lying on the ground recognized Chu Ji and quickly called out to the Prince, asking Chu Ji for help.

Guided by Xia Zhining, Chu Ji knew that the young man in white was Chen Mo, and said, "Duke An, this is..."

"Amitabha Buddha." Chen Mo offered a salute before the Buddha, then turned around, cupped his hands and said, "I greet the Prince."

"No need, no need. Duke An, you are too polite," Chu Ji waved his hand hastily.

"I've heard that the plaque of Guangcheng Temple was inscribed by the Grand Ancestor Emperor himself, and this temple was also funded by the Court to be built?" Chen Mo asked.

"That's right. When the Grand Ancestor Emperor raised his army, he was very down on his luck, and Guangcheng Temple assisted him. Later, Guangcheng Temple was set aflame by the rebel army, and after the Grand Ancestor Emperor founded the nation, he ordered the temple's reconstruction out of gratitude. It is precisely because of Guangcheng Temple's connection with the Grand Ancestor Emperor that the temple has flourished with offerings for hundreds of years," Chu Ji explained slowly.

"I see." Chen Mo glanced at the head monk on the ground and immediately asked, "Can the monks of Guangcheng Temple also break the vow of celibacy?"

Chu Ji was taken aback, and also glanced at the head monk, seeing his evasive eyes, he questioned, "Duke An, what do you mean by this?"

"It's nothing, just that monks in this temple rely on their connection with the Grand Ancestor Emperor to act arrogantly and disrespect me. Then this head monk fooled the ignorant people and bestowed children upon women seeking fertility at the temple. Some women were unwilling, but were forcibly bestowed upon," Chen Mo stated casually.

Chu Ji slightly widened his eyes, looking at the head monk and seeing that his expression indeed matched what Chen Mo described.

"Is the Prince familiar with him?" Chen Mo inquired.

Chu Ji shook his head: "I have only seen him a few times."

Chen Mo nodded: "It seems he was deceiving me and sullying the Prince's reputation. This man, under the name of Buddha, doesn't know how many women he has bestowed children upon. Some women prioritized their reputation, choosing to endure, but were instead used as leverage for him to threaten them.

Some women were courageous and immediately reported to the authorities, yet the local government suppressed it, claiming the Prince was his friend."

"Such things happen." Chu Ji looked angrily at the head monk, shouting: "How audacious."

"Your Highness..." The head monk, seeing Chu Ji's expression, immediately felt heavy-hearted and was about to say something when Chen Mo raised his hand. A warrior stepped forward and drew his blade across the monk's throat right there in the Buddhist hall.

Blood splattered the ground, shocking the kneeling monks, and also startling Chu Ji.

Chu Ji looked dazedly at Chen Mo.

"This person sullied the Prince's reputation and committed such evil deeds, he couldn't be spared," Chen Mo concluded, then offered another salute toward the Buddha statue: "Amitabha Buddha."

Chu Ji: "..."

This head monk was indeed Chu Ji's friend, and because of Guangcheng Temple's connection to the Grand Ancestor Emperor, Chu Ji often visited Guangcheng Temple.

The head monk at the temple, who taught him Buddhist teachings, thus became his friend as they went back and forth.

Regarding the head monk's manipulation of people seeking fertility prayers at the temple and his treatment of women, Chu Ji had heard of such matters.

But being in troubled times, such things in Chu Ji's eyes were merely trivial matters, so he paid little attention, especially considering he was a friend; he turned a blind eye.

No one expected that today Chen Mo would witness it.

Still in the Buddha hall, carrying out such ruthless acts right in front of him.

Chu Ji felt there was more meaning behind this incident.

"Thank you, Duke An, for removing this harm for this Prince." Chu Ji cupped his hands in gratitude.

"It's a small matter, not worth mentioning." Chen Mo waved his hand, then chuckled: "I'm the one who should thank the Prince for nobly assisting."

"Oh." Chu Ji sighed, saying, "I was misled by the traitors Chu Yan and Chu Yi, trusting them... luckily Duke An is formidable in strength, preventing a catastrophe. Otherwise, this Prince might have had to commit suicide to atone. I hope Duke An won't blame me."

"The Prince, you shouldn't say such things," Chen Mo laughed, "If it weren't for the Prince's troops blocking the rebels' escape route, allowing them to flee, then it truly would have been catastrophic."

...

The two chatted happily, but it was getting late, and the two walked down the mountain together.

Just then, Zhang Le approached Chu Ji with urgency, whispering, "Prince, it's bad, our camp has been surrounded by the Chen Army. They claim it was under your orders to take over the camp."

"What?!"

Chu Ji's expression changed, then sharply looked at Chen Mo, "Duke An, what does this mean?"

"What does the Prince mean by this?" Chen Mo asked puzzled.

Seeing Chen Mo still feigning ignorance, Chu Ji revealed to Chen Mo what Zhang Le had reported to him.

Chen Mo opened his eyes wide in surprise, "This happened?"

He promptly called Sun Meng over to investigate.

"Prince, rest assured, I will provide an explanation for this matter," Chen Mo spoke, glancing at Xia Zhining, "Zhi Ning, have someone bring the Prince into the city for rest."

"No need." Chu Ji shook his hand and was about to leave with his personal soldiers.

But was stopped by Xia Zhining, who said, "Prince, it's getting late. There are still rebels in Yuan County yet to be captured. For your safety, it's best to return to the city and rest quickly."

Chu Ji frowned, looking back at Chen Mo.

"The Prince, Zhi Ning speaks wisely, it's quite unsafe outside," Chen Mo smiled, "Come, please escort the Prince back to the city for rest."

As soon as he spoke, armored warriors gathered at the foot of the mountain.

Chu Ji's heart sank, his face darkened, and he said tremblingly, "You... you want to kill me?"

"The Prince misunderstood."

Chen Mo said it was a misunderstanding, but pointed toward the direction of the city and said, "Please, Prince."

Chu Ji suddenly felt dizzy, losing his balance, with Zhang Le immediately supporting him.

Chu Ji pointed trembling at Chen Mo, "This Prince helped you besiege the rebels with good intentions, why do you send troops to surround this Prince's camp?"

"As the Prince says, I am unaware of this matter. But rest assured, I have sent people to investigate, and if it is indeed true, I will certainly provide an explanation to the Prince," Chen Mo assured.

Looking at the armored warriors surrounding them and Chen Mo, who was hiding his true intentions behind a smile, Chu Ji realized he was no match for Chen Mo, and said furiously: "I hope Duke An quickly gives me an explanation."

"Certainly."

... 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Night fell.

Behind the Yuan County Government Office, in the side room.

Xia Zhining, was reluctantly lying before Chen Mo, slightly raising her head to ask, "Why did you do this when King Anping helped us?"

Chen Mo patted her head, saying, "He really thinks I don't know what he's up to. The battle in Huai State was won by me; if I lost, his troops would have marched into Huai State.

Ultimately, King Chong's troops quietly reaching Huai State's border was aided by King Anping. He should be grateful for blocking the rebels' escape route; otherwise, it wouldn't just be detaining his troops and putting him under house arrest."

Chen Mo never intended to let King Anping off easily.

The account of Deng Tian in Fengzhou, along with the soldiers who died in Huai State, King Anping was also implicated.

"Moreover, I will soon wage war on Chongzhou, and if I do not detain his troops, given his fickle nature, should our side face setbacks, he'd immediately switch to King Chong's side. I'm nipping the danger in the bud." Chen Mo stated sternly.

Xia Zhining made two muffled sounds, answering him.

Chen Mo nodded satisfactorily, then caressed her cheek, pointing to the table beside him.

Xia Zhining's face reddened, she glared at Chen Mo; however, after serving him for a while she felt inclined, and after casting a fierce glance she knelt behind the table.

Chen Mo had just lifted Xia Zhining's skirt when a voice came from outside: "Marquis, a scout reports that thirty miles away, a troop has been found wearing Huai Army's armor, the darkness makes it difficult to ascertain their numbers."