It seemed that the so-called "luring the barbarians into the pass to plunder" did not target Chang'an. The Guanlong nobles weren't foolish enough to sabotage their own foundation. There was a high probability that they used the barbarians to destroy the cities still loyal to Great Xia.

Conversely, the various wars that had thrown the world into chaos over the years had devastated Jiangnan Jingxiang, destroyed Northern Huabei Qingxu, and ravaged Ba Shu Miao Region, but had barely touched Guanlong. At this moment, compared to Guandong, Guanlong was almost like Heaven on earth.

Moreover, they had the Silk Road. According to Hongling's observations, there was still a significant amount of trade in the Western Regions; this trade hardly flowed into Great Xia, having been mostly intercepted by Guanlong, not to mention Great Han.

No wonder they were wealthy.

Had Zhao Changhe not swiftly dealt with the Cui Family and pacified Langya, once a deadlock ensued, the Central Pass Iron Cavalry would have swept out, potentially replicating the conditions similar to the end of the Sui Dynasty.

Zhao Changhe, laden with thoughts, walked forward, subconsciously heading towards the distant tower—that was the famous Great Wild Goose Pagoda. Based on modern understanding, it seemed somewhat related to Tang Sanzang, though not too clear, and shouldn't matter here. It was a famous site even before Buddhism was abolished, and the Li Family had still sheltered Buddhists here afterward, suggesting they had harbored dissent then, accumulating their own strength over time.

Given such a long-term arrangement, was it fitting that the Family Head, Li Gongsi, was only on the Earth List? Moreover, Guanlong wasn't just the Li Family. For instance, the Wei Family, which had connections with Yue Hongling, was another strong clan. Even after Li Gongsi's death, the Li Family still firmly held the lead in the Guanlong Group. Wasn't there a problem here?

Might there be another powerhouse within the Li Family, perhaps some elder ancestor who hadn't died yet? If still alive and unlisted, was there an oversight?

If the blind were not mistaken, then what was?

Zhao Changhe suddenly shivered. What if their old ancestors crawled out from underground?

"Clang!" A bell rang from the vicinity of the Great Wild Goose Pagoda.

Zhao Changhe stopped and saw many monks hurriedly returning to the temple, apparently for their religious duties.

He casually ordered a bowl of soaked buns at a small shop outside the temple and asked the waiter nonchalantly, "Buddhism is thriving in Chang'an, unlike in our Jinnan."

"Are you from Jinnan, sir?" The waiter smiled, "The Buddhist community in Chang'an has always been flourishing, supported by many dignitaries. It's been slightly less so recently, though. In the past, you would see many officials and nobles coming to worship, but not so much now."

Zhao Changhe inquired, "Why has it lessened?"

"I don't know, Master Yuan Cheng seems to have left a long time ago, said to have gone elsewhere to preach... Then, a few days ago, Daoist Master Yuxu came down from the mountains and publicly challenged the Buddhists. With Master Yuan Cheng away, who could match Daoist Master Yuxu? The monks were so challenged that they were rendered speechless, now all closed off for self-reflection."

"Since they have such a strong foundation, wouldn't they just accept this lying down? Might they invite Master Yuan Cheng back for another debate with Daoist Master Yuxu?"

The waiter sighed, "I don't know; we just hope Master Yuan Cheng returns soon. He is proficient in Buddhist Law. He may not win in a fight against Yuxu, but he shouldn't lose in a debate."

From your tone, it seems you wish for Buddhism to win?"

"Of course, our whole family believes in Buddha."

"Amitabha Buddha," Zhao Changhe formed a Dharma Seal, whispering, "Buddha is compassionate, will not watch its decline passively. Even the persecution that brought Buddhism to its knees was overcome; how could it fail now over this?"

The waiter beamed, "Are you a Buddhist too?"

"That I am. Isn't my Dharma Seal precise? Should I recite a bit of the 'Ultimate Bliss'... Oh, the Diamond Sutra, I am quite familiar with that now."

The waiter's excitement surged, lowering his voice mysteriously, "Actually, Master Yuan Cheng may not need to return. There is said to be a new Buddha within the temple now, boundless in Buddhist Law. Never mind debates; he might not even lose in a fight."

Zhao Changhe narrowed his eyes, "Such big news, and you all know it?"

"Well, the masters haven't really hidden it; they need to boost morale," the waiter said, his expression suddenly excited, "Look, look, the dignitaries are arriving, aren't they?"

Zhao Changhe looked up and saw a middle-aged man in royal purple clothing with a young man, accompanied by a group of house servants entering the temple; the temple's reception monk greeted them with folded hands and without much small talk, led them inside, showing a familiar rapport.

The young man looked familiar to Zhao Changhe, but he couldn't place him right away and asked, "Who is that dignitary?"

"That's Master Dai from the Dai Family of the Capital... Oh, it's not called the Capital here anymore, but they still like to refer to it as such."

I see you still prefer that term too, the glory of the hometown, understandable; I'd probably do the same. Watching Master Dai enter the temple, Zhao Changhe thought to himself that Chang'an indeed had an imperial aura.

But it was not merely an imperial aura here; it was complicated, truly a convergence of different factions and powers, including those within Guanlong, all tangled up like a ball of yarn...

The Dai Family... this one seemed comparatively honest, not trying to cling to Ancient Times' esteemed lineage, a family of this epoch, roughly the same level as the Tang family, not particularly glorious but still significant locally. At that, he remembered the young man; wasn't that Young Master Dai? They met at the Hidden Dragon Banquet at Langya, back when Zhao Changhe first entered the Capital City, it was this fool who exposed his identity at the city gate, leading to a tumultuous entry.

This fool, albeit a bit frivolous and lacking in cunning, wasn't fundamentally bad. Perhaps there might be an opportunity for a discreet connection?

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