Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 153: Are you touched? I am touched

“Mind your words, show some restraint.”

Yuan Mobai looked at his disciple and shook his head slightly. “What Prince Wu relies on, I am not entirely sure, but…”

He smiled faintly. “The Chu Clan of Suzhou or the Daoist friends from Tianlong Temple may have the answer.”

Lei Jun also smiled.

Prince Wu's domain was in Jiangnan.

The dominant power in Jiangnan was undoubtedly the Chu Clan of Suzhou, one of the Five Great Surnames and Seven Prominent Clans. Then there was Tianlong Temple, one of the Four Holy Lands of Buddhism.

In the past, as a representative of the Tang Imperial Family, Prince Wu was closer to Tianlong Temple, while his relationship with the Chu Clan was strained.

Now that Prince Wu had different ambitions, his relationships with Jiangnan's top clan and top sect might shift accordingly.

However, the enmity between the Chu Clan and Tianlong Temple was unchanged. While not as intense as the hostility between the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou and Mount Longhu, the Chu Clan and Tianlong Temple were rivals in their own right.

If Prince Wu managed to reconcile these two factions and turn them into his allies, Lei Jun would have to apologize for underestimating the prince.

This didn’t mean that with the support of the Chu Clan and Tianlong Temple, Prince Wu could claim the throne.

But if he had the ability to unite these forces, it indicated he could gather even more allies.

Yet, this was a remote possibility.

Thus, when news of Prince Wu’s dealings with General Sheng Yan of the Demon Suppression Guard spread to Jiangnan, either the Chu Clan or Tianlong Temple would likely respond.

Was this the outcome Moon Star hoped for?

It could also help identify where the leak came from and determine the origins of Sun Star, Venus Star, and Wood Star.

Naturally, Yuan Mobai had his own ways to relay the information discreetly, ensuring no one could trace it back to Mount Longhu.

As for whether this would trouble Prince Wu…

Lei Jun and his master hoped it would.

After all, Prince Wu had repeatedly visited Yuan Mobai on Mount Longhu, feigning a sincere desire for talent.

Was Yuan Mobai moved by this?

Not in the slightest.

Within Tianshi Mansion, Li Ziyang and others aligned themselves with the former emperor Zhang Qilong and the current empress Zhang Wantong. Shangguan Ning, representing the Tang Imperial Family, also supported the sibling rulers.

While internal conflicts existed within the Tianshi Mansion, both sides were restrained and cautious, not wanting to deepen divisions by getting involved in the imperial power struggle.

To outsiders, Prince Wu's persistence seemed admirable, but to Lei Jun, it was despicable. The prince was painting a picture that Yuan Mobai and the Tianshi Mansion’s non-Li members were already on his side.

A betrayal of the highest order.

For Tianshi Mansion, stability in the Tang Imperial Family was paramount. This meant supporting the empress.

On this point, both the Li family and the non-Li members agreed.

“As for Bodhi Temple…”

Yuan Mobai pondered aloud. “This development is unexpected; it doesn't seem like something Bodhi Temple had planned.”

Lei Jun asked softly, “Master, did a senior monk from Bodhi Temple really fall in Youzhou of the northern frontier?”

Yuan Mobai nodded. “It was a long time ago, over two hundred years. A senior monk of Bodhi Temple disappeared while traveling in Youzhou.

At the time, rumors suggested that the monk entered a secret realm and never returned or was slain by a powerful demon.

Over the years, Bodhi Temple sent people to search for him, but they found no remains or relics. Eventually, hope dwindled.”

Lei Jun murmured, “Then this sudden news feels unusual.”

Yuan Mobai replied, “Abbot Liaoyuan knows the danger ahead but is determined to face it.”

Abbot Liaoyuan was a renowned monk and the current abbot of Bodhi Temple.

“To retrieve the remains of that senior monk, Abbot Liaoyuan likely aims to recover an important Buddhist treasure as well,” Yuan Mobai explained. “Only with solid information would he act.”

Lei Jun nodded thoughtfully.

His master had left something unsaid: Abbot Liaoyuan was aging, and his strength was waning. For Bodhi Temple, recovering this treasure was now critical.

Was Wood Star spreading this news to help Bodhi Temple, or to hinder them?

“To go to Youzhou means dealing with the Lin Clan of Youzhou,” Lei Jun remarked.

He looked at Yuan Mobai, who smiled knowingly and nodded, confirming his thoughts.

Lei Jun spread his hands.

No wonder the former emperor Zhang Qilong left such a massive mess for the Tang Dynasty.

After his death, the empire was in turmoil.

Youzhou was not only home to the Lin Clan, one of the Five Great Surnames, but also to Prince Zhao, a senior member of the Tang Imperial Family and uncle to the former emperor and the current empress.

Once a contender for the throne, Prince Zhao had been sent to the northern frontier. He remained a formidable martial artist and a top-tier powerhouse.

After the former emperor's death, there were calls to recall Prince Zhao to stabilize the court.

But fate denied him the throne once more.

What Prince Zhao thought of the current situation was anyone’s guess.

“And then there’s the young crown prince,” Lei Jun sighed. “The former emperor left the current ruler with endless trouble.”

Yuan Mobai smiled. “We just need to do our part.”

In other words, undermine Prince Wu…

Yuan Mobai discreetly spread the news of Prince Wu’s dealings with General Sheng Yan to Jiangnan.

Jiangnan was soon in an uproar.

So was the Demon Suppression Guard.

From Mount Longhu, Lei Jun and his master watched events unfold.

Reports came in, and the situation became clearer.

Prince Wu, after pleading his innocence, visited Tianlong Temple again, clearly trying to appease them.

The temple’s strong reaction confirmed their allegiance to Prince Wu.

As for the Chu Clan, they likely represented his external support.

“Master, did we just mess with the Chu Clan?” Lei Jun asked, sounding unbothered.

Yuan Mobai smiled serenely. “Better to avoid chaos. Jiangnan has been peaceful for a long time. I believe the Chu Clan had their own doubts. Now, they might even be relieved.”

Whether they were relieved or not, Lei Jun didn’t know.

But with Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen finally back, his worries were put to rest.