Chapter 108: Seeking Immortals and Buddhas

Mystery, oh mystery! It felt as if the heavens had opened their eyes, revealing a world-shaking secret, marking oneself as a chosen scion of the skies!

Both Liu Buwen and Xiao Zhi were deeply fascinated by this agnosticism, as if a beam of light had pierced through their dull lives, illuminating their very existence.

Xiao Zhi exclaimed, “Unbelievable! In these chaotic times, if we can put a stop to this, wouldn’t we be saving all humanity?”

Liu Buwen’s eyes gleamed as he nodded approvingly, “Exactly! It is indeed a mission bestowed upon us by heaven, one that only we can fulfill.”

“When we become heroes who save the world, with women at our side and wealth in our hands, I’ll visit that small brothel nearby. I want to explore every room, offering the girls a glimpse into their fate, telling them what luck or misfortune awaits,” Xiao Zhi said with a mischievous grin, sounding like a middle-aged man with no decorum.

Though brothels were not illegal during the Tang Dynasty and nearly every scholar arriving in the capital for the imperial exams would visit one to mingle with beauties, recite poems of romance, and indulge in the pleasures of life, someone like Liu Buwen—born into a refined scholarly family—held a natural aversion to such places, preferring to keep his reputation untarnished.

“Always obsessed with money and women, people end up nothing but a puddle of mud,” Liu Buwen remarked with slight disdain.

“Mud? What’s wrong with mud? They say things that grow from the earth have roots. Look at the clouds in the sky, at the moon—they’re beautiful, aren’t they? But you can’t touch them, and they won’t fill your belly. What use are they?” Xiao Zhi’s blunt words held some truth. While Liu Buwen understood his thinking, he quietly held on to his own principles and chose not to elaborate.

“Seems our visions of the world differ, but that’s no bad thing.”

Xiao Zhi pursed his lips, having said enough to the scholar. There was little point in continuing to express his worldview.

“Well, different is different. But cracking this prophecy chart will be beneficial for us all,” Liu Buwen said, nodding as they resumed their study of the secrets behind the “Tui Bei Tu.”

Within Chang’an city stood the Linglong Pagoda, famed for answering the prayers of those who sought its oracles sincerely. Luo Gan seized the opportunity to find an excuse to take Juntao for a stroll there.

The Linglong Pagoda was modest in stature. Below it, monks and mystics stood in rows, each holding their own ground—some worshipping Buddha, others venerating Laozi. The scene was lively and bustling.

Juntao looked around, puzzled, while Luo Gan carefully observed her reactions.

“What’s wrong? Is something strange here?” Luo Gan asked.

“Well, there are both Buddhist and Daoist oracles here. I’m not sure which to choose,” Juntao replied.

Just then, someone prayed to Buddha, and another turned to worship the Daoist shrine. Luo Gan and Juntao exchanged a knowing smile.

“Why not pray to both? ThatI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.