A month later.
"Boss..."
The face of the tavern master at Shengde Building was a bit gloomy. Business at the tavern had been poor recently, resulting in a significant drop in income.
Luckily, Liang Sheng did not take it to heart. He simply waved his hand and did not complain, "If there are no customers, let's just close early. You all can go home and rest earlier."
Upon hearing Liang Sheng's words, the tavern master and the apprentices breathed a sigh of relief. Business had been extremely bad recently.
By this time, the place should have been full of guests. But in the face of this situation, they had no choice.
Chaos!
However, they were not too worried. After all, they were affiliated with the Liang Family of Jinzhou City. Even if there was chaos, it would only be temporary chaos.
"By the way, Old Duan, remember to bring out this month's account book before you leave. I want to check the accounts."
Upon hearing these words, the tavern master nodded, handed the key to Liang Sheng, and then he and his apprentices said goodbye and left. Before leaving, they closed the main gate of the tavern, leaving a small door for Liang Sheng to leave.
In all these years, Liang Sheng seemed to be hands-off, but if they dared to cheat, it would be courting death.
The previous Chen, who was the tavern master, has already disappeared in Jinzhou City. Liang Sheng's way of treating his subordinates was not only with kindness but also with a thunderous hand.
Regardless of the situation, he was a member of the Liang Family. In addition, Liang Sheng's fair and strict leadership had prevented major chaos at the Shengde Building.
At this moment, Liang Sheng was quietly looking through the accounts for this period. Although the performance of the tavern had been declining, twenty days ago, after a steep decline, it lost more than half.
"It seems that Zheng Wanchun also disappeared after that day, and he hasn't even been seen drinking flower wine at the Yichun Building."
Liang Sheng tapped his fingers lightly on the table, slowly sorted out all the recent information, and began to analyze the situation in Jinzhou City.
Liang Ying was ultimately too eager to show himself, which touched everyone's interests, but he was not so desperate before.
Liang Ying is not a fool. He had his reasons for acting this way, but as a result, the chaos in Jinzhou City may be even worse than last time.
This doesn't work. I need to lay low for a while. This is not like the previous conflict between the Liang and Wu Families and the Gao Family. This touches their fundamental interests.
Thinking of this, Liang Sheng hurried home and the next morning he had Ma San take him out of the city. The official reason was to go out for a while.
As for the Shengde Building, it had already entered the right track. Old Duan and his team could handle these small matters, so there was no need to worry.
...
Jinshan Temple.
Looking at the houses that stretched continuously on the hillside, Liang Sheng couldn't help but sigh. No matter which world, these temples were always bustling with activity.
Whether people feared ghosts and gods, or had boundless desires, leading them to pray to gods and Buddha, Liang Sheng didn't delve deeply into it. He shrugged and continued up the mountain.
Back then, in order to avoid marrying into the Wu Family, Liang Qi chose to become a monk. At first, he and Liang Sheng still corresponded and invited Liang Sheng to visit the temple when he had time.
However, at that time, Liang Sheng was unsure of the Liang Family's attitude towards Liang Qi. To avoid suspicion and not to involve himself in this matter, he did not actually take action.
But now, nothing happened, and the Liang Family probably had already forgotten about Liang Qi.
But the casual move made back then has finally paid off today. Under the guidance of the leading monk, Liang Sheng went straight to the Daxiong Treasure Hall.
As for Ma San, he was carrying a small box behind him with some difficulty. It was the money for incense and offerings that Liang Sheng had prepared.
If he was going to stay in Jinshan Temple for an extended time, how could he not make offerings to Lord Buddha?
Above the Daxiong Treasure Hall, Xuan Nan, the Chief of the Reception Hall, had already received news from Liang Qi and so was ready to personally welcome Liang Sheng.
One reason was due to the powerful Liang family behind Liang Sheng, and the other was because the monks had seen Liang Sheng's plentiful money for incense and offerings.
Upon arriving inside the Daxiong Treasure Hall, Liang Sheng kneeled before the Buddha and closed his eyes in prayer. He then stood up and clasped his hands in respect towards Xuan Kong.
"Master, I have recently been feeling somewhat unsettled and wish to spend some time in the sacred grounds of Jinshan Temple until I can regain my inner peace. I wonder if this would be permissible?"
At this moment, Ma San had already given the box to a nearby monk, while Xuan Kong's face was full of smiles. "The donor is indeed a person of destiny. Our Buddha is merciful and is willing to help those in distress.
Shortly, I will ask the monks in the temple to clean up and prepare guest rooms. Hereafter, the donor is free to meditate within our temple. I hope that the donor will soon resolve his inner conflicts."
Both parties had intentions of befriending each other, so naturally, a pleasant situation followed. However, at this time, Liang Sheng did not request a meeting with Liang Qi.
The real purpose was to evade the chaos in Jinzhou City; this was simply incidental. Xuan Nan had other business to attend to, so he excused himself and left first.
Not long after, the monks had prepared a guest room. Liang Sheng and his servant immediately put their hands together in gratitude.
Having prepared the guest room, the monk put up Ma San in a room next to Liang Sheng. When it was only Liang Sheng left in the guest room, his face turned somewhat solemn.
He had not expected Jinshan Temple to be so complex. No wonder the temple could occupy such a large area outside the city for so many years without anyone causing trouble. Their strength was truly extraordinary.
Liang Sheng's previous caution had kept him inside the city, so he had limited knowledge of the circumstances outside.
But today, when he saw Xuan Nan, he remained outwardly calm, but there was a sense of astonishment in his heart because he could not see through Xuan Nan.
That is to say, Xuan Nan was likely in the Postnatal Seventh Realm, a high-level martial artist. Otherwise, how could Liang Sheng fail to see through him?
There are more than one high monks of the Xuan generation in Jinshan Temple. It is unknown whether the other high monks of the Xuan generation are also experts in cultivation.
But this might not necessarily be a bad thing. He did not have any other ill intentions, and there was this master present in Jinshan Temple, ensuring his safety much more.
After pondering for a moment, Liang Sheng roughly hammered out a plan. It seemed that today, he should arrange a time to meet with Liang Qi.
He had been waiting at Jinshan Temple for so many years; he must have deep knowledge about the temple. Therefore, if he wanted to understand the power of Jinshan Temple, it would be best to find him.
Of course, at this time, Liang Qi also had his Dharma name. As mentioned in previous correspondences, Liang Qi had taken the vow under the abbot of the Discipline Hall, Xuan Ji, and was given the Dharma name Hongzhi.
Liang Sheng set off immediately without taking Ma San with him. He asked his way towards the Discipline Hall and finally found Liang Qi.
However, it wasn't suitable to disturb Liang Qi at this moment. He was training in martial arts techniques with a group of warrior monks on the martial arts training ground.
It is taboo to spy on a school's martial arts techniques, and Liang Sheng naturally wouldn't make such a mistake. He honestly followed the lead of a monk from the Discipline Hall to the guest room to wait while drinking tea.
Liang Sheng was in no rush. A short while later, someone came out to meet him, but it wasn't Liang Qi, it was the Abbot of the Discipline Hall, Xuan Ji.
"Liang Jushi, my name is Xuan Ji. Hongzhi has yet to finish his morning lessons and will meet with you afterwards. We ask for your patience and understanding."
Upon hearing this, Liang Sheng immediately thanked him. Though his face showed no signs of surprise, his heart was shocked because he indeed could not see through him.
It implied that the abbot was also a high-level martial artist, at least in the Postnatal Seventh Realm.
Jinshan Temple, indeed, it conceals a dragon and a tiger!