Chapter 159: The Greatest Sect

Zhao Huan looked at the man a few years older than himself, the shock on his face plainly visible.

"Is Your Majesty curious about humble Taoist?" Liang Fengying stood before Zhao Huan, looking completely unconcerned and serene.

Zhao Huan touched his nose with a smile and said to Liang Fengying, "I am indeed rather surprised by your age, Daoist Master. You are truly so young."

In Zhao Huan's impression, enlightened Daoist priests were supposed to be white-haired elders of advanced age. How could the Daoist before him be so young, and quite handsome to boot?

Liang Fengying smiled with an air of inscrutability and said to Zhao Huan, "Your Majesty, to tell you the truth, I have already reached the age of forty."

The young man before him, who looked about his own age, was actually forty years old. Zhao Huan was genuinely astonished by how well Liang Fengying had maintained his youthful appearance.

"Daoist Master Liang certainly looks very young," Zhao Huan praised.

"Our Taoism preaches freedom from desires and universal salvation. If Your Majesty can achieve this, you too can be like humble Taoist—enjoying robust health and living to a ripe old age," Liang Fengying told Zhao Huan.

"Live to a ripe old age?" Zhao Huan thought of how the pursuit of eternal youth had always been the lifelong ambition of emperors throughout history. However, as a time-traveler from later generations, Zhao Huan understood that immortality was simply impossible. He waved his hand and said, "I do not dare to hope for longevity. Everyone must die eventually; I only hope that after my death, when future generations speak of me, they will not point at my ancestral tablet and curse me."

Liang Fengying had not expected Zhao Huan to be so broad-minded. In fact, as the current sect leader of Taoism, Liang Fengying frequently traveled far and wide and was a guest of honor to many high-ranking officials and nobles. Just like Li Shunqian of Western Xia, who had also worn a look of utter astonishment upon meeting Liang Fengying, especially learning that he was forty years old, and had even tried to take him as an immortal master to teach him the art of longevity.

After all, eternal youth was a hurdle that no generation of emperors could ever truly overcome. Power brought endless greed, and they desperately wanted to keep that power firmly in their own hands.

"Although Your Majesty has just ascended the throne, you have such profound insight into life. This humble Taoist admires you." Liang Fengying maintained his tranquil demeanor, his facial expression unchanged from beginning to end, as if nothing in the world could ever disturb his emotions.

Zhao Huan waved his hand and said, "Daoist Master Liang, there is no need to flatter me here. I trust Zhang Yu has already told you why I summoned you today. Let us get straight to the point: I intend to elevate Taoism into the preeminent religion of the realm."

Liang Fengying's expression remained unaltered as he replied, "Your Majesty, Taoism values purity of heart and few desires. As for the empty reputation of being the foremost religion, it is all merely fleeting smoke and passing clouds."

Zhao Huan gazed at Liang Fengying before him. The outcome of this conversation greatly exceeded his expectations, and he wanted to read from Liang Fengying's face whether this was his true conviction or merely a deliberate display of arrogance.

"Daoist Master Liang, let me tell you a story," Zhao Huan said, staring intently at Liang Fengying, attempting to discern his genuine thoughts.

Liang Fengying straightened his posture, assuming the appearance of an attentive listener hanging on every word.

"Far to our west, all the way to where one can see the western ocean, there is a nation called the Fatimid Caliphate, where the people follow a religion called Islam. Further north, there is a country called the Holy Roman Empire, where the people practice a religion called Christianity. Perhaps you have never heard of such distant lands, but closer to home, you must know of Buddhism to the south of Tibet, do you not?" Zhao Huan said calmly.

Liang Fengying looked at Zhao Huan. He had indeed never heard of Islam or Christianity, but he was well aware of Buddhism. Throughout the Central Plains, there were currently numerous Buddhist monasteries, and the incense offerings at Shaolin Temple were no less thriving than those of Taoism.

"This humble Taoist is well aware of the Buddhism Your Majesty speaks of. Abbot Luo of Shaolin Temple is even a good friend of mine," Liang Fengying replied.

Zhao Huan nodded and said, "Ever since Buddhism was introduced to our dynasty, it has taken root immediately and absorbed a vast number of traditional Taoist followers. I dare predict that in the future, Buddhism will inevitably supplant Taoism and become the number one religion of our empire."

A slight shift crossed Liang Fengying's eyes. The change was so subtle that ordinary people would find it nearly impossible to notice, yet because Zhao Huan's spiritual perception far exceeded that of a normal person, he caught the fleeting reaction.

"And here I thought you truly had no desires whatsoever," Zhao Huan couldn't help muttering inwardly. Everyone had a weakness; it was merely a matter of whether one could find it. Although Taoism preached detachment, as the leader of a sect, he carried a heavy responsibility, and that very responsibility was his Achilles' heel.

"The way of heaven is a wheel that turns, and retribution is certain. Who can ever accurately predict the future?" Liang Fengying responded.

"I do not believe in the way of heaven. I am the Son of Heaven, and my will is the way of heaven!" Zhao Huan suddenly declared in a resounding voice. In that instant, his entire demeanor transformed, and an aura of imperial majesty emanated from him—the true authority of an emperor.

Gazing at Zhao Huan before him, Liang Fengying instinctively lowered his head, shook it with a helpless, bitter smile, and said, "Your Majesty's words are entirely correct; Your Majesty's will is indeed the way of heaven."

"I do not like beating around the bush. To put it simply to you, I want you to spread branches of Taoism across all nations and establish it as the supreme religion," Zhao Huan told Liang Fengying.

For a religion to flourish, it could not do without the support of the imperial court. Ultimately, only by serving the court would the court permit a religion to exist. Yet Liang Fengying also knew that religion could not become too close to the court either; otherwise, it would simply turn into a puppet in the hands of the rulers and lose the original essence of Taoism.

A bitter smile touched the corner of Liang Fengying's mouth. He knew that what Zhao Huan had just said amounted to an ultimatum. Even though Zhao Huan hadn't elaborated, some things did not need to be spelled out too clearly.

If he agreed, Zhao Huan would help him become the head of the so-called foremost religion and spread Taoism across all lands.

If he refused, the label of a heretical cult would soon be slapped onto Taoism, and Taoism would likely achieve a very different kind of notoriety throughout this realm. During the Warring States period, hundreds of schools of thought contended, yet of those that survived to the present day, pitifully few remained.

Liang Fengying took a deep breath, finally made up his mind, and asked, "What is it that Your Majesty wishes this humble Taoist to do?"