This scoundrel is a bit of a swordsman.

However, all of this still filled Xiao Xingchen with doubt. Now it seemed that what happened back then was not just a simple matter of one sword suppressing mountains and rivers. The inscription on the stele was limited and could not record everything. It seemed that figuring out what exactly happened to Xia Buyu back then would not be a simple matter.

"This is actually an arms factory? How impressive!" Xiao Xingchen exclaimed. Using a temple for worship to conceal weapons of slaughter—how could they even come up with such a thing?

He had no intention of competing with the world. Leaving the Great Qian Dynasty and living a low-key life was what he wanted now. As for firearms, strictly speaking, they didn't have any professional barriers. Once the raw materials were found, they could be easily made.

After giving the young page a reassuring look, Xiao Xingchen strode directly into the temple. From his initial shock to his current composure, he had accepted this incredible experience. If he could travel through time, why couldn't others?

This is nothing to be surprised about. As for inheriting this arsenal, he had never even considered it. Arsenals, from ancient times to the present, have always been deadly things.

He feared he might inherit the throne but not live to enjoy it; it was most important for him to disappear peacefully in the Cangshan Mountains.

At this moment,

A bell rang out, causing Xiao Xingchen to look up.

What ceremony is being held in the temple? The bell tolls nine times, signifying the arrival of distinguished guests.

He slowly walked through the gate, and what came into view was a huge square, completely deserted. At the far end of his vision was a massive staircase with hundreds of steps, so grand that it gave one a sense of reverence. And at the top of the steps, he could vaguely see many heads standing.

As he climbed the steps, he saw clearly a familiar figure come into view.

"It turned out to be her?"

Xiao Xingchen was surprised. No wonder Crown Princess Chen Miao often came to this temple; it seemed they were frequent visitors at this time of year.

The leader was none other than Chen Miao and Chen, the former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. Of course, at this time, Chen had not yet reached the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. As for what official position he held now, how would that idiot Xiao Jianren know?

"The Temple of Silent Words, isn't that supposed to mean 'the Master does not speak'? But now it seems a bit like a deliberate attempt to mystify things. Come to think of it, how could a transmigrator who can't even spell English words correctly come up with something so profound?"

Xiao Xingchen muttered to himself. The name of the temple seemed somewhat familiar at first glance, and upon seeing the inscription, his first thought was that it was inspired by the *Zi Bu Yu* (a famous Buddhist text). However, after entering, he realized he was wrong. The style here had absolutely nothing to do with what he had imagined; it didn't even resemble anything modern. As a transmigrator who had created such a low-class temple, Xiao Xingchen felt utterly contemptuous.

"Please wait, benefactor." Just as Xiao Xingchen was about to approach, a voice interrupted him. He slowly turned around, and a kind-looking middle-aged monk was already standing behind him.

He bowed slightly, like a monk, and offered a very polite compliment.

"I apologize, Master. I have long heard that the Silent Temple is a place of outstanding people and a sacred place for prayer. I happened to pass by today and couldn't help but come in to pray for blessings. Please forgive me, Master."

“You flatter me, benefactor. The Buddhist temple is open to all people and would not disturb your prayers. However, today is Lord Chen’s first visit to the capital, and he has brought his family to pray for blessings. It is not appropriate to disturb him at this time.”

"Oh? Lord Chen? Which Lord Chen?" Xiao Xingchen feigned ignorance.

“He is Chen Haoran of the Chen family of Hanhai,” the monk said, and as he spoke the name, a hint of fanaticism flashed in his eyes, perhaps it was just his imagination. This puzzled Xiao Xingchen, who wondered if he had misread it.

"What official position does Lord Chen hold?"

"Huh? You don't know the Chen family of Hanhai?" This time it was the monk's turn to be surprised. He began to scrutinize Xiao Xingchen again.

Had he said something wrong? Xiao Xingchen couldn't help but doubt himself.

"It seems you really don't know about the Chen family of Hanhai, otherwise you wouldn't have asked such a question,"

"Please enlighten me, Master. I come from a small place and know little about the world."

"Alright, alright, we have nothing to do, let's sit over there, and then I'll tell you about the division of our Great Qian's prefectures."

"Thank you, Master!"

It has to be said, Xiao Jianren is truly a piece of trash. As a native of Daqian, he has absolutely no concept of anything outside of Yong'an City; all he has is filth and lechery. He's always thinking about which girl he fancys today and who he'll ruin tomorrow—it's all that kind of bullshit.

This also makes Xiao Xingchen eager to know what this world is really like.

As they left, Xiao Xingchen seemed to sense something, glancing back at Chen Miao before quickly turning away. It was no wonder Xiao Jianren's lust had been aroused; Chen Miao was truly a beauty, already breathtakingly gorgeous. Marrying into the royal family in a few years would be a natural progression. Such a woman shouldn't be confined to the mortal realm.

"Miao'er, keep your spirits up!"

Ahead of Chen Miao, a woman rebuked him without turning her head.

"Yes, mother."

Chen Miao was puzzled. For some reason, the young man in the distance just now gave her a strange sense of familiarity. She shook her head with a wry smile. This was her first time entering the territory of Yong'an City. How could she possibly have a familiar person?

Perhaps she was overthinking it. Chen Miao stared intently at the monk presiding over the ceremony, a cold glint in her eyes, before silently lowering her head.

Following the monk to a pavilion, the monk spoke directly.

"Please sit down, benefactor. May I ask where you come from?"

"I come from the Great Tang Dynasty in the East," Xiao Jianren's memories were filled with Yong'an and Nanling. He couldn't very well say he came from Nanling, because that would make everyone wonder if he was a member of the Xiao family.

"The Great Tang Dynasty of the East? Where is this place?"

The old monk was taken aback, a deep look of doubt on his face.

"This is a small place, Master. Please excuse my humble abode. May I ask your name?"

"This humble monk, Jue Wu, greets the young benefactor from the Great Tang Dynasty of the East,"

"Greetings, Master. I haven't yet asked how you could tell I was a novice. I've just arrived in Kyoto and have many questions. Please enlighten me." Xiao Xingchen earnestly inquired.

"You don't even know the Chen family of Hanhai, doesn't that say something?"

"The Chen family? Are they special?"

The head monk straightened his robes, then looked out of the pavilion, where a flag bearing the character "Chen" was fluttering in the wind.

"Do you see that flag?"

"nature,"

"This is Yong'an City. Only one surname is allowed to raise a flag here, and that surname is Huangfu. Yet, the Chen family's flag is flying outside Yong'an City. Don't you understand?" the head monk laughed.

Seeing that Xiao Xingchen was even more confused, the senior monk explained directly,

"After a hundred years of founding the Great Qian Dynasty, four major domain prefectures were established, with the east, west, south, and north domains protecting Yong'an City. Among them, in the eastern domain, there are three special places: the Sword Tomb, the Yin-Yang Slope, and the Han Hai City."

"Let's leave aside Sword Tomb and Yin Yang Slope for now. Let's talk about Han Hai City. Their city lord is the Chen family, specifically this Chen."

"Hanhai City?" This was the first time Xiao Xingchen had heard of such things. Damn it, Xiao Jianren didn't even know about this.

"Why?" he couldn't help but ask.

"Because the Great Li Dynasty is right outside Hanhai City, even if you are ignorant, you must know the story of Xiao Jianxian, right?"

"That's natural,"

"Back then, Dali attacked Yong'an City. If it weren't for Xiao Jianxian's sword that pacified the mountains and rivers, this place would belong to Dali now. Therefore, as the connecting gateway between Daqian and Dali, Hanhai City became a strategic location fought over by the two dynasties. Whoever captured Hanhai could control the throat of the two countries, allowing them to attack or defend as they wished. This is what made the Chen family famous, because Hanhai belonged to the Chen family."

"To stabilize the Chen family, one would naturally offer them high-ranking positions and generous salaries. After all, they are facing the greatest enemy of the Great Qian Dynasty. Therefore, for the past hundred years, the Great Qian Dynasty has had a tradition that the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue must be a member of the Chen family. This is to control the grain supplies in the Eastern Regions and prevent the Han Sea from experiencing problems due to grain supply issues."

"The Lord Chen who is now offering prayers is the soon-to-be Vice Minister of Revenue. Do you understand now?"