Chapter 60

Fang La struggled to stand firm and sighed, "There is just one thing I do not understand, and I hope you can resolve my doubts. The Holy Fire Cave is filled with intricate mechanisms and rugged, complex terrain. Our Mingjiao has been rooted here for many years, making it as solid as an iron bucket. How did you obtain the secrets of this place?"

Chen Ang smiled slightly and said calmly, "A few days ago, someone sent me a secret letter. It not only contained many secrets of the Mingjiao but also included a map of the terrain and mechanisms, detailing all the secret passages and checkpoints of your Mingjiao."

"Is it really so?" Fang La sighed deeply, and his usually calm hands began to tremble.

"Although that person avoided meeting me, I know she is a woman, and a beautiful one at that. The more beautiful a woman, the more likely she is to lie."

"Ha ha!" Fang La laughed and cried, shaking his head, "Brother Shi, it is I who have wronged you!"

The Mingjiao Dharmarajas and envoys beside him looked gloomy. Fang Jie muttered, "The Holy Maiden, it is the Holy Maiden!" His eyes were filled with extreme shock and deep hatred. A heavy silence spread among them. They could accept the slaughter by their enemies, but they could not tolerate betrayal by their own people.

"Listen, all followers!" Fang La rallied his spirit and said, "Protect the women and children, and retreat to the Mingzun Altar with me."

Fang La and his followers, protecting the elderly, women, and children, retreated to the Holy Fire Altar. Chen Ang stood in place, showing no intention of pursuing.

Huang Shang hesitated for a moment, seeing that Chen Ang had no reaction, and shouted loudly, "All soldiers, listen to my command! Use your sticks to strike the Mingjiao followers. Those who do not resist should be made to squat down and be captured. Do not cause unnecessary killing."

He added, "Send a team from the Longxiang Guard to extinguish any fires and execute anyone who harasses women and children or kills innocents."

At this moment, the Mingjiao followers knew that their fate was sealed. Faced with the ferocious soldiers, the ordinary followers dared not resist and were obediently captured. Only a group of core members fought back, but they were easily overpowered by the Longxiang Guard. Although they groaned in pain, their lives were not in danger.

The Song army, under supervision, maintained strict discipline, and there was no chaos, killing, or arson. They systematically cleared the Holy Fire Cave. Seeing this scene, Fang La's frown eased slightly, and he said to Huang Shang, "Your benevolence has saved countless lives of my Mingjiao. I am deeply grateful."

Huang Shang waved his sleeve and said, "No need. You have misled the people and deceived the masses. They have all been harmed by you. The people are all citizens of the Song Dynasty, and they are innocent. But you deserve death. I am merely upholding righteousness and do not deserve your gratitude as a rebel."

Fang La, with a group of core followers, stood below the Mingzun Holy Fire Altar. Hearing Huang Shang's words, he suddenly laughed loudly, "It is not I who have misled the people, but the people who seek change. The followers here are all poor and live worse than pigs and dogs. We have gathered and risen up, advocating equality and light, treating each other like brothers, and thus gaining human dignity."

"Mingzun is compassionate, illuminating the world with the Holy Fire, striving to spread light and prosperity throughout the land!" He struggled to free himself from the support of others, sat cross-legged, and raised his hands in front of his chest, spreading his fingers to form the shape of a burning flame.

The Mingjiao followers present chanted in unison, "Burn my mortal body, the Holy Fire burns brightly. What joy is there in life, what sorrow in death? To do good and eliminate evil, for the sake of light, all joys and sorrows return to dust. Pity the people of the world, for they suffer greatly! Pity the people of the world, for they suffer greatly!"

The Dharmarajas, followers, and others looked solemn, unafraid of death or the destruction of their religion. Their dignified demeanor intimidated the Song army, making them hesitant to advance. Chen Ang slowly approached them, "What a noble spirit, what a broad-minded heart, but your realm is far too shallow. You have the heart to change the world, but lack the ability to reshape it."

"Even if your light shines brightly, you are merely another government in disguise, perhaps even more vicious and cruel than the current Song Dynasty."

Fang Jie rebuked, "What do you, a corrupt official, know?"

Chen Ang did not get angry and said calmly, "I have not seen any light or equality in you. If such is the case within your religion, how can your teachings be anything but laughable? The ordinary followers also toil to support you, and the Dharmarajas and flag bearers are dressed in silk and brocade. Even if you wear a layer of hemp cloth outside, can it hide the corruption within?"

Deng Yuanjie clasped his hands and said, "Mingzun descended to save all beings. All beings have a heart of light, struggling to emerge from the darkness. Under the blazing Holy Fire, the world can finally be at peace. We enjoy the light and happiness within the religion and wish for all people to be like us. This is the true intention of the Mingjiao."

"Your heart is too narrow, your wisdom too limited. Pretending to be divine, you cannot achieve great things. With a heart of darkness and inequality, you only know how to burn and vent, utterly foolish and ignorant." Chen Ang sighed, "To call you revolutionaries is too much of a compliment!"

"What is revolution?" Fang La asked solemnly.

"Changing the world, eliminating injustice, and recreating a new world—that is revolution." Chen Ang said lightly, "Forget it! You haven't even opened your eyes. How can you explore or pursue anything?"

"A specter, it will inevitably wander the world again, shouting: There is no savior, no reliance on gods or emperors. To create human happiness, it must be done by ourselves. Your so-called aspirations are laughable compared to that specter."

"Commander!" Huang Shang frowned.

"Just talking for fun, thinking of a true 'rebel.' Compared to that, the Mingjiao is just a minor issue. If there were people like Cheng Pan, Chen Ke, and Li Desheng raising the banner of righteousness, that would be a real threat to the court." Chen Ang waved his hand.

Huang Shang did not understand and stood silently. The Mingjiao followers were not moved, but a glimmer of thought flashed in Deng Yuanjie's eyes.

Suddenly, a large crack appeared below the Mingzun Altar. Fang La sprang up, waving the iron staff in his hand, blocking the others and shouting, "Quick, go inside, escape deeper!" This sudden change caught the Song army off guard, and even the Mingjiao followers were startled.

Chen Ang, however, remained unperturbed and said leisurely, "So, you were testing me to see if I knew about this secret passage. It seems you were not entirely sure that the Holy Maiden did not know about it."

"This was the most secret place of our Mingjiao, known only to each generation's leader. Unfortunately, I was too careless and dared not be certain whether I had let slip any hints to Rouzhi... Bisang in the past, so I tested you," Fang La explained, buying time for the women and children behind him to escape.

He did not know that Chen Ang had no intention of keeping them. He was pressuring various martial arts sects, not exterminating them. If he did not let Fang La escape, how could he strive to strengthen the Mingjiao's martial arts?

At this moment, Deng Yuanjie suddenly pointed at Fang La's back, sealing his major acupoints. Before the Mingjiao followers could react, Deng Yuanjie pushed Fang La toward them. They supported Fang La and retreated into the cave, watching the large monk stand with his iron staff, blocking the entrance.

"Take the leader and go first. I will hold off the pursuers," Deng Yuanjie said solemnly, looking at the grieving followers. He laughed loudly, "Go quickly, don't act like little girls."

As he spoke, he touched the Mingzun, and the tunnel began to shake. The followers hurriedly retreated deeper, watching as hundreds of thousands of pounds of earth and stone collapsed, sealing the entrance tightly, separating them from Deng Yuanjie. It turned out that Deng Yuanjie was the one who knew about the secret passage. He appeared rough but was actually very meticulous, having long discovered this secret.

Deng Yuanjie remained calm, clasped his hands, and said, "I will surrender. How will you handle these followers? I wish to be with them." He had a final chance to escape, and with his agility, it would not have been difficult to slip into the tunnel before it collapsed. The Mingjiao followers thought he was trying to hold off Chen Ang.

In reality, he intended to share the fate of the tens of thousands of followers.

"The Xixia army was defeated a few days ago, and the Xixia king was captured. The Hetao region is now under the control of the Song Dynasty. Qingtang and the Western Regions need Han people to guard the borders. Your Mingjiao followers, skilled in martial arts and archery, are well-suited to deter the restless Tangut people. The tens of thousands of believers and followers can be resettled there."

Chen Ang smiled, "You can attack and spread your religion in the Western Regions, but the people there are fierce, so be cautious. I have never been to the Western Regions, but I have heard that the Bright Peak on Kunlun Mountain is a good place."

Deng Yuanjie bowed slightly and stood among the followers. They were initially restless at the prospect of leaving their homes, but the chance to save their lives was something they had never dared to hope for, and they were only grateful.

Chen Ang smiled at Huang Shang, "If the newly expanded territories are not settled, they will be unstable. But the Song Dynasty is prosperous, and even without land, one can still earn a living. Who would be willing to leave their homes? I even suggested to the emperor that we gather vagrants and beggars, and send all the young and strong to Xixia to settle the borders."

Huang Shang cautiously said, "We must be wary of Xixia's retaliation and the disruption of the border, which could hinder peaceful production."

"Protecting the people and preventing Xixia's counterattack is the duty of the military. The imperial army will ensure that Xixia has no power to retaliate. The court has already passed the thirty-six prohibitions, and this is the time to establish authority. The Mingjiao is far from enough. The Six-Fan Gate has brought dozens of martial arts sects with blood debts and greenwood strongholds, to show the might of the law."

Chen Ang said coldly, "Pursue and eliminate Fang La and these scoundrels one by one."

Most martial arts sects are powerful local landlords with many disciples and properties, making them significant local forces. Many are in cahoots with the government, and Chen Ang cannot easily move against them. However, some have accumulated a bad reputation and are perfect for setting an example.