Jixian County, Fire Temple
Numerous high-ranking members of the Red Lotus Dao in Jixian County were gathered together.
In front of the main hall of the Fire Temple, several bodies had already fallen, their blood staining the solemn and sacred Great Heroic Hall.
"Now, does anyone still have doubts?"
Zhang Jian calmly gazed at the people below the hall. In his hand, the Dragon Roar Sword was dripping with blood, yet his eyes were sharp. Using the Dragon Roar Sword to kill a few from the Heterodox Sect and Zuo Dao was truly a waste of its power.
"We will only follow the special envoy's lead!"
The high-ranking members of the Red Lotus Dao shivered inwardly at the sight and quickly bowed their heads.
Zhang Jian nodded and immediately announced new rules!
"From now on, the Red Lotus Dao will be reorganized. It can no longer poison the people with evil techniques, nor use them to amass wealth by refining magic using people. Any repeat offenses will be severely punished.
Disciples of the Red Lotus Dao must henceforth make it their duty to assist the poor and promote the moral principles of the sect. The leader of the Red Lotus Dao in Jixian County will no longer be called a hall master but must be addressed as the Red Lotus Envoy!"
"Below the Red Lotus Envoy, there will be eight commanders, who will lead the armed followers to protect themselves. They must divide their efforts into spreading the doctrine and spreading the faith, supporting and supervising each other!"
On the high platform, Zhang Jian directly appointed Wang Hong, the former hall master of the Red Lotus Dao's Jixian County branch, as the Red Lotus Envoy.
Several commanders were subsequently appointed.
Although the newly appointed high-ranking members were puzzled, they had to show submission due to Zhang Jian's authority.
Zhang Jian felt somewhat satisfied seeing this.
Although the Red Lotus Dao initially harbored corruption, its foundation was solid.
Its base of faithful believers was strong.
However, the divine power of Lady Honghua, whom they worshipped, was too weak and lacked substantial influence.
Now, with his reformation, the faith of the Red Lotus Dao is gradually being shifted towards the mainstream Daoist Venerables, integrating Lady Honghua's faith into it. In the future, the upper limit of potential followers will significantly increase.
This is because there is already a foundation.
Throughout his investigations, Zhang Jian discovered that as the noble families expanded, the acquisition of land by the wealthy was thriving, and the number of the landless was increasing.
These landless individuals not only faced oppression from the noble families but also from the government offices and even exploitation by roving bandits, making their lives extremely difficult and truly in need of 'spiritual solace'!
If the Red Lotus Dao could promote a legitimate slogan at this time, it would be easy to attract believers.
However, it's still essential to be cautious to avoid alerting the Dong Shen Temple, which could bring about a crackdown.
However, if they only focus on spreading the faith without causing disturbances, the risk would be significantly reduced.
Of course, they are not causing disturbances now because Daqian is at its peak and not yet fully corrupted.
One day, if the government oppresses the people to the point of rebellion, then things will be different.
When the time is ripe, he might be able to easily mobilize an army consisting of hundreds of thousands of faithful believers.
And at that time, his political slogan, territory, and grain—all factors will come together to form a force capable of changing the world.
"Young Master, if we replace the main faith of the Red Lotus Dao with other Daoist Venerables or Immortal Gods, won't we risk losing control over the Red Lotus Dao?"
At that moment, a voice from Lady Honghua echoed in Zhang Jian's mind.
Zhang Jian sensed the voice coming from the divine statue in his sleeve, and he communicated back with his Divine Thought.
Zhang Jian's eyes flickered.
This is an issue that cannot be ignored.
Primarily, it is necessary to guard against other major forces seizing the rewards at that time.
"That's why I'm forming two teams to spread the doctrine and the faith. They have different responsibilities: one focuses on spreading the doctrine, the other on spreading the faith. Meanwhile, a group of core missionary followers is being cultivated; these followers are the core of each Red Lotus Dao branch. Even if someone wants to seize the rewards, they will have to get past them!"
Zhang Jian's eyes flickered.
Even though he established the Red Lotus Dao, he still kept himself separate, and the leader of the Red Lotus Dao was still Marchioness Dingnan.
Also known as the Temple Head Lady.
Now, Marchioness Dingnan's spiritual wisdom remains intact, though her flesh body has been completely controlled by Lady Honghua, making her a good choice.
If one day, something indeed happened to the Red Lotus Dao, it would not implicate the Zhang Family.
...
At that time, in the Shi Residence, Shi Lun's room was dimly lit in the dark of night, when several faint, eerie lights slowly emerged.
In the darkness, several strange ghostly figures were faintly visible.
These strange shadows were small, yet their eyes revealed a look of innocence.
Giggling laughter flickered in the darkness; in an instant, they dashed into Shi Lun's room. They were almost invisible and intangible, appearing indifferent to the several Eight Trigrams Mirrors and Yellow Paper Talismans hanging in Shi Lun's room.
Yet, upon entering, a pitch-black Divine Light suddenly burst forth within Shi Lun's room. The pitch-black Divine Light, with the profound charm of a blissful afterlife piercing through Yin and Yang, instantly enveloped the baby ghosts, causing them to emit a series of sharp, intense screams. But they were still enveloped by the Divine Light, gradually sent into the Netherworld.
The two white flesh worms on the Luo Bed seemed unaware, still wrapped together.
"Ah!"
In the depths of the Shi Residence, a richly dressed old woman suddenly widened her eyes in extreme terror, seeing two black chains appear across the void, pulling at her body.
"No!"
She could not help but clutch her throat, but no sound came out.
"You, old woman, dared to secretly refine the forbidden evil entity, the Formless Baby Ghost, violating a major taboo. The Celestial Venerable has commanded us brothers to take you back for judgment. Come with us!"