As soon as these words were spoken, the Thousand Buddha Hall erupted in commotion again. It was true that Wanyu Yuedan had a righteous heart, but how solemn was Shaolin Temple’s abbot position – how could it be treated like child’s play, to be transferred at will? Moreover, Liu Yan’s whereabouts were merely martial world rumors. How much could martial world rumors be trusted? What if after transferring the position today, that person didn’t appear – then what? Some people praised Wanyu Yuedan for having the heart to sacrifice himself and bear humiliation for the greater good of the martial world as Biluo Palace Master. Others coldly laughed at his gullible recklessness. Still others watched Fang Pingzhai with schadenfreude – it seemed today’s Shaolin abbot competition was becoming more and more exciting.
Liu Yan wore his black cloth face covering, sitting quietly in the crowd without saying a word. This was his first time seeing Wanyu Yuedan. This renowned young palace master was different from what he had previously imagined – he lacked the legendary iron-fisted, cold-blooded killing aura, appearing gentle and delicate without a trace of imposing presence. Yet… he was very similar to himself. Suddenly, a wave of disgust surged from the depths of his heart. He looked coldly at Wanyu Yuedan, vaguely seeing Tang Lici’s phantom on Wanyu Yuedan’s body. Killing intent involuntarily rose, but after a moment, the murderous light in his eyes gradually faded, slowly disappearing into nothingness.
Tang Lici didn’t have such genuine emotions. He looked faintly at Wanyu Yuedan. This person’s words were gentle, making people feel like they were bathed in spring breeze. Though his speech seemed quite scheming, he didn’t speak false words. As the dignified Biluo Palace Master, leading one faction of the martial world, his character wasn’t hypocritical at all. Those eyes that rumors said could see nothing revealed his true personal emotions in their gaze – what he wanted, what he wished to do, what he wanted to obtain, what he must obtain – he didn’t conceal it in the slightest, not fearing others’ detection.
He never feared not getting what he wanted – this was Wanyu Yuedan’s kingly aura. Liu Yan looked faintly at Wanyu Yuedan. Completely unlike Tang Lici, he could give others a sense of security, could serve as others’ support. Even though he was very young and didn’t know martial arts, he was the pillar of the crowd. But A’Li, he… Liu Yan’s gaze gradually became vacant. A’Li wasn’t that kind of person…
What A’Li wanted, he could never obtain…
This was the difference between them, like looking at each other in mirrors – very similar, yet completely opposite.
The Shaolin monks discussed in low voices for a while. Master Dacheng stood up and spoke slowly, “Though Benefactor Wanyu’s words come from sincere heart, our temple’s reputation built over hundreds of years and the abbot position cannot be easily relinquished, especially since the benefactor is not a monk.” Everyone nodded and looked toward Wanyu Yuedan, secretly wondering how he would respond. Wanyu Yuedan smiled slightly, “If Shaolin Temple agrees to temporarily transfer the abbot position, Wanyu Yuedan will immediately shave his head to become a monk and convert to Shaolin.”
Hearing this, Dongfang Xu couldn’t help but cry out in surprise. Many around him were equally shocked. For Wanyu Yuedan, with his youth and position as Biluo Palace Master, to actually speak of becoming a monk and converting to Shaolin… this sacrifice was truly excessive. Tie Jing, sitting behind Wanyu Yuedan, trembled slightly. Though he was surprised that Wanyu Yuedan spoke of becoming a monk, he wasn’t extremely shocked. After Wenren Nuan’s death, Wanyu Yuedan’s life had been pure-hearted and ascetic, simple to the point of being nearly without ripples. Though he didn’t eat vegetarian food or chant Buddha’s name, he wasn’t far from a monk.
“This…” Master Dacheng was quite troubled, pondering in silence. Master Puzhu said coldly, “Benefactor Wanyu, Shaolin Temple never excludes outsiders. If the benefactor has the heart to expound scriptures and dharma for us, with cultivation above ours, the Shaolin monks would naturally show respect.” Wanyu Yuedan smiled, “Then shall we still discuss the Buddha mind?” Master Puzhu said slowly, “We would like to hear the details.” Wanyu Yuedan pressed his palms together in salute to him, “Clear and bright as the moon, suspended in empty space, unstained by desire – this is called the pure practitioner.” Master Puzhu was slightly stunned, but someone beside him said, “Hey, I wonder if you’ve heard a certain story?”
Everyone’s gaze turned toward Fang Pingzhai. Fang Pingzhai waved his red fan, having stood before Puzhu and Wanyu Yuedan all along. Now his red fan stopped. “There was a small fox, azure-yellow in color, looking like a dog, that made sounds like a wolf but not quite a wolf. One day this small fox claimed to be a lion, occupied a patch of forest, yet still lived by digging mouse holes and corpse graves to eat mice and dead bodies. When it wanted to let out a lion’s roar, what came out was still a sound neither wolf nor dog. This story comes from the Dirghagama Sutra, Volume 11. I wonder if the high monks here, including this young friend who speaks Buddhist verses, know what this small fox is called?”
Wanyu Yuedan said, “Oh… what this red fan gentleman speaks of – could it be a jackal?” Fang Pingzhai said faintly, “A jackal claims to be a lion, alone dominating an empty forest. Wanting to make a lion’s roar, it still makes a jackal’s sound. The martial world under heaven is vast as the sea. Shaolin Temple is merely a handful of sand within it. Even if Shaolin’s abbot has high virtue and respect, when he calls out from on high, it’s no more than a jackal’s howl, thinking himself a lion. To make people believe, admire, respect, and revere, one must show courage and sincerity. Today, we three jackals will make lion’s roars in the Thousand Buddha Hall. In the end, no matter who becomes the lion, don’t forget that jackals are merely jackals – beyond this world lies another world. The true lion is never before our eyes, but beyond the heavens.” Master Puzhu’s eyes brightened. Wanyu Yuedan smiled, “Red Fan gentleman truly has heroic spirit. Then please let Shaolin Temple set the challenge, and we’ll accept it.”
Master Dacheng sighed slowly, “From everyone’s conversation, all are clearly well-versed in Buddhist scriptures. Both benefactors are skilled with words. There’s no need to discuss Buddhist theory – the Buddha mind lies not in words but in daily words and deeds, every flower and tree. This old monk wonders whether the three are sincere toward Buddha. Everyone present has their own judgment. If we must compete, let’s compete in martial arts.” His voice was calm, without excited emotion. “Shaolin Temple has always practiced martial arts only for self-defense. Today’s abbot assembly doesn’t wish to see blood spilled, so if we compete, we’ll compete with only one move.”
One move? Dongfang Xu found this increasingly strange. Shaolin Temple selecting an abbot, competing in martial arts with only one move? Which move would it be? Glancing sideways, Yu Tuan’er beside him also looked confused. One move? Fang Pingzhai’s martial arts weren’t weak, Master Puzhu was an even greater expert, and Wanyu Yuedan didn’t know the slightest martial arts. What “one move” could he compete with these two?
“Can everyone see that copper plaque hanging from the eastern beam?” Master Dacheng pointed to the eastern roof beam. “That copper plaque was bestowed by Emperor Taizong Li Shimin, weighing 388 catties. Whoever can strike the copper plaque with Shaolin’s orthodox ‘Flower-Plucking Finger Technique’ in the time it takes for a copper coin to fall, making it sway back and forth three times without making a sound, wins.” As he announced this challenge, all the seated guests thought: What a difficult challenge! Never mind striking it from a distance with finger technique to make it sway three times in the time a copper coin falls – I think even if I reached out to push it, I might not make it sway three times in that time. Shaolin Temple setting such a difficult challenge clearly had great confidence in Master Puzhu.
“Three times? So if it sways four or five times, that counts as losing?” Fang Pingzhai shook his head, looking at the lingzhi-shaped copper plaque. “Shaolin’s Flower-Plucking finger force has always been formless and traceless. I once saw it five years ago at the Central Plains Southern Peak Sword Assembly. At that time, Master Puzhu hadn’t yet become famous, but his Flower-Plucking Formless Sword technique was outstanding and left a deep impression.” As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall was shocked again. Those invited to participate in the Southern Peak Sword Assembly five years ago were all contemporary celebrities. If Fang Pingzhai had participated then, how could he be unknown today, coming to compete for Shaolin Temple’s abbot position? Who exactly was he?
Master Puzhu was slightly stunned upon hearing this. Five years ago at the Southern Peak Sword Assembly, he hadn’t yet entered the martial world, only testing his skills at the assembly without winning. This person actually remembered his Flower-Plucking Formless Sword – had he truly been present that day? If he had been at the assembly then, who among the attendees could he have been? “Who was the benefactor that day?” Fang Pingzhai laughed heartily, “Just a passerby. Master Puzhu, please go first.” He raised his red fan. Everyone felt this person, though eloquent, verbose, and detestable, didn’t lack grace. Master Puzhu pressed his palms together in salute and said to Wanyu Yuedan, “The guest comes first. Would Palace Master Wanyu like to go first?”
Wanyu Yuedan smiled very gently and pleasantly, “I don’t know martial arts. I don’t even know what the Flower-Plucking Finger Technique looks like. How about Master Puzhu first teaches me the move, then I’ll act?” Everyone was stunned again. Though everyone knew Wanyu Yuedan didn’t know martial arts, he actually wanted Puzhu to teach him one move, then he would act. Did he think himself some martial arts prodigy who could master it instantly and defeat these martial arts experts? It was simply wishful thinking, complete nonsense!
Master Puzhu frowned, “The Flower-Plucking Finger Technique has no fixed forms. In external appearance, it’s merely extending five fingers outward. The internal true qi follows the fingers outward. Depending on individual cultivation, the distance and strength the true qi reaches varies. Palace Master Wanyu doesn’t practice Shaolin internal heart methods, so it cannot be taught.” Wanyu Yuedan raised his right hand, “So it’s just waving the hand outward. Please tell me the copper plaque’s direction, Master Puzhu.” Being blind, he could neither see the copper plaque nor use internal force. What effect could waving his hand in the air have? Everyone was both shocked and amused. They saw Master Puzhu guide Wanyu Yuedan to face the copper plaque’s position. Master Dacheng held a copper coin. Wanyu Yuedan smiled slightly at everyone. Without gathering qi or making preparations, he simply waved his palm toward the copper plaque.
His palm was pale and soft, and this waving gesture was quite graceful, but lacking both internal force and proper technique, he probably couldn’t even swat a mosquito. Fang Pingzhai and Master Puzhu both focused on the copper plaque. Just when everyone thought the copper plaque absolutely couldn’t move, the roof beam made muffled “creaking” sounds, and the copper plaque began to sway as if divinely assisted. With a “clang,” the copper coin in Master Dacheng’s hand hit the ground. The copper plaque swayed exactly three times, no more, no less, then stopped motionless.
Suddenly swaying, suddenly stopping – truly like something supernatural. Everyone had been watching dumbfounded, and now they exhaled long breaths, all feeling a chill rise in their hearts. There really were ghosts in this world. Master Puzhu and Fang Pingzhai looked at each other. Liu Yan and Yu Tuan’er were also horrified. So many experts had been staring intently at Wanyu Yuedan and the copper plaque – how exactly had that copper plaque started swaying? If someone had secretly helped, wouldn’t that person’s martial arts be unimaginably high?