Chapter 239

Feng Yi came to Shaolin Temple this time just to meet the sweeping monk; as for grudges and romances, he had little interest.

But seeing that You Tanzhi wanted to follow to avenge himself against Xiao Yuanshan, using martial arts similar to his own, and joining forces with Murong, he felt it would be disgracing his own side and feared the sweeping monk would see through his martial arts lineage.

This would cause him to lose the initiative and be defeated by the opponent, so he decided to intercept him.

Yet hearing A Zi's words, though harsh, they were not without reason.

Such a method of eradicating weeds and roots must be based on dealing with one's own enemies.

Feng Yi gave a soft laugh and said, "This brat is a lone bachelor, clean whether alive or dead, but Xiao Feng personally promised to settle things with him; if I killed him, wouldn't that make Xiao Feng break his word? I couldn't do that!"

Feng Yi had no grudge against You Tanzhi, and You Tanzhi was not one of those blood‑debt‑laden Four Evils or the Old Freak of Xingxiu, so naturally Feng Yi was unwilling.

You Tanzhi raised his head at the sound, not looking at Feng Yi but turning his gaze to A Zi; seeing her lovely face like a flower, light flashing in her eyes, he unconsciously felt his mind bewildered: "She is so beautiful, if..." but then secretly ashamed: "How could I be possessed, giving rise to such abrupt thoughts, isn't that disgracing the young lady?"

A Zi saw You Tanzhi's eyes emitting a strange light, inwardly annoyed, she said with a smile: "Like this?" Her body swayed, swift and elusive, like a ghost, her fingers flicked rapidly, pointing at You Tanzhi's back at the Spirit Terrace, Great Void, and Returning Storehouse three major acupoints,

A Zi knew You Tanzhi was formidable; his first move was a sinister acupressure technique—if it landed, even with his martial arts he would be crippled, but strangely, You Tanzhi showed no reaction at all.

One must know that although he had taken a punch from Feng Yi, a chill true qi was wandering inside him, yet his inner strength was not weak, his reactions remained, so he was not incapable of fighting back.

Feng Yi casually waved his hand; You Tanzhi's body shifted slightly, but he heard three muffled thuds—thud, thud, thud—and let out a muffled groan before falling prone.

A Zi's figure reappeared, returning to her original spot, as if she had never moved, but only she knew that although her three fingers had struck You Tanzhi, they had not hit the vital points, so naturally they could not cripple him.

A Zi stared for a moment, slowly withdrew her fingers, biting her lower lip, and said, "Even if we don't kill him, we ought to cripple his martial arts, right?"

Feng Yi shook his head and sighed, "What's the difference between crippling someone's martial arts and killing them?"

You Tanzhi raised his head and glanced at A Zi; his face was deathly pale, his eyes filled with endless bewilderment, yet there was not a trace of resentment in his gaze.

Just a moment ago, if not for Feng Yi's keen eyes and quick hands, he would already have been crippled; this scene caused Feng Yi's facial muscles to twitch slightly as he inwardly sneered: "This kid, upon seeing A Zi, is just like Duan Yu seeing Wang Yuyan—having trained in vain. Fortunately I didn't claim to be the Wind God; if people learned his martial arts came from me, it would be utterly embarrassing. Alas, what a pity those few supreme arts are!"

The Beggars' Gang members chose You Tanzhi as chief, hoping to restore the prestige lost after Qiao Feng's departure before the heroes of the jianghu; who would have thought it would turn out like this.

Fortunately, Feng Yi had once styled himself as the Beggars' Gang's guardian; regardless of whether that was true, several senior elders were also willing to have such a guardian, so when Feng Yi defeated You Tanzhi, no one spoke.

It was clear that You Tanzhi had been knocked down by A Zi; everyone felt embarrassed, and Lu Zhang and the four elders Xi, Song, Chen, and Wu all jumped out.

Lu Zhang strode forward, bowed deeply to the ground before Feng Yi, and said, "Guardian Feng, please instruct us on how the gang should proceed."

He did not want to speak with a woman in front of everyone, lest he lose the Beggars' Gang's dignity.

How could Feng Yi not know that the Beggars' Gang members are all fine, just concerned about saving face? A gleam appeared in his eyes as he said, "Chief You, today I have explained all this, which counts as an exception."

It's just out of consideration for the Beggars' Gang and your situation; whether you believe it or not, the truth will reveal itself in time.

Feng Yi also said to Lu Zhang, "He is still young; you must guide him in every way."

"Yes!" Lu Zhang replied with a clasped-fist salute.

"Good, good!" Abbot Xuan Ci said with palms together: "Xiao Feng fell into hatred, his wisdom clouded, committing countless mistakes. Chief You, though his family was destroyed and he lost his loved ones, he has mastered an astonishing skill; though it cannot be said that misfortune turned into blessing, it is still a great fortune amid misfortune, so please cherish it."

You Tanzhi also knew his skills were inferior, resolved to endure humiliation and bear burdens in anticipation of the future, so he remained silent.

Feng Yi turned to look at Abbot Xuan Ci and said, "Abbot, I don't know what will become of them; I would like to visit the monastery."

Abbot Xuan Ci said, "My humble Dao is shallow, but your learning encompasses heaven and earth; if you could end warfare, it would be a great merit! Please!"

Feng Yi nodded to Abbot Xuan Ci in greeting, glanced around, seeing that Kumozhi had already vanished, and said to A Zi, "You and your parents and sister wait together for me; I'll be right back."

With a flick of his sleeve, his figure shot forward with extreme speed, as if pulled by an invisible rope, fading like light smoke, he drifted into the midst of the Shaolin monks; after just a few flashes, he was gone.

Yet his voice drifted from afar: "To right wrongs, to aid the weak, in youthful heroism; the Subduing Dragon Divine Palm cannot heal the bone-deep sorrow of love, nor can purple cloth and straw shoes stop the rolling dust of the mortal world."

Past causes, present effects— the grudges between Hu and Han cannot easily cease;

Always infatuated, now drunk— who calls the young lord overly affectionate;

The Jade Dragon's game, not of one's own choosing, mistakenly enters the mortal world's no-return path;

Asking the world, what is love that makes one pledge life and death?

Pitiable the goddess's heart, helpless against the King of Xiang's dream, tears shed across the rivers and lakes.

When love and fate befall one, the joys and sorrows of union and parting cannot be exhausted.

How can the gnashing-of-teeth pain endure such entangling, heart-wrenching sorrow?

The hero upholds righteousness, the beauty sheds tears.

Everyone says: love is calamity, none are without grievance— kill ten thousand, you harm three thousand yourself; save one life, you earn a seven-tiered pagoda— nothing more than this!

Feng Yi chanted these words with his inner strength, fully expressing the Zen principle; they floated leisurely between the valleys, and many people looked at each other in bewilderment, not understanding.

The Shaolin monks, however, felt awakened and all chanted Amitabha.

Abbot Xuan Ci gazed skyward, and many past events surged into his mind.

Those like Duan Yu, Wang Yuyan, A Zhu, A Zi, and You Tanzhi, entangled in love, felt it even more deeply.

Elder Wu shouted, "Brothers, what are we still doing here? Do you want to beg for leftovers? Let's go down the mountain!" The gang members responded in unison, turning and heading down the mountain.

Hold on! Deng BaiChuan suddenly glared and shouted like thunder; the place fell silent, only to hear Deng BaiChuan say in a deep voice: "Abbot Xuan Ci, your compassion embraces all, fearing that the famous mountains may suffer disaster—I hold you in great esteem. But I have doubts; please, abbot, enlighten me."

Abbot Xuan Ci said, "Please speak."

Deng BaiChuan looked around and said, "The great hero whom Xiao Feng said had lured Lady Ye Erniang into losing her virtue has not yet been identified."

So who exactly turned the virtuous Lady Ye Erniang into a villain who does all manner of evil? If we cannot dispel this doubt, I fear this heroes' gathering will be too dim and lackluster.

Xiao Feng would never claim he acted justly; abducting Lady Ye Erniang's son was for revenge, and his enemy, before Murong Bo appeared, was none other than the senior brother Abbot Xuan Ci.

Many clever people had already formed suspicions in their hearts,

but no one dared to speak it aloud!

This isn't just offending Shaolin; it's about smashing their centuries-old signboard— how many Xiao Fengs are there in the world?

But Deng BaiChuan and the others, eager to protect their lord, intended to belittle Xuan Ci so that his words to Shaolin would carry no weight, and also to join the heroes in storming Shaolin to help the young masters— they simply didn't care anymore.

Upon hearing this, the heroes exchanged words, and the crowd erupted.

This development took everyone by surprise; some of the Shaolin senior monks were at a loss, some merely fumed with their white eyebrows fluttering, wishing they could strike them dead with a single palm.

Master Xuan Ji said, "Mr. Deng, though we treat you as a guest in our temple, what is your intention?"

Feng Bo'e leapt out and shouted loudly, "Quite right— Abbot Xuan Ci just sneakily attacked my young master, obviously hoping to prevent Xiao Feng from revealing the truth; this is a case of trying to cover up and only drawing more attention!"

Master Xuannan coldly said: "You Murong disciples, it's clear you want to make trouble for my Young Forest Temple."

Deng BaiChuan said: "Master, don't be angry. The saying goes, 'A life for a life, a debt must be repaid.' Although the Young Forest Temple is the number one sect under heaven, with high martial prowess and great influence, it may not necessarily suppress a single principle."

"No, no!" Bao BuTong shook his head and swayed, hehe-laughing: "Elder brother, fourth brother, this is where you're wrong."

In my view, Xiao Yuanshan's ability is only one thing: fabricating despicable lies to frame others; besides that, he is utterly useless.

Upon saying this, everyone immediately understood Bao BuTong's intention; Xiao Yuanshan didn't even conceal that he had killed the Young Forest Temple's Xuanku, as well as Qiao Feng's adoptive parents, and that he had hidden in the Young Forest Temple for thirty years. Such conduct—could he be lying? Could he be incapable?

Isn't this treating everyone as fools?

They all looked at Xuanci, showing doubtful and inquiring expressions.

Someone shouted: "Xiao Yuanshan is extraordinarily bold; how could he speak falsehoods?"

"Yes, Abbot Xuanci, could it be that without Xiao Yuanshan and his son, facing this crowd of victims, there would be no explanation?"

The Young Forest Temple had been the leader of the martial world for several hundred years, burdened by its reputation; who knows how many people secretly wished to see the Young Forest Temple's reputation ruined. This time, among the thousands of heroes present, those wanting to make them look foolish numbered not just one or two thousand, but also seven or eight hundred; dozens surrounded that group of victims, appearing to want to uphold justice for them.

This series of actions struck a painful chord in Abbot Xuanci's heart; after a moment of silence, he put his palms together and said, "Amitabha!"

He used this utterance with a lion's roar, suppressing all the noisy sounds.

Only then did Xuanci sigh: "Good, good, heroes, hear me truly—the one who lured Lady Ye Erniang was none other than this humble monk, Xuanci!"

Upon these words, the assembled monks and heroes, even though they had thought of this possibility, upon hearing him personally admit it,

Everyone's expressions changed dramatically.

Abbot Xuanci was highly virtuous and respected, admired by all in the martial world, yet he actually committed such an act.

For a moment, people were astonished, shocked, contemptuous, angry; some felt fear or pity—various reactions, really hard to describe.

Xuannan exclaimed in shock: "Senior brother, how could this be?"

"No one is a sage; who can be without fault!" Xuanci slowly said: "Having already committed evil deeds, regret is useless, and concealment is also useless."

Bao BuTong coldly laughed: "Abbot Xuanci, if it's all useless, why didn't you admit it earlier?"

"Hey, I, Bao, have never seen someone so two-faced and shameless in my whole life."

Bao BuTong has always been daring beyond measure; knowing that the Young Forest Temple's monks include many experts, and that any monk of the Xuán generation among them is a match he cannot beat, yet he speaks his mind freely, never having any scruples.

Moreover, today he has thrown caution to the wind; as long as he can lure the heroes to the Young Forest Temple, then later he can use the pretext of hostility between Liao and the Great Song—even if he cannot kill the Xiao father and son, he can still help the old master and young master escape danger.

Therefore, hundreds of Young Forest Temple monks glared at him angrily, and he glared back, not blinking an eye.

"Not bad!" Xuanci's expression remained normal as he said: "Back then, this humble monk lured Lady Ye Erniang, violating the great precept; later my son was abducted, I knew it was my enemy's doing, and I blamed myself day and night, yet I had no face to see Erniang again."

Upon hearing of her death, this humble monk also wished to follow her to the netherworld; but not knowing whether my child was dead or alive, this humble monk felt unwilling, and thus has clung to life until now.

In fact, back then Lady Ye Erniang's father fell gravely ill; Xuanci went to treat him and saved her father's life.

Lady Ye Erniang was both grateful and admiring, and thus offered herself; it was not that Xuanci intentionally lured her. But since Lady Ye Erniang is dead, Xuanci has taken all the blame upon himself.

Bao BuTong coldly laughed: "Your child is certainly not dead; otherwise Xiao Yuanshan wouldn't claim he was justified."

"Patron Bao, whether it's me or your Murong family, since there is a cause, there must be an effect," Xuanci's voice remained peaceful and tranquil, as usual: "For me today, it is truly 'having sown an evil cause, one must reap a good result.'"

The heroes were utterly confused; they knew about the evil cause, but where is the good result?

"Junior Brother Xuji!" Xuanci proclaimed loudly: "This humble monk has violated the Buddhist great precept, tarnishing the Young Forest Temple's pure reputation. According to the temple's precepts, how should we be punished?"

Xuji's face changed, and he said: "This... senior brother..."

Xuanci said solemnly: "A state has its laws, a family its rules. Throughout history, any sect, clan, or temple inevitably has unworthy disciples. Preserving a pure reputation does not lie in seeking that no one ever breaks the rules, but in ensuring that every offense is punished according to law, without the slightest leniency."

Xuji put his palms together and said: "Yes!"

"Xuanci has violated the lust precept; the punishment is to be publicly struck heavily one hundred times. Xuanci, do you accept this?"

Xuanci said: "As abbot, Xuanci's guilt should be doubled; enforcing monk, strike Xuanci heavily two hundred times. The Young Forest Temple's reputation is at stake; no favoritism or fraud."

Saying this, he knelt on the ground, facing afar the Buddha statue in the Young Forest Temple's Mahavira Hall, lifted his monk's robe himself, exposing his back, and supported himself with both hands.

Exclamations arose repeatedly in the crowd, and everyone stared intently at Xuanci.

That the Young Forest Temple's abbot would receive punishment before the heroes is unprecedented in hundreds of years, and likely will never happen again; truly shocking to hear.

Xuji said: "Senior brother, you..."

Xuanci shouted sternly: "How can the Young Forest Temple's pure reputation of hundreds of years be ruined in my hands?"

Xuji said through tears: "Yes! Enforcing monk, carry out the punishment."

The two enforcing monks put their palms together, bowed, and said: "Abbot, we offend you." Then they straightened, raised the punishment rod, and struck Xuanci's back.

"Pa—"

"One!"

"Two!" "..."

"Fifteen..."

"Fifty..."

The enforcing monks knew that for the abbot receiving punishment, the hardest part was not the physical pain but the public humiliation; if they showed leniency, others would notice and give them cause for talk.

Then the abbot's action would lose its meaning, yield no result; therefore they struck blow after blow.

Only the sound of pa-pa was heard continuously; in a moment, fresh blood flowed from Xuanci's back and thighs, splashing his monk's robe.

"Eighty!"

Everyone being martial artists, seeing his blood flow all over the ground, a most pitiable sight, they all felt compassion.

The Venerable Daoching of Pudu Temple suddenly said: "Senior Brother Xuji, your temple respects the Buddhist precepts; the abbot receiving punishment together, this humble monk admires greatly."

However, Elder Brother Xuanci is advanced in age and refuses to use inner energy to protect himself; these two hundred blows he cannot endure.

This humble monk presumes to make a plea: so far eighty blows have been struck; the remaining number, let's record it for now and administer them all together later!

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"Yes, yes!"

Some were on bad terms with the Young Forest Temple, but the Young Forest Temple's monks, while traveling abroad, had made many friends outside the sect; among the arriving heroes, quite a few were close friends of the Xuán- and Huì-generation monks, and some also responded in kind: "Let us also plead for mercy."

The Shaolin Temple's precepts are strict and upright, worthy of the leader of the martial world.

Xuánjì had not yet answered, Xuáncí spoke loudly: "Many thanks for everyone's kind intentions, but the precepts are like a mountain, cannot be lenient."

Discipline monks, quickly use the staff.

The two discipline monks had already paused the punishment, but hearing the abbot's firm resolve, they had no choice but to resume striking in earnest.

Xuáncí did not use internal energy to protect his body, could no longer hold up; his hands supporting the ground went limp, and his face touched the dust.

Duàn Yù suddenly stepped forward, palms together, and said: "The sages say, knowing one's faults and being able to change is the greatest virtue; the Buddha said, lay down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha instantly."

This means that if one has the heart to atone, one's sins are already gone. Abbot, since you are willing to accept punishment publicly, why cling to the number of strokes?

"The layperson has lofty Zen nature!" Xuáncí raised his head, gave a slight smile: "The physical body is merely form, life and death are but a snap of the fingers, good and evil lie only in a single thought."

Xuáncí himself knew he had violated the great precept; previously he dared not confess to the monastic community, but today he could be liberated in one fell swoop, henceforth free of burdens and fear, his mind at ease.

Duàn Yù listened and was stunned; he understood, Xuáncí had already arisen with a resolve to die.

Bāo Bùtóng sneered: "Young Master Duàn, Abbot Xuáncí said the physical body is merely form; do you understand?"

Duàn Yù, how could he not know his meaning, he said in a trembling voice: "My Buddhist studies are insufficient; I cannot attain that level!"

Ā Zǐ spat: "Surname Bāo, your stinking mouth is truly despicable!" Her body swayed, she waved her palm, a gust of wind straight toward Bāo Bùtóng's chest.

She moved like lightning, her palm strike like wind; Bāo Bùtóng felt pain in his chest and immediately fell to the ground.

In an instant Ā Zǐ was before him, she kicked toward Bāo Bùtóng's mouth.

Dèng Bǎichuān and Gōng Yěqián only then reacted, each thrusting a fierce palm toward Ā Zǐ.

Ā Zǐ waved both palms, with two peng-peng sounds; Dèng Bǎichuān and Gōng Yěqián stumbled back three steps, fell seated, spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, one's complexion ashen, the other's pallid gold.

Fēng Bōè swung a knife at her; Ā Zǐ flicked her bare hand, already seized the blade, and with a backhand cut toward his neck.

Duàn Yù and Ā Zhū exclaimed in unison: "Ā Zǐ, no…"

Ā Zǐ gave an angry snort, paused the knife in her hand, kicked Bāo Bùtóng's mouth, turned her wrist, struck Fēng Bōè's neck with the back of the blade, and he immediately went limp.

Bāo Bùtóng's throat emitted a hoarse sound, with a puff, he spat out a mouthful of blood mixed with several teeth.

Ā Zǐ flicked her hand, planted the knife before Fēng Bōè, clapped her hands and said: "You are full of yin-yang strangeness, making people loathe you. I do not kill you not because I fear your Murong family, but because I fear my husband would resent me for being too ruthless."

You also know he is highly capable, lenient in management, kind-hearted, and I dislike listening to lectures; thus I can only spare you again.

But one or two times is enough; if you bully my foolish brother again, I will take your life!

Bāo Bùtóng assumed a fearless stance, staring at Ā Zǐ with boundless anger.

Ā Zǐ giggled: "Surname Bāo, I hate being stared at the most; you say, do I dare to gouge out your eyes?"

Upon hearing this, Bāo Bùtóng immediately turned his head.

He fears neither death, nor the Shaolin monks, nor Feng Yi, only fears Ā Zǐ.

Because her martial arts are high, and she comes from the Xingxiu sect, she is utterly lawless; killing herself would settle everything, feeling refreshed; if she really gouged out her own eyes, one cannot imagine.

The heroes thought: "Truly evil meets evil retribution; that Bāo Bùtóng with his foul mouth scolds people daily, but meeting Ā Zǐ, this female demon star, is also unfortunate." Especially among the Beggars' Sect, many held grudges against him.

Ā Zǐ saw Bāo Bùtóng dare not look at her again, she gave a puffed laugh, her eyes rolled, seeing Xuáncí still undergoing punishment, she thought he had harmed women and refused responsibility, enduring this torment was also just deserts; she then lazily turned away, walked to Ā Zhū's side, and smiled: "Elder sister, will you accompany your parents, or come with me…" she gestured toward the Shaolin Temple.

Ā Zhū immediately understood, whispered: "Can we go?" She also cared for the Xiao and Murong fathers and sons.

Ā Zǐ linked arms with her, saying: "Leave it to me." Having said that, she pulled Ā Zhū along, leisurely like outing tourists, heading toward the Shaolin Temple.

The Shaolin monks and the heroes were all watching Abbot Xuáncí endure the punishment; no one paid attention.

After the two hundred blows were finished, Xuáncí's fresh blood flowed all over the ground; he barely lifted a breath of true qi to protect his heart, lest he faint from pain.

The two discipline monks raised the punishment staff, and reported to Xuánjì: "Report to the chief, Abbot Xuáncí's punishment is finished."

Xuánjì gave a slight nod, then was speechless for a moment.

Xuáncí struggled to stand and said: "I, Xuáncí, have violated the great Buddhist precept; my virtue is greatly deficient, unfit to lead the Buddhist treasures; from today onward, the position of Shaolin abbot shall be transferred to the chief of the temple's Discipline Institute, Xuánjì."

Xuánjì stepped forward, bowed with palms together, tears streaming, and said: "I receive the decree."

Duàn Yù again said to Xuáncí: "Master, you have not yet seen your son; now undergoing punishment and accepting guilt, you may well cultivate Buddhism in seclusion; be sure not to do foolish things!"

"Excellent, excellent!" Xuáncí sighed with palms together: "Prince Duàn of Dàlǐ Duàn lineage, profound Buddhist learning; you should know Buddha-nature is like the sea—whether it concerns son or monastic community, knowing or not knowing, it is all emptiness."

Duàn Yù's eyes grew hot as he said: "Master, what you say is reasonable, but I somehow feel uneasy in my heart."

I feel sorrow for you, and also for your son; if you cannot meet face to face, it is truly regrettable.

Xuáncí smiled, then said: "Birth and death in reincarnation are the great Dao; without death there is no birth; in this world, people have desires and love, illusory bubbles, all false; afflictions bring much suffering, liberation brings joy! Amitābha!" Having said that, he covertly circulated internal energy, shattered his meridians, slowly closed his eyes, with a serene expression.

When the heroes first heard that the Shaolin Temple abbot Xuáncí violated the precepts, they felt great contempt; but seeing him openly endure punishment to uphold Shaolin's reputation, such great courage is beyond ordinary people.

Moreover, by enduring this heavy punishment he could atone for his momentary misstep.

Who would have expected that after finishing the staff punishment and transmitting the abbot's position, he would immediately sever his own meridians.

Originally, after death everything would be settled; since he had already harbored a death wish, his transgression of lust need not be spoken; he could have had a Murong retainer defame Shaolin's reputation and kill him, thus avoiding the shame of these two hundred strokes; but he did not conceal his fault, determined first to endure humiliation and accept the punishment to protect Shaolin's reputation, then die—this is the conduct of a true hero.

The heroes admired his character; many approached his corpse and bowed deeply.

Suddenly someone shouted: "You Murong family forced the Shaolin abbot to death, merely trying to fish in troubled waters—truly despicable!"

"That's right; they know the Murong father and son cannot match the Xiao father and son, they wanted to help but were blocked by Shaolin Temple, so they sought to destroy Shaolin's reputation to cause chaos!"

Many heroes resented Mùróng Bó for stirring up the world out of private interest; added to the fame of Gūsū Mùróng, they had offended many; now they also offended Shaolin, each shouting curses and rushing toward Dèng Bǎichuān and others.

Dèng Bǎichuān and company never expected their scheme to backfire; seeing the crowd's fury, their faces changed dramatically.

Duàn Yù saw Wáng Yǔyān's face ashen, his heart startled; he rushed forward, waving his hands, saying: "Why argue here? Let's all go to Shaolin Temple together!"

Perhaps my brother-in-law has already turned the enmity between the Xiao and Murong families into harmony?

Upon hearing this, everyone also looked toward the Shaolin Temple and the Beggars' Sect members, for they are the pillars of the martial world.

Xuánjì said to the Beggars' Sect Elder Lǚ: "Elder Lǚ, let us all go to our temple to see what's happening."

He also worried that these few great masters might cause irreparable trouble in the temple.

Elder Lǚ nodded: "Excellent! Brothers of the Beggars' Sect, let us all go to Shaolin Temple!"

At once the Shaolin monks led the way, the Beggars' Sect and Central Plains heroes shouted in unison, and rushed up the mountain.

Wang Yuyan urgently said, "Quickly go!" As she spoke, she quickened her pace and ran; suddenly she saw Duan Yu following beside her, slightly furrowed her brow, thought for a moment, and said, "Young Master Duan, thank you."

Duan Yu waved his hand and said, "No need, no need! Miss Wang, my father is there; I'll take you to see my father, all right? My father will surely like you upon seeing you."

He and Wang Yuyan had repeatedly endured hardships together, traveled long distances side by side, and spent considerable time together, but Duan Yu never mentioned his own background to her.

In his heart, he never considered being a prince an honor; Wang Yuyan was a celestial maiden, he was merely a mundane mortal, and in the eyes of a celestial maiden, what difference could there be between a prince and a commoner?

Wang Yuyan's face flushed red, she shook her head and said, "I won't see."

Duan Yu said, "Why won't you see?"

Wang Yuyan's face grew even redder, and she was momentarily speechless.

Wang Yuyan had repeatedly risked her life to save Duan Yu; deep down she remembered his sincerity and felt grateful, yet she never took his person to heart, his constant presence beside her often made her cousin's expression displeased.

Afraid that her cousin would suspect something, Wang Yuyan only wished he would stay as far away as possible; although she was curious about his father, how could she go see him?

Seeing her remain silent for a long time, Duan Yu, eager to please, said, "My brother-in-law's martial arts are superb; he is never eager to fight, so the two sides could not come to blows, and Young Master Murong will surely be unharmed."

As he spoke, his heart jolted: "My brother-in-law went a little late; my older brother is incomparably brave—if he had already beaten Young Master Murong to death with a few punches and kicks, then… what should be done? If Young Master Murong dies, Miss Wang will be grief-stricken to the point of despair, spending her life in sorrow and loneliness."

Wang Yuyan also showed a hint of surprise and asked softly, "You also wish for my cousin's safety?"

Duan Yu said, "That's only natural!"

He loved Wang Yuyan deeply, yet he harbored no thought that if Murong Fu died, his chance to marry Wang Yuyan would greatly increase; saying this with a strained smile, he said, "In this life I only wish you happiness; if you and Young Master Murong become husband and wife, I cannot come, but if you pour a few cups of wine beside the camellias I planted by hand at Man Tuo Mountain Villa, that will be enough for me."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yuyan couldn't help recalling what he had done at the Wuxi Mill; she felt both shy and anxious, her face flaming red, and she spat, "You're talking nonsense again!"

Duan Yu's face showed a pained expression as he shook his head and said, "No, no. I'm not talking nonsense; I'm merely bewitched, a toad craving swan meat."

However, I have already said this to General Li Yanzong: Miss Wang is the swan, I am the toad; the metaphor is quite apt. But this toad of mine is different—I only wish to glance at the swan a few times; that wish alone is enough, I desire nothing else.

Wang Yuyan felt a slight tightness in her chest and thought, "If my cousin could treat me as he does, how wonderful that would be."

But upon thinking that, she immediately felt ashamed, feeling she had let her cousin down, and she quickened her steps, rushing toward the Shaolin Temple.

……

Feng Yi entered the Shaolin Temple, focusing his hearing; all movements within several miles were caught in his ears, and following the sound he went ever deeper into seclusion, arriving at a grove beside the temple.

He saw a bluestone path winding through the woods; without thinking further, he darted a few steps, turned several bends, and suddenly the view opened up—a pavilion built beside the water, with a plaque above its gate reading "Scripture Pavilion" in three characters.

Feng Yi thought, "This world-famous Shaolin Scripture Pavilion is actually built beside the water and far from other buildings—is it to prevent fire from destroying the scriptures? But water is just as well, isn't it?"

Suddenly a mighty voice rang out from high within the pavilion: "No!"

The speaker was none other than Xiao Feng; hearing a crackling sound—the noise of wood splintering and weapons falling—he heard Xiao Feng say: "How can a mortal grudge against one's mother be treated as a business transaction? Whether you rely on A Zhu's affection or Jumozhi's power, if this vengeance can be avenged, avenge it; if not, then my father and I will die here together. Such sordid deeds—how could they befit the Xiao father and son?"

Feng Yi inwardly praised, "Sure enough, Xiao Feng is Xiao Feng"—with a single leap like a bird diving into the forest, he floated into the Scripture Pavilion, his feet not yet touching the ground, when he suddenly heard Murong Bo give a long laugh, and at the same moment it seemed as if someone whispered beside his ear, "You've come!"

This caused Feng Yi to startle greatly. (End of chapter)