Chapter 244: Sending the Buddha to the West

You Tanzi saw that this palm would take Xiao Yuanshan's life, but he felt a surge of heat rising; Xiao Yuanshan's whole body seemed to have erected a qi wall, like copper walls and iron bars, also like a clump of cotton fluff; his palm could not advance even half an inch.

You Tanzi understood the danger, leapt back hastily; even so, he felt his palm grow hot. Looking up, he saw a monk in green robes standing beside Xiao Yuanshan.

Everyone saw that when the old monk moved, his robes did not flutter, his knees did not bend, seeming like falling fluff and drifting smoke; without lifting his feet or moving his hands, he caused You Tanzi to startle and flee.

Xiao Feng, Murong Fu and the others didn't think much of it, but the martial world heroes rushing up from behind were all alarmed — to find such a master in Shaolin Temple, truly worthy of being the orthodox lineage of martial arts. The field fell silent for a moment.

You Tanzi clenched his fists, wanting to speak, but his throat was dry and he could not utter a word.

He thought he had inherited the 'God of the Wind' legacy, that he could continue his myth and be invincible under heaven. Who would have thought that upon arriving at this Shaolin Temple, whoever he met he could not defeat,

Xiao Feng, Xiao Yuanshan, and Feng Yi are all top-notch masters of the present age, each renowned throughout the martial world — so it's no surprise.

I have only trained martial arts for two years, yet what background does this dying old monk have?

At this moment Feng Yi let out a long, loud laugh that shook the ears, saying: "Master, as the saying goes: repay virtue with virtue, repay hatred with justice. Since Xiao Yuanshan has attained great enlightenment and wishes to sever his grudges, letting You Tanzi take revenge — both actions are in accordance with nature. Your forcible interference makes the saying 'all four are empty' a joke."

He had the mind to challenge the old monk, but taking advantage of Xiao Feng's having injured him, he also did not want to exploit that.

Therefore, having previously blocked Xiao Feng's palm, he increasingly felt that facing this prime old man, his chances of victory were slim.

Hearing of You Tanzi's arrival, (he) hoped he would muddy the waters, and wanted to see how the old monk would handle this.

After all, to save a person one must save them completely; to send off the Buddha, one must send him all the way to the West.

Just as he today has come to blows with the sweeping monk, he cannot retreat; likewise, the old monk's act of saving people is the same. To blunt sharpness and resolve disputes has never been easy.

If one gives up halfway, it becomes a joke.

Without a diamond drill, don't take on porcelain work; this principle holds at all times.

Putting it more plainly, Feng Yi's move is not about the grudge between You Tanzi and Xiao Yuanshan; it is aimed at breaking the old monk's Dharma.

The old monk can make Xiao Yuanshan attain great enlightenment, but surely he cannot make You Tanzi and Xiao Feng also attain great enlightenment!

Only hearing the old monk smile and say: "Repaying hatred with justice is not bad either, but that layman's followers surely have not few lives; if we are to repay hatred with justice, what about those people's lives?"

How could the old monk not know that You Tanzi's appearance would completely thwart his schemes?

Feng Yi greatly fears him, and the old monk is no different.

These two are rare great masters; having clashed twice, each has his strengths, and they both know that today's battle is inevitable.

The side that strikes first, if not calculating very precisely, may gain an advantage at the outset; but once the attack is launched, its own defensive position will inevitably weaken accordingly — this is the exploitable opportunity.

In front of the visiting eminent monk and the assembled masters, the old monk assumed an inscrutable demeanor and converted the most troublesome figures in the martial world, Xiao Yuanshan and Murong Bo!

Therefore, he himself may lose, but Shaolin cannot afford to lose.

Especially now, with thousands of martial artists having gathered, if the sweeping monk truly had an empty mind, why would he sweep day after day?

Feng Yi, meanwhile, constantly thinks of coming to Shaolin Temple to seek the sweeping monk; for him, defeat is not unthinkable. Yet he possesses divine skill, having cultivated in a deep valley for two years and received guidance for over a year from the unparalleled martial master Huang Shang; if he were to lose, it would seem as if Huang Shang too were overwhelmed by the sweeping monk, thus imposing great pressure on him.

Thus, from the start both observed each other's strengths and weaknesses, accumulating strength and momentum; now, before these martial heroes, the sweeping monk naturally would not say that Xiao Yuanshan has already brandished the butcher's knife, nor that others should not seek revenge.

But if one sees Xiao Yuanshan being beaten to death by You Tanzi, Xiao Feng will certainly have to avenge his father, and he cannot ask Xiao Feng not to take revenge.

Feng Yi laughed: "I have killed many; whoever is able, come take revenge — I have never let anyone forget…" As he said this, his heart gave a sudden thump; he felt he had fallen into a trap.

This has become a matter of judging right and wrong by strength alone.

"Amitabha!" the old monk said, pressing his palms together: "All forms are not forms, clouds empty yet not empty; the lay elder Xiao has entered the Buddhist gate to atone for past sins, all thanks to the old monk. If lay follower You wishes to take revenge, he should seek the old monk. For each person the elder Xiao has killed, strike the old monk with a palm, until your heart harbors no more hatred."

You Tanzi heard this and was startled, saying: "I have no grudge with you, why should I strike you?"

Feng Yi gave a faint smile and said: "This master possesses vast supernatural powers; even if you strike with all your might, even striking until tomorrow, you cannot injure him in the slightest." He recalled the incident where Kongjian let Xie Xun strike him.

Everyone also recalled that the sweeping monk, without lifting hands or feet, had his internal qi naturally surge forth, lifting Xuansheng and others, and even bouncing Murong Fu and You Tanzi away; with such supernatural ability, how could You Tanzi possibly injure him in the slightest? This old monk is just speaking empty words.

The old monk furrowed his brows and said: "I have cultivated nearly a hundred years more than lay follower You; if I protected myself with internal energy, that would indeed be unfair."

In that case, the old monk will not protect himself with internal energy nor fight back; as long as you can injure me, you may then take revenge, and the old monk will not intervene. If you cannot injure me, let this matter end here — how does that sound?

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned.

Including Feng Yi, the same — does this old monk truly possess the great compassion of cutting flesh to feed eagles?

Xiao Yuanshan said: "Master……"

"Amitabha!" the old monk said, pressing his palms together: "To save a person one must save them completely; to send off the Buddha, one must send him all the way to the West."

Although you have remorse, Xiao Gang leader killed you, and your son will surely avenge you; thus there will be no end, and all this should be settled by the old monk!

You Tanzi knew the old monk had promised before the crowd, with no chance of regret, and said: "Old monk, I must take revenge; if you stubbornly block me and die, don't blame me!"

The old monk smiled and said: "Your abilities and those of Layman Feng stem from the same source; killing me would not be in vain."

Feng Yi's heart chilled; he secretly lamented that the old monk's eyes were venomously sharp, having even perceived this — likely from his posture and steps.

He also wanted to see how the old monk could resist You Tanzi without using internal energy or fighting back.

You Tanzi listened, dazed for a moment, then suddenly shifted his stance, crossed his fists, and thrust his right fist toward the old monk's chest.

But as his fist met the chest and the force was about to be released, the old monk gave a slight smile and suddenly stepped left.

You Tanzi hastily turned his body and lashed out with his left fist; the onlookers several zhang away felt the wind blade their faces like knives, those of low skill felt as if a boulder pressed on them, while those who could muster strength to resist did so, and others hastily retreated.

Who would have expected the old monk to retreat another step, more than a zhang away; You Tanzi's mind and spirit shook, his strength vanished, and in the hurried moment without time to think, he shot forth like an arrow from a bow, unleashing a flurry of punches, striking like lightning, fiercely lunging at the old monk, the wind fierce and the force oppressive.

Yet just as You Tanzi's right fist touched the chest and his left fist had not yet followed through, the old monk's figure vanished.

Feng Yi slowly raised his head, gazing at the heavens; Azhi knew he was pondering some difficult problem and asked: "What's wrong?"

Feng Yi sighed: "This brat will vomit blood and collapse within ten moves."

Azhi was startled, yet saw the two exchanging blows like a rabbit's start and a hawk's fall; You Tanzi's fists followed one another, each faster and fiercer than the last; suddenly, he let out a muffled groan, staggered like a drunkard, and retreated.

Only to see You Tanzi's face flush with a crimson hue, his throat emitting a series of gurgling sounds; suddenly his eyes rolled up, he spat a mouthful of black blood, and collapsed face-up.

The old monk stood with palms together, calm and composed.

Everyone was greatly astonished; You Tanzi had earlier exchanged blows with Xiao Feng and Xiao Yuanshan, whose power was unmatched, yet the old monk, without throwing a single strike, caused him to vomit blood and collapse — such ability truly seems like a descent of gods and buddhas.

You Tanzi only felt his meridians unblocked and his body grow lighter, yet his heart was filled with despair, murmuring: "Father, mother, uncle, I am incapable; I cannot avenge you."

Suddenly Feng Yi burst into laughter: "Excellent, excellent! The master lured the enemy to vomit blood, then healed his internal injuries with supreme supernatural power — truly brilliant, but how does this square with 'all forms are not forms, clouds empty yet not empty'?"

The old monk gave a faint smile and said: "Layman, you are wise and accomplished, yet why cannot you perceive the fleeting world? Do you not know that emptiness and non-emptiness lie only in a single thought?"

Originally You Tanzhi had previously been injured by Feng Yi's yin-cold true qi; this time, in his duel with the sweeping monk, although he vomited blood and fell, after vomiting black blood his chest felt very comfortable.

Feng Yi smiled and said: "Alright, you're formidable, whatever you say is right!"

He looked at You Tanzhi and said lightly: "Even a defeated general must have the bearing of a defeated general; what are you doing lying on the ground?"

You Tanzhi sprang up with a jerk, bowed his body, dared not meet Feng Yi's gaze; he faintly guessed who the "God of the Wind" was, and felt he had disgraced this master.

Feng Yi sighed and said: "I've long said your strength is too direct; you still don't understand flexibility."

The Great Subduing Demon Fist has extraordinary power, supremely great and firm, yet extreme firmness is easily broken; the creator of this fist art was a great adept of the Dao, also versed in Confucian and Buddhist principles, thus naturally has a way of flexibility.

You have only learned the superficial; your strength is too direct and forceful. When you meet a master, they deliberately reveal a flaw to lure you in; if your strike misses, the opponent will surely launch a fierce counterattack. Therefore, when you strike, you must use only thirty to forty percent of your strength, reserving sixty to seventy percent as reserve power to adapt.

But you just charge like a mad bull; when your whole body's power is about to be released to strike the enemy, you lose the target, your internal energy is trapped inside and cannot dissipate, yet you keep accelerating its release—how could you not lose?

What he said are extremely profound and exquisite martial principles; many people simply don't understand, and You Tanzhi is also somewhat confused.

Feng Yi then said: "As the military classics say, if you cannot strike straight, you must seek the curve; the way of martial arts is the same. Your natural talent is not shallow, you have cultivated an outstanding internal strength, but you must read more and comprehend the winding, indirect path."

When facing an opponent, be swift yet with slowness; when releasing power, be direct yet with curves, curves yet with directness; if you do not strike the opponent, never easily reveal your true strength; even if others have great skill, they cannot easily see through your foundation.

This causes them not only to rely on the notion of anticipating the enemy, but after defeating you they also healed your injury—what standing do you have left to seek revenge?

Originally, You Tanzhi exerted force with every punch, yet each move fell short; his internal energy was trapped, making his body feel bloated and uncomfortable, and each punch intensified this feeling.

But eager to win, he threw out dozens of punches, only to make himself vomit blood from holding his breath.

Feng Yi's eyes flashed with a gleam, landing on the sweeping monk's face, and he said lightly: "Great master, like a Buddha, like a sage, you naturally have the wondrous method of bodhi; after saying all this, your expended energy should also have recovered."

I also have my own reasoning and thoughts; I have no choice but to ask the master for a few more pointers."

Saying this, he rolled up his long robe, his feet planted firm, his aura solemn, like a deep pool and a towering mountain.

On the rear mountain, instantly all fell silent; thousands of heroes held their breath and focused, all wishing to carefully witness Feng Yi's marvelous technique.

Xiao Feng and his father, Murong Bo and his son, among other experts, also stared unblinking. To them, only the duel between Feng Yi and the sweeping monk would be a sight to behold.

The old monk sighed, clasped his hands together, and said: "Layman, you are open and upright, and with so many martial friends, mutually verifying is perfectly fine."

Originally, Feng Yi wanted to duel with the sweeping monk, and he did not wish to take advantage; otherwise he would not have gone to block Xiao Feng's palm strike.

The sweeping monk treated Xiao Yuanshan and Murong Bo's injuries, also expending considerable true strength himself; Feng Yi refrained from attacking, partly out of wariness, partly hoping the monk would recover so they could fight openly. Now Feng Yi feels it's about time.

Dealing with You Tanzhi, this inexperienced country bumpkin, truly required no effort; Feng Yi naturally overlooked this factor.

Feng Yi clasped his hands in a fist salute and shouted: "Excuse me!"

His clothing and hair fluttered; suddenly a white trace appeared under his feet, speeding toward the old monk's feet; everyone instantly felt a chill, their skin aching.

Then the old monk said, "Good!" his white beard fluttering, feet unmoving, hands still, only watching that white trace three feet before him, writhing like a live snake, unable to advance an inch.

Feng Yi's body shifted slightly, the white trace suddenly veered to the right, like a wisp of smoke, avoiding the monk's front and circling to his back.

This time Feng Yi's attack differed from before; he deeply knew that Shaolin martial arts emphasize yang hardness, he had once absorbed the ice silkworm, not only greatly increasing his strength, but now he intentionally exerted yin-cold force.

This yin-cold qi was like an invisible, formless silken sword wrapped around the finger, ever-changing, filling the space within several zhang with a bone-piercing cold.

Even Xiao Feng and others with deep internal strength shivered; the outer spectators seemed to have malaria, trembling nonstop, retreating continually until they were ten zhang away before feeling some relief.

The old monk lowered his brows and closed his eyes, still standing in place; his figure was like a small boat in a stormy sea, swaying unsteadily.

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But no matter how this cold current was manipulated, once it reached three feet before him, it was like a fish entering the sea.

Instead, waves of warmth began to spread in all directions, as if suddenly shifting from deep winter to early spring; the surrounding air also became mild and humid.

Feng Yi's heart jolted; he never expected this old man's internal strength to be so profound!

For he exerted himself thus, the old monk not only had to resist his own internal strength but also cope with the yin-cold force, inevitably consuming a bit more true qi than Feng Yi; yet at present this situation is merely like dropping a stone into a lake, causing only slight ripples.

Feng Yi repeatedly probed, but the old monk remained unmoved; he immediately laughed loudly: "Master, you're formidable!"

At that moment he raised his right hand and slowly pushed it forward.

You Tanzhi suddenly shouted loudly: "Great Subduing Demon Fist!"

Feng Yi laughed heartily; he wanted to let everyone see the true Great Subduing Demon Fist from the Nine Yin True Classic, so he employed it—his attack was slow yet both offensive and defensive, his force seeming both straight and curved, as if moving up and down, the fist wind soundless, yet the trees at the edge of the forest seemed to sway.

All the experts knew that Feng Yi's internal strength was contained and not released, but once obstructed, it would surely explode like a stone shattering the sky.

The old monk clasped his hands, his sleeves billowed, and he lightly separated his hands.

"Prajna Palm!"

Xiao Yuanshan, Murong Bo, and the Shaolin monks all recognized it; this is the move "Gorge Heavenly Wind!"

The sweeping monk seemed to exert no effort, yet it was like a stone wall erected before him; two great forces met in midair, with a crackling sound, energy waves surging; everyone felt a fierce blast hit their faces, even ten zhang away their breath was taken away.

The sweeping monk's robe billowed like a lake blown by wind, forming ripples all around.

Feng Yi's clothing and hair fluttered even more, his upper body swayed slightly; he grunted, his fist force contracted, and his left middle finger flicked out.

"Whoosh—" a strong wind pierced the Prajna Palm's force, its strength undiminished, straight for the old monk's heart.

The old monk laughed and said: "What strong finger strength, but do you have a technique?"

Feng Yi proclaimed loudly: "Heroes arise in each generation, each leading the trend for hundreds of years."

The old monk smiled and said: "Good, let's see how my One-Finger Zen works!" He placed his palm before his chest, his index finger suddenly jabbed forward, and a gentle force met it.

Feng Yi had long known the name of Shaolin's One-Finger Zen and did not dare to underestimate it; when the two finger forces collided, Feng Yi, having reserved strength before his strike, suddenly changed his move, swinging his left palm to trace a strange arc and strike downward at the empty space above his own head.

Several great experts were puzzled, thinking Feng Yi was striking himself, unaware that under a rhythm imperceptible to the naked eye, his palm slanted downward, his palm force turning into an arc, scattering and causing the surrounding air to vibrate rapidly, thus creating this illusion.

"Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms!"

Xiao Feng's eyes brightened.

The sweeping monk knew this palm force was like a dome, spreading evenly in all directions; besides meeting it head‑on there was no other way, he pointed a finger, and wherever the fingertip reached, Feng Yi's palm wind was disturbed, producing a humming sound.

The sweeping monk's heart startled, and he hastily retreated.

For having pierced Feng Yi's palm force, at first it was easy, but as he advanced forward the resistance grew greater, truly like furious waves, one wave after another rolling over.

The sweeping monk, an enlightened master, even the obscure Xiao Yao Sect knows of him; this shows his broad learning, for ordinary experts' fists and palms often contain layers of force, one layer following another like surging waves, making it hard to cope.

But when such force has three layers, it is truly remarkable—for example, in the original storyline Xiao Feng admired the "Yangtze Triple Wave" and "One Mountain Higher Than Another", which are the work of the martial arts master Tan Gong.

Having six or seven layers would be even more amazing.

Who would have thought Feng Yi's palm force actually has thirteen layers, pushing forward and backward, unstoppable.

Moreover, his thirteen layers of force, without breaking or resisting twelve layers, he fundamentally doesn't know the specifics, only feeling the force like a surging tide, continuous and endless.

The Sweeping Monk's finger force continuously broke through Feng Yi's seven layers of palm power, but he didn't know how many layers Feng Yi still had; after he himself broke through and exhausted his breath, if the opponent seized the opportunity, one strike would win, so he could only retreat temporarily to avoid the sharpness.

All the heroes watching from the sidelines are experts in martial arts.

Seeing Feng Yi's moves like a divine dragon from beyond the heavens, heavy as light, ever-changing, everyone couldn't help but admire in their hearts.

Xiao Feng secretly thought: 'Feng Yi and this old monk's internal strength is above mine, needless to say, and the speed of his changing moves is also beyond me; if it were a one-on-one duel, how should I respond?'

Feng Yi gained the upper hand; when the Sweeping Monk leapt back, Feng Yi followed like a shadow, his palm force issued again; the Sweeping Monk spread his hands, a thick, heavy, condensing qi wall blocked the Dragon Subduing Palm force.

With a 'bang' sound, a violent shock erupted, like mountains collapsing and seas tsunami, a tearing sound.

Feng Yi slowly retracted his left palm and swiftly issued his right palm, striking like lightning.

The Sweeping Monk, under Feng Yi's continuous attacks, had no room to change moves, also pushed out a palm, solidly clashed in one move, with a 'peng' sound,

Strong wind burst forth, the wind sound carrying a moving, heart-shaking tremulous howl.

Fortunately, those nearby with extremely high concentration were masters; ordinary people would have already collapsed to the ground.

Feng Yi only felt his arm numb, blood and qi surging, as if about to burst out of his brain; the Sweeping Monk also felt his meridians tremble, each retreating over a zhang.

The old monk stared at his palm in amazement: 'Master Feng, your palm technique is not only the Beggar Sect's orthodox transmission of the Dragon Subduing Twenty-Eight Palms, but also the essence of the Free and Easy Sect's palm technique; how is this possible?'

This was his first time exchanging palms with Feng Yi; his meridians felt the true power, noticing the difference from the 'Dragon Subduing Twenty-Eight Palms'.

'You don't know!' A Zi laughed: 'My elder brother is not only the Beggar Sect's guardian Dharma, but also the head of the Free and Easy Sect; therefore his palm technique is the Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms, not the Dragon Subduing Twenty-Eight Palms!'

The Sweeping Monk nodded and said: 'You can integrate the Free and Easy Sect's essence into the Beggar Sect's supreme art; truly a great innovation, no wonder your palm force has endless lingering power, this is the incorporation of Daoist learning, amazing, amazing!'

Feng Yi laughed: 'Divine monk, your insight is excellent; you saw through my basics at a glance, but the way of martial arts is different paths leading to the same goal; over the years, you have me in you and I have you in me; how could this be my own ability?'

Speaking, he issued a palm strike; the offensive momentum flickered unpredictably; halfway, his right palm issued again; where the palm wind arose, the broken stones and mud underfoot seemed to come alive, gurgling toward the Sweeping Monk.

The heroes watching from the sidelines, seeing this incomparably fierce and unmatched palm force, all sighed in admiration.

The Sweeping Monk also at the same time let out a loud shout: 'Good to come!' Both hands issued together, immense force pushing out empty space, rushing in four directions, flying earth and rolling stones, suspended and floating, lingering without falling.

Feng Yi laughed: 'Exhilarating!'

Issuing the 'Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms' palm after palm, simply unstoppable and unbreakable; the lingering force is even more continuous and enduring, never ceasing.

The old monk's wondrous techniques emerged endlessly, fast with slow, his moves seamless and dense, actually like a great river returning to the sea.

In the blink of an eye, the two fought ever more fiercely; when they stamped their feet and shouted, mountains shook and earth trembled; dust and sand on the ground rolled, as if swept up by a whirlwind, enveloping both in wind and sand.

All the heroes present, each a veteran of a hundred battles, watching this fierce fight, couldn't help but stare dumbfounded, hearts shaken.

Gradually, the two retreated farther and farther, their palm strikes slower and slower, yet the sound of the forceful wind not only did not diminish, the rushing air sound caused their ears to ring and hearts to pound.

This situation appears to have slowed considerably, yet heroes like Xiao Feng and his father, Murong and his father, etc., know this is outward relaxation but inner tension.

The slower the two issued their palms, the greater the force; whoever is slightly careless, not to mention the opponent exploiting an opening, even one's own internal force being forced onto a deviant path by the opponent, would die on the spot.

The heroes only saw the Sweeping Monk's robe sleeves swelling, faint white smoke rising from his head, knowing he had exerted extreme internal strength; however Feng Yi showed no abnormality, merely his face flushed red, expression solemn.

The heroes stared dumbfounded, thinking that even if Feng Yi's internal strength were deeper, his palm force so fierce, it could not be sustained.

Since ancient times, violent winds do not last the morning, sudden rains do not last the evening; the stronger the force, the less it can endure; this is the unchanging principle of all things.

Who would have thought Feng Yi possesses several supreme divine arts, also discussed martial arts with Guo Jing, once practiced palms in the sea; the force of this Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms alternates strong and weak, swallowing and exhaling, producing a subtle use of softness within utmost hardness, so the longer they fight, the longer the force endures.

Xiao Feng watched from the side, amazed and impressed, secretly thinking: 'Speaking of this Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms, if I wanted to exert such fierceness, I could probably do it, but to be like him, continuous and unceasing, enduring without decline, is not necessarily so.' Thinking again, he worried for the Sweeping Monk,

After all, the Sweeping Monk in this state, not a hundred years old, at least eighty or ninety; even if his skill is deep, his age is too high, his energy wanes, how can he compare to the young Feng Yi? I don't know if he can withstand it.

And when the outcome of these two is decided, will it instantly determine life or death?

Those from the Shaolin Temple side saw the old monk's white vapor above his head growing thicker; their hearts were like fifteen buckets hanging, seven up eight down; this is truly a living Bodhisattva!

After all, Abbot Xuan Ci has degraded the sect's style; having this venerable Bodhisattva can somewhat restore reputation; if there is a mistake, then...

A Zi and Mei Lan Zhu Ju etc., seeing Feng Yi's face red as blood, likewise felt their hearts startled without end,

Several girls who like to chatter now say nothing; it shows their worry has reached the extreme!

(End of chapter)