Chapter 24: Benefactor, please come inside!

Among the many peaks of Shaoshi, some peaks stand apart.

One peak is bright with sunshine, another peak is seen in snow.

In winter, Shaoshi Mountain, though still thick with jungle at its foot, already has withered grass and fallen leaves, showing the first signs of desolation.

Looking up, one can see swift emerald streams between the mountains, peaks crisscrossing all around, the distant Five‑Breast Peaks encircling, and nearby cliffs shrouded in drifting mist.

Not far away, a carriage suddenly appeared at a mountain bend, slowly moving up the mountain path, gradually disappearing into the clouds and mist.

Dong~

Dong~

When the carriage entered the mountains, a bell rang from deep within the clouds, echoing endlessly through the valley, cleansing the spirit and scattering worldly dust with its sound.

Young Master Niu, have we arrived at Shaoshi Mountain?

Inside the carriage, Miss Han, having heard the bell, was already awake, curious, and softly asked Niu Dingtian outside the carriage.

Niu Dingtian had originally been seated inside the carriage; seeing Miss Han asleep, he moved to the front of the carriage to admire the scenery of Shaoshi Mountain.

Miss Han, we have already entered the mountains; Shaolin Temple is not far.

Hearing this, Niu Dingtian outside the carriage pulled back the curtain, smiled toward the lady inside, replied, and then entered the carriage, beginning to chat with Miss Han.

Miss Han, how are you? Did you sleep soundly all the way?

Hearing Niu Dingtian's question, Miss Han, after regaining her composure, showed a slightly embarrassed smile.

Her frail body was already weary, and the carriage's inevitable jolts after entering the mountain acted like a hypnotic cradle; she fell into a deep sleep in no time, not expecting that so much time had passed when she awoke again.

Master Zhuang, we have arrived.

After a while, a voice from outside the carriage, Niu Ben's, sounded, conveniently easing Miss Han's awkwardness.

Niu Dingtian, hearing that, pulled back the curtain, looked up, and saw ahead

Dong dong dong~

After stepping out of the carriage, Niu Dingtian walked on the blue stone slabs, slowly approached the gate, and gently knocked on the temple door.

Creak

After a moment, the temple door was slowly opened by a young monk, about twenty years old.

Seeing that the knocker was a young man, the monk looked somewhat puzzled; after regaining his composure, he pressed his palms together, bowed toward Niu Dingtian, and said:

Benefactor, please understand, our temple is sealed, we do not receive outside guests; kindly return.

Having said that, he bowed again to Niu Dingtian.

Sir, I have some urgent matters and wish to see the abbot of your temple; please, young monk, convey my request.

Niu Dingtian was unsurprised; seeing this, he bowed to the monk and stated his purpose.

Benefactor, please wait; allow this humble monk to report first.

The monk hesitated briefly, but it was no surprise; every year there are outsiders seeking an audience with the abbot, yet he responded as usual and then closed the temple door again.

Niu Dingtian then stood at the temple entrance, surveying the surrounding scenery.

After a while,

Creak

The temple door was slowly opened again.

Facing them was an elderly Zen master, nearly sixty, with a kind face, wearing a kasaya, and holding prayer beads.

Behind him stood another accompanying monk, towering and imposing like an angry‑eyed arhat, though a few years younger.

Seeing a young man at the door, the old Zen master was slightly surprised, then clasped his hands and bowed toward Niu Dingtian, saying:

Amitabha, I, the abbot Jue Zhen of Shaolin Temple, wonder what this benefactor seeks from me? Our temple is sealed and does not receive outside guests for now; please understand.

Niu Dingtian, hearing this, did not overthink, mirrored the gesture, and with a devout expression replied:

Greetings, Abbot Jue Zhen, I am Niu Dingtian. My wife devoutly worships our Buddha; I have come to see you for two reasons: first, to donate one thousand taels of gold to the temple for the Buddha's rebirth; second, my wife has unfortunately been poisoned by the Iron Palm Technique, and after seeking medicine everywhere to no avail, I wish the high monks of your temple to intervene and relieve my disciple's suffering.

After speaking, Niu Dingtian turned and gave Niu Ben a signal toward the carriage.

Understanding, Niu Ben immediately brought out a rose‑silk‑covered rosewood tray from the carriage and hurried to Niu Dingtian's side.

Niu Dingtian lifted the tray, removed the silk, and saw the tray filled with gold ingots arranged side by side; counting them carefully, there were exactly one hundred.

Then he bowed to the abbot Jue Zhen before him and said:

This is a modest token of my gratitude; please accept it, and should my wife recover, I will offer further recompense!

Further recompense would be at least another thousand taels of gold!

Inside the temple, Jue Zhen exchanged a glance with the monk beside him, then subtly nodded.

Initially, after understanding the visitor's intent, he hesitated and considered refusing, but upon hearing Niu Dingtian's promise, he began to waver; the dazzling pile of gold before him stirred even the Buddha's heart.

He knew of the Iron Palm Technique's poison, and the senior monk Jue Xing of the Dharma Hall beside him could cure it.

However, under the mountain‑sealing regulations, Shaolin Temple does not wish to entangle itself with outsiders, especially since the reputation of 'Iron Palm Water‑Gliding' is famed throughout the jianghu; even as the abbot, he cannot easily...

Now Shaolin Temple has been sealed for over twenty years, and its expenses grow heavier each year; one thousand, even two thousand taels of gold would be a lifeline for the temple.

After a moment of contemplation, Jue Zhen clasped his hands and bowed to Niu Dingtian, saying:

Amitabha, benefactor, your kindness is noted; I thank you here!

Our Buddha saving a life is worth building a seven‑story pagoda; rescuing the dying and aiding the wounded is the very duty of a monk. Regarding your wife's injury, our humble temple will devote its full effort.

Benefactor, please come inside!

But still, why not prepare a guest room for Benefactor Niu and his wife to rest?

Having decided, Jue Zhen then instructed the young monk beside him.

Yes, Abbot.

The monk, hearing the order, quickly bowed and turned to enter the temple.

Thank you, Master!

Niu Dingtian saw the matter succeed, felt joy, clasped his hands in a salute, turned, and went to the carriage to carry out Han Xiao Ying.

"Miss Han, it's done."

Niu Dingtian, holding the beauty in his arms, lowered his head and smiled.

"Thank you, Young Master Niu."

Han Xiao Ying had just been lying in the carriage; hearing that Niu Dingtian had gone to the Shaolin Temple to seek medical help for herself, paying such a great price, her heart could not calm for a moment.

At this moment she again entered Niu Dingtian's embrace, her face full of emotion, not knowing what to say.

"It's fine, Miss Han."

Niu Dingtian, hearing this, gave Han Xiao Ying a slight smile and spoke gently, then followed Jue Zhen's steps into the temple.

If there are any typos or garbled sentences, please point them out; thank you.

(End of chapter)