Chapter 26

Amitabha, Benefactor Niu, this is the head monk of our temple's Dharma Hall, dharma name Jue Xing; he will treat your wife's injuries this time.

Translation: "Amitabha Buddha, Benefactor Niu, this is the Head Monk of our temple's Dharma Hall, dharma name Jue Xing; this time he will come to treat your wife's injuries."

We need to keep the quotes? The original includes Chinese quotation marks 「」. We should not include them in translation unless they are part of the text? The instruction: translate faithfully; we should not add punctuation not present? The Chinese uses 「」 as quotation marks; we can translate using English quotation marks or just omit? Usually we would keep the quoted speech as quoted. The lines include the spoken text inside 「」. We should preserve that as quoted speech in English using quotation marks. The instruction: "Render onomatopoeia / sound effects... as English sound words". For quotation marks, we can use English double quotes. We'll keep the spoken lines in double quotes.

Thus line 1 translation: ""Amitabha Buddha, Benefactor Niu, this is the Head Monk of our temple's Dharma Hall, dharma name Jue Xing; this time he will come to treat your wife's injuries.""

But we need to keep the original punctuation inside? We'll just produce a natural English sentence.

Let's produce: ""Amitabha Buddha, Benefactor Niu, this is the Head Monk of our temple's Dharma Hall, dharma name Jue Xing; this time he will come to treat your wife's injuries.""

Benefactor Niu

this is the Head Monk of our temple's Dharma Hall

dharma name Jue Xing

this time he will come to treat your wife's injuries

Soon after finishing the vegetarian meal, Abbot Jue Zhen brought a person to the guest room and introduced him to Niu Dingtian.

Translation: "Not long after finishing the vegetarian meal, Abbot Jue Zhen brought someone to the guest room and introduced him to Niu Dingtian."

Not long after finishing the vegetarian meal, he brought someone to the guest room and introduced him to Niu Dingtian.

Niu Dingtian and Han Xiao Ying glanced over and saw that it was the monk with the arhat-like face they had seen at the temple gate earlier.

Translation: "Niu Dingtian and Han Xiao Ying looked over and saw that it was the monk with the arhat-like face they had seen at the temple gate earlier."

it was the monk with the arhat-like face they had seen at the temple gate earlier.

I am Niu Dingtian; I have met Master Jue Xing. This is my wife, Han Xiao Ying. Thank you, Master.

Translation: ""I am Niu Dingtian; I have met Master Jue Xing. This is my wife, Han Xiao Ying. Thank you, Master.""

I am Niu Dingtian, I have met Master Jue Xing, this is my wife Han Xiao Ying, thank you, Master.

Niu Dingtian immediately clasped his hands in greeting and briefly introduced Han Xiao Ying, who lay on the bed.

Translation: "Niu Dingtian then clasped his hands in greeting and briefly introduced Han Xiao Ying, who lay on the bed."

He clasped his hands in greeting and briefly introduced Han Xiao Ying, who lay on the bed.

I have met Master Jue Xing and Abbot Jue Zhen.

Translation: ""I have met Master Jue Xing and Abbot Jue Zhen.""

Seeing this, Han Xiao Ying, suppressing her shyness, also gave a polite salute.

Translation: "Han Xiao Ying, suppressing her shyness, also returned the salute."

"Benefactor Niu, Benefactor Han, no need for such courtesy." Master Jue Xing returned the salute with clasped hands, then looked at Han Xiao Ying and said:

Translation: ""Benefactor Niu, Benefactor Han, no need for such courtesy." Master Jue Xing returned the salute with clasped hands, then looked at Han Xiao Ying and said:"

Benefactor Niu, Benefactor Han, no need for such courtesy. Master Jue Xing returned the salute with clasped hands, then looked at Han Xiao Ying and said:

I heard that Benefactor Han is also a Buddhist; I wonder which sutras you study and what insights you have gained.

Translation: ""I heard Benefactor Han is also a follower of our Buddha; I wonder what scriptures you study and what insights you have gained.""

Old fox!

Translation: "Old fox!"

Niu Dingtian, standing nearby, couldn't help but curse silently.

Translation: "Niu Dingtian, standing nearby, couldn't help but curse silently."

Junior brother! Do not be rude!

Translation: ""Junior fellow disciple! Do not be rude!""

Abbot Jue Zhen heard this and quickly called out to stop, then turned to Han Xiao Ying, clasped his hands, and apologized.

Translation: "Abbot Jue Zhen hurriedly called him to stop, then turned to Han Xiao Ying and apologized with clasped hands."

Benefactor Han, please forgive us; my junior brother Master Jue Xing is straightforward and meant no disrespect. Please forgive him, and I, this old monk, apologize on his behalf.

Translation: ""Please forgive me, Benefactor Han; Junior Fellow Disciple Jue Xing is straightforward and means no disrespect. Please forgive me, Benefactor Han; I, this old monk, apologize on his behalf.""

this old monk

After saying that, he performed another bow.

Translation: "After saying that, he bowed again."

Two old foxes!

Translation: "Two old foxes!"

Niu Dingtian cursed again in his heart, about to speak, but saw Han Xiao Ying's gaze stop him.

Translation: "Niu Dingtian cursed silently again, about to speak, but saw Han Xiao Ying's gaze stop him."

Afterward, all that could be heard was Han Xiao Ying weakly speaking:

Translation: "Then Han Xiao Ying spoke weakly:"

Abbot Jue Zhen, please don't blame me; my mother was a devout Buddhist in her lifetime. I only began studying sutras in the past two years to remember my departed mother, but I am mostly dull and fail to understand, which has caused the two venerable monks to laugh at me.

Translation: ""Abbot Jue Zhen, please don't blame me; my mother was a devout Buddhist in life. I have only recently taken up studying the scriptures out of remembrance for her, but I mostly fail to understand them, which has caused the two Chan masters to laugh at me.""

As she said this, Han Xiao Ying's face showed considerable embarrassment, and then she continued speaking:

Translation: "As she said this, Han Xiao Ying's face showed embarrassment, and she continued:"

It is only that my mother loved the Diamond Sutra most in her lifetime, and she often taught me that all beings are equal, admonishing me that all forms are illusory, one should abide nowhere, and thus give rise to the heart.

Translation: ""My mother loved the Diamond Sutra most, and she often taught me that all beings are equal, telling me that all forms are illusory, that one should dwell nowhere yet give rise to the mind.""

Amitabha.

Translation: ""Amitabha Buddha.""

Amitabha.

Translation: ""Amitabha Buddha.""

Abbot Jue Zhen and Master Jue Xing, hearing this, immediately showed shame on their withered faces and together chanted the Buddha's name.

Translation: "Hearing this, Abbot Jue Zhen and Master Jue Xing's stern faces instantly showed shame, and they together chanted the Buddha's name."

Niu Dingtian, hearing Han Xiao Ying's words that hinted at hidden talent, was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected to have slightly underestimated this Han beauty.

Translation: "Niu Dingtian, hearing Han Xiao Ying's veiled sharpness, was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected to have slightly underestimated this Han beauty."

After finishing the vegetarian meal, not long after, Abbot Jue Zhen brought a person to the guest room and introduced him to Niu Dingtian.

Niu Dingtian and Han Xiao Ying looked over, and it was exactly the monk with the arhats' face they had seen at the temple gate earlier.

"I am Niu Dingtian; I have met Master Jue Xing. This is my wife, Han Xiao Ying. Thank you, Master."

Niu Dingtian then clasped his hands in greeting and also introduced Han Xiao Ying, who was lying on the bed.

"I have met Master Jue Xing, I have met Abbot Jue Zhen."

Seeing this, Han Xiao Ying, suppressing her shyness, also returned the salute.

"Don't stand on ceremony, benefactors Niu and Han." Master Jue Xing clasped his hands in return, then looked at Han Xiao Ying and said:

"I heard that Benefactor Han is also a follower of our Buddha; I wonder which sutras you study and what insights you have gained."

Old fox!

Niu Dingtian, standing nearby, couldn't help but curse silently.

Junior brother! Do not be rude!

Hearing this, Abbot Jue Zhen hurriedly called him to stop, then turned to Han Xiao Ying and clasped his hands in apology, saying:

"Please forgive me, Benefactor Han; Junior Brother Jue Xing is straightforward by nature and meant no disrespect. Please forgive me, Benefactor Han; I, the old monk, apologize on his behalf."

After saying that, he bowed again.

Two old foxes!

Niu Dingtian cursed in his heart again, about to speak, but saw Han Xiao Ying's gaze stop him.

Afterwards, only the weak voice of Han Xiao Ying was heard speaking:

"Abbot Jue Zhen, please don't blame me; my mother was a devout Buddhist in her lifetime, and I, in mourning her, have only recently taken up studying the sutras over the past two years, but I am mostly dull and unable to understand, which has caused the two Chan masters to laugh at me."

As she said this, Han Xiao Ying's face showed considerable embarrassment, and then she continued speaking:

"All my mother loved most in life was the Diamond Sutra, and she often taught me that all beings are equal, admonishing me to say that all forms are illusory, one should dwell nowhere, yet give rise to the mind."

"Amitabha."

"Amitabha."

Hearing this, both Abbot Jue Zhen and Master Jue Xing's withered faces instantly showed shame, and they together recited the Buddha's name.

Niu Dingtian, hearing Han Xiao Ying's words that hinted at hidden talent, was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected to have actually underestimated this Han beauty.

Seeing Niu Dingtian's look of surprise fixed on her, Han Xiao Ying felt a bit uneasy, her pretty face blushing slightly, but inside she felt a little excitement and pride.

Han Xiao Ying really did have some quick wit; coincidentally, her deceased mother was indeed a Buddhist follower, and had indeed told her this passage, but only this passage; if asked further, she would surely give herself away.

Regardless, at this point Abbot Jue Zhen and Master Jue Xing largely believed her.

If one mentions the Diamond Sutra, perhaps eighty or ninety percent of people have heard of it; but if asked for its full name, maybe less than half could answer correctly. Moreover, the meaning of the sutra that his mother had spoken in her lifetime is spot‑on, which is enough to show that Niu Dingtian had not lied before.

The Diamond Sutra, short for the Diamond Sutra, is a very important scripture of Mahayana Buddhism.

"Prajna" means wisdom; the most widely circulated version today is largely the translation by the Yao Qin Tripiṭaka master Kumārajīva.

The sutra's full text basically consists of dialogues between the Buddha and the venerable Subhuti, a scripture full of wisdom.

Among its famous lines: "All forms are illusory; if a bodhisattva holds the notions of self, others, sentient beings, or lifespan, then he is no bodhisattva; all conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, shadows, like dew and lightning—thus should they be contemplated." The Sixth Patriarch of Chan Buddhism, Master Huineng, attained enlightenment and became a Buddha precisely by penetrating the line "One should dwell nowhere, yet give rise to the mind."

Master Jue Xing's questioning of Han Xiao Ying amounted to a direct slap in the face—this is not the sort of speech one would expect from a monastic.

But for the safety of the Sutra Pavilion, he had no choice but to play the villain; the abbot elder brother shouldn't have to show himself.

Abbot Jue Zhen is also a straight‑shooter; having said his junior brother is straightforward and having apologized, if you still insist on nitpicking, the fault is yours.

Are you still going to save the person or not?

But Han Xiao Ying, facing the difficulty, was not willing to yield; she cleverly used the Buddhist teaching of equality of all beings to subtly mock Master Jue Xing's remark as unbecoming of a monastic, yet she also left him face.

After all, we are the ones who came asking for help!

"Amitabha, I have been attached to form; the poisonous fire has entered my heart, violating the precept against anger; please forgive me, Benefactor Han."

"If Benefactor Han is ready, I will now examine your iron sand palm injury."

As a senior monk of the temple, Master Jue Xing can let go of grudges; once the goal is achieved, that's enough. He therefore again clasped his hands to Han Xiao Ying in apology, then proactively brought up the matter of treating the injury.

"Master Jue Xing, your words are weighty; I will trouble you with the injury."

At this moment Han Xiao Ying resembled a well‑bred young lady from a respectable family, her words and deeds warm, graceful, and proper.

Master Jue Xing came to the bedside, extended his right hand, and placed two fingers on Han Xiao Ying's wrist.

Niu Dingtian looked over and saw that Master Jue Xing's pair of withered hands now appeared vigorous and powerful; obviously he was circulating internal force. Though his five fingers were thin as hemp stalks, their strength was inwardly gathered, hiding a force of thousands of pounds—this is the manifestation of finger‑trained skill taken to the extreme.

After five breaths, Master Jue Xing's brow relaxed, he withdrew his two fingers, as if speaking to Niu Dingtian, or perhaps muttering to himself:

"The iron sand palm's poison is vicious and harmful to heavenly harmony; one struck by it cannot summon any internal force due to the poison's effect. If the meridians are not cleared to expel the poison and it is allowed to spread, death is certain after forty‑nine days."

"However, from Benefactor Han's pulse I can see that the striker's power has not yet reached its full strength; this injury I can heal, so you two benefactors may rest easy."

"However, from Benefactor Han's pulse I can see that the striker's power has not yet reached its full strength; this injury I can heal, so you two benefactors may rest easy."

Niu Dingtian, hearing this, hurriedly returned the salute and said:

"Then I will trouble Master Jue Xing."

Han Xiao Ying, hearing this, also showed a pleased expression and spoke softly:

"Thank you, Master Jue Xing."

Master Jue Xing, not standing on ceremony, said to Abbot Jue Zhen and Niu Dingtian beside him:

"Please, Abbot elder brother, guard the Dharma for me; Benefactor Niu, step outside. In an hour, the poison will be resolved, and thereafter it can be treated with decoctions."

"Many thanks, Master!"

After saying that, Niu Dingtian and Abbot Jue Zhen withdrew from the room and waited outside.

Niu Dingtian stood at the doorway, not speaking to Abbot Jue Zhen beside him, silently focusing his attention on any movement inside the room to guard against any mishap.

With Niu Dingtian's breakthrough in cultivation, another benefit of that breathing method was discovered: as long as it is properly combined with his own martial art, his internal force is hard for outsiders to detect.

Although Jue Zhen beside him was powerful, he also didn't notice anything unusual, taking it as Niu Dingtian's nervousness.

"Amitabha."

So, after softly uttering the Buddha's name, he said nothing further.

Brothers, a huge wave of people came to the house today, making things chaotic; we may be a bit later.

(End of chapter)