Chapter - 17 (17) (2/2)

They heard the three lamas called out, ”Stop! Stop!” The driver pulled the reins of his mule. The three lamas leaped forward to block the carriage. One of them said, ”You, two babies, get out!”

Shuang'er took the pearls necklace from her neck and held it outside the carriage; she said, ”You fancy this string of pearls, Xianggong says you can have it, just get it.”

A big and fat lama stretched out his big hand, but he did not take the pearls, he reached farther up and grabbed Shuang'er's wrist and pulled her outside. Wei Xiaobao anxiously said, ”You want more money, I have some. Don't play rough!” But he saw a yellow shadow flashed, the lama leaped up to the air and flew backward. ”Good skill!” Wei Xiaobao shouted in his heart. He saw the lama's body rapidly fall to the ground, but his head was down and his feet up. 'Splosh!' his big and fat head went straight into a swamp, all the way to his chest, his legs were kicking wildly.

Wei Xiaobao was pleasantly surprised; he wondered what kind of prominent martial art move this lama was executing. 'Wah! Wah!' the other two lamas were shouting randomly, while rushing forward to grab his body and pull him out of the mud. The fat lama's face was wet with mud; he was in such a sorry condition. Fortunately the heavy rain the previous night had soaked the dirt of the roadside swamp so that the lama was not injured.

Wei Xiaobao laughed aloud and told the carriage driver, ”Quickly go!”

Shuang'er raised the pearls in her hand and asked, ”Xianggong, shall I give these pearls to them?”

Before Wei Xiaobao could reply, he saw the three lamas drew their sabers from their waists and ferociously charged toward them. Shuang'er snatched the whip from the driver's hand and flicked it outward, it coiled around the saber in a lama's hand. She pulled the whip back and caught the saber with her left hand. She flicked the whip in her right hand again, and the saber in the second lama's hand was snatched away.

”Aiyo!” the third lama cried out, and stopped dead in his track. Shuang'er flicked her whip again, but this time it coiled around the lama's neck. She pulled him toward the carriage, and then without any trouble snatched the saber in the lama's hand.

The lama's throat was strangled by the whip, his eyes turned white, his tongue was stretched out, his face was instantly devoid of any blood. The other two lamas rushed toward Shuang'er in converging attack from left and right, trying to save their companion. Shuang'er leaped up, her left foot stood on the axle of the carriage, her right foot repeatedly kicked, the acupoints on the two lamas' heads were sealed, they passed out and fell to the ground. She waved her hand to loosen up the whip. The lama had been suffocated for a good while, he also lost his consciousness and fell down.

Wei Xiaobao was extremely delighted; he sprang up and called out, ”Shuang'er, good Shuang'er, turns out your martial art skill is superb.”

Shuang'er showed a faint smile and said, ”It was nothing, these three bandits are useless.”

”If I had known earlier, I would not have to worry for half a day,” Wei Xiaobao said. Jumping down from the carriage, he kicked the body of a lama. ”What do you want?” he asked. But the lama was still fainted and had not regained his consciousness.

Shuang'er kicked his waist. The lama groaned and regained his consciousness. Shuang'er said, ”Xianggong asks what do you want?”

”Miss ...” the lama said, ”Miss can do ... do magic?”

Shuang'er smiled. ”Answer quickly!” she said, ”What are you up to?”

The lama said, ”We ... we are lamas from Mount Wutai's Bodhisattva Peak ... Great Manjushri Temple.”

Shuang'er frowned. ”What lama or not lama?” she said, ”Rubbish! You are speaking vulgar language.”

”Lamas are Buddhist monks of Tibet,” Wei Xiaobao explained.

”Turns out you are Buddhist monks,” Shuang'er said. She gently kicked the lama again and said, ”If you are Buddhist monks, how come you do not shave your whole head clean?”

”We are lamas,” the lama said, ”Not Buddhist monks.”

”What?” Shuang'er said, ”Still won't admit it? Xianggong says you are Buddhist monks, then you are Buddhist monks!” She kicked the 'tian huo' [heavenly opening] acupoint on his waist, the lama felt the pain went straight into his bones and marrow; he could not bear it and shouting and screaming in loud voice. The pain grew worse, and his shout grew louder.

The other two lamas slowly regained their consciousness, hearing their companion was screaming like a pig being slaughtered, they were aghast and immediately asked in Tibetan what had happened. The other lama replied, and then called out in Chinese, ”I am a Buddhist monk, I am a Buddhist monk. I am whatever Miss ... Miss said what I am. Please ... please quickly ... unseal my acupoint.”

Shuang'er laughed. ”Whatever Miss says does not count, it's whatever Xianggong says that count,” she said, ”Xianggong, what do you say he is?”

Wei Xiaobao laughed. ”I say he is a Buddhist nun!” he said.

The lama really could not bear the pain, he hastily said, ”I am a Buddhist nun, I am a Buddhist nun!” Wei Xiaobao and Shuang'er roared in laughter.

Shuang'er lightly kicked the 'qi hu' [chi door] acupoint on his neck with her left foot, the severe pain stopped immediately. But the lama was still screaming, ”I am a Buddhist nun, I am a Buddhist nun!”

Wei Xiaobao stopped laughing. He said, ”You are people who have left home, why did you want to rob our belongings?”

”Xiaoren deserves to die,” the lama replied, ”Next time we won't dare to do it again.”

”You are still thinking of next time?” Wei Xiaobao asked.

The lama said, ”I said we won't dare, we really won't dare. Even after a hundred years have passed, we still won't dare.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”You do not chant Buddhist scripture in the temple, but coming down the mountain instead. What are you up to?”

The lama replied, ”It's ... it's Shifu who sends us down the mountain.”

”Your Shifu sends you down the mountain to rob gold, silver and jewels?” Wei Xiaobao asked.

”No ... not that,” the lama replied, ”We are going to Beijing ...” he had just spoken to this point, the other big and fat lama coughed.

Wei Xiaobao cast a glance toward him, he saw that fat lama repeatedly winked his eyes, obviously he was signaling his companion not to tell the truth. At first Wei Xiaobao was thinking that these lamas were provoking evil designs upon seeing riches, robbing and plundering, but doing nothing serious. Manchurians believed in lamas; whenever there was a religious ritual to be performed in the Palace, they would always invite lamas to chant the sutras. If the imperial household was like that, the princes and dukes and other royalties need not be mentioned. Therefore, quite a number of lamas, who did not need to observe the Qing law, went on the rampage in Beijing. Wei Xiaobao was thinking of torturing these lamas for a while, and after he had enough fun, he would simply let them go. However, seeing the big fat lama's expression, he knew there was something else going on. He said, ”These three fellows are playing tricks. Shuang'er, give each one a kick, let these three people whine on for days, and then we are off!”

”Yes!” Shuang'er complied. She could also see that the big fat lama was playing tricks, hence she kicked him first on his 'tian huo' acupoint. The lama immediately screamed.

Shuang'er walked over to the first lama and lifted her foot as if she was going to kick. The lama was shocked; he hastily said, ”Don't kick, I'll tell you everything. Shifu sends us to Beijing to deliver a letter.”

”What letter?” Wei Xiaobao asked.

The lama said, ”This ... we can't let you see this letter. If we show it to other people, Shi ... Shifu will definitely kill us.”

”Take it out!” Wei Xiaobao said, ”If you don't, I'll kick you.” While saying that, he took a step forward.

The lama did not know that Wei Xiaobao's martial art skill was limited, if he was kicked, the pain would be the same as if he was tickled. Seeing Wei Xiaobao lifting up his foot, he busily said, ”I don't ... I don't have it with me.”

”Take it out!” Wei Xiaobao said.

The lama had no choice, he went over to the fat lama and mumbled some Tibetan words. The fat lama also used Tibetan to reply; while squealing like a slaughtered pig, he appeared to be shouting some disjointed Tibetan words so that his voice was even more unpleasant to the ears. From the tone of his voice and his expression, Wei Xiaobao deduced that the fat lama did not allow the other lama to take the letter out. Thereupon he walked over to the fat lama and fiercely kicked the fat lama's forehead. The big and fat lama fainted instantly. The other lama then took a small oilcloth package from the fat lama's bosom, and trembling with fear, he presented the package with both hands.

Wei Xiaobao received the package. Shuang'er also took out a small package from her bosom and produced a tiny pair of scissors. She cut the package open, as expected, there was a letter inside. There were two lined of Tibetan script written on the envelope. ”To whom is this letter addressed to?” Wei Xiaobao asked.

”To our Shibo [older martial uncle],” the lama replied.

Wei Xiaobao reached out and 'rip!' he tore the envelope open. The two lamas groaned repeatedly. Wei Xiaobao saw several lines of curvy Tibetan script written on a sheet of yellow paper, on the bottom, drawn in cinnabar ink, there was a weird-looking seal, it was totally unintelligible. Even if this letter was written in Chinese script, Wei Xiaobao would not understand. Thereupon he handed it over to Shuang'er and asked, ”What does it say?”

Shuang'er did not know either; she turned to the lama, ”Xianggong asks you: what does it say? Tell us quickly! If you speak half a word of lie, I will kick your acupoint immediately and never unseal it again. Humph, I will wait for at least three days and three nights before unsealing it.”

The lama received the letter, looked at it over and over, and stammered, ”This ... this is ...”

”What this or that?” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Tell me quickly!”

”Yes, yes!” the lama replied, ”The letter says, the person Shixiong was asking about ...” He had just spoken that sentence, the other lama suddenly mumbled some unintelligible words. Shuang'er leaped toward him and kicked him on the 'tian huo' acupoint. The lama's words turned into screaming and wailing.

The first lama's countenance changed greatly; with a trembling voice he said, ”The letter says ... says that the person we are looking for, we can't find it even after searching high and low. He is definitely ... definitely not on Mount Wutai.”

Wei Xiaobao saw the lama's eyes were evasive while repeatedly swallowing his own saliva as he was talking, he thought, ”Although I don't understand your bird's cry or dog's bark, looking at your expression, I can tell that you are lying. It's just that this fellow is too stupid, even when telling a lie, he is not convincing.” He said to Shuang'er, ”This lama is lying to us.”

Shuang'er said, ”Since he is that bad, we can't spare him.” She raised her foot and kicked his 'tian huo' acupoint.

The lama cried out, ”You ... just kill me. My Shixiong said that ... that if we tell you what the letter says, we ... the three of us will not live. You ... you kill me quickly.”

”Ignore him, let's go!” Wei Xiaobao said. Together with Shuang'er, they leaped onto the carriage.

The carriage driver saw that although these two were young, unexpectedly they were able to deal with the three lamas and made them hovering between life and death. He was full of admiration and did not stop praising them. Wei Xiaobao said in a low voice, ”When we get to the small town ahead, you may need to change. This string of pearls must be kept someplace else.”

[The 3rd Edition continues with the following:]After the two of them finished eating the noodles, Wei Xiaobao said, ”You are wearing women's clothes, a lot of people along the way will look at you because you are too pretty. When we get to the small town ahead, you may need to change. This string of pearls must be kept someplace else.”

”Yes,” Shuang'er said, ”What attire must I change into?”

Wei Xiaobao smiled and said, ”You change into a man's clothing.”

After travelling for about thirty li, the carriage reached a big town. Wei Xiaobao sent the carriage driver off, while they entered an inn to lodge for the night. He took out some money and instructed Shuang'er to go buy some clothing. Shuang'er purchased several sets and returned to the inn; she put on the clothes and was transformed into a handsome young attendant.

With this transformation, they no longer attracted any attention along the way. Shuang'er was well-versed in martial art, but was completely oblivious of the ways of the world; all along the way, she left the decision making into Wei Xiaobao's hands, although his ideas were not always brilliant. Thirty percent of the time he was serious, the other seventy percent he was simply fooling around.

One day they arrived at the border between Hebei and Shanxi, two provinces. From Fuping County of Zhili provinces[72] to the west, over the Great Wall mountain range, they would reach the Long Quan [lit. dragon spring] Pass. This Long Quan Pass was actually the eastern gateway to Mount Wutai. The stony path was rugged, the ridges and peaks were high and steep. Upon entering Mount Wutai, the first temple they encountered was the Yong Quan Temple [lit. bubbling spring].

That evening Wei Xiaobao and Shuang'er seek lodging at the Lu Family Village neighboring the Yong Quan Temple. They ate a bowl of mutton and bread soup and some candy. He recalled the cold demeanor of the Yong Quan Temple's monk when he was asking about the Qing Liang Temple's location earlier that day. When the monk saw how young he was, the monk did not pay him any attention; instead of explaining the location of the Qing Liang Temple, the monk asked him back, ”The road is long and difficult to walk, what are you going to Qing Liang Temple for?” This nasty attitude was seventy-percent similar to the selfish, concerned-only-with-gaining-advantages-for-themselves, bald-headed thieves of the Chan Zhi Temple [lit. Dhyana Wisdom] in Yangzhou. It would not be easy to look for Emperor Shunzhi when he reached Qing Liang Temple later; he must find another way.

While his mouth was chewing the candy, his mind was churning, ”They say money will make the devil turn millstones, perhaps I can make the monks to turn the millstones as well. I once heard the storyteller told the story of Lu Zhishen of the 'Water Margin' went to Mount Wutai to become a monk. A certain outsider gave considerable alms to the Temple. Lu Zhishen created havoc in the Temple, drinking wine and eating dog meat, yet the old monk was not angry. That's right, I am going to pretend that I need to perform a Buddhist ceremony, scatter a large sum of money in the Temple, and then making an excuse to stay in the Temple and won't leave, and thus I can slowly looking for the old Emperor. The old monks can't possibly drive me away.”

However, upon entering the mountain, other than the temples, they did not see any town where he could exchange a five-hundred-tael banknote. Without any choice they had to leave Long Quan Pass and returned to Fuping. He exchanged the banknote into silver currency, and then both he and Shuang'er changed into brand new clothes; he thought, ”I want to perform a Buddhist ceremony, but I don't understand anything. I am afraid I'll give myself away in short moment. I should have some practice first.”

Thereupon he went to a temple within the Fuping county city wall called the Jixiang Temple [lit. auspicious/lucky] and kowtowed several times in front of the Buddha image. The welcoming monk came out with a register book, writing brush and ink stone. Wei Xiaobao brushed him off and said, ”Giving alms is giving alms, why do you need to write anything?” He took out a fifty-tael worth of yuanbao and handed it over to the monk. The monk was greatly surprised, thinking that this young benefactor was very generous, which was a rarity in the world. Immediately he thanked him repeatedly, invited him to the dining room and offered him vegetarian dishes and plain noodles.

Hearing the three characters 'big Buddhist ceremony', the Abbot stood up immediately and said, ”Shizhu [benefactor], all temples under the heavens are dedicated to worship Buddha, the same Bodhisattva. If you want to perform a Buddhist ceremony, it would be better to do it in a small temple, which will cover everything you need thoroughly and properly; actually you don't need to painstakingly go up Mount Wutai.”

Wei Xiaobao shook his head. ”That won't do,” he said, ”This Buddhist ceremony is my cherished desire, I simply must perform it on Mount Wutai.” While saying that, he took out another fifty-tael worth of yuanbao and said, ”How about this: find someone for me to accompany me to Mount Wutai and be my helper. This fifty-tael is for him.”

The old monk was greatly delighted. ”That's easy, that's easy!” he said. He had a younger cousin[73] who was the caretaker of the temple property: collecting the rent and purchasing stuffs for the temple, everything was handled by him, but he was not a monk. Immediately the old monk summoned him and introduced him to Wei Xiaobao.

This man was surnamed Yu, given name single character Ba, a loud-mouthed man, but his nickname was 'One Less Stroke'. Actually, if a stroke (一) is added to the character Yu (于), it will become the character Wang (王), therefore, Yu Ba (于八) will change into Wang Ba (王八)[74]. In just a few words, Wei Xiaobao had already felt that he was a very congenial companion. Since he was little, Wei Xiaobao was used to hang around this kind of boorish man in the marketplace. This time suddenly he met one such man in Fuping County, he had the feeling like he had met an old friend far from home.

Wei Xiaobao consulted the Abbot again on various customs involved in performing Buddhist ceremony. The Abbot told him everything he knew, and he talked endlessly. Wei Xiaobao thought, ”Buddhist monks' rules are indeed a lot!” He donated twenty more taels.

Taking Yu Ba along, Wei Xiaobao returned to the inn, took out some money, and sent him off to buy everything they need. With money in his hand, Yu Ba worked really fast; before long, he had returned with all his purchases. For himself, he bought a set of fresh and bright colored clothes. ”Wei Xianggong,” he said, ”You are a rich man, now that I am your attendant, I should put on something with more style, don't you think? This set of clothes, shoes and hat is no more than three taels and five qian.”

Wei Xiaobao thought he had a good point, thereupon he sent him off again to buy several sets of luxurious clothing for him and Shuang'er. With a lot of fanfare the three of them went out the Long Quan Pass, followed by eight porters, each carrying a shoulder pole laden with vegetarian food and gifts for Buddhist monks, travelled along the main road heading south.

Upon entering Mount Wutai, after walking for only several li, they had already seen a temple. After the Yong Quan Temple, there was Jing Tai Lu [lit. scripture platform foothill] Temple, and then Shi Fo [lit. Buddha Rock] Temple, Pu Ji [lit. universal crossing] Temple, Gu Fo [lit. ancient Buddha] Temple, Jin Gang [lit. diamond, steel or Vajra - Buddha's warrior attendant] Warehouse, Bai Yun [lit. white cloud] Temple, Jin Deng [lit. golden lantern] Temple, and finally Ling Jing [lit. virtual environment] Temple.

That evening they spent the night at the Ling Jing Temple. At dawn the next day, they continued northbound until they reached Jin Ge [lit. golden pavilion] Temple, and then turned west for several li, and arrived at the Qing Liang Temple. This Qing Liang Temple was located at the peak of Qing Liang mountain. It was not more imposing compared to the other temples they saw along the way, the main gate to the monastery was shabby; obviously it was worn down by years of non-repair. Wei Xiaobao was rather disappointed, ”When the Emperor left home to become a Buddhist monk, he must have chosen the biggest temple. I am afraid the old turtle Hai was just spouting nonsense, perhaps the old emperor became a monk not in this place.”

Yu Ba entered the gate to inform the welcoming monk that a certain high official from Beijing by the surname of Wei had come to perform a Buddhist ceremony, to fast and to offer sacrificial offering to Buddha. Looking at the luxurious clothing this party of people wore, plus the eight shoulder poles of offering, the welcoming monk immediately invited them in and offered them some tea, while he went in to report to the Abbot.

The Abbot, old monk Cheng Guang [lit. clear light] came into the side room to meet Wei Xiaobao. He asked, ”I wonder what kind of Buddhist ceremony Benefactor is going to perform?”

Seeing this Abbot Cheng Guang was very tall, but as thin as a stick, his eyes were half-closed, his overall appearance looked washed out, Wei Xiaobao was even more disappointed, he said, ”Disciple wants to perform a seven days and seven nights Buddhist ceremony on behalf of disciple's deceased father, as well as several deceased friends, so that they may be released from suffering.”

Cheng Guang said, ”There are many big temples within Beijing's city limit, temples on Mount Wutai are also numerous; I wonder why did Benefactor specifically travel so far away to Mount Wutai and go to a small temple to perform Buddhist ceremony?”

Wei Xiaobao had anticipated this question, hence he had already discussed it over with Yu Ba. He said, ”My mother had a dream on the fifteenth of last month. In her dream she saw my deceased father, who told her that during his life he had committed grave sins, he said we must go to Qing Liang Temple on Mount Wutai, to ask Fangzhang Dashi [Great Master Abbot] to perform a seven days and seven nights repentance ritual to clear away the blood disaster so that my father in the underworld does not receive endless agony.”

He did not know his own father, neither did he know if his father was still alive or had already died. When he said those words, he could not help feeling funny; he mused, ”Damn it, you gave birth to laozi, and then washed your hand and did not care at all, you deserve to go to hell. Now laozi is giving you a seven days and seven nights Buddhist ceremony, it is your enormous good fortune.”

”So that's how it is,” Cheng Guang said, ”Young Benefactor, the proverb said it well: the day has its thought, the night has its dream. The matter of the dream must never be taken seriously.”

”Da Heshang [great monk],” Wei Xiaobao said, ”The proverbs said it well: it is better to believe than disbelieve. Even if what my father said in the dream was not real, by performing a Buddhist ceremony on his behalf to release his soul from suffering, we are performing a virtue. But if my father really did say those words, yet we do not do as he wished, in the underworld he is being bullied and tormented by the Ox-Head, Horse-Face and little demon Wuchang, that ... that ... won't I always feel a little bit bad? Besides, I am under my mother's order. Mother said that the old abbot of Qing Liang Temple of Mount Wutai has a destiny with her; this Buddhist ceremony must be performed in your precious temple.” He mused, ”You have a destiny with my Mama, this is preposterous! Have you ever been to the Lovely Spring Courtyard in Yangzhou to be my mother's customer?”

”Hey,” Cheng Guang exclaimed, ”Benefactor did not know this: my humble temple is of Zen Buddhism. This kind of repentance ritual is a Pure Land[75] Sects' matter, which we do not do. On this Mount Wutai, Jin Ge Temple, Pu Ji Temple, Da Fo Temple, Yan Qing Temple, and many more are of the Pure Land Sect. Benefactor is advised to go to one of those temples to perform the Buddhist ceremony.”

Wei Xiaobao thought that in Fuping County, the Abbot was trying to seize the opportunity to perform the Buddhist ceremony, but here, this old monk had used all sorts of excuses trying to push away the money delivered into his gate with both hands; something strange was going on here. He asked over and over, but Cheng Guang did not budge. He stood up and said to the welcoming monk, ”Show the Benefactor the way to Jin Ge Temple, Lao Na

[76] keeps him company only for a moment.”

Wei Xiaobao was anxious, he hastily said, ”Since the Abbot insists on not giving me permission, I want to ask the great monks of your precious temple to receive the alms: the Buddhist robes, the monk hats, as well as the money I bring to your precious temple.”

Cheng Guang put his palms together, ”Many thanks,” he said. Seeing eight shoulder poles of gifts Wei Xiaobao brought, unexpectedly he did not show the least bit of enthusiasm.

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Mother instructed me to personally hand over each gift to the great monks of your precious monastery, even the monks helping with the fire and growing vegetable in the garden are to have a share. I bring altogether three hundred sets of gift, if it is not enough, we will go buy some more.”

Cheng Guang said, ”Enough, it's too much. Our temple has only fifty something people. Would Benefactor please leave only fifty or sixty sets? That would be enough.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Is it possible to ask the Abbot to summon the monks in the temple, so that I could personally hand over the gift? This is my mother's wish; no matter what I must accomplish it.”

Cheng Guang raised his head, suddenly his eyes flashed like lightning, as he swept his gaze over Wei Xiaobao's face. ”Very well!” he said, ”Our Buddha is merciful, let it be as the Benefactor wishes.” Turning around, he walked inside.

Looking at his bamboo-pole like back walking inside, Wei Xiaobao felt an unspeakably uncomfortable feeling in his heart. Awkwardly he lifted the tea cup into his mouth. Standing behind him, Yu Ba muttered in low voice, ”In all his life, the one surnamed Yu has rarely seen this kind of unlucky old monk. No wonder in such a big temple like Qing Liang Temple, even the golden image of Bodhisattva is tattered.”

They heard the bell in the temple was struck, the welcoming monk said, ”Please step into the western hall to give your alms.”

Wei Xiaobao went to the western hall; he saw the monks were streaming in. He handed over the gift one by one, while attentively looking at each monk's face. He thought, ”I have never seen the Emperor Shunzhi, but he is the young emperor's papa, their appearances must be somewhat similar. As long as I can find a monk that look like an older version of the young emperor, he must be it.”

But after he finished handing over more than fifty sets of gifts, not only he did not see any 'older version of the young emperor', he could not find even a single monk with one or two part resemblance to the young emperor. Wei Xiaobao was very disappointed; but suddenly he remembered, ”He was the Emperor; with his status, how could he come to accept alms like clothing and hats? This plan of mine is really stupid!” He asked the welcoming monk, ”Have all monks in your precious temple come?”

The welcoming monk replied, ”Everybody has received your alms, thank you very much for Benefactor's generosity.”

”Everyone has received the gift?” Wei Xiaobao asked, ”I am afraid it's not necessarily true, perhaps there are some people who are unwilling to come and get the gift.”

”Benefactor is joking,” the welcoming monk said, ”How can there be such thing?”

”Those who have left home do not tell lies,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”If you deceive me, when you die, your tongue will be pulled out in hell.” As soon as the welcoming monk heard that, his countenance changed. Wei Xiaobao said, ”Since there are still some monks who have not received the gift, would great monk please invite him to receive it?”

The welcoming monk shook his head. ”Only Fangzhang Dashi has not received the gift,” he said, ”I think we do not need to ask the Senior to come out again.”

Right this moment, a monk hurriedly rushed in. ”Shixiong,” he said, ”There are more than a dozen lamas outside wishing to see the Abbot.” And then with a low voice he added, ”They all carry weapons, and are rubbing their fists and palms; their purpose in coming is definitely not good.”

The welcoming monk frowned and said, ”Like river water and well water, the green and yellow temples of Mount Wutai have never interfered with each other. What do they want, coming over here? Go and report to the Abbot, I am coming out to look.” Finished speaking, he turned to Wei Xiaobao and said, ”Excuse me,” and then with quick steps he went out.

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”I am afraid those stinky lamas are here for us.” He thought Shuang'er's martial art skill was superior, a dozen or so lamas should not give them any problem. Suddenly he heard commotion from outside the gate, a group of people were crashing into the Hall of Great Strength[77]. Wei Xiaobao said, ”Let us see the excitement.” Pulling Shuang'er's hand, he went out together with her.

As they arrived at the main hall, they saw the welcoming monk was surrounded by a dozen or so yellow-robed lamas, who were shouting randomly and talking to him at once, ”We must search; someone personally saw him coming to Qing Liang Temple.” ”You are in the wrong here, why do you hide people?” ”Just hand him over to us nicely, we'll let this matter drop; otherwise, humph, humph!”

[The following paragraph does not exist in the 3rd Edition, which makes sense, since Wei Xiaobao has never met any lamas before:

Wei Xiaobao went into the main hall and stood with hands on his waist, thinking, ”Laozi is here, go get your horse and get me.” Who would have thought that those lamas ignored him completely; no one even cast a glance to him.]Amidst the commotion, Abbot Cheng Guang walked in; he asked slowly, ”What's the matter?”

The welcoming monk said, ”It's good for the Abbot to know, they ...”

As soon as the word 'Abbot' came out of his mouth, the lamas swarmed around Cheng Guang, shouting, ”You are the Abbot? That's great!” ”Quickly hand the man over! If not, your temple will be burned to the ground.” ”This is preposterous, really preposterous!” ”Are you telling me that after you become a Buddhist monk, you throw reasons out the window?”

Cheng Guang asked, ”May I ask, from which temple are numerous Shixiong coming from? You have honored our humble temple with your presence, I wonder what is the purpose of your visit?”

A lama wearing red kasaya over his yellow robe replied, ”We came from Tibet, we come to the Central Plain on business under the order of the Living Buddha. Who knew that one of our young lama attendants was kidnapped by a wicked monk, and is hidden inside the Qing Liang Temple? Monk Abbot, quickly hand over our young lama; otherwise, we won't let this matter rest.”

”That's very strange,” Cheng Guang replied, ”Our temple here is Zen Buddhism green temple, we usually do not have any association with Tibetan Tantra Buddhists. Why don't you inquire to the yellow temples everywhere about your missing young lama?”

The lama angrily said, ”Someone saw it with his own eyes; that lama is in Qing Liang Temple. That was the reason we came here to inquire. Otherwise, do you think we have just eaten our rice until we are full and have nothing else to do, and thus we came here to make a scene? Decide it for yourself, if you hand over the young lama quickly, we will look at the monk's face or Buddha's face, we won't investigate this matter further.”

Cheng Guang shook his head and said, ”Even if there was a young lama coming to Qing Liang Temple, and gentlemen did not come to inquire, Lao Na can't possibly hide him here.”

Several lamas shouted together, ”Let us search you temple then!”

Cheng Guang still shook his head, ”This is Buddhist's peaceful place, how can I let people search around as they wish?”

The leader of the lamas said, ”If you do not feel as guilty as a thief, why don't you let us search? Obviously the young lama is here, he is definitely in the Qing Liang Temple.”

Cheng Guang shook his head. Two lamas reached out and grabbed him by the collar, shouting, ”Will you or will you not let us search the temple?” Another lama said, ”Could it be that there are women of good families hidden in the great monk's temple, hence you are afraid others might find out? Otherwise, what's the big deal of letting us search your temple?” By this time, about a dozen monks from Qing Liang Temple had come out, but they were blocked by the lamas so that they were unable to come near their Abbot.

[2nd Edition: In low voice Shuang'er asked, ”Xianggong, shall I get rid of them?”

”Wait a moment!” Wei Xiaobao said.]He [Wei Xiaobao] thought, ”Clearly these lamas are here to make trouble without reason; how can this temple hide some young lama? Is it possible that their intention is the same as mine, they are also looking for Emperor Shunzhi?”

He saw a flash of white light, two lamas already had daggers in their hands, each pointing at Cheng Guang's chest and back. With stern voice they said, ”If you don't allow us to search, we'll kill you first.”

Cheng Guang's face did not show the smallest hint of fear. ”Amitabha Buddha,” he said, ”We all are Buddha's disciples, why should you use force?”

The two lamas slightly pushed their daggers forward. ”Great Monk,” they shouted, ”Please forgive our offense.” Cheng Guang's body slipped sideways, carried by their own momentum, the two lamas' daggers were thrust into each other's chest. The two of them hastily stretched out their left palms to push into each other and hence they both withdrew several steps backward.

The rest of the people shouted, ”Qing Liang Temple's Abbot assaults people! He commits murder!” In the middle of their shouts, from the main door rushed thirty, forty people; there were monks, lamas, and several lay people wearing long gowns. An old lama with white beard and wearing yellow robe shouted, ”Did Qing Liang Temple's Abbot kill someone?”

Cheng Guang put his palms together, ”Those who left home to be Buddhist monks use mercy as the guiding principle; how can they rashly violate the commandment against taking life? Shixiong, Benefactors, where did you come from?” To a fifty-something old monk he said, ”Turns out Fo Guang Temple's Abbot Xinxi himself has honored us with his presence, and yet I did not come out far enough to welcome you. Please forgive my offense.”

Fo Guang Temple was the oldest among big temples on Mount Wutai. It was constructed during the first Wei Emperor Xiao Wen, and was quite established for a long time. Local people had a saying, ”First it was Fo Guang Temple, then there is Mount Wutai.” Actually, Mount Wutai's original name was Mount Qing Liang [same Qing Liang as the temple's name], afterwards, with the discovery of the five major peaks, it was renamed Mount Wutai, but at that time, Fo Guang Temple had already been established. The name Mount Wutai was only changed during the great undertaking of establishing the Sui Dynasty. Within the Buddhist community, Fo Guang Temple position was far above Qing Liang Temple, and thus Abbot Xinxi was the de facto leader of various green temples on Mount Wutai.

This monk was fat with big head and plump ears, his face was greasy and shiny; with a giggle he said, ”Cheng Guang Shixiong, let me introduce you to two friends.” Pointing to the old lama, he said, ”This is Great Lama Bayan Fashi

[78], who has just arrived from Lhasa, Tibet, the one most doted on and trusted by the Seat of the Living Buddha, the Great Lama with most authority.”

Cheng Guang put his palms together and said, ”Brought together by fate, I pay my respect to the Great Lama.” Bayan nodded, his manner was very arrogant.

Xinxi pointed to a man wearing dark green plain garment, a scholar of about thirty something, and said, ”This is the famous scholar of Western Sichuan, Huangfu Ge, Mr. Huangfu.”

Huangfu Ge cupped his fist across his chest and said, ”It's an honor to meet Great Monk Cheng Guang, whose divine martial ability is well-known. Today I can see you, it is truly the good fortune of three lifetimes.”

Cheng Guang put his palms together and said, ”The old monk is indeed very old, when I was little, I learned some tiny skill, but I have already forgotten about it completely. Huangfu Jushi[79] is quite established in both pen and sword, deserving my congratulations.”

Hearing these people were speaking politely to each other, Wei Xiaobao thought that the fight most probably would not happen; there would not be any excitement to watch, therefore, there would be less opportunity for him to fish in troubled water, an opportunity for him to look for the old emperor. Inwardly, he was quite disappointed.

”Great Monk,” Bayan said, ”From Tibet I brought along a young disciple, but he is detained in your temple. Please look at the Living Buddha's golden face and release him; everybody will appreciate your kindness.”

Cheng Guang showed a faint smile as he said, ”These several Shixiong came to create trouble in my humble temple, Lao Na was not willing to lower myself to their level. Dashi is a fair and reasonable man, how could you also listen to rumor? Since Qing Liang Temple was established, perhaps today is the very first time we are honored with the lama masters' visit. Where did you hear that we have detained your precious temple's disciple?”

Bayan rolled his eyes, with a loud voice he barked, ”Are you saying we accused you wrongly? You don't want to drink as a forfeit but take … take a toast.” His Chinese was not too good, it was actually 'to refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit', but he said it backwards.

Xinxi laughed and said, ”The two gentlemen must not harm the friendly relation. In Lao Na's opinion, whether that young lama is in the Qing Liang Temple or not, speaking is cheap, the proof is in seeing. Let Huangfu Jushi and this impoverished monk be the witness, everybody can search around the Qing Liang Temple just this once. Seeing Buddha worship Buddha, meeting a monk nodding to the monk; each place, each monk will see it himself, if the young lama is still cannot be found, won't that mean we don't have any problem anymore?” Speaking back and forth, in the end he still wanted to do a search of the Qing Liang Temple.

A displeased expression flashed on Cheng Guang's face. He said, ”These lama masters came from Tibet, no wonder they do not understand our Han people's custom. Xinxi Dashi is a person of virtue and prestige, how could you say such thing? If this young lama was indeed lost on Mount Wutai, then every monastery has to be searched, perhaps we must start from Fo Guang Temple.”

Xinxi giggled and said, ”If after we search for him in Qing Liang Temple and still cannot find him, if these lamas wish to take a look at Fo Guang Temple, they are very, very welcome to do so.”

Bayan said, ”Someone saw it with his own eyes that the young fellow is definitely in the Qing Liang Temple, hence we came here to inquire. Otherwise, we would not dare … would not dare to be this … this brave in the dark [昧冒- mei mao].” He wanted to say 'presumptuous' [冒昧 – mao mei], but had it backward again.

Cheng Guang said, ”I wonder who had seen him?”

Bayan pointed to Huangfu Ge and said, ”This Mr. Huangfu has seen him; he is a greatly well-known man, he can't possibly tell a lie.”

Wei Xiaobao mused, ”You are obviously in cahoots with each other, how can you be the witness?” He could not help but asking, ”How old is that young lama?”

All along Bayan, Xinxi, Huangfu Ge and the others did not take any notice of the two children standing on the side. Suddenly hearing him asking question, they all turned their attention to him. They saw his magnificent and expensive clothing and personal adornments, the gem embedded on his hat, and the pearls pinned on his lapel. In short, he was a young boy from a rich family. The young boy attendant standing by his side was also wearing silk and satin. Xinxi laughed and said, ”That young lama is more or less of the same age as young master.”

Wei Xiaobao turned his head around and said, ”That's what I thought. Didn't we just clearly see this young lama? He was entering a big temple. There were several characters written in front of the temple. That's right, I think it was 'Fo Guang Temple', three large characters. This young lama has entered the Fo Guang Temple.” As soon as he said that, Bayan and the others' countenances changed. But Cheng Guang was secretly happy.

Bayan shouted, ”Hushuo Badao, Hushuo Jiudao[80]!” He thought by adding one degree of 'way' he would increase the degree of absurdity.

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”Hushuo Shidao, Hushuo Shiyidao, Hushuo Shi'erdao, Hushuo Shisandao!” [ten, eleven, twelve and thirteen, respectively]Bayan was unable to restrain his rage; reaching out, he was going to grab Wei Xiaobao's chest. Cheng Guang raised his right hand slightly, the sleeve of his robe sent out a strong gust of wind toward the base of Bayan's elbow. Bayan stretched his left hand forward, like a bird's claw his five fingers grabbed the sleeve. Cheng Guang pulled his arm back, his sleeve coiled around the claw so that the grabbing movement was halted. Bayan called out, ”You are concealing our Seat of Living Buddha's young lama, now you want to fight and kill people? Rebellion, rebellion!”

In a loud and clear voice Huangfu Ge said, ”Everybody calm down, if you have something to say, let's discuss it over, don't play rough.” As soon as the word 'rough' left his mouth, suddenly from outside the temple a large group of people called out together, ”Mr. Huangfu's order: Everybody calm down, if you have something to say, let's discuss it over, don't play rough.”

Listening to the sound, it seemed like several hundred people had surrounded Qing Liang Temple. These people heard Huangfu Ge's loud and clear voice, and immediately echoed him together, obviously they wanted to intimidate the opponent. Even Cheng Guang, whose internal energy cultivation was very deep, as he suddenly heard this sudden rise of voice, could not help but was greatly shaken.

With a chuckle Huangfu Ge said, ”Abbot Cheng Guang, you are a martial art expert of older generation in the Wulin world, yet you are covering your light and nurturing in the dark in here, everybody admires you very much. This Great Lama Bayan wants to search your precious monastery, why don't you allow him to do so? Great Monk walks in straight path, treads on upright way, the wind clears up the sky revealing the moon, Qing Liang Temple does not have anything that other people cannot see, why would we all harm the friendliness of the Wulin world?”

Cheng Guang was secretly worried; although he himself had a high martial art skill, in Qing Liang Temple he only sat in meditation and expounded Buddhist teachings, and did not impart martial art skill to his disciples at all. So among the fifty something monks in Qing Liang Temple, very few knew martial art. When he exchanged a move with Bayan just a moment ago, he sensed that Bayan's left hand claw, the 'bird's claw skill', was indeed very formidable. And then he heard Huangfu Ge's loud and clear voice in demonstrating his profound internal energy, it was indeed no small matter. Even without the several hundred people outside the temple, just these two martial art masters were already very difficult to resist.

Seeing he hesitating without saying anything, Huangfu Ge laughed and said, ”Even if in Qing Liang Temple there are really several good-looking women, letting everybody admire them is indeed a treat for the eyes.” His words were extremely frivolous, he did not show the least bit of consideration toward Cheng Guang's feeling.

Xinxi laughed and said, ”Abbot Shixiong, if that's the case, why don't you let this Great Lama searching your temple?” While saying that, he had a smirk on his face.

Preceding the others, Bayan walked toward the rear hall in big strides. Cheng Guang thought that the opposite party had come fully prepared, even if he could block Bayan and Huangfu Ge, he could not possibly stop the people they brought along. If a tangled battle ensued, Qing Liang Temple would suffer a great misfortune. In that instant his mind was in a whirl, he heaved a deep sigh, and could only watch helplessly as Bayan and about a dozen of his men entered the inner hall; with no other choice, he followed them in.

Bayan, Xinxi and Huangfu Ge talked among themselves in low voices, while their men were entering and searching the temple buildings and the monks' residence one by one. Without their Abbot's order, the monks of Qing Liang Temple could only glower at these men, without trying to block them at all.

Wei Xiaobao and Shuang'er were following behind Abbot Cheng Guang. They noticed that the sleeve of his monk robe was continuously trembling, obviously in his heart he was extremely angry.

Suddenly from the monks' residence in the western wing they heard someone loudly called out, ”Is it him?”

Huangfu Ge rushed toward the voice, two men grabbing a middle-aged monk came out. This monk was approximately forty-some years old, and had a thin face, he said, ”Why are you grabbing me?”

Huangfu Ge shook his head. The two men laughed and said, ”Please forgive our offense!” and released the monk.

Wei Xiaobao's mind was as bright as snow: these men were looking for Emperor Shunzhi, there was no doubt about it.

With a cold laugh Cheng Guang said, ”So you think this monk of our temple is the young lama of the Seat of Living Buddha?”

Huangfu Ge did not respond; he saw his men were dragging another middle-aged monk out. He looked at the monk's face and shook his head.

”So you know Emperor Shunzhi,” Wei Xiaobao mused, ”If this searching continues, sooner or later they will find Emperor Shunzhi. He is the young emperor's father, I will have to think of a way to protect him.” But the opponent had many men and great force; how he was going to protect him, he did not have the slightest idea.

Several dozen people had already searched to a small vihara at the northeastern side of the monastery. Seeing the door to the courtyard was tightly closed, they called out, ”Open the door, open the door!”

Cheng Guang said, ”This is where a senior monk of our temple lives in seclusion; he has been here for seven years, you must not disturb his peace.”

Xinxi said with a laugh, ”This time people from the outside are getting in, it's not that the monk who shut himself down cannot endure it and thus trying to get out on his own account. What's the big deal about it?”

A big and tall lama called out, ”Why doesn't anybody open the door? Most probably he is in here!” Lifting up his foot, he kicked the door.

Cheng Guang's shadow flashed, he had already blocked in front of the lama. The lama was unable to hold back the momentum, his right foot flew and hit Cheng Guang's lower abdomen. 'Crack!' the lama's leg bones were broken and he tumbled backwards.

Bayan let out a strange 'wah, wah' shout; his left hand flew forward, his right hand made a half circle backward, both were in the shape of a claw, clawing toward Cheng Guang. Cheng Guang stood in front of the gate. 'Whoosh, whoosh!' he sent out two palm strikes to counter Bayan's claws.

”Good! Wisdom Palm!” Huangfu Ge called out. A finger of his left hand went out, a gust of strong wind assaulted Cheng Guang's face. Cheng Guang sidestepped to the left, 'Slap!' the strong wind struck the wooden gate.

Using the Wisdom Palm, Cheng Guang focused his attention on the battle. Bayan and Huangfu Ge launched a converging attack from left and right. Cheng Guang moved very slow, one by one he launched a series of palm attacks, seemingly without any power, but the palm created faint gusts of wind, evidently his own power was quite profound. Bayan and Huangfu Ge's several dozen men cheered and shouted to boost these two men's spirit. Bayan launched several fierce attacks, but all were neutralized by Cheng Guang's palm strength.

Bayan grew impatient; increasing the speed of his attacks, he suddenly grunted, his left hand rose up, his several dozen white beards floated down, he managed to catch Cheng Guang's beards, but his right shoulder was hit by Cheng Guang's palm. At first he did not feel anything strange, but gradually his right arm grew heavier and heavier, it became difficult for him to raise his right hand. Suddenly he let out a roar and dodged sideways. With raised steel sabers, four lamas charged toward Cheng Guang. Cheng Guang's leg flew up and kicked two men, his left palm struck out and landed on the third lama's chest. ”Ah!” the lama cried out loudly, and leaped back. Right this moment, the fourth lama's saber hacked down. Cheng Guang used his sleeve to brush it away, and then the sleeve continued to coil around the lama's wrist. He saw Bayan's was charging forward with one hand up, the other hand down. Cheng Guang moved to the right to evade, but suddenly he felt a strong wind attacked his body. ”Not good!” he groaned inwardly; swiftly he sent out a palm strike, but suddenly he felt a sharp pain on his right cheek, he was stabbed by Huangfu Ge's finger. Although his own palm had hit Huangfu Ge's arm, it failed to break Huangfu Ge's arm bone.

Seeing Cheng Guang's right cheek was bleeding, Shuang'er said in a low voice, ”Must I help him?”

”Wait a moment,” Wei Xiaobao replied. His main purpose was to find Emperor Shunzhi, supposing Shuang'er joined the fray to drive everybody out, they would still be unable to find the old emperor. Much less the opponent had many men with great force, with sabers and spears, while Shuang'er was a little girl, how could she fight these many big men?

In the meantime, the Qing Liang Temple's monks had seen their Abbot being trapped, they picked clubs and sticks of firewood and charged forward to help him fighting. But these monks did not know martial arts, as soon as they came up, their heads were broken and their blood flowing.

”Everybody stop fighting!” Cheng Guang called out.

Bayan bellowed, ”Everybody kill at will!” The lamas were encouraged not to show mercy at all, in an instant four Qing Liang Temple's monk were chopped down that their heads separated from their bodies.

Seeing the viciousness of the enemy in killing people, the rest of the monks did not dare to join the fight, they only stood far away, shouting and yelling. Cheng Guang slightly lost his concentration, and was hit by Huangfu Ge's finger again. The finger was hitting the right side of his chest.

Huangfu Ge laughed and said, ”Shaolin Pai's Wisdom Palm is only so-so. Isn't the Great Monk going to surrender?”

”Amitabha Buddha,” Cheng Guang said, ”Benefactor's sin is not small at all.”

Suddenly two lamas dropped down and rolled on the ground while brandishing their sabers, trying to chop his legs. Cheng Guang lifted up his leg and kicked, but there was a severe pain on his chest, his vision darkened, his leg only went halfway and he was unable to continue the kick. In his daze he swiped his left palm down. As soon as the palm touched the two lamas' head, both of them fainted immediately.

”Dead bald donkey!” Bayan cursed. Both hands swiftly reached forward, his ten fingers grabbed Cheng Guang's left leg. Cheng Guang was unable to stand, he collapsed to the ground. Huangfu Ge repeatedly moved his finger to seal Cheng Guang's acupoints one by one.

Bayan laughed aloud; with his right foot he kicked the wooden gate. 'Crack!' the gate flew in. Bayan said with a laugh, ”Come out quickly, let everybody see your appearance.”

The vihara was pitch-black and was completely quiet. ”Get him out for me,” Bayan said. Two lamas responded together, they rushed into the building.