Because of Yuan Zhen, Kong Zhi was convinced that when the Shaolin monks were captured by deceit and brought to Dadu as prisoners, when their fingers were broken after they were forced to show their martial art skills, it was all part of the conspiracy between the Ming Cult and the Ruyang Palace. Later on, when Zhang Wuji came and rescued them, it was also part of the sinister plot to curry their favors. Therefore, he received the guests with a gloomy look. He put his palms together in respect, but did not say anything.
Zhang Wuji cupped his fists and said, "Our humble Cult has a favor we'd like to ask in earnest from your precious Sect. For that reason, we are going up the mountain to pay our respect to the Fangzhang Shen Seng [Abbot Divine Monk]."
Kong Zhi nodded. "Please!" he said, and he led the Ming Cult warriors walk toward the gate.
Abbot Kong Wen, accompanied by the Damo Hall, Luohan Hall, Banruo [great wisdom] Hall, and Jielu [monastic discipline] Courtyard, all senior monks, was waiting outside the door to greet the guests. He took the warriors into the Da Xiong Bao Dian [great hero precious hall] and invited them to sit down. Immediately several young monks appeared to serve them tea. After exchanging some pleasantries with Zhang Wuji, Yang Xiao, Yin Tianzheng, and the others, Kong Wen was silent.
"Fangzhang Shen Seng," Zhang Wuji said, "We would not go up to the San Bao Dian [three-treasure hall] if this wasn't an important matter. We come here to ask earnestly that Fangzhang would honor the Wulin way by releasing our humble Cult's Xie Fa Wang. We will certainly repay this great kindness and great benevolence someday."
"Amituofo," Kong Wen said, "Those who left homes [Buddhist monk or nun] must have mercy as their life principle. We must shun anger and avoid murder; actually, we should not make things difficult for Xie Fa Wang. However, Lao Na Shixiong [martial brother] Kong Jian perished under Xie Shizhu's [benefactor Xie] hands. Zhang Jiaozhu is the leader of a cult, you must understand the custom of the Wulin world."
Zhang Wuji said, "There was another reason behind it, we must not blame Xie Fa Wang." Thereupon he narrated how Kong Jian willingly received some beatings in his attempt to reconcile a great enmity in the Wulin world.
As Kong Wen and the others heard to the middle of the story, he exclaimed praises to Buddha, and stood up at once to show his respect.
With tears in his eyes, Kong Wen said in a trembling voice, "Shanzai, Shanzai! Kong Jian Shixiong willingly put this benevolent and self-sacrificing principle into practice; his virtue was not small."
The rest of the monks chanted scripture verses in low voice, praising Kong Jian's chivalry and righteousness; there wasn't anybody who did not admire him. The Ming Cult warriors also stood up to show their respects.
Zhang Wuji narrated in detail what had happened that day, and said, "Xie Fa Wang injured Kong Jian Shen Seng by mistake; he deeply regretted it. But if we think over it carefully, the real master mind behind this crime was your precious Temple's Yuan Zhen Dashi." Noticing that Yuan Zhen was not in the Hall, he said, "Would you ask Yuan Zhen Dashi to come out? Let us meet face to face and resolve right from wrong."
"That's right!" Zhou Dian opened his mouth, "This bald donkey [derogatory term for Buddhist monks] feigned death on the Brightness Peak, but actually he is alive and well. What is he up to, being sneaky like that? Quickly tell him to roll out." He had suffered a great setback from Yuan Zhen on the Brightness Peak, so he still bore a grudge against him.
"Mr. Zhou," Zhang Wuji busily said, "You shouldn't be rude in front of Fangzhang Dashi."
Zhou Dian said, "I was cursing that bald donkey Yuan Zhen, not cursing the bald Fangzhang ..." As the word 'bald' came out of his mouth, he knew something was wrong; hastily he put his hands on his mouth.
As Kong Zhi listened to Zhou Dian's rude remarks, he was even more indignant. "In that case, how would Zhang Jiaozhu explain the death of my Kong Xing Shidi?" he asked.
Zhang Wuji replied, "Kong Xing Shen Seng was a frank and upright hero; I [orig. zai4xia4 – under] had the privilege of visiting him on the Brightness Peak. I admired him very much. Kong Xing Dashi had agreed to meet with me again in the future to discuss martial art. Who would have thought that the unfortunate Master had met a terrible fate? I deeply regret his passing. It was a sinister plot of some traitors; it has nothing to do with our humble Cult."
Kong Zhi laughed coldly and said, "Zhang Jiaozhu, it seems like you are washing your hands really clean. Then the news that the Ruyang Prince's Junzhu has joined hands with the Ming Cult is also a false rumor?"
Zhang Wuji blushed and said, "Junzhu has had some disagreement with her Father and Brother, and has joined our humble Cult. In her former days, Junzhu has done a great deal of irreverence toward your precious Temple. I will ask her to go up the mountain to pay her respect to Buddha and seriously apologize."
"Zhang Jiaozhu," Kong Zhi was shouting, "Your words are sweet but insincere; how can it be that easy? You are a leader of a Cult, yet you are talking nonsense. Aren't you afraid you will be the laughingstock of the heroes all over the world?"
Zhang Wuji realized that the murder of Kong Xing and the captured of numerous monks were certainly Zhao Min gravest offense. Although she had done it without the Ming Cult's knowledge, presently she entrusted herself to him. Apparently, he could not make any excuses that he had nothing to do with her.
While he was in an awkward situation, Priest Tie Guan said with a stern voice, "Kong Zhi Dashi, our Jiaozhu respects you as a senior eminent monk, he is giving you a face; therefore, you should not press too hard. Our Jiaozhu always keep his promises and holds justice in high regard, how can he tell any lie? Your insult to our Jiaozhu means insult to our million Ming Cult disciples. Our Jiaozhu is broad-minded and generous; he might not want to argue, but we, his subordinates, may not want to let it go."
By that time, the Ming Cult army had besieged towns and occupied lands around the Huai Si and Henan, Hubei area. They recruited soldiers and built up cavalries, so when he said 'a million disciples', he was not exaggerating.
With a cold laugh Kong Zhi said, "So what if you have a million disciples? Are you going to destroy Shaolin Temple to the ground? The Devil Cult has insulted our Shaolin and we have not repaid that disgrace until today. We were captured, and then held captives at the Wan An Temple; we can only blame our own negligence. Evil and righteous do not coexist; that fact we understand well. But you came to our Shaolin Temple and on the back of our sixteen revered Luohan idols you carved sixteen large characters. Hey, hey, 'Destroy Shaolin first, then overthrow Wudang, only our Ming Cult fits to rule the Wulin world!' How impressive! Such a fart!"
Those sixteen characters were carved on the back of the sixteen revered Luohan images with some kind of sharp tool by Zhao Min's warriors after the captured Shaolin monks had been taken away. Afterwards, Fan Yao waited until everybody had left, and flew back to the Luohan Hall. He turned the sixteen revered Luohan images back, so that their backs were against the wall. His goal was to thwart Zhao Min's plan of shifting the blame to the Ming Cult. Later on, Yang Xiao and the others knew something was amiss and they saw the carving on the backs of the Luohan images, but they had never expected the Shaolin monks would also find out about it.
Zhang Wuji had never been known as an eloquent man. Besides, he thought that it was Zhao Min who deliberately stirred up trouble; he was inwardly ashamed and did not know how to answer. It was Yang Xiao who answered Kong Zhi.
"We don't understand what Kong Zhi Dashi was saying," he said, "Our humble Cult's Zhang Jiaozhu is the son of Wudang disciple, Zhang Wuxia [fifth hero Zhang]. It is not a secret in the Jianghu. Even if we were ten thousand times more arrogant than we are, we would never dare to insult Jiaozhu's elders. How can our Zhang Jiaozhu himself make the 'overthrow Wudang' inscription? Fangzhang Dashi and Kong Zhi Dashi are highly virtuous eminent monks, how can you not understand such a simple logic like this? I am [orig. zai4xia4] convinced that there is no such thing." His words were refined and thought provoking, rendering Kong Zhi speechless.
Abbot Kong Wen was a man of learning and wisdom; his disposition was also kind. He realized that in the end, the situation was not advantageous for them. He knew the Ming Cult had great influence; if both sides engaged in serious battle, he was afraid the thousand years of Shaolin history, which was passed on from generation to generation, would unavoidably end in his hand. Therefore, he said, "It's useless for us to debate endlessly; please follow Lao Na to visit the Luohan Hall. We'll look at the Luohan images reverently, and then we'll know who's right and who's wrong."
Zhang Wuji mused, "As soon as we enter the Luohan Hall, the truth will be revaled." Hence, he hesitated and did not immediately give his consent.
"That is a good idea," Yang Xiao replied.
Zhang Wuji did not understand Yang Xiao's intention, but seeing Zhao Min stayed with the 'Hou Tu' Flag members and did not enter the Temple at all, he thought that there was little chance she would be found out by the Shaolin monks, so he had nothing to worry about.
The monk in charge of receiving the guests led the way, and everybody followed him in single file, walking toward the Luohan Hall. Kong Wen bowed down in front of the Luohan images and said, "Disciple is disturbing the revered Luohan, please forgive me." Then he stood up and ordered six disciples to respectfully turn an idol around.
The six disciples went forward as instructed. After they clasped their palms together and uttered a silent prayer, with three men on each side, they lifted the first Luohan idol and turned it around. But not even a scratch was found on the back of this Luohan. Formerly, there was a large 'xian' character ['first '] on the golden lacquer, but right now there was not the least bit of trace of the character. Not only Kong Wen, Kong Zhi, and the others were surprised, even Zhang Wuji himself was stunned.
Shaolin disciples moved together, they turned the Luohan over one by one, but there was not even a half stroke of character on the back of these Luohans. The Shaolin disciples were speechless; they looked at each other in astonishment. They had clearly seen there was a large character engraved on the back of each Luohan, which together, they read 'xian zhu Shaolin, zai mie Wudang, wei wo Mingjiao, wulin chen wang' [Destroy Shaolin first, then overthrow Wudang, only our Ming Cult fits to rule the Wulin world]. But were did those sixteen characters go?
The golden lacquer on the back of these Luohans looked new; it was obvious that the lacquer had just been applied. But for the last several months, the security in and around Shaolin Temple was very tight. To fix the writing on the back of these sixteen Luohans, and then re-apply the golden lacquer, was indeed not a simple thing to do. How could no monk in the Temple know about it?
Zhang Wuji turned his head around and saw Wei Yixiao and Fan Yao looked at each other with suppressed smile on their faces. His heart was stirred; he realized it must be his fellow Cult brothers who went into action. "Whoever is doing this must be very resourceful and have a vast knowledge," he mused.
Seeing the bewildered looks on the monks' faces, Yang Xiao said, "Your precious Temple's good fortune is very deep; there is no end to your virtuous beneficence. Sixteen revered golden images are in perfect condition. As Kong Zhi Dashi said, these idols suffered some vandalism, but the sixteen Luohans are obviously divine, their virtue boundless, they are able to fix themselves. It truly is a reason for us to celebrate."
As he said that, he bent his knees and kowtowed toward the Luohans. Zhang Wuji and the others also followed his example and kowtowed.
Kong Wen, Kong Zhi and the others did not believe such nonsense as the Luohans were divine, having boundless virtue that they were able to fix themselves up. They guessed it must be the Ming Cult who surreptitiously did this. Regardless of what happened, however, it showed that the Ming Cult was trying to make amends to their Temple; knowing this, they could not restrain a third of the anger in their hearts from melting away. But, thinking about how these devil heads were able to come and go like ghosts, they felt 30% admirations and 30% fears.
"Since the Luohan idols are as good as new, we should not mention this matter again," Kong Wen said. Waving his hand, he ordered Shaolin disciples to turn those Luohan back to their original positions.
"Last night, Zhang Jiaozhu has visited us and has made an acquaintance with Lao Na's three martial uncles," Kong Wen continued, "I heard Du E Shishu and Zhang Jiaozhu have come to an agreement; as long as Zhang Jiaozhu is able to break my three Shishu's 'Jin Gang Fu Mo Juan', you can take Xie Shizhu away."
"That's right," Zhang Wuji replied, "Du E Dashi did say that. But I [orig, zai4xia4] have a deep admiration to the three eminent monks' profound martial art skill. In all honesty, I know I am their match. I had suffered defeat under three eminent monks' hands last night. How can the general of a defeated army dare to speak bravely?"
"Amituofo," Kong Wen said, "Zhang Jiaozhu's words are too heavy. Victory or defeat of last night has not been decided yet. Furthermore, Jiaozhu's kindness and chivalry in helping them have left a deep impression on the three Shishu's hearts."
Yang Xiao, Fan Yao, and the others had heard from Zhang Wuji how Du E and the other two monks possessed such an amazing martial art skill. Naturally, they wanted to see it with their own eyes.
Yin Tianzheng said, "Since the Shaolin eminent monks insist on seeing who is superior in the martial art study, Jiaozhu, I think forgetting our own inadequacy, we should follow their request and we ask instruction from the Shaolin Pai. Besides, that is the only way we can save Xie Xiongdi [brother Xie]. We are compelled to do this. It's not like we deliberately want to challenge Shaolin Temple's supremacy in the Wulin world."
Zhang Wuji had always held his grandfather's opinion in high regards; besides, Yin Tianzheng was right, they had no other choice. Thereupon he said, "My brothers have heard how I praised the three eminent monks' divine skill as unrivalled; they said the three eminent monks have been living in seclusion for decades that nobody in the Wulin world knew about them. Now that we are fortunate enough to pay a visit, it would be our lifelong happiness to be able to meet with them."
"Please!" Kong Zhi raised his hand and led the group of warriors toward the hill behind the Temple.
The 'Hong Shui' Flag of the Ming Cult, under the leadership of Tang Yang, had arranged themselves, forming a formidable wall around the hill. But Kong Wen and the others seemed oblivious to their presence; they kept walking toward the peak. Kong Wen and Kong Zhi, with clasped palms, walked toward the three pine trees, bowed and reported to their elders.
Du E said, "The enmity against Yang Dingtian has been resolved last night. The affair of the Luohan idols has also been resolved today. Very good, very good. Zhang Jiaozhu, are you all coming here to fight?"
Yang Xiao and the others noticed the three monks' were short and skinny. Sitting inside the hollow trunks, they looked like corpses. Yet as he spoke, Du E's voice resounded in the mountain and valley. It was obvious that his internal strength was very deep. They could not help their faces from changing.
Zhang Wuji pondered in his heart, "Last night I was alone, hence I could not defeat them. Today I have many people with me. If we rely on number in fighting them, first, I might not be able to unleash my skill to the fullest, second, even if we won, we will demean our own Cult's prestige. Too many people won't look good, too few people won't achieve anything. I think the best way would be three of us against three of them. Fair and square." Thereupon he said, "I have experience three eminent monks' divine skill last night; my heart is full of admiration. I do not dare to show off my shameful skill in front of the three of you. But Xie Fa Wang has shown me fatherly love; he is also a good friend and a brother to my brethrens here. Even if we have to overestimate our own strength, we must try to save him. I am thinking of asking two of my Cult brethrens to help, so that we will fight three against three; that way, we are receiving instruction on a level ground."
"Zhang Jiaozhu does not need to be modest," Du E dryly said, "If in your precious Cult you have someone whose seniority in martial art comprehension second only to Jiaozhu, then you need only one more person to kill us, the three old baldies. But if Lao Na's presumption is correct, there will not be any second person with skills as high as Jiaozhu's to be found in the world. In that case, it doesn't matter if you have more people or less people; all of you can come up together."
Zhou Dian, Priest Tie Guan, and the others looked at each other. They all thought this old bald donkey was very arrogant, by going as far as regarding the world's heroes as nothing. However, they also realized that they were praising Zhang Jiaozhu by saying that nobody in the world could be considered on par with him; so they were being polite after all. Zhou Dian was about to open his mouth to speak, but Shuo Bude's hand was quicker; it reached out to cover Zhou Dian's mouth.
Zhang Wuji said, "Our humble Cult is considered heretical [orig. pang2 men2 zuo3 dao4 – lit. side door, left way] and not worthy to be compared to your precious Sect's prestigious name, but with our several hundred years of establishment, we do have some talented people. It was by chance that I am appointed the interim Cult Leader. In reality, in term of ability, insight and martial art skill, within my humble Cult, we do not lack people who are superior to me. Wei Fu Wang [bat king Wei], please deliver this visiting card to the three eminent monks." As he said that, he took out a piece of visiting card, which listed Zhang Wuji's name on the top, and then Yang Xiao, Fan Yao, Yin Tianzheng, Wei Yixiao, down to everybody who came to pay a visit.
Wei Yixiao knew the Cult Leader wanted him to demonstrate his unparalleled-in-the-present-age 'qing gong', to show the Shaolin monks that they should not belittle the Ming Cult characters. Immediately he bowed to accept the order. After taking the visiting card, without straightening up his back or even turning around, his body flew backward, as smooth as floating smoke. He covered the several 'zhang's distance as if he was skating on ice. As he got to the pine tree, he handed over the visiting card to Du E with both hands.
Du E and the others only saw his shadow sway, and Wei Yixiao had suddenly appeared in their presence. They had never seen 'qing gong' this exquisite; much less he was flying backwards, which was even unthinkable to them. They could not help but praised, "Good 'qing gong'!"
The crowd of Shaolin monks also knew a good thing when they see one, so they broke out in applause. Although the crowd of Ming Cult warriors had already aware of Wei Yixiao's excellent 'qing gong', it was the first time for them to see he fly backwards like that. Only, they felt uncomfortable to praise their own people openly, so even though their hearts were full of admiration, they restrained themselves from saying anything. Only Zhou Dian applauded noisily.
Du E slightly leaned his body forward and stretched out his hand to receive the visiting card. The five fingers of his right hand grabbed the card, and Wei Yixiao felt tingling sensation in his entire body, as if he was stricken by a thunder; his chest was burning, suddenly he felt weak. In his shock, he hastily circulated his energy trying to dissipate the attack.
At the same time, Du E took away the visiting card, and the whiff of internal energy transmitted through this card disappeared. Wei Yixiao's countenance changed, thinking that this one-eyed old monk's profound internal energy was truly immeasurable. He did not dare to linger any longer; leaning his body sideways, he skate on a layer of long grass on the ground, back to Zhang Wuji's side.
It was his infamous 'cao shang fei' [flying on the grass] 'qing gong'. Although it was not exceptionally good, but to train until he was able float like that, that could be considered brilliant. Kong Wen, Kong Zhi, and the others thought, "This man can achieve this level of 'qing gong', he undoubtedly has received training from a master, but obviously because he has talent. It seems that he was born with different trait that other people would not necessarily reach this kind of level even though they train painstakingly."
Du E said, "Zhang Jiaozhu said on your precious Cult there will be three people joining our exchange of pointers. Other than Jiaozhu and this gentleman Wei Fu Wang, who will the other person be?"
Zhang Wuji replied, "Wei Fu Wang had received instructions from Dashi's divine internal energy. I am thinking of inviting the Ming Cult's Left and Right Emissaries of the Brightness to help me."
Du E was surprised, "This young man has a very sharp vision," he mused, "I sent the internal energy via the visiting card for only a split second, yet unexpectedly it did not elude his eyes. Now, what kind of people are these Left and Right Emissaries of the Brightness? Could their martial art skills be better than this person surnamed Wei's?"
He had lived in seclusion for too long, hence he had never heard about Yang Xiao's reputation. As for Fan Yao, he had been living incognito for the last several years so not everybody knew about him.
As Yang and Fan two people heard Jiaozhu mentioning their names, they stepped forward at once and bowed down. "Respectfully accept Jiaozhu's command," they said.
"The Three Eminent Monks use flexible weapons, what will be a good weapon for us to use?" Zhang Wuji asked.