A Tale of Encounters with Immortals: A Peach Blossom Temple in the Martial World

"When I met your master, we agreed to hold a cultivation exchange conference at some time. Perhaps you two could help me convey a message that Shaolin will come to pay our respects!"

Master Jingxian was surprised. These were clearly words she and Zhang Zhengdao had spoken. Why did you, you old bald monk, have to speak first?

It's true what they say: "To be old and not die is to be a thief!"

"After I inform my master, I will send a message to Master Huikong," Yang Shengtian said.

Master Huikong quickly expressed his gratitude: "It's nothing. As the saying goes, no fight, no friendship. I am both an old acquaintance of your master and a new friend of yours. Why don't we have a vegetarian meal at Shaolin Temple?"

Yang Shengtian cupped his hands in greeting: "I would be honored to accept your offer!"

Su Tang also bowed and thanked her.

Master Huikong turned to look at Abbess Jingxian: "How about... if Abbess Jingxian has nothing else to do, you can come along and keep her company?"

Master Jingxian almost vomited blood.

Should I accompany the guests while I'm at it?

Haha, I, Abbess Jingxian, am the head of the Emei Sect, and you, this old bald monk, actually invite me to keep you company? That's outrageous!

"it is good!"

Master Jingxian immediately made a gesture of invitation.

"Please, both of you!"

Master Huikong was taken aback. "You, a nun, are trying to take the lead here?"

He immediately said, "Please, please, just treat Shaolin Temple as your own sect."

Master Jingxian: ...

The meal was arranged in a small private room reserved for the host to entertain guests. Unlike the main dining hall, this private room was simply decorated, but it exuded a profound and unfathomable elegance.

The reason it was so profound and unfathomable was that even Yang Shengtian and Su Tang couldn't understand the Sanskrit Buddhist scriptures written all over the walls of the private room. Seeing these tadpole-like characters made their heads spin.

It was Master Jingxian who had never heard of such a place before, and she inwardly grumbled.

The old monk is so stingy. He's been here before. Both sides are major sects. When it's time for Buddhist exchanges, why can't we eat in places like this?

Before long, the vegetarian dishes were served, filling the whole table.

"This place is only opened when close friends come here."

The old monk started showing off.

"The writings on these walls are all works by Wang Jianzhi, a famous calligrapher from five hundred years ago. Wang Jianzhi was a devout Buddhist student who studied Buddhism for twelve years as a lay disciple in this temple. This place was originally his secret room for self-cultivation and studying Buddhism, and what is written on it are his insights from his studies."

Master Jingxian also put her hands together and uttered "Amitabha" to express her respect for this Buddhist master, her eyes filled with piety.

Su Tang suddenly asked mysteriously, "Then... has this Master Wang Jianzhi attained Buddhahood?"

Master Huikong said, “There are different interpretations of becoming a Buddha. Being proficient in Buddhist scriptures and having a thorough understanding of Buddhist teachings is also becoming a Buddha. Being proficient in Buddhist supernatural powers is also becoming a Buddha. I don’t know which one Benefactor Su is asking about?”

Su Tang said, "Naturally, it's the latter, Buddhist supernatural powers."

Master Huikong shook his head and said, "No. However, Master Wang Jianzhi was well-versed in Buddhist scriptures and had achieved great enlightenment. In this respect, he can also be considered a Buddha..."

Su Tang asked, "Then can you beat my master?"

Master Huikong was taken aback.

“Amitabha, of course not. Master Wang Jianzhi is not versed in Buddhist supernatural powers.”

Su Tang sighed regretfully, "Alas, what good is comprehending the Buddha's teachings? You still can't escape turning into dust and becoming just another handful of earth."

Master Huikong quickly said, "It's no pity, no pity. Even though Master Wang Jianzhi has passed away, his understanding of Buddhism has been passed down."

Su Tang said, "After he died, how many people did these teachings teach to become Buddhas?"

Master Huikong: ...

No, heroine, can we talk about something else?

"Becoming a Buddha is not the goal; the goal is to teach people to be good and to enlighten the world. This is also the merit of the Buddha."

Master Huikong is indeed quite skilled.

Su Tang then asked, "How does the world today compare to the reign of the late emperor? And how does it compare to the reigns of Emperor Shizong and Emperor Taizu?"

Master Huikong: ...

No, lady, is this how it has to be? We're just having a meal, is it really necessary to discuss things like the late emperor, Emperor Shizong, and Emperor Taizu here?

Should I say it's good or bad?

Master Huikong pondered for a moment, then said, “The teachings of the Buddha have no fixed name for Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, nor is there any fixed Dharma that the Tathagata can speak of. Why? Because all the Dharma spoken by the Tathagata is neither attainable nor speakable, neither Dharma nor non-Dharma. Why is this so? Because all sages and saints are differentiated by their practice of non-action…”

"...Subhuti! What do you think? If someone were to fill three thousand great thousand worlds with the seven treasures and use them for almsgiving, would that person's merit be great or small? If someone were to receive and uphold even a four-line verse from this sutra and explain it to others, that person's merit would surpass that. Why? Subhuti! All Buddhas, and all the Dharma of Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi of all Buddhas, originate from this sutra. Subhuti! What is called the Buddha-dharma is actually not the Buddha-dharma..."

Su Tang was speechless.

He turned to look at Yang Shengtian, who was also somewhat dazed beside him.

Both of them were practically illiterate when it came to Buddhism. Although Su Tang was the Holy Maiden of the Lotus Sect, she only cared about being a Holy Maiden and didn't care about chanting scriptures. As for Yang Shengtian, who came from a demonic sect, it was already a great merit for him not to chant demonic scriptures or to be deviant. How could he possibly read Buddhist scriptures?

Besides, what kind of place is Qingmu Cliff for storing Buddhist scriptures?

Are we going to create a miniature Western Paradise?

Su Tang quietly nudged Yang Shengtian's leg and blinked, as if to say, "Did you understand?"

Yang Shengtian twitched his earlobe, indicating that he did not understand.

So Su Tang decisively picked up her bowl and said with a smile, "Eat, eat! My master said that we can't talk while eating. Whoever talks has to wash the dishes!"

I quickly picked up my bowl and started eating.

That was the decisive blow.

Therefore, cultured individuals in the martial arts world, like the old monk, are extremely rare. Putting aside everything else, just his spittle alone would make you feel ashamed.

Even Abbess Jingxian couldn't help but admire this old monk.

As expected, those who can become the abbots of major sects, especially the Shaolin Temple, the leader of the martial arts world, are not simply shameless people. So he put his palms together and bowed to Master Huikong.

"After listening to my senior brother's words today, I've had a sudden realization. I admire you!"

Master Huikong remained unfazed.

"I will come here often to study Buddhism. I have some insights to share!"

The meal was awkward for the group, and Master Huikong had to ease the tension to make it work.

After finishing their meal, Su Tang and Yang Shengtian said goodbye.

When they reached the mountain gate, Master Huikong took out a book and handed it to Yang Shengtian, saying, "This is my life's cultivation experience. I'm giving it to you two as a thank you gift, hoping it will bring a smile to your faces."

Yang Shengtian accepted it and thanked him repeatedly.

After watching Yang Shengtian and Su Tang use their movement techniques to quickly disappear down the mountain path, Master Huikong put his hands together, chanted a Buddhist prayer, and turned to look.

"The nun hasn't left yet!"

Master Jingxian chuckled coldly, "So, do you want me to leave, or not? You're such a cunning old fox. How can a monk like you be so scheming?"

Master Huikong: "Don't slander me, we are all monks!"

Master Jingxian: "Bah! You call yourself a nun? With your methods, I'm being lenient by not exposing you to your face. Tell me, when you gave him your so-called martial arts insights, were you thinking of having Master Zhang revise and improve your Shaolin martial arts? If I'm not mistaken, this should be your Shaolin's most precious treasure—the Yi Jin Jing!"

Master Huikong: "Although it is the Yi Jin Jing, it is not a supreme treasure; it is just a Buddhist scripture."

Master Jingxian sneered, flicked her sleeves, and said, "I'm leaving, I'm leaving. If I stay with you any longer, I'll be corrupted by your scheming and ruin my cultivation."

After speaking, he displayed his movement technique, his figure soaring away like a crane spreading its wings.

With a smile on his face, Master Huikong looked towards the distant Linbin Town, said "Amitabha," and then returned to Shaolin Temple with satisfaction.

Master Jingxian needs to hurry back and implement the various matters concerning the mutual exchange between the two factions that she and Zhang Zhengdao reached last year at Mount Hua, and send her disciples to Peach Blossom Temple for further study.

This is a big deal, much more aboveboard than the old monk's actions, and the benefits are far greater.

Otherwise, why would I give Hu Yunying the title of one of the Five Greats for nothing?

Meanwhile, Zhang Zhengdao was fishing with the Imperial Advisor by the river.

The Imperial Advisor is now a loyal fishing buddy of Zhang Zhengdao.

The main thing is that the Grand Master can gain some insights while fishing.

After all, Zhang Zhengdao's cultivation has become increasingly profound, especially when he is fishing, it seems that there is a strong connection between him and the power of heaven and earth.

Even if the fishing hook he casts is straight and there is no bait, fish will still bite.

This already goes against his common sense.

It's not that I can't do it.

The Imperial Advisor can also fish with a straight hook. He only needs to use his internal force to activate the hook, which will directly pierce the fish in the water, and then he can catch it, achieving the same effect.

However, one is a passive act of stabbing, while the other is an active act of biting.

Although they may seem similar, the Imperial Advisor knew that the difference was like heaven and earth.

"Oh, they've taken the bait!"

The Imperial Advisor lifted his rod and, sure enough, caught a mandarin fish weighing two or three pounds. He put the fish into his basket and glanced at Zhang Zhengdao's empty basket with a hint of schadenfreude.

"Don't be discouraged, sir! After all, you've only been fishing for half a day, there's still a chance."

Zhang Zhengdao suddenly dropped his fishing rod, stood up, and walked towards the Taoist temple.

The Imperial Advisor was taken aback.

I was just joking, why are you so angry? You're not usually like this.

"Where did the real person go? Did they go back?"

Zhang Zhengdao angrily said, "My two unfilial disciples are back. Go back and teach them a good lesson."

Upon hearing this, the Imperial Advisor hurriedly packed his fishing gear and basket, and quickly followed after them.

It's a rare treat to see Zhang Zhengdao discipline his apprentice; this is definitely a must-see.