Chapter 30: An Arbitrary Request
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Xiang Wentian approached. Although he called himself the "Heavenly King," he dared not act recklessly. Judging by the sword technique that had slain over ten men in a single breath, reckless bravado would only mean death.
Ren Yi had no intention of going to West Lake.
He was not particularly impressed with Ren Woxing’s Star Absorbing Technique. Even if it were offered to him, Ren Yi might not cultivate it. Although this technique could absorb others’ inner energy for personal use, it carried great danger.
He recalled that Linghu Chong had only resolved the internal qi conflict by mastering the Shaolin Muscle/Tendon Change Scripture, yet Ren Woxing ultimately died violently because of it.
Furthermore, the human body can only hold a limited amount of true qi. Without surpassing one’s own limits, absorbing more inner power is pointless; only by cultivating personal strength can one fully wield it.
“Girl, in a while, you should return to your grandfather,” Ren Yi said.
Qu Feiyan remained silent but softly asked, “Brother Ren, where are we going now?”
Ren Yi replied calmly, “Before heading to Blackwood Cliff, I must first visit Shaolin.”
He rose and began walking toward Mount Song, Qu Feiyan following.
Shortly after setting out, footsteps approached. Two monks came briskly toward them—one very old, his face lined with wrinkles and his eyebrows white; the other about thirty years old, holding a wooden staff.
Upon seeing Ren Yi, the younger monk immediately assumed a defensive stance, his expression anxious.
The elder monk gestured gently, signaling the younger to lower his guard, and said, “Amitabha. It has been thirteen years since we last parted. Young master Ren, do you still remember this old monk?”
Ren Yi smiled. “I entered Wudang at five, and both Master Fang Zheng and Master Fang Sheng of Shaolin have visited Wudang. How could I forget? Master, you look just as dignified as ever.”
Master Fang Sheng chuckled, “What dignity is there in an old monk? But young master Ren is no longer the boy you once were.”
Ren Yi smiled and said, “This is Qu Feiyan beside me.” Then he looked at the monk next to Fang Sheng and asked, “And this master is...?”
The monk, slightly startled, composed himself and said, “I am Jue Yue, greetings to benefactor Ren and benefactor Qu.”
Qu Feiyan, still pondering Ren Yi’s words, forced a faint smile. “Greetings, Masters.”
Both monks returned the greeting. Fang Sheng then asked, “I heard the Demon Sect and our righteous disciples are confronting each other at the foot of the mountain. Have you seen both sides?”
Ren Yi said, “I have already sent them away.”
Fang Sheng recited a Buddhist chant, “Amitabha, that is good.” He paused briefly before asking, “Young master Ren, where are you headed now?”
Ren Yi smiled, “Master, feel free to speak plainly.”
Fang Sheng sighed softly, “Forgive my rudeness… I only wished to invite you to rest a few days at Shaolin, not by force, but simply as a gesture of hospitality.”
Jue Yue interjected, “Master, how can we...”
Fang Sheng shook his head to interrupt, “Jue Yue, no need for further words. The abbot also wishes this.”
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Jue Yue bowed and withdrew. Ren Yi said, “Then please lead the way, Master.”
Fang Sheng’s face brightened, “Good, good, come with me, young master.”
Shaolin lay beneath the five peaks of Mount Song, nestled deep within the dense forests of Shaoshi Mountain, hence the name “Shaolin Temple.” The group quickened their pace and entered through the mountain gate onto the temple’s main path.
On both sides of the path, ancient pines and cypresses shielded countless stone tablets, giving this place the name “Stele Forest.”
After passing through the path and the stele forest, they reached the Hall of the Heavenly Kings, then passed through the front courtyard, finally arriving at the Mahavira Hall.
Many young novices received pilgrims in the courtyard, while numerous monks were engaged in afternoon prayers inside the hall. Exiting through a side door, Ren Yi spoke, “Master Jue Yue, please prepare a room for this young lady.”
Jue Yue was briefly taken aback. Qu Feiyan asked, “Brother Ren, what is this about...?”
Ren Yi smiled lightly, “I might need to stay in Shaolin for some time. For the next few days, you either behave yourself on the mountain or go back to find your grandfather.”
Qu Feiyan pouted, “Oh!”
Jue Yue glanced at Fang Sheng and, after receiving a nod, said, “Benefactor Qu, please follow me.”
Qu Feiyan looked once more at Ren Yi before following Jue Yue away.
Fang Sheng did not inquire about the meaning behind Ren Yi’s words and continued to lead.
They passed through several long corridors and arrived outside a stone chamber.
Fang Sheng stood outside and said, “Master Fang Zheng, young master Ren Yi has arrived.”
A novice outside bowed in a Buddhist salute, then entered to report. Shortly after, he returned and folded his hands, saying, “The abbot requests your presence.”
Inside the chamber, the furnishings were simple. A bookshelf lined with Buddhist scriptures filled one side, while the room contained only a stone bed, the bookshelf, and three meditation cushions at the center.
On the middle cushion sat an elderly monk with a serene countenance, radiating the compassion of a holy saint.
Fang Sheng bowed, “Abbot Fang Zheng, young master Ren Yi has come.”
Ren Yi also bowed, “A humble disciple, Ren Yi, son of Ren Hengzhi, pays respects to Master Fang Zheng.”
The abbot rose and slightly bowed, ushering him to the stone bed. “Hengzhi, please sit here.” His tone was gentle as he not only invited him to sit but also poured a cup of clear tea.
“This is our third meeting, is it not?”
Ren Yi sipped the tea lightly and said, “Indeed, the third time. When I was five, you and Master Fang Sheng once met me, and again at twelve, you came at my master’s request to treat my illness. On the third day after my birthday, we met once more.”
Abbot Fang Zheng sighed softly, “Alas, the ‘premature aging’ ailment you suffer from is beyond even my ability.”
Ren Yi smiled, “Fate and time—there is no one else to blame.”
Both recited together, “Amitabha.”
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Ren Yi continued, “You invited me here—surely it is not merely to have me listen to sutras?”
Fang Sheng replied, “We do have that intention… but more so, young master, I fear you may be heading down an irrevocable path.”
Ren Yi chuckled lightly, “Youth does not mean ignorance, nor should youth be underestimated. I have always been this way, but having been raised at Wudang tempered my nature in childhood. Now, it is simply my true character.”
Fang Sheng wanted to say more, but Ren Yi interjected, “This visit to Shaolin is not to study sutras.”
Abbot Fang Zheng asked, “Then why have you come, Hengzhi?”
Ren Yi’s expression turned serious. “Pardon my boldness. I have come to stay a while in the Shaolin Sutra Repository, and also to borrow Shaolin’s treasured Muscle/Tendon Change Scripture for study.”
Fang Sheng was momentarily stunned, then his anger flickered across his face.
Abbot Fang Zheng remained calm and asked, “If our temple refuses, what then, Hengzhi?”
Ren Yi sighed, “Then I will have to read it secretly.”
Fang Sheng shouted angrily, “How dare you!”
Ren Yi shook his head slowly, “It is not a matter of daring. I speak truthfully—first, out of respect for the friendship between Shaolin and Wudang; second, because Abbot Fang Zheng has shown me kindness. If I must read it in secret, it is only because I do not wish to endanger the lives of the Shaolin monks.”
Fang Sheng’s rage was unquenchable. “If not for that, what would you do?”
Ren Yi replied calmly, “I would take it by force.”
“You—”
Ren Yi said no more, instead looking toward Abbot Fang Zheng.
The abbot spoke slowly, “Can you tell me why this is so important?”
Ren Yi answered, “You know well the illness I suffer. To cure it, I must go to Blackwood Cliff to obtain a certain herb—a place not easily entered. With my current martial skill, I fear no one; an individual like Dongfang Bubai is no concern. But the Demon Sect’s followers at Blackwood Cliff number far more than a hundred.”
Abbot Fang Zheng looked puzzled. “And how does this relate to your desire to enter the Sutra Repository and study the Muscle/Tendon Change Scripture?”
Ren Yi smiled, “I intend to combine the strengths of both Buddhist and Daoist traditions to create a new internal energy cultivation method. As long as my inner power does not falter, not even Blackwood Cliff can stop me.”