Chapter 77

"From the Buddha's finger to Kasyapa's smile, the transmission of the Dharma is through the heart, beyond the teachings." Shaolin is a place of great martial arts, with strict rules, which often makes people forget its other famous identity—the cradle of Zen Buddhism, the ancestral temple of Chinese Zen.

Chen Ang stood before the forest of steles at Shaolin, observing these ancient stone tablets. Behind him, at the mountain gate, a large crowd of martial artists had gathered. Inside, the statue of Vajrapani held high, symbolizing the grandeur of the temple. The forest of steles was filled with famous inscriptions by calligraphy masters, many of whom were Zen monks, making it a truly remarkable place.

Unfortunately, these martial artists did not share Chen Ang's interest in the ancient inscriptions. Instead, they stared wide-eyed at the open space beyond the mountain gate. Of course, if Chen Ang were to tell them that these unassuming steles contained traces of martial arts left by Zen monks, their reactions would be different.

The transmission of the Dharma through the heart, the sudden enlightenment to Buddhahood—without sufficient wisdom, even the most extraordinary martial arts would be of no use. One would still be in the dark, unable to recognize a single word.

Who in the martial world has not heard of Shaolin? Even those not in the martial world, if they have any knowledge, should know of Shaolin, for it is not only a major martial arts school but also the ancestral temple of Zen Buddhism. Abbot Xuanci, known in his youth as the Tiger Subduing Arhat, may have had a fearsome reputation, but people remember him only as the Abbot of Shaolin.

The abbot is not respected for his martial prowess alone, but with the decline of Shaolin's Buddhist studies, the temple is known only for its martial arts. If the abbot's martial skills were lacking, how could Shaolin claim to be a holy land of martial arts? The ancient temple has seen its rise and fall over a thousand years.

Fortunately, this time, Shaolin does not have to bear such great pressure.

Because their opponent is the most terrifying and powerful expert in the martial world in a hundred years, a force never before seen in the martial world.

The First-Class Hall of Western Xia, the Spirit Crane Palace of Tian Shan, the Thunderbolt Hall of Jiangnan, the Tang Family of Shu, and the Wen Family, among countless other great and small martial arts families, have all been crushed by this overwhelming force.

The three words "Prohibition Hall" weigh heavily on the hearts of everyone present, like Mount Tai and the North Sea.

Behind this unique monster in the martial world stands an even more suffocating giant. What was once dismissed with a smile now brings deep pressure, and someone sighed.

"The imperial court!"

The martial heroes present sighed helplessly, like commoners, feeling the shadow and terror of this giant, not just because of the central authority's thousand-year-old prestige, but also because of the god-like figure standing before the forest of steles, observing the calligraphy with interest.

Although Abbot Xuanci was followed by five hundred Shaolin martial monks, he still felt a chill when facing Chen Ang. Before he could say anything, Chen Ang turned around and looked at the gathered martial artists.

"Layman Chen, regarding the feud between this old monk and the Murong family, I have invited several renowned elders to testify that the Murong family's actions are indeed unrelated to Shaolin. We were unaware of the Murong's plans to restore the Xianbei kingdom," Xuanci said solemnly. He then invited the elders, including Zhao Qiansun and Zhiguang, to come forward.

"Master Zhiguang, it's good to see you again!" Chen Ang said with a smile.

"Master Chen, it's been a while. I hope you are well?" Zhiguang replied.

"Less sleep, less talk, I only hope that Master Chen can bring us peace." Zhiguang clasped his hands and bowed deeply to the gathered martial artists. "Layman Xiao, today is the day the truth will be revealed. The tragedy at Yanmen Pass will be settled today! Please come forward, please come forward!"

His voice echoed throughout the area, audible for miles.

"I am here!" came a loud response from the distance. In a few leaps, Xiao Feng arrived at the mountain gate. Seeing him, the martial artists murmured and shouted, "Xiao Feng, you murderer of your parents and teacher!"

"Kill this traitor to the Liao!"

"A true man stands by his actions! If I did it, I will take full responsibility. If I didn't, no one can pin the blame on me! I am a man of honor, and I will stand by my actions. If I avenged the murder of my parents, how can I not admit it?" he said with solemnity.

Seeing his broad face, tall stature, broad chest, and strong shoulders, and the calm and dignified expression on his face, the crowd began to doubt: they had heard that Qiao Feng was a man of great character and straightforwardness. Could they have been wrong?

"Amitabha! Please listen to this old monk!" Zhiguang said slowly. "I believe Layman Xiao. The deaths of Elder Xu, the Qiao couple, and Master Xuanku have deeper reasons. Please listen carefully." The crowd, respecting Zhiguang's authority, calmed down and watched the scene.

"Twenty years ago, the tragedy at Yanmen Pass was committed by this old monk and his men," Xuanci sighed. "I was deceived and mistakenly believed the lies of a villain, leading to the innocent involvement of Layman Xiao's family. All the sins are mine!"

"What a pity!" Chen Ang sighed.

"Abbot Xuanci, it is indeed a pity that it was an unintentional mistake!" Zhiguang shook his head and sighed.

"It's a pity that Abbot Xuanci is a monk. If he had become an official, the imperial court would have given him a high-ranking position," Chen Ang said calmly. "Abbot, you might as well speak slowly. There are many more sins to account for, such as the sins of Ye Erniang and the lawless behavior of Shaolin disciples. Are these sins too light, or are your shoulders too heavy?"

Hearing this, Xuanci's body trembled, and he struggled to stand. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and dared not look at Chen Ang.

"What are you talking about?" Xuan Shi, with a fiery temper, shouted angrily. He grabbed his staff and was about to charge forward but was stopped by Xuanci's stern command: "Xuan Shi, stop! Uncontrolled anger is the greatest destroyer of one's cultivation. Step back!"

Xuanci sighed deeply. "Layman Chen is right, I have sinned..."

"And it is a sin so great that all the water in the four seas cannot wash it away, and all the iron in the nine provinces cannot forge it!" Chen Ang said slowly. "In the Buddhist precepts, there are fundamental precepts and Mahayana precepts, but the first precept is always the prohibition of killing, followed by the prohibition of sexual misconduct..."

"Our Shaolin monks eliminate evil and protect the righteous. Even if we break the precept of killing and fall into the Avici Hell, it is out of good intentions and righteous actions. If you accuse the abbot of this, it is merely a laughing matter!" Xuan Shi retorted angrily. "Even if the abbot mistakenly committed a sin, it is not your place to speak!"

His words were straightforward. Shaolin monks often sacrifice themselves to eliminate evil. Although mistakenly killing an innocent person is regrettable, none of the martial artists present could claim to have never harmed an innocent life. While it was a pity that Xuanci had been deceived and had mistakenly killed innocents, it was not an unforgivable sin, and they supported Xuan Shi.

Zhiguang also spoke up: "Although Abbot Xuanci has made a mistake, Layman, you are being too harsh. The abbot has long repented. I wish to resolve this karmic debt with my life. Layman Xiao, you can take my life. The gathered martial artists will not blame you. I hope my life can atone for the blood debt of your parents."

"An eye for an eye, a life for a life! Heroes, Layman Xiao's revenge for his parents is just and righteous. We will accept our fate without complaint!" Zhiguang stepped forward, exposing his bony chest. "We mistakenly killed an innocent person, which is a grave sin. If you seek revenge for us, I will not rest in peace!"

"Karma must be repaid, and retribution is inevitable. Layman Chen is right, I have sinned! Layman Xiao, I have wronged you!"

Zhao Qiansun also sighed, undid his shirt, and revealed his hairy chest. He handed a sharp dagger to Xiao Feng and said, "I, Zhao Qiansun, have lived for decades, and the tragic scenes are still vivid in my mind. Today, I can repay my debt with a clear conscience. Xiao Juan, before I die, would you sing the songs of old for me?"

Tang Po covered her mouth and sobbed, "Why, why must you do this?"

"At Yanmen Pass, we were wrong. A true man stands by his actions. I, Zhao Qiansun, have lived without a name, but from today, my tombstone can bear my name. Xiao Juan, carve my name on it!"

"Who will carve your name? Who knows your name?" Tang Gong was furious, glaring and fuming. He looked at Xiao Feng and then at Tang Po, unsure of what to say next.

Xuanci opened his mouth to speak but, under Chen Ang's gaze, he struggled to find the words. Tears streamed down his face, and he choked out, "Layman Chen, Layman Chen..."

Words could not fully express his feelings.

Xiao Feng took the dagger and looked at Zhiguang and Zhao Qiansun, his hand trembling. He asked, "Decades ago, you killed my parents. Today, as a son, should I seek revenge for them, should I?"

"Revenge for one's father is just and righteous. Layman, you are entitled to it. You should have enjoyed a happy family life, but because of my sins, you must avenge your parents. Layman, take your revenge!" Zhiguang closed his eyes.

Xiao Feng raised the dagger and plunged it down. The crowd gasped in shock, and one woman's voice was the clearest.

When they came to their senses, they saw the dagger embedded in the ground in front of Zhiguang, only the handle visible. The ground, harder than stone, had been penetrated by the dagger, a testament to his incredible palm strength.

"Does Xiao Feng think the dagger is too quick, and he wants to use the Dragon Subduing Palm to kill them?" the crowd wondered.

Only Ah Zhu, tears streaming down her face, understood the struggle in Xiao Feng's heart.

"Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah!" Xiao Feng cried out, as if mad. "In the past, my father did not kill you, and today, I will spare your lives..." He could not continue.

Zhao Qiansun and Zhiguang looked down, unable to bear to look at him.

Only Chen Ang continued to watch Xuanci, seeing the struggle on his face turn to peace.

Xuanci looked up at Chen Ang with a calm expression.

"Amitabha! Well done, well done!" Xuanci clasped his hands and suddenly struck his own crown with his palm.