Chapter 35

* * *

In the mountains of Henan Province, there is a small temple.

Founded by a monk from Tianzhu several hundred years ago, it was initially a quiet mountain monastery for those who wished to leave the complex secular world and practice their faith. However, with the sudden enlightenment of another Tianzhu monk named Dharma, the temple began to preach Buddhism more openly to the masses. This led to the imperial army, wary of the uncontrollable civilian forces that emerged, to directly suppress the temple.

Dharma personally went to the emperor to express that their only intention was to preach the Dharma and guide people towards a better life, not to harbor any ulterior motives.

The emperor, impressed by Dharma, who could be called a great master, decided to test his powers by taking him to the Yangtze River. The emperor crossed the river in three steps using his formidable martial arts and promised Dharma that if he could cross the river without a boat, he would stop the suppression of Shaolin Temple.

Dharma plucked a reed and used it to glide across the river, proving his powers.

The emperor laughed and rejoiced, keeping his promise. In return, Dharma maintained the small size of Shaolin Temple to show gratitude to the emperor. Later, whenever there were inexplicable events or rampaging monsters that could not be solved by mere swords and spears, the imperial army sought advice from Shaolin Temple.

Thus, although Shaolin Temple did not grow in size, it became the center of Zen Buddhism in Central China, earning the respect of many people and ancient families. This respect has not diminished even a hundred years after the discovery of the new continent and the migration of countless people.

Zhenjian, a Shaolin disciple, thought of Shaolin as his home and family, and thus loved it. He understood the sorrow of his master, Huizuan, who was sitting in front of him, closing his eyes and rolling his prayer beads.

Huizuan asked in a hoarse voice, "Where did that boy go?"

"He seems to have taken a boat from Hangzhou to the new continent."

"Ah... Just because he ran away doesn't mean the bond is severed..."

Huizuan, who had practiced for decades, lowered his head and continued, "Did he really... steal that?"

Zhenjian wanted to say no, but he couldn't lie to Huizuan. No one was more hurt by the successor's fall and escape than Huizuan.

"Yes. From the circumstances, it seems Zhenzao took it. Otherwise, there would be no reason for him to flee across the sea."

Huizuan, still with his head lowered, remained silent for a long time. Zhenjian, unable to speak, let the silence of the temple or the silence of a sinner fill the room.

"Then there's no other choice. Disciple Zhenjian, listen."

"Yes, Abbot. I am listening."

Huizuan, still with his head lowered, spoke in a weak voice, "I expel disciple Zhenzao. You, Zhenjian, go to the new continent, find Zhenzao, and retrieve everything given by Shaolin... everything..."

Zhenjian, sitting straight, replied calmly, "Yes, Abbot. I will find Zhenzao and retrieve everything given by Shaolin, as well as what he stole."

That day, Arhat Zhenjian of Shaolin descended the mountain. His goal was to punish the expelled disciple Zhenzao and recover the treasures.

* * *

Yan Xiaxiang, the governor of Hawaii, lounged comfortably in his chair, enjoying the cool breeze under the shade, the distant horizon, the blue sea, the sailing ships, and the sparkling sand.

Some saw the governor of Hawaii as the end of their official career and tried to avoid it. The reasons were the distance from the central government, the conflicts between the native islanders and immigrants, and the headaches caused by the various people traveling from Central China to the new continent.

"What do they know?"

Yan Xiaxiang sipped his drink and smiled. For someone who didn't aspire to higher office, these islands were heaven.

Being far from the central government meant less interference, making him almost a king. The conflicts between the natives and immigrants had largely been resolved over a hundred years. Controlling the people passing through to the new continent was not difficult with the authority of the imperial army.

The only issue was the occasional visits of imperial family members who came to enjoy the scenery and rest. They usually stayed in the villas on the northern islands and had little contact except when they visited. A meal, some drinks, and a performance of native dances and songs usually satisfied them, and they returned to Central China content.

"Ah, this is living. What's the point of aspiring to a high office and living a stressful life?"

Most governors of Hawaii, finding no special reason to leave, stayed even after their term ended, enjoying the natural beauty or the native dances. Some even refused higher positions and spent their lives as governors.

Yan Xiaxiang thought he would do the same. Free from the tedious family and Central China life, he couldn't be happier. He watched the slowly moving ships on the horizon and sipped his drink, which was actually disguised as alcohol. He believed that with this shade and a drink, his remaining life would be happy.

Suddenly, two warriors in light armor, You Shang and Kellani, rushed to Yan Xiaxiang. Kellani, a native and a symbol of the interaction between immigrants and natives, was among them.

"Ah! Welcome, You Shang, Kellani! What's the rush? Life is no fun if you're always busy."

Yan Xiaxiang's greeting made You Shang's face twist, and Kellani sighed. Yan Xiaxiang, noticing their expressions, asked, "What's wrong? Is there really a problem?"

"Commander You Shang, I greet you, Governor."

"Commander Kellani, I greet you, Governor."

The two commanders greeted him formally and sighed deeply. Then, You Shang took out a piece of paper and handed it to him. Yan Xiaxiang, sensing the seriousness, took it and carefully unfolded it.

"I'll be back from the new continent. Don't worry, I'm going with Zhenha."

"…What is this?"

Yan Xiaxiang, confused, asked. You Shang replied, "Do you know where I found this?"

"Where? Heh, did you find it in your daughter's room? That kid has a bold nature and was bound to cause trouble someday."

Yan Xiaxiang, laughing, suddenly stiffened.

"Wait. Zhenha? I've heard that name before."

"Two days ago at the banquet."

Kellani's answer made Yan Xiaxiang remember and laugh again.

"Ah! The female swordsman who balanced a wine glass on her sword tip while dancing? Wow... She must have practiced her martial arts diligently. I remember she didn't spill a drop of wine while dancing."

"The glass was large, and the wine was only a little."

"Still, that's impressive. People should praise such talent. You're too stiff, Kellani—"

"Governor!"

Kellani's interruption made Yan Xiaxiang finally realize the seriousness. You Shang looked at him with pity and said, "Do you remember who that swordsman was protecting?"

"Huh? She was the bodyguard of the princess who came to visit. How could I forget—"

Yan Xiaxiang's face froze. You Shang, seeing his expression, sighed.

"…We're in trouble. Really."

A maid cleaning the governor's house was startled by a sudden scream. It was so eerie and chilling, like the final scream of a madman at the moment of death, making her skin crawl. But the voice seemed familiar, making her tilt her head in confusion.

* * *

Zhang Jian shivered and straightened his collar at the chill. After the incident in Qing Shu Village, he had traveled south to get away from Gan Mountain. The weather had turned cold, and his thin clothes were no match for the chill.

It wasn't as cold as the snow-covered northern regions, but it was still cold. Zhang Jian, with a half-smoked cigarette in his mouth, muttered to himself.

"Damn. I should have gone to Xin Shitian. Or maybe Tianhou City... It wouldn't have been cold there..."

Zhaozao, his horse, grumbled as if to say, "Why are you complaining about the journey you planned?"

"Well, I've been there a few times. It's warm but boring. There are too many imperial soldiers."

Zhaozao grumbled again, as if to say, "What about other places?"

"Xin Shitian? The Martial Arts Alliance is there. Not a good place for a wanderer like me."

Zhaozao sighed deeply, as if to say, "Why are you complaining about everything you suggest?"

Zhang Jian laughed, finding it amusing. They continued their idle conversation as they slowly walked. Eventually, they climbed a small hill.

"Ah."

From the top of the hill, a small city came into view. The vast, open sky and the city below, with snow-capped mountains in the distance, created a breathtaking scene.

Zhang Jian, stopping to take it in, tugged Zhaozao's reins.

"Let's go. We can stay at an inn tonight."

Zhaozao, looking forward to it, started down the hill more quickly.

As they approached the city, they saw carriages and people that had been hidden by the hill. The number of people suggested it might be a larger city than it appeared from a distance.

Zhang Jian, looking forward to a warm meal and a bed, didn't pay much attention to the passersby. However, once inside the city, he couldn't help but stop Zhaozao and look at a crowd gathered on one side.

There was a high scaffold with four people, their heads in nooses. They were either sobbing or staring blankly at the sky.

Next to them, a middle-aged man in clean clothes was reading a document aloud.

"…To be hanged! Li Guang! For stealing a carriage, robbery, and the murder of three civilians, you are sentenced to death! Yu Songyan! For poisoning your husband, you are sentenced to death! Jiang Yishi! For raping and murdering a woman, you are sentenced to death! That's it! The sentences for these four criminals will now be carried out!"

As he finished, a few people climbed the scaffold and covered the prisoners' heads with black cloth. Most of the prisoners were trembling and could barely stand. The woman, who had been crying, was now gasping for breath.

Zhang Jian knew that before the black cloth was placed, the prisoners were usually allowed to make a final statement and given time to calm down. What he saw now looked like a rushed execution without such considerations.

Someone shouted, "Damn bastards! Just hang them already!"

This seemed to spark a reaction from the crowd, and more voices joined in.

"Disgusting! Just hang them!"

"Because of this guy, my business was delayed for days! Just hang him!"

"Rapist! They should have torn off his balls first!"

Not everyone was shouting, but those who did were extremely aggressive. The executioner, unable to bear it, shouted back.

"Shut up! If you have complaints about the execution, take it up with the Sword Dragon Gate! We enforce the law in this city! And it's just a hanging, so what's the problem?"

The crowd quieted down. The executioner, adjusting his clothes, signaled to the scaffold. The mechanism was triggered, and the platforms under the prisoners' feet dropped, hanging them.

The people who had been shouting for the prisoners to be killed were momentarily silent. Three of the prisoners died instantly, but one was still struggling.

However, it was only a matter of time. Soon, all four hung lifelessly, swaying in the wind. The crowd, watching, let out a light cheer and applause.

Zhang Jian, watching from a distance, spat out his cigarette and took out the last piece of paper and tobacco. He rolled a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag. He exhaled the smoke and tugged Zhaozao's reins. Zhaozao, without his usual playfulness, slowly walked towards an inn.

Despite the city's buildings, the winter chill only grew stronger.