Chapter 77

(77) The Demon's Selection

"Why are you grinning to yourself like that? You’re scaring people for no reason."

Chao Ailiang, who had been lost in memories, returned to reality at Fan Jiewei’s words.

"I just realized we’ve formed a connection with a child who’s even more remarkable than we thought."

Fan Jiewei grinned.

"What’s the point of saying that? You’ll just end up with a sore mouth for nothing."

"Let’s stop hiding now."

As famous as Shaolin Temple was in its time, the footsteps of incense and flower guests (香華客) who came to visit never ceased.

Thus, it wasn’t uncommon to run into people while walking around.

If someone were to recognize them, it could cause unnecessary trouble.

The two figures blended into the shadows between the trees.

* * *

"The rumor was true."

At Duan Aoxian’s words, Han Xuehua sent a puzzled look.

Duan Aoxian had been deep in thought while climbing the stairs leading to Shaolin’s mountain gate.

But when they reached the top of the stairs, he suddenly said something incomprehensible.

Duan Aoxian smiled and pointed at the stairs.

"The number of steps leading to Shaolin Temple. There are exactly 108 of them."

The number of steps, symbolizing the 108 afflictions, was a notable feature of Shaolin.

Seeing the famous steps in person, which he had only heard about, made him truly feel that he had come to Shaolin Temple.

Han Xuehua smiled at this.

No matter how smart and talented a child was, he was still a child.

At this moment, a young monk who greeted the incense and flower guests approached from a distance.

The young monk, with his shaved head and clear eyes, was likely a novice monk (沙弥) who had not yet been formally ordained, as he lacked the precept marks on his head.

The novice monk respectfully raised one hand in a half-greeting.

This was a tradition in Shaolin, honoring Huike, who cut off his arm to be accepted as a disciple by Bodhidharma.

The red robes they wore were also a tribute to the blood Huike shed at the time.

The novice monk, who had quickly mastered the etiquette, spoke without pause.

"May the Buddha’s blessings be with you. Thank you for your difficult journey from afar. Please write your name and the purpose of your visit in the guestbook over there. With the head monk’s permission, you may enter the temple grounds. Please note that you can only stay until noon, and I ask that you remember this to avoid any inconvenience."

His fluent delivery suggested he had done this many times before.

"We’ve come to meet Master Huigong."

At Duan Aoxian’s words, the novice monk’s eyes showed confusion.

"Master Huigong? There’s no monk with the character 慧 (Hui) in his name at our temple."

Duan Aoxian checked the booklet he was holding.

"It clearly says Master Huigong here. He’s the abbot of this temple, right?"

This time, the novice monk was flustered.

"Abbot? Our abbot has the character 法 (Fa) in his name."

Duan Aoxian thought for a moment and nodded.

He had a hunch.

If the abbot had changed before the young novice monk had taken his vows, it wouldn’t be surprising that he didn’t know the previous abbot.

"Then could you please pass a message to the abbot? Tell him that the son of Xin Yi wishes to meet him."

"Our abbot doesn’t meet just anyone. Moreover, he’s currently preparing for an important event and has said he won’t receive external guests."

Han Xuehua, who had been observing the situation, stepped in.

"Still, you should pass the message. Otherwise, you might get in big trouble later."

The novice monk flinched at Han Xuehua’s cold gaze and tone.

"Then I will inform the elders. Please wait a moment."

The novice monk hurriedly ran into Shaolin Temple.

Duan Aoxian smiled as he watched the young monk’s back.

"That little monk is really cute."

Han Xuehua couldn’t help but chuckle.

It was amusing to see a child find another child cuter.

"Don’t trust bald heads."

Han Xuehua added.

"Especially not Fan Jiewei."

Duan Aoxian looked around and whispered.

"Speaking like that will earn you a lot of resentment."

"It doesn’t matter. What’s the big deal?"

"Besides, it’s different with Uncle Fan. He didn’t shave his head himself."

"That’s why it’s even worse. How bad must his temper be for all his hair to run away?"

Han Xuehua, perhaps because she was alone with Duan Aoxian, was unusually talkative.

After a while, a person walked out of the mountain gate.

It was a martial monk (武僧) with a robust build, giving off a rock-solid impression. He held a heavy-looking staff in his hand.

"I’ve informed the abbot. He will give you an answer shortly, so please wait a moment."

"It’s a Luohan."

Han Xuehua said casually.

"Don’t be afraid. Luohans always have that expression."

Fifty years ago, and even a hundred years ago, the faces of the Four Great Diamond Protectors (四大金刚) guarding the Heavenly King Gate (天王门) were the same.

Despite hearing her words, the Luohan in front of them showed no change in expression, maintaining his stern gaze and imposing presence.

After a while, another person walked out of the mountain gate.

It was an old monk with a frail body, marked by the passage of time, and a faint precept mark on his forehead. Despite his gentle expression, his eyes were sharp and clear.

The Luohan who had delivered the message greeted the old monk with great respect.

This was Dharma Master Fayen, the current abbot of Shaolin, the highest elder and the one who made all major decisions.

Knock, knock.

Dharma Master Fayen, using a staff made from a twisted jujube tree, walked forward, followed silently by martial monks, who were clearly elite Luohans.

"Are you the abbot?"

At Duan Aoxian’s question, Fayen’s eyes softened.

His gaze had been on Duan Aoxian from the start. The child, with his handsome features and intelligent, kind eyes, clearly had extraordinary qualities.

Yet, there was something familiar about him.

Fayen, scrutinizing Duan Aoxian’s face, exclaimed.

"I recognize you. The eyes and the face are unmistakably his bloodline."

Fayen nodded and approached Duan Aoxian.

Han Xuehua raised her hand to stop Fayen.

"Speak from there."

The Luohans’ eyebrows twitched.

Duan Aoxian was startled by the sudden change in the Luohans’ aura.

Individually, their auras were nothing compared to Han Xuehua’s, but collectively, they were overwhelmingly powerful.

"I apologize for my rudeness in my excitement."

Fayen chuckled and looked at Han Xuehua.

"It’s a great honor to have a senior from the martial world visit our humble temple."

"Do you recognize me?"

"Though my experience in the martial world is limited, my eyes are not so dim that I can’t recognize the legends passed down through generations."

Fayen smiled quietly.

"Are you not the senior Bingyuxianzi?"

At this, the Luohans lined up behind Fayen were stunned. They had never imagined they would meet a living legend of the martial world.

Indeed, who would think that someone with such youthful looks was over a hundred years old?

Fayen turned to Duan Aoxian and offered a gentle smile.

"May I introduce you to our guest?"

Only then did Han Xuehua step aside.

Her warning had been enough.

"Seeing the blood of Xin Yi here makes me feel the impermanence of time."

"I’m also glad to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you from my father."

"Is that so? What did he say about me?"

"Great Righteousness and Great Law (大正大法). He said you are a person who only walks the right path and that you are the one to guide the Zen lineage in the right direction."

"Heh heh. It’s surprising to hear such high praise. I’ve always been quite critical of people."

Duan Aoxian smiled awkwardly.

Hearing her mother’s evaluation of Shaolin, she knew she wouldn’t use the word "critical" again.

No matter what, she couldn’t say in front of the Shaolin abbot that they were "crazy people who believe they become strong just by shaving their heads."

"How is Xin Yi doing?"

"He has passed away."

"What?"

Fayen’s eyes wavered.

The old monk, who had practiced for many years, let out a heavy sigh.

"Why did he leave so suddenly?"

Murmuring these words with a blurred expression, Duan Aoxian couldn’t help but feel a lump in her throat. It was touching to see someone genuinely grieve for her father’s death.

After a moment of reflection, Fayen asked Duan Aoxian.

"You must have had a hard time. So, you wanted to see me?"

Duan Aoxian tried to compose her agitated heart.

"I’ve come to see a monk."

"What is his Dharma name?"

"Master Huigong."

Fayen’s face showed confusion, then a troubled expression.

"Your uncle has been in seclusion for a long time. He hasn’t met anyone, including us, for a long time."

"Ah...