Chapter 39

The Old Monk's Favor (3)

The Shaolin fist technique possessed a grandeur and precision that seemed to carry the strength of the soul.

At first glance, it appeared simple, but it was not. The principles behind the strikes were profound and complex.

However, Juezheng had seen enough of the fist techniques.

Zheng Lianxin did not wait for a response. He shifted his weight from his heels.

At the same time, he felt the flow from his waist to his right arm. It was free and powerful.

Whoosh!

Even though it looked simple, a small movement generated great power. He had spontaneously created the principle of "using four ounces to deflect a thousand catties."

Originally, it was the principle of martial arts to receive a powerful blow with a very small force. Now, it was different. With a short movement, he extended a powerful fist.

Thud!

Juezheng's body, which had been twisted by the blow to his side, staggered. His eyes widened in shock.

Even to Zheng Lianxin, who had delivered the blow, the punch felt quite heavy.

For Juezheng, it must have been strange that he did not feel any qi.

A melee began. Complex trajectories and the afterimages of hands and feet intertwined.

As they exchanged blows, Zheng Lianxin took more hits. Initially, there was no comparison in terms of experience and depth of martial arts.

However, he enjoyed it. The fist techniques, without the assistance of the Manguang Jue, felt very new.

In the midst of this, the impact of the opponent's punches and kicks did not penetrate deeply. There was no pain, only the fun of striking.

His physical strength had already surpassed even that of the Shaolin monk.

Rustle! Thud!

Zheng Lianxin feinted with his broad left sleeve. At the same time, his right fist grabbed Juezheng's shoulder.

The rough sensation of the robe deeply penetrated. Juezheng, who had been staggered by each of Zheng Lianxin's strikes, was swaying.

From a distance, an old voice was heard.

"Did you take the form and techniques of the Five Shaolin Fists? No, no. It's just the principles that are the same. Rather, they are even more advanced. The application range of the fist techniques has expanded. How can this be? It's as if you're creating a new martial art..."

Xian Yuan Chang glanced at the monk Yuan Zong, who was muttering incessantly beside him.

Not all Shaolin monks are famous. There were many monks, including martial monks who studied martial arts and scholarly monks who devoted themselves to Buddhism.

Yuan Zong, the monk. He was different from Juezheng, the Shaolin monk. It was the first time he had heard the name.

"Can one become like this by dedicating oneself to a certain field in the mountains? Is that right?"

"Hmm? Hmm..."

Xian Yuan Chang leaned in close to Zhi Xian, who was standing beside him, and whispered in his ear.

Zhi Xian of Xinya County, trying to avoid him, could not hide his displeased expression, but he did not care.

"Everyone knows about Zheng Xiaoye's body. He is known as a powerful warrior in our Manguang Yi. Once, something like this happened. When Zheng Xiaoye was bathing, the maids who were serving him brought water. They went out and secretly came back to peek. They were very brave, being from Ronghuang City. So, what happened... Hmm? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I'm not that curious."

"Ah, others found it very interesting."

While they were talking, the outcome was decided.

Juezheng and Zheng Lianxin stepped back simultaneously, as if they were mirrors reflecting each other.

"If we continue, we will really have to use the Mingjing Pill. Either one of us."

"I have learned a lesson. I will listen to your sermon, Master."

Zheng Lianxin's calm words made Juezheng laugh heartily.

"Your character is truly simple. If I had a disciple like you, it would have been wonderful. In reality, they are all arrogant and do not respond to martial arts and Buddhist teachings. Anyway, I could not defeat you, Xiaoye. Honestly..."

Juezheng's smile, resembling the guardian deity of Indian Buddhism, Vajrapani, was strangely stiff.

He continued slowly.

"I was also afraid. The principles of the fist techniques were not working, and I felt they would be dismantled one by one. This is also my defeat. If you give me a sermon, I will also listen to your request someday."

"Agreed."

Zheng Lianxin nodded readily.

Today, he gained three things. All were significant.

Experiencing the techniques of Shaolin fist-to-fist combat would be a great fertilizer for his martial arts.

The famous medicine, Mingjing Pill, could save a life.

The right to ask the Shaolin monk for help with matters in the martial world was also a valuable asset.

'The Xin Ye Bai Wu Sect. Connections are formed like this.'

Feeling the peculiar nature of the martial world, he walked with Juezheng.

The moon was rising white in the twilight.

It seemed they would not return to the guesthouse today.

He signaled the black path underlings, who were staring at them with shocked eyes.

They decided to listen to the sermon and meditate in the hall, which had been quickly cleared.

Zhi Xian of Xinya County fled with a pale face.

It seemed he had received a considerable amount of wealth from the Xin Ye Bai Wu Sect. Zheng Lianxin hoped Ma Jin would do his job well.

"The First Patriarch of the Zen School, Bodhidharma, said..."

As Juezheng's Buddhist teachings continued, the day grew dark.

The story was that Bodhidharma told Huike that the restless mind has no substance.

At a young age, Zheng Lianxin's spirit was honed like a sword through many fierce battles.

On the contrary, his heart, dulled by the lives of others, was ignited by a life with a deadline.

The Zen School of Buddhism is said to transmit the Dharma orally. Zheng Lianxin's restlessness did not immediately disappear after one sermon.

However, he could learn the concepts that permeate the Buddhist martial arts. It was a new world. For a moment, a blue light flashed in Zheng Lianxin's eyes.

All the while, Venerable Yuan Zong, who had been sitting on the side of the bed, looked at him strangely.

* * *

When dawn was still dim, everyone woke up.

They had breakfast together and watched the argument between Yuan Zong and Juezheng.

Zheng Lianxin and Xian Yuan Chang listened silently to the two monks' debate while eating.

It seemed to be a common occurrence, but the supervisor's face was pale, as if he couldn't breathe.

"Breaking the False and Revealing the True is not just an abstract part of the Dharma. It was a real power, a magical force to destroy the strength built by groups like the Blood Flame Sect! Sorcery and martial arts were originally one. The mysterious skills of the ancients were divided into two!"

"You are creating martial arts to kill the leader of the Blood Flame Sect. You, who have taken refuge in the Dharma."

Juezheng leaned in and whispered to Zheng Lianxin as if he wanted him to hear. Zheng Lianxin himself did not know when they had become so close.

'It's not something to reveal the shortcomings of the sect.'

The words and actions of the two, who looked like grandfathers, were quite childish.

Enough to shatter the vague impression of Shaolin.

"How is that wrong? It is a necessary task for the sake of all living beings in the world!"

"Fine. If there's a chance, we should open the precept of killing! But, Uncle, you are pouring your life into killing people! It's a life without a hell. How can you not consider the hearts of your disciples and students!"

"My delusions cannot be resolved by mere contemplation. I realized it after years of meditation. The leader of the Blood Flame Sect must die for me to live."

Zheng Lianxin was slightly surprised. Meditation was a famous practice.

It was said to be a practice of gazing at a wall and meditating.

It originated from the story of Bodhidharma sitting in front of a wall for nine years and achieving enlightenment.

'Did the Blood Flame Sect massacre his family? Like me.'

However, Juezheng seemed calm. He opened his mouth as if he had heard the same thing dozens of times.

"Originally, our sect's Prajna Great Power and Supreme Great Power are sufficient to counter the Blood Power. Shaolin martial arts have always been strong against Blood Power. There is no greater counter."

"That's not enough, or the leader of the Blood Flame Sect would still be alive!"

"What you desire is to create a completely new system. It would take a hundred years."

"Magical martial arts were originally part of Shaolin martial arts. Haven't I said it many times? The lost Guanyin Qinggang Hand can easily crush the skulls of the Blood Flame Sect's demons!"

"Uncle, your words and actions... and how did you... No, no, that's not it."

Juezheng shook his head, and the meal ended. In the awkward atmosphere, the five of them stood up. Only Zheng Lianxin's expression was strange.

'Guanyin Qinggang Hand.'

Just hearing the name made it seem like it would exert great power in a fierce battle with the Blood Flame Sect.

A martial art imbued