At that moment, beneath a brilliant blue sky stretching endlessly overhead, the weather was perfect. The group gathered around a table, and Daoist Master Danyang promptly brewed a pot of the finest tea.
"Every Hall Master of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness has been a man of great generosity," he said with a smile. "Hall Master Li, your visit to our humble temple truly brings honor to this place."
Li Jian replied, "I was fortunate enough to inherit the position of the thirteenth Hall Master of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness from my predecessor, Wu Tong. It is my great privilege that the three of you have come to visit this Daoist temple today."
Daoist Master Danyang smiled warmly. "Hall Master Li, you possess the bearing of an extraordinary hero. There is no need to be so modest. Come, let us all enjoy a cup of fine tea together."
Everyone raised their cups. The tea was sweet upon the tongue, delicate and fragrant.
Daoist Master Danyang then asked, "I have heard that an eminent monk of Shaolin sacrificed his life for the Dharma, and that his body has remained incorruptible after death, becoming as indestructible as vajra. Is that truly so?"
Daoist White Brow nodded.
"The monk's Dharma name was Master Liaoyin. Some time ago, he came into conflict with the Western Holy Cult and its leader, the Western Holy Mother. In order to defend the true Buddhist Way, he exhausted his strength and peacefully entered nirvana."
Master Zhenkong added, "The Western Holy Cult deceives ignorant believers by chanting the Buddha's name while masquerading as a Buddhist sect. They are nothing but impostors. Master Liaoyin openly denounced them in defense of the orthodox Dharma. His fearless spirit embodied the highest ideals of Buddhism. After his passing, Shaolin preserved his body and covered it with gold, creating a Living Buddha."
Daoist Master Danyang sighed with admiration.
"Master Liaoyin died as a martyr for the Way. Though dead, his spirit lives on. Surely he has now attained Buddhahood—and the Dao itself."
Fei Jin remarked, "I also heard that after Shaolin gilded Master Liaoyin's body, they began charging admission for visitors wishing to pay their respects."
Daoist White Brow glanced teasingly at Master Zhenkong.
"Well then, Zhenkong, shall we make a pilgrimage to Shaolin and pay our respects before Master Liaoyin's golden body?"
Master Zhenkong's face flushed with embarrassment. Their finances were rather strained, and he sighed.
"I would very much like to... if only Wu Tong were still here."
Hearing this, Fei Jin turned toward Li Jian.
"Jian, does your landlord's household still have grain in the granary? If it's convenient, why don't we make a trip to Shaolin tomorrow and pay our respects to Master Liaoyin?"
Li Jian looked toward Tan Wei.
Tan Wei smiled.
"The former Hall Master left us with plenty of banknotes. We still have more than enough."
Fei Jin burst into hearty laughter.
"Excellent! Daoist White Brow, Master Zhenkong, Landlord Wu Tong still has grain in the storehouse. The young couple can certainly afford it. Tonight we'll enjoy a little wine, and tomorrow we'll head for Shaolin together!"
Daoist White Brow laughed joyfully.
"Landlord Wu Tong always has food in reserve. Traveling with him, one never has to worry about going hungry!"
Daoist Master Danyang nodded approvingly.
"That is because Daoist Friend Wu Tong delighted in charity and generosity. Such blessings must surely have been accumulated through good deeds in a previous life."
Master Zhenkong softly recited a Buddhist verse.
"Amitabha.
Why does one become an official in this life?Because in a former life one adorned the Buddha with gold.The blessings cultivated in the past are enjoyed today;Purple robes and jade belts are sought before the Buddha."
Fei Jin laughed loudly.
"Exactly! That fellow must have burned plenty of incense in his previous life. Not only is he a wealthy landlord, but in this life he even married four beautiful wives. Every man envies such good fortune!"
Fei Jin sighed theatrically over Wu Tong's extraordinary blessings, remarking that he truly enjoyed every happiness a man could wish for.
The group chatted freely, sharing stories of the martial world and enjoying a delightful afternoon together.
That evening, as dinner was served, Beggar Clan Chief Fei Jin produced several jars of wine.
"The last time," he said cheerfully, "Wu Tong even gave me some Western Region grape wine. I've been reluctant to drink it. Tonight we'll finally open a jar!"
Tan Wei rose and poured wine for everyone present.
Daoist White Brow looked toward Master Zhenkong.
"Well, Zhenkong? Will you have a drink?"
Master Zhenkong straightened his expression.
"White Brow, you're trying to make a fool of me, but it won't work! Tonight I'll make an exception and have just one cup."
Daoist White Brow glanced at Fei Jin with a grin.
"Really? Then who was it that emptied several entire jars of Daoist Jiuyang's treasured grape wine atop Mount Hua all those years ago?"
Knowing the two were deliberately teasing him, Master Zhenkong snorted.
"The Drunken Beggar knows nothing except drinking!"
Seeing White Brow and Fei Jin repeatedly making fun of Master Zhenkong until irritation appeared on the old monk's face, Daoist Master Danyang hastily attempted to smooth things over.
"We are all... monks... cultivators of the Dao..."
Unable to find the right words, he awkwardly concluded,
"Let us simply enjoy one small cup."
Fei Jin burst into laughter.
"Never mind him!"
He immediately raised his cup.
"Everyone—cheers!"
The others followed suit.
The wine was mellow, smooth, and wonderfully fragrant. After the first sip, everyone praised its superb flavor.
Daoist Master Danyang exclaimed,
"Master Zhenkong, this grape wine is magnificent!"
Li Jian nodded in agreement.
"The wine from the Western Regions truly is exceptional."
Tan Wei smiled.
"It is the finest of wines. Please, everyone, have another cup."
She stood once more to refill everyone's cups.
Daoist White Brow could not resist another playful jab.
"They say drinking brings ten faults and thirty-six failings. Better not drink too much!"
Fei Jin laughed.
"Exactly! Wine is poison that passes through the intestines. Since you're monks, you'd better drink less. I'll drink your share!"
Master Zhenkong thought to himself,
These two are clearly trying to provoke me. Very well—I won't let them have the satisfaction. Tonight I'll match them cup for cup.
Instead of backing down, he laughed heartily.
"The Buddha never said wine could never be drunk! Tonight I shall make an exception and drink to my heart's content. Such wonderful wine deserves appreciation—not avoidance!"
He lifted his cup boldly.
"Cheers!"
Daoist White Brow and Fei Jin exchanged amused glances.
Fei Jin chuckled.
"See? It's only grape juice! Come on, have another!"
Now that Master Zhenkong had already broken his abstinence, and with Fei Jin enthusiastically urging him on, his spirits rose. Cup after cup disappeared before him as he drank with increasing gusto.
Unfortunately, the old monk's tolerance proved unequal to his enthusiasm. Before long, he became thoroughly drunk once again.
By night's end, the handful of wine lovers had managed to empty every last jar of the precious grape wine that Wu Tong had given them.