The next day, Wu Tong and his companions met up with Tang Fei, the deputy leader of the Phoenix Gang; Ye Wen, the deputy leader of the Xuzhou Gang; and the Beggars' Sect's Four Great Elders. Together, the large party set out for Shaolin Temple. Since Huangshan Palace was not far from Shaolin, they arrived at the foot of Wuru Peak by dusk. Fei Jin suggested that they pay a visit to Grand Dharma King Jiade of the Jingjiao faith and spend the night at the Daqin Temple beneath Wuru Peak. Everyone readily agreed.
As evening fell, the group arrived at Daqin Temple at the foot of Wuru Peak. The young Jingjiao warrior monks had just finished their martial arts practice and were busy sweeping the temple grounds. Everything inside and outside the temple was spotless. Seeing the visitors approach, a novice monk of about fifteen or sixteen stepped forward and asked, "Honored guests, may I ask what brings you to our temple?"
Fei Jin replied, "Young monk, would you kindly inform Grand Dharma King Jiade that the Beggars' Sect Chief and his companions have come to pay him a visit?"
The novice answered, "So it is the Chief of the Beggars' Sect. Please wait here for a moment while I report your arrival to the Grand Dharma King."
Not long afterward, Grand Dharma King Jiade strode briskly out of the temple with a welcoming smile. The Beggars' Sect Chief and the others quickly stepped forward and greeted him.
"Please forgive us for arriving so unexpectedly today," they said.
Grand Dharma King Jiade immediately returned the salute.
"What are you saying? Distinguished guests have honored our humble temple with their presence. It is a great blessing indeed! Besides, Chief of the Beggars' Sect, your loyalty and righteousness are admired throughout the land. The Jingjiao brethren had no idea you would visit today. Our failure to welcome you properly is truly discourteous."
Fei Jin smiled and said, "Grand Dharma King Jiade, we intend to visit Shaolin Temple tomorrow to pay our respects to the holy monks. We therefore hope to stay here for one night. I wonder if you might grant us this convenience."
Jiade laughed warmly.
"You are most welcome! It is only a night's lodging. Why be so formal, Chief Fei?"
Only then did he notice that the visitors were not limited to the Beggars' Sect.
"Forgive these old eyes," he said. "Could these two honored seniors be Daoist Master Baimei and Master Zhenkong? And isn't this Hall Master Li Jian of the Hall of Loyalty, along with Heroine Tan?"
"Greetings, Daoist Master Baimei and Master Zhenkong."
"Li Jian, Hall Master of the Hall of Loyalty, together with Tan Wei, pays respects to Grand Dharma King Jiade."
"The Four Great Elders of the Beggars' Sect pay our respects."
"Tang Fei of the Phoenix Gang and Ye Wen of the Xuzhou Gang pay our respects."
Grand Dharma King Jiade returned each salute respectfully.
"You have all traveled a great distance and must be weary. Please, come inside."
Fei Jin added, "Grand Dharma King Jiade, thank you for allowing us to trouble your temple. We purchased plenty of vegetables and fruit in the nearby town, and we have brought them as a small offering."
At his words, the Four Great Elders directed two or three wagons loaded with fresh produce to be brought forward. Grand Dharma King Jiade was astonished.
"Chief Fei, this is far too generous. Our humble temple is unworthy of such kindness."
Fei Jin laughed heartily.
"This old beggar is merely presenting someone else's generosity. Hall Master Li Jian is the one footing the bill!"
Jiade turned toward Li Jian.
"My sincere thanks, Hall Master Li."
Li Jian replied modestly,
"You have graciously allowed us to stay for the night, Grand Dharma King. We are deeply grateful. These are only some rice, vegetables, and fresh fruit—hardly worthy of mention."
All of them were seasoned figures of the martial world. That night they stayed at Daqin Temple beneath Wuru Peak, where Grand Dharma King Jiade personally arranged their lodging and meals. After eating their fill, everyone retired for the night.
Early the following morning, the temple prepared breakfast for the guests. Besides plain rice porridge, they served steamed buns, sesame flatbread with fried dough sticks, wheat gluten, pan-fried radish cakes, soybean milk, and many other vegetarian dishes. Although everything was meatless, the variety was impressive, and everyone ate with great relish. Master Zhenkong especially had a hearty appetite.
Daoist Master Baimei teased him,
"It seems Buddhist cultivation is truly the hardest path! Every day it's nothing but plain food. Yet from what I can see, although the Jingjiao faith also forbids meat, their meals are nowhere near as meager."
Master Zhenkong immediately knew Baimei was mocking him again.
"Baimei," he replied, "only by enduring hardship can one rise above others."
Baimei grinned.
"If Buddhism is all about enduring hardship, why are you eating so much?"
Knowing that Baimei had seized another chance to make fun of him, Zhenkong answered,
"This is called kaiyuan—making an exception under proper circumstances. You wouldn't understand, so don't talk nonsense."
Baimei glanced sideways at Fei Jin and continued with deliberate mischief.
"When you drink wine and break your vows, you call it kaiyuan. Now stuffing yourself at a vegetarian meal is also kaiyuan. Aren't you afraid the Chief of the Beggars' Sect will laugh at you?"
At that moment, Fei Jin was completely absorbed in devouring the delicious breakfast. He had no interest in teasing Zhenkong. Hearing Baimei's remark, he set down his bowl and chopsticks.
"Baimei, stop making fun of Zhenkong. I've wandered the martial world for most of my life with nothing to my name. When good food is placed before me, I'd rather fill my stomach first. I don't have time to listen to the two of you bicker."
After speaking, he took a satisfying sip of soybean milk, his face full of contentment, then picked up another sesame flatbread stuffed with fried dough and continued eating, paying the two men no further attention.
Master Zhenkong immediately seized the opportunity to strike back.
"You wanted to embarrass me? Not a chance! Fei Jin only cares about eating and drinking. Other than that, he isn't interested in your teasing!"
Everyone burst into laughter as Daoist Master Baimei and Master Zhenkong continued their familiar banter.
After breakfast, the group packed their belongings and gathered in the square before Daqin Temple, preparing to depart for Shaolin Temple. Grand Dharma King Jiade came to see them off.
Fei Jin said,
"Our heartfelt thanks for the warm hospitality of the Jingjiao brethren. We truly felt at home here."
Jiade smiled.
"It is our honor that the Chief of the Beggars' Sect and all the heroes of the martial world chose to stay here. Our temple fare is simple, so if there was anything lacking in our hospitality, I ask your forgiveness."
Fei Jin laughed.
"You are too modest, Grand Dharma King. If we weren't in such a hurry to reach Shaolin Temple, we would hardly want to leave."
Jiade stepped forward respectfully to escort them out. At that moment, a temple monk arrived carrying a sack. Jiade said,
"There are some steamed buns here. You may eat them on the road if you become hungry."
Touched by such sincere generosity, Fei Jin was deeply moved.
"Many thanks, Grand Dharma King. Please, there's no need to see us any farther."
The travelers then bid Jiade farewell one by one and began making their way up the mountain toward Shaolin Temple.
Grand Dharma King Jiade called out loudly,
"Travel safely, everyone! When you have the chance, please come visit Daqin Temple again."
Fei Jin immediately turned around, waved one last time, then quickened his pace as he and the others gradually disappeared into the distance.