Master Honda's face turned deathly pale. Though he had taken the initiative to attack, he had gained nothing from the exchange. His blood and qi churned violently within his chest, and only after a long moment did he steady his breathing. Bringing his palms together, he declared,
"Amitabha. Your Holiness's divine art is indeed extraordinary. This old monk willingly admits defeat."
The monks of Shaolin stood in stunned silence. Aside from the late Abbot Liaoyin, Master Honda had long been regarded as the foremost martial artist of Shaolin.
With a subtle glance, Dharma King Tashi Dorje ordered,
"We're leaving."
With a sweep of his sleeve, he strode forward with his four companions. The Shaolin disciples looked helplessly at one another, uncertain whether to intervene.
Just then, an old beggar stepped into their path and called out loudly,
"Dharma King, why such a hurry? Weren't you here to exchange martial arts with the heroes of the Central Plains? Why not stay a little longer?"
Tashi Dorje had never expected someone to interfere at such a moment. Anger flashed across his face as he gave another signal.
His three disciples immediately rushed forward.
In a blur of movement, another figure landed between the two sides.
It was Li Jian.
"Looking for a fight?" he shouted.
The three disciples were the eldest Basang, the second Tashi, and the third Gesang.
Basang barked angrily,
"A good dog doesn't block the road!"
He immediately struck with fist and palm.
Li Jian casually reached out and seized the pulse point on Basang's wrist. Gesang hurried in to rescue his senior brother with a furious shout.
A scream rang out.
Basang had already been sent flying backward by a single palm strike.
Meanwhile, Tashi lunged from the side, punching toward Li Jian's back.
Before he could connect, Gesang himself was kicked flying away.
Li Jian turned lightly aside to evade Tashi's blow.
Tashi attacked again with both clawed hands.
Li Jian leaned backward just enough to avoid them.
Gesang then launched a powerful kick.
Li Jian flipped clear of the attack and, in the same motion, caught Gesang's extended right leg before it could be withdrawn. With a simple twist, he hurled him away.
Though only thirty percent of his strength had been used, Gesang shot through the air like an arrow released from its bow.
Li Jian moved like lightning.
A single side kick landed squarely upon Tashi.
Within only a few effortless movements, all three disciples of Tashi Dorje lay sprawled upon the ground. Their backs throbbed as though every bone had shattered, and they could do nothing but groan in agony.
The Beggars' Sect Chief strode forward with hearty laughter.
"Dharma King, don't be in such haste! Heroes from every corner of the realm have gathered today to pay their respects to Master Liaoyin. It is the perfect opportunity to exchange a few techniques with them."
Only then did Tashi Dorje recognize the man before him as the Chief of the Beggars' Sect.
What a small world.
Years had passed since he had established his own school in Tibet and ascended as Dharma King. His appearance had changed greatly, and the Beggars' Sect Chief no longer recognized him as the disciple of the late Great Dharma King Kunbu.
With a sinister smile, Tashi Dorje asked,
"So this is the leader of the world's greatest beggar sect? Might I ask whom I have offended, having only just arrived?"
Fei Jin replied,
"You haven't offended anyone. It's that young fellow beside you who wronged Shaolin. You should never have involved yourself in this matter."
At the sight of the Beggars' Sect Chief, Tashi Dorje felt a chill run through him.
More than ten years earlier, Tibet had united with martial experts from the Western Regions in a massive assault upon the sacred Fire Worship Sect sanctuary known as the Shrine. Owing to its immense strategic value, Tibet had coveted the place for years.
The invasion had been fierce.
Fortunately, heroes from the Central Plains had united to repel the attackers. Tibetan casualties had been devastating.
Even Tashi Dorje's own master, Great Dharma King Kunbu, had fallen in battle after being defeated by the Beggars' Sect Chief.
Suppressing those memories, Tashi Dorje sneered.
"Does the Beggars' Sect Chief always meddle in other people's affairs? The dispute between Shaolin and myself shall be settled according to the rules of jianghu. What business is it of yours?"
Fei Jin laughed.
"How is it none of my business? If Shaolin lets you leave just like this, wouldn't the whole martial world laugh at them?"
Tashi Dorje's expression darkened.
"So the Beggars' Sect intends to stand up for Shaolin?"
Fei Jin laughed even louder.
"Heroes from every corner of the martial world have gathered today. Surely there are plenty of masters here. I doubt the Beggars' Sect Chief will even have to make a move."
The crowd misunderstood his meaning.
Immediately, voices rose from every direction.
"Why doesn't the Beggars' Sect Chief fight him?"
"The Beggars' Sect Chief is no ordinary opponent!"
"The prestige of the Beggars' Sect rivals even Shaolin!"
Amid the growing commotion, the sounds of flutes, strings, drums, bells, and chimes drifted from the distance.
A magnificent procession entered the monastery grounds.
Disciples cleared the way while carrying embroidered banners proclaiming:
"Venerable Wutian."
"Boundless Buddhist Power."
"Miraculous Dharma."
"His Might Shakes the World."
The procession divided into two lines as a sedan chair was borne into the center of the courtyard.
When it came to a stop, a middle-aged monk stepped out.
His features radiated both compassion and solemn dignity.
His disciples chanted in unison:
"Venerable Wutian—
Hearing every cry, he rescues all in suffering;
Filled with boundless compassion,
Removing every sorrow;
Gentle when mercy is needed,
Stern when justice demands.
Venerable Wutian—
Infinite in Buddhist power,
Beyond birth and beyond extinction;
Coming from nowhere,
Departing to nowhere."
Accompanied by his three chief disciples—Wutian, Wudi, and Wuren—Venerable Wutian approached with measured steps.
He respectfully saluted the Beggars' Sect Chief.
"Chief Fei, I have heard my disciples report that monks from the Western Regions have caused trouble at Shaolin. Is this true?"
Fei Jin glanced sideways at Tashi Dorje.
"You arrived at just the right time, Venerable. This so-called Dharma King from Tibet has stirred up chaos at Shaolin over a wanderer who trespassed into the Scripture Pavilion. He was about to leave when fate conveniently brought me here."
The gathered heroes erupted once more.
"Venerable Wutian! Boundless Buddhist power!"
"The Wutian Zen Art shakes the martial world!"
To the spectators, Wutian possessed both the reputation and ability to challenge the Tibetan Dharma King.
The monk visibly savored the admiration washing over him.
His heroic spirit swelled within his chest.
Fixing a stern gaze upon Tashi Dorje, he declared with righteous indignation,
"Today this Dharma King has rampaged through Shaolin, treating the monastery as though it were beneath contempt. Such conduct is utterly intolerable."
Poem
He stormed through Shaolin's sacred halls;The Zen Master stepped into the fray.His heroic spirit stirred the realm;His moment of glory had arrived.