Just then, the Purple Zenith Cult Leader said, "Both of you are heroes of extraordinary caliber. In a few days, our sect will be hosting a Heroes' Assembly, and I sincerely invite you both to honor us with your presence."
The Purple Zenith Cult Leader's sudden appearance at Shaolin Temple caught everyone by surprise and completely disrupted the Beggars' Sect Leader's plans. Stepping out from the crowd, the Beggars' Sect Leader faced him and said, "Cult Leader, this Tibetan Dharma King has caused havoc at Shaolin Temple. If you truly wish to uphold justice in the martial world, then I ask you to deal with this matter. If you simply allow him to leave, what will become of Shaolin Temple's reputation?"
The Purple Zenith Cult Leader nodded and turned toward Tashi Dorje Dharma King.
"Your Holiness has traveled a great distance to visit Shaolin Temple. May I ask what has led you to create such turmoil here? I would like to hear the whole story."
Tashi Dorje Dharma King had originally hoped to seize the opportunity to slip away unnoticed. Unexpectedly, however, the Beggars' Sect Leader refused to let him escape. Surrounded by so many martial artists from the Central Plains, he could not help but feel somewhat uneasy. Secretly lamenting his predicament, he realized that offending the martial world today might bring endless trouble in the future.
After a moment of silence, he said, "Cult Leader, your devotion to benevolence and righteousness has long earned my admiration..."
He paused before continuing with a sigh.
"I am Tashi Dorje Dharma King of Tubo. I recently journeyed to the Central Plains, hoping to exchange martial arts with its finest masters. Along the way, I happened to befriend Young Hero Xiao, and we traveled together. Yesterday, I mentioned to him that I wished to see the Yijin Jing..."
His expression darkened as he sighed again.
"Never did I imagine that my young friend from the Central Plains would risk his life by infiltrating Shaolin Temple's Sutra Library alone on my behalf. Cult Leader, tell me—how could I possibly abandon a friend who has shown me such loyalty? How could I forsake him in his hour of need?"
Tashi Dorje Dharma King was an eloquent speaker. His heartfelt account moved even the martial artists present. Among the people of jianghu, loyalty and brotherhood were held above all else. They now believed that he had challenged Shaolin's Discipline Court and later fought Master Honda solely out of gratitude for Xiao Yi's sacrifice. His actions appeared entirely understandable—indeed, even righteous.
Whispers spread throughout the crowd as many nodded in agreement. After all, in the dangerous world of jianghu, nothing bound warriors together more firmly than loyalty and brotherhood.
Yet this was nothing more than a carefully staged deception.
In truth, Xiao Yi had not acted on impulse. He and Tashi Dorje Dharma King had long conspired together. Xiao Yi's infiltration of Shaolin Temple's Sutra Library had always been intended to steal the Yijin Jing. When their scheme was exposed, the Dharma King had no choice but to intervene and rescue him. Naturally, his explanation emphasized their friendship and loyalty, for nothing stirred the hearts of martial artists more deeply than such bonds. It was a tactic that proved remarkably effective.
The Purple Zenith Cult Leader nodded. Having already been praised by the Dharma King as one who "champions benevolence and righteousness," he turned to the Beggars' Sect Leader and said,
"Leader Fei, one should always show mercy whenever possible. The Dharma King risked everything for a friend—surely that is an act of great righteousness. I am deeply moved. Is not benevolence and honor precisely what the martial world of the Central Plains esteems above all else? I sincerely hope you will not cling too rigidly to justice. Please show generosity and forgive the Dharma King's unintentional offense."
The Beggars' Sect Leader fell silent for quite some time.
He thought to himself, This Tibetan Dharma King is no ordinary opponent. The boy trespassed into Shaolin Temple and was clearly at fault, yet now he has managed to portray himself as a man of unmatched loyalty and honor.
It was indeed a troublesome situation.
Forced by the circumstances, he finally replied,
"This is not truly the Beggars' Sect's affair. It just so happened that this old beggar witnessed everything and couldn't help interfering. Very well. In my opinion, the Dharma King should personally explain the entire matter to Shaolin's Abbot and respectfully ask for his forgiveness."
The martial artists present all hoped that both sides would take a step back, allowing a major conflict to be peacefully resolved.
Seeing that Leader Fei was willing to yield, the Purple Zenith Cult Leader was greatly pleased.
"Leader Fei has long been celebrated throughout the martial world for his loyalty, honor, and righteousness. Having witnessed your noble character today, I admire you all the more."
He then turned to Tashi Dorje Dharma King.
"Today's conflict between Your Holiness and Shaolin Temple seems to have arisen from misunderstanding. If you leave now without resolving it, resentment may linger between both sides forever. Why don't I personally lead the way? Let us visit the Abbot together. What do you think, Your Holiness?"
Tashi Dorje Dharma King was secretly overjoyed, though he betrayed none of it.
"Cult Leader, your great virtue and compassion command my deepest respect. I shall gladly accompany you. Thank you for your assistance."
With that, he gestured forward and started walking. Yet his pace remained deliberately slow, allowing the Purple Zenith Cult Leader to take the lead while he quietly followed behind. Together, the two parties headed toward the Abbot's Courtyard.
The contest of wits between Tashi Dorje Dharma King and Beggars' Sect Leader Fei Jin had ended in a draw. Neither had gained the upper hand.
As the saying goes:
"When one has a ladder to heaven, the other has a rope to the earth."
Master Wutian placed his palms together in salute and respectfully nodded to Leader Fei before leading his followers away. The spectators, having enjoyed the spectacle, gradually dispersed as well.
Watching the departing groups, Leader Fei could only smile wryly.
At that moment, the monk Yuantong from the Rear Hall hurried forward, pressed his palms together, and said,
"Leader Fei, thank you for upholding justice on behalf of Shaolin Temple."
Chief Monk Benguang also stepped forward and bowed.
"Amitabha. Had the world's greatest sect not come to our aid today, Shaolin Temple would surely have suffered unbearable humiliation."
Master Honda likewise joined his palms.
"Amitabha. We thank you sincerely for your timely assistance."
Leader Fei replied,
"Master Benguang, my companions and I would also like to pay our respects to the Abbot. I shall have to trouble you to lead the way."
(The traditional Shaolin Dharma-generation sequence was: Fu, Hui, Zhi, Zi, Jue; Liao, Ben, Yuan, Ke, Wu.)
That day, under Beggars' Sect Leader Fei Jin's introduction, Li Jian and Tan Wei were granted an audience with Shaolin Temple's Abbot and the Four Chief Monastic Officers.
Abbot Benjue held the newly appointed Hall of Loyalty's leader in exceptionally high regard. He repeatedly declared that whenever an imperial official visited Shaolin Temple, a grand banquet should be prepared in his honor.
What the Abbot understood well was that the title of Hall of Loyalty Leader itself carried imperial authority. As an imperial monastery, Shaolin Temple ultimately fell under the Hall of Loyalty's jurisdiction. Therefore, his words were entirely appropriate.
Now that Li Jian had succeeded as the Hall of Loyalty's leader, it was his duty to travel throughout the martial world, and Shaolin Temple was naturally one of the essential places he was expected to visit. Such visits had long been a tradition whenever leadership passed from one generation to the next.
Abbot Benjue understood this perfectly. Without the Hall of Loyalty's steadfast support over the years, Shaolin Temple could never have remained detached from the conflicts of the martial world. With the Hall of Loyalty serving as its powerful patron, few forces dared challenge Shaolin openly.
For this reason, Shaolin Temple welcomed Li Jian and his companions as honored guests.
Moreover, Beggars' Sect Leader Fei Jin had preserved Shaolin Temple's dignity earlier that very day. Unable to decline the monks' warm hospitality, the entire party remained at the temple and shared a lavish vegetarian banquet in the monks' dining hall.