Chapter - 470 Graceful Movements of Three Pines In the Lush Green Forest (11)

Zhang Wuji had never been known as an eloquent man. Besides, he thought that it was Zhao Min who deliberately stirred up trouble; he was inwardly ashamed and did not know how to answer. It was Yang Xiao who answered Kong Zhi.

"We don't understand what Kong Zhi Dashi was saying," he said, "Our humble Cult's Zhang Jiaozhu is the son of Wudang disciple, Zhang Wuxia [fifth hero Zhang]. It is not a secret in the Jianghu. Even if we were ten thousand times more arrogant than we are, we would never dare to insult Jiaozhu's elders. How can our Zhang Jiaozhu himself make the 'overthrow Wudang' inscription? Fangzhang Dashi and Kong Zhi Dashi are highly virtuous eminent monks, how can you not understand such a simple logic like this? I am [orig. zai4xia4] convinced that there is no such thing." His words were refined and thought provoking, rendering Kong Zhi speechless.

Abbot Kong Wen was a man of learning and wisdom; his disposition was also kind. He realized that in the end, the situation was not advantageous for them. He knew the Ming Cult had great influence; if both sides engaged in serious battle, he was afraid the thousand years of Shaolin history, which was passed on from generation to generation, would unavoidably end in his hand. Therefore, he said, "It's useless for us to debate endlessly; please follow Lao Na to visit the Luohan Hall. We'll look at the Luohan images reverently, and then we'll know who's right and who's wrong."

Zhang Wuji mused, "As soon as we enter the Luohan Hall, the truth will be revaled." Hence, he hesitated and did not immediately give his consent.

"That is a good idea," Yang Xiao replied.

Zhang Wuji did not understand Yang Xiao's intention, but seeing Zhao Min stayed with the 'Hou Tu' Flag members and did not enter the Temple at all, he thought that there was little chance she would be found out by the Shaolin monks, so he had nothing to worry about.

The monk in charge of receiving the guests led the way, and everybody followed him in single file, walking toward the Luohan Hall. Kong Wen bowed down in front of the Luohan images and said, "Disciple is disturbing the revered Luohan, please forgive me." Then he stood up and ordered six disciples to respectfully turn an idol around.

The six disciples went forward as instructed. After they clasped their palms together and uttered a silent prayer, with three men on each side, they lifted the first Luohan idol and turned it around. But not even a scratch was found on the back of this Luohan. Formerly, there was a large 'xian' character ['first '] on the golden lacquer, but right now there was not the least bit of trace of the character. Not only Kong Wen, Kong Zhi, and the others were surprised, even Zhang Wuji himself was stunned.

Shaolin disciples moved together, they turned the Luohan over one by one, but there was not even a half stroke of character on the back of these Luohans. The Shaolin disciples were speechless; they looked at each other in astonishment. They had clearly seen there was a large character engraved on the back of each Luohan, which together, they read 'xian zhu Shaolin, zai mie Wudang, wei wo Mingjiao, wulin chen wang' [Destroy Shaolin first, then overthrow Wudang, only our Ming Cult fits to rule the Wulin world]. But were did those sixteen characters go?

The golden lacquer on the back of these Luohans looked new; it was obvious that the lacquer had just been applied. But for the last several months, the security in and around Shaolin Temple was very tight. To fix the writing on the back of these sixteen Luohans, and then re-apply the golden lacquer, was indeed not a simple thing to do. How could no monk in the Temple know about it?

Zhang Wuji turned his head around and saw Wei Yixiao and Fan Yao looked at each other with suppressed smile on their faces. His heart was stirred; he realized it must be his fellow Cult brothers who went into action. "Whoever is doing this must be very resourceful and have a vast knowledge," he mused.

Seeing the bewildered looks on the monks' faces, Yang Xiao said, "Your precious Temple's good fortune is very deep; there is no end to your virtuous beneficence. Sixteen revered golden images are in perfect condition. As Kong Zhi Dashi said, these idols suffered some vandalism, but the sixteen Luohans are obviously divine, their virtue boundless, they are able to fix themselves. It truly is a reason for us to celebrate."

As he said that, he bent his knees and kowtowed toward the Luohans. Zhang Wuji and the others also followed his example and kowtowed.

Kong Wen, Kong Zhi and the others did not believe such nonsense as the Luohans were divine, having boundless virtue that they were able to fix themselves up. They guessed it must be the Ming Cult who surreptitiously did this. Regardless of what happened, however, it showed that the Ming Cult was trying to make amends to their Temple; knowing this, they could not restrain a third of the anger in their hearts from melting away. But, thinking about how these devil heads were able to come and go like ghosts, they felt 30% admirations and 30% fears.

"Since the Luohan idols are as good as new, we should not mention this matter again," Kong Wen said. Waving his hand, he ordered Shaolin disciples to turn those Luohan back to their original positions.

"Last night, Zhang Jiaozhu has visited us and has made an acquaintance with Lao Na's three martial uncles," Kong Wen continued, "I heard Du E Shishu and Zhang Jiaozhu have come to an agreement; as long as Zhang Jiaozhu is able to break my three Shishu's 'Jin Gang Fu Mo Juan', you can take Xie Shizhu away."

"That's right," Zhang Wuji replied, "Du E Dashi did say that. But I [orig, zai4xia4] have a deep admiration to the three eminent monks' profound martial art skill. In all honesty, I know I am their match. I had suffered defeat under three eminent monks' hands last night. How can the general of a defeated army dare to speak bravely?"

"Amituofo," Kong Wen said, "Zhang Jiaozhu's words are too heavy. Victory or defeat of last night has not been decided yet. Furthermore, Jiaozhu's kindness and chivalry in helping them have left a deep impression on the three Shishu's hearts."

Yang Xiao, Fan Yao, and the others had heard from Zhang Wuji how Du E and the other two monks possessed such an amazing martial art skill. Naturally, they wanted to see it with their own eyes.

Yin Tianzheng said, "Since the Shaolin eminent monks insist on seeing who is superior in the martial art study, Jiaozhu, I think forgetting our own inadequacy, we should follow their request and we ask instruction from the Shaolin Pai. Besides, that is the only way we can save Xie Xiongdi [brother Xie]. We are compelled to do this. It's not like we deliberately want to challenge Shaolin Temple's supremacy in the Wulin world."

Zhang Wuji had always held his grandfather's opinion in high regards; besides, Yin Tianzheng was right, they had no other choice. Thereupon he said, "My brothers have heard how I praised the three eminent monks' divine skill as unrivalled; they said the three eminent monks have been living in seclusion for decades that nobody in the Wulin world knew about them. Now that we are fortunate enough to pay a visit, it would be our lifelong happiness to be able to meet with them."

"Please!" Kong Zhi raised his hand and led the group of warriors toward the hill behind the Temple.

The 'Hong Shui' Flag of the Ming Cult, under the leadership of Tang Yang, had arranged themselves, forming a formidable wall around the hill. But Kong Wen and the others seemed oblivious to their presence; they kept walking toward the peak. Kong Wen and Kong Zhi, with clasped palms, walked toward the three pine trees, bowed and reported to their elders.