Soon, a messenger pigeon flew through the sky and stopped at the person's arm.
He opened the letter, looked at it, and quickly tore the paper before he flung the pieces into the wind.
"He's heading southeast! There's only a cliff over there, so he won't be able to escape! After him!" he ordered in a cold and fierce voice.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Their spirits lifted, the group ran through southeast.
Soon after they left, faint sounds of people rushing forward could be heard from the depths of the forest again. Two men in black chased after the group who had just left. They appeared on the now empty spot like phantoms, and when they landed on the ground, they made no sound. Their gazes were cold and aloof.
"Hey, we got lucky."
"I didn't expect that the group we trailed by accident would have such a discovery. Let's go, don't alarm them. Once both parties have been injured badly, we'll clean up the mess."
"Let's go!"
With the intention to be the third party who would benefit after two parties fought against each other, the duo swiftly melded into the endless darkness.
Happy was not God. Hence, he naturally did not know that two groups of people had already fixed their sights on him. He continued doing things his way. He ran with the wind under his feet and headed to a certain spot based on his previous life's memories. He never stopped moving.
Coupled with Happy's understanding of the layout of Mount Song, the speed of Grandmaster Realm Cloud Treading Steps allowed him to appear like a black leopard that seemed to be leaping on even ground. He was incredibly agile and moved around freely.
Since he had to avoid some of the areas where high-leveled beasts wandered, Happy would occasionally change his direction. Hence, even though the group of people were certain that he was headed southeast, they could not catch up or close the distance between them.
The self-proclaimed Seventeen Swordsmen of Yan Mountains kept stopping on their journey. Their progress on the bumpy mountain road was slow. When they were careless, they would run into high-leveled wild beasts, but they did not dare to engage them. They would either be forced to fight them for a while before escaping, or have to bypass them…
They cursed under their breaths, but they did not know that they were drawing further and further away from Happy!
Gradually, Happy left the dense forest and slowed down a little. He walked around calmly with the light from the stars shining on him until he reached a small, dilapidated temple.
There were a few old trees of various shapes that Happy could not name planted around it, and a faint, yellowish light from a lamp shone from inside. There was also a very faint smell of incense drifting about in the air. The small temple looked incredibly ancient and like it had set itself apart from the world.
"Patron, please stay where you are."
When he arrived in front of the stairs, someone suddenly chanted the name of Buddha behind him. Happy did not even need to turn his head around to know that the person who spoke was a middle-aged monk in a gray robe.
He turned around slowly. Under the moonlight, the gray-robed monk's shiny head and Jieba dots were incredibly eye-catching. He had his palms placed flat against each other, and his eyes were lowered. His expression was stern but peaceful.
"This place is where my Master and his disciples meditate. I wonder what purpose do you have for visiting so late at night, patron."
Happy respectfully placed his palms together to greet the monk while he answered. "Master, please do not blame me. This humble person has devoted himself to Buddha for many years. It was just a spur of the moment that made me wander about the mountain at night, but I lost my way and discovered this temple over here. It is not my intention to bother you. But I do believe that Buddha is merciful, which is why I have been led to this place so that I would not end up in a wild beast's belly."
"Amitabha!" the gray monk said the name of Buddha again with a smile. "Buddha is kind and merciful to all people in the world. Since you are an incense-pilgrim who entered the mountain, enter the temple and stay the night. You may leave tomorrow morning."
Right when he finished speaking, the beep of the system notification sounded in Happy's ears. "Noticed an eminent monk in the temple deep in the forest. Triggered Quest: Ways of Buddha.
"Quest completion requirements: Enter the temple and think of a way to enter the inner room. Listen to the teachings of Zhi Heng's master, Master Xuan Kong.
"Quest reward(s): Increase Comprehension x1."
When he received the notification from the system, a relieved expression instantly appeared on Happy's face.
This quest was indeed available for non Shaolin disciples as well.
Without changing his expression, Happy pushed his palms together and nodded.
"Thank you, master."
Zhi Heng did not say anything else. He walked up the stairs in a relaxed manner and stood in front of the temple door before he made a gesture to invite Happy in. He was so fast that Happy did not even have time to catch his movement.
Even in his current life, he still could not tell just how high was Monk Zhi Heng's qi realm!
When he thought of this, Happy pushed down the excitement in his heart. He s.u.c.k.e.d in a deep breath and calmly walked into the small temple.
Creak!
Zhi Heng shut the door of the temple with a dull thud that traveled into the distance, leaving even the moonlight outside.
Chapter 124 - Zen Meditation-related Questioning, Passed the Test
The small temple in Mount Song that was provided for Shaolin's eminent monk, Master Xuan Kong, was actually a place of repentance. The Master of the Profound Void was a famous fighter of his generation in Shaolin Temple. While his abilities were slightly weaker than those of the unfathomable Sweeper Monk, with a few extraordinary skills within the Seventy-two Ultimate Techniques, he had practically become the master of Shaolin Temple.
However, Profound Void made a wrong decision that led to serious consequences, and it made Shaolin Temple suffer great humiliation. He took the initiative to leave and built this Repentance Temple far away from Shaolin Temple to regret the mistakes he made in his life.
Many small statues of Buddha were enshrined in the temple. There were three incense sticks in front of them. Happy lit them with familiar ease. Once he worshiped them respectfully, he requested to meet Monk Zhi Heng's master, who had been waiting for him by the side.
"My master has isolated himself to train. I am afraid it will be inconvenient for you to meet him. Patron, please forgive me for this inconvenience."
Perhaps it was because of Happy's appropriate behavior, but Monk Zhi Heng did not take offense at his request. He only tactfully rejected it.
Naturally, Zhi Heng could not agree to the request so easily. It was a chain quest with zen questioning at its core. The reward for clearing the first level was already an increase to one's attributes, so there was no way the quest could be cleared easily.
Happy remembered that countless Shaolin Disciples had entered this small temple in his previous life. They challenged Zhi Heng alone, and some had even challenged him in a group, but they never managed to shake him off and enter the temple.
It was impossible to use brute strength to enter the inner room of the small temple! If anyone wanted to bother Xuan Kong's meditation forcefully, Zhi Heng would be ruthless; he would break his vows and kill.
Even Happy did not have the courage to attack Zhi Heng.
If he wanted to enter the small temple, he needed to seize a fortuitous chance that would link him to Buddhism!
'Only those who are fated can enter!'
Fortuitous chances were the core of World of Martial Arts, and it was the same for Shaolin Temple. As long as a person could seize them, they could trigger quests and enter the small temple.
In Happy's past life, there had been countless players who were stuck halfway.
Even if they racked their brains in the small temple, they found no way to enter
the inner room.
There were very few people who managed to obtain the rewards for the quest.
Happy had only managed to get the gist of the quest because he had ran into an old player who quite enjoyed Zen meditation-related questioning. He was also one of the seven players who obtained the chance to meet Xuan Kong.
Zen meditation-related questioning!
Happy had said that he was fated with Buddha and persuaded Zhi Heng to let him enter the small temple, in which he succeeded.
The second step was to question zen.
He had to pay attention to quite some things around him.
"I see." Happy put on an enlightened and regretful expression. "If that is the case, I have truly been rash! This place is the spot where the both of you meditate quietly. If that is the case, then I shall bid my leave so that I will not bother the both of you."
Zhi Heng uttered the name of Buddha in a very polite tone. "Amitabha! Patron, you do not have to be so courteous. Since you have come here, be at ease. It is night now. Rest for the night in the temple before you go. My master is studying Buddhism in the room. Patron, as long as you do not make a ruckus, you will not bother him. Please go to the lateral room to rest."
"Thank you."
Under Zhi Heng's guidance, Happy reached a small room. The decorations there were the exact same as in his previous life. Aside from a simple wooden bed, there was only one small table where he could place his things, and an oil lamp. There was also a very thin blanket on the bed.
"The room is simple and crude. Patron, please put up with it," Zhi Heng said while turning around. His tone was very calm.
Happy was focused. He quickly placed his palms together and answered. "Master, you worry too much. Was there not a poor girl who went hungry and spent her one coin to buy oil so that she could light a lamp and respect Buddha? I am already very grateful that I could spend the night in the temple!"
"Amitabha." Zhi Heng turned around and left with a smile.
When he shut the small door to the lateral room, Happy knew that he should have passed the second stage. In World of Martial Arts, all monks learned of the Buddhism classical stories. Zhi Heng should tell Happy's answer to Xuan Kong later.
If he could resist the urge to come out after a person who is fated with Buddha and understands the ways of Buddha entered the temple, it would be very difficult to clear the quest.
Happy immediately composed himself and sat down cross-legged on the bed to execute Complete Reality Qi Cultivation Technique. He wanted to recover the small amount of qi he had spent while he dashed to this place.
Time passed very quickly.
But Happy was not in a hurry.
There was still some time before daybreak.
Besides, while this quest was good, there was no absolute need for him to complete it.
When he thought of this, he became calm and at peace. With the scent of the incense sticks influencing him, he shut his eyes and had his qi circulate in his body. He had his mind and body immersed in an incredibly mystical state.
When an unknown amount of time had passed, Happy was snapped out of his meditation by a sound outside the temple. He thought he heard some faint cries, and weapons seemed to have been drawn. He could not help but frown and push the door to go out.
"Amitabha!"
An old voice spoke from across him. Under the dim light from the lamp, a monk with a kasaya and a white beard walked out of the darkness with unsteady steps. His eyes seemed to be incredibly murky, but they contained the peacefulness and calm contained of those who walked down the path of Buddhism.
"My Buddhist name is Xuan Kong. Patron, I believe that you are the person my disciple Zhi Heng mentioned is fated with Buddha. Judging by your appearance, I can see that you have extraordinary bearing. You should be an outstanding person."
Master Xuan Kong walked into the light slowly and stared into Happy's eyes. There was a calm and harmonious smile on his face.
When he remembered how much this man had helped him in the past, Happy felt greatly sentimental upon seeing the same scene again. He could not help but be dragged into the amiable atmosphere the monk created, and he placed his palms flat against each other and answered, "Master, you praise me too much."
"Patron, you say that you are devoted to the ways of Buddha, but why do you practice the qi cultivation technique from Complete Reality School, and stranger still, why did you appear in Mount Shao's territory so late at night. Could it be that the item in your hands is the tribute that the imperial court is searching for?"
Master Xuan Kong's expression was as peaceful as ever, but the barrage of questions made Happy feel a bit of invisible pressure.
Happy smiled wanly.
The storyline for non Shaolin Temple players seemed to be a little different from the storyline he obtained last time.
What should he do?
Once Xuan Kong appeared in his previous life, he only said a string of Buddhist advice and teachings that caused others to fall into deep thought. Then, the system would notify them that they gained one point in Comprehension. Happy had not expected that in this life, Xuan Kong's attitude would be completely different. In fact, he was a little aggressive.
He s.u.c.k.e.d in a deep breath and answered, "I will now answer your question. I am a disciple of the Murong Clan. I have come to Shaolin Temple for various reasons, and after wandering about the mountains, I have come to this place. The brocade box in my hands is indeed something that belongs to the imperial court, but I have seized it from a group of incredibly fierce and evil bandits."
"Hmm." Master Xuan Kong stared into Happy's eyes calmly. When he could not detect any signs of lies, he nodded quietly.
"I see, so you are a young swordsman from the Murong Clan. It is of no wonder then that your bearing is so extraordinary."
A hint of a smile appeared on Xuan Kong's face.
"Some time ago, the previous master of the Murong Clan played a game of Go and even recited the meditation mantra with me. The old master of the Murong Clan had an understanding toward meditation that was rarely seen in the world. It is of no wonder that you possess such kindness and a sense of justice within you, even though you are still so young.
"You are also very familiar with some Buddhist classical stories… I have great admiration toward you. Today, I feel as if I have met an old friend. Young swordsman, if you are not sleepy, do come to the inner room and talk with me inside," Xuan Kong said with a smile and opened the door to the inner room. Happy instantly felt his heart tremble furiously.
He actually managed to clear the quest so easily?!
Chapter 125 - The Exquisite Game at its Last Stages
When Happy was invited by Master Xuan Kong into the inner room to speak about the concepts of Zen meditation, the self-proclaimed Seventeen Swordsmen of Yan Mountains finally found the dilapidated and small temple after wandering about the mountains. They wanted to enter inside it, so they started a small conflict with Master Zhi Heng, who was tasked to maintain the peace and quiet in the temple.
Normally, they would not dare to easily offend NPCs, because in World of Martial Arts, NPCs that were beyond safe zones had differing strengths. Only businessmen with small businesses and farmers were not included in that.
"Master!" Yan Mountain Tiger, who was the leader, used a mild tone and tried his best to appear extremely cordial. His smile made him look harmless. "Do not worry, we do not harbor any ill will. We only want to borrow some light and enter the temple to sit."
"Amitabha!" Zhi Heng was not a person who was easily convinced. When he heard their words, he placed his palms together and said, "Patrons, our temple is dilapidated and small. We also prefer silence, so I am afraid that we cannot accommodate so many people. Besides, there are many inconveniences when you come and visit us so late at night. Please leave."
The group was rendered speechless. They cast each other a glance, then, they scowled.
The map had shown them clearly that the brocade b
ox was in the temple that was thirty-two feet away from them. This meant that the person and item were definitely right before them.
Hence, no matter how dangerous the temple was, they absolutely had to enter it.
Yan Mountain Tiger cast his companions a glance. Two people at the back of the group swiftly merged into the darkness and went around the monk toward the temple.
"Why must you do such a thing?"
After releasing a heavy sigh, without a single change in his expression, Zhi Heng flicked his wrist gently, and a powerful gust of wind instantly charged forward. It blew at the grass, and grunts rose from the darkness to the left and right of the temple. Then, the sounds of heavy objects falling on the ground could be heard.
The people who stood in the light did not know what had happened. They sent two people to go and check, only to discover that their two companions who had intended to scale the walls and enter from the sides had a very clear black palm print on their c.h.e.s.ts. The blood at the corners of their lips had already dried up, since they had died on the spot.
"He killed Sixteenth and Thirteenth!"
When the two returned and reported their findings to Yan Mountain Tiger, the group became enraged. They drew their weapons and got ready to fight. They longed to attack immediately and tear the monk who had killed their companions apart.
"Don't."
Yan Mountain Tiger raised his hand and stopped his brothers from acting rashly. He sized up the area with an incredibly grim and cautious look.
Monk Zhi Heng had his eyes shut, and he recited the Rebirth and Release Mantra nonstop. Even if he was surrounded by a group of people armed with weapons, he did not show any signs of panic. His expression made it seem like all that had happened was unrelated to him!
"The monk is good, we can't b.u.t.t heads with him."
Yan Mountain Tiger might have thought that this matter was a little unbelievable, but there were plenty of things in the world of martial artists that were inconceivable, such as striking someone from the distance with a punch, the Throw Spirit Sphere, or even the hidden weapons that were very difficult to detect with the n.a.k.e.d eye. All these things could allow someone to kill his brothers in one shot while the attacker did not even bat an eyelid. Of course, the prerequisite for it was that the monk before him was a very powerful fighter who had decided to live in seclusion!
Sword Among Us c1-1268 Page 67
