Chapter 112: The Fierce Battle Part 2

Lin Qingli angrily exclaimed, “The Muscle-Tendon Change Classic was brought back from the Western Regions by Master Xuanzang himself. It was Master Xuanzang who painstakingly translated this scripture from Sanskrit into Chinese. When he established the scripture translation hall at White Horse Temple, he declared to all under heaven that Mahayana Buddhism is meant to save all people, that Mahayana scriptures belong to the world, and that the Muscle-Tendon Change Classic is but one of the many scriptures from the Western Regions. How then has it become the exclusive property of your Shaolin Temple?”

Xuan Ye responded, “Master Xuanzang entrusted the Muscle-Tendon Change Classic to Shaolin Temple for safekeeping. The temple has always dutifully honored his wishes and has not dared to be negligent in the slightest.”

Before he could finish, Lin Qingli interrupted, “Then why was the Muscle-Tendon Change Classic lost? Isn’t that a betrayal of Master Xuanzang’s trust?” Xuan Ye was left speechless.

Hui Zhi, growing impatient, barked, “Benefactor Lin, the abbot of our temple has already shown you great courtesy by inviting you to Shaolin for a meeting. Why continue to be so troublesome?” Blue Wutong chuckled, “Oh, little monk, I wonder if your abbot and Miss Lin here are old acquaintances?”

Hui Zhi snapped, “You demonish woman! Our abbot is devoted entirely to Buddha. How could he be acquainted with a young woman? Do not slander his purity!”

Feigning confusion, Blue Wutong said, “If you’re not old friends, then why invite her for a meeting? Surely you have nothing past to discuss. Maybe your abbot wanted to talk about needlework and embroidery with Miss Lin. But you’ve got the wrong person—she only knows how to wield blades and spears, not sew. I imagine you monks have it tough, chanting sutras day in and day out, preaching boundless Buddhism, but who patches your worn-out trousers? Do you think a single chant mends them? Surely these top experts don’t sit by oil lamps at night sewing their own clothes?” She burst into giggles.

Xuan Fa, simple and sincere, bowed and said, “Benefactor Blue jokes. Our old monks have the young novices mend our pants.”

Feigning shock, Blue Wutong said, “Oh no, elder monk, you’ve broken your precepts!”

Xuan Fa scolded, “My heart is devoted to Buddha. How could I break precepts?”

Blue Wutong replied, “I often hear you preach ‘all beings are equal,’ yet you have others mend your clothes. Isn’t that inequality? That’s certainly breaking precepts!”

Xuan Fa, not understanding, followed her reasoning and said, “That’s true. It’s wrong. From now on, we must mend our own trousers.”

Blue Wutong smiled, “Taking care of your own affairs—that’s what makes a good monk, right? Good boy.”

Xuan Fa was elderly and frail-looking, while Blue Wutong was young and graceful, speaking to him as if coaxing a child. The younger monks behind could hardly contain their laughter.

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Hui Zhi roared, “Demoness! Cease mocking my master!”

Blue Wutong clutched her chest, trembling, “Oh, I’m so scared! Don’t shout so loudly.”

Hui Zhi was too furious to respond, while Lin Qingli coldly asked, “How long do the elders intend to discuss matters with me?”

Xuan Ye joined his palms, “That depends on the depth of your cultivation, woman benefactor.”

Lin Qingli asked, “What do you mean?”

Xuan Ye said solemnly, “If your cultivation in the Muscle-Tendon Change Classic is shallow, the abbot will simply dispel your power and allow you to leave the mountain; but if your power is profound, you must stay at Shaolin Temple to chant sutras and cultivate for life.”

Lin Qingli furiously retorted, “That’s imprisonment!”

Xuan Fa smiled, “Do not say so. Life in Shaolin means no worries for food or drink. I have stayed here my whole life and still haven’t had enough.”

Lin Qingli laughed bitterly, “What if I reject your abbot’s kindness?”

Hui Zhi said, “Then we shall have to use force to bring you up the mountain.” With that, he swiftly reached out to grab Lin Qingli.

He still remembered her martial abilities from their last battle by the river when she was no match for him. He thought capturing her would be easy.

Unexpectedly, Lin Qingli did not dodge. She looked at his hands resting on her shoulders, sneered, and shook them off. Hui Zhi felt as if his hands were being hacked by blades; his fingers nearly broke. With a pained scream, he released her. Lin Qingli stepped forward, and before he could react, her palm struck his chest. Unable to defend, he flew backward, crashing heavily onto the ground.

Fortunately, Hui Zhi excelled in the Golden Bell Shield technique, making his body extremely resilient. Moreover, Lin Qingli only used half her strength to avoid creating a deadly feud with Shaolin. Even so, Hui Zhi’s face was bruised and swollen.

Xuan Fa was astonished. Hui Zhi was among Shaolin’s top martial artists, known as the “Reincarnation of Kinnara.” Back at the riverside clash, Lin Qingli had not dared to engage him. How had she now sent him flying with a single move? Though naive in worldly matters, Xuan Fa was well-versed in martial arts and immediately recognized that Lin Qingli’s palm technique was a basic move from the Tianshan Sect, but its internal power was unmistakably from Shaolin’s Muscle-Tendon Change Classic.

Xuan Fa shouted, “Miss Lin, do not deny it! That internal power is from the Muscle-Tendon Change Classic! You cannot fool me!” He clasped his palms and unleashed the Great Demon-Subduing Staff technique, advancing fiercely.

Li Zhongyuan, recognizing Xuan Fa’s pure and formidable skills as a worthy opponent and fearing for Lin Qingli’s safety, stepped in front of her and shouted, “Xuan Fa! You pride yourself on your Abhaya Three Tribulations technique? Come, try me, let’s see if I can withstand it!”

Xuan Fa was delighted and abandoned Lin Qingli, turning to attack Li Zhongyuan. “Vaitara offers the staff!” he shouted, circling his left hand while slamming down with his right, unleashing a force like a raging storm.

Li Zhongyuan pushed forward with his right hand, using the solid, comprehensive Hun Yuan technique to counter Xuan Fa’s Great Demon-Subduing Staff power, while his left hand struck swiftly like lightning, the fierce energy of the Asura technique attacking Xuan Fa’s legs. With a loud crash, the two forces collided and canceled each other out.

Li Zhongyuan staggered slightly. Though Xuan Fa stood firm, he shivered uncontrollably. Earlier, the residual power from the Asura technique had penetrated his bones with cold, but he had quickly summoned the Great Demon-Subduing Staff’s internal energy to expel it, preserving his meridians.

Xuan Fa laughed heartily, “Since parting three years ago, I must look at you with new eyes. In just two years, you have mastered both righteous and demonic cultivation. Truly commendable! Come, let us fight three hundred rounds.”

Li Zhongyuan sneered, “Your master’s Abhaya Three Tribulations nearly cost me my life back then. Now I want to see just how formidable it really is!”

Xuan Fa said, “It is rare to meet a worthy opponent. I cannot use the Abhaya Three Tribulations lightly. If I kill you with one palm, where will I find another match?” He then gathered his energy into his dantian and unleashed the nine moves of the Great Demon-Subduing Staff in succession:

“Vaitara Offers the Staff,” “Subdue Demons and Eliminate Monsters,” “Pagoda Seals Demons,” “Buddha’s Radiance Shines Everywhere,” “Universal Salvation,” “Turning Back Is the Shore,” “Sands of the Ganges,” “Nine Illusions Return to Truth,” and “Thunder Tribulation.” Each technique executed with relentless power, stirring fierce winds, flying sand, and swirling stones. Lesser monks were forced to retreat far away from the storm.

Li Zhongyuan knew Xuan Fa’s self-created tenth move, “Abhaya Three Tribulations,” was devastating, so he guarded carefully, conserving his energy to face that thunderous strike. He used light-footed techniques “Shadowless Before Lamp” and “Northern Dipper Phantom Moon” to dodge left and right, occasionally counterattacking with Hun Yuan or Asura techniques.

Xuan Fa shook her head, “Benefactor Li, your internal power is profound, yet why are you so petty? You only dodge and never fight with full strength. This bores me.” As she spoke, her hands never ceased, repeatedly cycling through the nine moves of the Great Demon-Subduing Staff, yet she held back from unleashing the Abhaya Three Tribulations.

(To be continued.)