Chapter 95: The Bet

Huo Yuanzhen followed Yi Kong outside, where he saw Hui Wu engaged in a fierce battle with a monk wearing a red robe in the Shaolin training grounds.

This monk appeared to be around thirty, and though he was shorter than Hui Wu, he was powerfully built, with a muscular frame. His punches were heavy, and he was going head-to-head with Hui Wu, exchanging blows with great force.

Beside him stood another monk, this one taller, with thin features and a cold expression. His ears were adorned with golden rings, and his appearance seemed slightly different from the other monk. Upon closer inspection, Huo Yuanzhen deduced that this monk must be from the snowy plateau regions, as his reddish skin, weathered by the cold, was a characteristic of highland people.

It also seemed that the taller monk had a higher status.

Huo Yuanzhen walked quietly toward the side of the arena, where he stood to observe the battle between Hui Wu and the monk.

The monk in the red robe unleashed a powerful palm strike, the force behind it almost matching that of Hui Wu. However, Hui Wu, a seasoned fighter who had been the head of the Arhat Hall for years, skillfully avoided being overpowered. Though he wasn't using his cold iron staff in this fight, he was more than capable of holding his own. The battle between the two was a close contest, as they each matched the other's strength and skill.

The Shaolin disciples gathered around to watch, many of the pilgrims also joining the crowd. Among them, Mo Lan, accompanied by her servant, stood among the onlookers.

Since Ning Wanjun's departure, Mo Lan had become a regular visitor at Shaolin, though she never bothered Huo Yuanzhen. She would come respectfully to offer incense, stay in the temple until noon for a meal, and spend the rest of the day there before returning to the inn in the evening.

Huo Yuanzhen paid her no mind, as long as she wasn't scheming anything, he had no issue with her presence. After all, her presence was certainly pleasant to look at.

As the battle raged on, both fighters were at their limits. Neither was willing to give an inch, and now they had engaged in close combat, locking arms and struggling in a test of sheer strength. Meanwhile, beneath the surface, their legs were at work, striking, kneeing, and tripping each other in a heated exchange.

Huo Yuanzhen frowned slightly. If this continued, it would likely end in both sides being seriously injured.

He was about to step in when suddenly the taller monk shouted, "Mohe Sa, enough, come down!"

Mohe Sa, hearing the command, shoved Hui Wu away and jumped out of the ring.

The tall monk scanned the gathered monks and disciples and said, "Is this all the strength your Arhat Hall's head has? To me, it seems rather mediocre. If you don't have any true experts, I'll be forced to dismantle your temple today!"

Yi Chen, who had been about to join the fight, was stopped by Huo Yuanzhen.

Striding into the center of the arena, Huo Yuanzhen addressed the tall monk, "I, Jié, am the abbot of Shaolin. May I ask how to address this master?"

The tall monk eyed Huo Yuanzhen up and down, a look of disdain in his eyes, "I am Gule, the Dharma King of the Tantric Sect, a protector of the faith."

Huo Yuanzhen gave a slight nod, "So you are Gule Dharma King. May I ask what brings you to Shaolin?"

Gule scoffed, "You Shaolin monks have been practicing the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique. Where did you steal it from?"

"We've had the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique in our scriptures for a long time," Huo Yuanzhen replied calmly, "I don't know where the notion of theft comes from."

"You still deny it? Last year, we Tantric Sect lost a manual of the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique. And your monks are obviously just starting to practice it. You can't deny it, it was stolen from us!" Gule's tone became more hostile.

Huo Yuanzhen stepped forward, closing the distance between them, and calmly said, "Since you say I have stolen the Tantric Sect's technique, then you must surely be proficient in it yourself, yes?"

"Naturally," Gule replied with pride. "Not only do I know it, but my disciple, Mohe Sa, is highly talented. At just thirty-two, he has already reached the fifth level of the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique."

Huo Yuanzhen's eyes glinted with interest, "And what level have you reached, Dharma King?"

Gule puffed up with pride, "I'm fifty-seven this year. I've practiced the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique since I was young, and I have now reached the peak of the seventh level. In just three more years, I will reach the eighth."

"Impressive," Huo Yuanzhen said. "You truly are a martial genius. At fifty-seven, you have reached the seventh level. But if you believe that Shaolin stole your technique, then surely you would know who exactly took it, wouldn't you?"

"That's easy. You're the abbot. No matter who stole it, it's still your responsibility!" Gule sneered.

"And the manual you lost last year, was that in June?" Huo Yuanzhen asked, his voice calm.

"That's right. It's been over a year since it disappeared. We searched everywhere and finally discovered that you Shaolin monks are practicing the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique. It has to be you!" Gule said confidently.

Huo Yuanzhen looked around at the gathered monks before responding, "If I had stolen the technique, do you think I would have been able to practice it to a certain level? How far do you think I would have gotten?"

Gule didn't hesitate. "The Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique can be practiced by anyone, but talent plays a big role. Someone with great talent can reach the first level in half a year and the second level in just over a year. My disciple reached the fifth level after twenty years of hard practice, and I've spent nearly fifty years to reach the seventh level. If you stole it, you should have only reached the second level at best. Look at your Arhat Hall's head, he hasn't even reached the second level yet, and that's proof!"

Gule's confidence was unwavering. He had clearly made up his mind that Shaolin had stolen the Tantric Sect's divine technique.

Huo Yuanzhen's gaze sharpened. "But what if I can prove that I have surpassed the second level? Will that prove the technique wasn't stolen but has always been a part of Shaolin?"

This time, Gule hesitated, sensing a trap in Huo Yuanzhen's words. If he admitted too quickly, and Huo Yuanzhen did indeed surpass the second level, it would expose his mistake.

After a long pause, Gule finally replied, "Some people are martial geniuses. In our sect, there was a Dharma King who reached the third level of the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique in just a year and a half. I don't know your talent, so even if you reach the third level, it doesn't necessarily mean you didn't steal it."

Huo Yuanzhen walked a few steps closer and asked, "And what level would I need to reach to prove that I didn't steal it?"

Gule paused and then whispered a few words to Mohe Sa. He returned his gaze to Huo Yuanzhen, "If you can prove that you've reached the fourth level of the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique, I will admit that you didn't steal our sacred technique."

Huo Yuanzhen smiled slightly, "What if, by chance, I have reached the fifth level?"

Gule laughed aloud, "Young monk, you're too bold! My disciple has such a high talent, and he only reached the fifth level at thirty-two. You must be younger than him by at least ten years. You dare claim to have reached the fifth level? That's ridiculous!"

"I only said, what if?" Huo Yuanzhen replied calmly.

Gule was momentarily stunned, but he quickly recovered and laughed, "If you truly reach the fifth level, then I will apologize to Shaolin and never cause trouble again."

Huo Yuanzhen pointed to the injured monks on the ground and said, "What about those who were hurt by your disciples? You think a simple apology will settle it?"

Gule's face darkened, "Little monk, don't go too far. You still haven't proven you reached the fifth level. If you can't, it won't just be a few injured monks!"

Gule's eyes now gleamed with malice.

Unfazed, Huo Yuanzhen met his gaze without fear. "Gule Dharma King, what if I tell you that I have reached the sixth level of the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique?"

This caught Gule off guard. He was certain that no one could reach such a level at such a young age.

He scowled, "If you truly have reached the sixth level, then my disciple Mohe Sa will bow before you to apologize. He harmed your monks, and you can deal with him as you please!"

"But that's not enough," Huo Yuanzhen retorted, his voice cold. "You, the mastermind behind this, will have to take responsibility as well."

Gule was left speechless for a moment, his face flushed with anger. He glared at Huo Yuanzhen, "Little monk, don't push your luck. Even if you reach the sixth level, I am still stronger than you. Don't speak to me like that!"

Without warning, Huo Yuanzhen stepped forward, standing directly in front of Gule. He locked eyes with him and said slowly, "If you truly believe my Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique doesn't match yours, then what would you do if I tell you mine is equal to yours?"

Gule spat on the ground and sneered, "I've practiced the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique since I was young, and I'm about to reach the eighth level. You, a young monk, claim your skills are on par with mine? Ridiculous!"

Huo Yuanzhen's smile widened. "You're about to regret this, old monk."

P.S. Please recommend this book, I would appreciate all the support!