Chapter 97: Monk, Taoist, and Nun

Master Gu Yue lost, and he lost badly.

Despite possessing the formidable seven-layered pinnacle of the Dragon Elephant Prajna Power, he was utterly defeated in an arm-wrestling contest by the young monk before him.

The agreed-upon consequence was clear—losing meant self-execution!

After a momentary silence from the surrounding crowd, a sharp yet melodious voice suddenly rang out, "The abbot has won!"

Mo Lan, from across the stone table, cheered with delight. At this moment, she was genuinely happy.

Encouraged by Mo Lan, the surrounding Shaolin monks and visitors erupted into a thunderous applause, their cheers echoing through the air.

Master Gu Yue and Maha Sa stood in stunned silence, their faces ashen, particularly Master Gu Yue, who had been confident in his victory. He had spoken with arrogance, believing there was no way he could lose. But now, faced with the grim reality of having to fulfill his vow to self-execute, his courage had evaporated.

The smaller the skill, the less a person fears death. Soldiers, for example, will eagerly charge into battle, not thinking about their own lives. But when the battle turns, those in positions of authority, like generals, are much less likely to sacrifice themselves, for their rank gives them power and influence.

The stronger the martial artist, the more they fear death. They are accustomed to controlling the lives of others but find it difficult to accept the prospect of their own death.

Master Gu Yue was undoubtedly a formidable figure. He didn't want to die in Shaolin.

Under the intense gaze of Monk Huo Yuan, Master Gu Yue hesitated, murmuring, "Abbot... I..."

"Master Gu Yue, do you wish to honor your vow?" Huo Yuan's voice was cold and direct.

Master Gu Yue gritted his teeth and after a long pause, he reluctantly spoke, "Please, Abbot, propose your conditions."

Monk Huo Yuan rose from his seat and approached Master Gu Yue, his stance towering over him. "Very well. Since the master is unwilling to die, I will propose a condition. You believe that I have stolen your secret teachings, but in truth, there is no evidence to support this. You came to Shaolin to accuse me, and though your personal humiliation is minor, to insult Shaolin's reputation is a grave offense. I ask you to bear the wooden plaque, publicly declare your mistake, and parade through Greenwild Town, Dengfeng County, and Zhengzhou for three days to restore Shaolin's honor. Will you agree?"

Master Gu Yue's heart seethed with anger at such a harsh demand. This was a direct insult to his sect, and he could never accept it.

Shaking his head, he snapped, "This condition is unacceptable. I will never agree!"

Monk Huo Yuan chuckled, unfazed. "If that is the case, then I offer a second condition: Shaolin's Dragon Elephant Prajna Power did not come from you, correct?"

Master Gu Yue nodded, still uncertain. He too had begun to question where the true origins of the Dragon Elephant Prajna Power lay. The young monk had clearly mastered it to an extraordinary degree, but it seemed disconnected from his sect's lost scriptures.

"Then, you must publicly acknowledge that Shaolin is the true origin of the Dragon Elephant Prajna Power, and that all other sects that practice it do so because of Shaolin's teachings. You must declare to the world that all martial arts ultimately trace back to Shaolin."

Master Gu Yue thought deeply but ultimately shook his head once more. "This condition is also unacceptable. To say that my sect stole your martial arts is an insult. I cannot accept this."

The onlookers grew restless, dismayed by Master Gu Yue's refusal to cooperate. He had been given a chance to avoid the worst, but he remained obstinate.

For those around him, his refusal to keep his word made him seem dishonorable.

Master Gu Yue gritted his teeth and steeled himself, thinking that if all else failed, he could make a break for it, push through the crowd, and escape. Surely, they couldn't stop him.

However, Monk Huo Yuan raised a hand, silencing the murmurs, and continued, "If neither of those conditions are acceptable, then I offer a third: You will come to Shaolin, burn incense, and repent for your actions in front of the Buddha. Then, you may return to your sect."

Master Gu Yue stared at Monk Huo Yuan in disbelief. "Is this all?"

Monk Huo Yuan smiled, unfazed. "Amitabha, I speak with sincerity. Go now, Master."

Seeing Monk Huo Yuan's magnanimity, Master Gu Yue stood up, embarrassed, and hesitated. "You, monks of Chan, have always had a strained relationship with our sect. Why are you treating me with such kindness?"

Monk Huo Yuan responded with a smile, "Master speaks too highly of us. The differences between our sects are vast, and the reasons behind them are beyond human control. But if your sect were next door, I wonder if we could peacefully coexist?"

Master Gu Yue paused for a moment, then bowed deeply. "You are right, Abbot. I have been stubborn, and my heart is unsettled. That is why I have seen things in such a distorted way. I will go to the Buddha and repent."

To his own surprise, Master Gu Yue had stopped referring to himself in the imperial "I" and now spoke humbly, reflecting the shift in his mindset. After offering his apology, he made his way to the Ten Thousand Buddha Pagoda. He prayed and repented for an hour before emerging.

Upon leaving, the Shaolin monks greeted him respectfully, their attitudes much warmer than before.

Master Gu Yue returned to Monk Huo Yuan's side and spoke with newfound humility. "Abbot, I have lost. What you proposed was no punishment, but rather a favor. Please, offer another condition if you wish, as I feel unsettled."

Monk Huo Yuan smiled. "You haven't lost, Master. You won by seeking peace within. As for the bet, I have already forgotten it."

Master Gu Yue's face flushed, deeply moved by Monk Huo Yuan's generosity.

Monk Huo Yuan remained calm, eyes half-closed, though he observed Master Gu Yue's reactions from the corner of his eye, thinking, "You old monk, without someone urging you, would you have come to Shaolin seeking trouble? If you don't speak the truth now, I won't hesitate to use other methods."

Master Gu Yue hesitated for a long while before speaking again. "Abbot, may I have a private conversation with you?"

Monk Huo Yuan invited him into his quarters, dismissing any attendants. Though Master Gu Yue was a formidable figure, Monk Huo Yuan was confident that he would no longer face resistance.

Once inside, they sat across from each other. Master Gu Yue spoke, "Abbot, have you ever heard of the organization 'Monk Taoist Nun'?"

Monk Huo Yuan shook his head, puzzled.

Master Gu Yue continued, "It seems you are truly focused on your path of meditation. 'Monk Taoist Nun' is an assassination organization."

"An assassination organization?"

"Indeed. This group was founded over a hundred years ago by three monks who abandoned the Buddhist path and joined the demonic sect. They followed the blood-soaked figure, Ding Bu'er, and became his most trusted subordinates. They founded the Monk Taoist Nun organization, whose sole purpose was to assassinate those who opposed the demonic sect. They targeted both martial artists and high-ranking officials, leaving behind countless bloodshed."

Master Gu Yue paused before continuing. "Later, Ding Bu'er disappeared, and the demonic sect fell into decline. The righteous sects rose, and a prolonged war broke out. The three monks died during the battle, but the organization survived, though it became more of a rogue assassination group, detached from the demonic sect."

"Really? I never knew about this."

Monk Huo Yuan had not expected such a group existed. It seemed he needed to inquire more about the world outside Shaolin.

"Yes, and now, the Monk Taoist Nun has many members, most of whom are former monks who were dissatisfied in their own sects. They live quietly in their temples until a mission arises, at which point they receive messages by pigeon."

"Are you a member of this group, Master Gu Yue?"

Master Gu Yue sighed. "I regret to say that I am. I've been part of the Monk Taoist Nun for many years."

"Then does it mean that your time in the demonic sect was difficult?" Monk Huo Yuan asked.

"Something like that. Life in the demonic sect wasn't easy. But... forget it. I came to Shaolin because I received orders from the organization."

Monk Huo Yuan looked at Master Gu Yue with curiosity. "Why are you telling me this now?"

Master Gu Yue's eyes grew serious. "Abbot, my mission has failed. After what happened today, I feel disillusioned. The Monk Taoist Nun organization goes against the very essence of being a monk. I'm weary of it, and that is why I am telling you all of this. I want to warn you: Be cautious. Even if you have mastered the Dragon Elephant Prajna Power, you may not be able to withstand their attacks."

"Do you know who is behind this plot against me?" Monk Huo Yuan asked.

Master Gu Yue shook his head. "I don't know. But the Monk Taoist Nun won't act on its own. Someone must have hired us. I believe you have a better idea of who it might be than I do."

Monk Huo Yuan wanted to ask more about the Monk Taoist Nun's inner workings, but Master Gu Yue stood up to leave. "I am sorry, Abbot, but I cannot share any more. The organization is tightly guarded, and even I don't know who the three leaders are. I can't be of much help. But I must leave now. I will always remember your kindness. Goodbye."

With that, Master Gu Yue and Maha Sa departed from Shaolin.

As they left, Monk Huo Yuan remained in deep thought. Who could be plotting against him from behind the scenes?

Mo Lan!

Suddenly, a realization struck Monk Huo Yuan. Mo Lan had always been confident, but perhaps she was being manipulated from the shadows. While she didn't seem like someone who would want to destabilize Shaolin, her confidence suggested there might be more to her involvement than he had realized. Monk Huo Yuan had not considered confronting her, but now, he saw the necessity.

However, when he went out to search for her, he discovered that Mo Lan had already left Shaolin as soon as he and Master Gu Yue had entered the room!