Chapter 104: The Temple Song and the Arrival of the Wild Goose Red

Zhao Yuan Kui would never forget the scene he witnessed at Shaolin—the monks singing loudly, throwing punches in perfect harmony, radiating such a pure and powerful energy that it shook his very soul.

This memory would remain one of the most unforgettable moments of his life. Even years later, whenever he recalled it, his emotions would surge.

Under the bright sun, more than forty strong monks, bare-chested, stood by the rippling waters of the Drinking Horse Lake. In perfect unison, they executed their martial arts and sang out with full force, their voices and actions sending a sense of awe straight into the heavens.

Hui Wu threw a punch, and everyone behind him followed suit with synchronized strikes, shouting loudly before bursting into song.

"Arrogance! In the face of the greatest waves!"

A retreating step, followed by a grabbing hand!

"Hot blood! Like the light of the red sun!"

A crouch, sweeping leg!

"Courage to strike first!"

Zhao Yuan Kui, walking beside them, was startled by the explosive force of the word "strike." But soon, he too felt his blood boil. The song was so manly, so full of power.

"Bone as tough as steel, chest broad as a thousand feet, eyes sharp as a thousand miles."

A cool breeze blew, the lake water rippling as it tousled Zhao Yuan Kui's disheveled hair. For a moment, he felt an urge to shave his head and join the monks in their ranks.

Looking at the abbot in the distance, standing tall in the wind, his monk's robes fluttering like a lonely pine tree, Zhao Yuan Kui felt that a bald head was the most handsome hairstyle in the world.

Or perhaps, calling it a hairstyle was no longer appropriate—it was more of a style.

The monks' punches grew fiercer, and as they sang in unison, a sense of unity seemed to form between them. Not only were their strikes powerful, but their voices grew louder and more vibrant.

"Let the sea and sky gather energy for me! To open the heavens and the earth! I will fight for my ideals!"

A surge of hot blood rushed to Zhao Yuan Kui's mind. This song was one he'd never heard before. The melody was not only beautiful but truly inspiring.

In that moment, he made a silent vow—if he ever became emperor, he would promote Buddhism, spread the teachings of the Buddha, and make Shaolin the national temple, appointing the abbot as the Guardian Master of the nation.

However, if the abbot didn't agree, Zhao Yuan Kui doubted he would have the courage to press him. At least not now—his fear of the abbot was not something easily shaken.

The wind grew stronger, and the lake water splashed higher.

But the monks' spirits only seemed to rise.

"Look! The vast green waves, the boundless sky, our pride soaring high! I am a man, I must be strong!"

"Walk tall, chest out, let us be the pillars of society, strong men with a hundred points of heat, shining a thousand lights!"

The last two lines faltered a bit, but just as Zhao Yuan Kui thought the song had ended, the monks shifted their stances, and their voices surged once more.

"Be a true man!"

"Roar!"

"Hot blood, warm heart!"

"Ha!"

"Brighter than the sun!"

As the monks slowed down their punches, sweat glistened on their bodies, shimmering in the sunlight. Their innocent faces radiated brilliant smiles.

The song came to an end, and the abbot, Huo Yuan Zhen, stepped forward.

"Everyone did well. From now on, every morning, we shall sing the Shaolin Temple song. Understood?"

"Understood!"

At that moment, the bell of Shaolin rang, and Huo Yuan Zhen glanced toward the temple. "Alright, time's up. Let's head back for a meal!"

Hui Wu immediately called out, "At ease! Attention! Right face! Right turn! Run!"

The monks formed an orderly line and began running back to Shaolin.

Huo Yuan Zhen shot a disapproving glance at Hui Wu, thinking, When will you change this awkwardness?

Once the monks had left, Huo Yuan Zhen turned to Zhao Yuan Kui. "Amitabha, Zhao donor, you have not left yet."

"Ah, yes, yes!" Zhao Yuan Kui, looking around and seeing no one else, quickly added, "I will leave now, right away."

"No rush, it's just that I too need to return to the temple. Would you care to walk with me?"

"That sounds wonderful!" Zhao Yuan Kui hesitated, but he dared not refuse. Inside, he regretted not simply leaving after his recovery. Why had he come here to join in the festivities?

Despite this, he didn't dare to walk beside Huo Yuan Zhen and kept his distance, walking slightly behind.

Sighing, Huo Yuan Zhen slowed his pace.

"Donor, have you arranged your return trip to Chang'an?"

"The abbot cares, everything is arranged, no safety issues. It's just that Wan Jun refuses to leave with me."

"You and Miss Ning have no fate. Some things cannot be forced."

"Indeed, especially now that my injuries have healed. Wan Jun said she has fulfilled her promise to me. Now, she won't even meet with me."

Zhao Yuan Kui spoke with some regret. Ning Wan Jun, a stunning beauty, had left him with lingering thoughts. But as the saying goes, the flower has its intention, but the flowing water is indifferent. If something was not meant to be, it would not be.

Huo Yuan Zhen continued, "What are your plans after you return?"

Zhao Yuan Kui paused. He hadn't truly thought it through. He had assumed that once his injuries were healed, everything would return to normal. But now, it seemed things weren't that simple.

His older brother and Grand Tutor Wei Xian were in the midst of a delicate balance of power. Wei Xian, Guan Tianzhao, and General Ma Daoyuan of the northwest were all closely allied, and Wei Xian held the city guard in his grasp, making it difficult for the emperor to act rashly.

Now, the emperor was aware of Guan Tianzhao's rebellious intentions, but the emperor had little control over the situation. Inside the court, the Grand Tutor's influence constrained him, while outside, Guan Tianzhao and Ma Daoyuan were forming a potential siege around Chang'an.

The emperor wanted to remove these obstacles, but lacked the confidence. The situation had reached an impasse, and no one dared to make the first move.

But these concerns were always there. Even if Zhao Yuan Kui's health was restored, he doubted his father would consider him for the position of crown prince. Once such a decision was made, it would surely lead to chaos and potentially even civil war.

Suddenly, Huo Yuan Zhen's words jolted Zhao Yuan Kui back to reality. What should he do when he returns? Live aimlessly, eat, drink, and waste away?

After a moment's thought, Zhao Yuan Kui lifted his head, his expression resolute. "Abbot, upon my return, I will assist my father in opposing the Grand Tutor and his faction."

Huo Yuan Zhen smiled but did not speak.

Seeing the abbot's silence, Zhao Yuan Kui was slightly puzzled, unsure of what he meant.

But Zhao Yuan Kui was no fool. If he were, he would never have been favored by the emperor. He had been reckless in his earlier days, but now, with his health restored, he had returned to his sharp, calculating self. Although the lingering fear of Huo Yuan Zhen remained, he would not act rashly.

When one has hope, they act with purpose. When one has no hope, their actions become erratic, as if facing the end of the world. Zhao Yuan Kui had once been such a person.

Now that he had regained his senses, he thought more carefully, so he chose not to speak further on uncertain matters. The abbot, though seemingly eccentric, was indeed a man of wisdom. Zhao Yuan Kui bowed deeply to him. "I am willing to listen to the master's teachings."

Huo Yuan Zhen pointed toward a wildflower in the distance. "Have you seen this flower, donor?"

Zhao Yuan Kui followed his gaze. The small flower was not particularly tall, but it was vibrant, with pink petals. Around it, many other flowers had already wilted.

Zhao Yuan Kui nodded but did not understand the meaning behind Huo Yuan Zhen's words.

"Once, it was hidden among taller plants. At that time, it was insignificant and nearly withered. I thought about saving it, but eventually, I gave up, to see if it could survive on its own. Fortunately, it didn't give up, drawing strength from the sun and rain, fiercely holding onto its piece of land, silently battling against the other plants."

"The taller plants never saw it as a threat, and for a time, they flourished. But when autumn came and the wind blew, they withered. This small flower, however, survived and bloomed when the wild geese flew south. It was its time."

"This flower is called the Wild Goose Red."

Zhao Yuan Kui's eyes lit up as he began to understand.

"The flowers in the sunlight grow fast, but they fade just as quickly. The flowers in the shadows, growing slowly, last longer, and one day, they will bloom even more beautifully."

Huo Yuan Zhen bowed. "Amitabha! Donor, may your path be safe. I must go. Farewell."

Without waiting for a response, Huo Yuan Zhen turned and walked toward Shaolin.

Having said all he needed, he left Zhao Yuan Kui to reflect. If Zhao Yuan Kui could not improve, there was nothing more the abbot could do.

Zhao Yuan Kui stood silently for a while, the autumn wind blowing through his hair.

Finally, he bowed deeply in the direction of Shaolin, his heart full of gratitude. "Master, if I ever achieve anything, it will be thanks to your teachings today!"