Chapter Thirty-Nine: A Visit to Shaolin

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The news of Pei Ning's imminent return home to wed caused quite a stir in the Lu Family Cottage. However, despite Wei's warm invitation, Lu Hong had only just recovered from his eye ailment, making the journey to the Pei residence in the Eastern Capital difficult. With so many students in the cottage, it was simply impossible to delay their studies for the sake of one event, so he had to politely decline. As for the other disciples, most simply offered Pei Ning their congratulations, but after a few words, seeing Pei Ning’s face dark as charcoal, those who followed kept their remarks proper, no longer daring to joke freely.

With Pei Ning gone, life for Du Shiyi and Cui Jianxuan became much more relaxed. Cui Eleventh quickly abandoned his pipa and never touched it again. Du Shiyi, recalling the "Song of the Frontier" that Pei Ning had sternly demanded he master, diligently practiced for several days. His foundation was excellent, so it wasn't long before he became fully proficient. Over the past half year of copying texts, he had initially only transcribed historical records and legal codes, but the cottage’s library was no longer sufficient, so he started copying various anthologies from previous dynasties. On this day, he had just finished transcribing a few lost volumes of the "Essential Techniques for the Common People," borrowed from a senior brother, when Cui Jianxuan burst excitedly into the room.

"Du Nineteen, how will you thank me? I’ve convinced Master Lu!"

"Hmm?"

"What do you mean, hmm? I'm talking about the master from Shaolin Temple mentioned by Grandmaster Gongsun—did you forget? I told Master Lu that with Third Brother gone, our youngest brother has been shut away inside, copying and reading books all day long. If this continues, his health will surely suffer. I heard that Shaolin Temple on Mount Song is renowned for its martial arts, so I plan to take our youngest brother there to seek out a master. Even if it's not for fame or merit, it's good for health!"

Du Shiyi was awed by Cui Jianxuan's ability to act first and explain later, and his knack for exaggeration. He glared at the smug fellow, thinking how much effort he had poured into his studies over the past half year. Now that winter had set in, copying texts had become the greatest hardship—it would do him good to exercise a bit and relax. Despite this, he couldn’t simply let Cui Jianxuan decide everything for him. He put down his brush, half smiling, half not, and said, "I say... Ninth Brother."

Just as Cui Jianxuan rarely called Du Shiyi "youngest brother," Du Shiyi seldom addressed him as "Ninth Brother," preferring terms like "Eleventh" or "Eleventh Brother." So, hearing this rare form of address, Cui Jianxuan immediately stepped back, face filled with suspicion. "Hey, I’ve already arranged everything. Don’t let me down after all my good intentions!"

"But, I've been quite busy lately. The set of 'Han Shu' that our eldest brother borrowed from Songyang Temple must be returned after the New Year. And the set of 'Later Han Shu' that Fourth Brother previously copied can't just be left gathering dust. Tell me, where would I find the time to go up Mount Song with you?" Seeing Cui Jianxuan's eyes widen and his face turn desperate, Du Shiyi quickly spoke before he could pound the table, smiling slyly, "How about, Ninth Brother, you go alone? Here, this is the bronze token Grandmaster Gongsun gave us."

Du Shiyi unfastened the bronze token from his waist—a token he rarely parted with—and handed it over. Though Cui Jianxuan had coveted it for some time, at this moment he felt indignant rather than elated. If Lu Hong were a stern master who demanded discipline, it would be one thing; but Lu Hong's teaching was precise, his manner gentle, never assuming the airs of a master, and he often joked with his disciples and cared for their daily lives. Thinking of leaving Du Shiyi alone to seek out a master at Shaolin Temple, thus disappointing Lu Hong’s expectations, Cui Jianxuan finally couldn't help but pound his fist on Du Shiyi’s desk.

"Du Nineteen, what exactly do you want?"

"Nothing much. Copying texts in winter is hard—how about you copy a volume of 'Han Shu' for me?"

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"You..." Cui Jianxuan was rendered speechless. He glared fiercely at Du Shiyi for a long while, then finally growled, "Fine, I'll copy it for you!"

Seeing Cui Jianxuan agree so readily, Du Shiyi couldn't help but smile. He suspected Cui Jianxuan hadn't realized that the "Han Shu" was not like the short books he’d copied before, and if he knew that Lu Wang had needed several horses to haul the whole set back from Songyang Temple, he would never have agreed so easily! This noisy fellow would surely be much quieter once he realized.

In the northern lands, the twelfth lunar month brought biting winds that swept the land, breaking the white grass—a time of year when the cold was at its peak. The Lu Family Cottage, nestled beneath Hanging Curtain Peak, was sheltered from the wind, and the reinforced thatched huts could withstand the cold, but out in the open, riding at a trot with the wind whipping past, Du Shiyi felt frozen to the bone even with his fur collar pulled up for protection. Riding skills were inherited from the original owner, and he was not yet steady at a gallop, so he dared not speed up. He could only watch as Cui Jianxuan, like a bird released from its cage, darted about gleefully, sometimes galloping ahead until he disappeared, then circling back to tease him.

"Du Nineteen, you’d better practice riding and archery! Otherwise, when we return to Chang’an, you’ll be laughed at!"

"You needn’t say it!" Du Shiyi gripped the reins tightly and pressed his legs to the horse’s side, finally picking up speed to keep up with Cui Jianxuan. The two Cui family retainers followed at a steady pace, knowing their master’s temperament. The four of them journeyed on, crossing the river by midday and arriving beneath Five Breast Peak at the sprawling temple. It was Cui Jianxuan’s first visit, and he was more curious than anything, marveling at the temple’s grandeur, which rivaled Songyang Temple. For Du Shiyi, the place was not unfamiliar, though the layout of red bricks and green tiles in his memory was quite different from what he saw now.

In these times, Buddhist temples differed from Daoist ones. The Tang dynasty revered Laozi as the Supreme Emperor, so Daoist temples mostly featured red bricks and green tiles, but Buddhist temples were typically walled with blue bricks. As they approached the main gate, they saw that even at this hour, worshippers crowded the temple, with incense burning more vigorously than at Songyang Temple. Peering inside, countless devotees prayed, burned incense, and prostrated themselves, some crawling from the gate all the way in, their devotion beyond compare.

Impatient, Cui Jianxuan didn’t bother sending a retainer to inquire, but rode straight to the gate, dismounted, and walked up to a guest monk. "Is there an elder named Gongye Jue in your temple?"

The guest monk paused, studied Cui Jianxuan, then pressed his palms together and replied, "You must be mistaken, sir. Our temple is populated by monks; there is no layman with the surname Gongsun."

"Hmm?" Cui Jianxuan's eyes widened. He was about to lose his temper when he saw Du Shiyi had dismounted and come over. He quickly turned and dragged him forward. "Du Nineteen, I’m too impatient and might offend—ask him yourself."

So you know you’re impulsive!

Du Shiyi grumbled inwardly, but didn't bother questioning the guest monk. Instead, he pulled Cui Jianxuan straight through the gate. Shaolin Temple was vast, with worshippers everywhere. Following local custom, he paid his respects as he passed, and seeing Cui Jianxuan’s reluctance, he whispered, "When in Rome, burn incense in the temple. If you come to a Buddhist place and don’t light incense or form good ties, and just announce you’re here to find someone, even if the guest monk at the gate knows, why would he tell you?"

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"Ah... these monks are so cunning!" Cui Jianxuan finally understood. Still a bit impatient, he nevertheless followed along, solemnly praying and burning incense. When he signed the incense ledger with a flourish, contributing ten thousand coins and writing the names Cui Eleventh of Qinghe and Du Nineteen of Jingzhao, the monk managing the ledger was surprised, summoned a novice, and then pressed his palms together, saying, "Thank you, gentlemen, for forming such a generous bond. Please enter the guest hall for tea."

For the famed Shaolin Temple on Mount Song, ten thousand coins wasn't extraordinary, but most noble families donated annually, and such a large amount from casual visitors was rare. Moreover, Qinghe Cui and Jingzhao Du were prominent clans, so inviting them in was only proper. The monk managing the ledger chatted for a while, and when an elderly monk in a cassock entered, he hurried to greet him, addressing him as Master Yining.

Only then did Cui Jianxuan quietly give Du Shiyi a thumbs-up. For him, ten thousand coins were merely ten strings—a trivial amount. Besides, donating to Shaolin Temple would be easy to explain to his family. Now, facing the obviously esteemed Master Yining, he was about to speak, but caught another silencing glance from Du Shiyi. Once seated, he watched as Du Shiyi, cross-legged on a meditation cushion, discussed the origins and glory of Shaolin Temple with Yining, then sought advice on Buddhist doctrine, feeling both amazed and frustrated.

All this just to find someone—how troublesome!

Had they not been rebuffed at the gate, Du Shiyi wouldn't have gone to such lengths. Seeing the timing was right, he finally smiled and said, "A few months ago, Cui Eleventh and I watched Grandmaster Gongsun's sword performance, and she mentioned an elder who was residing temporarily at Shaolin Temple. After touring the temple today, we wished to meet this person. But Grandmaster Gongsun only gave us a name, nothing more, so we must ask Master Yining's help."

Yining, the junior brother of the abbot Master Yijiang, had spoken with Du Shiyi for some time and was favorably impressed. He was surprised and replied, "Grandmaster Gongsun’s elder friend? I’ve been at Shaolin Temple for decades and have never heard of such a person. What is the surname and given name?"

"The compound surname Gongye, given name Jue."

As soon as the words were spoken, Du Shiyi saw Yining’s face light up in realization. "Ah, it must be the gentleman residing in the pagoda grove, Mr. Gongye. Years ago, he visited the late abbot Master Zhicao, seeking instruction in martial arts, and has lived in the pagoda grove ever since, rarely leaving the temple. I had no idea he was acquainted with Grandmaster Gongsun."