Chapter Forty: A Heart of Bronze and an Iron Will

PS: I just realized the top one hundred spots on the fan leaderboard are now full! To celebrate, I’ve tidied up my drafts and decided to post three chapters today... This is the second, and I continue to ask for your recommendations!

Having finally found the person he was searching for, Cui Jianxuan was naturally overjoyed. Du Shiyi let out a long breath, and sincerely requested to be taken to see Gongye Jue. To his relief, Yining did not show any difficulty or offer excuses about Gongye’s eccentric temperament, but readily agreed and summoned a young monk, giving instructions. However, before he finished speaking, someone hurriedly entered from outside, paying no heed to the presence of Du Shiyi and Cui Jianxuan. The young monk bowed deeply and said, “Master Yining, Yao family’s eldest son is here, seeking an audience with the abbot.”

Upon hearing this, Yining immediately stood. He glanced at Cui Jianxuan and Du Shiyi, smiled, and nodded, “You two may follow the young monk to the pagoda grove. Mr. Gongsun will surely be glad to hear news of an old friend. I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”

“Thank you, Master. Farewell.”

Cui Jianxuan had no interest in whatever important business brought outsiders to seek the abbot of Shaolin, and Du Shiyi knew he had no place in such affairs. Following their guide, they soon left the monastery, winding through a passageway, past several great halls, and arrived at the pagoda grove. Wandering among the sparse bone pagodas, Du Shiyi thought of all he had seen and heard lately, feeling a surge of reflection.

The Shaolin Temple, at this point, had not yet reached three hundred years of history. Despite the imperial decree from Emperor Taizong of Tang and the stele commemorating its achievements, its fame was far from what it would be in later times. Its reputation as the ancestral seat of Chan Buddhism was a designation of later generations; previously, Bodhidharma founded Chan, once meditated at Shaolin, but it was the disciple of the Fifth Patriarch, Fayu, who later entered Shaolin to transmit the Dharma, thus known as the Sixth Patriarch, ultimately passing away at Shaolin—though at present, these are merely self-proclaimed titles.

Currently, the most prominent branch of Chan was undoubtedly the Northern School, descended from Shenxiu. Shenxiu had been invited by Empress Wu to the capital to preach, becoming the Dharma Master of the two capitals, Imperial Master to three emperors, and his disciples, such as Pujie, were held in high esteem by the royal family. In contrast, the renowned Huineng, who penned the famous lines, “Bodhi is fundamentally without tree, the bright mirror also lacks a stand. Truly there is nothing, where could dust alight?” was only spreading his teachings in the southern regions.

Therefore, few sages were buried in the pagoda grove, and the young monk’s explanations were brief. When they reached a cottage at the corner of the grove, and the monk went forward to knock, Cui Jianxuan pulled Du Shiyi aside and whispered, “Hey, should we hide Master Gongsun’s bronze token and not present it?”

“You think this is like when we sought to study at the Lushi Cottage, where you claimed we had no letter of recommendation though we did? Master Lu was easygoing, but this one may not be.”

Du Shiyi spoke as he retrieved the bronze token from his robe. When the door opened, and the monk explained their purpose, Du Shiyi quickly stepped forward with the token in hand. The elder before the door, though his hair and beard were white and he looked about fifty or sixty, was powerfully built. Standing before him, Du Shiyi barely reached his chin, and even Cui Jianxuan, taller by two inches, was still shorter. Yet the elder’s hands, hanging at his sides, were unexpectedly fair and delicate, almost feminine, despite his robust frame.

“Greetings, Master Gongye.”

“Did that girl send you?” Gongye Jue saw Cui Jianxuan nod quickly, scrutinized the two for a moment, and glanced at the item in Du Shiyi’s hand, then frowned, “One has some foundation, the other is frail as a willow. What was she thinking! All right, young monk, you may go, there’s nothing more for you here.”

The young monk was clever, smiling and bowing before leaving at once. Gongye Jue then turned and entered the cottage, and seeing no reaction from the pair behind him, he grew impatient, “Why are you standing there? Come in, unless you prefer to freeze outside.”

Du Shiyi shot a look at Cui Jianxuan, and after he entered, Du Shiyi followed, closing the door behind them. Before he could present the bronze token, Gongye Jue spoke, “That girl is proud, just like her master, and vowed early on never to marry. Looking at you two, with your tender skin and youth, you must be sons of noble families—certainly not the sort to fool her, or coax her into revealing this place. Tell me, what favor did you do for her?”

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Gongye Jue’s guess was spot-on, and Cui Jianxuan was taken aback. He glanced at Du Shiyi, then recounted the events from several months ago in detail. His memory was excellent, and he even recited, word for word, both the first half and the second half of the poem Du Shiyi had composed. When he finished, Gongye Jue burst into laughter.

“Haha, hahaha… ‘Thunder comes, quelling anger, gone like rivers and seas reflecting pure light...’ Well, to compose such bold and vigorous verses, you are indeed fine young men. I don’t need to see the bronze token—on the strength of this poem and the great help you gave that girl, I can teach you a thing or two. Whether you improve depends on yourselves. Well, let me see your hands first!”

Cui Jianxuan promptly extended both hands. When Gongye Jue squeezed the fleshy part of his palms, Cui Jianxuan couldn’t help but cry out in pain. After a thorough inspection, seeing his hands turn from pale to red, he wore a bitter expression. When Du Shiyi received the same treatment, and Gongye Jue examined the middle finger of his right hand repeatedly, Cui Jianxuan finally felt a sense of balance.

“You’re both products of noble upbringing, with palms free of calluses… At your age, it’s impossible to develop muscles as thoroughly as that girl. Her lineage descends from the female heirs of the Yue Maiden. My own lineage traces back to the armored soldiers of King Goujian of Yue, focused on defeating enemies. The methods aren’t as refined, but the basics are essential. First, train the eyes; second, train the hands. You are at the right age for it.”

After speaking, Gongye Jue went to a corner chest, lifted the lid, and casually grabbed two items, tossing them over his shoulder to Du Shiyi and Cui Jianxuan. Thankfully, both were alert and caught them instinctively, then exclaimed in surprise. The objects were round, slightly larger than eggs, and heavy. Upon closer look, Du Shiyi saw they were solid, polished copper balls.

“These two copper balls are a set. When you return, practice until you can manipulate one in your right hand for an hour; once mastered, come back to me. You’re both smart—I needn’t explain much.”

Du Shiyi, seeing the objects and knowing they were a set, understood at once. They were akin to the exercise balls he’d seen old men play with, excellent for dexterity and wrist strength. Of course, unlike those hollow balls, these solid copper ones would take much more effort to master. With Pei Ning’s request for a pipa piece still pending, and a long road to mastery ahead, he sighed inwardly.

Truly, the road ahead is long and winding—I shall seek from top to bottom!

Seeing Du Shiyi take the other copper ball from Cui Jianxuan and bow, intending to leave, Gongye Jue suddenly said, “I see marks on your fingers—likely from practicing the pipa. Even if you never master swordsmanship, training with these copper balls will make your pipa playing far more efficient. Also, Du Nineteen, your body has yet to fully recover; you should practice more each day than Cui Eleven. Copper balls, iron wrists—master them, and it will benefit you greatly!”

“Thank you for the advice, Master Gongye.”

“Go, then.”

Once outside, Du Shiyi helped close the door, and Cui Jianxuan, unable to hold back, asked, “Du Nineteen, shouldn’t you at least find out how to train with these copper balls… huh?”

Du Shiyi placed both balls in his right hand, moving his wrist and fingers. The balls slowly began to rotate. Cui Jianxuan stared in amazement at the slow, laborious motion, eventually grasping the method. He hurriedly snatched them, placing them in his own hand, but after two movements, he grimaced and gasped, “These are so heavy—playing with them for an hour would leave my arm and hand numb! Good heavens, is this not a joke?”

Just then, the door creaked open again, and Gongye Jue’s tall, burly figure emerged, saying, “Also, if you have the chance, help me inquire about General Pei Min. Since he joined the expedition with Sun Quan, the Governor of Youzhou, in the first year of Yanhe, and alone preserved his force amid defeat, he’s been silent for years without news.”

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“Yes, Master Gongye, rest assured!”

Du Shiyi responded immediately, promising earnestly. Seeing Gongye Jue return inside and close the door, he pulled the bewildered Cui Jianxuan away. Once they were out of the pagoda grove, Du Shiyi released his grip, gazing at the two solid copper balls in Cui Jianxuan’s arms and quietly sighed. This Pei Min must be the illustrious General Pei… Today’s visit was truly worthwhile!

“Hey, Du Nineteen…”

Before Cui Jianxuan could finish his complaint, Du Shiyi smiled and said, “Don’t worry, this isn’t meant to be hard on us. These are extremely effective for hand training. In short, we’ll talk more when we get back!”

Though Cui Jianxuan disliked Du Shiyi’s secrecy, he knew the boy was clever beyond his years and decided not to press further for now. After leaving the pagoda grove and having a vegetarian meal at the monastery, they were heading out through the mountain gate when they saw Master Yining escorting a fourteen or fifteen-year-old youth.

The boy wore mourning clothes, clearly still in a period of filial piety. His back looked slightly thin, but when he turned to face them, his eyes were long at the corners and his cheeks gently rounded; his eyes were dark and deep, giving him an auspicious appearance. Du Shiyi paid him little mind, glancing once and looking away, but Cui Jianxuan exclaimed in surprise.

“So that’s the Yao family’s eldest son—it’s him… How is he in mourning? Who in his household has passed away?”

Du Shiyi’s heart stirred at the remark and he quickly asked, “You know him?”

“Our families aren’t close, but he’s about my age, and in the Eastern Capital we see each other often.” Cui Jianxuan’s gaze flickered as he gave Du Shiyi a sly smile, “Do you know who he is? He’s the eldest grandson of Minister Yao—Yao Hong. His father is Minister Yao’s eldest son, ennobled as the founder of Guo County, and formerly appointed as Vice Minister of the Imperial Household, Yao Yi.”

Cui Jianxuan was explaining in a low voice when, in the next moment, Yao Hong glanced their way, evidently recognizing them as well.

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