A-lai first went to the Xinhua Bookstore, searching for electronic magazines and books. He found a circuit diagram that made him incredibly excited. He copied it down and put it in his pocket. Misheng, watching, asked, "What's the use of this scribbling?"
A-lai rolled his eyes and said, "Heaven's secrets cannot be revealed."
The three of them wandered through the streets, looking for electronics shops.
As evening approached, A-lai took inventory of the items they had purchased. Mile, puzzled by the electronic components, asked, "A-lai, what are you planning to do with this stuff?"
A-lai replied mysteriously, "This is for a science experiment. Once I create the Heavenly Three Palms, even with your martial arts skills, you won't be my match. Heh heh."
Mile laughed and said, "Before you even use one palm, I'll kick you flying with one foot."
Misheng joined in, "And before you use one palm, I'll punch you flat."
A-lai, rolling his eyes, sat down on the ground and said, "Once it's ready, we'll see if your martial arts are stronger or if I am."
He then ordered, "Mile, I'm too tired to walk. Go buy some food so we can eat it on the way back."
"Amitabha, as you wish." Mile immediately went to a pastry shop to make the purchase.
…
"Don't block the entrance to my shop if you're not buying anything."
A young boy, about thirteen years old, with a bandaged arm, came out of the small shop and spoke.
A-lai turned around in surprise, "Hey, what happened?"
The boy, upon seeing A-lai, exclaimed, "Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms!"
A-lai then remembered the boy from the hospital who had laughed when he fought Hu San. A-lai pressed his palms together and said with a smile, "Amitabha, the first palm is for conscience, the second for no resentment, the third for no regret."
"Yes, yes, that's the one! Master, please come in."
The boy quickly invited A-lai and Misheng into the shop and served them tea.
A-lai asked, "What happened to your arm?"
The boy, embarrassed, replied, "I was practicing the Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms. I hit a tree, but instead of breaking the tree, I broke my arm."
A-lai burst into laughter, "Are you trying to kill me with laughter? What's your name?"
"Master, please don't make fun of me. One day, I'll be as skilled as you. My name is Wu Tong."
"That's a good name. Where are your parents?"
"They've gone to the wholesale market to buy supplies."
A-lai looked around the shop, which was filled with small items, toys, toy guns, toy knives, and many masks—opera masks, Zorro masks, butterfly masks, fox masks, pumpkin masks, and characters from Journey to the West. The variety was dazzling.
A-lai picked up a set of masks depicting Tang Sanzang, Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing and asked Wu Tong how much they cost.
Wu Tong replied promptly, "The materials are different, so the prices vary. Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing are two yuan each, Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong are two yuan and fifty cents each."
A-lai asked, "Why are Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong more expensive?"
Wu Tong explained, "Of course, Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong have greater skills than Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing, so they're more expensive. Buddha and the Jade Emperor are even more expensive."
A-lai moved behind the counter, his eyes fixed on an exquisite mask of Lei Zhenzi.
Seeing this, Wu Tong took it out and said, "This one is made of soft leather. It fits your face comfortably, almost like it's part of your skin."
"Little brother Wu Tong, that must be too expensive for me."
"The materials were bought, but my father painted it. I charge for the Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing masks, but this one I'll give to you for free. You must accept it, Master."
Wu Tong helped A-lai put on the mask, checked the fit, and then brought out a pair of wings, attaching them to A-lai's sides. After inspecting his work, he said with satisfaction, "These go with the mask; they're a gift too."
A-lai looked at himself in the mirror, very pleased but still hesitant to accept the gifts, insisting they were too expensive.
Wu Tong, serious and polite like a little shopkeeper, explained that it would be enough if A-lai visited the shop often and brought others along in the future.
A-lai chuckled to himself, carefully packed the items into a bag, and thanked Wu Tong repeatedly.
When Mile returned with the food, Misheng complained, "A-lai, you're wasting money on masks."
A-lai rolled his eyes at Misheng and replied, "This is work that requires brainpower. Can't you have a bit more understanding? It seems you'll never achieve anything."
The three of them took the bus back to Shuguang Village and to A-lai's courtyard.
Grandfather Lei had been waiting anxiously, not knowing what had happened at the temple after A-lai was called there. Seeing the three of them, he quickly asked, "What happened at the temple?"
A-lai cheerfully replied, "Nothing major. The abbot just asked me to organize Elder Liaokong's belongings. He said they were meant for me."
"Oh, that's good." Grandfather Lei sighed in relief.
A-lai looked at Misheng and Mile and said, "You've escorted me home. You can return to the temple now."
Misheng and Mile responded in unison, "Amitabha, we dare not. We cannot leave you."
Grandfather Lei and Fangfang were both puzzled, staring at the two in surprise, about to ask questions.
A-lai quickly said, "Didn't the abbot tell you to listen to me? Did you forget? I now order you to return to the sutra library and stay at your posts."
A-lai spoke sternly, his face serious, as he patted their heads and continued, "Be smart, will you?" He then winked, indicating that Fangfang was at home and it wouldn't be convenient for them to stay at the courtyard.
The two of them suddenly understood.
Pressing their palms together, they said, "Amitabha, we obey."
They bid farewell to Grandfather Lei and Fangfang and returned to the temple.
Grandfather Lei said, "It's late, A-lai. You should rest early."
A-lai replied, "Okay, I'll read a bit before bed."
Hearing this, Grandfather Lei was overjoyed. A-lai had grown up and become more sensible. Everything would work out in the end.
Fangfang quietly opened the door to A-lai's room and saw the desk covered with radio components. Curiously, she asked, "A-lai, what are you doing with all this stuff?"
"Fangfang, don't touch anything. You might break it. I'm working on a physics experiment, reinforcing what our teacher taught us."
"Ah?"
"A physics experiment?"
Fangfang was baffled, "Are you sure you can do it?"
A-lai, full of confidence, replied, "I have a mid-power transistor, some resistors, a step-up transformer with a center tap, several capacitors, and diodes. That's all I need! The foot pedal has a high-voltage generator. With the circuit diagram, I'm good to go."
Fangfang looked closely and said, "I know more about this than you. If you get stuck, just ask me."
A-lai, excited, responded, "Great! I've been waiting for you to say that."
"But remember, you can fool Grandpa, but you can't fool me. It looks like you're not just reviewing your studies—you're making some kind of gadget. I'm warning you, everything should serve your studies. That's what you promised. I'm going to bed now, so figure it out yourself."
After some time and with Fangfang's guidance...
A-lai's secret weapon was completed.
By adjusting the values of R2, C2, and C3 repeatedly, he achieved synchronization and optimal output. The high-voltage pulse frequency reached between 60-120 times per minute.
Fangfang reminded him, "The output voltage of the high-voltage package is 40,000 volts. This isn't a joke. What are you making this for?"
A-lai, still mysterious, said, "The mountains aren't like the city, where you can buy anything. I'm planning to hunt some game for you to eat. Heh heh."
So that's what it was.
Fangfang, touched, said, "I plan to stay here for a while and help you with your studies. We should aim for a good university—it's what your grandfather hopes for, what you dream of, and what I long for too. Do you understand?"
A-lai nodded vigorously, saying, "Yes, yes, I understand. You say it three times a day. I won't neglect my studies. You go to bed first. Tomorrow, I'll take you out to catch some game."
Fangfang, growing concerned, muttered, "I don't want to go out. I'm afraid something might happen