Yellow walls, black tiles, a dark red gate, above the gate, a gilded plaque bore three large characters. Wang Anfeng had once learned some characters from his father. Although these three characters were somewhat different, he could make out that they were the words "Shaolin," but the third character was unfamiliar to him.
Just as he was about to ask a question, the young man had already pulled his hand and crossed the threshold of the ancient gate, gradually unveiling the obscured view—
Gray-green stone slabs on the ground, with a building on each side, their style solemn and majestic. Monks in gray or yellow robes were either conversing or sweeping the ground, their movements gentle and rhythmic. The Buddhist bell sounded melodious, and from afar on the training ground, nearly a hundred martial monks in gray were practicing a set of exceptionally fierce and powerful boxing techniques, each punch and kick fully embodying the essence of strength and power, their shouts resounding like the roar of dragons and tigers.
"Cultivate the way!"
"Hah!"
"Move with fluidity!"
"Hah!"
"Comprehend the subtleties!"
"Hah!"
"Realize the Zen."
"Hah!"
"This..."
Shock, mingled with bewilderment, appeared on Wang Anfeng's face. Just this one scene had unfolded the profound legacy of martial arts, built up over thousands of years, right before the eyes of the youth. The young man led him forward at a slow pace. Wang Anfeng felt as if his consciousness were drifting, his feet lightly stepping on the ancient bluestone. Around him, he heard the monks chanting sutras, the sound of fists cutting through air. Leaves from ancient trees gently fell onto his shoulder, only to be whisked away by the wind.
He was no longer just a spectator, he had truly stepped into this grand world, and the calm voice of the young monk beside him slowly said:
"Our Shaolin heritage originates from Bodhidharma, spanning a thousand years of history. Our fundamental inner strength scriptures, 'Yi Jin Jing' and 'Xi Sui Jing,' are renowned as unparalleled in the world. Beyond these, there have evolved many schools of inner strength, while the art of attack includes seventy-two secret techniques. However, such techniques are rare and must be tempered with the cultivation of Buddhist law to neutralize the spirit of killing. One should not be greedy. As you are new to Shaolin, you should start with the basics."
"After meeting the Abbot, you will officially join our Shaolin Order. Our strict discipline naturally need not be mentioned: you must not kill, engage in sexual misconduct, or drink alcohol, among many other rules. Otherwise, the brothers from the Discipline Hall will have words with you. For minor offenses, you will face solitary reflection; for major ones, your martial arts will be crippled, and you will be expelled from the mountain. Do you understand?"
"I..."
Wang Anfeng's bewildered gaze stirred, and he thought of the innkeeper's hearty drinking and his father's fondness for a sip or two of mild liquor. Almost instinctively, he asked:
"I understand the rest, but why is it that we cannot drink alcohol... The innkeeper mentioned that there is a wild spearman in Jianghu who loves to drink, claiming that drinking is one of life's joys, and that even the Green Lotus Scholar's most exquisite verses are penned under the influence of alcohol."
"Because alcohol confuses the mind," the young monk replied serenely. "Alcohol can make the timid brave, and lead people to say and do things they wouldn't otherwise—which are not their true nature. If one's nature is truly steadfast, why would there be a need to fortify oneself with alcohol? It only invites trouble."
He turned his head slightly and gently rubbed Wang Anfeng's hair, his voice becoming warmer:
"What I speak of are the precepts of Buddhism; monks should not drink alcohol. Moreover, you are still young and not yet of age. Even if you weren't joining Shaolin, it would not be fitting to drink and undermine your foundation. Do you understand?"
"Mm, I understand..."
Wang Anfeng looked at the peaceful young monk in front of him and nodded gently. Though this was their first meeting, he inexplicably felt a natural affinity for the monk, whose patient guidance reminded him of his own father teaching him to read. The young monk smiled, gently ruffled his hair, and said with a smile:
"Good boy, the Abbot is inside the Great Majestic Hall ahead. Come with me..."
Guided past the training ground and through solemn Buddhist halls, they approached the most majestic and sacred building. Every detail exuded grandeur and antiquity. On a plaque above, the words "Great Majestic Hall" were inscribed with imposing presence. Through the doors and windows, a large Buddha statue could be seen, and an elderly monk in a yellow robe draped in a red kasaya stood before it. His demeanor was as compassionate as the Buddha's serene smile.
The young monk led Wang Anfeng inside, holding his left hand in front before bowing respectfully, and spoke with veneration:
"Disciple has seen the Abbot Uncle."
"Heh... Ci, you have wandered for so many years, your return to the mountain today is indeed a joyous occasion..." The elder stroked his fair chin beard, a kind gaze landed on Wang Anfeng's figure, he smiled, and said, "Is it for the sake of the young hero behind you?"
"Indeed."
Ci nodded slightly, saying, "This child is named Wang Anfeng, a resident of Yanjing, with aspirations to roam the Jianghu, to act chivalrously and uphold justice; however, he only possesses some basic knowledge of fist and foot techniques. Seeing his pure and childlike heart, he should be a hero of the righteous path. Unwilling to see him broken by the Jianghu, I thus brought him back to Shaolin, wishing to accept him into our fold and impart our martial arts to him."
Wang Anfeng's face flushed in waves of heat at these words, almost unable to lift his head, yet the elder seemed not to doubt a word, simply chanting Amitabha and nodding with a smile, clearly believing what was said. Wang Anfeng wanted to deny it, but looking at Ci's calm face containing concern, the words of denial somehow just couldn't be spoken, and he could only bury his head even deeper.
As his face was burning red, the elder had already walked up to him, and with a gentle smile, he said, "Child, my Shaolin is wide open to disciples, but there are some questions I must ask you. We have made clear the reason you enter Shaolin, there is just one question for you..." His voice paused slightly, the elder stroked his white beard, asking earnestly, "If you learn martial arts, and on the road you encounter someone with a knife murdering another, what would you do?"
"Murder?"
Wang Anfeng honestly replied, "It depends on who he is killing."
"Oh?"
A flash of blue data streamed through the elder's smiling eyes, his face showing an intrigued expression as he asked, "What do you mean?"
The youth thought for a moment and seriously said, "There are many kinds of people. If he is killing a good person, then I must stop him. If he is killing a bad person, then I will not interfere. There are so many people in the world, but if there is one less bad person, it's a good thing for everyone."
The elder asked with a smile, "But a bad person is also a person, a life. Isn't your approach too cruel?"
"Cruel... cruel?"
The youth looked at him, his eyes first filled with shock, then became somewhat indignant and upset, raising his voice:
"A bad person will harm many, many good people!"
"Bad people are people, lives; but good people are also people, also lives!"
"I don't want to learn martial arts here. Uncle Ci, please take me down the mountain..."
"Hehe, interesting, interesting, child. There are far more ways to eliminate bad people than just killing. To kill a bad person is simply to kill a bad person. If you convert a bad person, then you not only save a life, the world has one less evil person, and yet gains a good person. Isn't that even better?"
The elder was not the least bit angry but just explained with a chuckle, causing Wang Anfeng to be slightly stunned. Then his face felt somewhat unable to hang on while his mind unconsciously welcomed a new way of thinking. At this time, the elder had already nodded towards the robust Ci with a smile:
"This child has a good nature, but he possesses the aura of both killing and protecting life. He may join your tutelage, cultivate well, and do not stray from the path."
"Yes."
Ci bowed slightly and then led Wang Anfeng out of the Great Majestic Hall. All this while, the young man was still somewhat bewildered, looking at the youth beside him, he asked:
"Uncle Ci..."
"Call me Master."
"...Yes, Master, that elderly gentleman just now said that we can turn a bad person into a good one, how do we do that...?" Wang Anfeng scratched his head, asking earnestly. "I really don't understand."
"......" The youth fell silent for a moment, then replied:
"Beat 'em till they submit."