When Tie Niu announced he wanted to be tonsured, Su Can also knelt down and expressed his desire to become an official disciple.
However, Huo Yuanzhen refused both of their requests, saying that the time for tonsure had not yet come. Becoming an official disciple of Shaolin was different from being a lay disciple, and the selection had to be done carefully. Though both had good potential, they were still under observation.
Huo Yuanzhen, Yi Kong, and the other four, along with Huang Feihong, a total of eight people, went to the back mountain.
Between Shaolin Temple and Yinma Lake, there was an open area that Huo Yuanzhen had set aside to be used for the Pagoda Forest. The tomb of the old monk Xuanming was also located here, though the stone pagoda had not been constructed yet.
The group performed the customary rites, bowing three times and kneeling nine times in reverence to the ancestral masters.
Huo Yuanzhen knelt at the front, offering incense at the tomb of Xuanming.
Although Huo Yuanzhen was from another world and had never met Xuanming, he had inherited the memories of Yijie and was deeply impressed by Xuanming. It was Xuanming who had introduced him to the "Pure Boy Skill," a technique that was both troublesome and beneficial. Despite its challenges, once mastered, the internal energy would surpass almost all other martial arts techniques.
After offering the incense, Huo Yuanzhen officially accepted the three lay disciples.
Unlike official disciples, lay disciples did not have a designated master. Their martial arts teacher would temporarily be Yi Jing, while the Buddhist teachings would be taught alternately by Yi Kong and Hui Zhen.
"You three are entering Shaolin today," Huo Yuanzhen began, "Although you are lay disciples, you represent Shaolin. While in the temple, you must respect your elders and diligently practice both martial arts and Buddhist teachings. Although Shaolin is a Buddhist temple, the rules for lay disciples are not as strict. As long as you refrain from drinking and eating meat and avoid insulting others, you are free to act outside the temple, but always remember that Shaolin is destined to become a great martial arts sect and represent the face of Buddhism. Never do anything to disgrace the Shaolin name!"
The three disciples kowtowed in acknowledgment, officially becoming lay disciples of Shaolin.
Huo Yuanzhen then turned to Yi Kong and said, "From now on, Shaolin will no longer wear gray or earthy-colored robes."
"Abbot, if we do not wear robes, what will we wear?" Yi Kong asked, shocked, as Shaolin had always worn these traditional robes.
"We will still wear robes," Huo Yuanzhen replied, "but they will be of a different color and fabric. The style needs to change as well. From now on, lay disciples will wear black martial attire. The long hems and sleeves of the traditional robes will be eliminated to facilitate movement and training."
Yi Kong nodded in agreement, "That sounds fine. After all, they are lay disciples, so they do not need to dress as we do."
Huo Yuanzhen continued, "It's not just for the lay disciples. We will all change. Starting today, Hui Zhen and Hui Ming, who were originally outer disciples, will enter the inner sect. Aside from myself, everyone will wear white robes—both martial attire and ceremonial robes. The fabric must be the finest, and the style should be slightly altered. Yi Kong, go down the mountain to the town or county to buy the fabric. Bring it back to Fenglin Village, and ask Lin Rou, the shepherd's daughter, to make the robes for us. Her family has good sewing skills."
Yi Kong hesitated, "Abbot, this will cost quite a bit of money."
"With the money I earned from storytelling and the Wanfo Pagoda, I still have several thousand taels," Huo Yuanzhen replied.
"But Abbot, you still have debts…" Yi Kong trailed off.
Huo Yuanzhen waved his hand, "It's no problem. The debt can wait. Let's first take care of this matter."
The others, including Yi Kong, Hui Zhen, and Huang Feihong, were delighted. Although clothing wasn't a major issue, who wouldn't want to wear something a little more stylish? They all approved of the abbot's idea, except Yi Kong, who was constantly opposing it. His stance frustrated the others, who now regarded him unfavorably.
As they discussed the matter, Yi Kong realized that he had unknowingly become the target of everyone's dissatisfaction. He cursed himself for being foolish. After all, how money was made and spent wasn't his concern. As long as the new robes were made, he would have his share.
The lay disciples began their lessons. Hui Zhen would teach them Buddhist scriptures, and after that, Yi Jing would take them for the Fuhu Fist training. Yi Kong went down the mountain to buy the fabric.
Meanwhile, Huo Yuanzhen had nothing to do and spent his time inside practicing the "Pure Boy Skill." Cultivating internal energy was a slow, gradual process, requiring patience. But for the strength he needed to eventually leave the monkhood, Huo Yuanzhen was motivated and diligent. He never slacked off.
Days passed quickly, and by the end of June, Huo Yuanzhen looked forward to the next lottery draw. His internal energy had made great progress, and he could feel the flow of true qi within his body. Once the true qi circulated through his whole body, he would be at the intermediate stage of the acquired realm.
That night, he planned to complete a full cycle of his training before starting the lottery draw at midnight. But just as he was preparing, Hui Ming reported that a group of people had arrived at the mountain gate, requesting to see the abbot.
Huo Yuanzhen was puzzled and went outside to see. A group of more than thirty men, dressed in armor and clearly a military unit, had formed a neat row on the narrow mountain road. At the front stood a burly general—none other than the recently departed Shangguan Xiong.
Next to him was an elderly man with white hair, looking to be around sixty but with a surprisingly vigorous demeanor. His eyes were sharp, and when he saw Huo Yuanzhen, they seemed to gleam with a strange light.
When Huo Yuanzhen appeared at the temple gate, Shangguan Xiong immediately greeted him. "Abbot, it's been a month since we last met. How have you been?"
"Amidst the grace of Amitabha, your presence is a delight, Master Shangguan," Huo Yuanzhen replied politely, returning the greeting with a respectful gesture.
Shangguan Xiong smiled and turned to the elderly man beside him, saying, "Master Guan, this is the Shaolin abbot I mentioned to you, Master Yijie. He is the only one who can communicate with Buddha himself."
Master Guan sized up Huo Yuanzhen with sharp eyes and then chuckled. "A young man with such a great reputation… it seems that I've come for nothing."
Unfazed by the elderly man's dismissive tone, Huo Yuanzhen calmly responded, "Amitabha. Master Guan, it seems you do not have faith in Shaolin. If that is the case, it seems our paths are not meant to cross. Please, take your leave."
The moment Huo Yuanzhen spoke, Master Guan's expression darkened. His gaze turned cold as he glared at Huo Yuanzhen. "Do you know the price you will pay for that remark?"
Without fear, Huo Yuanzhen stared back, seemingly unaffected by the killing intent in Master Guan's eyes. He calmly bowed and said, "I do not know."
Master Guan's voice grew more menacing, "Then let me tell you. Whether it's the army behind me or I myself, we could destroy Shaolin with a single gesture. Think carefully."
Despite the threat, Huo Yuanzhen remained unfazed, sitting down on the ground at the temple gate. "I am a monk, my body is empty. I have listened to the teachings of the Buddha since childhood, and I understand that everything is an illusion. What can your weapons do to me?"
Seeing Huo Yuanzhen's unwavering calmness, Master Guan's expression shifted. A hint of admiration flickered in his eyes, though his words remained harsh. "You're not afraid of death, eh?"
"Life has no joy, death has no fear. The Buddha says, 'I am not afraid of hell. Whoever enters hell, I will go. If my humble body can bring enlightenment to Master Guan and peace to Shaolin, I am not afraid."
With that, Huo Yuanzhen closed his eyes, adopting an expression of indifference, as though he had no desires.
Master Guan, seeing Huo Yuanzhen's attitude, felt both stunned and impressed. Though he had originally doubted the young abbot, he now respected his courage and resolve.
After a moment of silence, Master Guan laughed heartily. "Abbot, I was just joking. How could I offend someone who communicates with Buddha? That would be a grave mistake."
Huo Yuanzhen slowly opened his eyes and looked at Master Guan. "You truly wouldn't dare?"
"Of course not," Master Guan replied solemnly.
"Well then, Yi Kong, lock the door."
Without another word, Huo Yuanzhen stood up and walked into the temple. Yi Kong immediately followed his instructions and closed the door, leaving Shangguan Xiong and Master Guan standing outside.
The two men exchanged glances, both surprised by how they were treated—left outside like this?