Chapter 113: The Rebel

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In the minds of the monks, although Shaolin Temple holds a lofty position in the martial arts world, it still must bow before imperial authority. This is not mere speculation; the temple’s very foundation is controlled by the royal family. Why endure harsh training in Buddhist teachings? Ultimately, it is to spread the Dharma. Furthermore, how does Shaolin sustain so many warrior monks? It relies on the endless stream of pilgrims.

Despite the abundance of powerful monks, if the imperial court were to issue a decree outlawing Buddhism, this towering stronghold that overlooks the martial world would collapse in an instant. Therefore, though Shaolin is mighty, it cannot do without the support of the government. This also explains why Buddhism has long sought to become the state religion.

Although the Jing Dynasty has never officially established a state religion, it has shown no partiality between Buddhism and Taoism. Yet the emperor’s sudden personal arrival to question the monks—claiming there was no instigation or conspiracy—was something no fool would believe.

Zhu Yu was well aware of these matters. This understanding was why, despite Shaolin’s strength exceeding expectations, he was able to quell the situation swiftly.

Shaolin? Kill them all. Not a single tyrant would emerge from here.

“Venerable Master Kongwen, do you not believe my words?” Zhu Yu smiled upon hearing Kongwen’s rebuttal.

“Amitabha, this humble monk does not disbelieve, but surely there must be some misunderstanding,” Kongwen replied weakly, having prepared a defense that now found no footing against the emperor’s unexpected line of questioning.

After Kongwen’s answer, Zhu Yu turned to Master Xuanci.

“Amitabha, though Brother Kongwen was somewhat impatient, it shows Shaolin’s sincerity. Our temple would never harbor anyone hostile to the Jing Dynasty. But mere slander from villains alone hardly justifies the emperor’s personal visit. Please, Your Majesty, clarify your accusations; this old monk listens attentively and will provide a full explanation.”

“You are indeed a worthy abbot,” Zhu Yu said. “I will speak plainly. I have received reliable intelligence that the Khitan royal family is hiding in Shaolin, cultivating and transcribing the seventy-two ultimate martial arts techniques, intending to bring them back to Khitan. Moreover, remnants of the Xianbei tribe are concealed within Shaolin, conspiring to restore their kingdom. They are frequent visitors to the temple’s Scripture Pavilion. These two enter the Scripture Pavilion as if it were their home. Do you expect me to believe that Shaolin is unaware?”

“That is impossible! The Scripture Pavilion is heavily guarded. This must be slander. I urge Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly!” Xuanci’s emotions betrayed him as he denied the accusations outright, unwilling to explain further.

In the minds of the monks present, it was easier to breach the palace’s inner court than to infiltrate the Scripture Pavilion.

Seeing Xuanci’s stubborn refusal to relent, Zhu Yu pinched the bridge of his nose and repeated, “I have told you, this intelligence is confirmed and supported by evidence. The reason I came to Shaolin myself was because I did not believe the temple would collude with rebels. I came to hear your explanation and to give you a chance to make amends. If you continue to argue in this manner, do not blame me for branding Buddhism a heresy.”

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Zhu Yu unleashed his trump card, immediately silencing the heated atmosphere among the monks.

“Amitabha, since Your Majesty says two rebels are hiding in the Scripture Pavilion, I will personally lead my brothers to capture them. If none are found, it will prove Shaolin’s innocence,” Xuanci responded after a moment of silence, his tone sincere and resolute, drawing agreement from the gathered monks.

“Abbot Xuanci, are you pretending to be foolish, or do you take me for a fool? Or do you think the rebels themselves are fools?” Zhu Yu’s words amused him.

“Your Majesty, what do you mean? Are we not able to apprehend the rebels?” Xuanci asked.

“Oh, your minds! I don’t know if you do this deliberately or simply lack understanding. I will be blunt: they sneak into the Scripture Pavilion at night from time to time. One of them has already left Shaolin on business but is sure to return shortly. I know you avoid killing, so my demand is simple: within three months, bring these two men to the capital under guard.”

Xuanci had originally spoken only to provide Zhu Yu with an explanation. Deep down, he still doubted that the Scripture Pavilion was so easily infiltrated. But hearing Zhu Yu’s detailed knowledge of the rebels’ movements unsettled him. The emperor’s words left no room for doubt.

“Your Majesty, since you already know their whereabouts, then…” Xuanci hesitated.

“Consider this a favor. Otherwise, I would have had your Shaolin Temple surrounded long ago,” Zhu Yu said irritably.

The exchange between Xuanci and Zhu Yu left the other monks present with sour expressions. It was clear from the conversation that their temple had indeed become a place where strangers came and went at will.

It reminded them of recent events: Qiao Feng’s violent intrusion and the theft of the Muscle Tendon Change Manual. Even Xuanci’s face darkened at the thought.

“Amitabha, Your Majesty, please rest assured. Shaolin Temple will give you a satisfactory explanation,” Xuanci vowed.

“Good. By the way, these two men are, in fact, your old friends, Abbot. Don’t go easy on them.”

“Old friends?” Zhu Yu’s words caused the monks to exchange uneasy glances. Xuanci’s heart wavered.

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“Your Majesty, could you tell me which two rebels you mean? I have never befriended anyone from Khitan or the Xianbei… Xianbei?” Xuanci’s words faltered as a figure flashed through his mind.

Seeing this, Zhu Yu knew Xuanci had begun to suspect.

“Abbot Xuanci, your profound mastery of the Dharma means I need not say more. I hope that in three months, I may see these two men in the East Factory’s prison.

“By the way, I have further plans regarding their identities. Whether capturing or escorting them, I expect the monks themselves to undertake the task. I do not want their identities leaked in the slightest. Although I do not wish to speak harshly, if these identities are exposed to anyone, Shaolin Temple will lose the Jing Dynasty’s favor forever.”

“Amitabha, Your Majesty, rest assured, my brothers and I will keep this secret tightly sealed,” came the solemn reply.

With the matter settled, and after some polite farewells, Zhu Yu revealed his intention to depart. The monks had no desire to detain him but still mustered all their strength to escort him to the mountain’s base.

On the carriage, Jiang Yuyan grumbled, “They already know Your Majesty’s words are true. Why do they still act so calm? It’s infuriating.”

“What’s there to be angry about? Haven’t they always been like that? Otherwise, Buddhism would have long been our state religion.”

“Huh? What does that have to do with the state religion?”

“Of course. Back then, Shaolin, Tantric Buddhism, the Vajra Sect, and several other Buddhist schools fought fiercely for the title of the orthodox Buddhist tradition across the Central Plains. It was truly bloody.

“When Shaolin’s monks struck, even the East Factory’s agents were no match. Eventually, Shaolin’s supremacy earned them the status of the true Buddhist orthodoxy, and from then on, they put on airs.

“No killing? Pah! They have killed plenty. In those days, any martial artist would give a wide berth to a monk; their reputation outshone even the East Factory’s by a third.

“After claiming the orthodox Buddhist name, Shaolin began their high and mighty ascent, strictly observing rules and precepts, slowly reshaping public perception over centuries.

“Now, take Tantric Buddhism—it is the state religion of Mongolia. Both sides treat each other with great respect, but when Mongolia needs action, Tantric Buddhism does as ordered, killing without hesitation.

“Shaolin, meanwhile, still maintains that lofty attitude. If they had even half the ruthlessness of Tantric Buddhism, they would have long been the state religion.”

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