On Karma

Two slender figures slowly emerged from the tall city gates.

One wore a red kasaya embroidered with golden patterns. His beard and hair were both white. He was one of the main figures in today's Dharma debate, Master Wen Duo.

The other was extraordinarily young by comparison, with red lips, white teeth, and peerless handsome features. Clad in a gold-and-purple kasaya, he was Master Xuanzang.

The two slowly ascended the platform, exchanged bows face-to-face, then seated themselves upon meditation cushions and looked at one another.

"The Dharma debate begins!"

A eunuch's voice rang out from atop the palace walls.

With that declaration, the two masters universally acknowledged within Chang'an City began their debate.

Tang Emperor Li Shimin leaned against the Dragon Throne, listening intently to their discussion.

In truth, Li Shimin had not held this Water and Land Dharma Assembly on a whim. There was a reason behind it.

Not long ago, every night after he fell asleep, a ghost would enter his dreams and frighten him.

That ghost had been a dragon—the Dragon King of Jing River outside Chang'an City.

And he had entered Li Shimin's dreams specifically to terrify him.

It was a complicated matter and a long story, one that began with an extraordinary man.

Within the Li Tang Dynasty was a divine man skilled in divination and deducing heavenly secrets. That man was Yuan Tiangang.

Yuan Tiangang's abilities had been passed down through his family, and his uncle, Yuan Shoucheng, was also a famous fortune-teller in Chang'an City.

For years, he had offered guidance to a fisherman who lived by the Jing River and made his living catching fish.

Yuan Shoucheng told him where the rains would be heaviest, and every time the fisherman cast his nets, he returned with abundant catches. He was deeply grateful