Lion Venerable King Bodhisattva

Xiao Nan deliberately saw Zhu Xiong off, setting him down by the East Sea. He did not cross the sea, but turned westward along the Dao route and flew for another two days before finally reaching Wutai Mountain.

Wutai Mountain was imposing and majestic, with countless monasteries, pavilions, temples, and hermitages upon its slopes. Peaks clustered together, five of them visibly broader and larger than the rest. Their summits had been flattened by supreme magic, and five buildings had been erected atop them.

Sitting on the red cloud, Wang Chong asked somewhat foolishly, "Master, why are there Buddhist temples on Wutai Mountain?"

Xiao Nan replied, "Aside from Patriarch Sa, Patriarch Zhang True Lord also took on another disciple. After learning that upon ascension, he would receive a poor appointment—only the rank of Spirit Officer, two grades below Patriarch Sa's Heavenly Master post—that Patriarch happened to hear that the Heavenly Court showed some favor toward Buddhist disciples."

"Thus, he changed allegiances and entered the Buddhist faith. After ascending, he was invested as Lion Venerable King Bodhisattva! He rose three fruitions in rank, placing his status above Patriarch Sa's instead. That was why Wutai gained a Buddhist branch, whose inherited Daoist arts differed from Patriarch Sa's lineage."

Zhu Ying said, "Huang Xuanyuan, whom we encountered last time, came from the Compassion Cloud Temple branch and inherited that Patriarch's lineage. It is just that the teachings passed down by Compassion Cloud Temple are not orthodox, so they cannot be entered into Wutai's ancestral register."

Xiao Nan smiled. "Indeed."

Pointing at the five tallest peaks, Xiao Nan said, "These five peaks are respectively the grounds of Patriarch Zhang True Lord, Patriarch Sa, Lion Venerable King Bodhisattva, the Third-Generation Patriarch, and Tuo Tuo Ancestor."

"After the Third-Generation Patriarch suffered a qi deviation, Tuo Tuo Ancestor temporarily took charge as vice sect leader."

"Now that Patriarch Bai Yue is absent, we must report to Patriarch Tuo Tuo and have the two of you entered into the ancestral register."

Xiao Nan spoke lightly, but inwardly he was far from settled. Still, this hurdle had to be crossed sooner or later. He could only steel himself and lead his two disciples straight toward Sea-Gazing Peak.

Sea-Gazing Peak was one of Wutai's five main peaks and lay furthest east. Yet it remained far from the East Sea; even looking out from its heights, one could not see the boundless ocean, only the sea of clouds.

There had originally been a Daoist temple on the summit. Later, Tuo Tuo Ancestor heard that Daoist disciples who ascended these days received no proper official appointments, so he adopted Buddhist attire. He had even sought teachings under Patriarch Dao Shan of Lion Venerable King Bodhisattva's branch. Now he cultivated both Buddhism and Daoism, waiting only to ascend.

To show his respect, Xiao Nan led his two disciples down at the mountainside. He withdrew the red cloud, which transformed back into a red flower and was tucked into his robes.

He had only taken a few steps up the mountain when a young novice monk came down from the summit. Seeing Xiao Nan, he smiled and said, "So it's Senior Brother Xiao Nan. Why have you returned to the mountain?"

Xiao Nan answered, "There are some matters for which I wish to seek Patriarch Tuo Tuo's help. Junior Brother Miao He, is the Patriarch on the mountain?"

The novice Miao He smiled. "Master has just emerged from seclusion. Your arrival is perfectly timed. I have some matters to attend to, so I'll be on my way first. We can talk later."

The novice passed Xiao Nan, reached the mountainside, and transformed into a streak of azure rainbow that shot into the sky. In the blink of an eye, he reached the clouds; after flashing several times, he vanished without a trace.

Zhu Ying watched with envy. "I wonder when Wang Chong and I will attain such cultivation."

Xiao Nan said, "Junior Brother Miao He is Patriarch Tuo Tuo's eighteenth disciple. His talent is peerless. He entered the Dao twenty-two years ago, yet his cultivation already surpasses mine. Among the fifth-generation disciples of the Five-Terrace Sect, he ranks within the top ten. You and Chong'er likely will not catch up to him within fifty years."

What Xiao Nan did not say was that he believed Wang Chong would not catch up to Miao He within fifty years, while Zhu Ying would likely be left even farther behind after fifty years.

The master and disciples chatted as they climbed to the summit, where they saw a grand temple, resplendent and solemn. Xiao Nan was, after all, a disciple of the Five-Terrace Sect, so he entered the temple directly.

As Wang Chong entered, he furtively glanced at the plaque. Upon it were three words: Southern Zen Temple.

Once inside Southern Zen Temple, Xiao Nan did not dare proceed farther. He stopped a passing monk and said, "Junior Brother, could you please announce me? Tell him that Xiao Nan, disciple of Bai Yue, seeks an audience."

The monk recognized Xiao Nan and smiled. "Please wait a moment, Senior Brother Xiao Nan."

Not long after entering, he came back out and said, "The Patriarch asks you to enter."

Xiao Nan led Zhu Ying and Wang Chong behind the young monk. After passing around the main hall, they met Patriarch Tuo Tuo in a quiet meditation chamber on the eastern side.

This Patriarch was rather elderly, seeming seventy or eighty years old. The crown of his head was bare, while a long beard drifted beneath his chin, white as silver frost. Yet he wore no monk's robes, only ordinary clothes.

Upon seeing Xiao Nan, Tuo Tuo Ancestor asked, "Why have you returned to the mountain?"

Xiao Nan answered cautiously, "This disciple encountered two fine young talents and wishes to accept them as disciples. My benefactor and master Bai Yue is absent, so I came to seek Martial Uncle's permission."

Tuo Tuo Ancestor glanced at Zhu Ying and Wang Chong. "The boy will do, but not the girl. She is not human."

Xiao Nan said quietly, "The two already have a marriage agreement."

Zhu Ying's pretty face flushed crimson, but she did not argue, tacitly accepting it.

Wang Chong glanced at his master, then at Zhu Ying, but said nothing. He now understood the Five-Terrace Sect's rules as well. Only Sister Zhu is being wronged.

Tuo Tuo Ancestor pondered briefly. "If she is counted as a dependent relative seeking refuge, it would not violate the sect rules. But you must have the girl swear an oath: should they separate in the future, she must be removed from the ancestral register. As for how she is to be dealt with, that will be up to you."

Xiao Nan had not expected Tuo Tuo Ancestor to be so accommodating. He immediately agreed and had Zhu Ying swear the oath. Tuo Tuo Ancestor called over a disciple and instructed him to fetch the ancestral register, then personally entered Zhu Ying's and Wang Chong's names into it.

Once their names were entered into the ancestral register, Wang Chong did not feel much of anything. Zhu Ying, however, was overjoyed. Her lovely face bloomed like an exotic flower, exquisitely beautiful and peerless.

With this important matter settled, Xiao Nan intended to withdraw, but Tuo Tuo stopped him. "You know that without my master's permission, the sect rules originally forbid you from taking disciples. I made an exception and assumed responsibility for you, so you must do something for me."

"I wish to refine a batch of flying swords. I have gathered nearly all the various materials, but I still lack more than ten kinds of spiritual herbs and have no time to gather them myself. I have sent all my disciples out, yet I still fear there are not enough hands. You should help collect herbs as well."

Xiao Nan could not refuse. "Once I arrange matters for my two disciples, I will go gather the herbs."

Tuo Tuo Ancestor smiled. "You have no cave residence on the mountain, so how would you arrange for your disciples? Go collect herbs. These two youngsters may remain at my Southern Zen Temple."

"As it happens, I have recently comprehended a sword art and intend to pass it down to my disciples and grand-disciples. Let your two disciples learn it along with them."

Xiao Nan could not refuse. He could only agree, give Zhu Ying and Wang Chong several further instructions, take the list of spiritual herbs, and leave Southern Zen Temple on a streak of sword light.

Tuo Tuo instructed the young monk who had led them in to arrange lodgings for Zhu Ying and Wang Chong. He could not be bothered to say much to the two juniors.

To Tuo Tuo Ancestor, he was merely forging a small karmic bond with the direct disciple of his senior brother, Xiao Nan. It was something done in passing, not worth dwelling upon.