The Way to Victory, the Master's Guidance

"Second, I would speak of Senior Brother Yuan Jie from the Discipline Hall." Yuan Cheng's expression grew slightly more serious, and his tone more measured.

"What is Senior Brother Yuan Jie like?"

"Among the four, he is the oldest, entered the sect earliest, and possesses the deepest cultivation. Moreover, he has overseen discipline for many years and handled quite a few thorny matters, so his experience against enemies is extensive. His mastery of the Dragon-Capturing Hand and Demon-Subduing Staff is already quite formidable."

"Then by that account, Senior Brother Yuan Jie should be the strongest martial artist at present?" Zhu Yingxiong asked, following his lead.

"Judging by current cultivation alone, that is indeed possible." Yuan Cheng nodded, then changed tack. "Unfortunately, precisely because he is older, his potential is likely insufficient. He is not what the abbot and the others are looking for."

Zhu Yingxiong lightly rubbed the rim of his teacup with his fingertips, lost in thought.

"The third is Senior Brother Yuan Tong of the Arhat Hall." As he mentioned this man, clear admiration appeared in Yuan Cheng's eyes. "I hold this senior brother in rather high regard."

"Tell me more." Zhu Yingxiong had met Yuan Tong once before and had been deeply impressed by him.

"Senior Brother Yuan Tong is only twenty-six, yet he has already cultivated a hard external art like the Golden Bell Iron Shirt to a considerable level. With that body of bronze skin and iron bones alone, no matter who faced him, it would likely be difficult to defeat him easily. On top of that, he was born with immense strength, and the Great Vajra Fist he uses is incomparably fierce. Few could take it head-on."

After pondering briefly, he continued his analysis. "If Senior Brother Yuan Jie and Senior Brother Yuan Tong were to meet, the outcome would perhaps be evenly matched. But if Junior Brother Yuan Hui were to face either of these senior brothers..." He shook his head slightly, and the meaning he left unspoken was already clear.

Zhu Yingxiong understood what he had left unsaid.

"With Junior Brother Yuan Hui's talent, had he joined another sect, he would likely have learned peerless arts long ago. Yet he is in Shaolin, a sect that places the greatest emphasis on solid foundations and letting progress come naturally." Yuan Cheng shook his head. "The time he has truly spent cultivating supreme arts may actually be shorter than that of the other senior brothers. He cannot bring out the strength he ought to possess."

After hearing Yuan Cheng's clear and insightful analysis, Zhu Yingxiong saw this senior brother, who usually seemed so cheerful, in an entirely new light.

"Lastly, it is time to speak of you, Junior Brother Yuan Zhen." Yuan Cheng turned his gaze to Zhu Yingxiong, his smile carrying a note of inquiry.

"I'm all ears." Zhu Yingxiong truly wanted to hear how this senior brother would assess him.

"Of the four, you are the one I find hardest to read, Junior Brother." Yuan Cheng spoke frankly, his gaze falling on Zhu Yingxiong's calm eyes. "Just now, when you exchanged moves, you broke a finger technique with another finger technique, utterly composed... I wonder how much strength you used?"

Zhu Yingxiong merely smiled faintly and did not answer. The rising steam from the tea blurred his expression for a moment.

Yuan Cheng laughed heartily and did not press the matter further. Instead, he continued, "In short, if I had to wager on who would take first place in this competition among the four of you, I would hesitate between you and Senior Brother Yuan Tong. And if I absolutely had to choose one..." He paused, his eyes bright. "I choose you."

"Then I must thank Senior Brother Yuan Cheng for thinking so highly of me." Zhu Yingxiong raised his cup and drained it in one gulp.

The fragrance of tea slipped down his throat, warmth spreading through his stomach, and his heart grew equally clear. Taking advantage of their earlier discussion of martial arts over tea, Senior Brother Yuan Cheng had carefully laid out the martial foundations, temperaments, strengths, and shortcomings of the foremost disciples from the other three halls. Such meticulous thoughtfulness and generous friendship made him a truly remarkable person. Zhu Yingxiong accepted the sentiment gratefully and silently kept it in his heart.

The two sat around the brazier, savoring the warmth of the pot and the fresh fragrance in their cups as they admired the quiet snow in the courtyard from afar. At times, they discussed the subtleties of martial arts; at others, they freely spoke of the strengths and weaknesses of their fellow disciples.

Snow fell soundlessly beyond the eaves, while warm laughter and conversation filled the courtyard. Only in the afternoon, when the snow finally stopped and the clouds broke apart, did pale golden sunlight spill over the blue-gray roof tiles and fall upon the spotless white snow.

When the tea was gone and their conversation had run its course, Zhu Yingxiong finally rose to take his leave. After leaving Yuan Cheng's small courtyard, suffused with warmth and the scent of tea, he did not return directly to his quarters. Instead, he stepped through the fresh snow and made his way slowly toward the secluded bamboo grove where his master, Zen Master Worryless, cultivated in quiet seclusion.

More than a month earlier, after returning from the Scripture Repository and choosing his cultivation method, he had gone to visit his master.

When Zen Master Worryless learned that he had actually chosen the One-Finger Zen to cultivate, undisguised surprise had appeared on his gaunt face. Yet Zen Master Worryless had not tried to dissuade him from aiming too high.

It was only that Zen Master Worryless himself specialized in the Flower-Picking Finger and the Great Wisdom Unfixed Finger. Though they shared some similarities with the One-Finger Zen, their finer principles differed greatly.

Zen Master Worryless frankly admitted that he had never cultivated the One-Finger Zen and did not know how to guide him for the moment.

He could only have him calm his mind, study it carefully, and begin cultivating according to its method. If he encountered any obstruction, they could discuss it later.

Ten days later, when Zhu Yingxiong once again knocked on the meditation room door and calmly reported that the One-Finger Zen had already reached the introductory stage, Zen Master Worryless remained silent for a long while.

Surprise, gratification, and emotion intermingled in his eyes before finally becoming a long sigh. "I never expected your progress to be so swift... Such fortune and comprehension are beyond the reach of ordinary people."

After a brief pause, he added:

"From now on, I fear there is little more this old monk can teach you in this finger art. Go, then. Only remember this: techniques know neither sudden nor gradual progress; people have only sharpness or dullness. The finger follows the heart, and Zen comes before the finger."

Since then, Zhu Yingxiong had occasionally visited his master to briefly report his cultivation progress and listen to his teachings. After all, he still had to make sure his master remembered him.

With the year-end martial competition approaching, it was time for him to ask his master whether there was anything else he needed to be reminded of.

Deep within the bamboo grove, accumulated snow bent the slender stalks of bamboo. Now and then, a clump of snow slid down with a soft rustle, making the surroundings seem even quieter.

The door to Zen Master Worryless's meditation room was still slightly ajar. Zhu Yingxiong stood outside and gently knocked.

"Come in." Zen Master Worryless's gentle voice came from within.

Zen Master Worryless was not seated cross-legged on a cushion as usual. Instead, he stood before the western window, looking at the shadows of bamboo outside, their edges traced in silver by the snow.

"Master." Zhu Yingxiong placed his palms together in salute.

Zen Master Worryless's gaze lingered on him for a moment before he nodded faintly. "The snow-covered path is cold. Have you come at this time because of the year-end competition?"

"This disciple does have some thoughts on the matter and has come to receive Master's guidance." Zhu Yingxiong replied candidly with his palms together.

Zen Master Worryless indicated the cushion opposite him, and Zhu Yingxiong sat down. The master himself also slowly took his seat.

"This year-end martial gathering concerns the sect's grand plans. There is no need for this old monk to say more of its importance." Zen Master Worryless spoke calmly. "Speaking only of martial arts, you carry the Muscle-Tendon Transformation Scripture and have grasped the deeper principles of the One-Finger Zen. Among your peers, you already stand among the best and indeed have the means to contend for victory."

At this point, he paused. His gaze carefully passed over Zhu Yingxiong's still youthful, refined features, and an exceedingly faint, indescribable sigh flickered through his eyes before he slowly continued:

"What this old monk worries about is not that your skill is lacking, but your age. At this stage of life, it is both a sharpness and potential that others can scarcely match, and also perhaps... the very thing most likely to draw attention and invite scrutiny."

His voice sank slightly, and his tone grew solemn.

"Therefore, if you truly wish to win the conviction of others, what you seek should not be mere victory or defeat. You must win openly and honorably, win beyond all dispute. Let those watching be convinced and nod in approval; let your fellow disciples sigh in silent admiration; let those with doubts have no room to criticize, nothing left to say."

Zhu Yingxiong listened intently. Zen Master Worryless's words were like a clear spring pouring over his head, suddenly illuminating the key point he had vaguely sensed these past days but never examined closely. His mature soul had made him habitually overlook this excessively young body.

"This disciple understands." He drew a deep breath, his gaze calm and resolute. "This disciple will give his all, win with absolute strength in an open and upright manner, and leave no grounds for criticism."

Seeing that he had understood, a trace of gratification flashed through Zen Master Worryless's eyes. He nodded lightly. "Good. Since you understand the key to this, go now. Cultivate well and quietly await the day of the grand competition."