The journey from Heaven-Bearing Prefecture to Su Prefecture was long. By the time the emperor of Great Yong dispatched men to Su Prefecture, the troops camped at Xiangshan Zen Monastery had already marched out.
Neither sentiment nor reason permitted them to seal off Xiangshan Zen Monastery for long, or to keep a group of clearly innocent people under guard indefinitely.
Besides, there was the consideration owed to Yi Shuyuan, Long Feiyang, and now Monk Wufa.
As for the long-bearded monk who remained missing, perhaps he was indeed no mortal, just as Monk Wufa had said.
Once the troops left, Xiangshan Zen Monastery abruptly fell quiet.
The pilgrims and merchants detained there naturally left at the first opportunity, while the army's earlier clearance of the grounds and the posted notices meant that no new pilgrims came.
Nor was it only the troops, pilgrims, and travelers who left. Almost half the monastery's original monks departed as well.
Some lacked ordination certificates and feared being implicated in the affair, so they hurried away afterward. Others had been frightened out of their desire to remain monks and simply returned to secular life.
For a time, the whole of Xiangshan Zen Monastery became deserted and quiet.
Early one morning, several monks were tidying the broad courtyard at the front of Xiangshan Zen Monastery.
Nearly half the bluestone paving had shattered, and flying fragments had even pocked the courtyard walls. The hollow left by the earlier clash of palms between the two great Innate Experts was particularly conspicuous.
A few monks alone could not repair such damage. All they could do was carry away some of the broken stones, or simply use them to fill the exposed patches of earth.
Of course, Xiangshan Zen Monastery had some savings from incense offerings. Perhaps devotees would make donations