Wu Tong could not help but ask with concern:"Lord Aros, what brings you here?"
Aros, his face anxious, replied:"Lately, the monks of Shaolin beneath the Five Breast Peaks of Mount Song have repeatedly harassed our Church of the East brethren at the Daqin Monastery. I have come to investigate. Moreover, I have arranged to meet with Lord Li Rui of the Manichaeans and Lord Zhao Ke of the Zoroastrians at the Daqin Monastery. Will you accompany me?"
Wu Tong smiled."To meet such great leaders of faith together is indeed a rare fortune!"
Thus the company set out and soon reached the Daqin Monastery. As promised, they met Li Rui of the Manichaean faith and Zhao Ke of the Zoroastrians. Evening had fallen, so after courteous greetings, they lodged for the night. At dawn the next day, they traveled together toward Shaolin Monastery.
Shaolin, famed temple beneath the Five Breast Peaks of Mount Song, was named for its position deep in the dense forests of Shaoshi Mountain. In early Tang times, the Thirteen Staff Monks of Shaolin aided the dynasty and were richly rewarded by Taizong with lands. From then onward, Shaolin's name resounded across the land.
A hundred years earlier, the Church of the East had also raised a monastery beneath the same peaks—the Daqin Monastery, also known as the Persian Temple. There, Nestorian monks studied their scriptures, and also delved into Buddhist texts, seeking wisdom to refine their own translations and broaden their teaching in China. The martial spirit of Shaolin naturally influenced them. Thus, the Persian monks too trained in martial arts: to strengthen the body, and to guard the monastery's holdings. By church rule, any Persian monk sent out to preach must first spend two years at the Daqin Monastery, studying both scripture and martial skill, before going forth.
Aros himself, when he first came to China at sixteen, had trained here for two years before beginning his mission. His teacher, Lord Xide, had since passed away. Now, twenty years later, Aros returned not as a humble novice, but as a Law-King of his faith. The current abbot was his elder brother in the faith, Lord Jade (Jia-de).
As the company approached the monastery, they suddenly heard a Shaolin monk's angry voice:"You Persian monks have long stolen our scriptures and martial arts, twisting them to your own use. This we can no longer endure!"
Within Shaolin, there were some monks jealous of the Daqin community's growing strength, fearing their rising influence. In truth, their accusation was but a pretext. Their real aim was the monastery's broad lands and wealth.
At that moment, a Persian monk of about eighteen stepped forth. Clad in plain robes, eyes like burning torches, he said firmly:"Revered elder, why do you persist in stirring strife? Such conduct ill befits the dignity of Shaolin, and will bring only shame before the martial world."
This youth was Robin, a disciple of Daqin. Though young, he had mastered the true teachings of his house. Upright in spirit, calm under pressure, he was not one to yield.
Opposite him stood Master Yuan-guang of Shaolin—formidable in martial skill, proud by nature. Not long before, he had been humiliated in defeat by Jia Yong at the Great Anti-Rebel Assembly. Returning to the monastery, he met only scorn from his brethren, and his resentment festered. One day, seeing the grandeur of the Daqin Monastery, greed welled in him. He conspired with Master Yuan-ming and other discontented Shaolin monks to seize the Daqin Monastery and establish their own sect. Yet, for fear of Lord Jade's unfathomable skill, he dared not move openly. Instead, he secretly courted allies, plotting for the right moment. Hearing of Aros's return, Jade had summoned him for aid, determined to defend Daqin.
Now Yuan-guang's eyes blazed."You insolent boy! How dare you speak so? Such arrogance deserves a lesson!"
Robin placed his palms together, voice steady:"We are both seekers of truth. Why must you provoke us without cause? Speak plainly—what is it you seek?"
"Enough prattle!" Yuan-guang barked. "If you have courage, test it against my palm! Let no one say I bullied a junior."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Robin surged forward. His fists swept like the wind, his palms struck like rain. Fierce yet fluid, his blows brimmed with inner force. Yuan-guang's heart jolted—never before had he seen such a youth at Daqin. Could they truly hide such skill? Startled, he rallied his full strength to meet the attack.
Robin's body flowed like water, his steps as intricate as weaving silk. His strikes rolled forth like a great river, ceaseless, yet his retreats curved back like eddies, soft yet controlled. Yuan-guang recalled bitterly his shame at the assembly, and thought: "Why are the young so strong today? Has the martial world changed beyond me?"
As fists and palms clashed, sparks of qi burst forth. The crowd held its breath. For fifty rounds they battled, neither yielding an inch. Robin, though but a youth, stood unshaken as Mount Tai, his every move precise and without fear. Yuan-guang grew pale. "This boy's power is no mere trifle. How could one so young fight me thus?"
Wu Tong, watching, could not help but admire."What mastery! Truly, the martial world brings forth heroes in every age." His heart warmed with respect, a bond of kinship stirring for the youth.
Just then, the abbot, Lord Jade, stepped forth and called:"Master Yuan-guang, why must you trouble my disciples? Are you here to test their fists?"
At the sound, both combatants fell back. Yuan-guang bowed slightly."Since Lord Jade is here, I dare not act rashly. Yet your disciple's insolence required correction."
Lord Jade's face hardened."Robin, why speak so to Master Yuan-guang? Apologize at once."
Robin's chest burned, but he bowed with fists together:"Master Yuan-guang, forgive this novice's rash words."
Yuan-guang laughed harshly."To know one's fault and amend it—this is virtue indeed. I have business elsewhere. Farewell!"
He saluted Jade, then leapt away. Within moments, his figure was gone.
Suddenly a voice rang out:"Lord Jade, long has it been!"
Jade looked, and his eyes brightened—it was Lord Aros himself."So it is my brother Aros! I thought some hero of the jianghu had come. To see you again gladdens my heart."
Aros smiled:"Your teaching has borne fruit indeed. This youth is a marvel, a rising star of our age!"
Jade beamed with joy."Robin, come greet Lord Aros."
Robin hurried forward, bowing low."Disciple Robin pays homage to Lord Aros!"
Aros laid a hand on his shoulder."If our martial tradition is spread and strengthened, no sect in the martial world will dare belittle us. Then our faith shall flourish, and our mission endure free from scorn."