Aros, the Law-King of the Church of the East, introduced in turn the Manichaean Law-King Li Rui, the Zoroastrian Law-King Zhao Ke, and Wu Tong with his companions. As evening had fallen, after mutual greetings they lodged at the monastery. The next morning, guided by Aros, the company set forth to Shaolin, intending to visit the abbot and discern whether true discord existed between the two temples.
Aros said solemnly:"With Lord Jade presiding over the Daqin Monastery, let us first visit the Abbot of Shaolin. All are men of religion—if there are misunderstandings, may wisdom dispel strife."
Thus they traveled ten li along the mountain road and reached the gates of Shaolin. A receiving monk came forward and asked politely:"Honored guests, what business brings you to Shaolin?"
Aros stepped forward, bowing:"Pray inform the venerable abbot that Aros, Law-King of the Church of the East, humbly requests an audience."
The monk replied:"Please wait here; I shall report within." Soon he returned and said:"Honored guests, follow me."
They entered the grand hall, where the Shaolin abbot—an elder with a long white beard—rose to greet them."Lord Aros, many years it has been. What weighty matter brings you here today?"
Aros bowed:"There is a troubling matter, and I come seeking your counsel."
The abbot, whose Dharma name was Benjue (Root-Awareness), gestured."Please, be seated."
When all were settled, Aros spoke gravely:"For over a hundred years, the Daqin Monastery beneath the Five Breast Peaks has dwelled in harmony with Shaolin. Though not of the same faith, our temples have been as brothers. Yet of late, some of your 'Yuan'-generation monks have come repeatedly to provoke us. They accuse our monastery of stealing Shaolin scriptures and martial arts, and press our brethren with threats—as though seeking to drive us out entirely."
Abbot Benjue's expression hardened."Such conduct ill befits disciples of the Buddha. Our two temples share a bond of a hundred years. This matter I must investigate. Where is Deacon Hui?"
A young monk answered. The abbot commanded:"Summon the Four Chiefs and the Eight Stewards at once."
In Shaolin, the Four Chiefs are: the First Seat, the West Hall, the Rear Hall, and the Hall Master. The Eight Stewards assist the abbot in daily affairs.
Soon five monks entered. The abbot frowned."Where is First Seat Ben Guang? Where is West Hall Ben Xin? And why is Inspector Yuan Zhen not present?"
The monks exchanged uneasy glances. Rear Hall Yuan Tong stammered:"Reporting to Abbot… First Seat and West Hall could not attend… Inspector Yuan Zhen also had urgent matters…"
The abbot's voice thundered:"What business keeps them from my summons? Speak clearly!"
At last, Hall Master Yuan Zhi spoke:"Abbot, it is said that First Seat Ben Guang, West Hall Yuan Guang, and Rear Hall Yuan Tong have allied with outsiders to seize the Daqin Monastery. They are now in pursuit of Yuan Guang and Yuan Tong's designs—very likely they are already at the Daqin Monastery."
Abbot Benjue was greatly alarmed."If this is true, calamity may already be upon us. We must go at once to the Daqin Monastery beneath the Five Peaks."
He turned to Aros and bowed:"Lord Aros, it is as you feared. We shall accompany you there, root out this treachery, and give your church a just account!"
The abbot led his monks forth from Shaolin.
Wu Tong, anxious, clasped fists and said:"Masters, walk slowly. I and my wives will hasten ahead."
Even as he spoke, he sprang into motion. With a burst of inner strength beneath his soles, his body shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow, soaring several zhang in a blink. The Shaolin monks stared in astonishment.
Abbot Benjue, watching, sighed:"This matter is already guided by Heaven's will. Let us not hasten blindly. We shall follow and observe."
Meanwhile, Wu Tong raced straight toward the Daqin Monastery. Arriving at its gates, he beheld a fierce battle: three men surrounding a single youth. The youth was none other than Robin, the young Nestorian monk. His opponents were the Three Talents—Heaven Talent, Earth Talent, and Man Talent—disciples of the secretive sect Palace of the True God.
The True God Palace, ruled by its mysterious master Tuoba Xingge—who proclaimed himself Lord of the True God, spirit joined with Heaven, divine in essence, one in ten thousand—was a rising power in the dark corners of the jianghu. Beneath him were the Dragon and Tiger Elders Qin Wei and Wang Wei; the Four Envoys Li Qi, Bai Mu, Wang Ben, and Zhao Li; the Three Talents (Heaven, Earth, and Man); and the Three Lights (Sun, Moon, and Star). Their followers were many and fervent.
Wu Tong and his companions watched with hidden shock. Though clad in scholar's robes, these three fought with ruthless skill, their strikes no weaker than those of first-class masters—far above the level of ordinary pugilists.
The Three Talents circled Robin like wolves, blades flashing, strikes relentless. Yet Robin showed no fear. His palms turned and twisted, his defenses precise, his steps sure. Even against three foes he held firm, guarding his ground with iron discipline.
For fifty exchanges they battled, still evenly matched. At last they broke apart. Robin's chest heaved as he cried:"Master Yuan Tong, you have allied with outsiders. Does the Abbot of Shaolin know of your betrayal?"
Yuan Tong sneered:"This matter has nothing more to do with Shaolin. I have already severed ties with that temple."
Just then, a resonant voice rang out:"Yuan Tong! You have long consorted with the True God Palace, coming time and again to provoke the Daqin Monastery. What is your true aim?"
It was First Seat Ben Guang, stepping forth.
For in truth, Shaolin discipline was strict. Yuan Tong and Yuan Guang had often slipped away without cause. Inspector Yuan Zhen had reported them to the First Seat and West Hall, who oversaw monastic order. But when reprimanded, they spurned all counsel. At last, exposed, they left Shaolin outright and joined hands with the True God Palace—plotting openly to seize the Daqin Monastery.