The air was crisp, a sense of profound joy radiated from Master Zi Chen, a man whose face a mask of calm serenity. Today, it was softened by a tender smile as hummed a quiet ancient melody. Everyone approached the temple, a grand structure of craved wood and red- tiled roofs nestled against a misty mountainside. The temple bells chimed in the distance, a sonorous greeting that seemed to bless their arrival.
Stepping through the ornate gate he was greeted by some monks in saffron robes, their faces serene and welcoming. He bowed to them as a respect and continued toward the main hall where the magnificent golden statue of Buddha sat, its expression with infinite commpassion. Everyone were now standing in front of the large Buddha's idol. Master Zi Chen was the only one who was standing right in front of Buddha's idol with Emperor Shou's son in his hand. There was a woven basket on a low wooden table before the altar, painted red and golden colors. Master Zi Chen carefully placed Emperor Shou's son in the woven basket and laid him with tender so that Emperor Shou's son would be comfortable. After Master Zi Chen laid Emperor Shou's son in woven basket right in front of Buddha's idol he looked at the Buddha's idol and started to talk to Lord Buddha in his mind.
"Oh lord Buddha! The signs which you had showed me through the eyes of this baby if those signs are true then bless this child and help him to become a great Shoalin warrior in the future." Master Zi Chen wished to Lord Buddha and after that he joined his hands and greeted Lord Buddha and started to begin the worship.
Master Zi Chen knelt down on the floor and picked up three incense sticks, lightened up those sticks and placed it in incense sticks stand in front of Lord Buddha's idol. Their thin tendrils of smoke curling upward like a silent prayers.
Master Zi Chen then picked up an red shiny fabric cloth and also placed it in front of Lord Buddha's idol as a offering. Later Master Zi Chen picked up the basket of ripe peaches, and glistening persimmons, a small bowl of fragrant rice and a delicate, hand carved lotus made of pure jade. All of them were placed right infront of Lord Buddha's idol as an offering as well and after that he placed some silver and golden coins as an offering as well.
After placing almost everything in front of Lord Buddha's idol Master Zi Chen was still in search of anything which was not there. Everyone there were confused what Master Zi Chen was looking for.
" Head Hao! Did you placed everything which has to be offered to Lord Buddha?" Emperor Shou asked.
"Yes Emperor Shou and I had placed everything. Everything which you had told me to bring yesterday." Head Hao replied.
"Then what is Master is searching for?" Emperor Shou asked.
"I don't know Emperor Shou, shall I ask to Master what he is looking for?" Head Hao asked.
"No Head Hao if Master does want anything then he will ask us. We should not interrupt him between the worship." Emperor Shou replied.
"Okay Emperor Shou I understood." Head Hao agreed to Emperor Shou's order.
After doing searching Master Zi Chen turned around and called Emperor Shou.
"Emperor Shou!" Master Zi Chen called.
"Yes Master!" Emperor Shou replied.
"Could you some here for a while please?" Master Zi Chen asked.
"Yes sure Master." Emperor Shou agreed and he stood up as he was sitting.
Emperor Shou walked up to Master Zi Chen and asked him.
"What happened is there anything else you need Master?" Emperor Shou asked.
"Yes, Emperor Shou can you please give me your Shengxie sword?" Master Zi Chen asked.
Emperor Shou was confused when Master Zi Chen requested him to give his sword but despite being so confused he eventually decided to give his Shengxie sword to Master Zi Chen. Emperor Shou pulled out his Shengxie sword, knelt, and respectfully offered his sword to Master Zi Chen.
"Here is my sword Master, please take it." Emperor Shou said.
Master Zi Chen with a gentle smile on his face humbly took the Shengxie sword.
"Thank you Emperor Shou." Master Zi Chen thanked.
Emperor Shou respectfully nodded his head and after giving his sword he went back to his place.
"Emperor Shou, why Master asked you for sword?" Head Hao asked.
"I don't know. I never asked however he if he has asked for my Shengxie sword then there must be a good reason behind it." Emperor Shou replied.
Master Zi Chen was holding the Shengxie sword very carefully with his hands and carefully placed the Shengxie sword alongside the other offerings which he kept in front of Lord Buddha and then he closed his eyes, joined his hands in front of Lord Buddha and started praying while Xiú again was feeling suspicious about why Master Zi Chen kept the Shengxie sword alongside the other offerings.
"Listen! Why did Master put Emperor Shou's Shengxie sword in front of Lord Buddha." Xiú asked Cheng.
"I don't know, maybe he wanted to put the sword in offering but he didn't have it there so he kept brother Shou's Shengxie sword." Cheng replied.
"No.... no! If Master wanted to put a sword in offering then he could have asked any normal guard to give their sword but Master has asked for brother in law's Shengxie sword and most importantly, why is he placing a sword as an offering and a Shengxie sword?" Xiú asked, however Cheng was not interested to answer.
"I am sorry dear but I don't know, maybe after the worship you should ask to Master." Cheng replied.
"Hmm..... I know that is what you are going say but you know what I don't need to ask Master why he did it because I know, I am not an idiot like you." Xiú said arrogantly.
"Oh! You know why? Then tell me why he did it." Cheng asked.
"He is already preparing to make your nephew the Emperor of Iron Lotus Dynasty in the future despite he knows that baby is blind." Xiú answered.
"Don't say anything Xiú, I mean you would think anything nonsense in your head and then you will say that is the truth? Grow up Xiú Master is not like that." Cheng replied.
"Oh.... really.... if that is the case then why Master never placed the Shengxie sword as an offering during Jún's birth?" Xiú argued.
"Xiú right now there is no point to have this discussion here." Cheng replied.
"Yes... for you it is not a discussion and I there is nothing I should discuss about how your Master and your brother do injustice to us and your own son Jún." Xiú rebuked however Cheng didn't wanted to create a scene so he decided to stay silent but Xiú was very envious while Jún was feeling very angry because he always dreamed to hold Emperor Shou's Shengxie sword and after hearing the conversation between his and mother and father it made him to develop more hatered towards his new born cousin. Here Master Zi Chen was praying for the well being Emperor Shou's son.
"Oh lord Buddha! I have kept this Shengxie sword infront of you that you could help this child to become an excellent Shoalin warrior in the future and always protect us from devils and the monsters who wants to destroy humanity. I have understood the sign you showed me and I promise to you that I will do everything for this child to make him the great Shoalin warrior, I will teach him, train him, educate him and sometimes if he mischievous I will punish to discipline him. I will do everything what I can do to make him a great warrior." Master Zi Chen promised to Lord Buddha that he will make Emperor Shou's son the great Iron warrior in the future.