Chapter 183 — Hard to Cross
The Sword Questions the Heavens · Page 2 of 6
Following the stone steps beneath his feet, he walked slowly on. It was said that this path had been made by that monk of old, who, to spread the Buddha's teachings, had made a great vow and employed great divine powers. Today countless people still walked the road he had built—yet how many of them knew that he had long since been reduced to scattered dust?
Walking this road, step upon step of plain, unadorned stone, he felt a solid steadiness rise through the soles of his feet. After that earth-shaking, heaven-and-earth-darkening battle of days past, the temples and halls upon Mount Sumeru had all suffered damage to varying degrees; only this plain stone stairway had come through utterly untouched, still laid firm upon the ground, letting countless people pass over its breast.
Perhaps, to the inscrutable gods of Heaven, this road too carried some special feeling?
Ming Li did not know, and did not want to know. Walking this road, he simply recalled in silence old days and old friends, and amid those memories he slowly came to the Little Fan Yin Temple at the summit of Mount Sumeru.
The door stood ajar. All here was as peaceful as ever. Ming Li walked slowly over, and from behind the door voices came faintly.
He knocked on the door.
The voices within fell silent at once; then someone, as though startled, gave a soft "Eh?" A moment later the door creaked open, and Fa Cheng appeared behind it.
Seeing that it was Ming Li, Fa Cheng smiled. Ming Li nodded and said, "Is the abbot in?"
Fa Cheng smiled and stepped aside. "He is. Please come in."
Ming Li walked in and saw Master Pu Cheng sitting cross-legged upon the meditation bed, likewise smiling as he looked at him.
Ming Li went over to Master Pu Cheng and made a bow. "Master Abbot."
Master Pu Cheng watched Ming Li's approaching figure, his gaze traveling from top to bottom and at last resting on his feet; suddenly he nodded and, pressing his palms together, said, "I never expected that in so short a time your cultivation, benefactor, would advance so greatly. This is truly cause for rejoicing!"
Ming Li's brow lifted slightly and he said nothing, while Fa Cheng was somewhat startled and studied Ming Li closely from the side.
After a moment's silence, Ming Li bowed his head slightly to Master Pu Cheng and said, "A few days ago, because of me, your temple's sacred Wordless Jade Wall was destroyed, and my heart is truly uneasy."
Master Pu Cheng shook his head lightly and said calmly, "A small matter, not worth mentioning."
Ming Li was slightly taken aback. "But the Wordless Jade Wall is your temple's treasure, is it not precious?"
Master Pu Cheng pressed his palms together and said, "The affairs of the world turn and turn; all beings pass away. Who can know what comes after? To treasure a thing today—how can one know what it will be tomorrow? If you are so minded, benefactor,"—he pointed out the window—"turn right outside the Little Fan Yin Temple, and there is a great stone. Go and look at it, and perhaps you may come to understand the principle of the Buddha's heart."
Ming Li nodded. "Yes. But today I have come to take my leave of you, Master Abbot."
No surprise showed on Master Pu Cheng's face; he seemed long since to have expected Ming Li to say such a thing. He merely nodded and said, "If you wish to go, benefactor, this old monk would not dare to stop you. Only, before you leave, there are a few words I would say to you."
Ming Li said, "Pray speak, Master."
Master Pu Cheng said, "In this period, benefactor, you have met with many calamities, yet have broken through them one by one and come out alive. I see that some understanding seems to have arisen in your heart—is that so?"
Ming Li pondered a moment, then nodded. "Your eyes see clearly, Master. Having survived my calamities, I do indeed feel something in my heart. Looking back on half a lifetime, I have much to sigh over."