Chapter 80: Buddha

Upon hearing Fang Jian speak in such a manner, Ye Sansi felt all the more awed by the power of immortals and gods, and even more so by those who dwelled among the clouds. He stared straight at the dragon-headed staff and declared, “Remarkable indeed. In the future, I too wish to become like the immortals, wielding extraordinary power, so that I might bring blessings to all living beings under heaven.”

Fang Jian laughed heartily. “Good, very good! Who would have thought my disciple harbors such grand ambition? Henceforth, you will study arts and train in techniques alongside your master. Though I cannot promise you will ascend to become an immortal, you will certainly possess enough skill to safeguard the world.”

“Yes, Master. I will study diligently,” Ye Sansi replied.

Within the Hall of Heaven and Earth, only Fang Jian, Ye Sansi, Liu Lingshuang, and Lin Nian’er remained; all other disciples had been sent away. Clearly, Fang Jian had matters to explain.

He bade them find seats. The chairs within the hall were quite unlike ordinary ones—solid and robust, made of reddish wood, each capable of seating three at once. The grand chair before the altar was even larger; even an emperor’s dragon throne paled in comparison.

Once seated, Fang Jian spoke, “It is nearly time for a meal, so let us forego the tea. I will say a few words, and then my disciples will arrange your lodgings. Afterwards, you may dine; you all must be hungry.”

Liu Lingshuang asked, “Island Master, is this about my staying or leaving? I heard an elder wishes to take Nian’er as a disciple, so among the four of us, only I have not entered this immortal gate.”

“Lingshuang...”

“Sansi, don’t comfort me. After all, you three have become disciples here, and you cannot forsake this immortal fate for my sake. I will reside at the periphery for now, and after three years, I can try again—it's not so bad.”

Fang Jian laughed, “Ha ha ha, interesting, very interesting.”

Ye Sansi quickly said, “Lingshuang, you don’t know—just now in front of the hall, the third elder of the immortal island said he wished to take you as his disciple. Perhaps you were too far to hear clearly.”

“Really?” The gloom in Liu Lingshuang’s eyes vanished, replaced by joy. She jumped up with a smile. “I was so anxious! Imagining myself alone at the periphery would have been unbearable—such days are torment. Thank goodness, thank goodness.”

Lin Nian’er covered her mouth, laughing as she spoke to Lingshuang, “You always act tough, but if you have worries, just tell us. Why force yourself?”

Liu Lingshuang waved her hand, smiling. “Enough, no more about it. What’s past is past. The situation now is the best. The Island Master has matters to discuss.”

“It is not a serious matter,” Fang Jian said. “In the future, you will train alongside your respective masters. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask. But you must pay heed to the Chief Elder of Law Enforcement on the immortal island.”

Lingshuang leaned forward and whispered, “What about this elder?”

“He is my eldest senior brother and my cousin. His name is Law Enforcement, and his authority is immense. The Jade Bracelet in Sansi’s possession must not be seen by him—he is stubborn and may accuse you of disrespecting your master, and drive you from the island.”

Ye Sansi hurriedly clutched his chest. “Master, you know about it?”

“Yes, yes. I am well acquainted with the aura of the Jade Bracelet. The moment you entered the island, I knew. Sansi, now that you are my disciple, keep this bracelet safe and let no one see it.”

“Thank you, Master. Though the bracelet is a precious treasure, it means more to me than words can say. I will guard it well.”

Fang Jian rose. “Good, then let us adjourn for today. Should you have any trivial matters you do not understand, seek out your senior brother Fang Yuan.”

Everyone left the Hall of Heaven and Earth together. Ye Sansi and the others bowed to send Fang Jian off. Liu Lingshuang said, “It must be mealtime now. Why don’t we head to the Eastern Dining Hall? Perhaps we’ll meet Taiyi.”

“Excellent! Taiyi is now our junior nephew, which is the reverse of our days at the Liu Family Fortress. Ha ha ha, just thinking about it is amusing,” Ye Sansi said, eager to see him.

But the architecture throughout the island was strikingly similar. They had only walked the route from the Eastern Dining Hall to the Hall of Heaven and Earth once, and none knew the way.

Ye Sansi suggested, “The Eastern Dining Hall is to the east, isn’t it? If we keep heading east, shouldn’t we find it?”

That seemed a viable plan. Yet the island was vast, halls plentiful, and there was no guarantee that heading east would suffice. Still, they had little choice.

Along the way, they encountered no disciples. The rules of Fangcun Island were strict; if there was nothing to do, disciples remained at the training grounds. Moreover, at mealtime, most headed for the dining halls.

Ye Sansi and his companions walked nearly the length of two sticks of incense before finally glimpsing a hall resembling the dining hall. As they approached, they saw the main doors tightly shut. Ye Sansi wondered aloud, “What’s going on? It’s mealtime, yet the dining hall is closed?”

Liu Lingshuang covered her mouth, laughing. “You wild boy, you must learn more characters in the future, or you’ll run into trouble when traveling.”

“Ha ha ha, but I have you all! Even if I don’t recognize the words, there’s no trouble. Besides, you can slowly teach me. To master the arts of the immortal island will take three to five years; if I learn the characters as well, that would be wonderful.”

Liu Lingshuang said, “Alright, I’ll teach you. Now, look at the sign above—there are three big characters. Can you read them?”

“East... something Hall!”

“It’s ‘Eastern Buddha Hall.’ By the name, it must be a place for worship and prayer.”

Liu Lingshuang thought carefully, furrowing her brow. “Strange, Fangcun Immortal Island ought to worship immortal masters. Why would they believe in Buddha?”

Ye Sansi was puzzled. “What is Buddha?”

“Buddha is a concept among mortals, the embodiment of justice and compassion, possessing divine power but eschewing worldly affairs. Yet Buddha is but a fantasy—a comfort for the heart.”

Ye Sansi smiled. “I see. So the Qingyang Temple worships Buddha, and the high monks are akin to Buddha—an immortal who does not meddle in the world. Is that what you mean?”

Liu Lingshuang was momentarily speechless, while Lin Nian’er stifled a laugh. “Young Master Ye is quite insightful—his views on right and wrong surpass ours.”

Praised thus, Ye Sansi felt a bit embarrassed. Scratching his head, he said, “May we enter the Eastern Buddha Hall? The other day at Qingyang Temple, we left in haste. I never had a proper look; I wonder what Buddha truly looks like.”

Lin Nian’er hesitated. “That wouldn’t be proper. The doors are shut; clearly, entry is unwelcome. On our first day as disciples, if we cause trouble...”

Liu Lingshuang waved her hand. “It’s alright, Nian’er. There’s no notice forbidding entry, and no one guards the door. That suggests it’s not a forbidden place. Why shouldn’t we enter?”

“But...”

Liu Lingshuang pulled Nian’er close, embracing her. “It’s fine, it’s fine. Since Sansi wishes to see the Buddha statue, we’ll accompany him. We’ll stay no longer than a stick of incense, then leave. No one will notice.”

Hearing that, Lin Nian’er agreed, though still worried. She tugged at Lingshuang’s sleeve. “But the doors seem locked. We’d have to climb through a window.”

“No need,” Sansi said, drawing his sword. With a flash, the lock was severed.

Seeing Ye Sansi’s rashness, Liu Lingshuang hurriedly admonished him, “Foolish boy, how could you be so reckless? Destroying the lock like this—if discovered, we’ll have trouble explaining ourselves.”

“It’s nothing. If we’re found out, I, Ye Sansi, will bear the blame alone. But I must break this lock.”

Lin Nian’er asked, confused, “Young Master Ye, why do you insist on doing this?”

“Lingshuang said Buddha is an immortal who does not meddle in the world—a thought, a comfort. Though illusory, it ought to be seen by all. Why lock it away?”

“Island Master, it seems Ye Sansi suits your preferences well,” Fang Yuan said to Fang Jian.

The two of them stood atop a distant hall, observing Ye Sansi and his companions. Fang Jian smiled. “Let’s see if Ye Sansi earns the favor of Fangcun’s founder.”

It turned out that their arrival at the Eastern Buddha Hall was no accident. Fang Jian had subtly guided them here with an illusion.

In past generations, some disciples, upon seeing the sign “Eastern Buddha Hall,” simply passed by. Others wished to enter, but seeing the locked door, dared not break it.

None knew what test Fangcun’s founder had set within, but whenever the island master found an exceptional disciple, he would use magic to lead them here. Still, it was merely a formality.

On Fangcun Immortal Island, only three bore the surname Fang. Of them, only Fang Jian had passed this test. Why? Because Fang Jian was playful, headstrong, and fearless; Fang Lang and Fang Yuan were too cautious...

Ye Sansi and his companions entered the Buddha Hall. Before them stood a grand Buddha statue, golden and glowing faintly.

Liu Lingshuang observed the statue closely, puzzled. “Strange. I recall a poem: ‘In the Hall of Great Hero stands the carved idol, revered by all as supreme. Enjoying incense from pious men, accustomed to the chanting of faithful women. Smiling kindly, concealing false emotion; a big belly, generous and true. Where is the Western Paradise? Pondering the rise and fall of fate.’ But this statue...”

Lin Nian’er said, “Lingshuang, that poem describes the Maitreya Buddha. Every place has different representations. It’s all imagination; why be so particular?”

“I know. I’ve seen many Buddha statues, but this one feels strange, though I can’t say exactly why.”

Nian’er laughed. “Lingshuang, you worry too much. Fangcun Immortal Island is far from Qingyang in Lingzhou, and sits upon the Southern Sea. Differences are normal. Young Master Ye, didn’t you want to see the Buddha? Now you have. Shall we light three sticks of incense, bow, and pray sincerely for the Buddha’s blessing?”

Looking at Sansi, Lingshuang and Nian’er sensed something unusual. The moment he entered, he stared fixedly into the Buddha statue’s eyes. Liu Lingshuang said, “Sansi, don’t behave like that. It’s disrespectful.”

Ye Sansi replied, “I do not respect him, nor will I bow. You say Buddha is just and compassionate, but as I gaze into his eyes, I see only murderous intent and blood.”

He finished speaking, and his sword flashed—“This Buddha is false!”

...

“Island Master, what exactly is this Buddha statue? When I faced this test years ago, I never even entered the hall, and missed my chance.”

Fang Jian smiled. “After I passed the test, my father told me that within the Buddha statue is imprisoned a demon beast of ten thousand years’ cultivation. It disturbs the mind. If one can endure an hour within, they earn the founder’s favor.”

“The founder’s favor? Is it a superior technique?”

“I don’t know. I felt no difference. Consider it a trial. If Ye Sansi passes, the position of island master will be hard to judge.”

“Master, Ye Sansi is extraordinarily talented. His comprehension is remarkable—after I demonstrated a technique once, he grasped it fully and could even duel you. Such a person as the next island master would surely bring Fangcun to glory.”

Fang Jian nodded, patting Fang Yuan’s shoulder. “Ah, Yuan’er, you truly understand. Of the eleventh-generation disciples, you are the youngest, yet no one matches your skill in martial arts and magic. It is a pity—if you had passed this trial, the island master’s seat would surely be yours...”