Chapter Ninety: The Young Monk’s Staff Dance Shook Heaven and Earth

The young novice monk, Luo Ying, was not tall, and by nature he was somewhat shy and bashful. But when he heard Du Shiyi burst out laughing, he mistook it for doubt over whether he truly possessed martial skill, and his face reddened in an instant. He looked around in a fluster, and when his eye fell on a broom propped in the corner, he hurried over without a second thought, stripped off the short bamboo handle, and in a few swift moves made it whistle through the air.

Seeing that Du Shiyi had stopped laughing, he grew even more enthusiastic. He whirled the short piece of broom handle with such speed that not a drop of water could have slipped through. At times he planted it to the ground and sprang atop it; at others he swept it sideways or drove it in slanting blows. In the end, carried away by the moment, he brought it crashing hard against the ground. But because the stick was after all too short, his whole body lurched askew with it. The next instant came a sharp crack: the miserable thing, never meant to be a martial implement in the first place, split cleanly into two. The bamboo node at the tip burst apart into a flower of shattered fragments, a pitiful sight indeed.

This time, Du Shiyi merely smiled, while Tian Mo on the side could not help doubling over with laughter. The commotion also drew over a middle-aged monk. On seeing Luo Ying seated on the ground, dazed, with the broom head lying miserably beside him, while he held only half the handle and the other half lay split open on the floor, the veins on the monk's forehead stood out at once. He strode forward and seized Luo Ying by the arm, hauling him upright.

"The abbot told you to keep a proper watch on the North Courtyard gate. Not only have you been slacking off, you were even playing such tricks here! Come with me to see the abbot!"

"Senior Brother Bright Light, I didn't mean to... I truly didn't mean it. I never thought this stick would be so flimsy... No, I only wanted people to know that I really did study martial arts!"

"Studied martial arts or not, that's no excuse for such nonsense. The abbot has spoiled you far too much. Sending you to the Shaolin Temple was not so you could act like a monkey! Come along. This time I shall make you face the wall for a full month!"

Seeing the small monk near tears, utterly panicked, though he had just displayed an excellent set of skills and yet dared not resist at all, only begging pitiably, Du Shiyi found the whole thing both exasperating and amusing. He stepped forward and said, "Master Bright Light, the fault lies with me just now. My careless words made this young master think I was mocking him, and so he demonstrated his martial skill. He is still very young after all. Would it not be better to forgive him this once? I will apologize on his behalf, and I shall pay for the broom myself."

Bright Light had seen Du Shiyi in white robes a moment ago, but had only taken him for some ordinary pilgrim startled speechless by Luo Ying's antics. Now, seeing him come forward with a smile and clasped hands in apology, and with a Khotanese slave following close behind him, he was momentarily taken aback, then loosened his grip. When he saw Luo Ying slip behind Du Shiyi the instant his feet touched the ground, gazing at him with timid, pleading eyes, the anger in his heart vanished all at once. After a deep breath, he returned Du Shiyi's salute and said, "Since this benefactor speaks up for him, let the matter rest for now. But Luo Ying!"

He suddenly fixed the novice with a cold stare and said each word distinctly: "A broom is not worth much, but every blade of grass and every tree in the Buddha's house has been given by charitable men and women. It must be cherished, not squandered at will; that is the abbot's constant teaching. Since you have been raised by the abbot from childhood, you should understand this all the more! When you return, copy out the entire Lankavatara Sutra yourself. Otherwise, do not blame me if I report you to the abbot and the supervising monk, and have you sent to face the wall again!"

Du Shiyi had initially thought Bright Light was deliberately making things difficult for the young monk. But hearing this final admonition and punishment, he could not help feeling deep respect for both the monk and the abbot who had always required such discipline. Even when he saw Luo Ying emerge from behind him with a pained face and agree dejectedly, he made no further attempt to intercede.

Afterward, Bright Light learned his destination and, without asking more, took his leave. The young monk had little else to say, either, and silently led the way ahead. When they reached a small gate in front, he finally lowered his head respectfully and pressed his palms together. "We have arrived. Please, Master Du, go in by yourself. I still have to return to guard the North Courtyard gate."

"Oh, thank you, little master."

After thanking him, Du Shiyi saw Luo Ying turn to leave. Looking at the novice's bare scalp, a thought suddenly struck him. He called out, "Little master, stay a moment."

When the boy turned back in confusion, Du Shiyi removed the string of bodhi-seed prayer beads from his wrist. "You were kind enough to guide me all this way, and because of me you must now copy the Lankavatara Sutra. Let this bracelet be a small token of thanks. Since you are in the Buddhist order, it will be just right for meditation."

Luo Ying widened his eyes, about to decline out of modesty, when Du Shiyi had already stepped forward and pressed it into his hands without another word. Seeing the other's clear, sincere gaze, and though he himself already had two such strings, he thought it over and still tucked it into his robe as though he had acquired some priceless treasure. Bowing deeply, he said, "Many thanks for your generous gift, Master Du. I shall treasure it carefully."

The bodhi-seed prayer beads had been personally given by the abbot when Du Shiyi stayed overnight at that temple after the Cui family funeral was over. The abbot had said they were consecrated before the Buddha. Every member of the Cui clan had received one, and even he and Cui Shisanniang as siblings had been given theirs. He had worn them on a whim. Just now, finding the little monk so amusing, he had thought money would be too dull a reward, and the prayer beads seemed far more fitting. At that moment, watching the novice leave briskly and full of delight, Du Shiyi smiled at Tian Mo. "You used to boast of your strength. When you just now collided with that little monk, did it not feel as though you had struck an iron wall?"

"Master, his back really is hard as a board." Tian Mo could not help rubbing his own head again before turning to stare at the small figure's retreating back. "If he had a proper staff just now, he would surely have looked even better performing with it."

Du Shiyi only laughed at that. After entering the gate and seeing the vast, open courtyard before him, he recalled that Cui Jianxuan had once hinted mysteriously at the history of this place, and he could not help but feel a measure of sentiment. In Luoyang there were many such residences, once glorious in their owners' time. The former home of Princess Taiping was now the convent of the Daoist nun of Peaceful Nation; the estate in Xiuwen Ward that had once belonged to Li Xian, then Prince of Yong, was now the Daoist monastery of Great Way; the former residence of Li Yuanjia, Prince of Han, was now the Imperial College; the house of Zhang Yizhi was now the Temple of the Protecting Nation... Truly, one watched him raise lofty halls, one watched him feast his guests, and one watched his halls collapse!

Yet that feeling of musing upon rise and ruin lasted only a moment in his mind, and dissolved completely the instant he saw the two beauties coming forward to greet him. After nearly three years apart, Lady Gongsun seemed still exactly as she had been before. Time and dust had left no mark upon her face; rather, they had lent her countenance an even brighter, jade-like radiance. Yue Fifth Lady, who in those days had still seemed somewhat immature, had grown half a head taller and developed a graceful, appealing figure. Her beauty needed no ornament, and she even wore a pair of gold rings in her ears, now somewhat unfashionable, lending her a rich and exotic Western Regions elegance. Yet upon seeing Du Shiyi, Yue Fifth Lady was even more excited than Lady Gongsun.

"Master Du!"

After calling out, Yue Fifth Lady could not help glancing behind Du Shiyi. Seeing only Tian Mo, dark from head to toe, she asked in surprise, "Why do I not see Master Cui? Is his home not in East Capital's Ever-Nourishing Ward?"

"Grand Lady Cui passed away at the end of last year, so he is in mourning and could not come. He asked me to convey his greetings in his stead. Not only he, but also the fifth and ninth young ladies of the Cui family asked me to send their regards to Lady Gongsun."

Du Shiyi saw Lady Gongsun's face change in an instant, and then a trace of gloom appeared. He therefore explained further. "The grand lady was only buried yesterday. Today, after returning from Mount Mang with the Cui family, I learned that Lady Gongsun had arrived in Luoyang, and so they sent me here to meet you on their behalf. As for that bronze token, Master Gongye was most reasonable and it was not needed, so I now return it intact."

"I had no idea the Grand Dowager Lady of Qi had already passed on... The grand lady was kind and benevolent by nature. During the time I stayed in Luoyang, I was fortunate to receive her care through her attendants, and the two Cui ladies treated me with sincerity as well. Please, Master Du, when you return, convey my respects to everyone in the Cui family. The Grand Dowager Lady of Qi held a lofty station; now that I have missed my chance, I would not dare come rashly to her door to offer sacrifice. I can only pray here for her blessing at this temple of Peaceful Nation."

As she spoke, Lady Gongsun nodded slightly toward Yue Fifth Lady, and when she saw the girl hold the bronze token in both hands and bring it back to Du Shiyi, she said with a smile, "What I give away, I have no reason to take back. Could it be that Master Du will not even keep this small token of my regard by his side?"

"Lady Gongsun is too generous with me. I only feared this object might have some special significance. Since you say so, I shall keep it."

Since Lady Gongsun had put it that way, Du Shiyi hurriedly took up the bronze token, put it back into his robe, and tucked it away securely. Only then did he smile wryly. "After so many years apart, Lady Gongsun, you are still as sharp as ever. By the way, how many days do you and your disciples plan to remain in Luoyang this time?"

"Luoyang is not like other places. Those high officials and great families cannot all be offended. It may be as few as five or six days, or as many as ten or half a month. I cannot say for certain."

No sooner had Lady Gongsun finished than Yue Fifth Lady on the side laughed and said, "Besides, because of the several poems Master Du once gifted us, Master has also asked literati and gentlemen from various prefectures and counties to compose similar verses of grandeur and heroism. But none can compare with the singability of yours. Since we have been fortunate enough to meet you again, Master Du, please lift your brush and add a few more poems for Master. Master Du, the three sisters of the Feng family over there are also watching you. If not for your poems, the three of them would not have risen to fame so easily. Now, in both the metropolitan circuit and the Hebei circuit, who does not know the splendid reputation of the three Feng sisters?"

"That is only because Lady Gongsun brought them to renown." Du Shiyi was in no mood to take up Yue Fifth Lady's lead, so he coughed lightly and changed the subject. "I came this time also to deliver a message on behalf of the fifth young lady of the Cui family. Lady Gongsun's name now shakes the lands of the River Luo, and her fame has already reached the throne. It is said the Son of Heaven is also greatly interested in your sword dance, and has remarked to those around him that you might as well be summoned to the palace to instruct the women of the palace entertainment bureau."

"Ah! So even the Son of Heaven knows of my reputation!" Yue Fifth Lady's eyes widened at once, and her face lit up with uncontrollable delight. Then she said thoughtfully, "Once one enters the palace gates, it is as deep as the sea. By then, would that not mean..."

Unlike Yue Fifth Lady, who first rejoiced and then worried, Lady Gongsun only slightly furrowed her brow before saying casually, "Thank you, Master Du, for telling me. I understand. Tomorrow is the first day of our performance. If Shisanniang is also in East Capital, Master Du, you might invite her to come and watch as well. Compared with three years ago, I am confident that this sword dance has improved greatly."