A Prophet - Chapter 5 (Part 3)

Chapter 3 - The Senior Master Zhou Zhenlong After Thirty Years

By now, the "Wind-Hand" was approaching the age of thirty, and he was no longer that impulsive and clueless hothead. Knowing that the Patriarch intended to unify the underworld, and with the nation facing internal troubles and external threats on all sides, he remained glued to the Patriarch's side, never straying even a single step.

Even I, a slow-witted fellow who had joined the hall not long ago, could sense the mounting tension. With national liberation imminent, the four major halls were crumbling apart, internal morale among the brothers was flagging, and conflicts were intensifying. The Northern Faction's Qian Yuelin made a sudden visit, while the Western Faction's Qin Baichuan put on a pretentious air of reserve—whether all of this spelled fortune or disaster was anyone's guess! Yet the Patriarch remained unusually calm.

In early 1949, as the three major campaigns drew to a close, the Kuomintang was already in its death throes. Driven by their own respective interests, both the Soviet Union and the United States demanded that the Nationalist and Communist sides "rule across the river"—which in reality was a plot to divide China.

Seizing the opportunity, the Kuomintang engaged in rampant false propaganda, terrorizing ordinary folk by claiming how horrifying the liberated areas were. Even Qian Yuelin, a grand senior master who had fled from the liberated areas, claimed that life there was far from easy.

Given the Patriarch's immense wisdom, he understood it clearly: the "Jiangxiang Faction" was a syndicate of swindlers. Anywhere scammers found life difficult must naturally be a place where ordinary citizens lived in peace and contentment.

During that period, many people were misled by the Nationalist counter-propaganda and fled desperately toward Taiwan and Hong Kong. Jiang Feiyan, the head of the Southern Faction's "Crossing Sea Begonia," also shuttled frequently between Guangdong and Hong Kong.

One day, the Patriarch said to me, "Big-Head, I'm taking you to meet someone."

I asked, "Who?"

The Patriarch replied, "You'll see when we get there."

True to form, the "Wind-Hand" stuck close to the Patriarch's side. The Patriarch had someone procure three train tickets, and the three of us headed to Suzhou. This was the first time in my life riding a train since coming out of my mother's womb, and I found it utterly fascinating. The train actually contained tables, chairs, and electric lights, just like the Patriarch's living room. What baffled me most was how something this long was pulled forward.

I was brimming with excitement the entire journey, constantly peering through the window at the passing scenery outside. The "Wind-Hand" told me, "This is a luxury train. You're riding luxury transport on your very first trip—you've got great luck!" At that moment, how I wished the train would never stop, and would just keep pulling us forward like this forever.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, the train pulled into the station. Passing through the bustling hall, the moment we stepped outside, someone was waiting to receive us. Three rickshaws zigzagged through the streets, bringing us to a location at the foot of a mountain. Upon looking up, I saw it was a Buddhist temple.

The novice monk guarding the gate spotted our arrival and led us inside. We wound through several Buddhist halls and turned left, arriving at a meditation room. After announcing our presence, the novice monk said, "Please enter, three benefactors."

The "Wind-Hand" and I followed the Patriarch inside. Upon entering, we saw an elderly monk sitting in meditation, looking to be in his eighties or nineties.

The Patriarch brought his palms together in a greeting and said softly, "Trust you have been well since we last parted, Master Qingfeng."

The elderly monk returned the greeting. "Amitabha. The Patriarch and his companions have had a tiring journey. Xunzhu, serve tea."

The novice monk answered, "Understood, Master," and turned away to pour the tea.

Hearing this, I realized this eminent monk actually knew the Patriarch—the Patriarch's network of connections was simply too vast!

The Patriarch said, "Many thanks, Master! Coming here today, I have brought along a junior disciple deeply versed in the art of tea." With that, he gestured to me: "Big-Head, go help the young master brew the tea."

I said, "Understood," and hurried into the inner room to take the tea set. Shortly afterward, I brewed a pot of Biluochun tea, carried it out, and poured cups for everyone.

The Patriarch said, "Please, Master."

Master Qingfeng took a sip from his teacup and smiled benevolently. "Fresh and elegant. The benefactor truly possesses good roots of virtue!"

I didn't quite catch the old monk's meaning, but vaguely gathered he was complimenting me.

The Patriarch smiled and asked, "Has the Master's health been well as usual?"

Master Qingfeng replied, "Thanks to the Patriarch's concern, everything is well."

The Patriarch said, "Thirty years ago, having the affinity to meet the Master was truly my utmost fortune! Over the years, whenever I found myself tangled in desperate thoughts, I invariably received the Master's guidance. The Master's kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain."

Master Qingfeng said, "The Patriarch speaks too heavily. Since the Patriarch's roots of virtue remain unextinguished, blessings will naturally follow!"

The Patriarch said, "Master, coming here this time, I have three matters upon which I humbly seek the Master's enlightenment."

Hearing that nearly made me faint on the spot—did the Patriarch actually need anyone else's enlightenment? I turned to look at the "Wind-Hand," who offered a helpless smile and remained silent.

Master Qingfeng said, "Patriarch, in this Saha world, all phenomena are empty. If you cannot let go, you cannot see through them."

The Patriarch said, "This first matter is: should I leave, or should I stay?"

This very first question left both the "Wind-Hand" and me completely bewildered. What did that mean? What leaving or staying, and leaving to where?

Master Qingfeng said, "The 'Jiangxiang Faction' has endured for so many years, committing both virtuous deeds and wicked ones. The wicked deeds far outnumbered the virtuous ones, especially piling up crime upon monstrous crime during the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic. Whether the Patriarch leaves or stays is unimportant; the departure or retention of the 'Jiangxiang Faction' is what matters."

The old monk's words sent a shock through my entire body. He knew the inner secrets of the "Jiangxiang Faction" as well? The hall had strict rules: anyone outside the brotherhood who knew the inner secrets of the "Jiangxiang Faction" had to be eliminated. Yet not only did the Patriarch spare him, he treated him with reverence—just who on earth was this man?

Hearing this, the Patriarch plunged into deep contemplation. After a long while, he finally spoke: "Master, the second matter is: what destiny awaits these two disciples of mine?"

The "Wind-Hand" and I exchanged glances, completely uncomprehending. What did "what destiny awaits" mean? What on earth had gotten into the Patriarch today, constantly uttering such vague and ambiguous phrases?

Master Qingfeng pointed at me and said, "This benefactor possesses a countenance of honest dignity and purified faculties. Although he suffered the loss of his parents in his youth, he is destined for blessings after middle age, complete with both sons and daughters, and will pass away peacefully at the end of a full life span."

The Patriarch sighed knowingly and said, "It seems I did not misjudge my man."

I was thoroughly confounded. Why did the things this old monk said sound so much like the lines we used when fortune-telling for naive country folk? Had the Patriarch been scammed by a trickster? I smacked my lips together and looked doubtfully at the Patriarch.

My trace of worry didn't escape Master Qingfeng's eyes. Smiling, he said to me, "Benefactor, you have already confused yourself. Truth mixed with falsehood, falsehood mixed with truth—even you can no longer tell the genuine from the fake. The 'Jiangxiang Faction' committed two greatest sins: first, swindling money and women while slaughtering the innocent; second, defiling the reputation of the Book of Changes. The Book of Changes embodies the Dao of Yin and Yang. As the ancients often said, if one does not become an exemplary prime minister, one should become a physician or diviner. The divinatory arts are the essence of the Book of Changes and should be used to court good fortune and avoid calamity, bringing benefit to the common people. The 'Jiangxiang Faction' understands nothing of the Book of Changes, yet falsely invokes its name to engage in public fraud, causing the masses to harbor suspicion toward the Book of Changes and utterly destroying the reputation of Chinese divinatory arts in a single stroke!"

I understood only half of what was said in this speech, gathering roughly that it meant we were committing misdeeds, which left me too afraid to speak. Years later, after I genuinely studied the Book of Changes, did I finally understand that Master Qingfeng's words were entirely true. The Changes match the standards of heaven and earth and can encompass the principles of the universe; the Dao of the Book of Changes is none other than the Dao of human conduct.

Master Qingfeng then pointed at the "Wind-Hand" and said, "This benefactor has protruding ram-like eyes. Though he possesses a gallant heart of loyalty and righteousness, his murderous intent is far too heavy, which will inevitably invite disaster in time. He would do well to restrain himself as early as possible!"

I slanted my eyes and glanced at the "Wind-Hand." Regardless of whether this old monk's divination was genuine or fake, hearing such a speech would cause anyone's chest to tighten with anxiety.

The "Wind-Hand" pursed his lips and said, "Thank you for the Master's guidance. From the very day I entered the hall, I cast life and death aside." What the "Wind-Hand" said was no lie; he genuinely did not fear death, always charging in at the very front whenever the hall clashed with outsiders.

The Patriarch chuckled heartily, pointed at the "Wind-Hand," and said to Master Qingfeng, "This is Little Liu, whom I poached from Nine-Master's hall. Tracing his lineage through Nine-Master and Grand Master Zhang, he should technically address the Master as a martial senior brother."

The "Wind-Hand" and I were completely floored. Could Master Qingfeng also be connected to Wang Yazhiqiao? Why had the Patriarch never mentioned this in all these years? Staring with wide eyes, the "Wind-Hand" and I looked at the Patriarch in sheer disbelief.

The Patriarch continued, "Master, may I speak frankly about this connection?"

Master Qingfeng said, "Amitabha. It is all drifting smoke and passing clouds of the past. Those who have left the secular world value going along with joy. Let us honor the joy of the Patriarch and the two benefactors, and keep them no longer in the dark."

Hearing the Master grant permission, both of us eagerly fixed our gaze on the Patriarch.

The Patriarch said, "Both of you know my past history. Do you still remember Senior Zhou, whom I once told you about?"

My memory was poor, and my brain raced frantically. Senior Zhou? Which Senior Zhou? The "Wind-Hand" caught on quickly: "Could it be Senior Zhou Zhenlong from back in the day! I am deeply honored! Please accept this bow from your junior!"

Only then did sudden enlightenment dawn upon me. Back then, while seeking revenge for his younger siblings, the Patriarch had accidentally rescued two people: Zhang Dancheng and Zhou Zhenlong. From that moment on, he was dragged into the grievances and entanglements of the "Jiangxiang Faction." Afterward, Zhang Dancheng intended to pass the position of Sect Leader to the Patriarch, while Zhou Zhenlong and Tu Yiming were both entrusted orphans' guardians appointed by Zhang Dancheng, instructed to do their utmost to assist the Patriarch. Later, following Zhang Dancheng's death, Zhou Zhenlong grew disillusioned with the mortal world, distributed all his gold and silver wealth to the poor, and left the hall alone, never to be heard from again. To think he had shaved his head and become a monk right here!

Thirty years! The cycle of wind and moon, passing in the snap of a finger!

The Patriarch said, "Ever since Senior Zhou left the hall, I have always missed him dearly. Ten years later, I received a letter and learned that the senior had committed his body to the gates of Buddhism, taking the religious name Qingfeng."

Master Qingfeng let out a long sigh. "Amitabha. The sea of suffering is boundless; turn back and the shore is at hand. This humble monk likewise hopes all benefactors will turn back early."

The Patriarch brought his palms together. "Amitabha."

I had never seen the Patriarch act so humble before, feeling as though he had transformed into an entirely different person.

Master Qingfeng said, "The benefactor mentioned three matters earlier, but there is still one remaining..."

The Patriarch sighed. "Master, regarding the third matter, I already have my answer."

Master Qingfeng said, "Excellent, excellent. The hour is late, and this humble monk has nothing to entertain you all with. I have asked my disciple to prepare vegetarian meals; may the three benefactors partake."

That night marked the first time in my life eating vegetarian temple food. Although it lacked meat and oil, it was exceptionally refreshing. I devoured five bowls of rice and two massive platters of braised cabbage with vermicelli noodles, eating so heartily that the "Wind-Hand" kept staring at me with a dumbfounded smile.

We stayed at that temple for a total of two nights before returning to the hall.

On the way back, I asked the Patriarch, "Does Senior Zhou really understand the Book of Changes? When did he study it?"

The Patriarch replied, "Master Buddhism, master all paths. How he came to understand it, I do not know, but that is true capability. Yet he never offers readings to outsiders; if I hadn't gone and asked him in person, he would never have looked. In his words, whether one looks or not makes no difference. Isn't there a saying in the Book of Changes: 'A household that accumulates goodness is bound to have lingering blessings, while a household that accumulates evil is bound to have lingering misfortunes.' Once you grasp goodness and evil, you have grasped the essence of destiny."

At that moment, I felt both the Patriarch and Senior Zhou were so profoundly unfathomable. I wondered to myself: how many times had they actually met? What had the Patriarch discussed with him in the past? Why did the Patriarch bring the "Wind-Hand" and me along this time? And what on earth was the third question the Patriarch had wanted to ask? All of this felt like a mystery—an unsolvable puzzle.