As Abbot Puren of the West Garden Temple watched Li Yundong and his companions depart, a short while later, Fakong entered, bowed with hands clasped, and inquired, "Master, why are you helping him so much? This man previously clashed with our West Garden Temple, and many of the disciples have voiced private disapproval. Moreover, his reputation in the cultivation world is currently abysmal. If we associate with him, perhaps..."

Puren didn't wait for him to finish; he looked up at the middle-aged monk and said slowly, "Fakong, when you first entered my tutelage, I named you Fakong, originally intending for you to grasp the meaning of the Four Emptinesses."

"The younger disciples have shallow cultivation, and this world is so complex and bewildering, tempting them astray. I can understand their incomprehension, but you have followed me for decades and still haven't grasped this point. It shouldn't be so! It truly shouldn't!"

Fakong showed shame on his face and bowed, "Please instruct me, Master."

Puren rose and declared, "The Buddha speaks of the Four Emptinesses: this sky is empty, this earth is empty, these mountains and oceans are empty, and even your own divine sense is empty. But the Great Dao and Buddhist Dharma alone are real! I may not care what others think of us, but I must consider how our Dharma will be inherited and spread in the future."

"This True Person Li, I observe his actions and see a man who detests evil like an enemy and acts with uprightness. I observe his words and see a man who is grounded and does not boast. Finally, I observe his appearance: though he is surrounded by unparalleled beauties, he remains in the state of a virgin's primal yang. The women around him are also in the state of a virgin's primal yin. This shows he is a cultivator of immense self-control, one who is not greedy or immersed in sensuality."

"A person with great self-control and great ambition will surely achieve great things in the future. Regardless of his innate talent, based on these two points alone, I can determine that he will become an extraordinary great cultivator, whose achievements will certainly be no less than those of the current sect leaders of any school."

As Puren spoke, he walked to the window, pushed open the wooden frame, pointed to a large tree in the courtyard, and continued, "However, it is not enough for a person to merely possess great self-control and ambition. Look at this tree; even if it grows into a towering giant, it might still grow crookedly. It is so with trees, and so it is with people. If a person's heart is not righteous, then his self-control and ambition will become the sins he commits in the future. Once such a person turns to malevolence, his wickedness will be a hundred times worse than that of ordinary men."

Puren turned back and resumed, "Therefore, I scrutinized his physiognomy closely. I saw that both times he met me, his gaze was direct, his eyes clear and bright, entirely devoid of any malicious or perverse thoughts. His brow radiated righteousness. Thus, I believe this man will surely become a great cultivator among our righteous path."

Puren glanced at Fakong and sighed, "Fakong, you are not the presiding abbot; you do not understand my difficulties. Although our West Garden Temple has a considerable reputation in Dongwu City, we are far inferior to the Four Great Temples. Furthermore, the influence of Daoist sects in Dongwu City is immense; the Zhengyi Sect and the Six Great Schools are all extending their power here. Soon, they will convene the biannual Lotus Picking Assembly for the cultivation world here. If the West Garden Temple does not forge alliances with powerful external forces, not only will we be unable to resist the erosion from these sects, but I fear we will be unable to stand alone when the great tribulation of the cultivation world descends."

Fakong showed bewilderment and asked, "Master, why don't we seek aid from other Buddhist sects?"

Puren shook his head, "Since ancient times, literature has no absolute first, and martial arts has no absolute second. It is the same with our Buddhist community. If the West Garden Temple sought help from other Buddhist sects today, then in future debates on doctrine or combat, even if you defeat them, they will still find fault."

"Let me tell you a story. A woman sought the favor of Guanyin and recited the name of the Greatly Compassionate Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva countless times—thousands, even tens of thousands of times—every day before the statue. One day, her son suddenly asked her: 'Mother, if you pray to Guanyin Bodhisattva like this every day, but what if Guanyin Bodhisattva herself is in trouble? Whom would she pray to?'"

Saying this, Puren looked toward Fakong with a slight smile, "Fakong, if you were Guanyin Bodhisattva, whom would you pray to?"

Fakong suddenly understood, clasped his hands, and said, "Relying on others is not as good as relying on oneself!"

Puren clasped his hands together and chuckled, "Excellent, excellent! Precisely so! Rather than bowing and scraping to seek favors from our Buddhist peers, it is better for us to find strong allies ourselves. This True Person Li is currently like a needle in a bag—just showing the tip. I dare say he will become a world-shaking figure in the future. If we don't forge this connection now, when will we?"

Fakong looked on with admiration, "Master's foresight is profound; I am far behind." But as he spoke, he seemed to recall something, and a strange look crossed his face. He said, "But Master, aren't you afraid your other disciple will cause you more trouble?"

Upon hearing this, Puren’s expression turned awkward and troubled. He paused for a moment, then suddenly let out a wry laugh, "Amitabha, then we can only let True Person Li seek his own fortune."

Li Yundong was currently walking toward the exit of the temple grounds with one of Puren's younger disciples. He conversed with this monk, named Faneng, saying, "Master, where are we going?"

Zhou Qin and Su Chan were both peerless beauties—one a breathtaking human vision, the other a charming, bewitching fox. Either one would have an immense impact on a man, especially a young monk whose cultivation was not high.

Faneng kept his eyes straight ahead along the path, absolutely daring not to glance at Su Chan or Zhou Qin. His gaze focused on his nose, his heart fixed within, as if wishing to seal off all seven of his sensory openings. Seeing Li Yundong address him, he quickly returned the bow, "I dare not accept the title of Master; just call me Faneng. I don't know where we are going right now, but my senior brother is rather undisciplined, his whereabouts always uncertain. I suspect finding him will take quite some effort."

Li Yundong asked, puzzled, "I saw your Abbot using a mobile phone. Doesn't he have a phone or any other means of contact?"

Faneng gave a bitter smile, "Whatever valuable things my senior brother possesses, he pawns them off immediately."

Li Yundong was astonished, "Could it be that your senior brother is a gambler?"

Faneng shook his head, "No, no, my senior brother is not fond of gambling."

Li Yundong looked confused, "Then what is the reason?"

Faneng replied with a strange expression, "You will know when you get there."

The group got into a taxi. Faneng sat in the front seat and said to the driver, "Master, take us to Hong Kong Street in Mudu."

Upon hearing the place name, Li Yundong was startled, thinking he had misheard. He quickly asked, "Where are we going?"

Faneng coughed lightly, "Hong Kong Street in Mudu."

Li Yundong stammered, "Isn't that the red-light district?"

Faneng's expression became even stranger, "It is exactly there!"

Li Yundong was so shocked his mouth fell open, "Your, your senior brother is in a place like that?"

Faneng showed shame in his expression, "Yes!"

Li Yundong's eyes widened. He suddenly had a bad feeling. Zhou Qin beside him also looked shocked and strange, unable to speak. Only Su Chan consoled him, "Yundong, not everyone there is someone of ill repute. Perhaps this Master is there, um, perhaps..." As she trailed off, she too found it hard to continue.

What would a monk be doing in a red-light district?

Su Chan managed a dry laugh, "Maybe he is practicing entering the secular world to cultivate."

Li Yundong seized upon this, nodding as if comforting himself, "Yes, yes, possible! An extraordinary figure would naturally be somewhat unconventional."

About twenty minutes later, as traffic was light that morning, the group arrived at Hong Kong Street in Mudu.

At this hour of the morning, most of the entertainment venues here were closed. The street was desolate, a stark contrast to the garish splendor Li Yundong remembered from his last visit. Faneng led Li Yundong around the area for a while, then gave a bitter smile, "The time hasn't come yet; I can't find him now."

Li Yundong asked, confused, "When can we find him?"

Faneng looked strange and said, "Probably after four or five in the afternoon."

Li Yundong was curious, "Why that time slot?"

Zhou Qin, who had been listening, couldn't hold back. She pulled Li Yundong aside and said, her cheeks slightly flushed, "Four or five in the afternoon is when the entertainment centers here start opening."

Li Yundong asked, "Why is that? Why do they open so late?"

It was somewhat embarrassing for a girl to explain such matters to a young man. She coughed dryly and said unnaturally, "Because that is when the majority of men finish work. Coming to places like this at that hour, even if questioned by their wives at home, they can claim they are working overtime. At this time, their families won't suspect anything, so many men choose this time slot to... cough, cough, you understand, right?"

Li Yundong suddenly realized, and remarked strangely, "I don't understand, but you seem to understand quite well!"

Zhou Qin’s face turned bright red, and she scolded playfully, "I'm explaining it to you! Humph, I won't tell you next time!"

Li Yundong quickly apologized with a smile, "Don't be upset; I just said it casually. Please don't take offense." Then, remembering something, he turned to look at Faneng with a strange expression, "Master Faneng, you seem to understand quite well too!"

Faneng turned bright red, looking embarrassed and ashamed. Being a native of Jiangnan, he was fair-skinned and delicate. He flushed like a ripe prawn and stammered, "I heard it from my senior brother."

Li Yundong gasped, unable to help but exclaim, "Your senior brother is truly a bizarre monk! What is his name, by the way?"

Faneng clasped his hands together, "My senior brother's original name was Ding Zonglei; his Dharma name is Wuhua."

Li Yundong was surprised, "Since your senior brother is a disciple of Master Puren, shouldn't he also be of the 'Fa' generation?"

Faneng smiled wryly, "Theoretically, yes, but my senior brother disliked the name his master gave him, so he changed it himself to Wuhua, taking the meaning from the line in Tang Bohu's poem: 'Wuhua Wujiu Chutian' (No flowers, no wine, just plowing the fields)."

Li Yundong also offered a wry smile, "This is the first time I've heard of such an unconventional monk in the world."

Zhou Qin noticed a hint of worry in Li Yundong's brow, clearly concerned that this 'Flower Monk' might be all title and no substance. She comforted him, "Don't worry too much. Perhaps this Master is like Ji Gong—wine and meat pass through his stomach, but the Buddha remains seated in his heart?"

Li Yundong felt considerably relieved upon hearing this and nodded with a smile, "Yes, what you said makes sense. I was overthinking it."

Faneng said, "It's still too early. Why don't we come back around dusk? My senior brother is notoriously elusive; he can only be found here in the early evening."

Li Yundong resigned himself, "Alright, it has to be that way then."

They waited until about four or five in the afternoon before Li Yundong and the others returned to Hong Kong Street. Looking again, they saw that indeed, the entertainment venues had thrown open their doors, adorned with bright lights and colorful decorations. Beautifully dressed, sexy women mostly stood at the entrances, welcoming guests. The traffic flow on the street had clearly increased, with impeccably dressed men constantly entering and exiting.

Li Yundong surveyed the large number of establishments lining the street and sighed bitterly, "With so many shops here, how are we supposed to find him?"

Faneng also gave a bitter smile, "There's no other way; we'll have to search them one by one."

Li Yundong felt deeply frustrated. He never imagined he'd end up back on this red-light street, having to search house by house for someone.

Zhou Qin and Su Chan exchanged glances, their expressions very strange. The two girls kept their pretty faces straight, following behind Li Yundong, pretending to look straight ahead.

Li Yundong and the others searched from one establishment to the next. After checking about ten places, Li Yundong was overwhelmed by the thick scent of heavy makeup and perfume emanating from the women. He couldn't help but ask, "There are dozens of shops here at least; how long will it take to find him?"

Faneng said helplessly, "There's no choice. That's why I was reluctant to come when my Master sent me."

Just as Li Yundong opened his mouth to speak, a sudden commotion erupted from a shop not far away.

He turned his head and saw that this establishment was quite grand, built like a hotel, with several shimmering golden characters above the entrance: "Crystal Love International Entertainment City"!

Whoa, that place looked familiar!

Li Yundong stared intently and saw several security guards escorting a man out. Following behind the guards was a sultry woman. Li Yundong looked again and exclaimed, familiar face—wasn't that Meiniang?

Just as he was about to speak, he caught a glimpse out of the corner of his eye of Faneng staring intently at the man being dragged out.

A thought struck Li Yundong: Could this guy be Wuhua?

Li Yundong took a look. The man was being held by several burly figures and unceremoniously thrown onto the ground. He was wearing a gray monk's robe, his head was completely shaved, and he bore several ritual scars (jiè bā).

Meiniang stood at the doorway, hands on her hips, yelling loudly, "You bald donkey tried to skip payment after playing with a woman! Have you lost your mind? Are you begging for food on a woman's belly? Tired of living? If you weren't a regular here, I'd break that leg between your legs today!"

Meiniang's voice was sharp and piercing, and the monk's appearance and dress were extremely conspicuous, instantly drawing countless gazes.

Li Yundong, Su Chan, and Zhou Qin were all dumbfounded. They watched as the monk was beaten until his face was bruised and swollen, his appearance filthy as he lay on the ground, showing not an ounce of the demeanor of a great master. Li Yundong couldn't help but think: Damn it, this guy isn't Wuhua! This guy can't be Wuhua!

But at that moment, Faneng suddenly cried out in surprise, "Senior Brother!"

That single sentence sent Li Yundong plummeting into despair. He immediately felt tears welling up, "Good heavens, this guy really is Wuhua! The Master is truly a Great Master! Wuhua? I think he should be called 'Lustful Flower' (Tanhua)!!!"

========================================== Merry Christmas to all! My dear Tangtang got acute stiff neck yesterday, causing unbearable pain in my neck. I went out for a massage to treat it today. So depressed~~~ H