The Battle in Journey to the West-Chapter 67 - 0 Wine and Meat Pass Through the Gut Touch

Equal to Heaven Daoist Priest asked, “Presumably, this elder is Patriarch Bodhidharma, right?”

Bodhidharma smiled gently and replied, “I am indeed Bodhidharma, but the title of Patriarch is too grand for me to accept.”

Equal to Heaven Daoist Priest said, “In West Cow He State, who doesn’t know of Patriarch Bodhidharma’s martial prowess? I speak not of his divine skills; even with martial arts alone, he could sweep across the Four Seas!”

Bodhidharma was the future ancestor of the Shaolin Temple, and to vie for the world’s fortune, immortals, for fear of accumulating karma, sent many mortal disciples to the Southern Toad Continent where they taught martial arts. During the contest for supremacy in the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the Shaolin eighteen monks saved King of Tang. Thereafter King of Tang developed a favorable impression of the Buddhist sect. Later, Tang Sanzang was born, and Guanyin meddled, hence the events of Journey to the West. The calculations of Buddhism were profound indeed.

Immortals mostly rely on divine skills in magic combat, but Bodhidharma was able to use martial arts as divine skills, which was truly terrifying. He created many fist techniques and martial arts, such as the Arhat Fist, Subdue the Tiger Fist and “The Book of Changes” Muscle-Tendon Change Classic, enhanced by his unique cultivation methods, capable of unleashing terrible power. Even if a mortal disciple mastered just the merest fraction of these martial arts, they could dominate the martial world.

Patriarch Bodhidharma said, “Equal to Heaven Daoist Priest, you have profound mana, but your praise is exaggerated. I am not so deserving, not so deserving.”

Yang Jian opened his eyes and asked, “Who won just now, is there a result? We can discuss these matters later!”

Bodhidharma laughed and replied, “A moment ago, Divine Lord Erlang and Elder Hanshan fell from the cushion at the same time; logically speaking, it should be considered a draw.”

Chen Tuan then said, “This matter would be best judged by His Majesty the Human Emperor. Our words are not objective.”

Liu Zhuang, upon hearing Chen Tuan shifting the responsibility towards him, naturally could not be vague. He asked, “My ministers, did you all see? Did the True Lord win, or did Master Hanshan win?”

“Your Majesty, just now it was certainly Divine Lord Erlang who fell first from the cushion. Your clear discernment is requested,” said Fu Yi.

“Your Majesty! The Grand Historian is confused; it was clearly Hanshan who fell from the cushion first, and True Lord Erlang fell afterwards,” Liu Cang hastily asserted.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, I clearly saw that it was the True Lord who fell first,” Cai Yin stated.

Then the troops from both sides insisted on their own version of events, each claiming it was the opponent who fell first, creating an uproar that left Liu Zhuang with a headache.

Liu Zhuang raised his hand to quiet the noisy ministers and said, “The lightning just now made it difficult to see clearly, but since my ministers each stick to their own story, and it is hard to distinguish a winner, shall we consider it a draw?”

Although the ministers wished to promote the Dao they supported, since the Emperor had spoken, naturally they did not dare to continue their clamor and promptly assented, saying, “Your Majesty is wise!”

Ancestor Chen Tuan sighed, “Since His Majesty the Human Emperor has judged this round to be a draw, then let us agree to it.”

Indeed, it was fortunate for Patriarch Bodhidharma to arrive just when Hanshan was about to falter and sending forth that Great Hand Seal; Hanshan fell, and Yang Jian was also knocked down by it.

Yang Jian couldn’t help but resent Bodhidharma’s untimely arrival; what was once a guaranteed victory was disrupted by him, truly vexing.

Yang Jian felt disgruntled, as did Equal to Heaven Daoist Priest, but since Liu Zhuang had already declared it a draw, he cupped his fists and said, “Since His Majesty the Human Emperor has declared this round a draw, let it be so!”

Unibrow Daoist taunted, “Patriarch Bodhidharma truly lives up to his reputation as a master among masters, quite a knack for striking when least expected!”

Shemoteng and Zhufalan, seeing their teacher disrespected by Unibrow Daoist, raised their eyebrows, but ultimately refrained from anger, silently chanting “Namo Amitabha Buddha” several times in their hearts.

However, Bodhidharma laughed and said, “Unibrow Daoist Priest, you speak too harshly. Just a while ago, Leizhenzi’s talents were quite something, for disciples of the Interpretation Sect truly excel at secretive attacks!”

Ancestor Chen Tuan said, “I have long heard of Patriarch Bodhidharma’s great reputation. For the next round, shall I take your place?”

“Daoist Brother Chen Tuan, wait a moment!” Unibrow Daoist spoke up, “I have a Daoist friend who is extremely skilled in fist techniques. He will be here in just a moment, and then he can have a match with Patriarch Bodhidharma.”

Chen Tuan couldn’t help but wonder, “Oh? Who is this Daoist friend of yours? He is actually skilled in martial arts and can compete with Bodhidharma?”

When everyone heard Unibrow speak like this, they didn’t think he was exaggerating. After all, they were among immortals who highly prized their own reputation and wouldn’t speak falsely to their own detriment. Patriarch Bodhidharma’s martial arts had reached a level unparalleled in the world, with few rivals. He had attained a state of enlightenment, and yet Unibrow was talking about someone battling Bodhidharma in fist techniques.

“My friend is from the Wudang Sect. He came with me earlier but got held up because he found some good liquor; this friend of mine treats drinking like his life, and isn’t happy without alcohol. Daoist Brother, do not worry; with him delayed for this while, he should be arriving soon,” Unibrow Daoist said with a smile to Chen Tuan.

Daoist Equal to Heaven thought to himself, “Could it be that person?”

Patriarch Bodhidharma smiled and said, “In that case, this monk will wait and see which real person of the Taoist Sect can compare their fist technique with this monk.”

Everyone cursed in their hearts, calling Patriarch Bodhidharma cunning. Unibrow Daoist hadn’t even mentioned that the next competition would be about fist techniques, yet this fellow had already brought it up, leaving no option but to proceed with it. Indeed, the old are more crafty. Patriarch Bodhidharma truly was both astute and cunning! Fittingly so, for how could he have created matchless martial arts without unparalleled wisdom? Both Shemoteng and Zhufalan were also extremely intelligent; their Buddhist Law was sufficient for True Fruition, yet they lacked worldly experience and seemed weaker regarding certain matters.

“Your Majesty, please wait a little longer, my Daoist friend will be here shortly,” Unibrow Daoist said with a smile to Liu Zhuang.

The Son of Heaven replied, “If that’s the case, then I and my ministers shall wait for that True Person. Daoist Priest, do not worry.”

Unibrow Daoist expressed his gratitude, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

After a short while, someone came singing a poem loudly.

The poem read:

Bridge opposite to the courtyard, willows facing the flooded bay,

When brightly shines the moon at night, half the gate is closed away.

Riding a crane, returning late to the cave, with quiet zither do I play.

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In the stillness, sitting with the clouds, a tranquil companion to my lay.

In search of fire to refine elixir, no vacant stove is found,

In pursuit of herbs to seek the immortals, such wonderful mountains abound.

With water gourds hung high on trees, the man remains unseen, so long unwound,

Where dust and clamor cease, the bubbling stream is the only sound.

The assembled immortals, upon hearing it, couldn’t help but admire inwardly. Just from listening to this poem, one could tell the newcomer must be a morally elevated person!

Yet, Daoist Equal to Heaven quietly thought, “This Daoist is quite remarkable! This poem could even be sung in reverse.”

Indeed, it went like this:

Where the babbling stream’s sound ceases the dust and clamor,

The man high on the tree, has long been hidden, his water gourd hanging.

On the splendid mountain, immortals are sought, the herbs are the gathering,

An empty stove finds no fire, the alchemist’s quest for an elixir burning.

With quiet zither playing, sitting alongside drifting clouds,

Late from the cave, returning, the crane is guided afar.

When the bright moon lights half the night, the gate is partway barred,

Opposite the courtyard, by the bridge, the willows face the bay marred.

This Daoist was indeed a person of incredible talent. Even Liu Zhuang, who was moved by the poem alone, believed so, yet he was greatly surprised when he saw the newcomer. There, upon the clouds, a Daoist rode, heading their way. This Daoist wore a blue Taoist robe stained with dirt, his feet in Yin-Yang Shoes, staggering as he went—one swaying step, then two wavering moves—seeming as if he might fall off the cloud at any moment, prompting worry among the onlookers.

Daoist Equal to Heaven thought to himself, “Indeed, it’s him.”

The arrival was none other than the Sect Leader of Wudang, Zhang Junshi. This Zhang Junshi kept a low profile, his behavior untidy; he loved to wander, and among the people of the immortal realm, he wasn’t too famous. He would only become prominent in later generations, where he, as Zhang Sanfeng, would pass on the Way of the Dao, achieving Tai Chi and glorifying Wudang. At the age of one hundred and forty, he would ascend to immortality in broad daylight, gaining widespread renown. Which cultivator wouldn’t know of Zhang Sanfeng?

Zhang Junshi descended from the cloud, holding his liquor gourd, and greeted the Son of Heaven with a bow, saying, “I am the Sect Leader of Wudang, Zhang Junshi. I have seen His Majesty, the Great Han Emperor.”

If Zhang Junshi had come in such a state normally, Liu Zhuang would surely be very displeased, given the Daoist’s slovenliness, his disheveled hair, and his drunken stupor. Had Liu Zhuang not found the preceding poem agreeable, he might have mistaken this man for a beggar. However, Liu Zhuang was still somewhat dissatisfied with the Daoist’s unruly appearance and did not offer him a seat, simply nodding without showing any emotion.

Zhang Junshi didn’t seem embarrassed at all; he turned to greet everyone with a bow and then settled down on the spot, uncorking his liquor gourd and starting to drink.

Daoist Equal to Heaven, somewhat aware of this man’s capabilities, didn’t mind the strong smell of alcohol on him. Leaving his cushion, he sat next to him on the ground.

Upon being spotted, Zhang Junshi looked at him and asked, “Would you like a drink?”

Daoist Equal to Heaven found this man’s straightforward temperament amusing and laughed heartily. He took the gourd and drank from it, exclaiming, “Meat and wine pass through the bowels, the Dao dwells within the heart. Splendid indeed!”

Indeed, carved on the gourd were the words, “Meat and wine pass through the bowels, the Dao dwells within the heart.” Zhang Junshi was truly unrestrained and unconventional, worthy of the reputation “Slovenly Taoist.”

To find out what happens next, please tune in to the next chapter.