Chapter 106: Obstruction

(Scarce as tickets during the Spring Festival rush—truly, one cannot compare to the masters. Best to wash up and sleep…)

The bustling streets, the teeming crowds, the seemingly identical cries of vendors—it was impossible to discern north from south, east from west amidst the throng. Joanna suddenly realized she was lost. She had run in such haste that she could not recall the name of the inn where she had stayed, nor the street she had come from. Thus, she was utterly unable to find anyone to ask for directions.

Suzhou city was indeed vast…

Joanna’s thoughts drifted to her father’s earnest words: “My dear Joanna, how vast the world is. The realm of mortals is always a world of men; that is why we must take human form, learn human speech, master human writing, and understand books and propriety. Only then can we live well in this world. Otherwise, without reading or reason, even if one opens their spiritual senses and gains wisdom, even if one attains great power, at heart one remains a beast, a creature that consumes raw flesh and drinks blood.”

Echoing in her ears was also Chen Jianchen’s admonition: “Heaven is vast, earth is vast, but reason is the greatest…” Many matters, indeed, cannot be resolved by mere fists alone.

Take now, for instance: although Joanna could employ a special escape technique to return home directly, such a grand spell would surely draw attention and reveal her true identity. If that happened, whether she and her father could continue residing in Huzhuang would be in serious doubt.

Though impulsive, Joanna knew some fundamental principles must be respected.

Thus, standing on the lively street corner, she felt like a solitary leaf adrift on a vast river, uncertain where to go; like a child lost and bewildered, she looked around helplessly.

Suddenly, within her line of sight appeared a young monk clad in white—

Among the thousands upon thousands of pedestrians—men and women, old and young, tall and short, fat and thin, all manner of people—when the white-robed monk appeared, it was as if all others vanished, as if they never existed. Only this one figure remained, holding a Zen staff in one hand and a begging bowl in the other, striding elegantly forward as if his feet never touched the dust.

Joanna’s pupils constricted sharply, as if pricked by needles, sensing an unprecedented danger—as if a hawk had fixed its gaze upon her, every hair on her body standing on end.

At that moment, a cold sweat broke out, and she felt as if she might reveal her true form and flee in panic at any second.

“Bodhi is not a tree, the bright mirror is not a stand; my eyes penetrate heaven and earth, truth is everywhere…”

The Dawn Monk looked at the small fiery red fox not far off, a smile playing on his lips that could beguile the masses.

A faint hum came from the begging bowl resting in his left palm. But passersby did not notice that the bowl had floated three inches from his hand, spinning fiercely, as though about to fly out and envelop Joanna within.

Just then, someone suddenly dashed in front of the fox spirit, blocking its path—impossible! This person was strange indeed, managing to withstand my Seventh-turn True Eye?

The Dawn Monk frowned, golden light flashing suddenly in his eyes.

The golden light was formless, forming a circle that transformed into a golden cymbal, which swiftly flew through the air as if space were nothing, piercing into the opponent’s body in an instant.

Clang!

A sound beyond mortal hearing rang out. From within the opponent’s body leapt a small, translucent sword, pure white as ice, solid yet transparent.

Compared to the golden cymbal, the sword was minuscule, almost negligible. Yet this small sword fearlessly met the cymbal head-on, needing no wielder, plunging straight down.

Puff!

The sword’s light flashed, the golden cymbal shattered, dispersing into nothingness…

Hmm?

The Dawn Monk’s right foot had just stepped forward but now hovered mid-air, remaining suspended for a long while before slowly descending to solid ground.

That was righteous energy, righteous energy transformed into a sword…

It seemed that righteousness had not appeared in this world for many years; unexpectedly, it had now manifested in Suzhou city.

A grave expression settled on the Dawn Monk’s face, his grip tightening on the Zen staff.

Chen Jianchen stepped before Joanna, leaning close to whisper directions back to the inn, telling her to take the carriage home first.

As he spoke, his breath brushed Joanna’s exquisite jade-like ear, and somehow, the little fox spirit’s frantic emotions quickly calmed. Bowing her head, she said nothing and left with nimble steps.

Chen Jianchen watched her depart, then turned to face the approaching monk of unparalleled elegance. Such a striking monk was unlike any he had ever seen, and inwardly he could not help but admire him.

The Dawn Monk came before Chen Jianchen and calmly said, “Benefactor, you have blocked my path.”

Chen Jianchen raised an eyebrow: “Is that so? But as it is said, the Buddhist teachings open the door of expediency widely. What harm is there if this humble man walks this way?”

The Dawn Monk clasped his hands and replied, “You are a scholar who should understand reason. Yet this humble monk perceives that you have strayed down a misguided path. It would be best to turn back before it is too late.”

Chen Jianchen remained unmoved, speaking coolly, “The path of demons and the path of men—I follow my own way. In my heart, this shore is not that shore.”

Hearing this, the Dawn Monk burst into laughter: “A staunch ‘I follow my own path.’ Your resolve is strong, benefactor, yet you do not realize you are already lost, unable to fathom the mysteries of heaven and earth, trapped within your cage. What a pity, what a pity.”

Chen Jianchen smiled faintly: “Different paths do not seek common counsel. The Taoist gate seeks freedom; Buddhism asks only for emptiness. Yet a gentleman and scholar must be resolute and broad-minded.”

The Dawn Monk’s eyes flashed with brilliant light, fixing intently on Chen Jianchen’s face as if to see through him completely. Chen Jianchen met his gaze without flinching, standing firm.

After a moment, the monk’s eyelids drooped, returning to a kindly and compassionate expression. With a sigh, he said, “Very well. Since your mind is made up, this humble monk will open the door of expediency for you. Do as you wish.”

With that, leaning on his Zen staff, he turned and strode off in another direction.

Chen Jianchen exhaled quietly, then suddenly called out loudly to the monk’s retreating figure, “May I ask where you took your vows, Master?”

Without turning his head, the Dawn Monk answered clearly, “This humble monk hails from Jinshan Temple, Dharma name ‘Dawn.’ If you are interested, benefactor, you are welcome to visit the temple for a chat.”

With that, he strode away, disappearing into the crowd.

Jinshan Temple?

After arriving in Suzhou, Chen Jianchen had heard the name several times and had once fancied “fitting the pieces together.” Yet now, seeing the monk in person, it did not quite match his expectations.

The Dawn Monk appeared youthful—surely the result of some art to preserve his appearance—and his spiritual power was unfathomably deep. If a fight were to break out, Chen Jianchen would not be his match.

He watched the Dawn Monk vanish and pondered—forces from all sides were surfacing in turn, and the situation was growing ever more complex. Compared to them, he was still but a frail presence.

After lingering a while longer, Chen Jianchen set off, determined to return to Huzhuang.