Chapter 91: Visitors from Foshan

While Lu Xin and the others were chatting in the room, two monks in plain robes approached the front gate of the Qian residence. One of them was Huijing, the Moonlight Bodhisattva, who had appeared in Yuezhou two years prior. The other was his senior, Huineng, the Sunlight Bodhisattva.

Both were masters from Wujin Buddhist Mountain of the South Sea, experts who had refined the Ziwei Heavenly Fire and entered the realm of returning to simplicity. Yet for both of them to appear now at the gates of the Qian estate—what was their purpose?

The guards at the Qian residence did not recognize the pair, but seeing that they were monks, they did not drive them away with harsh words. The Great Tang Dynasty revered Buddhism, and Emperor Taizong himself was a devout believer, as evidenced by his patronage of Master Xuanzang from the Pure Land Monastery. Thus, the people of Chang’an, regardless of temperament, generally treated monks with courtesy.

“Honored sirs, my master is not at home. If you have any business, you may tell me,” said the head guard, stepping forward to greet them with a Buddhist salute as the monks approached the gate. Though polite, his meaning was clear: the master was away, and they should perhaps take their leave.

Huijing understood the implied dismissal, but merely smiled faintly and stepped forward toward the gate without a word. Strangely, as he smiled, all the guards at the entrance froze in place, unable to move. Only after the two monks had entered did they return to their senses.

“What just happened? I think there were two monks here, but in the blink of an eye, they vanished?” The head guard scratched his head, glanced at the street, then back at the gate, feeling as if something had slipped his mind. But seeing that the others were unconcerned, he shook his head and dismissed it as if nothing had happened.

Almost at the exact moment Huijing and Huineng stepped into the estate, Li Chunfeng, in the eastern wing, suddenly stood up and instructed Lu Xin to pour two fresh cups of tea, saying that guests were about to arrive.

Lu Xin glanced outside but saw no sign of anyone, feeling a strange unease. Yet since his master had spoken, he obeyed. Li Chunfeng watched as Lu Xin finished preparing the tea, nodded with a faint smile, then said to Yue Buhei, “Demon fox, the visitors are not friendly. Go and hide in the inner room for now.”

“Senior?” Yue Buhei was startled, but Li Chunfeng offered no explanation, only urging him to hide quickly. Seeing this, Yue Buhei, his expression odd, retreated into the inner room. As soon as he disappeared, two monks appeared at the end of the corridor. Lu Xin, looking over, nearly dropped the kettle from his trembling hands.

He could still vividly recall Huijing slaughtering Zhou Dian of the Nine Poisons Sect at the mass grave two years before. The very scripture he now practiced, the “Meritorious Earth Burial Sutra,” had been gained at that time. Li Chunfeng had long told him that the foundation of this text originated from Wujin Buddhist Mountain’s superior teaching, the “Earth Treasury Sutra.” For Huijing to appear now could only mean he had come for him.

“Do not be alarmed, my disciple. Serve tea to these two monks. I will handle everything,” Li Chunfeng said, tapping Lu Xin’s forehead before striding out to greet the visitors with a laugh. Huijing and Huineng saw him and stopped in their tracks, momentarily stunned.

“Senior Brother, this man’s cultivation is hidden even from our eyes. As expected of Chang’an, beneath the emperor’s feet, where so many dragons and tigers dwell.”

“The Bodhisattva’s eye perceives all expedient means of sentient beings, yet cannot see all the expedient paths of salvation. Both of us are seeking the Buddha’s eye; there will always be things beyond our sight.”

Huineng’s hands remained joined before him, his expression unmoved as he spoke. Unlike Huijing, whose lips always bore a mysterious smile. After exchanging a few words, Li Chunfeng’s voice called out to them.

“The air is dry, esteemed monks. Since you have come from afar, why not come inside and have a cup of tea first?”

With a gentle smile, Li Chunfeng turned and led the way back into the house. Huijing and Huineng exchanged a glance, then followed. Inside, the two monks did not sit immediately but surveyed the room, their eyes passing over Lu Xin and Wei Qing. When they finished, both frowned, as though things were not as they had expected.

“Disciple, serve tea to our guests,” Li Chunfeng instructed, not minding the monks as he sat down again. Lu Xin brought the tea over. Huijing accepted his cup with a smile but did not drink, instead fixing his gaze on Li Chunfeng. Huineng, however, drained his cup in one gulp and exclaimed, “Sweet and delicious!” as if pleasantly surprised.

This tea was from Lion Peak Mountain, the finest batch produced by Tian Gui’s roasting. From Huineng’s reaction, he had clearly never tasted such tea before, and Lu Xin felt a touch of pride.

“Benefactor, I believe you already know why I have come. Someone has stolen the superior teaching, the Earth Treasury Sutra, from Wujin Buddhist Mountain—a grave threat to our order. The thief, I suspect, is in this very house. You have concealed their presence—why?”

Huijing finally spoke, blunt and direct, wasting no words. Perhaps this was the style of Wujin Buddhist Mountain, but with Li Chunfeng, it would not suffice.

“I have long heard that Wujin Buddhist Mountain has eight Bodhisattvas, yet never had the chance to meet one—let alone two at once in this humble residence. I wonder if this is my fortune or misfortune?”

“You have absorbed the essence of sun and moon and reached the workings of fate—why play games with us? Wujin Buddhist Mountain’s mission is to deliver all beings, but only those with karmic affinity. When we meet ghosts, monsters, or demons, we do not hesitate to use thunderous means and do not abstain from taking lives. Today, you will not be able to shield this person.”

“Well then, let us talk after you have finished your tea. I, Li Chunfeng, am used to traveling alone, without the endless rules of Wujin Buddhist Mountain. But here, only those who have drunk my tea are my guests—anything can be discussed then. If you will not drink, you had best leave at once.”

Huijing saw Li Chunfeng seated as steady as a mountain, inscrutable as ever. Hearing his words, Huijing narrowed his eyes at the tea, hesitating. Huineng, noticing this, coughed twice and chanted a Buddhist invocation.

“Amitabha! This tea, after bitterness, yields sweetness—there is great wisdom in it. As the Buddha delivers all beings, tasting the myriad flavors and emotions of the world, may this tea aid our cultivation. Would you permit me to take some back to Wujin Buddhist Mountain for the benefit of all?”

At these words, not only Lu Xin and the others, but even Li Chunfeng squinted in surprise. Who would have thought a mere cup of tea could elicit such insight from a monk, even linking it to Buddhist practice? Huijing, too, was surprised, and after hearing this, he quickly drank his tea and closed his eyes.

Observing the shifting expressions on Huijing’s face, Lu Xin frowned, various thoughts surfacing in his mind. In modern society, Zen and the Way of Tea are inseparable—one and the same. Among the Four Great Ways of Tea, one is the Buddhist Tea Way.

Buddhists believe tea has “three virtues,” beneficial to monastic cultivation. In the Ming Dynasty, Le Chun’s “The Pure History of the Snow Hermitage” lists the “pure pursuits” of laymen: burning incense, boiling tea, practicing stillness, seeking monks, venerating Buddha, meditating, performing Buddhist rites, reciting sutras, repenting, releasing animals… “Boiling tea” ranks second, even before “venerating Buddha” and “meditation,” showing that “tea and Buddhism are of one flavor.” The two are deeply intertwined.

Though Lu Xin knew nothing of this at the time, nor thought so deeply, he suddenly felt that the monks’ love of tea might have something to do with him.

“After bitterness, sweetness—indeed, fine tea. Benefactor, the tea is finished. Shall we speak of the real matter now?”

“Hahahaha! Excellent. Disciple, come and thank our guests for their mercy!”

As Huijing finished, Li Chunfeng burst into laughter and stood up. Lu Xin promptly stepped before the monks, pressed his palms together, and bowed his head in respect. Huijing’s face darkened; now he looked at the youth and recognized the presence he had detected earlier.

“It was you who used the Red Lotus Great Compassion Seal at Guangde Lane? Twofold mastery in the Void Contemplation Realm—how is that possible!”

Huijing’s face was filled with shock; the anger in his eyes was now replaced by astonishment. Huineng, too, sensed what had happened, his expression dark as he pondered silently.

“My disciple’s cultivation is heaven-sent and has nothing to do with theft. As you have seen, practicing the Earth Treasury Sutra, it is near impossible to perform Wujin Buddhist Mountain’s advanced incantations at the Void Contemplation Realm. While this teaching is related to Wujin Buddhist Mountain, there is another cause and it does not concern my disciple. Since you both have drunk his tea, you have accepted his hospitality—let this matter rest here.”

“Hmph! Benefactor, you set a trap to ensnare us. Do you think Wujin Buddhist Mountain will let this go so easily?”

Huijing flew into a rage, smashing his teacup. Huineng, startled, tried to stop him but was too late. At once, a halo appeared behind Huijing’s head, countless talismans swirling in formation. The power they released shook the entire house. As Huijing began to recite a spell and prepared to strike, the trembling suddenly ceased. Li Chunfeng stepped forward, and immediately the room was filled with golden light so dazzling no one could keep their eyes open.

“This is bad! Brother, this man’s spirit dwells in the celestial realm—we are no match for him, we must go!”

“Hmph! That such a master is hidden in this little residence. Benefactor, Wujin Buddhist Mountain will not be thwarted in its aims by anyone.”

“Hahahaha! Great monk, take the tea leaves, and let us call it even. Now be on your way.”

Blinded by the golden light, nothing could be seen. Lu Xin shielded his eyes, hearing only the exchange between the two monks and Li Chunfeng. After a few moments, the light faded. When Lu Xin opened his eyes, the monks were gone.

“Master, I never imagined that the people of Wujin Buddhist Mountain would pursue me even to Chang’an. I’ve brought you trouble again.”

“It does not matter. What must come will come eventually. And this is only the beginning.”