Chapter 5: The Passing of Master Hui De and the Flying Bowls Net

  "Not bad! I didn't expect you to achieve so much in just half a year! As your master, I can rest assured now!" Lin Aofeng opened his eyes from meditation and heard Huide's voice.

  "Master!" Lin Aofeng heard Huidi's words and ran to his side with a smile, asking: "Master, I've been practicing Luohan Fist for almost half a year now, isn't it time to teach me something else today?!"

  For half a year, Huide had been familiar with his disciple's mischievous personality and temperament. He smiled slightly and affectionately scratched the tip of his beloved disciple's nose, saying: "You little rascal! Don't worry, Master will teach you all that I know! However, you must lay a good foundation for yourself first! Otherwise, if you learn too much, it'll be like trying to cram too much food into your mouth - it won't digest well!"

  Lin Ao Feng joined his hands together in respect and said: "Disciple understands Master's teachings!"

  Hui De continued to ask: "Can you understand the essence of Shaolin martial arts from Luohan Quan?"

  Lin Aofeng hesitated for a moment before saying, "If one's heart has Buddha, then their fists will have the gods and Buddhas of all heavens; if one's heart does not have Buddha, Shaolin Quan Fa will only be reduced to a lower level, becoming a fierce and violent fist technique that harms both oneself and others."

  Huì Dé stroked his beard, smiling and said: "The child can be taught!" Then Huì Dé's face turned serious, saying: "Watch closely!" After that, Huì Dé took two steps forward and began to practice a set of fist techniques. Lín ào Fēng stood on the side, carefully observing. As he watched, Lín ào Fēng unknowingly followed along and started practicing together with him.

  Lin Aofeng's diligence and cleverness made Huide very satisfied, glad that he had found a worthy successor in the last three years of his life. Time flies like electricity, years pass like songs, and in the blink of an eye, three years have passed. In these three years, Lin Aofeng spent all his time practicing martial arts except for two meetings with his parents.

  "Master, isn't tomorrow the day when my parents come to visit me again?!" Every night was the happiest and most relaxing time for Lin Ao Feng. At this time every day, Lin Ao Feng would sit in a hot medicinal bath, asking his master some questions about the problems he encountered during martial arts practice. But today, looking at his master who sat silently beside him, Lin Ao Feng didn't ask any questions about martial arts.

  Hui De sighed and said, "Feng Er, you have been following me as your master for three years now. In these three years, you have already learned most of my martial arts skills. Now, the only things left are to practice fighting with others and to control your inner energy."

  "Master, what's wrong?!" Lin Ao Feng suddenly remembered the conversation between his master and Master Hui Neng three years ago, and was shocked. He cried out: "Master, are you going to leave me?!"

  Huì Dé was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said: "Foolish child, there is no banquet in the world that does not disperse. The three years of master-disciple relationship between you and me are already the Buddha's blessing to me. Tomorrow, after you see your parents, go to Huìnéng's abbot chamber and wait for me! I have something to entrust to you."

  The next morning, at dawn, Lin Ao Feng finished fetching water and chopping firewood, then followed Hui De to leave their residence and return to Dai Yun Temple.

  "Amitabha!" Master Hui Neng, who had been waiting at the temple gate, saw Hui De and Lin Ao Feng walking from afar with two young monks, and went forward to greet them, saying: "Younger brother, it's been three years since we parted. Now that you've returned today, surely good news is near?"

  Huì Dé nodded and said, "Elder brother, I'm not worried about anything else, just this young apprentice. He's talented and intelligent, I've already taught him everything I can, from now on I hope elder brother will continue to guide him!"

  "Amitabha!" Master Hui Neng recited a Buddha's name, looked at Lin Ao Feng beside him and said: "Younger brother, rest assured! In the coming year, I will teach this child for you!" Then Master Hui Neng instructed two young monks behind him with a few words, and led Hui De and Lin Ao Feng into the temple.

  After dinner, Lin Aofeng reluctantly sent off his parents and came to the door of Master Hui Neng's Zen room according to Hui De's instructions. Just as Lin Aofeng was about to knock on the door, he heard Hui De's voice calling out: "Is that Peak? Come in!"

  Lin Aofeng responded with a sound, pushed the door and walked into the Zen room, saluting Huidi. Huidi gestured for Lin Aofeng to close the door, then took out a book and said: "Feng'er, this records Master's martial arts insights and some martial arts that didn't have time to pass on to you. Hope you study hard after Master leaves, don't disappoint Master."

  Lin Aofeng took over the book and said: "Master, please rest assured! The disciple will not disappoint you!"

  "Trust me!" Huide continued: "Feng'er, tonight at midnight is the time of my death. Let me help you tidy up your meridians for the last time!"

  Lin Ao Feng cleverly nodded and took off his clothes, escaping into the bathtub that had been prepared long ago. After soaking in the medicinal bath for nearly two hours, Lin Ao Feng crawled out of the bathtub, as usual, walked to Hui De's front, sat cross-legged on the cushion, and closed his eyes. If there were any martial arts masters present at this time, they would be extremely surprised, because Hui De was not only combing Lin Ao Feng's meridians but also using her own skills to help Lin Ao Feng open up his meridians, finally using the "topping" method to pass on her lifelong internal strength to Lin Ao Feng.

  Three hours passed in the blink of an eye, and Huide opened his eyes to say to Lin Ao Feng: "Ao Feng, you go out first! The master still has something to say to your Shibo!" Upon hearing Huide's words, Lin Ao Feng stood up, respectfully bowed to Huide, and walked out of the Zen room. Not long after Lin Ao Feng left, Hui Neng Fangzhang walked into the Zen room and said: "Shidi! What are you doing again?!"

  Huì Dé said faintly: "Shī Xiōng! ào Fēng this child, has an excellent innate talent! And most importantly, this child is born with a kind nature and has affinity with the Buddha! If in the future, Shī Xiōng you can lead him into the Buddhist gate, he will definitely become a great virtuous monk of our Buddhist sect!"

  Huìnéng Fāngzhàng sighed and said: "I'm not unclear about it, but..." Before Huìnéng Fāngzhàng finished speaking, Huìdé interrupted: "Elder brother, you're being deluded! People come into this world naked and leave naked. What's the use of these external things? Although I don't travel outside, I'm very clear about the situation outside. I passed on my lifelong skills to Feng'er just to help him struggle for a chance at survival in the future."

  "Amitabha!" Master Hui Neng put his palms together with one hand and said a Buddha's name, then looked at Hui De and said: "It seems that foolish brother is not as good as you!"...

  As the time approached, Lin Aofeng walked into the Chan room and paid his respects to Huidi with three bows and nine knocks. He then sat down on a cushion in front of Huidi. Before long, Master Huineng led nine elderly monks into the Chan room, where they sat around Huidi and began reciting the Diamond Sutra. After finishing one recitation of the Diamond Sutra, Huidi spoke up: "Thank you, fellow masters!" With that, he nodded his head and passed away with a smile on his face.

  Lin Aofeng knelt down and burst into loud sobs. Hearing Lin Aofeng's crying, Hui Neng said softly: "Your master has returned to the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and is serving the Buddha! You don't have to be sad!" Lin Aofeng nodded and said: "Master Fangzhang! Disciple understands!" As he spoke, Lin Aofeng wiped away his tears, but still couldn't help looking at Hui De.

  With the passing of his master, Lin Ao Feng gave the people in the temple an unusual feeling, as if this child had grown up overnight! (Protest! I was originally an adult! I just crossed over!)

  Half a year has passed unknowingly. This winter is colder than usual, with goose feather-like snow falling from the sky. Lin Ao Feng appears in the forest behind the temple every day after finishing his chores, repeatedly practicing his martial arts. On the winter solstice, Lin Ao Feng was practicing his martial arts in the forest as usual. Hui Neng Fang Zang happened to be passing by the edge of the forest and heard the sound of martial arts coming from within. He stopped unconsciously, hesitated for a moment, instructed two young monks, and walked into the forest. Looking at Lin Ao Feng who was fully engaged in his practice, Hui Neng Fang Zang felt a sense of admiration: "This child is truly exceptional! In just three and a half years, he has achieved so much! His future prospects are boundless!"

  After more than ten minutes, Master Hui Neng walked out of the tree. At this time, a little monk ran to Master Hui Neng's face with a letter, panting and saying: "Master! There is a letter for you!"

  Hui Neng took the letter from the side of his body and asked: "Who brought it?"

  The little monk replied: "It was sent by the Lin family!"

  Master Hui Neng was taken aback, opened the letter and read it carefully. After finishing reading the letter, Master Hui Neng said to the young monk: "Tell Lin Ao Feng to come to my Zen room to see me!"

  "Yes!" Xia Shami responded and ran into the forest, while Master Hui Neng quickly returned to the Zen room.

  "Lin Shidi! The abbot is looking for you!" Lin Aofeng, who had just finished his fist, heard the little monk's cry and picked up the clothes placed on the side. He asked while dressing: "Juecheng, do you know what the abbot wants me for?"

  Xiaosha shook her head and said: "I don't know, you'd better go ask Fangzhang yourself!"

  "Alright! I'll go ahead first!" Without waiting for Xia Sha's response, Lin Ao Feng ran out of the forest like a gust of wind...

  "Knock knock knock". Not long after Hui Neng returned to his room, a knocking sound started.

  "Is it Peak child? ! Come in!" Lin Ao Feng, standing outside the door, heard Master Hui Neng's words and pushed open the door to enter the Zen room. He respectfully bowed and said: "Master Shibo, you are looking for me?"

  Huìnéng Fāngzhàng nodded and said: "Fēngér, I just received a letter from your family. In half a year, your father will come to pick you up! I want to ask you, are you willing to stay or follow your father?"

  Lin Ao Feng replied: "Since leaving is staying and staying is leaving, what's the difference between being at home and becoming a monk?! Master Shibo, why do you have to be concerned with these things?!"

  "Hahaha" Master Hui Neng burst into three loud laughs and said, "It seems that I have misjudged you. You are indeed a teachable young one!" Then Master Hui Neng took out a box from his sleeve and continued, "This string of Buddhist beads was given to your master by your grandmaster when he received the precepts. Now, I am passing it on to you on behalf of your master, as a keepsake."

  Lin Aofeng knelt down on the ground, bowed his head to Hui Neng and respectfully received the wooden box, saying: "Thank you, Master Fangzhang!"

  Huìnéng Fāngzhàng smiled slightly and said: "You can go down now!" Lín àofēng respectfully bowed to Huìnéng Fāngzhàng and walked out of the Zen room.