Events

The Shaming of the Duan Zhengchun at the Valley of Ten Thousand Calamities

• In: Chapter 9.
• Venue: The stone hut at the Valley of Ten Thousand Calamities.
• Host: Zhong Wanchou.
• Co-hosts: The 'Four Great Evils', led by the Stranger in Black Duan Yanqing.
• Key Guests: The Emperor Baoding, Duan Zhengchun, Dao Baifeng, Gao Shengtai, the Four Great Bodyguards of Dali.
• Purpose: To bring shame to the Duan Zhengchun by revealing the incestuous relationship between his son and daughter.

Conducted according to the customs of the realm of the rivers and lakes. Attended by individuals from the Central Regions in the north, as well as established names from the martial arts circle of Dali. Included Xin Shuangqing, Zuo Zimu and Ma Wude. Attendees who had heard about the Emperor Baoding's preference for dealing with fellow pugilists according to the customs of the martial arts circle had the fact proven by Baoding's conduct; found themselves admiring the Baoding's humbleness in speech and actions. Concluded when 'the son and daughter of Duan Zhengchun' turned out to be 'the son of Duan Zhengchun and the daughter of Zhong Wanchou', thus bringing shame to Zhong instead (Chapter 9).

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The Visit of Jiumozhi to the Temple of the Celestial Dragon

• In: Chapter 10.
• Venue: The Muni Hall at the Temple of the Celestial Dragon.
• Host: The Abbot Benyin.
• Co-hosts: Kurong, Benguan, Benxiang, Bencan, Benchen (the Emperor Baoding).
• Key Guest: The Great Enlightened Lord of the Wheel Jiumozhi.
• Purpose: To obtain the scrolls of the Phenomenal Swords of the Six Channels, so that they could be made into a burnt offering at Murong Bo's tomb in fulfilment of Murong's last wishes.

Jiumozhi offered three books -- ostensibly hand-written by Murong Bo -- that contained the keys to the 72 Consummate Pugilistic Techniques of Shaolin, the methods through which they should be learnt, as well as the ways of responding to them in battle in exchange for the scrolls of the Phenomenal Swords. In addition, he offered the following conditions:

1. that the Temple of the Celestial Dragon could make and keep a copy of the scrolls of the Phenomenal Swords.
2. that he (Jiumozhi) would have the scrolls sealed as soon as he received them -- i.e. without taking a look at the contents -- take them personally to Murong Bo's tomb and have them burnt.
3. that the Finger of Flower Offerings, the Finger of Pattra Leaf and the Finger of the Formless Raid (from the keys of the 72 Consummate Techniques offered earlier) could be used to corroborate and verify the power of the Single Finger of Positivity.

Then, he performed the Finger of Flower Offerings, the Finger of Pattra Leaf and the Finger of the Formless Raid, ostensibly to gain the trust of Benyin and the other monks, and demonstrate that the Temple of the Celestial Dragon had nothing to lose and many things to gain in giving up the original scrolls of the Phenomenal Swords of the Six Channels.

Benyin rejected Jiumozhi's request after Kurong pointed out the vanity of desiring the pugilistic techniques of another school when the full potential of their own had not been fully realised. However, Jiumozhi used his position as the influential 'Lord of the Laws of Buddhism Who Protects the Country (of Tufan)' to threaten Dali with war if the Temple of the Celestial Dragon refused to hand the scrolls of the Phenomenal Swords over.

Forced to enter into battle with Jiumozhi, the Temple of the Celestial Dragon eventually secured a narrow victory when Kurong launched a last-minute attack with two simultaneous streams of energy from the Shao Shang Sword of the Thumb (see diagram below).

Then, Jiumozhi re-attacked with another burst of palm-based energy, sending two streams each towards Kurong and the 'Ben' monks from different directions. The 'Ben' monks responded with energy streams that came from their entire palms while Kurong continued using the Shao Shang Sword from both of his thumbs.

Knowing that Jiumozhi was too strong a pugilist for the Temple of the Celestial Dragon, Kurong had the scrolls of the Phenomenal Swords burnt to ashes with the energy from the Single Finger of Positivity. A deep enmity formed between the Temple of the Celestial Dragon and Jiumozhi.

As he rose to leave, Jiumozhi grabbed Benchen (a.k.a. the Emperor Baoding) as a hostage. After Benchen broke free with Duan Yu's help, a battle between Jiumozhi and Duan Yu ensued. Then, Jiumozhi grabbed Duan Yu, sealed the doorway of Muni Hall with an invisible net of energy, broke two pillars and fled.

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