Chapter 182 — Heaven's Wrath
The Sword Questions the Heavens · Page 6 of 6
After a long while, Master Pu Cheng said slowly, "The Wordless Jade Wall is the supreme treasure of our Fan Yin Temple's sacred ground, and a relic of the Buddha handed down from our founding patriarch. That it was destroyed this time by the heavenly punishment is wholly due to my own private folly. I have resolved that once this Benefactor Zhang wakes, I shall resign the abbacy before the assembled monks of the temple, and from then on face the wall in meditation upon the Buddha's truth, to atone for my transgression."
Fa Cheng's face changed greatly, and he cried in alarm, "Master, you—how can you speak so? This was not your fault!"
Master Pu Cheng shook his head and said, "What your uncles said is right. Out of gratitude that Benefactor Zhang dispelled the vengeful malice of the spirit of my junior brother Pu Zhao's dharma body, I made a rash decision, and in my presumption sought to deliver him through the Buddha's law upon this sacred ground.
That this drew down the heavenly punishment and destroyed the Jade Wall is truly my transgression. Only..."
Here he broke off, smiled faintly, and said to Fa Cheng, "Only I have never once regretted it. Do you know why?"
Fa Cheng shook his head in silence.
Master Pu Cheng smiled and said, "That day, when the heavenly punishment came crashing down, this Benefactor Zhang by rights had no chance of survival—yet the Wordless Jade Wall withstood it of its own accord, and saved this young benefactor. Why it should be so, none of us know; but the Jade Wall has a spirit, and there must be some reason it would not see Benefactor Zhang die beneath the heavenly punishment, and so it acted. Since even the Jade Wall did thus, it is clear that what I did was not wrong. So though the destruction of the Jade Wall is indeed my fault, and I mean to beg forgiveness for it, in my heart I do not regret it in the least."
Fa Cheng clenched his teeth, raised his head, and called out, "Master..."
Master Pu Cheng patted his shoulder, consoled him a few words with a smile, then walked to Ming Li's bedside and studied him closely for a while. He nodded and said, "His color seems much improved. Unless something unforeseen occurs, I judge he will wake within a few days. You must tend him well."
Fa Cheng pressed his palms together and said, "Rest assured, Master."
Master Pu Cheng nodded, cast one more glance at Ming Li, and turned to go out.
But just as he was about to step through the doorway, Ming Li's body suddenly stirred upon the meditation bed, and a low groan escaped his lips.
Fa Cheng started, and said joyfully, "Master, he seems to be waking!"
Master Pu Cheng was overjoyed. He hurried over and sat down on the edge of Ming Li's bed. Under the gaze of master and disciple alike, Ming Li's eyes moved faintly, and at last slowly opened.