In the humble courtyard, much like the one outside, there stood a simple house nestled against the mountainside. A narrow path of bluish bricks led to the door, with wild grass growing on either side. It seemed that no one had taken the time to tend to it, and many parts had already been overtaken by the untamed growth. Unlike the outside meditation chamber, this door was adorned with a heavy, black curtain, and apart from this entrance, there were no other windows or exits.
Griel looked at the unremarkable little cottage, his throat parched and his hands involuntarily clenching. He turned to look at Master Puhong, whose face was also a complex mix of emotions—regret, pain, and a myriad of other feelings too deep to express. Puhong was also staring at the small entrance, lost in thought.
For a moment, no one spoke. The silence was broken only by the low chirping of unseen insects in the grass, calling out as if trying to say something.
After a long while, Master Puhong let out a soft sigh and said, “Let us go inside.”
Griel’s muscles twitched, and he whispered, “Alright.”
Master Puhong slowly approached, pulled back the black curtain, and pushed open the door with a creak. The sound came from the hinges, a sign that the door had not been opened for a long time, and it was heavy and melancholic.
A sudden wave of cold air rushed out from the room, and even though Griel was still standing outside, the chill struck him so hard that he shivered despite his formidable cultivation. The tiny house seemed to be the coldest place on earth.
Griel frowned, hesitating, when Master Puhong’s voice called out from behind the curtain, “Young master, come in.”
Taking a deep breath, Griel shook his head, pulled back the curtain, and stepped inside.
The curtain slowly fell, and the door creaked shut, plunging the small courtyard into quiet once more. Fa Xiang’s figure appeared from the front, gazing at the plain and unadorned cottage, chanting softly and bowing respectfully, his face solemn and reverent.
******
As the curtain dropped and the wooden door closed, the room was instantly plunged into darkness due to the lack of windows.
The bone-chilling cold surged in from all directions, like countless icy needles piercing the skin. Griel, who had just recovered from a severe illness, shivered uncontrollably, but he was no ordinary man. After a few moments of channeling his inner true force, he gradually adapted. Even so, the cold, although unable to penetrate his body, was still intensely uncomfortable.
This little cottage on Mount Sumeru seemed colder than the harshest frozen lands in the far north.
Griel was stunned, and just as he was in a state of bewilderment, he heard Master Puhong’s voice, low and filled with emotion, say, “Little brother, we have come to see you. This person, you have wanted to meet for a long time, have you not?”
His voice was deep and filled with a strange sentiment, and the cold in the room suddenly intensified, almost to the point of freezing one’s blood. Then, a faint light, white with a hint of silver, began to glow from the end of the room, where Puhong and Griel stood.
The light was gentle and snow-like, first appearing as a single beam, then gradually brightening along the edges until another silver glow appeared, blending with the first. More and more beams of light followed, gradually forming a circular shape about a foot in diameter.
The light was soft and pure, white as snow, and did not rise more than a foot high. At its peak, it seemed to transform into tiny snowflakes, or perhaps white fireflies, gently dancing and slowly falling, creating a dreamlike scene.
As the light gradually merged and grew brighter, a soft, melodious sound echoed through the room. The white light flared, instantly illuminating the entire space.
In that moment, Master Puhong bowed his head and chanted the name of the Buddha, while Griel felt as if his blood had frozen, leaving him without any warmth, and even his heartbeat seemed to pause. He stood there like a rigid pillar of ice, staring dumbfoundedly at the depths of the light, his mind completely blank except for one word reverberating:
Puzhi!
The brilliant, snow-like light emitted from a pure white, jade-like disc, exuding a chilling cold. And on that foot-wide disc, sitting cross-legged, was the very person who had changed Zhang Xiaofan’s life forever, and left an indelible mark on the heart of the current Griel—Puzhi.
From afar, Puzhi’s face was vivid, although his skin was deathly pale, devoid of any vitality. Yet, upon closer inspection, there were no signs of decay. He was still the kind and benevolent old monk from Zhang Xiaofan’s memory, unchanged except for a subtle hint of suffering in his expression.
Except for his body.
Somehow, Puzhi’s body had shrunk by half, allowing him to sit on the pure white, cold jade disc. The frigid air in the room, and the absence of ice blocks, suggested that this rare treasure was the cause. And naturally, it was also due to this precious item that Puzhi’s remains had been preserved for so long.
But Griel could think of none of this. The sight of the compassionate and serene monk seated on the jade disc, deeply etched in his heart for over a decade, was unforgettable.
Was it hate?
Was it gratitude?
His mind was a whirlwind of emptiness, and then a tempest of thunder and lightning, with countless pains and grudges flooding his heart!
That kind monk, who had saved his life, taught him the true way, and treated him like a son, was also the same monk who had ruined his life, causing him endless suffering and torment.
The tangled web of hatred and gratitude, which he had thought would stay in his heart, was now before him again.
Griel, overwhelmed, nearly lost his balance, dizzy and disoriented, and stumbled to the side. At that moment, a warm hand reached out to steady him, accompanied by the familiar aura of the Buddhist true force, the Great Vajra Prajna, which flowed from that hand, calming the turbulent blood in Griel’s veins.
“Amida Buddha, young master, do not be too agitated. Take care of yourself,” Master Puhong’s calm voice came from beside him.
Griel snapped out of his daze, gritted his teeth, took a deep breath, and released Puhong’s hand, standing upright again. But his gaze never left Puzhi’s face. In the dim light, the suffering on Puzhi’s serene face seemed even deeper.
Master Puhong, observing Griel carefully, saw the young man’s face twist with pain and sorrow in the dim light. At that moment, Griel was no longer the infamous demon of the Cult of Evil, but just a tormented mortal, like the boy he had once been.
He sighed softly, his eyes heavy, and turned to look at Puzhi. Walking forward, he gazed intently at Puzhi’s face and said in a low voice, “Little brother, I have fulfilled your final wish. I, your elder brother, was powerless to save you in the past. As you once said, evil deeds lead to evil consequences, and one must bear the burden of their own sins. May you let go of your past transgressions and be reborn, Amida Buddha!”
He clasped his hands in respect, bowed to Puzhi’s remains, and then walked straight out, pausing at the door to say, “Young master, I believe you wish to spend some time alone with Puzhi. I will be in the meditation chamber ahead. If you need anything, come find me.”
Griel did not respond, as if he had not heard. His eyes were fixed solely on Puzhi in the dim light.
Master Puhong sighed, pulled back the curtain, and stepped out. The room fell silent once more.
Griel slowly, hesitantly, moved his feet, inching closer to Puzhi. He seemed to fear something, uncertain and unsure. Despite his deep-seated hatred, he felt a profound sorrow rising within him.
The figure sat quietly, devoid of any life, yet it seemed as if he was waiting for something, his face marked with both pain and longing.
Griel slowly approached, his fists clenching, nails digging into his flesh, but he eventually relaxed. Feeling weak and helpless, he silently sank to the floor before Puzhi, sitting there in silence.
The dim light flickered, casting shadows on the two figures!
Time seemed to stand still in the room, sometimes flowing backward, sometimes jumping forward, but the hearts of the two remained unchanged.
One heart still beating, the other now silent.
******
* * *
The morning bell tolled again, echoing across every corner of Mount Sumeru, awakening people from their dreams and carrying them away from the mundane world.
Outside the small temple on the summit, there was a knock on the door of the meditation chamber.
Master Puhong raised his eyebrows, then shook his head and sighed, “Is that you, Fa Xiang? Come in.”
Fa Xiang entered, bowed to Master Puhong, and said with a hint of concern, “Master, it has been a full day and night, and Zhang Shizhu has not yet come out.”
Master Puhong shook his head, “The karma of past lives and the enmities of this life are not easily resolved or let go.”
Fa Xiang clasped his hands, “Yes.” He then frowned and asked, “Master, I am worried about the ‘Jade Ice Disc’ in the cottage. Although it preserves Uncle Puzhi’s body, the extreme cold is harmful to most people. And Zhang Shizhu, who is still recovering from serious injuries and is in great emotional turmoil, might suffer lasting harm. How can we face Uncle Puzhi’s last wishes?”
Master Puhong said calmly, “It is alright. Yesterday, I used the Great Vajra Prajna to protect his vital energy, and with his own cultivation, the cold should no longer be a threat.”
Fa Xiang breathed a sigh of relief, “I understand, Master. I am relieved.”
Master Puhong nodded, looking at Fa Xiang, “I see that you are very concerned about Zhang Shizhu. Though it was due to your Uncle Puzhi’s last request, it seems you have a special regard for him.”
Fa Xiang smiled, “Master, indeed so.” He then sighed, “Since the first time I met Zhang Shizhu, ten years have passed. During this time, my understanding of Buddhism may have improved slightly, but my life has remained largely unchanged. Only Zhang Shizhu, with his tumultuous life of joy and sorrow, has experienced every kind of suffering as described by the Buddha.”
Master Puhong nodded, clasping his hands and chanting softly.
Fa Xiang continued, “I have often pondered his life, imagining the pain and suffering he has endured. My understanding of Buddhism is not deep, and I have felt fear. The Buddha says that the body is but dust, and the real importance lies in the heart. When I think of Zhang Shizhu’s difficult life, I truly admire his resilience.”
Fa Xiang suddenly knelt before Master Puhong. Puhong was taken aback, “Why are you doing this?”
Fa Xiang said, “Master, my cultivation is shallow, and I feel compassion for Zhang Shizhu. I beg you to use your great powers to guide him, to help him escape the torment of his mind. This would be a great act of mercy, pleasing to heaven and a comfort to the deceased Uncle Puzhi. Please, Master, show mercy!”
He kowtowed three times.
Master Puhong sighed, “Foolish child! Your words show a violation of the precept against anger. Furthermore, it is not that I do not want to help him. He has endured much hardship, and his heart is now as firm as a rock. The path to enlightenment is in his heart, and it is not something we can force. It is up to him to decide whether to return to the sea of suffering or to the land of bliss.”
Fa Xiang slowly rose, his face showing disappointment, “Yes, Master, I understand.”
Master Puhong thought for a moment, “Go and check on him. Although the cold in the room should not be a problem, a day and night without food or water is not good for him.”
Fa Xiang agreed, steadied himself, and headed for the door. As he opened it, he was startled to see a figure standing outside, bathed in sunlight from behind, making the face shadowy and indistinct.
Startled, Fa Xiang took a step back and realized it was Griel, who had arrived silently. Griel looked pale, his eyes red-rimmed, as if he had not slept all night.
Seeing Fa Xiang, Griel’s lips moved, and he nodded slowly. Fa Xiang returned the gesture, and Griel stepped inside, standing opposite Master Puhong.
Master Puhong, as usual, was seated on the meditation bed, holding a rosary, turning it in his hands. Seeing Griel hesitate, he said calmly, “Fa Xiang, bring a chair for our guest, and sit down as well.”
Fa Xiang fetched a chair for Griel and sat down beside him.
Master Puhong, after a moment of silence, said, “If you have any questions, ask them now.”
Griel’s gaze was uncertain, and it seemed his heart was still in turmoil. After a while, he said in a low voice, “Why did your temple save me?”
Master Puhong clasped his hands, “Every effect has a cause. Your hardships today are the result of the seeds sown by my younger brother Puzhi. Therefore, we could not abandon you in your time of need.”
Griel snorted, “Aren’t you afraid that the Green Cloud Sect will turn against you?”
Master Puhong smiled, “We are.”
Griel was surprised by the straightforward answer, “Then why did you…?”
Master Puhong shook his head, “The Green Cloud Sect and our temple have a long-standing friendship, and our ancestors have always advised us to maintain it. That is why I instructed them to disguise you in black robes and secretly bring you here.”
Griel sneered, “What if they discovered your tracks?”
Master Puhong said, “I had them conceal their tracks for the sake of peace between the sects. But if it were to happen, we would have no choice but to confront them to save you.”
Griel stared at Master Puhong, “Why did you go to such lengths to save me?”
Master Puhong fell silent, and Griel did not press further, just continued to stare. After a long pause, Master Puhong sighed, “Do you want to know what happened to Puzhi in his final days, after he returned to the temple and until his death?”
Griel’s body tensed, and he could not speak. The pain in his eyes was like a storm raging inside him. Finally, he said in a hoarse voice, “Yes.”
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