3

    The Sound of the Khakkhara

    Little Chen Hu Lang followed his father, arms full of budding lotuses for venerating the compassionate Bodhisattva who cared for all humanity.

    Chen Hu Lang was the youngest son of the Heaven and Earth Sect.

    "Hu Lang," the eldest son lifted Chen Hu Lang, leading him into the expansive temple crowded with diverse people.

    Chen Hu Lang observed the monks in navy blue robes with great interest, a color of robes he had never seen before. His father leaned in to whisper,

    ‘This temple was built by Bodhisattva Chu Li Nong, and you will not see monks in navy blue robes in any other temple except here.’

    ‘Bodhisattva Chu Li Nong,’ Chen Hu Lang's eyes sparkled. His mother had told him tales of Bodhisattva Chu Li Nong, and the little boy greatly admired him, which was why his father specifically brought him here to pay respects.

    The second brother laughed, gently patting Chen Hu Lang's head, ‘Little Hu Lang, pay good respects to Chu Li Nong. You'll be strong like your brothers because he is a Bodhisattva who excels in martial arts more than anyone else in the martial world.’

    ‘Um!’ Chen Hu Lang was excited, his sharp eyes, like those of a fox, reflecting the scene inside the temple. Disciples from various sects came to seek blessings to be strong, while praises echoed in every direction.

    The biography of Bodhisattva Chu Li Nong was a favorite story among all children.

    Chu Li Nong, a nobleman's son who tragically lost his family to a fierce storm in his youth, had to work diligently to survive. He learned swordsmanship by stealthily watching training sessions from behind the walls of a school. With his abundant talent, Chu Li Nong mastered the sword and also excelled in controlling magic.

    Chu Li Nong used his skills to hunt and participated in dueling contests, winning accolades that embarrassed disciples of every sect, as he had no sect backing him.

    Many sects sent their best to assassinate Chu Li Nong, but he survived every attempt. After many decades, Chu Li Nong wished to become a monk, but no temple would accept him.

    No one knew the reason for his ordination; everyone only knew that Chu Li Nong was targeted by all sects. Which temple would dare to let him ordain?

    That's why Chu Li Nong decided to shave his head and establish his own temple, abandoning the sword to take up the khakkhara, committing himself to perform meritorious deeds, wearing navy blue robes unlike any other temple as a signature.

    Even though Chu Li Nong considered himself a monk, enemies still sought to take his life in the sacred temple, forcing him to defend himself with the khakkhara.

    When the khakkhara was drenched in bright red blood, the nickname Meng Si Zhang was born, symbolizing the khakkhara's ferocity in Chu Li Nong's hands.

    ‘I wish to have a nickname like Meng Si Zhang,’ Chen Hu Lang smiled broadly.

    The eldest son chuckled, ‘You are not even a monk; who would give such a name?’

    ‘But I want to be like Bodhisattva Chu Li Nong...’

    Chen Hu Lang stopped speaking, his eyes gleaming as they reflected the image of a large statue in the open courtyard. Offerings of fruits, flowers, and tea were neatly arranged on a table before the golden statue.

    The golden statue, modeled after the abbot who had passed away and reincarnated as a Bodhisattva nearly a thousand years ago, had a face more beautiful than any in the martial world, almost unbelievable as human. The replica khakkhara stood proudly, glittering in the sunlight.

    Chen Hu Lang's heart raced, ‘So beautiful...’

    The replica of Bodhisattva Chu Li Nong momentarily transfixed the young boy.

    The master of the Heaven and Earth Sect pushed the young boy forward, allowing Chen Hu Lang to easily place the lotuses from his arms onto the offering table.

    Chen Hu Lang clenched his lips tightly, offering all the lotuses to Bodhisattva Chu Li Nong without making any wishes.

    “Won’t you make a wish, little Hu Lang?” the second son asked in a clear voice.

    Chen Hu Lang shook his head sharply, turning to bury his face in his father’s arm, his cheeks flushing a soft red, endearing enough that his older brother couldn't resist pinching his cheeks teasingly.

    ‘Father, I want to pay respects to Bodhisattva Chu Li Nong.’

    After that day, Chen Hu Lang would always plead with his father to take him to venerate Bodhisattva Chu Li Nong. His father, being the master of the Heaven and Earth Sect, didn’t have much free time. If his eldest son didn’t accompany Chen Hu Lang to pay respects, Chen Hu Lang would sulk almost all day.

    Eventually, the master of the Heaven and Earth Sect gave Chen Hu Lang a statue of Bodhisattva Chu Li Nong as a birthday present, which greatly delighted the boy.

    Everyone in the Heaven and Earth Sect knew how much Chen Hu Lang adored Bodhisattva Chu Li Nong.

    “I offer these flowers to you.”

    The statue of Bodhisattva Chu Li Nong was placed in Chen Hu Lang's bedroom. The boy would bring fresh lotus flowers every day and place them at the base of the statue, like a little fox bringing food to its master.

    “You look as majestic as ever today.”

    Chen Hu Lang repeated this routine daily, waking up early to offer lotus flowers and staring dreamily at the statue until he fell asleep.

    ‘Will I have a chance to be reborn in Sukhavati like you?’

    The young boy would talk to the carved stone statue, smiling broadly without ever growing tired.

    ‘I wish to meet you one day.’

    Chen Hu Lang never asked for anything from Bodhisattva Chu Li Nong. He thought that if he ever had the chance to be reborn in the Land of Sukhavati, he would make his requests in person to Chu Li Nong.

    But life did not always proceed as humans desire.

    Everything that Chen Hu Lang had planned fell apart the next day.

    ‘Take Hu Lang and hide!’

    The master of the Heaven and Earth Sect shouted, ordering his wife to take their youngest son and escape through the back of the sect.

    Outside, the residence was besieged by enemies from various sects since noon, the clouds obscuring the sun like imminent rain.

    ‘Mother! You must escape!’ The eldest son drew his sword as every door was smashed open by attackers.

    Chen Hu Lang’s eyes widened as he watched his father and brothers fight the invaders. His mother carried him towards the back of the sect, but the young boy struggled and slipped from his mother’s arms.

    ‘Chen Hu Lang!’ The wife of the sect’s master screamed.

    ‘Ugh!’ Chen Hu Lang ran frantically into his bedroom amid the clash of swords. His second brother, panicked, quickly intervened to protect Chen Hu Lang.

    ‘Little Hu Lang! Why aren’t you escaping!’

    At this moment, the martial world was in turmoil, fearing the Heaven and Earth Sect for the prowess of its master's dangerous sons. If not eliminated early, they would pose a grave threat in the future.

    Every sect sent their best to exterminate the Heaven and Earth Sect.

    The eldest brother gritted his teeth, emitting a wave of energy that enveloped his body, effortlessly fighting off numerous enemies at once, far stronger than the finest warriors of other sects.

    The situation was still not disadvantageous.

    Bang!

    Chen Hu Lang made it into his bedroom, his innocent face covered in sweat. He knelt before the statue of Bodhisattva Chu Li Nong.

    ‘Please help save my family!’

    This was the first time Chen Hu Lang asked for a blessing from Bodhisattva Chu Li Nong.

    ‘I beg you,’ Chen Hu Lang wept, ‘please help save my family.’

    The Heaven and Earth Sect had done nothing wrong, like Chu Li Nong's past, who was assassinated by humans simply because he was too strong for the disciples of all sects to bear. Chen Hu Lang believed his request would be effective; Bodhisattva Chu Li Nong would surely sympathize with him...

    Clang!

    When Bodhisattva Chu Li Nong granted blessings to humans,

    Clang, clang,

    Then the rings on his khakkhara would clash, echoing majestically, signifying that Bodhisattva Chu Li Nong had swung his khakkhara and bestowed his blessings.

    ‘Ta…Thank you!’ Chen Hu Lang smiled through his tears.

    The little boy stood up, intending to run out of the room, but the door was broken down from the outside just then, along with the bloodied body of his second brother crashing against the bed, severely wounded.

    ‘Brother!’ Chen Hu Lang's face turned pale.

    ‘Ha... little Hu Lang,’ his brother lacked the strength to open his eyes to see his youngest sibling, ‘Run... Chu Li Nong... didn't save... us.’

    Chen Hu Lang teared up, turning to look outside the door.

    Swoosh.

    A sharp sword, glowing with a brilliant golden light, pierced through the chest of the master of the Heaven and Earth Sect. Enemies from different sects laughed sinisterly, their swords glowing with the blessings of Bodhisattva Chu Li Nong.

    The body of the master of the Heaven and Earth Sect fell to the ground, and the man who took his life said mockingly, "Sorry, little one, Bodhisattva Chu Li Nong has blessed us, not you."

    Clang!

    "Wa...Why is this happening?" Chen Hu Lang collapsed to his knees.

    Clang!

    The sound of the rings on the khakkhara continued, but the brilliant golden light enveloped the enemies' weapons, not the people of the Heaven and Earth Sect. The eldest son of the Heaven and Earth Sect soon found himself at a disadvantage and met the same fate as his father.

    Bodhisattva Chu Li Nong did not bestow blessings on Chen Hu Lang but on the enemies who carried a flag that was the likeness of Bodhisattva Chu Li Nong.

    They had prayed for victory over the Heaven and Earth Sect.

    ‘Arghhh!’ Chen Hu Lang screamed in pain.

    The corpses scattered around the Heaven and Earth Sect were all people Chen Hu Lang loved.

    Clang!

    And then, the only surviving boy of the Heaven and Earth Sect grew to hate the sound of the clashing rings on the khakkhara, so much so that he had to cover his ears with both hands.

    Clang!