Chapter Twenty: Raising Pigs
The days passed quietly at Golden Mountain Temple in the absence of Xiao Yan; tranquility reigned, and if not for Li Bai’s recent challenge, the monks might well have gone mad from boredom.
“Have you heard? Li Bai, the world’s foremost sword immortal, has been spending these days in the Sutra Repository…”
“Really? Could it be that the Evil God of Fire Clouds has appeared there?”
“How could that be? I heard he’s consulting Elder Hui Ming about ways to break the Eighteen Arhats Formation.”
“So… Li Bai wants to break the formation as well? For a master like him, shouldn’t that be easy?”
“Probably. Our senior brother nearly succeeded himself.”
…
The method for arranging the Eighteen Arhats Formation had long ceased to be a secret. Golden Mountain Temple was proud of this, never fearing outsiders might unravel its mysteries, and so they never concealed it.
When Li Bai came seeking knowledge, Elder Hui Ming answered candidly.
“According to the manual authored by the first abbot, each of the eighteen arhats has unique strengths and masters a different martial art. They stand in distinct positions, complementing one another… and so create a formation without flaw…” Elder Hui Ming paused here, stroked his white beard, and continued, “Yet, what formation is truly without flaw?”
“So, Elder, you’ve found the way to break it?” Li Bai asked, smiling gently.
Li Bai’s inner thoughts: Another one putting on airs…
“Haha… It’s not difficult. Just days ago, a disciple of our temple studied the books and grasped the method.”
Elder Hui Ming spoke with pride, as if this brought honor to Golden Mountain Temple.
“Oh? Such a clever disciple?” Li Bai’s interest was piqued—perhaps this formidable person might know something about the Evil God of Fire Clouds.
“Yes, his monastic name is Yuan Tong, and his talent is exceptional. He realized that the key to breaking the formation lies in finding its focal point; breaking the focal point breaks the whole formation.” Elder Hui Ming spoke as though Yuan Tong were his own son.
“Hmm?” Li Bai frowned in puzzlement. “But… what is the focal point? How does one find it?”
Li Bai’s inner monologue: You think it’s as easy as finding a sore spot?
“Well…” Elder Hui Ming hesitated, furrowing his brow. After a long pause, he replied, “Heh… One must use their eyes to discover it. If it were so easy, the Eighteen Arhats Formation would be obsolete…”
Li Bai fell silent, feeling this old man before him was merely being cryptic.
“Haha, Yuan Tong attempted to break the formation a few days ago,” Elder Hui Ming continued.
“Did he succeed?”
“Ahem… Almost. With a little more effort, he might manage it.”
“Mm.” Li Bai nodded, pondered for a moment, then asked, “Elder, is there any other method to break the formation?”
Elder Hui Ming shook his head, about to say no, when he seemed to recall something and hesitated.
“Oh? Is there really another way?”
“Ha… The method was proposed by a wayward disciple, far too fanciful and lacking in reason. Best not mention it…” Elder Hui Ming’s face was full of irony.
“Elder, please do share. The more methods we have, the more options to consider.”
---
“This…” Elder Hui Ming hesitated, then finally spoke. “Very well, I fear not ridicule from the sword immortal. The disciple’s name is Xiao Yan. He lacks both talent and virtue, and has yet to receive a monastic name. His method is simply to overcome the weak with strength, haha…”
“Haha…” Li Bai laughed along, then asked, “What does it mean to overcome the weak with strength?”
“He claims that if one masters all eighteen martial arts and wields eighteen types of weapons, each corresponding to the skills of a different arhat, then one can counter them. For example, an arhat who specializes in the Iron Head Technique has a weakness in his lower body, so if I use spear techniques targeting his legs…”
“Hm?” Li Bai’s eyes flashed with interest. “In theory, that’s feasible.”
“Hah… Easier said than done,” Elder Hui Ming shook his head.
“What if there were a single weapon that could substitute for all eighteen?” Li Bai suddenly asked.
Elder Hui Ming pondered, frowning. “Yes… but how could such a weapon exist? Moreover, you may not know that Xiao Yan’s internal strength is only at the third level. How could he practice eighteen martial arts? And how long would it take to master them all? A genius might do it in a year; a fool, ten years and still fail.”
Li Bai nodded in agreement.
Yet, he felt that though the method was somewhat unorthodox, at least it was concrete and tangible…
Li Bai wanted to ask Xiao Yan for more details about breaking the formation, but after questioning nearly every monk in the temple, he found none who knew Xiao Yan’s whereabouts. However, he did hear rumors of Xiao Yan’s attempts at the challenge…
The next day,
Li Bai announced his challenge to the Eighteen Arhats Formation.
The entire Golden Mountain Temple was thrown into chaos.
The world’s foremost master challenging the Eighteen Arhats Formation—such an event was rare in a thousand years and sent the gossip-loving monks into a frenzy.
Furthermore, most of the monks were admirers of Sword Immortal Li Bai. Who didn’t dream of being the best in the world? Usually, they only heard tales of Li Bai’s exploits, but now they could witness his prowess firsthand—it was an opportunity not to be missed.
The Arhat Hall was soon packed.
Zhuge Yixiu was out walking his Howling Sky Dog when he heard the monks rushing to the Arhat Hall to watch the excitement. He immediately scooped up the injured and recuperating Xiao Yan from his quarters, sprinting to secure a good spot.
“Baldy, what are you doing?” Xiao Yan, still swathed in bandages from his injuries, was unable to get out of bed on his own.
He had wanted to relieve himself, thinking Zhuge Yixiu was taking him to the latrine, but this fellow ran faster and faster—the latrine was left far behind.
“Sword Immortal Li Bai is challenging the Eighteen Arhats Formation. I’m taking you to get a prime viewing spot,” Zhuge Yixiu announced proudly.
“What… what does that have to do with me? I need to go…” Xiao Yan grumbled.
“Watching the excitement is far more important. Trust me…”
Zhuge Yixiu ignored Xiao Yan’s protests and used his bald head to barge through the crowd, getting them to a front row seat.
“If you don’t stop, I’ll do it right on your head…”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Why not?”
---
The Arhat Hall’s atmosphere was far more electrifying than during Xiao Yan’s challenge. The entire temple was nearly empty as crowds pressed in, almost bursting the hall’s seams.
Some climbed onto the roof, some perched in trees, some even plunged into the ponds…
“Is this a concert?” Xiao Yan couldn’t help but marvel.
“What’s a concert?” Zhuge Yixiu asked in confusion.
“A concert is when you yell, ‘Friends on the mountaintop, how are you?’”
“What nonsense… That’s ridiculous…” Zhuge Yixiu scoffed.
“Hey, Baldy, did you remember what I asked you to do?”
“What? Oh… you mean delivering fine vegetarian meals to the Eighteen Arhats every day?” Zhuge Yixiu recalled and continued, “I did. But why? Isn’t that just making things easier for them?”
“Heh…” Xiao Yan’s lips curled into a sly smile. “You don’t understand. There’s a strategy called ‘raising pigs’.”
“Huh?” Zhuge Yixiu still looked bewildered.
“To defeat an enemy, you can approach it two ways: either strive to surpass them, or find ways to make them regress,” Xiao Yan explained earnestly.
“Oh… Still don’t get it…” Zhuge Yixiu shook his head, nearly slipping Xiao Yan off his head.
---
When the Eighteen Arhats emerged, Li Bai stared in disbelief.
The Eighteen Arhats had become eighteen fat men…
“Holy… These eighteen are fatter than me…” Zhuge Yixiu exclaimed, then wondered, “Wouldn’t walking be a problem for them now?”
“Ha…” Xiao Yan chuckled, without answering.
“Walking’s hard? Wait… I see! You fattened them up to weaken their fighting ability!” Zhuge Yixiu suddenly grasped the strategy.
“Mm.” Xiao Yan nodded.
“No wonder you keep giving me cured meat… You’re jealous, trying to surpass me…”
Xiao Yan was stunned, unable to speak, overwhelmed by Zhuge Yixiu’s excessive cleverness…
The cured meat was stolen by you, wasn’t it?
---
And so, at that moment, Li Bai’s challenge began.
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