Wan Yu Yuedan turned around and bowed deeply to Puzhu Shangshi. "Today, I have greatly offended Shaolin. Whatever punishment the temple decrees, I, Wan Yu Yuedan, shall bear it alone." Puzhu Shangshi said coldly, "You treated the position of abbot as child's play, tarnishing Shaolin's century-old reputation. Even though you have relinquished the position, according to temple rules, you must still receive the Fire Rod Punishment." Wan Yu Yuedan smiled faintly. "Then please bring forth the Fire Rod."
The so-called "Fire Rod" was a red-hot iron rod. Striking it against the spine would leave a brand with each blow—originally a form of ascetic practice among Shaolin's monks. Wan Yu Yuedan had no martial skills; if the red-hot rod were to strike him, he would likely lose seventy to eighty percent of his life in an instant. The crowd exchanged uneasy glances. Wan Yu Yuedan refused to kowtow to the black-clad men but was willing to endure punishment at Shaolin. Puzhu Shangshi's expression remained unchanged. "Bring the Fire Rod." Immediately, two disciples rushed out of the hall and returned moments later carrying two iron rods, each four feet long and as thick as a child's arm. The rods, coated with some unknown substance, still blazed fiercely, their tips glowing red-hot.
Tie Jing and He Yan'er paled at the sight. Wan Yu Yuedan had no martial skills—if this punishment were truly inflicted upon him and something were to happen, what would become of Azure Fall Palace? Both stood up simultaneously and declared in unison, "Palace Master, let us endure the Fire Rod Punishment in your stead!" Wan Yu Yuedan shook his head. "How can we treat this so lightly before Shaolin's venerable monks?" He knelt before the Vairocana Buddha. "Please proceed with the punishment."
"Carry out the punishment," Puzhu Shangshi commanded. The two disciples swung the Fire Rods in unison. With a whoosh, Wan Yu Yuedan's blue robe shattered into fragments under the rods' impact. The two rods crossed over his back, igniting the flying scraps of cloth but leaving his skin completely unharmed. Everyone watched as flecks of flame scattered downward, revealing Wan Yu Yuedan's pristine, unblemished back. The two Shaolin disciples withdrew the rods and bowed to Puzhu Shangshi with palms pressed together. "The punishment is complete." Puzhu Shangshi nodded for them to withdraw and chanted, "Amitabha. Shaolin's great matter is concluded. This hall will no longer receive guests. All benefactors, please take your leave."
The crowd rose one after another, bidding farewell and departing, each privately reflecting on how extraordinarily eventful today's Abbot Assembly had been. Had they slipped away earlier, they would have regretted it for life. The Azure Fall Palace attendants draped a coat over Wan Yu Yuedan. Holding Yingying's hand, he looked up and exhaled softly. "Let's go. We have a journey ahead tonight." He Yan'er glanced at the little child—the son of the palace maid Yan Xiu. The Palace Master had borrowed him precisely to play the role of Shaolin's young abbot. No wonder Yan Xiu had asked why Yingying was being taken out, and the Palace Master had only smiled without answering! Sometimes, the Palace Master's actions were truly... He rubbed his head. So childish.In the Thousand Buddha Hall, the various figures gradually dispersed. Puzhu Shangshi had been keeping an eye on Fang Pingzhai, who wore yellow robes and carried a red fan. However, he saw him chatting and laughing with a young girl and a black-clad, masked traveler who had come with him, leisurely walking away like an ordinary person. This man had intended to compete for the abbot's position, yet for some reason suddenly gave up—and after doing so, acted as if nothing had happened, able to let go with ease. Though his words were annoyingly verbose, he still carried an air of grace. He claimed to have seen Puzhu's Flower Pinching Formless Sword at the Sword Association years ago—who exactly was he?
Moreover, the black-clad man who had just revealed Liu Yan's whereabouts referred to him as "Sixth Brother," suggesting they were allies, yet they did not leave together. What was the truth behind this? These two were undoubtedly part of an undercurrent in the martial world—something that could not be ignored, something that demanded vigilance.
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