Lu Da believed what he heard; so replied, “How that old monk has deceived me!” So saying, he picked up his staff and returned to the kitchen. The old monks had eaten all the maize congee, but were still there. He pointed at them and said: “It was you who previously destroyed this monastery, and you have told me a lot of lies.”
An old monk replied, “Brother, you must not listen to their talk, as they keep a woman inside there. They saw you had your sword and the heavy monk’s staff, and as they were not armed, did not care to fight with you. If you do not believe me, then go back, and see how they treat you the second time. Brother, think a little. They have both wine and meat, whereas we cannot get even congee, and we were afraid that you would eat the little we had.”
“What you say seems reasonable,” said Lu Da. He took his staff and returned to the abbot’s quarters, but found the door closed. He was angry, and kicked open the door. He hurried inside, and saw that “Iron Buddha” was now armed with a halberd, and was advancing towards the ash tree, with the intention of fighting Lu Da, who gave a loud whoop, and whirling aloft his monk’s staff, engaged “Iron Buddha” in conflict. They fought fifteen bouts, but the “Iron Buddha” could not overcome Lu Da, and then the former took up a defensive attitude, parrying the blows and thrusts, slowly retreating. The Taoist saw that “Iron Buddha” was getting the worst of the fight, picked up a halberd, and came behind Lu Da, with the intention of stabbing him. Lu Da heard footsteps but dared not turn round. He also saw the shadow of a man, and suspected treachery. He called out “Zhao” (I will hit you), and upon hearing this Night Witch jumped out of the way of Lu Da’s staff. Lu Da turned partly round so that he was facing them both in the form of a triangle. The two men combined to fight with Lu Da for ten bouts. He was hungry, and was also tired through walking so far, and knew that he could not defeat these two men with their spare energy. So he retreated, trailing his staff on the ground. The two men pursued him as far as the monastery gate, where they again fought. Lu Da withdrew to a stone bridge where the two men gave up the pursuit and sat down on the parapet. Lu Da went some distance, and then remembered he had left his bundle in the monastery. Moreover, he had no money, and wondered what he must do. He could not go back, as he knew if he faced the two men, it would mean disaster. He walked a little further but was in doubt whether to go on or not. After going a few li he saw a forest of pine trees which had a forbidding aspect.
In the shadow of the trees he saw a man looking round stealthily, and upon seeing Lu Da he uttered an exclamation, spat, and slipped back into the forest. Lu Da thought the man was a robber, who perhaps thought it would be useless to hold up a monk. But Lu Da decided to vent his rage on that man and take away the man’s clothes which he could perhaps pawn for wine and food. He called, “You, footpad, come out at once.”
The man in the forest laughed when he heard this, and replied, “I have bad luck, and you come here to pick a quarrel with me!” He then took his halberd, and coming into the open, called out, “You bald-headed donkey! You are evidently seeking for an opportunity to die.”
“You will soon know me,” called Lu Da, who advanced, nourishing his staff, while the other man also came forward, holding his halberd. When they were near each other the man said, “Your voice is familiar to me. What is your name?”
“When I have given you a good beating, I will tell you my name, but not now,” said Lu Da.
The man was angry, and advancing fought Lu Da, but after a little contact he began to appreciate the skill of his opponent, whom he had regarded at first as only a stupid monk. So after a few more bouts of fighting, he said, “Let us rest. I have something to say to you.” They both sprang apart at the same time, and the man said, “What is your name? Your voice seems familiar.”
Lu Da told his name, and upon hearing it the man threw down his sword, and kneeling, saluted with folded hands; asking, “Do you not recognize Shi Jin?”
Lu Da laughed and replied, “Can you really be Master Shi?” He then knelt down and saluted. This done, they both went into the forest and sat down, telling their experiences since they last met. Shi Jin had some cold meat and cakes, which he offered to Lu Da who was hungry. He said, “As your bundle is in the monastery I will go there with you and take it. If they decline to give it to us we will kill them.” Lu Da agreed to this, and when they had finished their food, set off for the monastery. On their arrival they found the Flying Ogre and Iron Buddha sitting on the parapet of the bridge. Lu Da called, “Come here, you two men! This time I shall kill you.”
Iron Buddha laughed, “I have just defeated you—why do you come here again?”
Lu Da whirled his monk’s staff in the air and Iron Buddha seized his halberd, and went to meet him. Lu Da felt braver because Shi Jin was now with him, and moreover was no longer hungry. He fought for nine bouts until Iron Buddha became weak and thought of retreating. Seeing this Flying Ogre went to his assistance, but Shi Jin ran from the shade of a tree, and attacked him. There were now four men fighting, two on each side. After a short time Lu Da became aware that he was getting the better of his opponents, and shouted “Strike,” and made a final effort, striking Iron Buddha with his staff, knocking him off the bridge into the water below. When Flying Ogre saw this he retreated: but Shi Jin running after him struck him a blow in the back. Flying Ogre fell down and Shi Jin placing his foot on the body stabbed him repeatedly. Lu Da went under the bridge and killed Iron Buddha. We cannot but pity these two ruffians, who were sent to their last sleep in this way, and whose deeds passed like a bad dream.
Lu Da and Shi Jin went into the monastery and got Lu Da’s bundle. They found the old monks had all strangled themselves in order to avoid what they thought would be certain death. When the woman saw Lu Da and Shi Jin, she, too, was afraid and committed suicide by jumping down the well. They went through the now vacant rooms, and found some bundles of clothing lying on a bed which they opened and found silver inside. In the kitchen they found fish, meat, and wine, which gave them a good meal. Before their departure they set fire to the monastery. It happened a strong wind was blowing, so that very soon the whole place was in flames. They walked all night, and at dawn saw a large market town in the distance. Just before reaching it, they stopped at an inn, ordering the waiter to buy meat and rice, and have it cooked for them. Over their wine they discussed their future plans, and Shi Jin said he was going to Mount Shaohua to join the bandits there. They left the inn, and after traveling about seven li, they came to a place where three roads met, and Lu Da decided they must separate, as he was going on to the Eastern Capital.
Lu Da arrived at the Eastern Capital in nine days. The streets were very crowded and noisy. Upon reaching the center of the town he politely asked a passer-by where the Great Xiangguo Monastery was, and was directed. Upon entering the monastery he went towards the small room where guests are received. A servant reported his arrival, and without delay the monk came out to welcome the guest, but when he saw the fierce appearance of Lu Da with his monk’s staff and broad sword he was almost afraid of him. He asked where he had come from, and Lu Da replied that he had come from Mount Wutai, and had a letter for the Abbot. He took the letter from his bundle, and followed the monk when the latter reminded him that as he was going to see the Abbot he should not carry a sword, but should carry a mat, and some sticks of incense, and should kowtow when he met the Abbot. So Lu Da put aside his sword, and after some time got the other things in proper order. The monk also told him how to wear his monk gown, and how to spread the mat. Just then the Abbot appeared on the scene, and the monk introduced Lu Da to him.
Abbot Qing said, “I have not heard from Mount Wutai for a long time.”
The monk reminded Lu Da that he should salute the Abbot at once, but the latter did not know where to put down the incense sticks he was holding, and this made the monk laugh. He took the incense from Lu Da, and placed it in an incense urn. Lu Da then saluted three times, but the monk told him that he should first have presented the letter. The letter was opened by the Abbot who read how Lu Da had been expelled from Mount Wutai, and why he was recommended for employment, and that it was hoped that eventually he would become a reformed character. After reading the letter the Abbot stated that Lu Da could rest in the monks’ quarters.
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