The Battle in Journey to the West
Chapter 315 - 276: Zhang Junshi Fights Bodhidharma Again

Chapter 315: Chapter 276: Zhang Junshi Fights Bodhidharma Again

It was said that Chen Tuan had settled his Karma with Shan Wuwei, who had not anticipated that over the years, Chen had cultivated the Way of Martial Arts to such a formidable level in close combat. Within just a dozen exchanges, Shan was toppled to the ground by Chen Tuan.

Chen Tuan flicked his sleeves, giving a cold snort and a respectful bow, he said, "I yield, I yield!"

Gritting his teeth, Shan Wuwei climbed up from the ground, realizing he had lost this round. If he continued to seriously contest, he would only lose face even more. A loss was a loss, especially in front of so many. One must lose with integrity! Otherwise, wherever he went, he would be ridiculed, and that would truly be a minor loss leading to a major disaster.

Reputation was even more important than cultivation. Once tainted, it cast one out like a rat crossing the street, scorned and shunned by all.

Shan Wuwei bowed and said, "True Man Chen Tuan truly possesses great mana, even his martial arts have been cultivated so exquisitely over these years! I am truly inferior."

To lose with dignity and grandeur, simply accept defeat, and not babble excusably—that alone kept one’s respect intact. All present were old timers who had lived thousands, even tens of thousands, of years. They could see through any intentions as clearly as watching a blazing fire.

Seeing Shan Wuwei’s straightforward acceptance, Chen Tuan said no more. He stepped back and sat down at his place.

"Haha, Master Fuyao truly has vast supernatural powers!" Great Emperor Zhenwu could not help but laugh upon seeing the victory.

Tathagata thought silently, "Chen Tuan really is extraordinary. To cultivate in his dreams, how many yearn for such an ability? Though Bodhidharma created the Sleeping Arhat Fist while sleeping, that was after all just martial arts, not a cultivation method! Chen Tuan, however, does not need to toil; merely by sleeping and comprehending the Heavenly Dao and life, he has made such progress. Could he be another Zhunti, who could become a saint by sleeping?"

Amitabha Buddha made a grand vow, accumulating religious merits, his wish "May I achieve" moved the Heavenly Dao, thus he became a saint; Daoist Zhunti dreamt for thousands of autumns, became a saint in his dreams, and upon waking, found himself truly sainted. Becoming a saint was immensely difficult, and Zhunti’s opportunity made countless envious.

The path of Immortals is harsh, and many who became immortals find life mundane, inevitably sleeping off decades, or even centuries.

Once, a woodcutter went to the mountains to chop wood and saw two elders playing chess; by the time they finished, and he descended the mountain, he found that his descendants had all grown old. In the eyes of those on the Immortal Path, time holds little importance: a game of chess can span decades, and naturally, a nap can also last decades.

Chen Tuan’s victory over Shan Wuwei reclaimed honor for the Daoist faith, making the Daoists present nod in approval, feeling elated.

Wukong thought to himself, "I wonder who will challenge me to a Magic Combat next?"

As Chen Tuan took his seat among his fellow Daoists, he bowed and with a slight smile, said, "Thank you all for your esteem, and thank you, Patriarch Shan Wuwei, for your indulgence."

By speaking in such a manner, he maintained grace and indirectly insulted Shan Wuwei, causing the latter internal distress he couldn’t voice, much to his dismay.

Shan Wuwei could only respond, "Master Fuyao is too polite, it is merely that I was no match."

Tathagata, seeing Shan Wuwei defeated, felt somewhat displeased. This was a Buddhist venue, and losing to the Daoists would be a true loss of face!

"What a fierce dragon and tiger fight, indeed! Complete Truth Sect’s Seven Stars Sword Array versus Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva’s Formless Supernatural Powers, True Man Chen Tuan and Master Shan Wuwei have truly broadened our horizons! Is there anyone else who wishes to challenge and duel?" someone from the Daoist side laughed and said.

Watching these masters combat magic could enhance experience, and who knows, one might have a sudden epiphany and achieve the Great Dao, although such chances were slim.

Having lost once, Lu Dongbin naturally felt it improper to seek to redeem himself, lest others criticized him for being aggressively competitive and narrow-minded, which would damage the reputation of the Daoists.

Zhang Junshi slowly stood up; a hint of admiration flashed in Great Emperor Zhenwu’s eyes, and he gave a slight nod, "Go ahead!"

Zhang Junshi nodded in agreement and said, "The last time I met Patriarch Bodhidharma in Luoyang City, we competed in martial arts, but it was difficult to discern a victor! Today, at such a grand gathering, I would like to invite Patriarch Bodhidharma to duel again, to see whether Buddhist martial arts are more formidable or if it is my Wudang Tai Chi Fist."

His words were cunning—should Bodhidharma lose, it would mean that Buddhist martial arts were lacking; if Zhang Junshi lost, then it would just be his Wudang Tai Chi Fist that was inadequate. This statement disconnected his personal win or loss from the Daoist community, tying it solely to his own Wudang Sect—if he lost, it would not reflect on the Daoist community as a whole.

Wukong thought to himself, "Zhang Junshi indeed has shrewd tactics—by saying this, he places immense pressure on Bodhidharma. If Zhang Junshi himself loses, it would just mean that the Wudang Sect was inferior. Yet, if Bodhidharma loses, it would imply that the entire Buddhist martial arts were inadequate! Hehe, hehe! As in war, the best strategy in Magic Combat is to attack the opponent’s spirit. Zhang Junshi’s intimidating bluff has surely shaken Bodhidharma’s spirit."

Bodhidharma was about to agree, not realizing the implicit meaning in Zhang Junshi’s words, when he saw the Medicine Buddha’s lips move slightly, sending a string of wonderful sounds into his ear, making him suddenly enlightened.

"Haha, True Man Zhang’s words are indeed too much! What merits or abilities do I, Bodhidharma, possess to represent the entirety of Buddhist martial arts? When outsiders call me Patriarch Bodhidharma, it is just a mark of respect. The Buddhist martial arts are profound and vast, I, Bodhidharma, am absolutely not their sole representative! This challenge represents only me, Bodhidharma." Bodhidharma smiled and said.

"Let’s not talk much; let’s reveal the truth through our actions! Patriarch Bodhidharma, please!" Zhang Junshi said.

The onlookers couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. Buddhist martial arts were all created by Bodhidharma. Otherwise, how could he be worthy of the title "Patriarch"? It was his astounding martial arts prowess that earned him the name Patriarch Bodhidharma. The Subdue the Tiger Fist, Arhat Fist, Subduing Dragon Palm, Vajra Finger, and other martial arts all originated from him.

Zhang Junshi, witnessing the struggle between turtle and snake, invented the Tai Chi Fist, evolving the universe, interpreting Yin and Yang—it was truly an exceptional martial arts master!

"Martial arts to protect the Dao," people of the Immortal Path rarely practiced martial arts for close combat, but disciples in the mortal world all needed to learn martial arts, or else how could they protect the Dao? Thus, martial arts were also a vital element in both sects.

Their martial arts were already equivalent to Divine Skills. They integrated principles into martial arts, combined Divine Skills with martial arts, and melded them into one furnace, making them remarkably powerful.

Zhang Junshi stood steadily, firstly his feet neither too inward nor too outward, then slightly apart, his hands raised, embracing the "Wuji Style." From nothing came Tai Chi—this Wuji Style was precisely the mother fist of Tai Chi!

"Grasping Sparrow’s Tail?!" Bodhidharma, having previously experienced Zhang Junshi’s prowess, recognised the Wuji Style postured in Tai Chi Fist; it was the stance of Grasping Sparrow’s Tail.

Bodhidharma let out a light shout, assumed the stance of Subdue the Tiger Fist, his fists like a tiger’s mouth gaping open, and with a single shake, there came a roaring sound, tremendously impressive in its might.

Zhang Junshi scraped his feet on the ground, grinding the bluestone pavement into powder, he strode close to Bodhidharma, and without a word, launched an assault, head and face first.

Tai Chi Fist appeared to be using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds, yet it was incredibly overpowering, especially the Cannon Pound, akin to splitting heaven and earth, thunderous and intense, making one’s heart pound with terror.

Bodhidharma moved to block with a punch, and upon their fists colliding, even Mount Meru trembled. Bodhidharma felt a covert energy penetrating his defenses; this was the cunning aspect of Grasping Sparrow’s Tail, with its bizarrely powerful energy.

"Subdue Dragons and Tigers!" After his battle with Zhang Junshi in Luoyang, Bodhidharma retreated to deeply cultivate further, his fist technique growing even more refined. Zhang Junshi, notwithstanding his indulgence in wine and meat, had nonetheless continued his daily practice of fist techniques.

Zhang Junshi couldn’t help but exclaim, "What a good fist technique!"

Bodhidharma’s left hand subdued the dragon, his right hand tamed the tiger, seemingly conquering the Azure Dragon and White Tiger in that instant—his presence was formidable, his Vital Essence billowing out from the Baihui Acupoint like beacon smoke.

To become an immortal is to possess a Leak-proof Golden Body; the skin and pores wouldn’t leak a hint of Vital Essence, except from the Baihui Acupoint because it absorbed the essence of heaven and earth, the glory of the sun and the moon, and the Congenital True Qi. To push Vital Essence to surge like beacon smoke from the back of the head, soaring straight into the sky, one must possess immensely powerful mana!

The Vital Essence behind Zhang Junshi’s head was purple, immensely precious, and it, too, ascended in waves, fiercely colliding with Bodhidharma.

He launched a "Hand Waves Lute" strike, reaching the pinnacle of brilliance. Upon meeting Bodhidharma’s strike, crackling sounds ensued; the arms of both men vibrating at high speed, even their skins attacking each other, their concealed energies collided tens of thousands of times in an instant, making the audience feel as if thousands of firecrackers were set off.

"Ox Tongue Coiling Grass Force!" Zhang Junshi’s fist turned into a palm, sticking to Bodhidharma’s wrist, rolling up like an ox’s tongue about to twist off Bodhidharma’s entire arm.

The ox’s tongue was rough and thick, while the wild grass was sharp. Inspired by how Lu Ban was injured by the grass before inventing the saw, the ox’s tongue coiled around the sharp wild grass to chew without being cut by it, demonstrated a clever principle. Observing the natural order, Zhang Junshi truly comprehended "The Great Way is Natural" and evolved his own clever palm technique from watching old oxen munch on grass.

Bodhidharma felt a chill from this cunning palm technique, his arms trembling. With his other hand, his fingers together like a blade, each radiating a golden hue, he slashed towards Zhang Junshi.

Zhang Junshi had no choice but to release his grip. This was Bodhidharma’s Great Strength Vajra Finger; if allowed to cut, even the most robust flesh would be severed into two.

"Merciful Palm!" Bodhidharma’s palm erected, he formed a Hand Seal and fiercely slapped down towards Zhang Junshi.

A gigantic Hand Seal materialized, Zhang Junshi’s body shaking like he was embracing an ancient well, his arms perfectly upright—this was "Wells Fence Style" from Tai Chi Fist.

Square represented rigidity; circular represented smoothness. Tai Chi Fist encompassed Yin and Yang, naturally embodying both smoothness and uprightness.

In the void, a large square ancient well seemed to materialize. Bodhidharma’s palm struck it, and with a loud bang, nearly shattered the well.

"Divine Spear!" Zhang Junshi suddenly cried out, retracting and thrusting his arm as if a long spear dashed out from the well, aiming straight for Bodhidharma’s throat. This was actually his illusion; such a fist technique was terrifying, nearly turning the intangible into tangible.

Bodhidharma roared, "Tiger Roar Golden Bell Cover!"

From the 36,000 pores all over his body erupted a tiger’s roar, which instantly morphed into a gigantic Buddhist Bell, enclosing him inside.

The outcome remains unknown; please stay tuned for the next part. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please head over to Starting Point (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to