The cultivators were hanging on his reply, having guessed the first eight rounds, “It should be nine still.”


  The bone spun to a stop and the two Grandmasters peered inside the bowl in the hope it was anything else but nine.

  Nine!

  Chen Ming was right again!

  The crowd felt his skill knew no equal, that he reached the Heavens!

  The presiding monk spoke, “Grandmaster Yuan Fang and Grandmaster Yuan Tong predicted thirty-three. This round is a tie! Nine rounds of prediction ended with a tie!”


  Second Crown Prince’s eyes conveyed shock, He’s a true Grandmaster!

  He recalled Crown Prince’s last riddle and seemed to pierce its meaning. I have Grandmaster Ran Zui, so why would I need those two for?

  Grandmaster Ran Zui knows all of Heaven’s Will!

  The crowd needed a bit of time before they left Chen Ming be and turned to the two Grandmasters, “The prediction is over but the result is a tie. Who will be the first to declare the topic?”


  “It won’t be fair regardless!”


  Second Crown Prince was quite pleased with the irritation on his eldest brother’s face, “Grandmaster Ran Zui has predicted each time. What if he was to declare the topic?”


  The cultivators considered, “Second Crown Prince speaks reason. Grandmaster Ran Zui’s heart is deep and pure. This is the best choice!”


  “Yes, Grandmaster Ran Zui guessed every time.”


  The presiding monk was sweating bullets though, This damn Grandmaster Ran Zui knows shit! If you let him speak, he’ll come up with some dull subject!

  If this gets out, I’m finished!

  Will Buddha forgive me? I only did it to transcend!

  The two Grandmasters nodded, “Good deed.”


  The presiding monk’s legs gave, Oh god, they agreed!

  Thank god no one paid him any heed, with all eyes on the three Grandmasters.

  Chen Ming wasn’t that erudite in Buddhist teachings, however, our dear Immortal Master Chen just loved studying!

  Chen Ming rose as he prayed, “As the Grandmasters hold little monk in such high regard, little monk will embarrass himself.”


  The referee hoped for the sweet release of death, Are you for real? He began reciting scriptures, praying for forgiveness from the merciful Buddha.

  Chen Ming roamed his eyes and settled on a pine tree swaying in the wind’s touch. He pointed, “Watching this tree a thought arose as well as a question. I ask for Grandmasters to debate.”


  The Grandmasters held their hands in prayer, “Please tell us your question, Grandmaster. ”


  The referee thought, I just knew it. What good comes out of talking about a tree?

  Chen Ming said, “Wind stirs the tree, but it moves because of the wind, or because of itself?”


  In the referee’s mind, That one’s hard.

  The Grandmasters were at a loss for a moment. Yuan Fang began, “Wind, naturally. If there’s no wind, the tree cannot sway.”


  Yuan Tong said, “Absurd! The tree is its own self. If the wind blows then the tree does not move, which means it does move. This, in turn, means the tree sways. It has the same principle as demonic thoughts. With an unbending heart, one is as hard and unmoving as a mountain!”


  Yuan Fang said, “If there is no demonic intent to begin with, nothing will get stirred. Without wind, there is no motion. As such, wind must blow for the tree to sway. The answer is the wind blows!”


  The two sank into debating for two whole hours. Yet their words went over the cultivators’ heads. Is it that hard?

  Even they started to come up with all sorts of arguments.

  None prevailed in getting their logic across.

  It was now when everyone turned to Chen Ming. Yuan Tong asked, “I and Yuan Fang have traded words for so long. I ask Grandmaster for clarification!”


  Chen Ming smiled, hands in prayer, “It’s the heart that moves.”


  A bolt out of the blue struck the Grandmasters, burning all their hopes. This answer goes beyond material!

  Yuan Tong and Yuan Fang returned Chen Ming’s gesture, “Sage showed us the right path. We cannot compare!”


  Even the cultivators were in shock.

  The two renowned Grandmasters went and called Chen Ming Sage!

  It was a cut above a Grandmaster!

  Chen Ming replied, “As this question’s answer had no fruition under Grandmasters, I shall now present with another simple question.”


  If it were before, such words would earn him a thorough beating.

  Second Crown Prince was the happiest of the bunch. Grandmaster, no, Sage Ran Zui, surpassed the mortal coil and reached Heaven!

  Sage Ran Zui’s heart is unequaled, his knowledge endless. Headless Assembly’s priest is finished!

  What Heavenly Court’ High Priest? Not even the four High Priests put together are a match for Sage Ran Zui!

  Ha-ha-ha, eldest brother, you employed schemes and tricks only to avail nothing. While I went through mountains and rivers and lost myself, only to find the village beyond the willow’s soothing shade.

  See? See? Our dear Sage Ran Zui felt his topic was too hard!

  Second Crown Prince saw the light beyond the clouds. If I can invite Sage Ran Zui to my side, half of the world is as good as mine!

  Chen Ming said, “I will recite an incomplete verse. With the body a bodhi tree, and the heart a mirror…… Please continue.”


  Yuan Fang got his meaning, “Time brushes thy leaves, and no spec of dust can besmirch thee.”


  The crowd praised, “Grandmaster Yuan Fang has Dao at heart!”


  Chen Ming gave a little smile, emphasizing his mystery.

  Yuan Tong’s eyes flashed with resolve, “In the endless nothing, no dust can touch it.”


  The crowd found Grandmaster Yuan Tong’s words more profound, his heart pure, without a smirch of dust.

  Chen Ming smiled, “Great virtue (very good)!”


  It was clear he pointed the win to Yuan Tong.

  Everyone cheered, “Grandmaster Yuan Tong won!”


  Yuan Tong held his hands in prayer, “Little monk feels the endless Dao through Sage’s teachings. I wish to follow Sage and widen my view of Dao!”


  Chen Ming was embarrassed, Please, you’re far too kind. “I serve Buddha through traveling, but Grandmaster also serves Him. With Buddha in our hearts, all are in his service!”


  Yuan Tong held his hands in prayer and bowed with deference, “Little monk shall take your words to heart!”