Chapter 16: Road to the Ancient Temple, Heart to Chess and Zen
Morning mist clung to willow branches like a veil. The Fang family's carriage rolled over dewy bluestone slabs, the sound of wheels mingling with the faint chime of distant bells as they made their way to Hanshan Temple. The curtains, ripped by the wind, revealed the dew-soaked new grass on the ridges of the fields. The distant green mountains were only faint outlines in the mist, like wet ink marks on rice paper. The air was filled with the fragrance of moist earth, mingling with the sweet scent of wild roses along the roadside, refreshing the lungs.
Little Swallow sat in the carriage, clutching a bamboo chess basket tightly in her arms, her fingertips scratching the edges until they burned slightly. She wore a lake-blue Hangzhou silk blouse with a delicate embroidery of pale green orchids at the collar, her mother having embroidered it overnight a few days ago. She wore a freshly picked gardenia at her temple, its petals plump. Dew dripped from the tips of the petals onto the back of her ear, a cool sensation that tickled her neck slightly.
"Dad, the abbot of Hanshan Temple...is his chess really that magical?" She glanced up furtively to see Fang Zhihang flipping through a thread-bound chess manual. The pages were yellowed, the corners worn and rounded, clearly a well-worn item. "Uncle Wang said that last month the prefect brought three chess players to challenge him, but they lost six games in a row and came back exclaiming, 'I've met a god.'" As she spoke, her fingers unconsciously traced circles on the chess basket, a mixture of anticipation and trepidation building within her.
Fang Zhihang twirled the corner of the chess manual with his fingertips. He smiled at the words, and the fine lines around his eyes relaxed. "Master Abbot is not only profound in Buddhism, but his chess skills are also unparalleled in Jiangnan. A few years ago, your uncle Li was unwilling to accept defeat and came to our house with a newly acquired ancient chess manual. As a result, Master Abbot used the "Immortal Pointing the Way" to break his "Iron Wall Formation." After returning, he told everyone he met that he was "defeated." He put down the chess manual and saw his daughter clutching the chess basket tightly. He reached out and rubbed the top of her head, his palm warm. "What? Are you scared before even meeting Master Abbot?"
"I'm not afraid!" Xiaoyanzi straightened her back, but quietly hugged the chess basket tighter, her palms numb from the bamboo strips, but she didn't let go. "I've been practicing 'Plum Blossom Game' for three months. Even Mr. Liu, the accountant, praised my 'flexible thinking.' Besides..." She glanced at Xiao Jian beside her, her eyes sparkling like falling stars. "Big brother said that Master loves the younger generation the most and won't let me lose too badly."
Xiao Jian was wiping his sword with a soft cloth. The sharkskin scabbard shone coldly in the morning light. He wiped it carefully, not even leaving out the lines on the edges. He tapped her chess basket and said softly, "Playing chess requires real skill. How can you expect Master to give you a pass? Although Master is a master of chess, he loves children's spirit the most. Just relax and pretend you're playing an endgame with me in the courtyard." As he spoke, he noticed the gardenia flower on her temple was askew. He reached out to fix it for her, his fingertips accidentally touching her burning earlobe. He couldn't help but laugh, "Are you nervous?"
Little Swallow's cheeks turned red, like clouds dyed by the morning sun. She quickly turned her face away and peeked out through the gap in the car curtain, her voice as thin as a mosquito: "No! I was just checking how far the road is..." Before she finished speaking, a bell suddenly rang in the distance. The lingering sound spread in the valley, layer upon layer, mixed with the fragrance of pine needles in the wind, making people feel inexplicably quiet.
"We're almost there." Fang Zhihang straightened his clothes. He was wearing a dark blue brocade robe with dark patterns embroidered on the collar. Although he was leaning on a cane, his back was straight. "When you get to the temple, you must follow the rules. You should bow and greet the abbot when you see him, speak softly, and don't run around like you do at home."
"Got it!" Xiaoyanzi quickly sat up straight, secretly straightened the wrinkles on her skirt, and counted on her fingers, "When you see the master, you must say 'Hello, Master', you can't touch the ashes in the incense burner, and you must concentrate when playing chess..." Halfway through, she suddenly looked up, her eyes wide, "Dad, will the master think my chess skills are bad and not want to play with me?"
"Silly girl." Fang Zhihang smiled and shook his head, his eyes full of kindness. "Master always says that 'Chess character comes before chess skill'. You have a kind nature and are willing to work hard. He is so happy. Even if you lose, getting a few words of advice from Master is more precious than winning ten games of chess."
The carriage stopped at the entrance, its wheels creaking softly over the bluestone slabs. A young novice monk in a gray robe, about twelve or thirteen years old, with delicate features and a broom in hand, was already waiting. Upon seeing them disembark, he quickly put down his broom, clasped his hands together, and bowed in greeting, his voice clear and crisp: "Mr. Fang, Mr. Fang, Miss Fang, the abbot is waiting in the meditation room."
Xiaoyanzi quickly followed her father's lead, bowing and clasping her hands together before her chest. She followed her mother's instructions and earnestly said, "Amitabha, hello, Master." Her crisp voice echoed through the early morning temple gate, amusing the young monk. A smile lit up his eyes, and he bowed back, "Amitabha, hello, Miss Fang."
Xiao Jian and Fang Zhihang also followed suit and saluted. Fang Zhihang said gently, "Thank you, little master, for leading the way."
"I don't deserve it. Please follow me, sir." The young monk turned around and led the way. His gray robe fluttered in the morning light, like a nimble gray bird.
Little Swallow followed her father toward the temple. As soon as she stepped onto the bluestone slabs, she heard the steady beat of a wooden fish from the direction of the meditation room, mingling with the gentle tinkle of a copper bell from the eaves. She felt strangely at peace. She looked up at the three large characters "Hanshan Temple." Written in Yan style, the brushstrokes were powerful, and moss still nestled between the characters, revealing the quietness of time. The temple walls were vermilion, covered with ivy, its leaves glistening green. Glistening dewdrops hung from the vines, and when the wind blew, the dewdrops rolled down, audibly hitting the ground.
She touched the chess basket in her arms again, and the cold chess pieces hurt her palms through the bamboo strips - no matter how powerful her master was, she had to use her best skills and not embarrass her parents.
Xiao Jian slowed down his pace, walked side by side with her, and whispered, "Don't be afraid, it's just like when you practice Qinggong. When your mind is calm, your hands will naturally be steady." As he spoke, his eyes fell on the pine and cypress trees by the roadside. Dewdrops on the pine needles rolled down the branches, gleaming in the morning light.
Little Swallow nodded vigorously, her fingers loosening their grip on the chess basket, a faint smile curling her lips. The morning light shone on her face, illuminating the tension in her eyes, yet also concealing a hint of stubbornness that refused to give in. Dewdrops on the bluestone path dampened the tips of her shoes, leaving a cool sensation. She followed her father through the ivy-covered red wall, muttering to herself, "Master, here I come!"
Crossing the front yard, smoke from the incense burner curled up, carrying a faint scent of sandalwood, filling the air. A few monks, who had risen early and were sweeping the floor, stopped and saluted when they saw them approaching. Xiaoyanzi quickly followed suit, clasping her hands together. "Amitabha, hello, Master." The monks smiled in return, their gazes fixed on the chess basket in her arms, a gentle smile in their eyes.
The Zen room was an elegant little room, nestled beside a bamboo grove in the central courtyard. Its roof was covered in green tiles, and a string of wind chimes hung from the eaves, jingling in the breeze. The bamboo door was ajar, revealing a potted orchid on the windowsill. Its slender leaves were drenched in dew.
The young monk stopped at the door and said softly, "Master Abbot, Mr. Fang and his companions are here."
"Please come in." A gentle voice came from the room, like a clear spring in the mountain stream, which made people feel warm in their hearts.
The young novice monk pushed open the bamboo door and gestured "please." Little Swallow followed her father into the meditation room. The moment she entered, she was greeted by a rich, fragrant aroma of tea, mingled with sandalwood and ink—a particularly pleasant scent. The room wasn't large. Against the wall stood a bookshelf, filled with sutras and chess manuals, their spines polished to a shine. By the window stood a red sandalwood chess table, its surface smooth and warm, evidently well-used. At the table sat an elderly monk, dressed in a gray robe. His hair and beard were white, but his complexion was ruddy, and a smile etched itself in the wrinkles of his eyes. In his hand, he was twirling a string of red sandalwood prayer beads.
"Master Abbot." Fang Zhihang bowed and Xiao Jian followed suit.
Xiaoyanzi quickly followed their example, clasping her hands together and bowing: "Amitabha, hello, Master." She secretly raised her eyes and saw the abbot looking at her with gentle eyes, like a grandfather looking at his granddaughter. The tension in her heart immediately disappeared.
The abbot smiled and nodded, his voice gentle, "Mr. Fang, Mr. Fang, Miss Fang, please take a seat." He pointed to the bamboo chairs beside the chess table, "I just brewed some cloud tea from the back mountain. Try it."
The young monk brought a tea tray with four celadon teacups on it. The tea soup was emerald green, with a faint fragrance. As Xiaoyanzi sat down, she saw the tea leaves in the cups slowly unfurling, like young buds just awakening from sleep. She couldn't help but whisper in admiration, "This tea is so beautiful."
The abbot was amused by her and twirled his beard as he said, "This tea needs to be brewed with boiling water and stirred three times to bring out its flavor. It's like playing chess; you need to be patient and not impatient." His eyes fell on the chess basket in Xiaoyanzi's arms. "I heard that little girl loves playing chess?"
Xiaoyanzi quickly placed the chess basket on the table and held the teacup in both hands, her fingertips feeling a little hot. "Master, I've only been learning for a short time, so I'd appreciate your guidance."
"I don't deserve your guidance," the abbot said, smiling and waving his hand. "We're just playing chess to make friends." He gestured to the young monk to set up the chess pieces, "Bring me my set of cloud pieces."
The young monk went and returned a short time later with a mahogany chess box. Opening it, he saw the pieces, white as jade, while the black pieces shone with a dark luster. They were indeed the precious Yunzi. Little Swallow's eyes widened. Although she didn't know much about chess equipment, she could tell that these pieces were anything but ordinary.
The abbot picked up a black piece and placed it on the center of the chessboard, his movements calm and his fingertips as light as if he were picking up a feather. "Little girl, please go first."
Xiaoyanzi took a deep breath and imitated her master, picking up the white piece. Her fingertips trembled slightly. After a moment's hesitation, she placed it on the black piece diagonally opposite. She said in a soft voice, "I'll start with the 'Star Position'."
The abbot nodded, placed another stone, and said in a gentle voice: "The star position is smart and suitable for the girl's temperament."
At first, Xiaoyanzi was a little nervous, hesitant to make her move. She held the chess piece for ages, not daring to let go, a thin layer of sweat forming on her forehead. Fang Zhihang and Xiao Jian sat nearby, drinking tea, silent and watching. Seeing her knuckles turning white from gripping the chess piece, Xiao Jian quietly gave her an encouraging look. Xiaoyanzi's heart warmed, and she gradually became more steady in her moves.
Outside the window, the bamboo grove rustled in the wind, whispering softly; the wind chimes on the eaves jingled. Inside the Zen room, only the sound of chess pieces being dropped and the occasional aroma of tea lingered, so quiet that one could hear one's own heartbeat. Little Swallow became increasingly absorbed in her play, her eyes fixed on the board, sometimes resting her chin in thought, her brow furrowed in a small pimple; sometimes, her eyes lit up, she quickly placed a piece, a smug smile curling her lips.
The abbot's smile grew as he watched her, yet he remained composed as he made his moves. A seemingly casual move often neutralized Xiaoyanzi's offensive and held a hidden back-up plan. Midway through the game, Xiaoyanzi encountered a dilemma. The white pieces on the board were largely surrounded by black pieces, and she was practically trapped. With her anxiety swelled, sweat formed on the tip of her nose, and she rummaged through the chess basket, unable to find a suitable piece.
"Don't worry." The abbot smiled and poured her tea. "When playing chess, you have to look at the overall situation. Although this corner is dangerous, there are opportunities elsewhere. Try a different approach."
Xiaoyanzi stared at the chessboard for a long time, then suddenly her eyes lit up, as if she had found the direction she had lost herself in. She quickly placed a piece in the lower right corner of the board: "I'm using 'flying cheat'!"
The abbot clapped his hands and smiled, "Excellent! This move is clever and lively!"
The ensuing game of chess became increasingly intense, with black and white pieces clashing across the board. Xiaoyanzi's excitement grew as she played, her cheeks flushed and her eyes sparkling, completely forgetting her nervousness. She would alternately lean over the board, then glance up at the abbot's expression, like a clever little squirrel. The abbot remained composed, his moves slow but always precise. Occasionally, he would offer her a few words of chess wisdom: "Playing chess isn't just about attacking; it's also about defending. Only by attacking and defending properly can you win." "This 'cut' move is ruthless, but it leaves a loophole. You need to consider your escape route."
Fang Zhihang watched his daughter's concentration with a smile on his face. He took a sip of tea from his cup, the fragrance spreading across his tongue and warming his heart. Xiao Jian, on the other hand, was watching his sister's movements. Seeing that she had slammed the chess piece too hard, he quietly tapped the edge of the table with his fingers. Xiao Yanzi stuck out her tongue, and the move suddenly became much lighter.
After an unknown amount of time, the sun gradually rose higher, shining through the window lattice onto the chessboard, making the black and white pieces shine brightly. Little Swallow finally placed a piece, breathed a long sigh of relief, looked at the chessboard, and smiled, "Master, I...I think I've won half a piece?"
The abbot leaned over to take a closer look, then suddenly burst into laughter, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes gathering. "Excellent! A wonderful 'finish'! The little girl is thoughtful, and this half-move move was cleverly won!" He looked at Xiaoyanzi, his eyes full of praise. "Not only is she a skilled chess player, but her temperament is even more rare. She's smart yet not impetuous. Rare, rare."
Xiaoyanzi's cheeks flushed slightly, and she scratched her head embarrassedly: "Master asked me to do it."
"When you meet a worthy opponent in chess, why should you give in?" The abbot waved his hand, signaling the young monk to put away the chess pieces. "Little girl likes playing chess. I have a chess manual here. It contains the experience I gained when I was young. I'll give it to you." He took a thread-bound book from the bookshelf. The cover was inscribed with "A Brief Explanation of Zen Chess" in vigorous handwriting.
Xiaoyanzi took it with both hands, holding it like a treasure, and said softly, "Thank you, Master."
At noon, they had a vegetarian meal at the temple. The vegetables and tofu were fragrant and delicious, and Xiaoyanzi ate them with great relish. During the meal, the abbot asked her about her studies, and Xiaoyanzi answered them one by one. When she talked about music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, her eyes sparkled. "I love playing the zither the most. Master's bell sounds beautiful. Next time, I'll play 'The Sound of Bells and Chimes' for you, okay?"
The abbot smiled and nodded: "Okay, I'm waiting to listen to the little girl play the piano."
When they left in the afternoon, the abbot walked them to the mountain gate, where wind chimes rang softly in the breeze. Little Swallow, clutching the chess manual, turned back and waved to the abbot, "Master, I'll come play chess with you next time!"
The abbot smiled and waved, "You're welcome anytime."
The carriage drove away from Hanshan Temple, and the sound of the bell gradually faded away. However, Xiaoyanzi still held the chess manual tightly, her fingertips touching the words on the cover, her heart warmed. She suddenly looked up and smiled at Xiao Jian, "Brother, Master said I'm a good chess player!"
Xiao Jian rubbed the top of her head and said in a gentle voice: "You are the one who put your heart into it."
Fang Zhihang watched his daughter's joy, his eyes filled with love. The carriage rolled over the bluestone pavement, carrying the scent of tea and sandalwood as it headed home. Little Swallow leaned against the window, watching the willow branches swirl past, and thought quietly: "The time in this ancient temple is so warm, and my master's chess is so good. I must come here often." The sunlight filtered through the window onto her face, illuminating her smile with an exceptional brightness, like the spring in the south of the Yangtze River, full of hope and warmth.
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