The news of Woo Ping's sudden ailment traveled quickly throughout Shaolin. The entire monastery was at a standstill and the mood was somber. Every single monk was gathered in front of the abbot's quarters, waiting anxiously for the medicine monk to diagnose him. Lei and Chang joined their colleagues and, as they made their way through the crowd, they heard some of the older monks comment on the sad twist of events.
MONK 1 : I can't believe this is happening now. Bodhidharma was right. If Woo Ping dies, Shaolin will be in shambles.
MONK 2 : If that happens, who will lead us?
MONK 3 : Please, great Buddha, don't take him from us.
Lei and Chang had no idea what the men were talking about. The connection between Bodhidharma and the abbot was foreign to them. When the two boys met up with some of the other students, they immediately questioned them on what was going on.
LEI : What happened to Abbot Woo Ping?
STUDENT 1 : He was on his way out of the Temple when suddenly he passed out.
STUDENT 2 : Supposedly, the elders think this is one of the first signs of the prophecy.
CHANG : This is unbelievable! Woo Ping is in good health.
STUDENT 3 : Well, Master Yu is looking at him right now. He will tell us how the abbot is doing.
CHANG : Whatever it is, he'll pull through. He has to.
Chang had a gut feeling that the abbot was fine, but he was anxious nonetheless; unlike Lao and Pu'an who were more concerned about being the center of attention . They spent most of their time speculating on who would be suitable to lead Shaolin, if the abbot ever did die. The crowd waited impatiently for about a minute, which felt like an eternity, before Master Fang came walking out of the abbot's room with a look of disappointment on his face. He tried to grin, nonetheless, before addressing his fellow monks.
MASTER FANG : Can I have your attention? Master Yu was able to examine Woo Ping thoroughly. I am happy to report that our abbot is going to make a full recovery.
The crowd immediately let out a sigh of relief and began to rejoice at the good news. Lao, once again, had to draw the attention on him.
LAO : I told you all he was going to be fine. Leave it up to Master Song to act like a little girl and blow everything out of proportion.
Chang was more than happy to hear the news, but he was also quick to point out to the other students, Master Fang's insincere concern for the abbot.
CHANG : Look at him! He was probably praying for Woo Ping's demise so he can be the new abbot of Shaolin.
LEI : You're probably right.
The two boys continued to talk nastily about Master Fang while he was still engaging the crowd.
MASTER FANG : You are more than welcome to see the abbot and wish him well. But please do it one at a time. We don't want to overcrowd his room and create a stressful environment for him.
When Master Fang conveniently stepped aside to let his fellow monks begin their slow procession into the abbot's room, he was instantly surrounded by a group of elders who voiced their concerns.
ELDER 1 : Fang, you do realize what this means? The prophecy is upon us.
MASTER FANG : We can't say that with certainty. Woo Ping is alive, still.
Master Lo who had a sad look on his face, quickly interjected.
MASTER LO : This wouldn't have happened, if he went on my meatless diet like I told him to.
The other monks immediately rolled their eyes and continued their discussion.
ELDER 2 : This was going to happen regardless if he went on your diet, brother Lo. I think we should make the necessary preparations.
Suddenly, Master Yu walked out of the building and joined his brethren.
MASTER YU : If you're expecting Woo Ping to die, you will be greatly disappointed. Our old abbot has a few good years ahead of him. I know of a remedy that will have him running around like a teenager in no time.
MASTER FANG (unenthused) : Really?
MASTER YU : I will remember your lack of enthusiasm when you fall ill one day and need to be taken care of.
ELDER 1 : Do you really have something that can help him?
MASTER YU : Of course, I do! I will fix it right away.
Master Yu took leave of the elders while they went ahead with their contingency plan.
MASTER FANG : Right now, we need to re- examine the prophecy and make sure that the time is truly upon us.
ELDER 1 : I agree. We will assemble in the temple and analyze Bodhidharma's many predictions, but, in the meantime, we need to be vigilant and keep a close eye on Woo Ping. If he does pass away in the next couple of days, we need to be prepared.
Master Fang was in a complete state of readiness as he watched the elders gather in the Shaolin temple. The anticipation was building in him because he knew that his time was close at hand. All the years of sacrifice and holding back his tongue were about to pay off. Finally, he was going to get the last laugh.
As Master Yu quickly made his way to the infirmary, Chang and Lei ran up to the elder monk and questioned him about the abbot's health.
CHANG : Master Yu! Is Abbot Woo Ping going to be all right?
MASTER YU : Yes, young one. I am about to fix him a remedy that will have him back on his feet. I know that you are an inquisitive little fellow; you can assist me in preparing it, if you like.
CHANG : I would be honored.
MASTER YU : You are welcome to participate as well, Lei.
LEI : Sure. Why not?
Once the trio entered the little medical facility, Master Yu began to pull out old scrolls and read through them rapidly. When he found the remedy he was looking for, he ordered the two boys to grab the necessary ingredients off a shelf. While the monks worked diligently, they were joined by Lei- Fei who wanted to know if there was any progress with the cure they were preparing.
LEI-FEI : So how is it going?
Master Yu was going back and forth between sorting through different bottles of powder and stirring the contents of a pot on top of a fire.
MASTER YU : Everything is going great. With Lei and Chang assisting me, I will have this concoction done, and our beloved abbot will be doing cartwheels in no time.
Suddenly, the senior monk made a grim discovery.
MASTER YU : I can't believe this! I can't believe I am completely out of it!
The three other monks knew immediately that Yu was about to announce some very unpleasant news.
LEI-FEI : Whatever it is, please tell us now.
MASTER YU : I am out of puffer fish. I need dried puffer fish to complete Woo Ping's remedy. The only person that I know of who may have some is that old swindler called Wong. He owns an herbal shop in the city. But that blasted fish is such a rarity around these parts that he may be out of it as well.
LEI-FEI : I will get Brother Zhao, the fastest monk of Shaolin to run to the city at once.
Chang saw this unfortunate situation as a golden opportunity. If he played a hand in the recovery of the High Abbot, he would, without a doubt, shake off his old reputation and earn the respect of the entire monastery. The young monk quickly volunteered himself.
CHANG : Brother Lei-Fei, please send me instead. I can make it to the city in no time flat.
LEI-FEI : I don't know. This is a very important matter. I would do it myself, if I didn't have a bad leg.
LEI : You can send me as well. Chang and I will be quicker than the wind.
MASTER YU : I know you two mean well, but there is too much at stake. Woo Ping's condition might be stable now, but because of his advance age, it is imperative that he gets this remedy as soon as possible. If he doesn't take it by the end of the day, I fear that he will get worse and Shaolin will be left leaderless. I'd rather have an expert monk on the case.
CHANG : But Master Yu, I thought you said his ailment wasn't severe.
MASTER YU : Well, that's what I told Fang so he wouldn't name himself abbot and start barking out orders.
LEI-FEI : It's settled then! Brother Zhao will run to the city and bring back what is needed.
Master Yu saw the disappointment on the boys' faces.
MASTER YU : Please, boys, don't take it personally. Under different circumstances, I would have allowed it, but like I said, this matter is way too important. Now, go fetch Brother Zhao and tell him that he is needed in the infirmary.
Chang was not pleased with the senior monk's decision, but he had to honor it. He stormed out of the infirmary, followed by Lei who seem to handle the situation much better. While the two monks made their way through the property, hoping to find Zhao, Chang was venting his displeasure with Yu.
CHANG : I can't believe Master Yu would deny me the opportunity to help out Abbot Woo Ping. I've spent an entire year training under Master San and he almost killed me in the process. I can climb the side of the mountain without a safety rope and I can pull a damn wagon full of stones, but everybody still sees me as an incompetent weakling. What else must I do to prove myself?
LEI : Nobody thinks that you're incompetent. It's just going to take some time before everybody accepts the new you. Now, you really don't believe that you're faster than Zhao.
CHANG : He may be older than us, but I believe that I am. Lei, I am able to do things that were virtually impossible for me a year ago. I know what I am capable of.
LEI : Just don't be too hard on yourself. Remember, Yu didn't pick me as well. You don't see me all upset about it.
CHANG : Personally, I think what he did was insulting. If you're fine with it, that's your business; but unlike you, I have something to prove.
Chang and Lei were quickly approaching the abbot's building when Master Fang, accompanied by Lao and Pu'an, stopped them.
MASTER FANG : Lei, I was about to come looking for you. We have an important matter to discuss.
CHANG : Master Yu wants us to go find Big Brother Zhao.
MASTER FANG : There is no need for the both of you to look for Zhao. One will suffice.
Chang didn't want to be apart from his friend, but Lei eased his fears.
LEI : Go ahead, Chang. I'll catch up with you when I am done here.
Before Chang continued his search for Zhao, he kept a close eye on the three monks who escorted Lei to the monastery temple. He didn't worry too much for his friend because he knew that Master Fang and the two bullies wouldn't dare take any action against him inside the sacred building. With his mind at ease, the young monk was about to resume his hunt for the so-called fastest monk of Shaolin when an idea came to him. It was a brilliant plan, but it could quite possibly cost him his attendance at the monastery. The young monk had to make it foolproof, so he wouldn't face any consequences if it wasn't successful. The first part of his idea was to find Zhao. And that's what he did when he came across the young man sitting in front of the cafeteria, chatting with some friends.
CHANG : Hey, Brother Zhao! Master Yu wants to ask you something.
The monk had a bothersome look on his face when Chang called out to him
ZHAO : What does he want me for? Is he going to use me as a guinea pig for one of his crazy concoctions?
CHANG : I am not quite sure, but whenever you get a chance, he is waiting for you in the infirmary.
ZHAO : All right then.
Zhao, not sensing any urgency in the boy's message, continued to talk to his fellow monks. With the first part of his plan accomplished, it was time for Chang to execute its second half: running to the city and retrieving Master Yu's puffer fish.
Sneaking out of the monastery proved to be a bit difficult for the monk who tried to go unnoticed until he went over the perimeter wall. Once on the other side, he had to make sure none of the lookouts were looking in his direction before he made a mad dash for the nearby forest. Armed with his staff and a gourd filled with water, young Chang began his race to the city, hoping that by the time Zhao would eventually go meet with Master Yu, he would have made it half way to his destination.
Chang made the seven hour trip to town in half the time. Covered in sweat, he entered Yangcheng and headed for Wong's herbal shop which he was very familiar with. The boy moved quickly through the crowded streets as he tried not to get distracted by the sights and sounds of the city. Unfortunately, one building managed to rattle him a bit. He had to catch his breath when he saw the Pink Lotus back in full swing with its working girls hanging out of the windows and calling out to the passersby. This time, the Imperial soldiers were posted around the brothel, pretending to maintain the peace. Chang passed by the building as quickly as possible, ignoring the calls of the prostitutes. He wanted nothing to do with that vile place where he almost got beaten to death. The Pink Lotus was well behind him when he heard a very familiar voice say his name.
VOICE : Chang! Hey, Chang!
The young monk noticed the beautiful Mei-Ling coming his way.
MEI-LING : You're Lei's best friend, aren't you?
CHANG : Yes, I am.
MEI-LING : I wasn't aware that you boys were in town today. Is Lei with you?
CHANG : No. It's just me Miss. I am on an important mission to save our abbot's life.
MEI-LING : And Lei isn't with you? That's a bit odd.
CHANG : He had other things to take care of. I need to be on my way now.
MEI-LING : Well, good luck on your important mission. And tell Lei I said hello.
After chatting with the young lady, Chang went deeper into the city. He moved at a fast pace until he finally reached Mr. Wong's shop. While the monk entered the small store that could barely accommodate five people, he was secretly being observed by an old adversary.
CHANG : Mr. Wong, I am Chang of Shaolin. Master Yu sent me to get some puffer fish.
WONG : I know who you are, monk. I find it interesting that your master only requires my services when his back is against the wall. So, who does he need the puffer fish extract for?
CHANG : It's for Abbot Woo Ping. He has fallen ill and needs it urgently.
WONG : Let me see if I have any left.
The man immediately began to look around his shop.
WONG : I don't get a lot of orders for puffer fish. That's why I only keep a couple of bottles around at a time. I might be out of it. I know that I have shark fin. He could use that as a substitute, depending on the ailment.
CHANG : The master said that he needed puffer fish.
WONG : It must be really serious then.
Suddenly, Wong found the magical ingredient.
WONG : There it is! I had one bottle left.
CHANG : Praise Buddha!
WONG : That will be two gold coins.
CHANG : Two gold coins? I didn't bring any money.
WONG : What did you say? Do you know how hard it is to get that darn fish? They have to catch it off the coast and bring it all the way to the mainland. That's no easy feat.
CHANG : Please, Mr. Wong. If the Abbot doesn't get it, he will die. Please, be merciful.
WONG : I can't believe Yu would send you over here without any money. Doesn't he know that I am not in the business of charity? I just can't do it.
CHANG (almost in tears) : Please, Mr. Wong, I beg of you. Let me have it now and I promise on my life that I will bring you the money.
The merchant reflected for a second before changing his mind.
WONG (as he tossed the small bottle at Chang) : Go ahead and take it. Just make sure that you include me and my family in your prayers. Times are so tough nowadays. I'd rather have that than any amount of gold. Now hurry and go save your Abbot.
CHANG : Thank you, Mr. Wong. Thank you. Your kindness will be rewarded. I will make sure that the elders move you up on their prayer list.
WONG : All right! All right! Just make sure you don't forget.
Chang ran out of the herbal shop with his heart filled with joy. He couldn't wait to get back to the monastery and show everybody what he had accomplished. By the end of the day, he would be known as the one who saved Woo Ping's life. The young monk's visions of glory were suddenly interrupted by a yell, shot out from across the marketplace.
MAN : Hey, you! Shaolin monk! Come here and face me!
The young monk turned around slowly and to his big surprise, there stood the ex-bouncer of the Pink Lotus, armed with a sword. Some of the merchants, who were close by, began to pack up their merchandise as they prepared themselves for the inevitable fight.
BOUNCER : Remember me? I used to work at the Pink Lotus. Because of you meddling monks, I lost everything. I was thrown into a dungeon and beaten every day for a year. Madam Yi, who was like a mother to me, is still locked up in the city jail and is treated like an animal for the soldiers' amusement. Now, I am penniless and living on the streets. Today, I get my revenge for the misfortune you brought on us.
Chang wanted no part of that fight. He simply didn't have the time to go up against the massive man who outweighed him easily by a hundred pounds. The young monk tried to reason with him.
CHANG : It is very unfortunate what happened to you, but it was an accident. We didn't go purposely into the Lotus to cause trouble. I will gladly pray for you so your luck can change.
BOUNCER : I don't want your stinking prayers! I want your blood on my sword.
CHANG : I will not fight you. I do take some responsibility for your misfortune, but spilling my blood won't solve anything. Now, please put down your sword. I have an important matter to take care of.
Chang slowly began to walk away, but the angry man was hell-bent on fighting him.
BOUNCER : I knew it! You Shaolin monks fancy yourselves as being great warriors. In reality, you're a bunch of cowards. When you don't have your comrades to back you up, you want to tuck tail and run. I swear, if your friend hadn't blindsided me, I would have broken you in half.
The bouncer was referring to their last skirmish at the Lotus, when Lao came to the young monk's rescue. The very idea of his enemy coming to his aid was embarrassing enough for Chang, but to be reminded of that really got his blood boiling. Now, he was more than willing to give the man exactly what he had been asking for.
CHANG : I was about to walk away, but if you want revenge for your incestuous relationship with Madam Yi, come and fight me then.
The boy's insult threw the bouncer into a blind rage. He let his guard down and blindly rushed the young monk. Chang used that to his advantage and with lightning speed, he jabbed his staff into his opponent solar plexus, causing him to stagger backwards. The young Kung Fu practitioner was then able to disarm the stunned bouncer and proceeded to systematically beat him with the bamboo stick. The poor man fell to the ground, spitting out blood. Chang thought that his victory was at hand, but soon realized that the large man was determined to continue to fight. Our hero knew that he couldn't afford to let his opponent get back on his feet, not with the life of his abbot still hanging in the balance. With one final blow to the back of the head, Chang rendered the bouncer unconscious and put an end to the fight. As the young monk tried to catch his breath, he noticed that he was being watched by a horrified crowd. Everybody was taken aback by the sight of a monk striking down an already beaten adversary, even if the latter had instigated the fight. Chang tried to explain his actions to the onlookers.
CHANG : I didn't want to fight him, but he left me no other option.
When the boy realized that his explanation wasn't getting through to the people, he simply ran away from the scene of the fight. The townspeople watched the young monk as he disappeared down a street, but they were completely baffled when a second monk suddenly materialized right before them. Zhao had just reached the city and wasted no time to find Mr. Wong's place of business. He passed by the confused witnesses and ran into the herbal shop.
ZHAO : Mister Wong, Master Yu sent me. I need some puffer fish.
Wong didn't know what to make of the young man's presence, let alone his bizarre request.
WONG : Your brother already came and got my last bottle.
ZHAO : Brother? Which brother?
WONG : He was about ye high and he just left with the puffer fish. Don't you monks communicate with each other?
Zhao had no answer for the man's question, but he had a feeling that Chang was somehow implicated in the little misunderstanding. While Wong and Zhao tried to figure out who had taken the last bottle of puffer fish, young Chang had just crossed the city limits and was now sprinting along the countryside. Now that he had Master Yu's ingredient, his objective was to reach the monastery as quickly as possible. He would probably get punished, once he delivered the extract, but his only consolation was that Abbot Woo Ping and all of the elders would be forced to recognize his amazing exploit. In his mind, the trade- off was completely worth it.
Hours later, the young monk reached Shaolin. This time there was no more need for secrecy. He wasn't going to jump over a wall and creep into the compound, instead he was going to march through the main gates and announce his arrival. The lookouts spotted him as he approached the monastery.
LOOKOUT : Chang, is that you? Where are you coming from?
CHANG : Open the gates! I have Abbot Woo Ping's medicine.
LOOKOUT : I thought Master Yu sent Zhao to fetch it.
CHANG : I told you I have it. Now let me in, unless you want the abbot's death on your conscious!
The lookout immediately gave out the order, and Chang was able to enter the premises, holding triumphantly the bottle of dried puffer fish.
LOOKOUT : You need to stop prancing around. Master Yu is waiting for you in the abbot's chamber.
As Chang made his way to Woo Ping's room, Lei-Fei came running towards him. The older monk was not pleased when he heard who was bringing the ingredient.
LEI-FEI : Is it true that you have the puffer fish?
CHANG : Yes, I do have it. And I plan on delivering it personally to Master Yu.
LEI-FEI : Where is Zhao and how did you manage to get it before him?
CHANG : I told you I was as fast as the wind.
The two monks went to the abbot's chamber where most of Shaolin was still waiting impatiently outside. Master Yu had just come out of the room and was pacing back and forth on the front porch.
CHANG : Master Yu! Master Yu, I have the powder!
The boy was able to clear a path through the crowd and reach the medicine monk.
MASTER YU : What? How is that possible? What happened to Zhao?
Chang handed the bottle over to the amazed senior monk.
MASTER YU : Chang, I am not quite sure what you did, but you need to explain yourself immediately.
Before the young monk could answer, Zhao suddenly appeared from out of the blue. He pushed his way through his fellow monks and joined Chang, Lei-Fei and Master Yu.
ZHAO (out of breath) : I am here, Master Yu. I tried to catch up with Chang, but he is a fast little weasel. If it wasn't for that mountain, I would have beaten him up here.
Master Yu and Lei-Fei slowly began to understand why it took Zhao so long to report to them when he was needed and why they were unable to locate Chang for most of the day.
MASTER YU : I will get to the bottom of this after I'm done preparing Woo Ping's medicine. Lei-Fei and Zhao keep a close eye on our hero. I wouldn't want him to disappear on us again.
Master Yu went into the abbot's room and left Chang in the care of the two older monks who were visibly displeased with what he did.
While everybody waited patiently for Woo Ping to recover, the day slowly turned into night and Chang was getting an earful from his two older brothers.
LEI-FEI : I can't believe you could be so reckless, Chang. You purposely tricked Brother Zhao so you could run to the city.
CHANG : No, I did not! I told him that he was needed in the infirmary, like Master Yu asked me to.
ZHAO : You definitely could have told me that the matter was urgent, instead of making me believe that it was just some random request.
CHANG : I don't see what the big deal is. I went and got the puffer fish, and now our abbot will be healed.
LEI-FEI : What about your complete disregard for a direct order?
ZHAO : That's right! How would you feel if I made you run to the city for nothing? If you wanted to go so badly, I would have taken you with me. You made me look like a fool instead.
Zhao made a valid point and Chang knew then that there was no winning over the two monks. He remained quiet until Master Yu joined them.
MASTER YU : Abbot Woo Ping is awake and he would like to talk to you, Chang.
The young monk was starting to get really anxious. He had no idea what was in store for him. He slowly stepped inside the room, followed by Lei-Fei and Zhao. Master Fang was standing in the small space, next to Woo Ping's bed. The ominous monk had a smirk on his face as he silently observed the nervous boy. Chang had a bad feeling.
WOO PING ( laying in bed) : You have nothing to fear, young one. Come closer.
Abbot Woo Ping went straight to the point, once the young monk was next to him.
WOO PING : I heard what you did this afternoon. And I have to say that I am both grateful and saddened by your actions. To disobey your masters is a great offense, even if you have good intentions. The ends never justify the means. Once you cross that line, your judgment will become clouded and you can easily confuse a bad action for a good one. Do you understand, young one?
CHANG : Yes, abbot.
Master Fang immediately went for the kill.
MASTER FANG : I don't think that he really does understand the gravity of his actions. He put your life in jeopardy, so he could satisfy his own ego. What would he have done if Mr. Wong didn't have the puffer fish? I think Chang would have returned to Shaolin empty handed and bring about your untimely demise. And let us not forget poor old Zhao who sacrificed himself in vain.
ZHAO : I had to give Mr. Wong four gold coins for some shark fin that he swore could be used in place of puffer fish. Now, I think I've also been swindled.
MASTER FANG : Personally, I am very disappointed in Chang. Action must be taken to rectify his behavior.
WOO PING : I see your point Brother Fang, but I also understand where young Chang is coming from. I know that he just wanted to prove himself.
Then the abbot addressed the young monk directly.
WOO PING : You should not dismiss your teachings just to show everybody that you can be a great Shaolin monk. A Shaolin monk's actions are governed by doctrine and principle. They are the true source of his greatness. Don't lose sight of that. Now, with that said, I want to extend my gratitude to you for saving my life. You took it upon yourself to accomplish a serious task when you knew it could result with you getting punished, among other things. Even though it was reckless, I know it wasn't totally ego driven and you had my well being in mind. Because of that, I find myself incapable of punishing you, but I want you to think about my words when you go to bed tonight. I sense that you have deep rooted issues that you need to express; maybe we can talk more about them in the morning.
Woo Ping's decision was good enough for the young monk who bowed to his master before walking out of the chamber. He was glad that the abbot recognized his heroic act and that he hadn't fallen completely from the elder's good graces. He hurried to the dormitory, to share his exploits with Lei.
All of the young monks were getting ready for bed when Chang entered the room. He went to his sleeping spot, expecting to find Lei; he found the area vacant instead. Chang looked around the dorm, hoping to spot his friend, but the boy was nowhere to be found. That same strange feeling that came over him when he was facing Abbot Woo Ping started to resurface. With some hesitation, he asked young Li, who was resting on his mat, if he knew the whereabouts of his friend.
CHANG : Hey, Li! Have you seen Lei?
The little boy sat up with a surprised look on his face.
LI : Lei? Are you serious? Haven't you heard?
CHANG : Heard what?
LI : Lei has been expelled! It happened sometime this afternoon.
CHANG : What? That's impossible! You are lying.
LI : I swear it's the truth. He came and got all of his belongings. Then Master Fang escorted him out of the monastery.
CHANG : Master Fang!?
Before the boy could utter anything else, Lao and Pu'an were both standing in front of him. The two bullies were grinning from ear to ear.
LAO : I see you just got the good news.
CHANG : I don't know what you two bastards did to Lei, but I intend on finding the truth and I will reveal your treachery to Abbot Woo Ping.
PU'AN : Save your breath cockroach. Didn't you know that your boyfriend had a girlfriend?
Chang was rendered speechless.
LAO : Your good friend Lei has been having this secret relationship, for a year now, with that little whore called Mei-Ling. I can't believe you didn't know. Think about all the times he would disappear and how eager he was to go to the city. When Pu'an and I figured out that he was up to something, we waited patiently, kept a close eye on him and thanks to some clever snooping, we were able to discover his illicit affair. We found a bunch of love letters that he was keeping in his things and turned them all over to the elders.
PU'AN : Don't forget the looks they used to give each other. It was so obvious and revolting at the same time.
LAO : He was ordered to choose between the monastery and his little whore. He chose her instead.
PU'AN : How sad! I'm going to miss him. He had so much potential.
LAO : But don't worry Chang, I promise you will be next!
Once the bullies were done rubbing Chang's nose in their nasty accomplishment, they went back to bed, laughing at the stunned boy. The young monk slowly sat on the ground, in complete shock. For a year now, he taught that he was the only one keeping a secret. Apparently, Lei had his own. He couldn't understand why his best friend would choose a girl over their friendship. The monk didn't say a word as he watched Lao and Pu'an revel in their victory, but an uncontrollable anger started to build up inside of him. If the two boys were plotting to get him expelled as well, he was about to simplify their task. Chang suddenly rose to his feet and with his fists clenched, he went to confront the two misfits. Li knew exactly what he had in mind.
LI : Chang, what are you doing? Come back here! You are going to get your ass kicked.
The young monk was ready to give the two boys a beating that they would never forget. And if he got expelled from Shaolin for doing so, at least he would be reunited with his friend. Lao and Pu'an saw him coming. They immediately jumped off their mats and readied themselves for the confrontation. Chang was now facing the two of them and he was not afraid. Lao got in his face first, inciting him to fight.
LAO : What are you going to do, you wannabe Shaolin monk?
PU'AN : You think you can take the both of us? You must really be out of your mind. Go to sleep before we put you to sleep.
Chang was about to unleash his anger, when suddenly, the school bell rang. All of the students in the dormitory stopped paying attention to the three boys and were now on high alert. Because it was very uncommon for the great bell of Shaolin to go off late at night, everybody was scrambling inside the dormitory. Maybe they were being attacked or some calamity had hit the monastery, either way the young ones were dressed and ready to battle any menace. An older monk came stumbling inside the already chaotic room, completely hysteric.
MONK : Everybody out right now! The prophecy is upon us! The prophecy is upon us!
Chang's fight with his two nemeses would have to be put on hold. They slowly backed away from each other and followed their classmates out the door. Meanwhile, Abbot Woo Ping was getting the same message from another monk.
MONK : Abbot! Abbot! Bodhidharma's prediction is coming true. The time has come.
The announcement caught everybody inside the abbot's room completely off guard. Master Fang was both baffled and unconvinced.
MASTER FANG : What is going on out there? And what are you talking about?
MONK : The sky! The sky, Master Fang! There are lights in the night sky!
Master San and Master Yu, who were also present at the time, didn't know what to make of the monk's story. But Woo Ping knew exactly what was happening.
WOO PING : Help me up! I need to see this.
The senior monks got the abbot out of bed and they all hurried out of the room. Outside, they met up with Masters Han, Yeoh and Yen who were glued to the sky. Like the monk said, the night sky was illuminated by strange colorful lights. There were blues, reds and greens, and they danced gracefully to the amazement of the Shaolin monks. Chang and his classmates were standing in the main courtyard as they watched in awe the strange phenomena. While some of his brethren were falling to their knees, Abbot Woo Ping, supported by Master Fang and Master San, stared at the night sky with a bit of fear in his heart. He knew that this was just a taste of things to come.
WOO PING : The time of the prophecy is truly upon us. May Buddha have mercy on our souls!
