The day has come for the Sakazakies to visit Shaolin Temple again. Early in the morning, Ryo opens his luggage and brings out a black gi, a tengu mask and a white wig. This set of costume is the one wore by the person who calls himself Mr. Karate, the master of the arts of Kyokugen-ryu Karate. Before Ryo, it was his father, Takuma Sakazaki, who roamed the martial art world wearing the tengu mask and announcing himself as Mr. Karate. However, Ryo's costume is slightly different. Nidaime Mr. Karate's wig is longer, his tengu mask has a creepy smile instead of the angry look of the first Mr. Karate, and the black wristbands are replaced by a pair of red Buddhist prayer beads.
"Does this mean you are going as the head of Kyokugen-ryu school?", King asks.
"Yes.", Ryo answers. "Revered Huican asked me to help them cover the missing of Yijing Jin and come as the chief of Kyokugen-ryu Karate. Considering that woman is suspected to involve in the loss of their scriptures, I guess I should at least show some sincerity and go along with this demand."
"You would have to fight them alone then.", King says. "None of us is a member of Kyokugen-ryu, we cannot join in the feud between your school and Shaolin."
"Yes, I will fight alone.", Ryo replies as he put the black gi on.
The Sakazakies leave their room at 7 a.m and reach the peak of Songsang mountain at 8 a.m. A regular person would need half a day to cover that distance, however King and Ryo are prominent martial artists in the peaks of their physical strength, internal energy and martial art prowess, this journey is nothing but a warm-up for them. Anh Thư is still a child with limited training in Ki and conditioning, she has Ryo carrying her on his back.
While the Sakazakies are a few hundred meters away from their destination, they see a massive group of people standing around the gate of Shaolin Temple. Some of them are unarmed, some have weapons in their luggage, some don't even bother to hide their tools of violence. These people are all martial artists, they are gathering here to witness the showdown between Shaolin and Kyokugen-ryu school. However, there are also a line of Shaolin monks stopping them from enter the temple. The noises of enthusiastic martial artists wanting to enter and the monks asking them to leave make the usually peaceful Buddhist temple much more chaotic.
Ryo suddenly hearsa gentle yet fierce voice: ""You have come, Master Sakazaki."
The Karateka turns around. It was Gouken, Master of Ansatsuken's Mugen sect, Akuma's senior as well as Ryu and Ken's master. He was one of the Japanese martial artists who sent their messages to Shaolin Temple in regard to the dramas between Kyokugen-ryu and Shaolin schools.
"Master Gouken, nice to meet you here.", Ryo greets Gouken as he put Anh Thư down. The greetings between 2 Karate masters is quickly noticed by other martial artists. The fighters from Chinese martial art community do not hesitate to show their hostility toward the foreigners. However, none of them has made a move yet, they believe the Masters of Shaolin Temple will teach them a lesson. In case the Shaolin monks fail to protect their reputation, "Then it would be our turns to revenge for Chinese martial arts" or "Then we are no match for the Kyokugen-ryu, better not embarrass ourselves in public".
"You've already noticed the tension between our communities.", Gouken says. "When facing the Shaolin, you should not act rashly and cause further conflicts."
"You are soft, Master Gouken.", a voice suddenly raises from the crowd. It is not as fierce as that of Gouken, however it shows the confidence of the speaker. Ryo notices that it was Saisyu Kusanagi, leader of Kusanagi clan, as he is approaching the Karatekas.
"Young Sakazaki, just show them what you got.", Saisyu says as he points to the crowd. "If any of these cowards want to interfere, I will be on your side."
"Please, stop that, Master Kusanagi.", Gouken interrupts Saisyu's speech. His voice is calm yet demanding, so demanding that even the leader of the Kusanagi clan would comply. Assuring that Saisyu has stopped his arrogant manners, the Ansatsuken master looks around, he feels relieved that despite the attention they're drawing to themselves, none of the Chinese martial artists understood what the Japaneses were discussing in their language. If they were, what Saisyu said could be interpreted as a challenge to everyone gathering here. If a brawl happens, 2 Karateka, a Muay Thai fighter, a Kusanagi clan member and a little girl may not be enough to subdue hundreds of martial artists, and the monks from Shaolin.
From within the temple, a sudden voice interrupts all the noises and tensions:
"Master Sakazaki, it is our honor to welcome your arrival."
The voice is from a few hundred meters away, however it is clear enough to have the attention from everyone gather around Shaolin Temple.
"What is that?"
"That comes from within Shaolin Temple. It must be one of the monks."
"What did they say?"
"It seems they are awared that the Karateka is here."
"How? I don't see any Shaolin monk out here and among the ones guarding the gates, none of them has abandon their posts to inform their masters."
"Shaolin monks are not the type of ordinary martial artists in your neighborhood. This is the perfect time for younglings to realize the reason why Shaolin has been the leader of Chinese martial art community for centuries."
The Japanese group also starts discussing about the voice.
"Such powerful internal energy, this must be someone who has been conditioning their Ki for at least 4 decades.", Gouken says. "I'm afraid neither could Gouki emit such powerful force, nor could I control my Ki that masterfully."
"Master Gouken, you are so humble.", Saisyu says with a mischievious smirk.
"That is Abbott Huican.", Ryo calmly informs the other masters.
The noises stop once again, as a group of monks appear. 3 old monks wearing red and yellow robes, they are Abbott Huican and his juniors, Huidu and Huizhen. Following them are 5 monks around their early 30s, likely Xu-ranks, and 9 monks in their 20s, likely Kong-ranks, however they were not from the 18 Louhans Ryo and Anh Thư fought the other day. The 9 young monks hold wooden staffs in their hands while the 8 older monks are unarmed.
"Master Sakazaki, we meet again.", Abbott Huican says in English as he lowers his head and greets Ryo. It takes the monk a moment to realize the Karateka wearing a mask and a black gi, however he seems pleased to see Ryo follow his suggestion.
"Revered Huican, I have come as the current master of Kyokugen-ryu Karate school.", Ryo announces. "I expect you will honor our agreements."
A few minutes ago, the Japaneses were having private conversation in their language, therefore Saisyu could get away with his provoking speech. This time, Ryo publicly announces his arrival in English, many of the Chinese martial artists here understand his challenge, the crowd quickly shows their disagreements. If it wasn't for the Shaolin monks' hospitality, they would have shown these Japaneses how formidable Chinese martial arts are. That's what they've been thinking and saying.
"Please follow me.", Abbott Huican says as he waves his hand toward the gate, inviting the Karateka to enter Shaolin Temple. "We shall discuss inside."
Ryo, King, Anh Thư, Gouken and Saisyu start moving. Huidui suddenly moves his hand in between Ryo and the rest, as he says:
"Master Sakazaki said that he came as the chief of Kyokugen-ryu Karate school. Anyone not from Kyokugen-ryu is not allowed to enter our establishment before our meeting is finished."
"You want to stop us?", Saisyu says as he creates a flame on his hand.
"Master Kusanagi, stop!", Gouken shouts, however it is already too late. Saisyu has already launched a pile of flame towards the old monk, this is 1 of Kusanagi clan's ultimate techniques that implement their pyrokinesis prowess, "Ura 108 Shiki Orochinagi". It is among the 3 most devastating techniques written in the scriptures of Kusanagi clan, Saisyu only wants to threaten the monk and force him back so he does not use his full power.
However, Huidu does not retreat or show any sign of hesitation. The monk calmly waves his hand in a circular motion, then releases an enormous amount of Qi through his palm, pushing the flame back to its creator.
"Prajna Palm.", Anh Thư mumbles as she realizes the technique is the same as those she saw the other day.
Saisyu did not expect this turn of event. He instinctly hops backward while using his power to cease the flame. The Kusanagi master intended to force the monk back, but he is the one forced to retreat. This raises the morality of all Chinese martial artists gathering here, the place is filled with cheers and applauses. Saisyu is upset, he wishes that he was using "Ura 108 Shiki Orochinagi" at its full power, the monk would not be able to reflect the attack with that hand-waving technique. But if the monk still can reflect the flame, then Saisyu would not be able to get out unharmed. That thought stops the Kusanagi clan chief from trying to challenge Huidu again.
"The letter from Kusanagi clan 2 weeks ago was polite and proper, I did not expect Master Kusanagi would be so hot-tempered.", Abbott Huican thinks. "He must have had a clan member helping him take care of the diplomacy."
Abbott Huican is correct. Sending a letter to Shaolin was Saisyu's idea, however the one writting it was his wife.
"Don't act like a kid at your age.", Gouken thinks as he makes his move. With a step, the Ansatsuken master now stands between Saisyu and Huidu, preventing them from making any attack. Seeing that Saisyu would not attack again, Huidu slowly retreats his "Prajna Palm", his hands are in front of the chest, a gesture of humility for Buddhist monks. He calmly says:
"Master Gouken and Master Saisyu are not from Kyokugen-ryu Karate school, this is undeniable. Lady Sakazaki is Master Sakazaki's wife, she also has helped their dojo in their trainings and management. However, she has never officially announced herself as a member of the school. Young Lady Sakazaki is Master Sakazaki's daughter and disciple, but if our information is correct, she also has not been recognized as a member of Kyokugen-ryu Karate."
"You want my father to go in there alone?", King asks, she is frustrated knowing the Shaolin is trying to get the upperhand.
"Shaolin calls itself the leader of Chinese martial arts, yet your action are no different from bandits.", Anh Thư adds.
"Amitabha.", Huidu calmly says. "This is a matter between Shaolin and Kyokugen-ryu, we would like to keep it between ourselves. You see hundreds of people gathering around here? If we allow all of you to interfere, we will have to allow all of them as well. Shaolin disciples will not do unrighteous tricks, however we cannot guarantee Master Sakazaki's safety if someone from the crowd throws a stealth weapon."
"Master Sakazaki enters our establishment, there are hundreds of well-respected martial art figures from all over China and Japan to witness.", Abbott Huican says. "If we treat Master Sakazaki unfairly, it would be an insult to our reputation. Therefore, you don't need to worry about his safety."
Master Gouken says:
"I have arrived here early and witnessed a group of 7 Taoist priests and 3 nuns entering Shaolin Temple. The priests are likely skilled swordsmen from Wudang, the nuns probably from Emei schools, all of them carried weapons. Both Wudang and Enmei have good relations with Shaolin school. Even if you promised Master Sakazaki's safety, we cannot just trust you unconditionally."
Abbott Huican is put into an awkward situation. If he allows all of the Sakazakies, Gouken and Saisyu to enter Shaolin Temple, other people will want to enter as well. The matter that the Sakazakies want to discuss with Shaolin is something he desperately wants to keep a secret from the public so desperately that he had to meet Ryo himself to convince the Karateka to help, even offered 5 of Shaolin's Ultimate Arts. If the monk does not allow Ryo's acquaintances to join, Shaolin should prove their fairness by having the Wudang priests and Emei nuns to leave as well, and this would be a very rude action considering the histories between these 3 schools. Furthermore, there is a possibility that a dissatisfied Ryo may abandon his promise and spread the secret of Yijin Jing, as well as the fact that Shaolin is illegally imprisoning a person.
Realizing his leader's hesitation, Huizhen, who is standing behind him, whispers to his ear:
"Senior Huican. It is rude to ask the groups from Wudang and Emei to leave, and we cannot let all of them enter Shaolin either. How about we only allow his wife and daughter?"
"I agree with you, Junior Huizhen.", Abbott Huican nods his head in agreement. He then turns to the Japanese group:
"The fellows from Wudang and Emei come to Shaolin not as our allies, but as a 3rd party to witness our discussion and protect the fairness of our agreements. If Master Sakazaki is still skeptical about our arrangements and the neutrality of Wudang and Emei due to their histories with us, then we agree to have Lady Sakazaki and Young Lady Sakazaki to join."