In Buddhism, the Celestial Human Five Declines refer to various unusual phenomena that appear when a Celestial Human's lifespan is about to end.
These include soiled clothing, wilting flowers on the head, sweating from the armpits, a foul body odor, and a disinclination to remain in their seat.
Its appearance signifies a tangible approach to death.
Once a person possesses two or more techniques beyond the peak, they immediately fall into the “Celestial Human Five Declines”. From the moment it appears, their remaining lifespan begins to be measured in increments. The higher their martial arts, the faster they die.
Take Li Miao as an example; he possessed three techniques beyond the peak, but he deliberately left one step untaken in each of the three paths. Therefore, his three techniques beyond the peak were “fake,” having lost their divine power, which allowed him to still be lively and active.
In the battle on Mount Tai, in order to fight Yun Zelin, he perfected his “Vajra” technique. It seemed only his hair turned white, which didn't appear serious, but if he hadn't retreated in cultivation, the “Celestial Human Five Declines” would have intensified over time.
Li Miao would have died within a day.
However, this Commander Zhu Zai, who ordered the bombardment of Shaolin Temple, with his composed and unhurried demeanor, did not seem like someone with less than a day left to live.
Although the signs of the “Celestial Human Five Declines” on this person were more severe than Li Miao's on Mount Tai, they seemed to have been halted by some means and showed no intention of progressing further.
Li Miao smiled silently.
When he was in Shuntian Prefecture, he rarely displayed his martial arts. Even in front of Zhu Zai, he avoided discussing his progress, precisely to guard against those hidden people and things behind the scenes.
Those who rely on their slight uniqueness and believe themselves to be favored by heaven, acting recklessly, will only die inexplicably like Zuo Lishan.
The essence of martial arts is a form of violence, and all power is built upon violence.
The one who gains the most might not be the most righteous, nor the most popular, but they are certainly the strongest.
The Great Shuo imperial court has ruled the world for nearly two hundred years, enjoying dominion over all lands. It would be truly strange if they hadn't mastered the secret of techniques beyond the peak.
After that person gave the order, Zhu Zai gave instructions to fire a few cannons as a test.
Just as several Jinyiwei were pulling the cannons into position, about to blast open the main gate of Shaolin Temple.
The gate slowly opened.
An old monk emerged from within. Seeing the numerous Jinyiwei outside the temple and the cannons with lit fuses, he showed no panic. He pressed his palms together, bowing to Zhu Zai.
“Lord Zhu.”
Zhu Zai suddenly raised his hand, clenching his fist, signaling the Jinyiwei preparing to fire to stop. Then he returned the bow to the old monk: “Master Xingxiu.”
“The imperial court received news that Shaolin Temple was under siege by Ming Cult rebels and specifically came to rescue you. Have the Ming Cult rebels already retreated?”
This old monk who opened the gate was precisely Master Xing Chi's junior brother, the current abbot of Shaolin Temple, and one of only two surviving Xing-generation eminent monks of Shaolin.
Shaolin Temple and Wudang are known as the paramount martial arts sects in the martial world, so it was inevitable for them to interact with the Jinyiwei. Zhu Zai had visited Shaolin Temple before and was acquainted with him.
“Yes, we are grateful for the imperial court's concern; our temple is deeply appreciative.”
“Since you have traveled so far, Lord, why not enter our temple to rest and partake of some vegetarian meal and tea?” Xingxiu said.
Zhu Zai turned to look at the person with the “Celestial Human Five Declines”: “Elder Brother, what do you think?”
That person chuckled lightly: “Since Shaolin Temple is fine, I'll head back first; I'm tired.”
“Go inquire about the situation that day, write a memorial, and submit it. You don't need to report back to me.”
With that, he turned and returned to his sedan chair, slowly departing.
Zhu Zai gave an order for the Jinyiwei to set up camp outside Shaolin Temple, then selected a few trusted subordinates and followed Xingxiu into the Shaolin Temple gate.
Upon entering the temple gate, Zhu Zai saw that the ground was covered in uncleaned bloodstains, though no bodies were visible.
Looking at the surrounding buildings, most of them had collapsed, with only a few remote Buddhist halls still relatively intact.
Zhu Zai nodded to himself.
It seemed the news received by the imperial court was true. Given Shaolin Temple's foundation, the Ming Cult must have launched an all-out attack to reduce Shaolin to such a state.
He then immediately asked Xingxiu, who was ahead of him: “How is Master Xing Chi doing now?”
Upon hearing this, Xingxiu did not stop walking and said indifferently: “My senior brother suffered severe injuries and has three days left to live.”
Zhu Zai's steps halted: “Is that so… With your temple's methods, who could have injured Master Xing Chi to such an extent?”
“Benefactor Ji of the Ming Cult.”
“Impossible.”
Zhu Zai stated decisively: “He is already dead, died in Miao Xinjiang. I saw it clearly that day.”
“To guard against the evil of Witchcraft, we cut his body into several pieces, transported them in iron boxes to Shuntian, had people meticulously dissect them, and finally, I personally burned them into a pile of charcoal and scattered them into the river.”
“No matter how high his martial arts, he is still human. No matter how evil Witchcraft is, it's impossible for it to bring him back from the dead.”
Xingxiu still said indifferently: “I have never practiced martial arts, only focused on studying Buddhist scriptures. That day, my senior brother told me to hide, so I did not witness the situation firsthand.”
“For all matters, Lord Zhu, please ask my senior brother when you see him.”
With that, he led Zhu Zai towards the main hall of Shaolin Temple.
Seeing the temple gate slowly close, Li Miao lightly descended from the treetop, standing in place, twirling his fingers, and pondering for a moment.
Shaolin Temple seemed not to have encountered too much trouble, which did not surprise Li Miao.
Shaolin Temple has been passed down for a thousand years; how could it not possess some extraordinary methods?
Over these thousand years, many peerless talents beyond the peak have emerged in the world. If a single Ji Tianrui could destroy Shaolin Temple, then Shaolin's thousand-year legacy would be quite laughable.
He just didn't know why the Ming Cult attacked Shaolin Temple.
Li Miao turned and left, finding Yin Minjun and Yongjie.
“Elder Yin, take my waist token and find Zhang Centurion. Tell him to inform the Commander that I will see him at the third watch tonight.”
“If that person is there, have him hang one lantern outside the tent. If he is not there, hang two lanterns.”
“Yes, Sir.” Yin Minjun took the waist token and departed as ordered.
Li Miao then turned to Yongjie: “Master, looking at Shaolin Temple's situation, it should be safe now.”
“You may go. You are originally a disciple of Master Xing Chi, and the Jinyiwei will not stop you, but do not reveal any information related to me.”
“If you see Master Xing Chi, please ask him a question for me.”
“Just say that I, Li Miao, a junior, have some grievances with the Ming Cult and am willing to help your temple vent its anger. However, I have some questions I wish to ask Master Xing Chi.”
“Tonight, I will come to the temple to find you. Let's agree on a meeting place first. If Master Xing Chi is willing to see me, please, Master, take me to meet him.”
Yongjie nodded, agreed on a meeting place with Li Miao, and turned to walk towards the Shaolin Temple mountain gate.
After being stopped by the Jinyiwei, he explained his purpose and then entered the mountain gate.
Li Miao stood in place, gazing remotely at the thousand-year-old Shaolin Temple, silent, lost in thought.