Chapter 19: The Portrayer of the White Crane Youth
The mask on the man before him was complete; the pale visage was dominated by a pair of striking eyes that seemed almost possessed as their pupils shifted...
His ceremonial robe was not fully donned yet. At this moment, he wore only a blue cloud-patterned inner garment, a string of large beads wrapped around his chest, and a golden crown inlaid with multicolored jewels. On either side of his head hung blue-purple braids.
When Li Xuan had watched the film, this White Crane Youth had not appeared; however, in another version, the White Crane Youth featured prominently—indeed, there were many such figures.
In the original uncut storyline, Li Ruonan was walking with her daughter when they unexpectedly encountered a temple fair procession featuring spirit mediums dressed as various ghosts and deities.
Among them were the White Crane Youth, the Official General, the Instrument of Punishment Elder, the Tiger Lord, the Black and White Impermanence, and many others, some barely visible in the frame...
Their abnormalities on Li Ruonan and Chen Letong were discovered. The White Crane Youth noticed first, followed swiftly by the others, the Instrument of Punishment and the Official General, who approached menacingly, nearly causing Li Ruonan to fall to her knees in fright.
But the crowd was thick.
Li Ruonan seized the moment to flee, clutching Chen Letong tightly...
Perhaps the director found this implausible, as later versions omitted this sequence.
There were two reasons for this implausibility:
First, the annual spirit procession supposedly uses the images of ghosts and deities to suppress evil energies. The fact that the White Crane Youth and others detected Li Ruonan’s anomaly implies these mediums possess genuine abilities. Yet, such a formidable group being outpaced by a lone, frail woman seemed unreasonable, so the scene was discarded...
Second, Li Ruonan’s tender care for her daughter and her persistent search for a solution conflicted with her sudden decision to flee upon the arrival of the White Crane Youth and others, undermining her portrayed determination to dispel the curse.
Yet—
Encountering the White Crane Youth here in the original palace lifted Li Xuan’s spirits immeasurably.
He rose and approached, asking, “May I speak with the temple master? I seek to extinguish an evil deity and require powerful assistance.”
Sincerity is always a decisive skill; being direct is clearest.
The actor playing the White Crane Youth paused, appraising Li Xuan from head to toe. Seeing only a freshly graduated university student’s appearance, he frowned and said, “You’re likely just a believer, not a practitioner. This path isn’t for just anyone—it's perilous. You should leave.”
Li Xuan revealed the “Fengdu Treasure Seal” emblem and explained, “My surname is Li. I have recently sworn allegiance to the Northern Yin Fengdu Great Emperor’s lineage. I’m a novice who happened upon an evil deity unleashing a curse. I’m ashamed that my cultivation is too weak to confront this deity alone, so I seek the temple master’s aid.”
He added, “I was recommended by Elder Qing of the Zhou Cang Palace.”
The White Crane Youth actor evidently recognized Elder Qing. At the mention of his name, his gaze softened considerably. “So Elder Qing recommended you. You must have exceptional qualities. I’ll go inside and inform the temple master.”
He turned and walked toward the inner hall.
After a while, an elderly man clad in a gray robe and wearing a Taoist crown emerged, leaning on a cane and supported by the White Crane Youth actor.
He appeared to be in his eighties.
His hair was graying, his face deeply lined as if carved by a knife, his frame slender, and his callused hands bore the marks of hard labor. Standing beside Elder Qing, this temple master would appear considerably older.
The old temple master donned a pair of antique spectacles from his pocket and scrutinized Li Xuan closely. “The Northern Yin Fengdu Great Emperor lineage—impressive. Such lineage is scarcely seen nowadays.
“But young man, are you aware that the Fengdu Great Emperor, the Northern Polar Ziwei Great Emperor, and the Mount Tai Eastern Peak Great Emperor belong to the same system? And only the Fengyue sect venerates the Fengdu Great Emperor as the manifested deity, with the Northern Polar and Eastern Peak Emperors as hidden deities?”
Li Xuan nodded. “Yes, honored temple master.”
The temple master hummed thoughtfully. “Then you should know that the Fengyue cultivation path involves first mastering the Eastern Peak techniques as a foundation before advancing through the Fengdu methods?”
Li Xuan scratched his head. “I know a bit. But I’m somewhat like a wandering cultivator in a novel. Though I follow the Fengdu teachings, I don’t know where to find the Fengyue sect. Unlike Mount Longhu or Maoshan, Fengyue has no fixed headquarters or sectal main altar...”
The temple master’s expression shifted to one of disbelief. “To cultivate the basic Eastern Peak methods, you go to the foot of Mount Tai. To cultivate the Fengdu techniques, you go inland to Fengdu, where massive imperial palaces stand, and Mount Tai and Fengdu concentrate immense faith from all eras.
“Arrive there with your authentic ‘Fengdu Treasure Seal,’ and any practitioner of real ability will not slight you.”
Li Xuan accepted the advice humbly. “Thank you, temple master, for your guidance. But my main purpose at the Primordial Palace this time is to seek your help with the evil deity problem.”
The temple master smiled and motioned to his legs. “Old age slows me; I’m no match for you young ones running about.”
He stroked his beard, his gaze settling on the disciple supporting him. “Aying, you practice diligently every morning and night. Accompany this young man to deal with the Great Black Buddha Mother.”
Aying’s face was expressionless. Calmly, he replied, “Very well.”
Their exchange was so straightforward, as if the temple master had merely asked Aying, the White Crane Youth actor, to step out and fetch a bottle of soy sauce...
Li Xuan was about to speak.
The temple master seemed to read his thoughts and smiled. “Elder Qing already called me in advance.”
No wonder the temple master mentioned the Great Black Buddha Mother by name.
He continued, “This being is an evil deity from Southeast Asia, more accurately a malformed spirit spawned from a mixture of malignant beliefs and malevolent ghosts. It’s hardly a true evil deity, but its name carries weight.
“Aying is my young apprentice. Though not especially gifted, he is capable. You are a newcomer, so I thought the two of you might partner to resolve this matter.”
The temple master produced a palm-sized box from his pocket, handing it to Aying. “The Great Black Buddha Mother has been trapped for years and is weakened now. You two should do your best. If all else fails, open this box—it guarantees your safe return, intact.”
Aying was a twenty-seven-year-old youth.
He protested with some pride, “Master, you underestimate me. I’m diligent in my studies and have portrayed the White Crane Youth for seven or eight years with deep meditation and spirit cultivation.
“I’m confident... when there, I can immediately embody the role and summon even a trace of power to destroy that thing...”
The temple master chuckled, “That impressive? Then maybe next year you should give others a chance.”
Aying’s expression shifted; he took the wooden box solemnly. “Master, I admit I have much to learn. Your instructions will be followed—rest assured.”
After a few more words of advice, the temple master released Aying and slowly turned to leave.