Read Online The 39 Clues: Book 8 by Gordan Korman - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Gordan Korman
Tags: Fiction, General, Historical, Historical - General, Children's Books, Action & Adventure, Family, Juvenile Fiction, Action & Adventure - General, YA), Children's Fiction, Ages 9-12 Fiction, Orphans, Brothers and sisters, Other, Children: Grades 4-6, Siblings, Adventure stories (Children's, Mysteries; Espionage; & Detective Stories, Family - Siblings, Ciphers, Historical - Other, Family & home stories (Children's, Juvenile Historical Fiction
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soothed his son. "Give the thumbs a rest."
As they passed through the gate, the monk gave each member of the Wizard party a thorough once-over, especially Jonah.
They probably don't get a lot of hip-hop kids in Henan Province, Dan reflected.
Soon they found themselves in the Chang Zhu courtyard, surrounded by sculptures and frescoes. Dan was fascinated. Most of the art depicted fighting figures in every imaginable kung fu pose.
From there, they entered the Hall of One Thousand Buddhas, with its central shrine of bronze and white jade.
"Notice the floor is uneven," intoned a monk guiding a group of British tourists. "These depressions come from long-term foot-stamping practices of Shaolin teachers with profound kung fu powers."
74
Dan made it a point to step in one. He could almost feel the energy.
Although there were no stairs, the farther they moved through the series of halls, the higher they seemed to climb. The temple was built directly into the mountainside and moved up with the slope.
Jonah's father regarded the thick stone walls covered in frescoes of martial arts scenes. "No way would I get reception in here anyway."
The largest crowd of visitors was gathered around an exhibit protected by a Plexiglas case. "This is the shadow stone, the most sacred artifact in the temple," another Shaolin guide was explaining to his tour group. "The fifth-century monk Bodhidharma sat facing this rock for nine years of silent meditation. When his eyes began to close out of weariness, he tore his own eyelids off. He maintained the lotus position for so long that his legs withered away. And the sun was so strong that his shadow was cast onto this stone with such detail that even the pleats of his clothing can be seen."
No wonder the Shaolin are tough, thought Dan. He wasn't a big fan of meditation, and definitely not the eyelids part. But talk about willpower! What a fighter this Bodhidharma guy must have been -- when he had legs, of course.
Jonah let out a snicker. "I guess homey wasn't much for winking and tap-dancing after that."
The guide regarded him with scorn. "Rude jokes are not welcome here. Bodhidharma is the monk who
75
brought Zen Buddhism to China and introduced the art of kung fu to the Shaolin Temple."
"Chill." Jonah held up his arms in a gesture of innocence. "No need to go medieval on the Gangsta--"
"'Gangsta'?" Suddenly, the monk's eyes widened in wonder, and he called out in agitated Mandarin.
Monks came running from throughout the building, converging on the Shadow Stone.
Jonah's cocky sneer vanished. "Whoa, I was just playing around! I didn't mean no disrespect!"
His father reached into his BlackBerry belt holder, but there was nothing there to dial for help on.
Even Dan was nervous as he watched the orange robes congregate around them, a collection of kung fu masters capable of unleashing unimaginable martial arts force.
"Word!" Jonah was babbling now. "I'm down with the respect thing! I'm all about respect for--uh --great traditions and--uh --orange dresses--"
The monks continued to assemble, their piercing stares burning into Jonah. At last, an older monk who seemed to be in charge said, "So it is true, yes? You are Jonah Wizard, the American television and music performer?"
76
CHAPTER 11
Never before had the famous Jonah Wizard felt so lost at sea. He could usually charm his way out of any situation. But his patented hip-hop charisma didn't work on Shaolin monks.
Dan scanned the temple for the nearest exit. They were badly outnumbered by trained martial arts masters. Escape would be their sole option if this got ugly.
The head monk went on. "You have many admirers among our order, Jonah Wizard. We find similarities between our ritual chants and your --I believe the term is 'hip-hop groove'? We consider you to be, as you might say, 'all that.'"
Jonah laughed with pure relief. "Thanks, yo. Nice to be kickin' it in --you know--wherever we are."
"I am Li Wu Chen, Chief Abbot of the
As they passed through the gate, the monk gave each member of the Wizard party a thorough once-over, especially Jonah.
They probably don't get a lot of hip-hop kids in Henan Province, Dan reflected.
Soon they found themselves in the Chang Zhu courtyard, surrounded by sculptures and frescoes. Dan was fascinated. Most of the art depicted fighting figures in every imaginable kung fu pose.
From there, they entered the Hall of One Thousand Buddhas, with its central shrine of bronze and white jade.
"Notice the floor is uneven," intoned a monk guiding a group of British tourists. "These depressions come from long-term foot-stamping practices of Shaolin teachers with profound kung fu powers."
74
Dan made it a point to step in one. He could almost feel the energy.
Although there were no stairs, the farther they moved through the series of halls, the higher they seemed to climb. The temple was built directly into the mountainside and moved up with the slope.
Jonah's father regarded the thick stone walls covered in frescoes of martial arts scenes. "No way would I get reception in here anyway."
The largest crowd of visitors was gathered around an exhibit protected by a Plexiglas case. "This is the shadow stone, the most sacred artifact in the temple," another Shaolin guide was explaining to his tour group. "The fifth-century monk Bodhidharma sat facing this rock for nine years of silent meditation. When his eyes began to close out of weariness, he tore his own eyelids off. He maintained the lotus position for so long that his legs withered away. And the sun was so strong that his shadow was cast onto this stone with such detail that even the pleats of his clothing can be seen."
No wonder the Shaolin are tough, thought Dan. He wasn't a big fan of meditation, and definitely not the eyelids part. But talk about willpower! What a fighter this Bodhidharma guy must have been -- when he had legs, of course.
Jonah let out a snicker. "I guess homey wasn't much for winking and tap-dancing after that."
The guide regarded him with scorn. "Rude jokes are not welcome here. Bodhidharma is the monk who
75
brought Zen Buddhism to China and introduced the art of kung fu to the Shaolin Temple."
"Chill." Jonah held up his arms in a gesture of innocence. "No need to go medieval on the Gangsta--"
"'Gangsta'?" Suddenly, the monk's eyes widened in wonder, and he called out in agitated Mandarin.
Monks came running from throughout the building, converging on the Shadow Stone.
Jonah's cocky sneer vanished. "Whoa, I was just playing around! I didn't mean no disrespect!"
His father reached into his BlackBerry belt holder, but there was nothing there to dial for help on.
Even Dan was nervous as he watched the orange robes congregate around them, a collection of kung fu masters capable of unleashing unimaginable martial arts force.
"Word!" Jonah was babbling now. "I'm down with the respect thing! I'm all about respect for--uh --great traditions and--uh --orange dresses--"
The monks continued to assemble, their piercing stares burning into Jonah. At last, an older monk who seemed to be in charge said, "So it is true, yes? You are Jonah Wizard, the American television and music performer?"
76
CHAPTER 11
Never before had the famous Jonah Wizard felt so lost at sea. He could usually charm his way out of any situation. But his patented hip-hop charisma didn't work on Shaolin monks.
Dan scanned the temple for the nearest exit. They were badly outnumbered by trained martial arts masters. Escape would be their sole option if this got ugly.
The head monk went on. "You have many admirers among our order, Jonah Wizard. We find similarities between our ritual chants and your --I believe the term is 'hip-hop groove'? We consider you to be, as you might say, 'all that.'"
Jonah laughed with pure relief. "Thanks, yo. Nice to be kickin' it in --you know--wherever we are."
"I am Li Wu Chen, Chief Abbot of the
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