“A sage of old also dreamed of Duke Zhou, and Zai Yu was once known for his habit of napping in daylight. Why must you two push each other to such extremes?” Shi Mengzhu wore a displeased expression as he sharply questioned.
Zhang Shisan hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back, while Master Ku wore an embarrassed look.
“You two are both cultivators of high attainment, able to go without sleep or rest. But Mei Qing is still young—how can he keep up such relentless efforts day and night? Mei Qing, I’m speaking here, yet you keep yawning. Is this how a student should behave?” Angrily, Shi Mengzhu rapped the scroll in his hand against Mei Qing’s head as he scolded.
“Yes, yes, this young man is dull-witted. Master’s reprimand is entirely justified,” Mei Qing replied weakly, struggling to keep his eyes open.
“That’s better. As the saying goes, ‘If one hears the Dao in the morning, one may die content in the evening.’ Though all cultivation paths eventually converge, ultimately Confucianism remains the orthodox way. Daoist Zhang, don’t be so quick to glare at me. I wouldn’t make such a claim without basis. Please, all three of you, listen carefully as I explain—ah, how fond I am of debate! I truly have no choice but to speak out!”
At this point, Shi Mengzhu leapt to his feet, pacing back and forth while swaying his head as he spoke animatedly.
“Confucius was shaped by the Five Elements and formed by the dual principles of Yin and Yang. Other sages, born of Yang energy, are bright and open-minded; those born of Yin energy are quiet and meticulous…”
“Though they work together, they seldom agree; though they speak together, they seldom understand each other. Only on the most fundamental and crucial matters do they concur…”
“One sage is complete in one way, all sages are complete in their own ways. One reaches the ultimate in a single path, while all reach excellence in their own manner. What do you all think?”
Zhang Shisan, Master Ku, and Mei Qing, seated opposite him, nodded repeatedly.
“These students are teachable indeed…” Shi Mengzhu felt pleased in his heart. Yet he had only just begun his grand discourse, with many more points to follow. As he was about to continue, he suddenly noticed that the three opposite him were still nodding—only upon closer inspection did he realize that all three had their eyes tightly shut, their snores growing louder. They had actually fallen asleep while listening!
Indeed, not only Mei Qing had been working tirelessly these past few days—Zhang Shisan and Master Ku were also exhausted. They had simply been too preoccupied with urgent matters to rest. As a result, after listening to Shi Mengzhu’s lengthy lecture, even those who had been awake soon felt dizzy and drowsy. Thus, before long, all three had nodded off in their seats, dreaming of Duke Zhou.
“Rotten wood cannot be carved… a wall of dung cannot be plastered,” sighed Shi Mengzhu, shaking his head. Then he turned and suddenly noticed Hou Shen, who had just been scolded and released by Master Ku, sitting quietly at the door listening attentively to his lecture.
“Ah, as the saying goes: ‘To judge by words leads one astray, as it did with Zai Yu; to judge by appearance leads one astray, as it did with Zi Yu.'” Shi Mengzhu spoke gently to Hou Shen, “At first glance, you didn’t seem like a scholarly type, but today I see that your heart is truly devoted to learning. You may indeed be called diligent and eager to learn!”
“Master’s method truly surpasses those two elders by far,” Hou Shen’s eyes gleamed with admiration. “Senior Zhang and Master Ku, both possess formidable cultivation skills—capturing me was as easy as reaching into a pocket. Yet today, with but a few words, Master reduced these two masters to helpless drowsiness, leaving them utterly subdued. Such skill is truly awe-inspiring. I’ve heard tales of ancient monks whose teachings could make even stones nod in agreement. Today, even those asleep were nodding—Master surely rivals those ancients!”
Not until the next morning, with dawn’s first light, did one of the three sleeping figures in the room begin to stir.
Master Ku was the first to awaken. Slowly opening his eyes, he saw Zhang Shisan and Mei Qing still deep in slumber and couldn’t help but smile.
Before his smile had faded, Zhang Shisan let out a “Hmph!” and opened his eyes, addressing Master Ku, “What are you grinning at, baldy? Think I woke up later than you?”
Master Ku shook his head with a smile. Zhang Shisan shrugged and said, “At our level of cultivation, what difference does sleep make? Yesterday was merely a courtesy to the old scholar. But as for Mei Qing, he’s my disciple now. In your Huayan Sect, there are more young monks than pebbles in a river—why must you fight me for this foolish apprentice?”
Upon hearing this, Master Ku’s smile vanished. He sighed slowly but wore a look of firm determination.
Zhang Shisan slapped his forehead in frustration. “You old baldy, always getting in my way! Tell me then, what will it take for you to give him up?”
Master Ku thought for a moment, then without a word, he swept his robe aside, revealing a small jade vial.
“Yan Ling Jade Essence?” Zhang Shisan frowned. “You already have one, don’t you? Wait—do you mean, if I give up the disciple, you’ll give me this?”
Master Ku’s expression was solemn, clearly serious.
“You’ve really gone all out, old monk. Back then I tried everything to get this from you, and you wouldn’t budge. Now, for the sake of a disciple, you’re willing to part with it,” Zhang Shisan said with a bitter smile. “But for cultivators like us, aside from ascending, what matters most is our sect’s continuation. At least your Huayan Sect still exists—even if you can’t find a successor, the sect can carry on. But you know my situation. How crucial a disciple is to me now? Do you really think I’d let go?”
Hearing Zhang Shisan’s words, Master Ku looked helpless, but his expression remained unyielding.
For a moment, both fell silent, while Mei Qing, oblivious, continued to sleep soundly, a sweet smile on his face in his dreams.
Outside, the sun had long risen, casting its usual golden glow over the courtyard. The tall elm tree cast a massive shadow across the empty yard, stretching out a long silhouette that covered the rockeries and bamboo grove, creating a unique sense of peace and tranquility.
In haste, Shi Mengzhu strode across the courtyard, passing through shadow into sunlight, his face illuminated with a calm brightness.
“Have you both woken up?” Shi Mengzhu asked with a smile as he pushed open the door, then turned to glance at the still-sleeping Mei Qing, adding with a chuckle, “Youth always needs more sleep. Still, the past couple of days have been tough on him.”
Inside, the two men sat motionless, their expressions clouded with worry, as if they had heard nothing.
Seeing their troubled faces, Shi Mengzhu’s eyes twinkled. “Dear old friends, what’s troubling you two so much that you sit here silent and gloomy?”
Master Ku remained still, but Zhang Shisan rolled his eyes and gave a disdainful “Hmph.”
Shi Mengzhu chuckled. “Since you’re stuck, why not ask me for help? Don’t you know the saying: ‘The player is lost in the game, while the spectator sees clearly’?”
“Please, old scholar. All you can do is spout Confucian sayings. What help could you possibly be?” Zhang Shisan shot back with a glare.
“Hehe, you’re wrong there. When it comes to talismans and summoning spirits, I’ll admit I’m no match for you. But when it comes to strategy and planning, you’re no match for me. Let me ask you this—aren’t you two sulking over who gets to claim Mei Qing as a disciple?” Shi Mengzhu declared proudly.
Upon hearing this, Master Ku couldn’t help but raise his head, his eyes filled with hope. Zhang Shisan jumped up excitedly. “Exactly! Old scholar, have you come up with a solution?”
“This requires no solution at all. After all, the monk was the first to take interest in him, and was the first to teach him cultivation techniques. By all rights, the disciple should belong to the monk…” Shi Mengzhu mused aloud.
“Forget it. I knew you’d side with that baldy,” Zhang Shisan grumbled, plopping back down in a huff.
“But then again,” Shi Mengzhu continued, “considering Mei Qing’s current situation, even setting aside his romantic entanglements, judging from his bearing and potential, he doesn’t seem like an ordinary commoner’s child. He must be someone of noble birth. Making him a monk under Master Ku’s guidance would be impossible, wouldn’t it? After all, the Huayan Sect’s inner disciples must formally enter the sect. Otherwise, how could he be accepted among your ranks? By that logic, this inner disciple, Master Ku, you simply cannot take.”
Only then did Zhang Shisan and Master Ku recall this point. Though both were seasoned in worldly affairs, having long wandered through life with detachment, they had given little thought to the realities of secular power and Mei Qing’s possible reluctance to become a monk.
“So… does that mean the apprentice is mine?” To his surprise, Shi Mengzhu’s argument had shifted in his favor. Zhang Shisan leapt up joyfully. “Old scholar, you truly are brilliant! That’s why our Central Land sects are united, while those foreign Buddhist teachings are left without followers.”
Shi Mengzhu shook his head. “My suggestion is: let Zhang take Mei Qing as his inner disciple, while Master Ku accepts him as a lay disciple. Thus, both of you may pass on your teachings. Isn’t that a happy resolution for all?”
“How could that possibly work?” As soon as Shi Mengzhu finished speaking, Zhang Shisan immediately protested. “Why would I willingly give half of a good apprentice to this baldy? Who would he even belong to then?”
Though Master Ku said nothing, he also shook his head slightly, clearly disagreeing with Shi Mengzhu’s suggestion.
Unfazed, Shi Mengzhu chuckled. “Don’t rush to oppose me. Hear me out. Both of you are eager to take Mei Qing as a disciple because you wish to preserve your sect’s teachings, fearing no successors, correct?”
Zhang Shisan and Master Ku nodded repeatedly. Shi Mengzhu continued, “Now, Mei Qing is a rare talent, with exceptional potential and insight—exactly the kind of disciple both of you have been seeking. That’s why you both want him. Yet you fear that if he learns both of your teachings, it might dilute your respective traditions. That’s your concern, isn’t it?”
Zhang Shisan, caught in his thoughts, merely grunted and said nothing further. Master Ku, however, nodded, acknowledging that Shi Mengzhu had indeed voiced his own concerns.
For cultivators, the transmission of their sect’s teachings must maintain purity. Just as the Shangqing sect’s disciples must regard the “Shangqing Dadong Zhenjing” as their sole path, any Shangqing disciple who dared to spend half his effort studying the “Lingbao Jing” would be expelled without hesitation.
“But both of you have misunderstood!” Shi Mengzhu declared firmly.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage