“What’s wrong with it? How can the Taoist lineage ever merge into one?” Zhang Shisan huffed.
Shi Mengzhu shook his head repeatedly. “Old Taoist, you’re confusing lineage with Taoist techniques. Let me ask you, in ancient times, Lu Jingxiu, known as the disciple of the Three Caverns, welcomed the Celestial Masters, Shangqing, and Lingbao sects without prejudice. Confucius also sought advice from Laozi, and Laozi even authored scriptures about converting the barbarians. If the sage had no sectarian bias, why do you consider learning from other sects as heretical?”
Zhang Shisan was momentarily speechless but kept shaking his head.
Shi Mengzhu continued, “Lineage is not the same as Taoist techniques. If we talk about techniques, even within one sect, there are differences. Lineage passes through spirit; as long as the Tao resides in one’s heart, the lineage continues.”
Looking at the sleeping Mei Qing, Shi Mengzhu smiled and said, “In my opinion, young Mei Qing must have surprised both of you these past two days. Besides his exceptional talent and high aptitude, he has shown many things beyond your imagination. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be so anxious, old Taoist. But have you two considered that since he is such an outstanding talent, how could he be confined to just one sect’s perspective? Letting only you two teach him restricts and confines him. In my view, you two should simply pass on the lineage to him. As for how he refines and develops it, let him handle it himself. Perhaps he will open up a new realm, and thus your lineages will truly flourish.”
Zhang Shisan was deeply moved, and Master Ku also looked at Shi Mengzhu thoughtfully.
Shi Mengzhu chuckled, “Even if it doesn’t work out, he can later choose disciples to inherit each of your lineages, causing no harm. Master Ku, perhaps you are worried that accepting him as a lay disciple might hinder passing on profound techniques. Actually, I see that Mei Qing has strong opinions; he is not the kind of disciple who needs to be fed step by step. What you two need to do is guide him at crucial moments with your experience and insights, rather than constrain him with too many prejudices and rigid teachings. A teacher’s role is to transmit the Tao, instruct in skills, and resolve doubts; it’s not about teaching him every skill by hand.”
After listening, Master Ku suddenly smiled, formed a flower-gesture with his hand, and sat still. Zhang Shisan also nodded and smiled, “Still, you old scholar have a smooth tongue. Hmm, what you said makes sense. Haha, this bald monk has indeed gained some benefit from your words, easing some karmic entanglements.”
Master Ku’s meditation was brief, as if only a blink of an eye, before he opened his eyes, smiled slightly, and clasped his hands in greeting, “Brother Shi, thank you for your guidance.”
“Ah… you’re speaking now?” Before Shi Mengzhu could respond, Zhang Shisan jumped up.
“A monk is still a person; why shouldn’t he speak?” Master Ku smiled, “Today is right, and yesterday was wrong. Haha, I understand now.”
“Understand?… Haha, good, good. I always found your silent meditation and telepathic communication tiring. Now that you’re speaking, let’s make it clear: Mei Qing is my formal disciple, and your lay disciple. Don’t try to take him from me again,” Zhang Shisan said seriously.
Master Ku was unfazed, waved his sleeve, and said, “What’s the difference between formal and lay? If you say so, then so it is.”
Seeing Master Ku’s sudden ease, Zhang Shisan was momentarily stunned. Then, with a faint smile, he said, “So you really have seen through and let go. Hmph, you Buddhists indeed have some unique insights.”
Mei Qing slept until evening. Unlike Zhang Shisan and Master Ku’s cultivation, sitting all day left him with sluggish qi and stiff legs. After stretching, he looked around and saw Shi Mengzhu, Zhang Shisan, and Master Ku sitting before him, staring like wolves eyeing a sheep.
Mei Qing shivered involuntarily and struggled to say, “Senior Shi, Senior Zhang, Senior Ku… I didn’t mean to be lazy and sleep…”
“What are you talking about!” Zhang Shisan interrupted, “No more seniors; call me Master!”
Master Ku also nodded in agreement.
Mei Qing hesitated, “But I still want to…”
“You don’t need to think,” Shi Mengzhu smiled, “We’ve decided: you’ll be their disciple. From now on, you must serve your two masters diligently.”
Mei Qing frowned, “But what about my wife…”
“What wife? If she dares to make you reject me, she’s an unfaithful, unfilial, unkind, and unjust woman; just divorce her!” Zhang Shisan declared.
Mei Qing protested, “How is this related to faithfulness, filial piety, or kindness? Besides, we love each other deeply; how can I divorce her?”
Master Ku clasped his hands and said, “From love arises worry, from love arises fear; without love, there is no worry or fear…”
“You monks can enjoy your worry-free life; I don’t care for it… Ah, Master Ku, you’re speaking now?” Mei Qing was shocked.
Regardless of Mei Qing’s reluctance, the three seniors insisted. Fortunately, Mei Qing didn’t truly resist, so after a brief show of defiance, his resolve was quickly shattered by Zhang Shisan’s demonstration of several Grade Two talismans.
After drinking the拜师tea, performing the拜师ritual, and bowing to the sect’s deities and ancestral tablets, Mei Qing officially became Zhang Shisan’s disciple. Unexpectedly, Zhang Shisan was indeed a true Celestial Master sect heir, though Mei Qing examined him carefully and still couldn’t see him as an important figure.
Master Ku’s part was easier. Since Mei Qing couldn’t take vows, Ku simply placed his hand on Mei Qing’s head, recited some barely audible sutras, asked a few questions, and Mei Qing nodded without hesitation, completing the ceremony.
After the apprenticeship ceremony, the two masters sat in positions of honor, while Mei Qing stood respectfully below, sighing inwardly at how his status had changed from an equal to a disciple in merely two days.
Zhang Shisan reached into his robe, squinting as he said, “Mei Qing, now that you’re my disciple, I don’t have much to offer as a gift for your initiation…”
Here it comes! Mei Qing perked up. Surely, Zhang Shisan, coming from a prestigious sect and with such experience, must have valuable treasures to offer? With two masters sitting above, wouldn’t they vie to present the finest gifts? This拜师ceremony was truly worthwhile—it was time for him to reap some rewards!
Eyes fixed on Zhang Shisan’s hand, Mei Qing watched him pull out several items, slowly saying, “These brushes and papers are essential for talisman practice. It’s our sect’s tradition to prepare them for new disciples…”
A small jade inkstone, a wolf-hair brush, a stack of yellow talisman paper, and a small piece of cinnabar ink. Mei Qing rubbed his eyes, confirming he hadn’t misseen.
“Master, other disciples receive piles of treasures and pills. What are these? This paper isn’t polished, the cinnabar ink seems under-ground, the brush is used, and this inkstone…” Mei Qing picked up the jade inkstone, “I already have the finest inkstones at home. Who uses jade for inkstones? Only playboys use such things. And this jade doesn’t seem valuable…”
Before he finished, he felt a slap on the back of his head. Zhang Shisan angrily said, “Brat, how dare you criticize your master’s gifts? Treasures aren’t sold on the streets. Accept what the elder gives you without complaint.”
Muttering, Mei Qing reluctantly accepted the items after seeing Zhang’s glare. Zhang glared again, “You haven’t thanked me yet!”
Mei Qing thanked Zhang and turned to Master Ku, “Master, what about you…”
Master Ku smiled, “Mei Qing, today you join my path, and I give you one word as a gift.”
“Oh? What word?” Mei Qing asked, puzzled.
“It is… ‘Emptiness’!” Master Ku’s expression turned solemn, “All things are empty, all matters are empty. This word will serve you for life…”
Mei Qing turned to leave.
“Come back!” Master Ku scolded, “You haven’t thanked me yet.”
“If everything is empty, then thanks are also empty. Why bother?” Mei Qing argued.
“All things are empty, but teaching you is not. In fact, it’s very fulfilling.”
Zhang Shisan indeed followed his idea of building a solid foundation, making Mei Qing draw two hundred copies of each basic Grade One talisman daily.
“Master… this is too much…” Mei Qing wanted to protest but remembered his new status and changed to a sorrowful tone.
“Too much? Didn’t you agree yesterday this method was good? No complaints, start drawing!” Zhang Shisan, no longer lazy, sternly ordered.
“Fine… I’ll draw, I’ll draw, I’ll draw and draw!” Though reluctant, Mei Qing knew Zhang’s way was correct. He ground the ink, picked up the brush, and carefully began drawing talismans.
Metal, wood, water, fire… Hmm, could these Five Elements talismans be combined two on one like that composite talisman?
Suddenly inspired, Mei Qing stopped drawing and shared his idea with Zhang Shisan.
“You’ll see when you try,” Zhang Shisan chuckled.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage