Chapter 27: First Hearing of the Truth of the Dao

Today, only one chapter is available. I feel ashamed…

I’m a bit tired, brothers. Let Old Ji have a moment to catch his breath. I promise double updates tomorrow.

This section was tough to write. It might be tiring for readers, but for Old Ji, writing it was even more exhausting.

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Mei Qing smiled bitterly, knowing that the Daoist Lady Bi must have taken a dislike to him. He guessed she likely thought he resented her for sabotaging him in their previous magical contest and that he was now deliberately retaliating by teasing her. In truth, Mei Qing was exactly as he appeared—why couldn’t she believe it, insisting he must have practiced some arcane techniques?

Sighing deeply, Mei Qing helplessly said, “Master, you must have misunderstood me. I don’t know what you mean by these magical techniques, and I truly haven’t studied any spells. If you wish me to explain these Daoist scriptures, it’s not impossible. But there are many phrases I don’t understand myself, so interpreting them would be difficult. Perhaps, Master, you could briefly explain the basics of Daoist cultivation theory to me, so I can grasp the general idea and avoid straying too far in my interpretations.”

Lady Bi stared at Mei Qing for a long time. Seeing his sincere expression, she found it hard to suspect deception, and her heart wavered. Normally, she wouldn’t have believed a word he said, but the current situation left her without a reasonable explanation. After much deliberation, she made up her mind and said, “Then I shall follow your suggestion. However, my teachings come from the Quanzhen School’s Pure sect, which focuses on female alchemy and thus cannot be exchanged with you. Fortunately, the path of Golden Elixir cultivation is inherently interconnected. How about I offer you another alchemical method instead?”

Mei Qing understood from Lady Bi’s words that she still didn’t trust him. He smiled bitterly and said, “What use do I have for your alchemical techniques? I merely don’t understand the profound terms written here. I only ask for your patient explanation to avoid misinterpretation when I explain the scriptures.”

Lady Bi’s beautiful eyes flickered. Only now did she begin to suspect that Mei Qing might truly be ignorant of Daoist principles, which left her astonished. After a moment’s hesitation, she replied, “Then I shall follow your suggestion. I’m feeling unsettled today, so we shall begin tomorrow. Please come back here, and I will explain everything I know to you in detail.”

Pausing briefly, she continued, “However, there’s one thing. Daoist teachings rely entirely on transmission from a master. Strictly speaking, I shouldn’t be teaching you Daoist principles. However, since you’ve already embarked on the Daoist path, we are essentially Daoist companions. Mutual discussion and study should be acceptable. What do you think, Daoist Companion Mei?”

Mei Qing nodded and said, “I have no objection. But I have one request. You keep calling me ‘Daoist Companion,’ which makes me quite uncomfortable. If you must address me, please use my courtesy name, ‘Sanqing.’ Please don’t call me Daoist Companion anymore.”

“Sanqing?” Lady Bi smiled. “Now I’m more inclined to believe you haven’t practiced Daoist cultivation. Who among cultivators would dare to take such a name? How about this—I’ll call you by your given name, and you may call me Bi Zhen. It feels awkward for you to address me as ‘Master.'”

“Excellent,” Mei Qing said cheerfully. “Then we’ll start tomorrow. But… could we perhaps skip your testing methods this time?”

Bi Zhen blushed slightly and replied, “That… is indeed a bit awkward. To be honest, initially, I was simply being stubborn and acting on impulse, not thinking carefully before engaging you in a magical contest. Only now have I realized that my heart demons have stirred, and I’m already in too deep to extricate myself. Cultivators fear nothing more than unpredictable tribulations. I’ve been at the Golden Liquid stage for quite some time, hoping to cross this threshold and solidify my Golden Elixir, but I’ve yet to find the right opportunity. Now that I sense an opening, I believe this contest with you is my tribulation. If I overcome it, the path ahead will be wide open. If I fail, I may never glimpse the Dao again in this lifetime.”

Mei Qing couldn’t help but feel troubled as he said, “So this contest of ours must continue? But… isn’t it better to avoid tribulations if possible? Who actively seeks them out like you?”

Bi Zhen smiled at Mei Qing’s words and said, “You really don’t understand at all. For cultivators, tribulations and opportunities always come hand in hand. Can they truly be avoided by simply running away? Don’t take it the wrong way—my tribulation is also your tribulation, and my opportunity is also your opportunity. If you weren’t a cultivator yourself, how could I dare to test you with such powerful techniques? Now that we’ve reached this point, it must be nearly time. At this critical moment, we must both be especially cautious, striving together to unlock this barrier. Never let down our guard.”

Mei Qing said, “Fine, fine. You win. Let’s do it. It’s been this long already, what do I have to fear? Just don’t be surprised if I really can’t hold out one day—then you’ll be the one to suffer.”

Bi Zhen laughed at Mei Qing’s words and said, “Why do you make it sound so scary? To be honest, I have several powerful techniques at my disposal. If you dare to act recklessly, it might be you who ends up at a disadvantage.”

The next morning, Mei Qing arrived earlier than usual at the Rensheng Palace. As he entered the courtyard, Bi Zhen’s young disciple, Ming Jing, came forward to greet him, saying that Bi Zhen was waiting in the back garden and asked him to go there.

Since the Rensheng Palace had once been an imperial retreat, it naturally had a small garden behind it—modest in scale but distinctive in character. As soon as he entered, the sight of lush green pines and cypresses filled his eyes. Walking along the winding path, he was surrounded by dense greenery and the rustling of pine wind, evoking a sense of transcending the mundane world.

Not long later, he reached a turn where a stone terrace stood, with a small pavilion perched gracefully atop it. Climbing the steps, he saw two ancient cypresses rising like pillars of smoke and clouds, soaring toward the sky. Bi Zhen, dressed in plain Daoist robes, was below them, practicing an unfamiliar martial arts form.

The morning sun illuminated the pine needles, casting golden reflections that shimmered like waves. Against this backdrop, Bi Zhen appeared like a celestial fairy from a painting. Her movements seemed fast yet were actually slow, her hands tracing arcs like birds in flight and petals falling, gracefully circling her body.

As she completed the final movement, Bi Zhen brought her palms together, then slowly pressed them downward, gradually coming to a stop. She exhaled deeply, her entire body becoming still.

In recent days, Mei Qing had been so preoccupied with their magical contests that he hadn’t had much chance to truly observe this beautiful Daoist master. Now, with a rare moment of clarity, he took the opportunity to admire her for a while, feasting his eyes.

Unfortunately, just as Mei Qing was lost in admiration, Bi Zhen finished her practice, turned around, and smiled sweetly at him. Her eyes flashed with an unusual gleam—and then, with a bang, it started again.

Fortunately, Mei Qing was prepared, so he didn’t lose his composure. He slowly walked over and sat on a stone bench nearby, his eyes fixed on Bi Zhen with a smile. He said, “Ancients spoke of celestial maidens dancing through the waves, but that was only legend. Today, watching Bi Zhen’s graceful movements, I see a vision no less divine. Indeed, the ancients spoke truly.”

Since they had already agreed yesterday that their contest must come to a conclusion, Mei Qing no longer wanted to remain purely defensive. Inspired by his admiration, he spoke openly, without hesitation.

Bi Zhen’s eyes sparkled with approval as she smiled and said, “Has a night’s absence made you wiser? You even know how to break illusions with words now. But calling it ‘graceful dancing’—that’s embarrassing. This is the Nine Birds Exercise, a common guiding and leading technique. What’s so graceful about it?”

“Guiding and leading technique?” Mei Qing blinked, then smiled. “So guiding and leading refers to martial arts forms or physical exercises? I always thought guiding and leading meant directing internal energy through meridians.”

Bi Zhen paused briefly, then burst into laughter, explaining, “Circulating internal energy is called ‘qi movement.’ Guiding and leading is physical exercise. Although guiding and leading often incorporates qi movement techniques, the two are not the same thing. For a learned young master like you to make such a mistake—imagine the laughter if this got out! How could you even say it out loud?”

As she spoke, she sat down on the stone bench beside him, her beautiful eyes fixed on Mei Qing, laughing continuously.

Seeing Bi Zhen’s flushed face after her practice, Mei Qing felt his heart stir. Watching her laugh so freely, he felt his heart flutter. He quickly steadied his mind and asked, “Bi Zhen, why are you laughing so happily today?”

Bi Zhen slightly shook her head and replied, “No particular reason. I just suddenly felt so light-hearted that I couldn’t help laughing.”

Seeing Bi Zhen’s innocent, radiant smile, Mei Qing also felt his heart lighten, and he was about to laugh along.

At that moment, the swirling energy within him suddenly tightened, shaking violently as if drawn by some invisible force, leaving him feeling unsteady. Mei Qing was alarmed and quickly focused his mind. He realized that Bi Zhen’s laughter, while not as provocative as before, carried an even more insidious danger.

This technique, however, was not as easy to dispel as the previous lustful temptations. Once it had entered his heart, it was difficult to remove. Although Mei Qing tried his best, his heart remained unsettled and restless.

“Qing, you’re clinging to appearances. If it’s not desire, why force emptiness? Instead of struggling, why not go with the flow?” Bi Zhen’s voice, like celestial music, rang in his ears, resonating in his heart like a great bell.

Hearing Bi Zhen’s words, as if struck by a great bell, Mei Qing’s heart suddenly calmed, and he laughed heartily, “Indeed! When one feels like laughing, one should laugh. Why try to transform it? Bi Zhen, your techniques are getting stronger.”

Bi Zhen smiled and said, “Qing, you’re progressing rapidly. If I stay where I am, I’d be too embarrassed to show my face. Just now, I indeed had an insight into this technique. I hope you won’t laugh at me.”

Mei Qing thanked her and said, “Thank you, Bi Zhen. But since you’re a Daoist practitioner, why do you speak of emptiness and desire? If we’re competing with techniques, why bother reminding me?”

Just then, the young disciple Ming Jing gracefully approached from below the terrace, carrying a plain wooden tea tray, which he placed on the stone table. On it were two cups of clear tea, the liquid bright and translucent, with wisps of steam rising. A delicate fragrance drifted with the wind, entering their nostrils and giving the impression of a breeze rising from under their arms.

Bi Zhen gently gestured for him to drink, elegantly picking up a cup of tea, bringing it to her delicate nose to savor its fragrance, then taking a small sip, her expression serene. Mei Qing, not one to be shy, took a cup and tasted it. It was slightly bitter at first, then a subtle fragrance spread through his chest.

“Do you know the origins of the Daoist school, Qing?” Bi Zhen asked, not answering his previous question but instead posing a counter-question.

“If I recall correctly, it originates from the Daoist philosophy of Laozi and Zhuangzi in the pre-Qin era. Later, in the Eastern Han Dynasty, Zhang Ling established the religion in Huming Mountain, Sichuan, giving rise to Daoism.”

“Excellent, Qing. However, Daoism encompasses rituals, principles, and techniques. Its philosophical foundation comes from Laozi and Zhuangzi. Its ceremonial practices have been passed down since Zhang Ling founded the religion. Its techniques, however, trace back to the ancient immortal schools.”

“Are you referring to the immortal schools of the Spring and Autumn period?” Mei Qing asked.

The immortal schools were a school of thought during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, coexisting with Daoism, Confucianism, Mohism, Legalism, and others. Unlike other schools, which focused on governing the world, cultivating oneself, and strengthening the nation, the immortal schools had a simple ultimate goal: immortality.

Bi Zhen smiled at Mei Qing’s words and said, “You’re not entirely wrong. Immortality is indeed the goal of the immortal schools. But their cultivation aims go far beyond just those four words. However, ordinary people, especially emperors, valued immortal techniques only for the sake of longevity, passing down only that aspect, making the immortal schools seem solely focused on seeking immortality.”

Then Bi Zhen explained in detail how Daoism’s inheritance actually combined ancient Daoist and immortal schools. Its philosophy traced back to Laozi and Zhuangzi, while its cultivation methods were largely drawn from the immortal schools.

“There are countless paths to cultivation. Daoist cultivation, like Buddhist and Confucian cultivation, is essentially a form of self-cultivation. However, Daoism is called ‘cultivation’ rather than just ‘self-cultivation’ because Daoist Golden Elixir cultivation begins with the concept of ‘refining’ or ‘tempering.’ Broadly speaking, Daoist cultivation techniques are divided into two major schools: Fu Lu (Talismans and Charms) and Dan Ding (Elixir Alchemy).”

“Fu Lu focuses on refining qi, while Dan Ding focuses on refining elixirs. Fu Lu, also known as the Talisman and Water School, involves drawing talismans and charms, harnessing the balance of Yin and Yang to manipulate the forces of heaven and earth. The so-called Three Mountains of Fu Lu—Longhu, Maoshan, and Geyao—are transmitted from the three major Fu Lu sects: the Celestial Masters, Shangqing, and Lingbao schools. Other branches include the Shenxiao, Donghua, and Tianxin schools, which eventually merged into the Orthodox Unity sect during the Yuan Dynasty.”

“Dan Ding, also known as the Golden Elixir School, is further divided into Internal Alchemy and External Alchemy. External Alchemy involves using furnaces and cauldrons to refine herbs and minerals into elixirs, which are consumed to attain the Dao. The Nine Birds Guiding and Leading technique I practiced earlier can also be considered part of External Alchemy.”

“However, External Alchemy techniques have long been lost, and the alchemical practices commonly circulated today, falsely claiming to be Yellow and White techniques, are mostly deceivers seeking fame and fortune, unworthy of belief. In contrast, Internal Alchemy gradually became the mainstream and is considered the orthodox path of cultivation.”

Internal Alchemy, also known as “Returning Elixir” or “Golden Elixir,” uses the terminology of External Alchemy metaphorically to describe cultivation within the human body. The body is viewed as the furnace and cauldron, essence and qi as the medicinal ingredients, and spirit as the fire. Through focused intention, these elements are refined within the body like medicinal compounds, forming an elixir that leads to the cultivation of the Dao.

Internal Alchemy did not initially establish formal sects or widely recruit disciples like Fu Lu did. Instead, it was often passed down secretly among the common people, remaining largely unknown to the public. Later, figures like Wei Boyang, Zhang Guo, and Luo Gongyuan gained recognition, especially Zhongli Quan and Lü Dongbin, who brought it into the open.

It wasn’t until the Northern Song Dynasty, when Wang Ji (three ‘Ji’ characters), also known as Wang Chongyang, founded the Quanzhen sect, that Internal Alchemy established an official school. Wang Chongyang’s seven disciples, known as the Seven Patriarchs of Quanzhen, became widely renowned. Since the sect was established in the north, it is also known as the Northern Golden Elixir Sect.

The Southern Golden Elixir Sect traces its lineage to the Purple Yang Immortal, Zhang Boduan. It was passed down through five generations to Bai Yuchan, known as the Five Southern Patriarchs. During the Yuan Dynasty, Li Daochun united the Northern and Southern sects, forming the Golden Elixir tradition widely recognized today.