Chapter Seventy-Nine: Expounding the Dharma

Chapter Seventy-Nine

Chapter Eleven: Hidden Tranquility in the Capital Forest, Where Heroes Stir the Turbulent Spring and Autumn (Part Nine)

Zhang Ke and the others showed not the slightest hint of surprise. Smiling at Ye Hua, he said, “This is the Lesser Celestial Realm, Junior Brother Ye. There’s no need to be astonished. The nine divisions and nineteen courts of the Martial Hall are all here. We’ll go directly to the Fifth Court at Qingmiao Peak.”

Everyone agreed in unison. As Ye Hua set foot here for the first time, he could not help but feel secretly amazed, pondering to himself, “This place seems a world unto itself. I wonder whether it is sealed by some grand illusion, or if, as Senior Brother Zhang claims, it truly is a Lesser Celestial Realm. Yet surely, it cannot be one of the fabled Thirty-Six Heavens or the Eighteen Levels of the Netherworld!”

The company continued along the path. Most of those they passed were young cultivators, clad in various attires, coming and going amidst the pavilions and towers. Ma Fei remarked, “Why is the Martial Hall of the capital so crowded today? I wonder what’s the reason—how curious!” Zhang Ke nodded, “Indeed, could it be for the scholarly tour and contest?” Zhang Lan smiled gracefully, “Let’s first call upon the Daoist Celebrant Ling. I imagine Junior Brother Ye is already growing anxious with anticipation.”

Ye Hua blushed, stammering, “Senior Sister jests!” Shi Lei and Gu Yunqi laughed together, “Indeed, let us hasten our steps!”

Suddenly, a loud voice called from behind, “Ah! Isn’t that Senior Brother Zhang?” The group turned to see a young scholar of about twenty, dressed in azure robes, regarding Zhang Ke with delight.

Zhang Ke was momentarily stunned, then overjoyed, hurrying forward, “Young Master Cai, how is it that you are here? When did you come to the imperial capital from Yun-Gui, and why did you not seek me out?”

The scholar laughed, “Senior Brother Zhang, I only just arrived in the capital with my father a few days ago. I was thinking of calling on you soon, but who would have thought we’d meet here! What a stroke of fate!”

Zhang Ke was puzzled, “Isn’t your father stationed at the southern borders? What brings him unexpectedly to the capital?” The scholar sighed, “The reason is simple—due to the affair at Cold City. The Demon of Ying stirs restlessly. The Holy Emperor fears unrest in the Eastern Sea, so he has commanded my father to lead the southern armies to aid Puji Temple.”

Ye Hua, startled, stepped forward and asked, “May I ask, Senior Brother, does this mean there is already war at Cold City?” The youth replied with a smile, “Not yet, but both sides are arrayed in a standoff. I fear open conflict may erupt before long.”

Zhang Ke, realizing their conversation had monopolized the moment, turned to the group. “We’ve neglected to make proper introductions!” He gestured toward Ye Hua, “This is Junior Brother Ye of the Wutai lineage.” He then introduced the others, “This is Senior Brother Ma Fei, Senior Brother Shi Lei, Junior Sister Zhang Lan, and Junior Brother Gu Yunqi.” Finally, he gestured to the scholar, “This is Young Master Cai Shufeng, son of General Cai, and my closest friend whom I met in Yun-Gui.”

On hearing he was the son of General Cai, everyone clasped their fists in salute. The scholar responded, “I’ve heard much of you all!”

Ma Fei laughed, “Brother Cai, what have you heard of us? Do you know our names?” The scholar blushed, stammering, “Well… I have heard much… of your esteemed sects!” At this, everyone laughed heartily.

Zhang Ke asked, “What brings you to the Martial Hall of the capital this time, Brother Cai?” Cai Shufeng replied, “My father sent me to the Martial Hall to seek out an old friend of his. Having heard nothing for many years, he recently learned that this friend is now teaching here, so he sent me to find him.”

Zhang Ke asked, “May I know which court and which venerable master this is?” Cai Shufeng replied, “He is known as Daoist Crane Qing. I am not certain which court he resides in.”

“Daoist Crane Qing!” The group exchanged glances. Zhang Ke sighed, “So it is Daoist Crane Qing. He is the founder of the First Court, and to think he is an old friend of your father! It is said he is one of the three leaders of the Sun and Moon Divine Alliance, a figure of great power, right hand of the Great Emperor Ziyuan. He joined the Martial Hall a few years ago to gather young talents and build his influence. In terms of cultivation, he rivals even Master Tianfeng!”

Cai Shufeng was astonished, “Is that so? This is the first I’ve heard of it. My father never told me the details! I had no idea Daoist Crane Qing had such a background. May I ask what business brings you all to the Martial Hall?”

Ye Hua replied, “I have an uncle in the imperial capital, but I do not know his whereabouts. Senior Brother Zhang said that the Daoist Celebrant Ling here is widely connected, so we are accompanying him to inquire after my uncle.”

Cai Shufeng nodded, “I see! Why don’t we all go together?” Zhang Ke smiled, “I was hoping you’d suggest that!”

Thus, talking as they went, they traversed seven or eight miles and passed two mountain peaks before they saw before them a grand estate—the Third Court.

They entered in single file, and in the center of the courtyard, on several acres of open ground, hundreds of disciples sat in meditation. At the front, on a stone dais, sat a middle-aged man in white, his face weathered by the elements. As the group entered, his gaze swept over them like lightning but did not pause. He continued to speak:

“Spirit arises from breath and consciousness, and among all beings, man is the most precious. What is precious in man is life itself. Life is the origin of spirit, form the instrument of spirit. If the spirit is overused, it is exhausted; if the form is overly toiled, it perishes. But if you can wander in emptiness and tranquility, rest your thoughts and do nothing, and await the primal breath after midnight…”

Zhang Ke whispered to the others, “That is Master Qingling! Let’s sit and listen until he is finished, then go forward and greet him.” The group nodded slightly, not daring to interrupt, and quietly sat to listen attentively, waiting for Master Qingling to conclude.

Master Qingling continued, “Tread in the light of heaven, breathe in purity, enter the mysterious and the hidden, seeming lost yet present. Long and unbroken, rooted deep. Each has their essence, essence united with spirit, spirit with breath, breath with truth. Without true accord, all is forced naming. Spirit can enter stone, can shift form, enter water without drowning, enter fire without burning. Spirit lives by form, essence is filled by breath, neither withers nor decays, ever green as pine and cypress. Three grades, one principle, wondrous beyond hearing; its gathering brings existence, its dispersal brings nothing. The seven apertures interconnect, each shining bright; the holy sun and moon illuminate the golden court. Gain it once and it is yours forever, your body light and natural, great harmony overflowing, cold jade scattered in your bones. Attain the elixir and you are divine; fail, and you fall. The elixir lies within, neither white nor blue; recite it ten thousand times, and its truth reveals itself.”

This passage, somewhere between chant and formula, left the listeners half-comprehending, unsure of its full meaning. They supposed it to be a teaching for the disciples, perhaps one of the Third Court’s cultivation methods, and did not dare to ask, fearing it might be taboo.

When Master Qingling finished, he fell silent for a long while. The hundreds of seated disciples also remained silent, deeply contemplating.

After a time, Master Qingling looked out over the disciples and suddenly spoke, “How have you all reflected upon the Mind-Print Sutra? Have you gained anything from it?” After a moment, a disciple stood and respectfully replied, “Master, the Mind-Print Sutra teaches that only by uniting essence, breath, and spirit can one attain true energy and project the spirit from the body, reaching the wondrous realm of the Three Truths! This is the method for breaking through from the Seven Treasures Stage to the Three Truths Stage—is that correct, Master?”

Master Qingling smiled gently but did not answer. Another disciple stood and said, “Master, the Mind-Print Sutra is a supplementary note to last month’s teaching of the Su Xin Palm. The palm method emphasizes the union of essence and breath, projecting the truth from the body. Diligent practice is of great benefit for breaking through to the Three Truths Sutra!”

Master Qingling nodded, “How is your practice of the Su Xin Palm progressing? Any breakthroughs?” The disciple blushed, “Master, I have only just achieved the second grade.” Master Qingling then asked the disciples, “Among you, who has reached the highest grade in Su Xin Palm?”

The disciple replied, “Master, if we speak of the highest attainment, it belongs to Brother Tian Liang. He alone has reached the fourth grade.” Master Qingling smiled, “Already the fourth grade? Well done, that is no small achievement.” Then, turning toward the spot where Zhang Ke and his companions sat, he called out, “Zhang Ke, my worthy nephew, why don’t you and your friends accompany my disciple Tian Liang in a demonstration of the Su Xin Palm? Let me see if his fourth level is truly as accomplished as they say.”