Chapter 3: The Old Taoist Leaves the Mountain
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Upon hearing the old Taoist’s words, Ma Yu and Qiu Zhiqing both understood. This venerable master had wandered the path of cultivation all his life, but yesterday he suddenly realized he might only live to about a hundred years old at most.
In the end, he thought that since he still had no heir to pass on his teachings, he feared the Taoist lineage would be broken, and he would be letting down the ancestral masters. Thus, he wished to go out and find a worthy disciple to inherit his legacy...
Qiu Zhiqing inwardly scoffed: At such an advanced age, still wanting to find a fated disciple and nurture an heir—why hadn’t he done this sooner? At eighty-seven years old, he was already considered remarkably long-lived in later times.
However, Qiu Zhiqing had never heard of the Louguan Tao Sect the old Taoist mentioned, but that was of little concern. There were many Taoist lineages unknown even to him, let alone to Ma Yu.
Perhaps Ma Yu’s thoughts were similar. He advised kindly, “Brother Taoist, there is no need to trouble yourself with such exertion. There are promising talents within the sect. If you do not mind, you may select one to inherit your teachings.”
The old Taoist shook his head. “To be frank, among the disciples who borrow Taoist scriptures from the library, I have observed some. Their aptitude is not bad, but to inherit my legacy would likely take twenty or thirty years. I fear I will not have that much time left...”
Then he glanced at Qiu Zhiqing and shook his head again. “Little Qing is indeed a fine prospect, but I worry the brother may be unwilling to part with him!”
Ma Yu smiled silently and did not take the bait. Instead, he poured tea for the old Taoist and, after listening to the birdsong and insect chirps for a while, continued, “May I ask when brother plans to begin his travels? So that this humble Taoist might accompany you on the journey...”
With that, the two burst into laughter, their mirth carried far by the spring breeze. One wonders if even the mountain’s creatures sensed the joy within their laughter and responded with greater zeal...
...
Fang Zhiqi and Liu Zhiyuan were Qiu Zhiqing’s roommates. Though most of the time their daily routines differed, they always practiced their morning and evening lessons together.
Today was no exception. After finishing their evening exercises with laughter, Qiu Zhiqing began packing his belongings. Fang Zhiqi and Liu Zhiyuan were startled and hurriedly each grabbed one of his hands.
Fang Zhiqi asked, “Zhiqing, what are you doing?”
“Yeah, yeah, if there’s something going on, just tell us!” Liu Zhiyuan chimed in. They were not being dramatic—they were genuinely worried. Uncle Sun had specifically instructed them to look after Qiu Zhiqing, who was prone to illness.
Seeing their younger fellow apprentice, who was just joking with them moments ago, suddenly packing up was indeed alarming.
Feeling the grip on his hands, Qiu Zhiqing had the fleeting illusion that if he tried, he could easily shake off his two senior brothers. Of course, it was just an illusion—they had been toughening their bodies for a year or two, and Qiu Zhiqing, the patient, could never overpower them!
Surely, his brothers were holding back for fear of hurting him!
Seeing that he remained silent, the two appeared ready to cling to him, so Qiu Zhiqing hurried to explain, “What are you two thinking? The old Taoist from the scripture pavilion is going traveling. I’m moving to the scripture pavilion and will be living there from now on.
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I meant to tell you while packing, but before I could say a word, you both just grabbed me! Can you explain what you’re thinking?”
Hearing this, Fang Zhiqi and Liu Zhiyuan sheepishly released their hold. Liu Zhiyuan was still a bit confused. “Oh, is that so? I heard stories about those who were cast off as useless by their families, setting out alone to wander the world, only to return years later as masters. I thought you were going down the same path...”
Fang Zhiqi nodded in agreement. Apparently, their minds worked similarly, or perhaps they had heard the same tale. It was not unusual; after all, sharing stories among dorm mates was commonplace.
Qiu Zhiqing had heard that story before—Liu Zhiyuan had told it to them! But now, he was quite annoyed. “Really? You think I haven’t heard that story before? So you two are calling me useless, huh?”
With that, he playfully tackled Liu Zhiyuan onto the kang (heated brick bed), taking Fang Zhiqi down with them. Their tussle was short-lived, interrupted by Qiu Zhiqing’s coughing fits...
“Maybe you’re right. I am useless...” Qiu Zhiqing said somewhat dejectedly, sitting on the edge of the bed. Though he had accepted that he could not practice martial arts, seeing his companions progress while he, despite having all the conditions, was barred from the path, it was only natural to feel some disappointment.
Seeing this, his two friends quickly comforted him. Listening to their naive words, Qiu Zhiqing couldn’t help but chuckle. Perhaps this was the purest form of consolation from childhood friends—free of any ulterior motive or mockery, just genuine care between companions...
Soon after, Qiu Zhiqing carried his three garments while Fang Zhiqi and Liu Zhiyuan helped with his bedding as they walked along the mountain path to the scripture pavilion. The pavilion was not far, only about three or four hundred meters away.
However, the dense forest blocked the moonlight, allowing only scattered patches of moonbeams to fall upon the path. The mountain breeze flickered these patches of light, making them appear to dance uncertainly, which, given their penchant for ghost stories, made the three even more nervous!
“Ah~~”
“Ah~~”
“Ah~~”
Three startled cries sounded one after another. Qiu Zhiqing snapped, “Why are you screaming like ghosts? You scared me!”
Fang Zhiqi felt a chill and glared at Liu Zhiyuan. “Your ghostly scream scared me!”
Liu Zhiyuan trembled but retorted angrily, “Could you not shake that bedding you’re carrying? You bumped into me! Besides, you two were just yelling happily yourself!”
Fang Zhiqi replied, “And you call that yelling happily? When Zhiqing leaves, I’ll make you scream even happier...”
Qiu Zhiqing: “...”
What do you mean I’m leaving? And what kind of ‘happier screaming’ are you talking about?
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Watching the three disappear down the mountain path, their complaining fading into the wind, Chang Zhenzi Tan Chuduan, perched atop a tree branch, shook his head with a smile. He had thought something serious was happening and hurried over in worry.
Instead, he simply sat cross-legged on the branch to meditate. When Fang Zhiqi and Liu Zhiyuan dashed past beneath the trees, running all the way back to the dormitory in one breath, Tan Chuduan finally returned to his courtyard.
As for Qiu Zhiqing, seeing his two companions sprint away along the path, he recalled scenes of himself walking at night as a child—not quite déjà vu but an uncanny resemblance.
...
The next day, the fifteenth of the third month, under a sparse moon and bright stars, faint moonlight shone upon the vermilion gates of Chongyang Palace. The heavy gates seemed to block the pure moonlight and scattered starlight from entering.
A crack suddenly appeared in the gates, and the eager moonlight rushed in, falling upon the old Taoist who was stepping out.
Seeing Qiu Zhiqing follow him out, the old Taoist laughed, ruffling Qiu’s hair and messing up his Taoist topknot. “Little monkey, you should go back now. It’s early morning; just see this old Taoist to the gate!”
At that moment, a voice drifted up from below the steps: “Senior brother said you would likely leave at dawn. I did not believe it, but I was wrong. Brother Taoist, aren’t you going to say farewell to me?”
The old Taoist turned and saw three sitting cross-legged in the square. He no longer urged Qiu Zhiqing to leave but instead took his hand and approached them, murmuring:
“The gentle breeze blows clear and cool,
Light robes and caps ride the wind’s rule.
Carefree is the joy of heavenly roam,
The Zhongnan mountains no longer bind my home!”
Before finishing, he had settled on the ground. Qiu Zhiqing, understanding the situation, picked up the teapot and poured tea for the four. Hao Datong and Tan Chuduan nodded in acknowledgment, and Qiu Zhiqing returned their greetings.
Together under the full moon and starlight, the Taoists chatted for a while in the open space.
When the first light of dawn appeared, the old Taoist rose and said, “Fate arises and fades, flowers bloom and wither—such is the way of the world. Fellow Taoists, we part here. May the lineage continue, and the Tao’s spirit endure! This old Taoist departs now~”
Ma Yu and the others also stood, returning the Taoist salute. Seeing Qiu Zhiqing perform the salute earnestly and shout, the old Taoist playfully tousled his topknot again, laughing heartily. Then, without looking back, he waved farewell and walked toward the mountains. The morning light fell just upon him...
Watching his figure vanish among the trees, as if dissolving into the dawn light itself, Hao Datong sighed with feeling: “As the Huainanzi says: Those who feast on grain are wise but short-lived; those who feast on qi are enlightened and long-lived. Brothers, do you think this purple morning light is suitable for cultivation?”
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