Chapter 9: What? Delivering a letter?

“Zi Xia Gong?” Upon hearing the name, Qiu Zhiqing’s thoughts were instantly drawn back to that early spring nine years ago—the graceful figure of the old Taoist, stepping lightly beneath the rosy clouds and moonlight. A heavy feeling settled in his heart as he murmured, “I wonder how the old master is now. He once said he would not live past a hundred. Nearly a decade has passed in the blink of an eye. He must be ninety-six this year. Will there ever be another day we meet in this life...?”

Hao Datong kept these words in his heart and felt a profound emotion as well. When they had pulled this disciple back from the gates of death, he had exerted great effort. Their three senior brothers were busy with teaching duties, and their junior sister along with the other two brothers often traveled far and wide.

Since Qiu Zhiqing was three years old, he had been immersed in scriptures with the old master, naturally forming a deep bond...

Hao Datong, unsure how to comfort him, said, “Life and death are but illusions within the grand Dao of Heaven and Earth. Brother Chen follows the Way and has attained peace. There’s no need to worry excessively about him...”

Qiu Zhiqing was speechless. Uncle, if you can’t comfort, then say less. His words translated roughly meant: He spent his life pursuing the Dao and does not mind where he dies... Or rather, where he ascends! Well, though this is the truth and common among cultivators, it hardly sounds comforting!

Perhaps sensing his words missed the mark, Hao Datong added, “Besides, I was very close with Brother Chen back then. He was well-versed in the principles of divination and surely would have found a suitable successor. Their Hidden Immortal Sect usually operates around Mount Hua and Zhongnan. They say Mount Hua is the most perilous in the world. If there’s time, we might visit them someday!”

Not wanting to leave the topic hanging, Qiu Zhiqing, just a moment ago pricked by Hao Datong’s words, naturally responded in kind. This is how respect and reciprocity between teacher and disciple should be. It was as if he suddenly remembered something and asked in surprise, “Uncle, didn’t you once say you wished to create a cultivation method utilizing the purple morning glow? Could this ‘Zi Xia Gong’ be the fruit of your near-decade of labor?”

Hao Datong felt awkward. Didn’t he just say he needed Qiu Zhiqing’s input? Yet he remembered the timeline clearly. Clearing his throat, he said, “It’s still three and a half months short of ten years. Whether the revision of ‘Zi Xia Gong’ can be completed within ten years depends on your abilities, little nephew. I’ve heard you’re well-versed in Daoist medical theory...”

He then raised his sword-like eyebrows at Qiu Zhiqing and casually handed him a stitched manuscript.

Qiu Zhiqing sighed inwardly, realizing he had been outmaneuvered. The fool, it turns out, was himself. He tucked the ‘Xiantian Gong’ into his bosom, letting his little panda curl up there, and took the ‘Zi Xia Gong’ manuscript from Hao Datong’s hands.

Once he began reading, he could not stop. Over an hour passed before he finally closed the manuscript and sank into deep contemplation.

No wonder Ma Yu had asked him to bring the ‘Xiantian Gong’ to see him. It seemed his sixth uncle had been busy teaching disciples and had neglected the practice of Quanzhen Neidan techniques. Although many theories in ‘Zi Xia Gong’ were refreshing to Qiu Zhiqing’s ears and eyes, it was nevertheless difficult to break free from the constraints of the ‘Quanzhen Heart Method.’

Seeing Qiu Zhiqing silent for a long time and realizing the evening lesson was half an hour away, Hao Datong asked, “Well? Did you gain anything?”

“The gains are immense, yet to master it instantly within three months... Uncle, be honest—is it that you expect me to be an immortal exiled to the mortal world?”

Hao Datong was momentarily stunned, wondering what he was expecting. He then appraised Qiu Zhiqing up and down with curiosity before shaking his head and nodding, saying, “The old master said: ‘He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened.’ Our founder surely did not deceive me. I wonder if you have reached the famed stage of inward self-examination?”

Though Hao Datong’s words hinted something, likely not flattering, Qiu Zhiqing answered honestly, “Not yet! Uncle, why do you ask?”

Stroking his beard with his left hand and holding his fly-whisk with his right, Hao Datong laughed heartily, slapping his thigh: “If you have not yet looked inward, how could you possess such self-awareness?”

Only then did Qiu Zhiqing realize he had been played by his broad-browed, large-eyed sixth uncle. Seeing him so delighted, Qiu Zhiqing was not pleased and sighed softly, “Uncle, one must rid the mind of distractions to settle the heart!”

Hao Datong was momentarily taken aback but soon realized Qiu Zhiqing was indirectly quoting the eighth precept of their master’s ‘Fifteen Teachings on Establishing the Dao’—‘lowering the heart’—implying his heart was unsettled, all in jest.

Quickly composing himself, Hao Datong said seriously, “Nephew, I heard from senior brothers that you just copied the ‘Fifteen Teachings’ ten times. Let me help check them. Since we’re warmed up, quickly copy the ‘Xiantian Gong’ once as well.

“Remember to return the original to me tomorrow. As for this ‘Zi Xia Gong’ manuscript, you may keep it here. There are many affairs awaiting me at the front hall, so I’ll take my leave first...”

Before leaving, he couldn’t resist stroking the panda, seemingly venting his frustrations on the little creature, which protested with a few disgruntled squeaks. Hao Datong walked away, feeling pleased with himself: “You little rascal, how dare you mock your uncle...”

Rising to see his uncle off, Qiu Zhiqing had no choice but to begin grinding ink, inwardly lamenting, “My freshly cleaned inkstone...”

How many days had he longed for the future world?

On New Year’s Eve evening class, Qiu Zhiqing and some third-generation disciples followed the Quanzhen Seven Sons in a dull procession—opening the altar, inviting spirits, respectfully welcoming the founder, and chanting sutras. The evening session focused mainly on liberation scriptures such as the ‘Lingbao Sutra for Delivering Suffering’... Sutras may save others, but not oneself!

Qiu Zhiqing thought with quiet grievance how, in the end, he had been tricked by Sixth Uncle Hao Datong again. The ‘Xiantian Gong’ given to him was clearly a freshly copied manuscript, so there was no need for him to copy it again—nor to return the original afterward!

This taught Qiu Zhiqing a lesson: without a voice, do not tease your uncle, or you cannot bear his affection. For example, his sixth uncle worried about his cold feet and gave him tiny shoes to wear!

The New Year’s Eve banquet was lavish and even included rare meat dishes like fatty pork. With the addition of outer disciples and secular disciples, Chongyang Palace now had about one hundred and eighty people in total.

If it weren’t for Ma Yu’s efforts over the past two years, refining one or two workable ideas from Qiu Zhiqing’s chaotic suggestions, which greatly improved the economic situation of Chongyang Palace, they might still be stuck eating winter melon and radish as in previous years!

As his understanding of this world deepened, Qiu Zhiqing realized not all his opinions were as Ma Yu criticized—heretical and unsightly.

Rather, some were simply unsuitable for them because they were a Daoist sect, cultivating the Dao, understanding principle, and guarding the heart! Ma Yu did not want him constantly pondering such matters and disturbing his Dao heart.

Thus, while criticizing him, she distilled some methods and cooperated with escort agencies, clinics, refugees, landlords, and respectable families—indirectly teaching Qiu Zhiqing which paths were permissible and which were not...

---

The little path stretched beyond time, draped in rosy clouds; before the gates of Chongyang, it lingered as well.

A warm breeze brushed his face, yet his heart was unmoved; opening the door, he knew that spring had truly arrived.

This year was full, solemn, and fleeting! In the blink of an eye, February arrived. Deep in the dense forest at the back of Zhongnan Mountain, Qiu Zhiqing stood atop a treetop, clad in a blue Daoist robe.

Seeing the little panda pacing back and forth, unable to find him, Qiu Zhiqing entered the forest with frequent glances behind, as if expecting someone.

The visitor, knowing they had been discovered, no longer hid but stepped out boldly, rebuking playfully, “Hey, you little stubborn ox! That little one is so adorable, and you just abandoned it like that? No wonder Master always says there isn’t a single good person in the Quanzhen Sect!”

Her voice was like a rare orchid blooming in a secluded valley, or a lark’s gentle song—truly delightful.

Qiu Zhiqing looked at the newcomer, who was about twelve or thirteen, already possessing a captivating beauty, yet his heart remained unmoved. He met her gaze seriously and said:

“You have good insight. Zhiqi and Zhiyuan have said the same to you. It seems true heroes think alike! But precisely because of that, I let it stay far from us!”

Hearing Qiu Zhiqing’s initial praise, the girl felt joy, but at his last sentence, she was stunned and asked, “What do you mean?”

“Because those you praised as adorable before were all served honey with spices by you!” Without waiting for the girl’s reply, he drifted away gracefully.

Whether panda or Li Mochou, they each had their own path and world, and he had his own path to follow! He had already passed beyond them...

Half a year ago, when Li Mochou was called back by her master in front of the three of them, all the brothers knew this gluttonous little sister had grown up, and their fate was basically ended. She was merely a passerby in their lives...

Li Mochou felt a bit lost and perhaps too young to understand fully. There is a saying: one can never return to the past, yet one can feel it deeply... Half a year ago, that was their farewell meal!

Returning to Chongyang Palace, he was informed that Ma Yu wished to see him. Hastily, he knocked lightly on her door and said, “Master, your disciple has come to serve!”

Upon receiving permission, he entered the room, where Ma Yu’s first words surprised Qiu Zhiqing: “What? You want me to deliver a letter?”