Chapter 124 – Dao Sovereign Wuhuo’s Humble Reply to the Great Dao Sovereign’s Letter・2

When those two Daoists discussed the Dao with one another, they would always, inexplicably, give rise to a trace of fire in their hearts. Even though their realms had already reached such lofty heights, they still remained diametrically opposed, neither yielding to the other. And now, the only one capable of gathering the assembly, harmonizing the situation, and persuading the two, Taishang, was nowhere to be found, off wandering the world who-knows-where. Thus, the two fell into momentary silence.

Yuqing’s tone grew slightly heavier:

“Without undergoing tribulation, how can one clarify the mind and perceive one’s true nature? How can one behold the self?”

“How, then, can one attain the Great Dao?”

Shangqing’s gaze turned sharp and piercing, and he retorted:

“It is I who cultivates. It is the heart that is clarified. It is the nature that is perceived.”

“To follow heart and nature freely—what fault is there in that?”

“If one clings rigidly to severity and constraints—whose heart is being seen, whose Dao is being understood?”

Yuqing’s voice remained calm, but the weight behind his words deepened all of a sudden:

“Without enduring calamities and tribulations, how can one become a vessel worthy of greatness? For now, you are here to protect them, yes.”

“But in years to come, should there come a day when you and I are no longer in this world—”

“This is the Great Dao of the world

“Who will shoulder the responsibility!”

“Our disciples must shoulder the Great Dao of the Three Realms, must stand against the calamities of the myriad worlds. To enter our gates and receive great fortune, they must also bear great responsibility. It is not something they can choose to refuse.”

For a time, silence returned. The divergence in their dispositions was not something new—it had long since taken root. They could nearly predict the words the other would speak. And yet, every time they met, they could not help but open their mouths and argue. But this time, it seemed that Yuqing’s words left even the Shangqing Great Dao Sovereign disinclined to continue the debate. He simply lowered his eyes and said lightly:

“So even when disciples fall into the Buddhist path, when they are converted by those cultivators of the Buddha Way, you truly do not care, is that it?”

“Why should I care?”

The Yuqing Great Heavenly Venerable furrowed his brows slightly, seemingly not quite understanding Shangqing Great Dao Sovereign.

Then he said, calmly: “The Great Dao gives rise to all things.”

“From the One comes Two, from Two comes Three, and all things under Heaven are born of the Three, each forming its own small Dao.”

“The teachings of the Buddhist path also arise from the myriad things borne of the Original Great Dao’s transformation. There are merits to be found within.”

“Yet it is no more than a single strand among the Three Thousand Great Daos—no different from sword arts or spell arts. If my disciples enter the Buddhist path, it is no different from cultivating sword techniques. What is there to fear? It is but a lesser path. Dao friend, are you not making a mountain of a molehill?”

The Shangqing Great Dao Soveregin gazed at the dignified Daoist before him. In his eyes, there was no contemplative pondering that came with debating the Dao—he simply spoke these words as though they came naturally.

The Buddhist path boasted innumerable Pure Lands, thirteen major lineages of Dharma, and held these as their pride.

Yet in his eyes, it was still only one of the Three Thousand offshoots that had evolved from the Great Dao.

The Great Heavenly Venerable continued: “If my disciples perceive the Great Dao, and also study Buddhist teachings, then in witnessing the baseness of the Dharma, they will all the more comprehend the vastness of the Great Dao.”

“Is that not a good thing?”

“Uncarved jade cannot become a worthy vessel.”

“To temper one’s Dao heart through the Buddhist path— may it not be called a [stone from another mountain] that can sharpen one’s blade?”

Shangqing Great Dao Sovereign looked at his companion and sighed: “You always say that I am arrogant. But this arrogance you speak of it is naught but the pride of youthful wildness. Yuqing, among the three of us, the one most proud and self-important is clearly you.”

Yuqing Great Heavenly Venerable replied flatly: “The Dao gives rise to all things. The Buddhist Dharma is merely one among them.”

“It speaks only of human transcendence and enlightenment.”

“How could it possibly compare to the most Original Dao of all?”

“Picking up a pebble from the ground and thinking to compare it to the vast earth itself, is that not the height of ignorance and arrogance?”

“If merely speaking truth is called arrogance, is that not a sorrow in and of itself?”

Shangqing Great Dao Sovereign understood that his fellow Daoist referred to the previous proposal by the Buddhist sect, wanting to place the Buddhist Path on equal footing with Daoism. Others may have thought Yuqing Great Heavenly Venerable’s reaction was arrogant and domineering, but Shangqing knew otherwise. To Yuqing, the Original Dao was the origin that gave rise to all things, the source from which the Three Thousand Worlds and all their phenomena had emerged. It was as the earth that bears and nourishes all. All other paths were but mountains, rivers, and trees upon that earth.

The ancestral Original Qi was the source. From it unfolded countless cultivation methods and sects of law.

To take a single tree, or a lone mountain—

And say it could compare to the earth itself, which bears and brings forth all life?

That day, Yuqing was not furious.

He had merely laughed, which was rare.

Yet even after the passing of countless ages, and even with their deep familiarity with one another, Shangqing Great Dao Sovereign still could not bring himself to accept Yuqing’s strictness. He replied languidly: “And so? You still haven’t persuaded me. As for this matter of the Buddhist sect—let us drop it and speak no more. At worst, this poor Daoist shall simply refrain from stepping beyond his door, and stay here in quiet reflection.”

Yuqing did not point out that this so-called [reflection] of the Great Dao Sovereign before him was, in truth, merely an excuse to be lazy.

He simply sensed something in that moment, and said flatly, “Since that is so, why not you and I make another wager?”

The Shangqing Great Dao Sovereign, elegant in appearance, let out a cold laugh: “A wager?”

“No wager, no wager.”

“Are you afraid to lose?”

“No need to provoke me, Yuqing.”

“Back then, when you sought to prove the Dao, you severed the overly dense Nine Yang Qi from your own body. It fell into water, sank into the earth, then was stirred by the wind—thus the Zhou Tian apertures were breathed into being, and it took the form of a human as shaped by Empress Wa. Because it was borne of Nine Yang, it was refined and pure, and thus became male in form. You, however, thought: since it was Qi severed from yourself, it must be somewhat connected to you. So you refused to take him as a disciple, feeling it would be unfair.”

“Yet at the same time, you feared that if he possessed extraordinary talent, abandoning him would also be unjust.”

“In the end, you proposed a wager—and tricked me into evaluating him.”

“Truly, his talent was exceptional, and so he was taken into the my sect. But who would have thought that fellow’s temperament would resemble yours by three parts?”

“So stiff and inflexible, it’s unbearable—no one could tell who was master, who was disciple.”

“Now he has proven the Fruit of the Taiyi Salvation Heavenly Venerable, and split his body into ten incarnations across the heavens, scouring all realms far and wide to come find me.”

“And now—you wish to make a second wager?”

Yuqing Great Heavenly Venerable swept his horsetail whisk across his sleeve and offered no rebuttal. He simply said, calmly:

“This time, it is not about accepting a disciple. No talk of cultivation roots. No contest of Dao lineages. Merely a test of foresight.”

Shangqing Great Dao Sovereign replied: “A test of foresight?”

Yuqing answered: “You and I shall each choose a youth.”

“I shall choose one who has suffered trials and tribulations.”

“You shall choose one who acts freely and without restraint.”

“We have long withdrawn from the world. The karma of mortals ought to be resolved by mortals themselves. Right here in this place—”

“We will observe the sea of clouds for five hundred years. And after five hundred years, we shall see whose chosen one has reached greater Dao attainment.”

“What say you—do you dare?”

The Shangqing Great Dao Sovereign gave a faint smile and said: “Why would I not?”

“But fellow Daoist, you mustn’t go and use divination or arrange favorable fortunes for your chosen one. Else, there’ll be no fun in it.”

Yuqing nodded, his tone calm: “Nor shall you seek with intent or strive for victory.”

“No choosing someone just to impart the Dao.”

“You must act on impulse, as your heart wills.”

The two, knowing each other all too well, left no gaps in their agreement. Both pledged not to divine the future nor interfere unduly. They would remain here, awaiting the outcome five hundred years hence. Yuqing’s chosen one would undergo trials and tribulations, while Shangqing’s chosen one might be taught the Dao—but only if the moment arose naturally. There was to be no clinging to victory, no striving from attachment.

A pact sealed, a single word became law.

The Shangqing Great Dao Sovereign asked: “So, fellow Daoist, whom have you chosen?”

Yuqing swept his whisk lightly and replied: “From Taishang’s lineage, Xuanwei.”

Shangqing Great Dao Sovereign mused aloud: “Taishang’s lineage…”

“Let him roam of his own accord, without interference. That is fitting enough.”

Yuqing Great Heavenly Venerable said: “Rest assured. I shall not interfere. I shall merely wait.”

“One who can experience tribulation can transcend it. And one who can transcend—can attain the Dao.”

“And you, fellow Daoist?”

The Shangqing Great Dao Sovereign lifted his gaze and spoke mildly:

“You shall see five hundred years hence.”

“To speak of it now would spoil the fun, no?”

“Since that’s decided, then let us meet again in five hundred years.”

Yuqing Great Heavenly Venerable stood, his voice as calm as ever—like a casual mention over tea: “I shall enter seclusion for five hundred years. Taishang roams the worlds, who knows where. Unless great upheaval arises, he should not appear. Only you, fellow Daoist… your nature is too unfettered. You’ve taken too many disciples. The web of karma runs deep. While it cannot truly hinder you, your very action may well be the origin of calamity for all beings. Do not act lightly—lest you bring forth discord.”

Shangqing bowed his head slightly. “I know.”

Yuqing Great Heavenly Venerable said softly:

“Yes… after all, what I see before me now is but one of your seventy-two transformations.”

“As for where your true form dwells, and what it is doing—now that, I am indeed curious.”

A rare smile flickered across Yuqing’s face. He nodded and said in a gentle voice: “Then, fellow Daoist…”

“Farewell.”

“May the three of us reunite once more in Da Luo Heaven, five hundred years hence.”

As his final words grew faint, the imposing Daoist figure vanished from sight. A long while later, the Shangqing Great Dao Sovereign suddenly slumped over sideways, relaxed and unceremonious. He lay on one side and sighed, a look of deep headache spreading across his face: “Alas… truly bitter, truly bitter. Yuqing, oh Yuqing… why must you bring me trouble every time you appear?”

“Taishang Xuanwei?”

“Ha, you’re giving it to someone with the ‘Xuan’ generation name—aren’t you ashamed to go poach someone else’s disciple?”

“But where else can I find such a one?”

“Old Brother Taishang’s standards are so picky—are you playing dirty, Yuqing?!”

He had a splitting headache.

If he were given time to go out and look, it wouldn’t be impossible to find someone brimming with talent but casual in temperament. However, at this moment, the manifestation of the Yuqing Nine Yang Qi, Taiyi Salvation Heavenly Venerable, who reveres him, Shangqing Lingbao, as his master, is searching for him everywhere. The relationship between Taiyi and Yuqing is like that of a mortal who cuts off a lock of hair—when the hair falls to the ground, it transforms into a person. Though once a part of Yuqing, it now bears no direct connection. 

Back then, Yuqing realized he was too emotionless and unyielding—the Dao of Heaven is impartial and grand, yet such impartiality teetered on the edge of tyranny.

Thus, he severed a portion of his own uncompromising nature, refining his own mental state to a purer clarity.

The severed rigidity gained sentience, and that was the being who became Taiyi Salvation Heavenly Venerable.

Upright and impartial, Taiyi rescues from suffering.

That was precisely the temperament that gave the Shangqing Great Dao Sovereign endless headaches.

Back in the days of teaching, this little brat insisted on getting to the bottom of every single thing—right down to what time his master rose, when he drank tea, and when he needed to rest—he had it all planned out. Every time he woke from a drunken stupor, there that disciple would be, seated earnestly, scrolls and scriptures neatly prepared.

After some time, he simply threw him a Jade Purity Vase, kicked him out the door, and sent him off to temper himself. Even gave him an incredibly difficult path.

Who would have thought that, just recently, he actually attained the Dao?

Were he in the Heavenly Court, he’d be titled Great Emperor. But because he is of the Three Pure Ones’ lineage, and not born within the bounds of the world, he heeds not the Heavenly Emperor’s orders. Thus, he is titled only Heavenly Venerable, not Great Emperor.

“Can’t let him leave, can’t let him leave…”

“But if we don’t go looking, it really does seem like my Shangqing lineage has no one who can contend with the person favored by Yuqing and hand-picked by Taishang.”

Just as the Shangqing Great Dao Sovereign was beset with worry—

Suddenly, a small head peeked in at the doorway. Her eyes were bleary with sleep, and she was still biting down on a piece of peach-flavored preserved fruit.

Her cheeks puffed up like a hamster as she chewed.

Yun Qin looked up, just in time to meet the Shangqing Great Dao Sovereign’s gaze.

In an instant, the two froze.

Yun Qin was still puffing her cheeks, struggling to chew, wondering whether this batch of fruit preserve had been made a little too tough.

Her movements slowly stilled.

A flicker of light flashed in the Shangqing Great Dao Sovereign’s eyes.

Hmm… born with a Dao Heart, untouched by the Eight Tribulations, naturally smooth meridians—she could advance a thousand miles in a day upon beginning cultivation.

Her soul is like crystal glass—pure, without a trace of impurity.

Good… very good…

Suddenly, the girl felt a sensation like a natural predator had locked onto her—as if she’d accidentally passed by a Heavenly Palace and saw her teacher, [Lady Danhua, the Celestial Monarch of Talismanic Resonance], coming out, intending to pull her aside for a makeup exam in Cloud Seal script.

Eek!!! Her scalp tingled.

Her expression froze. She forced an innocent, harmless smile, and said:

“Ah… hello, uncle.”

“Uncle, you’re awake, huh.”

“Uncle, I just came to check on you. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going then, okay?”

“Goodbye, uncle.”

The girl bowed politely.

Then spun on her heel and ran—accidentally dropping the bag of preserved fruit in the process.

She hesitated for three seconds.

Then turned back, picked it up, patted off the dirt—

And ran again.

“You—! You— Come back here at once—cough, cough—You, return to me at once!”

The Shangqing Great Dao Sovereign smiled as he reached out his hand. Five-colored Primordial Qi surged forth, transforming into a giant seal-shaped palm. It directly bypassed all treasures and divine powers within the Five Elements. The moment he made this move, it was clear—he absolutely intended to drag her back. Just like lifting a milk kitten by the scruff of its neck, he hauled the girl back by her collar.

Swaying and wobbling… swaying and wobbling.

But even now, the preserved fruit in the girl’s hand had yet to fall.

The Shangqing Great Dao Sovereign set her down, then smilingly produced a jade book from behind his back, and said:

“Come, I have here a copy of the Cloud Seal Register of the Dao Repository. Would you like to study it?”

The girl stared, stunned.

Moments later—

“How can you do it like this!”

“I told you, use your soul—use your divine soul to perceive it!”

“Don’t rely on instinct!”

The Shangqing Great Dao Sovereign’s temple veins bulged. He thought to himself: I’ve taught so many disciples—yet never one this dumb. In the end, he let out a long sigh. Looking at the girl before him, his fleeting interest in taking a disciple rose for a breath—and then vanished.

Forget it.

What’s the joy in teaching disciples compared to just getting a good nap?

A natural Dao heart, flawless and unmarred. A divine soul as pure and translucent as crystal.

But—

A bit dumb.

And Shangqing had no patience to spare.

In the end, the Shangqing Great Dao Sovereign leaned against the void itself, biting into a piece of preserved fruit. The passing thrill of a bet with Yuqing had already faded. Teaching a disciple couldn’t compare to the pleasure of laziness. A wager? If he lost, then so be it.

Suddenly, the girl said: “Can I go ask someone else to teach me?”

The Great Dao Sovereign, already weary, waved a hand lazily and replied: “No.”

“Oh.”

“Ah, right—uncle, that scroll you asked me to deliver to my friend, I gave it to him.”

“Friend? Which one?”

“The one who gave you osmanthus cakes.”

“Oh, that brat with the overblown ego.”

The Great Dao Sovereign recalled that brat who [observed but took nothing], still chewing on his fruit, and said: “How was it? Did he manage to learn it?”

Yun Qin shook her head and replied: “He said it was too hard.”

“Naturally. That arrogant little fellow—it’s about time he learned there are heavens beyond heaven.”

The Great Dao Sovereign sneered.

Yun Qin then took out another scroll and said: “But he wrote a reply for you. Here.”

The Shangqing Great Dao Sovereign gave a casual hook of his finger, and the scroll flew into his palm. He opened it nonchalantly. Upon it were the four characters: [Wuhuo Dao Sovereign], but there was a faint, unmistakable familiarity to the brushwork. The Shangqing Great Dao Sovereign recognized it instantly—this was his own style of script, used when writing Daoist scriptures. Unique to him, transmitted to none.

As the divine intent within those four characters unfolded, it coalesced into the figure of a young Daoist, who bowed and said:

“Many thanks to the senior for your guidance…”

The Shangqing Great Dao Sovereign, still chewing his preserved fruit: “???”

He fell into a moment of silence.

Then, without thinking, his wrist flicked.

Snap.

The book closed shut in one smooth motion.

Flattening that young Daoist right between the covers.

“I don’t know why…”

“But I really felt like trying that just now.”