Chapter 210 – Aspirations

“Is that it? It’s done?”  “What was that thunder just now?!” 

“Perhaps it was Liangsheng’s Daoist technique…” 

While the quiet chatter lingered, the master-disciple ceremony had already been completed. The offerings on the altar were soon cleared away by the village elders and distributed among every household. As people shared the food, the three youths and the old man followed behind Lu Liangsheng, heading back toward the small fenced courtyard. 

Stepping over the withered petals of morning glories beneath the fence, they entered through the gate. Lu Liangsheng stood beneath the old tree, pondering for a moment before turning around to look at the four disciples behind him. 

“To cultivate the Dao relies entirely on a tranquil heart and the patience to sit in stillness. Since you have entered my sect and taken me as your master, it will differ somewhat from other schools.” 

Yuwen Tuo, Li Sui’an, Qu Yuanfeng, and Wang Banxia stood together. Facing their master, they nervously clutched the hems of their clothes as his voice continued: 

“In learning the Dao and mastering arts here, it is not a matter of studying whatever seems powerful. Instead, it is determined by your aspirations. If what you practice is not to your liking, it will be difficult to achieve anything in the future, and you will waste your life in vain. By then, it would be better to live as a mortal—enjoying the love of husband and wife, a household full of children and grandchildren, and passing through this life in comfort.” 

Standing in the middle, Li Sui’an glanced left and right at Qu Yuanfeng, Yuwen Tuo, and Old Wang. With his lively temperament, he couldn’t help but ask: 

“Master! Does our sect have a name? Like in those tales of chivalry—jianghu sects always have names. Do we have one?” 

“No.” 

Lu Liangsheng waved his hand with a faint smile. He had never intended to found a sect, and with his current cultivation, claiming such a thing would only invite ridicule. 

Turning around, he beckoned toward the open window. A wolf-hair brush flew into his hand out of thin air. With a few light strokes drawn in the air, stools appeared behind the four of them. 

He gestured for them to sit. 

“In learning my Daoist arts, I would also like to know your aspirations. Let’s begin with Cheng’en.” 

His gaze fell upon Wang Banxia, who stood at the far right. The three youths turned their heads to look at the old man as well. The latter straightened his back, placing both hands on his knees as he sat upright. 

“Reporting to Master, this disciple Cheng’en comes from a family that passed down a fragmentary art of observing qi. In the past, I could only make a living by telling fortunes and casting divinations by the roadside. By fortunate chance, I have entered Master’s sect. Cheng’en wishes to fully master the arts of observing qi and the stars, so that one day I may pass them on to future generations…” 

At the side, Li Sui’an muttered under his breath: “You’re already that old—still talking about future generations?”

Wang Banxia glanced toward their master, then nudged the youth’s foot with his toe, whispering: “Your senior brother can still be vigorous in old age!” 

“How did you become the senior brother…?” 

Li Sui’an had never seen someone so shamelessly opportunistic, clinging like a snake to a pole. His lips moved as he was about to speak, when his master’s voice rang in his ear. 

“Sui’an, your turn.” 

“Ah…” 

The youth snapped back to attention, immediately sitting upright and breaking into a grin. “Master, you already know.” He formed a sword-finger gesture with both hands, waving them back and forth, then tilted his chin toward his fellow disciples on either side. 

“I aspire to become a grea—” 

“That’s enough. Next.” 

Li Sui’an’s mouth opened and closed, his words cut off in his throat. Beneath the tree, Lu Liangsheng had already shifted his gaze toward Yuwen Tuo. The latter slightly averted his eyes, looking instead toward the eaves. 

“…Invincible under heaven—does that count?!” 

Inside the room, the Toad Daoist, a pipe clenched in his mouth as he rummaged through clothes, turned his toad face to glance at the youth in the courtyard. He snorted, tossed the pipe aside, and continued searching through the small wardrobe. 

In the courtyard, it was the last disciple’s turn—Qu Yuanfeng. He looked at his senior brothers, then at his master, his fists clenched tight and pressed firmly against his knees. 

“I… I want to become a general.” 

Hearing this, Lu Liangsheng paused for a moment. It wasn’t the aspiration itself that surprised him, but rather a concern he had long held—if those who cultivate the Dao involve themselves in the affairs of the world, would it draw even more cultivators into such matters? 

And besides, to become a general, one simply needs to train the body well and study military texts… how is one to teach according to individual aptitude in that?

‘So be it. I’ll note it down for now. Wang Cheng’en and Li Sui’an already have their paths of cultivation. Only Yuwen Tuo and Qu Yuanfeng still require some consideration. Perhaps in Master’s Qishan cave dwelling, there may be some Daoist manuals suitable for the two of them.’ 

After gaining a general understanding, Lu Liangsheng noticed that outside the fenced courtyard, the fat monk had been standing there for quite some time. He beckoned Wang Banxia over. 

“Take the three of them around the village for a walk and have a look. Also—” 

The scholar turned to look at Qu Yuanfeng. 

“If you wish to become a general, your body must be strong. There are eight sturdy men in the village who idle about all day. When you have time, go train with them. They will teach you body-tempering methods.” 

“Yes, Master.” 

After dismissing the four, Lu Liangsheng waved away the illusion of the stone stools. Outside the fence, Monk Fajing did not step in, but stood at the entrance, clasping his hands in a Buddhist salute. 

“Daoist Friend Lu, this humble monk has come to bid you farewell.” 

“Master, won’t you stay a few more days?” 

Compared to a few years ago, his household was now much more well-off. Even with the monk’s large appetite, accommodating a few more people would not be a problem. Over the past few days, their discussions on cultivation have also been quite beneficial. Now that the other party was leaving, Lu Liangsheng felt somewhat reluctant. 

“…The scenery of Qixia Mountain is beautiful. I have yet to fulfill my duty as host and accompany you to look around.” 

“No need. Since matters here, have already settled, this humble monk, will not stay longer.” 

Fajing raised one hand in a seal and softly uttered a Buddhist chant. 

In the courtyard, seeing that he was determined to leave, Lu Liangsheng extended his hand in a gesture of invitation. 

“I’ll see you off, Master.” 

The two walked side by side out of the courtyard. Along the way, villagers who passed by greeted them with waves, and whether it was Lu Liangsheng or Fajing, both responded in kind. As they walked out, passing through the drying ground, they chatted along the way. 

“Leaving in such a hurry—does the Master have matters to attend to upon returning?” 

“A man without restraint… if he stays too long, he will inevitably wish to leave.” Fajing’s plump face spread into a smile. Through his halting speech, he emphasized three final words: “This place… is stifling!” 

Lu Liangsheng naturally did not mind such words. Looking toward the village entrance ahead, where someone was still waiting, he smiled and said: 

“That’s true. As it happens, I am also preparing to head out—to make a trip north to Qishan.” 

Fajing tilted his head. “For what matter?” 

“To prepare suitable methods for Yuwen Tuo and Qu Yuanfeng.” 

They walked out of the village. Under the bright autumn sun, Chen Jing and the others—who had been waiting through the night—scrambled to their feet as soon as they saw Lu Liangsheng appear. Someone among them tried to speak, but Chen Jing raised a hand to stop him. 

By the roadside, the large monk who had been walking ahead stopped several zhang beyond the village entrance. He turned around and, forming a seal with his hand, bowed toward Lu Liangsheng behind him. 

“Daoist Friend Lu, please return.” 

Lu Liangsheng raised his hands in salute. “Travel safely.” 

The monk straightened up and said no more. With his robe loose and open, he strode forward freely. His large, stout figure quickly passed by the group of several dozen people and stepped onto the dirt road outside the village. 

At the village entrance, Lu Liangsheng withdrew his gaze and turned to walk back. Suddenly, a voice called out from behind— 

“Mr. Lu!” 

“Lu Liangsheng, please wait—it’s me, Chen Jing!” 

Chen Jing shouted, pushing aside the guards in front of him and jogging to the middle of the road, his eyes fixed intently on the figure ahead. 

Up front, Lu Liangsheng came to a stop. He pressed his lips together slightly, then turned his head just a bit. 

“I know it’s you… very well, come in.”