Chapter 13: The Classic of Purity and Tranquility

Qin Sang made several trips into town to investigate and discovered that Bai Jianglan had not lied to him; the "Tiger-Subduing Long Fist" was indeed a common technique, practiced by several major escort agencies in the city, including the Wuwei Escort Agency.

One did not necessarily have to join an escort agency to learn martial arts; paying silver would suffice. However, learning the "Tiger-Subduing Long Fist" alone would cost forty to fifty taels of silver, which would immediately deplete more than half of Qin Sang's purse.

Nevertheless, the future of the "Netherworld Scripture" was uncertain, and he certainly had to learn that technique to protect himself.

Seeing that the old Taoist remained silent, Qin Sang felt a secret sense of confusion and asked, "Daoist, you aren't unwilling to let Mingyue learn martial arts, are you?"

"He has been practicing with you for two months; has this poor Taoist ever stood in your way?"

The old Taoist stopped, turned around to ask the question back, sat down on a bluestone by the roadside, took a sip of water, and looked up at the vast heavens, sighing, "The snow has come much earlier this year than in years past. In this world, natural disasters and man-made calamities follow one after another; worldly affairs are unpredictable. It is a good thing for Mingyue to have a martial skill to rely on."

Qin Sang sat down beside him and smiled. "What are you afraid of? Qingyang Temple isn't your ancestral estate. Even if chaos breaks out in the Great Sui Kingdom, the worst that happens is we pack our bags and flee to another country to avoid disaster. With the skills you've passed down to him, Mingyue will be able to find food anywhere."

It was only after Qin Sang befriended several traveling merchants that he realized how vast this world truly was. To the south of Great Sui, there were over a dozen small nations similar to Ning State, and even further south lay boundless territories.

Bordering Great Sui to the north was a great nation called the Heng State. It was said that its territory was incredibly vast; compared to the Heng State, Great Sui could only be considered a tiny, insignificant nation.

And north of the Heng State, legends spoke of even more powerful great nations.

An ordinary person could travel from south to north, or east to west, and never reach the edge even by the time they died.

Qin Sang also helped with the gathering of the herbs they had identified. The old man and the youth worked without pause, filling a single wicker basket by the afternoon. As night approached, the two found a cave to rest in, built a fire, and cooked a meal.

Although he had temporarily set aside his thoughts of seeking immortals, whenever they encountered a spring in a cave while gathering herbs, Qin Sang could not help but peer inside.

The old Taoist said helplessly, "You, you still haven't given up. This poor Taoist told you long ago that I have walked every mountain within a hundred miles and stayed in every cave on these mountains, yet I have never seen any immortals. I have seen many remains of seekers, and I have personally laid several to rest."

Qin Sang could only offer a sheepish smile as he flipped the steamed buns roasting over the fire. Seeing the old Taoist sitting cross-legged to one side with his eyes closed in silent meditation, motionless for a long time, Qin Sang's heart suddenly stirred. *Has Daoist Jixin already reached the realm of a mind as still as water?*

A living example was right before his eyes, yet he had failed to notice it; he truly had been blind.

Filled with regret, Qin Sang hurriedly asked for guidance, "Daoist, how do you manage to cast aside distracting thoughts and achieve such peace of mind?"

With his eyes closed, Daoist Jixin asked, "You have read so many Taoist scriptures; how much have you actually remembered?"

Qin Sang felt ashamed. His heart was set on the immortal path, and he looked down upon the scriptures of secular Taoists. He had only flipped through the scriptures to learn how to read so he could ask the old Taoist questions; he had read bits and pieces from the east and west but had never read them thoroughly.

"Eat first."

The old Taoist offered no judgment. He picked up a steamed bun and chewed slowly.

Qin Sang was anxious to know.

The old Taoist glanced at him. "Calming the mind and steadying the breath—practicing calligraphy and eating are also forms of cultivation."

Qin Sang suppressed the restlessness in his heart and finished his meal, finding that his mind had indeed become much calmer.

After finishing his ablutions, Daoist Jixin finally spoke, "Do you still remember the 'Scripture of Purity and Tranquility'?"

Qin Sang nodded quickly. "I remember part of it."

"Recite with me... Observe the heart within, and the heart has no heart; observe the form without, and the form has no form; observe the objects from afar, and the objects have no objects..."

The voices of the old man and the youth reciting the scripture echoed in the cave. After one recitation of the "Scripture of Purity and Tranquility," Qin Sang opened his eyes. Just as he was about to speak, he saw the old Taoist immediately begin the second recitation, and he hurriedly followed suit.

After reciting the scripture several times, Qin Sang felt a sense of realization. He sat in a daze for a while before standing up and performing a deep bow to the old Taoist. "Daoist, may I join you for the evening lessons in the future?"

Daoist Jixin laughed. "Whether you recite scriptures or not, what does that have to do with this poor Taoist?"

That night, because the old Taoist was sleeping nearby, Qin Sang did not practice the "Netherworld Scripture," but his heart was exceptionally excited. He felt he might have found the correct path.

...

From then on, Qin Sang rose early and slept late every day, following the old Taoist and Mingyue for their morning and evening lessons. In the blink of an eye, the end of the year approached.

This was the first New Year Qin Sang had spent in this world. He had many emotions, but no one to share them with.

The New Year at the Taoist temple was ordinary. The only noteworthy event was when Daoist Jixin brought out a portrait of his master, Yunyouzi, for worship. Qin Sang saw an old Taoist who possessed an even more transcendent and immortal aura.

Although refugees were surging like a tide, Three Witches City remained as bustling as ever. Qin Sang followed the master and disciple into the city to visit the markets.

To this day, Qin Sang had not yet been able to cultivate that "Qi," but his two months of continuous persistence had not been without progress. His ability to enter a meditative state had improved; sometimes he would meditate through the entire night without realizing it, and the next day, instead of feeling fatigued, he felt refreshed and invigorated. This gave him increasing confidence.

Three Witches City was a major thoroughfare in the north and south, with prosperous trade routes and numerous escort agencies.

The Wuwei Escort Agency was not the largest in Three Witches City, but it had an excellent reputation. Qin Sang had investigated for some time and learned that the agency had a great master escort named Yang Zhen, who possessed high martial skill, upright character, and whose disciples were all capable fighters.

As it was the end of the year, most master escorts who had been traveling were returning to the city. Yang Zhen had gone on a long-distance mission to the capital and had only returned after more than three months. Upon hearing the news, Qin Sang immediately bought gifts and went to their door.

Fifty taels of silver for the "Tiger-Subduing Long Fist" was considered high among the various escort agencies in Three Witches City. The accountant of the Wuwei Escort Agency accepted the money and ordered a worker to lead Qin Sang to Yang Zhen.

Following the worker into a small courtyard, Qin Sang saw dozens of youths already waiting inside. He whispered to the worker, "Are they all Yang Master's disciples?"

The worker nodded and said, "Master Yang has high martial skill and a great reputation; he never holds back when teaching his disciples. If one's talent is sufficient, they can even be taken in as a formal disciple. There are many in the city looking to apprentice under Master Yang. Young Master Qin will be studying alongside them in the future. Master Yang is currently speaking with the Chief Escort; please wait in the courtyard for a moment while I deliver your business card and gifts."

As the worker entered the inner hall, Qin Sang stood in the courtyard observing Yang Zhen's disciples. He could see that the dozens of youths had divided themselves into several circles.

About a dozen youths wore identical tight-fitting cotton clothes with cinched waists and leg wraps; their bodies were particularly sturdy. Judging by the way they played and sparred, their foundation was clearly not weak; they were likely the formal disciples the worker had mentioned.

There were also wealthy young masters in expensive clothing with unsteady steps, who seemed to be just passing time.

There were also those standing alone in the corners, appearing very restrained, who might be like him—having just apprenticed.

Qin Sang thought for a moment and also walked to a corner to wait quietly.

Before long, the central gate swung open, and a large man walked out. The youths in the courtyard ceased their laughter and shouting and bowed loudly to greet their master.

Upon seeing the real Yang Zhen, Qin Sang felt a heavy sense of pressure emanating from him.

The man was about fifty years old, bearded, and dressed in the martial attire of the Wuwei Escort Agency. He was tall and stood a full head taller than Qin Sang; he was the most burly person Qin Sang had seen in this lifetime.

Even Bai Jianglan's men were stout, but they were a size smaller than Yang Zhen.

(End of Chapter)