18: Discussing the Dao under the ancient cypress
Discussing the path of cultivation?
Chen Jinghe's directness caught Li Muchen slightly off guard, yet he also felt the man was straightforward and sincere. After a moment's thought, he decided to engage with him to a limited extent.
"I wouldn't dare to offer instruction." Li Muchen stepped aside and pointed to the vibrant ancient cypress tree in the courtyard. "Layman Chen, you have traveled far and worked hard. If you don't mind, why not sit beneath this tree for a moment, have a cup of clear tea, and then we can talk?"
He did not invite the other party into the Main Hall, as that was, after all, the core of his cultivation. Sitting beneath the ancient cypress tree in the courtyard was neither impolite nor did it compromise his privacy.
"That is exactly what I wished for, though I didn't dare to ask." Chen Jinghe's eyes lit up, and he readily agreed. He knew well that cultivation sites often had many taboos; the fact that the other party was willing to receive him in the courtyard already gave him plenty of Face.
Li Muchen turned back to the side hall to fetch two clean earthenware bowls, then went to the Spirit Well to draw the freshest water. He placed a few tender leaves of heart-clearing grass that he carried with him into the bowls and poured in the well water. He didn't use fire to boil it; instead, he simply held the earthenware bowl in his palm and silently circulated his profound technique.
True Essence flowed within his Dantian, and a faint but pure wisp of fire-attribute True Essence seeped from his palm, instantly heating the well water in the bowl to a temperature slightly hot to the touch.
The heart-clearing grass leaves unfurled in the warm water, and the pale green tea soup emitted an even more tranquil and serene fragrance, which also faintly integrated a hint of the True Essence's gentle vitality.
Chen Jinghe had been closely watching Li Muchen's movements. When he saw the other man simply hold the bowl for a moment and the cold water began to steam, and that the process was natural and smooth without any sign of exertion, his heart was deeply shaken! This was by no means comparable to ordinary Internal Strength heating! Using Internal Strength might also be able to raise the water's temperature, but it usually manifested externally; it was difficult to achieve such effortless grace and subtle influence!
This Daoist Master Li truly possessed extraordinary arts!
Li Muchen handed a bowl of heart-clearing grass tea to Chen Jinghe: "A simple offering from the mountains, please enjoy it, Layman Chen."
Chen Jinghe took it with both hands. It was slightly hot to the touch, the tea's fragrance was pungent, and there was a sense of tranquility that cleared the mind. He thanked him solemnly and took a cautious sip.
The tea was crisp and sweet. After entering his throat, a gentle warmth spread out. Not only did it quench his thirst, but he also felt his spirits lift. The fatigue from several days of travel seemed to dissipate, and his mood became inexplicably settled.
"Excellent tea!" Chen Jinghe praised sincerely. "This tea clears the heart and calms the mind, and even has a nourishing effect. It is by no means comparable to ordinary mountain spring water or wild tea. The Abbot has great skill!"
"It's just that the well water is decent and the plants have a bit of spirituality." Li Muchen spoke nonchalantly, also picking up his own bowl and drinking slowly.
The two sat opposite each other on two flat stones beneath the ancient cypress tree.
Chen Jinghe put down his tea bowl, his expression becoming a bit more solemn as he spoke first: "Daoist Master Li, I am a few years older than you and have been immersed in the path of martial arts for decades, and I have also dabbled in Daoist classics. However, seeing the Abbot today, I finally know what the presence of an Immortal Master is like.
The Abbot's aura is primordial and unified, blending seamlessly with this mountain, this tree, and this temple. You have already reached the embryonic form of the Oneness of Heaven and Man. Such a Realm is something I have only seen in ancient texts and legends, and have never heard of in reality. I wonder what marvelous method the Abbot cultivates? Could it be the lost orthodox Xuanmen from ancient times?"
He asked directly but also sincerely, placing himself in the position of a student seeking guidance.
Li Muchen put down his tea bowl and looked at Chen Jinghe calmly: "Layman Chen, you overpraise me. What I cultivate is merely a shallow Health-Preserving Daoyin Technique. I occasionally obtained the Legacy of predecessors and have only just glimpsed the threshold. It cannot be called a marvelous method, let alone some lost true transmission. As for my aura, living in the mountains for a long time with no stray thoughts and being close to nature might allow one to be tainted by a bit of the forest's Qi."
He naturally wouldn't reveal the details of the System and the Supreme Clarity Purple Mansion Returning to Origin True Scripture. But these words weren't entirely false either; he indeed benefited from his predecessors and this special environment.
Chen Jinghe shook his head and said seriously: "Why must the Abbot be so modest? Although I am untalented, the Wudang internal Mind-Cultivation Technique also emphasizes Refining Essence into Qi and Refining Qi into Spirit, pursuing the resonance between heaven and man. Looking at the Abbot, your essence and Qi are contained within, and your divine light is radiant. This is definitely not something that ordinary Health-Preserving Daoyin can achieve. Especially..."
He pointed to the ancient cypress tree beside them. "This tree had been dead for many years, but now it has seen rejuvenation, its vitality is bursting, and there is even a faint awakening of spirituality. If I am not mistaken, the revival of this tree's vitality has a great connection with the Abbot's cultivation here, doesn't it?"
His gaze was sharp; he was clearly observant and extremely sensitive to changes in Qi.
Li Muchen's heart stirred; this Chen Jinghe was indeed not simple. He neither admitted nor denied it, only saying faintly: "Plants have spirits. By following the timing of heaven and the advantages of the earth, they might be able to find new life. I just happened to be here and offered a bit of care."
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Seeing that Li Muchen was unwilling to discuss the core of his Cultivation Technique, Chen Jinghe did not push. Instead, he asked: "Then how does the Abbot view the word 'cultivation'?"
This question was indeed worth discussing.
Li Muchen thought for a moment and said slowly: "A cultivator cultivates the heart, the body, and one's life. If the heart is not pure, the body will find it hard to be healthy; if the body is not healthy, life will find it hard to be long-lasting; if life is not stable, it is difficult to glimpse the Great Dao. The three are essentially one and proceed step by step. When the mind follows nature, the body merges with heaven and earth, and one practices the Dual Cultivation of Life and Soul, that is the Foundation."
These words integrated the essence of the Supreme Clarity Purple Mansion Returning to Origin True Scripture and his own insights. Although they did not involve specific methods, they pointed directly to the core of cultivation.
Hearing this, Chen Jinghe fell into deep thought and murmured: "The mind follows nature, the body merges with heaven and earth, the Dual Cultivation of Life and Soul... well said! My Wudang Mind-Cultivation Technique also emphasizes using the mind to circulate Qi and using Qi to move the body, continuous as if existing, used without effort. It has the same subtle wonders as what the Abbot said.
It's just that times have changed, and the true Qi Refining methods have long been lost. Now, only the skills for strengthening the body and tempering blood and Qi remain. The so-called Internal Strength is merely a slight sensation of Qi generated by the condensation of blood and Qi and the guidance of the mind. How could it be anything but a thousand miles away from the True Qi and True Essence described in ancient texts!"
His words revealed his longing for true cultivation methods and his lamentation over the decline of the Dao in this world.
Li Muchen understood. It seemed that this Chen Jinghe was the type of person who had truly touched the Peak of traditional martial arts and vaguely perceived a path ahead but was frustrated by having no way to enter. The Internal Strength and Qi sensation he spoke of were probably already the limits that modern Martial Artists could reach. Any further, without an orthodox Qi Refining method, it would be difficult to make any progress.
"Since Layman Chen knows the road ahead is difficult, why are you so persistent?" Li Muchen asked.
Chen Jinghe's expression turned solemn: "If one hears the Dao in the morning, one can die in the evening without regret. I have practiced martial arts all my life, and what I seek is not bravado, fame, or power, but to explore the limits of human potential and pursue the transcendent Realm spoken of by the sages. Even if I can only catch a glimpse of its true form, this life will not have been in vain."
His tone was firm and his eyes were bright, clearly showing his sincere devotion to the Dao.
Li Muchen nodded slightly. This person's Heart-Nature was quite good.
"The Dao is beneath your feet, and it is also in your heart," Li Muchen said. "Since Layman Chen has this ambition, why not delve deeper into the principles of what you have learned? Wudang has a Legacy of a thousand years with vast archives. The Internal Martial Arts Principles secretly harmonize with the changes of Yin and Yang, and the Health-Preserving Daoyin Techniques also have their merits. If you can comprehend from the root, discard the dross and keep the essence, and return to simplicity, you might not be unable to find another way and gain something."
These words were both guidance and a test. He wanted to see to what extent Chen Jinghe's Comprehension Ability and understanding of his own path had reached.
Hearing this, Chen Jinghe's body shook slightly, a look of contemplation appeared in his eyes, and he remained silent for a long time. Clearly, Li Muchen's words had touched him.
After a long time, he let out a long sigh, stood up, and bowed solemnly to Li Muchen: "Listening to your words is better than reading for ten years. What the Abbot said is like a sudden epiphany. I used to be too obsessed with finding secret methods and true transmissions, but I neglected my own Foundation and the essence of my Legacy. Thank you for your guidance, Abbot!"
He performed this bow with complete conviction.
Li Muchen stood up and returned the gesture: "Layman Chen, you overstate it. It was just a bit of shallow insight."
Chen Jinghe straightened up, his expression even more respectful: "It is my fortune to meet the Abbot today. Although the Abbot is young, you already have the presence of an Immortal Master, and your future achievements will be limitless. I dare not ask for more, but I only hope that if I have doubts in the future, I can come again to seek the Abbot's guidance. I wonder... if that would be possible?"
He lowered his posture completely, acting entirely as a Junior seeking guidance from a Senior.
Li Muchen glanced at him and nodded: "If Layman Chen has the time, you may naturally come here to drink tea and discuss the Dao."
This was an agreement to limited communication.
Chen Jinghe was overjoyed: "Thank you, Abbot!"
He sat for a while longer, asking some questions about regulating breathing, calming the mind, and how to better sense the connection between his own blood and Qi and the outside world. Li Muchen did not teach specific methods but instead gave answers based on principles and logic, combined with a bit of guidance on Wudang martial arts theory. This already made Chen Jinghe feel he had benefited greatly, and many previously vague points suddenly became clear.
As the sun rose higher, Chen Jinghe knew he shouldn't stay too long, so he stood up to bid farewell.
Before leaving, he looked at the ancient cypress tree, then at the Spirit Well, and suddenly said: "Abbot, I venture to remind you. The fame of Qingfeng Temple is gradually rising, and I fear it has already attracted the attention of many parties. Aside from the curious, I'm afraid there are also some... not-so-simple gazes. Although the Abbot has extraordinary Divine Abilities, an open attack is easy to dodge, but a hidden arrow is hard to guard against. You still need to be extra careful."
He had clearly also detected traces of official or other forces' activities.
Li Muchen's expression remained unchanged: "Thank you for the reminder, Layman Chen. I understand."
Chen Jinghe said no more, cupped his fists in a salute again, and then turned to stride down the mountain. His steps were light, clearly showing he was in a very good mood.
Li Muchen watched him leave, his gaze deep.
Chen Jinghe's arrival not only brought information about the cultivation world but also confirmed some of his guesses. In this world, it wasn't that there were no seekers of the Dao at all, but that most were trapped in a cage and could not find the way in.
And his small Qingfeng Temple might have unknowingly become a lighthouse or the eye of a storm in some people's eyes.
He turned and looked at the rustling ancient cypress tree in front of the hall.
The storm is coming, and his Dao Foundation still needs time to become more solid.