Chapter 185: Grand Summary of the Way of Deception
Chapter 185: Grand Summary of the Way of Deception
“I, the venerable one, spent my life creating the Four Steps of the Way of Deception. The First Step is Deceiving Others. It emphasizes cunning words, a honeyed tongue, twisting right and wrong! This is the very foundation of the Way of Deception. Master deceiving others!
The Second Step is Deceiving Oneself. To deceive others, one must first deceive oneself. If you make even yourself believe, how can you worry about others not believing?
The Third Step is widespread Deception! This deceit encompasses heaven and earth, deceives parents, fools flowers, grass, trees, snakes, insects, tigers, leopards, ants, birds, beasts… everything capable of being deceived!
The Fourth Step is the Deception of the Dao itself! Deceiving the true Great Dao!
The Fifth Step is the Dao of Nothingness! I, the venerable one, still cannot grasp its true meaning to this day!
When people talk of deception, they naturally associate it with liars, tricksters, and scams!
Since humankind’s dawn, since the very day sentient beings emerged, this art of deception has existed. It is often said that among the Three Thousand Great Ways, any can lead to ascension or divinity. But who dares claim this Deception isn’t one of those Three Thousand Great Ways? Hmph! Proof is unnecessary! For I, Huang Biaozi, am personally transmitting the Way of Deception to you today! That itself is proof! I have lived countless Millennial Eras! This is my proof, surpassing any mere evidence!
I share the lifespan of heaven and earth! As long as heaven and earth endure, I endure! No! Even if heaven and earth decay, I am eternal!
Listen well, boy! What I’m telling you now is merely the Grand Summary of the Way of Deception. What you must do is proceed step by step, learning from the very basics.
In my youth, before attaining enlightenment, I chanced upon a book. This book detailed the art of physiognomy and fortune-telling. Intrigued, I plunged in headfirst. Upon grasping its contents, I was profoundly unsettled for a long time. With a means to try my craft, I unexpectedly succeeded on my first attempt. From then on, I neglected proper cultivation. Only after narrowly escaping death once did I have a sudden epiphany: some things, when you don’t know them, you feel helpless, harboring no ill intent. But once you know them, everything changes.
Those who drown are mostly swimmers!
However! Since I, the venerable one, have decided to pass on the Way of Deception to you, I know well that one day, you, boy, will inevitably learn it!
…
Below are the Grand Summary and the psychological framework for the First Step of the Way of Deception. You absolutely must commit these to heart.
This comes from that divination book. While targeting Cultivators presents certain differences, Cultivators are ultimately human. Grasping these principles is key.
First: Judge the visitor’s intent upon entry; speak directly without hesitation.
If someone seeks a fortune-telling, or if you approach them, don’t speak first. Listen to the speaker. The more they talk, the more information they unwittingly reveal. When you spot the crucial moment, deliver a sharp, unexpected pronouncement. Strike at the heart of the matter! Do not hesitate! Do not be ambiguous! Otherwise, the visitor will think you are inaccurate and lack skill!
But how do you grasp the heart of the matter?
Second: Father inquires about his son, desiring his son’s prosperity; son inquires about his father, troubled by his father’s plight.
This means: if a father comes asking a fortune for his son, he would surely ask whether his son will become distinguished, wealthy, and prosperous.
For parents hope their sons become dragons and their daughters become phoenixes. Even if the child is merely a cricket or a grasshopper, the parent asking such questions implies the son or daughter isn’t progressing now. Speaking along these lines guarantees you won’t be wrong!
As for the latter half: if a child comes seeking a fortune for their parents, it inevitably means the father or mother is in poor health, seriously ill, or facing death. Barring such circumstances, children wouldn’t think to consult fortune-tellers for their parents.
Third: Wife asks about her husband: if joyful, she seeks honor through him; if troubled, she truly fears for him.
Whenever a wife inquires about her husband’s future and fortune: if she arrives looking happy, it signals her husband may soon gain official rank or wealth – some impending good fortune already hinted at, but not yet realized. She came to confirm it. Then you can confidently declare her husband blessed and prosperous! She will beam like a silly roe deer and generously reward you!
Conversely, if she arrives worried, it surely means her husband is suffering misfortune lately – facing dismissal, financial ruin, or even abandonment. Predict trouble directly, for you will be mostly correct! Then amplify the warnings! Tell her that without remedial action, ill luck will persist for the next ten years. At this point, she will obediently pay up. You deceive her, and she kowtows in gratitude!
Fourth: Husband asks about his wife: if not trouble concerning her, then surely difficulty conceiving an heir.
If a husband enquires about a fortune for his wife, only two possibilities exist: he suspects her unfaithfulness – wearing a cuckold’s horns – or she fails to conceive and bear children. Besides these, a husband would never seek a fortune for his wife.
Fifth: The scholar asks about his prospects; the merchant asks about life and death!
Scholars are the learned. When such a one arrives, he certainly desires knowledge of his prospects – success in examinations, the potential for officialdom.
If a wealthy merchant arrives, he undoubtedly asks about longevity, or major calamities on life’s journey. Being rich beyond need, he fears death above all. Always address these concerns.
What about the Cultivator?
Cultivators were no different. They didn’t indulge in hearsay and gossip like mortals do; that wasn’t their way. But cultivators were human, still subject to the seven emotions and six desires. So, you need to learn to extrapolate. Grasp these underlying mindsets, and things become much easier.
Sixth: Repeated questioning reveals deficiency; constant inquiries signify hidden causes.
If someone incessantly asks about one particular thing, that matter is definitely going very poorly.
Anyone persistently gnawing at a single question like a dog on a bone – that problem is the very root cause of what they truly want to know. At that moment, it’s not that your divination is accurate, but that they’ve revealed far too much.
Seventh: Monks and priests claim purity, yet crave profit and lust.
A true monk or priest would never seek fortune-telling.
When those outwardly virtuous clerics come seeking your counsel, it reveals they harbor worldly desires. They come either for profit or lust. Promise these, and they will be overjoyed.
Eighth: The lofty ministers yearn, in truth, for hermit’s woods.
Those high-ranking ministers, ensconced in the halls of power, harbor even greater ambitions driven by even stronger profit-seeking hearts. Promise them gains and desires, and they too will be overjoyed!
Ninth: The ‘First Brother’ demands a sharp blade, the ‘Second Brother’ calls for casting the knife away, the ‘Third Date’ means fleas are on the way.
‘First Brother’ refers to the most gullible fool, wholly trusting you. This is the time to bleed them dry – how dry? Only to the point they aren’t utterly bankrupted.
‘Second Brother’ refers to the one who has become suspicious, who doubts your accuracy. Then, absolutely do not push your luck! Eschew greed; take not even a single coin. Do otherwise, and disaster strikes!
‘Third Date’ refers to those deliberately seeking misfortune upon you, intending trouble. With such people? Flee immediately, vanish without a trace!
Of course, this line of work carries immense danger. That’s precisely why I urged you, during your training, to never neglect your cultivation! Originally, I intended to remain by your side, letting you learn the Way of Deception undisturbed. Alas, you took a wrong path. Now we proceed step by step. Furthermore… I have sensed a Heavenly Secret. At critical junctures, I cannot always be there to advise you. You must navigate cautiously.
Naturally, this is merely the First Step. To reach the pinnacle of this First Step, the highest level, you must master the Six-Syllable Mantra!
The Six-Syllable Mantra is: Probe, Tap, Strike, Deceive, Praise, Sell!
Hence the sayings: Probe first, then Tap; Strike swiftly, Deceive slowly. Praise and Sell employed together; Tap and Strike used in tandem.
Ten Deceptions make nine ring true; ten Praises bring nine successes.
Deceive (Qian) first, then proceed; nothing will fail. To Deceive without Praise? A talent only a Di Shou could waste!
This can be called the paramount realm of deceptive psychology. Though it only pertains to the First Step of the Way of Deception. Only when you perfect this step, master it utterly, can you attempt the Second Step. The Second Step is not your concern now; you lack the strength even to contemplate it right now.
Lay a solid foundation! Only with the First Step firmly trodden can you avoid losing your way on the Second Step. Otherwise, with a weak base, recklessly attempting the Second Step brings endless harm and no benefit!
For most people, the First Step alone suffices. But for you? It is not enough. This is only the beginning. If you wish to perceive the true nature of this world, with your innate talent, reaching that ultimate stage is impossible! No… or perhaps more accurately, under the current circumstances, no one can reach that stage any longer. Because Samsara is dead!
No one can rely solely on their own strength to reach the Fourth Step, let alone the Fifth Step!
Never mind that. In brief, your immediate task is to comprehend and master the First Step.
First, this Six-Syllable Mantra.
Simply put…
‘Probe’ means to assess.
Appearance reveals much – their clothing, bearing, poverty or wealth mark their level. Mortals can never truly hide poverty; Cultivators can never truly conceal their desires.
The second meaning of ‘Probe’ is to listen. Prompt the other party to speak at length. The more they speak, the more secrets spill, and the better your grasp of the situation.
‘Tap’ means to test.
Hence: One Tap hits the mark, ride the stick and Strike; Two Taps fail, then seek the snake in the grass.
Build upon the ‘Probe’, then suddenly ‘Tap’. If your probe hits true, you can then apply the ‘Strike’. If the ‘Tap’ misses twice? Danger looms. Seeking a snake in the grass risks a bite. If it comes to that… ‘cast the knife’ decisively, vanish immediately. Never linger!
‘Strike’ means a firm pronouncement, a decisive judgement.
‘Strike’ hinges on abruptness. Utter it suddenly, with conviction. A deeper meaning of ‘Strike’ is breaking the other party’s will.
Because you ‘Tapped’ accurately, they fully believe you. Then tell the official he will lose his rank, the bitter woman she will be jilted, announce misfortune upon them — ‘Strike’ down their psychological defenses entirely.
‘Deceive’ is exactly that – deceive!
Execute it immediately, or lay a trap. ‘Deceive’ is woven through the other five words. Its essence is slowness. Do not rush the deception (‘Qian’), lest you reveal your hand (‘Slow Deception follows Swift Strike’).
‘Praise’ is flattery.
Tell them what they wish to hear. Offer them hope.
Because you ‘Struck’ them, they are afraid. Their mind is fragile, plunged into despair. At this nadir, you ‘Praise’ them, hinting that hope isn’t lost. If they follow your advice, they can avert calamity, turn ill omen to good fortune. As hope sparks, seize the moment to ‘Praise’ them further: surmount this hurdle, and prosperity, wealth, longevity await! Naturally, they are elated.
‘Strike’ and ‘Praise’ are opposites. First plunge them into despair, then offer hope. By now, they are utterly convinced, firmly hooked. Both ‘Strike’ and ‘Praise’ are instruments of ‘Deception’, inseparable. Merely deploying the deceitful ‘Strike’? No matter how skillfully executed, it’s useless. The despairing person resigns to fate and won’t take the bait. Hence: To Deceive without Praise? A Di Shou talent indeed!
Di Shou is slang within the trade—meaning a complete fool.
The final word is ‘Sell’. This is a state of effortless grace. Whatever you say, they believe implicitly.
The deeper meaning of ‘Sell’ is the moment to collect payment, reap your reward.
Everything you’ve done culminates in this final sale. Therefore, make the sale crisp and clean. These Six Syllables sound simple, but true mastery is profoundly difficult.
If you employ the Six Syllables, yet the mark still doubts, remains tentative… One final technique remains:‘Execute the Kill!’ (Fig. “Final Deceptive Blow”).
The prerequisite for ‘Execute the Kill’ is a fatty mark who is hesitant, poised between belief and unbelief. ‘Execute the Kill’ belongs to the category of elaborate deceptions and traps. Yet, even this trade has its code.
Only scam the wicked. The wicked deserve a wicked reckoning!
Truly, even thieves have their principles. Deception has its Way!
Deceive only those who warrant deception. Only the greedy fall for deception!
…
In short, if you ever truly master this Six-Syllable Mantra… well, then your own demise likely lies close at hand!”
“Heh, is that so?”
Tang Jinbiao, riding upon the Azure Dragon’s back, recalled urgently how Huang Biaozi had taught him the Way of Deception. A glimmer of understanding seemed to dawn; a faint, sinister smile touched his lips.