Chapter 4: The Ragged Taoist

It was the time when two armies faced each other in battle. The city gates were closed, and strict orders were issued against entry or exit. But as the saying goes, money can make the devil turn the millstone. With a few silver coins from Jia Bu, the guards at the gate, who knew this well-known wealthy merchant, easily let him leave Juyong City.

Heading south all the way, Mu Yuan rode a dappled horse, clip-clopping along quite freely. The broad iron sword he had taken from the army originally had no sheath, so he wrapped it in coarse cloth and tied it on his back. He exchanged his green Taoist robe for a tight-fitting martial outfit, making him look like a wandering swordsman.

Traveling by day and resting at night, after two days on the road, they saw many wandering commoners traveling together. Most had fled Juyong City before the great battle started—some seeking relatives for shelter, others returning to their old hometowns. Few, however, had family assets as substantial as Jia Bu’s. They were far less impressive in style, with four or five carriages, accompanying guards, servants, and maidservants. The men mostly rode horses, while the women sat securely in the carriages, giving a somewhat grand impression.

The carriages used by Jia Bu were quite spacious; one could seat over ten people. Apart from one for family members and another for maidservants and servants, the remaining three were loaded with goods and wealth, quite conspicuous and inevitably drawing greedy eyes. Originally, Jia Bu’s household had guard-martial artists, plus over a dozen male servants, which represented not-insignificant fighting strength. To avoid any mishaps, Jia Bu also hired several skilled escorts, and coincidentally, Mu Yuan was one of them.

Since Juyong City was in the midst of a great battle, those with martial skills had all gone to the battlefield. Left with no choice and finding it hard to locate true experts, Jia Bu hired several relatively famous martial artists from the city. Noticing that although Mu Yuan was young, he had a heroic air and the iron sword in his hand looked extraordinary, he invited him along as well.

Along the way, Mu Yuan observed the martial artists in the traveling party carefully. Most were not truly proper experts. They didn’t have much zhenqi, but they were agile in movement, some having practiced fist and leg techniques since childhood, with long legs and thick arms—they could be considered quite strong and powerful. They could handle ordinary people well enough, but if they really encountered someone of Gai Tiancheng’s caliber, going up would be no different from seeking death. But after all, Gai Tiancheng was a general of a nation, not some roadside beggar; even in the army of Tianlong Kingdom, few could match him. Besides, those with that level of skill wouldn’t be eyeing Jia Bu’s wealth.

One day, the caravan reached the edge of a forest. Seeing that it was getting late and the next city was still over ten li away, Jia Bu immediately ordered a halt to rest. They set up tents, lit campfires, and settled down beside the woods.

Mu Yuan shook his head lightly, ate some dried rations and beef, drank for a while with the other martial artists, and after eating and drinking his fill, feeling quite bored, he leaped onto a large tree by the roadside and began breathing exercises for cultivation.

The Longevity True Qi of Longevity Palace enhanced one’s cultivation by absorbing the essence of Wood among the Five Elements. Here by the roadside was an endless forest—a perfect place. Mu Yuan was usually lazy; he never practiced Qi Refinement for more than two hours a day. That’s why after over ten years of cultivation, he was only at the Second Layer of Qi Refining, placing him in the middle ranks among those of similar age at Longevity Palace. But since there was really nothing fun to do on this journey, he had become more diligent.

The carriage used by Jia Bu’s family was quite spacious, equipped with all daily necessities. Except for resting at inns along the way, they rarely got off the carriage. As it was late autumn, the weather had turned rather cold, and being in the carriage kept them much warmer than outside.

After spending nearly half an hour in the tree, Mu Yuan felt his inner energy was abundant, so he leaped down. Two martial artists around his age approached, looking for a chance to chat.

After several days, Mu Yuan had gotten to know these two: one named Feng Lie, the other called Fang Sheng. Both were quite straightforward fellows who had never liked studying since childhood but practiced martial arts for a living, working as escorts. Seeing them strike up a conversation, Mu Yuan was happy to chat and pass the time.

“Brother Mu, look at this lush, dense forest—there must be wild animals inside. We’ve been eating dried meat all these days, and it’s rather unsatisfying. How about we go in and hunt some fresh meat, bring it back to roast? It’ll be some fun, what do you say?” Feng Lie was naturally active and his martial arts were passable; a dozen ordinary men couldn’t get near him. Feeling bored during this idle moment, he persuaded Fang Sheng and tried to win over Mu Yuan as well.

Mu Yuan’s heart stirred, and he happily agreed. He then informed the older martial artists, and the three of them darted into the dense forest, carrying torches as they went.

Among the accompanying martial artists, apart from these three, the youngest of the rest were over thirty years old—more steady in behavior, no longer in their active youth—so none of the others joined them.

They traveled about two li into the forest. In the deep night, they heard faint roars of beasts. The flickering torchlight actually attracted a spotted leopard. This leopard was quite large, its body covered in coin-like spots, about the size of a newborn foal. Its eyes gleamed with fierce light, and without any fuss, it pounced directly at Feng Lie who was walking in front!

Feng Lie gave a loud shout, dodged the leopard’s downward pounce, swiftly stepped to its rear, raised his short staff, and engaged in a fierce fight with the leopard.

The leopard was very agile. Feng Lie’s several attacks were all evaded. Seeing this, Fang Sheng drew his long blade and joined the fray. The two humans and the beast tumbled and fought, stirring up clouds of dust and making the torchlight flicker.

Seeing how much effort these two were expending, Mu Yuan sighed inwardly. With a movement of his hands, the iron sword on his back fell into his grasp. He circulated his zhenqi, and the iron sword flashed with a bright light. Using the move “Long Rainbow Piercing the Sun,” the iron sword shot like a meteor across the sky, pinning the fierce leopard directly to the ground.

Fang Sheng and Feng Lie were overjoyed. They went forward and dragged the leopard, which weighed a full three hundred jin. Deciding not to go deeper, they directly hauled the leopard back to the caravan. After some preparation, they set it over the campfire to roast.

Although Longevity Palace did not forbid meat, it was after all a Taoist institution that emphasized purity and minimal desires, seldom handling fresh meat. Mu Yuan wasn’t very familiar with these matters either, so he left it to the other two. Before long, the leopard’s limbs were roasted to a rich aroma, golden fat dripping onto the campfire with a sizzling, tempting sound that made Mu Yuan’s mouth water.

Once everything was ready, some martial artists gathered to share portions. Jia Bu also came forward and asked for a front leg. Mu Yuan cut a large piece of meat from a hind leg and, accompanied by strong liquor, ate with great satisfaction.

While everyone was enjoying themselves, from the distant darkness came the sound of chanting. Mu Yuan listened carefully and heard the newcomer singing, “Chanting the Huangting Scripture deep in the white clouds, a light breeze rises at the cave entrance. In the effortless world of pure emptiness, shedding worldly ties makes all matters light. Alas, the boundless heaven and earth have no name, wide sleeves unfold, vast is the qiankun… So fragrant, so fragrant!”

Then a Taoist in ragged robes emerged from the night, seemingly appearing out of thin air before the crowd. Mu Yuan saw that this person was quite old, with a head of silver hair and a white beard under his chin. Yet his face was rosy, his skin like that of a newborn baby. Recalling the earlier chant, Mu Yuan felt a stir in his heart.

Most of the martial artists didn’t understand the song’s rhythm or its meaning, looking blankly without paying attention. Mu Yuan stood up, cupped his hands, and said, “Respects, Elder Taoist. Isn’t it unsafe to travel at night?”

The old Taoist laughed heartily. “The world’s paths are treacherous, regardless of day or night. Hmm, what delicious roasted meat! Could this old Taoist have a share?”

Feng Lie, who had drunk enough to be slightly tipsy, snapped, “Where did this wild Taoist come from, making a racket at night? Don’t bring us bad luck here; get going.” The other martial artists also joined in, shouting and jeering.

The old Taoist, however, just chuckled without anger. Mu Yuan cut a large piece of cooked meat from the rack, handed it over, and said with a smile, “Meeting you, Elder Taoist, in these wild mountains is truly fortunate. My friends here have drunk a bit too much; I hope you won’t take offense.”

The old Taoist took the meat. “Young man, your heart is good. How about giving this poor Taoist a gourd of fine wine as well?”

Mu Yuan saw him hold out a green gourd about a foot tall. He immediately smiled and said, “Of course, that’s very good.” He then fetched a jug of wine and poured it in. Even after emptying the entire jug of strong liquor into the gourd, it still wasn’t full.

Mu Yuan was slightly startled and was about to get another jug when the ragged Taoist snatched the gourd, lifted it to his mouth, and drank it all in one go, a flush appearing on his face.

“Good wine, good wine!” the ragged Taoist exclaimed after drinking the strong liquor. He finished the roasted meat in a few bites and praised it loudly.

Mu Yuan was even more surprised. That jug of wine contained at least three jin. An ordinary person would get drunk drinking it slowly, yet this old Taoist downed it in one go without stopping, showing no effects and with no change in his belly—truly strange.

“You’re not bad, young man. You look like one of our kind. Pity this old Taoist doesn’t even have a disciple now. Since you treated me to wine and meat, I’ll give you this gourd as payment for the food and drink.”

The old Taoist narrowed his eyes, stuffed the gourd into Mu Yuan’s hands, and with a loud laugh, drifted away. Soon, from afar came another song, “Working primal energy deep in mist and haze, awakening in the thatched hut to the red sun. Flipping over, leaping out of the dusty realm, fame and achievements all tossed to the tumbleweed…”

Mu Yuan stood there dazed, feeling as though the Taoist had come and gone like the wind. If not for the green gourd in his hand, he would have thought it was all a dream.