White Cloud of Xiangshan (Part 1)

"Oh, Manager Li, why would you say that? Our master specifically said that you handle the outside affairs while I manage the inside. All external matters fall under your responsibility. So, does this errand still require me, Little Li, who manages the inside, to do it myself? Besides, it's just delivering a small New Year's gift to White Cloud Temple. The master doesn't want to see that old, smelly Daoist, so naturally, I have to stay with him. However, that old Daoist does possess some magical abilities, and it's not worth offending him. Therefore, someone with a bit of standing needs to deliver the gift, and who else could that be but Manager Li?"

Little Li flapped a whisk he held, constantly swatting at himself as if a swarm of flies were buzzing around him. Li Feng stood before him, dejected, complaining loudly, "It's not that I, young master Li Feng, am being lazy. It's just that the snow outside the city is three feet deep, and it's dozens of miles round trip. It's simply too arduous."

Little Li chuckled and flicked the whisk on Li Feng's shoulder. He said with a smile, "Oh, we're all serving the master, so why complain about hardship? Delivering a gift in such thick snow perfectly demonstrates our master's sincerity. Oh, right, the master said to draw a fortune slip while delivering the gift to inquire about our manor's luck for the coming year and see if there are any other good things in store for the master."

After chuckling a few times, Little Li, with a hint of shyness, leaned closer to Li Feng and whispered, "Could you do me a favor too? After you get the lucky slip for the master, could you draw one for me for marriage, huh? And maybe ask about descendants, hehe."

Li Feng, frustrated at being assigned the task, let out a couple of gurgling sounds in his throat, nearly bursting into laughter. He looked at Little Li with disbelief and asked in a low voice, "Manager Li, don't scare me. What are you asking about? A marriage slip? Matters of descendants? I, I, I... Did you perhaps drink too much last night?" Li Feng glanced strangely at Little Li's lower body, unable to articulate his thoughts.

Little Li's face instantly flushed red. He glared at the giggling young eunuchs around him and barked, "You lazy bums, why aren't you hurrying to make arrangements everywhere? Tonight is New Year's Eve! Have the incense and lamps been prepared everywhere? Have the duty rosters for the servants been finalized? Don't let anything go wrong, or the Old Eunuch here will slap you. Scram, all of you, get out of here!" Little Li kicked a slow-moving young eunuch, making him stumble.

Turning back, he lowered his voice, a little embarrassed, "Hehe, Brother Li, if you help me with this, Little Li will naturally not forget your kindness. Don't look at me like that, okay? Hehe, this fortune slip, I should have gone to White Cloud Temple to draw it myself. But if I go, everyone knows me, wouldn't that be awkward? Hehe, you understand, we eunuchs can't get married, but adopting an heir shouldn't be a problem, right? Eunuch Ma, the one you met last time, Eunuch Ma He, didn't he adopt his brother's son?"

"So, in a way, I, Little Li, can continue my lineage. In short, just ask and see how my descendants will fare, okay? Remember to do it."

Li Feng suddenly understood. "So, this guy without the balls wants to play pretend family. I get it, I get it. This is truly eye-opening. Eunuchs have such concerns? Eh, it's no trouble anyway. I'll just help him ask. Purely doing him a favor." With that, Li Feng obtained Zhu Xi's and Little Li's birthdates, tucked the red paper slips into his bosom, lazily summoned over a dozen guards and more than twenty porters, and set off from Zhu Xi's mansion.

Snow was still falling from the sky, which greatly amazed Li Feng, who had never seen snow in his life. Riding a tall horse, he couldn't help but lament with a touch of melancholy, "A lone boat, a straw cloak, an old man, fishing alone in the cold river snow." Although there was no river in sight, several accompanying guards loudly praised him from their horses, flattering him at just the right moment, which made Li Feng feel quite proud.

Glancing back at the porters struggling through the accumulated snow, Li Feng couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "Indeed, there are injustices everywhere in the world. The high officials and the wealthy embrace their beautiful wives and concubines, clad in mink and silk, holding cups of aged wine; there are also those like Little Li, who bully others with their influence, carrying hand warmers, followed by lackeys, bossing everyone around in the mansion like a tiger; and then there's me, this unfortunate soul, riding a horse through wind and snow towards the outskirts of the city. Yet, there are also a few servants who flatter me with their words, making me feel good. And these people, dressed in simple clothes, with wind whistling through them, their faces bruised and swollen from the cold, with a hundred pounds of bamboo baskets on their shoulders."

Li Feng began to chant softly, "Heaven gives birth to all things to nourish man, yet man has nothing to repay Heaven. Alas, looking at this world, are those in high positions all virtuous and wise? Are those in the common folk all treacherous and evil? It's nothing more than 'murderers and arsonists wear golden belts, while those who repair roads and bridges fill the graves'... What virtue or talent do I, Li Feng, possess, yet I am a minor general and a prince's steward today? Isn't it all thanks to a belly full of schemes and a head full of wicked ideas?"

"Look at these porters, do they not know filial piety, do they not know heavenly principles and human relations? But alas, born of low status, they can only wallow in the mud their entire lives."

With a few soft sighs, Li Feng raised his voice slightly. Immediately, he heard loud exclamations from behind him: "Wonderful, wonderful! Amitabha, what you say, benefactor, aligns deeply with heavenly principles. Are you not a savior? This old Daoist was just overwhelmed by wealth and status today, and upon hearing your words, it was like a morning bell and a evening drum, thought-provoking!" Following this vigorous voice, a yellow blur 'swished' to the front of Li Feng's horse, its speed astonishingly fast.

The guard responsible for leading the way immediately tumbled off his horse upon seeing the person and prostrated himself on the ground, saying, "Old Immortal Baiyun, this disciple pays his respects." He then loudly informed Li Feng, "Boss, this is Daoist Baiyun from White Cloud Temple, a famous old immortal in Yanjing City. You should quickly pay your respects."

Li Feng, filled with apprehension, looked at the ancient-faced old Daoist before him. He scrambled off his horse, preparing to prostrate himself fully. The old Daoist Baiyun, with a large beard and a face as rosy as an infant's, smiled, unfurled his whisk, and a powerful force lifted Li Feng's body, saying, "Ah, benefactor, you are too kind. From what you said, you seem to understand heavenly principles and human emotions. Let these commoners kneel if they wish; it doesn't diminish this old Daoist's blessings. But your grand gesture, this old Daoist cannot accept."

Li Feng said no more, waving to a guard to give up a horse. The old Daoist Baiyun repeatedly declined, "No, no. This mountain dweller cannot enjoy such things. This old Daoist and my few disciples are more comfortable walking. The wind and snow aren't that heavy, and we'll be there shortly... Eh? Aren't you from Prince Zhu Xi's manor? Last year, during the New Year, this old Daoist saw you delivering things too. Are you going to my Daoist temple to deliver New Year's goods? That would be excellent."

"Precisely. This humble one is Li Feng, the External Affairs Manager of Prince Zhu Xi's manor. Today, I am leading people to deliver New Year's goods and supplies to Daoist Master. Our Prince said he has been traveling in the south for a long time and only returned a few days ago. The household staff were inefficient, so these supplies were delayed. We are rushing to deliver them to Daoist Master today."

The old Daoist nodded, his whisk swaying. He smiled and said, "Hehe, the Eldest Prince went south? Hmm, I did hear about it. Well then, since you are going to White Cloud Temple, this old Daoist will go prepare some tea to welcome our guests. Disciples, hurry up, don't keep the guests waiting." With that, the old Daoist bowed his head, and with a few young Daoist priests who had just caught up, he unfurled his whisk. The seven or eight old Daoists then drifted away like geese, skimming the snowy ground, disappearing from sight in the blink of an eye.

A guard exclaimed, "The Old Immortal's Earth Shrinking Technique is truly miraculous! Compared to our Lightness Skill: Ground Soaring Method, it's more than a hundred times superior."

Li Feng was also amazed inwardly, "Wonderful! This old Daoist truly has some skill. It's not surprising that his internal energy is high, but he has actually merged lightness skill with Daoist magic. Twenty-odd Zhang in a single step, it's his own invention, I suppose. I've been down the mountain for so long, and this is the first time I've encountered someone with such skill. It's a pity that I myself am only half-baked, and I can't discern the depth of his cultivation. Hmm, if he has already formed a Golden Core, I could certainly seek his guidance."

Li Feng became anxious for a moment. He jumped onto his horse, turned back, and shouted loudly, "Hey, everyone, work harder! Let's reach White Cloud Temple quickly, and I'll reward you tenfold. Whoa, go!" He cracked his whip sharply, producing a crisp crackle, and led the small gift-delivering party onward into the wind and snow.

By the time they reached White Cloud Temple, the porters were too exhausted to speak. Because Li Feng had something on his mind, he had urged them on anxiously. The porters, eager for Li Feng's reward, had run desperately through the snow. By the time they arrived at White Cloud Temple, their clothes were soaked through. Seeing the porters in such a state, the young Daoists quickly lit hot water for them to wash themselves, and then provided old Daoist robes and thick cotton clothes for them to change into.

Li Feng nodded approvingly, "Good. Judging by the appearance of these young Daoists, they are indeed worthy disciples of a Daoist master." He then said, "You can wear these clothes for now. Little masters, how much are these clothes worth? I will buy them all, is that acceptable?"

A young Daoist priest chuckled, "Benefactor, you jest. Every year, White Cloud Temple gives away clothes and porridge to countless people. These few clothes are old ones. It's fine for you to wear them. It's the cold winter, and if you catch a cold, it's no laughing matter. It's the New Year, and everyone wishes for happiness. Getting sick is not a happy event."

Li Feng smiled and nodded, giving the porters a generous reward. He then instructed them to return to Yanjing City. After inviting the accompanying guards to the side rooms for tea, Li Feng followed a young Daoist priest, quickening his pace towards the rear courtyard. White Cloud Temple was a famous place outside Yanjing City, with layers of deep courtyards. Li Feng was too lazy to count how many courtyards he entered. Finally, he followed the young Daoist priest to push open a dark lacquered wooden door and entered a fresh, small courtyard.

A few pine and cypress trees were planted casually in the courtyard. Snow pressed down on their branches, and a rich green emerged from the white, giving a sense of vibrant life. The old Daoist Baiyun stood in the courtyard, hands tucked into his sleeves, gazing at the pine and cypress trees. Seeing Li Feng enter, the old Daoist chuckled, withdrew his hands from his sleeves, and extended them, saying, "Manager Li has arrived so quickly. The weather outside is cold; please come inside."

Li Feng said no more and followed the old Daoist Baiyun into his room. They sat down as host and guest. A young Daoist priest nimbly brought in teacups, along with four kinds of dried fruits and candies. The old Daoist Baiyun popped a piece of osmanthus sugar candy into his mouth and said with a smile, "As I get older, my mouth prefers sweet things. Please, please. This is the Lu'an Guapian tea the Prince sent to this old Daoist. It's excellent tea. The water is also spring water I drew from the back mountain. It should taste quite good when brewed."

Li Feng picked up his teacup, scraped the foam with the lid, and after taking a sip, sighed, "Good tea. However, comparatively, this humble one prefers strong liquor." He looked around the simple and clean layout of the guest room, which suited the disposition of a Daoist practitioner. Only the teacups and such were rather luxurious, but he figured they must have been bestowed by the Prince of Yan, and the old Daoist was using them to entertain guests.

The old Daoist Baiyun chuckled heartily, "Indeed. Young people have vigorous blood. Drinking tea is naturally not as good as drinking alcohol. The potency of alcohol comes quickly and can make the blood surge, so it's naturally suitable for the young. This old Daoist is getting old and has come to prefer tea. After a sip, the bitterness gives way to sweetness, much like people. After a lifetime of toiling, when you look back at the end, everything is like floating clouds. At that time, as long as your heart has no attachments, and you are at ease and clean, that is sweetness."

Li Feng flattered him, "Daoist Master's words are profound and unfathomable. This humble one admires them."

The old Daoist Baiyun shook his head, exhaling and causing his beard to flutter. He chuckled, "Nonsense. This old Daoist talks nonsense, and you talk nonsense too. What this old Daoist says is very superficial, and what Manager Li says sounds too formal... Manager Li, you've come to Yanjing with a purpose, haven't you?" The old Daoist Baiyun suddenly changed the subject, popping another candy into his mouth. His rosy cheeks resembled a child's, and his eyes twinkled with playful light, as if Li Feng were an interesting toy or a good cup of tea.

Li Feng quickly nodded, his heart tightening slightly as he said, "Naturally. This humble one has come to Yanjing seeking promotion and wealth. Naturally, I have a purpose."

The old Daoist Baiyun sighed, "All bustle and excitement is for fame and profit. Yet they fail to see that when people grow old and die, this stinking skin bag might be fed to wild dogs. What is there to fight for? But it's also true. If young people were like this old Daoist, it would be better not to be born, wouldn't it? Hehe." The old Daoist Baiyun seemed to be in a good mood, saying a few nonsensical words, and then suddenly began singing a Daoist ditty, crossing his right leg over his left and gently swaying, exuding an indescribable sense of ease and contentment.

Li Feng gave a dry laugh, "Daoist Master is like an immortal. Naturally, you cannot see things the way I do. How can the muddy currents of the mortal world taint you, Daoist Master?"

The old Daoist Baiyun repeatedly shook his head, a look of dejection and distress on his face, "Don't mention it, don't mention it. If I don't roll in the mortal world, the mortal world will pounce on me. Ah, it's just like that place in your city called 'Eight Great Alleys.' The last time this old Daoist accidentally walked in, I didn't ask for those girls to come over, but they desperately clung to me. And the Prince of Yan, the Second Prince, the Third Prince, the Commander Zhang Yu, Zhu Neng... aren't they all clinging to this old Daoist whether he wants them to or not?"

Li Feng was dumbfounded. What kind of tone was this old Daoist using? According to him, the Prince of Yan Zhu Di, Zhu Geng, Zhu Ren, and even that Zhang Yu, weren't they all like prostitutes in a brothel?

The old Daoist repeatedly shook his head and sighed, tugging at his beard with distress, "This old Daoist shouldn't have been too kind-hearted and softened his heart to give a few unfortunate souls some pointers on their future. Now everyone in the world is running to this old Daoist for fortune-telling and disaster relief. This old Daoist is not an immortal, how can I have such great abilities?... Manager Li, can I discuss something with you? Tell the Prince of Yan that this old Daoist is too old and too lazy to be his advisor, okay? He wants this old Daoist to be the Eldest Prince's teacher, which is a huge hassle."

The old Daoist Baiyun suddenly cried out, pulling out a few of his beard hairs. He stammered, looking at Li Feng, and said weakly, "Ah, how could I forget? You are one of the Eldest Prince's people. Speaking these words in front of you, you won't tell the Eldest Prince and the Prince of Yan, will you?"

Li Feng swallowed hard and repeatedly shook his head, assuring him, "Rest assured, my tongue, Li Feng's, is not that long."

The old Daoist Baiyun immediately smiled, "That's good, that's good. Every time the Prince of Yan asks me to do something, this old Daoist is always reluctant to go. But the Prince has hundreds of thousands of soldiers under his command. If this old Daoist doesn't go, and the Prince gets angry, White Cloud Temple could be instantly reduced to rubble. These hundreds of old and young Daoists would all become dead Daoists, and this old Daoist would become a lonely man. Wouldn't that break my heart? This time, he wants this Daoist to be the Eldest Prince's teacher, this old Daoist is just complaining, but I didn't say I wouldn't do it."

The old Daoist Baiyun said with a smile, "That's good. You say your tongue isn't that long, and this old Daoist is relieved. This old Daoist is also a subject under the Prince of Yan, so naturally, I can only obey the Prince's orders. What 'jumping out of the three realms and not being within the five elements' is all nonsense. This old Daoist eats vegetables, tofu, and steamed buns every day. To be outside the five elements is to become a ghost."