White Clouds of Fragrant Hill (Part 2)

P.S.: Brothers, please go show some support for my new book, Paranormal Officialdom.

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Seeing his expression, Li Feng seemed to have agreed not to report him, and he heaved a great sigh of relief.

Taking the opportunity, Li Feng pulled out the red slip of paper and handed it to Old Daoist Baiyun with a smile. "Daoist, take a look at this. One is our Highness's birth horoscope, and the other is the birth horoscope of Eunuch Li, His Highness's steward. His Highness wishes to ask about next year's fortunes, while Manager Li wants to ask... ask... he wants to ask for..."

Old Daoist Baiyun blew at his beard, curled his lips, and snorted. "He wants to ask about marriage and descendants, doesn't he? Sigh, those fellows who no longer have anything down there—even this old Daoist can still return to secular life and marry, yet they dream such dreams too. They do not stop to think: this old Daoist can still go provoke an unmarried maiden, but what capital do they have to provoke one? Eh, this is his birth horoscope, right?" The old Daoist muttered a few words, casually pinched his fingers a few times, then chuckled. "Ah, go back and tell him: what is fated to come will come in time. Tell him to work hard."

Li Feng was so angry he nearly raised his foot to kick him. He secretly cursed, The next line is, what is not fated must not be forcibly sought. Is this old Daoist deliberately making sport of me? Luckily, I've read plenty of books—Han dynasty ballads, Jin dynasty poems, Tang and Song lyrics. Otherwise, I really would have been played for a fool by you. Yet he nodded repeatedly with a grin. "That would be wonderful. Tomorrow, I'll have Eunuch Li find several unmarried young maidens and tell him it was this Daoist master who said it—that he would certainly have descendants."

Old Daoist Baiyun looked utterly wretched—the most wretched sort of wretched. He hemmed and hawed for a long while before helplessly looking at Li Feng and putting on an exceedingly serious expression. "However, this old Daoist's sleeve-hidden Eight Trigrams have not been very accurate lately. Mm, later I'll properly cast him a divination, eh? Hahaha! There is no need to tell him that earlier sentence." Inside, Old Daoist Baiyun was furiously cursing Li Feng. You brat, if you tell that dead eunuch this, and he truly follows your advice, wouldn't those women left guarding empty beds be harmed by this old Daoist? When Heaven calls someone to account, this old Daoist will be the one carrying the blame... Fine. I'll spend a bit of energy and properly calculate a divination for that eunuch.

After muttering for a good while, Old Daoist Baiyun finally ground his teeth and said, "But there is no need to calculate much for the eldest heir. After this year passes, his luck will certainly be very good. At the very least, nothing major will happen to him within the next year. Mm, he will be safe and sound... This year is the thirtieth year of Hongwu. Mm, throughout the thirty-first year, I guarantee nothing will happen. Hahaha, you may tell the eldest heir that."

One look at the old Daoist's laughing, joking manner told Li Feng he was spouting nonsense again. Still, Zhu Xi probably would not encounter any great misfortune next year, so Li Feng let him muddle through it. Li Feng was very confident. As long as he remained under Zhu Xi's command, what could possibly go unfinished?

Staring dejectedly at Little Li's birth horoscope, the old Daoist let out a long sigh. He looked at Li Feng, then at the two young Daoists standing behind him, and most unwillingly took six coins from his sleeve, clasping them in his palm. The old Daoist grumbled, "Monk Daoyan is far more capable than this old Daoist. Why not go ask Monk Daoyan to calculate this? Why must you come to this old Daoist? Sigh... this old Daoist is already at an advanced age, eighty or ninety years old, yet you little brats insist on finding trouble for me."

Li Feng smiled, lifted his teacup, took a light sip, and asked, "What sort of figure is Monk Daoyan? This youngster has never heard of him."

Old Daoist Baiyun shook the coins fiercely in his hand several times, steadied his breath, and rolled his eyes. "That Monk Daoyan is a thieving monk, a damned monk, a rotten monk. Hmph. He cultivates that Lesser Vajra Samadhi Buddhist Dharma and follows the Lesser Vehicle Buddhist school, pursuing transcendence of the self and ascension to paradise. His martial arts are just a little, little better than this old Daoist's, and as for his arts... mm, mm, they are also just a little, little better. Yet he gets to idle away his days at the Prince of Yan's residence, while this old Daoist has to stay busy with this and that all day long."

Li Feng was secretly amused. This old Daoist had probably suffered quite a bit at Monk Daoyan's hands, which was why he was babbling on endlessly. Monk Daoyan—he had never heard that name, but the man was likely one of the Prince of Yan's trusted confidants. The old Daoist said he idled around, but he was probably just venting a bellyful of resentment. How could there be anyone under the Prince of Yan who truly idled about? Even if there were, it would only be his two precious princes.

With a clatter, the coins fell to the ground. The old Daoist noted their positions and sides, picked them up one by one, silently circulated his mysterious art for a while, then cast them again.

After watching Old Daoist Baiyun fuss with his tricks for a while, Li Feng saw him put the coins away in his sleeve and then give him a very strange look. Li Feng looked back at him in bafflement and asked, "Daoist, could it be that Manager Li is destined to die without descendants? Just say it plainly. Eunuchs are meant to die without descendants—that is their lot in life. He ought to be able to take it in stride."

Old Daoist Baiyun had just taken a mouthful of tea when Li Feng suddenly said this. With a splutter, he sprayed all the tea out. After coughing violently for a while, he began cursing. "Manager Li, this old Daoist is old and frail. If you wish to kill this old Daoist, need you use such a ridiculous method? Mm, mm, what do you mean a eunuch dying without descendants is his lot in life? Mm, this old Daoist merely had a sudden flash of insight and saw some strange matters."

Li Feng's heart stirred slightly. I do not know how to calculate Heaven's secrets. Looking at this old Daoist now, could he truly possess such profound powers? What did he see? Why is he looking at me so strangely? Could the things he saw involve me?

Old Daoist Baiyun fell silent for quite some time before finally speaking. "Mm, when this old Daoist examined the hexagram just now, inspiration suddenly stirred in my mind. I sensed Heaven's heart and saw an image. Within it, that Manager Li wore the robes of a first-rank palace official, with a thousand people kneeling beneath him. Beside Manager Li was you, benefactor, wearing the finest official robes, your power overshadowing... mm, mm, could this old Daoist be about to die? Otherwise, why would I see such things? This old Daoist has cast tens of thousands of divinations for others in his lifetime, yet I have only seen such a clear image two or three times. Strange, strange. Or perhaps this old Daoist's divine abilities have suddenly advanced greatly?"

Li Feng fell silent, pondering inwardly. The finest official robes? Would that not mean I can become a very, very high-ranking official? That is a good thing indeed. Hahaha, this young master truly is a pillar of the nation. Besides, haven't I been swallowing my pride and staying at Zhu Xi's side precisely to seek fame and office? But why is this old Daoist speaking so haltingly? Could there be something wrong with his brain?

Yet when it came to such sensitive matters concerning himself, Li Feng would never ask. Otherwise, people would say that the moment he heard he would wear official robes, he could not stop eagerly asking about it. Would that not be disgraceful? Moreover, Li Feng knew these old Daoists always went on about how Heaven's secrets could not be revealed. Even if he asked, he would not get anything from them.

After thinking for a long time, Li Feng suddenly said, "Manager Li seems destined to become a very great official in the future. Whether he has descendants or not, he probably will not care. When I return, I'll simply make up a few words and muddle him through it. But as for this youngster, I ask the Daoist to offer me more guidance. Since the Prince has invited you to become our Highness's teacher, we will be seeing each other often in the future. I hope the Daoist will look after me. This youngster is crude by nature and understands nothing about many matters."

Since this old Daoist was called a living immortal in Yanjing City, he surely possessed deeply rooted hidden influence and understood people from every walk of life thoroughly. After all, people came to this living immortal seeking this and that. With all the gossip of one household and the secrets of another, what would this old Daoist not know? Li Feng maliciously guessed inwardly, This old Daoist must wander freely through the homes of civil and military officials every day. Perhaps he even knows what color of bellyband their wives wear and what sort of undergarments their concubines put on.

Old Daoist Baiyun studied Li Feng's face for a while, blinked several times, and remained silent before slowly nodding. "As for others, there is not much need for concern. Those civil and military officials are all pillars of talent. Among the military commanders are several formidable figures who are currently leading troops to guard the northeast, so they are not in the city. Of those in the city, Commander Zhang Yu is one of the Prince of Yan's most renowned fierce generals. As for the other civil officials, Manager Li probably does not take them to heart. The Prince himself has spent his life campaigning and favors skill in warfare. He does not place much importance on civil officials."

"In all of Yanjing City, the ones most inconspicuous yet actually most influential upon the Prince of Yan are, aside from Eunuch Lü, who oversees the Imperial Guard, Monk Daoyan. He once traveled to Songshan Temple in the Central Plains and met the physiognomist Yuan Gong, who read his features and declared, 'He is bound to delight in killing.' He cultivates Buddhism, yet delights in seeking fame and office. He speaks endlessly of how Mahayana Buddhism should save all living beings, yet when he expounds the Dharma, he seeks only this lifetime. This old Daoist has crossed hands with him several times. Mm, he is unfathomably profound. It is difficult to determine a victor."

Old Daoist Baiyun secretly glanced at Li Feng. Seeing that Li Feng had raised no questions about his words, he smiled and continued, "As for magical arts, Monk Daoyan is about on par with this old Daoist. But Manager Li presumably has no interest in matters of ghosts and gods, so this old Daoist will not say more. Yet Daoyan's martial arts have entered the realm of the divine, reaching the boundary between man and Heaven. Under his self-created Thirty-Six Seals of Luotian, even this old Daoist must avoid his edge."

"His wisdom is especially profound, and his scheming exceedingly deep. He is truly one of the foremost figures of the age. Usually, he lives in seclusion and rarely appears, only occasionally going to the Prince's residence to discuss affairs. Yet the Prince never refuses any advice he offers. If Manager Li wishes to rise in rank and seek fame and office, you may as well put some effort into that rotten monk."

Li Feng smiled lightly and shook his head. "Daoist, you jest. Why ignore the bell before me and go cast copper to make one myself? Would that not be foolish? Since the Prince invited you to the residence today, you must also be deeply trusted and valued by him. Especially now that the Prince has formally engaged you to serve as the eldest prince's teacher, it would naturally be much more convenient for this youngster to seek your instruction every day."

Old Daoist Baiyun looked deeply troubled. He crossed his legs atop the Grand Tutor's Chair and sighed toward the heavens. "Sigh, the Prince has given me a great nuisance. When would this old Daoist ever be willing to show his face in public? Today, the Prince summoned this old Daoist into the city and asked me to attend tonight's banquet. This old Daoist fears bustle most of all, and fears even more being surrounded by those official lords, their worldly air choking the very breath from me. After finally declining the Prince's kind intentions and escaping the banquet, His Highness insisted that this old Daoist take up the post of teacher to the eldest prince. Monk Daoyan even echoed him from the side. This old Daoist truly had no choice but to agree before I could get away."

The old Daoist's whole face was like a bitter melon as he shook his head fiercely. "That Monk Daoyan is no good thing. He hides comfortably in his temple all day, yet forces this old Daoist out of the mountains to sell his life for the Zhu family's empire. How many lives does this old Daoist have to sell? Sigh, wasting my days, wasting my days. As for that eldest heir, what could he possibly need this old Daoist to teach him? Must this old Daoist teach him how dragons and tigers harmonize, how the Golden Core is contained within?"

Li Feng's eyes gleamed like a thief's. Attentively, he handed the fruit platter to the old Daoist. After the old Daoist stuffed several pieces of osmanthus malt candy into his mouth, Li Feng carefully flattered him, "How can it count as wasting time? Since the Daoist has attained success on the Golden Core Great Path, you are naturally an immortal who will live forever. That makes you an immortal—what is a little time to you? As our Highness's teacher, the Daoist need not teach him any wondrous Daoist formulae. Is it not simply a matter of teaching our Highness how to conduct himself?"

"Besides, just in case—this youngster only means just in case—our Highness inherits the Prince of Yan's title, the Daoist could then assist our Highness in soothing the people of a region and shaping the fortunes of a region. That would be merit without measure... For such supreme merit, even if the Daoist wastes a little time, it would hardly count as anything significant."

Old Daoist Baiyun fiercely scraped a finger across Li Feng's nose and cursed, "Nonsense! If this old Daoist had truly attained the Golden Core Great Path, I would have kicked Daoyan into a well long ago. How could it be his turn to... Eh, eh, mm, ahem... That so-called Golden Core Great Path requires one to form a Golden Core. Cultivating the Dao is easy; forming the Golden Core is difficult. Those who can form one are truly half-immortals. Only the legendary immortals beyond the world possess such cultivation. This old Daoist has striven for nearly a hundred years and has only just entered the Innate Realm. As for the Golden Core, I do not know how much longer I must cultivate bitterly."

The old Daoist sighed. "Human lifespan is limited. Without finding a fine master or spiritual medicine, how could one form a Golden Core in a mere hundred years? This old Daoist knows his end is near. I only wish to make one final push and properly contend with the Heavenly Dao, to see whether this old Daoist has the fortune to form a Golden Core. Assisting the eldest heir sounds easy, but how would it be in practice? Without ten years of effort, how could this old Daoist free himself? Ten years of bitter work..."

Seeing the old Daoist's helpless expression, Li Feng's heart turned cold. Yes, could the Golden Core truly be so easy to cultivate? This old Daoist has toiled for a hundred years and has only approached the Qi Condensation stage. Sigh. Is the Golden Core formula truly so difficult to find? Do the ancient cultivation methods really exist only in those Daoist sects? I refuse to believe such nonsense. I absolutely refuse.

Li Feng clenched his teeth, forced out a few smiles, and said, "The Daoist is mistaken... Heaven's heart is most merciful. If the Daoist can assist our heir and spread grace over the people of a region, then when the people remember you with gratitude, it will surely move Heaven. How could good people fail to receive good recompense? 'Buddhas who save the living,' 'Buddhas who save the living'... The Daoist distributes clothes and porridge every year, but how many common people can a single White Cloud Temple save? Why not assist our Highness? With the power of a state, enrich the nation and strengthen the people, so that there will be none in the realm who freeze or starve. That would be merit without measure."

The old Daoist murmured under his breath, "Heaven's heart is most merciful, merit without measure, Heaven's heart is most merciful, Heaven's heart is most merciful..."

Li Feng lightly circulated a trace of true qi and gave a soft shout beside the old Daoist's ear. "Daoist, awaken. You bitterly seek immortality, but the immortal path is the human path. And the human path already lies beneath the Daoist's feet."

With a boom, Old Daoist Baiyun leaped up, waving his arms and dancing about as he shouted, "Yes, yes, this old Daoist was mistaken. Entering the world or leaving it—what matter if worldly air reaches the heavens? So long as my heart remains pure, when my work is done, I shall brush off my sleeves and depart, leaving no name in this world. I seek only for my heart to be pure as the bright moon; why care if the boundless red dust bewilders and slays men?" Old Daoist Baiyun solemnly bowed to Li Feng. "Manager Li, this old Daoist has been taught. The Daoist path is purity, following the heart, and effortless action. Since the Prince wishes me to enter the world, then what harm is there in entering it? This old Daoist has cultivated bitterly all his life, yet in his old age, Heaven has given him an opportunity."

Li Feng nearly jumped up himself. He too gave a solemn bow and said seriously, "Precisely. Heaven gives birth to all things, and each has its reason. All manner of inconceivable matters lie within Heaven's principles and the cycle of reincarnation. I, Li Feng, am here now—body here, spirit here—so Heaven naturally intends for Li Feng to do something. How could Li Feng dare not take it seriously?"

The old Daoist laughed with delight. Li Feng's words had blown away the troubles that had burdened his heart for more than ten years. At that moment, he felt his heart become clear and lively, and in a daze, he sensed that his magical power had advanced by a great stride.

Seeing the old Daoist pacing about the room like a monkey, Li Feng noticed that the incense on the table had already been replaced twice. He immediately rose to take his leave. "Then this youngster shall depart. If the Daoist does not mind, why not attend tonight's banquet together? Even if they are all worldly people, worldly people are still people."

The old Daoist nodded heavily. "Well said. Worldly people are still people. This old Daoist is a person, you are a person, we are all people. Since we are people, why can we not be together? Disciples, pack our things. Wrap up all your master's Daoist books. We are going to Yanjing City now."

Watching the jubilant Old Daoist Baiyun, Li Feng felt an emptiness in his heart. This old Daoist lived simply. Once he knew what he sought, no matter how faint the hope, he would pursue it steadfastly. What about this young master? What do I seek? Sigh... Heaven, just drop a huge pie from the sky and let it strike this young master.

The wind and snow had already stopped. A wan, pale sun hung high in the sky. Li Feng and his party left White Cloud Temple and headed toward Yanjing City.

Old Daoist Baiyun saw that the air was fresh, the snow-covered earth was clean and boundless, and two birds of prey wheeled and beat their wings through the sky, brimming with life and mysterious principle. His interest rose at once, and he loudly chanted, "Favor and disgrace are both startling; value great misfortune as you value the body. What does it mean that favor and disgrace are both startling? Disgrace is lowly; gaining it startles one, losing it startles one—this is called favor and disgrace both being startling. What does it mean to value great misfortune as one values the body? The reason I have great misfortune is that I have a body. When I no longer have a body, what misfortune could I have? Thus, one who values the world as his own body may be entrusted with the world; one who loves the world as his own body may be entrusted with the world..."