A moment later, Jieyin slowly spoke.
"What our Daoist brother says is reasonable."
He continued, "Though the Dao Ancestor punished him, he did not completely cut off his path. Perhaps this sliver of life lies here."
Zhunti nodded as well. "Our Daoist brother is right. The West is indeed short of talent.
"This monkey has an extraordinary origin. If we take him in and teach him with care, he may yet achieve great things."
He looked at Xuande. "So, Daoist brother, you mean... we should take him in?"
Xuande shook his head. "Not we. I will."
Jieyin and Zhunti both turned to look at him.
Xuande rose, his gaze calm and resolute.
"I proposed this, so I should bear the responsibility.
"If the Dao Ancestor takes offense, I will bear it alone. You two need only refrain from objecting."
Jieyin furrowed his brow. "Daoist brother..."
Xuande raised a hand to stop him.
"Do not worry, Daoist brothers.
"I have Merit Golden Light protecting me, and I have no grievance with the Dao Ancestor. I am only taking on a disciple and teaching him to follow the good. Surely the Dao Ancestor will not punish me for that.
"Besides, 'the Dao is not taught to Six Ears' means it must not be passed on—not that it must not be taught.
"If I teach him to cultivate, that does not necessarily mean I am passing on the Dao meant for Six Ears."
As he spoke, he headed toward the mountain gate.
Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged a glance, then rose and followed.
Outside Mount Sumeru's gate, the Six-eared Macaque knelt on the ground, his whole body chilled.
He had waited a long time.
So long that he had begun to think he would be turned away again.
Just as he was preparing to get up and leave, the mountain gate suddenly opened.
Three figures appeared within.
The one in front wore a plain white Daoist robe. A faint golden halo surrounded him, and his handsome face was gentle, his eyes clear and profound.
His presence was peaceful and warm, and a glimmer of warmth suddenly stirred in the Six-eared Macaque's despairing heart.
Half a step behind him stood two others. One had a sorrowful expression and a gaunt frame;
the other had a sallow complexion and bright eyes.
They were Jieyin and Zhunti.
The Six-eared Macaque hurriedly bowed. "The Six-eared Macaque pays his respects to the three True Men!"
Xuande looked at the monkey kneeling on the ground but said nothing.
He carefully sensed the monkey's aura.
Peak Grand Unity Golden Immortal, just one step away from Great Luo.
His aura was somewhat chaotic, but his foundation was solid. Clearly, he had cultivated diligently.
His six ears hung quietly at his sides, no longer lively as before.
But Xuande could sense a faint trace of divine power deep within them.
Hongjun had indeed sealed his divine power, but had not completely stripped it away.
So there really was a sliver of hope.
"What is your name?"
His voice was calm.
The Six-eared Macaque froze, then replied, "This True Man... I... I don't have a name. Ever since I gained intelligence, everyone has called me the Six-eared Macaque."
Xuande nodded. "Why have you been searching everywhere for a master?"
The Six-eared Macaque hesitated, but in the end answered honestly.
"I... I was foolish back then. I relied on my innate divine power to eavesdrop on the Dao Ancestor's lecture.
"The Dao Ancestor said the Dao was not to be taught to Six Ears, and my divine power was sealed. My path to the Dao was cut off.
"I couldn't accept it. I wanted to find a master to teach me how to cultivate, so I could... so I could keep going."
As he spoke, his eyes reddened again.
Xuande looked at him and said slowly, "Do you know that your divine power has not been completely destroyed, only sealed?"
The Six-eared Macaque shuddered and jerked his head up. "I-is that really true, True Man?"
Xuande nodded. "I sensed it with my Merit Golden Light. Deep within your six ears, there is still a trace of divine power.
"The Dao Ancestor punished you, but did not cut off your path. 'The Dao is not taught to Six Ears' means you must not use this divine power to eavesdrop. It does not mean you can never cultivate again."
The Six-eared Macaque knelt on the ground, tears spilling from his eyes.
For a thousand years, he had knelt and begged. For a thousand years, he had been turned away.
At last, today, someone had told him that his path had not been completely blocked.
He still had hope.
"True Man!" He bowed heavily. "Please take me as your disciple! I'll serve you however I can and repay your great kindness!"
Xuande looked at him and fell silent for a moment.
"Do you know what the consequences would be if I took you as my disciple?"
The Six-eared Macaque trembled and answered softly, "I... I know.
"If you take me as your disciple, you'll offend the Dao Ancestor and face criticism from the other mighty cultivators..."
Xuande nodded. "And you still ask?"
The Six-eared Macaque raised his head, his eyes full of determination. "I would never regret seeking the Dao, even if it cost me my life!
"If you're willing to take me as your disciple, I swear on my life that I will never let you down!
"If the Dao Ancestor takes offense one day, I will bear the blame alone and never implicate you!"
Xuande looked into his resolute eyes and suddenly smiled.
It was a faint smile, but warmth stirred in the Six-eared Macaque's heart.
"Get up," Xuande said.
The Six-eared Macaque froze, then slowly rose.
Xuande looked at him and spoke slowly.
"I am Xuande, a cultivator of Western Mount Sumeru. Today, I take you as my disciple. Are you willing?"
The Six-eared Macaque stood there, stunned, thinking he must have misheard.
Behind him, Zhunti chuckled. "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and bow to your master!"
Only then did the Six-eared Macaque react. He dropped to his knees with a thump and bowed deeply. "Your disciple, the Six-eared Macaque, pays respects to Master!"
Xuande smiled faintly and raised a hand in a gentle gesture. A warm glow of Merit Golden Light lifted the Six-eared Macaque to his feet.
"Now that you have joined my sect, you need a Dao name," he said. "I shall name you Wuzhen.
"It means to understand your true nature and see your true self."
Wuzhen.
The Six-eared Macaque—no, Wuzhen—murmured the two words again, tears welling in his eyes.
To understand his true nature and see his true self.
For the first time, he truly had a name.
"Thank you for naming me, Master!" He bowed again.
Xuande nodded, then turned and walked toward the mountain. "Come with me."
Wuzhen hurried after him.
When he passed Jieyin and Zhunti, he stopped and bowed deeply to them as well.
Jieyin gave a slight nod. For once, a trace of warmth appeared on his sorrowful face.
Zhunti smiled and patted him on the shoulder. "Stay close to your master. He's a good man."
Wuzhen nodded firmly, his eyes reddening again.
Beneath the Bodhi Tree, the four of them took their seats.
Wuzhen knelt to one side, somewhat nervous but even more excited.
Looking at the three mighty cultivators before him, especially his master, he felt something he had never felt before: a sense of belonging.
He finally had a master. He finally had a home.
Xuande looked at him and spoke slowly.
"Now that you have joined my sect, you must follow its rules.
"My path lies in merit, purity, and bearing responsibility.
"I do not ask you to reach the heavens in a single step. I only ask you to keep your feet on the ground and walk your path one step at a time. Do you understand?"
Wuzhen answered solemnly, "This disciple understands."
Xuande nodded. "Your divine power was sealed as punishment by the Dao Ancestor, but it is also a trial meant to temper you.
"Divine powers are useful, but relying on them too much can hinder your cultivation.
"Now that your divine power is sealed, you can quiet your mind, start cultivating from the beginning, and build a solid foundation."
Wuzhen replied respectfully, "This disciple will heed Master's teachings."
Xuande continued, "You are now at the Peak Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, just one step away from Great Luo.
"But you must not rush that step. Once your foundation is firm, it will come naturally."
Wuzhen nodded, then suddenly remembered something and asked cautiously, "Master, can I... can I use that divine power again someday?"
Xuande was silent for a moment before answering. "The Dao Ancestor sealed your divine power to punish you for eavesdropping.
"But the seal is not permanent. Once your cultivation matures and your Dao heart becomes firm, the seal will naturally loosen.
"When that time comes, you will be able to use your divine power again. But remember your lesson: never use it to eavesdrop or spy. Use it only for proper purposes. Do you understand?"
A look of delight flashed in Wuzhen's eyes, and he nodded again and again. "This disciple understands! I'll never do it again!"
Xuande smiled faintly and said no more.
Jieyin spoke then. "Wuzhen, now that you have joined the Western sect, you are one of us.
"If you have any questions about cultivation in the future, you may ask me or your Martial Uncle Zhunti."
Zhunti smiled as well. "That's right! Ask us whenever you have a question! If your master is too busy, my elder brother and I can offer you some guidance, too."
Wuzhen hurriedly bowed to them. "Thank you, Martial Uncle Jieyin. Thank you, Martial Uncle Zhunti!"
Xuande watched them, his heart filled with relief.
He knew that taking Wuzhen in was a risk. But it was worth taking.
The West was short on talent—that was a fact. Wuzhen had an extraordinary origin and a steadfast heart devoted to seeking the Dao. If he was taught with care, he would become a great talent.
As for the Dao Ancestor... Xuande had Merit Golden Light protecting him, and he had no grievance with the Dao Ancestor. He was only taking on one disciple. Surely the Dao Ancestor would not punish him for that.
Besides, "the Dao is not taught to Six Ears" meant "not passed on," not "not taught."
He was teaching Wuzhen to cultivate, showing him the Way of Merit and the way of purity. He was not teaching him to use his six-eared divine power to eavesdrop.
That did not count as defying the Dao Ancestor.
Beneath the Bodhi Tree, a gentle breeze stirred, and the leaves rustled.
Wuzhen sat beside his master, listening to his master and the two Martial Uncles discuss the Dao. His heart had never felt so peaceful.
At last, he had found a place to belong.