Still Cultivating

The Earth Deity looked at Jiang She.

"I am Jiang, a mountain dweller from the Shu Region."

"So it's Mr. Jiang!"

The Old Temple Master returned the greeting, not daring to underestimate him.

Behind him, several Daoists also bowed in turn, not taking offense at his humility. The young Daoist was especially puzzled—wasn't this tall, older man supposed to be the Mountain Master? Why was this gentleman speaking with him instead?

The Old Temple Master had brought many Daoists with him, and the incense pilgrims all looked over.

Whispers spread.

Curious about what was happening in the temple, why so many Daoists had gathered.

Could it be that the county magistrate had arrived?

The Old Temple Master smiled slowly and said, "It's noon now. Have the two honored guests used their midday meal? If not, why not come and have some vegetarian fare?"

"Our Pure Void Temple may not excel in other things, but the vegetarian food here is passable. I trust it won't disappoint our honored guests."

Jiang She agreed.

"Then we'll trouble you."

They walked together, and along the way, they could hear pilgrims quietly talking about encountering immortals on the mountain.

When they reached the dining hall, they could still hear people holding their bowls and gossiping, muttering, "I've been to this mountain not a hundred times, but at least fifty. Every first day of the month, every festival, I come up to offer incense. How come I've never seen an immortal?"

"Never mind immortals, I haven't even seen the legendary demons and monsters. They say the demons and monsters hold feasts in the mountains, but I reckon that's just Er Niu talking nonsense!"

Jiang She heard this and couldn't help but smile.

The Old Temple Master noticed and said cheerfully, "Does Mr. Jiang find it amusing?"

Jiang She nodded. "To live out one's life in such ignorance, safe and healthy, is the best one could ask for. There's no need to inquire about ghosts and gods."

The Old Temple Master thought for a moment and laughed. "True enough. Such fortune is rare."

He probed indirectly, "Some have said that all the famous mountains and great rivers in this world harbor strange and divine beings, but mortals simply cannot see them. The two sides do not interfere with each other."

The Earth Deity Mountain Demon suddenly spoke up, saying:

"When the Mountain Gods and Earth Deities hold their night feasts, and the Mountain Ghosts and Spirit Demons attend, humans naturally cannot see them."

The Old Temple Master paused.

This meant...

That the talk of immortals on the mountain that had been buzzing these past two days was indeed a banquet of mountain spirits. Had a few stray words slipped out amidst their laughter and conversation?

And been heard by mortals?

Jiang She suddenly remembered a matter the county magistrate had entrusted to him and asked the old Daoist.

"Temple Master, have you ever heard of a certain alchemist? He claims his Dao arts rival those of Luan Da from the Han Wu Emperor's time—that he can turn stone to gold, stop river floods, and refine the elixir of immortality. One of his uninitiated disciples swindled several thousand strings of cash nearby, and the county magistrate has already passed judgment."

The Old Temple Master asked solemnly:

"Does Mr. Jiang know this man's name?"

Jiang She shook his head.

"The magistrate only said that this man is quite skilled in illusions and knows many techniques. Many disciples have entered his sect and serve at his side."

The Old Temple Master thought carefully, then said regretfully, "I seem to have some recollection, but I don't know where I heard it. I'll have my disciples search thoroughly."

The Mountain God Earth Deity also replied, "This minor deity will return and investigate, or ask other Earth Deities."

They were sitting at a very secluded table in the dining hall, and the hall was noisy. Ordinary conversation could not be heard two feet away.

A temple boy brought over the food, interrupting their talk. Each person received a bowl.

The Old Temple Master heard the Mountain God's self-address.

His chopsticks nearly slipped from his hand and clattered onto the table.

The Black Stone Mountain Mountain Master, before his cultivation, had a violent temper. After cultivating, he still didn't care much for interacting with mortals. The Old Temple Master had assumed this Mr. Jiang was an old acquaintance of the Mountain Master, but then he suddenly heard that phrase, "this minor deity."

The Old Temple Master was so startled he nearly lost his soul.

For a local Mountain God to call himself "this minor deity"...

Then who was this Mr. Jiang before him?

"I dare not accept, I dare not accept," the Old Temple Master said immediately. His aged hand trembled as he steadied his chopsticks. He glanced around the dining hall and beckoned a young Daoist over.

He spoke a few words to him.

"Go and ask if anyone knows. If not, then investigate," the Old Temple Master said.

"Thank you, Temple Master," Jiang She said.

The Old Temple Master replied, "Since Xiangyang has seen an incident of deceiving others with Daoist arts, it is only right that we investigate thoroughly and correct the path of the Dao."

"Although our Pure Void Temple is no famous shrine, we still hold to this duty."

The vegetarian meal at Pure Void Temple lived up to its reputation—a bowl of five-grain rice, millet, rice, yellow millet, wheat, and beans boiled together, generous in portion. Topped with seasonal vegetables grown by the mountain's own Daoists: fresh shepherd's purse, crisp cucumber, sauce-soaked eggplant, and two slices of tofu.

Such a bowl cost only eight coppers, clean and refreshing on the palate.

As they ate, the three chatted idly.

During the meal, Jiang She asked about some Daoist alchemical formulas. The old Daoist was generous, holding nothing back, and explained them clearly.

"Elixirs are born from the primordial qi of heaven and earth."

"Great elixirs follow the five phases, each taking turns as progenitor..."

"Take the Golden Liquid Elixir, for example: one jin of gold, steeped in the Flowery Pool for a hundred days... the gold essence submits of itself, taking on the form of purple frost. When this golden liquid enters the mouth, the five viscera all produce gold."

"It is to borrow the imperishability of metal and stone, the principle of deathlessness and immortality."

The old Daoist finished.

Then added: "The Golden Liquid Elixir is a transmitted formula. Pure Void Temple is small and poor, lacking the funds to attempt it."

Though he did not know the guests' true identities, the old Daoist still offered a word of caution.

"I have only heard of a Daoist in Jun Prefecture who died from taking an elixir. The art of alchemy is the Dao, but if one consumes pills, caution is needed. Of course, if you, sir, have other methods, different from us common folk, then it is naturally permissible."

The Old Temple Master spoke in greater detail than Yuan Danqiu.

It gave Jiang She a faint outline in his mind. Vague thoughts stirred, and he wanted to seize them in time.

He thanked him: "Many thanks, Temple Master."

"May I borrow your precious grounds later? I wish to attempt something."

"Sir, use it as you please!"

They had finished their meal and sat at the low table, listening to the clamor in the dining hall. Some men wiped tears, praying for their families' health and safety. Others, finely dressed, told companions they had bought a bead bracelet at the stall outside to attract wealth. A young woman, her face blushing like a peach, was brought by her mother to burn incense, hoping to choose a good match.

There were also county school students swearing to pass the imperial exams, praying for Wenqu's protection and the aid of the literary star.

All the facets of life, each heart seeking something different.

The Old Temple Master hesitated.

The chance to meet the Mountain Master and the exalted one was too rare.

Though somewhat presumptuous, he could not help but ask:

"When I was young, I once met an old man who saved my life. He called himself the Master of Mountains and Rivers, but did not say which mountain's Mountain Lord he was. Now, seventy-eight years have passed, and I too have grown old."

"I wonder if you, honored guest, know him... is he... still alive?"

The Old Temple Master then described the old man's traits: an aged figure with white hair and beard, his demeanor gentle and natural.

It matched what the Earth Deity Mountain Demon had just said.

Looking at the old Daoist before him, equally white-haired and bearded, his body somewhat stooped, his skin thin as cicada wings and lined with wrinkles.

Jiang She spoke: "That one is still cultivating."

"He is the Lumen Mountain Deity."

The Old Temple Master's hunched back suddenly relaxed. "That is good, that is good..."

He seemed dazed, murmuring in awe:

"So it was the Lumen Mountain Deity, no wonder... so close, so close a place..."

Seventy-eight years flowed by like water, fleeting in an instant.

A mortal's hundred years are but a snap of the fingers to immortals and gods.

He was old and nearing death, while his benefactor from those days was still cultivating.

How wonderful.

Tears streamed down the Old Temple Master's face. He lowered his head, wiping them with rough, bark-like hands, and said quietly:

"Forgive me for making you, honored guests, laugh."

"Thank you, sir."

Jiang She and the Earth Deity both said nothing, leaving the old Daoist time for his grief and joy.

A Daoist from the temple, seeing the Old Temple Master's distress from afar, bent to check on him. The Old Temple Master could not speak for a moment, only waving his hand to show he was fine.

After a while.

He raised his head again, eyes reddened, temples pale.

The Old Temple Master said: "Since you, sir, wish to try alchemy, please follow me to the elixir chamber."

Following the operations officer's advice, updates will be posted together daily, moved to 9 PM, with two chapters three minutes apart.

Today I wrote an extra nine hundred words. Boldly asking for monthly tickets and recommendation tickets!