At the very beginning of all cause and effect—or perhaps at the very end of all cause and effect.
Beneath the Canopy Tree steaming with the Five Energies, the Human Emperor sat reclining, his face like the blazing sun.
A blade of Void Spirit Grass hung from his lips, and an old book rested in his hand as he read lazily. The great affairs of All-Under-Heaven rested upon his shoulders; past and present alike lay within his gaze—yet he was so at ease! It seemed there was nothing in this world that could trouble him.
Ao Shuyi, wearing the appearance of a youth, sat beside him. Using an autumn leaf as a meditation cushion, he held himself in a far more proper posture, reading a book as well.
He was reading Clan Lineages, written by Cangjie.
When the ancient sage created writing, he first established the surnames of the hundred clans and listed the origins of each lineage, to record that "each person is different."
Ao Shuyi had been born able to write Dao Script. Yet as he looked upon these exceedingly inefficient characters created for ordinary living beings, he studied them as earnestly as if contemplating the Dao—he would never have thought to create such writing, for conveying intent through the Dao was an inborn ability. The wise and foolish among all beings seemed divided from birth. His sight ranged over the sky and sea; he could not see the grass and trees growing from the mud.
But the Human Race had risen from the most humble beginnings. Only after Cangjie had "dispelled ignorance" could he "awaken wisdom." He had first known bewilderment, known times when he could not articulate the Dao... The writing he created began from his own hardships, a meritorious undertaking to enlighten the people.
Clan