Liu Qian took the Heart Sutra and asked, "At about what age should Bairen begin cultivating this internal art?"
Zhang Xiaohua thought for a moment and said, "Mr. Liu will probably start Bairen's education early. He should be able to understand the words in it by the time he is five or six. When that time comes, let him read and practice it on his own."
"Ah?" Liu Qian said in surprise. "He cannot learn it until he is six? Then why were you in such a hurry to give this to me? You can come back and teach him then. Besides, from what I have read in biographies, cultivating internal energy is full of particularities. Without a master's guidance, it is easy for something to go wrong. I think you should teach him."
As she spoke, Liu Qian was about to return the Heart Sutra to Zhang Xiaohua.
Zhang Xiaohua smiled. "Sister-in-law, cultivating internal energy can indeed easily lead to trouble. But look at me—I cultivated on my own, and nothing happened, did it? Besides, Sister-in-law, just trust me. Nothing will definitely go wrong with Bairen."
Liu Qian was half convinced and half doubtful, but she still carefully put the Heart Sutra away.
Still uneasy, she asked, "Then if Bairen does not understand something, can he ask my father?"
Zhang Xiaohua considered it, then said, "If he does not understand the words, he can certainly ask. But if he does not understand the contents, do not ask. It would also be best if no one else learned of this book. Remember that."
Hearing the gravity in his tone, Liu Qian could only nod cautiously.
Zhang Xiaohua was bold indeed. He himself had reached his current level by feeling his way forward, so he assumed anyone could cultivate on their