The Debate on Clouds and Rosy Clouds (Part Two)

As soon as Su Yao finished speaking, the woodcutter's face, which had been alight with pleasure, abruptly darkened. He fell silent for a moment, then seemed to think of something. His expression eased, and he looked at Su Yao and said:

"Immortal master, I fear you are mistaken.

Clouds may gather and disperse without constancy, but in the morning they drift across the sky, and at dusk they become rosy clouds. Clouds and rosy clouds share the same root and spring from the same source.

Without clouds gathering, whence would the splendor of rosy clouds come?

I fear the one that falls into the Lower Vehicle is the wisp that has forgotten its roots."

He paused, then put a smile back on his face and picked up the teapot to refill Su Yao's cup.

"Please forgive this old man's crude words, immortal master. Have some tea."

Su Yao was rather surprised. He had not expected this mountain god to have some background and know something of the matter.

Though he had mocked the woodcutter earlier, he had intended all along to take the opportunity to belittle that household.

So he smiled and said:

"The Book of Words on the Mysterious says: Though clouds and rosy clouds share a root, their natures differ. Clouds drift without a fixed home, gathering and dispersing with the wind, never holding a constant shape. Rosy clouds, however, are formed by the union of yin and yang; their radiance is contained within, and their brilliance endures. The Qixia lineage chooses the mountains as its home and holds fast to the true without wavering, rather than chasing the winds of the four seasons. As for those rootless drifting clouds, even if they blot out the sun for a time, they will ultimately scatter without a trace. How dare they compare themselves to rosy clouds?"

Without waiting for the woodcutter to answer, he looked at the cup on the table, which had been refilled until it was seven-tenths full, and said thoughtfully:

"At first sip, this tea is light and delicate..."

He paused, reconsidered his words, and said:

"But the finest teas strike a balance between strong and weak. Some grow gradually stronger, going from light to rich; others begin strong and grow lighter. Yet whether the former or the latter, all have that lingering sweetness that returns to the palate, leaving an endless aftertaste.

"This tea may be light and delicate at first sip, and its rich fragrance may fill the nose afterward, but it lacks that returning sweetness. In the end, it falls into the Lower Vehicle."

With that, he turned his head and looked at the woodcutter with a silent smile.

The woodcutter frowned and countered:

"But the ordinary folk in the mountains for a thousand li around are very fond of this tea. They often speak to me of its fine qualities."

Su Yao picked up his teacup and looked at the woodcutter.

"When ordinary mountain folk see that the tea belongs to a mountain god, they already find it a rarity. Besides, they still need the mountain god's protection when they enter the mountains in the future. Naturally, they say only good things. Why would they speak ill of it?

"Besides, we immortals ought to dwell in the mountains and cultivate the mysteries, keeping clear of the mundane affairs of the mortal world. Naturally, we prefer light, delicate tea that grows stronger by degrees, and cherish that returning sweetness.

"As for ordinary mortals, their hundred years pass in a rush. Naturally, they prefer a rich, mellow flavor and savor that momentary passion."

With that, Su Yao drained his cup and set it down without saying much more.

The woodcutter's expression turned ugly. He pondered for a long time before recovering, then forced a smile and asked:

"Your words accord deeply with the principles of immortals, immortal master. This old man was narrow-minded."

He paused, then continued:

"I prepared this spread today to thank you for saving my life, immortal master. But after speaking with you and seeing how learned and gifted you are, I have another question on my mind. Might you be able to answer it?"

Su Yao did not respond immediately. He simply picked up the last pastry, put it in his mouth, and chewed slowly.

Then he studied the woodcutter for roughly the time it took to drink a cup of tea. Seeing the other man's expression grow worse and worse, he finally said unhurriedly:

"I've eaten a few of your pastries and drunk such fine tea. Go ahead and ask. I'll do my best to answer whatever I know."

Su Yao deliberately stressed the words "such fine tea," then looked at the woodcutter with a smile.

Only then did the gloom on the woodcutter's face ease a little. Yet for some reason, he still felt apprehensive. But his blood relatives were still making a living near Qinghe Commandery, and it would naturally be best if he could remain the mountain god of Qixia Mountain, so he asked in a low voice:

"This old man is now eighty-five. I have lived this long thanks to the beautiful mountains and clear waters around Qixia Mountain, which are also what you immortals call rich in spiritual vitality."

He stopped after saying this, seemingly thinking over and arranging his words. Only after a moment did he continue:

"When I was young, I married a village woman from the foot of the mountain. Ten years ago, her lifespan ran out, and she died.

"We had a son, but sadly, he was killed by a demon in his early years.

"Later, we adopted an orphan, who was dutiful enough to us at first.

"But after my wife died, the orphan saw that I was alone and began harboring wicked thoughts. He wanted to seize these few mu of family property and the money I had earned over decades of chopping wood and gathering herbs.

"Fortunately, I still had a few brothers at the foot of the mountain, and they helped me recover the property.

"Ten years have passed since then. Recently, I heard that the orphan down the mountain has changed his ways, repented, and become one of the best people in the surrounding mountain forests.

"Some time ago, he also sent word through my brothers that he was willing to take not a single coin of the family property, and to care for me in my old age and see to my funeral, in repayment for the kindness I showed in raising him."

He paused, then fixed his eyes on Su Yao and said:

"Do you think I should accept, immortal master?"

Su Yao thought that this man actually wanted to return to Qixia Temple. Had he not made this attempt to sound Su Yao out today, it would not have been impossible to test him another day. But since he had done so, there was no room left for maneuver.

Su Yao therefore sneered:

"We who cultivate immortality are followers of the Three Pure Ones. We do not accept the Buddhist saying, 'Lay down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the spot.' If one could become a Buddha on the spot and rid oneself of karmic hindrances through a single moment of enlightenment, what use would the order of heaven and earth be?"

Though the woodcutter's face darkened at this, he still refused to give up and continued probing:

"But I have heard that those who cultivate immortality follow their hearts and do whatever they please!"

Su Yao responded with scorn:

"Though we cultivators do value following our hearts, we are also bound by mountain rules, heavenly laws, and the teachings left by our patriarchs. If we truly did whatever we pleased, that would not be cultivating immortality, but cultivating demonic arts."

With that, he rose and swept his sleeve, intending to leave.

But the woodcutter was quick to react and grabbed him.

Su Yao turned to look at the woodcutter holding him and spoke without mercy:

"Perhaps you already gave him a chance, old sir, but he failed to grasp it. You had best think carefully about your own problems before discussing anything else."

The woodcutter started, released him, and knelt on the ground. His eyes were full of regret.

"Please, immortal master, grant me another chance. In this life, even the sages of the Confucian School of Vast Righteousness would not dare claim to be entirely without fault!"

Su Yao was so furious that he laughed.

"The Confucian School is the Confucian School. I am a follower of the Three Pure Ones. The Confucian School of Vast Righteousness is in no position to lecture me. You should know that even the Confucian sages attained the Dao only after going to Luoyi to pay homage and study under the third-generation grand master of the Supreme Purity lineage!"

With that, he headed out of the courtyard.

He paid no heed to the woodcutter kneeling on the ground. Though the man's eyes were full of remorse and unwillingness, Su Yao understood that human hearts were hard to fathom. Who could say how much of it was sincere?

Earlier, Daozheng had used Daoist Zheng's final lecture.

On the surface, he had been saying that women down the mountain were often cunning, but was he not also warning Su Yao:

"Human hearts down the mountain are treacherous and hard to fathom. Those who have long lived deep in the mountains must be careful in everything, never speak too intimately to those they barely know, and not easily trust outsiders."

After all, had Su Yao's senior brother Guangli, the one now confined in the Hall of Reflection, not lived deep in the mountains for a long time, only to trust others too easily after coming down the mountain and meet such an end?

From a candidate Dao Son of Qixia to a prisoner in the Hall of Reflection.

Outside the courtyard, Su Yao glanced back at the woodcutter, who was still kneeling on the ground, and said calmly:

"At first, when dealing with others, I listened to their words and trusted their conduct. Now, when dealing with others, I see their conduct and trust their words."