Attaining the Dao Across Two Dynasties and Two Sixty-Year Cycles

Daoist Child Shitou heard his master's breathing becoming lighter and slower, and knew that his master was about to fall asleep.

Although the master possessed profound internal strength, he was crippled in all four limbs, lacked energy, and was more prone to sleepiness than ordinary people.

But he felt very light, as if he were alert even in his dreams, and easily startled awake.

"I want it gentler."

The Daoist Child Shitou only thought about it in his heart without speaking, and he made his breathing longer and his steps more steady.

The path up the mountain is overgrown with weeds, the surface is uneven, and there are many loose stones hidden among it; you could easily twist your ankle if you're not careful.

The young Daoist focused his mind and gazed ahead, his steps becoming lighter and lighter. When he encountered a rock, it was as if he simply pressed the ball of his foot against the edge of the Shitou and stepped over it.

The trampled weeds gradually stood up again after he walked past.

With the weight of a person on his back, he would not only have trampled the grass, but would have crushed the grass blades into the soil and rocks.

Now they're just bending the grass by trampling it, without breaking its veins.

"Young Daoist priest, you are clear-headed and spirited, full of energy and determination. You are very diligent in your practice."

When Daoist Child Shitou heard someone speaking to him, he turned around and saw a young man chasing after him.

This man had striking eyebrows and bright eyes, and although his attire was somewhat eccentric, he possessed a refreshing and clean-cut demeanor.

The young Daoist noticed that when the person stepped on the grass, the grass only bent slightly at the tip, and the person's feet did not touch the ground at all. The person's lightness skill was truly remarkable.

When the old Daoist priest woke up, he also saw this scene, and his expression tightened slightly.

"Young hero, you flatter me. You are the one who truly possesses extraordinary skills."

The old Daoist priest smiled and said, "Please forgive me, I am disabled and cannot perform the proper greeting. My clumsy disciple's skills are shallow and he is not good with words. He has been impolite."

"I didn't accept the compliment; I'm sincere."

Chu Tianshu smiled and said, "The young Daoist's breathing and movements are so peaceful and gentle, possessing the most authentic Daoist charm."

"The skill level may only be the basics, but to be able to cultivate this kind of charm is truly delightful."

"I am a hermit from the mountains, having lived in seclusion for a long time. I just came out and met two fellow practitioners, so I couldn't resist coming over to make friends."

The old Daoist priest's eyes twitched slightly, but he really couldn't recall which school of thought Chu Tianshu's clothes were made of or how they were tailored.

But that's definitely not the style of an enemy.

"So you're a fellow Daoist."

The old Daoist priest smiled and said, "I am Lu Yuande, and this is my young disciple Shi Zhonghuo, whose real name is Shitou. He is not from a prestigious family, so may I ask your name, fellow Daoist?"

Chu Tianshu straightened his posture, cupped his hands, and said, "I am Chu Tianshu, a physician from the Ghost Gate lineage. Greetings, senior."

"I dare not accept such praise. Only the accomplished can be given precedence, and only in teaching can there be a distinction between senior and junior."

Unable to move his limbs, Lu Yuande could only shake his head slightly and humbly decline, "This humble old man dares not call himself a senior. I am honored that you do not mind calling me a fellow Daoist."

Chu Tianshu smiled sheepishly.

"This junior certainly needs to learn from my seniors."

"My ancestors once practiced medicine and helped the needy, but after generations of seclusion, only I completed the entire secret manual, allowing me to descend the mountain to gain experience, make a name for myself, and accumulate merit."

"However, the people of the mountain village are unaware of the general situation of the world. After leaving the mountains, they are completely at a loss and would like to ask the senior for guidance."

Lu Yuande thought for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Before you went into hiding in your sect, you must have known about the restoration under Emperor Guangwu, and heard of the illustrious reputation of Emperors Ming and Zhang?"

Chu Tianshu nodded.

Lu Yuande asked, "Do you also know about the Wei and Jin dynasties?"

Chu Tianshu, observing the old Daoist's expression, noticed that when the old Daoist spoke of the Wei and Jin dynasties, his eyes seemed to hold a deep emotion, perhaps because it was not too far removed from the present.

"I've heard of Cao Wei, but I don't know much about Jin."

Lu Yuande smiled and said, "The Jin Dynasty is not far from now, so let's start from the Jin Dynasty and briefly talk about it."

The Sima family usurped the Cao Wei and established the Jin Dynasty, but soon the War of the Eight Princes and the Five Barbarian Invasions occurred, leading to the southward migration of the elite and the restoration of the Eastern Jin Dynasty.

At that time, there was General Zu Ti, whose army was disciplined and who encouraged agriculture and sericulture. He was deeply loved by the people and led his troops to victory after victory. He was determined to launch a northern expedition, but he was held back by his own court and died in frustration.

He left behind the story of "rising to dance at the crowing of the rooster" for future generations, but unfortunately, his heroic spirit of rowing against the current and forging ahead in those days ultimately became an empty dream.

The Eastern Jin was later plagued by frequent internal strife and powerful external enemies, enduring many hardships.

Until Liu Yu rose to fame.

This man led troops to eliminate powerful separatist enemies such as Huan Chu, Lu Xun, and Sima Xiuzhi, bringing about a unified situation in the south that had not been seen in a century.

Externally, it destroyed the Southern Yan and Later Qin states, decisively defeated the Northern Wei cavalry, recovered large swathes of land in Huaibei and Guanzhong, and restored the two capitals of Luoyang and Chang'an.

Thanks to his great military achievements, Liu Yu was able to take control of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, and was appointed as the Chancellor, Governor of Yangzhou, and King of Song.

Finally, he replaced the Jin dynasty and established himself as emperor.

Although Liu Yu showed signs of being a wise ruler, he died of illness after only two years as emperor.

The Liu family of the Southern Dynasty ruled for forty years. The minister Dai Faxing was at the height of his power, overseeing all affairs of the court.

There was even a rumor circulating among the people that "Faxing is the true emperor, while the emperor is a fake emperor!"

Up to this point, the history of the Northern and Southern Dynasties is largely similar to what Chu Tianshu knew in his hometown.

However, in the history of his hometown, Dai Faxing was quickly overthrown by the new emperor, who exiled him and ordered him to commit suicide. The emperor even sent people to seize his coffin and burn his body before he felt at ease.

And in this world.

The emperor held a banquet for his officials at night and set a trap in the palace to have Dai Faxing killed. At the critical moment of life and death, Dai Faxing out a long howl to the moon and Attaining the Dao in one fell swoop.

In this mortal world, whether one practices martial arts, cultivates Daoism, studies Buddhism, or chants mantras, all those who utilize their own power are considered ordinary people.

Those who have "Attaining the Dao" clearly understand the principles of Heaven and Earth and can draw upon the immense power of the universe.

For two or three thousand years, no Attaining the Dao being has appeared in this world; only distant and difficult-to-discern legends remain.

Dai Faxing's entry into the Attaining the Dao realm exceeded everyone's expectations. He suppressed the poison of the imperial wine in his body in one fell swoop and killed all the assassins on the spot.

The emperor appointed Dai Faxing as his "adopted father" and had all the court officials who were not loyal to the Dai family executed or demoted.

It seems that the Dai family has completely seized control of the Southern Dynasty.

However, Dai Faxing, who was at the height of his power at that time, was betrayed and killed by his confidants twenty-four years later.

The three powerful families of Xiao, Hou, and Chen supported the young emperor and controlled the south.

At this moment, people realized with astonishment that the Attaining the Dao of enlightened beings who had disappeared for two or three thousand years was now far greater than the number on a palm.

Southern Dynasty, Northern Dynasty, Aristocratic Families, Military Forces, Religious Organizations, Bandits, Wandering Knights, Seafarers...

Those who consider Attaining the Dao enlightened and extraordinary still end up walking the mundane world.

Because of their existence, some conflicts become more intense, violent, and shocking, while others are forcibly suppressed and resolved in unbelievable ways.

Now, across the southern lands, everyone reveres the Liu Family emperor, yet imperial decrees rarely leave the capital.

The mountains and rivers of the north all pay homage to Emperor Yuan, but imperial edicts and documents require the approval of the Imperial Preceptor.

Starting from the year Dai Faxing "Attaining the Dao," counting to this year, the Northern and Southern Dynasties have stood facing each other across the Yellow River for more than 120 years.

Over the course of more than a century, the territories of both sides have remained largely unchanged, and the border lines have hardly shifted.

As a result, some unclaimed lands emerged on the border, which were both fraught with instability and remarkably prosperous.

Denglai Mountain Market is one of them.

It is also the most famous, most prosperous, and most mixed place among them.

Lu Yuande and his apprentice simply wanted to go to Denglai Mountain Market to make a living.

"Denglai Mountain Market?"

Chu Tianshu read it aloud once, then said softly, "This name sounds a bit strange."

"Then you can call yourself by another name, Penglai in the Mortal World."

Lu Yuande turned his head to look at the distant mountains and began to recount the origins of this Penglai in the Mortal World.

"This place borders the Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea, and during the pre-Qin period, it belonged to the State of Qi."

"Emperor Wu of Han came here to climb the mountain and build a platform to gaze at the Immortal Mountain of Penglai in the sea. Since the Eastern Han Dynasty, many fleets have set sail from here to trade silk and porcelain and transport goods from overseas."

"After the two dynasties of North and South coexisted, they tried several times to seize this territory for themselves, but never succeeded. In order to make a living, the people on the border often had secret dealings with each other."

He smiled as he said this.

One can almost picture the scene: the princes and dukes of the two dynasties, all dignified and aloof, standing on high ground, glaring at each other with hostility.

The local people on the border secretly barter, hunt in groups, and even bring their teenage children to some of the established markets.

"It's a real shame that such a great outlet to the sea is left vacant. Some fleets with powerful backers have taken up maritime business and restored the area to its former prosperity."

"From a desolate wasteland ravaged by war, it gradually attracted people and eventually formed a vast and prosperous area stretching for Hundred Li and dozens of miles in width."

"At that time, some splendid articles described this place as a paradise on earth, Penglai in the Mortal World, praising its policy of non-interference in governance, which led to the people's prosperity and prevented two dynasties from invading it. They also praised the benevolent and virtuous rulers, reminiscent of the ancient times."

Upon hearing this, Chu Tianshu couldn't help but chuckle.

Lu Yuande glanced at him and smiled.

"Although you are young and have lived in the deep mountains for a long time, you seem to be wise, experienced, and worldly-wise."

Chu Tianshu's heart stirred.

I didn't expect that just a smile would be enough for the other person to tell that I was experienced.

If you observe other people's micro-expressions every day, then of course others will observe you too.

He thought this to himself, but his smile relaxed even more, and he gave a casual explanation.

"I am not familiar with the current state of the world, but I have read many historical books and can only speculate based on them."

Lu Yuande nodded and said slowly, "The reason this place is spared from the invasion of large armies is not because of some benevolent inaction or ancient customs."

"On the contrary, it's precisely because so many people are involved here that a large army won't come to loot it."

Daoist Child Shitou, preoccupied with walking the whole way, finally spoke up, saying succinctly, "I don't understand."

The Central Plains this are complex.

Lu Yuande pondered for a moment.

"To put it simply, in those early years, the merchant caravans that dared to set sail couldn't just return to desolate lands to sell their goods; they had to transport them back to the prosperous regions of the Northern and Southern Dynasties."

"But this means they have to pay taxes at the border, and the taxes are getting higher every year."

"The soldiers are exploited first, then the city defenders exploit them further, and in the end, even the princes, ministers, and religious masters of both dynasties can only get scraps."

The Daoist Child Shitou nodded.

He wasn't very well-read, but he knew that noble people wouldn't want to eat leftovers.

"Once this place prospers, the fleet's cargo will be directly traded with buyers from all over the world here. A portion of the gold, silver, pearls, and rare treasures obtained will be offered as tribute on the spot, and their weight and volume will be much smaller than the cargo itself."

Lu Yuande continued, "Those powerful sects and noble families only need to send a few trusted confidants and a few carriages to transport them back to their hometowns, and the city guards dare not investigate strictly."

"This type of convoy is also more agile. If they encounter robbery or similar incidents, the accompanying experts can easily keep a close watch on them and protect the treasure as they flee."

As a result, by bypassing the customs taxes, the troops stationed in various cities naturally received less and less food, and the imperial treasury became increasingly empty.

However, the private coffers of religious sects and powerful clans have become increasingly bulging, making it easier to raise and train troops, and to win over and build momentum.

Moreover, since it is an extremely bustling no-owner area, many transactions that are not suitable for public disclosure can also be carried out here.

"Therefore, daring to plunder this place is tantamount to coveting the purse strings of hundreds of powerful forces and making enemies of all the great families in the world. Who would dare to commit such an outrageous act?"

Lu Yuande seemed somewhat disheartened at this point in his story.

"But when have the conflicts between these forces ever truly ceased? Their involvement here inevitably leads to further conflict."

"To scholars from afar, this place appears as a paradise on earth, but the local people will not be fooled by its apparent prosperity."

"They know best what kind of place this is..."

Penglai in the Mortal World?

No.

This place is just a huge marketplace where everyone wants to climb, everyone longs for Penglai, and everyone wants to occupy the mountain!

"A paradise on earth."

Unlike the old Daoist priest, Chu Tianshu did not show any regret. Instead, he laughed with great interest.

"A paradise on earth" is a phrase that can be described in four words, but don't forget the first two.

"This place, while not quite a fairyland, certainly has a modern, earthy feel to it."

"That's exactly the kind of place I like to go, to see it all, to explore it."

(End of this chapter)