Chapter 8: Mount Zhongnan
Yan Red Knight walked on clouds, following Master Qingxu through the high sky, feeling utterly exhilarated. Glancing down, he saw the majestic mountains, sprawling forests, clustered villages, winding rivers, and countless beings upon the vast earth, all veiled beneath billowing white clouds. The spectacle was grand and stirring, filling his heart with passion and ambition. Silently, he resolved that since he had embarked upon the path of cultivation, he must follow Master Qingxu and diligently practice the Daoist arts. No matter the hardships, he would strive to achieve mastery.
It was the heart of winter, the air biting cold. Yan Red Knight, clad in cotton garments, traversed the sky, the frigid wind stinging his face and chilling his limbs. Moreover, as this was his first time soaring so high, he feared he might accidentally fall. His body shivered involuntarily.
Master Qingxu held Yan Red Knight’s hand. Though his gaze remained fixed ahead, he sensed the boy trembling and turned to ask, “Yan Red Knight, what’s the matter?”
Yan Red Knight’s pallid face flushed as he answered honestly, “Master, we’re so far from the ground... I’m afraid I might fall!”
Master Qingxu smiled, “Yan Red Knight, don’t be nervous. With me here, nothing will happen to you.”
Yan Red Knight nodded, his cheeks red, teeth chattering as he asked, “Master, I’m wearing warm clothes and still feel cold. You, however, are dressed in light robes and seem entirely unaffected by the cold. Why is that?”
Master Qingxu laughed heartily, “Yan Red Knight, you’re quite observant for someone so young! I don’t feel the cold because I possess Daoist energy cultivated over many years—what we call ‘true energy.’ Using true energy to protect my body naturally wards off the chill. One day, when you have true energy within you, you’ll be able to protect yourself from the cold just as I do.”
As he spoke, Master Qingxu suddenly turned Yan Red Knight’s hand over, pressing their palms together. At once, Yan Red Knight felt a warm current flow from Master Qingxu’s palm into his own, surging steadily through his body.
“Ah! Master, your hand is so warm!” Yan Red Knight exclaimed, both surprised and delighted, feeling warmth spread throughout him.
Master Qingxu asked, “Well? Yan Red Knight, do you still feel cold?”
“No, not at all!” Yan Red Knight replied excitedly. “Master, what Daoist technique is this?”
Master Qingxu answered,
“This is not a Daoist art, but the transmission of inner force.”
“Inner force transmission?” Yan Red Knight blinked. “Master, what does that mean?”
“Inner force transmission is when a cultivator transfers accumulated energy from their body to another through connecting acupoints, providing powerful support.”
“Oh, I see!” Yan Red Knight nodded. “Master, when I’ve cultivated enough energy, I’ll be able to transmit inner force to others just like you!”
“Exactly,” Master Qingxu encouraged. “Yan Red Knight, though the road of cultivation is fraught with hardship, as long as you persevere and do not fear difficulty, you will surely reach the highest realm of true cultivation!”
Listening to Master Qingxu’s earnest guidance, Yan Red Knight felt his spirit soar. “Master, I will reach the highest realm of true cultivation!”
...
After a long journey, Yan Red Knight finally arrived at their destination by dusk—Qingxu Temple on Mount Zhongnan.
Mount Zhongnan stretched for hundreds of miles, its deep ravines and towering peaks shrouded in white mist.
Qingxu Temple was situated on the southern slope of Golden Summit Peak. When Yan Red Knight followed Master Qingxu to land, the cloud beneath his feet dissipated.
“Ah! Thank heavens, I’ve finally landed safely!” Yan Red Knight thought, breathing a long sigh of relief. Looking around, he saw steep peaks enveloped in mist, the temple resting on a flat area amid the mountains, ancient pines standing tall in front, sheer cliffs behind. Beside the temple, a small stream flowed gently, the air was fresh and the surroundings tranquil. His heart brimmed with joy.
Just then, Master Qingxu called out, “Yan Red Knight, after traveling all day, you must be exhausted. Actually, if I had used the art of ‘instant movement,’ I could have brought you here immediately. Today, I wanted you to see more of the world, so I didn’t. Come, don’t just stand there—let’s sit inside and rest.”
“Yes, Master!” Yan Red Knight replied loudly, following him into Qingxu Temple.
The temple was small, with no extra buildings, only three rooms in a row: the central hall and two rooms on either side for lodging.
Master Qingxu stayed in the room on the right and led Yan Red Knight into the one on the left.
Inside, Yan Red Knight saw that the room, though small, was impeccably clean: pale walls, a wooden bed, a desk, a wooden stool, and on the desk, a bronze lamp. Nothing else.
Master Qingxu said, “Yan Red Knight, this room has always been vacant... From now on, you shall live here.”
“Yes, Master,” Yan Red Knight replied cheerfully. Seeing Master Qingxu leave, he placed his Red Knight Sword on the desk, took off his pack, and set it down as well.
He thought to tidy up, but on looking down, saw the floor laid with blue bricks was spotless; he wiped the desk, but it was already free of dust, as were the stool and bed. Not a speck of dirt anywhere.
“Hmm?” Yan Red Knight muttered to himself, “Master said this room has always been vacant... Yet it’s so clean. It seems Master is a tidy person who cleans here daily!”
“Indeed!” Master Qingxu entered, carrying bedding and smiling. “Yan Red Knight, I do like cleanliness. Only in a spotless environment does one feel cheerful!” As he spoke, he placed the bedding on the bed. “Yan Red Knight, this is your bedding. Arrange it yourself and rest well.”
“Yes,” Yan Red Knight answered. “Master, now that I’m here, you needn’t trouble yourself with cleaning the temple anymore.”
Master Qingxu laughed heartily, “Good. Yan Red Knight, rest for a while. I’ll cook dinner for you.”
“Oh?” Yan Red Knight was surprised. “Master, you know how to cook?”
“Of course,” Master Qingxu replied with a smile. “Yan Red Knight, do you think I only know Daoist arts and nothing else?”
Yan Red Knight chuckled, a little embarrassed. Once Master Qingxu left, he carefully arranged the bedding and pillow on the bed.
Having traveled nearly all day, Yan Red Knight was truly exhausted. Seeing the warm bedding, he felt sleepy and wished to crawl under the covers for a good rest. But remembering that his master was cooking, he refused to be lazy and hurried toward the kitchen.