It is said that Jiang Tong'er rode a white deer, waiting at the foot of Ling Tai Fang Cun Mountain for the 'peaceful dwelling' mentioned by the Master.
He looked left and right, and finally saw a figure approaching.
Jiang Yuan gazed into the distance and saw at the end of the road a family of three hurrying along, seemingly fleeing from disaster.
Their clothes were tattered, and their faces were covered in dirt, not knowing where they had come from.
Among the three, there was an old person and two young ones.
The elder was of the age of knowing destiny, while the two young ones, a man and a woman, appeared to be a couple.
As the three approached and saw Jiang Yuan riding the deer, they were taken aback, hurriedly coming forward to pay their respects.
The man came forward, knelt before him, and said, “Master, we are the Zuo family of three, and we have fled here in desperation. We beseech you to show us the way, so that we may escape death.”
Behind him, the old woman and the young wife also knelt down.
Jiang Yuan, surprised and puzzled, dismounted from the deer and said, “What are you doing, my brother?”
The man replied, “Master, listen to my tale. My family lives in the western part of Nan Zhan Bu Zhou, originally five in number. During the day, we would chop firewood, and the head of the family would go to the market to trade for some rice and other goods, living a carefree life.
However, with the chaos of war and turmoil, we could not find peace. The head of the family took us five to escape on a raft, but along the way, we lost our father and brother, leaving just the three of us, wandering here.
We saw the sun and moon flickering in this place, and with you riding a white deer, we seek your guidance for a way to survive, so that my mother and wife may remain safe.”
The man bowed again, performing a grand gesture of respect, tears streaming from his eyes.
Jiang Yuan nodded in realization, helping the man up and saying, “I am not a Master.”
The man shook his head, “If you are not a Master, then who could be?”
Jiang Yuan pointed to the mountain and said, “This mountain is called Ling Tai Fang Cun Mountain, and within it is a cave called Xie Yue San Xing Dong. Inside the cave resides an old immortal, known as Pu Ti. I am indeed a disciple of the old immortal, practicing under him. I was in the cave listening to my Master preach when I heard him say that a peaceful dwelling had arrived from the mountain below, and I suspected it was you three.”
The man was greatly astonished upon hearing this, pulling the old mother and the young wife to kneel towards the mountain, repeatedly bowing and chanting.
“Thank you, old immortal, for your rescue! Thank you, old immortal, for your rescue!”
Jiang Yuan helped each of them up and said, “Since my Master has said there is a peaceful dwelling, you may go up the mountain to settle. Would you be willing?”
The man, hearing this, nodded repeatedly and said, “We are willing, we are willing!”
Jiang Yuan smiled and gently patted the white deer.
The white deer understood and lowered its body.
Jiang Yuan said, “The mountain path is difficult to traverse. Your mother is old; let her ride the deer and follow me.”
The man, tears streaming down his face, continuously expressed his gratitude, then helped the old mother onto the deer’s back.
Once the old mother was shakily seated on the white deer, Jiang Yuan led the way up the mountain.
The couple followed closely behind him, ascending the mountain together.
The mountain path was rugged, winding through the grass and trees.
Even the strong young man found it difficult to walk, and the woman, not having gone far, was exhausted and gasping for breath.
Fortunately, the man supported her, allowing her to continue upward.
In contrast, the white deer moved as if on flat ground, with the old mother on its back, not feeling any discomfort.
They still had seven or eight li of mountain road to traverse to reach Ling Tai Fang Cun Mountain.
After a long while of walking, Jiang Yuan led the three to the vicinity of Xie Yue San Xing Dong.
He initially intended to help the man build a small dwelling, but the man insisted on bringing his family to bow before Xie Yue San Xing Dong.
After they completed their bows and formalities, Jiang Yuan instructed the man to build a small house before returning to the cave.
Upon returning to Xie Yue San Xing Dong, Jiang Yuan walked inside to the Yao Tai and saw the Master sitting on the altar.
He then reported everything that had transpired.
The Master nodded, “Teach the Zuo family to dwell in the mountains; that will suffice.”
Jiang Yuan did not understand why the Master cared for those fleeing disaster, but simply replied, “Yes, Master.”
The Master continued, “Child, this person will accompany you up the mountain. In the future, you should observe daily from the cave.”
Jiang Yuan was puzzled but still complied.
The Master descended from the altar and walked towards the quiet room.
Jiang Yuan was at a loss, returning to the quiet room.
Holding the Yu Ding, he was now a cultivator of minor magical powers, and with the heart monkey, he was different from before.
However, although he had attained the beginning of immortality, he had not grasped the profound sounds of the Dao, needing four people to be complete.
He should seek Jin Gong, to be used for the heart monkey, to enhance its power.
Where could Jin Gong be?
Jin Gong should be sought within the lungs.
Jiang Yuan sat cross-legged on the mat, closed his eyes, and entered a meditative state, instructing the black and white fish to assist him in entering deep meditation quickly.
Tong'er entered meditation to search for Jin Gong, but after a long search, he found nothing.
Time flew by like a shuttle, and in the blink of an eye, a year had passed.
Jiang Tong'er still found no trace of Jin Gong; he did not know where Jin Gong had gone, and he could not find him within his lungs.
Throughout the year, he would go out during the day to see the Zuo family, listen to the Master preach the Buddhist scriptures, and at night, search for Jin Gong.
He originally wanted to ask the Master where Jin Gong was, but unexpectedly, the Master said he did not know, stating that “the five are originally one body,” and that it was something he must seek out himself, with no one else able to assist.
Jiang Yuan buried himself in a diligent search for Jin Gong.
On this particular day, Jiang Yuan followed his usual routine of visiting the Zuo family during the day.
The Zuo family man, however, was mysterious and led him into the old forest of the mountain, speaking of secret matters.
Jiang Yuan was three parts interested, wanting to know what the Zuo family man was up to.
When the Zuo family man pointed at the rows of old trees in the mountain and said that these were his secrets, Jiang Yuan was taken aback.
Jiang Yuan asked, “Brother, what is the significance of these trees?”
The Zuo family man grinned and said, “Master, you do not know; these are old trees, used for firewood, and they sell for a high price in the market!”
Jiang Yuan couldn’t help but laugh and said, “Brother, you are now living in the old immortal’s home; why are you thinking of such old ways, wanting to be a woodcutter?”
The Zuo family man happily replied, “Master, if I chop one old tree a day, that’s ten trees in ten days, a hundred trees in a hundred days, a thousand trees in a thousand days. One day, I will carry the wood back to Nan Zhan Bu Zhou, and I won’t have to worry about food and clothing!”
As he spoke of this, the man gestured excitedly, shaking his head and swaying.
Jiang Yuan said, “Brother, you are now living outside the old immortal’s home; why do you not think of cultivating a path, but instead choose to be a woodcutter?”
The Zuo family man simply said, “During the day, I must support my old mother and continue the family line; how could I have the time?”
Jiang Yuan shook his head, unsure of what to say.
He saw the man daily, knowing that he barely made ends meet by foraging with his wife, always hoping for better days to return to Nan Zhan Bu Zhou to find work.
Yet, the old immortal Pu Ti was right before him, and he did not bow to the true Dao.
It was similar to how Laozi was in front of Luoyi back in the day.
Laozi descended with purple energy into Luoyi, and not a single person heard the Dao.
The Dao was right in front; the Dao was always present.
The Zuo family man said, “These old trees are valuable. I see you, Master, as a good person, so I speak these heartfelt words to you, to let you know this is the truth, my innermost thoughts.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan originally intended to advise him further, but suddenly thought of the man’s phrase ‘innermost thoughts.’
He suddenly recalled a term from a great dream, called ‘heartfelt words,’ which meant speaking the truth.
Innermost, lung palace.
Lung heart.
True words.
Jiang Yuan’s Ni Palace trembled, and Ling Tai became clear; he seemed to have an epiphany about where Jin Gong was.
Jiang Yuan bowed deeply and thanked the man, “I have gained insight here, thanks to your efforts. I must now go into quiet cultivation. Brother, continue your work and expand your heart!”
After saying this, he leaped into the air, covering ten zhang, and headed towards Xie Yue San Xing Dong…
(End of Chapter)