It is said that the Ancestor Master asked the young disciple what kind of weapon he wanted.
Jiang Tong'er, upon hearing this, understood that the Ancestor Master was fond of him and wished to bestow a weapon for his protection.
He bowed repeatedly, expressing his gratitude to the Ancestor Master.
The Ancestor Master helped Tong'er to his feet and said, "Do not be so formal. Just tell me what kind of weapon you desire."
Jiang Yuan pondered for a long time but could not find the right words.
He bowed and said, "I will follow the teachings of my master. If there are any weapons imbued with Dao Qi, I would like to have one. If that is not possible, then the master’s ruler would suffice as a weapon."
The Ancestor Master held the ruler firmly and scolded with a smile, "You young one, how can you say my ruler is unworthy? You do not know that this ruler is a rare treasure, impervious to water and fire, possessing the power to part the seas. In your hands, it would be like a rotten wooden ruler."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan immediately understood the significance of the ruler.
The Ancestor Master often used it to strike him, but he had not realized it was a rare treasure.
He said, "I dare not take the master’s ruler. I would prefer a weapon imbued with Dao Qi as per the master’s teachings."
The Ancestor Master pondered for a moment and said, "You young one, although you are often restless, you possess a heart towards the Dao, which is commendable! If I were to give you a sword or spear, it would only lead you to bloodshed, which is not suitable for your path. Would you be willing to use a weapon without a sharp edge?"
Jiang Yuan replied, "I would be willing."
The Ancestor Master waved his hand and summoned a jade whisk, handing it to the young disciple.
He said, "This whisk has a significant origin. The jade handle is made from the essence of Kun Yuan, and the bristles are treasures of Lao Jun. Many years ago, I won it in a bet where I made an iron tree bloom. I used a clever trick to gain the upper hand, and this treasure fell into my hands. Now, with the jade handle and bristles, it becomes a jade whisk, serving as your weapon for protection, completing your transformation."
Jiang Tong'er took the jade whisk, feeling its warmth in his hand.
The Mud Palace trembled in response, and he sensed a hidden spirit awakening, making him realize that this treasure was extraordinary, possessing the ability to fulfill his desires and ensure his safety.
He twirled the jade whisk in his hand, overjoyed, and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Master, for bestowing this treasure!"
Seeing his disciple wielding the whisk with an air of celestial grace, the Ancestor Master smiled and said, "A true Daoist! Although your alchemical path is not yet complete, today you have returned with four companions, which brings some fortune."
Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "I cannot accept such praise from the master."
The Ancestor Master sat on the meditation cushion and said, "I just entered the cave and saw someone outside. I have participated in the Dharma assembly for many years, yet my disciples in the cave have not all left? Which disciple has caused me to overlook them?"
Jiang Yuan replied, "Master, many years ago, all the disciples in the cave left. Yuan truly witnessed the harm caused by wine, lust, and greed, encountering a demon that nearly took his life. He returned to escape, and the red tassel spear by the cave entrance is indeed the weapon of that demon."
The Ancestor Master nodded and said, "I thought there was someone who caused me to overlook them. It is commendable that you have the spirit to return to the mountain and have not lost your life."
The heart of the monkey is difficult to settle, and the two spirits will surely incite the heart of the monkey to rise in violence.
How can the left and right paths be restrained, leading to many dangers in life?
After pondering this, the Ancestor Master set up a chessboard and invited the young disciple to play a couple of games.
Jiang Yuan gladly accepted and played two games of Xiangqi with the Ancestor Master.
Before long, Jiang Tong'er lost the match, which delighted the Ancestor Master.
The Ancestor Master laughed and said, "Young one, you should invite five people; you are still missing Huang Po. Should we take a break, or shall we press on?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan bowed deeply and said, "We should press on; I hope to ask the master to teach me!"
The Ancestor Master helped the young disciple up and said, "The way of Huang Po is quite simple, so it is fine for you to take a break."
Jiang Tong'er insisted, saying, "Once the five are gathered, I dare not rest. I just want to ensure that all five are present before taking a break."
He was still missing one person today, and if the five were complete, he would have the chance to glimpse the secrets of the Dao and refine his elixir.
How could he dare to rest?
The Ancestor Master, helpless, said, "As you wish, young one. Please ask Huang Po for the character 'He'."
Jiang Yuan bowed and said, "Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master!"
The alchemical path is his own, and receiving a word from the Ancestor Master is already enough.
The Ancestor Master said, "Young one, go and cultivate. Since we are pressing on, do not delay. When Huang Po returns, I will teach you how to refine the elixir!"
Jiang Yuan expressed his deep gratitude and then left the room.
...
In the quiet room, the young disciple returned and placed the jade whisk on the shelf.
He sat on the meditation cushion, calming his mind, intending to first explore where Huang Po might be.
The five represent the five organs, with Huang Po residing in the spleen.
The spleen corresponds to earth.
The Ancestor Master once said that Huang Po has a harmonizing effect, and among the five, there needs to be one who can harmonize, allowing them to unite in strength and cultivate the alchemical path together, preventing the two spirits from inciting discord among the five.
Huang Po may seem useless, but in truth, she is the most important among the five.
Among the five, the heart monkey and the wood mother are easily incited.
One is prone to distraction, while the other finds it hard to maintain discipline.
A moment of negligence can lead to disaster, just as in the past when the wood mother had not yet returned to the right path and often incited the heart monkey to rebel.
If Huang Po were present, the five would surely unite.
Huang Po, being in the center, naturally has her reasons.
"I know where the spleen is, but I do not understand what the master meant by needing 'He' from Huang Po."
"I will first try and see what the master means."
Jiang Yuan focused his mind and entered the spleen.
Not long after entering, he did not see Huang Po.
Just as he was pondering, he sensed a great tremor in the Mud Palace, and the spiritual light of his primordial spirit appeared.
This spiritual light flashed and vanished, causing the young disciple to re-enter with his mind, where he saw a palace in the spleen, known as the 'Central Palace,' with his primordial spirit coming to assist.
Jiang Tong'er was delighted in his heart.
Each time he gained assistance from someone, his primordial spirit grew stronger.
Today, he had even found the Central Palace.
He focused his mind and entered the Central Palace, where he glimpsed its appearance.
Inside, there was yellow sand swirling, and ominous energy surged; it was indeed a malevolent place.
It is often said that Huang Po governs harmony, yet why is the Central Palace so fierce?
The young disciple entered but did not understand.
Before he could think much, he saw tigers, leopards, jackals, and wolves emerging from the yellow sand, pouncing towards him.
Truly, "fierce as a Taisui crashing into a banner, evil as a funeral door lifting a treasure lid," and in just a few moments, they forced his spirit out of the Central Palace.
Jiang Yuan opened his eyes, feeling utterly bewildered.
Why is Huang Po so fierce? Her form has not yet manifested, and without further ado, she drove him out.
The heart monkey was once wild and unruly, but never this fierce.
He should call the four to come together and meet Huang Po, but at this moment, the wood mother had only recently settled, and he was utterly exhausted.
He needed to rest for a while before confronting Huang Po.
After thinking this through, Jiang Yuan closed his eyes to nurture his spirit.
...
Time passed swiftly, and half a year went by.
It was now the transition from autumn to early winter.
Jiang Yuan focused on nurturing his spirit, stabilizing the wood mother.
He knew that Huang Po likely needed all four to be present, so he remained still.
One day, the Ancestor Master ascended the platform and sat high, preaching and expounding the teachings.
This was the first time the Ancestor Master spoke of the Great Dao after returning to the cave.
Jiang Yuan entered the assembly to listen, truly seeing the Ancestor Master summon everyone.
Zhen Jian bowed and said, "Senior Brother."
Jiang Yuan turned to see this junior disciple, his white hair flowing, showing signs of age.
He exclaimed, "Junior Brother, how have you become like this?"
Zhen Jian smiled and said, "Senior Brother, I was summoned by the Master and have come to understand life and death. However, my foundation has been harmed by wine, lust, and greed. I no longer wish to cultivate and only wish to stay in the mountains to learn some propriety."
Jiang Yuan praised, "Junior Brother has finally 'seen'!"
Zhen Jian nodded and said, "Now I understand why the Master removed my Dharma name and replaced it with 'Jian.' It is indeed a profound principle."
One who has not experienced things cannot truly 'see.' Only when one sees does one regret the late arrival.
Jiang Yuan smiled but did not speak.
He had waited for a long time, and Zhen Jian took a seat behind him, honoring him as the senior brother.
The Ancestor Master sat on the high platform, seeing that everyone had gathered, and began to speak...
(End of Chapter)