Sun Wukong carried firewood, his figure agile, and stepped forward to pay his respects: “Elder Brother, the junior disciple has begun.”
Jiang Yuan returned the greeting and smiled, “Wukong, the evening scenery is approaching. Why do you not play like the others in the manor, but instead carry firewood?”
Wukong replied, “Elder Brother, I joined the sect late. There is a saying, ‘Diligence can make up for clumsiness.’ I must work harder to learn the ways early, catch up to the other senior brothers, and seek a method for longevity.”
Jiang Yuan asked, “You wish for longevity?”
Wukong said, “Elder Brother, who does not wish for longevity? To be honest with you, I have also resided in an ancient cave on a celestial mountain not inferior to Fangcun Mountain. It is because I know that the King of Hell is secretly managing the underworld, so I took a raft into the world of Yanfou to seek a method for longevity. After many years of visiting the Dao of Immortality, I have not found the right method. Fortunately, I have come to Fangcun Mountain, where I have found a way.”
Jiang Yuan laughed and said, “Wukong, are you truly devoted to seeking longevity?”
Wukong nodded and said, “Elder Brother, I am wholeheartedly seeking longevity and would never regret it. For the sake of my life, how could I not seek longevity?”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan’s eyes shone with a fierce light.
In this monkey’s body, he seemed to see the Jiang Yuan of years past, who was also wholeheartedly seeking longevity and would never regret it.
Yet, he could not attain it, and everything was empty, like a dream or an illusion.
The current monkey was indeed the Jiang Yuan of those years.
The one who understood the Dao was the same person.
On the path of longevity, Wukong was him, and he was Wukong; all beings were one.
Jiang Yuan smiled and said, “One day, you will surely succeed and find the method for longevity.”
Wukong joyfully said, “Elder Brother’s auspicious words, I shall remember!”
Jiang Yuan gently patted the monkey’s crown and said, “You may go now. I still need to pay my respects to Master. If you encounter anything you do not understand in the future, just come and ask me. Though my understanding is shallow, I can still help you with one or two things.”
Wukong was overjoyed and, not daring to delay his elder brother, thanked him and returned to the manor with the firewood.
……
Jiang Yuan entered the Three Stars Celestial Cave and headed straight to the Master’s quiet chamber.
After a short while, he arrived at the Master’s quiet chamber, where he saw the Master sitting cross-legged on a mat, seemingly aware of his arrival.
Jiang Yuan entered the room and bowed, saying, “Master, the disciple has come to confess.”
The Master asked, “What do you mean?”
Jiang Yuan replied, “Master, the disciple has harmed a fellow disciple and wishes to inform you, hoping for your forgiveness!”
The Master asked, “Which fellow disciple?”
Jiang Yuan did not dare to make a mistake and knelt down, saying, “Master, it was the disciple of the ‘Nature’ character, Nature Suffering. Recently, I practiced the complete One Hundred and Eight Great Methods outside the mountain, attempting to refine my divine abilities. A local deity invited me, saying that there were demonic obstacles arising in the mountains.
Upon inquiring, I learned that it was Nature Suffering causing chaos, harming the local deity who had nowhere to go, capturing living beings to refine into red lead and autumn stone, and even taking pleasure in eating people. Therefore, the disciple harmed Nature Suffering.”
Upon hearing this, the Master stood up and helped the boy up.
He smiled and said, “From what you say, you have no fault; you have done a good deed. Many disciples practice the unorthodox paths but do not cultivate their hearts. They leave the mountain with a single-mindedness but cannot control their nature, leading to inevitable disaster. Boy, you say you have practiced the complete One Hundred and Eight Great Methods; do you speak falsely?”
Jiang Yuan replied, “Master, I do not speak falsely. The disciple has practiced the complete One Hundred and Eight Great Methods, and I have mastered the Earthly Fiend numbers to some extent. The Celestial General numbers are still not fully refined and require more effort to perfect.”
The Master said, “Show me your methods.”
Jiang Yuan replied, “Please give me a topic, Master, so I can demonstrate my methods.”
The Master pointed to a boy and smiled, “Since it is like this, you try the ‘Illusory Form’ spell and transform into the King of Earth Beasts.”
The King of Earth Beasts is indeed the tiger.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan recited the incantation and performed the Earthly Fiend number’s ‘Illusory Form’ transformation spell.
He uttered the word ‘Transform,’ and in an instant, he transformed into a magnificent tiger, with sharp white fangs and bright green eyes, embodying the essence of ‘not a trace of celestial demeanor, only a colorful hungry tiger.’
The Master clapped his hands in delight and said, “Indeed, you have practiced well! This Earthly Fiend number is already at your fingertips. The Celestial General number, however, needs to be refined sooner.”
Jiang Yuan reverted to his original form and bowed, saying, “Yes, Master, the disciple will strive to master the One Hundred and Eight Great Methods as soon as possible.”
The Master said, “Now that you have mastered the One Hundred and Eight Great Methods, I should teach you other techniques.”
Jiang Yuan asked, “Master, what other abilities should the disciple learn?”
The Master pondered for a long time and replied, “I wish to teach you a protective technique called ‘Sleeve Universe.’”
Jiang Yuan said, “What you teach must have some Daoist essence. The disciple wishes to learn, wishes to learn.”
The Master laughed and scolded, “Do not play around. What I teach you here is a method that can bind and package immortals, but it is somewhat difficult to learn. I will teach you the incantation; you must practice it diligently.”
Jiang Yuan asked, “Master, how is this method described?”
The Master said, “This method, when practiced, allows you to use your sleeves to perform spells. In the future, when you travel, you can pack some clothing, making it convenient. This convenience means that when you use it for protection, regardless of who it is—be it those who kick the heavens or subdue dragons and tigers—they can all be bound and at your disposal.”
Jiang Yuan bowed and said, “Master, the disciple wishes to learn this! I hope you will teach me!”
The Master nodded and said, “Come closer, and I will teach you this method. You must practice it earnestly so that you can achieve success soon.”
Jiang Yuan promised and bowed again to the Master before approaching to listen attentively.
The Master whispered in his ear, imparting all the incantations to Jiang Yuan.
Jiang Yuan memorized the various incantations, feeling that the Sleeve Universe was profoundly mysterious, indeed a technique rich in Daoist essence.
After imparting the incantations, the Master asked, “Boy, have you remembered?”
Jiang Yuan responded, “Master, the disciple has remembered everything.”
The Master nodded and said, “This method, keep it in your heart and practice it diligently. Boy, have you seen Wukong in the manor?”
Jiang Yuan replied, “Master, I have seen him.”
The Master asked, “What do you think of Wukong?”
Jiang Yuan, upon hearing this, replied, “Master, Wukong is born of heaven and earth, with a pure heart, understanding and knowing propriety, making him likable.”
The Master looked at the boy and smiled, “I did not expect you to say this.”
Jiang Yuan said, “Master, this is the truth. If Wukong were stubborn, I would not dare to say this.”
The Master said, “Wukong indeed has manners, but he carries much karma within him, and his nature is unruly. In this place, if he can temper his nature, it would be good; if he cannot, when he masters his abilities in the future, he may be harmed by his own heart, leading to many disasters. When the roles of host and guest are reversed, great calamity will come. Enough, enough, enough, let us see how this monkey’s nature unfolds.”
After saying this, the Master instructed Jiang Yuan to fully master the Sleeve Universe technique and return to cultivate.
Jiang Yuan accepted the order and retreated, returning to the quiet chamber.
……
In the quiet chamber, Jiang Yuan sat cross-legged on the mat, pondering the Master’s earlier words about ‘when the roles of host and guest are reversed, great calamity will come.’
This host and guest refer to the true heart and his magical power.
If he were to gain profound magical power and lose his heart, causing a reversal of host and guest, that would be disastrous.
If he were not for the Master’s constant teachings and guidance, he might forget to cultivate his heart.
When he achieves his elixir, it could also lead to a reversal of host and guest, resulting in chaos.
If a person suddenly gains immense wealth, it leads to a reversal of host and guest.
If a person suddenly acquires deep magical power, it also leads to a reversal of host and guest.
All sorts of situations stem from this principle.
Jiang Yuan understood this in his heart and secretly thought, “In cultivating my heart, no matter what magical power I attain, I must not forget to cultivate my heart. If I forget to cultivate my heart, I fear there will be calamity.”
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(End of Chapter)