Dragon Canon

Chapter 97: Choice

It was just the first day of his cultivation, and Wei Yuan felt like he couldn’t continue. Not only was the moon watching him at all times, he would choke and fall out of meditation every time he took just half a breath. At this rate, he was going to suffer a qi deviation. Luckily, he soon discovered that the mountain’s great spirit gathering array had suffered a malfunction, and at least a dozen Mastercraft Hall and Heavenly Mysteries Hall cultivators had shown up to perform inspections and repairs. Suffice to say, their appearance had caused quite the stir. They also claimed that the work would probably not finish in ten days or even half a month.

Wei Yuan thought that he understood the truth when he received the news. The reason the spirit vein had dried up was because the spirit gathering array had suffered a malfunction!

Unable to cultivate for the time being, Wei Yuan decided to borrow a few cultivation insights on the Dao Foundation stage from the Enlightenment Hall for a read. But before he could leave, two young Daoists had arrived at his abode and announced that the Palace Lord had summoned him. They looked incredibly youthful, but their cultivation was quite advanced. Both were only a hair’s breadth from the Avatar stage. They employed a mystic artifact to carry Wei Yuan through the clouds and arrived at a sheer peak sitting on the edge of the Green Cliffs That Hang Over An Empty Valley just moments later.

The sheer peak was both incredibly tall and slender. Its peak stood at least a hundred zhang above a sea of clouds. The two young Daoists took Wei Yuan all the way to the edge of a cliff before leaving quietly.

There was a protruding rock at the edge of the cliff, and sitting on the rock was a man holding a fishing pole. He was casting it into the sea of clouds below. Clad in simple cloth garments, he appeared utterly ordinary. Yet, this unassuming, back-to-the-roots demeanor instantly marked him as no ordinary man.

Despite sensing neither presence nor immortal energy from the man whatsoever, Wei Yuan was so nervous that he was experiencing breathing difficulties. After he reached the man’s back, he greeted respectfully, “Wei Yuan greets you, Immortal Lord!”

Pei Tinghai was one of the two Immortal Lords of the Palace of Absolute Beginning. Every time the Palace Lord entered a long seclusion, he became the pillar that held up the entire sect.

The Immortal Lord did not turn around. He said in a leisurely tone, “Wei Yuan, you asked a question when you first arrived at the sect: ‘If the path to immortality is so miraculous, then how is it possible that people are still starving to death in the mortal world?’ Have you found an answer yet?”

Wei Yuan shook his head and answered, “Not at all. I am only just beginning to scratch the surface of my question.”

Pei Tinghai did not press him. Instead, he said, “It so happens that I have three questions myself. Listen well. First, when you reach Ultimate Unity and step through the gates of immortality, you will attain immense power. In that case, why study history?”

In fact, Wei Yuan had asked this question many times himself. It wasn’t a question unique to Pei Tinghai or him either. Many young cultivators held the same doubt when they first joined the Palace of Absolute Beginning. Three of the seven classes taught in the centralized learning curriculum were history classes. Although the Traditional Party did not participate in the curriculum, their disciples were required to study history meticulously as well. Naturally, many disciples wondered why they even bothered. After all, studying history would not improve their spirit energy by even a smidgen, nor teach them a new Dao spell.

“Second, you have ventured into the Liao realm and learned what kind of world it’s like. The Dao is natural, and the world is eternal. It is a sensible saying. However, humans must defy the heavens in order to survive. In that case, who is wrong? The heavens or the humans?”

“My final question is this. A flying vessel is flying over the Nether Abyss and moments away from collapsing. Only by tossing half the passengers overboard could it pass through the Nether Abyss safely. Who should live, and who should die?”

Wei Yuan had some ideas regarding the first question, but the latter two were utterly unfamiliar to him. He couldn’t even begin to answer them, let alone form a coherent line of reasoning. The last question was especially obtuse—while providing no context whatsoever, it demanded him to send half the passengers to their deaths. How on earth was he supposed to respond to that?

After listing out all three questions, Pei Tinghai said, “You may ask me any one of these questions.”

Wei Yuan pondered for a moment before asking why one should study history. He had some ideas regarding the question, so he could compare them to the Immortal Lord’s insights when he answered. It would yield the most benefit.

Pei Tinghai answered, “In fact, studying history is useless to the vast majority of cultivators.”

Wei Yuan was taken aback. This was not the answer he was expecting.

The Immortal Lord continued, “However, it is useful when you have reached the World Ruler stage and formed an Imaginary World. When the King of Humans founded the Great Li Dynasty, an Immortal Lord was a King of Humans, and a King of Humans was an Immortal Lord. The first few human emperors of the Great Li Dynasty all ascended to the throne through abdication. After that, countless dynasties emerged and vanished over the course of one hundred thousand years. Great Li eventually turned into Great Tang, and Tang eventually fragmented into nine feudal states. The Son of Heaven also gradually became a figurehead.

“When one had entered the gates of immortality, every action they take is entangled in countless karmic threads, and every decision they make will determine the life and death of innumerable lives. Moreover, their immense power will affect not just the present and the future, but also the past.

“At the very least, studying history would enable one to know how to handle matters such as consort kin meddling in state affairs, eunuchs monopolizing power, regional warlords seizing control, Qingliu[1] officials inadvertently harming the nation, and more.”

Wei Yuan felt deeply enlightened, but he had a strong feeling that Pei Tinghai’s words hid a deeper meaning. He just couldn’t grasp it yet.

Suddenly, Pei Tinghai’s fishing pole trembled and bent into a half-crescent. The man visibly fought for control as if he was wrestling against a big fish hiding in the sea of clouds below.

However, Wei Yuan saw as clear as day that the fishing pole did not have a fishing line.

Pei Tinghai pulled again and again until finally, the fishing pole bounced into the air, and a dry branch flew out of the sea of clouds. It was a little over one chi long. After catching the branch with one hand and giving it a look, he said with a smile, “This is the branch of an ancient Bay Laurel Immortal Tree. I believe it suits you well. It so happens that you are the top scorer of the major exam, but you haven’t received a reward. Let this be it. See if you can keep it alive.”

Pei Tinghai casually tossed the branch into the air, and it somehow entered Wei Yuan’s sea of consciousness and planted itself on the soil next to his jade hill.

Before Wei Yuan could thank him, he suddenly sensed a vibration from the merits ranking booklet he kept in his shirt. It felt like some sort of important news had just come in. But of course, Wei Yuan wasn’t going to check it in the presence of an Immortal Lord.

Pei Tinghai set down his fishing pole and got up to his feet. He then walked up to a jade basin and submerged his hands in its clear water. His hands looked perfectly ordinary, but the moment he started washing them in the basin, blood suddenly covered both appendages and dyed the water red instantly!

Wei Yuan was stunned to say the least. At that moment, he even felt the irrational impulse of turning around and running away. Thankfully, he was naturally calm and revealed nothing on his face.

Pei Tinghai obviously noticed his anxiety. He said smilingly, “How can one fish in this world and avoid blood on their hands? Even reducing the amount of blood on them is impossible—all you can do is to choose whose blood you wish to cover them with.”

The Immortal Lord washed his hands for a very, very long time. Although the water in the basin grew redder and redder, the blood on his hands had not diminished even a little. Finally, he picked up a hand towel beside the basin and wiped his hands with it, staining it with vivid crimson instantly. But his hands were clean at last.

Pei Tinghai set down the hand towel and said, “Xuan Yue staked everything on you, and you certainly didn’t disappoint him, repaying the favor with an unparalleled Dao Foundation. The Palace should show some favor too. I’ll give you two options. You may choose whichever aligns with your heart.

“One, the Palace will grant you a million merits to cover all cultivation expenses. For the next decade, you will devote yourself to cultivation within the Palace. I will set aside an entire mountain just for you, and you will cultivate until you have reached the vitality restoring stage. Only then will we discuss sending you away to accrue practical experiences.”

Before Pei Tinghai could finish, Wei Yuan interrupted, “This disciple would like to pick the second option, Immortal Lord!”

Curious, the Immortal Lord asked, “You haven’t even heard what my second option is. Why have you made your decision?”

Wei Yuan replied, “This disciple has forged his Dao Foundation. Naturally, he should strive to make a difference and give back to the human world. Although the first option is excellent, I would need to remain within the mountain gate for a decade—how is that different from being a rice weevil[2]? During the major exam, this disciple had witnessed the barbarians of the Liao realm. Though I cannot yet expand our borders, I am confident that I can hold my own. Therefore, this disciple wishes to participate in trials involving the foreign races. At the very least, the experience will allow me to know myself and my foes better. If I can hone my blade against them, then even better!”

Pei Tinghai smiled at his answer. “Your resolve is truly commendable. As it happens, several matters that would suit you well have recently arisen. However, I must still consider which one to entrust to you, so return to your training for now. You will be notified when the time is right.”

With that, the two young Daoists reappeared and took Wei Yuan back to his residence.

After the young man was gone, Pei Tinghai slowly walked over to a stone table. A Go board lay on the stone table, displaying an unfinished game. The Immortal Lord picked up a piece, pondered for a long while, and finally placed it gently on a certain spot. He then muttered to himself, “With this move, you all can neither swallow nor spit it out. It should bring that thing back, right?”

He did not move after placing the piece, lost in thought as he studied the board.

An indefinite amount of time later, a young Daoist wearing reddish black[3] Dao robes suddenly appeared on the summit. He stood still beside Pei Tinghai and said, “Western Jin is sending an envoy. They had just left the capital city. They’re planning to discuss Wei Yuan’s crime.”

Pei Tinghai replied indifferently, “If one is looking for trouble, a staff general is not nearly enough. They should have mustered two Generals-in-chief or a Duke. Lü Ming is really becoming pettier and pettier with the passage of time. To think he would send an envoy over such a small matter.”

“How do you want it to be dealt with?”

“Have Yan Shi give the envoy’s fortune a lookover and send him off with a tragic accident. Hopefully, Lü Ming hasn’t grown so old that he couldn’t figure out how to handle the sudden disappearance of an envoy.”

The young Daoist hesitated. “The cost to change their fortune would be pretty high, wouldn’t it? I could make the trip myself and drop them all in the Eastern Sea. I promise there won’t be any loose karmic ends.”

The corners of Pei Tinghai’s mouth curled into a tiny smirk. “Don’t worry. It’ll be free this time.”

The young Daoist saluted him and disappeared into thin air.

A few moments later, inside a simple courtyard, a young Daoist was gazing thoughtfully at the spot where a Daoist wearing reddish black robes had disappeared into thin air. He then extended two fingers, pinched the lid of his tea bowl, and gave it a gentle twist. Sure enough, it felt as light as a feather.

After a moment of deep contemplation, he said, “Liuli, come see me.”

Some time later, Jiu Liuli walked into the courtyard and saluted him. Then, she asked, “Why are you looking for me, founder? Did someone complain about me again? Who is courting death this time? Is it Hsu Henshui?”

True Lord Yan Shi couldn’t help but scold her with a chuckle, “Always hellbent on revenge. It never occurs to you to subdue via virtue.”

Ji Liuli disagreed. “I’m overflowing with martial virtue, you know? One might say that every blow I dish out is full of virtue!”

True Lord Yan Shi felt a headache and snapped, “Stop mingling with those hooligans from the Skyblue Hall! All you’ve learned so far is to talk faster than you think!”

Ji Liuli stuck out her tongue, but wasn’t reckless enough to add, “I also learned how to fight.”

True Lord Yan Shi harrumphed before beckoning her to follow him, “Your old man’s feeling pretty good. Come! We’re gonna drink tea with Xuan Yue!”

An odd expression flitted across Ji Liuli’s face. “Drink tea? Are you sure he can offer you anything good?”

She knew that her founder was utterly devoted to tea and extremely particular. He would never touch a single drop of inferior brew.

True Lord Yan Shi exclaimed in realization, “I would have forgotten if you hadn’t reminded me. Head inside and grab a box of tea from the third level of the shelf, will you?”

Ji Liuli’s astonishment only deepened further. “You’re drinking tea with Xuan Yue, but you’re preparing the tea leaves yourself? You do remember that your teas are all immortal quality, right?”

True Lord Yan Shi replied, “The point here is to meet with Xuan Yue, not drink tea. Well, drinking tea is also important. Hmm, yes, let’s do it like this. When we get to Xuan Yue’s place, you will personally brew the tea and drop two tea leaves on the floor.”

Once again, Ji Liuli was taken aback. An immortal tea leaf was so valuable that even a True Lord could improve their insight, foundation, and even fortune. Forget immortal silver, it couldn’t be exchanged for even with a Heaven Merit! To drop two of them on the floor on purpose was just...

True Lord Yan Shi harrumphed, exasperated and disappointed. “Don’t you get it? I want to show Xuan Yue that I’m so wealthy I wouldn’t even pick up two immortal tea leaves! If you were willing to learn my skills, then you—”

Ji Liuli had already vanished, heading inside to fetch the tea leaves before the young Daoist could even begin his lecture.

1. There’s not really a good translation for this term except transliteration as in our world, it refers to a specific group of conservative Chinese officials who advocated a return to traditional Confucian moral principles in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In the context of this story, the best I can say is that it describes people who believe in idealism of a sort, but not really. Like I said, it’s complicated. ☜

2. Meaning parasite. ☜

3. I hereby declare that 玄色 is reddish black color! ☜