Chapter 29: Embracing the Darkness, Guarding the Light—The Mystical Path to Enlightenment

"Have you heard? The Chen estate has been wiped out. A century of heritage, gone in a single day."

"The spectacle last night was so grand that half of the cultivation world in Fuyun County must know about it. I didn't dare get close, fearing that if the city gates caught fire, the fish in the moat would suffer."

"I live nearby, so I know a thing or two. I heard it was the work of those... Taoist priests from the Qiuzhen Temple on the mountain. They issued an execution order, and from this day forth, the Chen clan is history."

"Yesterday they were glorious, today they are destitute. Life is impermanent. We might as well eat, drink, and be merry while we can."

"I disagree. Those who climb steep peaks invite ruin, and those who tread deep waters suffer for the weight of their boats. In recent years, the Chen descendants have run rampant in Fuyun County. Their downfall today is merely the consequence of climbing too high and falling too hard; they brought it upon themselves."

"You all are missing the point. My Chen family is second only to the Chen clan in Fuyun County, so we have some insight and foundation. My grandfather said personally last night that the sword formation of Qiuzhen Temple is no small matter. The strike that shattered the Chen family's protective barrier had already touched the threshold of Qi Refining. Those Taoists on the mountain are not to be trifled with."

"More than that! My grandmother once said that Old Master Chen had long reached the perfection of the Fourth Realm, with formidable strength. The fact that he didn't appear when the Chen clan was in peril suggests he most likely went up Fuyun Mountain that night with ill intent, angered those Taoists, and got himself killed, thereby bringing disaster upon his clan. While this sword formation is powerful, it requires preparation and manpower to set up. If Old Master Chen had been detected, Qiuzhen Temple wouldn't have had time to organize it. There must be an expert hidden on Fuyun Mountain who has glimpsed the threshold of Qi Refining, which is why Old Master Chen met his end. Qiuzhen Temple may soon produce a Realized Being; they are truly destined to take flight."

"Great minds think alike. The ancestor of my Liang family holds the same view. He gathered his descendants last night and warned us not to provoke Qiuzhen Temple. He suspects this expert is a hidden treasure of the mountain—either a third-generation Taoist cultivated in secret, or an ancient, long-lived antique hiding his true strength. He even speculates that the sword formation from last night was created by this unknown master and was only revealed because it could no longer be kept hidden. Otherwise, how could we have never heard a whisper of such a formation all these years?"

As the sun climbed high and the news of the Chen estate’s fall spread, similar conversations erupted in taverns, teahouses, and on every street corner. The entire Fuyun County was abuzz. Even commoners had something to say about it. They held Qiuzhen Temple in higher reverence, calling it the home of immortals, while cultivators were filled with awe, not daring to offend them lightly.

***

West of Fuyun County, at the Chen estate.

Looking at the charred corpses and the billowing black smoke, the usually smiling Taoist Xuantong wore a grave expression, his eyes clouded with confusion.

"Senior Brother, though according to the karmic burdens of our Taoist school, the Chen clan deserved punishment, there is a common saying among the people that disaster should not reach the family. Our school also teaches that when it is possible to show mercy, one should. In wiping them out completely, are we right or wrong?"

Xuanyin did not answer immediately. He glanced at Xuantong, speechless. When they were striking earlier, he had seen his junior brother hesitating and dragging his feet. Now that the deed was done—and he had expected his brother to feel a sense of relief—he found that Xuantong had begun to doubt himself, trapping his own heart.

He really knew how to create trouble.

Nevertheless, he could not leave his junior brother to his own devices, lest he bind his heart and sink deeper into misery.

Gazing at the raging fire, Xuanyin pondered for a moment before explaining: "Junior Brother Xuantong, you are responsible for the temple’s incense and for receiving the virtuous and long-lived from outside the mountains. You are worldly and the most intelligent among us."

"This is a blessing, but also a curse. Clever people overthink, and it is easy for them to be misled by their own cleverness."

Xuanyin paused, then continued: "I know what you mean. But if we had shown compassion and spared the Chen clan, the grievances would have entangled us, leading to endless cycles of revenge for generations, which would only bring more trouble to Qiuzhen Temple."

"Better to stir the waters of a thousand rivers than to disturb the heart of a Taoist. Heaven and Earth are vast, but our Tao is supreme. If one cannot endure a moment of discomfort, one will never find peace. Therefore, one must have a heart as firm as iron, severing troubles at the root to avoid affecting one's own cultivation."

"By eradicating the Chen clan, we settle the matter once and for all. It prevents them from being burdened by hatred, and it grants Qiuzhen Temple peace. Two birds with one stone, why not?"

"In a sense, by killing them, we are actually saving them."

At this point, Xuanyin asked in return: "If the situation were reversed and the Chen estate had surrounded Qiuzhen Temple, do you think they would have shown mercy?"

***

After speaking, Xuanyin watched the disciples moving scriptures, spiritual materials, and elixirs, and shook his head with a smile. Thinking of the Chen clan elders who had marched to their deaths so generously last night, and looking at the current scene, they did indeed look a bit like the villains.

He saw Xuantong bowing his head in thought and turned to look toward Fuyun Mountain, continuing his guidance: "Before descending the mountain, when I went to the Cangdao Peak to borrow the sword, I had the same doubt. I asked Senior Brother Xuanming: Is it too cruel to eradicate the Chen clan?"

"He once said: 'Heaven has no favorites; it always sides with the virtuous. And what is a virtuous person? One who does not disturb my heart is virtuous; one who disturbs my heart is evil. Our Taoist cultivation is different from others; there is no need to suppress oneself, no need for heavy concerns. Taoist karma does not speak of past lives or future incarnations, but only of the rewards for the good and evil of this life.'"

"'So-called principles depend entirely on one's own heart.'"

"'If the heart is at ease and the thoughts are clear, then even a lack of reason is reason, and killing is an act of virtue. Conversely, if the heart is troubled, even having reason is unreasonable, and saving a life is an act of evil.'"

"'In the end, it is all about seeking peace of mind.'"

"'Right and wrong have never had a fixed standard.'"

"'This world is not merely black and white, and nothing has an absolute right or wrong. Absolute light is darkness, and absolute darkness is light.'"

"'Cultivators in this world walk between black and white. A Taoist who cultivates the heart seeks the truth between the two, learning to preserve it—knowing the black while guarding the white, knowing the male while guarding the female—finding a balance between the two, blending with the dust of the world.'"

"'Take the eradication of the Chen clan as an example. If you hesitate when you should act, you will suffer from the chaos that follows. Do you not understand yet, Junior Brother?'"

Xuantong’s body trembled, his thoughts churning. He felt as if he had been a fish swimming between clear and murky waters, not knowing where to go. But Senior Brother Xuanyin’s guidance was like a tolling bell, clearing the clouds to reveal the sun, bringing him sudden enlightenment.

Water that is too clear has no fish; water that is too murky sustains no life. As long as his heart was at ease and he had not slaughtered the innocent without cause, why fret over the definitions of good and evil? The key was to be at peace with oneself and have no regrets in his heart.

Seeing Xuantong breaking through his mental barriers, his demeanor becoming more rustic and his internal energy surging, showing signs of reaching a higher level, Xuanyin felt both joy and a touch of bitterness. He was happy for his junior brother’s progress, but bitter because although he had gained from Senior Brother Xuanming’s words, he hadn't achieved such an immediate breakthrough. Was his own Tao not found in "guarding the truth"?

Seeing Xuantong recover, Xuanyin collected his thoughts and bowed, "Congratulations, Junior Brother."

Xuantong’s face beamed with a joy that came from the heart, more radiant than ever. He bowed in return, "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother."

Xuanyin quickly replied, "I was merely relaying the teachings of Senior Brother Xuanming from last night; I dare not take the credit."

Xuantong understood the subtext. He looked toward Fuyun Mountain and bowed deeply, "Thank you, Senior Brother Xuanming."

Not far away, Xuanyang rolled his eyes and muttered, "Smart people are such a hassle." Why think so much? They say fools create their own troubles, but I think smart people are no different. "And they are so eloquent, with tongues like silver!"

A sword-like gaze shot toward him. Xuanyang’s body stiffened. He wore a sheepish expression, then bared his teeth in a flattering smile at Xuantong and Xuanyin, quickly scurrying over to stand behind Xuankong, attempting to use his physique as a shield, forgetting that he was two heads taller than Xuankong and could not be hidden at all.

***

Cangdao Peak, Scripture Library.

Down the mountain, the clamor was deafening, but on the mountain, it remained peaceful.

The scent of tea, the fragrance of books, and the refreshing aroma of incense filled the air. Xuanming sat by the window, focused on reading the scriptures, as if the destruction of the Chen estate had nothing to do with him.

He was even less interested in the reactions of those below. Having lived a second life, Xuanming had grown indifferent to fame and fortune. He did not speak of others' affairs when meeting people, but rather pointed with a smile at the drifting white clouds, letting nature take its course regarding affairs below the mountain.

In short, nothing was more important than his own cultivation. As long as no one disturbed him, it mattered not whether the world outside was calm or stormy. All the noise was cast aside. He cultivated a pure heart, guarding his own clarity.

Of course, Xuanming did not read scriptures the entire time. Every hour, he would take a break, either gazing at the green peaks and jade belts to relieve his fatigue, or watching the carts of supplies being pulled up the mountain road from his window, stroking his beard with a smile.

When the sunset painted the sky, Xuanming had just left the library when he encountered Xuanyin, Xuantong, and Xuankong. Xuanyin had come to return the sword. After taking back the peachwood sword and exchanging a few simple words, Xuanming watched Xuanyin’s retreating figure with a pleased expression.

This junior brother was flexible and capable. Although he had ordered the Taoists to surround the Chen estate last night, the Chen clan had a century of heritage and hidden depths. Since he couldn't gather all the third-generation Taoists, only four had gone. Even with the Qi-Eight Trigrams Sword Formation, the mission wasn't guaranteed to be safe. He had to be prepared.

Xuanming hadn't descended the mountain, but he hadn't intended to sit idly by. With his strength comparable to a Qi Refining master, he couldn't control a sword for a hundred miles, but within a hundred miles, it was not a problem. Without leaving his home, he could control life and death, warding off enemies outside Fuyun Mountain and striking them down within Fuyun County, enough to protect the safety of his junior brothers.

He hadn't expected Xuanyin to come and borrow the sword as a precaution. This move, while sharing his burden, also made him exceptionally happy. The more outstanding his junior brothers were, the more he could lay down his burdens and cultivate in peace.

He withdrew his gaze and saw Xuantong bowing to him, "I have come to thank you, Senior Brother Xuanming. This trip down the mountain..."

Xuanming was startled. He had noticed the change in Xuantong. He knew he must have gained something from this trip. He just hadn't expected it to involve him. Xuanyin had actually used the principles he had imparted last night to enlighten Xuantong; it was truly a coincidence.

Xuanming spoke, "The same principle can yield different gains depending on the person. Some dismiss it, some take it to heart; some see dust, others see stars."

"That you have gained enlightenment is due to your own merit. You grasped this spark to break through your mental barriers and achieve your fortune."

"The old Taoist only spent a few words; I did nothing else."

Seeing Xuantong’s clear gaze and the surging magical power that affected the surrounding air—he was not far from the perfection of Essence Refining, and faint black and white colors appeared behind him, exuding a subtle Yin-Yang aura—Xuanming reminded him:

"When you return, while you calm your mind and refine yourself, you might as well take the opportunity to flip through the Yin-Yang Foundation Establishment Chapter. You might see a different landscape."

Xuantong understood and thanked him happily. Seeing that Xuankong had not left and knowing he had something to say, he did not linger and took his leave.

Enviously watching Xuantong leave, Xuankong saw Senior Brother Xuanming’s eyes fall upon him. He looked around and did not speak immediately. Xuanming understood, took a step forward, and led Xuankong into the Inquiry Courtyard.