After visiting his master's courtyard and feeling encouraged, Qingyun initially planned to return to his own courtyard to focus on studying the green-covered *Taoist scriptures*[13]. However, he recalled Chi Yan's wooden plaque, which noted that the *Kunwu Technique*[15] would be returned to the seventh floor in a few days. Thus, he decided to head to the library first to memorize the Kunwu Technique, lest it be put back before he could understand it.
Perhaps due to his daily recitation of Taoist scriptures, though morning reading left him dizzy, his fatigue had mostly faded after a meal. He felt refreshed and brimming with energy.
Arriving at the library again, he found the old man outside gone. Qingyun hadn't seen him when leaving earlier, as if the elder had waited specifically for him, the new disciple.
He sighed, reflecting that since meeting his master, the Taoists and monks he encountered were always enigmatic. Perhaps once he entered the *Dao*[2], becoming one of them, he would understand.
Approaching the shelf holding the Kunwu Technique, Qingyun discovered someone already at his morning spot, engrossed in the very book.
It was a woman in red, her attire starkly different from sect disciples. She wore a vibrant red brocade robe adorned with ornate accessories unseen on Taoists or nuns. From the side, her fair, graceful neck made Qingyun, unaccustomed to girls his age, feel his face heat up.
Sensing his presence, the woman turned, revealing a delicate face with arched eyebrows, breathtakingly beautiful. Though not as mature as Martial Aunt Chi Yan, she had a fresh, lotus-like charm of youth.
Fluttering her eyelashes, she smiled lightly. "You're Uncle Sect Leader's new disciple, aren't you?"
Qingyun's face flushed, and he stammered, "Y-yes, I—I—you… um…"
Waving the Kunwu Technique, she covered her mouth, laughing. "This is yours, isn't it?"
"Yes… no, it's not." Claiming it felt possessive; denying it seemed evasive. Flustered, Qingyun didn't know how to respond.
As he braced to take responsibility, she said, "Haha, I know. Master left it here for you, right?"
"Master?" Qingyun's curiosity eased his embarrassment.
"Yes, Elder Chi Yan is my master," she confirmed.
Relieved, Qingyun smiled, realizing why she knew the book's location. He'd feared it might be reclaimed.
"This humble Taoist is Qingxuan. Nice to meet you, Junior Brother," she said, smiling charmingly and extending the back of her hand.
Qingyun cautiously touched his hand's back to hers, retracting it as if shocked, his face reddening. This was the *Taoist hand-touching ceremony*[17], signifying "fellow Daoist." Normally, one couldn't casually use the term. In ancient times, some Taoists exploited it to harm others, so without this ritual, one must not call another "fellow Daoist." Among sect members, it marked a friendly first meeting, and skipping it might suggest offense.
Qingyun had performed it with others but never felt this way. Clutching his chest, he sensed an unfamiliar flutter, bewildered.
Initially poised, Qingxuan pouted playfully at his reaction. "Why are you blushing? Now you're making me…"
"Sorry, I—I don't know, I just felt hot," Qingyun fanned himself, trying to cool his face.
Panicked, he was about to flee when Qingxuan grabbed his hand, calling urgently, "Wait!"
Hand held, Qingyun grew more anxious, half-turned, not daring to look back. "W-what is it?" he asked nervously.
Flustered herself, Qingxuan loosened her grip but held on, fearing he'd run. Tightening it again, she said hurriedly, "Master asked me to teach you the Kunwu Technique. Meet me at Qingmu Lake on Qingmu Peak tomorrow."
Releasing his hand, she walked away briskly. Hearing "Kunwu Technique," Qingyun calmed, sighing as if expelling heat, watching her hurried departure. "You could've just said so," he muttered.
That evening, back at his courtyard, Qingyun couldn't stop thinking about the girl in red, unable to focus on scriptures or memorize anything.
Inside, he touched things absentmindedly, pacing around the long-handled blade, her face lingering in his mind, a smile spreading unconsciously. He couldn't settle, unaware of his actions.
Kicking a wooden plaque snapped him back. He picked it up, having missed it earlier in his distraction. Guessing its source, he confirmed it was from his martial aunt.
It read: "This humble Taoist has obscured the heavenly secrets. Unless the sect leader divines deliberately, he won't know this courtyard's state. Chixiao won't visit soon. Still, enter the Dao quickly and learn the *Sleeve Universe* technique[18] to store this gift, avoiding detection."
On the back: "Qingxuan, Chi Song's beloved daughter and my only disciple, has understood the Dao deeply since childhood. With her help, you'll master the *Kunwu Body Refining Technique*. Ask her about minor skills like Sleeve Universe."
Rubbing "Qingxuan" on the plaque, Qingyun smiled, eager for tomorrow's lakeside meeting.
The next morning, with no time specified, Qingyun left early from his courtyard, halfway up Qingmu Peak, following the winding path upward.
He'd once asked why the Five Elements Sect, spanning mountains, called themselves Taoists when "mountain-dwellers are Immortals." Chixiao had replied nonchalantly, "Taoists are pathfinders, guarding the path for humanity, unlike Immortals. If we leave, Immortals take over. To open paths and rival them, shouldn't we live in mountains?"
Though odd, it made sense, so Qingyun accepted that Taoists preemptively occupy mountains to block Immortals.
Lost in thought, he touched the green-covered scripture in his bosom, bringing it to avoid wasting time if Qingxuan was late.
As a Taoist, even the privileged Qingxuan wouldn't sleep in like a rich heiress.
At Qingmu Lake, Qingxuan sat on a rock, combing her lustrous black hair. The picturesque scene and her beauty left Qingyun spellbound, eyes hinting at infatuation.
"Come here," her languid voice called, addressing him without his Taoist name.
Shaking off distractions, Qingyun reminded himself he was there to learn, not to upset her.
Approaching, he saw Qingxuan step down, standing before him. Her neat attire and flawless beauty made him flush again.
Calmly, Qingxuan produced a blue-covered scripture labeled "Kunwu Technique."
"This…" Qingyun puzzled, "Aren't library books forbidden to take out?"
"This is Master's original. The library's is a copy. The Kunwu Technique was her contribution to the sect," Qingxuan explained.
Without small talk, she opened to the cultivation method Qingyun couldn't grasp. "Is this where you got stuck?" she asked, pointing.
Leaning close, her hair's fragrance stirred him. Stepping back, he nodded, "Yes."
Curious why he moved, she didn't press, explaining, "The human body comprises countless minute parts moving in patterns called 'source' or 'yuan.'" She looked up, checking his understanding.
Clarified, Qingyun eagerly asked about the next part.
"Cultivating the Dao starts with observing 'yuan,' understanding its vibrations to alter its patterns," she continued.
Qingyun pondered, brows furrowed. Qingxuan waited patiently until he relaxed, then proceeded.
"Mortals can't see or control 'yuan,' so their natural operations cause wear, limiting lifespan—not heaven's doing," she said briefly.
"Cultivators control bodily 'yuan,' syncing its vibrations with the environment's to replenish wear and Dao power."
"If you master all bodily 'yuan' to vibrate with Kunwu's rhythm, you'll learn the Kunwu Technique," she concluded.
Qingyun understood but found it arcane, clueless about observing or controlling 'yuan.'
"Those who enter the Dao can observe and partially control 'yuan,'" Qingxuan added. "These basics aren't in the advanced Kunwu Technique."
Seeing his ignorance, she began explaining cultivation fundamentals and teaching inner observation.
**Footnotes**:
[1] **Feng shui**: Taoist practice aligning activities with environmental energies for harmony.
[2] **Dao**: Core Taoist principle, "the Way," embodying universal order and spiritual growth.
[3] **Kasaya**: Saffron robe of Buddhist monks, symbolizing simplicity.
[4] **Yinhun**: Spiritual essence or soul, coveted by supernatural beings.
[5] **Fuzhi**: Taoist talismans channeling spiritual energy or repelling evil.
[6] **Eight Gates Formation**: Protective Taoist array based on the Eight Trigrams.
[7] **Chang gui**: Ghostly minions luring souls for beings like Tiger Immortals.
[8] **Jianzhi**: Taoist hand gesture focusing spiritual energy in rituals or combat.
[9] **Qi arrow**: Arrow of spiritual energy, a potent Taoist technique.
[10] **Bagua**: Eight trigrams representing reality's principles in Taoist cosmology.
[11] **Five Elements Sect**: Taoist sect mastering the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water).
[12] **Time-Reversing Sand**: Mystical item or technique used by Chixiao, possibly to reverse time or heal.
[13] **Taoist scriptures**: Sacred texts guiding cultivation and philosophy in Taoism.
[14] **Mystical Iron Heavy Blade**: Chi Yan's forged weapon for Chixiao's eldest disciple.
[15] **Kunwu Technique**: Cultivation method enabling mastery of heavy weapons, gifted by Chi Yan.
[16] **Sumeru in a Mustard Seed**: Taoist and Buddhist concept of vast space within a small container.
[17] **Taoist hand-touching ceremony**: Ritual where Taoists touch hand backs to acknowledge fellowship, rooted in ancient sect customs to prevent deceit.
[18] **Sleeve Universe**: Taoist technique for storing items in one's sleeve via spatial magic.
原始中文文本
去過師父的小院後,受到鼓勵的青雲本來想先回自己的小院,專心研讀這幾本綠皮道經.但想起赤煙木牌上寫,過幾日要把昆吾訣放回第七層.於是,決定還是先去藏書閣,把昆吾訣背下來,以免自己還沒能看懂,昆吾訣就被放回去.
或許是青雲成日念誦道經的關係,雖然早上讀得頭昏腦脹,用過膳後,疲勞感卻恢復得差不多了.他感覺自己又神采奕奕,精神飽滿.
當他再次來到藏書閣外,門外的老者已經不見了.離開時就沒看到,彷彿對方就是特地來等自己這個新報道的弟子.
感嘆了一下,自從認識了師父,遇見的道士和和尚總是神神秘秘,也許等到自己入道後,成為同一類人,到時大概就能理解了.
走到放昆吾訣的那排書櫃,青雲卻發現,自己早上站的位置已經有人,而且對方還正津津有味地翻看著昆吾訣.
那是一名紅衣女子,穿著明顯與道觀弟子不同.身穿一套大紅錦袍,身上還多了許多道士,道姑身上沒有的華麗首飾.側面看去,白皙柔美的頸部曲線,讓很少與同齡女子相處的青雲臉色有些發熱.
似乎是發覺了青雲的到來,女子轉過身來面對青雲,只見螓首峨嵋,傾城絕麗.雖不至於像赤煙師伯那樣,成熟美艷,卻另有一份出水芙蓉的妙齡風采.
女子睫毛撲扇,露出淺淺的笑容,向青雲說道:「你就是掌門師叔新收的弟子吧?」
青雲臉色漲紅,侷促地答道:「是,我,我,你⋯⋯那個.」
紅衣女子揚了揚手上的昆吾訣,掩嘴笑道:「這是你的,對嗎?」
「是⋯⋯不,不是.」說是,聽上去像要占為己有,說不是,卻又像在推卸責任.青雲慌亂得不知道該怎麼回答.就在他打算一咬牙,將責任全部擔下時,女子卻說了.
「哈哈,我知道.肯定是師父放在這裡的吧?」
「師父?」青雲有些好奇,沖淡了幾分羞澀.
「嗯,赤煙長老就是我的師父.」女子肯定了青雲的猜測.
青雲頓時露出笑容,難怪對方會知道昆吾訣在這裡.他還以為被人發現,昆吾訣要被收回去了.
「貧道道號青璇,初次見面,師弟.」
女子巧笑嫣然,大方地伸出手背.青雲小心翼翼地將右手手背靠上去,短暫輕碰後,少年觸電般地收回手,一張臉迅速漲紅.這是道士之間的觸手禮,意為「道友」.否則平時不能隨意稱呼「道友」.上古年間,便有道士利用道友二字,戕害其他道士,因此未接過觸手禮的道士,絕對不能貿然稱其「道友」.
而同門之間,第一次友好見面,通常便會直接行觸手禮,表示雙方相處愉快.這時不進行觸手禮,反而會讓人猜想,是否是自己得罪了他人.青雲之前便和其他同門行過觸手禮,但卻都沒有這次的異樣感覺.
他摀著胸口,感受那股從未體會過的怦然心動,卻是有些茫然.女子本來大大方方,看見青雲這副樣子,卻是有些不滿地嬌嗔道:「你,你臉紅幹嘛?害我也⋯⋯」
「對不住,我,我也不知道,就是突然覺得很熱.」青雲用手搧著,試圖驅散臉上那股燥熱.
青雲一臉慌忙,正想轉身逃離,青璇卻直接上前拉住他的手.急喊道:「等一下.」
手被拉住,青雲更是慌張.身軀已經轉過一半,卻絲毫不敢回頭,只能看向前方,緊張地問道:「怎,怎麼了?」
青璇見他這副模樣,心下也不由得有些慌亂,手上微微一鬆,卻又不敢完全放開手,怕對方就此跑掉,想到這裡,連忙又握緊那隻手.她語氣急促地對青雲交代道:「師父讓我來教你修習昆吾訣,明天到青木峰頂的青木湖來.」
說完,青璇立刻放開了青雲的手,轉身快步離開.而青雲聽見昆吾訣,也冷靜了下來.
他輕吁了一口氣,像是要把腹裡的燥熱吐出,然後才轉過身,看向青璇有些慌張的背影,自言自語道:「早說啊⋯⋯」
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傍晚,回到小院.青璇離去後,青雲總是一直想起那位穿著紅衣的女孩.以至於整個下午,什麼道經都讀不進腦袋裡,更別談背下多少內容.
而進到屋裡後,青雲這裡摸摸,那裡摸摸.不知不覺便繞起長柄大刀來回踱步,腦海裡總是縈繞著下午那張俏臉,臉上不自覺露出微笑.他完全靜不下心來,對自己現在在幹什麼也毫無所覺.
直到他踢到一塊木牌,才驀然清醒過來.
青雲連忙撿起這塊木牌,因為剛剛的心不在焉,他並沒有注意到這塊擺在長柄大刀前的新木牌.雖然心中已經有所猜測,但青雲還是低頭看向木牌內容,確認將木牌放在這的人,是否和自己想的一樣.果不其然,放木牌的人,又是那位師伯.
只見上面寫著:貧道蒙蔽了天機,除非掌門刻意推算,否則定算不到此院內的狀況.這幾日,赤霄也沒空去你小院.不過,你還是得趕快入道,學習袖裡乾坤,才能將這份禮物收進囊中,避免被發現.
正面寫到此處,已經沒多少位置,於是青雲將木牌翻面,果然還有內容.
木牌背面繼續寫:青璇乃赤松愛女,也是貧道唯一的徒弟.青璇打小對道的理解便非常透徹,有她的幫助,相信你很快便能掌握昆吾煉體訣.袖裡乾坤這等小術,也可以向她請教.
用手摩娑木牌上那兩個字,青雲嘴邊流洩出一抹笑意,對於明天的湖邊之行,更為期待.
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隔日清晨,由於昨日青璇並未交代時間.因此,青雲一大早便從小院出發,小院位於青木峰的半山腰處,青雲只能沿著蜿蜒的山路小徑向上而行.
他曾好奇問過師父,為何當時說「住在山裡的人便是仙」,五行觀涵蓋群山,卻自稱道士.青雲記得,赤霄只是淡淡地回答道:「道士,乃開道之士.既然為人族開出了道,自然必須守住,這就和仙不同.而且道士走了,仙自然就會來佔.那麼你說,道士為了方便開道,為了與仙力敵,是不是也該住到山裡?」
雖然道理有些古怪,但也還能勉強說得通.所以,青雲也就接受了「道士為了不讓仙住在山裡,所以只好先行佔山圈地」這個乍聽之下有些奇怪的說法.
一路胡思亂想,青雲手探在懷裡,不住地摩娑綠皮道經的封面.他不知道青璇什麼時候會到,自然還是將經書帶在身上,免得荒廢了時間.至少青璇如果晚到,他還能在湖邊先研讀這幾本師父給的道經.
不過,既然身為道士,即使是出身優渥的青璇,自然也不可能如同一般富家千金,會在家裡睡懶覺.
當青雲爬到清木湖時,青璇已經坐在湖邊的大石頭上.她正拿著一把梳子,梳理那一頭烏黑秀髮.
風景秀麗,美人如畫.青雲頓時看呆了眼,傻在原地,眼中隱約露出癡迷神態.
「過來吧.」青璇有些慵懶的聲音響起.雖然沒有刻意喚出道號,但青雲卻知道對方是在招呼自己.
輕輕晃了晃腦袋,青雲試圖甩去心裡的雜念.他趕緊告訴自己,今日上來,是向青璇學習昆吾訣,可不能老是分心,惹得對方生氣.
青雲走近後.青璇已經從石頭上下來,站到了青雲身前.她身上整整齊齊,配上白皙無瑕的美貌,讓少年臉上不禁又是一陣發熱.
青璇卻是沒有昨日的慌張,而是神態平靜地拿出一本藍皮道經.上面赫然寫著「昆吾訣」.
「這⋯⋯」青雲納悶,不是說藏書閣的書不允許帶出嗎?
「這是師傅那裡的正本.藏經閣裡的是副本,昆吾訣本來就是師父上交給門派的煉體法門.」青璇解釋道.
沒有多做閒聊,青璇翻開昆吾訣,逕自將頁面停在青雲當時看不懂的修練法上.
她指著上面的內容,問道:「是不是從這邊開始就看不懂了?」
青璇身體靠得極近,讓青雲都能聞到她頭髮間的芬芳.心猿意馬的同時,青雲忍不住向後挪了挪,並點頭道:「是.」
有些奇怪地看了青雲一眼,似乎是不懂為什麼青雲要挪開身體.不過青璇也沒有多做探究,而是直接開始講解.
「這段的意思是,人的軀體,是由數不盡的微小所構成.它們遵循於某個規律而動,我們稱之為源.這個字,也讀做元.」說到這裡,青璇抬頭看著青雲,用眼神詢問他是否明白.
經過青璇講解,青雲終於明白這段的意思,迫不及待指向後面的段落問道:「那後面呢?」
「修道的過程,就是先能夠觀察元.能夠觀察元,才能夠明白它的震動.能夠明白它的震動,才能夠改變它的規律.」青璇再次看向青雲.
青雲蹙起雙眉,若有所思.青璇默默等候,並沒有出聲催促.直到青雲想通了這部分,皺起的眉頭鬆了開來,青璇才再度向下講解.
「所謂凡人,就是不能夠觀察元的人.他們不能直接看見元,自然也無法操控元.而在元的自然運轉之間,必然會有損傷.這不是上天在折損凡人的壽命,而是人類自身元的運轉,導致壽命有所極限.」這部分並不重要,只是在加強前段的理解.因此,青璇只是簡短說明後,沒有多做停頓便繼續往下說.
「而修道者,如果能夠控制身體內的元.摸清楚它們震動的規律,操控它們,與周遭的環境中的元一起振動.那麼,我們身軀內的元,在日日夜夜運轉中造成的損傷,和失去的道力,將會得到補充.」
這部份只是概述,因此青璇確認青雲能夠理解後,便繼續向下說.
「而如果能夠掌控全身的元,跟隨昆吾的節奏震動.那麼,就能學會昆吾訣.」指向該段的最後,青璇這麼說.
青雲則是恍然大悟,但同時也感覺玄奧莫測.對於如何觀看元,掌控元,那是一點都沒有頭緒.
「入道者,便是能夠觀看元,並且能初步掌控體內部分元的人.」青璇說出了書上沒寫的內容,又補充說明:「這些是基礎的知識,昆吾訣本身是極為高明的修練法,裡面自然不會多提.」
發現青雲對這些事情一無所知後.接下來,青璇便開始向青雲解釋,關於修行的基礎.也開始教導他基礎的內觀之法.