Chapter Ninety-Three: Journey Afar

After finishing his words, Bamboo Nameless placed his palm against Ma Beifang’s back and quietly channeled his inner energy. A powerful surge of qi rushed into Ma Beifang’s body, and after a moment, Ma Beifang slowly regained consciousness. Seeing Huang Shan together with Bamboo Nameless, he was so startled that he hurriedly jumped to his feet.

Bamboo Nameless laughed, “No need to fight anymore. We have both mastered our arts and have no further taboos. I will not harm this little sister, either.” Ma Beifang finally relaxed. When he circulated his inner energy, he discovered that the meridians throughout his body had changed their pathways; it was as if he had been reborn from ancient origins. Now, his side meridians had become the primary channels, while the Ren and Du meridians, previously central, were now secondary.

Bamboo Nameless chuckled, “Little Ma, with your martial arts now, you’ve reached the ranks of top masters. If you add more experience and broaden your horizons, you’ll be unbeatable in the realm of rivers and lakes. However, you can no longer return to the Tianshan Sect.” Huang Shan was puzzled, “Why?” Ma Beifang, knowing his own situation, could only smile wryly.

Bamboo Nameless explained, “Though his techniques remain those of the Tianshan Sect, the inner force is no longer theirs. The original Hunyuan arts have been transformed into something else—” He paused before continuing, “It is, in fact, a secret Buddhist cultivation. Remember not to reveal it easily, lest others covet it, and especially never display it before Shaolin masters.”

Ma Beifang asked, “Why? Must I hide from monks whenever I travel the world?” Bamboo Nameless replied, “Not necessarily, but the Shaolin pride themselves on being the foremost in Buddhist martial arts. If they see such secret Buddhist skills, who knows what thoughts may arise? So, it’s best to be cautious.”

Now that all grievances had been cleared, Bamboo Nameless and Ma Beifang, both open-hearted men, immediately skinned and chopped the two sheep, lit a bonfire, and roasted the meat. Bamboo Nameless brought out wild fruit wine he had brewed in the cave, and together with Huang Shan and Ma Beifang, they indulged in merriment.

By midnight, Ma Beifang and Huang Shan were thoroughly drunk, embracing each other as they slept soundly. When dawn broke, the embers of the bonfire still smoldered, but Bamboo Nameless had already departed, leaving behind only the traces of his presence.

Li Chongyuan and his companions returned to Tianshan. The disciples of the Tianshan Sect were already waiting at the foot of the mountain. When they saw the group coming back, they erupted in cheers, rushing forward. Zi Wuzhu laughed, “Slow down, slow down! Your senior brother is injured—don’t touch his wounds.” The crowd called out, “Rest assured, Uncle Master, we’ll be careful!”

With that, they carefully wrapped Li Chongjun in a wool blanket, placed him on a stretcher, and several men carried him gently up the mountain.

On the way, Li Chongjun looked apologetically at Lan Wutong, “Miss Lan, I can barely care for myself now. I’m afraid I can’t fulfill the promise I made to you, though you saved my life. It is a debt that shames me deeply.” Lan Wutong smiled, “This is heaven’s will, not something mortals can control. Brother Jun, just focus on healing. Don’t burden your heart.”

The sect leader, Du Nan, had been waiting at the mountain gate for a long time. As Li Chongjun lay on the stretcher and saw the leader, he struggled to rise. Du Nan, face full of kindness, seemed not to move but was suddenly at the side of the stretcher, pressing Li Chongjun’s chest acupuncture point. Instantly, Li Chongjun felt a surge of energy flow from his heart throughout his body.

All the fatigue of the journey vanished. He whispered, “Thank you, Uncle Master, for channeling qi into me. But… but I am crippled now, and this precious energy is wasted.” Tears rolled down his cheeks.

Du Nan smiled gently, “Don’t be sorrowful. Your meridians are intact—only the tendons of your hands and feet have been severed. We have miraculous methods here on Tianshan for reconnecting bones and sinews. Once healed, though your martial arts will be much diminished, you’ll still move unhindered.”

You have loved reading poetry and classics since childhood, so now, free from worldly entanglements, you may devote yourself to study. In truth, this is a blessing.”

Li Chongjun pressed his hands together in gratitude, “Thank you, Uncle Master, for your guidance.”

After the group had settled, Li Chongyuan and Lin Qingli knelt before Du Nan’s door. Since their secret departure from Tianshan, this was their first return. On the way up, every Tianshan disciple rejoiced to see Yang Wuji, Zi Wuzhu, Li Chongjun, and the others; their joy was heartfelt.

But when they saw Li Chongyuan and Lin Qingli, there was a clear distance. Miao Kewei, Song Changkong, and others merely greeted them and said no more. Du Xin and Hong Mochou asked after Ma Beifang and Huang Shan and then stood aside. Only the brothers of Mingxin Cave warmly shook their hands and inquired after them, showing true affection. Seeing their once-familiar brothers now turn so distant made them deeply embarrassed.

Lan Wutong, on the other hand, having grown up in the southern Miao lands and never seen snow before, was beside herself with excitement, laughing and shouting at the snowy spectacle of Tianshan.

Li Chongyuan and Lin Qingli knew that their unauthorized descent from the mountain had violated the sect rules. Although Du Nan was kind-hearted, and Yang Wuji, Zi Wuzhu, and others had already explained or written to clarify matters, Du Nan had long since forgiven them. Yet, they still felt uneasy and so came to kneel and beg pardon.

Before coming, Lan Wutong had given Li Chongyuan a small sachet, smiling, “Your sect leader is an old stick-in-the-mud. He might punish you by making you kneel in the snow to reflect. This sachet contains incense to ward off cold and clear the mind—take it to drive away the chill.” Without waiting for protest, she stuffed it into his arms.

They arrived at the Realm of Langhuan. From within the house came Du Nan’s aged voice, “Come in, all of you.” Li Chongjun said, “I know my sins are heavy—I dare not enter.”

Du Nan laughed, “Your master and your Uncle Yang have already spoken to me about this. There were many twists and misunderstandings; it isn’t right to place blame on you. Moreover, you risked your lives to save Zi Lan and Li Chongjun—this is a great merit. How could I punish you? Come in quickly.” Li Chongyuan and Lin Qingli thanked him and entered.

Inside, it was as warm as spring. The red clay stove burned brightly, with a black pottery kettle simmering on top, brewing tea bricks. Tianshan is remote and cold; tea from the south must be pressed into bricks before being transported here. These tea bricks are extremely hard and can’t be brewed like loose tea leaves, only simmered slowly in water. The tea from these bricks is bitter but leaves a lingering flavor.

Du Nan bade them sit, took the kettle, and poured tea for both. Li Chongyuan and Lin Qingli were overwhelmed, for Du Nan was the highest authority on Tianshan—even the unruly Yang Wuji treated him with utmost respect.

The fragrance of tea filled the house. Du Nan sat cross-legged on a cushion, gazing at the rolling, boiling tea, and smiled, “When I journeyed from the south to Tianshan, the first time I saw tea bricks, I was greatly puzzled. I wondered what these odd things were for.

Later, I learned they are tea bricks, a staple drink for people in the Western Regions.

At first, I didn’t understand. In the south, there are endless varieties of delicious tea, none compressed into such forms. I took a tea brick and tried to steep it in hot water, but the water had no color, nor any flavor. I was confused—was this really what the locals drank every day?”

Later, someone knowledgeable told me tea bricks can’t be steeped in hot water—they must be simmered in a pottery kettle, allowing the rich aroma to infuse the water. I tried it, and indeed, the result was true. Yet at first, the taste was so strong and bitter I could barely endure it, and only refrained from spitting it out out of courtesy. But unexpectedly, after a while, a rich fragrance lingered in my throat, and I finally understood the wonders of tea. Come, try it yourselves.”

Actually, though Li Chongyuan and Lin Qingli had spent time on Tianshan, they disliked tea bricks. Li Chongyuan, from an official family, always drank the finest teas, while Lin Qingli, following her master Xue Qianfan on travels, never lacked for good tea. They had never grown accustomed to tea bricks and simply drank water when thirsty.

Now, at Du Nan’s urging, they could not refuse. They took deep sips, and immediately furrowed their brows at the bitter taste. If Du Nan weren’t watching, they might have spit it out, but they forced themselves to swallow.

Du Nan smiled, “The Buddha says: ‘All conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, shadows, like dew or lightning. Thus should you view them.’ Life is like this, all things are like this, even the way of tea is like this. ‘Like dreams, illusions, bubbles, shadows’—what a profound saying.

What does it matter to be noble or powerful? In a hundred years, all return to the cycle; everything before is but a fleeting dream. Tea is the same—bitter or fragrant, all the flavors of the world are distilled in one pot.

The wise see wisdom, the benevolent see benevolence. Each person’s state of mind changes the meaning of tea—some remember its bitterness, others its fragrance. When the pot is emptied, the tea gone, nothing remains but the lingering taste.

If you speak long enough of tea, you inevitably speak of people. People are the same: no matter how mighty your martial arts or how vast your power, when your time comes, your soul returns to the earth. Though it is all a grand dream, none can escape the cycle of cause and effect.

Thus the Buddha says: ‘If you wish to know your past lives, look at what you suffer in this life. If you wish to know your future lives, look at what you do in this life.’ When you travel the world, you may not be able to control yourself, but keep kindness in your heart. Sow good causes, reap good fruits.”

Li Chongyuan and Lin Qingli bowed, “Thank you, Uncle Master, for illuminating our path.” As they spoke, a rich fragrance lingered in their mouths, curling between lips and teeth, refreshing their hearts.

Du Nan laughed, “Now do you understand the wonder of tea bricks?”

Lin Qingli said, “Uncle Master, your earnest teaching is engraved in my heart. When my great task is finished, I will return to Tianshan to serve you and my master until the end of my days.” Du Nan smiled bitterly, “I fear I may not have such fortune.” (To be continued.)