Chapter 22: Wild and Unrestrained, Who Shall Pardon the Taoist Way

“Why have you come, junior brother?”

Under the ancient pine, on a marble bench, two figures sat facing each other.

A cup of hot tea was offered, and Xuanming asked with curiosity.

Since the establishment of Sword Cliff, the junior brothers and sisters had always been measured and rarely disturbed the senior disciples uninvited. Moreover, this time, Xuanyang arrived in haste. Anyone with a clear mind could guess that his visit must be for an important matter.

Indeed, that was the case.

The tea’s fragrance wafted gently, white steam rising. Gazing at the verdant tea broth, Xuanyang, heedless of the scalding heat, lifted the cup and drained it in one bold gulp, like a bull chewing peonies. His movement was vigorous, his face flushed red. It was unclear whether it was from urgency or the heat.

Seeing this, Xuanming’s mouth twitched slightly. He hastily lowered his head to sip his tea, hiding the faintly amused smirk on his lips.

Those who knew would understand he was drinking tea; those who didn’t might think he was in a drinking contest.

Though inwardly amused, Xuanming’s expression remained composed. It was partly from habit and partly because Xuanyang’s matter was serious.

Fortunately, Xuanyang was straightforward and quick-tempered—no beating around the bush. Setting down his cup, he got straight to the point.

“Senior brother, people from the Chen family in the county below have come.”

“Early this morning, the current head of the Chen household, Chen Liang, personally came with his son and presented great gifts, paying respects to the head of our sect. They hope to have his son accepted into the True-Seeking Sect, to become your disciple.”

“At the time, I happened to be on True Profound Peak on business when Changchunzi informed me. Then the head of our sect sent a secret message asking me to speak with you first, so you wouldn’t be caught off guard.”

“The Chen family is a prominent cultivation clan in Floating Cloud County. These years, they and True-Seeking Sect have maintained peaceful relations without conflict.”

“During the last flood control effort, our two families worked closely together. This time, they have once again lowered their stance and shown sincere intent.”

“The head of our sect cannot ignore this; I fear it won’t be long before Changchunzi is sent to formally invite you.”

“Whether to accept or decline, senior brother, you need to prepare in advance.”

Xuanming did not reply immediately. Lifting the teapot, he poured another cup for Xuanyang. The white steam swirled, tea fragrance filling the air.

As his junior brother, who usually gulped down tea like a whale, was about to drink again, Xuanming suddenly fixed him with a sharp glance.

Xuanyang’s heart skipped a beat. Reacting quickly, he sniffed the aroma, blew on the tea, looked at the brew, then took a small sip, slowly savoring the tea’s taste.

The tea was bitter.

The bitterness lingered on his taste buds.

Xuanyang’s heart felt even more bitter.

He was simply not cut out for tea tasting.

He never understood why tea had to be so bitter, so particular, so troublesome to prepare and enjoy.

Especially since his senior brother was older, with a strong taste for thick tea, making it doubly bitter.

Though the aftertaste would mellow the bitterness somewhat, he was no fan of sweetness either.

Compared to tea, Xuanyang preferred wine.

The older the wine, the more fragrant; the stronger the flavor, the more exhilarating.

Life was meant to be drunk, a single drop soaring to the heavens.

Alas, his senior brother loved tea and had no appreciation for the wonders of wine.

Every time he visited, he was forced to drink tea.

Several times, when he drank too heartily, he was scolded by his senior brother and made to drink three pots of tea in a row, savoring each cup’s three flavors. Returning to Scorching Sun Peak, he would feel exhausted yet restless, unable to sleep the entire night.

After several such experiences, he had learned his lesson.

This time, caught up in the urgency of delivering news, he forgot the usual etiquette.

Now reminded, Xuanyang immediately slowed his pace, savoring the tea slowly. Though uncomfortable, he endured without complaint.

———

Unrestrained and wild, yet bound by the ways of Dao.

Daoists favored freedom and despised restraint.

Xuanming was open-minded, having lived over sixty years. He saw things more clearly, cared little for rules or elaborate rituals, and was indifferent to the proper steps or posture of tea drinking.

A thousand people can taste the same tea differently; ten thousand Daoists follow the Way with varying hearts.

Had it been any other Daoist, Xuanming wouldn’t have cared, letting them drink as they wished or not at all.

Xuanyang was the only exception.

This junior brother was impatient and impetuous, prone to acting rashly and getting carried away. Tea drinking could soothe the mind and temper the spirit; whenever they brewed tea together, Xuanming took the chance to temper Xuanyang’s Dao heart.

As Xuanyang tasted the tea, Xuanming lowered his head, lost in thought.

The Chen family and the True-Seeking Sect were the two major cultivation powers in Floating Cloud County.

One dwelled at the mountain’s base, the other atop the peak.

One engaged with the secular world, the other detached from it.

One was a clan, the other a sect.

One followed bloodline heritage, the other a master-disciple system.

Their focuses, paths, goals, and realms seldom overlapped.

In many ways, they were utterly opposed.

Precisely because of this, they had coexisted peacefully all these years.

That the Chen family’s head suddenly came seeking to have his son accepted into the True-Seeking Sect was enough to raise suspicions.

Moreover, to explicitly request that his son become a disciple under Xuanming himself invited even more speculation.

Anyone not naive would sense something amiss.

After all, Xuanming’s first fifty-five years were marked by innocence and purity, renowned for his childlike innocence. The last five years had been spent in obscurity, secluded in the Scripture Pavilion, uninterested in worldly affairs, diligently studying Dao scriptures and comprehending profound truths.

Only since last year had his reputation risen, shedding the image of naivety to emerge as a late bloomer.

On the surface, he was merely a third-stage cultivator, not as accomplished as Xuanyu, Xuanyang, or Xuansu—somewhere in the middle, neither outstanding nor inferior.

He was simply unqualified to accept the Chen family’s heir as a disciple.

Xuanming then considered his clear advantages:

[Highest seniority among the living Daoists of True-Seeking Sect]

[Youngest son of the previous head of the sect]

[Uncle-in-law to the Xu family of Cangyue Prefecture]

[Uncle-in-law to the Yang family of Tianhe Prefecture]

The last two were the married families of his two elder sisters in this lifetime:

One family was roughly equal in strength to the Chen family but boasted a longer lineage, deeper foundation, and broader connections.

The other was a powerful, well-established cultivation household with a history spanning five centuries, home to numerous Qi practitioners and talents—a genuine cultivation clan.

———

At Hidden Dao Peak, within the Inquiry Hall, Xuanming’s thoughts scattered as he carefully speculated.

In the brief span of a cup of tea, his mind raced.

By the time the cup was empty, he had deduced several possible motives:

[Strong Alliance]

If the Chen heir joined the True-Seeking Sect, a bond would form between the two families.

A strong alliance, mutual support, greatly enhancing their power.

Both families’ influence extended beyond Floating Cloud County, even gaining fame in Fengyang Prefecture, holding a firm position.

[Seizing Authority]

Xuanming was the most senior among the living disciples of True-Seeking Sect, and currently the only one among the third generation without disciples.

If the Chen heir took the position of his first disciple, he would immediately stand out among the fourth generation.

With the Chen family’s strong backing and the legacy of the previous sect head, the Chen heir’s status would become particularly special.

In the future, he might wield great power in the True-Seeking Sect and become a pivotal elder.

If conditions allowed, he could even compete with Changchunzi for the position of sect leader.

[Indirect Networking]

Compared to the True-Seeking Sect, the Yang and Xu families—both powerful clans—provided greater assistance to the Chen family.

If the Chen heir became his disciple, the Chen family could use Xuanming as a stepping stone to foster goodwill with the Yang and Xu families.

This would facilitate mutual exchange and support.

[Training Quota]

If the Chen heir truly wished to join True-Seeking Sect, why wait half a year after the successful flood control before coming? Why not seek apprenticeship when Xuanming advanced to the third stage?

Clearly, their intentions were not sincere; most likely, there was another motive.

The True-Seeking Sect had little that the Chen family coveted—if they had designs, they could have acted earlier.

Compared to before, the biggest change was that the True-Seeking Sect now had two quota spots for the Celestial Academy.

Xuanming recalled discussing with Xuanxu during times of fatigue over scripture study, learning that the Chen family had secured a spot at the Celestial Tower.

Could they be greedy, wanting to seize another training spot?

Given Xuanming’s background and status, if the Chen heir became his disciple, the Chen family might indeed obtain such a quota.

———

“What a single arrow striking multiple targets!”

Having thought it through, Xuanming mused inwardly, a cold smile playing on his lips.

Though these were merely speculations, they still sent chills down his spine.

The benefits of becoming his disciple were too abundant.

However, he had no intention of accepting disciples merely to verify these suspicions.

At present, he had no plan to take on apprentices.

A master’s role was to transmit the Way, impart knowledge, and resolve doubts.

His own cultivation was not yet complete.

Taking disciples would only mislead others, divide his focus, consume time, and hinder his own progress.

Weighing these factors, it was more trouble than worth.

More importantly, Xuanming simply did not want to.

As long as he refused to accept disciples, ignoring the Chen family’s schemes and suspicions, he would be free from worries and hidden dangers would dissolve on their own.

Even if he was mistaken, thinking ill of others without cause, and the Chen heir truly wished to become his disciple without ulterior motives, it would only mean they were not destined master and student.

In life, disappointments were countless.

One person seeking apprenticeship did not mean one must accept.

It was a mutual choice, based on willingness.

Having come to this understanding, Xuanming’s mind cleared, his heart grew calm and steady, his bearing more relaxed and transcendent.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Xuanyang’s cup empty again. Without hesitation, he lifted the teapot and refilled his cup.

Xuanyang, having just struggled through a cup, thought to himself:

If I weren’t afraid of losing, believe it or not, I’d pour you three vats of strong wine and show you right here!

Make this poor Daoist drink hard!

No leaving until drunk!

Of course, Xuanyang dared only think this quietly.

In reality, he grinned broadly, flashing white teeth. His burly frame and beard made him look like a simpleton as he laughed heartily and said, “Thank you, senior brother.”

He lifted his cup again and resumed savoring the tea at a measured pace.

This poor Daoist’s heart was bitter.

But this poor Daoist dared not say it.

Pleased with Xuanyang’s tactfulness, Xuanming refrained from further lecturing. Otherwise, had his thoughts remained clouded, he would surely have taken the time to reason with this impulsive junior brother.

Pouring himself another cup, Xuanming slowly enjoyed the tea.

Only after three cups did Changchunzi come to summon him. Rising, he left the Inquiry Hall, lightly stepping off and soaring into the sky.

Seeing his senior brother gradually disappear into the distance, Xuanyang breathed a sigh of relief.

Raising his hand to pour out the remaining tea for the old pine, he hesitated, then quickly withdrew his wrist, closed his eyes, and drank the last drops.

He then vanished swiftly, as if pursued by a fierce flood.

He was going to drink wine—to soothe his wounded soul.

Without a clear mind, he would never stop.