Chapter Forty-Nine: Seeking the Way at Dongyue Temple, Passing On in Nanguo County

Dozens of torches were suddenly lit atop the city walls, illuminating the surroundings in a blaze of firelight. Pairs of bald soldiers rushed toward the city gate, but by then the enemy had already escaped into the night. Though only two figures had fled, no one dared give chase, uncertain whether an ambush awaited in the darkness.

The bodies of two dead soldiers had been carried out. A leader examined their wounds—one had his neck snapped, the other stabbed precisely through the heart, neither too much nor too little, evidence of a skilled hand.

The lantern monk, who had been hung atop the city wall, was taken down. He remained unconscious, his injuries not immediately apparent, nor was there obvious harm.

A few guards returned to report. Meanwhile, Shangguan Chuanyun and Master Ren were deep in discussion about cultivation in the Dan Hall of the Eastern Yue Temple.

Shangguan Chuanyun asked, “Master Ren, how many paths are there in the way of cultivation?”

Master Ren, seeing the lack of guidance in Shangguan Chuanyun’s inherited Daoist methods, seized the opportunity to offer instruction. “Layman, do you know how many vehicles there are in the Dharma? How many ranks in immortality?”

Shangguan Chuanyun pondered, then replied with his own understanding, “In my view, there are five ranks of immortals and three vehicles of the Dharma.”

Master Ren nodded. “Good. Can you name those three vehicles and five ranks?”

Shangguan Chuanyun answered, “The five ranks are Heaven, Earth, Man, God, and Ghost. The three vehicles are the superior, middle, and inferior.”

Master Ren continued, “Do you know the paths of cultivation?”

Shangguan Chuanyun responded promptly, “Human immortals are martial cultivators—the inferior vehicle. Divine immortals follow the godly path—the middle vehicle. Ghost immortals cultivate the soul, also inferior. Earth immortals are undying but cannot ascend. Celestial immortals ascend to Penglai, and only through the superior methods can one achieve this.”

Master Ren laughed, “Not so, not so. Layman, you know one but not the other.”

Shangguan Chuanyun was not troubled, for he indeed only had a partial grasp. He formed a Taiji seal, bowed deeply, and said, “Master, please enlighten me.”

Master Ren stroked his beard and nodded, pleased with the respectful address. In Daoist tradition, guidance or acts that foster merit may earn the title of teacher, but only the one who imparts the Dao and fate is called master. These distinctions must not be overlooked.

He said, “Though the Dharma has many degrees, the Dao knows no precedence. Cultivating the immortal path—Heaven, Earth, God, Man, Ghost—is not the goal but a progression of realms. All are human cultivators, myriad methods, same destination, all guided by the realization of Dao.

The ghost immortal is but the initial stage, the general term for those who nourish body and soul, able to freely enter and exit, practice energy refinement, circulate the meridians, thus becoming ghost immortals.”

Shangguan Chuanyun listened quietly. He had long thought that mastering the sword immortal methods would lead directly to celestial immortality, but was uncertain about the true distinctions between realms—nourishing qi and soul, gathering and refining energy, minor and major elixirs, golden core, primordial spirit, celestial immortality—his understanding muddled and incomplete.

Master Ren continued, “The human immortal completes the minor circulation; breath is gathered in the dantian, shifting from external to internal respiration, passing through small death and great life to achieve success. The highest martial artists are human immortals—they cannot transcend mortality, but enjoy longevity and peace. Though called elixir, it is only the consolidation of qi and blood, not the major or minor elixir of the full circulation.”

Shangguan Chuanyun realized it was all one system—different practices, but none possessed the immortality of the divine. After one hundred and sixty years, life ends, soul decays, elixir disperses, death follows. He asked,

“What of earth immortals and divine immortals? What realm is reached upon forming the golden core?”

Master Ren replied, “Earth immortals are halfway between celestial and divine immortals. Divine immortals, at the initial stage of achievement, are the foundation of celestial immortals. They can live long in the world, up to five hundred years, until the body decays and they are reborn. Thus, they are called divine immortals.”

Shangguan Chuanyun understood—it was still the body as vessel; once the flesh was gone, having learned the Dao, one usually chooses rebirth and starts anew. Master Ren continued,

“For divine immortals, earth immortals must advance further, mastering the methods of extracting lead and adding mercury, refining gold essence at the crown, returning jade fluid to the elixir, nurturing the primordial spirit, reaching the stage where five energies converge, three yang gather at the crown, self-generation of the embryo, yin exhausted and yang pure, the primordial spirit manifests, transcending the mundane. They leave the world for blessed lands and celestial islands, thus becoming divine immortals.”

“So it is,” Shangguan Chuanyun said, “my knowledge is limited, and I am deeply ashamed.”

Master Ren replied, “You need not belittle yourself. The way of life and fate is not widely taught; even I know but a fraction.”

“May I ask, Master, what realm is celestial immortality?”

Master Ren thought for a moment, “I know little of the celestial immortal’s realm. The scriptures offer only fragments. It is half-understood at best. One must first master the great vehicle, achieve both internal and external elixirs, progress in the Dao, fulfill worldly merit, then the heavenly beings bestow the golden book and jade register, granting ascension to the celestial palaces.”

…

When the bald soldiers realized the lantern monk was involved, they hurried him to the monastery.

Within the Compassion Hall, Wooden Buddha gazed at the lantern monk laid out on a stretcher, pondering what to do. Nearby stood several monks, foremost among them Wooden Buddha’s three disciples: Broken Body, Broken Home, and Broken Nation.

Broken Nation spoke, “Buddha, is there hope for Lantern Brother’s injuries?”

Wooden Buddha examined the wounds. Truthfully, he could save him, but doing so would cost him much of his own cultivation, and recovery would not be swift. The injuries were simple—merely acupoints struck. With a half-hour’s effort, he could heal him.

Yet, there was a strange sword energy within, elusive and ever-shifting, impossible to grasp. Only by expending his own cultivation could he forcibly dissipate it, or the caster would have to intervene. Otherwise, he would have to spend hours exhausting the sword energy without pause, for any interruption would render the effort void.

Although the sword energies were divided, their qi was intertwined. Once begun, the removal could not be stopped. Moreover, hanging the lantern monk on the city gate was likely a display of power, not a threat.

In this society, those who would risk themselves for others are rare, perhaps only after decades of close ties, or the eccentric few who meddle for no reason. Wooden Buddha doubted anyone would expend their essence to save him, unless there was enormous benefit.

The lantern monk could be saved, but clearly the attacker had more tricks. Wooden Buddha needed to preserve his power. Even without more threats, the lantern monk held little benefit for him—saving him was not worthwhile, and he likely wouldn’t last long anyway.

After some thought, he said, “Lantern is gravely injured. I possess no resurrection art, but Lantern’s heart is devoted to Buddha, compassionate, burning his finger in offering, having received the Bodhisattva precepts. Even in death, he shall ascend to the Western Pure Land.”

“Let us all recite the Rebirth Mantra, sending Lantern to the Pure Land, to the highest lotus rank. Let us pray sincerely and, through our collective merit, send him to the West.”

The monks pressed their palms together, fingers pointing skyward, and chanted in unison.

“Buddha is merciful!”

Wooden Buddha turned to Broken Nation, “Broken Nation, arrange for Lantern Arhat to be carried to the square and prepare the firewood.”

Broken Nation stepped forward, palms pressed, fingers to heaven. “I obey the Buddha’s decree.”

Wooden Buddha addressed Broken Home, “Prepare incense, flowers, seven treasures, alms bowls, pure water, and ready the ritual ground.”

Broken Home stepped forward, palms pressed, fingers to heaven. “I obey the Buddha’s decree.”

Then Wooden Buddha spoke to Broken Body. “Evening drum and morning bell, lion’s roar, nine beats of the evening drum, highest ascension.”

Lantern monk was carried to the square, placed atop a mound of firewood. The altar was adorned on all sides, the nine-tiered pagoda hung with pearls, agate, giant clam, coral, crystal, musk, and seven treasures. Bowls of pure water surrounded, flowers thickly spread.

Broken Home sounded the evening drum. In the monastery, evening drum and morning bell were sacred; now, as night had fallen, the drum summoned everyone to the open ground.

Local townsfolk, hearing nine beats of the drum, knew something momentous had occurred and hurried to the square.

“What’s happened?”

“Evening drum nine times—someone is ascending to the Pure Land.”

“Is that so? Then they’ve achieved fruition. Wonder if any relics will remain.”

“Let’s go see; maybe we can obtain some relics ourselves, join in the recitation and earn merit.”

“Quick, let’s go!”

As they made their way, many discussed the event, hurrying toward the square.

Wooden Buddha, seeing the crowd nearly assembled, climbed the high platform, holding the ancient temple pagoda, clad in a robe of a hundred treasures. He surveyed the masses and spoke in a booming voice.

“Buddha is merciful. Today we gather for Lantern Arhat’s ascension. Lantern Arhat, guardian of the Dharma, harmed by heretical demons, foreseeing his end, is to ascend to the Pure Land, lotus rank nine, highest ascension.”

“Buddha is merciful, Lantern Arhat is compassionate,” the crowd intoned, palms pressed, fingers skyward.

Wooden Buddha declared, “Now, let us all recite the Buddha’s name together. With this collective power of faith, we send Lantern Arhat on his way.”

“We obey the Buddha’s decree.”

“Homage to Lantern Arhat!”

“The ritual begins. Light the fire,” said Wooden Buddha.

Broken Nation received the command, tossed the torch into the pile. The flames grew, the chanting swelling, the crackling fire mingling with the recitations, echoing throughout Nanguo County.

Over Nanguo County, a strange energy field formed. Countless prayers converged into a three-yard golden swastika, swirling above the county, radiating boundless Buddha light.

At that moment, Shangguan Chuanyun and Master Ren were still discussing the way of cultivation. Suddenly, they saw the Buddha light flooding the sky above Nanguo County, the giant swastika suspended, and from afar the murmured chanting carried on the wind.