Persistence and perseverance lead to practice
Volume 2: Cloud Dragon's Tempting Sound
Preface: "He is a dragon from the heavens, and I am a sound incomprehensible to the mortal world. I insist on having this pure and quiet heart of Tao stir up waves for me."
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The exit of the secret passage is a hidden cave not far from Erxian Mountain.
After surviving the disaster, everyone's faces were filled with fatigue, but more importantly, they were grateful to have escaped. A headcount showed that none of the core personnel were lost, and most of the farmhands had also followed them out, which was a blessing in disguise.
Chao Gai solemnly saluted Gongsun Sheng and me, cupping his fists. "This time, we are all so grateful to Mr. Gongsun and Miss Bu! Without you, we wouldn't have made it out alive!"
Liu Tang patted his chest and boomed, "Miss Bu, I didn't realize you were capable of this! That ghostly howling tune was so fucking awesome! It scared the crap out of those Eagle Claw descendants! If anyone calls you a burden again, I, Old Liu, will be the first to disagree!"
Although Wu Yong didn't say much, the look in his eyes when he looked at me was less scrutinizing and more genuinely attentive. The effect of my "soul sound" was real and obvious to all.
I quickly and modestly returned the greeting, saying it was just a fluke. The aftereffects of my mental exhaustion were still there; my temples were throbbing, and my face must have been incredibly pale.
Gongsun Sheng remained calm and composed, saying to Chao Gai, "This isn't a place to stay for long. Chao Baozheng needs to contact Instructor Lin as soon as possible to make plans."
Chao Gai nodded in agreement, and immediately he, Wu Yong, Liu Tang and some farmhands went to another more secret contact point to start contacting Lin Chong.
Gongsun Sheng and I returned to Erxian Mountain and Zixu Temple again.
Returning to this quiet place felt like a lifetime ago. The little Taoist boy Qingsong was overjoyed to see us return safely, and busied himself preparing food and hot water.
After the breakout at the villa, my standing within the temple seemed to have subtly shifted. Qingsong looked at me with more admiration, and Gongsun Sheng… though he didn't say it explicitly, the pure sense of distance he felt towards me as a "troublemaker" or "object of observation" had indeed faded considerably.
I knew this was the perfect time for me to strike while the iron was hot and build closer ties.
My "strategy" plan has entered the second stage - persistent "harassment" in the name of "asking for advice on cultivation."
The next morning, I picked up the time when Gongsun Sheng finished his morning class, held the pipa, and knocked on the door of his meditation room again.
"Come in."
I pushed the door open and walked in. He was sitting cross-legged on a cushion, regulating his breathing. His whole body was harmonious and harmonious, as if he was one with the heaven and earth.
"Master," I bowed respectfully, my tone firm and unyielding, "while I managed to successfully cast the Soul Sound yesterday, the backlash was severe and nearly cost me my life. I find this power incredibly difficult to control, like a child wielding a sword, wounding both myself and others. I beg Master to show me how to control this Soul Sound, or perhaps... teach me some basic self-defense techniques, so I won't become a burden to you in the future."
I packaged my request as reasonable—in order to avoid self-harm and hold others back, I sought a way to control my own power. This completely fits the demands of an "outlier" with special abilities but no way to control them.
Gongsun Sheng opened his eyes, his gaze fell on my still pale face, and he was silent for a moment.
I know he's weighing the pros and cons. Teaching magic is a serious matter, implying deeper connections and causal relationships.
"Do you know that the path of cultivation is extremely difficult and dangerous, and it cannot be achieved without perseverance and determination?" He spoke slowly, and his tone did not reveal his joy or anger.
"I know." I met his gaze, clear and resolute. "But I also know that without the ability to protect myself, in this chaotic world, I'll ultimately be prey to others. I don't want to be dependent on others forever, and I don't want to burden those who care about me because of my own weakness."
I deliberately added the words "someone who cares" at the end, and looked at him calmly, with a hint of subtle temptation.
The quiet room fell into a brief silence, with only the smoke from the incense burner curling up.
Gongsun Sheng's fingertips tapped unconsciously on his knees, and a faint flicker of emotion flashed across his deep eyes. He might have seen through my subtle thoughts, but my reasoning was indeed valid.
"Forget it." He finally let go, his tone carrying a barely audible hint of helplessness. "Since you have such a heart, I will teach you the 'Heart Cleansing Mantra'. It can help you calm your mind, stabilize your spirit, and reduce the backlash from using 'Soul Sound'. As for self-defense..."
He paused, then continued, "Your physique is average, so practicing martial arts will be ineffective. I can teach you some basic breathing techniques. Practicing them in conjunction with the Heart Purification Mantra will strengthen your body, sharpen your hearing and eyesight, and perhaps help you react more quickly in times of crisis."
The Heart Purification Mantra! The breathing method!
Although it sounds like the basics of the basics, it means that he is willing to start "teaching" me systematically! This is a qualitative leap!
"Thank you, Taoist priest!" I suppressed the ecstasy in my heart and bowed solemnly.
From that day on, I began my "legitimate" practice life in Zixu Temple.
The daily ancient text lectures at Chenshi were still held, but the content was no longer limited to music and the Way of Heaven, and began to incorporate some basic cultivation knowledge and Taoist principles. In the afternoon, I practiced the "Purifying Heart Mantra" and breathing exercises.
Gongsun Sheng's teaching method is still simple to the point of being harsh.
The "Heart Purification Mantra" has only a few hundred words. He recited it three times, explained its core meaning once, and then asked me to recite it and understand it on my own.
He only demonstrated the route and rhythm of the breath once, and then closed his eyes and let me explore it on my own.
Whenever I encountered a problem and asked him, he would often only respond with a few words, or sometimes even just a look, and I had to figure it out over and over again through trial and error on my own.
The process is boring and difficult.
The "Heart Purification Mantra" requires extremely high concentration, and my mind often wanders before I have even finished reciting it halfway.
Breathing is even more awkward. Either my breath is disordered or I don't know how to do it. After practicing for a few days, apart from feeling that my breathing is smoother, there is no magical effect.
But I didn't show any discouragement or impatience.
I knew full well that this was his style, a necessary part of his cultivation. Furthermore, this persistent, inquiring and practicing style was meant to increase my chances of interacting with him, to get him used to my presence.
Not only did I complete the "homework" he assigned me on time, but I also drew inferences from one example and raised some questions based on modern thinking (carefully packaged).
For example, I might ask, "Master, this breathing technique, which emphasizes 'continuous and uninterrupted use,' is similar to the long flow of a stream, which must flow neither fast nor slow in order to last?"
Or, when discussing the "Purifying Heart Mantra," I might say, "This mantra is meant to 'clear the mind and eliminate desires.' Isn't it like wiping a mirror, brushing away the dust, so that one can see one's true mind?"
These questions often have unique perspectives and, although a bit immature, can occasionally trigger his thoughts and even lead him to talk to me for a few more sentences.
In addition to the "harassment" in my spiritual practice, I have also become more "unreserved" in my life.
If there is a shortage of supplies in the temple, I will take the initiative to go down the mountain with Qingsong to purchase them, and with the help of some modern life wisdom, I will buy the most practical things with the least money.
I would pay attention to Gongsun Sheng's habits, such as his preference for light meals and his liking for using a certain type of spring water to make tea, and I would pay attention to these details.
The cuffs of his blue robe were a little worn due to frequent fluttering, so I would find silk thread of similar color and silently mend it for him. The stitches were so fine that they were almost invisible unless you looked closely.
I do this not to curry favor, but to blend in naturally, as if living together. Neither humble nor overbearing, yet omnipresent.
Time goes by day by day.
I can feel Gongsun Sheng's "persistence" towards me, from being indifferent at first to gradually getting used to it, and even... occasionally revealing a very faint indulgence that he himself may not even notice.
For example, sometimes when I was practicing breathing incorrectly, my breath became disordered and my face turned red, he would flick his fingers seemingly unintentionally, and a gentle breath would come to me to help me regulate my internal breath.
For example, one time I went down the mountain to purchase some things, and when I came back I encountered a sudden rain and was soaked. Although he didn't say anything, he asked Qingsong to make some ginger soup and send it to me immediately.
For example, the threshold of his meditation room was high. Once, when I was carrying a pipa, I accidentally tripped over it. Although I didn't fall, the threshold had been slightly smoothed out at some point.
These subtle details are like the gentle spring breeze, silent and impactful.
I know that the thousand-year-old ice is not indestructible. It just requires enough patience and warmth.
That day, I was making progress in my practice of the Heart Purification Mantra. I could recite it silently without distraction, and my mind felt much clearer. In the afternoon, while practicing breathing exercises, I suddenly felt for the first time a faint, warm feeling of energy in my dantian, like a small flame.
I was delighted. After finishing my practice, I saw Gongsun Sheng standing under the ancient pine tree in the yard and gazing into the distance. I couldn't help but walk up to him and share his progress.
"Master, I seem to... feel the 'qi'." I said with a hint of excitement.
Gongsun Sheng turned around, his gaze lingered on my face for a moment, and he nodded slightly: "The progress is acceptable." It was still a bland evaluation, but his eyes seemed to be less cold and had a hint of... recognition?
At this moment, there was a sudden sound of rapid horse hooves outside the temple, along with a strong but anxious shout:
"Mr. Gongsun! Is Mr. Gongsun here? I, Tie Niu, am here! I have something urgent to ask of you!"
This voice...
Gongsun Sheng and I looked at each other.
Is it Li Kui, the Black Whirlwind? How did he find his way here?
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