The lingering sound of the music makes us say goodbye
Since that day when I personally experienced the mystery of "Tao Sound", my "learning" in Zixu Temple entered a new stage.
No longer limited to interpreting ancient texts, Gongsun Sheng began allowing me to imitate his demonstrations with the pipa, to experience the harmony and resonance. He told me that the instrument is merely a vehicle; the key lies in the heart and intention, in the ability to connect one's spirit and will with the surrounding universe through music.
This is much harder than I thought.
I held the pipa and played the simple melody he demonstrated. The pitch and rhythm were spot-on, but the feeling was completely different. My sound was still just "ordinary music." The technique might be adequate, but it lacked the "charm" that inspires inspiration. Forget attracting birds or herbs; I couldn't even make the smoke from the incense burner sway.
"Your heart isn't calm, your mind isn't pure." Gongsun Sheng, always able to pinpoint the problem, spoke calmly. "You have too many distracting thoughts: utilitarianism, anxiety, fear... How can such thoughts harmonize with the universe?"
I was speechless. He was right. My study of Dao Yin was subconsciously fueled by a strong utilitarian drive—to gain power, to increase my influence in his heart, to better "conquer" him, to gain a foothold in this dangerous world. These thoughts, like entwined vines, prevented me from achieving the state of "reaching the utmost emptiness, maintaining profound stillness" he desired.
Cultivate yourself, cultivate your mind. This first step stumped me, a soul born from the impetuous modern world.
The days slipped by quietly, alternately listening to lectures, practicing, and occasionally being enlightened by Gongsun Sheng's simple words (or more often, being defeated). The years in the mountains seemed to stretch out, and all the external disturbances seemed to have faded away. Besides the necessary daily labor and homework, I devoted all my energy to exploring the "Sound of the Dao."
Occasionally, during breaks from practice, I would casually ask Qingsong about news from outside. The young Taoist boy was simple-minded and didn't know much. He had only vaguely heard that something big had happened in Shandong, that a government ship had been hijacked, and that there was a lot of commotion going on. But he didn't know the specific details.
I knew it was the Birthday Gift Incident. The storm had already begun, and Zixu Monastery on Erxian Mountain had become an isolated island, temporarily shielded from the elements. Gongsun Sheng seemed unconcerned, continuing his daily lectures and cultivation as if the turmoil outside had nothing to do with him. This detachment, while reassuring, also made me gasp in amazement.
One afternoon, I was sitting on the stone steps outside my meditation room, practicing a remarkably simple melody over and over again, trying to clear my mind of distractions and seek a sense of stillness and purity. Sunlight shone through the pine needles, casting dappled spots of light. A gentle mountain breeze blew.
After practicing for an unknown amount of time, I felt my fingers grow stiff and my mind became restless again. I sighed, stopped plucking, and stared blankly at the pipa in frustration.
“More haste, less speed.”
A cold voice sounded behind him.
I was startled and turned around suddenly. I saw Gongsun Sheng standing a few steps behind me, watching me quietly. He didn't seem to be in seclusion today.
"Master." I quickly stood up and saluted.
His gaze fell on my fingertips, which were slightly red from long hours of practice. He lingered for a moment, then looked away. "Music practice is not a one-day job. It cannot be forced."
"Yes, I'm a dull boy," I whispered, feeling a bit defeated. Coming to this world, knowing the plot was my greatest advantage, but facing this practical power system that required both talent and a certain state of mind, I didn't seem to have any special qualities.
"You're not stupid," Gongsun Sheng unexpectedly denied my statement. "It's just that your mind is too blocked." He paused, then suddenly asked, "Do you still remember how you felt when you first played 'Ten Sides of Ambush' after arriving here?"
I was stunned for a moment, recalling the panic and helplessness I felt when I first crossed over, and the determination when I played the final note with a desperate mentality on the corner of Yuncheng Street.
"At that time... I was just thinking about surviving and didn't care about anything else." I answered honestly.
"Putting oneself in a desperate situation, one must survive. Focusing on one thing without distractions, one can trigger a strange phenomenon," Gongsun Sheng said calmly. "Now that you have enough food and clothing, your safety is temporarily guaranteed, yet you are instead preoccupied with gains and losses, your mind is filled with confusion. How can you truly touch the true essence of music?"
His words were like a revelation. Yes, back then, I had nothing, relying only on instinct and sheer determination to survive. That's why I unintentionally played that "fate-shaking" melody. Now, with temporary protection, I've begun to crave more, fearing loss, and my thoughts are no longer pure.
"Then...how can I overcome the obstacles in my heart?" I asked humbly.
Gongsun Sheng didn't answer directly. Instead, he looked up at the sky, then at the misty mountains in the distance. Suddenly, he said, "Pack up and follow me down the mountain tomorrow."
Go down the mountain?
I was shocked. Since arriving at Zixu Temple, I've barely left the house, and he's never mentioned taking me away. How could he suddenly...
"Master, where are we going?" I couldn't help but ask.
"Go to a place, meet a person." His answer was still simple. "Perhaps it will help you to break through the obstacles in your heart."
He didn't say anything else, turned and left, leaving me full of doubts and a hint of uneasiness.
Going down the mountain? To see whom? Could it be… that the birthday gift incident has been resolved? He's going back to reunite with Chao Gai and the others? What does it mean to take me with him?
All sorts of theories raced through my mind, but I knew asking him wouldn't yield any more answers. Since he'd asked me to go, I had no choice but to go.
The next morning, I rose early and packed my limited luggage, especially wrapping my pipa carefully in a thick cloth. When the little Taoist boy Qingsong learned we were going down the mountain, he seemed a little reluctant to let us go, but he still kindly helped us prepare some dry food and water for the journey.
Gongsun Sheng was still wearing the same blue Taoist robe, spotless, with his whisk resting on his arm. His expression was calm as usual, showing no signs of any emotional fluctuation.
We descended the same path we'd taken. Unlike my initial shock and exhaustion, I felt much stronger this time, and I had the energy to enjoy the scenery along the way. The early summer forests were lush and vibrant, filled with birdsong and fragrance, a stark contrast to the cold and desolate atmosphere of the temple.
After descending Erxian Mountain and entering Jizhou, Gongsun Sheng didn't enter the city. Instead, he led me north, still following the secluded paths. His pace remained unhurried, as if we weren't on our way to participate in some earth-shattering event, but simply on a casual outing to visit friends.
After walking for most of the day, we came upon a small village, nestled in the mountains and beside the water, looking quite peaceful. It was already evening, and smoke from cooking fires rose in the air.
However, before we got close to the village, we heard a burst of shrill cries and arrogant scolding coming from the village entrance.
"Please! Don't increase the rent anymore! The harvest is bad this year and I really can't pay it!" An old farmer knelt on the ground and kowtowed continuously.
Before him stood several servants dressed in silk shirts and wielding clubs. A triangular-eyed man, who looked like a steward, led the way, kicking the old farmer and cursing, "Can't pay? If not, I'll use your granddaughter as payment! She's so lucky that our master has taken a liking to her!"
A pretty girl in ragged clothes next to him was trembling with fear and crying.
Some villagers gathered around, all of them with indignation on their faces, but they dared not speak out.
My steps stopped instantly, a surge of rage rising to my head. In broad daylight, forcibly seizing a woman?!
I subconsciously looked at Gongsun Sheng. Would he care? Given his aloof nature, I'm afraid...
However, Gongsun Sheng did not stop. He did not even glance at the chaotic scene and walked straight towards the village entrance, as if the crying and scolding were just a breeze blowing past his ears.
My heart sank. As expected... he...
Just as the triangular-eyed servant was grinning and reaching out to grab the girl, something strange happened.
No one knew how Gongsun Sheng moved, he seemed to just casually flick the whisk in his hand.
The triangular-eyed servant seemed to be tripped by something and fell forward with a cry of "ouch". He fell hard, one of his front teeth was knocked out and his mouth was full of blood.
The other servants were stunned and had not yet reacted when they felt the sticks in their hands slip inexplicably, and either flew out of their hands or hit their companions. There was immediate chaos and screams of pain could be heard everywhere.
Gongsun Sheng had already made his way through the staggering group of servants and reached the terrified old farmer and the young girl. He didn't stop, didn't even glance at them, but his sleeves brushed the ground seemingly unintentionally as he passed by.
A silver ingot that looked quite heavy rolled silently into the old farmer's hands.
After doing all this, he did not stop and continued walking towards the other end of the village. His figure quickly disappeared in the twilight, as if everything that had just happened had nothing to do with him.
I stood there, watching the servants, dazed and cursing, as they got up, only to find their heads had been badly hit and they couldn't find the "murderer," and finally carry the people away in frustration. I watched the old farmer pick up the silver ingot with trembling hands, hugging his granddaughter and crying with joy. I watched the surrounding villagers look at each other in bewilderment, discussing the "miracle" that had just happened...
The whole process was as fast as lightning and silent.
There are no thunder spells, no flying or hiding, and not even a single line of dialogue.
He was just "passing by" and then the matter was resolved.
I walked quickly through the village and caught up with Gongsun Sheng at the end. He was still walking calmly, as if he had just casually brushed off the dust from the corner of his clothes.
"Master..." I couldn't help but speak, my emotions mixed. He had clearly helped me, but in the most unobtrusive and nonchalant way.
"The injustices of this world are as numerous as the grains of sand in the Ganges River." Gongsun Sheng stared straight ahead, his voice calm and even. "You can save them temporarily, but not forever. It only stirs up karma, and does not benefit your cultivation."
"Then why do you..." I asked anyway.
He was silent for a moment before he said calmly, "When we meet, it's fate. Just follow the flow, don't get hung up on things, and don't let your mind get in the way."
Go with the flow, don’t be stuck on things, and don’t be hindered by your mind.
I savored this sentence carefully. He wasn't completely indifferent; he had his principles and bottom line, but the way he acted maintained aloofness to the greatest extent possible, not easily drawn into causal disputes.
Perhaps this is his "Tao"?
I recalled the sudden surge of anger and powerlessness that had washed over me. If I had the power, what would I do? I'd probably just charge in and argue, or even get physical, escalate the situation. But what would be the outcome? I might be able to temporarily save the girl, but it would also likely bring even greater trouble to the village.
Gongsun Sheng's approach may seem indifferent, but it is the most effective and least troublesome solution without destroying the greater "balance".
This seems to have provided some inspiration for what I have always pursued: "breaking through the barriers in my heart."
I've always been obsessed with "gaining power" and "changing," leading to restless thoughts and anxiety about gains and losses. Gongsun Sheng, on the other hand, possesses immense power, yet he doesn't abuse it or cling to it. He acts according to circumstances and forgets them once he's done.
This difference in state of mind may be the real reason why I can never touch the threshold of "Dao Yin".
It was completely dark, and we stopped to rest at the foot of a cliff sheltered from the wind.
The bonfire lit up, illuminating Gongsun Sheng's calm profile.
I held the pipa, without practicing, just quietly watching the dancing flames, recalling everything that happened today.
The first day of going down the mountain gave me such a profound shock.
I know that this time going down the mountain is not just about "seeing someone".
This itself may be another form of "teaching" from him to me.
The road ahead seemed even more foggy. Who was he taking me to meet? What awaited us?
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