Chapter 30: The Daoist and the Elixir

Jiang She read the words that had suddenly appeared.

He examined the notebook. The ink strokes were fluid and elegant—it was fine calligraphy. He had crafted the booklet himself, using high-quality paper purchased from a bookstore, meticulously binding it together and fashioning a cover from mulberry bark he had kept aside.

Returning from the Earth God’s nocturnal banquet at dawn, he had indeed encountered two hunters; judging by their conversation, they were related. It must have been the Chen Village mentioned in this booklet.

There was also the sound of a tiger’s roar—the beast had let out several low growls after becoming deeply intoxicated.

*Has it gained spiritual awareness?*

Lost in thought, Jiang She picked up the booklet and flipped through it, but there was only that one entry. He tucked it back into his robes.

*Very well, I shall continue to carry it with me for a few days.*

Opposite him, Yuan Danqiu carefully unwrapped a packet of herbs he had just purchased, scrutinizing their quality.

The cinnabar was of pure color. While one could not find the finest grade in the local pharmacies of Xiangyang County, high-grade quality was still attainable.

Zengqing, a type of mineral, forms in green layers; it is said to turn copper into iron and, within seven days, into silver. The *Baopuzi* states, "Consuming Zengqing alone will cause one's gallbladder to burst, leading to death."

It sounded quite perilous.

Yuan Danqiu had already researched it. If one combined realgar, orpiment, Zengqing, alum, magnetite, rock salt, cinnabar, gold paste, and silver liquid, it would result in a divine elixir, as recorded in a certain Han dynasty text. Consuming it would allow one to ascend to the heavens in broad daylight and command ghosts and spirits.

Jiang She studied it for a moment.

"Are you planning to refine an elixir?"

Yuan Danqiu replied, "Indeed. A few days ago, Daoist Lian Yue of the Qingxu Temple returned from a visit to Mount Taihe in Junzhou, where he acquired some ancient alchemical formulas. He found them quite intriguing, so we are attempting to refine one."

Jiang She glanced at the cinnabar and Zengqing on the table. In reality, these were two of the five-colored stones commonly used in many alchemical recipes. Consuming them was highly toxic.

"Tell me the formula," Jiang She said.

With a person of such ethereal quality, there was no need to be secretive. Yuan Danqiu recited the list: realgar, orpiment, Zengqing, alum, rock salt, cinnabar, gold paste, silver liquid...

He added, "The specific timing for adding each ingredient is not mentioned in the formula. I fear it will require much experimentation."

Jiang She asked, "Gold paste and silver liquid are likely difficult to obtain. Have you already secured them?"

Yuan Danqiu stroked his beard and said, "I have been a practitioner of the Dao since I was fifteen, and I have modest family assets."

Yuan Danqiu was, in fact, a man of wealth. It was said that Li Bai, Yuan Danqiu, and Meng Haoran practiced the Dao together on Mount Lumon; only Meng Haoran was poor. Of the other two, one came from a family of merchants, and the other was a landowner.

"Zengqing and cinnabar are both toxic. If you fail to gauge the dosage and the heat correctly, you risk harming yourself."

"Master Jiang, do not worry; I am well aware of the risks," Yuan Danqiu said. "I am merely refining it out of curiosity; I have no intention of consuming it myself. Taibai did try it once, but he told me it caused too much internal 'yang fire' and he couldn't sleep for several nights, so he stopped."

Jiang She nodded. Knowing he would not ingest it, he asked no further questions.

Recalling the various supernatural occurrences surrounding the man before him, Yuan Danqiu could not help but ask, "Master Jiang, do you know how to refine medicine?"

"I have never tried."

Yuan Danqiu suddenly brightened and extended an invitation. "The Qingxu Temple is not far from Xiangyang, located on a nearby hillside. The day after tomorrow is the first day of the month; it is a time of cosmic harmony. They are holding a dharma assembly and setting up an altar for worship—it will be quite lively."

"Would you like to go and have a look with me?"

Qingxu Temple was considered a major temple in Xiangyang, with nearly a hundred Daoist priests and acolytes. Jiang She had heard of it since arriving in Xiangyang, though he had yet to visit.

"Very well."

"Then I shall meet you the day after tomorrow."

Having received his consent, Yuan Danqiu felt a strange sense of satisfaction. That fellow Taibai was always regaling him and Master Meng with mystical tales that left them both startled and yearning. Now, it was his turn to share such things with another.

*Alas.*

Thinking of Taibai, Yuan Danqiu asked with concern, "Master Jiang, where did you go yesterday? Why has Taibai still not awakened? Even if he was drinking, that..."

"I was invited to a nocturnal banquet."

Jiang She recalled the sight of Li Bai singing wildly and drinking heavily the previous night, estimating the dosage of the 'Three-Day Drunk' he had provided.

"He should sleep for three to five days."

Yuan Danqiu remembered the unique fragrance of the wine he had smelled earlier—exceedingly sweet and clear, with a hint of flowers and wood. His cravings stirred, and he swallowed hard.

...

The fifth month is known as the "evil month," a time when poisonous insects thrive and many taboos exist. Thus, from the first day of the fifth month until the Dragon Boat Festival on the fifth, warding off evil and misfortune is of particular importance.

The Emperor had issued a decree for temples across the land to hold dharma assemblies. Many monks and Daoists began a month of fasting, abstaining from meat and fish to pray for a peaceful summer.

The countryside grew lively as well; people gathered to harvest mugwort and calamus, taking the opportunity to hike and enjoy the outdoors.

In the streets, herb gatherers began selling mugwort, calling out as they walked from alley to alley.

"Fresh mugwort—ward off the evil spirits with mugwort!"

"Nine-joint calamus from the banks of the Han River, with roots like dragon whiskers and a scent that lasts an inch! Madam, would you like to buy some calamus? Take it home to soak in wine; it will protect your household from pestilence, and your children will be free of sores."

"Buy it today, and it will be ready to drink by the Dragon Boat Festival."

As he spoke, his hands never stopped, skillfully bundling the herbs with grass rope and placing them into his baskets.

He shouted, "Three coins a bundle, two bundles for five coins! Ah, the evil fifth month brings forth poisonous vapors—"

"Boil the mugwort broth, bathe in the fragrant orchid water; buy now while you can!"

The herb gatherer’s voice was resonant. Perhaps they could not read or even write their own names, and when faced with important matters, they could only press their thumbprints. But having spent years peddling their wares through the streets, they shouted their calls with perfect clarity.

Jiang She walked through the market.

It was the hour of the dragon, and the streets were crowded. It seemed as if the entire population of Xiangyang had come out. Children were perched on their parents' shoulders, clutching candy in one hand and tilting their heads in curiosity.

The temple Yuan Danqiu mentioned was only a dozen miles away, which was a very short distance in ancient times.

Mountains were hard to cross and the Han River was difficult to ford, but to the people of this era, a dozen miles could be covered in an hour or two.

To witness such liveliness, to see the sights with one's family, to tie a scent sachet from scraps of cloth, and to see the dragon boat races with one's own eyes—that was well worth the walk.

Jiang She was also slowly growing accustomed to this.

If he wished, he could appear before the temple gates in the next instant.

But only the path taken step by step is the scenery one truly experiences.

He had plenty of time to look slowly. Why rush with Daoist arts and miss the beauty of the journey?

Otherwise, he might never have heard those calls.

He, Yuan Danqiu, and Meng Haoran traveled along the road.

Yuan Danqiu wore his Daoist robes, which appeared quite novel, and many people cast curious glances as they passed.

Yuan Danqiu was long accustomed to this. He scanned his surroundings and said, "Let us walk this way; there is a market here today, and it is the liveliest spot."

Meng Haoran walked beside him.

"What kind of wine did Taibai drink? It is truly potent. In the Jin Dynasty, Du Kang brewed wine that caused Liu Ling to sleep for three years. Could this be the same?"

Jiang She smiled.

"This wine is called 'Three-Day Drunk.' If one were to sleep for three years, it should be called 'Thousand-Day Drunk'."

"I see no reason why not," Yuan Danqiu remarked casually.

After traveling for an hour and a half, they arrived before the Qingxu Temple.

Standing under a tree at the entrance, a Daoist wearing small-sleeved robes was counting the tolls of the bell. Hearing footsteps and conversation, he assumed visitors had arrived. The Daoist remained under the tree, gazing slowly at the floating clouds, his heart following the ethereal, solemn tolling of the bell, unhurried and steady.

Suddenly, he heard a voice.

"Daoist Lian Yue?"

"How long have you been waiting?"

Lian Yue turned his head to see Yuan Danqiu and his two companions. He was familiar with Meng Haoran on the left, but the man in the center was a stranger.

Having walked such a long mountain path, the soles of Yuan Danqiu and Meng Haoran's shoes were covered in dust and mud.

The man in the center, however, had clothes that were pristine, without a speck of dust.

Daoist Lian Yue withdrew his gaze, shifted his feet, and walked over slowly with a smile. "Not long."

He said, "Please, follow me, guests. May I ask who this is...?"

Yuan Danqiu had walked a long way and was tired, yet he remained high-spirited and clear-headed, showing no signs of fatigue. He followed Daoist Lian Yue as they entered the temple.

"Master Jiang, this is Daoist Lian Yue."

Yuan Danqiu turned to introduce Jiang She, his tone filled with respect.

"This is Master Jiang, the expert I mentioned to you previously."

Daoist Lian Yue’s eyes widened slightly. For a moment, he was speechless.