Chapter 8: From Whispers to Flames
The tone was serene, the voice aged and commanding without anger, imbued with an indescribable aura of transcendence. One could hardly say it wasn’t truly that of an immortal master.
The guests exchanged glances.
Lu Sheng’s eyes brightened. He quickly rose and stepped outside the courtyard gate, bowing respectfully as he invited, “How have you come here?”
The courtyard gate had never been closed. Slowly, an elderly man dressed in flowing blue robes entered. His hair was jet black, with only fine wrinkles on his face, and jade-like creases at his neck revealing his advanced age.
His garments were luxurious, a pure blue, tied with strings of vermilion beads hanging from his neck to his waist. Interspersed with white jade, the beads chimed softly as he walked, lending him an extraordinary presence.
Two boys followed behind him.
Both were dressed as Daoist novices, with bright collars and large lapels, clad in cyan jackets.
The three were led inside by Lu Sheng, their presence overwhelming.
The courtyard fell silent for a moment.
No wonder the guests and servants remained silent. Even the steward, who had been the loudest in curses moments ago, was now quiet, discreetly scrutinizing the newcomers.
It was no surprise that Lu Sheng felt he had encountered an immortal master.
Even they, if faced with such a figure, would consider themselves fortunate to have a connection with the divine.
From afar, the man truly resembled a celestial being.
Lu Sheng bowed deeply, supporting the blue-robed immortal master to the table, brushing away nonexistent dust with his sleeve, his expression reverent.
Turning, Lu Pei frowned at the stunned servants and barked orders sharply to sweep the floor, sprinkle water, and bring tea, snacks, and fruits.
When the tea was served, the aroma of the brew mingled with a hint of savory fragrance.
Taking a sip, moistening his throat, the old man finally spoke slowly, answering Lu Sheng’s earlier inquiry.
“Could I not come? I was nearly called a pig, dog, and rat.”
Everyone fell silent. Only the two Daoist novices in blue, who had overheard the insults outside the wall, looked around the guests with displeasure.
“You all used filthy words to curse my master.”
The elder novice, about thirteen or fourteen, sharp-tongued, said, “No wonder it’s said that true teachings are rare. It turns out the foothills are full of such people.”
The other novice added, “My master does not easily pass on the Way nor lightly accept disciples. Even if someone wished to sweep the floor or wash the dust for him, he would not consent. Now, with such a great opportunity, to insult him so harshly—you are truly coarse and vulgar.”
The crowd fell into awkward silence.
They had cursed the unknown “immortal master” out of hatred for the swindlers who had ruined the Lu family, once a wealthy household in the county, forcing them to sell off their property, leaving only a small piece of farmland.
They never imagined the immortal master would actually come to their door.
And not only come but do so with such grandeur.
Not of this mundane world.
The harsh words they had spoken now seemed frivolous, disrespectful, a grave breach of etiquette.
“Immortal master, please forgive us…”
“We mortals do not know reverence; the fault is ours.”
“That is so; we were narrow-minded and misjudged you.”
Among the guests, some folded their hands in apology, repeatedly begging forgiveness, hoping the venerable old man would overlook their offenses and not hold a grudge. After all, they were mere mortals who could not bear the wrath of such a transcendent being.
Others admired his elegant demeanor, envying the old man’s composed and carefree bearing.
Along with their apologies came subtle hints of willingness to offer wealth and serve the Way.
The elder held the tea cup delicately, smiling faintly but declining.
This was in line with what the novices had said: even if someone wished to offer wealth or serve as an attendant, it would not be accepted.
For Lu Sheng to be favored by this immortal and allowed to offer gold and silver—that was truly a blessing.
Yuan Danqiu listened to their tentative offers of tribute, his eyebrows rising in disbelief. He glared at the local gentry, nearly ready to scold them. Then he looked at the old man, who sat leisurely, savoring the salty, savory tea.
Only when Meng Haoran tugged at his sleeve did he restrain his gaze.
After a few moments, having heard the flattering words, Yuan Danqiu asked, “The Lu family’s wealth was accumulated over a hundred years and more than ten generations. It is not easy to come by. Why, then, do you command them to sell off their estates, even the last thin ancestral fields, to supply your gold and silver?”
“Is this in accordance with the Way?”
The question was sharp as a blade. The novices had no answer.
The elder set down his tea cup, smiling wryly.
“‘Baopuzi’ says, without capital, elixirs cannot be formed. Without wealth, how can one refine the elixir?”
“Offerings of gold and silver, support with copper coins.”
“What use is it to me?”
He looked at Lu Sheng.
“It is only useful to him.”
“For those who cultivate the Way, once they attain enlightenment, ordinary gold and silver are insignificant. No matter how much is spent today, tomorrow it will be merely common metal.”
“Easy to pick up from the ground.”
“Do not say a few hundred coins, but thousands, even tens of thousands. Officials and ministers, paying bride prices, taking concubines.”
“Is it not simple?”
“Why be stingy?”
Lu Sheng’s eyes brightened under that gaze. He himself thought the same but could not reason with the old women and servants at home. Every time property was sold, the steward cried bitterly, as if life itself was ending.
Those around looked at Lu Pei with faint envy.
What difference did this Lu have to be favored by such a transcendent master? As long as he gathered enough silver, he could be chosen as a disciple and follow the master’s path.
The guests silently asked themselves, if it were them...
Alas!
Alas, too many mundane affairs and attachments.
Otherwise, they too would surely follow the immortal way, wandering with their master, learning the arts of immortality, living in the mountains in serene leisure.
This Lu was truly fortunate!
Yuan Danqiu pondered the responses, unable to discern the truth at once. Beside him, Meng Haoran whispered a few words.
Suddenly enlightened, he nodded.
Yuan Danqiu then asked again, “Might you teach us a glimpse of your profound immortal arts?”
“Lu is the only son, his father passed early, his grandmother is old and ill. He should not squander the family fortune to leave and study immortality.”
“If the one he serves is unworthy, would it not cause lifelong regret?”
Meng Haoran’s suggestion to witness the master’s true skill was reasonable and fitting.
The guests and servants looked on with curiosity. Although they did not take Yuan Danqiu’s words seriously, they too wished to see the master’s profound arts and formidable abilities.
Now, no need for the elder to speak.
The Novice straightened his spine proudly.
“My master is two hundred years old, now one hundred and forty, having lived through two cycles of sixty years, yet his hair remains as black as ever.”
Yuan Danqiu asked, “How might we see this longevity? Are there other profound methods?”
“My master can exhale flames, blazing fiercely, burning away all unclean things.” The novice glared at the questioning Daoist with displeasure, then added, “Mortals who eat the five grains and impure foods, with unclean hearts, if touched by this fire, will be instantly burned to ashes.”
This was the immortal art of breath control—a breath could form fire.
A young servant gasped in surprise, quickly covering his mouth as other guests noticed.
Some sighed in awe.
“Such power!”
“May we witness it?”
The novice glanced at Yuan Danqiu, whispered a few words to the elder.
After a moment, he turned with pride.
“Certainly.”
“My master’s technique requires mortals to stand back three paces to avoid harm.”
Jiang She watched eagerly.
Li Bai, hearing of such prowess, frowned with concern for Yuan Danqiu.
“If truly so mighty, why demand money from a poor scholar? How much wealth does the Lu family have? Why not seek patronage in the prefectural capital, from government officials?”
Jiang She studied the elder in the courtyard.
The man’s expression was serene as he lowered his head to sip the savory tea.
Jiang She looked closely.
With a light “hmm,”
As Li Bai turned to look, Jiang She had already discerned some secrets.
He smiled.
“They do not go to the prefecture, nor associate with court officials for patronage. That is clever.”
Li Bai’s suspicion grew, about to inquire further, when heavy, hurried footsteps approached.
“The magistrate has arrived! The magistrate has arrived!”