Chapter Ninety-Eight: The Discourse on Destiny

Chapter Ninety-Eight: Treatise on the Origin of Heaven
Chapter Twelve: Transmitting the Way on Spirit Mountain and Attaining the Sublime Method, Soaring Alone Through Ten Thousand Miles of Clouds (Part Eight)

Zhang Lan saw Ye Hua hesitate as if wanting to speak but holding back, understanding that he must have some concerns. She smiled and said, “Junior Brother Ye, just tell us properly when we return! Brothers, shall we continue watching here or head back now?”

Ma Fei glanced at the sunlight and said, “The upcoming contests mostly involve young disciples from various renowned mountains across the land, whose cultivation levels are often quite close. I think we should return. What do you all think?”

Shi Lei nodded and said, “If that’s the case, then let’s go back. But I haven’t seen those famed figures—the Four Young Masters of the Capital. Why aren’t they here this time?”

Ma Fei laughed, “Could it be that they still haven’t gotten over the last time they lost to others?” Shi Lei sighed, “Those Four Young Masters are indeed formidable. I must learn to endure humiliation and grow stronger. Even if the gap is wide, one should never give up!”

Ma Fei patted Shi Lei on the shoulder with a smile. “That’s my good brother! Haha, let’s go.” The group followed Ma Fei and headed back to the Zhang estate.

Upon arriving at the Zhang estate, no one pressed Ye Hua for details about the scripture transmission, and Ye Hua, harboring some concerns, dared not speak much. Everyone returned to their respective rooms.

Ye Hua pondered for a long while in his room and thought, “It seems the senior brothers harbor some aversion toward Master Shouchang, likely because of his sect. Senior Brother Zhang’s father, Zhang Dongtian, serves loyally under King Wen, having never once been disloyal to the Holy Emperor.

Master Shouchang and Dao Ancestor Qingling told me they brought the doctrines of the East Ten Party, intending to spread them to Eastern Divine China, claiming to save all living beings from calamity. To others, this looks no different from treason. Master Shouchang invited me to move into the Great Scripture Pavilion—not merely for cultivation, but also because of differences in our Daoist views. I must bid farewell to Senior Brother Zhang.”

If that’s the case, I should avoid being caught in the middle to prevent awkwardness. After hesitating, Ye Hua stepped outside, intending to find Zhang Ke. Unexpectedly, he saw Zhang Lan standing outside his door, seemingly about to knock. Both were momentarily startled, then laughed together.

Ye Hua said, “Sister Zhang, may I ask if you came looking for me?” Zhang Lan smiled, “Nothing urgent. I was just wondering if you were going outside to enjoy the flowers again.”

Ye Hua blushed and laughed, “A mere mortal like me would only desecrate those flowers! I actually was planning to find Senior Brother Zhang Ke.”

Zhang Lan was surprised, “Is there something you need?”

Ye Hua hesitated briefly then nodded, “Yes. Today I went to the Capital Martial Hall; Dao Ancestor Qingling and Master Shouchang entrusted me with a task, which I did not decline. They told me to stay tomorrow at the Great Scripture Pavilion of the Capital Martial Hall.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lan’s face turned pale, and after a long moment, she whispered softly, “Junior Brother, you’re leaving already? You’ve only been here five or six days! The Capital Martial Hall isn’t far from here; why must you go?”

Ye Hua nodded, “You’re right. Master Shouchang said the Great Scripture Pavilion of the Capital Martial Hall is said to house a Mount Sumeru ten thousand mustard seeds tall, greatly beneficial for cultivation. That is why he asked me to go…”

As Ye Hua finished speaking, his heart raced wildly. He glanced at Zhang Lan, who no longer looked as before. Instead, her expression was calm and unreadable, neither joy nor sorrow, but her eyes held a deep melancholy as she said plainly:

“You may go, Junior Brother. When you have time, come visit your brothers and sisters often. Don’t forget us.”

She bowed slightly, then turned and slowly walked away without mentioning why she came to find him. Ye Hua was somewhat stunned but then reflected, “Though I’ve only been here five or six days, I’ve fought alongside my brothers and sisters through life and death, and our bonds have grown strong. Just as we’ve become close, I must leave. How could anyone not feel sorrow? The Dao says: ‘Melancholy comes only from parting.’ Indeed, it is so.”

Watching Zhang Lan gradually disappear, Ye Hua sighed and proceeded to Zhang Ke’s room. As soon as Zhang Ke heard Ye Hua was leaving, he was very surprised and tried hard to persuade him to stay. When he heard Ye Hua was heading to the Great Scripture Pavilion, he was delighted and laughed heartily, “Junior Brother Ye, this is your great fortune! If Brother Ma knew, he’d be even happier! Haha, Brother Ma and I will often visit you at the Capital Martial Hall!”

Ye Hua expressed his gratitude, “Thank you, Senior Brother Zhang, for your care these past days. I am truly grateful.”

Zhang Ke chuckled, “Junior Brother Ye, if you say that, you’re being too formal. Come, let’s tell Brother Ma!”

He then took Ye Hua’s hand and headed out. Halfway there, they met Ma Fei, Shi Lei, Gu Yunqi, and the others approaching.

Zhang Ke was about to call out, “Brothers!” when Shi Lei shouted from afar, “Junior Brother Ye, why are you leaving without telling us?”

Before he finished, the group had quickly arrived. Ye Hua smiled wryly, “I was just about to tell you all! But you came looking for me first.”

Zhang Ke asked curiously, “How did you all find out Junior Brother Ye was leaving?”

Looking closely, Ye Hua noticed Zhang Lan was not among them and began to understand. He chuckled, “The brothers’ news travels fast indeed!”

Ma Fei glanced at Ye Hua and chided, “Junior Brother Ye, this is your fault. You should have told us. Besides, going to the Great Scripture Pavilion—famous as it is for housing a Mount Sumeru ten thousand mustard seeds tall—is a joyous matter! Haha!”

Ye Hua blushed, “It’s my fault!”

“Come, let’s go to the Gathering Hall to celebrate Junior Brother Ye’s good fortune!” Zhang Ke said, and everyone agreed, walking together. Upon reaching the Gathering Hall, they sent for Zhang Lan. The group laughed and chatted merrily, but Zhang Lan forced a smile, occasionally revealing a trace of sorrow.

Ye Hua sat opposite her, noticing this. Though he feigned indifference, he had no heart to join the revelry. Late into the night, the gathering ended, and everyone returned to their rooms without further mention.

Back in his room, Ye Hua sat on his bed, gazing at the moonlight slanting across the floor—cold and bright as daylight. After calming himself, he carefully recalled the day’s events, his heart stirring with a sense of loss.

After a while, he sighed deeply, shook his head with a bitter smile, and took from his bosom a scroll—the Treatise on the Origin of Heaven, taught by Master Shouchang. Tonight, he vowed to study it carefully.

The scroll was not very heavy. Its cover bore the three golden characters for “Treatise on the Origin of Heaven,” shimmering with a rosy glow. To the eye, it looked no different from other cultivation manuals.

Recalling Master Shouchang’s words: “This Treatise on the Origin of Heaven truly opens a new realm in the path of cultivation like never before!” Such high praise meant it was surely an extraordinary foundation of all methods. Ye Hua opened the first page and read carefully, which said:

“Three heavens in motion, six heavens in practice; myriad methods unfold, with thirty-six thousand paths to choose according to the seeker’s heart. After the three dragons’ course ends, mixed energies disperse, heavens rejoice, and the true Dao manifests. Recorded in the upper pavilion, practiced in the lower world. One may visit the Purple Divine Palace of the Spiritual Capital, hear celestial melodies in the Golden Pavilion, receive guidance from the Divine King, and follow the profound laws to transmit the way.”

Ye Hua was puzzled but continued reading:

“Great indeed is the Supreme Dao, without sect or true master. It transcends all heavens above and aids all souls below. No teacher or ancestor above, only the Dao itself is the essence. The Alchemy Terrace and Purple Mansion, the Golden Tower and Jade Capital. Secretly holding this wondrous method, blessings encompass the spirit. Erasing my myriad sins, extending my longevity. All gods pay homage, the Demon King guards and welcomes. Virtue flourishes, names inscribed in the Yellow Register. Across endless eons, may I endure forever.”

Annotations beside this verse explained: “The Dao is sought from the heart; when the heart is empty, the Dao may be cultivated. If one seeks only blessings and rewards, a boat must yet cross a river.”

“Stillness reaches its utmost, then movement arises; the return of Yang energy.” The Small Circulation technique must begin at the birth of Yang, which arises only from utmost stillness. The Yang born at utmost stillness is pure; hence, the words ‘utmost stillness’ are of utmost importance. The Yang arising at stillness is true Yang, while ordinary Yang arises from mental agitation...”

These annotations were simple and clear. Ye Hua’s spirit lifted, faintly grasping their meaning. Though the notes did not specify the author, they were passed down by Dao Ancestor Shouchang, who presumably made these marginal comments.