Chapter 4: The Daoist Master's Three Questions

"Become my disciple? Study the Dao with me?

A-ah,

you caught me off guard there. I didn’t expect someone so you to see my hidden aura as a master, which I have concealed for so many years..."

The Daoist master laughed indifferently. He seemed casual and aimless, but his gaze was clear and sharp. His reaction clearly made Wang Sheng feel a bit uneasy.

Haste made waste in all things. Hence, Wang Sheng didn’t dare kneel and force the master to take him as a disciple. He could only return the Daoist master’s gaze with his most sincere expression.

The tall and thin Daoist averted his gaze. Smiling, he added, "If you want to learn martial arts, there are plenty of martial arts schools on this mountain."

"Daoist Master, I came to the Wudang Mountains to seek immortality and the Dao. I am also looking for a master. I knew I found the one as soon as I saw you."

The Daoist frowned slightly. "If you were here to learn martial arts, that’d be more believable. Seeking immortality and the Dao... Have you ever actually seen someone perform any real Daoist arts?"

Expecting that reply, Wang Sheng seriously answered, "I’m just a foolish student, but I’ve been studying Daoist texts while in school. To me, the Dao is a spirit—a different understanding of the heavens and the universe. It’s the spiritual path I wish to pursue."

"

Uh...

" The tall and lean Daoist chuckled awkwardly and pointed at the Purple Cloud Temple. "Are there no masters left over there?"

"There are, but..." Wang Sheng hesitated. "I searched all over the Wudang Mountains, yet I failed to find the master I wanted. Then I met you here. The moment I saw you, I knew you were far from ordinary. Please, Daoist Master, accept me as your disciple."

Flattery always found a way through. Still, Wang Sheng felt a little embarrassed.

The Daoist master burst into laughter as he slowly rose from his rattan chair. Only then did Wang Sheng realize that the man, who would become renowned in a few years, stood more than a head taller than him.

Well, Wang Sheng himself wouldn’t reach full height until the age of nineteen.

The Daoist stood tall, shoulders relaxed and breathing steady. Though he looked disheveled, he had an indescribable aura about him. Perhaps this was what a true cultivator looked like. Even without primal qi guiding him on a true cultivation path, years of honing himself daily had forged an inner grace that now shone through. Once infused with primal qi, the invisible accumulation would lead to an explosive transformation!

Wang Sheng made up his mind: he would become this man’s disciple no matter what.

The Daoist master gently said, "You’re quite an interesting young man. You talk all about the Dao, being picky about taking a master, and now you’ve set your sights on me? Every year, countless people come here seeking masters and the Dao. All you need to do is find a master and make a donation to train on the mountain. I’m just registered here at Wudang; I don’t teach disciples to chant or worship gods. I do have a disciple, but I rarely look after her."

Though the Daoist was dismissive, he was studying Wang Sheng’s features, finding him to be a promising young man.

This boy seems to have endured a great calamity, but now he bears the signs of blessings that follow misfortune. Perhaps it's because of that calamity that he’s resisting his old life and thinking of renouncing the world.

The thought made the Daoist master feel that Wang Sheng could be worth accepting.

Wang Sheng gritted his teeth. Softly, he replied, "Daoist Master, I’m ignorant and don’t know how to express myself properly. Still, I wish to follow you, shave my head, enter the Dao, observe the Daoist precepts, and live as a reclusive Daoist on the mountain."

"

Oh?

" The Daoist master raised an eyebrow. "Do you know what you’re saying?"

Wang Sheng nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, I do."

The Daoist master pondered briefly. He then sat back in his chair and asked in a measured tone, "Where are your parents?"

"They came with me; they’re just behind us. You’ll see them shortly."

Wang Sheng glanced back and saw his parents already making their way down.

After a moment’s thought, he added, "My parents are still healthy, so I won’t be too worried while training on the mountain. When they’re older, I’ll fulfill my filial duties and care for them."

"I see. Having your parents come with you does show some sincerity. I thought you were just another kid who watched too many movies and ran away from home to the Wudang Mountains because he believed in the Three Pure Ones[1], Ancestor Lü[2], and the True Martial Great Emperor[3].

"Anyway, taking you as a disciple isn’t entirely out of the question. My Daoist skills aren’t exceptional, but it won't be difficult for me to take on a disciple. I have three questions for you. If you can answer them, you can have your parents come over and talk with me."

Wang Sheng almost broke into a grin. "Yes!"

Nowadays, most young people only come to the Daoist mountains to learn martial arts. Few teenagers choose to renounce the world.

Wang Sheng took a deep breath, his eyes shining as he stared at the Daoist master.

The Daoist master smirked. "Don’t look at me like that. I’m a certified, legitimate Daoist."

Wang Sheng chuckled but quickly restrained himself and bowed his head. "Please, ask away."

"First question. You say you want to cultivate the Dao. In your opinion, what is the Dao?"

Wang Sheng earnestly replied with the answers that he had prepared beforehand, word for word.

"I... don’t know what the Dao is, which is why I want to follow you as your disciple. I want to understand what the Dao truly is. The way I see it now, the Dao is nature, order, and the law that governs all. Cultivating the Dao involves refining the heart, the body, the practice, and nature itself.

"Dwelling within the Dao can bring peace and contentment. As the old saying goes, 'If I hear the Dao in the morning, I can die in the evening without regret.' If I can follow you to understand and realize the Dao, to roam freely within it, then this life will not have been in vain, and this journey will not have been wasted."

Having said what he needed to say in one breath, Wang Sheng now waited anxiously. He wasn’t sure if he had said too much or too little.

Not in vain, not wasted?

The Daoist master muttered to himself, rubbed his brow, and laughed. "

Hahaha!

Why don’t you be my master instead? Where did you get all these lofty principles from? And you say you haven’t read too many novels!"

Wang Sheng could only scratch his head, smiling sheepishly.

"On to the second question!" the Daoist master suddenly barked, his previously lazy demeanor gone and his gaze on Wang Sheng now as sharp as lightning.

Wang Sheng's instincts told him to avoid the Daoist master's eyes, but after a momentary hesitation in his heart, he calmly held his ground.

He was here to learn the Dao. Although his motives weren’t entirely pure, there was no malice in his heart. He was open, honest, and had nothing to fear from such scrutiny.

"Please go ahead."

"What are the Five Arts of the Daoist tradition?"

"Mountain, Medicine, Fate, Physiognomy, and Divination," Wang Sheng answered confidently. "'Mountain’ refers to Daoist arts and immortality techniques. It now often refers to Daoist martial arts. 'Medicine’ refers to Daoist healing arts. As the saying goes, 'Nine out of ten Daoists are also doctors.’"

He continued eloquently, reciting several hundred words without pausing to think.

"Well, looks like you did your homework," the Daoist master replied with a genuine smile.

Wang Sheng quietly sighed in relief.

Daoist Master Bu Yan[4] was terrifying when he got serious. Wang Sheng was honestly afraid that the man would get annoyed and smack him dead with a single palm strike...

After all, the master before him would soon soak in primal qi for over a decade, becoming a titan of the Immortal Dao—someone who could cut open a path through the clouds with one palm. On both official and unofficial rankings of top experts, he was always among the top ten, even top five!

"

Tsk, tsk.

I’m really starting to like you." The Daoist master chuckled, stroking his chin. "Alright, third question."

What will he ask?

Questions about Daoism? The history of the Daoist sects? Maybe something on The Techniques of Huang-Lao

[5]

, the words of Laozi and Zhuangzi, Dao De Jing

[6]

, or Laozi Xiang’er Commentary

[7]

?

As Wang Sheng prepared answers, but the Daoist master cleared his throat, smiled, and calmly posed a question that nearly made Wang Sheng explode.

"You want to be my disciple. If I were your master and both your father and I were drowning, who would you save first?"

Wang Sheng’s mouth twitched uncontrollably as the Daoist master looked at him with a smirk, as if saying, "Let’s see you squirm your way out of this one."

The question seemed absurd, but it was actually highly tricky. After all, there was no right answer.

If he saved his master first, it would be seen as unfilial. As a saying in the Daoist path went, "Those who are unfilial cannot achieve greatness."

But saving his parents first would imply he valued them over his master, contradicting the saying, "A master is as revered as one’s parents."

It would clearly show that his actions didn’t match his words.

Cold sweat started to bead on Wang Sheng’s forehead.

If he followed his heart, he would definitely save his parents.

The Daoist master urged again, "Who would you save first?"

"I would save... my dad."

As soon as the words left his mouth, the Daoist master’s smile vanished, and he stared intently at Wang Sheng.

Wang Sheng felt flustered, scrambling to find a reasonable explanation.

Before Wang Sheng could say anything, the Daoist master suddenly stood up. He walked around the old bookstall, passed Wang Sheng, and took two steps forward.

Puzzled, Wang Sheng turned his head only to see that his parents had already reached them.

"Greetings, patrons." The Daoist master walked up to Wang Sheng’s parents, gave them a formal bow, and clearly and resonantly said, "I am Qing Yanzi, a practicing Daoist priest of the Wudang Mountains, and this is my Daoist priest certification. Please take a look. It bears the official seal of the Daoist Association. My records can be found in the mountains' archives, too."

Qing Yanzi—he really was the legendary Daoist master.

Though stunned at first, Wang Sheng soon grinned, realizing that he had passed the interview.

"This young man wishes to become my disciple and cultivate the Dao," Qing Yanzi added. "

Ahem.

I find him quite suited to the path and am considering taking him on as a student. However, becoming a Daoist requires parental consent. What are your thoughts on this?"

"Become a Daoist? No way!" His mom exclaimed.

At that moment, Wang Sheng realized that becoming a disciple today was out of the question. There was no other option—he’d have to figure out a way to convince his parents and bring them back to meet Qing Yanzi.

How could he convince them? If it came down to it, he was ready to throw his pride away and go for the classic tactics—cry, throw a tantrum, and threaten to go on a hunger strike!

He’d finally found a towering figure like Qing Yanzi; he had to cling to him no matter what!

Seeing Wang Sheng’s downcast expression, his father tugged on his wife’s arm and called Qing Yanzi aside. "Daoist Master, let’s talk in private."

Wang Sheng wanted to follow, but his father stopped him with a hand gesture. He had no choice but to stand by the suitcases and wait.

Ah, the ancients never lie. One should really pacify their family before dealing with outsiders.

A few minutes later, Qing Yanzi returned with a pleased expression. Wang Sheng’s parents followed with relieved smiles as if all had been settled.

Wang Sheng pretty much knew what the verdict would be.

"Wang Sheng?" Qing Yanzi called.

Seeing the master looking at him with a smile, Wang Sheng quickly responded, "Yes, Master?"

"Since your parents agreed to you cultivating, you can stay on the mountain for now. Spend the night with your parents at a hotel down the mountain, then come back here and wait for me tomorrow morning."

Qing Yanzi then floated away. He didn't even bother to pack up his shabby bookstall.

What the heck?

Wang Sheng stared at his dad and then his mom. They smiled warmly and gently at him.

His dad waved his hand. "Let’s go, Son. We have to find a hotel for the night!"

"Dad, Mom. What’s going on?" Wang Sheng scratched his head and pinched his thigh to make sure he wasn't dreaming. He winced in pain.

"Let’s go." His mom linked arms with him. "It’s just training on the mountain. Your dad and I approve!"

Somehow, every radical and character in that sentence screamed disbelief.

Conspiracy... There’s definitely a conspiracy going on here!

1. The three highest gods in the Daoist pantheon, regarded as pure embodiments of the Dao. ☜

2. Lü Dongbin is a legendary scholar and poet of the Tang Dynasty. Deified as a Daoist immortal, he is the most well-known of the group known as the Eight Immortals. ☜

3. One of the high-ranking deities in Daoism and Chinese folk religion. ☜

4. 不言(Bu Yan) means "no speaking." It can also mean "Reticent Daoist Master." ☜

5. Huang-Lao Zhi Shu(The Techniques of Huang-Lao) refers to the political and philosophical thought combining the teachings of the Yellow Emperor(Huangdi) and Laozi. It emphasizes governance through natural order, non-interference, and using Daoist principles to achieve harmony and stability in rulership. This approach blends Daoism with Legalist techniques and advocates wise leadership, minimal laws, and strategic use of authority. It was influential during the early Han Dynasty, shaping the administration and guiding rulers in balancing power with ethical conduct. ☜

6. Dao De Jing is a foundational 81-chapter Daoist text attributed to Laozi. It explores the nature of the Dao(the Way), emphasizing living in harmony with it through simplicity, humility, and non-action. The text delves into philosophy, ethics, and governance, advocating balance and natural order. Its poetic verses guide individuals toward inner peace and a deeper understanding of the universe. ☜

7. Laozi Xiang’er Commentary is an early Daoist interpretation of the Dao De Jing associated with the Way of the Celestial Masters sect. It offers a practical and mystical commentary on Laozi’s teachings, emphasizing moral conduct, cosmic order, and personal cultivation. The text serves as a guide to understanding the Dao and advocates for a life aligned with natural laws and ethical principles. It reflects early Daoist religious practices and beliefs, blending philosophical insights with ritualistic elements. ☜