Chapter Six: The Debts of the Past, Repaid by Those Who Follow

A simple stone table stood there, bearing a basket of fresh fruit and a pot of wine. Master Liaochen and the old Taoist sat opposite each other at the table. The old Taoist seemed calm and unruffled, while Liaochen felt a touch of nervousness; he could not discern the cultivation of the man before him.

“May I ask, venerable elder, your name and where this place is?” Liaochen greeted, hands clasped respectfully.

The old Taoist smiled, poured wine into two jade cups, placed one before Liaochen, and took a sip from his own before replying, “I am a man outside the world, nameless and without family. I studied the Way in childhood, and my master gave me the Dharma name ‘Xuanxuzi.’ As for this place, it is where I cultivate in quietude, not amidst the mortal realm. Tell me, have you ever heard of the ‘Cave Heavens’?”

Liaochen was startled. Was this truly a blessed Cave Heaven? Xuanxuzi chuckled and continued, “This place cannot truly be called a Cave Heaven or blessed ground. Though it appears pleasant, it pales in comparison to the genuine Cave Heavens. It is merely an unfinished treasure of our sect, a mustard seed reliquary. Alas, with the Way hidden and spiritual energy dissipating between heaven and earth, the treasure can no longer be completed.” At this, Xuanxuzi sighed deeply.

Liaochen marveled inwardly at the grandeur of Xuanxuzi’s sect—such a space, vibrant with spiritual energy, was but an incomplete creation. He asked, “May I ask what connection you have with that drought demon? You must know that beyond this blessed ground, the land stretches red and barren for a thousand miles, a veritable hell on earth.”

“Under Heaven’s Way, cause and effect entwine. You must already know the origin of this affair. The drought demon is not my creation, nor is this calamity its fault. The world brings misery upon itself,” Xuanxuzi sighed again. “The year after Huang Chao’s defeat, I wandered here and found the place steeped in resentment. Huang Xing, who had performed great deeds to save lives, died wronged and unjustly. Before his death, he swore an oath. Heaven took notice, so his lingering resentment after death transformed into the form of a drought demon. Heaven’s Way is impartial; cause and effect unresolved. I could not bear to see the land laid waste, so I brought him to this valley, set up the Four Symbols and Four Killing formations to suppress the drought demon’s aura. Over seven hundred years, peace endured. The demon gradually awakened intelligence; seeing his goodness in life, I taught him some alternative cultivation methods, hoping he could transcend his fate and no longer be bound by the drought demon’s aura. Yet, when disaster is decreed by Heaven’s Way, escape is impossible. At some unknown point, rumors began to spread. It was said that not a blade of grass grew in this valley because Huang Chao had buried vast treasures here, and the earth’s energy was usurped by gold, leaving the land barren. Thus, ne’er-do-wells and gullible villagers, lured by wealth, came searching for treasure. This valley is the site of my formation; finding nothing, some discovered the Four Symbols Dead Zone. In their greed, they broke the weeping stream of the Vermilion Bird, shattering the formation. Heaven’s misfortune may be forgiven; self-inflicted disaster cannot. The drought demon’s aura was no longer suppressed. Heaven responded, and the scorched earth for a thousand miles is but repayment of old debts.”

Liaochen remained silent. Those blinded by greed died in vain, yet the innocent suffered alongside them. He could only sigh, “Is there any way to resolve this disaster?”

“Heaven’s Way cannot be defied. Are you a cultivator who does not understand this?” the old Taoist asked.

“The Great Way is fifty; Heaven evolves forty-nine. There is always a sliver of hope. Do you know where this hope lies?” Liaochen pressed, unwilling to give up.

“Ah, you should not have asked that,” the old Taoist sighed.

Hearing this, Liaochen suddenly realized his predicament. He inwardly lamented; he had already stepped into a trap, whether laid by Heaven’s Way or Xuanxuzi, and could not escape. Otherwise, he feared his pursuit of the Great Way would end here.

“You have innate wisdom and great fortune, but lack supreme merit. You have entered this scheme of Heaven’s Way—perhaps it is destiny. Great merit brings great consequence. Since you are caught in the web of cause and effect, you cannot extricate yourself. Will you resolve this immense karma?”

“I beg your guidance, Elder,” Liaochen said, seeing Xuanxuzi suddenly fall silent, understanding he would have to pay a price.

“I have an item that can confer the title of Mountain God. If the drought demon attains divinity, the disaster will resolve itself. Yet there is a divine title without a divine name—it requires recognition from the imperial dragon vein. Once the imperial edict arrives, you may confer the title, have the people offer incense and fulfill vows, repay the karma of seven hundred years, and relieve the drought,” Xuanxuzi explained.

“What may I offer in exchange for this item?” Liaochen asked.

“Ordinary mountain gods, once their spirits are established, rely on incense for cultivation, needing nothing more. If they gain human recognition, they attain divinity. But the drought demon is outside the Three Realms, not within the Five Elements. Ordinary methods cannot grant divinity,” the old Taoist said, producing a silver talisman. “This is our sect’s divine conferment treasure, said to be personally inscribed by Jiang Taigong and offered beneath the Divine Conferment Tower for a hundred years. Only this one remains in the world,” Xuanxuzi said, reluctantly.

“How may I repay this karma?” Liaochen asked, hesitant to accept it outright.

Xuanxuzi, seeing Liaochen inquire about karma rather than seize the item, looked at him with approval. “I have a task that needs assistance, but your cultivation is shallow; it is useless to speak of it now. This talisman is yours, and I too gain a share of the merit. Once you form your Golden Core, return here to seek me. I will wait ten years for you—how does that sound?”

Liaochen could only smile bitterly. “Elder, you know the world is in the twilight of the Dharma. Forming a Golden Core is extremely difficult. Ten years, even fifty—if I achieve it then, I would be satisfied.”

Xuanxuzi glanced at him and scolded, “Why such lack of ambition? The Golden Core is forged through body and mind. After you resolve this drought, you can seal your power, endure hardship, and naturally perfect your Dao heart. I will also gift you some spirit stones to aid you in forming your core.” He produced a cloth bag, clearly a universe pouch imbued with mustard seed magic.

Liaochen carefully accepted it. Seeing this, Xuanxuzi said, “Ten years from now is my chance, and yours as well. Cultivate diligently. If you do not arrive within ten years, you may miss your path to the Great Way altogether. Were it not for your ancestor’s lifesaving grace to me long ago, I would not bother with you.” Liaochen was about to ask further when Xuanxuzi waved his sleeve. Instantly, the world spun; when Liaochen regained his bearings, he found himself outside the valley.

He touched the universe pouch, activated his power, and opened it, only to smile wryly—it contained not only spirit stones, but even all his own belongings.

Liaochen carefully packed away the universe pouch and divine conferment talisman, mounted his flying sword, and hurried toward Shanyang.