As Wu Mo led the members of the Justice Alliance away from the arena, the Western Sacred Sect also descended from Mount Huang Palace. Neither the True Divine Palace nor the Wutian Chan Sect attempted to stop them; both sides wisely chose to take a step back. Thereafter, Tuoba Xingge, Master of the True Divine Palace, and Chan Master Wutian, leader of the Wutian Chan Sect, walked into the center of the grounds and respectfully saluted the Beggar Clan Chief and Li Jian. The two lavishly praised the Beggar Clan Chief for his righteousness and commended the newly appointed Hall Master of the Hall of Loyalty and Justice for being young, capable, and worthy of great responsibility. Li Jian and his companions had little choice but to exchange polite courtesies and respond with the customary pleasantries.
When the martial tournament at Mount Huang Palace came to an end that day, the heroes from every faction gradually departed. Tang Fei, second-in-command of the Phoenix Gang; Ye Wen, deputy leader of the Xuzhou Gang; the Four Great Elders; and the three members of the Judge Clan had long since arranged to drink together and had already left. Meanwhile, Li Jian, Tan Wei, and the Beggar Clan Chief arrived at the ticket booth of Mount Huang Palace. The Daoist in charge had already cleared everything away. Upon seeing the three approach, the two eccentric masters of Jianghu stepped forward to greet them.
The Beggar Clan Chief burst into hearty laughter and said, "Daoist Baimei, Master Zhenkong, now that everything has been settled, why don't we enjoy a few drinks together?"
Daoist Baimei glanced at Master Zhenkong before replying, "The day is still young—far too early for drinking. Why don't we pay a visit to our old friend, Perfected Danyang?"
Master Zhenkong straightened his expression and said solemnly, "Exactly. This Wine Beggar thinks of nothing but alcohol!"
The Beggar Clan Chief nodded cheerfully.
"Since there's still plenty of daylight, let's go together."
Daoist Baimei turned toward Li Jian and Tan Wei.
"The two young friends are welcome to join us."
Li Jian smiled.
"We would be honored to have you two seniors lead the way."
Mount Huang Palace was a sacred Daoist sanctuary where countless cultivators devoted themselves to the pursuit of the Dao. Thus the five travelers followed the eastern mountain path. Before long, they spotted a Daoist temple standing proudly atop a distant hill. Faintly visible before it wound a narrow mountain trail, a secluded footpath that seemed to lead toward an even more tranquil retreat hidden among the forests.
The golden afternoon sunlight streamed gently through the thick canopy, casting shimmering rays upon the earth below. Outside the mountain temple stood a simple pavilion. Within it sat a Daoist priest, perfectly upright and motionless in meditation. He neither stirred nor shifted, his breathing tranquil as though he had entered a profound state of concentration. A gentle mountain breeze drifted through the valley, making the entire scene peaceful beyond words.
As Li Jian's group approached at an unhurried pace, Daoist Baimei called out with a smile,
"Perfected Danyang truly possesses the bearing of an immortal!"
The elderly Daoist slowly opened his eyes and rose gracefully to his feet. Flicking his horsetail whisk lightly with one hand, he smiled.
"Daoist Baimei, this old Daoist has been meditating in contemplation, transforming a mortal body into the bones of an immortal."
Every Daoist cultivator cherished the dream of transcending the mortal world and ascending into immortality. Deep within their hearts lay the longing to withdraw from worldly affairs, seek solitude among the mountains, and devote themselves to the cultivation of the immortal arts. Yet to become one of the carefree immortals, one first had to comprehend the profound mysteries of the Dao.
The Beggar Clan Chief laughed loudly.
"Perfected Danyang, I wish to exchange my mortal bones for immortal ones as well. Would you be willing to teach me?"
Danyang smiled.
"The method is quite simple—sit quietly in meditation and contemplate."
This method of "exchanging mortal bones for immortal bones" was, in truth, the very foundation of Daoist cultivation, centered upon only two characters: purity and tranquility. As explained in the Commentary on the Scripture of Constant Purity and Tranquility Spoken by the Supreme Lord Lao:
"The Dao is effortless, pure, and tranquil; empty, still, and crystal clear."
Thus, purity and tranquility themselves constituted the true method of spiritual transformation.
Master Zhenkong then spoke solemnly,
"If one's mind cannot attain tranquility, one cannot realize non-action. Without non-action, one cannot reach true emptiness, but only stubborn emptiness."
Daoist Baimei laughed.
"You Buddhists are forever talking about emptiness—even your own Dharma name is 'Zhenkong,' True Emptiness."
Although both Daoism and Buddhism spoke of "emptiness," the Daoist understanding differed greatly from that of Buddhism. Yet Daoists rarely felt the need to elaborate. As the Tao Te Ching declares:
"The Great Dao is formless, yet it gives birth to Heaven and Earth.The Great Dao is without emotion, yet it moves the sun and moon.The Great Dao is nameless, yet it nourishes all things.I know not its true name, and so I simply call it the Dao."
Within these few passages lay an explanation for the workings of the entire universe. There was little need to impose further interpretations upon the myriad things of Heaven and Earth. After all, the space between Heaven and Earth itself appeared empty and without form.
The Beggar Clan Chief Fei Jin, ever broad-minded and carefree, laughed heartily.
"You monks and Daoists spend your lives pursuing emptiness. This old beggar simply cannot understand what is so desirable about it. I've wandered Jianghu for most of my life with nothing to my name. Am I not already empty?"
Everyone burst into laughter.
Tan Wei smiled and said,
"The Great Dao is formless. Elder Fei has devoted his entire life to pursuing the righteous path and defending justice throughout Jianghu."
Li Jian's expression grew earnest.
"I once heard our former Hall Master Wu Tong say that Chief Fei possesses boundless integrity and uprightness. He is open and honorable in all he does, supports the Great Tang, and embodies heroic spirit capable of shaking mountains and rivers. He is, without question, a true hero."
Their words were filled with sincere admiration and stirred everyone's emotions.
Fei Jin himself, however, became somewhat embarrassed.
"Did that boy Wu Tong truly say such things? Or are you two merely flattering this old beggar?"
Li Jian answered firmly,
"Every word I have spoken is true. There is not the slightest trace of falsehood."
Daoist Baimei laughed once more.
"Today we have come seeking immortals and visiting old friends. Since every one of us is but a mortal of flesh and bone, now that we have entered this immortal mountain, how can we possibly leave empty-handed?"
Perfected Danyang smiled.
"This poor Daoist had already calculated with his fingers that honored guests would arrive today. Why don't you all step into the pavilion while I prepare a pot of fine tea for these five refined gentlemen?"
At that moment Li Jian stepped forward respectfully. With sincere reverence he bowed and said,
"It is growing late. We, the five of us led by Li Jian, Hall Master of the Hall of Loyalty and Justice, have come unannounced and have disturbed your peaceful cultivation. Please forgive our sudden visit. I happen to have some money on hand, so allow me to offer a small donation of incense money."
He then produced a one-hundred-tael silver note and respectfully presented it to Perfected Danyang.
The Daoist was naturally delighted, yet it would have been improper for him to accept the donation personally.
"Qingshan," he called, "this young gentleman wishes to donate incense money. Please receive this one-hundred-tael silver note."
The young Daoist answered immediately, stepped forward, accepted the silver note, and bowed.
"Thank you very much, Young Master."
Perfected Danyang then instructed,
"Qingshan, Qingtian, prepare several guest rooms. Our five honored visitors shall spend the night here."
The two young Daoist attendants acknowledged the order and promptly withdrew to make the necessary arrangements.