Raindrops pattered on the ground, splashing onto Qingyun's head, body, and face. Clutching his unconscious master's form, he could no longer distinguish whether the moisture on his cheeks was rain or tears.
A gaunt hand entered Qingyun's downcast gaze, its clear palm lines cradling a black pill. Looking up, he saw a kindly-faced monk. The rain seemed to part around the monk, shielding Qingyun and his master from the storm.
Silent, the monk smiled, holding out the pill. Seeing Chixiao's ashen face, Qingyun steeled himself and reached for it.
As his hand extended, the *fuchen* on his back sprang to life, its tail sweeping across the monk's hand, forcing him back. A crimson glow burst from the *fuchen*, enveloping Chixiao and Qingyun.
The monk gave a wry smile, stepped back, and faded away. Qingyun thought he heard an "Amitabha" mingling with the rain.
Bathed in red light, a mirror rose from Chixiao's chest, adorned with intricate *Bagua* patterns—symbols of Taoist cosmology[10]. Large characters gleamed at its center, but before Qingyun could read them, the mirror drifted forward and began to spin. It whirled faster, growing larger, until a shimmering, man-sized portal glowed before them.
Red and green lights intertwined, illuminating the forest's edge like daylight.
"Go… in," Chixiao rasped, barely conscious.
"Master," Qingyun whispered, but Chixiao had slipped back into darkness.
After a moment's hesitation, Qingyun hoisted Chixiao and approached the spinning portal. Gritting his teeth, he closed his eyes and plunged through with his master.
Inside, a wave of dizziness hit Qingyun. His chest and stomach churned, nausea overwhelming him. Unable to hold back, he vomited onto Chixiao. Yet he clung tightly, refusing to let go.
At last, the spinning and sickness faded. Exhausted, Qingyun collapsed beside Chixiao, unconscious.
---
As Qingyun carried his master through the spinning portal, a fiery meteor trailed a long tail, plummeting from the sky toward their spot. The *fuchen* soared above the mirror, whirling rapidly to shield it, buying time for the portal to whisk the pair away.
The meteor struck an invisible barrier, clashing with the spinning *fuchen*. Two shades of red light battled fiercely, sparking a blinding flash before exploding with a roar.
A gaunt figure emerged, sighing a Buddhist chant. With a sweep of his monk's sleeve, the explosion's light, sound, and debris vanished into it, as if nothing had occurred. Only the tiger's corpse remained nearby.
The old monk gazed at it briefly, shook his head, and vanished.
"This humble monk is no match for Brother Chixiao," he murmured.
---
That night, in a mountain village, a lovely, elfin girl slept on a bamboo bed. A rough cotton quilt covered her, yet it couldn't conceal her blossoming beauty.
A half-lotus vermilion mark adorned her forehead, lending solemnity and sanctity to her youthful face.
"Chan'er, wake up," a figure glowing with white light appeared bedside. Her mature, radiant face was gentle as she called the girl's name.
Lu Chan opened sleepy eyes, seeing the luminous figure without alarm.
"Master, why are you here? Are you taking me away now?"
The woman smiled, tapping Lu Chan's forehead fondly. "Not yet, Chan'er."
"Then, is there something you need me to do?" Lu Chan, ever sharp, began to speculate.
"Have you memorized the *Taoist scriptures* I gave you?" the woman asked.
"Yes, but I don't grasp their meanings," Lu Chan admitted, slightly frustrated. Her master always insisted on memorization without explanation.
"Good. Here are three more to commit to memory," the woman said, her jade-like hand conjuring three deep blue books from thin air.
Unfazed by her master's magic, Lu Chan took the books respectfully, flipping through one. "Master, you said you'd take me up the mountain someday. When will that be?"
The woman gazed at her tenderly. "Soon, soon."
Lu Chan pouted, tired of hearing "soon" with no progress.
Noticing her discontent, the woman smiled. "This time, it's truly soon, Chan'er."
Lu Chan looked up, catching a hint of gravity beneath her master's gentle smile.
"You must decide carefully, Lu Chan," the master said, using her full name. Lu Chan shed her playful demeanor, meeting her gaze earnestly.
The woman caressed Lu Chan's youthful face with affection. "I've told you, you are the reincarnation of half a lotus core. A calamity awaits in your life. If mishandled, it could lead to endless ruin. I ask one last time: if you regret this path, I can still…"
"Master, you said the white lotus is you, and I am like a part of you reborn. If I avoid this calamity, you'll face it. After years of your guidance, how could I flee?" Lu Chan answered firmly, unwavering.
"But you're still the child I've watched grow," the woman said, her voice heavy with emotion, sighing softly.
"Then I'm practically your daughter," Lu Chan teased, easing the tension.
Seeing her dodge the topic, the woman didn't press. Pretending to scold, she said, "I never bore you—how could I have such a spoiled girl?"
They shared a warm laugh.
---
Qingyun awoke on a clean, comfortable bed. A Taoist acolyte informed him they had returned to the *Five Elements Sect*[11], Chixiao's home. Expecting a small temple, Qingyun was stunned to learn it was a vast sect spanning an entire mountain.
The acolyte explained that once Chixiao recovered, they would hold the disciple acceptance ceremony. Until then, Qingyun must remain in the courtyard, cultivating to stay in peak condition—no leaving allowed.
Each morning, the acolyte delivered a lavish meal. Unlike villagers' two daily meals, Taoists ate once. Qingyun always asked about Chixiao's health, but the acolyte, uninformed, could only shrug, admitting he lacked permission to visit.
Days passed. After half a month, news of the ceremony arrived. Emerging from meditation, Qingyun found Chixiao sitting cross-legged before him, smiling.
"Not bad—your mind's grown calmer," Chixiao praised generously.
"Master!" Qingyun's excitement surged, recalling Chixiao's sacrifice. His eyes welled up.
"That won't do. You'd still fall for a trick and leave the *Eight Gates Formation*," Chixiao teased lightly.
Qingyun knew he meant the Tiger Immortal ordeal.
"Master, your injuries…"
"Nearly healed. Just a scratch—I overdid the running and got winded. I stayed away to test your resolve," Chixiao dismissed, brushing it off.
Stroking his beard, he added, "Impressive. I expected five days before you'd crack, but you lasted half a month."
Having faced Immortals, Qingyun revered his master deeply. The praise sparked joy, pushing aside worries about Chixiao's wounds as he beamed.
"The ceremony's in two days. All free disciples of my lineage will attend. Prepare well."
After speaking, Chixiao left the courtyard, pointing to a willow tree. "I planted this myself years ago. Now… quite the coincidence."
He trailed off, shaking his head. Curious, Qingyun nearly asked, but Chixiao strolled to the courtyard wall, hands clasped behind, exuding a master's aura.
"Before the ceremony, masters can't privately visit disciples, nor can disciples leave. My master once vaulted this wall to skip formalities, bringing North Sea delicacies to share." Turning, Chixiao flashed a mischievous grin Qingyun had never seen.
Chixiao tossed a gourd from his waist to Qingyun. Caught off guard, Qingyun grabbed it, hearing Chixiao's voice beyond the wall: "No North Sea treats today, but there's polar ice brew. I'm keeping the tradition."
His carefree laughter echoed. Holding the gourd, Qingyun smiled.
He shouted over the wall, "Master! Did your master sneak over when his disciple wasn't looking?"
Coughing drifted from afar, as if Chixiao's wounds lingered.
**Footnotes**:
[1] **Feng shui**: A Taoist practice of aligning human activities with environmental energies to promote harmony and fortune.
[2] **Dao**: The fundamental principle of Taoism, often translated as "the Way," representing the natural order of the universe and the path to spiritual enlightenment.
[3] **Kasaya**: The traditional robe worn by Buddhist monks, often saffron or red, symbolizing simplicity and detachment.
[4] **Yinhun**: The spiritual essence or soul in Taoist belief, often targeted by supernatural beings for its potent energy.
[5] **Fuzhi**: Paper talismans inscribed with Taoist incantations, used to channel spiritual energy or ward off evil.
[6] **Eight Gates Formation**: A Taoist protective array based on the Eight Trigrams, used to shield against supernatural threats.
[7] **Chang gui**: Ghostly minions controlled by powerful beings like Tiger Immortals to lure living souls.
[8] **Jianzhi**: A Taoist hand gesture, with index and middle fingers extended, used to focus spiritual energy in rituals or combat.
[9] **Qi arrow**: An arrow formed from *qi* (spiritual energy), a powerful Taoist technique.
[10] **Bagua**: The eight trigrams used in Taoist cosmology to represent the fundamental principles of reality.
[11] **Five Elements Sect**: A Taoist sect dedicated to cultivation and mastering the five elemental forces (wood, fire, earth, metal, water).
原始中文文本
雨水啪答,啪答地落在地面,將青雲頭上,身上,臉上也掛上幾滴.抱著師父昏迷的身軀,他已經分不清楚臉上的是雨水還是淚水.
此時,一隻枯瘦的手掌遞到青雲低垂的視野裡.那隻掌紋清晰的手掌上,盛著一粒黑色丹丸.抬起頭,青雲看見了一名眉目慈祥的僧侶.雨水自動避開了這名和尚,也讓青雲與師父免去了一番風吹雨打.
對方並未說話,只是保持著微笑,手靜靜地舉著.青雲看見赤霄臉色蒼白,終於一咬牙,伸出手想接過對方手上的丹藥.
在青雲伸出手時,他背後的拂塵突然自行飛出.塵尾掃過僧侶的手,將其逼退.一團赤紅光芒由拂塵上透射而出.青雲正不明所以,這團光芒已經緩緩地包覆住了赤霄與青雲.
僧侶嘴角露出一絲苦笑,後退一步,身形緩緩消散.青雲彷彿聽到對方那聲混雜在雨聲裡的「阿彌陀佛」.
卻見赤光照耀下,赤霄懷中浮出一面鏡子.鏡上有玄奧的八卦紋路,中間還寫著幾個大字,但青雲來不及看清,鏡子就自行飛到前方不遠處,開始原地旋轉.鏡子越轉越快,越轉越大,最後在師徒兩人面前,出現了約莫一人高,並螢光閃爍的旋轉鏡影.
赤光與綠光交互,將樹林外照得如同白日.
「進⋯⋯去.」赤霄勉強醒了過來,艱難地吐出了這兩個字.
「師父.」青雲輕聲喚了喚,發覺赤霄又昏了過去.
他猶豫片刻後,連忙抱起赤霄,走向那面正兀自旋轉不休的鏡子.他一咬牙,抱著師父,閉著眼就衝了進去.
衝進鏡子裡的青雲,感到一陣頭暈目眩,胸腹部鼓脹,強烈反胃的感覺讓他完全忍不住.「哇」的一聲,肚子裡的東西全撒在師父身上.但即使如此,他還是緊緊抱著赤霄的身體,不敢有絲毫放鬆.
終於,強烈的旋轉與眩暈感散去,青雲也支撐不住,跟著赤霄一起暈了過去.
＊＊＊＊＊＊
就在青雲抱著師父衝進旋轉光鏡後,天外一顆火流星,拖著長長尾巴,遙向此處墜落.拂塵也在此刻,飛到鏡子上方,開始快速旋轉,試圖要保護鏡子,爭取時間讓鏡子將師徒二人送走.
火流星飛速而至,但就像在空中撞到了一面透明的罩子,與旋轉的拂塵僵持不下.兩道深淺不一的赤紅光芒在空中劇烈角力,引發強烈炫光,最後轟然炸裂開來.
枯瘦身影再次浮現,嘆了一句佛號,伴隨僧袍衣袖揮動,所有爆炸產生的光芒,聲音與碎片,像是被他收進衣袖裡,消失得無影無蹤,彷彿此處從未發生過墜星與拂塵的交擊.只在不遠處,虎屍依舊靜躺在地.
老僧侶注視虎屍片刻,最後搖了搖頭,身形再次消逝.
「貧僧終究還是不如赤霄道兄啊!」
＊＊＊＊＊＊
是夜,山村小鎮中.
精靈可愛的少女躺在竹床上安睡,粗糙棉被蓋在她身上,卻沒有掩蓋住那份逐漸顯露的絕代芳華.
少女額間有半邊蓮花形狀的硃砂印記,在略顯稚氣的小臉上平添了幾分莊嚴和聖潔.
「嬋兒,醒醒.」一具泛著白光的身形浮現在床邊,成熟清麗的臉蛋上帶著溫和,她輕聲呼喚少女的名字.
女孩睡眼惺忪,睜開眼看見白光人形,卻沒有太過驚慌.
「師父,您怎麼來了.是要帶小嬋走了嗎?」
女子微微一笑,伸出手指輕點她額頭,親暱地說道:「時機未到呢,嬋兒.」
「那是有什麼事情要交代小嬋嗎?」路嬋自小就聰慧過人,腦袋瓜子一轉,就開始猜測起來.
「上次給妳的幾本道經,都背下來了嗎?」女子又問.
「都背下來了,就是不懂上面的意思.」路嬋有些苦惱,這位師父總是讓她背經,卻從不解釋經意.
「那好,這次再給妳三本,須得好好記下.」女子伸出如玉柔荑,上面憑空出現了三本深藍封面的書冊.
對於師父能憑空變物的本事,路嬋已經見怪不怪.她恭敬地伸出手,接過三本道經,並隨手拿起一本翻閱了起來.一邊翻閱著道經,路嬋問道:「師父,您說來日會接我上山,那又是何時呢?」
女子溫柔地看著路嬋,輕聲道:「快了,快了.」
路嬋有些不滿地嘟起嘴,總是說快了快了,快到現在都還沒呢.
女子發現了路嬋的不滿,語氣間帶著笑意,說道:「這次真的快了,嬋兒.」
少女抬頭,發現師父雖然依舊面帶溫和笑意,卻多了幾分慎重.
「妳可要考慮清楚了,路嬋.」師父鄭重地叫了少女全名,這讓少女收起臉上的撒嬌神態,認真地注視著女子.
女子愛憐地撫過路嬋那略顯稚嫩的臉龐,輕聲問:「為師說過,妳是一半蓮芯轉世.人生必有一劫,如若不慎,便會萬劫不復.師父現在最後一次問妳,如果妳後悔,師父還是可以⋯⋯」
「師父,您也說了.那白蓮就是您,我如同您身上的一物轉世.若嬋兒不入劫,便是您要入劫,多年來嬋兒一直受到師父的教誨,豈能臨陣脫逃?」少女鏗鏘有力地回答,話語間沒有絲毫怯弱.
「可妳終究,是師父看著長大的孩子啊.」女子神色複雜,輕嘆了一口氣.
「這麼說來,我也算是師父親生的了.」路嬋卻笑嘻嘻地回答,沖淡了不少凝重氣氛.
見她刻意避開話題,女子也不再多說,佯怒道:「師父可未曾懷胎,怎麼會生下妳這個愛撒嬌的小女娃?」
兩人相視一笑.
＊＊＊＊＊＊
清醒後的青雲,發現自己躺在乾淨又舒適的軟榻上.由道童口中得知,他們已經回到了師父口中的「五行觀」.本來聽名字,青雲以為只是個小道觀,沒想到是佔了整片山的大門派.
道童也禮貌地告知他,等赤霄傷勢恢復後,就會進行收徒儀式.在此之前,他都必須待在院落中清修,保持最好的狀態.言下之意,就是不准出門.
每日上午,道童都會送來一頓豐盛的餐點.與農村人一日二餐不同,道士一日只吃一餐.每當道童前來送餐時,青雲都會詢問師父的傷勢,但道童也不清楚,只能雙手一攤,老實地向青雲坦白自己並沒有探視資格.
日復一日,就在半個月後,青雲終於等來了收徒儀式的消息.當他從打坐中回過神時,赤霄已經面帶笑意,盤膝坐在他面前.
「不錯,心靜了不少.」赤霄毫不吝惜地給予讚許.
「師父!」青雲卻是按捺不住心裡的激動,想起當日赤霄捨身護他,眼眶不由得有些濕潤.
「這可就不行,再一次,一樣會被騙出八門陣.」老道士輕笑著調侃道.
青雲知道,赤霄指的是虎仙那件事.
「師父,您的傷勢⋯⋯」
「早就好得差不多了,不過是區區小傷,只是跑得太快,岔了氣.這幾日沒來,主要是想看看你的定性.」赤霄揮揮手,不願多談.
道士撫鬚,又稱讚道:「不錯,本以為你待個五日就會忍不住,沒想到能夠忍足半個月.」
經過尋仙的青雲,已經對這位道人打從心裡有了認可.如今,再被對方一稱讚,青雲也忍不住心底高興,迅速把赤霄受傷的事情甩到一旁,眉開眼笑了起來.
「收徒儀式,訂在後日,屆時老道師父這一系的徒孫,凡無事在身者,皆會前來觀禮,你須得好好準備.」
交代完畢後,赤霄起身出了院子,指著院裡的柳樹笑說:「這株柳樹是當年貧道親手種下,如今⋯⋯也是巧了.」
說了一半,老道士卻突然隱去一段話語,只是搖了搖頭.這讓青雲有些好奇,正想張嘴詢問時,卻見道士又走到院牆旁,負手抬頭,望向院落外,儼然一派世外高人的宗師氣度.
「收徒儀式前,師父不可私自入門見弟子,徒兒亦不可擅自出門.而貧道的師父,當年便是從這面牆,一躍而入,省去入門的繁瑣.特地帶來北海珍饈,和貧道一同享用.」說著,赤霄轉頭看向青雲,臉上露出少年從未見過的促狹笑容.
老道士伸手摘下腰間的葫蘆,拋向青雲.呆愣的青雲連忙伸手接過,卻聽見老道士的聲音從牆外傳來:「今日沒有北海珍饈,卻有極地冰釀.為師也算是秉承師道了.」
說著,瀟灑的大笑聲傳進院落,握著葫蘆的青雲臉上也浮現一抹笑容.
他忍不住朝院牆外大喊:「師父!當年師祖也是趁徒弟低頭的時候翻出牆去的嗎?」
「咳咳咳⋯⋯」遠處傳來道人的咳嗽聲,似乎是傷勢未癒.