At the main hall of the Five Elements Sect, on the day of the disciple acceptance ceremony.
The ceremony had not yet begun, and only three people stood in the hall. Besides Chixiao, ranked second and the sect leader, there was the eldest senior sister, Chi Yan, who had returned specially, and the third-ranked Judicial Elder, Chi Song. The fourth junior brother and youngest fifth junior sister couldn't make it back in time, so they missed the sect leader's disciple acceptance ceremony.
Chi Yan scrutinized Chixiao up and down. A striking woman with a wild, unrestrained air, she hardly resembled a Taoist nun, her attire defying traditional norms. Purple and red stripes adorned her cheeks, her jet-black hair tied back carelessly. She wore a fur robe of moon-white and light purple, its hem revealing glimpses of her shapely thighs. Shiny black boots encased her legs below the knees, paired with black leather fingerless gloves.
"Chixiao, how did you get so badly hurt just taking a disciple?" she asked coldly, a trace of anger in her expression.
"Senior Sister, the sect leader is now head of the Five Elements Sect; please address him properly," said Chi Song, stepping forward with a stern face.
"Hmph! Sect leader or not, is he no longer my junior brother? Or are you no longer mine, Judicial Elder?" Chi Yan turned, her gaze icy.
"I wouldn't dare; Chi Song will always be your junior brother," Chi Song replied, cupping his hands respectfully. "But rules are rules, a duty our master entrusted to me. Please don't make this hard, Senior Sister."
Chi Yan's eyes widened at the mention of their master, her temper flaring.
Chixiao hurriedly lowered his hand from his temples, stepping in to calm them. "Enough! It's my disciple acceptance ceremony today. Can't you save your quarrels for later?"
Since becoming Judicial Elder, Chi Song had often chided Chi Yan for her non-conforming attire and behavior. Though he kept to brotherly courtesy, offering advice without enforcing sect rules, the free-spirited Chi Yan wouldn't stand for it. Like a provoked hedgehog, she'd lash out until she'd thoroughly scolded him.
Chi Yan refocused on Chixiao, concern flickering in her eyes despite her angry tone. "What kind of disciple is worth the sect leader using *Time-Reversing Sand* to save, even suffering a Dao injury[12]?"
"Sect Leader, I'd like to know too," Chi Song added, dropping his dispute with Chi Yan to question Chixiao gravely.
"Sigh, what are you two doing…" Chixiao groaned, their united front giving him a headache.
"The sect leader's health affects the Five Elements Sect's survival. Please take care," Chi Song said. With the matter done, he said no more; Chixiao was still his senior brother and leader. True to his rule-bound nature, he gave his counsel and stepped back.
Chi Yan glared at him, leaving Chixiao to stroke his beard awkwardly. He both cherished and feared this senior sister. As children, she was always first to defend her junior brothers in trouble. Yet her bold nature meant any displeasure with her peers triggered loud, unsparing rebukes.
Finally, they relented, dropping Qingyun's issue. Chixiao adjusted his robe, sat in the main seat, and waved his sleeve. The hall's ornate double doors swung open, the sect's bell tolling in harmony.
Qingyun, waiting outside, entered slowly under the gaze of many disciples, guided by a Judicial Hall senior brother. His tense frame told Chixiao this rural boy, new to such grandeur, was likely overwhelmed, his mind a blur.
A mischievous smile crept onto Chixiao's lips, amused and tempted to tease his disciple later. To his right, Chi Yan's face showed curiosity. She hadn't expected Chixiao to choose a rural boy, making her wonder how he'd won over the discerning sect leader. To his left, Chi Song's faint disappointment suggested dissatisfaction with Qingyun's demeanor.
When Qingyun reached the hall's center, Chixiao spoke: "Qingyun, your two senior brothers planned to rush back overnight. Knowing their circumstances, I told them not to hurry. Any thoughts?"
Qingyun blinked, unaware he had two senior brothers, and hesitated. Realizing, he bowed quickly. "It's Master's call. I'd love to meet them soon, but there's no rush."
Chi Song nodded, impressed that a rural boy, after mere days with *Taoist scriptures*[13], could answer so aptly, softening his view of Qingyun.
Chixiao grinned. "If it's my call, then hear this: I've ordered them to prepare lavish meeting gifts. Get ready to grin ear to ear, haha!"
This unorthodox remark made Chi Song frown. Several giggling disciples straightened under his glare, wiping away their smiles.
Chi Yan, lounging boldly, smiled at Qingyun. "Forget your flaky master. Come greet your martial aunt—I've got a stellar gift for you…"
"Wait!"
"No!"
Chi Song and Chixiao cut in, panic on their faces, earning Chi Yan's displeased glance.
Chixiao stammered, "Senior Sister, I think this disciple's magical treasures and Daoist weapons should come from his master…"
"Exactly, the sect leader's right," Chi Song nodded eagerly, dropping his stern facade.
"Rubbish!" Chi Yan roared.
"Chixiao, you just scorn my big blades! What's wrong with them? Your eldest disciple's gift took me a month—mountains and seas—to forge that *Mystical Iron Heavy Blade*[14]!" She slammed the table, standing to berate Chixiao.
"You lot—you, you, you, and you! All with those *fuchen*, looking frail as reeds, worse than me, a woman! I'm ashamed for you!" Pointing at Chixiao, Chi Song, and several disciples, her fury unleashed personal jabs.
Save for a stunned Qingyun, the disciples were unfazed, shrinking back to dodge their martial aunt's wrath.
Qingyun was amazed: Chixiao, usually a lofty sage, was stuttering, and his martial uncle had darted to the wall, feigning interest in the hall's decor. His eyes sparkled with awe for this verbal warrior of a martial aunt.
---
The ceremony ended in chaos. As Qingyun paid respects to his master, martial aunt, and martial uncle, Chixiao and Chi Song's hands trembled on their teacups. Chi Yan seemed to forget the gift, smiling warmly at the new sect member but not mentioning it, piquing Qingyun's curiosity.
After the intricate rites, formally Chixiao's disciple, Qingyun returned to his courtyard and realized he'd misjudged his spirited martial aunt. She'd already sent a gift: a two-foot-long-handled blade in the hall, its gleaming surface flickering with a blue dragon's image, vivid and elusive.
A wooden plaque below read: One portion of Northern Sea Blue Dragon Immortal's essence, 720 catties of Extreme Cold Ice Mystical Iron, 30 taels of Nether Sea Moon Silver, 3 taels of Qianyuan Whale Gold, and various Immortal body materials. Crafted by Chi Yan.
Qingyun tried lifting the blade but couldn't even shift it.
Recalling Chi Yan's tall, graceful form and her "I always carry a big blade," Qingyun shivered, grasping why his master and uncle fawned over her.
"This is…" He noticed dense small seal script on the handle.
Using his recent studies, he tried deciphering it but failed, his knowledge lacking. Moving, he caught faint ancient characters on the blade's reflection: the elegant "Kunwu."
Puzzled, Qingyun took the plaque to store it, then saw writing on its back.
"Master the *Kunwu Technique*[15] to wield this weapon with ease. I've placed its first few levels in the library, first floor, third bookshelf from the right, third shelf up. Learn fast; I must return it to the seventh floor soon. Burn this plaque after reading."
Qingyun laughed, his fondness for his martial aunt growing.
Though Chixiao might disapprove of him brandishing a blade, Qingyun was eager for the Kunwu Technique to master divine weapons. Tomorrow, his master would take him to the library, where sect leader disciples must read widely. Surely, he'd find the Kunwu Technique.
He kept the plaque as a keepsake, the first gift besides his master's since joining the sect.
Leaving the immovable blade, Qingyun tidied his room, sat on the couch, opened a Taoist book on his knee, and held a thick dictionary, resuming his studies.
Someone in town had said, "A Taoist for a day rings the bell for a day." He wouldn't skip today's cultivation.
As a rural boy, Qingyun valued these rare learning chances. Chixiao had taught him many characters en route; now, only perseverance would carry him forward.
Soon, his recitation filled the room.
"Those who tread the path, the first lead, the rest follow. The road stretches endless; to see it is my will, to cultivate it my realm. The Taoist seeks above and below…"
**Footnotes**:
[1] **Feng shui**: A Taoist practice aligning activities with environmental energies for harmony and fortune.
[2] **Dao**: The core of Taoism, "the Way," embodying universal order and spiritual growth.
[3] **Kasaya**: Saffron robe of Buddhist monks, symbolizing simplicity.
[4] **Yinhun**: Spiritual essence or soul, coveted by supernatural beings.
[5] **Fuzhi**: Taoist talismans channeling spiritual energy or repelling evil.
[6] **Eight Gates Formation**: Protective Taoist array based on the Eight Trigrams.
[7] **Chang gui**: Ghostly minions luring souls for powerful beings like Tiger Immortals.
[8] **Jianzhi**: Taoist hand gesture focusing spiritual energy in rituals or combat.
[9] **Qi arrow**: Arrow of spiritual energy, a potent Taoist technique.
[10] **Bagua**: Eight trigrams representing reality's principles in Taoist cosmology.
[11] **Five Elements Sect**: Taoist sect mastering the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water).
[12] **Time-Reversing Sand**: Mystical item or technique used by Chixiao, possibly to reverse time or heal.
[13] **Taoist scriptures**: Sacred texts guiding cultivation and philosophy in Taoism.
[14] **Mystical Iron Heavy Blade**: Chi Yan's forged weapon using rare materials for Chixiao's eldest disciple.
[15] **Kunwu Technique**: Cultivation method enabling mastery of heavy weapons, left by Chi Yan for Qingyun.
原始中文文本
五行觀主殿,收徒儀式當日.
儀式尚未開始,殿內只有三人.除了排行第二且身為掌門的赤霄,還有特地趕回來的大師姊赤煙,以及排行第三的司法長老赤松.至於四師弟與最小的五師妹,由於趕不回來,因此沒能參加這次的掌門收徒儀式.
赤煙正上下打量著赤霄,這是一位野性又豪放的美麗女子,看上去一點也不像是道姑,打扮自然也不遵循道姑的樣式.她的臉頰兩側分別抹上兩道上紫下紅的橫紋,烏黑秀髮被隨意地束在腦後.身上披著月白與淺紫混雜的裘袍,裘袍下擺隱約露出豐腴大腿.膝蓋以下則包裹在一雙黑得發亮的長靴內,與手掌上的黑皮露指手套恰成一對.
「赤霄,收個徒弟為何受了如此重傷?」她表情帶著一絲慍怒,冷冷地開口道.
「師姐,掌門已是五行觀觀主,請注意稱呼.」另外一邊,表情嚴肅的中年男子踏步而出,插了一句話.
「哼,當了掌門就不是師弟了?還是你也不是師弟了?司法長老?」女子轉過頭,面色冰冷地看向這位中年道士.
「不敢,赤松永遠是師姐的師弟.」中年道士先是恭敬地拱手,話鋒一轉,又說:「但規矩既是規矩,也是師父交與師弟的責任,還望師姐莫要為難師弟.」
女子見赤松搬出師父來壓她,美目圓瞪,就要發火.
赤霄連忙放下揉著太陽穴的手,走上來安撫師姐與師弟.
「別,今天是貧道的收徒儀式.有什麼事情不能之後再吵?」
自從赤松上任司法長老後,就一直對師姐那些不遵守道規的穿著與行為時有諫言.雖然赤松總是謹守師弟的禮節,僅以諫言而未曾真正行以觀規,但身為師姐又不拘小節的赤煙豈能容忍?每次都像被惹怒的刺蝟,不罵上赤松幾句絕不輕易罷休.
女子轉過螓首,再次將注意力放回赤霄身上,眼中不自覺浮現幾分關切,卻還是用帶著怒意的語氣說:「是什麼樣的好徒弟,讓掌門需要動用回溯沙去拯救?還因此而受了道傷.」
「掌門,師弟也想知道.」一旁的赤松,聽見赤煙稱呼掌門後,便不再對她多做糾纏.同時嚴肅地向赤霄詢問.
「唉,你們這是⋯⋯」沒想到這兩人突然整齊一致地向他發起詰難,這讓赤霄不禁又開始頭痛了.
「掌門的身體狀況,會直接關係到五行觀的存危.希望掌門能夠多加注意.」事已發生,赤松也不再多說,畢竟對方還是掌門,也是自己的師兄.以他謹守規矩的個性,只是提出諫言後,便退回自己的位置.
赤煙也瞪了他一眼,讓赤霄只能神色尷尬地撫弄鬍鬚.對這位大師姊他是又愛又怕,小時候只要幾個師兄弟遇見事情,大師姊總是第一個趕到替他們出頭.但也是因為這樣豪放的個性,只要對幾位同門稍有不滿,便是大聲斥責,不留絲毫情面.
好不容易,兩人終於給了自己面子,不再糾結青雲的事情.赤霄連忙一擺道袍坐回主位,又大袖一揮,主殿雕飾繁雜的兩面大門頓時向外敞開,道觀內的洪鐘也應聲而響.
早已在外等候的青雲,在一眾觀內弟子的注視下,跟隨著司法殿的師兄,亦步亦趨地緩進大殿.從他緊繃的身軀,赤霄可以想像得到,這位沒見過多少世面的農村徒弟,肯定是緊張得腦袋一片混沌,摸不著天南地北了.
惡趣味的掌門嘴角忍不住溜出一抹笑意,心中覺得十分有趣,尋思著待會是否該稍微戲弄一下這位徒弟.坐在他右方的赤煙,臉上也掛著幾分探究,雖然未曾預料到,赤霄會收下一名農村子弟,卻也讓她更加好奇,對方是如何打動了這位眼高於頂的五行觀掌門.而左方下首的赤松,面露一絲失望,對於青雲的表現顯得有些不滿.
等青雲來到殿中,赤霄才開口說道:「青雲,你的兩位師兄本來想要連夜趕回.但為師知曉他們狀況並不允許,因此特地讓他們不必速歸.你可有想法?」
青雲微微一愣,赤霄不曾和他說過自己還有兩位徒弟的事,因此他也沒有馬上反應過來.醒悟過來後,他連忙躬身說道:「全憑師父安排,徒弟雖想趕快認識兩位師兄,但並不急於一刻.」
赤松略為頷首,沒想到農村子弟讀幾日道經,就有如此對答,不由得對青雲微微改觀.
赤霄繼續笑說:「全憑師父安排的話,那我就說了.我已經命他們二人需要準備好豐厚的見面禮,到時你就等著笑呵嘴罷,哈哈.」
這番不符規矩的發言,讓赤松擰起眉頭,幾名偷笑的弟子在他的瞪視下也趕緊擺正姿態,收起臉上笑意.
赤煙則是大馬金刀地坐在座位上,向青雲笑道:「少理你那不著調的師父,快來拜見師伯,師伯可是準備了極好的見面禮⋯⋯」
「等等!」
「不可!」
赤松與赤霄同時開口阻止,臉上各自帶著幾分驚慌,引得赤煙眼神不悅地掃過.
赤霄臉色訕訕地說:「師姐,我覺得這個徒弟,法寶,道武之類的東西,還是得由師父親自⋯⋯」
「對對對,掌門師兄說得對.」赤松在旁忙不迭點頭贊同,也顧不得再保持嚴肅.
「放屁!」赤煙大怒.
「赤霄,我知道你就是嫌棄我總是拿一把大刀.大刀怎麼了?你大徒弟的見面禮可是我花了一個月,一個月的時間!上山下海,才打造出來的玄鐵重刃!」她忍不住拍桌起身,指著赤霄的鼻子大罵.
「像你們,你,你,你,還有你!通通都拿把拂塵,總是一副弱不禁風的樣子,比我這個娘們還不如,我都替你們害臊!」一連指向赤霄,赤松,與幾名道觀弟子,赤煙餘怒未止,直接開始了人身攻擊.
除了看呆了眼的青雲,其他觀內弟子似乎都已經見怪不怪,只是盡量將身體向後縮,免得被這位「師伯」點名到.
讓青雲驚奇的是,平常總是一派世外高人的赤霄,竟然說話也會結巴,而另外一位師叔,更是瞬間閃到牆邊,假裝沒事開始研究起大殿擺設.頓時,青雲的眼裡開始冒出小星星,對這位舌戰群雄的師伯有了幾分崇敬.
＊＊＊＊＊＊
拜師儀式就在一片狼籍下落幕,最後青雲依次向師父,師伯,師叔行禮時,師父和師叔拿著茶杯的手都還在微微顫抖.師伯好像是忘了見面禮的事,雖然面對剛加入五行觀的青雲,臉上依舊帶著溫和的笑意,卻沒有再提那份「極好的見面禮」,讓青雲心裏有些好奇.
經過繁複的儀式,正式向赤霄拜師的青雲,回到小院後,才發現自己錯怪了那位別具豪氣的師伯.原來人家早就把見面禮送到小院了,看見大廳中那把兩尺來長的長柄大刀,澄淨透亮的刀面上,隱約有一條蒼龍倒影,時隱時現,栩栩如生.
下方還有塊木牌,上面刻著:北海蒼龍仙精魄一份,極寒冰玄鐵七百二十斤,幽冥海月銀三十兩,乾源鯨金三兩,仙軀材料若干.名匠──赤煙.親製.
青雲走上前,試圖捧起那把長柄大刀,卻發現自己連將它推動都有困難.
想起師伯那高挑窈窕的身形,以及她那句「我總是拿一把大刀」,青雲不由得一抖,好像知道了師父和師叔百般討好的原因.
「這是⋯⋯」青雲看見刀柄上,有密密麻麻的小篆.
他試圖用這幾日所學,想辨認出上面究竟寫些什麼,但最後還是因為知識儲備不足而以失敗告終.就在青雲走動間,偶然發覺刀面反光處也有著淺淺的古篆,看上去隱約是「昆吾」兩個飄逸大字.
青雲尋思未果,拿起木牌,打算將其收起,卻看見背面還有一段小字.
「修行昆吾訣即可輕易使轉此兵,師伯已將昆吾訣前幾層的修練法放置在藏書閣一樓,右邊數過來第三個書櫃,由下往上第三層.盡速學習,師伯過幾日還得把它放回第七樓.木牌閱後即焚,切記.」
青雲忍不住笑出聲,對這位師伯又增添了幾分好感.
雖然,師父可能不會樂意見到自己變成提著大刀的樣子,但青雲對能夠耍轉神兵的昆吾訣並不排斥,甚至有些期待.明日師父就會帶他去藏書閣,屆時⋯⋯記得師父說,掌門弟子必須在藏書閣閱盡萬冊,增廣見聞,想來這昆吾訣是有機會到手了.
不過他並沒有把木牌燒掉,青雲想把它留下來做個紀念.畢竟這是除了師父以外,他到五行觀後,收到的第一份禮物.
除了動不得的大刀,簡單收拾好房內後,青雲走向軟榻,端坐其上,將道書攤開放在左膝前,手上則是捧著一本厚厚的辭典,繼續起了今天的功課.
記得鎮上是誰說過,當一天道士,就得撞一天鐘?今日的修行可不能落下了.
尤其青雲以前是農村子弟,更清楚這些學習機會的得來不易,師父已經在路上教會自己不少字,接下來的學習路程,只能依靠自己的堅持不懈了.
不一會兒,屋內便充斥著青雲的朗誦聲.
「行道者,前者先行,後者隨之.其路漫漫,未有盡頭,見之吾意,修之吾境.道者將上下而求索⋯⋯」