Chapter 10: A Fleeting Dream of the Mortal World, Entering the Eastern Extremity

At this moment, the desire within the Nine Spirits Primordial Saint to take on a disciple had reached its peak. Exceptional talent, pure origins, and a heart of kindness—this was a natural seed for cultivation, perfectly suited to the lineage of Taiyi.

Meanwhile, the story within the dream continued. After Cao Kong had spoken his piece, the world did not shatter but pressed on, icy winds howling, the long night unbroken, now and then pierced by the sobs of a woman.

Cao Kong paused in surprise. He had believed the trial over, that the dream would dissolve, but it persisted—so real it was indistinguishable from life itself.

‘I was too naive,’ he mused. ‘In my previous life, I heard of the fleeting dream of millet, of the illusion of Nanke—so like a dream, so like reality. Now, with a figure as powerful as the Nine Spirits Primordial Saint manipulating events, it is only fitting.’

‘If life itself is but a dream, I shall live this dream as my life, and truly experience it.’

Cao Kong adjusted his mindset, treating this place as a new existence. In this moment, everything was different from that which came before.

The woman raised her head. “I am grateful for your kindness, sir, yet I do not know your name. Might you tell me?”

With a changed perspective, Cao Kong regarded himself as a man of the dream. Hearing her words, he looked around, plucked a yellow blossom nearby, and handed it to her, a gentle smile upon his face. “You may call me Yellow Flower.”

The woman received the flower, choking up once more. Her eyes, no longer evasive, sparkled with renewed vitality.

Yellow Flower… so, I am still pure?

She gazed at Cao Kong, as if to etch his face into her memory, then faded away into the bitter wind and deep night.

With his newfound outlook, Cao Kong watched her departing figure, ripples stirring in his heart, bringing forth myriad realizations.

At last, he sighed, “The sea of suffering has no bounds; all men struggle to cross it.”

He then weighed his remaining four copper coins, looked to the old man, and smiled, “Sir, I have only four coins left. Might I shamelessly ask for a bowl of noodles?”

The old man in coarse linen, seeing Cao Kong’s actions, felt a deep respect for him.

He smiled in return, “Very well, please wait a moment, honored guest.”

Soon enough, a steaming bowl of noodles was set before him. Cao Kong ate and departed, laying down his four coins upon the table.

Not long after, the old man cleared the dishes and, watching Cao Kong’s retreating figure, could not help but utter, “Truly a man of benevolence and righteousness.”

The next day, Cao Kong, the righteous man, was expelled from the inn for lack of silver and wandered in search of a livelihood.

Some days later, the imperial examination results were posted, and Cao Kong became a scholar. Suddenly, he was surrounded by virtuous souls; the inn that had driven him away sent someone to invite him back, offering silver as compensation.

This made him reflect on the fickleness of life, the warmth and coldness of the mortal world.

He entered the court as an official, witnessing the suffering of the people, moved by compassion. Appointed governor of a province, he worked diligently for three years, improving waterways and reclaiming farmland, earning the love of the common folk.

One year, bandits caused chaos, and Cao Kong led troops to defeat them, enhancing his reputation further.

His outstanding achievements propelled him swiftly through the ranks. After three more years, he held high office, attracting envy and hatred. Alone in integrity amidst a corrupt world, he walked the path of disaster.

Rumors eventually reached the emperor, and Cao Kong was dismissed, reduced to a commoner.

When he departed, the entire city came to bid him farewell, tears flowing everywhere.

As a commoner, Cao Kong tilled the fields in the mountains, delighted in cultivating the Way, studied scriptures, spread teachings, and enlightened the people, calling himself a wandering Daoist.

Three more years passed; his fame spread far and wide, countless folk flocking to him, willingly staying by his side.

Yet, treacherous ministers held sway in the court; local authorities oppressed the people, causing chaos throughout the land and countless refugees.

Cao Kong observed all this, his heart oriented toward the Dao. Though he enjoyed the quiet after his demotion, he could not bear the suffering he witnessed.

So he cut trees for weapons, raised banners from poles, gathered refugees, distributed porridge and yellow beans, drawing a crowd, and overturned the realm.

He befriended loyal ministers, kept the wicked at bay, passed his position to a virtuous successor, and retired to the fields, building a hut and living in seclusion. A year later, he passed away while reciting the scriptures.

…

Awakening, Cao Kong stretched and loosened his limbs. Every scene was etched in his heart, real and vivid. He had truly lived another lifetime in his dream—the books he read, the scriptures he studied, the deeds he accomplished, all clear in his mind.

Countless emotions and layers of insight welled up in his heart.

Recalling it all, Cao Kong rose solemnly and bowed to the empty air. “Cao Kong, a humble demon, thanks the immortal for his kindness.”

The Nine Spirits Primordial Saint was instantly delighted, more satisfied than words could express.

Yet soon he felt troubled, pacing back and forth outside his cave.

Such a perfect talent, though of the demon kind, he wished to accept at once.

He chuckled wryly, “Ah, I have made things complicated for myself. I said he must comprehend the scriptures before I reveal my name, but my wondrous arts are hardly easy to fathom!”

“Difficult, difficult, difficult! The Dao is most mysterious, the path to immortality arduous. Who knows when he will be able to enter the gate?”

A look of hesitation crossed the dignified face of the Nine Spirits Primordial Saint. “Perhaps I should pretend I never said it and take him in directly?”

But that would mean losing some dignity.

The Nine Spirits Primordial Saint raised his head in silent frustration, but at that moment, a celestial boy arrived riding a rainbow cloud. The Lion Servant, face stern, spoke:

“Nine Spirits Primordial Saint, your matter has been exposed. Hurry and return to heaven with me.”

Now, the Saint was even more troubled. How could the celestial boy sober up so quickly this time? Normally, he’d sleep for a day or two—equivalent to a year or two in the mortal realm.

Yet the stubborn Lion Servant was here, and if the Saint refused to return, the Celestial Lord would surely find out, making him seem undisciplined and moved by mortal desires.

‘No matter, returning to heaven is no harm. I’ll find a way to get the Lion Servant drunk again, and upon my next descent, I’ll accept this leopard cub as my disciple.’

Having resolved thus, the Nine Spirits Primordial Saint laughed:

“Ah, isn’t this the Lion Servant? Ha ha, I just left something in the mortal world—it’s been found, and I was about to return to heaven.”

With that, he obediently ascended the cloud, rising alongside the stern-faced Lion Servant.

…

Meanwhile, Cao Kong, still bowing respectfully, waited for some time, but nothing stirred around him.

‘It seems I must truly comprehend that wondrous art before the Nine Spirits Primordial Saint will appear to me. Only then will I have a chance for a powerful patron.’

After waiting a while longer, he finally straightened himself.

But as he did so, a dizzy, hazy feeling swept over him once more.

“No, not again?”

He felt himself dissolve into a breeze of pure spirit, drifting through heaven and earth. When his mind cleared, he stood before a wondrous sight.

Here, rainbow clouds overlapped, purple mists flourished, tiles shimmered with golden waves, gates lined with jade beasts rose high. Blossoms filled twin towers, red clouds encircled them, sunlight gleamed on towering forests, emerald fog shrouded the land.

It was truly a celestial paradise.

Before him stood a palace, with a plaque inscribed in gilded characters: “Eastern Pole Miraculous Palace.”

Cao Kong’s heart pounded wildly.

The Eastern Pole Miraculous Palace—this is the realm of Qinghua Eternal Joy, the residence of the Supreme Lord who saves the suffering!

And then he heard:

“Silent, without a trace, standing in emptiness atop perilous heights. Profound texts open the hidden mysteries—who can fathom its depths? Entering the great path, who counts the ages passed? No birth, no death—those who wish to be born must bloom as lotuses. Surpassing the ways of the three realms, with compassion untangling the world’s bonds.”