Chapter 113: Imperial Edict, Seeking Nothing to Gain Everything

Cao Kong was slightly silent.

Mount Tai is the ancestor of all mountains, a sacred place where humanity connects with the heavens. It is also known as the site for the Feng-Shan sacrifices, regarded as the path leading directly to the Imperial Throne. Furthermore, today being the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month—a date his master had specifically mentioned—there was no need to ask who it was he had come to meet.

Cao Kong bowed respectfully and said, "Junior Cao Kong, with the Taoist name Dongzhen, greets you, Senior."

The figure in the jade crown and ornate robes turned to look at him, holding a book. His features were perfectly refined, a black beard hung to his chest, and his demeanor was solemn and majestic. His eyes were wise, capable of peering through all things.

Cao Kong thought to himself, *As I expected.* This was exactly the figure he had seen in the mural at the Chaoyuan Palace years ago, though not dressed in imperial robes. Seeing him here in the flesh felt somewhat surreal.

The man looked at Cao Kong with interest and smiled. "That is a very formal introduction. Shall I introduce myself as well?"

Before Cao Kong could utter a word of panic, he heard: "Never mind, my Taoist name is too long to recite. Come, sit."

Cao Kong: "..."

*Well,* he thought, *this temperament is indeed that of the one who had the Monkey King guard the peach garden, invited the Bodhisattva to witness a beheading, and shared drinks with the Buddha.* He wondered why he had felt the urge to come, and why this entity had been willing to meet him.

After the man said "come, sit," there was no ripple of magical power and nothing unusual happened, yet a green jade table and stools appeared out of thin air before them. The man sat down naturally, and Cao Kong, shedding his restraint, sat beside him.

"Why have you traveled ten thousand miles to see me?"

"I felt a calling in my heart."

The man laughed. "A 'calling in my heart'—well said. It seems you and I truly share a significant bond. For the sake of this bond, let us drink this cup."

As he spoke, two glass cups appeared on the table, filled with clear tea. Cao Kong, seeing this, acted accordingly; he picked up the cup and drank, his hand steady. After draining the cup, he felt no miraculous change, only a lingering fragrance of tea filling his chest. He placed the cup back on the table, waiting until it was settled before letting go.

The man teased with a smile, "You are quite careful with your things. But a young man should have vigor; why so taciturn?"

Cao Kong deliberated and replied, "I fear that more words lead to more mistakes."

"Hahahaha, what a slippery little leopard."

"Enough, enough. Since we have nothing to do, how about we play a game of chess?"

Cao Kong said helplessly, "Senior, I am not versed in the way of strategy. However, since you are interested, how about we try a different way of playing?"

"Tell me about it."

Cao Kong mused, "Each of us takes a color, and the first to connect five pieces in a row wins."

"Then let it be as you say."

A chessboard suddenly appeared before them. The man picked up a black piece and placed it at the center. Cao Kong played with the white pieces, but after only a few moves, he was defeated. He felt no surprise, only cupped his hands and praised, "Senior's skill is astonishing. I am impressed."

The man laughed. "This is a child's game, hardly worth mentioning. The rules are too few—so few that it is highly unfair to the second player. What do you think, little leopard?"

"It is true. All things must have rules and standards. With rules, one can form circles and squares; with order, things follow their proper course. Just like the heavens and earth, where each follows its own path, allowing all things to flourish."

"Hahaha, you little leopard, you have many thoughts, but these are sincere words. I like that."

He finished the tea and added, "One cup is not enough to drink."

Cao Kong felt a sudden inspiration. "I have some modest wine, if I may pour it."

With a wave of his hand, he produced a cold jade gourd. Inside was spirit wine—a "Frost and Fire Brew." Though its effects were no longer of use to Cao Kong, the taste was superb, which was why he kept it in the gourd.

The man drank with a smile and sighed, "You traveled ten thousand miles, and now I have drunk your wine; this bond is even deeper. Very well, take this book in my hand and read it diligently when you have the time."

He threw a booklet over. Cao Kong caught it with quick reflexes and looked closely; the book was titled: *I Ching*.

The man thought for a moment and added, "This book is common in the mortal world, so it is nothing special. Even if you gain something from it, it will be your own realization. Having said that, I shall give you one more thing. I see your incense aura is not shallow, so I will give you this."

As he spoke, the man picked up the glass cup and splashed it forward.

What he splashed was wine, but in Cao Kong's eyes, it turned into water, then wood, then fire, then earth, then metal. The five elements merged into a single unity, before transforming into black and white.

Cao Kong knew this was likely meant for him to observe, so he tried his best to watch, sensing the essence of the Tao. He felt it was of the same origin as the "Qianyuan" phenomenon he had seen earlier, yet far beyond what he had realized. Finally, all of this condensed into a single sound that echoed in Cao Kong's mind, causing him to involuntarily chant: "Decree..."

Profound and mysterious—that best described Cao Kong's state at that moment. He knew this was a great stroke of fortune.

"What should be given has been given. Little leopard, go forth and realize. And you should practice your chess; that 'five-in-a-row' business makes winning feel tasteless."

Cao Kong awoke as if from a dream. He looked ahead repeatedly, but the figure in the jade crown and robes was gone. Yet, he did not slacken; he rose and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Senior, for your guidance. Dongzhen will keep it in his heart."

After some time, hearing only the wind and no sign of the man, Cao Kong stood up. The green jade table and stools had completely vanished. Recalling the encounter, his eyes were filled with contemplation.

*Why did such a high-ranking person show me favor? Was it because of the "Qianyuan" phenomenon I saw earlier?*

Cao Kong thought for a long time, then silently shook his head. *Never mind. I shall walk my own path. As long as my heart is clear and my cultivation continues, there is no need for further speculation.*

He turned to leave, but seeing the magnificent scenery of Mount Tai, he decided to wander for a while. He walked and looked, taking in the views of the mountain. It being winter, there were few people on the mountain, making his stroll even more pleasant.

The mountain truly lived up to its title as the "Greatest of the Five Sacred Mountains" and the "First Mountain Under Heaven." With its layered peaks and lofty heights, every view was majestic, stirring a sense of heroism in his heart.

Without realizing it, Cao Kong arrived before the Temple of the Eastern Peak Great Emperor. There was an old man in the temple wearing cotton clothes who, seeing Cao Kong wandering alone and dressed in thin attire, said repeatedly, "Taoist priest, Taoist priest, in such cold weather, why are you dressed so thinly? Come into the temple to warm up, lest you catch a cold."

Cao Kong smiled. His body was "without leakage" and had long since been impervious to cold or heat. However, facing the old man's kindness and looking at the statue of the Eastern Peak Great Emperor in the temple, he pondered for a moment and smiled in acknowledgment.

Seeing Cao Kong enter, the old man even brought over an old cotton coat to help him warm up.

Cao Kong waved his hand and smiled, "No need, no need. You were mistaken, old man; I am wearing cotton clothes."

The old man frowned. "Nonsense, I clearly saw you wearing..."

Before he could finish, his eyes widened. The priest before him was indeed wearing cotton clothes, and they looked quite thick at that.

Cao Kong smiled; he had used a simple glamour spell to avoid further explanation.

The old man muttered to himself for a while, truly believing he had been mistaken. He kindly offered three sticks of incense, saying, "Young man, since you have come to this temple, you might as well pay your respects and make a wish. It is very effective."

Cao Kong pondered for a moment and smiled. "Very well."

He bowed with respect and placed the incense in the burner, though his heart held no desires.

As the incense settled and the blue smoke drifted, the clay statue of the Eastern Peak Great Emperor in the smoke seemed to have a faint glimmer in its eyes.

"You have offered incense; though you seek nothing, I cannot leave it unacknowledged."

Suddenly, a divine voice resonated.