Chapter Sixty-One: Enlightenment

If the best answer at this moment is to nod, then so be it. Unlike with the Daoist of Heavenly Secrets, in front of Zora Wuyan, Qiu Wan’er appeared much more like an obedient girl. A faint smile now played on her lips, and she went about serving tea and water with brisk efficiency. For someone her age, such tasks posed no difficulty. The onlookers, who had been observing as if watching a play, could do nothing but envy. After all, to open all the meridians in one’s body was no simple feat. Only those on the path to becoming great heroes, or who already were, could reach such a state. With spiritual energy circulating freely, even someone with little innate talent would progress far faster than others simply through accumulation. What’s more, those who attained this level were invariably extraordinary individuals.

Of course, there are always exceptions in the world. Take this young girl before them; she had merely borrowed another’s strength to achieve this. For her, envy and jealousy were perhaps more prominent. As for the eccentric old man with the unusual appearance, the observers’ eyes held more confusion and awe. If one’s own cultivation was insufficient, forcibly opening another’s meridians was a daunting task. Without precise control, it could even backfire. Even if it succeeded, it could never be done as effortlessly as he had, completing the process in the blink of an eye. The old man’s martial skills had clearly reached a state of consummate mastery. Looking across the whole martial world, there might not be another with his abilities.

This thought brought delight to some. They speculated that a grand drama was about to unfold in Xingyang City. Whose territory was Xingyang? That of Shen Wansan, master of Bright Moon Manor. To hold a martial gathering in such a place—what could be more obvious in intent? In today’s world of martial factions, though there were many, only four great sects truly counted, and Bright Moon Manor was among the foremost. In reputation and virtue, Shen Wansan stood at the pinnacle—even the Daoist of Heavenly Secrets paled in comparison. To be the leader of the martial world required not only fame and prestige, but also peerless skill. This was Shen Wansan’s specialty, seemingly a foregone conclusion. Now, however, this old man had appeared, wielding abilities no less than Shen Wansan himself, and heading straight to Xingyang—clearly for the upcoming gathering. Would Shen Wansan not find himself facing a formidable new rival?

But these were only the musings of those on the outside. Who was Zora Wuyan, after all? How could these martial folk possibly fathom? It mattered little. It was merely a notion. Just like Qiu Wan’er at this moment, she paid no attention to the speculations of the martial world. Night had fully fallen; darkness blanketed all, and even the moon was stingy tonight, its light blocked by thick clouds, leaving not a single thread to illuminate the world. Only the faint candlelight offered a dim glow, casting an aura of dreamlike ambiguity over the surroundings. Such a scene was perfect for sleep, but as soon as she circulated spiritual energy through her body, Qiu Wan’er felt nothing of fatigue—quite the opposite. Her body was comfortable, but sleep eluded her entirely. Thus, she simply stayed where she was, casting a sidelong glance at the old man. Zora Wuyan was different—whether from days of exhaustion or what had just transpired, his body was weary. He lay down naturally at the table and drifted into sleep, his faint snores audible, indicating a deep slumber. Qiu Wan’er did not wish to disturb him, so she remained silent and moved about with utmost restraint. In the quiet of the night, this was not a bad thing. Though she was usually playful and restless, the twin constraints of the Wei River and the darkness forced her to stillness. She sat cross-legged on the floor, beginning to adjust her internal energy.

At first, the flow was only a trickling stream—perceptible but faint, a weak breath circulating through her. Completing a full cycle of spiritual energy took a quarter of an hour. After about two hours, she began to feel the energy within her tremble distinctly, becoming ever clearer. The flow increased, and as it coursed through her, she felt warmth despite the chill of the night. Tiny beads of sweat formed on her brow, and her blood vessels seemed to swell, making her breathing quicken. She felt uncomfortable, even unable to maintain her sitting posture.

“All things fail when done in haste; one must not seek quick success and short-term gain. Spiritual energy, especially, must be cultivated step by step—it is a process of accumulation, not something to be achieved overnight. If you pursue it without proper method, you may harm yourself.” At the most unbearable moment, a pair of hands gently pressed on Qiu Wan’er’s shoulders. She did not need to open her eyes to know who it was. Instantly, spiritual energy flowed through the point of contact, clearing the heat and discomfort from her body. She understood the meaning of his words, quickly calmed her mind, and guided the circulating energy into her middle dantian. Only then did she slowly open her eyes and rise from the floor.

Her legs were numb, likely from sitting too long. She shifted her stance, trying to relax and ease the sensation. By now, Zora Wuyan was no longer in the room. The old man, of course, had not gone far. The river was no obstacle for him, but the darkness of night could be a deadly adversary. Besides, his destination was Xingyang, so all that remained was to wait. The rhythmic lapping of the Wei River against the boat had its own cadence. The wind, carrying traces of water, brushed his face with a chilly clarity.

“Elder, I…” After a moment, Qiu Wan’er felt much recovered. Instinctively, she walked to the bow of the boat. All was silent save the slow dip of the oars. Standing behind the old man, she seemed to want to speak, but found no words. She simply stood beside him, imitating his posture. Yet, though their stances were much the same, they were fundamentally different—one reserved and profound, the other merely mimicking.

“Little one, your talent is truly remarkable. When I opened my meridians in the past, I could not even move without pain, let alone regulate spiritual energy as you do. Yet in just two hours, you managed to circulate energy freely within you. Remember, all things in the world are like this boat, like this water. ‘What can carry a boat can overturn it’—a saying from your Central Plains. The stronger your spiritual energy, the more powerful your martial arts will be, but it is a double-edged sword. If you fail to control it, you may injure yourself—at best, damaging your meridians; at worst, driving yourself mad. That is why we must constantly temper ourselves, so our bodies can withstand the growth of this energy. It is a process; forcing it is never wise. Do you understand?” No one knew how much time had passed before Zora Wuyan spoke softly. Though his voice was low, it carried great depth. One felt he was not merely imparting wisdom but reflecting on something deeper. What that was, Qiu Wan’er did not ask. She sensed that if he wished to speak, he would do so unprompted. If not, no amount of questioning would draw it out. Such a mindset reminded her of Han Tan Yi, and so she chose silence. The truly astute never need things spelled out; they understand what is implied. Yet, perhaps that is not always a blessing—overthinking, over-caring, over-worrying can make life less carefree than that of the oblivious.

“Such is life. A person’s years are like the seasons for grass and trees—short or long, but always cyclical. Some pursue power, some chase fame and gain, exhausting themselves and resorting to any means. But do they realize that, a century hence, all is dust? No matter how much wealth or power one amasses, what has it to do with him then, little one?” Whether moved by some sudden insight or not, the old man continued, even though Qiu Wan’er did not reply. At that moment, it was unclear if he spoke for her benefit or his own. “There are many sorrows in life. To have everything go your way is impossible. Even the moon is sometimes veiled by clouds. But what of it? It remains in the sky, and when the clouds part, does it not shine all the more brilliantly?”