Chapter Thirty-Three: The Madman, the Scholar, and the Gentleman

Within the courtyard, inside the room.

Master Cloud Mirror sat upright, holding a scroll of wooden slips in his hand, his expression earnest, absorbed in his reading. He was quiet as he read, neither shaking his head nor reciting aloud.

When Qingyuan arrived to pay his respects, this was the scene he beheld.

Master Cloud Mirror set the wooden slip aside and smiled, saying, “Qingyuan, you’ve come?”

“I dare not,” Qingyuan responded with a bow and a smile. “When Elder Ge wished to call me ‘Master,’ I declined, though now and then he still uses the title, leaving me helpless. I am but a young junior; in age, status, learning, and experience, I am far inferior. How could I dare claim the title ‘Master’ before you?”

Master Cloud Mirror was not one for excessive courtesy. He nodded with a gentle smile. “You are younger; let me call you ‘young friend’ instead.”

Qingyuan nodded and smiled, “That suits me well.”

“Please, sit.”

Master Cloud Mirror gestured, then began to boil water, select tea leaves, and prepare the tea.

Seeing this, Qingyuan quickly said, “Master, you need not trouble yourself…”

Cloud Mirror raised his head, his face warm with a smile, and replied leisurely, “This is the way to treat a guest; how could I forgo it?”

Qingyuan did not press further, but quietly observed Master Cloud Mirror.

This scholar was refined and gentle, his features fair; he appeared to be around forty, yet upon closer inspection, perhaps only thirty-seven or thirty-eight. His brows were calm, his demeanor serene, embodying the bearing of a sage recluse.

Qingyuan had encountered many scholars and eccentric gentlemen, had heard tales and read records. Many literati fancied themselves unrestrained and free, deliberately adopting airs. Some went months without washing, reeking of filth, and when conversing, scratched at lice and insects before discussing the affairs of the world; others went about naked, claiming the sky and earth as their garments, retorting to those who hid in their own trousers.

Such mad scholars, calling themselves ‘gentlemen unbound by form,’ seemed carefree but were contrived in their ways.

Master Cloud Mirror, however, was measured in every gesture, truly a scholar worthy of respect.

Qingyuan sighed, saying, “It is said that a gentleman is not confined to a single form, hence those mad scholars. Yet seeing you, Master Cloud Mirror, I find the saying lacking… Form or formless, both may be gentlemen…”

“A gentleman unbound—each interprets it in their own way; it is hard to judge right or wrong…” Master Cloud Mirror smiled gently. “I believe one should have some rules, but these are not restraints; they bring comfort… Look at how I sit upright, not sprawled; it is comfortable for me. See my clothing: it wards off cold, covers ugliness and shame; it does not cause me discomfort.”

“In truth, ‘a gentleman unbound’ is not merely this; perhaps many have misunderstood, or perhaps I am too bold, but I have always sensed a deeper meaning.”

At this, Master Cloud Mirror chuckled softly. “Even the term ‘gentleman’ is, in itself, a limitation, is it not?”

Qingyuan nodded, “Your lesson is well taken, Master Cloud Mirror.”

Master Cloud Mirror finished brewing the tea and handed Qingyuan a cup, saying, “I do not drink wine; today, tea shall stand in its place, to congratulate you on your progress along the path.”

Qingyuan was taken aback, and after a moment said, “Master, you truly have keen insight.”

Master Cloud Mirror said, “I possess no other talent, but I have seen much, and so I know much.”

“Yesterday, the righteous energy filled the sky,” Qingyuan suddenly remarked. “The turmoil at the well courtyard ceased at once—was that your work, Master Cloud Mirror?”

Cloud Mirror shook his head. “I would not call it a feat; at most, I only have some skill at reasoning.”

“Though you lack supernatural powers or mystical arts, your understanding of principle is profound. Yesterday’s calligraphy, though not a talisman, surpassed any talisman,” Qingyuan said with reverence. “May I ask, what principle did you use, Master?”

Master Cloud Mirror smiled, then poured his cup of tea aside.

Tea splashed on the ground.

“See, the water has spilled; it does not hang in the air, nor fly upward, but falls down,” Cloud Mirror said. “This is principle—the principle of heaven and earth.”

He placed the cup on the table. “Yesterday, I reasoned with that spirit, helped it understand that within heaven and earth, there are principles to be followed.”

“In accordance with reason, it should remain in the well for now, unable to emerge.”

Cloud Mirror spread his hands and smiled. “Fortunately, it was willing to accept reason, so it did not come out.”

Qingyuan knew there must be more to it, but what Master Cloud Mirror said was also true. He replied, “Your understanding of the cosmos is truly profound, no wonder Daoist Shuiyuan praises you so highly…”

Cloud Mirror looked surprised. “You have met him?”

Qingyuan shook his head slightly. “I have not had the fortune, but I heard of you from Qiyuan.”

Cloud Mirror said, “Would you share it with me?”

Qingyuan smiled. “Gladly.”

And so he recounted the words Qiyuan had spoken.

“Learned in all things, versed in astronomy and geography, adept at understanding the real principles, recognizes the Six Jia winds and clouds, discerns the three lights and five energies, familiar with all schools and teachings…”

Cloud Mirror laughed. “He truly thinks highly of me.”

Qingyuan said, “You are deserving.”

The two sat facing each other, chatting over tea.

Cloud Mirror knew Qingyuan had not come without purpose, but being of a calm disposition, he did not ask directly.

Qingyuan felt that opening directly would be too abrupt; after some conversation, he noticed Cloud Mirror’s subtle smile, and realized his intentions had already been perceived. He could only smile wryly to himself, and said, “It is said that Master Cloud Mirror delights in wandering and has broad knowledge. I happened to acquire several maps, but do not recognize the places. I have come to ask for your guidance.”

“Maps?”

Cloud Mirror smiled. “I do love traveling, and have visited many places.”

Qingyuan took a map from his breast and handed it over.

Cloud Mirror examined it, falling into contemplation.

Qingyuan, seeing this, grew somewhat tense.

After a while, Cloud Mirror shook his head apologetically. “I have seen many famous mountains and rivers, but never this place… Moreover, there are no names, only topography, which makes it hard to identify.”

Qingyuan had anticipated this; though expected, he could not help but feel disappointed. Yet hope still lingered, so he took out more maps.

Four maps in all, Cloud Mirror reviewed each, and shook his head. “I have traveled widely, almost all of Shu, and much of Southern Liang, but none of these seem familiar. Perhaps I am ignorant, my knowledge shallow. However…”

Qingyuan caught the hint of a turn in his words. “However what?”

“There are many blessed places and hidden realms in this world, concealed within inches, within mist, beyond rainbows. Such places are invisible to ordinary people…”

Cloud Mirror shook his head lightly. “Perhaps this too is a hidden realm, a blessed land…”

“A hidden realm?”

Qingyuan knew many cultivators lived in seclusion, their abodes hidden deep in mountains, or concealed by great magical power, making them hard to find.

Could this place be one such hidden realm?

Guangyuan, the Ancient Sovereign of the Dao, was an ancient immortal; the places where he stored treasures might well be such hidden realms—this was no strange thing.

Cloud Mirror mused, “Is the place you seek, young friend Qingyuan, very important?”

Qingyuan nodded, “It is indeed important.”

Cloud Mirror asked, “How important?”

Qingyuan replied, “It concerns my very life.”

“I see.”

Cloud Mirror thought for a moment. “Though my knowledge is limited, if you truly wish to find this place, perhaps I can point you toward a few paths.”

Qingyuan bowed, “I ask for your guidance, Master.”