Chapter Twenty-Four: Unity of Knowledge and Action

Second Lady spoke at once, “Wanru was originally a daughter of an official family. Her father was upright and just, and rose to the rank of Sima. Yet, he offended many, and fearing implicating Wanru, he had her become a disciple of Master Yuan.”

Chu Youcai knew that Yuan Shangbao, Master Yuan, was a famed Daoist of the previous dynasty, revered for his mysterious arts, and his mastery of divination was renowned throughout the land. He never expected that Wanru would be his disciple.

Second Lady continued, “But Master Yuan observed that Wanru’s temperament was too sharp, lacking the Daoist understanding of tranquility and freedom. Learning the Dao, he said, would do her more harm than good, so he taught her swordsmanship instead. Wanru was clever and quick-witted, excelling among the disciples, and soon matched Master Yuan in swordplay. Once she mastered the art, she traveled the realm, enforcing justice and never showing mercy to villains. Her chivalrous reputation spread far and wide. Corrupt officials turned pale at her name; some even lost control of themselves upon hearing Wanru was coming.”

Hearing this, Chu Youcai couldn’t help but feel a yearning admiration, surprised by the brilliance of Shangguan Wanru.

Second Lady sighed softly, “Sadly, not long after, Wanru’s father offended a treacherous minister and was executed along with the entire family on fabricated charges. When Wanru heard the news, she rushed back and managed only to rescue her mother. The next three years, she vanished from sight, likely to settle her mother. Once that matter is resolved, she will surely seek vengeance upon the powerful minister, and claim his head.”

Only now did Chu Youcai understand. He had heard from Yun Cuixian that Shangguan Wanru’s mother suffered from a serious illness, with her life barely sustained by rare medicines Wanru provided, while they survived by sewing garments.

Chu Youcai realized Wanru’s reason for hiding her name must be to avoid detection by the minister, lest her mother be implicated. This heroine, once able to command the world, now bore a deep grudge, evoking endless pity. No wonder Wanru’s demeanor was cold as frost—not only due to her misfortune, but also to prevent others from drawing near and risking exposure.

Yet, Chu Youcai knew that when the moment came, Shangguan Wanru would again ignite the fires of justice, her sword unstoppable wherever she went.

At this moment, he felt a deep sympathy for Shangguan Wanru’s icy temperament.

Second Lady’s face suddenly showed a trace of helplessness that was hard to conceal, and she said softly, “Though I admire her, our paths are different. Perhaps one day, we may even become enemies.”

Chu Youcai was taken aback, now filled with curiosity about Second Lady’s identity. Her melancholy while playing the flute—was it truly because of the locusts, or was there another secret?

Compared to Shangguan Wanru, Second Lady’s identity seemed even more mysterious. The matter concerning Wanru was highly confidential, yet Second Lady knew everything. Her bold nature did not resemble that of a relative of the treacherous minister, yet she carried an unmistakable sorrow. Who was she, truly?

Second Lady suddenly smiled gently, saying, “As long as my heart is clear, that is enough.”

Chu Youcai felt a rising sense of respect and asked, “I still do not know Second Lady’s full name…”

Second Lady shook her head. “If I told you now, you might be implicated by me. When the time comes, you will naturally know.”

Chu Youcai was startled, sensing that Second Lady was burdened with a grave secret, so he did not press further.

“But I see you possess virtue and merit, and seem inclined to learn the Dao. Though I cannot teach you Daoist arts, I can answer some of your questions,” Second Lady said.

Chu Youcai rejoiced inwardly at this. Possessing Daoist arts would make him adept at wielding cursed treasures—his greatest wish. Yet he knew that learning Daoist arts was subject to strict rules, and entry was nearly impossible. Gaining more knowledge, avoiding detours, and laying a foundation was the best he could hope for.

He asked, “Second Lady, you mentioned I possess virtue and merit. What does that mean?”

“The two core foundations of Daoism are Daoist arts and virtue-merit,” Second Lady explained. “Daoist arts include the Book of Changes and Eight Trigrams, Qi Men Dun Jia, talismans and spells, summoning spirit soldiers, mountain medicine, fate and divination, and so forth. Since ancient times, many sages have united themselves with heaven and earth, cultivating themselves inwardly to become gods and immortals, while outwardly holding the universe in their grasp, winning victories from afar.”

Chu Youcai was filled with longing. Whether attaining immortality in the flesh, or commanding the world with a single gesture, these were the dreams of countless people.

“But such feats defy the natural order—they are not easily achieved! The Dao is balanced; all things are equal. Using cursed treasures requires sacrifice and consumes life. Thus, practitioners must possess virtue and merit; spells consume virtue-merit!” Second Lady said. “Virtue-merit is paramount!”

“This virtue-merit includes caring for the world, doing good deeds, relieving suffering, supporting the state. Yet virtue-merit cannot be pursued deliberately, but must arise naturally. If sought intentionally, one loses the true heart, which becomes clouded—how then can one speak of the Dao’s natural way? One must act in accordance with the true heart.”

Hearing this, Chu Youcai realized that the twenty thousand taels of silver he previously gave Second Lady was from his true heart, thus in accordance with cultivating virtue-merit.

At this moment, Chu Youcai recalled a famous divination incident involving Shangguan Wanru’s master, Master Yuan, which also concerned virtue-merit.

Master Yuan once visited the residence of Minister Wang. There, he sensed that a servant boy carried misfortune which would harm the household if he stayed another year. Master Yuan spoke of this, so Minister Wang, though knowing the boy was kind, sent him away.

The boy, with no family or support, barely survived. One day, while using the latrine, he found a bundle left behind by someone, containing much silver and a gold seal. He faithfully guarded the bundle in the stench for a day, until its anxious owner—a page from the hereditary commandery—returned. Grateful, the page introduced him to the commandery lord, who adopted him as a son. Eventually, the boy fought bravely in battle and became a guerrilla general.

Returning to the capital, he recalled the past and wept, never forgetting his roots. He went to visit Minister Wang again, who marveled at his story. Master Yuan happened to arrive and disguised the man as a tea boy. Yet, upon seeing him, Master Yuan’s expression changed, “Sir, you bear the aura of a gold-belted military official. Why are you here as a servant?” Minister Wang explained he was the very boy from years ago.

Master Yuan was astonished. “Your constitution has completely changed. Did you experience some extraordinary events?”

The man recounted his story in the latrine and subsequent events. Master Yuan praised him, “Indeed, this is virtue-merit accumulated. Returning the bundle was not enough; your patriotism and perseverance forged your fate, as Heaven moves, the noble strive unceasingly, and so your destiny transformed step by step.”

Reflecting on this, Chu Youcai gained a profound understanding of virtue-merit—it required not only cultivating the mind, but also the body, to transform one’s destiny. He murmured, “Thus, those who pursue the Dao must enter the world, as the saying goes: unity of knowledge and action?”

“Unity of knowledge and action?” Second Lady echoed, momentarily lost in thought. “Well said! Well said! I did not expect you to grasp it so deeply. If my master knew your understanding, he would surely accept you as a disciple…”

She suddenly realized she had spoken too much, shook her head, and said, “Yet, unity of knowledge and action is not easily achieved.”

With that, she leapt into the distant waterfall, transforming into a flying bird that streamed downward and vanished. Only her voice echoed from afar, “Young Master Chu, though fate brought us together today, it has already ended. If we meet as enemies on the battlefield, do not hold back—follow your true heart!”

Her departure was swift, but her voice lingered among the cliffs, stirring the soul with sorrow, leaving Chu Youcai lost in thought.

Might he become her enemy too? Did she intend to stand against the world? Who was Second Lady, truly?