Chapter Twenty-Five: The Crimson Lotus Sect

Watching Second Madam depart, Chu Youcai felt a wave of melancholy rise within him. Yet, when he recalled that she had revealed to him the so-called initiation method for Daoist arts, a spark of excitement flickered in his heart.

It was already deep into the night. Alone in the wilderness and wary of unforeseen dangers, he refrained from entering the world inside the Tuo Dragon’s Mountain and River Pearl. Instead, bathed in moonlight, he sat cross-legged atop the cliff, quietly attuning himself to the myriad ways of Heaven and Earth.

Compared to anyone of this era, he understood better the meaning of Wang Yangming’s doctrine of “unity of knowledge and action,” encompassing self-cultivation, diligent study, self-correction, and urging others toward goodness—even remonstrating with one’s own teacher if necessary.

His thoughts then drifted to some of Wang Yangming’s later ideas, one of which was that “a single thought is itself action.” That is, the moment an evil thought arises, one should extinguish it before it takes shape.

“If that’s the case… does giving rise to a good thought also count as action?”

Chu Youcai tried to recall the sense of joy and harmony in body and mind he’d felt when handing over two hundred thousand silver taels to Second Madam, repeatedly immersing himself in that state.

Then, with focused intention, he slowly conjured a ball of fire in his mind, relaxing his body from the crown of his head downward, letting energy flow along the Ren and Du meridians, circulating through his body in a cycle called the Five Elements Heaven.

Under the moonlight, he extended this circulating force outward, seeking resonance with the world, sensing the waterfall, the flowers, the trees. He released his good intentions into the universe, striving to unite himself with all things, quietly experiencing their response.

He did not know how much time had passed when he felt the stars above suddenly pour into him through the crown of his head, harmonizing with the Five Elements cycle within his body.

It seemed that all of creation was filled with goodwill toward him.

Chu Youcai was utterly immersed in this sensation, unable to extricate himself.

After some time, he finally withdrew from this state. When he opened his eyes, the sky was already bright, the stars vanished, yet he felt as though something within him had been refined.

“Does this count as having entered the threshold of Daoist arts, or was it all just a fanciful dream?” The events of the previous night felt dreamlike and illusory—he could not recapture the feeling.

“Well, Daoist arts emphasize tranquility and non-action. To become overly enamored with technique is to lose the Dao.” Chu Youcai recalled having once read the Dao De Jing, which seemed to conceal this truth. He decided not to dwell on it further.

Rising to his feet, he set out for Yanzhou City. His thoughts were filled with longing for Yun Cuixian, and he was eager to ask Hongyu countless questions—he wished to learn how the blood fox fur capable of reversing time was made. His heart burned to return home.

He moved swiftly along the road, feeling as light as a swallow. No matter how long he walked, he did not tire, and before long, he reached the southern gate of Yanzhou City.

At that moment, the south gate was heavily guarded by armored soldiers, diligently searching and investigating all who passed through. Compared to usual, the security was at least ten times stricter.

Chu Youcai was startled. Could it be that the destruction of Lord Lei’s residence had drawn the city’s attention? After all, the Lei household was closely tied to the Prince’s Mansion. This level of vigilance seemed only natural.

With these thoughts, his nerves tightened. He slipped a hand into his robe, gripping the fish-scale dagger.

He had tested this black fish-scale dagger on the lonely cliff the previous night; it was immensely powerful in darkness, able to cut through anything, razor-sharp. Yet by morning its strength waned, and when exposed to sunlight for long, the blade’s shadowy aura seemed to fade away.

Afterward, Chu Youcai had hidden the dagger in his clothing, and it had returned to normal. Clearly, while its quality had improved, it was still constrained during daylight.

To his surprise, the gate guards allowed him through without the slightest trouble.

Chu Youcai was taken aback. Why was it so easy?

When he spotted the official notice posted inside the gate, the reason became clear.

The notice read: “The Blood Lotus Sect has recently caused disturbances throughout the south. Any member of the Blood Lotus Sect shall be executed without mercy! Anyone harboring them shall also be executed without mercy!”

People nearby were whispering, “I heard the Blood Lotus Sect is plotting rebellion again. It’s terrifying.”

“They say the emperor is furious and has issued thirteen golden edicts, ordering officials everywhere to wipe out the Blood Lotus Sect. Yet, no matter how many are killed, there are always remnants who escape.”

“Outside the west gate of Yanzhou City, there’s an abandoned Guiyuan Monastery. I heard the Blood Lotus Sect’s insignia was spotted there! The authorities have ordered the extermination of the sect, summoning Daoist officials from all over to slay the demons hiding in Guiyuan Monastery!”

Chu Youcai’s heart stirred. He knew the Blood Lotus Sect had been spreading for centuries, always intent on overthrowing the dynasty. Each rebellion shook the very foundations of the court. No wonder the officials and common people alike were alarmed at the news. Who would wish for rebellion in times of peace?

Thus, no matter how serious the destruction of Lord Lei’s residence was, it was overshadowed by this crisis. How fortunate.

Just then, he overheard a furtive conversation in the distance: “Did you hear? Lord Lei’s residence was wiped out last night! I also heard there was a huge gang brawl—seems they were fighting over territory…”

Chu Youcai breathed a sigh of relief. Everything was unfolding just as he had planned; for now, he need not worry about his own identity being exposed.

His desire to return home grew ever more urgent, and he soon arrived at his own doorstep.

Standing there, he was struck by a sense of having been away for a lifetime. His hand, raised to knock, paused in midair. Was it the familiar pang of returning home? He must have worried them deeply.

At that moment, the door opened by itself—Yun Cuixian stood there, her face drawn and haggard.

The instant she saw Chu Youcai, she could hardly believe her eyes; her whole body trembled, and she whispered, “Is this an illusion?”

She bit down hard on her lip, the pain jolting her back to reality. She rushed to Chu Youcai and pounded his chest with her fists—three or four times, then her strength failed her, and she collapsed into his arms, sobbing.

“Don’t leave me. Don’t ever leave me…” Yun Cuixian wept.

“Don’t worry, I’m back, aren’t I?” Chu Youcai’s heart was moved. He comforted Yun Cuixian, quickly glancing around to make sure no one was watching, then half-supporting her, hurried inside.

Inside, Ju Xue and Hongyu heard the commotion and ran out at once. Ju Xue’s eyes were already brimming with tears, and Hongyu’s eyes were red and glistening, words caught in her throat, not daring to rush straight to Chu Youcai’s side.