Chapter Fifty-Two: Essence and Vessel

Yuncui Xian was preparing to speak with Chu Youcai about Shangguan Wanru, her mind swirling with countless subtle ways to broach the subject. Yet Chu Youcai was absorbed in cultivation, leaving her no choice but to wait.

Meanwhile, above their heads, on the corner of the roof, Yan Yunfei was drinking wine, utterly at ease, while Yang Ridan sat respectfully at his side. "Good wine, good poetry—truly incomparable," Yan Yunfei laughed boisterously.

Yang Ridan kept a vigilant eye on their surroundings, silently thinking as he watched his master drink, "Master's mood is unexpectedly bright today. If he becomes intoxicated, how can he confront those locusts tomorrow? I must find a way to stop him from drinking further."

He spoke up, "Master, I've heard that the Lady of the Duke's Mansion wields absolute power there. Since you've taught the third steward a lesson, she surely harbors resentment and may plot against Chu Youcai. Moreover, her strength is formidable. If you are drunk today, you may miss the opportunity to act when needed."

Yan Yunfei responded, "If that Lady comes, I'll give her a proper beating. No matter how strong she is, I am unafraid! Years of cultivation have been to prevent a repeat of what happened back then!" Though he spoke bravely, he slowed his drinking.

Yan Yunfei gazed into the distance and said, "Back then... Ah, back then, Feng Xiangru’s family was impoverished, yet his character was upright. Though he was physically weak, he once stood up to a murderous fiend to protect a child he didn’t even know. I admired him deeply. He didn’t know me, but I knew him."

Yang Ridan listened intently.

Yan Yunfei’s tone grew cold, "That damned Censor Song was so cunning and malicious, he harmed Feng. That night, I slashed Song eight times, then crept into the county office and plunged a short blade into the magistrate’s bed. I thought the matter settled, but the magistrate resigned overnight, and his replacement set a trap for me. I was captured. My Daoist skills were only just forming, and I had no cursed treasures—how I hated my own weakness!"

"In the end, Feng Xiangru turned himself in and died in my place."

Yan Yunfei’s eyes flashed fiercely as he drained his cup. "If only I’d been stronger then, none of this would have happened!"

"Now, I swear to sweep the world clean of evil! I will be like my ancestor Yan Chixia—roaring across the land, unrestrained and fearless!"

Hearing this, Yang Ridan’s heart trembled. He snatched the wine from Yan Yunfei and took a heavy drink himself, declaring, "Master, no matter how arduous this path, I will walk it with you!"

"Good! Good!" Yan Yunfei drank again, his face finally easing. He pointed to Chu Youcai inside the house and said to Yang Ridan, "This Chu Youcai has extraordinary talent. His Daoist foundation is unlike any tradition I know—clearly self-taught. If, in time, he can sense the summit of the snowy mountain within his valley, he’ll have half a foot in the Dao already. But..."

Yang Ridan looked curious. "But what?"

"But to truly reach the snowy mountain’s peak is no easy feat. Countless people study the Dao but fail to cross this threshold. If he steps through, he’ll have the qualifications to truly pursue the Dao!"

---

Yang Ridan asked, "Master, do you think Chu Youcai can reach the snowy mountain’s summit?"

"Difficult! But he has a heroic spirit and courage. If he achieves that in half a year, he’ll be a genius!" Yan Yunfei shook his head. "It’s just a pity he’ll miss this year’s admission test for the Immortal-Slaying Academy. This is a rare event—a thousand years since the last, and many prodigies are emerging. Just look at the Duke’s eldest son, Chu Yuwei—not yet twenty, but already has ten years of cultivation. Remarkable!"

Hearing the name Chu Yuwei, Yang Ridan’s smile faded, his gaze growing serious. Accepted as Yan Yunfei’s disciple, he naturally had talent, yet he still lagged behind Chu Yuwei’s decade of practice, falling behind. Nevertheless, his face quickly showed determination—no matter the hardships, he would not retreat!

Time passed; the sun had set. Seeing no one sent from the Duke’s Mansion, Yan Yunfei and Yang Ridan breathed a sigh of relief, thinking all was well. They waited another two hours, nearly midnight, before finally relaxing.

"Well! Since there’s no trouble, let’s go pay that fellow surnamed Liu a visit!" Yan Yunfei said, slurring slightly.

Yang Ridan saw his master was tipsy and dared not allow him to confront the locusts now, so he advised, "Master, it’s late. I’ve heard the Hermit Liu hates being disturbed at night—why don’t we rest and visit him at noon tomorrow?"

"Very well." Yan Yunfei, slightly drunk, leaned on Yang Ridan’s shoulder, preparing to jump down from the eaves.

Just then, a flash of red light appeared in the distance, accompanied by the lingering sound of a flute. A wild goose stood on a bamboo flute, flying east.

Yan Yunfei suddenly sobered, muttering, "That goose again! Could it really be Second Lady?" He watched it head toward the eastern Cold Sand Lake. Laughing boldly, he dragged the reluctant Yang Ridan, soared up, and gave chase.

"This time, I won’t let that bamboo flute get away! I must see who it really is!"

********************

Almost simultaneously, Chu Youcai finished his cultivation, gathering his senses, but his brow furrowed.

Though he felt a lone pine within him, it was still insufficient to support an entire world. The valley in his body grew more condensed, stronger than before, yet forming the snowy mountain’s peak remained a distant goal.

"To learn the Dao requires tranquility and nonaction; forcing progress only slows advancement." With that, Chu Youcai stood, realizing it was nearly midnight. He went out and found Yuncui Xian leaning on the table in the hall, fast asleep.

He felt a pang of compassion and quietly approached to drape a cloak over her, but Yuncui Xian awoke, delighted. "Have you finished cultivating?"

Chu Youcai nodded. "You’ve suffered."

"It's hardly suffering. You devote yourself to protecting our home, cultivating tirelessly, while I can offer little help. I already feel deeply ashamed," Yuncui Xian said sincerely, warming several dishes and a bowl of rice for Chu Youcai.

---

Chu Youcai, having sat in meditation all day, was famished and ate heartily, soon consuming three bowls of rice.

After a day of cultivation and reflection, Chu Youcai gained deeper insight into the Dao.

True cultivation was not about sitting for hours without needing food. Genuine cultivation meant harmonizing one’s vital essence with the energy of heaven and earth, forming a cosmic cycle within. With little vital essence, the vessel is small, and the cycle limited.

Where then does one’s vital essence come from? From food and medicine. Those who eat little must supplement with heavenly elixirs.

All things seek balance; vital essence cannot be conjured from nothing.

After eating, Chu Youcai finally felt satisfied. Looking at Yuncui Xian, he noticed she seemed on the verge of speaking, weighted by hidden worries.

He recalled she had been like this recently.

Was Yuncui Xian facing another difficulty?

Or was her inner turmoil never resolved?

Chu Youcai felt a sudden shame—he had focused only on his cultivation, neglecting those by his side. For the sake of Zhu Yuzheng, Yuncui Xian had expended endless effort investigating, enduring slander and pressure no less than his own.

He gently patted her shoulder. "Cui Xian, we are husband and wife now. Whatever hardships we face, we face together. If you have worries, don’t keep them from me."

He looked at her sincerely, hoping she would confide all that burdened her heart.