Chapter Five: The Tao Says: It Cannot Be Spoken

“According to what senior brother said, the volume of the Tao Te Ching passed down by the Patriarch contains the methods of cultivation. The first part can be called the Tao Scripture, consisting of thirty-seven chapters. I never imagined such profound mysteries were hidden within.”

“Each chapter represents a volume of cultivation methods. Except for the first chapter, which serves as a general outline, the remaining thirty-six chapters are all encompassed within the first volume. Sixty-six returns to the origin, the primal beginning as one—this can be regarded as the source of the Tao’s resonance!”

“Could this be the Patriarch’s realm?”

In his mind, the Gate of All Mysteries was being forged, governing all methods of cultivation. The entire thirty-six volumes of the Tao Scripture passed through his hands, and the Gate of All Mysteries expanded to include these thirty-six volumes of supreme cultivation techniques.

Each volume of cultivation is divided into seven layers: the number of Heavenly Stems is double six, the cycle of reincarnation is double seven, the number of boundlessness is double eight, and the ultimate of the Heavenly Way is double nine. The more Lu Qing contemplated the profundities of the Tao Scripture, the deeper and more unfathomable it seemed to him.

“This next layer is the Virtue Scripture, containing the Patriarch’s ancient discourses on health preservation, warfare, self-cultivation, governance... It is divided into forty-four volumes, subtle in words but great in meaning, beyond the understanding of ordinary people!”

Since his senior brother had allowed him to browse all the classics in the scripture pavilion to find the cultivation method most suited to him, although he had already gained wondrous insights, such an opportunity was naturally to be seized as much as possible.

Without hesitation, he bent down to pick up a small bamboo stool and began thoroughly reading through all forty-four volumes of the Virtue Scripture. Though it did not evoke the same visions swirling in his mind as the Tao Scripture did, a series of wondrous sensations still arose within his heart.

On the bamboo rack below was the Patriarch’s essays from ancient times. Though lacking the eternal profundity of the Tao Te Ching, they still contained the Patriarch’s insights. If others could comprehend them, boundless mysteries would be revealed.

Half an hour later, Zhou Qing moved his small bamboo stool before the bamboo rack of the sage Liezi.

An hour later, Zhou Qing arrived before the bamboo rack of the sage Zhuangzi.

An hour and a half later, Zhou Qing sat before the bamboo racks left by those Taoist masters who had attained emptiness and returned.

Two hours later, through sheer willpower and energy, Zhou Qing had thoroughly browsed the hundreds of bamboo scrolls treasured in the scripture pavilion. Under the Gate of All Mysteries, hundreds of cultivation methods churned through his mind.

His senior brother had asked him to find the cultivation method best suited to himself, but beneath the Gate of All Mysteries, it seemed he could comprehend and cultivate every method in the world. What was he to do?

Cultivate them all? He might never reach perfection even by the time of his death!

If he focused on just one, it would be such a loss!

“Junior brother, have you finished reading all these classics?”

Suddenly, just as Zhou Qing was pondering which path to take next, in the quiet scripture pavilion, the soft voice of Chisongzi rose. Though not loud, it echoed clearly in Zhou Qing’s ears.

“Yes, senior brother!”

Hearing the voice, Zhou Qing nodded slightly, turned his body, and walked toward his senior brother, cupping his hands in salute.

“Have you made your choice?”

Chisongzi asked again.

“Not yet!”

Zhou Qing replied.

“The Patriarch Laozi observed water and comprehended the mysteries of the entire world!”

“The sage Liezi rode the wind and grasped the world’s profundities!”

“The sage Zhuangzi cultivated through dreams and understood the mysteries!”

“As cultivators, we must begin with unity, find the key unique to how we perceive the vast world, then calmly cultivate and wondrously comprehend various methods to attain the Great Dao!”

“But there’s no rush. Junior brother, you still have seven days to consider. For now, I will begin your tendon-cutting and marrow-washing to forge your foundation!”

Sitting quietly on the green meditation cushion in the scripture pavilion, Chisongzi smiled faintly at the younger disciple before him, his aged face softening as he spoke continuously.

He recalled when he first entered the scripture pavilion, feeling the same way—wanting to cultivate everything here, yet to this day, he had not perfected even one method.

As he spoke, Chisongzi slowly extended both hands, and an invisible force surged forth, directly enveloping Zhou Qing’s body. Following the meridians and acupoints, a stream of internal power flowed into Zhou Qing, clearing his channels and major acupoints, laying the foundation for cultivation.

Zhou Qing’s light body slowly rose from the ground, guided by Chisongzi’s gentle internal force, swirling softly in the void. He quietly endured everything, feeling a new strength coursing within him, as if his entire being was subtly transformed.

Three times a day, tendon-cutting and marrow-washing, each session lasting an hour. Afterwards, Chisongzi would explain the key points of cultivation and impart the secrets of the meridians and acupoints throughout Zhou Qing’s body. Fortunately, Zhou Qing’s memory was quick, leaving no need for repetition.

Every day, fellow disciples brought meals. After seven days, Zhou Qing’s physical body had been tempered by his senior brother, as if reborn. His hands and feet felt more agile, his thoughts faster, and his eyes clearer and more far-seeing.

“Thank you, senior brother!”

With his strength flowing smoothly and internal power gradually withdrawn, Zhou Qing’s body gently descended to the pavilion floor. His tender face was filled with joy as he cupped his hands in salute to Chisongzi.

“Haha, no need for such formality. Originally, our master should have personally performed the tendon-cutting and marrow-washing for you, but as he is still in seclusion, I have taken his place. Now that seven days have passed, junior brother, have you made your choice regarding the cultivation method?”

Chisongzi rose slowly from the cushion, casually waving one hand. After seven days of tempering, he had gained a preliminary understanding of his junior brother’s constitution. Truly worthy of being the disciple their master brought back—his talent was extraordinary.

His thoughts lingered as he gazed deeply at Zhou Qing, who was exceptionally precocious and understood many things clearly. Seven days prior, he had given Zhou Qing time to ponder. Now that the seven days had passed, it was time for an answer.

“One volume of the Tao Treatise will suffice!”

Meeting his senior brother’s gaze, Zhou Qing slowly extended his small palm, pointing to the upper right corner where the Patriarch Laozi’s various classics were kept. There lay the Tao Scripture, the essential text left by the Patriarch that governs all methods.

“The Tao that can be spoken of is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name!”

“Nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth. Named is the mother of ten thousand things. Therefore, always be without desire to observe its mysteries; always have desire to observe its manifestations. These two emerge together but differ in name; this is the mystery within the mystery—the Gate of All Mysteries!”

“The Patriarch’s words are subtle yet profound. This volume is the opening of the Tao Scripture, containing extraordinary mysteries. Could it be that junior brother has already attained some understanding of it?”

Hearing Zhou Qing’s choice, Chisongzi’s expression was somewhat stunned. Of course, each volume of the Tao Scripture was an unsurpassed method of cultivation, some easier to comprehend, others more difficult.

Now that junior brother had chosen the first volume, the Tao Treatise, perhaps he was exceptionally gifted and had already formed a unique insight and understanding. If that were true, it would be great news for the entire Taoist tradition.

“The Tao says: It cannot be spoken!”

Zhou Qing gently shook his small head, his bright eyes slowly narrowing in focus.