North of Luoling, the capital of Yanyuan, there stands a mountain called Jiangqing Mountain. Its terrain is not particularly steep, yet it is densely covered with lush forests, wreathed in clouds and mist. Amid the greenery lie exquisite buildings with red walls and blue tiles. In the northwest rises a solitary peak, where faintly visible among the rocks are statues of gods and Buddhas, as well as magnificent cliff carvings. The most striking among them are several large characters reading “Empty Serenity Sacred Realm.”
This place is the headquarters of the Ten Aspects Sect, known as the Palace of Dispelling Calamities.
Since Helan Zhenjia was elevated to Imperial Preceptor and placed in charge of religious affairs across the realm, Emperor Tianbao Su Lü Chengyao granted Jiangqing Mountain to the Ten Aspects Sect as a place to spread the faith. He ordered the construction of twelve halls and temples on the mountain. At the center stands the largest structure, the Supreme Tathāgata Hall. To the west are three spirit pagodas, while to the east stands a four-story red building called the Pavilion of Supreme Excellence, which serves as Helan Zhenjia’s residence. In addition, over a hundred buildings house the sect’s followers, forming what is essentially a secluded city.
On this day, a grand procession of carriages and horses made its way up Jiangqing Mountain, followed by numerous servants carrying loads. The line stretched like a long serpent from the mountain gate down to the foot of the mountain, its grandeur surpassing even that of a lavish wedding procession.
A welcoming steward, hearing the commotion, hurried over. Upon seeing the visitors, he immediately beamed. “No wonder the incense omen earlier was auspicious—distinguished guests have arrived!”
A middle-aged man dressed in a red robe, belted with leather and wearing black satin boots, stepped gracefully out of the sedan chair. He had a broad face and thick brows, exuding an imposing presence, yet when he spoke, his tone was exceptionally gentle. “I, with my mortal body and impure bones, come again to trouble this sacred place. I only hope the honored master does not find me bothersome.”
This man was Su Lü Yingqing, Prince of Ganyang, a member of the Yanyuan royal family. His ancestors descended from the third brother of the founding emperor, Prince Xing. His family had long resided in the Ganyang fief. Two years ago, he was rewarded with residence in Luoling for his military achievements in campaigning against the Yilin Kingdom, and he enjoyed great favor from the emperor.
Yingqing had always held the Ten Aspects Sect in high regard. In Ganyang, he had built the Ziyun Palace and Miaoxiang Temple for the sect’s followers. After moving to Luoling, he frequently visited the Palace of Dispelling Calamities to offer worship. Moreover, he was extremely generous, often donating large quantities of gold, silver, and valuables. As a result, the sect’s followers all knew of his reputation and treated him with great deference.
The steward smiled. “Your Highness is blessed with deep fortune and is a devout believer. Our entire sect has long awaited your visit, fearing only that your noble affairs might keep you away. Please rest in the Immortal Mist Hall; I will inform the sect leader at once.”
Two richly dressed young men dismounted from behind Yingqing, and the group escorted the prince toward the Hall of Immortal Rosy Clouds, where distinguished guests were received. Yingqing asked, “On the way up, I noticed guards stationed at the mountain path, questioning people more strictly than before. Has something happened?”
The steward sighed. “Your Highness is unaware—just a few days ago, a group of rioters gathered and stormed the mountain gate, nearly breaking into the palace. It truly gave us quite a fright.”
“Oh?” Yingqing was startled. “Such a major incident, and I heard nothing of it. Was anyone injured? Is everything all right?”
The steward pressed his palms together. “Thank you for Your Highness’s concern. The sect is safe. They were merely a rabble, quickly suppressed by government troops. But the disturbance unsettled everyone, so the sect leader has increased patrols and forbidden weapons on the mountain. If this has inconvenienced Your Highness, please forgive us.”
Yingqing waved his hand. “No matter. Caution is only natural after such an event. But why would those people suddenly come to cause trouble at the headquarters? Was someone instigating them behind the scenes?”
The steward gave an awkward smile and replied vaguely, “When a single thought of anger arises, countless obstacles follow. We cultivate our Bodhi tree; let others strike with blades and axes—karma will take its course in time.”
Yingqing nodded in approval. However, the younger of the two youths behind him secretly curled his lip, thinking that both sides were crafty old foxes pretending righteousness.
Ever since Yanyuan went to war with Longsha, the government had imposed heavy taxes and forced labor. The Ten Aspects Sect, under the pretext of praying for victory, also pressured believers for offerings. Those who stormed the mountain were desperate commoners with nothing left but broken tools, forced to risk their lives.
Yet these people sat above it all, unwilling even to look down, still speaking of karma and retribution. If such forces truly existed, lightning should have struck the headquarters long ago.
Suddenly, an attendant’s voice rang out, “The sect leader arrives.” Everyone turned toward the entrance.
Helan Zhenjia, leader of the Ten Aspects Sect, entered wearing a purple robe embroidered with gold patterns, a lotus crown on his head, and a string of seven-treasure sandalwood prayer beads around his neck. Two bright yellow ribbons trailed from his crown, swaying gently as he walked. His appearance was dignified and proper, his figure slender, his bearing graceful and unhurried, exuding the aura of a transcendent master. Yet his slightly drooping eyes and hawk-like nose gave him a faintly sinister air when he did not smile.
He saluted Yingqing and said warmly, “I was unaware of Your Highness’s arrival and failed to greet you in time. Please take the seat of honor.”
Yingqing returned the courtesy, and both host and guest took their seats. After some polite conversation, Helan Zhenjia asked, “What brings Your Highness here today? How may our sect be of assistance?”
His voice was gentle and flowing like a stream, soothing to all who heard it. Yingqing gestured toward the two youths. “These are my sons. The elder, Baitie, has come of age and has been appointed General Dingyuan. The younger, Qingtie, has just turned fifteen.” Turning to them, he added, “Pay your respects to the sect leader.”
The brothers stepped forward and bowed. Helan Zhenjia recited a Buddhist phrase. Yingqing said earnestly, “The emperor intends to reinforce troops along the western routes of Xiangzhou and Dianzhou. Baitie will soon depart with the army. I have come to request the sect leader’s blessing for his safe return. As for Qingtie, he is now grown. Like his brother, he is restless. I wish for him to receive initiation from a revered master and gain the protection of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.”
He added, “As a father, I ask for nothing more than their safety. I offer thirty pieces of gold and silver vessels, as well as three hundred jin each of incense oil and butter, and humbly request the sect leader’s protection.”
Helan Zhenjia smiled knowingly. “Sincerity resonates like a drum answering its strike. Since Your Highness and your sons are devout, the heavens and Buddhas will surely bless you. Let the elder son light lamps in the Tathāgata Hall for blessings. I will prepare the lotus platform and later guide the younger son to receive the True Spirit.”
Yingqing bowed. “Thank you, sect leader.”
After arranging for them to wait, Helan Zhenjia stepped out and summoned the steward elder Nayan Kun. “Prepare an initiation chamber. How many usable True Spirits remain? Select one for the prince’s younger son.”
Nayan Kun hesitated. “Reporting to the sect leader, recently the True Spirits offered from various regions have been scarce, and their appearances unsuitable for distinguished guests. For a newcomer, it would be best to assign an experienced one, but Prince Bao took three just the other day. At present… we lack the necessary resources.”
Helan Zhenjia pondered briefly. “How is A’Lin?”
“A’Lin” was a mute youth taken from the common people of Xiling a month ago, a rare innate spirit. Unfortunately, he had fallen from a cliff and injured his leg, diminishing his condition. The sect had used precious medicines to heal him, but the boy was fiercely defiant. Once he understood his situation, he struggled desperately, even to the point of seeking death.
—A prickly hedgehog like this is simply not someone anyone would dare risk sending to serve a noble; if things end in mutual destruction, it would be impossible to clean up afterward.
Nayan Kun lowered his head even further. “He still refuses to submit. Yesterday he went mad and tried to take his own life, smashed his forehead into a swelling—it doesn’t look very good.”
Helan Zhenjia let out a cold snort, his expression dark, silently cursing his bad luck.
He himself had devised the ritual of “True Spirit Guidance” and had seen hundreds, if not thousands, of so-called true spirits. He understood these weak playthings offered up by their families inside and out: those who could be easily molded were usually coaxed into obedience with a little sweetness, a few soft words, and stock phrases like “all living beings suffer” and “accumulate virtue through good deeds”; while those “innate true spirits”—because of their physical defects—were often even more insecure than others. All it took was first crushing them into the dirt, then giving them a chance to prove their worth, and they would eagerly bow their heads and obey.
But this A’Lin was an anomaly. A mute, yet somehow possessed of immense stubborn pride. Perhaps because of his striking appearance, he had never been oppressed before, so Helan Zhenjia’s usual tactic of “a stick and a sweet date” simply didn’t work on him—no matter what was said, kind or cruel, his only response was to smash his head and die.
“There’s no need to waste time on something that won’t be tamed. Give him some ‘Mirror Platform’—once he can’t move, he’ll naturally behave,” he said darkly. “This boy is exceptionally beautiful, originally a rare commodity. I had planned to groom him and present him to His Majesty, but His Majesty isn’t fond of such youths, and now his face is damaged. With that temperament, sending him out would only offend others. Better to let the Ganyang Prince’s household make use of him.”
Nayan Kun found this reasonable and added, “Then I’ll have someone tidy him up a bit—if the Second Young Master sees the scar on his face and makes a fuss, it wouldn’t look good.”
Inside the Hall of Immortal Rosy Clouds, while Helan Zhenjia was away, Qingtie asked, “What is this ‘True Spirit Guidance’ they mentioned just now?”
Yingqing and Baitie said nothing, only exchanged a knowing smile. The attendant smiled broadly and explained to the naive youth, “This is our sect’s highest and most supreme cultivation secret method. Through this ritual, the young master will awaken spiritual insight, step into the realm of wisdom, and with diligent cultivation in the future, eliminate all illness and calamity.”
Qingtie frowned suspiciously. “What kind of cultivation method is that? Why are you all smiling so strangely? Are you going to lock me in here and make me listen to scriptures for three days and nights?”
Baitie couldn’t take it anymore. “Idiot. It means you’ll engage in dual cultivation with a selected true spirit. The sect leader will teach you how to focus your mind and enter meditation. This ritual was specially prepared for you—most people don’t even have the fortune to experience it. Just shut up and enjoy it.”
“What do you mean the sect leader will teach me?” Qingtie asked in shock. “Does that mean… when I’m doing that… he’ll be watching from the side? Did he teach you like that too?”
The attendant’s smile grew increasingly stiff. The Ganyang Prince quickly scolded, “That is not worldly indulgence, but a method of cultivation! Why do you have so much nonsense to say? Do as you’re told—just listen to the sect leader!”
Qingtie looked like he was about to explode, muttering, “Father, is this what you call cultivation? Isn’t this just a more ‘refined’ brothel?”
“You insolent brat!” The Ganyang Prince shot to his feet and rushed forward to strike him. “Do you know where you are, spouting such nonsense! I should beat you to death today, you little wretch—”
Baitie hurriedly grabbed Yingqing from behind and tried to calm him, while the attendant rushed forward to pull Qingtie aside to keep him from being slapped. At that moment, Helan Zhenjia returned. Seeing the scene, he asked in surprise, “What’s going on? I was only gone for a moment—who has offended the prince?”
Yingqing was so furious his chest heaved, face flushed red, lips trembling too much to speak. Baitie explained on his behalf, “My younger brother is young and ignorant. He spoke carelessly just now. Our father was angered by his reckless speech, so he disciplined him. Please don’t take offense, Sect Leader.”
Qingtie retreated far away but still stubbornly held his ground. “Anyway, I refuse to let others watch me do that… that kind of thing!”
Helan Zhenjia said with a tone both tolerant and authoritative, “True Spirit Guidance is cultivation, not indulgence. Through supreme pleasure one attains enlightenment, perceiving emptiness and clarity. The physical form is but an illusion; do not judge it with worldly eyes. Besides, one must experience it firsthand—only then can you understand its true meaning.”
His voice was gentle and unhurried, yet carried a natural persuasive power. Under his gaze, Qingtie’s resistance weakened. He stammered, “Th-then… can it just be the sect leader? I really can’t stand being watched by a whole group of people…”
Yingqing let out a furious roar and moved to strike him again. “The sect leader is of supreme status, and you still dare to bargain—”
Helan Zhenjia raised a hand to stop him. Seeing that the foolish youth was, after all, the Ganyang Prince’s son, he paused briefly before nodding. “Very well. Since the young master insists, I shall personally act as your protector.”
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