Chapter 82: The Way Emerges from Emptiness, Giving Birth to the Primordial Breath

In the Wudang Assembly Hall, fifty or sixty representatives from various sects, as well as members of the Daoist Association and the Unity Daoist Alliance, had all gathered together. Amidst the lively atmosphere, there was an undercurrent of uncertainty. Over thirty of Wudang’s most accomplished disciples stood in two rows, silently at attention on either side, their presence a solemn welcome. At the entrance, disciples greeted each guest entering the hall with a respectful gesture.

Following the crowd into the grand hall, Hua Feng, Yun Meng, and Bai Feng took their place at the end of the gathering. Hua Feng saw Master Yichen standing quietly in the center, flanked by the elders of Wudang. At the side, leading the group, were Dan Qiusheng and the stewards of the Unity Daoist Alliance, while the heads of the other sects were scattered along the edges.

“On behalf of Wudang, I thank all the sect leaders, patriarchs, and fellow Daoists of the Unity Daoist Alliance for honoring us with your presence!” Yichen’s hearty voice echoed through the hall. “If Wudang should ever require assistance in the future, rest assured, we shall spare no effort!”

“You are too kind, Master. As comrades in the martial world, it is only right for us to help one another. Many of us have benefited from Wudang’s generosity. When the former Grandmaster founded the Unity Daoist Alliance, it was with the hope that we would unite as one. For the future of our martial world and the prosperity and stability of our land, we must advance together! Moreover, today we have come to aid Wudang’s founder, Grandmaster Zhang Sanfeng—this is our undeniable duty.” Dan Qiusheng returned the bow.

“Well said, Alliance Leader. Grandmaster Zhang Sanfeng’s ties with Shaolin run deep. Whatever you require, simply speak, and we shall devote our utmost effort!” Abbot Liran of Shaolin Temple stepped forward to offer his support.

“Mount Longhu is willing to assist Wudang’s founder in awakening as soon as possible!” Grandmaster Zhang, the Celestial Master, bowed with cupped hands.

“The Emei Sect stands with you!” declared a refined Daoist nun with a bow.

“So does the Kongtong Sect!” said Hu Fangyu, the head of Kongtong.

“The Kunlun Sect as well!” added the Kunlun leader, Yingyang.

“The Xiaoyao Sect is eager to lend a hand!” declared the leader Liaowu Ya in a clear voice.

“Huashan Sect will assist Master Yichen…”

“The Beggars’ Sect will do what we can…”

“The Qingcheng Sect as well…”

“And the Diancang Sect…”

“The Snow Mountain Sect wishes to help Master Yichen awaken Grandmaster Zhang Sanfeng…”

Countless voices rose in turn, each representative and sect pledging their support to Yichen in his quest to awaken Zhang Sanfeng.

“As close neighbors, the Agricultural Clan can hardly refuse. Master, simply give the word,” Hua Feng finally reached his place in line and bowed to show his stance.

“From the Snow Plains of the Northern Realm, Yun Meng is willing to assist Master Yichen!” Yun Meng immediately followed.

“Bai Feng, disciple of Master Linfeng, is ready to help save the Grandmaster,” Bai Feng declared with a fist salute.

Yichen waited quietly until all had spoken, then began, “In truth, the matter is simple. The Wudang Sect possesses many cultivation techniques, most passed down from the founder and developed by succeeding leaders. Now, however, the founder’s vital meridians have suffered severe depletion. Ordinary techniques and elixirs can do little for him in this state. Even if I risked much of my own cultivation, I could only repair the surface of his meridians.”

“Is there a way we can help?” Hua Feng inquired.

“In fact, there is. All we need is for everyone to join in a coordinated gathering of vital energy, following Wudang’s methods. Together, with the guidance of myself, the elders, and the heads of the Daoist sects, we can channel this energy to gradually restore the founder’s Eight Extraordinary Meridians. I believe we can awaken him. From my perspective, it seems the founder has not meditated or regulated his breathing properly for nearly a hundred years, which has left his core nearly dried up and his meridians shattered.”

“Then there’s no time to lose—let’s begin!” declared Dan Qiusheng, voicing the consensus.

“Then, everyone, please arrange yourselves according to the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams formation. At the center, I, Grandmaster Zhang, Dan Qiusheng, the head of the Xiaoyao Sect, the Abbot of Shaolin, Hua Feng, and several others well-versed in the Daoist classic ‘The Book of the Way and its Power,’ all of whom are at the Origin Emperor stage, will anchor the formation.”

“‘The way that can be spoken is not the constant way. The name that can be named is not the constant name. The nameless is the origin of heaven and earth; the named is the mother of all things. Therefore, ever desireless, one observes its wonders; ever desiring, one observes its manifestations. These two arise together but differ in name. Together they are called mysterious. Mystery of mysteries, the gateway to all marvels.

Heaven and earth recognize beauty as beauty, and thus ugliness exists. All know the good as good, and thus the not good arises. Being and non-being generate each other; difficult and easy complete each other; long and short contrast each other; high and low rely on each other; sound and voice harmonize with each other; front and back follow each other. Therefore, the sage manages affairs without action and teaches without words; all things arise and are not rejected; they are born but do not possess; act but do not rely on; achieve but do not dwell on it. Precisely because they do not dwell on it, their merit never departs.

Not exalting the worthy prevents rivalry among the people. Not valuing rare goods keeps the people from theft. Not displaying what is desirable keeps hearts from disorder. Thus, in governing, the sage empties their hearts, fills their bellies, weakens their ambitions, and strengthens their bones. Always keep the people unknowing and without desire, so those who are clever will not dare to act. If nothing is done, all will be well governed.

The Way is empty but its use is never exhausted. Profound, it seems the ancestor of all things. Blunt the sharpness, untangle the knots, soften the glare, merge with the dust. Deep and still, as if it might remain. I do not know whose child it is; it seems to precede even the Lord of Heaven.

Heaven and earth are ruthless, treating all things as straw dogs. The sage too is ruthless, treating the people as straw dogs. The space between heaven and earth is like a bellows: empty yet inexhaustible, the more it moves, the more it produces. Many words lead to exhaustion; better to hold to the center.

The spirit of the valley never dies; this is called the mysterious female. The gateway of the mysterious female is the root of heaven and earth. It lingers continuously, always present, and is used without effort.

Heaven endures and earth persists. The reason they last so long is because they do not live for themselves; thus, they can endure. Therefore, the sage puts themselves last and yet comes first; they are detached yet endure. Is it not because they are selfless that they fulfill themselves?

The highest good is like water. Water benefits all things and does not compete. It dwells in places the multitude despise—therefore, it is close to the Way. In dwelling, live close to the land. In heart, go deep. In associating, show kindness. In words, keep faith. In governing, be orderly. In work, be competent. In action, choose the right moment. Because it does not compete, there is no blame.

Better to stop pouring than to fill to the brim. If you hone a blade to its sharpest, it will not last long. Gold and jade fill the hall, but none can keep them safe. Wealth and pride bring their own ruin. When the task is accomplished, withdraw—this is the Way of Heaven.

Carrying body and soul together, can you avoid separation? Focusing your vital breath and achieving softness, can you become like a newborn? Cleansing and purifying your vision, can you be without flaw? Loving the people and governing the state, can you be without knowledge? Opening and closing the gate of heaven, can you be the female? Understanding and being open to all things, can you act without doing? To give birth and to nourish, to give life yet not possess, to act yet not depend, to lead yet not dominate—this is profound virtue.

Thirty spokes share a hub; because of its emptiness, the cart is useful. Mold clay into a vessel; because of its emptiness, the vessel is useful. Cut doors and windows for a room; because of their emptiness, the room is useful. Therefore, what is there serves for profit; what is not there serves for use.

The five colors blind the eyes. The five sounds deafen the ears. The five flavors dull the palate. Racing and hunting drive the mind mad. Rare goods hinder right action. Therefore, the sage is for the belly, not for the eye. Discard the superficial and keep the essential.

Favor and disgrace cause alarm; value great trouble as you value your own body. What does it mean that favor and disgrace cause alarm? Favor is beneath; to gain it is as startling as to lose it. Thus, favor and disgrace both cause alarm. What does it mean to value great trouble as you do your own body? The reason I have great trouble is that I have a body. If I had no body, what trouble could I have? Therefore, cherish the world as your own body, and you can be entrusted with the world; love the world as your own body, and you can be given charge of the world.

Looked for but not seen, it is called invisible. Listened for but not heard, it is called rarefied. Grasped for but not obtained, it is called subtle. These three are indefinable; thus, they blend into one. Its upper part is not bright, its lower part is not dark. Continuous and unnameable, returning to nothingness. This is called the form of the formless, the image of nothingness. This is called elusive and indistinct. Meet it and you do not see its head; follow it and you do not see its back. Hold to the ancient Way to manage the present. To know the origin is the thread of the Way.’”