The First Lackey Under The Empress

"That which is above form is called the Dao, that which is below form is called the instrument..."

As Zhao Du'an recited this sentence, the Old Celestial Master's narrow eyes slowly narrowed, carefully savoring the meaning within the sentence.

Regarding the so-called "above form," Zhao Du'an, during his previous life's studies, did not understand it for quite some time.

It sounded obscure, but after working, he gradually understood that it was actually easy to explain, namely:

The formless and the tangible exist in contrast to each other.

The most common and widely mentioned "above form" is the objective law of things, such as the rise and fall of dynasties, which exists objectively but cannot be touched or seen.

It is completely different from tangible and perceptible instruments.

Zhao Du'an quoted the words of the "Book of Changes," equating cultivation to the pursuit of the "illusory and ethereal above form."

Cultivation, which includes practicing techniques and mastering extraordinary power, is equivalent to pursuing the visible and tangible "instrument."

It can be described as an exceptionally clear and understandable explanation.

The Old Celestial Master pondered for a moment and understood the beauty of this sentence.

This one sentence alone surpasses the lengthy lectures given by the Celestial Master's Mansion when instructing disciples.

He couldn't help but smile and say:

"A fine 'above form' and 'below form.' This saying has a bit of a Confucian flavor."

In this world, Confucianism exists, although there are no figures like Confucius or Mencius, there are similar doctrines that influence scholars to this day.

Zhao Du'an nodded and said:

"Perhaps. In my opinion, Confucianism and Daoism both originate from the same source. And the techniques and martial skills pursued by practitioners today are no different from the moral codes passed down by ordinary people."

"Oh?" Zhang Yan revealed a curious expression upon hearing this, something he had never considered:

"How do you explain that?"

Zhao Du'an did not answer immediately.

In fact, since the last time he discovered that the sentences from the "Tao Te Ching" he had randomly copied were highly valued by the San Guan in front of him...

Zhao Du'an began to ponder, what exactly is cultivation in this world?

If it were just a method of obtaining extraordinary power, the things that Lao Wang pondered when talking to him were clearly similar to those of the sages in his world.

It's more akin to... philosophical speculation!

Yes, philosophical speculation!

Zhao Du'an took the path of a secretary in his previous life, inevitably having to cram some philosophy... Of course, he didn't delve deeply, only tasted it briefly, but it still gave him some understanding of it.

After arriving in the Great Yu Dynasty and seeing cultivators who could change the color of the world with a wave of their hands and feet, he naturally became curious and made some guesses.

Now, facing "Lao Wang," he finally found a relatively suitable object to confide in and discuss with.

He pondered for a moment and said:

"First of all, I believe that this world originally has its own Dao, which is... the law of heaven and earth?

For example, human thoughts can condense into gods, and the power of gods is more like a power gathered by the thoughts of all living beings. The delusions of enough people can affect the mortal world.

Another example is the breathing exercises of martial artists, which is the use of 'qi'... These are the peculiarities of this world, originally unknown to mortals."

"Later, in the ancient times long ago, a few people, after escaping the troubles of survival and hunger, began to think about some problems and engage in speculation. Because in the age of ignorance, people's fear gave rise to imagination and awe of various gods.

Some people began to think about the secrets of 'gods.' As their exploration deepened, their 'understanding' of gods surpassed ordinary people, and 'understanding' itself gradually gave them the ability to control and drive gods, and to obtain the power possessed by gods.

These people are the original 'Dao cultivators.'"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan's expression changed imperceptibly.

He carefully examined the young man in front of him and said:

"Understanding gods can grant power?"

Zhao Du'an nodded and said firmly:

"Definitely. Just as mortals observe the water's flow and grasp the laws of water, they will naturally use the laws of water.

Thus, there is the method of water conservancy, which uses wisdom to take advantage of the situation and guide the magnificent power of the mighty rivers.

Since investigating things can obtain inhuman power, what's so strange about understanding gods and obtaining techniques through the method of investigating things?"

Zhang Yan's eyes brightened a bit: "Continue."

Zhao Du'an said:

"Martial artists are the same. It is a path of cultivation derived from some ancient people's thoughts and explorations of breathing, qi, and physique.

There is also a group of people, called 'wise men,' who are thinking about people themselves. They may have noticed that all living beings will have many confusions.

For example, why live, why not die, why be driven by others, and how to solve the many difficulties in life... and so on.

In ancient times, people would fall into this kind of confusion after eating their fill, and only a very small part of the population, such as 'Dao cultivators' and 'Martial cultivators,' consciously pursued and explored.

Because cultivators have the purpose of exploring in their hearts, they know why they live. The so-called 'If I hear the Dao in the morning, I can die in the evening' means that cultivators know that they live to seek the Dao, so they will not be confused and suffer."

And the vast majority of living beings do not have this awareness, so they do not know why they live, and thus suffer.

At this time, the wise men created a complete set of 'purposes' covering people's lives, created 'meaning,' and told these things to all living beings through education."

"Thus, from the time they are sensible, from birth to death, mortals are led by 'purposes' prescribed by the 'wise men.'

Their lives are no longer confused.

And today's cultivators initially only cultivate to gain power, step by step, following the realms set by the Dao cultivators, mastering techniques or martial skills.

That is, they only regard themselves as 'vessels for containing power.'

But this kind of cultivation is ultimately only obtaining techniques, not 'seeking the Dao.' The real seeking of the Dao is to break free from the purposes given by others' teachings, to awaken oneself, and to actively explore the truth of heaven and earth.

Only in this way is it 'Dao cultivation,' not 'cultivation,' and only in this way is it closest to the path of obtaining power initially taken by the ancient ancestors."

After a long speech, Zhao Du'an smiled self-deprecatingly:

"Of course, I am just a mortal being, presumptuously talking about Dao cultivation, but it is..."

"No!"

Under the tea stall, Zhang Yan stared at him, his eyes filled with unprecedented appreciation:

"It's not presumptuous. Your thoughts on the Dao are very... interesting."

He repeatedly weighed it and finally used the word 'interesting' to express it.

It was difficult to describe Zhang Yan's mood at the moment.

If the Old Celestial Master was surprised and confused by the insightful sentences he obtained from Zhao Du'an in the previous two conversations...

Then today, this remark completely reversed Zhang Yan's view.

From the perspective of the Old Celestial Master, he always felt that the "sentences" Zhao Du'an said before were more like this kid had seen them somewhere.

But just now, this thought was the young man's own true insight.

He, a mere mortal being, still a martial artist who doesn't read much, not only explained "Dao cultivation" and "cultivation" exceptionally clearly...

His remarks about Confucianism creating purpose for all living beings were even more eye-opening to Zhang Yan.

This was an angle that the Old Celestial Master had never considered.

If he had paid attention to Zhao Du'an because of those sentences in the previous two times...

Then from today onwards, what he was truly interested in was Zhao Du'an, this young man.

Before, he said he was "discussing the Dao" with Zhao Du'an, just a casual remark, not taken seriously.

He just wanted to dig a few more subtle and unique sentences from this kid's mouth.

But at this moment, the word "discussing the Dao" has become a reality.

He was actually discussing the Dao with a young man with a high-grade mortal body?

Zhang Yan was in a trance, feeling somewhat unreal.

"Junior's shallow view, not worth mentioning," Zhao Du'an smiled.

Zhang Yan looked at him with admiring eyes, nodded slowly, and said:

"Your insights today alone surpass too many cultivators of this world."

Zhao Du'an was speechless and said:

"Lao Wang, how many cultivators have you seen to praise me like this? If you change it to your Old Celestial Master, it would be almost the same."

Zhang Yan smiled and said with a hearty laugh:

"Blame me for being too arrogant. By the way, I almost forgot the main topic."

"The main topic?" Zhao Du'an was speechless:

"So you've been chatting with me all this time?"

Zhang Yan smiled and said:

"I received a task to write a sentence of encouragement for the disciples of the Celestial Master's Mansion, but I have no clue, so I wanted to come and find you."

So that's how it is... Zhao Du'an rubbed his hands, his face showing embarrassment:

"This matter, it's easy to handle if you say it's easy to handle, and it's difficult if you say it's difficult..."

Zhang Yan said quietly:

"You can say it and haggle."

Okay, after all, he is an old customer... Zhao Du'an smiled and said:

"Since we said today that Confucianism and Daoism have the same origin, then I will give you a sentence, sir."

As he said that, he dipped his finger in the tea and wrote two lines of words on the table:

"How is it?"

The Old Celestial Master fixed his eyes and looked:

Heaven's movement is ever vigorous. Thus the superior man makes himself strong and untiring.

Earth's condition is receptive devotion. Thus the superior man supports all things with his great virtue.

Whoosh... In the midsummer heat, a sudden wind rose, rippling the river water in the city.

The wind and clouds of heaven and earth converged, and the tea stall owner hurriedly stabilized the awning.

Zhang Yan gently stroked his long beard, his narrow eyes shining with pure light, and silently recited it twice, revealing a smile:

"Wonderful!"

At the end of the "Heavenly Book," there is a sentence of encouragement!

"Hey, don't run away!"

Zhao Du'an suddenly discovered that Lao Wang's figure was slowly fading away, and even the words on the table were dried by the wind.

He jumped and cursed: "You want to cheat? The consultation fee hasn't been paid yet!"

In the wind, Zhang Yan's laughter came:

"When I go back and report to the elders and ask the Celestial Master for approval, I will settle the bill with you."

"...I'm so..."

Zhao Du'an was so angry that he thought, you can't decide, what are you promising me here.

"Immortal... Immortal Master!"

Beside him, the tea stall owner was shocked and knelt on the ground, calling out the Immortal Master. The other people were also very surprised and kowtowed.

Although there are many cultivators in the capital, ordinary people rarely have the opportunity to witness the manifestation of a divine official.

Zhao Du'an dropped a string of copper coins, left with his hand on the sword hilt, and curled his lips:

Immortal Master? Bah, just a freeloader, Lao Wang is too inconsiderate.