Chapter Five: Bingchen Court, Revelry at Dawn During the Grain Rain Season

Winding paths led through secluded corners, and after several turns, they arrived at Lantern Street, as described by Feng Jihu. The origin of the street's name was immediately apparent: lanterns hung before many courtyards and cave dwellings, varying in number and shape.

At the end of the street was a small courtyard, with seven or eight lanterns hanging beneath the eaves of the gate—some shaped like lotus flowers, some like round gourds, others like oranges. A plaque on the gate bore the inscription: Bingchen Courtyard.

The courtyard was supported by wood and stone, suspended outside a stone peak. From the crevices in the stone wall above the courtyard, two green pines emerged, their verdant canopies shading half the space below.

The gate stood open, and as the sun slanted westward, golden light filtered through the pine needles, casting mottled patterns upon amber-colored wooden floors, reflecting in shimmering waves.

The courtyard was spacious, containing only two rooms and a pavilion. The east and west rooms stood side by side as residences, while opposite them lay the Alchemy Pavilion, within which sat a half-human-tall alchemical furnace.

On the stone wall by the pavilion, a small stream trickled down, collecting in a stone jar—no taller than half a man—which overflowed, water cascading down its sides and out through stone fissures, forming a waterfall beyond the courtyard.

Feng Jihu was intimately familiar with this place. He glanced first at the western room, whose door was also open and found it empty, as expected. Leading Yunqi, he entered the eastern room.

Inside, the chamber was immaculate and undivided, parted only by a paper screen, splitting it into two sections. The entrance section was furnished as a study, with shelves and a desk. Behind the screen stood a wooden bed and a long table beside it, otherwise unadorned.

What caught Yunqi’s eye was the row of bookshelves by the entrance, packed full with books.

"Not bad, is it? These volumes are the accumulation of my early years after entering the sect, costing no small amount of silver. Some contain my handwritten notes. When I left, I didn’t take them, thinking to leave them for future generations. Now that I’ve brought you in, they’ll serve you well," Feng Jihu said with a smile.

Yunqi nodded. "Excellent indeed, my heartfelt thanks, Brother."

They sat and chatted for a while, during which Yunqi learned that Daoist Jihu’s secular name was Feng Xuhui. He entered the mountains at thirteen, lived on Wanhu Peak for seven years, and at twenty opened his Fire Mansion, formally joining the Rhododendron Valley and studying both medicine and botany, now three years hence.

Feng Xuhui belonged to the “Ji” generation, naturally gentle and taciturn, modest and reserved. His master gave him the Dharma name “Tiger,” wishing for him to have a heart as vast as a valley, yet with the spirit of a crouching tiger.

Feng Jihu explained that upon joining Rhododendron Valley under Master Ciyu, his teacher sent him to the Administrative Court to handle sect affairs, with no fewer than ten tasks per month. Three years of this tempered his introverted nature.

Recruiting disciples for Master Suku Yu was also one such task.

Feng Jihu hailed from Yuzhang, born to privilege, and was guided from childhood in the health arts passed down through Yulin View. Yet it was not until age ten that he cultivated pure spiritual energy, hence he praised Cheng Yunqi’s talent.

Time slipped by in their idle conversation. Suddenly, the cry of a bird pierced the air, followed by hurried footsteps. Yunqi, attentive, noted the heavy, rapid tread—likely a tall person.

"Bingkun!"

Feng Jihu called out.

"Eh, who’s there?" came a grumbling voice from outside, approaching in long strides.

Soon Yunqi saw the newcomer: a towering figure who, standing at the threshold, seemed to fill the doorway. The setting sun bathed him in light, making him appear almost a guardian deity.

"Xuhui!"

Upon seeing Daoist Jihu, the man broke into a wide grin, bowed his head, and embraced him. Though Feng Jihu was tall and slender, he seemed like a chick in the other’s arms.

"Enough, enough, let go," Daoist Jihu protested, hammering the man’s back until released.

"Yunqi, this is He Bingkun. We entered the mountains together and lived side by side for seven years. Bingkun, this is Cheng Yunqi, who joined today. Yunqi caught my eye, so I had him stay here; teach him well in the days to come."

The two exchanged greetings.

Feng Jihu elaborated, "Bingkun and I are of the same age. He is a registered disciple of the Nine Heavens Origin Mansion, one of the eight veins of Lotus Paradise. That vein requires the simultaneous opening of three residences—Thunder, Cloud, and Wind—before establishing a mansion. The breath itself roars like thunder, so it takes longer, but he is nearly ready."

He Bingkun grinned, "By the end of next summer, at latest."

"Yunqi is also one of the eight veins, a registered disciple of Mingzhi Mountain, only fifteen this year. Yunqi, you were just fretting about how to reach Mingzhi Mountain? Let Bingkun take you; he’s about to open his Heart Mansion, so he visits the Origin Mansion daily. Some years ago, he found a Thunder Bird with remarkable speed."

He Bingkun sized up Yunqi—the youth’s spirit was clear, his looks fresh and refined, demeanor gentle, not sharp. Bingkun felt a genuine affection, hearing he was a disciple of Mingzhi Mountain. He said with a smile,

"Greetings, Little Daoist."

Yunqi showed a wry smile, "Don’t tease me, Brother. Please just call me Yunqi."

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He Bingkun laughed heartily and turned to Feng Jihu, "Xuhui, you’re staying tonight, aren’t you? Let’s share a few drinks to welcome Yunqi."

Feng Jihu replied, "That’s just what I intended!"

"Good! You two stay put. I’ve hung smoked pork in the alchemy furnace—mountain boar smoked last winter with pepperwood. I’ll slice it. The jar holds fine wine from Dew Valley."

With that, He Bingkun strode out, soon the sound of the furnace lid being opened rang out.

"Only Bingkun could manage smoked meat in an alchemy furnace," Feng Jihu remarked, then turned to Yunqi, "Can you drink?"

"I can manage a little, but dare not get drunk—Master Suku set me much coursework."

Feng Jihu laughed, "No worries. What the master assigned must be introductory texts on cultivation; Bingkun and I have read them to tatters. Tonight, we’ll tell you all—you can count it as a side dish."

Yunqi agreed.

Feng Jihu brought out a table, and the three sat in the courtyard’s open space. The golden sunset deepened to crimson, clouds painted the western sky, and countless accomplished cultivators—riding swords, cranes, or clouds—returned to the mountains like birds to their nests.

Cheng Yunqi gazed at the wondrous scene, remembering that at dawn he was still in the mundane world, but now at sunset he was in the immortal mountains, with fine wine and delicacies awaiting him. It felt like a dream, and for a long while he remained lost in thought.

Feng Jihu and He Bingkun exchanged a smile, neither urging nor moving their chopsticks, quietly waiting for Yunqi to return to himself.

After a dozen breaths, Yunqi stirred, saw the two waiting, and apologized.

He Bingkun opened the wine jar, the aroma spreading, and Yunqi felt refreshed, reminiscent of the scent of fo-ti he’d first encountered in his soul’s journey.

He Bingkun produced three porcelain cups, filling them with wine. "Today, three successive masters of this courtyard gather—welcoming old and new alike. Isn’t that worth a toast?"

Feng Jihu and Cheng Yunqi agreed, and the three clinked glasses and drank.

The wine was cold entering the mouth, fiery down the throat, leaving the palate clean and the stomach warm, with the fragrance of herbs—Yunqi had never tasted such fine wine.

"Tonight we gather; tomorrow, I’ll go to the Administrative Court to register, complete the task of recruiting for Master Suku, and then I’ll leave the mountain."

Feng Jihu set down his cup.

He Bingkun paused, "What for?"

"I plan to open the Water Mansion. Recently, I asked Xu Jishen of Star-washing Pool to divine my fortune—he said my opportunity lies in the south, so I must go out and explore."

He Bingkun nodded, "A good thing. Where first?"

"I’ll visit Dianwen first. If nothing comes of it, I’ll turn to the southern wilds."

Yunqi seized the chance to ask, "May I ask, what are residences and mansions? What are the eight veins of Lotus Paradise, and what lineages does our mountain contain?"

Feng Jihu and He Bingkun exchanged glances, and the former began,

"In today’s world, there are many schools of law, generally divided into Daoist, heterodox, Buddhist, and demonic. Within Daoism, the orthodox paths include internal alchemy, external alchemy, talismans, five thunders, spirit invocation, star observation, form refinement, and primal spirit—over ninety kinds.

Our Three Pure Sect takes internal alchemy as its foundation, yet encourages the study of all methods, integrating and cross-referencing, with the aim to inherit the sage’s wisdom and create new wonders—hence known as the ‘all methods’ sect.

Since the founding ancestor established the sect, over six thousand years of inheritance have yielded nearly forty branches, through restoration of ancient methods and creation of new ones. Thus, we have the present structure, which I will explain in detail."

Feng Jihu sipped wine and continued,

"In the northwest of the mountains lies Lotus Paradise, the source of the mountain’s geomantic veins. There are nine peaks—one flat-topped mountain at the center, surrounded by eight high peaks.

The central mountain is called Liangyi Mountain, with the Three Pure Palace atop it, flanked by the Pure Yang and Primal Yin Halls, dwellings of successive sect leaders.

The eight peaks are arranged according to the eight trigrams:

Qian position: Purple Smoke Mountain, with Immortal Platform, venerating the ancient gods King of the East and Queen Mother of the West, specializing in the fusion of yin and yang, stone transformation, and void-breaking arts;

Xun position: Mingzhi Mountain, with the Grave of Living Dead, also known as Zhan Biyun’s Bamboo Grove, specializing in pure yang, wood, earth, wind, corpse dissolution, soul return, and ghost summoning;

Kan position: Yaoguang Mountain, with Star-washing Pool atop, venerating Guan Yinzi, specializing in star observation and mountain qi divination;

Gen position: Cliffside Mountain, with Teaching Hall, venerating Jade Pure Primordial Ancestor, also the sect’s library, specializing in talismans, script interpretation, decree issuance, and spirit summoning;

Kun position: White Tiger Mountain, with Inspection Mansion, specializing in metal arts, weaponry, array diagrams, puppetry, and mechanisms;

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Zhen position: Pivot Mountain, with Nine Heavens Origin Mansion, venerating the Thunder Voice Celestial Lord, specializing in thunder arts, illusion-breaking, and spirit invocation;

Li position: Danxia Mountain, with an alchemical well connecting to underground fire springs, venerating the Supreme Virtue Ancestor, specializing in fire arts and external alchemy;

Dui position: Hundred Herbs Mountain, with Qingbai Lake atop, surrounded by a thousand acres of lotus, forming a separate realm, venerating the Supreme Treasure Ancestor, specializing in array diagrams, water arts, and void arts.

Each of these eight mountains has produced immortals—whether celestial, terrestrial, wandering, or corpse-dissolving—each with its own lineage, hence called the Eight Great Veins.

Additionally, the sect contains Rhododendron Valley in the southeast and Rainbow Mountain in the northeast, both practicing medical arts; Dew Valley in the north, cultivating lunar form refinement; Sword-casting Mountain in the northwest, specializing in sword arts; Mirror Stone Forest in the northeast, specializing in star-walking and body-sword arts; Shade-collecting Mountain in the southwest, weaving clouds and mist; Misty Mountain in the south, specializing in incantations and formulas. There are many more, too numerous to list.

In addition, countless Daoists among the mountain valleys seek ancient innovations; perhaps in a few years, new lineages will emerge—who can say?"

He Bingkun, filled with pride, continued, "As Jihu said, our sect takes internal alchemy as its foundation, studying other arts as well. This internal alchemy, the supreme path ancient and modern, emphasizes the refinement of essence, energy, and spirit, divided into five realms.

The first realm is called Qi Refinement: primarily ingesting qi, tempering the body, and opening major acupoints. Even the method of qi ingestion differs among schools—visualization, sitting in forgetfulness, body flexing, and more. Once qi is ingested and circulated to temper the body, it’s called ‘removing hair and washing marrow,’ ridding the body of impurities, leaving only pure spirit, before opening residences and mansions.

Internal alchemy regards the nose, throat, and ears as Thunder, Cloud, and Wind Residences, storing corresponding spirits within. Once all three are open, one emits thunder, breathes clouds, and stirs wind—three resonances summon rain.

The heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys are called the Five Mansions, corresponding to fire, wood, earth, metal, and water. After opening, one absorbs the essence of heaven and earth, harmonizes with the five elements, and commands vitality.

The ‘Spiritual Pivot’ says: ‘The five organs store spirit, blood, soul, and will; the five organs are the foundation of the human body.’ Thus, opening mansions stores qi and essence, prolonging life.

Opening the three residences and five mansions involves methods like spirit preservation, consumption, and medicinal baths, with each school’s sequence differing. For me, the method requires opening three residences first, then the five mansions. To this day I have not yet opened the first mansion, but Jihu first opened the Cloud Residence, then the Wood Mansion, and now seeks to open the Water Mansion.

When all five mansions are open, the essence of the five elements rises from them, converging to form a small inner world beside the heart mansion, known as the Red Palace. This small world is illuminated by blood and qi, appearing crimson—hence its name.

This gateway is a watershed, also called ‘冲宫’ (Chonggong).

The Red Palace becomes the future residence of the Nascent Soul, so this process is termed 'Five Qi Facing the Origin.'

Reaching Five Qi Facing the Origin marks completion of Qi Refinement—a realm defined by storing qi within the body, refining essence and energy, harmonizing man and nature."

He Bingkun spoke at length, his mouth dry, and drank several more cups.

Feng Jihu continued, "Yunqi, you should know that our Three Pure Mountain, counting formal and registered disciples, numbers around one hundred fifty thousand, but only ten thousand have opened mansions.

That means, of all who come and go, there are fifty thousand who never enter the gates of the Dao. Some spend their lives on Wanhu Peak, doing chores and eating qi; others leave the mountain, become knights, or find shelter in temples—never again knowing hunger. For those of weaker resolve, perhaps this is not a bad thing, maybe even a blessing!

Those lucky enough to open a mansion strive for further progress, aiming for Five Qi Facing the Origin—but how many truly reach it?

Perhaps ten thousand.

Do you hear? From opening one mansion to five, ninety percent are stopped.

Are there those who force themselves into the next realm before all five mansions are opened, refining fierce energies? Yes, but that’s the way of heterodox or demonic sects—never allowed here in Three Pure Mountain.

The Daoist path, though orthodox and smooth, is also long, arduous, and like rowing upstream—fail to advance, and you fall behind. Many, at the end of their lifespan, regret not cultivating hard enough. So, Yunqi, time is a blade, every cut hastens old age. We cultivators must cherish every moment, lest it slip away."

At this, Feng Jihu sighed deeply, gazing at the rising moon—cold and clear, yet his expression was faintly dazed.

"The cold moon and warm sun temper our longevity. Qi Refinement alone is arduous, and beyond lie four greater realms: Fate Storage, Golden Elixir, Nascent Soul, and Union with the Dao—only then can one glimpse the immortal melody. The path of immortality divides into Celestial, Terrestrial, Corpse-dissolving, and Wandering Immortals—each difficult in its own way. Celestial Immortals are hard to attain, Terrestrial hard to enter, Corpse Immortals hard to pass, Wandering Immortals hard to cross. I often ponder deeply, and each time feel the immense difficulty of becoming immortal. Sometimes, in late-night gloom, doubts arise—does the realm above Celestial truly exist? Can one achieve the Supreme Dao Fruit or the Ultimate Harmony?"

He Bingkun snorted coldly, like thunder in a drought, startling Feng Jihu, who laughed and scolded, "You rascal, I was only reflecting, not lost in my Dao heart—no need to shake me with thunder."

"Yunqi has yet to enter the sect; why speak of such things?"

Feng Jihu smiled, turning to Yunqi, "Yunqi, the road of cultivation is long and its end unreachable. Do you truly believe one can reach the ultimate, transcend life and death, and share longevity with heaven and earth?"

Cheng Yunqi listened quietly, then replied softly, "Brothers, in my humble view, the world is vast and full of wonders. An ant knows not the lifespan of a cicada; the cicada knows not the lifespan of a turtle. Beyond the turtle are thousand-year cypresses and ten-thousand-year pines. The ant does not know the pine, but that does not mean pines do not exist."

Both men burst into laughter.

He Bingkun pointed at Feng Jihu, "Yunqi’s Dao heart is firm. Jihu, hear that? Yunqi says you’re the ant in the hollow!"

Feng Jihu shook his head, already tipsy, "We are all cypresses and pines!"

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