Chapter 125: I Have a Method, Only for the Destined

Chapter 125: Chapter 125: I Have a Method, Only for the Destined

After hearing the Immortal’s words, Shen Miaowei could only feel that he was unfathomably profound.

For she had indeed encountered some vexing problems and strange occurrences recently—all of which the Immortal "Wang Xizhi" had correctly identified. ℴ

"Immortal, your insight is truly profound."

She hurriedly bowed again, her tone several shades more respectful. Without further hesitation, she began her story.

Shen Miaowei was the only daughter of the Shen Family. Her mother had passed away long ago, and her father, Shen Han, was currently the second-in-command of the Northern Alliance Government. He also had three concubines.

The Northern Alliance Government controlled the lands north of Suo Long Pass, making them the de facto rulers of Daluo’s Northern Territory. They stood in opposition to the warlord factions of the Central Earth Chen Kingdom and the Southern Jin Kingdom.

The Shen Family held a lofty position in Pinghai City, the Provincial City of the Northern Alliance. Her father, Shen Han, was known as "Marshal Shen," a man whose word was law and who was widely feared and respected.

And the source of Shen Miaowei’s troubles lay herein.

The leader of the Northern Alliance, Commander-in-Chief Xie Xinglong, was the current head of the Xie Family. He had four sons under his name. His eldest was assassinated two years ago, his second had run away from home, and his youngest was still a boy. Only his third son, Xie Yanshu, had reached the age of maturity and remained unwed.

Thus, Xie Xinglong had sent a matchmaker to their home to propose a marriage, hoping to form an alliance with the Shen Family.

Shen Miaowei was vehemently opposed to the union.

To say nothing of Xie Yanshu’s ugly appearance—a square head, large ears, and a short, stout build—the man’s character was utterly despicable. He bullied the weak, tyrannized women, and was a complete ignoramus... There were even rumors that he was addicted to "Dream Porcelain," a foreign opiate, and was fond of womanizing and gambling.

Fortunately, her father doted on her and was unwilling to see her marry that degenerate and fall into a pit of despair.

They had already rejected the proposal twice.

But the Xie Family was powerful and refused to give up. They invited all sorts of famous figures to act as advocates, organized art exhibitions, sent lavish gifts, and even had one of Shen Miaowei’s former painting instructors come to her home to persuade her.

In short, they were trying everything they could think of to make this marriage happen.

The day before yesterday, Xie Yanshu had even sent a ghostwritten letter inviting Shen Miaowei on a spring outing.

The thought of it utterly revolted her.

Things were manageable when her father was home, as the Xie Family wouldn’t dare do anything too outrageous. But what if her father had to leave on business?

Shen Miaowei couldn’t hide at home forever.

So she turned to the Immortal for help.

"Heaven and Earth are a great crucible, forging iron into steel. The thunder of the Nine Heavens tempers jade until it gleams. The philosopher Han Fei once said, ’The ancients competed with virtue, those of the middle ages vied with wit, and today, men contend with strength’..."

Wang Xi thought for a moment before speaking in a calm tone.

"Miss Shen, you lack strength. That is why you are timid and easily troubled by worldly affairs. If you possessed strength, why would you fear the Xie Family’s pressure to marry, or worry that Xie San might have ill intentions toward you?"

"..."

Hearing this, Shen Miaowei fell silent.

"What the Immortal says is true."

Her expression was desolate and dim, her features clouded with sorrow.

"But I am merely a woman. Aside from painting, I have no other talents... Daluo is a land that values martial might. Foreign powers invade from our shores, and warlords wage endless war within. My father commands soldiers, but what has any of that to do with me?"

"I am not qualified to wield such strength."

Suddenly, as if she finally understood the Immortal’s implication, Shen Miaowei looked up sharply, her face filled with hope.

"Forgive my presumption, Immortal. You have appeared to me through this painting, as if in a dream. Are you... are you willing to save me from this sea of suffering?"

Wang Xi went to the bathroom to brush his teeth and wash his face, taking the opportunity to think things over.

’She’s special,’ he thought. ’The painting she created has become the medium for our communication.’ He knew very little about the Profound Mysterious Otherworld. The Hero Association database mostly contained information about Mazes and disasters, which wasn’t very relevant...

’Through her, I can learn more about that world. Besides, this young lady of the Shen Family has a high status, so she must be wealthy. Befriending her could be very helpful for my future adventures.’

"Immortal?"

Shen Miaowei’s right hand rested lightly on her left wrist, held before her waist. She dipped into a slight curtsy, her head bowed, maintaining the posture of a well-bred lady.

But after waiting for a long time with no response, she couldn’t help but grow anxious.

"Immortal, are you still there?"

Finally, the ethereal, detached voice returned.

"I have a method that I impart only to those with whom I share a destined bond."

A jolt of joy went through Shen Miaowei, and she lowered her head even further.

"I wonder... do I count as one of those with a destined bond? Might I be worthy of receiving the Immortal’s Dharma Gate?"

"In a great dream beyond this world, a thousand autumns passed. I knew not the year, nor the day. From a hazy slumber, I awoke to see only you, like the first spring breeze to greet my eyes."

The inscrutable voice seemed to hold a hint of a smile.

"Miss Shen, you are, of course, one with whom I share a bond."

Hearing this, Shen Miaowei’s heart leaped with joy.

Although a woman, she was well-versed in poetry and literature, and she couldn’t help but be secretly astonished.

’The Immortal is a transcendent being who has slept for hundreds, even thousands, of years...’ she thought. ’Our meeting must be the will of heaven.’

A light shone in her eyes. She clasped her hands before her and bowed deeply. As her dark hair cascaded forward, her voice trembled, but every word was spoken with the utmost gravity.

"Immortal, you show me such mercy. What have I, Miao Wei, done to deserve such a fated gift? I have heard the old saying, ’An Immortal touched my crown, and granted me long life.’ To receive your guidance today is like finding a lamp in a dark room, or a boat at an impassable river."

"Miao Wei is willing to serve you as a disciple, making offerings at dawn and dusk and heeding your every teaching. If you would not cast me aside... while my home has no nectars of the gods, we do have an ancestral slab of ’pine smoke ink,’ an imperial gift from a previous Daluo dynasty. I also have a ’Nine Heavens Jade’ guqin, whose tone is clear and pure. Perhaps it could accompany the Immortal in his quiet Cultivation."

After speaking, she felt she had been too forward. A blush rose on her cheeks, and she quickly added:

"Of course, I know mortal trinkets are beneath an Immortal’s notice, but they are perhaps better than mere gold bricks, jewelry, and silver coins. If the Immortal has any other command, Miao Wei would not hesitate to carry it out, even if it meant being ground to dust."

"..."

Wang Xi lay on his living room sofa, smacking his lips.

’This girl really is a well-mannered, educated young lady from a rich family,’ he thought. ’But what use do I have for any of that stuff? It’s not like they’re Universal Cards; I can’t bring them over here anyway.’

"Miss Shen, you are too kind."

Wang Xi said, his mind racing.

’What technique should I teach her? First, I can rule out the Randall Body Refining Technique and the Frost Winter Meditation Technique. Those two Cultivation Techniques are clearly unsuitable. The former is a battlefield technique designed for taking a beating, and the latter requires a very specific and demanding physical constitution. The Moonlit Night Breathing Technique is also a no-go, since I don’t even know if the Profound Mysterious World has Magic Power. That only leaves the Nine Rhymes of Pear Garden.’

"You are but a mortal for now. To rashly attempt an immortal art would be more harmful than beneficial, and you would find it impossible to master. You must remember to proceed step by step... First, I shall impart to you a method for strengthening your body. I cannot say it will allow you to defeat a hundred men, but eight or nine ordinary ruffians will not be able to get near you. And should you encounter a danger you cannot overcome, you can rely on your newfound agility to escape with your life. What do you say?"

"Miao Wei thanks the Immortal for imparting this technique!" the girl exclaimed.

Fearing any delay would be a sign of disrespect, she quickly fetched a brush and paper.

As Wang Xi dictated the secrets of the Nine Rhymes of Pear Garden, Shen Miaowei took it all down in quick, semi-cursive script.

A short while later.

A text of several hundred words detailing the Cultivation Technique was now on the paper. Shen Miaowei set down her brush, browsed through it, and then murmured the words softly to herself.

A look of confusion crossed her face. She turned to the portrait and asked respectfully:

"Immortal, this Dharma Gate... why does it seem a bit like something an opera troupe would practice?"

"All worldly paths can lead to the Dao."

The calm reply came from the portrait.

"Be they peddlers or porters, actors or artisans, if one reaches the pinnacle of their craft, they can touch upon the Profound Mystery. The world believes that Cultivation requires severing all mortal ties. How laughable that they always seek Immortals beyond the clouds, never realizing that the Great Dao is simple, and truth is everywhere you look. The Dao is in a roof tile, and the Dharma is in filth."

"The Dao is in a roof tile, and the Dharma is in filth..."

Shen Miaowei murmured, her cheeks flushing slightly. She found the Immortal’s words rather crude, yet she sensed a deep truth hidden within them.

Then, she heard the Immortal’s young, clear voice continue.

"The butcher Ding carved an ox, turning skill into art. The calligrapher Zhang Xu watched a sword dance and made his brush flow like dragons. A blade of grass, a splinter of wood, a single sip, a single peck—all are reflections of the Heavenly Dao."

"If you achieve enlightenment, the opera stage becomes a sacred ground, and the clash of gongs becomes the roar of heavenly thunder. If you do not, you could wander all Thirty-Six Grotto Heavens and still remain a mere mortal."

"The Zen Sect has a saying: ’Carrying water, chopping wood—all is the sublime Dao.’ The question you ask today was answered by another three hundred years ago."

"I will heed the Immortal’s teachings."

Shen Miaowei rose and bowed, saying earnestly,

"Miao Wei will practice the Nine Rhymes Play diligently and not disappoint the Immortal’s expectations."

"Good. You are teachable."

Wang Xi said, putting on the gratifying tone of a profound master.

Just then, Shen Miaowei quietly raised her eyes, stealing a glance at the handsome young man in the portrait, and asked out of the blue,

"I wonder, would it be possible for the Immortal to appear in person? I wish to serve you tea with my own hands and play the guqin for you."

"..."

Wang Xi fell silent.

’Never mind that I can’t actually appear in person,’ he thought. ’Even if I could, I’m not sure I’d want to meet this girl face-to-face right now. An Immortal is supposed to look ethereal, or at least like a transcendent master. Right now, I’m shirtless, wearing baggy shorts and a pair of flip-flops... My whole mystique would shatter in an instant.’

"We will meet eventually, but the time is not yet right."

"Why do you say that, Immortal?" Shen Miaowei asked, puzzled.

Wang Xi picked at his ear and began spouting whatever came to mind.

"My awakening was guided by the Heavenly Dao. I intend to return to the mortal world to overcome a tribulation and ascend to a higher realm."

"Overcome... a tribulation?!"

The girl was astonished.

’For an Immortal to face a tribulation, it must be incredibly perilous,’ she thought.

"I have dreamt for ages, but my ties to the mortal world are not yet severed. I must now experience three thousand blizzards and ninety thousand sorrows... When that time comes, we shall meet."

"The Immortal seeks to overcome a worldly tribulation. Miao Wei understands. If there is anything you require, please do not hesitate to ask," the girl said, taking a deep breath.

A glimmer of anticipation lit up her eyes.

She was looking forward to the day she would finally meet the Immortal.

A moment later.

In the bedroom on the second floor of the small Western-style villa, the sound of a guqin, like a clear, flowing spring, began to drift through the air.

It was Shen Miaowei, dressed in a qipao, sitting gracefully before the painting, burning incense as she played.

Because the "Immortal had awoken from a long dream, unaware of the passage of time in the mortal world," she took it upon herself to tell him about the current state of Daluo and the strange events that had recently occurred in Pinghai City.

’There was a mysterious disturbance in the residential area of the eastern district. Neighbors who had known each other for years began slaughtering one another, not even sparing their own friends and family. The casualties were countless.’

’In the western district, several young couples were found dead under bizarre circumstances, their bodies withered and desiccated.’

’A plague broke out in the southern district. The roar of a lion was occasionally heard, and many merchants and commoners have fallen ill.’

’Outside the city, a woodcutter reportedly saw a strange, twenty-foot-tall Daoist leading more than a dozen young boys and girls through the fields before vanishing in the blink of an eye.’

Wang Xi recalled what Shen Miaowei had told him.

He felt more and more that her world was a bizarre and dangerous place.

Those inexplicable tales of the strange and supernatural were likely not just baseless rumors. After all, the Profound Mysterious World, just like the Fairy Tale World, truly possessed Extraordinary Power.

But compared to Demons, Wang Xi felt those Elves and ghosts would probably be even more difficult to deal with...

’It’s even possible,’ he thought, ’that real Immortals actually exist there.’

’I’ll just take it one step at a time. I’ll make more concrete plans once I can actually descend into that world.’ Wang Xi mused.

’At the very least, I’ve gotten a basic lay of the land from Shen Miaowei. I won’t be going in completely blind, like a headless chicken.’

After Miss Shen finished her song on the guqin.

The voice from the portrait spoke.

"Jade from Kunlun shatters, and the phoenix cries; the hibiscus weeps dew, and the fragrant orchid smiles. Miss Miaowei, your skill with the guqin is exquisite. To awaken from a long slumber and be greeted by such a melody is a great comfort."

"If I am ever fortunate enough to gaze upon Mr. Xizhi’s immortal face, I shall dance for you in person..."

Shen Miaowei’s cheeks flushed red at the praise.

She pressed her lips together, her dimples showing, and murmured,

"I truly look forward to that day."