nucmednet Chapter 10 Master Guanyang, Questions and Answers in His Study
Chapter 10 Master Guanyang, Questions and Answers in His Study
Not long after, the emperor finished reading the third diary entry.
He sat in his chair for a moment, then summoned the chief eunuch Hong Fu and asked, "Has the person I sent to fetch arrived?"
Hong Fu replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, they have arrived and are waiting outside."
The emperor nodded in satisfaction and then said, "Quickly invite the Taoist priest in."
Upon hearing this, Hong Fu dared not delay for a moment and immediately turned around to invite him.
A moment later, an elderly man with a sage-like demeanor slowly walked in.
He wore a blue Taoist robe and a Taoist crown, held a whisk in his hand, and had a lean face, exuding an air of detachment from worldly affairs.
He approached the emperor and bowed, saying, "This humble Taoist priest, Guan Yang, greets Your Majesty."
The emperor smiled warmly and said, "No need for formalities, please take a seat."
As soon as he finished speaking, a palace servant brought over a wooden stool and placed it below the emperor.
The emperor was a devout follower of Taoism and had become acquainted with many Taoist priests and sorcerers over the years. The man before him, Master Guan Yang, was one of them.
He came from Miaoguan Dao, and was a renowned Taoist master of his time. He was learned and knowledgeable, with a profound spiritual realm, and enjoyed a very high reputation among the people. He was also a guest of many high-ranking officials and dignitaries.
"It's been a long time since we last met, Master. You still look as dashing as ever."
Upon hearing this, Master Guan smiled and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty flatters me. I am deeply honored to receive Your Majesty's favor. Your Majesty's excellent health and vitality are a blessing to all people and a boon to the world."
Everyone loves to hear nice words, and the emperor was very pleased with the flattery from Master Guan.
However, he remembered his purpose and said, "I have summoned you to the palace urgently because I have something to ask you. I hope you will be kind enough to give me your guidance."
"Your Majesty is too kind. Although I am not talented, since I have been entrusted with Your Majesty's trust, I will do my best to share Your Majesty's burdens," Master Guan replied.
"Ah."
The emperor's hand rested on the book of "Cultivation Diary," his fingers tapping unconsciously.
During their conversation, he had already waved the booklet around, but Guan Yang's expression didn't change at all, clearly indicating that he couldn't see the diary either.
Despite having anticipated the outcome, the emperor could not help but feel disappointed.
Since even the Taoist priest can't see it, there's no need to mention it to him, lest he think he's having hysteria and cause other trouble.
The emperor believed that keeping the diary would do him no harm.
The emperor thought to himself, "Let's try a different excuse. I could say that I learned about it by chance from some miscellaneous book or from someone else."
He pondered for a moment and decided to ask a simple question first.
"Master, I would like to ask about the art of turning stone into gold. Is it true?"
Upon hearing this, Master Guan straightened up, stroked his beard gently, and slowly said, "Your Majesty, the art of turning stone into gold is a magical technique in Taoist legends. However, I believe that this technique is neither real nor fake, but rather a symbol and allegory."
The emperor found it intriguing and pressed for details, asking, "Oh? I'd like to hear more."
Master Guan Yang smiled slightly and continued:
The art of turning stone into gold does not actually mean turning stones into gold, but rather refers to elevating one's mind and wisdom to a new level through cultivation and enlightenment, thereby achieving the state of "turning decay into magic".
In Taoism, anything is possible. With a clear mind and profound wisdom, one can transform the rotten into the miraculous and the impossible into the possible.
Upon hearing this, the emperor felt enlightened and couldn't help but admire the profound wisdom of Daoist Guan Yang: "What you say is absolutely right, Daoist. I have learned a lot."
After a pause, the emperor spoke again: "However, I have heard of illusion magic. Is it possible to use this magic to turn stones into gold without ordinary people noticing?"
"Illusion?"
Master Guan stroked his beard lightly, his brows furrowing slightly.
"The illusions Your Majesty spoke of are indeed real. This is a Taoist art; by practicing this art, one can create illusions that are difficult to distinguish from reality."
However, gold and stone are fundamentally different, and false appearances are easily exposed. It's probably easier to simply coat a stone with gold leaf than to painstakingly devise such illusions.
At this point, Master Guanyang's tone shifted, becoming serious:
"Although illusions can create illusions, they are ultimately false and cannot last. Moreover, if one relies too much on illusions, one will lose one's true self and forget the reality."
Therefore, in Miao Guan Dao's view, illusion is a major obstacle on the path of cultivation and must be treated with caution.
After hearing this, the emperor knew in his heart that what Master Guanyang said was true.
No matter how exquisite the illusion, it can never replace the real.
Seeing that the emperor seemed lost in thought, Master Guanyang stood up, flicked his whisk, and earnestly admonished him:
"Although illusions can create magnificent and dazzling illusions, they are ultimately just false illusions, like dreams and bubbles, which burst at the slightest touch and cannot last long!"
Your Majesty is the ruler of the nation, bearing the well-being of all people on your shoulders. You must not listen to the slander of petty people or indulge in vain pursuits.
The emperor stood up and returned the greeting: "I will keep your words in mind."
"Hmm." A hint of relief flashed in Master Guan's eyes.
Having said that, the emperor refrained from asking any further questions, lest Master Guan again admonish him "not to become obsessed with cultivating immortality."
He then sent Hong Fu to escort Master Guan out of the palace.
After leaving the palace, we got into the carriage.
Guan Yang then dared to wipe his sweat, recalling the conversation in the Imperial Study. He felt that he had handled it very well and had made no mistakes.
Fortunately, he was quick-witted and persuaded the emperor with a single sentence, preventing the emperor from having the opportunity to ask him to perform illusions or ask any further questions.
These days, even being a Taoist priest isn't easy.
He lifted the curtain and asked the boy, "Any new invitations?"
The young Taoist replied, "There is a wealthy merchant from Jiangnan who wants to see me and has already donated five hundred taels of silver."
As he spoke, he respectfully handed over the silver notes.
Guan Yang accepted the silver note and said smugly, "Since he's so sincere, then let's meet him."
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These are all fabrications; please do not take them seriously.