Chapter 33: "Seeking Help from Wudang"

Taoist Master Li is a scholar of Taoism with a profound mastery of ancient astronomy and the calendar. Shen Xingyun recalls that it was under Master Li’s inspiration that he successfully predicted the asteroid Addis, which once threatened disaster. Now that anomalies have appeared in astronomical observations once again, he hopes to find clues in the evolution of ancient astronomy.

Consequently, he began intensive preparations for a trip to Mount Wudang, eager to engage with Taoist Master Li Xuanqing and uncover the key to the asteroid mystery.

Although he failed to obtain specific answers from Shen Xingyun, Yao Kui had made up his mind to visit Mount Wudang after New Year's Day in 2050.

That year, Mount Wudang was unusually cold. The rolling mountains were blanketed in ice and snow, presenting a vast, desolate landscape. Accompanied by Duan Jinhu, Du Yanxiang, and others, Yao Kui set foot on this Taoist mountain, steeped in the vicissitudes of time.

Yao Kui turned to Duan Jinhu and asked, "What were you thinking back then, coming to these desolate mountains to learn martial arts?"

Duan Jinhu scratched his head and replied honestly, "To be frank, Chairman, I didn't care for school when I was a kid; I only loved reading Jin Yong’s martial arts novels—things like the Nine Yang Divine Skill or the Pure Yang Boundless Skill..." As he spoke, he grew animated, panting and gesturing with various martial arts moves.

Seeing this, Yao Kui interrupted him with a smile and asked, "Do you even know how the Taoist temples on Mount Wudang came to be?" Duan Jinhu was stumped, his gestures freezing in mid-air.

Yao Kui continued, "After the Ming Emperor Chengzu, Zhu Di, defeated his nephew Zhu Yunwen to seize the throne, he began constructing the Forbidden City in the north and renovating Mount Wudang in the south. Do you know why he chose to build here?"

Everyone shook their heads; the Chairman’s sudden string of questions had caught them all off guard.

Seeing that no one could answer, Yao Kui explained, "Mount Wudang was built to thank the Dark Warrior Water God for his assistance during Zhu Di's military campaigns. At the time, he mobilized 300,000 workers to specifically construct a complex of turtle-and-snake architecture, symbolizing the Dark Warrior totem."

For a long time, Yao Kui had been seen by everyone as a playboy, but no one expected him to be so knowledgeable today.

Du Yanxiang flattered him coquettishly, "Chairman, you are so learned!" The others echoed her, expressing their genuine admiration.

The 27-year-old Du Yanxiang was a famous star and performing artist hired by Yao Kui. She was tall and stylish, wearing a sparkling hair clip, bright red lipstick on her charming face, and long false eyelashes. A black cheongsam clung to her willow-like waist.

In truth, even she did not know that ever since the air accident, Yao Kui had been searching everywhere for a cure. After many failed attempts with Western medicine, he turned his focus to traditional Chinese folk remedies. He had done a great deal of research before this trip to Mount Wudang.

Puffed up by Du Yanxiang’s praise, Yao Kui said triumphantly, "Let me tell you, the Forbidden City in Beijing was built for humans to live in, but Mount Wudang was built for the gods... That is why it remains the symbol of indigenous Chinese culture and hides many reclusive masters. I’ve heard that Shen Xingyun’s accurate prediction that the asteroid Addis would not hit Earth was guided by a master on this very mountain."

As they spoke, the group arrived before a Taoist temple. Looking up, they saw the Zixiao Palace of Mount Wudang. A biting wind howled past, causing the bells on the eaves of the temple to chime.

Gazing at the ancient and magnificent temple, an inexplicable anticipation rose in Yao Kui’s heart. It seemed that on Mount Wudang, he might truly find the answer to his predicament.

Suddenly, a melodious sound of a flute drifted over. Fearing recognition, Duan Jinhu quietly hid behind the others. Yao Kui understood that the kid must have done something unspeakable here in the past, so he did not press him.

Before them stood an old Taoist priest immersed in his music. Yao Kui hurried forward, bowed respectfully, and asked, "Excuse me, Taoist Master, we are seeking medical treatment. Do you know where we might find it?"

The old priest slowly lowered the flute, raised his gray eyebrows, looked them over, and said, "Many seek medical help these days. What sort of illness do you have?"

Yao Kui extended a withered and atrophied limb and said, "It is like this..."

The old priest frowned slightly and replied, "This... I am afraid you must go to the back mountain and find Taoist Master Li Xuanqing to see if it can be treated."

"Where is he?" Yao Kui asked urgently.

The old priest pointed to the mountain path behind him, which was covered in ice and snow. "The mountain is full of ice and snow now, and the path is difficult to traverse. There are no cable cars. I wonder if you can handle it?"

"Of course, of course! Thank you, thank you!..." Yao Kui and the others nodded repeatedly.

After bidding farewell to the old priest, Duan Jinhu managed to find two small sedan chairs for Yao Kui and Du Yanxiang.

Amidst the towering mountains in the distance, a corridor wound along the cliffs like a giant python coiled between the undulating snowy peaks. The cold wind howled, flapping the curtains of the sedan chairs. The bearers stepped heavily, their feet crunching through the thick snow.

Sitting in the chair, Yao Kui looked at the snowy peaks, feeling both anticipation for the unknown and a touch of unease. He wondered to himself: could he really find hope for a cure on this trip to Mount Wudang? And what would Taoist Master Li Xuanqing be like in the depths of the mysterious back mountain?

Looking up the mountain, one could occasionally catch glimpses of red walls and green tiles amidst the white snow—a magnificent scene of silver snakes dancing on the mountains, wax elephants galloping on the plains, and the turtle and snake intertwined, a perfect harmony of water and fire.

Yao Kui’s group crossed two mountains and passed through a narrow path. Curious, Du Yanxiang poked her head out to admire the scenery, only to scream in terror, "Oh my God! It’s too frightening!"

Duan Jinhu cursed the sedan bearers from the side, "Can’t you damn well be steady? If anything goes wrong, I won't let you off!" The bearers heard the vulgarity and were filled with resentment.

Passing before the Sanyi Hall at Nanyan, Yao Kui said he wanted to offer incense at this place known for the "Number One Incense in the World."

They looked at the dragon-head stone beam suspended over the cliff, formed by two carved clouds and dragons. Even covered in snow, it still strove to support the platform, and the stone incense burner, like a dragon’s pearl, pointed toward the Golden Summit, with three sticks of gold incense emitting smoke.

Yao Kui knew that the "Dragon Head Incense" was built in 1314, during the first year of the Yanyou era of the Yuan Dynasty. Even then, people often risked their lives to burn incense and pray there.

Because the entire dragon-head stone beam extended 2.9 meters over the precipice and was only 30 centimeters wide, with no railings or protective measures, pilgrims had to walk three steps from the platform onto the beam to insert the incense, then kneel on the carved stone to kowtow before standing up and retreating three steps. In winter, the beam was covered in ice and extremely slippery. It was very dangerous, yet people still risked their lives to pray, and some fell to their deaths.

It was not until the twelfth year of the Kangxi era, in 1673, that Cai Yurong, the Governor-General of Sichuan and Hubei, ordered a ban on the practice and erected a monument, finally putting an end to it.

Who could have offered this incense? Duan Jinhu was secretly shocked. Without superb light-body skills, it would be impossible to traverse such a terrifying beam, especially in this weather. The person who had offered the incense must be a true master.

Yao Kui also marveled inwardly, realizing that Mount Wudang truly hid dragons and tigers. He gained a bit more confidence in his own treatment.

The team continued forward until the chairs stopped beneath a cliff. The bearers called out ungraciously, "We've arrived."

Yao Kui stepped out of his chair and looked around. The world was a vast expanse of white, yet there was no sign of temples or halls—only an ice-covered cliff several stories high.

Duan Jinhu was furious. "What? Arrived? Where is this?"

The bearers repeated, "We have arrived," and then demanded payment.

Duan Jinhu cursed, "You damn swindlers! We’re in the middle of nowhere! Where are we supposed to find a doctor?"

Having endured insults throughout the journey, the bearers had reached their limit. They retorted angrily, "This is the place. Find the doctor yourself!"

Duan Jinhu’s temper flared, and he threw a punch at one of the thinner bearers. To his surprise, these woodcutters were no pushovers. Seeing a fight was brewing, they all rolled up their sleeves and shouted.

The thin man clenched his fists. He looked afraid, but in reality, he was gathering strength.

Just as Duan Jinhu lunged with his punch, the man dodged with agile footwork, using the Wudang Cotton Palm technique to effortlessly neutralize the attack.

Duan Jinhu was shocked, but his momentum remained. He launched a series of rapid kicks. The man remained calm, his hands moving as if embracing Tai Chi, using softness to overcome hardness, skillfully evading every strike.

The conflict, which had seemed one-sided, instantly became filled with suspense.

Just as the two sides were locked in dispute, a melodious bell sounded from afar, echoing through the empty valley. Yao Kui startled and gestured for Duan Jinhu to stop, and everyone listened.

The bell seemed to be guiding them. Yao Kui thought that perhaps by following the sound, they could find Taoist Master Li Xuanqing.

Duan Jinhu started to move forward again, but was stopped by Yao Kui.