Chapter 4: Stirring the Muddy Waters to Test Human Hearts

Chapter 4: Stirring Murky Waters to Test Hearts

The round pill in the old Taoist’s palm was no larger than a thumb’s nail. From a distance, it looked a deep, dark red, but upon closer inspection, a subtle radiance seemed to flow across its surface, as if it harbored a unique vitality. Examined carefully, its exterior bore minute patterns, reminiscent of scattered stars, or perhaps the faint glow of fireflies.

Could it really be genuine? Zhang Sanlu swallowed nervously and accepted the pill with both hands. When he touched it, he found its texture astonishingly fine, as if forged from the purest gold. Though small in size, it carried a surprising weight in his palm.

“Thank you, Master!” Zhang Sanlu said respectfully. Of course, his illness was already cured, and he would no longer idly put strange things in his mouth. At the very least, he wouldn’t dare consume this pill before understanding it thoroughly.

“Go now.” The old Taoist seemed in no mood for further conversation; he merely nodded and closed his eyes.

Zhang Sanlu tucked away both the pill and the book, and stepped out of the side hall. By this time, the morning rites had concluded and the other Taoists had already dispersed. Only a tall Taoist in black robes remained in the main hall, speaking with the junior disciple Suqing. In truth, it was mostly the tall Taoist frowning and talking; Suqing listened, his face troubled.

Seeing Zhang Sanlu emerge from the rear hall, Suqing’s face lit up and he called out joyfully, “Senior Brother Zhenfu, you’re out! You look much better now!”

The tall Taoist, hearing Suqing, turned and shot Zhang Sanlu a sidelong glance, then lowered his head to murmur to Suqing, “Remember what I told you.” With that, he strode toward the exit, treating Zhang Sanlu as if he were invisible.

But after a few steps, he suddenly turned, his tone sharp and mocking. “Suqing, let me warn you: when you recite the scriptures from now on, pay extra attention. Don’t be like certain people who let their minds wander during alchemy and attract evil spirits, ruining Master’s plans. If that happens, don’t blame me for being harsh—useless!”

Without waiting for Suqing’s reply, he flicked his sleeves and left.

“Yes, I understand, Senior Brother. Take care,” Suqing hurriedly responded.

But Zhang Sanlu would not let it go. Here he was, a newly recovered lunatic, and instead of helping him adjust, that fellow was using veiled insults? Why should he put up with that? The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He spun around and shouted, “What’s your problem, running your mouth like that? You want me to teach you a lesson or what?”

Konggao, caught off guard by Zhang Sanlu’s retort—though he didn’t fully comprehend the words, the tone was unmistakably rude—flushed deep red. He turned and barked, “What did you say? How dare you speak so insolently!”

“Insolent? I’ll knock your teeth out and tie ‘em to your belt!” Zhang Sanlu rolled up his sleeves and advanced menacingly.

Suqing quickly grabbed him around the waist, holding him back with all his might. “Senior Brother, please, Master is still in the rear hall!”

Konggao, startled by Zhang Sanlu’s sudden outburst, backed away several steps. Hearing Suqing, he glanced nervously toward the rear hall. “Hmph! We’ll see about this. You won’t have it so easy in the future.” With that, he spun on his heel and strode off, breaking into a run as soon as he cleared the hall.

“Pah! Who do you think you are?” Zhang Sanlu spat in his direction, then patted Suqing’s arm to signal him to let go.

Suqing, sweating profusely, looked at Zhang Sanlu and muttered softly, “Senior Brother, you really are different from before.”

“Of course! My illness is cured, haha!” Zhang Sanlu’s sudden shift in demeanor left Suqing’s mind reeling; all he could do was nod repeatedly in agreement. Then, as if recalling something, he broke into a grin.

“Senior Brother, since you’ve just recovered, let me handle the sweeping and water-carrying for now. And—please don’t be angry. Senior Brother Konggao is just like that; he doesn’t mean anything by it.”

Little did he know that Zhang Sanlu was entirely unbothered. Having been ill for so long, he’d become well-versed in psychology. After his family fell apart, he’d gone from a favored elite at a prestigious university to a pariah. What types of people and situations hadn’t he seen? He’d encountered more than enough of the petty, the mean-spirited, the backbiting. And Suqing’s seemingly harmless but subtly manipulative ways—how different were they really from that tall Taoist’s?

“Thank you for your kindness, Junior Brother. It’s just as well—Master has given me some scriptures to study,” Zhang Sanlu replied with a smile, turning away and strolling out. In that moment, he’d made up his mind: if he couldn’t see through the mysteries of this decrepit temple, he’d simply muddy the waters himself.

Suqing stared blankly at Zhang Sanlu’s departing figure. Ever since Senior Brother Zhenfu’s brush with evil spirits, he seemed a completely different person, nothing like before. He stood there lost in thought for a while, then donned his customary harmless smile and went off to fetch water.

That evening, after supper, Zhang Sanlu lay on his bed, eyes closed, listening to the sounds outside. He waited until darkness had fully fallen, and only then did he hear the footsteps of two people—the evening rites must have ended. He climbed up and flung open the door.

Outside, two young Taoists walked together. They shared his small courtyard: the younger was Suqing, the elder, it seemed, was named Manshan.

Both started at the sight of Zhang Sanlu opening the door, then hastily nodded in greeting.

“Good evening, Senior Brother Zhenfu.”

“Yes, yes, good evening to you both.” Zhang Sanlu smiled and waved at Suqing. “Suqing, I need a word with you. Come to my room for a moment.”

Suqing quickly agreed, then turned to Manshan. “Senior Brother Manshan, you go ahead. I’ll be right there.” With that, and under Manshan’s complicated gaze, he entered Zhang Sanlu’s room, shutting the door behind him and cutting off Manshan’s view.

Once inside, Zhang Sanlu peered through the window crevice to make sure Manshan had gone, then turned with a grin to Suqing. “Junior Brother, of all Master’s disciples, you and I get along best. You’re always particularly attentive to my affairs, so naturally, I wouldn’t hide anything from you. Do you know why Master summoned me today?”

A flush of pleasure colored Suqing’s face, but he swallowed nervously and replied, “Senior Brother, I don’t want to know about Master’s summons. Perhaps Master just wanted to check on your recovery?” He fixed Zhang Sanlu with a hopeful, unblinking stare.

“There’s nothing to hide between us brothers. You’re half right. Didn’t I tell you this afternoon—Master not only inquired about my health, but also lent me a book, the ‘Scripture of No Regret.’ I’m sure you’ve heard of it?”

“The ‘Scripture of No Regret’? Master lent it to you?!” Suqing’s face grew even more flushed.

“Not gave—just lent, for me to study intently. For how long? Well, until I’m thoroughly familiar with it, I suppose.” Zhang Sanlu smiled. “Would you like to see it, Junior Brother?” As he spoke, he pulled the thin booklet from his robe like a treasure and waved it before Suqing’s eyes.

Suqing stared fixedly at the three ancient characters on the cover, holding his breath. “Senior Brother, Master has taught part of these scriptures over the years. Just reciting them daily gives more strength and clarity. Everyone wonders when he’ll teach the next chapters. Who would have thought Senior Brother Zhenfu would be the one to receive the genuine text?” Jealousy shone in his eyes, though he added, “But since Master entrusted it to you, I couldn’t possibly presume to read it. Alas…”

Zhang Sanlu kept smiling, and, under Suqing’s envious gaze, tucked the booklet away again. Then he asked, “Do you know how old Master is, Junior Brother?”

Seeing the scripture go back into Zhang Sanlu’s robe, Suqing’s interest waned. He nodded, “I’ve heard Master is already over two hundred years old.”

Zhang Sanlu nodded gently, but inwardly was shaken. Could the old Taoist really have lived so long?

But before he could think it through, he reached into his robe again. When his hand emerged, it was clenched tightly. He slowly opened his palm before Suqing, revealing the black-red pill.

Suqing’s eyes went wide, and he drew a sharp breath, his voice trembling. “Could it be… could it be… is that…?”

“That’s right—this is the Longevity Pill, capable of extending life and aiding one on the path to the Dao.” Before Suqing could react, Zhang Sanlu threw his head back and popped the pill into his mouth. With a single gulp, he swallowed it whole, right before Suqing’s stunned eyes!