Indeed, when Heaven means to destroy a man, it first drives him mad. Jia Yong miscalculated with a single step, and that one mistake cost him everything. Today, in encountering Master Quanzhi, a man of unbending righteousness who abhorred evil, Jia Yong brought humiliation upon himself. Not only did he lose his life—his corpse left in the wilderness—but he also dragged the innocent Liu Guang into calamity.
As a cultivator of the Dao, Master Quanzhi not only followed the will of Heaven, but at times must also act on Heaven's behalf. His martial prowess was extraordinary, inspiring awe in all who beheld it. In today's clash with two top-tier experts—Jia Yong and Liu Guang—one was slain and the other gravely wounded. Such a result spoke volumes of Master Quanzhi's skill, leaving everyone present utterly shaken.
"The Madman of the West," Situ Kong, drifted over to Master Quanzhi and said,
"Old Daoist Quanzhi, it's been many years. Had I not witnessed it with my own eyes today, I would never have believed your martial arts had reached the realm of returning to simplicity."
Master Quanzhi laughed heartily.
"As the ancients say: 'A true master does not reveal himself; those who reveal themselves are not true masters.' You, Situ Kong, are the genuine martial expert."
The two had not seen each other for many years. Situ Kong had come to Mount Hua intending to seek out his old friend, yet Master Quanzhi was elusive—appearing like a divine dragon, never showing head or tail. For days they had failed to meet. Only at the critical moment, when Jia Yong abducted an attendant and threatened Wushang Zhenren for the Royal Jelly, did they finally encounter one another.
Master Quanzhi said,
"With honored guests visiting, let us return to the Daoist temple. This humble priest must properly host you all!"
Thus, Wu Tong and his companions returned to the temple.
By the time they arrived, Wushang Zhenren and the others were already waiting at the entrance. Inside the temple, Situ Kong introduced the companions to Wushang Zhenren and Master Quanzhi. Wu Tong and Master Quanzhi had once crossed hands on Mount Hua years ago. Wu Tong said respectfully,
"Senior, you remain vigorous and sharp of spirit—your heroic bearing undiminished by time!"
Master Quanzhi replied,
"Hall Master Wu, in but a few short years you have rallied the righteous heroes, upheld the Tang, and led an army of chivalry. Your name for justice has spread without need of proclamation—known throughout the realm."
At this moment, Wushang Zhenren had already instructed her attendants, Feng'er and Xiu'er, to prepare a pot of warm honey water. Speaking gently, she said,
"Heroes, had it not been for your timely aid today, my attendant Xiu'er's life would surely have been lost. I offer this honey water in gratitude."
Everyone raised their cups and drank in one go. The honey water entered smoothly—neither hot nor cold, neither harsh nor cloying. Warm honey water nourishes the spleen and stomach and aids digestion, making it especially suitable for those of weaker constitution.
Master Zhenkong sighed and said,
"This old monk must speak frankly. Your Daoist cultivation seems far more free and unrestrained than ours in Buddhism."
Buddhism holds that life itself is suffering—birth is suffering, death is suffering—and this suffering has no end, repeating endlessly through the cycle of rebirth. Only by attaining nirvana may one escape this cycle. In essence, it is an awakening to the truth that life is suffering.
Upon hearing this, Daoist Whitebrow could not help but scoff.
"Zhenkong, Daoism is far better! Your Buddhist cultivation is full of hardship—no meat, no wine, endless rules. How can it compare to our Daoist freedom?"
In Daoist teachings there is a saying:
'Follow the current to become human; go against it to become immortal—everything lies in reversing yin and yang.'
This speaks to the Daoist path toward longevity and transcendence.
Master Zhenkong sighed again.
"Since shaving my head and entering the sangha, great bowls of wine and big slabs of meat have left me behind. I now take refuge in the Buddha!"
Whitebrow recalled how Zhenkong had drunk all of a fellow Daoist's grape wine that night and could not help snorting.
"If that's so, then how did you manage to drink every last drop of Master Jiuyang's grape wine that evening?"
Seeing the two about to start bickering again, Wu Tong quickly interjected,
"Daoist Whitebrow—that wasn't wine, just grape juice!"
Master Zhenkong nodded.
"The young brother speaks the truth—just grape juice. You, Whitebrow, are always trying to make me break my vows!"
Situ Kong laughed.
"That's right, grape juice! And this honey water is excellent. Wushang Zhenren, we'll have a few more cups!"
Wushang Zhenren smiled softly.
"Heroes, there is plenty of honey water—drink as much as you like. There are also some pastries here; please try them."
She instructed Feng'er and Xiu'er to bring out the pastries. The group ate and drank several more cups of honey water. Then Wushang Zhenren asked,
"Hall Master Wu, now that matters here are settled, will you be returning to the capital to report for duty?"
Wu Tong replied,
"Immortal Lady, this junior is traveling at the request of Lord Zhang Gao to seek out old friends—not on official business."
"That is no matter," she said. "Then take a few bottles of Royal Jelly back with you—for my nephew."
Wu Tong answered,
"I will obey without question, but may I ask—who is your nephew, and where does he reside?"
At once, Master Quanzhi, Situ Kong, the Two Eccentrics of Jianghu, and even Ling Xian'er burst into laughter. Wu Tong was momentarily convinced he had said something wrong and said awkwardly,
"This junior is ignorant. I truly do not know who the Immortal Lady's nephew is, nor where he lives."
Situ Kong laughed so hard he nearly doubled over. Ling Xian'er's eyes sparkled as she said mischievously,
"Brother Tong, can't you really guess who the Immortal Lady is?"
Wu Tong looked utterly confused and shook his head.
"I truly cannot."
Ling Xian'er smiled.
"I think the Immortal Lady must be the current emperor's aunt!"
Master Quanzhi immediately praised her.
"Very clever, Xian'er! This Immortal Lady before us is indeed the emperor's aunt—Princess Yuzhen!"
Wu Tong sprang to his feet at once, stepped forward, and bowed deeply.
"Wu Tong, Hall Master of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, failed to recognize Her Highness. I beg forgiveness."
Wushang Zhenren raised her hand.
"Please, no formalities. I have long since entered the Dao. When I first came to cultivate here, my imperial brother entrusted the former Hall Master, Han Zhen, to accompany me. Time flows on—twenty years have passed in the blink of an eye."
She paused, then looked at Ling Xian'er.
"Xian'er, how did you discern my identity?"
Ling Xian'er replied,
"Senior cultivates here, yet your noble bearing cannot be concealed. Your dignified grace and refined elegance far surpass those of ordinary Daoist nuns—enough to show you were born of imperial lineage, a true branch of jade and gold.
"Moreover, I heard Master Quanzhi address you as Wushang Zhenren. That must be your Daoist title. 'Wushang' is no ordinary appellation—who but someone of the highest status could bear it?
"You also asked Hall Master Wu whether he was returning to the capital, and said you wished him to deliver Royal Jelly to your nephew. Who else could that nephew be, if not the reigning emperor? Which means—you must be the emperor's aunt!"