Chapter Seven, Wealth and Honor are as Fleeting as Smoke, Yet the Heart Remains Resolute

Amidst the sound of instruments, a dancer gracefully twirls, like a gentle breeze caressing the willows, resembling a cluster of blooming flowers, exuding an enchanting fragrance, and presenting a breathtaking beauty

Jing Younan understood that after embarking on the path of immortality, cultivators do not lack desires; rather, after acquiring powerful abilities, they disregard rules, and their various desires become more abundant and more blatant

"It is a pity that one cannot attain immortality; wealth and nobility are ultimately but fleeting illusions. Only the eternal and unchanging power is fundamental"

The young girl stepped forward gracefully, parted her crimson lips, and with a gentle voice began to sing in the hall: "Just as the swallow flies by the edge of the Yanzhai, it moves towards the city gate; lightly passing over the jade bridge, it drifts into the Langyuan. Crowded and jostling, the world is turned upside down, the precious cargo of the universe is carried; on the frozen Yangtze River, fish sink and wild geese are lost. In the empty forest, tigers roar and monkeys lament, as cold calamities descend from the heavens; the six flowers drift down, difficult to resist. The white jade steps are covered, the palace curtains chill the garments, at that moment, the warm red sun shines overhead, sweeping away the clouds; the great sky reveals a scene, auspicious energy and radiant light emerge."

A night banquet, where hosts and guests alike are filled with joy

Upon entering the rear hall, a banquet had already been laid out inside

I reflect on myself three times a day, questioning my true intentions and contemplating gains and losses; this is also the practice of ancient sages and wise men

"Daoist Priest."

Once everyone was seated, Old Steward Zhang clapped his hands, and two rows of colorful maidens emerged from behind the screen, like the enchanting fairies of the Ruyi Palace, as if the spring breeze had entered the brocade tent

Between gain and loss lies great wisdom

The Green Willow Mountain Villa is brightly lit, bustling with voices.

Jing Younan pondered for a moment before agreeing. Although he could not indulge in wealth and glory, occasionally allowing himself some indulgence could be considered a way of balancing tension and relaxation

Cultivating longevity and practicing the Dao, with magical powers and divine abilities, serves as a raft to cross the sea of suffering. A tranquil and unyielding heart in the Dao is fundamental, requiring daily polishing amidst the vast and tumultuous world, with constant vigilance, allowing for not the slightest error.

Ha ha, with Steward Zhang being so generous, I shall not be polite in accepting it

The body is like the Bodhi tree, the heart is like a bright mirror stand; it should be constantly polished, lest it be stained by dust

Jing Younan observed with keen eyes and saw that each of the young women was graceful and delicate, with skin as smooth as jade and as cold as ice. Their hair was styled high like a flying phoenix, and their slender brows faintly resembled distant mountains. They were more delicate and beautiful than the women of Chu, akin to the national beauty of Xi Shi.

On the table, there are exquisite dishes, with everything from what flies in the sky, runs on the ground, to what swims in the water, all present, rich in color, aroma, and flavor. Each dish is enough to cover the expenses of a prosperous family for an entire year. A pot of Lanling Spring, aged over a hundred years, is even more priceless, valued higher than gold

If it were any other day, the usually strict Steward Zhang would have scolded and reprimanded with a series of harsh words, and perhaps even resorted to punishment. However, today was clearly different; Steward Zhang accompanied Jing Younan, engaging in lively conversation and laughter, and even a few strands of his neatly combed silver hair had come loose, yet he paid it no mind

Distinguishing between primary and secondary matters, and understanding the importance of making choices, is essential for progressing further

The lower body adorned in silk garments and a crimson skirt, with three-inch golden lotuses, each step swaying thrice, a figure graceful and enchanting, movements elegant and refined, resembling Chang'e descending to the mortal realm, a celestial being gracing the earthly world

In the stillness of the deep night, the moon is cool as water

After the young girl finished singing, the lingering melody was enchanting and continuous, captivating everyone in the hall, leaving them speechless.

In a single day, encountering life-and-death dangers without fear or trepidation, witnessing wealth and glory without losing one's moral compass, solely seeking the path with a focused heart, directly pointing towards immortality

In this opulent environment, his understanding of longevity and power deepened, and his resolve became even more steadfast

The path of cultivation is fraught with thorns, akin to walking on thin ice; one must possess a heart that is determined to overcome all obstacles until the goal is achieved. One must never allow the chaotic flowers by the roadside to distract the eyes, for only the most breathtaking scenery is truly captivating

After a long while, Jing Younan opened his eyes and sighed, "This melody should only exist in the heavens; how often can it be heard in the mortal world"

Motionless, the numerous events that occurred today flowed through my mind

Such exquisite elegance, this is indeed the home of those who enjoy the sound of bells and the aroma of fine food, truly magnificent.

After the colorful maidens performed their ceremonial greetings, each took out the musical instruments beside them, playing a mixed ensemble of sheng and other wind instruments, with the xiao and drums frequently sounding. The notes of gong, shang, jiao, zhi, and yu rose and fell in harmony.

The grandeur of this generational accumulation of wealth comes rushing forth, leaving one entranced and unable to extricate oneself.

Zhang the steward noticed a peculiar light in Jing Younan's eyes and chuckled, "Hehe, Daoist Jing, this young lady is named Yuzhen, and she is one of my adopted daughters. Since childhood, she has been able to sing and dance, charming and clever. If you do not mind, would you allow Yuzhen to serve you for the next few days? If you are pleased, imparting her a few celestial techniques would also be her fortune"

Jing Younan thought for a moment, raised her hand to gesture for her to sit down, and smiled, saying: "It's nothing, I just wanted to have a chat with you"

After greeting Steward Zhang, the charming and lovely Yuzhen supported Jing Younan to the back bamboo grove for a rest

From the sights seen on the road leaving Baiyun Temple, to the confrontation with spirits at Green Willow Mountain Villa, from using the treasure tripod to suppress demons like autumn winds sweeping away fallen leaves to entering the stone chamber to encounter the eerie jade coffin and the woman, from activating the spiritual talisman to seal the yin hole, to witnessing true wealth and splendor in the villa, engaging in candlelit conversations with the enchanting beauties beside me, each event, each detail, is meticulously dissected and analyzed without overlooking a single nuance

A young woman, either a green-clad attendant or a charming maid, comes and goes, exuding joy. Occasionally, she engages in playful banter, feigning annoyance, with laughter filling the air.

Jing Younan was captivated by the extraordinary sights before him; it was the first time he had encountered such an opulence that penetrated to the very marrow, leaving him profoundly shaken

Green Willow Mountain Villa covers an area of over one hundred thousand acres, featuring pavilions and towers, small bridges and flowing water, deep courtyards, and a delightful interplay of flowers and trees. Following behind Daoist Feiyu, Jing Younan heard the melodious sounds of silk and bamboo instruments coming from all around, while before him stood beautiful jade railings and intricately carved balustrades, resembling a royal palace.

The demons have been eliminated, and the heavy burden that weighed on the hearts of the entire manor has been lifted. The whole manor is even more joyful than during the New Year. Although Old Steward Zhang is strict, it does not mean he is inflexible; he certainly does not wish to engage in anything that would spoil the festive atmosphere

The new moon resembles a hook, and the spring chill is palpable

Once the heart of the Dao is clouded, the spiritual light fades away. No matter how immense your magical power or how vast your fortune, you will ultimately be unable to escape this earthly prison, unable to withstand the passage of time as it cuts like a knife

After a while, Jing Younan exhaled a breath of turbid air, opened his eyes, and his gaze sparkled with brilliance.

In Jing Younan's view, there is nothing wrong with enjoying life; however, one should not become so immersed that they cannot extricate themselves. Drowning in the sea of desires can lead to losing oneself, and even the greatest talents may be squandered.

The wealth and splendor before us are indeed unforgettable, yet they are ephemeral, unable to withstand the test of time. Only with a resolute will, great perseverance, and profound wisdom can one navigate against the current and appreciate the most magnificent scenery at the pinnacle.

Jing Younan sat up, and the "Three Yuan Fetal Breathing Observation and Spiritual Method" began to operate spontaneously. It was empty and ethereal, devoid of thoughts and concepts, and his entire being was clear and bright, with eyes shining like stars

In the room, the silver candles burn brightly, radiating warmth akin to spring

In the bamboo grove, dozens of tall bamboos stand, lush and deep green. When the wind blows, the shadows of the bamboos dance gracefully, and the bamboo leaves rustle softly.

Jing Younan's gaze dimmed, and he became a few degrees more profound.

As Deng Yuzhen rolled up her sleeves, revealing her snow-white wrists, she held a wine jug while Jing Younan poured the wine. Jing Younan, with a smile on his face, drank it all in one go

Yuzhen's face was flushed, and she felt a bit uneasy

At the moment when Jing Younan was refining his Dao heart amidst wealth and solidifying his will, a charming young girl stepped forward from the crowd. In her teens, with her hair elegantly styled in a high bun and adorned with a jade hairpin, her willow-like eyebrows resembled distant peaks, and her cherry lips formed a small, delicate mouth

The pearl curtain hangs high, surrounded on all sides by a jade screen. In the center, there is a painting of Shoushan and Fuhai; on the two side walls, there are four scrolls depicting the scenes of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. In the corner, a six-foot tall dragon-patterned ding emits a fragrant mist, while a magpie-tail incense burner radiates auspiciousness.

From Baiyun Temple, the Daoist Baiyun and his numerous disciples all present a facade of piety and virtue, yet secretly engage in the abduction of women from the populace to keep in the temple for their own pleasure, reveling in extravagant indulgence