Chapter 4, Memories Like Smoke

The process of cultivation for practitioners has traditionally been divided into nine realms: the first three realms are for foundation building, the middle three realms are for essence cultivation, and the last three realms are for entering the divine.

Little did one know that the so-called Taiji divine skill was merely a name casually coined by the elder Shi; those flashy moves were merely superficial. This unnamed divine skill is a long-standing practice method, traditionally passed down through single disciples, with many predecessors having ascended to immortality. Its techniques emphasize the cultivation of internal strength and the mind, relying heavily on enlightenment, with each breakthrough requiring profound realization. It is said that enlightenment is innate; those who are dull-witted cannot practice this skill. There have been generations of disciples who, upon growing old, still linger outside the door, gradually leading to the selection of successors from families of scholars and poets. Many predecessors have ascended to immortality; its techniques emphasize the cultivation of internal strength and the mind, relying heavily on enlightenment, with each breakthrough requiring profound realization. It is said that enlightenment is innate; those who are dull-witted cannot practice this skill. There have been generations of disciples who, upon growing old, still linger outside the door, gradually leading to the selection of successors from families of scholars and poets. Yu Lang also opened his spiritual aperture at the age of 10, realizing the first level of the realm, before being formally accepted as a disciple.

In the letter, Master Shi informed Yulang that if he did not return, it meant he would not come back; fortunately, he had already imparted all his knowledge to Yulang, and from now on, Yulang would have to rely on his own efforts. He must remember to pass down this extraordinary skill. If Yulang travels to the capital for the examination and everything goes smoothly, there will be no need to use that letter; however, if he encounters any difficulties, he should take the letter to General Zhao Hui, who will surely assist him.

Before leaving, Yu Lang carefully examined the surroundings of the small temple and was astonished to discover that the thatched cottage was actually more than ten miles away from the temple; it was truly strange that he had seemingly crossed such a distance in just a few steps, which made him even more curious about the formation map he had obtained

This brief incantation led Yu Lang into a completely new world; after truly engaging with the divine skills, Yu Lang often remained motionless for an entire day, able to absorb the books placed before him, and his skills grew rapidly, reaching the sixth level of mastery by the age of fifteen; it is worth noting that Master Shi was only at the seventh level of the earthly realm and had lingered there for a long time without making any further breakthroughs

Cao Yulang took half a day to find two letters from under the bed board, one addressed to himself and the other sealed, with no signature on it

In June of the 49th year of the Qianlong reign, a great battle unfolded between the Heishui River and the Amu River outside Jinjibao.

Cao Yulang spent another three days consolidating his realm and practicing the formation diagrams he had just learned. Only after he was certain that he would not forget them did he take the crystal from the stone table and leave. His master had once said that there are four great formation diagrams—Five Elements Formation, Demon Suppression Formation, Galan Formation, and Illusory Star Formation. Obtaining any one of these formation diagrams is a fortuitous encounter for a cultivator

There is no quilt on the bed

Cao Yulang brought a letter to General Zhao Hui's residence to request an audience. After reading the letter, the general did not ask a word and accepted Yulang as his personal attendant

Cao Yulang immediately opened the letter addressed to himself

Yulang recorded everything that could be noted from the formation diagram, and then, with deft movements, began to sketch it on the stone table. The vague formation gradually took shape. However, when Yulang attempted to activate the formation by channeling his true energy, it had no effect whatsoever. Undeterred, Yulang continuously adjusted the flow of his true energy and kept experimenting. Finally, when he directed his true energy along a peculiar path from the heavenly gate position of the formation to the spirit stone within the array, something marvelous occurred: the sound was cut off, and Yulang could feel the energy from the surroundings converging into a space of about one zhang centered around the stone table. Yet, in this space, there was nothing but the stone table and abundant spiritual energy.

On May 17, General Zhao Hui fought for a day and a night amidst the chaotic army, sustaining over ten arrow wounds and breaking six thick-backed sabers. When the rebel forces were defeated, General Zhao Hui remained unscathed, with the central army's flag standing tall. Coming from the Eight Banners, he was promoted to the rank of deputy commander, unifying 1,500 elite cavalry to protect the central army's camp. Cao Yulang, who was well-versed in both civil and military affairs, was regarded as General Zhao Hui's direct disciple within the army, representing the next generation of military spirit for the Qing Dynasty.

Ten years ago, Yu Lang was frail and often ill. When Master Shi, who had just opened a tea shop at the foot of Yuquan Mountain, saw that Yu Lang was clever and adorable but constantly unwell, he often taught him some martial arts to strengthen his body. In the initial years, he only taught him some meditation and breathing techniques, as well as some flashy routines. After practicing these skills, Yu Lang indeed no longer fell ill.

In the 31st year of the Qianlong reign, Cao Yulang, the only son of the Cao family, was born with great expectations for the revitalization of the Cao lineage. Cao Yulang lived up to these expectations; he began his studies at the age of three, delving into the Four Books and Five Classics. At five, he became an apprentice, learning the martial arts of the Taiji school. By the time he turned fifteen, he had already become a talented young man, excelling in both literature and martial arts.

In this year, Cao Yulang encountered the person who would have the greatest impact on his life

The nameless divine skill cultivated by Yu Lang places greater emphasis on enlightenment, which is to enter a state of transcendence. From the very beginning, they prioritize the agility of the mind in their training, which is why many disciples of this school can reach the fifth level or above. The advantage is that they can better unleash their personal potential and make leaps in their own realm, allowing many in this school to attain a high level at a young age. As the saying goes, fortune and danger coexist; with one benefit comes one drawback. This method of rapid advancement in realm has two major disadvantages: first, the entry is difficult, and second, there are numerous dangers during cultivation. After entering the sixth level, each subsequent level becomes increasingly arduous and perilous, often posing the risk of losing oneself in the process, necessitating the protection of senior members of the school. However, after enduring hardships, this method, when reaching the ninth level, which is regarded by other practitioners as the threshold of danger, becomes clear and unobstructed. Not only is there no risk of failure and dispersal of power, but there is also no need to gather immense energy for ascension. They have the potential to ascend at any moment; there was even a master ancestor who ascended in broad daylight at the dining table. Thus, reaching the ninth level is, in fact, the safest, as all ancestors who have entered this realm have successfully ascended. The only dangers lie in the several challenges from the sixth to the ninth levels, provided that one possesses sufficient spiritual insight and a skilled master.

In the 48th year of the Qianlong reign, Cao Yulang accompanied General Zhao Hui as they marched westward out of the Yumenguan Pass to sweep away the rebel forces

The chess pieces and board on the stone table have vanished without a trace, leaving behind an intricate Five Elements formation etched into the stone. At the center lies a shining crystal, above which floats a piece of grass paper; upon closer inspection, the paper reads: This is the will of heaven, why burden yourself with worries and books? If you, young friend, are able to see this note, you are destined to grasp the heavenly way. Cherish your future, and we shall meet again.

Before setting out, Yu Lang learned that his master had once been the personal attendant of General Zhao Hui

Cao Yulang stared for a long time and finally uttered, "It is the will of heaven"

After the defeat at the Battle of Hami, the rebel troops led by Huo Jizhan began a hasty retreat to the west. Zhao Hui and General Hailancha divided their forces into two routes to pursue them closely, and this pursuit lasted for over 1,000 miles. The Qing army spent a year and finally cornered the rebels near Jinjibao.

In the 46th year of the Qianlong reign, Cao Yulang participated in the provincial examination and was awarded the title of Xiucai. On his way home, he encountered heavy rain.

Cao Yulang only realized after returning home that three months had already passed since his last stop. For three months, he had neither eaten nor drunk, yet his body felt considerably taller than before. Aside from being a bit emaciated, there were no other issues, either internally or externally. His spirit was much more vigorous than before, his attention easier to focus, and his memory had made remarkable progress; while the ability to remember everything at a glance is legendary, he had indeed managed to memorize several of Confucius's old texts along with a large number of subsequent commentaries and corrections.

On the 8th day of the 5th month, the rear camp was attacked. In a hurry, Cao Yulang received orders to lead five hundred troops from the central army, making a frantic march of three hundred miles overnight, killing eight hundred enemies and reclaiming the looted supplies.

Cao Yulang, proficient in Manchu, Han, Mongolian, and Tibetan scripts, was a descendant of Cao Yin, a textile manufacturer in Jiangnan during the Kangxi era. In the fourth year of the Qianlong reign, after being implicated in a counter-revolutionary case and subjected to a second confiscation of property, the Cao family fell into complete decline

Today is the Dragon Boat Festival. Yu Lang went to Taiji Gate to present a gift to his master and bid farewell; he is about to go to Beijing for an examination

Cao Yulang felt a warm current flowing from the monk's hands and enveloping his entire body. A tremendous vital energy was transmitted into him from the Daoist's hand resting on his shoulder. After practicing Tai Chi for ten years, Cao Yulang felt as if his entire meridians were immersed in a gentle and dense hot spring, with a continuous warm flow coursing through them, breaking through the previously impenetrable barriers of his energy channels.

Yu Lang realized that he still had not completely memorized the formation diagram, and the thatched cottage and jujube tree from the earlier space had vanished. He understood that to utilize this formation, not only was the diagram necessary, but also a good spirit stone as the eye of the formation; most importantly, it required the infusion of true energy from a highly skilled spellcaster. A good spirit stone could maximize the gathering of surrounding energy, but without profound cultivation and deep true energy to activate and stimulate it, even the best spirit stone and formation would be ineffective. As he drove the Five Elements Formation, the true energy within him also changed in accordance with the operation of the formation; operating the Five Elements Formation was also a method of cultivation. Yu Lang was unaware that his curiosity and extraordinary memory were greatly assisting him; after all, all fortuitous encounters are temporary and uncertain, filled with variables, especially the so-called enlightenment from immortals that he encountered. Relying on the supernatural powers of immortals could only yield a temporary increase in cultivation, and due to the rapid enhancement and the insufficiency of the body and internal strength of the enlightened person, such supernatural powers would gradually fade away until a stable balance was reached with the internal breath of the body. For someone like Yu Lang, who possessed exceptional comprehension, there was an added element of danger; he suddenly leaped to a realm that astonished both the monk and the Daoist who had enlightened him, relying on his unique cultivation method. Thus, the two so-called immortals, unable to wait, left the formation and departed; one to protect him, and the other as part of his opportunity.

The cultivation sects have different techniques, but the realms serve as the sole benchmark for practice. Some sects focus on foundation building, which may lead to slower progress initially, but will become increasingly smooth in the later stages; others emphasize the essence of cultivation, allowing practitioners to quickly attain a state of enlightenment through the use of elixirs or other extraordinary skills

Taiji Men is a small sect, and calling it a sect is an overestimation. The entire Taiji Men consists of just one disciple and one master; a sect with only two people is rather too small.

In great joy, Yu Lang knelt before the stone table, silently praying in gratitude.

Jinji Fortress is the stronghold of the rebels, and they have no way to retreat here

Five years ago, Master Shi began to formally lead Yu Lang into the Tai Chi school. After the grand initiation ceremony, he started learning the profound skills of Tai Chi. Yu Lang's family, in an effort to restore their family's honor, only urged him to study poetry and literature; they believed that a poor child who learned some martial arts would have better health and avoid the expenses of medicine. Thus, he was often told to spend all day reading. As a result, the time for practicing martial arts was limited. Moreover, at that time, people generally thought that learning martial arts was a luxury reserved for the wealthy, as one could not cultivate any skills without proper nourishment and care.

In a moment, the grass paper danced with the wind and vanished without leaving a trace. The formation on the stone table gradually faded away, and as the formation became less distinct, sounds from the outside world began to seep in, breaking the barrier that separated the inside from the outside. Yu Lang struggled to remember the entire formation but could only recall parts of it, feeling frustrated with his own clumsiness. The master had said that such formations capable of isolating space could only be used and understood by those with great supernatural powers; encountering the legendary immortal, he had merely uttered a single phrase, "Fool!" He continued to sketch the fragments of memory in his mind while lamenting his own foolishness.

As he focused on his dantian, the internal energy cultivated over ten years of practicing Tai Chi had completely dissipated. Now, two swirling masses of energy, one black and one white, intertwined as if they were tangible. They slowly rotated within the dantian, where the extreme of black contained a hint of white, and the extreme of white contained a hint of black; thus, a true Tai Chi was formed within his body. At the same time, Yu Lang sensed a breath circulating automatically within his meridians, requiring no effort on his part.

A monk and a Daoist were struck by Cao Yulang's words, which resonated like thunder. After a moment, they burst into laughter and left hand in hand. Before departing, the Daoist patted Cao Yulang on the shoulder, while the monk joined his palms together in a gesture of respect.

In the 49th year of the Qianlong reign, 18-year-old Cao Yulang accompanied General Zhao Hui to the west beyond the Yumen Pass to suppress the rebellion of the Zunghars, specifically the Huo Jizhan tribe. In the Battle of Heishui River, General Zhao Hui led 5,000 iron cavalry to encircle Huo Jizhan's 60,000 troops, while Generals Ma Guangzu and Liao Huaqing coordinated with 30,000 troops from the rear.

A few words, a piece of jade, silently.

Due to his impoverished family background, he had only this one decent piece of clothing and took shelter from the rain in a small temple by the roadside. The rain soon stopped; as Cao Yulang was preparing to set off home, he was drawn by the sound of two people arguing coming from behind the small temple. Possessing martial arts skills, he disregarded the commotion and circled around to the back of the temple.

Cao Yulang activated the techniques of his school, urging the true energy to circulate continuously through the various meridians of his body. He felt his body becoming lighter, his meridians increasingly unobstructed, and the true energy in his dantian growing denser. Immersed in this sensation, Cao Yulang felt as if he were oblivious to the passage of time.

Upon returning this time, Yulang hurried to the teahouse run by his master. He was eager for his master to verify his level of attainment, a level that had never been mentioned by his master before.

On March 20, outside Hami City, Cao Yulang single-handedly infiltrated three camps to reclaim the commander’s flag, slaying over thirty valiant soldiers of the Huo faction, including Zhi Tuo Hui, and staining his battle robe with blood. He was promoted to the rank of deputy leader. Due to General Zhao Hui being known as the "Red Robe General," Cao Yulang was referred to as "Little Red Robe"

In the military, Cao Yulang displayed great power and might

The teahouse is closed, and the master who sells tea has not yet returned. This has been the case for several consecutive days for Yulang.

Yu Lang went to the capital to take the imperial examination, but his name did not appear on the list of successful candidates. Unwilling to return home in defeat, Cao Yulang decided to take up arms and rely on military achievements to restore the Cao family.

Cao Yulang resides in Yuyuan Mountain, located in the western suburbs of Beijing. This area was granted as a fief to the Banner people of the Plain White Banner by the Qing court after the conquest of Guanzhong. Yulang's ancestors were Han people who had early on fallen outside the Great Wall, and later, they joined the Qing army and were incorporated into the Eight Banners of the Qing dynasty

During the year of following General Zhao Hui, Yu Lang not only intensified his training but also finished reading the general's collection of books. General Zhao Hui is renowned for his dual prowess in both literature and martial arts, and he imposes strict requirements on his son, Zhao Zhangqun. Not only must he train in the freezing cold of winter and the sweltering heat of summer, but he has also invited several esteemed scholars to teach him various subjects. He is required to learn four languages: Manchu, Han, Uyghur, and Tibetan. Although the general's son was born with certain honors, General Zhao Hui, having weathered many storms, understands that without genuine skills, it is impossible to maintain the prosperity of the family.

When Cao Yulang awoke again, a round sun was rising from the east; several small birds were pecking at the insects on the jujube tree, and sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves of the tree, casting a warm glow upon him. A gentle stream of warmth flowed through his skin into his body, circulating lightly before returning to his internal organs. He slightly flared his nostrils, and a breath of fresh air surged into his chest, circulating once before a wave of stale air was expelled from his body. In this moment, he truly felt the gift of nature.

Upon arriving at the tea shop, the doors and windows were tightly locked as they had been a few days ago, and Yu Lang sensed something unusual; Master Shi had always returned before the Dragon Boat Festival for the past ten years without fail. However, each time before leaving, he would remind himself that if he did not return by the Dragon Boat Festival, he should remember to take the quilt out from the bed to air it. Yu Lang recalled Master Shi's words before his departure, and took the key from the usual place where Master Shi kept it, unlocking the door.

Future experiences will become complicated

The Cao family, having been embroiled in the power struggles of the inner court, faced two confiscations of property. Their descendants were subsequently expelled from Beijing and placed under the supervision of the local banner. The small town is home to several hundred households, mostly of fallen banner people; due to the court's monthly stipends for the banner people, most do not worry about food and drink, which has made this place appear to be a bustling small settlement. Some elderly banner people took the initiative to establish a school, teaching young children. Having been in the region for a long time, the descendants of the banner people now also seek advancement through the imperial examination.

General Hai Lanzha of the Qing army is leading 50,000 troops to encircle the rebel forces of Huo Jizhan. As the front commander of Zhao Hui's army, Cao Yulang has been ordered to lead 100 cavalry to establish contact with General Hai Lanzha. After engaging in continuous fierce battles with the rebel forces, they were suddenly struck by a sandstorm, resulting in a loss of contact with the main army.

Behind the temple lies a hidden paradise, where a small thatched cottage is built beneath a large jujube tree. Under the tree, there is also a stone table, on which a chessboard with 19 horizontal and vertical lines is set, with black and white pieces interspersed. A monk and a Daoist are engaged in a game of chess; at this moment, the two are in a heated argument over the placement of a black piece, completely ignoring the approach of Cao Yulang. After listening for a while, Cao Yulang understood the situation: before the rain, the two had been playing chess here, and then they went inside to avoid the rain. When the rain stopped, they came out to continue their game, only to find that the last black piece moved by the Daoist before the rain had been shifted one position by the rainwater. Strangely, none of the other pieces had moved, only this one black piece had changed its position, resulting in a reversal of the black and white situation; the white pieces, which had originally held a slight advantage, were now in a dire predicament, as this move by the black pieces transformed into a flying maneuver, severing a segment of the white dragon's tail. The two were arguing incessantly over this.

Cao Yulang, due to his status as a scholar and his refined appearance, was assigned by General Zhao Hui to be by the side of Zhao Zhangqun. While accompanying Zhao Zhangqun, Yulang gradually became proficient in Manchu, Tibetan, and Uighur languages, and also honed his exceptional skills both on and off horseback. General Zhao Hui was not at all surprised by Cao Yulang's outstanding performance, as if it were only to be expected.

In order to select the gatekeeper, the senior ancestors left behind the external sect techniques, which are the foundational practices of the Jade Ling training; typically, these are imparted to several disciples simultaneously for cultivation, and the rest depends on each individual's comprehension. However, the number of those who can grasp the entry point in each generation does not exceed ten.

Usually, the master sells tea for a living. Every early spring, he goes to the south to procure tea leaves and returns before the Dragon Boat Festival, after which he does not leave home for the entire year

If Cao Yulang were to wake up and excitedly run home to find his master, or if he failed to notice the existence of the formation diagram, he would be left with only two paths: one is a complete depletion of his internal power, returning him to the state he was in when he arrived; the other is to fall into madness, resulting in the rupture of his meridians. This is because there cannot be anyone around him with a sufficiently high realm and power to stabilize his internal breath. By practicing the Five Elements Formation, Yulang not only stabilized his own realm but also avoided the danger of meridian rupture. However, those who can self-cultivate the Five Elements Formation are inherently geniuses. Now, Yulang has already attained a high realm; what he lacks is the profound internal breath necessary to refine true energy.

Upon entering the sixth level, Yu Lang encountered danger; fortunately, with the protection of his master, he safely passed through it