Chapter 001: The Infant Drifts in the Jianghu, The Old Man Speaks of the Eight Great Sects
This idea had been hidden in his heart for a long time, yet he found it difficult to express openly, which left him quite perplexed. Master Mei, being wise with age, naturally discerned what Mei Xi was thinking and took the initiative to clarify the matter for him. It was then that Mei Xi realized that the trades of the villagers had their own intricacies, which could be referred to as the Eight Doors of the Jianghu. In ancient times, these Eight Doors of the Jianghu were not merely the means of swindling money as they are today; each possessed profound and inscrutable true skills.
Mei Xi's elder uncle, named Mei Zhengqian, is a highly accomplished individual, the very one who remarked on Mei Xi's extraordinary bone structure by the river. In his early years, he traveled the rivers and markets, offering fortune-telling services, and his footprints can be found across renowned scenic spots throughout the country. Later, he became a professional Taoist priest at a temple in a tourist area near the Mei family home, taking the Dharma name of Daoist Zhengqian. When he first joined the temple, Daoist Zhengqian had an office desk with an incense altar in one corner of the main hall, and his catchphrase was "Please stay, benefactor!"
A man dressed in a silver-threaded feather robe stepped out behind Meixi, advancing to stand shoulder to shoulder with him. He proclaimed loudly: "One must not presumptuously equate the will of Heaven with one's own; one must not deceive and usurp the trust of others, thereby confusing the masses; one must not display holiness in the world and claim to be a deity—these three principles constitute the heavenly laws we have established." Upon the utterance of these words, an uproar erupted from all directions. Meixi, with a voice like thunder that could be heard for miles, conveyed: "Let there be silence!"
In the twenty-first century China, attending university is not particularly difficult, so why did the Mei family not produce their first university student until 2007? It is not that the local people are unwilling to spend money on their children's education, nor is it that the local children lack intelligence. Rather, the children here have grown accustomed to the ways of the world from a young age; they are neither willing to sit quietly in classrooms nor eager to participate in those troublesome exams. Furthermore, the parents do not pay much attention to these matters, which is in stark contrast to the atmosphere in modern cities.
Mei Xi's fifth uncle, named Mei Zhengjin, is a geographer. He is a well-known Feng Shui master, and in the past, he went through a difficult period, even working at several decoration companies in the south for a time. However, in recent years, he has become prosperous. Within a radius of one hundred miles, whether it is selecting a site for a burial, laying the foundation for a residence, opening a business, or renovating a commercial building, people will consult him to assess the Feng Shui, energy, and placement of objects. Gradually, he gained a reputation in the area. Before Mei Xi went to university, his fifth uncle had traveled to Hong Kong for "academic exchange" activities. After returning, he no longer personally went out to assess Feng Shui; he entrusted these tasks to his son.
What kind of child would grow up in such an environment? It brings to mind the character Jiang Xiaoyu from Gu Long's novel "The Twins of the World," who was raised in the Valley of Evil. Despite his young age, Mei Xi is already a seasoned player in the game; he certainly has the ability to sell someone without a trace of emotion, and the one being sold might even smile while counting the money for him. However, Mei Xi has never engaged in such activities. A capable person does not necessarily have to do bad things, just as most skilled experts are not murderers. Mei Xi believes he still wants to be a good person.
After the flood receded, no one came to look for him. The villagers speculated about the child’s appearance on the riverbank, noting that he was unharmed. They estimated that he had been swept away along with his elders and relatives, who struggled in the flood to protect him. In the end, at the confluence of the Meigong River, they exerted all their strength to push the child onto the shallows, while they themselves were swept away by the flood due to exhaustion. This is truly a poignant and sympathetic story, reminiscent of the legendary background of Yue Wumu. Regardless of whether this speculation is true or not, it serves as a reasonable explanation. The child remained in the Meijia area, where he was adopted by Old Man Mei and subsequently registered with the local township government and police station.
This ornament resembles a vibrant green leaf, featuring a surface with vein-like patterns, approximately one inch in size, yet significantly thicker than an ordinary leaf. A slender yellow cord connects the leaf pendant, which hangs around the neck of the infant, resembling the jade pendants commonly worn by modern individuals. Strangely, the sensation of holding this object is neither metallic nor jade-like; upon closer inspection, one can discern that there are no perforations between the yellow cord and the green leaf, but rather they form a single entity, akin to a leaf growing on a circular vine. Even someone as knowledgeable as Old Man Mei would be unable to identify its material. This infant is Mei Xi, and this peculiar little pendant has been worn closely by him since childhood, the only relic left to him by his unknown parents.
In 1988, there was a major flood in the area, with the Mekong River overflowing. One night, while sleeping, Master Mei heard the cries of a baby. He sat up in bed to listen carefully and discovered that the sound was coming from the village entrance to the north, which startled him.
He, an "abandoned child" of unknown origin, was raised to adulthood, not only living a life free from worries about food and clothing but also managing to enter university. In Mei Xi's eyes, the villagers were all good people. However, Mei Xi was not a fool; after growing up and experiencing more, he became aware of what his relatives were up to—these so-called good people in the village were nothing more than a den of typical fraudsters outside!
The eldest, most senior, and most esteemed member of the Mei family is Old Man Mei. He resides in a secluded courtyard within a black plum grove on a small hill outside the village. Some say that Old Man Mei is already 120 years old, while others claim he is over 200 years old. However, Old Man Mei himself once told Mei Xi that he was born in the fourth year of the Republic, making him 93 years old in 2008, which is not as exaggerated as the legends suggest
What silence? Everyone in the dormitory was sleeping soundly, yet you were laughing and talking in your sleep! I got up to go to the bathroom and startled you! Mei Xi received a sharp knock on the forehead, and the voice of the fourth dorm mate reached his ears. He suddenly woke up, realizing he was lying in bed; it turned out he had just been dreaming.
Mei Xi grew up in the Mei family, eating meals from a thousand households and wearing clothes from a hundred families. In the evenings, he stayed in the unique courtyard of Old Man Mei, and he was fortunate to encounter a group of kind-hearted people. Old Man Mei even sent him to school. This child was very intelligent, completing both elementary and secondary school, and he was admitted to a university in Beijing. This marked the first university student ever to emerge from the Mei family.
The cousin of my fourth aunt, named You Zuming, is an archaeologist. Fourth aunt married into a nearby village and gave birth to this cousin. He established a small kiln factory, producing not bricks, but high-tech ceramic crafts, which are artificially aged and bear signatures from various dynasties. Their family does not handle sales; various antique dealers always come to purchase.
It was just past four in the morning, and the sky had not yet brightened. The surroundings were quiet, and outside the window was dark. However, Meixi could not fall asleep. How could she have had such a dream? Was it because she had read too many fantasy novels on that second-hand broken computer from the Qidian Chinese website last night? Or was it because she recalled her great-grandfather wanting to teach her magic?
Mei Xi's second uncle, named Mei Shenshou, holds various titles as an expert and scholar. In his early years, he was a wandering doctor, specializing in the art of Zhi You, and was quite skilled in treating injuries and trauma. He also sold his homemade health pills and secret medicinal wines. Later, as he grew older, he returned to his hometown and lived in a nearby county with his son, who was in the herbal medicine business. He frequently appeared as a special guest on radio programs, presenting himself as an expert or scholar. Occasionally, he would impersonate elderly patients suffering from various chronic diseases, calling into radio and television stations to passionately praise the miraculous effects of certain products during the shows. As he grew older, he returned to his hometown and lived in a nearby county with his son, who was in the herbal medicine business. He frequently appeared as a special guest on radio programs, presenting himself as an expert or scholar. Occasionally, he would impersonate elderly patients suffering from various chronic diseases, calling into radio and television stations to passionately praise the miraculous effects of certain products during the shows.
Mei Xi's third uncle, named Mei Zhengxin, is a folk artist. His family is prosperous and runs a folk art troupe that also serves as an acrobatic troupe and a circus. Mei Xi is closest to his third uncle's family; when he was first brought back to the Mei family, his third aunt had just given birth and had ample milk, nursing him for several months. During his childhood, Mei Xi accompanied his third uncle's performance troupe to many nearby venues, primarily assisting with stage management tasks, and he also learned a performing art—monkey tricks.
Why did the Duke of Zhou choose to reveal these matters to Mei Xi? This elderly figure from the Mei family, once shrouded in mystery, has had almost all of his secrets uncovered by Mei Xi, as she grew up by the side of the Duke. Why does Mei Xi live with the Duke? What about her parents? Alas, a child without a mother, the story is long to tell
When Master Mei held the child in his arms, someone nearby remarked with a phrase reminiscent of a line from a Stephen Chow movie: "This child has an extraordinary bone structure, clear eyes, and abundant vitality; coming in such a peculiar manner, he must be an extraordinary person."
Mei Xi's great-grandfather, Master Mei, was an eccentric figure in the martial world. He once stated that when Mei Xi turned twenty years old, if he could pass the examination, he would teach him true magic. At this moment, Mei Xi realized that today is November 14, 2008, his twentieth birthday according to the Gregorian calendar
He just had a dream that felt exhilarating and impressive, and he couldn't help but admire his own imagination for being so rich, to have created such a chaotic dream. The dream was like this
Zheng Qian, the Taoist priest, possesses an extraordinary physique and an impressive appearance. Coupled with his exceptional skills developed from years of traveling and engaging in various business ventures, he has thrived in the temple, eventually becoming the abbot of that temple. Uncle Mei Zheng Qian is a Taoist, but his son is not; he is the current director of the village committee of the Mei family.
Prepare a bowl of river sand as a side dish for drinking? Mei Taigong is known for his eccentric ways of doing things, yet he never acts without reason. How would he go about it? Mei Xi was also extremely curious, so she hurriedly ran to the riverbank with a large bowl in her hands.
Children in modern cities have likely never seen traditional monkey performances. The monkey performer strikes a small gong and sings operatic verses, while the big and small monkeys, dressed in colorful costumes, hold various specially made masks, performing actions and somersaults in accordance with the performer's lines and shouts. Since entering the new century, the troupe from my uncle's family has ceased monkey performances and now travels across various folk stages nationwide to showcase folk arts.
At that moment, the sound of the celestial music arose, and a lotus platform appeared. A graceful and dignified woman approached. This woman had a captivating appearance, yet she was an unadorned Bodhisattva, her waist wrapped in brocade without any ornaments, her clothing disheveled, barefoot with exposed arms. The pure dew bottle she held was chipped, and the willow branch inserted in the bottle was half withered. Although her appearance was somewhat disheveled, her expression showed no signs of distress. She gently inquired: "May I ask, Master Mei, what heavenly decree do you wish to establish, and what does it mean to seal the heavens?"
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The two streams meander around Meijia Yuan, converging to form the Meigong River to the north of the village. Meijia Yuan is nestled amidst the rolling hills and the Meigong River, and remarkably, despite a millennium of warfare in the Central Plains, this place has remained untouched, almost like a legendary utopia. However, the residents of Meijia Yuan do not cling to this impoverished land; nearly all the inhabitants of this village, passed down from their ancestors, are itinerant artists.
Indulging in fantasies secretly depletes one's essence! Mei Xi lay on the bed, recalling a statement made by the teacher in class.
On the eve of the child's registration, Old Man Mei convened a family meeting that night with everyone who had gone to the riverbank. He said to everyone: "This child has miraculously survived great adversity to come to our Mei family; it is his fate, and it is also our shared bond. From now on, all the families present will raise him together to adulthood. He will live with me, and according to your children's generation, he will also bear the surname Mei"
Master Mei smiled somewhat mysteriously: "Prepare a plate of snacks for drinking, let you accompany the old master for a drink, and don't ask any further, quickly go to the river and scoop up some sand."
Mei Xi smiled faintly: "We, the enlightened ones, have transcended life and death, not fighting for the sake of fighting. Now that the overall situation is settled, it is time to consult with the heavens. I, Mei, merely wish to finalize the alliance's agreement."
In such a situation, how can you feel justified in giving less? There are so many eyes watching nearby! For those who wish to reconsider after signing, that will likely only happen after returning home. Therefore, I would like to remind everyone: if you are visiting a scenic area and enter a temple or Taoist shrine, and you see a monk or practitioner with an ethereal demeanor or dignified appearance, smiling kindly and gesturing for you to stay, saying, "Please, donor, stay a moment!" If you are not very affluent, it is best to respectfully refrain from staying.
Meixi chuckled and said: "It is not I who set the heavenly laws, but rather the celestial beings and sacred deities who collectively establish them. The so-called sealing of heaven is merely the delineation of boundaries... Guanyin, you receive the most incense offerings from the mortal realm, so I must first speak plainly with you... Qingdi, what do you say?"
Mei Xi's sixth uncle, named Mei Zhengqi, is a master of Qigong. In the 1980s, he enjoyed a period of great success, conducting numerous training and study sessions across the country, belonging to the first group to become affluent. Later, as this line of business became less viable, he transitioned to the health care industry in the city, working alongside his second uncle and his son.
The cries of the baby always left Old Man Mei feeling uneasy, but he did not go directly to the river. Instead, he went to the village, knocked on doors, and woke several households, gathering a few strong men to go to Meigong River together with flashlights. The swollen Meigong River was churning with muddy waves, and the group found a male infant by the riverbank.
At that moment, a long howl echoed, and a golden-armored celestial being rose up from the distance, towering majestically. His divine eyes were wide open, exuding an imposing aura, yet his golden armor was tattered, and the two-edged weapon in his hand was also missing half of its length. He called out loudly, "Master Mei, how do you propose to negotiate with the heavens? As for the current situation, you may ascend the Lingxiao Treasure Hall without hesitation; please do not instigate another calamity that would disrupt the harmony of heaven."
His eyebrows are slightly thick, his eyes are not large but possess a hint of depth, his nose bridge is straight, and when he presses his lips together, the lines at the corners of his mouth appear somewhat taut. He exudes a rugged handsomeness along with an air of maturity that belies his age. However, when he smiles, there is an inexplicable warmth that evokes a sense of trust in others; this smile has been his signature since childhood. To clarify, he is not someone who relies on others for a living, but rather a person who navigates the world independently. Speaking of Mei Xi, he actually grew up on the kindness of many families.
Master Mei said: "Regardless of who he is, he is still a life. I will take him in for now and wait for his family to come looking for him. Perhaps he was swept away by the flood. You should go to the police station tomorrow and inform them."
Then everyone discussed naming the child. Since he came from the stream, Uncle suggested the name Mei Zu Xi, while Second Uncle proposed Mei Chu Xi, which sounded like "no prospects". Later, Grandfather made the final decision to drop the middle character, as no one really knew which stream the child had come from, so they simply named him Mei Xi. It sounds like a nickname for a certain Argentine football star, but after starting school, classmates often jokingly referred to him as "no chance", which Grandfather probably did not anticipate at the time.
In the old society, performing tricks required a solid foundation. When Mei Xi was young, he practiced martial arts with his third uncle. Although he was just a farmer, the effects on strengthening his body were quite good. He also learned a unique skill—whip cracking. It is said that mastering the entire set of whip techniques in this juggling art is quite difficult; even the third uncle's own son did not manage to learn it all.
Mei Xi, male, born in 1988, with a height of 1.79 meters and a weight of 72 kilograms, is a second-year undergraduate student majoring in Traditional Chinese Medicine at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
However, the celestial scene and the world of the Lotus Sutra seem to emerge from the dissipating smoke of battle, with the remnants of Mount Sumeru still embraced, and the Pearl Palace appearing incomplete, as the lingering aura of killing intent has yet to fully dissipate. Countless deities, Buddhas, immortals, and saints now gaze in reverence towards one direction—Meixi and the various immortals and demon gods behind him, each holding their respective magical artifacts
The family of the Fourth Aunt is considered relatively affluent in the local area. Although they married into a village outside, the fine traditions of the Mei clan remain. Once the younger generation comes of age, they are expected to be self-sufficient. My cousin's son, You Chengji, ventured to Beijing last year and previously engaged in the electronics business around Zhongguancun. He often scans the pedestrians on the street with a pair of innocent eyes, seizing the opportunity to ask, "Sir, would you like a lifestyle magazine?" Recently, due to stricter regulations in preparation for the Olympics, business has been challenging, so he has moved to the Panjiayuan antique market to help others manage their stalls, which can also be seen as accumulating professional knowledge to inherit the family business. He often scans the pedestrians on the street with a pair of innocent eyes, seizing the opportunity to ask, "Sir, would you like a lifestyle magazine?" Recently, due to stricter regulations in preparation for the Olympics, business has been challenging, so he has moved to the Panjiayuan antique market to help others manage their stalls, which can also be seen as accumulating professional knowledge to inherit the family business.
Hearing a cry, a giant golden-haired ape somersaulted through the clouds and landed not far away. Its large red robe was tattered and bore signs of smoke damage, with a patch of its fur at the back of its head singed. Holding a golden staff, it pointed at Mei Xi and said: "Master Mei, you have instigated this calamity across the heavens, severing the karmic ties of celestial beings. The Jade Emperor, the Supreme Deity of the Profound Vault, has already been cast down to the mortal realm. What more do you desire?"
Meixi laughed heartily: "If I were to strike down the Jade Emperor, would I not be making myself the Jade Emperor? Wouldn't that be equivalent to destroying my own cultivation and achievements? I must say, regardless of the path you cultivate or the teachings you follow, and regardless of how many layers of heaven each school of thought claims, whether you call this boundless, profound, and expansive world the Immortal Realm, Pure Land, or Heaven, I shall simply designate it as 'Heaven'... I will dismantle the Lingxiao Palace, establish a heavenly platform, and set forth heavenly laws upon it; I intend to seal Heaven!"
Mei Xi was adopted by Master Mei, and many people in the Mei family are his "relatives." So, what were the people who took care of him like when he was young?
The place where Meixi grew up is a village called Meijia Yuan, located on the southern bank of the Yellow River. It is surrounded on three sides by rolling hills, and in front of the village flows the Meigong River, winding northward into the Yellow River. The source of the Meigong River has two branches, originating from the mountainous area south of Meijia Yuan, known as Chuxi to the east and Zuxi to the west.
This baby is chubby and fair-skinned, completely naked, and appears to be around one hundred days old. It seems likely that the child was swept down by a mountain flood and washed ashore at a shallow area. Strangely, the child has no visible injuries on its body, and the only item on it is a piece of jewelry hanging around its neck.
Meixi donned a robe of hidden gold, surrounded by swirling purple mist and azure light. Her hair was elegantly styled in a high bun, flowing gracefully, as she stood atop a rainbow cloud above the heavens. Below her lay an infinite and profound world, where myriad golden rays pierced through the primordial chaos, and auspicious mists billowed forth. In Meixi's eyes, divine light opened and closed, revealing boundless vistas. One could see Bodhisattvas, Arhats, Vajras, guardians, celestial mothers, and flying deities subtly appearing within the crystalline expanse of the sky; various sovereigns, heavenly officials, constellations, divine generals, immortal children, and jade maidens found their abode upon the precious platforms of red rhinoceros; there were also various spiritual auspicious beasts, enlightened demon kings, and extraordinary creatures standing amidst the exquisite trees and ethereal flowers; alongside them were nameless totemic deities from various realms, some crowned with radiant halos, others adorned with scales that shone like the sun, and yet others with colorful feathers soaring through the air, each displaying countless wondrous forms that defy enumeration.
These individuals are the relatives of Mei Xi. Besides engaging in "business," they originally farmed on the Mei family's land. However, the area is densely populated and limited in space; although the scenery is pleasant, it is a place of poor resources. Therefore, they spend most of their time traveling and working in various trades. It is these people who supported and raised Mei Xi. From a young age, Mei Xi was diligent. Whenever she had free time or during holidays, instead of attending tutoring classes to do exercises, she would accompany these relatives to manage business affairs, assisting them or occasionally acting as a helper. Through this experience, she became familiar with many skills and trades.
Meixi asked curiously, "What does the great-grandfather need sand for?"
Why was Taigong surprised? In fact, those well-versed in the ways of the world know that hearing a baby cry outdoors at night is not necessarily a good sign, especially in rural areas. Such a situation often presents three possibilities: First, someone may have abandoned the baby, but typically, parents who abandon their children choose crowded places to ensure they are discovered quickly; it is quite rare to find a living baby left in desolate areas. Second, it could be the work of supernatural beings; Taigong is not a staunch materialist, and it is normal for him to believe in ghosts and deities. According to some modern interpretations that conflate with "science," this could be a hallucination produced in a specific environment. In a state of confusion, wandering into desolate areas can be dangerous. The third possibility is encountering the underworld of the martial world. For instance, there are currently some criminals who play recordings of a baby crying outside people's windows at night to lure them out, taking the opportunity to break in and rob them. Individuals living alone should be cautious in such situations, as these underworld tactics are largely derived from the practices of the old society.
Once a visitor lingers, they are soon bewildered by the mysteries of fortune and misfortune within three minutes. The Daoist priest, Qian, will present this fated individual with a yellow silk and red cinnabar talisman, instructing them to burn it at a specific location on an auspicious day after returning home, which will help avert disasters and resolve calamities. The talisman is given free of charge, and then the priest will open a golden-yellow book with red edges, requesting a donation for incense oil. He promises to personally light a lamp and pray for this individual before the Three Pure Ones. The book lists names and amounts, with the minimum donation for a lamp being 288 RMB. The talisman is given free of charge, and then the priest will open a golden-yellow book with red edges, requesting a donation for incense oil. He promises to personally light a lamp and pray for this individual before the Three Pure Ones. The book lists names and amounts, with the minimum donation for a lamp being 288 RMB.
... ...
It was a day during the summer vacation after graduating from Meixi Junior High School. I had just learned the complete technique of the monkey whip taught by my third uncle, and in two days, I would be heading to the city for high school. That afternoon, after helping my grandfather chop firewood, fetch water, and tidy up the yard, my grandfather called out: "Meixi, stop being busy, go to the riverbank and fetch me a big bowl of river sand."