Chapter 2: The Daoist Practices of Yaoshan

During that period, Hu Zongren and I also received a lot of our respective business. Sometimes he would invite me to join him, and sometimes he would not. I would mostly delegate tasks to him to work on together, perhaps due to the trust between friends. After all, not everyone can forge a bond of life and death with a brother because of a disaster.

Hu Zongren stated that when Xing Yazizi was deciding what to teach him, he would list each option one by one, shaking his head in frustration after each mention, which greatly displeased him. Xing Yazizi also mentioned that physiognomy is relatively easier to grasp, but mastering it is quite difficult, primarily because it requires a comprehensive understanding and the ability to assess feng shui. However, Hu Zongren's temperament is restless, and if he were to pursue this as a career in the future, there exists a risk of him resorting to violence against clients.

Hu Zongren stated that the Yaoshan Sect originally belonged to a minor faction in the folk community, reportedly originating in the Song Dynasty. The sect's temples are few in number across the country, with more practitioners traveling and dispersed in various locations. The Yaoshan Sect studies the five arts of Daoism, and their understanding is relatively profound, particularly in the treatment of eye diseases and the art of harmonization, which are considered to be of high attainment within the field. Hu Zongren and Master Xing Yazai's lineage is somewhat unconventional, excelling in talismans and exorcism. However, the majority of Yaoshan Daoists in the community primarily focus on cultivating the mind and nurturing one's character. Yet, when it came to formally considering which technique to impart to Hu Zongren, it posed a challenge for Xing Yazai.

Hu Zongren said, "Nonsense, of course I know this can make money, but doing so is too unethical." Therefore, during the remaining time of his detention, he endured without losing his temper and pretended to be very interested, leaving the other party's contact information. After both of them were released, on a day when Hu Zongren was not in a good mood, he invited this guy out for tea, using the opportunity to pick a fight, then created some conflict, and subsequently beat him up. After the shop owner called the police and before the police arrived, he slipped away. After both of them were released, on a day when Hu Zongren was not in a good mood, he invited this guy out for tea, using the opportunity to pick a fight, then created some conflict, and subsequently beat him up. After the shop owner called the police and before the police arrived, he slipped away.

Hu Zongren shot me a glance, then said, and later spoke of divination, which encompasses even more subjects, such as the Book of Changes, Qimen Dunjia, the Great Six Ren Compendium, and Taiyi Divine Numerology, all of which are more difficult to learn than fate calculation. Therefore, when Xing Yazai was halfway through his explanation, he looked at Hu Zongren and then shook his head in anguish

Hu Zongren continued, saying that later he came to understand that the words spoken by Xing Yazai were not meant to drive him away; on the contrary, they were hinting that he wanted to take him as a disciple. Hu Zongren stated that ultimately, at the age of 20, he formally entered the master’s school and began studying under Xing Yazai

During that period, I spent a long time with Hu Zongren, lasting for a year and a half

Xing Yazai said that this alchemy technique comes from the Daoist Five Arts, specifically the "Mountain," which is the skill that requires the utmost tranquility. Since you are inherently restless, it is better not to attempt it, lest you drive yourself to madness. The profound principles beneath the "Mountain" require you to thoroughly study Confucian and Mozi thought, which is evidently far removed from you. The martial arts of our Yaoshan Sect have long been lost, leaving only some forms practiced during morning exercises, which are not suitable for self-defense. Hu Zongren seems to have been a brawler since childhood, so he cannot make use of this martial art either. The profound principles beneath the "Mountain" require you to thoroughly study Confucian and Mozi thought, which is evidently far removed from you. The martial arts of our Yaoshan Sect have long been lost, leaving only some forms practiced during morning exercises, which are not suitable for self-defense. Hu Zongren seems to have been a brawler since childhood, so he cannot make use of this martial art either.

Hu Zongren continued, expressing that he was quite excited as he had just embarked on his journey. At that time, Hu's mother gradually came to understand and was less angry about Hu Zongren becoming a Taoist priest. She repeatedly advised him, mentioning that the child he had beaten up in his early years had also decided not to pursue the matter any further. She suggested that he should return home after playing outside when he was tired, as she would be retiring in a few years. Hu Zongren replied that he had fled due to causing trouble, and if he did not achieve something noteworthy, he would feel ashamed to return home and would not be able to justify the time he had wasted over the years. He reiterated that he should return home after playing outside when he was tired, as she would be retiring in a few years. Hu Zongren stated that he had fled due to causing trouble, and if he did not achieve something noteworthy, he would feel ashamed to return home and would not be able to justify the time he had wasted over the years.

Hu Zongren recounted that on the night of his detention, another person was brought in and placed in the same cell as him. Hu Zongren was sociable and quickly struck up a conversation with this individual, who had been arrested for drug use. Upon further inquiry, he discovered that they were both involved in the same line of work. The other person's affiliation was with a mysterious organization known as Sha Wudao. Seeing that Hu Zongren was also an easygoing person, he invited him to collaborate on a significant venture after their release. When Hu Zongren inquired about the nature of this venture, he replied that they could go to the hospital morgue to collect some souls to sell, which could be profitable.

I laughed heartily and said to Hu Zongren, "I didn't expect Master Xing Yazai to be so humorous. All the methods from the Mountain School have been ruled out, and now only the talismanic arts remain, right?" Hu Zongren slapped his thigh and replied, "Isn't that so? My master knows a lot, but in the end, the only thing he could teach me that I could learn well was the ghost-repelling talisman. You tell me, how did I, a promising young man back then, end up learning so little?" Hu Zongren slapped his thigh again and said, "Isn't that so? My master knows a lot, but in the end, the only thing he could teach me that I could learn well was the ghost-repelling talisman. You tell me, how did I, a promising young man back then, end up learning so little?"

I said that Master Xing Yazai indeed has discernment, for it is only this set of skills that is most suitable for you. Although you are a Taoist, compared to many Taoists we know, you are too reckless and not steady enough, and you are aware of this yourself. Hu Zongren did not answer my question but continued to say that later on, he studied under the master every day for six years. When he graduated, the master personally made a ghost-catching bag for him and also gave him the Three Treasures talisman, which allowed him to travel. He said he must wander for at least two years before returning to his hometown, and what to do afterward would depend entirely on his own will, as long as he did not commit crimes or engage in activities that would tarnish the reputation of the sect.

However, Hu Zongren said that during that fight, he also got injured and bled, and then was captured by the opponent, which led to his own predicament. Hu Zongren pointed at me and said, this is just like what you experienced back then. I nodded and replied, otherwise, how could we have become friends? Our experiences must be similar, but I certainly wasn't as foolish as you.

I couldn't help but laugh out loud, as they say, the one who understands the disciple best is always the master. I truly find it hard to imagine Hu Zongren sitting cross-legged, shaking his head and giving fortune-telling. So I said to Hu Zongren, your master is absolutely right; fortunately, he didn't teach you this, otherwise, it wouldn't be helping others, it would simply be harming them.

Hu Zongren stated that it was during those two years that a wealth of practical experience made his skills increasingly proficient. However, his fiery temper and strong sense of justice did not improve with age; he remained arrogant and reckless. Until 2007, he concluded his travels, first returning to his hometown of Yilong for a period. He found the place small and business scarce, and being someone who could not stand idleness, he left a sum of money for his mother, Hu, and then went to Chengdu. Until 2007, he concluded his travels, first returning to his hometown of Yilong for a period. He found the place small and business scarce, and being someone who could not stand idleness, he left a sum of money for his mother, Hu, and then went to Chengdu

Many of the events that followed are well known. Starting from 2010, although my grievances with Hu Zongren and Cha Wudao were ostensibly resolved under the leadership of Fu Qiang, that was merely a fragmented piece of the narrative in our lives. From the end of February 2010 until November 2011, I gradually began to feel fatigued with this line of work, likely due to the fear instilled by a previous incident that nearly cost me my life. From the end of February 2010 until November 2011, I gradually began to feel fatigued with this line of work, likely due to the fear instilled by a previous incident that nearly cost me my life.

As Master Xing Yazai took Hu Zongren under his wing, he found it increasingly difficult to travel as he aged. Consequently, he began to live in seclusion in Chengdu, spending his days drinking tea, playing chess, and chatting with friends from the industry, which could be considered a peaceful way to spend his later years. Hu Zongren himself took on some small projects in Chengdu, but during this time, feeling bored, he started learning to play cards and gamble with others.

He roamed through Sichuan, Guizhou, Hubei, Shaanxi, and Gansu, and although he was a novice at the beginning, he repeatedly succeeded due to his solid skills from Yaoshan, gaining considerable fame among the new generation of Daoist disciples. In terms of seniority, Hu Zongren is of the same generation as I am, and in terms of age, he is a few years older than me, so I should address him as senior brother. However, we have different areas of study; he is a true Daoist, while I have learned the art of Zhuyou. Although I also understand some Daoist techniques, it is merely superficial. We both worship different ancestral masters; in fact, despite being disciples of Fuxi, our ancestral masters are sworn enemies. He worships the Yellow Emperor, while I worship Chiyou. Historically speaking, my ancestral master is the loser, but the art of Zhuyou emphasizes the peculiar, the swift, and the effective, with few embellishments, focusing on practicality. Generally, minor issues can often be resolved easily, while Hu Zongren's skills are fierce, powerful, and forceful, often invoking thunder and lightning, with relatively aggressive techniques. The lineage of Yaoshan Hu Zongren and Tushu is even more so. It is precisely because this approach is too direct and vigorous that it particularly suits Hu Zongren's personality, allowing him to perform with greater ease.

I remember this matter. When Mr. Xia initially recommended Hu Zongren to me, he mentioned a very important reason: we had a common enemy at that time. Hu Zongren said that he was involved in gambling, which led to an investigation by the police, resulting in a fine and even detention. He stated that it was the most humiliating moment of his life, but he felt he had no choice but to accept it, as he couldn't confront the police, especially since he was in the wrong. Moreover, his mentor was still in Chengdu, and he certainly did not want to bring shame to him, so he silently accepted the punishment.

Hu Zongren sighed at this point and said with a wry smile that it was precisely because he started gambling that he met a certain individual, and it was because of that individual that he became entangled with Sha Wudao. However, he also mentioned that if it weren't for this, the two of them would not have met.

At this moment, Hu Zongren could no longer contain himself. This person, who was utterly unaware of his own limitations, blurted out to Xing Yazai, "Master, you won't let me learn this, and you say I can't learn that. Then why do you take me as your disciple? Am I supposed to sit cross-legged all day like on television, refining elixirs and becoming an immortal?" ... Xing Yazai interrupted him, saying, "If it's about refining elixirs, I believe you still can't do it..."

When Hu Zongren reached this point, I couldn't help but want to laugh. I could roughly guess what difficulties Xing Yazai was facing. Sure enough, Hu Zongren mentioned the five arts of Daoism: mountain, medicine, fate, physiognomy, and divination. Daoist medicine requires enduring failures and persistent research, and it is evident that Hu Zongren is definitely not cut out for this. The art of fate is based on yin, yang, and the five elements, involving the study of Zi Wei Dou Shu, Xing Ping Hui Hai, and Zi Ping Tui Ming, to inquire about auspiciousness and misfortune. However, Hu Zongren is certainly not the type of person who can sit still and study diligently.