Chapter Fifteen: Difficult! Difficult! Difficult!

At first hearing, Meng Fan felt a sudden awakening; he had never expected that the extraordinary beings in the world beneath the One would view Journey to the West in such a way.

He turned to Yue Huyang and asked, "So, the beginning of Journey to the West is essentially teaching people to recognize the innate primordial Qi?"

Yue Huyang nodded and said, "Exactly. The spiritual root possesses the innate true unity Qi, also called the innate true unity water. Water nourishes all things; when it flows harmoniously, it gives birth to humans and creatures; when aligned with the Dao, it produces sages and immortals."

"Following that, the story unfolds the path of cultivation. Though it lacks detailed methods, the principles embedded within are exceedingly precious. Are you willing to listen?"

Meng Fan nodded eagerly. "Of course!"

Yue Huyang laughed heartily. "I hope you don’t mind this old man’s convoluted and obscure way of speaking!"

Meng Fan shook his head. "Not at all. This is the true language of cultivation. Ordinary people seldom get the chance to hear such truths."

Yue Huyang nodded approvingly and patiently continued, "Under the iron bridge at the Water Curtain Cave on Flower-Fruit Mountain, water rushes through the stone crevices, flowing upside down and outwards, leading into the Dragon Palace."

"This describes the path of becoming an immortal through reversal, but people only know to follow the flow, unaware of moving against it. There stands a sturdy iron bridge plainly visible, yet people fail to recognize it. If one travels against the flow, they can enter the Dragon Palace to seek treasures."

"The Water Curtain Cave itself is extraordinary. In the original text, it’s described as seeming like a normal dwelling—a wonderful place with treasures made by heaven and earth."

"This is what the 'Awakening Truths' refers to: such treasures exist in every home, but fools cannot fully perceive them."

"If someone truly beholds this treasure, they will know that this place is a celestial and Buddhist blessed land, containing great creation. Enlightenment comes suddenly and thoroughly. The so-called heaven-made and earth-formed treasures are as if naturally possessed, requiring no external seeking. One can thus secure body and life, directing creation by oneself, avoiding dependence on the heavens."

"This teaches that creation resides within ourselves. The path of cultivation is fundamentally an inward excavation. Do not be dazzled by external false arts."

"The triad of Yang brings forth all life; the immortal stone contains the essence of sun and moon. This refers to the harmonious union of earth and heaven, where the character 'Tai' (peace) symbolizes the rising harmonious energy, enabling all things to grow, containing the primordial breath."

"This also means that we are born innate; every part of the body carries this innate true breath. Being human is no small blessing."

"Borrowing the egg to transform the monkey into the great Dao; adopting another's name with the elixir to succeed: the Dao itself has no name, yet it is forced to be called the Dao; the Dao has no words, yet words are used to express its principles. This aligns with the Dao De Jing’s saying: 'The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name.' It is the same truth."

"Therefore, by borrowing the stone monkey’s name and surname, combined with the elixir’s method, one understands the pursuit of the true essence of the spiritual root."

"Inner observation not recognizing causation due to formlessness: the spiritual root, the innate unity Qi, is void, yet unrecognized and unknown; externally, it manifests as form. The innate unity Qi is miraculous and follows the laws of heaven."

"All generations belong to this: everyone possesses it, complete in each person; kings and saints roam freely, but fools perish, while true men achieve the Dao. Those who awaken will cultivate against the flow."

"Contending with heaven and earth for power, rivaling sun and moon for radiance. The interplay of forward and reverse flows cannot be blocked. My fate is mine, not the heavens'."

"This reveals the mystery of the spiritual root’s origin and flow. But if one loses oneself in comfort, failing to seek, even innate talent cannot be embraced. When one's treasures are empty, even the lord of the underworld shows no mercy. Wouldn't that be a life wasted in this world?"

"Thus, it is a reminder for people to cherish time and begin sincere study and cultivation from a young age. You, child, started practicing Qi at three years old—a truly promising seedling."

Yue Huyang patted Meng Fan’s head in praise.

Meng Fan chuckled with pride.

Yue Huyang said thoughtfully, "There is an interesting point in Journey to the West. If you look closely, Sun Wukong only began seeking immortality and learning the Dao at over three hundred years old."

"And when Sun Wukong’s soul was captured, he was 342 years old. What do you think this means?"

Meng Fan pondered and replied, "It means Sun Wukong started learning the Dao late? But he was extraordinarily gifted and could master it in a short time?"

Yue Huyang nodded, guiding him gently, "Learning the Dao is difficult. Without Master Bodhi’s guidance and the will to cultivate, could Sun Wukong have resisted when his soul was seized?"

"Even if he desired to learn the Dao, without Master Bodhi, would he have achieved such greatness?"

Meng Fan answered firmly, "No!"

Yue Huyang sighed, "Difficult! Difficult! Difficult! The Dao is most profound. Do not treat the Golden Elixir lightly. Without encountering an enlightened master’s secret instructions, mere words leave one tongue-tied and dry."

Then, patting Meng Fan’s head softly, he said, "Young Fan, remember, the legacy of the extraordinary is exceedingly precious and must not be given lightly. And don’t speak of other sects jealously guarding their treasures—who after a thousand years of inheritance would easily entrust it to an outsider?"

Meng Fan nodded, suddenly understanding the difficulties Yue Huyang had faced.

Yue Huyang admonished, "You have entered my Xingyi sect and the path of cultivation. Disciples choose masters, and masters choose disciples. I do not ask you to make it flourish, only that you pass down this new Xingyi and not waste such a precious gift."

He sighed again, "Since ancient times, countless sects in our land have lost their legacies—some destroyed by war, others simply unable to find worthy successors."

"I, as your master, do not wish the treasures I've struggled to uncover throughout my life to be lost!"

Meng Fan nodded thoughtfully. The logic was the same—if Old Meng had not developed the Beast Master techniques, perhaps in a few hundred years that lineage would also have been doomed to vanish.

How many sects’ legacies lie buried in the dust of history!

Yue Huyang pulled Meng Fan along and said, "Your three senior brothers are worthless; only you show promise. You must strive hard—understand?"

Meng Fan nodded repeatedly, slapping his chest confidently, "Rest assured, Master, your legacy will definitely flourish in my hands."

Yue Huyang nodded in satisfaction.

"That said, there is one thing I must warn you: cultivation begins with the heart."

"Difficult! Difficult! Difficult! The Dao is most profound. Do not treat the Golden Elixir lightly. Without virtue, do not speak of mystery. Seeking the Dao requires virtue and understanding. A pure body and mind are the root. Blind cultivation leads to demonic entrapment; false paths are countless as nets."

"The path of cultivation is said to be difficult, like climbing a precipitous cliff, with dangers at every step; yet it is also easy, relying only on exchanging the human heart for the Dao heart!"

"With the foundations of virtue, will, conduct, and faith established, and frequent practice of repentance and reform, the path becomes clear and bright, like sailing smoothly with the current."

Meng Fan looked up and bowed respectfully:

"I will not disappoint my master’s expectations!"