Chapter 39: On the Importance of a Disguise

Chapter 39: On the Importance of Disguises

As a cultivator of shallow attainment, ordinary in every sense, Luo Feng also harbored dreams—he wished to become a true immortal. Yet, the immortal in his heart was not a mere brute with strength alone. A true immortal, he believed, must possess three essential elements and four defining traits.

The three essentials are essence, energy, and spirit. To embody these, to unite the three at the crown, to gather the five energies to the origin, is to become a basic apprentice immortal.

The four traits are: the Dao-heart, the capacity to learn, the Great Dao, and perpetual motion.

The Dao-heart is unfathomable, yet in simple terms, it is steadfastness—a single-minded persistence that does not change in a year, a century, ten thousand years, a kalpa, or even an infinite number of kalpas. The Dao-heart of a true immortal is unyielding as steel, but that does not mean they do not learn. In fact, the ability to learn is a defining feature of the true immortal.

Science, magic, supernatural abilities, immortal arts, the bizarre and the uncanny—all things that exist, all things that emerge, all things with or without logic can be studied by a true immortal. Take, for instance, a light bulb. Though it appears simple, it contains a wealth of theory. To the average person, it is but an object; to its inventor, every principle and design is intimately known—can it still be called an external thing?

"A gentleman is not born different, but is good at borrowing from things; an immortal is not born sacred, but is adept at learning from things."

The Great Dao cannot be spoken, cannot be described. To use an imperfect analogy, the Great Dao is the product of laws and spirit. The path a cultivator treads in search of the Dao is the very road of the Great Dao!

The final point, perpetual motion, is the easiest to understand and yet the hardest to achieve. Only when one continues ceaselessly and achieves innate perfection can one be called a true immortal. An immortal does not die—those who do are false immortals.

Only those who possess all four traits are true immortals.

Luo Feng had pondered his path ahead, from basic breathing techniques to the ancestral art of drawing primordial energy, building upon each step. It seemed possible. For instance, in the path of essence, one could endlessly stack combat strength and skills—subtle force, hidden strength, muscle control, bodily structure—progressing from the transformation of flesh and blood to the opening of acupoints, then perceiving cells, molecules, atoms, particles...

If one could exhaust all avenues of evolution, perhaps, with a sudden flash of inspiration one day, it might be possible to comprehend the Great Dao of power, and catch a glimpse of Pangu.

…

The paths of essence, energy, and spirit are without end. Luo Feng practiced diligently, aiming to open the twelfth level. At the same time, he must also attain the four great traits. The Dao-heart is mysterious, the Great Dao distant, perpetual motion exalted.

What Luo Feng could do now was learn. His heart was set on only one thing—learning.

At this moment, Luo Feng was learning the techniques of the Hundred Arts Adept.

The hidden Hundred Arts Adept of the Shangqing Sect was a middle-aged man—his eyes cast down, dressed in Daoist robes, holding a Luban ruler. Anyone unaware might mistake him for a carpenter.

Yet his hands, smooth and fair as a maiden’s, revealed his true identity as an adept. He excelled at helping others disguise themselves, changing faces in ways even top adepts could not detect.

When Luo Feng first witnessed his skills, he was astounded—such mastery was comparable to the legendary "four great Asian magics."

He immediately resolved to master the art.

He did not know any division techniques, nor did he know how to create paper dolls. The art of disguise was the key to hiding one's identity and evading pursuit.

Nowadays, who goes out without a few alternate identities? Who doesn’t have a few side accounts?

"The Way of Survival: first, multiple disguises; second, many side accounts."
"The best is division, next is paper men, the lowest is disguise."

"Master Ma, how do you draw this eyeliner?" Luo Feng asked humbly.

Ma Tianling waved his hands hastily, flustered. "You are an honored guest of the Shangqing Sect—how can I presume to be your teacher?"

In the world of adepts, strength is respected, and the status of a Hundred Arts Adept is very low, akin to a street performer or opera singer in the mundane world.

Luo Feng shook his head. "Where there is merit, there is precedence. Since I am learning, it is only fitting to address you as teacher."

Ma Tianling wrung his hands, visibly uneasy. "No, no, that would not do," he muttered.

Before Luo Feng’s arrival, the sect master had instructed Ma Tianling to treat this guest as he would the sect master himself—do whatever he asked, nothing less.

Thus, the honest Ma Tianling obeyed, and what began as simple assistance with makeup quickly became an on-the-spot lesson.

"Don’t worry about the title," Luo Feng said. "Please, continue teaching me."

Ma Tianling nodded vigorously, as if relieved of a burden.

Luo Feng unlocked his divine wisdom; if not reading ten lines at a glance, then certainly remembering everything he saw. In half a day, he absorbed seventy to eighty percent of Ma Tianling’s lifetime of skill—only the most secret techniques remained.

The distinction between the extraordinary and the ordinary was stark.

In the end, even the usually reticent Ma Tianling could not help but remark, "If only my son had your talent."

Luo Feng grinned. "Why don’t you take me as your disciple and pass on your most closely guarded techniques?"

Having spent half a day together, Luo Feng knew Ma Tianling’s character—his words were but a jest.

In this era, taking on a disciple was no different from having a son. A disciple was nearly equivalent to one’s own offspring. Heaven, earth, sovereign, parents, and teacher—in the world of adepts, this hierarchy still existed.

Unexpectedly, Ma Tianling fell silent. After a long pause, he spoke slowly, "You are an honored guest of the Shangqing Sect; you surely look down upon the humble tricks of the Hundred Arts."

"But I have a selfish wish. If you master these arts, perhaps you might restore the glory of the ancient shamans. If I could but meet a Celestial once, this life would be worthwhile."

"If you do not mind, I can take you as a disciple on behalf of my master and teach you the core secret technique of the Hundred Arts—Qi Exchange!"

"Gladly," Luo Feng replied with a gentle smile.

Ma Tianling was astonished. "You do not disdain it? In the world of adepts, the status of the Hundred Arts is no different from that of entertainers in the mundane world."

"How can there be high and low among adepts? Besides, the founder of the Hundred Arts was the ancient shaman."

"I am willing to learn."

Luo Feng’s demeanor was earnest and solemn.

He came from the twenty-first century, unlike the people of this era, who harbored innate prejudices against performers and entertainers. What of the Hundred Arts? Those who practice it are people all the same.

We are born free—who dares look down upon us?

"Good!" A trace of resolve appeared on Ma Tianling’s honest face. He had been upright all his life—perhaps it was time to be bold for once.

The Hundred Arts were not a Ma family legacy. If his master or grandmaster witnessed Luo’s talent, they would surely agree.

Luo Feng followed Ma Tianling to a small hut, where they paid respects to the ancestral masters and performed the shamanic rites of the Ten Shamans of Mount Ling.

After a day, Luo Feng had already grasped the basics of Qi Exchange, leaving Ma Tianling doubting his own life.

Back then, it had taken him five years just to begin.

After half a day, the honest Ma Tianling could only say, "Junior brother, you are truly an immortal."

Luo Feng replied calmly, "I am but an ordinary postnatal cultivator. You flatter me, senior brother."

…

On their way to the Hundred Arts Ancestral Hall, Luo Feng also met Ma Tianling’s son, Ma Benzai. Though young and not as talented as Luo Feng, he had already begun to grasp the core of Qi Exchange, and often tinkered with woodworking alongside his father. He showed signs of surpassing his teacher.

As a senior, Luo Feng thought for a moment, then smiled and gifted the boy several talismans as a meeting present.

The center of the vortex? In a few years, you’ll become the hub of freeloaders.

I play with destiny itself; we’re not on the same level.

All preparations are complete—only the east wind is lacking.

Their party consisted of the Heaven-Revering Daoist, the Young Lord Tiance, Luo Feng, and Biqing.

[The next chapter marks the climax.]
[Thanks to Yanlong for the 100 reward.]
[Thanks to Lai Sun for the 100 reward.]
[New recommendation and sacrifice: Magical Girl Filia—“Can’t pay? Then sign a contract with me and become…”]
[Presenting the offering: "Magical Girl Restaurant"]
(End of this chapter)