Cultivator

After listening to Yu Lianzhou’s explanation, Li Ji’an finally understood that Yu Lianzhou was a cultivator. This so-called “cultivator” was not the Daoist ascetic of common thought, but rather someone who practiced a special method of cultivation. In the flourishing martial culture of the Great Tang, martial artists abounded, yet cultivators were far superior to them.

The human body is, in itself, a small universe. Practicing martial arts is a means of controlling the power within this small universe, whereas cultivation seeks to employ this inner force to command the greater powers of heaven and earth. The breathing techniques martial artists use originally came from cultivators, for one must grasp the sensation of internal energy to begin cultivation; without it, the path is barred. The so-called “internal strength” so often mentioned by martial artists is, in truth, a method of cultivation, though genuine cultivators are so few that, over time, this internal strength became simply the inner energy of martial artists. Thus, all cultivators are also martial artists.

The greatest distinction between the two is this: martial artists store their power in the “dantian,” an acupoint three inches below the navel, while cultivators store theirs between the brows in the “Purple Palace.” There are four stages to cultivation. The first is “sensing qi,” the ability to feel the spiritual energy between heaven and earth. The second is “qi barrier,” where one nourishes the body’s meridians and organs with spiritual energy until a protective film forms over them. The third stage is “condensing qi,” shaping spiritual energy into visible forms, manipulating it at will to attack or defend. The fourth is “circulating the cosmos,” a stage of profound mystery, about which Yu Lianzhou himself knew little. Whether there were stages beyond, he could not say.

Li Ji’an listened, gaining only a general understanding, and Liu Renwu was equally perplexed.

“So, just how much stronger is a cultivator than a martial artist? And among cultivators, where do you stand?” Li Ji’an could not help but ask.

Yu Lianzhou pondered, then replied, “The ability to soar through the air is but ordinary; to walk freely amid thousands of soldiers, to take the head of an enemy general as if retrieving something from a sack—these are what cultivators can do. As for myself, my aptitude is middling and I have reached only the ‘qi barrier’ stage.”

Li Ji’an was astonished, and Liu Renwu was even more incredulous.

“Are you telling the truth?”

“I would not dare deceive you, my lord. Every word I speak is true,” Yu Lianzhou replied, bowing once more.

Li Ji’an recalled the wonders he had witnessed before, and thought that if Yu Lianzhou considered himself of average talent, then what he said could well be true.

“If what you say is true, are there not many people of extraordinary ability in the world? Why have I never seen them, nor even heard rumor of them?”

“Since the Qin dynasty, cultivators have declined. After the King of Qin unified the realm with the help of cultivators, he forbade any power that could threaten the throne. He ordered the destruction of countless cultivation texts and the massacre of many cultivators. From then on, cultivators lived in constant fear, hiding among the common people, never revealing themselves.”

Li Ji’an considered this carefully, recalling that before the Qin, stories of extraordinary men abounded, though they often seemed exaggerated. The burning of books and burying of scholars was well known, but the reasons for it were less clear. If Yu Lianzhou’s words were true, then it was all plausible.

“Where did you train, then?”

“I was an orphan from childhood, taken in by my master, and we settled in Jixian, Xingyuan Prefecture. I have always trained with my master there.”

“Oh! So all cultivators hide among the common folk?”

“Indeed.”

“Then why were you on Mount Taiyi?”

“My master’s household was targeted by bandits seeking vengeance. My master’s entire family was killed, and I was pursued all the way to Mount Taiyi, where I nursed my wounds.”

Li Ji’an lowered his head to ponder once more, while Liu Renwu remained silent, standing aside.

“My lord, while cultivators cannot attain immortality, they do live much longer than ordinary men.” Sensing the moment was ripe, Yu Lianzhou thought of how emperors all longed for longevity and decided to add fuel to the fire.

As expected, Li Ji’an was shocked. He slapped the table and stood up, his eyes fixed on Yu Lianzhou. “What did you say?”

Yu Lianzhou was delighted at heart and knelt again. “If I have uttered even half a falsehood, may I be struck down by lightning.”

Li Ji’an calmed himself, then stepped from behind the table, coming to stand before Yu Lianzhou. His hands clasped behind his back still trembled slightly.

Liu Renwu, seeing the Emperor approach, grew tense. He feared Yu Lianzhou might suddenly attack and shifted his foot in readiness, fists clenched, prepared to intervene at any moment.

“Rise,” Li Ji’an commanded, not noticing Liu Renwu’s movements, his gaze fixed on Yu Lianzhou.

Yu Lianzhou stood, though he kept his head bowed.

“Look at me.”

Yu Lianzhou raised his head, meeting Li Ji’an’s gaze directly, knowing the Emperor was scrutinizing him. Their eyes locked, neither wavering.

Liu Renwu stood by, heart pounding, sweat beading his temples. The Emperor was so close that if Yu Lianzhou attacked, he was not sure he could stop him. Yet he dared not speak, only watched Yu Lianzhou with utmost vigilance.

After a time, Li Ji’an spoke. “What is your name?”

Though Yu Lianzhou had already given his name, the Emperor’s question now carried a different weight. Yu Lianzhou was overjoyed, bowed again, and declared, “This sinner is Yu Lianzhou, at your service, my lord.” In his excitement, the chains binding him clinked for the first time since entering the room.

Hearing the sound, Li Ji’an realized that neither the foot nor hand chains had made a noise until now. He also understood what Yu Lianzhou was seeking.

“You may leave,” Li Ji’an said to Liu Renwu.

“My lord, I—” Liu Renwu began, but Li Ji’an cut him off with a wave. “It is all right.”

“Then I will wait outside, my lord,” Liu Renwu replied, withdrawing. Only after leaving did he relax, noticing that his back was soaked with sweat from the tension. He took two deep breaths, glanced back with concern, but dared not approach too closely for fear of offending the Emperor, nor stray too far.

Once Liu Renwu was gone, Li Ji’an spoke.

“It truly grants longevity?”

“I would not dare deceive you, my lord.”

“How many years?”

“I do not know for certain, but my master lived to one hundred and three.”

Suppressing his excitement, Li Ji’an pressed on, “Can this method of cultivation be taught to others?”

“If you so desire, my lord, then of course. However...” Yu Lianzhou did not finish.

“Rest assured, if it can be done, you will be well rewarded.”

Yu Lianzhou knelt once more. “That was not my meaning, my lord. I dare not withhold anything you require. It is just that, though cultivation is not difficult, those who are able are extremely rare—fewer than one in ten thousand.”

Li Ji’an walked past Yu Lianzhou and opened the palace doors, but did not step outside. He simply stood at the threshold, gazing up at the sky. The cold dew had just passed; the flowers outside the hall were fading, but the osmanthus before the door was in full golden bloom, its fragrance thick in the air.

“Behold your lord,” he announced slowly and solemnly, ignoring the greetings of Liu Renwu and the eunuchs and guards. “I am the chosen of Heaven. If I cannot cultivate, then who can?”

For a moment, Yu Lianzhou found it hard to breathe, uncertain if it was the chill air or something else.

Yu Lianzhou followed Liu Renwu to the headquarters of the Imperial Guards. By then, his chains had been removed and he was dressed in the uniform of an attendant official. Liu Renwu, having lost all desire to reprimand him, sensed that Yu Lianzhou, though now only his subordinate, would soon be entrusted with greater responsibilities.

He summoned two trusted soldiers, ordering them to study the method of cultivation with Yu Lianzhou and to keep the matter strictly confidential.

“Master Yu, these two will follow you in your practice,” Liu Renwu said, his form of address hinting at a desire for friendship.

Yu Lianzhou dared not be presumptuous and offered thanks, “Thank you, General, for your care.”

“Master Yu, there is something I am unsure if I should ask.”

“Please speak, General. I will answer as best I can.”

After some hesitation, Liu Renwu asked quietly, “How confident are you that the Emperor can truly cultivate? I hope you will be frank.”

Yu Lianzhou knew this was the Emperor’s attempt to sound him out through Liu Renwu. After a pause, he replied, “The Emperor has admittedly missed the best age for beginning, but rest assured, I will do everything in my power and will not fail His Majesty.”

“I am grateful for your efforts, Master Yu.”

As Yu Lianzhou left the guardhouse with his two new disciples, a smile spread across his face. Though the Emperor still harbored doubts, once they were dispelled, he would begin teaching in earnest. In all of Chang’an, he alone was a cultivator, and he alone had caught the Emperor’s eye. If he succeeded, he would step onto the political stage, and both fame and fortune, power and status, would be his for the taking. He had not gone far before he could not help but look up and laugh heartily, showing no fear of failure.

After Yu Lianzhou departed, Liu Renwu sent men to Jixian in Xingyuan Prefecture to investigate his background.

At that moment, Li Ji’an was in the Palace of Pure Virtue, holding Princess Yucheng in his arms, with Xu Yuhé seated opposite him. The small table was laden with wine and dishes. Li Ji’an, who had not drunk for some time, had already finished three pots of wine in short order, and Princess Yucheng had slipped from his embrace. Although Xu Yuhé was not a strong drinker, she sensed the Emperor was in high spirits and accompanied him in a few more cups. Before long, a eunuch guided the swaying Li Ji’an to rest, the Emperor mumbling indistinctly about time and other things as he was led away.