by Dragon King
After briefly rolling his eyes at her, Hao Ren looked up at the endless trail and took a step forward.
26 Who’s Holding You Back?
The top of the mountain was three hours away from where they were. If they were fast, it would only take two hours. Adding the time it would take to return to the halfway point and then to the foot of the mountain, it would total to at least six hours.
Thinking that he would have to spend at least six hours alone with Zhao Yanzi which was about half a day, Hao Ren became unsure.
Fortunately, the scenery was splendid. If he could not bear to look at Zhao Yanzi, he could at least find consolation in the beautiful views.
On the other hand, Zhao Yanzi was ecstatic. She was practically running up the mountain. It was unclear whether it was because she could not wait to visit the Daoist temple or that she was intentionally trying to lose Hao Ren.
Needless to say, Hao Ren would not let her get out of sight so easily. Taking a deep breath, he sped up and followed closely behind her.
“Hurry, hurry! See how slow you are!” While climbing upwards, Zhao Yanzi turned around to press Hao Ren to go faster.
Disregarding her taunts, Hao Ren continued at the speed he found appropriate. After all, he was a long-distance runner and knew how to properly distribute his physical capacity, unlike Zhao Yanzi who was sprinting without any thought of conserving energy for the latter part of their journey.
Unsurprisingly, half an hour later, Zhao Yanzi who had been running hastily upwards had become exhausted. Gradually, she began to slow down.
Going at an even pace, Hao Ren had caught up with Zhao Yanzi within minutes after she had slowed down. In no time, he had ran passed her.
“Hey!” Seeing that Hao Ren was going to abandon her, Zhao Yanzi couldn’t help but yell at him.
Putting on a face that looked innocent, Hao Ren turned around. Standing on a higher step, he looked down at her and asked, “What? Can you not run anymore?”
“I…” Zhao Yanzi’s face was bright red, “I just wanted some water!”
She reached her arm towards Hao Ren and demanded, “Give me some water!”
Hao Ren opened her backpack, took out a bottle of water, and handed it to her.
After gurgling down mouthfuls of water, Zhao Yanzi threw the bottled water back at Hao Ren in a hostile manner.
Her bad attitude had indeed made Hao Ren feel uncomfortable. However, he reminded himself how nice her parents had been to him and decided to put up with it.
Placing the bottled water back in the backpack, he proceeded to climb without a care for whether Zhao Yanzi could still keep up or not.
That had made things very difficult for Zhao Yanzi. Now that Hao Ren had resumed climbing, she had to follow suit. For one, all of their supplies were in the backpack that Hao Ren was carrying. On top of that, she did not want to be looked down upon by Hao Ren. Hence, she could only force herself to carry on. In this situation, she could no longer utter any mockery towards Hao Ren as she did before.
On their way up, Hao Ren had been going at an even and steady pace just as he would do if he was in a long-distance race. With a superior sense of rhythm, he could adjust his pace according to his breathing.
On the other hand, Zhao Yanzi now felt torturous. As she tried to keep up with Hao Ren, she was constantly out of breath, and her face had gone from bright red to pale white. She couldn’t stop glaring at Hao Ren as her grudge towards him grew.
They continued climbing for a little longer before Hao Ren finally came to a halt. At last, Zhao Yanzi got a chance to catch her breath.
Hao Ren opened up the map and studied it for a few seconds, “Well, we’re halfway there. At our current pace, we should be able to get there in an hour.”
“Ahhh? Another hour!?” Zhao Yanzi’s face was filled with despair. As she imagined having to repeat the ordeal she had just gone through, her body couldn’t help but become weak and powerless.
Paying no attention to her reaction, Hao Ren rolled up the map and got up on his feet again.
Now that Zhao Yanzi had finally caught her breath, she saw that Hao Ren was ready to move on again without much of a break. She had immediately developed an intense hatred towards him. Pausing for a few seconds, she exploded in rage and started screaming at Hao Ren who was already far ahead, “You jerk!”
Hao Ren turned around, still looking innocent and unaware. He looked at her from afar, “What is wrong?” He asked.
“You… You…” Zhao Yanzi was so mad that she was unable to utter a complete sentence through her gritted teeth.
“Do you need a break?” Hao Ren asked.
Zhao Yanzi’s face had turned red from suppressing her anger and her desire for a break. Even though she did indeed need a break, she couldn’t bring herself to say the words. She was afraid of giving Hao Ren a reason to mock or to look down on her.
“Oh my, it does seem a little tiring. Let’s take a break here then.” Hao Ren put down the backpack and placed it on the steps. Then he sat down right next to it.
“Know that you are the one who wanted to take a break, I haven’t said a word about being tired!” Zhao Yanzi uttered out of her pouty lips and sat right down on the ground like Hao Ren.
Her pallid face was the best indicator that her body was about to give out, but Hao Ren had no intention of exposing her.
They were sitting six to seven steps apart, staring right at each other.
Hao Ren suddenly remembered that there was a camera in the backpack. He took it out quickly and pointed it at Zhao Yanzi who was sitting below him.
Click!
Her grumpy face was instantly framed and got captured in a photo.
“Who gave you the permission to take photos!?” She screamed in a high-pitched voice.
Trying to hand the camera to her from high up, Hao Ren said, “How about you take a photo of me, too?”
“Why would I want to take a photo of you!?” Zhao Yanzi rolled her eyes.
“How about… we take a photo together then?” Hao Ren again suggested.
Zhao Yanzi turned away from the camera without looking at Hao Ren, “Humph, who would want a photo with an uncle like you!”
Promptly, Hao Ren put the camera back into the backpack and stood up, “That’s enough of a break, let’s get going.”
“You…” Zhao Yanzi glanced at Hao Ren in annoyance. She knew that he was “punishing” her for not cooperating, but there was nothing she could do but run along.
Hao Ren turned around and saw that Zhao Yanzi’s face was bright red from trying to catch up. He thought for a second and decided to slow down. Even though Zhao Yanzi was such an ill-tempered girl, there was no need to physically punish her for that.
“If I had my Dragon Core, I could outrun you a hundred times!” Punching Hao Ren’s shoulder, Zhao Yanzi said regretfully.
“If you can’t climb anymore, it’s not too late for us to turn back,” Hao Ren proposed sincerely; there wasn’t a trace of mockery in his tone.
Yet, Zhao Yanzi gritted her teeth and responded determinedly, “Who said I couldn’t climb anymore? I will get to the top of the mountain for sure!”
Sensing that Hao Ren was looking at her sympathetically, she clenched her teeth again. “If you can’t do it, then start heading back yourself!”
Hao Ren’s mouth curved into a smile as he actually found Zhao Yanzi’s determination to be quite commendable.
At this time, Zhao Yanzi’s face was bright red. Adorned with drops of sweat, her small nose and chest were rising and falling to the rhythm of her rapid breathing, and her snowy white skin was moist and silky like milk.
The strands of her hair that were soaked by sweat made her seem almost enchanting. Although young, she had started to showcase her potential in growing up to be a beauty.
Clutching her fist tightly, she abruptly took a deep breath and surpassed Hao Ren again. After that, she continued to run forward.
Not knowing what to do with her, Hao Ren coul
d only speed up and run along her.
The two were advancing in silence. Since the site had no cable cars set up and it was already the afternoon, the higher up they went, the fewer tourists there were.
As the view was becoming more grand and spectacular, the trail was also becoming quieter. In the end, it seemed as if Hao Ren and Zhao Yanzi, the “competing” hikers, were the only ones left on this mountain.
Obliquely, the sun came through from between the branches of the trees. Hao Ren looked down on his phone; it was already three o’clock. If they didn’t reach the top of the mountain soon, they would be returning late to the hotel. Especially if the sky darkened, it would be even harder for them to traverse the mountain.
“Zi, we have to pick up the pace, or else we won’t be able to make it down in time.” After walking in silence for close to an hour, Hao Ren finally spoke up.
“Quit nagging me!” Zhao Yanzi answered impatiently.
Sweat had already soaked her face and most of her outfit. Judging from the look on her face, she was indeed trying her best already. After all, she was only a young girl, and Hao Ren was on the long distance running team back in high school; their physical strengths were not at the same level, to begin with.
Just when they began to doubt whether they could make it in time, things took a different turn. As they followed the trail and walked around a big thick tree, the golden eaves of the Daoist temple had suddenly come into their sight.
“Ha! We made it!” Zhao Yanzi shouted out of joy. She did not try to hold back her happiness of overcoming the mountain.
Hao Ren also felt delighted. He was surprised yet satisfied to see that their efforts had come to fruition.
At the same time, he was a little concerned. It had taken a long time and a lot of physical strength for them to reach the mountaintop. Would they be able to get back to the hotel by seven as they had planned?
“Bubblehead! Hurry up and don’t get lost!” Seeing that Hao Ren was hesitant and hadn’t moved off the steps, Zhao Yanzi couldn’t control her excitement and yelled at Hao Ren unreservedly.
Somehow, to Hao Ren, such thoughtless name-calling had indicated a sense of trust and friendliness.
27 Listen or Suffer
Paying no attention to Hao Ren’s reaction, Zhao Yanzi leaped towards the Daoist temple. Carrying the backpack, Hao Ren stepped across the entrance of the Daoist temple after her.
The golden eaves of the temple were soaking up the last bit of the afternoon sunshine, and the entire Daoist temple appeared solemn and serene.
Since it was already afternoon and the temple was situated on top of the mountain, there weren’t any visitors. As there were no cable cars, only people who were fit and determined like Hao Ren and Zhao Yanzi would be able to visit the temple at this hour. Otherwise, one would have to start climbing in the early morning in order to arrive here by noon and then further spend the entire afternoon getting back down.
Therefore, arriving at such odd hours, Zhao Yanzi and Hao Ren didn’t run into any visitors. In the yard of the Daoist temple, some young Daoists were sweeping up fallen leaves. Even Zhao Yanzi who was yelling and shouting on her way in had become quiet as soon as she stepped into the temple.
The paving bricks in the yard were of different colors and had been put together to create a massive picture of the Tai Chi and the Eight Trigrams. In the south-west corner of the yard, there was an aged yet towering ancient pine tree.
Hao Ren knew that this must be the thousand-year-old tree Zhao Guang had mentioned. With a heart filled with respect, he walked over to it calmly. As the temple did not have many visitors, the ancient tree had not been fenced off. It had only quietly taken its place in the corner of the yard.
Hao Ren walked up and reached out his hand, gently caressing its trunk which was full of senescence and fortitude.
Its bark was rock-solid and smooth. From its outer appearance, it did not even look like wood anymore.
Hao Ren stealthily began running the Concentration Cultivation Scroll and was becoming aware of nature’s essence nearby. He was actually able to receive a burst of condense wood essence from the rigid bark of this ancient pine tree.
Moreover, the Dragon Core inside his body seemed to have resonated with the ancient tree as Hao Ren could feel it vibrating inside of him. The warm and humid energy flow had traveled through Hao Ren’s arms and towards the interior of the tree. At the same time, the ancient tree was also emitting a burst of wood essence towards Hao Ren, nourishing his body.
Zhao Yanzi watched Hao Ren quietly. She understood that he must be having an enlightening moment and did not want to interrupt him.
After a full minute, Hao Ren withdrew his hand and breathed out heavily. The fatigue that he felt from climbing up the mountain had completely vanished. Instead, all that was left in him was pure strength and prosperous liveliness.
With his heart full of reverence, Hao Ren slightly bowed to the ancient tree.
Hao Ren noticed that Zhao Yanzi had become dazed while watching him. He called to her with a smile, “Let’s go.”
For a few seconds, Zhao Yanzi could not react properly. She couldn’t help but let out an “Oh” and start following Hao Ren’s footsteps. As she passed through the yard and entered the main palace, she was finally herself again. The image of the smile that Hao Ren just gave her had lingered in her mind, and she suddenly felt her heart flutter.
Hao Ren didn’t even realize how gentle he had just smiled at Zhao Yanzi. Upon entering the main palace, he raised his head to observe the statue of the Founder of the San Qing Religion that was a few meters tall. Then he proceeded inwards.
The entire main palace was giving off a grand and magnificent, solemn and awe-inspiring atmosphere. It had instantly made Hao Ren feel that this visit was well worth their effort and time.
Zhao Yanzi was following Hao Ren closely. Being surrounded by solemn-looking statues had frightened her a little.
Through the main palace, they walked into another yard. There was a stone hut to the east of the yard, and inside of the hut stood a stone monument that seemed to have been there forever.
Somehow, after the enlightenment at the ancient tree, Hao Ren suddenly felt that Zhao Guang had told them about the ancient tree and the stone monument on purpose.
Hao Ren stood in front of the stone monument and began reading carefully the writing inscribed on it.
“It is everlasting and cannot be named. It is the original void of ‘non-being’. This ‘Oneness’ is the Dao which is invisible and formless. It may be regarded as vague and intangible. When the Oneness Dao comes forward, its front cannot be seen. When one tries to follow it, one cannot see its rear. By abiding with the original Dao, one can master the presence…”
As hard as Hao Ren had tried, he was only able to make sense of a couple of sentences.
Standing next to Hao Ren, Zhao Yanzi was also reading the words on the monument in silence.
“If desire shall conceal true self, true self will manifest itself even more. If desire shall weaken the true self, true self will strengthen itself even more. If desire shall abandon the true self, true self will prosperous even more. If desire shall deprive the true self, the true self will give even more. This is known as the enlightened nature that is subtle yet profound. Gentleness overcomes strength, and the meek overcomes the strong…”
The more Hao Ren read, the more difficult it was for him to understand. Likewise, with her brows deeply furrowed, Zhao Yanzi seemed to be having a hard time deciphering it herself.
This was the way to command water.
Suddenly, a sense of enlightenment crossed Hao Ren’s mind.
It was as though an awareness had arisen from the bottom of his heart. It was about to break through his chest and reach for his head.
Hao Ren then thought of the prosperousness and liveliness of the ancient tree again; it reminded him of the times when he was working on math problems. He felt as though his thinking was now finally on the right
track and was about to be able to solve a challenging problem.
“Water gives life and nourishes all things on earth. Water breaks through and overcomes all impediments.”
Bong…
The unexpected tolling of a bell had abruptly interrupted Hao Ren’s reflection.
Zhao Yanzi who was lost in her own thoughts had also jumped at the loud noise.
Hao Ren turned around and looked at his phone. He realized that they had spent precisely half an hour standing in front of this stone monument.
The continually falling leaves had found homes on the tops of their heads and their shoulders, and the young Daoists who were performing cleaning chores had also returned to rest.
Hao Ren and Zhao Yanzi were now alone in this empty yard.
“It is quite late now, let’s start heading back,” Hao Ren said.
“Okay…” Zhao Yanzi responded obediently. It seemed that her thoughts were still with the writings on the monument.
Hao Ren put out his hand and helped Zhao Yanzi to clear off the fallen leaves in her hair and on her shoulders.
His gesture was casual and gentle, and Zhao Yanzi did not react in time. She felt surprised and a hint of sweet joy.
“This guy is actually quite nice to me.” Zhao Yanzi secretly thought to herself.
On the other hand, Hao Ren did not put much thought into his gesture. He looked down and patted off the leaves on himself before leading Zhao Yanzi out of the front gate.
Dusk seemed to come particularly early on the mountain. As the sun could still be seen hanging loosely from afar, its last beams of lights were trying to lit up the sky effortfully; it seemed that darkness would soon consume the world.
“Let’s head down quickly.” Hao Ren urged Zhao Yanzi as they could not afford any delays.
With her lips pursed, although Zhao Yanzi was criticizing Hao Ren for having no compassion for the opposite sex in her mind, she did not dare to cause any real delays. Hence, she started following Hao Ren down the trail in compliance.