Chapter 288: The Fourteen Chapters of the Dao Sword
Qin Mu's heart trembled slightly, and he immediately guessed why the Dao Lord was so certain that he was the current Human Sovereign.
Of the Village Chief's sword diagram, he had only learned two moves and used them sparingly. Aside from displaying them before Emperor Yanfeng and the National Teacher, he had only revealed them in front of Banguo Cuo and Linxuan Daozi.
When Linxuan Daozi followed Danyangzi to block the gates of the Imperial Academy, he was defeated by the first move of the sword diagram, "Sword Traverses Mountains and Rivers."
After returning to the Dao Sect, he must have tried to demonstrate that move, "Sword Traverses Mountains and Rivers," to the Dao Lord. It was likely then that the Dao Lord learned Qin Mu's swordsmanship originated from the Village Chief, but he couldn't be certain Qin Mu was the current Human Sovereign.
His confident tone was merely a test.
Qin Mu was also perceptive. Though he guessed the Dao Lord's intention, he didn't deny it. He scooped some water to water the Solomon's seal plants and said with a smile, "The Dao Lord's divine powers are vast, and his wisdom surpasses others."
The Dao Lord and Linxuan Daozi used leaves to cup water, while Qin Mu directly used his primal energy to roll up the spring water—more convenient and faster.
Seeing Qin Mu use his primal energy, the old Dao Lord said, "The Dao follows nature. Why must the Human Sovereign be so hasty?"
Qin Mu replied, "Purely following nature, learning to apply it. If the Dao Lord doesn't use it, why learn it?"
The Dao Lord frowned, then relaxed his brow and laughed, "The differences between our two sects are matters of worldly philosophy. I won't argue with you about the doctrines of the Dao Sect and the Heavenly Demon Sect. The Human Sovereign hasn't appeared in the world for several centuries. This time you've emerged, you must have some purpose, right?"
Qin Mu used his primal energy to control the water flow, carefully watering the Solomon's seal plants, and said earnestly, "What purpose could I have? The Village Chief of our village said the Human Sovereign is a responsibility. I still don't understand what's so good about being the Human Sovereign—no power, no influence, yet burdened with some duty. If the Dao Lord is willing to take it, I'll let you have it."
The Dao Lord's face changed slightly as he watered with his leaf, and he quickly shook his head: "I cannot bear that burden."
The two continued watering the Solomon's seal plants—one cupping water with a leaf, the other drawing water with a spell.
Linxuan Daozi watched and inwardly shook his head. This old man and young man were both stubborn and set in their ways.
After about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Qin Mu, being faster, had finished watering all the plants. The old Dao Lord also planted the leaf he had used to cup water into the soil, straightened his back, and sighed, "Old age has caught up with me; my bones aren't what they used to be. Since the Human Sovereign is also the leader of the Heavenly Demon Sect, the Dao Sect cannot oppose the Human Sovereign. This old Daoist came to see the Human Sovereign to designate my successor. Earlier, Linxuan paid his respects to you. After I die, he will become the Dao Lord."
Qin Mu bowed to Linxuan, who quickly returned the gesture, saying, "I am not yet the Dao Lord; I dare not accept this."
The old Dao Lord smiled, "When you become the Dao Lord, you will still be half a generation lower in seniority, and when you bow, your hands should be half a hand lower."
Linxuan was startled.
The old Dao Lord continued unhurriedly, "We cultivators of qi were all indebted to the first Human Sovereign twenty thousand years ago, so we all revered him as the Human Sovereign. Each clan and sect took their finest treasures at that time to forge the Human Sovereign Seal. Therefore, we must follow the proper rites and not be negligent. May the old Daoist request to see the seal?"
Qin Mu took out the black lump of the Human Sovereign Seal and casually tossed it to him. The old Dao Lord hurriedly caught it, his face twitching as he exclaimed, "How can you toss it? How can you toss it? The old Daoist came to see the Human Sovereign after bathing and changing clothes, even washing his hands several times, reverent and not daring to be negligent. How can you just toss the Human Sovereign Seal over?"
Qin Mu was puzzled and said, "The Village Chief casually tossed it to me. I didn't even want it and threw it back. He insisted on giving it to me, and since I couldn't beat him, I had to accept it."
The old Dao Lord's face turned bitter. Holding the Human Sovereign Seal with both hands, he examined it repeatedly, confirmed it was the seal, and said, "Please take it back, Human Sovereign." He stepped forward, raised the Human Sovereign Seal with both hands in a respectful manner.
Only after Qin Mu took the Human Sovereign Seal did the old Daoist step back, lower his hands, and say to Linxuan Daozi, "Remember, this is how you receive the Human Sovereign Seal. Do not disrupt the rites."
Linxuan Daozi acknowledged, but saw Qin Mu casually toss the Human Sovereign Seal into his Taotie pouch. Linxuan dared not speak.
"He is the Human Sovereign; he may be irreverent, but we must not be."
The old Dao Lord said with earnest intent, "This seal was forged by the ancestors of our various sects and clans using their finest treasures, presented to the Human Sovereign, honoring the one who holds this seal as the common sovereign of humanity. Therefore, our Dao Sect must revere it. But since this seal was presented to the Human Sovereign, the Human Sovereign may be irreverent toward it. Do you understand?"
Linxuan Daozi nodded: "Disciple understands."
Qin Mu felt a stir of emotion. The old Dao Lord's lifespan was nearly exhausted; he had only a few years left before his life would end, yet he still did his utmost to teach his disciple.
This traditional master-disciple relationship was more likely to produce outstanding talents.
The old Dao Lord was now old, hoping to cultivate the Daozi in his final years so he could take over.
"Dao Lord, besides coming to see the Human Sovereign Seal, is there anything else you wish to say?" Qin Mu asked with a smile.
The old Dao Lord gave him a deep look and said, "The Human Sovereign should understand that the revolution and reform of National Teacher Yanfeng and Emperor Yanfeng are not the righteous path. They will incur heavenly punishment. This snow disaster is a warning. For the sake of the common people under heaven, the Human Sovereign should stop this reform."
Qin Mu shook his head: "The great trends of the world are like a rolling torrent—what passes never ceases day or night. Those who dare to stand in its way will surely be crushed. I can only go with the trend, go with the torrent. Senior Brother, you have already suffered many hardships. Will you still cling to your delusions?"
The old Dao Lord sighed, "I won't argue with you. Arguing back and forth still comes down to the doctrines of our two sects; it's hard to convince the other side. Better not to argue. If you insist on supporting the National Teacher's reform, I'll say only this: the Dao follows nature. To reform is to change the Dao, to alter nature. The gods are born of nature, manifested from the Great Dao. If you want to change the Dao, you must understand the consequences. The Great Ruins are a lesson from the past. The Human Sovereign must not ignore this."
Qin Mu was slightly startled. The Dao Lord clearly knew more inside information.
But the Dao Lord was unwilling to say more. "I came to see the Human Sovereign to make my intentions clear. The Dao Sect is at odds with Yan Kang, but it will not be at odds with the Human Sovereign. Disciple, bring the Fourteen Chapters of the Dao Sword."
Linxuan took a stone slab from a leather pouch at his waist. When he pulled it out, it was over two zhang tall, covered with crisscrossing sword marks.
Linxuan hesitated: "Dao Lord..."
"Let him see it."
The old Dao Lord said, "The old Human Sovereign's swordsmanship was better than mine, somewhat more refined. I even showed the Fourteen Chapters of the Dao Sword to the National Teacher. Why shouldn't I show it to the current Human Sovereign?"
Linxuan Daozi set the stone slab upright. The old Dao Lord said, "The Fourteen Chapters of the Dao Sword, one chapter per sword. When the Yan Kang National Teacher came to our Dao Sect to study, I allowed him fourteen days to view it. So I will also allow the Human Sovereign fourteen days. As for our Dao Sect's Innate Grand Mystery Technique, I will not show it to the Human Sovereign."
Qin Mu showed surprise. The Old Tathagata had allowed him to view the Tathagata Mahayana Sutra, but only the methods within, not the gate—there was method but no gate.
Now the Dao Lord allowed him to see the gate of the Innate Grand Mystery Technique but not the method. The breadth of mind of the two sacred land masters was truly vast.
Qin Mu pondered for a moment, then took out the Great Cultivation Heavenly Demon Sutra and said, "I'm not accustomed to receiving favors without reciprocation. This is the Great Cultivation Heavenly Demon Sutra. I will allow the Daozi to view it for fourteen days."
Linxuan Daozi was quite tempted and looked at the old Dao Lord. The old Dao Lord's expression shifted slightly. After a moment of thought, he said, "If you're allowed to see it, then see it. In the Great Cultivation Heavenly Demon Sutra, storing goodness makes one a god, storing evil makes one a demon. If you fall into demonhood, it means your cultivation is insufficient and your mind is lacking."
Linxuan Daozi acknowledged.
Qin Mu sat before the stone wall and looked at the sword marks on it.
These sword marks were crisscrossed and seemed to have no pattern. He looked at the first sword mark. At first, he saw nothing remarkable, but as his mind sank into it, he gradually felt some marvelous sword intent.
In his eyes, the sword marks were no longer just marks. He seemed to see some mathematical principles, as if a Daoist was writing rapidly, setting down some principles of arithmetic. These principles gradually evolved, forming two interlocking Tai Chi diagrams, one black and one white.
A single point pierces through the vast movement; within the two polarities, yin and yang alternate!
Qin Mu's heart trembled. The cultivation method of the Dao Sword was indeed unique. The sword carvings on the stone wall contained profound sword intent, and within that sword intent lay mathematical principles that formed the first form of the Dao Sword.
The mathematical principle hidden in the first form of the Dao Sword was binary yin-yang calculation!
"This can be compared with the Grand Mystery Arithmetic Classic."
Qin Mu's mind stirred. He had already understood most of the Grand Mystery Arithmetic Classic, so the first form of the Dao Sword was not difficult for him.
Before long, Qin Mu thoroughly comprehended the first form of the Dao Sword and turned to look at the second sword mark.
The second form of the Dao Sword: The five qi and three primordials form a knot; rising, the cloud chariots intertwine!
This sword mark contained ternary and quinary systems—three primordials and five qi. The mathematical principles in this move constructed the sun, moon, and earth, the five qi facing the origin!
This move was also not difficult for Qin Mu. He spent the time it takes an incense stick to burn to comprehend it, then looked at the third sword mark.
The third form of the Dao Sword: Five-colored auspicious clouds cover and shroud; above the three heavens, the immortal rhymes resound.
This move was also based on three primordials and five qi, but more profound, introducing changes in the three primordials and five qi.
Qin Mu spent over half an hour to thoroughly comprehend this move.
The fourth form of the Dao Sword: Silently revolving the cycle of heaven, seeing the myriad phenomena push and shift. The mathematical principles involved were already extremely complex, touching on the principle of "three begets all things." Using the Grand Mystery Arithmetic Classic to unravel the mysteries of this move was already very difficult.
By the time Qin Mu unraveled the mysteries of this sword mark, he realized the setting sun was about to sink into the sea. The sky was growing dark, and the red sun fell on the sea surface, casting red light over the island.
"I may not be able to unravel the fifth chapter of the Dao Sword!"
Qin Mu's expression turned serious. Each sword of the Dao Sword was harder to learn than the last, containing deeper and deeper mathematical principles. It was impossible to learn them all within fourteen days. He might not even be able to learn the fifth chapter!
He could only choose to first comprehend the sword intent, learn that, and for the other chapters of the Dao Sword, he had no time to learn them. He would grasp as much as he could!
With this thought, Qin Mu immediately looked at the fifth sword mark. The fifth chapter of the Dao Sword: The jade cave gathers all transformations; on the Kunlun ridge, the wind and moon rustle.
He devoted himself to comprehension. The mathematical principles within the sword intent were already difficult to understand. Although he had grasped most of the Grand Mystery Arithmetic Classic, some mathematical principles were not included in it, likely hidden in the Mystic Woman Arithmetic Classic.
The Dao Lord sat to one side, calmly entering meditation as if unaware of hunger.
When Qin Mu got hungry, he left the stone wall and went to find Ling Yuxiu and Si Yunxiang. The two girls had already cooked a meal. They questioned him and were greatly startled to learn it was the Dao Lord, not daring to be presumptuous.
On the third day, Fan Yunxiao sailed his boat to find them. When he saw the Dao Lord, he suddenly burst into tears and kowtowed a few times. The old Dao Lord opened his eyes, looked at him, and said calmly, "You've joined the Heavenly Demon Sect? I was right about you—your heart is indeed unrighteous. Go. I won't kill you."
Fan Yunxiao wailed loudly, wiped his tears, and sailed away.
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