I, the spirit of the primitive land, have the ability to understand the universe and prove the origin of the universe
Chapter 7 - Encountering Hongyun, Zhen Yuanzi’s Peculiarity

Chapter 7: Encountering Hongyun, Zhen Yuanzi’s Peculiarity

Zhong Yue left the West, journeying eastward.

The closer he drew to the East, the denser the spiritual energy became, and even the laws of heaven and earth grew markedly clearer.

Cultivating while travelling, Zhong Yue had no pressing matters, so he did not hasten his journey.

On this day, he passed by an immortal mountain and, on a whim, suddenly paused.

The mountain was alive with white cranes and brocade pheasants singing in harmony, mysterious apes and deer frolicking, flowers blooming and withering as the stream flowed with sentiment, clouds coming and going amidst unending peaks—a scene brimming with auspicious energy.

At that moment, a voice of surprise sounded beside Zhong Yue’s ear.

“Eh?”

The voice was like a child’s whisper, laced with a touch of mischief.

Startled, Zhong Yue swiftly turned, only to see a Daoist standing quietly behind him, observing him.

At this sight, Zhong Yue broke into a cold sweat; he had no idea when the other had appeared there.

At such close range, a single ill intention from the other would mean certain death.

“No need to be tense; I bear no malice. I was merely curious, seeing you linger long at my old friend’s doorstep.”

The Daoist wore a red robe, with red beard and hair, of modest stature, slightly plump.

His round face bore a gentle smile, like sunlight piercing through clouds, warm and soft, instantly inspiring fondness in those who saw him.

“I paused here, moved by a feeling; if I have caused any disturbance, I hope Senior will forgive me.”

Zhong Yue hurriedly bowed to Hongyun with a respectful salute.

Though the other seemed harmless, that single display was enough to reveal his might.

“No matter, no matter.”

The Daoist smiled warmly at Zhong Yue, his eyes sizing him up, making Zhong Yue feel uneasy.

With no choice, Zhong Yue steeled himself and spoke again.

“This humble Daoist is Zhong Yue; may I ask Senior’s name?”

“Zhong Yue?”

The Daoist murmured softly, as if calculating something.

Moments later, he looked at Zhong Yue again, chuckling lightly.

“I am Hongyun. So it is young friend Zhong Yue; no wonder you stand here in Wanshou Mountain.”

“Wanshou Mountain?”

Zhong Yue was taken aback at the words.

He instinctively glanced back at the great mountain behind him, and in a daze, he seemed to see a Daoist temple standing within.

Before the temple, the scenery was enchanting: verdant cypresses, robust green mountains, mottled pines and bamboos, frost-kissed chrysanthemums by the fence, and serene orchids by the bridge reflecting red lotuses on the water’s surface, all framed by pink walls and tiled bricks, forming a tranquil yet majestic tableau.

On the temple’s walls hung a couplet.

The upper line read ‘Immortal Abode of Eternal Life,’ the lower line ‘Daoist Home Equal to Heaven’s Longevity,’ with the horizontal inscription ‘Lifespan Equal to Heaven and Earth’ [cháng shēng bù lǎo shén xiān fǔ, yǔ tiān tóng shòu dào rén jiā, tiān dì tóng shòu]^.

“Come, since our meeting is fated, how about joining me to visit my old friend?”

As Zhong Yue stood dazed, Hongyun spoke again.

Zhong Yue, hearing this, snapped back, his face showing hesitation.

“This…..”

But, considering that Hongyun and Zhen Yuanzi were not malevolent, Zhong Yue promptly agreed.

“Elder invites, I dare not refuse; Senior, please lead.”

Zhong Yue bowed again, his demeanour humble, his etiquette impeccable.

Though he knew Hongyun was a kind soul, courtesy never offends. Moreover, in cultivation, the accomplished are teachers; Hongyun surpassed him, so this was only proper.

Hongyun was clearly pleased with Zhong Yue’s propriety, nodding slightly before striding towards Wuzhuang Temple.

The two soon arrived before Wuzhuang Temple.

Zhen Yuanzi had evidently anticipated their arrival, waiting at the gate.

“This humble Daoist Zhong Yue greets Great Immortal Zhen Yuan.”

Zhong Yue stepped forward, bowing slightly to Zhen Yuanzi.

Zhen Yuanzi, seeing this, returned the courtesy.

He gave Zhong Yue a once-over, his eyes flickering with a thoughtful expression.

However, he said nothing more, only smiling gently as he invited the two of them into the temple for a chat.

Upon entering Wuzhuang Temple (Wǔzhuāng Guàn), Zhenyuanzi led them to the main hall, arranged for them to be seated, and personally began preparing incense and tea.

Zhong Yue bowed again, then followed the arrangement and took his seat.

In contrast, Hongyun was much more carefree—skipping all formalities, he leaned casually against the edge of the table and sat down.

As soon as he sat, Hongyun began to grumble aloud.

“Zhenyuan, my friend! This time you’ve gotten stingy. How could you try to fob me off with just these odds and ends?”

“Where’s the ginseng fruit? Hurry, bring out the ginseng fruit. I’ve been craving it for ages!”

Zhenyuanzi, hearing this, showed no sign of annoyance. Instead, he immediately called over the young disciples of the temple.

“You all, take my Golden Mallet (Jīn Jī Zǐ) and head to the back garden—go pick some ginseng fruit.”

“As the Patriarch commands,” they answered in unison, bowing respectfully before leaving the room.

Before they walked out, Hongyun shouted again:

“Make sure to bring a lot, a lot!”

Inside the front hall of Wuzhuang Temple, Zhong Yue sat cross-legged on a cushion, quietly watching the conversation between Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi, and couldn’t help feeling a wave of emotion.

In his past life, he had heard that Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi shared a deep and unbreakable friendship. Now, seeing it in person, it seemed their relationship was even closer than he had imagined.

As Zhong Yue drifted in thought, Zhenyuanzi’s voice cut through and pulled him back to the present.

“Your visit, little friend, has truly brought splendour to my humble Wuzhuang Temple. You must stay for a while.”

“Hmm? Ah?” Zhong Yue was briefly stunned, snapping back to his senses, but a bit confused by the sudden invitation.

He looked at Zhenyuanzi and found the latter wearing a kind and gentle smile, his eyes full of appreciation.

That expression only deepened Zhong Yue’s confusion.

By his reckoning, this was the first time he’d ever met Zhenyuanzi—yet the latter’s friendliness seemed oddly familiar.

Still, considering that he indeed had no urgent matters at hand, he simply agreed.

From then on, the three of them sat chatting casually. Most of the conversation was between Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun, while Zhong Yue merely listened quietly from the side.

After a short while, the ginseng fruit (Rénshēn Guǒ) was brought to the table.

The fruit looked just like a three-year-old child—round little body, with all four limbs, delicate features, a bright and clean face—as if carved from the purest white jade, and yet pulsing with natural vitality.

For some reason, perhaps known only to him, Zhenyuanzi directly presented three of these top-grade innate spiritual roots (He gave Zhong Yue a once-over, his eyes flickering with a thoughtful expression.

However, he said nothing more, only smiling gently as he invited the two of them into the temple for a chat.

Upon entering Wuzhuang Temple (Wǔzhuāng Guàn), Zhenyuanzi led them to the main hall, arranged for them to be seated, and personally began preparing incense and tea.

Zhong Yue bowed again, then followed the arrangement and took his seat.

In contrast, Hongyun was much more carefree—skipping all formalities, he leaned casually against the edge of the table and sat down.

As soon as he sat, Hongyun began to grumble aloud.

“Zhenyuan, my friend! This time you’ve gotten stingy. How could you try to fob me off with just these odds and ends?”

“Where’s the ginseng fruit? Hurry, bring out the ginseng fruit. I’ve been craving it for ages!”

Zhenyuanzi, hearing this, showed no sign of annoyance. Instead, he immediately called over the young disciples of the temple.

“You all, take my Golden Mallet (Jīn Jī Zǐ) and head to the back garden—go pick some ginseng fruit.”

“As the Patriarch commands,” they answered in unison, bowing respectfully before leaving the room.

Before they walked out, Hongyun shouted again:

“Make sure to bring a lot, a lot!”

Inside the front hall of Wuzhuang Temple, Zhong Yue sat cross-legged on a cushion, quietly watching the conversation between Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi, and couldn’t help feeling a wave of emotion.

In his past life, he had heard that Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi shared a deep and unbreakable friendship. Now, seeing it in person, it seemed their relationship was even closer than he had imagined.

As Zhong Yue drifted in thought, Zhenyuanzi’s voice cut through and pulled him back to the present.

“Your visit, little friend, has truly brought splendour to my humble Wuzhuang Temple. You must stay for a while.”

“Hmm? Ah?” Zhong Yue was briefly stunned, snapping back to his senses, but a bit confused by the sudden invitation.

He looked at Zhenyuanzi and found the latter wearing a kind and gentle smile, his eyes full of appreciation.

That expression only deepened Zhong Yue’s confusion.

By his reckoning, this was the first time he’d ever met Zhenyuanzi—yet the latter’s friendliness seemed oddly familiar.

Still, considering that he indeed had no urgent matters at hand, he simply agreed.

From then on, the three of them sat chatting casually. Most of the conversation was between Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun, while Zhong Yue merely listened quietly from the side.

After a short while, the ginseng fruit (Rénshēn Guǒ) was brought to the table.

The fruit looked just like a three-year-old child—round little body, with all four limbs, delicate features, a bright and clean face—as if carved from the purest white jade, and yet pulsing with natural vitality.

For some reason, perhaps known only to him, Zhenyuanzi directly presented three of these top-grade innate spiritual roots (xiāntiān línggēn) to Zhong Yue.

“Please, help yourselves,” he said politely.

Zhenyuanzi picked up one of the ginseng fruits and took the first bite.

Hongyun had been unable to wait any longer—he seized one of the child-like fruits and chomped down without hesitation.

Instantly, the entire hall was filled with a rich, fragrant aroma. Essence qi rose and danced in the air, as if little spirits were fluttering about.

Zhong Yue paused, licked his dry lips, and without thinking further, reached out and grabbed one.

Whatever thoughts Zhenyuanzi might have—he would eat first and deal with it later.

to Zhong Yue.

“Please, help yourselves,” he said politely.

Zhenyuanzi picked up one of the ginseng fruits and took the first bite.

Hongyun had been unable to wait any longer—he seized one of the child-like fruits and chomped down without hesitation.

Instantly, the entire hall was filled with a rich, fragrant aroma. Essence qi rose and danced in the air, as if little spirits were fluttering about.

Zhong Yue paused, licked his dry lips, and without thinking further, reached out and grabbed one.

Whatever thoughts Zhenyuanzi might have—he would eat first and deal with it later.

Footnotes:

长生不老神仙府，与天同寿道人家，天地同寿 (cháng shēng bù lǎo shén xiān fǔ, yǔ tiān tóng shòu dào rén jiā, tiān dì tóng shòu):

• Meaning: Literally “Immortal Abode of Eternal Life, Daoist Home Equal to Heaven’s Longevity, Lifespan Equal to Heaven and Earth,” this couplet praises the temple as a divine residence where inhabitants achieve immortality and longevity matching the cosmos.
• Origin: Common in xianxia literature, such couplets adorn sacred sites like Wuzhuang Temple, reflecting Daoist ideals of immortality and harmony with the universe, often seen in real-world temples or fictional settings.
• Cultural Significance: The couplet embodies the Chinese aspiration for eternal life and spiritual transcendence, central to Daoist philosophy. It underscores Wuzhuang Temple’s sanctity and Zhen Yuanzi’s status, setting a reverent tone for Zhong Yue’s encounter.