Martial Outer Heavenly Dao

Beneath the martial stage, Scholar Li Jingqiu was explaining the origins of the Academy to Zhang Ling.

About a hundred years ago, the Academy was nothing more than a modest school in Moxia Village, west of Jinyu City. The school was crude, but according to historical records, the scholars who emerged from there, two or three at a time, entered the imperial court as officials, rivaling even the Grand Academy. This attracted the emperor’s attention, who wondered how one person could produce so many outstanding disciples.

The emperor sent letters and envoys repeatedly, inviting the master of this school, known as the Chengdao Academy, to court. But the master, unwilling to serve as an official, entrusted the Academy to a disciple and departed alone. Relying on his own learning, he traveled across the Central Plains, stopping wherever education was lacking to establish schools. Most were simple, built through local effort, with a single teacher who sought only board and lodging. Even if students learned but a single character, they were content.

Wherever the master paused, crowds gathered in veneration. Such a scholar deserved the title of Sage. True to his reputation, one day he experienced a sudden enlightenment. He sat alone on a green stone for three days without moving. People thought he had passed away in meditation, and mourned. Yet suddenly, power surged beneath his feet; the stone shattered, and he soared into the air, venting his energy like a wrathful Buddha. When he descended, the onlookers were stunned.

Zhang Ling, perplexed, asked, “Wasn’t that master merely a scholar? How did he suddenly acquire the skills of a grandmaster?”

Li Jingqiu explained, “This is what I wanted to tell you. In this world, there is not only the martial path from grade one to nine. There’s also a path known as the Heavenly Way. Those who cultivate it are born without access to their dantian, don’t practice martial arts, but ascend through enlightenment alone. It seems like a leap to the summit, but in truth, they have walked ten thousand steps already. Depending on their insight, they might reach any stage of grade one in a single stride. The three great teachings—Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism—each call the Heavenly Way by a different name. The Confucians call it ‘Worldly Cultivation,’ urging people not only to read ten thousand books but also to travel ten thousand miles. The Buddhists call it ‘Buddha’s Wheel,’ though I’m not sure why. Since the monk Pushan achieved the Heavenly Way four hundred years ago, no other Buddhist has followed, and he left no words for future generations. The Daoists call it ‘Pure Mystery,’ with their profound methods, and the image of a clean robe symbolizes that Daoist disciples should live simply, study deep Daoist arts, and help people avoid calamity.”

Li Jingqiu’s explanation once again broadened Zhang Ling’s understanding of the world. Besides the martial path, there was also the ethereal path of the Heavenly Way.

Thinking he’d finished, Li Jingqiu continued, “People know my master, but not the Academy’s other head. The old master is Jing Wuchen, the disciple whom the sage entrusted with the Academy. He was born in Ghost Valley, which produced two geniuses at the time. But Ghost Valley’s rules dictated only one heir—the rest had to die. The old master refused to harm his brother, so he left, giving the position of Valley Lord to his senior, Dizigu.”

Zhang Ling was bewildered, needing a moment to gather himself. “Is the old master still alive?”

Li Jingqiu nodded to confirm.

Zhang Ling asked, “How old must he be?”

Li Jingqiu shook his head, “I don’t know. Since my master took over the Academy, the old master has been secluded for years. I’ve only seen him a few times. His senior is also still alive, probably nearly three centuries old.”

Whether out of envy or disbelief, Zhang Ling exclaimed, “Do people from Ghost Valley really live so long? Is there some secret method?”

Li Jingqiu explained, “It’s just what I told you about the Heavenly Way. Ghost Valley cultivates the natural Heavenly Way, embracing all things, so they could accept two practitioners. The old master cultivates the essence of nature, hence his name, Wuchen—‘Without Dust.’ Dizigu cultivates the form of nature, called ‘All Forms.’ The advantage of the natural Heavenly Way is its abundant vitality, so even in old age their hair remains black.”

Zhang Ling suddenly remembered an old incident he’d read about. “I recall that Chen’s greatest sect used to be called the Zong Mansion. When did the Academy replace it?”

Li Jingqiu’s face darkened. “Twenty-eight years ago. The Zong Mansion was a sect that trained experts for the army. Some time earlier, it was mysteriously annihilated overnight. The entire sect died silently within its halls. At the time, the Zong Mansion had not only Grandmaster Zong Huan presiding, but dozens of experts above grade four. Who could eliminate such a top-tier sect without a trace? To prevent panic, the previous emperor suppressed the news.”

Zhang Ling pressed, “Was not a single survivor left?”

Li Jingqiu wanted to nod but hesitated. “I don’t know. If there were, they wouldn’t dare show themselves. No one knows how to investigate. Soon after, the emperor sought out the old master to fill the gap. Though the old master refused to serve the court, he compromised: the Academy would not force disciples to choose—they could remain, enter government, or strike out on their own. In addition, the Academy periodically recruits talented children from military families to ensure fresh blood in the army. The ones you met yesterday, Liu Yuan Cheng and Iron Fool, will be sent to the army once they reach grade one.”

Zhang Ling was still puzzled. He pointed to the ground, or rather, the palace itself. “The Academy is ultimately a martial faction. Why does the Chen imperial family trust it so much? Not only is there no separation, but the Academy even holds its selection in the palace. The old Zong Mansion wasn’t so close to Jinyu City, was it?”

Li Jingqiu smiled and explained, “It’s because of the old master. He can discern the evil in people’s hearts. Everyone has desires—some seek profit, which might harm others but isn’t malicious, that’s minor evil. Some delight in chaos, that’s major evil. But evil of the heart doesn’t always lead to evil acts; those with great evil in their hearts may lack the power to act on it. The old master ensures that no one with major evil enters the Academy. In fact, you were already chosen when you passed through the illusion yesterday. Today’s martial demonstration is just to reassure the military officials. Once Academy disciples enter the army, they can serve as captains. The military doesn’t want these positions filled by empty-headed scholars.”

Hearing that someone could read the evil in hearts, Zhang Ling couldn’t help but wish to see how the old master would judge him.