Chapter 40 - Soul-Capturing Yin House (Part XVI)

After a long silence, Chen Shaoxian spoke, “You are mistaken; it’s not about communicating with heaven and earth, but sensing the way of heaven and earth. What is the way of heaven and earth? It is the way of heaven, the Way of Things, and the way of ghosts. And we are part of the Way of Things, the way of all things.”

“What ‘way’ means is not easy to explain. It’s like how birth, aging, sickness, and death are part of the way; eating and drinking are part of the way; sunrise and sunset are part of the way. It’s a pattern, the pattern of the way of heaven and earth. We can only sense and grope our way through it, not communicate with it directly. For the way of heaven and earth is not a thing, but a pattern or, rather, a law.”

“This way of heaven and earth exists within all things, and so we call it vital energy, which belongs to the energy of heaven and earth. It is through this energy that we sense the way of heaven and earth.”

“Each thing has different properties, so each has its own way. But all things possess vital energy, which senses the changes between heaven and earth.”

“However, the human way does not work like this. The way of a person lies in their own vital energy, also known as righteous energy, the most pure and powerful energy. Its function is not to sense but to protect, to guard the laws between heaven and earth. Therefore, humans are the creatures closest to the way of heaven, which is why other beings would rather defy the way of heaven and harm humans to transcend their own way and become human. Because the human way can dominate the way of all things.”

“Yet, the way of heaven is the fairest of all. Humans, although ‘the foremost under heaven,’ do not sense the way of heaven and earth as other creatures do. Like when natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis are imminent, other creatures can sense them in advance, but humans cannot. Because humans’ way is different.”

“Therefore, whether monks, Daoist, or laypeople, all are cultivating their own vital energy while sensing the way of heaven and earth to avoid calamities.”

“The inherent duty of humans is to protect the way of heaven and earth, which is what is meant by ‘eliminating demons and protecting the way.’ However, humans’ righteous energy is limited, and when human power is insufficient, we must rely on the energy of heaven and earth, remember, rely on, not take or control, and what is borrowed must be returned.”

At this point, Chen Shaoxian suddenly remembered what the old man had once said about those predecessors with the ability to temporarily control the way of heaven and earth and peer into the secrets of the cosmos, yet ultimately, they all faced divine retribution and met with no good ends. While Chen Shaoxian respected these predecessors, he did not envy them.

He then sighed and continued, “Humans cannot use their own energy to replenish the energy of heaven and earth, but they can do things that align with the way of heaven.”

“Human nature is originally good; being itself is in accordance with the way of heaven. We can do good deeds, using these good deeds to make up for what we have borrowed from the way of heaven and earth. Because the way of heaven is inherently good.”

The Zhang brothers were left wide-eyed and speechless by what Chen Shaoxian had just said.

Zhang Xinyi stuttered, “Mr. Chen, how can one enhance their own vital energy?”

Scratching his head, Chen Shaoxian replied, “It’s hard to explain, as there are too many unknowns. I can only use an analogy. The human body is like a chemical reaction, similar to acid-base neutralization. If either element is in excess or deficit, sickness ensues. Humans need the energy of the five grains to nourish themselves, and it’s inevitable that imbalances occur, thus medicines are needed to restore normalcy.”

“The reason people fall ill is because after absorbing the energy of the five grains, a type of malevolent energy is produced, which harms one’s vital energy. The more you eat, the more this malevolent energy accumulates. Some who practice health and spiritual cultivation choose to fast to prevent damage to their vital energy. Although this method is simple, it is passive, and I do not endorse it.”

“Because things are relative, the stronger one’s vital energy, the less malevolent energy there will be, and the healthier one will become. Vital energy can be nourished and strengthened with the energy of heaven and earth, and then by doing good deeds to restore the energy of heaven and earth used. Although it seems cumbersome, it is a permanent solution.”

Suddenly inspired, Chen Shaoxian continued, “Speaking of these so-called methods and mantras, using acid-base neutralization as an analogy, the malevolent spirits are like the base, and the mantras we use are like the acid, neutralizing them into nothingness, returning them to heaven and earth. It can also be viewed as Yin and Yang, because everything belongs to the Yin and Yang of heaven and earth, the deeper meanings of which we do not understand.”

“These practices have been summarized by our ancestors and supplemented by later generations. We can only explore them, not fully grasp their essence.”

The Zhang brothers realized that Chen Shaoxian was only discussing principles and not specific practices. They understood that he was not selfishly guarding secrets, but that these matters required personal insight. The principles were laid out; how much one could comprehend would depend on the individual.

At that moment, the waiter knocked on the door, inviting the three to dine.

The three of them chatted away the entire afternoon without realizing it. Although Chen Shaoxian had shared many things with them, Zhang Xinyi and his brother still felt unsatisfied.

During dinner, Chen Shaoxian whispered to Zheng Lei, “You’re lucky.” Seeing Zheng Lei’s puzzled look,

Chen Shaoxian explained, “Initially, I thought that woman, having received help from you and your wife, would be reborn as your daughter in her next life. You two performed a good deed and created good karma, which would bring about good results. However, I didn’t expect that in her current life, she is the embryonic form of the Nine-children Ghost Mother. Have you heard the story of the Nine-children Ghost Mother?” Zheng Lei shook his head.

Chen Shaoxian told Zheng Lei, “The scriptures say that the Nine-children Ghost Mother, also known as Hariti, devoured human children. Later, Buddha hid one of her children, causing her to become frantic with worry. As she frantically searched for her child, Buddha appeared before her with the child and said, ‘Losing your own child causes you such pain; imagine then, the pain of the parents whose children you’ve eaten.’ Upon hearing Buddha’s teachings, the Nine-children Ghost Mother had a great realization and thereafter devoted herself to Buddha, becoming Anzi Guanyin.”

After hearing this, Zheng Lei asked, “What does this have to do with me?”

Chen Shaoxian looked at Zheng Lei helplessly and said, “It’s as if you have gained a daughter by virtue, and to her, you are like Buddha. In the future, she will be utterly devoted to you. With her as your daughter, everything will go smoothly for you. Moreover, you won’t have to worry about her future; just being a good father will suffice. Also, I hope you don’t feel any reluctance, because this is a good thing.” After saying this and looking at Zheng Lei, he thought to himself, “Even your son-in-law and grandson are well arranged, so you really don’t have to worry. This daughter is indeed easy to raise.”

Despite some initial reluctance, Zheng Lei felt reassured after listening to Chen Shaoxian’s words and nodded heavily.

Seeing this, Chen Shaoxian felt at ease.

After dinner, Zheng Lei said he wanted to show Chen Shaoxian the night view of Hong Kong. Since it was Chen Shaoxian’s first visit to Hong Kong, he nodded in agreement. They agreed to meet outside the hotel in thirty minutes.

Chen Shaoxian went back to his room to change his clothes and arrived at the hotel entrance, where he saw Zheng Lei, Zheng Ruirui, and Zhuo Junfan already waiting.

Zheng Ruirui, who was always quite beautiful, looked especially innocent and charming today, dressed like the girl next door. Perhaps just out of the bath, she stood there like a freshly bloomed lotus, radiating youthful vitality.

Zhuo Junfan, known for her sexy attire, did not disappoint today either. Clad in a tight outfit that highlighted her sensual curves, she resembled a delicate, vibrant rose.

Those entering and leaving the hotel were captivated by the two women at the door, turning their heads repeatedly. One onlooker was so distracted that he walked into a pillar, crouched down rubbing his head for a while, but his eyes never left the two women.

Chen Shaoxian approached the group and asked, “Is it just us? Aren’t the others coming?”

The other three gave Chen Shaoxian a look, and Zheng Ruirui, noticeably annoyed, huffed and turned to get into the car.

Chen Shaoxian scratched his head and followed them into the car.

Soon, the car arrived at a bustling street. The area was lively with people coming and going.

After getting out of the car, Zhuo Junfan began to introduce the place to Chen Shaoxian. “This is Temple Street, one of the most traditional and characteristic streets in Hong Kong,” she explained, describing the local culture as they walked. Suddenly, she felt a tug and turned to see Zheng Lei making faces at her, so she stopped talking and just looked at him.

Zheng Lei, grinning cheekily, said to Chen Shaoxian, “I have something to take care of. Ruirui is in your hands now.”

Seeing Zheng Lei’s antics, Chen Shaoxian looked at him disdainfully and said, “Just go, and take it easy.”

This exchange caused Zhuo Junfan and Zheng Ruirui’s faces to flush, both glaring at Zheng Lei.

In fact, they had all misunderstood Zheng Lei. His intention was simply to give Chen Shaoxian and Zheng Ruirui some time alone. However, his expression was too mischievous, and since Zheng Lei was always seen as a playboy by Chen Shaoxian, it led to the misunderstanding. Zheng Ruirui and Zhuo Junfan only felt aggrieved because of what Chen Shaoxian said.

After saying this, Zheng Lei pulled Zhuo Junfan by the hand and left, but Chen Shaoxian and Zheng Ruirui saw that Zhuo Junfan kept pinching Zheng Lei’s waist as they walked, twisting it around, and Zheng Lei walked with a bit of a limp, clearly Zhuo Junfan was not gentle.