Chapter 68: Primordial Qi, Raising the Dead and Restoring Life

In the "Discourse on Heaven" it says: "Heaven and earth are the natural state of containing qi. Heaven covers above, earth lies below, the lower qi rises, the upper qi descends, and all things spontaneously arise in between."

In the "Discourse on Things" it also records: "People are born between heaven and earth, just as fish are in the abyss and lice are on humans. Born from qi, species produce one another. All things born between heaven and earth are one substance."

From this we can see the importance of qi; it is present everywhere in heaven and earth, all things freely grow because of it, and it is the primordial substance that constitutes heaven and earth.

Innate qi is called qi, and acquired qi is called qi.

As the world changes over time, seas turn to mulberry fields, white clouds become grey dogs, innate qi dwindles, and most of what remains is acquired qi.

Exhaust from cars, waste gas from factories, and harmful gases from burning fill the heavens and earth.

Humans continually expand their territory, seemingly living under blue skies and white clouds.

In reality, the deep blue sky has long been veiled by a faint haze; although people later recognized the importance of environmental protection and began to govern it, this is obviously a lengthy process.

Compared to creation, destruction seems easier.

Now the qi in the air is ever scarcer; even when present, it is not something ordinary people can easily absorb.

Ordinary people have blocked meridians and too many impurities in their bodies, making it impossible to absorb qi.

It is elusive, contains the supreme Dao, and is an intangible thing.

Even in ancient times, when primordial qi filled heaven and earth, the ancients could not arbitrarily absorb it.

This substance is the origin of heaven and earth, not controllable by humans; to absorb it is equivalent to entering the Dao through cultivation, granting the ability to command qi.

Yet since antiquity no one has taken the first step on the path of cultivation, so how could one absorb the qi of heaven and earth?

But Ye Qin, having entered the Third Realm, can absorb and contain the qi between heaven and earth; refining qi with heaven and earth can also be seen as drawing qi into the body!

Drawing innate qi nourishes the self, forming a great cycle together with heaven and earth!

And now this qi has been sent by him into the woman's body.

In the "Discourse on the Void of the Dao" it says: "The True Person consumes qi; those who consume qi enjoy longevity without death."

Thus, if one long‑term absorbs and refines qi, one can achieve the state of ageless immortality.

Although this viewpoint cannot be proven true or false, since no one from ancient times to the present has reached that stage, yet from various ancient texts the possibility seems relatively high.

Because qi is the origin of all things.

Before heaven and earth were produced, when chaos was undivided and yin and yang undifferentiated, the primordial qi that gives birth to heaven, earth, humanity, and all things is called the primordial qi of heaven.

To seek longevity, one must preserve this qi.

The "Profound Mystery Scripture" also says: "Heaven possesses the vast and righteous qi, therefore it can give birth to people; a person possesses the vast and righteous qi, therefore he can sustain life."

Therefore, having qi within the body, in a certain sense, also brings about the effect of raising the dead and restoring life.

Because it contains vital energy, it can restore a person's bodily functions to their peak state, and even stimulate the energy latent within the body.

However, Ye Qin's cultivation level and realm have not yet reached such a degree; moreover, this qi has already been refined by him, and its essence has been absorbed by himself.

Therefore, although it can prolong the woman's life, it is not as extravagant as the ancient texts claim; it merely pulls her back from the brink of death.

Although Hu Xiaocao could not see the qi's existence, she nevertheless sensed a mysterious change in the air; her sobbing gradually ceased, and through her blurred, tear‑filled eyes she saw Ye Qin's movements.

"Mountain God Grandfather!"

Joy beyond compare burst in her eyes, like a traveler wandering a desert who finally sees an oasis.

Hu Xiaocao excitedly ran over, breaking into tears then laughing as she said: "I knew you were the Mountain God; how could you possibly die so easily?"

She personally saw Ye Qin raise his serpent head, blow a breath toward her mother, and feel that qi surge forth, thinking Ye Qin would next cast a spell.

Yet after that, there was no further movement or sound.

Is that it?

Hu Xiaocao's tears still clung to her eyelashes; her incredulous expression was mixed with a lingering sorrow, making her look somewhat comical.

"Mountain God Grandfather?"

Hu Xiaocao cried out in surprise several times, discovering that Ye Qin had returned to his former half‑dead, half‑alive state, as if what she had just seen were an illusion.

But Hu Xiaocao could be certain that Ye Qin had indeed moved just then, and had blown a breath at her mother!

She wanted to touch him, yet feared it would be disrespectful toward Ye Qin.

Looking at the unconscious woman beside her, Hu Xiaocao noticed that her mother's breathing had become much smoother, no longer rapid.

It really seems to have worked!

Hu Xiaocao was greatly delighted, thinking: "Indeed, worthy of the Mountain God Grandfather."

"Thank you, Mountain God Grandfather, for your great kindness and virtue; I, Xiaocao, will repay you in the future. Please rest well first—I will take my mother down the mountain."

Hu Xiaocao again knelt and kowtowed, then turned and led her mother down the mountain.

And after Hu Xiaocao brought the woman back to the village,

The village chief had been searching for them frantically, yet still could not find them; he never expected they would return on their own.

"Xiaocao, where did you run off to? We were worried sick about you."

Faced with everyone's concern, Hu Xiaocao felt a little guilty: "Sorry for causing trouble; I took my mother to seek the Mountain God for treatment."

The villagers simply did not believe the claim that the Mountain God could cure illness; they were about to blame Hu Xiaocao for being reckless, without even giving them a chance to discuss.

The words rose to their lips, but seeing Hu Xiaocao's pitiful expression, they could only swallow them back.

Upon seeing further that she had wounds on her body and even on her forehead, they could not bear to utter reproach.

"You child, hurry up and apply medicine—how did you get yourself into such a sorry state, with the palms of your hands and your shoulders rubbed raw?"

Everyone helped support the woman into the room and laid her on the bed.

After applying the medicine, Hu Xiaocao stayed by the woman's side without leaving, not even daring to close her eyes at night.

The woman's breath was so faint that there was essentially no chance of reviving her; feeding her soup and water elicited no response.

Seeing this scene, every villager shook their heads; everyone knew the woman had already one foot in the coffin, and burial was merely a matter of time, though none dared to say it aloud.

Li Dashen looked at the dark circles under Hu Xiaocao's eyes and her eye bags, and could not help but say: "Xiaocao, go rest; I'll watch over her for you."

But Hu Xiaocao shook her head, stubbornly insisting: "No, the Mountain God Grandfather has performed his spell; my mother will surely wake up soon."

She vaguely sensed that at some point on the mountain, her mother had actually stopped breathing, but because of the Mountain God's gesture, that breath returned to the woman's body.

Although she now looks weak, Hu Xiaocao believes that sooner or later her mother will wake up.

Faced with the mourning items brought by the villagers, the usually obedient and filial Hu Xiaocao was now unusually resistant.

"I won't wear this! My mother won't die; if I wear this, isn't that cursing her?"

Wu Yuan had said that the woman probably wouldn't make it through the night and that they should prepare early, but Hu Xiaocao stubbornly refused to cooperate and even started throwing all those white banners out.

"Xiaocao, you can't do this; it's inauspicious, and besides, your mother will need these things soon."

"Yeah, Xiaocao."

The villagers tried to reason with Hu Xiaocao.

But Hu Xiaocao covered her ears, saying, "I won't listen, I won't listen; my mother won't die, the Mountain God Grandfather saved her and even blew a breath on her, my mother will come back to life."

This was probably the most rebellious time in Hu Xiaocao's life so far.

The villagers merely thought Hu Xiaocao was unwilling to accept reality and had fabricated it, feeling ever more pity for this child.

"Xiaocao, you're a good child; your mother might——"

However, before Li Dashen could finish her words, a faint female voice suddenly sounded.

"Xia——cao——"

(End of chapter)