Chapter 297: The Sleeping Immortal

Liu Chengyou's blazing gaze was full of earnest expectation, yet his demeanor clearly carried deeper meaning. The old Daoist Chen Tuan remained perfectly composed, his face seemingly untouched by the winter chill, a warm smile still hanging upon it.

Under the Son of Heaven's gaze, the old Daoist spoke in a tone that seemed to see through everything, unhurriedly: "Your Majesty overestimates this humble priest. I am but a common old man with mortal eyes—how could I recognize immortals or discern destinies, much less dare to judge the makings of a Son of Heaven?"

Seeing the old Daoist evade, Liu Chengyou pressed with amusement: "By your words, Reverend, does Your Majesty mean that I lack the aptitude for seeking immortals and pursuing the Dao?"

At this, the old Daoist suddenly offered a salute, calmly looking at Liu Chengyou: "Does Your Majesty desire longevity?"

Liu Chengyou was first surprised, then his "interest" grew higher, his gaze cooling by a few degrees as he smiled pleasantly: "Does the Reverend have methods of longevity to impart?"

Slowly shaking his head, the old Daoist answered frankly and concisely: "This humble priest has neither grasped the secrets of heaven nor obtained the methods of breath cultivation and bodily nourishment—truly, I have no arts to impart."

"I hear the Reverend has practiced breath-holding and grain-abstinence for over twenty years, drinking but a few cups of wine daily, and whenever sleeping, often not rising for over a hundred days... Are these not the arts of immortals?" Liu Chengyou asked curiously.

"Though your servant loves sleep, the village rumors are exaggerated. Your Majesty has keen eyes and should discern the truth clearly!"

Liu Chengyou was satisfied with Chen Tuan's honesty. He let out a slight breath and ceased his pointless probing gestures—mainly because, facing the old Daoist's eyes that saw through worldly affairs, he felt his own performance was clearly superfluous.

Pausing, Liu Chengyou composed his expression and said to Chen Tuan: "As for cultivating immortality and seeking longevity—these ethereal and distant matters, my aspirations do not lie there, and naturally I hold no extravagant hopes. Yet even if longevity cannot be obtained, a long life may still be hard to seek. Surely the Reverend has insights into the methods of extending years and nourishing life. I hope you will not begrudge your instruction."

It could be said that this Daoist Chen Tuan completely fulfilled Liu Chengyou's imagined image of a "Daoist cultivator." And he was especially interested in his methods of bodily nourishment—these were effects one could see and touch, for the man himself stood right before him.

The old Daoist finally cast a surprised look at Liu Chengyou—perhaps due to his rationality, or perhaps his "candor." After thinking it over, Chen Tuan said: "Your Majesty is a sovereign, bearing the weight of all under heaven, cultivating the way of emperors. My methods—clearing the heart and reducing desires, dining on wind and sleeping in the dew—I fear they would not suit Your Majesty."

Liu Chengyou said: "No matter. Stones from other hills can polish jade—the Reverend's methods may yet assist my imperial way."

The two of them made quite a show of discussing the Dao.

"Your Majesty is in the prime of youth..."

"One grows old eventually—there's no harm in starting health and body-nourishing practices early!" Liu Chengyou interrupted Chen Tuan for the first time.

At this, the old Daoist's expression finally shifted slightly, the corner of his mouth twitching a little as he appraised Liu Chengyou. He found it hard to gauge this young Son of Heaven—clearly rational, young in years, yet why so devoted to methods of bodily nourishment?

Hesitating for a moment, Chen Tuan drew an old, worn booklet from his robe and said: "This is a work I composed in my leisure, the *Eighty-One Chapters of Pointing to the Profound*. It contains methods of guiding and nourishing, and of returning the elixir—perhaps it may benefit Your Majesty."

Zhang Dejun immediately stepped forward nimbly to receive it, gave it a brief inspection, and presented it to Liu Chengyou with great care. Glancing at it—the booklet had no title on its cover, was not thick—he opened it and skimmed a few pages. He could not understand it.

"I thank the Reverend for the gift of this book. I shall study it carefully."

The old Daoist remained composed and measured.

And in Liu Chengyou's heart, there was no thrill of having obtained a "precious tome." His questioning of Chen Tuan was more out of curiosity and a spirit of experimentation. As the old Daoist had said, the methods he practiced were not suited to his "imperial way."

Methods of nourishing life were both simple and complex, yet many things were easier known than done. Liu Chengyou, this worldly emperor, facing troubled times and a beleaguered state—if he wished to emulate Chen Tuan's path, it would be essentially wishful thinking. This point, Liu Chengyou himself was actually clear about in his own heart.

"By the way, I once heard the Reverend possesses the art of turning stone into gold." Putting away the booklet, Liu Chengyou stared straight at Chen Tuan again.

The old Daoist's mouth twitched once more. Cupping his hands, he said with a sigh: "Your Majesty is the lord of the four seas—you should be mindful of achieving good governance. Why dwell on matters of gold and silver? With Your Majesty's wisdom, how could you take such things seriously?"

"Gold and silver also concern the national economy and people's livelihood—I have been deeply troubled by them lately." Liu Chengyou waved a hand: "Stubborn stone by nature can hardly become true gold. But if stone contains the essence of gold, silver, copper, and iron—surely the Reverend has some art of transmutation in hand?"

Now Chen Tuan understood the Son of Heaven's meaning, and said: "If Your Majesty seeks methods of smelting and refinement, this humble priest is truly not skilled in that art."

Seeing his manner did not seem feigned, Liu Chengyou did not press further—after all, he had only asked in passing. Rather, from his responses, Liu Chengyou felt this old Daoist was no "charlatan"—everything was quite candid. Worthy indeed of the title "enlightened immortal master."

"I have summoned the Reverend to the palace to expound the Dao and lecture on its principles. I hold great admiration for what the Reverend cultivates—please, I am all ears!" After all the rambling, Liu Chengyou finally came to the main topic, making a gesture of invitation to Chen Tuan.

The old Daoist's expression remained unchanged as he said: "This humble priest delights in reading the *Book of Changes*. Over the years, I have occasionally gained some insights."

"Pray, expound it then." Liu Chengyou put on an attentive expression.

Under the Son of Heaven's "encouraging" gaze, Chen Tuan spoke unhurriedly: "The Yi is the Great Change; the Great Change is not yet seen in qi. Look at it and it is not seen, listen to it and it is not heard, follow it and it cannot be grasped—therefore it is called Change..."

As it turned out, Liu Chengyou had no talent for understanding those profound Daoist philosophies—or perhaps lacked the patience. After listening seriously for but a short while, his attention began to wander, and he started considering matters he found more interesting: the imperial army, taxes and revenues, military provinces, border defenses. Only to avoid discourtesy did Liu Chengyou keep his expression taut.

The old Daoist Chen Tuan naturally noticed Liu Chengyou's shift. Stopping at roughly the two-quarter-hour mark, he took the initiative to cease, rose, and said respectfully: "Your Majesty is busy with state affairs; this humble priest should not disturb you further. I shall take my leave!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou immediately snapped back to attention, a flicker of embarrassment passing through him—though its impact was minor. He lied through his teeth with open eyes: "Listening to the Reverend's lecture is like bathing in spring breeze, like being drenched in sweet rain. I deeply feel the vastness of heaven and earth and the boundlessness of the Great Dao..."

"In conversing with the Reverend, I have gained much. I wish to keep you at court, to resolve my doubts at any time." Liu Chengyou said: "How about this—I shall appoint the Reverend as Academician of the Hanlin Academy, awaiting summons..."

Facing Liu Chengyou's offer, the old Daoist slowly shook his head a few times, speaking in a sincere tone: "Your Majesty, this humble priest is a man of the mountains and wilds, useless to the times, not material for entering the world of office. I dare not remain at court—I beg Your Majesty to withdraw the command."

Liu Chengyou's brow creased slightly, but sensing the firm resolve beneath the old Daoist's steady tone, he did not "press" him: "Then what a pity. Hmm... the Reverend dwells in seclusion on Mount Hua—I shall grant you Mount Shaohua as your grotto-abode, and further bestow upon you the title Xiyi!"

Chen Tuan could not help but be startled, but quickly recovered his composure, appearing unmoved by fortune. Yet facing Liu Chengyou's gracious gift, he did not refuse, offering a leisurely salute: "I thank Your Majesty."

Though it was not gold, silver, or precious treasures used to corrupt the old Daoist, a single title and a single mountain sufficed to show the Son of Heaven's regard and favor. Of course, as for certain intentions of Liu Chengyou's, Chen Tuan could likely guess them—after all, the signs of suppressing and restricting Buddhism were already quite evident. Local generals and officials had ceased to restrain their investigations and surveillance of Buddhist temples and monasteries under their jurisdiction, with Shi Hongzhao of Luoyang being the most zealous of all.

Seeing the old Daoist no longer refuse, Liu Chengyou nodded in satisfaction once more and said: "The Empress Dowager heard of the Reverend's arrival and is most delighted. She wishes to receive you—you may go to Renming Hall for a visit."

Having assigned Chen Tuan this task, the old Daoist did not refuse.