The Three Teachings Converge into One: The Path of the Mortal and the Saintly is the Same

Poetry:

A young child leaves home for a distant journey, bidding farewell to the courtyard amidst the misty rain of Jiangnan.

The three treasures of our ancestors carry on our aspirations; we travel thousands of miles to seek the Way and help the world.

In the late spring of the fourth year of Jinghe, the warm breeze of Jiangnan had permeated every street and alley of Qingxi Town. Willow branches along the Qingxi River were adorned with golden leaves, flowers were in full bloom, butterflies danced and bees buzzed, creating a vibrant scene. In the Su family courtyard in the east of the town, the old osmanthus tree was covered with new leaves, its dense shade covering the courtyard. The vegetable patch in the corner was lush and green, and the Confucian classics on the stone table were still neatly stacked. However, the young man who used to sit and read aloud now had a more solemn look about to embark on a long journey.

After half a year of cultivating virtue in his village and quietly contemplating the Dao, Su Qingxuan was now over nine years old. His figure had grown increasingly upright, his blue robe highlighting his noble bearing, and his eyes, clear as autumn water, held a grand ambition to save the world, as well as a longing for distant mountains and rivers. He knew that the small world of Qingxi Town could no longer contain his heart's desire to seek the Dao and save the world; the profound mysteries of the Confucian classics required him to seek out wise teachers and experience the world to fully comprehend; and the ancestral artifacts with hidden spiritual power in the corner of the courtyard needed to be unearthed beyond Jiangnan to find the opportunity to trace their origins and unravel their mysteries. That morning, after sweeping the courtyard, burning incense, and sitting in meditation, he finally solemnly told his parents of his desire to travel the world and study.

As soon as he finished speaking, the courtyard fell silent.

As Madam Liu emerged from the kitchen carrying freshly steamed wheat cakes, her fingers paused slightly upon hearing the voice, the porcelain plate tapping softly against the stone table. She looked up at her son, his brows resolute, and her eyes instantly welled with tears. The boy, barely nine years old, still a child in his early teens, his eyes tinged with childlike naiveté, was about to embark on a solitary journey across thousands of miles, venturing into the treacherous and unpredictable world of martial arts. The Jiangnan water towns were gentle and peaceful, Qingxi Town a haven of harmonious neighbors, but the outside world was a place of high mountains and long roads, treacherous villains and hidden dangers. A helpless, half-grown child, alone far from home, with no one to care for him in hunger, cold, safety, or misfortune—how could a mother not worry?

She put down the porcelain plate, hurried forward, and gently stroked Su Qingxuan's shoulder. Her voice choked with emotion, full of reluctance: "Xuan'er, you...you really want to leave? You are still so young. How can I be at ease if you travel alone? It would be better if you stayed a little longer, until you are a few years older and stronger. Your father could accompany you on your studies. Wouldn't that be a hundred times better than you going alone?"

Looking at his mother's reddened eyes, Su Qingxuan felt a pang of guilt. He bowed deeply, his voice slow and reprimanding, "Mother, I am unfilial. I know the sages taught that 'while parents are alive, one should not travel far,' yet I still chose to travel far, causing you and Father worry. This is truly a violation of the sage's teachings and the way of a son. However, my heart yearns for the Great Way, and my ambition is to help the world. Confined to this small town of Qingxi, I will never achieve great things. Only by traversing mountains and rivers, seeking wise teachers, experiencing the world, and thoroughly understanding the true meaning of the three teachings, can I live up to the family tradition of farming and studying, and remain true to my original aspiration of helping the world. Only then can I truly protect my neighbors and bring peace to this region in the future."

Su Wenyuan sat upright on the stone bench, his fingertips gently tracing the patterns on the stone table, his heart filled with mixed emotions. As a father, how could he bear to let his young son travel alone? A nine-year-old child, inexperienced in the ways of the world, the world was treacherous, and the path of life was rugged; one wrong step could plunge him into danger. But he also understood that flowers in a greenhouse, even with the nourishment of dew, could not withstand the ravages of wind and frost; fledglings confined to the courtyard, even with fully grown wings, could not soar through the vast sky. Su Qingxuan was born with extraordinary gifts, possessing the spirit of a Confucian scholar and the heart of a Taoist, with a hidden Buddhist nature. He was not an ordinary child confined to a small town; his path lay in the world, his way in all directions. To force him to stay by his side would only mislead his potential and betray this divinely bestowed opportunity.

Moreover, he harbored a secret: the Su family, seemingly an ordinary, humble family, had passed down through generations a bronze seal, an ancient wooden artifact, and a fragment of a Confucian classic—three extraordinary items, relics of their ancient ancestors. However, with the passage of time, the family had declined, and the deeds of their ancestors had long been lost to history, making the origin and purpose of these three items an unsolved mystery. He vaguely felt that his son, Su Qingxuan's, innate wisdom was connected to that ancient ancestor of the Su family. Only by sending him out of Jiangnan and onto the path of learning could he find an opportunity to unravel the secrets of the Su family's ancestors and rebuild the Su family's former glory.

Thinking of this, Su Wenyuan suppressed his reluctance and worry, looked up at his wife and children, and said in a steady voice with an undeniable firmness: "My dear wife, don't stop him. Qingxuan is right, 'While parents are alive, one should not travel far,' and the next line is 'If one must travel, one should have a purpose.' His journey to study is not for play or frivolity, but to seek the Way and help the world. He has a clear ambition and direction, which is the greatest filial piety, not disobedience. As parents, we cannot be the cage that binds the fledgling bird; we must be the most stable support for him on his journey. If he is well, it is the fortune of the whole family; if he encounters danger, the Su family courtyard will always be his home."

Having said that, he turned to Su Qingxuan, his eyes full of expectation and admonition: "Qingxuan, I know you are determined and not someone to be underestimated. The road of life is long and fraught with danger. You must remember the Doctrine of the Mean, guard your heart and act righteously, not covet wealth or fame, not bully the weak or curry favor with the powerful. Respect the good, avoid the bad, uphold righteousness in times of danger, and cherish opportunities. Diligently cultivate the Confucian teachings, and always uphold your benevolence. Even if you encounter countless hardships, never forget your hometown in Jiangnan, and never forget your original aspiration of studying and farming."

Seeing that her husband's mind was made up, and knowing that her son's ambition was unwavering, Madam Liu, though heartbroken, could only suppress her sorrow and nod. A woman of virtue and wisdom, she understood that a man's ambition lay in exploring the world and that her son's aspiration to seek enlightenment and help the world was not the capricious behavior of an ordinary child. She wiped away her tears and softly replied, "Since you and your son have this intention, I will not stop you. But Xuan'er, you must take good care of yourself while you are away. Wear warm clothes when it's cold, find food when you're hungry, don't be reckless, and don't take any risks. If you encounter any difficulties, come home immediately. Your parents will always be waiting for you."

Seeing his parents' consent, Su Qingxuan felt both relieved and guilty. He knelt down and kowtowed deeply to Su Wenyuan and Madam Liu, his forehead touching the ground. His voice was firm and resolute: "Your son thanks Father and Mother for their blessing! On this journey, I will surely guard my heart and cultivate virtue, diligently study the Great Way, and help the world and bring peace to the people. I will never bring shame to the Su family's reputation, nor will I disgrace the teachings of the sages. When I achieve my goal, I will return to my hometown to serve my parents and fulfill my filial duty!"

The father, mother, and son, together in the spring breeze of the small courtyard, shared their tender feelings and offered their heartfelt advice. There was no heart-wrenching sorrow, only the deep bond and expectations of blood relatives. The warmth in the simple courtyard surpassed all the splendor of the world.

Over the next few days, Madam Liu worked tirelessly day and night, packing Su Qingxuan's travel baggage. She washed several bolts of coarse cotton and linen cloth, carefully cutting and mending them to quickly make several blue outer garments and white linen robes in preparation for the cold winds of the journey. She packed dry food, wheat cakes, and dried fruit into cloth bags, and also purchased herbs, medicine for injuries, needles and thread, packing everything meticulously and thoroughly. She even sewed all the loose silver and copper coins into her inner pockets, fearing that her son might suffer any mistreatment while away. As she packed, she gave him detailed instructions, from his daily life on the journey to how he would treat others, leaving no detail overlooked, every word and phrase filled with maternal love.

Su Wenyuan then secluded himself to meditate, organizing the books left by his ancestors. He also gave all the meager amount of money he had accumulated to Su Qingxuan, repeatedly admonishing him on the principles of navigating the world, reminding him to "not have the heart to harm others, but not to be without the heart to guard against others," to maintain a moderate and peaceful mind, to act with righteousness and integrity, not to compete with others, and not to associate with wicked people.

On the eve of his departure, Su Wenyuan gazed solemnly at the sacrificial table in the corner of the courtyard. Beneath that table lay the objects passed down through generations of the Su family. Besides the fragment of the "Confucian Heart Method" that had long been handed over to Su Qingxuan, there was also a small bronze seal and a piece of withered wood. These two items, along with the fragment of the Heart Method, were known as the three ancestral treasures of the Su family. Passed down through several generations, no one knew their origin or purpose. All that was known was that incense was burned and offerings were made to them during every ancestral worship ceremony, as they were regarded as the foundation of the family heirloom.

Today, he will pass on these last two ancestral items to his son.

Su Wenyuan strode to the altar in the corner of the courtyard, bent down, and took out an old-fashioned brocade box wrapped in blue cloth. Though old, the box was exquisitely carved and well-preserved. Holding it in both hands, he slowly walked to Su Qingxuan, his expression solemn, and solemnly said, "Qingxuan, this is a relic passed down from the ancient ancestors of the Su family. Together with the fragment of the 'Confucian Heart Method' in your hands, they are known as the Three Ancestral Treasures of the Su Family. I, your father, have devoted my life to scholarship and have exhausted all my efforts, yet I have failed to unravel the mysteries of these two items. I do not know their names or their uses, only that they possess hidden spiritual energy and are not ordinary objects. Today, I entrust them to you, hoping you will carry them with you and nurture them day and night. Firstly, they will aid your cultivation, bringing good fortune in times of trouble and turning misfortune into good luck; secondly, I hope that during your travels, you will find an opportunity to unravel the mysteries of the ancient ancestors of the Su family and restore the glory of our Su family."

After saying that, he slowly opened the brocade box.

The box was lined with soft velvet, and in the center sat a small bronze seal, about the size of a palm. The seal was engraved with ancient seal script, its lines simple and vigorous, subtly shimmering with a soft glow. It was warm to the touch, emanating a clear and gentle aura. Beside it lay a piece of withered wood, about a foot long, seemingly dry and unremarkable, yet its grain was fine and its color warm and lustrous. Occasionally, a faint white light would flash and disappear, echoing the aura of the bronze seal, forming a harmonious whole. These two objects were the source of the spiritual energy that Su Qingxuan had repeatedly sensed during his cultivation. Now, with them so close at hand, he felt his mind become even clearer, and the righteous energy within his dantian flowed spontaneously, merging and harmonizing with them.

Su Qingxuan accepted the brocade box with both hands, feeling its weight. It contained the inheritance of generations of the Su family, the treasures of his ancestors, the expectations of his parents, and the opportunity on his path. He carefully put the box away, then knelt and kowtowed again: "Your son will certainly not fail your trust, Father. I will protect this ancestral treasure, diligently cultivate it, and surely unravel the mystery of our ancestors, restoring the glory of the Su family!"

Thus, the three ancestral treasures of the Su family—a fragment of the Confucian mental cultivation manual, a bronze seal, and an ancient withered tree—all came into the hands of Su Qingxuan, awaiting the emergence of an opportunity to witness the extraordinary destiny of the unification of the three religions.

The next morning at dawn, before daybreak and before the night fog had dissipated, the mist from the Qingxi River, carrying the fragrance of flowers, drifted into the Su family's courtyard. Su Qingxuan was already dressed in a brand-new blue robe, carrying a travel bag, with the three ancestral treasures hidden close to his body. He was clean and tidy, ready to embark on his journey.

Liu tied the luggage tightly to his shoulder, then repeatedly straightened his collar, her voice choked with emotion: "Xuan'er, take care on your journey, keep sending letters home, don't let your mother worry."

Su Wenyuan stood to the side, his eyes filled with reluctance, yet his tone remained firm: "Remember your father's words: guard your heart, uphold righteousness, and embrace goodness."

Su Qingxuan bowed to bid farewell to his parents and was about to turn and leave when suddenly a series of hurried, childish footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate, accompanied by a tearful cry: "Brother Qingxuan! Brother Qingxuan!"

Little Zhang Atao, with her hair in two buns and wearing a pink cotton jacket, ran into the courtyard. Her bangs were ruffled by the morning breeze, her face was flushed, and her eyes were red, clearly indicating that she had run there crying. Now, Atao is over eight years old, her features have become more delicate, and she has shed her childhood innocence, gaining a more intelligent and lively air.

She ran to Su Qingxuan, grabbed his sleeve, looked up at him with tears welling in her eyes, and whispered, "Brother Qingxuan, I heard you're leaving. Atao will miss you..."

Su Qingxuan knelt down, gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and said in a gentle voice, "Atao, be good. Your brother is just going out to study and seek the Dao to help the world. I will definitely come back to see you in the future."

Atao nodded vigorously, her little face full of stubbornness. She wiped away her tears, then suddenly puffed out her little chest and said proudly, "Brother Qingxuan, don't be afraid of anyone bullying you! Atao has already found a master and is learning martial arts! Master says I have good physique and will become a powerful female knight-errant in the future! Master even gave me a new name, Chiying! Once I've mastered my skills, I'll go to the martial world to find you and protect Brother Qingxuan! Then, the whole martial world will know that there is a female knight-errant named Chiying, who is dedicated to protecting you!"

Their innocent words were full of sincere feelings, without a trace of falsehood, only the purest protection and expectation of a child. Chi Ying, this name, along with the little girl's dream of becoming a heroine, was deeply imprinted in Su Qingxuan's heart.

Su Qingxuan felt a warmth in his heart, reached out and touched her head, and said gently, "Alright, brother will be waiting for the Crimson-Tasseled Heroine. You must practice martial arts diligently at home and be obedient. Brother will also cultivate diligently outside. We'll meet again in the martial world someday."

Atao nodded emphatically, released her grip on his clothes, took a few steps back, waved her little hand, and cried out in a tearful voice, "Brother Qingxuan, have a safe journey! Chiying will study martial arts diligently and protect you in the future!"

Su Qingxuan waved to Atao, then took one last look at his reluctant parents in the courtyard, then at the small Jiangnan courtyard where he had grown up for nine years, then at the misty Qingxi Town, before turning around and stepping out of the Su family gate, embarking on his long journey of studying the world.

As the night fog dissipated and the sun rose in the east, its golden rays bathed the young man's tall figure. His blue robe fluttered in the wind as he carried his baggage, his heart filled with the grand principles of life. Step by step, he walked out of Qingxi Town and headed towards the distant mountains and rivers.

He pondered to himself, recalling what his neighbors had said about Qingxu Temple, a thousand miles away, where an old Taoist priest was deeply versed in Taoist principles and possessed profound Taoist wisdom. This was precisely the first stop on his journey of study. This long journey would begin with visiting Qingxu Temple to seek enlightenment and understand the truth, then experience the realities of the world, thoroughly comprehend the principle that the three religions share the same origin, and put into practice his wish to help the world and bring peace to the people.

As his hometown in Jiangnan fades into the distance, his journey through the martial world begins. With ancestral artifacts by his side and a steadfast Daoist heart, the legend of mortals and saints walking the same path unfolds in a wider world.

It is:

Having left Jiangnan, I embark on my journey through the world, but with my ancestral belongings by my side, I am not alone.

One day, I will meet a chivalrous woman in the martial world, and in the Qingxu Temple, I will attain enlightenment.