Chapter 90: Disciples, Bone-Deep Garden

After obtaining the skill of Reversing the Crane Control, Ji Ming did not rush to practice it. Though he harbored the idea of completing the reversal training of both palms ahead of schedule, everything had to be grounded in safety. Even someone like Wei Wulan, who was in the second stage of Qi Refinement, had gone astray in the reversal training—how could Ji Ming, with his mere achievement at the Qi Flower level, feel any sense of security? Of course, the old Daoist had specified the reversal of only two palms, so the risk should be much less.

Ji Ming resolved to first attain the Divine Flower, and only after the three flowers—essence, qi, and spirit—gathered at the crown would he embark upon the Reversed Crane Control. He set himself a deadline—one year.

Not long after returning to his quiet chamber in the tower, a master from the Fire Ruins Cave summoned Ji Ming, instructing him to move into the inner garden and cultivate alongside the master’s disciples. The summons was delivered by Old Ape himself, making it clear to Ji Ming whose favor he owed.

In his quarters, Ji Ming tidied his robes, fastened his storage pouch to the sash at his waist, and then took the two child attendants, Skylark and Warbler, following Old Ape into the Fire Ruins Cave.

The two children, restraining their joy, trailed behind. Having spent much time with the Golden Child, they could guess a little of his mind. This time, the Golden Child bringing them both into the Fire Ruins Cave was likely not out of pure kindness, but because they served him well and he was too lazy to replace them.

Inside the cave, under Old Ape’s guidance, Ji Ming arrived before the master. The regional master sat cross-legged beneath an ancient plum tree, eyes closed, chanting scriptures before a golden bottle. The plum’s trunk was thick and gnarled, its surface cracked with age, clearly a thousand-year-old spirit tree. Its branches, vigorous and powerful, hung with frosted crystals, spreading outwards like a jeweled canopy over the master’s head, the sound of shattering ice echoing softly.

Noticing the Golden Child’s arrival, the master opened her beautiful eyes, still retaining traces of youthful charm, and regarded the boy before her as if admiring a fine work of art.

Some delight in fine robes, some in beautiful maids, some in pretty boys, others in dual cultivation. The master, however, preferred disciples both outstanding in appearance and blessed with extraordinary talent. Yet, owing to certain past events, there was now a new, stricter criterion: a disciple willing to embrace solitude and devote themselves to arduous cultivation.

Evidently, her frequent praises of the Golden Child’s diligence during lectures had not escaped Old Ape’s notice, prompting him to boldly recommend the boy for inner cave cultivation.

“Your ability to calm your heart and translate talent into advancement, achieving the Qi Flower, is truly rare. Now, you are summoned into the cave to attend teachings and cultivate in seclusion. Each month, you will receive a stipend as a reward. I hope you will continue to strive and soon achieve the gathering of the three flowers upon your crown.”

Ji Ming immediately bowed deeply, understanding that in this world, there is no love without reason. The master’s favor, prompted by his talent, was something he must hold in gratitude.

“This is your stipend for this month. In future months, you will receive the same.”

As the master spoke, a young attendant presented a small red lacquer tray with three bottles of Fasting Pills and a box of shell pearls.

This astonished Ji Ming. Wei Wulan had mentioned that ordinary cave residents received only one bottle of Fasting Pills and three pearls per month. His stipend far exceeded the norm.

“Go now!” The master waved a plum branch in her hand. “Cultivate well in the garden, and do not be stained by the dust of the world.”

Ji Ming followed Old Ape to a small plum garden within the Fire Ruins Cave. At the entrance hung a plaque inscribed with the characters: “Bone-penetrating Garden.” Within, there were only two or three thatched cottages and a well; the rest was filled with ancient plum trees, their beauty secluded and strange.

“A fine place,” Ji Ming praised.

Old Ape, seeing Ji Ming unperturbed by the humble garden and still displaying his diligent temperament, all the more felt his recommendation was justified, so he offered some advice.

Pointing to the stipend the two attendants carried, he said, “Golden Child, a carefree immortal like the master possesses resources beyond our imagination. You have a handsome appearance, which the master just happens to appreciate. You have exceptional talent, which she values. Most importantly, you possess determination and perseverance—qualities loved by all. But is that enough?”

“Please instruct me, Old Ape!”

“Novelty and a sense of achievement,” Old Ape replied directly. “You must constantly make progress—not just in cultivation, but in secret techniques, or in the arts of the Dao. Let the master always find something new in you, and provide her with a continuing sense of accomplishment—ideally, an accomplishment she cannot find in her other disciples.”

“How do you mean?” Ji Ming asked in wonder. “Surely the master’s disciples are all of extraordinary talent. What sense of accomplishment could she lack with them?”

At this, Old Ape hesitated. He had not intended to discuss the three disciples at length, but before this diligent youth, he felt compelled to speak.

“Exceptional talent is one thing, but not everyone fulfills their potential. Some don’t even realize their good fortune. Take the eldest disciple, for example: she abandoned the excellent Fire Ruins Cave to wander in the capital, setting up another Daoist temple called Jade Luo Abbey. Founding a new temple is one thing, but recruiting disciples in the Willow Lane district—what does that do to the master’s reputation?”

“And the second disciple, Soso?” Ji Ming had met her before; she bore a serene countenance, a natural Daoist.

Speaking of the second disciple, Old Ape’s tone softened. “She is indeed a fine child. In less than fifty years of cultivation, she’s reached the third stage of Foundation Establishment. But she’s not socially adept—she keeps to herself, rarely appearing in public. The master gains little sense of achievement from her.”

At this, Ji Ming wondered—was he adept at dealing with people?

“And the third disciple?”

Old Ape sighed heavily. “The third disciple was taken in by chance, moved by her decent talent and tragic background. Yet, her nature is fiery and bent solely on revenge, which displeases the master. Thus, she’s only been taught one genuine talisman technique and a protective secret art—no powerful implements or deadly arts. If you encounter her in the cave, keep your distance.”

“Understood,” Ji Ming nodded.

A thousand people, a thousand faces; everyone’s background, circumstances, and mindset differ, and so do their attitudes toward cultivation. Ji Ming found nothing strange in this. If everyone were as cautious and methodical as he and Old Ape, that would be truly remarkable.

On either side of Bone-penetrating Garden lay two larger gardens, filled with more exquisite flora—these must belong to the master’s two disciples. Ji Ming had no interest in visiting, not even to see Soso, who was always accompanied by the Spirit Aunt. Now, with a monthly stipend from the master, he must produce results, or he would not respect himself.

Ordering the two attendants to keep the garden gates tightly shut, he wrote a couplet and pasted it to the door. Once done, Ji Ming felt deeply satisfied. The master’s sense of novelty should begin with the small things around him—in this, he found he was indeed adept at social conduct.

After Ji Ming departed, a young woman arrived at the gate, read the couplet aloud: “The fragrance of plum blossoms emerges from branches of cold bone; true law is fully comprehended through arduous cultivation.” She snorted coldly, saying, “What a fitting Bone-penetrating Garden—truly a master of matching words to place.”