Chapter 54: Initiation Ceremony

As soon as I stepped into the bamboo forest, I noticed it was made up of scattered clusters, east and west, not truly chaotic, but with a feeling that my line of sight was being blocked at just the right points. The entire bamboo grove felt like there was a path, yet it was disordered, and at the same time it felt like there was no path at all.

Old Man Jiang held my hand and led me forward while explaining things to me. Even though he stepped here and there, forward a few steps, backward a few steps, there was still a pattern to it. That pattern was actually quite simple.

After a short while, even I, the so-called fool, the silly kid, had grasped the pattern and could already tell where the next step should go.

I felt a little proud and even started whistling, but Old Man Jiang showed no mercy and smacked me on the head.

“This is just the simplest kind of formation. It is only meant for peace and quiet. Even a fool could learn it. What are you so proud of? Walk properly. If you keep whistling, I will deal with you. No proper manners at all.”

But right after saying that, he himself started whistling in a pleased way. I pouted, feeling wronged, almost on the verge of tears. Why was I so unlucky to have a master like this?

Old Man Jiang ignored me and just kept leading me through the bamboo forest. Since I had roughly grasped the pattern, I could keep up with his steps.

In the end, I was still a child at heart. Even though the air in the bamboo forest was fresh and the mountain wind was cool, it was still nothing but bamboo everywhere. After walking like this for over ten minutes, I grew bored and asked, “Master, how much longer until we arrive? How big is this bamboo forest?”

“This bamboo forest is the largest one in this part of the mountain. Just follow along. We will be there soon,” Old Man Jiang said with his hands behind his back, strolling leisurely. I had nothing to say and could only continue walking.

After less than five more minutes, after passing a turn that looked like a dead end, the scenery before my eyes suddenly changed. It opened up completely, and the sound of flowing water that I had been hearing all along now appeared right in front of me.

I opened my mouth wide in surprise. I never expected such a place to exist in these mountains. It was a small valley within the bamboo forest, with a patch of open green land not too large. I did not know what flowers Old Man Jiang had planted there, but they were vibrant and colorful, blooming especially beautifully in this autumn season.

In the middle of the green land stood a bamboo building. At that time, I did not know what a stilted house was, I only felt that this bamboo building was magical, standing above the ground and supported by several pillars underneath.

The bamboo house was not large, but its yellowish-green color looked especially beautiful. There were no walls or fences, just standing there in the middle of the green land.

What surprised me most was the small waterfall behind the bamboo building. The clear water fell straight down like a silver curtain, landing in a small pool below. A stream flowed out from the pool, accompanied by the cheerful sound of rushing water, making one feel especially happy.

“What are you standing there for? Let’s go,” Old Man Jiang said as he tried hard to appear calm, but the pride in his eyes could not be hidden. He walked ahead.

Only then did I notice there was a stone path under my feet. Heaven knows how he managed to get these stone slabs up the mountain.

Truly, when there seems to be no way out, a new world appears beyond the willows and flowers.

Counting it all, from my home to here, it had taken less than an hour. It was not far at all. The only problem was that this place would be very hard to find if you did not know the way.

With an indescribable feeling, likely excitement, I quickly followed closely behind Old Man Jiang. It seemed like life on the mountain would not be too bad after all.

Not long after, we arrived at the bamboo house. We climbed a not-so-high set of steps and found a long corridor at the entrance. Two bamboo chairs and a small wooden table were placed there. From this spot, the entire green valley and waterfall could be seen at a glance, along with the lush bamboo forest. Most strangely of all, this bamboo house seemed to be built on the highest point of the small valley. Looking out, I could even faintly see the foot of the mountain, and if I looked carefully, I could make out distant houses.

“Pretty, right?” Old Man Jiang chuckled as he looked at me spacing out.

“Yes, very pretty,” I nodded quickly.

“You will have plenty more to look at in the future. Go inside now. Although our lineage has a simple initiation ceremony, we still have to do things properly. Do not delay it,” he said.

Then he pushed open the bamboo door and went inside. I followed closely behind with curiosity.

Pushing the door open, I saw the entire room at once.

It was a hall, very simply arranged. Against the back wall was a table. On it was a simple incense burner. Behind the table hung three portraits. In front of the table was a cushion. Aside from that, there were two bamboo chairs placed on the left and right.

The arrangement was so simple that everything could be seen at a glance.

Old Man Jiang pulled a chair over and sat beside the table, then said to me, who was still standing a little awkwardly at the door, “Come in. Stand here.”

He pointed to the cushion in front of the table.

I walked over as instructed. For some reason, perhaps because this was an initiation ceremony, I felt a faint nervousness. Even my usually lively movements became a little cautious.

“About the origins of our lineage, even my master was not very clear. He only told me that we do not care about reputation. Whether we are idle or lazy, as long as it comes from the heart, that is best. So there are not many rules in our lineage. The only important thing is inheritance. In the future, when you walk this world, you will inevitably meet others from the same path. When they ask which lineage you belong to, you can simply say whose disciple you are. As long as…” Old Man Jiang seemed about to continue, but in the end did not.

The introduction of the sect and its inheritance was necessary for an initiation, and even Old Man Jiang was no exception. But strangely, our lineage truly was a lineage of loners among loners. With just a few simple sentences, he had already explained everything.

I nodded seriously. Not caring about reputation was fine with me. My thoughts were simple. If someone asked in the future, was I supposed to say I was some Daoist from some sect or another?

In those days, being a Daoist was not exactly a respectable profession.

“Bring the incense from the table,” Old Man Jiang instructed.

Only then did I notice there was a bundle of unopened red incense sticks behind the incense burner.

Taking the incense in my hands, I heard him continue, “Take nine sticks. Even though our rules are simple, the Three Pure Ones must still be worshipped at the entrance. The portraits on the wall are the Three Pure Ones. They are the ancestors of our Daoist metaphysical tradition. Worshipping ancestors is like worshipping your own ancestors. Your heart must be sincere. The three bows and nine kowtows must be done properly. If your heart is not sincere now, you may suffer punishment later. The form of that punishment may be similar to the misfortune your Second Sister experienced, varying in severity. I will not force you. I have said all I need to say. You decide for yourself.”

Hearing this, cold sweat immediately broke out on my forehead. My cheap master was clearly threatening me. This was even worse than forcing me. How could I dare to slack off?

I very carefully took out nine incense sticks. With my master’s help, I lit them. I stared at the Three Pure Ones on the wall and silently recited the Mind-Calming Mantra I had learned from my master. Once my mind became completely still, I knelt down with full sincerity.

“Repeat after me, disciple Chen Chengyi,” Old Man Jiang suddenly said. For some reason, the usually carefree man had now become extremely solemn, and I was forced into the same seriousness.

“Disciple Chen Chengyi.”

“From this day forward, I enter the discipleship of Jiang Lichun, becoming his only closed-door disciple.”

“From this day forward, I enter the discipleship of Jiang Lichun, becoming his only closed-door disciple.”

“I hereby present myself before the Three Pure Ones.”

“I hereby present myself before the Three Pure Ones.”

After reciting everything after Old Man Jiang, I raised the incense above my head and began the respectful three bows and nine kowtows toward the Three Pure Ones on the wall. Each bow struck the ground with real force, making the bamboo floor sound with dull thuds, while my forehead also ached.

After finishing the kowtow, I respectfully placed the incense into the burner. This time, Old Man Jiang told me to take out three more sticks.

“Light the incense and wait here for a moment. I will go get something,” he said, then walked through a door on the left side of the hall.