Seeking the Tao in the Mortal World

Chapter 165: Double Meaning

Grain Rain, in the solar term, meant that rain brought about hundreds of grains. Myriad Tao Immortal Palace took its image of the prosperity of all things, so it held a tao conference every year during Grain Rain.

But it had nothing to do with the grain harvest...

For a place where obsessed people gathered, many people were not even interested in participating, so this kind of conference wasn't so competitive. Many sessions became like tea parties. Of course, not every session was so peaceful, there was still competition.

Especially when the prize was very useful, it was inevitable to fight for what they wanted.

In fact, Qin Yi felt a little sorry for the Palace Master of the Immortal Palace whom he had never met before.

Judging from the nature of Myriad Tao Immortal Palace, it was definitely not established by the Palace Master to pass on his legacy. It should be a gathering of all kinds of obsessed people to form a society that supported each other and to fight against the "mainstream". From this perspective, the founder of Myriad Tao Immortal Palace should be a hero with great ideals and vision.

But the reality was very harsh.

Everyone in this sect was just doing their own things, so what was the use of this sect? To say the least, they might have good cultivation, but they had no combat experience. If the enemy invaded, how could they possibly defend themselves?

That’s why there was a balance to be maintained in pursuing cultivation. For an individual, no matter how ignorant he was of the world and no matter how obsessed he was with his interests, he couldn't ignore his own practical experience. For a sect, there was also cohesion, centripetal force, the training of outstanding successors, etc.

By extension, cultivating successors also required resources. Resources were not available for free. Some resources needed to be collected and sought, and some needed to be exchanged with other sects. This must be done by someone. Therefore, in Myriad Tao Immortal Palace, in addition to the various main mountains, the Myriad Tao  Immortal Palace also had a deacon hall, which was responsible for all aspects of matters. When Qing Cha went to create a register for Qin Yi, it at least proved the existence of a personnel department.

If this Myriad Tao Immortal Palace only had these obsessed cultivators, it would have collapsed long ago.

Each deacon was selected from each system. Those who were not so obsessed and were willing to do things would be given certain resources and skills as rewards. Or simply people who had a desire for power and greed. Even if they were not suitable to be immortal, they still had value to the sect.

When Qin Yi first started, in addition to the identity token, there was also a jade slip introducing the sect, which mainly talked about the sect's rules and regulations. Many things could be seen from these rules and regulations.

For example, low-level disciples, like the children they just recruited, must gain some practical experience after they grew up, such as taking in charge for the sect's spiritual field, guarding the sect's mine, or even directly mining.

Even Ju Yunxiu had to do something. At least when the sect needed her ability, she must contribute. The ownership of items after death, some were buried with them, some were inherited, and some were returned to the sect. For example, in Qin Yi's cave house, there were no other treasures left except the alchemy cauldron and earth fire. The paintings of Ju Yunxiu's masters were kept in the sect treasury.

Only in this way could the Immortal Palace have something to use in its treasury.

It might lead to a corruption problem, but only in this way could the sect be maintained. Otherwise, this kind of organization was meaningless, and it was better to cultivate independently.

Qin Yi was able to do nothing mainly because he had only joined for a short period of time. Immortal Palace also gave face to Ju Yunxiu and him, allowing him to familiarize himself with the sect.

Qin Yi went too far as well. After joining the sect, he didn’t go anywhere. He spent every day either practicing in his own cave house or spending time with his senior. He should at least walk around and get to know his fellow sect members? He had joined for two months, and he didn't even know the Palace Master yet!

But there was nothing to say about this. There were more people who were even more an otaku than Qin Yi here.

If Qin Yi were the Palace Master, he would also be very troubled by the situation. This was determined by the structure of the Myriad Tao Immortal Palace and was difficult to reverse. If it was done forcibly, the characteristic cornerstone of the Myriad Tao Immortal Palace would be lost.

Therefore, it was imperative to hold some competitive activities to enhance the vitality and cohesion of each sect, as well as to hone their combat effectiveness. Qin Yi believed that the Palace Master must attach great importance to this Grain Rain Tao Conference.

Qin Yi also took it seriously.

So he went to find a chess fanatic.

He was a taoist with slovenly hair and a beard. Qin Yi had seen him before. He once saw him playing chess in a pavilion on the road. There was another taoist opposite whom Qin Yi didn't recognize.

Fortunately, the chess fanatic taoist was not playing chess at this time, but reading a chess manual.

He probably read the manual hundreds of thousands of times, so he was no longer interested in it. When he saw Qin Yi coming over, he put the chess manual aside and said with a good attitude, "You’re my new nephew disciple? I heard that your name is Yi? I like your name, why do you come to meet me now?"

Qin Yi bowed and said, "I'm sorry, but I actually can't play chess."

"It doesn't matter. Yun Xiu is not very interested in chess, and I don't know anything about music too. It's not like we have to know all." The chess fanatic smiled while twirling his beard. "Besides, Yi (chess) is not just about sitting across the chessboard and placing chess pieces.”

Qin Yi breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "It seems that the mortals have some misunderstandings about our sect. I had been misled."

The chess fanatic said, "You never came to see me because of this?"

"It's a bit. I heard that Master's Junior will force people to play chess." Qin Yi had always been dodging this kind of obsessed people, but the chess fanatic could seem to be communicated with.

Ju Yunxiu was similar. As long as it didn't involve things that fascinated her, she was usually a very normal woman.

"Did that damn crane at the door tell you? I only asked him to play once 500 years ago. It actually told me that it didn't have time."

Qin Yi, "…"

"I only become obsessed with chess when I meet an opponent. There is nothing to be obsessed with someone who can't play chess." The chess fanatic said with a smile, "Do you really think I can play chess with others anytime and anywhere? Where can I find so many opponents?"

Qin Yi smiled and said, "Master's Junior, you can teach me a few moves so that I can play chess with you in the future."

"I know your purpose here is to discuss the Grain Rain Tao Conference. You want to ask what I can teach you?"

"Yes, even though I’m improvising, I still want to master more means."

The chess fanatic laughed and said, "Whether inside or outside the game, both are in silent contemplation. It's just like the winning mentality of the mortal world. You don't know chess, but aren't you participating a chess game now?"

Qin Yi pondered and said, "Master's Junior, do you mean there is a game in it?"

"Isn't it everywhere?" The chess fanatic threw over a pair of black and white chess pieces. "This is my gift."

Qin Yi took the black and white chess pieces and said curiously, "This is..."

"It's too much for you to learn chess now." The chess fanatic said with a smile, "This is called the Yin Yang Puzzle. It can be used to shift position. Take it as the chess way is also participating in the competition. After this game, if you are willing, you and I will discuss the mystery again.”

Qin Yi left with a confused look. A shifting treasure? Is it to save my life? That's not bad.

But in this Myriad Tao Immortal Palace's tao conference, does it require a life-saving method? Did this chess fanatic foresee something? Or did he see something from the game?

Although it's confusing, it's not that surprising. After all, the immortal path is ethereal. I have seen too many pretenders, and everyone likes to be secretive, so I'm used to it.

Just like Ju Yunxiu, who is a beautiful and funny senior. If I had left that first meeting with the 'person from the book', the memories left behind would be different.

Not to mention the professional pretender Liu Su.

This chess game, both inside and outside, sounds full of mysteries, but it is just that.

Maybe if I get familiar with the chess fanatic in the future, I will find that this is also a funny joke.

But then again, the way of chess doesn't seem to be just about playing chess… From the words of the chess fanatic, isn't everything a chess game?

The world is the chessboard, and all the people are the pieces. The so-called controlling one's own destiny, doesn't it mean to be the one playing chess?

The chess fanatic's words suddenly flashed through his mind. 'Yi (chess) is not just about sitting across the chessboard and placing chess pieces.'

'I heard that your name is Yi? I like your name.'

TL: What is the chess fanatic hinting? Will there really be life danger in this tao conference?