**Chapter 12: A Romantic Moment by the Lake**
After a morning wandering Golden Radiance City, Qingxuan had no intention of returning to the mountain just yet. She turned to Qingyun and said, "Junior Brother, it's your first time here. It'd be a shame to miss the 'Golden Carp Leaping in the Emerald Lake' at the hour of Shen."
Pinching her fingers to calculate, she added, "It's noon now. By late afternoon, the golden carp will start stirring. Let's first try the renowned *Zhenxiang Tower* and see how its cuisine compares to the *Five Elements Sect*'s meals."
With that, Qingxuan boldly took Qingyun's left hand, her face beaming as she dashed toward a nearby restaurant.
She didn't hasten her pace, running at a mortal's speed, so Qingyun easily kept up. Glancing sideways, he saw her joyful expression, his heart pounding.
"We're here!" she called out cheerfully.
Qingyun looked at the restaurant—a three-story marvel, befitting its fame. Though not yet peak dining time, it was packed, with performers entertaining in the central hall.
As Qingxuan negotiated with a waiter, Qingyun stood watching the performers, a novelty for a village boy who'd only heard of such spectacles.
In a daze, a flower-dressed performer in a phoenix crown and rosy cape seemed to lock eyes with him. His mind buzzed, his gaze blank, and he plunged into a vast sea of clouds.
He recalled this from a dream. Just as he turned to see the chained prisoner, his sleeve was tugged, snapping him back. The cloud vision vanished.
"Junior Brother, what's wrong?" Qingxuan asked, noticing his trance. She had pulled his sleeve gently, seeing him lost in the performance.
"Nothing, just caught up in the show," Qingyun said, shaking his head. The performer had resumed acting, as if their eye contact was an illusion.
"Come on," Qingxuan said, leading him to a second-floor private room assigned by the waiter.
From here, they could view both Pingbo Lake outside and the performers below—a prime spot. Qingxuan said proudly, "Since you like the show, you'll love this seat."
Qingyun hesitated, unsure whether to share his dream, fearing she'd tease him for daydreaming. As he resolved to tell her, he looked up to see her resting her chin, gazing thoughtfully at the lake.
He greedily drank in her beauty, as if to etch this moment into his memory forever. Her eyes sparkled like stars, deep and affectionate; her brows curved like distant mountains; her skin glowed like peach blossoms. Her sculpted nose was playful, her thin cherry lips fragrant, stirring endless reverie.
A breeze from the window tousled her hair. Though in a bustling restaurant, the scene was serene and profound.
Time seemed to freeze. Qingyun's mind held only her poetic figure, his earlier thoughts forgotten, his heart deeply moved by the beauty before him, unforgettable.
"Food's here!" The waiter's call broke the spell, and Qingxuan noticed Qingyun's gaze.
They sat in silence, her cheeks faintly red, his heart racing. They heard the waiter describe the dishes but couldn't focus.
Only after the waiter left did Qingyun look at the food, hiding his embarrassment. Qingxuan watched him thoughtfully, unmoving.
She had calculated his appetite; the table held six vegetarian dishes and two soups.
Noticing she hadn't touched her chopsticks, Qingyun changed the subject. "Senior Sister, Martial Aunt said I need to master the *Sleeve Universe* soon, but I haven't entered the *Dao*. Is it—"
He trailed off, watching for her reaction.
"The Sleeve Universe?" Qingxuan asked calmly, not meeting his eyes.
Picking up her chopsticks, she served herself, saying, "Back at the sect, find the *Inner Pouch Scripture* in the library for details. But I can share some basics now."
Holding her chopsticks without eating, she continued, "The Sleeve Universe isn't a beginner's technique, so it's not for novices. I read that an ancestor, after mastering the *Great Evolution Void Travel Technique*[23], analyzed it, enabling novice Taoists to use established methods."
Qingyun shuddered at the familiar name, instinctively clamping his legs.
Seemingly oblivious, Qingxuan went on, "Fearing sect Taoists would forget its essence, the ancestor decreed that all must study its principles before using the quick methods."
Qingyun thought: *That ancestor was fierce to practice that technique! No wonder he set such rules.*
"Here's the essence of the Sleeve Universe. Listen well," Qingxuan said.
Forgetting food, Qingyun adjusted his robe and sat attentively.
"The *Inner Pouch Scripture* says: 'The source divides into Yin and Yang; Yang is Qian Yuan, Yin is Yinhun. Within Yuan, there are Yangzi, Yinzi, and neutral particles. Yinzi orbit Yangzi in numbers harmonious with wood and earth, endlessly. Excess Yuan cannot endure. The Sleeve Universe directs spiritual light onto Yinzi, causing deviation, creating the Nether Sea. In it, objects are timeless, but it has a limit; exceeding it causes a great explosion.'"
Thirsty after speaking, Qingxuan sipped tea from the table, levitating it to her lips.
Qingyun, baffled, tried to parse it but grew more confused.
"The first part describes the Microscopic Realm, observing Yuan's interior—beyond us, even me," Qingxuan said. "It means: Yuan splits into Yin and Yang; we cultivate Yang Yuan, while Yin is Yinhun. Inside Yuan are Yangzi, Yinzi, and neutral particles. Yinzi orbit Yangzi with up to ninety-two particles, linked to Chou and Yi."
Pausing, she checked his understanding.
Qingyun pondered, then asked, "So, Yinzi orbit Yangzi with up to ninety-two particles. Excess Yuan can't last. Right, Senior Sister?"
"Exactly," Qingxuan smiled, noting his quick grasp despite his rural roots.
"Go on, I'll correct you," she encouraged.
Nodding, Qingyun organized his thoughts. "The Sleeve Universe focuses spiritual light on Yinzi, shifting them to create the Nether Sea."
Qingxuan nodded, urging him to continue.
"This Nether Sea stores items without aging, but it's limited. Exceeding it causes an explosion. Am I right?"
"Very good," Qingxuan praised, eating as she listened.
Qingyun asked, "Can we use the Sleeve Universe for attacks?"
Swallowing her food, Qingxuan replied, "Many novices think so, but it's hard. Only Great Evolution practitioners might succeed."
Hearing the term again, Qingyun choked on his water, coughing uncontrollably.
"Eat up," Qingxuan said, smiling. "We'll talk more at the sect. We've got to see the 'Golden Carp Leaping in the Emerald Lake.'"
At the hour of Shen, they stood by the lake.
Qingyun saw golden carp leaping, splashing back down, their numbers growing.
"It's starting!" Qingxuan exclaimed, her rare innocence nearly stealing his gaze.
Pointing eagerly, she urged him to look. A vast school of carp leaped high, forcing him to crane his neck to see their splendor.
The setting sun glinted off their scales, casting golden light on Qingyun's face. Turning, he saw Qingxuan in the glow, ethereal and sacred.
Overwhelmed, he blurted, "Senior Sister, you're so beautiful."
His words drowned in the carp's splashing, leaving him unsure if she heard.
As the carp submerged, Qingxuan turned, catching his gaze. Nervously tucking her hair, she smiled. "Junior Brother, wasn't the 'Golden Carp Leaping in the Emerald Lake' spectacular?"
**Footnotes**:
[2] **Dao**: Core Taoist principle, "the Way," embodying universal order and spiritual growth.
[11] **Five Elements Sect**: Taoist sect mastering the five elemental forces, central to the story.
[15] **Kunwu Technique**: Cultivation method for wielding heavy weapons, introduced earlier.
[18] **Sleeve Universe**: Taoist technique for storing items in one's sleeve via spatial magic.
[19] **Yuan**: Fundamental energy units in a cultivator's body, key to Taoist practices.
[23] **Great Evolution Void Travel Technique**: Advanced Taoist art requiring severing emotional roots to master Void Dao Power.
[26] **Cleansing Spell**: A basic Taoist spell to purify the body or objects.
[29] **Lake-Splitting Bridge**: A bridge dividing Pingbo Lake, built by a sect ancestor.
[30] **Setting Sun Pavilion**: A pavilion honoring Master Xieyang, who subdued an
原始中文文本
在金煌城逛了一個早上.
青璇卻沒有打算就此回山,而是和青雲說道:「師弟第一次來到金煌城,若是不等到申時,觀賞那『金鯉躍碧湖』之景,未免可惜.」
她掐指一算,又說道:「現已是午時,待到申時湖中金鯉便會開始躁動.師姐先帶你試試這金煌城遠近聞名的珍香樓,和五行觀的膳食有何不同.」
說完,青璇毫不避諱地牽住青雲左手,眉開眼笑地朝不遠處的酒樓跑.
青璇並未特意提速,只以凡人速度邁步奔行,因此青雲能毫不費力地跑在她身邊,偏頭便是師姐雀躍面容,讓青雲的心怦怦直跳.
「到了.」師姐高興地招呼道.
青雲看向酒樓,不愧是遠近馳名的飯館,足有三層高.雖未完全到用膳時間,樓內卻已是高朋滿座,在大堂中央處,還有戲子表演.
青璇上前與小二交涉,青雲則站在原地,好奇地看著戲子表演,這是出身農村的青雲只聞其名,卻未真正見過的娛樂方式.
恍惚間,穿著鳳冠霞披的花旦戲子似乎與青雲對上了眼,青雲腦海轟地一聲,雙目頓時呆滯,陷入了一片茫茫雲海中.
他忽然想起這曾是夢中景象,就在青雲正想回頭看向那名囚者時,手上卻被拉扯了一下,頓時清醒了過來,雲海幻覺也徹底消散.
「師弟,怎麼了嗎?」注意到青雲看著戲子微微失神,青璇好奇地問道.原來剛剛是青璇拉著青雲的衣袖,本想拽動他,卻見他看戲看得出神,於是改為輕輕一拉,青雲也隨之清醒.
「沒什麼,就是看戲看出神了.」青雲微微晃動頭部,卻發現戲子已經繼續演了下去,彷彿剛才兩人對視只是錯覺.
「快來.」青璇不疑有他,帶著青雲上樓,來到小二指出的二樓雅座.
從這裡不只可以看見窗外的平波湖,也能看見樓下戲子的表演,確實是個好位置.青璇得意地道:「既然師弟喜歡看戲,對這個位置肯定滿意.」
青雲低頭猶豫,不知道該不該把夢裡情景告訴青璇,生怕青璇笑自己白日作夢.
就在他下定決心,決定要將夢中情景告知師姐時,抬頭卻看見青璇捧著下頷,正在眺望碧湖,若有所思的樣子.
青雲貪婪地欣賞著眼前的美人如畫,就像是想要將此情此景,永鐫腦海.
其眸若繁星,深邃多情,眉如遠山含黛,膚若桃花含笑.玉雕般的鼻梁堅挺俏皮,薄薄櫻唇似乎瀰漫著芬芳香氣,引人萬分遐思.
窗外風起,輕拂著她的髮絲.此情此景,雖身處酒樓,卻靜謐深遠.
時間彷彿凝固了,定在了這一刻.青雲腦海裡只剩下師姐如詩如畫的倩影,早已忘記心中所思所想,反倒被眼前美景狠狠觸動心靈,久久難以忘懷.
「上菜嘍──」小二的上菜呼喊,將青雲喚醒,也讓青璇注意到青雲注視著她的樣子.
兩人相對無語,青璇臉色微紅,青雲只覺心跳如擂,彷彿快要跳出胸膛.他們聽見小二介紹菜色的聲音,卻都聽不進菜色的內容.
直到小二介紹完畢,躬身退下後,青雲才趕緊看向桌面菜色,試圖藏起自身的尷尬與羞澀.師姐卻若有所思地盯著他,沒有其他動作.
青璇似乎是刻意計算了青雲的食量,桌上一共六菜二湯,全是素菜.
眼角餘光看見師姐完全沒有動筷的意思,青雲連忙轉移話題道:「師姐,師伯之前提到我需要盡快掌握袖裡乾坤,但師弟尚未入道,是否──」
青雲特地拉長尾音,想要看看師姐會不會有反應.
「袖裡乾坤?」青璇卻沒有再看向青雲,而是語氣平靜地反問.
她然後拿起筷子,一邊夾菜一邊說道:「你回到觀內後,去藏書閣找一本『囊內經』,裡面會有更詳細的解釋.不過師姐卻可以先和你說說,袖裡乾坤的基礎知識.」
青璇夾完菜後,將筷子拿在手上,卻沒有開始食用,她這樣說道:「其實,袖裡乾坤並非是初階術法,所以原本也並非是初入道者可以學習.師姐曾經看過一本書,書上提到一位祖師,當年修成了『大衍空行訣』後,便對袖裡乾坤之術進行測定,也因此初階道士才能以故有之法,行袖裡乾坤之術.」
青雲聽見熟悉的名字,渾身一顫,連忙偷偷地夾緊雙腿.
青璇卻像是沒看見他的反應一般,繼續說道:「也因此,祖師真知灼見,怕長久以來,五行觀道士會逐漸忘記袖裡乾坤之法的本質.便立下規矩,往後五行觀道士在學習袖裡乾坤之前,必須先行熟讀袖裡乾坤的本義,才能以袖裡乾坤故有之法速成.」
青雲心裡暗自想著:勇於修行大衍空行訣的祖師,那可是位狠人啊!有這種嚴苛要求,那也不奇怪了.
「師姐接下來要向你說的,便是袖裡乾坤的本義,且聽好了.」
青雲再顧不得吃飯,連忙恭敬地整理道袍,正襟危坐.
「囊內經有云:『源分陰陽,陽者乾元,陰者陰魂.元內亦分陰陽,是為陽子,陰子,而另有未性者存焉.陰子以木土之諧生生不息數繞相當陽子而行,凡超數之元,皆未能久存於世.袖裡乾坤者,或以靈照之輝,灌注於陰子,使其偏離,故生冥海之象.此冥海也,物嘗其中,不改歲月.然冥海也,卻有限數,若過之,則生大霹靂.』」說了一大段,似乎是有些口渴,青璇拿過一旁桌上的茶水,直接懸空對嘴喝了起來.
聽得雲裡霧裡的青雲,嘗試思考這段話的意思,卻越想越迷糊.
「前半段是在敘述觀微境界,對元內部的觀察.這對我們來說太遠,連師姐也都還未到觀微,便只能和你大略說說了.前面的意思是說:元分陰陽,你我修練的乃是陽元,而陰屬性的則稱為陰魂.但在元的內部,同樣也是陰陽並濟,分為陰子與陽子,且另外還有不分陰陽的未性子.而陰子以『木土之諧』,便是說丑與乙,乃為九二之數.」
說到這裡,青璇稍微休息一下,並觀察青雲是否能聽懂.
青雲略作思索,反問道:「所以,陰子以最多九十二之數,環繞陽子而行.超過這個數字的元,皆不能久存於世間.是這個意思嗎?師姐.」
「沒錯.」青璇微微一笑,在教導青雲的過程中,她便發現青雲的悟性並不差,否則以山村子弟,如何能這麼快理解眾多道經裡的道理?
「繼續說,說錯師姐再糾正你.」於是,她鼓勵式地朝青雲說道.
青雲得到師姐鼓勵,也點了點頭.將腦海裡的想法略作整理後,便說了出來:「袖裡乾坤,便是以靈照之光,集中為一束照射在陰子之上,使其偏離自身的位置,也會因此而產生『冥海』這個現象.」
說完,略帶詢問地看向師姊,只見青璇頷首,告訴他說得沒錯,示意他繼續向下說.
「而這個冥海,可以將物品納入其中,不會受到光陰變換的影響.但冥海的收納,卻不是無窮無盡,如果超過其容納上限,即會發生大爆炸.師姐,師弟這些見解都對嗎?」
「說得很好.」青璇從剛才便邊吃邊聽,直到聽完青雲將字面上的敘述都講述清楚,這才開口稱讚道.
青雲又突發奇想地問道:「那麼師姐,我們是不是可以利用袖裡乾坤的特性,來進行攻擊?」
青璇並沒有第一時間回答,而是先將口中飯菜嚥下後,才開口說道:「初聞袖裡乾坤的道者,很多都有類似的想法.但這實際上很難成功,也唯有『大衍空行訣』的修練者有機會運用.」
再次聽見熟悉的名詞,正在喝水的青雲不小心嗆到,趴在桌上咳個不停,半晌回不過氣來.
「好了.趕快吃罷,其餘諸事回到觀裡再聊.還要帶你到湖邊看『金鯉躍碧湖』呢.」眉眼間全是笑意的青璇,一邊用湯匙舀起湯來喝,一邊悠哉地看著青雲在嗆咳之間掙扎.
申時,青璇已經帶著青雲在湖邊就位.
青雲也看見了零星金鯉在水面躍出,然後高高墜落,在平波湖上濺起一片水花.金鯉越聚越多,在湖面跳躍的金鯉也逐漸增多.
「注意,要來了!」師姐在一旁緊張地提醒道,難得的天真爛漫,讓青雲差點無法別開目光.
雀躍的師姐伸出手指向湖面,拼命叫喚著青雲.青雲順著她的手指望去,頓時看見一大片金鯉同時高高躍起,比單獨金鯉跳躍時跳得更高,讓他要拼命抬起頭,才能看見那一大片金麟騰空的壯麗風采.
斜陽照射在萬條金鯉的鱗片上,映照出煌煌金光,反射在青雲臉上,讓他忍不住偏過頭,卻看見身畔師姐站在金光裡,凜然神聖而不可侵犯.
面對這樣的師姐,青雲忍不住脫口而出:「師姐,好漂亮.」
然而,這一聲情不自禁,卻淹沒在金鯉入水的撲騰中,不知究竟是否有傳進師姐的耳裡.
見金鯉全數入水後,青璇也偏過頭,卻看見青雲正在看著自己,她不安地收攏被湖風拂動的髮絲,盈盈一笑:「師弟,這『金鯉躍碧湖』好看嗎?」