Heart Of A Cultivator [II]

On the farm, Zhang Li Qiang and his grandson started putting covering straws over the millet. After a moment of silence, Zhang Li Qiang glanced at Ju Feng.

"Ju Feng, you must be asking yourself, why always farming? Why our family do nothing more than farming? I understand. You see, out here in the farm, we gain more enlightenment into the nature of creation. Every time we are here, we view the same things from different perspectives. Ju Feng, when you achieve different perspectives, you'll arrive at one true perspective. Take a look at these millet. What do you see?"

"I see crops, grandpa."

"Anything else? I want you to take a closer look."

"Grains?"

"Mhm. Crops, grains, when you look at their appearances. Now, if you look pass their appearances, what do you see?"

"Hmm, I'm not really sure about that, grandpa."

"Life, Ju Feng. Life. These crops you see, are of the living. When they are planted and nurtured, they grow. After a time, they are harvested to serve as food. They become sources of life. They live to serve as sources of life to the living. When you walk through them, you feel the peace coming from them. But, they never raised their heads towards the heavens to beat their chests. What do you see from this?"

"Ahh, yes grandpa. I think I understand now. Not proud?"

"Aha. You are wiser than your age. Yes, humility. It takes a humble mind to open itself to the universe and accept the knowledge of the universe. Yes, we eat the crops, but does that mean we are more significant than them? We are all part of one universe, and no life is greater than the other. Many things like pride are only diseases to the mind, making their clouds shroud the mind from the true nature of the universe."

Zhang Lu Qiang beamed inside and continued.

"But I'm truly blessed to have you as my grandson. Always remember that. Although this universe is infinite, it values a humble mind. It's true that me, your grandmother and mother, have all attained the golden core stage, but it means little in the world of cultivation. To us, it means a form of immortality, to avoid the forgetful samsara cycle. True immortality is what this family wants."

Zhang Li Qang stopped mulching the millet, regarded his grandson and patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't get me wrong, Ju Feng. You should be as strong and powerful as you can be in this world of cultivation. You'll surely need that to survive in this life of the strongest. But seeking power to be on top of the martial world, can only bring a certain death. There are many out there always better than you, and most of them won't be good to you. Only with a humble mind can you accept this truth and avoid a potential calamity."

"Grandpa, I promise. I will always remember."

"Good, that's my grandson. Now let's wrap up the work here and check the goats."

They finished doing the remaining work for the day as the sun disappeared below the horizon. They slowly made their way in the direction of the cave, enjoying every detail of the beautiful sunset. After refreshing themselves on reaching the cave, they quickly joined Zhang Wang Jing and Zhang Xiu Ying for dinner. The tasty fowl soup guaranteed them enough food to eat, while the jars of goat milk provided plenty to drink.

"How's your day on the farm with your grandpa?"

Asked Zhang Xiu Ying as she glanced at her son with a nod of her head.

"It was great, Ma. Grandpa taught me many things."

"I trust your grandfather to do that. He's the wisest man I've ever seen. His words are heavenly treasures, so don't ever forget what he taught you. They will surely make you wise in your ways. Okay, anything you want to teach me too?"

Zhang Xiu Ying stared at her son with a wide smile. She had passed through the same path growing up. It was all about the right frame of mind. The importance of the teachings couldn't be more helpful as she had learned over the years. And she would help her son to engrave them in his own heart too.

"Ma, I know you already knew. But I can repeat what grandpa taught me. And that's to be humble."

"Oh yes, you need to be. Before you start thinking you are the primordial king of the universe."

Zhang Wang Jing laughingly joked as she clutched her chest, which caused the rest of them to join her in laughter. After they had all had their fills of the food and the table had been tidied, Zhang Wang Jing turned to her grandson.

"Ju Feng, come with me."

"Yes, grandma."

Ju Feng walked with his grandmother towards the mouth of the cave. Once outside, Zhang Wang Jing held her grandson's hand, and with few light steps, arrived at the top of their mortal cave. The top of the knoll was flat, containing four stone carved stools. Sometimes, the family would gather there to spend their time together in the grace of serene nature.

To the front right part of the land was the millet farm; to the front left part was the goat farm; to the small rear right part was the practice area; and to the other was the pond.

"I know you've been here many times, Ju Feng. I know you've seen this landscape many times. But today, I want you to enjoy the beautiful scenery in a different way. Your grandfather already taught you about humility. Although hard work is needed to succeed in this world of cultivation, you still need to consider your benefits as the grace and gifts of creation."

Zhang Wang Jing looked at her grandson compassionately as she remembered her own childhood in a clan of Asuran heritage. Even a demigod without the right condition of the heart could easily enter the Samsara cycle.

"There are three things I want you to keep in your mind, Ju Feng. Humility, courage and discipline. It takes courage to show humility. Courage to ask for help, courage to open your heart to learn. Courage to know when, how and why to stand up for yourself and for others. In the world of cultivation, death is bound to happen. Sometimes, it's kill or be killed. However, courage helps you to respect the lives of others. Even the lives you are bound to take."

Pointing her finger towards the right side, she continued.

"Look at the practice area over there. That is where we train in our martial and mystical arts, and these are arts that can take lives. We practice them to be able to defend ourselves and people we care about. Not to start unnecessary death war on other people. All lives are precious. Even the ones that deserve to die. Discipline will let you keep these in your mind. You have to discipline your mind not to forget all these, Ju Feng."

"Thank you grandma, I won't forget them, I promise."

Moving towards one of the stone stools, Zhang Wang Jing glanced at her grandson and gestured towards the stools.

"Come, and have a seat."