Chapter Fifteen: A Seamless Heavenly Robe

Early the next morning, Mi Qian instructed Steward Lu to light torches throughout the cave and strictly forbid outsiders from entering. He then took up a bundle of long ropes and led Gu Sicen and Luo Kun to the rear garden of the manor, where they slipped through a barely noticeable stone door and entered the cave. Steward Lu personally stood guard at the entrance. Inside the cave, torches hung every few steps, illuminating the place as bright as day.

Mi Qian, Gu Sicen, and Luo Kun advanced along the cave for over thirty meters before they came upon a pool at the far end. Mi Qian said, “This is the place. I’ll go down and tie the iron chest with the rope. Brother Luo, be ready to pull from above.” With that, he stripped to the waist, took one end of the rope, and dove into the water. The depths were pitch-black, but Mi Qian swam on, guiding the rope into the underwater vault. Having been here once before, he remembered the chest’s position, swam over, wrapped the rope several times around the chest, and tied it tight. He then tugged hard to signal Luo Kun above. Luo Kun, seeing the rope move, quickly began to pull it up. Gu Sicen sighed, “This water grotto is so deep, not just anyone could access it. The Gu ancestors truly went to great lengths to hide their treasure.”

The chest, lifted by the rope, did not seem especially heavy and rose steadily. As Luo Kun pulled, he suddenly felt a weight in his hands, and soon enough, a bronze chest surfaced. Gu Sicen lent a hand to lift it out, and Mi Qian emerged from the water as well.

By the light of the torches, the three of them saw before them an ancient, red bronze chest engraved with intricate patterns, locked with a matching bronze lock. A bronze chain was attached to the chest, and on it hung a bronze key. Luo Kun laughed, “Looks old, but at least it’s a complete set.” Mi Qian took the key, opened the lock, and he and Luo Kun lifted the lid together. The moment they did, water splashed from inside, and as the lid rose, a brilliant white light burst forth, dazzling their eyes. Both Luo Kun and Mi Qian gasped in amazement. The chest was filled with water, and inside was a pearl the size of a goose egg, shining so brightly that every object within was visible at a glance. Luo Kun, astounded, reached in to take the pearl; as his hand entered the water, the pearl’s light dyed his arm a vivid red, much to the astonishment of Gu Sicen and Mi Qian.

As soon as Luo Kun lifted the pearl from the water, its light vanished and the water turned murky. The pearl itself lost its luster and turned ashen. Alarmed, Luo Kun quickly put it back in the water, whereupon its brilliance returned and the chest was once again aglow. Gu Sicen exclaimed, “The Water-Illuminating Pearl!”

Mi Qian asked in surprise, “Sir, you recognize this pearl?” Gu Sicen replied, “Indeed. Judging by its strange property of shining in water and turning dull outside, this must be the legendary Water-Illuminating Pearl. I once heard of it from an old sea traveler. The pearl cannot remain out of water for long; the longer it stays submerged, the brighter it shines. It is said to have another power: when placed in muddy water, it will render the water clear. Thus, it is also known as the Purifying Pearl, a rare and marvelous treasure.” Mi Qian and Luo Kun were amazed. Gu Sicen added, “The Gu ancestors must have used this pearl to light their way when hiding the treasure in the water vault.” Mi Qian said with delight, “Excellent! It’s just what we need for the darkness below.”

At that moment, Luo Kun drew something else from the chest—a parcel wrapped in several layers of oil paper. But years underwater had stripped the paper of its oil, and it fell apart at a touch. Luo Kun carefully removed the layers, revealing two ancient books in a sorry state, their writing blurred, the pages turning to pulp and sticking together; they were ruined. Luo Kun shook his head, “What a pity—I wonder what fine books these once were, now unreadable.”

Gu Sicen mused, “The Gu ancestors could not have foreseen these books soaking for so many years. To have kept them so secret, there must have been a reason. They were likely rare volumes; otherwise, they would not have been placed with the Water-Illuminating Pearl.” Seeing the books were beyond saving, Mi Qian tore a piece of cloth from his garment, wrapped them up, and put them back in the chest, saying, “Since they’re destroyed, let them stay where they belong.” Spotting a square bronze box beside the pearl, Mi Qian picked it up, dried it, and tried to open it, but it wouldn’t budge.

“I’ll do it,” said Luo Kun, taking the box and exerting force. With a “bang,” the lid popped open. Instantly, a strange fragrance filled the air. Inside the tightly sealed box was a brownish stone, about the size of a fist. Gu Sicen, startled, took the box from Luo Kun and sniffed it closely, his face lighting up with joy, “The Nine-Scents Stone!”

Mi Qian was puzzled. “What use is a stone, sir, that it makes you so excited?” Gu Sicen, unable to hide his delight, replied, “Young Master Mi, you have no idea. The Nine-Scents Stone is a peerless medicinal treasure, infused with nine fragrances. It can neutralize all poisons and even revive the dying. This stone was lost to the world since the Five Dynasties, and only rarely mentioned in ancient pharmacopeias. Its color, scent, and texture leave no doubt—this is the legendary Nine-Scents Stone.” Luo Kun rejoiced, “With this stone, Master will be even more skilled in healing others.” Mi Qian laughed, “Sir Gu, since you can use it to save lives, take it. It’s far better than leaving it here. Let it be as Heaven wills—no spirits will object.” Gu Sicen accepted it gladly.

Mi Qian now saw that only a golden disc remained in the chest. He reached in and lifted it. “How heavy!” he exclaimed. Upon inspection, it proved to be a solid gold plate, engraved with strange images: a human face with a bear’s body, and several dragon- or serpent-like creatures encircling the edge. The craftsmanship was masterful. On the reverse were markings of sun, moon, and stars, though unclear.

Gu Sicen examined it thoroughly. “This appears to be a ritual object from a foreign altar, likely not of the Central Plains. Only a true expert in ancient bronzes could trace its origin. Since it is an antique, let’s leave it in the vault.” Thus, besides the Water-Illuminating Pearl and the ruined books, only the gold plate and the box of Nine-Scents Stone remained in the chest.

As Mi Qian was about to put the plate back, Luo Kun, by the pearl’s glow, noticed something odd at the bottom of the chest. He stopped Mi Qian, saying, “Wait, there seems to be something else here.” Reaching in, he pried up a panel the size of the chest’s base, revealing a hidden compartment beneath. The pearl and plate had been pressing down on it, and with the plate removed, the panel was easily lifted. Out floated a bundle to the water’s surface.

Luo Kun was startled and picked it up. He shook it out and found a set of gray garments, water beading on the surface and rolling off without wetting the fabric, which, despite years underwater, remained utterly dry—soft, light as gauze, and of a material quite unrecognizable. Luo Kun marveled, “What strange clothing! Not a single seam—wholly seamless, as if naturally formed!” Gu Sicen, intrigued, took the garments and inspected them under a torch. Indeed, there was not a trace of stitching between jacket and trousers—completely seamless, yet perfectly shaped. The entire set was pale gray, the fabric light and strange, its origins and method of making a mystery, wondrous beyond compare.

Mi Qian mused, “Is this what is meant by ‘a garment without seams’?” “A seamless garment?” Gu Sicen exclaimed, “Could this be the legendary Seamless Heavenly Garment?” Luo Kun and Mi Qian looked perplexed.

Gu Sicen examined it closely, stretching it with both hands, and exclaimed with joy, “If I am not mistaken, this is indeed the treasure.” Luo Kun asked, “Master, is this truly the Seamless Heavenly Garment?” Gu Sicen nodded. “Yes. The ‘Compendium of Marvels’ by Liu Ying of the Han dynasty mentions this garment: when worn, one does not sink in water nor burn near fire, much like the ancient fire-resistant fire-washed cloth. It is impervious to blades and weapons, shields from all harm, and regulates temperature, suitable for all seasons—thus also called the Four Seasons Robe. In perilous times, it can save one’s life. Because it bears no marks of tailoring, it is named the Seamless Heavenly Garment—the king of all attire.”

Luo Kun asked, “Such a miraculous garment—do we know who made it, and out of what?” Gu Sicen replied, “The ‘Compendium of Marvels’ records only its name and properties, noting it existed in Han times, but not its materials or methods, nor its maker. Presumably, some master of a past era crafted it by arcane means, or perhaps it is a gift from the immortals themselves.”

Mi Qian said cheerfully, “Never mind its origins—since it is so useful, let Brother Luo have it. For a hero righting wrongs, it is the best protection.” Luo Kun protested, “My skills suffice for self-defense. You should keep it for your own safety.” Mi Qian laughed, “The garment is too buoyant; for someone like me, skilled in water, it would be a hindrance. If I’m pursued, I can simply dive into the lake and be beyond reach. If I wore this garment, I’d float and be caught—and if a villain took it, that would be a shame.” Gu Sicen and Luo Kun both laughed.

Mi Qian added, “Let’s take it as Heaven’s gift—if Brother Luo won’t accept it, I’ll have to return it to the chest and sink it again, which would be ungrateful to Heaven.” Luo Kun, seeing Mi Qian’s insistence, accepted it with thanks, and Mi Qian was delighted. Gu Sicen thought to himself, “Heaven truly favors these two young men, granting them such fortune.”

Mi Qian then took up the Water-Illuminating Pearl, locked the chest, tied it with rope, and, holding the pearl, dove into the pool again, with Luo Kun letting out the rope from above. As soon as Mi Qian entered the water with the pearl, the depths lit up as if by torchlight, so that Gu Sicen and Luo Kun could watch him clearly as he swam with the chest. They saw him turn into a side passage, where the light grew dim, and soon disappeared—Mi Qian had reached the depths of the vault.

With the pearl in hand, Mi Qian swam as if carrying a torch through the darkness. When he reached the vault, he was stunned: the place was as large as a hall, with eight stone walls and no other exits, filled with countless gold and silver vessels, jade, and jewels. The treasures glowed and sparkled in the pearl’s light, dazzling Mi Qian’s eyes. After a while, he adjusted, untied the chest, let it sink to one side, and swam to the ceiling. In a niche, he set the pearl into the stone, illuminating the chamber like a bright lamp, revealing every treasure: gold ingots, jade, pearls, and more, shining together magnificently. In one corner, over a dozen gold Buddha statues and numerous antiques were piled. Mi Qian swam among them, feasting his eyes, thinking, “The manor is large and populous; I’ll take some for daily use and plan for the rest later.” He stuffed some gems into his trouser leg and swam back up.

Gu Sicen and Luo Kun had waited at the pool for a long time before Mi Qian surfaced, gasping, “Incredible! There are so many treasures in the vault. Sir Gu, Brother Luo, don’t leave—let’s stay here and become the richest men on Dongting Lake, living like immortals.” Luo Kun laughed, “You enjoy it yourself, but you’re so excited you’re out of breath.” Mi Qian shook his head, “You don’t understand—the water here is dead, unlike the lake, and short on air, so I was a bit breathless. The treasure is thrilling, but not enough to make me lose my composure.” Luo Kun smiled; Gu Sicen praised, “Young Master Mi, your ability to breathe and move freely underwater is unmatched in the world.”

The three left the cave to find Steward Lu faithfully guarding the entrance with a staff. Mi Qian smiled and had him seal the door. He ordered a banquet, and he and Gu Sicen and Luo Kun drank and talked. After toasting the Medicine King and his apprentice, Mi Qian sincerely urged them to stay and share the wealth, but Gu Sicen politely declined, smiling. Luo Kun said, “We’re used to wandering the world, not settling down. I still have to seek out an old friend. This fortune is yours alone to enjoy.” Mi Qian, seeing he could not persuade them, felt even more respect.

He poured Gu Sicen another cup and said, “There’s something I wish to ask you, sir.” Gu Sicen replied, “I have received your Nine-Scents Stone and was thinking how to repay you. Please ask.” Mi Qian said, “Mr. Ge Yunxiang gave me this manor for nothing. I am uneasy, unable to repay his kindness. Now, having found the vault’s treasure, I wish to give some to Mr. Ge in gratitude. Do you think this is appropriate?” Gu Sicen fell silent for a moment, then said, “Wealth should not be flaunted, especially as this was once a pirate’s lair. Revealing the treasure could bring disaster. As for Mr. Ge…” He hesitated, then continued, “Young Master Mi, you are kind-hearted and a true friend to us, so I must speak frankly. I have known Ge Yunxiang for years. He is not wicked, and has a sense of justice, but he is shrewd and deep—sometimes I cannot fathom his intentions. You are a local, not a mere wanderer. I advise you to treat him with courtesy, but do not become too close. As for the vault’s riches, use them for good deeds—help the poor in secret. Even if you enjoy them yourself, it will not bring harm.” Mi Qian rose and bowed, “Your advice is wise, sir. I shall heed it and act with caution.” Gu Sicen nodded approvingly.

The Medicine King and his apprentice stayed at Langyue Manor for five or six days, boating and drinking with Mi Qian on Dongting Lake, thoroughly enjoying themselves. Luo Kun, unable to find Fang Guohuan at Lianyun Mountain, felt a tinge of regret. One day, Ge Yunxiang sent a boat to fetch them, and they spent a few days at Ge family village on Sandbar Island before returning to Langyue Manor to bid Mi Qian farewell. Mi Qian, unable to keep them, selected a bundle of jade and jewels from the vault as gifts. Luo Kun could not refuse the gesture and accepted. Mi Qian personally rowed them out of Dongting Lake. The three parted reluctantly at the shore, and the Medicine King and Luo Kun journeyed south via Changsha and Hengyang to Guangdong. Afterward, Mi Qian remembered Gu Sicen’s words, kept a low profile, and secretly used his wealth to aid the needy. Within a year, he was praised throughout Dongting. Later, he married and lived in comfort, often drifting alone on the vast lake, day and night, drinking, moon-gazing, and occasionally diving for a day or two, frightening his household more than once.

Meanwhile, Fang Guohuan, after attaining enlightenment in the art of Go at the highest level—the Celestial Origin State—while in the White Cloud Cave behind Tianyuan Temple on Lianyun Mountain, astonished Master Kuyuan and all the monks, who celebrated his insight into the true path of Go. He also solved the temple’s ancient four-life-and-death Go problems, earning their deep admiration.

One day, Fang Guohuan was reading treatises on astronomy and astrology in the White Cloud Cave, finding that the star diagrams matched those he had seen in his mystical experience, marveling at Go’s celestial wonders. Fanan entered with a food box, and Fang Guohuan took tea and conversed with him. Fanan remembered something and said, “Brother Guohuan, there’s something I must tell you—please don’t be upset.” Fang Guohuan smiled, “You bring me meals twice a day. I’m grateful, not upset. Please, tell me.”

Fanan explained, “Earlier, a young gentleman came looking for you. Somehow, he found Tianyuan Temple, but at the time you were at a crucial stage of forgetting the self in Go, so I turned him away.” Fang Guohuan was startled, “Did you catch his name?” Fanan scratched his head, “In my haste, I forgot to ask. But he called you by name and left looking disappointed.” Fang Guohuan asked, “What did he look like? How old?” Fanan replied, “Sixteen or seventeen, quite handsome. He had an unusual, radiant air—surely a friend of yours?” Fang Guohuan thought, “Who could know to find me here? Brother Bu Yuan? No, he’d be in his twenties by now. Could it be…” Suddenly recalling someone, he exclaimed, “Could it be Luo Kun?” Then shook his head, “Impossible. Luo Kun vanished from the Turret Observatory—must have been ambushed. Even if alive, he couldn’t know I came here.” Remembering his lost friend, Fang Guohuan felt a pang of sorrow.

Since achieving enlightenment, Fang Guohuan often sat in meditation, recalling the wondrous state he had reached.

One day, as he was meditating in the White Cloud Cave, he heard hurried footsteps. Opening his eyes, he saw Fanan rushing in. “Brother, what’s the matter?” Fanan said urgently, “Come back to the temple—Master needs you.” Fang Guohuan was alarmed, “What’s happened?” Fanan explained, “A wandering monk arrived before noon and is playing Go with Master. But his skill is extraordinary, and they are locked in stalemate. You must come help, or the strain will be too much for both.” Fang Guohuan was surprised, “There are few who can match Master, even fewer who can challenge him. This man is no ordinary rival.” He hurried back with Fanan.

At the main hall, they found Master Kuyuan facing a one-armed monk across the Go board. Both stared fixated at the game, motionless as statues. The other monks, including Fayang and Fayuan, watched in a daze, faces tense with thought. Fang Guohuan, seeing this, was alarmed and went to look over Master Kuyuan’s shoulder. The game was at a critical point: one wrong move and all would be lost. The black and white stones surrounded each other, locked in a stalemate—neither dared make the next move, for any placement would instantly reveal a disadvantage, and the other’s response would make things worse. The players and spectators alike were caught in a trance, minds frozen by the impasse.

Fang Guohuan was deeply concerned. He knew that if this continued, everyone’s mind would suffer. But he couldn’t simply shout—like waking a sleepwalker, it could be dangerous. After a moment’s thought, realizing that neither side had a brilliant solution, he picked up a pebble the size of a Go stone and gently placed it on the board. The moment it landed, everyone gasped in surprise and broke free of their trance. The wandering monk cried, “Marvelous!” This one word snapped everyone out of their stupor, and they all relaxed, breathing a sigh of relief. Fang Guohuan, as a third party, had resolved the stalemate with an outside move—a solution no Go master could have foreseen. The game record was later engraved in stone at Tianyuan Temple by Fayuan and others.

Master Kuyuan marveled at the unexpected resolution, and when he saw it was Fang Guohuan, he exclaimed, “Only you could have made such a miraculous move. Come greet Master Bule!” The one-armed monk was astonished to see a youth had resolved the game, and quickly rose to salute him. “I can’t accept this!” he cried. He asked Master Kuyuan, “Is this immortal-like child your disciple?” Kuyuan replied proudly, “Yes, my last lay disciple—unmatched talent in Go, the best of all time.” Bule shook his head, “You’ve gathered all the great Go players here and left none for me. But this child’s Go is extraordinary—who could have imagined such an outside move?”

Master Kuyuan laughed, “You don’t know—Guohuan has attained the highest level of Go: the Celestial Origin State, the ultimate transformation.” “Celestial Origin?” Bule echoed, astonished. “Is it that ideal realm you once imagined?” Kuyuan nodded, “Exactly—the supreme, magical state where one plays as the heart desires.” Bule was so startled he circled Fang Guohuan twice, exclaiming, “That legendary, unattainable state—this child has truly realized it? That outside move just now, I would never have believed it.” He sighed, “All my life’s effort seems so small today. How can I ever speak of Go again?”

Fang Guohuan respectfully said, “You’re too modest, Master. The game you just played was a rare feat—few in a century could achieve such a position.” Kuyuan agreed, “We each used all our skill and experience to reach this situation. Though Guohuan resolved it from outside, you and I could not have done better. This solution may not be orthodox, but it saved us from deadlock—a true marvel. Perhaps this is the very mystery of Go.” He smiled, “For decades, you and I have vied endlessly, but now, it ends without conclusion.” The monks nearby all smiled at this.

Greatly impressed, Bule asked Fang Guohuan about the mysteries of the Celestial Origin State. Fang Guohuan demonstrated on the board how to use star patterns for layout and their subtle transformations. After several games, Bule exclaimed, “Playing with you is like casting stones into the sea—impossible to fathom. Only you could play Go on such a grand scale, using stars as pieces and the heavens as the board.” He added, “The world is truly unfathomable, and Go most of all. In black and white, on a board just over a foot wide, there are endless wonders. Today, seeing your Celestial Origin Go, I’m reminded of someone else—one who mastered the Nine-Palace Go technique, akin to your own, a master whose style was unbeatable by others.”

Master Kuyuan and Fang Guohuan were astonished. Bule asked Kuyuan, “Do you know Zhong Shiyuan of Hebei?” Kuyuan replied, “Of course. He is one of the three great Go masters of today, famed for his speed. His quick wit is unmatched, and his skill rivals ours. He is known as the fastest player alive.” Bule agreed, “Yes, Zhong Shiyuan plays at lightning speed, barely needing to think, and his master, Qingyunzi, is even more unfathomable.”

Kuyuan said, “Forty years ago, Qingyunzi was the greatest Go master—none could defeat him.” Bule continued, “Indeed, Qingyunzi dominated for over twenty years. But he was once beaten by a master of the Nine-Palace Go.” Everyone was amazed.

Bule went on, “According to Zhong Shiyuan, his master Qingyunzi once traveled to Jinan in Shandong and befriended a high recluse named Wuma Qi, courtesy name Liangan. Wuma was skilled in the mysteries of the Book of Changes, divination, and also a master of Go. He believed that all things are like Go: nothing escapes the yin-yang and five elements. Thus, he devised the Nine-Palace Go, mapping the eight trigrams and the central palace onto nine sectors, with yin and yang stones determining dominance. By calculating the positions and interactions using five-element theory, he could anticipate every move, countering his opponent’s strategies. The more stones on the board, the more complex the calculations, but he could even predict the final game state and outcome in advance. He explained this theory to Qingyunzi, who was skeptical that Go could be played by calculation rather than intuition. They played to test it: while Qingyunzi used his full skill, Wuma calculated each move’s effect on the overall balance, always finding the countering position. Though the advantage might not show for several moves, it would manifest after seven or eight. Qingyunzi was astounded to find Wuma’s play flawless and, losing by three stones, was convinced. Wuma told him that life is like Go—no one escapes the dictates of yin, yang, and the five elements. He praised Qingyunzi, saying only three stones separated him from perfection. Only those beyond the five elements—the immortals—could surpass this. Thus, Wuma’s Nine-Palace Go could calculate every line, never losing.”

Everyone listened in awe, and Fang Guohuan was especially amazed.