Yun-Ming

As a child, Wang Erh could often be found by the entrance to his village, playing in the mud underneath an old locust tree. One day, an old man with hair as white as crane feathers stopped to watch him. Seeing that the child had traced in the mud oracle signs that accorded with the will of Heaven, he asked him: "Young lad, what do you know of this hexagram?" Wang Erh looked up at him and spoke calmly. "The heavens and the earth turn, Yin and Yang generate one another. The way of Heaven is cyclical; all things return to the One." The old man was stunned for a moment. Then he stroked his beard and smiled. "And what do you know of divination?" "Fate is like flowing water. By watching where it flows, we may know its source. Thus do different forces flow in different directions." Wang Erh pointed to a nearby anthill. "Consider the lowly ant. No matter how miniscule, each has its own fate." The old man laughed, a gleam of deep thought in his eyes. "How would you like to come with me, and know the fate of the heavens and the earth?"

Beneath the sacred tree Chien-Mu, the young Yun-Ming stood in attendance by his master's side. He was consulting the omens for a pair of Draconian brothers, whose Fateflowers showed signs of withering. "Your lives draw to a close. Do not grieve too bitterly." The elder brother's face grew ashen. "Young master," he asked with urgency, "surely there must be some way to change one's fate?" But the younger brother merely cupped his hands and bowed. "I thank you for your frankness, young master," he said with a smile. From that moment on, the elder brother dedicated his life to the study of the arcane, exhausting his vast fortune only to die in great distress. Meanwhile, the younger brother returned to the bosom of his family. Together with his friends and loved ones, he drank heartily and spoke joyfully, admiring the flowers and the moon. When his life reached its end, he passed away with a smile on his face. One day, as he discussed the Way with his master, Yun-Ming looked upon the two withering Fateflowers, and was enlightened. "The one who goes against Heaven and attempts to change his fate receives only exhaustion in return. But the one who concedes to Heaven's will lives each of his allotted days in peace."

Yun-Ming had sat in meditation for nine-and-forty days, unable to ascend to a higher understanding. His master approached him slowly. "Come, my apprentice," he said with a smile. "Let me take a look at you." Yun-Ming opened his eyes. He knew that his master was nearing the end of his life. He wanted to rise and bow in salutation, but he was forbidden. His master looked upon the lush leaves of Chien-Mu. "The way of Heaven is mysterious. You must discard what vexes the heart, and let your faith transcend all obstacles. The answer to what troubles you will not be found in this moment." Three days later, his master passed away, and Yun-Ming remained sitting beneath the tree. As night fell, Chien-Mu shone with golden light all around. As the Fateflowers flickered resplendently, Yun-Ming found himself surrounded by an auspicious purple cloud. The disciples of the Augury came forth to bow to their new Grand Arbiter. Yun-Ming arose, but something yet troubled his heart—from now on, there would be no one to guide him.

As the Darklings threatened the land, the hexagrams showed nothing but ill omens. Deep in the night, Yun-Ming heard the sound of footsteps, and asked calmly: "Have you come to say farewell, my apprentice?" Hsüan-Chou was destined to lose this war, and all the Augury knew it. His chief apprentice kowtowed reverently. "Hsüan-Chou lies in ruins." Yun-Chiu spoke frankly. "The Fateflowers fall, petal by petal. Every minute of every day, war claims the lives of ever more of our kind. The Arbiter observes fate. He is powerless to change it, and cannot intervene. But if our fates are sealed, what good does it do to bear witness? Master... I cannot return until the darkness is vanquished." As he left, Yun-Ming knew that his apprentice had gone to join the army. The question that had troubled him had resurfaced with his own apprentice's words. If our fates are sealed, what good does it do to bear witness? At that moment, he at last knew the answer.