Chapter 84: The Divine Qilin and the Barbarian Kingdom (III)

Thus, Master Xuanwu began to travel with the beast at his side; wherever he went, the creature followed close behind. Once its health was restored, the beast became adept at reading Master Xuanwu’s moods. Whenever he grew weary from walking, it would approach and gently bite his robe, inviting him to mount its back so it could carry him along the path. When Master Xuanwu was troubled—be it from recruiting disciples or other concerns—the beast would prance before him like a playful young colt, leaping and casting mischievous glances his way to cheer him up.

Most crucially, when Master Xuanwu passed through remote forests and encountered wild animals, the beast would join him in fending off attacks. Strangely, ordinary animals would flee at the very sight of the beast, as if terrified, while only the larger, more formidable predators dared challenge it. Seeing how most creatures feared the beast, Master Xuanwu became ever more fascinated and grew increasingly fond of his companion.

Initially, Master Xuanwu had no idea what kind of animal it was, for he had never encountered such a creature, nor could it speak to explain itself. Even when he asked others along the way, none could identify it. Yet, regardless of its origins or name, he cherished the beast for its remarkable understanding of human nature and the many ways it assisted him.

Besides carrying Master Xuanwu when he was tired and helping him battle wild animals, the beast played another vital role. When Master Xuanwu promoted the recruitment of disciples among crowds, he found that many people were uninterested in the dull life of a Daoist and refused to listen. But with the beast at his side, things changed: it would approach the gathering, sniffing people amiably and bounding playfully among them, delighting the crowd and drawing more spectators.

As more people gathered, Master Xuanwu’s words gained vigor, and thanks to the beast’s keen understanding, he continued to dote on it, regardless of its mysterious origins.

One day, Master Xuanwu received a carrier pigeon from his teacher, Master Shangheng, calling him back to consult with the heads of various temples. Upon seeing Master Xuanwu return with the beast, Master Shangheng was astonished. He circled the creature several times, stroked his goatee, and exclaimed, "A divine being, truly a divine being!"

Hearing his teacher praise the beast so mysteriously, Master Xuanwu felt proud and asked, "Master, why do you speak so highly of this creature?"

Master Shangheng’s expression grew solemn. "Creature? This is no mere beast. This is a Qilin, a mythical creature rare beyond compare! To call it simply a beast is disrespectful, my disciple!"

Upon learning that the beast was a Qilin, Master Xuanwu was both shocked and secretly delighted. He had saved a creature from ancient legends, one of the auspicious animals spoken of by sages. It had remained with him for so long, yet he had not realized its true nature.

Master Xuanwu recounted to his teacher how he had rescued and cared for the Qilin. When Master Shangheng heard that the Qilin possessed a ball of heat within its body, he was surprised. Placing his hand gently on the Qilin’s neck, he examined it quietly and said, "It is just as you described. This Qilin harbors a powerful reservoir of true energy within, the likes of which it cannot yet fully wield. Such strength would take four or five centuries to cultivate! Yet, the Qilin appears to be but a century old. How could it possess energy refined for five hundred years?"

Master Shangheng’s words astonished Master Xuanwu. Was the Qilin truly so young, yet contained such vast energy—even greater than his own?

"Master," Master Xuanwu asked, "You say the Qilin is only about a hundred years old, yet it has cultivated energy equivalent to five centuries. How is that possible? I have practiced for nearly nine hundred years, and the energy within me is only half that of yours. But you say the Qilin’s power surpasses mine?"

Master Shangheng replied, "Judging by experience, the true energy within this Qilin is at least half again greater than yours. As for how such a young creature acquired it, I cannot fathom... Unless its master imparted their own divine energy. Alas, you say its master is gone. Were they still alive, we could return the Qilin and perhaps meet its teacher."

"Master," Master Xuanwu inquired, "Qilins are so rare. Have you ever seen one before? Are there others in this world?"

Master Shangheng stroked his beard, pondering. "Now that you ask, I recall something. At the founding of the Barbarian Kingdom, a Qilin appeared, discovered by a man named Zhao Haiyan. Zhao Haiyan was a cultivator with centuries of practice, respected in the Daoist community. The ruler, Zhao Renyi, had just united several tribes but had not yet established the kingdom. One day, Zhao Haiyan descended the mountain and encountered a Qilin. According to legend, where Qilins appear, auspicious events follow. The Qilin he saw was as tall as a full-grown tiger, gentle as an ox, its entire body white and serene.

When the Qilin saw Zhao Haiyan watching it, it returned his gaze with gentle eyes and approached, rubbing affectionately against him as if greeting its master. Zhao Haiyan sensed a rare bond and brought the Qilin home.

From then on, Zhao Haiyan and the Qilin lived together. The creature was remarkably clever, helping with household chores every day. At first, it would observe Zhao Haiyan’s actions, memorizing each step. When chores needed to be done, it would take initiative, not only completing the tasks but doing them beautifully. Moreover, the Qilin learned quickly—most things required only a single demonstration.

Because the Qilin was intelligent and capable, Zhao Haiyan cherished it deeply.