There was once a scholar named Wang Qi who yearned to gain some Taoist skills. He set out on a journey, traveling thousands of miles searching for a master with profound abilities. Yet, in the end, he returned empty-handed. Why did he fail?
A scholar seeks the Taoist arts
In Zichuan County, Shandong Province, Wang Qi ranked seventh in his family as a scholar. His ancestors had been officials for generations, and his family was relatively well-off. From a young age, he admired the Taoist arts. When he heard that Mount Lao was home to many immortals, he packed his bag and set off in search of these accomplished masters.
After traversing mountains and rivers, the frail Wang Qi struggled to endure the long journey. Finally, he stumbled upon a Taoist temple in a tranquil setting on a mountain peak. Inside, he saw a Taoist priest with long white hair sitting on a mat. The priest radiated a bright demeanor and extraordinary bearing.
A master and a test of endurance
Wang Qi immediately struck up a conversation with the Taoist, who spoke of profound and intricate principles. Delighted, Wang Qi thought: “This is the master I have been looking for.” He bowed deeply and said: “Master, I have come all this way to seek the Way! Please accept me as your disciple.”
The Taoist looked him over and replied sternly: “The path of cultivation is arduous. Someone like you, who has been pampered, may not endure it.”
Wang Qi insisted: “Even if I must suffer, I am willing. Please grant me this wish!” After a moment of silence, the Taoist agreed.
The next day, the Taoist handed Wang Qi an axe and said: “You will go with your senior disciples to chop wood in the mountains.”
Though surprised, Wang Qi accepted the axe and went to work. By evening, he returned to the temple utterly exhausted. The following day, the Taoist ordered him to chop wood again. This became a daily ritual. After a month of labor, Wang Qi’s hands had developed thick calluses, yet he had not received any teachings in Taoist arts.
“This is too tiring, and I am suffering,” Wang Qi thought, secretly contemplating returning home.
What he did not realize was that this was a test — the master was assessing his determination and tempering his willpower.
A glimpse of mystical arts
One evening, after returning to the temple, Wang Qi found the master drinking with two guests. The candles had not yet been lit, but the Taoist picked up a pair of scissors, cut a circle from a piece of paper, and stuck it on the wall.
Suddenly, the room was bathed in soft light — the round paper had transformed into a glowing moon.
A guest lifted a jug of wine and said cheerfully: “On such a beautiful night, let us drink together!”
Wang Qi thought: “This small jug of wine isn’t enough for me, let alone the others!” But as he and his fellow disciples drank, the jug never emptied.
Another guest added: “With such beautiful moonlight, we should not drink alone. Why not invite Moon Goddess Chang’e to join us?”
He tossed a chopstick toward the glowing moon, and instantly, it transformed into a beautiful woman, no taller than a foot, descending gracefully. Upon landing, she became the size of a real person and began to sing and dance with mesmerizing elegance.
After the performance, she spun in place, leaped onto the wine table, and gradually shrank back into a chopstick.
Wang Qi was in awe. Just then, the Taoist and his guests laughed heartily. One of them said: “This has been a wonderful night! Could you two accompany me to the Moon Palace for a farewell drink?”
As soon as he finished speaking, all three of them were suddenly on the moon, sitting together and drinking.
Then, in an instant, the sky darkened. Wang Qi looked around — only his master remained. The guests had vanished, and the glowing moon on the wall had returned to a simple piece of paper.
Astonished, Wang Qi thought: “This master is truly profound and unfathomable! I must learn his magic.”
Determined to stay, he abandoned his thoughts of leaving.
Wang Qi’s impatience leads to failure
The next day, however, the Taoist once again sent Wang Qi to chop wood. After another month, he could no longer endure the hardship and decided to leave.
“Master, I traveled hundreds of miles to find you, hoping to learn the Taoist arts. Even if I cannot attain immortality, I wish to learn at least some skills.”
The Taoist remained silent. Wang Qi continued: “But for two or three months now, I have done nothing but chop wood. I have never labored like this at home — I truly cannot bear such suffering.”
The Taoist shook his head. “He still does not understand that chopping wood and enduring hardship are meant to cultivate the heart,” he thought. “If he cannot even pass this first test, how can he expect to achieve immortality?”
“I told you before that you would not be able to endure this suffering,” the master finally said. “Since that is the case, you should return home tomorrow.”
Desperate, Wang Qi pleaded: “Master, before I leave, please impart to me at least one skill so my journey will not have been in vain.”
The Taoist asked: “What do you wish to learn?”
Wang Qi eagerly replied: “You come and go daily without using the door, passing directly through the wall. I want to learn that technique!”
The Taoist sighed. “This is called the Wall-Penetrating Technique.” He then taught Wang Qi the incantation and asked him to try.
Wang Qi stood before the wall, recited the incantation — but hesitated.
The master encouraged him: “Lower your head and charge through. Do not hesitate.”
Summoning his courage, Wang Qi recited the incantation and charged at the wall. When he turned around, he was on the other side.
Overjoyed, he bowed in gratitude.
A humiliating homecoming
The next day, Wang Qi departed. As he left, the master warned: “When you return home, you must cultivate yourself well. Otherwise, this skill will not work.”
Upon arriving home, Wang Qi proudly declared to his wife: “On my trip to Mount Lao, I became a disciple of an immortal and learned the Wall-Penetrating Technique!”
Seeing her skepticism, he confidently walked up to a wall, muttered the incantation, lowered his head, and charged —
Bang!
Wang Qi crashed headfirst into the wall and collapsed. His wife rushed to help him up, only to find a lump the size of an egg on his forehead. Unable to contain herself, she burst into laughter.
It seems Wang Qi never truly understood the master’s teachings — from beginning to end. Perhaps the Taoist had foreseen his failure from the very first encounter.
Translated by Joseph Wu, edited by Maria
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