The Great Freedom of Master Cao

The Western Regions are a wonderful place.

With beautiful mountains and waters.

Especially in these times, what can’t the Western Regions produce?

Of course,

the best might just be the people.

The streets are filled with Re Bas.

The ground is covered with Na Zhas.

So much so that when Young Master Cao brought the two of them along for a trip, they were outshone by some of the local girls.

This "outshone" isn’t about their figures or looks, but rather a kind of naturalness.

To put it plainly, years of fame and fortune have nurtured the two beauties of the Western Regions into radiant, lively figures—especially in terms of aura, ordinary women can’t compare at all.

So,

even if the little naan-sellers on the street are stunning, they still can’t hold a candle to these two.

But when it comes to naturalness, the two beauties fall short.

Once you enter the entertainment industry, over time, aside from the glow of fame, the dust of the world inevitably settles thicker and thicker.

Especially for female artists who rely on their looks.

If you observe closely, those without acting skills or talents grow increasingly coquettish the longer they stay in the business.

It’s an uncontrollable, uncontainable air of the mundane—some might call it worldliness.

……

Ordinary people can’t see this "air."

At most, they might sense that someone has a strong aura, but it’s invisible, intangible.

But Young Master Cao is different now.

With his formidable strength and after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, his six senses have long surpassed those of ordinary mortals.

His eyes can see the "air."

To put it simply,

every person is surrounded by a halo invisible to the naked eye of common folk.

These halos resemble the Buddhist light in movie special effects.

But not as exaggerated.

Everyone has one.

Some more, some less.

Some thin, some thick.

Some vibrant, some faint.

And… each a different color.

Young Master Cao can see all these halos.

This "seeing" isn’t with the physical eyes but with spiritual perception—or you could call it sensing.

……

Naturally,

he can perceive the color of the "air" around those near him.

The two beauties of the Western Regions are no exception.

For over a decade,

they’ve stayed by his side, fattened by the glow of fame.

Unconsciously, they’ve absorbed much of the world’s dust, losing a bit of their naturalness.

Because they rely on their looks to begin with.

Though they have talents—and not bad ones at that—their overwhelming beauty and distinctive features, coupled with their personas being built on "no talent,"

have gradually led fans and audiences to favor their looks far more than their skills.

Even die-hard fans who know they’re talented still subconsciously feel their skills don’t matter.

With faces like theirs, they’ve already won.

Who needs talent?

Amid these subtle influences and the glow of fame, the two beauties have developed this worldly air.

……

There are pros and cons.

Advantages and disadvantages.

They struggle to escape the "bias" their beauty brings.

But because of it, they get far more opportunities than most.

So,

it’s hard to say whether it’s a blessing or a curse.

In any case, Young Master Cao doesn’t dwell on it. He just compares them to the naturally charming little naan-sellers.

That’s all.

There really are plenty of promising talents.

With a bit of training, they could debut.

This is one benefit of our vast, resource-rich nation.

Handsome men and beautiful women are never in short supply—what’s lacking is opportunity.

Like right now.

If Young Master Cao were willing to give them a chance,

in a few years, there’d likely be a few more female artists from the Western Regions.

If not,

they’d probably marry, have kids, and live ordinary lives.

Such is fate.

……

Truth be told,

after this journey, Young Master Cao has grown increasingly clear about "fate."

So gradually, his heart has become more serene than before.

He’s let go of many things.

Like now, the daughter of the lamb skewer and naan vendor is striking—a rare beauty even among the many they’ve passed on this trip.

She doesn’t lose to Re Ba or Na Zha at all.

If Young Master Cao spoke up,

this girl’s fate might change.

Her family’s life could change.

There might even be a sliver of a chance for her to walk the path of immortality with him.

Ahem.

Let’s be clear.

Young Master Cao hasn’t achieved immortality yet, but he’s certain he will. It’s only a matter of time.

But,

the more he understands fate, the less he feels like "acting."

When it comes to karma, stillness is often better than action.

Keep in mind,

these ten years haven’t just been about travel. Though his body has been on the road,

his heart has been on a journey.

This past decade feels richer, more profound than the hundred years in his… well, let’s call it a dream.

……

So, long story short,

Young Master Cao now goes with the flow in all things.

He follows fate and cause.

Even if he sees potential in this girl, it’s just a passing thought before his focus returns to the 15-yuan grilled naan.

He chats idly with the vendor about business, about life lately.

Asks if anything interesting has happened around here.

As for the girl,

unless something unexpected occurs,

unless fate intervenes,

Young Master Cao won’t approach her or recruit her.

Honestly, it’s not worth much.

This state of mind is something he’s cultivated over the past decade.

It’s called: momentum.

The natural flow of water!

Water has no fixed course—what it carries away, what it leaves behind, even water itself doesn’t know.

It might take stones, branches, leaves.

It might leave stones, branches, leaves!

Who knows?

By not looking, not asking, not overthinking, just letting things unfold naturally,

he aligns with the purest form of: momentum!

……

Truthfully,

Young Master Cao isn’t sure if the path he’s realized is correct.

And he feels there’s more to grasp.

He still has a long way to go.

But over these ten years, many new insights have taken root in him.

Constantly shifting.

Some wrong.

Some right.

Some transformative.

It’s complicated.

If before,

sipping tea, fishing, resting, practicing the Wolong Carefree Scroll had a performative air—forced leisure—

now, Young Master Cao is genuinely at ease.

Not total enlightenment.

But his state of mind is entirely different.

……

For example,

ten years ago, Young Master Cao would’ve sent his driver or the two Western beauties to buy things while he "rested."

Even if he wanted to stroll, he’d play the part of the unmoving master to emphasize his serenity.

Right?

But now it’s different.

Young Master Cao follows his whims.

Even as he chats with the naan vendor, who’s to say he isn’t resting?

Now, he exudes naturalness, ease, comfort…

Every movement gentle.

Even if his words sometimes still shock—after all, a sharp tongue is hard to change.

And why change it?

Speak your mind freely.

That’s true ease.