1
The Hidden Seed
Zhì Rén and his wife, Yīn-er whom he renamed as Huì Shēng regretted their role in being evicted from their home in the garden. There was nothing to be done about it. When they left it, they entered a strange, new world outside it. It was beautiful but it did not compare with the safety and beauty of the garden they had left. It was filled with great dangers and beasts which were fierce, and the mortals learnt quickly to stay alert and protect themselves if they had to survive.
It looked like the world had been through great calamity and was on the cusp of being reborn. Many things had transpired while they lived in bliss and safety within the garden. The greater beasts perished before these mortals emerged from their safe garden, giving them a slim chance of hope to bring a new dawn of civilization upon the untamed lands that stretched across in every direction.
At that time, all the land was one, undivided mass only broken by the pathways of streams and rivers, lakes and reservoirs. Around it was a great sea that stretched beyond the horizon.
Jiàn Shēng, his hordes and their fallen beasts could not enter the garden either. All they could do was explore the mortal realm. He kept a close watch on these two mortals who mattered most to him above every other beast and ape that roamed the untamed lands.
He scouted the mortal realms and gave out regions and territories to his trusted generals, making them overlords and elders to govern those lands. What could he do? He only knew the ways of the heavenly realms, the Kingdom that he was evicted from. Whatever he did in this new realm granted to him would be an imitation of the systems he was already familiar with. Jiàn Shēng was changing and with him these ways of the heavens would change to reflect who he was as a leader.
His generals had their own armies of loyal underlings. They had the soul beasts that chose to follow them into the mortal world. They also had the stones of power which they owned and were free to use.
‘How can I gather her remains into these Jiāngshī?’ Jiàn Shēng thought to himself. He spied on them daily without showing himself to them lest they recognized him from their meetings in the garden.
Zhì Rén and Yīn-er had gained consciousness and the wisdom of the Bride now resided in them. It was an untamed land, but they had all they needed to overcome its challenges.
‘Look, Huì Shēng!’ Zhì Rén told Yīn-er triumphantly as he succeeded in making fire to give them light, warmth, and safety. Both of them learnt to make crude weapons and tools to protect themselves as well as to forage for food. They learnt to make garments and distinguish between the things in the untamed lands that could help them flourish and those that would harm them.
It was not easy to reach out and take the fruits of trees as they once did. So, the mortals worked hard to plant seeds and harvest food which could be cooked over their fires.
The King still visited them and whenever he did, they would give him gifts as an act of gratitude for continuing to protect and sustain them. Their survival thus far, was because the King watched out for them. Another reason was because the primordial seed of the Bride gave them the skills and wisdom to survive, adapt and emerge strongest among all the creatures dwelling in the mortal realm.
Since the primordial seed carried the life of the Bride and her memories, it stirred the same passion in Zhì Rén and Yīn-er that the Bride and the King once shared. They consummated their marriage for the first time from the loss of their innocence. Through this act they became one flesh and Yīn-er conceived her first child which formed in her womb from their union.
This was different from the consummation between the King and his beloved, for she had no need to conceive or give birth. Their consummation involved him knowing her fully as his golden fire merged with her own blue flame. They returned to the state of being one just as they were in the very beginning.
Yīn-er did not understand the first changes that came upon her with this pregnancy. In fact, it was not until she felt the first little flutters and kicks that she realized she was nurturing another life within her. Zhì Rén and Yīn-er rejoiced while Jiàn Shēng was perplexed by the changes in the woman.
He had never seen anyone pregnant in the heavens, not even among the living beasts in the twenty-four realms. While her womb grew, so did his curiosity and anticipation.
‘It looks like it worked! This vessel must be carrying the Bride!’ he told himself, ‘Look how she expands like a water gourd!’ He was not entirely wrong for the Bride’s power was indeed water and the woman’s womb was filled with it.
The night came when after hours of hard labor, Yīn-er finally gave birth. The anxious Zhì Rén was overjoyed. Their firstborn son! It was Jiàn Shēng who was sorely disappointed.
‘Why is it a male? This should have been a female like the Bride!’ he mulled with irritation. ‘Wait! Is it the seed of the woman who will be in conflict with me and crush my power?’ Jiàn Shēng said aloud with sudden concern.
He continued to plot, ‘If it is that seed the King spoke of, I must deal with this male before he gains the upper hand over me!’
He lay in wait watching for an opportunity to ruin the life of this firstborn son that Yīn-er bore.
Yīn-er looked at her son and said, ‘Look! I have acquired a man just like his father – handsome, strong, robust, and a goodly child. Perhaps you will right the wrongs and bring us justice. You must be the one who will crush the power of that wicked Jiàn Shēng! I will call you Jūn-er.’
Zhì Rén and Yīn-er taught Jūn-er all they had learnt from the King and his Bride in ages past. He was not alone for long. Soon, Zhì Rén and Yīn-er had another son to accompany him.
This surprised Zhì Rén and Yīn-er as well as Jiàn Shēng. The latter thought to himself, ‘Now, which of these males is the seed that will bring me harm? It is best to destroy both of them and be safe rather than sorry! Where is she? Why have these useless Jiāngshī not yet birthed her?’
Yīn-er looked at her second-born son and said, ‘Did I waste my breath over this one or over his older brother? No, just as this child came after much struggle and sorrow, but brings me joy like water upon parched lands, I will name him Jiāng-er.’
All that Jūn learnt, his younger brother also learnt. Both boys grew strong and wise, but it was obvious that they were very different in nature. Jūn was a man of the fields. He worked hard with his father tilling the land and planting seeds. His body grew muscular and tanned from the heat of the day. He was bold and wild and in him, his father saw the greatest potential of an heir like himself.
Jiāng was a gentle soul. He loved the animals and the birds. He spent time in the open lands caring for the sheep and goats. They did not eat these animals back then. They kept them for milk and to shear their wool to make garments. He was quick to help his parents and dress the wounds of any animals he found in the valleys and the hills where his flocks roamed.
Zhì Rén thought to himself, ‘Jūn-er is sometimes alone in the fields. What if a wild beast from the untamed lands harms him? Let me give him my spear so he can use it to protect himself.’
This spear was a wooden one with a stone head that had been sharpened and cut to perfection after long hours of labor. Zhì Rén did not think of Jiāng, though it is he who faced greater danger as he took the flocks to the edge of the untamed lands where wild beasts roamed. It was the King who considered him and kept him safe.
Jiāng found a strong branch of an olive tree. He worked on it for hours and made the first shepherd’s staff. When he finished it, he ran and showed it to his mother.
Yīn-er asked with curiosity, ‘What is this strange stick Jiāng-er?’
‘I thought it would be useful to prod and pull the sheep when they fail to heed me or got themselves in danger!’ Jiāng replied with joy.
‘You are wise beyond your years and most caring of the welfare of the flock,’ his mother told him as she poured him a warm bowl of porridge for dinner. ‘The King will visit us in the cool of the evening tomorrow. Have you considered what gift you will give him?’ she asked.
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‘Yes, I have,’ Jiāng replied. He was excited and could barely sleep the whole night. He always looked forward to these visits from the King. He loved sitting at the King’s feet and hearing stories of the heavenly realms along with his parents and brother.
His parents had told him about the beautiful woman who once accompanied the King. They called her mother, and they called the King, father. She no longer came with him. They had asked him once, but he remained silent, and tears filled his eyes as he looked away into the distance. They never asked him again. They feared their disobedience had something to do with it. Perhaps she was angry and no longer wished to see them. Maybe she did not approve of the King visiting them. They could never guess that she was now dead, and they carried her seed, as her chosen vessels.
The next morning, Jiāng quickly attended to the needs of his flock. Then he took the healthiest yearling lamb and brought it back with him. He bathed in the stream behind his home and dressed in fresh and fragrant clothes. He was ready though it was still early. He went ahead and waited in the shade of the cherry blossom trees where the King always visited them.
Jūn also knew about this visit. However, he was too engrossed in his work. He thought to himself, ‘If I leave these things undone, the harvest will be ruined. What good is that? The King can wait awhile but this work cannot.’ He did not really have the patience to hear stories. He liked the gifts the King gave far more than anything else. They were precious, like nothing he ever saw before.
When he was finally done, he gathered some of the best crops from his field in one hand. He took the spear his father gave him, in the other hand and made his way to the place where the cherry blossom trees grew.
The sight he saw from afar enraged him. Jiāng was already there and had presented his gift to the King. The King looked joyful and had given Jiāng a jade pendant that was intricately carved and strung on silk, woven cord.
‘How dare he? That useless brother of mine!’ Jūn thought to himself. ‘I am appointed the heir of this household. I am the legitimate spear-bearer. He should have waited for me to give my gift first and receive my reward!’
He grudgingly took steps forward and reached them. His countenance was fallen and his face held back anger and disappointment. His attitude rendered his gift unworthy and the King who searches hearts saw what was in the hearts of both young men.
The King was well pleased with Jiāng’s gift and had already accepted it. He did not even consider Jūn’s gift because of what was in his heart. This caused Jūn to be very upset. The King turned to him and spoke gently to him, ‘Jūn, why is your face so gloomy and sullen? Why are you filled with anger? If you did what was good joyfully, would I not accept your gift too? If you continue in this path, evil lurks at the door of your heart for you are drawing away from the law of heaven and earth, the law of love. The evil one desires you, but you can master yourself even now.’
Jūn had no desire to listen to the warning of the King. Instead, he inclined his ears to the nightly whispers of Jiàn Shēng who sought to destroy both brothers. Jiāng thought nothing of what happened. He continued to care for the flocks as he always did. He did not boast nor show off the pendant the King gifted him.
If he had paid closer attention, he would have noticed the mocking smirk on his brother’s face when they sat together for meals. He would have wondered why his brother was slowly drifting apart from him, even avoiding speaking or interacting with him.
The world was still too fresh with innocence. One would not expect evil from someone as close as a brother.
After some days had passed, Jiāng’s sheep got into the freshly cultivated field that Jūn was still working on. When Jūn saw his brother chasing after the sheep, his anger boiled over. He grabbed his spear and rushed towards his younger brother. Before Jiāng could react, Jūn knocked him down with force. While Jiāng was still gasping for breath and trying to stand up, Jūn shouted at him.
‘You are useless! I hate you! Look how you have ruined it – you and your stupid sheep!’ Jūn started.
‘Jūn, what did I do to you that you have hit me?’ Jiāng managed to say.
‘What did you do? You dare to ask me that? You know that I am the spear-bearer of the family. Yet, you presented your gift first to the King to win his favor. He totally disregarded me! What were you trying to do? Are you seeking to be the spear-bearer? You know father will listen to the King!’ Jūn yelled back.
‘No, that is not my intention. Here, take this pendant which the King gave me. You can have it. Brother, see – I love you. I will never seek what is yours!’ Jiāng pleaded.
‘Just stop it! Stop it! That pendant should have been mine – it is not for you to give it!’ Jūn continued to yell rabidly as he punched his brother. He did not notice that his brother was no longer conscious. In mad rage that now controlled him, he took his spear and thrust it into his motionless brother. He bent down and pulled the bloodied pendant off Jiāng’s neck.
Seeing all the blood on his hands and spear and spilling out of a suddenly gasping Jiāng who revived for a very short while and was in his dying moments, Jūn fled. He washed his spear and himself before returning home.
‘Where is Jiāng? He usually brings back the flock before you return,’ his parents wondered aloud.
‘He told me he is heading to the untamed lands as he found some fresh pasture there,’ Jūn lied.
That night, the King came to Jūn who avoided the field where his brother’s body lay cold and exposed. ‘Where is your brother?’ the King asked him.
‘How am I to know? He is a grown man. Am I my brother’s keeper?’ he asked.
‘What have you done Jūn?’ the King asked with deep pain in his voice. ‘Do you not know that I heard the voice of your brother’s blood crying out from where it flowed freely in the field? It reached me even in the highest heavens!’
Jūn was shocked. ‘What will you do to me?’ he asked the King.
‘You have killed your own brother in an act of rage. Since you killed him in the field over which you labored and fed his blood to it, henceforth you must toil with blood, sweat and tears over the fields for they will not readily yield their harvest to you. As for you, get out of here and go roam the untamed lands,’ the King declared.
‘No! This is too harsh a punishment,’ Jūn pled with the King. ‘You will no longer meet me nor allow me to meet my parents. These fields are all I have ever known – my home, my life, my all. The dangers in the untamed lands are too great. There are beasts and wild beings there. They will surely kill me if we encounter one another!’
The King placed a mark on Jūn’s forehead that looked similar to the one that he had placed on Jiàn Shēng back in the heavenly realms. At that time Jiàn Shēng had harmed his own brother, Zhì Shēn in jealousy and anger. Indeed, Jiàn Shēng wanted to destroy both mortal brothers with one stroke. He did not perceive that the King used his own plot to carefully knit together another trail marker in the history of mortals for his beloved to find when the time came.
The King assured Jūn, ‘This mark will warn the wild beings in the untamed lands to refrain from killing you.’
When Jūn realized there will be no chance for him to remain, he took his spear and packed a few belongings. He filled his water gourd and took some food. Before his parents could find him, he quietly left the home he knew and wandered towards the untamed lands with great apprehension.
After a few days, his parents noticed a foul smell from the fields and the birds of prey circling overhead from its source.
‘It smells worse than when one of the flock creatures die!’ Yīn-er said with some dread. ‘Could it be a creature from the untamed lands?’
She made her way to the fields along with Zhì Rén, both armed and ready. What they witnessed next is not something any parent would want or should see. Their hearts broke. They had seen dead creatures including their own sheep and goats that died. This was the first time they saw the effects of death on one of their own kind, their son, their beloved and gentle Jiāng-er!
They knew by now that Jūn had killed him and fled. They buried their son in the field and took back the olive shepherd’s staff that he had made to protect his flock.
Jiàn Shēng was very pleased. He had put a wedge of separation between Jūn and the King, rendering the former unfit as a weapon against him in the future. Jiāng was dead and the King did not seem keen to breathe life into him again. There was no more threat.
Meanwhile, Jūn entered the untamed lands. All kinds of mighty beasts still roamed its vast wilderness. There were creatures that looked like humans and also primitive cave-dwellers. These cave-dwellers were wild beings to whom survival mattered the most. They had base instincts like the creatures around them. They survived the calamities their world was plunged into while life in the garden remained secure from such harms. They had rudimentary tools and knowledge, and a very basic framework of family and culture.
They had seen the King and also Jiàn Shēng’s hordes with their soul beasts. They feared these strange heavenly beings and avoided them. They had seen the fiery, glowing mark on Jiàn Shēng’s forehead.
Jūn mistakenly entered one of their caves to seek shelter for the night. It was terribly dark for they knew nothing of how to make a fire. Jūn easily made a fire to warm himself, and as its light filled the cave, his eyes met that of the astonished cave-dwellers. They saw the mark on his forehead and mistook him to belong to the same clan as the heavenly beings. They trembled in fear and muttered, making unintelligible sounds.
He did not understand them, but he knew they feared him when they saw the mark on his forehead. They were also amazed by the fire he had just made. He had the wisdom to know an opportunity for survival when he saw one.
This untamed land of his exile became a place of renewed hope for Jūn. He taught the cave-dwellers speech. He showed them how to make weapons of stone and wood to protect themselves more effectively. It was his skills in farming that they learnt. Slowly, they formed a settlement outside the cave which they could defend against other cave-dwelling clans and wild beasts. Jūn took one of the women of the cave-dwellers as his wife and they had children.
He named his first-born son Zhì which means wisdom and knowledge, for Jūn had heard stories of the Bride who accompanied the King. He felt distant from the King and decided he will seek her to help him. He also thought of himself as the spear-bearer and rightful heir of his father. Therefore, it was befitting for him to be the savior of the cave-dwellers, bringing them the light of wisdom and knowledge.
The settlement that Jūn built, he also named it after his son, Zhì and he dedicated it to the honored lady Wisdom. This was to Jiàn Shēng’s great delight. It was the latter’s intention to make the whole earth worship his beloved woman, the Bride of the King, the one he stole from the heavens and whose death he had caused.
Her primordial seed had other plans. It did not go with Jūn. Nor did it die with Jiāng. Zhì Rén and Yīn-er had a third son after losing both their sons. They named him Jiàn Hóng with the hope that he would establish something great. The seed chose to enter and rest in him.