The old monk in black was Yang Taisui, a member of the famous Yang clan in Eastern Yue. Born with a craving for knowledge, he started studying all kinds of philosophy at an early age. At the age of 13, he became a monk and read all the classics of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, and became an expert in the Yin and Yang practices. Even though he was a monk, he heard teachings from the Taoists of the Qingxu Taoist Temple and adopted the doctrine of the School of Warfare. Later, he was made the mentor of the Crown Prince. After that, he went to pray for the late Queen Mother, presided over the Royal Temple, and assisted the late King in his quest for the throne. Meanwhile, he recruited several eunuchs as disciples abiding by the bodhisattva vow.