Life of Bāo - Chapter 24
June 24, 2023 (Evening)
In the last chapter, Bāo, Master Zhao, Yan, and Juān discover the original Buddha statue dedicated to Prince Yijun's memory and the second “Text Stone.” The Yellow Moon “Pendant” is a key that reveals their new destination, a location on Mount Hua. But where on Mount Hua? And just who is the “unexpected one?” Find out as you continue your journey in Chapter 24. Enjoy.
Chapter 24
June 24, 2023
The four returned to the Rising Sun monastery. After they stowed their backpacks in their rooms, they met Mei, and the library attendant in the common room. Both were happy to see the four again. Master Zhao explained, “Our journey continues. We must travel to Mount Hua.”
The library attendant asked, “Where on Mount Hua? I would be happy to assist you later this evening.”
After dinner, Mei said, “You have had a long day. May I suggest a very short walk to a nearby park? It is quiet there, and you can renew your spirits.”
The four agreed. It was a very short distance, and the monastery was still in sight. Master Zhao said, “This is perfect. The air is clean, and there are no crowds.” The clear waters of a winding creek trickled. The sound, mingled with the rustling of leaves, created an idyllic atmosphere to decompress. A brick path meandered through the park around fir trees and sometimes close to the creek. They sat, thankful for the monastery's rest, comfort, and convenience. Silence.
The silence was interrupted by the sound of squeaky wheels on hard, uneven bricks. They each turned toward the direction of the sound, and they were surprised by an unexpected visitor, which caught them off guard.
“Good evening.” With curiosity, they gazed at a young girl dressed in a robe of a sage. The hooded robe was white, her feet were bare, and her hair was braided with yellow yarn. She revealed a large smile, and her teeth were unusually bright white. Her eyes were the color of ebony. On her left wrist was a loosely woven, thin red bracelet made of string, with delicate knots dangling loosely. She announced, “I am here to reveal a fortune. Your fortune if you would allow me.”
Master Zhao smiled at the girl and said, “You may.”
She reached into her red wooden wagon and removed a large roll of white fabric. “Before we begin, I want to spread this on the table. Will you help me?” The white fabric covered the table, and four sat back down.
Master Zhao asked, “How old are you?”
The precocious child said, “Twelve, and before you ask, I have a gift.”
“Oh, I see.”
“I have been waiting for you.”
“For me specifically? Master Zhao asked.
“Not only for you, a monk but also for the three souls that travel with you.”
“I am not dressed like a monk, so how do you know I am a monk?”
“I told you, I have a gift.” Then she said, “Let's begin.” She removed a bundle of dried yarrow stalks, all nearly eight inches long, tied with a yellow cord. She untied the cord and placed it in the wagon. “I only have one request. Please place your hands on the table, palms down. Do not lift them, or the energy will be broken.”
She took one yarrow stalk from the bundle as they placed their hands on the table as instructed. She placed the yarrow stalk on the table perpendicular to her body. She explained, “This is the observer stalk.” Then, she separated the bundle into two piles and placed them on the table perpendicular to the observer stalk. She counted and split the bundles several times, sometimes counting as she separated them. In the end, there were four bundles. Placing her palms on the table, and closing her eyes, she spoke:
“Youthful folly has success.
It is not I who seek the treasure.
The treasure seeks me.
Clouds rise to heaven.
It furthers one to cross the rushing water.
A prince offers it to the Son of Heaven.
There appears a flight of dragons without heads.”
The young girl removed her hands from the table. She looked directly at Master Zhao, raised her arm, pointed one finger at him, and said, “You are in danger, Monk. Act quickly.” Then she turned, looked at the monastery with her arm raised, and pointed her finger toward it.
Master Zhao looked in the direction she was pointing and saw a giant man standing at the monastery's front door. “Stay here,” he instructed the others as he stood and ran toward the monastery.
***
Sheng Yao stood and read the inscription above the monastery door, ‘Rising Sun.’ If they aren't here, then I have been wasting my time. The door opened, and a young nun bowed and said, “Good evening. My name is Mei. How may I help you?”
Yao bowed, “I am looking for my friends, a monk, and two teenagers. They said they would be here.”
“They are, but there are three young people with him. They are out now but will be back shortly. Please come in, and you can wait in the courtyard.”
Yao entered, “Thank you, you are very kind.” He stepped in, and the door closed behind him.
Master Zhao ran as fast as he could to the backside of the monastery, found an open window, and crawled in. He opened a few doors, looking for his room. Since he entered from the back, he was disoriented. The third room door he opened was his. Opening his backpack, he unzipped a top compartment that held three metal throwing stars, removed them, and placed them in a pocket. He grabbed the staff and ran out into the hallway. Mei walked in his direction and said, “Master Zhao, I didn't see you come in.”
Master Zhao put his finger to his lips, indicating silence. He waved Mei into an open room. “Where is he?”
“Waiting in the courtyard.”
“He is not our friend. He is a very dangerous man. Quickly and silently find the other monks and sisters and warn them. Take refuge or leave the monastery. Do it quickly. There is no time to waste.”
Mei, concerned, questioned, “And you?”
“I must confront him. There is no other way.”
Mei ran quickly to warn the others.
Master Zhao looked out the hallway window into the courtyard. The man sat in a chair, facing away from him, drinking tea. Master Zhao entered the courtyard and said, “You have come a long way.”
Yao stood, turning toward the voice. “You must be the famous Master Zhao, the monk who helps the boy. Give me the boy and the gold bracelet, which is our property, and I will let you both live.
“You know I cannot do that. Who are you, and who is “our?”
“My name is Sheng Yao, which means death to you. As for your second question, let me show you.” Yao rolled up his shirt sleeve. His massive forearm displayed a tattooed Red Dragon.
Master Zhao tossed the staff from his right hand to his left hand, then rolled up his sleeve on his right arm, displaying an identical tattooed Red Dragon.
“You were once one of us?” Yao said with surprise.
“There is nothing here for you. Leave this place.”
“I am afraid I cannot.” Yao reached under the table, tossed it aside, and stood forward in a fighting stance.
Master Zhao slowly moved to the center of the courtyard. A circular marble fountain sprayed water from the mouth of a leaping stonefish at its center. He stepped onto the one-foot ledge. Only now was he the same height as Yao.
Yao laughed, “I am going to crush you.” He swung at Master Zhao with his right fist, which was easily deflected by the staff.
Master Zhao planted the staff on the ground at Yao’s feet. Then he jumped, flipped in the air, and landed behind Yao. He grabbed one end of the staff with both hands and swung it in a large ark at Yao’s head.
Yao raised his forearm, anticipating the blow. The staff split into two pieces. Yao laughed again and then charged forward.
Master Zhao threw the remainder of his staff onto the balcony above, jumped, took hold of the bottom railing, and pulled himself up and over the guard rail. Standing, he reached into his back pocket and took out two throwing stars, which he quickly released at Yao. One of the stars sliced Yao’s left arm. His right forearm blocked the other star aimed at his head. A metal star stuck into Yao’s forearm, like an ax in wood.
Yao removed the star from his forearm, screamed angrily, and bolted up the balcony stairs. Master Zhao swung the remainder of a staff at Yao. Unbelievably, Yao grabbed it mid-air, twisted it out of Master Zhao’s hand, and threw it over the balcony. With a front kick, he struck Master Zhao squarely in the chest, which caused him to fly backward; he landed on his back twenty feet away. Yao could sense victory and rushed forward to finish the fight. Master Zhao held his last throwing star, focused, and let it fly.
Yao stopped immediately. His arms dropped to his side. A metal-throwing star stuck in his forehead. Yao, listed sideways, fell over the balcony rail and landed on a table, which then collapsed with a loud crash.
Master Zhao slowly rose, walked down the stairs, into the courtyard, and collapsed.