The Cave

Quintus woke to find himself laying on a blanket spread on a solid-rock floor. Yes, he was tender and sore, but he was more clear-headed and rested than he ought to have been. He was somewhat confused by his new circumstances, but he was glad to be both alive and not being tortured.

A series of vague recollections began flickering through his mind. Did he travel for days, or was it more like weeks? Either way, I can tell you that Quintus was unconscious for much of his journey.

Nevertheless, he could recall bits and pieces of a bumpy ox-drawn cart and a smoother passage by riverboat. His most vivid recollection was a group of silent men carrying him in a sling suspended from bamboo poles up a steep mountain; presumably, he thought to here, this cave.

As he gradually regained his senses, the Roman moved to more immediate matters. He found himself wearing unfamiliar clothes; a loose gray-green silk tunic and black pants.

Quintus propped himself up on a shaky elbow and then sat himself up. He began massaging his aching wrists while looking around. To his right, he saw daylight coming through a doorway-sized opening. Its light allowed him to see the murals across the cave's uneven walls. Among them was a painted figure of a deity wearing a colorful robe. The deity sat in the lotus position. Its calm eyes seemed to be looking right at him.

After it was apparent there was no threat inside the chamber, his attention was taken by a whimsical tune that floated in on a breeze through the opening. Someone outside the cave was playing a string instrument.

Under a Plum Tree

After exiting the cave, Quintus quickly ignored the music; the view that greeted him took his full attention. In fact, what he saw nearly took his breath away. It consisted of a broad, lush valley and a series of majestic mountain ranges as far as the eye could see. It was even more beautiful than the northern Apennines of his youth.

Taking in the sight, he continued walking out onto an open terrace cut into the bare rock of a mountainside. The terrace's surface was flat cobblestone and, to put it in modern terms, it was about the size of a tennis court. It was there that he also saw the source of the music.

In the middle of the terrace, an elderly Taoist ascetic played a two-string fiddle called an erhu. The Taoist was sitting on a rock under the shade of a 12-foot-high non-flowering plum tree that grew defiantly out of the cobblestones.

His name is Tai.

The old man was dressed in a ragged Hanfu robe narrowly cuffed and knee-high in length. A long fine grey beard framed his mouth while his hair was tightened into a bun at the peak of his head.

After a moment of Quintus watching him, Tai ceased playing the erhu and put it aside. He looked at his visitor and then stood and offered a welcoming toothy smile. Quintus couldn't help but be impressed that such a timeworn fellow could have such a full mouth of well-ordered white teeth.

'Welcome to White Dragon Mountain,' Tai said in accented Latin.

A mountain hermit in China talking Latin was the last thing Quintus was expecting.

'I hope you're feeling better,' Tai added.

'I am, thank you, but you speak Latin,' Quintus said, obviously baffled by the unexpected.

'Oh, Latin it's an easy language to master,' the old man said with a smile.

'Who taught you?' asked Quintus, frowning in disbelief.

Tai laughed.

'Too many questions already. You must be thirsty,' Tai said as he turned and walked to a small spring fountain fashioned from the cliffside. Once he reached it, he took a bronze cup out from a small hole in the cliff and began filling it with water.

'This spring water has healing properties, just as the music from my erhu does,' Tai said. 'I've played music for three days and three nights for you. If I didn't, you probably would have long left this world.'

Tai finished filling the cup with water and gave it to Quintus.

'Just go ahead and drink, you've recovered from an ordeal that would've crushed most men, but you still need to regain your strength and my music can only do so much,' Tai said. 'The more spring water you drink, the faster your strength will return; besides, my arms are tired of playing so much erhu!' he quipped with a smile before he sat on a nearby boulder that was shiny and smooth like it had been sat on a million times before.

Tai gestured for Quintus to also take a seat on the other rock that was under the plum tree some 12 feet away.

'Please sit and drink, drink, drink, drink!'

Quintus studied the water in the cup.

'Don't worry, Quintus, the water is fine,' Tai said.

Quintus sat on the rock, but he didn't drink; instead, he looked over the view.

'Where's the desert?' he asked.

'Ha, ha, ha, you have well and truly left that behind. You are very far south and east of where you were. It took you some 12 or so days to get here.'

'And how did I get here?'

'A band of men loyal to General Lu rescued you. The general is a virtuous man who follows the will of Heaven, but it took him some time to wake up to that,' Tai said.

Quintus nodded, acknowledging Tai's explanation, and then he finally took a sip of water.

'It's sweet,' he remarked.

'That it is.'

Tai smiled upon seeing Quintus sip again.

'You can drink it and not need a jot of food,' the old man added.

Quintus then took a gulp of the water.

'Feel free to have more from the spring whenever you want.'

'Thank you, I will.'

For the next several minutes, they sat in silence until Tai again spoke.

'I understand you were a slave soldier captured by Governor Meng.'

'Yes, that Meng was a monster.'

'Yes, he certainly is. He has the habit of casting great darkness wherever he goes, but he is the emperor's cousin,' Tai said. 'Long ago, he turned his back on the wisdom of Confucius and only sought to cultivate cruelty.'

Tai paused briefly before carefully delivering his next words.

'In fact, he rose from the seventh level of Hell to subvert the ruling dynasty. But he has been, thankfully, unsuccessful.'

'He rose from Hell?'

'Yes, or as you Romans like to call it, Tartarus. But all his malicious endeavors have come to naught,' Tai answered. 'General Lu has now restored the emperor's power fully to the western region. Meng and a handful of his followers managed to flee, and they are now nothing more than common bandits with a price on their heads.'

Tai paused talking, and Quintus took a bigger gulp of water. Moments later, a sensation of warmth filled the Roman's abdomen. It spread through his torso. Soon, his whole body tingled with vitality. The energy carried with it a sense of benevolence and clarity. He took another gulp, and the warmth spread further.

'Drink as much as you can. It'll help you recover quicker,' Tai said with a knowing smile. 'The men who rescued you brought some supplies for you to eat, some dried fish, and more. I'll get it for you, and you can have some of that as well, but you don't need it really; the water is enough.'

Tai stood to go find the supplies, leaving Quintus alone to reflect on the water's already astonishing effects.

The Prophecy

Quintus ate what Tai offered him and drank more of the water. As the day progressed, he was feeling comfortable and clear-headed, in fact, more than he had been in a long time.

Despite Quintus having many more questions to ask the old man, there had been a couple of hours of silence between them both. They just sat there on their respective rocks, looking over the valley. Eventually, it was Quintus who broke the silence.

'How long have you been on this mountain?' he asked.

'A very long time, but I have never grown tired of the view,' Tai replied with a smile. 'My teacher brought me here to learn the Way during the previous dynasty. He succeeded in his practice and ascended.'

'What do you mean by ascended?'

'He reached spiritual perfection, but that's not important now; that was some 300 years ago. Since then, I've been waiting for a man from the West to come so I can teach him, train him,' Tai said. 'A man who prophesy said would walk the earth 20 lifetimes for the sake of mankind. A man able to stop humanity from falling into the abyss.'

Tai stood from his rock and walked to the ledge in a bid to give Quintus time to think over what was just said.

Understandably, Quintus wasn't sure how to respond. Surely, he isn't referring to me, he thought.

Now near the ledge, the Taoist hoped he hadn't divulged too much too soon. Not many mortals are prepared for such revelations, no matter how they are told. He turned to look at Quintus.

'Nonetheless, prophecies can be mistaken. It certainly wouldn't be the first or last time,' Tai said, changing tact somewhat. 'In the end, it is up to you.'

'I'm pretty certain you've got the wrong person,' Quintus said.

'No, I haven't.'

'I'm not trying to be rude, but it's the silliest thing I've heard all day.'

Tai smiled and nearly laughed.

'My learning Latin wasn't for nothing,' he said.

'Yes, you speaking Latin is certainly odd.'

'Indeed, it must seem so.'

'I'm grateful for the help, flattered by the offer, but I have only one aim, and that's getting back to the West.'

'A worthy goal, but goals change. You're free to leave whenever you like, Quintus, or you can stay, and I will teach you what you need to know.'

Quintus wanted to wind the conversation back.

'Firstly, how is it you know my name? I never told you,' he said.

It was now time for Tai to be more convincing.

'I've known you for some time, Quintus. Ever since you were this high,' a smiling Tai said while indicating with his right hand the height of a 5-year-old child.

'I'm not restricted to this physical body. I'm able to cross the boundaries of this material world. The worldly challenges that distance provides don't occur in other planes of reality,' Tai explained while noting the continuing look of disbelief in Quintus' eyes.

'You may find this hard to imagine, but there was more than one occasion that I saw you and your family on your farm. In fact, when you attended Latin lessons, so did I, which is an answer to your earlier question. You weren't, by the way, a very attentive student.'

And that was just the beginning. Tai went back and sat on the rock, and for over an hour, he spoke more about Quintus' youth and described his parents and siblings. Their daily lives, including aspects of several adventures Quintus had with his two elder brothers. All of it accurate and detailed.

'But I only witnessed the period from your birth through till the age of 12,' Tai explained. He had zero interest in watching anyone go through adolescence.

When Tai thought he'd said enough, he stood from the rock and dusted off his pants.

'I haven't talked so much for centuries. I'm going for a short walk around the mountain. One last thing, if you do stay to learn the Way, there is much for you to learn, but for the sake of practicality, you first must master the abilities to do without food, water, and sleep.'

'I didn't know such things were possible,' Quintus remarked.

'It's possible, but you might die in the process,' Tai said, jesting.

'I'll be back before sundown, and I'll play some more erhu. Drink some more water while I'm gone.'

Quintus watched Tai walk off. He was now convinced the old man was no charlatan. In fact, he now believed that the old man was the most incredible individual he had ever met and that they indeed had a bond, given what he was just told. It was as if he was talking with one of his family, relieving days of yesteryear.

It may have all sounded fantastical, but the only rational explanation was when weighed up, that this Taoist was telling the truth. He believed such things were possible, but like most, his comprehension was lacking, at least initially. He asked himself how he would respond to what Tai was suggesting, and it was his fate to remain on this mountain and be trained by him in foreign ways. It would take careful consideration.

The Decision

From his core to his surface, Quintus still required healing. After that first day of waking in the cave, he slept intermittently for a full week while Tai played the erhu. When he wasn't sleeping, he drank plenty of spring water. After seven days of this, he was fully restored, at least physically. He even regained weight and was as heavy as he was prior to being captured by the Parthians eight years earlier. But it was his spirit that would take more time to heal. Fortunately, if there was a place to do that, it was White Dragon Mountain.

Due to his open nature, it wasn't long before Quintus was relaxed with Tai, who he came to further appreciate as a humble man of extraordinary talents that were quite simply otherworldly. The old man spent much of his time in meditation and exercising. When he wasn't doing that, he was playing music, writing poetry, and painting pictures of a six-legged dragon or of the surrounding landscape. Quintus observed that Tai neither slept nor ate. He didn't even need to drink from the mountain spring.

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When they spoke, both men appreciated what each other had to say, which was mostly about things related to philosophy and the values of their separate worlds. Quintus discussed Stoicism and other aspects of Greco-Roman culture. Meanwhile, Tai introduced Quintus to Taoism, Confucianism, and facets of a newer dharma called Buddhism.

Tai explained how villagers in the valley had for generations kept his presence on the mountain a well-guarded secret. Before Quintus was brought up the mountain by his rescuers, the last person the villagers allowed to visit was an evangelizing Buddhist monk who stayed for five years, during which he taught Tai many things. From that, Tai embraced the concept of reincarnation, which he now accepted as a truth, resolving a gap his earlier master acknowledged he was unable to fill. His master, and indeed Tai, understood there were many, many mysteries that were beyond them and that they only had a slight insight into Heaven's secrets.

Quintus asked more about the prophecy supposedly involving him but there wasn't too much to tell. Summed up at its barest yet most accurate form, the prophecy indicated that a man from the West would learn the Tao, would then wander the world for some 20 lifetimes, and then return to White Dragon Mountain for a final battle against evil to save humanity. Like many end-of-time prophesies, it was lite on detail. It was essentially a matter of faith.

The challenge for Tai was that he had to tailor what he knew and pass it on to Quintus, who, by his tenth day on the mountain, agreed to become a disciple of the Way, taking the first step in fulfilling the prophecy.

On day one of his training, the old Taoist simply explained to Quintus some of the things to be taught, with the first being several meditation techniques. Next would be Tao Yin exercises, which are soft, gracious moves not dissimilar to what modern people would call Tai Chi. Together, the meditation and Tao Yin exercises would allow Quintus to maintain his health and a youthful appearance as long as he did them. The desired outcome was that he'd be able to live for however long his foretold undertaking might take.

Tai would also pass on methods to Quintus on how to control pain levels and repair his body quickly. Just as his master already knew, he'd also learn how to survive just on fresh air with no need for food, water, or even sleep.

Added to the list of things to learn were levitation abilities and some techniques that may or may not open his celestial eye (AKA third eye, the mind's eye, or the inner eye).

For self-defense, Tai would teach Quintus shouboa weaponless martial arts, while during periods of downtime, he'd pass on his painting and music knowledge.

Quite a list.

This should take 100 years or so to learn.

Training Day 2

A cool breeze blew upon the side of White Dragon Mountain, where the Taoist's sanctuary was. The sun had not long been up when Quintus walked across the terrace with his master toward where the plum tree stood. To their left, a kaleidoscope of white butterflies hovered just over the cliff's ledge, their fragile wings highlighted by sunlight.

It was Quintus' second day of training, and everything appeared fresh and hopeful. Every cell in his rejuvenated body was awake and ready to learn, so he listened carefully as his teacher spoke.

'The tree flowers during the winter, the harshest time of the year. That's why the plum blossom embodies determination and hope. It also reminds us how temporary life can be, even for the likes of us,' Tai told Quintus.

'While meditating, the blossoms' scent can be a slight distraction, but it's beautiful nonetheless,' Tai said.

The old man then described to his student the benefits of what they would soon begin to practice under the tree's shade.

'Meditation toughens the mind, which may be necessary, or you may go crazy on this mountain with only me as company,' he jested.

Quintus grinned, acknowledging Tai's quirky, self-deprecating brand of humor.

They reached the plum tree, and Tai sat on the cobblestone under it. He gestured for Quintus to do likewise. Tai quickly folded his legs into a double lotus position, which Quintus tried copying after sitting.

'The key to mediation is nothingness. The goal is to strengthen your mind so you can be your own master and conquer yourself. Mind you, it sounds easier than it actually is,' Tai said.

'I can appreciate that already,' Quintus quipped as he struggled to twist his legs into full lotus.

'In time, you shall perfect, and along the way, as your mind expands, you may even see things you never thought were possible,' Tai said.

'Such as?"

'You may see the White Dragon, but then again, you may not.'

'Is he the dragon you like to paint?'

'Indeed, and he is choosy, so he may prefer not to reveal himself to you,' Tai said.

The old man went on to describe the mystical creature.

'The dragon is similar in size to a horse but longer. He has six legs with eagle talons for feet. From head to toe, he is covered in fur while its head is your typical looking dragon type with long whiskers and a soft-orange colored mane. My paintings don't do him justice.'

'Does the White Dragon have a purpose?'

'To defend this mountain, of course, that is what the Gods have asked of it.'

'Defend it from what?'

'Evil, and I'm not talking about the idea of evil but the reality of it. Before I was here, in fact before I was even born, my master and the White Dragon fought an 11-headed Red Dragon on this mountain that was let loose from the depths of Hell. Together, they chased it back into its lair, minus four of its ugly heads.'

As he listened, Quintus continued struggling to get his legs into position. Tai offered an encouraging smile.

'One leg up is fine; just do a half lotus,' he said.

Quintus did as he was advised while Tai offered further instruction.

'As I mentioned, the real benefit of meditation is bolstering the mind,' he said. 'You'll need strength of both heart and mind when you leave the mountain and return to the West. I, your teacher, will watch over you as best I can, but even I'm limited.'

Tai then softened his tone.

'You must be able to endure the unendurable. You must never give up,' he said.

Quintus picked up on Tai's change of voice and the implied seriousness of it all. It helped him focus on what the old man had to say next.

'Many centuries from now, at a precise moment, you shall return to White Dragon Mountain. The fate of humanity depends on it, at least at a particular point in time when everything will appear as if it is falling apart.'

Quintus felt somewhat uncomfortable with the weight of the old man's expectations.

Despite having his eyes shut, Tai picked up on Quintus' unease.

'Again, I have said too much; now close your eyes and try clearing your mind,' Tai said.

Quintus closed his eyes. He contemplated what Tai had told him until his mind was overrun by terrifying memories of his recent past.

Tortured at the hands of Meng's minions.

Years as a slave soldier.

The Battle of Carrhae.

If he were a modern man, he'd be diagnosed with severe post-traumatic stress disorder. After 20 agitated minutes, he opened his eyes and appealed to his master, who was meditating calmly opposite him.

'I can't do it, teacher, my mind, it's just...' Quintus said, not finishing his sentence.

Tai stayed still and kept meditating but offered advice.

'It's good that you see how busy your mind is, but don't give in to it, Quintus. To begin, maybe focus your thoughts on the mountain — its form, the surroundings, the breeze, the sounds,' Tai advised.

Quintus resumed his meditation and did as Tai recommended. He visualized himself above the mountain and over the valley both day and night. He pictured the sun and the moon blessing it and the visiting winds and waters that had kept it company for all time.

For 15 minutes, he thought in this more positive manner until being disrupted by a suspicious noise that triggered both eyes open.

The first thing he saw was Tai catching an arrow bolt shot from a repeating crossbow used by a black-clad assassin crouched near the terrace ledge. As Quintus scrambled to get up, Tai managed to catch the assassin's next bolt. By the time the Roman was on his feet, he counted five more black-dressed attackers clambering onto the terrace behind the crossbowman.

He then watched in amazement as Tai performed a fly-float kick that knocked the crossbow out of the first assassin's hands. His master followed through with a series of precise jabs that targeted several of the attacker's acupuncture points. The now paralyzed crossbowman promptly toppled over like a cardboard cutout.

'Quintus. My stick!' Tai yelled, referring to a pole near Quintus resting against the plum tree. Quintus grabbed it and threw it to his master. Using it, Tai quickly engaged the next two assassins. It wasn't long till one of them was paralyzed by some well-placed pole prods while the other attacker double-backed to join the other assassins, who were now more cautious.

Meanwhile, Quintus took custody of the paralyzed bowman's sword. As he gauged its weight, he recognized among the attackers the large frame of Yongan, Meng's main bodyguard. He then likewise noted the last assassin who clambered onto the terrace was Meng himself. The former governor looked thinner and more haggard than Quintus recalled. Life on the run had taken its toll.

Tai looked to Quintus.

'Quintus, you must not kill,' he said.

The Roman was caught off guard by the order.

'What, why?'

There was no chance for a reply as Meng's shrill voice filled the air.

'Old man, you have chosen a barbarian as your student. You have disgraced the Han race!'

Tai swiftly responded.

'You are a no-good bandit trespassing on White Dragon Mountain!'

Then, the moment exploded. Meng screamed and charged with his three remaining minions trailing.

'Quintus, leave this to me!' Tai yelled as he went to fight Meng's assassins.

But Quintus' legionnaire fighting instincts kicked in, and a deeply suppressed rage likewise emerged. Disregarding his master's order, he quickly met an attacker armed with a spear who he outmaneuvered and shoved to the ground. With one sword blow, he killed the fallen man.

'Quintus! Try not to kill!' yelled Tai as he jabbed another attacker into a state of paralysis.

There was, in Quintus' mind, no time to consider Tai's words. Hesitation will only result in defeat, he thought. Moreover, today, he has the chance to get revenge.

As Tai began to fight Meng, he saw, out of the corner of his eye, Quintus facing Yongan, who came in swinging with a battle-ax. The Roman fended off the attack and then went on the offensive.

'Quintus! Do not kill him!' Tai again shouted.

Tai could only watch as his instructions went unheeded — Quintus managed to push Yongan towards the cliff's edge.

'Quintus, don't do it!' Tai yelled.

But his student pushed Meng's chief minion over the edge.

As Yongan plummeted to his death, Quintus turned to see Tai fighting Meng who was by now the last unwelcome visitor fighting. Quintus picked up a discarded assassin's spear and threw it at Meng.

It was a deadly throw. Meng shrieked in agony as he was hit by the spear in the chest. He collapsed to the ground, and several seconds later, he gave up the ghost.

After Quintus was satisfied that Meng was indeed lifeless, he picked up Yongan's battle-ax from the ground and approached one of the three paralyzed attackers.

'No, you truly must stop Quintus. I cannot allow anymore killing,' Tai said in between catching his breath.

Quintus stopped in his tracks, but his stance suggested it was only momentary.

'They're assassins,' Quintus said in a state of barely controlled fury. He then pointed at Meng's body.

'And that filth massacred my men after they surrendered,' he said.

Tai put aside his fighting stick, steadied his breathing, and looked calmly at his student.

'Yes, there's evil in the world, Quintus, and a virtuous man cannot stand idly by; however, you must consider what I'm about to say,' Tai said. 'These three men you've just killed, in their future lives, they will seek you out for retribution. It doesn't just end here today.'

Tai's warnings appeared to fall on deaf ears. Quintus, with ax in hand, stepped forward towards the nearest paralyzed assassin.

'If you are my student, Quintus, please do not do this. Nothing good can come from it. You cannot let rage take over your senses.'

Quintus again halted as a war waged inside him on what he should do. He closed his eyes and sought to clear his thoughts for half a minute which gave him just enough time to quash his anger. It wasn't long until he threw the ax aside and took a seat on the broad rock that looked like it had been sat on a million times.

'Okay, teacher,' he said to Tai. 'They get to live.'

Tai looked at his student with a great deal of compassion.

'Be assured, Quintus, I will teach you how to fight and defeat evil, and you will be able to do it without killing or causing unnecessary harm,' Tai said while sitting on the rock under the plum tree. 'The three dead, they'll be reborn one day and blindly will seek you out for payback. That is how reincarnation works, in part at least, so we must now take it into account. Perhaps there is something I can do to soften what will come.'

Both men sat there silently for some time; contemplating what transpired until Tai described what they needed to do next with the assassins, both the living and the dead.

'We will burn the deceased, and for those paralyzed, a few taps with my stick on the correct acupuncture points and they will regain their senses,' he said.

'Then we shall tie their hands and walk them down to deliver them to the villagers, who will hand them over to the local powers. It might take us four days to do it, but it's an agreeable walk,' he said. 'So, that is that. Your second day of training, Quintus, has been rather eventful. I just certainly hope they're all not like this,' he added, laughing.

To Hell and Back

When Quintus took up the Way, both Heaven and Hell overlooked his past transgressions, but any committed while he was Tai's disciple would be much harder to remedy since the standards set for him were now much higher.

Following the fight with Meng and his minions, Tai knew he had to risk everything to try and resolve what he feared might come. He did not share his concerns with Quintus. It would have still been too much, too early for the Roman to comprehend.

Due to Tai still being human, he had no means to visit Heaven, but there was a way he could get to Hell to plead a case and survive. Centuries earlier, his master gave him 10 years' worth of lessons on how to get to Hell and back if needed. Tai's master had already been there done that when he and the White Dragon fought the Red Dragon. In short, it was a bold, ballsy method, and it worked.

Tai left the earthly realm and rode the White Dragon straight into a stiflingly hot cavernous room, a gloomy place of immense despair. Within its shadows, he saw the silhouettes of the 13 Demon Kings of the Pit seated on thrones fashioned from a dark grey stone wall. While he couldn't make out their features, he noted their unclothed, bony humanoid figures were twice his height despite each of them being bent and stooped in some way.

'Who are you?' the demon kings shrieked in surprised unison.

Before Tai could respond, they again spoke.

'No, we know you. Get out. You are not allowed here. Only the condemned are permitted here!' they screamed.

Tai and the White Dragon didn't' budge.

'Yes, I'm aware of that, and I don't anticipate being here for long. However, I also know you demons can only command the damned in this vile place,' Tai said, acting as if he had the upper hand. 'So, save yourselves the effort and quit your screaming.'

Tai's bravado was, in one way, no act. His master long ago advised him to take charge if he ever had to go to Hell and deal with the demons. You see, these creatures have no authority over anyone not marked as one of theirs, which of course, Tai was not. Not only that, but his supernormal abilities were also magnified in this realm.

There was no hometown advantage for the 13.

The demon kings knew this, and they began shifting nervously on their thrones. Undeniably, Tai's presence had now upset them to the point of near panic. Even their boss, Satan, couldn't help them, at least on such short notice.

'We despise you. Even more than your master,' they yelled at Tai.

'I certainly take that as a compliment,' Tai calmly replied.

'Be quiet. Get off that creature and kneel,' they bellowed hatefully.

'I'm not here to pay homage or beg,' Tai said.

'Why are you here then?'

'I'm here to issue a warning.'

'You? Warn us? We don't take direction from the likes of you. We have taken precautions since your master's last unwelcome visit,' they said, bluffing. The demons had no backup plan. At one stage, they argued about making one, but out of a combination of arrogance and laziness, nothing ever eventuated.

Nonetheless, the memories of Tai's master and the White Dragon entering their realm and wounding their red dragon were traumatic. He had been the only full human being to enter their territory until Tai's current visit.

'Your master was trespassing. Don't make the same mistake,' they yelled.

'You sent your dragon to attack my master, breaking the laws of Heaven,' Tai said. 'Your beast is not permitted in the human world.'

'Yes, our dragon entered your realm, but it was a long time ago. Get over it, you fool.'

'If need be, I will finish what my master started and destroy you all, plus your pet dragon, but that's not what I came here for,' Tai warned.

'One thing is for certain: your insolence is tiring,' they replied.

'Nevertheless, you have been warned. Ignore it at your own peril,' he said.

'Just tell us why you are here.'

'I have a new student learning the Way,' Tai said. 'He slew three assassins who were attempting to kill him.'

'If what you utter is accurate, he is not coming here. Self-defense is no wrongdoing; you fool!' they yelled.

'But the three he killed will one day seek him out when they reincarnate on Earth.'

'That is how it goes.'

'They're now here in Hell.'

'Suffering as they must, like other sinners.'

'I want to see them.'

The demons moaned.

'Why such fuss over a student?'

'That is what a master of the Way does,' he answered.

'Cast him aside,' they yelled.

'Never!'

'Well, we cannot order these three to do what you want. Free will is even a principle here.'

'So, will you give me your consent and let me see them?' Tai asked.

'If we grant you this favor, we want something in return.'

'Such as?'

'Leave us. Promise that you'll never come back.'

After a beat, Tai nodded, and the demons collectively agreed.

'You can see them. It is seldom we allow such things,' they said. 'So, we will watch your student ever more closely to see if he is worthy of such mercy. If he is not, we will have our way. Do you understand?'

Tai again nodded.

The 13 demons drew straws to see who would escort Tai to the third ring of the seventh circle of Hell, where Meng and his two henchmen were suffering in a torture pit.

There, the souls of Yongan and the other thug killed by Quintus gave Tai pitiable reassurances that they'd seek no retribution upon reincarnation. But dealing with Meng's soul was another thing. It remained full of spite and malice.

'You think you can bargain with me, old man?' Meng's soul screamed. 'You think you can bargain with the demon kings? They say one thing, do another. They're the kings of lies. You're a fool. I will seek out your disciple and have my vengeance upon him and on you!'

Tai realized there was no point in reasoning with a madman, even a dead one, so he left Meng's soul and returned to the earthly realm, fearing what his student may one day have to face.

Back on White Dragon Mountain, Tai began taking the necessary precautions. Before the incident with the assassins, he calculated it would only take a hundred or so years for Quintus to learn everything he needed to know. After that, the Roman would have been free to return to the West and deal with what would come when the time presented itself. But given his visit to Hell, Tai had Quintus train for some 400 years to ensure he was well prepared to face any type of challenge, earthly or otherwise. Or at least so, he thought.

Sealing the Cave

Just before Quintus was due to leave the mountain sanctuary, he built a rock wall at the entrance of the cave while Tai remained inside. As instructed, Quintus then sealed the one-foot-thick wall with sticky rice and limestone plaster to hide it from the outside world.

The last glimpse he had of Tai was him sitting in meditation on a broad, flat rock inside the cave. The only thing that would enter the cave from here on would be fresh air via a shaft opening, which could also serve as a last-resort escape route. The shaft went 500 feet up and some 1,000 feet down inside the mountain.

After sealing the cave, Quintus grabbed what he was taking on his journey, which, given he didn't need to eat, sleep or drink, wasn't much.

His last act on White Dragon Mountain was to trim his long beard and tie his long hair into a bun. Despite being on the mountain for hundreds of years, he retained the looks of a man in his mid-30s. He hadn't aged in appearances like his master had.

Once he was ready, Quintus went to the terrace's ledge and promptly jumped over it, and made a controlled free fall for some 700 feet until he landed just above the tree line. His well-honed levitation capabilities ensured a landing as soft as a kiss.

Earlier, Tai told Quintus that he would always watch over him as he ventured westwards, and his student had no doubt this would occur. From within the now pitch-black cave, Tai watched, via his mind's eye, as his student made his way through the valley and beyond.

The year was 367 AD.