Chapter 55 - Lost Puppy

High in the mountains to the Northeast of Noga, the young monk from the Heavens Gate Monastery meditated above the setting sun. His head was bowed and his hands were clasped loosely at his waist as he sat motionless in lotus position.

Beside him, his new friend Banmi also meditated. The carefree, friendly monk had accompanied Edwin for the entire afternoon, touring him around their monastery. They ran along the length of the wall top path that surrounded and protected the monastery, visited gardens of tea and precious herbs, and prayed in the opulescent outer sanctuary which was the main hall of prayer both for the monks and the visiting public.

Much like in the Heavens Gate Monastery, the focus of worship in the Clouds Peak was the ruling lord of the region. In Kumin, this was Lord Noga. Since Edwin was a visitor, he naturally prayed to Lord Noga, first out of a sign of respect, but more practically because of the distance between him and his homeland - Over such a distance his prayers would not reach his province's Lord, Lord Matsuhara.

In addition they had shown off their various techniques and play sparred. Edwin had demonstrated his spirit chain, including his favourite routine called Striking the Four Winds. He placed four fruits on pedestals around him in a circle at a distance of six feet away, then in a series of fluid, precise motions his chain cleanly pierced the center of each fruit in less than three seconds.

Banmi in turn wielded his steel straight sword with finesse and showed a number of impressive forms and acrobatic maneuvers, however the Cloud Peak monk's lack of discipline showed as his technique was lacking in sharpness. He also goofed around somewhat, adding in some humorous movements into the typically serious performance.

Despite being a year younger than Banmi, Edwin had the distinct impression that he was several levels above his friend in skill. Still, it wasn't about showing off, but sharing their styles and weapons. Therefore the bond of friendship between the two monks quickly formed.

As they meditated in the garden outside of the guest house, Edwin's thoughts turned to his Master, who still hadn’t returned from his outing. Edwin couldn't believe that his Master had been at the temple this entire time and not contacted him. Try as he might, he couldn't think of a good reason.

Because of this mystery he couldn’t help but ruminate over Finn’s words of analysis and suspicion, that something was off at this monastery. Edwin had purposefully encouraged Banmi to show him everywhere around the temple grounds to see the monk's reaction and see if there was anything strange or if there were any unusual off-limit areas, but the only place he could not enter was the inner sanctum in the main temple, which was only natural.

In conclusion, he didn’t find anything directly suspicious about the monastery. Still, as he pondered his experiences in the day, there was something nagging at his mind. He went over the events multiple times, until finally he realized what was bothering him.

"Banmi," He said, interrupting the silence.

"Mm?"

"Where are all the senior monks? I only saw one or two today. There are a lot fewer people around than I expected."

As they spoke they remained in their meditative position with their heads bowed and eyes closed. Even still, Edwin could feel that the question had made Banmi uncomfortable.

"Well, we are very busy for the festival..." Banmi said hesitatingly, "Most of the senior monks are out at the various shrines around the mountains making preparations."

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"Also, I noticed that no one was praying in the outer sanctuary the entire time we were there." Edwin said, pinpointing another irregularity from the afternoon.

"Ah, th-that..." Banmi stuttered, "Most of the monks pray in the inner sanctum..."

"Even you?" Edwin asked.

To Edwin’s surprise, Banmi didn't answer. Edwin frowned slightly as he decided not to press the topic.

As silence fell over them again, Banmi suddenly said, "Actually, I have to go do some of my evening duties. Just stay around here until I come back. I mean, you can go anywhere around the quarters but if you go wandering around I'll probably get in trouble..."

"It's okay, I'll probably go to bed soon." Edwin said.

Banmi left, leaving Edwin alone. Edwin sighed, not really knowing what to think of his friend’s response to his questions.

“In any case, as long as I can meet my master, I’m sure everything will be alright.” He muttered to himself.

After completing his meditation he stood up and walked over to the edge of the garden, resting his arms against the stone railing as he looked out at the rolling clouds beneath him. They were dyed golden in the final rays of the sun as it set below the horizon. Far away where the clouds parted in the distance, Edwin could make out the twinkling of lights in the darkened lands beyond the mountains.

It made him feel homesick as he thought about the tall, narrow peaks in his home province. His monastery wasn’t as grand and the view from it wasn’t as majestic, but suddenly Edwin realized how little those things actually mattered to him.

As he stared out into the sky not really thinking of anything, he felt someone take a place next to him on the railing. As he was about to turn his head, a familiar voice spoke.

“Don’t move, Edwin.” The voice of his master said from beside him, “Just keep looking out like a lost puppy.”

Edwin nearly jumped out of his skin as he fought every urge in his body to look beside him.

“Can I speak?” Edwin asked after he regained his composure, suddenly finding it very hard to look natural as he watched the clouds.

“Well, there isn’t anyone close enough to hear you...” Master Ming Ru sighed, “If you want to look like an idiot talking to himself, go ahead.”

“Who’s talking to himself!” Edwin retorted as he turned his head in indignation. To his surprise, there was no one around him, despite his Master’s voice clearly originating from beside him.

“You fool! There might be people watching you!” His Master’s voice hissed. Edwin visibly recoiled under the scolding. “I cannot talk to you for long, so listen carefully. Just pretend you’re staring at the clouds and don’t say anything!”

Edwin bit his tongue as he jerked his eyes back out at the clouds with razor sharp focus.

“There are many events about to occur, which your Master has only just become aware of.” Ming Ru said.

In the spirit world, he was standing beside Edwin with his arms crossed against the railing. He looked at the clueless form of his student whose eyes were darting back and forth around the clouds as he was very obviously failing to look natural.

Ming Ru held back another sigh as he spoke words that only Edwin could hear, “It is not safe here or in the lands around Noga. You must leave the monastery as soon as possible. It may not be possible for you to do so after tonight. I don’t sense your lodestone on you right now. Do you still have it?”

Edwin hesitated a moment before nodding.

“Good. Don’t meditate with it anymore or use it as a focus. Keep ahold of it and I’ll use it to come and find you. Hopefully it won’t be too long. Before two weeks is over, for sure. Do you have a safe place to stay?”

Edwin once again nodded. Then, after some hesitation, the young monk couldn’t help but ask. “Since I don’t have my lodestone on me right now, how are you talking to me?”

There was a feeling of gloating in the old monk’s voice as he said, “I have advanced to Adept of the Spirit Chain.”

Edwin’s eyes widened as he heard the words. His Master had been stuck at Disciple for thirty years without any significant progress. Yet in the past two weeks, he’d somehow managed to reach the highest of the ranks on the Spirit Chain path!

The feats that they could perform were found only in legend!

“Adept...” Edwin mouthed the words in awe.

“Don’t tell anyone.” Ming Ru cautioned. “It would be best if you found some normal clothes for now and not tell people you are a monk.”

Edwin nodded once more as he felt his mouth turn dry.

“I must go now.” Ming Ru said. “There is a narrow path that exits the monastery past the western gate. It would be best if you snuck out without anyone knowing. Hide in your room until night falls, then leave as quietly as you can.”

Edwin felt the presence beside him dissolve as his Master’s words drifted away in the wind. He stood quietly for a while as he focused on the instructions given to him, staring out over the balcony.

As sun dipped below the horizon, the light in the sky began to dim. Edwin turned and headed towards the guest house with a pensive expression on his face.