The monk leaned back, resting his weight on his palms as a way to take some of the toll off his back. ''What do you care so much about me? I'm an old corrupted monk, instead of wasting your time with the elderly, you should be out chasing skirts or jumping down some hills"
''Chasing skirts? With all due respect, you're the one who was caught flirting with the old statue of the goddess out in the west side of the monastery''
The monk gasped, nearly chocking on his own spit. ''I was making an offering, you brat!''
''Sure you were'' Long Wei grinned. ''And I suppose the bottle of plum wine you left at her feet was what? Incense?"
The monk rubbed the back of his neck, and sighed to himself. ''A man gets sentimental in old age''
''You mean drunk'' The boy responded.
''What would you know? Wine is what makes this body of mine still work, makes my day a bit better and my steps a bit lighter'' The monk defended himself.
''I bet, remember when you barged into the the middle of the new years festival all drunk?''
''You vomited all over abbot Wu Zhen, and then passed out drunk''
The monk chuckled to himself as he remembered the night. ''Hahahaha, ahhh yes... That was a night to remember or forget, depending on who you ask''
Long Wei smirked, crossing his arms. ''You were so drunk you started talking to the walls, Abbot Wu Zhen looked like he was ready to hang you up on the walls like a painting''
Monk Hei Seng shrugged, rubbing his chin. ''A man's got to celebrate somehow, especially with the turning of the new year''
''You're just lucky the head monk has a forgiving heart, most wouldn't stand for such behavior, and definitely not from an elder monk'' Long Wei pointed out.
''What can I say, he's a wise man'' The monk rubbed his chin, as if being in the right.
''Speaking of, you still set on becoming a monk?'' The alcoholic monk asked.
''Still am yeah, what could be better'' Long Wei answered the question.
''You should think it through, there's more to life than just this monastery''
''Why should I? Besides, I own it to everyone here, to all the other monks who took care of me, to you even'' The boy commented.
The monk couldn't help but laugh. ''Hahahaha, that's the stupidest thing I ever heard!''
''I don't expect you to understand, to me this whole mountain is my home, even the goats and the old ox who pushes that god awful grinding wheel''
Suddenly, the monk shifted his sleeves and his right hand reached out hitting the boy beside him in the head.
''LET ME MAKE THIS VERY CLEAR TO YOU!! YOU DON'T OWE ANY OF US ANYTHING'' the monks voice turned dark, and his brows furrowed together in anger. Even the rain seemed to grow deeper, slowly becoming a storm and not just a simple downpour.
The wind screamed, and with an updraft the branches of trees started swaying.
''You don't owe anyone anything, you're too young to to care about any of us and too lacking in any wisdom or experience to think like this!'' The old monk heaved in anger.
The boy grew astounded in the monks tone, never before has he seen this side of him.
''YOU ARE TO GROW UP, TRAVEL AND SEE THE SKIES BEYOND THE BAI LU MOUNTAIN!!''
''FIND A NICE GIRL, GET MARRIED, GET DRUNK TOGETHER AND MAKE SOME NICE KIDS!'' the monk of the Flame Spirit Monastery shouted at the young boy beside him.
The boy grew in fear and shock, he wasn't sure what to say to the monk.
The monk calmed down as his lungs started heaving.
Seeing the look on the boy beside him, he couldn't help but feel ashamed of himself.
''I apologize child, I didn't mean to raise my voice at you'' The monks voice was sincere.
''I hope you can forgive an old monk like me''
Long Wei could sense the shame in the monks voice beside him.
And so he blinked a few times, still slightly wide eyed, then he cracked a grin.
''Sheesh, monk...I've never had a mother but you definitely yell like one!''
''If this is what old age does to you, remind me to meditate more, might help me dodge this phase''
He paused, then added.
''But thanks, even if your delivery could use some work''
The monk may have shouted, but Long Wei knew that behind the anger and wine soaked wisdom there was something rare in that outburst of his, genuine care.
It warmed his heart, he wasn't used to such affection.
The monk sighed at the boy's acceptance.
''Thank you...I do not often fall to anger''
The monk exhaled slowly, eyes gazing toward the distant horizon as if searching for something long lost.
"But seeing you like this… so uncertain, so aimless it stirs old winds within me.''
''Makes me feel as though I could snap like a dry reed in a storm."
He folded his hands into his sleeves, voice lower now, weighted with age and quiet sorrow.
"I carry many regrets, child, heavy stones I cannot set down.''
''And it is my deepest wish that you do not follow the same path."
He turned to Long Wei, his tone suddenly solemn and clear, like a temple bell in the dawn.
"I do not wish for you to wither in these mountains as I did, praying for purpose in silence, growing old watching the world pass by beyond the monastery gates."
''Do you understand, boy?''
Long Wei didn't know much about the old monk beside him, as he never spoke of his life outside his duty at the monastery.
He wasn't sure what kind of life he had led up to now, but he was certain the monk wasn't evil or meant any harm to him. Matter of fact, ever since the day he was brought here, the monk has taken care of him like his son.
He made clothes for him in the winter, when heavy snow covered the cliffs.
He always made sure he was fed and clean.
He teached him how to read and write, and how to act in society.
He even teached the boy all the Buddhist Texts, from the Four Noble Truths to the Vinaya Code of Monks.
And so...
Long Wei nodded his head, slow and quiet. His dark damp hair swaying in the breeze of the downpour, eyes steady as he looked out in the horizon where the mountain turned to mist.
"…I understand," he said, his voice not loud but certain.
The monk watched him for a long moment, saying nothing. His face usually filled with humour, or drunk lazy wisdom now seemed carved in stone, similar to one of the weathered statues that lined the courtyards of the monasteries.
But behind his eyes flickered a soft light, of relief, of hope or maybe just simple peace.
He let out a long sigh, as though something unspoken had finally been released.
''I cannot force my will upon you, Long Wei'' the monk said, folding his arms deeper into his sleeves.
''The path a man walks must be his own, even Buddha himself could not push a man toward enlightenment, only point the way''
He turned his gaze back toward the horizon in the rain.
''But...I hope you'll carry my words with you, not as a burden but as a guide when the roads ahead might not be as easy.''
Long Wei looked down at his hands, they were young, but somehow they felt heavier in this moment.
''...You're the closest thing I've had to a father'' the boy said, or whispered.
''I can't promise I'll follow your path, but I'll remember your words''
The monk didn't say anything at first, then gave out a soft grunt and for a moment it almost sounded like he was about to cry, but instead he just chuckled.
''Bah...don't go making an old monk sentimental again'' he muttered, brushing the corner of his eyes with his eyes. ''You'll ruin my reputation''
They said there in the silence for a breath longer, letting the rain speak in their place.
The monk scratched his chin, wondering how he got pulled into such a awkward setting. His tone suddenly lightened, like a cloud lifting just enough for the sun to peek through.
''Oh and before I forget'' The monk said. ''There's a martial artist passing through tomorrow, he's holding some kind of presentation near the market square''
Long Wei glanced over, curious. ''Presentation?''
''Mmm, one of those wandering types, you know. Loud, flashy and probably shirtless, likes to shout about technique and spirit while kicking wooden boards in half.'' The monk waved his hands lazily as if to imitate.
''Abbot Wu Zhen insisted we attend, says it might 'broaden our horizons' whatever that means'' He gave Long Wei a sideways glance as if to hint at the message.
''Frankly, I think it's just his way of getting you out of the monastery before you turn into a prayer bracelet with legs'' The monk snickered.
Long Wei snorted back. ''And what? You think watching some sweaty man punch the air is the answer?''
The monk shrugged. ''Better than watching you waste your time on the steps of the gates.''
''What even is the point of you sweeping those steps? By the time you're done I could have easily died and turned over in my grave'' The monk laughed.
Long Wei rolled his eyes but couldn't help but smile. ''I'll go, but if the guy starts yelling about inner balance or chakras I'm leaving, and I'm blaming you''
The monk ignored him and went back to searching for gold in his ears. ''Oh, please do, wouldn't want you spreading the orphan disease to the masses''
The two continued continued on talking deep into the night, and when the rain started getting worse and a storm became unavoidable they finally walked back inside.
What they didn't know was that the Dharma Bell standing in the center of the village rang out loud. After a thousand years of silence, it rang.
It's sound being drawn out by the sound of the pouring rain.
Mistook for thunder in the storm, the bell seemed unimportant.
Northern azure winds of intense light streamed down from the highest of skies, amidst the gaps and the broken teeth of jagged peaks and between the frost of the narrow ice where even birds dared not nest.
The light of the wind moved, rippling akin to silk in water and yet sharper than blade.
Through the fog and thunderclouds, spiraling down through the minuscule of gaps left by the endless streams of raindrops the wind find its way into the heart of Leng Yue Village.
The wind carried no scent.
And when that formless wind touched the bronze skin of the Dharma Bell, it rang out. A single note of mournful resonance and hum.
The villagers continued their night, unaware. Yet beasts in the wild froze mid step and their fur rose in sight, even the incense ashed beneath temple altars trembled.
The Dharma Bell had rung, and its sound beckoned the oncoming of a grand change.
With its sound, the ancient shifted.
Beyond the reach of mortal breath.
In ruins long lost, gods once buried in sand stirred, blinking open forgotten eyes.
For the bell rang not for man nor beast.
It had rung for them.