บท 9: A SURPRISE VISIT.
The Great Master sat by the cursed pond, legs submerged, lost in contemplation. His unwavering focus still remained on the hair ribbon encircling his wrist. Most of the monks, weary from pulling the plants out and carrying water in futile attempts to dry the pond, now slumbered in bushes or on the porch.
"Pointless,everything is just pointless…" sighed the Master and collapsed into the water.
Buckets down, few monks still on duty rushed to rescue him. Grabbing by the shoulders, they managed to catch him and then carefully dragged him back into his room. But what really bothered the monks was the Master's vacant gaze.
"What now?" one asked. "First anger, now detachment from reality. If I'd known this scoundrel would cause such turmoil, I'd have cared for him a lot better."
The second silently nodded, acnokedging the same while changing the Master's clothes.
"And the crowd at the gate? They have been waiting for Him for four days already… They clamor for the Master's attention."
"Let them wait and do not pay attention to their complain," the second monk replied this time. "Like they deserve him anyway..."
Anxiety hung heavy.
"What if someone from the Palace arrives? They've already sent the letter…" the first monk fretted. "And if they discover this…" He gestured to the lifeless Master.
"We all will share his Fate, perhaps in pieces... or hanging on the gates," was the only answer from his companion that enveloped both men in sorrow. They left the chamber in silence.
Alone, the Master lay motionless, lost in thought, not even breathing, when a sudden blow to his chest elicited ragged coughs.
"Suffer alone?" A voice intruded.
Anger immediately surged in the Master's body, and he rallied, casting aside his lethargy.
"Wish dearth right now?"
He faced the speaker. But then the same moment he stood as if forgetting his grief, and bowing low.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor," he murmured, eyes fixed on the floor. "Your humble servant, Master of the Wind, greets you."
"Rise, for this is no Heavenly Palace, and I am no Emperor here," the voice chided.
But the Master held his ground. "You remain my Emperor, my life and death yours alone."
"An unexpected confession considering everything that happened earlier" the Emperor chuckled. "Your punishment and mortal life taught you well."
"I was young and naive, inexperienced and stupid, Your Majesty, and by punishing me, You showed me the way to realize my mistakes."
"Kneel no more," the Emperor advised. "At your age, self-care matters."
The Master resisted. Yet, compelled, he stood.
"Better," the Emperor approved.
But anxiety gnawed at the Master. Seeing the Emperor in mortal world was quite a bad sign.
"Are you just going to stand there or, perhaps, you could offer me some tea?" the Emperor prompted.
*Thx for reading.
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