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墨書 Inktalez
I followed my master into the mountains, glancing back occasionally at my father, who stood outside the door, peering in until he was out of sight.
A sigh escaped me, heavy with unspoken feelings.
"What are you sighing about, child?" my master said, playfully giving me a light tap on the head.
Rubbing my head in protest, I replied, "Is it really any of your business? Why can't I just sigh a little…"
My master chuckled and said, "If you can't even control this small emotion, how do you expect to subdue demons and catch ghosts? When you grow up, you'll understand that separation is a part of life."
Though I didn’t fully grasp his words, seeing him speak so seriously made me hold my tongue. Once we reached a secluded spot, my master summoned a paper horse.
Compared to the surprise and fear I felt the first time, this time I was indifferent.
By evening, I returned to the Immortal Cave. It had been half a month since anyone had stayed there, and a musty smell filled the air.
My master didn’t mind and fell asleep immediately. I couldn’t stand it and began to clean up. Just as I was tidying the bed, I heard Fo Zhang chattering away by the stove, jumping around with an angry expression while pointing at it.
I walked over, scooped Fo Zhang into my arms, and asked, "What’s wrong? Who upset you this time?"
Fo Zhang gestured wildly with his hands before jumping down from my embrace and tugging at my pant leg, pulling me toward the stove.
I leaned in to take a look and discovered that all the snacks Fo Zhang had hidden—peanuts, walnuts, and more—had turned into a pile of shells. No wonder he was so frantic.
I quickly comforted Fo Zhang and brought out all the food I had packed from home, laying it out in front of him. Only then did he calm down a bit, sneaking around the cave several times before finding a hidden spot to stash his treasures away again.
Then, tilting its head, it stood guard at the side, pecking at the ground like a chicken.
Night gradually settled into silence. I sat cross-legged on the bed, feeling a sense of peace within. The teachings of the Buddhist Sect emphasize a tranquil heart and focused spirit.
The Bodhi Heart Method is the foundation of the Buddhist Sect's teachings, with the Bodhi tree as a guide, imprinted in my mind, to be visualized constantly. This helps in comprehending the wonders of creation and the profundity of Buddhism.
The recent incident involving Chen Grandpa has further solidified my resolve in cultivation, not for any other reason but to protect those I wish to safeguard.
"Chirp... chirp... chirp..." A faint sound came from the stove.
Fo Zhang opened its eyes alertly and stealthily approached the stove. Beneath a pile of fruit shells, something seemed to be struggling to push its way up.
Looking at the scattered fruit shells, Fo Zhang felt uneasy; after all, this thief had dared to come and steal food? It quickly hung upside down on the stone wall, waiting for this food thief to reveal itself.
Before long, a pointed head emerged from the pile of fruit shells. A slightly damp nose twitched continuously, followed by a pair of bean-sized eyes that fixed their gaze on Fo Zhang's hidden food.
Fo Zhang managed to remain calm, glaring fiercely at the head peeking out from the fruit shells.
Perhaps sensing no movement around it, the thief sprang up and revealed its true form. It turned out to be a large mouse entirely covered in white fur, resembling a squirrel. It looked around quickly before darting toward the food.
Those snacks were Fo Zhang's most treasured possessions; it had hidden them away, reluctant to eat them. Now faced with this food thief, it pushed off hard against the mountain wall, launching itself like an arrow toward the thieving mouse.
The mouse was quite clever; noticing movement above, it quickly shifted its body and scurried away to a hidden spot where it had stashed its food, laughing as it went.
For wealth, men die; for food, birds perish. It seemed this plump mouse was quite the glutton, otherwise it wouldn't be so oblivious to the situation, fixated on stealing a bite.
Fo Zhang, seeing his attack miss, began to panic and shouted wildly before crouching down and launching another assault on the White Mouse.
The monkey and the mouse created quite a ruckus in the cave, turning it upside down in a flurry of chaos.
The master, deep in slumber, was abruptly awakened by the noise. With a displeased expression, he walked into the main hall of the cave. Seizing the moment when the White Mouse was distracted, he reached out and grabbed it by the tail. "You little creature have disturbed Buddha's sweet dreams; are you seeking death?"
Fo Zhang, seeing the thief caught, gleefully jumped onto the master's shoulder and poked at the White Mouse's head.
The White Mouse struggled helplessly in the master's grip, squeaking incessantly. Its short front paws clasped together as it waved them at the master in desperation.
The master chuckled, "You’re quite interesting; you even know how to plead for mercy?"
The White Mouse continued to squeak.
The master said, "I could let you go. But first, tell me where you came from. You should know that this mountain is protected by formations set by Buddha; ordinary people can't enter, let alone a mouse."
The mouse squeaked again. The master nodded occasionally as he listened.
Having finished my practice, I happened to witness this scene and curiously asked, "Master, do you speak Mouse language?"
"All things in the world that can speak have thoughts," my master replied ambiguously.
I didn't pay much attention and asked again, "What about dogs? Cats? Monkeys? Can you talk to them too?"
My master looked somewhat speechless. "Who has the time to talk to animals? Besides, thoughts are an elusive thing; do you think every wildflower by the roadside has one?"
He then tossed the White Mouse into my arms and turned to go back to sleep, saying, "Keep an eye on that monkey and this mouse. If they disturb Buddha's sleep again, I'll stew them both for dinner..."
It was strange; I couldn't tell if the White Mouse was frightened by my master's words or if I just had a certain charm. After being thrown into my arms, it surprisingly decided to stay put.
This did not sit well with Fo Zhang. It used to be the sole occupant of my embrace, but now it was being overshadowed by a mouse. So, it jumped into my arms as well to claim its spot.
I couldn't help but laugh at the situation. I ended up holding one mouse in one arm and one monkey in the other, obediently heading back to my room to sleep.
The White Mouse seemed determined to stay in the Immortal Cave, not wanting to go anywhere else, happily feasting on whatever it could find.
However, it wasn't just freeloading; it often led us into the woods to hunt for wild game, and it always found something.
Time flew by like an arrow, and three years passed in the blink of an eye.
At this point, I was already eighteen years old and had grown to a height of six feet. Perhaps due to years of training, my physique was sturdier than that of my peers. However, I wasn't overly muscular; my build was more balanced. I radiated youthful vitality and a longing for the outside world.
My master always said that once I turned eighteen, I could leave the mountain and explore the vast world without him worrying about my training anymore.
I stood on the high slope outside the Immortal Cave, shouting towards the mountains, "Today I turn eighteen..."
"Eighteen..."
"Eighteen..."
The echoes grew fainter in response to my voice. Perched on my left shoulder was a large White Mouse named Buddha Sound. On my right shoulder sat a monkey called Fo Zhang.
They mimicked me, calling out into the depths of the mountains.
"Chirp... chirp... chirp..."
"Squeak... squeak... squeak..."
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