Chapter 05: Gathering What is Needed

Yi awoke to a time neither early nor late. Around him, a few monks were still tidying their bedrolls. He yawned, groggily rubbing his eyes, as the first hints of dawn's pale light began to seep into the sky.
Moved by habit, Yi methodically rolled his threadbare linens, storing them away like the others had already done. Stretching, he mentally reviewed his daily routine while slipping into his shoes: wash, dress, eat, clean bowl, chores...Another yawn escaped him as he slowly makes his way down the cool stone steps.
It wasn't until he splashed cold water onto his face from the large barrel and swished some in his mouth that the journal sprang to his mind, especially his preparations for the impending journey. As he tilted his head back, admiring the sky now tinted with hues of peach and nectarine, he began to think of breakfast when a voice emerges from behind, "A fine morning to begin, isn't it Young Yi?"
Caught off guard, Yi spits the water out, dousing himself, and doubles over in a fit of coughs as droplets find their way into his lungs. The Head Priest's chuckle was light and amused. Yi, hastily straightening up and wiping his face, stutters out, "G-good morning, master!" as he fights back more coughs. Nearby, other monks converse in hushed tones, and the breeze rustling through the temple's trees dislodge a few golden-tinted leaves, heralding the approach of autumn.
Yi, still recovering from his surprise, watches the Head Priest's gentle smile amidst his own spluttering. "I apologize, master. I was just... lost in thought," Yi manages to say, finally regaining his composure.
The Head Priest nods understandingly. "Thoughts are like the morning mist, Young Yi. They can cloud our vision, yet they also bring the promise of a new day's clarity," he says, his voice as calm as the morning.
Yi ponders the Priest's words. He glances around at the familiar sights of the temple grounds, the monks moving about their morning routines, the leaves whispering secrets to the wind. It was a scene of serene, rhythmic life, a life he was about to leave behind, if only temporarily, for his journey.
He remembers the reason he had sought the Head Priest this morning. Gathering his thoughts, Yi speaks, "Master, I need your guidance. I must prepare for the journey, and I fear my body is not as ready as my spirit."
The Head Priest regards him thoughtfully, then nods. "Come, let us walk. Preparation is more than physical strength; it is the harmony of mind, body, and spirit."
Strolling side by side, with the temple slowly stirring to life around them, Yi eagerly shares his plans and uncertainties. The Head Priest listens with deep attention. "In the journal, it suggests carrying two large baskets on a pole if a cart isn't available," Yi explains, his words tumbling out in his excitement. "I aim to transport as much lotus root as possible, so I need to strengthen myself. But how?"
The Head Priest, walking with a grace that hardly disturbs the earth beneath his bare feet, nods slowly, absorbing every word. "And where might these baskets be? The measure of your capacity lies in what they can hold," he inquires thoughtfully.
Yi halts abruptly, the question catching him off guard. He stands there, processing the those words, when the Head Priest gently prods, "Perhaps you could show them to me?" A hint of playfulness twinkles in his eyes.
Embarrassment flushes through Yi; his head instinctively bows. He had presumed the temple would provide the baskets, focusing only on building his strength to carry them. The path ahead would be more intricate than he had initially thought.
"I may have overlooked something, master," Yi confesses, regaining his poise. The Head Priest observes him patiently, absorbing his admission. "I don't yet have the baskets. I also need to practice with them, both empty and full, and prepare for the journey to the village and back. There's so much I'm unsure of. Perhaps it would be wiser to send someone more experienced..."
The Head Priest's laughter interrupts Yi's train of thought, lifting his gaze from the ground. "Young Yi, every soul that has entered our gates has faced a task that seemed daunting. When water meets a barrier, how does it respond?"
Yi ponders for a moment before responding, "It finds another path? Around, or over, or..."
"Exactly," affirms the Head Priest. "Such is the way of things."
Yi nods, understanding dawning. "So, what should my first step be?"
The Head Priest raises his gaze skyward, watching a falcon glide effortlessly above the temple. A silent moment passes, and just as Yi is about to reiterate his question, the Head Priest speaks.
"Have you exercised today?"
--
As the afternoon sun casts long shadows across the temple's ancient stone paths, Yi finds himself in the storage room, searching for the baskets he needs for his journey. The room is a quiet repository of history and utility, shelves lined with items both mundane and mysterious. Dust motes dance in the beams of light filtering through the small windows, and the air carries the scent of aged wood and time.
"No baskets..." Yi mutters under his breath, a tinge of disappointment in his voice. The ones available in the temple storage aren't suitable for his journey. He sighs, scratching the back of his head in mild frustration. The Head Priest's suggestion to craft his own baskets had merit, but Yi had hoped to find a quicker solution.
Resigned to the task ahead, Yi makes his way to Brother Liang, the temple's meticulous steward, known for his extensive knowledge of the temple's resources and supplies. Brother Liang, always surrounded by ledgers and lists, greets Yi with a knowing look. Yi peers down at the scratches and scribbles, barely legible to anyone but Liang, and smiles.
"I’m embarking on a journey and need to weave baskets for it. Could I trouble you for the right materials, brother?" Yi inquires, his voice tinged with a mix of hope and hesitation.
Brother Liang listens, his eyes momentarily flickering, as if calculating inventory and resources in his head. "I can help with the materials, Yi," he says thoughtfully, "What exactly do you require for these baskets?"
Yi feels a momentary knot in his stomach, unprepared for the specificity of the question. "Actually, I was hoping you could guide me on what’s needed... maybe even how to make them?" His words are laced with a nervous chuckle, eyes closing momentarily in a silent plea for leniency.
Brother Liang's brow furrows in thought, his hand unconsciously reaching for a scrap of paper before he stops himself. "What’s their purpose?" he interjects, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.
"The baskets? I have to put them on the ends of a pole and carry lotus root from the neighboring village back to the templ," replies Yi, watching as Brother Liang’s mind visibly works through the logistics.
Without a word, Brother Liang stands and, with an unexpectedly quick movement, measures Yi’s height using a length of string. Yi, slightly bemused by this unanticipated turn, stands still, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. He had never been measured before.
"I'll make the baskets for you," Liang concludes, almost as if he’s solved a complex puzzle.
Yi's expression shifts from confusion to gratitude. "You will? That’s... thank you."
"Yes, but in exchange, I need your assistance," Liang states.
Yi's shock deepens. What could he offer? Brother Liang speaks of an ancient scripture in need of transcription, its age nearly causing it to crumble. "It's for my personal research," Liang explains, gesturing towards his chaotic array of notes, a silent testament to his unconventional methods. "I need to make sure I can reference it frequently, it's too fragile in its current state."
Yi's hestitates as he thinks of the weight of the task. "My calligraphy... I’ve only been practicing since my arrival here."
"Brother Liu speak highly of your skill, Yi. And your affinity for the library is well-known," Liang remarks, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Realizing his library explorations had not gone unnoticed, Yi lets out a resigned sigh. "Okay, I'll do the transcription. But please, could you oversee the final work? I'm not confident enough to do it alone."
"It's a deal," Liang agrees, scribbling the scripture's location on a slip of paper and handing it to Yi.
Taking the note, he thanks Brother Liang and leaves, his mind already on his next task. Yi decides to temporarily place it in his journal, he will check the library later. He needed to meet with Brother Zhang, the temple’s gardener.