“I can help you find any monk you desire to meet,” the man said. “My name is Ao. Do you wish to learn more about the Buddhist way? A demon joining our ranks would be unusual but not unheard of.”
Huxian scoffed inwardly. He wasn’t crazy like those Buddhist demons. No, if he ever learned Buddhist arts, he’d probably be like that damned monkey that studied them but didn’t really follow their precepts. Following strict rules wasn’t his style, and avoiding karma? How could one be as awesome as he was without sowing karma? It was simply impossible.
I’m not sure that I’m suited to the Buddhist way, Huxian said. But I’m seeking assistance on a matter. I have a friend, no, many friends, who need an exorcism.
“Ah,” Ao said. “That’s something that we help with from time to time.”
Great! Huxian said. I don’t know if one of you is enough, though. I think I might need everyone’s help.
“Everyone’s?” Ao said, looking back to the monastery. “Surely you jest. Even I alone am enough to purge tens of evil spirits.”
I wouldn’t call them evil spirits, Huxian said. More like lonely wandering ghosts. None of that evil karma. They’re just floating around, unable to leave.
“A regrettable case,” Ao said. “But even so, I alone should be enough.”
Huxian suppressed his irritation and thought about how to guide the conversation. He’d never been good at talking to humans. We’re talking about millions of ghosts here. Can you really do that on your own?
“Benefactor, you mustn’t joke like this,” Ao said with a frown. He wagged a lecturing finger. “Lies sow negative karma with others. It is better to be truthful, though some exceptions exist, like lying to avoid hurting other.”
I’m not lying, Huxian said. It’s really there. An entire city filled with ghosts! At the mention of the city, Ao’s expression darkened.
“I’m afraid I cannot help in this matter,” Ao said. “They are suffering the curse they desired. This is karma of the deepest kind.”
But—
“Trouble yourself not with those sinners,” Ao said, shaking his head. “If there is nothing else, benefactor, I will return to my station.” The man walked away and sat cross-legged nearby. There was something odd about the man, but what monk wasn’t odd?
Since Huxian had walked all the way here, he couldn’t leave empty-handed. He traveled to a monk who was sweeping the flat stone ground. Her every sweep lifted not a trace of dust off the pristine floor. “Greetings, benefactor,” she said. “How may this one, Li, help you.”
I’m looking for a monk, Huxian said. A powerful one.
“There are many powerful monks here,” Li said. “I myself am a resplendent monk.”
Huxian raised an eyebrow. And you, a resplendent monk, are sweeping this clean plateau?
“It is everyone’s duty to serve,” Li said. “Powerful or weak, big or small, everyone must do their part.”
Then you’ll help me save that city? The one full of ghosts? Huxian asked.
“Ah, that city,” Li said, sighing lightly. “Unfortunately, I can do nothing about their situation. Only they can resolve their own karma. We cannot help, for by doing so, we would anger the guardian of this land.”
Huxian frowned. Buddhists, though set in their ways, usually went out of their way to help others. Why weren’t they doing so in this case? The woman moved on and continued her sweeping, so Huxian moved on to the next monk.
Like this, Huxian traveled across the entire sunless plateau, questioning every man, woman, or child he saw. All of them were monks and greeted him pleasantly. Each of their expressions darkened when he mentioned the city. It took him an entire day to question everyone on the mountain. Not a single monk volunteered to go help the city, despite all the goodwill they expressed when they greeted him.
Depressed, Huxian lay down. Though there were many buildings on the plateau, most of them made from a wonderful heat-reflecting white stone, he didn’t need to take refuge from the sun. The sun didn’t shine in these strange shadows that gave off light. The heat within him didn’t dissipate, but neither did it increase. It was similar but very different to the outside world, where endless dust reigned.
There must be something here, Huxian thought. There must be someone who can help. He’d questioned all the monks he’d seen, but did that mean he’d questioned everyone? Perhaps the one he was looking for was just away for a while. Away from this fully functioning society atop the mountain.
I wonder where the kids come from? Huxian thought. Or the adults, for that matter. It was a curious thing to see such life despite the desolation outside. So, as he waited, he decided to observe the people. Small monks, barely more than four years old, and likely abandoned by their parents, learned important lessons on remaining calm and being of service. They were taught by kindly bald men that patiently accepted their antics as they guided them toward monkhood. When they grew older, they would either choose to stay as monks or go back into the world as enlightened participants.
Huxian looked for a while. Then, exhausted from his long journey, he closed his eyes and fell asleep.
“Greetings, benefactor,” a voice said, waking Huxian.
Huxian looked up and saw the same bald man who’d greeted him yesterday. He wore the same orange robes as before. Unsurprising, since monk fashion had never been vibrant or prone to change.
Do you need anything? Huxian asked.
“I just wish to know how this one can be of service to you,” Ao said. “We monks exist to serve.” He smiled lightly.
Huxian, annoyed at the question, snorted. “I already told you want I wanted.”
“Oh?” Ao said. “I do not remember meeting you. Perhaps we had this conversation in another life, another time. Perhaps you can repeat your request.”
“I only asked you a day ago,” Huxian said dryly. “I doubt much has changed. Can you and all these monks go to the nearby city and exorcise a million ghosts for me?”
Ao’s face
