The Imperial Scholar similarly looked around, confused.
"That is all, young friend." A monk said.
Skynder didn't know what to say.
"I am supposed to learn it from just that?" He asked.
"That is the basics. We can teach you more, but it will all be our own conjectures, not necessarily factual. You must learn this technique yourself. Luckily, the vast majority of people who learned this technique were blind, so you already have a pretty good starting point." The monk in charge explained.
Skynder nodded. Although it wasn't much, at least he had so sort of guidance to follow. And it was as the monk in charge said, he could still learn from the monks, it would just not necessarily be one hundred percent correct.
Over the next day, Skynder stood on the ground, sensing the vibrations, and trying to see through them. However, he never succeeded.
He eventually asked a monk, which led to him hearing so conjectures.
"Seeing through the world requires one to beco one with the world. This is sothing we monks excel at. If you wish to learn this technique, consider first learning about Buddhism."
Skynder thanked him for his guidance and spoke to the monk in charge.
"You wish to learn Buddhism?" The monk in charge asked.
"I do." Skynder said.
The monk in charge looked at him for a mont before shaking his head. "I don't think it's possible."
Skynder was confused. "Why not?"
"Do you know what Buddhism is?" The monk in charge asked.
"Loosely, yes." Skynder responded.
He had learned a bit about it from the Imperial Scholar.
"Well to be short, I can feel a murderous aura on you. You have killed a lot of people, and none of it was by accident. I can also imagine that you do not feel sorry, or for that matter, any sort of guilt or remorse at all."
Skynder nodded. This was objectively the truth.
The monk in charge continued. "Buddhism, in its original form, is the practice of ending suffering. Naturally, this has branched off into countless forms over countless years, but that basic goal still remains. In order to end suffering, you must not bring it to others."
Skynder understood, but at the sa ti he found it unnecessary.
"I don't wish to truly beco a Buddhist, I just wish to understand Buddhism and its practices. My hope is that this will allow to understand this technique."
The monk in charge thought for a mont before speaking. "It may be difficult for you, but it may also be easy. I suppose it would depend on your talent and affinity with Buddhist practices. Alright then, I'll help you understand Buddhism."
Skynder bowed and thanked him.
Over the next few days, Skynder was introduced to Buddhist ideas and philosophies. He was shown practices and rituals. He was even told a story so ancient that nobody knew where or when it ca from.
"The Buddha was born long ago. So long ago, that it is indescribable. Yet his teachings have persisted until today. He saw all of the suffering of the world, and decided that he would dedicate his life to ending suffering. He would not end others' suffering, but his own suffering. He would teach others to end their own suffering, as the only person that one can rely on is oneself. And that is exactly what he did until he died." The monk in charge explained.
"Since you do not wish to truly end suffering, I will teach you that which is undeniably beneficial. I will teach you ditation, calmness, and inner peace. Only then, in a state of true calm, will you be able to sense the world beneath your feet. Do you understand?"
Skynder nodded.
"Good. Sit down and cross your legs. I'm sure you know how to ditate, so ditate. Think about ceasing all thoughts. Clear your mind completely. When you do so, I will teach you how to sense the world beneath you. Although it is vastly different from truly seeing through the world, it forms a spiritual connection that will no doubt be helpful to you."
Skynder did as the monk in charge said.
As he was being taught, the Imperial Scholar was also learning from the surrounding monks. Deep in his heart, he had a desire to learn everything. It naturally faded away as he grew older and his knowledge reached a peak, but these monks had things to teach him that he had not known.
Specifically, it was Buddhism.
Although he, like Skynder, was not naturally fit to practice it, he could at least learn from it.
It seed that, temporarily, the Western Monks had gained two new mbers. Skynder spent a week ditating, trying to calm his mind, until the monks decided to move.
"If you wish to follow us, you may." The monk in charge said. "But be prepared. We do not travel like others."
The Western Monks began to pack up what little they had. Essentially, they had clothes, so tools, and large cans of water that they carried in backpacks. Then, without cals, they set off. Skynder instantly saw the problem.
First, they were walking distances that would take days. Albeit walking was just as fast as riding a cal, but it was far more exhausting.
The Imperial Scholar, with his old body, would not be able to make this journey.
"Go on, Skynder. I'll wait here."
Skynder hesitated before shaking his head. "Get on. I'll carry you."
The Imperial Scholar was stunned. "The strain put on your body from carrying so far would be unbearable. Not to ntion , you wouldn't make it to the next spot."
Skynder shook his head. He owed the Imperial Scholar too much. He would not leave him here. Besides his blindness, all of his injuries from the Natural Empire had long healed. He was physically as fit as before.
"I'll carry you." Skynder said.
"I have my pride, Skynder. Don't think I'm willing to ride on another man's back." The Imperial Scholar said.
Skynder walked towards the cals that they had ridden. He untied the ropes connected to the platform carrying the barrel of water. He removed the barrel of water, leaving behind a wooden palet, and held onto the two ropes. "Sit there."
The Imperial Scholar spoke again. "That is even more weight."
"Just do it. I'm not leaving without you, one way or another." Skynder said resolutely.
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