ENG
A kind face veils his virtuous light,
The benevolent eyes mask his might.
To the one he grants a wondrous spell,
For that the story has yet to tell.
As stated in the Celestial Laws, a Keeper has the duty to observe the living beings in his domain and nurture the soil and streams.
That day, as the Keeper of the Black Wind Mountain made his customary rounds on the hills, tending to mortal concerns, he saw an aged Daoist drawing near from a distance: a vestment embellished with stars, a herb-gathering basket plaited from verdant creepers, a fishing drum tapped in his hand, and a song about the lofty moon. In just a few steps, he glided his way to the Keeper.
The Keeper looked closely and was sure they had never met. But judging from the Daoist's white hair, vibrating face, and bright eyes full of authority, the Keeper knew he was no ordinary mortal. Hastily, he greeted the Daoist, "Daoist master, this humble Keeper pays his respects."
The old Daoist nodded slightly and passed his basket to the Keeper. The Keeper took a look and saw that the basket was filled with rare and mystical items, as well as miraculous herbs. He couldn't help but be startled and asked, "How can a humble Keeper accept such a generous gift?"
The Daoist smiled and said, "I was just passing through this place, but I knew that soon, there would be a great upheaval in this mountain. I thought the items in this basket would help you weather the storm for a while, so I came to visit."
"What made you say this, sir?"
"I have an old acquaintance with a bad temper. Although he has amassed a measure of merit, I worry that with his arrogant nature, he shall find it impossible to stay out of trouble. I fear he will bring great disaster upon himself again..."
The Keeper thought carefully and said sincerely, "What can a humble Keeper be of help?" Seeing that the Keeper was quite astute, the old Daoist gestured for him to draw near. He leaned in and murmured something into the Keeper's ear, then instructed, "If you chance upon him in the mountain, pass on these two spells. I cannot reveal myself, hence I rely on you to teach him, as a means of honoring our bond."
The Keeper was immensely grateful and bowed deeply in appreciation. The old Daoist returned the bow and was about to leave on a cloud. The Keeper hurriedly asked, "May I inquire, Daoist master, from whence do you hail?"
By the time the Keeper spoke, the Daoist had already vanished into the distance. A leaf floated down from the sky, its scent faint yet distinct, its tip extremely slender and long: a bodhi leaf. At that moment, a revelation dawned upon the Keeper. He bowed and paid his respects to the departing silhouette until the clouds and mist obscured his sight, then turned to depart.
The Celestial Laws say a Keeper must watch over living things in his domain and tend the land and water. The Keeper in this story is the one assigned to Black Wind Mountain, and he is doing his usual rounds, taking care of mortal needs on the hills.
While he was working he saw an old Daoist coming toward him. The Daoist wore a star-decorated vestment, carried a basket woven from green creepers filled with strange herbs and items, tapped a fishing drum, and hummed a moon song. The Keeper had never met him, but the man’s white hair, animated face, and commanding eyes made it clear he was not an ordinary mortal.
The Daoist handed the Keeper the basket and said he had been passing through because he foresaw a great upheaval coming to the mountain. He gave the basket’s rare items and miraculous herbs so the Keeper could “weather the storm for a while.” He also warned about an old acquaintance who has a bad temper; although that person has gained merit, his arrogance makes trouble likely and the Daoist feared he would bring disaster on himself.
The Daoist leaned close, whispered something into the Keeper’s ear, and told him that if he met that acquaintance on the mountain he must pass on two spells. The Daoist said he could not reveal himself and was relying on the Keeper to teach the spells as a way to honor their bond. The Keeper accepted the gift and the task with deep gratitude.
After that the Daoist left on a cloud and vanished, leaving a long, slender bodhi leaf drifting down. At that sight the Keeper had a sudden realization, bowed to the departing figure until it was gone, and then turned away. The clear implications are that the Keeper now has supplies and two spells he must use or teach, must watch for the arrogant acquaintance who may cause upheaval, and that the coming events and their outcome have yet to be revealed.