T-Squad-Origin

Chapter 26: Demon of the Eastern Land

Failure...

It's consistency is usually seen as insanity if the process is repeated for the same result to happen while the individual hopes for another outcome...

Zhong is one of those individuals...

Bodhidharma had brought about the ways of peace, leading the Eastern Continent to a culture that will be continued for generations. A day came when she grew curious of the young monk who refused to meditate or find himself associating with others. 

Instead he was holed up in a cave that was seen as a place of great evil, she soon caught sight of him and tried to converse with him.

"Amitaba, Monk Zhong." She smiled brightly.

Zhong's face scowled at the presence of this holy figure.

"And what may I do for the most holiest woman of our lands." His condescending tone was ignored.

"Curiosity is all." She sat down. "Humans have a tendency of wanting to know, me for example, I wanted to see why do you avoid contact from others."

"I don't need people to interrupt my research." Zhong realized he blurted out his activities to her. "Wait I mean..." He never told anyone, but something about Bodhidharma was intriguing. Like lying was almost a sin to do in her presence. 

"I don't mean to pry." She giggled. "People have a tendency to not lie to me and I'm sorry to say it so late. So what is this research about?"

"Immortality." Zhong proclaimed proudly.

"Of the soul or body?"

Zhong was caught off guard by her question, his quiet demeanor showed his answer was not yet ready.

"I apologize if my question startled you." Bodhidharma got up. "You see... I also search for immortality, except it is of the soul."

An orange butterfly flew onto her hand.

"Physical things deteriorate." She explained. "The body is but a cage, while the soul is a bird. One day we'll all be bones, by then time and it's relevance will lose all appeal. Will you be with us or still here trying to figure out which immortality you are seeking?"

Days went by with her words still lingering, Zhong had read scripts of an elixer that promised everlasting life to theories of an island where people never die. His answer finally came what he was really searching for.

When he left his cave he saw Bodhidharma and a disciple behind her. His eyes were shifty with distrust towards Zhong.

"Your back." Zhong sighed. "I thought you'd leave me alone by now, Bo."

"You will not disrespect, her grace." The disciple growled.

"Now stop that, Goro." She shushed him. "Bo?"

"I'm not calling you by that long name." Zhong huffed. "So I'll just call you Bo."

Goro's face glowed in red.

"Y... Y... You..." He stammered.

"Bo?" Bodhidharma smiled in delight. "I like it."

Her smile seemed to alluring, Zhong cleared his throat.

"Your question yesterday." He began. "I have an answer for that."

"And it is." Bo anticipated his answer.

"I want to find a way for both." 

Bodhidharma was a little surprised by this reply.

"Both?" She gazed at him. "You know, Zhong your a really interesting person. You see a body is going to rot regardless even if you find a way to keep it moving. That's just nature."