072. Understanding the Environment

A gentle breeze caressed the courtyard, the sunlight softly illuminating the moss-covered stones, making them shimmer with a vivid, lifelike glow. No one could say what emotion the moss carried, or what lesson it imparted, but it seemed that the world had already changed, and the moss, in its silent endurance, had become a witness to that transformation. There was no need to disturb it further.

Someone whispered, “Stone, your future will be shaped by your mother’s guidance.”

Another replied, “Stone, you shouldn’t be so stubborn.” Stone, however, remained silent, determined to use his own strength to move the stone. He glanced at the moss and, as if speaking to it once more, said, “If you are alive, perhaps you can tell me your story. But if you are not, then let us part.”

He pondered, “Although others say you’re alive, you have never spoken to me.”

He laughed, “Maybe you’re only alive in name.”

The other person remarked, “Even if you’re not truly alive, you are still a precious companion, worthy of respect.”

Stone couldn’t help but laugh, his laughter echoing with a sense of helplessness. “It doesn’t matter. Whether you are something or nothing, you are just moss.”

He said nothing more, nor did he feel overly sentimental. It was a fleeting moment, a shadow passing by. The moss remained, the stone unchanged, and the mother’s guidance was not needed.

He tidied up a bit, lifted his head, and walked away, leaving everything behind.

The medicine required for refining was stored in a small room on the east side of the house. He had to go there to retrieve it. Medicine was kept in boxes, each box labeled with a price, ranging from ten to hundreds of stones, and arranged in order from near to far. The most commonly used ingredients cost only a single stone, but their quality varied greatly.

The room was tidy, with drawers and cabinets, shelves and racks, all neatly organized. The young apprentice did not know which medicine he would need, nor where it was placed. He could only search through the cabinets. Some medicines were rare, others ordinary; some were easy to find, others not. He searched, but found nothing special.

The medicine master was not present, so he could only rely on his own judgment. He had not yet learned the secrets of the medicine master’s organization, so he could only guess.

He opened the drawers and cabinets, carefully examining the contents. Each medicine had its own label, its own price, and its own unique purpose.

He searched for a long time, finally arriving at the cabinet near the window. There, he found a small box, its label faded and the price barely visible. He opened it and found a dried root, a rare ingredient. He held it up to the light, observing its texture and color.

He thought to himself, “This must be the medicine needed for today’s refining.”

He picked up the root, closed the cabinet, and left the room.

He returned to the courtyard, where the master was waiting. The master asked, “Have you found the medicine?”

He replied, “Yes, Master. It is here.” He handed over the root.

The master nodded, “What did you discover?”

He hesitated, looking at the moss in the courtyard, then replied softly, “I found nothing special, only ordinary medicine.”

The master smiled, “Sometimes, the ordinary is the most valuable.”

He pondered this, then bowed and left.

He walked along the corridor, passing through the shadows, his footsteps echoing in the silence. He reached the entrance, looked back one last time, and then stepped out.

The medicine master was still absent, so he could only rely on his own memory. The medicine room was quiet, the shelves neatly arranged, the labels clear. He searched carefully, but found nothing new.

He left the room, returned to the courtyard, and sat quietly under the tree.

He watched the moss, the stone, the sunlight filtering through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. He felt a sense of peace.

He waited for the master to return, thinking about the task at hand.

The master finally arrived, asking, “Have you found the medicine?”

He replied, “Yes, Master. It is here.”

The master nodded, “Very well. Let us begin.”

He bowed, prepared to follow the master’s instructions.

He carefully watched the master’s actions, learning each step, memorizing each detail.

He realized that the moss, the stone, and the medicine were all part of a greater whole.

He understood, at last, the meaning of the master’s guidance.

He bowed deeply, grateful for the lesson.

He left the courtyard, carrying the medicine, ready to begin his journey.

It was a quiet hour. The master had returned, and asked, “Apprentice, are you ready?”

“Yes, Master,” he replied. He handed over the medicine, lowering his head respectfully. “Is there anything else?”

The master examined the medicine carefully, nodding with approval. “You did well. The medicine is pure, the moss undisturbed, and the stone remains unchanged. There are times when we must let things be, and times when we must intervene. You have shown wisdom in choosing not to disturb the moss, and diligence in finding the medicine.”

He listened attentively, feeling the weight of the master’s words.

The master continued, “Sometimes, the most valuable lesson is learned through patience.”

He bowed, accepting the lesson.

The master departed, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

He pondered the meaning of the moss, the stone, and the medicine, realizing they were all connected.

He smiled, ready to face the challenges ahead.

He understood now, the importance of patience and diligence.

He prepared to begin his work, confident in his ability to succeed.