Day 16—Li Zhiyen and the Horses

Li Zhiyen had been in prison almost exactly three months when Master Wenfu appeared to him in a vision one day. He covered his face in awe, as there was great heat emanating from what appeared to be the Master’s body.

“Distinguished Master, why have you chosen to visit me in this forsaken place?”

“Young student, I was here once, too. I have figured out the secret to defeating the prison guards.”

“What is it?? I humbly inquire of you.”

“As you know, there are famous spirits tied to this place. In this case, they are horses who are protectors. Legend has it that they came from the Mongols. They are strong, powerful, and the story went that they were ten kilometers tall. If you wish to help defeat the prison guards here you must say a special prayer one hundred times in order to summon the horses. Then you will do some movements that I will teach you to those keeping you prisoner, making sure to say specific phrases during their execution.”

Li Zhiyen was worried. He had been a merchant with some moderate wealth and had always had a bit of a paunch during his life. He was not very active, and when he was a free man he had not gone to visit the temples as much as he should have. So it was an honor that Li Zhiyen had chosen him for training, but he was perplexed as to why.

The training lasted three months. Because he was meeting Master Wenfu in another realm, his physical actions did not appear suspicious. Usually they would meet in his sleep or his meditation. During this same time, Li Zhiyen was finally put to work in the adjacent camp, so his body was forced into better shape. He had been lucky, stayed quiet and had never gotten his meals denied him, especially after a day of labor. Somebody seemed to have been mercifully protecting him, as he could often hear other prisoners getting brutally beaten and raped.

Finally the day came. Li Zhiyen was standing in queue at the health assessment for detained laborers. Barely audible, he chanted the phrases that Master Wenfu had given him. He was barely allowed to move his lips, so it was a challenge. Finally he completed the full prayer.

Li Zhiyen began the forms. Carefully, with utmost concentration. He was no martial artist and he knew that people spent their entire existences studying this material. He felt ponderous and clumsy. 

Immediately, five guards rushed to meet him. A cloudburst appeared and a searing, hot rain descended on that interior room of the health assessment. Powerful winged beasts appeared, each with a quality of the five elements. All he could feel was the air rushing as he seemed to be bouncing on the back of something solid, but completely made of cloud. He was not sure whether they were taking him to heaven or the place of the dead, but he was happy to be released from prison.

A fire began to burn his eyes, and the light was out.

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