The spirit of Lao'Jin Grand Master Shaof told Velea and I of two more masters that we needed to see along our conjoined paths of redemption and learning, but this came with a warning as well, "Your path to understanding Jin is almost complete. Only two tests remain. In the hills to our east lie two Jin masters, waiting to give you your final tests. What you have been through up to this point will seem trivial. These masters will test every fiber of your being – pushing your strength, intelligence, wit, and resolve to their breaking points."
"Master Garu will test your faith. Master Ashaine will show you the true nature of Jin. Return to me when both tests are complete."
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So Velea and I set out from the abandoned and ransacked inn where we had found the spirit of the Grandmaster, and traveled south and east into the foothills, following an overgrown track. We cautiously made our way along the path and began seeing bears and yetis in the forests beside the faint trail. Eventually it led us to an abandoned compound perched at the top of a steep hill. Taking a guess from the state and condition of other Lao'Jin compounds we've come across, we started checking rooms. All were empty, save for the ones at the back, which were quietly kept up and looked lived in.
We called out and heard a voice from one of the side rooms. Following it, we found a powerful, if short, man with dark hair and a mustache. "The path of Jin is harder than you know. Without faith in Jin – its strength, its power – you are nothing. You will need to complete my three trials to even be considered by the Grandmaster."
"Before you lies the Trial of Might, the Trial of Endurance, and the Trial of Pure Thought." Master Garu continued, "My understanding is that you think you're ready to learn the focus of Jin. You must do some things for me first."
"I need you to prove your might. Go outside of my hut, gather six yeti hearts, and kill six bears." So, following his directions we went out of the compound and back down the hill to an old shrine. There, we had seen bears and yetis on our way in, and we began tracking them to complete our tasks. Yetis, by the way, if you are not familiar with their legends, are forest creatures that walk like a man but are covered with fur like a bear, and are usually nearly a zhang tall. Fighting their much longer reach can be difficult without a weapon, so I used the yanyue dao given to me by Aniji in Dellerjuba rather than the empty-hand techniques I normally practice. We we had completed the task, we returned to Master Garu.
"Excellent work. The power of Jin may yet be yours," said the Master without looking up from his go board. "You must now take the Trial of Endurance. Many have failed this test of fortitude, and you shall likely follow in their path." Reaching beside him, he pulled out two horns and presented one to each of us. "Each of you blow your horn when you are ready to face Garsu, but be prepared."
At those ominous words, we headed out of the compound again, and looked around until we found a clear, level area in which to have a protracted fight, not knowing what we were about to unleash. Above the compound we found an open area which looked good for a battle with some unknown bogeyman. All we had to do first was chase off a pair of bears and a yeti. After driving them off, Velea first blew her horn, and a tall, ugly fellow appeared right behind her and starting attacking her. I distracted it with a kick to the back of its knee that sent it sprawling while Velea recovered from the surprise attack. After that it turned into a prolonged slug fest as we alternately beat on each other and blocked our opponent's blows. When the Garsu was defeated, and we recovered our breath, I blew my horn and we did it all again.
Tired, battered, and sore in places from its hammer-like blows that smashed through improperly timed blocks, we made our way back to Master Garu. “You have impressed me. You have proven that you have the necessary endurance to be empowered by Jin. However, your trials go on.”
“The path to Jin can be physically taxing. Although you must be quite strong to travel the path of Jin, you must also be pure of thought as well. If you accept the Trial of Pure Thought, you will be sent to Templar Fhae. Do not speak to her unless you feel that your mind is ready for such a test. Her challenge will be quite difficult.”
The Templar was found further up the hillside, behind the compound. The Templar herself looked like a tall human with blue skin, faintly like the spirit form of the Grandmaster, but more substantial. In all, she had six riddles for each of us, but I'll not commit them to paper here, so others can have the same trials we did.
Master Garu's comment upon our return was merely a dry, “Quite impressive. You two continue to surprise me. Do you understand now, that it is your faith in Jin that allows you to complete these trials? You have proven you have strength, endurance, and a clear mind. What I still question is your faith.”
“Do you carry with you an unending faith in Jin? We will soon see. If you accept, you will be put to the ultimate test of faith.”
Somewhat rashly, it must be admitted here to myself, Velea and I both accepted his challenge. The Master threw something on the fire, and a thick smoke enveloped us. As it cleared, I saw we were by a shrine at the very top of the mountain, high over Tanvu. The shrine was tended by another Lao'Jin Master, an aesthetic. Master Chuun introduced himself and then asked us if we were here to test our faith. On our assent, he motioned to an unfinished wooden structure behind him, ambling out into the open air. “Behind me is a bridge. Jump from this bridge and prove your faith in Jin. Do this not, and we will not speak again.”
Velea and I ventured out onto the wooden planks, and looked down. Even the palace of the Emperor was not larger than our outstretched fist. To fall from such a height would surely result in our deaths.
My head understood that this was a test, and the Masters would not have spent all the effort they have gone through just to have us kill ourselves, but my feet were firmly convinced they belonged on at least the wood if not the firm ground just behind me. Finally, steeling my nerves, I forced my feet to carry me off the end. I opened my eyes as I fell, and the wind whistled around me. Blinking past the tears the wind caused, I watched the city grow large in my sight and the raucous gulls soaring above it below me. Finally, the wind made me close my eyes, for I could no longer keep them open, and struggled to breath in the face of the roaring wind. Suddenly it cut off.
However, no pain accompanied the sudden lack of wind. I staggered forward against the suddenly yielding air, and bumped into an incense pot around the shrine in Master Garu's back rooms. Very well, Monk. Your trials with me are complete. I believe you have another to see?”
Hearing that dismissal for what it was, I left, even as my ears popped and Velea appeared in the room behind me. A few moments later she joined me by the cherry tree in the square of the compound. By mutual agreement we settled on one of the unused rooms and laid out our bedrolls and brewed several large pots of tea to sooth our still-jangling nerves.
