"So that was it!"
In the Mahavira Hall, incense and candles sent up blue smoke, yet it did not smell as pleasant as the Sanda people's Divine Smoke. The old abbot understood, and nodded lightly, asking the young monks to accompany the rest of the Wajin to tour the temple and drink tea. He himself went forward alone, leading Morino Kiyoshi toward a secluded elegant room. Shi Wende hesitated a little, but Morino Kiyoshi smiled and made a gesture, indicating for him to "follow."
"Tap... tap..."
The footsteps of the three entered the quiet room. The heavy stone walls and wooden door showed excellent soundproofing. In this era, a buddhist temple was itself the highest-grade "upper-class club," with elegant rooms specially provided for officials to meet in secret, drink tea, and discuss important matters. The old abbot brewed a pot of tea, chatted a few lines of Buddhist scripture with Morino Kiyoshi, then glanced at the bewildered Shi Wende, and realization had already appeared on his face.
"Junior Brother, how is this tea? Is there anything lacking?..."
"Mm... This tea is excellent, only the water is slightly inferior. Fresh spring water would be best, drawn just now, boiled until it is just about to boil but has not yet boiled, then used to steep clear tea—that would count as truly wondrous!..."
"Oh! Junior Brother speaks most rightly! Then I shall go behind the mountain and draw some spring water back. The back of the mountain is somewhat far; the round trip will take one or two hours. I ask Junior Brother to wait patiently."
"Good! I will trouble Senior Brother, then!..."
After exchanging a few words, the old abbot drifted away and gently closed the wooden door. Everything had changed too quickly. Only at this moment did Shi Wende suddenly