The environment here felt different. I could feel something. And when I thought about it, I had been feeling things a lot those days, though I couldn't tell when it became that way for me.
And what I felt, it came from everywhere. All around the hall. But particularly, I could feel it come from that tree. A pressure that I could tell slightly repelled me. It felt...alive.
Mr Ash stood about two meters from me, closer to the tree.
"You seem a bit flustered" he said.
"I don't know if it's just me, but, this room feels... kind of different"
"So you can feel it" Mr Ash said before walking closer to the tree. "Alex, have you ever heard of 'qi'?"
"Qi?" I repeated. "Yeah. I think I heard about it while studying eastern history. Sounded really cool back then"
Mr Alex composed himself even more.
"Qi is essentially the life force that flows through everything. However, although everything has qi in them, not everything can control the flow of the qi in them. Controlling the flow of qi, that is what we call cultivation. And those whose qi has begun to undergo cultivation, we call them 'awakened'".
"Awakened?" I repeated, listening closely.
"Yes. The awakened can further reach greater heights in cultivation and achieve enlightenment. From there, they can transcend the mundane, entering a realm beyond. Some who reach these heights can wield great powers, become great sages and attain extraordinary longevity amongst other things"
"Longevity huh. So, are you saying the tree has qi and it's awakened?" I asked since it explained the sensation all around the hall.
"Haha" Mr Ash laughed. "The tree is a special case, but I am not talking about the tree"
I wondered. Was he talking about himself. I mean, it wouldn't be surprising if he was an awakened himself. Since that day at the bar, I could sense a faint aura from him.
"I am not also talking about me" he said. "I'm talking about you"
"What?"
"Yes. It is known to be impossible, but you've awakened without cultivating, without realising or even knowing what it is"
"Huh? You mean, I have qi and all that stuff?"
"Everything has qi in them. Including you and I. It is our vitality. But you have awakened the flow of your qi. Normally, it would mean you have cultivated"
I looked at Mr Ash duncely. There was literally a question mark floating over my head.
"It may seem unreal to you. Even I find it hard to believe but after you were thrown out that day, I could suddenly sense it from you as you were leaving the premises. I confirmed it while I drove past you after concluding my business with the vice manager. Perhaps, you triggered it after your scruffle with him"
That sounded like a good explanation but then, knowing I had no useful knowledge of qi before now and I definitely hadn't 'cultivated', at least consciously, I just wanted to know what he implied. I waited patiently for him to explain fully.
"The fact that you were able to cross the door itself is proof of it. I am sure you must have felt it when you walked in"
Was he talking about what I felt I passed through as we stepped into the hall?
"Entering this hall would be impossible for someone who hasn't been enlightened. And that is the greatest proof that you are an awakened, whether you believe it or not"
"Wait. Isn't this awakening of a thing meant to be pretty hard. I mean, if I remember correctly from the books and stories, the eastern monks would spend all their lives on this qi thing. There's no way I could have just done what they had tried to do all their lives without even knowing it"
"True. But like I said, it is mostly impossible and so, even I can't explain it"
"Wha-" I muttered and stopped.
Mr Ash turned and walked closer towards the tree.
"You can feel it too Alex" he said. "Fuwa has lived for over a thousand years. You can feel 'her' presence just as 'she' can feel yours. And since you are still a stranger to her, she would naturally attempt to push you away until she can read your intentions. That is why you feel that pressure coming from her"
So that was the reason for what I had been feeling since I walked in. I looked upon the tree. It really did look old. Its roots and crept all around the hall and its branches spread out towards the ceiling. There was a bulge in its trunk and a hollow within it. There, a faint light was glowing inside; something I had just noticed. I walked closer to it, rather curiously. I could feel the pressure increase gradually like it didn't want me getting nearer. But I could still get closer.
'It's really wonderful' I thought to myself. A tree over a thousand years...I wanted to touch it. I moved closer and closer and the repulsion I felt increased too but barely. I soon got close enough and I touched it.
"It's wonderful, Mr Ash" I said. Though we were still on a different topic, I wanted to feel this tree for a moment. "It's really wonderful" I said then looked at Mr Ash.
And for a very brief moment, I thought I saw a surprised expression on his face but it quickly changed. It was so quick that I doubted my eyes.
"Mr Ash?"
He too then composedly walked closer to the tree and joined me where I stood.
"Indeed, she is" he said, touching it as well.
A short pause followed. The last time we talked, he told me things that sounded unreal and I doubted him strongly. But this time, since all he said now didn't sound too farfetched in the first place, there was no reason for me to doubt him on all he said about qi and the rest.
"So Mr Ash, what does this all mean. This awakening and stuff" I asked. "Do I have to head to the mountains now and become a monk or something?"
"Hahaha. You don't have to" he said. "And that is what brings me to my proposal"
The proposal? Finally. I didn't know what to expect now as I had gotten quite familiar with him. Perhaps, this connection should be enough to put me in charge of my former workplace, which was probably the smallest business he owned. Mr Pushc would get everything coming to him...
"Alex. Would you like to learn?" Mr Ash began. "You may not understand now but your case is intriguing. As your qi is awakened, dwelling amongst others will make you an anomaly and a danger as well since the Yaomo will definitely come for you from now. However, with me, you will, soon enough, be capable of handling them"
He then stretched out his hand.
"Why don't you join me here. I will show you the strength of cultivation and the path to nirvana"
'The path to Nirvana'. Where had I heard that before?
A wave of nostalgia hit me then and I simply stared at his hand.
What was it again? Who was that person who said the exact same things to me back then?
I couldn't recall. But I knew I had willingly agreed to that person that time. I just knew.
And so, I must have felt the same impulse to agree. An impulse mostly hinged on his last statement and not even about the Yaomo for which I had come here hoping to find a solution.
I shook his hand and once again, a familiar surge welled up in me. The same as what I had felt that day as I walked back home after being fired. But now, it wasn't directed at someone who probably wasn't there. This time, it was directed at Mr Ash. Although I knew it didn't make sense, it felt like I had known Mr Ash a long time ago. A very long time ago.