blueteamnovel Chapter 8 Core Values
Chapter 8 Core Values
Straightening up, old Bim opened his mouth, seemingly because he had never thought carefully about Vijay's question.
"By Brahma above, sir," Bim murmured after a moment's thought, "the second time I went to the East with the very old master, the very old master was also there..."
"But for some reason, after crossing the barbarian territory that time, we were unable to find the temple in that dark valley... The old master and the old master even had a fight... The old master was so angry that he smashed the brass water bottle in his hand, and the holy water inside spilled all over the ground."
"Several years later, this time the old master first led us around to the city of Sompura, where we waited for several months at the largest temple! Only after completing a sacrifice did we set off again."
"This time it was a success; it seems to be the old master's first trip to the East."
Sunlight streamed through the carved sandalwood windowpanes, and amidst the swirling dust, old Bim clasped his hands together against his chest, his expression resembling that of a devout believer.
His eyes were filled with memories, whether he was recalling a glorious past or remembering those familiar faces who had passed away, it was hard to tell.
"The next time, the old master fell ill and was no longer able to set off, so he was put in charge of the team. The old master organized an even larger team..."
"There were more than 20 pack oxen, 10 ponies, and more than 50 Shudras! They were all wearing indigo-colored coarse cloth aprons, with bright red tirak dots on their foreheads, and short knives at their waists, ready to protect the caravan at any time."
"Did they make a fortune this time?" Mittal Vijay should have been born by then, and he vaguely remembered the scene of that huge caravan leaving the village.
"No, sir," old Bim said, his eyes filled with sorrow, for it must have been an unforgettable memory.
"Perhaps Brahma took a nap and failed to protect us on that journey... In the wilderness, we were attacked by terrifying monsters! They emerged from the sky, from the water, and from the earth, attacking us!"
"All the goods were lost, and most of the Shudras were dead!"
"Those were all loyal old comrades!" Bim's eyes were bloodshot, and the gruesome wound on his neck throbbed and glowed red. "Some of them could sing the most authentic Sanskrit chants, pray for the caravan, and light cow dung fires at night to cook us a pot of hot curry..."
"They're all gone..." Old Bim said sadly, but quickly composed himself and continued his story.
"Not long after that, the old master went to Brahma. The old master was disappointed for a long time, but soon he organized a small caravan and went to the East again."
"Did it succeed this time?" Vijay's curiosity was piqued; no one had ever told him these family secrets in detail before.
"We failed!" Old Bim shook his head and continued to recall, "This time it was because of internal strife among the barbarians. When we arrived at the camp, they were fighting fiercely. Stones the size of millstones were flying everywhere, killing camels and oxen. Thunderous roars scared away the crossbow horses. The entire camp was soaked in blood, making it slippery to walk on. There was no other way but to return the way we came."
"The next time they set off, the old man seemed to have forgotten the way, and the entire caravan got lost in the wilderness, almost trespassing into the territory of monsters... In the end, it was only with great difficulty that a few people managed to get back."
"On the seventh journey, your brother also joined the team..." Old Bim looked up cautiously at Vijay.
Vijay remembered this older brother; at that time, he had already begun his studies and was about to go to the temple in the city.
The older brother, who had already graduated from the temple, was preparing to return home to inherit the family business, so naturally he had to join the procession.
"This time it was a success!" Vijay continued, as memories surfaced of how even noble Brahmins and Kshatriyas had come to Mittal's village to ask his father for those treasures from the East.
During that period, Vijaya was treated very well in the temple. Even the son of a Kshatriya envied his wealth and often came to borrow his jewel-encrusted penholder. Even the Brahmin children admired the divine favor that Mithar's family received and were willing to recite the Vedas with him and share the sacred fruits in the temple.
As a supporting character in the story, the rest of the story gradually came to Vijay's mind.
Encouraged by this success, Vijay's father once again organized a large group, this time investing almost all of the profits from the previous effort, and assembling over 100 Shudras...
A Brahmin priest, holding a jar of holy water, sprinkled holy water blessed by Shiva on each member of the caravan, chanting prayers in Sanskrit; a Kshatriya presented the caravan with a bow and arrow inlaid with jewels, wishing them a safe journey. Countless blessings poured over Vijaya's father and brother, and the air was filled with the aromas of sandalwood, flowers, and curry.
Vijay still remembers that grand occasion.
However, less than a month later, the father returned, not with endless treasures, but with a broken body, and his brother had also disappeared without a trace...
"I understand!" Vijay shook his head, unsure of what to say.
But the decline of the Mittal family seemed inevitable from that time onward.
"Go and rest!" Vijay rubbed his head, not knowing where to begin.
After that, Vijay's father was bedridden for a long time and became taciturn, seemingly unwilling to talk about the last failure or say anything to Vijay.
Vijay's treatment of him plummeted during his studies at the temple, with his supporters turning into enemies, and he even developed a strong aversion to the Mittal surname.
And it seems that not long after that, Vijay would fall into a coma from time to time, starting once a year and gradually becoming more frequent, until his father passed away in depression, and this "curse of Shiva" on him became more and more frequent...
Until the last violent attack, he vomited blood and convulsed all over...
Just as Maya was crying in bewilderment, Li Weijie arrived!
A faint fragrance wafted into Vijay's nostrils. Turning his head, he saw Maya's hands gently touching his temples.
"Shiva, Master, what can I do for you?"
Maya's sincere eyes were full of concern. Her small hands moved slightly, causing her breasts to tremble. The golden beads on her body rubbed together, making a soft, crisp sound, just like the vibrant energy of youth. Mixed with the faint sandalwood scent on her body, it calmed the mind.
Vijay reached out and gently pulled Maya into his arms. Maya's soft, innocent body crashed into him, her deep valley burying Vijay's face, and beads of sweat, scented with sandalwood, dripped onto his bare chest.
Thoughts, like tangled threads, and inexplicable pressure transformed into boundless lust, licking and burning. In their ears came the gentle whispers of Maya, as melodious as Sanskrit songs. The room was filled with the smoke of sandalwood incense, and the light of the brass oil lamp flickered, illuminating the intertwined figures of the two. The clear springs, as always, embraced everything.
As dusk approached, Vijay finally placed the limp and powerless Maya on the bed, covered her with a thin blanket embroidered with lotus patterns, straightened his robes, and stood up.
His mind had completely calmed down.
They began to sort through the memories that Mittal Vijay had just resurfaced, piecing together the family's past little by little, like sorting through scattered palm leaf scriptures.
Mittal Vijay's father did not tell him the family secret in person, but whether unwilling or unable, he certainly would not stand idly by and watch the family line end.
He must have left something somewhere, just as Brahmin priests would copy scriptures onto palm leaves and pass them down through generations.
That place can only be in the family's treasure vault!