Chapter 713 – Stone Sword Group (3)

Sunlight cutting transparently through the threshold gap of Shaolin’s Abbot quarters like a blade. The old monk’s voice settles slowly beneath it.

“When do you plan to marry? Don’t you have anyone in mind?”

A question posed to Jeong Yeon-shin by Great Master Beom-heo sitting on a worn cushion. They were sharing parting sentiments in the pleasantly humble space that seemed unfit for an Abbot’s quarters.

Jeong Yeon-shin briefly questioned back.

“Pardon?”

“I know you’ve been close to that Shin So-bin for a long time. Isn’t it about time to establish a family? Moreover, from the rumors that came from the north, I heard that Hwangbo Clan’s benefactor has already found a partner…?”

“What does that have to do with me?”

“Doesn’t Desolate Fortress value succession issues?”

Great Master Beom-heo said while bringing a teacup wrapped in his sleeve to his lips.

“It’s a very famous tradition. The matter of marriage contracts being made only between the subordinate families of Desolate Fortress. If the party concerned with such matters is the new Desolate Fortress Lord, it goes without saying. It’s not like you’ll live a long life full of worldly concerns like the noble clans.”

An aged smile was hidden in the hem of his worn robes. It was a mischievous expression.

The new Desolate Fortress Lord.

Though Jeong Yeon-shin felt his expression stiffen, he didn’t particularly deny it.

It was still an uncomfortable topic. Worried that if his deranged master regained her senses and returned, there might be no place left for her. Worried that the position that had been her life might be embellished.

Even so, Mount Song’s Divine Sword Group had already begun treating Jeong Yeon-shin as the Lord. Such was the Emperor’s imperial command. Like the unstoppable flow of the times and waves of great righteousness each winding separately before meeting.

If Jeong Yeon-shin, the person concerned, ultimately turned his back on the Lord’s seat, that would only be petulance. The moment he returned to his castle, he would be Desolate Fortress Lord.

‘…Therefore.’

He had to think differently.

Anyway, the place she would return to would always be only one place. Master and disciple who had come through time. Where else but beside her disciple?

Therefore, Jeong Yeon-shin faced the Shaolin Abbot with the status of Desolate Fortress Lord, and despite his complicated inner feelings, he had to show a questioning expression.

“Why would Master be concerned about my succession…?”

“The head monk of a great temple is also known in the world as a matchmaker. Because he regularly becomes acquainted with many people. Sometimes he even arranges marriages for devotees.”

Then the old monk added with a slight smile.

“What about Shaolin then?”

“I’m sorry to say this, but.”

Jeong Yeon-shin slowly shook his head. It was a head movement to disperse from his mind the demonic red light that had wickedly filled his head throughout Great Master Beom-heo’s story. That mad single eye.

“I would like to hear about Shaolin’s future course.”

“You’ve already become quite the Lord, haven’t you?”

“Don’t Henan and Huguang border each other? Though many factions are repeatedly forming alliances and coalitions in these chaotic times, Shaolin and Desolate Fortress would be perfect for moving together.”

Even as he said it himself, he thought it would be no different from a natural disaster. Even more so because he had already experienced some of the One Hundred Eight Arhat Formation’s abilities.

“That would be interesting.”

Beom-ryeol, who was sitting to one side, grins while sweeping his disheveled hair back. It was conduct that felt quite weighty to Jeong Yeon-shin. Because his alias Hell Deviation was resounding throughout the world for killing Six Star Lord Martial Star.

‘He’s a great asset.’

He also felt quite affectionate toward him. Because if his maternal grandfather Ma Yeon-jeok had become a monk, he would have reached rule-breaking like Beom-ryeol. Their ages were similar too.

“Shaolin’s course.”

Great Master Beom-heo shook his head.

“That’s not something an old monk like this poor monk plans. It’s determined by the circumstances of the people at the foot of the mountain and the devotees. Of course, if it were up to me, I’d like to take the entire One Hundred Eight Arhats and give them to Desolate Fortress…”

“Ah.”

“We are warrior monks because we use hands and feet to repel the worldly concerns of sentient beings. Those concerns sometimes become violent neighbors or unwelcome guests in remote rural areas, and sometimes extend to black path ruffians and jianghu’s strongest masters, and even to jianghu people of great factions. No different from Desolate Fortress.”

It meant they wouldn’t move based on sacrificing common people like the military. Like Desolate Fortress before the Seventeen Divine Sword Squads assembled. It meant they would broadly look after the people’s livelihood in chaotic times.

Suddenly Jeong Yeon-shin recalled missions from when he was about fifteen. The blood demons of Jinping County, the Praying Mantis Sect that had even built proper halls despite being unorthodox by colluding with the magistrate, the junior disciples under Profound Martial Alliance who had tried to frivolously take common people’s lives…

They were lands the size of dust specks compared to the entire Central Plains. Even now as Desolate Fortress Lord, there were countless cities he hadn’t visited.

Jeong Yeon-shin slowly opened his mouth.

“…Even so, there will be times when we must work together with all our strength. Please respond to our call even if only at those moments.”

Great Master Beom-heo smiled broadly.

“That much is natural. Don’t we also have to repay favors?”

“At that time, this monk will go even if the Abbot Master tells me not to.”

It was from the side. Words from a noble clan monk who had been sitting without presence like a blade of grass. Jeong Yeon-shin bowed silently to Great Master Won-jeok of the Four Great Vajra.

Great Master Won-jeok’s lips curved up like the tip of a leaf.

“Now there won’t be anyone who knows the benefactor’s heart better than this poor monk. How could I not respond to that call?”

“When you say my heart…?”

“Didn’t this poor monk also experience the time the benefactor spent with the former Desolate Fortress Lord? To this monk there were no separate eons… but at least this poor monk can guess how much that affection for your master must have grown.”

Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t answer, and Great Master Beom-heo muttered with a grave face.

“Eons.”

“…That won’t lead my established will astray.”

Great Master Beom-heo shook his head at Jeong Yeon-shin’s words.

“Having even seen the true gate, how could I doubt your decisiveness? Human worldly concerns run as deep as the size of that heart. I worry about something else.”

“What might that be?”

“When everything is over, will your heart truly be whole?”

“……”

“Just get married.”

“Why does the conversation go that way?”

“Those who establish families reach another realm of life. Without any particular cultivation, they glimpse the diamond that Buddha spoke of. Truly everyone does.”

Great Master Beom-heo continued peacefully.

“Try recalling once. When you saw Benefactor Hwangbo with his wife, what thoughts came to you facing that face?”

“I thought he was crazy…”

“Indeed.”

Though Great Master Beom-heo’s words, which had always flowed like clear water, stopped briefly, the old monk’s story was never completely cut off.

“Aren’t there quite a few people in the guest quarters who would have established families?”

“There were.”

“Their purses are quite light, but they carry heavy stones in their hearts. That’s why each doesn’t fly away even when shaken by worldly waves.”

“Lazy Flame Dragon is different. Though he appears to have reformed at first glance, he’s the type who would put his mouth to poppies again if his wife weren’t there.”

“Who would he be chewing those flowers because of?”

Great Master Beom-heo asked quietly.

The water in the teacup Jeong Yeon-shin held rippled slightly. He was momentarily speechless, and Great Master Beom-heo’s low question continued.

“Are you truly prepared to bear all of that? Reaching the end of your life, will you truly be able to find peace?”

“Isn’t it not something to think about now?”

Jeong Yeon-shin answered slowly.

“I must become stronger. Whether as a martial artist or as the master of a school. The accumulated problems are like Mount Tai.”

“Those great goals of life.”

Great Master Beom-heo slowly shook his head and began speaking.

“Are like this teacup, for instance. The steam is hazy and chaotic. Even when you reach out your hand, it’s only hot, never quite graspable. New problems endlessly arise. However…”

From his cup, pure white steam was still rising thickly. Due to the divine technique of creating Samadhi True Fire with just his sleeve. But that too was momentary – when the old monk blew out with his breath, it scattered without a trace.

What remained was only jade-colored tea.

“This is a person.”

“……”

“As long as tea remains, steam can always be made to rise white. Therefore, I hope.”

Great Master Beom-heo said.

“Don’t neglect the martial arts called life.”

For a moment, it felt like the voice of Dharma Master, which he had never heard, overlapped with that voice. The feeling of his upper energy center resonating gently like a temple bell. Different from Taoist Sanfeng or the First Heavenly Demon who had no suitable successors. It was a place where the incarnations of Buddhist law that had continued to the present era shared wisdom.

Fragrant silence flowed.

Jeong Yeon-shin gazed silently at the tea. His own face was faintly rippling.

“…You’re bestowing teachings upon me.”

“Nothing so grand. In any case, if you keep doing so.”

Great Master Beom-heo, sipping his teacup with his empty sleeve, said.

“Your own Transcendent Martial Art might be created. Isn’t your life one that has already experienced much?”

“……!”

Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes widened, and the old monk’s words continued without hesitation like Bodhidharma’s declaration.

“The day when the thickness of your life surpasses the genius you were merely born with, the day when it becomes as deep as tea steeped to its fullest… try to live so such a moment may come.”

“You knew I have no Transcendent Martial Art.”

Was that also the insight of divine eye penetration?

But Great Master Beom-heo only shrugged with an inscrutable face.

“This old monk is also a natural martial artist, so I’m simply curious what will manifest from your body. From the beginning, when martial artists weave together Transcendent Martial Art, their flesh advances one step to match that ultimate technique. That effectiveness must have greater improvement the higher the achievement of basic skills… I’d like to see how much stronger your body could become.”

“Master.”

“From time to time, look into tea. That’s sufficient for our lives.”

Then Great Master Beom-heo put down his teacup with a thud.

It was an elegant dismissal.

“……”

Jeong Yeon-shin looked down at that teacup for a moment.

At the edge of the small ripples, Little Heavenly Demon Invincible’s shadow also flickered. The sight of her standing upside down on the edge of the roof outside. A scene of her peering at Jeong Yeon-shin through the window gap.

It reflected directly on the paper door. Her night sky-like hair was flowing down long.

Creak.

After bidding farewell to the monks, he left the Abbot’s quarters.

Little Heavenly Demon Invincible stood upright on the roof as if she had never been upside down. Jeong Yeon-shin sensed her with his energy perception. She still had a mirage-like bearing.

Without bothering to look back, he spoke to her.

“You’re showing signs of departure.”

“I plan to enjoy some scenery I haven’t seen.”

That was Little Heavenly Demon Invincible’s answer. Jeong Yeon-shin spoke while taking steps.

“You used to say you wanted the world to be destroyed.”

“That was when my abilities permitted it. I made up my mind too late.”

“When will you die?”

“I gained insights from the previous battle. My will has become strong enough to solidify my forbidden martial arts, so I’ll probably live about three more months.”

“That’s enough for you to tour the Central Plains.”

“Will you let me go? You used to tell me to stay by your side.”

Though she asked in a voice mixed with metallic sounds, Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t stop walking. Because he had already received much help. How could he work someone who would die soon?

Soon Little Heavenly Demon Invincible’s voice took on hateful playfulness.

“My little brother’s fickleness is no less than mine. So don’t you have any intention of whispering to me alone who you’ll take as your wife? I think I’d be curious about this when I die.”

Jeong Yeon-shin slowly opened his mouth.

“If you commit no evil acts until just before closing your eyes and come to me, I’ll prepare a tea setting. I’ll warm the cup then let it cool.”

“What?”

“Our faces will be reflected in the tea. That day I’ll apologize for comparing you to a broken mirror.”

“……”

After that, until Jeong Yeon-shin silently walked down the path, Little Heavenly Demon Invincible’s presence didn’t follow. No answer came back either. Like a stone monkey turning to stone.

Thus Jeong Yeon-shin swept away one strand of steam from the teacup in his heart.

It wasn’t the end. There was more.

Thump.

A footstep that rang distantly.

Very far away, the blind man in the bamboo hat was passing through the mountain gate. Slowly tapping with the old Winter Dream Sword as a staff – thump, thump.

The sight of him going down the slope path supported by one sword alone without any Form Shifting Void swordwork, with one leg. It didn’t seem like Unorthodox Finest Sword at all.

Only lonely.

Jeong Yeon-shin witnessed white steam from his retreating figure. It seemed like no tea remained, as Great Master Beom-heo had shown.