Chapter 253

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Inside the Dantian, while the chaotic fires and pure intentions of Dao are swirling, they are merely mortal fates to Pachen Magi.

Pachen Magi is the essence of Angra Mainyu, the embodiment of destruction described by the Heavenly Demon Sect, heralding a predestined apocalypse where a colossal star will crash down to erase everything for a future recreation of the world.

So, Pachen Magi simply sits back and watches with lofty indifference. What can the fleeting true energies of mere mortals do? In the end, once the flesh dies, they’ll scatter and return to nature.

Then, the only energy left—the ultimate true energy—will be Pachen Magi, who remains immortal until the destined future.

Pachen Magi merely pauses, as if watching children perform, to indulge in the momentary excitement of these short-lived beings…

Smack! Smack!

Today too, as Hwanhee Jin-gi was pounding fiercely on the grotesque demon stuck firmly in the Dantian corner, he tilted his head.

What’s this? This little guy is laughing?

Pachen Magi is an extraordinarily peculiar demon. Usually, demons whisper ruthlessly and provocatively to their masters, inciting them to cruelty and debauchery.

However, Pachen Magi only houses pure destruction, and when peeking during the thrashing, you might catch a glimpse of a sacred longing for new births within the chaos.

After pounding away at the rock-hard Pachen Magi for a while, Hwanhee Jin-gi found no particular amusement today either.

So, in search of fun, he turned his gaze, and the demons under Zhan Magi, who had pretended to sit quietly in the corner, began to stealthily move toward the door.

Thinking, “That crazy Jin-gi will come pounding after us again.”

Hwanhee Jin-gi watched this scene calmly, adopting an attitude of “if you want to run away, go ahead.”

Then, he suddenly kicked his leg, causing the demons to jump and their escape attempts to turn into a chaotic crash against the door, which flung open inward, hitting them hard as they tumbled back into the Dantian.

And there appeared a new family member, riding atop a tray held by a dragon and an elephant!

Dragons and elephants are considered the most auspicious animals in Buddhist culture, hence the golden dragon and golden elephant gleaming in their artistic depictions.

The great Zen master slightly squinted his eyes in confusion.

The atmosphere seemed like a family of demons, but why are they excessively smeared with the grime of the secular world?

However, the familiar scent of his hometown wafted out of the ancient teachings crafted from the heavenly teachings.

Thus, when the ancestral true energy dramatically rushed to embrace its kin, the true energy of the Dao also watched with warm paternal smiles.

As if to say, “I can’t handle this anymore, I can’t bear to see this!” the Zhan Magi bolted outside, and the demons followed suit.

And there was Pachen Magi, chuckling away at the mold stuck to the wall, tears flowing for some unknown reason.

Pachen Magi is laughing…

—-

When Gongson Yo-ye appears, I thought I should have a chat, but it seems Tang Nan-ah is busy participating in family events.

“Oh, she showed her face at every banquet but wore a look of ‘what do I do now?’ Well, either the Gongson Family or the Sima Family from the fallen clan will be stepping up soon, so she’s busy paying her respects right now.”

“Hmm. I see. Ah, Tang Nan-ah. If I use the natural true energy, can I replenish it with something else?”

“What!? Are you saying, after getting into this mess, you want to use the natural true energy? If you do that, I’m really not seeing Qing Ah anymore. I won’t!”

Tang Nan-ah sternly warned.

“No, I’m not saying I would. But, what do you mean this mess? I—”

“What mess are you talking about? Bruises upon bruises, and then doing restoration methods on top of that? Ha! It seems like every vein is bursting! Why don’t you just get a balance by getting hit on both sides and stick something like sweet potatoes on your chest? Can’t I say that’s how it looks? You really get me upset.”

“But, isn’t it supposed to return to normal after it settles down? Eventually, it’ll heal with time.”

“What!? So you just keep chopping off your limbs and putting them back? As long as you cut them well, it’ll be fine, right?”

Tang Nan-ah fixed her glare towards me.

“…Sorry.”

“Just don’t get hurt, okay?”

“Okay.”

Qing nodded obediently.

“So, why the natural true energy? Did you pick up something like the Parasitic Sect again?”

“No, if there’s such a martial art among the martial arts, I mean…”

“Ah, that kind? Well, every martial art differs, but generally, they mix a bit of natural true energy with true energy, right? That way, the flow of true energy speeds up explosively. Of course, the veins will take a beating. You end up looking like those udders from the swollen bovines.”

It seemed the leftovers of anger were still simmering.

“I’m sorry. So, if I rest or take an elixir, can I replenish my natural true energy? Like the Great Elixir?”

“Well, even without the Great Elixir, a well-crafted elixir will do the trick as well. But the thing is, using it constantly isn’t like… what to say? Ah, right…”

Natural true energy isn’t meant to be used upon command—it’s the very fuel that keeps life flowing, just as hearts beat and lungs breathe.

Consequently, it’s coiled around the center of the body, also known as the Middle Dantian.

But if you keep pulling it out, it’s like the door preventing leaks—analagous to it becoming loose.

“A door that’s well-fitted doesn’t let in a breath of wind. However, as it opens and closes, it may slightly warp, and the frame may suffer tiny damages and develop holes.”

“Can’t the door be fixed?”

“It’s best to say it can’t be fixed. Only when you undergo a massive rebirth, perhaps? Or once you reach a significant level. Starting from that point, the body begins to fix itself and adds fresh flesh to the aging frame.”

This is known as the phenomenon of Reverse Flow and Return to Youth.

“Hmm. That sounds really bad.”

“Is that what you call bad? It’s better than dying, but that doesn’t mean you should try to learn something! People tend to use what they have, so rather than learning martial arts, why not join a Parasitic Sect instead? Ah, right. This one’s on you.”

Tang Nan-ah suddenly pulled a small box from her pocket.

“It’s the Explosive Qi Core Pill. The duration isn’t long, just this much, so use it to escape in dangerous moments.”

“Oh. Thanks. I keep receiving from you.”

“Hm? Hmm. Hehe. If you’re grateful, don’t just say it… Ah, lady, you just had to get hurt, didn’t you? Consider it a debt. I’ll collect later.”

“Debt? What are you going to collect? You’re supposed to be the benefactor of the Tang Family. It’s not like it’s a trade.”

“Ugh.”

Tang Nan-ah furrowed her brow in frustration.

“Just kidding. Always appreciate you looking out for me.”

Qing said this and smiled shyly.

In that instant, Tang Nan-ah’s expression went blank, her mouth falling open in shock.

“Lady. I can’t…”

“Hmm?”

“Never mind! I’m leaving! Suddenly remembered something urgent. Yeah. I think I left something simmering. See you next time!”

And just like that, under the bright, fiery sunset, she disappeared without a trace.

Qing awkwardly clawed at the empty air as if trying to grab hold of her.

“Hmm. I was just about to ask if she wasn’t coming to the Nameless Temple…”

Well, what can I do? I better go alone.

Qing shrugged and walked away step by step.

Heading to the Nameless Temple to deliver the secret manual of Buddha’s Physical Body.

When it comes to the Nameless Temple, its original name is Tianzheng Temple, one of the four great temples of the Northern Song Dynasty, and it was historically very famous.

It once boasted a magnificent stupa soaring high into the sky, which hints at its great era.

Unfortunately, it was swept away by a flood. The logic of temples and Daoist temples being situated high in the mountains was such.

So, sediment built up, and temples were built on top, only to be washed away again by floods. More sediment piled on…

Repeating this cycle, only three layers of the stupa remained from the original nine. After several temples were buried beneath and the area turned ominous, it was abandoned for a long time.

Thus, this is the Nameless Temple, and the three layers that remain make up one of the two pagodas in Kaifeng called the Banta Pagoda.

But why is everyone staring?

Is there a spectacle happening?

Because here comes the renowned Myeonsanya! With a figure that far surpasses the average of the Central Plain, her curvy backside is shaking tantalizingly as she walks by.

As a man, the moment she enters my view, it’s impossible to look away; I can only gaze at that enticing silhouette.

If this isn’t a spectacle, then there’s hardly anything left in the world worth seeing.

However, from somewhere, I think I hear the sound of wood being knocked, or the sound of coins clinking.

And thus, Qing arrived at the corner of the Nameless Temple in Kaifeng, where many onlookers could only peel themselves away and chanted sutras.

When Qing first came to Kaifeng, she had visited the famed twin pagodas, which were only ruins at the time, quite forlorn. After the Shaolin disciples made some repairs and lit incense, it began to smell a decent bit like a temple.

As soon as Qing stepped into the Nameless Temple, a monk in yellow-orange robes from Shaolin appeared smoothly and greeted her.

“Amitabha. Seomun Shijushigun.”

“Yes. Is Great Master Muhak inside?”

“He said he would be here in about a day or two. But even great masters like him can occasionally be mistaken. Currently, he is observing his disciples in the Mahavira Hall.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Just a moment. Hmm. However, the disciples are currently heavily focused on their training, and if they see visitors, they might become possessed by demons. Would you mind waiting in the other room for a while? I’ll bring him shortly. By the way, it seems you’ve completed the secret manual?”

“Yes. Oh, should I deliver it now? If Great Master Muhak is busy, I wouldn’t want to take up his time unnecessarily.”

The monk smiled warmly.

“Could I let a guest who traveled such a long way leave without offering my hospitality? Go ahead and wait.”

With that, Qing followed the monk’s instructions.

And upon seeing Qing’s back, the monk, the Wu Sang of Shaolin, gasped in surprise.

What in the world is going on with that gait? If the disciples were to see that, they’d likely compose a fine poem come morning, he mused.

In any case, Qing had no reason to wait long, as news had reached Muhak, who immediately abandoned his disciples and rushed in.

Muhak wore a somewhat sour expression.

“Eh? You finished the secret manual in one day? I specifically told you to write it carefully, word for word, as if it were to remain forever!”

“Ah, I wrote it very prettily! You’ll be surprised when you see my handwriting. The scholars at the Hall of Literature were raving about it.”

“Ha! You whip something half-cooked in a day, and now you’re boasting? Let’s see.”

Muhak’s sentence abruptly halted.

Even before he opened the book, just gazing at the four characters inscribed on the cover—Buddha’s Physical Body—he froze.

What is this! Such a majestic character that stretches forth like Mount Tai, truly incredible!

This is indeed a gem, worth a fortune, that everyone would contend over!

The essence of Shaolin is the immovable heart, like Mount Tai.

And Shaolin’s characters strive to emulate that essence.

But now, having seen the true Mount Tai script, I realize just how hollow their pride was.

There truly was a character that embodied the essence of Mount Tai itself, while they merely gazed at the small hill behind them, pretending it was something grand.

If all of Shaolin’s signs were replaced with this writing, it would indeed echo with the might of Mount Tai!

“Ah! Amitabha! Hehe…”

“Ah. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Huh. It’s dizzying. I thought I had severed my desires, yet clearly, there’s still much to learn as I am but an ordinary being…”

As Muhak muttered in despair, he recognized his own desires.

To think that even the greatest monk of the largest temple in the world would have such a craving for superior handwriting!

“Is this truly your writing?”

“Yes. Looks nice, right?”

“Nice? But you finished writing something like this in a day? Hm. Inside the pages appears to be messy.”

As Muhak was flipping through the book, he abruptly froze again.