전생검신 1805화

I was flabbergasted by the Zen Master’s words.

“No…? Zen Master, you’ve teamed up with me on thirty-one occasions. Yet, this is the first I’m hearing of such things!”

Is it logical to share the significant detail that Gautama Buddha’s ten great disciples are sealed only now? If it were anyone else speaking, I’d think it was just nonsense!

‘But the Zen Master isn’t one to lie about things like this…?’

As my confusion grew, the Zen Master gazed at me with serene eyes and spoke.

“I’m not privy to your memories, but I think I grasp why Nolnap didn’t mention the seal in the past lives.”

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

“Follow me.”

The Zen Master rose silently and began walking slowly somewhere. I trailed after Grand Master Myung-ho until I realized we were gradually heading away from the Shaolin Temple’s Great Hero Hall toward a remote mountain peak.

‘Hmm. This is completely different from the direction of the Ark, isn’t it?’

The Ark was located in a deep valley about thirty li from the Shaolin Temple, and I roughly knew its location. I had thought the Zen Master was guiding me toward the Ark, but it seemed he was directing me to a different place altogether. Curiosity piqued, I followed him and asked.

“Are we heading to the location of the ten great disciples’ seal? Is it like a secret place?”

The Zen Master chuckled somewhat helplessly.

“Ha ha… a secret place, huh… It could be, but it’s not a legendary artifact as impressive as the Ark.”

“Then?”

“It will serve to cloak your identity from the Shaolin disciples, so don’t be offended.”

“Um, understood.”

Eventually, I discerned that the Zen Master was heading inside the Shaolin Temple. We weren’t going to the outside of Sungsil Peak after all. Consequently, I felt various monks glancing our way as we walked, and the attention made me scratch my face awkwardly.

The Zen Master finally stopped in front of a large hall, addressing four Shaolin monks guarding it.

“This child is to become a scholarly monk with a secret mission. None shall enter without Nolnap’s command.”

“Understood, as you say!”

The monks immediately knelt before the Zen Master. Witnessing this, I truly felt the Zen Master was one of the notable figures in the Martial World. Each monk’s martial skills surpassed peak levels, and yet they showed absolute obedience with no reply to a single word from the Zen Master.

But before I could soak that in, I was startled by the signboard hanging at the entrance.

“Th-this place…?”

“Let’s step inside for now.”

“……”

What’s going on here? What does he intend to do…?

Feeling perplexed, I entered the hall and realized it was entirely empty except for the Zen Master and me. Once confirming no prying eyes were around, I finally spoke up.

“Zen Master! What is happening here?”

“Hmm…”

“Why did you bring me to the Shaolin Temple’s Great Scripture Hall?!”

Indeed, this place was said to house all the scriptures of the Shaolin Temple! Given that the Shaolin was a major Martial World force as well as an extensive Buddhist monastery, the library’s scale must have been monumental, housing six towering structures, each with nine floors. The sheer number of texts contained here could easily be in the tens of thousands.

However, I felt strangely uneasy.

Why on earth is Gautama Buddha’s ten great disciple sealed in the Great Scripture Hall of the Shaolin Temple?!

And why hasn’t Zen Master Myung-ho mentioned this in all the past lives?!

The Zen Master calmly pulled a Buddhist scripture from nearby and placed it on the table.

“You’re familiar with this scripture, right?”

I checked the title and let out a sound of surprise.

“The Diamond Sutra…!”

“Indeed. This sutra was the catalyst for your understanding of emptiness… Through it, you obtained insights that could resolve the enigmas of the Reverse Root Water Mirror.”

“Right.”

“What was the essence of the Diamond Sutra?”

“Well… It deals with the conversation between Subhuti and Gautama. I have indeed spent many years in the Training World training alongside Subhuti himself.”

“That Subhuti was one of Gautama’s ten great disciples. However, it seems he wasn’t aware of what the others were up to…”

“……?”

Huh? What does he want to imply?

Not quite grasping the Zen Master’s words, I tilted my head as he spoke calmly.

“The true author of the Reverse Root Water Mirror was none other than the first abbot of this temple, Hye Ga, and it was carried on by the second abbot, Dao Xin. However, according to Nolnap’s teachings, Hye Ga didn’t establish this Shaolin Temple single-handedly.”

“Then?”

“Hye Ga had a fellow practitioner, and one might say another Master who was his companion. This individual transmitted the cultivation of the Eight Consciousnesses and taught him different approaches to the correct method, allowing the Shaolin Temple’s understandings to deviate from the Buddha’s teachings.”

I could understand the gist of what the Zen Master was saying. After all, even though Bodhidharma hailed from the land of the white lotus, his past life’s title was related to the Demon Path, so it is likely that his disciple, Hye Ga, possessed similar abilities.

Still, the fact that the Shaolin Temple, a descendant of Hye Ga, remained true to the fundamental teachings of Buddhism indicated that the cause lay with the other Master of Hye Ga.

When I grasped this, I finally began to catch on to the Zen Master’s intentions.

“……No way.”

“Indeed. The friend and teacher of Hye Ga… He was one of Gautama’s ten great disciples known as Maha Kashyapa.”

“……!”

“This is the history that has been passed down through the ages regarding the masters of the Shaolin Temple… Additionally, unless one knows the dark secrets entwined with the likes of Bodhidharma, it is exceedingly difficult to grasp its essence, so it has been passed discreetly.”

Maha Kashyapa!

That name was familiar to anyone who had studied Buddhism to any extent. How could they not know of that casual anecdote about the flower and the smile known as the “Bodhi Transmission”?

But Maha Kashyapa was a figure from thousands of years ago! To think he was alive and had significantly aided in establishing the Shaolin Temple – that was truly unexpected!

Driven by curiosity, I spoke up.

“So, are you saying that Maha Kashyapa is sealed right here in this Great Scripture Hall?”

“Correct.”

“That’s wonderful. What kind of seal is he contained in? Even if it’s divine, I can break it, so please show me the seal!”

I felt a surge of excitement. No matter what magical defense or seal it might be, I was confident I could shatter it just by harnessing my true power.

However, the Zen Master smiled wryly and pointed to a nearby library.

“It’s in there.”

“……? That’s just a library.”

“Indeed.”

“Are you playing with me?”

“This isn’t a joke.”

As the Zen Master continued, I felt dazed.

“Maha Kashyapa is said to have blended himself into the understanding of the scriptures after Hye Ga entered Nirvana. He left behind a prophecy: ‘I shall reappear before anyone who comprehends all the scriptures within the Great Scripture Hall.’”

“……!”

“While the temple regarded this only as a legend, you know better that this isn’t just myth. You, Baek Woong, are the only one who has passed through the Reverse Root Water Mirror.”

My expression hardened at the Zen Master’s words.

“……The realm of books! You mean to say… that Maha Kashyapa could also create such a realm!”

“Indeed. Just as Hye Ga crafted the Reverse Root Water Mirror to impart enlightenment to you, Maha Kashyapa could do the same.”

The Zen Master looked up at the towering Great Scripture Hall, full of scriptures, and spoke.

“The act of comprehending all the scriptures here is, in essence, the seal that encases him.”

“…….”

I believed the Zen Master was right. Considering Hye Ga’s precedents, it would be undeniable that the ten great disciple of Gautama, Maha Kashyapa would indeed manifest before anyone who awakened the scriptures in this Great Scripture Hall!

But my disbelief took form as I stammered.

“How… how will I study all of these scriptures? How many have you read, Zen Master?”

“Nolnap has studied and memorized 7,602 scriptures in total.”

“…….”

“However, even I couldn’t inspect an entire intracity of the texts.”

Indeed, it was evident he was a Zen master. Not only a supreme martial artist but having studied over seven thousand texts as well! Yet hearing that such a master did not meet the threshold conditions for Maha Kashyapa’s manifestation sent me spiraling into dismay.

I found it absurd to utter.

“What on earth would Maha Kashyapa create such a seal for and confine himself?”

“I have no idea. Yet, I believe you now understand.”

The Zen Master quietly chanted “Amitabha” as he spoke.

“Why wouldn’t I have mentioned the seal of Maha Kashyapa to you across your past lives…?”

“Hmm… I think I get it.”

It was best left unsaid.

‘If it was merely a matter of reading the scriptures in the Great Scripture Hall, there would have been no reason to keep it from me. Even if there are tens of thousands of volumes, as long as I took the time, it could be accomplished. However, the condition for Maha Kashyapa’s appearance is ‘to comprehend the scriptures.’ Meaning, I must attain insights from each one to meet Maha Kashyapa’s satisfaction…’

Achieving the ambiguous condition of understanding the scriptures is far too difficult, especially when I’m already busy trying to tackle the obstacles right in front of me in this life. Thus, there was no point in even mentioning the legend of Maha Kashyapa which may have uncertain chances of being realized.

The Zen Master must have thought he’d attain that condition someday through the continuous study of the scriptures of the Great Scripture Hall across his past lives.

After all, there were hundreds of years until the end of days, so he could have thought that through his efforts and the efforts of the monks of Shaolin, it might be possible.

But looking at the circumstances regarding the Great Bear Empire, it seemed Shaolin had failed to summon Maha Kashyapa even until the very end.

Realizing the reality of the situation, I addressed the Zen Master.

“So, it means I have to begin my studies of the scriptures at the Great Scripture Hall now?”

“If you wish Maha Kashyapa to appear before you someday, that seems to be the only choice… but, as you might suspect, it’s an arduous path of fierce patience and solitude, so I do not recommend it.”

“Understood…”

I fell into deep thought before inquiring.

“What happens when Maha Kashyapa appears? Knowing that would give me the motivation to strive…”

“Honestly, I don’t know… Until your existence manifested, I considered it but a legend of the temple… Yet if he were someone akin to Hye Ga, he must surely know about your existence from past lives… The fact that he left behind a seal in the Great Scripture Hall likely has some reason connected to you.”

“…….”

I looked at the scriptures scattered around me. The sheer number seemed to elicit a sigh, but suddenly I spoke up.

“Zen Master. I have a request.”

“Go ahead.”

“I have a personal place to read, so please lend me some texts from the Great Scripture Hall later. Not right now.”

“Ha ha. Of course.”

Even the time for pondering over the books was precious, but if it were merely to buy time, there were ways to manage that!

‘The Ten Great Disciples of the Buddha… I’ll find a way to summon him later.’

For some reason, I had a hunch that he was hiding significant secrets.

“Alright then…”

After concluding my conversation with the Zen Master, I decided to head to the Imperial Palace. Now that I had secured Zhuge Yulong, the principal dark figure of the Imperial Palace, I didn’t need to regard the palace as unapproachable.

Pa-at!

Upon arriving at the Imperial Palace, I headed toward the seal of the National Seal. I had memorized the location of the seal in the Great Dragon Hall, where the Emperor resided, having been there several times.

Yet, as I activated the Golden Lamp technique to step into the Great Dragon Hall where the National Seal’s seal was held, I felt an unusual aura that made me shudder.

‘What’s this?’

In a split second, I felt something amiss and entered the ceiling to conceal my energy. It seemed the source of that strange power hadn’t detected me. While remaining hidden in the ceiling of the Great Dragon Hall, I overheard the conversation below.

“What’s that? I sensed something strange for a moment…”

“What are you talking about…?”

“……Forget it. Anyway, let’s conclude the conversation.”

A voice from some woman wielding a giant scythe echoed throughout the Great Dragon Hall.

“Zhuge Yulong. As I said earlier, swiftly prepare twelve portrait immortals for sacrifices. You need to deliver them to us by the end of this year.”

In response, Zhuge Yulong replied.

“It’s not impossible, but there will be a decline in quality. Is that acceptable?”

“Of course not. Make them as complete as possible. You know it’s achievable with more sacrifices.”

“But to do that, we’d need several thousand human sacrifices for each…”

“Start a war with Goryeo or something. Just snatch away some humans in the process. Do I have to explain the methods to you?”

“…….”

“If you disregard our demands, our deal ends here.”

“Understood. I’ll comply.”

“Well then, I’ll see you again around this time next year.”

“Take care.”

Hu Woong!

A moment later, the woman’s presence vanished without a trace. I was sure the aura had dissipated before I quietly appeared before Zhuge Yulong.

“Zhuge Yulong. That was the Yacha from the Eight Parts of the Divine.”

Indeed.

A being wielding a giant scythe, strong enough to rival a Great Immortal – it could only be the Yacha, known as the Demon Lord of the Mortal Realm. There was nothing odd about Yacha having been in the Imperial Palace, collaborating with Zhuge Yulong. I had fought against Yacha at the Imperial Palace before as well.

Zhuge Yulong was noticeably startled at my appearance.

“Hmm! When did you arrive?”

“Just after casually finishing a chat with the Zen Master, I happened upon Yacha talking here. Why on earth is he suddenly demanding twelve portrait immortals?”

Zhuge Yulong let out a low sound before responding to my question.

“Hmm… He didn’t mention the reason at all.”

“So he just made the request?”

“Indeed. This is the first time the Eight Parts have been so authoritative. Moreover, the coincidence of him showing up just as I returned to the Imperial Palace means he must have been waiting for an opportunity to bring this up.”

“If I remember correctly, Mahuraga has placed a barrier at the mountain of Ye, so the two of them weren’t in a hierarchy…”

“More like an allied relationship. Since I’m just a mortal, I naturally treat the Eight Parts with respect. However, since I have divine backing myself, they somewhat respected me too, but this is the first time they’ve come off so hostile.”

“…….”

I had a hunch that this was yet another variable in this cycle.

‘The eight parts used to be those who secretly reached their hands into the Imperial Palace while observing. Due to the attention from the Three Sovereigns, they generally acted cautiously. Make a mistake and you could be exterminated by them, like what happened to Zhu Rong or Jeon Wook.’

I fell deeper into thought.

‘But suddenly demanding twelve portraits for sacrifices means they must have encountered another compelling reason. It’s certainly a variable that diverges from the thirty-first cycle.’

If I’d known, maybe I should have fought Yacha and seized him just now to extract information…

‘No, it wouldn’t help to dwell on it.’

As I reflected, I shook my head. The situation was still unclear, and attacking Yacha suddenly and failing to catch him would be the worst case. For now, it was strategically advantageous to continue operating from the shadows while maintaining my presence.

After contemplating, I addressed Zhuge Yulong.

“Zhuge Yulong. Do you have any inkling as to why the Eight Parts need twelve portrait immortals…?”

“…….”

Zhuge Yulong remained silent for a moment before speaking.

“If it’s mere conjecture, would it be okay to share it?”

“Go ahead.”

“The fact that they specified a count of twelve implies a ritualistic significance. In other words, they aim to conduct a special sacrificial ceremony that requires twelve elements to gain a benefit. Given the recent instability of the celestial mechanisms, it likely connects to the stellar phenomena.”

“The stellar phenomena? Are you saying it’s related to the stars?”

“Indeed. The Eight Parts must have sensed the anomalies that appeared with the stars of our era, and are possibly preparing their own sacrificial ceremony to cope with it. And as you know, portraits are the highest-grade sacrificial offerings, so it seems they’re requesting them from me.”

“Hmm.”

If that’s the case, the significance of the number twelve is critical?

‘Twelve…? Does it refer to the twelve zodiac signs?’

No, the zodiac isn’t particularly related to stars.

As I pondered, feeling a bit confused, Zhuge Yulong continued.

“Anyway, what brings you here to the Imperial Palace?”

“Oh, I came to unseal the National Seal.”

“……You really talk like it’s an easy task no one has achieved in history.”

“Heh… As long as Cheon Woo-jin is around, it’s a simple matter.”

I chuckled and attempted to pull out Cheon Woo-jin from my wooden armor.

“Come on out, Cheon Woo-jin!”

……?

Huh? He’s not in there?

I realized Cheon Woo-jin wasn’t among the items in the wooden armor and felt bewildered. Instead, I found a note placed in the spot where he should have been.

I read the note.

[I need to focus on mastering a new sorcery. I don’t want to be dragged around without pay. Next time, set my compensation right.]

“…….”

What the heck… did he escape by himself from the wooden armor?!

Clearly, time should have stopped the moment he entered the armor!!

I was incredulous, but then I recognized that Cheon Woo-jin’s current abilities could easily defy the rules of a mere artifact! He must be the strongest among our party right now. I gaped at the note, crumpling it in confusion while tentatively glancing at Zhuge Yulong.

“Hmm… don’t you have some sorcery skills? Let’s go together and unseal the National Seal.”

“I can’t.”

“Huh? You can’t?”

“It’s not that I don’t know the location of the National Seal. It’s just that my current abilities wouldn’t even allow me to touch it. I left it alone because I knew that. Instead, it’s impressive that Cheon Woo-jin has unsealed it every life.”

“Ugh.”

My expression soured. I’d suspected this, but the gap in abilities between human sorcerers and Cheon Woo-jin was much greater than I anticipated.

‘Damn. Normally, I’d use my divine power to bust through it…’

However, if I were to get reckless and use Thunder Soul energy, I’d risk blowing up the entire Imperial Palace!

‘Tch. Probably Cheon Woo-jin went back to where Mangnyang is, so I have to persuade him to return…’

As I was fretting over it, I suddenly heard a voice.

[Come on, just let’s try it once!]

“Huh?”

The unexpected voice came from the Divine Sword.

The Divine Sword sparkled with orange light as it addressed me.

[I don’t know what it is, but I feel a familiar aura coming from below. Who knows if I can be of help?]

“Hmm… I suppose I have nothing to lose.”

Grumbling, I decided to venture with the Divine Sword into the depths of the Great Dragon Hall.

Chiri-ring!

As expected, a powerful ancient celestial barrier was weaving a labyrinth! This maze could only be broken by someone like Mangnyang, who was a celestial with Seven Fires, Seven Golds.

“Ugh. This is frustrating.”

I need to be careful with my energy when using Thunder Soul…

While I contemplated how to breach this labyrinth barrier without causing too much destruction to the Imperial Palace, I suddenly received a suggestion.

[Swing me!]

“Huh?”

[As you say, I’m the greatest sword in the Central Plains, right? There’s no way I can’t break such a barrier!]

“Uh… really? Let’s see what you can do.”

Taking a plunge, I placed my intention into the Divine Sword and swung it.

Kuawa-kwang!

In an instant, the hundreds of layers forming the labyrinth barrier shattered without a trace! Just one slash emitted a wave that obliterated the entire maze.

I was genuinely astonished.

“Oh!”

I hadn’t had high expectations, and I didn’t even use strong intention, yet everything shattered?!

So this Divine Sword is fundamentally more powerful than the treasure of Seven Fires, Seven Golds?

The Divine Sword confidently proclaimed,

[Ha! I’m truly amazing!]

“Did you just use all your power?”

[Not at all! It’s just that you were holding back, so I held back too!]

“…….”

What’s with this guy? Can he sense how much power I’m using?!

I shook my head in confusion but continued onward with the Divine Sword until I found the National Seal, which was engulfed in Divine Light. Without hesitation, I grasped the National Seal in my hand.

Paaah!

As soon as I gripped it, a cosmos of starlight unfolded before me, illuminating the universe. The Divine Sword chattered while in my grip.

[What a magnificent view!]

When I reached out to touch the orb, which was roughly the size of my own body, a voice resonated from it.

[I am the artifact left by the Sovereign, Shao Hao Jin Tian. You are worthy of becoming the master of the National Seal of the Three Sovereigns…]

The spirit of the National Seal had been testing my worth when suddenly it recoiled.

[Ah… no! Why are you here!]

“Huh? Me?”

[How could it be… I did not recognize you! Oh mighty king, please forgive my rudeness!]

The spirit of the National Seal instantly began glowing.

[Do not believe that I have defied your majesty; I beseech you to use me wisely…!]

Paaah!

Before long, I felt the intricate patterns of the heavenly dragon and phoenix emerge from the National Seal in my grasp.

Having acquired the National Seal so effortlessly left me in a daze.

“I haven’t even become the Emperor yet in this life…”

Why is the spirit of the National Seal suddenly sucking up to me?

Could it be that I have some semblance of royal aura emerging?