Gakjeong said that the Heavenly Killing Star appeared on a fixed cycle, and that the time for that cycle to arrive was drawing near—then he left the Shaolin Temple.
And indeed, according to my memories from before the regression, a few years later the Heavenly Killing Star would appear and lay waste to Yunnan.
"If what the great Master Gakjeong uncovered is true… that's remarkable."
He had succeeded in uncovering at least part of the secret of the Heavenly Killing Star, a secret no one in the history of the martial world had ever managed to reveal.
That was an outstanding achievement, beyond any dispute.
Jeonghyeon, however, seemed to think a little differently.
He gave a bitter smile and slowly shook his head.
"I am not so sure. I want to trust the Master, but more than that, I wish for him to spend his remaining years in peace. It is fortunate that he has no internal energy, for lately the Master has been… so obsessed that one might worry he is on the verge of Qi Deviation."
"Obsessed… you say?"
I had heard that the most important teaching of Buddhism was to let go of attachment.
Yet here was a man who had once been the abbot of Shaolin, gripped by an attachment so fierce that his disciple feared he might fall into Qi Deviation.
I hesitated, finding it hard to believe—but only for a moment. Jeonghyeon, his gaze still fixed ahead, continued.
"Amitabha. To the Master, his disciple was like a son. And unless one achieves true enlightenment, one must eventually live in the mortal world, so I do not blame him. …I only wish for him to find peace."
"…If the Venerable Gakjeong truly finds the Heavenly Killing Star, what do you think will happen?"
"Nothing good, I suspect."
This time, he would either kill the Heavenly Killing Star before it bloomed, or—as in the past—he would insist on properly suppressing its Killing Heart and raise the child himself.
Either way, I doubted a good ending awaited Gakjeong.
And given his considerable age, even if he did bring back a child bearing the Heavenly Killing Star, his lifespan might run out before he ever saw what kind of ending awaited him.
In the end, he would spend the remainder of his years filled with regret and lingering attachment until the moment he closed his eyes.
As a Buddhist disciple, that was certainly the most forbidden attitude, and as a disciple, he probably wanted to stop his master from walking a path so clearly strewn with thorns.
The atmosphere grew heavy for a moment. As if to break it, Tang So-wol spoke up in a slightly exaggerated, bright voice.
"Ah! Speaking of which, the Venerable Gakjeong had arrived right at the foot of Mount Song, but then said he had other business and left first. None of us noticed except for Hwa-rin unni, so I was a bit surprised. I only saw him from a distance at the Dragon Phoenix Gathering, but… as expected, Shaolin's martial arts are truly amazing!"
"Heh heh. Come to think of it, I never asked why you benefactors came to visit. Though you're still considered rising talents, you are proper Martial Artists now, so I doubt you came merely for sightseeing…"
"Hmm. I suppose I did entertain the thought that it would be nice to witness Shaolin's martial arts firsthand…?"
"If that's the case, then you are most welcome. After all, Shaolin's monks rarely venture outside the temple, and even when they do, they seldom leave Henan, so this should be a fine opportunity to gain new experiences. And all the more so given the martial arts of Benefactor Cheon and Benefactor Tang."
True enough. How often would one encounter an opponent who could emit killing intent intense enough to fool even Gakjeong, who had nurtured a Heavenly Killing Star, or one who wielded poison and hidden weapons with such proficiency?
"I will make the necessary arrangements, so please rest easy today. …And I believe the Master has likely visited his disciple's tomb. He should return within a few days, and when he does, I will formally express our gratitude for your assistance to him once again."
"We merely did what was only natural, so there is no need for such formalities… But since we too would like to meet the Venerable Gakjeong once more, please do summon him without fail."
"Heh heh. I hadn't expected to be able to witness Shaolin's martial arts, so I find myself a little excited."
Seomun Hwa-rin placed a hand on her relatively flat chest and smiled as if she were thrilled.
Jeonghyeon, who had stopped mid-stride, turned around and put on a serious expression.
"Well, well. Isn't it a bit much for an adult to barge into children's games…?"
"Ngh."
"I've heard about Lord Seomun's situation from the Murim Alliance, but… hmm. No matter how I look at it, for me to step in personally would become a matter of pride. How about testing your fists against one of Shaolin's Vajra Guardians?"
"…"
Seomun Hwa-rin silently clenched the hand she had placed on her chest.
As if she had much to say, but couldn't bring herself to speak.
A Vajra Guardian refers to a martial artist among Shaolin's warrior monks who has cultivated the External Arts and completed the Indestructible Vajra Body.
Depending on the era, there might be none at all, or there might be several… but in the current era, there are no fewer than four Vajra Guardians.
One loss to Seomun Hwa-rin would be acceptable enough to laugh off as a good sparring match.
Seomun Hwa-rin responded to Jeonghyeon's truly mature handling of the situation with a rather immature attitude of her own.
Specifically, she pouted her lips, tapped the floor with her toes, and made no effort to hide her sulking.
"…Fine, I understand. However, would it be permissible for these children to observe?"
"If you would allow three of Shaolin's disciples to observe as well."
"I have no objection."
And so, having settled even the future schedule, Jeonghyeon took his leave.
Right after, as they were about to enter their respective rooms to unpack, Seol Ri-hyang only pretended to go inside before scurrying over to me.
Then she rose slightly onto her tiptoes and whispered into my ear.
"Cheon Hwi. Cheon Hwi."
"What is it?"
"This time, I'm sparring with a monk at a similar level to mine, right?"
"That's right."
"If I win, is there a reward?"
"…?"
If you win a sparring match, you feel good about winning, and on top of that, you get to confirm your own progress, which is satisfying—isn't that reward enough in itself?
"You've got that look again, like you're thinking of something strange… But I need a reward to get motivated, you know. Even something simple would do—think of something for me."
"If there's something you want, you could just say it."
"There's nothing like that? It's not that I want something specific, I just want to receive something, you know? So you figure it out, Cheon Hwi."
"…"
A truly unreasonable request. But this much, I'd already experienced countless times in my past life.
Seol Ri-hyang often made vague, groundless demands of me, and no matter how I answered, she never showed much dissatisfaction… but.
Still, there were definitely things she particularly liked.
I nodded, recalling memories that were now fairly old.
"Fine. I'll think of something, so just win."
"Hehe. Got it. But the real point is something else…"
This wasn't the main point?
At my tilted head, Seol Ri-hyang shook hers.
"If you're going to do an instructional bout with Sister Seomun before bed today, then after it's over, cheer her up a bit."
"I didn't think she was that upset."
"Tsk! Just do it when you're told. It's not like doing something for Sister Seomun costs you anything, right?"
"That's true, but… what am I supposed to do?"
"Well, why not rub her shoulders for her? The elders like that sort of thing."
"…"
Honestly, wasn Seol Ri-hyang the rudest one of all?
I forced down the thought that it was a relief Seomun Hwa-rin wasn't here, and nodded.
"Got it."
***
Seol Ri-hyang's advice was surprisingly effective.
Seomun Hwa-rin, who had been visibly drooping, perked right up after a short massage before bed.
Now the only thing left was what I'd give Seol Ri-hyang if she won the sparring match…
Unfortunately, it seemed that would have to wait a little longer.
"Would you follow this humble monk for a moment? There is something important to discuss regarding the Sect Leader's martial arts."
"Hm?"
It was because Gakjeong, who had returned to the Shaolin Temple at some point, had said this to me early in the morning.
"Didn't the Great Monk Gakjeong personally confirm that I am not the Heavenly Killing Star?"
"It seems you've heard of this humble monk's circumstances from the Abbot."
"Only the gist of it."
"Don't worry. This humble monk wishes to see you separately not because I suspect you are the Heavenly Killing Star, but simply to exchange a bit of help."
"Help, you say…"
Is there something I could help Gakjeong with?
Unless it's something like protecting him from an enemy too strong for his aged body to handle, like last time—Gakjeong is far more renowned than I am, and his martial arts are deeply cultivated.
Seeing my puzzled expression, Gakjeong gave a brief shake of his head and continued.
"You carry a vast killing intent, yet you manage it well. Could you teach this humble monk that knack? In return, I will not hold back my own teachings for you."
"That is…"
In short, he was suggesting we exchange our martial arts and grow together.
That goes without saying—this could only benefit me.
The Crazy Wolf Life-Stealing Art, with its history of less than a hundred years, against the martial arts of Shaolin, called the Mount Tai and North Star of the Orthodox Sects, passed down for centuries. And the opponent was the previous abbot, no less.
If I played my cards right, this was a chance to deepen the martial foundation I had been lacking.
I had gained some insight from my sparring bout with Namgung Dowi the other day, so if I absorbed this well, I might gain some enlightenment from my exchange with Gakjeong as well.
…Still, I had already promised to spar with the other monks of Shaolin Temple alongside my companions today, so I turned to look at the ones who had made the prior commitment.
Whish, whish!
My companions nodded desperately, as if they had all coordinated their response. I let out a small laugh and spoke.
"Understood. Then where should we go?"
"I've been working on a little pastime. Let's head there."
I followed Gakjeong deeper into the Shaolin Temple. …To a place so deep that a guest's status wouldn't normally allow entry.
Gakjeong walked in silence for a long while, and only when he stepped onto a path that even the Shaolin monks themselves rarely tread did he finally speak.
"I can guess what stories you've heard, benefactor, but I'll ask once more anyway. What did the abbot… what did that boy Jeonghyeon say about me?"
"Only that he hopes you find peace."
"Of course. Unlike me, he's an exemplary child. Then, benefactor, what do you think of me?"
"…I think you're remarkable."
"Oh?"
"The Heavenly Killing Star is an inscrutable constitution—no one can know how it comes into being, nor how to suppress its nature. That is why killing it outright and removing the future calamity before one's eyes is the best course. But Great Monk Gakjeong did not do so."
He chose the difficult path when the easy one lay before him.
Knowing the end would not be good, he still gave his affection, and because he gave his affection, he was heartbroken and fell apart.
A man who, under ordinary circumstances, would have been respected by all around him until the moment he closed his eyes and met his end with a peaceful heart—he gave all of that up and did what he believed to be right.
"I do not think such a man foolish, nor do I see any reason to tear away naturally blooming feelings as mere obsession. I can only respect one who held fast to his own path."
"…I did not expect you to think so highly of me. However, there is one thing I must correct."
Gakjeong gave a bitter smile and stepped off onto a small side path.
"I could not bring myself to tell anyone, but… this humble monk was not honorable to himself, nor to the Buddha within us, until the very end."
Branches that had not been properly trimmed grew out over the path. In the shade that smelled of grass, Gakjeong continued.
"This humble monk's disciple, that child Jeongsim, withdrew his killing intent at the final moment and ignited the righteous Buddhist internal energy. …But this humble monk did not."
"Pardon?"
"Whether it was because of the blood that had soaked into my hands over the past decades, or because of the intense killing intent of the Heavenly Killing Star. The moment I thought Jeongsim had been devoured by the fate of the Heavenly Killing Star, a clear killing intent began to seep into my martial art."
"…"
Jeongsim, who had refused to give up until the final moment and struggled to suppress the killing intent of the Heavenly Killing Star. Perhaps he had not been in a fully awakened state, but perhaps he might have become the first person to sever the fate of the Heavenly Killing Star.
But Gakjeong could not do the same.
He gave up at the sight of his disciple running wild… and in the end, he harbored a Killing Heart toward his own disciple.
"It was not the Heavenly Killing Star that killed Jeongsim. It was this monk's Karmic Sin of Killing."
Gakjeong's decision to destroy his own Dantian was not born of grief, but of guilt.
At the end of the narrow, shadowed path lay an open clearing.
There, large and small statues of young monks carved from stone and wood stood erected.
They depicted boys of various ages. Yet all of them bore similar features, as if they had been carved from the same person.
They must have been carvings of Jeongsim, from his childhood up until his death.
"What this monk wished for in his final years was not to attain Nirvana. It was merely that no one else would repeat the same folly."
Surrounded by the countless statues of young monks, Gakjeong collapsed to the ground.
"So then, would you be willing to tell this old monk?"
"What is it you wish to know?"
"About the hell of the benefactor."
As if peering straight through me, Gakjeong's eyes flashed between his deep wrinkles.