Chapter 1358
That means he’s coming. (3)
“…When practicing the deep Prajna Paramita, perceive that all five skandhas are empty, and pass beyond all suffering and affliction.”
Except for the solemn voice of the practitioner chanting sutras, the room was silent.
With half-closed eyes, Beop Jong’s voice, reciting the Heart Sutra [반야심경(般若心經)], gradually quieted down.
“Pass beyond all suffering and affliction…”
Heart Sutra. A mantra of about two hundred sixty characters containing the essence of the Prajna Paramita Sutra, written in over 600 volumes by Tang Dynasty scholars.
It is a scripture that has been recited countless times because it is said to contain the essence of emptiness. ‘Form is emptiness (śūnyatā), emptiness is form.’ But on the other hand, it is also commonly regarded because it is so important.
However, recently, Beop Jong had been once again realizing the truth contained in the Heart Sutra.
“As one knows, so shall one see… As one contemplates deeply, so shall it unfold.”
Snap.
The prayer beads in Beop Jong’s hand emitted a crisp sound.
The world is filled with suffering, and a Buddhist is one who endures all forms of suffering. Therefore, those who are not prepared to walk the thorny path should not call themselves Buddhists.
The other shore is not beyond the turned head, it is a principle that comes only to those who endure and persevere. The current river of suffering he was crossing was nothing more than a trial that a Buddhist must naturally endure. So, he must endure and persevere. Then, in the end…
But his contemplation, sadly, could not continue any further.
“Abbot.”
At the sound of the voice, Beop Jong opened his closed eyes and looked at the person in front of him.
It was the monk, Beop Gye, with a stern expression, looking at him.
“Are you really going to leave it as it is?”
A small sigh escaped from Beop Jong’s lips. He felt frustrated by Beop Gye’s insistence on revisiting a discussion that had already ended.
“I’ve already made my decision.”
“But, Abbot…”
Beop Gye sighed and spoke again.
“Of course, I do not agree with Hwasan Geomhyeop’s methods. They are excessively dictatorial and malevolent.”
Beop Gye recalled the image of Hwasan Geomhyeopt in his mind. Indeed, from their perspective, he was someone they could never be in agreement with.
“But it’s an undeniable fact that he has done a lot for the people of the world. Considering his abilities, wouldn’t losing him be a great loss?”
Beop Jong remained silent, simply looking intently. Beop Gye glanced around discreetly before speaking again.
“No matter how formidable Hwasan Geomhyeop may be, the opponent is Jang Ilso. With only the power of Cheonumaeng, they cannot save him. But if we join forces…”
“It’s the end of that story.”
“Abbot…”
Beop Gye slightly bit his lip.
“Why do you treat him so differently, Abbot?”
Beop Jong’s eyebrows twitched momentarily.
“Did you say differently?”
“Yes, Abbot. I also understand that Hwasan Geomhyeop is not to be blindly advocated for. But… I can’t help but notice that your approach to dealing with Hwasan Geomhyeop seems different from how you deal with others.”
“…”
“Even if the other person is a wicked, aren’t you the one who said that even a handful of mercy and persuasion should not be abandoned?”
“…”
“But Hwasan Geomhyeop isn’t even a villain. Though his methods may differ, he is also seeking the same path, isn’t he? To face Sapaeryeon and Demonic Cult, wouldn’t losing him, the focal point of Cheonumaeng, be…”
“Beop Gye.”
For a moment, Beop Gye couldn’t continue speaking, startled by Beop Jong’s chilling tone.
“What would you do if there’s someone who willingly jumps into a fire?”
“Well, I…”
“I will try to save him.”
“…”
“But I cannot save those who spill oil and light the fire. Trying to save just one of them would only bring more people into suffering.”
“Abbot…”
“While the Buddha shows compassion to all beings, he does not show mercy to Mara, the tempter.”
“Are you saying he’s Mara?”
Beop Jong couldn’t help it and shook his head.
“That’s true. While Mara is a being filled with the intent to harm others, at least he believes he is doing good. That’s why he can leap into the fire without hesitation.”
“…”
“But regardless of his intent, if his actions lead to the same results as Mara’s, even showing him mercy would be foolish.”
A deep sigh escaped from Beop Gye’s lips.
‘How did it come to this…’
He, too, harbored resentment towards Hwasan Geomhyeop. He had often thought that if he had just bowed his head once, the world would be much more peaceful. But if they had hoped for Hwasan Geomhyeop to yield, wouldn’t Shaolin also have made the same choice?
Couldn’t Shaolin, instead of Hwasan, have been the first to respect and understand their intentions?
‘He believes he is right, above all else.’
But isn’t that true for Shaolin as well?
There was still no change in Beop Jong’s expression. Sometimes stern, sometimes gentle, his face remained as it had always been, reflecting deep wisdom.
Yet Beop Gye couldn’t shake the feeling that Beop Jong had changed somewhat. It was difficult to pinpoint exactly what had changed, but it was clear that he was not the same Beop Jong he had known in the past.
“Let’s end this discussion here.”
“Abbot…”
Beop Gye eventually lowered his head and fell silent.
No matter what was said before, Beop Jong would not change his mind. Despite knowing this, there was lingering regret. Perhaps there was still hope of turning everything around and finding the right path again.
“Abbot, what if…”
Just as Beop Gye couldn’t shake off his final lingering hope, he was interrupted by urgent voices from outside.
“Abbot! Abbot, are you in there?”
As the frantic voice reached them from outside, Beop Gye reflexively turned his head, and quickly shouted.
“What’s the matter?”
“The whereabouts of Jang Ilso have been found again!”
“Come in immediately!”
With eyes wide open, Beop Gye rose from his seat as if not even willing to wait for a moment longer, and swiftly opened the door wide.
At that moment, Hye Jong [혜종(慧從)] hurriedly entered the room from outside.
“Abbot, I greet you.”
“Very well. You say his whereabouts have been found?”
“Yes! A messenger just arrived from the Beggars!”
“Speak.”
“The message from the Beggars Sect is that they’ve spotted a large group of bandits hastily moving towards Gangnam. They couldn’t get too close due to the danger, but they saw a magnificent carriage drawn by four white horses, accompanied by people wearing white robes and others in deep red attire…”
“Paegun.”
Beop Jong asserted with certainty.
Of course, theoretically the person riding in such a magnificent carriage wouldn’t be Jang Ilso alone. However, there is only one person in the entire realm who can ride in a carriage escorted by the elites of Maninbang and the guards of Red Dogs.
“Yes! The Beggars are also convinced of that. Oh, and following them are numerous warriors from Sapaeryeon.”
Beop Jong’s eyes sank deeply.
“How many are there?”
“Well, it’s estimated to be around two thousand…”
“Haha…”
Beop Jong chuckled incredulously and shook his head.
Two thousand…
“It seems Paegun has finally made up his mind.”
If that’s the case, then the forces present in Gangnam can easily wipe out traces of several major sect, let alone Hwasan Geomhyeop. Those in Gangnam right now would have a hard time handling even Jang Ilso, but if Maninbang’s elites were to escort him, the result would be as obvious as seeing fire.
Beop Jong turned to Beop Gye and asked.
“What do you think?”
“…”
“Do you believe Hwasan Geomhyeop is worth saving, even if it means engaging in war with these two thousand warriors? Is one life of Hwasan Geomhyeop more valuable than the lives of over a thousand others who may be sacrificed in the war?”
“Abbot, I…”
“I would have pondered the matter if there was a way to save them without bloodshed. However, this is not a problem to be thought about.”
Beop Gye couldn’t find any words and simply lowered his head. He never imagined Jang Ilso would mobilize such a formidable force to confront them. If they’re seeing two thousand, who knows how many more are actually in motion?
“Why would he go this far?”
“It’s because there’s no option to let them go.”
Beop Jong shook its head.
“We can’t definitively say that crossing Gangnam was the wrong choice. Even I didn’t anticipate them doing it. Perhaps even Jang Ilso could have been caught off guard.”
“But why…?”
“Because defeat is not an option for Paegun.”
Beop Jong’s voice was more piercing than usual.
“Jang Ilso needs absolute loyalty from the entire Sapaeryeon to conquer Gangbuk. He must be able to command them like his own limbs. But Sapas are not ones to pledge allegiance to anyone. What made this impossible task possible is none other than Jang Ilso’s absolute authority, the myth that he never loses.”
Beop Gye nodded.
It seemed clear.
Jang Ilso had always been the force that brought victory to the oppressed Evil Sects, even dominating the Just Sects and gradually cornering them.
Hence, it is the desire-filled greedy members of the Evil Sects who pledge loyalty without question, because they anticipate greater victories and more benefits.
“But the absolute authority is ultimately like fragile glass, easily shattered with just one defeat or setback. When it’s time to consolidate the entire Sapaeryeon and step on the various sects to attack Gangbuk, if Hwasan’s swordsmen and Cheonumaeng lead Haenam and penetrate Gangnam, what do you think will happen?”
“Ah…”
The myth of absolute victory, upheld by Jang Ilso, will collapse in that moment. Consequently, those who view the ensuing war with the Just Sects will rapidly increase with skepticism.
As the fervent heat subsides, a chilling atmosphere more intense than usual will settle.
“Do you understand? If he had fled, we wouldn’t have pursued him. In fact, letting him go could have incited discord among us. However…”
“He cannot allow him to trample through his inner quarters with his muddy feet.”
“That’s right. That’s the way it is.”
Beop Jong words were sober and resolute.
“I don’t understand why Hwasan Geomhyeop made such a foolish move, but he will never set foot in Gangbuk alive. Even if we intervene.”
Beop Gye closed his eyes tightly.
‘It was a futile thought from the beginning.’
When Jang Ilso firmly asserted his position, the outcome was already predetermined.
Observing Beop Gye’s darkening expression, Beop Jong clicked his tongue briefly. A strange sense of sadness also touched his heart.
‘Hwasan Geomhyeop…’
Why did he make such a foolish choice? It was evident to Beop Jong that his arrogance would bring about his downfall, but he didn’t expect it to end like this.
‘It’s a bit excessive.’
From Jang Ilso’s perspective he must be killed, but still, two thousand… He is not underestimating Hwasan Geomhyeop.
“So, where are they now?”
“The last trace was found east of Jinxian.”
“Jinxian?”
“A small village on the southern tip of Poyang Lake.”
“I see.”
Beop Jong momentarily paused, halting his casual nodding.
“What did you just say?”
“Pardon?”
“You said east?”
“W-well, yes.”
Beop Jong’s eyes widened for a moment.
The southern part of Poyang Lake. That made sense. If they were to surround Hwasan Geomhyeop, they would naturally have to move southward.
But why to the east of Jinxian, not the south? There’s no reason for them to move east.
“Did the information from the Beggars Sect mention where they are heading?”
“I, I didn’t hear that part, but… Their direction of movement is clearly…”
Hye Jong paused as if recalling, then lifted his head abruptly.
“To the southeast! It was to the east!”
Beop Jong widened his eyes and clenched his lips. Then he said.
“…Double-check immediately.”
“What?”
“Go to the Beggars right away and find out their direction of movement! Hurry!”
“But, Abbot, Beggars Sect…”
“Even if it means making sacrifices, we must find out! No, I’ll go myself!”
Beop Jong abruptly stood up from his seat and dashed outside.
“Abbot!”
“What’s happening, Abbot!”
Voices called after him from behind, but Beop Jong ran as if he couldn’t hear them.
‘Paegun!’
Beop Jong bit his lips until they bled.
‘What on earth is he thinking! That despicable man!’
In his mind, the image of Jang Ilso came vividly.
He wore splendid robes, his crimson lips stretched wide in a sinister grin. It was a cruel laughter.
The hallucination pierced Beop Jong’s ears mercilessly as he ran.
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