Chapter 185: Heavenly Eye (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 185: Heavenly Eye (3)
[It’s too dangerous.]
Elder Shin voiced his caution regarding my plan.
Yet, the Chief Abbot of Shaolin had personally invited me, and the Blood Demon himself was summoning me.
I’ll learn everything I need to know once I’m there.
[So you would willingly walk into the lion’s den? You, of all people, should understand the peril better than I.]
The Blood Demon was already aware of my existence and had taken an interest in me.
I’m not saying I’ll go right now. I’m merely considering it as a possibility.
I acknowledged the risk, just as Elder Shin had pointed out. However, I also knew that he recognized it as a viable path forward.
One cannot only seek the easy road when faced with a mountain.
During our discussion, the Chief Abbot and I had agreed on one thing: preparations must be made for the coming calamity. I wasn’t sure if he meant the disaster related to the Heavenly Demon, but regardless, I knew I couldn’t face it alone—especially with so many unknowns.
Don’t worry. I value my life more than anyone.
[Ah, is that why you throw yourself into danger with such reckless abandon?]
I’d say I’m quite careful with this body of mine…
…Or perhaps not?
[Tsk…]
Elder Shin clicked his tongue, a clear sign he was done discussing the matter. Despite my light tone, the decision to join Meteor was one I had to weigh seriously.
I’ll look deeper into them before I decide.
I wasn’t confident that further investigation would yield clear answers, especially if Shaolin and the Beggar’s Sect were under the influence of the Murim Alliance.
He said my father knows, didn’t he?
Since the Chief Abbot had implied as much, I needed to speak with Father. But first, I had to leave Shaolin. My business here was finished.
“Oh.”
As I walked toward the gates, a sudden thought struck me. Namgung Bi-ah, walking beside me, glanced over curiously.
I took her hands and channeled a wave of gentle heat into them.
“…?”
She looked at me, puzzled, but I spoke before she could question me. “This should keep you warm for a while.”
“Hm…?”
“Wait here. I won’t be long.”
Namgung Bi-ah gave a slight nod, though she seemed too bewildered to object.
[Where are you going?] Elder Shin inquired.
Something just came up.
[Inside Shaolin? Now?]
Yes.
I kicked off the ground, leaping high into the air and leaving a startled Namgung Bi-ah behind as I vanished, concealing my presence as I moved.
* * *
In the quiet room now occupied only by two men, the Mighty Staff broke the silence.
“Chief Abbot.”
He addressed the old monk who had been serenely sipping his tea. “Might I ask why you revealed so much to that boy?”
“A reason, you ask?”
Heh.
The Chief Abbot offered a dry chuckle. Very few within the Murim Alliance or Shaolin were privy to the coming disaster. It was knowledge he alone could share, for widespread panic would do no good.
After a moment of contemplation, the Chief Abbot finally replied. “It felt necessary.”
“…Chief Abbot…”
“Did you observe the boy’s reactions?”
The Mighty Staff recalled the young prodigy known as the True Dragon. Despite the rumors, the boy had conducted himself with respect and composure.
“…When he questioned your words?”
“I speak of when he heard of the calamity.”
The Mighty Staff’s beard quivered slightly. He did not understand what his superior was referring to. But the Chief Abbot’s next words made him gasp.
“He was calm. In fact, he seemed more shocked when he learned of Meteor’s existence.”
“…!”
“Indeed. It was as if he already knew of the disaster looming over us.”
Sss—
A faint, qi-infused smoke began to drift from the Heavenly Eye’s lips—a visible sign of the Chief Abbot’s dwindling life force.
“Did you not see the light in his eyes? For one so young… it was remarkable.”
He was a stark contrast to the quiet girl beside him. She was like a pristine pearl, her attention solely fixed on the boy, indifferent even to the presence of Shaolin’s leader.
The light in the boy’s eyes.
The Mighty Staff had not paid it much mind. He had been impressed by the boy’s talent and well-trained physique, but nothing more.
“I pray he chooses to stand with us.”
“…It is difficult to comprehend.”
The world as perceived through the Heavenly Eye was beyond the Mighty Staff’s understanding. He could not see what his Chief Abbot saw. Though the nature of the disaster had been described, he did not grasp its true scale—why the Chief Abbot pushed his failing body to prepare.
The Chief Abbot had said the disaster would come, but he would not live to see it. That was why preparations were urgent. The Mighty Staff could only watch in silence as his leader prayed for a future he would not witness.
“There must be a reason this burden was entrusted to me. I must accept it.”
The Heavenly Eye was his responsibility, and the Mighty Staff believed there was meaning in that.
“Mighty Staff.”
“Yes, Chief Abbot.”
“I must visit the Alliance.”
“You went recently. You should rest.”
The Mighty Staff knew his advice would go unheeded. The Chief Abbot was resolute.
“Time is short. I must be swift.”
Was he referring to the time until the disaster struck? Or the time he had left? The Mighty Staff dared not ask.
“…I will make the arrangements.”
“Thank you.”
After the Mighty Staff departed, the Heavenly Eye sat alone, eyes closed in meditation. The winter breeze and distant noises did not disturb his focus; his thoughts remained on the boy he had just met.
It is hot. Exceptionally so.
Closing his eyes did not hinder his vision—it enhanced it. And what he perceived was unique.
Yet it is filled with darkness.
An endless heat, shrouded in blackness. A contradictory landscape, yet somehow harmonious. His eyes told him to watch that boy closely. The Chief Abbot wondered what he was meant to see, but concluded that all things in the world held meaning.
“…It is the will of heaven.”
With closed eyes, the Heavenly Eye prayed—for a lasting peace, and for his remaining life to contribute to its coming.
* * *
Swish. Swish.
A young monk, barely ten years old, swept the courtyard with a brush smaller than usual. This was Heeyoung, the youngest disciple of Shaolin.
“I told them I was fine to return to my duties…”
Heeyoung muttered softly as he worked. After the incident days ago, his seniors had forbidden him from his regular training until he fully recovered. Waking up in the infirmary with no memory of the past ten days had been bewildering. The medic found nothing physically wrong and attributed the memory loss to exhaustion.
But Heeyoung didn’t believe he had overexerted himself. His seniors said he had performed his duties as usual, which only frustrated him more. Why couldn’t he remember?
Now, all he was permitted to do was sweep the grounds.
How can I become a pillar of Shaolin at this rate?
Many praised his talent, but Heeyoung felt far from capable. Still, he swept diligently, taught that one’s surroundings should be as clean as one’s self.
Tap.
“Hm?”
Something caught on his brush. Brushing the leaves aside, he expected a small stone. Instead, he found a thin, hidden book.
“What is this…?”
Heeyoung carefully picked it up and opened it. His eyes widened at its contents. He glanced around, but the courtyard was empty.
* * *
Gu Yangcheon returned just as the warmth he had given Namgung Bi-ah was fading.
“…Why are you sitting like that?”
He found her curled up on the ground. There was no reason for her legs to be tired from standing for just thirty minutes.
“Where… did you go…?” she asked softly, rising slowly.
“Something came up,” he replied casually, though a note of fatigue tinged his voice.
For someone of Gu Yangcheon’s ability to sound tired after thirty minutes meant he had either moved recklessly or with extreme caution, expending significant qi. Namgung Bi-ah wondered what in Shaolin could require such effort.
But she kept her thoughts to herself. Instead, she stepped closer and reached toward his hair.
“A leaf…”
“Ah, it must have caught on my way back.”
He quickly plucked it from her hand and tossed it away, muttering, When did that get there? I hope no one else saw.
“I’m hungry. Let’s go.” He took her hand.
Assuming the others were back at the guesthouse, he tried to hurry.
Tug—
“Hm?” Gu Yangcheon stopped when she didn’t budge. “What’s wrong?”
“…Slowly.”
“What?”
“…Let’s go… slowly.” She delicately wrapped her arm around his. “…Since it’s just the two of us.”
“…”
Gu Yangcheon fell silent, surprised by her unusually shy demeanor. Namgung Bi-ah noticed the tips of his ears redden slightly, and she allowed herself a small smile.
She knew he wouldn’t tolerate an even slower pace, but for now, this was enough. She wanted to be a little greedy.
“Are you okay?” she asked, looking into his eyes.
He sighed. “…Where did you learn this?”
She paused, then answered quietly, “…Soyeol.”
It seemed she couldn’t bring herself to lie.
Gu Yangcheon smiled. “You keep learning strange things from her. What are you, a child?”
“…”
“Let’s go.”
But he didn’t refuse her request. Not only did he not shake off her arm, but his pace was noticeably slower than usual. A warm feeling tingled inside her, even though the heat he’d given her had long faded.
“Oh, I think we’ll leave tomorrow. There’s nothing else for you here, right?”
Namgung Bi-ah nodded. Hanam held no interest for her. She had only come because Gu Yangcheon was here.
…Cheonjun…
The thought of her younger brother briefly crossed her mind. She hadn’t seen him since his match against Gu Yangcheon. But her concern ended quickly.
…He’ll be fine.
Her mind was already occupied by thoughts of a sword and a certain face.
That certain someone spoke again. “…Can we speed up a little? I’m hungry.”
“…”
“Alright, alright, no need to glare…”
Having spoken out of turn, he found his arm squeezed tighter as punishment.