Sacred Body (3)
That afternoon.
I asked a monk named Jong-o from the Jigyeok Hall, whom I'd grown friendly with, about that particular monk.
"Ah, you're talking about Monk Jisan."
"His dharma name is Jisan. May I ask what kind of person he is?"
"He's from the batch right below mine. He manages the Scripture Hall and quietly does his duties without fuss—a reserved disciple."
"I see."
"Not just disciples from similar batches, but even the elders think well of him... But why do you ask about Monk Jisan?"
To that question, I casually gave the excuse I'd prepared.
"Oh, nothing much—just curious. Everyone else was watching the martial exhibition with great interest, but he seemed completely uninterested. His robes suggest he's a martial monk, though."
"Please don't think it strange. Monk Jisan has talent for martial arts, but his heart is too soft—he hates using them to harm others. He's practically a celestial being."
"I see."
I recalled the look in Monk Jisan's eyes from earlier and subtly furrowed my brow.
That gaze was unmistakably... guilt mixed with frustration.
Something must be up with him.
Exploiting someone's weakness is the Black Path's specialty, after all.
That night.
I had a dream for the first time in ages.
Dawn.
As Jisan headed to the Scripture Hall, he recalled his memories of arriving here.
He had been led to Shaolin Temple by his maternal uncle's hand at the tender age of just seven.
"From now on, this is where you'll live. Die in Shaolin if you must, and live in Shaolin if you can."
"Uncle, I was wrong. Please don't leave me here. I'll eat less. Send me back to where Mother is."
"You ungrateful brat! Does it bother you that your mother remarried into a wealthy house and lives happily?"
"N-no, that's not... "
"If you care about your mother, never think of leaving this place! That's the greatest filial piety you can offer! Understand?"
"......"
"Answer me."
"Yes."
And so Jisan began his life at Shaolin alongside thousands of other disciples.
Shaolin doesn't turn away those who come, nor does it hold back those who leave.
Thus, an enormous number join as disciples each time they accept new ones.
Yet about a third drop out within the first year, unable to endure the harsh training and life.
Shaolin even drove the children relentlessly that first year to test their resolve.
In truth, Jisan dreamed every day, like the other children, of leaving Shaolin.
But there was nowhere for him to go if he left.
Besides, he loved his mother.
So he gritted his teeth, repeating his uncle's words—that enduring here was his filial duty to her—and clung on stubbornly, day after day.
Fortunately, he had talent for martial arts, and upon reaching adulthood, he was given the choice to remain as a martial monk.
He realized then that to stay at Shaolin as long as possible, he needed to avoid drawing attention.
So he lived quietly, almost invisibly.
And yesterday, he had met his uncle.
Once he formally became a Shaolin martial monk, his uncle—somehow knowing—had reached out.
And now contacted him about once a year.
His uncle from yesterday had said:
"Do you still want to see your mother?"
"It's been ages since I severed all worldly ties. I only wish for her happiness in this life and rebirth in paradise."
"They don't call it heavenly bond for nothing."
"......"
"Truth is, your mother misses you. You've grown so fine and strong—showing her that would ease her worries. That'd be filial piety too, no?"
Jisan bit his lip at those words.
He hadn't seen his mother since age seven. How could he not long for her?
The nights he'd wept himself to sleep missing her were countless.
"But there's a problem."
"......What is it?"
"Your mother's remarried husband, the clan lord, is gravely ill—could die any day. They've tried every treatment, but no improvement."
"......"
"So the last resort is a spirit elixir. Word is a sacred relic of Venerable Hyeolgon arrived at Shaolin recently?"
"Yes."
"They say the elixir resides in Venerable Hyeolgon's body. Bring it."
"What?"
Jisan was stunned.
"I can't! How could I lay hands on a grandmaster's sacred relic?"
"No worries. Once you take the elixir, burn the body to destroy evidence. Who'd know it was you?"
"......"
To the hesitating Jisan, his uncle said:
"If the clan lord dies, your mother becomes a widow again. She's not even a proper wife—just a concubine. What do you think her fate would be?"
"......"
"But get that elixir, and she'll have the clan lord's full favor."
Jisan recalled those words and rubbed his dry face with both hands.
His uncle's deadline was the day after tomorrow.
No time to dawdle.
As he headed to the Scripture Hall, passing the Main Buddha Hall, he paused.
"Should I... go in for a bit?"
Fortunately, it was empty inside.
Rare for no one to be here. He entered and collapsed to the floor.
"Hoo......"
A deep sigh escaped.
"I've lived without many regrets. Even if I have sins, I don't think they're enough to torment me like this."
"......"
"So, just this once—won't you help? Her husband's illness... If he recovers by tomorrow... Then... Uncle's request would be as if it never happened."
"......"
Of course, the Buddha gave no reply. As always, it silently gazed at him.
Main Buddha Hall.
This place, the heart of Shaolin, houses the Buddha statue.
And right now, I'm hiding behind it.
Why am I here?
Sigh...
It's all because of the dream I had last night.
While keeping an eye on the suspicious Monk Jisan, I unwittingly dozed off and dreamed.
In that dream, Venerable Hyeolgon appeared.
He gazed pityingly at Monk Jisan, and the location was this very Main Buddha Hall.
Then, looking at me, he pointed east—where the sun was rising.
I woke then, instantly grasping the gesture's meaning.
Come to the Main Buddha Hall at sunrise.
So I hurried here and hid just as Monk Jisan arrived.
Thanks to that, I learned unexpected information.
"Make my mother's husband's illness better by tomorrow. Then Uncle's request will be forgotten."
Short words, but much can be inferred.
First, his mother remarried.
Otherwise, he'd have said "father."
Second, his maternal uncle gave the order, with a deadline the day after tomorrow.
That's why "by tomorrow"—news could reach in time if healed by then.
Third, Jisan's uncle lives near Shaolin.
Since news travels in just a day.
Venerable Hyeolgon's pitiful expression from the dream lingered.
Appearing in my dream likely meant to help Jisan.
First, I need his monk records. Can't help without info.
Records are kept in the Scripture Hall.
Strictly secured, but slipping in was no trouble for me.
Plus, my energy is hard for others to detect.
Memorizing Jisan's record, I left the Scripture Hall and returned to my quarters.
"Palgap."
"You called, young master?"
"I need to step out for a bit."
"Pardon? So suddenly?"
"Say it's urgent business."
Palgap nodded in understanding.
"Got it. I'll handle it that way publicly."
Quick on the uptake.
So I headed out with Seo-u Warrior.
Jisan probably won't act till tomorrow, but better safe.
I tasked Jin Yu Warrior with watching him, then descended Shaolin.
Near Mount Song, home to Shaolin, lay several villages. Makes sense—tigers and bandits are the mountains' worst threats.
Having Shaolin experts nearby is safest.
I went to the village in Jisan's records.
Dae-ri County, south of Mount Song.
Brought only Seo-u—fastest lightness skill after Jin Yu.
First, investigate Jisan's uncle.
Finding him was easy.
"Just twenty years ago, it was a nothing family."
"All they had was a tiny plot of land the size of your palm?"
"Then his sister returned from her husband's death, widowed, and their fortunes turned."
"She became concubine to Song Clan Lord, richest in the next village. She was stunningly beautiful."
"But she didn't want to go as his concubine."
"Of course not! What mother wants to part from her son?"
"Anyway, Song bought land for her family out of favor, so now he plays clan lord in luxury."
"While dumping his nephew at Shaolin to become a monk."
The testimonies made it clear.
Forcing his sister as Song's concubine, nephew to Shaolin—all his doing.
I headed to the uncle's manor.
"......"
I was speechless at the sight.
Far grander and more opulent than expected.
If he's this well-off, why send his nephew to Shaolin?
Especially making him a monk—cutting his line.
If he needed Shaolin's halo, send one of his own kids.
Swallowing quiet anger, I saw someone enter the manor.
Unpleasant aura from him—undeniably Black Path energy.
I tailed him, sneaking into the manor.
He went to the reception room.
I erased my presence and climbed the roof.
Peering through a roof gap, I watched.
Inside sat who seemed Jisan's uncle and the guest.
The guest smirked sleazily—a first-rate warrior, by looks.
"So, how's the job coming?"
I focused on the voices.
"No need to worry. I've ordered the kid, and he won't defy me."
"How can you be so sure?"
"I pressed his weakness perfectly. He'll definitely burn Venerable Hyeolgon's sacred body."
As expected...
The plan to destroy the sacred body continued.
Jisan's uncle rubbed his palms greedily.
"So, you'll keep your promise?"
"Of course. Succeed, and I'll pay off your thirty thousand nyang debt as agreed."
Sigh...
So the uncle owed someone money, dipped into forbidden deeds to pay it.
Consorting with Black Path folk stained him—and it rubbed off on Jisan.
The rest was trivial; I slipped out.
"Let's go."
"You've results, but something still bothers you."
I touched my face at that.
"I think I manage expressions well—how'd you know?"
"Just could tell."
I chuckled awkwardly.
"Truth is, yes. I uncovered the full picture. Success means his thirty thousand nyang debt cleared. But..."
I stroked my chin.
"His sister is concubine to Song Clan Lord, richest in the next village. Song could easily cover thirty thousand nyang. Easier to ask her for money, right?"
"Indeed."
"Need to look into the sister who became Song's concubine."
Soon, we went to Song Clan Lord's manor in the neighboring village. And I confirmed my suspicion.
"Song Clan Lord ill? Nonsense—he's hale and hearty. Saw him this morning."
Song's illness was a lie, as expected.
I asked about Jisan's mother.
"Ah, that beautiful concubine? Daughter of the Ha family from Dae-ri County."
"Yes."
"Why seek her now?"
"Pardon?"
"She died of illness ten years ago. Longed so much for the son she left at her parents'..."