The Six Paths of Reincarnation Painting
The party passed through the main gate without any special restrictions. They drew a fair amount of attention, yet considering their true identities, it was hardly excessive. They simply moved along with the ordinary pilgrims.
They passed through several religiously significant gates, paid their respects before meticulously crafted statues of saints, listened to the sound of Buddhist scriptures drifting from somewhere, and toured the stone pagodas and other sights.
Indeed, the monks here don’t shave their heads.
They merely tied their hair up neatly toward the crown, which felt somewhat unfamiliar to Han Yujin. Still, the religious aura they gave off was more than sufficient.
The rest of the group seemed curious why Han Yujin had insisted on stopping at Yunhoeseongbul Temple. They clearly didn’t believe he had come merely to worship like any ordinary visitor.
They were right, of course. However, Han Yujin had assumed the temple would recognize them even if they behaved this ordinarily. He intended to savor the atmosphere here until someone came looking for them.
As expected, his prediction proved accurate.
A short while later, a young monk approached and spoke to Dok Junseong.
“Excuse me, are you perhaps the great expert Dok Junseong, known as Seomroegeom?”
“That’s right.”
“Then this gentleman beside you… would he be the Golden Lotus Martial Sovereign?”
“Correct.”
When both men nodded in confirmation, the young monk’s face showed a mixture of surprise and admiration. He respectfully joined his palms and bowed.
“The abbot has requested an audience with you.”
He was referring to Hye-gak Daesa Baek Ji-dam, the number one among the Ten Great Masters of Wulin and a supreme expert of the Life-and-Death Realm who occupied the foremost seat among the Ten Supremes of Murim.
“I’ll go and return shortly. Wait here.”
Han Yujin handed Mu-yong to Eun Miryeong as he spoke.
“Yes, Eun-gong.”
“Yes, Seonbae-nim.”
The young monk beside them seemed rather intrigued by the title “Seonbae-nim.” Still, instead of asking pointless questions, he focused on guiding Han Yujin.
As they ventured deeper into the restricted areas off-limits to ordinary pilgrims, the atmosphere grew increasingly serene and solemn. Unusually, it was easy to spot mountain animals such as deer and squirrels roaming freely throughout the temple grounds with no sign of wariness.
It really does have a unique ambiance…
Even wild animals of low intelligence appeared moved by the atmosphere of this place.
After walking a few more minutes, they finally reached their destination.
The abbot’s residence at Yunhoeseongbul Temple was not small, yet it carried no sense of luxury or intimidation. Its large size seemed born not from formality but purely from practical necessity.
“Welcome.”
As the young guiding monk joined his palms and withdrew, an elderly monk who had stepped outside greeted Han Yujin.
Despite his snow-white hair, eyebrows, and beard, the man’s upright posture and robust build gave off an impression of vigorous health. The style of his kasaya robe and the subtle yet profound aura he emanated made his identity obvious.
“I never imagined the Golden Lotus Martial Sovereign would visit us in person. I hope this humble monk has not disturbed your worship.”
“Not at all.”
Han Yujin replied with equal politeness, moved by the respect in the other man’s attitude.
“Since I came specifically to meet the abbot, you have called me at precisely the right moment.”
“May I ask what business brings you here?”
“I wish to learn the secret of the Life-and-Death Realm. The power commonly known as the Heart Sword.”
“Hmm…”
The abbot looked both puzzled and somewhat troubled.
“Hasn’t the Golden Lotus Martial Sovereign already reached the Life-and-Death Realm? Even if only half the rumors are true, you must have attained a far higher level than this humble monk…”
“If we speak only of combat prowess, that may be so. Unfortunately, I am not in the Life-and-Death Realm.”
Still wearing an expression of puzzlement and difficulty, the old monk stroked his beard once before asking.
“How can you claim you are not in the Life-and-Death Realm when you already wield the Mind’s Eye?”
“You mean this.”
When Han Yujin moved his divine sense in a peculiar manner, Hye-gak Daesa’s eyes followed it briefly before he nodded.
“I call this divine sense. It is a highly useful perception that I employ often, but it alone cannot decide the life or death of an opponent. How then could I call myself a master of the Life-and-Death Realm?”
“Hmm…?”
Only now did the abbot seem to grasp the situation.
“Do you mean to say you have merely opened your eyes to it, nothing more?”
“Precisely.”
“How astonishing… It sounds almost like awakening and wielding inner energy without any mental cultivation method at all.”
As he spoke, some realization struck him and he let out an exclamation of awe.
“You are truly a genius sent by heaven. Just how did you… Hmm…”
Watching the old monk’s reaction, Han Yujin confirmed one clear fact about the divine sense secret arts of this world’s Life-and-Death Realm.
It seems the secret arts include the method for awakening divine sense itself.
He found it even more fascinating that this world had managed to create secret techniques allowing one to confront enemies using awakened divine sense without even forming a Dharma Soul.
Yet at the same time, it presented a problem.
“Could you possibly teach me the secret of the Life-and-Death Realm?”
Hye-gak Daesa looked up at the sky with what resembled a sigh. Then, exactly as predicted, he gave his answer.
“It pains me to say this to the Golden Lotus Martial Sovereign who has come here in person, but how could we carelessly reveal the secret legacy vision of Yunhoeseongbul Temple to an outsider?”
“I am not shamelessly asking to be taught for free.”
Han Yujin refused to give up. From his robe he produced a book he had prepared in advance.
It was the very Wonryeok Sim-gong he had transmitted to Seogwang Gahu.
“Please take a look at this. It is a mental cultivation method I recently created.”
Hye-gak Daesa caught the book that flew toward him with a subtle technique. He closed his eyes for a moment as though pondering something, then carefully opened it.
He read the early sections, closed his eyes again in thought, opened them to read once more, repeating the process two or three times.
Finally he closed the book and let out a deep sigh.
“Origin Power… Is this truly a martial art one can cultivate?”
“Of course. I will give you this Wonryeok Sim-gong. In exchange, teach me the secret of the Life-and-Death Realm. I swear I will not leak it in any form, anywhere in this world.”
A lengthy silence followed.
You won’t be able to refuse.
Han Yujin felt confident. Origin Power was clearly a force superior to spiritual energy. He had written the introductory sections of the manual to make that easy to understand; the abbot must have realized its value was in no way inferior to the secret arts of the Life-and-Death Realm.
And even if he covets it, he wouldn’t dare try to seize it from me by force.
He had not come to Yunhoeseongbul Temple—home to a Life-and-Death Realm expert—without any preparations. His diligent refinement of the Dragon Heart had finally borne fruit.
His new divine ability had completely awakened.
He had not yet named it, but it was far more extraordinary than he had anticipated. It could partially mix and substitute illusion and reality. Despite the many limitations he could not yet overcome, it proved exceptionally effective at preserving his life.
Furthermore, as the mental state refinement of the Dragon Heart progressed, his spiritual power—including divine sense—grew stronger. He now believed that even the “Heart Sword” of a Life-and-Death Realm expert, no matter how dangerous, would not be able to strike him down in a single blow.
In short, if Hye-gak Daesa displayed unreasonable greed, Han Yujin could resolve the situation through force if necessary.
A moment later, the abbot spoke again.
“First, in addition to that oath, could you also swear that you will not treat our Yunhoeseongbul Temple as an enemy for the rest of your life, provided we do not first cause you harm?”
Han Yujin nodded at once, delighted.
“That is no difficulty at all. I have no particular desire to expand my influence, nor do I enjoy fighting.”
“Haha… I see. Hmm…”
The abbot closed his eyes solemnly, then opened them.
“Please grant me one day’s time. This matter is too weighty for this humble monk to decide alone.”
“Take all the time you need.”
Hye-gak Daesa returned the Wonryeok Sim-gong manual through the air and spoke once more.
“Also, when the decision is made tomorrow we will discuss the details further… but I feel I should tell you in advance that the secret may not be as impressive as you hope. Its form is so unusual that you might obtain nothing at all.”
“An unusual form? In what way?”
“You will naturally understand once you hear the explanation tomorrow. Would you like to come inside for a cup of tea?”
Knowing the main business was concluded, Han Yujin smiled and politely declined.
Hye-gak Daesa then offered to guide him personally to the lodging where he would stay the night. This time, Han Yujin did not refuse.
After a quiet night at the temple passed, things fortunately resolved smoothly.
Yunhoeseongbul Temple had agreed to the trade.
When Han Yujin met Abbot Hye-gak Daesa once more, he was invited inside the building from the start and served tea.
Yet before he could even enjoy the fragrance, he heard an unexpected statement.
“You’re saying the secret is contained within a single painting?”
“That is correct.”
Hye-gak Daesa nodded silently and continued.
“It is called the Six Paths of Reincarnation Painting. Any monk of our Yunhoeseongbul Temple who has reached the Profound Realm may contemplate it and seek enlightenment. However, very few actually attain realization from it.”
“I see.”
It could not be a lie. Historically, Yunhoeseongbul Temple had not always possessed a Life-and-Death Realm expert.
A painting, of all things.
It was slightly concerning, but Han Yujin trusted his transcendent comprehension.
“That is fine.”
As he answered and once again produced the prepared copy of the Wonryeok Sim-gong from his robe to hand over, the abbot added another point he needed to know.
“You should also be aware that every high monk of past generations who gained enlightenment from the Six Paths of Reincarnation Painting has unanimously stated that it holds a profound connection to the doctrines of our Yunhoeseongbul Buddhism. This humble monk shares that view.”
“…Is that so?”
Han Yujin understood at once.
No wonder they accepted the trade so readily. They must have assumed I would gain nothing from it.
He did not know exactly how it was connected to their doctrines, but it was unlikely to be complete nonsense.
“For that reason, we wish to give you ample time to explore the Buddhist teachings.”
Hye-gak Daesa took a refined sip of tea and continued.
“During that time we will examine the mental cultivation method you have provided. Should you change your mind while studying the Buddhist law, we will compensate you through other means.”
Having finished speaking, he suddenly smiled gently at Mu-yong, who was nestled in Han Yujin’s arms and staring intently at the snacks beside the teacup.
“I am curious what the name of this small Dao companion might be.”
Dao companion could roughly be interpreted as a friend walking the path of cultivation together.
“Her name is Mu-yong.”
“Mu-yong…?”
“It carries the meaning that she should at least possess the minimum martial ability necessary to protect herself.”
“Haha, I see.”
He could hardly explain that it actually meant “useless.” Han Yujin stroked the gluttonous creature and passed her some of the snacks meant for him.
She cleverly grasped them with both paws and began nibbling away with adorable crunching sounds. The sight made one want to pet her without end.
Yet as he watched her, Han Yujin’s expression grew faintly troubled.
It really isn’t just my imagination.
Lately he had felt himself growing slightly dull to emotion, and seeing it clearly today confirmed it was no illusion.
The first of the Three Tribulations of Cultivation that every cultivator must face—and must overcome.
The Heartless Tribulation. It has finally arrived.
It came without warning, its solution and the time required differed for each person, and regardless of talent some overcame it with ridiculous ease while others were ultimately broken by it. It was a true calamity that could only be called a tribulation.
It seemed the rapid growth in mental power gained from refining the Dragon Heart had triggered it.
It was a serious issue, but not something to dwell on deeply in the current situation.
He stroked Mu-yong once more and focused on his conversation with Hye-gak Daesa.
“I will follow your suggestion. When you say sufficient time, how long do you mean exactly?”
“You may stay as long as the Golden Lotus Martial Sovereign desires. However, contemplation of the Six Paths of Reincarnation Painting cannot exceed three months. This rule applies even to the monks of our temple, as there is a risk of falling into heart demons.”
What followed was an account of how and in what manner people had previously fallen to heart demons. It was the sort of story that could be considered a shameful secret of Yunhoeseongbul Temple, yet precisely because of that, it conveyed sincerity in honoring the trade.
It was clearly no ordinary painting.
Thinking so, Han Yujin nodded in acceptance.