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Chapter 186: Heavenly Eye (Cheonan)

“That’s too dangerous of a method.”

Noya responded firmly, especially considering the Sect Leader’s previous suggestion.

After all, even the Blood Demon hasn’t asked me to come knocking on his door.

“If I go, won’t I figure it out?”

“Are you seriously considering stepping into enemy territory? You know how risky that is more than anyone.”

Furthermore, it seems the Blood Demon is already aware of me and has taken an interest.

“I’m not saying I will do it right away. I’m just suggesting it’s one option.”

As Noya said, I was well aware of the great risks involved.

However, he also understood that we could explore alternatives.

“Finding an easy path isn’t simple with the obstacles ahead, right?”

The only thing I could relate to from my recent conversation with the Sect Leader was the impending Blood Calamity.

Even now, I can’t be sure whether what the Sect Leader said was about the Heavenly Demon.

No matter what, fighting alone wouldn’t yield any results in this dire situation.

Especially if the unknown holds more power than the known.

“Don’t worry, I value my life more than anything,” I reassured.

“Oh, so that’s why you’re rolling around like that?” Noya retorted.

“I was just trying to stay dry, you know…”

• • • Or maybe not?

“Tsk…”

Noya clicked his tongue in response to my words. Clearly, he didn’t want to discuss it any further.

I casually mentioned that whether or not I would enter was something I needed to consider seriously.

“I need to look into it more before deciding.”

I wasn’t sure if I’d find anything out, but with both Shaolin and the Beggar Clan already involved, it may be difficult.

“My father said he would know.”

Given that it came directly from the Sect Leader, it was worth asking.

For now, I needed to escape Shaolin quickly.

After all, I was just trying to get back for a bit, and now that things were done—

“Ah.”

While I was still walking out of Shaolin, I unintentionally let out a sound.

My companion, Nangong Bi-ah, glanced at me, wondering what was wrong.

I took her hand and pulled her closer to share some warmth.

“…Huh?”

Nangong Bi-ah looked at me, puzzled by my actions, so I spoke quickly, my voice a bit anxious.

“Just wait here for a moment. You shouldn’t feel too cold.”

“Uh…?”

“I’ll be back soon, just stay put, alright?”

Nangong Bi-ah nodded slightly in response, even if she seemed perplexed, not asking for the reason.

[What are you trying to do?]

“Just something I need to check on.”

[In Shaolin…? At a time like this?]

“Yes.”

Without further ado, I kicked off the ground and dashed off, suppressing my presence as much as possible.

In the room we had just left, Geulgeuk Cheonbong finally opened his mouth after keeping quiet.

“Sect Leader.”

He said this quietly while sipping tea.

“May I ask why you spoke to that boy?”

“Reasons.”

Click.

The dry laugh of the elder carried the weight of time.

The talk about the Blood Calamity was known only to a select few, even within Shaolin or the Beggar Clan.

Such matters, if made public, would only bring trouble.

The Sect Leader held his silence for a moment before replying to Geulgeuk Cheonbong.

“I simply felt it was necessary.”

“…Sect Leader…?”

“Did you see that child’s reaction?”

Geulgeuk Cheonbong recalled the boy Jin Ryong, who had just been sitting there.

Contrary to the nameless rumors that had preceded him, he was a modest boy who knew how to behave.

“Are you referring to how he showed confusion?”

“When he heard about the Blood Calamity.”

Geulgeuk Cheonbong’s beard twitched slightly in surprise.

What could this mean?

However, he soon found himself swallowing hard as the Sect Leader’s words sunk in.

“He seemed remarkably dull. In fact, he looked more surprised when he heard about Yuseong.”

“…!”

“It was as if he already knew about the Blood Calamity beforehand. I got that impression.”

Thin tendrils of smoke wafted from Cheonan’s mouth.

It was the smoky result of my presence exiting, signifying the Sect Leader’s life slipping away.

“It would be strange to say a child has no fear about the Blood Calamity, yet the look in his eyes was fascinating.”

Different from the misty-eyed woman sitting beside him.

That girl seemed uninterested in the world’s affairs, unlike her bloodline associated with the Nangong family.

Like white jade.

Even Geulgeuk Cheonbong, who had lived a life of moderation, could see that her gaze and interest were solely directed at the boy beside her.

How could anyone act that way in front of the Sect Leader of Shaolin?

‘The boy’s eyes.’

It was something I hadn’t paid much attention to.

In this Martial Arts Tournament, he displayed enough prowess that Geulgeuk Cheonbong had been startled to find he possessed impressive physical control…

“I only hope that child will join us.”

“…I don’t quite understand.”

The world seen through Cheonan was something Geulgeuk Cheonbong couldn’t even begin to understand.

It wasn’t something he had experienced himself.

Regarding the Blood Calamity brought forth by Cheonan, he couldn’t fathom the significance of such a catastrophic event that the Sect Leader was brushing off.

The Sect Leader continued.

“While the Blood Calamity will surely come, I may not be present.”

Thus, he insisted on more preparations.

Watching the Sect Leader casually discuss his own end while committing to others’ fates…

Geulgeuk Cheonbong found himself at a loss for words.

“There must be a purpose; that must be why the Lord entrusted me with this responsibility. It is something I must accept.”

He regarded his Heavenly Eye as an obligation, believing it inherently contained the will of the Buddha.

“Cheonbong.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“I have to visit the Beggar Clan.”

“You just came back from there. You should rest a bit.”

Knowing the Sect Leader’s condition, I had spoken out of concern, fully aware he wouldn’t heed it.

“We’re running out of time, so I must hurry.”

Was ‘time’ referring to the period before the Blood Calamity strikes?

Or was it a matter of the remaining span of the Sect Leader’s life?

Geulgeuk Cheonbong couldn’t bring himself to ask.

“I’ll contact the Beggar Clan.”

“Please do.”

Once Geulgeuk Cheonbong left, Cheonan sat alone, quietly with closed eyes.

The sounds of winter winds weaving through the window broke the heavy silence, yet Cheonan’s mind was preoccupied with the previously encountered boy.

‘He’s so warm. Very much so.’

Even with my eyes closed, I wasn’t blind.

Closing my eyes allowed me to see more.

It was a scene so puzzling that even Cheonan could hardly comprehend it.

Yet, this time, it felt especially unique among the special.

‘But it’s all black.’

Infinitely warm, yet filled with darkness.

In the midst of this contradictory sight, the blending appeared somehow beautiful.

Perhaps that was why.

It felt as if Cheonan’s eyes were speaking.

Telling to pay close attention to that boy.

What could this mean, as thoughts burst forth?

Ultimately, I believed there has to be a meaning behind it all.

“…This must all be the will of the heavens.”

A single intent stretching long, eventually leading to peace.

Cheonan wished that the end of his remaining life would coincide with that hope, as he kept his eyes closed.

Quietly—

Someone swept the floor with a broom that was a bit shorter than average.

An adult novice monk, who looked barely ten years old, was dutifully cleaning.

The youngest of Shaolin, Hee-young.

“I was told I could work again, but…”

Hee-young murmured in a small voice while sweeping the yard.

Because of a recent event, others were reluctant to assign her work.

“I told them I was fine…”

For some reason, Hee-young’s memories of the past ten days had vanished. How startled she was to find herself staring at the ceiling of the medical room upon waking.

Afterwards, she had received a check-up from the physician, but there were no significant issues with her body.

The physician suggested that the reason for her memory loss seemed to be excessive fatigue.

Could that be why?

In an effort to avoid causing her sect any trouble, her usual diligent work pattern led to her being forced to take a break.

They shockingly told her not to even practice martial arts until she was better.

But Hee-young didn’t have a counterargument against her seniors’ orders.

“Surely my brothers must be training hard at this time…”

She regretted that. With her late start, she felt like she had to work even harder.

“Really, why can’t I remember anything?”

It didn’t make sense.

If it was fatigue-induced, she didn’t really think she had exerted herself that much.

In fact, oddly enough, the time right after she regained consciousness felt particularly difficult.

For some reason, she experienced a discomfort of having not moved for what felt like days.

“According to my brothers, I just went about things like usual.”

Her inability to remember left her feeling increasingly frustrated.

In her current position, the only thing she could do was sweep the yard.

“How long will it take like this…?”

Countless others had called Hee-young talented, yet she felt it was all a mystery.

The boy wanted to be the center of Shaolin.

Such an ambition was far too grand for her small frame.

Swish—

‘It feels like this might not work out as it stands…’

Hee-young sighed heavily as she swept the yard. Though her insides were chaotic, her actions remained careful.

Not only should she be clean, but the Shaolin she belonged to must also be clean. That was the proper lesson the elders had taught her.

Rustle—

“Hmm?”

Something caught on the sweeping broom.

It felt like something different among the layers of fallen leaves.

Thinking it might be a small stone, Hee-young brushed the leaves aside.

Then, hidden among the leaves, she found an unusual item.

“This is…”

The peculiar feeling caught on the broom wasn’t a stone.

It was a thin book.

Hee-young carefully picked it up and opened it to see what it contained.

“…Huh?”

Her eyes widened at the content within, and she immediately looked around, wondering if someone left it behind.

But there was no one around.

It had been quite a while since Nangong Bi-ah began waiting, and Gu Yangcheong had mentioned it would be ample heat.

Just as the warmth faded from her body, Gu Yangcheong reappeared.

“…What are you doing?”

He asked, spotting Nangong Bi-ah crouched on the ground.

It was difficult to believe she would ache from merely standing still.

“Where have you been…?”

Nangong Bi-ah slowly stood up and asked, seeing Gu Yangcheong return.

“I just had some things to attend to.”

His usual blunt tone carried a hint of weariness.

It hadn’t been long; thinking of Gu Yangcheong’s prowess, no amount of time felt enough to tire him out.

Either he had been moving intensely, using bets left and right, or he was careful and took it slow.

No matter what, things in Shaolin shouldn’t have led to him being so exhausted.

“…”

Nangong Bi-ah said nothing.

Instead, she cautiously approached Gu Yangcheong and extended her hand towards his hair.

Gradually, she pulled something from the strands of red-tinted locks.

“A leaf…”

“Oh, it must have gotten stuck on the way.”

Gu Yangcheong grabbed the leaf from Nangong Bi-ah and swiftly threw it away.

As he tossed it, he muttered under his breath, “When the heck did this get stuck? I hope no one saw.”

“I’m hungry. Let’s hurry up.”

With that, he took hold of Nangong Bi-ah’s hand and started leading her away.

The others would be waiting for them back at the lodging, so there was no time to waste.

Squeeze.

“Hmm?”

As they walked quickly, Nangong Bi-ah stiffened, like a stone, and wouldn’t budge.

“What’s wrong?”

“…Slowly.”

“What? …Slowly?”

Not understanding Nangong Bi-ah’s request, Gu Yangcheong frowned slightly as she carefully wrapped her arms around him.

“…Because we’re two… Just take it a little slow.”

“…”

Gu Yangcheong fell quiet at her tender plea.

In that moment, Nangong Bi-ah caught sight of a subtle flush creeping onto Gu Yangcheong’s ears.

Seeing that, she couldn’t help but break into a small smile.

Though she hoped they would arrive a bit later, that was quite unlikely given Gu Yangcheong’s character.

Nangong Bi-ah was aware that there were many others he cherished, not just her.

This was merely a little selfish desire.

It felt like the timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

“Are you okay?”

Nangong Bi-ah asked softly as their eyes met, causing Gu Yangcheong to release a deep sigh.

“…Where did you learn to say that?”

Startled by his question, Nangong Bi-ah stiffened for a moment.

Then, she answered in an almost inaudible voice.

“…From So-yeol…”

It seemed she couldn’t lie, no matter what.

Gu Yangcheong let out a small chuckle at Nangong Bi-ah’s response.

“You keep picking up weird things. You’re no longer a child.”

“…”

“Let’s go.”

With those words, he resumed walking.

Yet, during that moment, Nangong Bi-ah realized something.

Gu Yangcheong hadn’t rejected her words.

He still held her tightly, and more so, the pace of their walk had noticeably slowed.

Seeing that, something warm welled up inside Nangong Bi-ah.

Despite the heat Gu Yangcheong had given her earlier, it felt thoroughly vanished now.

“Ah, I think I’ll be leaving soon. There’s nothing else to do, right?”

Nangong Bi-ah nodded at Gu Yangcheong’s declaration.

Initially, she hadn’t intended to visit Hanam.

She simply followed him since he came here.

‘…What about Jin-ju?’

Suddenly, Nangong Bi-ah recalled her younger brother.

It had been a while since they last saw each other after the Martial Arts Tournament; she wondered how he was doing.

Even while they were in the physician’s room, she’d caught a glimpse of him standing off to the side.

He was still her little brother, after all.

As she pondered momentarily, she immediately dismissed the thought.

‘…He should be fine…’

For now, that thought was all that lingered in her mind.

With her head occupied, her thoughts filled with someone’s face alongside a sword.

That someone had spoken.

“…I’m hungry, can’t we move a bit faster?”

“Fine, I get it, don’t glare at me like that…”

Not noticing her reaction, Gu Yangcheong tugged on her arm affectionately.

 

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