Chapter 1592: Even The Buddha Has Abandoned You (Part 2)

Death was not considered distant, especially for Beopjeong, given his age.

However, could anyone have imagined that his death would take such a form? A death cruel beyond any imagination was ruthlessly approaching Beopjeong's entire body.

'I...'

The surging energy was tearing through his entire body as if ripping it apart.

Yet, Beopjeong couldn't feel the excruciating pain because his mind was already in hell.

'What did I want...'

Everything had to be glorious.

The glory of Shaolin.

The more elusive it was, the more he desired to grasp it. Like the enlightenment that refused to come into his grasp despite countless inquiries, he wanted to hold it in his hands.

'I...'

It was futile.

This was the phrase he repeated the most during his life. Countless times, he muttered it. But did he ever consider something futile? Did he ever try to follow those words he habitually muttered?

"Cough."

Blood flowed against a hazy consciousness. How could so much blood be in his emaciated body? Like his insatiable greed held within, gushing out forcibly.

"Don't feel so wronged."

Clank.

Jang Ilso leisurely stepped toward Beopjeong.

"Dying in my hands might not be such a bad ending."

"..."

"Compared to what you'll have to endure if you live."

Beopjeong smirked. Maybe those words are true.

If he died here, he'd be remembered as a foolish man. But if he survived, he'd have to endure the unbearable blame and disgrace with open eyes.

How could one walk through such a thorny path with a human body?

Beopjeong, with a bitter laugh, tried to pray somehow.

But his hand no longer moved. Whether he exhausted his strength or if Buddha did not allow him to even pray.

Behind Jang Ilso, many people were still dying.

If news spread that the leader of Shaolin has been defeated, the massacre would accelerate. Foolishly, he took on a burden too heavy for these powerless shoulders.

"Futile..."

Beopjeong's head gradually lowered.

A strange displeasure flickered across Jang Ilso's face as he watched him silently.

"Oh dear...Such an act that doesn't even suit this moment now." [not sure]

Jang Ilso raised his blue-colored hand.

"Pigs should die like pigs, right? That's what I'm saying."

At that moment, a force from somewhere intercepted Jang Ilso. Then, a desperate scream followed.

"Bangjaaaaang!"

The place where Beopgye's left arm was was now empty and his blood was splattering like rain.

"Ooooo!"

With his remaining hand, he unleashed consecutive blows toward Jang Ilso, who was thrown off.

"This...!"

In that gap, Beopgye lifted the kneeling Beopjeong, wrapped him around and quickly flew away.

Jang Ilso, who reflexively raised his hand towards his back, paused for a moment. Then, unexpectedly, he slowly lowered his hand.

"Rye, Ryeonju!"

Jeokho, who was dealing with Beopgye, rushed forward with a pale, horrified face and bowed his head.

"I'm sorry. I didn't expect him to sacrifice an arm..."

"Hmm."

Jang Ilso casually turned his eyes and looked down at the Jeokho, who had stiffened. The moment his gaze brushed against the back of Jeokho's neck, Jeokho trembled involuntarily.

Even if his throat were to be cut, there was nothing to protest against. It wasn't just because he was careless; incompetence was a greater sin than carelessness.

"Capture him right away!"

"How about it?"

"...Huh?"

Jeokho lifted his head.

Jang Ilso's gaze had already left him. He was silently observing the hellish battlefield.

"It's quite a spectacular sight, isn't it?"

"...Ryeonju-nim."

"Watch and remember. You may never see such a sight again in your lifetime."

Jeokho, bewildered, looked at Jang Ilso, then bowed again.

"I-I will pursue him."

Jang Ilso chuckled.

"No fun... do as you wish. I need to savor this a bit more."

"Yes!"

Jeokho gritted his teeth and chased after Beopgye and Beopjeong.

Jang Ilso, who glanced indifferently at Jeokho, looked back at the battlefield soaked in blood. Somewhere, flames began to flicker, casting a deep shadow on his side profile.

"Hahaha..."

A feeble laughter flowed out.

"Hahahaha!"

Soon, that laughter transformed into a hearty roar. His shadow swayed as if dancing.

Bloodstains on the ground merged with his long shadow like a stream of tears.

❀ ❀ ❀

"Bangjang, catch hold of yourself! Don't let go."

"I...I..."

"Snap out of it! Bangjang!"

Without needing to hear more, Beopgye loudly shouted, cutting off Beopjeong's words. Then, he tore his command token and firmly tied Beopjeong and himself together.

"Bangjang, you must survive! If it's not Bangjang, who else can handle what comes after this?"

Defeat was irreversible. No matter how one screamed or shed tears, it wouldn't change. The fate of this battlefield had already fallen into Jang Ilso's hands.

Anyone could cry and surrender in defeat. But no one but Beopjeong can rectify this defeat and stop them. At least, that's what Beopgye believed.

"You...survive..."

"Sahyung!"

A title other than "Bangjang" burst out of Beopgye's mouth.

Long-forgotten but never truly forgotten.

"Snap out of it, Sahyung! Sahyung is the leader of Shaolin! The life of Sahyung is not only Sahyung's!"

If Beopgye could do it, if he could bear the burden of this defeat, he would have done so without hesitation. But Beopgye couldn't. Even with the will, he lacked the ability.

Beopjeong's fate, saving the world from the clutches of those wicked Evil Sect members, rested on Beopjeong. That was the only possibility.

Therefore, he must be saved. At any cost.

"You will definitely survive, surely! So, tightly hold onto my neck and don't let go!"

Beopgye's eyes were tinged with a reddish hue.

Regret and self-blame could come later.

Even if the soul burned in regret later, or even if delayed self-blame confined him to eternal hell, it didn't matter.

"Step back!"

Kwaaaaah!

A surge of power erupted from his remaining arm. While the severed arm was noticeable, the true grievous wound was the long slash on his side. Despite the injury, Beopgye continued forward.

"He's here!"

"Shaolin's sect leader!"

The eyes of those who had witnessed it were filled with greed. Just like the disciples of the righteous faction who were led by Jang Ilso, the eyes of the disciples of the Evil Sect, filled with desire, turned crazed upon discovering them.

Who could give up the glory of capturing the sect leader of Shaolin?

"Seize him!"

Ho Gakmyung's formation swiftly moved. The enemies descended upon Beopgye like an avalanche. Beopgye gritted his teeth and infused his fist with inner strength.

"Ah-mi-ta-bhul!"

Arahat Divine Fist (阿羅漢神拳).

Shaolin's fist, unfolded according to the true intention, forcefully pushed away those coming at them with tremendous strength.

Thud! Thud!

Beopgye, unable to overcome the recoil of the fist, gritted his teeth. His wrist couldn't endure, and he screamed. However, he ignored the twisting of his wrist and exerted even stronger force with the fist.

"Ohhh!"

A powerful aura burst forth, as if shaving off the soul. It was too rough to face alone. Despite pushing and pushing, those ensnared by desire consecutively blocked his path.

His inner strength was reaching its limit. But there was no time for hesitation. Beopgye threw himself towards the enemies.

Kwaang!

Swinging his fist to send enemies flying.

Kwaang!

Swinging his leg to sweep away enemies.

Did King Nioh (仁王) clear the path against the onslaught of the Asura (輸羅) like this?

Defeating those who attacked like demons, he advanced forward step by step.

Seok!

As his chest was about to split, Beopgye's fist exterminated the enemies.

Euduk!

As a rib broke, his fist endured the evil.

Consciousness gradually blurred, and strength drained from his body.

Still, Beopgye continued forward, struggling, bearing a burden heavier than his body.

'Oh Buddha.'

Kwaang!

Energy from somewhere struck his head.

The impact twisted his skull, and blood flowed from his eyes. Yet, his steps didn't falter.

'Now... I understand.'

One can't chieve it just by asking for it.

 Life is a penance, bjt enlightenment lies within it.

One who endures suffering and does not seek what they truly desire cannot enter the Pure Land.

The enlightenment Beopgye truly sought was right here.

"Ahhh!"

However, Beopgye firmly rejected the enlightenment that was coming towards him. The soul tried to peer beyond this place, but his determination firmly remained on this impure land.

'It's okay not to transcend.'

It was the enlightenment he had sought throughout his life, and it might be a state of nirvana that one might not dare to hope for. Any practitioner would not wish for it.

Yet, at this moment, Beopgye declined the opportunity that would never come again.

Instead, he swung his fist. Another act of killing, building up karma that could not be washed away even through hundreds of lifetimes—a burden of sins that could not be erased, creating eternal suffering.

Shuk!

Something grazed his ankle. It was a dagger that had flown in the distance. Even in the hazy consciousness, he could sense the owner of that dagger.

Eventually, Beopgye tumbled to the ground with the earth.

'Blessed One…'

He knew.

The Buddha simply observes and does not protect them. If one has a wish, they must achieve it themselves. However, even so, at this moment, it was cruel.

'Do not seek to save my life...'

Beopgye instinctively twisted his body. If he were to fall forward, the blades would be directed at Bangjang.

The one who had to receive the blades was none other than his own body.

"But please, save Bangjang."

The bright blue blade fell.

The Buddha remains silent, never extending a helping hand. Indifferent, like the black sky.

'Blessed One...'

However, even if it wasn't the Buddha, there were those who extended their hands.

"Elder!"

Clang!

Somewhere, energy poured down, sweeping away those who mercilessly swung their swords.

"Protect the elder!"

"Save Bangjang!"

Shaolin (小林). Even if their intentions within were different, these disciples had silently followed. The martial artists of Shaolin suddenly rushed forward.

"You...Hee..."

"Please leave, Elder! We will handle it here!"

"We must save Bangjang!"

With the enemy's gaze focused on Beopgye, they could somehow pull themselves out and escape. However, instead of preserving their lives, they came here.

"Go!"

Someone grabbed Beopgye's shoulder. Covered in blood, Beopgye struggled to rise, shaking all over, and firmly stepped forward again.

Everyone who came rushing here would die. They knew their fate very well. Nevertheless, they stood behind Beopgye.

Then, wasn't there only one thing Beopgye had to do?

"Amita..."

The prayer that had flowed from Beopgye's mouth countless times trailed off intermittently.

It was the name that he had uttered so many times but had never reached its intended recipient even once. Still, it remained an unavoidable name.

It was both a profound teaching for them and resentment towards someone. Simultaneously, it was a fervent wish.

He moved forward, supporting the heavy weight felt on his back with his entire body.

"May the light of Tathagata widely shine (如來光普照)... extinguishing all darkness (滅除衆暗冥)..."

Chanting a verse from the Avatamsaka Sutra, Beopjeong's body emitted a golden light, faint as if it could be extinguished at any moment.

Truly precarious yet majestic.