Chapter 1308: If It's You, I Should Concede (Part 2)

In order to reclaim the path Namgung Dowi had opened, the martial artists of the Evil Tyrant Alliance quickly gripped their spears and rushed toward Hye Yeon.

Swish.

Instinctively, Hye Yeon swept the long hem of his robe back.

This was a habitual action he took when wearing the robe of the Shaolin Sect or unfolding his martial arts.

Even though he now wore a black robe, not the yellow robe of the Shaolin Sect, the habit had not disappeared.

It was evidence that what he had learned and mastered in the Shaolin Sect still lingered within him.

Kwoong.

Hye Yeon, who had taken a short step forward, struck the air three times in rapid succession with his fist.

The short and powerful striking technique created a gust of force that sent those who leaped forward flying in an instant.

"Ugh! I should have gone to the Shaolin Sect!"

"Just shut up!"

Hye Yeon's face turned red.

Honestly, those people still made him a bit uncomfortable.

Not because he disliked them.

It was because the speed at which they lived and the speed at which Hye Yeon lived were vastly different.

"Uwaaaaah!"

One enemy, with madness gleaming in his eyes, swung his sword towards Hye Yeon. Having witnessed Hye Yeon's power, they should have been scared and tried to escape. However, they had undergone rigorous training, so they charged forward with a fierce determination.

'In vain.'

Hye Yeon extended his fist once again.

The golden radiance of his inner qi gathered around his fist and swept through the approaching enemy in an instant.

"Aaaaargh!"

With screams, bodies were sent flying as if caught in a rapid stream. At a glance, it seemed natural for them to die miserably, but despite the agonizing screams, there were no major injuries visible on the bodies.

Shaolin's martial arts were merciful.

After all, life is just a fleeting moment.

What meaning is there in dividing good and evil within that moment?

The one who seems the most virtuous now might have been the evilest in a past life, and vice versa.

Therefore, the boundless mercy towards sentient beings should not distinguish between good and evil.

The virtuous should bestow mercy because they are virtuous, and the wicked should receive even greater mercy.

'Amitabha.'

However...

"Die, you scum!"

At that moment, enemies attacked Hye Yeon from all sides.

Hye Yeon's feet crossed paths for a brief moment, and simultaneously, his body made a half-turn.

Thud! Clang!

Swaying aside the flying spear, Hye Yeon slammed his fist into the opponent's chest.

Swish! Swish!

Arhat First (羅漢拳). The oldest and most venerable martial art that originated alongside the Imitation Fist (象形拳) as the foundation of the Central Plain's fist arts, was vividly reproduced in near-perfect form by Hye Yeon's fingertips.

With Hye Yeon's deep internal strength, the magnificence of his power was highlighted.

However, this power, too, started as nothing more than a mere fist.

Only when one reached mastery in the Arhat could they truly handle the Buddha's power (佛力).

Swish!

Hye Yeon's fist crushed the opponent's chest.

A fleeting trace of sorrow passed through his clear, large eyes.

The person struck in the chest poured blood from their mouth and crumbled on the spot.

Without bothering to look at him, Hye Yeon shifted his stance.

'Amitabha.'

Was he dead? It was uncertain.

While Hye Yeon's power still harbored mercy, even towards those who rushed to face death, it wasn't deep enough to envelop and consider them all.

Maybe he had just opened another cycle of life. Perhaps he had taken away another life.

'Buddha.'

He knew.

The Buddha was not an all-powerful being that resolved all problems. Only humans could solve problems—those who worried, contemplated, and struggled.

But at times like these, he really wanted to ask.

Even if the Buddha was just an observing presence, he had attained enlightenment a long time ago. So, he must know more than he himself does.

Was it truly right for a Buddhist who was not supposed to kill to open up the cycle of killing in order to save more people?

Was it right for those adorned with uniforms to fight with and destroy others?

Was he truly on the right path as a Buddhist now?

"Stop! Block it by any means necessary!"

More than ten sharp sickles on chains flew towards Hye Yeonm with enough force to tear his body to shreds.

If any of them touched him, the sharply honed blades would cut through his flesh and twist his bones. However, Hye Yeon, without a hint of urgency, slowly spread his hands.

Hye Yeon's left hand positioned in the lower abdomen, and the right hand unfolded above the right chest. It was the form of the Guanyin [Bodhisattva associated with compassion]. Finally, Hye Yeon's right hand drew countless images of Dharani [idk lol] around his body.

Guanyin's hand (觀音手).

The scene was like a thousand-handed Guanyin spreading out a thousand arms at the same time.

The wall created by the Guanyin's shadow pushed away, bounced off, and gently avoided everything flying toward him.

"What...?"

Even those rigorously trained to take the enemy's life were momentarily dumbfounded by the overwhelming sight before them.

And the golden power emanating from the wall of Dharani burst unreservedly into their chests.

"Kraaaaack!"

The ones who received the blow spat blood from their mouths, staggered, and tumbled in all directions.

Once again, as Hye Yeon took another step forward, his mind was filled with turmoil. He chanted as if it were a habit.

'Amitabha.'

According to the teachings of the Buddha, the division between good and evil holds no meaning.

However, as a Buddhist, one naturally follows the path of the Zen.

The life we are experiencing is but a fleeting moment in the wheel of cycles that spans an unimaginable period.

Yet, the life at its core is more precious than anything else in the world.

Isn't this a contradiction?

Both are right, and neither is wrong.

Nothing is amiss.

So, what should one follow?

What should one adhere to?

What should one believe in, rely on, and live for?

'Amitabha.'

Why did he, who was once inseparable from the world of Shaolin, now don black attire that didn't match his cycle of life?

Was the path he is currently walking truly the right one?

"Monk!"

At that moment, a voice erupted from behind, and Hye Yeon clenched his fist.

The only answer to all these questions was simple.

'I am not the Buddha.'

Kwoooong!

Without hesitation, he unleashed a powerful punch that sent those rushing towards him flying.

The world refers to one who holds all answers as the Buddha. We inquire because we do not know. We contemplate because we do not know, and we suffer because we do not know.

So, how can one say that anything is wrong with all this suffering?

Those who do not experience pain cannot progress. Those who turn away from pain will never attain enlightenment. What he needs to do now is to accept all this suffering as it is, without resistance.

Within the narrow confines of Shaolin, he had not seen the 'real world.' Now, he must see it with his own eyes, directly understand that world, and comprehend it for himself.

And so...

"Concentrate, you daydreamer!"

Hye Yeon flinched.

'Chung Myung Dojang.'

He had stepped on his path again and quickly moved forward.

Initially, he thought he should just follow what is right.

At that time, Hye Yeon felt disillusioned by Shaolin, where teachings and actions were twisted and distorted.

He thought that person could resolve the pain emanating from there.

But along with Chung Myung, he came to know.

The inner self of that person resembled the sun in the sky, with not a single hint of wavering visible, was filled with countless storms.

He contemplated and contemplated again, relentlessly pushing himself as if torturing his own being, seeking the best solution from within.

It wasn't a path for his own sake but a path to find for the sake of many others.

Sometimes the path was twisted, sometimes authoritative, and sometimes entirely wrong.

However, Chung Myung was not someone who easily succumbed to despair. He repeatedly contemplated and moved forward again.

'Do you know the way, Dojang?'

That was truly the path a Buddhist should walk.

It was an undeniable fact.

Chung Myung was a Taoist, by no means a Buddhist.

But his life was like a model for the path a Buddhist should take.

Though their guiding principles may differ, there was no denying that his attitude was worth emulating.

"Monk! They're coming from the front!"

"No, you! Instead of just talking, go out and fight!"

"Me? In front of that person?"

"Or at least shut your mouth!"

"Agreed."

'The Sahyungs are like that, isn't it?'

A small smile graced Hye Yeon's lips.

This might've been the reason why Hye Yeon was with them.

'No different.'

They too were the same.

Just as Hye Yeon was diligently followed the lofty teachings of the Buddha, they too were fervently chasing the distant goal of Mount Hua's revival the back of Chung Myung rushing ahead. There was a camaraderie that Hye Yeon had never felt before even in the Shaolin where they followed the path of Buddhism together.

This newfound sense of camaraderie often comforted Hye Yeon.

When they were here, he was never lonely.

Though his heart was heavy and pain was abundant, he could find the strength to move forward.

'Bangjang.'

Hye Yeon's right hand touched his side.

'But am I really wrong?'

Kooong!

His fist slowly moved forward. The power imbued with accumulated experience pushed all those blocking the way aside. Everything he had built up cleared the obstacles in his path.

The path that was closing reopened vividly in Hye Yeon's eyes.

The following path was a narrow path.

An abyss filled with enemies and evil.

If one was in their right mind, it was a path that must be avoided.

It was a path that should never be stepped on.

However, Hye Yeon was now leaping onto that path with his own feet.

'Am I really wrong?'

Foolish and dull.

But this was truly the path a monk should take.

Choosing the path of self-torture, willingly enduring the torment named hardship, and seeking enlightenment.

Paaaaaah!

Hye Yeon's foot struck the ground with force.

Without a single moment of hesitation.

Running toward the narrow ravine, he executed a half-step (半掌).

'Even if I'm wrong... How can I not walk the path I must walk?'

Thud!

Hye Yeon stepped forward once again.

This might be the first step he had taken in his life. Not following someone's teachings or footsteps but thinking and judging for himself and taking the first step without hesitation.

Hye Yeon lifted his head.

In the cramped canyon, where even the light didn't shine well, countless enemies like the dregs of hell were lined up without an end in sight.

But Hye Yeon's eyes were clearer and more peaceful than usual.

It was okay to collapse with exhaustion in the middle of this path.

'What regrets could there be?'

If this was hell, it was the place where a Buddhist like Hye Yeon should be.

His entire body was covered in golden light.

A majestic Buddhist radiance emitted by himself.