Ten Paths of the Master - Chapter 47

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 47. One Mind, One Thought, Uninterrupted State
Son Yu-baek finished explaining why he’d brought Do Gyeom and continued speaking.
“Do Hyeon-wi left empty-handed today, but Jo Mu-jin will certainly order a background investigation on you. A provincial governor’s position demands that you tap even a stone bridge before crossing it.”
“Yes, understood.”
“I believe you have no connection to Cheon Ryeon. I hope you won’t betray that trust.”
Son Yu-baek studied Dan Yeop with piercing eyes.
If Dan Yeop were connected to Cheon Ryeon, he himself could be implicated as a traitor.
“I absolutely am not.”
“I believe you.”
It wasn’t mere words.
If Dan Yeop had been involved with Cheon Ryeon, Son Yu-baek would never have entrusted him with Gwak Jin’s scroll.
“What exactly was in that scroll?”
Dan Yeop showed interest in the scroll.
Since he was now entangled with Cheon Ryeon, he needed to know what it contained.
“It contained the scripture of Cheon Ryeon. At the end, there was even Cheon Ryeon’s emblem stamped as if to prove it.”
“A scripture?”
“A story from the Miscellaneous Treasure Sutra—a Buddhist text of the Buddha’s past lives—appears in part of Cheon Ryeon’s scriptures. The tale of a celestial maiden.”
“What’s the story of the celestial maiden about?”
“Long ago, a doe ate the urine of a sage and bore a woman of incomparable beauty. Wherever she walked, lotus flowers bloomed at her feet. King Beom Yeong-wang took her as his second wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to a thousand lotuses. Inside each of these thousand lotus flowers was a child, and all of them grew to adulthood and became mighty beings—that’s the tale. Cheon Ryeon believes that those thousand sons are the Thousand Buddhas of the Kalpa of Worthiness—the present age—and the father is Jeong Ban-wang, the Buddha’s father, and the mother is Maya, the Buddha’s mother.”
“That’s quite a story.”
“It’s fascinating as Buddhist scripture, but Cheon Ryeon’s interpretation of it is sinister.”
“How so?”
“The Thousand Buddhas of the Kalpa of Worthiness means a thousand buddhas who appear in the present age. A thousand buddhas to guide the present world—do you see?”
“So Cheon Ryeon is those thousand buddhas?”
“Exactly. But they interpret the Kalpa of Worthiness differently.”
“Surely not as the Kalpa of Present Calamity?”
“Why not? The Miscellaneous Treasure Sutra is all allegory. And allegory is…….”
“Open to interpretation.”
“Precisely. Cheon Ryeon accepts the Thousand Buddhas of the Kalpa of Present Calamity and interprets it as ‘a thousand buddhas who will overcome the world’s catastrophe.’ Well, you can’t exactly say they’re wrong. It’s a noble interpretation, after all.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“The problem is they believe that thousand calamities must occur before the thousand buddhas can save the sentient beings.”
“What? They’re going to cause a thousand calamities?”
“That’s right. They believe a thousand great catastrophes must arise so that the thousand buddhas appear and save all sentient beings. Those thousand buddhas are Cheon Ryeon itself—the thousand lotus flowers.”
“So they give the disease and then sell the cure?”
“Ha ha, you could see it that way. Thinking of the calamity twenty years ago, I’d rather not imagine what a thousand such calamities would bring.”
“But does Cheon Ryeon at least save people from these calamities?”
“Depending on your perspective, they do.”
“How?”
“They stand firmly with the weak. They side with victims absolutely, without exception. They prioritize Natural Law over the Yul-ryeong Jip-seong that you read earlier. When it comes to evildoers, their doctrine is simple—let them perish.”
Dan Yeop muttered to himself almost absently, “Well, that doesn’t sound so bad.”
“But Cheon Ryeon commits evil in the process. Many have died caught in the crossfire of their righteous retribution. They regard such deaths as mere natural disasters. It’s like standing next to an obstinate person and both getting struck by lightning.”
Dan Yeop’s brow furrowed.
Even to him, that seemed problematic.
“I’ve learned much from you today, sir.”
“In any case, I’ve said this to urge you to be cautious for the time being. Jo Mu-jin will be watching you.”
“I’ll be careful.”
“By the way, have you made a betrothal, or is there a woman in your heart?”
“Not yet, sir.”
The old Dan Yeop might have lied, but the true Dan Yeop had none.
Then Son Yu-baek struck without warning.
“Perfect. How about my granddaughter as your match?”
“Your granddaughter? Surely you don’t mean Miss Son?”
“That’s right. She’s my granddaughter, but she lacks nothing wherever she goes. Her depth of learning is considerable, and she excels in the Triple Mastery of poetry, calligraphy, and painting—she’s known in Chang-an as a woman of triple brilliance. Until now, I’ve found no one worthy of her.”
“Forgive me, sir, but I have no intention of taking a wife at this time.”
At Dan Yeop’s blunt refusal, Son Yu-baek’s eyes widened in shock.
His granddaughter was virtuous and beautiful by any measure, with suitors always at her door.
To reject such a treasure outright…….
“Hmm, this is just a question, but surely you don’t prefer men——”
“I prefer women.”
“Right, I suspected as much. A decent person like you wouldn’t—— Well then, when do you plan to take a wife?”
Son Yu-baek, taken with Dan Yeop, clung to him without pretense.
Even without his daughter-in-law’s earnest entreaties, he had no wish to let the boy slip away.
“To speak candidly—I’ve been cultivating the Dong-ja-gong, which I happened to acquire during my years of wandering. Once I achieve mastery of it, then I’ll think about meeting a woman.”
Son Yu-baek blinked, his face bewildered, and murmured aloud.
“This Dong-ja-gong you speak of—from what I’ve gathered, it’s supposed to be difficult to master. Is there truly a reason you must learn it?”
“If a man draws his blade, he ought to test it on something.”
“Hmm, yes. I understand for now. Don’t mention this to my daughter-in-law, or rather, pretend you never heard it. But I ask one thing of you.”
“What is that?”
“When you achieve mastery of the Dong-ja-gong, you must teach me as well. Ah, of course I’m not saying I’ll keep my granddaughter for you until then. It’s simply that, given your talent, I expect you’ll master it within a few years.”
A few years—that was how long he was willing to wait.
Dan Yeop found himself nodding at the poignant look in Son Yu-baek’s eyes.
“I shall do so.”
Yet he held no real hope.
Once they learned he was a member of Ha-o-mun, he believed the old man would withdraw first, just as Na Bu-gang’s siblings had.
Even the lesser families kept their distance, speaking of honor. How much more would the great clans?
At Dan Yeop’s promise, Son Yu-baek’s weathered face broke into a broad smile.
“Don’t forget that promise. The stubbornness of the Son family is something even heaven cannot overcome.”
“I shall look forward to it.”
And so the old man and the young boy made a promise without fixed date or condition.
***
The next day.
Early in the morning, Pyo Sa arrived at the Separate House and delivered a letter to Dan Yeop.
A smile blossomed across Dan Yeop’s face as he broke open the sealed envelope.
[We shall close on the twentieth of the twelfth month, so if you would collect the incense you ordered by early morning—around nine o’clock—we would be most grateful.]
The twentieth—that was tomorrow.
Tomorrow the sect would officially appoint a new chief instructor before all the disciples.
At the thought of seeing Baek Yu-hwa, his heart already raced.
He placed the letter in the brazier and was reaching for the fire tongs when a servant girl approached and spoke carefully.
“Young Master Dan, the master requests that you join him for breakfast.”
“Ah, yes.”
Dan Yeop rose hastily from his seat after watching the letter burn.
Thanks to Sim Ma, he received treatment befitting a honored guest, which was pleasant enough, yet strange all the same.
The middle-aged beauty was so attentive it made him uncomfortable.
It was as though a mother were doting on a treasured child.
There were moments when she lavished more care on him than on her own son, Son Ji-heon, and more than once he felt awkward about it.
The darker Son Ji-heon’s gaze became at such times, the more Dan Yeop could do nothing but accept it.
Since he didn’t know when he’d have to leave the Separate House, he might as well eat well while he was here.
The inner hall.
Dan Yeop bowed respectfully to Son Yu-baek and the middle-aged beauty before taking his seat.
Was it habit, then?
By now, sitting at meals among the Son family felt unremarkable.
Just as he reached for his chopsticks, Son Yeon-hwa quietly filled the cup before him to the brim.
Dan Yeop smiled awkwardly and returned the courtesy with a glance.
Son Yeon-hwa’s pale cheeks flushed deep as peach blossoms.
Son Ji-heon, catching sight of this, spoke with mischievous malice.
“Yeon-hwa, why don’t you fill my cup to the brim as well?”
Embarrassed, Son Yeon-hwa reached hastily for the teapot, but the middle-aged beauty gently held back her hand.
“Yeon-hwa, you mustn’t pour tea for just anyone.”
Stung by those words, Son Ji-heon finally spoke up.
“Mother, how am I just anyone? Dan Gongja is permitted, but not I?”
“Dan Gongja is your grandfather’s honored guest, but you are not. You shouldn’t be thinking of ordering others about so soon.”
“Really! This is too much. Not just anyone—she’s my Yeon-hwa. And Dan Gongja is….”
In that instant, Son Yu-baek cut him off.
“Ji-heon.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
“Are you studying diligently at the National Academy?”
“Yes? Yes….”
“Who is the doctor teaching the Spring and Autumn Histories, the old scholar?”
“Yes….”
As the conversation turned to weightier matters, Son Ji-heon’s voice grew thin and subdued.
It was only natural for someone who dreamed of martial prowess to be weak at scholarship.
“Eat quietly, will you? You can do that?”
“Yes…….”
Son Ji-heon hung his head and forced the food into his mouth, chewing with difficulty.
I was beginning to think I ought to rent a room at an inn.
***
That night.
Dan Yeop took up the Horizontal Saber and went out to the rear courtyard of the Separate House.
The rear courtyard was hidden from the main quarters, making it ideal for martial training.
‘There’s bound to be talk tomorrow.’
Remembering the trainees who had lived with him at Byeong-ma-chong, his mouth turned bitter.
He wanted to show Baek Yu-hwa his best self.
He could now unfold the Jin Sam-dae Do-beop of Ha-o-mun with his eyes closed.
He had mastered it so thoroughly that he could no longer remember its original form.
That alone was not enough.
He had to overwhelm the trainees so completely they wouldn’t dare to challenge him.
He moved the blade slowly.
Perhaps it was the wrath that had taken root in him that gave his movements an unfamiliar quality?
As the Horizontal Saber swept through the air, white Saber Qi rippled along its edge.
Shhhaaaa―.
And so the sound of the blade cutting through wind was extraordinary.
Dan Yeop gradually sank into the State of No-Self.
His One Mind regarding Baek Yu-hwa became One Thought, and One Thought flowed into the Uninterrupted State.
The Uninterrupted State was a condition where One Mind and One Thought persisted without cessation.
Dan Yeop, for the first time, was attempting to break through the wall by his own strength.
It was a different enlightenment from Sim Ma, who still knew nothing of love, and from Dan Yeop the self-styled genius of all ages.
Crack-crack-crack―!
The Saber Qi flowing along the blade scattered like sparks.
Dan Yeop’s Sword Dance carried a melancholic quality.
Perhaps it was due to the somber expression settled upon his face.
Son Ji-heon, battered by his family that day, could not fall asleep easily.
In the end, he kicked off his bedding and rose to take a midnight walk.
Beginning with “Why was I born?” and proceeding to “Where do people go when they die?”, his ear caught an uncanny sound.
It was like the sound of striking a flint, yet also like the sound of a blade being drawn across taut silk.
In any case, startled by this explosive sound he had never heard before in his life, Son Ji-heon rounded the Separate House.
And there it was.
Beneath the crescent moon, a phantasmagorical sword dance that shone so brightly it stung the eyes.
Each time the blade parted the empty air, Saber Qi scattered like sparks.
Crack-crack-crack―!
‘Good heavens! What kind of martial art is this?!’
He had seen Dan Yeop carrying a saber a few times before.
He had taken him for nothing more than an affected youth.
Just stepping outside the gate, one would encounter so many incompetents that they’d be underfoot.
But what was this sword dance?
He had attended Hyeonmu Temple for three years and had never seen anything like it.
He had pestered his grandfather for a considerable sum and trained under a renowned elder of Jongnam Sect for two years, yet the result was the same.
‘Dan Yeop… no, Dan… no, Master Dan…….’
In that moment, hidden in the shadows of the Separate House, Son Ji-heon vowed to take Dan Yeop as his teacher.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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