Chapter 6: The Founder of Shaolin
[Just because I couldn’t see you for a few days due to overtime, have you already hooked up with another guy!]
‘Those are words that feel somewhat open to misunderstanding.’
Feeling that it was something one would say to a cheating lover, I scratched my cheek.
Although I had never had a real lover, it wasn’t as if I had never seen or heard of such stories.
‘More than that, Master’s way of speaking has returned to normal?’
Putting aside his speaking in riddles, that is.
A bald monk? What a thing to say that makes one’s head feel empty.
“I only learned what Master taught me.”
[Why does a fellow like you smell of Buddhist martial arts then? Do I look like a bald-shaven monk to you?]
“…Probably not?”
I had never heard that Master Zhang Sanfeng was bald.
Yet it did not seem like he had actually gotten dementia and forgotten what he had taught himself.
If so, there was only one answer.
“Certainly, the tone and feeling were somewhat different…”
What if the person who passed down the Earth Essence Art was not Master Zhang Sanfeng?
[You have a newly learned martial art, right?]
“Yes, it is called the Earth Essence Art…”
[Recite the oral formula.]
Master Zhang Sanfeng demanded out of nowhere that I recite the oral formula of the Earth Essence Art.
Without any complaint, I recited the oral formula of the Earth Essence Art.
[Earth Essence Art, my foot!]
As soon as he heard the oral formula, Master Zhang Sanfeng gnashed his teeth. He seemed to have immediately recognized whose martial art this was and what kind it was.
[Heavy Earth Divine Art… that fellow Bodhidharma!]
“…Pardon?”
Divine Art. It was not a character attached to just any martial art.
Moreover, he had definitely just said Bodhidharma.
Bodhidharma. Great Master Bodhidharma.
Bodhidharma in Sanskrit. Known as Bodhidharma in the Central Plains and abbreviated as Dharma.
The founder who first opened the gates of Shaolin in a small forest in Mount Song.
The founder of Shaolin, the titan of the martial world.
The legend who laid the first foundation of Buddhist martial arts in the Central Plains.
The names referring to him were countless besides these.
In a sense, it was a name that carried a weight no less than, or even greater than, Master Zhang Sanfeng.
“Bodhidharma…?”
[Although it was modified to fit you, this is definitely the Heavy Earth Divine Art.]
Learning martial arts from Bodhidharma?
Just like when I learned martial arts from Master Zhang Sanfeng, this was also an incredibly unrealistic story. To the point where even if I woke up tomorrow and everything was a dream, I would be able to accept it.
‘Uh, wait.’
Having temporarily lost my mind due to the shock of having learned martial arts from Bodhidharma, the problems regarding this matter came to mind one by one.
‘Then, wouldn’t there be a problem?’
The mind method is the study of the mind and a guide that presents the path through which internal energy flows. It could be called the root of martial arts training.
Originally, if it was a mind method of the same root, it could show a certain degree of harmony since the essential roots were the same.
However, if the roots were different, the direction and interpretation one sought to pursue would also change.
The methods were different, and because the methods were different, the paths through which internal energy flowed were also different. If the two studies collided, it would literally be self-destruction.
For such reasons, Martial World sects usually considered learning the martial arts of other sects a taboo. If one was caught learning the martial arts of another sect without permission, they could face harsh punishment along with expulsion.
I wondered if it was because a charge of insolence, asking if their own sect’s martial arts were not enough, was added, but regardless.
It meant that currently, I had ended up learning the mind methods of two roots, the Wudang Sect and Shaolin.
To my crude common sense, it sounded extremely dangerous.
“Then, I should stop training the Earth Essence Art, no, the Heavy Earth Divine Art, right?”
[……]
“Master?”
An answer did not return immediately.
Actually, I was slightly preparing myself for him to immediately yell, ‘Of course!’
[No.]
The response that returned was different from what I had thought.
“By ‘no’, do you mean ‘no’ as in do not learn…”
[Practice it.]
“Really?”
[It is annoying, but that bald monk Bodhidharma really polished the Heavy Earth Divine Art properly. While properly filling in the parts you lacked, he trimmed away all the parts that clashed with the existing Clear Brightness Mind Method. If we didn’t know, it would be one thing, but since a better way has come out, we cannot just throw it away.]
Master Zhang Sanfeng spoke as if his pride had been wounded.
Since he was someone whose pride was as high as the heavens, this situation would not be pleasant.
But nevertheless, he said he would present a better path to me even while enduring that.
He placed more weight on his disciple’s growth than his own pride.
Although it was natural, the world surprisingly did not carry out such natural things easily.
That was because he was Zhang Sanfeng!
An existence that occupied one of the few legendary seats in the history of the Martial World.
I was respected more than the pride of such a Master Zhang Sanfeng.
Thinking so, a strange stir swept through my chest.
[What is it, why is your expression like that?]
“It’s because I’m touched, Master.”
[You get touched by the strangest things.]
Master Zhang Sanfeng snorted in response to my reaction, as if he found it awkward.
But while he seemed awkward, I also felt like he was somewhat embarrassed.
[Anyway, I should prepare the next thing to teach you more intensely.]
“Thank you.”
[Why thank me for something so obvious.]
The more I listened, the more it seemed he was indeed embarrassed.
[Tsk! Just go practice!]
He avoided the spot like an immortal who feared his inner thoughts would be exposed.
Indeed, with those final words, no more sound was heard.
While the surroundings and the voice in my head fell quiet, I gently pinched my cheek.
It hurt.
“It’s not a dream.”
If this was a dream, it would be the worst nightmare ever. Isn’t it said that giving and then taking back is the dirtiest and meanest thing in the world?
If all of this was really a dream, and what I saw when I opened my eyes was the ceiling of the quarters used by Wudang’s lay disciples, I was confident I would cry for three days and nights until my throat was ruined.
“First Master Zhang Sanfeng, and now Great Master Bodhidharma.”
Although I did not know for what reason I was connected to the heavens, it was certainly the greatest fortune in the Martial World.
Any martial artist who trains in martial arts desires the teachings of a teacher or master who can deliver correct training and enlightenment.
There were countless people who would pretend to die if told to, or rather, cling with the intention of actually dying, just to receive a single teaching.
They would say they had obtained a serendipitous encounter even from learning a single move.
Such serendipity had occurred twice.
Master Zhang Sanfeng taught me how to train my body and the Clear Brightness Mind Method, and Bodhidharma, seeing that, taught me the Earth Essence Art and Heavy Earth Divine Art to fill in the missing parts. Master Zhang Sanfeng, who verified this, was now sharpening his blade, promising to prepare something even better next time.
Could there be any greater fortune for a martial artist?
“Is this real life?”
Just thinking about it made me feel full. A sense of fulfillment, as if everything was packed tight, welled up.
I pinched my cheek several more times after that.
Silly laughter kept leaking from my mouth, which was opened from the pinching.
Now, I would only walk on a path of flowers.
***
…There was a time when I thought so.
“I didn’t hear you clearly?”
[I’m not speaking through your earholes, so what do you mean you didn’t hear?]
“It is a bit of an absurd statement.”
Although all the events up to now were equally unrealistic, this was a step further.
“So, the two of you…”
[Will guide your martial arts.]
[Do you not already have the karmic connection of calling me Master? Even brushing past someone is a connection, let alone a connection of this scale—I cannot just let it slip away.]
It meant that not only Master Zhang Sanfeng but also Great Master Bodhidharma would become my master.
Then should I call him Master Bodhidharma now?
Master Bodhidharma following Master Zhang Sanfeng?
The relationship between master and disciple did not end with simply delivering teachings. If it were such a thing, the two of them would know better. Yet they were taking me in as a disciple.
It was an absurd lineup.
“Is that really okay?”
[Well, although we had a bit of an argument, I also felt slightly guilty about one thing…]
Could it be that he owed a debt in the past?
“Master Zhang Sanfeng does not seem to have the personality to go around owing debts.”
[It is not that… Ahem!]
Master Zhang Sanfeng let out a dry cough as if poked in the ribs.
[It is because of the Tendon Transforming Classic.]
Instead of Master Zhang Sanfeng, Master Bodhidharma spoke.
At the mention of an unexpected martial art, Yeon Cheong-un retraced the words once more.
“The Tendon Transforming Classic?”
[Yes.]
“That Tendon Transforming Classic? The one known as Shaolin’s unparalleled divine art…?”
Although there were several Shaolin martial arts that gained fame in the history of the Martial World, it was a martial art that would absolutely be included if one were to name a few of the top rank.
The martial art also called Bodhidharma’s Tendon Transforming Classic was just that.
[Unparalleled divine art indeed. It is merely a training method suitable for refining the bone structure.]
This was Master Zhang Sanfeng’s voice.
It was a slightly scolding remark.
“What about the Tendon Transforming Classic?”
There was one part I could guess. However, I trailed off my words and asked, just in case.
An answer returned to my question.
[I judged that it would be difficult to do anything about your weak bone structure with only Taoist training methods. So, well, I did mix it in moderately and passed it down.]
“…I practiced the Tendon Transforming Classic?”
[Strictly speaking, it is just a few scraps of the Tendon Transforming Classic mixed in with the Taoist secret art, the Taoist-made Secret Art, along with Indian Yoga.]
“……”
Don’t people usually call that plagiarism, Master?
[Why is there no answer?]
“I request the right to remain silent.”
Let’s look on the bright side. What was important was that I had practiced the Tendon Transforming Classic. And it was even refined to fit me by the immortal Master Zhang Sanfeng.
“To think it’s the Tendon Transforming Classic…”
Today seemed to be a day of constant surprises.
“Am I allowed to practice it?”
[Well, wouldn’t it be fine? The creator himself has permitted it.]
The Bodhidharma Tendon Transforming Classic created by Bodhidharma. The creator of the martial art had permitted it. Hearing up to here, it sounded like there was no big problem.
[However, it would be best not to reveal it externally. As for Shaolin… rather rough children tend to gather there.]
“Yes!”
Understanding the meaning immediately, I replied right away.
If they demanded to know where I had learned the Tendon Transforming Classic, and I said the Master Bodhidharma in my head passed it down, the returning answer would be obvious.
‘Where did you learn this?’
‘Great Master Bodhidharma taught me!’
‘You’re a madman!’
Well, putting myself in their shoes, even if I were a Shaolin disciple, I would probably break someone’s skull in anger upon hearing such a thing.
‘Whatever.’
Bodhidharma is my master.
Now I was able to serve not only Master Zhang Sanfeng but also Bodhidharma as my master.
It was something any martial artist would dream of.
No, wouldn’t they say even a dream like this was absurd?
I had never felt that Master Zhang Sanfeng’s teachings were lacking, but when none other than Bodhidharma offered to not just teach a single move but to become my master altogether, a laugh slipped out of its own accord.
[It might not be something to just be happy about, you know?]
Master Zhang Sanfeng’s words carrying a strange tone dropped.
It was a voice that sounded somewhat sharp.
“I find it very glorious, so to speak…”
[That goes without saying.]
“Right…?”
His pride was overflowing.
Well, he was someone who deserved to be so.
“Then it seems there are only good things.”
[If you only look at the good points, yes.]
If one only looked at the good points, that was true. It meant there was also a bad side.
It was a situation that any martial artist would dream of, yet was there a drawback here?
[Basically, since the roots of Buddhist martial arts and the martial arts I will teach are different, we will have to deliver teachings to create a coexisting area and achieve harmony, but I plan to cram in what I want to teach by any means.]
There was indeed.
[Ho! Ho! Ho! Learn diligently. I will also do my best to teach you.]
In short, the two of them were joining forces… no, it meant they would teach rather competitively.
Although they would not deliver any harmful teachings, the word ‘cram’ felt extremely ominous.
Come to think of it, when Master Zhang Sanfeng drove me like crazy for a short while in the Wudang Sect, it really felt like tasting hell. What if Master Bodhidharma was added to that?
“Ah…”
It was a path of flowers, but it was a path of fire.
‘Should I… be happy?’
There is a saying that excess is as bad as deficiency. To be honest, I was a bit scared.
Even keeping up with just what Master Zhang Sanfeng taught kept me floundering.
It was the teaching of an existence that transcended humans. I would not be able to handle its vastness no matter how much I aged and grew.
Another such existence was appearing?
‘Is it excessive greed?’
I could not help but think this way.
But.
‘Wise Tao Hall Master… Yin Si-hoo!’
The voices and appearances still vivid in my memory.
Those times of being slighted and ignored.
‘I’ll devour them all!’
“It is just what I wanted.”
Resentment pushed away the worry.
The dreams of my childhood pushed along my hesitating mind.
There were people I admired. There were feelings I harbored, containing personal desires and childhood admiration.
Because becoming a martial artist was the optimal way to fulfill those desires and admiration.
Now that the fastest path to reach it had opened, I did not want to act like a coward.
Even if I paused for a moment in fear, I would not take a step back. Tenaciously, even if I collapsed from exhaustion, I would crawl stubbornly to reach that high place!
“Please take care of me.”
[Hmph!]
[Hoho.]
Voices filled with great interest were heard in my head.
I felt they were quite inspired by what I had said. That inspired inspiration would return entirely to my own body.
I intended to endure all of it proudly.
‘If it were three or more instead of two, I would have thought it was a bit too much.’
What if the number of heavenly masters offering to teach me increased even further?
Even if only for a brief, passing moment, I let out a smirk as I imagined such a thing.
Surely not.
***
A space boiling with disgusting lumps of filth.
In a place overflowing with stench and filth that felt as if it would rot one’s lungs just by breathing, a man with glaring eyes and a beard immersed his hand in the filth.
“The Black Wind Demon Emperor. A piece of trash with a grand name.”
“Puguggugu!”
A giant cauldron and the filth boiling inside it.
The fierce-looking man, who had put his hand into the filth, was stuffing the being called the Black Wind Demon Emperor into that filth.
Even though his own hand was stained by the filth, turning color as if poisoned, and his flesh burned with a horrific ‘sizzling!’ sound, he did not even bat an eye.
“Hmph!”
Soon, the fierce-looking man, who pulled his hand out of the filth as if it were nothing, shook his hand. Bizarrely, the hand that had been a mess just moments ago, to the point of showing bones, had returned to normal.
“Is it only trash after all?”
The fierce-looking man frowned as he listened to the tales of the lower world.
The Demon Path had degenerated.
The pure Demonic Path of the past had vanished. At least, the Demonic Path he remembered was no longer in the lower world.
The Demonic Path in the era he lived in was pure.
Without complex calculations, only the instinct of the strong sprinted forward.
However, clashing with the united power of the Orthodoxy, the Demonic Path learned the strength of the collective and learned how to unite.
When people gathered, politics arose, and when politics arose, factions were established.
They became stronger, yet weaker.
“Foolish bastards.”
If possible, he wanted to manifest in the lower world right this instant, perform a wild slaughter, and teach them what true Demonic Path was.
However, that was not possible.
“Well, it is not just about me.”
Just as the Demonic Path had degenerated, he heard that the Orthodoxy of the current lower world’s Martial World also had many problems.
The martial arts of the Orthodoxy were strong, but it took a long time to achieve that strength. Hence, there was a saying that young masters come from the Demonic Path, and old masters from the Orthodox Path.
Amidst the conflicts between the Orthodoxy, the Unorthodoxy, and the Demonic Cult, many secret methods were lost, broken lineages cropped up one after another, and the Orthodoxy also degenerated.
They insisted on rapid achievements and pursued immediate strength rather than distant completion.
Unable to endure hunger, they put rotten meat into their mouths.
Consequently, the true essence of martial arts had vanished.
What remained was only the infighting of humans.
Unless an individual who could overturn the flow of an era like himself appeared, no one from the Orthodoxy, Unorthodoxy, or Demonic Cult would ever ascend to the heavens again.
“Is there not one useful fellow?”
The man who was once called the ‘Great Demon’ and the ‘Demon Who Covers the Heavens’ on earth, praised with fear and greatness, muttered as he looked at the landscape of the Boiling Cauldron Hell.