Chapter 372: Dharma Three Swords (2)

“How can something with neither techniques nor formulas be considered a martial art?”

“It has neither techniques nor formulas, but there exists the Dharma through which one reaches the Dharma Three Swords. Since the Dharma Three Swords are attained through the Dharma, the Dharma Three Swords perceived by the high monks of past generations differed so greatly from one another.”

I, Yong Hwarin, became so immersed in their conversation that I even forgot I was eavesdropping.

“Then, what is that Dharma?”

In a way, that Dharma could be considered the very formula for attaining the Dharma Three Swords.

The monk put his palms together, and in a devout manner, as if in worship, he softly chanted a Buddhist verse.

“That Dharma is none other than the Three Seals of the Dharma taught by the Buddha.”

“The Three Seals?”

The Lady of Mount Lu unconsciously raised her voice.

The Three Seals were knowledge so common that even those who did not study the Buddhist scriptures, yet had some interest in Buddhism, knew of them.

The Three Seals were the Buddha’s fundamental teaching that revealed the truth of the universe and human life, guiding people toward living a true life.

Impermanence of all phenomena (諸行無常), non-self of all dharmas (諸法無我), and the suffering inherent in all things (一切皆苦)—these were the Three Seals.

The monk raised his sword and began swinging it in movements that looked like neither a dance nor a stumble.

“All things in this world are transient, thus endless change begins.”

The monk murmured low as he stepped into his stances.

The first was Impermanence of all phenomena.

“All things lack true substance.”

The monk was stepping into the Non-self of all dharmas.

The boundary between them was unclear, but his words revealed that it was indeed the Non-self of all dharmas.

Yet, the movements of Impermanence and Non-self looked scarcely different.

But I, Yong Hwarin, could feel it.

The monk’s existence vanished and reappeared, sometimes disappearing altogether.

‘Was it an illusion?’

But since I had reached the Qi-Vision Realm, I could sense his presence fading and returning.

‘Is this the Dharma Three Swords? Or the realm of the Heart Sword?’

It felt as if the monk was entering and exiting another space.

Then his movements slowly came to a halt.

“This is as far as this humble monk has grasped of the Dharma Three Swords.”

From fifty jang away, I watched in astonishment, the scene appearing as vivid as if it were right before my eyes.

And yet, I lamented, for I gained no great realization despite witnessing such a scene.

‘Ah, this cannot be attained without cultivation.’

I thought, one had to abandon the self to reach such a realm.

No-self meant casting aside attachments and freeing oneself from all desires. But for me, still living amidst the secular world, it was an unattainable realm.

To truly realize it, one had to become a disciple of the Buddha.

‘That monk knew this as well, and thus abandoned the Lady of Mount Lu to leave the world behind.’

He had cast away everything to pursue the pinnacle of martial truth.

The Lady of Mount Lu trembled with passion.

“For this… just for this…”

The monk pressed his palms together toward her.

“If you let go of attachment to yourself, you will become detached from all things. That is the Dharma Three Swords as I have felt them. If you become free from yourself, not from others, I believe you too will gain great enlightenment.”

Then the monk glanced at the pagoda where I was hiding, once more pressing his palms together.

He knew I was there, but since my energy was close to Nature’s Energy, he had left me be.

As he had said earlier, anyone who witnessed the Dharma Three Swords and realized the Heart Sword would gain great fortune.

“This humble monk will take his leave now.”

As the monk prepared to depart, the Lady of Mount Lu spoke in a trembling voice.

“You knew. That the reason I sought you out was less about longing for you and more about my desire to ascend in martial realms.”

The monk smiled faintly at her words.

“It seems I have finally reached a level where one may call me a high monk. Once I emptied myself, all became boundlessly tranquil. Whatever your intention, through you, I emptied myself once more, and I feel as if I have worshipped three thousand Buddhas.”

In the monk’s gaze toward the Lady of Mount Lu, not a trace of desire nor worldly dregs remained.

“You do seem to wear the aspect of a true monk now.”

At her words, the monk smiled brightly.

“That is the greatest praise one could give me.”

He softly chanted a sutra, then turned and disappeared into the pagoda forest.

His departing figure held no regret.

The Lady of Mount Lu wept.

The tears washed away the love and hate she had carried for decades.

As I prepared to leave, she spoke quietly.

“Even while revealing my disgrace, I pretended not to notice you, because I wished that Master Yong would gain great enlightenment.”

At this point, I could no longer remain hidden.

“I apologize. It was not intentional. Drawn by a strange energy, I came all the way here.”

“I know. That too must be part of your fortune, Master Yong. But tell me, did you gain anything?”

I shook my head weakly.

“My realization was lacking, and I gained nothing.”

“No. Perhaps not now, but one day this will be of great help to you.”

The Lady of Mount Lu left those words behind and leapt away.

I, Yong Hwarin, recalled the monk’s movements and swung my sword this way and that.

But no inspiration came to me.

‘I am still far from it. After all, how could the realm of the Heart Sword be realized so easily?’

Moved by the fleeting inspiration, I swung the Soaring Dragon Emperor Sword in a state close to egolessness.

I had already forgotten about going to meet my friend.

As I retraced each thing I knew one by one, the realizations were not few.

I had been training for nearly two hours when suddenly the pagoda forest seemed to tremble, and I halted my movements.

Krrrrrrrrrrng!

The earth rumbled in a low growl.

I realized then that an earthquake was occurring and was startled.

Never in my life had I experienced one so great.

“No, in my past life I encountered one at about this same time, so this is the second.”

It was an earthquake powerful enough to make the pagoda forest quake violently.

“At this level, a mountain with weak ground would have collapsed.”

As I walked out of the shaking pagoda forest, I muttered.

But my own muttering shocked me.

“Wait!”

I had been too immersed in the Dharma Three Swords to think deeply on the earthquake, but my own words brought me to a realization.

“The time when my clan became entangled in war with the Dabie Sect was tied to this earthquake. In my past life, several months after a great earthquake, the war began.”

I remembered when I went to Mount Dabie to obtain a spiritual medicine.

At that time, the underground cavern had not yet collapsed and thus had not been discovered.

It was only after the earthquake caused the ground to fall in that the underground cavern was revealed.

‘After the earthquake, the Dabie Sect must have discovered the Bell Spirit Stone Milk there.’

That meant this was no time to be idling here.

In my past life, from the moment the earthquake occurred, the Heavenly Central Sect had undergone great upheaval.

I hurried back to the Guest Hall and began writing letters.

Then I summoned the Violent Dragon Twin Swords and gave them instructions.

“Take this to Chief Mu of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union. And this one, deliver to Lady Jeong.”

The Violent Dragon Twin Swords, engrossed in the martial arts I had passed on to them, were reluctant to leave.

“Can’t we go later?”

They thought it was merely a letter of greetings, but my face was grim.

“This is of utmost importance. The very survival of our clan depends on it.”

Only then did the Violent Dragon Twin Swords realize the gravity of the matter and straighten up.

“Understood. I will deliver them as quickly as possible.”

“And after delivering the letters, stay with Chief Mu and move together with him.”

I wanted to explain the situation, but time was too precious to waste.

“Leave immediately. I will explain to Father myself.”

“Yes.”

For once, the Violent Dragon Twin Swords put on a serious air and made ready to depart.

At that, Yong Biyang, curious about the reason, asked.

“What is going on?”

“Gather in the room, I will explain.”

Right after the Violent Dragon Twin Swords departed with my letters, everyone assembled in the room.

“Recently, I acquired some information. I know someone on the Heavenly Demon Sect’s side who handles intelligence. He is in a high position and deals with valuable information. He passed this news to me.”

I had to conceal that it came from my past life.

“What kind of information is so serious?”

“There will be groups moving to attack our clan.”

“What? Our clan? By whom?”

Yong Biyang’s eyes widened in shock.

“It seems the Dabie Sect will be leading it. Together with them, several martial households will unite to attack our clan within a month or two.”

“Is that true?”

“Even if the information proves false, preparing for it does no harm.”

“That much is true.”

The thought of the Heavenly Central Sect being caught in war made Yong Biyang sigh in gloom.

“Very well. If that information is indeed true, then what do you think we should do?”

“Our clan has amassed no small strength. We are more than capable of fighting and winning against them.”

“Even so, many will be injured and die.”

“We must do our utmost to prevent that.”

“Then should we not return to the clan immediately?”

“No, Father. They will not attack at once. It will be a month or two. So we can finish the duel with the Three Demonic Heavens tomorrow and witness the Alliance Leader election before returning. For now, gaining ties with other clans is to our advantage.”

“Now that you say it, that makes sense. Better to secure as many allies as possible. There are those who disparage us as demonic after all.”

“That is so, Father.”

Yong Biyang’s eyes gleamed as he spoke.

“Then you must win tomorrow’s duel. Let the world know that the Heavenly Central Sect is by no means weak.”

“Do not worry. Your son is not that feeble.”

“Good. Then I will not worry.”

“And when war breaks out, every master will be precious. So please, practice the martial arts I taught you as quickly as possible.”

“Understood.”

With those words, Yong Biyang, Mo Biyoung, and Jong Seok once again went out to the rear garden to train.

The sight of the Sect Leader and disciples striving to grow stronger together made my nose sting.

‘Perhaps in my past life our clan was weak, but now I will show the world it is different.’

I gritted my teeth and steeled my resolve.

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