Chapter 387: The Unorthodox Path
“Should we stay here until spring and then join forces with the orthodox sects at the communal gathering?” Hyun-gong asked, glancing at Tang Mu-jin, who nodded in agreement.
“That seems like the best plan.”
Initially, the monk Sun Na-seung had shown kindness to Tang Mu-jin and his group by keeping the demonic sect’s warriors at bay, only allowing them to approach once every five days. But as the weeks turned into a month, the demonic warriors stopped coming to Mount Kunlun altogether, even on the agreed days.
With the awkward encounters with the demonic sect nearly eliminated and the food supply issues resolved, the atmosphere on Mount Kunlun noticeably brightened. Those who had sought refuge with the Kunlun sect were thrilled to feast on meat they rarely had, while the young Taoists of Kunlun took pride in showing off their hunting skills to the newcomers.
Tang Mu-jin watched the people with a satisfied smile. “It’s a relief things are going smoothly,” he thought, not forgetting that it was all thanks to Sun Na-seung’s consideration. “After all, it’s rare to find a bad monk.”
Tang Mu-jin had been fortunate to know many good monks. The venerable monk who had given him the Great Elixir was a remarkable person, and the current abbot of Shaolin, Master Man-ryeok, was exceptional in both martial arts and character. Even the eccentric Gwae-ui had considered him a friend. The monks of Shaolin and the Emei sect were all good people, as were those who had left the Buddhist path, like Sam-an-bul and Hwa-yeon-shin-ni. Though Sam-an-bul had a notorious reputation, he was one of Tang Mu-jin’s most reliable allies.
Of course, there were those like the Ghost King, who had strayed, but even he had repented and was now confined in the Hall of Reflection, proving he wasn’t rotten to the core.
Now, Tang Mu-jin had come to know another admirable monk in Sun Na-seung. To have the insight to understand people’s hardships while evading the demonic sect’s leader was a great virtue indeed.
Tang Mu-jin harbored a quiet ambition. “If the demonic sect leader falls and Sun Na-seung finds himself without a place, should I ask if he’d consider joining the Tang family?”
The relationship between the demonic sect leader and Sun Na-seung was unclear, but not all demonic sect members were close to their leader. Judging by how Sun Na-seung seemed to interpret the leader’s orders with a slight twist, it didn’t seem like he followed out of genuine respect.
“He probably joined the demonic sect because he had nowhere else to go. Poor fellow,” Tang Mu-jin mused aloud to Hyun-gong, who rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
“Joining the Tang family? Would that be okay? Sam-an-bul or Hwa-yeon-shin-ni might not be too pleased.”
“Why not?”
“Not all Buddhists think alike. They belong to different sects.”
“Sects?”
Tang Mu-jin’s knowledge of Buddhism was limited to the image of monks in simple robes with shaved heads. If pressed, he could recall the names of a few famous monks or a couple of well-known Buddhist scriptures.
He had no understanding of the complexities of sects and schools within Buddhism. “But the monks from Shaolin and Emei get along well, don’t they?”
Hyun-gong’s face showed a faint hint of disdain. “That’s because they’re from different martial sects, not different Buddhist sects.”
“Oh, so is it because the Leum Temple is far away?”
Hyun-gong shook his head. “That’s not it either. Sam-an-bul once said that the teachings of the Great Leum Temple align closely with those of Shaolin and Emei. But the teachings of the Small Leum Temple are quite different.”
“In what way?”
“The details are too complex for me to understand. Even Sam-an-bul might not know them all.”
Unlike other monks, Sam-an-bul had spent his youth more as a handyman at Shaolin than a monk, so it wasn’t surprising he knew little about the scriptures.
Hyun-gong pondered for a moment before speaking. “He did mention that the monks from the Small Leum Temple we met in the demonic sect had a somewhat sinister aura. Something like that.”
It was a somewhat narrow-minded view, but criticizing what is different is a common human trait. Tang Mu-jin decided to overlook Sam-an-bul’s narrow-mindedness.
Moreover, Tang Mu-jin didn’t mind if the claim was true. “If that’s the case, isn’t it a good thing? Sun Na-seung was expelled from the Small Leum Temple. If he was cast out from a group of wicked monks, it means he’s a good person.”
”···.”
Hyun-gong regarded Tang Mu-jin as a rather sharp individual, especially compared to Nam-gung Myung or Hong Geol-gae. Yet, there were times when Tang Mu-jin would spout such naive ideas.
Hyun-gong considered correcting Tang Mu-jin’s misconceptions but decided against it. It was too bothersome, and there was a chance he might be right.
About two weeks later, an unfortunate event occurred on Mount Kunlun. Won-pyeong, the Taoist responsible for the nearby temple’s protective formations, passed away.
From their first meeting, Tang Mu-jin had known that Won-pyeong’s health was in dire condition, so he had anticipated this outcome. Yet, as a healer by nature, Tang Mu-jin couldn’t help but feel sorrowful whenever he heard of a patient’s death.
Sensing Tang Mu-jin’s mood, the Kunlun Taoists approached him with gratitude. “Don’t be disheartened, Healer Dragon. If it weren’t for that moss juice you made, he would have passed a month or two earlier. It wasn’t tasty, but it was effective.”
“···Thank you.”
With Won-pyeong’s passing, the effectiveness of the protective formations weakened significantly. As a result, the people and the temple became more visible. The formations still slightly obscured their presence, but it was far from sufficient.
According to the original plan, Won-pyeong’s disciple should have immediately taken over the formation, but no one pressured the young disciple. There were two main reasons for this.
First, the demonic sect’s warriors had stopped appearing on Mount Kunlun. Second, Won-pyeong’s disciple was too young.
Tang Mu-jin looked at the disciple, barely over twenty. To sit in meditation like his master, enduring pain for months until death, was too harsh a fate. The disciple clearly dreaded the thought of taking on the formation.
“There’s no need to rush,” Tang Mu-jin thought. No one wanted to volunteer for such a grim task, so attention naturally shifted to Won-pyeong’s funeral.
During this time, Tang Mu-jin heard an intriguing story from Yu-yu, a fellow Taoist. “Did you know Won-pyeong was once a monk?”
“Even a novice monk is still a monk, so that’s not entirely wrong.”
“I had no idea.”
“His parents were Buddhists, so naturally, he followed their faith.”
“Did something happen that made him give up the monastic life?”
“I don’t think so. He always spoke fondly of his time as a novice monk. Somehow, he ended up here on Mount Kunlun.”
Yu-yu shared this and then excused himself, saying he had tasks to attend to.
Tang Mu-jin, lingering outside, later asked Hyun-gong, “Hyun-gong, how do Taoists conduct funerals?”
“First, we need to determine if they intended to become a ‘corpse-transcending immortal.’ I think it’s nonsense, but many take it seriously.”
A ‘corpse-transcending immortal’ is a type of Taoist immortal. When their time comes, Taoists often disappear to a place where they can’t be found, leaving others to believe they’ve shed their mortal form and ascended to immortality. It’s not a particularly credible belief.
“Won-pyeong was too late to become a corpse-transcending immortal. So how do they handle funerals for such Taoists?”
“It varies. Some are buried, others cremated or left for the elements. I don’t think the Kunlun sect has a set standard.”
Then Tang Mu-jin had a brilliant idea. There was a venerable monk nearby, after all. Though Won-pyeong had lived as a Taoist, a Buddhist-style funeral might be fitting, given his past.
Tang Mu-jin approached Yu-yu with the suggestion. “A Buddhist-style funeral, you say? For Won-pyeong, it might be appropriate. We can’t afford an elaborate ceremony, and he did cherish his time as a novice monk.”
With Yu-yu’s approval, the plan was set.
The next day around noon, Tang Mu-jin and Hyun-gong headed to the birch forest. Before long, Sun Na-seung appeared. After a brief explanation, they posed a question.
“Master Sun Na-seung, how are funerals conducted at the Small Leum Temple?”
Sun Na-seung smiled kindly. “It might take a while to explain. Would you like to walk with me? I have something to show you.”
“That sounds good.”
Having met Sun Na-seung several times, Tang Mu-jin and Hyun-gong had come to trust him. They walked alongside the monk as he led them westward.
“At the Small Leum Temple, the most common practice is sky burial,” Sun Na-seung explained.
“Sky burial? What’s that?”
“There are many vultures near the Small Leum Temple. The deceased’s body is left for the vultures to consume. The deceased nourishes the hungry birds, and in return, the vultures carry the soul to the heavens.”
Tang Mu-jin imagined the scene of vultures picking at Won-pyeong’s body. It wasn’t a pleasant thought. “···That doesn’t sound very appealing.”
“I don’t particularly favor sky burial either. Though, I suppose it’s better than cremation.”
As they walked with Sun Na-seung, they occasionally encountered demonic sect warriors.
The martial artists of the demonic cult would quietly avoid the monk whenever they spotted him. Even those who had lost their minds halfway through practicing dark arts were no exception.
Tang Mujin felt a sense of pride swelling within him.
“Well, with three supreme masters here, it’s only natural…”
He spoke with satisfaction in his voice.
“It seems you have a distaste for cremation.”
“I can confidently say it’s the worst way to send off the deceased. It’s wasteful and certainly not beneficial for the departed.”
Around that time, a peculiar stench began to waft through the air. Tang Mujin, breathing through his mouth, asked in a nasal tone.
“Then, what do you consider the best way, Master?”
“Have you ever heard of the practice of ‘Asubha Bhavana’?”
Of course, he hadn’t. So Tang Mujin looked to Hyun Gong for help.
Fortunately, Hyun Gong seemed just as clueless about it, which gave Tang Mujin some relief.
“What is Asubha Bhavana?”
The monk, with a look of pride, explained.
“It’s a meditative practice once undertaken by the Buddha himself. It’s about letting go of desires and attachments and realizing the impermanence of life.”
Tang Mujin nodded. After all, wasn’t Hyun Gong, the embodiment of greed and attachment, standing right beside him? He thought it might be beneficial for Hyun Gong.
“And how is this practice performed?”
“In ancient India, it was customary to leave the deceased in a place called a charnel ground. The Buddha would observe how the bodies of the dead transformed over time.”
Tang Mujin and Hyun Gong nodded silently. The stench was becoming so overwhelming that even breathing through their mouths was becoming difficult.
Yet the monk continued, undeterred.
“Whether a beggar, a powerful ruler, or the most beautiful person in the world, all follow the same path to become mere bones after death. Facing death and realizing the futility of life—that is Asubha Bhavana. I can confidently say it’s the most profound practice I know.”
Tang Mujin and Hyun Gong’s expressions grew serious. They had a hunch about the source of the stench.
“It’s also the greatest joy for the deceased. If their death can leave enlightenment for a monk, helping them reach Nirvana and ultimate enlightenment, there’s no greater merit. Of course, that merit alone won’t break the cycle of reincarnation, but at least they won’t fall into the realms of hungry ghosts or hell.”
Soon, a fence came into view. As the monk led Tang Mujin towards it, a martial artist from the demonic cult cautiously opened the gate to let them in. The stench was now almost unbearable.
But now, the stench was the least of their concerns.
Tang Mujin and Hyun Gong looked at the scene inside the fence.
Over a hundred corpses were neatly laid out within.
The state of the bodies varied. Some were already skeletons, while others were in various stages of decay. Many were swarming with black insects.
What was even more bizarre was that the bodies were arranged in the order of their decomposition.
And the monk’s disciples sat among them, meticulously observing the state of the corpses.
The monk pointed to a spot next to the freshest-looking corpse—one that seemed to have died not too long ago.
“You mentioned the Taoist of Wonpyeong, correct? If you place him there, he will surely be reborn in paradise.”
”···.”
Tang Mujin realized two things.
First, the monk was speaking with genuine goodwill.
Second, there was far too much empty space within the fence.
At that moment, Hyun Gong nudged Tang Mujin and whispered softly.
Tang Mujin followed the direction of Hyun Gong’s finger.
There was the fence.
More precisely, there were signs that the stakes forming the fence had been moved.
The boundary of the fence had been expanded.
Why had they expanded the fence?
No one explained, but Tang Mujin had a good idea why.
As Tang Mujin fell silent, Hyun Gong, with a look of admiration, spoke to the monk.
“This is truly remarkable. Just by following a great monk, I’ve witnessed an incredible sight and broadened my perspective.”
“You flatter me.”
“It’s no empty praise. Where else would people like us gain such enlightenment? Surely, it’s because your virtue envelops those around you.”
“Oh, thank you for thinking so.”
The monk replied, smiling shyly as if embarrassed.
Seeing that smile, Tang Mujin was convinced. This man is insane.
Hyun Gong spoke earnestly to the monk.
“I will return to Mount Kunlun and actively persuade others. Not everyone will agree immediately, but surely no one wishes for the Taoist of Wonpyeong to end up in the realms of hell or hungry ghosts, so it shouldn’t be too difficult.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Once I’ve convinced them, I’ll come to the birch forest. Please wait a few days.”
“Very well.”
Tang Mujin and Hyun Gong bowed with bright expressions and bid farewell to the monk before leaving the fence.
The two walked slowly towards Mount Kunlun, not in a hurry.
They chatted quietly, as if sharing the enlightenment they had just gained.
And the moment they were sure they were out of the monk’s sight, they sprinted towards Mount Kunlun with all their might.