Absolute Sword Sense Chapter 258

< Episode 85 Agent (2) >

“Priest….wouldn’t it be fine if it weren’t us?”

As the swordsman looked at me, the middle-aged Taoist man also turned his gaze towards me.

What the hell are you talking about?

As I was wondering, the middle-aged Taoist master raised one eyebrow and said.

“By the way, I was going to ask, who on earth is this person? He’s not even wearing a dobok, and I’m seeing his face for the first time.”

There was a sense of caution in the middle-aged Taoist's speech.

It seems that most of the Taoists here react this way to anyone who is not a Taoist like them.

The swordsman said to the middle-aged Taoist.

“This person is a worldly person.”

“Huh? A secular person?”

At Geomseon's words, the middle-aged Taoist man was startled and pulled something out from his waistband.

I thought it was a weapon, so I reached for the scabbard of Namcheoncheolgeom, but it was none other than a flute.

It had a glossy jade color and looked extraordinary.

The swordsman put his hand between the two of us and spoke soothingly.

“One priest, calm down.”

“What on earth is going on? You’re bringing in a secular person to light the fuse. If the Master of the Pure Land finds out, there’ll be chaos.”

“It’s not something the old man heard.”

“You’re saying that the death penalty wasn’t involved? Then, does this secular person come in on his own? How could someone who wasn’t even permitted…?”

At that moment, Geomseon's Adam's apple trembled slightly.

It seemed like she was telling him the story using a secret method.

The middle-aged Taoist man who had been nodding his head suddenly looked at me in surprise.

“Is that true?”

“That’s right.”

“Huh. How could that happen……”

Judging from the reaction, it seems like he was saying that I am not the right person for the time being.

There was no way I would have reacted like this otherwise.

The middle-aged Taoist man put the flute back on his belt and said.

“It’s like we inherited the progress of the female executioner, so it’s not like it’s completely unrelated to us.”

“That’s what it is.”

In response to those words, the middle-aged Taoist monk took the lottery ticket from me and spoke in a soft voice.

“I’m sorry. I unintentionally offended you.”

I felt slightly offended, but I didn't want to make myself blush, so I answered him by taking a lottery ticket as well.

“No. I’m glad the misunderstanding has been resolved.”

“If you have inherited the way of death penalty, you are no different from a fellow disciple, so even if you call him Sa-baek……”

“A priest.”

The swordsman shook his head as he called out to him.

At this, the middle-aged Taoist man nodded his head and said, “Ah!”

It was difficult to guess what they meant because they spoke in mutually incomprehensible language.

I asked the inspector.

“What did you mean by what you said just now, sir? If you said it was okay if we weren’t here, why did you look at me?”

I just asked outright.

If they discussed the incident among themselves, then it would be fine, but if they brought me up, then it is no longer someone else's business.

Then the inspector said to me as if he was sorry.

“I’m sorry for saying that without asking your opinion.”

“That’s fine, as long as you tell me what you mean.”

At that question, Geomseon let out a sigh.

Then he pointed to the damaged scriptures with his hand and said:

“As you know, all of this happened because of the old man’s lack of virtue. It is his karma for raising his disciple poorly.”

“…….How could that be your fault, sir?”

It's entirely that crazy guy's fault.

While talking to the inspector, I felt that it was rare to find someone with that much character.

If he was to commit such a thing under such a deeply cultivated person, then there was something wrong with him.

Or maybe it was that kind of vessel from the beginning.

“How can we avoid responsibility for not being able to correct that child’s character?”

“Wouldn’t it be right for you to catch him and teach him yourself?”

Before he became a Taoist, he was called the best swordsman.

Didn't you manage to subdue me and that guy with just a shout?

“If the elders step forward, I don’t think it will be that difficult to catch him.”

At my words, Geomseon sighed and said.

“Wouldn’t you want to be called an old man?”

“What’s the problem? Is there any reason why this fuse shouldn’t be blown?”

It wasn't the swordsman who answered that question.

A middle-aged Taoist man, whom he called a priest, answered.

“We are bodies that cannot get involved in worldly affairs or go out.”

“What do you mean?”

“Long ago, we made a vow to the Three Pure Ones not to appear in the secular world again or interfere with it. If we break this oath, we will not be able to go to the 36 Heavens and we will lose even the Wonyeongsin.”

'Samcheong? 36 thousand?'

I have no idea what you're talking about.

It seems to come from something like Do-kyung, but the conclusion seems to be that they are a body that cannot escape this fuse.

But if it's something that serious, isn't it really necessary to take the risk?

The swordsman said, noticing that I was wondering.

“Losing the Wonyeongsin means losing your soul and body, and going beyond the pilgrimage of cause and effect. In the end, it means your very existence disappearing.”

'!!!'

Were there really that many huge restrictions?

I don't know about anything else, but I couldn't help but be surprised at the mention of losing one's soul and one's hundred.

If even your soul disappears when you die, isn't that truly the annihilation of existence?

“Then how did that guy get out?”

A man named Jagyeongjeong was also a member of this fuse.

But the fact that he went outside of this place means that he also accepted such restrictions.

At this, Geomseon shook his head.

“Only we eight Taoists have made that oath.”

Eight Taoists?

Are you talking about the highest Taoists in this fuse, including the swordsman?

Then, there might be a way for the disciples who did not make that oath to join forces and catch that person.

Is it hard?

The swordsman answered that question.

“All of the disciples of the Taoist master Hana also swore not to get involved in worldly affairs. Even if he did not use the Wonyeongsin, how could a Taoist master break his own oath?”

“……That man broke that oath.”

“It’s like you’ve abandoned the path to 36 thousand.”

The middle-aged Taoist clicked his tongue.

In the end, it was said that among the masters of the fuse, there was no one who would go out and catch the bastard.

When he said he would leave earlier, he was showing his will to take responsibility and even risk his own annihilation.

– Judging from the atmosphere, it seems like he's asking you for help.

Don't you know that?

Of course I noticed that much.

It's just that I don't feel like I'm in a position to help with the inspection.

-why?

Think about it.

I have to wait while the scriptures here are restored and then go back to where I am.

But what if I suddenly blow the trigger to catch that guy and something happens or I don't get to come back here?

If that happens, everything will go wrong.

I don't even know when and what time is outside the fuse right now.

-Then just refuse.

That's actually difficult too.

In a way, I am living a second life because of the treasure left by Geomseon.

I felt bad about rejecting him for my own safety, even though it was as if I had received his grace.

-That's true. You must be in a difficult situation too.

While I was in such a difficult situation, Geomseon spoke.

“I’m sure you’ve noticed this before, so I’ll be honest. The old man would like to ask you to do this.”

You probably didn't just vaguely notice it, but you figured it out by listening to Sodamgeom and my conversation.

But it's really hard to grant this request.

I couldn't readily answer the swordsman's question.

Then Geomseon raised the sword he was holding up to the sky.

I was wondering what he was going to do, when a brilliant light shone from the sword and soon it rose into the sky.

It was that very moment.

-Kwarrrrrrung! Boom bang!

Suddenly a clap of thunder echoed through the room.

Dark clouds could be seen gathering through a hole in the cave's ceiling.

At that moment, a blue ray of light flashed through the hole and skillfully passed through it, falling into the cavity.

-bang!

It was none other than lightning.

The ground was blackened by lightning strikes and blue sparks flew.

I stared blankly at the sword that Geomseon was holding.

I can't figure out what kind of harmony this is.

The swordsman spoke to me in surprise.

“This is Cheon-dun (天遁), one of the eight dharma tools of the fuse.”

"ah……."

“It is a magical item that can defeat demons and create thunder and lightning. It was received from a nobleman in Lushan when Nobu was training.”

“Is this…the Dharma tool?”

It was a truly fearsome sword.

Isn't thunder and lightning a part of the realm of harmony between heaven and earth?

But to cause this with the power of the sword was nothing short of a feat.

It wasn't called a law tool for nothing.

“That worthless guy ran off with half of the equipment he stole.”

“……..This is a very serious matter.”

I think I know why this middle-aged Taoist monk caused such a fuss.

If they had run away with such an object, it would be hard to even guess what they would do outside.

The middle-aged Taoist said, clicking his tongue.

“It’s fortunate that it’s not the death of the female executioner or the Youngbo Pilbeop of the Jinin of Jeongyang. If that were the case, then really….”

He shook his head as if the mere thought was terrifying.

The inspector nodded in agreement.

A middle-aged Taoist spoke to me in a persuasive tone.

“Look at this. Just think of that guy wreaking havoc on the world with these dangerous devices. Isn’t that horrible?”

“A priest. No matter how much he cultivated the Way, would he misuse the Dharma tool? The old man was just worried that it might fall into the hands of a criminal…”

“I killed three Taoists to steal the Dharma tool, so what could I possibly use it for?”

“……..”

At those words, Geomseon closed his mouth.

And then he let out a deep breath, perhaps because he was frustrated.

If, as the Taoist said, that person were to wreak havoc in the world with his Dharma tools, I wondered how many people in the world would be able to stop him.

furthermore,

“……If all else is left out, and that guy has several of these dharma tools in his hands, how can I catch him?”

This was the biggest problem.

Even when we actually fought, his inaction was not at all inferior to mine.

Even if I transform into a blood demon and use all my power, I can't even guess whether I can win, so how can I catch him?

“Were you by any chance willing to lend me your Buddhist scriptures?”

I pointed to the Cheondun Sword that Geomseon was holding.

I somehow thought it was something out of the ordinary.

The Sodam Sword and other swords have a will, but not even the black voice called Cheon-dun was heard.

The swordsman shook his head at me and said.

“That won’t work.”

"yes?"

“With just four of the dharma instruments already out of the fuse, there’s no telling what kind of chaos will occur. If you lose, you’ll lose Cheon-dun as well.”

“……Then how on earth are we going to catch that guy?”

Are you asking me to risk my life and reclaim the Dharma Orb with my bare hands?

If that's the case, then of course I have no choice but to refuse.

Because repaying a favor and giving your life are two separate issues.

“Listen. Don’t be so hasty. I wouldn’t have asked you to do something like that without any countermeasures, even if it was the death penalty. Isn’t that right?”

Geomseon closed his mouth at the middle-aged Taoist's question.

At this, the middle-aged Taoist monk frowned and looked at me with an expression that said, 'You never thought of that, did you?'

At this, Geomseon shook his head.

“That’s not it. It’s a problem that one old man can’t decide. This is….”

At that moment, Geomseon looked somewhere while his body trembled.

That wasn't all.

The middle-aged Taoist also looked in the same direction.

The two men simultaneously knelt on one knee and took the lottery ticket towards it.

I can't figure out what the hell is going on.

Then, soon, the two people stood up from their seats.

The middle-aged Taoist said to Geomseon.

“As expected, Master Jeongyang Jinin was watching.”

“How could I not know when things have gotten this big?”

What are you watching?

As I looked at him in puzzlement, Geomseon spoke to me.

“Let’s go to Jeongyangjeon first.”

'…..Jeongyangjeon?'

* * *

I followed the swordsman and the middle-aged Taoist out of the community and went to the largest temple near the lakeside.

It was the only one that had eight floors.

When I entered the first floor, there were so many Taoist monks reciting sutras that it was incomparable to that of the royal tomb.

Even here in Daejeon, the three statues of the Supreme Gods of Taoism, Primordial Heavenly Lord, Youngbo Heavenly Lord, and Supreme Laojun, were all there.

-I guess the old man is the representative here.

“Heh heh heh.”

The swordsman who was walking ahead of Sodam Sword burst into laughter at his words.

I didn't answer what he said, but I was thinking the same thing.

Judging from the attitude of the swordsman or the middle-aged Taoist, it seemed that the highest person in the Taoist fuse was here.

When I went up to the highest floor, there was a small room, although smaller than Daejeon.

'ah!'

There were eight seats there, and the remaining six seats were occupied by Taoist monks of extraordinary appearance.

Each and every one of them was someone who could not help but stand out.

-What the hell are those women?

When he heard Sodamgeom's words, he looked there and saw a woman wearing a white cotton veil and holding a lotus flower, and a woman wearing only one shoe and holding a flower basket next to her sitting side by side.

And on either side of them was a Taoist monk in rags, holding a gourd, and behind him was a Taoist monk sitting obediently on a white donkey.

'It's strange. It's strange.'

After the middle-aged Taoist monk greeted the empty seats, he sat down in the empty seats.

Opposite that empty seat was the only person wearing what appeared to be a bureaucratic uniform rather than a dobok.

“My mother came at the call of the Master Jeongyang.”

The swordsman bowed his head to the person in the highest seat.

It was an old man with a belly as big as a pregnant woman, but he didn't hide it with his clothes, but showed it off, and he was holding a large fan in his hand.

-Look at that belly. It's full of hair….

stop.

If you do that, your eyes will keep going there.

I tried my best to avoid looking at the old man's stomach while sitting on the stone seat, and turned my gaze elsewhere.

But the old man's eyes were focused directly on mine.

It was as if he had a mysterious power that saw through everything.

At that time, an old man named Jeongyang Jinin opened his mouth.

“I have already told the brief circumstances to the young men here.”

You didn't see or hear anything, but you know what happened?

Geomseon said as if he felt guilty about what the old man said.

“I apologize to the true people and everyone for what happened due to my lack of frequency.”

The old man shook his head at the swordsman's words.

“Didn’t I tell you when I taught you before? Everything will flow according to its own course.”

“Yes.”

“The old man also failed to raise his disciple, so I do not intend to blame him for that.”

“…….”

“This is something I cannot just let go of, so I would like to hear what plan you have for me, Cruiser.”

With those words, the old man looked at me.

The eyes of all the Taoists in Qing were also turned towards me.

Geomseon took a deep breath and opened his mouth.

“Since an unprincipled disciple ran away with the Dharma tool, ordinary ordinary people may not be able to do anything about it.”

Then the Taoist sitting in front of the white donkey spoke.

“Surely you’re not suggesting that we send out the other statutes as well?”

“How could that be? Jang Sa-hyeong.”

Geomseon shook his head in denial.

Then the woman holding the lotus flower opened her mouth.

“If you do, you’ll get the death penalty. How can we retrieve the legal instrument and catch that child?”

As soon as she finished speaking, a woman next to her with only one shoe on spoke.

“Priest. Surely you are not going to ask that young man a favor. He is not supposed to be here. His mere presence here is already disrupting the natural order.”

……No, do I want to be here?

If the guy we're discussing now hadn't taken the Sodam Sword away, none of this would have happened.

I was about to feel offended when a middle-aged Taoist man playing a flute spoke.

“Your Majesty. That person did not come here of his own free will. Even if we wanted to send him out, it would be impossible until the damaged scriptures are repaired.”

But he defends me by saying that he knows my face.

He looked at me with gratitude.

Then the Taoist monk in rags and holding a gourd spoke.

“Let’s listen to the story of the female executioner first. And then it’s not too late to decide something.”

“Thank you, priest.”

Listening to their conversation, it seems like they are all death row inmates.

Even among those who have practiced the Tao, their thoughts are all different.

I don't know what I'm doing, stuck in this gap.

The swordsman opened his mouth again.

“As you all know, we, the Taoists of the Dohwaseon, cannot interfere with the secular world. However, even so, we cannot allow the Dharma to cause trouble in the world. Therefore, I make a suggestion.”

The swordsman pointed at me and said those words.

“Let this young man be our agent and arrest my disciple.”

'deputy?'

I couldn't just listen to those words.

“Sir. I’m sorry, but I still….”

“Please wait a moment. Listen to what the old man has to say and then make your own decision.”

“…….”

I took a long breath and closed my mouth.

Yeah. First, I need to hear what the heck Inspector is talking about.

It's not too late to reject something if you really don't like it.

“This young man came here after receiving the treasure I left behind. Do you think that was just a coincidence?”

The Taoists were in an uproar at the words of the swordsman.

Among them, the Taoist holding the bottle asked directly.

“So are you saying that all of this is the natural course of things?”

“That’s right.”

“How can you be so certain?”

“And do you think it is just a coincidence that among so many people, this young man obtained the treasure and came in here at the time when an unprincipled disciple committed such a crime?”

"that….."

“Does it seem like a coincidence that this young man showed up in a situation where not everyone on the fuse could get on board?”

'!?'

At those words, the Taoist holding the bottle frowned and closed his mouth.

Other Taoists also reacted similarly.

'……It's not a coincidence?'

I too became confused by the swordsman's words.

Looking back, it felt like the circumstances were strangely intertwined.

At that moment, Jeongyang Jinin, who was sitting at the head of the table, stepped forward.

“Are you saying that all this is bound to happen?”

“Didn’t the wise man say that everything happens according to the natural course of things?”

“Hmm.”

At those words, Jeongyang Jinin groaned as if he was troubled.

Then soon he opened his mouth again.

“Even so, how can that young man, who doesn’t even have a Dharma tool, cultivate the Way and deal with Jagyeongjeong, who even has a Dharma tool?”

The woman wearing only one shoe nodded in agreement.

“I agree with Jin-in. Although that young man’s inaction is quite remarkable, it is no different from jumping into a fire with your bare body.”

“So, I am sorry to ask you and the young people here for a favor.”

"ask?"

“I hope that during the four years that this young man stays at Dohwaseon, he will each teach you one of his talents.”

'!!!'

At those words, everyone in the audience looked surprised.

The Taoist in front of the donkey spoke as if he found it ridiculous.

“Look here. Lady Priest. Are you telling me to accept this person as your disciple? If so, then this person will also be included in the fuse…”

“As I said, I am requesting that you hand it over as my agent. Jang Sa-hyeong.”

"under……"

The Taoist in front of the donkey snorted as if he was in awe.

The reactions of other Taoists were no different.

He looked at me as if it was impossible.

'What on earth do I do?'

I too was dumbfounded by his sudden suggestion.

Who would have thought that these extraordinary masters would be asked to demonstrate their talents?

Everyone was reacting like this, but their leader, Jeongyang Jinin, suddenly started laughing.

“Hahahahahahahahahaha!”

The Taoists looked at him with wonder at his hearty, laughing appearance.

Jeongyang Jinin, who had been laughing for a while, soon shook his head and spoke to Geomsen.

“You still hope for luck, now as you always have.”

“……I’m sorry.”

“If this is the natural order as you say, then this must also be the answer.”

At his words, the woman holding the lotus flower was startled and raised her voice.

“Jin-in! Are you really suggesting that I grant the death penalty?”

“Is there a better solution than this?”

“Rather to the disciples…..”

“Are you telling me to give up the 36 Heavenly Ways and leave this place?”

At those words, the female Taoist holding the lotus flower closed her mouth.

Jeongyang Jin-in laughed heartily and then turned his head to Geom-seon and said.

“You have already taught that young man his tricks, so all you have to do is teach others.”

At this, the inspector shook his head and said.

“The cause of all this is mine, so how can the blame be placed on me alone?”

“Are you saying that you will teach me too?”

“Yes. If you permit me, I intend to teach this young man the Great Sword Technique of the Heavenly Sword.”

“The Great Way Heavenly Sword Technique? Ha!”

“Yes.”

Jeongyang Jinin stuck out his tongue, then looked at the other Taoists and said.

“If a cruiser can teach you this much talent, you’ll have to show off something of equal skill or you’ll lose face.”

The expressions on the faces of the Taoists were all quite spectacular.

ⓒ Hanjungwolya