NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 115
### Chapter 115: Sinseung (神僧)
Sinseung, the Primordial Unity Energy Technique Master.
I had never encountered him in my past life, not even once.
The infamous Jeoksawol, the number one of the unorthodox faction, had several opportunities to meet him in the final years of my previous life, but Sinseung was an exception.
He had handed over the position of the Orthodox Faction’s leader to Geomseong Yujinhwi shortly after I reached the peak of power and then retired.
Having aged considerably, he passed his skills to his disciple shortly after retirement and then entered seclusion.
Thus, all I knew about Sinseung was based on records.
The absolute master known solely through documentation.
I wondered what kind of person he truly was in reality.
Lost in thought, I followed the Shaolin monk who had assumed the role of guide, alongside my brother, as we walked through the majestic main hall of the Shaolin Temple and past the towering cliffs.
Finally, we arrived at a shabby cave entrance.
Dalma Cave.
Upon reaching the entrance marked with the characters “Donghyeol,” the Shaolin monk spoke.
“Great Master! I have brought the two young heroes of the Gongdong Sect!”
“Understood. You may leave.”
Before the monk’s words finished echoing, voices rang out from all directions.
Woosh!
The technique known as “Yukhap Jeonseong.”
It was an art that only the masters of elevated status could use, creating sounds indistinguishable from their location.
“Yes! I hope you two young heroes have a wonderful time. Amitabha.”
With that, the monk, along with the enforcer, used martial arts to vanish from sight.
As the presence around us completely faded away,
“Come in.”
A voice emerged from beyond the cave.
It sounded more like a young boy than an old man, almost childlike.
Upon hearing the voice, Yujinhwi bit her lip.
[Master. Hold my hand.]
Yujinhwi sent me a message as she extended her hand.
I hesitated briefly, then took her hand.
It was wonderfully soft and warm, a strange feeling after such a long time.
[Let’s go in.]
Together with Yujinhwi, I stepped into Dalma Cave.
Dalma Cave.
The purported place where the founder of Shaolin, the great master Dalma, attained enlightenment after nine years of wall-breathing training, reaching the realm of Life and Death—an esteemed site for both the Shaolin and the Orthodox Faction martial world.
Entering the cave that I hadn’t visited even in my previous life, Yujinhwi and I made our way inside.
Inside the cave, instead of Night Pearls, incense was lit to illuminate the space.
How long had we walked?
We finally reached the end of the cave, where a statue of Master Dalma and an incense burner were set up.
“Amitabha. I am Won-geuk. Welcome, young heroes of the Gongdong Sect.”
The young boy before us wore a red robe and held prayer beads with one hand raised in a greeting, appearing to be an impossibly young-looking 15-year-old novice monk.
Indeed.
This person was the current leader of the Orthodox Faction and the unparalleled hero of the realm, Sinseung, the Master Won-geuk.
His body lacked the towering presence usually seen in masters and didn’t exude an overwhelming aura that shook the heavens.
He simply looked like an average 15-year-old novice monk.
Wow!
He must have truly reached the state of Banbakgwijin (返璞歸眞).
Upon attaining the realm of enlightenment through the Hwakyung, one’s aura would appear indistinguishable from an ordinary person.
I had experienced this before in my past life, so I was well aware.
His posture, which appeared casual at a glance, was actually impeccable with no room for errors.
It was akin to someone walking around in just their underwear, quietly showcasing their depth in contrast to others flaunting fancy gear.
“It is an honor to meet you, Master Won-geuk, the light and hero of the Orthodox Faction. I am Yujinhwi of the Gongdong Sect.”
“I am Lee Cheol-soo from the Gongdong Sect.”
Yujinhwi and I bowed politely.
Sinseung was the overlord of the martial world. Naturally, we had to show our respect first.
“Sinseung, eh? Just a name given by the martial world’s younger fellows. It’s not something to boast about to a distant junior. Enough of this formality; please, have a seat.”
Sinseung gestured for us to sit down. He poured some green tea into a simple, unremarkable cup.
“This tea was personally grown for leisure. I hope it pleases your taste.”
“Thank you for the hospitality.”
I thanked him politely and took a sip of the tea.
The taste was far from good—akin to cheap tea served as a dessert in an inn.
Nonetheless, I didn’t show any sign of discontent and quietly emptied my cup.
“What is the reason for calling us here?”
“Fifty years ago, to repay a debt to the Gongdong Sect. Amitabha.”
As Sinseung spoke, a jar embedded in a corner of the Dalma Cave floated up and landed on the table.
Thud!
When he opened the lid of the jar, a secret scroll emerged.
Homwon Ilgi Gong.
One of the three supreme techniques needed to enter Ihap Sin-gong, the unique martial skill of the Gongdong Sect.
Seeing the scroll of Homwon Ilgi Gong, Yujinhwi gasped softly.
“This is…”
“This is the secret of Homwon Ilgi Gong. Only the front half remains.”
Swish.
Sinseung carefully extracted the scroll, revealing a charred version, signifying its incompleteness.
“Fifty years ago, when I arrived in the Gongdong Sect, it was right after the Blood Sect’s downfall. As the Demon Sect’s raid had ceased, I was fortunate to retrieve this remaining technique.”
Sinseung continued explaining. It was information I had already learned in my past life.
The incomplete Homwon Ilgi Gong, with only a third of its technique remaining, would invariably lead to the Condition of Deterioration Due to Reversing Heaven if practiced.
Yet, despite that, many would plot to obtain Homwon Ilgi Gong because it was a powerful martial art.
An incomplete Homwon Ilgi Gong was poison rather than an antidote to the fallen Gongdong Sect.
Thus, an agreement was made between Sinseung and Im Baek-cheon, who had become the leader of the surviving Gongdong Sect, with the remaining disciples, promising to hold onto the Homwon Ilgi Gong until it was determined that the Gongdong Sect was ready to rise again.
The authority to make that judgment rested equally with the leader and Sinseung. The current leader, Jeonyeong, had deemed it was still too early for reconstruction; hence, the scroll remained unretrieved.
But Sinseung’s view was different.
“I believe the current Gongdong Sect can adequately bear the Homwon Ilgi Gong. With the achievements of the young hero Yujinhwi reaching the Hwakyung, she might just complete the incomplete technique. Thus, I wish to finally set down the burden I have carried for many years and repay this debt of the heart.”
Sinseung gently handed the incomplete scroll of the Homwon Ilgi Gong to Yujinhwi.
“Take it, Young Hero Yujinhwi.”
“Thank you.”
“There’s no need to thank me. It’s natural. I was just keeping it safe. The scroll belongs to the Gongdong Sect. It’s merely returning to its rightful place.”
Yujinhwi accepted the scroll with care, wrapping it protectively in her robe.
Well, it was something that had happened in the first round as well.
The difference was that Yujinhwi was at the realm of the Ultimate, not Hwakyung, back then.
She had been stuck at the Hwakyung’s Wall, but through studying the Homwon Ilgi Gong, she had restored the technique, breaking through the wall.
“Thank you.”
Hehehehe!
Sinseung chuckled with a laugh that felt far older than his childlike appearance.
However, if he was only returning the Homwon Ilgi Gong, why did he specifically ask for me to be present?
Sure, I was a disciple of the Gongdong Sect, but my rank was significantly lower than Yujinhwi’s.
Yujinhwi was the main disciple poised to inherit the Gongdong Sect. Given the leader’s absence now, she was effectively its leader.
Hence, my presence was not strictly necessary.
In my past life, Sinseung had only met Yujinhwi one-on-one. The absence of Seoharin from this meeting indicated that she hadn’t accompanied Yujinhwi to meet Sinseung.
But the fact that Sinseung had specifically called for me meant there was a matter he wanted to discuss.
What could that be?
If the leader of the Orthodox Faction had an interest in me, it could only be for one reason…
‘Because of the Blood Sect.’
The Blood Sect.
If not that, there was no reason for Sinseung to summon me.
After all, he was the leader of the secret organization, the Heavenly Alliance, which comprises the extraordinary martial masters gathering to confront the Blood Sect, regardless of their faction.
Of course, I had learned this through my past life’s information.
‘Heavenly Alliance.’
The Heavenly Alliance.
A mysterious force that protects the Central Plains from the Blood Sect.
Despite its grandiose title, there had been no Blood Sect’s rampage in my previous life, so the Heavenly Alliance mostly consisted of ruffians just hanging out and making jokes.
In my past life, this was how I had perceived them.
While it was impossible to identify all members of the Heavenly Alliance, given its established history of over 300 years…
It was not a malicious organization; after all, they were acting under the guise of opposing the Blood Sect, with no alarming movements detected in their activities.
I had rarely focused on them in my past life.
However, this life was different.
The Blood Sect had truly emerged from the shadows. So perhaps the Heavenly Alliance was also secretly fighting against the Blood Sect?
In any case, Sinseung, the leader of the Heavenly Alliance, had sufficient reasons to meet with me alone.
Currently, the only ones who had encountered the Blood Sect were Geumhu and me.
This explained why Geumhu hadn’t rented accommodation elsewhere but had instead come to the Shaolin Temple Guest Hall.
Sinseung had probably met or was going to meet Geumhu as well.
“Then, Young Hero Yujinhwi, please take your leave for now. I have private matters to discuss with this young hero.”
“Private matters, you say?”
Yujinhwi questioned at Sinseung’s words.
As she held my hand tightly, a sweet fragrance brushed my senses.
Seeing her gripping my hand tightly, Sinseung added, “…It concerns Geumhu Bidong. Hehe. There’s no need to be overly cautious of me. I only wish to have a conversation with this young hero.”
“…Understood. I apologize for the intrusion.”
After hearing Sinseung’s explanation, Yujinhwi released my hand, stood up, and bowed.
[Master. Make sure to send me a message if anything happens!]
Immediately, I heard Yujinhwi’s transmission.
Honestly, she treated me like a helpless child.
Still, it didn’t feel unpleasant.
In both my past and present lives, there were very few people who genuinely worried about me.
Usually, it was only Hwang Sang. But he was more like family to me, so when he expressed concern, it felt more like a younger sibling’s charm rather than anything serious.
But Yujinhwi was different.
Just a year apart, and yet she had visibly matured. I had never known how to articulate such feelings towards a guy.
To be worried about by someone…
It makes me feel oddly flustered.
[Understood, Yujinhwi. I will certainly do that.]
[Okay, understood. Wrap up your talk here and let’s meet again.]
After our message exchange, Yujinhwi stepped out of Dalma Cave.
The moment her presence disappeared,
Swirl!
Sinseung sipped his green tea.
Clack! As he set down his cup,
Bzzz!
A brilliant golden light emanated from Sinseung’s eyes.
“So, who are you?”
Flap!
Sinseung’s red robes fluttered as if caught in a breeze.
Hummm!
A radiant golden aura surged from him, with golden lotus blossoms and a Dharma wheel appearing behind him like an illusion.
“I, through the Heavenly Eye Passage, have seen clearly. The power of reverse heavenly mandate that is suffused within your very essence… So you must explain yourself properly, young hero. Who are you, really?”
Ah, here we go.
I had anticipated this. It was hardly surprising.
The moment the golden light poured over me,
I calmly lifted the kettle, poured that dreadful green tea into the cup, and took a sip.
Alright then.
Let’s make some mischief!