Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1782

The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the quiet mountains. Five figures, known as the Five Swords, stood watching a small tent in the distance. A feeling of worry touched their faces. For hours, a faint light had been visible from within the tent, where Chung Myung was meeting with a very important guest – the Dalai Lama.

“What do you think they are talking about in there?” asked one of the Five Swords, his voice low.

Another replied, “It must be important. Look, the light is still on, even though it’s late.”

Yoon Jong sighed, watching the tent. “Maybe… maybe the Dalai Lama is giving Chung Myung some advice.”

“Advice?” one of the others asked, sounding surprised.

Yoon Jong nodded. “He is the Dalai Lama, after all. People say he is like a living Buddha. If he came all this way, it must be to guide Chung Myung.”

Jo Gul frowned slightly.

“A living Buddha… I’ve heard that, but is it really true?”

“Huh? Hae Yeon, what do you think?”

“Why do you ask me?” Hae Yeon responded calmly. “Our temples are different, but… yes, in their tradition, the Dalai Lama is seen as very special, someone who is reborn again and again.”

Yoon Jong added, “They say he remembers his past lives. That’s why people call him a living Buddha.”

Jo Gul looked surprised. “Wow… if that’s true, he must be incredibly wise.”

Hae Yeon nodded slowly. “If he truly remembers everything, then he is someone very special, beyond what ordinary people can understand.”

But at that moment, Hae Yeon hesitated, a troubled look on his face, and spoke.

“However… if that is the case, it may be something to worry about.”

“Yes?” Yoon Jong asked back with a dubious expression.

“Why is that?”

“Do you know what Buddhist scriptures are?”

Jo Gul’s face contorted in anger.

“Venerable, you’re looking down on me! They’re books that record the teachings of Buddhism, right? Something to research and study. In Taoism, it would be the Taoist scriptures.”

Hae Yeon nodded slowly.

“That is correct, Disciple Jo Gul. That is why it is a problem.”

Jo Gul tilted his head blankly.

Hae Yeon closed his eyes and sighed.

“Buddhist scriptures are what Buddhists must study. But what is written inside is merely the words of Sakyamuni.”

“Why is that a problem?”

“If everyone could understand all that Sakyamuni said, everyone would become a Buddha. But that is not the reality. This means that no one has properly understood Sakyamuni’s words, and they have been studying them for hundreds of years.”

Jo Gul asked with a slightly weary expression.

“Are all those scriptures the words of the Buddha?”

“The reason the number of scriptures has increased is because Sakyamuni’s words are so difficult that many people have added interpretations through long research.”

“No……” Jo Gul couldn’t help but be taken aback. Taoist scriptures were not created in that way, so it was an unexpected point.

“But why is that something to worry about?”

Hae Yeon sent a deep gaze to Yoon Jong.

“Did I not say it? Ordinary people cannot understand Sakyamuni’s words even when they hear them. Even if they somehow understand, it is almost impossible to know the deep truth hidden within.”

“But surely Sakyamuni did not begrudge teaching and saving living beings?”

“That wouldn’t be the case.”

Hae Yeon nodded greatly.

“Yes. He did his best to inform and teach what he knew. But… it is only that ignorant living beings could not understand his high intentions. That means….”

Yoon Jong’s eyes trembled slightly. He understood what Hae Yeon was trying to say.

“If the Dalai Lama is truly like a living Buddha, as they say….” A deep sorrow was embedded in Hae Yeon’s voice.

“The meaning contained in his words will be something we cannot dare to understand. Even if the other party is Chung Myung.”

Hae Yeon closed his eyes and took a half-bow. A somewhat weary look appeared on his face.

“Amitabha….”

Could Chung Myung understand? No, perhaps he wouldn’t understand precisely because it was him.

The Chung Myung that Hae Yeon knew was like a human incarnation. Desiring and benevolent, turbulent and serene.

Therefore, words that discussed the principles of the world, not the principles of humans, would not reach Chung Myung’s ears.

‘Benefactor.’

Hae Yeon could only hope that this conversation would leave something on Chung Myung, and that the trace would not become another confusion for him, who is still walking a thorny path alone.

“Do not kill? The one I hate the most?”

“Om Mani Padme Hum.” The Dalai Lama, who briefly chanted a mantra, nodded. “Yes. That is what I said.”

“Ha……” Chung Myung, looking at the Dalai Lama with an absurd expression, let out a deflated sound. He wondered what nonsense he was spouting….

“Even if he is an evil man?”

“Even if he led countless people to their deaths? Even if he is someone who, by merely being alive, will drive more people to hell?”

“You’re just telling me to let him live without any countermeasures?”

“That is so, Benefactor.”

Chung Myung chuckled, his shoulders shaking. Anyone could tell that this laughter did not stem from goodwill.

Without fully suppressing his laughter, Chung Myung sneered.

“Is this the compassion of a great Buddha?”

“It is not.”

“Ah, or is it like a prophecy from someone who has seen the future?”

The Dalai Lama shook his head.

“I cannot see the future. Whatever the world calls me, I am merely a practitioner trapped in the frail human body.”

Chung Myung gritted his teeth.

“Then what is the purpose of spouting such nonsense?”

“Benefactor……”

“Shut your trap.” Chung Myung reached out and grabbed the tent, as if he would twist and tear it down immediately.

“If you had eyes, you would have seen, and if you had ears, you would have heard! What that bastard has done!”

The Dalai Lama lowered his trembling eyelashes and chanted a mantra.

“How can I not feel sorry and pity? All things are like that. Everything.”

“I can only pity all beings wandering in the sea of suffering. But, Benefactor, please accept my words as they are. The reason I am conveying these words to you is to prevent a greater catastrophe.”

Chung Myung stared at the Dalai Lama as if he was dumbfounded.

“Do you even know who the one I hate is?”

“I know.”

“Yet you tell me to let him live? Why? Because the Heavenly Demon has been resurrected, so the two of us should join hands and stop him together? Forget everything that has happened so far, laugh and cooperate?”

Now, Chung Myung’s sarcasm was closer to overflowing anger than mockery.

“Benefactor.”

“What exactly do you think he is….”

“I will say it again. You must accept my words as they are.” The Dalai Lama opened and closed his mouth several times. The frustrated heart was clearly revealed in the movement.

“I… I have clearly told you what I want to discuss. I am not talking about the world or demons. What I am discussing is you. Do not forget.”

“What are you saying?”

“Once more……” But at that moment, the Dalai Lama’s face turned pale and bloodless.

“Master! Are you alright?” Banseon Lama hurriedly supported the Dalai Lama. But the Dalai Lama pushed him away with a gentle but firm hand.

“I am alright.”

“But……”

“I am really alright.” Unable to overcome this, Banseon Lama reluctantly stepped back. The Dalai Lama, who controlled himself with several mantras, stared at Chung Myung again.

“As a bound one, this is all I can do.”

“Remember. All of this is only for the sake of Benefactor.”

The meaning was clearly conveyed.

Chung Myung also knew that what this person was saying was absurd and ridiculous, but at least it stemmed from goodwill towards Chung Myung.

“Then you all remember this.”

“I will kill him. But that’s not because I hate him.”

A different light flickered in the Dalai Lama’s eyes.

“It is not right to let someone who has committed such a crime live. Anyone who can plunge people into misery just by being alive must be eliminated. Even if that method goes against the rule against killing.”

“Sometimes, strictness can be a greater benevolence. Therefore, those who bear responsibility must not hesitate. They must bear the weight entirely on their own.” There was not a single tremor in Chung Myung’s eyes as he continued to speak.

“That is our way, not yours, and what I have learned. So I will not hesitate, no matter what words I hear in the process, no matter what results my actions bring.”

The Dalai Lama’s eyes darkened as if sinking deeply.

“What you have learned.”

“Yes.” He then put his hands together in a prayer position and bowed politely to Chung Myung.

“I was rude. What the Disciple is learning, practicing, and creating will be no less than our path, but I could not overcome a moment of impatience and spouted meaningless sounds. Please forgive me.”

Chung Myung did not answer. The Dalai Lama hesitated for a moment and closed his eyes.

“And… if you have made up your mind, please be firm. In human affairs, pain and regret all depend on the mind. If you turn your head, it will be the other shore.”

The Dalai Lama got up and bowed to Chung Myung for the last time.

“Then.” Then he left the tent with steps that did not feel a bit of regret.

“Master.” Banseon Lama, who was about to rush out in embarrassment, stopped and looked back at Chung Myung.

“Benefactor, please do not just think of it as rude.”

“It may be difficult to understand, but the Master is sacrificing many things to live as a human being. That is why he cannot convey what he is thinking clearly.”

Chung Myung only stared intently at Banseon Lama and did not return any answer.

“However, since it was the word that the Master wanted to convey, there must be a reason. Please do not forget this.” Banseon Lama bowed politely and followed the Dalai Lama out of the tent.

The shadow of the candlelight fell on Chung Myung’s face, who was left alone in the tent again. The darkness that had colored half of his face gradually deepened.

“Regret, is it.” The sunken voice echoed softly. The topic thrown by the Dalai Lama was engulfing Chung Myung.

“Nonsense……” After pondering for a moment, Chung Myung shook his head firmly.

No matter how great the Dalai Lama is, even if he is literally a Buddha, it does not matter.

What he follows is neither the words of the Buddha nor the brilliant Buddhist law.

What he has protected and will continue to carry on is already firmly engraved in his heart.

That teaching will lead Chung Myung.

‘That’s right, Sect Leader?’ Cheong Mun’s answer was not heard.