Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 354

Chapter 354
-Drip, drip.
Steaming tea filled a coarse ceramic cup.
They were seated in a pavilion situated just beside the main reception hall where the Abbot of Shaolin typically received visitors.
Their initial plan had been to use the hall itself, but due to the children, they had moved to this adjacent space.
The larger children couldn’t fit through the reception hall’s doors and would have had to remain outside.
Of course, his children would have waited patiently, but the Shaolin disciples had been so anxious at the prospect of leaving them out there that they couldn’t proceed.
Even after he assured them his kids wouldn’t bite, the Shaolin monks had proven to be unexpectedly apprehensive.
‘Once you die, you’re meant to reach nirvana and enter paradise. I thought monks would be less fearful than this.’
Weren’t those devoted to faith supposed to naturally transcend the fear of death?
Harboring these private thoughts, he made himself comfortable in the pavilion.
The smaller children pressed their bodies against him from all sides, while the larger ones positioned themselves below the pavilion, resting their heads on the wooden planks of the floor and gazing up at him.
“Please, have some.”
“Thank you, Master.”
Accepting the Abbot’s hospitality, he raised the cup to his lips, and a rich, pleasant fragrance wafted upwards.
Though not a tea connoisseur, he couldn’t suppress a look of appreciation at the potent aroma.
It was every bit as flavorful as the tea he’d recently enjoyed with his new acquaintance, Geum Gi-ryung.
“The scent is remarkable.”
“I gathered and processed the leaves myself. I hope it is to your liking.”
“It is. The fragrance is truly exceptional.”
“I am pleased you think so.”
A look of contentment spread across the Abbot’s face, glad that the tea had met with approval.
He observed the children quietly for a time before speaking again.
“Even so, it is astonishing to see such spirit beasts accompanying you with the devotion of dogs or cats. A truly marvelous sight.”
He expressed wonder at their pet-like attachment, but… the comparison to dogs and cats stung slightly.
They were, to him, his own children.
‘How can you equate my kids with dogs or cats…’
“I’ve raised them from infancy and formed a strong connection with them. I don’t consider these children to be simple animals or mere creatures. To me, they are my own daughters and sons.”
At his explanation that they were like his children, the Abbot’s face registered surprise.
Then, with an air of deep respect, he said,
“Your own sons and daughters, you say? Hahaha. In truth, all beasts and living beings are merely souls passing through countless cycles of rebirth. They may have been human in a past life, or may become human in the next. You, my friend, have perceived their true nature with a wise and insightful eye.”
Wasn’t that what they called seeing the truth within the illusion?
In reality, his reason for treating them as sons and daughters was far simpler: they were endearing, affectionate, and possessed intelligence that rivaled any person’s.
It wasn’t some profound philosophical stance, so he scratched his head in slight embarrassment.
“Well, it’s not really that deep of a reason…”
As he gave his modest reply, the Abbot nodded gently and, after taking a moment to enjoy his own tea as well, continued with a kindly smile.
“Nevertheless, allow me to express my gratitude once more for resolving Shaolin’s difficulty. And as recompense, Shaolin pledges to provide you with one favor, to be called upon whenever you have need. Amitabha.”
The Abbot stated that for the help he had provided, Shaolin would grant him one request in return.
Hearing this, he tilted his head in confusion and asked,
“I thought the agreed reward for capturing that impostor Taoist was that you would answer my questions?”
An additional reward was certainly welcome, but that had been the original arrangement.
He would settle the troublesome affair for Shaolin, and in exchange, they would answer his questions during his visit.
It was important to be clear on such matters, so he sought confirmation. Upon hearing him, the Abbot’s smile softened further as he replied,
“It appears there was some miscommunication. The favor and the answering of your inquiries are two separate matters.”
It seemed his brother, who had gone off to meet an acquaintance at Shaolin, might have relayed the terms inaccurately.
The Abbot elaborated,
“Did you not say you wished to inquire about the Dharma?”
“Ah, yes.”
“For a monk to answer one who seeks the Dharma is not a transaction or a paid service. It is our duty and our joy.
When a living being asks for guidance on the path to enlightenment, it is a monk’s obligation to lead them toward the correct way.
Therefore, the debt for your assistance must be repaid independently.”
“Ah…”
So that was why the rewards were being stacked.
Indeed, if someone came asking about religious doctrine, it wouldn’t be appropriate to treat answering them as a negotiated favor.
What he intended to ask about were the concepts of karma and fate, which were core, fundamental principles of Buddhism.
Technically, it fell under the purview of teaching the Dharma, and requesting payment for that would be improper.
“Ah, I understand now.”
As he nodded in comprehension, the Abbot finally posed the essential question.
“Then, what particular aspect of the Dharma did you wish to understand?”
Seeing that they were moving to the main subject, he promptly asked what he had come to learn.
It concerned karma and fate.
“Yes, I wish to understand what karma and fate truly are.”
“Karma and fate?”
“Yes, karma and fate.”
“Haha. Is it because of these children?”
“Yes, that’s correct, Master.”
To be precise, it was related to his martial arts, but it was simpler to attribute it to the children.
The Abbot immediately turned his attention to the children.
After taking another sip of tea to moisten his throat, he continued, his eyes still on them.
“Hmm, karma and fate… you ask of something profoundly complex.”
“Complex?”
It was somewhat surprising to hear the Abbot of Shaolin describe it that way.
Wasn’t Shaolin the leading authority on Buddhist teachings in the Central Plains?
Yet he claimed that explaining karma and fate was difficult.
However, it seemed he meant it would be difficult for him, the listener, to grasp.
“Most people conceive of karma and fate as merely the connections between individuals, but within Buddhism, they possess a much broader and more significant meaning.”
“Broader?”
“It describes the fundamental order of all existence in this world. It is the very heart of Buddhist teaching. One could say it contains everything within it.”
Just the introduction was already making his head spin.
As the Abbot said, he had indeed thought of it simply in terms of interpersonal relationships, but clearly it was far more complex.
‘This is sounding complicated… My head is starting to ache.’
As he contemplated the impending mental strain, the explanation continued.
“Karma and fate originally refer to two distinct concepts: ’cause’ and ‘condition.’
The Buddha taught, ‘All phenomena in this world come into being through the meeting of cause and condition, and cease to be when cause and condition part.’”
“Everything comes from cause and condition joining, and vanishes when they separate?”
“Precisely. Together, they are what we refer to as such.”
“So what, exactly, are cause and condition?”
“Cause is the primary, internal reason that gives rise to a result. Condition is the secondary, external circumstance that supports it.”
‘Ugh, my head really is hurting.’
Noticing his pained expression at the complex lesson, the Abbot gave a soft chuckle and attempted to simplify it.
“Consider the tea you are drinking as an example. Suppose you plant a tea tree by placing a seed in the earth.
That tea seed is the cause. You, providing water, along with the moisture itself, the sunlight’s warmth, and the nourishing earth—these are the conditions.”
“The seed is the cause. The water, sun, and soil are the conditions…”
He decided to apply the words of Cheong-yu Sojeo to this framework.
『Even within the Five Venoms Sect, no one has fully attained So-ryong’s level of mastery, but the founder’s writings suggest it will be unlocked when your bond with the venomous creatures deepens sufficiently.』
‘Seed is cause. Water, sunlight, and soil are conditions. If I replace these with the venomous creatures…’
As he became absorbed in these thoughts, which were nearly within his grasp, he unconsciously let his eyes fall shut.
***
As So-ryong’s eyes closed and he descended into deep contemplation, the Abbot of Shaolin, maintaining his gentle smile, offered a quiet warning to the spirit creatures.
Recognizing that So-ryong had entered a state of profound insight, he sought to caution them to be still.
Given their evident understanding earlier, he trusted they would comprehend this too.
“Your father appears to have entered a deep meditative state. You must not jostle him or attempt to rouse him. Do you understand? To do so could cause him serious harm.”
-Chrr?
-Piik?
At his words, the venomous creatures looked at one another, engaging in a silent exchange.
Then, acting as their representative, the large centipede inclined its head in a bow toward the Abbot.
-Chrr.
“Was that a thanks?”
The Abbot observed their behavior with captivated interest, and shortly after, the spirit creatures began to withdraw from So-ryong.
They started to fan out around him, forming a defensive perimeter.
“What in the world…?”
A nearby Shaolin disciple stared, his eyes wide with astonishment.
It was no wonder—the spirit creatures, as if well-practiced in this very routine, each moved into established positions.
The spider suspended itself upside down from the pavilion’s roof.
The black, blue, and red centipedes wound their bodies protectively around So-ryong’s form.
A horned serpent slid to block the pavilion’s entrance.
And a jade-colored snake took to the air, hovering above the pavilion.
The remaining creatures dispersed to key points around the vicinity.
“Haha. Truly astounding.”
The Abbot watched, filled with admiration.
It resembled a naturally occurring Heaven’s Net formation, woven by the spirit creatures themselves.
Now, approaching the pavilion would be no simple task for anyone.
Once all the creatures were in place, a powerful sense of devotion and an ironclad resolve emanated from them, a feeling the Abbot could perceive clearly.
A ferocious determination to permit no intruder, regardless of the consequence.
And with it, the tremendous power he had sensed in each creature upon first meeting them now vibrated in the air, amplified by their united purpose.
Now that he thought of it, hadn’t the rumors said they had shredded the forces of the Blood Cult as if they were nothing?
That recollection sparked a memory of the final words of his late master, Master Taebok, spoken just before he entered Nirvana.
『You lack innate talent. No matter how diligently you cultivate the Dharma, you will not attain the ultimate truth. Therefore, before I depart, I will reveal a glimpse of heavenly prophecy for the sake of what is to come. Listen well and remember.』
『Yes, Master.』
『Soon, great turmoil will erupt within the martial world.』
『Could it be… the Blood Cult has returned!?』
『No. The Blood Cult is merely sustenance for a greater evil. A monstrous insect will emerge from the southwestern lands and seek to consume the Central Plains.』
『An insect?』
『For now, simply listen and remember.』
『Yes.』
『It will be a creature of malice unlike any witnessed before. It will possess the body of a serpent, the antennae of a centipede, the tail of a scorpion, the limbs of a toad, and it will be as ubiquitous as a lizard, using spider-silk to ensnare its victims and throw the martial world into disarray. Before they realize it, the warriors of the Central Plains will be trapped in its web…』
『Th-this is a catastrophe!』
Though instructed only to listen and remember, Hye-won couldn’t stop himself from reacting.
The notion that something even more dreadful than the Blood Cult—which had once drenched the martial world in blood—would wreak havoc was horrifying.
But Master Taebok continued without acknowledgment.
『When that time comes, a small centipede will emerge from an island to the southeast to challenge the monstrous worm. It will steadily gain strength and ultimately devour the creature entirely.』
『Then… everything will unfold according to the natural order? What, then, is my role to be?』
If the monster was fated to be destroyed, it seemed there was little to worry about.
Everything would proceed as destined.
Even so, he asked, and Master Taebok’s eyes gleamed intensely as he delivered his final directive.
『Good. Now I will tell you what you must prevent.』
『W-what is it?』
『If events follow their course, the small centipede will guide the martial world onto a new trajectory. But if fate is disrupted, and the centipede is slain by the monster, then a disaster far greater than the monster itself will befall the Central Plains. Therefore, you must never—under any circumstances—allow the centipede to perish. Do you understand?』
Not long ago, when word spread of the Blood Cult’s resurgence and the emergence of something called the Five Venoms Sect, the Abbot had finally, a decade later, grasped the true meaning of his master’s words.
But he still did not fully comprehend why the small centipede was so vital, or why its death would unleash such doom.
Initially, hearing rumors of a Tang Clan son-in-law traveling with a small centipede, he wondered if that was the small centipede his master meant.
Or perhaps it wasn’t that literal.
Surely, his master couldn’t have been referring to an actual centipede.
So he waited for some other “small centipede” to appear.
But the instant he personally laid eyes on the young man and his spirit creatures, and felt the overwhelming aura of the venomous beasts, he knew intuitively.
The small centipede was not one of the creatures the youth carried.
It was the youth himself.
And he now saw precisely why the death of the small centipede would spell catastrophe.
Because if that young man were to perish, these spirit creatures would not remain idle.