Chapter 184: Heavenly Eye (2)

Heavenly Eye (天眼). (2)

‘Seems like they’re not hiding anything.’

The fact that they’re letting me know this much…

…indicated that the Leader wasn’t hiding anything from me.

Based solely on the Leader’s words, Meteor is an organization created by the Alliance to prepare for the Blood Calamity.

And they want talented late-blooming disciples like us to join.

And Jang Seon-yeon is part of it.

‘Jang Seon-yeon.’

As soon as I thought of him, thoughts of the Blood Demon immediately followed.

The Leader said, that if I joined Meteor, I could gain many things.

‘Can I aim for higher places?’

Thinking about the energy the Blood Demon gave me through Jang Seon-yeon…

…inevitably raised questions.

Where did Jang Seon-yeon get it from?

Moreover, the fact that Namgung Cheon-jun also possessed similar energy…

‘Maybe Namgung Cheon-jun too….’

If even Nyo Ryong belongs to Meteor…

…it felt like the blurry picture regarding the source of that energy was starting to clear up.

‘It’s not certain, but…’

If those two belong to the group called Meteor…

‘Did the Blood Demon’s energy come from Meteor?’

This is just speculation, but for some reason, I couldn’t shake this suspicion.

“You seem to need time to think,” the Leader said.

Putting the flood of thoughts aside, I first replied to the Leader.

“…Yes, I apologize.”

“Not at all. Since I summoned you so urgently, it’s understandable.”

I examined the Leader’s eyes as he spoke in a kind voice.

‘Does Heavenly Eye also know about the Blood Demon?’

If my thoughts are correct and the Blood Demon is connected to the group called Meteor…

…then the Leader must naturally be involved too.

‘Or maybe not.’

‘I wish it weren’t so.’

Even if the Alliance had been corrupted, the fact that Shaolin, known as the spirit and eyes of the righteous path, had fallen this far was unwelcome.

Even though I knew it was already too late.

[You say it’s speculation, but it seems you’re already convinced.]

‘…’

[Heavenly Eye, did you say? That bald monk’s sobriquet.]

I inwardly affirmed Old Master’s words.

‘Heavenly Eye…’

His voice sounded somehow ambiguous.

‘Why is that?’

‘Hmm… No. Let’s talk about this separately later.’

His voice sounded like something was bothering him.

If I could see the true form of Old Master Shin, he’d probably have the same expression as me.

Pretending to ponder, I took another sip of tea.

‘It would be dangerous to ask the Leader directly about the Blood Demon.’

‘For now, I shouldn’t even hint that I might know something.’

“As you said… I’d like some time to think.”

“Alright, I’ll send a separate written message to your parents.”

Sending a written message to my father… does that mean it’s okay to discuss this openly, at least outwardly?

‘Even if the reality is different, outwardly, it means having the justification of preparing for the Blood Calamity under Heavenly Eye’s watch.’

Recalling the Leader’s words, it seemed my father also knew about the organization called Meteor.

‘I’ll have to ask him separately when I get back.’

Though I doubt if Father will answer.

“Is the same true for you beside him?”

The Leader’s question was directed at Namgung Bi-ah, who had remained silent throughout the conversation.

She turned her gaze towards me and asked,

“…Are you going to do it?”

Namgung Bi-ah’s question made me cough involuntarily.

I didn’t expect her to ask me so suddenly.

“I said I needed time to think. Why are you asking me?”

“…Then I guess I will too….”

Namgung Bi-ah didn’t seem interested in the conversation anyway.

Rather than talk about Meteor or anything…

She probably just wanted to go back and swing her sword.

That’s just how she was, and besides, she’d been practicing her swordplay all day after gaining some insight last time.

It was amazing how she could jump right back into it as soon as she felt a bit better.

“Tsk tsk.”

Perhaps because of Namgung Bi-ah’s words, the Leader chuckled.

It could be seen as rude, so I had to rack my brain on how to respond.

“Yes, take your time to think.”

Fortunately, the Leader didn’t seem bothered.

“You must be busy, I apologize for taking up your time, old man.”

“Not at all. I’m merely sorry for not being able to provide a good answer myself.”

It was a brief conversation, but the Leader didn’t say anything further, as if he had no more business.

Seeming to indicate we were free to leave, I pulled Namgung Bi-ah up, paid our respects to the Leader,

and headed for the door.

“I hope we can join forces. For the future,” came the Leader’s words as I was about to open the door.

His words made me pause momentarily.

‘Together.’

I had to be careful not to let my expression harden.

Perhaps Namgung Bi-ah noticed my expression.

She gently wrapped her arm around mine.

As if telling me to calm down.

Thanks to that, my voice, which felt like it would tremble if I spoke, seemed to calm down a bit.

“Thank you for your words.”

My voice, forcing a smile, thankfully didn’t betray any mixed emotions.

Tak-

Closing the door, the pleasant sky outside greeted me.

‘Hoo….’

Only then did I let out the sigh I’d been holding in.

Meeting the Leader had been that sudden and bewildering.

As I felt the breeze, a soft sleeve brushed across my forehead.

“Sweat…”

“What sweat are you talking about?”

Perhaps because I contained the Fire Spirit, my body doesn’t generate heat unless I move intensely.

‘…Or maybe not? Did I sweat a little?’

If so, maybe it’s because my mind, which doesn’t work well lately, has been overthinking things.

“What are you doing just spacing out like that over there?”

I jokingly remarked to Namgung Bi-ah, and she tilted her head.

As if she hadn’t been spacing out at all.

“Did you hear what we were talking about earlier?”

“Huh?”

“…No, never mind.”

When did I start zoning out?

From my perspective, it was probably the moment we entered the room.

Leaving Namgung Bi-ah, who was yawning and showing her sleepiness, behind, I strolled among Shaolin’s trees.

‘I didn’t expect to meet the Leader.’

I managed to get some useful information from this brief conversation.

Although most of it was speculation.

‘The Blood Demon is linked to the Alliance.’

And much deeper than I expected.

As I walked slowly forward, Old Master asked.

“You said Heavenly Eye.”

“Yes.”

It was the question Old Master asked during the conversation with the Leader earlier.

“Did you say it’s the sobriquet passed down to Shaolin’s Leaders?”

“That’s correct.”

To Shin Old Master’s question, I asked in return this time.

Something felt off.

“Old Master, the reason you’re asking that…”

“This is the first I’ve heard of it.”

At those words, I immediately recalled that Cheolyeong’s sobriquet wasn’t Heavenly Eye, but Hwangabulyeong.

‘Wasn’t there a Heavenly Eye back then?’

It’s something I never properly looked into.

There was no need to look it up.

Since they were called Heavenly Eye generation after generation, it was simply Heavenly Eye, so there was no reason to question it.

That’s how ingrained the notion was.

“If your speculation is correct, then that damned Blood Demon is currently pulling strings within the Alliance.”

“It’s just speculation.”

“Ha, you say it’s speculation when you’re actually convinced, aren’t you?”

“What if it’s not true?”

Old Master scoffed at my words.

“As if.”

“…”

“I’m simply worried.”

“Worried about what?”

“That the eyes that see the future truly exist, and that they’ve been passed down through generations at Shaolin.”

I think I understood the worry behind Old Master’s words.

“…Are you perhaps thinking it’s related to the Blood Demon?”

It was enough time for several Leaders to change.

Those who held the Heavenly Eye title generation after generation contributed greatly to the peace of the martial world. Isn’t it stretching it too far to think the Blood Demon is involved?

Perhaps knowing this, Old Master added,

“It’s truly just delusion.”

“Heavenly Eye and the Blood Demon…”

Old Master’s words were tantamount to saying the Blood Demon either bestowed the Heavenly Eye or is blinding the Leader.

If that were the case, not just Shaolin, but the entire Martial Alliance might already be playing into the Blood Demon’s hands.

Thinking of Jang Seon-yeon, the Alliance Leader’s son, lends it a bit more credibility.

“That makes things incredibly difficult.”

The Heavenly Demon alone is a catastrophe, but if even the Alliance, which I thought would at least oppose the Heavenly Demon, even if not an ally, has been swallowed by the existence called the Blood Demon…

It means everyone around is truly an enemy.

“At this rate, it might actually be better to join hands with the unorthodox factions.”

I never had the arrogant thought of taking down the Heavenly Demon alone anyway.

Having seen and experienced the Heavenly Demon firsthand, I knew all too well that it was impossible.

“That’s why I asked, what are you going to do?”

At Old Master’s question, I moistened my dry lips with my tongue.

It wasn’t something to judge and conclude quickly, but…

There was actually a path that wasn’t bad. Though I was still considering it.

Since they’d already thrown out the bait, trying it wouldn’t hurt.

I replied curtly to Old Master.

“Since they invited me, shouldn’t I just go see?”

“Hmm?”

Old Master reacted as if he didn’t understand, but…

“…Kid, you don’t mean…”

He seemed to have read my mind instantly.

“Everyone’s calling out to me, isn’t it worth checking out?”

If I don’t know my enemy, the quickest way to find out was right before my eyes.

By willingly walking into Meteor myself.