Chapter 517
“Have you been well, benefactor?”
I almost didn’t recognize him. The Nameless I met a year ago and the Nameless standing before me now were entirely different. His face, speech, and even his aura—everything about him felt unfamiliar and distant.
And the reason for his transformation was most likely…
‘That incident from three months ago.’
What should I even say? A bitter taste lingered in my mouth. I only spoke after Zheng Ho and Hyeok Mu-jin left the room with the others.
“I haven’t been doing too well either. More has happened than I expected.”
Nameless gave a faint smile.
“It seems that way. In truth, I only managed to hear about you two days ago.”
If one was involved in the world of martial arts, it would have been impossible to remain unaware of the events that unfolded over the past three months. Yet, for someone as highly positioned in Shaolin as Nameless to have only heard about them two days ago—there was only one possible explanation.
“You were in seclusion training.”
“Amitabha. I was staying in the Chamhwe-dong.”
“The Chamhwe-dong… could it be…”
“You are correct. It was something I chose to do myself, so there is no need to be concerned.”
Chamhwe-dong (Chamber of Repentance)—the name itself bore the meaning of shame and remorse. It was a place where sinners were confined.
What had shamed him so much? What was he repenting for?
It was most likely the regret of failing to prevent his master’s nirvana.
Not only had Nameless been unable to protect his master in his final moments, but he had also failed to safeguard the Jade Green Buddha Staff, the sacred artifact of Shaolin that his master entrusted to him before passing.
To atone, he had spent the last three months in that dark, isolated place.
“In utter darkness where not even a step ahead was visible, I had many thoughts.”
Nameless ran his calloused fingers over his cheek. His face, covered in scars, had large portions turned a deep, bruised blue.
A mark left behind by the Yin-Chilling Earth Energy, a deadly force from the enemy he had risked his life to block three months ago. A scar that would never fade.
“If only I had been stronger… If only I had been able to protect my master… If only I had properly carried out his final wishes.”
But regret always came too late.
The revered High Monk had entered an unforeseen nirvana, a dear friend had been lost, and another had locked himself in the Chamber of Repentance, burdened with the guilt of failing to fulfill his master’s last will.
‘It would be the same for anyone else.’
I was no different.
If I had failed to save Jeok Cheon-Gang, if I had been forced to watch him pass away… I didn’t even want to imagine it.
I would have likely fallen into a cycle of endless regret and despair, just as I had back when I was merely an F-rank Hunter, Jin Taekyung.
But suffering changes people—for better or worse.
In Nameless’s case, it was for the better. His heart may have been shattered, but at least in terms of martial arts, he had advanced significantly.
“Just my personal opinion, but I don’t think you spent all your time in the Chamber of Repentance just meditating.”
“Amitabha. It is all thanks to Buddha’s and Shaolin’s grace.”
He clasped his hands together and gazed towards the sunlight streaming in through the window. His serene eyes then turned to meet mine.
There was a purity in his gaze—a refined strength.
A year ago, his body had been built with sturdy, well-trained muscles. Now, he was like an ancient, withered tree—thin and frail.
However, the aura radiating from him was stronger than ever.
‘This man… has crossed the wall.’
The supreme realm that every martial artist dreams of.
Nameless had finally stepped into that domain.
Seeing my astonishment, he gave a small nod.
“To heal my body, which was on the brink of collapse, and to reach a higher state, I needed more than just enlightenment. One of those things was the Great Return Pill.”
“…Ah…”
The Great Return Pill of Shaolin—one of the most powerful elixirs in the world, renowned for its extraordinary effects.
‘Yes… If it was the Great Return Pill, then it makes sense.’
Its medicinal power was one thing, but Nameless was also the personal disciple of the Dharma King Hong Do, a master known for reading the Heaven’s Will.
Though not at the level of Cheongpung, he was still a prodigy blessed with unparalleled martial talent.
It was only natural that someone like him would be chosen to receive the Great Return Pill.
At the mere age of thirty, he had reached the pinnacle of martial arts—a testament to both his master’s foresight and his own exceptional abilities.
“Congratulations. I heard the Great Return Pill is incredibly rare, even within Shaolin.”
“I actually refused it at first. However, the Abbot insisted, saying not to question anything and just accept it. Apparently, my master had left instructions about it years ago. Perhaps… he foresaw all of this.”
A faint smile formed on Nameless’s lips.
He stared into the empty air for a moment, as if reminiscing about his master, before speaking again.
“Oh, and the Abbot wishes to meet you, Benefactor Jin.”
“The Abbot? You mean…”
I had never heard of anyone succeeding Dharma King Hong Do as Shaolin’s leader.
According to Gung Gi-bang, one of his direct disciples was supposed to inherit the position. But with so many chaotic events unfolding, I hadn’t had time to keep track.
“You two have never met. He is my senior in name, but only ascended to the position less than a month ago, so it’s understandable that you haven’t heard of him.”
“Ah, I see.”
“The Abbot mentioned that, back then, things were so chaotic that he never got the chance to properly bid you farewell. He wishes to apologize for that.”
“There’s no need for that. Honestly, I was just as overwhelmed at the time.”
The Shaolin Bloodbath that occurred during the Grand Celestial Banquet was an unprecedented disaster.
However, I had left Henan for Sichuan within mere days of the event.
Saving Jeok Cheon-Gang took priority. I had no time to linger.
“Amitabha. He was truly delighted to hear that Benefactor Jeok has fully recovered. I’m sure my master, watching over us from somewhere, would also find peace in knowing his dear friend is well again.”
“Ah, now that I think about it… You must have already met my master.”
“We were talking until you woke up. At first, I almost didn’t recognize him.”
“Well… he has changed a bit.”
“You as well, Benefactor. Just as much as I have.”
“……Uh.”
How was I even supposed to respond to that?
I hesitated, thrown off by his sudden self-deprecating joke. Nameless then clasped his hands together in a respectful bow.
“Amitabha. It was a jest.”
“Ah… I see.”
“It seems you didn’t find it amusing. I shall refrain from such jokes in the future.”
I nearly blurted out ‘Please, do that.’
A person who has gone through so much suffering has no right to make a joke like that. When Nameless says such things, the mood instantly becomes solemn. But I didn’t have the heart to say it outright.
“…No, it was funny.”
“Amitabha. Then I shall continue.”
“…That was the last joke.”
I swear, I should just crack his head open with a wooden fish.
I stared at Nameless in disbelief, but soon found myself chuckling.
At the very least, if he could still throw around such awkward jokes, then he had endured his hardships better than I expected.
Even if I couldn’t comfort him, I could at least listen to his dangerously borderline temple humor.
But more importantly…
“Where exactly are we? This isn’t Shaolin, is it?”
Judging by the sunlight streaming through the window, I had been asleep for an entire day. But I had no idea where I was.
As I glanced around once more, Nameless explained.
“We are at an inn near Songshan. The Martial Alliance has arranged for your stay, so please rest comfortably.”
“The Martial Alliance…”
A name that once felt distant.
But hearing it directly from Nameless’s mouth here in Henan made it feel real.
I got up from the bed and walked over to the window.
The first thing I saw was the towering peaks of Songshan, piercing the sky. Beneath them, a dense cluster of buildings sprawled across the landscape, filled with a multitude of people.
Martial artists carrying swords, some with massive great sabers strapped to their backs without scabbards, others wielding spears and dual weapons.
I mean, sure, there were all kinds of people… but this was unsettling.
It was terrifying.
As I observed the overwhelming number of martial artists filling the streets, Nameless let out a quiet chuckle.
“Amitabha. They are benefactors who have gathered from across the land upon hearing the news.”
“Just from a glance, there seem to be more than there were during the Grand Celestial Banquet.”
“The Grand Celestial Banquet was merely a festival for the Younger Generation. But the founding of the Martial Alliance affects everyone. Not just those from the Orthodox and Unorthodox factions, but even reclusive wanderers have come out of hiding.”
Well, that makes sense. The weight of the event is completely different.
If the Grand Celestial Banquet was like a fireworks festival, then the Martial Alliance’s founding was more like a national emergency.
Unlike the Grand Celestial Banquet, there were almost no commoners in sight.
‘They must all understand what’s happening here.’
Just as I was thinking that, I noticed a group of martial artists crossing the main street.
At first glance, they seemed like any other group.
But something about them felt different.
Their presence alone was overwhelming—they were undoubtedly members of one of the Great Sects.
‘Their attire is strange… Who are they?’
I didn’t even need to ask Nameless.
The murmurs from the surrounding martial artists gave me the answer.
“Could they be…?”
“Yes. The Murong Clan.”
“Huh. From Liaoning to Henan, that’s a journey of over a thousand miles. They sure got here fast.”
“Well, they do have the blood of a nomadic people. But damn, what a rare sight. Never thought I’d see members of the Murong Clan in person.”
This was my first time seeing them, too.
While the Taewon Jin Clan in Shanxi was also in a remote region, Liaoning was even farther northeast, past Hebei.
You couldn’t just casually travel there.
Because of this distance, members of the Murong Clan rarely ventured into the Central Plains.
‘So that’s the Murong Clan.’
Among the Five Great Noble Clans, the Murong Clan was one of the strongest.
Their reputation was legendary.
Unlike most sects, they were known for commanding cavalry units—which made sense, given their massive horse-like physiques.
‘The Orthodox factions, led by the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Noble Clans… The Unorthodox factions have also joined… And even those who belong to neither side are here…’
People call America the melting pot of races.
But to me, Henan looked exactly like that right now.
The same people, but from countless different martial backgrounds—a sight rarely seen.
‘Three more days.’
In three days, all these martial artists would gather under one banner.
Under the name Martial Alliance, they would raise their weapons against Dark Heaven.
As I watched the scene outside, lost in thought—
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion erupted from somewhere.
“…What the hell?”
