As Prophet - Chapter 224



Only Noblemtl

Episode 224. Sitting in meditation and silent footsteps

I saw the ladies coming out of the palace. They must have had different roles, but in Sogyeokseo, one person did various tasks without distinction of work. The one who had sewn Dalcheon’s clothes nicely distributed rice and soup, and the one who had done the laundry turned over the bowl containing the side dishes and mixed them well.

“I wish you all could eat together.”

“I’ll do it separately after you finish eating.”

“Don’t try to eat what’s left, but share it. That’s the tradition of the Taoist temple. There is no hierarchy in eating and sleeping. The roles are just different.”

“thank you.”

As the students and the monks waited without eating the food and side dishes, the servants who had been serving the food scooped up their own food and sat down together. Dalcheon warned them to keep their talk about the Emperor of Heaven and Earth to a minimum.

* * *

Those who had eaten moved around the yard, waiting for the next time. Students and students who had not mixed together as if they had drawn a line began to mix one by one. It started with students who did not know the Sogyeokseo asking trivial questions, but when they answered kindly and helped with their hearts, their thoughts changed, and when their thoughts changed, they began to join in. Those who only read the sutras and those who only swung their swords began to mix one by one.

The evening sun cast long shadows, and the red twilight was dyed between the shadows cast by the lush leaves. Those who walked and moved their bodies simply entered the meditation area. Now that it was a half-rest, there was no need to do anything. Everyone was already inside during the break time after the time was over.

As the bell sounded to signal the start of breathing practice, a sudden silence came over them. The sound of birds chirping in the evening was faint. Dalcheon became one of them and sat down next to them, and as he followed the practice that had begun in silence, the meditation room became quiet.

Each of the awakened ones helps the other study. The morning food flows to the Imdok Yangmaek. It is very difficult to pass through the three points of Miryeo near the tailbone, the Hyopcheok on the back, and Okchim near the neck. However, if Dalcheon is by your side, it will be easy. The blood that was blocked up and could not be healed will flow out smoothly as if a thread was released. The scholars who knew this did not let Dalcheon go far.

Going up the Dokmae and coming down the Immaek once is called Iljucheon. Dalcheon made it do it for 300 days. Some say it was 300 times, but Dalcheon insisted that it should take almost a year. The scholars who knew Dalcheon well, who was a bit excessive in everything, smiled and nodded, but the disciples of Sogyeokseo regarded Dalcheon’s words as golden rule and tried to complete the 300 days. Some thought that since it couldn’t be done in Sogyeokseo, they would go to a place where there were no people and try it.

Above all, I gained confidence. I felt that if I did this, I would be able to build up my energy and achieve success. Dalcheon often pointed out the difficulties that students would face while practicing Jin-gi Taoism.

“There is a time for medicine to be produced. You must not miss it without knowing the time. It cannot be done early, and it cannot be done late. If it is done early, you will be young, and if it is done late, you will be old and cannot achieve perfection.”

“The Dokmaeki is the way up, and the Immaeki is the way down. If you do not ascend and descend through this path, you cannot forge elixir in a furnace or a cauldron.”

“When fire advances, it arises from the qi and blood and stops in the nihwan, and when it retreats, it arises from the nihwan and stops in the qi and blood.”

“Even if you get through the gate, if you can’t get through the beauty and end up going to the curved road (anus), it is very dangerous.”

“After piercing the three gates, the danger lies in the nostrils. You must pass through them by piercing the nose and pulling the ox.”

“It is difficult to return to the throne. Search carefully from the end of the pole to the top of the pole.”

** Excerpt from 『Seonbulgajinsueorok (Records of True Cultivation of the Immortal Buddhist Family)』.

Dalcheon pointed out the difficulties that students and Doryu would face according to their progress, and helped them overcome difficulties safely. It is possible to talk, but it is really difficult to tell them the method at the right time. Dalcheon understood the state of the students through his senses, pointed out the difficulties in advance, and helped them finish the Iljucheon safely. At first, he made it so that everyone could hear, but since the progress was different, he made it so that each person could hear it one by one. He told them exactly when they needed it, and their studies progressed quickly.

There are many people who study but few who achieve because there is no teacher. They waste time without overcoming the many difficulties they encounter along the way. There are many people who say they worked hard but few who achieved. Most people believe that they achieved through hard work.

The students knew all too well how important the role of Dalcheon was. Most people have been sitting in meditation for decades without being able to break through the three passages. So what’s the point of discussing the realm after that? Those who have not experienced it and do not know it, but who are just talking about what they have heard, are sitting there calling themselves Taoists.

The students thought that this was all they had to do. They felt that they had to move forward when the true person was present. At first, they had set aside time to read the sutras in the evening, but now they had them continue without interruption. They were absorbed in their studies without even realizing that the night was getting deeper, and the atmosphere in the meditation room was heating up.

When it was deep night, I called those who had woken up and rang the bell. The ringing sound resonated right next to my heart. Those who had been concentrating on their studies rubbed their hands and rubbed their eyelids and faces with their free hands. It became noisy. I felt proud of myself as I felt myself progressing. Every day was different. The eyes of those who had been around me were burning with enthusiasm, and their eyes, like the clear sky, shone with pride.

Dalcheon clapped his hands.

“Okay, okay, I want to do more, but today is not the day. Too much is worse than not enough. Let’s stop here for today and see you at dawn. I hope the person who announces the dawn doesn’t miss the time.”

The day was over. Everyone left the meditation area in a hurry. Everyone wanted to say something, but Dalcheon just smiled, so everyone smiled back and left the meditation area. Some bowed deeply and left, but most were so happy that they didn’t know what to do.

“You are amazing.”

Even the talkative Yoo Seok-do finally said something.

“They are people who have studied. So they are fast.”

“Thank you for pointing out such earnest words, I was able to study really well. I had a hard time with that part, but I passed without any problems.”

“Do more. More and more!”

“thank you.”

Yu Seok-do expressed his sincere gratitude on behalf of the audience. In the dark night sky, the Big Dipper star was shining like the morning star. Dal-cheon pointed with his fingertips.

“Go ahead.”

I remembered the time when I looked at the stars in the night sky and breathed the Big Dipper. I did it without knowing anything, but it must have healed my injured head. My memory came back, but it didn’t just happen. I should be truly grateful.

“I have to do it again.”

Yuseokdo knelt on one knee in front of Dalcheon.

“And thank you, Master!”

A person who sincerely bows down and bows down is never shabby. Dalcheon’s heart was touched by the giant’s politeness.

“Oh, why are you doing that again? I’m not your teacher.”

Dalcheon grabbed Yoo Seok-do’s shoulder and helped him up.

“You did well. Go further. Let’s go as far as we can go.”

“… … .”

Yuseokdo looked up at the sky. The countless starlights pouring down from the black sky entered his heart.

* * *

When the night deepened and it was past midnight, Dalcheon woke up. He was given a separate room to live in, as he was a true man. Although it was not a separate building, it was a quiet place, the room at the end of a long corridor. Depending on how you look at it, it could be called the first room, but considering the movement of people, it was the last room.

The sound of footsteps, muffled, approached through the darkness. It wasn’t hard to notice them, since I was concerned about their safety.

‘what?’

They were wearing light clothing over their military uniforms and only wearing a helmet. There were many of them, and there were quite a few masters. They came out without caution, so I wondered where they were going, but they were gradually getting closer, and they were aiming for Sogyeokseo. I thought they would collapse and scatter because the leader was dead, but was there another mastermind? I decided to go closer and examine them.

Dalcheon came out holding only a sword and woke up Doryu, who was in charge of the reception.

“Yes, why?”

“The enemy is coming. Go to Hanseongbu and ask for troops. There are dozens of enemies, and there are about sixteen masters, and they are aiming for Sogyeokseo. They are the remnants of a large group of bandits, and it seems they have gathered together the groups nearby.”

“Yes, I understand!”

“It’s an emergency.”

“yes!”

You can’t expect civilians to move like soldiers.

“They’ll take over the main road first, so go through the back door.”

“yes.”

No matter how many times I tell him, the answer is not refreshing. After confirming that the guy is putting on his shoes and leaving, I pursed my lips and let out a deep moan. Everyone in the guest room stood up at once. It was worth studying.

Yoo Seok-do jumped out first. The armed Baek I-jeong came out next.

“The enemy. Their numbers are in the tens, not the hundreds. They are a group of unmanned units, and the number of masters is estimated to be around fifteen.”

“Could it be that they’re acting up again?”

“It looks like the remains have been gathered.”

“What is the goal?”

“It seems like it’s us.”

Dalcheon was going to say himself, but changed the expression to “we.” The three people from the training center and Cheolmuwoong came out, and Mukhyeong and Jin Donghee came out last.

“There are eight of us and there are seventy or eighty enemies. Each person has to fight ten.”

“Oh my.”

Baek Yi-jeong asked in a sharp voice.

“What’s your strategy for today?”

“There is no strategy today. Think of it as practicing what you have studied so far and clashing swords against swords.”

“No, it’s been a few days since I studied again.”

“That’s right. It seems like they are afraid of us studying and becoming experts because they don’t give us enough time to study.”

You can do it this way or that way. Yoo Seok-do asked, scratching the back of his head.

“Aren’t you going to use siege weapons today?”

The trio laughed heartily. I don’t know about the others, but I am worried about the black drones. Among them, those who are called experts are by no means inferior to these seven.

“We have to protect this place where we study. I asked you to send soldiers. Until then, please do whatever you can.”

Sajik asked secretly.

“I get the feeling that what you are saying is that the Lord may not be involved. Is that so?”

“You should join. However, I think it’s a good idea since I intend to see how far you’ve progressed in your studies through practical training. I’ll take a step back.”

People talk about life and death as if they were going out for a drink, so the people who are being treated are dumbfounded. Above all, they are watching but not participating, so it is a great loss of power. Everyone in the audience expressed their discontent in their own language.

“Oh my god.”

“Oh my. What did I do wrong in my past life?”

“What the hell is this, I’m not sleeping.”

“You don’t need to receive this kind of education.”

“Why does this only happen to me?”

“So, I wish I had just done what I was told to do quietly, but I was doing useless things.”

Dalcheon silently pointed toward the main gate. Only half of it was visible because a large oak tree was casting a shadow. If it were a tree inside the house, it would have been cut down already, but since no one was paying attention, it grew well. It seems that nature is better off when it is not touched by human hands.

“The security in Hanyang is unstable, so those guys are running around. This time, it’s probably going to be a fight against time. If we can hold out until the military arrives, we’ll win. Ahaha.”

Yoo Seok-do, who had been silent, expressed his dissatisfaction.

“The interpretation is good. Each and every sword threatens my life.”

“It wasn’t me. Everyone who knew we were here knows that. But those guys… … Hmm, maybe they were just trying to get revenge and end it. Judging by the small number of people, there must have been some who opposed it. There must have been some who wanted to maintain the troops and prepare for the future… … Hmm, there must have been some who thought that we had to get revenge no matter what. And the world isn’t divided into two groups like that. There must have been some who followed the loudest voices… … So since they moved without a clear strategy, it must have been quite different from before.”

“In the past?”

“Once the strategic objective was achieved, we withdrew cleanly. It was not because we were afraid of our own military that we withdrew.”

“What if I don’t reach my goal?”

“Because it was a force that was raised with difficulty, they must have placed importance on maintaining it. It seems that they were trained to step back when many people get hurt or things seem difficult. But now… … .”