The ship’s sails hung high in the sky as the great vessel turned northeast and set sail once more. By now the sky had turned completely dark, and cooking smoke drifted from the ship. Old Lin had been a cook under Admiral Sanbao and possessed excellent culinary skills. He deliberately prepared a table of dishes for the guests – pickled meat, preserved vegetables, fresh fish, and seafood, everything complete. Fearing the monks and Taoists couldn’t eat meat, he also cooked a pot of rice porridge with mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and other dried goods added, also perfectly aromatic and flavorful.

Though Bu Guzi was a monk, his diet didn’t avoid meat and fish. Seeing wine and meat on the ship, he naturally opened his mouth wide to feast heartily with his seven disciples. The “Ghost Doctor” Wang Kui and Monk Tianjue both ate vegetarian food, only drinking rice porridge and eating some pickled vegetables, not touching any wine or meat.

The Bitter Sea was heavy with moisture. Though the great ship only traveled along the outer edges, cold wind and bitter rain surrounded them on all sides. Fortunately there were canopies on deck for shelter, and everyone sat on the ground without getting wet. The mischievous Dian Cang Seven Young Heroes ate while quarreling, constantly chasing and playing with Xiao Shizi for entertainment, making Old Chen and Old Lin laugh heartily.

Facing all these strangers – Master and disciples Bu Guzi, “Ghost Doctor” Wang Kui, and Shaolin martial monk Tianjue, all completely unknown to him – Cui Xuanliang was acting as host for the first time in his life and inevitably seemed inexperienced in his responses. Old Chen and Old Lin helped from the side, finding several trusted sailors to stay in the cabin caring for Second Master.

At this time Cui Fengxian slept unconsciously with very weak breathing. Old Chen, worried about Second Master’s condition, asked Wang Kui: “Mr. Wang, how are my Second Master’s injuries? When will he be able to get out of bed and walk?”

Wang Kui drank a mouthful of porridge and said indifferently: “That he could recover his life this time is already great fortune in misfortune. For his injuries to fully heal will take at least three months.”

Cui Xuanliang said hatefully: “Those Korean people were truly vicious in their attacks. If we encounter them in the future, we must have revenge.”

Wang Kui shook his head: “When will grievance upon grievance end? Young brother, I think you shouldn’t think about killing and arson. Actually, they already showed mercy to your uncle.”

Everyone exclaimed in surprise: “Showed mercy? Is that so?”

Wang Kui said: “Didn’t you see that long sword pierce through his chest but didn’t injure your uncle’s heart? If they hadn’t deliberately avoided vital points, how could he still be alive?”

Old Chen made an “eh” sound: “So… that Liu fellow actually didn’t want to kill Second Master?”

Wang Kui sighed: “It should be so. You two sides have no deep hatred – why would anyone want to kill at the drop of a hat? Where in the world are there so many people worth killing?”

“Korean Liu Juyong, Baekje Cui Zhongjiu” – these two men were both former attendants of the “Divine Merit Great King,” of extremely high rank with naturally strong martial arts. At that time Cui Fengxian had no ability to fight back, and with Liu Juyong’s swordsmanship, if he wanted to take his life, there would be no chance of failure. It seemed the other party had indeed intentionally spared him.

Hearing that the other had deliberately shown mercy, Cui Xuanliang didn’t know what to say. He silently lowered his head, thinking of his aunt still at home waiting for uncle to return, and couldn’t help reddening his eyes again.

Bu Guzi asked: “Young brother, I heard those Korean martial officials boarded your ship to pursue a pirate – is that right?”

Cui Xuanliang wiped his tears: “Yes, they… they pursued relentlessly, just to find a Japanese man.”

Bu Guzi nodded: “I saw masters like Cui Zhongjiu and Liu Juyong all came. What exactly is this Japanese man’s background to alarm these court guards?”

Cui Xuanliang shook his head: “I don’t know. Anyway, they were violent and domineering, first stopping our ship, then insisting on searching our lower cabin. Uncle wouldn’t let them enter, so both sides started fighting.”

Silence fell all around. Monk Tianjue, who had been quietly silent, suddenly asked: “Young benefactor Cui, was the Japanese man they wanted to capture called ‘Ōuchi Eisuke’?”

Cui Xuanliang made an “eh” sound and quickly glanced at Old Chen and Old Lin, saying quietly: “Yes… that Cui Zhongjiu seemed to mention this name…”

Bu Guzi was slightly startled: “Brother Tianjue, what did you notice?”

Monk Tianjue nodded: “According to this young monk’s speculation, these Korean martial officials came for the ‘Never Rest Blade.'”

Everyone asked in amazement: “Never Rest Blade? What is that?”

Monk Tianjue said: “Legend says Japanese craftsmen are extremely skilled at making blades, forging weapons of extraordinary sharpness. But their competitive hearts were too strong and they still felt insufficient. With demons troubling their hearts, they forged a ‘Never Rest Blade’ that offended Heaven and Harmony, bringing infinite disasters to all of Japan. The meaning of ‘Never Rest’ is to never find lodging. They say this blade’s killing qi is too heavy – whatever comes within one foot of the blade edge will automatically crack under force, which is why this blade cannot find a resting place. It can only use blood as its sheath, never resting from killing.”

Everyone felt their hair stand on end. Suddenly Wang Kui slapped his thigh and shouted: “Right, right! This ‘Never Rest Blade’ – could it be the legendary ‘Southern Blade’?”

Hearing of yet another strange blade, Bu Guzi couldn’t help making an “oh” sound: “Southern Blade? What’s that now?”

Wang Kui explained: “In my youth I heard my Jiuhua master mention that Japan had an unparalleled evil blade born with demonic nature. Whoever took this blade would continuously kill people until slaying one million. I think this ‘Never Rest Blade’ Brother Tianjue mentioned is probably this ‘Southern Blade.'”

The “Southern Blade” killed one million, the “Never Rest Blade” killed without rest – both were bloodthirsty demonic objects with indeed similar natures.

Old Chen and Old Lin said tremblingly: “This… this should be the same blade, right? Otherwise, with Japan being such a small place, if one kills a million and another kills non-stop, wouldn’t the whole country have been slaughtered long ago?”

Though this was amusing, hearing it, everyone felt not the slightest bit of humor.

Bu Guzi murmured: “Never resting from killing… this… this is too terrifying. Brother Tianjue, does this strange blade really exist in the world?”

Monk Tianjue fell silent, then said: “Of course it exists. They say the Never Rest Blade fell into ‘Ōuchi Eisuke’s’ hands.”

“What?” Everyone was shocked, discussing among themselves. Cui Xuanliang stared blankly, imagining the demon blade’s appearance, saying coldly: “Master, is this blade really so powerful? Could it… could it be sharper than that Liu… Liu Juyong’s sword?”

Monk Tianjue said: “Liu Juyong’s sword is an ancient artifact. Legend says this sword cuts iron like mud – it’s the sword the Goguryeo ‘Great Martial Divine King’ bestowed upon the famous general Gwai Yu. Though this sword is sharp, it’s merely a mortal weapon. Compared to the ‘Never Rest Blade’s’ Wisdom King blessing, it’s like heaven and earth, incomparably different.”

Cui Xuanliang said in terror: “Wisdom King blessing? What… what is that?”

Monk Tianjue said: “Legend says when the ‘Never Rest Blade’ was forged, it violated fire precepts and requested the ‘Immovable Wisdom King’ to descend, using vajra flames to forge the blade body. Thus this blade is a heavenly war god’s weapon – once it descends to the mortal world, it brings infinite warfare to humanity.”

Everyone was shocked. Monk Tianjue continued: “They say after Eisuke obtained the demon blade, he immediately fled to the Dream Sea, first killing a pirate and occupying a small island. Afterward he used this place as a base, beginning to recruit pirate forces from various countries. Anyone who refused to submit was immediately executed on the spot. In just five years, he commanded several thousand followers, raiding and burning everywhere with unprecedented devastation.”

Everyone asked in horror: “Didn’t… didn’t anyone go capture him?”

Monk Tianjue said: “Three years ago Eisuke secretly returned to Japan and personally assassinated Shogun Ashikaga Yoshinori. Since then the Japanese shogunate has been powerless to pursue this person and can only let him hide in the Dream Sea.”

Bu Guzi frowned: “Dream Sea? What place is that exactly?”

Monk Tianjue said: “The Dream Sea is the Bitter Sea.”

Bu Guzi laughed dryly: “Brother Tianjue, your learning is truly vast – how do you know these Japanese stories? From which book—”

“Yes, what about Immovable Wisdom Kings and such – even this old fool hasn’t heard of them. Did some eminent monk tell you?”

Monk Tianjue said indifferently: “Doctor Wang guessed correctly – these matters were personally told by ‘Master Daoyan.'”

Hearing the words “Daoyan,” Bu Guzi and Wang Kui both stood up abruptly in shock: “Daoyan? Are you speaking of Yao Guangxiao?”

Monk Tianjue nodded: “Correct. Master Daoyan once practiced at Mount Song in his early years and was old friends with our temple’s abbot. Years ago, knowing his time was limited with few days remaining, he came to our temple to worship Buddha. At that time our abbot had a long candlelit conversation with him, and this young monk also attended at his side.”

Yao Guangxiao was a wonder of the world, legendary for his mastery of military strategy and tactics, called the world’s second greatest strategist, only slightly inferior to the founder’s chief strategist, National Teacher Liu. Hearing that Master Yao had visited Shaolin before his death suggested important matters.

Bu Guzi felt a chill and quickly asked: “What? Did he… did he have any final words to entrust to you?”

Monk Tianjue said: “When Master Daoyan visited, his body was already failing. He said he had lived an upright and honorable life with no regrets, except for one matter that always troubled his heart. He hoped our abbot would remember their years of friendship and help him fulfill this final wish.”

Everyone made “oh” sounds and quickly asked: “What wish?”

Monk Tianjue said: “He had a friend living in Japan who couldn’t return to China for certain reasons. Master Daoyan worried about his circumstances and hoped our abbot could make a trip to Japan for him, bringing that person back to China and settling him at Shaolin’s back mountain. Only then could he peacefully leave this world without a trace of regret.”

Hearing this person was so important as to require the Shaolin abbot to personally go to sea to fetch him, everyone was naturally puzzled and confused.

Bu Guzi exclaimed: “Good boy, such a great undertaking! What happened next? Did your abbot go fetch him?”

Monk Tianjue shook his head: “No, our abbot made two visits but didn’t find the person.”

Bu Guzi exclaimed: “Damn! The Shaolin abbot nearly made three visits to the thatched cottage, and that fellow still dared put on airs! What exactly is his background? Is he some Japanese noble?”

Monk Tianjue shook his head: “No, that person isn’t Japanese but Chinese.”

Everyone was slightly stunned: “Chinese? Then why live in Japan? Who exactly is he?”

Everyone frequently pressed for details, but Monk Tianjue only lowered his head to drink porridge, acting as if he heard nothing.

Wang Kui said unhappily: “Brother, don’t only tell half the story – what exactly is this person’s name, and why did Yao Guangxiao seek him? Give us a hint.”

Bu Guzi also said: “Yes, brother, you’re being mysterious and making everyone uncomfortable. Speak up – we’re just listening and won’t spread it around.” He glanced at his seven disciples: “You quickly swear poison oaths never to reveal this matter.”

“Poison oaths, poison oaths…” The Dian Cang Seven Young Heroes giggled and were about to speak nonsense when Monk Tianjue sighed: “Honored benefactors, monks don’t speak falsely. It’s not that this young monk refuses to speak, but I’ve already promised our abbot never to mention this person’s name for life. Please don’t make things difficult for this young monk.”

This statement was quite powerful, immediately silencing everyone. Even if they wanted to press further, they had no recourse.

Bu Guzi spat and sat down to drink again. After five or six cups, his thoughts turned back to the “Never Rest Blade.” He couldn’t help chuckling: “I wondered how those pirates could be so arrogant – turns out they’re relying on that stinking blade. If this old Taoist encounters them this time, I’ll eliminate a few in passing to reduce some harm for the people.”

Bu Guzi was a Dian Cang elder with superior martial arts who rarely went to sea. If he took action to eliminate pirates, all under heaven would be blessed. Old Chen and Old Lin applauded when they heard this, while the Dian Cang Seven Young Heroes naturally took the lead in cupping their fists in gratitude.

Hearing successive flattery, Bu Guzi became elated: “Actually, speaking truthfully, your Second Master was really inexplicable. Think about it – that Japanese man was involved in such serious matters, possibly even this ‘Ōuchi Eisuke.’ How could Cui Zhenshan still insist on protecting him? Could he really be senile?”

Bu Guzi was about to continue scolding when Old Chen said: “Taoist Master, they say visitors are guests. Since that Japanese man was rescued by Second Master, he counts as a guest on our ship. Those Korean people had no evidence – how could Second Master casually hand him over?”

Bu Guzi scoffed: “What talk is this? These pirates are worse than beasts, utterly vicious. We’d rather wrongly kill a thousand than let one escape. Cui Zhenshan is a dignified patriotic veteran – how could he be so confused this time?”

Old Chen didn’t know how to argue and was momentarily speechless. Then Cui Xuanliang said: “Taoist Master, you’re mistaken. My uncle isn’t that kind of person. He often says people must act with clear conscience – whatever you should do, you can’t omit a single thing, or you’re a bastard. Since he rescued that Japanese man, he’ll properly guard him and never casually hand him over.”

At this moment Cui Xuanliang spoke eloquently, relating his uncle’s daily teachings one by one, quite showing the style of a famous family and the bearing of a great general. Wang Kui and others listening nearby naturally praised him silently in their hearts.

But Bu Guzi strongly disagreed, shaking his head: “According to this, even if your uncle knew beforehand that person was a pirate, he’d still rescue him the same way?”

Old Chen and Old Lin said: “Rest assured, Taoist Master – even if Second Master knew beforehand the other was a pirate, he’d still rescue him.”

Bu Guzi asked in amazement: “Why?”

Old Chen said: “We seafaring people have a rule – whenever we see someone drowning, regardless of their status high or low, character good or bad, we must rescue them. Otherwise we violate our fundamental duty as humans and are no different from beasts.”

Bu Guzi chuckled: “Good talk about being no different from beasts! Then let me ask you – if your father’s killer was drowning, would you save him or not? Pirates kill like hemp, their hands stained with Chinese blood. You save one of them – doesn’t that equal harming ten Chinese compatriots?” He patted Cui Xuanliang’s shoulder: “Young brother, we must distinguish major right from wrong. Don’t learn from your second uncle with his head full of womanly kindness that only harms others and himself, understand?”

Everyone heard him speak too harshly and felt angry but dared not speak. Though Old Chen and Old Lin wanted to argue back, they couldn’t think of any great principles.

In the silence, Monk Tianjue suddenly smiled and asked Wang Kui: “Doctor Wang, before treating patients, do you first ask whether they’re good or bad people?”

Wang Kui shook his head: “Of course not.”

Monk Tianjue smiled: “Why?”

Wang Kui lowered his head to drink porridge, saying indifferently: “Hanging a pot to save the world – our duty is saving people. We only see the living and dead in our eyes – how do we know about good and bad?”

Bu Guzi glared angrily: “Good job, Old Wang! Are you truly a walking corpse? Aren’t you afraid that after saving one bad person, you’ll instead harm thousands of innocent good people?”

Wang Kui frowned: “You’re really tiresome. I’m not Judge Bao – how do I know who’s good and who’s bad? Must I hold court and investigate eight generations of ancestors before seeing patients?”

Everyone laughed heartily, but Bu Guzi was embarrassed and furious: “Bullshit! Bullshit! Seeing you so unable to distinguish good from evil, if your father’s killer came seeking treatment, would you obediently treat him too?”

Wang Kui yawned: “This old man is seventy or eighty – where would I still have a father? No need to worry about this.”

Monk Tianjue said: “Killing someone is just a matter of touching the ground with their head. After all, the dead are dead – no matter how cruelly you kill enemies, you can never make the dead return to life. Even if revenge succeeds, what can it change? Therefore, the chivalrous revenge this poor monk knows isn’t originally about killing people, but about implementing the right and wrong of justice.”

Bu Guzi was shocked: “The right and wrong of justice?”

Monk Tianjue nodded: “Exactly. The dead cannot return to life, but justice in the world cannot die. So when chivalrous people seek revenge, they never forget their conscience. Regardless of results, they won’t betray their original aspiration for going to sea. Otherwise, if justice in their hearts is dead, how can they speak of the rights and wrongs of all under heaven?”

Monk Tianjue continued: “Honored benefactors, Hero Cui may have saved a bad person, but he didn’t do wrong. Everything he did was based on human conscience. Even when others threatened with swords, he never changed his original intention. In this poor monk’s eyes, he’s truly an upright chivalrous person, worthy of being called ‘the nation’s great hero’ without shame.”

After Monk Tianjue finished speaking, everyone pressed palms together. Bu Guzi sighed deeply and cupped his hands: “Ashamed, ashamed. This old Taoist has lived over seventy years, yet my knowledge still can’t compare to you, young brother. I’ve lived all these years like a dog.”

While sighing, several young Taoists nearby giggled: “Master can’t out-argue others and became an old dog.”

Bu Guzi said angrily: “If I’m an old dog, what are you several?”

Chi Chuanzi said in amazement: “Right! I… I became Chi Gouzi.” He pointed at his companions, assigning names one by one: “You’re Yu Gouzi, he’s Hai Gouzi, that’s Tian Gouzi.”

Before he finished speaking, a small child suddenly cried: “I don’t want to! I don’t want to! I don’t want to enter the meat shop!” Everyone looked back to see the crying child was “Hei Chuanzi.” Thinking that black dogs mostly don’t survive past winter solstice, he couldn’t help crying loudly.

After everyone talked for a while, Cui Xuanliang suddenly stared blankly and shed tears. Wang Kui asked in surprise: “Young brother, what’s wrong with you now?”

Cui Xuanliang wiped his tears and said quietly: “I don’t want uncle to be a great hero.”

Everyone asked in amazement: “Why?”

Cui Xuanliang choked: “Being a great hero has no benefits at all. Uncle acts chivalrously and righteously, but good intentions weren’t rewarded – he was nearly killed by bad people. After I master martial arts in the future, I won’t learn to be any kind of great hero.”

Thinking of uncle still lying unconscious in the cabin made tears fall like rain.

Monk Tianjue watched from the side and suddenly said: “Young benefactor Cui, do you think those Korean martial officials were very cruel?”

Cui Xuanliang held back tears: “Correct. They clearly knew uncle was a good person but still treated him this way. They truly have no conscience.”

Monk Tianjue said: “Young benefactor, don’t be angry – they’re also beyond their control.”

Everyone asked blankly: “Beyond their control? Why?”

Monk Tianjue pressed palms together: “They are national scholars, thus not bound by good and evil. National scholars are patriotic men of virtue. All their thoughts and intentions lie in the four words ‘for country and people,’ so they’re not restricted by considerations of good, evil, right, and wrong. Among warriors, the superior ones serve country and people, called ‘national scholars.’ The inferior ones die for benefactors, called ‘death warriors.’ For country, people, and their lord’s recognition, they can throw away their lives and even kill their own relatives without hesitation. However, no matter how heroic these people appear, they’re not chivalrous warriors.”

Wang Kui coughed: “Brother Tianjue, hearing your views on the way of chivalry truly opens one’s mind. But I wonder – are you yourself a warrior or a chivalrous person?”

Monk Tianjue said: “Plant what cause, reap what effect. What Buddhist practitioners seek isn’t the right and wrong of all beings, but the cause and effect of the six paths – this is what this poor monk seeks throughout life.”

Everyone quieted down, contemplating the deep meaning in his words. Monk Tianjue said no more, only lowering his head to drink porridge.

After an unknown time, Cui Xuanliang suddenly remembered something: “Right! Among those Korean people earlier, there was a formidable character. He… he was built very large and seemed to carry a coffin on his back. Do you… do you recognize him?”

Everyone looked at each other. Bu Guzi shook his head while Wang Kui also looked confused. Both looked toward Monk Tianjue, asking in unison: “Brother, do you know this person’s background?”

This Monk Tianjue was gaunt with an age around thirty to fifty. Though not a martial world elder, his knowledge was extremely broad. Seeing everyone look at him, he nodded: “Young benefactor Cui speaks of ‘Young Master Muzhong,’ Lord Huayang. He’s close friends with current Korean sovereign Yi Do and also Korea’s peerless national scholar, with energy and martial arts both at their peak.”

Cui Xuanliang murmured: “Lord Huayang? Is his… his surname Hua?”

Monk Tianjue shook his head: “No, ‘Lord Huayang’ is his title. This person’s surname is actually Ming, given name Guoxun.”

Everyone was slightly amazed: “Ming? Which Ming?”

“Ming! Ming! Ming! Come register!” The Dian Cang Seven Young Heroes jumped about shouting. Bu Guzi rewarded each with a punch to the head, scolding: “Don’t make noise!” He quickly asked again: “Brother Tianjue, which ‘Ming’ exactly?”

Monk Tianjue said: “Left sun, right moon – heavenly light, earthly brightness. This is ‘Young Master Muzhong’s’ surname.”

Everyone was shocked. Though Korean surnames were mostly the same as Chinese, the most common being Jin, Lee, Park, An, Zhang and others, with many Cui and Liu surnames too, they’d never heard of this “Ming” surname.

Bu Guzi didn’t recognize these foreign people either: “Ming Guoxun? This name is quite impressive. Didn’t he… didn’t he carry a coffin on his back? What’s inside that?”

Monk Tianjue said: “According to my speculation, that stone box contains a blade.”

Everyone was slightly stunned: “Another blade?”

Monk Tianjue said: “If this poor monk isn’t mistaken, the blade of Korea’s founding great king Yi Seonggye is hidden in that stone box.”

Wang Kui was shocked: “What? Yi Seonggye’s blade? Are you… are you talking about ‘Divine Merit Shakes the Lord’?”