Reincarnated Sword Ghost

Bell-Ringing Ceremony

Several more days passed.

After the duel tournament ended, the weather turned suddenly cold, as if it were a lie.

Naturally, most of the commoners returned to their hometowns.

The crowds that had filled Deungbong Peak receded like the ebbing tide.

It wasn’t just the weather.

With the tournament over, there was no longer any reason to remain at Deungbong Peak or climb further up Mount Song.

Shaolin’s bell-ringing was truly famous for its sound traveling up to a hundred li away.

It was said you could hear it easily, even without seeing it with your own eyes.

Besides, for most people, it was nearly impossible to actually witness the bell-ringing ceremony.

The event was held atop a sheer cliff.

For ordinary civilians, climbing that treacherous mountain in this cold was nearly impossible.

So, at best, people would gather inside the confines of Shaolin Temple to listen to the bell and make wishes.

But for martial artists, it was different.

”If one has the means, they usually stay to see the bell ceremony before leaving.”

It was Shin Soryeong who explained this.

On clear winter nights at Mount Song, the moonlight shone so brightly it was almost like day.

When the bell was struck at the edge of that cliff, the sound would ride the moonlight and fill the air between the valleys.

It was said to be a truly reverent sound.

The sight itself was so magnificent that most martial artists willingly gathered near the cliffs to witness the ceremony.

”If it’s alright with you, young hero, you should stay to see the bell ceremony. It’s a rare spectacle that only happens once a year.”

”I was planning on doing so anyway.”

When Jeong-un responded, Shin Soryeong smiled brightly and nodded.

’Of course, I have to stay.’

To be honest, regardless of what the event looked like, Jeong-un had no choice but to remain until the ceremony.

In the end, the Divine Thief never appeared, not even by the end of the Shaolin’s duel tournament finals.

This completely defied all expectations that he would slip in among the crowds to cause trouble.

’What on earth is he thinking?’

Could he be satisfied with nothing more than having toyed with Shaolin using a single letter?

It felt somewhat unsatisfying to just dismiss it as such, but there truly was no other clue.

Moreover, Shaolin no longer needed to supervise crowds of almost ten thousand people.

They could now secure the temple as tightly as usual—or, in fact, even more rigorously than before.

It had become an even more difficult environment for someone to steal anything.

’Breaking in now would be nothing short of suicide.’

It was difficult to guess his intentions.

No matter how hard one thought, infiltrating during the tournament would have been better.

Right now, Shaolin was on the highest alert, nerves stretched taut.

They already had a record of having their walls breached by the Divine Thief, and even a petty thief had broken in on the day of the finals.

Though Guanyin Pavilion was relatively accessible to outsiders, it was still a humiliating incident.

There was no way their pride wasn’t stung.

”That’s where our role ends.”

Jeong-un met Gwak Gyeong out on a temple path. Gwak looked more relaxed than before.

With the Divine Thief having lost his window of opportunity, he seemed relieved.

”It’s actually for the best. You could say we wasted our efforts, but if things pass peacefully, that’s truly the best outcome.”

”That’s true, but...”

Jeong-un nodded but left his sentence unfinished.

Gwak Gyeong wasn’t wrong.

What the Heavenly Martial Hall had feared was the shame of Shaolin losing its treasures.

If the Divine Thief never showed up at all, then there was nothing to worry about.

They would have to stay until the bell-ringing ceremony, but Shaolin’s defenses were already ironclad.

Even Jeong-un, who patrolled every day, couldn’t see a single gap for the Divine Thief to exploit.

In fact, his own range of movement was now quite restricted because of it.

’But still...’

Something felt off.

It wasn’t a bad thing if it ended like Gwak Gyeong said.

Of course, it would have been better if they’d caught the Divine Thief, but it was odd to wish for his arrival.

Gwak Gyeong looked at Jeong-un.

”I know what you’re thinking. But honestly, I haven’t had a proper night’s sleep in ages because of anxiety. If Shaolin found out about our involvement, who knows what chaos would have ensued. The pride of martial world sects is beyond words.”

”...”

”We only took such risks behind the scenes because it was the unique situation of the Shaolin Assembly. But once the event ends, we won’t have any more reason or justification to stay here. Even if the Divine Thief breaks in and steals something afterward, there’s nothing we can do. At that point, it is Shaolin’s disgrace to bear. Frankly, I can’t imagine this ironclad security being breached, but...”

Jeong-un listened silently and nodded. Gwak Gyeong was exactly right.

After the Assembly ends, Shaolin’s security is no longer an issue for the Heavenly Martial Hall.

If something happened outside of the Assembly’s unusual circumstances, they’d have no choice but to accept it.

Jeong-un spoke.

”I understand. I’ll return to the Heavenly Martial Hall as soon as the ceremony is over.”

”Yes.”

Thus, their secret meeting ended.

Gwak Gyeong said he would remain at Guanyin Pavilion, pretending to engage in prayer.

He meant for Jeong-un to come there if anything happened.

Back in his room, Jeong-un looked over Shaolin’s scenery through the lattice window.

’... Indeed.’

The duel ground in the distance was now empty except for monks training.

There were a few visitors making offerings or martial artists waiting for the bell ceremony, but compared to the commotion of a few days ago, the number was minuscule.

Jeong-un murmured the name of the Divine Thief, whose face he still did not know.

”What could he be thinking?”

Plenty of monks with powerful auras circled around the pavilions.

It seemed impossible to avoid the monks’ keen attention and ki sense and steal anything now.

They had likely even increased their security to guard against the Divine Thief.

If one wanted to steal something, the tournament period would have been the opportune moment.

But the thief had not shown up. Was the mission really going to end like this?

In truth, there was some gain from this incident.

Jeong-un had observed the new generation of martial world prodigies, and even crossed swords with prodigies like Zhao Gang.

That alone was a significant accomplishment.

”...”

Don’t let your guard down.

Jeong-un muttered to himself, unconsciously running a hand over the black sword at his waist.

’I must always keep my senses honed like a blade—ready to move at any moment.’

Whether the thief appeared or not, there wasn’t more that Jeong-un could do.

There wasn’t even anything certain to go on.

’If he shows up, I’ll cut him down.’

That was enough.

* * *

The day before the New Year’s first dawn arrived.

The bell-ringing ceremony was planned for midnight.

Hundreds of commoners had gathered in front of Guanyin Pavilion, hoping to hear the sound a little more closely.

To Jeong-un, they looked like those somewhat better off.

To be able to linger in a distant place during this season was itself a sign of wealth or leisure.

The martial artists appeared excited as well. Most of the younger generation from renowned clans remained behind.

As for the disciples of the old sects, they’d already left as soon as the martial tournament was over.

Some among their elder members reportedly bid farewell to the abbot personally.

Even being an elder of an old sect meant one was a true giant in the martial world.

The fact that such elders met directly with the abbot was enough to get people excited.

Naturally, the biggest topic of conversation was the duel champion, Namgung Hui’s meeting with the abbot.

He reportedly spent more than an entire shijin alone with the abbot.

Some even said the abbot personally demonstrated a rare martial arts technique for him.

Everyone whispered about how much progress Namgung Hui might make from such an encounter.

’I’m sure it’ll be a huge help.’

Jeong-un recalled the abbot’s overwhelming aura.

There was no need to discuss martial arts—the mere presence of such a giant was enough to sharpen anyone’s senses.

After the monastery’s evening prayers ended, midnight approached.

Some monks had already gone to the bell tower after the evening meal.

Jeong-un had caught a glimpse while passing by— the brazen bell was enormous.

Its weight must have been tremendous.

Only those monks who’d mastered the Tendon Changing Classic could carry it to the bell pavilion atop the cliff.

”Shall we go?”

Standing at the entrance of the Hall of Standing in the Snow, Shin Soryeong waited.

When she spoke, Jeong-un nodded, and they began walking together.

Other martial artists surrounded them.

They, too, wanted to see the ceremony with their own eyes.

”I hear the bell sound itself is a refined sonic technique imbued with spiceremony and internal energy. Just listening is supposed to clear one’s worries. There’s a reason the villagers near Mount Song always have such bright faces.”

Gongsun Yeong, who had eventually started tagging along naturally with the group, piped up.

Even in the company of other martial artists whom she’d originally known, she stuck around now, apparently thinking herself close friends with them.

Jeong-un asked, ”Does it have any effect on martial artists?”

”To be honest, barely any. We’re on a different level of mental and physical discipline from commoners. If, after building up focused ki, one was still plagued with stray thoughts, they’re likely already beyond the point where a mere sonic technique could clear their head. Of course, that probably doesn’t apply to you, young hero.”

”I see.”

Jeong-un nodded at Shin Soryeong’s explanation. He hadn’t asked with any high hopes.

If listening to a bell could help one’s training, every sect in the land would have a bell in their home.

They strode lightly up the mountain.

The terrain was as rugged as rumored. Though the mountain wasn’t very high, it had several deep gorges.

’Nature itself can have such spirit.’

The mountain range was so majestic that Jeong-un could understand why Bodhidharma had founded his temple here in ancient times.

It felt as if meditating in such a place could wash away the world’s impurities.

At that moment, Shin Soryeong, hiking ahead, stopped.

”Here we are. Up on that cliff is the small bell pavilion. The monks have already hung the brazen bell.”

Having seen the ceremony several times due to her status, Shin Soryeong knew the perfect spot for viewing.

It truly was a prime location.

They stood on a spot like a small peak, slightly lower than the pavilion’s cliff.

From here, one could see the bell pavilion and surrounding monks perfectly, despite the rugged terrain.

The martial artists following Shin Soryeong staked out their own spots, some sitting comfortably on rocks, others on mats they’d brought in preparation.

And at last, the bell-ringing ceremony began.

The great brazen bell was so large that most found its sight overwhelming. The striker was also massive.

Ten monks trained in the Tendon Changing Classic grabbed the enormous striker suspended in the bell tower and stepped back.

Then, gathering mysterious energy, they swung forward and struck the bell.

DAEEEEEEEEEONG—!

”...!”

It was said to be rung a total of 108 times, meant to cleanse all human afflictions.

This was only the first toll, but already many in the crowd gasped in admiration.

”There’s an incredible amount of energy in that sound...”

”It’s as if the Buddha’s chants are condensed in every note.”

The sound resonated through the entire mountain range.

The wave of energy in the sound, infused with spiceremony power, rolled through the mountain valleys.

DAEEEEEEEEEONG—!

That was the second toll.

Everyone, as if by prior agreement, fell silent.

Even the usually talkative martial artists around Jeong-un wore overwhelmed expressions.

All simply closed their eyes and bowed their heads.

’Astonishing.’

The claim that the sound reached a hundred li was no exaggeration.

At this rate, it could travel even farther. No wonder commoners bowed their heads in front of Shaolin monks.

And then—it happened.

”...?”

As if prompted, everyone raised their heads a little. They looked at each other in confusion.

The ground, made of earth and stone, was subtly shaking.

”Is the ground moving...?”

As someone murmured this—

KUUUUUUNG─!

A deafening boom erupted.