About Two Years and Ten Months Later
Word had spread—a heavenly general, sent by the Jade Emperor himself, had descended upon the land and struck down a false sect that had deceived the people, banished the evil that corrupted hearts, and severed the head of the demon that lurked behind it all with a golden blade.
Guided by the lingering rumors, Gami and her family arrived in Hosan Village, only to be greeted with laughter whenever they asked about the tale. The villagers would all point toward Hyundo Temple and chuckle, "Just ask the little loudmouth monk up there."
At the temple gates, the venerable Mandun welcomed them personally. When Gami gently broached the subject of the Hojung Sect's fall, it was not Mandun but a young monk standing beside him who let out an audible sigh. Mandun clicked his tongue in mild reproach, scolding the boy for breaking his vow of silence without permission. But the youth—whose chin now sprouted the faint beginnings of a beard—was undeterred.
It was Nogani. And before long, he was eagerly recounting everything that had happened that day at Woonrak Falls.
Mandun could only sigh again, letting his young disciple ramble on, though his gaze, warm and full of pride, was that of a father more than a master.
"The devotees—no, the bandits—thought they heard celestial songs each morning from Guangdu's home. Turns out, it was all a spell cast by a fox that had lived over a century," Nogani explained, lifting the teacup meant for his master to wet his throat. "If it weren't for Master Goi, that creature would've carved my heart out like a melon!"
Thwack!
Mandun struck the boy lightly on the forehead with his bamboo clapper. It made more noise than pain. Nogani yelped in mock agony.
"Stick to the facts," the old monk said, shaking his head. "Leave out the exaggeration."
Laughter rippled through the room. Gami smiled and asked, "Then… you saw it? He raised the bronze gladius and revealed the demon?"
With a gleam in his eye, Nogani lifted the bamboo clapper like a sword and raised it to eye level. "Yes! Just like this—he held it up, and when the demon's reflection appeared in the blade…"
Zeali nodded solemnly. "So it was the sacred sword. I had my suspicions."
Little Dui chimed in, eyes wide. "Uncle, I was more amazed by the sword techniques he used. It was beautiful!"
Zeali chuckled. "That was part of our very own family's legacy—the Woo's Shadow Sword Art."
Dui gasped. "Then if I master the Woo's Shadow, I can become like Brother Goi too?"
Zeali tousled the boy's hair. "Only if you train every day, my clever little warrior."
Nogani tilted his head, unsure. "It feels odd for me to say, but…"
Mandun cleared his throat again. "Speak less," he said, not unkindly.
Gami waved her hand gently. "No, please, say whatever's on your mind."
Holding the bamboo clapper as if it were a real blade, Nogani said, "The way Master Goi used that bronze sword—it didn't look like any style I've seen."
He performed a slow movement with the clapper, tracing Goi's arc.
Zeali watched with interest. "Hmm? That's different… definitely not of the Woo's Shadow." He folded his arms thoughtfully. "But then again, our sword style wasn't created to fight demons and spirits. It makes sense."
Mandun gave the boy a long look. "If you spent as much time meditating as you did analyzing his swordplay, you wouldn't be so easily swept away by every wind."
Gami laughed again and asked, "Do you think he invented it himself? Or… was it taught to him?"
Before Nogani could reply, Sui interjected calmly. "Only Brother Goi can answer that, sister-in-law. Don't trust a word from this braggart."
The room burst into laughter again, and Nogani grinned sheepishly.
Still, Mandun's eyes lingered on his disciple with a familiar worry. Gami caught it and asked gently, "You're not thinking of running away again, are you?"
Nogani shook his head with conviction.
"I promised Master Goi. When my master returns to Amitabha, then I'll go see the world."
Mandun let out a mock sigh. "Then I'd best go meet Amitabha soon, hadn't I?"
The laughter that followed was full of warmth, echoing through the guest hall of Hyundo Temple, where Gami and her family spent a peaceful, joyful evening—safe beneath the mountain, and watched over by the Maitreya that walked among them once again.