Chapter 291: Convergence (1)
Heum-won (also known as Qinyuan, 欽原).
It is one of the Demonic Beasts (妖獸) of Mount Kunlun, with the upper body of a giant bird and the lower body of a hornet.
As with most Imae Mangryang, monsters' powers weaken during the day, but Heum-won's flying speed was incomparable to a galloping horse.
The pursuit team tried their best to chase Heum-won as it soared high into the sky, but in the end, they could only watch its gradually disappearing back.
"Damn it…"
"How are we supposed to chase that?"
In the first place, it was nearly impossible to catch something flying into the sky.
Stunned, they eventually had to turn back.
-Flap flap!
"It seems they can't catch up."
Mok Gyeong-un, who was watching the pursuit team receding into the distance with his excellent eyesight, said with a smile.
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Seop Chun clicked his tongue and asked.
"My lord. When did you tame such a bizarre creature?"
"Ah, this? I had a lucky opportunity at the association."
"You mean the Heaven and Earth Society?"
At Mok Gyeong-un's answer, Seop Chun and Mong Mu-yak's eyes widened.
As members of the Heaven and Earth Society, they had lived there for a long time but had never seen anything like this before.
Meanwhile, Six Offices Commander So Yerin took off the black mask she was wearing and spoke.
"Sir Mok is truly skilled in sorcery as well. Seeing that you even tamed such a monster."
"It was just luck."
"Can anyone tame something like this with just luck? Anyway, you, young master…"
Speaking, she flinched and grabbed the cart.
Heum-won had slightly banked to the side while increasing its altitude, causing her to lose balance.
Her gaze wavered as she looked down.
Although she seemed like someone who wouldn't fear anything, she unexpectedly appeared afraid of looking down from high up in the sky.
At this, the masked Embroidered Uniform Guard Ma Ra-hyeon asked with a worried expression.
"Six Offices Commander. Are you alri…"
"I'm fine! It's nothing."
Before Ma Ra-hyeon could finish his words, So Yerin hurriedly shook her head in denial.
Judging by the slight flush on her face, she seemed embarrassed to have shown fear while looking down.
As if reading his subordinate's mind, Ma Ra-hyeon turned his head away.
Then, he soon looked at the food waste container where the Holy Fire Priestess was.
Ma Ra-hyeon's gaze looking at it became strange.
At that moment,
-Click!
Mok Gyeong-un opened the lid of the food waste container.
As the lid opened, the Holy Fire Priestess, who had to infer the outside situation based on sound alone, asked Mok Gyeong-un with a puzzled expression.
"What happened?"
"As you can see, we succeeded in escaping."
"Succeeded?"
"Yes."
"Aaah!"
At those words, her face lit up.
The situation seemed to be progressing urgently, and she was curious about what had happened.
But hearing that they had successfully escaped, her emotions were beyond compare.
So, she, who had been crouching with only her head sticking out of the food waste, tried to stand up.
To her, Mok Gyeong-un said.
"I'd like to advise you to just stay still."
"Didn't you say we escaped? I've been inside since earlier, and my ears are ringing, and my stomach is churning uncomfortably, so here…"
At that moment, the Holy Fire Priestess's expression stiffened.
Looking up, she couldn't hide her astonishment at the sight of the huge talons gripping the cart and Heum-won's back.
"W-what in the world is this?"
"It's nothing much, should I say we're in a rather high place right now?"
"High place?"
"Yes. So it would be more comfortable for you to stay inside, right?"
"…Ah, I understand."
"Shall I close the lid for you?"
At those words, the Holy Fire Priestess, whose stomach was churning, soon nodded her head.
It seemed better to see nothing inside the food waste container rather than continue looking at this.
Mok Gyeong-un, who closed the lid with a smile, turned his gaze.
Ma Ra-hyeon, who made eye contact with Mok Gyeong-un, soon avoided his gaze as if flustered.
-Mortal, did you sense it too?
At Cheong-ryeong's words beside him, Mok Gyeong-un shrugged his shoulders.
He couldn't help but sense it.
Although he was sensitive to other things, Mok Gyeong-un could always detect killing intent like a ghost, no matter how much it was concealed.
He had long noticed that the faint killing intent emanating from Ma Ra-hyeon was directed towards the Holy Fire Priestess.
He didn't know the reason, but there seemed to be some emotional factor.
-It seems we shouldn't leave them together.
-That's right.
-By the way, to think of utilizing the Demonic Beast Heum-won like this, you're really something else.
-Should I say it was improvisation?
-Thanks to that improvisation, you finally managed to escape the Imperial Palace. To the point of even using the Golden Nine-Tailed Fox, your audacity is truly commendable, Mortal.
Mok Gyeong-un chuckled at her words as she clicked her tongue.
Heum-won was a contingency plan prepared for the worst-case scenario, but the Golden Nine-Tailed Fox could be considered a stroke of luck.
It was fortunate that the Golden Nine-Tailed Fox helped them out of her usual whim; otherwise, they might have really been caught by the Southern Pacification Commissioner Gu Seong-baek, known as one of the Six Heavens.
-Grip!
Mok Gyeong-un clenched his trembling left fist.
Although his regenerative ability wasn't as great as Dam Baek-ha the Sixth Blood Saint, who had consumed the blood of a spiritual creature, his recovery was fast, so strength gradually returned to his hand.
Seeing this, Mok Gyeong-un let out a faint sigh.
Even after absorbing the immense demonic power of the Golden Nine-Tailed Fox and gaining some enlightenment, the wall called the Six Heavens, known as the pinnacle of the martial arts world, was indeed vast.
'There's still a long way to go.'
There was a high probability that those who killed his grandfather were part of a huge organization.
To investigate them, he either needed to build a force or possess overwhelming martial power, but judging from this fight, Mok Gyeong-un concluded that he was still lacking.
However, there was no need for disappointment.
Through this fight, he learned the extent of the Six Heavens' martial prowess and gained various insights and lessons from it.
'The ways to manipulate Qi are endless.'
He closely observed how someone who had completely crossed the wall of walls utilized Qi.
As a result, he vaguely grasped his method of manipulation.
If he utilized this, it seemed he could manipulate Qi more effectively than now.
-Ssk!
As Mok Gyeong-un slightly moved his finger, the hilt of the Evil Commandment Sword sheathed in the scabbard faintly trembled.
At this, the corners of Mok Gyeong-un's mouth rose.
It was at that moment.
-Mortal.
-…
-Mortal.
-Yes?
-You… are you going to abandon that baldhead and leave?
-!?
The baldhead Cheong-ryeong was referring to was none other than the Shaolin's expelled monk, Demon-Subduing Fist Warrior Ja Geum-jeong.
Amidst the complications and the need to mobilize Heum-won, he had momentarily forgotten about him.
Originally, the overall plan was to pull the food waste cart outside the outer palace and then use the carriage prepared by Ja Geum-jeong to escape Kaifeng.
However, as they unintentionally escaped using Heum-won, they ended up leaving Ja Geum-jeong behind.
-Ah… I forgot.
-It seems so.
-Well, it can't be helped.
-Huh?
-It's not like we can go back now…
Mok Gyeong-un glanced at So Yerin.
Because of the sudden appearance of the Southern Pacification Commissioner Gu Seong-baek, she also ended up leaving the Imperial Palace, but she ultimately had to return.
Therefore, it seemed he had to ask her to tell Ja Geum-jeong to come separately.
At that moment, Cheong-ryeong suddenly spoke with an exasperated expression.
-You don't need to do that.
-What do you mean by that?
-Look below.
At Cheong-ryeong's words, Mok Gyeong-un looked down at the ground in puzzlement.
With Mok Gyeong-un's eyes, which were far superior to ordinary people's vision, he could see a dot-like figure moving on the underbrush that looked as small as a tuft of hair, and he could also hear a faint sound.
The sound of Heum-won flying and the wind made it difficult to hear, but when he focused on his hearing, he could hear that faint sound.
-Yaaaaa! Can't you hear meeeee!
A voice shouting with inner energy reverberated upward.
The owner of that voice, shouting at the top of his lungs, was none other than Demon-Subduing Fist Warrior Ja Geum-jeong.
***
In a secluded forest nearby.
"Huff… huff…"
The expelled monk Ja Geum-jeong, his face drenched in sweat, stuck out his tongue and exhaled roughly.
Although he had drawn the surrounding energy to endure, he had exhausted all his stamina trying to catch up with the flying Heum-won.
This was the first time since mastering martial arts that he felt like he would die from using lightness skills.
To him, Mok Gyeong-un said with a smile.
"You followed well."
"Huff… huff… damn… My lord… you told me to prepare a carriage and wait… huff huff… what kind of act is it to abandon this baldhead?"
"Ah. I didn't abandon you. It turned out that way due to unavoidable circumstances."
"Unavoidable circumstances? What could possibly…"
-Pak!
At that moment, Seop Chun elbowed his side and whispered in his ear.
"You'll be surprised if you know what we went through."
"Surprised?"
"Just listen quietly. Actually…"
Seop Chun briefly explained what had happened during the escape from the outer palace.
Listening to this, the expelled monk Ja Geum-jeong's eyes widened as he retorted.
"What? You fought against the Northern Blade King Gu Seong-baek?"
"No. I told you to just listen quietly, so why are you asking again?"
Seop Chun shrugged his shoulders as if in a predicament.
However, despite that, he seemed quite proud.
That was understandable because the person he had chosen as his master, Mok Gyeong-un, had confronted the Southern Pacification Commissioner Gu Seong-baek, known as one of the Six Heavens (六天), the pinnacle of the current martial arts world, and even inflicted injuries on him, albeit in a joint attack.
This couldn't be dismissed as mere luck.
It was a tremendous feat against a supreme master at the level of a great sage who had crossed the wall of walls and reached the realm of the Profound Realm.
If this spread to others, no, to the martial arts world, Mok Gyeong-un's reputation would also rise.
Who knows, he might even become renowned as a rising master.
'Ah…'
For a moment, Seop Chun licked his lips.
Come to think of it, Mok Gyeong-un was considered dead in the Imperial Palace.
Therefore, regrettably, it seemed unlikely that his reputation would spread due to this incident.
It was an opportunity to gain a reputation comparable to the Eight Stars, surpassing the promising later-generation masters, but it was a pity that it had to be thoroughly concealed since it was a mission related to the Imperial Palace.
Meanwhile, Ja Geum-jeong asked Mok Gyeong-un in an excited voice.
"No, My lord. Did you really confront one of the Six Heavens?"
"Hey, baldhead."
"What?"
Suddenly hearing someone calling him, the expelled monk Ja Geum-jeong turned his head with a fierce expression.
The person who called him was Dam Baek-ha the Sixth Blood Saint.
"Did you just call me baldhead?"
"Are you displeased when others call you that even though you refer to yourself as baldhead?"
"What?"
"Judging by the way you address Sir Mok as your lord, it seems you are his subordinate, so what kind of way of speaking is that, you brat?"
"No, does this nun have a death wish to go to paradise so soon? With that beggar-like appearance, who are you calling a brat…"
-Pak!
Before he could finish his words, Dam Baek-ha revealed her energy.
-Gooooo!
"If I can't call you a young brat, then what should I call you?"
Sensing this, Ja Geum-jeong flinched for a moment.
That was understandable because just from the revealed energy alone, he could tell that her inner energy was far superior to his own.
'What the? This nun?'
Just looking at her revealed energy, it reminded him of his master, the Shaolin's Sutra Pavilion Grand Monk Gong-jeon, to the extent that her inner energy was very profound.
Who the hell was this woman?
While he was puzzled,
At that moment, someone knelt down in front of Six Offices Commander So Yerin with a thud.
It was none other than the masked Embroidered Uniform Guard Ma Ra-hyeon.
At Ma Ra-hyeon's attitude, So Yerin's eyes were filled with bewilderment.
"What… are you saying right now?"
"…It's exactly as I said. I don't think I can return to the Imperial Palace with the Six Offices Commander."
293: Chapter 292: Convergence (2)
-Slap!
The boy curled up like a shrimp as the whip struck him.
With the continuous whipping, the boy's clothes gradually became stained with blood.
The face of the boy, who had been screaming, twisted like an evil spirit as if resenting everything in the world.
'What… what did I do wrong?'
He was simply born a mixed-blood.
But is this a sin?
Just because he doesn't have black eyes and his skin is a bit fairer, does he have to suffer discrimination and disregard like this?
He didn't know how things had come to this.
-Slap! Slap!
[Damn mixed-eye, die! Die! Someone like you is better off dead!]
With the continuous verbal abuse and whipping, the boy's mixed eyes trembled.
Beyond pain and suffering, anger began to overtake reason, and it soon overflowed with murderous intent.
'I'll kill you. I'll kill you.'
The restraints on his arms didn't matter.
It would end if he just bit off that bastard's neck with his teeth.
The boy, driven by rage, watched for an opportunity with the eyes of a hawk.
Then, when the hand that had been whipping him momentarily stopped from exhaustion,
"Aaargh!"
With a scream, he charged at the slave trader who had been whipping him.
There was only one goal.
To bite off that damn bastard's neck.
Even if he died on the spot, he was determined to kill that one bastard…
-Thud!
However, before he could reach him, someone's kick tripped him, and he fell.
The one who knocked him down was the slave trader's bodyguard.
[How dare you, damn blue-eyed bastard, lunge at someone!]
-Thud!
The slave trader stomped on the fallen boy with bloodshot eyes.
He didn't care whether the boy lived or died.
He was only focused on venting his anger.
-Thud thud!
-Grip!
It was too painful, but the boy bit his lips tightly and endured his groans.
He thought showing his suffering would only help the slave trader vent his anger.
-Thud thud!
'Would it be better… to die like this?'
As his consciousness gradually faded from the pain, he wished for death.
It was that moment.
-Chak! Thud! Roll roll!
Then, something rolled in front of the boy.
[Y-you bitch…]
-Chak!
Hot liquid splattered and soaked the boy's body.
The boy, who had been curled up, slowly raised his head in puzzlement.
His eyes saw something surprising.
It was the head of the slave trader with bloodshot eyes, as if unaware that his neck had been cut off.
What the hell just happened?
The boy, who had been dazed while looking at the bastard's severed head, soon raised his head and looked at someone standing in front of him.
It was a beautiful girl with red hair fluttering like blood.
The girl flicked the blood off her sword onto the ground, glanced at the boy once, and then tried to leave the tent.
He didn't know why she did it.
The boy, who had been stunned, soon staggered up in a hurry, ran to the girl, and shouted.
[P-please take me with you too.]
***
[P-please take me with you too!]
The eyes of the masked Embroidered Uniform Guard Thousand-men Commander Ma Ra-hyeon, who suddenly recalled his first encounter with the Embroidered Uniform Guard Six Offices Commander So Yerin, trembled faintly with a complex state of mind.
She was his savior who had rescued his life from falling into the abyss and his master who had taught him martial arts.
She had accepted him without any prejudice, and now he was telling her that he would leave her side, so just parting his lips felt heavy.
He didn't want to disappoint anyone else, but especially not her, his master.
At that moment, So Yerin spoke.
"…Why? Why can't you return to the Imperial Palace?"
"I apologize, Young Miss."
"Don't just say you're sorry, tell me the reason."
"Young Miss."
"I told you to state the reason."
Although she was speaking gently as usual, Ma Ra-hyeon, who had been with her for a long time, felt a faint agitation in her voice.
With a heavy heart, Ma Ra-hyeon hesitated and opened his mouth.
"The Southern Pacification Commissioner saw me. If I return, I will become a traitor."
It was a justification he had thought of in advance.
No, it was not just a justification but also the truth from the beginning.
Unlike her, whose face was covered with a mask, he had acted in his original identity to safely pass them through the outer palace, so he was in a position where he could not return to the Imperial Palace.
If he were to return, he would be immediately caught by the Southern Pacification Commissioner.
Although his face had not been exposed, it could cast suspicion on his master So Yerin, who had entered the Embroidered Uniform Guard together with him.
"I apologize. I cannot become a burden to you, Young Miss."
"Who says you're a burden? Do you think I can't protect you?"
"…I will become a shackle on your ankles."
"It doesn't matter. I will protect you in any way…"
"I have already made my decision."
"Decision? Is it your decision to leave me on your own…"
"No. I'm not just leaving."
"What?"
"I wish to serve Sir Mok Gyeong-un here as my master."
'!?'
At Ma Ra-hyeon's words, So Yerin's expression stiffened.
Ma Ra-hyeon was an upright and loyal man.
He had been with her for a long time, so he was not only her disciple but also a colleague and like a younger brother.
Now, without any warning, he said he would leave her side and enter under someone else, so she couldn't help but be confused.
"Wh… why…"
At her reaction, Ma Ra-hyeon felt a pang in his heart.
However, he soon gathered his thoughts and spoke.
"I apologize. Sir Mok Gyeong-un saved me when I was about to die from blood poison. So I wish to dedicate my remaining life to serving him."
"…"
At his words, So Yerin closed her mouth.
If he simply said he would leave because his identity was exposed and it would be a problem, they could have devised various means such as a human skin mask.
However, if this was the reason, she couldn't hold him back.
No, if she held him back, it would be disregarding Ma Ra-hyeon's decision.
"Commander Ma… no, Ma Ra-hyeon."
"Young Miss… I apolo…"
"Enough. Why should that be something to apologize for? How can I stop you when you say you want to repay a debt of gratitude?"
'Ah, Young Miss.'
Ma Ra-hyeon, who had been bowing his head, closed his eyes.
He still did not think he had fully repaid the favor he had received from her.
However, the one who knew the truth about his father's death, which had long remained a lump in his heart, was right there.
If he missed this opportunity, it might never come again.
'If… if there is another chance, I will surely repay your kindness.'
She was his master who had allowed him, a mixed-blood, to live like a human being.
Leaving her like this, he had no desire to return to her side again.
He just wanted to repay her kindness in any way possible.
Meanwhile, So Yerin approached Mok Gyeong-un, clasped her hands together in salute, and said.
"Young master. Then, I cannot be away for long, so I will return to the Imperial Palace now."
"Ah. Of course you should."
"If I learn any information about the mark, I ask that we meet. Of course, I will also share any information I come across."
"I will do so."
"Then I wish you good fortune."
With those words, she was about to turn and leave, but she paused for a moment, then turned her head and said to Mok Gyeong-un.
"Please take good care of Ma Ra-hyeon."
At her request, Mok Gyeong-un shrugged his shoulders.
Accepting this as a sign of affirmation, So Yerin smiled bitterly and soon looked at Dam Baek-ha the Sixth Blood Saint.
Then, Dam Baek-ha also clasped her hands in salute to Mok Gyeong-un, then tore off a piece of her clothing and handed it over.
The piece of clothing had the prisoner number [126] engraved on it.
"What is this for?"
"Thanks to you, Sir, the successor of the Elder, I was able to come out into the world again like this. I will never forget this great favor you have shown me."
"I didn't intend it, so you don't need to be so grateful."
"Even so, if it weren't for you, Sir, I would have never been able to come out. That fact remains unchanged."
At her words, Mok Gyeong-un smacked his lips and said.
"Well, if you feel that way, as a sign of gratitude, that suggestion…"
"That is a skill that only the owner of our sect and clan can learn, so I cannot teach it to you."
Before Mok Gyeong-un could finish his words, Dam Baek-ha flatly refused.
Mok Gyeong-un, who had intended to ask her for the formula for casting the suggestion, licked his lips as if disappointed.
It was quite an interesting technique, so he wanted to know the exact formula.
Dam Baek-ha, who had handed over the piece of clothing, pointed to it with her eyes and said to the disappointed Mok Gyeong-un.
"Even so, how could I not repay the favor? I intend to go to the Four Leagues Alliance, where the successors of our cult are said to gather for the reconstruction of the cult. If there is any work that needs to be done, even if inadequate, send this. I will rush to assist you in a single breath."
At her words, Mok Gyeong-un smiled.
Although she expressed herself as inadequate, she was a tremendous master close to the realm of the Profound.
Such a master said she would rush to help whenever requested, so he had gained a useful card.
***
So Yerin and Dam Baek-ha the Sixth Blood Saint went their separate ways.
When they had left and their presence had completely disappeared, Mok Gyeong-un chuckled and soon turned his gaze to Ma Ra-hyeon and said.
"Now that they're gone, shall we hear the real reason?"
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Ma Ra-hyeon's eyes narrowed through the gaps in his mask.
His eyes were filled with bewilderment.
"What are you talking about…"
"You can't lie to me."
-Smolder!
With these words, Mok Gyeong-un raised his demonic energy.
At that moment, Ma Ra-hyeon's pupils turned black with demonic energy, and he unconsciously revealed his inner thoughts, which he had been trying to hide.
"Because of that damn old hag you abducted from the prison, my mother and that damn father of mine died."
'!?'
-Pak!
As soon as he finished speaking, Seop Chun and Mong Mu-yak hurriedly blocked the space between him and Holy Fire Priestess.
Their goal was to safely bring Holy Fire Priestess to the Heaven and Earth Society.
However, if the purpose of this masked Embroidered Uniform Guard Ma Ra-hyeon, who had pledged loyalty to Mok Gyeong-un, was to take revenge on her, they should never let him get close.
"What? Weren't we on the same side?"
The expelled monk Ja Geum-jeong, who had read the atmosphere, also raised his energy and prepared to intervene at any moment.
At that moment, the Holy Fire Priestess staggered with a perplexed look.
'This can't be…'
She had a suspicion when she saw Ma Ra-hyeon's mixed eyes.
However, with his recent words, she could be certain of his identity.
She spoke in a trembling voice.
"A-are you the son of Priest Mayera?"
"Shut up!"
Then, Ma Ra-hyeon roughly tore off his mask and shouted at her.
Despite his pupils being dyed black with demonic energy, his emotions had somehow become agitated.
"Mayera Hyeon…"
"I told you to shut that mouth!"
Ma Ra-hyeon yelled and tried to launch his body towards her.
At that moment, someone pressed down on his shoulder.
-Grip!
Ma Ra-hyeon tried to draw out his inner energy to shake it off, but the other person's inner energy was so strong that he was forced to kneel on one knee.
-Thud!
'Wh-who? Ah!'
He wondered who it was, but it was none other than Mok Gyeong-un.
Mok Gyeong-un, who had placed both hands on his shoulders, smiled and said.
"It's troublesome if you act recklessly. Regardless of your circumstances, I didn't have you take her out so you could do as you please."
Although he spoke casually, this was a clear warning.
If he applied a little more force to his hands, it seemed it would not end with just crushing his shoulders.
At this, Ma Ra-hyeon endured the pain and opened his mouth.
"My lord… if you… leave… the disposal… of that… damn… old hag… to me… I will… pledge… my loyalty… to you… with… my life…"
"Are you negotiating?"
"I… will be… more helpful… to you… than that… old hag…"
At his words, Mok Gyeong-un scoffed and sneered.
Then, he leaned close to his ear and whispered.
"You value yourself quite highly."
"My lord… it's true. I can lay down my life for you as much as…"
"That's unfortunate."
"What do you mean?"
"The value of something changes depending on the situation. Thousand-men Commander Ma Ra-hyeon was quite useful in the Imperial Palace, but right now, that person is more valuable to me."
"My lord!"
"So let's make this clear right here."
-Grip!
Mok Gyeong-un's grip tightened.
A small groan escaped Ma Ra-hyeon's mouth from the pain that felt like his shoulders would shatter.
"Ugh."
"I hope you erase the thought of touching that person from your mind until my business is finished."
"Haa… haa…"
"I quite like Thousand-men Commander Ma. But if you ignore my kind warning, I'm afraid I'll have no choice but to personally carry out the weeping beheading of Ma Su."
Weeping Beheading of Ma Su.
It refers to the anecdote where Zhuge Liang, a military strategist of the Shu Kingdom, beheaded his cherished general Ma Su with a sorrowful heart to enforce military discipline after Ma Su suffered a major defeat by disobeying orders.
It also meant that no matter how outstanding a talent, if they disobey orders and rules, they will not be forgiven.
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Ma Ra-hyeon said nothing.
Seeing this, Mong Mu-yak and Seop Chun were inwardly worried.
'If Holy Fire Priestess is no different from the enemy of his parents, will that Embroidered Uniform Guard master simply accept his lord's warning?'
'If he's going to be a variable, it would be better to separate them now rather than just warn him.'
He is someone who left his original companions and chose revenge.
Would such a person obediently follow his master's orders?
At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un removed his hands from Ma Ra-hyeon's shoulders, which he had been pressing down.
'Ah…'
Is he really going to let it pass with just this level of warning?
It was that instant.
-Thud!
Then, Ma Ra-hyeon suddenly knelt on one knee in front of Mok Gyeong-un, clasped his hands together in salute, and bowed his head respectfully.
Then, he spoke politely with his head bowed.
"Ma Ra-hyeon wishes to serve Sir Mok Gyeong-un as his master. I will stay by your side with my life and pledge my loyalty, so please keep your promise."
'Huh?'
'What is this?'
The two couldn't hide their bewilderment at his sudden pledge of loyalty.
They thought he would harbor resentment for forcibly stopping his revenge, but he suddenly pledged his loyalty.
But what promise was he referring to at the end?
Did his lord make some kind of promise?
They couldn't understand what was going on.
While pledging his loyalty with his head bowed like that, Mok Gyeong-un's words echoed in Ma Ra-hyeon's mind.
[I hope you erase the thought of touching that person from your mind until my business is finished.]
The premise was 'until my business is finished.'
Mok Gyeong-un patted Ma Ra-hyeon's shoulder and spoke with a sardonic smile.
"I like that you're quick-witted."
294: Chapter 293: Convergence (3)
-Anyhow, you're really shrewd.
Mok Gyeong-un shrugged his shoulders at Cheong-ryeong's words.
Although she expressed it as shrewd, if he hadn't laid out the premise like this, there was no knowing what Ma Ra-hyeon, burning with a desire for revenge, might have done.
Rather than creating an unnecessary variable, it was better to promise a carrot like this.
At least in order to obtain the carrot, he wouldn't be able to think of anything else.
-Still, I provided an opportunity, so you should say I'm kind.
-Kind? What if there's no more opportunity after this?
Mok Gyeong-un smiled silently at Cheong-ryeong's words.
It was just as she said.
Once he obtained all the desired information from the Holy Fire Priestess, he would hand her over to the Heaven and Earth Society Leader for a meeting.
The leader of the Heaven and Earth Society was one of the Six Heavens.
Even if he was bedridden, if the Holy Fire Priestess fell into the hands of the leader, a supreme master at the level of a great sage, the opportunity like now might become distant for Ma Ra-hyeon.
Of course, for Mok Gyeong-un, that was not something to be particularly concerned about.
-Ssk!
Mok Gyeong-un turned his head and looked at the Holy Fire Priestess.
After finding out who Ma Ra-hyeon was, she had an inexplicably anxious look.
'We need to get out of Kaifeng first.'
There was quite a bit he wanted to ask the Holy Fire Priestess.
However, this place was not far from the imperial capital Kaifeng, so there was a risk of pursuit.
In a situation where So Yerin and Dam Baek-ha the Sixth Blood Saint were not present, if the Southern Pacification Commissioner Gu Seong-baek, one of the Six Heavens, appeared, it would be difficult to handle at the moment.
So, Mok Gyeong-un said to everyone.
"Let's get out of Henan first. Everyone, get on the cart."
"Understood."
"Yes, Young Master."
"Ooh. Can we ride that giant bizarre bird?"
"…It's not something to be so happy about."
Everyone was about to get on the cart, which had become more spacious with the removal of the food waste containers and the reduction in numbers, when Holy Fire Priestess approached Mok Gyeong-un and spoke in a small voice.
"Disciple of Elder Ya-seon."
"That's a long form of address. Just call me Mok Gyeong-un."
"Mok Gyeong-un?"
"Yes."
"I understand. Brother Mok. Are we going to ride this bizarre bird to move?"
"Yes."
"Can't we just get a horse?"
"Even if it's okay, how can we get a horse in this deep mountain valley? And we're not far from Kaifeng, so if we don't hurry, we might be caught by the pursuit team. Is that alright?"
"Ah…"
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, the Holy Fire Priestess looked at the Demonic Beast Heum-won with a pale face.
Although it was fast, relying on the talons of that giant monster to fly in the sky was not a very pleasant memory.
However, since there was no other choice, she had no option but to accept it.
"Well, shall we go then? If it's difficult to just ride the cart, you can stay inside the food waste container again."
"…I understand. But before that, Brother Mok. I have something to say."
"Something to say?"
"That's right. Elder Ya-seon must have made arrangements, but before that, we need to find the sacred orb."
"Sacred orb… Come to think of it, what is that sacred orb?"
He was curious about what it was anyway.
Both the organization of the mark and the Embroidered Uniform Guard had tried to find that so-called sacred orb under orders from above.
If it weren't an important item, they wouldn't have gone to such lengths to target it.
Holy Fire Priestess glanced at those sitting on Mok Gyeong-un's cart, then leaned close to his ear and whispered.
"It's the Holy Fire."
"…Holy Fire?"
"Didn't you hear from Elder Ya-seon?"
"No, I only received instructions to abduct the Holy Fire Priestess from the underground prison of the Imperial Palace."
"Ah. Elder Ya-seon taught well according to the doctrine."
'Doctrine?'
Listening to her words, it seemed that only a portion of the followers of the Fire Faith Order knew about that Holy Fire.
Holy Fire Priestess spoke to Mok Gyeong-un in a secretive voice.
"Originally, it's too early, but since Brother Mok will succeed Elder Ya-seon, I'll tell you. Without the Holy Fire, this old one cannot receive revelation."
"Revelation, could it be?"
"The foresight you know is precisely the revelation."
'Ho.'
Interest glinted in Mok Gyeong-un's eyes at her words.
He had guessed that the sacred orb might be related to foresight abilities, but it seemed to be true.
So, Mok Gyeong-un asked in a small voice.
"Can you not receive revelation without the sacred orb?"
"The sacred orb is a sacred object passed down through generations in our cult. Only with it can we receive the revelation of the sacred fire and open the path."
"If it grants revelation, it must be essential."
"That's right. Also, only with the Holy Fire can we gather the believers again, and the incarnation that has appeared in the present world… No. This much, you don't need to know yet."
'Incarnation?'
Mok Gyeong-un's eyes narrowed.
Was the incarnation she mentioned referring to what was written in the language of the Persian Kingdom that the Shadow Clan Master Hwan Ya-seon possessed?
[Beware, for the incarnation of Ahriman shall appear in the present world.]
He didn't know what that incarnation was, but it seemed to be a very important revelation for both the Shadow Clan Master Hwan Ya-seon and the followers of the Fire Faith Order.
Of course, Mok Gyeong-un had no interest in this.
His only concern was to find out who killed his grandfather and the mastermind behind it.
However, it seemed he had to find the so-called sacred orb.
There must be more than just wanting to see her for the leader of the Heaven and Earth Society to send someone to the underground prison of the Imperial Palace to abduct Holy Fire Priestess.
It must be related to that foresight ability.
'It will be necessary.'
A Holy Fire Priestess without foresight ability would be no more than half a person.
The leader wouldn't acknowledge her either.
So, Mok Gyeong-un asked.
"That sacred orb, no, where is the Holy Fire?"
"I entrusted it to my granddaughter."
She had a granddaughter?
Well, if she wasn't living alone at such an old age, she was old enough to have grandchildren.
"I see, then where is your granddaughter?"
"I asked a favor from the head of that family, who has long been connected with this old one. It's a martial arts family in the martial arts world, so you, a martial artist, should know if you hear it."
"A martial arts family in the martial arts world? Where is it?"
"The Tang Family of Sichuan."
'!?'
***
The Tang Family of Sichuan.
It is a martial arts family consisting only of the Tang clan bloodline and one of the Seven Great Families of the martial arts world.
The Tang Family of Sichuan, renowned for their hidden weapons, Golden Silkworm Hands, and poison, boasts the greatest power and influence among the Seven Great Families, along with the Mo-Yong Family and the Namgoong Family.
-Flap flap!
Mong Mu-yak, who was holding onto the shaking cart caught by Heum-won's talons, spoke to Mok Gyeong-un in a worried voice.
"My lord… The Tang Family of Sichuan belongs to the Righteous Alliance. Will it be alright?"
For him, who had only heard the destination after ascending into the sky, he couldn't help but be concerned.
The mission in the Imperial Palace was also dangerous, but at least it was no different from a neutral zone, so they could focus solely on the abduction.
However, if it was the Tang Family of Sichuan, the situation changed.
The Tang Family of Sichuan belonged to the Righteous Alliance, so they were completely at odds with the Heaven and Earth Society.
That meant they would be entering enemy territory.
Moreover,
"Not only the Tang Family, but Sichuan Province is completely the territory of the Righteous Alliance. With the Qingsheng Sect, Dianchang Sect, and Emei Sect present, if we make a slight mistake, the Heaven's Net Earth's Web may unfold."
Heaven's Net Earth's Web.
It refers to a large-scale encirclement and pursuit formation deployed by over a thousand martial artists.
This formation, which is difficult to escape from due to its vast encirclement net, exerts pressure to the extent of not allowing any room for energy circulation or recovery of physical strength once caught.
If the Heaven's Net Earth's Web alone was like this, it would be even worse if the Tang Family of Sichuan, skilled in poison arts and hidden weapons, were involved.
"It doesn't seem very good."
"…It's dangerous. Even if there's no enlightened grandmaster at the level of a great sage like the Six Heavens in the Imperial Palace, the Tang Family of Sichuan has Tang In-hae, known to be comparable to them in terms of killing techniques, and he is one of the Eight Stars."
Tang In-hae of the Thousand Poison Hands.
He was a master who, along with Guyang Sa-oh of the Eight Poison Snake Staff, had reached the realm of the Poison Man, said to be the highest level of poison arts, among the known poison masters in the Central Plains and beyond.
It was no exaggeration to say that poison arts, which followed a different path from ordinary martial arts, were specialized solely in destruction and death.
Therefore, going to the Tang Family of Sichuan was particularly daunting.
Seop Chun also seemed to agree, as he chimed in.
"This is where Mu-yak is right. In a sense, the Tang Family of Sichuan may be even more dangerous than the Imperial Palace. My lord, how about reconsidering?"
"Reconsider. Even so, what choice do we have? If we don't have that so-called sacred orb, it may not be in the state the society leader desires."
"However, the order given by the society leader did not include that sacred orb. Moreover, unlike the Imperial Palace mission, we are not prepared for the trip to the Tang Family of Sichuan."
At Seop Chun's words, the expelled monk Ja Geum-jeong, who had been listening quietly, took a sip from his gourd and spoke.
"Gulp. What are you so afraid of? We're not going there to fight, but to fetch that old nun's granddaughter."
"It's a difference in position. The Righteous Alliance and our association are enemies. We don't need justification to fight."
"If that's the case, there's no other way, but if you're really worried, shall this baldhead accompany that old nun and go?"
"What?"
"Since the news of this baldhead serving Young Master Mok here hasn't spread yet, it shouldn't matter if I go, right?"
"…"
Seop Chun stared intently at Ja Geum-jeong.
Is he being serious?
The expelled monk Ja Geum-jeong is known as one of the Three Madmen.
The reason is that regardless of the righteous faction or the evil faction, he committed eccentric acts and received the nickname of a madman.
If he tried to enter the Tang Family of Sichuan, would they let him in nicely?
"…Hey. Do you really think the Tang Family of Sichuan will let you in?"
"Gulp. Well, if I'm unlucky, they might kick me out."
It seemed he was aware of his own notoriety to some extent.
Seop Chun let out a deep sigh and soon spoke to Mok Gyeong-un.
"My lord, please…"
It was before he could finish his words.
-Gasp!
Mok Gyeong-un suddenly drew the Evil Commandment Sword he had been carrying at his waist.
-Ssrng!
"M-My lord?"
Puzzled by the sudden drawing of the sword, Mok Gyeong-un soon leaped onto the cart's handle and swung his sword downward.
Then, sharp Sword Intent arose from the sword and slashed through the air.
-Pakang!
As something collided with the Sword Intent, metallic sounds and blue sparks scattered as it shattered.
It was unknown what it was, but it was clear that it had flown from below.
"What is it?"
"A pursuit team?"
Surprised by this, Seop Chun, Mong Mu-yak, and Ma Ra-hyeon stuck their heads out and looked down below the cart.
But it was at that moment.
From below, something flashed here and there and rushed towards them.
It was something blunt and short to be called an arrow.
What it was targeting was none other than,
'Heum-won?'
At this, Mok Gyeong-un shouted at Heum-won.
"Dodge it!"
At Mok Gyeong-un's shout, Heum-won glanced down, and rather than dodging, it tried to deflect the incoming objects with a gust of wind like the arrows in the Imperial Palace.
-Paaang!
As Heum-won's giant wingbeat created a tremendous whirlwind, the rushing objects were soon deflected downward.
It was the moment when they thought most of the objects had been deflected.
-Ssk!
Something pierced through the whirlwind created by the wingbeat and flew towards Heum-won's torso.
Just as it was about to make contact, Mok Gyeong-un leaped up and slashed it with the Evil Commandment Sword.
-Chaeng-gang!
The slashed object coincidentally fell onto the cart.
Seeing the halved object that had fallen, everyone couldn't identify what it was due to its peculiar shape.
However, there was someone who recognized it.
It was the expelled monk Ja Geum-jeong.
This was none other than,
"Vajra?"
Vajra.
It is a ritual implement used by monks of the Buddhist sect when cultivating the Buddhist way or subduing demons, symbolizing the mind of enlightenment that shatters human afflictions.
'Could it be?'
Startled upon seeing this, Ja Geum-jeong tried to look down below the cart.
But before he could do so, two more vajras flew in, and one of them pierced through Heum-won's right wing.
-Splat!
As the vajra pierced its wing, Heum-won let out a scream.
-Kee-keh-keh-keh-keh-kek!
'Couldn't block one.'
He had blocked one of the two flying vajras by throwing the Evil Commandment Sword.
However, the other one flew towards the completely opposite wing, leaving no room for any action.
Mok Gyeong-un made a gesture of reaching out his hand and pulling.
Then, the flying Evil Commandment Sword changed direction and flew back towards Mok Gyeong-un.
-Pak!
It was the moment he grasped the sword.
-Ooooh!
From Heum-won's right wing, which had been screaming, a solemn energy that had never been felt before flowed out, and a strange sound rang in their ears.
-Om somani somani hum arihanna arihanna hum arihanna banaya hum banaya hum baa-bam baa-
It was a bizarre phenomenon.
How could the sound be heard so clearly?
While he was puzzled by this, the expelled monk Ja Geum-jeong shouted urgently.
"My lord! It's the demon-subduing mantra of the demon-subduing monks!"
295: Chapter 294: Shaolin Temple (1)
Om somani somani hum arihanna arihanna hum arihanna banaya hum banaya hum baa-bam baa-ra hum ba-tak.
The solemn sound of chanting the sutra.
It was the demon-subduing mantra used by the Buddhist sect to subjugate demons.
At the mention of the demon-subduing mantra, Ma Ra-hyeon spoke with widened eyes.
"Demon-subduing mantra? Isn't that a Buddhist scripture? Could it be…"
"Damn bizarre bird. Of all places it could fly, how dare it fly above Shaolin as a monster?"
'!!!!!!'
At the expelled monk Ja Geum-jeong's words, everyone couldn't hide their bewilderment.
'Sh-Shaolin?'
It was a very coincidental occurrence.
In order to find Holy Fire Priestess's granddaughter, who was said to be holding the sacred orb, they had to head towards the Tang Family of Sichuan, so the Demonic Beast Heum-won flew southwest from the imperial capital Kaifeng.
However, no one had predicted this.
On the southwest route from the imperial capital Kaifeng, there was Mount Songshan, one of the Five Great Mountains and the Central Mountain.
If this were just an ordinary mountain, there wouldn't be any particular problem, but on Mount Songshan, there was the Shaolin Temple, known as the holy land of Buddhism and the birthplace of the Righteous and Martial Way.
"Damn it."
A rough sound escaped Seop Chun's mouth.
Even if luck was bad, how could this happen?
Among so many places, who would have thought they would get entangled with the Shaolin Temple, known as the center of the righteous path, in this manner?
Meanwhile,
-Om somani somani hum arihanna arihanna hum arihanna banaya hum banaya hum baa-bam baa-ra hum ba-tak.
The sound of chanting the demon-subduing mantra grew louder.
Then, Heum-won, whose right wing had already been struck by the ritual implement, the vajra, screamed in pain and twisted its body.
-Kee-keh-keh-keh-keh-kek!
"Whoa!"
"E-everyone, hold onto the cart!"
As Heum-won twisted its body and the cart also tilted, everyone panicked and grabbed onto various parts of the cart.
"Aaargh!"
At that moment, as the food waste container tipped over, Holy Fire Priestess, who was inside, was about to fall.
But in that instant, someone grasped her wrist.
-Pak!
It was none other than the masked Ma Ra-hyeon.
Ma Ra-hyeon's eyes, who had saved her at a precise moment, became strange.
'Damn it.'
If it were up to him, he just wanted to let her die.
However, the only one who knew how his damn father had died was this damn old hag.
Therefore, he couldn't let her fall and die like this.
Meanwhile, the Demonic Beast Heum-won, unable to endure the wound inflicted by the vajra and the demon-subduing mantra, tried to fall downward.
"Oh no!"
"Ah ah ah! We're falling!"
No matter how skilled they were in martial arts, falling from such a height could result in death from the impact.
"Y-Young Master!"
Seop Chun called out to Mok Gyeong-un, who was holding onto the feathers on Heum-won's back.
Since only his lord could tame and handle the Demonic Beast Heum-won, he called out in desperation, clinging to even a straw.
-Mortal. You need to pull out the vajra.
At that moment, Cheong-ryeong urgently spoke to Mok Gyeong-un.
At this, Mok Gyeong-un turned his head while being severely shaken by the descent and looked at Heum-won's right wing.
In Mok Gyeong-un's eyes, which had opened the Ghost Eyes, the solemn energy of the vajra was visible.
It was spreading throughout Heum-won's body like poison, evaporating its demonic power.
-I cannot touch that.
-That makes sense.
The solemn energy was in complete opposition to the energies that belonged to the yin, so Cheong-ryeong, a vengeful spirit, couldn't touch it.
So, Mok Gyeong-un firmly grasped the fur on Heum-won's back with both hands.
Fixing his posture and locking onto the target, Mok Gyeong-un soon stamped his feet.
-Pak!
Mok Gyeong-un's body sprang out like a spring and rushed towards Heum-won's right wing, which was flapping loosely, having lost its strength.
Mok Gyeong-un reached out his hand to grab one of the wing feathers.
But at that moment, as Heum-won's body spun sideways, he missed it.
'Ah?'
In the process, Mok Gyeong-un's body missed the wing and moved away from Heum-won.
-Swooosh!
-Oh no!
Thinking it wouldn't work, Cheong-ryeong tried to come out of the wooden puppet.
It was that exact instant.
Mok Gyeong-un twisted his body, rotated his figure, and soon kicked the air.
-Pang!
As if there were a wall in the air, he kicked it, and Mok Gyeong-un's body was repelled in the opposite direction, flying back towards Heum-won's right wing.
'This fellow, Mortal?'
Cheong-ryeong couldn't hide her inner astonishment.
The technique Mok Gyeong-un had just displayed was none other than the profound principle of the Air-Stepping Technique.
She didn't expect him to be able to perform such an amazing principle in a moment of crisis.
But what was important now was not that he had performed the profound principle of the Air-Stepping Technique.
Mok Gyeong-un, who had flown in the opposite direction by kicking the air like that, soon grabbed Heum-won's wing feather and plunged his other hand into the place where the solemn energy was spreading.
-Puk!
-Kee-keh-keh-keh-keh-kek!
In pain, Heum-won screamed.
Mok Gyeong-un ignored it and thrust his hand even deeper into the flesh, finally finding the vajra.
Having found the vajra, Mok Gyeong-un grasped it to pull it out.
At that moment,
-Chiiiik!
A burning pain was felt on the palm holding the vajra.
The solemn energy flowing from the vajra seemed to penetrate his palm and affect the death energy and demonic energy.
'How annoying.'
At this, Mok Gyeong-un raised even stronger death energy to suppress the energy of the vajra.
And then, he pulled it out from Heum-won's wing flesh.
-Pak!
He hurriedly threw away the vajra he had pulled out.
Then, Heum-won, who had been writhing in pain and falling until just a moment ago, flapped its left wing vigorously, trying to maintain balance somehow.
-Flap flap!
Although the vajra had been pulled out, the right wing, which had already been a mess, couldn't be used, so it was impossible to take off with just one wing.
However,
-Flap flap!
Thanks to the frantic flapping, it was at least able to reduce the acceleration of the descent.
Having managed to lower its speed before hitting the ground, Heum-won barely landed.
"Bleh."
As soon as it landed, Holy Fire Priestess and the expelled monk Ja Geum-jeong vomited on the ground, and the others who had been holding onto the cart also collapsed on the ground with pale faces.
-Thud!
"Haa… haa…"
"We almost died for real."
They had tried to ride Heum-won comfortably but ended up experiencing a proper hell.
But even though they had safely landed on the ground, it wasn't over yet.
The place they had landed was none other than,
-Rumble rumble!
'Ah. We're doomed.'
The middle of the Shaolin Temple.
Before they knew it, dozens of demon-subduing monks in monastic robes and warrior monks in orange robes holding staffs had surrounded them.
-Murmur murmur!
The monks who had encircled Heum-won soon discovered Mok Gyeong-un and his group and whispered with somewhat surprised eyes.
"What is this?"
"Who are they?"
Meanwhile, an old monk with white beard and an air of experience walked out from among the demon-subduing monks.
In his hand were three vajras, and the solemn energy flowing from his entire body was so tremendous that it encompassed the surroundings.
-Ooooh!
'It was him.'
Mok Gyeong-un instantly realized that he was the one who had thrown the vajras at Heum-won's wing.
The flowing energy itself was on a different level.
If compared to the Fangshi, this solemn energy, vast and wide like the ocean, possessed a capacity that far surpassed the realm of Sun-level diviner.
-It's no ordinary Dharma power.
-Dharma power?
-Yes. I heard that while the diviners and Taoist priests cultivate spiritual power, among the Buddhist monks, there are those who cultivate Dharma power. It's the first time even I have seen this energy, and it seems very troublesome.
-…You're right.
The Dharma power exuded by the old monk and the demon-subduing monks made the Demonic Beast Heum-won shrink back and become extremely vigilant.
'No.'
Mok Gyeong-un scanned the surroundings.
Not only their Dharma power but also the energy flowing from the temple itself was solemn, pure, and extremely clean.
Because of that, even the energy of the evil spirits and weak Imae Mangryang commonly seen in the surroundings could not be felt.
'No wonder it's called the sacred land of Buddhism.'
Mok Gyeong-un inwardly clicked his tongue with an annoyed look in his eyes.
Who would have thought that after barely escaping from the Imperial Palace, they would get caught up in a place like this?
Meanwhile, the old monk who had stepped forward clasped his hands together and spoke.
"Amitabha. Who are the patrons to be together with the bizarre creature causing harm…"
"Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion!"
Before the old monk could finish his words, someone stepped forward.
It was the expelled monk Ja Geum-jeong.
The old monk, who had been examining his appearance, which was similar to the monks' attire, including the broken prayer beads, soon frowned and said.
"Deok-mun? So it's you, Deok-mun."
Ja Geum-jeong's Buddhist name during his time in Buddhism was Deok-mun.
The old monk, who hadn't recognized him at first glance due to his somewhat rough appearance over time, couldn't understand what was going on after recognizing him.
"Deok-mun, how are you with this bizarre creature?"
"It's a misunderstanding, Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion. This bizarre creature is not harming people but has been tamed."
"Tamed? What nonsense is that?"
At that moment, a middle-aged monk among the warrior monks walked out and spoke.
Recognizing him, Ja Geum-jeong clasped his hands together, bowed his head, and greeted him.
"Amitabha. Greetings to the Master of the Arhat Pavilion…"
"How dare an expelled disciple clasp his hands and greet us? Unclasp your hands."
"…"
At the resolute words of the Master of the Arhat Pavilion, Ja Geum-jeong unclasped his hands with a bitter expression.
As he said, he was an expelled monk, so he had no right to clasp his hands and greet.
Meanwhile, the Master of the Arhat Pavilion pointed to Heum-won and asked.
"How did you tame that thing? It's not a beast but a monster that captures and kills humans. But how…"
"It's my spirit beast, Venerable."
'!?'
The Master of the Arhat Pavilion turned his head.
The one who had intervened was none other than Mok Gyeong-un.
"Spirit beast?"
Not knowing what the term spirit beast meant, the Master of the Arhat Pavilion looked puzzled, and the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion said.
"Amitabha. Did you just say spirit beast, patron?"
-Ssk!
Mok Gyeong-un clasped his hands together in a salute and replied.
"Yes. Although it is a bizarre creature, it is a being I employ as my spirit beast. So it is under control and not dangerous, unlike what you see…"
"Gal (喝)!"
Before he could finish his words, the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion let out a shout.
Then, pointing to Heum-won, he said.
"Isn't a spirit beast a method used by the Fangshi to forcibly establish a connection and enslave bizarre creatures?"
At his words, interest glinted in Mok Gyeong-un's eyes.
He thought a monk practicing Buddhism wouldn't know much about sorcery, but it seemed that was not the case.
"That's right. But why did you shout like that?"
Looking puzzled, the old monk, the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion, trembled his white eyebrows and spoke.
"Sorcery derived from Taoist techniques is a dangerous art that deviates from the laws and principles of nature, young patron. How could you have learned such an evil thing?"
"…Is sorcery evil?"
"As I said, patron. Sorcery is a method that deviates from principles. A spirit beast is also ultimately an act of forcibly establishing a connection and enslaving a being. This is an act that goes against the will of others. How can you say this is not evil?"
At his words, Mok Gyeong-un snorted and said.
"So what is it that you want to say?"
To this, the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion pointed the vajra at Heum-won and replied.
"Amitabha. I say this for your sake, patron, so don't be displeased and take it to heart. Sorcery that goes against principles will surely bring harm to you, patron. So stop practicing sorcery any further and sever the forcibly established connection with the bizarre creature."
296: Chapter 295: Shaolin Temple (2)
"Amitabha. I say this for your sake, patron, so don't be displeased and take it to heart. Sorcery that goes against principles will surely bring harm to you, patron. So stop practicing sorcery any further and sever the forcibly established connection with the bizarre creature."
The atmosphere turned strange at the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion's coercive attitude.
Having already fallen into the middle of Shaolin, known as the holy land of the righteous path, Seop Chun and Mong Mu-yak were inwardly baffled as they were already being cautious.
Fortunately, they didn't know yet that they were from the Heaven and Earth Society, but they seemed to have gained disapproval due to something bizarre.
Meanwhile, Mok Gyeong-un spoke.
"Sever the connection? If I do that, it's the same as unleashing the reins on that bizarre creature, so what are you going to do? Will you kill it?"
"No matter how harmful the bizarre creature is, we monks and priests are practitioners of Buddhism. Unless it's an unavoidable situation, we do not recklessly take lives."
"Then will you release it?"
"How can we carelessly release a monster that captures and eats humans? We will confine it in the demon-subduing hall of the temple and subdue its demonic nature with scriptures."
"What if the demonic nature cannot be subdued?"
"Even if the demonic nature cannot be subdued, we will have no choice but to open the killing precepts to prevent harm."
"In conclusion, you're saying you'll confine it and then kill it?"
"Amitabha."
The Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion quietly clasped his hands together.
At this, Mok Gyeong-un smacked his lips and said.
"What if I politely refuse the Venerable's proposal?"
"Amitabha. patron… As a demon-subduing monk who must subjugate demons, I cannot let the bizarre creature go once it has entered the temple."
The atmosphere suddenly turned heavy.
The surrounding demon-subduing monks and warrior monks seemed to have read the situation as they firmly grasped their vajras and staffs.
'Damn it.'
'This doesn't look good.'
At this, Mok Gyeong-un's subordinates also began to take fighting stances.
As they took fighting stances, vigilance appeared in the eyes of the Master of the Arhat Pavilion.
'Except for that old patron, each one of them is no ordinary person.'
As the master who oversaw the Arhat monks, one of the three major warrior monk groups of Shaolin, he discerned the martial prowess of the group with his excellent insight.
Meanwhile, the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion spoke with his hands clasped together.
"Amitabha. I do not wish to fight with the patrons. I advise against sorcery and enslaving bizarre creatures as spirit beasts because they go against principles. If you agree to my proposal, I will let you leave unharmed."
'!?'
At the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion's words, Mong Mu-yak and Seop Chun, whose vigilance had heightened, glanced at each other.
They had been worrying about what would happen if their identities were exposed while fighting the warrior monks of the Shaolin Temple.
However, if they agreed not to practice sorcery and hand over only the Demonic Beast Heum-won, it wasn't a bad proposal in the current situation.
At least it was better than being tied up in the middle of enemy territory.
So they cautiously looked at their master, Mok Gyeong-un.
"Hmm."
Mok Gyeong-un let out a small groan as if contemplating and stroked his chin.
Seeing his appearance, they inwardly hoped that this time, Mok Gyeong-un would accept the proposal rather than displaying his characteristic unpredictable behavior.
It was a completely different situation from before.
This place was Shaolin, the holy land of the righteous path.
They were monks who practiced Buddhism, so although they were one of the Nine Great Sects, they did not interfere with martial arts or worldly affairs and rarely intervened unless it was a special case.
Nevertheless, no one disregarded the power of Shaolin.
The perception that they were the orthodox of martial arts in the Central Plains was firmly ingrained.
'Young Master… clashing with Shaolin is an act of madness.'
'This time, it would be better to just let it pass.'
It was at that moment.
Meanwhile, Mok Gyeong-un lowered his hand that had been stroking his chin and soon smiled and said.
"Saying that we can leave unharmed if we just accept the proposal is an enticing offer that's hard to refuse."
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, the two let out sighs of relief.
Although he didn't show it, Ma Ra-hyeon was also worried that a fight might break out, so he felt fortunate.
"Amitabha. Young patron, you have opened your eyes rightly and readily accepted my proposal, so truly…"
"I didn't say I would accept it."
"!?"
At Mok Gyeong-un's unexpected words, the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion frowned.
As someone with a somewhat strong temperament, unlike a Buddhist disciple, he couldn't understand why his roundabout proposal was rejected.
-Mortal. You're not planning to reject the proposal, are you?
Cheong-ryeong also asked Mok Gyeong-un in a tone of incomprehension.
Since she was close by, Mok Gyeong-un might seem unpredictable, but apart from that, she knew that he greatly valued rational judgment.
The promise not to use sorcery could be brushed off as just a formality in this situation, and since he didn't intentionally make Heum-won his spirit beast, there was no problem in handing it over to them.
Of course, it had the advantage of being able to fly and had played an important role recently, but if it meant clashing with the Shaolin Temple right now, it was cold but rational to sacrifice Heum-won and move on.
-It's unlike you. The Demonic Beast is one thing, but why are you doing this when you can safely leave Shaolin by handing it over?
-Unlike me?
-Yes. Although you may seem a bit stubborn, it's foolish to refuse such a proposal when the Shaolin are monks who practice Buddhism, unlike other righteous factions, and won't make such a proposal out of hypocrisy. Accept it.
-I'm afraid that will be difficult.
-What?
-As you said, if I were alone, I would think it's rational, but to build a force, it doesn't seem like a particularly good choice.
'!?'
What did this fellow just say?
For a moment, she doubted her ears.
Meanwhile, Mok Gyeong-un looked at the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion and spoke.
"Although it's a tempting offer to leave here unharmed according to the Venerable's proposal, I can't easily hand over my… no, such an expression seems a bit excessive. Let's just call them comrades. Anyway, I can't easily hand over my comrades."
"Comrades?"
-Murmur murmur!
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, the surrounding Arhat monks and demon-subduing monks stirred.
Although he said he had tamed it as a spirit beast, it was a bizarre creature and monster, not a human.
Did he just refer to that being as a comrade?
'This fellow?'
On the other hand, interest glinted in Cheong-ryeong's eyes at Mok Gyeong-un's words.
That was because Mok Gyeong-un never believed in or trusted anyone.
Recently, he had begun to follow some of her advice, but in important moments, he still acted according to his own judgment.
But despite the significantly dangerous situation, Mok Gyeong-un referred to the Demonic Beast Heum-won as a comrade and refused to hand it over.
To him, the Demonic Beast Heum-won should have been just a tool, so it was truly unexpected.
This was,
'Is it intentional? Or is he starting to change?'
If it was intentional, the effect seemed to be somewhat achieved.
At the moment he rejected the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion's proposal, the expressions and gazes of the subordinates, who had been bewildered, turned strange at his words about not being able to hand over a comrade.
It was probably to confirm his inclusiveness as a leader.
By showing that he wouldn't abandon even a tamed bizarre creature in a crisis situation, he gave them the trust that he wouldn't let go of their hands no matter the circumstances.
At this, Cheong-ryeong inwardly clicked her tongue.
'…Even if it's calculated, you're gradually acquiring the qualities of a leader.'
Despite showing outstanding talent in various aspects such as martial arts, sorcery, and pharmacology, she thought it would be difficult for him to dominate others or develop social skills due to his tendency to not trust anyone.
However, Mok Gyeong-un was starting to acquire the qualities of a leader faster than she had expected.
This could be considered a surprising change compared to her expectations.
At that moment, the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion spoke with a fierce expression.
"Although you say you have subjugated it with a method that goes against principles, its essence is a bizarre creature that captured and harmed people. How can you call such a being a comrade and display such an aberration?"
"Isn't that a matter of mindset?"
"A matter of mindset?"
"If harming people is the problem, isn't it actually people who are more problematic?"
"What?"
To the questioning Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion, Mok Gyeong-un spoke with the corners of his mouth raised.
"Are there more instances of people being killed by beasts or bizarre creatures? Or are there more instances of people being killed by other people?"
"…"
At that question, the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion's mouth closed.
To deny this, it was a fact that people were killed more by the hands of other people.
It was an undeniable truth.
Theft, robbery, conflicts in the martial arts world, and on a larger scale, war.
All these things made people commit murder against other people.
When Mok Gyeong-un pointed this out, even the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion, who was extremely strong-willed, found it difficult to refute.
At that moment, the Master of the Arhat Pavilion, who had been listening quietly, stepped forward.
"Amitabha. patron, your words certainly have a point. It is true that what harms people the most is indeed people. However, even so, it is not in accordance with principles to equate this with bizarre creatures."
"What's not in accordance with principles?"
"Beasts or bizarre creatures only possess simple desires, but humans are beings that experience the Five Desires and Seven Emotions."
"You're taking a difficult approach, Venerable."
"I'm not trying to preach Buddhism to you, patron. The Five Desires and Seven Emotions refer to five types of desires and seven types of emotions. The Buddha said these are the beginning of all suffering, and those who practice Buddhism strive to overcome them and maintain the Middle Way. Even if they are not monks who practice Buddhism, humans have the basic will to control and overcome these Five Desires and Seven Emotions."
"So?"
"However, unlike humans, bizarre creatures and beasts are not complex and live solely based on simple desires. The simpler the desires, the more difficult it is to control them. Moreover, how can you compare beings that prey on living humans to humans?"
"So, in conclusion, are you saying they are incomparable?"
"That's right, patron. Humans are imperfect and complex beings that simultaneously possess yin and yang energy, so they have the quality to control themselves. However, bizarre creatures are inherently yin beings, so they are not like that. Comparing them with the same logic as you, patron, is no different from forcing it."
"Ah, I see."
"I understand your reluctance to hand over the bizarre creature, but if you lose control over it, countless people will lose their lives, patron. We cannot simply stand by and watch, so we are asking you to hand over the bizarre creature."
"I see. But come to think of it, I haven't heard an apology even once yet."
"Apology?"
At Mok Gyeong-un's abrupt words, the Master of the Arhat Pavilion tilted his head.
"Patron, what are you saying?"
"I understand your concern about the bizarre creature being dangerous, but we didn't cause any harm to the Venerables of the Shaolin Temple, and we were just flying in the sky on the bizarre creature, but you suddenly attacked and almost killed us, didn't you?"
"That, patron…"
"Are you trying to play dumb? Didn't you say just a moment ago? That monks who practice Buddhism do not recklessly take lives, even if it's a tiny creature?"
"Amitabha. That's true, but…"
"Fortunately, we were lucky to survive, but we all almost fell from that high place and died. If that had happened, from the Elder to the demon-subduing monks here, you all would have gone against the Buddha's teachings and committed the sin of killing, yet there's not a single word of apology."
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, the demon-subduing monks who were surrounding them with vajras in hand flinched involuntarily, as if momentarily flustered.
At this, the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion spoke as if in a predicament.
"Patron… Although we monks and demon-subduing monks have mastered Dharma techniques, we haven't mastered martial arts, so we didn't realize that you were riding on the bizarre creature…"
"Hmm. Are you going to say you didn't know? Even after confirming that we fell like this? Or is it because we were lucky to survive, so that's the end of it?"
"No, patron. I didn't mean it that way…"
"You see that old lady over there, right?"
When Mok Gyeong-un called her, Holy Fire Priestess, who had been lying down as the aftereffects of falling from a high place hadn't subsided yet, raised her head with a pale face, not understanding the situation.
"She's an ordinary person who hasn't even mastered martial arts, so she's still suffering like that. You're quite irresponsible."
"Oh my."
At this, the Master of the Arhat Pavilion couldn't hide his predicament.
He had already noticed from the beginning that the Holy Fire Priestess was an ordinary old woman who hadn't mastered martial arts.
However, as Mok Gyeong-un said, even if it was an act done with good intentions to suppress evil, it was certainly true that they had almost killed ordinary civilians and them.
'Anyway, you're quite good at twisting words, Mortal.'
Cheong-ryeong clicked her tongue at the sight of the perplexed monks.
In a way, it was the only weakness of the Shaolin monks.
They were monks who practiced Buddhism before being martial artists, so they were bound by their own rules and Buddhist teachings.
Mok Gyeong-un had taken advantage of the gap where they were bound by their rules.
"Amitabha. patron, you are right. First, I apologize for the mistake we made. None of this was intentional."
"Not intentional? Does that mean it's okay to kill even by mistake if it's not intentional?"
"Oh my. patron, how can you distort my words like that…"
"I can't help but interpret it that way."
"There seems to be a misunderstanding. If we had known that you were riding on that bizarre creature, we would not have rashly attacked from the beginning."
At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un spoke with glinting eyes.
"What did you just say?"
"…I said if we had known that you were riding on that bizarre creature, we would not have attacked."
"You definitely said that, right?"
"What are you trying to say?"
"You said if you had known we were there, you wouldn't have attacked because it was dangerous in the first place, right?"
"…That's right."
"Then, we wouldn't have fallen into the middle of the Shaolin Temple like this and engaged in a debate with the Elder about handing over the bizarre creature or killing it, and the Venerables wouldn't have almost committed the sin of killing, right?"
"…"
"In the end, it's no different from creating a situation that wouldn't have occurred in the first place. Then, whose fault is it?"
"…"
Eventually, the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion was at a loss for words, like a mute who had eaten honey, unable to say anything.
This was not only him but also the Master of the Arhat Pavilion.
No matter how much they wanted to refute, there was no room to find fault in Mok Gyeong-un's argument.
'Ha?'
The expelled monk Ja Geum-jeong, who had been watching this, let out a hollow laugh.
He had been born with the Spiritual Eye open, so he had drowned his suffering in alcohol.
However, the Precepts Hall did not understand his suffering and instead expelled him on the grounds of violating the rules.
When he left, he still thought he was lacking in Shaolin, but after seeing this debate, the monks who were trapped in the framework of rules looked so foolish to him.
It was at that moment.
"Hohohoho. What a prodigy. What a prodigy."
At the voice that came with laughter, everyone's gaze turned towards that direction.
-Creak!
At that moment, the door of the hall on the south side of the Arhat Pavilion square where they were opened, and three old monks in red kasayas appeared.
The moment he saw them, the expelled monk Ja Geum-jeong clasped his hands together and bowed his head.
His eyes were red as he bowed his head.
'Ah, Master.'
That was because among the old monks was his master, the Sutra Pavilion Grand Monk Gong-jeon.
However, that wasn't all.
The Precepts Hall Master Dae-deok and the Reverse Muscle Scripture Hall Master Mu-seong, who had driven him out of Shaolin, were also present.
'It's become even more troublesome.'
Mok Gyeong-un looked at the three old monks with an annoyed expression.
The energy they exuded was equally profound, and all three of them were tremendous masters who had crossed the wall.