Chapter 296: Shaolin Temple (3)
'…Definitely them.'
Mong Mu-yak swallowed his dry saliva with trembling eyes.
Belonging to the leader's direct information department, Mong Mu-yak was well aware of a lot of information within and outside the Heaven and Earth Society.
As such, he could immediately recognize who the three old monks who appeared in the square were.
'The Three Monks of Shaolin!'
They were undoubtedly the famous Three Monks of Shaolin.
Unlike other sects, the masters of Shaolin Temple didn't cling to the secular world or engage in martial arts activities, so there were few renowned masters.
However, with a single confrontation, Shaolin once again demonstrated its prestige after a long time.
It was because of a great villain named Gu Myeol-geop, otherwise known as 'Nine Calamities of Destruction' (九滅劫) who appeared fifteen years ago.
Gu Myeol-geop's martial prowess was so outstanding that he was referred to as a potential Six Heavens of the next generation.
But then, one day, he suddenly went mad and indiscriminately killed people.
The reason was unknown, but the crazed Gu Myeol-geop slaughtered every living thing he saw, and numerous masters of the righteous factions tried to suppress him to stop this but failed.
As a result, even Shaolin, which rarely intervened in the affairs of the secular world, eventually had to step in.
'A joint attack technique that made even a master comparable to the Six Heavens kneel.'
Shaolin, famous for its many unique techniques, was also skilled in joint attacks like the Arhat Formation, and these three, who were called the supreme masters of Shaolin at the time, defeated Gu Myeol-geop in just over a hundred breaths with an exquisite joint attack technique.
It is said that the masters who witnessed this at the time were so stunned that it was a tremendous confrontation.
On this occasion, martial artists referred to these three old monks as the Three Monks of Shaolin.
'Misfortune never comes singly.'
Mong Mu-yak clicked his tongue.
The Master of the Arhat Pavilion and the surrounding warrior monks were already overwhelming enough.
But now, even the Three Grand Monks of Shaolin, known as the supreme masters of Shaolin, had appeared, so it could be said to be the worst situation.
At this, Mong Mu-yak approached closely and spoke in a low voice.
"My lord. They are the ones called the Three Grand Monks of Shaolin, the supreme masters and elders of Shaolin Temple."
"The supreme masters and elders of Shaolin Temple. I see."
"…My lord. You must avoid a conflict with the Three Grand Monks of Shaolin."
Mong Mu-yak warned with a concerned voice.
At that moment, the Sutra Pavilion Grand Monk Gong-jeon, who had a benevolent appearance and was walking through the hall among the three old monks, opened his mouth in a warm voice.
"Amitabha. It's been a long time, Deok-mun."
"M-Master!"
The expelled monk Ja Geum-jeong couldn't hide his emotions when his master recognized him right away.
Outside, he was called one of the Three Madmen and was known as a madman, but he followed his master like his own parents.
However, this long-awaited reunion was shattered by the Precepts Hall Master Dae-deok.
"Amitabha. Sutra Pavilion Master. That patron is no longer a person of Buddhism, so why are you calling him by his Buddhist name when he was already excommunicated?"
At his words, Ja Geum-jeong glared at the Precepts Hall Master Dae-deok with disappointed eyes.
Although he had been expelled, he was once a disciple of Shaolin.
But drawing the line so coldly like this, he couldn't help but feel resentful.
The Sutra Pavilion Grand Monk Gong-jeon also seemed displeased with this, and he tried to say something to the Precepts Hall Master Dae-deok but soon changed the topic.
"Amitabha. Who is the patron who sharply rebuked us just now?"
At his question, the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion and the Master of the Arhat Pavilion naturally pointed to Mok Gyeong-un with their eyes.
Then, the Precepts Hall Master Dae-deok, who was next to Gong-jeon, clasped his hands together and spoke with a frown.
"Amitabha. How can you describe this as a rebuke, Sutra Pavilion Master?"
At this, the Sutra Pavilion Grand Monk Gong-jeon smiled and replied.
"He spoke the truth, so of course it can be called a rebuke. Where there is a cause, there is an effect, and where there is no cause, there is no effect. That young patron pointed this out, so how can we deny it? Isn't that right, Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion?"
"Amitabha."
At those words, the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion clasped his hands together, unable to hide his predicament.
If Gong-jeon, one of the three old monks with the highest seniority in Shaolin, spoke like that, it would be acknowledging that all of this was his own fault.
Even if it was a mistake that had occurred.
However, it seemed that not all three of them shared the same opinion.
"Oh my. How can you attribute this to the fault of the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion? He did what he had to do as the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion. Who would have known that people were riding on that bizarre creature, and that too in the high sky?"
At the Precepts Hall Master Dae-deok's defense, the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion nodded his head.
That was what he wanted to say.
If they told him to take responsibility or apologize for what had happened, he could do so as much as needed.
However, when a bizarre creature was passing right above Shaolin, it would be absurd to just let it go, and how was he supposed to know that people were riding on it?
"Precepts Hall Master. That's a dangerous remark. It could be interpreted as saying that anything is acceptable if done unknowingly."
"Amitabha. Don't distort my words too much. I was merely trying to say that the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion did not do it intentionally. I hope the patrons will forgive him with a generous heart."
With that, the Precepts Hall Master Dae-deok clasped his hands together and bowed his head to Mok Gyeong-un and his group.
Although he seemed to be bowing his head and apologizing, the group couldn't help but click their tongues inwardly at his attitude that lacked any sincerity.
Meanwhile, the Sutra Pavilion Grand Monk Gong-jeon spoke.
"Even if one practices Buddhism, the way and enlightenment that each person accepts are different, so patrons, please don't be too upset. Anyway, as this patron said, this incident is not without responsibility on the part of our temple…"
"Sutra Pavilion Master. You're not planning to let that bizarre creature out, are you?"
The Precepts Hall Master Dae-deok interrupted his words.
"Since the patrons have suffered a great mishap due to our temple's mistake, shouldn't we let it out accordingly?"
"I have already apologized for that part and am willing to make other compensations if desired. However, letting the bizarre creature out is a separate issue."
"Oh my. How can you say such a thing?"
"Are you going to violate the rules of our temple, Sutra Pavilion Master? A monster that brings harm to humans has entered our temple, yet you're saying you'll just let it go."
"Then what do you intend to do?"
"We should capture it, of course. What are the demon-subduing monks doing? Can't you subdue that bizarre creature right now?"
At the Precepts Hall Master Dae-deok's exclamation, the demon-subduing monks once again grasped their vajras and prepared to chant the demon-subduing mantra.
Then, the Sutra Pavilion Grand Monk Gong-jeon shouted.
"Demon-subduing monks, stop this at once. This is the responsibility of our temple, so it is not a matter to be resolved through rules."
-Murmur murmur!
The demon-subduing monks were at a loss, confused by the different orders.
The Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion was the same.
He also had a strong temperament, so he shared the same opinion as the Precepts Hall Master Dae-deok, but since they had clearly made a mistake, he found it difficult to subdue the bizarre creature.
"Oh my. A monster that harms and devours people is right in front of our eyes, yet you hesitate. Do you truly have the qualifications to be demon-subduing monks? This won't do."
-Ssk!
As soon as those words ended, the Precepts Hall Master Dae-deok reached out his hand.
-Woong!
"Huh?"
Then, due to his profound true energy, the vajras in the hands of three demon-subduing monks were pulled out,
-Swish swish swish!
And they flew towards the cowering Demonic Beast Heum-won.
But at that moment, a surprising thing happened.
As Mok Gyeong-un grasped a finger strike and raised his hand, the Evil Commandment Sword at his waist came out of its scabbard on its own and flew as if it were alive,
-Cha cha chaeng!
It deflected the three flying vajras at an exquisite moment.
The Evil Commandment Sword that had deflected them soon returned to Mok Gyeong-un's scabbard when he made a gesture of pulling the finger strike.
-Chak!
'!!!!!!!!!'
The audience stirred.
Anyone who had mastered martial arts couldn't mistake it.
'Sword Control Technique?'
It was none other than the profound principle of the Sword Control Technique.
'How can this be?'
'My lord unleashed the Sword Control Technique?'
Seeing this, Mok Gyeong-un's subordinates also couldn't hide their astonishment.
This profound principle of manipulating a sword with Qi was in a different realm from the Void Hand Interception that the Precepts Hall Master Dae-deok had used by simply launching the vajras with true energy.
It was not only crossing the wall but also reaching mastery with the sword, and it required an understanding of Qi at least at the pinnacle-stage of the Transformation Realm to be possible.
-What?
Cheong-ryeong also couldn't hide her astonishment.
-Mortal, when the hell did you master the Sword Control Technique?
-After confronting the Heaven and Earth Society Leader and the person called the Southern Pacification Commissioner, I roughly understood how to handle the flow of Qi.
-!?
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Cheong-ryeong was inwardly dumbfounded.
She was well aware of his martial talent and his insight into the flow of Qi, but she didn't expect him to even master the profound principle of the Sword Control Technique.
And that too after only experiencing it twice.
It was an absurd talent that was hard to get used to no matter how many times she experienced it.
It was at that moment.
"The Sword Control Technique… Young patron, you surprise this old monk. I haven't directly seen many masters, but among the contemporary masters, I've never heard of anyone unleashing the Sword Control Technique at that age."
Currently, Mok Gyeong-un was still wearing the human skin mask.
However, the face of the human skin mask also appeared to be only in the mid-twenties, so even the Precepts Hall Master Dae-deok was astonished.
"I wish the young patron would use such power for the right cause, but it's truly regrettable to use it for a mere man-eating monster. Amitabha."
-Goooo!
With those words, the Precepts Hall Master Dae-deok revealed his pure yet profound energy.
As befitting martial arts of Buddhism, it wasn't overbearing, but the energy was so vast that it naturally inspired awe.
To him, Mok Gyeong-un said.
"I understand that sorcery is not viewed favorably in Shaolin, but that bizarre creature hasn't eaten any humans since becoming my spirit beast. Yet you still insist on taking action?"
"Even if it hasn't done so yet, if that monster escapes from your control, there will surely be trouble."
"You're worrying about something that hasn't even happened yet."
"How can we stand by and watch when harm is right in front of our eyes? For the sake of the young patron and for the future, it seems that monster must be eliminated."
"If the Elder insists on doing so, I have no choice either."
At this, Mok Gyeong-un also tried to take a fighting stance.
Although Mong Mu-yak had hoped that he wouldn't clash with the Three Monks of Shaolin, now that things had turned out this way, there was no other choice, so he took a fighting stance while exchanging glances with Seop Chun and Ma Ra-hyeon.
"Master!"
As the atmosphere was about to lead to a fight, the expelled monk Ja Geum-jeong called out to his master, the Sutra Pavilion Grand Monk Gong-jeon, in an earnest voice.
Then, Gong-jeon also seemed to think it wouldn't work and tried to step in.
But it was at that very moment.
-Clap!
"Amitabha."
The sound of solemnly chanting a sutra along with the clapping of hands.
As this sound spread in all directions, everyone in the square who had been raising their energy stopped and looked at someone.
It was the Reverse Muscle Scripture Hall Grand Monk Museong, the only one among the Three Grand Monks of Shaolin who had not intervened.
'Tremendous inner energy.'
'That old monk has the most profound inner energy among the three.'
Thanks to the energy infused in Museong's voice, Mok Gyeong-un's subordinates realized that Museong had the most profound internal energy among the Three Monks of Shaolin.
With him intervening, they couldn't help but feel tense, but Museong spoke in a gentle voice, unlike before.
"patrons and the two Pavilion Masters, could you listen to this old monk's words for a moment?"
As he stepped in, the Precepts Hall Master Dae-deok, who had been somewhat stubborn, lowered his momentum and replied in a cautious manner.
"Please speak, Pavilion Master."
That was understandable because among the three people called the Three Monks of Shaolin, the one with the highest seniority was none other than Museong, who had the character 'Mu' (撫, pacify/comfort) in his Buddhist name.
Gong-jeon also respected Museong, so he clasped his hands together and said.
"Amitabha. Do you have any insights, Pavilion Master?"
To this question, Museong looked intently at Mok Gyeong-un.
At this, Mok Gyeong-un also clasped his hands together in a salute and politely said.
"Please speak, Pavilion Master."
Then, Museong bowed his head once to show respect and opened his mouth.
"Thank you for lending your ears to this incompetent monk's words. While quietly observing, I came to a conclusion about what the problem is."
"And what is that?"
"From Shaolin's perspective, we cannot simply let demons pass by due to our rules."
As soon as his words ended, the corners of the Precepts Hall Master Dae-deok's mouth slightly rose.
It seemed that the one with high seniority was taking his side.
However, his words were not finished yet.
"But it is also true that the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion's mistake caused trouble for the patrons. Therefore, even though our temple has rules, it doesn't seem right to arbitrarily enforce them."
"Pavilion Master! You're not suggesting we just let that monster go, are you?"
Dae-deok interjected with a frown, unable to accept it.
Then, Museong clasped his hands together and said.
"Amitabha. Pavilion Master… Even a butcher can become a Buddha if he puts down the knife in his hand."
"Pavilion Master, that's…"
"How can beasts and monsters not have the qualifications to become Buddhas? All living beings have the qualifications to become Buddhas."
"…"
At his words, Dae-deok closed his mouth.
It wasn't very good to argue about something in front of someone who had higher seniority and deeper faith than himself.
So if he couldn't properly refute, he couldn't recklessly open his mouth.
Meanwhile, Museong looked at Mok Gyeong-un and said.
"This is what this poor monk thinks, but what does the patron think?"
Although he felt puzzled by the appearance of readily taking their side, accepting his mediation was the way to avoid fighting with Shaolin at the moment, so Mok Gyeong-un responded positively.
"I agree with the Elder's words."
"Hohoho. That's good. Then, I would like the patron to demonstrate proof."
"Proof? What do you mean by that?"
"The Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion here and the Precepts Hall Master are people who strictly follow the rules, so in order to convince them, it would be good if the patron could show that it is possible to control the demonic nature, even if it is called a monster. What do you think?"
'!?'
***
[What do you want me to show and how?]
[It's not that difficult. Among the thirty-six caves of our temple, there is a demon-subduing hall where a vicious monster is confined.]
[A vicious monster?]
[That's right. That monster is so vicious that the demon-subduing monks tried to subdue its demonic nature by chanting the demon-subduing mantra for ninety-nine days, but there has been no progress yet. So, I would like the patron to show these two Pavilion Masters that you can control the demonic nature. Is it possible?]
This was the proposal of the Reverse Muscle Scripture Hall Grand Monk Museong.
In order to convince the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion and the Precepts Hall Master Dae-deok, he wanted Mok Gyeong-un to show that he could control the demonic nature of a vicious monster, in other words, a bizarre creature.
If he could demonstrate this, he said it would be fine to take the Demonic Beast Heum-won and leave Shaolin Temple.
'Hmm.'
Since he couldn't recklessly fight against Shaolin Temple, known as the center of righteous martial arts, Mok Gyeong-un had no choice but to accept this.
However, there was one problem.
Currently, Mok Gyeong-un's spirit beast quota was full, so he couldn't increase it.
Therefore, he might not be able to show the suppression of demonic nature by making a bizarre creature his spirit beast as Museong had proposed.
'What should I do?'
While Mok Gyeong-un was pondering like that, he was being guided by Gong-jeon.
After passing a few halls, a half-building made of numerous rock walls appeared towards the rear garden of Shaolin Temple.
There were roughly thirty-six caves.
The names of the caves were written on the hall that served as the entrance to the half-building.
As he was walking along the square to go towards the caves, Mok Gyeong-un suddenly stopped halfway.
There, a red stele was erected, and in front of it, a single footprint was deeply engraved.
'What is this?'
The footprint looked like a foot stamping mark.
But why did they erect a red-painted stele like this in front of the footprint?
Moreover, the following phrase was engraved on the stele:
[Remember.]
As Mok Gyeong-un tilted his head while looking at this, Gong-jeon, who had been guiding him, soon spoke.
"Amitabha. That is a stele erected to awaken Shaolin's vigilance."
"Vigilance?"
"That's right. There was an incident where the Hundred and Eight Arhat Formation, once called perfect, collapsed with just a single foot stamping of a supreme master."
"A foot stamping, you say? Could it be?"
"Yes, that footprint is the trace from that time."
'!!!!!!!'
298: Chapter 297: Shaolin Temple (4)
"Yes, that footprint is the trace from that time."
At the Sutra Pavilion Grand Monk Gong-jeon's words, interest glinted in Mok Gyeong-un's eyes.
Although he didn't know exactly what the Hundred and Eight Arhat Formation was, he could understand from the name itself that it was a formation composed of a hundred and eight people.
But to say that a joint attack formation deployed by a hundred and eight people was shattered with just a single foot stamping?
It was quite an interesting story.
At that moment, Cheong-ryeong's voice echoed in his mind.
-…It's absurd.
-What?
-The Hundred and Eight Arhat Formation is not a simple formation. It is the Hundred and Eight Arhat Formation, known as the most perfect among all joint formations.
-So?
-Not so, but it's already remarkable that a single supreme master broke it, but to say that he did it with just a single foot stamping…
She couldn't finish her words.
The masters who deploy the Arhat Formation are top-notch masters from first-rate to the peak.
A formation is a technique that doubles in strength just by assembling the array.
But if one could break that tremendous multiplication achieved by a hundred and eight people with a single foot stamping, it meant that their level was unimaginable.
-Truly the Steps of Domination.
Steps of Domination.
There is a saying that with a single footstep, or with a single stride, one can dominate everything.
As she said, if that was possible with a single footstep, it was enough to call it by such a title.
So, Mok Gyeong-un approached the footprint and asked.
"If a stele was erected to the extent of awakening Shaolin's vigilance, the owner of this footprint must be an outsider, not from Shaolin, right?"
"Amitabha. That's correct."
The monks of Shaolin Temple called this footprint a humiliation.
However, the reason they left it was to put down their pride as the orthodox of martial arts in the Central Plains, reflect on themselves, and maintain vigilance.
'Just a single foot stamping…'
At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un placed his own sole against the footprint with eyes full of curiosity and asked.
"Does the Elder know who this person is?"
"…I do know, but it is a taboo to speak of it, so I cannot reveal it. Please understand."
"I understand."
At Gong-jeon's words, Mok Gyeong-un smiled.
Somehow, it seemed understandable.
Even Cheong-ryeong couldn't help but be amazed, so a great formation that was shattered with just a single foot stamping, even if it was left for the sake of vigilance, would be difficult to easily reveal.
"Then shall we go again?"
"Yes, ah! Can I just ask if the person who left this is one of the Six Heavens or someone like that?"
"…It's a very old incident. It happened hundreds of years ago. So you don't need to have doubts, patron."
"I apologize. I tend to be curious."
-Tap!
With those words, Mok Gyeong-un placed his sole against the footprint.
It was an action done without much thought.
In fact, the Sutra Pavilion Grand Monk Gong-jeon was familiar with people like this, so he lightly smiled as if he was used to it.
But it was at that very moment.
-Gasp!
The moment he placed his sole, Mok Gyeong-un's vision turned black.
As his entire vision turned black and he couldn't see anything with his physical eyes, Mok Gyeong-un could instinctively tell that a mental image had unfolded.
'What is this?'
Mok Gyeong-un frowned at the sudden bizarre phenomenon.
Then, without intending to, the demonic power of the Third Eye arose on its own, and along with it, a strange scene unfolded before his eyes.
It was this very place.
It felt slightly different, but a hundred and eight warrior monks holding staffs were deploying a formation and surrounding someone.
That someone was a person with a demon mask and striking blood-red hair.
'Blood-red hair?'
It seemed familiar.
The moment he saw that hair, the Six Offices Commander So Yerin came to mind.
At that moment, an old monk shouted at the warrior monks surrounding the person.
[Go and bring an incense that lasts for a moment.]
[Yes, Head Monk.]
At this, a few warrior monks clasped their hands together and tried to run.
[There's no need for that.]
With those words, the unidentified person wearing the demon mask lightly stamped his foot while holding his hands behind his back.
-Thud!
-Thud! Thud! Thud!
At that moment, the hundred and eight Arhat monks who were aiming their staffs simultaneously rolled their eyes back and collapsed to the ground.
'!!!!!!!!!!'
It was an extremely surprising incident.
Everyone must have been shocked because the hall instantly turned silent.
However, unlike them, in Mok Gyeong-un's right pupil, numerous repetitive flows of energy spreading in all directions were visible as he watched this.
'This is?'
This was not ordinary energy but Innate True Energy, and it created a tremendous suggestion by generating repetitive flows.
This flow of energy was similar to the suggestion shown by Dam Baek-ha the Sixth Blood Saint, but it had reached an even higher level.
It was something that was difficult to even imitate without the formula to control this flow of energy.
-Gasp!
At that moment, the thirty scattered words of the Eight Thought-Shattering Techniques in Mok Gyeong-un's mind began to combine.
The formula of the Eight Thought-Shattering Techniques, which had been stagnant for a long time, was taking shape.
'Extreme supremacy, endless, extreme, nothingness, nothingness, nothingness… the Suppressing (鎭) technique.'
As the formula took shape, it remained as a single form in his mind.
Mok Gyeong-un's eyes, who had unexpectedly obtained another technique of the Eight Thought-Shattering Techniques, turned strange.
'Ah…'
If he hadn't seen this scene in the mental image, he would never have thought of this formula of the Eight Thought-Shattering Techniques.
This was because it was a formula that was difficult to even grasp a sense of.
At that moment, voices rang in Mok Gyeong-un's ears.
-Mortal?
"Patron?"
Those were the voices of Cheong-ryeong and the Sutra Pavilion Grand Monk Gong-jeon.
The moment he recognized their voices, the scene before his eyes disappeared, and he soon emerged from the mental image.
Returning to reality, Mok Gyeong-un let out a small exclamation.
"Ah…"
-Mortal, what's wrong with you?
"Patron, are you alright?"
At their questions, Mok Gyeong-un lightly waved his hand as if he was fine.
However, contrary to what he said, the demonic power of the Third Eye was still open in his right eye, so in Mok Gyeong-un's vision, the texture of the Innate True Energy faintly remained at the center of the footprint.
'Was it because of this?'
This texture had led Mok Gyeong-un into the mental image by becoming a formula.
Mok Gyeong-un, whose mental image was much deeper than others, could read the will remaining in the formula.
But coincidentally, the energy still faintly remained centered around the sole, so he could fall into the mental image.
'Who is it?'
The man with blood-red hair wearing a demon mask.
Surely, that man must be the one who left this footprint that the Sutra Pavilion Grand Monk Gong-jeon mentioned.
But he clearly said it happened hundreds of years ago, so if the remnants of that energy still remained to this extent, it was immeasurable how incredible it was.
'…It seems the level of the Old Martial Arts World was indeed higher than the current martial arts world.'
Clicking his tongue, Mok Gyeong-un soon removed his sole from the footprint.
Then, he pointed towards the caves with his hand and said.
"I'm fine, so let's go."
"Amitabha. I understand."
The Sutra Pavilion Grand Monk Gong-jeon, who had been worried about Mok Gyeong-un's dazed and staggering appearance, soon clasped his hands together and started guiding again.
***
At the same time, in the square of the Arhat Pavilion.
There, Seop Chun, Mong Mu-yak, Ja Geum-jeong, Ma Ra-hyeon, and Holy Fire Priestess were waiting with a somewhat anxious look.
Originally, they had also intended to follow Mok Gyeong-un to the demon-subduing hall.
However, due to the dissuasion of the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion, they had to stay here.
[There isn't just one monster inside the demon-subduing hall. If many people who haven't mastered Dharma techniques enter besides the demon-subduing monks, it will stimulate them. So, patrons, please wait for a moment.]
So, having sent only Mok Gyeong-un, they couldn't help but be concerned.
If Mok Gyeong-un successfully controlled that so-called monster, they would be able to leave Shaolin, but if not, things would get even more complicated.
In fact, if they had just given up on this bizarre bird, they could have left safely, so they felt a bit of regret for making things complicated.
However, they found it difficult to express dissatisfaction with him.
That was because their trust in him had deepened after seeing Mok Gyeong-un not abandoning even a mere bizarre creature.
'We have no choice but to trust our lord now.'
They just hoped that their lord would succeed.
The expelled monk Ja Geum-jeong was looking at someone with dissatisfaction.
It was the Precepts Hall Master Dae-deok.
He always emphasized rules and was particularly stubborn even among the elders of Shaolin.
He had never bent his will even once.
'Damn baldhead.'
He was always irritated because it seemed like he was blocking his path.
Then, his eyes met with Dae-deok's, and perhaps because he was in an expelled position unlike before, Ja Geum-jeong glared at him intently.
'Tsk tsk.'
At Ja Geum-jeong's attitude, Dae-deok clicked his tongue inwardly.
Although he had expelled him, he was once a respected elder of the temple, but seeing him glare as if he would kill him, it seemed that expelling him early was the right choice.
If it weren't for Gong-jeon constantly intervening, saying something about his Boundless Talent or whatever, he would have immediately caught him and even destroyed his danjeon to take away his martial arts.
'Hmm.'
By the way, such an opportunity was rare.
He had continued to leave him alone because he had mastered the Boundless Talent that no one in Shaolin could restore.
But now that he had come to Shaolin on his own feet, it seemed that he had to make him reveal the formula of the Boundless Talent under some pretext.
If that arrogant patron who mastered sorcery failed to control the monster, there would be plenty of opportunities.
Since he was a patron who would go through such trouble to protect a mere monster, he would create a justification to subdue him if slightly provoked.
While he was sorting out his own schemes like that,
At that moment, a monk belonging to the Precepts Hall entered the Arhat Pavilion.
"Amitabha. Pavilion Master."
"What is it?"
At this, the monk quietly whispered something in the Precepts Hall Master Dae-deok's ear.
After hearing this, Dae-deok quietly glanced at Mok Gyeong-un's group waiting in the middle of the square and the Demonic Beast Heum-won.
"Ho. I see."
Soon, the corners of Dae-deok's mouth rose faintly.
***
While passing the entrance of the cave halls in the form of several half-buildings, the Sutra Pavilion Grand Monk Gong-jeon spoke in front of the Repentance Restriction Cave.
"But honestly, I was surprised, patron."
"…"
"Although I am a monk who practices Buddhism, this is the first time I've seen someone as young as you with such profound cultivation as a martial artist."
At his sincere praise, Mok Gyeong-un soon expressed his gratitude.
"You flatter me."
"If it's not rude, may I ask your age, patron?"
"Seventeen… No, as of yesterday, I'm eighteen."
He had completely forgotten, but come to think of it, yesterday was his birthday.
He wasn't sure if it was really the day he was born, but it was the day his grandfather always celebrated.
"What?"
At that moment, Gong-jeon asked back in puzzlement.
'!?'
Mok Gyeong-un instantly realized his mistake.
While heading to the demon-subduing hall, he had been devising contingency plans in his mind in case he couldn't make the bizarre creature his spirit beast or failed to control it.
So he had absentmindedly answered his age, but he was currently wearing a human skin mask.
The face of the human skin mask appeared to be in the mid-twenties, so answering like this would be considered strange.
However, fortunately,
"Hohoho. Amitabha. I apologize. It seems my Buddhist cultivation is still lacking. This is also a kind of prejudice. I thought you were older than that because your cultivation is so profound."
"Ah… Yes."
Rather than the facial features and age not matching, he was more interested in something else.
Perhaps because he considered it remarkable that Mok Gyeong-un had reached this level at such a young age, Gong-jeon was constantly exclaiming in admiration.
"Oh my. A prodigy indeed. A prodigy."
He genuinely considered Mok Gyeong-un's martial talent to be extraordinary.
So, just before reaching the demon-subduing hall, he asked.
"As a monk who has left the secular world, it is not right to show interest in worldly affairs, but I would like to know the name of the patron who will surely gain even greater prestige in the future. Could you please let this poor monk know?"
At his question, Mok Gyeong-un pondered for a moment.
He had been hiding his real name from the beginning, and since it hadn't been long since he left the imperial capital Kaifeng, even if Gong-jeon was favorable to him, it was ambiguous to reveal the name he used in the Heaven and Earth Society.
So, he was about to casually say any name as an alias, but soon he thought of something.
[I was thinking of calling you Jeong (正), but that doesn't suit you either.]
At this, Mok Gyeong-un chuckled and said.
"It's Cheonma… Cheonma (Heavenly Demon)."
299: Chapter 298: Diabolic Beast (1)
"It's Cheonma… Cheonma (Heavenly Demon)."
'!?'
As soon as Mok Gyeong-un finished speaking, the kind smile on the Grand Monk Gong-jeon's face froze.
"Cheon… ma? Oh my."
Grand Monk Gong-jeon reacted to the word 'ma' (魔), meaning demon, that came after the name.
Out of all the possible names, why choose to attach the word 'ma' (魔), which is undoubtedly ominous?
If you interpret the name literally, it means 'the demon of heaven'.
This made him strangely nervous, but there was no rule stating that the word 'ma' (魔) couldn't be included in a name, and there was no reason to view it negatively based on this alone.
'There must be a reason for the patron choosing such a name.'
With that thought, Grand Monk Gong-jeon relaxed his expression and spoke.
"Hohoho. Amitabha. Cheon-ma… What a truly extraordinary name. In Buddhism, prestige and fame are said to be mere dust, but I sincerely hope that the patron's prestige will last for a hundred, even a thousand years."
"Thank you for your kind words. I hope it will be as you say, Venerable Monk. My grandfather said something similar."
"Something similar?"
"Yes. He said there are two ways for a person to live forever."
"Live forever? Oh? And what were those ways?"
"He said the first is to leave descendants and continue the bloodline for generations, and the second is to leave a name that lives on in people's memories."
"Hohoho. Those are wise words indeed. That is truly the only way to live forever. What else could be eternal? The patron's grandfather is truly a man of great wisdom."
Upon hearing those words, Mok Gyeong-un smiled wordlessly.
As they conversed, they finally reached the entrance of the Demon-subduing Cave.
The Demon-subduing Cave was located right next to the Wall Contemplation Cave.
In front of it, the Demon-Subduing Pavilion Master, who had gone ahead saying he had preparations to make, was waiting.
"Amitabha. Have you arrived?"
"Amitabha. Are the preparations complete, Demon-Subduing Pavilion Master?"
"Yes. I have already instructed the Demon-Subduing Pavilion monks guarding the cave that the patron will enter, in case of any eventuality. This humble monk will also accompany you, so there is no need to worry."
"Then, if there are any precautions the patron should be aware of, could you please inform him?"
"Yes, I understand."
The Demon-Subduing Pavilion Master looked at Mok Gyeong-un, then pointed to the Demon-subduing Cave with his hand and spoke.
"Patron, once you enter the cave, you will see several blocked cave entrances. Although those entrances are blocked, there are Demon-Subduing Pavilion monks chanting the Demon-Subduing Pavilion mantra in front of them, so please do not disturb them."
"In other words, I should just pass by them."
"That is correct."
"The cave the patron will enter is located at the very back. Inside, there is an extremely ferocious demon. That demon was captured from Mount Shaoxian, north of Mount Daeham. Its strength is immense, and its demonic power is also formidable. Even the Arhat monks had to be mobilized, and it was only barely subdued using the Green Jade Buddha Seal and thirty-six powerful demon-suppressing treasures."
"It seems like it was quite a struggle to capture it."
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, one of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion Master's eyebrows rose.
It seemed like his pride had been hurt somehow.
However, the Demon-Subduing Pavilion Master soon sighed and spoke.
"Phew. That demon's evil nature is so strong and ferocious that even this humble monk, who has faced countless demons, cannot handle it alone under any circumstances."
"It's that dangerous, yet you managed to capture and bring it here. Wouldn't it have been better to just kill it?"
"Amitabha. Taking life is a last resort. As a disciple of the Buddha, how could one commit such an act without even attempting to enlighten it?"
"So you keep it locked up and continuously chant sutras?"
"That is correct."
"Has any demon been successfully enlightened through this method?"
"....."
At this question, the Demon-Subduing Pavilion Master gave no answer.
This was a clear negation.
Although the Demon-Subduing Pavilion monks took turns chanting the Demon-Subduing Pavilion mantra day and night to weaken the demons' evil nature in an attempt to enlighten them, there was not a single being whose fundamental nature had changed.
Rather, as their evil nature and demonic powers weakened, many demons died before the 108 mantras were completed.
In the end, enlightening demons was practically impossible.
As such, the Demon-Subduing Pavilion monks still attempted to enlighten them but inwardly believed it to be impossible.
'That complacency will soon disappear as well.'
As he was also well-versed in dharmic powers, he could gauge the strength of the monstrous bird's demonic energy that had fallen in the Arhat Hall's courtyard.
While he acknowledged that it was incomparably stronger than ordinary demons, it was on a completely different level from what they were about to witness.
It was not only powerful and ferocious.
It even possessed the intelligence to deceive humans, which is why it was locked up in a deeper cave than the other demons.
"Well, it's not like keeping it locked up had any meaning anyway."
At Mok Gyeong-un's sarcastic remark, the Demon-Subduing Pavilion Master put his palms together and replied.
"Amitabha. Then, let the patron demonstrate his ability to control demons using techniques that defy principles."
"I understand."
***
In this manner, Mok Gyeong-un followed the Demon-Subduing Pavilion Master's guidance and entered the cave.
-Woooong!
As soon as he entered the cave, Mok Gyeong-un frowned.
-Why are you doing that, mortal?
Cheong-ryeong asked.
-…It's quite similar to when we came into contact with the primordial energy.
-Primordial energy? Could it be that inside the cave…
-The dharmic power is much stronger than outside.
Mok Gyeong-un found the reason on the cave walls.
The entire wall was engraved with gold-plated Demon-Subduing Pavilion mantra characters, causing the surrounding area to overflow with dharmic power.
However, this dharmic power seemed to have a nature opposite to the energy of the dead within Mok Gyeong-un's body, such as the death energy and demonic energy, causing the internal energies to surge.
He even developed a headache that wasn't there before.
-Do you think you can endure it?
-More or less.
Although the energy was turbulent, it wasn't agonizingly painful to the point of death.
It was just unpleasant to be in this space.
Moreover,
-Om somani somani hum arihanna arihanna hum arihanna banaya hum banaya hum baabam baara hum batak.
Just as the Demon-Subduing Pavilion Master had said beforehand, the Demon-Subduing Pavilion monks were chanting the Demon-Subduing Pavilion mantra in front of each cave within the Demon-subduing Cave, making even the ears sting.
Enduring this discomfort, they finally reached the deepest part of the Demon-subduing Cave.
On the way, the Demon-Subduing Pavilion Master said,
"The thirty-six caves located in the back garden of Shaolin are all interconnected. Therefore, if you accidentally stray from the guided path, you may lose your way. So, I humbly request that the patron be cautious."
"Thank you for the advice."
"And we will arrive soon, but if any problems arise after entering, please shout loudly. Although the demon's legs have been restrained with dharmic tools, its demonic power is so strong that it may be dangerous if you're not careful."
"I understand."
Eventually, they arrived at the cave located at the very back of the Demon-subduing Cave.
The entrance was incomparably larger than the other caves.
The blocked iron door was also engraved with gold-plated Demon-Subduing Pavilion mantras.
-Om somani somani hum arihanna arihanna hum arihanna banaya hum banaya hum baabam baara hum batak.
In front of the entrance, a single Demon-Subduing Pavilion monk was standing and chanting the mantra.
As they arrived, the Demon-Subduing Pavilion monk stopped and put his palms together.
"Amitabha. Have you arrived, fellow monk?"
"I told you to stop chanting the mantra and wait in the neighboring cavity, so why are you here, Deoksu?"
"I dropped my prayer beads at the entrance and went to retrieve them, but the demon, which I thought was exhausted and asleep, woke up and caused a commotion, so I was trying to calm it down."
"Oh my."
At his words, the Demon-Subduing Pavilion Master looked at the cave entrance with a worried expression.
Despite the prior warning, the demon inside was truly dangerous.
That's why they had planned to send Mok Gyeong-un in when the dharmic power was at its peak and the demon was most exhausted from the Demon-Subduing Pavilion mantra.
But if the demon had woken up and caused a commotion, the situation was indeed concerning.
If they weren't careful, they might end up being harmed instead.
Therefore, the Demon-Subduing Pavilion Master cautiously said,
"Patron, could you please wait a moment? I think we need to chant the Demon-Subduing Pavilion mantra a bit more to calm the demon down."
At his words, Mok Gyeong-un shook his head.
"Will it make a significant difference even if you do that? Just let me in."
"Oh my. Patron… This is for your sake as well. No matter how much you want to prove yourself, I cannot allow the patron to be in danger."
"I understand your concern, Venerable Monk, but we don't have much time either."
Shaolin Temple was quite close to the imperial capital of Kaifeng.
If the imperial palace sent troops or trackers, they could reach here in no time.
Therefore, from Mok Gyeong-un's perspective, he had no choice but to hurry.
"Could you not compromise for just a quarter of an hour?"
"If it seems greatly dangerous, I will let you know, so just let me in."
"Oh my."
The Demon-Subduing Pavilion Master clicked his tongue at Mok Gyeong-un's stubbornness and approached the firmly closed iron door's locks.
As the iron door was extremely large, there were a total of five locks.
The Demon-Subduing Pavilion Master took out keys from his waist and spoke.
-Clank!
"Patron, this iron door is made of hyeon-cheol, so no matter how skilled one is in martial arts, it cannot be cut or broken. Therefore, if it seems dangerous, shout immediately."
"I will do so."
-Clank!
After unlocking all the locks except for the last one with an unusual elongated shape, the Demon-Subduing Pavilion Master handed Mok Gyeong-un a torch hanging on the wall.
"It will be dark inside, so take this with you. There is a torch holder inside."
"I understand. But why are you leaving one lock unopened?"
"As a precaution."
"Precaution?"
"This lock is specially designed so that the iron door only opens wide enough for a person to barely pass through."
"Ah."
"If it opens wider than that, the demon might escape. The demon inside is not only ferocious but also cunning, so be careful."
"I will keep that in mind."
"Then, go and return safely. Amitabha."
-Screech!
As the large iron door opened, a gap barely wide enough for a person to pass through sideways, as the Demon-Subduing Pavilion Master had said, was created.
Through this, Mok Gyeong-un entered with the torch.
As soon as he went inside, the Demon-Subduing Pavilion monk outside immediately closed the iron door.
-Screech! Thud!
Although he tried to close it as carefully as possible, the door was so large that the sound of it closing was quite loud.
Paying no heed to this, Mok Gyeong-un raised the torch to illuminate the inside of the cave, the cavity.
'It's huge.'
The cavity was much larger than he had expected.
How large was it? The torch couldn't illuminate the entire space.
Part of the cavity was shrouded in shadows, and…
-Tak!
Without bringing the torch all the way there, Mok Gyeong-un placed it in the holder next to the iron door.
Then he looked at the area covered in shadows.
Without even needing to search, a strong demonic energy was emanating from there.
-Can you see it?
-Yes, I can see it.
The demon's eyes, faintly blinking and staring at him, were visible.
A red light was flickering in its eyes, and just from the size of its pupils, one could imagine how enormous it must be.
"Kekekekek."
At that moment, an eerie laughter echoed from the shadows.
The laughter was naturally quite different from a human voice, closer to the sound of scratching one's throat.
In response, Mok Gyeong-un grasped the sword finger in his right hand and prepared his techniques.
They said it had undergone a process of suppressing its evil nature with the Demon-Subduing Pavilion mantra for ninety-nine days, but the demonic energy it exuded made one question if it had really weakened.
-How strong does it seem?
-It appears to be above the level of a demon beast.
-Above a demon beast?
-Yes.
-Then could it possibly be a Diabolic Beast (魔獸)?
Monsters, or unidentified creatures, are referred to differently based on their level of danger.
The lowest grade is Fierce Beast, and as it goes higher, it becomes a Monstrous Beast (怪獸) and Demonic Beast (妖獸).
The Heum-won that Mok Gyeong-un had made his servant could also be considered a Demonic beast, but the level of demonic energy he sensed now was far stronger than that.
At that moment, along with the laughter, a voice was heard from the shadows.
"Kekekekek. I should thank those damn bald monks. After being stuck here for ninety-nine days, chanting nothing but those annoying sutras, they've finally brought me such a delicious meal."
Surprisingly, this monster could speak.
The sound of its voice, like scratching its throat, was extremely eerie, but it knew how to accurately convey its thoughts.
-Thud!
The sound of footsteps reverberated throughout the entire cave.
-Thud!
The cave floor shook.
Eventually, the monster revealed itself within the radius illuminated by the torch.
'Huh?'
It had horns on its head, resembling a dragon.
Its entire body was covered in red fur, and its shape was like a mixture of a dog and a cow, but it had hooves like a horse.
Its size was so immense that one had to look up to see it.
As soon as he saw this, Cheong-ryeong spoke in a surprised voice.
-Mortal… It's Alyu.
-Alyu?
-I had a feeling when they mentioned Mount Shaoxian, but these crazy bald monks have actually captured a diabolic beast.
Cheong-ryeong was dumbfounded.
The existence known as a Diabolic beast was so dangerous that even dozens of skilled Taoist priests had to gather to barely confront it.
Seeing that they had captured and imprisoned such a being, it was clear that Shaolin's power was no ordinary feat, but the situation had become quite serious.
-…This is bad. Aside from being strong, diabolic beasts possess intelligence as well.
-We have to subdue it first.
Controlling it or making it a servant was only possible after subduing the monster.
Fortunately, the demonic energy emanating from this diabolic beast wasn't the worst among the unidentified creatures he had recently encountered.
Should he say it was thanks to having experienced even worse than this?
Right at that moment…
"Kekekekek!"
-Thud thud thud thud thud!
The slowly approaching diabolic beast, Alyu, suddenly leaped towards Mok Gyeong-un with agile movements.
'Fast, despite its size.'
In response, Mok Gyeong-un moved his body to widen the distance and tried to deploy the Six Directions Formation.
However, the charging Alyu suddenly stopped.
-Bam!
Then, after maintaining some distance, it opened its mouth with trembling eyes.
"Kiririk. You… What are you? Why do you… reek of that monstrous fox?"
'!?'
300: Chapter 299: Diabolic Beast (2)
Long ago, a much smaller form of the Diabolic Beast Alyu (猰貐, Yayu) was staring at something with a terrified expression. It was because of the shadow of a gigantic nine-tailed fox that loomed heavily in the center of the burning Mount Shaoxian.
In the flickering shadow of the flames, the enormous nine-tailed fox was tearing apart the head of something. It was the head of an adult Alyu with a dragon's head. The small Alyu's red eyes trembled madly as it watched this scene.
***
"Kiririk, you… What are you? Why do you… reek of that monstrous fox?" The Diabolic Beast Alyu asked Mok Gyeong-un with trembling eyes.
Alyu, who had endured the torment of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion mantra for 99 days and a hunger that felt like its stomach was being turned inside out, tried to devour Mok Gyeong-un as soon as it saw him.
However, no matter how starved it was to the point of losing its senses, it was still a high-ranking existence among the unidentified creatures. The intelligent Diabolic Beast Alyu couldn't help but be instantly filled with wariness after sensing the familiar scent emanating from Mok Gyeong-un.
"The scent of the monstrous fox?"
"Kiririk. Without a doubt. The scent coming from you is definitely that of the monstrous fox."
At the confident words of the Diabolic Beast Alyu, Mok Gyeong-un's eyes narrowed. Being quick-witted, the moment Mok Gyeong-un heard the phrase "scent of the monstrous fox," he immediately thought of the Fox Demon Queen, no, the Hundred-Faced King, the Golden Nine-Tailed Fox.
[Carry it with you. It will serve as proof that I've marked you.]
[If it's proof that you've marked me, it's even more embarrassing to carry around.]
[You're quite honest. But it won't do you any harm to carry it. From what I've seen, you seem to get entangled with unidentified creatures quite often.]
[...]
[So keep it with you. If you have even a part of my tail, you won't get involved with annoying creatures.]
Mok Gyeong-un recalled the round medallion in his bosom. It was made by the Golden Nine-Tailed Fox using a part of its severed tail.
Originally, he was going to throw it away, but Cheong-ryeong also said it would be better to keep it for the time being.
-Even if it's just a part, the body of a Spiritual Beast close to a Divine Beast like the Hundred-Faced King will come in handy for something, no matter what it is.
However, he didn't expect such a thing to happen so soon. Judging from the wary gaze of the Diabolic Beast Alyu, there was also fear in its eyes.
Seeing a being intelligent enough to speak human language act like this, if handled well, it might be possible to take advantage of the situation.
Therefore, Mok Gyeong-un took out the medallion made from the Golden Nine-Tailed Fox's tail from his bosom. As he took it out,
-Swooosh!
The Diabolic Beast Alyu even took a step back due to the intensified scent of the Golden Nine-Tailed Fox.
"Kiririk. Yo-you, what are you? Why does a mere human like you have something like that?"
The Diabolic Beast Alyu trembled as it recalled an old memory. Even after such a long time had passed, the terror engraved in its entire body had not been forgotten.
It was truly the embodiment of a tyrant. It was so brutal that it would tear apart and devour the five extremities of even its fellow unidentified creatures if they displeased it.
-Tremble tremble!
Seeing Alyu standing upright and trembling, the corners of Mok Gyeong-un's mouth twitched. It seemed like it could be easily resolved if handled well.
'How should I approach this?'
Looking at that attitude, it was clear that the Diabolic Beast Alyu greatly feared the Golden Nine-Tailed Fox.
In that case, it would be better to imply that his relationship with the Golden Nine-Tailed Fox was very close.
With that thought, Mok Gyeong-un smiled and said,
"As expected of a diabolic beast, you have a keen sense of smell."
"Kiririk. What are you?"
-Clank!
The chain shackles on the ankles of the retreating Diabolic Beast Alyu became taut. Thanks to the restraints connected to the center of the cave, the range of movement for the Diabolic Beast Alyu couldn't reach the cavity walls.
Mok Gyeong-un approached Alyu and said,
-Don't get too close, mortal.
Just in case, Cheong-ryeong warned him. No matter how much it feared, the opponent was still a diabolic beast, a high-ranking existence among the unidentified creatures.
It would be best not to provoke it unnecessarily.
However, Mok Gyeong-un deliberately narrowed the distance to show confidence. And in that state, he held up the round medallion made from the Golden Nine-Tailed Fox's tail hair and said,
"As you can see, should I say we're acquaintances with a close relationship?"
"Acquaintances? With that monster?"
"Yes, you seem to know it well."
"How could I not know? The number of beings that have died at the hands of that monstrous fox is countless. If their bodies were piled up, it would have been taller than a thousand mountains."
-That's probably true. If it's a monster of that caliber, it would have lived for more than a thousand years, so it could pile up not just one, but several thousand mountains.
Cheong-ryeong also muttered in agreement.
Then Mok Gyeong-un shook the Golden Nine-Tailed Fox's round medallion at Alyu and said,
"It's fortunate that you know well how dangerous the Golden Nine-Tailed Fox is. I was worried that you might not listen to my proposal that could be mutually beneficial."
"Proposal?"
"Yes. Shall we say it's a proposal that might pique your interest?"
"What is it?"
The Diabolic Beast Alyu asked with a puzzled expression at the mention of a proposal.
Then Mok Gyeong-un put the round medallion back into his bosom and said,
"If done well, you too can be freed from this place."
"Freed? From this damn cave?"
"Yes, if you're interested, would you be willing to hear my proposal?"
"Kiririk. Hmm."
The Diabolic Beast Alyu rolled its eyes with a strange look, then opened its mouth while looking down at Mok Gyeong-un.
"What's the proposal?"
"It's not that difficult. You just need to suppress your demonic nature for a while and show that you can be controlled by me, so to speak."
"Show that I can be controlled?"
"Yes."
"Don't tell me you want me to show those damn bald monks that I've been subdued by a human like you?"
"Oh, you catch on quickly."
Mok Gyeong-un's eyes sparkled with interest. Indeed, a diabolic beast-level creature possessed intelligence beyond the level of being able to converse and even had some degree of insight.
"You probably know why the monks of Shaolin Temple capture and imprison beings like you and other unidentified creatures, and since you're intelligent, you should also know why they chant sutras while keeping you locked up, right?"
"So you're saying I just need to pretend to be controlled by a human like you?"
"Yes. If you do that, the Shaolin monks will release you."
"Just for that?"
"The reason the monks keep you captive is because of your dangerousness. But if you can be controlled, there's no need for them to hold you anymore."
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, the Diabolic Beast Alyu's eyes narrowed. It seemed to be seriously considering this proposal.
If it feared the Golden Nine-Tailed Fox and wanted to get out of here, wouldn't it smoothly accept the proposal?
While thinking that, the Diabolic Beast Alyu opened its mouth.
"Kiririk. I have a question, human."
"What is it?"
"I understand the conditions for me to be freed, but you don't seem to be related to those damn bald monks, so why are you trying to prove yourself?"
'Ah…'
Mok Gyeong-un inwardly felt annoyed at the Diabolic Beast Alyu's question.
He had hoped for a slightly simpler approach, but perhaps because it possessed intelligence and insight, it was doubting the very intention behind this proposal.
Therefore, Mok Gyeong-un also quickly racked his brain. How should he explain it so that the Diabolic Beast Alyu would smoothly accept the proposal without suspicion?
Then Mok Gyeong-un drew upon the incantation power, which was the foundation of his sorcery techniques. As he drew it out, the Diabolic Beast Alyu raised its voice at the revealed energy and said,
"Kirik. Human. You're a Taoist priest, aren't you?"
"Yes, as you can see."
"No wonder those damn bald monks wouldn't send an ordinary human in here."
-Grit!
Seeing the Diabolic Beast Alyu gritting its teeth, Mok Gyeong-un shrugged and said,
"Yes. But this is an opportunity for you. I also need to prove to the monks here that the unidentified creature I've made my servant is not dangerous due to friction with them."
"Servant?"
"I have a servant whose demonic power is weaker than yours."
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, the Diabolic Beast Alyu twitched its elongated mouth and said,
"Kiririk. So those damn bald monks are targeting the unidentified creature that you, a Taoist priest, have made your servant."
"That's right. You're indeed smart. So if you accept my proposal and help me, won't we both be able to obtain a mutually beneficial result?"
"Kirik. Kirik. Yeah. That could be."
"Then will you accept my proposal? It may be difficult right now, but if you just follow my control for a little while, you'll gain your freed-"
-Bam!
Before he could even finish speaking, the front hoof of the Diabolic Beast Alyu flew towards Mok Gyeong-un at a tremendous speed, forcing him to hastily retreat his body backwards.
-Bam! Kwang!
As the hoof struck the ground, the floor cracked and shattered fragments flew up.
In response, Mok Gyeong-un created a sharp aura with his sword fingers to cut through the flying fragments and moved his body to dodge the ones he could avoid.
But as soon as he did that,
-Croooo!
A condensed purple smoke spewed out from the Diabolic Beast Alyu's mouth, trying to engulf Mok Gyeong-un.
'Poison? No.'
It was different from poison. It seemed to be a smoke infused with demonic energy, and…
-Swish!
As Mok Gyeong-un hurriedly dodged it, the spewed condensed purple smoke collided with the ground.
However, unlike a moment ago, where the smoke collided,
-Woong!
A strange phenomenon occurred where the golden sutra characters written on the ground flickered and the smoke bounced off.
The bounced-off smoke then collided with another cave wall. And on that wall as well, due to the golden sutra characters, the smoke was reflected to another place and spread out here and there.
As a result, Mok Gyeong-un tried to maintain the maximum distance to avoid this smoke, but despite not much time passing, the reflecting smoke had already filled more than half of the entire cave.
Consequently, some of the smoke touched his skin, and…
-Sizzle!
'Acid?'
It was a very strong acid. This was a separate issue from immunity to poison.
If directly exposed to acid, the skin would inevitably melt.
Therefore, Mok Gyeong-un drew upon the demonic energy to form a thin film on his skin to protect his body like a protective energy shield.
Fortunately, it was effective. The acid couldn't penetrate the film made of demonic energy.
-Swish!
Not stopping there, Mok Gyeong-un used his true energy to push away the smoke and blocked it from entering a certain range.
Then, from within the smoke…
-Thud! Thud!
The Diabolic Beast Alyu, who had suddenly attacked, revealed itself.
"Kiririk. You're no ordinary human. There's no way a mere Taoist priest who only knows a few techniques can move this fast."
"Whether I'm a Taoist priest or not, what does it matter? I even made a proposal that might pique your interest, but I don't know what this sudden act is about."
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, the Diabolic Beast Alyu suddenly grinned, revealing its ferocious and sharp teeth.
"Kiririri. Do you think I would believe your words?"
"…This is unexpected. I thought you would seize even a slim chance to escape if you were destined to be trapped and die while listening to sutras anyway."
"Kirik. Yeah. At first glance, it sounds right. But in the end, those damn bald monks and you, a Taoist priest, are no different from natural enemies to beings like us. It's truly foolish to believe that I would trust a measly agreement between you lot."
At the monster's words, Mok Gyeong-un clicked his tongue and said,
"Are you really going to lose this opportunity to be freed like this?"
"It could also be an opportunity to die after being used."
At the Diabolic Beast Alyu's words, Mok Gyeong-un licked his lips.
He himself was also quite suspicious, but this Diabolic Beast Alyu also refused to trust him at all, befitting an intelligent being.
Thanks to the Golden Nine-Tailed Fox's medallion, he thought it would be easily resolved, but it seemed that wasn't the case.
So Mok Gyeong-un took out the medallion again and said,
"If it's because I'm a Taoist priest, I think there's a misunderstanding. Just seeing that I'm acquainted with the Golden Nine-Tailed Fox…"
-Thud!
Before he could even finish speaking, the Diabolic Beast Alyu stomped the ground with its hoof.
Then, looking down at Mok Gyeong-un, it spoke in a voice filled with overwhelming pressure.
"Thanks to you, human, a filthy memory has resurfaced."
"Filthy memory?"
"That monstrous fox massacred all of my kin on Mount Shaoxian, leaving me as the only surviving individual."
"…."
Mok Gyeong-un let out a small sigh.
He thought it simply feared the Golden Nine-Tailed Fox because of its lower status as an unidentified creature.
But if all its kin had been massacred,
-Roar!
Just looking at the surging strong murderous intent, a blatant hostility could be felt.
"…There's nothing good that will come out of this. Even if you hate the Golden Nine-Tailed Fox, the proposal I made is truly not a lie."
"Whether it's a lie or not, I don't trust the bald monks or you, human. Rather, a brilliant plan has come to mind."
"A brilliant plan?"
"Yes. Since the monstrous fox cherishes you, human, if you die here, that b*tch and the damn bald monks who locked me up here will have a blast fighting each other!"
-Grrrrr!
As soon as those words were spoken, the Diabolic Beast Alyu spewed out a purple smoke.
The purple smoke, released with even greater force than before, quickly flew somewhere, and that place was none other than the entrance, the iron door.
In an instant, the area around the iron door was filled with purple smoke.
'Is it trying to prevent me from getting out?'
As a result, Mok Gyeong-un had no choice but to move to the opposite side.
As Mok Gyeong-un launched his body towards the opposite side, at that moment, Alyu's long tail lashed out like a whip, targeting Mok Gyeong-un.
-Swish!
The size of that tail was so large that it couldn't simply be called a whip.
In the end, Mok Gyeong-un swiftly drew his Wicked Sword.
-Shing!
And with the Wicked Sword, he blocked the monster's oncoming tail.
-Clang!
Contrary to the expectation that the red, feather-like fur on the tail would be soft, the moment it clashed, it emitted a metallic sound, indicating it was extremely hard.
Moreover, the force and weight behind the tail itself were tremendous, so…
-Bang!
Mok Gyeong-un's body was sent flying backwards.
His thrown body was about to crash into the opposite cave wall.
Thinking he should use this force, Mok Gyeong-un somersaulted in the air, twisting his body to try and kick off the cave wall.
However, the moment he was about to kick off in sync with colliding with the wall,
-Kwang!
At that instant, both his feet pierced through the cave wall, and Mok Gyeong-un's body went straight through to the other side.
'!?'
301: Chapter 300: Diabolic Beast (3)
Outside the iron door.
Although not much time had passed since entering, the unusual silence made the Demon-subduing monk Deoksu open his mouth.
"Amitabha. monk. It's strangely quiet, isn't it? Is that patron really a Taoist priest?"
"He is indeed."
"Don't those Taoist priests use spells or something similar to chanting sutras or mantras like us Demon-subduing monks?"
"Why? Are you curious?"
At his question, the Demon-subduing monk Deoksu waved his hands and shook his head.
"No, that's not it."
Of course, he was inwardly curious about how Taoist priests would deal with demons.
So he was dying to take a peek, but he had no choice but to wait, fearing that something troublesome might happen if he did.
"Although magical techniques are said to originate from Taoism, it is a power that goes against principles. Don't bother being curious about it."
"Amitabha. I will keep that in mind."
After instructing Demon-subduing monk Deoksu in this manner, the Demon-subduing Priest stared intently at the iron door.
Despite his instructions, the Demon-subduing Priest was also curious inwardly.
Except for the Grand Meditation Master, he possessed the highest dharmic power, but even someone like him couldn't do anything alone against the demon beyond this iron door.
Yet how could a mere Taoist priest control the demon?
It was practically impossible.
At that moment.
-Bang! Bang!
Finally, noisy sounds could be heard from inside.
Judging from the brief silence followed by noise, it seemed like things weren't going well.
Soon, the demon's shout was heard.
-You damn human! Don't you dare come out of there!
'!?'
Don't come out of there?
What the hell does that mean?
In the cavity beyond the iron door, there was no particular space to escape or hide.
***
At the same time, beyond the iron door.
'Huh?'
This was completely unexpected.
Contrary to the expectation that the cave walls, engraved with sutras all over, would withstand this level of force by bouncing off the smoke spewed by the demonic beast Alyu, the hardness of the walls themselves wasn't that sturdy.
-Crash!
Mok Gyeong-un's body, which had pierced through the wall and entered the other side, slid down a narrow cave passage and fell somewhere.
Eventually, at the end of the slide, there was a pool of water, splashing and wetting his body.
As he fell like that, Mok Gyeong-un raised his head in disbelief, and…
'!?'
In front of him, a massive dead-end stone wall was spread out.
"Ah…"
It was a scene that made one involuntarily exclaim in awe.
If it were just a simple wall, it would be one thing, but part of the cave ceiling was open, allowing bright sunlight to shine down and beautifully illuminate a portion of the wall.
As he was gazing at this absentmindedly for a moment, a furious shout was heard from behind.
-You damn human! Don't you dare come out of there!
It was the voice of the demonic beast Alyu.
It was riding high, thinking it had blocked the entrance and driven him into a dead end, but an unexpected event had occurred, making it furious.
As Mok Gyeong-un was about to turn his head,
-The cave is connected to here…
At Cheong-ryeong's voice, Mok Gyeong-un asked in puzzlement.
"What do you mean by that?"
-Do you remember what that Demon-subduing Priest or whatever said earlier, that the thirty-six caves in the back garden of Shaolin Temple are all interconnected?
"Ah. I think he did say that. But why bring that up?"
-Look at the top of the wall.
"The top of the wall?"
At Cheong-ryeong's words, Mok Gyeong-un looked at the top of the wall where the sunlight was shining down.
Large characters were engraved there.
面壁洞
(Wall Contemplation Cave)
'Wall Contemplation Cave?'
Come to think of it, there was a cave entrance next to the Demon-subduing Cave with the words "Wall Contemplation Cave" written on it.
If that's the case, this place he had entered by breaking through the Demon-subduing Cave's wall was the Wall Contemplation Cave, and it seemed that what the Demon-subduing Priest said about all the caves being interconnected was indeed true.
However, Mok Gyeong-un's eyes were drawn to something other than that fact.
It was none other than the characters "Wall Contemplation Cave" engraved on the wall.
'Majestic.'
That was the feeling he got the moment he first saw the writing.
The calligraphy contained not a hint of arrogance or selfishness, and the force put into each stroke was even and incomparably majestic.
'Ah!'
Mok Gyeong-un's eyes widened.
The characters were not engraved using fingers or any tool.
They were engraved with qi.
Yet how could it be so flawless?
If one had never learned martial arts or knew nothing about qi, they would have looked at it with a simple gaze, but this was truly amazing.
At Mok Gyeong-un's reaction, Cheong-ryeong said,
-The mastery of qi has truly reached the level of divinity. As expected of the originator who created Shaolin Fist, known as the orthodox martial art of the Central Plains.
"Originator?"
-Bodhidharma.
"Bodhidharma? Ah… I've heard of him before. Isn't he the one called the founder of Zen Buddhism?"
-Yes. He is the founder of Zen Buddhism and is also known as the origin of Shaolin Fist.
"Then did this Bodhidharma establish Shaolin Temple?"
-No, that's not it.
"Then what is it?"
-Have you ever seen a Daruma doll?
"No."
-When you look at a Daruma doll, Bodhidharma's appearance gives off a quite exotic feeling.
"If he's exotic, does that mean he's not from the Central Plains?"
-That's right. Bodhidharma was the third prince of the King of Xiangji in the Tianzhu Kingdom, but he renounced the world and cultivated the Buddhist way.
"Oh?"
Mok Gyeong-un's eyes sparkled with interest.
It was surprising to hear that the one known as the origin of Shaolin martial arts was not from the Central Plains but a foreigner.
"But how did a foreign prince who renounced the world become the origin of Shaolin martial arts?"
-That, I don't know. There are several theories, and one of them is right here, the Wall Contemplation Cave of Shaolin Temple.
"Did he train martial arts in the Wall Contemplation Cave?"
-When he entered deep meditation, he would face the wall and sit in meditation all day long, and when he came out of meditation, he would move his limbs without rest and train his body. That physical training is said to have become the foundation of Shaolin Fist.
"I see."
-What's even more amazing is that he repeated that wall-facing cultivation for nine years without rest.
The wall-facing cultivation that lasted for a whole nine years.
This became widely known among many Buddhist practitioners and even laypeople, and this Wall Contemplation Cave, where Bodhidharma was said to have trained, was called the Daruma Wall Contemplation Cave by outsiders.
At Cheong-ryeong's words, Mok Gyeong-un stared intently at the characters "Wall Contemplation Cave" on the wall.
Shaolin Fist was born through Bodhidharma, whom she mentioned, and Shaolin Fist became the foundation for many orthodox martial arts in the Central Plains.
It was literally the very origin.
'Impressive.'
Mok Gyeong-un inwardly expressed his respect for the fact that someone's nine years became an origin, and through that origin, countless martial arts were born.
However, that respect was short-lived.
There was no time to leisurely gaze at the stone wall of the Wall Contemplation Cave here.
As Mok Gyeong-un was about to turn his head,
'!?'
Mok Gyeong-un, who was about to turn his head, stopped moving at some point.
Then he stared fixedly at a certain spot on the stone wall.
It was a momentary unconsciousness.
The moment he blinked his eyes, closed them, and opened them again,
-Whoosh!
At that moment, a cold wind blew from the entire stone wall, and snowflakes were fluttering all around.
Faced with such a bizarre phenomenon, Mok Gyeong-un was momentarily at a loss for words.
Mok Gyeong-un raised his head and looked up at the sky.
Snow was falling through the open cave ceiling, and the falling snow was piling up on the cave floor.
'What on earth…'
As he was puzzled, he noticed a spot where snow had piled up particularly high.
It was the point where the light from the stone wall was reflecting.
There, snow had piled up to the height of a sitting person…
'Huh?'
He thought it was just snow, but someone was actually sitting in meditation, and snow had piled up on their head and shoulders.
Not understanding what was going on, Mok Gyeong-un tried to approach that person.
But then, footstep sounds were heard.
-Footsteps!
Puzzled by the sound, Mok Gyeong-un turned his head.
As he turned his head, a tall, bald man wearing a yellow kasaya was approaching from a cave at the back of the Wall Contemplation Cave.
Mok Gyeong-un tried to speak to him, but…
"Who…"
-Swish!
That bald someone, who seemed to be a practicing monk, passed by Mok Gyeong-un without even acknowledging his presence.
The practicing monk who had passed by like that soon approached the person sitting in meditation.
Despite the snow piling up on their head and shoulders and someone approaching, the person sitting in meditation didn't make the slightest movement.
-Thud!
The approaching practicing monk knelt on the ground.
Then, bowing his head to the person sitting in meditation, he spoke in an earnest voice.
[Please give me your teachings.]
[…]
Despite his earnestness, the person sitting in meditation remained still, not uttering a single word or showing any disturbance.
Nevertheless, the practicing monk bowed his head to the ground once again and said,
[Open the path for me.]
[…]
The practicing monk maintained that prostrated posture.
He showed the determination to never move until he received an answer from the person sitting in meditation.
Like that, both the person sitting in meditation and the one prostrating behind remained motionless, and snow piled up more on their bodies.
As Mok Gyeong-un let out a soft sigh, wondering what this was all about,
-Swish!
At that moment, the surroundings darkened and brightened repeatedly, and then…
'!?'
Suddenly, snow had piled up heavily on the body of the prostrating practicing monk, and the person sitting in meditation had risen to their feet.
The person who had risen from meditation spoke while still keeping their gaze on the stone wall.
[Receive it.]
As soon as those words were heard, the prostrating practicing monk staggered to his feet.
No, he couldn't even stand up straight.
Having prostrated for a long time while being hit by snow, he stumbled forward.
Even though he fell forward and his nose was bleeding, the practicing monk struggled to get up.
But the person who had been sitting in meditation threw something behind them without even looking.
The practicing monk stretched out both hands to catch it.
-Splash!
The moment the practicing monk caught it, it wet his hands and flowed down to the ground.
It was none other than water.
Seeing this, Mok Gyeong-un's eyes sparkled with interest.
'He threw water?'
It was truly a strange occurrence.
Did he lightly pack some snow and throw it, and it melted in the hands?
Or did he really throw water?
Is it possible to throw water with bare hands like that?
As he was puzzled, the practicing monk tried to scoop up the water that had fallen to the ground with his hands.
But how could he possibly scoop up the water that had already soaked the ground?
[Ah… Aah…]
A sigh escaped from the practicing monk's mouth.
Then, the man in the kasaya who was staring at the stone wall said,
[I gave it to you. So go back.]
At those words, the practicing monk, who had been scraping the wet ground to the point of breaking his nails, pleaded with tears in his eyes.
[This humble monk is still lacking and couldn't receive what you gave. So please, give me your teachings.]
[…]
[Even if I have to die here, I cannot leave.]
[…]
Despite the practicing monk's determined resolve, the one staring at the wall did not turn his head even slightly.
However, eventually, the one in the kasaya staring at the stone wall opened his mouth.
[Unless red eyes fall and pile up here, I will never accept you.]
At his words, Mok Gyeong-un snorted.
How could red eyes possibly fall?
In the end, it was just a roundabout way of saying he wouldn't accept him.
It was at that moment.
-Bam!
At that moment, the practicing monk got to his feet.
Then he ran somewhere in the cave and came back with a knife.
Mok Gyeong-un thought he might do something reckless upon hearing that he would never be accepted as a disciple, but…
-Slice!
At that instant, the practicing monk cut off his own left arm.
'!?'
Then he sprinkled the blood flowing from his severed arm onto the piled-up snow.
As the practicing monk's blood scattered, the snow gradually turned red.
Seeing this, Mok Gyeong-un's mouth twitched.
This practicing monk had created an answer that couldn't be made through the sacrifice of cutting off his arm.
It could indeed be called a truly remarkable will.
'Will he still keep staring at the wall even after this?'
Mok Gyeong-un looked at the person in the kasaya who was staring at the stone wall.
At that moment, the one who had been staring at the stone wall opened his mouth.
[Receive it.]
With those words, the person threw something behind him.
It happened so quickly that the practicing monk unconsciously stretched out his arm to catch it at all costs.
But the arm he stretched out was none other than the severed one.
However,
-Whoosh!
At that moment, a handful of water formed a shape in the air as if grasped by a hand, and it floated there.
'!!!!!!'
Mok Gyeong-un's eyes trembled as he watched this.
The act of trying to grasp something with a non-existent arm actually made it possible.
This amazing sight rang loudly in Mok Gyeong-un's mind like a bell, and that sound brought about a crack.