Chapter 155
"Yes."
"Do you roughly understand the situation?"
"Yes. I have not forgotten Master's words to not miss the situation as it unfolds."
Gong Ryeong nodded and looked at Musan.
Though he was a disciple obtained in his later years and still had many immature aspects, Musan was still the one he could trust most in this place.
"Since this concerns the Sword Emperor's secret manual, there's no telling what might happen. That benefactor Wei Yan-ho seems to me to still be young and lacking the experience to handle the treacherous martial world."
"But Master, I also don't know much about the world yet."
Gong Ryeong smiled gently.
"That may be so. But if you only pursue Buddhist teachings within the temple walls, you'll never understand the world for your entire life. If you truly wish to reach the other shore, you must understand the world."
Musan was naturally moved by Gong Ryeong's words full of profound wisdom.
'How can one enter nirvana without knowing the secular world?'
Buddhist teachings are a lonely and desolate path that one must walk alone, but the end of Buddhist teachings does not lie simply in solitary seeking of the Way. If one does not know the lives of worldly people when teaching them, how can one move people's hearts?
"Yes, Master."
Musan clasped his hands together and received his master's words.
"And there's one thing I must ask of you."
"Yes?"
Gong Ryeong quietly approached and whispered in Musan's ear.
Musan's face became blank upon hearing what Gong Ryeong conveyed.
"…Yes?"
Gong Ryeong looked at Musan and smiled gently.
"Do monks also take out loans?"
"…"
Hwang Chung and Musan looked at each other with embarrassed faces. Hwang Chung couldn't help but be bewildered to see a monk in Shaolin's yellow robes pacing in front of the loan office, and Musan couldn't help but feel embarrassed to have to pace around such a place in his monk's robes.
"Would it be possible for me as well?"
"Ah…"
Hwang Chung felt his words getting blocked for the first time since entering this business.
"Wait, wait, how should I handle this…"
His identity was very clear.
There probably wasn't a martial artist with more reliable credentials than a Shaolin monk. With this level of creditworthiness, he could lend not just two gold nyang but even ten nyang.
But the problem lay elsewhere.
'A monk, you see.'
If Hwang Chung had to choose the two professions most unrelated to money in the Central Plains, he would unhesitatingly choose monks and beggars.
'His affiliation is certain, but… '
What people don't know well is that the organizations with the most money in the martial world include the Beggar's Sect and Shaolin.
Shaolin is famous for having lines of incense-bearing visitors stretching down to the foot of Mount Song, and the Beggar's Sect has so many branches that even if those swarms of beggars each beg just one penny, a miracle occurs where it instantly becomes a hundred gold nyang.
The problem is that while the Beggar's Sect and Shaolin have lots of money, monks and beggars have no money.
"Mmm."
Hwang Chung began to agonize.
'What would happen if I asked Shaolin to repay the debt because this monk couldn't pay it back?'
Life is suffering, and suffering is one's own… wouldn't they say to resolve it yourself?
"Hmm."
Hwang Chung shook his head.
It wasn't that Shaolin was greedy for money. They didn't use incoming money to pursue pleasures, but spent it on helping the poor or assisting those in difficult situations.
But Shaolin was extremely stingy when it came to spending money on their own disciples. Shaolin was a place that only provided yellow robes and barely managed meals with grass roots, without spending money on anything else.
How else could there be an evaluation that Shaolin was a place that sucked the lifeblood of its own disciples to feed the people?
"Um… Master."
Hwang Chung sighed and spoke.
"Since I'm also a believer in Buddhist teachings, doing money business with a monk is somewhat…"
"It's absolutely necessary."
"Is… is that so?"
Musan looked at the bewildered Hwang Chung and recalled the conversation he had with his master just before.
"That young man will probably summon a great storm. Even if he doesn't want it himself, he'll become the center of turbulent times, so follow him. If you stay by his side, you too will be able to witness with your own eyes the turbulent times that will sweep over the world. If you gain something, it will be your fortune; even if you suffer calamity, it will be your fortune."
Up to that point, it was fine. The problem was what Gong Ryeong had subtly added afterward.
"Musan, for Shaolin's development, that secret manual is absolutely necessary. But unfortunately, I didn't expect such a situation to arise, so I didn't bring any money. I'd like to arrange financing urgently, but there are no suitable temples or sects nearby. What should we do?"
'I'm not going to get sold off somewhere, am I?'
Musan's body trembled.
What his master was saying was simple.
The secret manual was needed but there was no money, so one person would sacrifice(?) themselves to take out a loan, and later the main temple would get money to pay it back.
Since it would be a matter of face for Gong Ryeong to borrow money directly, the youngest and least known member of the group, Musan, should represent them in borrowing money – that was the meaning.
"Master, this is somewhat…"
Hwang Chung scratched the back of his head.
'This is awkward.'
The reason he had been able to freely lend money to others until now was because they were alone.
No matter how strong they were, one fist couldn't overcome ten fists. Considering the Silver River Pawn Shop's power, he was confident he could subdue them no matter what great abilities they possessed.
If subjugation was possible, there were countless ways to use martial artists.
Even just sending them to mines, a martial artist could do the work of ten people. Earning one gold nyang a year was no problem at all.
But Musan's case was a bit different.
No matter how much Shaolin might wash their hands of him, neither Hwang Chung nor the Silver River Pawn Shop had the guts to sell off a Shaolin monk.
"Must you absolutely borrow?"
"That's right. Amitabha."
'You shouldn't be saying Amitabha here! What would Amitabha say!'
Hwang Chung turned his head, clicked his tongue, and led Musan away.
"Come, come this way."
"Yes."
Hwang Chung dragged Musan over to Gong Mu-jin, who was idling beside the carriage.
"Um, Hero Gong."
"Mm?"
Gong Mu-jin tilted his head at the two people approaching him.
"This person wants a loan, but given his status, I came because I was uncertain whether to proceed."
Gong Mu-jin burst out laughing as if it was absurd.
"What does this have to do with me that you're asking me?"
"Of course I know it's not proper, but I don't really have anyone else to consult with."
Gong Mu-jin sighed and looked at Musan. Looking at Musan avoiding his gaze with a reddened face, something ached in his chest.
'What troubled times.'
A monk coming to get a loan. Even Buddha would roll over in his grave. Of course, it was Wei Yan-ho who created this situation.
Gong Mu-jin, having grasped the situation, covered his face.
He understood.
Having come this far, it would be awkward to return empty-handed. Moreover, if what was circulating was truly the Sword Emperor's legacy, they would definitely want to get their hands on it, even for research purposes.
No matter how much Shaolin's martial learning was called the pinnacle of orthodox sects, not studying other sects' martial arts would lead to differences in response methods.
'I understand, but… '
If it were any other sect facing such a situation, they would have subtly persuaded and convinced one of those taking copies to make an additional manuscript.
Seeing how they were trying to make copies in a fair and square manner after hearing that Wei Yan-ho made them write a pledge, truly befitted Shaolin in many ways.
'Perhaps that uprightness is the source of strength that has lasted a thousand years.'
Even if they walk muddy paths, they walk the righteous way.
Looking at that alone, rather than pointing fingers, one should praise them instead…
The problem was why they had to send Musan of all people.
Looking at Musan's face that had turned red as a persimmon, he felt this was also something he couldn't do. If they were going to be fair and square anyway, they should be a bit more fair and square!
"Mmm."
Gong Mu-jin shook his head and turned to look up at the carriage where Wei Yan-ho would be sleeping.
Originally, Gong Ryeong must have sent Musan thinking that Gong Mu-jin would somehow handle it, and Hwang Chung also brought Musan to Gong Mu-jin knowing this.
'I can't just back out.'
Considering the relationship with Shaolin, it would be right to resolve this matter as cleanly as possible.
"Young Hero Wei."
Though he called for Wei Yan-ho, Wei Yan-ho didn't come out and Wei Su-ryeon peeked her head out.
"Big brother is sleeping."
"…"
When an adult calls, you should wake the child! What's he supposed to do when she says he's sleeping!
Gong Mu-jin turned his head.
In the distance in the direction he was looking was Guangdong.
'Senior, just how did you raise these children?'
Though he had competitive feelings but secretly respected this senior, seeing that his offspring were all like this made him question the Wei Family of Guangdong's educational philosophy.
'Did he invest everything in the eldest son?'
At least it was fortunate that the Demon-Slaying Sword Wei San-ho was famous as a righteous gentleman and chivalrous man.
If not for that, the future of the Wei Family of Guangdong would have been like hell.
"…Please wake him up."
"Our big brother gets angry when you wake him up while he's sleeping."
Though he could vividly feel the implication of 'Why are you asking me to do something when you clearly know that?', Gong Mu-jin pretended not to understand and let Wei Su-ryeon's words slide.
'Still, it would be better for you to wake him than for me to wake him.'
It wasn't just the common people who had seen the Nine Blades Sword and Demon Ring Hand get smashed to pieces. Gong Mu-jin had also seen that spectacle up close.
Until now, he had never felt Wei Yan-ho was particularly violent despite being strong, but seeing what happened to the Nine Blades Sword and Demon Ring Hand, he began to wonder what happened to the Flower-Obsessed Scholar Seo Ju-ak.
'I should be careful.'
Though they had built up some friendship, surely he wouldn't beat him up… but that friendship might just be Gong Mu-jin's personal thoughts.
"I'd like to ask a favor."
When Gong Mu-jin took a humble stance, Wei Su-ryeon also seemed flustered and bowed her head deeply.
"I'll wake him right away."
Gong Mu-jin smiled warmly.
At least the third child seemed to know what courtesy and respect were.
"Ah, why!"
That bastard is the problem, that bastard!
The one who just sticks his head out and shows all kinds of irritation is the problem!
Gong Mu-jin cleared his throat and spoke.
"Look here, Young Hero Wei. Master Musan from Shaolin has come, and it seems they need a copy of the secret manual."
"Can't they just copy it?"
Musan and Gong Mu-jin glanced at each other's faces.
"Ahem, what money would these people have brought for such expensive expenses?"
"Can't they get a loan?"
When Gong Mu-jin stared blankly, Hwang Chung scratched his head and spoke awkwardly.
"Somehow, giving a loan to a monk is a bit…"
"Hmm…"
As Wei Yan-ho seemed to be pondering, Musan stepped forward and spoke.
"I ask this of you, benefactor. Currently, I don't have the means to pay the amount. But if you would bestow this grace upon me, I will definitely return to the main temple and repay that kindness."
Wei Yan-ho listened to Musan's words and tilted his head.
"So, you're saying to give you the item first, and later when circumstances improve… I don't know when that would be, but anyway, when circumstances improve, you'll somehow get money together and send it?"
"…"
Wei Yan-ho quietly stared at Musan, who had become like a mute who ate honey, then his gaze moved slightly upward.
Looking at Musan's cleanly shaved head, Wei Yan-ho opened his mouth as if he understood.
"Did you become bald from liking free stuff?"
"What kind of nonsense is that to a monk! You crazy bastard!"
Unable to hold back any longer, Gong Mu-jin's explosive roar echoed thunderously through the streets.