Tangma Myeolsa (2)
“A clear sword qi shining like a cloudless sky caught my attention, and sure enough, the Yeon family head is here as well.”
His tone was different from the formal alliance meetings, likely due to the private setting.
Yeon Wi formed a fist salute.
“Abbot.”
The Shaolin abbot, Gong Gong-daesa, returned the greeting with a half-palm salute.
Yeon Wi glanced at Yeon Hojeong.
Yeon Hojeong politely formed a fist salute.
“I am Yeon Hojeong of the Yeon family. It is an honor to meet you, Abbot.”
“Haha, the honor is mine. This is our first time meeting in private, isn't it?”
“Yes.”
Yeon Hojeong lifted his head, his eyes gleaming.
As expected.
An ordinary build. Dressed in gray monk robes with red kasaya draped over them, Gong Gong-daesa's appearance was the very picture of a high monk radiating spiritual power.
But the profound strength hidden within was like an ocean brimming with golden light.
Immense.
Dense seawater that wouldn't ripple even in a fierce gale filled Gong Gong-daesa's three dantian without a single gap.
And that was merely a guess. At Yeon Hojeong's current level, he couldn't fully discern the total magnitude of the abbot's power.
Truly the pinnacle of Mount Tai and the North Star.
A person he had never met during his days as the Black Dark Emperor. Yet he had fought alongside Shaolin warrior monks several times, crushing enemies in joint campaigns.
Most of those comrades had been first-generation disciples, around Yeon Hojeong's age or younger.
Their martial arts had all been astonishingly formidable.
The world's finest techniques emerge from Shaolin. The saying wasn't born in vain.
Moreover, the realm he had achieved as the Black Dark Emperor surpassed Gong Gong-daesa's current level.
Even so, Yeon Hojeong was startled by the density of the power the abbot possessed.
What kind of inner energy is this monstrous?
Yeon Wi asked in his characteristically curt voice.
“Why have you come all this way without even a single attendant?”
Even the renowned Yeon Wi showed utmost respect before Gong Gong-daesa—due to the age gap and the abbot's unparalleled presence as Shaolin's leader.
Gong Gong-daesa smiled.
“Yeon family head.”
“Please speak, Abbot.”
“Might I have a word with your eldest son?”
Yeon Wi looked at him in surprise.
……
The abbot's eyes were clear. So profound and pure that one might be drawn right into them.
The discerning gaze of an enlightened being, impossible for any ordinary attendant to mimic.
Come to think of it.
Despite cultivating such astonishing inner energy and formidable martial arts, his face was etched with fine wrinkles befitting his age.
A power that didn't defy the natural order, the divine arts passed down through a millennium in Shaolin pursued such effortless might.
Yeon Wi nodded.
“Of course.”
“My thanks.”
Yeon Wi turned to Yeon Hojeong.
Yeon Hojeong bowed his head.
“I'll be back.”
“Go on.”
At that moment, Gong Gong-daesa spoke.
“Young man, you wield a heavy weapon over eighty geun, yes?”
“Pardon? Ah, yes.”
“Bring that along as well, if you would.”
A meaningful request.
Yeon Hojeong hefted the Gwang Yong Bu without issue, and just in case, grabbed the Gyo Ryong Swai too.
A flicker of subtle interest crossed Gong Gong-daesa's face at the sight of the chain.
But that was all.
“Now, shall we go?”
Gong Gong-daesa led Yeon Hojeong deep into the alliance grounds, to a secluded forest clearing.
Neither spoke a word along the way.
Yeon Hojeong was silent too.
Pushing through the underbrush, they finally emerged into a vast clearing.
A clearing, huh…
It was enormous. At least three times wider than the inner training ground where he'd sparred with his father.
Gong Gong-daesa finally spoke.
“This is the place.”
“Understood.”
Soon, the two stood at the center.
Yeon Hojeong scanned the surroundings.
It's like they built it specifically for open combat.
Indeed, someone had recently trained here aggressively. The ground was scarred with gouges and craters everywhere.
“You have fine patience.”
Yeon Hojeong turned to the abbot.
Gong Gong-daesa's face wore a relaxed smile.
“Not opening your mouth once on the way here—quite unlike today's youths. Impressive restraint.”
“I have much on my mind. It's not patience.”
“Hahaha.”
The abbot let out a hearty laugh. It was a pleasant sound.
“Let me introduce myself properly. I'm just a monk idling away my time in the abbot's quarters at Shaolin on Mount Song.”
Yeon Hojeong couldn't help but chuckle. A striking self-introduction.
One usually pictured Shaolin's abbot as compassionate and dignified, but Gong Gong-daesa was different.
His public and private personas likely varied.
“The fool of the Yeon family who only recently came to his senses after driving nails into his kin's hearts.”
Gong Gong-daesa laughed loudly again.
“What kind of bizarre introduction is that?”
“You're one to talk, Abbot.”
Familiar tone, despite first meeting.
Gong Gong-daesa nodded with a smile.
“Indeed, you're different from the rumors.”
“Pardon?”
“They say you're a hot-blooded youth whose innate talent is solely fixated on martial arts, but you don't match the gossip at all.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. A tiger general you are, but one with a fox's cunning, a snake's wisdom, and the dragon's ever-changing visage.”
Yeon Hojeong flinched involuntarily.
“You're too kind.”
“Am I? Haha, what's wrong with a little excess praise? Excessive scolding is trouble, but kind words? No harm in overdoing them.”
“Too much praise breeds arrogance.”
“Are you that sort?”
“I could be.”
“Between us, at your age with such accomplishments, a touch of arrogance wouldn't hurt.”
Strange.
A Shaolin abbot steeped in Buddhist teachings, yet this conversation felt utterly mundane.
A monk saying arrogance is fine?
Unique. Clearly sincere, yet subtly profound. Was he truly encouraging it, probing indirectly, or just idle chatter?
Either way, no ordinary man.
Gong Gong-daesa asked.
“Why? Not monk-like enough?”
Yeon Hojeong smirked.
“You're a ghost in monk's robes.”
“Tch! Calling a Buddhist pursuer a ghost?”
“...You get worked up over the oddest things.”
“Haha, so what's your answer?”
“That's what I thought until moments ago.”
“Not anymore?”
“People have different natures, monk or Taoist—they're all human. Enlightenment doesn't make temperaments uniform.”
“Hahaha!”
Gong Gong-daesa laughed heartily, a jovial ring to it. Yeon Hojeong's words evidently amused him.
“One thing's clear: No one's ever spoken so boldly to a Shaolin abbot on first meeting.”
“No reason not to.”
“Exactly.”
The abbot's eyes gleamed.
“That's it. Mundane etiquette is one thing, but no need to bow excessively.”
“Pleased you approve?”
“Thoroughly.”
Yeon Hojeong's expression hardened.
“Now tell me. Why bring me here?”
“Why?”
Gong Gong-daesa tilted his head.
“Doesn't the place itself say it?”
“Just a spar?”
“Would I have had you bring that massive axe if not?”
Yeon Hojeong was slightly taken aback.
“I see…?”
“Hahaha. That face—now you look like a youth your age. Relieved.”
Relieved?
Gong Gong-daesa clapped his hands in prayer, then slowly spread them.
“I've prattled on. Let's begin.”
Yeon Hojeong stared silently.
A spar?
First impressions and brief talk usually gauged personality and reactions.
But not here. Neither Yeon Wall-Mountain Tiger's eyes nor the Black Dark Emperor's could pierce Gong Gong-daesa's true face.
His intentions were elusive.
……
After a long gaze, Yeon Hojeong raised the Gwang Yong Bu straight ahead.
Interest lit Gong Gong-daesa's face.
“Impressive earlier too, but you handle it so lightly.”
“It's my main weapon.”
“That chain's no trinket either?”
“Brought it just in case.”
“Hahaha.”
The abbot spoke jovially.
“One last thing before we start?”
“Go ahead.”
“Before calling you, I sparred with Tang Ma Army Leader Mo Yong Woo.”
Yeon Hojeong's eyes flashed.
“With the Tang Ma Army Leader?”
“Yes. Remarkable. The bout lasted a mere quarter-hour, but he exploded with growth in that instant.”
“Ho.”
A natural smile crossed Yeon Hojeong's face.
Gong Gong-daesa's eyes sparkled.
Genuine.
A pure smile, free of rivalry or envy.
Unexpected. Talented youths often grew impatient at peers' progress, but not Yeon Hojeong.
Confidence? Or pure recognition?
Whatever it was, extraordinary.
As Yeon Hojeong couldn't read the abbot's true face, Gong Gong-daesa couldn't read his either.
A startling revelation for the abbot.
He lacked Yeon Hojeong's hellish battles, but possessed innate wisdom, Shaolin divine arts, and the true sight from cultivation.
Good call summoning him.
Gong Gong-daesa asked.
“Ready to truly begin?”
“...Yes.”
Thud!
The earth trembled from his powerful stamp.
Gong Gong-daesa's eyes gleamed in admiration at the leg strength transmitted through the ground.
Yeon Hojeong's smile turned chilling.
“Lately, I've overused my head and forgotten my simpler self.”
“Hahaha.”
“I trust you'll handle it all.”
“I am Shaolin's abbot, after all.”
Then—
Flash!
Gong Gong-daesa's eyes widened.
What?!
Roar!
A streak of light flashed, and in an instant, Yeon Hojeong closed within a zhang.
Fast!
Like a massive fireball launched. Crimson true energy blazing across his body evoked the Fire God's wings.
Yeon Hojeong swung the Gwang Yong Bu.
Flash!
Crash!
A ferocious barrage upheaved the earth. No mercy, a true assault.
He hadn't infused killing intent into the Vermilion Bird Qi, but the art itself was vicious slaughter.
Flutter!
Gong Gong-daesa's kasaya fluttered skyward on the wind.
Extraordinary.
Six strikes in one breath, merciless axe work. Truly startling.
He hadn't imagined such ferocity from the start.
And that footwork…?
Whoosh!
Gong Gong-daesa's eyes widened further.
Not footwork—a divine step. Yeon Hojeong soared upright, evoking a noble gentleman.
A gentleman wielding a brutal axe. Mismatched yet strangely fitting amid the surging battle aura, the abbot bellowed.
“Starting like this?!”
“You said you'd take it all!”
Gong Gong-daesa thrust his palm powerfully.
Boom!
Clang!
The Gwang Yong Bu struck by soft palm force ricocheted at tremendous speed, embedding in the ground.
Gong Gong-daesa's eyes flashed.
Releasing his main weapon?!
Grab.
Yeon Hojeong appeared at his left flank.
The abbot was inwardly shocked.
He read it?
Yeon Hojeong grinned ferociously.
“No room for carelessness, Abbot.”
White Tiger Qi erupted from his fist.
Boom!