Legend and Reality (2)
“……!!”
Yeon Hojeong’s expression changed in an instant.
In a moment like this, he had never imagined encountering someone who knew both his master’s identity and the true nature of the Sasinmu.
Tam-gyeong’s eyes, which had been shining with genuine curiosity, soon returned to their usual calm.
“As I thought. You’ve mastered the Four Gods.”
“You……”
Was it because he was so shocked?
Yeon Hojeong found himself stammering without realizing it.
“H-how do you know about the Four Gods?”
It was only natural.
The Sasinmu was a martial art lost to history. Even Yeon Hojeong himself had only learned after his regression that its origin traced back three hundred years to the legendary master known as the Four Directions Martial Emperor.
Of course, Yeon Hojeong had never been particularly interested in such matters. Even so, there was no one left who even knew what the Four Directions Martial Emperor’s techniques had been.
At best, the now-extinct Nine Provinces Noble Clans had grotesquely modified the Sasinmu into something resembling a demonic art with terrible aftereffects, yet even they had not realized it was the Sasinmu.
Wuuuung!
A heavy aura rose from Yeon Hojeong’s body.
It was the Hyeonmu Qi. The Hyeonmu Art had activated on its own to shield his startled mind.
Tam-gyeong’s eyes flashed.
“So that is the aura of one of the Four Gods?”
“……”
“Haha, it’s far deeper and heavier than I expected. It seems based on water qi, yet it doesn’t suit your personality at all.”
Yeon Hojeong stared at Tam-gyeong for a moment before speaking honestly without thinking.
“It’s only part of the Four Gods.”
“Part?”
“Yes.”
“Then the Four Gods’ martial arts aren’t one, but four separate arts?”
The Four Gods referred to the deities of the four directions. Hearing that it was only “part” of them, it wasn’t difficult to infer that the true qi would possess four distinct attributes.
Yet Yeon Hojeong sensed something beyond mere deduction in Tam-gyeong’s words. The old man had known of the Four Gods, but apparently not the details of the martial art itself.
Just who is this man?
He was unusual.
It was already surprising that he knew of the Sasinmu, something only Yeon Hojeong and his master should have known. But what was truly astonishing was the innocence that didn’t match his age.
Despite being the junior, he openly displayed expressions and emotions he could have easily hidden. His childish playfulness was an added surprise. If he truly belonged to the generation before the previous one, he should be close to a hundred years old, yet he behaved like a child who knew nothing of the world.
What kind of person is he?
Tam-gyeong. The name meant “one who seeks scriptures.”
What scripture was he searching for, and how did he know about the Four Gods?
Could the scripture he sought be connected to the Sasinmu?
“……Enough.”
Yeon Hojeong set his questions aside.
Someone who knew his martial art. Someone who asked about his master.
Since such questions had been asked, Yeon Hojeong had countless things he wanted to ask in return. But right now, none of that mattered. The Sasinmu, or what this old man was doing, were not his concern.
What mattered most was the mission.
Countless subordinates had died during the operation to eliminate the Shadow God. Even if it had been the best possible outcome, the responsibility ultimately fell on him as their leader.
No matter how extraordinary the Sasinmu was, could it truly be more precious than the lives of his men?
For the sake of the fallen subordinates, Yeon Hojeong had a duty to complete this mission successfully.
“I’ve answered your question. Now give me an answer to mine.”
Surprise flickered across Tam-gyeong’s face.
“Aren’t you curious how I know about your martial art?”
“I am.”
“Then why? As far as I know, the lineage of the Four Gods’ martial art was severed three hundred years ago. Moreover, its last successor……”
“Listen here, old man.”
No one could have guessed that the ordinary word “old man” could sound so overwhelmingly heavy.
“How you know my martial art and what your intentions are in asking about my master come second.”
“……?”
“I lost subordinates. Even so, I came here to finish the remaining mission. I was worried your ridiculous antics might interfere with it.”
Fwoooosh!
Yeon Hojeong’s pupils burned red.
It was the manifestation of the Jujak Fire Qi. The flame-like killing intent in his eyes pressed down on Tam-gyeong.
“Speak. Do you have ties to the government? Your joke was unpleasant, but it didn’t sound like mere jest.”
“……”
“If you do, tell me everything—how far those connections reach, whether you intend to interfere in this matter, and whether you plan to obstruct us.”
If Yeon Hojeong had been greatly shocked earlier, now it was Tam-gyeong’s turn to be astonished.
Look at this brat.
His curiosity must have been immense.
Yet he had brushed aside everything concerning the Four Gods.
Tam-gyeong couldn’t help but ask again.
“You’re not curious at all about where your martial art came from, how I know it, or what I do?”
“I told you clearly. Right now, there are more important things than that nonsense.”
“Nonsense?! That’s absurd! The Four Gods’ martial art is a legend from three hundred years ago……!”
BOOOOOOM!
A tremendous stomp shook the entire hill.
Beom-oh looked down at the ground beneath Yeon Hojeong’s feet with trembling eyes.
The earth Yeon Hojeong had stepped on was completely devastated. Spiderweb cracks spread outward from directly beneath his foot, covering every inch of ground within sight.
Terrifying!
It was power beyond imagination. The stomp, fierce like flames yet heavy as a mountain, displayed a shocking flow of force unlike anything Beom-oh had seen even from the elders of Shaolin.
Yeon Hojeong growled lowly.
“Shall I pick up my axe right now?”
“……”
“I don’t know how old you are, or how long you’ve been holed up in that cave, but if you want to spew nonsense, bark at the sky instead of at people.”
Beom-oh shouted.
“Lord Yeon! If you utter such blasphemy one more time, I will not forgive you!”
Yeon Hojeong shouted back.
“The one who cannot be forgiven is him!”
“What?!”
“People died! My subordinates and innocent civilians lost their lives! Because of those damned assassins who throw the world into chaos!”
“……!!”
“How deep his curiosity runs is his own problem! If you consider the people’s shaken hearts in this moment, there’s no time to entertain this senile old man’s nonsense!”
Yeon Hojeong turned to Beom-oh.
For an instant, Beom-oh felt as though his eyes were burning.
“I’ll give you sincere advice. I won’t stop you from treating him as an elder since you share the same sect, but before you’re a monk, remember you’re a person. Don’t try to learn from someone who mocks others’ desperation under the excuse of having left the secular world. He’s nothing but a petty, despicable man.”
“You……!”
“It is said that if you meet the Buddha, kill the Buddha! Instead of wasting time training that pathetic martial art, find yourself first!”
For a moment, Beom-oh’s eyes shook as if struck by an earthquake.
It felt as though a massive temple bell was ringing inside his head. The harsh, dagger-like teaching wrapped in radical words—something he had never heard even from the elders of his sect—was shaking his very soul.
Beom-oh stood frozen with his mouth agape in indescribable shock.
Yeon Hojeong turned his gaze back to Tam-gyeong.
Tam-gyeong’s face had hardened severely. Even he had been greatly shocked by Yeon Hojeong’s outburst.
Shrrring.
When he raised the Mad Dragon Axe, a chilling sound rang from the blade.
“I’ll ask one last time.”
Yeon Hojeong pointed the axe at Tam-gyeong.
“Tell me how far your connections with the government reach, and what the true meaning behind your earlier words was.”
“Listen……”
“I said clearly—this is the last time. If you say anything unnecessary, the axe flies immediately.”
Was it overwhelming?
He was directing killing intent at someone stronger than himself, someone who, by the etiquette of the Central Plains, should be shown absolute respect, all while pointing that menacing axe.
Did Tam-gyeong read the sincerity in that killing intent?
With a stiff expression, Tam-gyeong spoke.
“What we do cannot be done without the government’s permission.”
“So?”
“There are many among the officials who follow Buddhism. The higher their rank, the more so.”
“In other words, you have connections with high-ranking officials.”
Fire ignited in Yeon Hojeong’s eyes.
“I heard that not just you, but several eccentrics living in that cave have moved. Even so, you came to the Left Governor’s residence. From what I heard from the Beggar Clan member, you only mentioned those most likely to be assassinated, but didn’t reveal who was most important or the full scope.”
“……”
“I don’t know about the Left Governor, but you must have connections with high officials on the Seungseon-pojeongsasa side. Probably the Provincial Military Command as well?”
“……Remarkable. You deduced that much?”
“Then that settles it. Now answer my final question.”
“The final question?”
Though he was extremely angry, Tam-gyeong continued responding to the young man’s informal speech despite being nearly eighty years old.
At the very least, his generous nature was worthy of acknowledgment. In a world where most people lashed out the moment their faults or mistakes weren’t respected, Tam-gyeong at least showed he could accept another’s emotions.
“Will you interfere in government affairs?”
“Hahaha.”
Tam-gyeong let out a hearty laugh.
“I already apologized, but I’ll do so again. I never expected you to think I would involve myself in secular matters. I’m someone who has devoted my life to searching for something, and I intend to continue doing so. With how much life I have left, why would I get involved in such things?”
“So in the end, it was just a joke.”
“I’m sorry. It seems I got carried away after coming out into the world for the first time in so long. I’ll apologize clearly for that part.”
“That’s not enough.”
“Hm?”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes gleamed.
“Don’t apologize to me. Apologize to the common people of Guangdong who are still groaning in pain at this very moment.”
Tam-gyeong shook his head.
“Think of me what you will, but I have no intention of involving myself in worldly affairs. The reason I helped this time was purely because I didn’t want the demonic to interfere with our work.”
“……”
“We have forgotten both the Buddhist order and the world. We’ve already become such people.”
“Then at least return to being human for a short while.”
“You don’t need to, nor can you make me do that.”
“Go to the government. For the sake of stabilizing Guangdong, you must come with me to persuade the officials.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t want to get involved that far.”
“I’ll tell you about the Sasinmu.”
“……?!”
Tam-gyeong’s face stiffened.
“What did you just say?”
“I won’t ask where you saw the Four Gods or what meaning they hold for you. But from what I can guess, you seem quite interested in the martial art I’ve learned.”
“……”
“I’ll tell you what kind of martial art it is. So cooperate with us. If what you said is true, we can stabilize Guangdong that much faster.”
Thud!
Yeon Hojeong drove the Mad Dragon Axe into the ground.
“This isn’t a request—it’s a deal. And if this deal doesn’t go through, I’ll pick up the axe again.”
“……Haha, hahahaha!”
“Decide quickly. We don’t have time.”
Tam-gyeong’s eyes gleamed.
“If I accept this deal, what benefit do I get?”
“I said it’s a deal. Don’t demand more than that.”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes grew cold.
He placed his hand on the axe handle.
“Yes or no. Decide quickly.”