Appointment Ceremony (5)
[Is there a Muyoung Sintu among those monks?]
Yeah. There's a Muyoung Sintu among those monks.
[Quit with the wordplay.]
Caught me, huh? Spot on. Muyoung Sintu's true identity is a Shaolin monk.
[A Shaolin monk hiding as Muyoung Sintu? If the jianghu finds out, it'll turn the world upside down.]
Couldn't agree more.
Shaolin isn't just one of the Nine Great Sects.
It's a sect with history and tradition so profound it's called the origin of all martial arts in the world—or all martial studies emerge from Shaolin. That's why it's revered by all.
It's no wonder they're known as the North Star of the jianghu.
And yet, there's a thief in Shaolin?
A monk, no less?
The jianghu could flip ten times over and it still wouldn't be surprising.
That's exactly what they were aiming for.
No one in the world would ever suspect a thief hiding in Shaolin.
Even if I exposed Muyoung Sintu's identity right now, no one but the Tang Clan would believe me.
Hell, they'd probably accuse us of persecuting our invited guests and incur the wrath of the jianghu.
So we have to catch them in the act, red-handed.
That's why I exaggerated my greeting pose. To expose the Avoid Poison Jade at Pa Cheon's tip.
The bait's been laid out plenty.
I naturally lowered the arm I'd used for the greeting.
The Shaolin delegation sent for the celebration numbered exactly thirty-six. They stood with eyes gently closed, hands clasped in perfect unison, like a single entity.
Muyoung Sintu. I know who you are.
[How? All the monks shave their heads and wear the same robes—hard to tell them apart.]
I couldn't hold back a smirk.
[Why the sneer?]
Don't you remember how you dressed the Black Shadow Corps when you made it?
[That was to make them unidentifiable for assassination and tracking, right?]
Nope.
All-black uniforms, face masks, even black rice bowls—that was Pa Cheon from my Sado Hwan days.
Pure concept, that's all.
[Anyway. So who is it? That thieving monk playing at being a priest.]
Teasing Pa Cheon's agitation had gone on long enough. Time to spill.
The one with the shiniest bald head among them.
[......What?]
You see the one whose head gleams extra bright?
Pa Cheon agreed, still facing forward.
[That youngest monk punk is the thief?]
Muyoung Sintu had stolen the elixir that could fix Pa Cheon's body, so his tone dripped with venom.
Yep. That shiny, handsome one.
Finding key players who shone in this Murim Return world—or took central roles—wasn't that hard.
These weren't 2D characters, but some had that distinct art style vibe.
Unnaturally handsome, flashy hair colors, that sort of thing.
So among the monks, the one with the sparkling bald head and bright, sparkling eyes was Muyoung Sintu—Gongjin.
[Unbelievable. Don't monks preach non-possession?]
That's why he just steals and doesn't use them.
[Dogshit logic.]
Thanks to that dogshit logic, the elixir's still intact.
Otherwise, a true elixir from Yaoxian would've been gulped down on the spot.
Even so, he won't steal here.
Muyoung Sintu was such an attention whore, he loved dramatic, decisive moments to swoop in and snag his prize.
But even he couldn't pull it off in a spot like this—especially with other Shaolin monks right beside him.
Anyway, I slowly ascended the platform.
Atop it sat Clan Head Dang Mun Su, Poison King Dang Mugi, and the family's elders.
Of course, with Eldest Young Master Dang Si Yul fallen from grace, his faction was nowhere in sight.
Probably gone for good.
"Light the incense."
A small altar stood on the platform, densely packed with spirit tablets—likely the Tang ancestors.
My eyes locked on one: Gyeong Gong Ja's.
Did you make it back to your world safely?
I lit the incense and posed the question to the tablet, but no answer came.
What followed was a barrage of complex rituals. We'd rehearsed, so no mistakes, but it was intricate and dull as hell.
Listening to Dang Mun Su drone through that long prayer starting with "We humbly inform Heaven, Earth, and the Divine Spirits" was pure torture.
Like the principal's speech back in school.
Dang Mun Su draped a green shawl over my shoulders—the Tang Clan symbol.
"We sincerely congratulate you on becoming part of our family."
"You're too kind."
"Anything you desire, just say the word."
He beamed—a smile he never gave outsiders. Real family recognition.
Could I ask him to wrap up the speech quick?
Tempting, but no way it'd fly, so I held my tongue.
Dang Si Hyeok's Young Clan Head ceremony that followed was even more tedious.
As actual heir, it had way more steps than the honorary vice leader appointment.
Prestigious clans and their endless rituals.
[Paeng So So's drooling in her sleep over there.]
I saw.
Paeng So So bobbed her head until the ceremony ended with thunderous applause—she jolted awake and started clapping wildly.
Clap.
Dang Mun Su, expressionless, stepped forward and raised his right hand high.
The crowd stilled their applause.
"Fellow heroes of the jianghu, we thank you for gracing our Tang Clan event."
Dang Mun Su clasped his hands. As agreed, Dang Si Hyeok and I mirrored him.
"The formal appointment proceedings are complete... but what you've all been waiting for awaits."
From the side, it looked a bit creepy. That blank face with an excited tone.
The crowd seemed tense too—but
"Right! I'm starving to death!"
"Aigoo, this beggar's dying!"
The Beggars' Sect mendicants rolling on the floor chimed in perfectly, lightening the mood.
"If I drag this out, the Beggars' Sect envoys might truly starve, so let's proceed. The banquet begins now!"
Fireworks burst at Dang Mun Su's words.
The banquet's vibe exploded beyond rowdy into pure chaos.
My face was already known, so I decided to mingle openly.
This'll make anyone suspecting me of being a Divine Cultist feel ridiculous.
First stop, as expected:
"Long time no see, Young Hero."
"Indeed. I hope you've been well."
Un Yeop Ja.
[Why not head to that monk?]
No point. Now that he's here, he won't back off. Better play lax than heighten his guard.
[Fair point.]
Un Yeop Ja flashed his usual disarming smile and bowed politely.
"How long has it been, and you're already Divine Dragon? Impressive."
"Just an empty title. Everyone's been kind. And you, Young Hero—a descendant of Yaoxian? Never saw that coming. No wonder the Young Clan Head was so friendly."
Un Yeop Ja introduced the Taoist beside him.
"This is Jeomchang Sword Dragon Jang Yeong-o of the Jeomchang Sect."
"Pleased to meet you, Sword Dragon. I've heard much."
"Likewise."
Jeomchang Sword Dragon was the taciturn type—only spoke when necessary. Probably what real Taoists were like.
I couldn't sense qi or presence like others, but he gave off a vibe like a vast, sturdy tree.
As Un Yeop Ja, Jang Yeong-o, and I gathered, familiar faces approached.
"Here you all are."
Namgung Jin. He'd brought a few others.
"Hahaha, now the Five Dragons and Three Peaks are all together, eh?"
Sullen Mo Yong Hak, the Jade-Faced Sword Dragon.
Curious Je Gal Hye of the Myriad Forms Paper Peak, plus yawning Paeng So So, and two more.
The warm-faced woman was probably Jin So-cheong of the Holy Water Peak, heir to the Eum Hyeol Jin Family.
Hard enough memorizing names.
Real life meant matching faces to text-only figures.
Recap: Me, Un Yeop Ja, Jang Yeong-o, Namgung Jin, Mo Yong Hak, Je Gal Hye (and plain Paeng So So), Jin So-cheong.
Seven total.
One missing.
"Hm? One didn't show? Ice Peak or something?"
"Heavenly Ice Jade Peak, sis."
"Too long. You're Myriad Forms Paper Peak, so wanna be Paper Peak?"
"Absolutely not."
Namgung Jin shook his head at Paeng So So's quip.
"Sadly, Heavenly Ice Jade Peak sent word she'll arrive half a day late, so soon."
"You exchange messages with Heavenly Ice Jade Peak directly?"
I tossed it out casually to Namgung Jin. But
"W-well. Ahem."
His ears flushed bright red?
What? He's embarrassed?
That arrogant Namgung Clan Young Master?
[He's embarrassed?]
See? Ears are red.
[......You spot others' red ears just fine.]
What're you on about? Who's else got red ears?
[You idiot.]
Quiet. Focus on the convo.
Namgung Jin recovered smoothly—circulated inner energy? Ears back to normal.
"I proposed the Dragon-Peak Gathering, so naturally, I handle the contacts."
"I see."
We'll see when they meet, but Namgung Jin seemed smitten with Heavenly Ice Jade Peak.
Shelve that for now.
In this situation, their drama took a backseat.
What mattered:
A dramatic setup.
Perfect conditions for Muyoung Sintu to strike.
I'd already asked Dang Si Hyeok to handle it.
Then—
Screeech—!
The inner hall doors flew open, and a massive cart rolled in.
Aboard it: a huge jar, two zhang high, one zhang wide.
The cart headed straight for me.
Speak of the tiger—the timing was perfect, thanks to Dang Si Hyeok.
"What... is this?"
"No banquet's complete without wine."
I grinned and continued.
"Brought specially to celebrate the Dragon-Peak Gathering."
"This much? Enough for everyone here and leftovers."
I exaggerated my expression and boomed.
"What? You saying the jianghu's heroes can't handle this much?"
"Eastern Sword Dragon, that confident in your drinking?"
Someone called out.
A Beggars' Sect beggar. Six knots—elder rank.
The other Four Dragons, Three Peaks (plus Paeng So So) bowed.
The elder barely acknowledged, approaching me.
"You mean that?"
"Never lost a drink in my life."
"Ho!?"
Eyes wide, he bared yellow teeth in a grin.
"Then how about a drinking contest?"
"Afraid not."
"Why?"
I feigned deep concern, extra smug.
"Everyone needs to get back to their lodgings safe, right?"
The elder—and the crowd—froze.
I smirked inwardly.
"Fine! If you're that sure, I stake my Beggars' Sect knots on a challenge to you, Eastern Sword Dragon!"
The most clichéd banquet climax.
A drinking contest had begun.