Chapter 313
Chapter 313
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 313
Chapter Title: Great Tree (1)
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At the sight of the newly arrived Abbot Gongdeok, my master spoke up.
- What remarkable prayer energy. He's no match for Abbot Gonghyo or Abbot Gongryang from the North Sea incident—he's a true powerhouse... It seems this man is the foremost monk in Shaolin today?
'Yes. He's always the first name mentioned when discussing the world's greatest, so naturally, he has no rivals in Shaolin.'
While I conversed with my master like that,
Woncheol swallowed dryly and faced Abbot Gongdeok.
"H-How did you know to come here, Master?"
At those words, Abbot Gongdeok slightly raised his frost-covered eyebrows.
"Even this old monk who sweeps Shaolin's meditation caves has enough pull to get permission to personally discipline a disciple who caused trouble for the Alliance Leader."
He narrowed his eyes and stared at Woncheol.
"Did you think your aging master rotting away in Shaolin's back rooms has no influence? Well, that explains why you'd pull something like this. Tsk, tsk, tsk."
"N-No, that's not it. I thought my senior brothers would come to scold me if anyone did. I never imagined you'd come yourself..."
"Your senior brothers dote on you too much, and with me tagging along, do you think they'd give you a proper scolding just to save an old man's feelings? Hold on—did you count on that and stir up this mess?"
"No! Absolutely not!"
"They say you chop your own foot with the axe you trust... You never caused trouble growing up unlike the other disciples, so I trusted you implicitly and gave you freedom for your first outing in ages. And now you make your old master clutch his neck."
As Abbot Gongdeok pressed him, Woncheol broke out in a sweat and bowed his head.
"I'm sorry for causing you worry."
But upon hearing that, Abbot Gongdeok stroked his beard as if displeased.
"Sorry for causing worry. So you're saying the deed itself was honorable?"
At the returned question, Woncheol lifted his head again and spoke.
"Yes. I don't think Goryong's words or actions were wrong. I don't regret participating in this incident."
"Hah."
"Around the time tensions flared between Goryong and the other juniors."
"I've heard all the details and come here for that reason. What words are you referring to?"
"Even if the righteous path is light, shadows don't exist alone. He said shadows form because there are those who scorn the weak, overlook enemies, and envy allies. This disciple can't judge the lives of other juniors... but their attitudes and words there fit Goryong's exactly."
Having begun his tale, Woncheol continued unflinchingly toward Abbot Gongdeok.
"Moreover, the juniors gathered in Luoyang this time are those who will lead their sects and families in the future. Didn't Senior Brother Won-gyeong, who handles the Inspection Hall, bring his nephew thinking him capable of handling outside affairs?"
"And?"
"Even in the temple, they strike meditators with the awakeners' stick if their posture slips. It can't be called 'well done' to use martial arts meant to protect the world against fellow disciples."
"......"
"But I don't think it was wrong either. Even if time turned back, this disciple would act the same."
For a moment, he watched the sweat beading and glistening on Woncheol's forehead.
Then Abbot Gongdeok turned away from Woncheol and offered me a half-palm salute.
"My greetings are late. You may have heard this one's monastic name. This old monk is Gongdeok."
"How could anyone in the jianghu not know the Divine Monk? Eon Yong-un."
"This body lives on a small peak near Mount Song, but I've long heard the name Eon Yong-un. So, do you share the same thoughts as my disciple?"
And he posed the question.
'I need to answer carefully.'
Abbot Gongdeok was practically the pinnacle of power in the righteous martial world. He was revered as an elder not just of Shaolin, but of the entire jianghu.
To resolve this incident smoothly and secure Shaolin's active cooperation in the future, I had to sway the man before me.
'The problem is I don't know much about him...'
Both in the original story and now, Abbot Gongdeok had consistently secluded himself in Shaolin, devoting solely to cultivation.
'But it's worth a shot.'
The fortunate part was that I knew his disciple Woncheol well.
A man who raised someone like Woncheol couldn't have a twisted heart.
His eyes, flowing with pure monastic energy, seemed to pierce right through a person.
So honesty was the way.
"I agree it was honorable."
"But I hear there's disagreement too?"
"Yes. Monk Woncheol mentioned the awakeners' stick, but monks take it because they're aware they're meditating... I doubt the juniors we clashed with had that awareness."
"Then?"
"They just quarreled, and we won. That's how they see it. Personally, it vented my anger, but those who got hit must be harboring resentment. I think we need a proper forum for reconciliation and reflection."
After a moment of silence in the training hall at my words, Abbot Gongdeok slowly nodded.
"Since the last Orthodox Advancement Tournament, Woncheol's been singing your praises nonstop. His senior brother the sect leader and junior brother Gongryang have swapped tales of Goryong too, so I came to Luoyang for some air to see what kind of man you are... You're upright and profound, just as heard."
"You're too kind."
"Your bold nature is a double-edged sword, but paired with honesty, it's no flaw. I see why people talk about you."
"Though I'm in seclusion, so I'm not sure it's appropriate."
As I responded, a more solemn voice rang in my ears.
"Hahaha. If Goryong doesn't mind, may this old monk share a long tale?"
"Sure. Go ahead."
"Shaving your head and donning robes doesn't bring enlightenment. Unlike other temples, Shaolin concerns itself deeply with worldly affairs. Thus, monks who should shed flaws and seek liberation instead pile them up. It's shameful."
Abbot Gongdeok's tale turned to Shaolin's past wrongs.
With no retort to offer, I listened quietly, feeling his pure gaze sweep over me once more.
"Shaolin's karma isn't just one or two. Called a millennium temple, it must have as many as stars in the night sky... But one weighs on this old monk's heart today. The tale of the Manbak Mendicant Monk."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The sudden mention of my great-grandmaster's story nearly broke my composure.
While I barely maintained a calm facade,
my master voiced concern.
- What is this one thinking, bringing that up before you?
Various thoughts flashed through my mind.
'What does he know to say that? He hasn't even seen me fight.'
Abbots Gonghyo and Gongryang had witnessed it, but it was incomparable to Heaven-Splitting Sword Sect techniques.
They were of an age nearing seventy, but my master had been active before they were born.
They couldn't have appraised his swordsmanship.
Thus, it must be Abbot Gongdeok's own intuition.
'Does cultivating Buddhism to that level change how you see the world?'
With question marks lingering in my head,
"There were those who envied the Manbak Mendicant Monk's radiant talent..."
Abbot Gongdeok recounted what I'd heard from my master long ago—my great-grandmaster's experiences in Shaolin,
and even his emergence into the world because of it, all calmly.
"This old one wasn't born when the Sword Demon was active. All eyewitnesses are gone. But that incident has been passed down quietly."
"I see. My tone differed, but Gakpil said something similar."
"Stories twist in retelling. Some like Gakpil misconstrue it... but remorseful ones remain."
"...Are you saying that's you, Abbot?"
At my follow-up,
Abbot Gongdeok nodded.
"My late master's dying wish was to correct that wrong."
"......"
"Thus, I've devoted my life to mastering arts to defeat the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's leader who calls himself Heavenly Demon... But since the Manbak Mendicant Monk and Wi Cheol-jin both wandered the world, perhaps others inherited their lineage. I've pondered what to do if meeting such a one. After long thought, the answer was to apologize."
And he bowed—not Shaolin's half-palm, but a full bow.
"So this old monk offers apologies."
"...No. I don't understand why you'd say that to me. Do you think I'm the Manbak Mendicant Monk reincarnated?"
"Who knows. It's just that in this old heart, it feels like you're angry about it."
"......"
"And that's reason enough for this old monk to apologize. That's the nature of the wrong. And this is a vow too."
"A vow?"
"Shaolin has merits and faults like any sect, but we'll strive to cast off evil and pursue righteousness. My days are few, but Woncheol here will carry this resolve."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Having bowed, Abbot Gongdeok addressed Woncheol and me.
"Keep this old monk's words in your hearts. You too, Woncheol. Don't speak of it lightly."
It seemed like gagging us, but really meant he'd keep our sect's matters to himself.
"Yes, Master."
Woncheol replied, and I nodded.
Then Abbot Gongdeok spoke again, his tone noticeably more relaxed.
"Forgive the repeated imposition, but might this old monk witness your martial prowess? Woncheol's no gem, but he's a disciple I raised with care. I'd like to experience firsthand the skill that made him yield at the tournament."
I asked my master,
'What should I do?'
- He's asking knowing you're Heaven-Splitting Sword Sect's heir. The old monk intends to impart guidance with his own enlightenment.
'Exactly.'
- Exactly what? The guy who said he'd fight Blood Cult with Blood Cult money hesitates on this? Take what you can.
Unlike his earlier wariness, my master's usual gruffness returned,
and I chuckled, drawing Regret.
"Yes. Then, please exchange a bout."
Shing—
As I drew Regret, Abbot Gongdeok assumed Shaolin's distinctive salute stance and turned his body.
"Woncheol, step back. You'll learn by watching. Goryong patron, come when ready."
To me, Abbot Gongdeok appeared like an immense ancient tree.
'Is this the presence of one hailed as the world's greatest?'
Looking up, I couldn't fathom its height; imagining the branches and leaves was impossible.
'No openings at all.'
Just facing his stance made sweat trickle down my back.
Standing still felt like it'd last forever.
I cut my left hand and spoke.
"I'll go at full power right now."
Infusing Heaven-Splitting internal energy into the Blood Curse Technique, I kicked off as it circulated.
Pat!
Slicing through time like that, I unleashed Heaven-Splitting Sword forms ferociously.
Syak! Syaek! Syaaaek!!
Syaaaak!!!!!
But Abbot Gongdeok blocked my attacks all too easily.
Peng! Peng! Peng!!
Puuung!!!
No, "blocked" was wrong.
He could have dodged effortlessly but matched my tempo,
even subtly pushing or pulling my extended Regret to more threatening positions.
Puung!
With such a skill gap,
I could pour out everything I'd learned, lethal strikes and tricks alike.
Whik! Whik! Whik! Whik! Whik!
Thrusting sharply with honed Regret countless times, I mixed in Heaven-Splitting Whirlwind forms to create a torrent of qi,
Syaek! Syaaaak!
unleashing swift fists and kicks from Heaven-Splitting Fist derived from Cloud Dragon Flow, while blasting Anti-Dragon Palm.
Kwarurung!!!
Thus, in a trance, pouring everything out, clashing repeatedly, receiving silent guidance for a long while.
"!"
As the transcendent state permitted by Blood Curse Technique neared its end,
my vision cleared, feeling like I'd taken another step forward.
At that moment, Abbot Gongdeok spoke.
"Excess is as bad as deficiency. It seems the time allowed by your curious blood art has run out. Best to stop here."
"Huk. Heuk."
Catching my breath, I thought,
'I felt like a sky-supporting ancient tree from the start... but this far?'
I'd witnessed the prowess of righteous martial world's luminaries and received guidance at times.
Though with tricks, I'd beheaded Do-ol Wol-ma.
But this sensation—only felt when my master briefly materialized.
'I need more.'
He'd said himself he devoted to arts against Heavenly Demon.
In the original too.
Abbot Gongdeok never showed prowess directly, but even when Heavenly Demon Divine Cult held advantage, he restrained them from rampaging freely.
Binding Heavenly Demon by not moving.
Meaning he could match that era's Heavenly Demon.
'I can't touch him now.'
Steadying my ragged breath, I spoke.
"Huheuk. Forgive my impudence, Abbot... Heuk. May I ask one more favor?"
"If this old monk can grant it?"
"Teach me a few more moves."