Chapter 297
Chapter 297
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 82
>Chapter Title: Shaolin Temple (3)
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‘······No doubt about it.’
Mong Mu-yak swallowed dryly, his eyes trembling.
As someone belonging to the Intelligence Division directly under the Alliance Leader, Mong Mu-yak was well-versed in much of the information regarding the Heaven-Earth Society, both inside and out.
That was why he immediately recognized the three old monks who had appeared in the plaza.
‘The Shaolin Three Monks!’
They were undoubtedly the famous Shaolin Three Monks.
Unlike the experts of other sects, the masters of Shaolin Temple rarely entangled themselves with worldly affairs or engaged in Jianghu activities, making renowned figures among them scarce.
However, in a single confrontation, Shaolin had shaken the world with its prestige once more after many long years.
It was all because of a great villain who had appeared fifteen years ago, bearing the moniker Nine Annihilation Tribulation.
Nine Annihilation Tribulation was so exceptional in martial prowess that he was hailed as a candidate for the next generation of Six Heavens.
Then, one day, he suddenly went mad and began slaughtering people indiscriminately.
The reason was unknown, but the deranged Nine Annihilation Tribulation killed every living thing in sight. Countless righteous faction experts stepped up to stop him, but all failed.
This forced even Shaolin, which rarely intervened in worldly matters, to take action.
‘The joint technique that brought even a Six Heavens-level expert to his knees.’
Shaolin was renowned for its multitude of supreme arts, including joint formations like the Arhat Array. These three, called the pinnacle masters of Shaolin at the time, had defeated Nine Annihilation Tribulation in just over a hundred exchanges with their exquisite joint technique.
Those who witnessed it were said to have been left utterly speechless by the sheer magnitude of the clash.
From that event, the Jianghu folk dubbed these three old monks the Shaolin Three Monks.
‘As if things weren’t bad enough already.’
Mong Mu-yak clicked his tongue.
Even the Arhat Hall Leader and the encircling warrior monks had been overwhelming enough.
Now, with the arrival of the Shaolin Three Monks—Shaolin’s foremost experts—the situation was the worst imaginable.
Mong Mu-yak approached and spoke in a low voice.
“Milord. Those are the ones called the Shaolin Three Monks, Shaolin Temple’s greatest masters and elders.”
“Shaolin Temple’s greatest masters and elders. I see.”
“······Milord. You must avoid clashing with the Shaolin Three Monks.”
Mong Mu-yak warned in a voice thick with concern.
At that moment, the kindly-faced central figure among the three old monks approaching from the main hall spoke in a warm voice. He was the Scripture Pavilion Hall Leader, Monk Gongjeon.
“Amitabha. It’s been a long time, Deokmun.”
“Master!”
The defrocked monk Ja Geum-jeong could not contain his emotion upon being recognized immediately by his teacher.
Known outside as the Three Lights and dismissed as a madman, he had always regarded his master as dear as his own parents.
However, this long-awaited reunion was shattered by the Precepts Court Head, Great Virtue Monk.
“Amitabha. Scripture Pavilion Hall Leader. This donor is no longer of the Buddha’s fold, so why address him by the dharma name he bore when he broke his precepts?”
At these words, Ja Geum-jeong glared at Great Virtue Monk with eyes full of disappointment.
Though defrocked, he had once been a disciple of Shaolin.
To be so coldly cut off like this was bound to leave him feeling resentful.
Monk Gongjeon, clearly displeased as well, seemed about to say something to Great Virtue Monk but soon changed the subject.
“Amitabha. Who was the donor who just rightly scolded us?”
At his question, Demon Subduing Hall Leader and Arhat Hall Leader naturally indicated Mok Kyung-un with their eyes.
Then, Great Virtue Monk, standing beside Monk Gongjeon, pressed his palms together, furrowed his brow, and spoke.
“Amitabha. How can you call it a scolding, Scripture Pavilion Hall Leader?”
Monk Gongjeon smiled faintly in response.
“It was the truth, so of course it was a scolding. Every effect has a cause, and without cause, there is no effect. This young donor pointed it out—how could we deny it? Isn’t that right, Demon Subduing Hall Leader?”
“Amitabha.”
Demon Subduing Hall Leader pressed his palms together, unable to hide his discomfort.
When Monk Gongjeon—one of the three old monks with the highest seniority in Shaolin—spoke like that, it forced him to admit fault for the entire incident.
Even if it had been a mere mistake.
However, not all three shared the same view.
“Hah. How can you pin this on Demon Subduing Hall Leader’s fault? He did what was proper as Demon Subduing Hall Leader. Who could have known if that monster flying high above even carried a person?”
Demon Subduing Hall Leader nodded at Great Virtue Monk’s defense.
That was exactly what he wanted to say.
He could take responsibility for what happened and apologize as needed.
But with a monster passing right over Shaolin Temple, ignoring it would have been absurd, and how could anyone have known if a person was riding it?
“Precepts Court Head. That’s a dangerous statement. It could mean anything goes as long as you’re ignorant.”
“Amitabha. Don’t misconstrue it. This monk merely meant Demon Subduing Hall Leader did not act with intent. I beseech the donors to forgive with magnanimity.”
With that, Great Virtue Monk pressed his palms together and bowed to Mok Kyung-un and his group.
Though it appeared as an apology, his attitude lacked any sincerity, leaving the group inwardly clicking their tongues.
Then, Monk Gongjeon spoke.
“Even those cultivating the Buddha’s path interpret the Way and enlightenment differently, so please don’t take it to heart, donors. Regardless, as this donor said, the temple bears some responsibility for this incident······.”
“Scripture Pavilion Hall Leader. You’re not thinking of sending that monster out, are you?”
Great Virtue Monk cut him off.
“Since the temple’s error caused the donors great peril, shouldn’t we let them go as is proper?”
“We’ve already apologized for that, and if desired, we’re willing to offer other compensation. But releasing the monster is a separate matter.”
“Hah. How can you say that?”
“Are you intending to break the temple’s rules, Scripture Pavilion Hall Leader? A noxious creature harmful to humans has entered the temple—do you mean to simply let it go?”
“Then what do you propose?”
“We must capture it, of course. What are the demon subduers doing? Subdue that monster at once!”
At Great Virtue Monk’s shout, the demon subduing monks gripped their vajra scepters once more, preparing to chant the Demon Subduing Mantra.
Monk Gongjeon then cried out.
“Demon subduers, halt at once! This is the temple’s responsibility, not a matter for the rules.”
-Murmurs!
Confused by conflicting orders, the demon subduers milled about in disarray.
Demon Subduing Hall Leader was in the same bind.
He too was strong-willed and shared Great Virtue Monk’s view, but since they had indeed erred, he found it exceedingly difficult to press the attack on the monster.
“Hah. With a noxious, man-eating demon right before you, you hesitate? Are you truly qualified as demon subduers? No, this won’t do.”
-Swish!
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Great Virtue Monk extended his hand.
-Hummm!
“What?”
His profound true energy caused the vajra scepters to fly from the hands of three demon subduers,
-Whoosh whoosh!
straight toward the cowering demon beast, Heumwon.
But in that instant, something astonishing occurred.
As Mok Kyung-un gripped his sword formula and raised his hand, the Demon Instant Sword at his waist unsheathed itself, flying forth as if alive,
-Clang clang clang!
and at the perfect moment, deflected the three incoming vajra scepters.
The deflected Demon Instant Sword then returned to Mok Kyung-un’s sheath as he mimed pulling the sword formula.
-Clink!
‘!!!!!!!!!’
The hall erupted in shock.
Any martial artist would recognize it instantly.
‘Sword control technique?’
It was none other than the marvel of the sword control technique.
‘No way?’
‘Milord using sword control?’
Even Mok Kyung-un’s subordinates could not hide their astonishment.
This method of wielding a sword with qi was on a different level from Great Virtue Monk’s mere telekinetic pull of the vajra scepters with true energy.
It transcended mere walls, reaching a realm with the sword itself and requiring profound insight into qi—at least at the pinnacle of the Flower Realm.
-Or not?
Cheongryeong was equally stunned.
-When did you master sword control, you rascal?
-During the Heaven-Earth Alliance Leader business, and sparring that Namjin warrior afterward, I got a rough sense of how to manipulate qi flow.
-!?
Cheongryeong was inwardly dumbfounded at Mok Kyung-un’s words.
She knew well of his martial talent and his eye for piercing qi flows, but she hadn’t imagined he’d even grasp sword control.
And after just two encounters, no less.
It was an absurd talent that defied adaptation.
It was then.
“Sword control······. You’ve startled this old monk, young donor. I haven’t personally seen many experts, but I’ve never heard of anyone your age demonstrating sword control among the current generation’s masters.”
Mok Kyung-un was still wearing the human-skin mask.
Yet even that face appeared only mid-twenties, astonishing even Great Virtue Monk, the Precepts Court Head.
“I hope such power from a young donor is used rightly, but to wield it for a mere man-eating demon—truly regrettable. Amitabha.”
-Roooar!
With those words, Great Virtue Monk unleashed pure yet profound energy.
True to Buddhist martial arts, it wasn’t oppressive, but its vastness inspired awe.
Mok Kyung-un addressed him.
“I know Shaolin views fangshu poorly, but this monster hasn’t eaten anyone since becoming my spirit beast. Must you still insist on acting?”
“Even if not now, should this demon escape your control, calamity is certain.”
“You worry over what hasn’t happened.”
“With harm before our eyes, how can we stand idle? For the young donor’s sake and the future, this demon must be eliminated.”
“If the elder insists, I have no choice.”
Mok Kyung-un prepared to assume his qi circulation stance.
Mong Mu-yak had hoped to avoid opposing the Shaolin Three Monks, but with things thus, he signaled Seop Chun and Mara Hyeon with his eyes and took his stance as well.
“Master!”
As the mood edged toward combat, the defrocked monk Ja Geum-jeong desperately called to his former teacher, Scripture Pavilion Hall Leader Monk Gongjeon.
Monk Gongjeon seemed ready to intervene.
But right then—
-Clap!
“Amitabha.”
A solemn recitation of the sutra, palms pressed together, resonated majestically.
As the sound spread in all directions, everyone in the plaza gathering qi halted and turned toward the source.
It was Museong the Great Monk, the Muscle Meridian Scripture Hall Leader—the only one of the Shaolin Three Monks who had not stepped forward.
‘Incredible internal energy.’
‘That old monk has the deepest among the three.’
Thanks to the energy carried in Museong the Great Monk’s voice, Mok Kyung-un’s subordinates realized he possessed the most profound inner arts among the Shaolin Three Monks.
With him stepping in, tension was inevitable. Unlike before, Museong the Great Monk spoke in a calm, measured tone.
“Could the donors and the two Great Monks hear this lowly monk out for a moment?”
Even the stubborn Great Virtue Monk quelled his momentum and responded cautiously.
“Speak, Great Monk.”
It was because, among the Shaolin Three Monks, this Mu-generation Museong the Great Monk held the highest seniority.
Monk Gongjeon, respecting him, pressed his palms together and said.
“Amitabha. Do you have some wise insight, Great Monk?”
At the question, Museong the Great Monk gazed steadily at Mok Kyung-un.
Mok Kyung-un responded with clasped hands in salute, politely.
“Speak, Great Monk.”
Museong the Great Monk bowed his head once in courtesy before speaking.
“I thank you for lending an ear to this foolish monk. Observing quietly, I’ve reached a conclusion on the issue.”
“And what is it?”
“From Shaolin’s standpoint, we cannot simply let a demon pass by rule.”
No sooner had he finished than the corner of Great Virtue Monk’s mouth curled up slightly.
It seemed the senior monk was siding with him.
But his words continued.
“However, it’s also true that Demon Subduing Hall Leader’s error inconvenienced the donors. Thus, though temple rules exist, enforcing them rashly seems improper.”
“Great Monk! You’re not suggesting we release this demon, are you?”
Great Virtue Monk frowned, interjecting indignantly.
Museong the Great Monk pressed his palms together and replied.
“Amitabha. Great Monk······. Even a hundredfold pure one can become Buddha by laying down the blade.”
“Great Monk, that······.”
“Beast or demon, none lack the qualification for Buddhahood. All living things possess it.”
“······.”
Great Virtue Monk fell silent.
Before one of higher seniority and deeper faith, debate was unwise.
Unless he had a solid rebuttal, he couldn’t speak carelessly.
Museong the Great Monk then turned to Mok Kyung-un.
“This lowly monk thinks thus—what say you, donor?”
Though puzzled by the seeming ease of his alignment, accepting the mediation now meant avoiding conflict with Shaolin, so Mok Kyung-un responded positively.
“I agree with the elder monk.”
“Hohoho. Splendid. Then, donor, please provide proof.”
“Proof? What do you mean?”
“Demon Subduing Hall Leader here and Precepts Court Head are sticklers for rules. To convince them, why not demonstrate that you can control this so-called demon’s demonic nature, even if deemed a demon beast?”
‘!?’
* * *
[What exactly does he want me to show?]
[It’s not difficult. Among the temple’s thirty-six caves, there is the Demon Subduing Cave holding a ferocious demon beast.]
[Ferocious demon beast?]
[Yes. So vicious that demon subduers have chanted the Demon Subduing Mantra sutra for ninety-nine days to tame its demonic nature, yet see no progress. Thus, donor, please show these two Great Monks that you can control demonic nature. Can you do it?]
That was Muscle Meridian Scripture Hall Leader Museong the Great Monk’s proposal.
To convince Demon Subduing Hall Leader and Great Virtue Monk, demonstrate control over a ferocious demon beast’s demonic nature—namely, the monster.
Do so, and they would allow departure with demon beast Heumwon.
‘Hmm.’
Unable to recklessly fight Shaolin Temple, the orthodox martial world’s center, Mok Kyung-un had no choice but to accept.
But one problem remained.
His spirit beast slots were full, so he couldn’t add more.
Thus, he might not be able to show subduing the monster as a spirit beast, as proposed.
‘What to do.’
Pondering as he followed Monk Gongjeon’s guidance,
After passing several halls, a half-building of sheer cliffs appeared toward Shaolin Temple’s rear garden.
Roughly thirty-six caves dotted it.
The front hall at the entrance bore the caves’ names.
Walking along the plaza toward the caves, Mok Kyung-un suddenly stopped midway.
There stood a single red stele, and before it, a deeply imprinted footprint.
‘What’s this?’
The footprint resembled a true step mark.
But why place a red-painted stele before a footprint?
Moreover, the stele bore this inscription.
[Remember.]
As Mok Kyung-un tilted his head, Monk Gongjeon, guiding them, spoke.
“Amitabha. That stele stands to awaken vigilance in Shaolin.”
“Vigilance?”
“Yes. Once-vaunted One Hundred Eight Arhat Formation crumbled under a single supreme expert’s true step.”
“A true step? You don’t mean······?”
“Yes, that footprint is the trace from then.”
‘!!!!!!!’