Chapter 305
Chapter 305
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 84
>Chapter Title: Supremacy Step (2)
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One of the Shaolin Three Monks, Precept Hall Leader Master Great Virtue.
He held the third generation dharma name in the current Shaolin Temple, but in truth, there was only a one- or two-year gap with those of higher generations, so his internal energy level was comparable.
Having cultivated the Marrow Cleansing True Scripture and the Great Vehicle Mortal Heaven Divine Art, it was no exaggeration to say there was no one among the righteous faction martial artists who could match his internal energy unless they had reached Six Heavens Eight Stars.
Yet such a man had been overwhelmed in internal energy by an unknown young expert—someone who appeared to be barely in his mid-twenties.
"Hoo. Astonishing."
"'He overwhelmed Master Great Virtue with internal energy?'"
Even Jang Kyung-gak Leader Master Gongjeon and Muscle Changing Scripture Hall Leader Master Museong, the other two of the Shaolin Three Monks, could not hide their inner admiration.
They had somewhat anticipated that Mok Kyung-un was no ordinary master, but who could have predicted that he would surpass even the Shaolin's internal energy master, renowned as the purest and most solid?
-Shhh!
At that moment, heat haze rose from Precept Hall Leader Master Great Virtue's hands and shoulders.
This was a phenomenon that occurred as he dispersed the opponent's energy.
"'Not only the internal energy, but a strange qi as well.'"
The moment they touched, a portion of his internal energy scattered.
If it hadn't been the pure Shaolin internal energy, the effect would have been even more pronounced.
-Grip!
Master Great Virtue unwittingly gritted his teeth.
Though he had long cultivated the Buddha's way, his temperament was more sensitive compared to other higher-generation monks, making this hard to tolerate.
"'How could such humiliation occur?'"
It was utterly shameful in front of the Shaolin disciples.
But as an elder, his pride prevented him from showing it openly, so Master Great Virtue forcibly composed his expression and spoke.
"Amitabha. Young benefactor, your internal energy is no ordinary thing."
"Considering the long years you've spent cultivating internal energy, Monk, yours is rather weak."
"......"
At Mok Kyung-un's words, Master Great Virtue's earlobes trembled faintly.
The young punk was deliberately provoking him.
He seemed to be doing so because he had already judged himself superior in internal energy.
Though inwardly enraged, Master Great Virtue maintained his composure.
"Huu."
Being pushed back in internal strength didn't mean complete defeat, but if they clashed one-on-one again, the probability of loss was undeniably high.
Thus, Master Great Virtue believed that steering the situation, rather than direct confrontation, was the answer.
"Benefactor. I well know your martial arts are no ordinary thing. However, no matter how exceptional, this situation cannot be tolerated. Release the officer at once."
"Ah, this fellow?"
Mok Kyung-un nodded toward Escort Captain Kang Hak, whose nape he gripped.
"Indeed."
"Well, why should I?"
At Mok Kyung-un's words, Master Great Virtue inwardly cheered.
Yes, respond like that—it was most welcome.
If he played the villain's role faithfully, they could counter accordingly.
Master Great Virtue assumed the stance of the Small Adamant Acid Palm toward Mok Kyung-un and raised his voice.
"Amitabha. Though I half-doubted the claim of great treason, do you truly intend to hold hostages and have your way?"
-Murmur!
At Master Great Virtue's shout, the reactions of the Arhat Hall warrior monks watching changed markedly.
Until now, they had been unsure what to do as opinions diverged among the high-generation Shaolin Three Monks.
But taking hostages in the heart of Shaolin was different.
-Rumble!
The surrounding warrior monks moved in unison.
Then, eighteen warrior monks encircled Mok Kyung-un and formed the Eighteen Arhats Formation, aiming their staffs.
"Benefactor, release the hostage at once!"
As one of the warrior monks shouted, Master Great Virtue barely suppressed a twitch of his lips.
It had gone exactly as intended.
Shaolin monks, as disciples of the Buddha, constantly grappled with right and wrong.
This was a lifelong study common to young and old monks alike.
But give them a clear banner of justice, and they changed.
"'Benefactor... you absolutely cannot escape this place.'"
Facing one person was one thing, but facing Shaolin was another.
Even a transcendent master who had surpassed walls would find it impossible to be careless—no, even victory was not guaranteed—if Shaolin resolved to act.
It was then.
-Grip!
"Ugh."
Mok Kyung-un tightened his grip on Escort Captain Kang Hak's neck and spoke.
"You seem to misunderstand the meaning of a hostage. If you keep this up, my hand on his neck can only tighten further."
"How dare you!"
At Mok Kyung-un's threat, fury filled the eyes of the encircling Arhat warrior monks.
To them, taking a hostage was cowardice itself.
At that moment, Precept Hall Leader Master Great Virtue raised his voice.
"If the benefactor acts so卑鄙ly, this monk has no choice. Arhat warrior monks, surround them at once."
"Yes!!!!"
At Master Great Virtue's command, the waiting Arhat warrior monks shouted in unison and encircled Mok Kyung-un's subordinates: Mong Mu-yak, Seop Chun, Mara Hyeon, the precept-breaking monk Golden Bell, and Scarlet Flower Spirit Lord.
With Demon Fox Heumwon at their side, sixty-four Arhat warrior monks lined up, forming an encirclement formation.
"Master Great Virtue! What are you doing right now?"
Muscle Changing Scripture Hall Leader Master Museong rebuked him for the similar retaliation threatening their allies.
Master Great Virtue snorted and replied.
"With that vile benefactor seizing hostages, how long do you intend to be dragged around by promises and such? Master, please come to your senses!"
"Master!"
"Demon Subduing Monks, suppress the yokai so they don't harm the Arhat warrior monks!"
Ignoring Master Museong's shout, Master Great Virtue ordered the Demon Subduing Monks.
However, unlike the compliant Arhat warrior monks, not a single Demon Subduing Monk moved.
Master Great Virtue raised his voice.
"Why do you stand idle?"
Then, someone staggered forward from among the Demon Subduing Monks.
His monastic robes were blood-soaked from injuries—he was the Demon Subduing Hall Leader.
"Amitabha. *Cough, cough.* We cannot do that."
"What?"
"*Cough...* Forgive us, but that benefactor fulfilled the promise with the Muscle Changing Scripture Hall Leader."
"Demon Subduing Hall Leader! At this point, what does that have to do with..."
"It does. *Cough, cough.* He saved my life and those of the Demon Subduing Monks from the rampaging yokai. Having received such grace, how could we betray the promise instead of repaying it?"
"Ha!"
At the Demon Subduing Hall Leader's refusal, Precept Hall Leader Master Great Virtue was dumbfounded.
Without their help, suppressing the yokai would be difficult, potentially causing casualties.
"'Demon Subduing Hall Leader, stubborn at a time like this.'"
Frustrated by the open defiance, Master Great Virtue soon gritted his teeth.
It was too late to reverse the situation anyway.
If it preserved discipline and Shaolin's honor, some sacrifices were inevitable.
"'No matter how stubborn, they'll have to step in if the warrior monks are in danger.'"
Master Great Virtue ordered the Arhat warrior monks.
"Arhat warrior monks, quickly seize the great traitors..."
Before he could finish.
"Amitabha! All of you, stop!"
At that moment, Muscle Changing Scripture Hall Leader Master Museong roared like a lion.
The thunderous voice laden with internal energy made the eardrums ring, causing all the warrior monks to grimace regardless of who they were.
Mara Hyeon inwardly stuck out his tongue at the echoing shout.
"'They call him the greatest of the Shaolin Three Monks, and his internal energy is indeed formidable.'"
Even more astonishing was that, despite the internal energy-infused voice, no one was injured.
This meant Master Museong had reached a profound realm in handling his true qi.
Startled by Master Museong's sudden shout, Precept Hall Leader Master Great Virtue opened his mouth.
"Master, why..."
"Be silent, Great Virtue."
"......"
At the stern voice, Master Great Virtue shut his mouth with a stiffened face.
Master Museong, who held the position of hall leader and had risen to Muscle Changing Scripture Hall Leader, had always called him "Master" despite his higher generation, acknowledging his status.
But addressing him by dharma name like this hinted at how displeased he was now.
He was not the only one who sensed it.
All the Shaolin monks in the hall felt Master Museong's mood, their gazes concentrating on him.
Master Museong pressed his palms together, looked at Mok Kyung-un, and spoke.
"Amitabha. First, I apologize to the benefactors."
"'!!!!!!'"
Shocked, Master Great Virtue tried to dissuade him.
"Master..."
"I said be silent, Great Virtue."
"......"
After two warnings in a row, Master Great Virtue finally closed his mouth and pressed his palms together.
With the next abbot candidate and highest-generation monk taking such a firm stance, even he could not stubbornly persist.
As he fell silent, Master Museong continued.
"Despite the promise with the benefactors, this incident occurred due to this monk's lack of virtue."
"Master!"
Sighs erupted here and there at his words.
No matter the promise, if they were great traitors who had broken imperial prisoners out of the palace, there was no need to humble himself so much, they thought.
Yet with the highest-generation Master Museong acting this way, it was hard to accept, even for an elder.
It was then.
"Ughhh. Does Shaolin truly intend to shelter great traitors..."
-Grip!
"Argh!"
"Be quiet."
As Escort Captain Kang Hak tried to vent his rage, Mok Kyung-un squeezed his neck to silence him.
In that state, Mok Kyung-un smiled faintly and said.
"I'm grateful for those words. So, as per the promise, you'll let us leave with the yokai?"
"Amitabha. Benefactor."
"Yes."
"Forgive me, but that is no longer possible."
"Why not?"
"This monk is an elder of Shaolin and a disciple of Shaolin. With matters escalated this far, I cannot simply release you. This stems from a difference in positions, so please do not resent this monk."
"'Of course.'"
He had doubted they would let them go now, and unlike his apology, Master Museong's shifted stance made Precept Hall Leader Master Great Virtue cheer inwardly.
No matter how upright Master Museong was, he could not play the noble, principled lone hero in this situation.
If he unilaterally released them, it would not only antagonize the palace but provide pretext for searches.
Worse, if word spread in the righteous martial world that they had let great traitors go, Shaolin's honor would hit rock bottom.
"So in the end, you hold the same view as that monk over there."
No sooner had he spoken than a transmission voice reached Mok Kyung-un's ear.
- Amitabha. That is not so.
At the Sound Transmission into Secrecy, a light gleamed in Mok Kyung-un's eyes.
Come to think of it, the one who taught him this, Jade Sound Valley Lord Hang Yeo-ryang, had said Shaolin was the only righteous faction where this was possible.
Then Master Museong said.
- Do not be startled, benefactor. This is this monk conveying his voice so only you can hear.
- I know.
Mok Kyung-un replied via transmission.
Master Museong responded as if amazed, without showing it outwardly.
- Benefactor, you continue to surprise this monk in many ways.