You’ll Understand It Too (4)
“Then see yourselves out.”
“Do not forget.”
The middle-aged man who had risen from his seat looked down at Beop Jeong with cold eyes. Yet Beop Jeong did not so much as scowl; instead, he merely smiled faintly.
“I will be watching to see how you respond. If your actions fail to keep pace with that silver tongue of yours, then every privilege granted to you until now will be revoked. No—”
The middle-aged man cut in with an austere voice sharp enough to slice stone.
“You will pay dearly for every courtesy you have received to this point. Do you understand me, Abbot?”
“Of course.”
Beop Jeong answered with solemn dignity, but the middle-aged man still looked unconvinced.
“Do not forget that His Majesty is enraged.”
“……”
“You had better pray that that wrath does not turn toward you. Those useless Jianghu rabble are worth less than common thugs.”
“……Amitabha.”
Beop Jeong, who had risen to his feet, closed his eyes and gave a slow bow. The middle-aged man shot him a displeased glare, then turned away.
Bang!
The door slammed shut roughly behind him. Only then did a deep sigh escape Beop Jeong’s lips.
Creak.
A moment later, the door opened carefully once more, and Beopgye entered with a rigid expression.
“Abbot.”
“Come in and sit.”
“Yes.”
No sooner had Beopgye taken a seat than he spoke again.
“What did they say?”
“Nothing unexpected. The palace is taking this matter seriously and is ordering us to crush the heretic sect rabble at once.”
“……”
“If we fail to do so, they intend to hold us responsible.”
“How outrageous…”
Beopgye let out a dumbfounded groan, and Beop Jeong gave a snort of laughter. It was a derisive smile far too un-Buddhist to suit a monk.
“The imperial court has always been like this.”
In principle, a nation should never stand idly by while factions of martial artists grew unchecked. Yet in practice, the court had never really cracked down on sects like Shaolin or Wudang.
Because of the principle that civil and martial powers did not intrude on one another?
Hardly.
Outwardly, they said the court and the martial world did not meddle in each other’s affairs, but such a thing could never truly be possible. That was merely a convenient pretext invented by the court so it would not have to involve itself with Jianghu affairs.
The fundamental reason was simpler: the existence of Jianghu martial artists was useful to them.
One might think that once a country was established, the imperial court’s reach would extend to every corner of its land, but that was not how reality worked. If that were truly possible, how would rebellions ever arise, and how could warlords continue to exist?
Moreover, the current influence of the imperial court was extremely limited south of the Yangtze River, and not absolute even north of it. In terms of public order especially, the government alone had its limits.
So from the court’s perspective, Jianghu was not entirely a nuisance. At the very least, those who claimed righteousness did a reliable job of keeping order in the areas surrounding their sects.
But…
“At times like this, I even feel envious of the Evil Tyrant Alliance.”
“A-Abbot. What are you saying…”
“Isn’t that so?”
Beop Jeong smiled thinly.
“It was the Evil Tyrant Alliance that created this situation, and the Demonic Sect that actually stirred up the disaster, yet they’re threatening to make us, the innocent ones, bear the blame.”
At that, Beopgye hesitated for a moment before letting out a sigh.
This was always how the court and the martial world related to each other. When there was no trouble, they treated them like lawless ruffians; when trouble arose, they pressed every burden of responsibility onto them.
But the demonic path was different. In the first place, the demonic path had never possessed any fixed strongholds as clearly as the righteous sects did. They were like poisonous mushrooms that sprouted where the court’s light did not reach.
The vast Yangtze, which even the navy could not fully dominate. Deep mountain ranges too remote for human hands to readily reach. And Jiangnan, where administrative control was full of gaps.
In all those places, the demonic path had grown strong. Unlike the righteous sects, which were established near Beijing and could never truly escape the court’s influence, they had spread in the shadows.
“If they’re in such a hurry, why not send the imperial guards directly?”
“There are troubling movements in the north.”
“Ah…”
“It seems they’re in no position to move the imperial guards. In fact, they’re probably reinforcing even the imperial troops around Beijing and sending them north. In a situation like that, they can’t spare attention for beyond the Yangtze.”
Beopgye nodded as if understanding at last.
So trouble really did come all at once. Unfortunately, everything had aligned in the worst possible way.
“So they’ve chosen to threaten us instead.”
“Most likely.”
Beop Jeong wore a wry smile. Yet Beopgye still did not seem fully convinced.
“If they were going to be so sensitive to the state of Jianghu, wouldn’t it have been better to help when the Evil Tyrant Alliance first began to rise? Then things would never have reached this point.”
“The imperial court views the Evil Tyrant Alliance and the Demonic Sect very differently.”
“……”
“However evil the Evil Tyrant Alliance may be, they still operate within the rules of Jianghu. Even if that Jang Il-so were to unify Jianghu, do you think he would dare covet the emperor’s throne?”
Beop Jeong shook his head after posing the question.
“However ambitious Jang Il-so may be, that is impossible. Jianghu is one thing; a nation is another. It is not something people like us can govern.”
“That is true, Abbot.”
“But the Demonic Sect?”
Beop Jeong let out a hard, tired sigh.
“The Demonic Sect is different. They do not distinguish between peasants and emperor. The laws of noble families and the policies of the palace mean nothing to them. The imperial court had already experienced that bitter truth a hundred years ago.”
“Well…”
Unlike Jianghu, which treated the past as merely past, the imperial court recorded everything in painstaking detail. The records of the Demonic Sect’s rampage a century ago would still remain vivid.
“That is why they’re reacting so strongly.”
Beopgye nodded as if the situation was now finally clear.
“Then what do you intend to do?”
“Even so, not yet.”
Beop Jeong shook his head.
“If we cross the river because they push us from behind, then we will have to bear all the consequences ourselves. Do you think they would care even slightly about the damage we suffer?”
“But if we defy the imperial order, things could become far worse.”
Beop Jeong smiled faintly.
“There is no need to worry. Perhaps because they are in such a hurry, they made a mistake.”
“A mistake, you say?”
“Didn’t I tell you that the imperial guards are being sent north? Even if we slightly disobey their order, they won’t be able to do much to us for the time being.”
“Ah…”
“If we resolve the matter before too long, they will not bother to press the issue about what happened now, so there is no need to be swept up by panic.”
Beopgye nodded quietly. Still, in the back of his mind, a faint unease lingered.
Setting aside whether it was possible or not, if the imperial court was issuing such an urgent plea, shouldn’t they naturally follow it as subjects of the realm?
But he could not bring himself to say it aloud.
“How is the situation progressing?”
“They still appear to be staying in Hangzhou. They will probably begin moving somewhere else soon.”
As he answered, Beopgye felt truly heavy-hearted.
The fact that the Demonic Sect’s movements were slower than expected was something to be grateful for, but on the other hand it meant they were thoroughly destroying Hangzhou city all the same.
When he thought of how many had already fallen victim to their claws, he could not sleep at night, and even when he ate, it felt like he was chewing sand.
“The Evil Tyrant Alliance must be tearing its hair out as well.”
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Beop Jeong’s mouth. That smile, born in such a situation, looked terribly strange to Beopgye.
“Abbot. How are things with support from the other sects?”
“I expect word will come soon.”
“Isn’t that too late? This isn’t just any enemy—it’s the Demonic Sect! Why are they dragging their feet like this?”
“There is distance between us, is there not? Even if they prepare immediately and dispatch aid, it will take time. That cannot be helped.”
Beopgye’s face gradually hardened.
Beop Jeong’s reaction was too different from when they had requested aid not long ago because of the Evil Tyrant Alliance.
Could it be…
The indecent thought that had flashed through his mind was quickly erased. This was not something he was worthy of considering.
Beop Jeong looked at him and smiled faintly.
“You are thinking too much.”
“No, Abbot. I was just…”
“Beopgye.”
“Yes, Abbot.”
“To not know is a comforting thing.”
“……”
“But there are truths one cannot simply look away from. The duty of the one who understands first is to tell those who are still pretending not to see the cold reality before them.”
Beopgye remained silent, unable to understand Beop Jeong’s meaning. So Beop Jeong went on.
“The reason Shaolin’s standing is no longer what it once was is very simple. It is because people no longer need Shaolin.”
“……Abbot?”
“When there is a powerful enemy, people need someone to follow. But once the enemy is gone, they begin thinking only of their own gain.”
Beop Jeong’s voice was calm and still.
“Soon, all the people under heaven will understand. They will understand who has kept peace in Jianghu all this time, and who has defended the righteous energy of the orthodox path. Then they will know why Shaolin is Shaolin.”
“B-but, Abbot… if that happens…”
“It is something we must endure.”
Beop Jeong quietly recited a Buddhist invocation.
“The role of those who guard a wall facing an enemy is not merely to stop that enemy. It is to risk their lives to warn of the invasion, so that greater harm may be prevented.”
“That is…”
Beop Jeong said firmly,
“How can that sacrifice not be called noble? It is the same here. There are times when we must endure something in order to prevent a greater disaster.”
Beopgye lowered his head deeply.
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Because you need to know.”
Beop Jeong’s eyes were cold as he looked at him.
“Bearing responsibility is often cruel. It cannot be done with a merely upright heart alone. If no one else, then you must understand that.”
Beopgye bit his lip instead of answering. Beop Jeong seemed unlike the man he knew today. He looked too different.
“In the end, the imperial court will have no choice but to cling to us. Not just the court, either. The Nine Great Sects, and even that demonic alliance. And…”
Beop Jeong’s eyes glinted coldly.
But at that moment, Beopgye spoke up.
“However, Abbot. Didn’t you say the imperial court remembers the history of a hundred years ago?”
“……And what of it?”
“Then… if they truly begin to feel the danger of the Demonic Sect, wouldn’t they seek out Mount Hua rather than Shaolin?”
Beop Jeong’s face hardened in an instant.
“What did you say…?”
Feeling his fury, Beopgye lowered his head fully.
“How could the current Mount Hua be the same as Mount Hua in the past?”
“I’m sorry, Abbot.”
“You…”
Clenching his jaw, Beop Jeong swallowed his anger and spoke again. His voice had sharpened slightly.
“What is the Heavenly Friends Alliance doing?”
“They do not appear to be moving much.”
“I see… Of course. They would have no choice. Their righteousness is nothing more than a calculation shouted only after they have convinced themselves they’re safe.”
A cold sneer touched Beop Jeong’s lips.
But just then, Beopgye, after watching his expression carefully, spoke hesitantly.
“Though… there is one thing.”
“Though?”
“……It is not confirmed, but there are rumors that the Mount Hua Sword Saint and more than ten others crossed the river last night. The information hasn’t been verified yet, but…”
Bang!
Beopgye, who had been speaking, jolted and looked up sharply.
The tea table before Beop Jeong had shattered into pieces and was scattered across the floor.
“A-Abbot.”
“Who did you say?”
“T-that is…”
“Who did you say!”
“The Mount Hua Sword Saint. It was the Mount Hua Sword Saint. Along with him, more than ten others…”
“Check again. Immediately!”
“……”
“What are you standing there for? Can’t you hear me?”
“Y-yes! Abbot! I’ll verify it at once!”
Beopgye fled in panic.
Beop Jeong glared after him with terrifying eyes, then bit down on his lip hard enough to draw blood.
Mount Hua Sword Saint.
Beop Jeong knew his reaction was excessive. What could merely a dozen people do in a situation like this?
And yet… the instant he heard those four words—Mount Hua Sword Saint—an inexpressible sense of unease surged through him.
“……They crossed the river?”
A chill spilled from Beop Jeong’s eyes.
The prayer beads that had fallen from his hand lay scattered across the cold floor, slowly growing colder still.
—