Chapter 178
Chapter 178
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 178
Chapter Title: Unintended Consequences
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Having withdrawn his challenge, Jeonghwa spoke at length, as if muttering to himself.
He spoke of those who wished to reform the Orthodox Faction, including Lee Ok-sang, Jin San, and others like them.
By the time the story ended, after several cups of wine had been exchanged, Neung Un-bi glared at Jeonghwa with narrowed eyes.
“……So, in the end, you just used me as a tool for persuasion, didn’t you?”
“Ahem! The reform of the Orthodox Faction…”
“Meaning you used me.”
“……Amitabha.”
*You should be apologizing, not chanting, you bastard!*
*Who does he think he is, trying to gloss this over?*
*Honestly, his personality hasn't changed one bit.*
Of course, that didn't mean he was going to back down so easily.
“Go on. Apologize.”
“Umm….”
“I said, apologize.”
“Sorry.”
“……Is that how you apologize?”
“I'm sorry, alright? It was my fault. Is that enough?”
Neung Un-bi shook his head at the sight of Jeonghwa apologizing as if he were angry.
“Couldn't you have given me a heads-up beforehand?”
“The official was right there…”
“Then what did you learn telepathy for?”
“……”
At Neung Un-bi's words, Jeonghwa blinked his eyes blankly.
“Ah!”
“……”
*Ah? A~ah?*
*This bastard! Is this something to be amazed about right now!*
*After you unleashed the Hundred Steps Divine Fist, the Nine Grades of the Lotus Platform, and even a full-force Thousand Hands Buddha Palm on me!*
As Neung Un-bi glared daggers at him, Jeonghwa, who had been pondering for a moment after his exclamation, shook his head.
“Hmm, even so, I probably wouldn't have given you a heads-up.”
“What? I could have died!”
“You blocked it just fine.”
“You…!”
“I'm sorry. I have no excuse.”
“Haa.”
*Something did seem strange. He had a reckless personality, but he wasn't the type to just start throwing punches out of nowhere.*
“Haha, my apologies. Because of what I've done, if you have a favor to ask later, I—no, Shaolin—will surely grant it.”
“A favor? What…”
Still not placated, Neung Un-bi pouted.
*He wasn't some child to be placated with a promise. What kind of favor was he talking about?*
*And Shaolin? It's not like he's the representative of the whole temple...*
“Come on, let it go, will you? Didn't I say I was wrong? I even said I'd grant you a favor later, right? Huh? Hmmm?”
“Haa…”
As Jeonghwa grabbed his arm and shook it playfully with an awkward smile, trying to act familiar, Neung Un-bi sighed again.
*He sure is brazen. How long has it been since we've seen each other, and he's already acting this chummy?*
But what could he do when it was all for the sake of the Central Plains? He had almost been seriously injured, but he had no choice but to think of it as making Shaolin—no, Jeonghwa—owe him a debt.
Besides, he might find a good use for that "favor" someday.
“Alright. I'll let it slide for now. But I will never forget this.”
“Of course. And I will be sure to remember the help you've given me.”
The apology more or less concluded there.
“By the way, you truly are remarkable.”
“In what way?”
“I'd heard about it from Jin San and Cheong Jin… To have achieved so much at your age, your master must be very pleased.”
“……”
*It's about the Cult Leader again. Why do all these renowned masters of the Orthodox Faction admire Dam Un-cheon so much? Everyone I meet never stops praising him.*
“Even if you've surpassed the stage of perception, I never imagined you could dodge the Hundred Steps Divine Fist from that distance. And to think you'd attack my side in the process. It's still throbbing.”
*He's lying through his teeth. I hit him with all my strength, and all he did was let out a single groan.*
*Then again, Jeonghwa was always like this.*
*He had trained his body to the point where even blades couldn't pierce his skin.*
*He was the type to never skip his training even when he came to fight. Thirty years have passed since then, so how much stronger must he have become?*
It was only natural that his fist wouldn't faze him.
“But you know.”
“Yes?”
“That footwork you used to dodge my Hundred Steps Divine Fist looked very familiar.”
“……”
In that instant, Neung Un-bi felt a cold sweat run down his spine.
*In my haste, didn't I use the Three Nothings Footwork?*
*What if Jeonghwa recognized it... No, he's a master, but he must have been flustered too, so maybe he didn't get a clear look.*
“It resembled the footwork of someone I knew a long time ago.”
“……”
*As I thought.*
*There's no way he wouldn't recognize it.*
*According to Jin San, after my death, the three of them felt it was a waste to let the Three Nothings Footwork disappear, so they put their heads together and even researched it.*
“May I ask how you know that footwork?”
“……”
*It's chilling.*
*Jeonghwa's gentle gaze pierces my chest like a dagger.*
*What should I say? If I just make something up, he'll definitely be suspicious...*
“Well... I tried to imitate it.”
“Hm?”
“When I met Elder Jin San, I saw Ung-hyeon use it and…”
“……You copied it?”
At those words, Jeonghwa's previously calm expression twisted bizarrely for a moment.
*It was understandable. Anyone would be surprised to hear that someone copied a movement art after seeing it just once.*
But there was no benefit in standing out unnecessarily.
“Haha, surely you don't think I could perform it so proficiently just by copying it once? I don't possess such a remarkable talent.”
“Ah... For a moment, I thought you might have the legendary Celestial Martial Body.”
“Of course not.”
Neung Un-bi laughed awkwardly and scratched his head.
*Celestial Martial Body, my foot. Even the grandfather of all Celestial Martial Bodies would find it difficult to copy something after seeing it just once.*
“Actually, the footwork Ung-hyeon showed me back then was so fascinating that I asked Elder Jin San about it.”
“Hmm….”
“He explained the principles he had researched. He said that Ung-hyeon had managed to pull off with sheer power what he had thought was impossible to realize.”
“That's right. I remember being quite surprised when I heard that Ung-hyeon had reproduced the Three Nothings Footwork.”
“But even to my eyes, it was an exceptional movement art… so I kept mulling over Elder Jin San's words.”
“Oh? And so?”
“Yes. I found a way.”
“Ha! That's incredible. It may not be a Celestial Martial Body, but that too is an outstanding talent.”
“You're too kind. I merely placed a spoon on the table set by Elder Jin San, Great Master Jeonghwa, and the Sword Saint. If it bothers you, I can pass on what I've realized. It wasn't mine to begin with, after all…”
“Haha, my friend. There's no need for that.”
“Pardon?”
“The table was already set, but there was no one to eat. What does it matter who places a spoon on it? Since you are the one who attained enlightenment, it is yours.”
“……”
“Congratulations on learning a fine footwork technique.”
“Thank you.”
Neung Un-bi bowed his head in response, secretly relieved.
*What a relief.*
*I just gave a rough explanation, and he bought it. Now I should be able to use the Three Nothings Footwork in front of them without worrying.*
*Also, it seems I won't have to pass on the knowledge...*
“Right, I heard you promised the Alliance Leader that you wouldn't invade the Central Plains even if you become the Cult Leader?”
“Pardon?”
“The Alliance Leader said so. That you gave him your word.”
*He really has a big mouth.*
*Even if they're in it together, did he have to tell him already?*
“……I never gave him my word.”
“Hm?”
“That was only on the condition that *I* become the Cult Leader…”
“Haha, that's the same thing.”
*How is that the same thing?*
*Besides me, there are four other disciples. If one of them becomes the Cult Leader instead of me, it means the Central Plains could still be invaded...*
“You told the Abbot too, didn't you? That the affairs of the Central Plains are for the Central Plains to handle.”
“……”
“The Abbot praised you as well. You're probably the first member of the Demonic Cult to ever receive praise from the Abbot of Shaolin. Hahahahaha!”
*Laughing like it's a good thing...*
*Come to think of it, isn't this a bit of a problem?*
*Aren't they all convinced, as if they'd planned it, that I'm going to become the Cult Leader?*
“But what are you going to do if I don't become the Cult Leader? The other disciples are different from me.”
“Nah, you'll definitely be the Cult Leader.”
“Pardon?”
“I heard Dam Un-cheon sent a letter directly to the Alliance Leader.”
“That's just the Cult Leader's opinion.”
“That's why it's certain.”
“Pardon?”
“What kind of man is Dam Un-cheon to make empty promises?”
“……”
As Jeonghwa waved his hand dismissively, Neung Un-bi looked at him with an expression of pity.
*Are these guys the Orthodox Faction or the Demonic Cult?*
*Every other word is Dam Un-cheon, Dam Un-cheon.*
*They're practically his believers. A whole congregation of them.*
*If they like him so much, they should just join the Demonic Cult. Why are they all making a fuss being monks and Taoists in the Central Plains?*
“No, why does everyone trust Dam… I mean, my master, so unquestioningly?”
“Hmm… Because he's a man who keeps his promises.”
“Pardon?”
“He is a man who always keeps his word, once given. He wouldn't break it even if the heavens were to split in two.”
“……”
*Was he like that?*
*Come to think of it, when he sent me to the Central Plains, he said he wouldn't provide any support from the main headquarters, and he really meant it. Sending Hyang-i and pulling strings with the Orthodox Faction weren't direct actions from the Demonic Cult.*
“Although he is an enemy we must one day fight, I have never once thought that Dam Un-cheon tells lies.”
“……”
*Haa, they're so certain. So damn certain.*
*When they believe in him this much, what more can I say?*
*I only said it because I was worried, since we might be on the same side later...*
*Just let it be.*
*Whatever happens later will be dealt with later.*
*In a situation where I can't even predict what will happen tomorrow...*
Feeling frustrated, Neung Un-bi picked up the wine bottle and poured it directly into his mouth.
“My friend, drink slowly, slow… Hm?”
Jeonghwa's face, which had been trying to stop Neung Un-bi, suddenly hardened.
“How dare you!”
“……?”
Seeing him suddenly roar in anger, Neung Un-bi put down the wine bottle and tilted his head in confusion.
“Who dares to spy on Shaolin!”
A furious Lion's Roar spread out powerfully, and the nearby trees, caught in its wake, swayed as if they would snap.
It was followed by Jeonghwa's powerfully extended fist.
It was a Hundred Steps Divine Fist of a completely different magnitude than the one Neung Un-bi had experienced.
*Fwoosh!*
The moment the fist's energy shot through the air, a black shadow leaped out from behind a tree.
*Craaack!*
Splinters from the giant tree, shattered by the Hundred Steps Divine Fist, flew in all directions, and the black figure that had narrowly dodged it rolled on the ground before getting to its feet.
The face revealed between strands of disheveled hair was…
“Huh? Hyang-i?”
It was her.
It seemed she had snuck into Shaolin to find him and was detected by Jeonghwa's senses.
But…
A faint, auspicious aura was rising from Jeonghwa's body.
“You will regret sneaking into Shaolin!”
Energy began to gather in Jeonghwa's two fists, and in response, Hyang-i gripped a dagger in each hand.
“……W-wait a minute! Hyang-i! Stop!”
The two, who were about to leap at each other, froze in their attack stances and looked at Neung Un-bi.
“Hyang-i, put away the daggers.”
“……?”
“And Master Jeonghwa, please retract your energy.”
“……?”
“She's my maid.”
“Hm?”
“My maid.”
“……Ah.”
But he couldn't suppress his doubt.
*That's a maid?*
Jeonghwa looked at the tree he had just destroyed.
It was only about thirty feet away.
Even though he was in the middle of a conversation with Neung Un-bi, the content was not for others to hear, so he had been monitoring his surroundings the entire time.
But to think she had gotten so close without him sensing her?
“Hah… A stealth expert skilled enough to completely deceive the eyes and ears of Shaolin—no, even my own senses—is a maid?”
“Well... the Cult Leader assigned her to me personally.”
“Ah…”
It was the truth, but simply by name-dropping the Cult Leader, no further explanation was needed.
Because Jeonghwa nodded his head as if he understood immediately.
“I see. If Dam Un-cheon himself assigned her… No wonder her skills are so formidable. She must be a maid who also serves as a guard.”
“Yes.”
“And here I thought a rat sent by *them* had snuck into Shaolin.”
“……”
At Jeonghwa's words, Neung Un-bi gave a bitter smile.
*He was right. It wasn't a conversation that the hypocrites hiding in the Orthodox Faction should overhear.*
If word of their recent conversation got out, it could endanger even the Alliance Leader.
“In any case, it seems our time for a good conversation has come to an end. I'll be heading back now.”
“Already?”
“Didn't you see earlier? The Abbot is likely deep in conversation with the elders.”
“Hmm, that's true…”
“I have to go and listen.”
Jeonghwa glanced at Hyang-i before walking away with quick steps.
*I suppose he wants to see it with his own eyes.*
*It will be a moving sight. He's about to witness the future direction of Shaolin being decided under the Abbot's leadership.*