Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Shaolin's Invitation
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The faces of the two monks stiffened rigidly.
"What do we do, senior brother?"
"I don't know, you fool."
Baek Un, who had sharply snapped at Beom Won, took a deep breath.
He had said just moments ago that the man before them couldn't possibly be a Blood Asura, but now that they were face-to-face, that conviction wavered.
'Did the Abbot send us here to stop this man?'
Really?
Both Baek Un and Beom Won were experts worthy of being called absolute peak masters.
They could easily hold the upper hand against the sect leaders of most renowned schools.
But could they subdue this man? Probably not.
"You two, Shaolin monks?"
Jeok Muryong's question.
Caught off guard by losing the initiative while lost in thought, Baek Un stammered a reply.
"Y-yes, that's right."
"Do you intend to attack this seat?"
"Pardon? A-attack?"
"Are you planning to charge at me?"
"Ah."
Baek Un scratched his temple, feeling like a fool.
"Well... More than that, I'd like to first ask why you've caused this massacre."
"What if this seat refuses to answer?"
"Then I'll try to persuade you."
Jeok Muryong chuckled softly.
"Not bad."
"Pardon?"
"Your attitude. It's different from those Orthodox hypocrites who drone on that killing is always evil no matter what. Or maybe you just have the street smarts to pick your words based on the situation."
"Street smarts?"
"You realized it the moment you saw me. That if you fight, you'll just die like dogs."
"......"
"This seat has nothing to tell you lot. But I do know someone worth hearing out."
Clink, clink.
Money pouches rose from the corpses' bosoms and flew into Jeok Muryong's hand.
There were at least a dozen of them.
Jeok Muryong had pulled them all toward him in one go.
'An utterly terrifying level of telekinetic mastery!'
'What an incredible master!'
Regardless of the hardening expressions on Baek Un and Beom Won's faces, Jeok Muryong sifted through the silver and gold coins, stuffing them into an appropriately sized pouch.
"Coming along?"
"......"
"Your choice. Do as you please."
With that, Jeok Muryong shot off into the distance.
Beom Won spoke to the silent Baek Un.
"Senior brother, what do we do?"
"Don't you know any other words?"
"S-sorry."
"...Let's follow him."
"Yes."
The two warrior monks cleaved through the night sky.
"Uh, um... well..."
Neung So-hwa fidgeted awkwardly after being suddenly summoned to the room.
The two monks sitting across from her felt the same.
Only Jeok Muryong remained utterly composed.
"These two are Baek Un and Beom Won, monks from Shaolin. And these are Neung So-hwa and Jin Choyoung, the Young Palace Lord of True Heaven Palace and her escort."
"......!"
"Then you all sort it out yourselves."
Leaving the surprised pair behind, Jeok Muryong walked to the table piled high with food and sat down.
Jin Choyoung hesitated, about to call him back.
Judging by the way Jeok Muryong's eyes were locked on the food, anyone who interrupted would regret it.
The only possible exception might be Neung So-hwa.
But she was cautiously addressing the two monks.
"Baek Un and Beom Won—would that be how to address you?"
"Ah, yes."
"Monks from Shaolin."
"That's correct, benefactress."
Baek Un took the conversation.
"We just heard the name True Heaven Palace. If it's the one we know, in Wuhan of Huguang Province..."
"Yes, that's the one."
"I see."
Baek Un nodded.
That alone made everything click into place.
"So the corpses scattered across Heavenly Center Mountain were True Heaven Palace warriors."
"Yes..."
"We've heard about your Palace Lord's passing. Our deepest condolences."
"Thank you, monk."
"If it's not too much trouble, could you give us a more detailed account?"
Neung So-hwa glanced at Jeok Muryong.
He was completely absorbed in his meal, ignoring them.
In the distance, the kitchen head stood pale-faced, dragged out in the dead of night.
Even if he seemed disinterested, he was undoubtedly listening to every word.
If he were truly indifferent, he wouldn't have brought the monks here.
'So it should be fine to explain.'
Nodding inwardly, Neung So-hwa spoke up.
"Very well. I'll start from the beginning."
Neung So-hwa explained the events as concisely as possible to the two monks, ensuring they grasped the key points.
She did mention meeting Jeok Muryong, but deliberately omitted anything about the Heavenly Demon.
Considering Shaolin's position and leanings in the Orthodox Murim, it was only natural.
Murim was full of mysterious masters even without mentioning the Heavenly Demon.
"That's everything I have to say."
Neung So-hwa finished her explanation.
The two monks nodded gravely.
"That must have been hard, benefactress."
"No, compared to the suffering of those who died innocently, this is nothing."
"Then... what are your plans going forward?"
"I haven't decided yet."
"I see."
Like Neung So-hwa, Baek Un subtly checked Jeok Muryong's reaction.
He was still lost in his feast.
Baek Un cleared his throat a couple times before continuing.
"How about coming with us to Song Mountain?"
"With you monks?"
"Yes. From what you've said, the chaos at True Heaven Palace won't settle easily. Heading to Luoyang or Kaifeng isn't a bad idea, but it could invite interference from outside forces."
"You mean True Heaven Palace's factions might resist."
"Exactly."
"Whereas if Shaolin Temple steps in to mediate, they'll have no choice but to comply?"
"One would hope so. However..."
Shaolin's prestige was absolute.
Even Great Seal Sect in Kaifeng followed far behind, the gap too vast to matter.
Above all, Shaolin had centuries of built-up trust.
Unlike other sects or factions that might pursue their own gains.
Thus, True Heaven Palace's factions were unlikely to defy them outright.
Logically, seeking Shaolin's aid was the overwhelming right choice.
But Neung So-hwa knew better than to grab it blindly in such a situation.
"Just one question. Is helping us Shaolin's official stance, or the decision of you two monks alone?"
A question that pierced straight to the heart.
Baek Un smiled wryly.
"For now, it's our own decision."
"Why drag me into this, senior brother?"
"Just shut up and stay quiet, dear junior brother."
Having silenced Beom Won with a word, Baek Un continued.
"That said, the Abbot sending us to Heavenly Center Mountain must have deeper meaning. Perhaps he foresaw something like this."
"The Abbot—Go Hye Seonsa?"
"Yes."
Neung So-hwa fell into thought.
It was Shaolin's Abbot himself, Go Hye Seonsa.
If he had sent these two out of concern for True Heaven Palace's future, it was truly a lifeline from the heavens.
'But...'
Whether it was rotten or an actual noose was impossible to tell.
She couldn't just leap at it.
Meanwhile, Jin Choyoung sitting beside Neung So-hwa kept glancing at her.
'Why is she hesitating?'
To Jin Choyoung, this was a golden opportunity.
Turning it down would be insane.
Of course, they should verify if these were truly Shaolin monks.
But Jin Choyoung was still alive for now.
She lacked the skill to read their full backgrounds, but even at a glance, their martial arts far surpassed hers.
Above all, Jeok Muryong had brought them.
At first, she thought he was ignorant of worldly affairs, but now she knew the opposite.
It was just a misunderstanding from his time away from the world.
Jeok Muryong knew the world better than Neung So-hwa or Jin Choyoung.
People he brought were unlikely to be fake.
'Lady knows that too...'
Jin Choyoung grew more puzzled.
Not to resolve her doubts, but at that moment, Neung So-hwa spoke up.
"Jeok hero?"
Whoosh!
Everyone's heads turned toward Jeok Muryong.
Only after the crunching sounds continued for a while did his voice come.
"What?"
"If we decide to head to Song Mountain, will you come with us?"
"Shaolin Temple."
"Yes."
"No."
"Whaaat?"
The bizarre tone came from Jin Choyoung.
Baek Un and Beom Won looked equally flustered.
Only Neung So-hwa nodded as if she had expected it.
"Jeok benefactor, if it's all right, could you tell us why?"
Jeok Muryong clicked his tongue lightly at Baek Un's question.
"Temple food tastes like shit."
"Ah."
This time, Jin Choyoung let out a quiet gasp.
'Now that I think about it, that's just how he is.'
Baek Un and Beom Won were speechless at her immediate acceptance.
"W-well, not all temple food is bad."
"Nonsense. Do they even serve meat to guests?"
"Depending on the case... probably."
Shaolin's guidelines on meat were simple.
When receiving alms, eat whatever meat is offered.
But within the temple, avoid it as much as possible.
That didn't mean temple food was tasteless.
Monks were human too, after all. They did their best to make the most of available ingredients, even if they didn't chase gourmet flavors.
Of course, it couldn't compare to worldly cuisine without such restrictions.
'Wait, is food really that important right now?'
Baek Un felt absurd anew.
Neung So-hwa gave him an apologetic smile.
"It seems going together won't be possible."
"I see. Understood."
As Baek Un replied, an unexpected voice cut in from the side.
"Why is that, Lady Neung?"
It was Beom Won.
"Putting it all together, Jeok benefactor may be your savior, but he's still an outsider. I don't see why you two must stick with him."
"There is a reason."
"What might that be?"
"Right now, the one person I can truly trust and rely on is Jeok hero."
"Pardon?"
"Whaaat?"
Not just the two monks—even Jin Choyoung turned to Neung So-hwa in shock.
"Ah, sorry. That doesn't mean I don't trust you, Choyoung."
"N-no, it's fine, Lady."
"Right. Anyway, I want to stay with Jeok hero as much as possible. Of course, only if he agrees."
"...I see."
"Yes. Sorry to turn down your kind offer."
"No, not at all."
With that, Baek Un cast a final glance at Jeok Muryong.
And was thoroughly ignored.
"Then, we'll take our leave for tonight."