Chapter 136
Chapter 136
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: Letter (3)
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The moment Ouyang Jue turned his gaze from Yeon Mu-rang, Jo Hun's blade came rushing in.
*Whoosh-!*
The force behind the blade was light, but its tip was sharp.
A single misstep in his response could allow Jo Hun to land a blow.
But Ouyang Jue was confident. Confident he could break through the Path of Zen Scripture in an instant.
Ouyang Jue gripped Severing Manifestation tightly and swung the blade upward with all his might.
“...?!”
*Clang!*
For a moment, Jo Hun's body seemed to stagger, and his face turned deathly pale.
It wasn't an unexpected attack.
He had even devised a couple of countermeasures.
But Jo Hun, not expecting to be thwarted so easily, clenched his teeth.
“Ngh!”
“It’s too late, even if you glare.”
*Shing.*
Jo Hun looked at Severing Manifestation, now resting just below his throat, and let out a long sigh.
“I’ve lost, Senior Brother.”
“Do you understand why you lost?”
“It was overwhelming.”
Had he still not given up?
Jo Hun’s gaze shifted to Severing Manifestation. More precisely, to Ouyang Jue’s arm, trained for countless hours.
“Because even if I know where the attack will begin and where we will clash, if I can’t block it, it’s no different from not knowing at all.”
“Yes. That’s exactly right.”
Ouyang Jue was proud of Jo Hun’s cleverness, yet at the same time, he felt a pang of sadness.
‘If the Hun of today is sharp enough to see the limits of the Path of Zen Scripture... he must have known back then, too.’
The thought of Jo Hun holding back him and hundreds of other warriors until he was on the brink of starvation made his eyes well up.
He would ensure it wouldn't happen this time, but Jo Hun also needed to understand his weaknesses and overcome them.
Ouyang Jue closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them, suppressing the redness.
“Do you now know what you need to focus on in your training?”
“Yes, Senior Brother. From now on, I must focus on my external and internal arts.”
Seeing Jo Hun clench his fist in determination, Ouyang Jue reiterated with a serious expression.
Considering the enemies who would appear in the future, he had to make Jo Hun stronger, and faster.
“The enemies who will stand in your way will all be older and stronger than you. If you don't start preparing now, you will surely face disaster.”
At those words, Jo Hun inwardly wondered if Ouyang Jue was being too serious about something so vague.
But since Ouyang Jue had handled everything wisely until now, Jo Hun nodded emphatically.
“I’ll keep that in mind!”
“That’s enough. Now, go on.”
“Yes!”
As Jo Hun scampered off to the training grounds, Ouyang Jue found himself smiling.
However, when he thought of the person who remained, he felt his expression turn blank.
Without turning around, Ouyang Jue spoke.
“Mu-rang.”
“What is it, Uncle-in-sect?”
“Will you come here, or would you prefer I chase you down and beat you?”
At those words, Yeon Mu-rang, who had been about to flee, flinched and stopped in his tracks.
“What did I do now… haha, anyone hearing this would think I was trying to run away!”
“Are they wrong?”
“Ahem! I haven't been feeling well lately. May I go inside and rest?”
As Yeon Mu-rang trailed off with a sheepish grin, Ouyang Jue turned to look at him.
The muscles bulging even through his uniform, the taut curve of his shoulders.
While being a master of external arts didn't grant immunity to illness, he certainly didn't look like a patient who needed to rest.
More importantly, after achieving the Grand Circulation, Ouyang Jue's All-Seeing Eyes had advanced even further.
“What rest does a man who doesn't even have a cough, let alone an illness, need?”
“...It didn't work.”
Yeon Mu-rang clicked his tongue softly, then his expression hardened with resolve.
After all, he had always dreamed of getting his revenge someday.
Yeon Mu-rang lightly flexed and unflexed his fingers, cracking his knuckles.
*Crackle, crackle.*
As if it could no longer be contained by talismans, a more advanced lightning energy crackled in his palm.
Then, Yeon Mu-rang jutted his chin toward the hill above the Mount Hua Sect.
“Come up.”
“Has this brat lost his mind?”
Before those words were even finished, Yeon Mu-rang’s figure blurred.
He had already moved to the hill.
Left alone, Ouyang Jue let out a hollow laugh.
“It seems Senior Brother Liu has been too lenient with him lately.”
Just like when they first met, Yeon Mu-rang often tried to pick a fight without considering the situation.
‘I’ll have to beat it into him so he doesn’t go around challenging just anyone.’
Ouyang Jue's gaze sharpened considerably.
* * *
“Did you really have to go that far?”
Bai Duanxian didn't hide his dismay.
He had been watching with satisfaction, thinking Ouyang Jue was finally starting to change.
But to make Yeon Mu-rang bedridden on the very day he returned!
His face, in particular, must have been the main target; it was so swollen that he looked like he’d been stung by dozens of bees.
Although he understood the intention, Bai Duanxian thought this was a bit much and gave him a disapproving look.
Noticing his expression, Ouyang Jue bowed his head and replied.
“Considering Junior Brother Yeon’s usual temperament, there’s a high chance he’d make a mistake by picking a fight with anyone in the martial world. In fact, he almost committed murder right in front of the Mount Hua Sect.”
“...”
“Therefore, he can only be guided now that he is a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect. More importantly, if it happens again, the sect’s name will likely be tarnished.”
“...Hah, even so.”
As Bai Duanxian shook his head once, Ouyang Jue quickly changed the subject.
“By the way, what happened to the inner core and the manuals?”
“The inner core is currently being refined by Elder Cheong and the other physicians, and the manuals are being supplemented by the Protectors themselves.”
Bai Duanxian smiled with satisfaction, saying they were able to learn the external arts, which the Mount Hua Sect particularly lacked, from the manuals of the Peerless Battalion.
“Even their basic fist and foot techniques are more practical. By incorporating them into the Crane Palm and Plum Blossom Steps, we should be able to create new martial arts.”
“...Is that so.”
Ouyang Jue didn't feel very comfortable hearing this.
He thought the Peerless Battalion had already been destroyed since their things came from the Mount Tai Sword Gate, but to think they were acquainted with the Omniscient One!
It even seemed they were still alive.
If so, their strength would not be far behind Nameless.
‘If they come to the Mount Hua Sect to complain later... we’re in big trouble.’
Ouyang Jue broke into a cold sweat and forced a smile.
“That’s... a relief!”
“Are you unwell? It seems you haven’t recovered from your journey yet.”
“The journey? No, it’s just because the weather is getting warmer.”
At that, Bai Duanxian gave Ouyang Jue a strange look.
“If you say so. By the way, Jue, have you ever been to the Shaolin Temple?”
“Why would I go to the Shaolin Temple?”
As Ouyang Jue strongly denied it, Bai Duanxian’s gaze grew even more suspicious.
“Didn’t you cause a ruckus at the Shaolin Temple? Or perhaps you mentioned them directly and mocked them...?”
“Uncle-in-sect Gwak said the same thing. Did I do something strange?”
“Un-pae asked you too?”
“Yes!”
Ouyang Jue raised his voice, sounding genuinely wronged.
“I may have acted rough in many places, but am I crazy enough to do that at the Shaolin Temple?”
“...”
*You’re more than capable.*
Bai Duanxian’s gaze seemed to say as much.
Although he knew it was a joke, Ouyang Jue thumped his chest with his fist as if to declare his innocence.
“No matter what I do, I would never do anything to bring harm to the Mount Hua Sect. You know that, Sect Leader.”
“Huhu... I know.”
“If you know, then why...!”
*Could it be that he saw Gwak Un-pae teasing me and wanted to try it himself?*
Seeing the playful smile on Bai Duanxian's face, Ouyang Jue heaved a deep sigh.
“I give up. Please stop. Anyway, did something happen at the Shaolin Temple?”
“Are you aware that things have been noisy within the Shaolin Temple lately?”
Ouyang Jue was startled by the question.
“The Shaolin Temple?”
The Shaolin Temple, which had proudly maintained its position in his past life—why now?
As Ouyang Jue failed to hide his surprise, Bai Duanxian wore a hollow smile.
“I thought you knew everything, Jue, but it seems there are things you don’t know.”
“What happened?”
“It’s been a widely known fact that signs of sectarian division have been appearing in the Shaolin Temple since the end of the Song Dynasty. But each time, the abbots of the era were exceptional and managed to prevent it...”
Bai Duanxian paused to wet his throat with some water before continuing.
“But this time, it seems a fight has broken out between the factions. What was once just verbal discontent has escalated to bloodshed.”
“I see. But what does their factional strife have to do with us?”
*A good question,* Bai Duanxian seemed to say as his expression hardened.
“Do you know of Grandmaster Museong?”
“Grandmaster Museong? Do you mean the former Guardian Monk of the Shaolin Temple?”
“You are well-informed. I thought it was a name unknown to those of your age.”
At that, Ouyang Jue’s expression turned grave.
Grandmaster Museong was the one known as Shaolin’s strongest, the Guardian Monk, and a martial artist once called the Dragon Fist in the martial world.
His influence within the Shaolin Temple and his reputation in the martial world were both immense.
As Ouyang Jue’s eyes gleamed, Bai Duanxian took out a piece of paper.
“Grandmaster Museong sent a carrier pigeon through the Shaolin Temple.”
“...!”
Ouyang Jue hurriedly unfolded the paper.
As the Beginning of Spring approaches, our Shaolin Temple... (omitted)... wishes to invite Daoist Friend Liu Zhangming of the Mount Hua Sect for a friendly spar.
Abbot Munjeong, author.
Just reading the letter made his head throb.
Setting aside the flowery language, he couldn’t fathom the true intention behind inviting Liu Zhangming to Shaolin.
‘They must already be in chaos with their factional disputes, so what do they intend to do by calling Senior Brother Liu?’
To put it bluntly, were they planning to have him fight the opposing faction to teach them a lesson?
Ouyang Jue immediately shook his head at the thought.
Unless their heads were filled with lotus flowers, it was an impossible notion.
Having thought that far, Ouyang Jue paused.
‘...Come to think of it, our sect has quite a few people like that, doesn’t it?’
From Bai Duanxian, the most Daoist-like of them all, to Liu Zhangming, and even Song Muk.
There were more than a few in the Mount Hua Sect who had grown up with Daoist teachings.
So what would it be like in the Shaolin Temple, the very heart of Buddhism?
Abbot Munjeong, known as a sage, would surely be no different.
The thought sent a shiver down Ouyang Jue's spine.
‘I hope not, but he might actually be the kind of person who believes a friendly spar like this could resolve a factional war.’
Just as Ouyang Jue shuddered, Bai Duanxian asked him.
“Will you not accompany Zhangming to the Shaolin Temple?”
“Would that be possible?”
“You are fellow sect brothers, and given your young age, the Shaolin Temple won’t be overly wary of you.”
Above all, Shaolin was known as the pinnacle of the martial world, famous for welcoming all guests.
When Ouyang Jue readily nodded, Bai Duanxian looked relieved.
“If nothing else, Zhangming is not well-versed in worldly affairs. I was worried and couldn't possibly send him alone. It’s a relief that you’ll go with him, Jue.”
“That won’t be difficult.”
Ouyang Jue smiled faintly, lost in thought.
The reason the Shaolin Temple had summoned Liu Zhangming was important, but there was someone he had to meet now that he was back on Mount Hua.
More accurately, there was something he had to ask.
Ouyang Jue's gaze turned outside.
*Chirp, chirrr-*
The night had deepened without him noticing, and insects were chirping.
Only then did Bai Duanxian put down his teacup.
“It’s already gotten so dark. You should go and get some rest.”
“When should we depart for Shaolin?”
Bai Duanxian thought for a moment before answering.
“You can leave around the Hour of the Snake the day after tomorrow.”
“Understood. I will take my leave now.”
Ouyang Jue’s expression was so serious as he replied that Bai Duanxian tilted his head in confusion.
But he soon dismissed the thought.
He had too much postponed work, and the task of interpreting the manuals was in full swing.
*Creeak, thud-*
Stepping outside, Ouyang Jue used the cover of night to head away from the main sect grounds.
*Step, step.*
At last, he quieted his steps and cautiously approached his destination. It was none other than...
“...You’ve come.”
The Plum Blossom Cave, where Jin Mu-wol resided.