Chapter 142
Chapter 142
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 142
Chapter Title: Shaolin (4)
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Having completely erased the demonic energy from the child, Ouyang Jue finally let out a sigh of relief.
However, his mind was filled with various thoughts.
‘Could it be that Master Wuseong was a pawn of the Eight Evils?’
Considering his immense strength, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him one of the Eight Evils, but Ouyang Jue frowned.
For a former Guardian Monk of the Shaolin Temple to be one of the Eight Evils was unthinkable.
The path to becoming a Guardian Monk involved over twenty-eight trials, along with a thorough investigation of one's origins.
The Eight Evils, having existed for hundreds of years, would have no personal records.
Finishing that thought, Ouyang Jue shook his head.
Of course, he hadn't completely dismissed the suspicion.
‘I'll have to ask Iron Wind to look into it.’
This information was more important than anything else and needed to be obtained as quickly as possible.
Lifting the unconscious child monk onto his back, Ouyang Jue immediately whistled.
*Wheeeew-!*
At the sound, a falcon hidden deep within the forest revealed its beak.
It was a Thousand-Li Falcon, said to be so cherished by the Beggars' Sect that they would even share their own meals with it.
It was said to be so much more intelligent than other messenger birds that it was almost a spiritual creature.
True to its reputation, the Thousand-Li Falcon didn't fly over immediately but observed Ouyang Jue from a high tree.
Seeing this, Ouyang Jue took a tablet from his inner robe.
“...*Kee!*”
It was the Earth Tablet, which only disciples of the Three Knots or higher in the Beggars' Sect could possess.
The moment Ouyang Jue revealed the item he had received from Iron Wind, the Thousand-Li Falcon swooped down with graceful movements.
Ouyang Jue stroked the falcon's head and, despite his awkward posture, managed to write a single, straight line.
First Priority, Master Wuseong.
He couldn't include detailed information in a message sent by bird, but Iron Wind would surely understand and handle things with discretion.
Just as he was about to send the Thousand-Li Falcon on its way,
Ouyang Jue looked at the child monk on his back and was lost in thought for a moment.
His deliberation was not long.
He untied the tablet he had attached and added another sentence to it.
One child, in critical condition due to demonic energy infusion.
Requesting focused investigation.
The characters were so small that they would be invisible to anyone who hadn't trained in Eye Arts.
But with Liu Zhangming there, he had no worries about it being overlooked.
Hoping for the quickest possible reply, Ouyang Jue released the Thousand-Li Falcon into the sky.
“*Kieeeek-!*”
As the falcon soared high above, Ouyang Jue glanced at the child monk's profile.
It would be a lie to say he wasn't in a difficult position.
As a mere menial worker, if he showed up carrying an unconscious disciple, he would naturally be asked what had happened.
Furthermore, the child monk had a symbol carved on the roof of his mouth, indicating a curse.
If that were discovered, it would be more than just difficult; he could easily be misunderstood.
Ouyang Jue smiled weakly.
He was terribly tired from expelling the demonic energy without causing any internal injuries to the child monk.
“Still, I can't just leave the child here and go.”
With the child monk on his back, Ouyang Jue headed toward the Shaolin Temple.
* * *
“I trust he got the child there safely.”
As Liu Zhangming muttered those words, Iron Wind clicked his tongue.
“Do you have any idea how cunning your junior brother is? You have nothing to worry about.”
“Even so, he is wandering within the inner courts of the Shaolin Temple.”
Liu Zhangming was clearly filled with regret that he hadn't gone with him.
Watching him, Iron Wind chuckled to himself.
‘*This* is what’s normal.’
Lately, the only Taoist he'd been dealing with was Ouyang Jue, and he sometimes found himself thinking that all Taoists were like him.
But now, watching Liu Zhangming's demeanor, he realized Ouyang Jue was the strange one.
Iron Wind let out a belch and wore a relaxed expression.
“What's it to me? Ouyang Jue acted on his own. All we have to do is wait.”
“If he gets caught...”
“It would be an even bigger problem if we went, wouldn't it? Could you even handle it?”
At Iron Wind's sharp gaze, Liu Zhangming squared his shoulders, undaunted.
“It is better to go first than to waste time debating whether we can handle it.”
“...Well now, aren't you the upright Taoist.”
Though his words were twisted, Iron Wind actually thought positively of Liu Zhangming.
No matter how rudely his opponent behaved, Liu Zhangming always elevated his own dignity by showing respect.
Unlike Ouyang Jue, who adapted his response to his opponent, Liu Zhangming was a man who always knew how to observe courtesy and propriety.
‘If you ignore the fact that he's too damn rigid.’
Iron Wind hid his smile as he tore into a chicken leg.
He had heard that Liu Zhangming had learned martial arts and etiquette from the Sect Leader, Bai Duanxian, since he was a child, but he had never met anyone so perfectly upright.
He had seen many Taoists in his time, but it was truly rare to find someone like Liu Zhangming who practiced what he was taught so faithfully.
If anything, *he* was the eccentric one.
Iron Wind asked Liu Zhangming in a low voice.
“What would you do if the Shaolin Temple summoned you to pressure the Mount Hua Sect?”
“I would have to hold them accountable for what they did to the child, would I not?”
As soon as Liu Zhangming delivered the solid, flawless, orthodox answer, Iron Wind asked again.
“Even if your actions lead to a great conflict between the Buddhist and Taoist factions?”
“...”
Liu Zhangming closed his eyes and pondered for a moment, then nodded.
“That is what I have trained for.”
“I don't understand what you mean.”
“Literally, I have trained in martial arts to walk the righteous path.”
A self-deprecating smile touched Liu Zhangming's lips.
“To someone who sees the whole forest, like Junior Brother Ouyang or yourself, I must seem frustrating. Only a fool would invite great disaster over a trivial matter.”
Nevertheless, Liu Zhangming looked straight at Iron Wind as he muttered those words.
Even if Ouyang Jue were here, his conviction would not change.
A deep line formed between Liu Zhangming's brows.
“But a child was left in critical condition. If my junior brother hadn't noticed in advance, his life would have been forfeit.”
“...”
“I can never stand by and watch that happen.”
No matter what consequences may follow.
Liu Zhangming tightened the knot of the belt that was loosely tied around his waist.
As if resonating with its master, the Dragon's Tear Sword, a gift from Ouyang Jue, let out a clear ring.
Iron Wind asked with a deadpan expression.
“Are you saying it's fine if everything comes to an end while you uphold that righteousness? Even if they demand your life?”
“Willingly.”
When Liu Zhangming nodded, a faint sneer formed on Iron Wind's lips.
“It would be incredibly easy to kill you. I'd just have to grab a child and have them act.”
“I've heard that countless times.”
At Liu Zhangming's nonchalant reply, Iron Wind could no longer sneer.
In fact, it was a remark for which Liu Zhangming would have been justified in drawing his sword.
He almost wished he had.
That way, a human side would be revealed, and he could get a better sense of what kind of person Liu Zhangming was.
But Liu Zhangming did not show his anger.
Even though he, a member of the Beggars' Sect, had openly spoken of killing him, Liu Zhangming had calmly affirmed the possibility.
‘He's calmly insane.’
To Iron Wind, Liu Zhangming no longer seemed human.
‘To walk a path that might be a trap, all because a child is in critical condition... My word.’
Knight-errant.
The word, whose true meaning had faded with the passing of time until only the name remained, echoed in Iron Wind's mind.
“You are an absurd man.”
At Iron Wind's sudden remark, Liu Zhangming gave a bitter smile.
“Are you saying that upholding the Righteous Path is such an absurd thing?”
“At least in the martial world, it is.”
When Iron Wind answered without hesitation, Liu Zhangming briefly closed and opened his eyes.
When he looked up again, his face was filled with determination and gravity.
He was like a diamond, unshakeable no matter what traps lay ahead or how many people persecuted him.
“Then I will shatter that martial world and forge it anew.”
“...!”
What arrogant words!
To shatter the current martial world and forge it anew!
Iron Wind could no longer maintain his expressionless face.
‘When it comes to being crazy, he's even worse than that Ouyang Jue fellow!’
With a look of utter shock, Iron Wind revealed a sharp, blue glint in his eyes toward Liu Zhangming.
“Someone might hear you and you'll be in deep trouble! Lower your voice!”
“...Is that so.”
At those words, a faint smile graced Liu Zhangming's lips.
He was reminded of what Ouyang Jue had always told him.
That a martial artist needs strength to protect something, and that the world is not only composed of the Righteous Path.
He had experienced it firsthand through Cheol Geum-san and witnessed it directly with the Black Dragon Gang.
In all that, he had always been just one of the many branches of a tree.
A junior practitioner who had nothing to rely on but a meager talent, whose skills were merely outstanding for his age.
But not anymore.
He was a martial artist of the Mount Hua Sect, personally invited by Master Wuseong, and a thick tree trunk capable of bringing about great change.
He might be lacking compared to Ouyang Jue, who saw the whole forest, but at least this time...!
‘I will not just leave everything to my junior brother.’
Liu Zhangming raised the Dragon's Tear Sword to eye level.
*Shing, thak!*
He drew the blade about a hand's breadth before immediately sheathing it. With just that, Liu Zhangming cut off his hesitation.
“I'm going up.”
At his firm words, spoken with a hardened expression, Iron Wind could no longer stop him.
But a short while later,
Upon spotting Ouyang Jue, Liu Zhangming had to bite his lower lip hard with his canine teeth.
* * *
—What in the world is that look?
The moment their eyes met, Ouyang Jue's face flushed at the telepathic message from Liu Zhangming.
‘I should have left my hair...!’
Normally, his senior brother would have been angry, asking why he had shaved his head completely, but it seemed his appearance was just too ridiculous.
The only saving grace was that he had taken a job sweeping the stairs, allowing him to meet Liu Zhangming before he reached the Shaolin Temple proper.
Ouyang Jue grabbed the shoulder of Liu Zhangming, who was trembling as he tried to hold back his laughter.
—Senior Brother... It was unavoidable in order to infiltrate the Shaolin Temple.
—I heard they don't force laymen to shave their heads?
As if he genuinely didn't know, Liu Zhangming tilted his head with a smile, and Ouyang Jue clenched his fists.
He was so ashamed that he hadn't known a piece of common sense that even Liu Zhangming was aware of.
That feeling was naturally directed at Liu Zhangming.
—Senior Brother! Didn't I tell you not to come up until things were certain!
—A child, completely unrelated to us, was nearly killed by demonic arts.
Liu Zhangming's smile vanished, replaced by a sharp gaze.
—How could I possibly stand by and do nothing? It is utterly unjust, and the culprit must be found.
—So, what will you do?
—To find out their intentions, we must play along with what they want, must we not?
—...Even when there is an easy path, must you always take such a difficult detour?
To that, Liu Zhangming replied without a moment's hesitation.
—It is not a difficult path. It is the path one is meant to take.
—*Sigh*.
Letting out a deep sigh, Ouyang Jue considered the second plan he had been holding in reserve.
—Then do as you wish, Senior Brother.
—Are you sure that's alright?
—But first, I will ask you something, Senior Brother.
Ouyang Jue took his hand off Liu Zhangming's shoulder and looked at him with serious eyes.
—Are you confident that you can overwhelmingly defeat any monk that comes forward, even if you have to spar with a Hall Master?
At those words, Liu Zhangming circulated his Purple Mist Divine Arts.
How arduous his training must have been.
Ouyang Jue felt a small shiver as he saw Liu Zhangming's Purple Mist True Qi, reminiscent of a dense fog.
Finally, Liu Zhangming sent another telepathic message.
—Who do you think I am?
At those words, Ouyang Jue placed the broom he was holding on the ground and stood proudly to face Liu Zhangming.
—You are Senior Brother Liu Zhangming, the Plum Blossom Cloud Dragon, second disciple under the Mount Hua Sect Leader, Bai Duanxian.
—That name is not one to be taken lightly.
Liu Zhangming walked past Ouyang Jue and started to ascend toward the Shaolin Temple.
—I'll show you myself just what kind of man your senior brother is.
—...
Ouyang Jue watched his back and began to follow him in silence.
But he could not hide the pride on his face.