To Shaolin Temple (2)
We set off once more toward Shaolin Temple and soon arrived at the Yellow River.
The Yellow River, which formed the border between Hubei and Shandong, was in its lower reaches, so it looked far wider than when we'd crossed it back in Gansu.
But we weren't worried.
We knew the river-crossing horses could ford any river, no matter the width.
"Alright, let's go! Everyone, hold tight to your reins!"
"Yes!"
The river-crossing horses gradually picked up speed, then accelerated and dashed across the river in one swift go.
Being able to cross like this saved us quite a bit of time.
Instead of following the river, we headed a bit south before turning west.
"It's starting to get dark, young master."
At Palgap's words, I addressed the group.
"Let's find a spot to camp."
"Understood."
We soon found a suitable place and set up camp there.
Crackle, crackle.
We'd come down to Henan, but being in the woods, it felt a bit chilly once night fell.
Sitting here by the campfire felt nice.
As we relaxed like that, I suddenly sensed killing intent.
I jumped to my feet at once.
"What's wrong?"
"I felt killing intent nearby."
At my words, everyone tensed up and drew their weapons. I closed my eyes and focused my senses to scan the surroundings.
"There's a fight happening close by. It looks like... Black Dao martial artists against orthodox faction folks."
"What should we do?"
At the Seo-u Warrior's question, I hesitated for a moment. Did we really need to dive into the danger?
But my instincts were telling me otherwise.
We have to go.
"We can't leave a potential threat behind. Let's move."
"Understood."
"Mingjong Warrior, you and Palgap stay here and guard the camp."
"Yes."
I rushed off with the rest of the escorts toward the sounds of battle.
Clang! Clang!
Klang!
"Push them a little harder!"
"Hahaha! Give it up, you bald monks!"
Arriving at the scene, I quickly grasped the situation. Monks who looked like they were from Shaolin Temple were fighting Black Dao martial artists.
The monks were protecting something, and the Black Dao fighters were unleashing fierce attacks to seize it.
"My lord, what should we do?"
"Let's help them for now."
Saying that, I kicked off and charged in.
Just then, I saw a Black Dao sword flying toward one of the monks.
Clang!
I blocked the sword and swung my own, severing the man's arm.
"Argh!"
"Unlike these monks, we're not so merciful. You'd best retreat from here."
At my words, one of the Black Dao warriors shouted.
"You stay out of it!"
"Can't do that—I'm a bit of a busybody."
I said with a smile.
"Not my fault if you die."
Then another Black Dao fighter yelled.
"Even if you kill us, there are others after that holy relic. You think you can take them all on?"
"Commendable compassion, but a weakling like you needs to know when to step in and when to stay out!"
Why do they think my martial arts are weak?
Ah... It's dark, so they can't make out my face properly.
But I could've sworn I just heard something I couldn't ignore.
"What was that? Did you say holy relic?"
At that, one of the Shaolin monks, panting heavily, spoke up.
"That's right, benefactor. What we're transporting is the remains of Grandmaster Hyeolgon Seongseung."
"......"
Fate sure is funny.
Or should I say eerie?
Either way, I couldn't ignore this situation.
After all the trouble to deliver those remains intact to Shaolin Temple...
If these Black Dao scum stole them, it might just give someone a fit of rage.
Besides, I was carrying Grandmaster Hyeolgon's last will.
No wonder my instincts screamed to help them...
"Grandmaster Hyeolgon's remains? Then we absolutely can't back down."
But a sudden curiosity struck me.
"Why are you lot after Grandmaster Hyeolgon's remains, anyway?"
"Obviously, because there's an elixir inside!"
Elixir?
What the hell?
I stared at them in disbelief.
"Where'd you hear that nonsense? There's nothing in the grandmaster's remains—just bones and skin. An elixir?"
"The rumors are everywhere! How can you be so sure there's nothing?"
How can I be sure?
Because I have Jinryeong.
If there'd been an elixir or anything like that in Grandmaster Hyeolgon's gut, Jinryeong would've sniffed it out first and gone "Kui!"
And in my previous life, I'd investigated the remains myself—nothing there.
But that's not proof I can shove in their faces.
I sighed.
"Look, I don't know where that rumor started, but the ones who spread it are probably rolling on the floor laughing at you fools charging around like this."
"What're you talking about?"
"We inspected the remains right from when they were recovered from the Gansu sword mound. Confirmed empty."
Of course, it was a lie.
They'd been strictly secured the moment they were found.
"Everyone in Gansu knew there was nothing inside... but since they got zilch, they got pissed and spitefully started that rumor. And you fell for it."
"What?"
"What makes you say that?"
I scratched the back of my neck.
Having to say my own title out loud... ugh.
"Our..."
But as if reading my mind, the Seo-u Warrior shouted from beside me.
"Our lord is the hero of the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Assembly, the great hero Seonhyeopmirang!"
The Yeo Eung-am Warrior followed up.
"He even shone at the recent Gansu Yeonji Mountain sword mound incident!"
I gave the two warriors a subtle nod of thanks. Saved me the embarrassment of saying it myself.
At the shout, the Black Dao warriors fell into confusion, while the Shaolin monks cheered softly in delight.
I addressed the Black Dao group.
"Grandmaster Hyeolgon passed gazing toward Mount Song, home of Shaolin Temple. As the old saying goes, even a fox turns its head toward home before dying—that's proof the grandmaster longed for Shaolin, his home away from home, until the end. That's why we went to such lengths to at least return his remains..."
I let my anger show.
"You guys are truly rotten! Thanks to the grandmaster's compassion, the sword mound collapsed and you escaped being buried alive— you should be grateful, not chasing baseless rumors! Do you Black Dao types really have no sense of honor whatsoever?"
At my rebuke, a few of them looked ashamed, averting or lowering their eyes.
Honestly, Black Dao had plenty of bad eggs.
But plenty had turned to it out of desperation to survive, so some scrap of conscience remained in a few.
I continued to them.
"Anyway, you've been played by those guys. So quit this nonsense here and go smack the rumor-mongers upside the head for me instead."
I swung my sword.
Slash!
The ground before them split a full inch deep.
"If you really wanna fight us, I won't stop you. But if you're thinking of taking on me and my escorts, be prepared to lose a limb or two."
Tension hung in the air.
"Sigh."
Someone sheathed their weapon, and the rest followed suit.
"Sounds like he's right."
"Yeah... If there'd been an elixir, the Gansu guys would've eaten it first."
"Bust! Damn it!"
"S-sorry about this!"
With that, the Black Dao group slunk away. Only then did I sheathe my sword and approach the monks.
I clasped my hands in greeting.
"Eunhae Merchant Group's branch leader Eun Seo-ho, at your service."
They waved it off.
"We're unworthy of the title 'grandmaster.' Thank you so much for your help."
"Fate works in mysterious ways. To run into you on the road to Shaolin... But why are you here? I heard Shaolin monks were transporting the remains from the Murim Alliance."
"Correct. We're coming from the Alliance."
"Isn't this way off the direct path from the Alliance to Mount Song?"
"Yes. We were ambushed shortly after leaving Alliance territory. They'd blocked every route to Mount Song thoroughly, so we had no choice but to detour."
"You've had it rough."
"Thankfully, no disciples lost their lives, but we were in real trouble. Our thanks again."
"And to make them back off without spilling blood!"
"The true Seonhyeopmirang."
"You're too kind. Haha."
One monk then said,
"I heard your disciples helped our juniors a great deal recently. That's why we invited you— are you heading there for that?"
"Yes."
I nodded, and the monks beamed, urging me warmly.
"Perfect timing. We're going to Shaolin too—shall we travel together?"
"That's what we hoped for."
And so we joined forces with them.
"First, come this way and rest. We have a camp set up."
We headed to the campsite we'd prepared.
"Young master, you're back?"
Palgap and the Mingjong Warrior greeted us.
"Yeah. No trouble?"
"No, none."
"Good. Oh, these are Shaolin monks."
I explained the situation to Palgap and the Mingjong Warrior.
"Well done, young master. Have the monks eaten yet?"
At the question, the monks shook their heads.
Makes sense—they'd been fleeing and fighting nonstop.
No way they'd had a proper meal.
"Would this rice help?"
A monk offered some leftover rice, and Palgap gladly replied.
"Ah! We'll make some porridge with that."
"Please do."
Palgap fetched water nearby, put the rice in a pot, and started boiling porridge.
"I'll help."
"Then could you stir this for a bit?"
Palgap went somewhere and returned with something—mushrooms.
"These mushrooms are delicious."
"Oh? Really?"
Palgap cleaned and diced them finely before adding to the pot.
There were plenty of poisonous wild mushrooms, but I wasn't worried.
Palgap had an uncanny knack for spotting the toxic ones. Bears gonna bear, after all.
Soon the warm porridge was ready, and Palgap ladled out bowls for the monks.
There were about twenty of them.
They ate with expressions like they'd reached paradise.
"This is truly delicious."
"Thank you."
The monks filled their bellies that way.
One more debt owed.
I thanked Palgap for his efforts, and he grinned, rubbing his nose.
"This much is nothing."
I chuckled lightly and sat, lost in thought.
But rumors of an elixir in Grandmaster Hyeolgon's remains...
That's some vicious gossip.
Who the hell started it?
I'd worked hard to change the outcome from my previous life, where the remains ended up in pieces.
Suddenly, a thought flashed through my mind.
No way...
Was there some reason Grandmaster Hyeolgon's intact remains couldn't reach Shaolin?
Is someone trying to stop that?
Nah, no way...
There's nothing in those empty remains anyway.
If there was anything, it'd be the grandmaster's deep love for Shaolin returning to its embrace.
But the nagging doubt wouldn't leave my head.
The next morning, we packed up and resumed our journey to Shaolin.
No uninvited guests visited our camp that night.
But we couldn't assume the same for today.
We formed a defensive formation around the cart carrying Grandmaster Hyeolgon's remains.
Less than two hours in,
Whoosh!
Arrows rained down on us.
An ambush.
I didn't think it was mountain bandits because we had monks with us.
Bandits had an unwritten rule: don't touch monks.
Touch one, and you'd fall into the most hellish hells.
Or have three years of rotten luck.
So they steered clear.
Bandits were Black Dao too, but these ones after the remains clearly didn't care about such taboos.
"Hand over that corpse while I'm being nice."
"That elixir's ours!"
I clicked my tongue at the ones blocking our path.
Why did everyone swallow these pointless rumors so easily?
At this rate, I'd waste all my time.
Then a good idea hit me.
The way I'd quashed those nasty puppet soldier rumors before: fight rumor with rumor.
I called out to them.
"Oh? You haven't heard the latest rumor yet?"