447. To Shaolin Temple (3)
In response to my words, they tilted their heads and asked back.
"Rumors?"
"What rumors are you talking about?"
"You're usually so well-informed about rumors... Aren't people like you supposed to be on top of every whisper?"
"What rumors?"
As I kept dragging it out, they grew impatient and urged me on.
"Oh? You really don't know?"
"Not knowing that... Tsk tsk, you're done for in the Black Path."
"Exactly."
As expected of Palgap and my guards.
Perfectly in sync after years together, they naturally backed me up.
The Shaolin monks, perceptive as they were, stayed silent and watched.
"Ah, come on! You're dragging this out like crazy!"
Time to spill it.
"The spirit elixir that was inside Great Master Hyeokgon Seongseung's body? It's gone now."
"What?"
"Gone now? What do you mean?"
I opened the box containing Great Master Hyeokgon Seongseung's remains.
Clunk.
"See this mark on the chest?"
I pointed to the original wound.
It looked like a fresh scar now that the body had dried up completely.
"There was a spirit elixir here originally. But it vanished while it was in the custody of the Murim Alliance."
"What?"
"According to the guards, a brilliant rainbow light poured down in the dead of night. They say Buddha himself descended and took the elixir."
"......"
"I don't know if the rumor is true. But the elixir disappearing? That's undisputed fact. And you really haven't heard it?"
"Never!"
"That's weird... It's all over Luoyang right now..."
They looked utterly baffled.
But with the body right there and my explanation, they had no choice but to believe.
Mission accomplished.
.
.
.
.
On our way to Song Mountain, we were ambushed no fewer than six times.
But each time, I spread my hastily concocted rumor and sent them packing.
We'd just turned away the sixth group when one monk spoke up worriedly.
"Still... is this really okay?"
"That's how rumors are born. And soon enough, this one will grow legs of its own."
I continued.
"Most rumors have no substance anyway. A lot are fabricated for someone's agenda. So you monks mustn't be swayed by them."
"A journey full of lessons."
In Buddhism, deceiving others is frowned upon.
But I'm no monk.
As we pressed on, another Black Path group ambushed us.
But these were different from the others.
They charged without a word.
"It's them! They're the reason we were driven so far from Song Mountain."
The monk's words rang true—something felt off. But dealing with them came first.
We calmly engaged.
Clang!
Ching!
Cold steel clashed noisily.
They weren't weak.
But facing me and my guards? Problematic.
The attackers fell one by one, their leader's face twisting in dismay.
I crossed swords with him and asked.
"What do you want?"
"The remains, obviously!"
"For people after the remains, you sure don't seem interested."
I deliberately left an opening to the remains.
They ignored it.
As if their goal was just to push us back here.
Meaning they weren't after the remains.
Then...
"Is there a reason we can't go to Shaolin Temple?"
He flinched at my question.
Whoa... seriously?
It had seemed suspicious no matter how I sliced it.
For the fake rumor about the elixir in Great Master Hyeokgon Seongseung's body to spread, it needed to start before we reached the Murim Alliance.
But I'd received no reports of it. Meaning it was recent.
So... the rumor started spreading right after we left Luoyang with the remains.
Is there really something there?
Someone going this far to stop the remains from reaching Shaolin?
I'd take them there just to find out.
With that thought, I surged my inner energy and swung my sword.
Less than an hour later, we'd subdued them all.
Hmm... With monks here, killing's off the table.
"Palgap, got any rope?"
"Rope, sir?"
"Yeah. Tie 'em to trees, and they won't follow for a while."
Their faces drained of color.
"Tell the truth about why you're after the remains—or blocking them from Shaolin—and I'll tie you under the tree instead."
"......"
They glanced at each other, eyes darting.
I smirked.
"First come, first served—one spot!"
"M-me!"
"I'll talk!"
I picked the quickest to raise his hand.
"You first."
"T-truth is, someone hired us. Said Shaolin monks would soon leave the Murim Alliance with Great Master Hyeokgon Seongseung's remains for Song Mountain. Block them so they can't reach Shaolin."
"No idea who?"
"No. Better that way for us."
Fair enough.
Knowing the client could mean a gag order—with blades.
"But they gave off a seriously dangerous vibe."
"Yeah?"
Living by the blade means sensing danger often.
We're attuned to auras, killing intent.
Dangerous vibe...
Anyway, got what I needed.
"Tie 'em up."
"Yes, sir!"
"B-but I..."
I grinned at the talker.
"I keep my promises."
True to my word, I tied him under the tree.
Upside down, though.
Man, this is tougher than expected.
Repeating the same story six times? Draining.
And tangled with these lowlifes to boot.
No choice—Shaolin's paying top dollar for this.
.
.
.
We walked several more days.
Shaolin monks don't ride.
Matching their pace slowed us to a crawl.
"Hiiing!"
Ju Gang-ma, strong and sturdy, hated the snail's pace and whinnied in frustration.
But...
- Kkwi!
One growl from Geum-ryeong, and he meekly bowed his head.
Adorable to me, terror to others, apparently.
The monks, hearing the tale, wore deepened frowns.
But their eyes burned with duty to deliver the remains to Shaolin.
Good thing my rumor kept other unwanted guests away.
Whew.
"From here, it's Shaolin territory."
That let me relax a bit.
Not foolproof safety, but no massive ambush here.
An hour later, we met a group of monks.
Hm? Familiar faces...
Ah, Monk Jeong-myeong!
And a few others around him too.
The Shaolin monks we'd met en route to Nanjing.
"Whoa! Senior Brother! Jeong-myeong Senior Brother!"
Our escort monk spotted them and shouted joyfully.
"Jeong-cheong!"
Law name Jeong-cheong—same generation as Jeong-myeong?
They rushed over, astonished.
"No way! Who do we have here? Isn't this the great hero Seonhyeopmirang?"
"Long time no see. Make it back to Shaolin safely?"
"Yes. Thanks to you, we returned unharmed and reported to the Abbot and others. We realized anew how great your favor was."
"No need. It's Buddha's mercy watching over this place."
We exchanged brief greetings. Jeong-myeong asked Jeong-cheong,
"So what happened? You were way overdue—we came looking."
They must've sent word from the Alliance.
Knowing the ETA, overdue meant worry.
Jeong-cheong sighed deeply.
"We... got ambushed by those after the Great Master's remains. Chased far east."
"What?"
"But we ran into Seonhyeopmirang's group by chance and made it here safely. And learned someone's targeting us."
"Targeting you?"
"Yes. Someone blocking the remains from reaching Shaolin."
"What? Who would dare!"
Jeong-myeong, fuming, composed himself and bowed to me.
"Truly grateful. Saved again."
"Buddha's grace once more."
I'd suffered plenty, but claiming credit myself felt awkward.
"Shaolin territory from here. Rest easy. Let's go."
"Yes."
We followed them up the mountain. Some familiar faces from before beamed happily.
The Empire boasts Five Great Peaks: East's Mount Tai, West's Mount Hua, South's Mount Heng, North's Mount Heng, and Central's Song Mountain.
Most treacherously steep.
Lucky it's Shaolin land—no bandit nests, or it'd be worse.
Even impassable paths were tunneled below or terraced above.
"Shaolin disciples must've toiled endlessly on these paths."
Jeong-myeong smiled softly and bowed.
"Grateful you appreciate the effort."
Up and up we climbed, finally reaching Lesser Room Peak and entering the grounds.
Someone approached.
"......!"
I jolted at his aura. Transcendent Realm?
Wait—Shaolin and Transcendent? Then...
The elder approached, bowed.
"Amitabha! Two esteemed guests together—what a joyous day. Welcome. I am Jiseong."
Jeong-myeong said,
"The Abbot."
I hurriedly clasped hands in respect.
"Honored to meet the Abbot. Eunhae Merchant Group's branch head, Eun Seo-ho. Thank you for the invitation."
Jeong-cheong added,
"We owe Seonhyeopmirang much this time. Without him, our mission would've failed."
His face grew grave.
"Much to report."
"Call you later."
"Understood."
The Abbot headed to the remains behind me.
His personal welcome was for the remains, not me.
We tactfully stepped aside.
Monks opened the box lid.
Light poured in; all saw the remains.
But... different from when first found in the coffin?
Tilting my head, I glanced skyward.
Ah!
I got it. The direction.
Not facing east like before, but northwest.
That why he looks so sorrowful?
The Abbot, reading my face, spoke.
"You look exhausted."
"No, sorry. I was rude."
"No wonder."
"Your deference is too much. Treat me casually."
"If you wish."
"Thank you."
"But... something on your mind?"
I answered honestly.
"Felt like Great Master Hyeokgon Seongseung's remains should face east."
"East?"
"When found, he faced east. Must mean something."
The Abbot nodded, instructed accordingly.
The cart turned; the remains now faced east.
Spot on.
Like before.
No—even more captivating now.
That serene face? Or back at Shaolin?
Couldn't explain.
My chest tingled, like something sprouting.
Suddenly, the remains smiled at me.
Huh?
Twice the same hallucination...
Rubbing my eyes to snap out, the Abbot's chant boomed.
"Amitabha!"
Simultaneously, several monks behind him spat blood from the shockwave.
Surging qi ripple!
Did he... just attain enlightenment now?
And then, astonishingly, another wave—from among my guards.