Test (6)
My question made the sect leader's face twist in surprise.
"What? That golden Buddha statue is a fake? Ha! How could this happen!"
"You mustn't go anywhere and put on a performance, Sect Leader."
"...Thanks for the advice."
He accepted my words without protest, glanced back, and whispered,
"That symptom you see in our accompanying guests—is that your doing?"
"Yes. They're just asleep."
I answered without hiding anything, and he let out a sigh.
"I see. You want to hear why I did it?"
"You could see it that way."
"Let's talk for a bit. Follow me."
I followed the sect leader.
He led me not inside the sect grounds, but to the mountain beside it.
He navigated the rugged mountain path effortlessly, then suddenly turned back as if remembering something.
His expression showed faint surprise.
"What's wrong?"
"You're better at climbing mountains than I expected."
"Guess I have a talent for it."
"I see. Let's hurry."
We arrived at a peak behind the Guam Sect.
The sect's full panorama lay before us.
"What a magnificent view."
Far more stunning than the one I'd seen last night.
- Kkwi!
Hm? You like this place too?
"Whenever I have worries, I come here and gaze at that sight," the sect leader said.
I quickly focused on him.
"Does it resolve them?"
"It brings me to some conclusion, at least."
"Those conclusions must be good ones for the Guam Sect."
"Well, yes. What does a sect leader do? Make decisions that benefit the sect, right?"
He let out a hearty laugh.
"By the way, you're fearless. I might try to silence you over handing over a fake golden Buddha statue—what made you follow me alone?"
"You didn't seem like that kind of person."
The energy emanating from him was exceptionally pure and clear.
Of course, he had a point.
Following a suspect alone in this situation wasn't smart.
But Seo Hyang's advice had guided me here.
Her words I hadn't fully grasped: "Trust the sect leader, and treat the foreman with sincerity too."
So I'd decided to trust him, as she suggested.
Plus, the consistently pure energy from him suggested no malice.
That's why I'd ensured no one followed me.
Otherwise, I'd have had Jin Yu Warrior or Seo-u Warrior tail me discreetly.
The sect leader knew that and called me fearless.
I got to the point.
"So, why?"
"..."
He sighed and spoke.
"Long ago, before I became sect leader, the Guam Sect was in dire straits."
I was puzzled by the sudden tale from decades past but listened quietly.
"Bandits defeated in nearby power struggles attacked to make this their new base. We received help from the Alliance Leader then."
Come to think of it, Won the foreman had mentioned it on the way here.
The sect leader had earned the Alliance Leader's grace and been entrusted with the golden Buddha statue.
This must have been that story.
"The Alliance Leader wasn't leader yet—just one of the Namgung family's later-generation talents, leading a Murim Alliance enforcement squad. He was returning from a mission in Shandong Province."
"..."
"Our sect leader at the time sent me to seek help from anyone. Fresh from Mount Tai, I met the then-vice leader and begged with tears. He stepped in without hesitation and saved the Guam Sect."
The wind rustled the leaves.
"Our wounded former sect leader passed soon after, and I succeeded him. Not long before becoming Alliance Leader himself, he came to entrust me with the golden Buddha statue."
"So you've held it for quite a while."
"Over ten years."
Then why hand over a fake?
"Do you know why the Murim Alliance wants it?"
"To use at the upcoming Murim Grand Assembly. To amplify the formation protecting the spectators."
The sect leader nodded.
"Yes. But its power isn't limited to that."
"Pardon?"
"When the Alliance Leader gave it to me, he said it was an artifact he'd acquired by chance—one that amplifies all powers."
"All powers?"
"Exactly as it sounds."
Wait—all powers? That's way bigger than I thought.
And power isn't just good—there's bad power too.
"In a Buddhist disciple's hands, it amplifies Buddhist power. In a Daoist's, Daoist power. In a Demonic Cultist's..."
"It would amplify demonic energy."
"Precisely."
He nodded.
"It depends on the user. Back then, the Alliance Leader said it was a calamity that must be sealed forever."
I couldn't help questioning.
"Does that mean he entrusted it to you for sealing?"
"Yes."
"Why bother keeping it instead of destroying it?"
"If we could, it would've been gone long ago. No method worked."
"..."
"Anyway, when that man suddenly demands it back, how can I not suspect?"
"It's definitely suspicious."
The statue is dangerous.
Using something that hazardous amid crowds...
And if stolen, even worse—who knows who might get it.
Even the Murim Alliance's tight security couldn't stop a single thief against ten guards.
"I don't know why the Alliance Leader issued that order, but I can't let it plunge the murim into chaos. If his words were true, it must never see the light of day!"
Ah...
A sudden realization made me bite my lip.
"Did you plan to take your own life after we took the fake down the mountain?"
If we delivered the fake, the Alliance Leader would know.
Only the sect leader knew the real one's location.
"..."
His silence confirmed it.
Whew...
This really is the Alliance Leader's test.
He predicted I'd suspect the statue's nature, press the sect leader, and uncover the truth.
If I meekly took the fake, he'd confirm I knew his dark intentions.
Then he'd eliminate me on the pretext of the fake.
I must take the real one.
But using it for evil is certain.
Damned if I do, damned if I don't. Damn it.
This tests me and the Guam Sect Leader.
The Alliance Leader probably suspects the sect leader's caught on.
Taking the fake would doom the Guam Sect too.
In my past life, it vanished to bandits.
Now I see—the Murim Alliance's doing.
No bandits around Mount Tai could handle it without massive losses.
What the hell is he plotting that he purges suspects like this?
Even demanding a sealed artifact himself...
Is he even the real Alliance Leader?
The thought flashed, but I dismissed it.
No—just changed. People don't change easily, but they can under pressure.
"Sect Leader, give me the real golden Buddha statue."
"What makes me trust you?"
"You trusted me enough to reveal the truth."
"You believe what I said?"
"Yes. You went to the trouble of bringing me here. Why lie so elaborately?"
"..."
"Since you shared the truth, I'll share mine."
I turned to face him squarely.
"I hate the Murim Alliance."
"But you're traveling with their foreman..."
"The Alliance Leader ordered it. I obey to avoid death."
His face darkened.
"Blackmailed?"
"More like tested. Roaming about, I've learned his deeds. None good."
I continued.
"He assigned me this to check if I've noticed."
"..."
"If I don't take the real one, it proves I've seen through him. I'll be in deep trouble."
He bit his lip.
"And the Guam Sect will share my fate."
His expression grew grave.
"I've resolved to die."
"Your disciples too?"
"..."
His eyes wavered.
Of course not.
"They're not, right?"
"..."
"You may be ready to die, Sect Leader, but shouldn't you protect your promising young disciples' future?"
"But how do we know where or how it'll be used?"
"Sect Leader, I'm not acting recklessly. I have a plan."
"A plan?"
"Yes."
I spoke with conviction.
"I'll ensure it's never used for evil. Trust me and hand over the real one."
"..."
"You said you make decisions here for the Guam Sect. Please, decide for your sect."
I bowed with clasped hands.
I felt his gaze on the back of my head.
Time passed. After deep thought, he spoke.
"Your energy is remarkably pure."
"..."
"I'll trust it."
Yes!
I looked up.
"Where's the real golden Buddha statue?"
He pointed at the ground.
"Pardon?"
"Right here."
"Here?"
"Under your feet. Dig about two feet down."
Truly sealed away.
That explained why Gold Spirit liked this spot.
"I'll call the warriors to dig."
"No. Who can we trust? Dig it yourself."
"M-me?"
"Should I? Make this old man shovel? Tsk tsk..."
"I'll do it."
I sighed and dug vigorously, finally unearthing the statue.
Whew, what a fate.
Days passed.
Those I'd put to sleep awoke refreshed.
"Good thing it wasn't contagious. Did anyone go out at night?"
"Ah, yes."
"I think I took a short walk."
"Probably the pollen from a rare herb unique to Mount Tai made you drowsy."
Won the foreman nodded.
"Relieved to hear it. We should depart quickly— we've delayed enough."
"Agreed."
We bid the sect leader farewell and descended the mountain.
Won the foreman carried a bundled sack.
The fake golden Buddha statue.
If stolen en route, my plan crumbles.
So I'd stashed the real one in my secret pouch.
Irreplaceable, after all.
The fake was part of the plan too, though—must guard it well.
"Travel safely."
"Thank you for your hospitality."
"Farewell."
The sect leader sent a sound transmission.
- Please handle it well.
- Don't worry, I'll ensure no issues.
We reached Jenam again.
Plan: sail the Yellow River to Luoyang—faster than land.
"Rest at an inn first?"
"No."
I replied firmly to Won the foreman.
"The longer we linger, the more trouble brews. We board now."
"But ships aren't that easy to find."
"I arranged it."
"Pardon?"
"It's waiting. Let's go."
At the docks, we headed to the firm handling Baek Yeom Merchant Group's cargo.
"Ah! Foreman Eun Seo-ho!"
The manager recognized me instantly.
"We've been waiting. This way."
Last time, I'd asked Prince Ho-gyeong to prepare a ship to Luoyang.
Thus, we boarded immediately upon arrival and set off.
"Whoa..."
Won the foreman looked stunned.
"It works like this."
"That's preparation for you. And I've been busy."
I sighed, gazing ahead.
Finally, meeting the Alliance Leader.
The thought of striking his back made me tremble a bit.