Chapter 297 |
Flow
Everyone gathered in the clan hall closed their eyes and fell into contemplation for a moment.
A short while later, they opened their eyes with somewhat convinced expressions.
It was decided that they would align themselves with the defectors of the Demonic Cult, at least until they dealt with the faction known as Shinchun, following the saying “Wu and Yue in the same boat.”
After all the discussions concluded and they were leaving the clan hall, Mu-jin, who had been curious about something since the middle of the meeting but didn’t ask to avoid interruptions, finally questioned Jegal Muhwan.
“Did you ask to confirm whether Cheong Nae-wang went to the Southern Barbarians because you anticipated this situation from the start?”
Just before deciding on Jegal Muhwan’s participation, he had emphasized to Mu-jin that it was the most crucial matter, asking if Cheong Nae-wang indeed went to the Southern Barbarians.
However, after Mu-jin confirmed it was true, Jegal Muhwan had merely glossed over it with a vague response, saying, “Then that’s fine.”
Now, seeing how things unfolded, Mu-jin felt as if Jegal Muhwan had foreseen the entire situation.
Mu-jin frowned and questioned again, seeing him cover his mouth with a fan, concealing his true intentions.
“What would you have done if Cheong Nae-wang had returned to the Demonic Cult instead of going to the Southern Barbarians?”
“You ask the obvious. I would have left the Shaolin right after escaping the Tianluo Network of the Martial Alliance. I have no interest in participating in battles where defeat is certain.”
At his confident response, Mu-jin wore an incredulous expression.
He was amazed not only by his ability to predict all situations but also by his blatant and honest desire for survival.
* * *
After the meeting.
The Tang clan began the ritual of remembrance.
The bodies of the Shaolin, Wudang, and Tang clan warriors were gathered and set on fire.
Watching the enormous flames and the rising smoke, people comforted the spirits of the departed.
Perhaps they believed that the souls of the deceased would ascend to the heavens along with the smoke.
Sounds of suppressed sobbing were heard from various places, but no one turned to look at the crying individuals.
It was the pent-up resentment of the past few days.
Although several died today, the Tang clan had been holding off the attacks of the martial alliance for over fifteen days.
How many must have sacrificed themselves to fend off the martial alliance’s offensive while the Tang family manor turned into ruins?
The Shaolin and Wudang also suffered significant losses, with many having died in the battles at Zhongnan Mountain and against the Martial Alliance.
It was a ritual not just to honor today’s dead but also those who perished in the recent war.
Especially for the Tang clan, where the eldest, Tang-gak, had fought sacrificing himself, the atmosphere was even more solemn.
As the solemnity deepened, Tang Pae-jin approached the enormous flames, holding a wine cup.
“Today is a sad day for our Tang clan, but it is also a special day.”
He understood the significance of this ritual of remembrance.
It was a moment not just to honor the departed but to prepare the hearts for moving forward tomorrow.
He knew they couldn’t just wallow in sorrow.
“Everyone here knows that there is an organization in the current martial world that manipulates various sects from the shadows to create turmoil. And today is the day we overcame their schemes and claimed victory.”
Perhaps due to Tang Pae-jin’s vigorous tone, the sorrow in people’s eyes began to shift.
Tang Pae-jin slowly turned his head, raising his cup as if to make eye contact with everyone gathered.
“So let’s drink! To honor today’s victory! To comfort the departed! And to prepare for the war that will begin anew tomorrow!”
As he shouted firmly, he tilted his cup and gulped down the wine.
Thanks to Tang-gak paving the way, those gathered for the ritual of remembrance began to raise their cups one by one.
After that, the previously gloomy atmosphere started to give way to a somewhat spirited one.
Some roared loudly, trying to feign joy to escape their sorrow.
Others burned with determination to avenge their fallen comrades.
Mu-jin also calmly enjoyed the atmosphere with a cup of wine.
It was an unfamiliar feeling.
Seeing monks, dressed in the same Shaolin robes as him, all drinking together.
Most of them seemed awkward, likely because they had never tasted alcohol before.
In that sense, Mu-jin, along with Mu-yul, Mu-gyeong, and Mu-gung, drank very naturally.
‘At least pretend, you guys.’
While Mu-jin was thinking that, Hye-geol, Mu-yul’s master, cleared his throat and asked.
“Uh-hum. Mu-yul, doesn’t the wine taste bitter?”
Mu-yul, drinking the wine, replied with a bright smile.
“Hehe. It tastes bitter at first, but as the alcohol kicks in, it feels good, so it’s fine~”
Mu-yul even explained the etiquette of drinking wine to Hye-geol and offered him a drink.
“Ooh-kee ooh-kee-kee!”
“No! My wine!!”
Mu-yul, explaining the drinking etiquette to Hye-geol, chased after Ling-ling who stole his cup.
Though it was a chaotic scene, the atmosphere was relaxed enough that everyone enjoyed watching it.
‘…Not everyone, it seems.’
Some, like Hye-geol and the Shaolin’s abbot Hyun-Cheon, and a few other Shaolin elders, were seen covering their faces, but the atmosphere was forgiving due to the special occasion.
Even Mu-jin found himself smiling at the scene.
He felt much lighter at heart.
Ever since witnessing Tang-gak’s death up close, he had felt quite heavy-hearted.
While Mu-jin enjoyed the atmosphere and drank his wine, Tang Pae-jin quietly approached him.
Since his initial speech, Tang Pae-jin had been walking around, drinking with various people.
He eventually made his way to Mu-jin’s side.
Then, suddenly, he raised his voice to draw everyone’s attention.
“Hahaha. Shaolin Dragon! You were drinking alone here!”
“???”
Mu-jin, thinking there was no need for such a loud greeting, quickly understood his intention.
“No, now I should call you the Shaolin Fist King instead of the Shaolin Dragon. Hahaha!”
He praised the young man who had made the greatest contribution in the recent war, aiming to create a hero. In a war where people die in droves, the presence of a hero who could lead to victory was immensely powerful.
“Since you’ve accomplished such a great feat this time, why not say a few words instead of enjoying your drink alone?”
By the time Tang Pae-jin finished his last sentence, all eyes at the ritual of remembrance were on Mu-jin. While this kind of attention might make some uncomfortable, Mu-jin decided to cooperate with Tang Pae-jin’s intention. After all, he had played a significant role in leading to this situation. Given that those involved in the war were there because of his actions, he needed to lead them to victory as their hero.
Moreover, there was something he genuinely wanted to say.
“Ahem.”
As Mu-jin stood up, Tang Pae-jin poured him a drink. Mu-jin raised his cup and began to speak.
“I am Mu-jin, the third disciple of Shaolin.”
“Wooooah!!”
“Shaolin Fist King!!”
Even with just a greeting, a fierce cheer erupted.
“Although I’ve earned the title of Fist King, I don’t hold any great significance to it. As long as we can expel Shinchun, who has been tormenting civilians, from Zhongyuan, that would be enough for me.”
As Mu-jin continued to speak, everyone who had been cheering fell silent and focused on his words. Feeling their attentive gazes, Mu-jin shared his thoughts.
“Today, I made a vow with Elder Tang-gak to protect the Tang clan. This was not a promise made solely for the Tang clan. It was a vow made with all those who are enraged by the atrocities committed by Shinchun. Together with these people, I will fight at the forefront to expel Shinchun. So, will you fight alongside me until then?”
At Mu-jin’s question, everyone listening to him raised their cups.
“We will stand together till the end!”
“We will drive out those demonic beings and restore peace to Zhongyuan!”
Seeing everyone ready to drink, Mu-jin added with a satisfied expression.
“We must move toward a new battlefield tomorrow! So enjoy this moment, but promise me one thing!”
What kind of promise could it be?
While everyone wore puzzled expressions, Mu-jin spoke again.
“When those flames die down, return to your sleeping quarters to prepare for tomorrow’s battle. Clear your drunkenness with meditation and breathing exercises.”
At Mu-jin’s words, everyone burst into laughter.
They thought that the Shaolin Fist King, despite his title, had a meticulous nature.
“We will do as you say!”
“Don’t worry! Hahaha!”
Smiling at their reactions, Mu-jin shouted one last time.
“Then, until the flames die down, let’s enjoy ourselves!”
As Mu-jin drank first, everyone else followed suit.
Watching them, Mu-jin thought to himself.
There was a reason he emphasized shaking off the drunkenness. After today’s battle, everyone’s muscles must be overloaded. Drinking and sleeping in that state could lead to muscle loss.
‘Losing muscle during war, what a nightmare.’
It was the mindset of a true leader who cared for everyone’s muscles.
* * *
After the bittersweet ritual of remembrance, the next morning, hundreds of warriors set off from the Tang clan toward the south.
Not everyone in the Tang clan was moving. Some troops were left behind to guard the Tang clan, as there might still be retreating enemies near Chengdu or additional forces from Shinchun.
After half a day of travel, they reached the vicinity of Mount Emei.
On their way to the Southern Barbarians, they decided to deal with the Emei Sect, which lay on their path.
Following the principle of ‘grand martial sect,’ they ascended the trail to the Emei Sect confidently but not hastily, cautiously moving to avoid any traps or formations.
However, there were no traps along the trail, perhaps due to the disarray caused by their defeat the previous day. Maybe, like Shaolin, they had prepared traps and formations on the restricted side paths.
Soon, Mu-jin spotted the gate of the Emei Sect.
Whether they had scouted from a distance or not, Emei disciples were gathered at the entrance, waiting for them, though their numbers weren’t many—at most about a hundred.
Mu-jin nodded, observing them closely.
‘It seems they have evacuated the injured and young disciples.’
There were no disciples who appeared to be teenagers. Even those in their twenties were few and far between.
Although there must have been many injured survivors from yesterday’s battle, those standing ready to fight appeared unharmed.
While Mu-jin analyzed the Emei disciples, Geumsun Shinni, the sect leader, stepped forward.
Trying to appear confident, she still showed signs of discomfort, likely from the internal injuries inflicted by Mu-jin the previous day.
“So you intend to finish off our Emei Sect?”
“If you feared this outcome, you should not have attacked the Tang clan in the first place, Sect Leader.”
Jegal Muhwan responded, fanning himself leisurely.
“Fine! If you truly see our Emei Sect as a thorn in your side, we won’t just stand by! But!”
With a face as if spitting blood, she shouted.
“If you claim to be righteous, do not harm the young disciples! If you do, I will curse you even from hell!”
Mu-jin frowned at the Emei Sect leader’s cry.
He had no intention of killing children. While it was rationally a potential future threat, harming children was something he deeply abhorred.
Nevertheless, Mu-jin frowned for another reason.
“This is absurd. Who would think we are a bunch of thugs here to torment Emei? You were the ones who attacked first, weren’t you?”
Having caused this situation and now accusing them of being child-killers after losing the battle—Mu-jin found it preposterous.
As Geumsun Shinni tried to respond to Mu-jin’s point—
Pah!
Three figures suddenly flew over the wall of the Emei Sect, landing between the Emei disciples and Mu-jin.