Chapter 326 |
Chapter 326
Who is the Fool?
Mu-jin, having exercised slightly longer than usual, consumed protein, and finished bathing, sat cross-legged on the platform, meditating.
He reflected on the Invincible Divine Fist he had learned from Hyun-gwang, the martial arts he had mastered so far, and recent fights against the Fist King, Wi Ji-hak, and the So-cheon-ju.
‘The Invincible Divine Fist is completely ingrained in my body.’
Specifically, he had perfectly mastered the Invincible Divine Fist with his right hand.
Even in urgent real combat situations, the moment he thought of using it, his body would react naturally.
The only issue was that he could only execute it with his right fist in the exact same stance.
Thus, Mu-jin was meditating.
He contemplated the optimal stance he had envisioned and the flow of internal energy taught by Hyun-gwang.
Reflecting on the key points of other martial arts he was learning, he searched for a way to perform the Invincible Divine Fist in the desired stance.
While he was immersed in meditation, Mu-jin suddenly opened his eyes and muttered.
“As expected. What doesn't work, just doesn't work.”
Mu-jin realized that it was an impossible task for him. However, just because he couldn't do it didn't mean it was impossible for everyone.
“I should ask that guy.”
Thinking of someone suitable to ask for help, Mu-jin turned his gaze toward the entrance of the pavilion.
There, a martial artist from Jeongmumaeng was approaching with a hurried expression.
“Is there a problem?”
At Mu-jin's question, the martial artist clasped his fists in a salute and spoke.
“Just now, martial artists from the Ha-buk Peng Clan, the Hwang-bo family, and the Kunlun Sect have come to visit the alliance, sir.”
* * *
Mu-jin, following the man's guidance, headed to the pavilion designated for receiving guests.
Upon arriving at the pavilion, Mu-jin first bowed to Hyun-cheon, the leader of Jeongmumaeng and the former abbot monk of Shaolin, to show his respect.
“I greet the leader.”
“Come in. Haha.”
After Hyun-cheon warmly accepted the greeting, Mu-jin raised his head and glanced around the interior.
Hyun-cheon was seated at the highest position, with Jegal Mu-hwan sitting next to him.
Opposite them was an old Taoist with a stern impression.
Alongside him were two men with strong impressions, transitioning from middle-aged to elderly.
‘An elder from the Kunlun Sect, and men from the Hwang-bo family and the Ha-buk Peng Clan, I assume.’
After roughly identifying the opponents, Mu-jin greeted them with a bow.
“Nice to meet you. I am Mu-jin, the second-class disciple of Shaolin and the captain of the New Star Unit under Jeongmumaeng.”
“Ahem. I am Heo-yoon from Kunlun.”
“Haha. It's my first time meeting the renowned young junior in person. I am Hwang-bo Ak.”
“I am Peng Gun-young.”
Their responses varied.
Among them, the most noticeable reaction was from Heo-yoon, who had a somewhat displeased expression, but Mu-jin's gaze was more focused on Hwang-bo Ak than Heo-yoon.
Heo-yoon and Peng Gun-young were unfamiliar names to Mu-jin.
Initially, Mu-jin only knew the major characters from the novel and the famous names frequently heard.
He did not memorize the names of all elders from the Nine Great Sects and the Five Noble Families.
However, he had memorized at least the names of the heads of each sect and family.
‘The head of the Hwang-bo family came personally?’
While Mu-jin was pondering the intention behind this, Heo-yoon, who still wore an uncomfortable expression, opened his mouth.
“Abbot, did you really need to come out here yourself?”
Before he could finish speaking, Jegal Mu-hwan, who was sitting next to Hyun-cheon, chuckled and replied.
“Heo-yoon Zhenren. He is not the abbot, but our leader of Jeongmumaeng.”
The two stared at each other as if they were having a silent battle.
Hyun-cheon, who didn't care about titles, wisely refrained from intervening to stop Jegal Mu-hwan.
Watching Hyun-cheon's attitude and Jegal Mu-hwan's hypocritical smile, Heo-yoon finally spoke, unable to hold back.
“Hmph. I do not like the idea of Jeongmumaeng. In fact, the entire Kunlun feels betrayed by Shaolin and your actions.”
“Hahaha. I understand Kunlun's feelings. However, the enemy of our righteous faction is not only the demon cult. We simply aim to suppress Sa-doryeon first.”
Listening to their conversation, Mu-jin couldn't help but show a knowing expression.
He had somewhat anticipated that Kunlun wouldn't be pleased with the establishment of Jeongmumaeng.
The righteous sects had long hated the demon cult, but Kunlun's hatred was beyond imagination.
Kunlun was practically the frontline base and breakwater to guard against the demon cult located in Xinjiang.
Forty years ago, Kunlun suffered near annihilation from a demon cult invasion.
They managed to recover only with support from various sects led by the Murim Alliance.
Even that support was more about using Kunlun as a strategic outpost rather than pity.
Thus, the alliance's attitude of prioritizing Sa-doryeon over the demon cult was undoubtedly displeasing for Kunlun.
“When Shaolin and other allies fought the Murim Alliance, Kunlun maintained neutrality. Do you know why?”
“Because you were more interested in checking the demon cult than in the factional strife among the righteous sects.”
Heo-yoon nodded at Jegal Mu-hwan's answer.
While others might have maintained neutrality for opportunistic reasons, Kunlun was different.
“Your justification is understandable. We acknowledge that the former leader, Wi Ji-hak, was corrupt and involved in strange activities. However, why dismantle the Murim Alliance and establish Jeongmumaeng instead? Even moving the headquarters further away from the demon cult to Hunan Province. Do you really think Sa-doryeon is more dangerous than the demon cult?”
As Heo-yoon glared coldly, Jegal Mu-hwan was about to respond.
Hyun-cheon raised his hand to stop Jegal Mu-hwan and answered as the leader.
“Firstly, the main reason we established Jeongmumaeng and chose Hunan as the headquarters is that it is geographically central in the Central Plains. We aim to assist all righteous forces, not just fight the demon cult.”
“But...”
Before Heo-yoon could retort, Hyun-cheon continued.
“Moreover! As the representative alliance of the righteous sects, we consider all demonic sects as enemies. Sa-doryeon is just our current priority, but the demon cult is also our enemy.”
“...”
After a brief staring contest between the two old men,
“Ahem.”
Heo-yoon cleared his throat and spoke in a slightly calmer voice.
“I understand the leader's intention. However, I recently heard a strange rumor.”
“A strange rumor? What is it about?”
“There are rumors that Shaolin and its allied forces have secretly joined hands with the demon cult.”
Like unveiling a trump card, Heo-yoon stared coldly at Hyun-cheon.
“I ask again. Does Jeongmumaeng really intend to fight the demon cult after dealing with Sa-doryeon?”
As if to show he wouldn't tolerate even a hint of hesitation.
But Hyun-cheon, without the slightest change in expression, calmly responded.
“Hahaha. I did not expect such a ridiculous rumor to spread. Then, let us discuss the ‘truth’ we have uncovered instead of rumors.”
“The truth? What is that?”
“Currently, the Heavenly Demon, the leader of the demon cult, has been in seclusion for over a decade. As a result, a fierce succession battle is raging within the cult. Have you heard of this?”
“!!!”
Heo-yoon, who seemed genuinely unaware, showed a shocked expression, then shouted with a flushed face.
“If so, this is the perfect opportunity to attack the demon cult! We should strike them now amidst their internal strife! Why are we focusing on Sa-doryeon instead?”
As Heo-yoon's angry outburst echoed, Jegal Mu-hwan responded on Hyun-cheon's behalf.
“Haha. That is a foolish thought, knowing one thing and not the other.”
Mu-jin thought Jegal Mu-hwan might be intentionally fanning the flames.
“What did you say?”
As Heo-yoon started to get angry again, Jegal Mu-hwan calmly explained.
“As the demon cult is embroiled in internal strife, their strength will weaken on its own if left alone. If we attack now, the external threat may unite them again. Creating an external enemy is the simplest way to end internal conflict.”
And Jegal Mu-hwan, snapping his fan open, concluded his explanation.
“That is why we target Sa-doryeon first. While the demon cult weakens itself through internal conflict, we deal with another threat, Sa-doryeon.”
While Heo-yoon, overwhelmed by Jegal Mu-hwan's logic, was at a loss for words with a flushed face, Hwang-bo Ak suddenly intervened.
“Haha! As expected of the General Military Advisor! What a brilliant strategy.”
“You flatter me.”
As Jegal Mu-hwan responded with
a hypocritical smile, Hwang-bo Ak, still with a foolishly smiling face, spoke again.
“Haha. Our Hwang-bo family has come to express our intention to join Jeongmumaeng.”
“A wise choice.”
“But before that, I have one question for the leader.”
Facing Hwang-bo Ak, who was smiling like a fool, Hyun-cheon also smiled gently and said,
“Feel free to ask.”
“Then, let me ask frankly. How long do you intend to stay in the position of the leader?”
“!!!”
Ignoring the shocked expressions around him, Hwang-bo Ak continued to smile and look at Hyun-cheon.
“Jeongmumaeng claims to represent the righteous sects. Isn't it strange that our Hwang-bo family, a traditional faction in the righteous sects, had no say in selecting the leader?”
As Jegal Mu-hwan tried to respond, Hwang-bo Ak continued in a loud voice.
“I worry that the venerable abbot of Shaolin, known for his nobility, may have been blinded by honor.”
As silence filled the air after his words, Hyun-cheon, still smiling gently, responded.
“Do not worry. I only temporarily assumed the leader's position for quick decision-making in the war against Sa-doryeon.”
“Haha! Then there's nothing to worry about. We will soon elect a new leader. How about this? Since we will soon be at war with Sa-doryeon, why not elect the one who contributes the most in the war as the new leader?”
As Jegal Mu-hwan tried to intervene again, Hwang-bo Ak, still smiling foolishly but with a loud voice, continued.
“Wouldn't this be acceptable to Heo-yoon Zhenren as well? If Kunlun joins the alliance and earns merit in the war, you can steer the alliance in the direction Kunlun desires. For instance, starting a war to wipe out the demon cult right after. What do you think, Peng Clan?”
By loudly seeking others' opinions, he subtly dragged Kunlun and the Peng Clan into the discussion.
Watching Hwang-bo Ak, who was acting like a bear but thinking like a fox, Mu-jin's lips twisted.
‘Does this guy think he can fool us all?’