Chapter 1161
What should we do? (1)
“Abbot, this…”
Walking confidently toward the firmly closed main gate of Jangwon, there was no hint of hesitation in Abbot’s steps. Jongli Hyeong, who followed closely, desperately tried to dissuade him with a complex expression on his face.
“Abbot, it’s undoubtedly me who mentioned that just wasting time like this has no meaning. But even so, this is too…”
“Amitabha.”
The slightly frowning Abbot turned to Jongli Hyeong then smiled softly.
“Sect Leader.”
“Yes?”
“Thank you, Sect Leader. Thanks to your words, my eyes have been opened.”
“W-what do you mean by that?”
“You told me to consider the best outcome. I did, and now I know what I must do and what the right path is.”
“H-Hold on, Abbot.”
“Right… Yes, it was about that. I don’t know what I’ve been seeing all this time. They say a small delusion grows endlessly and consumes a person, and it seems I fell victim to that. Thanks to you, it’s like I’ve been splashed with cold water, and my mind has cleared.”
Jongli Hyeong wiped the sweat off his forehead.
“Abbot… I may not fully understand your profound intentions. However, no matter how profound they are, suddenly visiting the place where they reside…”
“What could be wrong with it?”
“If it’s something urgent, wouldn’t it have been better to call them in instead? It’s frightening to think what misunderstandings might occur if people hear that Shaolin’s Abbot went to Cheonumaeng.”
“Haha. It won’t be like that.”
“What?”
Beop Jong smiled, tilting his head.
“Previously, esteemed Hyun Jong came to see me. This time, it’s only fitting that I go see him.”
“How could that be fitting? Our positions are different, and our statuses are different.”
“Well, I don’t have any reservations about it. I even feel fortunate that they’re staying not too far away. I’ve made up my mind, so meeting them right away seems appropriate.”
“…”
“Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”
A deep sigh escaped from Jongli Hyeong’s lips.
“What exactly do you intend to do? May I ask?”
“What could be difficult to answer? I intend to extend a hand to them.”
“Yes? A-Abbot. Haven’t Cheonumaeng and Gupailbang already crossed an irreversible river?”
“It can still be reversed.”
Jongli Hyeong looked at Beop Jong with a perplexed expression.
“W-Well, what if they reject your proposal?”
“That won’t happen.”
“But if, by any chance…”
“Well, I don’t know. If they are who I think they are, they won’t refuse. But if such a thing were to happen…”
A slightly dark shadow passed over Beop Jong’s eyes.
“No, such a thing won’t happen. You don’t need to worry.”
Jongli Hyeong followed behind Beop Jong, shaking his head anxiously.
‘What kind of proposal is he planning to make?’
The person who had been confined in the room for days suddenly burst out, and headed towards Cheonumaeng without looking back. The peculiar thing was that Beop Jong’s expression, unlike before, was now incredibly refreshed.
‘Did he suddenly achieve enlightenment or something?’
There was no point in asking since he wouldn’t answer.
‘All I can do is watch.’
The guards at the main gate, upon seeing Beop Jong approach, were at a loss for what to do and scurried around in confusion. It was understandable. How could they have ever imagined the Abbot of Shaolin suddenly paying a visit? It was fortunate that they had seen him from a distance before, allowing them to recognize him.
“Sect Le… I mean, is the Alliance Leader?”
“W-Welcome, Abbot.”
“Haha. There’s no need to be so tense. I’ve just come to share some tea.”
“T-Tea… P-please come in!”
“Did you receive an order to let me in?”
“W-Well, not exactly.”
“Then I’ll wait here. It wouldn’t be proper for a guest to enter without the owner’s permission.”
“Well…”
The guards exchanged uncertain glances with trembling eyes. They had no idea how to respond.
Fortunately, at that moment, the door opend from the inside with a loud bang!
Startled, Hyun Jong, who forcefully opened the door, discovered Beop Jong and Jongli Hyeong standing outside. He took a slightly gasping breath and spoke.
“…Please come in, Abbot.”
“Alliance Leader. Have you been well?”
Slowly acknowledging Beop Jong’s presence, Hyun Jong also matched opposing sides stance.
“If you had informed me in advance, I would have come out to greet you. How could you suddenly come without any notice…”
“I thought of it and dropped by. Once the thought came, there was no leisurely time to prepare. I apologize, Alliance Leader.”
“No need. It’s an unexpected pleasure.”
“The person who came with me is the Sect Leader of Kongtong Jongli Hyeong. Are you acquainted with each other?”
“I am Hyun Jong of Hwasan. It’s a pleasure to meet Kongtong’s Sect Leader Jongli Hyeong.”
“No, Alliance Leader. The honor is mine.”
Hyun Jong smiled brightly. However, even as he did, his eyes were filled with a hint of suspicion as he observed Beop Jong.
The last time they met, he had openly displayed his emotions. However, the current Abbot seemed quite different. Instead, there was a sense of ease and softness that was more akin to what Hyun Jong felt during their first encounter.
“Please come inside.”
“Then I will not hesitate to accept your hospitality.”
Following Hyun Jong one step behind, Beop Jong headed towards the yard.
He soon encountered the people waiting for him in the courtyard.
“It’s been a long time, everyone.”
Abbot offered a warm smile and as he greeted the assembled people. Reactions varied – some subtly shown discomfort, while others noded in a somewhat forced agreement, mostly trying to conceal their uneasy feelings.
“It seems Lord Tang is also present.”
“Where else should I be? It’s been a while, Abbot.”
“Young Lord too.”
“…Greetings.”
Perhaps due to the less-than-pleasant history, Namgung Dowi didn’t display his usual polished manners.
“And here?”
“Yes. These people are the palace Lords of the Outer Clans, the Beast Palace and the Ice Palace.”
“I see.”
Abbor smiled warmly.
“I’m truly delighted to meet such esteemed guests.”
“I am Maeng So.”
“I-I am Seol Sobaek.”
This time, Beop Jong simply nods instead of bowing deeply.
Gradually raising his head, his gaze turns towards someone at the back. The voice bursts out as if he had been waiting.
“Why, there’s something to gain, and here comes another pack of wolves… Ugh! Ugh! Ugh!”
Baek Cheon, Yoon Jong, and Jo Geol simultaneously covered Chung Myung’s mouth.
For the first time Beop Jong sighs as Chung Myung continues his uproar.
“I see you are still the same.”
“Ugh! Ugh!”
Chung Myung, whose arms and legs were grabbed by Yu Iseol and Tang Soso, shouted something with a red face, but unfortunately, no one could hear that.
Despite his protests, Beop Jong addresses the others with a gentle tone.
“I would love to speak with you all, but I’ve come for official business and can’t stay long.”
“No, no problem.”
“If you have urgent matters to attend to, please go ahead.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
Beop Jong’s gaze then turns to Hyun Jong.
“I would like a moment alone with the Alliance Leader.”
“Of course, Abbot.”
Beop Jong’s gaze stoped at Tang Gunak.
“And Lord Tang too.”
“I see.”
The others, excluding Hyun Jong and Tang Gunak, started to step back.
“Young Lord may come too.”
“Me? Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Namgung Dowi nodded with a stern expression.
“Understood.”
Beop Jong bowed towards Maeng So and Seol Sobaek.
“Originally, it’s only natural for us to hold a conversation. However, as what I am about to discuss pertains to a sensitive matter within the Central Plains, so I cannot recommend us to discuss it together. I humbly ask for your forgiveness.”
“Do not worry. I understand completely.”
“Yes, it’s fine.”
Beop Jong, still wearing a soft smile, observed Chung Myung’s vigorous struggle with a strange expression.
“You too, come in, and the other disciples of Hwasan with you.”
“…Are you referring to us as well?”
“If you’re not there, who will stop Hwasan Geomhyeop when he tries to beat me to death, am I right?”
“W-What is that…?”
“Hahaha.”
Jo Geol’s face turned red at the Abbot’s joke.
“But… I don’t see one important person around?”
“Yes?”
At that moment, Yu Iseol pointed in the direction of Beon Chung.
“There.”
“Huh?”
Yoon Jong, who tilted his head towards the direction Yu Iseol pointed, furrowed his brow.
“…What on earth are you doing there, Nokrim King?”
Behind the broad back of Beon Chung, Im Sobyeong, sitting with his head covered with his hands, quickly rolled his eyes in surprise.
“Ha, hahaha… Well, I…”
“Hmm. So, you’re Nokrim King.”
Beop Jong smiled and looked at Im Sobyeong.
“How about it? Will you come?”
“Hiyiyik!”
“Huh?”
“I-I apologize! I’m sorry! I won’t do anything bad again!”
“…”
“I-I never intended to become a bandit…!”
“That Nokrim…”
“Uwaaaah!”
Im Sobyeong let out a scream and fled.
Everyone stared in disbelief. Even Beop Jong was left with an open mouth, blinking. Yoon Jong, still in shock, turned to Baek Cheon as if seeking an explanation.
“Why… why is he like that?”
“Hmm.”
Baek Cheon scratched his cheek with an indifferent expression.
“I heard from that gentleman that if you gather the corpses of bandits who died after being beaten to death by Shaolin, it would fill half of the Yangtze River.”
“…”
“He dislikes Namgung to a certain extent, but it seems Shaolin terrifies him. It’s like it’s engraved in bandit’s blood, and no matter how you try, you can’t escape it.”
“Does that make sense?”
“They say only those who are scared enough to pee when they see a middle-ranked Shaolin’s monk survive and continue in Nokrim. I don’t really understand what it means.”
“Then why is it different for monk Hye Yeon?”
“It’s said that apostate monks usually become bandits, so he is not scary for them.”
“…But he’s not an apostate.”
Beop Jong, who was watching Im Sobyeong’s empty seat with a dismayed expression, raised his head. Hyun Jong guided him, looking embarrassed.
“Please come this way.”
“Yes. Thank you, Alliance Leader.”
As the group headed inside, Seol Sobek, who remained in the yard observing them, tilted his head.
“It seems a bit different from what I heard.”
“What part is different?”
In response to Maeng So’s question, Seol Sobek furrowed his brow slightly.
“The rumors so far painted him as quite a bad person…”
“Now that you see him, does he seem like a better person than expected?”
“…Yes. It might just be how it appears, right?”
“No. Perhaps this Beop Jong is actually a good person as you thought.”
“…Yes? Then why…?”
Maeng So slowly crossed his arms. Glancing at the door Beop Jong entered, he muttered under his breath.
“Sometimes, an upright sage can be more frightening than a villain.”
Seol Sobek blinked, finding it difficult to comprehend.
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