Chapter 1518
This isn’t my fault, right? (3)
“Why is he laughing like that?”
“…Well. How would I know?”
The disciples of Hwasan looked at Ilho Shin Gae with bewildered faces, seeing him burst into loud laughter. It was natural to find it odd, considering he was laughing heartily despite having lost everything.
“Maybe he’s lost his mind a bit?”
“The only thing lost is your brain, I’d say.”
“…”
Listening to that laughter brought a sudden wave of exhaustion. It sounded as if it was announcing the end of all this chaos.
Jo Geol was the first to stretch.
“Ah, I thought I was going to die.”
“Tell me about it.”
“Actually, if you think about it, it wasn’t even that dangerous.”
One by one, the disciples of Hwasan collapsed to the ground.
“It was dangerous.”
“Come on, it wasn’t like the Northern Sea, Hangzhou, or that damn trip to Hainan, was it? Right, Sago?”
“I don’t even want to think about it.”
Baek Cheon smiled bitterly.
‘Indeed….’
Certainly, this situation hadn’t been that rough. The situation itself might have been dangerous, but in the end, aside from Baek Cheon, was there anyone noticeably injured? It couldn’t compare to the dire crises they had faced in the past, where everyone had been battered and bruised.
Even so, the reason their bodies felt as heavy as a thousand pounds and so weary might have been because of the burden of fighting against a fellow righteous sect.
While Baek Cheon was deep in thought, Yoon Jong suddenly looked at him with an awkward expression and spoke.
“But, Sasuk.”
“Yes?”
“…The Beggars Sect won’t hold us responsible for this, will they?”
Baek Cheon’s gaze naturally drifted downward. They were standing on the rubble of the collapsed headquarters. Baek Cheon awkwardly smiled and said.
“Should we run?”
“…Get a grip, Sasuk.”
“Sometimes, this man is worse than Jo Geol.”
“Isn’t that too harsh?”
As they exchanged light-hearted banter to relieve the tension in their bodies, one person quietly approached.
“Amitabha.”
At the sound of the Buddhist chant, everyone stood up abruptly. It was Hye Bang.
As they hurriedly made polite salute, Hye Bang smiled warmly and stopped them.
“There’s no need to be so formal. Although the situation between us is complicated, aren’t we currently allies?”
Baek Cheon hesitated for a moment. Given the circumstances, it was natural for him to be unsure of how to deal with the people from Shaolin.
However, there was one person who completely ignored this obvious situation.
“Hey, couldn’t you hurry up a bit?”
“Hey, you idiot!”
“Shut your mouth!”
Reprimands flew from all directions to silence him. But Chung Myung, ignoring them, brusquely snapped at Hye Bang.
“It’s just a few steps from Mount Song to here! If you had come earlier, the headquarters wouldn’t have collapsed!”
Hye Bang, a bit flustered, broke into a nervous sweat, making his already shiny head glisten even more.
“Amitabha. I apologize for being late, Hwasan Geomhyeop.”
“If you understand, make sure to hurry next time. Geez, are you saving your speed technique for cooking soup?”
“…Please, just shut up.”
The disciples of Hwasan couldn’t hide their embarrassment and covered their faces. How long had it been since they’d witnessed an exemplary act of defying their ancestors. Now, they were facing an exemplary act of ingratitude.
Moreover, seeing Hye Bang sweating profusely and apologizing for Chung Myung’s unreasonable rant…
“We are the bad guys here.”
“Anyone can see that, right?”
“At this point, we should apologize to Shaolin.”
The disciples of Hwasan felt a sense of solemnity.
“Hye Yeon-ah.”
Just then, Hye Bang looked around, searching for Hye Yeon. Hye Yeon flinched, startled.
“Come here.”
At Hye Bang’s call, Hye Yeon blinked his large eyes and then timidly approached. Although he had felt joy and excitement when he first saw Hye Bang, now that the situation was over, fear seemed to take hold. The disciples of Hwasan, watching from behind, whispered among themselves.
“The Monk is really shy. It doesn’t suit him.”
“Come to think of it, he’s always been like that. Even during the martial arts tournament, his face would turn red.”
“…Ah. It’s been so long, I’d forgotten. He was that kind of person.”
Realizing how much Hye Yeon had changed somehow made the disciples of Hwasan feel solemn.
As Hye Yeon hesitantly approached, Hye Bang smiled warmly.
“You’ve worked hard.”
“Sahyeong…”
“You did well.”
Hye Bang gently patted Hye Yeon’s shoulder, and soon Hye Yeon’s shoulders began to tremble slightly. The disciples of Hwasan also wore faint smiles on their lips.
“Are you crying?”
“Crying? Sahyeong, I’m not a child anymore.”
“It doesn’t seem that way.”
“Please don’t tease me…”
Hye Yeon’s face turned bright red, as if it would burst any moment. It was a vivid reminder that even Shaolin’s revered monk, who was feared by the Demonic Cult and Evil Sects, was still a young man before his Sahyeong.
“But… is it really okay for you to be here?”
“Didn’t you call for me?”
“Well, yes, but…”
The sudden conversation left the disciples of Hwasan tilting their heads in unison.
Did Hye Yeon call for him?
Just in time, Hye Bang continued speaking, clearing up their confusion.
“No matter if the request came from the Beggars Sect’s Sect Leader or the head of Hwaeum Branch, even if it came from Hwasan and Hwasan Geomhyeop…”
Hong Daekwang and Chung Myung clicked their tongues and looked at Hye Bang.
“And even if there was nothing against the rules, it’s not easy to intervene in the affairs of another sect without the Abbot’s orders. You understand that, right?”
“…Yes.”
It was too obvious a statement. Making a decision means taking responsibility. Who would dare take responsibility for such a significant matter?
“What decisively moved our hesitant hearts was the letter from you.”
“Sahyeong…”
The disciples of Hwasan all turned their heads sharply to look at Chung Myung, as if demanding an explanation. Chung Myung, looking completely unbothered, proudly stuck out his belly.
“What? Isn’t it a given strategy to use familial bonds to sway hearts? It’s weird not to use the same bald head when requesting help from Shaolin.”
“That… damn bastard…”
“No matter how you look at it, he should have joined an Evil Sect.”
It turned out that Chung Myung had made Hye Yeon write a letter requesting Shaolin’s aid. And whatever Chung Myung had done to persuade Hye Yeon…
“If the outcome is good, everything is good! Look! We’ve had a touching reunion of Sahyeong and Saje, haven’t we? It’s all thanks to me! Ahem.”
“…”
Having run out of things to say, the disciples of Hwasan shook their heads.
“…Still, I didn’t really expect you to come.”
“We had to come.”
Hye Bang smiled warmly. By now, other Shaolin monks had gathered around Hye Yeon and Hye Bang, all showing signs of joy at seeing Hye Yeon after such a long time.
“When a beloved junior calls, how could a senior not come?”
“Sahyeong!”
“Just kidding.”
Hye Bang chuckled softly. Ever since he was young, Hye Yeon had been enjoyable to tease. His was so talented and exceptional that it was hard to get along with him otherwise.
“The reason we came here is not only because you are our cherished junior.”
“…”
“It’s because, while everyone else was walking the wrong path, you alone walked the right one. At least, that’s what those of us here believe.”
Hye Yeon’s fists clenched tightly, his emotions swelling. Hye Bang sighed, his face showing a bit of pity.
“It must have been tough.”
“…Sahyeong.”
“It was only after confronting the Abbot that I understood how difficult it must have been for you. How hard it is to go against the wishes of someone you trust and follow like a parent.”
Hye Yeon hung his head low. While the disciples of Hwasan couldn’t fully understand his struggles, his Sahyeong was now understanding and comforting him.
“Because you trusted us and asked for our help, we could come without hesitation.”
“But the Abbot…”
Hye Bang smiled as if he needed to hear no more.
“Of course, the Abbot won’t approve of this. He’ll call it overstepping of the authority and try to hold me accountable.”
Hye Yeon shuddered again, shoulders slumping further. At that moment, a playful smile spread across Hye Bang’s face.
“Still, what… do you think he’ll kill me?”
“What?”
Hye Yeon asked, dazed, and Hye Bang shrugged.
“At worst, he’ll lock me up in the repentance cave for a few years. Who knows, I might even have the honor of meditating in the Bodhidharma Hall. And maybe, during that time, I’ll achieve great enlightenment like the ancestors.”
“Amitabha. That’s too much to hope for, Sahyeong.”
“You must become someone worthy first…”
“You rascals!”
Hye Bang scolded at the calm jest from behind, while the usually stern Shaolin monks quietly laughed.
“…Sahyeongs.”
Hye Yeon’s eyes quickly filled with tears. He had written the letter as instructed, conveying everything he wanted to say. Yet, he hadn’t truly believed they would come.
But his seniors had received his letter and rushed from Mount Song to this place without a second thought.
At that moment, Hye Bang’s smile faded as he spoke seriously.
“Don’t make that face, Monk.”
“…Yes?”
His voice had become quite solemn.
“We do not follow the authority of this mundane world. What matters to a Buddhist is to continuously reflect on whether they are walking the path of Buddha. It’s about having the courage to tread the thorny path of enlightenment in this world full of suffering.”
“…”
“If you see our choice merely as an act of brotherly loyalty, then you are underestimating us. We came not just for the disciple Hye Yeon, but to support a Monk walking the righteous path.”
Hye Yeon silently looked at Hye Bang. Then, as if understanding what he needed to do, he respectfully assumed the reverent bow.
“Amitabha.”
Hearing this, Hye Bang subtly smiled. Then, his face turned serious again as he reciprocated the bow.
“Amitabha.”
Hye Yeon and Shaolin monks exchanged one palm salutes, performing the bow that honors the monk who supposedly cut off his own arm in pursuit of enlightenment. The gesture was now perfectly fitting for the moment, embodying its true intent.
The disciples of Hwasan found themselves nodding unconsciously.
“…Impressive.”
“Indeed, Sahyeong.”
Even Yoon Jong, who was watching seriously, and Jo Geol, who had always been looking for a chance to criticize Shaolin, couldn’t help but acknowledge this scene.
Perhaps this was the true essence of Shaolin that the world revered so much. A feeling of reverence naturally arose.
“Well then, it’s time to return.”
Hye Bang shrugged his shoulders.
“News of this place will soon reach the Yangtze River, and the Abbot will undoubtedly be furious. Now, it’s time to face the consequences.”
As Hye Yeon’s face crumpled with emotion again, Hye Bang suddenly slapped him on the head.
“Ouch!”
Startled, Hye Yeon opened his eyes wide.
“Why make that face again, you insolent brat.”
“…”
“You are not the only one fighting. You left Shaolin to pursue the path of Buddha, but we will fight for Shaolin from within.”
Hye Bang looked at Hye Yeon and then at Chung Myung standing behind him. His gaze carried a firm resolve.
“It won’t be easy, but someday we will return Shaolin to its original form. That is our mission.”
Chung Myung and Hye Bang’s eyes locked in the air. Eventually, a rare, satisfied smile spread across Chung Myung’s face.
“Then, we will take our leave.”
“…What? Already?”
Both Hye Yeon and Baek Cheon were taken aback.
The dust from the collapsed ruins hadn’t even settled, yet they were already leaving? However, Hye Bang spoke calmly.
“Our work here is done, so it is only right to return. We leave the rest to the Vice Sect Leader.”
“But, still… you should at least give the Sect Leader time to express his gratitude…”
“We did not do this to receive thanks, so there is no need.”
“What? That… that’s…”
“Then, until we meet again. Amitabha.”
“P-Primeval Lord of Heaven. Stay well.”
With a bow of farewell, Hye Bang and Shaolin monks turned and left without a hint of hesitation. They didn’t look back even once as they walked away.
Watching the billowing yellow robes fade into the distance, the disciples of Hwasan sighed in admiration.
“…Truly impressive.”
“If it were Chung Myung, he’d be demanding a feast, boasting about how he generously helped us for three days and nights.”
“So cool.”
“I wish I had joined Shaolin.”
“Really?”
“…Actually, I don’t like the idea of being bald.”
Amidst the mixture of admiration and praise, Baek Cheon gently placed his hand on Hye Yeon’s shoulder.
“Monk.”
“It’s alright, Dojang. I’m not disappointed.”
A soft smile graced Hye Yeon’s lips as he watched the departing monks.
“We’ll meet again.”
It seemed like Hye Yeon had grown even more from this experience. Baek Cheon smiled quietly, filled with confidence.
“I believe we will.”
And when that time comes… Hye Yeon will surely be an even greater monk than he is now. Baek Cheon firmly believed in that.
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