“Seems like it was half useless.”
“Still, half of it was correct, right?”
“That’s true.”
As Hye-ryeong said, 50% of the information given by Ha-o Men was accurate.
Exactly half.
After swiftly raiding a total of six locations, I handed over the accumulated goods to Ha-o Men and returned to Muhan.
“Mr., it was such a tough journey…”
“But since your realm has advanced a bit, it’s a worthwhile deal.”
“Now that you’re fully matured, I have to say… isn’t it too much to just throw people into danger like that?”
Hye-ryeong pouted and complained. She does have a point. I felt a bit sorry, but I made her fight opponents who seemed like suitable matches for her after checking out their skills.
As a result, Hye-ryeong’s abilities, inadvertently pushed through repeated life-and-death duels, had visibly improved. She had now reached the peak of mastery, hadn’t she?
Truthfully, with all the proactive advice I gave her, the continuous sparring with Mok-kyeong and me, and the life-and-death trials she endured, it was a situation where her skills couldn’t help but improve.
Hye-ryeong herself was a highly talented individual, after all. Her exceptional talent was always overshadowed by her usual behavior, but toward the end of the original story, she emerged from an intensive training phase as a supreme master.
Had the latter part of the story been handled better, her development would have been given proper emphasis rather than just being overshadowed.
“Still, it’s been quite helpful for improving your realm.”
“Throwing people suddenly into the midst of enemies was still too much.”
“I’ll buy you a lot of sweets later, so calm down.”
“I’m not a kid anymore.”
Really, who would think of a young woman as one who doesn’t even hesitate to cut off someone’s head? Although I admit it’s impressive how she’s managed to grow up in such an environment.
She may have grown up on an island where pirates ran amok, so perhaps it’s only natural.
I poked her cheek with my finger and said,
“It’s because you act like a kid.”
“What does acting like a kid even mean?”
At the same time, she unconsciously pulled her hands towards her chest—oh come on, stop doing that.
Know your own strengths.
Sometimes, you’re less a penguin and more a fox.
Trying to avoid letting my gaze drop, I lightly pinched Hye-ryeong’s cheek. Her cheek stretched like glutinous rice cake.
“Ow~”
“For someone who earns a living with a sword, you’re sure good at pretending to be in pain.”
“But pain is pain, isn’t it?”
“Yeahyeah.”
“Stop complaining. Mok-kyeong’s watching… Mok-kyeong, why do you have that expression on your face?”
Why does she look so envious?
Am I imagining it?
“Oh, it’s nothing. I just… remembered something from my childhood…”
Sure, it sounds like an excuse, but given that Mok-kyeong, who holds an unshakable shield, said it this way, I let it slide and turned my attention back to Hye-ryeong.
“…Let’s head back quickly.”
What’s the point of staying here any longer?
We need to get to the Martial Alliance and rest properly as soon as possible.
We briskly set off.
—
“You’ve finally returned, young man.”
“Elder Baek. I trust everything has been well in your absence?”
“I’ve been swamped. We never imagined there were so many branches of the Demonic Sect lurking near Muhan… Had there been no report from the lone knight, we might have slept peacefully, completely unaware of their presence.”
…It seems I’ve caused an unnecessary amount of trouble for everyone.
Of course, this is a necessary step to ensure the Martial Alliance doesn’t disintegrate the way it did in the original story. The question is, does this step yield any substantial benefits?
“Is Director Seo-mun leading the search for the Demonic Sect bases?”
“That’s right. He has led the alliance as our beacon for decades, so there’s no doubt he’ll quickly uncover the sect’s hideouts.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“What a treacherous bunch, those from the Demonic Sect. Expanding their forces under stealth for decades right under our noses. If only we had discovered them sooner…”
“Hmm… but it wouldn’t have been easy to find them. How could you know mice are hiding in your home unless you physically see them?”
How much have the spies embedded within the Martial Alliance obscured our vision? No matter how mighty an alliance, when its vision is clouded, it cannot avoid becoming blind.
If we don’t catch those spies, we won’t be able to prevent the assassination of the Martial Alliance Leader or preemptively block the Demonic Sect’s invasion.
The issue here, however, is that their long history of loyalty within the alliance is so deeply entrenched.
Decades of pretending loyalty meant that no one suspected or noticed they were actually spies, let alone betrayers.
In this situation, my plan is to stir up the Demonic Sect’s branches to create unrest within the army and, eventually, uncover evidence of treason.
It should go smoothly, I suppose.
Certainly, someone who has spied for decades must have countermeasures, but considering the information transmission speed of this era, they likely haven’t fully gauged the situation yet.
While thoroughly hiding my intentions, I aim to resolve this with swift and decisive action.
Speaking of good fortune, the Sect Leader from Shaolin Temple, or rather, the Abbot, is currently visiting the Martial Alliance. This is certainly an unexpected stroke of luck, so I immediately brought up the topic.
“Ah, Elder. I also heard that the Abbot is visiting the Martial Alliance…”
“Ah, my mind was elsewhere due to recent events. The Abbot has requested to see you.”
“Really?”
Now this is unusual. Though it’s certainly good news, why does he want to see me?
Perplexed by this sudden news, I looked at Elder Baek, but his expression was as serious and unamused as ever.
“…Understood. I’ll go see him right away.”
“Har-jin will accompany you. Hurry along.”
“Hye-ryeong, Mok-kyeong, you two rest here.”
“Good luck!”
“Safe journey, Mr. Eun-gong.”
I immediately headed toward the Shaolin Temple inn.
Fortunately, the inn where Shaolin Temple’s members stayed wasn’t too far away. As I approached, the monks already seemed to be concluding their discussions. They saw me, saluted with clasped palms, and addressed me.
“You’ve arrived. Please come this way.”
“I shall take my leave, then.”
Pfft.
Now talking to an abbot, huh? This is a bit nerve-wracking.
After all, the Abbot of Shaolin Temple is one of the most respected figures in the Martial Realm.
If this were a game, wouldn’t there have been an achievement popping up for the first interaction between a Westerner and the Abbot of Shaolin Temple?
Lost in unnecessary daydreams, I arrived at the entrance of the room where the Abbot was residing. After taking a deep breath, I entered the room that the monk opened for me.
“It is an honor to meet the Abbot of Shaolin Temple.”
“The formalities are unnecessary. Please take a seat. Do you enjoy tea?”
Upon entering, he asked. I sat across from him, watching the abbot prepare tea in a peaceful manner.
It felt as though he had casually invited me over for a friendly chat.
“Yes.”
“Then take this.”
He placed a teacup on the table and made a slight gesture, causing the cup to slide neatly in front of me.
…Is that ‘Air Manipulation?’
Or was it pushed forward by a fist wind?
This is the Abbot of Shaolin Temple, indeed.
I can feel the monumental difference in realm.
“This tea is made from the local grains. It’s known for its rich aroma.”
Grain tea.
I carefully picked up the cup and smelled it. Indeed, it smelled much like millet powder. Taking a sip, the flavor was more like fermented rice soup, tickling my tongue.
After swallowing, I cautiously stared at the abbot.
Smooth bald head. Gentle expression.
An old man with a beard that reached his stomach.
His appearance wasn’t particularly striking. Yet, there was something strange about his presence.
It’s hard to describe, but it felt as if he could see through everything. I couldn’t help but grip the knees where my hands rested.
“I heard you called for me.”
“Hmm… quite intriguing.”
What is?
Can he read faces?
…Given the atmosphere, one might suspect he could try divination.
“You wish to challenge the leader of the Martial Alliance to a succession battle?”
“Correct.”
“I wish you good fortune.”
“Excuse me?”
“I offer my endorsement as the abbot of Shaolin.”
Taken aback by the abrupt approval, I could do nothing to hide my bewilderment. It was simply too unexpected.
I thought he would perhaps test me instead of giving approval outright.
There’s no way I could let this pass without asking the reason.
Finally, I opened my mouth to inquire.
“May I ask why you grant permission without inquiring further?”
“A young lad seeking to challenge for succession—how could I deny such youthful audacity? It’s a hallmark of youth.”
“Do you… know my age?”
“Why look at someone’s outward appearance when their essence remains young?”
“I see.”
My eyes meet his piercing gaze, filled with wisdom beyond my reach.
Is this what it takes to become the abbot of Shaolin Temple?
“That will be interesting to see. Whether you drain the pus or it drains you.”
How unsettling.
“Thank you for your endorsement.”
“Take it then.”
I took the document bearing the abbot’s endorsement and left the room.
