Chapter 315: The Wheels Roll (3)
“How is it?”
“Very good.”
“Heoheo, if you like it, that is good.”
In front of Master Kong-kong, who burst into a hearty laugh, a large monk in his mid-thirties was drinking tea.Admiration filled Master Kong-kong’s face.
“It has been five years since you kicked away the position of First Arhat yourself and entered wall-facing meditation. Your efforts during that time have paid off. You do not lack anything to be the next Arhat Hall Master.”
The monk, Beom-oh, shook his head.
“I have no interest in the position of Arhat Hall Master. I am fine with it if I can just consistently compete in martial arts.”
Master Kong-kong clicked his tongue.
“The Buddhist path does not distinguish between literary and martial arts, so I thought your competitive spirit that dwelled in your heart would calm down with your training, but somehow it seems to have gotten worse than before you entered wall-facing meditation.”
“Haha.”
Beom-oh smiled.
“Since I threw my body into the Buddhist path, the day will come when my competitive spirit will also become gentle under the Buddha’s mercy.”
“Tsk, nonsense. Before leaning on the Buddhist path, you must control that red heart of yours first.”
“I should. I am aware of it.”
Master Kong-kong shook his head.
“Since you inherited the lineage of my senior martial brother, I cannot say I do not understand your rough nature. However, conflict always calls for disaster. You will figure it out on your own, but you must always try to lower your head and look at the lives of the suffering sentient beings first.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
Shaolin threw itself into countless disputes after making a name for itself as the sun of the Murim.
It was not because the Shaolin Temple had greed for the secular world. Most of the disputes were to punish evil, and that was why Shaolin’s name continued for a thousand years.
However, such a time of trials also birthed a great change in Shaolin.
As long as Shaolin set foot in the world, martial arts capable of resolving the secular world’s disturbances were essential. If they abandoned the defense against external enemies and the edification of evil while talking about Buddha’s teachings, more sentient beings would suffer.
That was the reason the Arhat Hall, the symbol of Shaolin’s martial arts, was born. And the Arhat Hall Master was the martial monk who represented Shaolin’s martial arts.
Of course, there were plenty of martial monks whose actual martial arts were stronger than the Arhat Hall Master’s. Nevertheless, the reason the position of Arhat Hall Master was great was precisely because they were the existence representing Shaolin’s will.
Since childhood, Beom-oh was born with martial talent, and he far surpassed not only his fellow disciples but even the realms of his senior martial brothers.
That was truly a surprising matter. It was because Shaolin’s martial arts were based on a deep understanding of the Buddhist path, beyond simple talent.
In other words, Beom-oh did not just have a simple martial bone. Receiving all of Shaolin’s expectations with his outstanding comprehension and deep understanding of Buddhist laws, he was internally decided as the talent to become the next Abbot.
However, the heavens do not bestow everything upon one person.
Beom-oh was born with outstanding talent in Shaolin’s martial arts, but his competitive spirit was too strong.
That fiery competitive spirit did not decrease even as he grew older, so eventually, the opinion to entrust him with the Arhat Hall before he became the next Abbot became the mainstream.
And now, having finished five years of wall-facing meditation.
Beom-oh had accumulated martial power that did not lack to become the Arhat Hall Master, but he still had not discarded that fiery competitive spirit.
“I suppose competitive spirit is not something that is controlled just because one tries to control it. Your martial talent is outstanding without saying, but there are many talents in the world that rival you, or even look beyond that.”
Beom-oh put on a faint smile.
“Is that so?”
Just by looking at that smile, Master Kong-kong knew that Beom-oh did not acknowledge his words.
Master Kong-kong clicked his tongue.
“Competitive spirit is a heart that anyone who learned martial arts could harbor. However, arrogance is different. Perhaps your five years of wall-facing meditation was a failure, not a success.”
Beom-oh’s expression changed suddenly.
Although his Abbot martial uncle always scolded him saying he understood the Buddhist path but his Buddhist heart was faint, he had never heard a reprimand like this.
Beom-oh lowered his head.
“Your martial nephew was foolish. I will reflect on it.”
At least in terms of honesty, Beom-oh was second to none. Master Kong-kong read the sincerity in Beom-oh’s apology.
Master Kong-kong nodded his head and spoke.
“There are many opponents in the world who will calm your competitive spirit. However, the only person who can calm your arrogance is yourself. Keep that in mind.”
“I will keep that in mind, Abbot martial uncle.”
“Okay.”
Like that, the two people shared stories in a low voice for a long time.
“Hoh.”
Beom-oh’s eyes also changed.
“This energy is…?”
Master Kong-kong smacked his lips.
“He radiates aura without any hesitation. It is not that I do not know that person’s nature, but he is truly unhindered.”
“Who is it?”
“Do you not feel it? The suffocating poison qi dwelling within this pure sharpness?”
“Then…?!”
“Yes. It seems the lord of the Sichuan Tang Clan has business with me. And…”
Master Kong-kong’s expression became strange.
“This is truly a strange combination. The head of the Tang Clan and the leader of the Evil-Annihilating Army together?”
“Pardon?”
“It seems you do not feel it.”
“……?”
“Well, that is understandable. It seems his martial arts have grown again while I have not seen him. He is truly amazing. The smile will not leave the Yeon Clan Head’s face.”
“Who do you mean by the Yeon Clan Head?”
“I am speaking of the Judge Great Hero, the clan head of the Green Mountain Yeon Clan, the number one clan in Jiangdong. His eldest son is coming with the Tang Clan Head.”
Surprise arose on Beom-oh’s face.
“Are you saying the Tang Clan Head is not coming alone?”
“He is even coming ahead of the Tang Clan Head.”
Beom-oh was shocked.
No matter how intense Tang Kwan’s aura was, he was shocked that he could not read the other person’s aura that preceded him.
‘The eldest son of the Yeon Clan Head?’
Moreover, hearing his Abbot martial uncle’s words, it seemed he was not very old. Since the Yeon Clan Head was not yet fifty, his eldest son would be around thirty at most.
‘But how?!’
Shaolin’s martial arts were absolute. Shaolin was the sect of the Fist God Master Mu-heo, who, along with the Sword Immortal among the current Saintly Heaven Thirteen Seats, was closest to being the absolute best under heaven.
Although his martial arts did not reach the toes of his grand martial uncle Mu-heo or his martial uncle Kong-kong, he had still reached his own realm by learning Shaolin’s orthodox martial arts.
And yet he did not know. The aura could not be read at all.
‘Nonsense!’
A moment later.
“Abbot. The Tang Clan Head and the Evil-Annihilating Army Commander request an audience. What should I do?”
“Escort them inside.”
“Understood.”
Slide.
The door opened, and Tang Kwan and Yeon Ho-jeong revealed themselves.
Master Kong-kong smiled and welcomed the two.
“Heoheo, welcome.”
Tang Kwan performed a brief fist salute.
“I came without any notice.”
Even Tang Kwan of the world had to show some formality in front of Master Kong-kong.
It was not because of Shaolin. Although they clashed due to various matters, Master Kong-kong was’genuine’. He was one of the few people among the various figures in the Alliance that Tang Kwan properly respected.
Yeon Ho-jeong also politely bowed his head.
“Master.”
“It has been a long time, Army Commander Yeon.”
“It has.”
Genuine admiration leaked from Master Kong-kong’s face.
“Just how much do you intend to surprise people?”
“Pardon?”
“We exchanged moves before the combined army departure for Sweeping Demons and Annihilating Evil. The martial arts you showed back then were also extremely outstanding. But seeing you now, you have developed much more than then.”
“You flatter me.”
“It is not an overstatement. If you have developed that much in about half a year, your talent is truly heaven-sent.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled bitterly.
“There was just a small enlightenment. Besides, my father’s help was great.”
“Heoheo, the you I know is strong by nature and unhindered. And yet you are not arrogant. An attitude that is as strict with yourself as your nature that does not know satisfaction. You are a paragon for all martial artists under heaven.”
Master Kong-kong praised Yeon Ho-jeong more than necessary. It was because he hoped Beom-oh, who was right next to him, would listen and realize something.
“I spoke unnecessarily. Please sit down first.”
“Understood.”
Tang Kwan and Yeon Ho-jeong sat opposite Master Kong-kong.
Even though they entered the room, the two did not give Beom-oh a single glance. They knew he was a considerable expert, but they thought he was not someone extraordinary enough to keep paying attention to.
Beom-oh’s eyes shone intensely.
He was shocked reading the aura of the two. But what bothered him more was the fact that these two truly had no interest in him.
‘…….’
An unknown emotion crept up. Strength entered his fist hidden behind his monk’s robe.
Master Kong-kong asked with a questioning face.
“So, for what reason did the two of you come to this bald monk’s residence without notice?”
Tang Kwan glanced at Yeon Ho-jeong.
“This bold fellow asked me to go to the Master’s residence together.”
“Heo-eo?”
“When I asked the reason, he said he would let me know when we arrived. I also do not know well why this fellow came to find the Master.”
Master Kong-kong turned his gaze to Yeon Ho-jeong.
“Army Commander Yeon?”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“Master.”
“Please speak.”
“I will ask directly.”
“Please do.”
“Are you not going to participate in the Alliance Leader election held this year?”
Not only Tang Kwan but also Beom-oh was surprised.
Master Kong-kong put on a faint smile.
“You bring up a truly sensitive topic. Should I say it is exactly like you.”
“I am just sorry to speak disrespectfully without notice.”
“Heoheoheo.”
Master Kong-kong stroked his beard. Although he was said to possess composure like a diamond, Yeon Ho-jeong’s question was an important issue that was hard to answer carelessly.
“Before answering, I will also ask one thing.”
“Yes.”
“I heard and know that three Honored Guests stepped up as candidates for the election. Of course, the Strategist did not tell me the personal details of those candidates.”
“That is fair handling of work.”
“However, it is possible to predict. Though the last one is uncertain.”
“I knew you would.”
Master Kong-kong looked at Tang Kwan.
“Are you backing the Tang Clan Head?”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“I am not a sponsor, but somehow it seems I will also ride the trend.”
The meaning of those words was clear.
That Tang Kwan was stepping up as a candidate for the election. And although he was not a sponsor, Yeon Ho-jeong would move as if he were a sponsor.
Master Kong-kong closed his eyes.
“I see. The Yeon Clan Head became the Tang Clan Head’s sponsor.”
“The Master’s discerning eyes are truly amazing.”
“Heoheo, what discerning eyes. Anyone could infer it just by looking at the turning situation.”
“I also knew after listening to the Master’s words. I was curious who the other person was, but that person is not the Master.”
“Heoheoheo.”
Was he not a truly sly fellow like an old snake.
Master Kong-kong asked with a smile from beginning to end.
“Yes, I knew the fact that the Yeon Clan Head sponsors the Tang Clan Head. Actually, everyone will know when the bell for the start of the election rings, so knowing in advance will not change anything.”
“It might, or it might not.”
“So, do you intend to ask whether I am participating in the election?”
“That is right.”
“I have no intention to do so.”
“I expected as much.”
“But why do you ask that?”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s face became serious.
“Because I would like to get some help in setting up the Tang Clan Head as the Vice-Leader of the Murim Alliance.”