Chapter 316: The Wheels Roll (4)
Not only Master Kong-kong, but also Tang Kwan and Beom-oh were all surprised.
“Vice-Leader?”
Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Tang Kwan with deep eyes.
“The Tang Clan Head also knows. No matter how much of a fuss our side makes, it will be hard to grasp victory in this election.”
Tang Kwan nodded with a reluctant face. At the same time, he realized the fact that he had nodded unknowingly and crumpled his expression.
Master Kong-kong cleared his throat.
“That is something unknown.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“Of course that is true, but is there not something that can be inferred to some extent? As the Master also knows, the Sichuan Tang Clan perceived by the people of the world is fear itself.”
Blood and fear are powers that are hard to replace.
However, the Orthodox Path Murim prioritizes reputation and chivalry and righteousness over blood and fear. At least externally.
Entrusting the position of the Alliance Leader of the Murim Alliance, the greatest coalition force of such an Orthodox Path, to the head of the Tang Clan?
It was an absurd matter. Such a thing could not happen.
“Even if all twelve Honored Guests support the Tang Clan Head, it will hit the wall of public opinion.”
“Mmm.”
Master Kong-kong’s eyes deepened.
“I roughly expected it, but as expected, the reason the Tang Clan Head stepped up as a candidate for the Alliance Leader was to serve as a rival candidate against ‘someone’?”
Admiration leaked from Yeon Ho-jeong’s face.
“You are amazing. Honestly, I did not know you would be looking that far.”
Master Kong-kong sighed.
“In most cases, the disputes of the secular world start from the desire to gain concessions. However, it is just frustrating that such a thing is happening even in the Murim Alliance, the greatest coalition force of the Orthodox Path Murim.”
“It is precisely because it is the greatest coalition force of the Murim that such a thing is bound to erupt. Because if you become the best, you can grasp that much power.”
Strength entered Master Kong-kong’s discerning eyes.
“Is what you desire power?”
Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.
“Power is always followed by responsibility. I am a person who is too busy taking care of my own people. Right now, the position of Evil-Annihilating Army Commander alone is too much to handle.”
“Yes, you are not a person who covets power. Regardless of your true intentions, I see it that way and also believe it.”
“Thank you for thinking highly of me.”
“And yet, for what reason are you getting your hands stained with blood by joining this fierce political arena?”
Master Kong-kong said blood.
It did not mean actually killing people. In Master Kong-kong’s view, desire and anger, conflict and wounds were exactly the same as seeing blood.
And right now, the two people who were getting their hands stained with the most blood in the political strife within the Murim Alliance.
Were none other than Yeon Ho-jeong and Murong Jun.
“Because the people who should be fighting are hushing it up.”
“…?!”
“In the view of the Master who cultivates the Buddhist path, the political strife itself might be considered meaningless. Because that is also a dispute. However, fighting is not always a bad thing.”
“If it is a good-faith fight to find a better path, I also welcome it.”
“I think there is no good faith in a fight. I also do not think the justice I have established is necessarily right. However, at least if one intends to seek a better path, one must not hesitate to get their hands stained with blood and filth.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes flashed.
“It is an easy thing to turn away and watch. However, for those who have power to live leisurely is a sin, at least in times of turbulence.”
“A sin, you say?”
“It is a sin. If one has power, one must strive to correct the wrongs by using that power correctly. Even if one sees blood because of it.”
Master Kong-kong’s eyes deepened.
“Is that your great cause?”
“Before being my great cause, it is the truth of the times.”
“The truth of the times…”
“There is a saying the Zen masters of Taoism and Buddhism always say. If the Tao is one foot high, the Demon is ten feet higher; wicked and evil things always precede goodness.”
“…”
“If one is a person with power, they should strive to make the Tao three feet or seven feet high under the premise of continuous self-cultivation.”
A smile gradually cast over Master Kong-kong’s face as he quietly looked at Yeon Ho-jeong.
“It was a bitter teaching.”
“A teaching, you say? It is a word too much to bear.”
“Heoheo, it is said that if three people walk together, there is bound to be my teacher among them. In order for a wise man not to become a foolish man, he must constantly lower himself.”
Master Kong-kong performed a half-palm salute and bowed his head.
“Army Commander Yeon’s lecture has been a great learning experience for this old bald monk.”
Yeon Ho-jeong bowed his head.
“It is merely a blood-boiling remark of an unripened young man. I am just thankful that you understand.”
“Heoheoheo.”
He did not show it, but Tang Kwan clicked his tongue inwardly.
‘This guy’s tongue is innate.’
It was not enough to lead the flow of the conversation, he even made Master Kong-kong of the world bow his head.
Such a thing was not easy for anyone. Aside from simply whether one’s conversation skills were outstanding or not, if one could not see through the opponent’s position and ideology to some extent, one could not produce such a result.
In that respect, Yeon Ho-jeong was definitely an extraordinary person.
Because he knew how to distinguish when he needed to understand the opponent and when he did not need to understand them.
‘But if that is the case.’
Tang Kwan looked at Master Kong-kong.
The meaning behind Yeon Ho-jeong’s words was clear. The fact that he stepped forward to set the world right because those with power were not moving meant that, ultimately, you must move even now.
‘Shaolin will move?’
Master Kong-kong continued speaking.
“In your view, is the Murong Clan Head such a dangerous person?”
“That is right.”
“And those who are with him as well?”
“In the first place, all of the Honored Guests are heads of sects representing the Orthodox Path. All twelve of them have the power to change the flow of the political strife.”
“I see.”
Master Kong-kong nodded his head.
He looked at Tang Kwan.
“Tang Clan Head.”
“Please speak, Master.”
“Will the Clan Head do his best so that the Murim Alliance can go on the right path?”
Tang Kwan snickered.
“I am sorry, but I hate ticklish words like great cause.”
“Heo-eo.”
“What moves me is always only myself.”
“I will ask again. Does the Clan Head want power?”
“Power?”
Tang Kwan formed a sneer.
“I am already reigning as the emperor of Sichuan, so do you think I need more power than that?”
“…”
“My thoughts are different from this half-wit. As for power, the more there is, the better. But I already hold power that an emperor would not envy, so do you think I would cling to a headache-inducing position like the Alliance Leader?”
It was immense confidence.
Actually, in Sichuan, the Tang Clan’s prestige far exceeded the Qingcheng Sect and the Emei Sect. It was because Qingcheng and Emei were in the mountains, and the Tang Clan exerted influence in the secular world.
In other words, although limited to Sichuan, Tang Kwan’s words that he held power matching an emperor were true. If he considered living only in Sichuan for the rest of his life, Tang Kwan had no need to step into such political strife.
“Then why did the Clan Head step up for the election?”
“Because I cannot stand seeing Murong Jun do well.”
“Is that really all?”
Tang Kwan snickered.
“Do I look like such a simple person to you? Of course, it is not just because of that.”
“Then…?”
“I do not want to tell you any more than that.”
Master Kong-kong smiled.
“Somehow, it seems you have become much softer than when I saw you in the past.”
Tang Kwan waved his hand as if annoyed.
“Think whatever you like.”
Finally, he looked at Yeon Ho-jeong.
“The position of Vice-Leader is a position that literally assists the Alliance Leader and at the same time mediates between the Honored Guests and the Elders.”
“That is right.”
“In your thought, do you see the Tang Clan Head performing that position well?”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“I do not know. Because I also have not grasped all of the Tang Clan Head’s abilities.”
“Heoheo, and yet you ask me to push for the Vice-Leader position.”
“Who is there that one could predict would perfectly digest the Alliance Leader or Vice-Leader position? However, if a person with as few problems as possible seizes real power, assisting him to bring peace to the Orthodox Path and responding to the invasion of external enemies would be the right path.”
It was a principled remark. However, that principled remark ignited Master Kong-kong’s decision.
“…Good.”
Master Kong-kong nodded his head.
“I will think about it once. I am sincere, of course.”
Although he could not get a definite answer, this alone was a great achievement.
Yeon Ho-jeong bowed his head.
“Thank you.”
“Do not be like that. As I said before, this is also an issue I must think about. Furthermore, while it sounds nice to call it a great cause, coming here beforehand and asking to push from behind is not a good-looking action in itself.”
“I know.”
“However, I know that you do not do such things without a reason. Therefore, I am saying I will think about it, so I hope you do not have excessively great expectations or disappointment.”
“I understand.”
“Good.”
Master Kong-kong smiled and spoke to Tang Kwan.
“Whatever the reason may be, the Clan Head must feel reassured. To have such a talent joining you.”
Tang Kwan snorted.
“He is a guy who might bite my neck at any time. My spine feels chilly.”
“Heoheo, if the Tang Clan Head of the world says that much, Army Commander Yeon’s abilities must be truly amazing.”
“If he crosses the line, it is death. We have a relationship worse than enemies.”
“At least he is not an enemy.”
“For now, that is.”
Yeon Ho-jeong rose from his seat.
“I came without notice and made you feel uneasy. Please forgive me.”
“That is fine…”
It was then.
Master Kong-kong suddenly looked at Beom-oh.
Beom-oh’s eyes were fixed on Yeon Ho-jeong. The burning two eyes were full of unknown emotions.
A strange smile was cast on the corners of Master Kong-kong’s mouth.
“Look here, Army Commander Yeon.”
“Please speak, Master.”
“Your words are certainly right. Going beyond coming without notice and asking to push from behind, talking about great causes and truths, has certainly crossed the line.”
Yeon Ho-jeong laughed awkwardly.
“I apologize.”
“I listened quietly because I know your character and abilities. However, the action you took is definitely a maneuver. It is an unrighteous matter. In principle, and also to this poor monk.”
Doubt dwelled on Yeon Ho-jeong’s face. Because there was no reason to add such words when the conversation was all over.
“By any chance, is there something else you want from me?”
Master Kong-kong burst into a hearty laugh.
“Rather than wanting something, could you grant one request of this poor monk? If you accept, I will cleanly forget today’s discourtesy.”
“Please speak.”
Master Kong-kong pointed at Beom-oh.
“How does he look in your view?”
Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Beom-oh.
The eyes of the two people clashed, sparking invisible flames.
The corners of Yeon Ho-jeong’s mouth went up.
“He is someone who has properly polished Shaolin’s orthodox martial arts.”
For Beom-oh, it was a remark that could only leave him dumbfounded.
Master Kong-kong laughed loudly.
“That is right. He is one of the talents of our temple whose martial talent has been acknowledged since the old days. However, unable to control the competitive spirit he possesses even as he gets older, he is in a situation where he only listens to the scolding of his older martial uncle.”
“Haha.”
“How is it? Could the Tiger General of Green Mountain, who made great contributions to defeating the Nine States Myeong Clan and is one of the Twin Guards of the Protector God called the absolute best rising star under heaven, give a teaching to a hard-headed Arhat?”
Tang Kwan clicked his tongue inwardly.
‘He is doing something useless.’
He knew that Yeon Ho-jeong’s martial arts were as poisonous as the Tang family’s. He wondered if coming to ask for a favor would result in all the conversation so far going down the drain.
Yeon Ho-jeong nodded his head willingly.
“Since you have given me the opportunity to experience Shaolin’s martial arts, how could I step back? Rather, I am just thankful.”
Beom-oh sprang up.
Yeon Ho-jeong pointed at the door with his thumb.
“Shall we go.”