Chapter 22: Let Us Go

When I opened my eyes, what appeared in my vision was the ceiling.

The fact that the ceiling was visible meant I was inside a building. Since I had no memory of entering a building on my own feet, it meant there was a period of time where my memory was cut off.

“Did I faint?”

[About four hours?]

[Is your body alright?]

Conveniently, the masters gave me explanations that allowed me to roughly understand the situation. And at Master Bodhidharma’s voice worrying about my body, I recalled the last thing I remembered.

Come to think of it, at the very end, I felt some strong force striking me.

It felt as if an unmanageable, intangible force was rushing in.

Thinking I might have taken a proper blow somewhere, I tried to raise my body to inspect myself, but my solar plexus throbbed with pain.

Loosening my clothes to look at the painful area, I saw a bruise forming near my chest. It was a faint, shapeless bruise, like ink dropped in water.

“What was I hit with?”

[I suppose it should be called an energy strike. If you had taken a direct hit, there would have been a fist mark… no, would it have caved in in the shape of a fist?]

“Hieek!”

[What do you mean ‘hieek’. The real deal was all blocked and neutralized by that fellow Baek Jin-seong. To think you even fainted from a mere leak of the aftermath. Your training is lacking. I’ll have to pick a day soon and train you hard.]

Master Zhang Sanfeng kept trying to nag me, as if something was not to his liking.

Then, in times like this, I just change direction. By looking for someone who would restrain the one nagging me.

“Master Bodhidharma. I worked hard. You know, right? I even landed a blow on his face, though it was shallow…”

[It was a pity. If only you had gone a little further at that moment, in that situation… It is my fault for not tempering you more strongly.]

However, the response was not very satisfying.

Why did that self-reproach sound like a statement that he would grind me alive?

“Master Bodhidharma? You’ve gradually stopped pretending to be gentle…”

[Ho! Ho! Ho!]

“No, I am simply the one to blame. Yes!”

Let’s not poke him. Master Bodhidharma is also scary when he is angry.

By the way.

“But did Uncle Baek Jin-seong block that person?”

[He blocked it with ease. Besides, the two of them seemed to have a close relationship? Seeing how he called him Hye-won as soon as they met and said something.]

I only knew him as a lay disciple, but with that kind of status, was it possible to build a close relationship with someone who belonged to the main disciples of Shaolin?

I knew from having lived as a lay disciple that it was practically very difficult. Furthermore, it was even harder to share such friendship when they were not even of the same sect. Unless there was someone serving as a special bridge in between, I wouldn’t know.

“Is he a bigger shot than I thought?”

I had known for a while that he was a special person, but his relationships also seemed to be no joke.

[Speaking of the devil.]

Master Zhang Sanfeng casually dropped a word. It meant someone was coming. Uncle Baek Jin-seong was probably coming to check on my physical condition.

“What, they said you’d be unconscious for half a day. You’re already up?”

The person who entered was not only Uncle Baek Jin-seong. The person named Hye-won also entered with him.

“Hmm.”

However, Monk Hye-won stared at me with a peculiar look. Rather than feeling embarrassed that his words were wrong, it was a gaze that said, ‘Look at this?’

Somehow, that gaze felt strangely similar to the look Uncle Baek Jin-seong occasionally gave me.

Monk Hye-won, who looked at me searchingly like that for a moment, spoke calmly.

“First, I must apologize.”

“I also…”

“No. I heard the whole story while you were unconscious. Since it was a result brought about by my disciple’s foolishness and my own haste, the fault is mostly mine. It should be seen that you are not to blame.”

Honestly, beating up Beom-gak was indeed an emotional outburst. And it was understandable that Hye-won, Beom-gak’s master, could not hold back upon seeing his disciple getting thrashed.

Although it was something pushed by my two masters, considering that I rushed in saying let’s do this instead of having a calm conversation, it was difficult to pin the blame on either side in this matter.

Ah, not that I did anything wrong, but simply that I could have gone about it more peacefully, but I did not.

Because of the masters.

It felt like I was shifting the blame tremendously, but it was the truth.

However, Monk Hye-won seemed to think that I fought back because he approached menacingly.

Looking at it this way, he was a very good man with a lot of understanding and a broad mind.

[He has become a decent person. Unlike someone.]

[Ahem.]

Somehow, listening to the conversation of the two felt like watching a married couple’s quarrel.

It is bad for children’s emotions, so if you are going to continue, please do it over there.

Shoo.

By the way, that guy Beom-gak. Has he already woken up? It wouldn’t have been strange if he remained unconscious longer than me. Though it made sense if he was forcibly woken up.

Furthermore, surprisingly, he seemed to have told it exactly as it was. He seemed like a somewhat twisted fellow, but he appeared to have confessed the truth without making strange excuses.

Did he read the room on his own?

Well, this side was backed by a fairly high-ranking government official, and looking at him conversing with Hye-won, Uncle Baek Jin-seong also seemed to be a bigger shot than expected.

In terms of backing, I did not fall behind either.

In fact, from Beom-gak’s perspective, if he lied, he would have had nothing to say.

Because it would be a bit strange to say that he invited me to teach a lesson in Shaolin martial arts, but I just attacked and beat him down for no reason.

Rather, it was easier to accept that they clashed hands to gauge skills, and because I was more outstanding than expected, he got defeated.

“Come in.”

At Monk Hye-won’s words, Beom-gak, who was waiting outside, entered.

Entering with his shoulders slumped as if he had been scolded severely, the fellow bowed his head deeply as soon as our eyes met.

“Sorry.”

Although he ignored and criticized me, he paid the price dearly, so no particular feelings remained.

Then there was nothing good about acting arrogant. Since he was taking care of things on his own, acting arrogant would not look good to those around us anyway.

“Is your head okay?”

“…It’s still ringing.”

It seemed correct that, unlike me, he was woken up through a somewhat forced process.

“I was also a bit too harsh.”

“No, the things I said were excessive.”

“Well, then let’s agree there are no hard feelings between us.”

I showed a clean manner of putting everything behind us.

Of course, under my lead.

The fellow also nodded quickly, as if he liked that.

“Ugh…”

Then he let out a groan, as if his head hurt.

He seemed to have a somewhat foolish side. Was it because the aftermath of the beating had not fully disappeared?

“Do you have no bad feelings with my disciple now?”

“Yes, of course.”

“That is good.”

Did he set up a place to clear the air because he had another thought?

Which meant?

“Well…”

“If you are interested in Shaolin martial arts, how about visiting in person?”

“Pardon?”

It was a truly sudden proposal.

[What the hell?]

[Oh!]

Two contrasting reactions crossed in my head.

[I was the first to discover him, so why is Shaolin scooping him up… mmmph! Mmmph!!]

[Tell him you’ll go! Shaolin! Let’s go to Shaolin!!]

Master Bodhidharma was too pleased.

There were other people surprised besides the two.

In fact, everyone except Monk Hye-won was.

“Uh, that’s a bit…”

“Master, that’s a bit…”

Unlike the confrontation of the masters in my head, opinions were being unified on this side. Uncle Baek Jin-seong and Beom-gak spoke the same words as if they had synchronized their statements.

Monk Hye-won tilted his head and looked at Uncle Baek Jin-seong. Beom-gak was one thing, but why was Uncle Baek Jin-seong opposing it?

“I heard it was you who arranged the meeting with Shaolin? Isn’t this a good opportunity?”

“No, it is, but… if I send that fellow to Shaolin alone, Seol-ah will strangle me. I don’t think it would happen, but if things get weirdly twisted and that kid ends up shaving his head, that day will be the day my memorial service table is set. I wonder if I’d even be able to receive the food on the table?”

“Seol-ah?”

“My daughter.”

“Ah, I see. I did hear that your family is a bit like that.”

Monk Hye-won nodded as if he understood a lot of things.

However, seeing how he mentioned the family, there seemed to be something. Was there something about Uncle Baek Jin-seong’s family?

Let’s think about Uncle Baek Jin-seong’s family.

First, Baek Mu-ho.

Hmm. Is it a family that breeds eccentrics?

Ah, not that Uncle Baek Jin-seong was a fool. It just meant he had a bit of that temperament.

To be honest, I also felt that visiting Shaolin was not quite right. Even if I went to Shaolin, would there be much to learn?

The one teaching me right now was none other than Master Bodhidharma.

In the end, going to Shaolin was highly likely to be nothing more or less than fulfilling a justification. If it was for that reason, my true desire was to just dedicate myself to training and reach a higher realm.

Although it was a somewhat apologetic statement to Master Bodhidharma, who was so pleased.

[I have left something behind in Shaolin. If you retrieve it, it will be of great help to your training.]

[Hey, you punk!]

“I will go!”

Since Master Bodhidharma wanted it that much, it was only natural to follow as the duty of a disciple. It was only natural!

…I feel like my personality is changing somehow.

No, well. It’s not a bad thing to receive what the masters give, is it?

Eating up what they throw at me nicely is also a hard job.

Even more so if it was dropped from the distant heavens.

In that way, the journey to Shaolin was decided.

***

“You scrap of rice.”

“Why are you picking a fight again?”

“That’s my line. Why on earth are you tagging along here?”

This fellow Baek Mu-ho had also tagged along.

Does it make sense that a guy who is the successor to inherit the Baek Family Escort is not returning to the escort agency but following his friend to Shaolin?

Why is a guy whose real specialty is swordsmanship interested in Shaolin, which is famous for fist techniques?

“Don’t say that. I also had no choice but to come. I was backed into a corner too.”

“What do you mean?”

“Because if you shave your hair, my head will be cut off too.”

Somehow I felt like I had heard similar words before.

I still did not know what it meant.

However, Monk Hye-won seemed to have understood. He laughed aloud, finding it quite amusing.

On the other hand, Beom-gak, who could not comprehend what it meant just like me, blinked his eyes, and upon meeting my gaze, formed an awkward smile. Perhaps because our difference in strength had been established, he was currently being extremely cautious in front of me.

“Is your mother doing well?”

Monk Hye-won asked Baek Mu-ho about his mother’s well-being.

“Do you know my mother?”

“In our generation, those who do not know her are actually rare.”

Monk Hye-won spoke with a somewhat distant look.

Was Baek Mu-ho’s mother to that extent?

Come to think of it, I had rarely met Baek Mu-ho’s mother. It could be said that she rarely came outside, as if she had some illness.

If I recalled the appearance remaining in my memory at least, it was that she was an extremely beautiful woman.

Just like Sister Seol-ah.

“She is the same as ever.”

“I see.”

Monk Hye-won made a face reflecting on the memories once again upon hearing Baek Mu-ho’s answer.

Then, his gaze returning to reality directed toward me.

“What a pity. Since the watcher over there is not taking his eyes off you.”

“Pardon?”

“Actually, I had the thought of recommending that you settle down in Shaolin.”

I felt Baek Mu-ho’s gaze grow sharp. It felt as if the words ‘Say no!’ were alive and marching across my skin.

“Haha, how could I…”

“I heard you were a lay disciple of the Wudang Sect. I do not know for what reason they cast you out, but in my eyes, you suit Shaolin better than Wudang. Although it is embarrassing to reveal greed as a Buddhist, honestly, I covet you.”

It was not a bad feeling. Because it was a good evaluation. To have a main disciple of Shaolin value me that highly was something to shrug my shoulders about.

However, since descending the Wudang Mountain, I would never bow my head to any place.

Because I had those who looked down on the world from a place higher than anyone else.

“Thank you for looking at me favorably, but entering under the gate of Shaolin is a bit… difficult.”

I declined politely.

Monk Hye-won moved his gaze from me to Baek Mu-ho. Soon, he smirked and nodded his head.

“My offer is valid indefinitely, so if you change your mind, feel free to tell me.”

“If my mind changes, I will do so.”

Although that would never happen. I maintained a polite attitude until the end.

Hearing my words, Monk Hye-won smiled brightly.

But that was not the expression of someone who had given up.

Is there something if I go to Shaolin?

“Ah, and…”

As if he had some other business, Monk Hye-won suddenly patted the shoulder of Beom-gak, who was sitting next to him, and said.

“I would like you to get along with this fellow occasionally on the way. Looking at him now, it seems he has a bit of false pride in him.”

“…Uh?”

Ah, this did not come from my mouth. It was Beom-gak who said it.

His eyes turned round as he looked at his master, his pupils filled with emotions that were truly easy to read.

Those eyes directed at me this time.

“Uh?”

“You like it too?”

“Uh? Uh-huh… Uh?”

Beom-gak, who seemed to have lost his speech, only repeated ‘Uh’.

Seeing that sight anew, I could roughly estimate what kind of expression I made when the masters in heaven teased me.

“If you want it that much.”

This is absolutely not because some feelings remained.

Really.

I told you I put it all behind us.

“…Uh?”

So, I will do it gently.