Chapter 239 – The Wind of Blood Blows Regardless of Place (2)

The Boundless Monk's cremation ceremony took place in the Pagoda Forest.

The Pagoda Forest contained stupas enshrining the relics of Shaolin Temple's historical great monks, with heights and shapes varying according to their lifetime achievements.

About thirty people gathered at the Pagoda Forest. Most were senior monks of Shaolin Temple, but there were also many others. They were either renowned masters among Shaolin's inner disciples or highly respected warriors from outside.

They all looked at the Boundless Monk's body with solemn expressions.

"Amitabha! Amitabha!"

The Shaolin monks continuously chanted Buddha's name with their eyes gently closed.

To them, the Boundless Monk wasn't just a senior, but a spiritual pillar. His death brought them extreme emptiness and loss.

Among them, the one who felt the greatest loss was Gwangcheon, the abbot of Shaolin Temple.

"Amitabha! This is a great loss for both Shaolin and the world. To send off Master Boundless like this."

Though he had excellently led Shaolin Temple for decades, he felt powerless in the face of the Boundless Monk's death.

Despite passing away yesterday, the Boundless Monk's body still looked alive. This made his death even harder to believe.

"It's infuriating. To hold such a modest cremation ceremony for Shaolin's greatest elder."

Arhat Hall Master Gwangmun burst out in anger.

It angered him that instead of holding a grand ceremony gathering all major figures of the world, they were conducting it in utmost secrecy with only a few people.

"Amitabha! Calm yourself, fellow disciple."

"This isn't right, Great Master."

"I understand. But remember Master Boundless's usual words? He didn't want his cremation ceremony to be grand."

Gwangcheon consoled Gwangmun.

"But Great Master…"

"Enough! What use is there in discussing further? Let's send him off now."

"I… understand."

Gwangmun reluctantly agreed.

Gwangcheon looked around. Most were aged warriors, but one person was different.

"Socheon."

"Yes, Great Master."

A young monk answered with a bow.

His dharma name was Socheon, a member of the Nine Martial Dragons and Shaolin's pride of the millennium.

"Pay your final respects to Master Boundless."

"Yes!"

At Gwangcheon's words, Socheon approached the Boundless Monk's body.

The Boundless Monk was wearing tattered monk's robes. It was his frugal appearance from life. This made the atmosphere even more solemn.

Just as Socheon was about to bid farewell to the Boundless Monk.

Thud!

Soft footsteps echoed through the Pagoda Forest.

"Who is it?"

Gwangcheon and others frowned and turned their heads at the footsteps breaking the silence.

Two people were walking from the entrance of the Pagoda Forest. One was Gwanghae, whom they knew well, and the other was an unfamiliar figure they had never seen before.

But the moment they saw his walk, everyone recognized who he was.

"Is that… Fist Demon?"

"Hmm!"

The all-black attire and the distinctive uneven gait of slightly limping on one foot were symbols of Fist Demon Dam Ho.

By now, most warriors would first think of Dam Ho when they saw a limping warrior.

"Why is Fist Demon here?"

Puzzled expressions appeared on people's faces.

Though they had heard that Fist Demon had entered Shaolin Temple, they hadn't expected him to attend the Boundless Monk's cremation ceremony. It was a natural assumption for them who didn't know that Dam Ho had met the Boundless Monk.

Gwanghae hurriedly approached them.

"Great Master."

"What is the meaning of this, disciple? Why are you accompanying Fist Demon?"

"In life, Master Boundless desperately wanted to meet Master Dam. So I wanted to show him on Master's final journey."

"Is that true?"

"Yes, it is."

"Hmm!"

Gwangcheon wore a displeased expression at Gwanghae's answer.

Dam Ho was known for his cruel methods, marked as a public enemy of the martial arts world. It was naturally displeasing to have someone who always brought bloodshed present in this sacred Buddhist ground.

At that moment, Dam Ho was still intently observing the Boundless Monk's corpse.

As Gwanghae had said, there were no signs of murder on the Boundless Monk's body. His expression was peaceful, as if he had indeed died of natural causes.

'Did he really die of natural causes?'

Though outward appearances suggested so, it was somehow hard to believe. Like Gwanghae, Dam Ho too felt something unsettling in his heart.

As Dam Ho turned around, his eyes had grown even colder.

Gwangcheon approached Dam Ho.

"Amitabha! I am Gwangcheon, the abbot of Shaolin. On behalf of Shaolin, I thank you for attending Master Boundless's cremation ceremony. Master Boundless must be pleased in the afterlife."

"What will you do now? His absence will leave a big void."

"Nothing will change. Master Boundless hasn't been involved in temple affairs until now anyway. Shaolin will continue preparing for war against the Demonic Cult as before."

"Is that so?"

"Would you like to have some tea after Master Boundless's cremation ceremony?"

"No need."

"Patron Dam, please don't be like that…"

"I know I'll only be a burden if I stay."

"Amitabha!"

"This isn't a place for me. A Buddhist sacred ground doesn't suit me. I came only because the Boundless Monk wanted to see me."

"Do you perhaps know why Master Boundless wanted to see you?"

"No!"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes!"

Gwangcheon peered intently into Dam Ho's eyes. But it was impossible to discern the truth from Dam Ho's eyes.

"I understand. Then may I ask where you're heading?"

"I'm going to Mount Zhongnan."

Dam Ho's voice scattered in the wind.

***

Mount Zhongnan was a famous mountain stretching over five hundred li across Shaanxi, Gansu, and Henan provinces.

While it never lacked visitors year-round for its beautiful scenery and landscapes, what made Mount Zhongnan even more famous was the presence of the Zhongnan Sect, one of the Nine Great Buddhist Sects.

Along with the Mount Hua Sect, the Zhongnan Sect was one of the two major powers in Shaanxi province, and it was currently enveloped in intense tension.

Like Shaolin Temple, the Zhongnan Sect was accommodating martial artists from the Martial Alliance who had retreated from Shaozhou*. Security had been strengthened several times over, and the leadership was holding daily meetings to devise countermeasures.

T/Note- Shouzhou has been changed to Shaozhou. It was a mistake. Although a bit late, it will be Shaozhou now.

Zhongnan Sect warriors were standing guard at the mountain's entrance. Their faces showed clear signs of tension as daily strategy meetings were being held at the main mountain.

Cho Cheongeum gave instructions to the warriors.

"Everyone stay focused and don't get distracted. Don't let anyone suspicious pass through."

Cho Cheon-geum was one of the Zhongnan Sect's first-generation disciples. Known for his strong martial arts even among first-generation disciples, he was assigned to guard the entrance.

He had about a hundred warriors under his command, all relatively skilled in martial arts.

While Cho Cheon-geum was speaking to the warriors.

"Se-Senior Brother?"

Suddenly, one of the warriors called out to Cho Cheon-geum.

"What is it?"

"Th-there?"

The warrior pointed at the main road. Cho Cheon-geum's eyes widened as he casually looked in the direction the warrior was pointing.

Someone was walking towards them from far down the road.

It was an old man with white hair wearing white clothes. To strangers, he might have been mistaken for an immortal, as he exuded an otherworldly presence.

Though he appeared to be walking slowly as if taking a stroll, the old man had already reached within arm's length of the Zhongnan Sect warriors.

'A master.'

Cho Cheon-geum's pupils shook.

The old man who arrived before him opened his mouth.

"Child, let me ask one thing. Are there any warriors from the Hundred Battles Sect here?"

"Why do you ask?"

"There's only one reason why unfamiliar guests visit in the murim. The same goes for me."

"Wh-what is that?"

"Vengeance."

The old man, Cheon Oh-gyeong, answered.

Taoist Bok-cheon asked with a somber expression.

“Is this truly the only method?”

The most senior elder grew angry.

“Is the sect leader’s position one where you just sit still? If Qingcheng has reached this point, the responsibility ultimately lies with the person in charge. Would some underling doing menial work take responsibility? If everyone avoids responsibility, what kind of proud spirit of avoidance would Qingcheng’s spirit be?”

Taoist Bok-cheon also became emotional.

“Then what won’t work? Isn’t this just telling sect leader senior brother to die!”

“I know! You fool!”

The most senior elder waved his hand. All the portable writing implements in front of him flew toward Taoist Bok-cheon, their energy quite murderous.

Taoist Bok-cheon extended his palm and created several shadows.

Thunk! Thunk thunk!

The inkstone that hit the palm shadows shattered and the ink was smashed to pieces. Not a single drop of ink stained Taoist Bok-cheon’s clothes or hands.

All the Qingcheng sect disciples were watching this scene.

Taoist Bok-cheon shouted.

“If one of you senior uncles had led us, we wouldn’t have come to this point! If you just push everything onto the next generation saying you don’t know, you take care of it, then who bears that responsibility!”

“You fool! You’re right!”

“What?”

The most senior elder was speaking angrily when he suddenly agreed.

“That’s why our old age has become this pitiful state. We’re about to be kicked out of our cozy hermitages and die as strangers on the street. Who said otherwise?”

Taoist Bok-cheon groaned “Kugh!” and gritted his teeth. Since he suddenly agreed, there were no more words to argue.

An elder with snow-white eyebrows looked at the ceiling with somewhat vacant eyes and spoke with a saintly face.

“One who could have become master of the world went astray, plunging the world into sorrow and having to crawl on the bottom of a ditch, while one who should have died came to steal the dragon’s pearl and soar, and those who should have died have lived on. However, it is not yet time for Qingcheng to disappear from here. That is the beginning, the middle, and the end. Primordial Heavenly Worthy.”

When the elder called out the Taoist invocation, all disciples devoutly followed in reciting it.

“Primordial Heavenly Worthy.”

The atmosphere instantly became solemn.

All disciples and elders looked at Venerable Woo-am. The most senior elder said.

“I only present options, the choice is for you, the sect leader, to make. If there is responsibility, you also have the corresponding authority.”

“Hmm.”

After maintaining silence for a moment in thought, Venerable Woo-am said.

“The problem isn’t that the Martial Alliance is oppressing us now. Neither surrender nor resist. Now is the time to avoid the coming tribulation… that is, the time to shelter from the Shura path… that’s what you’re saying. Am I correct?”

The most senior elder answered.

“Correct.”

“Then whatever choice I make, for example, there may be damage but Qingcheng’s lineage can continue. Is that statement also correct?”

The white-eyebrowed elder nodded.

“That is so.”

“Then the result will be the same but I’ll try to do the method my own way. This is for my personal reasons.”

Venerable Woo-am said with a smile.

“I’ve accumulated much over thirty years, so I think I’ll resolve things and ascend comfortably.”

The elders didn’t oppose but clicked their tongues and shook their heads.

“Still so attached to the mundane world.”

“Tsk tsk. Looking at how you speak, your ascension is hopeless. Just do whatever you want to your heart’s content.”

* * *

The Qingcheng sect flatly rejected the Martial Alliance’s demands.

They rejected the sect leader’s appearance and rejected escorting Dan Ryeong-gyeong.

The Qingcheng sect boldly announced their response to the Martial Alliance’s demands to the entire martial world.

Although this assassination attempt on the Alliance Leader is very regrettable, since the Qingcheng sect has not joined the Martial Alliance, there is no reason to comply with the summons. If they oppress Qingcheng with unclear reasons that are not even right in principle, Qingcheng will resist with all its might.

The Qingcheng sect had originally been unwilling to bow their heads to the Martial Alliance and thus had not joined. People didn’t think that such a Qingcheng sect would have their sect leader come forward now just because they were misunderstood.

However, the words about resistance were somewhat different.

They had openly opposed the Martial Alliance’s actions.

This became something the Martial Alliance absolutely could not overlook.

The Martial Alliance committee immediately dispatched a large combat force led by the high master of Hengshan sect, Thunder Brand Sword, who was the pavilion master of the White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion.

* * *

Sim Hak grumbled incredulously.

“What on earth is the Qingcheng sect thinking? It seems they plan to use a hoe to block what should be blocked with a rake.”

Baek Li-jung continued eating without much change in expression.

Already the tenth bowl.

After finishing his closed-door training, he naturally began eating voraciously.

Absorbing qi can be done through dantian breathing but also through consumption. The method varies depending on the internal energy technique being practiced.

Maids continuously came in bringing new dishes.

Only after emptying his fifteenth bowl did Baek Li-jung open his mouth.

“Now I finally feel somewhat full. Did you ask what the Qingcheng sect was thinking?”

“Yes, Pavilion Master.”

“Simple. They’re calling me. An old friend.”

Sim Hak hesitated before speaking.

“However… the committee has made Thunder Brand Sword Jin-gyeong the leader. They say the White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion from Henan will stop by the Guizhou branch and even take the Sword Hero Squad…”

“It doesn’t matter.”

A thin smile appeared at the corner of Baek Li-jung’s mouth.

“Someone like Thunder Brand Sword won’t be able to defeat that friend.”

Baek Li-jung says Thunder Brand Sword is inadequate, but that can’t be right.

If it becomes a fight rather than a one-on-one duel, the story might change. The White Tiger Earth Emperor Pavilion is one of the twin pillars of the Martial Alliance along with the Azure Dragon Great Sword Pavilion.

Moreover, at the Qingcheng sect is one of the Three Taoists among the One Master, Two Buddhas, Three Taoists, Two Kings.

Thunder Brand Sword isn’t among them, but neither is Baek Li-jung’s name.

Sim Hak showed a worried expression. However, Baek Li-jung, as if his thinking wasn’t wrong, picked up another bowl of rice and began eating.

* * *

Jin Ja-gang also heard from Woon-jeong that Mang Ryo had tried to assassinate the Martial Alliance Leader. And that the sparks had flown to the Qingcheng sect as well.

“So our Qingcheng sect is also urgently devising countermeasures.”

Bian Bu tilted his head.

“It doesn’t look like they devised countermeasures but rather picked a fight?”

“Of course! Our Qingcheng won’t yield to the Martial Alliance’s threats!”

“The Qingcheng sect might be fine, but I’m in big trouble. Just when Fairy Maiden entered closed-door training for treatment, oh my.”

“Master said that if she receives external shock suddenly right now, it could be disastrous. So he said we’ll protect her until the day she comes out.”

“That’s appreciated, but…”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong was almost ready to come out but hadn’t emerged yet. However, since time couldn’t be guaranteed, they had no choice but to wait.

Bian Bu sighed deeply and looked at Jin Ja-gang.

“But weren’t you surprised? They say one of the assassins is someone related to you.”

Jin Ja-gang thought briefly and shook his head.

“Rather than surprise, I can’t understand. Even if assassinating the Martial Alliance Leader succeeded, what would change?”

Tang Ha-ran chewed her lips and said.

“Chaos. Disorder. Conflict.”

“Chaos…”

Bian Bu interjected.

“Haven’t I told you? Taoist Haewol is the symbolic leader of the Orthodox martial world and simultaneously the creator of a new system of rule based on gains and losses.”

“I remember.”

“But that inevitably has problems. The standard for all actions is in profit. The current Martial Alliance operates with Taoist Haewol as its focal point. But what would happen if they lost that focal point?”

“They would unite and separate according to profit.”

“Right. Without a focal point, the Martial Alliance would move according to their own gains and losses just as Taoist Haewol has done until now, and eventually suffer serious fragmentation.”

Then someone appeared and threw in a comment.

“But what if this is what Taoist Haewol intended?”

It was Taoist Bok-cheon.

“Master!”

Taoist Bok-cheon pushed aside Woon-jeong who clung to him.

“Taoist Haewol’s schemes are difficult for ordinary people to imagine.”

In the past, Bian Bu wouldn’t have been able to breathe properly in front of Qingcheng sect Taoists, but lately he had strangely gained confidence and spoke his mind to Taoist Bok-cheon.

“No matter how deep his schemes, there’s no need to get himself assassinated.”

“Then let me ask Poison Dragon once.”

Taoist Bok-cheon asked Jin Ja-gang.

“In your view, do you think someone like Mang Ryo could assassinate Taoist Haewol?”

“I’m sorry, but since I don’t know what Taoist Haewol’s abilities are like, it’s difficult to answer.”

“He is one of the Three Martial Supremes. He was once one of the Three Taoists among the One Master, Two Buddhas, Three Taoists, Two Kings, and the third Taoist is my senior brother, Sect Leader Woo-am. My martial arts fall far short of senior brother’s, and even senior brother finds it difficult to match the First Taoist.”

He had already seen Taoist Bok-cheon’s abilities. How he had instantly drawn a long line to that peak.

If he was several levels above that…

Jin Ja-gang shook his head. He had indirectly encountered Mang Ryo when annihilating the Hidden Department. And had seen him directly afterward as well.

“I think it would be difficult.”

“Right. If Taoist Haewol doesn’t allow it, assassination cannot occur. That’s what being one of the Three Martial Supremes means.”

Bian Bu argued.

“Then why did they stage an assassination attempt?”

Taoist Bok-cheon dismissed it with one word.

“Organization.”

“Huh?”

It was completely contrary to what Tang Ha-ran or Bian Bu had said.

“I believe it was to create chaos!”

“Of course. Your words aren’t wrong either. But organization is only possible when there’s chaos to begin with. Cleanup is only possible when there’s disorder, and liquidation is only possible when there are things to dispose of.”

“Ah… hmm. Thinking about it, it was the same thing. Chaos and organization.”

Woon-jeong thought it was strange.

“They don’t seem the same to me.”

“No. They’re the same.”

Taoist Bok-cheon continued regardless.

“Until now, the Martial Alliance has been too perfectly organized like clockwork despite some disputes, because it had no enemies. Opposition factions were purged and the distribution of benefits among great sects was all finished. The hierarchy was organized so no more benefits could be pursued.”

“Then…”

“Sometimes you must prune branches and sometimes there must be drought for sweet fruit to grow. Taoist Haewol intends to gamble with the entire martial world.”

Woon-jeong asked in surprise.

“Ga-gamble, you say?”

“Our sect’s elders believe Taoist Haewol is thinking of reorganizing the martial world.”

Reorganizing the martial world!

“He plans to tear apart and rebuild what he himself created…”

Bian Bu opened his mouth in bewilderment.

Tang Ha-ran clenched her fists.

“Then the Tang family…”

“Not just the Tang family, but the entire martial world will be in upheaval. Those who get swept away won’t survive.”

Taoist Bok-cheon looked at Jin Ja-gang and said.

“However, people find ways to live even in chaotic times. Perhaps this could become a much greater opportunity for you. There’s no need to worry beforehand. I only hope the Shandong Enchantress doesn’t come out too late.”

Jin Ja-gang answered.

“I’m not worried.”

“That’s right. If it’s you.”

Taoist Bok-cheon snorted.

“A fellow who doesn’t feel affection without receiving something.”

Then Taoist Bok-cheon looked at Woon-jeong and said.

“Go up.”

“Wow! Can I go to the main mountain now?”

“Pack your things. We’re leaving Qingcheng Mountain.”

Woon-jeong blinked.

“What?”