Chapter 022
"My name is Muwon."
"I'm Baek Sugyeong."
Young. Perhaps just in his early twenties. His cleanly shaved head was particularly noticeable, and the red mark on his forehead—proof that he was an initiated disciple—was clearly visible. The small number of marks meant his position within Shaolin was still low.
The young Buddhist disciple's face was filled with awkwardness.
"I didn't expect the old master to speak so highly of me."
To become a great roc? Was that how highly he evaluated me?
Baek Sugyeong looked at Muwon.
"You're Monk Baek Mi's disciple. But technically, you're directly under the Abbot... Are you a nominal disciple?"
A nominal disciple meant one whose name was merely registered. There must have been significance in Monk Baek Mi taking Muwon as a nominal disciple.
Muwon awkwardly nodded at Baek Sugyeong's words.
"So you have a dual status."
"I'm sick of watching them oppose and fight each other. Yet they demand that I shoulder Shaolin's future. What meaning is there in being the master of the Lion Meditation Chamber when everyone, even my own master, disregards me?"
Baek Sugyeong looked at him intently.
"Then why don't you, Master Muwon, take action yourself?"
"Me?"
"If you start from the Lion Meditation Chamber, you'll be able to unite the warrior monks, and since you're also Baek Mi's successor, it will be easy to gain the trust of the scholarly monks."
"You're suggesting I unite the warrior monks...?"
Muwon didn't blindly oppose the idea. One should always listen to the end before speaking. Though he had been stubborn in front of Monk Baek Mi, he knew deep down that he shouldn't be. But finding a solution had been difficult. His master, Monk Baek Mi, never gave straight answers, always speaking in Zen riddles.
Baek Sugyeong said:
"You said you were sick of watching them fight. Then there's only one thing for Master Muwon to do."
"One thing...?"
"Only you, Master Muwon, have the status to embrace both factions—the scholarly and warrior monks."
"Ah...!"
Muwon's expression was like someone who'd been hit on the head with a hammer. He was a warrior monk who practiced martial arts, yet had Monk Baek Mi, a scholarly monk, as his master.
Martial monk and scholarly monk. He alone belonged to both opposing factions.
That was Muwon.
"If you're sick of watching the warrior monks and scholarly monks fight, then your task is to integrate them so they don't oppose each other."
"Would that be possible for me?"
"When asked if you were a pillar of support, the Abbot answered."
Baek Sugyeong smiled.
"That Master Muwon would become a great roc. It's not too late even now. Moreover, with the Myeongwang Society—known externally as the Ink Society—at odds with Shaolin, if you become the central figure, you could unite Shaolin."
"Amitabha..."
Was this a Buddhist invocation he had forgotten to utter for years?
Muwon joined his hands and bowed his head.
Baek Sugyeong looked at him and said:
"Don't run away from reality, Master. That's all I have to say."
It was a single statement that shattered the anguish that had been tormenting Muwon for a long time.
...
After meeting Muwon, Baek Sugyeong returned to the Guest Reception Hall.
Shaolin's internal affairs were not something he should further involve himself in. Nor should he.
What good would come from an ordinary scholar deeply involving himself in Murim affairs?
That's what he thought.
But what Namgung Somin told him blew that thought away.
"Monk Ogong?"
"Yes. He said he wanted to receive some instruction from you..."
"Lady Namgung. Isn't there some misunderstanding?"
It was absurd.
What instruction could someone who had never properly learned martial arts give? Especially to a non-Buddhist layman? Does this make any sense?
As Baek Sugyeong stood there, half-dumbfounded, Monk Ogong's voice reached his ears.
"Amitabha. No need to scold Lady Namgung too harshly, Scholar Sugyeong."
"Oh, Monk Ogong."
At Namgung Somin's voice, a tall, robust monk entered the Guest Reception Hall and gave a half-palm greeting.
Shaolin's unique form of greeting. It was a custom unique to Shaolin, originating from the Second Patriarch Huike cutting off his arm to attain enlightenment.
Baek Sugyeong returned the greeting with joined palms.
"I am Baek Sugyeong."
"I am Ogong. I apologize for the sudden visit, but could you possibly give this humble monk some instruction?"
"But I don't know martial arts..."
"Hmm, according to Beopsang, you're an unparalleled master who has incorporated incredible martial principles into writing."
Where did this misunderstanding begin?
Baek Sugyeong's face froze in horror.
"Me?"
"Who would have thought someone could explain the essence of Wudang martial arts in such simple terms? Wudang martial arts, passed down through countless texts over such a long time—you summarized its essence in a single phrase: 'The soft overcomes the hard.'"
Monk Ogong meant it as praise.
But for Baek Sugyeong, it was utterly embarrassing.
All that talk about "the soft overcomes the hard" was nothing more than emphasizing Wudang Sect's distinctive characteristics to differentiate it from Taoist sects like Mount Hua, Qingcheng, and Kongtong. It was written that way to match Wudang Sect's pursuit of Taiji and Wuji.
Unaware of Baek Sugyeong's burning embarrassment, Monk Ogong continued his praise.
"No one else in the Wudang Taoist sect could so clearly define the principles between Taiji and Wuji. Isn't softness the foundation of Wudang martial arts?"
"Ha, haha..."
"It's easy to say a weapon is an extension of the body, but it's not easy to dismiss martial principles so simply. That's why I wanted to seek your instruction..."
Compressing the profound principles of martial arts into a single line is absolutely not an easy task.
If it were possible for anyone, everyone in the world would have become supreme masters beyond the peak. But since that wasn't the case, the number of masters has remained constant.
Baek Sugyeong had achieved what no one else could—compressing what no one dared to simplify.
'I'm screwed...'
The smile spreading across Baek Sugyeong's face was awkward.
Monk Ogong let out a hearty laugh.
"Judging by the fact that I can't sense any energy from you, it seems you've reached a realm far beyond this humble monk's."
"Ha, haha..."
Baek Sugyeong was dripping with cold sweat.
Return to Simplicity. The name of the realm where martial arts, when reaching its extreme, becomes ordinary again—this thought was no coincidence.
No, Master, that's not it. Really, it's not.
"I'd like to request some instruction... could you possibly spare some time?"
"Master Ogong, are you here!"
Before Baek Sugyeong could answer, an urgent voice cut in.
Monk Ogong narrowed his eyes as he turned to look at the middle-aged man who had flung open the door of the Guest Reception Hall.
"Neung, what's the matter?"
"It's Beopneung, Uncle!"
Though he corrected his dharma name, Monk Ogong didn't seem interested in listening.
Turning his gaze briefly from Baek Sugyeong, Monk Ogong asked:
"What's the matter? Why rush all the way to the Guest Reception Hall?"
"The... the Ink Society has sent someone."
"What!"
Monk Ogong's eyes instantly sharpened.
His face, which had given an impression of simplicity despite his imposing physique, had transformed as if he'd seen a malevolent spirit.
Ink Society.
Why would the Myeongwang Society, which had voluntarily left Shaolin, seek them out?
"Who came?"
"Ba-Baekri Sa, that bastard."
"Heaven Reaching Talent? That bastard came?"
A title revealing arrogance—talent reaching heaven, incomparable to others.
Namgung Somin whispered beside Baek Sugyeong:
"He's in charge of the Myeongwang Society's military..."
"Why him of all people."
Baek Sugyeong realized things were getting hopelessly complicated.
He thought he could return after resolving Master Muwon's issue.
Master Ogong's gaze struck Beopneung like an axe.
"Why did that bastard crawl up to our monastery gates? If he has business, he should settle it with fists in the martial world!"
The deep hostility in Monk Ogong's voice.
Let's settle it with fists in the martial world.
Not words befitting a Buddhist warrior who serves Buddha.
Baek Sugyeong thought the rift between the Myeongwang Society and Shaolin seemed deeper than expected.
"Un-Uncle. He said..."
"Hmm, So, what did he say?"
"Well, he says he wants to see Scholar Sugyeong."
"What?"
"Pardon?"
Baek Sugyeong turned to Beopneung with an incredulous expression.
"You're saying this Baekri Sa person wants to see me?"
"...Yes."
Would getting hit twice on the head with a rubber mallet make one this dizzy?
A helpless laugh escaped Baek Sugyeong's lips as he held his forehead.
Talk about bad luck—getting entangled in all sorts of affairs before even returning home.
'This is driving me crazy.'
Baek Sugyeong gritted his teeth and stood up.
"I need to see this person."
"Scholar Sugyeong...?"
Monk Ogong, Beopneung, and Namgung Somin all flinched.
The expression on Baek Sugyeong's face was blazing as if he'd encountered a mortal enemy.
"Shall we go?"
"A-Alright."
Overwhelmed by an aura that seemed impossible for a mere scholar to emit?
Namgung Somin recalled what Monk Ogong had said.
'An unparalleled master who incorporated martial principles into writing... Is the teacher really...?'
There was an enormous gap between the image Baek Sugyeong had shown at the Murim Alliance and the aura he was now emitting, but Namgung Somin couldn't help but be mistaken.
It was because of Monk Ogong's words.
Unable to refute the conviction of someone renowned in the martial world, she was unwittingly drawn into that logic, becoming entangled in the misunderstanding.
Namgung Somin followed Baek Sugyeong as he left the Guest Reception Hall.
'Even so...'
Her duty remained unchanged.
And thus, another layer of misunderstanding was added.
...
There wasn't much known about Baek Sugyeong.
Only that he lived in Wuhan, wrote a novel about Wudang, and previously worked at an escort agency in Luoyang.
Even the information that he had worked at the Dragon Gate Escort Agency in Luoyang was bought at a premium from the Hao Sect.
What kind of scholar had so many secrets, so carefully hidden?
The Myeongwang Society had spent hundreds of gold taels trying to analyze and understand him.
Additionally, they even had an informant attached from the Hao Sect.
Baekri Sa was truly curious about who Baek Sugyeong really was.
'It's truly puzzling. To think the Hao Sect Leader would send an informant he personally trained.'
Yanoe, the Hao Sect Leader.
Known as one who rules the underworld of the martial world alongside the Night Emperor, Bloody Shadow of Dark Fragrance, master of the Dark Mist Society.
It was strange that such a person would show excessive interest in a mere scholar.
It was well-known that an assassin from the Dark Mist Society had tried to kidnap Baek Sugyeong at the Murim Alliance but failed.
Not just the orthodox factions, but even the unorthodox ones were watching him.
He couldn't be an ordinary person.
'Such a figure couldn't possibly be just a mere scholar.'
If Baek Sugyeong had known this thought, he would have coughed blood.
As Baekri Sa was thinking this, he saw a scholar in white clothes descending from the monastery gates with a light, almost floating step.
There was the scholar with the exact same appearance as described.
Behind him followed Shaolin's warrior monks with their intimidating auras, along with Beopneung and Monk Ogong.
It looked as if a divine general was descending the monastery gates, accompanied by arhats.
"Heaven Reaching Talent, you bastard!"
The first to shout among those descending was Monk Ogong.
"What are you lurking around our monastery gates for again? Wasn't what you stole over the past 10 years enough?"
"Haha, isn't it Monk Ogong? That's all in the past now, isn't it?"
Baekri Sa retorted with a sly expression, and Monk Ogong immediately flushed red.
An expression devoid of any composure.
Beopneung had to restrain Monk Ogong, who looked like he was about to throw the staff in his hand.
"Un-Uncle! You promised not to act like this!"
"Let go! Little Neung, you bastard! Are you telling me to stand still in front of that slippery eel, Heaven Reaching Talent!?"
"Uncle, please!!"
While Beopneung and Monk Ogong were arguing, Baek Sugyeong stepped forward, with Namgung Somin naturally following behind him.
Jin Myeong also walked alongside her.
Accompanied by the two, Baek Sugyeong looked down at Baekri Sa.
"I heard you came to see me?"
"Are you Scholar Sugyeong?"
The one who spoke wasn't Baekri Sa but a man dressed in black.
Baek Sugyeong smiled at the blunt response.
"For someone who came to meet a person, your attitude is quite poor. Is that because you're a renegade monk, distant from courtesy?"
At those words, Baekri Sa explained apologetically:
"Haha, you seem to know something about our society. Regrettably, this person is not a member of our society."
"I see. You must be Baekri Sa?"
"Humbly, I am Heaven Reaching Talent Baekri Sa, in charge of the Myeongwang Society's military."
"I'm Baek Sugyeong."
Baekri Sa and Baek Sugyeong's gazes met.
Namgung Somin and Jin Myeong tensely placed their hands on their sword hilts.
Looking at Baekri Sa, Baek Sugyeong said:
"State your business."
"We would like you to mediate the relationship between our society and Shaolin. You, Scholar Sugyeong."
What kind of nonsense is this?
Baek Sugyeong's face contorted as if he'd been struck by a poison needle.
---
📚 Author's Note:
Thanks to Sterben Tod for the 1 Power Stone!
🐧