Chapter 025
"Did I just hear wrong, Military Commissioner?"
"No, you didn't. I didn't expect this kind of reaction either..."
Gal Yeom's response made Baekri Sa look dumbfounded as well.
The reply to the letter delivered to Baek Sugyeong through Namgung Somin was simple.
If you want to meet me that badly, come to the Drunken Moon Pavilion in Luoyang. The Chairman himself.
The guards were furious at this message, and the elders of the Ming Wang Society were also heated, claiming Baek Sugyeong must be insane.
"In your opinion, Military Commissioner, how strong did he appear to be?"
"If Monk Ogong was willing to entrust matters to him without intervening personally, it would be reasonable to assume he possesses martial prowess that at least surpasses Monk Ogong."
Gal Yeom furrowed his brow at Baekri Sa's answer.
Who was Monk Ogong?
He was a Shaolin master famous for his epithet "Living Judge of Hell," which was unsuitable for a Buddhist disciple. Among the three masters now entering their middle years, he was widely acknowledged as the strongest in martial arts. Among Ojeong, Oneung, and Ogong, he was considered to rival the strongest in Shaolin in martial prowess.
And this scholar surpasses him?
A mere scholar?
"Military Commissioner, does that even make sense? Sugyeong is barely in his thirties!"
"Even that might be a disguise, wouldn't you say?"
"Are you suggesting he's achieved Returning to Youth and Return to Simplicity?"
Gal Yeom mentioned realms that were almost mythical.
Baekri Sa gave a bitter smile.
"I lack sufficient information to confirm that, but it's certain he's a master who surpasses Monk Ogong."
"That's impossible to assert. And to demand that I come in person! There's a limit to such audacity!"
Gal Yeom's massive, bronze-like body trembled. The bulging veins on his forehead, marked with a blue seal, betrayed his discomfort.
"Besides, we were the ones who sought him out with business, so he should have been the one to come forward. I could forgive him tearing up my letter once. But summoning me at his whim is intolerable!"
"Exactly!"
"Responding to this proposal would damage the Chairman's reputation!"
The guards and elders also reacted violently to Gal Yeom's roar.
What kind of organization was the Ming Wang Society?
They were people who sought freedom, casting off Shaolin's precepts to enter the secular world. Many members, though belonging to the society, didn't stay at the main headquarters but wandered the martial world.
People living for freedom.
That's what the Ming Wang Society was.
Though they split from the orthodox Shaolin, they were considered a neutral sect due to their relentless pursuit of freedom that caused all sorts of conflicts.
Gal Yeom spoke.
"I have never once obeyed someone telling me to come and go. Military Commissioner."
"I know."
"Image improvement campaign or whatever, I have no intention of responding to that summons. Relay that message."
"Are you certain you want me to convey that?"
All eyes in the hall turned to Baekri Sa.
"What do you mean, Military Commissioner!"
"Are you saying our Chairman should bow his head and go meet that man?!"
"If that's what you mean, we cannot forgive you even if you are the Military Commissioner!"
"Right! Right!"
"No one can constrain us. No one can order us around as they please!"
Despite the elders' and guards' objections, Baekri Sa maintained the smile on his lips.
He opened his mouth.
"Of course I know that. Who do you think oversees the laws of our society?"
"Well..."
Baekri Sa was deeply involved in creating all the regulations of the Ming Wang Society. That's what those in the Military Commissioner position had always done.
Baekri Sa said:
"If the Chairman truly feels that way, I won't add anything more, but we need to think about this rationally."
"Think rationally, Military Commissioner?"
"Considering the opponent's martial prowess, his standing in the martial world, and his influence, you know this isn't something to be handled based on emotions alone."
"That may be true, but..."
Baekri Sa continued:
"Refusing Baek Sugyeong's proposal right now is merely a judgment based on momentary emotions. Thinking of the future, establishing a relationship with Baek Sugyeong would be more beneficial."
"Military Commissioner!"
"Do we really need to get acquainted with that arrogant fellow?!"
"Think about it. After 'Wudang Sword Hero,' every time Baek Sugyeong writes another piece, the martial world will go wild with excitement. What if a sect similar to our Ming Wang Society appears in his novel?"
The guards and elders of the Ming Wang Society were misunderstanding something.
The frightening thing about Baek Sugyeong wasn't his martial prowess.
It was the destructive power of his novels, written with his deep understanding of martial arts, and the powerful influence they generated.
That was what was truly frightening.
This was the conclusion Baekri Sa had reached after continuously examining information about Baek Sugyeong.
It was no exaggeration to say that he had gained enough influence to shake the Central Plains, not through force but through intellect.
"The popularity of 'Wudang Sword Hero' has soared enough to bring Wudang back to its glory days. What if Baek Sugyeong doesn't stop there and writes other works?"
"Hmm..."
"Why aren't you considering the possibility that our society's image might worsen, even without him intending it?"
Gal Yeom's eyes widened at Baekri Sa's words.
"Military Commissioner, that means..."
"We haven't yet determined whether Baek Sugyeong is the type to include personal feelings in his writing. In such a situation, I believe we should avoid antagonizing him."
"Are you saying I should bow down to him?"
"Would you rather endure a moment of humiliation, or face a crisis that may come later?"
Baekri Sa's eyes were ruthlessly cold.
"The choice is yours, Chairman."
A deep silence descended.
...
"I will cherish the name you've given me, Teacher. I'll record this event to pass down to future generations."
Baek Sugyeong shook his head at Muwon's words.
"That won't be necessary. It would be unreasonable for an outsider's name to remain in Shaolin's history."
"Sugyeong Teacher, no, Old Master."
"I merely offered some help. I did nothing more."
Baek Sugyeong spoke coldly to Muwon.
"Therefore, there's no reason my name should remain in Shaolin's history."
"Old Master."
Baek Sugyeong paused briefly, as if sighing.
Under the gaze of Muwon and the Shaolin monks, Baek Sugyeong continued.
"It's enough that I've received Master Muwon's gratitude."
"Are you leaving like this? Without staying longer..."
Baek Sugyeong smiled at Monk Ogong's words.
"I've already gathered enough material for writing. I won't be writing about Shaolin right away, but..."
"After Wudang, will it be Shaolin, and after that, you haven't decided?"
"Elder Monk."
Monk Musang smiled gently.
"Perhaps, do you know about the legend of Mount Tianshan?"
"By Mount Tianshan... do you mean the Ten Thousand Great Mountains?"
"Amitabha. I'm not referring to the Ten Thousand Great Mountains that separate Guangdong and Guangxi. I mean Mount Tianshan, which serves as a wall preventing the Demonic Cult from crossing over from Xinjiang."
While the Ten Thousand Great Mountains are commonly referred to as the headquarters of the Demonic Cult, they actually refer to the mountains located between Guangxi and Guangdong provinces, not Mount Tianshan.
The name signifies a massive mountain with countless peaks jutting out.
The name "Great Mountain" was also attached because a single mountain would be too small for a massive force like the Demonic Cult.
Monk Musang said:
"If you're interested, it might be good to climb Mount Tianshan once."
"I'll keep your words in mind, Elder Monk."
Though he answered that way, Baek Sugyeong had no particular intention of visiting Mount Tianshan.
At least not right now.
Even moving a little away from Wuhan caused him tremendous mental fatigue, so if he went to Mount Tianshan and encountered martial artists from the Demonic Cult...
'I couldn't guarantee my life.'
The behavior of the Demonic Cult martial artists as described by Baek Sugyeong in "Wudang Sword Hero" was too terrifying to gain their favor.
Killing living people to turn them into jiangshi was just the basics; they also used them as sacrifices for evil arts or tried to summon demonic creatures through human sacrifices, only to be thwarted by Jin Un.
Moreover, since the unorthodox factions had once targeted Baek Sugyeong, there was no reason they wouldn't send people to cause trouble again, so he needed to be careful about his conduct from now on.
Monk Musang said:
"Amitabha. Because of us, you've become at odds with the Ming Wang Society, so I'd like to provide you with escorts, but you've firmly refused. My old heart is heavy."
"Please don't worry. I trust Lady Namgung's skills, and if something were to happen to me, neither Shaolin nor the Murim Alliance would stand idle, so what is there to worry about?"
"Heh heh..."
Monk Musang stroked his beard and laughed.
Moreover, the Wudang Sect was also present, so threatening Baek Sugyeong might turn the entire martial world against them.
Even Monk Musang himself felt grateful toward Baek Sugyeong.
Not only the Abbot of Shaolin, Monk Musang, but also Muwon had a favorable impression of him, so if someone were to provoke him carelessly, it might awaken the giant that was Shaolin.
Of course, Baek Sugyeong hadn't thought that far.
"Thanks to Shaolin's hospitality, I can comfortably depart for Luoyang. I'll take your words into consideration, Elder Monk."
"Amitabha. I only pray for good fortune to follow you on your journey, Teacher."
Baek Sugyeong smiled and pressed his palms together in response to Monk Musang's words.
"I hope our paths cross again if fate allows."
"Thank you for your hospitality during our stay, Elder Monk."
"Lady Namgung will have quite a task ahead. Amitabha."
With a gentle, good-natured laugh, Monk Musang turned away.
The monks who had come down to the mountain gate to see off Baek Sugyeong stood at attention, striking the ground with their staffs.
The guardian monks of the Lion Meditation Chamber let out resounding voices that echoed at the mountain gate.
"Travel safely!"
"Thank you for your hospitality. If fate allows, we shall meet again."
After bidding farewell to the guardian monks as well, Baek Sugyeong turned around.
"Let's go, Lady Namgung."
"Yes, Teacher."
"Master Jin, please take good care of Jonghwa."
"Don't worry."
Since they had left the carriage they originally came with at the stable in Dengfeng County, which was managed by a lay disciple of Shaolin, Baek Sugyeong's party retrieved the carriage from the stable and headed toward Luoyang, leaving Dengfeng County behind.
A cloud of dust rose hazily behind the wheel tracks left by the carriage departing from Mount Song.
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📚 Author's Note:
Thanks to Pasqualem for the 1 Power Stone!
🐧