Chapter 151: I Will Stand in the Heavens (1)

Staff Master Holy Flame Divine Nun lingered in place for a while even after parting with Lee Taebaek. No more steam rose from the tea in her hand.

“……”

Standing there like that, she looked far more like a true Buddhist practitioner than when she’d been imitating the Buddha statue moments before.

Hyemyeong hesitated from a distance. He wanted to speak up first but lacked the nerve. After all, he’d fallen into inner demon possession because of his own impure greed.

He thought it might be better if the first words to slip through the Staff Master’s teeth were a stern reprimand.

‘If Holy Flame Divine Nun declares expulsion in that subdued tone of hers……’

Hyemyeong had no grounds to argue against such an order. He knew that better than anyone.

Yet Hyemyeong was among the brightest Buddhist disciples around. Even seniors who’d practiced for decades struggled with the mind-body unity he achieved effortlessly.

‘…Profundity in the mental realm varies from person to person, after all……’

Through this incident, Hyemyeong gained a profound realization. He wasn’t a vessel grand enough for such heights. He’d performed his duties properly and earned Holy Flame Divine Nun’s recognition as Branch Leader of Asura Balbalta, but even that had been a delusion.

‘I am lacking.’

The self-mockery in his heart was bitter, yet somehow Hyemyeong found himself wearing a refreshing smile.

The world was vast indeed. The Central Plains, which he’d once thought encompassed everything, had shrunk in his mind to just another rural backwater. If this had been the Central Plains, Hyemyeong would have proudly made a name for himself as a rising talent.

Even after relocating to Lake City, where he was still considered quite formidable, the criticism that he was “overstepping his bounds” was nothing but emotionally charged slander. Hyemyeong was exceptional.

‘Lee Taebaek simply surpasses that level by leaps and bounds.’

The gap was so enormous that even a sense of injustice failed to arise. The refreshment he felt outweighed any resentment—that was surely why.

“……!”

He sensed Holy Flame Divine Nun’s gaze. Just as Hyemyeong’s face began to drain of color, she spoke first.

“What have you realized?”

“…It’s hard to pin down, Sect Leader. It’s due to my own shortcomings. If only my insight were keener, the ma……”

Hyemyeong couldn’t bring himself to utter the words “inner demon possession.” Holy Flame Divine Nun nodded slowly.

“If you could put what you felt into words, I would have expelled you right then.”

“……!”

Expulsion.

Hearing those two words with his own ears made the impact hit home vividly. It was different from getting pummeled by Lee Taebaek. His brain felt like it was swelling, pressing outward against his skull. His intraocular pressure spiked in an instant, tinting his vision yellow.

“The realization gained through Lee Taebaek can’t be translated into words. That’s on me.”

Holy Flame Divine Nun continued.

“Just take that sensation of having perceived something—that’s enough. No need to tire yourself explaining it.”

“I will heed your words.”

“People try to save face to escape situations and end up losing themselves. That’s how Jianghu folk fall prey to heart demons, and City dwellers surrender their bodies and minds to machines.”

Holy Flame Divine Nun turned her teacup upside down. The cold dregs seeped into the even chillier floorboards.

“Lee Taebaek is different. He never averts his eyes, no matter the situation. He hunts down injustice with fire in his gaze, as if ready to shoulder the world’s every blemish.”

Holy Flame Divine Nun’s insight was unmatched in the City. She’d read Lee Taebaek’s modest goal of “bug fixes” right in his eyes.

“And yet he steps forward into danger against foes who could kill him in a single blow. If you grasped that vast perspective from just one clash, it’d be a lie. Understand?”

“Yes.”

“Hyemyeong, listen well.”

“I receive it.”

“From this day forward, Asura Balbalta—the fifth branch of Shaolin—will be incorporated under the Hundred-Fold Sect. As Cult Leader and as Branch Leader, if you have any objections, voice them now.”

Hyemyeong shook his head vigorously.

“None.”

“Also, summon all Branch Leaders of fifth rank and below. I’ll subordinate them entirely to the Hundred-Fold Sect. Ensure Hundred-Fold Sect wanderers can eat and drink freely in Shaolin branches anytime.”

“There’ll be fierce backlash. It’s practically handing Shaolin’s eyes and ears to total outsiders……”

“When we shut our eyes and ears to save face, Lee Taebaek and the Hundred-Fold Sect fought on the City’s front lines. Remember this, Hyemyeong. Shaolin’s banner isn’t neutrality—it’s self-correction among factions. The City’s balance is badly skewed now. It’s time for Shaolin and Emei to act. That’s my judgment as Sect Leader, at least.”

“If that’s your will… I’ll draft the announcement myself. But notifying them by assembling the elders and branch leaders together would be best.”

“Why?”

Holy Flame Divine Nun asked. Hyemyeong calmly cleared his throat. A faint blue vitality now filled his once-resentful eye sockets.

“Backlash always brews in the shadows. Even I… wasn’t that the case? Letting grievances fester inside only leads to dark thoughts.”

Holy Flame Divine Nun smiled faintly and nodded. Hyemyeong let out a sigh of relief.

“That’s why a public proclamation with you at the forefront will stifle open dissent, even if whispers follow. If our Asura Balbalta leads by subordinating first, they’ll grumble but still listen.”

Hyemyeong elaborated his point. Holy Flame Divine Nun posed the crucial question.

“And reveal the elixir handover then too, I take it.”

“Yes. It’s a stopgap, but when your stomach aches, a knock to the head distracts the pain. Branch subordination will shock the elders greatly… but learning we handed the elixir to Lee Taebaek will hit harder.”

Holy Flame Divine Nun smiled with pride.

“Our Hyemyeong’s escaped the demon and taken a step closer to Buddha. Your dharma name already shines with wisdom and clarity—now you’re even sharper! Grant this foolish nun some enlightenment. Namu Amida Bul……”

“…Please don’t tease.”

“Hahaha, I couldn’t resist a little ribbing—your insight pleased me so. Then, to cushion the elixir handover’s shock, what do you think of giving Lee Taebaek the Great Revival Pill too?”

“Brilliant. The surest way to turn all Shaolin against you. We’d witness Jianghu history’s first open rift between a sect leader and their own sect.”

“Ha, hahahahaha!”

Holy Flame Divine Nun clutched her belly in roaring laughter. Only then did Hyemyeong fully relax, bursting into laughter himself.

Hyemyeong had been a street urchin Holy Flame Divine Nun picked up. A pickpocket scraping by in brothel alleys had grown into her trusted advisor.

Time brought misunderstandings. As he matured, he’d felt the unbridgeable gulf between them viscerally. The woman he’d seen as family loomed from impossible heights.

Their bond had frayed without chance to mend. After the move to the City, Shaolin and Emei weathered endless storms. No time for heartfelt talks.

But in this moment, they laughed freely. Ironically, it came right after Hyemyeong’s escape from inner demon possession—and thorough thrashing by Lee Taebaek. When accountability loomed largest, they recaptured their old warmth.

‘Lee Taebaek, I owe you one.’

Favor and grudge.

The perfect term for things between him and Lee Taebaek. But Hyemyeong had no desire to deny the favor’s overwhelming weight over any grudge. That’s why he’d so readily agreed to hand Asura Balbalta to the Hundred-Fold Sect.

After the laughter set the wooden gong trembling. Hyemyeong suddenly sensed he’d overlooked something… a vague unease.

‘Feels like I’m forgetting something crucial?’

Before a chill could flicker in his pupils, Holy Flame Divine Nun asked.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s just… I feel like I forgot something important… Never mind. Can’t recall it, so probably not.”

“Then move quickly. Security is time-critical. Show me the announcement once it’s drafted.”

“Yes. Understood.”

Jasbi giggled the whole way back to the Hundred-Fold Sect. Even Lee Taebaek’s displeased glares did nothing to stop her.

“…That funny?”

Jasbi’s eyes roved over the sponsor list. Saliva trailed from her chin, glistening in a long strand.

“Uhehehe, who hates money? My landlord said not to trust folks who claim they do—most are scammers.”

“Solid advice. Fine, handle it your way. Fills my pockets anyway. Might scout a penthouse in the upper layers while we’re at it.”

“Creator, about the payout ratio… Companies renegotiate salaries yearly, right? We should too.”

“Why?”

“For efficiency?”

Lee Taebaek flashed a sly smile.

“That’s why I like you, Jasbi. Inside and out, perfectly transparent—no discrepancies.”

“Sorry. I misspoke……”

Lee Taebaek’s face hardened instantly.

“That secret recording of my fight with Monk Hyemyeong—you tried recovering it after filming on the sly? That video’s bound to reach Shaolin someday. How do you plan to deal with the fallout?”

Jianghu folk valued martial arts above their lives. Secret techniques demanded even greater reverence. Exposing one implied an unspoken deathmatch pact.

Yet Jasbi had filmed Hyemyeong’s movements on video. Candid footage, straight up. Through a pinhole in the door, no less…

‘This one’s dangerous.’

Water under the bridge now. Live-streamed, even. Had to contain it maximally. Exposure would plunge all Shaolin into inner demon possession.

At least the Staff Master had unfolded a mental world—no real-world technique demo to speak of. Small mercy amid the piled-up disasters; mental victory it was.

“Don’t worry!”

Jasbi proudly thumped her chest. She jutted her chin high, as if to say trust her alone.

“I traced every viewer’s IP. Full dossiers: jobs, workplaces, routines, kinks—the works. Programmed trackers for deletions if they spread it. Plan to blackmail any illegal sharers with the intel!”

“Heh… hehehe……”

Where to even begin correcting her? Wrong from the first step? Or was her entire ethical framework utterly alien to humanity?

Dizzy, Lee Taebaek quickened his pace.

A lot had gone down. Home, deep sleep, stamina recovery. Planned to crash like a corpse for two full days at least.

He specified two because pickup was in four days.

Right after leaving Asura Balbalta’s branch, he’d gotten word from Daesung Group’s Director Ryu. The requested item was “complete”—head to their District 19 Planning Finance Office when ready.

‘Crash two days, ping everyone on the third, go together on the day.’

Not just Daesung’s reward. He’d likely consume the Staff Master’s gifted elixir that day too.

Unintended synergy loomed between Daesung’s item and the elixir. Puzzle pieces slotting perfectly.

What a delightful miscalculation.

Oblivious, Jasbi hummed a tune with light steps. Lee Taebaek chuckled despite himself, heading home carefree.

It was then.

Jasbi’s lower lip turned pitch black. Lee Taebaek glanced sidelong; she slyly shifted her trembling gaze.

“Um… Creator.”

“Sponsors tapped out?”

“N-no……. ‘Heavenly Demon Death Beam’ sent a message.”

“…What.”

Jasbi wet her lips before replying.

“Said they got a good look at Holy Flame Divine Nun’s heart demon……”

Lee Taebaek’s body hair stood on end.

He’d suspected from the nickname, but it was real. Only two in the City could pierce Holy Flame Divine Nun’s mental image from video alone.

Perfectly timed, a pristine billboard lit up with Art Master’s concert. Devoted to her performance, she shone more radiant than ever. Sweat-slicked, the show was in full swing.

Deductive reasoning. Process of elimination. Strike Art Master’s name—only one suspect remained.