Chapter 243

“Amitabha! The Qi of Mount Tianjung is better than I thought. I think I understand why Daoist Master Snow Blade Sword Manor was so desperate to return here.”

“I agree.”

There were monks conversing as they looked at Mount Tianjung.

They were Seong-un and Bo-gyeong, who had stopped by Snow Blade Sword Manor before coming to the Jin Clan.

The two monks couldn’t help but marvel at the sight of Mount Tianjung.

To an ordinary person, it would just look like a high mountain with beautiful scenery, but to their eyes, accustomed to living on Mount Song, a sacred mountain of All Under Heaven, it seemed to hold a mystical Qi.

The two headed for the Jin Clan as they talked.

They had left Snow Blade Sword Manor early this morning to come here.

During their stay at Snow Blade Sword Manor, they did their best to persuade Seol Gang-yeon.

They told him that if he fought the Jin Clan, many people would die, and far more would become miserable.

But Seol Gang-yeon gave the same answer every time.

“Everything depends on the Jin Clan’s decision. If they willingly return our home, nothing will happen. If they refuse, we will take it by force. In any case, the justification is on our side. No matter how powerful Shaolin is, you cannot interfere in this fight without a just cause.”

Since Seol Gang-yeon’s words were true, Seong-un and Bo-gyeong could not persuade him.

No matter how much the Shaolin Temple was the Alliance Leader of the Henan Murim and possessed a mighty power that ranked among the top in All Under Heaven, it could not forcibly interfere in the disputes of other sects.

Of course, they could have put forth the justification of maintaining the stability of the Henan Murim, but it was too weak a reason to intervene in the fight between the two sects.

It might have been different back when the Shaolin Temple had Unrivaled power, but unfortunately, the current strength of the Shaolin Temple was not that great.

Even the Shaolin Temple could not afford to ignore the opinions of the people of Jianghu.

As a second-best option, they came to the Jin Clan.

Since they had failed to persuade Snow Blade Sword Manor, they intended to persuade the Jin Clan instead.

As soon as he heard that the two had arrived, Jin Si-woo rushed out.

“Jin Si-woo of the Jin Clan greets the two venerable monks.”

“Venerable is too much praise. It is an honor to meet you like this, Benefactor Jin.”

Seong-un waved his hands in denial as he greeted him.

Following him, Bo-gyeong also performed a half-bow and greeted him.

“Bo-gyeong of the Shaolin Temple greets you, Benefactor Jin.”

“It is an honor to have you here. Please, come inside.”

Jin Si-woo led the two inside.

Hearing that people from the Shaolin Temple had come, many came out to watch.

“They really are from the Shaolin Temple.”

“For the Shaolin Temple to send a first-generation Disciple. It seems things are really urgent.”

“How could they not be? If things go wrong, the entire land of Henan could be engulfed in the flames of war, so they couldn’t just stand by and watch.”

“But I wonder if the Jin Clan will be persuaded. The only offer the Shaolin Temple can make is for the Jin Clan to concede.”

Despite the arrival of the Shaolin monks, the gathered heroes watched with skeptical eyes.

It wasn’t that they doubted the Shaolin Temple’s ability, but that the feelings between the Jin Clan and Snow Blade Sword Manor were too raw to stop the fight through someone’s mediation.

‘Amitabha!’

Bo-gyeong also read the atmosphere and wore a somber expression.

The atmosphere at Snow Blade Sword Manor had been exactly like this.

On the surface, they seemed welcoming, but in reality, their eyes were like those looking at an uninvited guest.

Bo-gyeong was not used to this kind of atmosphere and gaze. So he felt as if he had become a criminal.

When they finally arrived at Jin Si-woo’s residence, Seong-un said to Bo-gyeong.

“Bo-gyeong! I will speak with Benefactor Jin, so you go and look around the Jin Clan in the meantime.”

“I will do so.”

Seong-un went into the room with Jin Si-woo, and Bo-gyeong, left alone, wandered aimlessly through the Jin Clan.

“Huh?”

Suddenly, his eyes lit up.

Among the many unfamiliar people, he had spotted a disparate face.

‘Pyo Wol!’

He was the man who had accompanied them when they were transporting the Original Buddhist Scripture with Woo Jang-rak’s group.

At that time, he didn’t know much about Pyo Wol, and for some reason, he felt a sense of unease and was reluctant to talk to him.

He only learned his identity after the martial artists of the Righteous Sword Manor were killed by him at the entrance of Mount Wudang. But by then, Pyo Wol had already left.

Pyo Wol had a unique, ethereal aura, as if he were there and not there at the same time. Thanks to that, Bo-gyeong was able to recognize him.

A face could be hidden or changed, but such a unique aura did not change easily. Of course, a martial artist who had reached Pyo Wol’s level could change it at will, but for some reason, he was maintaining the same aura he had seen at the Wudang Sect.

Next to Pyo Wol was a man he also knew.

Feeling a sense of welcome, Bo-gyeong approached them.

“Amitabha! Brother Namgung.”

“Well, if it isn’t Bo-gyeong?”

The man who answered Bo-gyeong’s call cheerfully was none other than Namgung Wol.

Namgung Wol and Bo-gyeong were already acquainted.

“I heard someone from the Shaolin Temple had come, and I wondered if it might be you.”

“What brings you here, Brother Namgung? Is it also because of your connection with Benefactor Jin?”

“That’s right!”

“I thought so.”

“Oh! This person is…”

“I know. We already met on Mount Wudang.”

Bo-gyeong cut off Namgung Wol, who was about to introduce Pyo Wol. Then he greeted Pyo Wol directly.

“We meet again, Benefactor Pyo!”

“So we do.”

“After we parted like that on Mount Wudang, I thought I would never see you again, but seeing you here like this, it seems our connection has not yet ended.”

“We’ll have to wait and see if it’s a good connection or a bad one.”

“I certainly hope it’s a good one.”

Bo-gyeong smiled benignly.

Namgung Wol interjected into their conversation.

“Now, now, let’s not stand here. Let’s have a cup of grain tea and talk. Haha!”

Namgung Wol seemed to be in a very good mood seeing Bo-gyeong after a long time. The same was true for Bo-gyeong.

His uneasy feelings about Pyo Wol remained unchanged, but meeting Namgung Wol, whom he could call a friend, he felt some of the tension that had built up on his way from Snow Blade Sword Manor to the Jin Clan finally ease.

Namgung Wol said to Pyo Wol.

“Great Hero Pyo, please join us.”

“I’ll pass.”

“If that’s the case, it can’t be helped. Let’s go, Bo-gyeong!”

Although they had only spent a short time together, Namgung Wol had already grasped Pyo Wol’s temperament.

He was a man who never spoke empty words.

Once he said no, that was the end of it. It was clear that even if he were asked again, the only reply would be a refusal.

He grabbed Bo-gyeong’s hand and pulled him along.

The two of them quickly disappeared, leaving Pyo Wol alone in the crowd.

＊＊＊

The conversation between Jin Si-woo and Seong-un continued late into the night. But for a long time, their conversation went nowhere.

“So if the Jin Clan would just concede a little…”

“How much more must the Jin Clan concede?”

“If things go wrong, not only Henan Province but All Under Heaven could be swept up in the flames of war.”

“Then if we concede, what will the Shaolin Temple do for us?”

“That is…”

“I don’t think you should speak so easily of concession just because it’s someone else’s problem.”

“Then the Shaolin Temple will also consider what it can offer. Let’s end our conversation here for today.”

“I apologize, Great Monk! I’ve been on edge and spoke too sharply.”

“Amitabha! I understand. Anyone in Benefactor Jin’s position would have done the same.”

“Thank you for your understanding.”

Jin Si-woo let out a faint sigh.

His face was filled with exhaustion.

Seong-un looked at Jin Si-woo with a pitiful expression.

It was heartbreaking to see a young martial artist, who was like a martial nephew to him, struggling all alone.

If he could, he wanted to help the Jin Clan. But he couldn’t.

The Shaolin Temple had to maintain strict neutrality at all costs.

Jin Si-woo gave Seong-un the best quarters.

“Amitabha! I don’t need such a fine room.”

“This is all I can do for you.”

“No. This is more than I deserve. Thank you.”

“Then please rest well.”

Jin Si-woo gave Seong-un a Fist-Palm Salute and withdrew.

Left alone, Seong-un looked around the room for a moment.

It wasn’t luxurious, but it was neat, and it seemed to be managed with considerable care. He could tell how sincerely Jin Si-woo was treating him.

“Is Bo-gyeong coming back late?”

On the way here, he had heard that Bo-gyeong had met Namgung Wol.

Many people liked Namgung Wol for his outstanding martial arts and good character. For that reason, Seong-un also liked Namgung Wol.

“I’ll have to talk to him tomorrow.”

Since he had entered the Jin Clan before him, he would know the situation here much better. If he sought his advice, it might be much easier to persuade Jin Si-woo.

Seong-un took off the red kasaya he was wearing and hung it on the wall.

Dressed only in his gray monk’s robes, he sat at a low table. Then he opened the Buddhist scripture he always carried with him.

No matter how arduous the journey, it was his long-standing habit to end the day by reading the scriptures in the evening.

Seong-un half-closed his eyes and began to chant.

＊＊＊

Bo-gyeong and Namgung Wol sat on a wide wooden bench under a large tree and talked.

There was a bottle of liquor in front of them.

Drinking alcohol was forbidden for a monk, but when he met a friend like Namgung Wol, Bo-gyeong would also drink.

Even though he hadn’t had many cups, Bo-gyeong’s face was flushed red. In contrast, Namgung Wol, who had drunk much more than him, maintained his usual complexion.

The two talked for quite a long time.

Since it had been a truly long time since they had met, they had much to talk about.

The conversation, which started with asking after each other’s well-being, moved on to the current situation in Jianghu and then to the confrontation between the Jin Clan and Snow Blade Sword Manor.

Namgung Wol let out a sigh.

“So you’re saying Snow Blade Sword Manor has no intention of backing down at all?”

“That’s right. My Martial Uncle and I tried to persuade her, but Manor Lord Seol had no intention of listening at all.”

“She was that stubborn even with the Shaolin Temple backing you?”

“She was someone against whom our sect’s authority didn’t work. When she felt she was at a disadvantage, she would deflect by telling us to speak to her Steward. We came here without even seeing the Steward’s face.”

“Steward?”

“I heard he is a very capable person. I heard many at Snow Blade Sword Manor praising him.”

“Hmm!”

At Bo-gyeong’s words, Namgung Wol furrowed his brow.

It was because the Steward of Snow Blade Sword Manor had not been caught in the Thousand Water Society’s information network.

‘If he’s that capable, he would have surely been caught in our society’s information network.’

It was one of two things.

Either the Thousand Water Society’s information network was sloppy, or the Steward of Snow Blade Sword Manor was that thorough in hiding himself.

Namgung Wol thought it was the latter.

As a member of the Thousand Water Society himself, he knew very well how formidable their information network was.

Bo-gyeong’s words continued.

“My Martial Uncle truly tried to persuade her with all his might. But it was impossible to persuade her with words.”

“So you came to the Jin Clan with little to show for it.”

“That’s right! If we can’t persuade Snow Blade Sword Manor, shouldn’t we at least persuade the Jin Clan?”

“Persuading them probably won’t be easy. The Jin Clan is also furious. Great Hero Jin Wolmyeong suddenly collapsed, and my sword-brother was also killed. If they concede to Snow Blade Sword Manor here, the very existence of the Jin Clan will become impossible.”

“Hoo!”

Bo-gyeong let out a sigh.

It was a fact he was well aware of. He felt his own position, having to persuade them despite knowing this, was pathetic. Namgung Wol patted Bo-gyeong’s shoulder in comfort.

“Hang in there.”

“Then please help me, Brother Namgung.”

“My sword-brother was my friend.”

“Am I not your friend, too?”

“Please understand. You, at least, are still alive, aren’t you?”

“That’s quite cold. By the way, how is he?”

“He?”

“Pyo Wol!”

The moment Bo-gyeong mentioned his name, Namgung Wol’s expression hardened. Bo-gyeong also grew tense.

Namgung Wol looked at his own hand and said.

“It feels like I could reach him if I just stretched out my hand, but I’m not confident yet.”

“Is he that strong?”

“If you spend time with him, you’ll naturally come to feel it too.”

“I already know from experience. But I thought you would be different, Brother Namgung.”

Bo-gyeong’s expression darkened.

As the atmosphere grew heavy, Namgung Wol forced a smile and said.

“It’s getting late. Let’s rest for today and talk again tomorrow.”

“Let’s do that.”

Bo-gyeong also agreed with his opinion.

“I’ll walk you there.”

“There’s no need. I can find my way on my own.”

“Haha! Just accept a friend’s goodwill.”

At Namgung Wol’s jest, Bo-gyeong couldn’t help but nod.

The two walked shoulder to shoulder toward the lodgings.

Arriving in front of the lodgings, Bo-gyeong spoke toward the inside of the room.

“Martial Uncle, it’s Bo-gyeong. May I come in?”

“……”

“Is he already asleep? That can’t be right.”

When there was no answer from inside, Bo-gyeong tilted his head.

Leaving Namgung Wol behind, he carefully entered the room.

Upon entering the room, Bo-gyeong’s eyes widened.

“Martial Uncle!”