Read Novel Full Chapter 1161: What Should We Do. (1)
Chapter 1161: What Should We Do. (1)
“Abbot, this is…”
Even as he walked toward the firmly closed main gate of the manor, Beop Jeong showed not the slightest hesitation.
Jong Ri-Hyung hurriedly followed with quick steps, his face troubled and unable to resolve his complicated thoughts in his mind, urgently trying to stop the abbot.
“Abbot. I was the one who said that killing time like this is meaningless. But even so, this is too much…”
“Amitabha.”
Beop Jeong softly uttered a Buddhist prayer and turned to Jong Ri-Hyung with a gentle smile.
“Sect leader.”
“Yes?”
“Thank you, Sect leader. Thanks to your words, my eyes have been opened.”
“…W-what do you mean by that?”
“You told me to think about the best possible outcome.”
“Yes, that’s right. I definitely said that. But…”
Beop Jeong slowly nodded.
“Thanks to those words, I now know what I must do, what the right path is.”
“B-but, abbot.”
“Right… yes, that is what ‘right’ means. I don’t know what I was seeing all this time. They say a small delusion grows endlessly and swallows a person—that’s called ‘Heart Demon,’ and it seems I was afflicted by it. Thanks to that, I was awakened as if doused with cold water.”
Jong Ri-Hyung wiped the sweat flowing down his forehead.
“Abbot… how could I possibly guess your deep intentions? But no matter how deep they are, suddenly visiting the place where they reside…”
“What could possibly be wrong with that?”
“If it’s that urgent, why not just summon them? I’m afraid people might misunderstand if word spreads that the Shaolin sect leader visited the Heavenly Friends Alliance.”
“Haha. That won’t happen.”
“Yes?”
Beop Jeong smiled gently and shook his head.
“Previously, Hyun Jong came to see me, so this time it makes sense that I come to see them.”
“H-how can that be logical? Our positions and statuses are different.”
“Well, I have no particular reservations. Rather, I feel fortunate to be staying not far from them. As soon as I made up my mind, I could meet them like this.”
“…”
“Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”
A deep sigh escaped from Jong Ri-Hyung’s lips.
“May I ask what exactly you intend to do?”
“What could be so difficult to answer that? I intend to extend my hand to them.”
“What? A-abbot. Haven’t we already crossed an irreversible river with the Heavenly Friends Alliance?”
“Not yet. It can still be reversed.”
Jong Ri-Hyung looked at Beop Jeong with a bewildered expression.
“T-then what if they refuse your proposal?”
“That won’t happen.”
“Even if…”
“Hmm, well, I don’t know. The ones I know wouldn’t refuse, but if such a thing happens…”
Beop Jeong’s eyes darkened slightly.
“No, that won’t happen. You don’t need to worry.”
Jong Ri-Hyung shook his head and followed behind Beop Jeong.
‘What on earth is he planning to propose in there?’
A man who had been agonizing inside the room for days suddenly burst out, heading straight to the Heavenly Friends Alliance without looking back. Strangely, Beop Jeong’s expression was unusually fresh compared to before.
‘Did he suddenly have a great awakening?’
It’s frustrating because even if asked, he won’t answer.
‘We can only watch and see.’
The guards at the main gate were flustered and unsure what to do when they saw Beop Jeong approaching. It was understandable; had they ever imagined the Shaolin sect leader visiting suddenly?
It was fortunate, if anything, that they had seen him before and recognized Beop Jeong from afar.
“Sect leader… no, is the alliance leader inside?”
“W-welcome, abbot.”
“Haha. No need to be so nervous. I just came to share some tea.”
“I-I’ve sent word ahead. Please, come in!”
“Did an order come to let me in?”
“N-no, not exactly.”
“Then I shall wait here. It is not proper for a guest to enter without the host’s permission.”
“Well…”
The guards exchanged nervous glances, unsure how to respond.
But then, fortunately, the inner door opened on its own.
Bang!
Hyun Jong, clearly flustered, forcefully opened the door. Seeing Beop Jeong and Jong Ri-Hyung standing there, he took a short breath and said:
“…Welcome, abbot.”
“Alliance leader, have you been well?”
Beop Jeong slowly bowed in greeting, and Hyun Jong returned the deep bow.
“If you had sent word earlier, I would have come to greet you at the gate, but how could you come suddenly without notice…”
“I just thought of it and stopped by. Once my mind was made up, I had no time to prepare formalities. Sorry, alliance leader.”
“Not at all. On the contrary, it is a great pleasure to have you here.”
“The person accompanying me is the Kongtong sect leader. You are acquainted, right?”
“I am Hyun Jong of Mount Hua. It is an immense pleasure to meet the Kongtong sect leader.”
“No, alliance leader. The honor is mine.”
Hyun Jong smiled brightly, but his eyes held a slight suspicion as he observed Beop Jeong.
The last time they met, Beop Jeong had shown raw emotions. But now, he seemed quite different—full of the ease and gentleness felt when they first met.
“Please come inside.”
“Then I shall take the liberty.”
Beop Jeong followed Hyun Jong into the manor.
Beop Jeong, a step behind Hyun Jong, soon came out into the courtyard and faced those waiting.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you all.”
Beop Jeong greeted them with a warm smile. Some frowned slightly in displeasure, others nodded, but most tried to hide their reluctant feelings.
“Lord Tang is also here.”
“Isn’t this where I belong? It’s been a while, abbot.”
“Young lord as well.”
“…Glad to see you.”
Perhaps because their last meeting was unpleasant, Namgung Do-Wei did not show his usual neat courtesy.
“And these?”
“Yes. These are the lords of the Beast Palace and Ice Palace.”
“Ah.”
Beop Jeong smiled gently.
“I am truly glad to meet such distinguished guests.”
“I am Meng So.”
“I am Seol So-Baek.”
This time, Beop Jeong did not bow deeply but gave a light nod.
Beop Jeong slowly raised his head and his gaze fell on a person behind. As if waiting, a voice burst out.
“What are you sneaking in here again to scavenge… uh! Uh uh! Ugh!”
Baek Cheon, Yoon Jong, and Jo Gul simultaneously covered Chung Myung’s mouth.
For the first time, a sigh escaped from Beop Jeong’s lips.
“You haven’t changed.”
“Ugh! Ugh!”
Chung Myung, his face flushed red, shouted something while Yu Yiseol and Tang Soso held his arms and legs, but unfortunately, it was inaudible.
Beop Jeong shook his head and turned to the others, speaking in a gentle tone.
“I would love to chat with you all, but since I am not here for personal matters, please understand I cannot stay long.”
“Ah, no.”
“You must have urgent matters to attend.”
“Thank you all for understanding.”
Beop Jeong’s gaze reached Hyun Jong.
“Alliance leader, I would like to speak with you privately for a moment.”
“Very well, abbot.”
Beop Jeong’s gaze then fell on Tang Gunak.
“And Lord Tang as well.”
“I will do so.”
Just as the others, except Hyun Jong and Tang Gunak, were about to step back.
“Young lord will also come.”
“…You mean it?”
“Yes.”
Namgung Do-Wei nodded with a stern face.
“Understood.”
Beop Jeong bowed toward Meng So and Seol So-Baek.
“Originally, I would have invited both of you, but since what I am about to discuss is a sensitive matter within the Central Plains, I cannot recommend your presence in there. Please forgive me.”
“Do not worry. We fully understand.”
“Yes, it’s fine.”
Beop Jeong smiled faintly and looked at Chung Myung, who was still struggling and making muffled sounds, with a peculiar expression.
“You come in as well, and the other Mount Hua disciples beside you too.”
“…Us too?”
“If you weren’t here, who would stop Mount Hua’s Sword Saint from beating me to death when the time comes?”
“W-what do you mean…”
“Hahaha!”
Jo Gul’s face turned red at Beop Jeong’s joke.
“By the way… it seems one important person is missing?”
“Yes?”
At that moment, Yu Yiseol gestured toward Beon Chung.
“There.”
“Huh?”
Yoon Jong slightly peeked toward where Yu Yiseol pointed and frowned.
“…What on earth are you doing there, Green Forest King?”
Im So-Byeong, crouching behind Beon Chung’s broad back with his head covered, startled and quickly darted his eyes.
“H-ha ha ha… I…”
“Hmm. So you are the Green Forest King.”
Beop Jeong smiled gently as he looked at Im So-Byeong.
“How about it? Will you come?”
“Eek!”
“Huh?”
“I-I was wrong! Sorry! I won’t do bad things again!”
“…”
“I-I didn’t mean to become a bandit…!”
“That Green Forest…”
“Aaaah!”
Im So-Byeong screamed in a high-pitched voice and ran off behind the pavilion.
Everyone stared blankly at the scene. Even Beop Jeong blinked with his mouth open. Yoon Jong, dumbfounded, asked Baek Cheon in disbelief:
“Why… why is he like that?”
“Hmm.”
Baek Cheon scratched his cheek awkwardly.
“I heard from that guy before that if you gathered all the bandit corpses beaten to a bloody pulp by Shaolin monks, it would fill half the Yangtze River.”
“…”
“They dislike Namgung, but fear Shaolin the most. It’s said it’s etched in blood, and no matter what you try, it won’t work.”
“Does that make sense?”
“They say only those scared stiff of the big boss survive in the Green Forest, but I don’t really understand what that means either.”
“Then why is it different with Monk Hae Yeon?”
“They say apostate monks becoming bandits is standard, so they’re not afraid.”
“…He’s not an apostate.”
Beop Jeong shook his head in dismay at Im So-Byeong’s absence. Hyun Jong awkwardly guided him.
“Please come this way.”
“Yes. Thank you, alliance leader.”
As those who were to attend together headed inside, Seol So-Baek, who remained in the courtyard watching, tilted his head.
“He seems a bit different from what I heard.”
“In what way?”
At Meng So’s words, Seol So-Baek slightly frowned.
“From what I heard, he seemed like a really bad person…”
“But seeing him like this, he seems better than expected?”
“…Yes. Maybe that’s just how he looks?”
“No. Perhaps that monk Beop Jeong really is a good person as you think.”
“…Yes? Then why…?”
Meng So slowly crossed his arms and, looking at the door Beop Jeong entered, murmured softly.
“Sometimes, a righteous sage can be more terrifying than a villain.”
Seol So-Baek tilted his head as if finding it hard to understand.