Myst, Might, Mayhem

Chapter 295 – Shaolin Temple (2)

“Amitabha. I say this for your sake, patron, so don’t be displeased and take it to heart. Sorcery that goes against principles will surely bring harm to you, patron. So stop practicing sorcery any further and sever the forcibly established connection with the bizarre creature.”

The atmosphere turned strange at the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion’s coercive attitude.

Having already fallen into the middle of Shaolin, known as the holy land of the righteous path, Seop Chun and Mong Mu-yak were inwardly baffled as they were already being cautious.

Fortunately, they didn’t know yet that they were from the Heaven and Earth Society, but they seemed to have gained disapproval due to something bizarre.

Meanwhile, Mok Gyeong-un spoke.

“Sever the connection? If I do that, it’s the same as unleashing the reins on that bizarre creature, so what are you going to do? Will you kill it?”

“No matter how harmful the bizarre creature is, we monks and priests are practitioners of Buddhism. Unless it’s an unavoidable situation, we do not recklessly take lives.”

“Then will you release it?”

“How can we carelessly release a monster that captures and eats humans? We will confine it in the demon-subduing hall of the temple and subdue its demonic nature with scriptures.”

“What if the demonic nature cannot be subdued?”

“Even if the demonic nature cannot be subdued, we will have no choice but to open the killing precepts to prevent harm.”

“In conclusion, you’re saying you’ll confine it and then kill it?”

“Amitabha.”

The Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion quietly clasped his hands together.

At this, Mok Gyeong-un smacked his lips and said.

“What if I politely refuse the Venerable’s proposal?”

“Amitabha. patron… As a demon-subduing monk who must subjugate demons, I cannot let the bizarre creature go once it has entered the temple.”

The atmosphere suddenly turned heavy.

The surrounding demon-subduing monks and warrior monks seemed to have read the situation as they firmly grasped their vajras and staffs.

‘Damn it.’

‘This doesn’t look good.’

At this, Mok Gyeong-un’s subordinates also began to take fighting stances.

As they took fighting stances, vigilance appeared in the eyes of the Master of the Arhat Pavilion.

‘Except for that old patron, each one of them is no ordinary person.’

As the master who oversaw the Arhat monks, one of the three major warrior monk groups of Shaolin, he discerned the martial prowess of the group with his excellent insight.

Meanwhile, the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion spoke with his hands clasped together.

“Amitabha. I do not wish to fight with the patrons. I advise against sorcery and enslaving bizarre creatures as spirit beasts because they go against principles. If you agree to my proposal, I will let you leave unharmed.”

‘!?’

At the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion’s words, Mong Mu-yak and Seop Chun, whose vigilance had heightened, glanced at each other.

They had been worrying about what would happen if their identities were exposed while fighting the warrior monks of the Shaolin Temple.

However, if they agreed not to practice sorcery and hand over only the Demonic Beast Heum-won, it wasn’t a bad proposal in the current situation.

At least it was better than being tied up in the middle of enemy territory.

So they cautiously looked at their master, Mok Gyeong-un.

“Hmm.”

Mok Gyeong-un let out a small groan as if contemplating and stroked his chin.

Seeing his appearance, they inwardly hoped that this time, Mok Gyeong-un would accept the proposal rather than displaying his characteristic unpredictable behavior.

It was a completely different situation from before.

This place was Shaolin, the holy land of the righteous path.

They were monks who practiced Buddhism, so although they were one of the Nine Great Sects, they did not interfere with martial arts or worldly affairs and rarely intervened unless it was a special case.

Nevertheless, no one disregarded the power of Shaolin.

The perception that they were the orthodox of martial arts in the Central Plains was firmly ingrained.

‘Young Master… clashing with Shaolin is an act of madness.’

‘This time, it would be better to just let it pass.’

It was at that moment.

Meanwhile, Mok Gyeong-un lowered his hand that had been stroking his chin and soon smiled and said.

“Saying that we can leave unharmed if we just accept the proposal is an enticing offer that’s hard to refuse.”

At Mok Gyeong-un’s words, the two let out sighs of relief.

Although he didn’t show it, Ma Ra-hyeon was also worried that a fight might break out, so he felt fortunate.

“Amitabha. Young patron, you have opened your eyes rightly and readily accepted my proposal, so truly…”

“I didn’t say I would accept it.”

“!?”

At Mok Gyeong-un’s unexpected words, the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion frowned.

As someone with a somewhat strong temperament, unlike a Buddhist disciple, he couldn’t understand why his roundabout proposal was rejected.

-Mortal. You’re not planning to reject the proposal, are you?

Cheong-ryeong also asked Mok Gyeong-un in a tone of incomprehension.

Since she was close by, Mok Gyeong-un might seem unpredictable, but apart from that, she knew that he greatly valued rational judgment.

The promise not to use sorcery could be brushed off as just a formality in this situation, and since he didn’t intentionally make Heum-won his spirit beast, there was no problem in handing it over to them.

Of course, it had the advantage of being able to fly and had played an important role recently, but if it meant clashing with the Shaolin Temple right now, it was cold but rational to sacrifice Heum-won and move on.

-It’s unlike you. The Demonic Beast is one thing, but why are you doing this when you can safely leave Shaolin by handing it over?

-Unlike me?

-Yes. Although you may seem a bit stubborn, it’s foolish to refuse such a proposal when the Shaolin are monks who practice Buddhism, unlike other righteous factions, and won’t make such a proposal out of hypocrisy. Accept it.

-I’m afraid that will be difficult.

-What?

-As you said, if I were alone, I would think it’s rational, but to build a force, it doesn’t seem like a particularly good choice.

‘!?’

What did this fellow just say?

For a moment, she doubted her ears.

Meanwhile, Mok Gyeong-un looked at the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion and spoke.

“Although it’s a tempting offer to leave here unharmed according to the Venerable’s proposal, I can’t easily hand over my… no, such an expression seems a bit excessive. Let’s just call them comrades. Anyway, I can’t easily hand over my comrades.”

“Comrades?”

-Murmur murmur!

At Mok Gyeong-un’s words, the surrounding Arhat monks and demon-subduing monks stirred.

Although he said he had tamed it as a spirit beast, it was a bizarre creature and monster, not a human.

Did he just refer to that being as a comrade?

‘This fellow?’

On the other hand, interest glinted in Cheong-ryeong’s eyes at Mok Gyeong-un’s words.

That was because Mok Gyeong-un never believed in or trusted anyone.

Recently, he had begun to follow some of her advice, but in important moments, he still acted according to his own judgment.

But despite the significantly dangerous situation, Mok Gyeong-un referred to the Demonic Beast Heum-won as a comrade and refused to hand it over.

To him, the Demonic Beast Heum-won should have been just a tool, so it was truly unexpected.

This was,

‘Is it intentional? Or is he starting to change?’

If it was intentional, the effect seemed to be somewhat achieved.

At the moment he rejected the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion’s proposal, the expressions and gazes of the subordinates, who had been bewildered, turned strange at his words about not being able to hand over a comrade.

It was probably to confirm his inclusiveness as a leader.

By showing that he wouldn’t abandon even a tamed bizarre creature in a crisis situation, he gave them the trust that he wouldn’t let go of their hands no matter the circumstances.

At this, Cheong-ryeong inwardly clicked her tongue.

‘…Even if it’s calculated, you’re gradually acquiring the qualities of a leader.’

Despite showing outstanding talent in various aspects such as martial arts, sorcery, and pharmacology, she thought it would be difficult for him to dominate others or develop social skills due to his tendency to not trust anyone.

However, Mok Gyeong-un was starting to acquire the qualities of a leader faster than she had expected.

This could be considered a surprising change compared to her expectations.

At that moment, the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion spoke with a fierce expression.

“Although you say you have subjugated it with a method that goes against principles, its essence is a bizarre creature that captured and harmed people. How can you call such a being a comrade and display such an aberration?”

“Isn’t that a matter of mindset?”

“A matter of mindset?”

“If harming people is the problem, isn’t it actually people who are more problematic?”

“What?”

To the questioning Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion, Mok Gyeong-un spoke with the corners of his mouth raised.

“Are there more instances of people being killed by beasts or bizarre creatures? Or are there more instances of people being killed by other people?”

“…”

At that question, the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion’s mouth closed.

To deny this, it was a fact that people were killed more by the hands of other people.

It was an undeniable truth.

Theft, robbery, conflicts in the martial arts world, and on a larger scale, war.

All these things made people commit murder against other people.

When Mok Gyeong-un pointed this out, even the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion, who was extremely strong-willed, found it difficult to refute.

At that moment, the Master of the Arhat Pavilion, who had been listening quietly, stepped forward.

“Amitabha. patron, your words certainly have a point. It is true that what harms people the most is indeed people. However, even so, it is not in accordance with principles to equate this with bizarre creatures.”

“What’s not in accordance with principles?”

“Beasts or bizarre creatures only possess simple desires, but humans are beings that experience the Five Desires and Seven Emotions.”

“You’re taking a difficult approach, Venerable.”

“I’m not trying to preach Buddhism to you, patron. The Five Desires and Seven Emotions refer to five types of desires and seven types of emotions. The Buddha said these are the beginning of all suffering, and those who practice Buddhism strive to overcome them and maintain the Middle Way. Even if they are not monks who practice Buddhism, humans have the basic will to control and overcome these Five Desires and Seven Emotions.”

“So?”

“However, unlike humans, bizarre creatures and beasts are not complex and live solely based on simple desires. The simpler the desires, the more difficult it is to control them. Moreover, how can you compare beings that prey on living humans to humans?”

“So, in conclusion, are you saying they are incomparable?”

“That’s right, patron. Humans are imperfect and complex beings that simultaneously possess yin and yang energy, so they have the quality to control themselves. However, bizarre creatures are inherently yin beings, so they are not like that. Comparing them with the same logic as you, patron, is no different from forcing it.”

“Ah, I see.”

“I understand your reluctance to hand over the bizarre creature, but if you lose control over it, countless people will lose their lives, patron. We cannot simply stand by and watch, so we are asking you to hand over the bizarre creature.”

“I see. But come to think of it, I haven’t heard an apology even once yet.”

“Apology?”

At Mok Gyeong-un’s abrupt words, the Master of the Arhat Pavilion tilted his head.

“Patron, what are you saying?”

“I understand your concern about the bizarre creature being dangerous, but we didn’t cause any harm to the Venerables of the Shaolin Temple, and we were just flying in the sky on the bizarre creature, but you suddenly attacked and almost killed us, didn’t you?”

“That, patron…”

“Are you trying to play dumb? Didn’t you say just a moment ago? That monks who practice Buddhism do not recklessly take lives, even if it’s a tiny creature?”

“Amitabha. That’s true, but…”

“Fortunately, we were lucky to survive, but we all almost fell from that high place and died. If that had happened, from the Elder to the demon-subduing monks here, you all would have gone against the Buddha’s teachings and committed the sin of killing, yet there’s not a single word of apology.”

At Mok Gyeong-un’s words, the demon-subduing monks who were surrounding them with vajras in hand flinched involuntarily, as if momentarily flustered.

At this, the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion spoke as if in a predicament.

“Patron… Although we monks and demon-subduing monks have mastered Dharma techniques, we haven’t mastered martial arts, so we didn’t realize that you were riding on the bizarre creature…”

“Hmm. Are you going to say you didn’t know? Even after confirming that we fell like this? Or is it because we were lucky to survive, so that’s the end of it?”

“No, patron. I didn’t mean it that way…”

“You see that old lady over there, right?”

When Mok Gyeong-un called her, Holy Fire Priestess, who had been lying down as the aftereffects of falling from a high place hadn’t subsided yet, raised her head with a pale face, not understanding the situation.

“She’s an ordinary person who hasn’t even mastered martial arts, so she’s still suffering like that. You’re quite irresponsible.”

“Oh my.”

At this, the Master of the Arhat Pavilion couldn’t hide his predicament.

He had already noticed from the beginning that the Holy Fire Priestess was an ordinary old woman who hadn’t mastered martial arts.

However, as Mok Gyeong-un said, even if it was an act done with good intentions to suppress evil, it was certainly true that they had almost killed ordinary civilians and them.

‘Anyway, you’re quite good at twisting words, Mortal.’

Cheong-ryeong clicked her tongue at the sight of the perplexed monks.

In a way, it was the only weakness of the Shaolin monks.

They were monks who practiced Buddhism before being martial artists, so they were bound by their own rules and Buddhist teachings.

Mok Gyeong-un had taken advantage of the gap where they were bound by their rules.

“Amitabha. patron, you are right. First, I apologize for the mistake we made. None of this was intentional.”

“Not intentional? Does that mean it’s okay to kill even by mistake if it’s not intentional?”

“Oh my. patron, how can you distort my words like that…”

“I can’t help but interpret it that way.”

“There seems to be a misunderstanding. If we had known that you were riding on that bizarre creature, we would not have rashly attacked from the beginning.”

At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un spoke with glinting eyes.

“What did you just say?”

“…I said if we had known that you were riding on that bizarre creature, we would not have attacked.”

“You definitely said that, right?”

“What are you trying to say?”

“You said if you had known we were there, you wouldn’t have attacked because it was dangerous in the first place, right?”

“…That’s right.”

“Then, we wouldn’t have fallen into the middle of the Shaolin Temple like this and engaged in a debate with the Elder about handing over the bizarre creature or killing it, and the Venerables wouldn’t have almost committed the sin of killing, right?”

“…”

“In the end, it’s no different from creating a situation that wouldn’t have occurred in the first place. Then, whose fault is it?”

“…”

Eventually, the Master of the Demon-Subduing Pavilion was at a loss for words, like a mute who had eaten honey, unable to say anything.

This was not only him but also the Master of the Arhat Pavilion.

No matter how much they wanted to refute, there was no room to find fault in Mok Gyeong-un’s argument.

‘Ha?’

The expelled monk Ja Geum-jeong, who had been watching this, let out a hollow laugh.

He had been born with the Spiritual Eye open, so he had drowned his suffering in alcohol.

However, the Precepts Hall did not understand his suffering and instead expelled him on the grounds of violating the rules.

When he left, he still thought he was lacking in Shaolin, but after seeing this debate, the monks who were trapped in the framework of rules looked so foolish to him.

It was at that moment.

“Hohohoho. What a prodigy. What a prodigy.”

At the voice that came with laughter, everyone’s gaze turned towards that direction.

-Creak!

At that moment, the door of the hall on the south side of the Arhat Pavilion square where they were opened, and three old monks in red kasayas appeared.

The moment he saw them, the expelled monk Ja Geum-jeong clasped his hands together and bowed his head.

His eyes were red as he bowed his head.

‘Ah, Master.’

That was because among the old monks was his master, the Sutra Pavilion Grand Monk Gong-jeon.

However, that wasn’t all.

The Precepts Hall Master Dae-deok and the Reverse Muscle Scripture Hall Master Mu-seong, who had driven him out of Shaolin, were also present.

‘It’s become even more troublesome.’

Mok Gyeong-un looked at the three old monks with an annoyed expression.

The energy they exuded was equally profound, and all three of them were tremendous masters who had crossed the wall.