Myst, Might, Mayhem

Chapter 304 – Domineering Steps (2)

The Precepts Hall Master Dae-deok, one of the Three Supreme Monks of Shaolin.

He held the third-highest monastic rank at Shaolin, but in reality, he was only a year or two apart from those above him in terms of internal energy cultivation.

Having mastered the Bone Marrow Cleansing Scripture and the Mahayana Heavenly God Technique, it was no exaggeration to say that among the orthodox warriors, none could match his internal energy except for the Six Heavens and Eight Stars masters.

Yet, such a man was overwhelmed in internal energy by a newcomer whose name was not even known, someone who appeared to be in his mid-twenties at most.

‘Oh my. How astonishing.’

‘He overwhelmed Dae-deok in inner strength?’

From the perspective of the other two Supreme Monks of Shaolin, the Sutra Pavilion Grand Monk Gong-jeon and the Reverse Muscle Scripture Hall Grand Monk Museong, they couldn’t help but inwardly marvel at this.

They had predicted to some extent that Mok Gyeong-un was no ordinary master, but who would have guessed that in terms of internal energy, the purest and most robust inner force of Shaolin would prevail against a formidable expert?

-Sssssss!

At that moment, a haze rose from the hands and shoulders of Precepts Hall Master Dae-deok.

This phenomenon occurred when dispelling the opponent’s energy.

‘Not only is his inner strength formidable, but his energy is also bizarre.’

The moment it made contact, a portion of his internal energy scattered.

If it weren’t for the pure internal energy of Shaolin, this phenomenon would have been even more severe.

-Clench!

Dae-deok unconsciously bit his lip tightly.

Although he had cultivated the Buddhist path for a long time, his temperament was more sensitive compared to other high-ranking monks, making it difficult for him to tolerate this.

‘How can such humiliation be possible?’

It was utterly shameful in front of Shaolin’s disciples.

However, as an elder, he had too much pride to openly express this, so Dae-deok tried his best to manage his expression and spoke.

“Amitabha. The internal energy of the young patron is truly extraordinary.”

“For a venerable monk who has cultivated internal energy for such a long time, your inner strength is quite weak.”

“……..”

At Mok Gyeong-un’s words, Dae-deok’s earlobes trembled.

The young man was deliberately provoking him.

It seemed he was doing so because he had already judged himself to have the upper hand in internal energy.

This infuriated Dae-deok inwardly, but he maintained his composure.

‘Phew.’

Being inferior in internal energy did not necessarily mean complete defeat, but if they were to face each other one-on-one again, it was undeniable that the probability of losing was significantly higher.

Therefore, Dae-deok believed that driving the situation, rather than a direct confrontation, was the only answer.

“Patron. I am well aware that your martial arts are extraordinary. However, no matter how exceptional they may be, this is not something that can be tolerated at the moment. Release the military officer at once.”

“Ah. You mean this person?”

Mok Gyeong-un pointed with his eyes at Commander Kang-hak, whose neck was grasped by his hand.

“That’s right.”

“Well. Why should I do that?”

At Mok Gyeong-un’s response, Dae-deok inwardly exclaimed with delight.

Yes. He was grateful that he came out like that.

If he faithfully played the role of the villain, their side could take the opposite approach.

Dae-deok assumed the stance of the Small Golden Strong Acid Hand and raised his voice towards Mok Gyeong-un.

“Amitabha. I had my doubts since you were called a traitor, but are you really going to take a hostage and do as you please like this?”

-Murmur murmur!

At Dae-deok’s outcry, the reaction of the warrior monks of Arhat Pavilion, who were watching, changed drastically.

Until now, they were at a loss as to what to do when opinions differed among the Supreme Monks of Shaolin with higher ranks.

However, it was different in the case of taking a hostage right in the heart of Shaolin.

-Rumble rumble!

The surrounding warrior monks moved in unison.

Then, eighteen warrior monks surrounded Mok Gyeong-un, forming the Eighteen Arhats Formation, and aimed their staffs at him.

“Patron. Release the hostage at once!”

As one of the warrior monks shouted, Dae-deok barely managed to suppress the twitching of his lips.

It was going as intended.

The monks of Shaolin were disciples of Buddha, so they always contemplated right and wrong.

This was a lifelong study and a common issue for all, whether they were young or old monks.

However, if they were given a clear justification for righteousness, they changed.

‘Patron…….You absolutely cannot escape from here.’

Confronting him alone was one thing, but confronting Shaolin was different.

Even if he was a transcendent master who had surpassed the wall, if Shaolin decided to take action, it would be difficult to guarantee victory, let alone be careless.

At that moment.

-Clench!

“Ugh.”

Mok Gyeong-un tightly grasped Commander Kang-hak’s neck and spoke.

“It seems you don’t understand the meaning of a hostage. If you act like this, more force will inevitably be applied to the hand grasping the neck.”

“How dare you!”

At Mok Gyeong-un’s threat, anger surged in the eyes of the surrounding Arhat warrior monks.

To them, taking a hostage was an act of cowardice itself.

At that moment, Precepts Hall Master Dae-deok spoke in a loud voice.

“If the patron is going to act in such a cowardly manner, this humble monk has no choice. Arhat warrior monks, surround them immediately.”

“Yes!!!!”

At Dae-deok’s command, the waiting Arhat warrior monks shouted in unison and surrounded Mok Gyeong-un’s subordinates: Mong Mu-yak, Seop Chun, Ma Ra-hyeon, the expelled monk Ja Geum-jeong, and the Holy Fire Priestess.

By their side was the Demonic Beast Heum-won, so 64 Arhat warrior monks lined up and formed an encirclement.

“Dae-deok! What are you doing now?”

Reverse Muscle Scripture Hall Grand Monk Museong pressured him with a similar response, threatening his fellow monks.

Dae-deok snorted and said.

“When that wicked patron has even taken a hostage, how long are you going to let yourself be dragged around with agreements and whatnot? Master, please come to your senses!”

“Master!”

“Demon-Subduing Monks, subdue those monsters without harming the Arhat warrior monks!”

Dae-deok ignored Museong’s reprimand and issued orders to the Demon-Subduing Monks.

However, unlike the Arhat warrior monks who acted as intended, none of the Demon-Subduing Monks moved.

Dae-deok raised his voice at this.

“Why are you just standing there?”

Then, someone staggered out from among the Demon-Subduing Monks.

His monk’s robe was stained with blood from his injuries. He was none other than the Demon-Subduing Pavilion Master.

“Amitabha. Cough cough. We humble monks cannot do that.”

“What?”

“Cough….I apologize, but that patron has successfully fulfilled the agreement with the Muscle Tendon Scripture Hall Master.”

“Demon-Subduing Pavilion Master! At this point, what does that have to do with…..”

“It matters. Cough cough. That patron saved the lives of us Demon-Subduing Monks, including myself, from the rampaging monsters. How can we, who have already received his grace, break the agreement, let alone repay him?”

“Ha!”

At the Demon-Subduing Pavilion Master’s refusal, Precepts Hall Master Dae-deok was dumbfounded.

If those Demon-Subduing Monks did not help, it would become difficult to subdue the monsters, and sacrifices could occur.

‘Demon-Subduing Pavilion Master, why be so stubborn at a time like this?’

Faced with his refusal, Dae-deok, who was in a predicament, clenched his teeth.

It was too late to turn the situation around anyway.

If it was a path to uphold the rules and preserve Shaolin’s honor, it had to be done even if some sacrifices were involved.

‘No matter how stubborn he is, he will have no choice but to step in when the warrior monks are in danger.’

With that, Dae-deok ordered the Arhat warrior monks.

“Arhat warrior monks, quickly those traitors…..”

Before he could even finish his words.

“Amitabha! Everyone, stop!”

At that moment, Reverse Muscle Scripture Hall Grand Monk Museong shouted in a lion’s roar-like voice.

At his resounding voice filled with internal energy that reverberated like an echo, the warrior monks, without exception, frowned.

Ma Ra-hyeon inwardly clicked his tongue at Museong’s startling shout.

‘They say he is the best among the Three Supreme Monks of Shaolin, and his internal energy is indeed remarkable.’

What was even more surprising was that although it was a sound infused with internal energy, no one was injured.

This meant that Museong had reached the realm of mastery in controlling his true energy.

Startled by Museong’s sudden shout, Precepts Hall Master Dae-deok opened his mouth.

“Venerable Monk, why……”

“Dae-deok, be quiet.”

“……..”

At his stern voice, Dae-deok closed his mouth with a stiffened face.

Museong, who had acknowledged his position when he took on the role of hall master and rose to the rank of Precepts Hall Master, always called him ‘Venerable Monk’ despite his higher rank.

However, calling him by his Dharma name like this implied how displeased he was at the moment.

It wasn’t just him who sensed this.

All the monks of Shaolin in the hall also seemed to have felt Museong’s emotions, as their gazes focused on him.

Then, Museong clasped his hands together and opened his mouth, looking at Mok Gyeong-un.

“Amitabha. First, I apologize to the patrons.”

‘!!!!!!’

Surprised by this, Dae-deok tried to stop him.

“Venerable Monk…..”

“I told you to be quiet, Dae-deok.”

“……..”

With the second warning, Dae-deok finally closed his mouth and clasped his hands together.

Even though he was the next-in-line abbot and held the highest rank, he couldn’t stubbornly insist when Museong came out so strongly.

As he closed his mouth, Museong continued.

“Even though we had an agreement with the patrons, this situation arose entirely due to this humble monk’s lack of virtue.”

“Venerable Monk!”

At those words, sighs erupted from here and there.

Even if they had an agreement, if they were traitors who broke out a prisoner from the imperial palace, there was no need for him to lower himself to that extent.

However, with the highest-ranking Museong coming out like this, no matter how respected they were, it was difficult for them to accept it.

At that moment.

“Hmph. Is Shaolin really trying to protect the traitors….”

-Clench!

“Argh!”

As Commander Kang-hak tried to spit out his anger, Mok Gyeong-un grasped his neck, preventing him from speaking.

In that state, Mok Gyeong-un smiled and said.

“Thank you for saying that. Then, according to the agreement, will you let us go with the monsters?”

“Amitabha. Patron.”

“Yes.”

“I apologize, but that is no longer possible.”

“Why is that?”

“This humble monk is the elder of Shaolin and a disciple of Shaolin. Now that the situation has come to this, I can no longer let the patrons go. This is due to the difference in our positions, so please do not resent this humble monk even if you blame me.”

‘Well, of course.’

I wondered if he would really let them go now that the situation had come to this, but Precepts Hall Master Dae-deok inwardly exclaimed with delight at Museong’s changed stance.

No matter how upright Museong was, he couldn’t stubbornly insist on being righteous and noble by himself in this situation.

If he independently let them go, not only would it put them at odds with the imperial palace, but it would also give them a pretext for a search.

Furthermore, if the rumor spread in the orthodox martial arts world that they had released traitors, Shaolin’s reputation would hit rock bottom.

“Well, in the end, you share the same opinion as that venerable monk over there.”

As soon as those words ended, a voice transmission reached Mok Gyeong-un’s ears.

-Amitabha. That is not the case.

Mok Gyeong-un’s eyes gleamed at the voice transmission.

Come to think of it, Hang Yeo-ryang, the Summoning Sound Valley Master who taught him this technique, seemed to have mentioned that Shaolin was the only place in the orthodox martial arts world where this was possible.

Then, Museong spoke.

-Do not be surprised, Patron. This is this humble monk conveying his voice so that only the patron can hear it.

-I am aware of that.

Mok Gyeong-un replied to this through voice transmission.

At that, Museong responded with surprise, although he did not show it outwardly.

-The patron continues to astound this humble monk in many ways.