Chapter 155 - Black Flame Dragon in the Midst of Chaos (5)

Seeing the children's faces turn pale as they listened to Hyeseong and Jang Ujae's conversation, I was so dumbfounded that I burst into laughter.

'To think there is still an old man who uses the Mind-Controlling Silence Command.'

This sound art, created by combining the heterodox path's Spirit-Subduing Demonic Voice and the effects of the Lion's Roar, is shunned within the Shaolin Sect because its roots lie in a heterodox martial art.

Furthermore, considering that the intent of the martial art itself is so insidious that monks hesitate to use it, this was a rough indicator of just how much this old monk named Hyeseong wanted to stand above others.

Seeing that The Geum-eun-dong Brothers, Saryeon, and Seong Moran, as well as Namgung Seonhwa—who had learned the Namgung Clan's mental cultivation method—were unable to move an inch, he must have used the Mind-Controlling Silence Command quite frequently.

I scattered my Okcheong Heavenly Star Power to dispel the energy of the Mind-Controlling Silence Command.

"Phew..."

"... What was that?"

"My breath was definitely stifled for a moment."

As the onlookers suddenly began to speak like children whose mouths had been unsealed, a deep crease formed between Hyeseong's brows.

"Right now, Benefactor Jin Sowoon, you are insulting the Buddha. Do you know that?"

I tilted my head.

"You were clearly speaking informally earlier, so why are you suddenly using polite language? It's awkward."

"..."

"And isn't the one insulting the Buddha you, Grandmaster Hyeseong?"

Hyeseong had absolutely no intention of participating in what was happening in Yueyang.

"What?"

"Isn't that right? Was what academy student Jang Ujae hoped for such a big deal? It was just a request to briefly stop by his sect and show that the Yujang Sect is an ally of the Orthodox Murim. Is that so difficult?"

Even his words about returning to the Murim Alliance to hold a meeting were clearly a lie.

For the Murim Alliance, what could be a more solid justification than the destruction of a small-to-medium sect like the Yujang Sect?

Even if just to reclaim hegemony over Yueyang later, their intention was likely to sit back and watch the Underworld Murim commit atrocities for now.

"I find it hard to guess what your reason is for just watching when you fully know casualties will occur."

The glares of Hyeseong and the Orthodox Council members were fierce.

Ignoring their contemptuous gazes, I continued speaking.

"Or does their sacrifice feel like a matter of course to you from the very beginning?"

"... You insolent brat!"

"I've listened to you long enough!"

These people wouldn't bat an eye at others shedding blood, yet they would react instantly to anything that offended their own moods.

In their eyes, were we not beings standing on the same level as them?

"Enough!"

At Hyeseong's angry roar, the Orthodox Council members could not hide their indignation.

"Benefactor Jin..."

"I told you I don't like the title Benefactor."

"... Heh."

Hyeseong, having formed a relaxed smile for a moment, spoke.

"Even if you are a disciple of a Daoist sect, in the eyes of the Buddha, you are no different from the rest of the mortals. It is the same for Benefactor Jang Ujae. Even if his sect is not an official ally of the Murim Alliance, from the Murim Alliance's perspective, they are comrades walking the path of the Orthodox faction together."

Whenever Hyeseong continued speaking with a benevolent expression, the onlookers unconsciously nodded their heads.

"As Benefactor Jin said, I could step forward myself. But what if even greater and more numerous casualties occur elsewhere because of that?"

"Where exactly is such a huge incident happening?"

As far as I remembered, there was nowhere in the current Jianghu where a larger bloodbath would blow than in Yueyang.

"Right in Sichuan."

That crazy corrupt monk.

Hyeseong looked at Jang Ujae.

"I, too, find this unfortunate. But right now in Sichuan, entities that have been hiding themselves for decades are targeting the entire Jianghu."

At Hyeseong's lie, I could not help but laugh inwardly.

You bastards don't even have that sense of crisis right now!

"Of course, I am not unaware of the crisis facing the Yujang Sect and the other Orthodox sects of Yueyang. That is why I, too, am saying that I will do my absolute best in what I can do."

"My, how reliable."

They say the fangs of an old fox are sharper than those of a young tiger, and it was true.

Before anyone knew it, Hyeseong had presented a justification for them to slip away and persuaded everyone.

Jang Ujae, who had been listening to the conversation, must have had no strength left to endure, as he knelt and prostrated on the ground, shedding tears.

Hyeseong, who did not even pretend to notice that sight, spoke.

"Then how about we do this?"

"?"

Hyeseong looked at me with triumphant eyes.

"Is Benefactor Jin's name not already resounding throughout the world? Benefactor, you can step forward personally for this Yueyang matter. Furthermore, since you are the current academy representative of the Murim Academy, do you not also have a duty to help academy student Jang Ujae?"

I could not help but let out a hollow laugh.

So he's shifting the responsibility like this?

"..."

Hyeseong smiling triumphantly.

It was certainly a brilliant political maneuver worthy of taking an elder position in the Murim Alliance.

However.

It was still incredibly clumsy compared to the Minor Orthodox Unit bastards who were always trying to scam their comrades to extort their monthly salaries.

Meaning he's just a clumsy corrupt monk. Let's see how well I can trample him.

"Are you sure that's okay?"

At my question, Hyeseong, who had been smiling triumphantly, widened his eyes.

"People will mock you, saying that a disciple of the Taiyi Sect resolved an issue that even the Shaolin Sect ran away from because they couldn't solve it. I'm asking if you're really okay with that."

"..."

Hyeseong quickly changed his stiffened face and spoke.

"Is it not for the peace and well-being of Jianghu? If the safety of the mortals is guaranteed by smearing the name of the Shaolin Sect, there would be nothing more joyous for the Buddha."

He was truly not an easy opponent.

From what I could see, the place where Hyeseong belonged was not Mount Song, but Beijing.

How could the tongue of someone who only ate vegetables roll so smoothly?

"I am only worried, however. Since the survival of the Yujang Sect is in Benefactor Jin's hands. I pray that you do not fail. If you did, wouldn't there be a problem not only for the Yujang Sect but also for Benefactor Jin's position as representative?"

Empty words he didn't mean.

Isn't he worried about going to hell after lying like that?

Anyway, let's take this all the way to the end.

"Somehow, I don't feel any sincerity from you."

"... Hmm?"

"Are you perhaps hoping that I fail?"

Hyeseong looked around and burst into laughter as if it were absurd.

"How could that be? As I said earlier, I only feel it is unfortunate."

"Isn't it actually better for the Shaolin Sect if small-to-medium sects like the Yujang Sect all disappear?"

"..."

"That way, wouldn't it be easier for the Shaolin Sect to advance later on, claiming to enforce justice in a Yueyang ruled by the Underworld?"

Hyeseong's expression began to twist slightly.

"How dare you spout such blasphemous..."

"Then will you make a single promise? That no matter what happens in the future, the Shaolin Sect will not advance into Yueyang, right in front of our comrades of Jianghu."

"..."

Hyeseong glared at me with a face so cold he seemed to have forgotten that people around were watching.

"As expected, is that too difficult?"

A snicker leaked out.

"... What nonsense. More than anything, I desire the well-being of the Yujang Sect and the Orthodox sects of Yueyang."

"Even so, you can't promise that, can you?"

"..."

Now the area around his lips began to twitch.

At this rate, I really might end up going to hell before Hyeseong does.

"Then please offer one of your miraculous prayers for the Orthodox sects of Yueyang."

As if he wouldn't lose either, Hyeseong brought his hands together in a prayerful gesture with a pious posture I was seeing for the first time.

"Amitabha."

It was the first time I had ever heard an "Amitabha" that felt so utterly devoid of sincerity.

* * *

'It's exactly like that day.'

Jang Ujae, who had been prostrating and crying, couldn't even think to wipe his ruined face due to a sense of déjà vu.

The day he first saw the Great Warrior Black Flame Dragon he had only heard about in rumors.

He was raging in the face of an unjust situation.

Jin Sowoon threw dozens of Admission Tokens—tokens that Jang Ujae had only barely obtained by mortgaging his sister's life—casually onto the ground and shouted.

["If even the Murim Alliance has forgotten fairness and justice, and degraded into a group solely out to secure their own interests!"]

And that was in front of the Murim Alliance... no, even further, the Council of Elders, which could be called the highest power in Jianghu.

["Then I will not enter the academy according to your wishes. No, even if you tell me to enter, I will not!"]

At that shocking sight, Jang Ujae could not move for a long time.

Considering that he came from the Taiyi Sect, which was regarded as inferior even to the Yujang Sect, he had boldly uttered words that neither Jang Ujae nor anyone else in the world would dare say.

Such audacious words could only be spoken by a true man.

From that day on, Jang Ujae's goal was Jin Sowoon.

A man who could be as confident as him, or at least somewhere close to his level.

That was Jang Ujae's goal.

He wanted to desperately unite the unaffiliated individuals in the academy, create a faction that could represent their interests, and stand together with him.

Even though he was part of the 108 Peaks, he did not join the Twelve Peaks and Castles, and even though he was close to Namgung Seonhwa, he did not join the White Path Council.

Knowing it would be difficult, he made enemies with the Orthodox Council and tenaciously pushed forward with what he wanted at all times.

Jang Ujae had always hoped to be alongside the upright him, but reality was not so forgiving.

["The power of the Underworld sects in Yueyang is steadily growing. With the Wudang Sect gone and the Mount Cangshan Sect taking position once again, make an effort to establish a connection with the Mount Cangshan Sect."]

A missive sent from his sect.

This made Jang Ujae realize the fact that he could not chase only his goals and dreams.

In the face of cold reality, he could not advance confidently like Jin Sowoon.

When Jin Sowoon was struggling the most, he could not approach him.

And when Jin Sowoon was being shunned by everyone, he could not support him.

'I did that... I did all that, so why...'

Tears suddenly poured down in shame.

This time, too, he did not lower his voice toward Hyeseong of the Shaolin Sect, the Mt. Tai and the Big Dipper of Murim.

This time, not for himself, but solely for others.

Even in front of the strong, he did not hesitate to speak bitter truths.

And that fact made Jang Ujae feel even more ashamed.

Through the conversation with Grandmaster Hyeseong, he had somewhat predicted it.

The Yujang Sect would now disappear from Jianghu.

It was obvious that neither Grandmaster Hyeseong nor the Orthodox Council would move for the sake of the Yujang Sect.

The only thing Jang Ujae could do now was just watch as his sect and family, the Yujang Sect, vanished into history.

["Then Benefactor, you can step forward personally for this Yueyang matter. Furthermore, since you are the current academy representative of the Murim Academy, do you not also have a duty to help academy student Jang Ujae?"]

His disappointment grew even larger at Grandmaster Hyeseong's action of trying to push the academy representative into a matter that neither the Orthodox Council nor the Murim Alliance could step into.

No matter how capable Jin Sowoon was, there was no way he could step forward for such a thing.

He, too, was merely a disciple of a small sect called the Taiyi Sect.

If such a person said he would step forward even out of bravado, it was the same as shouldering a massive risk on his own without any compensation.

However.

["Are you sure that's okay?"]

This time, too, he undoubtedly shattered his expectations to pieces.

["People will mock you, saying that a disciple of the Taiyi Sect resolved an issue that even the Shaolin Sect ran away from because they couldn't solve it. I'm asking if you're really okay with that."]

And he embraced him.

As if it had been his own business from the start.

Without a sliver of hesitation, he declared that he would step forward.

'Why...'

A massive surge of emotion welled up from deep within his chest.

Because he had shown such a shameful side of himself in front of him.

Because his past actions toward him were so cowardly.

Because unlike him, he... was still shining so brilliantly.

He simply could not lift his head.

Even after the Orthodox Council passed by and the people scattered, Jang Ujae had no choice but to keep his head bowed.

"Academy student Jang Ujae."

He heard his voice.

A voice that was still firm, brimming with confidence, and carrying a sense of weight.

"Let's get up now."

"..."

He simply didn't have the confidence to show his face.

As if knowing his feelings, he gently wrapped him up once more.

"You won't be able to save your sect by staying prostrated like that."

Jang Ujae bit his lip tightly and slowly raised his body.

His face was a mess with tears and a runny nose, but he didn't care in the slightest.

"Are you really going to help me?"

"Aren't the other academy students here to help you too, academy student Jang Ujae?"

"But, but... When you were struggling the most, Representative... I wasn't with you. I don't have the right to receive your help."

"Haha, I wondered what you were going to say. You weren't the only academy student who turned away from me back then, were you?"

The way he spoke so casually made Jang Ujae feel even more ashamed of himself.

"Besides, who could easily step forward in such a situation?"

Then what about you?

Why were you able to step forward so easily this time?

The questions surged right up to his throat, but he couldn't bear to let them out of his mouth.

"..."

Because just hearing him say these things made him feel so incredibly reassured.

Because it felt as though all the worries he had agonizing over had been resolved.

A sense of relief washed over him like a tidal wave.

The docks where everyone had now left.

A clear voice, like jade beads rolling on a silver tray, let out a long sigh.

"Phew... Well, I knew it would turn out like this from the beginning... but you at least have a plan in mind before doing this, right?"

At Seong Moran's words, the gazes of the academy students focused on Jin Sowoon.

The genius who shattered the Demonic Spirit Plateau's Soul-Extinguishing Array.

The rising star who passed the Murim Academy's standard exam with only his junior martial siblings.

The master of administration who was running a massive academy all by himself.

People stared at Jin Sowoon, holding even their breaths, wondering what kind of plan such a person would speak of.

And as if to meet those expectations,

"... Uh, for now, let's observe the situation first."

"..."

"..."

Jang Ujae shook his head side to side, as if shaking off his stray thoughts.

It was clear that his energy was so drained from crying too much that he was seeing things.

"Don't tell me... Did you step forward without a single thought? Against the Dark Blood Gang?"

Jin Sowoon licked his lips as if nervous.

"... Even so, it wasn't a situation where I could just back down, was it?"

My Jin Sowoon couldn't possibly be having such empty thoughts. I'm sure that couldn't be true...

Jin Sowoon scratched the back of his head, looking bashful, and spoke.

"... I still have a rough idea of a plan. Don't worry too much."

"..."

"... No, I-I'm serious. You think I'd step up without a plan?"

A tone that was somehow completely unconvincing.

His emotions ran cold, and the reassuring feeling was melting away like snow.

* * *

Ilgak, who had been walking at the very back of the group, glanced behind them several times before approaching Hyeseong with a determined look.

Just as Ilgak was cautiously trying to strike up a conversation, Hyeseong asked first.

"Speak."

"... Yes?"

"You have something you want to say, don't you? Speak your mind."

"... I was just thinking that perhaps it would be good if even I showed my face briefly."

When Grandmaster Hyeseong looked at Ilgak in silence, his words quickened.

"Ah, of course, I will return before it gets late. If I hurry my steps..."

"Why do you intend to go there?"

Ilgak unraveled the excuse he had prepared in advance.

"... If by some chance the Yujang Sect survives, wouldn't people look down on the Shaolin Sect? Rather than that, if at least I go and show my face..."

"Do you really think the Yujang Sect will survive?"

"Well, if they receive help from here and there..."

Grandmaster Hyeseong let out a snicker and spoke self-deprecatingly.

"Did the Dark Blood Gang and the Black Axe Palace seem like such easy opponents?"

At Ilgak's questioning expression, Grandmaster Hyeseong continued speaking.

"Do you think the Dark Blood Gang and the Black Axe Palace had been laying low all this time because they were walking on eggshells around the Mount Cangshan Sect?"

"Pardon? What do you..."

"They are Underworld sects that have been expanding their forces in Yueyang for over fifty years. Did you think they were just some back-alley thugs?"

"..."

"What they feared was not the Yuwol Sect or the Changseong Sect backed by the Mount Cangshan Sect. And they definitely were not afraid of the faraway Mount Cangshan Sect, either."

Then what exactly was the Underworld Murim so afraid of that they had been holding their breath in Yueyang all this time?

"It was the Murim Alliance."

"... But if they feared the Murim Alliance, shouldn't they still be unable to step forward now?"

"Tsk, tsk. This is why I always said we shouldn't just teach the kids meditation at the main temple."

Grandmaster Hyeseong muttered and spoke in a chiding tone.

"The flow of the general trend has shifted from the Orthodox faction to the Underworld. It's likely because they know full well that the Murim Alliance cannot easily show up in Yueyang at the moment."

"..."

"Predicting the tide by looking at a single crashing wave will only keep you from getting wet."

"..."

"If you truly wish to sail out into the vast sea, you must read the world. Do you understand?"

"... I will keep that in mind."

Grandmaster Hyeseong let out a light laugh as he spoke.

"Perhaps after returning from Sichuan, you will be able to rise to the position of representative. Prepare yourself in advance."

"... What do you mean?"

"Jin Sowoon... that child will be swept away by this ocean current."

Grandmaster Hyeseong spoke with certainty.