Chapter 468

Vol 2 Chapter 108. I'm Just Following the Teachings of My Sect (3)

There was an unexpected confusion, but it was somehow resolved.

No, rather than resolved….

[Amitabha!]

The Divine Monk’s sudden powerful punch towards the sky silenced those who were fighting over ‘the Little New Dragon is my son-in-law.’

And the Divine Monk said with a benevolent smile.

[Let’s work.]

Unlike the benevolent smile, it felt as if the words ‘if you don’t want to get beaten’ were included at the end of the sentence.

And so….

The key figures of the Murim Alliance, who had decided to handle important matters first, gathered in one place.

And the first thing they did was….

“So, what is the current situation?”

The Clan Head of the Sichuan Tang Clan, Dang Baek, asked about the situation.

Although he was the Clan Head of the Sichuan Tang Clan, he was currently serving as the Head of the Disciplinary Hall of the Murim Alliance and had left his clan vacant.

Therefore, he had not accurately grasped the situation.

To that, the general manager of the Sichuan Tang Clan said….

“Recently, the Hegemon Blade Sect sent a messenger to convey their intentions.”

“What did they say?”

“They said they would like to have a meeting as soon as the Alliance Leader arrives.”

“A meeting….”

Dang Baek glanced at the Divine Monk and said.

“What will you do?”

“If the other side asks for a conversation first, we can’t be the first to draw our swords.”

“That’s true, but….”

The Clan Head of the Sichuan Tang Clan nodded.

The Divine Monk’s words made sense. Most of the others also agreed.

They had come leading the elite forces of the Murim Alliance, prepared for a decisive battle.

But if asked whether they had a chance of winning in a war against the Hegemon Blade Sect….

‘Honestly, it’s difficult.’

‘It may not be as much as when the Heaven Breaking Martial Emperor was around in the past, but the current Sect Leader, the Demonic Emperor Great Emperor, is also not to be taken lightly.’

‘And there are also many other disciples of the Heaven Breaking Martial Emperor….’

If they thought calmly, the probability of winning an all-out war against the Hegemon Blade Sect was less than 30%.

So, if there was a way to avoid war, it was right to avoid it.

However….

“What does the Qingcheng Flying Hero think?”

The Divine Monk asked the middle-aged Taoist sitting at the end of the table.

Qingcheng Flying Hero Jihak.

He was the head disciple of the Qingcheng Sect and not even a direct disciple of the Sect Master.

But recently, after the Murim Alliance was formed, he had been staying at the Murim Alliance with a small number of disciples as a liaison between the Qingcheng Sect and the Alliance.

As a result, he was safe even though his sect had been burned down by the Hegemon Blade Sect’s attack.

But even if his body was safe, his heart had suffered an irreversible wound.

He said with the flames of anger burning brightly in his eyes.

“The Sect Master of my sect passed away at the hands of the cruel Unorthodox Alliance punks, and even my master and the other elders could not escape the calamity.”

Jihak looked around with a murderous gaze and said.

“If you were in my shoes, what would you do?”

“Hmm….”

“Amitabha….”

No one answered easily.

It wasn't that they couldn’t understand Jihak’s position.

In fact, his sect had been practically annihilated, so what was a meeting?

His anger would not be appeased even if he didn’t pay back the Hegemon Blade Sect in the same way, no, even if he paid them back several times over.

However….

“Taoist friend Jihak, we are not Taoists who cultivate the Way.”

The Sect Master of the Wudang Sect, Hyeon-seong, said in a quiet voice.

At that, Jihak flared up and shouted.

“Then, Sect Master, are you saying you could have a meeting with the enemy even if the Wudang Sect was burned down by the enemy and the disciples of the sect were massacred?”

“It is an extremely difficult matter, but if it is for the sake of the world, it is the role of us Taoists to practice suffering.”

“Then I will quit being a Taoist.”

Jihak stood up abruptly and shouted.

Then he threw down the Taoist cap on his head and said to everyone.

“I still believed that you would not forget the suffering of our Qingcheng Sect and would lend us your strength. That is why I have endured and endured until now and am here with you.”

A blatant smile of contempt formed on Jihak’s face.

He looked around the room without hiding his disgust and said.

“But now I see, I didn’t know that it was just a bunch of cowards who ignore the tragedy of their comrades for their own comfort.”

“Gal! Do you know where you are, speaking so recklessly?”

The Clan Head of the Hebei Peng Clan, Peng Jin-ho, stood up abruptly and shouted.

His age was similar to Jihak’s, but his seniority was definitely one level higher than Jihak’s.

Normally, Jihak would have respected Peng Jin-ho’s position, but….

“Did I say something I shouldn’t have?”

“It’s not just you who is angry. Everyone here is reluctant to have a meeting with the Unorthodox Alliance, but why don’t you understand that they are not hesitating to endure hardship and humiliation for the future and peace of the world?”

“Ha, endure hardship and humiliation….”

Jihak laughed with a sneer of contempt.

Then he glared at Peng Jin-ho and said.

“Clan Head Peng, stop with the unbecoming strange talk and be honest for once.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m saying, stop making lame excuses and just honestly say that you’re scared of the Hegemon Blade Sect and don’t want to fight.”

“How dare you!”

Peng Jin-ho drew the saber on his back and stood up abruptly.

At that, others from all sides stood up and separated the two.

“Calm down, Clan Head Peng.”

“What are you doing, fighting among allies?”

“Jihak, you should also calm down a little….”

“Are you saying you could say that if you were in my shoes?!”

It was not easy to calm Jihak, who was shouting with pent-up anger.

In fact, it wasn’t that the others couldn’t understand Jihak’s feelings either.

And just then, Jihak’s eyes fell on someone who was quietly keeping silent.

“Little New Dragon! You tell me. Can you also endure it if your sect is annihilated and your master is killed by the hands of Unorthodox Alliance punks?”

At that, Mun Yul, who had been keeping his mouth shut, opened it and slowly said.

“I am still a very lacking person. Although I am attending this meeting in place of the absent Commander, I am cautious about offering my opinion.”

At that, Jihak pressed him again.

He couldn’t have a conversation with the Sect Masters of each sect who were turning a blind eye for the preservation of their own sects.

For they were people who preached justice on the outside but took care of their own interests when it mattered.

At times like this, it was better to turn the opinion of a young man with hot blood to his side.

“Anyone who attends this meeting has the right to express their opinion. Or does the Alliance Leader intend to block the path of a young hero’s speech?”

At Jihak’s words, the Divine Monk rolled his prayer beads two or three times and then said.

“Of course not. Little New Dragon, please feel free to express your opinion.”

As the Murim Alliance Leader, the Divine Monk, gave his permission, Mun Yul stood up from his seat, straightened his clothes, and opened his mouth.

“Then I will cautiously state my opinion.”

The attention of everyone at the very top of the Orthodox Faction’s martial world was now, at this moment, focused on Mun Yul.

And Mun Yul, calmly recalling the words in his head, began to speak.

“If it were me, I would have a meeting.”

“What?!”

Jihak shouted.

He hadn’t expected such words to come from the mouth of that young man.

“Why? Are you also saying that it’s okay to ignore justice if you can protect your honor and reputation by going along with the times?”

To Jihak’s rough question, Mun Yul calmly said.

“I am still immature and lacking in many ways. Therefore, when making such an important decision, I just follow the teachings of my sect.”

“For an Orthodox Faction, are you saying that the Twin Dragon Sect prioritizes practical interests over justice?”

“That is not the case. However, I have learned that the first thing a martial artist should think about when practicing justice is the powerless and innocent common people.”

“What did you say?”

At this moment, the conversation with Patrick came to Mun Yul’s mind.

* * *

“Remember. No matter what the situation, protect the common people first and foremost.”

“More than our sect’s senior and junior brothers?”

“Is that even a question?”

“What if our sect is on the verge of ruin? Should we still take care of the common people first?”

At Mun Yul’s words, Patrick let out a deep sigh as if he had a headache and then said.

“Mun Yul. We are people of the martial world.”

“I know.”

“The life of a person of the martial world is originally lived on the edge of a sword. It can’t be helped if guys with swords, whether Orthodox or Unorthodox, die while messing around with each other.”

“……”

“But the common people should never be caught up in it. You must do your best to protect them. Got it?”

The words were right.

But what he couldn't understand was that it was Bong-gong who was saying these right words.

Wasn’t Patrick originally someone who was hell-bent on squeezing every little thing out of other sects for the benefit of our sect without any concessions?

Why was such a person?

Unable to hold back his question, Mun Yul finally asked again.

“Why do we have to go that far?”

“Because the moment we ignore and turn away from their suffering, our reason for existence disappears.”

Mun Yul’s eyes widened at Patrick’s answer, which came back without hesitation.

At that, Patrick scratched his head awkwardly and said.

“I know, punk. I heard it too. And in the old days, I thought it was old-fashioned nagging.”

“……”

“But after living a little and having various experiences, I eventually came to know.”

Patrick smiled bitterly and continued.

“That this is right.”

“……”

To the still unresponsive Mun Yul with wide eyes, Patrick said.

“Say something, will you?”

“You’re not our Bong-gong, are you? There’s no way Bong-gong would say such righteous and correct things…. Ow! Aaack!”

“Your mouth! Your mouth, you bastard!”

“Aack! It hurts! Ow!”

“I’m hitting you to make it hurt!”

* * *

Recalling the memory, Mun Yul let out a deep sigh and said.

“The tragedy of the Qingcheng Sect is truly regrettable. But they were at least martial artists.”

“That is….”

“And everyone fought proudly without shame and died while protecting their honor.”

“……”

“I ask Taoist Jihak. Are you ashamed of the decision of your sect?”

Jihak’s expression became sorrowful.

They were the Sect Master and elders of the Qingcheng Sect who had faced the Hegemon Blade Sect and met with annihilation.

Was that decision shameful?

Even if his mouth were torn vertically, he could not dare to utter such words.

No, he couldn't tolerate others uttering them either.

“I am not ashamed of them. I am just… regretful and sad.”

“Then shouldn’t you not turn away from the teachings of your unashamed sect?”

“……”

“I ask. If you follow the teachings of the prestigious Orthodox Faction of Sichuan, the Qingcheng Sect, what should be the priority now? The revenge of the sect? Or the safety of the common people?”

Jihak squeezed his eyes shut.

To continue shouting for revenge here would only tarnish the honor of the sect.

Above all….

‘He’s green. So very green.’

He could feel Mun Yul’s sincerity.

That young man was not trying to persuade him with empty words.

He was truly just trying to uphold the teachings of the sect that he believed in.

That purity was so dazzling.

Qingcheng.

The teachings of the sect, to maintain an upright integrity like the evergreen pine forest surrounding the sect, were now felt from a complete outsider.

And from a young boy who had not even lived half his age.

When he came to his senses, he was ashamed of himself for being blinded by revenge and not even thinking about the safety of the common people.

‘Ah…. I was lost in a delusion.’

It was then.

A blue spiritual energy began to rise from the body of Jihak, who had his eyes tightly closed.

“Gasp?”

“Oh my…. Everyone, step back.”

It was a scene of sudden enlightenment.

The Sect Masters of each sect who witnessed this hurriedly distanced themselves and moved away from Jihak.

It was to not disturb him, knowing how important this moment was for a martial artist.

The blue spiritual energy that rose from Jihak’s body faintly enveloped his body and gradually grew stronger.

And when it reached a certain size, all the spiritual energy disappeared as if it had seeped into him.

“Hoooooo….”

Jihak, who had come to his senses again.

He first politely made a fist-and-palm salute to Mun Yul and bowed his head.

“I express my gratitude to you, Little New Dragon.”

“Ah…. That’s not necessary. I just said what I thought.”

“Thanks to your honest opinion, I was able to escape from my delusion and not commit a sin against my sect.”

“……”

“As the representative of the Qingcheng Sect, I swear. I will definitely repay this grace.”

Mun Yul inadvertently returned the fist-and-palm salute to Jihak, who was bowing politely again.

And Jihak said to the crowd.

“I also apologize to the others. I was blinded by revenge and caused a disturbance in the Alliance.”

“How could we not know your heart?”

When Jihak apologized, the Divine Monk quickly accepted it and resolved the situation.

And he said to the crowd.

“Let’s send an envoy to the Hegemon Blade Sect to set a place and date for the meeting. As long as we claim to be the Orthodox Faction, the most important thing is the peace of the people.”

It was a very righteous justification, but no one argued with it.

And because of what happened on this day, Jihak of the Qingcheng Sect reached the State of Harmony, and the Qingcheng Sect obtained the seeds of revival.

And the reputation of the Little New Dragon, Mun Yul, who had suppressed Jihak’s desire for revenge with a correct and righteous argument and prevented the division of the Murim Alliance, rose even higher.

People admired him and praised him in unison, saying that the Little New Dragon was not just a newly emerging master with high martial arts skills, but a true hero of the Orthodox Faction with a lofty sense of justice and a noble spirit.

* * *

“He did?”

Ah, there was one exception.