Chapter 459

Chapter 459

While Righteous Hero Sword Song Chuk was having his head shaved, his family members cried without rest, calling out Song Chuk’s name.

When the head-shaving ended, the Arhat monk holding the precept knife stepped aside and clasped palms together.

Beom-bon looked at the sight with satisfaction and said.

“Don’t put away the precept knife yet. It seems there’s one more benefactor who has come to renounce the secular world.”

The Arhat monk raised his head, wondering what he meant.

Beom-bon turned his head and said.

As if responding to Beom-bon’s words, a hearty laugh rang out.

Hahaha!

A well-dressed middle-aged man with a dignified bearing was coming toward the Great Buddha.

An appearance with fierce tiger eyes that gave off a hero’s spirit.

It was Baek Li-jung.

Baek Li-jung approached and said to Beom-bon.

“The Great Buddha has misunderstood. I have no intention of becoming a monk yet.”

The words came from far away, yet Baek Li-jung was already before the Great Buddha.

Beom-bon lowered his head from atop the cart to look down and half-opened his eyes.

“Mmm?”

Baek Li-jung met Beom-bon’s gaze without flinching. Beom-bon muttered.

“How strange. Strange. Why is it not a ghost? Did I see wrong?”

Baek Li-jung answered Beom-bon’s words.

“Originally, all ends converge to one. Just as the abbot who has transcended Buddhist law feels like a demon rather than Buddha.”

Beom-bon smiled, stretching his lips long.

To others listening, it was a bewildering statement.

Baek Li-jung suggested.

“Let’s move locations.”

“Let’s do that.”

Suddenly, Beom-bon floated up while still sitting cross-legged on the cart.

Kuuung!

As if a seated Buddha was flying away, Beom-bon’s figure instantly disappeared to the distance and Baek Li-jung followed.

***

On the roof of a deserted abandoned house.

Beom-bon sat cross-legged facing Baek Li-jung.

“I’d like to hear the full story at length, but please understand that this humble monk is busy. And, depending on how the story goes…”

The warmly smiling Beom-bon’s eyes opened.

“Please understand that I may have to forcibly strip your scalp right here and convert you by force.”

“That won’t happen.”

Baek Li-jung looked at Beom-bon with a determined expression filled with firm heroism and said.

“Due to the former alliance leader’s corruption, the Martial Arts Alliance has scattered in all directions and the martial world has fights breaking out every day from the squabbles of greedy people.”

Beom-bon nodded his head.

“That’s right. This humble monk’s thoughts are the same. That’s why, despite others’ pointing fingers, I’ve set out on the Righteous Dharma Walk, burning my own body.”

“That alone won’t do. At best, Great Buddha, Shaolin Temple will follow the former leader’s footsteps. You’re already running toward failure.”

“Failure and success only follow Buddha’s will, so this humble monk doesn’t fear failure. However, I’m not too pleased to hear you say I’m failing from the start. I’m curious why you think so.”

“The former alliance leader, Taoist Haewol, was originally a righteous Taoist who gave his life for the martial world’s chivalry.”

Huhuhu.

Beom-bon laughed.

“Amusing words. This humble monk also knew of Taoist Haewol’s righteousness beforehand. But it’s puzzling. Wasn’t it actually you who slandered Taoist Haewol?”

“It wasn’t me. He brought it upon himself trying to realize ideals beyond his capacity.”

“A fresh interpretation. But this humble monk has doubts. The work that even Taoist Haewol failed at. How do you plan to succeed?”

“The former alliance leader…”

Baek Li-jung paused briefly then continued.

“Shared his possessions with people. He distributed wealth, land, and positions, so people gathered, and those who gathered listened to the alliance leader’s words. It was quite a good method. But soon there wasn’t enough to distribute. Because of that, the alliance leader attacked the Northern Heavens’ Evil Sect and drove out the Zoroastrian Cult to take what they had and distribute it to those who followed him. Continuing like this for decades, the festering problem finally burst.”

“…”

Beom-bon didn’t answer, thinking carefully.

Baek Li-jung stated the answer himself.

“When the Evil Sect and demonic cults disappeared and there was nothing left to share, the alliance leader’s power weakened. Existing forces stagnated and rotted because expansion became impossible, and because established forces had divided up all the spoils, new forces couldn’t find room to join even if they wanted to.”

Beom-bon nodded.

“This humble monk personally respected Taoist Haewol greatly, but I felt his methods were incomplete.”

“That’s right. Sharing, bestowing things is inevitably doomed to fail due to shortage of wealth. In the end, the former alliance leader brought in the Zoroastrian Cult and had them invade the martial world. He reached the point where he had no choice but to take the land and wealth the Zoroastrian Cult took from invading the martial world and redistribute it. Unable to let go of power, he became corrupted.”

Beom-bon asked.

“However, wealth is still needed to make people gather. We know that method is most efficient, has high feasibility, and won’t be betrayed as long as the supply of wealth continues.”

“That’s right. At least we both agree on that point. So that’s why the abbot is making a mistake now.”

“Please elaborate.”

“After purifying all malice through the Righteous Dharma Walk, how will you govern those who remain afterward? The martial world is vast and Shaolin Temple’s resources are finite. Even the Arhat monks with powerful martial prowess can’t embrace the entire martial world, and Shaolin Temple’s finances handling hundreds of thousands of taels annually have limits. Eventually, you can keep Henan and nearby provincial capitals under Shaolin Temple’s hand for a long time, but the rest beyond your reach will soon defect.”

Beom-bon nodded repeatedly.

“This humble monk has pondered this for a long time too. But I could no longer delay, so I set out on the Righteous Dharma Walk. Then let me ask.”

Beom-bon looked at Baek Li-jung.

“Do you have a method?”

“I do.”

“If you can do it, can’t our Shaolin do it too?”

Baek Li-jung answered confidently.

“Shaolin Temple cannot. But I can.”

“Hmm.”

Baek Li-jung didn’t continue, and Beom-bon didn’t rush him.

Baek Li-jung had come to make a deal.

If he heard the rest, Beom-bon would have to respond to Baek Li-jung’s deal.

Beom-bon decided with a cautious expression.

“I’ll listen.”

Baek Li-jung answered seriously but firmly.

“I won’t distribute like the former alliance leader. Rather, I’ll collect from those who follow me.”

Beom-bon’s narrow slitted eyes flashed.

“Do you mean…? You’ll sell offices and positions?”

“Depending on circumstances. But that’s only part of it. I’m not a bandit. I won’t forcibly covet others’ belongings. I’ll make them voluntarily offer them up.”

Baek Li-jung said emphatically.

“The Martial Arts Alliance is not a relief organization. It’s responsible for the martial world’s peace and security. So shouldn’t it receive rather than give to be proper!”

“Huh.”

Beom-bon looked at Baek Li-jung.

He could feel tremendous will.

Moreover, his spirit was formidable too. Ultimately, attracting people with wealth was the same as Taoist Haewol.

But rather than just distributing and collapsing like Taoist Haewol, he would actually collect!

“Wealth gathering in one place…”

When enough wealth to move the martial world gathered in one place, there was no need to elaborate on how powerful that force would be. Especially if one stood in the position to distribute that wealth!

“I want to hear the exact method.”

Baek Li-jung said.

“The Righteous Dharma Walk must not stop. Rather, it should be promoted even more strongly than now.”

“Of course.”

“However, the abbot need not give them the opportunity to atone on their own.”

He was referring to the method of escaping the Righteous Dharma Walk by shaving their heads and having one family member accepted into Shaolin Temple.

“No matter how vast Shaolin Temple may be, it cannot accept all of the martial world as monks.”

“You mean?”

“I’ll do that. I’ll accept those who repent and have them join the Martial Arts Alliance to contribute to the martial world’s peace. Thereby, I’ll give them the opportunity to atone!”

Of course, as the price to escape Shaolin Temple’s Righteous Dharma Walk, he would also receive the wealth they possessed. That was something Beom-bon could understand without it being said.

Beom-bon fell into thought for a moment.

Then he nodded repeatedly in admiration.

“So that’s why you said our temple cannot do it. Remarkable. Truly tremendous persuasive power. This Beom-bon is impressed.”

“No need to be impressed. This is something I cannot do alone unless it’s Shaolin Temple, and unless it’s now.”

“No, no. That’s not what I mean.”

Beom-bon raised his huge hand upward and spread his palm.

“I’m saying this because one who hasn’t even transcended demonhood dares to make proposals to this humble monk from an equal position.”

Beom-bon’s thinly opened eyes grew slightly larger.

“This humble monk does not compromise with the demonic path. This is my answer.”

Baek Li-jung also widened his eyes.

Beom-bon’s palm came down as if to crush Baek Li-jung flat.

Kwaaang!

The roof of the abandoned house collapsed completely.

Dust rose like clouds and broken roof tiles scattered.

Baek Li-jung didn’t move. Though the roof collapsed and he fell below, he remained standing.

Beom-bon’s palm that fell together pressed on the floor ahead, not on Baek Li-jung.

Baek Li-jung’s face looking at Beom-bon was flushed red, burning crimson. A subtle mystical energy swirled around his eyes.

No demonic energy could be felt at all.

But there was a howl from inside Baek Li-jung.

Kiyaaaaaa!

Beom-bon smiled faintly.

“To suppress demonic energy to the very end. Admirable. Soon you’ll surpass transcending demonhood and reach shedding demonhood. Once you reach shedding demonhood, no one will recognize the demon within the ‘alliance leader.’ It seems great fortune has come to the martial world.”

Only then did Baek Li-jung also smile.

Beom-bon had tested Baek Li-jung. If Baek Li-jung had been in a state where he had completely lost control beyond demonhood, Beom-bon’s palm would likely have struck Baek Li-jung’s crown.

Baek Li-jung said.

“In this world’s defiled land, we are all Buddha and demon and Asura. No one is perfect. I won’t deny that I too entered the demonic path. However, by accumulating many merits through the demonic path in this world, when I’m reborn in the Pure Land, I’ll become Buddha.”

“That’s called rebirth in paradise.”

“I will be reborn in paradise.”

Baek Li-jung and Beom-bon smiled.

The Demon and Buddha joined hands.

***

Creak creak.

An old, worn-out cart made noisy sounds.

It was a cart for carrying manure, giving off a rich but pungent smell.

The cart traveled the bumpy road loaded with barrels full of manure.

A person, not an ox or horse, pulled the cart, so it was slow.

However, the laborer didn’t stop walking even while sweating profusely.

They had to cross Henan as quickly as possible to survive.

If they were caught by someone from Shaolin Temple spread everywhere, the two’s lives couldn’t be guaranteed.

The forty-something laborer panted heavily and said.

“Please endure a little, great monk. I’ll take you somewhere comfortable soon.”

Tap tap sounds came from the barrel containing manure.

The laborer looked around, confirmed no one was there, and briefly opened the barrel’s lid.

Inside, covered in manure, was a thin and small old monk like a living corpse, crammed in.

He looked at the good laborer who had saved him with grateful eyes and spoke with difficulty.

“…to…”

“Yes?”

“To Sichuan… take me to Sichuan.”

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While Righteous Hero Sword Song Chuk was having his head shaved, his family members cried without rest, calling out Song Chuk’s name.

When the head-shaving ended, the Arhat monk holding the precept knife stepped aside and clasped palms together.

Beom-bon looked at the sight with satisfaction and said.

“Don’t put away the precept knife yet. It seems there’s one more benefactor who has come to renounce the secular world.”

The Arhat monk raised his head, wondering what he meant.

Beom-bon turned his head and said.

As if responding to Beom-bon’s words, a hearty laugh rang out.

Hahaha!

A well-dressed middle-aged man with a dignified bearing was coming toward the Great Buddha.

An appearance with fierce tiger eyes that gave off a hero’s spirit.

It was Baek Li-jung.

Baek Li-jung approached and said to Beom-bon.

“The Great Buddha has misunderstood. I have no intention of becoming a monk yet.”

The words came from far away, yet Baek Li-jung was already before the Great Buddha.

Beom-bon lowered his head from atop the cart to look down and half-opened his eyes.

“Mmm?”

Baek Li-jung met Beom-bon’s gaze without flinching. Beom-bon muttered.

“How strange. Strange. Why is it not a ghost? Did I see wrong?”

Baek Li-jung answered Beom-bon’s words.

“Originally, all ends converge to one. Just as the abbot who has transcended Buddhist law feels like a demon rather than Buddha.”

Beom-bon smiled, stretching his lips long.

To others listening, it was a bewildering statement.

Baek Li-jung suggested.

“Let’s move locations.”

“Let’s do that.”

Suddenly, Beom-bon floated up while still sitting cross-legged on the cart.

Kuuung!

As if a seated Buddha was flying away, Beom-bon’s figure instantly disappeared to the distance and Baek Li-jung followed.

***

On the roof of a deserted abandoned house.

Beom-bon sat cross-legged facing Baek Li-jung.

“I’d like to hear the full story at length, but please understand that this humble monk is busy. And, depending on how the story goes…”

The warmly smiling Beom-bon’s eyes opened.

“Please understand that I may have to forcibly strip your scalp right here and convert you by force.”

“That won’t happen.”

Baek Li-jung looked at Beom-bon with a determined expression filled with firm heroism and said.

“Due to the former alliance leader’s corruption, the Martial Arts Alliance has scattered in all directions and the martial world has fights breaking out every day from the squabbles of greedy people.”

Beom-bon nodded his head.

“That’s right. This humble monk’s thoughts are the same. That’s why, despite others’ pointing fingers, I’ve set out on the Righteous Dharma Walk, burning my own body.”

“That alone won’t do. At best, Great Buddha, Shaolin Temple will follow the former leader’s footsteps. You’re already running toward failure.”

“Failure and success only follow Buddha’s will, so this humble monk doesn’t fear failure. However, I’m not too pleased to hear you say I’m failing from the start. I’m curious why you think so.”

“The former alliance leader, Taoist Haewol, was originally a righteous Taoist who gave his life for the martial world’s chivalry.”

Huhuhu.

Beom-bon laughed.

“Amusing words. This humble monk also knew of Taoist Haewol’s righteousness beforehand. But it’s puzzling. Wasn’t it actually you who slandered Taoist Haewol?”

“It wasn’t me. He brought it upon himself trying to realize ideals beyond his capacity.”

“A fresh interpretation. But this humble monk has doubts. The work that even Taoist Haewol failed at. How do you plan to succeed?”

“The former alliance leader…”

Baek Li-jung paused briefly then continued.

“Shared his possessions with people. He distributed wealth, land, and positions, so people gathered, and those who gathered listened to the alliance leader’s words. It was quite a good method. But soon there wasn’t enough to distribute. Because of that, the alliance leader attacked the Northern Heavens’ Evil Sect and drove out the Zoroastrian Cult to take what they had and distribute it to those who followed him. Continuing like this for decades, the festering problem finally burst.”

“…”

Beom-bon didn’t answer, thinking carefully.

Baek Li-jung stated the answer himself.

“When the Evil Sect and demonic cults disappeared and there was nothing left to share, the alliance leader’s power weakened. Existing forces stagnated and rotted because expansion became impossible, and because established forces had divided up all the spoils, new forces couldn’t find room to join even if they wanted to.”

Beom-bon nodded.

“This humble monk personally respected Taoist Haewol greatly, but I felt his methods were incomplete.”

“That’s right. Sharing, bestowing things is inevitably doomed to fail due to shortage of wealth. In the end, the former alliance leader brought in the Zoroastrian Cult and had them invade the martial world. He reached the point where he had no choice but to take the land and wealth the Zoroastrian Cult took from invading the martial world and redistribute it. Unable to let go of power, he became corrupted.”

Beom-bon asked.

“However, wealth is still needed to make people gather. We know that method is most efficient, has high feasibility, and won’t be betrayed as long as the supply of wealth continues.”

“That’s right. At least we both agree on that point. So that’s why the abbot is making a mistake now.”

“Please elaborate.”

“After purifying all malice through the Righteous Dharma Walk, how will you govern those who remain afterward? The martial world is vast and Shaolin Temple’s resources are finite. Even the Arhat monks with powerful martial prowess can’t embrace the entire martial world, and Shaolin Temple’s finances handling hundreds of thousands of taels annually have limits. Eventually, you can keep Henan and nearby provincial capitals under Shaolin Temple’s hand for a long time, but the rest beyond your reach will soon defect.”

Beom-bon nodded repeatedly.

“This humble monk has pondered this for a long time too. But I could no longer delay, so I set out on the Righteous Dharma Walk. Then let me ask.”

Beom-bon looked at Baek Li-jung.

“Do you have a method?”

“I do.”

“If you can do it, can’t our Shaolin do it too?”

Baek Li-jung answered confidently.

“Shaolin Temple cannot. But I can.”

“Hmm.”

Baek Li-jung didn’t continue, and Beom-bon didn’t rush him.

Baek Li-jung had come to make a deal.

If he heard the rest, Beom-bon would have to respond to Baek Li-jung’s deal.

Beom-bon decided with a cautious expression.

“I’ll listen.”

Baek Li-jung answered seriously but firmly.

“I won’t distribute like the former alliance leader. Rather, I’ll collect from those who follow me.”

Beom-bon’s narrow slitted eyes flashed.

“Do you mean…? You’ll sell offices and positions?”

“Depending on circumstances. But that’s only part of it. I’m not a bandit. I won’t forcibly covet others’ belongings. I’ll make them voluntarily offer them up.”

Baek Li-jung said emphatically.

“The Martial Arts Alliance is not a relief organization. It’s responsible for the martial world’s peace and security. So shouldn’t it receive rather than give to be proper!”

“Huh.”

Beom-bon looked at Baek Li-jung.

He could feel tremendous will.

Moreover, his spirit was formidable too. Ultimately, attracting people with wealth was the same as Taoist Haewol.

But rather than just distributing and collapsing like Taoist Haewol, he would actually collect!

“Wealth gathering in one place…”

When enough wealth to move the martial world gathered in one place, there was no need to elaborate on how powerful that force would be. Especially if one stood in the position to distribute that wealth!

“I want to hear the exact method.”

Baek Li-jung said.

“The Righteous Dharma Walk must not stop. Rather, it should be promoted even more strongly than now.”

“Of course.”

“However, the abbot need not give them the opportunity to atone on their own.”

He was referring to the method of escaping the Righteous Dharma Walk by shaving their heads and having one family member accepted into Shaolin Temple.

“No matter how vast Shaolin Temple may be, it cannot accept all of the martial world as monks.”

“You mean?”

“I’ll do that. I’ll accept those who repent and have them join the Martial Arts Alliance to contribute to the martial world’s peace. Thereby, I’ll give them the opportunity to atone!”

Of course, as the price to escape Shaolin Temple’s Righteous Dharma Walk, he would also receive the wealth they possessed. That was something Beom-bon could understand without it being said.

Beom-bon fell into thought for a moment.

Then he nodded repeatedly in admiration.

“So that’s why you said our temple cannot do it. Remarkable. Truly tremendous persuasive power. This Beom-bon is impressed.”

“No need to be impressed. This is something I cannot do alone unless it’s Shaolin Temple, and unless it’s now.”

“No, no. That’s not what I mean.”

Beom-bon raised his huge hand upward and spread his palm.

“I’m saying this because one who hasn’t even transcended demonhood dares to make proposals to this humble monk from an equal position.”

Beom-bon’s thinly opened eyes grew slightly larger.

“This humble monk does not compromise with the demonic path. This is my answer.”

Baek Li-jung also widened his eyes.

Beom-bon’s palm came down as if to crush Baek Li-jung flat.

Kwaaang!

The roof of the abandoned house collapsed completely.

Dust rose like clouds and broken roof tiles scattered.

Baek Li-jung didn’t move. Though the roof collapsed and he fell below, he remained standing.

Beom-bon’s palm that fell together pressed on the floor ahead, not on Baek Li-jung.

Baek Li-jung’s face looking at Beom-bon was flushed red, burning crimson. A subtle mystical energy swirled around his eyes.

No demonic energy could be felt at all.

But there was a howl from inside Baek Li-jung.

Kiyaaaaaa!

Beom-bon smiled faintly.

“To suppress demonic energy to the very end. Admirable. Soon you’ll surpass transcending demonhood and reach shedding demonhood. Once you reach shedding demonhood, no one will recognize the demon within the ‘alliance leader.’ It seems great fortune has come to the martial world.”

Only then did Baek Li-jung also smile.

Beom-bon had tested Baek Li-jung. If Baek Li-jung had been in a state where he had completely lost control beyond demonhood, Beom-bon’s palm would likely have struck Baek Li-jung’s crown.

Baek Li-jung said.

“In this world’s defiled land, we are all Buddha and demon and Asura. No one is perfect. I won’t deny that I too entered the demonic path. However, by accumulating many merits through the demonic path in this world, when I’m reborn in the Pure Land, I’ll become Buddha.”

“That’s called rebirth in paradise.”

“I will be reborn in paradise.”

Baek Li-jung and Beom-bon smiled.

The Demon and Buddha joined hands.

***

Creak creak.

An old, worn-out cart made noisy sounds.

It was a cart for carrying manure, giving off a rich but pungent smell.

The cart traveled the bumpy road loaded with barrels full of manure.

A person, not an ox or horse, pulled the cart, so it was slow.

However, the laborer didn’t stop walking even while sweating profusely.

They had to cross Henan as quickly as possible to survive.

If they were caught by someone from Shaolin Temple spread everywhere, the two’s lives couldn’t be guaranteed.

The forty-something laborer panted heavily and said.

“Please endure a little, great monk. I’ll take you somewhere comfortable soon.”

Tap tap sounds came from the barrel containing manure.

The laborer looked around, confirmed no one was there, and briefly opened the barrel’s lid.

Inside, covered in manure, was a thin and small old monk like a living corpse, crammed in.

He looked at the good laborer who had saved him with grateful eyes and spoke with difficulty.

“…to…”

“Yes?”

“To Sichuan… take me to Sichuan.”

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