“How is it?”

“It is excellent.”

“Heh heh. If it suits you, then that is enough.”

Before Venerable Gonggong, who was laughing heartily, a large monk in his mid-thirties was drinking tea.

Admiration settled on Venerable Gonggong’s face.

“It has been five years since you kicked away the position of First Arhat with your own feet and entered wall-facing meditation. Your efforts during that time have borne fruit. You are not lacking as the next Arhat Hall Master.”

The monk, Beomo, shook his head.

“I have no interest in the position of Arhat Hall Master. So long as I can consistently test martial skill against others, that is enough for me.”

Venerable Gonggong clicked his tongue.

“The Buddhist path does not divide learning from martial arts, so I thought the training you underwent during this time might calm the competitive spirit lodged in your heart. Yet somehow, it seems worse than before you entered wall-facing meditation.”

“Haha.”

Beomo smiled.

“I have cast myself into the Buddhist path, so someday this competitive spirit of mine will also become gentle beneath the Buddha’s compassion.”

“Tsk. What nonsense. Before relying on the Buddhist path, you had best govern that red-hot heart of yours first.”

“I should. I am aware of it.”

Venerable Gonggong shook his head.

“You inherited my senior brother’s lineage, so it is not as if I cannot understand that rough nature of yours. However, conflict always invites calamity. I trust you will handle yourself, but you must always lower your head and strive to look first upon the lives of suffering sentient beings.”

“I will keep it in mind.”

After Shaolin earned its fame as the sun of the martial world, it threw itself into countless conflicts.

That was not because Shaolin Temple coveted the secular world. Most of those conflicts were for the sake of punishing evil, and that was why the name of Shaolin had endured for a thousand years.

But those years of trial had also brought great change to Shaolin. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Once Shaolin set foot in the world, martial power capable of resolving the world’s turmoil became essential. If it abandoned the repulsion of foreign invasions and the conversion of evil while speaking only of the Buddha’s teachings, even more sentient beings would suffer.

That was why the Arhat Hall, the symbol of Shaolin martial arts, had been born. And the Arhat Hall Master was the warrior monk who represented Shaolin’s martial power.

Of course, there were plenty of warrior monks whose actual martial skill was stronger than the Arhat Hall Master’s. Even so, the position of Arhat Hall Master was extraordinary because it represented Shaolin’s will itself.

From childhood, Beomo had been born with martial talent, and he had surpassed not only his fellow disciples but even the level of his senior brothers by a staggering margin.

That was truly astonishing. Shaolin martial arts were founded not merely on simple talent, but on a deep understanding of the Buddhist path.

In other words, Beomo was not simply a martial brute. With his outstanding perception and deep understanding of Buddhist doctrine, he had received all of Shaolin’s expectations and had been designated as a talent who might become the next abbot.

But heaven did not grant everything to one person.

Beomo had been born with exceptional talent in Shaolin martial arts, but his desire to win was far too strong.

That fiery competitive spirit did not lessen even as he grew older, and in the end, the prevailing opinion became that before making him the next abbot, they should first entrust him with the Arhat Hall.

And now that he had completed five years of wall-facing meditation and emerged.

Beomo had accumulated enough martial power to be fully qualified as Arhat Hall Master, but he had still not abandoned that fiery competitive spirit.

“Competitive spirit is not something that can be governed simply because one decides to govern it. Your martial talent is outstanding beyond question, but in this world, there are many talents who rival you, or even aim beyond you.”

Beomo smiled faintly.

“Is that so?”

Just by seeing that smile, Venerable Gonggong knew Beomo did not acknowledge his words.

Venerable Gonggong clicked his tongue.

“Anyone who learns martial arts can harbor competitive spirit. But arrogance is a different matter. Perhaps your five years of wall-facing meditation were not a success, but a failure.”

Beomo’s expression changed completely.

His abbot martial uncle had always scolded him, saying that though he understood the Buddhist path, his Buddhist heart was shallow. But he had never received a reprimand like this.

Beomo bowed his head.

“This disciple-nephew was foolish. I will reflect on it.”

At least in honesty, Beomo was second to none. Venerable Gonggong read sincerity in Beomo’s apology.

Venerable Gonggong nodded and said,

“There are many opponents under heaven who can quiet competitive spirit. But the only person who can quiet arrogance is oneself. Keep that in mind.”

“I will keep it in mind, Abbot Martial Uncle.”

“Good.”

The two spoke together quietly for quite some time after that.

“Oh?”

Beomo’s eyes changed as well.

“This aura is......?”

Venerable Gonggong smacked his lips.

“He is releasing his qi wave without the slightest hesitation. It is not as if I do not know that man’s nature, but truly, he has no restraint.”

“Who is it?”

“Can you not feel it? That suffocating poison qi lodged within this deep, pure sharpness?”

“Then......?!”

“Yes. It seems the master of the Tang Clan of Sichuan has business with me. And......”

Venerable Gonggong’s expression turned strange.

“What a peculiar combination. The head of the Tang Clan and the head of the Evil-Smiting Corps together?”

“Pardon?”

“It seems you cannot feel him.”

“......?”

“Well, that is understandable. His martial arts must have grown again while I have not seen him. Truly astonishing. Clan Lord Yeon’s face will never be without a smile.”

“By Clan Lord Yeon, do you mean?”

“I mean the Judge Sword, Clan Lord of the Yeon Clan of Green Mountain, the foremost clan of Gangdong. His eldest son is coming with Clan Lord Tang.”

Shock rose on Beomo’s face.

“You mean Clan Lord Tang is not coming alone?”

“He is even coming ahead of Clan Lord Tang.”

Beomo was stunned.

No matter how intense Tang Gwan’s presence was, the fact that he had failed to read the presence of someone else ahead of him was shocking.

Clan Lord Yeon’s eldest son?

Moreover, judging from his abbot martial uncle’s words, he did not seem that old. Clan Lord Yeon was not yet fifty, so even his eldest son could only be around thirty at most.

But how?!

Shaolin martial arts were absolute. Shaolin was the sect of Venerable Muheo, the Fist God, who was said to be closest to being the greatest under heaven among the Thirteen Seats of the Supreme Heavens along with the Sword Immortal.

Though Beomo’s martial arts did not reach even the feet of Venerable Muheo, his great martial uncle, or Venerable Gonggong, his martial uncle, he had still learned orthodox Shaolin martial arts and reached his own level.

And yet he had not known. He could not read that presence at all.

Impossible!

A short while later.

“Venerable Abbot. The Clan Lord of the Tang Clan and the Commander of the Evil-Smiting Corps request an audience. What should I do?”

“Show them in.”

“Understood.”

Rrrk.

The door opened, and Tang Gwan and Yeon Hojeong appeared.

Venerable Gonggong greeted the two with a smile.

“Heh heh. Welcome, both of you.”

Tang Gwan briefly cupped his fist.

“I have come without notice.”

Even Tang Gwan, of all people, had no choice but to observe a certain level of formality before Venerable Gonggong.

It was not because this was Shaolin. Though they had clashed over this and that, Venerable Gonggong was “real.” Among the many people inside the Alliance, he was one of the few whom Tang Gwan properly respected.

Yeon Hojeong also bowed his head politely.

“Venerable.”

“It has been a long time, Commander Yeon.”

“It has.”

Genuine admiration showed on Venerable Gonggong’s face.

“Just how much do you intend to surprise people?”

“Pardon?”

“Before the joint campaign of Demon-Sweeping & Evil-Smiting, we once exchanged a few moves. The martial arts you showed then were also extremely outstanding. But seeing you now, you have advanced far beyond that time.”

“You praise me too much.”

“It is not excessive praise. If you have advanced that much in what seems to be barely half a year, then truly, your talent must be heaven-sent.”

Yeon Hojeong smiled bitterly.

“I only gained a small realization. Besides, my father’s help was great.”

“Heh heh. The you I know is strong by nature and utterly direct. Yet you are not arrogant. A stance strict toward yourself, as much as your nature knows no satisfaction. You are an example to every martial artist under heaven.”

Venerable Gonggong praised Yeon Hojeong more than necessary. It was because he hoped Beomo, right beside him, would hear it and realize something.

“I have spoken too much for no reason. Please, sit first.”

“Very well.”

Tang Gwan and Yeon Hojeong sat across from Venerable Gonggong.

Even after entering the room, neither of them gave Beomo ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) a single glance. They knew he was a fairly strong master, but judged he was not extraordinary enough to keep paying attention to.

Beomo’s eyes gleamed fiercely.

He had already been shocked by reading the presence of the two. But what bothered him even more was the fact that these two were truly not interested in him.

“.......”

An indescribable emotion slowly crept up inside him. Beneath the edge of his robe, his fist tightened.

Venerable Gonggong asked with a puzzled face,

“So, what brings the two of you to this poor monk’s quarters without notice?”

Tang Gwan glanced at Yeon Hojeong.

“This impudent brat told me to come with him to your quarters.”

“Huh?”

“When I asked him why, he said he would tell me once we arrived. I do not really know why this fellow came to see you either.”

Venerable Gonggong turned his gaze to Yeon Hojeong.

“Commander Yeon?”

Yeon Hojeong smiled.

“Venerable.”

“Speak.”

“I will ask directly.”

“Please do.”

“Will you be staying out of this year’s Martial Alliance Leader election?”

Tang Gwan, of course, and even Beomo were startled.

Venerable Gonggong smiled faintly.

“You have brought up a truly sensitive subject. Should I say that is just like you?”

“I can only apologize for asking such a discourteous question without warning.”

“Heh heh heh.”

Venerable Gonggong stroked his beard. Though he was said to possess a calmness like diamond, Yeon Hojeong’s question was such an important matter that it was difficult to answer carelessly.

“Before I answer, I too would like to ask one thing.”

“Yes.”

“I have heard that there are three Service Lords standing as candidates in the election. Of course, the strategist did not tell me the personal details of those candidates.”

“That is fair handling of business.”

“But I can predict them. I am uncertain about the last one, however.”

“I thought you would be.”

Venerable Gonggong looked at Tang Gwan.

“Are you supporting Clan Lord Tang from behind?”

Yeon Hojeong smiled.

“I am not a sponsor, but somehow it seems I will also end up riding this current.”

The meaning of those words was clear.

Tang Gwan would stand as a candidate in the election. And though Yeon Hojeong was not Tang Gwan’s sponsor, he would move as good as one.

Venerable Gonggong closed his eyes.

“I see. Clan Lord Yeon has become Clan Lord Tang’s sponsor.”

“Your insight truly is remarkable, Venerable.”

“What insight? Anyone could infer it just by looking at how matters are moving.”

“I also learned from your words, Venerable. I had been curious who the other sponsor was, and it seems that person is not you.”

“Heh heh heh.”

What a truly slippery snake of a fellow.

Venerable Gonggong asked, still smiling from beginning to end.

“Very well. I understand that Clan Lord Yeon is sponsoring Clan Lord Tang. In truth, once the bell marking the start of the election rings, everyone will know that anyway, so knowing it early may not change anything.”

“It may. Or it may not.”

“So, you are asking whether I will participate in the election?”

“Yes.”

“I have no intention of doing so.”

“I knew you would say that.”

“Then why do you ask?”

Yeon Hojeong’s face turned serious.

“Because I was hoping to receive some help in making Clan Lord Tang Vice Alliance Leader.”