Chapter 418: Between Peace and Strife (4)

“Venerable Master.”

“Hoho, I hope I am not intruding by coming here when you must be terribly busy with official matters.”

“How could that be? Please, sit.”

“Then I shall accept your hospitality.”

A short while later, Venerable Gonggong and Je Gal Munho sat across from each other at a tea table.

Unlike usual, Venerable Gonggong asked directly.

“What is the current situation in Guangdong?”

“Judging only from the reports we have received so far, it would be difficult to call it favorable.”

Je Gal Munho spoke while calmly examining several documents.

“I will explain based only on the reports that have arrived. First...”

Je Gal Munho conveyed the situation precisely as it had been organized, completely excluding his own opinions.

Venerable Gonggong’s eyes deepened.

“I see.”

“The fortunate part is that we managed to capture one of the Perverse Lust Cult’s high-ranking masters. This can be considered a truly significant achievement. The Divine Flame Cult’s Second Martial General, currently imprisoned in the Martial Alliance’s Brain Prison, is practically no longer in his right mind. In such circumstances, capturing a high-ranking figure is an impressive accomplishment.”

“The problem is that if their side’s situation deteriorates, even such a great achievement will lose its meaning.”

“Exactly.”

A sharp light flashed in Je Gal Munho’s eyes.

“Another fortunate point is that, thanks to the Intelligence Division advisor personally participating in this operation, we can quickly identify the locations of Guangdong’s high-ranking officials.”

“I see.”

“If the reports are accurate, the target of the current Yin God, Yayul Jeok—the hound of the Perverse Lust Cult—will most likely be the Office of Provincial Administration.”

“I believe the same. If the Office of Provincial Administration’s system collapses, Guangdong Province will fall into chaos in an instant. Given the region’s characteristics, restoring public sentiment and rebuilding the administrative structure after such a collapse would take several times longer than in other regions.”

A hint of surprise appeared on Je Gal Munho’s face.

“Remarkable. You seem to understand Guangdong Province’s current situation quite well, Venerable Master.”

It was not that he underestimated Venerable Gonggong.

However, Guangdong Province was the southernmost edge of the Central Plains. Though its proximity to the sea made trade flourish, it did not have a particularly strong influence on the Central Plains economy and had developed independently. Even an experienced old warrior would find it difficult to understand the region’s true circumstances without experience there.

Venerable Gonggong smiled.

“I happen to know many people there. I do not know as much as a strategist would, but I understand it to some extent.”

“That is truly impressive.”

Je Gal Munho’s eyes lit up.

“So that was why.”

“Hmm?”

“That was why you ordered the Gate Master of the Vajra Fist Gate to go to Foshan.”

Venerable Gonggong gave a bitter smile.

“You already knew.”

“Ah, I should clarify in case you misunderstand. I am not upset in the slightest. Since it was something you did, I assumed there must have been a reason behind it.”

“Of course, there was a reason. However, I was so troubled while considering matters alone that I forgot a procedure that should have been obvious.”

Je Gal Munho did not deny it.

Regardless of the intention, sending an ally separately without informing the strategist responsible for the operation had been a mistake.

Chains of command did not exist without reason. Even if Venerable Gonggong had been the Martial Alliance Leader, this would still have been wrong.

Venerable Gonggong quietly recited a Buddhist phrase.

“I came to explain this matter even now. But hearing that you already knew... this old man is truly ashamed.”

“Haha, it is fine. But next time, please inform me beforehand.”

“Of course I will. In fact, there will be no such incident again.”

“Then why Foshan?”

Venerable Gonggong’s eyes grew serious.

“I have already spoken with the Daoist sect leader of Wudang as well. Great elders of Buddhism from across the Central Plains are gathered there.”

Je Gal Munho’s face showed surprise after hearing the brief explanation.

“Great Buddhist masters from various regions are there? Why would they be in that place...?”

“I apologize. This concerns all of Buddhism in the Central Plains. Even if you are the strategist, it is difficult for me to speak of it with my own mouth.”

“Ah, is that so?”

“At the same time, because you are both the Wudang sect leader and the strategist, I will tell you this much. I believe that the two of you, at least, would not interfere with that place.”

Je Gal Munho smiled.

“Of course not. This concerns Shaolin, the greatest force among the Buddhist schools of the Central Plains. Even the most curious person in the world would first shake their head.”

He meant it sincerely.

The Nine Sects and One Union and the Six Great Clans all possessed hidden matters they did not reveal publicly.

They could be humanitarian affairs, matters concerning the survival of a sect, or—though one hoped otherwise—terribly dark secrets.

If it were merely a matter of an individual sect, Venerable Gonggong would have hidden it completely. But if all of Buddhism in the Central Plains was involved, even Je Gal Munho would hesitate to investigate.

“But that is truly astonishing. That legendary Buddhist masters who cultivated Buddhist martial arts are gathered there...”

“To be precise, there are far more scholarly monks than warrior monks.”

“I see.”

“They are people who abandoned the path toward enlightenment and instead devoted the remainder of their lives to Buddhism itself. My feelings are complicated as well, asking such people for help. However, what else can I do? If things go wrong, the lives of ordinary people may be destroyed by an invasion from outside powers.”

“That is truly admirable. However, what I wonder is this: if you intended to tell me directly, could we not have taken this into account when planning the operation?”

Venerable Gonggong sighed.

“That is precisely why.”

“What do you mean?”

“They will not easily move even if I ask them. They have half withdrawn from the Buddhist path, and they are people who burn away their entire lives for a single purpose.”

“......!”

“I did not wish to affect the operation with something whose possibility of success I could not confirm. Even if they could help, this matter is ultimately the responsibility of the Martial Alliance, is it not? I would be grateful if they assisted, but I do not believe it would be right to criticize them for refusing.”

Je Gal Munho nodded.

“I understand what you mean.”

Even while saying that ordinary people’s lives could be ruined, he still drew a clear line and stated that this was ultimately the Martial Alliance’s responsibility.

At first glance, it might seem contradictory.

But in truth, it demonstrated Venerable Gonggong’s exceptional ability to distinguish between personal responsibility and organizational responsibility.

He could not stand by while the lives of ordinary people were destroyed. Yet there was an unavoidable distinction between those who took responsibility and stepped forward, and those who did not.

Although he had failed to inform his own strategist beforehand, this aspect of Venerable Gonggong was precisely one of the qualities required of the leader of an enormous organization like Shaolin.

“If they choose to move, it will be a tremendous help.”

“We can only hope.”

Venerable Gonggong clicked his tongue.

“They are also people deeply familiar with the movements of the government. If they could block even one of the Yin God’s schemes...”

“Excuse me? Familiar with the movements of the government? They are?”

“Of course. Foshan was once a mountain heavily controlled by government authority.”

“......!”

“Without establishing a certain relationship with the government, it would have been absolutely impossible for them to do ‘that thing’ in Foshan.”

“I see...”

Je Gal Munho realized that whatever was happening in Foshan was far greater than he had vaguely imagined.

Venerable Gonggong continued.

“Regardless, it is unfortunate that matters have reached this point. I believe Commander Yeon will somehow handle it well, but...”

“Commander Yeon will do well. As always. However, he is still human. He may make mistakes, and he may face failure. His individual abilities are beyond question, but he may also need to manage people while becoming involved in Guangdong’s politics.”

“Hmm.”

Je Gal Munho shook his head.

“Whether it succeeds or fails, all we can do now is trust him and wait.”

“Hoho. At times like this, I find myself reflecting on how we hide away in the Martial Alliance’s chambers, using age as an excuse while merely watching drifting clouds.”

“Do not think that way. In any organization, high-ranking figures cannot move carelessly. I believe you understand that better than anyone.”

Venerable Gonggong silently drank his tea.

He used a sip of tea to force himself to forget the frustration weighing on his heart.

Je Gal Munho watched him quietly, then suddenly exclaimed.

“Ah, and regarding this matter, I had intended to announce it during the council meeting.”

“Hmm?”

A sharp light appeared in Je Gal Munho’s eyes.

“Since we are speaking of Buddhism, may I ask whether you have any connection with Putuo Hermitage?”

“The Putuo Hermitage of the Sword Empress legend?”

“That is correct.”

“Of course. We exchange letters every year.”

“Hmm...”

“What is it?”

“The movements of Putuo Hermitage are unusual.”

Venerable Gonggong’s expression hardened.

“Unusual? What do you mean?”

“We have received reports that internal factional disputes within Putuo Hermitage have become rather chaotic. However, since it was not something we could confirm clearly, we left it alone.”

“......?!”

“Recently, we received intelligence that a high-ranking figure from Putuo Hermitage entered Hunan Province. After analyzing the person’s destination...”

Je Gal Munho cleared his throat.

“The conclusion was that they were heading toward Ink Dragon Manor.”

“......!!”

*****

“Drop. Drop.”

Sweat fell from Lee Cheolgyeong’s forehead, wetting the ground.

“Hmm.”

The pressure contained in the old man’s quiet voice was extraordinary.

“So that is what happened.”

“......Yes.”

“The Abbot must have been quite desperate. Ah, the current abbot is Gonggong, is he not?”

“Yes.”

“Gonggong... Gonggong has long been known for his exceptional abilities. He was regarded as a talent with such skill in many areas that he was more than capable of leading Shaolin.”

“......”

“But I thought differently. Gonggong’s vision of the world was always clear and profound, but his greatest talent was his martial aptitude. If he had devoted his life entirely to that talent and wagered everything on martial arts, then by now he might have surpassed the Limitless Realm and become a Wisdom King, making the glory of Buddhism known throughout the world.”

As he listened to the old man quietly clicking his tongue, cold sweat continued to seep from Lee Cheolgyeong’s forehead.

How old was Venerable Gonggong?

And he was the current abbot of Shaolin.

Both his age and seniority made him a giant recognized throughout the Central Plains.

Yet this old man spoke of him as though he were a child.

It was impossible to estimate the old man’s age or seniority.

“You said you were the bloodline of Brother Lee?”

“Yes.”

“That is unfortunate. Brother cannot move for the time being.”

“Is he perhaps unwell...?”

“Puhah! Unwell? At his age, your great-grandfather is the most vigorous among us. It seems he will live another twenty years at least.”

“Ah! That is a relief.”

“In any case, so this is how things have unfolded?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm. Even so, if he is Shaolin’s abbot, he should know how unreasonable this request is...”

“......”

“Hah! There is no helping it. To investigate this place, the power of officials is essential.”

“Will you help us?”

“We have stepped away from Buddhism to some extent. In other words, we no longer belong to the world.”

“......!”

“The current chaos must be handled by those who are still active. However, given the circumstances, we should at least serve as a shield for a short while.”

“Th-thank you!”

“Do not thank me. More importantly, where is the child from the Beggars’ Union who came with you? We should hear the details first before deciding how to proceed.”

“I will call him immediately!”

“Very well.”

Lee Cheolgyeong left the cave.

The old man sitting inside clicked his tongue and slowly rose to his feet.

“Was it said that a tree wished to remain still, but the wind refused to stop blowing? Truly, what a difficult old age this has become.”