Chapter 1161: What Should We Do? (Part 1)

"Bangjang, this is..."

Even as he walked towards the tightly closed main gate of the manor, there was no hesitation in Beopjeong's steps.

Jonglihyung, who followed him at a brisk pace, urgently tried to dissuade him with a complex expression.

"Bangjang, it was definitely I who said that there was no point in just wasting time like this. However, even so, this is too..."

"Amitabul." [yeah...i'm reserving "amitabha" only for hye yeon now...•`_´•]

Softly rejecting Jonglihyung's concern, Beopjeong turned to look at him with a smile.

"Sect Leader."

"Yes?"

"Thank you, Sect Leader. Thanks to your words, my eyes have been opened."

"What, what are you talking about?"

"You told me to think about the best outcome. Yes, I clearly said that. However..."

Beopjeong nodded slowly.

"Thanks to those words, I realized. What I should do now, what is the right path."

"O-Oh, Bangjang."

"Right... Yes, that's right. That's what it meant. I don't know what I've been looking at all this time. They say even a small delusion grows endlessly and devours people. It seems I've fallen into that delusion. Thanks to that, I woke up as if splashed with cold water."

Jonglihyung wiped the sweat off his forehead.

"Bangjang...How could I possibly guess your deep intentions, Bangjang? But no matter how deep your intention is, suddenly visiting the place where they reside..."

"What could possibly be wrong with that?"

"If it's so urgent, wouldn't it have been better to call them instead? If the word spreads that the Sect Leader of Shaolin visited the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, people might misunderstand."

"Haha. That won't happen."

"Yes?"

Beopjeong smiled slyly and nodded.

"Previously, Hyun Jong came to see me, so this time, it's only fitting that I go to see him."

"H-How can that be fitting? Your positions are different, and your statuses are different."

"Well, I don't have any reservations. Rather, I feel fortunate we don't stay too far from them. Since I've made up my mind, I can meet them like this."

"..."

"Don't worry. Everything will be fine."

A deep sigh escaped from Jonglihyung's lips.

"May I ask what you are trying to do?"

"What could be difficult to answer? I am reaching out to them."

"Yes? B-Bangjang. Haven't we already crossed a river that cannot be turned back with the Heavenly Comrade Alliance?"

"It can still be turned back."

Jonglihyung looked at Beopjeong with a bewildered expression.

"W-Well, what will you do if they reject the proposal?"

"That won't happen." [ ◡̈ ]

"But if it does..."

"Well, I don't know. I don't think it will happen with the people I know, but if such a thing were to occur..." 

Beopjeong's eyes slightly darkened.

"No, such a thing won't happen. You don't need to worry."

Jonglihyung followed Beopjeong, shaking his head anxiously.

'What kind of proposal is he planning to make?'

The person who had been groaning in his room for days suddenly burst out of the door, headed towards the Heavenly Comrade Alliance without looking back. What was strange was that Beopjeong's expression, unlike before, was incredibly fresh.

'Did he suddenly have a great awakening or something?'

Asking wouldn't get an answer, so it was frustrating.

'I can only watch.'

The guards at the main gate were at a loss when they saw Beopjeong approaching. It was entirely understandable. Could they have ever imagined the leader of Shaolin suddenly visiting them?

It was fortunate that they could recognize him from afar, having seen him before.

"Sect Lea... No, is the Maengju-nim inside?"

"B-Bangjang, greetings."

"Haha. No need to be so tense. I just came to have a talk."

"Th-the manor is ready. P-please come in!"

"Did you receive an order to let me in?"

"N-No, but..."

"Then I will wait here. Entering without the owner's permission would be against etiquette, wouldn't it?"

"Well..."

The guards exchanged nervous glances with trembling eyes, unsure of how to respond.

Fortunately, at that moment, the inner door opened on its own with a bang.

Hyun Jong, clearly embarrassed, forcefully opened the door. Catching the sight of Beopjeong and Jonglihyung waiting outside, Hyun Jong gasped a little. Then he spoke.

"...Welcome, Bangjang."

"Maengju-nim, have you been well?"

Facing the slow salute from Beopjeong, Hyun Jong also reciprocated deeply.

"I would have come to greet you if you had sent word in advance. Why suddenly, without any notice..."

"I thought of dropping by. Once the thought crossed my mind, there wasn't time to leisurely prepare. I apologize, Maengju-nim."

"No need. It's an unexpected pleasure."

"The person accompanying me is the Sect Leader of the Kongtong sect, Jonglihyung. Have you two met before?"

"I am Hyun Jong of Mount Hua. Delighted to meet the Sect Leader Jonglihyung."

"No, Maengju-nim. I am more honored."

Hyun Jong offered a bright smile, but his eyes carried a hint of suspicion as he observed Beopjeong.

The last time they met, Beopjeong had shown his emotions openly. However, the present Beopjeong seemed quite different. Instead of the tension sensed initially, there was a sense of ease and softness.

"Please come inside."

Hyun Jong suggested.

"Then, I won't be impolite. Thank you."

Beopjeong followed Hyun Jong into the manor.

Behind Hyun Jong's every step, Beopjeong, who followed him, soon faced the people waiting in the manor.

"I'm glad to see everyone after a long time."

Beopjeong greeted with a warm smile. Some responded with subtle displeasure, furrowing their brows, while others nodded in agreement. Nevertheless, most were busy concealing their uneasy feelings.

"It seems the head of the Tang Family is also present."

"Where else should I be? Nice to see you, Bangjang."

"Sogaju as well."

"...Nice to meet you."

Perhaps because their last encounter hadn't been pleasant, Namgung Dowi was unable to display his usual neat courtesy.

"This side?"

"Yes. The individuals here are the palace lords of Beast Palace and Ice Palace."

"I see."

Beopjeong smiled broadly.

"I am truly delighted to meet esteemed individuals."

"I am Maeng So."

"And I am Seol So Baek."

This time, Beopjeong nodded lightly without assuming a half-bow.

Slowly raising his head, Beopjeong's gaze turned towards someone in the back. The voice burst out as if it had been waiting.

"What, you're back again thinking there's something to feast on... Eup! Eup-eup! Eueeueup!"

Baek Cheon, Yoon Jong, and Jo Gol simultaneously covered Chung Myung's mouth.

For the first time, a sigh escaped from Beopjeong's lips.

"You are still the same."

"Eup! Eup!"

Chung Myung, whose arms and legs were grabbed by Yoo Iseol and Tang Soso, shouted something with a flaming face, but unfortunately, his words were not heard.

After shaking his head, Beopjeong turned to the others and spoke in a gentle tone.

"I am filled with the desire to chat with all of you, but please understand that I did not come for personal matters, and I cannot spend an extended period."

"Oh, no."

"You must attend to official duties."

"Thank you for your understanding."

Beopjeong's gaze reached Hyun Jong.

"Maengju-nim. I would like to meet separately for a moment."

"That's fine, Bangjang."

Beopjeong's gaze then landed on Tang Gunak.

"And also, Tang Gaju."

"I will do so."

When the others, excluding Hyun Jong and Tang Gunak, began to step back, Beopjeong spoke again.

"Sogaju-nim, please come as well."

"...Are you serious?"

"Yes."

Namgung Dowi nodded with a stern face.

"I understand."

Beopjeong bowed his head towards Meng So and Seol So Baek.

"Originally, it is only natural to invite both of you. However, as what I am about to discuss is a sensitive matter within the Central Plains, I cannot recommend sitting together. Please forgive me for that."

"Don't worry. We completely understand."

"Yes, it's okay."

Beopjeong, with a smile, looked at Chung Myung, who was making noises and writhing with a strange expression.

"You too, come in, and the other Mount Hua disciples with you."

"…Are we included?"

"If you're not there, who will stop Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword from beating me to death?"

"W-What…"

"Hahaha."

At Beopjeong's joke, Jo Gol's face reddened.

"But… I don't see an important figure?"

"Yes?"

At that moment, Yoo Iseol nodded towards the corner.

"There."

"Huh?"

Yoon Jong, who had turned his head toward the direction Yoo Iseol pointed, furrowed his brow.

"…What on earth are you doing there, Nokrim King?"

Behind the Beomchung's broad back, Im Sobyeong, who had his head covered, was sitting crouched. He was startled and quickly rolled his eyes.

"Haha… I am…."

"Well, well… Nokrim King."

Beopjeong smiled broadly as he looked at Im Sobyeong.

"How about it? Are you coming?"

"Hiyeeeeek!"

"Huh?"

"I-I apologize! I won't do anything bad again!"

"…."

"I-I didn't intend to become a bandit!"

"Nokrim…."

"Uwaaaaah!"

Im Sobyeong screamed and ran away behind the corner. Everyone stared blankly at the scene. Even Beopjeong was wide-eyed and blinked. Yoon Jong, who couldn't believe his eyes, turned to Baek Cheon as if asking for an explanation.

"Why… Why is he like that?"

"Well."

Baek Cheon scratched his cheek with a humble expression.

"I heard it from that gentleman before. He said if you gathered the corpses of all bandits who were beaten to death by Shaolin, they would fill half of the Yangtze River."

"…."

"Namgung might be unpleasant, but it seems Shaolin is terrifying. Even if you try to resist, it doesn't work, as if engraved in blood."

"Does that make sense?"

"They say only cowards survive in Nokrim, but I don't really understand what it means." [idk]

"So why is it different for Monk Hye Yeon?"

"They say it's natural for heretics to transform into bandits, so he's not scary."

"...But he didn't commit heresy."

Beopjeong, who had been looking at Im Sobyeong's empty seat with a bewildered expression, shook his head. Hyun Jong guided him as if he were embarrassed.

"This way, please."

"Yes. Thank you, Maengju-nim."

As the members who agreed to attend moved inside, Seol So Baek, who remained in the room watching, tilted his head.

"He seems a bit different from what I've heard."

"Which part is different?"

In response to Meng So's words, Seol So Baek furrowed his brow slightly.

"From what I've heard so far, he seemed like a really bad person..."

"But seeing him now, he seems like a better person than you thought."

"...Yes. Maybe he just looks that way?"

"No. Perhaps this Beopjeong person might be as good a person as you think."

"...What? Then why…?"

Meng So slowly crossed his arms. Then, glancing at the door where Beopjeong entered, he muttered softly.

"Sometimes, a righteous person can be more frightening than a villain."

Seol So Baek tilted his head as if it was difficult to understand.