<Chapter 24> The Arhat Divine Skill
* * *
Master Ogong, Beop-Neung, and the Dharma Protectors accompanying them were all dumbfounded.
It wasn’t just them.
Even Namgung So-Min and Jin-Myeong wore expressions of disbelief.
If those around him were this surprised,
How bewildered must Baek Su-Gyeong be?
“You’re joking, right?”
“Hmm, did it sound like a joke?”
Baek Ri-Sa opened his eyes slightly.
His gaze, revealed through his narrow, snake-like eyes, was sharp and calculating.
“I’ve brought a message from our Master. Please accept it.”
He pulled a letter from his sleeve, written by Gal Yeom, and flung it towards Baek Su-Gyeong with a surge of internal energy. Namgung So-Min, standing protectively in front of Baek Su-Gyeong, intercepted it.
A jolt of energy ran through her hand, a testament to the force behind the throw.
It wasn’t a casual toss. He had deliberately infused it with internal energy, likely to test Baek Su-Gyeong’s strength.
Namgung So-Min’s icy gaze turned towards Baek Ri-Sa.
“How dare you…”
“Oh my. You’re quite perceptive, Jade Sword Flower of the Namgung Family.”
“You pulled this stunt even though you know I’m protecting Master?”
She reached for her sword, ready to draw it.
Baek Su-Gyeong stopped her.
“Enough.”
“But Master…”
Her voice softened involuntarily.
She quickly regained her composure, but Baek Su-Gyeong didn’t release her hand.
‘Master is holding my hand…’
“Don’t draw your sword recklessly, Lady Namgung.”
“But Master…”
Baek Su-Gyeong shook his head firmly at her protest.
It wasn’t difficult to understand why he was stopping her.
They were on Mount Song, the Shaolin Temple’s territory.
It would be disrespectful for a guest to draw their sword without permission.
That must have been his reason.
“…As you command, Master.”
Namgung So-Min obeyed.
She wasn’t foolish enough to disobey him and risk upsetting him.
Baek Ri-Sa observed the scene with a curious glint in his eyes.
‘He’s controlling the Jade Sword Flower? A mere scholar?’
He hadn’t expected Namgung So-Min to intercept the letter, but to see her, the renowned Fighting Fairy, back down so easily…
Baek Su-Gyeong was clearly more than he appeared.
‘Intriguing.’
As Baek Ri-Sa’s eyes gleamed with interest,
Jin-Myeong rushed to Namgung So-Min’s side, his expression filled with concern.
“Lady! Are you alright?!”
“I’m fine. It’s nothing.”
Namgung So-Min dismissed his concern and stepped aside, handing the letter to Baek Su-Gyeong.
He accepted it and spoke.
“Lady Namgung, I’ll treat your hand later.”
“No, Master. It’s fine.”
“I’ll feel guilty if you’re injured because of me.”
He silenced her with a single sentence and turned to Baek Ri-Sa.
He held up the letter, his expression cold.
“Do you realize what would have happened if I hadn’t caught this?”
“Of course.”
“Then you have no right to complain if I tear it up right here.”
“Are you rejecting our offer?”
Baek Su-Gyeong chuckled.
“I made a decision after that assassination attempt in Heochang. Do you know what it is?”
“What is it?”
“I’d rather live like a bamboo stalk, breaking under pressure, than be a fool who believes everything a martial artist says.”
Rip!
He tore Gal Yeom’s letter in half.
The torn pieces fluttered to the ground like paper birds.
Baek Su-Gyeong stared at Baek Ri-Sa, his expression icy.
“Don’t underestimate me. I have no reason to play your games. Leave.”
“You’ll regret this.”
“Don’t make me laugh.”
Baek Su-Gyeong’s eyes were cold and sharp, as if he could see through Baek Ri-Sa’s schemes.
“The Underworld King Society is the one in a desperate situation. Do you really think you can push me around?”
Baek Ri-Sa was speechless.
He realized that Baek Su-Gyeong was more than he had anticipated.
If a mere scholar could be this bold, there was only one explanation.
‘He’s confident in his abilities.’
Even the hot-tempered Master Ogong, standing behind him, was holding back.
Of course, Beop-Neung was restraining him, but the fact that Master Ogong, the most impulsive of the Three Disciples, wasn’t interfering meant that he trusted Baek Su-Gyeong.
But he couldn’t sense any aura from him.
It meant that Baek Su-Gyeong had already reached a realm far beyond his comprehension.
He couldn’t risk antagonizing such a master.
He had no choice but to retreat.
“I apologize for my rudeness. I’ll make amends at a later date.”
─Military Advisor Baek! Are you retreating?!
Baek Ri-Sa ignored the secret transmission from Ya Noe’s informant.
This wasn’t the Underworld King Society’s territory.
There was nothing to gain from staying here and losing face.
“Let’s go. We’ll meet again under more favorable circumstances, Master Su-Gyeong.”
“Farewell.”
Baek Su-Gyeong turned away, his response curt and dismissive.
As soon as Baek Ri-Sa and his companions disappeared from sight, Baek Su-Gyeong’s legs almost buckled.
He had bluffed, relying on Master Ogong’s misunderstanding of his abilities.
It seemed to have worked, but it wasn’t a good thing.
If his true identity as a powerless scholar were exposed, everything would fall apart. He could only hope that wouldn’t happen.
“Master.”
“Let’s explore the Shaolin Temple and then head to Luoyang. I need to visit the Dragon Trading Company and see the General Manager.”
“Yes.”
“Then excuse me.”
“S-Sure.”
Baek Su-Gyeong massaged the back of his neck, his movements stiff, and walked past Master Ogong and Beop-Neung, heading back up the mountain path.
Beop-Neung watched him go and spoke.
“I’m convinced that Master Su-Gyeong is a true master, Senior Brother.”
“I agree. I wish I could receive his guidance.”
“Perhaps we could challenge him to a spar…”
Master Ogong shook his head at Beop-Neung’s suggestion.
“Let’s not force him into our affairs. He said he’s going to Luoyang after visiting the Shaolin Temple. Let him go. If fate wills it, we’ll meet again.”
“Yes, Master!”
***
Mu-Won’s doubts had been shattered.
His long period of confusion had given way to an intense determination.
The sudden realization had led him to a breakthrough, paving the way for the creation of a new internal energy cultivation technique.
The foundation of Shaolin martial arts lay in cultivating a strong and resilient body.
Their internal energy techniques, which focused on protecting the body from both internal and external threats, were a testament to this philosophy.
However, Mu-Won believed that while the Shaolin internal energy techniques were effective in strengthening the body, they were somewhat incompatible with the temple’s martial arts, which emphasized power and resilience.
‘As Master Su-Gyeong said, the first step is to integrate martial arts and scholarship.’
Mu-Won gathered his thoughts.
Baek Su-Gyeong was right.
He was the only one who could bridge the gap between the warrior monks and the scholar monks.
His first master was Master Musang, the leader of the Dharma Protectors, and his second master was Master Baekmi, a respected elder among the Vinaya Masters.
That was why he had come to see Baek Su-Gyeong again.
“You’re creating a new internal energy cultivation technique?”
Why was he asking him for advice?
Baek Su-Gyeong had always been more of a storyteller than a meticulous world-builder, even in his past life.
That was why his novels were often messy and inconsistent.
He had never been a successful author because of his lack of attention to detail.
Mu-Won, oblivious to Baek Su-Gyeong’s bewilderment, spoke.
“You helped me see the truth.”
“What does that have to do with…”
“I believe that to unite the Dharma Protectors and the Vinaya Masters, we need to start with martial arts.”
Mu-Won had heard from Master Ogong and Beop-Neung that Baek Su-Gyeong was an incredibly skilled martial artist.
That was why he had come to seek his advice.
Of course, Baek Su-Gyeong found it absurd.
But Mu-Won’s words made sense. This was Murim, a world where actions spoke louder than words.
“The Dharma Protectors represent martial arts, while the Vinaya Masters represent scholarship. The Shaolin Temple’s martial lineage has always been divided between internal energy cultivation techniques, overseen by the Vinaya Masters, and martial arts techniques, overseen by the Dharma Protectors.”
“That’s news to me.”
This was new material for Baek Su-Gyeong.
But he didn’t bother taking out his notebook.
He already had plenty of material to work with, considering the current conflict within the Shaolin Temple. He was already starting to formulate ideas for his next novel, set in the Shaolin Temple, after The Small Immortal Chivalrous Sword Technique.
Mu-Won continued, “The Shaolin internal energy cultivation techniques focus on strengthening the body. They enhance one’s healing abilities and stamina.”
“Isn’t that a characteristic of most Shaolin techniques?”
“Yes. However, the problem is that as the Vinaya Masters took over the development of internal energy cultivation techniques, they shifted the focus towards simply maintaining good health, neglecting the need to support the Shaolin Temple’s powerful martial arts.”
Baek Su-Gyeong frowned.
“Why would they do that?”
“Amitabha, as I mentioned before, the conflict between the Dharma Protectors and the Vinaya Masters runs deep. The scholar monks believe that the warrior monks are nothing but muscleheads, and this is the result of their resentment.”
Baek Su-Gyeong groaned at Mu-Won’s explanation.
These monks were insane.
Even if they hated each other, why would they sabotage the foundation of their martial arts, the very essence of their strength, by altering the nature of their internal energy cultivation techniques?
Baek Su-Gyeong pressed his hand against his forehead.
“Why would they do such a thing?”
“Of course, the warrior monks aren’t fools. They created their own internal energy cultivation techniques, but they weren’t very effective.”
“So, you’re creating a new technique.”
“It’s also a way to end the conflict between the Dharma Protectors and the Vinaya Masters.”
Mu-Won clasped his hands together and bowed his head.
“And I would like your help, Master Su-Gyeong.”
Nice
Thank for the chapter!