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Chapter 577: The Miracle of Shaolin

“Kyaaaaah!”

A piercing scream echoed.

I turned my head to look in the direction of the sound.

The distance didn’t seem very far.

However, the street remained as noisy as ever, and the atmosphere among the people was unchanged.

Amidst the chaos, there were a few who, like us, cast glances toward the source of the screams.

“All martial artists.”

They were probably those with activated Qi Perception.

It was obvious that anyone who could hear screams in such a raucous environment was a martial artist.

“What on earth happened?”

From the level of those screams, it seemed something significant was indeed going down.

However, oddly, I wasn’t too concerned.

“They can handle it.”

This was Hanam, after all.

If something major happened near the headquarters of the alliance, it would be resolved quickly.

With that thought in mind, I opened my mouth to speak to Pejon again.

“Elder, you were saying something earlier… huh?”

When I glanced beside me, Pejon was nowhere to be seen.

I wondered where he had gone while scanning the surroundings.

In the distance, I spotted Pejon walking toward the sound.

“…Where are you going?”

On seeing that, I asked. Pejon nodded and looked my way.

His curious eyes were filled with an unknowable interest.

“My disciple.”

“Yes?”

“Do you know what the most fun thing in the world is?”

“Seeing me make money.”

“…”

To my abrupt answer, Pejon’s face twisted in an instant.

Why? Isn’t that the most fun thing?

“…What a totally unromantic answer you gave.”

Having been so grounded in reality, I couldn’t help it.

“So what’s the most fun thing then?”

I asked with disinterest, and Pejon wore a smile again.

It seemed he wanted that answer.

“The most fun thing in the world, you see.”

“Yes.”

“Is watching fights between others.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Nothing is more fun than that.”

“…”

Hearing that, I nodded.

So that meant.

“You want to go watch.”

It was Pejon’s determination to head over there.

Once he finished speaking, Pejon immediately turned his head and continued walking.

Watching him, I sighed and followed.

Where we arrived was unexpectedly familiar.

“Hmm?”

To my surprise, it was a place I had often visited in Hanam, a dumpling restaurant-inn.

That very spot.

“I was planning to come here anyway.”

I thought I would check it out, but I never imagined I’d end up here like this.

Curiously peering inside, I wondered why there were screams coming from a restaurant.

“Oh wow.”

Upon seeing the unfolding situation, I quickly understood.

A red-faced man, possibly drunk, had drawn his sword and was pointing it at someone.

In the center, a woman was trembling, tears in her eyes.

“…This bastard…!!”

A man to the left growled, bellowing.

He appeared to be around middle age.

His realm was…

“Second-rate among first-rate.”

A somewhat ambiguous position but not entirely bad, considering.

There were so many monsters around that it didn’t matter.

Anyone at that level could make a living as a martial artist without issues.

However.

“Those who linger at that realm tend to have particularly dirty personalities.”

When the mediocre become trapped by the wall of talent and falter.

It’s often when they settle into reality and acknowledge their lives.

Since they gave up climbing the wall, many faced disillusionment and anger.

Perhaps that’s why such foolish people gathered in that realm.

The majority of those I’d seen causing trouble had been second-rate among first-raters.

“Could that man be like that too?”

I suspected the same about the man now.

“Hehehe.”

Pejon chuckled, looking quite entertained.

And he wasn’t the only one.

The people around were buzzing, already peeking into the inn.

The notable difference was a somewhat worried tone in their whispers.

“Isn’t that Muk Dosuk?”

“Yeah, right! Tsk tsk… is he causing another ruckus?”

From their reactions, it seemed he was quite a notorious figure but in a bad way.

“What trouble did he get into this time?”

“That’s Misuk over there, isn’t it?”

The man who spoke pointed toward someone.

It was the trembling woman in the inn.

“Could it be that Muk Dosuk is bothering Misuk again?”

“Why wouldn’t he?”

The sound of clicking tongues filled the air, indicating that this wasn’t the first time he’d messed with a woman.

“…So? Did Misuk get angry or something?”

“No way. Misuk values her life too much to blow up.”

“Then what’s going on?”

“Can’t you see? That young martial artist just stepped in.”

Someone intervened to stop the man bothering the woman.

Hearing this, the crowd frowned with worried faces, looking inside.

“Oh no…! This is bad. Of all people, Muk Dosuk.”

“We need to contact the alliance quickly. If we’re not careful, there’ll be blood…”

It was a truly urgent tone.

Truth be told, it was clear that if a first-rate martial artist carelessly danced with a sword, it would turn the surroundings into chaos.

The problem was…

They were misjudging who they should be worried about.

I thought about Muk Dosuk as I observed him.

“That guy is in real danger.”

Right now, the one in danger wasn’t the one being threatened.

It was Muk Dosuk himself.

I looked at Muk Dosuk with curious eyes.

There was someone sitting at the table, wrapped in a Qi coat.

With their face covered, I couldn’t gauge their age.

But judging by their physique, I could only guess they were male.

However, the moment I laid eyes on them, I was certain.

“It’s Transformation Realm.”

They were a being that had transcended to the Transformation Realm.

Muk Dosuk, whether he realized it or not, was staring at his opponent, fire burning in his eyes.

“How dare you deceive me?! Do you want to die?!”

At Muk Dosuk’s shout, the previously still figure finally stood up.

Creek.

I hadn’t noticed it while sitting, but they were far more imposing than I had anticipated.

“I didn’t deceive you.”

In stark contrast to their large physique, the voice sounded youthful.

They didn’t appear to be very old.

“What do you mean by blocking me? Isn’t that deceit?”

“I only resented your desire for someone who didn’t want you.”

“You punk…!”

Muk Dosuk gritted his teeth at the youth’s words.

“What are you even to obstruct me? Is that woman your wife?”

Suddenly, Muk Dosuk’s eyes widened.

He must have realized something.

“Oh, so that’s how it is.”

His gaze shifted to Misuk.

“So you were secretly meeting this punk, huh? Right?”

“No, no! This is the first time I’ve met him as a junior…!”

The woman cried out in distress, but Muk Dosuk seemed to disbelieve her.

“Is that why you didn’t come to me? You were playing with me all along!”

I couldn’t fathom how he arrived at such a conclusion.

Listening made my blood boil a little.

“What a waste.”

I should have been there.

Then I could’ve pulled his tongue out before he could run his mouth. That was truly unfortunate.

Then I recalled Pejon’s earlier words.

“Watching fights is the most fun, huh.”

Ironically, I felt a little sympathy for that.

At that moment.

“How could you treat me this way after how well I’ve treated you?!”

Muk Dosuk was so enraged that he began to yell at the woman.

He was even gripping his sword, preparing to do something to her.

“Kyaaaaah!”

The instant the woman screamed, he gripped.

“…!”

Muk Dosuk’s arm, which held the sword, was seized by the young man.

Muk Dosuk, surprised, gazed at the young man with wide eyes.

“What meaning is there in bullying the weak? Please calm down.”

It seemed he wanted to resolve this peacefully.

How kind.

If it were me…

“I would’ve ripped that arm off.”

I would have ripped off the arm he’d grabbed.

Watching him show restraint was a sight I could hardly comprehend.

And the one who likely couldn’t grasp it most was probably Muk Dosuk.

“This punk…!”

At this stage, he should be aware that his opponent wasn’t easy to deal with.

But intoxicated, he didn’t seem to see it clearly.

“Fine, if that’s what you want, I’ll kill you first…!”

Muk Dosuk twisted his body and threw a punch.

I could see the energy surging in that fist; he genuinely meant to kill.

Killing someone right in the middle of Hanam.

That took some guts. I could admit I respected that tenacity, even if he was drunk.

However.

Having guts doesn’t mean everything will go as you wish.

As the punch flew, the young man murmured.

“…I’m sorry. Please understand.”

It was a soft voice, but I could clearly hear it.

Moments later.

Thud-!

“Crack.”

Muk Dosuk was struck hard in the chest by the young man’s hand.

Muk Dosuk’s body flew into the air, landing on the ground a moment later.

He struggled to regain his posture but then coughed.

“Cough… Grrk…”

With a slump, he collapsed, heaving violently before losing consciousness.

The moment that happened, the surrounding murmurs fell eerily silent.

Not even a breath could be heard.

As a tranquil silence descended upon the inn, the young man cautiously shifted.

Surprised, he turned toward the woman, who had her eyes wide open.

“I’m sorry for the commotion.”

“A…ah…no…”

“You seemed quite shocked.”

While speaking to the woman, he pulled something from his chest.

Coins.

“I’m offering this for the trouble I caused. Please forgive me with your broad generosity…”

After placing the coins in the woman’s hands, he turned and walked out of the inn.

He passed right by me.

I stole a sidelong glance.

Though his face was largely concealed, I could faintly make out yellow eyes through the fabric.

Those eyes met mine for a moment.

“…”

After our brief eye contact, a light breeze followed, and the young man’s presence disappeared.

Only then did the bystanders begin to release their held breath and start talking.

“What in the world just happened?”

“Just what was that…!”

They began to murmur once more, moving inside the inn to investigate.

At that moment, I was pondering a certain movement the young man had executed.

“Hm.”

A short motion of striking the chest.

It seemed trivial but reminded me of something significant.

I then glanced at the table where the young man had been.

Leftover dumplings and dishes were scattered.

“…”

Looking at that, I had some thoughts to sort out.

“Chuckling.”

Pejon laughed beside me.

“Are you going to go?”

“…”

Upon hearing that, I found myself clicking my tongue inwardly.

It seemed Pejon sensed I was concerned about something.

“Just go. Anyway, Shin Yi will still be asleep.”

“…Didn’t you say you had something to tell me?”

“That can wait. It’s better to resolve that frown on your face quickly. It’s putting me in a bad mood.”

“…”

After contemplating for a moment upon hearing Pejon’s words, I turned around.

“Well then, I’ll be back soon.”

Pejon was right.

I had to resolve whatever was bothering me.

Especially.

In situations like this even more so.

In a nearby forest of Hanam.

It was a secluded forest path a bit removed from the current surroundings, rarely discovered by others.

Thud.

Someone dropped down there.

It was the young man who had stirred up the commotion at the inn.

“…Phew.”

As he looked around the forest, finally catching his breath.

He took off the Qi coat he had been wearing.

As a result, his shiny hair gleamed in the moonlight.

It was slightly damp, probably from sweat.

The young man, seeming familiar with the process, dried his hair with a cloth.

“How regretful.”

Simultaneously, he let out a lamenting sigh.

Yeah, it was regrettable.

“I barely got a bite…”

Having stealthily left to find the inn, filled with excitement, I thought I would at least have a small meal.

To end up leaving so unceremoniously like this was rather bitter.

“…Well, it was time to head back anyway.”

Casting his gaze somewhere, the young man reassured himself.

Since he had split his time to come out, he likely should’ve returned quickly.

That was the conclusion he had to accept.

“…Next time…. Next time, then.”

Let’s take our time and savor it.

Nodding in determination, the young man tried to hurry away when…

“I’ll tell you.”

He paused.

A voice called out from behind.

Startled, he turned swiftly.

In the enveloping darkness, shrouded by trees, someone spoke up.

Who was it?

As he tried to hide his cold sweat, scanning the area, a figure appeared with an expression of bewilderment.

Dressed in a Black Martial Robe, the individual had surprisingly fierce eyes.

He stepped forward and addressed the young man abruptly.

“I can somewhat understand the monk eating meat, but… in my lifetime…”

He wore a bewildered expression as he continued talking.

 

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