Vol 2 Chapter 41. I Am Indebted (1)
One of the disciples raised his hand and spoke cautiously.
"Sect Leader. Does that mean some of us will be going to Shaolin together?"
"That is correct."
"Then who will be going?"
The disciples' eyes sparkled.
Everyone’s eyes held an earnest desire to visit Shaolin. And the Sect Leader said...
"As a result of my discussion with the master..."
Result?
"We intend to let you autonomously select the disciples who will go to Shaolin."
"Autonomously?"
"Yes. Only three of you will be joining. Ah, Sona is an exception. She has already been decided to go."
There were no complaints.
Although they were all first-generation disciples and of the same generation, no one among the disciples was foolish enough to place themselves on the same level as Persona.
"And Lady Elione here will also be joining us."
This was also understandable.
The couple had just reunited, so wouldn't it be too harsh to tell them to separate again? Then...
"The number of people permitted by the Kongtong Sect is five. In other words, only three of you will join the trip to Shaolin."
The disciples began to glance at each other furtively. And Sect Leader Go Seok-hyeon spoke as if concluding the matter.
"Then, you shall voluntarily select three personnel among yourselves and report back. Ahem..."
Go Seok-hyeon cleared his throat and left the seat.
Subsequently, Patrick and the others also left. And then...
"Ahem... Ahem..."
"Well, Shaolin..."
"I do want to go at least once..."
"I have never been outside Tianshui County."
The fifteen first-generation disciples remaining in the training ground began to glance at each other furtively.
"Ahem."
At that moment, Mun Yul cleared his throat to break the awkward atmosphere and spoke.
"Everyone’s heart must be the same. It is not that I do not understand your desire to see and experience the greater world."
Up to this point, it was good.
"However, the Jianghu is a dangerous place. We must carefully choose who will take the remaining two spots..."
"Wait, wait..."
"Remaining two spots?"
"Are you trying to pull a fast one? Eldest Senior Brother!"
The junior brothers did not let Mun Yul's choice of words slide.
"The Sect Leader clearly said three spots, so why are you sneakily reducing it by one?"
"Surely you aren't thinking comfortably that since you are the Eldest Senior Brother, you naturally have to go to Shaolin, are you?"
"Ey, surely not. Of course not."
'These guys...'
Veins bulged on Mun Yul's forehead as he witnessed the insolent attitude of his junior brothers.
Why did the guys who used to follow him obediently when they were young, calling him Brother Yul, grow up to be so cocky and sly?
'Ah, the cause is clear.'
As expected, the cause of most problems in this world is that man. Since what they see, hear, and learn is like that, it is natural for the junior brothers to turn out this way.
So thought Mun Yul, but...
"What, you punks? If you don't like it, want to fight?"
He himself was also quite influenced.
The hands of the junior brothers slowly reached for the swords on their backs.
"Well, the important thing is skill after all, isn't it?"
"Right. That is true."
"Hehehe, today let's arrange the hierarchy once and for all... Cough!"
"He who strikes first wins!"
"You! Kuweeeek!"
"Dieeeee!"
"Uwoooooah!"
A brawl among the disciples unfolded in the training ground of the Twin Dragon Sect.
From a distance, hearing the commotion, Go Seok-hyeon spoke worriedly.
"Is it really okay to let them do that?"
"It is fine. It was something they had to do at least once..."
Patrick sipped his tea while facing Go Seok-hyeon. From the start, this grass-steeped water was not his taste.
However, since the Sect Leader brewed the tea himself, there was no way he could not drink it.
Patrick spoke to the still-worried Go Seok-hyeon.
"Sect Leader, our Twin Dragon Sect is a martial sect. In such a martial sect, what do you think is necessary for blood-boiling young kids to live together in harmony?"
Go Seok-hyeon thought for a moment and said.
"Shouldn't they live while keeping manners with each other and observing the sect's rules well?"
"That is an ideal theory."
Patrick chuckled and continued.
"Even in famous Orthodox sects where rules and punishments are firm, there is no place without minor friction among the disciples."
"That is..."
"And in fact, the Sect Leaders or Elders of famous Orthodox sects know this fact clearly but leave it alone unless the situation becomes serious, letting them solve it themselves as much as possible. Do you know why?"
Go Seok-hyeon thought for a bit, sighed, and said.
"I do not know well. Why is that?"
"Because for young kids to mingle and live together, a hierarchy needs to be established, whether they know it or not."
"No, that..."
Go Seok-hyeon laughed as if it were absurd.
"People are not animals, so how can that be?"
"To put it another way, animals also form hierarchies to maintain their pack, so how can people live recklessly without a hierarchy?"
Huh? What is this?
For a moment, it was a remark that made him think, 'Is that so?' But thinking about it again, it did not seem right.
"Even if it is a hierarchy, it shouldn't be seized by force, right? There is already a distribution of seniority..."
"The seniority of up and down would be strictly observed. However, the distribution among martial brothers is not that absolute."
"That is..."
"Think about it. Even blood-related brothers often fight."
"Mmm..."
"If blood brothers are like that, do you think blood-boiling young kids will uprightly observe the master-disciple seniority determined by the order of entry into the sect?"
"It would be difficult."
Go Seok-hyeon let out a small sigh.
Certainly, listening to the story, that was unreasonable.
Patrick spoke toward Go Seok-hyeon.
"I intend to use this opportunity to establish the hierarchy that was vaguely fizzling out among the kids and also give the excellent ones some Jianghu experience. Please cooperate, Sect Leader."
At Patrick's words, Go Seok-hyeon nodded.
He could not refute it logically anymore.
And in fact, considering the achievements the master had made while leading the sect, even if he could refute it, he should not.
Rather, he was grateful that he was explaining so calmly instead of acting coercively.
All of this was because the master acknowledged and respected Go Seok-hyeon as the Sect Leader of the Twin Dragon Sect.
If it were anyone else...
'He would have just beaten me until I accepted it.'
Go Seok-hyeon had adapted quite a bit to the person named Patrick Schneider.
So he would follow Patrick's opinion. However...
"Uwoooooah!"
"Die, you bastards!"
"Everyone come at meeee!"
Listening to those sounds coming from afar was truly...
'I am so glad I was born early.'
The next day.
Among the disciples whose faces were swollen and bruised, three representatives appeared before Patrick.
Mun Yul, who maintained the dignity of the Eldest Disciple.
Sanghun, who was the second oldest among the disciples and had an exceptionally large physique.
And the unexpected last person was...
"Yun-a, did you win?"
The youngest disciple, Yun-a, remained.
She smiled brightly at Patrick's question and said.
"I hid secretly and then struck the last blow from behind."
"Smart. Smart."
"Hehehe."
You are currently witnessing the scene of a young girl's character being ruined.
This is why environment is important for people.
Anyway, the representatives were decided like this.
Patrick, Persona, Elione, Mun Yul, Sanghun, Yun-a.
These six people came to represent the Twin Dragon Sect and go to Shaolin.
"Then we shall be off. Sect Leader."
"I leave it to you. master."
Patrick, having said his goodbyes to Go Seok-hyeon, led the group and opened the sect's gates.
It was the moment the revived Twin Dragon Sect officially stepped into the Jianghu.
As always...
Rumors are faster than feet.
People gathered at an inn in Henan, where people came and went, were chattering about the same topic.
"Hey, did you hear the news?"
"What news?"
"They say the Nine Sects One Gang and the Five Great Clans are heading to Shaolin."
"I heard that long ago. This friend is quite late with the news."
The person who brought it up looked embarrassed and continued his words poorly.
"Why are they gathering?"
"Why else would it be? Now that the Hegemon Blade Sect is gone, isn't the Orthodox Faction trying to unite and combine their strength again?"
"Haha... That makes sense. Then will the Orthodox Faction regain power and overwhelm the Unorthodox Faction again?"
"Who knows. We don't know, but... wouldn't it be better than being scattered like now?"
"Mmm..."
Due to the appearance of the Heaven Breaking Martial Emperor and the Hegemon Blade Sect he created, the Jianghu had revolved around the Unorthodox Faction for the past fifty years.
The Murim Alliance disbanded, and the power of the Orthodox Faction shrank significantly. And the merchants or civilians who lived with one foot in the Jianghu came to realize it personally.
That the Orthodox and Unorthodox were definitely different.
Just because they were Orthodox didn't mean they lived on dew alone; they did slide in among merchants or civilians to take profits to run their sects.
But unlike the Unorthodox, at least they had face and justification.
However, the Unorthodox were truly like wolves off their leashes.
Civilians settled in the Unorthodox territories were robbed and exploited of their belongings without any reason and sometimes suffered from serious threats.
Merchants also had to pay a lot of profits to the Unorthodox under the pretext of protection fees to maintain their commercial rights.
Unlike the Orthodox, the Unorthodox had no hesitation in just taking without giving anything back. Because of that...
"If the Orthodox Faction regains power... it will be better than before, right?"
"Wouldn't it? Since the death of the Heaven Breaking Martial Emperor, the situation near the Nine Sects or Five Great Clans is improving little by little..."
"I hope it turns out that way. It is so hard to make a living because of those Unorthodox bastards..."
It was then.
A man walked over with heavy steps and draped his arm around the shoulder of the complaining man. And then...
"Listening to you, it seems you have a lot of grievances against us Unorthodox folks."
At that, the speaking man's face turned extremely pale. And the man wearing a green bandana on his forehead spoke while grinning.
"Why don't you keep blabbering? Hmm?"
He never imagined there would be an Unorthodox practitioner in an inn in Henan, the territory of Shaolin.
Thick forearms, a scar on a rugged face.
Draped in leather clothes and a green bandana on his forehead...
Originally, Unorthodox factions often did not have unified attire.
But if the characteristics were this revealed, one could guess where they were from.
"Are... Are you a hero of the Green Forest?"
The man sitting opposite asked cautiously. However, the scarred man laughed and said.
"Just call me a bandit. Okay?"
"How could we dare..."
"Why can't you speak in front of the person himself? Hmm?"
The man threatened the civilian while licking his lips.
"We dared not recognize the heroes of the Green Forest. Please forgive us."
And the man took out a coin pouch from his bosom and held it out.
"This is a meager token of sincerity... Oops!"
The speaker was kicked and fell backward. And the Green Forest bandit pulled out a blade from his back, aimed it at the fallen man, and said.
"Do these guys take me for a beggar? If you moved your tongue recklessly, you should at least offer an arm. Are you trying to get away with pennies?"
"A... An arm... That is..."
"Why? It would be better than your head flying off, right?"
At the bandit's threat, the man made a crying face.
And he looked around hoping someone would save him, but the people around him turned their heads away as soon as their eyes met his.
"Ah..."
Just as the man despaired...
"Even if the times are chaotic these days..."
Someone's voice was heard from the second floor of the inn.
And along with that voice, someone stood up and slowly came down from the second floor.
"How dare a bandit come down to a city where civilians live in broad daylight and commit atrocities."
The man coming down was a figure whose impression of a noble young master was revealed as is.
Wearing a robe of faint blue light and holding a sword in one hand, behind him...
"What do you expect from Unorthodox bastards anyway?"
"They are guys who seem like they will only cause harm to the world, so just cut them down here."
"Oh my, but isn't Young Master Namgung's sword a bit too precious to be stained with the blood of such rats?"
Beautiful women were following behind him.
Seeing that, the Green Forest bandit smiled crookedly and said.
"Seeing that you go around seducing quite a few wenches with the Namgung name, you must be the Azure Sky Jade Dragon, Namgung Min."
Then the noble young master chuckled and said.
"Yes. I am Namgung Min. So..."
He looked at the bandit with an arrogant gaze and said.
"What will you do? Will you kneel and beg for your life like a bandit?"
Namgung Min was confident.
His skills were superior to young people of his age, and he had experienced actual combat a few times.
And the women following behind him were also daughters of famous martial families who had some talent.
'Teaching a lesson to a single bandit like that is nothing.'
Namgung Min calculated.
But this was the excessive optimism of a novice with little Jianghu experience.
The Green Forest bandit looked at Namgung Min, chuckled, and said.
"Kid. As you said, I am a bandit."
"So?"
The bandit raised his hand slightly and said.
"Have you ever seen a bandit traveling alone?"
As soon as those words ended, dozens of men swarmed in from outside the inn.
Looking at their rugged impressions and the green bandanas on their foreheads, there was no need to ponder who they were. Moreover...
"Did you call? Vice Stronghold Leader."
Vice Stronghold Leader.
That meant that the Green Forest bandit was not an ordinary bandit.
Although they didn't know which stronghold it was, if it was one of the official strongholds belonging to the Green Forest, the skill of a Vice Stronghold Leader would not be negligible.
Namgung Min's expression began to harden.
And the opponent said.
"Block the entrance. Don't let a single ant escape."
"Yes!"
As soon as those words fell, the bandits occupied all the entrances and windows inside the inn.
And he said to Namgung Min.
"Now, what will you do? Kid."
The situation had changed.
Namgung Min bit his lower lip tightly and said.
"...I want to know your name."
"Hahaha, why? Now that the situation is unfavorable, have you become curious about this master's name?"
"......"
Towards Namgung Min, who turned red with shame, he said.
"Listen clearly. As for this elder, I am the Hell Blade Guest, Kang So-mun, the Vice Stronghold Leader of the Black Scorpion Stronghold, one of the 72 Green Forest Strongholds."
Namgung Min's expression stiffened instantly.
'To think this person is the Hell Blade Guest...'
Thinking about it, there was no way an ordinary Green Forest member would walk around like this inside the territory of Shaolin in Henan.
Unless they were quite confident in their skills.
If it is the Hell Blade Guest Kang So-mun, he is one of the masters representing the 72 Green Forest Strongholds.
It meant that Namgung Min could not guarantee victory even in a one-on-one fight.
On top of that, with this many subordinates...
'There is no chance of winning.'
The situation was too desperate.
The faces of the women behind Namgung Min also hardened.
Seeing that, Kang So-mun chuckled and said.
"Kid. It seems you stepped forward with clumsy heroism, but the Jianghu is not such an easy place."
"......"
"Do you want to live? Then do as I say."
"What..."
Kang So-mun pointed to the ground with his finger and said.
"Prostrate right there. And crawl on all fours, circle three times, and bark like a dog."
"Eeek..."
"Hahaha. If the son of the great Namgung Clan performs such a trick, this elder will spare your life with a generous heart."
"Hahahaha!"
"That is a masterpiece. Vice Stronghold Leader."
"We will see a rare sight."
At those words, the surrounding bandits burst into laughter simultaneously.
"These people..."
Namgung Min gritted his teeth in shame.
Although the situation was difficult, he could not endure such insults.
"To think a mere bandit would insult the Namgung Clan! I will not forgive you!"
"Ho-oh. So you want to try?"
"I will kill you!"
Namgung Min drew his sword and tried to rush toward Kang So-mun in a single breath.
No, he intended to.
BAM!
"Kugh..."
If someone hadn't kicked Kang So-mun's back just before that, he would have definitely rushed in.
"......"
"......"
For an instant, everyone fell silent.
And someone walked in through the open inn door and said.
"Who the hell is blocking the door! Want me to kick you away?"
Shouldn't you usually say that before kicking?
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