I’ve seen it all in my lifetime. (1)

The Beggars Sect wasn’t the only one taken aback by this turn of events.

“Are they… on our side?”

“It… seems that way.”

“Shaolin?”

“Yes, Shaolin.”

“The Shaolin monks? Or rather, Shaolin…?”

“That’s what it appears to be.”

“This is… unbelievable.”

Jo Geol, who had been staring at Shaolin’s monks in disbelief, suddenly turned his gaze to Baek Cheon.

“Sasuk! Did you know about this?”

“Well… I knew he was up to something.”

…In other words, Baek Cheon wasn’t entirely sure either.

“So… they’re on our side, right?”

“It seems so.”

“Does that mean we fight together now?”

“That… appears to be the case.”

“Huh…”

Jo Geol laughed in disbelief, then muttered something that echoed everyone’s sentiments.

“I’ve seen it all in my lifetime…”

Who could have imagined that they’d be fighting alongside Shaolin?

At that moment, one of the elders, still confused, shouted angrily.

“Why is Shaolin helping Cheonumaeng! We are part of the same Just Sects!”

There is no rule stating that Shaolin cannot assist Cheonumaeng. Everyone knows this, so it would have been more tactful to phrase the question differently. But the elders of the Beggars Sect were in no position to be tactful.

“Amitabha.”

Despite the irrational question, Hye Bang answered calmly.

“It seems there is a misunderstanding. We did not say we were helping Cheonumaeng.”

“Then what did you mean by your earlier statement?”

“We simply came at the request of the Sect Leader of the Beggars Sect. Since the Beggars Sect is part of the same Just Sects and a member of Gupailbang, it is only right to assist when they ask for help, isn’t it?”

“Th-that…”

The elder, momentarily at a loss for words, looked at Hye Bang.

“This is an internal matter of the Beggars Sect! Are you saying that Shaolin is going to interfere in our affairs now?”

“Yes, it is forbidden to interfere in the affairs of another sect… unless, of course, the request comes from the Sect Leader.”

At this, the elders’ faces changed several times in quick succession. Despite the crisis they faced, until the inauguration ceremony was over, Pung Yeong Shin Gae was still the Sect Leader of the Beggars Sect. This meant he was the only one who could represent the sect’s stance. The title of ‘Sect Leader,’ though now a mere facade, had become a trap of ‘justification’ tightening around the elders’ necks.

Hye Bang smiled faintly.

“And… it seems this isn’t just an internal matter of the Beggars Sect.”

He quietly observed those surrounded by the elders.

“Another sect has already intervened, and among them… hmm, it seems there is a Shaolin disciple as well.”

“Th-that is…”

“A Shaolin disciple has been injured. When a Shaolin disciple is under attack, how can this be considered merely an internal matter of another sect?”

Hye Bang shouted sternly.

The elders’ gazes now focused on Hye Yeon, who blinked innocently with a face as naive as a cow’s.

The disciples of Hwasan began whispering among themselves.

“Injured?”

“Well… he does have a few scrapes.”

“If that’s an injury, then mosquitoes are eagles.”

“Anyway, he’s still considered a Shaolin disciple, isn’t he?”

“Isn’t that true?”

“Wasn’t he excommunicated ?”

“He never received an official letter, nor was there an excommunication ceremony, so we should consider him pending excommunication. Thus, he’s still technically part of Shaolin.”

“True, but… did things have to escalate like this?”

While this might seem like splitting hairs, technically, they weren’t wrong. In any case, since a Shaolin disciple had been attacked, Shaolin had a legitimate reason to intervene. And of course, the request from the Sect Leader was more than sufficient justification.

“Is this truly Shaolin’s intent?”

“It is indeed.”

“Are you saying the Abbot has permitted this? Really?”

In response to an elder’s question, Hye Bang gave a peculiar smile.

“Well, the order did not come directly from the Abbot.”

“See! I knew it couldn’t be true!”

“But the Abbot is currently too far away to be informed of this situation, and the request for Shaolin’s support came to Mount Song.”

“…”

“According to Shaolin’s laws, in an urgent situation where it is impractical to wait for the Abbot’s orders, the highest-ranking member present can make decisions in accordance with Buddhist law and righteousness.”

Ilho Shin Gae’s face turned pale. All of Shaolin’s high-ranking monks had vacated Mount Song. And it was Ilho Shin Gae himself who, just in case, had ensured that the message to the Abbot at the Yangtze River was delayed.

Up until a moment ago, this move had seemed impeccable, but now it had turned into a fatal misstep tightening around his neck.

“At present, I am the highest-ranking member staying on Mount Song. Given that it is clear you have spread falsehoods, all actions taken by Shaolin are in accordance with Buddhist law and righteousness. Matters of a sect should be resolved through legitimate processes and procedures, not by force. Therefore, elders, step back and achieve your aims through proper, rightful means.”

“You…”

“If not!”

Hye Bang shouted resolutely.

“You will have to face Shaolin.”

“Amitabha!”

As soon as Hye Bang finished speaking, Shaolin monks collectively chanted, creating an invisible pressure. The elders involuntarily took a step back. Facing Shaolin – who in Gangho didn’t understand the gravity of that?

“Facing Shaolin…”

“Us? Facing Shaolin?”

Of course, those who came here weren’t the full force of Shaolin. They were merely a group of fewer than a hundred monks. But the elders of the Beggars Sect knew all too well how formidable even a small group of Shaolin monks could be. And if they joined forces with the swordsmen of Hwasan present here, they would become an even more terrifying opponent.

“That…”

Tang Soso, glancing around, whispered softly.

“Um… this might sound a bit strange.”

“Huh?”

“If Shaolin seems reassuring, does that mean there’s something wrong with me?”

“No way.”

“Impossible.”

“I’ve always admired Shaolin the most.”

“I wanted to join Shaolin too!”

“Sasuk, Geol says he wants to go to Shaolin.”

“Hey, you bastard! Hey!”

“…Why is it always me…”

Hwasan’s members began to feel empowered. Shaolin might be a formidable and daunting enemy, but as an ally, there was no force more reassuring. Moreover, Hwasan’s disciples had become exceptionally adept at matching Shaolin’s martial arts and techniques.

“It seems the tide has turned, hasn’t it, Sasuk?”

“Hmm.”

Baek Cheon nodded slightly, stepping forward. He straightened his shoulders and spoke out boldly.

“Cheonumaeng holds the same stance. The Beggars Sect elders should proceed through formal procedures. Those who do not will be considered rebels disrupting the sect.”

Hwasan’s disciples began to murmur among themselves.

“Unbelievable.”

“He was just looking like he was about to collapse a moment ago.”

“Maybe he’s in the wrong profession?”

“Amitabha… It seems Hwasan’s future is bright.”

“That’s an insult, right?”

Understanding Shaolin’s reason and purpose for their intervention, Hwasan regained their composure as if nothing had happened. On the other hand, the Beggars Sect’s elders found themselves cornered. Now, Shaolin and Hwasan had effectively encircled and pressured them.

It wasn’t just a matter of positioning. No matter how esteemed the elders of the Beggars Sect were, could they hope to fight against these two formidable forces?

“How… how could this happen?”

“Shin Gae! What is the meaning of this?”

“We weren’t informed of this! Grand Elder!”

As the situation turned against them, the elders frantically sought someone to blame.

“Didn’t Shin Gae say he had a plan!”

“What do you intend to do now?”

“Shouldn’t the plan be revised under these circumstances?”

Listening to the elders’ clamor, Pung Yeong Shin Gae and Baek Cheon simultaneously let out dry laughs. Those who had staunchly followed Ilho Shin Gae were now turning against him as soon as they sensed it was no longer advantageous.

Ilho Shin Gae’s face turned red with shame and regret.

“Elder! We need a solution…”

“Shut up!”

In that moment, Ilho Shin Gae’s voice boomed like thunder.

“You fools! Do you think pulling out now will erase the crimes you’ve committed?”

“This…”

The panicked elders glanced around nervously. According to the Beggars Sect’s laws, there was only one punishment for those who attempted to assassinate the Sect Leader.

Death.

Of course, it might be impossible to kill all these people. However, at the very least, the elders present here would inevitably lose all their authority and be driven out from their positions.

“They’re not even a hundred! And they’re like a rebellion that doesn’t follow the orders of the Abbot! If the Abbot learns of this, would he just let them be? Of course, he’ll take our side.”

Ilho Shin Gae’s words made Hye Bang’s expression bitter. He knew the likelihood of that happening was high.

“As long as we win, that’s all that matters! We just need to suppress them! Spread the word that rebels from Shaolin are attacking us and call for reinforcements!”

The faces of the elders hardened.

By doing so, this becomes more than just an internal matter of the sect. However…

“What are you doing?!”

“Yes!”

There was no turning back now. Like someone riding on a tiger’s back, one can only cling on until the tiger tires and collapses, even if it means clinging until the moment of death. Eventually, some elders, who had made up their minds first, ran towards the outside. And the remaining ones soon began to exert their force towards Shaolin’s monks. Hye Bang hardened his expression.

“Listen up.”

“Yes!”

“Subdue the elders with as little bloodshed as possible! I’ll take full responsibility!”

“Yes!”

Hwasan also understood what they needed to do.

“Sect Leader.”

“Speak, Vice Sect Leader.”

“Please do what you must as the Sect Leader of the Beggars Sect.”

“…I understand what you mean.”

Although he desperately wanted to witness the outcome here, Pung Yeong Shin Gae had a separate task to fulfill. It was to stop the influx of elders coming to this place. Only Pung Yeong Shin Gae could do this.

“I will definitely stop them.”

“Please do.”

Pung Yeong Shin Gae nodded firmly and leaped towards the entrance with a determined expression.

“Lee Sohyeop! Please assist the Sect Leader.”

“…Understood.”

Lee Songbaek also nodded vigorously and followed behind Pung Yeong Shin Gae. Seeing only familiar faces left, Baek Cheon sighed softly.

“Ahem.”

“Here we go again.”

“What do you want to say this time?”

“I’m not listening! Not listening, you bastards!”

Baek Cheon flushed with anger and turned his head towards his companions.

“…We were actually hit quite a bit, weren’t we?”

“Yeah, Sasuk took quite a beating.”

“We didn’t fare too well either.”

“Sasuk! You’ve got a black eye.”

“Ugh…”

With a grimace, Baek Cheon pointed his sword towards the elders.

“It’s time for revenge! Take them down!”

“Yeah, that’s the spirit, Sasuk.”

“Protect Dongryong!”

“Let’s go!”

“Amitabha!”

The enraged disciples of Hwasan moved swiftly, led by none other than Hye Yeon. With a face full of excitement, he surged forward like a gust of wind.

“Suppress the enemies!”

Soon after, the monks of Shaolin turned into golden streaks, charging towards the elders.

“Amitabha!”

A thunderous roar erupted from the very core of Kaifeng, reaching deep into their hearts.

Truly, it was a scene filled with fervor.