I’ve seen it all in my lifetime. (2)

“Ah, they’re coming!”

“What should we do?”

“What else can we do? We have to fight back!”

“But, but should we use lethal force? Is it permissible?”

No one could answer that question.

Using lethal force against Shaolin’s monks? That would surely bring about unbearable consequences. The burden that disciples of Hwasan had carried, fighting against the elders of the Beggars Sect, now fell upon them in equal measure. Yet, those who witnessed the scene unfolding here couldn’t help but harbor one question at this point. Was there really any significance in pondering over that ‘burden’?

“A-mi-ta-bha!”

Uuuuuuuung!

With a mighty roar, accompanied by a golden radiance extending gracefully, the elders were caught abruptly. Startled, they hastily raised their staffs to fend off the rushing power.

And then…

Kooohhhmmmm!

“Aaaaahhh!”

As the azure glow enveloping the staff clashed with the golden light, a piercing scream erupted from the elders’ mouths. The weight of the heavy power of Shaolin shattered their resolve in an instant.

Overwhelmed by the force, the elders were thrown about like leaves in a hurricane, bouncing off the walls of the great hall.

“W-What kind of power is this…!”

But there was no time for awe. Shaolin monks, who had closed the gap in an instant, now infiltrated the midst of the elders’ formation, disrupting their momentum.

Tranquil motion amidst chaos [정중동(靜中動) – jeongjungdong].

Though their steps seemed slow, they were swifter than anything, a true manifestation of the essence of Shaolin’s martial arts, which was hard to grasp until experienced firsthand.

“E-eeeek!”

One of the elders swung his staff downward toward the head of an approaching Shaolin monk. It carried a formidable force. Yet, he hesitated, unable to complete the strike.

What if he struck and the monk failed to react in time? What if his head shattered upon impact? Could he bear the consequences?

In the fleeting moment of hesitation, amidst the urgency of the battlefield, fatal consequences ensued.

Thunk.

Shaolin monk’s palm, seizing the opportunity, lightly touched the elder’s chest.

“Hap!”

Kuuuuuuuung!

The ensuing burst of energy shook the elder’s insides into disarray.

Cough!

With a sound akin to the wind escaping his lungs, the elder crumpled to the ground. Though not fatally wounded, the impact left him incapacitated, unable to move freely for some time.

“Amitabha!”

Even amidst the urgency, Shaolin monk, briefly acknowledging the fallen, leaped forward to seek the next opponent.

The swirling yellow wind within the main hall swept away the stagnant elders, truly overwhelming the most formidable force of the Beggars Sect.

“That, that was… amazing…”

“Incredible…”

The voice that came from beside him made Jo Geol, who had been about to charge in confidently, glance to the side. Baek Cheon, who had spoken on Jo Geol’s behalf, was now staring blankly at Shaolin monks.

“That’s supposed to be my line.”

“…Aren’t they really amazing?”

“Well… that much is true, but…”

Shaolin monks were, quite literally, beating up the elders. Watching them for a moment, Jo Geol suddenly seemed to recall something.

“Come to think of it, have we been cursing and fighting with people like them all this time?”

“…”

“…”

An awkwardness briefly flickered across the faces of Hwasan’s disciples.

“Should we change our thinking even now…?”

“Oh, come on! What are you talking about?”

Yoon Jong, who had wavered for a moment, shouted firmly.

“Isn’t their situation different from ours? Those people aren’t using swords but their fists. How can we, who have to strike with the blade and worry about killing someone, be the same as those who can hit as much as they want?”

“…Even considering that, aren’t they incredible?”

“Well… that’s true.”

That’s right. Yes, it is.

“…Shaolin is ridiculously strong.”

Of course, appearances aren’t everything. While Shaolin monks were indeed strong, the Beggars Sect elders were also unable to display their full strength at the moment.

As everyone knows, in a fight, momentum is half the battle. The unexpected appearance and attack of Shaolin shocked the Beggars Sect’s elders, preventing them from fighting back earnestly. Therefore, it’s fair to say that these were entirely different people compared to those who fought against Hwasan.

If it weren’t for this, the elders of the Beggars Sect wouldn’t be swept away so effortlessly.

“Amitabha!”

Boom!

Well, even if they were at their full strength, it didn’t seem like they stood a chance.

“It’s like there are a hundred Hye Yeons.”

“Honestly, that’s a bit of an exaggeration.”

“There are a hundred people like Monk Hye Yeon.”

“…That’s undeniable.”

As the disciples of Hwasan were shaking their heads, a person suddenly leapt into the air.

“…Samae?”

Crash!

While everyone was busy being impressed by Shaolin’s might, Yu Iseol seemed different. Her back seemed to say, “I really don’t like this situation.” In one swift move, Yu Iseol jumped and landed among the Beggars Sect elders.

And then.

“Aaaaah!”

“What, what is this!”

A familiar commotion began to echo among the disciples of Hwasan.

“Sago! I’ll help too!”

“What are you doing! We need to fight too, Sasuk!”

“That’s right! Let’s go!”

Baek Cheon, regaining his composure, nodded and adjusted his grip on his sword.

Although they were pushing forward with unstoppable momentum thanks to their morale, the fact that they were outnumbered hadn’t changed. If the Beggars Sect regained their senses and leveraged their numerical advantage, the damage would be severe. They needed to join and finish this battle before their opponents could regroup.

“Charge!”

“Yes!”

Just as Hwasan’s disciples, led by Baek Cheon, were about to unleash their fierce sword energy,

“Ooooh!”

Boom!

A golden force surged ahead, instantly knocking away several bewildered elders.

“Monk!”

“That guy is really getting into it!”

As Jo Geol said, Hye Yeon’s face was unusually flushed with excitement. It seemed that fighting alongside Shaolin had relieved some of the burdens he had been carrying inside.

Unconsciously smiling, Hye Yeon began to speak.

“Follow behind m-“

“Stay calm.”

Suddenly, a voice startled Hye Yeon, making him flinch and turn his gaze. Hye Bang, who had somehow made his way through the many elders, was standing nearby, smiling gently at Hye Yeon.

“S-Sahyeong…”

“How have you been?”

“I…”

Hye Yeon bit his lip hard, looking as if he might cry.

“Haap!”

Hye Bang swiftly deflected an incoming staff, pushing the elder back with a powerful force before standing beside Hye Yeon.

“You’ve done well.”

“….”

“I have much to say, but now is not the time. Let’s focus on what we need to do first.”

“Yes, Sahyeong!”

“Vice Sect Leader!”

“Yes!”

“Let’s finish our introductions after we handle this situation.”

“Understood!”

Baek Cheon nodded while swinging his sword. As Hye Bang said, the priority was to subdue the elders and quell the Beggars Sect’s uprising.

“Charge!”

“Yes!”

The red plum blossom sword energy of Hwasan and the golden aura of Shaolin blended together harmoniously.

“…Whew.”

Watching this, Chung Myung shook his head in disbelief, joked lightly.

“That’s why I can’t ignore these bald bastards.”

The Beggars Sect, now facing Shaolin as enemies, seemed pitiable. The sight of elders being struck down and collapsing just from encountering the advancing Shaolin monks elicited a sly smile.

Even if they managed to win, it seemed impossible to rectify the situation. As soon as they realized this, they lost their will to resist.

What were they thinking, attempting something like this without such resolve?

“How…?”

“Huh?”

Chung Myung turned his gaze again at the voice coming from the front. Ilho Shin Gae was glaring at him with a face twisted in rage and frustration.

“How… How on earth did you manage to bring them in?”

“What?”

“Wasn’t Shaolin supposed to be Hwasan’s enemy? So why on earth is Shaolin helping you?”

His voice was filled with resentment, anger, and despair.

“Tsk.”

Chung Myung clicked his tongue.

“That’s why the Beggars Sect, despite all its information, has never once led Gangho.”

“What?”

Tock.

Chung Myung lightly tapped his head with the tip of his sword.

“You were born with this attached. It’s for using this, you idiot.”

“You…!”

“Sure, in that pathetic head of yours, it’s probably filled with things like justifications and power. That’s why you miss the point.”

“What do you mean I missed the point?”

“People.”

At those two words, Ilho Shin Gae’s eyes wavered.

“People are swayed by justifications, and people build power. You see the world only in numbers, something you can never understand.”

Chung Myung continued, looking at Ilho Shin Gae with disdain.

“And honestly, even if you don’t understand that, isn’t it normal to assume that if I made a move, I’d be prepared? Do you really think you can lead the Beggars Sect with such a narrow mind? You’re going to ruin it.”

There are those in the world who believe not that they become leaders because they are outstanding, but that they are outstanding because they become leaders. They believe the position they hold proves their abilities.

“You… you bastard…”

Ilho Shin Gae trembled with rage, unable to overcome the humiliation. Yet, he couldn’t muster a single word of rebuttal.

Gritting his teeth, Ilho Shin Gae finally spoke with difficulty.

“Then… then! Was I supposed to just remain silent while that person wrecked the Beggars Sect…?”

“Ah.”

Chung Myung cut him off, clearly uninterested in hearing more.

“Let’s not waste time with obvious lies. You didn’t start this with that intention in the first place.”

“What?”

“If you were genuinely worried and dissatisfied with the state of things, you would have tried to change the system that allows one leader to shake the entire Beggars Sect. You would have supported the new young leader, talking to them, listening to what they wanted.”

“…”

“But you didn’t want that, did you? Because you couldn’t directly hold and wield the power. You’re not angry because the Beggars Sect is going astray – you’re angry because it’s not moving according to your will.”

Chung Myung sneered openly.

“I know people like you very well. Full of greed without any ability, desperately trying to inflate your nonexistent capabilities. Willing to do anything to get even a scrap of power.”

Each word he uttered was like a sharp blade.

“Normally, people like you are so common that I’d just give you a beating and be done with it… but recently, I’ve been reminded of some particularly annoying old stories. I’m trying to forget them, but seeing you brings them all back to mind.”

“What on earth are you talking about now?”

“What do you think?”

Chung Myung chuckled.

“It means you’re dead.”

With that, he cracked his neck from side to side and stepped forward. Ilho Shin Gae, grinding his teeth, shouted desperately.

“Surround him! Just hold on a bit longer! Once the reinforcements arrive, we can turn this around!”

Ilho Shin Gae’s eyes burned with malice.

But then, something strange happened. The elders who usually moved at his command… avoided his gaze.

“You… you bastards…!”

Seeing them neither move nor make eye contact, a look of bewilderment crossed Ilho Shin Gae’s face.

He might be right. If the reinforcements joined, they might change the situation. But if that happened, those present would have to bear the responsibility for suppressing Shaolin with force. None of them were loyal enough to protect Ilho Shin Gae at such a cost. The fruits of victory had long since vanished for them.

“Pitiful.”

Chung Myung clicked his tongue exaggeratedly, as if he felt sorry for him.

The elders who had been standing like a wall between Chung Myung and Ilho Shin Gae stepped aside, allowing a direct confrontation between the two.

“Even if you become Sect Leader, it doesn’t seem like much will change.”

“Shut up, you bastard!”

Ilho Shin Gae screamed in a fit of rage.

“It’s all your fault! You’ve ruined everything! I won’t let you get away with this!”

With a burst of explosive energy, he charged at Chung Myung. Watching him, Chung Myung chuckled softly.

“At least now you look like a tiger among dogs,”

he said,

“compared to those elders, anyway.”

“But even so…”

Thud!

Chung Myung planted his foot firmly and lowered his stance.

“You’re just a slightly stronger beggar.”

Swish!

Chung Myung’s sword energy sliced through the air, cutting through Ilho Shin Gae’s incoming force in an instant. It mirrored the collapse of Ilho Shin Gae’s ambitions.