Vol 2 Chapter 55. Do You Want to Make a Bet? (2)

Thinking ‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍about it, Shaolin is a peculiar place.

It ‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍is a temple and at the same time a sect.

Being ‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍in a position of sitting as the Mount Tai and North Star of the Murim and keeping order in the rough place called the Gangho, there were many cases where they stained their hands with blood.

And ‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍every time, the Shaolin martial monks shouted.

[If ‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍I do not go to hell, who will?]

In ‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍that single phrase, Shaolin’s identity and pride were all contained.

It was a phrase revealing all the anguish and agony of a Buddhist who inevitably opens the precept against killing to save suffering sentient beings and lift the malice rampant in the world.

However, was the Divine Monk doing so right now?

He neglected those who were antagonizing each other even with the common goal called the Murim Alliance.

Because he did not want to engage in things like political fights on the same line as them. However….

Work that someone must do.

Was simply hoping that someone wouldn't be himself and taking a step back truly the attitude a Shaolin Abbot should take?

Of course, it is fearful.

If he advances towards the Murim Alliance Leader position, then the people of the world will point fingers at him.

They will criticize that the one called the Shaolin Abbot is greedy for power.

Shaolin’s honor might be damaged, and the cultivation he built up all this while might collapse.

But so what?

If it is a practice where one must spare oneself because one cannot handle even a mere crevice of power, it is the same as never having existed from the beginning.

Wasn't he the one who should volunteer first for the work the harder and dirtier it is?

“Hoho…. Amitabha….”

The Divine Monk closed his eyes gently.

And golden auspicious light rose like a haze above his head, and soon began to bloom three golden lotuses above it.

Three Flowers Gathering at the Summit.

Shaolin’s Divine Monk, right now, at this moment, was advancing to the next realm.

“What is this….”

“What is happening?”

“…Gasp? Abbot!”

Those attracted by the condensed Qi and magnificent Buddha light hurriedly arrived at this scene.

And they exclaimed in admiration.

Shaolin’s Divine Monk is advancing to a new realm.

“Gu… Gua… Gu….”

Gu, what?

“Stand guard (Guardian)! Hurry!”

A Shaolin martial monk shouted hurriedly.

The process of a martial artist gaining a new achievement is the most vulnerable moment.

Since the achievement can return to nothingness even with a small external intervention, one must protect thoroughly.

The Shaolin martial monks who arrived at the spot hurriedly surrounded the Divine Monk and guarded against the outside.

Patrick saw that scene and spoke cynically.

“Doing useless things.”

Patrick knew.

That is not simply realization where the martial arts realm advances further. Now, the Shaolin Abbot has prepared a stepping stone to rise to Divine Status with a human body.

The Divine Power of the Divine Monk, which was like a faint firefly, grew to about a small candle flame.

Eventually….

“Hohoho….”

The Divine Monk opened his eyes.

Then, countless people gathered around conveyed congratulations to the Divine Monk.

“Congratulations, Abbot.”

“It cannot be anything but Shaolin’s great fortune.”

“Do you see the realm of Profound Realm perhaps?”

The sect leaders of the Nine Sects and Five Great Families conveyed words of congratulations to the Divine Monk while simultaneously trying to spy on that realm.

Doing a half-bow, the Divine Monk smiled faintly at them and spoke.

“There was just a small improvement.”

At those words of the Abbot, the sect leaders let out deep sighs.

‘He really ascended.’

‘The peak of the State of Harmony. Or the entrance of the Profound Realm?’

‘At this rate, wouldn’t the Divine Monk’s martial prowess be no less than that of the Azure Sky Sword King or the Supreme Ultimate Sword Emperor’

‘Hmm…. The situation is flowing strangely.’

Inside, they were calculating Shaolin’s status following the development of the Divine Monk’s martial prowess.

The Divine Monk glanced at them and looked forward.

There, the Evil-Breaking Swordsman was looking at him with a silent gaze.

‘Ah….’

Looking again now, he thinks he knows.

That man is a man who has built up Divine Power incomparable to himself and ascended to Divine Status.

He does not know what asceticism he repeated to become like that at that age. He doesn't know, but….

‘That path must have also been a difficult asceticism.’

Respect arose as a human, not just as a martial artist. The Divine Monk went to Patrick, did a half-bow, and bowed his head politely.

“I have received great grace.”

Instantly, the audience was astonished.

The Shaolin Abbot, not anyone else, bowed his head.

And he announced that he received grace in front of so many people seeing this.

This was something that was bound to bring about no small stir.

And Patrick spoke to the Divine Monk.

“Have you hardened your resolve?”

“I have.”

“Then do it properly now. Like a Shaolin Abbot.”

“Hohoho. Of course.”

The voice of the answering Divine Monk contained strong power.

Patrick nodded with an expression saying ‘Now it’s running somewhat properly,’ and then….

“Ah, and apart from that matter, let’s finish the kids’ martial arts tournament until the end. Since we started, we should see the end.”

“Understood.”

The Divine Monk calmly followed Patrick’s instructions.

Like a disciple receiving instructions from an elder of the sect.

‘What is this? Just what happened?’

‘Why is the Divine Monk towards the Evil-Breaking Swordsman….’

‘Just what happened?’

Others who couldn't know the situation were just confused by all this.

One thing certain is that Shaolin will not just stay crouching anymore.

* * *

The main round of the martial arts tournament began.

As the tournament was opened to general civilians too, many people flocked to the improvised spectator seats to watch.

As a result, the sect leaders of each sect had to gather in spectator seats prepared separately by Shaolin to watch the matches.

And among them, the sect leaders of the Five Great Families and Nine Sects had seats prepared separately in the seats of honor again.

Up to here, there is no particular problem.

Even thinking from the small and medium sects’ perspective, rather than having the Nine Sects and Five Great Families sandwiched among them, the picture of them gathering among themselves seemed right.

Right. Up to here, there is no problem. The problem is….

“Evil-Breaking Swordsman, you may sit here.”

“Yawn…. Why do you call me bothersomely.”

“Hohoho. We cannot have that. Ah, we prepared a seat for your wife next to you as well, so please sit.”

“Ay, so annoying…. I am sitting unavoidably out of consideration for the Abbot’s sincerity.”

“Hoho. I know.”

What is this?

Why is the Evil-Breaking Swordsman there?

The peerless beauty wife with blond hair and green eyes next to him is truly enviable, but right now the important thing is not that….

‘The Evil-Breaking Swordsman is joining the sect leaders of the prestigious orthodox sects.’

‘Does this mean the Nine Sects and Five Great Families are treating the Twin Dragon Sect as equal?’

‘Is the rumor perhaps true? Did the Evil-Breaking Swordsman really give teachings to the Divine Monk?’

‘Ay, surely…. No, but….’

People were confused.

They had already heard the rumor, but surely, did that Evil-Breaking Swordsman really give teachings to the Divine Monk?

It makes no sense.

What is the age difference?

They heard the Evil-Breaking Swordsman’s age is a little over thirty at best.

But how does he give teachings to the Shaolin Abbot?

So most of those who heard the rumor dismissed it as a false rumor. But….

“No Grain Tea.”

“Hohoho. Isn’t the martial arts tournament the priority?”

“So there isn’t any?”

“I will prepare it.”

Watching that spectacle with two eyes, there was a feeling that the rumor was understated.

Isn't that attitude of the Divine Monk treating Patrick something worthy of being called reverence beyond respect?

No matter how humble the Divine Monk’s nature is, they had never seen the Shaolin Abbot bowing down to that extent to a Worshipped Duke who isn't even a Sect Leader of a small or medium sect in a public setting.

‘Just what happened?’

‘Is this perhaps a dream?’

Amidst unsolved questions and suspicions, the full-scale main round of the martial arts tournament began.

* * *

“Hap!”

“Impossible!”

The Qingcheng Sect’s rapid sword strike stabbed Mount Wudang’s Taiji. Although the realm might be lacking, like rising stars raised painstakingly by the sects, they were showing their sect’s martial arts properly.

“Tsk tsk tsk, is it okay to stab recklessly? You have to watch well and read the flow, right?”

“Is the person wearing blue clothes on the left going to lose?”

“Yeah. It seems the Mount Wudang kid will win easily as long as he doesn’t make a mistake.”

Patrick drank the Grain Tea in front of him while giving commentary to Elione who was sticking closely to his side.

After drinking a cup of Grain Tea, Elione put roasted walnuts into his mouth directly with her delicate hands.

“Say ah.”

“Ah….”

Really envious.

Making me lose concentration.

Please just go. Go do that somewhere else.

The other sect leaders of the Nine Sects and Five Great Families next to them were extremely displeased with such a Patrick.

However, since the Abbot right next to Patrick was stroking his beard and laughing hoho, it was awkward to say anything.

Our Evil-Breaking Swordsman, do everything you want to do.

Since that will was dripping from his eyes, what could they argue and take issue with?

And in the meantime….

“It is over!”

The moment the Qingcheng Sect martial artist’s stab missed and exposed a gap, the Mount Wudang Sect’s Cloud Dragon Sword extended his left hand.

Wudang Cotton Palm exploding squarely.

“Kueook….”

Seeing the opponent flying away after getting hit in the flank, Patrick nodded.

“Kugh…. That hurts. It looks like hitting gently, but it hurts, you see.”

“Have you been hit by that?”

“Yeah. Quite a long time ago….”

He was hit while sparring with a Mount Wudang Elder.

Of course, he paid it back tenfold though.

“Anyway, if that greenhorn trains steadily, he’ll become quite a giant? His foundation is solid and his nature fits Mount Wudang’s sword well.”

Patrick, who evaluated the Mount Wudang disciple like that, spoke towards the Mount Wudang Sect Leader on one side.

“Congratulations. You raised a good disciple.”

“…Thank you.”

First off, since the content of the speech is praise, it is awkward to say anything, but….

What is this? That tone sounding like a much higher generational rank praising him for doing well….

‘This guy barely past thirty doing this….’

Eventually, Mount Zhongnan’s Sect Leader Dowon, unable to endure Patrick’s bold tone, stepped forward.

“Evil-Breaking Swordsman. Is your speech not too rude?”

“Me?”

“That is so. No matter that you came from the Outer Regions, shouldn’t you observe etiquette befitting generational rank?”

“Really? Can I really act according to generational rank?”

Then you guys will all have to bow your heads to the ground?

At Patrick’s serious eyes saying that, Taoist Dowon flinched. And….

“If we are arguing etiquette, you people are the ruder ones.”

Elione, who was acting cute quietly next to Patrick, spoke with a cold face.

“Mm…. What do you mean? Madam.”

“My husband is the Grand Young Master of the Schneider Duchy and royalty. Also, he is a great man recognized as a Saint in the Holy Theocracy and a benefactor of our Elf race.”

“Uh…. That is… That….”

He couldn't understand the words well, but it seemed to mean a precious status.

To the flustered Mount Zhongnan Sect Leader, Elione stuck closely to Patrick and spoke.

“And I am also a Princess of the Elf race. My younger brother is the King of the Elf race.”

It seemed strictly true that they were of noble status.

When the Mount Zhongnan Sect Leader was flustered and could not continue speaking, the Divine Monk added a word there.

“The generational rank of the Evil-Breaking Swordsman coming from the Outer Regions is hard for us to calculate unlike ours. Therefore, I think it is reasonable to view him as equal to us.”

“Uh, that is….”

Right now, this moment.

The Shaolin Abbot acknowledged Patrick’s generational rank as the same level as the highest elders or sect leaders of sects.

In the Murim, it is a guarantee of the highest level.

At this, the Mount Zhongnan Sect Leader had no choice but to back down.

And the Divine Monk looked at Patrick with a pleased smile.

‘Hohoho. No need to thank me…. Hmm?’

Why is he like that?

Why is his expression rotten like that?

“Me…. Me equal rank with the kids? Me?”

Although it wouldn't have been intended, the Shaolin Abbot fed both the Mount Zhongnan Sect Leader and Patrick.

In the meantime….

“Oh my, Honey, it’s Yun-a’s turn.”

“Yeah. Let’s see.”

Twin Dragon Sect’s Yun-a came up to the main round sparring stage.

“West, Twin Dragon Sect’s Yun-a.”

Yun-a, who came up to the training ground, bowed with her cute hands and greeted in all directions.

Indeed, it was a heartwarming and cute sight for anyone to see.

And on Yun-a’s opposite side….

“East, Emei Sect’s Im Yeon-hwa.”

A female swordsman in white holding a sword walked up slowly to the sparring stage.

“Hmm….”

Patrick glanced at her and pondered. And looking at Yun-a, he frowned.

“What is wrong? Honey.”

“…She’s going to lose?”

A pessimistic sound directed at a disciple of his sect came out of Patrick’s mouth for the first time.

Yun-a’s opponent was Emei White Phoenix Im Yeon-hwa, one of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes.

And even among the same Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes, she seemed definitely higher level than the Zhongnan Sword Dragon Mun Yul had caught before.

While Patrick was watching with a worried expression like that….

“Begin!”

Yun-a’s first match of the main round began.