LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 172
Chapter 172
The Extermination of Demons and the Elimination of Evil
“Feeling a clear sword aura as if the sky were cloudless, I thought it might be you, Leader Yeon.”
His tone differed from the meeting since this was a private occasion.
Yeon Wi clasped his hands in greeting.
“Abbot.”
The abbot of Shaolin, Gonggong Daeja, returned the greeting with a half-palm gesture.
Yeon Wi gestured to Yeon Hojeong.
Yeon Hojeong respectfully clasped his hands.
“I am Yeon Hojeong of the Yeon family. It is an honor to meet you, Abbot.”
“Ha ha, the honor is mine as well. This is the first time we’ve met outside of a formal setting, isn’t it?”
“Indeed.”
Yeon Hojeong raised his head, his eyes sparkling.
‘As expected.’
A man of ordinary build.
Gonggong Daeja, in his gray monk’s robe and red kasaya, epitomized a high-ranking monk.
But the immense power hidden within him felt like an ocean filled with golden light.
‘He’s immense.’
The high-density sea water in Gonggong Daeja’s three dantians was filled without a single gap, unaffected even by a strong wind.
However, this was merely a conjecture. At Yeon Hojeong’s current level, the total amount of power that Gonggong Daeja possessed was beyond his sight.
‘Indeed, a towering figure.’
He had never met this person during the days of the Black Darkness Empire.
However, he had fought alongside many Shaolin monks, defeating numerous enemies together. Most of those he fought with were first-generation disciples, many of whom were similar in age or younger than Yeon Hojeong.
Their martial arts were all exceptionally formidable.
The saying “All martial arts under heaven originate from Shaolin” wasn’t for nothing.
The martial arts realm he had reached during the Black Darkness Empire days even surpassed the current Gonggong Daeja. Yet, Yeon Hojeong was surprised by the density of power Gonggong Daeja held.
‘What kind of internal energy is this immense?’
Yeon Wi asked in his typically blunt voice.
“So, what brings you here alone, without any attendants?”
Even Yeon Wi was exceptionally courteous in front of Gonggong Daeja. It was partly due to their age difference and partly due to the exceptional presence of the Shaolin abbot.
Gonggong Daeja smiled and spoke.
“Leader Yeon.”
“Yes, Abbot?”
“May I speak with your eldest son for a moment?”
Yeon Wi looked at Gonggong Daeja with surprised eyes.
‘…….’
Gonggong Daeja’s eyes were clear.
His gaze was so deep and clear that one might feel like getting drawn into it. It was the insightful eye of an enlightened one, something that couldn’t be shown without profound training.
‘Now that I think about it.’
Despite his astonishing internal energy and formidable martial arts, his face was lined with age-appropriate wrinkles.
Even with such dense qi, his appearance matched his age. The natural strength that pursued no contrivance was the essence of Shaolin’s divine skills that had been passed down for a millennium.
Yeon Wi nodded.
“Please go ahead.”
“Thank you.”
Yeon Wi looked at Yeon Hojeong.
Yeon Hojeong bowed his head.
“I’ll be back.”
“Alright.”
At that moment, Gonggong Daeja spoke.
“You mentioned you wield a weapon weighing over eighty geun?”
“Pardon? Ah, yes.”
“Why not bring that along as well.”
It was a meaningful suggestion.
Yeon Hojeong, without hesitation, grabbed Gwangryongbu and, just in case, brought Gyoryong Chain too.
A subtle interest appeared on Gonggong Daeja’s face when he saw the Gyoryong Chain.
But that was all.
“Let’s go.”
Gonggong Daeja led Yeon Hojeong to a forest deep within the Alliance.
During the walk, Gonggong Daeja said nothing. Neither did Yeon Hojeong.
Finally, a large clearing appeared before the two, who had been walking through the bushes.
‘A clearing…’
Its size was impressive. It seemed at least three times wider than the inner training grounds where he had sparred with his father.
Gonggong Daeja spoke.
“This is the place.”
“Yes.”
The two stood in the center of the clearing.
Yeon Hojeong looked around.
‘It’s like a place deliberately made for fighting.’
Indeed, it seemed like someone had been practicing here intensely recently. There were many scratches and dents in the ground.
“You have good patience.”
Yeon Hojeong turned his gaze to Gonggong Daeja.
Gonggong Daeja’s face was full of a relaxed smile.
“You didn’t speak a word on the way here. That’s quite uncharacteristic for a young person these days.”
“I had a lot on my mind. It’s not about patience.”
“Ha ha ha.”
Gonggong Daeja laughed heartily.
It was a truly pleasant sound.
“Let’s introduce ourselves formally. I am a lazy monk who spends his time in the head monk’s quarters of Songshan Shaolin.”
Yeon Hojeong involuntarily chuckled.
It was quite an impressive self-introduction. Generally, one would imagine the abbot of Shaolin to be merciful and dignified, but Gonggong Daeja was different.
He would probably show different sides in public and private settings.
“I am a fool of the Yeon family who recently came to his senses after causing much distress to my family.”
Gonggong Daeja laughed loudly again.
“What a strange introduction.”
“Not as strange as yours, Abbot.”
Despite it being their first meeting, their conversation was quite familiar.
Gonggong Daeja laughed and nodded.
“Indeed, you are different from what I heard.”
“Pardon?”
“They say you are a hot-blooded young man with all your natural talent focused solely on martial arts, but you seem quite different from the rumors.”
“Do I?”
“Yes. You are a formidable general, yet you possess the cunning of a fox, the wisdom of a snake, and the ever-changing face of a dragon.”
Yeon Hojeong flinched involuntarily.
“Your praise is excessive.”
“Is it? Ha ha, what harm is there in excessive praise? While excessive scolding can be problematic, excessive praise doesn’t seem harmful.”
“Excessive praise can make a person arrogant.”
“Are you such a person?”
“I could be.”
“We are speaking frankly, so let me say that with your martial prowess at your age, a little arrogance is acceptable.”
It was odd.
Though he had deeply studied Buddhism, the current conversation felt like it was between ordinary people.
‘Is it normal for a monk to say arrogance is acceptable?’
It was peculiar.
He seemed sincere, yet it was intriguing. It felt like he was either genuinely testing or speaking without any hidden meaning.
‘Whatever it is, he’s definitely not ordinary.’
Gonggong Daeja asked.
“Why? Do I not seem like the abbot of Shaolin?”
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
“You’re sharp as ever.”
“Hey! Even a lazy monk who follows the Buddhist law doesn’t want to be called a ghost!”
“You get upset about strange things.”
“Ha ha, so what’s your answer?”
“Until just now, I thought so.”
“And now?”
“People have different personalities. Whether a monk or a Taoist, they’re ultimately just people. Seeking enlightenment doesn’t mean their nature has to be the same.”
“Ha ha ha!”
Gonggong Daeja laughed heartily.
There was a cheerful emotion in that laughter that made it sound almost boisterous. It seemed Yeon Hojeong’s words were quite amusing to him.
“One thing is certain. Until now, no one has spoken as confidently in front of the Shaolin abbot upon the first meeting as you have.”
“There’s no reason not to.”
“Indeed.”
Gonggong Daeja’s eyes sparkled.
“That’s exactly it. While we can’t escape the rules of the secular world, there’s no need to bow unnecessarily.”
“Did I please you?”
“Immensely.”
Yeon Hojeong’s expression hardened.
“Now, tell me why you called me here.”
“The reason?”
Gonggong Daeja tilted his head.
“Isn’t the place itself telling you?”
“Just a sparring match?”
“Would I have asked you to bring that heavy axe if it weren’t for a spar?”
Yeon Hojeong was slightly taken aback.
“Is that so…?”
“Ha ha ha. Your face now finally looks like that of a young man your age. I’m relieved.”
Relieved?
Gonggong Daeja clasped his hands together as if in prayer and slowly opened them.
“I have spoken too much. Now, let’s begin.”
Yeon Hojeong silently stared at Gonggong Daeja.
‘A spar?’
From first impressions and a bit of conversation, one can usually gauge the other person’s character or reactions.
But not with Gonggong Daeja. Neither the eyes of the Tiger General nor the Black Darkness Emperor could grasp his true nature.
To be precise, it was difficult to read his intentions.
‘…….’
After staring at Gonggong Daeja for a long time, Yeon Hojeong held Gwangryongbu upright in front of him.
Interest appeared on Gonggong Daeja’s face.
“I was surprised earlier too, but you really wield it with ease.”
“It’s my main weapon.”
“And that chain isn’t ordinary either, is it?”
“I brought it just in case.”
“Ha ha ha.”
Gonggong Daeja spoke cheerfully.
“One last thing before we start.”
“Go ahead.”
“Before calling you, I had a match with Moyong Gun.”
Yeon
Hojeong’s eyes flashed.
“With the Tangma Army Leader?”
“Yes. He is remarkable. The spar was only for a short time, but in that brief moment, he grew explosively.”
“Ho.”
A natural smile spread across Yeon Hojeong’s face.
Gonggong Daeja’s eyes sparkled.
‘Genuine.’
It was a pure smile without any hint of competitive spirit or jealousy.
It was unexpected. Most exceptional young people tend to be anxious about another genius’s growth, but Yeon Hojeong showed none of that.
‘Is it confidence? Or simply recognizing the other?’
Either way, he was certainly extraordinary.
Just as Yeon Hojeong couldn’t read Gonggong Daeja’s true nature, Gonggong Daeja couldn’t read Yeon Hojeong’s.
That was truly surprising for Gonggong Daeja. Unlike Yeon Hojeong, who had experienced chaotic situations, Gonggong Daeja had innate wisdom, Shaolin’s divine skills, and the insight gained through training.
‘It was indeed right to call him.’
Gonggong Daeja asked.
“Shall we start for real now?”
“…Sure.”
Boom!
A powerful step shook the ground.
Gonggong Daeja’s eyes sparkled. He was impressed by Yeon Hojeong’s leg strength transmitted through the ground.
Yeon Hojeong’s smile turned cold.
“I’ve been using my brain so much lately that I almost forgot my simple past self.”
“Ha ha ha.”
“I trust you’ll handle it all.”
“I am the abbot of Shaolin.”
At that moment,
Flash!
Gonggong Daeja’s eyes widened.
‘What?!’
Whoosh!
A flash of light, and suddenly, Yeon Hojeong had reached a distance of one jang (3.3 meters) away.
‘Fast!’
It felt like a giant fireball shot forth. The red glow of intense energy engulfing his body resembled the wings of a fire deity.
Yeon Hojeong swung Gwangryongbu.
Flash! Boom!
The terrifying wild strike overturned the ground.
It was a genuine attack with no leniency. Though it didn’t contain killing intent, the Zhuque Technique itself was inherently vicious.
Swish!
Gonggong Daeja’s kasaya fluttered in the wind as he soared into the air.
‘Impressive.’
Sixty strikes in one breath without mercy.
It was genuinely shocking. He never expected such violent attacks from the start.
‘Moreover, that footwork…?’
Swish!
Gonggong Daeja’s eyes widened further.
This time, it wasn’t footwork but body technique. Yeon Hojeong’s upright figure soaring into the air reminded him of a noble gentleman.
A gentleman wielding a fearsome axe.
Though it seemed incongruous, it strangely suited him. In the face of this soaring fighting spirit, Gonggong Daeja shouted robustly.
“Starting off like this?”
“You said you’d take it all!”
Gonggong Daeja stretched out his hand powerfully.
Boom! Clang!
The Gwangryongbu, struck by the soft force, flew at great speed and embedded itself into the ground.
Gonggong Daeja’s eyes widened.
‘He let go of his main weapon?!’
Swish.
Yeon Hojeong suddenly appeared to his left.
Gonggong Daeja was inwardly startled.
‘He read me?’
Yeon Hojeong smiled grimly.
“Never let your guard down, Abbot.”
His fist burst forth with Baekhoki.
Boom!