The Owner Of The Thousand Gold Coins Is A Military Official - Chapter 106

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 106

Myeongjin Monk’s expression as he waited for Cheongun seemed bright in some ways, yet dark in others.

It was exactly the kind of expression that would be fitting to say it contained all the worldly concerns of monks.

Though Cheongun usually stayed at any ordinary inn, he had considerately brought the monk to the Cheonjingjang of the Shaolin Branch.

“…This is the first time I’m seeing it directly like this.”

I only knew that Cheonjingjang existed, but this is the first time I’ve come inside to see it like this.

There’s indeed a reason why they call themselves the end of the secular world.

Even though it was merely a branch, it boasted a scale that could match any major sect.

Looking at this overwhelming display of wealth, it felt as if I had come to another world entirely.

Particularly, the Cheongeumjang branch located where Shaolin was had an exceptional scale.

Since it was close to an area that could be called the center of Gangho.

Huashan and Jongnam.

Near Shaolin and the Murim Alliance, and so on – their scale was also the closest thing shown to others.

“Monk, is there anywhere you feel uncomfortable?”

The Branch Manager of Shaolin Monastery politely asked with proper courtesy.

“Hehe. I’m fine. Thank you for your consideration.”

While politely declining what seemed like excessive courtesy, news soon arrived that the person Myeongjin Monk had been waiting for had arrived.

I can feel it.

No, he’s probably circulating his energy like this so I can feel it directly.

‘I can’t figure him out…’

Myeongjin Monk was someone who had watched everything that happened between Eunjo and Cheongun.

He remembered everything Cheongun had shown and said without missing a single detail.

He couldn’t help but be amazed.

Though it was extremely brief and just a moment, hadn’t he perfectly imitated what could be called the essence of Shaolin?

Moreover, his ability to awaken the killing intent sleeping deep within Eunjo Monk’s inner self was extraordinary.

There’s one fact that keeps being forgotten, and that’s that Cheongun has merchant blood.

While awakening killing intent with each word, there wasn’t even a trace of insult toward Shaolin.

For martial prowess and wisdom to coexist is not so easy.

The appearance of someone outstanding in not just one but both was both a great blessing and a disaster for this Gangho.

“Monk, I’ve brought him.”

“I’ll enter.”

“Yes. Please come in.”

Cheongun soon revealed himself.

He still displayed the same expression and atmosphere as when I first saw him.

“What brings you to this place, Monk?”

“Does the path of spiritual practice only go to predetermined places? The state of mind is always more important than the location.”

“Those are good words. Then, let me ask again. With what state of mind did you come to this place?”

Though it could seem somewhat rude, it didn’t sound that way to Myeongjin Monk.

If it was about something related to Eunjo Monk, it meant to speak about it from the beginning.

“Isn’t a monk’s state of mind always the same? This humble monk simply seeks to receive teachings from a young donor.”

Teachings, he says.

“Your humility is excessive, Monk.”

“Is that so? I think of it as knowing one’s place.”

Though he showed a gentle and warm smile, it was quite a chilling statement.

“How is Eunjo Monk?”

“His mental strength seemed greatly weakened, but he also appeared to have cast off his worldly concerns.”

“That’s fortunate. My mind wasn’t very at ease.”

At those words, Myeongjin Monk showed a puzzled expression.

He didn’t seem like someone who would worry about others so much.

Actually, Myeongjin Monk’s expectation was correct.

The look in Cheongun’s eyes now was relief that no more disappointing incidents would occur at Shaolin, which was like a hometown of the heart.

“I was watching the meeting between you and Eunjo Monk.”

“Yes, I know. You were watching from quite a distance.”

To think he noticed that.

“I’m quite sensitive to gazes.”

“…I see. I’ll have to be careful from now on.”

“No. The situation was what it was at that time.”

“Eunjo Monk said he had something he wanted to tell you. Originally it should be a conversation held face to face, but Eunjo Monk’s current condition isn’t very good.”

Though it was Cheongun whose bones were broken, it was Eunjo Monk who was bedridden.

“For Eunjo Monk… it must have been his first encounter with such worldly concerns.”

Though he was somewhat lacking to be called a Heavenly Killing Star, the killing intent that burst forth even briefly was enough to be considered a Heavenly Killing Star.

“He said he hopes for your forgiveness, and asked if you might cross hands again when the opportunity arises.”

Always welcome.

“Of course. However, please also tell him that I’ll use a sword next time.”

“I will do so, Donor.”

The story related to Eunjo Monk was finished.

From now on, Myeongjin Monk’s personal conversation began.

“Have you ever met any high monks of Shaolin, Donor?”

“No. Never once.”

“Could you perhaps show me again what you demonstrated before?”

“Yes. It’s not difficult.”

To understand one of Shaolin’s martial arts traditions, the time and history contained within it is so vast that completing it in just three days would be impossible.

No matter how extraordinary Cheongun might be.

He couldn’t compare to over a thousand years of history.

It might be different depending on how he writes his own history going forward, but at least for now, that’s how it is.

“Certainly, though it’s not incomprehensible, its depth is so profound that I was thinking this might be the best I could do.”

Cheongun’s pure internal energy slowly began to circulate.

The protective energy that Cheongun originally possessed.

To this, he combined the mysteries of what he had seen, experienced, and realized.

“Huh…”

He couldn’t help but admire it.

Myeongjin Monk let out an admiration that was like a sigh.

‘How can such talent exist…’

Originally, creating something from nothing is the most difficult thing.

That’s why grandmasters are called great.

They are those who achieved something from nothing.

‘It’s not perfect. But isn’t he modifying it to suit himself?’

Modifying martial arts was never easy either.

Weaknesses are discovered over long periods of time, and masters of each generation repeatedly hide or eliminate those weaknesses.

However, that’s something that stands out in martial arts that use weapons like swords or sabers.

Is the Diamond Indestructible Body such a martial art?

Absolutely not.

Yet not only did he imitate it, but he was even achieving modifications to suit himself.

“Is this sufficient?”

“…It is sufficient. I think I understand your true intentions as well.”

If he had continued to delve into that essence.

In Myeongjin Monk’s view, it seemed only a matter of time before Cheongun would understand and master it.

However, if that happened, it would be no different from making an enemy of Shaolin.

How could someone who isn’t anyone’s disciple use Shaolin’s martial arts?

Of course, there was the option of becoming a disciple, but the young man before him was absolutely not that type of person.

“I’m glad that seems to have answered your question.”

“It’s sufficient. Yes. More than sufficient.”

While the process in between may not have been perfect, fortunately the result ended well for both parties.

Cheongun’s arrogance only shows in situations where it’s acceptable to do so.

Surprisingly, there are quite a few situations where it’s actually necessary.

He has no intention of making Shaolin an enemy.

Among the Five Great Sects and Nine Sects and One School, there’s nowhere he wants to turn into an enemy.

However, since such an ideal doesn’t exist in this land, he simply divides priorities.

“I have some good tea. How about it?”

“Haha. Will the donor personally brew it?”

“I have no skill, but I’ll do my best.”

A monk who could be said to be distant from the secular world.

A strange scene began to unfold where he shared tea with the successor of Cheongeumjang, at the very edge of the secular world.

After Myeongjin Monk left, Cheongun wore an expression that seemed somehow lighter.

Things that can only be felt and heard from someone who has cultivated themselves for a long time.

It was a very precious experience where Cheongun heard and felt things he probably wouldn’t experience until his death in this lifetime.

Does abandoning greed even make sense?

Myeongjin Monk didn’t recommend this to Cheongun either.

Rather, he spoke as if hoping Cheongun would continue as he is now.

Isn’t greed inherently relative?

Just as there’s a world of difference between this country’s emperor wanting land and a street beggar wanting land.

“Branch Manager.”

“Yes!”

When he called for the Branch Manager after the monk left, he immediately rushed in as if he’d been waiting.

His physique showed how many precious things he’d eaten – he was already panting from just that brief run.

“How much do we offer to Shaolin?”

“We mainly offer grains…”

It was definitely not a small amount.

The quantity was already enough for the entire Shaolin Monastery to eat and live for a year.

“Increase it by thirty percent.”

“Yes. I’ll see to it.”

While it might be inadequate as a return gift for letting him see and experience Shaolin’s martial arts, it was Cheongun’s way of showing sincerity.

“Patriarch.”

“What is it?”

“By any chance, is this journey to Gangho heading toward the Martial Arts Alliance?”

He hadn’t told the Branch Manager the details yet, but it seems he’d made his own deductions.

“We’re going to Shandong.”

“Ah, so you are going to the Martial Arts Alliance.”

“Is there something going on?”

“This time, movements of the Demonic Sect have been detected. Because of that, they’re gathering late-stage disciples to create a military unit.”

It was a place that existed in his previous life too.

It was called the Blue Righteousness Corps, if he remembered correctly.

Their end wasn’t very good.

Only those who survived lived on, while all the rest met different fates.

That was natural, since that military unit was essentially expendable.

Who would offer the person they’d put the most effort into raising from their family or sect?

Destined to stand at the front lines against the Demonic Sect, they mainly accepted those who couldn’t become successors, to raise the unit’s reputation.

‘One was the Yellow Righteousness Corps, and the other was the Blue Righteousness Corps…’

It seems they plan to establish both military units this time.

The Yellow Righteousness Corps was where successors from each family and sect, along with those with outstanding martial prowess, gathered.

While they weren’t only in the rear, since there were many successors, those who entered with them also served as their guards.

When the Blue Righteousness Corps faced difficulties or failed missions, the Yellow Righteousness Corps would step in instead.

In reality, the Blue Righteousness Corps performed the difficult and dangerous tasks, while the Yellow Righteousness Corps mainly handled the finishing touches on what was visible.

Was this wrong?

Cheongun didn’t think so.

Those who survived in the Blue Righteousness Corps and proved their abilities were transferred to the Yellow Righteousness Corps.

Also, there were cases where successors who had entered the Yellow Righteousness Corps lost their lives, while those who remained in the Blue Righteousness Corps claimed those succession positions.

Just as no one knows the affairs of Gangho, no one knows human affairs either.

Someone might have called the Blue Righteousness Corps just expendable pawns, but for those who actually joined, it was essentially their last chance.

‘I was wondering how to approach the Martial Arts Alliance…’

A military unit established earlier than in his previous life.

It seems most ideal to finish the business in Shandong first, then head to the Martial Arts Alliance.

The Martial Arts Alliance was a place he had to visit anyway.

There would just be a slight difference in timing.

The question is whether to join the Yellow Righteousness Corps or the Blue Righteousness Corps.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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