Episode 442
The future carried by the sword (4)
This manor was the residence of Baek Ji-sin-ui, a member of the council who looked after the body of Ok-cheong, who had a solemn ceremony.
Baekjishinyi had manors like this in various places in the central plains. I don’t know where that much money came from, but I used it to travel around and see patients.
And at Yeon Ho-jeong’s request, Baek Ji-sin-ui willingly lent the manor. He was friendly to Yeon Ho-jeong in many ways.
“I don’t know what kind of car you like, so I prepared anything.”
Yeon Ho-jeong got into the car himself.
Getting into the car itself wasn’t difficult. However, it was difficult to delicately brew the tea leaves.
Of course, Yeon Ho-jeong did not know how to brew tea delicately. I just took the tea leaves and poured water as I felt.
Hwaun opened his mouth.
“It smells very good.”
“I’m glad you feel that way.”
In any case, a high-ranking member of the Murim Alliance personally gave me a ride in the car. Although there was a bloody fight at first meeting, I felt like I was at least saving my face.
‘You are an unpredictable person.’
This was Hwaun’s first impression of Yeonhojeong.
‘There was some rudeness at first sight, but in this respect…’ In fact,
it wasn’t long before she began to learn about the world.
However, I knew how many hypocrites and ridiculous villains there were in this Pungjin River.
At least the people she saw were fairly easy to understand. Most of these people, whose arrogance or cowardice was clearly visible on their faces, were weak to the strong and strong to the weak.
Those people have it easy. Because your mood is clearly revealed in your facial expression.
The wicked people who were more difficult to deal with were those who knew how to hide themselves. These people smile but have a sword inside. Those who try to thoroughly gain advantage by exploiting the opponent’s weaknesses.
In just a few years, Hwaun has met countless people like that.
‘At least I am not that type.’
Yeonhojeong was unique.
He may seem arrogant, but he is different from that of a wicked person. Although he has his own manners, he does not humble himself.
He was also excellent at martial arts, to the point where he could easily be pushed aside by Jeongan, but he didn’t seem to be showing off either. No emotion was clearly evident on his face.
Hwaun had a hunch. This meeting today should not be conducted lightly.
Although the other person was young, he was more difficult to deal with than any person he had ever seen.
“You’re the one who goes by the nickname Chief Byeoksanho, right?”
“exactly.”
“I heard that you are called the world’s best Hujisu in the contemporary martial arts world.”
Hwaun’s tone of voice was very polite. It was a tone that was difficult to come up with considering age and distribution.
Regardless of her personality, I could tell that it was the way she spoke that she had practiced her whole life. Although her gentle heart may have been filled with deep desires, at least she did not forget what she had learned and studied.
Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.
“It’s just a lie. There are many strong people in the world. Just looking at this Sojeo, isn’t he a martial artist who will receive praise from everyone if he joins the martial arts team?”
It was an honest evaluation. In Yeon Ho-jeong’s opinion, Jeong An’s level of martial arts was comparable to that of Muk Bi. It was an inaction that made it difficult to determine superiority or inferiority, just because each person’s organs were different.
Hwaun smiled.
“I can only thank you for your high regard for our tribe’s successor. “It may sound like I’m bragging, but I’m really looking forward to this kid.”
“I understand. “It may be crossing the line, but I am more interested in character than martial arts.”
“yes?”
Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Jeong-an.
Jeongan looked at Yeonhojeong without saying a word. Despite experiencing crushing defeat in a competition with her peers, her eyes were clear.
“After shuffling my hands, I was able to see how hard this swordsman worked. No matter how talented you are, it is difficult to reach this level without bloody training and archery.”
“Oh, that’s right.”
“I have a desire to win and I am also greedy. “I am glad that his mind is not distorted and is purely directed toward martial arts.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
It was a truly rare smile. Although he often cracks jokes with his acquaintances whenever he has the time, it’s not easy to see him smiling so meekly.
“I have not converted to Buddhism, so I am completely ignorant in that field, but at least I felt that Sojeo’s heart was as pure as anyone else’s. “He is excellent at learning and has a clear view of himself. Doesn’t that alone mean he has already established a family?”
Jeongan bowed his head.
“This is an undeserved compliment.”
“I am a person who says what I feel. “More difficult than growing in martial arts is cultivating your own mind. I hope that the shadow of wet desires does not fall on Sojeo’s heart.”
Anyone who heard it could tell that it was not an empty compliment.
Sincerity communicates. Jeong An took Yeon Ho Jeong’s evaluation and advice to heart.
Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Hwa-un again.
“Yes, I heard it from my intelligence advisor in advance, but it would be better to hear it directly from the person involved. “Why did you come to see this person?”
different.
There was a significant difference between the way Yeon Ho-jeong usually treated people and the way he treated people now.
The opponent was also the opponent, but Botaam’s side came thinking of himself as the representative of the Murim Alliance. No matter how much Yeon Ho-jeong hated ostentation, he had no choice but to show at least some courtesy.
In other words, he also recognizes it. How the world sees you.
You may be merciless towards your enemies, but there is no need to be merciless towards those who have not yet caused any problems. Yeon Ho-jeong was trying to establish his own middle path.
Hwaun nodded.
“Since you have already heard the story, the conversation will progress quickly. If so, let me tell you straight.”
“I will listen carefully.”
“This temple has been isolated from the world. “I think explaining the reason and history is somewhat unnecessary to today’s conversation, so I won’t bother talking about it.”
“Please continue.”
“Even the temple I saw had its own circumstances and many people came to enlightenment. So Botha also decided to break with hundreds of years of tradition and go out into the world.”
“I guess so.”
“That’s right. However, even if it is a temple that does not know the world, it knows that Gangho is rough. “I know a little bit about how Kangho Murim views the temple he saw.”
Hwaun’s eyes lit up.
It was the moment when the enlightened disciple, who had chosen the sword as a tool of enlightenment rather than for killing, and who had been exploring Buddhism while confirming the ego contained in the sword, was reduced to an ordinary person.
“Botaam has been a sect that has had Geomhu as its symbol for generations.”
The term ‘main temple’ has suddenly changed to the name ‘munpa’.
“And for a sect, it is essential to have power in order to establish justice and the future of the organization.”
“Of course.”
“Moreover, Botaam was led by three tribes. Although we are called a tribe, in the end, we are no different from one family. “Each tribe produced a sword lord from generation to generation, but it was only a symbol of the clan and did not serve as actual power.”
“But now things are different?”
“That’s right. If Botaam seeks changes for the future, the meaning of Geomhu’s existence must also change. At the same time, Botha’s organizational structure must also change.”
“What do you want to say?”
“I hope the Murim Alliance will support our tribe. To be more honest, I’m hoping to help.”
“….”
Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Hwa-un in silence.
Were those eyes burdensome? Hwaun took a deep breath and continued speaking.
“I know you might be surprised by my sudden remark. However, it will not be a loss to your side either. Although our tribe cannot be said to be the best in terms of actual strength, if we combine this child’s potential and the strength of the elders, we will be able to help the Meng side.”
“It can be strength….”
“Yes. All Botta experts receive equal education from an early age. “I practice holding a sword and learn Buddhism at the same time.”
“….”
“But the sword of Buddha is the sword of wisdom, and the sword of wisdom is enlightenment. “I am confident that our tribe is the best in number, at least in terms of the enlightenment of our elders.”
“In other words, it can be said that they are an elite few.”
“You saw it correctly. If the Maeng side helps our tribe in appointing this child as a sword queen, our tribe can establish friendly relations with the Murim Maeng. “It means that we can take care of things that are difficult for Maeng to do.”
As the conversation continued, Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes deepened. At the same time, Jeong An’s face darkened noticeably.
Unfortunately, Hwaun didn’t know that. Her eyes, absorbed in her own words, saw nothing but a rosy future.
“It’s embarrassing to say this, but I know that Kangho views Botha quite highly. “There are quite a few people in the private sector who regard Bota as sacred.”
“….”
“The Murim Alliance can share the public sentiment just by joining hands with our Bota. “It may be a power greater than actual force.”
“I guess so.”
“That’s right. Of course, the leader may question whether there is a need to join hands with our tribe.”
Hwaun placed his hand on Jeongan’s shoulder.
Jeongan flinched without realizing it. Sago’s hand that touched his shoulder was so hot.
That heat was not body temperature, but desire, and it was also a madness that was slowly beginning to germinate.
“I’ll be honest with you. There is a candidate in one of the other two tribes who has achieved a higher level than this child. “That candidate’s power already surpasses that of our elders.”
“….”
“However, the candidate’s heart is extremely weak, so it will be very difficult to overcome the powerful forces. If you make a mistake, it can be harmful not only to the main text but also to the Murim Alliance. But this child is different.”
Hwaun said in a confident voice.
“Considering the age difference, this child is not inferior to the candidate and surpasses them all in terms of gentleness and eloquence. If we support this child, Botaam will enter a new era…”
“I’m sorry, but can I ask you one question?”
“Oh, as much as you want.”
Yeon Ho-jeong asked with a serious face.
“Do you think Botaam is a temple? Or a clan?”
“yes?”
“What is the spirit of Bothaam? Do you seek pure power? Or is the goal of enlightenment through practice? Or do you want to benefit the world?”
Hwaun smiled and answered.
“Would we, who serve Buddha, pursue pure power? “I just want to correct justice in the world and save more common people from suffering.”
“What is the method?”
“yes?”
“Establishing justice in the world and relieving more common people from suffering. “The meaning is truly admirable, but I am curious about how your temple will achieve such a great cause.”
Hwaun was taken aback for a moment. I had no idea this question would come up.
But Yeon Ho-jeong’s questions had only just begun.
“It seems difficult to answer. “Now that I’ve said this, I know it’s rude, but I’d like to ask you a few questions.”
“which…?”
“Do you think that other righteous factions were unable to achieve peace because they were weak and their goals were impure?”
“…?!”
“Have the righteous factions that decorated the history of Gangho for hundreds of years disappeared into the back alleys of history because they were worse than Botaam?”
Hwaun’s face hardened.
