Episode 207

After the incident at the Dongrim Money Hall, the warriors of the Courageous Valor Troops moved straight to the Original Flower Garden under the orders of Zhuge Hyeop-jin and joined the Shaolin monks.

They were there merely as observers.

If suspicious circumstances were detected at the Original Flower Garden, the troops had been dispatched immediately.

The monks’ words and all the warriors dispatched from each sect were false.

This was because if the Arhat monks all moved with uncertain information at a time when Evil Sect’s Heaven was preparing for war, they would have to be ready for friction.

The reason he lied was to see Hwa Cheong’s reaction.

Although it violated Shaolin’s Ten Commandments of Right Speech, the effect was wonderful.

Hwa Cheong, and the White Horse Temple.

It was clear they were hiding something.

There is something that Zhuge Sansan said to the monk when he first surrounded the Garden.

Even if it is the Palace, it is close to impossible to obtain the Garden which is under the strong influence of Imperial Family.

In the end, it is highly likely that the Flower Garden was kept as a decoy for them, and if it was behind the happenings at the Dongrim Money Hall, it isn’t just the Garden, but someone who moved in and out of there, and is likely related to the Palace.

But due to the nature of the Flower Garden, only a few people had that right, and the White Horse Temple was one of them.

The monk thought that was ridiculous, but as he saw them move with carts and secretly enter the Garden…

It was plausible.

What was the problem with coming and going? What was the problem with performing ancestral rites?

The problem was the cart.

It was clearly an empty cart when he went in.

However, when it came back out, it was fully loaded.

And that wasn’t all.

Hwa Cheong’s body did not carry the slightest scent of incense, which would be a necessity if the rites were performed, and his flustered expression showed his doubt.

“Amitabha…”

The monk felt devastated to accept this, constantly chanting Buddhist prayers to ease his mind.

A place like a sacred temple.

The White Horse Temple.

Yet they are plotting something with the outsiders.

“Great Monk.”

The monk responded to the words of Zhuge Sansan with a hint of sadness.

“Yes.”

“Please request assistance immediately. If the Palace is trying to take over White Horse Temple, the current numbers aren’t enough.”

“…I get it. What is the Central Murim Alliance doing?

“They need to be given an order right?”

“……”

“Preparations have already been made. He said that the Garden would be the start.”

“Hmm…”

Hearing a heavy groan, Zhuge Sansan bowed politely and retreated.

“Taoist Chung Sang.”

“Yes.”

Chung Sang heeded her call.

“You will have to take a look at the White Horse Temple.”

Chung Sang nodded at her words.

She was a woman and a strategist with a quicker calculation and cooler head compared to anyone else.

Given the current situation, it was most efficient to follow her wishes.

“If the center of the enemy is the White Horse Temple rather than the Original Flower Garden, there might be a setback in the plan that the commander is preparing.”

There was some truth to what she said so Chung Sang nodded.

“Please lead the group.”

Namgung Chang-wi looked highly displeased.

“What’s that now….”

But he couldn’t continue talking since everyone was glaring at him.

In Xi’an, the entire Troops had suffered and even been imprisoned because of him.

In a situation where the opinions of the warriors hadn’t been good because of that incident, and to make matters worse, wasn’t he beaten down by Jinmu? And that all too clearly.

By now, everyone except for Hwang Bo-Woong had a bad view of him.

“You mean me?”

“Yes. I will be there to help you out.”

Chung Woo made an expression like it was very natural for Zhuge Sansan to say that, but Chung Sang turned his head and looked at Namgung Chang-wi.

Perhaps because of his stubborn nature, he seemed to think that he had to ask for permission from the leader, Namgung Chang-wi.

“Huh!”

However, Namgung Chang-wi turned his head with a displeased expression, as if telling him to just do as he pleased.

‘I will see this through. I won’t back down like this.’

He felt sick to his stomach, but there was nothing he could do other than resolve himself to the situation.

“I understand. If Young Master Namgung has the same opinion, I will temporarily take over the position of leader. Then, let’s start now. When it comes to strategy, Zhuge Sansan is better than anyone else, so please help us.”

“Yes.”

“For the rest of you, please take notes. From now on, no sudden actions are permitted.”

“I understand.”

When Chung Sang made the pledge, everyone responded.

“Then, Great Monk. Let us head to the White Horse Temple first. And Great Monk will look after the Original Flower Garden. If it is certain that the place is connected to the Palace, I will send you a signal. We ask for immediate support.”

“I understand. Be careful.”

“Yes!”

As Chung Sang, who had exchanged greetings with the members, took off and the warriors of the Courageous Valor Troops quickly moved after him, slicing through the morning air.

“Hmm.”

The monk watched them vanish with a bitter smile.

“Kong Do.”

“Yes.”

“Send a pigeon to the Temple. Get the children of Arhat to leave right away.”

“Yes!”

Kong Do, the leader of the Arhats who hastily received the order, wrote it down and put it onto the pigeon.

It is at most a hundred miles to Mount Song, where Shaolin is.

It will take less than a half a day for the pigeon to arrive in Shaolin and for the monks to arrive here.

The monk looked at the flying pigeon with a pensive look on his face.

“It’s going to rain heavily. Amitabha.”

For some reason, it felt like there were dark clouds in the sky.

“What is this?”

Upon hearing the report from Hwa Cheong, who returned from the Garden, Jong Ryeo-gyun’s face contorted.

The story of Shaolin surrounding the Garden and the Central Murim Alliance on the move.

The response was a lot faster than expected.

“It appears that the Wudang Sect is also involved in this.”

“Wudang…”

“Yes. It seems like he was the one who robbed the Dongrim Money Hall and found out about the scam.”

Clench.

Jong Ryeo-gyun gritted her teeth hard like they would break.

The Sword of Wudang.

The warrior said to have touched the level of the Murim leaders.

It wasn’t like she didn’t hear anything about him. But from the report, it was nothing more than this immature warrior wandering around.

Wasn’t it just one or two such people who had been going around like that?

But why did he wander around the money hall, especially the Dongrim Money Hall?

Why is he going all the way to thwart her plans?

The more she thought about it, the more angry she felt.

Especially now.

Now that she had the Third Palace in hand, she had to lay a solid foundation.

And this damned Taoist is causing her huge losses.

As the investigation about the corruption deepens, the officials whom they have ties with will also start doubting them.

If she made a mistake, this could lead to the expulsion of the three people which the Third Palace had placed to infiltrate the Justice Faction, and there was even a risk of her being demoted.

“Damn…”

Is it too much to think that perhaps this is what the demoted Sang Gwan-Pyung was aiming for?

There is no way that Mu Young of the Shadow Troops, who holds information about the officials, wouldn’t have known about this situation.

Maybe Mu Young had this information and omitted to report it.

In fact, there was no time on hand to think and act.

Additional troops had been sent to confirm about Mu Young and the Dongrim Money Hall, and many more troops had been moved to retrieve the looted gold from the Dongrim Money Hall.

The current White Horse Temple lacked the power to fight against the warriors of the Murim Alliance.

It was obvious that if this happened, it would deal a huge blow on the Palace.

“What should I do? I erased all the traces left in the Garden. If we block off all contact with the outside and continue like…”

“Erased? Wait?”

At the words of Hwa Cheong, Jong Ryeo-gyun gritted her teeth and glared at him.

“It’s too late.”

“What do you mean?”

“They are already looking into the White Horse Temple.”

“…?”

“What a fool you are.”

“…Uh?”

“Why do you think the man from Shaolin was talking to you? It was to tease a reaction out of you.”

“Th-that….”

Even as she was staring at Hwa Cheong, who was looking blankly in disbelief, Jong Ryeo-gyun’s mind was spinning, seeking a way out.

“Hwa Cheong.”

“Yes!”

“I am abandoning the White Horse Temple.”

“Uh?”

“You will be caught either way. The longer you stay, the more you lose. Get ready to fight.”

“Uh, fight…”

“Break through the siege and move to Kaifeng before their main forces arrive.”

“…I understand.”

At her command, Hwa Cheong ran out.

That idiot.

A guy who doesn’t even have the slightest clue.

“Palace Lord.”

After Hwa Cheong left, Yeon Hwa, the commander of the troops remained to assist Jong Ryeo-gyun, spoke carefully.

“What is it?”

“If it is Kaifeng, isn’t Yang So-bang holding it down? What then?”

“Didn’t I say I’m abandoning the White Horse Temple?”

At her question, Jong Ryeo-gyun answered.

“Ah!”

Now she understood her intentions.

She wasn’t talking about the White Horse Temple.

It meant to abandon the power of the Temple that had been appeased in the Palace.

“While the White Horse Temple fights with them and draws their attention, sneak out and join the troops to handle the situation.”

“Yes!”

Suddenly flames erupted from all directions in the quiet of the White Horse Temple.

The flames, which started inside, grew stronger and began to raze the buildings and members of the temple came out, wielding their weapons and killing intent.

“Taoist Chung Sang!”

“Damn it, it looks like they noticed!”

“What do we do? With eight…”

Chung Sang pondered over Zhuge Sansan’s words.

The mission they were assigned wasn’t to fight but to observe. But he couldn’t just sit back and watch.

Originally, the attack had to be carried out with the support of Shaolin. But since things were moving faster than they expected, they had to tie them down and wait.

Even if the number of eight was nothing, it can be used to buy some time.

“Send a signal to the Great Monk. For now, we need to hold them back until help arrives.”

Zhuge Sansan nodded her understanding of the decision which Chung Sang took after much thought.

“I understand.”

At the words of Chung Sang, Zhuge Sansan signaled to Lee Baek-wi who was further away.

Puung!

The moment a red flare was fired into the air, and the warriors of the Courageous Valor Troops scaled the walls of the Temple.

“The brightest young guys have no fear. What are you doing! Kill them all!”

As Hwa Cheong, the leader, shouted out a cruel thing unbecoming of a monk, the monks of the White Horse Temple rushed ahead.

“Don’t worry about the situation when dealing with them!”

Chung Sang yelled as he held his sword high and ran ahead with the rest of the Courageous Valor Troops following him.

Slash!

The sword being swung was raging with killing intent and each time the sword gleamed, blood splashed.

Although they are just warriors of the Valor Troops whose skills haven’t yet fully blossomed, their force was truly to be reckoned with.

Perhaps because their young blood was boiling and the surging excitement overrode their fear, the monks who filled the White Horse Temple didn’t intimidate them.

Chung Sang in particular was outstanding. Each time he swung the blue Sword qi on his sword, many monks fell down to the ground, unable to react.

Even in the midst of a melee, he turned his gaze to look for Hwa Cheong.

A spear filled with terrifying killing intent was swung over the head of Namgung Chang-wi, who was running deep into the enemy lines.

Taang!

There was a harsh sound.

“Kuak!”

Perhaps because of the enormous force, Namgung Chang-wi was unable to alter the direction of the attack and had to dodge, resulting in him losing his balance.

“Die!”

The moment the spear, filled with killing intent, fell vertically, Chung Sang rushed ahead and stabbed Hwa Cheong with his sword.

Tang!

But it wasn’t so easy.

Hwa Cheong, who was slashing at a right angle to Namgung Chang-wi, changed direction and deflected the blue sword.

Crack!

Hwa Cheong gritted his teeth at Chung Sang’s sword which blocked him and glared with raging eyes.

“Young Master Namgung! Step back and defend elsewhere! I will stop this man!”

Namgung Chang-wi frowned at Chung Sang’s words.

“Shut it! I am the one…”

Even though he knew that he wasn’t that good, when Namgung Chang-wi insisted, Chung Sang didn’t say anything more.

He has already learned from Jinmu on how to handle stupid people.

Persuasion?

That won’t work.

What kind of persuasion was there when they were in a battle for life and death?

Kuak!

Chung Sang kicked Namgung Chang-wi, who stood up holding his blade and rushed at Hwa Cheong, swinging the sword at him.

Kwang! Kakang!

The Wudang sword that was filled with qi, unfolded and blended in with Hwa Cheong’s spear.

“You bastard!”

Namgung Chang-wi, who was knocked to the ground by the blow, got up cursing harshly.

There was no way for him to get involved in this fight between the two people that was happening here. And he had no time to breathe with so many monks attacking, so he had to step back.

‘Fuck! I will see you later!’

Namgung Chang-wi cursed internally, and swung his blade hard to attack the opponents who came at him.

In the meantime, Hwa Cheong’s and Chung Sang’s weapons clashed a few times.

Kang! Kakang!

Hwa Cheong became irritated at how persistent the attacks were.

There are only eight.

Not only was it not enough that a kid who seemed to be around 30 years old was blocking his path, but this bastard kid whom he thought would be easy to defeat was not letting him go.

And his swordsmanship.

Was impossible to predict.

Since when did Taoist swords become so practical and deadly?

It was clear that occasionally the kid was letting the sword qi die and moving the sword, which was surely at a level of using qi freely, but the way he used it amused him.

The flow of qi, digging into the loopholes with sword qi, and cutting off the flow of with moving qi.

How can it be this free?

Hwa Cheong, who hadn’t expected that he would struggle this much, became angry.

“You fucking bastard!!”

Swish!

Back away!

Chung Sang, who blocked the rough swing of the spear, stepped back.

“……”

There was considerable power placed in that spear. The hand holding the sword began to hurt.

Truly a warrior of courage.

Can he be stopped?

Although there were doubts, one shouldn’t be afraid.

Maybe the others didn’t know, but he had to hold on. If they couldn’t catch this man, the leader of White Horse Temple, everything would be in vain.

He knew that no matter what happened, he had to hold on.

The flare went off, so Shaolin would be arriving soon. He will hold on until then.

Chung Sang held the sword with both hands and glared venomously at the opponent.

Show your weaknesses and strike the opponent’s vital points.

A loophole that appears intentionally throws-off the balance. Hwa Cheong seized the opportunity and stabbed with his spear.

Puak!

Chung Sang’s chest was torn and blood splattered as he suddenly bent his back.

Blood spurted from the wound and his face contorted in pain, but it was the result everyone wanted.

He had dragged Hwa Cheong within range of his sword attack.

Chrit!

The qi which began to slowly build up on the sword fired out.

Swish!

Hwa Cheong, feeling alarmed by the flying sword qi, pulled out his weapon to block it.

Taaang!

Hwa Cheong, who was knocked two steps back with a harsh explosion, frowned, and looked to Chung Sang.

“…You?”

He wasn’t there. Chung Sang was nowhere to be seen.

The moment Hwa Cheong looked flustered and quickly raised his head.

Slash!

The thrill of the blade slashing past his ankle.

“Kuak!”

Hwa Cheong sat down with a groan and nervously stirred the spear.

Boom!

Chung Sang, who had been hit in the stomach with a dull noise, fell roughly to the ground.

“Sahyung!”

“Taoist Chung Sang!”

Chung Woo and Zhuge Sansan called out to him during their fight.

“Kuaak…”

After groaning and rolling on the ground three or four times, Chung Sang managed to stand upright using his sword.

But he smiled looking at Hwa Cheong.

Hwa Cheong was down on one knee.

Blood poured down his ankle and soaked the ground.

“I’ve cut you.”

He couldn’t win, but he achieved their goal.

Hwa Cheong was caught.