Chapter 77 : The Uninvited Guest. -02

Chapter 77: The Uninvited Guest. -02

She had not stated her intentions explicitly, but Nan Hee-ju had already noticed.

That the Hao Sect Leader coveted Ban Hojin, that was.

No, even without being particularly perceptive, it was impossible not to realize it.

‘That he is considering Young Master Seo as the second option, and Young Master Jeong as the third.’

Seo Joun and Jeong Iryong were at an age where “young” was less accurate than “childlike,” yet escort warriors who had lived more than twice their lifespans were being pushed back helplessly.

No matter how long those guards had lived as shadows, their skills were by no means lacking.

After all, the Peak Master Level was not a realm that just anyone could reach.

Yet the two were not merely pushing the escort warriors back—they were overwhelming them.

‘To have grown that much already.’

They had not been apart for very long, yet Seo Joun had already reached the peak realm. Nan Hee-ju was genuinely astonished by the sight.

She had always known Seo Joun’s potential, but there was a vast difference between predicting something and witnessing it firsthand.

Moreover, since Seo Joun had suffered from the Nine Yang Severed Meridians, the amount of inner energy he possessed was tremendous.

From now on, he would continue to accumulate inner energy at a pace incomparable to anyone else.

‘It’s not like I didn’t expect it, but isn’t this way too fast?’

Nan Hee-ju puffed out her lips slightly.

She had not been idle all this time either.

Taking care of her appearance was a given, and while handling the duties required of her as the Hao Sect’s Rumor Lord, she had also devoted herself earnestly to martial training.

It was because she did not want to fall behind her peers simply because she was a woman.

“You will need to work even harder than you do now.”

“Then… will it be possible?”

“Rather than giving up based on assumptions, wouldn’t it be better to go as far as you can, and then decide whether to regret it or be satisfied?”

“There are also people who give up because the process is too exhausting and painful.”

“That is precisely why overly intelligent people sometimes fail to overcome their limits.”

Nan Hee-ju’s pupils widened for a moment.

It was nothing particularly special, yet somehow those words resonated deeply in her chest.

“Of course, that’s not always the case. Perhaps that’s why life is said to be a series of choices.”

“Choices.”

“You don’t need to think about it too deeply. I was just muttering my thoughts out loud.”

As he finished speaking, Ban Hojin smiled faintly.

Then, sweating profusely, he walked toward the second-generation disciples who were moving while standing on their hands.

Nan Hee-ju stared at that scene blankly.

Strangely enough, Ban Hojin’s words refused to leave her mind.

“Keep your waist straight. You’ll get hurt like that.”

“Yes!”

“You still have strength in your voice. Should I add another lap?”

“Eek!”

At Ban Hojin’s devilish words, Jeong Hyeon let out a scream.

It was already exhausting as it was—adding another lap would surely make him collapse.

In truth, standing on one’s hands itself was not that difficult.

However, unlike a well-maintained training ground, the surface was not flat, so the pain transmitted through their hands was considerable.

Since their entire body weight rested solely on their hands, the pain was no small matter.

Moreover, although they trained external martial arts, they had never trained their hands so brutally before, causing the second-generation disciples’ faces to contort miserably.

“It’s all your own doing. So hurry up and move. This is also beneficial to you.”

“Really?”

“Do you think I’d do this just to torment you? If that were the case, I’d rather spar with you—while making you practice formations.”

“Urgh!”

At Ban Hojin’s words, Jeong Hyeon made a sound as if he were about to vomit.

Just imagining it was terrifying.

He had never experienced it directly, but judging from the sparring they had done so far, Ban Hojin was more than capable of actually doing exactly that.

“We’ll work hard!”

“Heave-ho!”

The momentum of the second-generation disciples changed.

At the same time, their movement speed increased.

They advanced rapidly, as if they had never been tired at all.

But to Ban Hojin, it looked more like they were trying to flee.

“You all must grow strong and healthy as well.”

Preparations for the future were being made steadily.

However, as the saying went, the more the better—there was no harm in preparing plenty.

Although they were little brats now, nine years later they would be older than he was at present.

That was why Ban Hojin could not help but pay close attention to these second-generation disciples who would become future workers and warriors.

“For Shaolin’s sake, and for your own sakes as well.”

Kwaaang! Bang!

Explosive sounds echoed from all around, as if true energy had begun to be used in earnest.

But Ban Hojin paid no attention at all, focusing solely on the second-generation disciples.

As he entered Shaolin, Oh Jung-geon looked around.

He had heard that something unpleasant had happened internally not long ago, but the atmosphere did not seem particularly different from before.

Perhaps because it was a temple, the scene was far removed from chaos, and Oh Jung-geon felt relieved.

At the same time, the old saying that stagnant water rots came to his mind once more.

“To think something like that would happen at Shaolin of all places.”

It was unavoidable for lay disciples to cause trouble from time to time.

From the start, lay disciples were not Buddhists.

Living in the secular world, it was only natural for them to be swayed by greed.

However, this time an elder had also been implicated, so the situation was said to be quite serious.

“That’s why an organization for inspection is necessary. This time, we should verify things ourselves as well.”

If even Shaolin had people pocketing under-the-table money,

then it was not something that the Beggars’ Sect could afford to take lightly either.

Though the beggar’s life was one of scraping by, that did not mean there was no greed at all.

If material desire was absent, that desire could manifest in other ways.

“You have arrived.”

“What an honor. Ah—should I call you Great Hero Ban now?”

“Either way, it doesn’t change who I am, so feel free to call me whatever you like.”

Despite the clear change in his status compared to the past, Ban Hojin himself looked exactly the same.

Seeing his attitude, as if he truly did not care about others’ evaluations or gazes, Oh Jung-geon wore an expression that said, as expected.

“Then I’ll call you Young Master Ban, as I always have. Hahaha.”

“Please do.”

“Everyone’s enthusiasm is quite something.”

Crossing Shaolin and coming straight to where Ban Hojin and his group were staying, Oh Jung-geon’s eyes sparkled.

He was watching the four people training together with the second-generation disciples.

In particular, he carefully observed Murong Cheok and Jeong Iryong.

“Because they’re completely absorbed in their training right now.”

“The future of the Murim is bright. And at the very forefront of it stands Young Master Ban.”

“It’s still too early for me. There’s Senior Disciple here, and Great Hero Oh as well.”

“Ah, come now. I’m only called a Junior Beggar in name—I still have a long way to go. My master is still hale and hearty too. Great Master Beopmu would probably think the same.”

“Then I’ll have to train even harder.”

Following behind Ban Hojin, Oh Jung-geon waved his hands vigorously.

He was already this strong—if he became any stronger, there would be no place left for him to stand.

And it was also for Ban Hojin’s sake.

The Jianghu was a place that became more dangerous the more famous one became.

The more a name spread and renown grew, the more people there were who envied and resented it.

There were also many who chose to drag others down rather than climb up themselves.

“It’s already more than enough. I still need to make a living, you know.”

“That doesn’t sound like something someone in your position should be saying.”

“Hahaha.”

Unable to lie to Ban Hojin, Oh Jung-geon let out an awkward laugh.

Then he sat down in the seat Ban Hojin offered.

“You called me here because of that cipher text from before, didn’t you?”

“That’s right. I also took the opportunity to see Young Master Ban and the others. It’s been quite a while since I last saw you.”

“That’s true.”

Ban Hojin nodded slowly.

However, he did not take Oh Jung-geon’s words at face value.

In other words, it meant that he had come because there was sufficient value to do so.

In particular, Ban Hojin did not miss the fact that Oh Jung-geon had been carefully watching Jeong Iryong and Murong Cheok.

“There are also people I’m meeting for the first time. By the way, how did you find Young Hero Jeong?”

“Our fates happened to cross.”

“Oh? Fate, you say.”

Oh Jung-geon smacked his lips.

Once the word “fate” came up, he could no longer probe any further.

And it was unthinkable to interrogate or question him outright.

“I went out to see the wider world, and luck was on my side.”

“You must have been through quite a lot.”

“For me, it was a good experience.”

“Hahaha. If it were me, my knees would’ve been shaking. The Green Forest Great Lord is someone who absolutely deserves to be beaten down, but unfortunately, the power he possesses is formidable. And despite his looks, he’s also quite cunning.”

Ban Hojin nodded without replying.

To him, the man was no more than a post-meal snack, but it was different for others.

He was sufficiently threatening, and with the Eighteen Green Forest Strongholds under his command, it was only natural that facing him would be overwhelming.

“He’ll probably show up again.”

“He will. They’re like weeds—no matter how much you pull them out, similar ones keep sprouting up. But even so, we can’t just sit back and watch. Evil must be eradicated wherever it appears. That way, ordinary people won’t suffer. In that sense, I’m grateful to Young Master Ban. You captured the Green Forest Great Lord on behalf of many.”

“Do you have a favor to ask of me? You seem unusually generous with praise today.”

“Hey now. I’m not that kind of person. I’m saying this after making an extremely objective and cold assessment. Before getting to the main point, I really wanted to say this.”

“Is that so.”

Despite Oh Jung-geon’s words, Ban Hojin’s expression remained unchanged from beginning to end.

As if it were nothing of consequence, he merely sipped his tea.

Seeing that, Oh Jung-geon inwardly marveled, then finally brought up the real matter.

“The cipher text you gave me last time.”

“Yes.”

“From that day on, I swept through Jiangsu Province with Nanjing as the center. Then I gradually expanded the scope. At first, it was vague, but I caught a trail. They’re still careless. But it seems that this trail is connected to the Neo-Outer Murim.”

“Neo-Outer Murim, you say.”

“……You’re not surprised?”

Lowering his voice as if delivering an important secret, Oh Jung-geon blinked.

It was completely different from the reaction he had expected.

He had assumed Ban Hojin would be greatly shocked, but his expression was calm—if anything, indifferent.

If one exaggerated, it almost seemed as though he already knew.

“I was a little surprised. But thinking about it, it’s not the first time the Neo-Outer Murim has revealed its ambitions toward the Central Plains, is it?”

“Ah, that’s true.”

Since it was a fact from the past, Oh Jung-geon nodded.

However, his sense of doubt did not completely fade.

“Where is it?”

“Following the trail, it led to the Great Desert.”

“The Great Desert.”

“At the present time, if it’s connected to the Great Desert, there’s only one place that comes to mind. Iron-Blood Castle.”

Oh Jung-geon spoke in a heavy tone.

Since Iron-Blood Castle was where the ruler of the Great Desert resided, he thought that this time Ban Hojin would surely be shocked.

But once again, his expectations were betrayed.

“Iron-Blood Castle, following Nine Heavens Gate.”

“Pardon?”

Oh Jung-geon’s eyes widened.

They had been talking about Iron-Blood Castle, and suddenly Nine Heavens Gate had come up out of nowhere.

But soon, he focused on the three characters “Nine Heavens Gate.”

“Wait. Hold on. Nine Heavens Gate?”

“Yes. It’s said that members of Nine Heavens Gate have appeared in Yunnan Province, Guizhou Province, and Guangxi Province. Of course, just because their main base is in Miaojiang doesn’t mean they can’t go to other provinces, but the signs are strange.”

“Where did you hear that?”

“Where do you think I heard it?”