Chapter 57
"Why would the head of the personnel hall want to take you?"
Myeongcheon, who was walking ahead, looked back at the two and said.
Cheon Woojin shook his head.
"I don't know."
In the Martial Alliance's rank system, there were commanders above the unit commanders, and separately, there were hall masters of each hall with specific characteristics.
For example, the Punishment Hall was in charge of the management and execution of the alliance's laws, the Personnel Hall was in charge of the personnel management of the alliance members, and the Martial Scripture Hall was in charge of the research of martial arts.
Most of the hall masters were composed of elder-level figures from the Five Great Families and the Nine Sects One Gang, and for that reason, they were beings that no one except the alliance leader could treat lightly.
"The hall master probably doesn't have any particular business with us."
Song Yiyeon added to Cheon Woojin's words. No matter how he thought about it, he couldn't think of a reason why a person of the hall master's level would call for newcomers who had just joined the alliance.
The head of the martial scripture hall, Myeongcheon, nodded his head.
'It's the Black Tortoise Unit.'
If the two people involved didn't know, then the target of the head of the personnel hall was probably the Black Tortoise Unit itself. To be precise, it would be related to the commander promotion that would take place in four months.
The head of the martial scripture hall gently pressed his temples with the joint of his thumb as if he already had a headache.
Because these things always happened when the promotion season came around. For that reason, the authority of the head of the personnel hall was sky-high within the alliance.
"This is it. How is it?"
Myeongcheon, who had stopped walking, pointed to a pavilion.
The architectural style of the Martial Alliance was generally similar, but the Martial Scripture Hall had a strong personality. Because it was decorated with Buddhist paintings of clouds, lotus flowers, heavenly kings, and Buddhas.
The architectural style itself was like looking at a large temple. Because it was a tradition that the Martial Scripture Hall of the Martial Alliance was managed by a person from Shaolin for generations.
"Oh."
Cheon Woojin let out a short exclamation.
Song Yiyeon was also looking at it as if it were strange.
Myeongcheon, who gave a gentle smile at that sight, entered the Martial Scripture Hall, and the two followed him.
* * *
The office of the head of the martial scripture hall was also peculiar.
One wall was packed with all sorts of books, so it looked more like a library than a space for work.
The head of the martial scripture hall lifted a teapot and filled the teacups placed in front of the two. Unusually, it was transparent water with no scent.
"It's a peculiar tea."
As Song Yiyeon said so, the head of the martial scripture hall smiled as if embarrassed.
"It's just water."
"Ah..."
"As you can see, since it's a space with a lot of books, if you drink tea with a strong scent, the smell gets into the paper. I kept looking for tea with a weaker scent, and recently, I've been using heated water instead."
Cheon Woojin, who savored the heated water like tea, nodded.
Although they had not talked for long, he could feel the head of the martial scripture hall's affection for books.
Myeongcheon, who had moistened his throat, continued.
"I was so surprised when I saw the letter from Shaolin. To think that my grandmaster sent it himself."
Even when he was in Shaolin, he could count on one hand the number of times he had seen Grandmaster Fajin's face. He was a person who lived a life completely cut off from the secular world.
For such a person to send a letter asking him to take care of the children of the Martial Alliance whom he had seen for the first time. It was truly a surprising thing.
"It seems my grandmaster took a great liking to you. I have already heard of your exploits."
It was truly a series of surprises. It was surprising that his grandmaster had personally sent a letter, but the exploits that these young newcomers had achieved on one mission were even more surprising.
"You praise us too much. We just did what we had to do as members of the Martial Alliance."
Song Yiyeon bowed his head with a very polite attitude. Cheon Woojin, who glanced at him, bowed along.
Unfortunately, although he had learned martial arts from his two masters, he had never learned etiquette deeply, but it seemed that just following young hero Song would be more than half the battle.
"Hehe, to be humble despite having ability. It's a virtue that is difficult to have at a young age. Anyway, I didn't call you to talk about such trivial things..."
Myeongcheon took out something from the desk drawer.
It was a wooden box and a book.
Song Yiyeon's eyes flashed. Grandmaster Fajin had said that he would give him a secret manual related to the Boy Art in the future. To think he would receive it so quickly.
However, Myeongcheon pushed the book towards Cheon Woojin.
"I heard that you are quite interested in the staff arts of Shaolin?"
Myeongcheon's gaze turned to the Crescent Moon Staff that Cheon Woojin had leaned against one side of the desk. In the current era, martial artists who used staffs were rare. Most of them were people who revered the sword, calling it the king of all weapons.
For Shaolin, which had a deep knowledge of staff arts, a young junior who used a staff could not help but look lovely.
A strange light flashed in Cheon Woojin's eyes.
"Are you giving me a secret manual of Shaolin?"
"Hahaha, unfortunately, I can't do that. I'm just lending it to you. However, there is no time limit. When you feel that you have seen and learned enough, return it."
Myeongcheon smiled as if embarrassed. No matter what, he couldn't just give away a secret manual of Shaolin.
However, Cheon Woojin did not care. It was enough to be able to see the secret manual.
As Song Yiyeon, who had been secretly expecting it, licked his lips, Myeongcheon pushed the wooden box to him.
"This is yours. It's from Shaolin, not the Martial Alliance, so you don't have to feel burdened."
When he carefully opened the wooden box, there was a pill with a rather brilliant appearance inside.
"Thank you, Hall Master."
Song Yiyeon got up from his seat and cupped his fist.
It was not a Great Pill or a Small Pill. However, since the spiritual medicine of Shaolin was considered the best in the world, it must have a precious effect.
"Hehe, what is there to be thankful for? My grandmaster was so pleased with his meeting with you that he forgot to praise your achievements and sent these things."
Saying it out loud like this, he felt that it was strange again. Because Grandmaster Fajin was a person who did not interfere in other people's affairs that much.
Song Yiyeon nodded his head and asked.
"By any chance, may I ask the name of the spiritual medicine?"
"It's a Heart Protecting Pill."
"Uuuuum...! Thank you!"
Song Yiyeon tried his best to express his gratitude. In fact, it was a name he had heard for the first time.
Myeongcheon also noticed this and added.
"It's natural that you haven't heard of it. Because it's a spiritual medicine that you won't come across unless you're a monk of Shaolin. The Heart Protecting Pill is literally a spiritual medicine that protects the heart. It's effective when a heart demon comes during training... I also don't know why my grandmaster gave this to you, who are not a Buddhist. But since he is a person with deep thoughts, there must be a reason."
Song Yiyeon nodded his head in admiration of Grandmaster Fajin's deep meaning. The fatal weakness of the Boy Art was that it was vulnerable to yin energy. In particular, if a female master who had learned a sex art, like the Sex Demon from before, attacked with determination, there were few ways to block it.
If he took the Heart Protecting Pill when he was attacked like that, the effect would be great.
As Song Yiyeon expressed his gratitude again, and Myeongcheon smiled with satisfaction and nodded his head.
Thump.
Cheon Woojin closed the last page of the secret manual.
Song Yiyeon and Myeongcheon looked at Cheon Woojin.
"How was it after reading it?"
It was a word spoken without expectation. The martial arts of Shaolin were not the Three Talents Sword Art sold in the neighborhood marketplace, and it would be difficult to understand just by glancing at it.
Cheon Woojin answered shortly.
"It's a martial art that saves people. It's peculiar."
"Y-you understood that?"
Myeongcheon's eyes widened. The secret manual he had just handed over was the Ruyi Jingu Bang. It was famous that the Ruyi Bang from the Journey to the West was made by following this staff art.
Although it was a very domineering and lethal staff art among the staff arts of Shaolin, if you looked closely at the profound hidden meaning, it was actually a staff art that saved people.
With one swing, it would definitely damage the opponent's body. It was a way of breaking limbs or collapsing the rib cage.
However, there was no technique that would kill the opponent in one blow. Because it was a staff art that showed tolerance to the weak with overwhelming strength.
Myeongcheon's expression became serious. Because the profound meaning was hidden very secretly, it was difficult for even monks with deep training to understand it right away on the spot.
"By any chance, have you come across this Ruyi Jingu Bang before?"
It was a reasonable question.
However, Cheon Woojin shook his head.
"It's my first time."
"Hah..."
Myeongcheon let out a sigh. He began to understand his grandmaster's words to watch this child well.
Cheon Woojin pushed the secret manual back towards Myeongcheon. At that sight, Myeongcheon asked.
"Does it not suit your disposition?"
"No. It was very interesting."
His Black Master's staff art was meaningful in that it would definitely kill the opponent. It was the first time he had seen a staff art with the purpose of 'suppression' in this way, so he felt that his perspective had widened a little.
"Then why?"
"Because I've read it all."
Myeongcheon's expression hardened. Because Cheon Woojin's words that he had read it all meant that he had completely understood it.
No matter how much of a genius he was, that was impossible. At least in Myeongcheon's common sense, it was.
Myeongcheon picked up the secret manual and confirmed again.
"Will you really not regret it? The secret manuals of Shaolin are not something that can be handed over carelessly."
If he took it back now, there would be no next time.
Cheon Woojin nonchalantly nodded his head.
"Yes, I have read it with gratitude."
In Cheon Woojin's mind, there was already a version of himself that had perfectly unfolded the Ruyi Jingu Bang. In the time that Song Yiyeon and Myeongcheon were talking, he had finished his training and practice in his mind.
"...I understand."
Myeongcheon, who had packed the secret manual, still tilted his head as if he were suspicious.
"Anyway, I've taken up too much of the young martial artists' time. You must have a lot to do since you've just returned from a mission."
"No. It was a fortunate encounter."
Song Yiyeon bowed his head politely. Cheon Woojin followed him.
Myeongcheon's eyes drew a half-moon as he looked at the two. Although they seemed to be two people who would not get along because their dispositions were so different, for some reason, they seemed to be in a relationship where they complemented each other.
Originally, there were many parts of a relationship that could not be understood with human common sense like this.
"The principles of the world are originally like that."
"Yes?"
"No. Then, you may go back now. It's unlikely, but if you have any problems when you take the Heart Protecting Pill, come and find me right away."
Song Yiyeon gave a gentle smile, then bowed his head and turned away. In fact, although he didn't show it in front of the hall master, his mind and body were quite tired because he had returned after a long time from a mission.
Cheon Woojin also followed Song Yiyeon.
Myeongcheon, who was looking at their receding backs, suddenly thought of the head of the personnel hall and called the two to a halt.
"Wait."
Cheon Woojin and Song Yiyeon turned their heads.
Myeongcheon continued with a rather serious expression.
"There are many excellent juniors in this class, so I'm also in a very good mood. You two are particularly noticeable in many ways."
"Haha..."
Song Yiyeon let out an awkward laugh. In the first place, the fact that he had chosen the Black Tortoise Unit instead of the Heavenly Tiger Unit had drawn public attention.
Myeongcheon said with a worried look.
"There will be many days to prove your abilities in the future. As that happens, there will be many who recognize and are pleased with you, but a person is not an existence that only has a good heart. There will definitely be those who try to check you and make things difficult for you."
Even the Alliance Leader, Beili Tian, how many obstacles from his political enemies had he received until he reached that position?
Even now that he had become the alliance leader, there were quite a few who looked at his every move with displeasure.
The reason was simple. Because the Alliance Leader, Beili Tian, was a man who had reached that position with his own strength, without the support of his background.
Song Yiyeon, the son of a merchant family, and Cheon Woojin, whose master was unknown, would also experience similar things.
As the two young newcomers had a serious expression as if they would keep it in mind, Myeongcheon, who was finally relieved, gave a gentle smile.
"It's something you'll have to endure. But if you encounter something that truly crosses the line, tell me. Apart from my grandmaster's words, it's the job of a martial arts senior to look after his juniors."
However, Myeongcheon knew that the two would not come to find him.
From what he saw, even if Song Yiyeon didn't, Cheon Woojin was not a person who would ask someone for help.
'I don't know if that will be a poison or a medicine...'
One cannot force a disposition.
And so, Myeongcheon, who was watching the two leave with a worried and pleased heart, soon averted his gaze and looked at the Ruyi Jingu Bang.
"Did he really understand everything in that short time?"
It was still unbelievable, but if it were true, it would be a martial talent truly bestowed by the heavens. In other words, it would not be an exaggeration to call it a Heavenly Martial Body.
* * *
"..."
Cheon Woojin and Song Yiyeon, who had left the Martial Scripture Hall, were silently confronting a man.
They were about to go to the dining hall for dinner, but this man who had suddenly appeared was blocking their way and just glaring at them.
Song Yiyeon, who couldn't stand it, asked.
"What on earth is it?"
It was a man he had never seen before. However, the fact that he was here meant that he was also a Martial Alliance member. He seemed to be around thirty, so he was probably a senior...
The gaze of the man glaring at Cheon Woojin and Song Yiyeon was quite full of hostility.
How much time had passed like that?
Song Yiyeon was startled. Because Cheon Woojin, who had been silent for a long time, had suddenly tried to grab the Crescent Moon Staff. From experience, Song Yiyeon's judgment was that if that staff was drawn, someone's head would be smashed.
"Oh my, young hero!"
It wasn't just Song Yiyeon who was surprised, as the man who was blocking the way also hurriedly took out a letter from his bosom and held it out.
Fortunately, Cheon Woojin grabbed the letter instead of the Crescent Moon Staff.
Soon, the man disappeared without any explanation.
"...What?"
Song Yiyeon let out a hollow laugh as if he were dumbfounded. Cheon Woojin opened the letter and read it, then crumpled it and threw it behind him. The flying letter caught fire and turned into ashes before it hit the ground.
At that absurd sight, Song Yiyeon asked.
"What was the content? No, more than that, wasn't that the True Fire of Samadhi just now?"
It was so natural that he almost forgot to be surprised.
Song Yiyeon resolved again not to get used to such monstrous sights. The more he did, the more his sense of self-deprecation would grow.
"But, young hero Cheon, what level are you at?"
Cheon Woojin answered nonchalantly.
"I don't know either. Because my masters disliked distinguishing people by their level."
Of course, it was probably because their level had already surpassed the generally divided levels.
Cheon Woojin added calmly.
"The letter was a warning that my life in the Martial Alliance would be difficult in the future if I didn't join the Dragon and Phoenix Society."
At Cheon Woojin's words, Song Yiyeon walked over to the pile of ashes that had once been a letter and stepped on it a few times.
"Let's just go eat."
At Song Yiyeon's suggestion, Cheon Woojin nodded his head.
Suddenly, the eyes of the man who was watching them from a distance, hiding, flashed with fire...
He met Cheon Woojin's eyes and then hurriedly disappeared.
(End of Chapter)