Find It Quickly, Quickly (2)
"Move faster!"
"Alright, alright!"
Yoon Jong snapped back irritably as Jo Geol urged him on, pounding the ground with his heels. The news that Monk Hye Yeon had beaten someone up was no small matter.
No—before even judging how serious it was, one question came first.
Is that even possible?
If anyone else had delivered the message, Yoon Jong would have laughed it off on the spot. It was that unthinkable.
They hadn't run far when the massive training ground came into view. A crowd had gathered, forming a wide circle. Several people lay sprawled at its center.
And standing among them—
"…That's real."
"…It really happened."
Hye Yeon stood there quietly, hands lowered, breathing steady.
Anyone could tell at a glance.
Those people had been struck down by him.
Yoon Jong, Jo Geol, and Baek Cheon leapt over the ring of onlookers and landed inside.
"Monk!"
"What happened here?"
Hye Yeon, who had been chanting softly with closed eyes, opened them. His usually gentle, open gaze was clouded by something dark and heavy.
"You came."
Baek Cheon immediately checked the fallen.
This isn't sparring.
Blood trickled from the corners of their mouths. They were fully unconscious.
Baek Cheon's face drained of color.
"Monk… explain. What happened?"
Instead of answering, Hye Yeon shook his head.
"I have committed a sin."
"No, Monk—!"
"It seems the anger I had suppressed was not truly gone. I lost myself."
He bowed deeply.
"I ask for repentance. Please restrain me."
"…Restrain?"
Baek Cheon was momentarily struck dumb.
Hye Yeon's words couldn't be dismissed lightly. Vice-leader or not, striking members of other sects without restraint was a grave offense.
Worse—
The fallen wore different uniforms.
Multiple sects.
In Gangho, laying hands on disciples of another sect was tantamount to challenging the sect itself.
Baek Cheon felt a cold premonition creep up his spine.
"Monk… please don't say things like that."
"Baek Cheon Siju."
Hye Yeon's eyes trembled faintly.
"If I have sinned, I must be punished. That is only right."
Baek Cheon hardened his expression.
"…Punishment must follow wrongdoing. That is Cheonumaeng's law. But before that, circumstances must be clarified."
"Explain what happened."
Hye Yeon inhaled slowly.
Then remained silent.
Baek Cheon clenched his jaw. Just as he was about to press again—
"What circumstances are there to explain?"
A sharp voice cut in.
Baek Cheon turned.
"The vice-leader suddenly lost his temper and attacked us! Everyone here saw it!"
The murmurs grew louder.
"That's right! We only got involved trying to stop him!"
"Punishment is necessary!"
Hye Yeon said nothing. He only continued chanting, pale as ash.
Baek Cheon felt his chest tighten.
If this continued, they'd be forced to restrain Hye Yeon on the spot.
And if that happened—
How could he lead afterward?
At that moment, Yoon Jong spoke coldly.
"What were you discussing?"
"…What?"
"You said there was a discussion. What was it about?"
"Is that important right now?"
"If it's not, then say it."
The speaker hesitated.
Baek Cheon nodded.
"Yes. Say it."
After a moment—
"…Shaolin."
"…Shaolin?"
Yoon Jong's face stiffened.
"This whole thing started because of Shaolin," the man continued, gaining confidence.
"We were discussing why we should trust someone from Shaolin after everything that's happened."
Silence fell.
"How many people died because of Shaolin? And now a disciple favored by the Abbot wants to lead us?"
"That's enough!"
Jo Geol lunged forward, only to be yanked back by Yoon Jong.
"Geol!"
"Let go! This bastard—!"
"Shut up!"
Baek Cheon's voice was calm—but cold.
"Is this what you call discussion?"
"…Is it wrong?"
"You're cornering him using suspicion."
"And?"
Baek Cheon stepped forward.
"Monk Hye Yeon is vouched for by the Alliance."
"…B-But—!"
"Doubting him is doubting Cheonumaeng itself."
The speaker went pale.
Before he could recover, another voice entered—measured, sharp.
"Vice-leader is missing the point."
A man in refined robes—Zhuge Yeon—spoke calmly.
"Regardless of intent, the fact remains that Monk Hye Yeon used violence. If we excuse this, how are we different from the Evil Sects?"
There were nods.
Baek Cheon fell silent.
Zhuge Yeon continued.
"I only wish for the rules of Cheonumaeng to be upheld."
"…What do you want?"
"Justice. Nothing more."
Hye Yeon bowed his head.
"Please restrain me. It is right."
Baek Cheon exhaled slowly.
Then—
"That's nonsense."
"…What?"
"I said it's nonsense."
Zhuge Yeon turned—
And froze.
Chung Myung was crouched beside him, staring up with a flat expression.
"Do you even know Cheonumaeng's rules?"
"…W-Well—"
"Have you seen them?"
"…No."
"Then stop talking out of your ass."
Thud!
"Aaagh!"
Still seated, Chung Myung kicked Zhuge Yeon's shin. He crumpled instantly.
Chung Myung stood.
"You're all loud for people who haven't earned it."
Jo Geol whispered.
"…His eyes rolled back."
"I saw."
"…Should we stop him?"
Yoon Jong glanced around.
"…Why?"
"…Right."
Chung Myung cracked his neck.
"Punishment? Fine."
He grinned.
"Let's start with you brats."
His pupils were completely overturned.