Actually, it's better. (1)

Although Mu-Jin and Beob Gang shared a mental connection, today's Beob Gang was different.

"You need to explain this so that I can understand what's going on here."

He had reverted to his usual role as the guardian of the law, unlike his usual demeanor when dealing with Mu-Jin.

Realizing that it wouldn't suffice to gloss over the situation, Mu-Jin approached the crying Mu Gyeong and abruptly stripped off his clothes.

"What are you doing?"

Even Beob Gang, who had a stern expression, was startled and shouted, but Mu-Jin was unfazed.

"Look at Mu Gyeong's body, Sasuk Beob Gang."

Mu Gyeong, who continued crying despite being stripped, revealed his body, and Beob Gang's eyes naturally furrowed as he examined it.

Being a prominent Shaolin disciple and a martial artist, it wasn't difficult for Beob Gang to discern that the scars and bruises on Mu Gyeong's body were results of someone's violence.

And these weren't recent marks, but rather wounds that had been inflicted quite some time ago.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"The ones lying on the ground now are the ones who have been bullying Mu Gyeong for the past two months."

"Is that true?"

Beob Gang surveyed the assembled disciples with a stern expression.

Even Mu Gung shrank back under his formidable presence, and the two young Lay Disciples who were already crying began to wail even louder.

The only ones unaffected by Beob Gang's aura were the defiant Mu-Jin and the indifferent Mu Yul.

Perhaps due to Beob Gang's shout and the wailing of the Lay Disciples, other Shaolin disciples began to appear one by one behind him.

However, Beob Gang seemed unconcerned with those who gathered behind him. With a stern face and an imposing presence, he shouted again.

"Why is no one answering! Mu Hwi, Mu Hwan! Have you truly been bullying Mu Gyeong?"

Beob Gang questioned the two, excluding the unconscious, bloodied Mu Tae, but the two only cried louder under his pressure.

Turning his head, Beob Gang asked Mu Gyeong in a stern voice.

"Mu Gyeong! You must tell the truth! Have those two been bullying you for the past two months?"

Naturally, Mu Gyeong also shrank back under Beob Gang's intimidating presence.

"It's okay. Just tell the truth. Sasuk Beob Gang is a fair person."

Encouraged by Mu-Jin's words as he patted his head, Mu Gyeong gradually stopped crying.

"Sniff… Mu, Mu-Jin Sajae is right. I've been beaten by Mu Tae, Mu Hwi, and Mu Hwan for the past two months."

Mu Gyeong, who had been crying intensely, started to recount his experiences in a trembling voice.

Though his story was disjointed due to his heightened emotions, the core of it was clearly conveyed to Beob Gang.

"Whenever I resisted, they threatened to harm my father."

As Mu Gyeong's explanation came to an end, a brief silence fell over the area.

Mu-Jin's voice then broke through the quiet.

"Today, those guys tried to beat Mu Gyeong again, so I intervened. Sasuk Beob Gang, you have said that Shaolin never abandons its disciples under any circumstances. Since Mu Gyeong is also a Shaolin disciple, I thought we should protect him."

Beob Gang stared at Mu-Jin as if challenging him.

"But those kids are also Shaolin disciples."

"Are you saying that those who threaten a child's father for livelihood are Shaolin disciples? Is that truly the spirit of Shaolin?"

"...."

Beob Gang, at a loss for words in response to Mu-Jin's outburst, closed his mouth.

"You are right."

A venerable monk, Hyun Song, the head The Hall of Arhats, emerged from the crowd of disciples.

"However, that only holds true if your and Mu Gyeong's claims are correct. We will commence an investigation to verify your statement. If what you say is true, those children will no longer be considered disciples of Shaolin."

"Master. I have no doubt that a fair and just investigation will be conducted."

Mu-Jin, bowing to Hyun Song's words, spoke, and Hyun Song continued with a stern expression.

"However, even if those children are not Shaolin disciples, it does not absolve all guilt. The essence of Shaolin martial arts lies in restraint, yet what you did to mere children seems excessive."

As Hyun Song pointed to the unconscious, bloodied Mu Tae, Mu Gyeong tried to rise and speak.

No, he would have, if not for the back that suddenly blocked his path.

"I apologize. I lost control of my emotions in my anger toward those who bullied Mu Gyeong."

The owner of the back was none other than Mu-Jin.

"Mu-Jin?"

Mu Gyeong called out in confusion, but Mu-Jin, still facing Hyun Song, just waved a hand behind him.

It was a gesture meant to reassure him not to worry.

'It's partly my responsibility.'

Although he hadn't anticipated it getting to this point, he still had some responsibility in the matter. However, it wasn't just out of responsibility that he stepped forward.

'Above all, I can't let him become the Blood Monk.'

If he were to betray and shift responsibility now, Mu Gyeong, disappointed, might become the Blood Monk in the future.

On the other hand, if he could prevent Mu Gyeong from becoming the Blood Monk.

'He'll be the best ally.'

The main antagonist who troubled the protagonist in the first part of the story was the Blood Monk. If such a character were to trust and follow him, it would make reaching the novel's ending much easier.

Though partly out of responsibility, this situation was not entirely unfavorable for Mu-Jin.

As he looked at Mu-Jin, who had voluntarily stepped forward, Hyun Song asked with a curious expression.

"So you claim this was your doing."

"Yes."

"Then you must also accept the appropriate punishment. Are you still claiming it was your doing?"

"If the punishment depends on who takes the blame, how is that justice?"

Hyun Song's eyes gleamed at Mu-Jin's confident response.

Hyun Song, being a venerable monk and head of the Hall of Arhats, had already deduced that Mu Gyeong was responsible for Mu Tae's condition.

However, he was inwardly impressed by Mu-Jin's determination to protect Mu Gyeong.

'Indeed, if he grows properly, he will become a pillar of Shaolin.'

And Hyun Song wasn't one to show favoritism to potential future pillars. In fact, he believed that such individuals should be disciplined more strictly.

"Then, as the head of the Hall of Arhats, I will impose a fitting punishment on the disciple Mu-Jin. Mu-Jin, I order you to undergo seven days and nights of wall-gazing meditation."

"Master, I will accept the punishment willingly."

As Mu-Jin responded with a bow, Hyun Song nodded once and turned to address the assembled Shaolin disciples.

"Beob Gang. Escort Mu-Jin. The rest of you, listen. We will begin questioning the Lay Disciples immediately to ascertain if Mu Tae, Mu Hwi, and Mu Hwan have indeed been bullying Mu Gyeong. This truth must be revealed beyond doubt."

"We will follow the orders of the Head Monk!"

As soon as Hyun Song's command was issued, the disciples scattered to different parts of the hall.

When Beob Gang approached Mu-Jin to escort him, Mu-Jin cautiously made a request.

"Sasuk. Before receiving my punishment, may I have just a little time?"

"…So be it."

With Beob Gang's permission, Mu-Jin turned back to face Mu Gyeong.

"Don't worry about me; I'll be fine."

After gently patting Mu Gyeong's head, Mu-Jin looked at Mu Yul and Mu Gyeong.

"Both of you, take care of Mu Gyeong."

"Sure!"

"Why me?"

Mu Yul and Mu Gung responded differently, causing Mu-Jin to frown as he glared at Mu Gung.

"Shouldn't you act like the senior disciple?"

"But... Mu Yul is here too."

"Do you really expect Mu Yul to take care of Mu Gyeong alone?"

That sweet but clueless guy?

Realizing the meaning behind Mu-Jin's gaze, Mu Gung looked reluctantly at Mu Gyeong.

When he saw the blood stains on Mu Gyeong's face, he hiccupped involuntarily.

For a thirteen-year-old like Mu Gung, seeing Mu Gyeong, who had lost control and beaten someone to a pulp, was terrifying.

"Then, I leave it to you."

Regardless of Mu Gung's fear, Mu-Jin, having said what he needed, turned and walked away.

* * *

Beob Gang led Mu-Jin out of the Shaolin temple.

After leaving the temple and walking for about 15 minutes, they arrived at a cliff-like area filled with unusual rocks and trees.

"This place is where the sages of old used to practice wall-gazing meditation to enter the state of enlightenment. For the next seven days and nights, Mu-Jin, you will stay here, speak to no one, and simply face the wall in deep meditation."

Beob Gang briefly explained the location.

In truth, Shaolin had a separate prison for actual criminals, called Chamhoe Cave.

There, following Shaolin's principles, they would imprison martial artists without killing them, sealing their martial arts abilities. Even Shaolin disciples who committed serious offenses were usually confined there.

However, since young disciples might be influenced by the sinister inhabitants of the cave and become even more malevolent, this alternative location was found.

"You must only look at the wall, even when sleeping or eating. You must not turn around. I will periodically bring you water and rations, but you are to start your wall-gazing meditation now."

"I understand."

After listening to Beob Gang's instructions, Mu-Jin bowed simply and entered the cave.

For some reason, Beob Gang remained there, watching Mu-Jin.

He was there to ensure Mu-Jin didn't do anything other than meditate.

Most young disciples, when first assigned wall-gazing meditation, would make such mistakes.

Thinking they were alone, they would lie down on the floor or doodle with their fingers, actions that Beob Gang was there to monitor without informing Mu-Jin of his presence.

If caught not meditating, they would receive additional punishment.

'Though I doubt this child will do such a thing...'

Even with that thought, Beob Gang kept a close watch on Mu-Jin.

Despite liking Mu-Jin, Beob Gang adhered strictly to the rules, keeping a sharp eye on Mu-Jin's back.

Mu-Jin sat straight, staring at the wall.

Hours passed, and night fully enveloped the cave.

'As expected...'

For the entire two hours, Mu-Jin remained unmoving, staring at the wall with unwavering concentration.

His posture was straight, showing he wasn't sleeping either.

'To have such focus and determination at only twelve years old...'

Beob Gang nodded slightly, seemingly pleased with Mu-Jin's attitude towards his punishment.

Meanwhile, as Mu-Jin was performing wall-gazing meditation, he was preoccupied with thinking about the future rather than focusing on the present events.

'Ha, as I suspected, Shaolin's [Shinsung Chronicles] shares the same universe.'

Instead of meditating, he was busy thinking about today's events and future scenarios.

The previous works by the author, Gagyeong, [Demon Lord's Return] and [Sacred King's War], shared the same universe, known as the Gagyeong Universe.

Not only did they share the same universe, but the protagonists operated during overlapping periods. They hardly ever met due to their different areas of activity.

The first part primarily focused on the protagonist's activities in becoming the Heavenly Demon, the leader of the Demonic Sect, while the second part centered around activities in the Central Plains.

Especially in the latter part of [Sacred King's War], a character known as the 'Divine Monk' appeared, leading Mu-Jin to suspect a shared universe.

While one might think he could monopolize all the opportunities since the novels share the same universe, there was a significant issue.

The protagonists of parts one and two were not enemies of the Divine Monk.

'If I hinder the growth of the protagonists in parts one and two… they might end up dying somewhere, which would be catastrophic.'

After all, it had been seventeen years since he read those novels in school. While he remembered the broad strokes, the details were hazy.

Even if he remembered the protagonists' opportunities, taking them for himself would mean the protagonists wouldn't grow as needed, potentially leading to their untimely deaths.

This was one of the reasons Mu-Jin was determined to stay at Shaolin.

To avoid interfering with the protagonists' activities and ensure his safe growth.

Despite knowing various opportunities, it wasn't a world where a twelve-year-old could wander freely. This martial arts world was dangerous.

Considering this, staying and enduring at Shaolin might have been the best choice.

'Especially since I have Blood Monk Mu Gyeong on my side.'

The protagonist of part one, known as the most talented individual in the universe, fought evenly with Blood Monk Mu Gyeong.

'Wait, does that mean I've stolen an opportunity?'

The protagonist of part one gains insight and becomes stronger after a final battle with the Blood Monk. With the Blood Monk gone, that insight would also disappear.

'Damn, this is complicated.'

Having realized this, Mu-Jin continued to rack his brain for solutions.

Beob Gang, unaware of these thoughts, simply watched Mu-Jin with a proud expression.

After about two hours had passed.

'Oh! That might work.'

Mu-Jin finally came up with a decent idea and repeatedly tried to imprint it in his mind.

The method he thought of would be applicable when the Blood Monk and the protagonist of part one would meet, which was at least ten years from now.

Having observed Mu-Jin for over two hours and feeling that it was now close to midnight, Beob Gang decided to turn away.

Despite having watched Mu-Jin for over two and a half hours, with no sign of movement, he felt further surveillance was unnecessary.

Of course, he intended to return early the next morning and regularly check in under the pretext of bringing water and provisions.

Beob Gang used his footwork to minimize noise as he retreated.

"Phew, he's finally gone."

Once he could no longer sense Beob Gang's presence, Mu-Jin sighed and muttered.

With seven years of experience in special forces and numerous covert operations, he was adept at detecting others in the mountains.

Though Beob Gang had not used techniques like merging with nature or silencing his presence completely, assuming Mu-Jin was an ordinary disciple, this had been a lapse in Beob Gang's judgment.

Confirming Beob Gang had left, Mu-Jin lay flat on the ground and muttered.

"What am I supposed to do to pass the time for seven days and nights? I can't work out without protein from beans or mushrooms."

He was dissatisfied even when he could supplement meat with beans and mushrooms, and now he couldn't even do that.

"Sigh. I need meat. Meat."

After muttering for a while to soothe his regret, Mu-Jin suddenly had a realization and jumped up.

"Why don't I just hunt for my own food?"