Chapter 1512: People Experience All Kinds Of Things As They Live (Part 1)

It wasn't just Beggar's Union that was bewildered by all these events.

"Are they... on our side?"

"Well, it seems like it, doesn't it?"

"Shaolin?"

"That's right."

"Those Shaolin bastards? No, those Shaolin... gentlemen?"

"Isn't that true?"

"What in the world..."

As Jo Gol looked at the Shaolin disciples, who seemed utterly baffled, he turned his gaze towards Baek Cheon.

"Sasuk! Did Sasuk know about this?"

"...That bastard did mention something."

...Baek Cheon truly didn't know.

"That...anyways they're really our side?"

"It seems so."

"So, are we going to fight together now?"

"Well... why not?"

"Sigh..."

Jo Gol laughed as if in disappointment. Then he murmured words that represented everyone's feelings.

"People experience all kinds of things as they live..."

He never thought they would join hands with Shaolin. Who could have imagined such a scenario?

At that moment, one of the elders, who was still in confusion, shouted with frustration.

"Why is Shaolin helping the Heavenly Comrade Alliance! We belong to the same Ten Great Sects!"

There was no law stating that Shaolin couldn't help the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. There was no one who didn't know this, so the question should've been framed tactfully. However, the elders of Beggar's Union didn't have the luxury to do so at the moment.

"Amitabha."

Hye Bang calmly answered the question even though it didn't make logical sense.

"There seems to be a misunderstanding. We did not say we were helping the Heavenly Comrade Alliance."

"Then what was that statement just now!"

"We simply came in response to Beggar's Union's sect leader's request. If Beggar's Union, belonging to the same righteous and the Ten Great Sects, requested help, wouldn't it be right to assist?"

"Well..."

The elder who lost words for a moment looked at Hye Bang.

"Then this is a matter within the Beggar's Union. Is Shaolin getting involved in Beggar's Union's affairs now?"

"That is true. Involving in the affairs of other sects is prohibited. If it were a situation where we did not hear Beggar's Union's sect leader's request, it would be a different story."

Upon hearing this, the elders' expressions changed several times in a short moment. No matter how much they were in crisis, until this inauguration ceremony was over, Pungyeong Shin Gae was still the leader of Beggar's Union. It meant that he was the only one who could represent the Beggar's Union's osition. The position of 'Sect Leader,' a mere facade, had now become a noose named 'Legitimacy' around the necks of the elders.

Hye Bang smiled faintly.

"And... although it may not be solely Beggar's Union's matter."

He looked at those surrounded by the elders.

"Other sects have already been involved, and among them... well, it seems there is also a disciple of Shaolin."

"That, what is that...?"

"A disciple of Shaolin was injured. In the face of an attack on Shaolin's disciple, how can you simply say it's the affairs of another sect!"

Hye Bang exclaimed loudly.

The elders' gaze now turned to Hye Yeon, who blinked innocently with his innocent, round face. 

The disciples of Mount Hua muttered.

"Injured?"

"Well... it did sting a little."

"If that's an injury, then a mosquito bite is an eagle attack."

"Anyway, what about being a disciple of Shaolin?"

"Isn't that true?"

"Wasn't he excommunicated?"

"He hadn't undergone the excommunication ceremony, nor has he performed the excommunication ritual, so shouldn't we consider him still belonging to Shaolin?"

"That's true, but... is that why all this happened?"

Almost at the level of covering their eyes and humming, it wasn't entirely wrong if you looked at it closely. Regardless of the situation, since a disciple of Shaolin was attacked, Shaolin had obtained a justification to intervene. Of course, the request from Beggar's Union's sect leader also provided overflowing justification.

"Is this truly Shaolin's intention?"

"That's correct."

"Did Bangjang approve of this? Really?"

At one elder's question, Hye Bang smiled mysteriously.

"Well, Bangjang didn't explicitly give the order."

"See! That can't be true!"

"But right now, Bangjang is too far away to know about this situation, and the request for support for Shaolin has come to Song Mountain."

"..."

"According to Shaolin's laws, if it is judged to be an urgent situation where waiting for the sect leader's order is impossible, the person with the highest rank on the spot can issue an order as a representative, ensuring it does not violate the law and principles."

The faces of Ilho Shin Gae and the others turned pale.

Currently, the high-ranking members of Shaolin had all vacated Song Mountain. And it was none other than Ilho Shin Gae himself who delayed the information reaching the Beopjeong at the Yangtze River, just in case.

Until a moment ago, the number that was gracefully inconspicuous had now turned into a fatal threat, transforming into a deadly grip around his neck.

"Now, the one with the highest rank in Song Mountain is me. As long as it's certain that you're spreading falsehoods, all of Shaolin's actions in this event are not in violation of law and principles. The affairs of a sect should be carried out through legitimate processes and procedures, not through force. So, elders, step back now and achieve your desired goals through proper and lawful means."

"This..."

"If not!"

Hye Bang shouted firmly.

"You will have to face Shaolin."

"Amitabha!"

As soon as Hye Bang finished speaking, the Shaolin disciples collectively expressed their disapproval. It felt like an intangible pressure was pouring down. The elders involuntarily stepped back. Facing Shaolin. Who in the martial world didn't understand the significance of that?

"Sh-Shaolin..."

"Us? Against Shaolin?"

Of course, the people who had come here were not the true power of Shaolin. They barely numbered a hundred, not even reaching the level of formidable martial artists. However, the elders of Beggar's Union knew too well. Just how formidable Shaolin's martial artists, numbering only a few dozen, were. And if they joined forces with the disciples of Mount Hua present here, how formidable an enemy they would become.

"Well..."

Tang Soso, who was observing the situation, whispered.

"This... might sound a bit strange."

"Huh?"

"Am I wrong thinking that Shaolin seems reliable?"

"Surely not."

"I don't think so."

"I've respected Shaolin from the beginning."

"I wanted to join Shaolin too!"

"Sasuk, Gol-i wants to join Shaolin."

"Go. Go, you bastard! Go!"

"Why me alone..."

The pressure on the shoulders of Mount Hua's group began to increase. Meeting them as enemies would be embarrassing and frightening, but on the other hand, if they became allies, there was no place more reliable than Shaolin. Moreover, weren't the disciples of Mount Hua quite familiar with coordinating their martial arts with Shaolin's teachings?

"Well..."

Baek Cheon nodded slightly and took a step forward. Then, he stretched his shoulders, took a bold step forward, and declared loudly.

"The same goes for the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. The elders of Beggar's Union, please follow the proper procedures. Those who do not will be considered as causing chaos in the martial world."

The disciples of Mount Hua began to murmur behind them.

"This is amazing."

"Just a moment ago, he seemed like he was about to collapse."

"By this point, could it be that he chose the wrong calling?" 

"Amitabha... Mount Hua's future looks bright."

"Isn't that a curse?"

Having understood the reason and purpose of Shaolin's appearance, Mount Hua regained its composure as if to say, 'When did this happen?'

And the elders of Beggar's Union, who had been pressuring them, were now cornered instead. Now, it turned out that Shaolin and Mount Hua were surrounding and pressuring them instead.

It wasn't just a matter of sides; even if they were the elders of Beggar's Union, could they really fight against these two forces?

"H-How..."

"Shingae! What's happening?"

"We didn't hear such words! Grand Elder!"

As the situation escalated, the elders desperately sought someone to blame.

"Didn't Shingae have a plan?"

"What are you planning to do!"

"W-shouldn't the plan change in this situation?"

As the voices of discontent poured towards Ilho Shin Gae, Pungyeong Shin Gae and Baek Cheon both burst into laughter simultaneously.

Those who had followed Ilho Shin Gae like steel were now pouring out their grievances against him. As soon as it was judged that following him was disadvantageous, they turned against him.

"Elder! Come up with a solution quickly..."

"Shut up!"

At that moment, a thunderous roar erupted from Ilho Shin Gae's mouth.

"You fools! Do you think your actions will be erased just because you withdraw now?"

"Um..."

The bewildered elders looked around. According to the laws of the Beggar's Union, there was only one punishment for those who attempted to assassinate the Sect Leader—death.

Of course, it might be impossible to kill all these people. However, at least the elders present here would lose all authority and couldn't avoid being expelled from their positions.

"There are not even a hundred of them! And they are like rebels who don't follow the orders of Shaolin's Bangjang! If Bangjang finds out about this, will he just let them go? Naturally, he will take our side."

Hye Bang wore a bitter expression at Ilho Singae's words. He knew that the probability of that happening was high.

"We just need to win! If we can suppress them, that's enough! Spread the news that the rebels of Shaolin are attacking the Beggar's Union and call for the branches as well!"

The faces of the elders stiffened. Doing so would make this not just an internal matter for the Beggar's Union.

However...

"What are you doing!"

"Yes!"

There was no turning back now. The elders who had made up their minds first rushed outside. The remaining ones immediately started releasing their energy towards the Shaolin disciples. Hye Bang's face hardened.

"Listen."

"Yes!"

"Subdue the elders as much as possible without shedding blood! I will take full responsibility!"

"Yes!"

Mount Hua also understood what they had to do.

"Sect Leader." 

"Speak, Deputy Sect Leader."

"Sect Leader, please do what the Sect Leader should do."

"...I understand what you mean."

Even though he desperately wanted to watch the outcome from here, Pungyeong Shin Gae had a different task. To stop the Beggar's Union warriors who would soon converge on this place.

Only Pungyeong Shin Gae could do this task.

"I will definitely block them."

"Please."

Pungyeong Shin Gae nodded with a firm expression and flew towards the entrance.

"Sohyeop! Please assist the Sect Leader."

"...Understood."

This Song Baek also nodded and followed Pungyeong Shin Gae. Confirming that only familiar faces remained, Baek Cheon sighed.

"Hmm."

"Here we go again."

"What are they trying to say this time!"

"Don't! Don't, you bastards!"

Baek Cheon, with a red face, expressed his frustration and turned his head towards the Beggar's Union elders.

"...Actually, we got hit a lot."

"Sasuk got hit quite a lot."

"We didn't particularly."

"Sasuk! You have bruises on your face."

"Geez..."

Baek Cheon pointed his sword at the elders with a bitter smile.

"It's time for revenge! Beat them all down!"

"Yeah, that's right, Sasuk."

"Protect Dong Ryong!"

"Let's go!"

"Amitabha!"

The excited disciples of Mount Hua moved. And leading them was Hye Yeon. Somehow, he was the most excited and dashed forward like a gust of wind.

"Subdue the enemies!"

Soon, Shaolin's martial artists turned into golden streaks and charged towards the elders.

"A―mi―ta―bha―!"

A fierce hostility erupted like a thunderous roar from the core of the Beggar's Union, much like the beating heart, penetrating deep into the chest.

Indeed, a fierce battle was about to begin.