Tangmunjeon - Chapter 386



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Tangmunjeon Episode 386

Sunna Seung

Dang Mu-jin looked at the monk of So-roe-eum-sa Temple who revealed himself as Seon-na-seung.

There was nothing that could be called a weapon.

Of course, that didn’t mean it was harmless. Since monks from Shaolin Temple and Amipa also focused on the recommended method rather than the stick, it was highly likely that the Seonna monks also trained in the recommended method. If we were to put it bluntly, we should accept that the body itself is a weapon.

But it’s true that the mere fact that you’re not carrying a weapon makes you let your guard down a little.

And more importantly, Seonnasung had a clear atmosphere and good impression.

Dang Mu-jin thought of the Three-Eyed Buddha. If the Three-Eyed Buddha’s appearance is at one extreme of a monk, then at the other extreme is the Seonna monk.

Anyway, since the atmosphere was not such that a fight could break out right away, Dang Mu-jin asked Seon Na-seung.

“What do you want to talk about?”

“I want to discuss ways to reduce senseless sacrifice and death.”

Dang Mu-jin did not accept that story at face value.

Wasn’t preventing meaningless sacrifice something that generals often said when demanding surrender in war?

“Are you telling me to surrender?”

But Seonnasung shook his head.

“I wish it were possible, but it is unlikely. Even if you two were to go and discuss surrender, the Kunlun sect’s practitioners would not readily accept it.”

It’s a fairly accurate judgment.

Seon Na-seung continued his story slowly.

“I know that you are hiding somewhere in Kunlun Mountain.”

Dangmujin and Hyeon-gong did not answer the question. The answer itself could be a clue. However, Seon-na-seung did not seem to expect an answer either.

“I heard that the Kunlun School’s Taoists have been locked up in Kunlun Mountain for over a year. They must be lacking in many things. There must be a shortage of food, clothing, and firewood.”

Since Tang Wujin and Xuan Gong had only recently arrived at Kunlun Mountain, they did not know the exact situation of the material supplies there.

However, living in hiding in the rugged Kunlun Mountains means practically giving up farming. This is especially true because even if you want to make a small field in the mountains, you will have to deploy your tactics in the field.

Farming is virtually impossible. Gathering and hunting will only be possible to a very limited extent, as they will have to avoid the eyes of the Demonic Cult’s unmanned forces. The conditions cannot be good.

Dang Mu-jin and Hyeon-gong reached the same conclusion.

“Are you suggesting we trade for supplies?”

If the story had continued smoothly, it might have led to a pretty good conclusion. However, Seon Na-seung’s story was a little different from what was expected.

“No, the deal is not possible.”

It’s not that I won’t do a deal, I just said it’s impossible.

“Why is that?”

“I can’t prepare the supplies for you. But I won’t stop you from coming out to get supplies and food.”

Instead of preparing the materials, I will create the conditions for obtaining the materials.

This wasn’t bad either. What’s important is the price that Seonnasung demands.

The party leader said.

“Tell me what you want in return and I’ll tell you the story.”

However, Seon Na-seung’s story was far beyond Dang Mu-jin and Hyeon-gong’s expectations.

“No price is required.”

“···How could that be? He must have approached us because he had a wish.”

When Hyun-gong showed a slightly prickly attitude, Seon-na-seung answered in a calm voice.

“I hope that the people of Kunlun Mountain will be healthy, live in abundance and not suffer from hunger. Furthermore, I hope that they will not die meaningless deaths.”

“···?”

“When I was young, I became a monk to escape hunger. Hunger doesn’t help anyone. As a Buddhist, I don’t want you to experience such senseless suffering.”

Dang Mu-jin and Hyeon-gong tried to see through the hidden intentions of Seon-na-seung’s story. However, Dang Mu-jin could not read the lies in Seon-na-seung’s story.

Hyun-gong’s reaction was the same. He only showed a slightly embarrassed look.

Seon Na-seung continued the story.

“I can’t personally provide you with supplies and food. I can’t allow you to break through the siege and head east. That would be a direct violation of the leader’s intentions… However, starting tomorrow, once every five days, every night, I will push back the demonic sect soldiers surrounding Kunlun Mountain.”

“What does that mean?”

“I can overlook the fact that you search nearby villages for supplies. No one will be going into Kunlun Mountain that day. You can hunt or gather as you wish.”

Kunlun Mountain has a rugged terrain and a cool climate. However, thanks to this, there are many wild animals.

Since it is a cold region, the meat of animals will be fatty, so even if you can hunt as much as you want only once every five days, you can easily last for several days.

Dang Mu-jin asked Seon Na-seung.

“I ask you one last time. What do you want in return?”

“doesn’t exist.”

After finishing his story, Seonna Seung put his hands together once and quietly left.

Dang Mu-jin and Hyeon-gong looked at Seon-na-seung’s back in bewilderment.

*

Tang Wujin and Hyeon-gong packed a lot of fireworks and headed to Kunlun Mountain.

“No one is there?”

“okay.”

Dang Mu-jin suspected that Seon Na-seung had approached him to track him down, but there was no sign of that.

The two men talked as they headed toward the temple, carrying heavy bags.

“Why did Seon Na Seung approach us? He must have had some intention.”

When Dang Mu-jin asked a question, Hyeon-gong imitated Seon-na-seung and answered.

“Because I hate meaningless sacrifices. And because I hate seeing people starve and suffer.”

Of course, Dang Mu-jin snickered.

“How could that be?”

Like other monks, Seonna Seung may have been a great person and a sage. He may have approached Dangmujin and Hyeon-gong because he truly felt sorry for people.

However, Dang Mu-jin and Hyeon-gong deliberately tried not to think about such a possibility. If you trust someone, you will expose their weaknesses.

Dang Mu-jin started talking again.

“I think Seon Na-seung is digging a trap.”

“What kind of trap?”

“They talk about pushing back the Demonic Cult members and sneaking around to find an opening. They might try to check out people’s hiding places, or they might attack people who have come out to explore the villages near Kunlun Mountain. Or they might try to attack the Taoist temple while the people are out of the temple.”

“Yeah, I think so too.”

However, Hyun-gong’s heart was uneasy the whole time.

Hyun-gong was good at seeing through other people’s lies without much difficulty.

However, Hyun-gong felt that Seon-na-seung had not lied. The story about not wanting meaningless sacrifices and Seon-na-seung’s story about pushing back the demonic cult’s warriors were both true.

Hyun-gong frowned and scratched his chin.

If someone wants something from you, you can control them and use them, but Seon Na-seung had no expectations from Dang Mu-jin and Hyeon-gong. Naturally, there was no proper way to use Seon Na-seung.

‘After all, I’m more comfortable dealing with slightly twisted people.’

*

The two arrived at the Taoist temple where Wonpyeong Doin was staying.

Dang Mu-jin tasted the Danhwaseon first to confirm its properties.

‘···This should be okay.’

Dang Mu-jin brewed a handful of Danhwaseon and offered it to Wonpyeong Do-in. However, Wonpyeong Do-in shook his head and wrote on the floor.

– I am a Taoist, so I have to stay away from food mixed with fire.

Dang Mu-jin glanced at Hyeon-gong.

Like Wonpyeong Doin, Hyeon Gong was also a Taoist, but as far as Dang Mujin knew, Hyeon Gong had never been away from firearms.

Hyun-gong made a bitter expression.

“I also wanted to stay away from fire. However, since we are traveling together, I cannot be picky about food, so I decided to accept fire for your sake.”

“You, you never said anything like that at the party, did you?”

“How could I complain about the side dishes when I have prepared the food with all my heart? If I don’t eat the grilled meat side dish, the grilled meat won’t come to life either…”

In short, it means to eat without being picky. Wonpyeong Doin, who was listening to the story, smiled faintly.

– You don’t have to be strange. I am a Taoist who walks the path of the Left Path, so I have to stay away from fire more thoroughly than others.

Since I have to stay away from fire, I can’t make herbal medicine or fry medicinal herbs. Furthermore, I don’t have the luxury of drying medicinal herbs leisurely.

Still, it wasn’t difficult. Dang Mu-jin crushed the short-haired mantis. Before long, a disgusting green juice was produced.

“What does it taste like?”

“well.”

Dang Mu-jin and Hyeon-gong tasted the green juice with their index fingers. Then, at the same time, they turned their heads back and spat.

It tasted exactly as I had imagined.

It is slippery like wet moss, and its taste is bitter and astringent. Even its smell is strangely disgusting.

‘···It doesn’t matter since I’m not going to eat it anyway.’

Dang Mu-jin put some disgusting green juice in a small bowl and handed it to Won Pyeong-do.

“Take some. I’m sure it will help.”

Dang Mu-jin and Hyeon-gong looked at Won-pyeong Do-in with eyes filled with secret anticipation.

It was a short story that I had brought after suffering through the night with good intentions, but deep down, I wanted to see the face of Wonpyeong Do-in distorted in a miserable way.

But unexpectedly, Wonpyeong Doin ate the juice and it was very delicious.

It was a more amazing feat than hiding buildings and people in formations.

“···.”

Dang Mu-jin waited for a moment and then checked Won Pyeong-do-in’s condition.

The symptoms did not disappear as if they had been washed away, but his expression became slightly more relaxed, and the anger in his head seemed to have died down a bit.

Only then could Dang Mu-jin rest easy.

“It’s not a cure, but it only temporarily suppresses the symptoms, but it definitely seems to help. There’s plenty of short-term supply left, so you don’t have to worry for the time being.”

Wonpyeong Doin smiled happily.

Dang Mu-jin and Hyeon-gong thought.

‘It seems that if you learn the magic of the Left-handed Visit, you will lose your sense of taste.’

*

Dang Mu-jin and Hyeon-gong went straight to find Namgung Jin-cheon and Yu Yu-do-in and told them the story of Seon Na-seung.

“···Seonna Seung said that and left.”

“Hmm.”

And I waited for Namgung Jincheon’s reaction rather than Yoo Yoo Doin’s. Because Namgung Jincheon had experience meeting Seon Na Seung in person.

Namgung Jincheon said.

“I also got a similar feeling from Seonna Seung. No matter how I looked at him, he felt like a student monk rather than a monk. I think that’s why we were able to talk honestly. If Seonna Seung was an ordinary martial artist of the Demonic Cult, one of us would have died in the first fight. They could have both died.”

Namgung Jincheon had admitted defeat not long ago, but he used a somewhat lukewarm expression. It seemed that his pride was hurt to admit defeat again.

Dang Mu-jin didn’t bother to point that out.

“It seems that Seon Na-seung never made such a suggestion to the elder.”

“At that time, I wasn’t with the Taoists of Kunlun Mountain. And I wasn’t really interested in that kind of thing. At that time, I wasn’t here to help the Taoists of Kunlun Mountain, I was here to find someone to fight.”

It was a story that was even more irresponsible and strangely immature than Namgung Myung’s.

So the beans grew because the beans were planted. Dang Mu-jin and Hyeon-gong nodded their heads as they thought so.

“Then, Elder Namgung Jincheon, do you think it is right to accept Seon Na Seung’s proposal?”

“That is not my problem, it is Yoo Yoo Do-in’s to decide.”

The gazes of the three people fell on Yoo Yoo Do-in.

I thought it would take a long time to think, but unexpectedly, Yoo Yoo Do-in’s decision was quick.

“We have no choice. Even if we know it’s a trick, we have no choice but to be fooled.”

“Why is that?”

“Until now, the food people had been eating was the old grains and granaries that the Kunlun Sect had stored up. And now, the food supply is almost gone.”

After arriving at Kunlun Mountain, Tang Wujin had never seen people eating anything other than porridge.

“The remaining food will run out in ten days at most. We have to go out and find food somehow. Fruit from trees, or meat from wild animals. We need anything.”

“What will you do if this is a trick of the Sunna Seung?”

After thinking for a while, Yoo Yoo Do-in shook his head slightly.

“···I hope it comes from pure kindness.”

*

Sometime in the evening that day.

Dang Mu-jin, Hyeon-gong, and Nam-gung Jin-cheon climbed the high peak of Kunlun Mountain and looked down on the surroundings.

As the sun was setting over the western mountain ridge, people dressed in orange appeared.

Because their clothes were of such a unique color, Dangmujin could easily recognize who they were.

“They seem to be monks who traveled with Seonnasung.”

“They said they were disciples. They said they left Soreumsa Temple to follow their teacher.”

As the monks moved, the demonic cult warriors scattered here and there followed them.

As if sweeping away the dust with a broom, the demonic sect warriors in the grasslands of Cheonghae Castle disappeared along with the monks.

“···Did you really step down?”

“I think so for now.”

But the three of them did not move hastily, but sat on the peak all night, looking out over the meadow.

Because if by any chance the Demonic Cult’s warriors might sneak back under the cover of darkness.

But the Demonic Cult warriors did not return.

A considerable amount of time passed like that.

Finally, the next day, when the sun rose and was about half a span above the horizon, the scattered demonic warriors were seen returning. Seonna Seung had kept his promise.

Only then did the three leave the peak and return to the temple.

In front of the dojo, a faint smell of blood wafted. Of course, it wasn’t the smell of human blood.

The most skilled of the Kunlun Mountain warriors, including Yuyu Doin, had hunted wild animals all night long across Kunlun Mountain and piled them up in the open space in front of the Taoist temple.

The types of wild animals captured varied greatly. They ranged from small animals like rabbits to large animals like deer and wild boars.

Even the amount was so large that I thought I could survive the next five days by eating only meat.

Those who knew how to prepare animals were all sitting in front of the animals, busy preparing the meat, and the children were drooling at the sight of the uncooked meat.

Yoo Yoo-do approached the three people with a bright expression. Then, he asked Namgung Jin-cheon in a friendly tone.

“Aren’t the Demonic Cult warriors coming closer?”

“No need to worry. He didn’t come back for a long time even after the sun rose. He didn’t leave any traces, did he?”

“I caught the animals from as far away as possible, and moved around the stream to erase the smell of blood as much as possible. It’s unlikely that their tails will be stepped on.”

“Well done.”

Dang Mu-jin looked around. Everyone’s expressions were bright, regardless of age or gender.

Even though they were children, they probably didn’t know that the porridge was getting thinner day by day.

It was only natural that he was overjoyed when he got to eat his fill of meat instead of just watery porridge.

Dang Mu-jin asked Hyun-gong.

“If you were the one plotting, how long would it take before you started making moves?”

“After two weeks, or after twenty days, that would be appropriate.”

Although he had successfully procured food once, no one completely believed Seonnasung’s story.

Because hasty trust always leads to danger.

*

It was a life where there was nothing to be busy with. That was why Dang Mu-jin and Hyeon-gong spent every spare moment sparring with Namgung Jin-cheon.

A month passed like that, and another fortnight passed.

The cheeks of children who were a little thin became plump, and those who were a little pale regained their color.

And the Demonic Cult members still left every five days.

Before they knew it, the people of Kunlun Mountain had completely forgotten about hunger. Compared to the time when there were no demonic cult members, the food they ate felt even more abundant.

As an optimistic atmosphere was brewing in Kunlun Mountain, Ban Ye came to see Dang Mu Jin and Hyeon Gong and said:

“That strange moss that the Great Master Wonpyeong used to eat…. A single flower? Anyway, it’s all fallen off. Can I ask you to do it again?”

Banyeop’s tone was much more polite than when Dangmujin and Hyungong first arrived at Kunlun Mountain.

Wonpyeong Doin and several other Taoist priests who had injured themselves while practicing sorcery were somehow holding on by drinking the juice of the Danhwaseon that Dangmujin had brought.

It was a very happy thing that the situation did not get particularly worse, so whenever the Taoists of Kunlun Mountain met Tang Wujin and Xuan Gong, they would bow and pay respect.

“Of course. I’ll be back tonight.”

That night, Tang Wujin and Xuan Gong left Kunlun Mountain and headed to the forest in the south.

Soon the two arrived in a forest full of short birch trees.

Before long, I felt a small movement. I looked back and saw Seon Na Seung.

Seon Na-seung greeted me first.

“How have you been?”

Seon Na-seung’s eyes were still clear, and his demeanor was still calm.

“···Thanks to you.”

“I was worried about what I would do if you didn’t believe me… Thank goodness.”

Seon Na-seung smiled brightly as he spoke. Rather, it seemed as if he was grateful.

Dang Mu-jin was about to pay his respects to Seon Na-seung without realizing it, when he suddenly remembered something.

The fact that those who stay in the Demonic Cult are those who committed a sin somewhere and were expelled.

However, Dang Mujin knew very well that not all people in the Demonic Cult had evil natures. Weren’t there quite a few people in the Dang Family who had once been in the Demonic Cult?

‘···Could it be that Seonna Seung committed a sin and turned to the devil’s cult to atone for and repent?’

So, Dang Mu-jin asked Seon Na-seung.

“Why did you leave Soreumsa and join the Demonic Cult, Elder?”

Then Seon Na Seung smiled bitterly.

“I just tried my best in my practice. And I just wanted to practice harder to attain enlightenment and get closer to nirvana. But those who were jealous of the Hinayana found fault with me and drove me out.”

“···That kind of thing.”

“I guess the problem is my shortcomings, as I lack the skills to embrace even those who harbor jealousy.”

It was a very humble and sympathetic story.

Everywhere in the world, there are people who envy the achievements of outstanding people.

Dang Mu-jin had a hard time guessing how many martial artists in the world were jealous of him, a master of the highest order.

“I hope that the day will come when you will attain enlightenment and return to Soreumsa Temple with pride.”

When Dang Mu-jin said that, Seon Na-seung smiled faintly and clasped his hands together as if he was truly happy.

“I hope both of you will attain enlightenment.”

The three of them parted ways, exchanging pleasantries that did not fit the situation.