Chapter 196: Cheoldu-ryong and Shaolin
When I rescued the bald man who had fallen into the trap, there were no visible serious injuries.
There were some traces of blood, but that was all.
"...It seems he's from Shaolin."
Tang So-yeong said as she laid the bald man down.
Shaolin.
The moment I saw the bald man, I couldn’t help but think of Shaolin.
In martial arts circles, a bald head often brings Shaolin to mind.
Of course, he could have shaved his head for another reason, but coming all the way to the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains was proof enough of his martial prowess.
It was certain that he was a Shaolin martial artist.
And that was the problem.
The Hundred Thousand Great Mountains is the territory of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Shaolin, on the other hand, is a symbol of the righteous sects and the most prominent among them.
Even without additional information, just this alone made it easy to suspect that he hadn’t entered this place with good intentions.
Moreover, I had more information to consider.
I had heard that the Arhat of Shaolin, Cheoldu-ryong, would enter the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.
Since this man was human, he couldn’t be Cheoldu-ryong himself.
But he likely had some connection to him.
"Gek-gek-geek..."
On top of that, he knew my name.
To be precise, he recognized the species Komodo.
That in itself was strange.
Even if I generously assumed he learned about Komodo from some book, the conclusion didn’t fit.
Komodo was revered by the Tang family, and there was no reason Shaolin wouldn’t be aware of it.
Both groups are technically righteous sects, so they must have had some form of exchange.
But how did he know I was a Komodo?
Tang So-yeong first referred to me as a Komodo back when I was an Alligator King Lizard.
When I evolved into a Komodo, she said my appearance matched what she already knew.
But now?
I had evolved into a Paryong.
The traces of Komodo had long since disappeared.
I had grown horns, and even fur had sprouted.
Yet, seeing me now, he still called me a Komodo?
The correct assumption would be that he didn’t know what a Komodo looked like.
If that were the case, why did he bring up the word Komodo?
Someone must have mentioned that a Komodo appeared in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.
That's why he called me a Komodo when he saw a giant black lizard.
This explanation worked.
But who could have said that a Komodo had appeared?
The most likely suspects were Jang Bong and Baekwoon.
However, while Jang Bong might have, Baekwoon seemed unlikely to reveal my identity.
He seemed to have a sense of loyalty.
A third party must have secretly observed me and leaked the information outside.
That was the extent of the reasoning I could deduce.
I couldn’t confirm who the third party was.
“What are you planning to do? Touching Shaolin might be dangerous,” Tang So-yeong asked.
Tang So-yeong was a member of the Tang family.
Though she was now with me and considered one of my followers, she might one day return to the Tang family.
If I clashed with Shaolin, it wouldn’t be good news for her.
"The Martial Alliance might come after you for capturing Go Dae-hyeop."
If word got out that I harmed this bald man, they certainly would.
But if it didn’t get out?
I could commit the perfect crime.
...Of course, that doesn’t mean I intended to harm this man right away.
He was very suspicious, but it wasn’t a good choice to eliminate him immediately.
Given his apparent connection to Cheoldu-ryong, I might be able to gather some information about him.
“Gek-gek.”
For now, I decided to treat his wounds.
"Gek."
Using benevolent methods, and the Shrine Maiden.
"Kee-eeng."
Nephila and Pus stared at me intently.
Judging by their serious expressions, they must have been waiting for my command.
“Gek-gek-geek.”
Let’s start by tying him up.
"Ugh... Where am I?"
The bald man finally regained consciousness.
“You’re in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains,” Tang So-yeong replied.
I listened to their conversation from a distance.
Given my intimidating appearance, the chances of him answering properly were low.
Of course, I could always resort to threats if necessary, but that was a last resort.
"That appearance... Are you perhaps from the Tang family...?"
Was she famous?
It seemed he recognized Tang So-yeong.
He might have deduced her identity not from her face but from specific features.
“Is that important right now?”
Could it be that all members of the Tang family share a frail physique like Tang So-yeong?
…That place must undoubtedly be hell.
"Clears throat!"
Tang So-yeong glanced at me secretly.
"Surely, I saw a Komodo... Was I hallucinating? But why is my body like this?"
It seemed he had finally realized he was tied up.
Tang So-yeong turned her head and looked at the bald man.
"Let me start with a question. Is there a reason you referred to the divine beast you just saw as a Komodo?"
"So, it wasn’t a hallucination."
The bald man appeared briefly flustered by being tied up with spider silk, but soon he continued speaking.
"I’ll answer your question. A man named Namgoong Yeon sent a letter. He said an Evil God had appeared in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains. He also mentioned that a divine beast called Komodo had appeared."
...Namgoong Yeon?
Have I heard of him before?
It was certain that I hadn’t encountered him.
He knows my form, my existence.
Yet, I don’t know him.
Who exactly is Namgoong Yeon?
"Namgoong Yeon... I see. Now, my next question. Who are you?"
Tang So-yeong was handling things much better than I expected.
She was calm and composed.
Her usual clumsy demeanor was nowhere to be seen; she finally seemed worthy of being called a warrior of the Tang family.
"…I am called Doin."
"Doin. So, you’re from Shaolin?"
"That’s correct."
Even Doin seemed slightly intimidated by Tang So-yeong’s demeanor, answering her questions without resistance.
Doin was stronger than Tang So-yeong.
However, being tied up in spider silk and facing a warrior with the Tang name posed a problem.
It was like a bug caught in a spider’s web.
If she gave the signal, the Tang family’s poison would enter his body.
"What is your purpose for coming here?"
"…I saw smoke rising. Desperate for any hope, I ran toward it without thinking."
Doin must have known better than anyone what this meant.
"That’s not what I asked. Why did Shaolin come into the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains?"
"...The advent of the Evil God is the public justification."
"I see. That makes sense. The official reason for coming here was to monitor the advent of the Evil God. But the real purpose was to acquire the divine beasts of the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains."
Acquiring the divine beasts of the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.
That was also why Tang So-yeong came here.
To be precise, she came to train Dilopo, and if we dug deeper, it was because of the political strife within the Tang family.
"Recognizing the Komodo means the Komodo was also one of Shaolin’s objectives?"
"…I won’t deny it."
Doin answered honestly.
But.
"Grrr..."
"Keeeek..."
"Hiii... Booo..."
The hidden followers around us couldn’t conceal their furious energy.
Sweat began to bead on Doin’s head.
He seemed to understand that all this murderous intent was directed at him.
"...How dare you try to harm Go Dae-hyeop."
Tang So-yeong’s eyebrow twitched.
No matter what, So-yeong was still one of my followers.
"And yet, you’re asking for help?"
"Kieeek..."
Tus and Pus climbed onto Tang So-yeong’s shoulders.
They looked ready to tear the bald man apart at any moment.
"...I have something I wish to say directly to the divine beast you serve."
Doin barely managed to speak.
It seemed each word carried immense pressure for him.
If he was willing to go this far, he must have a reason.
Step.
I walked up next to Tang So-yeong.
"Hu-hup!"
He seemed startled by my sudden appearance but tried his best to suppress his voice.
"Growl..."
"The great one has shown mercy. If you have something to say, say it now. That’s what he’s saying."
I hadn’t gone that far, but So-yeong interpreted it appropriately.
"Che... Cheoldu-ryong defeated the Ice Bird."
Doin started speaking abruptly and without coherence.
So, it was him who defeated the Ice Bird.
"...And as soon as he claimed its power, he betrayed us."
I could roughly understand.
He must have lost control after gaining the power of the Dragon Gate.
"Betrayed? Be more specific."
"He massacred the senior brothers and disciples he had been with for years... without the slightest hesitation. I only escaped because one of the senior brothers bought me time..."
Blinded by the power of the Dragon Gate, he killed his seniors and disciples.
That interpretation was possible, but it felt a bit different to me.
It seemed more like he had been planning this betrayal for a long time and executed it at the right moment.
Yes.
This wasn’t betrayal—it was revenge.
"It’s not betrayal but revenge. That’s what the great one says."
The performance is impressive.
"If it were revenge... I would not have fled from that place."
Doin clenched his fist tightly.
"Cheoldu-ryong is mistaken."
"Mistaken?"
"Yes... The truth was hidden, and he opened his eyes to a lie."
It sounded complicated, but was he saying Cheoldu-ryong misunderstood something?
"Growl..."
So, what is the main point?
"We... We must stop Cheoldu-ryong."
Shaolin’s Arhat, Cheoldu-ryong, had betrayed them.
That betrayal stemmed from a misunderstanding.
And he had to be stopped.
This was Doin’s assertion.
"I beg of you without shame."
Bang!
Doin struck his head against the ground.
"We need to stop Cheoldu-ryong, but we lack the power."
So, he was asking me to deal with Cheoldu-ryong?
The nerve, to say that after trying to hunt me down.
I had no reason to help a human from Shaolin.
My master gave me a task.
Defeat Shaolin’s Arhat.
If Cheoldu-ryong hadn’t betrayed them, this bald man would have been on his side.
He would have interfered greatly during my confrontation with Cheoldu-ryong.
Doin was my enemy.
"I know... how shameless my request is."
Tears streamed down Doin’s face.
"But if we fail to stop him, all humans will die."
What?
"Even after committing massacres, his hatred has not diminished. No, it has only grown stronger. And now his hatred is directed... at all humans."
The bald man trembled violently.
Slam!
I pressed his head to the ground with my front paw.
"Urgh... Ughhh!"
The ones most responsible for shaping his twisted beliefs were these bald men.
They were closest to him, showing him their ugliest sides, which likely led to his thoughts.
Because of their mistakes, those in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains suffer.
My master’s Heavenly Demon Divine Cult suffers.
My followers suffer.
Because of the so-called righteous sects, those I care about are hurt.
"Growl..."
Anger boiled within me.
"Go... Go Dae-hyeop!"
A panicked Tang So-yeong clung to my front leg.
Her embrace helped me release the tension in my paw.
A moment later, the monk’s head would have been crushed.
"Whew..."
Doin gasped heavily for air.
"Huff... Huff..."
I turned my head away.
I had learned all the information I needed.
In any case, Cheoldu-ryong had to be dealt with.
If the power of the Dragon Gate ran amok, it would become a problem for me as well.
"Wa... Wait..."
"You!"
Tang So-yeong shouted.
Did he still not grasp the situation?
"I... I must take responsibility..."
An unexpected reply came.
"My plea to the divine beast... was not to defeat Cheoldu-ryong in my place..."
Doin’s eyes burned with determination.
"I will fulfill my duty. Even if it costs my life, I will bring Cheoldu-ryong back to his senses..."
I halted my steps.
It didn’t sit well with me, but I couldn’t ignore that resolve.
It wouldn’t hurt to at least hear what he had to say.
"My plea to the divine beast... is to stop Cheoldu-ryong after my death..."
Doin was prepared to die.
But mere resolve doesn’t solve everything.
It was only then that I understood his request.
Even if he died, he wanted the devastation caused by Cheoldu-ryong to end.
"I implore the divine beast... Would you accompany me?"
I didn’t hold favorable feelings toward Shaolin.
My master disliked the righteous sects.
As her disciple, I followed her will.
The righteous sects were a rotten institution.
But not everyone within them was corrupt.
Tang So-yeong was a member of the righteous sects too.
Judging others through someone else’s eyes is living in another’s shadow.
You must see the world through your own eyes.
...Did my master give me this task to teach me that?
I still didn’t know.
Even my master couldn’t have foreseen this situation.
But I understood what I needed to do.
See the world through my own eyes.
Observe Cheoldu-ryong and Shaolin.
Witness how their story concludes.
Expand my world by understanding theirs.
"Gecko."
Just like the Gecko.