When we arrived at the Great Hall, an old, familiar monk was waiting for us as if he had been expecting it.

He was none other than Great Monk Jeong Hyeon, the current abbot of Shaolin and a man known by the honorific title Divine Monk.

“Hoho, there are faces I haven’t seen in a long time, and others I saw more recently. All of them are welcome.”

“Are you calling me out for being the only one who hasn’t visited in a while?”

“Surely not, Poison King. It’s just that, naturally, this old monk finds the younger ones more delightful than ancient acquaintances.”

Tang Jincheon and Jeong Hyeon exchanged lighthearted jabs.

They hadn’t seemed close enough for banter before, so they must have developed a rapport while dealing with the Heaven-Slaughter Star incident.

Given Shaolin’s commitment to Buddhist teachings and the Tang Clan’s sensitivity to both resentment and gratitude, it made sense.

Nodding internally, I respectfully offered a martial salute.

“It’s been a while, Abbot.”

The rest of our group followed my lead and offered greetings.

Jeong Hyeon returned our gesture with a soft smile and a prayerful clasp of his hands.

“Namo Amitabha. You all look well. I didn’t witness your feats firsthand, but I’ve heard many tales.”

“All those tales… honestly, they’re a bit overwhelming.”

“Oh? And here I thought the White Moon Sword Lord, who brought down the chaotic Green Forest and even slew the infamous King of Assassin, would be above such modesty.”

His tone was deliberately teasing.

I didn’t expect the Abbot of Shaolin to talk like this, so I was momentarily at a loss for words.

Seeing my expression, Jeong Hyeon let out a hearty laugh and waved his hand.

“Just an old man’s joke, don’t mind it. I was simply reminded of my master’s old tales from my youth and got a bit carried away.”

His master… must be Great Monk Gakjeong.

Though he now lives quietly as a scholarly monk, he once went by the fearsome title Punisher Asura, and traveled the land bringing justice to the wicked.

“Since we’re on the topic, may I ask how Great Monk Gakjeong has been doing?”

“He’s doing well over at the Jeomchang Sect. He seems to have found something meaningful to devote himself to, and every time I visit, his expression is brighter. All thanks to you.”

“You flatter me. I’ve received much help from him as well.”

Without his obsession with the Heaven-Slaughter Star, we likely wouldn’t have discovered the solution to that problem.

If not for that, just like in my previous life, the Jeomchang Sect and the surrounding region would’ve been obliterated by the awakened Heaven-Slaughter Star.

One of my few treasured connections from my hometown, Jang Inam, would’ve died too.

As I nodded quietly at the memory, Jeong Hyeon seemed to recall something and added,

“Now that I think of it, my master sent me a letter not long ago… the contents were troubling.”

“Troubling? In what way?”

Could something have gone wrong with Heaven-Slaughter Star?

Reading the seriousness in my expression, Jeong Hyeon shook his head.

“Fortunately, there’s no issue on the Heaven-Slaughter Star’s side. She remains stable, so you need not worry. However… it seems that some unidentified people have been loitering near the Jeomchang Sect and fled when confronted.”

Any information related to Heaven-Slaughter Star is top secret.

If word were to get out, someone with ill intent could try to exploit her.

There are plenty of lunatics in the martial world who would love to watch the world burn.

Only a handful of people directly involved should know the truth.

So how did the information leak?

The first suspect that came to mind was the Heavenly Demon.

I don’t know how many regressions he’s been through, but considering he knows what I know, it’s hard to imagine he’s unaware of Heaven-Slaughter Star’s existence.

And hadn’t he said something through the King of Assassins, something like “Try to overcome it, if you can”?

Honestly, it’s offensive how he throws these “trials” at me like some self-appointed judge of my growth.

Not that there’s anything I can do about it.

At best, I can continue to grow in ways he doesn’t expect—just as I did last time.

If he noticed Heaven-Slaughter Star not awakening when she should have, he might try to force her to awaken again.

That would be his next “trial.”

Worst case scenario.

Best case? It’s just some curious members of another sect noticing how strangely the sect leader’s daughter is being treated.

Maybe it’s the Hao Clan trying to reverse their situation, now that they’re being pressured by the Black Lotus Sect.

Either way, these are groups that wouldn’t dare act openly against the Jeomchang Sect, which is under the protection of the Murim Alliance.

Still, assuming the worst is wise.

“Abbot, there’s something I should tell you about this matter…”

“Hmm? What is it?”

Everyone present already knew the circumstances.

So I openly shared my suspicions.

As I explained, Jeong Hyeon’s expression gradually hardened.

“I’ve already heard about the strength of Heavenly Demon from the Sword King who arrived earlier. It sounded unbelievable… but if the Sword King himself said it, I doubt it was a lie.”

“Wait, the Sword King arrived before us?”

“Unlike you all, he traveled alone and swiftly. He didn’t take long.”

Typical Namgung Dowi.

I gave a wry smile, but Jeong Hyeon simply nodded gravely.

“Thank you for telling me. I’ll discuss this with the Leader of the Murim Alliance and take immediate action.”

No doubt, the matter weighed on him more heavily because it involved his master.

After a brief farewell, we followed our guide to the guest quarters where we would be staying.

There, amidst the Shaolin monks either training or spectating, I locked eyes with Namgung Dowi—who was calmly practicing his sword alone.

He paused mid-swing. A moment of silence passed between us.

Lowering his sword, Namgung Dowi blinked and asked,

“Good to see you. Shall we have a spar?”

“Unlike you, Sword King, I don’t enjoy sparring in front of an audience.”

“Hmm. A shame. I brought these promising disciples specifically for this reason. A good match might inspire at least one of them to grow into a future rival.”

“…Wait, you didn’t just let people watch—you handpicked capable monks to observe?”

He wasn’t hiding his techniques—he wanted them seen.

I knew this kind of openness was part of what made the Namgung Clan strong…

But knowing it and experiencing it are two different things. It still gave me a headache.

“If you’re unwilling, I won’t force you.”

“I don’t mind, but let’s do it somewhere private.”

“Hmm. I’ll remember that.”

Only then did he shift his attention away from me.

“Poison King, how have you—”

“Not even if we’re alone, I’m not sparring with you.”

“Hmm…”

Namgung Dowi’s mood visibly dropped.

He might be stone-faced, but his emotions were oddly easy to read.

Eventually, he turned to the final Flowering Stage master among us: Seo Mun-Hwarin.

“Greetings, Leader of the Seo Mun Clan. If there’s an opportunity, would you be willing to spar during your stay here?”

He asked, but without much hope in his voice.

After all, Seo Mun-Hwarin had always avoided sparring with him—and had just coldly rejected Tang Jincheon.

But her response was… unexpected.

“I suppose I could.”

“…What.”

Shock. And pure joy.

Namgung Dowi’s eyes shone with childlike eagerness.

I’ve trained with a sword for years, even through regression, but I can’t say I still love the blade as much as he does after sixty years.

Seo Mun-Hwarin, on the other hand, pointed a finger and stated coolly,

“But! There are conditions.”

“What are they?”

“Treat my Fist-and-Kick Martial Arts as if it were swordsmanship and offer your critique. Oh, and Cheon Hwi must be present to watch during the duel.”

“That’s easy. But why call it swordsmanship? Are you referring to the Seo Mun Clan’s techniques?”

“That’s right. But I don’t plan to show the techniques themselves. I’ve created new forms based on them and want your feedback.”

Namgung Dowi trembled. At this point, he wasn’t hearing anything else.

After a long moment of struggling to contain his excitement, he nodded vigorously.

“Let’s do it now!”

“…Not now.”

Seo Mun-Hwarin gave him a tired look and quickly hid behind me, shaking her head.

I also shot Namgung Dowi a warning glance. That finally snapped him out of it. He coughed and averted his eyes.

“Ahem. Understood. I’ll be training nearby as usual. Come whenever it’s convenient.”

Even after that, he greeted Tang Sowol and Seol Lihyang—but in a distracted, half-hearted manner.

Still, everyone understood it wasn’t out of malice. The man simply had no thoughts beyond the sword.

In both good and bad ways, Namgung Dowi was incredibly consistent.

***

As we waited for others to arrive, we stayed at Shaolin for a few days.

During that time, quite a lot happened.

I got nicked by a new sword technique Namgung Dowi had developed by modifying the Thunder Heaven Divine Art.

Thanks to his keen observations, both I and Seo Mun-Hwarin were able to improve our own techniques.

Seol Lihyang, bored at night, came to ask for energy circulation assistance… only to get caught by Tang Sowol.

Which led to the two of them having nightly duels to decide who’d get treatment—until they were drenched in sweat.

Tang Jincheon eventually found out and furiously challenged us to spar, shouting something about “No daughter…!”

The only real difference was the setting—Shaolin instead of the Tang residence.

But even that peace lasted no more than four days.

Once the remaining guests arrived, the peaceful days were over.

“Hahaha! Long time no see, Sword Demon! I think you’ve gotten stronger. Still, why not join me?”

“Ugh, Lord Sama. He’s the White Moon Sword Lord now, not just the Sword Demon. And you’re saying this right in front of the Poison King, asking him to ‘join you’? This is Shaolin, not the Black Lotus Sect. It sounds like you’re picking a fight.”

“Oh? So if I beat the Poison King, I can take him?”

“Lord Sama!?”

“Gahaha! Just a joke! Didn’t that kid already steal a few of my promising recruits? Just evening the score. But really, Poison King, won’t you let me borrow your son-in-law?”

“You madman.”

As soon as Sama Yuryeon, Lord of the Black Lotus Sect, arrived, he immediately started provoking Tang Jincheon.

Then the Murim Alliance Leader joined in, teasing,

“Tch tch. Sama, you’re not so young anymore, but you’re still full of fire.”

“You’re just old, Alliance Leader.”

“Of course. After all, I used to beat demonic cultists of your father’s generation like dogs.”

Apparently, they had run into each other earlier. The Murim Lord stroked his old spiked club as he provoked Sama Yuryeon further.

Watching them needle each other like this, it began to sink in.

The leaders of the orthodox and unorthodox factions were gathering in one place.

Wasn’t this exactly how it felt just before the Orthodox and Unorthodox Alliance was annihilated by Heavenly Demon?

In a way… it was a nostalgic sight.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep