“Welcome.”
As dusk settled, Hong Gyeong-gae and Namgung Myeong made their way back to Gyeulwon, where the head of the temple greeted them warmly, as if he had been eagerly awaiting their return. Though a stern man by nature, the head monk knew how to express gratitude to those who approached with genuine goodwill.
But time was of the essence, and he quickly got to the point.
“No matter how much I ponder, I can’t think of a better plan than this. Please, take the remaining monks of Shaolin, especially the young novices, and evacuate them. I will lead the Sama family to safety myself…”
Hong Gyeong-gae interrupted him.
“You’re saying you’ll lead the Sama family out of the penitentiary instead of keeping them locked up?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
The idea of freeing the penitents seemed absurd at first, but upon reflection, it was the only logical conclusion. The head monk wished for the Sama family to repent and transform, not perish. Knowing he couldn’t stop the impending conflict, it made no sense to keep them confined. The only way to save them was to flee.
Hong Gyeong-gae asked again, “Wouldn’t it be better to move with the other monks?”
“I’m afraid the cult leader might target other sanctuaries as well.”
“Can you handle the dozens of Sama family members in the penitentiary?”
“I’m not alone. Four monks from Gyeulwon will assist me. While we may not be numerous, the Sama family members are in a state of disarray, so it shouldn’t be too difficult. We plan to bind them and move.”
Including the head monk, there were five of them—monks and warriors alike. Though their skills were modest, they seemed capable of managing the situation.
“Are you sure about this?”
“We’ve never treated the penitents harshly, and the Sama family members likely don’t wish to die at the hands of their leader. I’m confident they’ll cooperate.”
Namgung Myeong and Hong Gyeong-gae nodded in agreement. Evacuating before the cult leader’s arrival was a wise move. Just as the conversation was wrapping up, Namgung Myeong posed a question.
“Head monk, may I ask something?”
“What is it?”
“Earlier, when you speculated on the cult leader’s reasons for coming to Shaolin, you mentioned there was another possibility. Could you tell us what that is?”
The head monk hesitated briefly before answering.
“It’s a sensitive topic to discuss with outsiders, but there’s no need to hide it from those who’ve come to help. In short, it’s about the Great Elixir.”
The unexpected revelation took Namgung Myeong and Hong Gyeong-gae by surprise.
“The Great Elixir… Are you referring to the legendary remedy said to be hidden in Shaolin?”
The head monk nodded.
“Yes, the very one you’re thinking of.”
“Why would the cult leader suddenly be interested in it?”
Namgung Myeong felt a tightness in his chest, a reminder of the passage of time, but he found a small measure of courage in Hong Gyeong-gae’s presence. Unlike Hong Gyeong-gae, he felt he had matured significantly over the past decade, though he doubted Hong Gyeong-gae would agree.
The head monk smiled gently.
“If the Great War had started a bit later, we might have taken measures regarding the new threat, but the timing was unfortunate. The Great Elixir remains in Shaolin. While it’s unlikely, I suspect the cult leader might be after it.”
Namgung Myeong waved his hand dismissively, trying to reassure the head monk.
“I doubt that’s the case. While the Great Elixir is said to be a miraculous remedy, it wouldn’t be of much use to the cult leader.”
“Why do you think so?”
“I’ve heard the elixir grants immense internal power, but the cult leader already possesses extraordinary strength. He seems to have mastered some mysterious technique, as he never shows signs of fatigue despite using his power extensively. The elixir wouldn’t be essential for him.”
The head monk replied, “You underestimate the true value of the Great Elixir. While it can grant immense power to those lacking in skill, it holds even greater value for those who have already achieved mastery.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“The elixir’s greatest strength isn’t the sheer amount of power it provides, but its unparalleled purity and the harmony it brings.”
“Could you elaborate?”
“No internal technique is perfect, and over time, impurities inevitably accumulate. The Great Elixir purges these impurities and brings perfect harmony to one’s accumulated power.”
“Purging impurities is one thing, but what do you mean by harmony?”
“Even if one’s power is accumulated through various techniques that don’t naturally align, the elixir harmonizes them all.”
The revelation was astonishing, yet it made Namgung Myeong and Hong Gyeong-gae uneasy. The elixir’s capabilities seemed to align too perfectly with the cult leader’s potential needs.
The cult leader had likely learned different martial arts in his youth and after becoming a grand protector. The internal power accumulated through these disparate techniques must be in conflict, and the elixir could resolve this issue. Could it be that the cult leader’s true purpose in coming to Shaolin was to obtain the Great Elixir, rather than to destroy the temple or seek revenge?
Namgung Myeong realized he had to act for the greater good.
“Head monk.”
“Yes?”
Namgung Myeong’s tone was more respectful than before.
“I am willing to make a sacrifice for the greater good.”
“What do you mean by sacrifice?”
“I can’t shake the suspicion that the cult leader is after the Great Elixir. Even if it means incurring his wrath, I will take the elixir myself. Surely, the cult leader will lose his purpose and leave. I am prepared to lay down my life for the righteous martial world and Shaolin.”
Hong Gyeong-gae raised his hand with a determined expression.
“I, too, am ready to lay down my life for Shaolin as a steadfast ally of the Beggars’ Sect.”
In truth, Hong Gyeong-gae was more desperate. His martial skills were lacking, and he had never consumed any significant elixirs, so his internal power was always insufficient.
As Namgung Myeong and Hong Gyeong-gae looked at the head monk with hopeful eyes, he chuckled softly.
“I appreciate your intentions, but no one knows where the Great Elixir is. After its completion, the master of the Elixir Hall hid it in a secret location before passing away.”
“Then no one can find it?”
“The master left instructions with his eldest grandson about where to find it.”
“I see…”
Hong Gyeong-gae spoke with a hint of disappointment. The head monk clasped his hands together in a gesture of gratitude toward Hong Gyeong-gae and Namgung Myeong.
“I’m sorry I can’t offer you a proper gift, but it’s time for us to depart.”
By the time their conversation ended, the sun had long disappeared, and darkness enveloped the surroundings. With little time left before the cult leader and his followers arrived, Namgung Myeong and Hong Gyeong-gae had to move quickly.
“I hope we meet again safely.”
Instead of their usual salute, Namgung Myeong and Hong Gyeong-gae clasped their hands together in a gesture of deep respect for the head monk.
The head monk smiled warmly, understanding their sentiments.
Despite the solemn farewell, there wasn’t much for Namgung Myeong and Hong Gyeong-gae to do. Their primary role was to alert the temple of the cult leader’s approach, a task they had mostly completed.
Gathering the monks and leading them to safety was the responsibility of the elder monks. If there was one more task for Namgung Myeong and Hong Gyeong-gae, it was to entertain the curious young novices with tales of the outside world—a surprisingly important role, as their stories replaced the novices’ anxiety with fascination.
As they regaled the novices with stories, they made their way to a secluded cave deep in Song Mountain by nightfall. It seemed unlikely that the cult leader and his followers would find them there.
Namgung Myeong spoke to the elder monk leading the group.
“This is an excellent hiding place. It’s as if it was prepared for a moment like this…”
The elder monk smiled.
“You have a keen eye. It was indeed prepared in advance. During the height of the Great War, we often hid the novices here. I, too, hid in this cave several times as a child.”
“Ah, I see. You were never discovered?”
“Even when the enemy scoured Song Mountain, they never found this cave.”
Namgung Myeong and Hong Gyeong-gae nodded in unison. The cave was so well-hidden that it would be difficult to find without a keen eye.
“Where do you think the head monk has taken refuge?”
Namgung Myeong’s question darkened the elder monk’s expression.
“I’m not entirely sure. Though Song Mountain is vast, I can’t think of a better hiding place than this. Still, if it’s Master Gyeoulwon, I’m sure he’s found a safe spot.”
“Indeed.”
Namgung Myung replied, then leaned back against the cave wall, sitting down. It was a night when the moon shone exceptionally bright. He gazed at the pale moon, lost in deep thought.
The young monks watched him with quiet admiration. Handsome, skilled, and yet here he was, a high-ranking martial artist, gazing at the moon without a hint of arrogance. He was the very image of the martial hero they had always imagined and idolized.
Time passed, and eventually, Namgung Myung slowly stood up. While the others paid little attention to his movements, Hong Geolgae sensed something unusual.
Hong Geolgae sent a telepathic message to Namgung Myung.
The response came after a slight delay.
Hong Geolgae was quietly impressed. Ten years hadn’t been wasted. Namgung Myung was finally speaking like an adult.
By now, Hong Geolgae understood what Namgung Myung was getting at. Though he didn’t respond, Namgung Myung continued.
Of course.
After all, a guy who hadn’t been in his right mind for nearly ten years wouldn’t suddenly change overnight.
Hong Geolgae replied.
As if that wasn’t obvious. Hong Geolgae sent another message.
It dawned on Hong Geolgae then. Namgung Myung, lost in thought while gazing at the moon, had been planning this all along.
Instinctively, Hong Geolgae gripped the handle of his bamboo staff, ready to knock some sense into Namgung Myung if necessary.
At that moment, Namgung Myung sent one last message.
A clear ripple of emotion stirred within Hong Geolgae. Namgung Myung, offering to share? This was a testament to the personal growth he’d achieved over the past ten years.
Moved by this gesture, Hong Geolgae responded with loyalty.