novelraw Chapter 125 : Divine Thief
Chapter 125 : Divine Thief
Divine Thief
The day of the duel tournament finals had arrived.
As expected, countless crowds gathered like clouds. It was the largest turnout of any duel so far.
Everyone, their faces flushed with excitement, was busy wagering on who would win.
Peng Mu-gyeol of the Hebei Peng Clan and Namgung Hui of the Namgung clan.
Both were people of such exalted status that under normal circumstances, simply mentioning their names would be daunting, but for today at least, they were nothing more than entertainment.
Even the martial artists of the Central Plains looked on at the excited commoners with a knowing expression, as if to say, "Let them be."
They knew well who had spread news of their exploits at the Shaolin Assembly throughout the Central Plains.
However, the abbots of Shaolin were different.
Outwardly, they appeared gentle, yet a sharp look lingered in their eyes.
They too understood.
If 'he' were to act, today was the most opportune moment.
Maintaining order and controlling the massive crowd was, of course, Shaolin's responsibility.
Since they were the organizers, it was only natural.
Given the turnout, most monks of the temple were positioned around the duel area.
Conversely, it meant security around the pavilions housing the temple's treasures was bound to be neglected.
'Come.'
Jeong-un intended to fill that gap himself.
He still had no clue what the thief's target might be, or how the act would be carried out.
Ideally, he would catch the thief before anything was stolen, but he also needed to be ready to apprehend any escape attempt after the crime.
He had already heard that Heavenly Martial Hall warriors were stationed throughout the area.
If the thief was spotted, tracking and capturing him would not be difficult.
"Are you really sure you'll be all right?"
"I'll be fine."
Shin Soryeong's voice was weighted with worry, but Jeong-un answered with a gentle smile.
A moment ago, he had excused himself to his room, claiming to rest for his recovery.
Shin Soryeong, seemingly concerned, had come to see him before heading off to the duel.
"It's unfortunate, but I should focus my efforts on circulating energy. I'm much improved, but to be frank, now is the time for healing above all else."
"......."
Shin Soryeong hesitated to nod.
Worry and regret were written on her face.
Jeong-un continued, watching her.
"If you miss the chance to treat an internal injury, recovery becomes much harder. What I need now isn't medicine or spectating at a duel, but time for introspection. Instead, lady Shin, please observe the duel well and tell me about it afterward."
Sighing in resignation, Shin Soryeong finally nodded.
"Understood, I'll watch closely and tell you. Please devote yourself to healing, young hero."
"Thank you."
After Shin Soryeong left, Jeong-un watched the martial artists departing the Hall of Standing in the Snow through the lattice window.
Even from behind, he sensed an excited air about them.
Jeong-un murmured softly, almost as if reciting:
"They're no different."
Whether martial artists of noble lineage or common folk seen anywhere, it made no difference.
That was his impression after spending brief time alongside direct descendants of great houses.
He had stood in those much-coveted positions several times, but all he felt, in the end, was this.
'We're all just people.'
They might be praised as immortals, but in what he'd seen, they were just young men, full of questions and vigor.
Strip away their backgrounds and the martial arts built upon a solid dantian, and they were even more so.
Merely ordinary people bound by joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure.
'I'm the same.'
He was no different.
He repeated this as he set a foot on the window frame.
Only when the last of the martial artists leaving the Hall of Standing in the Snow had vanished from sight—
"So, you're just a petty thief after all."
Swish!
He shot up, piercing the still air in an instant.
A fierce whoosh sliced by his ear. In the next moment, he landed atop the tall pavilion roof he'd climbed daily.
"......"
From here, the entire Shaolin Temple was in clear view.
The grounds were so vast, they resembled a small village.
Yet when it came to sharp vision, not even birds of prey could match a martial artist.
With that unique sight, he could see through every corner of the temple.
Moreover, his ki sense was spread keenly outward.
Nearly ten thousand people came into his acute perception.
Of course, it was impossible to examine each individually.
However, some definite presences stood out.
No matter how artfully they masked their energy, it was unmistakable.
Especially if the thief tried to penetrate deep into the temple, he would certainly need to use lightness skill.
Jeong-un intended to catch the subtle ripple of that vital ki.
'Has it begun?'
He brought the distant duel arena into his field of view. This was the showdown of Peng Mu-gyeol and Namgung Hui.
People were so tightly clustered around the arena, it looked black with sheer numbers.
Within the crowd, intense surges of vital ki exploded. Even by eye, the air shimmered faintly.
Both were martial artists who had attained great power.
Peng Mu-gyeol must have grown even stronger since they'd met, and the Namgung Hui he saw the previous day was also a formidable warrior.
Thwack!
Jeong-un turned away from the distant waves of vital ki and moved on.
He deliberately refrained from using Moonlight Swift Steps, relying only on the strength of his ankles and the natural flow of true ki.
He wanted to avoid being discovered by the Shaolin experts who, like him, were acutely alert to their surroundings.
'Come.'
Jeong-un muttered quietly.
* * *
Do-un was the former disciple of the Shaolin abbot.
That, in itself, was a tremendous status.
In addition, his reputation for destructive prowess with bare hands was well known.
It was largely thanks to Do-un that evil faction groups couldn't even dare approach Deungbong Peak.
Everyone he encountered—he knocked them out with a single strike to the crown and destroyed their dantian.
Thus, he received the moniker "Non-killing Monk".
The doctrine incumbent on monks was affixed directly to his nickname, carrying great meaning.
It also meant that, aside from refraining from killing, he would use any means necessary against the unorthodox faction.
Do-un was patrolling the temple's outer perimeter.
Rumor had it that a world-famous thief was plotting against Shaolin itself.
And now, they were hosting their largest event.
The martial donors of orthodox martial arts had gathered to show off their skills.
Afterwards, monks who had studied the Tendon Changing Classic on behalf of the people struck bells atop the cliffs.
It was an event laden with meaning.
'If you dare, then come.'
Do-un did not participate in the Shaolin Assembly.
Traditionally, the Assembly was not a festival for the Shaolin monks.
The prize for victory was always a private audience with the abbot.
For Do-un, who already received personal teaching in both dharma and martial arts from the abbot, the reward was meaningless.
He was itching for action all the same.
Though he studied the Buddha's teachings, he was still a martial artist.
It was hard to maintain composure while watching his peers unleash their skills atop the duel stage.
Frankly, he hoped the thief known as the Divine Thief would show up.
Only when facing such unorthodox villains could he put his training to the test.
So, as he walked along the outer wall...
From the opposite direction, a martial artist approached.
"......?"
Do-un narrowed his eyes. Understandably so.
It was unlikely any martial artist remained in the temple at this hour, when the duel was in full swing.
This was no time to be wandering these deserted paths.
"......"
The man coming toward him also spotted Do-un.
Oddly, he hesitated, and a look of unease crossed his face, as if his conscience was pricked.
"Excuse me, benefactor,"
Do-un called out as he approached, maintaining a gentle, conversational expression.
"It's the height of the duel tournament finals, yet you're out for a stroll alone? Even if this is a temple, outsiders aren't free to roam as they please."
"Th-that's..."
The man trailed off, unconsciously shuffling backward.
"If you're lost or in trouble, please speak freely. I will help if I can."
As Do-un spoke, he continued toward the man. The other retreated a few more paces, then opened his mouth.
"In fact..."
Whoosh!
Suddenly, the fellow leapt into the air.
Dust swirled in a ring as he unleashed his full lightness skill.
"You rascal!"
Thud!
Do-un, as if expecting this, immediately kicked off the ground.
* * *
With his expanded ki sense, Jeong-un detected two sharp bursts of vital ki.
Neither made an effort to hide.
They had already crossed the outer sect wall countless times—a reckless act that could have cost several lives.
'What is...?'
A few things seemed off.
Judging from such frantic movement, it appeared the intruder had been spotted and was now being pursued.
Under those circumstances, the person should be frantic.
Still, even considering that, the thief's lightness skill was crude.
'Is that all he's got?'
Jeong-un moved at once, frowning.
Wasn't this supposed to be someone who could leave a letter at Shaolin's abbot's quarters under the cover of night using a masterful movement technique?
Maybe he didn't know how the man had been discovered, but it was strange to see such clumsy lightness skill.
'The pursuer is actually pretty fast.'
At this rate, the chase would be over soon. Still, Jeong-un couldn't just sit back and watch.
It was possible the thief had not yet revealed his true skill and might escape at any moment.
The best approach was to remain vigilant and put forth his best effort while he had the chance.
Crack!
He shot forward so fast the air seemed to tear.
Sssh!
Incredibly swift—a surge of true ki propelled his lightness skill, sending him in a straight line at full speed.
He moved to intercept the fleeing thief.
In the next instant, the thief's profile came clearly into view.
"...... What the—!"
As the man turned in alarm—Jeong-un struck him directly in the temple with his palm.
Whack!
It was a blow hard enough to twist the man's head completely.
He collapsed, unconscious, before he could even turn his head.
His eyes rolled back, showing only the whites, and he fainted at once.
Thud.
Jeong-un looked down at him in silence.
The man lay sprawled in the dust, his expression frozen in panic.
"......"
At that moment, the pursuing Shaolin monk arrived.
Upon spotting Jeong-un, he landed-nimbly and shouted,
"You're the young hero who stood on the duel stage! Well done! This man tried to steal a Shaolin treasure!"
"......?"
Jeong-un keenly detected the force in his words.
It was true—Shaolin monks infused their ki with dharma.
This wasn't just refined energy; it exuded something akin to zen aura.
Before Jeong-un could respond, the monk continued,
"I am Do-un! You must be Cheon Pung of the Baek Sword Gate. I heard you withdrew due to your injuries, but you look well enough, which is a relief. You came running after sensing that surge of vital ki, didn't you? Thank you. Of course, I would have caught him even without your help."
Jeong-un listened patiently before speaking,
"You called him a thief just now?"
"That's right."
Do-un grinned, nodding.
"With him safely apprehended, there's nothing secret left. Someone proclaimed he'd steal a treasure from our temple. I was patrolling for just that possibility."
"......."
"Then this man ran as soon as he encountered me. While I gave chase, you helped catch him."
Jeong-un silently looked down at the thief.
Then he bent over and reached into the man's robe. Seeing this, Do-un frowned and tried to stop him.
"Young hero, you shouldn't search him so carelessly—"
"This."
Jeong-un stood up and extended his hand toward Do-un.
In his palm was a small gilt-bronze Buddha.
"Is this a Shaolin treasure?"
Do-un widened his eyes and approached, replying slowly,
"That is... a precious statue from the Guanyin Pavilion, but to call it a treasure... No, then—?"
Do-un also seemed to reconsider, trailing off.
'Just as I thought, he's not the one.'
Jeong-un murmured internally.
The awkward detection and feeble lightness skill—he was merely an opportunist taking advantage of the commotion, not the so-called Divine Thief.
At that moment, a great cheer rang out from far away.
WAAAA—!
It came from the direction of the duel arena.
Both Jeong-un and Do-un turned their heads at once.
Even from here, the outcome was plain; it was the kind of roar that only broke out when the final bout of the tournament was decided.
Next to him, Do-un muttered with wide eyes,
"So, he hasn't shown himself even today...?"
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
It's a fookin cliff, in'it?
See you in 25 days guys...
Or maybe after new year...
Hopefully, author-nim gives us more chapters soon...
At least until chapter 150...
【(⩌‸⩌ )】