Episode 243: As hard as I am, so is Mabul.
The place where Mabul lived was a huge temple called Golden Buddha Temple.
This place consisted of dozens of large and small buildings, most of which were painted gold. The towers erected here and there were also emitting golden light.
The four angels statues erected at the entrance to ward off evil spirits were different from those of existing temples. That thing that looked so scary was the devil himself.
There was a golden Buddha standing in the middle of the temple. It was a Buddha statue as large as the giant stone statues erected throughout the Heavenly Demon Church, and it was known that when the Golden Great Lama Ball that Ma Buddha had mastered reached its peak, the Golden Great Buddha could be seen appearing and disappearing when the martial arts was performed.
Originally, monks belonging to the Demonic Cult were called demon monks (魔僧), but the monks of the Golden Immortal Temple were called gwangseung (gwangseong) using the character mad (狂).
When I announced my arrival, a huge beast came out to meet me.
“I will guide you.”
I know who this gwangseung is. It was Daegwang (大狂), Mabul’s right hand man. Big and crazy.
There was nothing strange about him suddenly attacking me and strangling me with those prayer beads.
When he, a big man, stands next to Mabul, Mabul looks even smaller. Nevertheless, Mabul made this large man his right hand man.
I thought he might have chosen Daegwang to show that he had no inferiority complex about his short stature.
The monks passing by greeted me by placing their palms together. I heard that after my last barking at the training hall, my popularity has increased considerably in this place full of crazy people. Of course, since Mabul was a passionate supporter of his brother, they also officially supported him.
Mabul was chanting the Buddha in the main hall.
I always saw him walking around with his older brother, but seeing him wearing a monk’s robe and robes and reciting Buddhist scriptures felt very unfamiliar.
The only reason I thought that person was the Demon Buddha was because the golden Buddha statue looked much scarier than regular Buddha statues.
After paying my respects to the Buddha statue, I sat quietly behind the Ma Buddha.
Since I had no intention of finishing chanting, I quietly closed my eyes and practiced the Heavenly Demon Self-Defense Technique. These days, martial arts training focuses on two things. If you need to be aware of your surroundings, use the Heavenly Demon Self-Defense Technique, and if no one is around, use the Sicheon Secret Art.
All the martial arts I learned were important, but these two martial arts were also very important.
The Heavenly Demon Defense God was another life-critical martial art, and the Sicheon Secret Art was perhaps the most important martial art after the Nine Fire Demonic Gong in order to achieve the great success of the Nine Fire Demonic Gong in time.
But unfortunately, Sicheon Secret Technique is still under research. Because it was such a difficult technique, it was not easy to perform martial arts.
How much time has passed?
The sound of the chant that Mabul was chanting began to get louder, and the demonic energy began to surround me. Naturally, the Heavenly Demon Self-Defense Technique activated and protected my body.
I thought I heard chanting in my head, and then I saw a vision.
In pitch black darkness.
A golden glow appeared from a distance and started walking towards me.
It was Mabul. The Mabul seen in this vision was tall.
He walked in front of me and stopped. I see his embarrassed face.
Mabul held out his hand. A hand that bounces away without being able to get over it. There was an invisible, transparent barrier between him and me that I couldn’t cross. And it seems that Mabul can’t see me beyond the curtain.
I could tell. Mabul tried to break in to read my mind with the Golden Great Lama Ball, but was blocked. The Heavenly Demon Defense was activated and the invasion was prevented. In addition to the nine-fire magic attack, the Heavenly Demon Defense God technique I learned was an absolute magic technique that took precedence over any other magic technique.
Mabul looked embarrassed and soon walked back into the darkness. The golden light disappeared in the darkness.
Why did he appear in front of me so tall?
In this brief moment, I thought that maybe it was I who looked into my heart.
The sound of chanting that was echoing in my head gradually became quieter and then disappeared.
When I opened my eyes, Mabul was sitting facing me.
He seemed embarrassed that his magic attack did not work.
But then Mabul put his hands together and spoke as if nothing had happened.
“Gongja Lee. “I’m glad you came back safely this time.”
“Thank you for your concern.”
I also put my hands together and showed respect.
“But wasn’t it fortunate that I didn’t come back safely?”
Mabul slowly rolled the prayer beads and said.
“Buddha said all lives are precious.”
To hear the preciousness of life from the mouth of a person who makes me worry that the prayer beads will fly away like a memorization.
My eyes naturally looked toward the golden Buddha statue behind him. He said this while looking at the Buddhist painting behind the Buddha statue.
“Over there, demonic monks are ruthlessly tearing people to death?”
The corners of Mabul’s mouth rose slightly at my unexpected words. He forced himself to refrain from letting out an awkward laugh.
“Why did you come to see me? If you want to take refuge in the Buddha, I will personally shave your head. That would be nice. There will be no bloodshed between brothers as you want.”
“I like to play, so I would get kicked out very quickly. My brother is kind and quiet, so it would suit him better. “The head is also prettier.”
It was a joke, but we were having a tense fight.
“The reason I came to visit you today is…”
I told him after a while.
“It’s because of Operation Golden.”
I started this operation by telling him the name of the operation.
Mabul asked with a suspicious look in his eyes.
“Operation Golden? “What is that?”
“This is an operation to make Mabul my person. “Today is the starting day.”
In the end, Mabul couldn’t hold back his laughter.
“I really have to admit that you are an unusual person. “I admit it, I admit it.”
“Before, people would call me crazy, but I have also improved.”
Mabul suddenly stopped laughing and said.
“Do not ignore the Archduke. “The successor will be the Archduke.”
“When I visited the Majons, I should have visited the elders first. Then, now, Majon, don’t ignore Gongja Lee somewhere. The successor will be Gongja Lee. “You must have been saying something like this.”
Mabul snorted.
“Do you think I would have fallen for you just because of that?”
“How do you think it felt?”
“That sounds absurd.”
When looking at this unwavering loyalty to his brother, the first impression that he is a greedy political monk seeking power is so unfortunate that it is okay to feel unfair.
“Why do you like your brother so much?”
“Your brother…”
I thought there was a reason, but he didn’t tell me. I thought that I could only hear that reason if Mabul became my person.
“I think the Archduke is a more suitable person for the Heavenly Demon.”
I nodded silently.
“Does this mean you think the same thing?”
“I admit that there are definitely areas where my brother is better at being more meticulous.”
“Then yield.”
Instead of answering, I asked him.
“Isn’t it difficult dealing with your brother?”
“Are you trying to drive a wedge between me and the Archduke? “It won’t work.”
“As I said before, Mabul is a small giant. Obtaining Mabul was my brother’s greatest luck. Thank you.”
“Why are you thankful?”
Mabul looked suspiciously. I knew that he would not open his heart easily, so I calmly expressed my feelings.
“I told you before that I intend to stop killing each other in succession battles in this generation. My brother has a strong pride and it is difficult for him to control it, so I ask the elder to help me. “Do you remember anything?”
“I remember.”
“I think it’s all thanks to Mabul that my brother hasn’t run away until now.”
“I said that if the Archduke goes crazy, I will pour oil on him. They’ll encourage you to blow it all up. But why do you think I’m stopping the Archduke?”
I stared at him and spoke calmly.
“Because I know my brother better than anyone else. “I wouldn’t have been able to survive like this if Mabul wasn’t by my side.”
It was my sincerity. Regardless of whether I had him as my person or not, I was truly grateful to him. For steadfastly staying by my brother’s side until I came to visit him like this.
“I will leave for today.”
I politely put my hands together and said goodbye.
Mabul sat down without saying a word and started chanting again.
I definitely realized this while talking to him.
He may be the smallest person, but he is also the most difficult to obtain.
It starts now.
* * *
The next day, I approached Mabul, saying hello, as he came out of the Golden Buddha Temple.
“Have you eaten?”
“I didn’t.”
“Would you like to join us?”
Of course I thought he would refuse, but he gladly accepted.
“That’s right.”
Mabul asked as I looked surprised.
“Why are you so surprised?”
“I didn’t know you would allow it so easily.”
“You are mistaken about one thing. “I am a very moderate and merciful person.”
Moderation and mercy? He is saying the most shameless things in the world so calmly.
“Fortunately, the. “I was planning on following you around every day.”
Mabul walked first and I followed him.
“What do you like? Just say the word!”
The demons passing by looked at us. Is Mabul hanging out with Lee Gongja now? These were eyes filled with heart.
But Mabul didn’t care at all. In the past, he would have felt uncomfortable talking about various things to his older brother and causing misunderstandings.
Mabul, who was walking forward with a determined expression… had clearly changed.
* * *
That evening, I visited Hyeolcheon Doma again.
Seo Dae-ryong, who had come home from work, was receiving martial arts lessons.
Seo Dae-ryong is always the busiest with Hwangcheongak work and martial arts training.
“I will be waiting in my room.”
“Why did you come again?”
“Didn’t you say you were staying at the camp until you found the answer?”
Then Hyeolcheondoma shouted.
“Don’t lie down in bed without washing up!”
“Aren’t you acting like it’s too neat when it’s not even a bed for women?”
Then Seo Dae-ryong stepped forward for his master and raised his voice.
“Who said this? “The woman is not coming.”
Hyeolcheondoma and I looked at Seo Dae-ryong. The person who was more shocked by those words was Hyeolcheondoma.
“Don’t ignore our master!”
Heavy silence.
I said with my eyes. Daeryong, I don’t think this is right!
Seo Dae-ryong said with his eyes. What should I do, Mr. Footnote?
“He was a man whom women lined up for when he was young. “You are still correcting it.”
I sighed with my eyes, and Seo Dae-ryong’s voice eventually quieted down.
“…So don’t ignore it.”
In the end, Seo Dae-ryong bowed his head and spoke.
“I will prepare for hell training starting tomorrow.”
Hyeolcheondoma said softly.
“tomorrow? “Starting now!”
* * *
Seo Daeryong’s training ended late at night.
After sending the disciple away, Hyeolcheon Doma entered the room. By then I was reading a book. I don’t know how long it’s been since I last read a book that wasn’t a military book.
“Are you teaching this late?”
Hyeolcheondoma nodded and answered.
“He is intelligent, so teaching him is a lot of fun.”
“Isn’t that the guy who entered Hwangcheongak at the top of his class?”
Hyeolcheondoma sat down on a chair by the window and asked.
“But why did someone who was supposed to be carrying out a major operation come here?”
“I told you, right? “When I think of a crisis in my life, the only people I think of are my elders.”
“It’s not easy, is it?”
“It is impregnable. He is united in his loyalty to his older brother. Would you say it’s like the relationship between an elder and me?”
“Then one sprinkle of snow ginseng will solve the problem, right?”
I sighed, pretending not to hear.
“It’s not easy.”
Then, Hyeolcheondoma smiled and told me about the past.
“I once drank alcohol at Mabul and Pungryu Bar. At that time, I asked Mabul the same thing. “It’s not easy, is it?”
“So what?”
“Mabul also answered that it is not easy like you. “It’s funny that you two are telling me in front of me that it’s not easy.”
I pictured two people drinking.
It must have been a very frustrating time for Mabul. Just look at the fact that he drank alcohol with Hyeolcheon Doma.
Behind that resolute appearance that I see, Mabul’s agony is hidden as he confesses that it is not easy for Hyeolcheon Doma.
I repeated once more, leaning against the window and looking at the moon.
“It’s not easy, really.”
I realize once again that there is nothing more difficult than winning a person’s heart. It might be easier now because of my experience with various mazons, but when it comes to interpersonal relationships, it’s always difficult, as if it’s the first time.
Hyeolcheondoma said as they looked up at the moon together.
“It’s about becoming the successor to the Heavenly Demon. How can that be easy?”
Hyeolcheondoma’s words were comforting.
At that time, Hyeolcheondoma suddenly spoke.
“Mugeuk-ah.”
For a moment I was startled. It was the first time he called my name.
I looked at him with a trembling heart. Hyeolcheondoma still looked up at the moon and spoke calmly.
“I know that we have worked hard so far to win the hearts of our old people. “When you’re tired, you can rest.”
I looked at the Hyeolcheon cutting board with great emotion. The person who used to poke my side with disapproving eyes is now becoming my sanctuary.
What should I do without you? I was trying to joke, but the chopping block hit me.
“You can’t live without me.”
Hyeolcheondoma looked at me with a smile. I also smiled brightly.
“Thank you for your words. “I’m taking a break too…”
That was right then. A thought crossed my mind. What if it’s not easy for me and it’s not easy for Mabul?
“ah! As hard as it is for me, it must be hard for Mabul too, right? “I’m not showing any outward signs, but I’m sure Mabul’s feelings are just as urgent as mine, right?”
In the current situation, the best thing Mabul can do is to persuade me. That’s probably why he obediently ate with me today.
“I was in a hurry. Now is not the time to push hard, but to slowly pull in my direction.”
It was the moment when the first detailed plan of the Golden Grand Operation was finally drawn up.