The Return of the Crazy Demon-Chapter 269: It’s My First Time Threatening Someone

The man with the flute, who had been heading west, suddenly spoke as if he had made a decision.

“Monk, I have something to say.”

“Yes?”

“I’m sorry, but I won’t be following you anymore.”

“...What?”

“Ah, don’t misunderstand. I was never one of those Murim criminals to begin with. I did realize they were bad people. That’s my fault, I suppose. I only acted as a guide a few times because they said they’d pay me well. Now that I’m going back, I plan to leave all that behind and focus only on my music... Monk, are you listening?”

Dong-su replied with a baffled look.

“Suddenly... where are you saying you’ll go?”

“I’ll go back to where I used to live. I have no reason to travel all the way to the Western Regions and live as a monk.”

“So what you said to Sword Demon, the Sect Leader, Physician Moyong, Master Yukhap, Director Cha, and Lord Mong was all a lie?”

The flute man feigned innocence.

“You all decided among yourselves to let me live and said the monk would take me. When did I ever agree to that? Even my head—Lord of Haomun told me to shave it, so I was forced into it.”

Dong-su, who had been silently listening, suddenly smiled as if enlightened.

The flute man asked with an annoyed expression.

“Why are you laughing? Is that mockery?”

Dong-su answered with a smile.

“Is there a law saying monks can’t laugh?”

“Well, no. But anyway, let’s part ways now. Walking the quiet road with you, monk, taught me many things. I sincerely thank you. Goodbye.”

Dong-su said,

“Donor...”

“I didn’t offer anything, so don’t call me that.”

“I’m not finished speaking. Please hear me out.”

The flute man nodded.

“Very well.”

Dong-su said,

“This time, the event was meaningful. It was a moment where even donors who showed no mercy—like the Sect Leader—refrained from further killing. If you suddenly declare you’re leaving, it makes me a liar, deceiving those who trusted me and gave you a chance. And now you’re betraying them?”

The flute man frowned deeply.

“Betrayal? I was never loyal to them. How can it be betrayal?”

“Breaking trust is betrayal.”

The flute man sighed and nodded.

“Then fine, call it betrayal. I understand. Take care.”

Suddenly, Dong-su burst into laughter like someone with air trapped in his lungs.

“Hahahahahahahahahaha... ha.”

The flute man sighed and shook his head.

“See you around.”

He coughed and turned, striding away as if fleeing. After a dozen steps, he felt a sudden chill and turned around—Dong-su stood exactly the same distance behind him.

Dong-su asked in a calm tone,

“I haven’t finished speaking yet. Why are you in such a hurry to go?”

“...”

“Good grief.”

This time, the flute man activated his light footwork and darted away. After a moment, he glanced back just in case—and there was Dong-su, standing still with a smile.

The flute man asked,

“Why the hell are you following me?”

“I was jogging alongside you to collect my thoughts.”

“Are you done now?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Then I’ll be—”

As the flute man turned to walk again, a sudden prick like a needle pierced his shoulder. He couldn’t move.

“...Huh?”

He tried to turn his head, but even that wouldn’t budge. Dong-su appeared before him and clasped his hands together.

“Who said you could leave?”

“What?”

“A promise is a promise. I am full of flaws, but I’ve never broken a promise. You must come with me.”

“No...”

“Please, explain.”

“Explain what?”

“Why you treat promises so lightly. Everyone has their own /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ perspective. I’m willing to listen sincerely.”

Dong-su sat cross-legged on a large rock beside him.

The flute man said,

“Why am I standing while you’re sitting? At least release my pressure point first.”

“Shouldn’t you be asking yourself that question? You already know the answer, yet you ask me anyway.”

“I get it, just unlock the point.”

“If I release it, I’ll have to chase you again. And if, by any chance, I’m forced to strike you using the martial arts I’ve learned, that would be a sin. So I cannot.”

“Oh, so you’re already considering hitting me?”

“I’m preparing myself just in case.”

“You’re an outrageous monk.”

Dong-su sighed deeply.

“I didn’t realize it when I was with the Sect Leader, but now that we’re apart, I’m starting to understand people’s hearts.”

“Whether you understand or not, just release the pressure point. I can’t move, and my legs are hurting.”

Dong-su let out a laugh mixed with resignation and disbelief.

“You’re quite the actor. Hiding your emotions like that. I truly believed your tears and wailing were genuine. If the others were also fooled, then you’re the most wicked among the so-called criminals. This is why people say to beware of Jianghu folk. I’ve learned yet another lesson today. Perhaps the Sect Leader’s distaste was because he understood people better than I did.”

“Hey. Dong-su.”

“Yes.”

“Dragging someone who doesn’t want to go and forcing them to enter the Buddhist path—is that really Buddha’s teaching? I’ve never heard such a thing.”

Dong-su answered calmly,

“Heading west isn’t the same as entering the Buddhist path. The Sect Leader said he wouldn’t take your flute—that was his way of saying you should continue your music there. A monk can’t just spend his days playing the flute. But if you live in the guest hall, help with the temple’s work, cook and share meals, and listen to the teachings of the Great Monks and senior disciples, I’m sure you’ll gain much. It will also benefit your musical depth. We never intended to forcibly convert you.”

“Ah.”

“I’m glad you understand now.”

“Monk, but I’m a Jianghu man to the bone.”

“I know.”

The flute man played his final card.

“There are rules in Jianghu. Release my pressure point. Let us duel. The one who wins decides. That is the Jianghu way.”

Dong-su smiled.

“You’re no match for me.”

“What?”

“My senior once said—no matter how vast the martial world is, there aren’t more than a hundred people stronger than me. And I doubt you’re one of them.”

The flute man frowned.

“Have you started boasting now? Do you even understand what being one of the ‘Hundred Grandmasters’ means? There are more than a hundred sects alone. Being one of the hundred would mean being a head of a sect.”

“There’s skill disparity between sects, so that’s not necessarily true.”

“Then why didn’t you help when the others attacked the criminals?”

“Sword Demon wanted to test a new sword technique. He didn’t say it, but that’s how I saw it. Even if I didn’t step in, those criminals couldn’t possibly handle him. Lord Mong held back his internal energy the whole time, ready for unexpected developments. Also—”

“Also?”

“Master Yukhap was prepared to strike at any moment, holding his sword with his thumb. Though injured, he was ready to act if anyone fled or became a variable. There was no need for me to join. Shall I continue?”

“...”

“If the Sect Leader had returned—”

“I get it. So that’s how it was. But that senior of yours who’s never even been to Central Plains—how can he be so arrogant? I know more than a hundred amazing masters myself.”

“My senior is immensely knowledgeable and far stronger than me.”

“I don’t believe it.”

“Would you believe if you saw it?”

Suddenly, Dong-su swung his hand at a nearby boulder. With a thunderous crash, the massive rock shattered into dust.

“...!”

The flute man stared with a horrified expression.

“Monk... why’d you suddenly smash a rock?”

“Rocks are inanimate objects.”

“Still... Amitabha. There might’ve been worms or snails underneath. Some nameless bug eating moss. A piece of debris might’ve hit a poor passing frog. Did you check?”

Dong-su’s expression hardened.

“...”

The flute man smirked like he’d just scored a point.

“Was I wrong? If anything died from that, the blame is on you, not me. Isn’t that right?”

“...”

“Dong-su, you need more training. As for me, I’ll reform, play the flute, and live peacefully without harming others. I truly thank you. You’re my savior. When you and the other monks come to the Central Plains someday, I’ll host you generously. You won’t eat meat or drink, of course, but I’ll at least treat you to mountain vegetable bibimbap. Why so quiet?” 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Dong-su stared and replied,

“You’re quite the speaker.”

“I just didn’t get the chance before because I was always playing the flute.”

“Very well.”

“What do you mean, ‘very well’?”

“Keep talking. My heart is still leaning west.”

This time, the flute man didn’t smile either.

“You bald bastard...”

Dong-su nodded.

“Pardon me, but you’re bald too.”

The flute man sighed.

“I lost. Unlock the point. I’ll follow you without complaint.”

Dong-su smiled.

“Do you think monks are fools?”

“Very well. I’d rather bite my tongue and die here than go west with you.”

He started chewing his tongue. Blood poured from his mouth.

“Ugh...”

Dong-su watched with a surprised look.

“Huh...”

The blood kept pouring, and Dong-su clicked his tongue.

“That won’t kill you. Biting the tip of your tongue isn’t fatal.”

The flute man chewed furiously, then sighed and spat blood on the ground.

“Ptoo! Fine, unlock it already, you bald bastard. How are you any different from those demons in Ilyang County? Sword Demon? Don’t tell me people don’t know he used to be the Demonic Cult’s Left Guardian. And you—you follow the orders of some ex-Demonic Cult master and kidnap me? Is this your so-called mercy? If I’m guilty, I’ll go to the Martial Alliance myself and face justice. That’s the proper way.”

Dong-su replied,

“Lord of Haomun and Master Yukhap are fierce, but they know right from wrong. If Sword Demon is close to them now, it means he’s repenting. Otherwise, he’d still be the Cult’s Left Guardian. In the days I observed him, he was nothing but a swordsman terrifyingly focused on the blade. Anything else you want to ask?”

“Just take me back to Ilyang. I’d rather be there.”

“Would that be wise? I expect the Sect Leader will beat you to death this time.”

The flute man shouted,

“You say no to this, no to that. And then expect me to obey you blindly? What kind of crazy monk logic is that?!”

“Instead of clinging to what can’t be done, why not embrace the new life you’ve been given? You can play the flute to your heart’s content. I’ll even ask the senior monks to buy you a used pipa. If you want, you can learn martial arts from my senior. Though, you’ll be forbidden from a lot more. You’ll also get beaten a lot—part of learning defensive arts. I got hit a lot too. That’s how I learned. I hope you learn as well.”

“Monk... please have mercy.”

“I don’t kill.”

Suddenly, the flute man rolled his eyes back and slumped forward. Blood-tinged foam trickled from his mouth. Dong-su said,

“Close your eyes and organize your thoughts. When someone truly faints, their breathing changes.”

The flute man opened his eyes and lifted his head.

“...This is unbearable.”

“Life is suffering.”

“...”

“I’m glad you’re speaking honestly. Let it all out. Strangely, when people meet my senior, they can’t speak their minds. You’re likely the same. Better to say it now, before we arrive. It’ll put your mind at ease.”

“That senior of yours must be violent. And you’re dragging me to him?”

Dong-su shook his head.

“He’s not always violent. But he certainly doesn’t care for rigid rules. For example...”

“For example what?”

After thinking for a moment, Dong-su looked at him and said,

“He’s a bit like Lord of Haomun.”

The flute man lowered his head.

“That crazy bastard...”

“I only just realized.”

Under the scorching sun, the conversation between two bald men went on for another two hours.

“My legs hurt so much.”

“Of course. You’ve been standing this whole time.”

Dong-su, having spoken more than he ever had in his life, smiled into the breeze and finally said,

“Let’s do this. If you say one more time that you won’t go, I’ll take you back to Ilyang.”

“What’s there?”

Dong-su replied calmly,

“I’ll be forced to tell the Sect Leader everything that happened.”

“I don’t want that.”

For the first time, Dong-su threatened someone.

He got up from the rock and folded his hands toward the flute man.

“I’m sorry, but if you don’t cooperate, I’ll have no choice but to destroy your dantian.”

“What?”

Dong-su sighed.

“I’ve been scolded countless times by my senior, and even by the younger Sect Leader. At first, I didn’t understand why they were so harsh. But seeing your actions and hearing your words... I realized the fault lay in my indecisiveness. When you’re taught, you must change.”

The flute man, now slightly dazed, asked,

“So what was your problem?”

Dong-su gave a faint smile.

“Well, I realized... You don’t need to be kind all the time to live in this world. Through you, I learned that being nice isn’t the same as being merciful.”

With that, Dong-su struck the flute man’s dantian with a palm strike.

Thwack!

The man rolled across the ground in a pathetic heap and passed out. Dong-su looked down at the unconscious man, took a deep breath, and exhaled.

“Ah, that feels so much better.”

Dong-su grinned and muttered,

“Namu Amitaryong... no, Namu Amitabha.”

Dong-su knew something had just stained his heart.

But he left it there.