- "I will not permit it."
The guardian of the Shaolin Abbot, Cheonbong, one of the Hundred Masters, spoke firmly.
- "Yu Yeon, do you even understand what youâre saying right now?"
- "I do."
Despite the stern tone, Yu Yeon did not waver.
- "I want to face him."
- "So youâre asking to change the match lineup? Do you think that makes any sense?"
Yu Yeon had come to Cheonbong to request a change in the match schedule to face So Yeomra in the fourth round of the preliminaries. Hearing this, Cheonbongâs expression hardened.
- "This schedule was determined fairly by the alliance..."
- "Everyone already knows itâs not fair."
At Yu Yeonâs words, Cheonbong scowled.
- "What did you just say? Are youâ!"
- "Still, I believe it is also the Buddhaâs will. After all, I belong to Shaolin."
Even if it was something he could not understand, if the Abbot Cheonan had agreed to it and made the decision, then it must be aligned with the Buddhaâs will.
Yu Yeon tried to accept it that way.
Butâ
- "...I beg you to grant me this one request."
- "Yu Yeon!"
- "I must meet him before itâs too late."
Throbâ!
Pain flared in his chest with every movement.
Enduring the agony, Yu Yeonâs thoughts were firm.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Before it was too late.
Before the wounds deepened.
While he still had the strength to face him.
He had to make it happen.
- "Yu Yeon, do you not understand what this match means for Shaolin?"
- "I do. Thatâs precisely why I stepped forward."
- "You know, yet...!"
- "But this is something I must do."
With measured breaths, Yu Yeon looked directly at Cheonbong.
- "I am someone who must become the roof of Shaolin."
- "...!"
- "Someday, I must stand at the peak under Shaolinâs name."
He knew well the expectations Shaolin placed upon him.
How could he not know? It was a sorrowful burden precisely because he understood it so deeply.
- "Thatâs why I must face him."
He steadied his trembling voice.