Chapter 42
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Bound for the Tang Clan
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Yi Ho-chang's words made Grandmaster Hyun-yong's eyes widen.
"The young hero as well?"
"Yes, I have business there myself."
"But that place is……."
"Right, go with him. No, come with us. We're the ones asking."
Grandmaster Hyun-yong hesitated to reply, but Nangyo spoke up instead.
He had even phrased it as a request rather than permission, widening Grandmaster Hyun-yong's eyes further.
"Senior Brother?"
"What? Do you think we don't need the kid to go to the Tang Clan?"
"N-no, it's not that. It's just... it seems dangerous. You know what the Sichuan Tang Family is like. The atmosphere there has been tense these past few years……."
"That's pointless worry when he's with us. What really concerns me is what happens if we get there and can't do a damn thing."
"Can't do a thing?"
Pointing at the Se-go Chwi-hwa Go board, Nangyo answered Grandmaster Hyun-yong's question.
"Among everyone here, did anyone predict that this Go board held the pill-refining method for the Great Return Pill?"
"No one."
"Then, out of all the countless problems we faced while acquiring it, excluding the kid, did even one person solve any of them?"
"……Ah!"
Grandmaster Hyun-yong finally understood, his mouth falling open.
"That's what I think. We might have to solve just as many problems at the Tang Clan as we did here. And if that happens, who among us could solve them? We'd have to rely on the kid again."
Yi Ho-chang agreed.
The connection between the Ten Upper Heavens and the Ten Go Precepts had progressed from speculation to near certainty.
'And if Go Seon's problems are involved there too…….'
Was there anyone in the martial world besides him who could solve those?
Nangyo continued.
"The Medicine Immortal mentioned in the inscription was one of the Ten Upper Heavens, just like Grandmaster Dalma. So my view is that the kid is essential for this trip to the Tang Clan. Therefore……."
Nangyo shifted his gaze to Yi Ho-chang.
"Kid, the Shaolin Temple formally requests your help. Will you come with us to Sichuan and find the remaining Great Return Pill refining method?"
Yi Ho-chang smiled at Nangyo's request.
He had been the one who should beg, yet here he was being begged.
But Yi Ho-chang knew this.
It wasn't just Nangyo's cleverness; he was deliberately showing consideration.
Thus, Yi Ho-chang responded with proper decorum.
"Of course. I'll help with whatever I can when we get there."
"Heh, quite reliable. Then we should settle on payment, right?"
"Payment?"
"Our goals align, but a request without compensation is hard to trust."
Hm.
Fair enough.
Nothing in the world is free.
Even if their aims matched, Shaolin preferred certainty.
And staking payment would secure ownership of the remaining Great Return Pill method.
Thus, even Grandmaster Hyun-yong closed his mouth after starting to speak.
Yi Ho-chang asked.
"Makes sense. So what will Shaolin offer me?"
"If you bring back the remaining Great Return Pill method, I'll make one for you."
"S-Senior Brother!"
The payment was none other than a Great Return Pill.
Grandmaster Hyun-yong jumped in shock, but Nangyo asked indifferently.
"Why?"
"N-no, but the Great Return Pill is such a treasure……."
"So what? Without the kid, there is no Great Return Pill. Don't you know that?"
"That's…… true."
"Tsk tsk, a monk with greed…… So, what do you think?"
"I'm fine with it."
He had already seen great effects from just the Summoning Pill.
How incredible would the superior Great Return Pill be?
"Good, then it's settled. How long for preparations?"
Grandmaster Hyun-yong sighed softly at Nangyo's question, calculated briefly, and replied.
"At least a month."
A month……
Can't just go whenever you want, huh?
But a month is too long.
Nangyo asked.
"Hear that? It'll take a month. Will you wait here, or……?"
"No need. I'll wait in Soheung."
"Understood. Yu-gyeong will pick you up in a month."
After more discussion, those gathered in the abbot's room dispersed.
As Yi Ho-chang left the abbot's room toward the Juyang Hall, Nangyo called him.
"Kid."
"Yes?"
"When do you plan to leave?"
"In about two days."
"Then play Go with me until then."
"Go?"
Suddenly?
Yi Ho-chang furrowed his brow, then chuckled.
"Need some instruction?"
"Heh, instruction now? Just one game."
"Hm, alright."
Everything was done anyway; amusing Nangyo until departure wasn't bad.
Especially since he'd gained the Great Return Pill from Shaolin's request.
The two headed straight to the top of Janggyeong Pavilion and sat before the Go board.
"Knowing your skill, I'll take three stones handicap."
"Why not more?"
"Three is my last shred of pride."
"Fine."
Three stones were placed, and the game began.
One move.
Two moves.
But as time passed, Nangyo's pondering grew longer.
Finally, unable to bear it, Yi Ho-chang spoke.
"Are we playing all day?"
"Wait a bit. They say growth comes from deep thought."
"Then you should've taken five stones."
"So damn noisy. Do you play Go with your mouth?"
"Does Master play with his ass?"
"If it annoys you, throw a stone and stand up. But then you lose."
"No way. Let's set a time limit from now."
"Can't. We didn't agree on that at the start."
"Ha……."
Yi Ho-chang stopped arguing.
Fine.
Just humor the stubborn old man.
But this is too much.
While waiting his turn, Yi Ho-chang looked around.
"No reading material here?"
"Reading? Want some erotic paintings?"
"……What would I do with that? Just books or something."
"Reading material……."
Nangyo pondered, then his eyes lit up.
"Right. This is Janggyeong Pavilion. Go grab whatever you want to read."
"Anything?"
"Yeah, anything."
"……?"
Janggyeong Pavilion was Shaolin's secret repository.
In other words, a library housing Shaolin martial arts and supreme manuals.
Yi Ho-chang furrowed his brow.
"I came in following you, but isn't this a very important place? You sure I can just read whatever's inside?"
"It is important. But what could a punk like you learn from reading them? Read what you want."
"Man, getting lip from a rank amateur."
"What?"
"Keep pondering. I'll go downstairs."
Yi Ho-chang stood and headed down.
As expected of Janggyeong Pavilion.
Looking around, there were more precious books than imagined. Yi Ho-chang browsed slowly, thinking.
'Well, since I'm here, I should find and read things useful for the future.'
Who knew how long he'd stay in the martial world.
Couldn't keep asking others forever; time to study up.
Perfect timing.
Yi Ho-chang selected various books while scanning shelves.
Sword arts, staff arts, fist arts, palm arts, kick arts, etc.
Palm arts to complement Dragon Claw Palm with insights or improvements from others.
Fist and kick arts to shore up weak basics.
Nangyo's fist art looked decent too.
Weapons especially—he'd thought them necessary before.
'Better than bare hands, and flexible for various situations.'
Reading wouldn't make him master them, but better than ignorance.
Then a book caught Yi Ho-chang's eye.
"Martial World Comprehensive Registry?"
A detailed account of martial world history and current state.
Yi Ho-chang's eyes sparkled.
'This looks most useful.'
Thus, carrying about twenty books, he returned upstairs.
Ridiculously, Nangyo was still glaring at the board, arms crossed.
Yi Ho-chang shook his head and sat opposite, then began reading.
How much time passed?
Finally, Nangyo played.
"There."
Yi Ho-chang glanced and responded immediately.
"There?!"
"Why?"
"Urgh……!"
Nangyo crossed arms again, pondering.
Yi Ho-chang shook his head and continued reading.
How much time passed?
Unable to endure, Nangyo flopped down spread-eagled.
"Agh, exhausting!"
"Admitting defeat?"
"Defeat my ass! Seal the hands here for today; continue tomorrow."
"Why not just admit defeat?"
"No!"
"Suit yourself."
Without the downstairs trip, he'd have pressed for concession.
But with time limits from next game, he'd let it slide.
As Yi Ho-chang returned to his manuals, Nangyo sidled over.
"What're you reading?"
"Sword manual."
"Name?"
"Crying Branch Sword Art. Know it?"
"Crying Branch? Hmm. Must be advanced since it's here, but I don't know every book. Why sword suddenly?"
"Sword is the king of weapons. Better than bare hands."
"Hm, anything beats bare hands. When you heading back?"
"Almost done. Why, bedtime? I'll take the books out."
"Out? I allowed reading, but these are Shaolin secrets. No checkout."
"Wait a bit then, or keep pondering."
"……Maybe."
Spurred by pride, Nangyo sat before the board again.
Thanks to that, Yi Ho-chang finished his books and stood.
*
Two days later.
The day to leave Shaolin arrived.
"Move it quick!"
"We depart in one watch!"
"Finally heading home!"
Due to various incidents delaying the schedule, the mountain gate bustled from early morning.
As departure neared, Grandmaster Hyun-yong and others came to see them off.
Wei So-so performed a formal bow to Grandmaster Hyun-yong.
"We owe you greatly."
"No, Shaolin owes you more. We are truly grateful."
Many exchanged farewells.
Then Nangyo spoke to Yi Ho-chang nearby.
"Come back with the refining method quick."
"If I can't find it, can I skip coming back?"
"As if. Even if not, drop by for Go sometimes."
"No if it's all-day sessions again."
"Brat, then we time it like you said."
"Think on it. Study up meanwhile."
"Yeah, see you."
"Yes, until next time."
With their farewell, Shaolin receded into the distance.
On the road back to Soheung.
All tense fearing retaliation from the Faceless, but none appeared until entering Zhejiang.
About ten days later, the vanguard ahead called back.
"Entering Soheung!"
Finally, back in Soheung.