Chapter 576: Miracle of Shaolin (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 576: Miracle of Shaolin (2)
What on earth was going on?
I stared at the scene before me, a thousand thoughts racing through my mind. No—before I could even think, I first needed to process what I was seeing.
What the hell is that?
Why were those old men here?
It wasn’t just that the Immortal Healer, the very man I’d been searching for, was standing right there. Why was the Dishonored Venerable—a man who was supposed to be back in Shanxi—here as well?
What is happening?
No matter how I looked at it, none of this made sense. I had asked the White Flower Merchant Association for lodging and followed them to the place they provided. But to find both the Immortal Healer and the Dishonored Venerable waiting for me… what kind of coincidence was this?
I was so flustered I couldn't find my voice.
Just then, the Dishonored Venerable, who had been chuckling at the collapsed Immortal Healer, turned his gaze toward me.
“Oh.”
Our eyes met. A thin smile played on the Dishonored Venerable’s lips.
“A pleasure to see you. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
“…?”
His tone was different from usual, sounding uncharacteristically polite. Then it clicked—Seong Yul and Tang Soyeol were standing right behind me. They didn’t know the Dishonored Venerable’s true identity, so he was putting on an act.
“…Yes. It has been… a long time.”
The Dishonored Venerable beamed at my greeting. Seeing that smile, I had to fight the urge to break into a cold sweat.
That old man.
He was definitely furious.
There was one thing I’d learned after years of being thrashed by the Dishonored Venerable: the angrier he got, the more he smiled. Of course, his genuine amusement and his murderous rage weren't exactly the same. There was a subtle difference, one you only learned to spot after being his punching bag long enough.
And based on what I was seeing now…
Dammit.
He was absolutely livid.
“How many months has it been? I heard you’d be back soon. Haha.”
“...”
Hearing that, I finally understood the source of his anger. I had promised to finish my business and return to the Gu Clan immediately, but I’d ignored that and come straight to Henan instead. That was the problem.
Crap…
The journey from Guangdong to here hadn’t actually taken that long. However, several months had already passed since I first left the Gu Clan. I’d had other business to attend to before even reaching Guangdong.
…So that’s why he’s like this.
According to the original plan, I was supposed to handle things in Guangdong, turn Seong Yul into a Demonic Human, and then return directly to the Gu Clan. That was why I’d written in my letter that I’d be back soon.
But my schedule got messed up when I went to Wudang.
Because of that detour, I had come straight to Henan.
…But why is this old geezer even here?
Why were both the Immortal Healer and the Dishonored Venerable in this specific place?
Just as my brow furrowed in confusion, a voice echoed directly in my mind.
[Isn’t it obvious?]
The Dishonored Venerable was sending me a telepathic message.
[…What is, sir?]
[I knew you wouldn’t do as you said. I knew you’d head straight here.]
[...]
If that was true, then…
[…So you came here yourself?]
He knew I wouldn’t listen, so he traveled all this way just to intercept me? It was absurd.
[Wait, didn’t you tell me to get lost?]
When I was training under him, he’d ask me every single day when I was finally going to leave. Now that I was actually out in the world, why was he stalking me?
I voiced my disbelief internally, and the Dishonored Venerable let out his characteristic, raspy laugh.
[Yes, I certainly told you to leave.]
[Then why are you doing this?]
[It’s just that the disciple who left on my word…]
Heh heh.
[Seems to be causing some unbelievable trouble.]
[…!]
My breath caught in my throat.
No way.
Did he know? His voice was too full of conviction to be a mere bluff. A cold sweat formed on my brow. I was certain I hadn’t done anything that could be traced back to me. If he knew, how the hell did he find out?
As I stared at him with wavering eyes, he tilted his head slightly and continued.
[I’m sure I made you strong enough not to get beaten up wherever you go.]
The Dishonored Venerable’s arrogant gaze swept over me from head to toe.
[But your body is a mess. Tsk, tsk.]
[How… did you know that?]
[What do you mean, how? You should have at least tried to stabilize your scattered internal energy before trying to hide it.]
That felt unfair. I was certain I had my internal energy under control. Ever since receiving advice from the Drunken Beggar, Woo Bong, I had been incredibly careful about my movements. But it seemed the Dishonored Venerable could see right through me with a single glance.
Does the Mind’s Eye have that kind of power, too?
He had always said he lived with his Mind’s Eye active. The secret must be hidden within that technique. But that wasn't the issue.
The important thing is how he knows I’ve been causing trouble.
As I stared at him in bewilderment, a nagging feeling tugged at me. Something about him seemed different. It was a subtle, almost unnoticeable change, but something had definitely shifted in his aura.
A sudden realization struck me.
[Elder….]
[Yes.]
[Could it be…?]
I hesitated for a moment before finishing the question.
[…Have you broken through the wall?]
[Hmm.]
The Dishonored Venerable reacted slightly before letting out a low chuckle.
[Rather than breaking through, wouldn’t it be more accurate to say I’ve reclaimed it?]
[…!]
My eyes widened. That was as good as a confirmation.
That meant…
The Dishonored Venerable has reached the Fusion Realm.
The Dishonored Venerable, who had been stuck at the Perfected Peak Realm, had finally stepped into the Fusion Realm. No—to be precise, as he said…
He’s reclaimed his former glory.
It was more accurate to say he had regained a portion of the realm he had lost long ago.
[But… when…?]
[Hmm, I believe it was not long after you left.]
I swallowed hard. You might wonder why I was reacting so strongly to my master’s advancement. The reason was simple.
[I was originally planning to take it slow.]
I had only just reached a point where my own realm had risen enough to stop being his literal punching bag. But now that his realm had ascended even further…
[But my disciple was growing so fast, I couldn't afford to dally. Hoho, he was getting a bit too big for his britches.]
…It meant that just when I thought I was about to escape his shadow, I was destined to be beaten to a pulp all over again.
[When have I ever gotten too big for my britches?]
[Even now, when your master has reached a new realm, you should be offering congratulations. Instead, your eyes are full of discontent.]
That’s because your eyes are gleaming with the thought of thrashing me.
The words were on the tip of my tongue, but I didn't dare say them.
[…Congratulations.]
I offered the words belatedly, but the Dishonored Venerable’s expression only soured.
Ha.
A short sigh escaped him.
[Well, your eyes are still sharp, so I’ll let it slide for now.]
[It’s not just my eyes. Other parts of me are still alive and well—]
[Still alive? Shall I kill them for you?]
[…But they do hurt a bit.]
Just when I thought things would get a little easier, I was right back in the thick of it. It was truly fucked up.
Ignoring the throbbing headache, I asked the Dishonored Venerable another question.
[…So, what’s the deal with you and him?]
I gestured toward the Immortal Healer, who had fainted from sheer rage.
Did he really pass out?
Just how angry do you have to be to lose consciousness? Especially at his age.
The Dishonored Venerable didn’t seem to care, not even glancing at the old medic.
[I just happened to run into him after I arrived.]
I wondered what the odds were of the two of them crossing paths in Henan, but I didn’t press the issue.
[Since we both had nowhere to stay, the Immortal Healer asked the Leader of the White Flower Merchant Association for a favor. She arranged this place for us.]
A myriad of thoughts flooded my mind.
So Lady Mi knew those two were staying here.
Which meant she had deliberately sent me here knowing exactly who I’d run into. In other words… I was expected to spend the next three months here. I could try to find another place, but…
…Would this man even let me leave?
The Dishonored Venerable was the problem. Staying with the Immortal Healer was a blessing, as I could receive treatment for my injuries. But staying with the Dishonored Venerable presented a mountain of issues.
I was planning to take a break, but this ruins everything.
For the past few years, I’d been cooped up in the clan doing nothing but training. I had planned to rest while handling my business in Henan. Even if that wasn't the case, I had internal injuries; I needed a break.
But with the Dishonored Venerable here, rest was a fantasy.
He’s not the type to go easy on me just because I’m hurt.
The most terrifying thing about him? If you told him you couldn't do something because it hurt, he’d find a training method specifically designed to be done while in pain. And if such a method didn’t exist…
He’d invent one on the spot.
He would literally create a new form of torture just to use it on me.
Dammit.
A sigh threatened to escape, but I choked it back. I didn’t know what he’d do if I sighed in front of him.
As I stood there facing him, I could feel the curious gazes of Tang Soyeol and Seong Yul behind me. Realizing I needed to act natural, the Dishonored Venerable spoke with a fake, pleasant smile.
“We can exchange proper greetings later. For now, you should unpack your things.”
He smiled at me, his eyes glinting.
“In the meantime, Young Master Gu, you and I have somewhere to be.”
“What? No, I don’t want to.”
The refusal came out instinctively. The Dishonored Venerable’s eyebrow twitched.
Oops. I didn't mean to be that blunt.
“…I, I have to unpack my things as well.”
“You seem to have the least amount of luggage, though.”
“...”
I had no rebuttal. He was right. What little luggage I had was currently being carried by Seong Yul.
Dammit.
I never thought traveling light would become a liability. Just as I was looking for an exit strategy…
[In any case, it’ll be a while before the Immortal Healer wakes up. Just follow me quietly.]
“...”
In the end, I had no choice but to nod at the Dishonored Venerable’s "gentle," threat-laced invitation.
* * *
Night fell over the city.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the streets were illuminated by a sea of bright lanterns. No matter how late it got, the crowds only seemed to grow. It was a bustling, lively atmosphere.
Amidst the throng of people, I strolled down the road with a meat skewer in my hand.
“Have you been well?”
The Dishonored Venerable, walking beside me with his own snack, asked.
“Yes… well enough.”
He chuckled at my clipped reply.
“Anyone can see you haven’t been well, yet you lie so easily.”
“...”
“Did you finally go out into the world only to get thrashed by someone?”
“…I wasn’t exactly thrashed.”
As I muttered the excuse, the Dishonored Venerable immediately retorted.
“Then it must mean you were foolish enough to lose control of your own power.”
“...”
“You used it, didn’t you?”
He asked without even looking at me. There was no point in denying it.
“…Yes.”
The Second Form of the Heaven Destruction Art. I confirmed that I had used it.
The Dishonored Venerable nodded.
“You were wise enough not to use the next one, it seems.”
I gave an awkward smile.
He even noticed that I didn’t use the Third or Fourth Forms?
“…The situation didn't call for it.”
“Hmm.”
The Dishonored Venerable turned his head toward me.
“And yet, your body ended up in this state.”
“...”
I hadn’t used anything beyond the Second Form, yet I had sustained significant internal injuries. I heard him click his tongue.
“As I’ve said before, I will not interfere with what you do now that you've learned my martial arts.”
“I remember.”
He had told me that once I learned the Heaven Destruction Art, how I applied it was my business.
“And as those words imply, I will not meddle in your affairs.”
“...”
I could feel multiple layers of meaning hidden in that statement. Just how much did he know? It made me incredibly uncomfortable.
“Judging by your condition, it seems you didn’t use that.”
At the mention of that, I paused for a moment before answering.
“…That’s right.”
“Good. I’ll say it again: do not bring it out unless you are absolutely certain.”
I nodded at his firm, warning tone. I knew why he was being so serious.
“You cannot use that until you reach the domain of the mind. I understand your desire, but you must not be hasty.”
“…Yes, I know.”
A power that even the Dishonored Venerable—the creator of the radical Heaven Destruction Art—warned against. It was that dangerous. In fact, I had once tried to use it in front of him and nearly ended up with my internal organs ruptured.
But… even if it was a dangerous power…
I have to use it someday.
I had to master everything at my disposal. These were times that required every ounce of strength I could muster.
Pushing aside those heavy thoughts, I turned the conversation back to him.
“Elder.”
“Yes.”
“So, what is it you actually wanted to talk about?”
The Dishonored Venerable narrowed his eyes.
“Your intuition isn’t bad.”
I didn’t feel particularly complimented. It was obvious. The reason he had insisted we go out the moment we met was because he had something private to say.
On top of that, I realized he was being considerate of my internal injuries by not forcing me to use telepathy for a long duration. In fact, as soon as we had left the residence, I felt him deploy a sound barrier around us.
This was a serious conversation. It meant that whatever he had to say was not for anyone else’s ears.
We’ve been talking this whole time, but…
The main topic hadn't surfaced yet. Nothing we’d discussed so far felt important enough for this level of secrecy.
If the Dishonored Venerable is being this careful, it must be massive.
Was he going to confront me about the chaos I’d caused? If so, what excuse should I make? Or should I just be honest? He said he wouldn’t care what I did. Would he really not care if his disciple went around wrecking the Murim Alliance?
Or, on the contrary…
…Would he call me a fool and twist my joints into knots for being sloppy?
That old man was more than capable of it.
In that brief moment, a thousand scenarios flashed through my mind. I had already identified an escape route just in case. I was ready to bolt at a moment’s notice.
As I tensed up, the Dishonored Venerable finally spoke.
“Ah, it’s nothing much.”
He spoke with an uncharacteristic hesitation. The sight of him being unsure made me focus even harder.
Then.
“The tournament the Alliance is holding…”
As he spoke, both the Dishonored Venerable and I simultaneously snapped our heads in the same direction. My instincts had picked up something troublesome. I hoped it was just my imagination, but seeing my master react as well, I knew it wasn't.
And as if to prove it, a moment later…
—Kyaaaaah!
A blood-curdling scream echoed from the distance.