Chapter 225
Chapter 225
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 225
Chapter Title: Tea with the Shaolin Abbot
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Shaolin Temple's Guest Reception Hall.
Pat pat―
Cheonhwi watched Won-gyeon pour an unknown tea into a teacup.
'Is this guy Shaolin's abbot?'
In the Central Plains, Shaolin's abbot was often regarded as a most venerable figure.
He was the current head of Shaolin, the one responsible for the sect's affairs.
'But he doesn't look all that strong.'
Of course, he was strong.
Even without raising his internal energy, the presence emanating from him felt weighty.
But.
'Compared to Pae-gun, he's lacking.'
Having just met Pae-gun, Cheonhwi's standards had risen considerably.
At that moment, Won-gyeon handed over the teacup, brimming with tea and swaying slightly.
"It's tea leaves I dried myself as a little hobby, so I'm not sure if it'll suit your taste."
"I've drunk plenty like this already, so I'm used to it."
Cheonhwi replied nonchalantly and thought of his sect leader.
He too had preferred tea he dried himself over tea bought from elsewhere.
Did becoming sect leader mean you suddenly had time to spare?
As Cheonhwi entertained such idle thoughts, he took the teacup and sipped.
"How is it?"
To Won-gyeon's question laced with anticipation, Cheonhwi answered with an indifferent expression.
"It's just so-so."
It was an answer that shattered his expectations, but for some reason Won-gyeon didn't stop smiling as he lifted his own teacup to drink.
"Just as the young Daoist says. Still, doesn't it have a clean taste?"
"Most people call that bland."
"Haha, I suppose one could see it that way."
Cheonhwi watched him smile and speak, then set down the teacup in his hand.
"So, what's this about?"
"Nothing much."
Won-gyeon also set down his teacup.
"I just wanted to properly express my gratitude."
"Huh? Gratitude?"
"Haha, no need to keep pretending. There are no others here."
"Huh?"
What the hell's he talking about?
As Cheonhwi stared with a look of utter incomprehension, Won-gyeon met his gaze and revealed a satisfied expression.
'Playing dumb to the end.'
His eyes deepened as he looked at Cheonhwi.
He had not only calmly endured Won-ho's undisciplined outburst of killing intent but had even spoken up on his behalf and protected him.
Despite the situation where relations with Shaolin could have soured.
It was a tolerance as vast as the ocean.
If he himself had been in that position, would he have done the same?
Won-gyeon shook his head as he thought it over.
No matter how he considered it, he lacked confidence.
'My cultivation is insufficient.'
A wry smile formed naturally.
If such an incident had occurred in one of the other Nine Great Sects?
He might have even used it as a pretext for reprimand.
No, he probably would have.
Yet the young Daoist before him had stepped forward despite the danger.
And now, he was even telling him to forget his own merit.
'Amazing at such a young age.'
It was astonishing tolerance.
Even after he had already made it clear he understood the hidden meaning, the young Daoist named Cheonhwi persisted in feigning ignorance.
The reason was probably...
'To protect Won-ho's pride.'
For an instant, the wrinkles around his eyes deepened.
To think he cared for Won-ho even in his absence.
How many in Shaolin possessed such integrity and self-restraint?
'...I don't know.'
Meanwhile, Cheonhwi took another sip of tea while watching Won-gyeon's ever-changing expressions.
The subtle tea aroma lingered in his mouth for a moment before he gulped it straight down.
"If there's nothing else, I'll be going."
I have no idea what he called me here for, Cheonhwi grumbled inwardly as he moved to stand.
"I was momentarily lost in thought."
Won-gyeon finally snapped out of it.
He seemed about to say more but shook his head and gave up.
'I wanted to repay him, but he wouldn't want it.'
Won-gyeon, thinking Cheonhwi would call it nonsense if he knew, put his palms together toward him.
"Amitabha. Once you leave the Guest Reception Hall, someone will be assigned to guide the young Daoist to his room."
"Already prepared, huh?"
Won-gyeon nodded and asked in a low voice.
"But how long do you plan to stay?"
"Haven't really thought about it."
"Then why not stay as long as possible?"
"Hmm, we'll see."
"Understood."
Having heard Won-gyeon's final words, Cheonhwi left the Guest Reception Hall without lingering.
Won-gyeon gazed at the spot where Cheonhwi's back had vanished as the door closed, then slowly closed his eyes.
Cheonhwi's words had pinpointed Shaolin's current problem.
'Frog in a well,' was it?
Was there a more accurate description of Shaolin now?
Shaolin was stagnant, trapped in stagnation.
In the past, during begging tours, they had also taken on missions to exterminate evil groups, gaining real combat experience.
But now, it was difficult.
'It's the era without the Nine Provinces' Three Great Evils.'
As the era of peace continued, evil groups had gone into hiding, making it hard to accumulate combat experience.
Even the most recent mission, discerning the authenticity of the Shadowless Divine Throw's secret manual, was already over a year ago.
At least the few Arhat warriors who went on that mission seemed to sense the crisis.
But most did not.
And among that majority was...
'My junior brother.'
Won-gyeon thought of Won-ho.
He was a genius among geniuses who had ascended to the position of Arhat Hall Leader before the age of forty.
However.
'Already stagnant for a full decade.'
Won-ho was currently at a wall.
His overconfidence that his level of skill was sufficient had blocked his growth.
It was a quite serious matter.
If he remained complacent like this, even a genius would eventually be overtaken.
But Won-ho was unaware of the gravity.
The added position of Arhat Hall Leader on top of his belief that he was strong enough had led to complacency.
Then, an opportunity arrived right on cue.
The appearance of the young Daoist named Cheonhwi.
An appearance that seemed just past his mid-twenties.
Yet his martial prowess and character were already worthy of being called a true immortal.
'I hope my junior brother regains his senses like before.'
Naturally, memories of the past Won-ho surfaced.
The him from back then, who had no arrogance and poured everything into martial arts and the Buddhist path.
Won-gyeon opened his closed eyes.
In the quiet Guest Reception Hall, only a faint tea scent remained, tickling the nose.
Subtle, but its depth was profound.
Much like Cheonhwi, who had just departed.
'It's the first time I've envied Mount Hua.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After his brief conversation with Won-gyeon, Cheonhwi stepped out of the Guest Reception Hall and spotted two familiar monks.
Those Arhat warriors, huh?
Gongmun and Gongjin, two of the three who had disrupted the Eighteen Arhats Formation.
The two also spotted Cheonhwi and broke into bright smiles before rushing over breathlessly.
"Amitabha. It's been a while."
"Amitabha."
The two put their palms together and smiled warmly at Cheonhwi.
"We've been waiting to guide you to your lodgings during your stay at Shaolin."
Gongmun said in an excited voice.
"But we were truly shocked. To think the young hero was a Daoist of Mount Hua Sect..."
Gongmun trailed off mid-sentence, his words full of excitement.
In truth, he had many questions.
At that moment, Gongjin asked cautiously.
"By any chance, is 'Goyeun' your name from before receiving your Daoist title?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
Cheonhwi said nonchalantly.
It was his name from his previous life, after all.
Seeing their eyes sparkle, Cheonhwi revealed an annoyed expression as he spoke.
"So, when are we going?"
"Ah! Sorry."
The two snapped to attention and hurriedly led Cheonhwi toward the monks' quarters.
"...This is it?"
Cheonhwi narrowed his brow as he surveyed the room they had arrived at.
Unlike the grand exterior, the interior of the monks' quarters was extremely simple and shabby.
It felt like he had returned to Mount Hua.
"Is something wrong?"
"It's always this rundown?"
Gongmun nodded as if it were natural.
"Yes."
Where does all the money go?
Cheonhwi shook his head and sighed, recalling the pilgrims overflowing at Shaolin.
"Then we'll take our leave."
"See you next time."
Gongmun and Gongjin politely put their palms together and carefully departed.
There was no way he could grab them and demand a different room, so Cheonhwi unslung his sword and leaned it against the side before sitting.
At that moment.
Creeeak―
The door to the monks' quarters opened with a grating sound that was unpleasant just to hear.
Won-eum followed.
"Hm, is there an issue?"
"Sorry about that."
Won-eum apologized immediately upon entering.
"I invited you and then left you unattended."
It was his own mistake.
Normally, he should have intervened midway to prevent such an incident as the host who had invited him.
But he hadn't.
To be precise, he couldn't hold back his curiosity.
Curiosity about how he would handle the Eighteen Arhats Formation.
Unable to restrain that curiosity, the situation had escalated.
Cheonhwi scratched his chin as he looked at Won-eum, whose face was full of regret.
He was apologizing, but Cheonhwi had actually enjoyed it.
He had gotten to face the Eighteen Arhats Formation, after all.
Even if the result was disappointing.
Then.
'Ah!'
Cheonhwi's eyes flashed open at a thought that suddenly flashed through his mind.
"If you're that sorry, how about letting me witness the Hundred Steps Divine Fist later?"
Recalling the intense footprints he had seen in the Shadowless Divine Throw's secret manual, Cheonhwi said with a smile.
"What do you think?"
Won-eum's eyes widened.
"Would that suffice?"
"If you show me other Shaolin martial arts too, I'd love that. Shaolin's arts are famous as the best under heaven, right?"
Cheonhwi smoothly rolled his tongue.
It was to boost Won-eum's mood by praising Shaolin's pride.
'Since I'm here, might as well get my money's worth.'
Cheonhwi kept talking.
"Coming all the way to Shaolin and missing that would be a huge loss..."
"Hahaha!"
As expected, Won-eum burst into good-humored laughter.
"Very well."
He said gladly.
And rightly so. The young man before him was the rising expert called the Plum Blossom Divine Knight.
His skill and character were exceptional.
For such a young Daoist to clamor to witness Shaolin's martial arts—how could he not be pleased?
"We'll do it tomorrow. Rest for today."
"Not now?"
"There was the incident today. How could I show martial arts right away?"
"Tch, fair point."
"Then I'll come separately tomorrow..."
Won-eum, about to finish speaking, changed his words with an "oh" expression.
"No, come at evening meal time."
Cheonhwi glanced back.
Through the open window, the dusky sunset glow was slowly filling the monks' quarters.
'Meal time, huh...'
Cheonhwi frowned.
'Eh, still better than Mount Hua.'
Recalling the endlessly tasteless grass he had eaten at Mount Hua day and night, Cheonhwi smacked his lips hoping Shaolin would be at least a bit better.
But when evening meal time arrived, Cheonhwi had no choice but to change his mind.
'It's the same damn grass?'
Mount Hua or Shaolin, no difference.
'Gotta see the martial arts and get out quick.'
Cheonhwi chewed and swallowed the remaining vegetables in his bowl, resolving himself.
His palate had been spoiled by gourmet food during his recent travels.
Suddenly forcing him to eat tasteless grass left a sticky bitterness in his mouth.
At that moment.
"Where do you think you're going?"
He turned toward the voice and saw Won-eum roughly grabbing the collar of Cheon Yigae, who had left his food and abruptly stood.
"...Just need to pee a bit."
"Finish your meal first."
Cheon Yigae's face twisted fiercely.
"Not just me, those two..."
Cheon Yigae pointed at Cheonhwi and Dam Mokrin but clamped his mouth shut.
"Those two ate well."
Won-eum replied with a gentle smile.
The two had already cleanly emptied their bowls and were rising from their seats.
'Damn it! Those bastards are Daoists!'
Recalling the fact he had forgotten, Cheon Yigae plopped back down under Won-eum's fierce glare.
A short while later, as Cheon Yigae finally finished the evening meal and came out, Cheonhwi stood before him.
"What?"
A gruff voice came out naturally.
And rightly so; his stomach still felt queasy.
'Those damn weeds... ugh.'
He felt like vomiting.
Cheonhwi opened his mouth toward him.
"Tasteless, right?"
"Asking the obvious?"
"Wanna eat real food separately?"
"What?"
Cheonhwi grinned slyly.
"As a senior, you can dodge Shaolin's eyes and use lightness skill, right?"
"Oho."
Understanding Cheonhwi's intent, the corners of Cheon Yigae's mouth slowly lifted.
"Go out, eat, and come back?"
"No."
Cheonhwi cut him off firmly.
Too bothersome to go that far.
"Buy it and bring back."
"What? You crazy?"
Cheon Yigae was dumbfounded.
Bringing outside food into Shaolin?
Such an absurd notion...
'But sounds fun.'
His stupefied expression lasted only a moment before his lips twisted.
"What if we get caught?"
"Then don't get caught."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Won-ho walked toward the monks' quarters with a muddled mind.
'Does that mean he protected me?'
Having conversed with the abbot and come out, his head was complicated.
He had thought him a man without manners.
But in truth, he was a true gentleman.
Though his speech and actions were sharp, the intent within was profoundly deep.
'Was I too caught up in arrogance?'
He reflected on his past.
Remembering his lazy martial training and arrogance after becoming Arhat Hall Leader made him frown unconsciously.
'That young Daoist might be right.'
Walking a long corridor lined with monks' quarters, he suddenly halted.
Confirming light seeping from between a door, he knocked.
Knock knock.
"Young Daoist. Are you inside?"
A reply soon came from within.
"What's the matter?"
"I've come to apologize."
"At this late hour?"
"I want to apologize right after realizing."
"Tch, fine."
The door soon opened, allowing Won-ho to see inside the room.
"Ahem, ahem."
"See you again."
His companions were there.
Cheon Yigae sat in a chair sipping tea, and directly opposite him...
Won-ho's eyes widened greatly.
There was a beautiful woman under the moonlight.
'That veiled woman?'
As he gawked at Dam Mokrin, Cheonhwi's expression turned to one of pity for a moment.
'A monk, and he's shaken like that?'
With a small sigh, he opened his mouth.
"What're you doing?"
"Ahem. Ahem."
Finally snapping out of it, Won-ho covered his mouth with his fist and cleared his throat repeatedly.
Then he put his palms together toward Cheonhwi.
"I apologize for before. I overreacted too much to the young Daoist's words."
"Yeah, yeah. Sure."
Cheonhwi replied dismissively.
Won-ho inwardly admired the gesture that seemed to say not to mention it further.
'Magnanimity incomparable to mine.'
Just as he understood why the abbot had praised Cheonhwi so much.
"Hm? Sniff, sniff."
Won-ho sniffed.
"This smell... alcohol?"
Frowning, he followed the piercing alcohol scent to Cheon Yigae.
And wrinkled his nose.
A thick alcohol aroma was rising from what he had thought was tea.
He whipped his head around and looked at Dam Mokrin this time.
"What's wrong?"
Dam Mokrin said, slightly flustered.
Spotting grease on her lips, he quickly scanned and discovered a bowl in the corner, his eyes bulging.
"Five Fragrance Braised Meat...?"
"Tch, busted."
Cheonhwi tsked as he spoke, locking eyes with Won-ho, who had roughly turned.
"What is this! In sacred Shaolin grounds, alcohol and meat..."
As the flustered Won-ho tried to shout.
Plop!
Something entered his mouth.
'This is...'
It was a meltingly savory taste in his mouth.
His face relaxed naturally.
'To think such a flavor exists in the world.'
Won-ho chewed what had entered his mouth unawares before belatedly regaining his senses.
"Gasp! What have I..."
"Tasty, right?"
Cheonhwi's grinning face filled his entire view.
"Now you're an accomplice."