Chapter 198 Shaolin (4)
The Disciplinary Hall was a tall-walled structure that felt colder and more imposing than any temple, almost fortress-like.
It resembled a trapezoidal pagoda—five stories above ground and three below, or so I'd heard.
Being a place for monks, it was naturally serene, bordering on utter silence.
They said formations lined the walls, so anyone attempting to scale them would be detected immediately.
It kinda feels like heading to the principal's office.
[Principal's office?]
Yeah, that place where you go to get your confiscated stuff back.
[Sounds like a den for thugs.]
Middle school edgelord much? It's a sacred space for teachers.
Of course, for an orphan like me with no adults to protect him, the principal's office hadn't exactly been a positive place.
Though it was nice in summer—at least the AC blasted cold air.
—You remember the Disciplinary Hall's layout, right?
Gongjin approached me and asked.
—Of course.
Not that I remembered it—Pa Cheon did. What good is a state-of-the-art wuxia AI if not for this?
—Shift change in about fifteen minutes. We time it for then... but is it really possible?
Gongjin eyed me skeptically.
Pa Cheon. Give him a quick demo.
Pa Cheon activated the Time Wheel Jade's power. The moment its field expanded, I snatched the black cloth off Gongjin's head and returned to my spot.
“!?”
His face was masked, but his wide eyes betrayed his shock.
—Satisfied now?
—A speed I couldn't even touch... Your lightness skill is truly transcendent.
Of course, it was all the jade's doing. But no need to correct his misconception.
I handed the cloth scrap back to cover his head.
—No worries now, then.
According to Gongjin, twenty-four monks were stationed in the Disciplinary Hall at all times.
Considering Shaolin's scale and the confiscated treasures, it might seem few at first glance—but not really.
Every one was a peak realm expert or higher, led by the Hall Master, a super peak master.
—It's a stroke of luck the Hall Master stepped out for Murim Alliance military matters. Perhaps Heaven's Mechanism is aiding you, benefactor.
—Maybe.
If I were this world's protagonist, Gongjin's words would hold water.
How long did we wait?
Footsteps approached—many of them.
“You feel that aura earlier?”
“It was majestic. Had to be Senior Brother Gong-a.”
“Guess he's hit another training wall.”
“Cultivating even off-duty. Is that training or self-torment?”
Twelve disciples marched in pairs.
They didn't rotate all twenty-four at once—only half.
They reached the firmly shut gate, grasped the knocker, and rapped.
With a creak, the doors slowly swung open.
—Now. Safer mid-opening than fully open.
Gongjin lightly tapped his foot—and vanished. Only a faint breeze lingered.
Of course, with my Heavenly Demon Divine Art heightened, I tracked his every move.
Not just fast, but stealthy—Shaolin monks didn't notice him brushing past.
[His lightness skill is impressive. Could even fool Paeng Yu-gun's eyes.]
That boldness slipping by... yeah, Gongjin suited thievery more than monkhood.
[Let's go.]
Pa Cheon deployed the Time Wheel Jade again.
I dashed like a sprinter.
It slowed time, not stopped it—linger too long, and some sharp-eyed monk might spot me.
[...Use a proper movement technique. Please.]
I can't.
[You look like a country bumpkin who knows zero martial arts.]
Call it track and field. Track.
Anyway, past the gate, a massive tree loomed inside.
As forewarned, Gongjin perched there.
I slipped into the shadows, then blinked to his side.
—Even Phantom Shift?
Gongjin showed surprise, but misconceptions were old hat.
—As I said, post-shift, they light incense before the Buddha statue, perform 108 prostrations, then start duties. That's our window.
—Don't worry.
Even half-assed, ten seconds per bow made 1080 seconds—eighteen minutes.
Plenty.
“Let's move.”
The relieved monks departed; the new shift headed to a small building en masse.
Probably the Buddha hall.
[Pretty leisurely, huh.]
Absurd, really.
Guarding valuables, yet casually bowing instead of strict vigilance, as Pa Cheon noted.
That's their confidence.
This was Shaolin, the North Star of the jianghu.
Who'd dare invade its inner courtyard?
Anyone but Gongjin.
The trusty axe always chops your own foot.
—Now! I'll lead.
Gongjin bolted ahead. I followed with the Time Wheel Jade.
The first floor was bare save for Four Heavenly Kings statues on all sides—like a vast lobby.
Confiscated treasures are likely in the third basement level.
Passages downward were guarded at key chokepoints.
Oddly, stairs centered in the building meant near encirclement.
—I'll handle it.
Two monks stood on the first floor, statue-still.
Pa Cheon.
—On it.
Pa Cheon unleashed Domination's intent. Then—
Grind—
The northern Heavenly King statue pivoted slightly aside.
“Hm?”
The monks' gazes snapped over.
“Junior Brother, didn't that statue just turn?”
“Y-yes, it did. There's a drag mark on the floor... Did you do it, Senior Brother?”
“Me? Wasn't you?”
“Then... who...?”
—Telekinetic pull... that weight, from this distance, silently?
Gongjin muttered like a broken record.
If true telekinesis, impossible—but Domination's subtle control made it feasible. Far trickier, though.
—No time to gawk.
—Right. Let's go.
Gongjin and I descended the stairs.
Not some stealth action game.
Difference: games let retries. Here, caught meant crippled meridians, dantian shattered, sealed in a cave—forever.
In a place named Punishment Cave, no less.
[What cruelty from these monks.]
They spare your life, at least.
Life mattered; quality? Never mentioned.
Underground layout shifted.
Facilities ringed the stairwell in a box shape.
Ancient history meant heaps to store.
—One more step and we're busted... What are you doing? I told you—
Gongjin shook his head at me.
Because I hovered midair, a finger's breadth off the ground.
Presence meant footfalls. Floating? Silent.
Reinforcement Stone's godsend move.
Pa Cheon's sharpened senses via the stone enabled it.
—Step aside.
I pushed Gongjin back and advanced.
Then drew a long-unused item.
A black fan.
Black Feather Fan makes the basement easier.
It dispersed deadly poison stealthily—even poison experts coveted it.
Plus Tang Clan poison pouches.
Unlike Dok Ma's lethal brews, these were supportive—sleep aids, for instance.
Swish~
Unless expecting it, the monks drowsed as the sedative spread unseen.
I knocked 'em out; Gongjin sealed acupoints to prop them upright.
[We sync well. Switch to thievery?]
With your body?]
[Never mind.]
Weakling.
[What?]
Never mind.
Basement one, two, three—easy.
Problem: the final vault on three.
No guard, but sealed tight. No entry.
“The vault door's locked solid. We'd have to smash it—but that wastes our stealth.”
“Watch outside.”
“...Can you?”
I glared instead. Gongjin sighed, heading to the stairs between three and two.
Door blocked teleport? No—blinking leaped spaces.
But couldn't show Gongjin, who thought it Phantom Shift. So, sentry duty.
I tapped the vault wall with Pa Cheon. Sensing, he said:
About a zhang thick. We can pass.
Blink limit: five meters.
Gongjin gone, I stood before it.
[Nothing sensed beyond. Go.]
Whatever lay ahead, leap it.
I'd practiced blinking endlessly.
Key: no fear.
Fail? Brief snag, done.
“Hoo.”
Inhaling, I blinked.
Vision warped in dark blue haze, then cleared.
“Whoa.”
Torches auto-lit inside.
Jianghu mysteries: auto-doors, now sensors.
Sado Gwang's chamber had similar; eased the mind.
Anyway.
“So much stuff.”
Shelves twice my height, twenty meters wide, crammed full. Tiny labels named each item upfront.
All confiscated, surely.
Dust layers showed ages.
Pristine ones: recent grabs.
“Here it is.”
Gongjin said Yakseon's ten elixir set was in a red leather pouch.
Easy find.
Unbeknownst when seized, labeled merely “Mysterious Elixir.”
“Snake leather?”
[No. Red Dragon hide.]
“...Generous, Red Dragon. No wonder Hyeok Clan hates the First Heavenly Demon.”
I'd hate too.
“Yakseon's elixirs, huh.”
Opening revealed ten vials—ampules thumb-sized, filled with shifting liquids.
Tempting to chug, but unknown effects. Pocket first.
“Tons here, but...”
Issue: dust everywhere, and Murim Returnee never detailed Disciplinary Hall items. No clue what was what.
“Still, prime chance.”
Hall-stored? High value likely.
“Pa Cheon. Float and scan for goodies. Names hint powers.”
Got it.
Pa Cheon checked upper shelves; I lower.
[Nothing worth taking.]
Even with Time Wheel Jade, meh.
No need for constant-temp fans like Breeze Skin whatever.
Treasures, sure—but niche.
Too many middling picks? Later, choice paralysis. Selective only.
“Eh, bust. Let's bounce.”
Turning to leave—
“Hm?”
Something crunched underfoot by a dusty shelf corner.
Then—
Rumble rumble—
Floor parted, revealing a new downward passage.
“...”
[...Unbelievable. Protagonist's plot luck.]
Callback perfection.
“Not going in'd be stupid.”
I stepped down without hesitation.
Pretending to be the Heavenly Demon