Chapter 314
Chapter 314
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 314
Chapter Title: The Towering Tree (2)
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At my words that I needed to learn a few more techniques,
"Monster Dragon, it seems your breathing is too ragged to have heard me clearly. This old monk just advised you that excess is worse than deficiency. The gap between us is only natural."
Venerable Gongdeok opened his mouth as if admonishing me.
"Don't be impatient. You're young, and you possess shining talent."
From what he said, he seemed to think I'd made that request because I'd felt the difference in our levels.
"Time is on your side. Unlike this old monk, who needed white hairs on my eyebrows due to my dull aptitude and lack of talent, you'll reach this realm far faster... There's no need for impatience at all."
Well, he wasn't entirely wrong.
It was true that sparring with him as my guide had made me keenly feel the disparity in our skills.
However, I wasn't being impatient.
"Venerable One, I'm not being impatient right now. If anything, it's more like a desire for self-improvement."
With that opener, I fixed my gaze on Venerable Gongdeok and continued.
"The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult will never give up on the Central Plains. Nor are they an easy opponent. Knowing that, you've spent your life in the training cave, haven't you? I don't want to look back someday with regrets. That's why I'm making this request."
As those words ended, silence descended upon the training hall.
Venerable Gongdeok gauged my true intentions with eyes full of sagely spirit, then stroked his beard as if pondering.
"However, you're officially under confinement. If this old monk frequents here under the pretext of instruction, wouldn't it trouble the Alliance Leader and Grand Strategist? There could be gossip."
That was essentially permission to assist with my training.
"This old monk is just a relic shut away in Shaolin's back room, practicing cultivation. I don't care what the martial artists say... But for a young man like you, who has much to accomplish in the jianghu ahead, gaining the impression of being under my protection would be of no benefit whatsoever."
Thus, I raised a proposal to resolve the concern he was hung up on.
"What if I come to the hermitage where you reside, Venerable One?"
At my suggestion,
Venerable Gongdeok widened his eyes and spoke.
"To Shaolin? You're the student council president of the Righteous Martial Academy. What about the cadets who've gathered under your leadership?"
Woncheol, listening beside us, swallowed dryly, apparently thinking I meant to shave my head and become a monk.
I shook my head.
"I'm not talking about taking vows. I just want to spend my confinement period at Shaolin."
"So that's what you meant."
Venerable Gongdeok stroked his beard at my answer, while Woncheol's shoulders slumped in relief.
I opened my mouth again.
"I was thinking of just training with Woncheol in the training room during confinement. But if you permit it, Venerable One, it seems better to stay with you than here. No one would object if a great elder of the martial world says he's personally disciplining me, right?"
"That would be true."
"Mount Song is on the way to the academy anyway, so I can go to Shaolin first and join the group when they finish touring the Murim Alliance and head back."
Once the procedural issues were confirmed, Venerable Gongdeok finally nodded.
"But will you be satisfied? You say you're not impatient, but it's natural for a martial artist to seek higher realms. The martial path has no end. Limiting your time with me might instead lead to greater thirst."
"That could be. However, I know I can't leap straight to the Harmony Realm just by frequenting you myself. I simply want to experience a bit more of a different feel from the training I've done so far."
With that response,
Venerable Gongdeok's permission finally came.
"If your resolve is this firm, then let's do it that way."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A long while after Venerable Gongdeok left the training hall, saying he'd speak with the Alliance Leader,
the Alliance Leader and Grand Strategist came to see us.
"Alliance Leader. Grand Strategist. My apologies for causing you worry."
"This poor monk apologizes as well."
The two first accepted Woncheol's greeting.
"No inconveniences, I hope, Venerable Woncheol?"
"Grand Strategist, thank you for your kind words, but how could I seek comfort while being scolded?"
"We're on our way after grasping the full situation. No need to feel so sorry."
"Amitabha, thank you for your words, Alliance Leader."
Then they glared at me.
"...The temperature difference in how you're looking at Venerable Woncheol and me is stark. Is this just my imagination?"
"It's not. You made a real mess of things, refreshingly so."
"And left the aftermath to us?"
"More like I trusted you two. Hehe."
As I bantered back at them, the Alliance Leader let out a hollow laugh and relayed the outside situation.
"If you can't even watch your words... Anyway, it doesn't seem like it'll blow up into a big deal. The circumstances favor you, Yong-un, and with you bowing your head first like this, the other elders have nothing to say."
Then they each added a word.
"Especially since Venerable Gongdeok said he'd take you to Shaolin under the pretext of discipline during your confinement. If he goes that far, no one can complain."
"But was this a decision that included your opinion, Yong-un? From what I heard, it sounded like he plans to take you and teach you... With Venerable Woncheol here, if it's really just punishment, it's not worth going that far. Even a divine monk doesn't have that authority. I can block it if needed."
"It was my request. The announcement's already out anyway. Better to learn a thing or two from the Venerable One than rot here in confinement."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. And having me seem like I'm receiving harsh punishment helps set the tone for scolding the guys I fought, doesn't it?"
At my response, the Grand Strategist let out an incredulous laugh.
"Anyway, impressive as always. Eon Yong-un. Nothing's beyond your schemes."
Then, as if remembering, she exclaimed, "Ah, right," and spoke again.
"You know Okgi and the others ran around trying to plead for leniency for you?"
"My Eon juniors?"
"Yeah. They lobbied their family and sect delegates, saying excessive punishment is unfair. Getting delegates to relay what they could say themselves... These kids have only learned tricks under you, Yong-un."
"Tricks? That's what you pull when we play Go, Grand Strategist. Please correct to 'high-level strategy.'"
"...Let's not speak of it. Just don't."
While bantering with the Grand Strategist,
a fact I'd overlooked suddenly came to mind.
"Ah? Their sects—if Jeonghyeon moved Wudang?"
"Probably? Taoist Myeongil said the Monster Dragon doesn't need heavy punishment. Who else would make that request but Jeonghyeon?"
"...Hm. Has the grudge between Wudang and Jeonghyeon thawed?"
"Well... It didn't feel like that atmosphere?"
Of course.
Both Jeonghyeon and Taoist Myeongil were stubborn types; dramatic reconciliation seemed unlikely.
'Better to see it as Jeonghyeon mustering his courage.'
Even so, he'd taken a step forward in his relationship with Wudang.
I felt proud of Jeonghyeon, and knowing the others had scurried about to defend me warmed something in my chest.
Unknowingly, my mouth opened.
"Those brats are doing unnecessary things."
My master interjected.
- For someone saying that, your face looks pleased?
'Pleased? It would've resolved fine without them. They'll just hurt their own feet for nothing.'
- ...Like father, like son? Be honest with yourself.
As I bantered with my master, the Alliance Leader asked,
"Venerable Gongdeok said he'll head straight to Shaolin after talking with you. Want to meet the kids? Shall I call them now?"
After brief consideration, I answered the Alliance Leader.
"Better not to say goodbye. That way, when people see my Eon juniors' reactions, they'll think, 'Eon Yong-un is really being punished!'"
Only then did the Grand Strategist speak with a puzzled look.
"True enough. But you seemed touched by the kids just now? Planning to leave without a word?"
"Their loyalty is personal; how we wrap up this incident is Murim Alliance business. Separate matters."
"What about resenting the kids?"
"...Sorry, but can't you two handle that much? I even set the stage nicely for an easy cleanup."
"Wow. Ruthless, ruthless. I take back every word about you joining under me... Alliance Leader, if Yong-un joins the Murim Alliance, I'm retiring. Working with him, I won't die a natural death."
- He didn't earn the nickname 'Left Eye Sees a Thousand Ri' for nothing. He's twisted his own fate. Better to be the aunt.
"Hahaha. I'll head out too. Let's go fishing."
The Grand Strategist and Murim Alliance Leader burst into hearty laughter, but I still had more to say.
There were people besides my Eon juniors who needed to be informed.
"Ah, better tell Elder Medicine King... and Dokgo Cheol. Please send in Yeongyong for me."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ With the Alliance Leader, Grand Strategist, and Venerable Gongdeok's opinions aligned,
the decision for me to go to Shaolin was swiftly made.
The next day,
Before dawn fully broke.
"Alliance Leader, this old monk will return to Shaolin now."
"Please take care of Yong-un."
I hurried to follow Venerable Gongdeok's swift steps, walking as if flying, alongside Woncheol.
From Luoyang, where the Murim Alliance was, to Dengfeng County at Mount Song, it was a distance even a master could cover in less than half a day at full speed.
Soon, we sighted a massive procession of incense pilgrims and countless disciples in yellow robes.
- I thought Wudang had many disciples and pilgrims, but compared to Shaolin, it's a drop in the bucket.
'Shaolin is Shaolin. Back in the Song Dynasty, over eight thousand monks already resided here. Even combining everyone nearby, it's still just a drop.'
Thus, I set foot in the mountain gate of Shaolin, the thousand-year great temple and towering tree of the orthodox martial world.
As disciples in yellow robes bowed in line to Venerable Gongdeok's steps,
Woncheol excitedly explained various things.
"That's the Sutra Repository where scriptures and manuals are kept! Ah, over there is the Disciplinary Hall, where disciples get scolded. And that's the Guest Reception Hall for visitors. Usually we'd go there, but it seems Monster Dragon is heading straight to the abbot's quarters?"
"Venerable Woncheol."
"Yes! Layman!"
"We're under confinement right now, remember?"
"Yes! I know!"
"Thought you'd forgotten. You look so excited."
"Ah? M-me? Ahem. I'll be careful."
For some reason, Woncheol seemed thrilled as we walked through Shaolin's grounds for a bit.
I then met Abbot Gonghyo of Shaolin.
"It's been a while, Monster Dragon."
"Yes, Venerable Abbot. I hope you've been well."
"I've had my share of duties, but nothing compared to running to the North Sea and Sichuan like you. Anyway, enough greetings—you must be hungry from the trip... Why don't you and Woncheol have morning meal together? I need to discuss how to host Gongdeok Junior Brother and the Monster Dragon."
After that brief meeting,
I ate breakfast with Woncheol.
Then, at the hermitage where Venerable Gongdeok and Woncheol stayed,
Gongdeok returned and said,
"This old monk plans to start training immediately... Will you follow?"
Following the Venerable One's steps led to two caves at a fork in the path.
He spoke again before them.
"The right one is the training cave where Woncheol and I usually practice. The left is called Avici Cave."
"Ah, so that's Avici Cave."
"Do you know what Avici Cave is?"
How could I not?
Avici Cave was a trial ground modeled after Buddhism's Ten Hells, a mandatory gateway for every Shaolin disciple.
'Hell Pilgrimage.'
This trial, with difficulty scaled to one's level and capacity, was one reason Shaolin disciples had tougher minds and bodies than other late-generation talents.
'Similar things are studied by other sects and academy professors, but the original is unmatched, as consensus holds.'
With that thought, I nodded.
Venerable Gongdeok spoke again.
"Then we're on the same page. I spoke with Abbot Senior Brother, and since you've set a time limit for your stay, Monster Dragon, we concluded it might be better for you to experience the Hell Pilgrimage rather than just following my training... What's your opinion?"
I hadn't expected such a proposal.
'I didn't even consider it, thinking it's only for Shaolin disciples.'
There was no reason for me to refuse.
"Then I'll do the Hell Pilgrimage."
At my nod,
Venerable Gongdeok's finger pointed to Avici Cave.
"Then, enter the left cave."
I stepped into the cavern without hesitation.
Rumble—
The door soon closed, and in pitch-black darkness, the recitation of sutras began to spread.
Nothing happened to me immediately.
Thanks to the mental immunity ingrained in my soul from my previous life.
It seemed, like when I first met my master, I needed to open the door of my mind to accept the formation.
'Once I do, mental immunity will mean nothing.'
But it was worth trying.
The path I'd walked and the time I'd accumulated wouldn't betray me.
'When I break through all these gates, I will surely be stronger.'
With that thought, I unlatched the lock of my mind.
Then, blades from Dosan Hell began shooting toward me.