Father Said He Hates Noodles (2)
Father was the kind of man who could seriously suggest messing with a little girl. It hit me like a reality check. Being born into the Tang Clan meant my life was all karma, reaping what you sow, bringing disaster on oneself...
"I can't do that!"
"Why not?"
"I already have a fiancée I've been betrothed to for a hundred years! Even if it's you, Father, I can't let you force me to lay a hand on another girl! My mother, wherever she is, would think the same, right? Besides, Moyong Yeong is only seven! In an era where boys and girls don't even sit together at seven, if I get caught doing something shady and the Sword Lord marks me, are you taking responsibility?!"
There was zero chance of me getting close to any girl but Sohee. Not even if someone held a sword to my throat! As I rambled on incoherently, catching my breath, Father tossed out a single line.
"You talk too much."
That one phrase shifted the pressure in the room. My legs shook under the bone-deep intimidation from Father's unleashed presence.
"Ugh—"
Was his realm Fire Transformation? Peak? Whatever it was...
"And your 'fiancée'? You mean Mihee's daughter?"
Father's gaze pierced right through me.
"Dang Sohee!"
I shouted it reflexively, even as my mind reeled. Come to think of it, Sohee's mom's name was Mihee? Father bent down, retrieved the lizard, and said,
"You won't use this?"
"Of course not!"
"Then should I do it myself?"
"Go ahead!"
Then a voice came from the side.
"Father, I'll do it."
Father stared down at Dang Jihwan, then handed the lizard to my brother.
"Fine."
He began explaining the detailed lizard operation method. I hung back a few steps, watching from behind.
After waiting, both Dang Jihwan and I were allowed into the Emei Sect. The religious buildings were relatively open, but the areas where nuns lived or warrior nuns trained were heavily guarded. Still, being from the Tang Clan, they let us in easily.
The young nun guiding us had a shaved head that gave off a neat, tidy vibe. She led us for a while, then stopped and bowed politely.
"Honored guests from the Tang Clan, please wait a moment. The sect leader will greet you personally."
Before "wait" could even settle, an elderly man appeared. Around the same age as Bi Yeon Pavilion Master, but with an incomparably kind face.
"The fourth and fifth young masters of Sichuan Tang Clan."
His dharma name, which we'd heard in the carriage, was Oma.
"I thought we'd have to wait since Emei Sect is a no-men zone," Jihwan said, his sleeve noticeably bulkier than usual.
Oma smiled benignly.
"There's no reason a young Buddhist like you couldn't come."
I raised my hand.
"What's the cutoff for 'young'?"
"Well, per Confucian teachings, we ban from age seven."
Then I don't have much time left!
Being born with the parts I have means Emei Sect is like the women's bath for my age group!
Then a sharp shout pierced my ears.
"Hey, why are you so late!"
Her attitude was the same even in a temple. Bi Yeon Pavilion Master and Sohee were walking over together.
The sect leader murmured lowly, eyeing Moyong Yeong.
"Seeing these young Buddhists full of energy, should we start with 1,080 prostrations?"
"Why me? Ah! Is Venerable Oma 108 years old?"
"Young Lady Moyong, shouldn't you pay respects to Buddha instead of me?"
And so we headed off to do 1,800 prostrations. In the grand Main Hall, a majestic golden Buddha statue stood against the wall. As we lined up to bow,
Moyong Yeong spoke up.
"Buddha's dead, so left hand on top, right?"
Oma's face flushed.
"Such blasphemy..."
Like a true eminent monk, he held his patience and swallowed the rest, but it was close.
"Didn't your father or grandfather teach you that?"
Bi Yeon Pavilion Master fired a savage age jab, and even the usually demure Sohee added,
"Sister, if you're like this, go back to the carriage."
Moyong Yeong shrank awkwardly, starting to tremble.
"Yeah..."
"How long for 1,800 prostrations?"
The sect leader answered calmly.
"Our disciples finish in the morning, but starting now won't be too late."
Not very encouraging. People in this era woke at dawn anyway.
"Follow my lead for the prostrations."
Venerable Jira demonstrated first: arms down, bow low, forehead to floor, rise. As members of a prestigious clan with early martial training, mimicking the motion was familiar. Prostrating wasn't hard or special.
Doing it 1,800 times? That's the killer.
"You can use internal energy," Bi Yeon Pavilion Master said lightly.
Someone's knees hit the mat immediately. Soon we were all speed-prostrating, the cushions heating up fast.
1,800 done... finally!
I stood after the last one and looked around. It had been midday; now evening had fallen, the scenery dim.
Bi Yeon Pavilion Master, standing like a pillar, asked,
"Not going to the dining hall?"
Moyong Yeong and Jihwan had finished early and gone for noodles.
"Obviously waiting for Sohee."
We'd skipped lunch bowing to Buddha right after arriving, but meatless noodles? How good could they be? I could endure thinking of Moyong Yeong's bowl with the invisible lizard floating in it.
As I sat watching, Bi Yeon Pavilion Master pointed out bluntly,
"Even after 1,800 prostrations, your face still clings to worldly worries."
Worldly worries? Not in front of this body. Repetitive motion strained unused muscles, but compared to Great Aunt's wild boar training, this was mild spice level one.
[Right, at your age, you wouldn't know what worries are.]
Hey, this old lady from Bi Yeon Pavilion.
I couldn't interrupt Sohee still bowing, so I clamped my mouth shut—but I really needed to learn telepathy. Without it, how could I say what I wanted?
But learning it now was impossible.
Then pre-learn something else?
I looked at Bi Yeon Pavilion Master.
"Can I add 108 more here?"
No answer. No prohibition either, so I matched Sohee's pace and started again.
Why is this harder...?
The 1,801st felt exponentially tougher than the 1,800th, every tiny muscle screaming in slow motion. Eyes open, yet Sohee's recent slow Tang Family Fist practice underwater flickered in my mind. Just recalling her every moment brought a smile.
I'll follow in Sohee's footsteps, even if at her heels!
Bi Yeon Pavilion Master had slipped out unnoticed.
It was nearly midnight when Sohee and I finally ate noodles. Just with tofu puffs and greens as toppings, but after fasting since breakfast, they went down easy.
"Cases this long are rare. ...Ah, you haven't trained in martial arts long?"
Even super-genius older Moyong Yeong got matched by Sohee's slow pace—out of consideration for knee joints and recalling Bi Yeon Pavilion Master's teachings.
"Young Master Fifth did 391 extra prostrations."
Knowing Sohee's talent best, I didn't make a fuss like you counted all that?
"Really? Such devout faith."
At the table, Dang Jihwan and Moyong Yeong had emptied their bowls and were picking at scraps. No one nagging, her attitude perked up.
"Hey, why you acting weird since earlier?"
"Huh?"
"What do you mean huh? Staring all sneaky. Ever since entering Emei Sect, you've been following me around—it's weird, right?"
Her sleeve still bulged, so plan not started. But she sensed something off in Jihwan's behavior. Not for nothing the Sword Lord's granddaughter.
Busted?
I swallowed nervously watching.
"Why keep staring like that! Something on my face?"
Her next line was a spectacle.
"Don't tell me... you like me?"
I shuddered, my hands shaking from the awkwardness.
"No."
"Hmmm, really?"
Poor Jihwan denying the hatchet-field nonsense. What was he doing just to impress Father?
Sohee set down her chopsticks, annoyed by the bickering.
"So noisy... Yohwan, want me to go quiet them?"
I grabbed Sohee's hand as she rose, eyes still on the scene.
"...Sohee, I'm so glad you're here."
"Huh?"
No, really. If I didn't have a pretty, sincere future wife like Sohee? I'd have mindlessly stuck the invisible lizard on Miss Attitude as Father said, fallen for the hatchet field, and been wearing that awkward Dang Jihwan expression right now.
The 1,800 prostrations weren't wasted at all.
First allowance I get, I'll donate!
"W-what does that mean, Yohwan?"
"Huh? Just that I'm so happy you're here?"
Before I finished, Sohee yelled,
"Me too, I like having Yohwan...!"
Her cheeks flushed red, she hugged me tight. Then squeezed her arms even harder, refusing to let go.