Tang's Arrival at the Majestic Temple
In the Heavenly Grant Forest of Yunnan Province stood the Yeongchang Sect. One of the Nine Major Sects it was yet located in Yunnan which the Jianghu regarded as a frontier so its influence within the Central Plains remained modest at best.
Moreover the Yeongchang Sect qualified as a Hundred Schools Sect a fusion of numerous martial arts.
Its history was short lived. During the Yuan Dynasty movement various sects in Yunnan had gathered around Heavenly Grant Mountain before the Yuan Empire's fall and united to form the Yeongchang Sect.
Hence its designation as a Hundred Schools Sect.
At first each disciple wore distinct clothing and practiced separate martial arts yet Seilgeomwang Cheongpyeong Sa lived up to his heroic reputation from the Yunnan resistance by unifying the martial arts into the current Yeongchang Sect.
On the peak of Heavenly Grant Mountain sat a modest thatched cottage known as Geomrye. This had been the dwelling of Seilgeomwang Cheongpyeong Sa the founder of the sect and it now served as the patriarch's residence passed down through generations.
In the yard of the cottage rested a bamboo mat where four old Daoists sat sipping tea.
They've gathered in Heavenly Grant Forest the Sichuan Tang Family.
The murmur from the Yeongchang Sect's Patriarch Nogyeonggeomwang Inho echoed. Beside him the Daoist Saibigeom Incheong nodded in agreement.
More than a hundred Tang Family members have confirmed entry into Heavenly Grant Forest led by Tang Mi-ryeong.
Heavenly Net Fairy.
Yes.
Hmm Heavenly Grant Forest. Did you obtain permission from its owner?
Its owner.
The two elders' murmurs drew a question from the neighboring Daoist.
I've heard the tale of the owner of Heavenly Grant Forest. Is he truly that formidable?
Inho nodded at the Daoist's question.
During the Yuan Dynasty surrender five hundred remnant Yuan forces had fled to Heavenly Grant Forest to evade the Yunnan Wulin Alliance attack.
That story.
Incheong recognized the tale as he spoke. Inho nodded and continued.
Among the five hundred were numerous martial artists managing Yunnan Wulin. Included among them were experts at Gang Qi Materialization.
Gang Qi Materialization experts?
Swoosh!
Inho glanced at the Daoist.
The pursuit team arrived at Heavenly Grant Forest after a day's delay due to its formation. What we witnessed was all five hundred Yuan remnants dead.
All five hundred?
Since our team was delayed by a day for pursuit setup. The conclusion is that those martial artists and soldiers were all slain within a single day.
So many martial artists?
The true issue was that the Gang Qi Materialization expert also perished and moreover his arms had been torn out.
A Gang Qi Materialization expert with both arms ripped out? Truly formidable.
The Daoist expressed astonishment. Inho replied.
Thereafter a stone stele was erected before Heavenly Grant Forest. To enter Heavenly Grant Forest means death.
Anyone entering Heavenly Grant Forest dies?
Martial artists are prone to courting death through curiosity. Many attempted entry into Heavenly Grant Forest and none returned. At the time an investigator was deeply disturbed and personally entered the forest to conduct his own inquiry.
Did the investigator enter Heavenly Grant Forest?
Incheong asked in surprise. Inho nodded.
Few know because he entered secretly alone. After the investigator returned from Heavenly Grant Forest. He decreed the forest a forbidden zone.
Inho paused then spoke.
Since then Heavenly Grant Forest has been forbidden in Yunnan. But the Tang Family entered.
Perhaps the owner of Heavenly Grant Forest is not among the Tang Family's deceased?
The Daoist inquired. Inho shook his head.
The Tang Family's deceased prefer to pass in the presence of family. Elderly elders thus remain in the family compound rather than hiding elsewhere. Thirty years ago the one who entered was no Tang Family deceased.
Then what relation does he bear to the Tang Family?
Impossible to know.
Yet if we consider the timing the owner must have been well over a hundred. Could he still be alive?
From what I know five years ago a Heavenly Guest entered but never emerged.
Ah.
Whether the current occupant is the original owner or a successor I cannot say. Yet Heavenly Grant Forest still possesses an owner.
Inho continued.
In any case we dispatched Cheomujin and his brothers. News will arrive shortly.
You dispatched Cheomujin?
Cheomujin forged a friendship with the Tang Family members during the Jianghu Grand Assembly.
Hmph.
Incheong let out a soft sigh.
The south of Yunnan will grow restless.
A new force has emerged within the Great Menglong Temple's sphere of influence.
Whoa!
Inho laughed heartily and shook his head.
The Great Menglong Temple's abbot will have a headache.
Indeed.
After discussing the matter Inho looked south.
The Tang Family. What connection does the owner of Heavenly Grant Forest share with them?
***
The Great Menglong Temple paired with Tianlong Temple in Yunnan Province ranked among the renowned temples.
Tang Myung and Tang Mi-ryeong approached the splendid temple.
At the temple entrance two monks stood in salutation greeting incoming donors.
Namu Amitabha.
Namu Amitabha.
Observing the monks chanting the invocation Tang Myung murmured softly.
I wondered where the name Menglong originated. Now it makes sense upon seeing the monks.
Tang Mi-ryeong nodded in agreement with Tang Myung's remark.
Whether only the entrance monks or not. The bodies of the two monks at the entrance appeared exceptionally robust.
They looked as though sculpted entirely from muscle.
They seem to have trained in external energy.
Tang Myung nodded in response to Tang Mi-ryeong's observation and approached the monk.
Unlike his fearsome physique the monk spoke in a gentle voice.
Namu Amitabha.
Namu Amitabha.
Mirroring the chant Tang Myung declared.
I wish to meet the abbot.
The abbot is currently preparing a Buddhist scripture recitation session and cannot receive visitors. If you tell me where you come from I shall convey it to the abbot.
Whether the recitation session was genuine or not. Upon the monk's refusal Tang Myung spoke again.
If I mention Heavenly Grant Forest you will surely know.
Heavenly Grant Forest?
The monk's face froze at the mention. He then asked urgently.
You truly come from Heavenly Grant Forest?
Yes the owner of Heavenly Grant Forest sent us.
Wait a moment.
The monk hurried inside. The remaining monk beside him glanced at Tang Myung and whispered.
You truly come from Heavenly Grant Forest?
Yes. But why do you ask?
Heavenly Grant Forest is designated forbidden within nearby sects. No sect dares approach it. Coming from such a place.
The monk trailed off. Tang Myung smiled.
When you meet the abbot you will understand.
Indeed. No one in this region would risk selling the name Heavenly Grant Forest.
The monk's fearful tone drew a soft remark from Tang Mi-ryeong.
Is Heavenly Grant Forest that dangerous?
You come from Heavenly Grant Forest and don't know?
Tang Myung met Tang Mi-ryeong's gaze under the monk's questioning stare.
No one has ever emerged alive from Heavenly Grant Forest.
No one has emerged alive?
Yes.
The monk observed them with eyes filled with doubt and fear.
Please enter. The abbot awaits.
The monk who had entered hurried back out. Tang Myung and his companions followed inside.
Guided by the monk they entered the temple compound. Monks could be seen expelling donors from all directions.
An urgent matter at the main hall requires all donors to exit.
Namu Amitabha.
Despite the monks' expulsion the donors murmured among themselves yet out of reverence for the temple's reputation they complied with the monks' guidance and departed.
Observing the monks Tang Mi-ryeong spoke.
The monks' aura of righteousness is exceptionally powerful.
Tang Mi-ryeong's remark drew a quick glance from the monk who then smiled.
The main hall's external energy reaches the pinnacle of the world.
It appears so.
Tang Mi-ryeong's smile caused the monk to blush unconsciously.
Tang Mi-ryeong had reached middle age yet retained the allure of a mature woman.
Her youthful vigor made even a monk's heart uncontrollable.
Tang Mi-ryeong frowned faintly. The monk hurriedly averted his gaze and quickened his steps.
In the grand main hall befitting a great temple elderly monks lined up awaiting Tang Myung's group.
Like other monks the elderly monks possessed robust physiques. Their robes flaunted generous sleeves yet muscles stirred visibly beneath.
I am the abbot of Great Menglong Temple.
In salutation Tang Myung returned the gesture and bowed his head.
I am Tang Myung the head of the Sichuan Tang Family.
Tang Myung's courtesy left Injae-dasa's face puzzled.
I heard you come from Heavenly Grant Forest.
We come from Heavenly Grant Forest.
Then what relation do you share with the owner of Heavenly Grant Forest?
None at all.
The abbot rolled his rosary beads.
The owner of Heavenly Grant Forest arrived here a full month ago yet you claim to be a deceased person? The Tang Family?
Injae-dasa regarded Tang Myung briefly.
You have brought honored guests outside. Please enter.
Tang Myung and his companions followed Injae-dasa and the monks inside.
Inside the main hall Tang Myung's group beheld a colossal Buddha statue.
A young monk brought a tray with tea cups and teapots. Injae-dasa poured tea into a cup.
The main hall avoids comfort for the body. Thus we do not maintain chairs in apology.
Tang Myung accepted the cup with a smile and took a sip.
Thank you for the warm welcome.
A single cup of tea is considered a warm welcome. Thank you.
Smiling Injae-dasa touched the cup.
However if the owner of Heavenly Grant Forest has any command for the main hall.
Laborers and rations are needed in Heavenly Grant Forest.
Laborers and rations?
Injae-dasa tilted his head curiously. A monk quietly conveyed a message to him.
There is information that over a hundred people headed south.
Injae-dasa furrowed his brow at the monk.
You speak of a hundred entering Heavenly Grant Forest now?
We did not know they headed toward Heavenly Grant Forest. We refrained from pursuit to avoid the main hall's sphere. We apologize.
Injae-dasa glanced at the monk then at Tang Myung.
What matter requires laborers in Heavenly Grant Forest?
You may not know but the main hall of Sichuan suffered invasion by the Demonic Cult. We rely on the Great Ancestor to establish a foothold in Heavenly Grant Forest.
Does that mean the Tang Family Castle will enter Heavenly Grant Forest?
Yes.
Namu Amitabha.
Injae-dasa hesitated before murmuring the invocation. Tang Myung spoke.
I understand your concerns. Yet the main hall harbors no intention of expanding its power in Yunnan.
Truly?
The reason the Tang Family came to Yunnan is to strengthen power relying on the Great Ancestor not to settle permanently.
Tang Myung's words prompted Injae-dasa to examine his sincerity.
It is sincere.
Understood. Then shall we prepare laborers and rations?
Tang Myung reached into his pouch when a young monk intervened.
No matter the owner of Heavenly Grant Forest we cannot accept such demands at the main hall.
Tang Myung met the young monk's intense stare.
The main hall is not a mere errand runner for Heavenly Grant Forest.