Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Dharma Hall (1)
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"How are the Golden Guards staying at the White Garment Hall? They haven't caused any trouble, have they?"
Gong-su, waiting for the laughter to subside, asked Mu-ae, who was still frozen stiff.
"Yes. They were a bit arrogant at first, but they've all been on their best behavior since Jin Mu-sa's warning."
"That's a relief. Still, unfortunate incidents could arise, so keep a close eye on them."
"Understood."
"At least Jin Mu-sa is a man of propriety."
Gong-seol, the Manjusri Hall Leader, chimed in agreement with Gong-seung, the Literary Sage Hall Leader.
"He was quite polite, actually. He even seemed overly cautious about his subordinates making any mistakes."
"But that's not the real issue."
Gong-su's expression darkened slightly as he turned to Mu-yo.
"I've heard there's been a change in the entourage accompanying the First Imperial Uncle. Is that true?"
"Yes. Originally, it was supposed to be the Provincial Commander of Henan serving him, but it's been switched to the Commander of the Golden Guards."
"Amitabha! Just as I feared. This is a headache."
Gong-su sighed and furrowed his brow.
"Is the change to the Commander such a problem? Some of the Golden Guards have already arrived at headquarters."
At Gong-yeong's question, Gong-su gestured for Mu-yo to explain.
"Everyone knows dark clouds have gathered over the imperial court."
"Of course. Had the First Imperial Uncle not been holding the center while coming to headquarters, a storm of blood would have swept through the palace— that's common knowledge across the land."
"Exactly. But after the Qinglan Lord fell ill, the Grand Preceptor seized the opportunity of the Uncle's divided attention to place one of his own at the head of the Golden Guards. Now, a fierce power struggle rages within their ranks."
"Good heavens! So the Golden Guards have split into factions loyal to the First Imperial Uncle and those backed by the Grand Preceptor's outer relatives."
"Yes. And in that situation, both sides' swords—the Commander and Jin Mu-sa—are visiting headquarters at the same time."
Gong-yeong frowned, realizing Shaolin Temple might get dragged into the palace intrigue.
"Now I understand what you're worried about, Abbot Brother."
"It's not what I wanted, but headquarters will have to endure it."
Gong-su gave a wry smile, closing his eyes and slowly turning his prayer beads.
"You'll have it rough. Make sure nothing untoward happens."
At Gong-yeong's words, everyone looked at Mu-yo with eyes full of concern and encouragement.
"Yes. Don't worry, Martial Uncle. I'll prepare with utmost care."
Mu-yo replied calmly, glancing at Gong-su—who still had his eyes closed—before cautiously speaking up.
"There's one more thing I need to report."
"What is it?"
Gong-su opened his eyes and asked.
"A major donation came in at the Kaifeng Falling Star Merchant House."
"A donation from the Falling Star House?"
"Yes."
"How much that you'd mention it like this?"
"They offered ten massive gold ingots. Roughly a hundred taels of gold."
"Amitabha!"
An exclamation burst from Gong-su's lips.
All the Shaolin leaders, from the Abbot down, widened their eyes in astonishment.
Shaolin Temple wasn't poor—its fame drew support from the state, vast funds from secular disciples, and generous offerings from countless pilgrims and travelers. Yet a hundred taels of gold was no small sum, even for them.
Gong-su composed his surprise and spoke.
"What a gracious and thankful deed. We must receive them without the slightest neglect."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Mu-yo bowed politely.
"Anything else?"
Gong-yeong asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Donating that much without reason feels a bit suspicious."
"No other words. Just well-wishes for the Enthroned Buddha ceremony to proceed smoothly."
"Strange. I know the Falling Star House is the richest in Kaifeng, but they're notoriously stingy."
As Gong-yeong tilted his head skeptically, Mu-yo added cautiously.
"I've heard some rumors about the Falling Star House through various sources."
"Good! What are they?"
Gong-yeong, vindicated, leaned forward eagerly.
"Nothing confirmed, but one of their bloodline is suffering from a strange illness. The Falling Star House Lord didn't mention it, though."
"Given the circumstances, it wouldn't be easy to bring it up outright. He'll probably hint at it after the ceremony."
"If someone's ill, headquarters could offer aid."
Won-il's words drew a sour look from Gong-cho, the Medicine Hall Leader, sitting opposite.
"Why tell me that, Martial Uncle?"
"You fool! You're the only one here with healing skills. As a Buddhist disciple, how can we ignore such devotion to headquarters?"
"It's just a guess. Who knows? Maybe they're just overflowing with cash and felt like donating."
"You rascal!"
Won-il glared fiercely, but Gong-cho snorted and turned away.
Sighs escaped from the onlookers. Some subtly averted their eyes, unwilling to meddle between two of Shaolin's most irascible figures and risk lightning striking.
"Enough, Martial Uncle. Brother, drop it."
Gong-su intervened as mediator.
"If the Reception Hall Master's guess is wrong, we just gratefully accept. But if right, ignoring it as you say would be improper. Then have your junior brother take a look."
"Sigh! Abbot Brother, don't you know how busy I am...?"
"That's enough. Shut your mouth, junior brother."
As Gong-cho grumbled with clear annoyance, Disciplinary Hall Leader Gong-jin barked sternly.
"Fine. I'll do it. I don't know the illness, but a Revival Pill should do the trick."
Gong-cho replied resignedly. He might ignore others, but not Gong-jin. Still, his tone dripped with irritation.
At "Revival Pill," everyone's eyes lit up.
Not comparable to the Great Reversion Pill, but Revival Pills were rare treasures too.
"We have plenty of other Reversion Pills and herbs, but a Revival Pill? That's too much, brother."
Heavenly Kings Hall Leader Gong-hu protested reluctantly.
Overseeing Serai Hall, Jauun Hall, and even up to Nahan Hall, he cherished every Revival Pill. They boosted martial prowess like nothing else, but there weren't enough for all disciples.
"Jealous? Then you be Medicine Hall Leader."
Gong-hu's face flushed at Gong-cho's sharp retort.
"Tsk tsk. A sixty-year-old talking like that. Why do you resemble your senior brother more each year?"
Won-il sneered, and Gong-cho shot back undaunted.
"I learned from the best. A disciple takes after his master."
"You learned the wrong things. Why not give a Great Reversion Pill? Elder Won-chu had that generosity. Temperamental, but he saved lives without hesitation."
"I'd love to. But have you forgotten who got the last Great Reversion Pill? The one who insisted most strongly— you, Martial Uncle— shouldn't say such things."
Won-il faltered at Gong-cho's fierce counter but quickly regained composure.
"Thanks to that, we found the hardest ingredient for Great Reversion Pills—Azure Flower Lingzhi—sleeping in the imperial armory."
"We recovered the lost Thousand-Hand Tathagata Palm Technique too."
Gong-hu slyly interjected.
"Right! We reclaimed the irrecoverable Thousand-Hand Tathagata Palm Technique. Even if it cost a Great Reversion Pill."
Mention of the technique sobered the room.
During the Blood Evil Cult war 150 years ago that shook the martial world, many techniques were lost. Recovering the Thousand-Hand Tathagata Palm manual from the palace armory was heaven-sent fortune.
"But setting that aside, a talent like that collapsing to mere illness defies reason. For the people's sake, it can't be allowed."
"It’s no simple illness—likely sabotage. The palace physicians suspected Nine Yin Severed Meridians; the invading yin cold energy was vicious. Still, was a Great Reversion Pill necessary? Patient treatment would have shown progress. The decision was too hasty, no matter how I look at it."
"......"
Won-il, poised to argue loudly, suddenly fell silent.
His sharp gaze now fixed on the ceiling.
Gong-cho, puzzled by the sudden seriousness, softened his tone, holding back barbs.
"Anyway, even with Azure Flower Lingzhi secured, more ingredients remain. Hunting them down means scouring the world. Each requires separate refining. Whew! Who knows how many years."
Gong-cho complained, yet his face beamed. No one yearned more for Great Reversion Pill refining than he.
"But Martial Uncle, that wasn't the last Great Reversion Pill, right?"
Mu-ae's question made Gong-cho's white eyebrows shoot up sharply.
Mu-yo shot him a warning glance, but Mu-ae missed it.
"There's one left in the Dharma Hall, isn't there? That's the last one."
Before Gong-cho's scolding roar, Mu-yo cut in swiftly.
"Forgot, junior brother? The Dharma Hall's Great Reversion Pill belongs to Shaolin yet not to Shaolin."
"Oh? Ah!"
Mu-ae, blank-faced, nodded in realization.
"Right. I forgot for a moment, senior brother."
"Tsk tsk. When will you stay sharp?"
As Gong-yeong sighed at his disciple's sheepish head-scratching, Won-il—who'd been quietly silent—removed his prayer beads and tossed them upward abruptly.
The 108 beads scattered, piercing the ceiling faster than light.
Gong-jin and Gong-hu, in sync with Won-il, shattered the side windows and leaped out. Won-il followed, shouting.
"Found it?"
Gong-hu, now on the roof, shook his head.
"Nothing."
Gong-jin, scanning around, said grimly.
"We lost it."
"What happened, Martial Uncle?"
Sutra Pavilion Master Gong-gong asked, unable to hide his shock.
"A rat was here."
Gasps rippled at "rat."
"Are you sure? I sensed nothing."
Won-il wryly smiled at Gong-yeong's doubtful look.
"I thought my senses failed at first. Never imagined a spy on Shaolin's—Abbot's chamber—roof. But I stayed vigilant."
Gong-jin continued.
"I felt the presence. It flickered so briefly no one else noticed, but with Martial Uncle's hint, Gong-hu and I caught it clearly. Abbot Brother too, of course."
Gong-yeong incredulously eyed Gong-su and Gong-hu, who nodded gravely.
"But we lost it. It dodged Martial Uncle's ambush and slipped our watch."
Sighs and groans of regret echoed.
Won-il and the Gong brothers—top-tier even among the eccentric—failing to catch the foe was humiliating, chilling.
"Who would dare such a thing?"
Gong-su replied heavily to Gong-yeong.
"Who knows. But clearly someone ill-intentioned toward headquarters."
"Connected to the First Imperial Uncle, perhaps?"
Everyone's faces hardened at Gong-yeong's question.
Linking to the Uncle meant Shaolin risked palace intrigue.
"We must be cautious, but no hasty judgments. Just do our duty."
Gong-su calmly turned to Gong-jin and Gong-hu.
"Do you grasp our top priority, junior brothers?"
Gong-jin spoke for the troubled Gong-hu.
"The Dharma Hall?"
Gong-su smiled faintly, nodding.
"Correct. The Dharma Hall. We only noticed the spy when it was mentioned. That stealthy figure revealed itself out of agitation—meaningful."
Understanding perfectly, Gong-hu said sharply.
"I'll discreetly send the Four Heavenly Kings and Eight Vajras to the Dharma Hall."