Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Dharma Hall (2)
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Sima Geon, who had escaped from the roof of the abbot's quarters, appeared atop a ginkgo tree that wrapped around the Janggyeong Pavilion like a painting.
"That was close. Nearly got myself in big trouble."
Sima Geon wiped away his cold sweat and let out a sigh of relief.
Dodging Abbot Won Il's sudden attack and slipping past the eyes of Gong Jin and Gong Hu who had burst out from both sides of the abbot's quarters hadn't been easy for him. Especially the power of the prayer beads that Won Il had flung like hidden weapons—it had been so fierce that his hand still throbbed from catching them.
"If Cheol Woo found out, he'd tease me endlessly."
Sima Geon gave a wry smile at the fact that his presence had been exposed.
But there was no helping it.
When he heard that the last Great Reversion Pill had been used to save the Azure Orchid Lord, it felt like the sky was collapsing.
He had heard they had gathered precious ingredients to refine a new one, but that meant nothing.
No one knew when the refining would finish, and there was no guarantee his younger brother would last that long. Imagining the suffering he'd endure in the meantime was unbearable.
At that very moment, a single voice had pierced through his despair like a ray of hope—no, like a divine light of salvation from the heavens. He had exposed himself because of it, but he couldn't care less.
"Still, that's surprising. To think the Azure Orchid Lord's illness was due to someone's scheme."
On the other hand, it was welcome news. The fact that such vicious yin cold qi—mistakable for Nine Yin Severed Meridians—had been cured with the Great Reversion Pill proved that the Heavenly Yin Divine Meridian could likely be treated as well, even if the paths differed.
"Dharma Hall, huh."
Sima Geon gazed briefly at the mountainside opposite where the Dharma Hall stood, then quietly made his way toward the Guest Quarters.
Even deep into the night, many people were still awake in the Guest Quarters.
As Sima Geon slipped back to his spot avoiding their eyes, Cheol Woo—who had been lying spread-eagled—bolted upright.
"Back?"
"Yeah. But the guy who was watching us is gone."
"No idea. Guess he had nothing to do since we stayed put. He didn't even notice the boss was gone, so he's probably useless."
There was a slight edge to his tone, as if he was miffed that Sima Geon had gone prowling around Shaolin Temple alone.
"Quit grumbling. Anyway, I found it."
"The Great Reversion Pill?"
Cheol Woo's voice dropped involuntarily as he glanced around.
"Yeah. They say the last one is in a place called the Dharma Hall."
"Dharma Hall—you mean that cave up there? The one where Bodhidharma practiced asceticism?"
Cheol Woo asked with a somewhat deflated expression.
"That's right."
"Weird. Keeping something that precious in a place like that."
"Must be a reason."
"Fair enough, not our concern. Still, a bit disappointing."
"What is?"
"We got it too easy. Honestly, I wanted to see if Shaolin's skills live up to their reputation."
"......"
"Don't misunderstand. Just saying."
Seeing Sima Geon's exasperated look, Cheol Woo gave an awkward laugh and nudged his side.
"I'm kidding. Of course, the pill comes first." ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The next day, having confirmed the Shaolin Temple's last Great Reversion Pill was in the Dharma Hall, Sima Geon and Cheol Woo spent the day gathering information about it.
It was one of Shaolin's forbidden areas, but so famous that while visits weren't allowed, discussing it wasn't taboo, so they gathered plenty of useful info.
"Gonna go check it out?"
After evening meal, Cheol Woo flopped down spread-eagled in the Guest Quarters and asked.
He had grumbled about the bland food and lack of liquor, but devoured such a massive amount that the monks preparing it and those eating with him were stunned. His belly now bulged like a hill.
"No real need. It's about ten li from here in temple grounds. We confirmed the exact location and roughly how many monks are stationed there."
"True. But I was surprised. Most who mentioned it spoke with such reverence and caution, so I thought it'd be some grand place. Turns out it's just a small cave and a single annex beside it."
Cheol Woo looked disappointed.
"Symbolic, probably. It's where Grand Master Bodhidharma attained enlightenment through nine years of facing the wall."
"Anyway, no chance of getting lost, which is nice. And only a couple monks manage it, so low risk."
"That's what bothers me."
"What?"
"Shaolin's treasure, the Great Reversion Pill, guarded so sloppily. Makes you wonder if there's something we don't know."
Cheol Woo sat up abruptly, eyes sparkling at Sima Geon's question.
"I hope there is."
"Go to sleep."
Sima Geon irritably rubbed his forehead. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The Enthronement Ritual began early morning and continued all day.
Sermons by Shaolin's eminent monks for the pilgrims echoed everywhere.
Ilhwang Suk, who had arrived the previous evening, formally joined the ritual around noon under the abbot's guidance.
With Ilhwang Suk's appearance, the golden Samantabhadra Bodhisattva statue was unveiled to the world for the first time.
Though smaller than the main Buddha in the Grand Hero Hall, the purely golden Samantabhadra statue was so solemn and majestic that just looking at it dazzled the eyes.
Gasps of admiration and cheers erupted simultaneously from countless pilgrims.
Gong Su, watching contentedly, gave a slight bow to Ilhwang Suk, then stepped forward and quietly recited sutras.
Following Gong Su, Shaolin's monks began chanting sutras in unison, their voices filling not just the temple but the entire Mount Song.
All who had climbed to Shaolin for the ritual pressed their palms together, bowing or kneeling with heads lowered in competition.
"Impressive."
Even Cheol Woo, watching from afar, let out a sigh of admiration—though his meaning differed slightly from the others.
"How much does a Buddha statue that size in gold even cost?"
"Enough to feed a family for three generations without worry."
Sima Geon replied indifferently.
"Damn, three generations? As long as they don't gamble it away, it'd last forever."
Cheol Woo couldn't stomach wasting such enormous sums on a mere statue.
"Hey, boss."
At Cheol Woo's sly tone, Sima Geon glared.
"Shut it and stay focused."
"What do you think I'm gonna say?"
Cheol Woo looked wronged.
"You're not suggesting we steal it?"
"Huh?!"
"Don't even dream. Soon as we grab the pill tonight, we're out."
"How would you even steal something that big? Ridiculous. Not all of it—just an arm or so. Wouldn't make much difference. Success, and we live easy without merchant worries."
Sima Geon turned away from Cheol Woo's serious question.
Cheol Woo whined on about it being a joke or light teasing, then poked Sima Geon's arm.
"Isn't that the guy watching us?"
Sima Geon's gaze followed Cheol Woo's point.
Squinting for a moment, Sima Geon chuckled and nodded.
"Yeah. Clothes make the man—looks totally different from the Guest Quarters. Wouldn't recognize him at a glance."
"Heh heh. Right? If not for those creepy drooping eyes, I'd have missed him. Thought he was a nobody just tailing us idly, but standing there means he has some rank."
Seeing the man who had watched them in the Guest Quarters now guarding Ilhwang Suk up close, Cheol Woo slightly raised his estimation.
"But boss, don't you feel the vibe over there is off?"
Under the fir tree shade, aside from a few around Ilhwang Suk, all the Imperial Guards mobilized for the event were gathered there.
"What? Bickering among themselves?"
"You knew?"
Sima Geon looked incredulous.
"It's that obvious. How could you miss it? Things felt off since yesterday. Royal family infighting for real—total mess. At an event with the emperor's uncle, and it's the Imperial Guard acting up."
"They're at least trying to hold back."
"What if they don't? Rampage in Shaolin? Laughable. Look at the monks' faces. Clearly enduring for the ritual."
Sima Geon pointed to the Shaolin warrior monks around the Imperial Guard.
Unlike most monks enraptured as if enlightened, those near the Guard looked displeased.
"Even the lovely lord up on the platform seems in a foul mood."
Following Cheol Woo's chin gesture, Sima Geon's eyes went to the woman standing beside Ilhwang Suk in golden palace robes.
Her face veil hid her features from outsiders, but not from Sima Geon's keen sight.
A faint smile tugged at Sima Geon's lips, making Cheol Woo snicker.
"Never thought the boss would be swayed by a young girl. Though she was stunning even from afar yesterday. Didn't expect anyone to rival the Living Immortal Medical House lady in beauty."
"What nonsense. Quit overreacting and shut up. See those eyes?"
"She's imperial royalty. Naturally pissed at the Guard's antics..."
Cheol Woo trailed off mid-shrug at Sima Geon's scolding, realizing he meant not the Azure Orchid Lord but the old woman behind her.
Beside the old woman stood Jo Ryong of the Imperial Guard—who had suspected Sima Geon and Cheol Woo from their first meeting—his gaze fixed on them.
"Ha! Persistent bastard. Still suspicious after two days?"
Irritation flared on Cheol Woo's face.
"That's their job. Suspect, suspect, suspect some more."
Sima Geon carefully scanned the old woman, Jo Ryong, and finally the Azure Orchid Lord who had turned her gaze from the Guard toward them, then turned away.
"Leaving?"
"We've seen enough. We're not here for the ritual. No need to draw attention."
"Good timing. Getting bored anyway."
Cheol Woo yawned and followed. A sharp glint flew toward him.
"Boss, that old hag's up to something fun. Last time her Guard flunky tested us."
"Ignore it."
Sima Geon replied curtly and walked on, but suddenly halted and looked back.
"Got gripes? Go wild. Plenty of opponents."
Sweeping his gaze over the surrounding Shaolin monks to the Imperial Guard, Sima Geon saw Cheol Woo trot up laughing.
"Tempting, but even I can't here. Heh heh, Shaolin or palace—picking one is iffy."
"Not dying here, huh? Cut the crap and move. We need to leave. Atmosphere's turning sour."
Sensing even some elder Shaolin monks joining the old woman and Jo Ryong in watching them, Sima Geon yanked Cheol Woo's dawdling arm.
"Leave Shaolin? Just like that?"
Cheol Woo's eyes widened in surprise.
"Not just like that. No more business here anyway."
Sima Geon nodded toward the direction of the Dharma Cave.
"Our goal's not here—it's there."