Chapter 394
Eventually, Bu Eun-seol came to a stop.
"Shall we talk here?"
Tang Cheong narrowed her long eyes as she glanced around.
"Or would you prefer to move somewhere quieter for our conversation?"
After brief consideration, Bu Eun-seol extended his hand and spoke.
"Let's go."
Tang Cheong led him through several courtyards toward the Pagoda Forest, where numerous pagodas stood erected.
Originally, this was a place ordinary visitors could not enter. However, Tang Cheong was acquainted with many senior Shaolin monks—including the heads of the Discipline Court, the Conscience Hall, and others.
Thus, she naturally passed into areas restricted to regular visitors, and the monks who recognized her made no attempt to stop her.
"How did you recognize me?"
Bu Eun-seol asked in a low voice as they strolled through the Pagoda Forest.
The first close friend he had made in the Martial World was Tang Gon, and Tang Cheong was his younger sister.
Moreover, when he had visited the Tang Clan, she had consistently shown him goodwill. Even the Family Head, Tang Pae, held Bu Eun-seol in high regard, didn't he?
Because of this, Bu Eun-seol harbored no hostility whatsoever toward Tang Cheong.
He simply wanted to confirm how she had recognized him—and whether there was some fatal flaw in his disguise technique.
"Have you forgotten that I am a daughter of the Tang Clan?"
Tang Cheong smiled faintly as she spoke.
"I oversee the Fragrance Poison Hall, specializing in fragrance poisons."
Even among the Tang Clan, a gathering of poison experts, Tang Cheong led the Fragrance Poison Hall, where the foremost specialists in fragrance toxins were assembled.
Her sense of smell was exceptionally acute, and in the field of fragrance poisons, she was said to rival even the Tang Clan's Family Head, Tang Pae.
"I was already aware of your expertise in fragrance poisons."
Tang Cheong smirked as she grasped the implication of Bu Eun-seol's words.
"To craft fragrance poisons, one must first become an expert in scents. I can distinguish dozens of smells simultaneously and even recreate identical aromas by blending fragrances."
Confidence overflowed in Tang Cheong's expression as she continued.
"After you left the Tang Clan, I collected the lingering scent from the bedroom where you had stayed."
The corner of her lips curled slightly as she glanced at Bu Eun-seol's profile.
"And I recreated an aroma identical to your body's scent."
Bu Eun-seol was deeply astonished.
Tang Cheong possessed a sense of smell as keen as a hunting hound's—and the skill to combine tens of thousands of scents to replicate an exact fragrance?
But what shocked him even more was... why she had gathered his scent and turned it into a fragrance in the first place.
"Why did you make a fragrance from my scent?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
When Bu Eun-seol, unable to suppress his curiosity, asked, Tang Cheong laughed as if it were the most natural thing.
"Even as unknown, you displayed extraordinary abilities back then. I believed it was only a matter of time before you became a figure who could sway the Martial World."
Her eyes, reflecting the sunlight, glinted with a sly brilliance.
"So I prepared in advance—to recognize you by scent, no matter what form you took."
Bu Eun-seol swallowed dryly.
'There really are people with extraordinary noses in this world.'
Soyo had also distinguished the False Divine Calculator's age using her keen sense of smell.
But Tang Cheong went a step further—she possessed the ability to identify people by scent alone.
'I need to refine the Cock-Crowing and Dog-Stealing Art again.'
This incident had taught Bu Eun-seol a new truth.
Scent, too, was a crucial means of identifying a person.
And for disguise, it wasn't enough to consider just gaze and mannerisms—he had to account for a new factor: body scent.
"I see."
Having grasped the full situation, Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands together.
"Thank you for being honest with me. Because of you, I've learned something I hadn't even considered until now."
He meant it sincerely.
If Tang Cheong hadn't spoken frankly?
Not only would he have remained unaware of the importance of scent, but he would never have been able to deduce how she had recognized him.
"How is Tang Gon doing these days?"
When Bu Eun-seol inquired after Tang Gon, Tang Cheong hesitated briefly.
But she soon smiled and nodded.
"Of course. Right now, my brother is striving to master the Tang Clan's Eight Great Secret Arts perfectly. And he often speaks of you."
A faint shadow passed over Tang Cheong's brow.
Bu Eun-seol instantly sensed that something had gone awry with Tang Gon's circumstances.
The fact that he had chosen to enter closed-door training at this very moment to fully master the Eight Great Secret Arts was already unusual in itself.
"Has something happened to him?"
"Of course not."
Tang Cheong smiled faintly.
Yet, her eyes remained shadowed.
Watching her expression, Bu Eun-seol made a silent resolve.
'Once I finish this urgent matter, I should pay a visit to the Tang Clan.'
As if reading his thoughts from his expression, Tang Cheong nodded.
"If the Lord visits our main house, my brother would be overjoyed."
"Would it be acceptable for me to go to the Tang Clan?"
"Of course. Haven't you done many good deeds during this time? Most of the Righteous Faction already holds you in high regard."
Her expression was utterly at ease.
No matter how close their relationship, if he were any other figure from the Demonic Path, she would have been extremely wary.
But Bu Eun-seol was known as a man of such righteousness and virtue that he could be called the "Righteous Path within the Demonic Path."
Though those of the Demonic Path still found such an evaluation grating, there was no way to forcibly suppress the goodwill of the Righteous Faction.
And she, too, trusted in Bu Eun-seol's unwavering character.
That was why she could ask him so casually, even though he had infiltrated Shaolin under disguise.
"That is fortunate."
As Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly, Tang Cheong asked,
"But what brings you to Shaolin?"
"I came to investigate something."
"Investigate?"
Bu Eun-seol hesitated briefly before answering.
"There is someone who has secretly made a nest within Shaolin. And he summoned me here to test me."
"A person hiding in Shaolin summoned the Lord to test you? Why?"
"There are many complicated circumstances involved. However—"
Bu Eun-seol spoke decisively.
"I have absolutely no intention of harming Shaolin or acting with ill will."
"I see."
Tang Cheong nodded as if it were only natural.
"But no matter how formidable the Lord's martial arts may be, you cannot investigate Shaolin alone."
She took a deep breath before continuing.
"The reason Shaolin can accommodate so many pilgrims at once is because all disciples who had been out in the Martial World have returned and remain within the temple grounds."
"If the Lord is discovered while infiltrating and ends up surrounded, an uncontrollable situation could unfold."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
Had it not been for the Divine Calculator's test and provocation, he would never have recklessly come to Shaolin like this.
But he had one conviction.
If the Divine Calculator truly intended to test him—if he wasn't deliberately trying to make things difficult for him—
then he must have left a gap for Bu Eun-seol to enter Shaolin.
"There is no other way."
Bu Eun-seol spoke firmly.
"If my assumption is correct, the reason he summoned me here was not simply to infiltrate and investigate. There must be a clue of equal significance."
This time, Tang Cheong fell silent.
After a moment of deep contemplation, she stared into the disguised Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
Within them flowed a will strong enough to melt steel.
Yet, for some reason, Tang Cheong sensed a profound loneliness and sorrow in those eyes.
And these were emotions only the women who truly liked Bu Eun-seol could perceive.
"Very well."
Having made up her mind, Tang Cheong nodded.
"I will help you. With investigating the temple grounds."
"You would help me?"
Surprised by her unexpected words, Bu Eun-seol was momentarily taken aback.
Tang Cheong was on good terms with many of Shaolin's members, so her assistance would be invaluable.
Bonds.
Bu Eun-seol had always forged connections with various figures in the Martial World, never treating them lightly.
And now, the strength of those bonds was granting him such immense power and trust.
"There is no need. This is my own matter."
Yet, Bu Eun-seol quickly refused her kindness.
He couldn't risk straining the relationship between Shaolin and the Tang Clan just because Tang Cheong helped him.
Finding the Divine Calculator was one thing, but for the sake of the Sichuan Tang Clan's dignity—and for Tang Gon's sake—he absolutely could not accept her aid.
"There's no need to refuse. No matter what happens, the Shaolin monks will still dote on me."
As if understanding his concerns, Tang Cheong winked playfully.
"Besides, you're the only person my brother ever gave a Pear Blossom Leaf to."
"It's fine. I appreciate the sentiment."
"This is my sentiment as well."
Tang Cheong gazed at Bu Eun-seol with burning intensity.
"I also wish to become a close friend who shares crises with you. Is that not allowed?"
Bu Eun-seol hesitated for a moment, having not expected her to be so direct.
Had it been the usual Bu Eun-seol, he would have refused without a second thought.
But now, he wavered. Meeting the Divine Calculator was more important to him than anything else.
If he could meet the man known as the foremost sage of the martial world, he would surely obtain information about the murderer who had killed his grandfather.
"I have to plead even to help you, it seems."
Tang Cheong let out a sigh before speaking seriously.
"Do you think of me as baggage?"
"That is not the case."
She shrugged her shoulders and said,
"I am not just an expert in fragrances—I am also skilled in mechanisms, formations, and dismantling them. My specialty lies in uncovering hidden mechanisms."
Then, confidently surveying the surroundings of the Pagoda Grove, she asked,
"Lord, do you believe you could find the hidden mechanism around this Pagoda Grove?"
"A mechanism?"
"Yes."
Seeing Bu Eun-seol furrow his brow, Tang Cheong spoke with absolute certainty.
"The moment I entered this Pagoda Grove, I immediately discerned that there is a concealed mechanism here."
Bu Eun-seol scanned the area once more.
But with his naked eye, he could detect no trace of any mechanism.
"You're saying there's a hidden mechanism here?"
"Yes."
Tang Cheong, who had been examining the densely packed pagodas, pointed to one about thirty feet high and said,
"That pagoda has a hidden mechanism installed. Since this is a place for storing relics, the monks must have built a secret passage inside for easy movement."
Bu Eun-seol studied the pagoda she indicated but found no obvious signs of a mechanism.
Zzzing.
At that moment, a white light flickered in Bu Eun-seol's pupils.
He had finally invoked the Empty Mind Spirit Perception to scrutinize the pagoda.
It's true.
Only after activating the Empty Mind Spirit Perception did he discover faint handprints and minute cracks on the massive pagoda's facade.
There truly was a secret mechanism hidden within this pagoda.
However, even with the Empty Mind Spirit Perception, he couldn't discern how the mechanism operated or what kind of device it was.
"Did you find it?"
When Tang Cheong shrugged and asked, Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"I did."
"Well? Now do you believe in my abilities?"
I can't tell if this is real or not.
The fact that she was on friendly terms with Shaolin's high monks meant she must have visited often.
Perhaps Tang Cheong had known about the mechanism beforehand and was merely telling Bu Eun-seol about it.
"Huh? Right now—judging by your expression, you think I already knew about this mechanism, don't you? Am I right?"
Her perception was uncanny.
When Bu Eun-seol remained silent, she placed a hand on her waist and spoke with an aggrieved tone.
"I genuinely want to help you, yet you still don't trust me. Fine."
She turned her head away, seemingly truly offended.
"Do as you please."
Spinning on her heel, she kicked a small pebble on the ground.
Tut-tut-tuk.
But when the tiny stone struck the pagoda with the mechanism—
Grrrrumble.
A low vibration sounded, and one side of the pagoda's wall slid open, revealing a passage leading inside.
"Ah."
Tang Cheong stared at the pebble she had kicked, her mouth falling open.
Surprisingly, that small stone had been the trigger for the pagoda's mechanism.
Could all of this have been arranged by the Divine Calculator?
Bu Eun-seol's pupils trembled as he watched.
The moment he saw the yawning black passage, an intuition struck him—was all of this the Divine Calculator's doing?
No, that can't be.
If so, then the Divine Calculator had not only foreseen Bu Eun-seol encountering Tang Cheong at Shaolin... but also predicted that she would discover the mechanism here.
If he had anticipated all of this and laid out the plan—
Then he was no mere human, but a god who could see the future.
If not that...
Bu Eun-seol considered another possibility, his gaze sharpening as he stared at Tang Cheong.
What if she was in league with the Divine Calculator? What if she had staged this coincidence to lead Bu Eun-seol here and open the mechanism?
That seemed far more probable.
The Divine Calculator is the one who, with just the condition of offering a Gratitude Coin, manipulated the Namgung Clan into pursuing the Artificial Internal Core.
If he could control the Namgung Clan, the leading family among the Eight Great Families—
Then manipulating the Tang Clan wouldn't be too difficult either.
"Don't tell me... you're suspecting me right now?"
At that moment, Tang Cheong noticed the sharpness in Bu Eun-seol's gaze and gaped at him.
"You... are unbearably suspicious."
Her perception was as sharp as a honed blade.
She instantly discerned Bu Eun-seol's suspicion and huffed, whispering sharply,
"Do you really think I conspired with someone to set this up?"
"I merely considered the possibility."
"Fine. Then let's go in together and see for ourselves."
Tang Cheong pointed toward the open passageway, her voice laced with defiance.
"If we go inside, we'll find out, won't we? Right?"
Her gaze and expression overlapped with Tang Gon's in Bu Eun-seol's mind.
Tang Cheong had always shown him goodwill. Even if she had conspired with the Divine Calculator, it was unlikely she intended to lead him into danger.
"No. I trust you."
Bu Eun-seol raised a hand to stop her.
"But turn back. I'll investigate the inside alone—"
Before he could finish, Tang Cheong had already slipped past him and stepped into the passageway.
Creak—
The moment she did, the hidden door in the wall began to close smoothly behind her.
'No choice, then.'
With no time to hesitate, Bu Eun-seol swiftly followed her inside just before the passage sealed shut.
The interior was plunged into pitch-black darkness.
Fssst—
Then, a soft hiss sounded as white smoke and light emanated from Tang Cheong's hand.
She had retrieved a firestarter from her sleeve.
"Strange. I thought this would just be a discreet passage to another location."
As she surveyed their surroundings, a flicker of surprise crossed her face.
She had assumed, at most, this would be a secret route for discreet movement within Shaolin's grounds.
But the corridor stretched endlessly ahead, its ceiling towering over thirty feet high—far beyond what she had imagined.
"Did the monks build this just to sneak some rice wine tea in secret?"
Tang Cheong muttered in disbelief, half-joking as they walked.
Given the passage's scale, it clearly led deep into Shaolin's inner sanctum—or beyond.
"I doubt the monks would construct such an elaborate mechanism just for tea."
Bu Eun-seol exhaled softly before speaking again.
"Young Lady Tang. If things go wrong, the Tang Clan could suffer as well."
He made one last attempt to persuade her.
"Wouldn't it be better to turn back now?"
"No. I'm curious now too."
Of all the women Bu Eun-seol had met, Tang Cheong was by far the boldest and most fearless.
Before he could protest further, she quickened her pace, striding ahead.
"Huh?"
Tang Cheong suddenly halted mid-step.
The seemingly endless passage had abruptly split into three diverging paths.
"To think they built a labyrinth of this scale in a place like this..."
She clicked her tongue, shaking her head.
"This mechanism likely leads to one of Shaolin's forbidden grounds."
True to her expertise in Mechanism Formations, she immediately recognized the trap laid within the branching paths.
"It's not just a simple fork—they've embedded a Bewilderment Formation to distort perception. The further we go, the more illusory paths we'll see."
After murmuring this, she decisively chose the leftmost passage.
"So if we keep picking one direction, we'll eventually reach the exit, right?"
Her suggestion was the simplest way to navigate a maze.
But Bu Eun-seol shook his head calmly.
"That would work, but it would take too long."
"Well, yes, but—"
"Allow me to find the exit quickly."
Without hesitation, Bu Eun-seol activated Empty Mind Spirit Communion.
A pale glow flickered in his pupils as traces of those who had traversed this path long ago became visible to him.
"Follow me."
Taking the lead, he moved unerringly through the labyrinth.
Just as Tang Cheong had predicted, the further they advanced, the more their senses became muddled, and the paths multiplied.
Yet Bu Eun-seol remained entirely unaffected by the Bewilderment Formation's effects. With Spirit Command Mind Penetration, he swiftly guided them through.
Finally, they arrived at a dead end—a solid wall blocking their way.
"A blocked path..."
Tang Cheong sighed in disappointment, but Bu Eun-seol allowed a faint smile.
"No. This is the exit."
"This is the exit? It's walled off."
"If we've reached the exit but it's sealed, doesn't that mean there's another way to open it?"
Standing before the barrier, Bu Eun-seol exerted his Thousand-Jin Strength.
Click—
The solid floor beneath them depressed slightly with a mechanical sound.
Groooan—
The massive iron gate embedded in the wall shuddered before slowly swinging open.
"This place—"
Tang Cheong's lips parted as she stared at what lay beyond.
The passage opened into a vast space spanning over roughly 3,300 square meters, bathed in a soft, ethereal glow.
And within it stood towering bookshelves, densely packed with countless texts.
"Scripture Pavilion."
She whispered the name in awe.
This was none other than Shaolin's Scripture Pavilion—the repository of all its sacred Buddhist texts and secret martial arts manuals.