Chapter 136
Chapter 136
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: Heavenly Fragrance Hermit Void
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Heavenly Fragrance Hermit Void.
What is the weight contained in that name?
Right now...
Am I walking a path befitting that name?
"......"
He stops striking the wooden fish. Looks up at the Buddha statue.
The void remains silent. Even opening his mouth, there are no words to say.
It is changing. Shaolin.
For the worse.
The waves of that change are far too overwhelming to seize or steer, beyond anyone's power to control on their own.
Present Realm? The state where one can impose their will upon the world through martial arts?
What use is any of it?
If human intent is overturned by mere brute force, how is it any different from the beasts' world?
And besides...
It was strange for him, who had once shirked his duty as abbot, to speak so forcefully now.
A situation where no measure he considered yielded a sharp answer, leaving him to wander lost.
The void lets out a sigh. Having finished his dawn training, he steps out of the temple.
"Head Monk."
He turns at the call and looks to the side.
A monk, as if just finishing his dawn training, gazes at him.
"Damyang."
One of Shaolin's later-generation disciples.
A talented youth drawing the eyes of many experts.
"Your prayers have grown even more fervent since last time."
"It is thanks to the Buddha's compassion."
"No waste in your training-it is an achievement you have forged yourself."
"You overpraise me."
The void pats Damyang's shoulder.
He is a child who draws his interest as well. Rare gentle disposition, anger at injustice.
Once, his slightly lofty pride had been a concern...
Now even that is gone, his character beyond reproach. Like a person transformed overnight, leading a monastic life so perfect it defies description.
Wouldn't he be suitable as the next successor to lead this chaotic Shaolin?
"Are your studies progressing diligently?"
"I fill my own shortcomings, yet I remain deficient."
"To recognize your deficiencies is already commendable."
The void smiles in satisfaction.
Even amid all the tangled complexities, watching him lately brings the thought that time might resolve everything.
If he grows steadily and claims the abbot's seat... he might even become the driving force behind Shaolin's transformation.
The void suddenly turns his head. Thinking of change recalls the Murim Alliance inspection team he had heard of before.
They were supposed to come straight to the main hall-where could they have gone? No word at all; it's peculiar.
"When will that Murim Alliance inspection team arrive?"
"...They've already arrived."
"What? And no one informed me..."
"Well..."
Damyang hesitates.
"The Scripture Pavilion Master said he'd handle it on his own authority..."
"...And the Arhat Hall Leader?"
"He said the same."
"Heh heh."
Scripture Pavilion Master and Arhat Hall Leader.
Shaolin's two pillars.
They also symbolize the temple's actual martial might. Yet is he not Shaolin's rightful leader?
Handling matters on their own whim, bypassing Shaolin's abbot...
"......"
...Even so.
They must have their reasons.
"The Pavilion Master and Hall Leader each have their own thoughts, no doubt. Still, I would like to meet them at least once."
"...Head Monk. If I may speak out of turn, isn't accepting aid from outsiders an act that tarnishes Shaolin's dignity in itself?"
"Disappearances are occurring within Shaolin's domain. We haven't traced the trail properly yet, so hearing their views wouldn't hurt. Saving lives comes before dignity."
"Since the Head Monk says so, I shall obey. I'll arrange a separate meeting. The inspector seems busy as well... what of three days hence?"
"Three days later will do nicely."
Murim Alliance inspector, that is.
What sort of person could he be?
The void walks onward. The weather is cold; his breath fogs the air.
...Shaolin's dignity crumbling from outsider aid.
No matter how he ponders it, something's off. Since when did Shaolin...
begin prizing prestige over human lives?
All this distortion stems from one source. The fact that an unqualified man holds the seat.
"Namo Amitabha... This poor monk truly lacked the qualifications to serve as Shaolin's abbot..."
Recalling the name of the man he had slain, the void regrets once more.
"...Master. Why did you leave such a heavy burden upon me..."
...
Contact has been made with Buddha Venerable Void, one of Shaolin's leaders among the Four Venerables.
An appointment set for three days later. Neither Myochoa nor Geumpyeong adds a word.
Geumpyeong watches as ever.
Myochoa, as if displeased at her convictions being refuted, no longer speaks to me.
Clear hostility underlies them both. One is the rein to halt me at any moment, the other a blade to stop me should the disappearance case diminish Shaolin's power.
No allies.
The only somewhat trustworthy one is that lone Killing Gate Leader. Even he not fully reliable...
A bond tied by shared purpose.
"......"
Lonely.
Suddenly, I miss the acquaintances I left behind. Are they faring well?
---Knock knock.
In the dead of night, someone raps. But not on the door-on the window opposite.
I open the window. A fox mask pokes its head in and speaks.
"Red Cloud. I heard you have an audience appointment in three days."
I never told a soul-how did she learn of it?
As expected, she is capable. I nod.
"That's right, but... why come to me?"
She slips naturally into the room. Sits on the bed and looks up at me.
"Now that Void himself has spoken your name, those in Shaolin linked to the disappearances will start watching you closely. They've shifted from seeing you as a mere outsider to a potential threat."
"......"
"Void is called indecisive, utterly unfit for Shaolin's abbot... yet his influence is no laughing matter. One of the Four Venerables as Buddha Venerable, famed for his soft heart-but his Present Realm is renown far and wide."
"...You're saying that in the three days until the audience, those tied to the Shaolin disappearances will target me? To prevent me from meeting Void?"
"Exactly."
"Even if the Nine Great Righteous Sects have rotted, they wouldn't stoop to..."
I trail off mid-sentence.
Haven't I already witnessed it?
How rotten the Righteous Faction's vaunted banners are.
I wipe my face. Look down at Suryeon.
"...Then what brings you to the temple?"
"I can't stand by and watch a partner die."
"Here to protect me?"
"At least for three days. No need to worry about discovery. This girl excels at concealing her presence."
"......"
I lean my shoulder against the wall and gaze steadily at her.
Suryeon dusts off under the bed as if it were natural.
"This spot is enough for this girl."
"...Why there, of all places..."
"It's familiar."
"You plan to stay there for three days?"
"I've hidden in far worse conditions. This is no different from a bed to me."
"And food?"
"I can go without. Three days is bearable."
Are all assassins like this?
I sigh and sit beside her. Suryeon's eyes narrow.
"...If you wish, I can provide other services. Though I wonder if this body will satisfy."
"Pardon?"
"Ah, not that sort of thing? Among what I learned were bedroom arts too-they said all men like such... Of course, no practical experience, so not sure you'd be satisfied."
"No need."
I refuse flatly and gaze at her.
A flower that will never fully bloom. Her constitution keeps that body small and fragile beyond measure.
Less a battlefield warrior, more a girl in need of protection. Calling her an assassin with such a frame... it stirs curiosity.
"Suryeon, when did you begin learning martial arts?"
"From birth."
"Pardon?"
"From birth, I learned constantly how to wield a sword. Then poisons, blow darts, flying needles, daggers... every sort of hidden weapon one can learn."
She folds and unfurls her hand.
A dagger appears in her previously empty palm.
"After that, I read all manner of texts. They said it's essential to become a legendary assassin. How to resist solitude, read killing intent, hide one's presence... I learned it all."
"Wasn't it grueling?"
"At first, yes. But it becomes habit. This girl was the next Killing Gate Leader-and the one meant to become the Killing Gate's new light."
She murmurs impassively.
"Chosen as successor to the next Killing Gate Leader, I had a duty to shoulder. Repeating until it felt natural was my only path."
"...Never a moment you wanted to quit?"
"There must have been."
Suryeon pauses briefly.
"...But now, I've forgotten them all."
Bonds and chains.
To her, the Killing Gate must feel like that.
The world is harsh. She never chose the sword of her own will, and now even regrets are lost.
A bitter taste rises. Was I the same? Looking back, only the moment I gripped the sword to survive comes to mind.
Risk your life in work, earn more than tilling fields. That's why I repeated ronin life until applying as a Murim Alliance hired warrior.
Back then, what was I...
thinking?
"......"
What is duty?
I force my mouth open with effort.
"Suryeon."
"Yes."
"Is there nothing you want to do?"
"Revenge for the Killing Gate?"
"I meant something else... though that's curious too. Is the Killing Gate's vengeance truly your own desire?"
Suryeon tilts her head. White hair spills across the blanket.
"...Probably. I was raised for it, after all. This girl bears responsibility for the Killing Gate; my entire life is bound to it. And above all..."
"Above all?"
"The previous Killing Gate Leader often said it to me. 'I'm sorry.'"
"......"
"Perhaps that single phrase sealed my resolve."
Suryeon smiles for the first time.
Nostalgic. Faintly.
"The first and last to treat this girl not as next Leader, but as a person... that was him."
Last words etched in memory of someone: sorry...
With no kinder words ever heard, that's how she remembers.
A tale of nothing but bitterness. It feels as if I've glimpsed the child forced to grow up within her, if only a little.
The next Killing Gate Leader, who forgot even how to surrender.
"Planning to patrol till dawn again tonight?"
"That's the plan."
"Then I'll come along."
I head out into the late-night streets with her. Since arriving here, over a fortnight with no gains has made Geumpyeong and Myochoa's tails slacken.
The night streets naturally eased. I prowl the highest rooftops, diligently scanning for any incident sites.
Suryeon, shadowing me like a ghost, asks.
"Red Cloud. I have a question."
"Ask away."
"Do you cut sleep for this because you're a Murim Alliance inspector?"
"Partly... but there are other reasons."
"What reasons?"
"I don't like seeing innocent victims pile up."
"That dislike... is it your full motivation?"
"To a degree."
I leap from the building roof. One man can't cover all of Henan Province.
Fortunately, lately the intervals between disappearances have shortened a bit.
The foes surely recognize me prowling nightly. They'll be exercising utmost caution to avoid giving any opening.
The first night passes quietly. The second the same.
No sign of enemies; Henan's nights remain still.
I enter a shop open into the late hours. Pay and buy a few items.
"Thank you!"
After leaving the shop, I duck into an alley. Once people thin out, I hand tanghulu to Suryeon, who catches up.
"......?"
Suryeon glances between me and the tanghulu.
"Why this...?"
"Eat it."
"But why..."
"Just felt like treating you."
Truth is, I noticed.
Suryeon's eyes lingering several times on the tanghulu hanging in the shop.
"...It's really fine..."
I force one into her protesting mouth. Her slightly widened eyes soon lick and devour it.
"First time?"
"...Yes."
"Chewing it is delicious too."
"Red Cloud likes it?"
"An old comrade did."
Baek Mae. Hope she's well.
Suryeon, munching the tanghulu vigorously, suddenly whips her head aside. So do I.
I want to believe it's nothing...
But reality defies wishes.
"...What in the world."
Figures in black masks emerge between the alleys, weapons in hand.
A planned ambush, plainly lying in wait for me.
As they naturally cut off my retreat, I grit my teeth.
Suryeon was right.
To halt further prying and block my audience with Void, eliminating the wildcard...
They've sent assassins.
Shaolin. One of the Nine Great Righteous Sects, which ought to value life above all.
"How deep does the rot go...?"