Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Jasmine Tea Memories
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"So everyone just withdrew?"
"Yes."
"Then what about Venerable Hong Gak...?"
"He said he wanted some time alone and left. I wanted to follow, but I would've gotten an earful if I did."
"I see."
"But Hero Jeok is still...?"
"Yes."
Neung So-hwa shifted her gaze.
"He's still in that state."
The courtyard of the Guest Reception Hall.
Jeok Muryong stood with his eyes closed.
The tea cups on the platform had long gone cold.
The once-fragrant aroma had faded considerably.
"Shall I brew more tea?"
Jin Choyoung asked, but Neung So-hwa said to wait for now.
Just then, Baek Un and Beom Won returned.
'Jeok Muryong...'
Baek Un narrowed his eyes silently.
He and Venerable Hong Gak had headed to Cloud Forest, where an enormous roar and intense tremors had echoed.
Moments later, Venerable Hong Gak appeared covered in blood.
No visible wounds remained, but was his internals truly healed?
He had likely hastily sealed and treated only the external injuries to appear before the other monks.
His quick departure was probably to tend to his internal wounds.
In contrast, Jeok Muryong looked utterly unscathed.
'Can we really just let a man like this go free?'
Perhaps he should inform the other monks about Jeok Muryong right now.
And then what?
"......"
A sudden wave of self-loathing hit Baek Un, and he slapped his own cheek with his fist.
"M-Monk?"
"My apologies."
Baek Un gave a wry smile to the startled Neung So-hwa.
"A foolish thought crossed my mind, and my fist moved on its own."
"W-Well. Still, slapping your own face doesn't seem like a wise choice either."
"You're right. It's a bad habit. But it works."
"I won't ask what the thought was."
"Thank you, benefactress."
At that moment, Jeok Muryong opened his eyes.
"Ah, Hero Jeok."
"Mm."
"Have you finished thinking?"
"More or less."
Jeok Muryong replied curtly and glanced at Baek Un.
"Seeing some fool punching himself made me want to hurry up."
"......!"
Baek Un flinched at Jeok Muryong's meaningful words.
'Did he read my thoughts? If so...'
"Hey, baldy."
"Pardon?"
"No need to rack your brains needlessly. You're not the smartest guy in this temple anyway."
"......!"
"Leave the scheming to the old folks. That's the privilege of youth."
"Benefactor Jeok..."
"Looks like the meaning of 'youth's privilege' has changed a lot without me knowing, Hero Jeok."
Jeok Muryong shrugged at Neung So-hwa's words.
"So... did you recall the scent from your memories?"
"Yeah."
"Great! Then I'll have Choyoung brew more tea."
"No need."
Jeok Muryong flatly refused and approached the platform, picking up a teacup without hesitation.
"Ah, that's..."
"Do you know what it is?"
Neung So-hwa nodded at Jeok Muryong's question.
"It's jasmine tea."
"Jasmine tea?"
"Yes. It's made by steeping regular tea leaves with jasmine petals. It's not particularly rare, and the flavor isn't overpowering, so it's easy to drink."
A common tea, suitable for ordinary passersby rather than honored guests.
Even in that small detail, Abbot Gongmun's attitude and sincerity shone through.
"Is that so."
Jeok Muryong muttered softly and downed the tea in one gulp.
No tea etiquette in sight.
Then again, with the tea cold, such formalities were pointless.
Gulp.
The tea slid down Jeok Muryong's throat.
The onlookers felt inexplicable tension watching him.
"How is it?"
"A bit bitter."
Jeok Muryong answered Neung So-hwa's question.
"Slightly sweet too, and a floral scent spreads in the mouth."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I don't drink much tea, but it feels ordinary."
"I see."
"Still... not bad."
Jeok Muryong's lips twisted subtly.
A mix of wistful nostalgia, solitude, and thoughts of days gone by.
No one could likely fathom his inner turmoil.
'If only I could understand him.'
Neung So-hwa thought.
Of course, Jeok Muryong's strength would be a great help to her.
He had already sworn to grant her two wishes, and regardless, he would surely aid in reclaiming True Heaven Palace if she asked.
But that wasn't the reason.
Beyond any transactions, Neung So-hwa wanted to support Jeok Muryong.
It was probably...
"Did you find it?"
Everyone's heads snapped toward the sudden voice.
The sole exception was Jeok Muryong.
He answered without turning.
"I did."
"Such fanfare, yet such a dull response."
"I wasn't the one making a fuss. It was you monks."
"Hmph!"
Venerable Hong Gak snorted.
He had changed into fresh robes, appearing as if nothing had happened.
"Then you're done here."
"Pretty much."
"Get lost then. The thought of you squatting here twisting my guts."
"What a temper, old man."
"Hmph. People get crankier with age. With your long life, you should know."
"I've only truly lived thirty years or so."
"Then start living properly from now on."
"I'd do that even without your advice, geezer."
As Jeok Muryong turned after the exchange, Neung So-hwa nodded.
"Let's go, Hero Jeok."
"W-Wait a moment."
Jin Choyoung rushed out from the kitchen and spoke urgently.
"You should ask for his help in reclaiming True Heaven Palace, miss. Isn't that why we came here?"
"No, Choyoung. That's not appropriate."
"Pardon?"
"Shaolin Temple's prestige is immense and unyielding, leading many to misconceptions, but this is still a temple. The monks strive to cast off worldly desires and attain nirvana."
Neung So-hwa turned a gentle gaze to Venerable Hong Gak.
"Meddling in secular power struggles isn't their role. Right, Venerable One?"
"The young benefactress knows her stuff. Correct. And we have no right to judge right from wrong based on personal tastes."
"B-But..."
"It's fine, Choyoung. I've made up my mind."
"Miss...?"
"I'll go reclaim True Heaven Palace. Not to Luoyang or Kaifeng—we'll head to Wuhuan."
Neung So-hwa's gaze lingered on Jeok Muryong's face.
"Please help me, Hero Jeok."
"I will."
Jeok Muryong replied calmly.
"But on one condition."
"I'll bring every food, fruit, spice, and drink available in Wuhuan—or rather, all of Hubei Province."
"...Exactly."
"Is food that great?"
Venerable Hong Gak shook his head.
"All good, just try to minimize the killing if you can. Even scum deserve more than extermination."
"Wise words. You've surely upheld that your whole life, old timer."
"......"
Venerable Hong Gak's face flushed red at Jeok Muryong's retort.
It mocked the man who had tried to kill him moments ago.
The others, unaware of the context, just looked puzzled at the pair.
Finally, Venerable Hong Gak exploded.
"You damned fiend! I can't stand the sight of you—get out!"
"No need to throw a tantrum; I'm leaving soon anyway."
"T-Tantrum? Tantrum?! Have I ever seen such a heaven-cursed wretch?"
"Monks curse with heavenly punishment now?"
"What?"
"Buddhism doesn't affirm divine retribution."
"......!"
"You need to restart your Buddhist studies. At seventy or eighty, you've still got time."
"Grr!"
Venerable Hong Gak could only flush with anger, speechless.
Jeok Muryong turned away with a victor's smile and walked off lightly.
Neung So-hwa bowed politely, Jin Choyoung hurriedly, and followed behind.
"V-Venerable."
Baek Un and Beom Won cautiously approached Venerable Hong Gak.
Unlike his earlier rage, he seemed surprisingly composed.
"What is it?"
"Are you alright?"
"And if I'm not? Think I'll drop dead?"
"N-No, that's not... Can we really let Benefactor Jeok's group go like this?"
"What else can we do?"
Venerable Hong Gak sighed.
"We committed a shameful act and received mercy in return. If that's not enough, I should quit being a monk right now."
"Pardon?"
"That fiend showed me mercy when I nearly broke the Killing Precept."
"Whaaat?!"
"Wh-What do you mean...?"
"What else? That Jeok Muryong thrashed me completely."
"......!"
"That's nothing to be ashamed of."
Ignoring the gaping Baek Un and Beom Won, Venerable Hong Gak continued.
"The real shame is something else."
"......"
"As that bastard said, I need to restart my Buddhist studies from scratch. Never was diligent anyway."
"V-Venerable."
"You two get back to your duties. If none, sweep the front gate."
As he turned to leave, Venerable Hong Gak froze.
Baek Un and Beom Won, following his gaze, also jolted.
"A-Abbot."
"When did you arrive?"
"Just now."
A deep voice resounded in the clearing.
"Hong Gak."
"...Go Hye."
"Much happened while I was away."
"Life's full of storms, isn't it?"
"You invoking life means you're hiding something. What is it?"
Venerable Hong Gak scowled.
Among Shaolin monks, Abbot Go Hye Seonsa had supported and promoted him the most, despite being an outsider.
Yet Venerable Hong Gak found him uncomfortable regardless.
'Those eyes.'
Eyes that seemed to pierce everything—and truly did.
That inhuman perceptiveness was chilling at times.
And most irritatingly...
'He's the abbot, so I have to obey.'
"What is it?"
At Abbot Go Hye Seonsa's repeated question, Venerable Hong Gak surrendered.
"Well, you see..."