Chapter 339
Chapter 339
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 339
Chapter Title: The Fisherman
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Hwayeon Divine Nun's inhalation deepened slightly.
Hyeon-gong tensed up immediately. Whenever a martial artist's breathing changed abruptly like this, it usually meant a fight was about to follow.
'I was careless.'
Mentioning her connection to the Three-Eyed Buddha must have touched Hwayeon Divine Nun's reverse scale.
Of course, he had anticipated some kind of reaction, but he hadn't expected it to be this intense.
'Is she going to attack?'
It wasn't certain yet. But the mere possibility of an attack was a massive problem.
Hwayeon Divine Nun asked.
"Hyeon-gong."
"Yes."
"Did you come alone?"
Through that question, Hyeon-gong gained certainty.
The ominous four characters "kill and eradicate" must be floating in Hwayeon Divine Nun's mind.
However, Hyeon-gong had no intention of accepting death meekly.
Hadn't he overcome countless obstacles to stand here today?
Hyeon-gong's mind began turning again.
'How should I respond?'
Answering straightforwardly here with "Yes, I came alone" might get him killed.
But pretending to have companions and spinning lies wasn't a good option either. It would surely add insolence to his crimes.
In times like this, he needed to find a third path—neither affirmation nor denial.
To devise such a path, however, there was something he needed to figure out first.
Why was Hwayeon Divine Nun trying so hard to hide her relationship with the Three-Eyed Buddha?
'Because a senior figure in the martial world is embarrassed to show a human side?'
No. Hwayeon Divine Nun wasn't the type to hide her human side.
She got angry when angry and joyful when happy. She was someone who enjoyed the joys and sorrows in romance novels. He'd even heard she was proactive with love advice.
'Embarrassed because two former Buddhists developed feelings for each other?'
It was relatively plausible, but he couldn't be certain it was the answer.
The Three-Eyed Buddha had left Shaolin Temple decades ago, and Hwayeon Divine Nun's departure from Emei Sect was also from a distant past. She didn't seem the type to be bound now by the precepts from her nun days.
'No, that's definitely not it.'
Hwayeon Divine Nun had clearly already broken the precept against forming attachments to the opposite sex.
Would she break the precept against killing just to hide that violation? Absurd.
'Then what's the problem?'
Hyeon-gong's brain raced desperately.
At the same time, his eyes moved minimally, taking in his surroundings. A pristine room without excess possessions. Neat attire and undisturbed hair. And Hwayeon Divine Nun's large eyes—
'Large eyes?'
Hyeon-gong realized something crucial.
Unlike before, Hwayeon Divine Nun's face bore traces of makeup.
Women typically used several kinds of makeup.
Eyebrow ink to blacken brows, forehead yellow to tint the forehead, three whites to whiten forehead, nose, and cheeks. There were many more gaudy, elaborate types besides.
But Hwayeon Divine Nun's makeup was different.
Just a light rouge to accentuate her cheeks' color and a touch of snail ink to make her eyes appear larger. That was all.
Very subtle makeup. But it was telling that she had chosen those two specifically.
Accentuating cheek color, making eyes look bigger. Both were makeup styles meant to appear even a little younger. Not something fitting for Hwayeon Divine Nun, who already looked extraordinarily youthful.
In that moment, a flash of insight exploded in Hyeon-gong's mind.
Through the clue of makeup, he fully understood why Hwayeon Divine Nun hid her relationship with the Three-Eyed Buddha.
Yet Hwayeon Divine Nun, watching Hyeon-gong, felt no incongruity.
His expression showed no change, and it had taken only a single breath for him to complete his judgment.
'Don't rush.'
Hyeon-gong replied in a calm voice.
"Venerable Hwayeon, please compose yourself. I have no intention of meddling in your relationship with Venerable Three-Eyed Buddha."
Of course, those words didn't sway Hwayeon Divine Nun at all. Instead, her tone grew even fiercer.
"No intention of meddling, yet you tried to grasp my weakness? Insolent wretch. If you thought a minor acquaintance could cover your scheming intentions, you misjudged."
However, Hyeon-gong acted as if he couldn't comprehend at all, as if he hadn't even noticed her killing intent.
"Weakness? How is that a weakness? Venerable Three-Eyed Buddha may have an intimidating appearance, but he is profound and skilled at understanding others. It's only natural for a young woman full of curiosity to admire him. Even someone who was once a monk is no exception."
Hyeon-gong seemed to assert that the relationship between the two former monks was nothing to deny. But one phrase pierced Hwayeon Divine Nun's ears particularly clearly.
'A young woman full of curiosity?'
In truth, Hwayeon Divine Nun felt considerable guilt and a sense of immorality about her relationship with the Three-Eyed Buddha.
It wasn't because of their past as Buddhists. Hadn't both she and the Three-Eyed Buddha left the Buddhist path?
Moreover, too much time had passed since ending her nun life for her to feel guilt over such reasons. That was why she had reclaimed her name Hwayeon instead of her dharma name.
Rather, Hwayeon Divine Nun's guilt and immorality stemmed from the age difference between herself and the Three-Eyed Buddha.
When the Three-Eyed Buddha first saw the light of day, she was already renowned as Emei Sect's core expert, Senior Nun Hwayeon.
By the time young Three-Eyed Buddha was cooking rice, fetching water, and chopping firewood at Shaolin Temple to get by, she had already become Emei Sect's leader, called Divine Nun Hwayeon.
There were countless differences between Hwayeon Divine Nun and the Three-Eyed Buddha. Differences in status, martial prowess, reputation, and age.
Unlike gaps in wealth or martial arts, which could be bridged or widened, age differences could not be altered by any means.
Thus, every time Hwayeon Divine Nun saw the Three-Eyed Buddha, she thought:
What difference was there between her relationship with him and that of a woman in her fifties or sixties toying with a boy in his teens?
She knew her appearance didn't match her actual age. But Hwayeon Divine Nun's thoughts didn't waver.
Even if rejuvenated to a youthful body, the soul inside remained the same.
Even while spending joyful times with the Three-Eyed Buddha, Hwayeon Divine Nun occasionally felt guilt like an old hag teasing a young man. This was her deep, private worry, unknown even to the Three-Eyed Buddha.
That was why the otherwise forthright Hwayeon Divine Nun desperately hid her relationship with him.
She feared the world would see it as pathetic and absurd, pointing fingers at how she could show affection to such a vastly younger man.
But Hyeon-gong's words held none of that gaze.
As Hwayeon Divine Nun hesitated, Hyeon-gong continued.
"It's no surprise if Three-Eyed Buddha harbors feelings for you, Venerable Hwayeon. It's been at least thirty years since he left Shaolin Temple for the Demonic Cult. Meeting someone brimming with vibrant life energy would naturally make flowers bloom in his withered, cracked heart. He probably couldn't hide his affections either."
Hyeon-gong continued with words that skirted slightly away from Hwayeon Divine Nun's worries and guilt.
But that very fact reassured her all the more. The phrasing subtly pleased her too.
Hwayeon Divine Nun posed an ambiguous question.
"But our age difference is no small matter..."
Hyeon-gong answered without hesitation.
"Narrow-minded people might see Three-Eyed Buddha as pathetic for it. Plenty would pity you, Venerable Hwayeon.
But I assume you've already foreseen as much, with your profound insight. Relationships between men and women are not for others to judge. If Venerable Three-Eyed Buddha feels self-reproach and suffers, you need only care for him well. That will resolve everything."
The moment Hyeon-gong finished speaking, Hwayeon Divine Nun trembled with a subtle thrill of delight.
The guilt he described was inverted in direction.
Not people pointing at her and pitying Three-Eyed Buddha, but pointing at him and pitying her.
The idea that she might even appear the victim. Hyeon-gong's perspective thrilled her like nothing else.
Unlike at the start, Hwayeon Divine Nun spoke in a lighter tone. She subtly hinted at her concern.
"Few would see it that way upon looking at us. I've undergone rejuvenation, after all. The circumstances make it a bit special for anyone to call Three-Eyed Buddha pathetic..."
Hyeon-gong realized her tone had softened considerably.
He was now definitely out of mortal danger. What remained was how well he could coax her.
Hyeon-gong spoke in a voice laced with regret.
"I understand the situation is somewhat awkward. But you must also understand people's gazes. It's rejuvenation to youth. Returning to childhood, literally. In this situation, Three-Eyed Buddha developed feelings for you, Venerable Hwayeon, so it's inevitable that people question his tastes."
"No. Don't you call me 'Venerable' too? Rejuvenation and actually becoming a child are different matters..."
Hwayeon Divine Nun tried hard to look extremely troubled. It was fairly convincing acting.
But it wasn't enough to fool Hyeon-gong's eyes.
"In truth, that honorific is just me showing respect as a martial artist to a senior. If I weren't one, I'd speak casually. Like, 'Hwayeon, have you eaten?' That's actually far more natural and comfortable for me..."
Hyeon-gong rambled on before startling as if realizing his rudeness belatedly, covering his mouth.
"Oh dear, I don't mean I'll speak that way from now on. Forgive me this once even if it felt rude."
"Hmm, hm. It's fine. I'm not that narrow-minded."
The conversation paused briefly.
Now even Hwayeon Divine Nun vaguely wondered why she'd gotten angry at Hyeon-gong. Recalling, she said.
"Oh right, you came seeking instruction? I'm busy tending to Nanhyang, so I'm not sure if I have time to teach you martial arts."
Hwayeon Divine Nun had essentially revealed her willingness to pass on martial arts.
But loosening the reins here and showing his hand would be amateurish. Hyeon-gong shook his head.
"Yes? No. I didn't come to you for martial arts, Venerable. If I desperately wanted martial arts, I'd have returned to Wudang Mountain."
"Then what instruction did you seek by coming to me?"
Hyeon-gong bowed his head shyly. His reddened ears clearly betrayed his bashfulness.
"Venerable, you saw Seolhwa at the Three Valleys Village last time, right?"
"The colorblind girl? Of course I remember."
"Yes. Truth is, I have feelings for Seolhwa, but there's no progress, so I've been悩悩. While agonizing, Mujin gave me a hint."
"What hint?"
"That you, Venerable Hwayeon, are exceptionally skilled at understanding matters of the heart between men and women."
If Dansullyeong heard that, her blood would boil, but Hyeon-gong's expression showed not the slightest flicker.
Hwayeon Divine Nun felt deep guilt. She'd nearly harmed him over an absurd misunderstanding!
Hwayeon Divine Nun cleared her throat to hide her flustered inner thoughts.
"Of course. I'm quite adept in such matters."
Only by shedding impatience does one become a seasoned fisherman. Even if the fish bites the bait, you must confirm the hook is set before reeling in.
But this time, Hyeon-gong took a passive stance.
"Truthfully, after meeting you, my confidence faded. With your peerless beauty, Venerable Hwayeon, surely many have harbored affections for you. I'm afraid you might view romance between ordinary people too simply. Unlike you, I must approach love from a common person's perspective."
Skilled praise disguised as doubt. Hwayeon Divine Nun was swayed by Hyeon-gong's masterful words.
"No need to worry about that. My knowledge and experience are considerable."
Her direct experience amounted to just once, but having experience versus none was a world of difference. Hwayeon Divine Nun's confidence soared to the heavens.
Hyeon-gong asked cautiously.
"If I receive your instruction, can I win Seolhwa's heart? My situation is desperate, so please answer sincerely."
Hwayeon Divine Nun nodded contentedly and beckoned Hyeon-gong.
"Of course. Come in and sit. Heeya! Do we have guests? Bring some fine tea."
"Yes."
Soon, the sound of a courtesan from the loft heading downstairs for tea echoed. Hwayeon Divine Nun offered Hyeon-gong a seat and smiled in satisfaction.
Hyeon-gong discreetly gauged Hwayeon Divine Nun's mood.
He had sought instruction on romance instead of martial arts to avoid suspicion. But that was no big issue.
It had taken only about half a quarter-hour to coax someone intent on taking his life into treating him to tea.
Coaxing her again for martial arts advice would be simplicity itself.
"Very well. Tell me what you know about Seolhwa."
"She's a colorblind girl from the north. But I'm worried because she seems more interested in martial arts than in me."
As Hyeon-gong casually tossed the bait, Hwayeon Divine Nun lit up with joy.
"Is that so? That's a simple matter. Your martial achievements are already outstanding, so with a little guidance from me to enhance them, capturing Seolhwa's heart will be easy."
Exactly the reaction he intended.
Hyeon-gong feigned startled surprise and reeled in the line with vigor.
"There's a method like that!"
Both Hwayeon Divine Nun and Hyeon-gong were happy.