Holy Relic (1)
I was startled and quickly turned around.
“……”
Yeo Eung-am Warrior stood frozen in the exact pose he'd held while gazing at Grandmaster Hye-gon Seongseung.
His body roiled with turbulent energy.
Yeo Eung-am Warrior had reached his moment of enlightenment, too.
No, what the hell is in Grandmaster Hye-gon Seongseung's holy relic that not only the Shaolin monks but even Yeo Eung-am Warrior is lost in a trance?
At that moment, the Abbot approached me and clasped his hands in a deep bow.
“Amitabha! We are truly grateful. Thanks to you, our Shaolin has received immense blessings.”
“What have I even done to warrant such thanks?”
“They say excessive humility becomes rudeness. We'll prepare a room for you—go rest. It seems difficult to focus on conversation right now.”
I glanced at Yeo Eung-am Warrior and nodded in agreement.
“I agree.”
The Abbot gave instructions to the other monks before ascending the stairs.
His quarters must be up there.
One of the monks then approached me.
“I am Jong-o of the Gihyeok Hall. Allow me to guide you to your quarters for rest.”
“I'm fine—please guide my attendant instead.”
I shook my head slightly and said to Palgap,
“Palgap, go get shown to our lodgings and unpack.”
“Understood, young master.”
At my words, Monk Jong-o asked,
“Won't you be joining him, patron?”
“I... it'll take some time for me.”
Seeming to understand, he smiled softly.
“What a fine lord you are.”
“Not really...”
I gave a wry smile in response, then addressed the guards.
“Anyone who's tired can go with Palgap and rest.”
The guards all shook their heads.
“We need to protect Yeo Warrior.”
“We're not that tired.”
In truth, the trance state was the most dangerous. An external shock could lead to qi deviation.
That could mean death—or a life as a cripple.
“Then why aren't you heading to your quarters, my lord?”
As Seo-u Warrior asked, I stood beside him and replied,
“The view from here is just too good.”
The guards exchanged looks and chuckled.
“Why the laughter?”
“The weather's so nice, it just makes us smile.”
We all laughed together.
“Since it's come to this, we'll split into shifts to stand guard. It won't end in a short time.”
The guards nodded.
“Sounds good. I've heard of people who stayed in trance for seven days and nights.”
“Exactly why we need shifts.”
Of course, being in Shaolin grounds, the monks would gladly stand guard if asked.
But with enough manpower, no need to owe favors.
We divided into three teams.
Seo-u Warrior and I-pil Warrior; Jin Yu Warrior and Myeong-jong Warrior; me and Chang-un Warrior.
Since I'd need to speak with the Abbot tomorrow, I took the first shift today.
.
.
.
.
Even by the next morning, Yeo Eung-am Warrior hadn't awakened.
I switched with the other guards and headed to the lodgings for breakfast.
“You're back, young master?”
“Yeah.”
“Yeo Warrior still...?”
“Yeah, still.”
“When do you think he'll come out of it?”
“Who knows? Nobody does. I'm hungry—food.”
“Right away.”
I enjoyed the breakfast Palgap brought, then sipped tea while resting.
Whew...
Protecting someone requires total vigilance—it's exhausting.
Guards are amazing.
“Young master, time to wake up.”
Palgap shook me awake.
“Huh?”
When did I fall asleep?
“The Abbot summons you.”
“The Abbot?”
I sat up quickly.
“Now?”
“The novice said he'd return in half a shichen.”
“Did you tell him I was sleeping?”
“No, the novice mentioned it first.”
The Abbot must have known I'd dozed off briefly and arranged accordingly.
“Guess I should freshen up before seeing him. Prepare clean clothes and bring some tea.”
“Yes, young master.”
After downing the tea Palgap brought, my head cleared a bit.
I changed clothes, tidied my appearance, and grabbed a box from the saddlebag.
Just then—half a shichen later—the novice arrived to fetch me.
The novice was quite cute; if he grew up like this, he'd make a handsome monk.
Not everyone who enters Shaolin stays for life.
Only those talented in sutra study or martial arts remain.
Fewer than half of entrants, from what I'd heard.
And even among them, not all become true disciples of Mount Song.
Only the elite form the Eighteen Arhats or Four Great Diamond Guardians.
This novice seems talented, though?
Is that why he's attending the Abbot?
Since reaching Super First-rate, I'd started sensing others' martial aptitude.
Is this why masters wander the jianghu, spotting promising kids and saying, 'Won't you be my disciple?'
Just then, Jin Yu Warrior—who was still waiting for his shift—spoke up.
“I'll escort you, my lord.”
“This is Shaolin—no need.”
“Still...”
“Shift change soon, right? Protect Yeo Warrior this time. I'll go with Palgap.”
I followed the novice with Palgap.
The Abbot's quarters were deep inside.
About an hour's walk?
Then I sensed presences—guards.
This place?
“Grandmaster, Patron Eun Seo-ho has arrived.”
“Enter.”
Ah, so this was the Abbot's residence.
Far more modest than a clan lord's or sect leader's—more like a simple annex.
I opened the door, entered, and saw the Abbot seated, watching me.
I cupped my hands in salute.
“Eun Seo-ho of the Small Business greets the Abbot.”
“Come in. Rested well?”
“Thanks to your consideration, yes.”
The Abbot smiled at my reply.
“First, thanks for helping bring Grandmaster Hye-jin's holy relic.”
“It was fated.”
This wasn't humility. Without Hyun-ro-do telling me the path, I wouldn't have met the Jicheong monks.
Then... in this life too, Grandmaster Hye-gon Seongseung's remains would have met a tragic end.
Come to think of it, shouldn't he be the one thanking me profusely?
He smiled at me twice—was that his thanks?
The Abbot continued.
“I heard from Monk Jeong-myeong. You aided those in distress on your way to Gansu.”
“How could I pass by those suffering before my eyes? And that was a donation, but they actually returned the full amount.”
“A donation?”
“Yes. But calling it that might burden the monks, so I phrased it differently.”
I presented the bill of exchange.
“So I've brought it back.”
The Abbot looked troubled at the bill.
“Refusing would slight your sincerity, so I must accept. But we have many patrons—no need for livelihood worries.”
“All thanks to Shaolin's long-built reputation and virtues, no?”
“Grateful for those words.”
After a moment's thought, the Abbot made an unexpected proposal.
“I'll gratefully accept your donation. In return, may I ask one favor?”
“Of course.”
“Use it to help those in greater need of sustenance.”
“Pardon?”
“You see more such people than we do. Please.”
“Ah... alright.”
I reluctantly took it back.
Dealing with the truly desireless is the hardest.
Maybe because I'm a merchant, used to dealing with the greedy.
“And the advice you gave Jeong-myeong—also grateful. I heard the gist from the disciple dispatched to the Murim Alliance. To think I'd nearly entered that sword tomb without knowing its true nature!”
“In the end, no one entered—it collapsed. Probably Grandmaster Hye-gon Seongseung, not wanting others hurt.”
“Perhaps.”
The Abbot continued.
“That's why I invited you personally to express thanks. I'd have gone to Beijing myself, but that might burden you too much. This old monk draws much attention, you see.”
“Your thoughtfulness is appreciated.”
Truly fortunate.
I'd rather avoid Murim attention.
“Sorry to bother a busy man.”
“No matter.”
I waved it off.
“Don't worry. I had reason to visit Shaolin and see you anyway.”
The Abbot tilted his head.
“Reason to see me?”
“I was entrusted with an item for Shaolin. Somehow, fate made it my role.”
“That box you brought?”
“Yes.”
I placed the box before him.
“What's this?”
“Grandmaster Hye-gon Seongseung's bequest to Shaolin.”
The Abbot's eyes widened; with trembling hands, he opened it.
Inside: a book, a letter, and gold ingots.
“May I ask where you got this?”
“Of course. It was in the sword tomb at Yeonji Mountain in Gansu Province.”
I briefly explained how I'd gone there and the events after.
“...And on the way back after everything, I found a spirit herb. Lifting the rock to dig it up, I discovered this box.”
Of course, a lie.
But I couldn't say I'd entered to collapse it and found it then.
Buddha would understand this much.
“……”
After silently regarding me, the Abbot nodded.
“Where it was found matters little. Bringing it to Shaolin does.”
...Did he see through the lie?
“Does anyone else know?”
“Just me and my guard who found it with me. Now you, Grandmaster.”
I continued.
“I don't know what it is—read the letter, but left the book unread to deliver as-is.”
“I see.”
The Abbot read the letter, folded it, stroked the book repeatedly, then looked at me.
“You seem fated with Shaolin somehow. Otherwise...”
I smiled.
I think so too. But I'd rather pass on more entanglements.
Though if I want Shaolin's help later... guess I endure.
The Abbot took out a gold ingot and offered it.
“This is yours. You acted as the letter instructed—fully qualified.”
This time, I accepted.
I could claim it openly.
“Thank you.”
Even handing it over, no greed or regret in his eyes.
Is that possible?
“And...”
More to say?
“I heard your aid was key to safely retrieving Grandmaster Hye-jin's holy relic. You convinced everyone.”
I scratched my cheek.
“Shaolin has received so many graces from you. We won't forget.”
“No graces—just happy to help.”
“No. We'd prepared a token gift, but seeing this, it's insufficient. Stay a bit longer.”
“Gladly. One guard's still in trance; I planned to ask anyway.”
I withdrew from the Abbot's quarters and returned to mine with the novice's guidance.
Back in my room, I pulled the golden bell from my sleeve.
It had been chirping since earlier, eyes sparkling at me.
“Kui! Kui!”
Claiming credit for finding the spirit herb—demanding Kaepyeong.
“Didn't I give you some before?”
It shook its head, insisting it remembered I hadn't.
Great memory. Tch!
Thought I'd slipped by.
Still, it did well—praise time.
I offered a gold piece; it rolled across the table, licking it.
Watching, I recalled the Abbot's sound-transmitted words from moments ago.
"From you... I sense the winter wind."
Did he... notice?