Chapter 361: Shaolin Temple (1)

San Bi, who had been standing dazed for a while, turned to leave when Yong Hwarin spoke.

“Why do you go back on your own words?”

“What do you mean?”

As he spoke, the words he had promised Yong Hwarin suddenly resurfaced in his mind.

Grit!

Grinding his teeth, he glared at Yong Hwarin.

“A true man ought to keep his promises.”

San Bi’s body trembled violently as he clasped his hands and bowed toward Yong Hwarin.

“Hyung-nim, I’ll take my leave now.”

“Very well, go ahead, my brother.”

At those words, San Bi bit down on his lips until they nearly split.

When he turned his body sharply and began descending the mountain, the gathered monks burst into hearty laughter.

The voice of the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult calling Yong Hwarin “Hyung-nim” sounded to them as though it was addressed to themselves.

After losing to Yong Hwarin in their duel, San Bi had his subordinates hand over the keepsakes of Elder Man.

“Take this and deliver it to Elder Man’s wife. And this letter as well.”

The subordinate clasped his hands respectfully and soon disappeared from sight.

San Bi sought refuge at a secret branch of the Heavenly Sound Sect near Mount Song.

The branch leader, upon seeing the appearance of the Young Cult Leader, served him with utmost sincerity.

“Is there a closed-door training chamber here?”

In response to San Bi’s words, the branch leader answered,

“Yes, I have one that I use.”

“Take me there. If Elder Man’s wife comes from the Cult, inform me. Until then, aside from bringing food, no one is permitted entry.”

The branch leader immediately recalled Elder Man’s wife, for she was even more famous than her husband.

“You must mean Elder Zhen Tian Yin Ma Xian?”

“That’s right.”

“Ah, understood.”

Zhen Tian Yin Ma Xian Hye Bang had been a Great Demon from the previous generation, an infamous assassin who had once plunged the world into terror through her mastery of Sound Arts.

By killing countless orthodox masters with her sound arts, she had earned the name Blood Sound Witch. However, after joining Dark Echo Valley, she had come to be called Zhen Tian Yin Ma Xian.

Later, she took on a disciple and passed down her former title to her pupil.

As for herself, she had long since reached the very peak of Sound Arts in Murim. She eventually accepted Elder Man, who had persistently courted her for years, and spent her later days at his side.

Even while fighting Yong Hwarin, San Bi had carefully taken Elder Man’s keepsakes with him—not merely out of sentiment, but to draw Zhen Tian Yin Ma Xian into his schemes.

‘That Yong brat definitely played the flute while passing through the formation. The fact that he carries a flute means he plays it on occasion. That means a perfect opportunity to kill him with Sound Arts may yet arise.’

After settling in Dark Echo Valley, Zhen Tian Yin Ma Xian had never reappeared in Murim.

Thus, San Bi intended to draw her out with Elder Man’s death and have her eliminate Yong Hwarin.

Given the couple’s exceptional devotion, Zhen Tian Yin Ma Xian Hye Bang would surely act in response to her husband’s death.

While refining and internalizing the insights he had gained from Jungeuk Peak, San Bi entered seclusion, expecting that she would arrive at Dark Echo Valley in due time.

Many people could not enter within the grounds of Shaolin Temple, so entry was strictly limited.

Only the Sect Leaders and Young Masters of the various sects under the Alliance, along with two attendants each, were permitted to stay at Shaolin’s Guest Hall.

The rest of the martial artists and escorts had to remain in the towns or villages below the temple.

Those who had brought large entourages to flaunt their sect’s strength found their efforts wasted.

When Yong Hwarin descended from Jungeuk Peak and entered Shaolin, he saw guest monks guiding successors of the Nine Great Sects or prestigious clans.

But then, upon the sudden appearance of other monks, those guest monks pressed their palms together in reverence.

“We pay our respects to the Arhat Monks.”

Within Shaolin, the Eighteen Arhat Monks and the Four Great Vajras held a status far above that of ordinary disciples.

Each of them presided as head monks over major halls, giving them positions of great authority.

“Benefactor Yong! It has been a long time since we last met!”

The Arhat Monks approached warmly to greet Yong Hwarin.

Yong Hwarin smiled, pressed his palms together, and greeted them in return.

“Venerable Gak Woo, have you been well?”

He exchanged glances and polite greetings as well with the monks standing beside Gak Woo: Venerable Gak Yoo and Venerable Gak Un.

“Thanks to Benefactor Yong, I have been at peace. When we heard you were visiting Shaolin, we came to welcome you.”

The Arhat Monks were monks of rank, directly beneath the Elders of Shaolin.

Ordinarily, they would only come to greet the leaders of great sects. For them to come out to meet a mere heir of a single sect was unusual.

“The Head Abbot wishes to see you.”

Standing by Yong Hwarin’s side, Shaolin monk Jeong Hang was taken aback by those words.

The Head Abbot wished to see Yong Hwarin instead of himself. It made him feel as though he were being cast aside.

He had thought his own achievements from Jungeuk Peak would earn him a summons, yet it was Yong Hwarin who was being invited. The feeling was bitter.

Yong Hwarin lightly raised the White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword and asked,

“Is it because of this?”

“That as well, but when I reported to the Head Abbot what had transpired in Murim, he expressed his wish to meet Benefactor Yong in person.”

“I see. Then let us go.”

Yong Hwarin instructed Mo Biyoung and Jong Seok to join Yong Biyang, and then immediately headed to Shaolin’s Abbot Chamber.

Mo Biyoung and Jong Seok could not hide their pride as they watched Yong Hwarin.

Yong Hwarin was being treated on par with the Sect Leaders of the great sects upon entering Shaolin, the heart of all Murim, and that alone made them feel proud.

Many of the prodigies looked on enviously as Yong Hwarin walked by.

To have a private audience with the Abbot of Shaolin was something only a truly peerless master of Murim could attain.

And the fact that the Shaolin Abbot had summoned him immediately upon arrival was nothing short of enviable.

Yong Hwarin himself had not expected to be able to meet the Abbot of Shaolin so soon.

He was guided through the central grounds of Shaolin Temple to the Abbot’s Chamber.

On the way, he passed by more than ten halls, each radiating the sharp aura of the monks guarding them.

That was none other than the Eight Guardian Protectors of Shaolin, spoken of only in tales.

Shaolin was a vast temple complex with dozens upon dozens of halls.

From the Guest Hall alone, which could accommodate hundreds, to the thousand monks residing inside, its scale was immense.

The Abbot’s Chamber was a single hall, with nothing on its plaque but the word Abbot.

Most matters were overseen while living within that chamber.

It was not very different from the abodes of abbots in other temples.

The Abbot of Shaolin was Reverend Mang Wu, now nearly eighty years of age.

He was the oldest among all Abbots in Shaolin’s history, yet still vigorous and had not stepped down from his post.

“Yong Hwarin of Murim’s Final Flame greets the Abbot of Shaolin.”

He bowed with clasped hands, and Reverend Mang Wu returned the courtesy.

“At last, I meet Benefactor Yong, a pillar of Murim. Please, sit.”

Reverend Mang Wu dismissed everyone else, leaving only Venerable Gak Woo seated with them.

“Forgive me, but all I can offer as hospitality is a cup of tea.”

As Reverend Mang Wu personally poured the tea into his cup, Yong Hwarin lowered his head.

“Even this fragrance alone feels like a blessing beyond measure.”

Reverend Mang Wu chuckled at his words.

“Hoho, that may be the highest praise I’ve ever heard for tea.”

When the atmosphere had relaxed somewhat, Reverend Mang Wu finally spoke.

“I know you rendered great aid to the Arhat Monks. I also heard you even saved their lives. For that, this old monk is grateful.”

“Not at all, Abbot. The Arhat Monks are merely being humble with their words. I did not render such great help. Perhaps it is karma with Shaolin, or perhaps a bond with the Arhat Monks, but I am simply glad I could be of assistance.”

Mang Wu smiled as he looked at Yong Hwarin, who was being modest.

“Human bonds are like threads, always connected. Surely, it is because Shaolin and Benefactor Yong are bound by such a thread of destiny that such things are possible.”

After some light conversation, Mang Wu’s gaze fell on the White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword that Yong Hwarin had handed to Gak Woo upon entering the chamber.

No matter how esteemed a martial master, it was forbidden to bring swords or weapons into the Abbot’s Chamber.

Yong Hwarin had anticipated this and passed it to Gak Woo, though he thought it might be needed.

“Do you know the origins of that White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword?”

Believing the Abbot was finally arriving at the true subject, Yong Hwarin answered quietly.

“Yes, I am aware.”

Mang Wu nodded and continued.

“Not long ago, I met your father and spoke with him regarding it. From him, I also learned of your clan’s history.”

At those words, Yong Hwarin thought inwardly.

‘So Father truly knew that our clan was one of the Four Great Clans.’

Since his father had never spoken of the Four Great Divine Items or the clan’s heritage, Yong Hwarin had assumed either that he did not know, or that he had deliberately kept it hidden.

Mang Wu then asked gently,

“What do you intend to do with that sword?”

Though Yong Hwarin felt reluctant, if Shaolin truly wished to have the White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword, he was willing to relinquish it.

He thought Mang Wu was simply being courteous instead of directly asking for it, and replied,

“I brought the White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword to Shaolin for the very reason that if you desired it, I could return it.”

At those words, Mang Wu looked upon him with a kindly smile.

“Just as bonds connect one another, nothing in this world happens by mere coincidence. What we call chance is simply destiny in disguise. I believe it is no accident that the White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword has fallen into your hands.”

At this, Venerable Gak Woo, who had been silent until now, stepped forward.

“Abbot, the White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword is a treasure so important that even the Arhat Monks were mobilized for it. If it were carelessly given away to an outsider, the Disciplinary Hall and the Monastic Law Court would surely hold you accountable.”

Venerable Gak Woo was worried that the Abbot might be harassed by the rigid elders of those halls over this matter.

Mang Wu stroked his beard.

“I regret that the Keeper of Scriptures may be displeased, but the matter is already settled.”

Hearing this, Gak Woo was relieved. His relief that the Abbot would not suffer outweighed his disappointment at being left out of the decision.

But Yong Hwarin’s next question was unexpected.

“Abbot, I understand that since the White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword had long been in Shaolin’s possession, it would not be rude for me to request it. But why are you giving it to me?”

Even Mang Wu was surprised by the question, before breaking into hearty laughter.

“Hoho, truly, just as the Keeper of Scriptures said, Benefactor Yong is no ordinary man.”

With a pleasant smile, he spoke again.

“The White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword belongs to the Four Great Clans, and I know well it is an unparalleled Divine Item. But if you are indeed the descendant of the Azure Dragon King among the Four Great Clans, then you are fully qualified to be its rightful master.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep