Vol. 1 Chapter 2.1

Contrary to Yeon’s expectations, the carriage stopped near Mount Song, where Shaolin Temple was located. It was because of the rule that no women could be allowed inside the temple grounds.

“They have a rule like that?”

As Yeon looked bewildered, Hwangbo Jeong-gun tried to appease her.

“It’s not just us. Everyone attending the gathering has agreed to stay here.”

“Is that really necessary?”

“But think about it, Yeon-ah. There are many monks at Shaolin who have lived their entire lives in the temple. Wouldn’t it be hard for them to suddenly come face to face with women? Especially if they saw a beauty like our Yeon-ah they wouldn’t be able to sleep from all the torment.”

Having let his doting father side show, Hwangbo Jeong-gun cleared his throat in embarrassment. Yeon reluctantly nodded, but she was still disappointed.

Just then, a small child came running from afar. His round, hairless head stood out.

“You must be the guests from the Hwangbo Clan. My name is Hyun-oh, and I’ve been assigned to guide you.”

With two hands in a prayer gesture and his head bowed, he was just as cute as So-jin. Yeon barely resisted the urge to pat his shiny head and said,

“Nice to meet you, Monk Hyun-oh.”

“Yes, benefactor.”

The novice monk Hyun-oh’s face turned bright red as he looked at Yeon. In Yeon’s eyes, he seemed far more conscious of So-jin than of her. He wouldn’t even glance in So-jin’s direction.

“The gathering will begin in two days. Tonight, there will be a social exchange for the younger generation.”

“Where will that be held?”

“At the Guest House, benefactor. Do you see that tallest building over there?”

Hyun-oh’s small finger pointed toward a tall roof sticking up.

“Then I’ll first guide you to your lodgings.”

Bowing his head, Hyun-oh walked ahead. Watching his small retreating back, Hwangbo Jeong-gun gestured to Yeon.

“See Yeon-ah? Even that young monk is shy.”

“I don’t think it’s because of me, though.”

“Hm?”

Without answering, Yeon followed Hyun-oh. When they arrived at the lodgings, So-jin spoke to Hyun-oh.

“Excuse me, monk. Is there a separate place to put our luggage?”

It was an innocent question, but Hyun-oh flinched as if startled. He must not have expected So-jin to speak to him directly. His youthful cheeks instantly flushed red as he stammered.

“Th-that’s over there…”

“And the bathroom? There’s a separate one for our young lady to use, right?”

“That’s also over there…”

“Huh? Where?”

As Hyun-oh hesitated, So-jin leaned in, finding it frustrating. Hyun-oh recoiled as if terrified and shouted,

“Luggage is that way! The bathroom is that way! There’s also one in the south. Now, please rest comfortably!”

Firing off his words like a rapid-fire rap, Hyun-oh fled the scene. It wasn’t quite running, but it definitely wasn’t walking more like a power walk.

“Why did he suddenly act like that?”

So-jin, with her innocent expression, tilted her head as if she had no idea. So-jin was adorable but terribly dense.

 

 

* * *

 

 

After unpacking at the lodgings, Hwangbo Jeong-gun said,

“Rest comfortably, Yeon-ah. I need to go meet some of the other clan leaders who arrived early.”

“Take care.”

“Alright. Don’t wander off…. you might get lost, so stay in the lodgings as much as possible.”

“Oh, Father. Do I look like a child?”

“Hm? O-of course not.”

Hwangbo Jeong-gun looked a bit deflated at Yeon’s reaction. But even he thought his last remark was a bit much, so he ultimately turned away.

“Ahem.. then I’ll be off, Yeon-ah.”

“Yes.”

As soon as Hwangbo Jeong-gun disappeared, Yeon said to So-jin,

“Let’s go, So-jin.”

“Where, miss?”

“Let’s look around a bit.”

And also see if there are any handsome men.

Leaving the last part unsaid, Yeon tugged on So-jin’s arm.

 

* * *

 

The place Shaolin had prepared for the guests attending the gathering was quite impressive. It was only natural, since preparations had begun as soon as the last gathering ended.

Putting aside whether Shaolin itself had that kind of wealth, among Shaolin’s lay disciples were local magnates and famous merchants.

There was no way they would miss such a golden opportunity. Getting on people’s radar at times like these strengthened their connection to Shaolin.

The buildings were both classic and kept Shaolin’s atmosphere. The edges of the spacious grounds were densely lined with tall Chinese arborvitae trees. The walking path beneath the trees looked as natural as if it had always been there.

Among the thicket of trees it was a mystery how they had arrived here, a dark figure was hiding. The nine ordination marks on his bald head, visible through the leaves, were distinct.

His identity was “Iron Arhat” Gong-yeo, a junior of Shaolin who had recently completed his closed-door training. But in truth, the training was only nominal. It was no different from a punishment directly ordered by the abbot for his troublemaking ways.

“It’s been so long since I’ve been out.”

Gong-yeo deeply inhaled the sweet air of the mortal world. Though it was forbidden for Shaolin monks, especially him to come here, he simply couldn’t resist. The lively festival atmosphere could be heard even within Shaolin’s grounds.

An orthodox martial arts gathering. Beautiful women from all over would be flocking here. He could already hear their cheerful laughter ringing in his ears.

“Kruh… Even a Shaolin monk couldn’t stand this. Aaam.”

Even Bodhidharma, who had meditated facing a wall in a stone cave for nine full years, wouldn’t have been able to stand this. No? Then there must not have been any martial arts gatherings back then!

To tell him to stay holed up in the temple at a time like this? Was that something to say to someone who had just been released from confinement? Come to think of it, this damned Shaolin had absolutely no respect for human rights.

“Aren’t monks people too? Or are we not people?”

Gong-yeo punched the air as he spoke, not even sure who he was talking to. Even so, he didn’t forget to glance around. For a monk, he was overly cautious.

Just then, Gong-yeo saw someone enter the walking path entrance. A slender woman and a young girl followed beside her.

A-A female benefactor. And an incredibly beautiful one! Oh, Buddha, thank you. Amitabha!

Soon, the two drew closer to the tree he was hiding under. Close enough that he could hear their quiet conversation.

“Miss, what exactly do you need me to help with?”

“So, later, when I enter the Guest House, introduce me as the daughter of the Hwangbo Clan. Announce it loudly so everyone can hear. Something like, ‘Presenting the young lady!’”

“Y-yes? Why would you…?”

“What do you mean, why? Because I need it.”

“Miss, no matter what, that’s a bit…”

Gong-yeo didn’t know what they were talking about, but it didn’t matter. Just hearing their voices was enough. It felt like all his suffering was melting away like snow.

Looking again, the taller benefactor was an extraordinary beauty. She was undoubtedly a leading figure in her region.

Ah, for such a beautiful benefactor to personally visit Shaolin… I want to at least offer my thanks.

You just want to see her up close.

Having even deceived himself, Gong-yeo tidied his worn monk’s robes. He also rubbed his bald head with his frayed sleeve. Though it only made it shinier.

“But this… I’ve been locked up for so long, my clothes are in terrible shape…”

After a moment’s thought, he subtly opened the front of his tied robes. Because the only thing he had any confidence in was his trained body.

If the abbot ever found out about this kind of thinking, he’d be reciting scriptures as a punishment, but no one was watching now, right? Besides, he’d been harboring complaints for a long time.

I trained myself to death…why can’t I show it off?

If not now, when would he ever use his well-defined muscles? To show them to the enlightened elder monks who had transcended all worldly matters? Or should he take off his top while meditating facing a wall?

In fact, it was exactly this kind of thing that got him labeled a problem child, but Gong-yeo had no intention of coming to his senses. He gritted his teeth and muttered,

“I’ve endured enough. Today, I’m going to do it. A conversation with a lovely young lady, and a struggle for my freedom!”

With an expression that would make anyone think he had made a monumental decision, Gong-yeo leaped down from the tree with flair.

“Cha-ha!”