Chapter 362 : Shaolin Temple (2)
Chapter 362: Shaolin Temple (2)
After obtaining the White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword, Reverend Mang Wu came to learn about the Four Great Clans and the Four Divine Items.
Since it was a divine item subdued and taken when the White Tiger King had provoked long ago, he knew well of its history.
Though he seemed to have spoken of the reason, Reverend Mang Wu had yet to reveal his true thoughts.
Yong Hwarin also knew this and waited in silence.
Despite being so young, the fact that Yong Hwarin knew how to converse properly impressed Reverend Mang Wu.
The patience to wait until the other party spoke was something difficult for the spirited youth.
‘There is no genius who could surpass Jeong Hang, or so I thought, yet this old monk sees another today.’
Sensing the mysterious energy that Yong Hwarin was gathering while seated, Reverend Mang Wu could not help but acknowledge that it surpassed even Jeong Hang.
“Originally, this White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword was meant for my disciple, Jeong Hang. But it seems to have found its true master, so I let it go. Moreover, I foresee that soon, a storm of blood shall sweep over Murim. I give this to you, hoping you will protect the righteous spirit of Murim on the battlefield.”
Yong Hwarin twitched his nose at those words.
‘In the end, he’s telling me to take the lead in the war against the Three Demonic Heavens.’
It was not an unexpected answer, but hearing it still left him displeased.
“The gathering of the Three Central Alliances here at Shaolin is to block that storm of blood. If they split apart and raise different voices, there is no way they can withstand the fierce might of the Three Demonic Heavens. That is why we must unite as one.”
Yong Hwarin wondered why Reverend Mang Wu was repeating what everyone at Shaolin already knew, and he looked into the old monk’s eyes.
“I believe that Benefactor Yong will be of great help there.”
“For the peace of Murim, I will give my all until the very end.”
With that reply, he showed the spirit of a true martial artist.
Though calculated, the sincerity within those words made Reverend Mang Wu laugh softly.
For upon seeing such an outstanding prodigy, he believed Murim’s future would be bright.
“There is a request I wish to make of you. Will you hear it?”
“Please speak, whatever it may be.”
The way Yong Hwarin only gave pleasing answers made him want to reach out and pat the boy’s head.
‘A child who knows courtesy yet also how to speak without offending others.’
Reverend Mang Wu now understood why the Arhats praised Yong Hwarin with such fervor.
Especially the Keeper of Scriptures, Gak Woo, a man stingy with compliments even toward Shaolin’s disciples.
Even when speaking of Jeong Hang, he was stingy in praise, yet when mentioning Yong Hwarin, his eyes lit up, saying he wished to meet the prodigy at least once.
And today, meeting him in person, Reverend Mang Wu realized the rumors had not been exaggerated at all.
Yong Hwarin’s circulation of qi harmonized naturally with Nature’s Energy, flowing without resistance to his own.
‘How can one so young achieve such a realm?’
Thus, Reverend Mang Wu wanted to see the boy’s true skill for the last time.
“Would you show me the demeanor befitting the master of the White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword?”
Knowing this to be Reverend Mang Wu’s final test, Yong Hwarin grew cautious.
Though the monk said he was giving him the sword, Shaolin always had the power and right to take it back.
So if Yong Hwarin was to truly make it his own, he needed to leave an impression forever carved into Shaolin’s memory.
“May I hold the White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword for a moment?”
With Reverend Mang Wu’s permission, he received the sword from Great Reverend Gak Woo and lightened it by channeling the Nine Dragons Heavenly Ascent Technique.
Because of the Azure Dragon Three Marbles already fitted within, the White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword became as light as a sheet of paper.
Yong Hwarin glanced at a tea leaf, no bigger than a fallen leaf beside the teacup, and spoke.
“Reverend, would you lift that tea leaf into the air with the bare minimum of true qi, using Psychokinesis?”
Curious what the boy intended to show, Reverend Mang Wu raised the leaf into the air.
“Please, only maintain just enough qi for the leaf to float.”
“That is what I am doing.”
As soon as he answered, Yong Hwarin prepared to place the White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword atop the floating tea leaf.
Great Reverend Gak Woo exclaimed.
“Wait, are you trying to place the sword upon the tea leaf?”
“Yes.”
He spoke out of concern. There was no need to take such a reckless risk.
Reverend Mang Wu only wanted to gauge the boy’s heart. But Yong Hwarin, in trying to prove himself, might embarrass himself instead.
No matter how talented a prodigy he was, a tea leaf barely supported by the slightest qi could not possibly bear the weight of a sword.
Understanding Gak Woo’s worry, Yong Hwarin smiled.
And without hesitation, he set the White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword upon the tea leaf.
Immediately, gasps and astonished exclamations escaped their lips.
“Unbelievable!”
“Heh...”
Even staring at the sword resting atop the leaf, they could scarcely believe it.
For clearly, there was no flow of qi from Yong Hwarin.
This meant he was not lifting it with Psychokinesis at all—the sword itself had truly become as light as paper.
Moments later, Yong Hwarin lifted the sword again, retrieved the power of the Azure Dragon Three Marbles, and returned the weapon respectfully to Reverend Mang Wu with both hands.
Upon feeling its true weight once more, the old monk chanted.
“Amitabha!”
Though lighter than a common iron sword, the White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword was never so light that it could rest upon a tea leaf.
Whatever trick he had used, placing that heavy sword upon such a fragile support had clearly proven who its true master was.
Had he merely split a rock with the blade, it would not have been half as impressive.
Such things were abilities anyone could achieve once their cultivation reached the stage of Three Gaps.
But to make a heavy sword float upon a tea leaf—this was impossible, even with the power of Three Gaps.
“Shall I show you more?”
When Yong Hwarin asked, Reverend Mang Wu smiled gently.
“It is already enough. From this day on, Shaolin shall never again claim ownership over the White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword.”
When the Abbot of Shaolin made this promise, Yong Hwarin bowed his head.
“Thank you.”
With a lighter heart, Yong Hwarin left the Abbot’s chamber.
If the White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword had truly been a lost item of Shaolin, he could only have returned it.
But since they had acknowledged him as its rightful master, there was no longer any need to worry.
After Yong Hwarin left, Reverend Mang Wu asked Gak Woo.
“What do you think?”
Awakened from his thoughts by the sudden question, Gak Woo blinked.
“Compared with Jeong Hang, I mean.”
“Ah… if compared, Benefactor Yong seems to be at a level similar to Jeong Hang, the disciple.”
“I had thought Jeong Hang to be the greatest genius I had ever seen. But Benefactor Yong seems to hold a potential beyond my measure. Perhaps Jeong Hang may spend his whole life overshadowed by Benefactor Yong.”
Gak Woo too knew how outstanding a prodigy Yong Hwarin was.
But he had never thought he might surpass Jeong Hang.
“Lifting a sword upon a tea leaf—that much, Jeong Hang could also manage.”
“Of course, with Psychokinesis it would be possible. But Benefactor Yong drew out the sword’s inherent power from within the White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword itself. That makes it undeniable he is the heir of the Four Great Clans. And to such a one, how could we claim to be the master?”
In truth, Gak Woo was also deeply moved by Yong Hwarin. He felt he would grant any request the youth made.
Yet seeing the Abbot so shaken by him, he realized he still did not fully understand Yong Hwarin.
Leaving the Abbot’s chamber, Yong Hwarin headed toward the Guest Hall, where someone awaited him.
“Young Master Yong, have you been well?”
The voice, warm and respectful, belonged to none other than Namgung Bi.
There was genuine respect in Namgung Bi’s tone toward Yong Hwarin.
When Yong Hwarin had been in the Namgung Clan, he had treated him like a grandson. But now, looking upon how much the boy had grown, he could no longer treat him that way.
“When did you arrive, Elder?”
Yong Hwarin greeted Namgung Bi with a joyful expression.
“It has been a while. Are you headed to the Guest Hall?”
“Yes, Elder.”
“Would you spare me a moment for a chat?”
“Of course.”
“Then follow me.”
Yong Hwarin followed Namgung Bi as they left Shaolin’s grounds.
The two went beyond the temple grounds and entered a dense forest.
There was no need to go so far merely for a chat.
It was then that Yong Hwarin realized Namgung Bi’s true purpose.
“The reason I asked you here is that I have recently realized an insight. I wished to show it to you. Rumor has it you may already have surpassed the Boundary of the Upper World. So I wanted your judgment.”
“You overestimate this junior.”
Yong Hwarin spoke humbly, but Namgung Bi shook his head.
“No. How could I not know you? I also wish to see how much you have grown.”
Seeing he would not yield, Yong Hwarin had no choice but to step back and face him.
“One move shall suffice.”
“Understood.”
“Then here I come.”
Namgung Bi raised his sword toward the heavens. To others, it might have looked like an empty stance.
But Yong Hwarin felt a strange aura.
In that instant, it seemed as though Namgung Bi had vanished.
Yet it was not some movement art like Alteration of Form and Illusion.
Some kind of force erased his very presence.
Still, Yong Hwarin sensed Namgung Bi approaching from his right.
‘If I had not realized the Qi-Vision Realm, I would never have known where Elder Namgung was coming from.’
He struck at the right side where Namgung Bi’s sword came.
Clang!
The clash revealed Namgung Bi’s presence.
“As expected!”
A disappointed exclamation escaped his lips.
“You are truly extraordinary. I could not sense your presence at all.”
Namgung Bi smiled ruefully.
“But what does it matter? In the end, you still blocked my strike.”
“That is because…”
“With a martial artist of your level, what I have realized becomes meaningless.”
“But who else could erase their very presence?”
“Recently, I gained insight into space itself. So I was able to conceal my presence within it. Yet how did you detect me?”
“I felt your qi.”
“So it seems even qi cannot be hidden.”
“I believe one day Elder will surely reach the realm of hiding even qi itself.”
“And when I do, will you not already have reached an even higher realm?”
Seeing Namgung Bi sounding almost petulant, Yong Hwarin laughed.
As they returned to Shaolin’s grounds, Namgung Bi said,
“From tomorrow, you will be busy. Tonight, it is best you rest early.”
“Does the assembly begin tomorrow?”
“The leadership has already been meeting. But the Three Central Alliances have yet to choose the Alliance Leader of the Murim Alliance, so progress has stalled.”
Though Yong Hwarin was an outstanding prodigy, he could not yet intervene in the matters of the Murim Alliance.
Those matters were decided by the elders of Murim and the heads of the great sects.
When Namgung Bi returned to his quarters, Yong Hwarin immediately went to the Guest Hall where Yong Biyang resided.
For since arriving at Shaolin, he had not yet even greeted his father.