Chapter 54

Chapter 54
## Chapter: 54

### Chapter Title: Dharma Hall (2)

—

Sima Geon, having leaped from the heights of the abbot’s residence, came to rest atop a ginkgo tree that framed the Janggyeong Pavilion like a masterwork of art.

“That was far too close. I nearly found myself in a disastrous predicament.”

Wiping cold perspiration from his brow, Sima Geon exhaled a heavy breath of relief.

Evading the abrupt strike from Abbot Won Il while bypassing the vigilant eyes of Gong Jin and Gong Hu—who had surged out from the flanks of the quarters—had pushed his limits. The sheer momentum behind the prayer beads Won Il had hurled as projectiles was particularly staggering; even now, his palms throbbed with a dull ache from the impact of catching them.

“If Cheol Woo ever caught wind of this, I’d never hear the end of his mockery.”

Sima Geon wore a self-deprecating smirk at the realization that his presence had been compromised.

Still, it was unavoidable.

The news that the final Great Reversion Pill had been exhausted to heal the Azure Orchid Lord had felt like a crushing weight upon his soul.

While they spoke of gathering rare components to craft a replacement, those words offered him no solace. There was no telling when such a concoction would be ready, and his brother likely didn’t have the luxury of time. The thought of the agony his sibling would endure in the interim was simply too much to bear.

In the depths of that hopelessness, a single voice had reached him like a beacon of salvation. He had risked discovery for that lead, and he didn’t regret it for a second.

“It is quite a revelation, though. To think the Azure Orchid Lord’s condition was the result of a deliberate plot.”

In a way, it was encouraging. If that malevolent yin-type energy—which closely mirrored the Nine Yin Severed Meridians—could be neutralized by the Great Reversion Pill, then there was a strong chance the Heavenly Yin Divine Meridian could be conquered as well, despite their different natures.

“Dharma Hall, then.”

Sima Geon cast a lingering look toward the mountain slope where the Dharma Hall was situated before vanishing silently toward the Guest Quarters.

Despite the late hour, the Guest Quarters remained bustling with activity.

Sima Geon glided back to his place, evading any prying eyes, only for Cheol Woo—who had been sprawled out in sleep—to snap into a sitting position.

“You’ve returned?”

“I have. Though our shadow has vanished.”

“No clue where he went. I suppose he got bored since we hadn’t moved. He didn’t even realize the leader was gone, so he’s clearly incompetent.”

Cheol Woo’s voice carried a hint of resentment, clearly annoyed that Sima Geon had gone scouting through Shaolin Temple without him.

“Enough of your whining. I found the location.”

“The Great Reversion Pill?”

Cheol Woo’s tone dropped to a hushed whisper as he scanned their surroundings.

“Yes. They claim the final dose is kept in a place known as the Dharma Hall.”

“Dharma Hall—isn’t that the cavern up the mountain? The spot where Bodhidharma performed his long meditation?”

Cheol Woo’s face fell slightly as he asked.

“Exactly there.”

“Strange. Stashing a treasure of that caliber in such a simple location.”

“I’m sure they have their reasons.”

“I suppose so; it’s none of our business. Still, it’s a bit of a letdown.”

“What is?”

“It’s all too easy. I was actually hoping to find out if the legends about Shaolin’s martial arts were true.”

“……”

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m just talking.”

Meeting Sima Geon’s flat stare, Cheol Woo let out a nervous chuckle and gave his companion a playful nudge.

“I’m only joking. The medicine is the priority, obviously.”

—

The following day, with the knowledge that Shaolin Temple’s remaining Great Reversion Pill was housed within the Dharma Hall, Sima Geon and Cheol Woo spent their hours quietly investigating the site.

Though it was a restricted zone of Shaolin, it was so renowned that while entry was forbidden, talking about it was common, allowing them to piece together a clear picture.

“Are we making a move to scout it?”

Following their evening meal, Cheol Woo collapsed back onto the floor of the Guest Quarters and queried.

He had spent the day complaining about the lack of meat and alcohol, yet he had consumed so much of the temple fare that the monks in the kitchen and his fellow diners were left in awe. His stomach was now noticeably distended.

“There is no point. It’s roughly ten li from here within the temple borders. We’ve mapped the route and have a good idea of the guard rotation.”

“True. But it’s odd. Everyone talks about it with such holy dread that I expected some massive fortress. Instead, it’s just a tiny cave with a small building next to it.”

Cheol Woo sounded thoroughly unimpressed.

“The value is symbolic. That is where Grand Master Bodhidharma spent nine years facing the wall until he reached enlightenment.”

“Well, at least we won’t get lost. And with only a couple of monks on duty, the risk is minimal.”

“That is precisely what concerns me.”

“What do you mean?”

“Leaving a treasure like the Great Reversion Pill under such light security. It makes me suspect there is a hidden danger we haven’t accounted for.”

Cheol Woo sat up straight, his eyes gleaming at Sima Geon’s suspicion.

“I certainly hope there is.”

“Just go to sleep.”

Sima Geon rubbed his temples in frustration.

—

The Enthronement Ritual commenced at dawn and stretched across the entire day.

The voices of Shaolin’s high priests delivering sermons to the masses resonated throughout the grounds.

Ilhwang Suk, who had arrived the night before, formally entered the ceremonies around midday, escorted by the abbot.

With the arrival of Ilhwang Suk, the golden statue of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva was finally revealed to the public.

Though it did not match the scale of the primary Buddha in the Grand Hero Hall, the solid gold Samantabhadra was so radiant and imposing that it seemed to glow with its own light.

Collective gasps and cheers broke out from the sea of pilgrims.

Gong Su watched with an expression of deep satisfaction before bowing to Ilhwang Suk and stepping forward to begin the rhythmic chanting of the scriptures.

One by one, the other Shaolin monks joined in, their combined voices swelling until the sound seemed to vibrate through the very stones of Mount Song.

The pilgrims who had journeyed to Shaolin for the occasion pressed their hands together, many falling to their knees in fervent prayer.

“That is quite something.”

Even Cheol Woo, observing from the periphery, let out a whistle of appreciation—though his focus was elsewhere.

“What do you reckon a solid gold Buddha of that size is worth?”

“Enough to sustain a lineage for three generations in absolute luxury.”

Sima Geon answered with a tone of indifference.

“Three generations? Provided they don’t gamble it away, they’d be set for eternity.”

Cheol Woo couldn’t fathom the logic of pouring such wealth into a mere statue.

“Say, leader.”

Hearing the mischief in Cheol Woo’s voice, Sima Geon shot him a warning glare.

“Keep your mouth shut and stay focused.”

“You don’t even know what I was going to say!”

Cheol Woo protested, looking offended.

“You weren’t about to suggest we take it?”

“Wait, what?!”

“Don’t even entertain the thought. We take the pill tonight and we vanish immediately.”

“How would we even carry something that massive? That’s crazy. I wasn’t thinking of the whole thing—maybe just an arm. It wouldn’t hurt anyone. If we pulled it off, we’d never have to worry about the merchant life again.”

Sima Geon simply turned away, ignoring Cheol Woo’s absurd logic.

Cheol Woo continued to mutter about it being a joke, then nudged Sima Geon’s arm again.

“Isn’t that the fellow who was shadowing us?”

Sima Geon followed the direction of Cheol Woo’s finger.

After a moment of scrutiny, Sima Geon smirked and gave a nod.

“It is. Fine clothes really do transform a man—he looks nothing like he did in the Guest Quarters. I wouldn’t have known him at a glance.”

“Heh. Right? If it weren’t for those distinct, heavy eyelids, I would have missed him. I figured he was some low-level lackey following us, but if he’s standing right there, he must have some status.”

Seeing the man who had watched them now acting as a close guard for Ilhwang Suk, Cheol Woo’s opinion of him rose slightly.

“But leader, don’t you think the mood over there is a bit tense?”

In the shade of the fir trees, the Imperial Guards assigned to the event were clustered together, separate from the few near Ilhwang Suk.

“You mean the internal friction?”

“You noticed that?”

Sima Geon looked at him as if he were slow.

“It’s glaringly obvious. How could you not see it? Things have been strained since yesterday. It’s a civil war within the royal family—a complete mess. They’re at a holy event with the emperor’s uncle, yet the Imperial Guard is on the verge of a brawl.”

“They are attempting to maintain a facade of discipline.”

“And if they stop? Will they start a fight in the middle of Shaolin? That’s rich. Look at the monks. They are clearly biting their tongues for the sake of the ceremony.”

Sima Geon gestured toward the Shaolin warrior monks positioned near the Guards.

While most of the monks were lost in spiritual fervor, those near the soldiers looked deeply irritated.

“Even the noble lady on the stage looks like she’s in a terrible mood.”

Following Cheol Woo’s gaze, Sima Geon looked at the woman in the golden imperial robes standing next to Ilhwang Suk.

A veil obscured her face from the public, but Sima Geon’s vision was sharp enough to see through it.

A small smile touched Sima Geon’s lips, prompting a chuckle from Cheol Woo.

“I never thought I’d see the leader captivated by a young girl. Mind you, she was a sight to behold yesterday, even from the road. I didn’t think anyone could match the beauty of the lady from the Living Immortal Medical House.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Stop your babbling and be quiet. Look at those eyes over there.”

“She’s royalty. Of course she’s annoyed by the Guard’s behavior…”

Cheol Woo stopped mid-sentence as he realized Sima Geon wasn’t talking about the Azure Orchid Lord, but rather the elderly woman standing behind her.

Next to that old woman stood Jo Ryong of the Imperial Guard—the man who had doubted Sima Geon and Cheol Woo since their arrival—his eyes locked onto them.

“Ha! That stubborn fool. He’s still tracking us after two full days?”

Cheol Woo’s face twisted in annoyance.

“It is their profession. To doubt, and then to doubt again.”

Sima Geon meticulously observed the old woman, then Jo Ryong, and finally the Azure Orchid Lord, who shifted her gaze from the soldiers toward them for a moment before looking away.

“We’re leaving?”

“We have seen all we need to. We didn’t come for the prayers. There is no reason to linger and attract more attention.”

“Fine by me. I was starting to get bored anyway.”

Cheol Woo yawned and began to follow, but a sharp sense of hostility prickled at him.

“Leader, that old woman is definitely looking for a fight. Last time it was her Guard subordinate testing us.”

“Pay it no mind.”

Sima Geon answered shortly and kept walking, though he suddenly paused and glanced back.

“If you have a problem, go ahead and settle it. There are plenty of challengers here.”

Scanning the area from the Shaolin monks to the Imperial Guard, Sima Geon watched as Cheol Woo caught up, laughing.

“It’s a tempting offer, but even I know better than to start a riot here. Heh, picking a fight with Shaolin or the Palace is a lose-lose situation.”

“Good to know you aren’t suicidal. Stop talking and move. We need to depart. The air here is turning sour.”

Sensing that even some of the Shaolin elders were now following the lead of the old woman and Jo Ryong in watching them, Sima Geon gripped Cheol Woo’s arm to speed him along.

“Leaving Shaolin? Just like that?”

Cheol Woo’s eyes went wide with shock.

“Not just ‘leaving.’ We simply have no more business in this part of the temple.”

Sima Geon tilted his head toward the distant path leading to the Dharma Cave.

“Our objective isn’t here—it’s up there.”