Chapter 15 : Into the World. -02

Chapter 6: Into the World. -02

Dongting Emerald Spiral Spring Tea was expensive, but it wasn’t as if he had never tasted it.

Just because it had been wartime didn’t mean luxury items were impossible to obtain, so in his previous life he had drunk not only Dongting Emerald Spiral Spring Tea but also West Lake Longjing tea and Junshan Yinzhen.

Personally, Junshan Yinzhen suited Ban Hojin’s palate the best.

“Still, how should I change Master’s mind.”

Ban Hojin muttered as he set down the teacup.

Up to now, everything had been proceeding smoothly according to his plan.

There were no visible results yet, but he was steadily climbing each step.

Once it reached a certain stage, the seeds Ban Hojin had sown would sprout and bear fruit.

However, there was just one thing.

Only matters related to Damhyeon were dragging on without progress.

“If I reveal my true ability, he’ll probably let go of even more.”

True to the word “desirelessness,” Damhyeon had little ambition when it came to martial arts.

He carried the four characters “defending the Central Plains” in his heart, but only to that extent.

He had no thought whatsoever of becoming the Best Under Heaven.

Because of that, if he were to reveal his martial scriptures now, Damhyeon would surely set everything down lightly and focus solely on running Shaolin.

“But that won’t do. Peace is important, but if only to avoid death, Master has to become stronger than he is now.”

He never wanted to see Damhyeon die again.

And for that to happen, either Ban Hojin had to become immensely strong, or Damhyeon had to become far stronger than he had been in the previous life.

The best outcome would be achieving both.

But the problem was that Damhyeon lacked the drive for improvement.

“It’s true that desirelessness helps in attaining enlightenment, but right now is a time when he needs ambition.”

If it were a peaceful era, Ban Hojin wouldn’t have thought this way.

But the problem was that the Four Tyrants of the World were targeting the Central Plains.

Knowing that future, Ban Hojin couldn’t afford to wait leisurely.

Ten years sounded long at a glance, but when war was considered, it was never a long time.

“Becoming a master overnight is something that only happens in novels, anyway.”

There were cases like that, but realistically it made no sense.

Since it was nothing short of a miracle, Ban Hojin couldn’t just wait calmly.

At least it was fortunate that, unlike in his previous life, Beopmu was growing strong quickly, and the Second-Generation Disciples were also developing at a steep pace.

“Once their martial arts are somewhat mastered, I’ll have to head out into the Jianghu as well.”

If the Beggars’ Sect knew nothing about the Neo-Outer Murim, then the same would apply to other martial families and prestigious great sects.

In that case, Ban Hojin had no choice but to investigate personally.

Of course, since he hadn’t received professional training, there were limits to what he could uncover, but at the very least, if he went himself, they wouldn’t dismiss his words lightly.

There were also things he needed to confirm.

“But why am I working this hard? My original plan was to live while enjoying myself a bit.”

As he pondered, Ban Hojin soon let out a deep sigh.

It suddenly felt as if he were the only one living with all the worries.

Yet he couldn’t confide in anyone else.

The moment they heard it, they’d treat him like a madman.

“If you were going to send someone anyway, you should’ve sent another guy. Someone who could handle my share too. Then I really could’ve played around with peace of mind.”

The more he thought about it, the more unfair it felt.

At first, he had been happy, thinking it was an opportunity, but now it was different.

There was no suffering quite like this kind of suffering.

Having to prepare, plan, and execute everything alone left Ban Hojin with nothing but sighs.

“I guess all I can do is hope they grow up quickly.”

Ban Hojin muttered with an expression that seemed to be carrying all the worries of the world.

At some point, thoughts about Damhyeon had vanished without a trace.

“Senior Uncle, Senior Uncle!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Since he had been called twice, Ban Hojin answered twice as well.

But perhaps it sounded careless, because Jeong Hyeon puffed out his lips.

“Aren’t you answering way too halfheartedly?”

“You called twice.”

“Wow.”

Jeong Hyeon made an incredulous expression.

But Ban Hojin didn’t care whether Jeong Hyeon did that or not.

“What is it at the crack of dawn?”

“Crack of dawn? The sun’s already that high. Strictly speaking, it’s morning.”

“That or this.”

“But is it true?”

“What is?”

Early in the morning, Jeong Hyeon asked with eyes sparkling brightly.

Anyone could tell from his expression that he wanted something.

“You’re heading out into the Jianghu!”

“Where did you hear that?”

“There’s probably no one among the disciples in the temple grounds who doesn’t know.”

“Then why are you so excited?”

“Take me with you too, take me too!”

Jeong Hyeon clasped his hands together.

Not the usual palms-joined salute, but with both hands clasped tightly as if earnestly pleading, he looked up at Ban Hojin with shining eyes.

“You?”

“Yes!”

“Why?”

“Wouldn’t you need someone to attend you, Senior Uncle?”

“I don’t need one.”

At Ban Hojin’s firm refusal without the slightest hesitation, Jeong Hyeon’s mouth fell open.

He hadn’t expected to be rejected so decisively.

It wouldn’t have been easy, but he hadn’t thought he’d be turned down outright, so the shock Jeong Hyeon received was great.

“Re, really?”

“Yeah. The schedule will be quite long, too. And I’m more comfortable alone. You still have a long way to go.”

“Y-you said you’d look over my martial arts!”

Jeong Hyeon shouted urgently.

As if accusing him of speaking out of both sides of his mouth.

“That doesn’t mean I have to take you with me. I can look after you when I come back. You’ll probably be short on time just keeping up with what I assign you.”

“That’s too much.”

Jeong Hyeon’s expression fell.

Judging by his tone, it didn’t seem like the decision would be reversed.

“Do you know how important this period is for you right now? So don’t get distracted and focus solely on training. You have ten thousand li ahead of you.”

“Don’t I need to build experience too?”

“Later.”

Ban Hojin replied as if it were out of the question.

To grow as a martial artist, real combat experience was absolutely necessary.

It wasn’t for nothing that among the proverbs of the Jianghu there was a saying to beware of children, the elderly, and women.

Even a Peak Master would die just the same if struck by a blind blade.

“Then please take me with you later, for sure!”

“I don’t know if a time will ever come when I can go on a pleasure tour.”

“Yes? What do you mean by that? Isn’t this descent from the mountain a pleasure tour?”

“A pleasure tour, my foot. I’m going to work.”

“Work? Then are you joining an escort agency?”

Jeong Hyeon’s eyes widened.

It was very different from what he had known.

“I’m not at the stage of looking for a job yet. It’s true that I don’t have much money, but this outing is to take care of some personal business.”

“Not to build practical experience while touring?”

“I have enough experience.”

“Come on, what do you mean by that.”

Jeong Hyeon shook his head back and forth.

He knew Ban Hojin was full of confidence, but as far as he knew, this was Ban Hojin’s first trip into the Jianghu.

That being the case, he couldn’t agree with the claim of having enough experience.

“What you know isn’t everything.”

“But it’s your first time descending the mountain.”

“Everyone has their secrets.”

Ban Hojin smiled meaningfully.

He couldn’t say that he had returned to the past, but this much was possible.

In truth, Ban Hojin was someone who had even experienced death.

“Ahem!”

While he was dealing with Jeong Hyeon, who had been chattering noisily since morning, the sound of a throat being cleared came from the entrance to the front courtyard.

At the same time, a middle-aged man in yellow robes—rarely seen in the inner grounds of Shaolin—slipped into the front courtyard.

“Senior Brother Bang?”

“Haha, thankfully you still remember me.”

“When I was young, you used to come visit often.”

“Rather than visiting, I was dragged here. I came to work.”

The neatly groomed middle-aged man in his mid-thirties smiled awkwardly.

He had known for a long time that Ban Hojin’s talent was exceptional, but back then, the impression of him as a younger brother had been stronger.

However, over the past few years, Ban Hojin’s standing had completely changed.

Not only had he grown from a boy into a man, but his skill had also reached a level that was hard to compare to the past.

“That’s true.”

“Hello. I am Second-Generation Disciple Jeong Hyeon.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Reading the room, Jeong Hyeon quietly brought his palms together.

Since he appeared to be a lay disciple under the First-Generation Disciple lineage, he greeted first.

“Ah, then I’ll take my leave now.”

“Alright. Let’s meet again next time.”

“Yes. Then please have a comfortable conversation.”

Jeong Hyeon tactfully withdrew.

No matter how long he stayed, it didn’t seem like Ban Hojin would take him along, so with the mindset of taking two steps back to advance one step later, Jeong Hyeon removed himself from the scene.

“Could we talk for a moment?”

“Yes. Would you like a cup of tea?”

“No, it’s not necessary.”

Unlike Jang Pilsang, Ban Hojin’s relationship with Bang Ilseok wasn’t bad.

They weren’t particularly close, but since they had maintained a fairly good relationship, Ban Hojin smiled and offered tea.

Unexpectedly, however, Bang Ilseok declined.

“You seem busy.”

“Rather than busy, I don’t want to take up too much of your time. Hahaha.”

“To think you’d be that considerate of me.”

“I heard you’re descending the mountain this time. Are you planning to settle somewhere?”

Bang Ilseok asked cautiously.

Knowing Ban Hojin’s personality, he went straight to the point.

“That’s not it. I’m going down to take care of a few personal matters.”

“How long are you planning to be gone?”

“If it’s short, about half a year; if it’s long, perhaps around a year. It could be faster, too.”

Since the road ahead was truly ten thousand li long, even half a year was considered a short estimate.

Still, if he made up his mind and moved efficiently, he could return within that time.

He was also planning to raise Golden Light Divine Steps to the level of full mastery during this trip.

“How about working at our Cheongnim Escort Agency? We could offer you a very generous salary.”

“I appreciate the offer, but it’s not a schedule I can manage while working.”

“I see. If you ever change your mind, let me know anytime. Or if you need help. We’re all disciples of Shaolin, after all. We should help one another.”

“I understand.”

Despite being refused so decisively it almost felt cold, Bang Ilseok’s expression remained calm.

He had heard that Ban Hojin had rejected many offers, so he hadn’t held high expectations.

Still, it was true that he had come with a faint hope.

And rather than a vague answer, being clear like this was better for Bang Ilseok as well.

“Then what are you heading out for?”

“For the peace of the Central Plains.”

“Hahaha, you’ve gained a sense of humor.”

Bang Ilseok let out a small laugh at the unexpected answer.

He had never imagined such words coming out of Ban Hojin’s mouth.

But Ban Hojin was serious.

Depending on this itinerary, the future of the Central Plains martial world might change.

“And to gain experience as well.”

“Experience is good. They say suffering while young is something you even buy if you have to.”

“I think it’s best not to suffer if possible. There should be ways to gain experience without deliberately putting yourself through hardship.”

“You really do think differently.”

Bang Ilseok shrugged his shoulders.

Even after becoming an adult, his personality seemed unchanged.

At the same time, it was something to envy.

Being able to live without restraint.

Ban Hojin’s figure cut through the low mountains.

After descending from Songshan, Ban Hojin had come here with a goal from the very beginning.

There was something to be gained here.

“They definitely said it was discovered here.”

Crossing terrain without even a path, Ban Hojin soon arrived at a valley.

It was an unnamed valley, but the scenery matched exactly what he had heard.

Only the thing Ban Hojin was searching for was nowhere to be seen.

“I didn’t expect to find it easily, but still.”

Ban Hojin muttered as he looked down at the crystal-clear valley stream.

Perhaps because it was so clear that the bottom was plainly visible, his mind also felt refreshed.

But he couldn’t just stand around admiring it forever.

“It doesn’t matter if I take it first, does it? The guy it’d go to otherwise wouldn’t be of any help anyway.”