Chapter 74 : Affection Going Back and Forth. -01

Chapter 74: Affection Going Back and Forth. -01

What was more frightening than enemies outside were enemies within.

That was why Ban Hojin did not pity Jang Pilsang.

All of this was self-inflicted.

If Jang Pilsang had lived uprightly, something like this would not have happened either.

“Because of this incident, the Discipline Court will also heighten its vigilance.”

Trusting people was never wrong.

However, trusting too much was not right.

At times, one had to verify things, and that was one of the duties of the Discipline Court.

Because of today’s incident, the Discipline Court as a whole, starting with the head of the Discipline Court, would likely be busy for quite some time.

“They’re useless anyway, so wouldn’t it be better to clear them out in advance.”

He had thought it would not be bad just to catch Jang Pilsang, who was only mid-level, but Geum Hoyeon had brought evidence that could even net figures far bigger than that.

Because of that, Ban Hojin obtained results greater than expected and walked toward his quarters with noticeably lighter steps.

As if announcing that autumn had drawn even closer, the leaves were dyed in a myriad of colors.

Moreover, with fallen leaves piled thickly along both sides of the main road, the old woman walking with her attendants made her eyes sparkle.

It was a scene one could see anywhere, but what mattered was the location.

Since it was a place she had thought she would never be able to visit in her lifetime, the old woman gazed endlessly at the surrounding scenery with her deeply wrinkled eyes.

“Master.”

“Hohoho. To think I would come to this place while still alive.”

“I never thought I’d come here together with you like this either, Master.”

“If you set your mind to it, coming here isn’t difficult, but you know how it is. That vague sense of guilt and unease. That’s probably why the past sect leaders couldn’t come to Dengfeng County either. There’s no one telling you not to come, and no one stopping you.”

At her master’s voice filled with countless emotions, Nanhui-ju nodded.

She could fully understand what her master was feeling right now.

In truth, even for Nanhui-ju herself, the fact that she was entering Shaolin still felt unbelievable.

“I think I would have felt the same.”

“The children may have worry written all over their faces, though.”

Flinch!

At the old woman’s words, the Head of the Escort Unit, who was guarding the two with the minimum number of personnel, visibly stiffened.

If it were up to his desires, he would have liked to assign hidden protection using those skilled in concealment techniques, but if he did that, it was certain they would be branded as suspicious elements and seized before even passing Shaolin’s Four Heavenly Kings Gate.

No, calling it being seized was being generous—he would have nothing to say even if their heads were cut off.

Because of that, he had no choice but to organize the escort with only the bare minimum, as he was doing now.

“You don’t need to be so tense. Other places might be different, but Shaolin is fine. The Deputy Commander isn’t particularly tense either, right?”

The Deputy Commander, who always stayed by Nanhui-ju’s side, nodded.

Just as she said, if it were another of the Nine Great Sects or one of the Five Great Families, they would have vehemently opposed such a direct visit.

But Shaolin was fine.

As long as Ban Hojin was there, and as long as they did not make any mistakes, nothing special would happen.

“I think the same as Huiju. If I felt even a little uneasy, I would have arranged a separate meeting.”

“Other warrior monks aside, Young Master Ban is someone we can trust.”

“I think so too.”

The old woman smiled softly.

It was because she agreed with Nanhui-ju’s thoughts.

If Ban Hojin had harbored other intentions or thoughts, he would neither have made a deal nor offered help in the first place.

That was why the old woman wanted even more to meet Ban Hojin in person.

“Young Master Seonwu and Young Master Seo as well.”

“I’m curious about those two people you praised so highly. I heard Young Master Murong joined them this time too.”

“Young Master Jeong didn’t seem ordinary either.”

“How fascinating. How did he manage to pick out only people like that and bring them together?”

The old woman’s eyes sparkled.

Though not to her extent, Nanhui-ju’s discernment was also considerable.

It was an ability she had gained from seeing and dealing with all kinds of people since childhood.

Since Nanhui-ju had met them personally and then reported back, the level of trust was solid.

“I’m curious too. It’s fanciful, but I even wondered if he knew the future.”

“If that were the case, he wouldn’t have shown such actions. If he had ambitions, he would have revealed them long ago. He possesses martial prowess that could set its sights on the Murim Ten Kings at the age of coming of age.”

In truth, this was what the old woman found hardest to understand.

If she herself had been Ban Hojin, she would have harbored ambition to become the greatest and prepared methodically.

But Ban Hojin was different.

He did travel through Jianghu, but it was not to build his own power.

“I think many people, not just us, must be harboring questions.”

“Right? It’s not just us, is it?”

“Yes.”

“I’m curious. Just how far ahead is he thinking? Perhaps he’s a vessel too small to even become a crafty hero.”

“Would someone with a vessel that small have the guts to clash head-on with the Green Forest Great Lord?”

Nanhui-ju replied with a smile.

In her eyes, Ban Hojin’s capacity was never small.

Rather, it was to a degree she could not even guess.

“That’s why I’m curious. In a sense, he’s an impressive man. He’s stirred the curiosity of both you and me.”

“His skill alone is already remarkable.”

“Hoho. That’s true. Then shall we burn some incense too? We don’t know when we’ll come to Shaolin again, after all.”

“If you do, Master, then I will too. Huh?”

Though she had a cane, Nanhui-ju supported her master.

Since it was an uphill path, she thought there was no harm in being careful.

Right now, her excitement made it hard to feel the strain, but later it could burden her body.

Concerned about that, she naturally took her arm and supported her—and then, from afar, a familiar figure came into view.

“What is it?”

“Young Master Ban?”

Seeing Nanhui-ju stop after following along, the old woman turned her head.

But at her disciple’s next words, the old woman’s eyes widened.

She was startled at hearing Ban Hojin being addressed.

“Welcome.”

“Were you waiting for us?”

“Yes. I thought you’d arrive around this time.”

Ban Hojin slowly descended toward the two who stood frozen in surprise.

Of course, that was only how it appeared outwardly; in reality, he moved as if gliding.

At that ethereal movement, admiration and reverence surfaced in the eyes of the escort warriors.

“I didn’t expect Young Master Ban to come out to greet us.”

“It is Shaolin, after all. I’ve heard that, at least within Dengfeng County, it doesn’t fall behind even compared to the Hao Sect or the Beggars’ Sect.”

“Hohoho.”

At the way he stated the obvious in a calm, measured tone, Nanhui-ju laughed.

It was because it felt far removed from any sense of arrogance.

There was a rumor in the world that Ban Hojin was arrogant, but in Nanhui-ju’s view, that was half right and half wrong.

It simply depended on how he dealt with his counterpart.

“Nice to meet you, Sect Leader. My name is Ban Hojin.”

“The honor is mine, Young Master Ban. Perhaps because I’ve heard so much about you from Huiju, but somehow you don’t feel unfamiliar at all.”

“Isn’t being comfortable better than being uncomfortable? Please follow me for now.”

“Thank you for coming out to greet us.”

“Think nothing of it.”

Ban Hojin replied as if it were nothing special, but the Haomun Lord was different.

She showed a faintly moved expression.

Most of the Haomun’s members lived at the very bottom of society, working as courtesans, menial laborers, or inn attendants.

Put kindly, at least they had jobs like those, but among the Haomun there were also many petty thieves and pickpockets.

That was why, when it came to the Haomun, martial artists usually looked down on them or treated them with contempt.

What was infuriating was that it was often true, making it hard to refute.

Yet Ban Hojin’s attitude was completely different from that of ordinary martial artists.

‘He truly has no prejudice.’

Ban Hojin did not look down on them just because they belonged to the Hao Sect.

Nor did he lower himself unconditionally just because they were elders.

Seeing him show exactly the necessary amount of respect and courtesy warmed the Haomun Lord’s heart.

She was moved because she had never been treated like this before.

“I know it may sound odd to ask after coming all this way, but I want to be certain. Would it be all right for us to stay at the Guest Reception Hall?”

“Is there any reason it wouldn’t be? Our relationship with the main temple isn’t bad, and there’s no history of grudges either. And it’s not as though you’ve come here intending to harm the main temple, is it?”

“Of course not.”

Nanhui-ju replied as if it were obvious.

She and the rest of the group had absolutely no such intention in coming to Shaolin.

They had come solely to meet Ban Hojin, so they looked at him with firm expressions.

“Then there’s no problem at all. I would like to offer you a separate annex, but unfortunately I don’t have that level of authority. As you know, I’m a lay disciple, so I don’t have much authority.”

“No, it’s fine. The Guest Reception Hall is more than enough. Honestly, I find it amazing just being able to stay at Shaolin.”

“Hohoho. I feel the same way.”

Nanhui-ju waved her hand lightly.

She had no complaints about staying in the Guest Reception Hall to begin with.

And the same was true for the Haomun Lord.

If anything, both master and disciple found the current situation extremely amusing.

“Still, the room will be a shared one. It’s adjacent to the room where the escort warriors will stay, so you don’t need to worry about safety.”

“To think I’d be staying at Shaolin’s Guest Reception Hall in my lifetime.”

“I’m excited too, Master.”

“Hohoho.”

“Um…….”

Unlike the Haomun Lord, who was excited like a teenage girl, the Head of the Escort Unit, who had been stiff with worry from start to finish, cautiously opened his mouth.

As he hesitated and struggled to speak while gauging the others’ reactions, Ban Hojin’s gaze turned toward him.

“Please speak freely.”

“Would it be possible for us to stay near Great Hero Ban’s quarters? I know there are no rooms available. We have no intention of demanding a room. Instead, we’ve brought equipment for sleeping rough, so if possible, we’d like to stay near Great Hero Ban’s quarters.”

The Head of the Escort Unit, who was responsible for this journey and who had lived as the Haomun Lord’s shadow for over forty years, spoke as if pleading.

As if showing the passage of time, his hair had turned gray, but his eyes were still the same as when he was young.

That was why he chose the safest place.

Since this was Shaolin, there would be little danger even if they stayed at the Guest Reception Hall, but even so, the Head of the Escort Unit wanted to serve and protect the Haomun Lord and Nanhui-ju in a place with not even the slightest possibility of danger.

“Biyeong (Secret Shadow).”

“I know this is an impertinent request, but I still ask for your permission.”

Biyeong bent his waist before Ban Hojin, who was far younger than him.

So deeply that his crown nearly touched the ground.

Ssswk.

However, the moment Biyeong’s waist bent, it slowly rose again.

Ban Hojin had lifted him using formless energy.

Biyeong, who felt it more clearly than anyone, had his pupils shake violently.

He knew well that handling formless energy with such precision was far more difficult than simply using it to attack.

‘As expected, he’s on a different level.’

Once again, Biyeong could feel that Ban Hojin was a master who had beaten down the Green Forest Great Lord.

And Ban Hojin had not won with difficulty, either.

According to someone who had witnessed it firsthand, he had toyed with the Green Forest Great Lord as he fought.

Others dismissed it as nonsense and said he was being overrated, but Biyeong and the core members of the Hao Sect knew the truth.

“That’s not a difficult request at all. Understood. If that’s more comfortable for you, I’ll arrange it that way.”

“Thank you!”

“But you should still take a look at the Guest Reception Hall, shouldn’t you? You did come all the way to Shaolin, after all.”

“Of course.”

As the atmosphere had grown a bit stiff, Nanhui-ju replied with a gentle smile.

Because of her veil, only the smile in her eyes could be seen, yet even so, it instantly drew the gazes of the men around her.

“Let’s go.”

“I’m sorry if I offended you.”

“No. I understand completely. Shaolin is vast, and there are certainly people who think differently from me.”