In the end, Bu Eunseol stopped in his tracks.
“Shall we have our conversation here?” Tang Cheong narrowed her long eyes, glancing around. “Or shall we go somewhere quieter to talk?”
After a moment of hesitation, Bu Eunseol extended his hand and said, “Let’s go.”
Tang Cheong walked toward the Pagoda Forest, passing through several courtyards where countless pagodas stood.
This area was typically off-limits to ordinary pilgrims. However, Tang Cheong was well-acquainted with many of Shaolin’s high-ranking monks, including the Guest Reception Hall Master, the Discipline Hall Master, and the Conscience Hall Master.
As a result, she could naturally enter areas restricted to regular pilgrims, and the monks, recognizing her, did not intervene.
“How did you recognize me?” Bu Eunseol asked in a low voice as they strolled through the Pagoda Forest.
His first true friend in the martial world was none other than Tang Gon, and Tang Cheong was his younger sister.
Moreover, when he had visited the Tang Clan, she had consistently shown him kindness. Even the clan leader, Tang Pae, held Bu Eunseol in high regard, didn’t he?
Thus, Bu Eunseol harbored no hostility toward Tang Cheong.
He only wanted to understand how she had seen through his disguise and whether there was a fatal flaw in his transformation technique.
“Have you forgotten that I am a daughter of the Tang Clan?” Tang Cheong said with a faint smile. “I am the master of the Fragrance Poison Hall, which specializes in handling scented poisons.”
Even within the Tang Clan, renowned for its poison experts, Tang Cheong led the Fragrance Poison Hall, the faction specializing in the most advanced scented poison techniques.
Her sense of smell was extraordinarily sharp, and in the field of scented poisons, she was considered on par with the clan leader, Tang Pae.
“I’m well aware that you’re an expert in scented poisons,” Bu Eunseol said.
Understanding his implication, Tang Cheong smiled softly. “To create scented poisons, one must first be an expert in scents. I can distinguish dozens of smells simultaneously and even recreate identical scents by combining them.”
Her expression brimmed with confidence as she continued.
“When you left the Tang Clan, I collected the scent from the bedroom where you stayed.” Looking at Bu Eunseol’s profile, the corner of her mouth curled slightly upward. “And I created a fragrance identical to your body scent.”
Bu Eunseol was astonished.
To think that Tang Cheong possessed a sense of smell as keen as a hunting dog’s and the skill to recreate an identical scent by combining thousands of fragrances?
But what shocked him even more was… why had she gone to the trouble of collecting his scent and turning it into a fragrance?
“Why would you make a fragrance of my scent?” Bu Eunseol asked, unable to contain his curiosity.
“Isn’t it obvious?” Tang Cheong replied with a smile, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “Back then, despite being unknown, you displayed exceptional abilities. I believed you would soon become a figure who could shake the martial world.”
Her eyes sparkled seductively in the sunlight. “So, I prepared in advance to recognize you by your scent, no matter what form you took.”
Bu Eunseol swallowed hard.
‘The world is full of people with keen noses.’
Soyo, too, had distinguished the fake Divine Sage’s age with her sharp sense of smell. But Tang Cheong took it a step further, possessing the ability to identify people by their scent alone.
‘I need to refine the Ban-geuk Method again.’
Through this encounter, Bu Eunseol learned a new truth.
Scent, too, was a critical means of identifying a person. For a disguise to be perfect, it wasn’t enough to mimic appearance and behavior—one had to account for scent as well.
“I see,” Bu Eunseol said, clasping his hands together. “Thank you for being honest. Thanks to you, I’ve learned something I hadn’t considered before.”
His words were sincere.
If Tang Cheong hadn’t been forthright, he would never have realized the importance of scent, nor could he have fathomed how she recognized him.
“How is Tang Gon doing?” Bu Eunseol asked about her brother.
Tang Cheong hesitated for a moment but soon nodded with a smile. “Of course. Right now, my brother is working hard to fully master the Tang Clan’s Eight Great Secret Arts. He often talks about you.”
A faint shadow crossed her brow.
Bu Eunseol instinctively sensed that something had happened to Tang Gon.
It was strange that he would choose to enter seclusion at such a time to perfect the Eight Great Secret Arts.
“Is something wrong with him?” Bu Eunseol asked.
“No, nothing like that,” Tang Cheong replied with a faint smile.
But her eyes still seemed clouded.
Seeing her expression, Bu Eunseol made a silent resolution.
‘Once I’ve dealt with urgent matters, I’ll visit the Tang Clan.’
As if reading his thoughts from his expression, Tang Cheong nodded. “If you visit our clan, my brother will be overjoyed.”
“Is it alright for someone like me to visit the Tang Clan?”
“Of course,” she said. “You’ve done many good deeds, haven’t you? Most righteous sects view you favorably.”
Her expression was utterly relaxed.
Even with her connections, she would have been highly cautious of anyone else from the demonic path. But Bu Eunseol was known as a righteous figure within the demonic path, renowned for his just and upright character. While those in the demonic path found such praise uncomfortable, it was impossible to suppress the goodwill of the righteous sects.
And Tang Cheong, too, trusted in his honorable nature.
That was why, despite knowing he had infiltrated Shaolin in disguise, she could ask him questions so casually.
“That’s a relief,” Bu Eunseol said with a faint smile.
Tang Cheong then asked, “By the way, what brings you to Shaolin?”
“I’m here to investigate something,” he replied.
“Investigate what?”
After a moment’s hesitation, Bu Eunseol said, “There’s someone hiding secretly in Shaolin. And he called me here to test me.”
“Someone hiding in Shaolin called you here to test you? Why?”
“There are complicated circumstances. But,” Bu Eunseol said firmly, “I absolutely have no intention of harming Shaolin or harboring ill will.”
“I see,” Tang Cheong nodded, as if it were obvious. “But no matter how strong your martial arts are, you won’t be able to investigate Shaolin alone.”
She took a deep breath and continued, “Right now, Shaolin can accommodate so many pilgrims because all the disciples who were out in the martial world have returned and are staying within the temple grounds.”
“Hmm.”
“If you get surrounded while infiltrating, it could lead to an uncontrollable situation.”
Bu Eunseol nodded.
If it weren’t for the Divine Sage’s test and provocation, he would never have come to Shaolin so recklessly.
But he had something he believed in.
If the Divine Sage was indeed testing him, and not deliberately trying to sabotage him, then… he must have left a gap for Bu Eunseol to enter Shaolin.
“It can’t be helped,” Bu Eunseol said firmly. “If my guess is correct, his calling me to Shaolin doesn’t simply mean infiltrating and investigating. There must be a clear clue.”
“Hmm,” Tang Cheong murmured thoughtfully.
After a moment of deep contemplation, she gazed into the eyes of the disguised Bu Eunseol.
His eyes burned with a resolve strong enough to melt iron.
But Tang Cheong also sensed an inexplicable loneliness and sorrow in those eyes.
“Alright,” Tang Cheong said, nodding after making up her mind. “I’ll help you investigate the temple grounds.”
“You’ll help me?” Bu Eunseol was slightly surprised by her unexpected offer.
With Tang Cheong’s connections to Shaolin’s monks, her assistance would be invaluable.
Connections.
Bu Eunseol had always formed bonds with various figures in the martial world and never took them lightly. And now, the power of those connections was providing him with immense strength and trust.
“There’s no need for that. This is my matter,” Bu Eunseol said, politely declining her offer.
If Tang Cheong got involved and something went wrong, it could strain relations between Shaolin and the Tang Clan. While finding the Divine Sage was important, for the sake of the Tang Clan’s reputation and Tang Gon, he couldn’t accept her help.
“No need to refuse. No matter what happens, Shaolin’s monks will look kindly on me,” Tang Cheong said with a wink, as if she understood his concerns. “Besides, you’re the only one who received my brother’s Pear Blossom Leaf.”
“It’s fine. I appreciate the sentiment,” Bu Eunseol replied.
“But this is my decision too,” Tang Cheong said, gazing at him with confident eyes. “I want to be a true friend who shares dangers with you. Is that not allowed?”
Her directness caught Bu Eunseol off guard, and he hesitated.
If it were the usual Bu Eunseol, he would have declined without a second thought. But now, he wavered.
Meeting the Divine Sage was more important to him than anything else.
If he could meet the greatest sage of the martial world, he was certain he could uncover information about the murderer who killed his grandfather.
“Helping someone requires begging, does it?” Tang Cheong sighed, then said seriously, “Do you think I’m a burden?”
“Not at all,” Bu Eunseol replied.
Tang Cheong shrugged. “I’m not just an expert in fragrances but also in mechanisms and array dismantling. My specialty is finding hidden mechanisms.”
She glanced around the Pagoda Forest confidently and said, “Can you, my Lord, find a hidden mechanism around this Pagoda Forest?”
“A mechanism?” Bu Eunseol asked, furrowing his brow.
“Yes,” Tang Cheong said with a confident expression. “As soon as I entered the Pagoda Forest, I immediately noticed a hidden mechanism here.”
Bu Eunseol scanned the surroundings again, but with the naked eye, he couldn’t detect any trace of a mechanism.
“You’re saying there’s a hidden mechanism here?”
“Yes,” Tang Cheong replied, pointing to a pagoda about three zhang tall among the densely packed structures. “There’s a hidden mechanism installed in that pagoda. Since this is a place for storing relics, the monks likely created a secret passage for easy internal movement.”
Bu Eunseol examined the pagoda she indicated but couldn’t find any signs of a mechanism.
Zing.
At that moment, a white light emanated from Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
He was activating his Mind’s Eye to inspect the pagoda.
‘She’s right.’
Only after using the Mind’s Eye did he notice faint handprints and subtle cracks on the front of the large pagoda.
There was indeed a hidden mechanism in this pagoda.
However, even with the Mind’s Eye, he couldn’t discern how the mechanism worked or what kind it was.
“Did you find it?” Tang Cheong asked, shrugging.
Bu Eunseol nodded. “Yes.”
“So, do you believe in my abilities now?”
‘Is it real or not?’
Her familiarity with Shaolin’s high monks meant she had visited the temple often. Perhaps she already knew about the mechanism and was telling Bu Eunseol about it.
“Wait! From your expression, you’re thinking I knew about this mechanism beforehand, aren’t you?” Tang Cheong said, her keen perception catching his doubt.
When Bu Eunseol didn’t respond, she placed her hands on her hips, looking aggrieved. “I’m genuinely trying to help, and you still don’t trust me? Fine.”
Seemingly offended, she turned her head. “Do as you please.”
With a huff, she kicked a small pebble on the ground.
Tap, tap, tap.
But when the pebble struck the pagoda with the mechanism…
Rumble.
With a low vibration, a section of the pagoda’s wall opened, revealing a passage leading inside.
“Oh,” Tang Cheong gasped, staring at the pebble she had kicked.
Astonishingly, that small pebble had triggered the pagoda’s mechanism.
‘Could this all be the Divine Sage’s arrangement?’ Bu Eunseol’s eyes wavered as he looked at the scene.
The moment he saw the dark, gaping passage, he had a gut feeling that this might all be the Divine Sage’s doing.
‘No, that can’t be.’
If that were true, the Divine Sage had not only predicted Bu Eunseol’s encounter with Tang Cheong at Shaolin but also her discovery of the mechanism.
If he had planned all this?
He would be no mere human but a god capable of seeing the future.
‘If that’s not the case…’ Another possibility crossed Bu Eunseol’s mind as he stared intently at Tang Cheong.
What if she was working with the Divine Sage? What if she had brought him here under the guise of coincidence and opened the mechanism?
That seemed the more likely scenario.
‘The Divine Sage is someone who manipulated the Namgung Clan into pursuing artificial inner cores with just the promise of a Boeun coin.’ If he could control the Namgung Clan, one of the Eight Great Families, manipulating the Tang Clan wouldn’t be difficult.
“What? Are you suspecting me now?” Tang Cheong exclaimed, noticing Bu Eunseol’s sharp gaze.
“Your suspicions are relentless,” she said, her keen perception like a razor-sharp blade. She whispered indignantly, “Do you think I’m conspiring with someone to set this up?”
“I merely considered the possibility,” Bu Eunseol replied.
“Fine. Let’s go inside together and find out,” Tang Cheong said, pointing to the open passage with a huff. “We’ll know once we’re in, won’t we?”
Her expression and eyes reminded him of Tang Gon.
Tang Cheong had always shown kindness toward Bu Eunseol. Even if she were working with the Divine Sage, she wouldn’t intend to put him in danger.
“No, I trust you,” Bu Eunseol said, waving his hand. “But you should leave. I’ll investigate inside…”
Before he could finish, Tang Cheong slipped into the open passage.
Grind.
The passage’s wall began to close naturally.
‘No choice, then.’ Bu Eunseol had no option but to quickly follow her into the closing passage.
“…” Inside, it was pitch black, like the darkest night.
Hiss.
A white smoke and a flicker of light emanated from Tang Cheong’s hand as she held up a fire starter she had taken from her robes.
“Strange. I thought it was just a passage for discreet movement,” Tang Cheong said, her expression slightly surprised as she looked around.
She had assumed it was a simple passage for moving secretly within Shaolin. But the passage stretched endlessly, and its height exceeded three zhang, its scale immense.
“Did the monks build this to secretly drink grain tea?” Tang Cheong joked, a hint of incredulity in her voice as she walked through the passage.
Given its length, it clearly passed through the heart of Shaolin’s grounds, or even beyond.
“Monks wouldn’t build such a mechanism just to drink grain tea in secret,” Bu Eunseol said with a low murmur. “Lady Tang, if things go wrong, it could cause trouble for the Tang Clan, couldn’t it?”
He urged her once more. “Why don’t you turn back now?”
“No way. I’m curious too,” Tang Cheong replied.
Among all the women Bu Eunseol had met, she was among the boldest and most fearless. Fearing he might try to dissuade her further, she quickened her pace through the passage.
“Huh?” Tang Cheong stopped abruptly as she moved swiftly through the passage.
The seemingly endless passage suddenly split into three paths.
“To think they built a maze of this scale in a place like this,” she said, marveling before shaking her head. “This mechanism likely leads to a forbidden, secret place in Shaolin.”
As an expert in mechanisms and arrays, she immediately recognized the trap in the forked paths.
“It’s not just a split path. They’ve set up a Bewildering Hedge Array to confuse the senses. The further you go, the more paths will appear.”
Muttering softly, she chose the left passage without hesitation.
“So, if we keep choosing one direction and follow it, we’ll naturally reach the destination, right?”
Her method was a simple way to solve a maze.
But Bu Eunseol shook his head calmly. “That’s a good method, but it’ll take too long, won’t it?”
“True, but…”
“I’ll find the exit quickly,” Bu Eunseol said.
He immediately activated his Mind’s Eye.
A white light flowed from his eyes, and he began to see traces of those who had passed through this place long ago.
“Follow me.” Taking the lead, Bu Eunseol moved confidently through the forked paths.
As Tang Cheong had said, the further they went, the more their senses were confused, and the number of paths multiplied. But Bu Eunseol was unaffected by the Bewildering Hedge Array’s effects and swiftly navigated the maze using the Mind’s Eye’s abilities.
Finally, they arrived at a sealed space, blocked on all sides.
“A dead end,” Tang Cheong muttered with disappointment.
But Bu Eunseol gave a faint smile. “No, this is the exit.”
“The exit? It’s blocked.”
“If we’ve reached the exit and it’s blocked, doesn’t that mean there’s a specific way to open the door?”
Standing before the sealed wall, Bu Eunseol activated his Thousand-Jin Weight technique.
With a click, the solid floor shifted slightly under pressure.
Grind.
A heavy iron door formed in the blocked wall and slowly began to open.
“This place…” Tang Cheong gasped, her mouth agape as she saw what lay beyond the open door.
The passage led to a vast space, over a thousand pyeong in size, bathed in a soft glow.
Inside stood bookshelves filled with countless books.
“The Scripture Pavilion,” she whispered.
This was none other than Shaolin’s Scripture Pavilion, where all its scriptures and martial arts manuals were stored.
