The visitor was none other than Shaolin’s Abbot, Beopgong.

According to Yugang, since Gwangcheon had gone down to Shaolin, Beopgong had come to the hermitage every single day with a physician in tow.

It was to check on Guyangdo and Seolhwa’s condition and to provide medicinal ingredients.

The Shaolin physician went to examine Yugang and Guyangdo, while Seolhwa sat face-to-face with Beopgong.

"It is fortunate you awoke safely. I was worried, for the physician said he could not tell when you might awaken."

"I’m surprised you came to see me personally. Isn’t this something you could have left to disciples?"

"How could I treat a benefactor so lightly?"

"Benefactor...? What do you mean?"

"I heard the circumstances from my master. That there was a clash with Hwaoru’s forces, and you aided the two elders." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

It seemed Gwangcheon had told him about the Blood Demon.

"My master is receiving treatment at the main temple. I could not bring you and Elder Guyangdo there without drawing the disciples’ eyes, so please do not feel slighted."

"Then the disciples of Shaolin haven’t been told?"

"Of late, troubling matters have already shaken the monastery. To reveal more would only deepen the unrest, so I have not spoken of it to them."

Seolhwa nodded.

She, too, agreed it was best to keep this matter secret.

Not only could the existence of Guyangdo, who had long lived in seclusion, not be revealed carelessly, but as Beopgong said, the appearance of such an unfathomable foe would only sow fear and confusion among the disciples.

"Did my master leave no other words?"

"Only that I should deliver a message when you or Elder Guyangdo awakened."

Seolhwa recalled her last conversation with Gwangcheon.

It was right before she faced the Blood Demon, when she first freed him from beneath the pile of rubble.

"Monk, no matter what happens, it must never be revealed that I am Namgoong Seolhwa. I’ll explain the circumstances later, but please, I beg this of you."

"While I draw that man’s eyes, take Elder Guyangdo and flee as far as you can. I will survive and escape, so do not worry. I intend to use the Imoogi’s power."

Though it was a sudden request, Gwangcheon asked nothing further and followed her words.

He had seemed reluctant to abandon her there, but he chose to trust her promise that she would survive.

‘So he said nothing about the Shadowless Demon God’s appearance.’

Gwangcheon did not know of the Shadowless Demon God, the mask of the Four Demonic Lian Masters.

But even without knowing, he would have understood the meaning of concealing her identity behind a mask.

It seemed he had also withheld the matter of the Imoogi from Beopgong.

That was a relief.

"Thank you. And forgive me. I must once more deeply apologize for having doubted you. Had it not been for you, the exalted history of our temple would have been lost."

"I only did what I had to do."

"No."

Beopgong pressed his palms together toward Seolhwa, who sat upon the sickbed.

Startled, she moved to stop him, but still in that gesture of prayer, his words continued.

"You have already done more than enough. Apart from the temple, I too, as a man, must express my gratitude."

To Beopgong, his masters, Gyewon and Gwangcheon, were far more than just Shaolin’s history.

They had been the heavens of Shaolin—the ones he had admired, longed to resemble, and set as his ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) measure since his youth when he first entered the temple.

"When the Green Forest Fighting King was expelled, my master stepped down from the abbot’s seat of his own will—for my sake."

A bitter smile touched Beopgong’s lips.

"One who was spoken of as fit to be abbot broke the precepts and committed killing. That alone was a grave matter. Even I, who had studied alongside him, could not escape suspicion."

He lifted his gaze to Seolhwa.

In his calm eyes lay pain that would never fade in a lifetime.

"To protect me, my master bore the heavier burden."

Gwangcheon had said a disciple’s fault was the master’s fault, so it was only right he take all responsibility. But Beopgong knew.

He had done so deliberately, to shoulder everything for his disciple’s sake.

"I have not yet repaid that grace."

Could such a grace ever truly be repaid?

Even if one tried for a lifetime, it would be impossible.

Grace was not a debt written in a ledger to be paid down, but a memory engraved upon the heart.

If Gwangcheon had lost his life then and there, Beopgong would never have endured the grief and loss.

Though he had stepped away from the front, just by remaining at Mount Song to guard Shaolin’s back, Gwangcheon was an immense strength to him.

"You saved my master’s life. That makes you my benefactor as well. Tell me what you wish. If it is within my power, I shall grant it."

Seolhwa shook her head.

"No. I did not act expecting anything. I only wished for the elders’ safety."

Because only if they lived could the future be secured.

As if expecting that answer, Beopgong nodded, then drew something from his robes and set it before her.

"I thought you might say so, and so I prepared a small token of thanks."

What he placed on the floor was a small box and a plaque no larger than half a palm.

The instant she saw the box, Seolhwa knew what it contained.

When she looked at him in surprise, Beopgong nodded.

"A Great Restoration Pill. Even within the temple, there are but a few of these rare treasures left."

"This is... too much."

"When you were young and foolish, you took without hesitation. This time, it is not mine alone, but Shaolin’s will as well. Accept it without burden."

He pushed the Great Restoration Pill toward her, making light of the matter with a jest about four years ago.

"That was..."

Back then, she had thought only of returning to the Namgoong Clan.

She had only thought of how desperately she needed the pill, without considering Shaolin’s loss.

No—she had been incapable of considering it.

Right after returning to the past, she had known no emotions at all.

"Then, let this be counted as returning the pill I took four years ago."

"No. It means Shaolin has given you two Great Restoration Pills in gratitude."

With a gentle smile, Beopgong laughed heartily.

"One you already took four years ago, and now I have brought you another."

"Ha..."

Pressed so firmly, Seolhwa could refuse no further.

"Then... I accept it with thanks."

"And take this as well."

Beopgong placed the plaque atop the box.

"A pass to the Sutra Repository."

"! "

Seolhwa’s eyes widened in shock.

The Sutra Repository.

One of Shaolin’s greatest prides—a true treasury of knowledge, housing countless martial manuals and secret texts, as well as Buddhist scriptures accumulated through centuries of history.

Rumor had it that not only martial arts, but also medicine, pharmacology, even formulas for rare spiritual elixirs could be found there—things any martial artist would covet.

"Hoho, you look even happier than when I gave you the Great Restoration Pill."

"I’ve always wanted to enter, just once."

"That pass is not for one-time use."

"Then..."

"As long as you do not lose it, you may enter freely—save for the innermost chamber where the True Mountain Martial Arts are kept."

Seolhwa’s eyes sparkled brilliantly.

Though Beopgong spoke half in jest, to her, this gift was far more precious than the pill.

There were many techniques from her past life that had grown hazy in memory, that she longed to confirm.

And though she could not enter the chamber of True Mountain Secrets, there would still be plenty of arts she had never seen within the Sutra Repository.

"Hoho, is it so delightful?"

"Thank you. Truly... truly, I’m overjoyed."

"Then I am glad to have given it. But do not think that is all."

"Surely there is not more? I have already received more than enough."

"Did I not say? I knew you would not ask for anything, so I prepared these in advance. Consider these much for Shaolin’s dignity."

"But..."

A Great Restoration Pill, and even a pass to the Sutra Repository.

Could such extravagant gifts be called mere dignity?

Perhaps it was because they were the overlords of the Central Plains?

What a staggering scale.

Once more, Beopgong drew something from his robes.

It was the abbot’s seal, symbol of Shaolin’s will.

"If you are ever in need, speak. Shaolin will always stand by your side."

As he said this, his gaze was more serious than ever.

It was the look of one bearing the full resolve of Shaolin—to aid her, whatever might come.

Seolhwa nodded.

"Yes. I will remember."

When she had first come to Shaolin, she had only hoped they would join in founding the Martial Alliance. This outcome surpassed all hopes.

But she had to be clear.

"Then, about the Martial Alliance..."

"We will gladly lend our strength."

Seolhwa’s lips curved into a faint smile.

How delighted her grandfather and clan elders would be to hear this.

Of the Nine Great Sects, five formed the central pillars.

And now, with Shaolin and Mount Hua moving, gathering the rest would only be a matter of time.

At last, the history of the martial world was shifting into a new phase.