The Return of the Sw Chapter 72 : Let’s Settle It. -02

Chapter 72: Let’s Settle It. -02

The human body was not steel.

Even steel had a lifespan.

When its limits were reached, even steel broke, so there was no reason humans would be any different.

If anything, humans broke down even faster.

‘That’s why moderation is important.’

Beopmu thought it was fortunate that Ban Hojin was actually taking some free time.

No matter how crazily one devoted oneself to training, there had to be a certain amount of rest for balance.

Perhaps Ban Hojin instinctively understood that.

Thinking not of the immediate present, but of a farther future, a higher place.

“It seems you’ve been very busy lately.”

“Hehe. No, not really. It’s work I’ve always done. Handling marriage proposals is only natural for a senior brother who has such an outstanding junior disciple. And meeting people is my job to begin with. So you don’t need to feel burdened.”

“There isn’t anything particularly troublesome, is there?”

“Of course not. It’s a peaceful time, after all. That’s why I’m a little worried, but that’s the same everywhere. Anyway, I understand. I’ll refuse the marriage proposals rather than just putting them on hold.”

Beopmu slowly brought the conversation to a close.

Judging by things, the guests’ quarters would likely be completed before sunset, but finishing the structure itself was not the end.

Daily necessities had to be brought in, furniture arranged, and personal belongings unpacked, so there was still a lot to do.

That was why Beopmu tactfully excused himself.

“Thank you.”

“Then please rest comfortably. If you need anything, tell your junior brother at any time.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Knowing this as well, the group had Seonwu Bang represent them in offering a palms-joined salute toward Beopmu.

Since they were at Shaolin, they followed the temple’s customs.

Shortly after Beopmu left, just as he had expected, the group lent a hand in assembling the houses.

“This is surprisingly fun?”

“This is my first time doing something like this.”

“But don’t we also need to go hunting? Shaolin is a temple, so they probably won’t serve meat at all.”

“Huh? I didn’t think of that.”

Seo Joun and Murong Cheok, who had been excited by the novel experience, grew serious.

It was because they were once again reminded that there was much to do for their future lives, beyond just building houses.

Shaolin would provide some support, but among those here, Ban Hojin was the only one accustomed to not eating meat.

Of course, they could get used to vegetables, stir-fried greens, or fasting pills, but they did not want to deliberately adapt to temple food.

“I’ll do the hunting. I’m used to it anyway. But is it actually okay to grill and eat meat?”

Jeong I-ryong was someone who had lived in such a remote place that it would not be an exaggeration to say he had turned his back on the secular world.

Life in the mountains, where there were fewer people than even in villages, was more familiar to him, so self-sufficiency was simply his daily routine.

There was just one thing he worried about: whether it was permissible to hunt and eat wild animals.

“It’s fine, as long as you don’t make it and offer it to the monks. In fact, lay disciples often secretly catch and grill deer, rabbits, or ducks while training at Shaolin. They don’t do it openly, though.”

“Ah.”

At Ban Hojin’s explanation, Jeong I-ryong’s face brightened.

Since it was Ban Hojin, a lay disciple of Shaolin, who said it, Jeong I-ryong could feel at ease.

“Usually they go down to Dengfeng County to eat, but even if you cook it here, no one will complain.”

“Understood. Then since it’s the first day, I’ll catch a big deer.”

“Alright.”

After speaking boldly, Jeong I-ryong disappeared into the thick undergrowth with practiced ease.

After that, everyone dispersed to take care of their own tasks.

Ban Hojin also headed back to the inner grounds to gather the furnishings needed for each room.

Normally, one would hear birdsong, but today was different.

From early morning, energetic shouts filled the air.

With friends and juniors together in a space where he had always been alone, Ban Hojin felt emotions that were both familiar and unfamiliar.

But the important thing was that he did not dislike it at all.

“Grow strong. For the peace of the Central Plains.”

The sweat the group shed now would later become the power that protected the Central Plains Murim.

Moreover, it would reduce by even one the number of wandering spirits of Jianghu who would otherwise die in vain.

Of course, they were completely unaware of that fact right now.

Tap.

Ban Hojin slowly read through the books that had been delivered through someone early in the morning.

However, the rather thick books were not just one.

There were three in total, and Ban Hojin carefully skimmed through the untitled volumes.

“They really got away with a lot. What I knew was just the tip of the iceberg? Huh.”

From time to time, Ban Hojin shook his head, making sounds that were hard to tell whether they were exclamations or sighs.

It was more sordid and dirtier than he had expected.

He was especially slightly surprised when completely unexpected individuals appeared.

“This is… pretty big.”

Tap. Tap. Tap.

At the appearance of someone he had never anticipated, Ban Hojin tapped the desk.

However, his deliberation was brief.

No, the answer had been decided from the start.

There were no exceptions.

Knock knock.

“It’s me. I’m coming in.”

At that moment, an uninvited guest arrived.

At the same time as knocking, he said only what he wanted and flung the door open.

“Normally, one would open the door after receiving the homeowner’s permission.”

“Between us, we can skip that much, can’t we?”

“Well. I don’t think senior brother and I are close enough to call it ‘between us.’”

“You’re prickly first thing in the morning.”

Jang Pilsang, who had barged in and opened the door, twitched his eyebrows.

His face was filled with displeasure, but he did not press the matter any further.

“Why are you here?”

“Even if I came without notice, is it straight to business the moment I sit down? No tea?”

“There’s a saying: keep it brief and to the point.”

“You’re still annoying as ever.”

“I was born this way.”

Ban Hojin shrugged.

But even seeing that, Jang Pilsang could not say anything.

On any other day, he would have exploded in anger, but today was different.

It was clear that he was in the inferior position, so he only smacked his lips with a dissatisfied expression.

“What are these books?”

“Things I’m researching. The Scripture Pavilion has plenty of strange books, doesn’t it?”

“They’re all useless. They’re all just novels.”

“Most of them are.”

Jang Pilsang soon lost interest in the books on the desk.

He didn’t even spare him a glance, and at that sight Ban Hojin let out a quiet chuckle.

The current situation amused him.

“Since you want it, I’ll get straight to the point. Come meet someone with me right now.”

“I refuse.”

“…What?”

“I said no.”

Jang Pilsang’s brow deeply furrowed.

He, too, hadn’t expected Ban Hojin to obediently follow his words.

Given their relationship so far, it had never been particularly good.

However, matters of the world did not always move solely according to personal feelings.

“This meeting will benefit you as well. There’s nothing bad about meeting them. No—rather, it’s a rare opportunity.”

“I appreciate the thought. Now, would you please leave? I just returned to the Main Temple after a long time, and I have a lot to do.”

“It’s truly a wasted opportunity. I arranged this for your sake!”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have the time. It’s a task my Master personally instructed me to handle.”

Clench!

Jang Pilsang’s hand tightened into a fist.

However, the table hid that motion from view.

In truth, Jang Pilsang himself didn’t even register it.

His mind was filled with nothing but bewilderment.

“It’ll only take once—just come out once. You can’t even do that for me?”

Jang Pilsang bent his pride.

In his heart, he wanted to spew out a torrent of curses, but he couldn’t.

It was because of all the bold claims he had made until now.

To countless people, he had loudly boasted that although Ban Hojin was a martial artist who had defeated the Green Forest Great Lord, to him he was merely a junior disciple. Because of that, Jang Pilsang absolutely had to bring Ban Hojin along.

“And why should I do that?”

“…I’m asking you.”

Grinding his teeth, Jang Pilsang lowered his head.

Yet his expression was ferocious.

Contrary to the act of pleading, Jang Pilsang’s face was twisted savagely, like that of a vicious demon.

If he could, he wanted to drag him along by force, but regrettably, that was impossible with his level of skill.

“I’m asking you as well. Please leave now.”

“Are you really going to act like this?”

“I have no idea what you mean. This is my residence. You’re the one who came without notice. If you barge in unannounced and suddenly tell me to go with you, am I supposed to comply? I have my own schedule. One that my Master personally instructed.”

Ban Hojin’s Master was none other than Damhyeon, the Abbot of Shaolin.

Because of that, even though rage surged within him, Jang Pilsang had nothing he could say.

Judging by the circumstances, it might have been a lie—but there was also more than enough possibility that it was true.

Thus, Jang Pilsang had no choice but to seek his understanding.

“When have I ever made a request like this before?”

“When the Four Dragons and Three Phoenixes came.”

“……”

At Ban Hojin’s point-by-point rebuttal, veins bulged on Jang Pilsang’s forehead.

But since it was true, he couldn’t refute it.

“I would appreciate it if you left now.”

“I won’t forget what happened today.”

“I don’t think I will be the same.”

Crunch!

From beginning to end, Ban Hojin’s infuriating words and behavior made Jang Pilsang grind his teeth.

Then, with the murderous glare he had been holding back all this time, he shot Ban Hojin a look.

But Ban Hojin was not someone who would be cowed by such a gaze.

Rather, with a meaningful expression, he met Jang Pilsang’s eyes head-on.

“I suspect Senior Brother Jang will feel the same.”

“Hmph!”

Unable to get what he wanted, Jang Pilsang stormed out of the room in irritation.

Watching him leave after slamming the door hard enough to nearly break it, the corners of Ban Hojin’s mouth lifted.

“It’s only just beginning, and you’re already getting worked up. Ah—perhaps this will be the last time you get worked up.”

Ban Hojin gathered the three books.

Although they had been delivered to him, this was not their final destination.

And so, Ban Hojin also left his quarters.

Clink.

Ban Hojin slowly looked around the reception room, always filled with the same deep, serene fragrance.

When he had first returned to the past, Ban Hojin had been genuinely glad to see this place.

It was one of the places he had wanted to protect, but ultimately failed to.

Now, recalling the image of a previous life remembered by him alone, Ban Hojin lifted his teacup.

“So. What wind blew you here to seek me out? Aside from the day you returned, you never even came to greet me.”

Pouring tea into his own cup as well, Damhyeon smiled gently.

Though his words sounded reproachful, his expression did not.

At Ban Hojin’s sudden visit, his pleased demeanor was unmistakable.

“You seem too busy for me to greet you often.”

“Even so, I have time to share a cup of tea and some conversation with my disciple. Isn’t that obvious, even now?”

“I’m sorry for coming so suddenly.”

“That’s enough. I wasn’t saying it to receive an apology from you. I simply mean that you should come by from time to time. You may say there’s nothing left for you to learn from me, but I am still your Master in name, am I not?”

“I believe I still have much to learn.”

Ban Hojin smiled and shook his head.

Martial arts were not learned only from those stronger than oneself.

Just as there were lessons to be learned even from a child, Ban Hojin believed he still had much to learn.

Even if the height of the towers built was the same, that did not mean their contents were identical.

“I’m grateful you say that.”

“It’s true that I still have a long road ahead.”

“Is even that not enough? Then your greed is excessive.”

“Everyone has different goals. I’m simply running toward mine. More importantly, could you take a look at this?”

Slide.

Ban Hojin took out the three books he had brought in his satchel.

Seeing the untitled books, which clearly looked hastily compiled, curiosity appeared in Damhyeon’s eyes.