CRS Chapter 51

Even as a human, Eunho remained remarkably consistent. Tathagatha smiled amusedly at this sight.

“It seems you’ve met that child well.”

“You’re so sly. So, why have you come?”

Tathagatha tilted his head.

“Eunho, wasn’t it you who came?”

“Ah, is that so?”

Come to think of it, it was Eunho himself who had come to Shaolin.

In fact, this was a meaningless statement to Tathagatha, who had no concept of space.

It was just wordplay.

Eunho knew this too, but he didn’t bother to point it out.

“Let me ask one thing. That small gift you mentioned at the end. Was it my face, or was it Hwa-yeon?”

When Tathagatha made an incredulous expression, Eunho’s eyes narrowed.

A being of that caliber shouldn’t have expressions.

Pretending to be human when you’re not.

“Would it be your face? Even with the gift right beside you, you have strange thoughts.”

“Tsk, it’s not that strange. What was the reason for deliberately making Hwa-yeon meet me?”

“Do you think it’s the first time?”

When Tathagatha asked back, Eunho thought for a moment and said,

“It’s not the first time, since I saw her in my previous life. Is it the second time?”

“Wrong.”

“Huh?”

If not the second time, then what?

“Multigenerational karma. It’s a bond formed through numerous reincarnations.”

“Are you saying I have past lives I don’t remember?”

“Of course. A total of ninety-seven times. This is your ninety-ninth life. You’ve formed a bond with her in most of those lives.”

Tathagatha paused for a moment before continuing.

“Sometimes you were just passersby, sometimes family, and sometimes the picture of master and disciple was drawn.”

Eunho’s eyes lowered.

“Were we happy?”

“You were.”

“Huh?”

“You were happy. However, she encountered misfortune every time she met you. In your previous life, she was even murdered.”

The memory of his previous life flashed before Eunho’s eyes.

Including the image of her being brutally killed.

“I see.”

It was a rather calm response.

“You’re not surprised?”

“Why should I be surprised? The me from my past life isn’t me.”

Tathagatha looked a bit surprised for a moment, then smiled.

“After accumulating merits for over a thousand years, you’ve become quite the sage.”

“Ahem, unnecessary talk. This time will be different. I won’t let that child be unhappy because of me.”

“I hope so.”

Suddenly, Eunho recalled Blood Demon’s demonic energy.

“Is something happening in the yokai realm?”

“I can’t tell you.”

“Oh, so there is something?”

“I can’t tell you.”

Eunho frowned.

As expected, he wouldn’t fall for this.

“If you have any lingering attachments, I could return your yokai power.”

“Can you do that as you please?”

Tathagatha smiled gently.

“Do you know? You’re a very interesting being. All beings in the world are bound by the law of cause and effect.”

The law of cause and effect.

It’s the constraint that separates divine beings from those who are not.

Beings like the Great Immortals can’t freely exert their power on humans and yokais.

If they did, the world couldn’t be maintained.

Conversely, yokais and humans can’t harm celestial beings either.

Occasionally, non-standard beings appear, but they are literally beings beyond common sense.

Like Eunho in his yokai days.

“Didn’t you give the immortals a hard time? Usually, that’s unimaginable. Thanks to that, your karma is in a mess. You’ve broken the constraints yourself. Such troublemakers appear once every few thousand years.”

“Troublemaker is a bit…”

Regardless, Tathagatha continued.

“Normally, one should cut off all bonds and memories of reincarnation and past lives, but you didn’t, Eunho. Do you believe a yokai, especially one as massive as you, can reincarnate as a human? A thousand years of merit wouldn’t be nearly enough. Even ten thousand or a hundred thousand years wouldn’t be enough. It was only possible because you, Eunho, were a being who had stripped away the constraints of karma yourself.”

Eunho nodded, pretending to understand.

He didn’t really get what this nonsense was about, but it seemed like he was being praised for being an extraordinary being.

“Huh? Wait.”

Eunho’s eyes suddenly sharpened.

“Conversely, it sounds like I didn’t even need a thousand years of merit?”

Tathagatha, uncharacteristically flinching, subtly changed the subject.

“The conclusion is, you can regain your yokai power and become a yokai again anytime you want. However, if you do so, you can never become human again. Do you want to take it back?”

Eunho thought deeply.

There’s no chance he’ll become a yokai again.

However, he was curious how strong he would become if he could combine his past life’s yokai power with his current martial arts.

Cloud-Splitting Single Stroke and Falling Moon True Heaven.

Splitting clouds and making the moon fall.

It was just a metaphor, but if he regained his power, he felt he could actually accomplish it.

Even Blood Demon had gained unimaginable power, hadn’t he?

It must be due to the demonic power.

Eunho was convinced of this.

That Great Method the Blood Cult had prepared must be some technique to stably absorb demonic power.

They must have targeted Hwa-yeon’s martial arts for the same reason.

However, Eunho shook his head.

“No matter what, I won’t become a yokai again. I went through all sorts of trouble to live as a human, I can’t undo it so easily. There’s no reason to, either.”

Tathagatha nodded, showing a somewhat regretful expression for some reason.

“Hmm, I understand.”

“By the way, are you keeping the fox bead safe?”

“Probably so.”

Eunho’s eyebrows rose sharply.

“Probably? Did you say probably?”

What kind of bead is that!

“Why? Do you want it back?”

“Ahem, that’s not it.”

Tathagatha smiled with a rather playful expression.

“Good. Today’s entertainment ends here.”

Just as Eunho was about to ask what he meant with his eyes.

The entire dream, including Tathagatha, began to shake.

“Ugh!”

His body jerked upright.

Seeing the bright light seeping into the room, almost blinding, it seemed to be morning.

“Ugh, how unpleasant.”

It didn’t feel like he had slept at all.

Filled with this unpleasant feeling, he went outside.

Shaolin’s morning started as early as Wudang’s.

The monk warriors were already training in the martial arts ground, and beside them, Sword King Namgoong Jin was wiping his sweat and putting away his sword.

“Oh, you’re up.”

As Namgoong Jin greeted him, Eunho shook his head.

What a diligent man.

Soon, Namgoong Jin approached Eunho with steady steps and smiled brightly.

“If you don’t mind, shall we have a drink?”

“Alcohol?”

“Haha, what are you saying so early in the morning? Of course, I mean tea. Do you know? Shaolin’s tea is so deep and subtle…”

“Hmm, sure.”

Not many could coldly refuse such a bright smile.

Before he knew it, Eunho found himself sitting across from Namgoong Jin at a tea table.

Eunho’s brow furrowed deeply.

What’s wrong with this man?

He was always a bright and kind person, but today it seemed a bit excessive.

Feeling ominous for some reason, Eunho quickly pulled out the Fierce Horn Squad Leader nameplate from his chest and placed it on the table.

“I’ll return this. It’s no longer necessary for me.”

Saying this, he pushed the nameplate towards Namgoong Jin.

“Haha, it’s fine.”

Namgoong Jin said, pushing it back towards Eunho!

“No, I should return it.”

“Come on, I said it’s fine?”

The nameplate moved back and forth quickly between the two.

Soon, a scene unfolded where each held the opposite side of the nameplate, pushing it towards the other in a test of strength.

Veins popped on the foreheads of Namgoong Jin and Eunho.

They applied force, even using internal energy.

The vibration that started from the tea table soon began to shake the entire hall.

Due to the energy radiating in all directions, objects around the two were pushed outwards.

It was a battle of internal energy between Two Emperors at the end of the Transformation Realm and the Profound Realm.

Creak-!

Even the building itself shook, and dust fell from the ceiling.

That’s when it happened.

“W-what’s going on!”

Myeong Hye, the abbot of Shaolin, entered with a startled expression.

“What are you doing…”

Myeong Hye was dumbfounded.

Hadn’t he said just last night that he would keep that child close?

Then why were they having an internal energy battle first thing in the morning?

“Let go.”

“Ahem, the junior should let go first.”

“I warned you clearly.”

Saying this, Eunho infused even more fierce energy.

Finally, cracks began to appear on the nameplate, and then it shattered into pieces.

The surprising thing was that all the pieces of the nameplate ended up in front of the Sword King.

It was Eunho’s victory.

Namgoong Jin showed a momentarily disappointed expression, but then he resolved himself.

What incredible internal energy and control!

I must keep him close!

Thinking this, Namgoong Jin looked at Eunho with a rather serious expression.

“Nephew-disciple.”

“…?”

What nephew-disciple?

“As my brother’s disciple, you’re like a nephew-disciple to me.”

“Don’t families not really care about such things? It’s not a Taoist or Buddhist sect. Even the Namgoong family martial artists didn’t like me. They told me to get lost.”

Of course, they didn’t actually say “get lost.”

“How could that be! If my brother and I acknowledge you, who would deny it! From today, I guarantee it. Eunho, you’re no different from our Namgoong family! I will personally convey this to the Namgoong family.”

Namgoong Jin declared directly.

From this moment, Eunho is Namgoong Cheong’s official disciple.

If Namgoong Jin personally conveys this to the Namgoong family, they will likely treat Eunho with considerable respect from now on.

However, Eunho tilted his head.

Who decided this?

Why am I part of the Namgoong family?

Regardless, Namgoong Jin was firm.

“Nephew-disciple, do you dislike our Martial Righteous Alliance that much?”

“Well, it’s not that I dislike the Martial Righteous Alliance, but it’s obvious that troublesome things will happen.”

“Good. Then you don’t have to stay at the Martial Righteous Alliance permanently.”

He still didn’t like it.

He could just not join the alliance.

“And from what I saw last time, there are always big and small issues happening in the Martial Righteous Alliance, and even the Emperor immediately seeks out the Martial Righteous Alliance when problems arise. Just thinking about it is troublesome.”

“Ahem.”

A deep furrow appeared between Namgoong Jin’s brows.

He’s more stubborn than expected.

However, Sword King Namgoong Jin wasn’t one to give up so easily.

“Our Martial Righteous Alliance moves for righteousness and chivalry. Your martial prowess is worthy of being called the greatest under heaven. How about using that power for a greater cause!”

As he said this, a passionate light flickered in Namgoong Jin’s eyes.

On the other hand, Eunho shuddered.

The world has gone mad.

The young later-stage adepts have rotten fish eyes, while those who should be retiring to the back room are burning with passion in their eyes.

“Sigh, I really hate it to the point of grinding my teeth.”

“…”

To that extent?

Namgoong Jin finally continued, half giving up.

“Fine. If you don’t want to pursue a cause, do as you wish. You don’t have to get involved in Martial Righteous Alliance affairs at all. Just join the alliance.”

“If that’s the case, why join at all?”

“We’ll give you money and a Hall Master position.”

A Hall Master in the Martial Righteous Alliance referred to those who held specific roles above Sect Leaders and Great Elders, and they received treatment equivalent to Elders.

Receiving treatment equivalent to an Elder meant being able to voice opinions in general meetings.

It meant being able to exert significant influence on the righteous martial arts world.

“A Hall Master can deploy up to two hundred Martial Righteous Alliance martial artists without permission. It’s a key position.”

Namgoong Jin looked at Eunho.

If this doesn’t work, he’d give up and try other means later.

Huh? He saw Eunho’s eyes waver slightly.

Namgoong Jin pressed on.

“However, you should step in when chaos in the entire martial arts world is expected. Of course, this is my personal recommendation, so you can act based on your own judgment.”

Eunho nodded.

In such a situation, it was clear that not just the martial arts world, but the entire Central Plains would be in turmoil.

With family and people to protect, Eunho wouldn’t just stand by and watch.

“Hmm, that seems fine.”

“Right?”

Namgoong Jin broke out in a cold sweat.

When he returns to the Martial Righteous Alliance, he’ll be hounded for days by the Chief Military Officer saying, “Where in the world is there such an exceptional appointment?”

“So, to summarize, I don’t have to get involved with the Martial Righteous Alliance, and the Martial Righteous Alliance can’t interfere with me. Meanwhile, I get to enjoy all the money and power… Is that correct?”

Namgoong Jin nodded, creaking like a broken machine.

It sounds even worse when put that way?

But he needs to keep him close, even like this.

“Alright. Then…”

It was just then that someone came running in a hurry.

He was dressed as a eunuch, but judging by his martial arts, he seemed to be from the Eastern Depot.

He caught his breath, looking at Eunho.

“Huff… hah… Fortunately, you’re here. The Emperor has sent an imperial edict.”

He had followed Eunho’s trail from Cheonha Merchant Guild to the Hwiyeong Manor, and from there to Shaolin.

Eunho tilted his head.

“Why did you come all the way here? You could have just left it at Cheonha Merchant Guild.”

And why in such a hurry?

The eunuch’s expression turned ashen.

“How could I do that!”

It’s not like a waiter running errands for an inn, this is an imperial edict.

If he returned to the imperial palace and said,

“The scholar wasn’t there, so I just left it. Haha.”

The obvious reply would be,

“Haha, it seems you don’t need your head either. Leave it here before you go.”

Then, he put on a stern expression and unfurled the red scroll tied with golden threads, lowering his voice.

“Scholar, listen! I have prepared a position for you, and hereby bestow upon you the official rank of Taishi, 3rd senior grade. I appoint you as my martial arts master, so do not bow your head carelessly to anyone!”

It was a position created solely for Eunho, to be maintained only during his lifetime.

Everyone around was shocked.

From what they could gather, while it’s unclear how much influence he would wield in the imperial court,

Depending on how it’s used, isn’t this a position that could hold as much power as a Grand Scholar of the Inner Court!

Eunho glanced at Namgoong Jin.

“Doesn’t this look better? Than that Hall Master or whatever, I mean.”

Namgoong Jin’s lips went dry.

“I-it does look that way… But, but…”

He had nothing to say.

Money? Honor? Power?

No matter how he looked at it, that position was worth more than twice as much.

“Hmm.”

Namgoong Jin swallowed bitterly.

At that moment, Eunho asked,

“Can’t I just do both?”

“Of course you can!”

However, the eunuch from the Eastern Depot showed a troubled expression.

“That would need to be confirmed with the Emperor…”

“Then you can go back and get that confirmation.”

“…?”

After coming all this way?

“Next time, come to Cheonha Merchant Guild, no, to the Hwiyeong Manor.”

In the end, the eunuch had no choice but to trudge back with heavy steps.