Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 353

Chapter 353
“As I mentioned before, since Shaolin typically permits only men to enter, we will wait for you over there, So-ryong.”

As we approached Iljumun, the initial gate to Shaolin, a wide clearing became visible.
A number of pavilions had been erected in that area, and Hwa-eun turned around to address me.
She indicated that she would wait at one of those pavilions.
Just as she had previously explained, Shaolin was strictly off-limits to women.
There were apparently rare exceptions made for special events, but this was not one of those occasions.
On certain holidays or seasonal celebrations, women were granted restricted entry—limited to areas close to the entrance and a few specified zones.
Under normal circumstances, women were barred from the inner sections of Shaolin, so she had no choice but to remain outside.

“I really wished I could see the interior of Shaolin as well…”
“I’m also curious, but there’s nothing we can do. Unless it’s an occasion like the Lantern Festival, women are not permitted inside Shaolin.”
“Tch…”

Sister Seol voiced her desire to see inside Shaolin, but as Hwa-eun had stated, the situation was unavoidable.
Violating the rule would be considered an affront to Shaolin’s dignity, and the consequence would be confinement in the Chamber of Repentance.
From what I had been told, any transgression at Shaolin resulted in being sent directly to the Chamber of Repentance.
The name sounded dignified, but according to Brother, it was essentially a prison—a hollow carved into the side of a cliff, sealed shut with iron bars.
It was more accurately described as a jail.
From dawn until dusk, monks would chant sutras incessantly outside the cells.
It was no wonder that people ended up embracing Buddhism after being trapped there for several years.
Being imprisoned for a decade or two, with monks chanting relentlessly just beyond the bars—enough to drive anyone mad.
And if you converted to Buddhism, they would set you free. Under those circumstances, who wouldn’t eventually yield?
It made me wonder if the Chamber of Repentance was actually Shaolin’s method of pressuring people into becoming monks.
After all, neither eunuchs nor monks were roles that attracted an abundance of willing volunteers.
‘It seems rather dubious when you consider it.’

“Sister Seol, if the opportunity arises later, you should pay a visit. For now, Hwa-eun, I will go in with Brother.”
“Very well, So-ryong. Take care, and I hope you accomplish what you set out to do. If you are uncertain about anything, you can always message the group chat.”
“Understood.”

As I had stated earlier, only Brother and I would be entering.
Although men were allowed inside, no one else was willing to accompany us aside from Brother.
They claimed that temples felt oppressive.
This was especially true for the Kwon-ryong and Geom-ryong brothers—they had argued fiercely to visit the giru, but when it came to Shaolin, they outright refused.
「”So, does that mean only the men can enter Shaolin?”
“No, Do-ryong and So-ryong—the two of you should go.”
“What about you two?”
“If I go somewhere that’s only men, my skin breaks out.”
“I… well… the food at temples has a strange taste to me… ahem.”」
Their preferences were unmistakably clear.
Recalling that exchange made me smile faintly as I moved forward, but then I heard a voice from behind.
“Children, you as well. Stay here. You cannot follow Daddy.”

When I glanced back, I saw the children attempting to follow me, only to be held back by Hwa-eun.
I had taken for granted that they would remain behind, but it appeared they believed they could accompany me since they weren’t human.
Perhaps they assumed that being female was different from being an ‘adult woman.’
-Tsururut?
-Shaa?
-Bii?
The children tilted their heads in confusion, as if questioning what was wrong.
Observing them, a idea occurred to me.
Maybe they were correct—since they weren’t human, the rule shouldn’t apply.
Ultimately, rules are created for people.
The children wouldn’t be subject to those regulations.
If this were a place full of ordinary folks, I would have concealed the children, but this was the martial world—there was no need to hide them.
Besides, Shaolin was already aware that I raised poisonous creatures and spirit beasts.
As long as we didn’t break the “no women” rule, there should be no issue.
And now that I considered it, I needed to bring Ranghyang along to help explain the incident.
He was a crucial witness—or more accurately, a victim. A “victim beast,” truly.
So I promptly asked Hwa-eun.
“Now that I think about it, since the children aren’t human, it should be acceptable, right?
Also, to properly explain what occurred, I must bring Ranghyang. It would be better to bring the others as well. If I tried to take only Ranghyang, he might become frightened since he is new to our family.”
“I agree about bringing Ranghyang…”
Hwa-eun’s voice trailed off as she looked to the side.
I followed her gaze and saw Cheongyu and Yo-hwa blinking at us.
-Kisit?
-Shia?
“Ah…”
Seeing them, I recognized the complication.
Those two were… problematic.
They were too human-like in appearance to bring along without difficulty.
Cheongyu was in a half-human form—her upper body resembled that of a human—and Yo-hwa had adopted Hwa-eun’s appearance, so they hardly differed from actual people.
Resting my chin thoughtfully, I decided to consult Brother.
“Brother, why are women not allowed inside Shaolin?”
“Because monks with insufficient discipline might succumb to temptation upon seeing women.”
“Ah…”
Hearing that, I understood it was related to monks grappling with desire.
‘In that case, perhaps it’s acceptable?’
If that was the rationale, it might actually be fine.
And since asking would cost nothing, we could inquire at the entrance.
“Then let’s bring them along for now and ask at the gate.”
“If they refuse, we can simply send them back to wait with Hwa-eun. And as you said, Ranghyang needs to come regardless.”
“Alright, children, let’s go. But if they say you cannot enter, you’ll have to return and wait with Mom.”
-Kishi.
-Biiii.
-Tsururur.
The children made cheerful noises and promptly arranged themselves behind me.
After exchanging farewells, I departed with Brother toward the entrance.
“Then, we will return shortly.”
Dragging along the captured fake Taoist scoundrel.
“Move.”
“Aughghghh…”
Brother tugged sharply on the rope binding the monk, and the villain groaned exaggeratedly as though on the verge of death.
Pulling the impostor monk along, we arrived at the enormous stone gate of Shaolin.
Further within, near another gate, a group of monks noticed us and became alarmed.
They seized long staffs and hurried over to encircle us—but one of the monks recognized Brother and swiftly signaled for them to halt.
“Wh-who goes there!?”
“Stand down!”
-Clack!
“Ah, Amitabha. Brother Paeng, what brings you here?”
The one who appeared to be the lead guard inquired, and Brother grinned as he made introductions.
“Monk Ja-un, this is So-ryong, the son-in-law of the Sichuan Tang Clan, along with the children he cares for. And this man is the fake Taoist the Head Abbot requested we apprehend previously. Since he was misleading and corrupting the people, as instructed, we captured him. Of course, it was all due to So-ryong’s efforts.”
“Oh, it was him? And I had heard about the spirit beasts he raises, but I never expected them to be so large and distinctive. Truly, truly remarkable.”
Monk Ja-un gaped momentarily at the children positioned behind me.
He quickly regained his composure and pressed his palms together in greeting.
“Please excuse my discourtesy. Amitabha. I am Ja-un. It is a privilege to make your acquaintance. And thank you for resolving Shaolin’s predicament.”
“Pleased to meet you. I am So-ryong, son of the Beast Palace and son-in-law of the Tang Clan.”

After we exchanged greetings, Monk Ja-un immediately shifted his attention to the bound Taoist.
His demeanor changed entirely compared to when he spoke with us, and he issued a command at once.
“Take the criminal from our guests and escort him directly to the Daeungbojeon. And one of you, hurry to the Head Abbot’s quarters and inform Great Monk Hyewon of the situation.”
“Yes!”
The rope restraining the fake Taoist, which Brother had been holding like a lead, was transferred to the Shaolin monks.
Monk Ja-un then turned back, prepared to usher us inside.
However, when he noticed Yo-hwa and Cheongyu, his expression turned uneasy.
“So-ryong, although you have rendered us a great service, those children cannot pass through the gates of Shaolin. The entry of women is strictly prohibited within.”
Evidently, the other children were permissible, but those who resembled women posed a problem.
But of course, I had expected this.
Did they believe I brought the children all this way without a strategy?
I was fully prepared to negotiate.
I inquired as courteously as I could.
“Is it due to their appearance?”
“That is correct, So-ryong.”
As anticipated, it was because they looked like women.
But then, appearing somewhat perturbed, he continued.
“I have heard that the reason women are not allowed inside is due to concern that monks with weaker discipline might be tempted. Is that accurate?”
“Yes, that is accurate, So-ryong.”
“Hmm. Then you are suggesting that you fear monks might be tempted merely by the sight of these children…”
“And if that is the situation… does that not imply a certain risk in itself?”
“E-eh?”
Monk Ja-un blinked, failing to comprehend my point, and I responded while looking toward the far-off mountains.
“What I mean is, if they become tempted just by seeing beings that are not even human…”
‘From this moment on, anyone who experiences such feelings will be effectively revealing themselves!’
Insects are often described as carapaced or shelled—and if someone feels attracted to beings that aren’t human, what term would apply? Not furry—that refers to fur—but perhaps carapaced, or shell-oriented enthusiasts?
In any case, it was along those lines.
Those who adore fur are furries; those who adore shells might be… carapacians or shell-admirers?
At my words, Monk Ja-un started and hastily dispatched another monk inside.
“Go and inform Great Monk Hyewon that it would be advisable for him to personally welcome the guests.”
“Yes, understood.”
Clearly, this was a decision beyond his authority to make alone.

***

Due to the question I posed, both Great Monk Hyewon and several elder monks came hurrying out to the gate.
After a short discussion among themselves, they reached the conclusion that everyone could enter.
“Even if a monk’s discipline is frail, no one here would be tempted merely by the sight of a spirit beast. Please enter, So-ryong.”
If they had declined, it would have amounted to admitting that some of their monks had… unusual preferences.
Since no one desired that, they promptly granted us entry.
‘Excellent. Well done.’
“Thank you very much, Great Monk Hyewon.”
After expressing gratitude, we passed through the mountain gate.
Beyond the entrance stood the Cheonwangjeon, and behind it was the largest structure—the Daeungbojeon.
Before it, rows of Shaolin disciples were assembled.
And at the center, kneeling in front of the Daeungbojeon, was the fake Taoist, Taeheo.
“Could you relate the entire account?”
“Certainly.”
Standing before the fake Taoist, Great Monk Hyewon requested a full explanation.
I nodded and began without delay.
“To start, all of this occurred because that fake Taoist deceived a spirit beast—one who is blind—and compelled him to commit misdeeds. To provide more detail…”
When I reached the part about the incident in Sosang Village, the rosary beads in Great Monk Hyewon’s hands emitted a faint creak as he tightened his grip, causing a brief interruption.
But I persisted and relayed the entire story.
When I concluded, Great Monk Hyewon asked,
“Who is the one who cannot see?”
“This child here.”
Ranghyang, who was blind, was clinging anxiously to Bini.
I indicated him.
Great Monk Hyewon spoke in a mournful tone.
“He found a companion… he must have been lonely. Amitabha. Even the smallest creature longs for family, siblings, and affection.”
Throughout my explanation, I stressed that Ranghyang was not to blame—he had been manipulated.
Great Monk Hyewon expressed no condemnation toward Ranghyang.
Instead, he directed his burning wrath toward the fake Taoist.
“To exploit such innocent emotions for profit, and to inflict suffering upon people! Not even the compassionate Buddha would pardon such an act.”
“Indeed, while Ranghyang did err, it was only because that villain deceived such an innocent-hearted child. He is truly a despicable man.”
‘Yes, that scoundrel is utterly wicked!’
The fake Taoist, overwhelmed by shame, could not even object and only shook his head vehemently—which only fueled Great Monk Hyewon’s anger further.
Consumed by righteous indignation, Great Monk Hyewon pronounced the sentence.
“To prey upon the villagers around Mount Song and to manipulate an innocent spirit beast is a severe transgression. Fifty years in the Chamber of Repentance! Remove him!”
“Yes, Great Monk!”
The Taoist appeared to be in his late thirties.
Fifty years—effectively a lifetime sentence.
It was a stern judgment—condemning him to spend his remaining days imprisoned and isolated.
After delivering the verdict, Great Monk Hyewon offered a gentle smile.
“Now, shall we proceed inside, share some tea, and converse about the matter you wished to inquire about?”
At last, it was time to learn about karma and destiny.