I received a report that we might be able to update to Dreaming Mode version 1.5 around mid-February, after the Lunar New Year holiday.
Thanks to the Ricci Family using all available infrastructure, the research hasn’t been delayed.
In particular, the core technology of PMAAS was originally created for the diagnostic function of Dreaming Mode.
By teaching the AI the deviations between target actions and user actions, we were able to present a methodology to quantify ‘performance.’
Janjeol’s task ends here.
I retrieved the hologram I had pushed to the edge of the wall and read the email once more.
[ – Haoni, I hope the NoName clan leader can confirm the martial arts of the 72 sects and clear up any misunderstandings.]
“Hmmm… Smooth misdirection, huh?”
It’s a simple response to evade immediate danger.
I wasn’t sure what their true intention was, but there were plenty of ways for me to fall into their trap.
For example.
Let’s say the Shaolin guys inserted a few secret martial arts into the presentation of the 72 sects.
I had no way to verify it on-site.
If they say it’s true, what’s the point of me arguing?
But oddly enough, the situation would change 180 degrees.
I could either acknowledge my mistake and shamelessly raise the reputation of the Shaolin or become a typical conspiracy theorist standing against the proud Shaolin.
Public opinion can easily flip like a pancake.
‘What should I do…’
Umm-uhm…
I placed my pen on my lips, weighing my options.
Using Janjeol’s massive capital to crush the Shaolin would be so easy.
But that would make me no different from the warmongers I despise.
In the end, it’s the citizens who believe in Buddhism that would bear the brunt of the hit.
“Wool-wool!”
While I was contemplating upside down on the pull-up bar in my room, Nureongi pushed through the door.
“Nureongi, no! I’m working, okay?”
Following behind, Luri swiftly grabbed Nureongi.
She was trying to use Korean deliberately.
“Wow, your pronunciation has really improved. You’re almost a native! Is it because of the dragon’s oral structure?”
“I’m studying Korean with Nureongi. A thousand sentences a day.”
“No need to make Nureongi do that.”
“To obey big sis, Korean is a must, right Nureongi?”
Nureongi, landing on the floor, made eye contact with her.
Still, the smart dog could at least understand her name.
But Luri merely called out the name and looked gently, without giving any commands.
What was she doing?
Tap-tap…
Nureongi, unable to bear the boredom, extended her front paw.
“Paw.”
Slap-
“Did you see that, sis?”
Luri shamelessly boasted about her training success.
“Oh, I see… Can she sit or lie down too?”
“Just a moment!”
“Hey, hey, you shouldn’t use external manifestation on a dog!”
An ominous aura was wriggling behind me.
It seemed like she was trying to forcibly suppress Nureongi.
That’s what a cruel and merciless dragon does.
“Hmm… This isn’t working…”
But it seemed she ultimately failed.
“It’s not a world full of mana. Unlike the time when anyone could walk around swinging swords, external manifestation is tough nowadays.”
“Ugh…”
“But Luri is a capable dragon, so she’ll manage it soon.”
“Hehe.”
“Hmm?”
“Oops, I misspoke…! I’m sorry.”
Luri’s cheeks blushed a rosy red.
Occasionally, her childish reactions due to brain and hormone influences were cute.
Nureongi, now losing interest in us, trotted back toward the living room.
Now that I noticed, it seemed Nureongi had an I-type personality.
She didn’t like walks much and disliked loud noises.
“So that’s why she wanted to leave China?”
Luri came up behind me and started massaging my shoulder like old times.
Her not-so-cool and fidgety hands were only tickling.
“What’s this? Shaolin?”
“Yeah. There are just some obnoxious kids. Nothing important.”
“What are you hesitating about, sis? Go and knock them out quickly.”
“What do you mean, knock them out?”
Luri’s words were somewhat appreciated since they articulated my feelings.
However, it’s a fact that Shaolin holds considerable weight in this world.
“Is there a good way to scold the subordinates without harming them?”
I tilted my head back to look at Luri.
I poked her soft chin with my finger.
“There’s no opportunity for those who don’t take action. That’s what you always say.”
“Of course, Luri.”
Could there be a better advisor than this?
[Reply: Thank you for the invitation. However, I’m sorry, but due to scheduling conflicts, I won’t be able to participate this time. I hope to join in the next opportunity.]
I politely expressed my refusal to Shaolin.
“Let’s go to Shaolin. I’ll teach you external manifestation there.”
I launched the private jet heading to Shaolin.
*
On January 31, a week before the Spring Festival, the Shaolin Temple was filled with a very different atmosphere than usual.
A subtle incense wafted throughout the temple, while the red lanterns lining the stone walls brightened the night and filled the temple grounds.
The sky remained dark, and the cold wind cut through the collars in the early morning.
Disciples emerging from the meditation room stretched and yawned from early morning.
Starting with cleaning the dormitory and arranging the red cloths hanging around, they began preparing for the new year in each of the temple’s pavilions.
Usually dedicated solely to training, today they performed their individual tasks with eager hands.
Despite the hard work, the disciples’ faces remained bright and overflowing with joy.
“It’s a festival! Waaaaah!”
The youngest of the three disciples flailed wildly, sweeping with all his might.
Even the elder disciples, who usually value etiquette, didn’t stop the youngest’s excited spirit today.
“What are you going to buy with your allowance?”
Indeed, today was the day they received allowances for overtime work.
Shaolin, being a group that shuns worldly gain, never provides money to their disciples.
They do promise to cover any necessary items, but…
The elders in their sixties glare like tigers, so it was quite nerve-wracking.
However, during the Spring Festival, they would generously give allowances to activate the regional economy.
“I heard zero tanghulu and zero tangyuan are so delicious!”
“Don’t just spend because you got lucky. These days, the food coming from the cities isn’t very healthy.”
“Neigh!”
The youngest still couldn’t hide his excitement and started swinging the broom again.
The elder disciples also got carried away by the joyful atmosphere and sped up their work.
At dawn.
Creeeak—
The slightly grating noise of the Chongyang Pavilion doors today felt only cheerful.
The senior council members of Shaolin, finishing the morning meeting, fluttered their white robes and emerged in a rush.
The disciples finished their cleaning and gathered around.
They seemed to be eyeing the envelopes containing their allowances.
So now, the elders would unfurl the teachings of the Buddha, telling them that worldly riches are but fleeting joys, before reluctantly showing some warm compassion.
But…
“Why is there no word from them?”
Anxiety crept in.
Cough.
Hem-hem! Hem!
The Shaolin monks cleared their throats.
A relatively wrinkle-free elder gathered the three core disciples behind the pavilion.
“Did you finish cleaning?”
“Yes, completely!”
“Did you sweep the dust at the mountain gate?”
“Um… it’s outside the temple. Do we need to clean that too?”
“Of course. While the mountain gate is the boundary of our temple, beyond that boundary, living beings still exist. It is not about ignoring them but going into them and conveying our teachings—it is true cultivation. If the area beyond the mountain gate is clean, those passing by can feel our temple’s heart.”
“…”
‘What’s up with him today?’
The three core disciples pouted their lips.
“Now go sweep in front of the mountain gate as well.”
The elder spoke lowly, and the largest of the bunch raised his hand high.
And he said.
“Master, you seem to have a face full of worries. What’s wrong?”
It was Yeondam Seung, who was regarded as the most rational among the psycho monks.
He wouldn’t bully the unformed boys without a reason.
“Oh, I see I still lack cultivation. I’ve devoted my life to Buddhism, yet…”
Yeondam let out a deep sigh.
He scratched his shiny bald head and picked up the broom that had fallen in the yard.
“Then let’s clean together. Soon, important guests might arrive.”
“The Spring Festival is traditionally a time when many important guests come, right? We’ve really cleaned diligently.”
“That’s right. But this is more than just important. I’m sorry for breaking my promise, but until the Spring Festival family visits, it seems I can’t let more than ten people out per day.”
The number of direct core disciples is over 500.
That basically meant no outings until the family visits during the Spring Festival.
“Th-those!”
Before complaints could erupt, Yeondam Seung began sweeping the yard himself.
“Ah! We’ll do it, Master!”
At the sincere actions shown by the elder, the three core disciples gasped in shock, asking for reasons.
Yeondam Seung scratched his smooth head and smiled bitterly.
“I have invited the NoName clan leader here.”
“The NoName?”
“Oh ho! It is the NoName clan leader! Mind your titles!”
The eyebrows of the three core disciples all lifted in surprise.
The youngest disciple who had just sung about wanting to eat zero tanghulu was the same age as Na-me.
“Then is the NoName clan leader coming to the Shaolin Temple?”
“No.”
“…?”
“I sent an invitation, but he politely declined.”
“Didn’t he say he would come soon?”
It seemed pointless to clean more if he wasn’t coming anyway.
“Maybe he will come—I said he’s currently in Dengfeng city. He’s been there for three days already.”
“Why? Why?!”
“We want to know too.”
Yeondam Seung recalled the last meeting.
The Shaolin temple leader, Suzi-Gwang, with an MBA from Harvard.
Even the insightful Jagwang Seung’s head was hot with the unpredictable movements of Na-me.
The influence of a little girl was beyond imagination just by her existence.
Puerto Rico, with a population of 5 million, had been turned into a mess in an instant.
Meanwhile, Dengfeng city is a small tourist city with a population of 1 million.
[If you disgrace Shaolin in Shaolin’s own backyard, the whole world will point their fingers at Shaolin!]
That would only be a relief if it were just finger-pointing.
If that’s all it takes, we just have to chant the scriptures before the Buddha to realize the emptiness of the mind and achieve liberation.
But the burden Shaolin carries is far too heavy.
If Na-me were to harbor impure intentions, it could strike a serious blow to the educational, healthcare, publishing, tourism, construction, real estate, food, medical, renewable energy, and artistic endeavors Shaolin had established.
[The livelihood of the Buddhists hangs in the balance. Be sure to thoroughly investigate what schemes might be brewing in Dengfeng city!]
Jagwang Seung’s earnest request directed at the elders.
