The laboratory is filled with silence. Through the window, sunlight falls on Jun-Yu's face as he sleeps with his head resting on a book. The professor arrived a little late today. Seeing Jun-Yu asleep in the lab, he walks over to him. However, today he is not angry at his students as he usually is.
Lin-Bo-Shi: Jun-Yu, didn't you sleep at night? Why are you sleeping in the lab?
**Hearing the professor's voice suddenly in his sleep, Jun-Yu is startled. He opens his eyes in a single moment.
Jun-Yu (sleepy-eyed): Sir, you?
Lin-Bo-Shi (seriously): Do I keep you all busy day and night with assignments that you don't even get regular sleep?
Jun-Yu (lowering his head in embarrassment): Sorry sir! I will never sleep in the lab again.
**At that moment, Lin-Bo-Shi's eyes fall on Jun-Yu's cut left hand.
Lin-Bo-Shi (concerned tone): What happened to you last night, and how did your hand get cut?
**Jun-Yu instantly understands that the guard C-Yuan has really told the professor about the assignment issue.
Jun-Yu (stammering): I cut my hand while cooking, and it got slightly burned too.
Lin-Bo-Shi (curiously): And? What else happened?
Jun-Yu (without hesitation): Since the lift was crowded, while climbing the stairs I lost consciousness on the 3rd floor.
**The professor had already heard a part of the situation from the guard C-Yuan and had asked Jun-Yu to confirm it. But he never expected Jun-Yu to say this directly. Hearing this, Lin-Bo-Shi is stunned. From the other side of the lab, Wan-Qing walks over after hearing Jun-Yu's words—
Wan-Qing: You look so strong, junior. Tell the truth, what really happened to you?
Jun-Yu: Miss Shankhchunni checked my blood pressure and said it was 40/100, that's why it happened.
**Hearing the name "Miss Shankhchunni," Wan-Qing could not hold back her laughter. They were also worried about Jun-Yu's physical condition, but this made Wan-Qing laugh. The professor somehow controls his laughter—
Lin-Bo-Shi: She is right. Since you don't eat regularly, your blood pressure is like this.
Wan-Qing: Sir, can't you see the condition of his hand from cooking? And Jun-Yu never eats the canteen food either. That's why his diet is so poor.
Lin-Bo-Shi: You are absolutely right, Wan-Qing. If you eat properly, your blood pressure will become normal. Jun-Yu, from today you don't have to eat canteen food. I will bring food for you every day.
Jun-Yu: Sir, you are my respected teacher. I should bring food for you. But if you bring food for me, it would seem inappropriate.
Lin-Bo-Shi: You don't need to think about what is appropriate or not. From now on, taking care of your diet is my responsibility. Now go and work.
**Jun-Yu is a very polite, calm, smart, and well-mannered boy, so everyone takes care of him. Professor Lin-Bo-Shi, no matter how strict he appears, sees Jun-Yu like his own son. Jun-Yu also respects him like a father figure. Jun-Yu does not argue with the professor and accepts his decision.
Jun-Yu (soft voice): Sir, I couldn't sleep all night yesterday. Please give me leave today?
**Hearing this, the professor becomes slightly irritated—
Lin-Bo-Shi (mildly angry): Why couldn't you sleep all night? Were you in the kitchen all night or what?
**Hearing this question, Jun-Yu sinks into memories of last night. He clearly sees how close Shi-Han came to him. All night, thinking about those moments, he couldn't sleep at all. Thinking about Shi-Han, a faint blush appears on Jun-Yu's lips. Jun-Yu looks toward Wan-Qing. Being a girl, he feels a bit shy and remains silent.
Wan-Qing (soft smile): Jun-Yu, I am going to lunch. If the professor allows, go home safely.
**Since it is lunch time, the professor does not say anything. After Wan-Qing leaves for the canteen—
Jun-Yu (complaining): Sir, a girl came to my apartment. I cannot get her out of my head.
Lin-Bo-Shi (curiously): Then is that girl Miss Shankhchunni, who has taken over your mind?
Jun-Yu: Yes…
**Jun-Yu ends up telling the professor everything about Shi-Han in a low mood. The professor cannot hold back his smile. He had never seen his student like this before, nor had he ever seen him think about a girl. Now seeing him unable to sleep because of a girl makes the professor secretly happy.
Lin-Bo-Shi: So this is why you couldn't sleep all night?
Jun-Yu: Yes.
**After Shi-Han left Jun-Yu's apartment last night, both of them kept tossing and turning on their beds. Neither of them could sleep, both were lost in the same thought—how unexpectedly close they had come to each other. At present, Jun-Yu tells the professor everything that has happened between him and Shi-Han so far.
**After hearing everything, the professor understands that his student is falling in love. But he does not say it directly. Instead he says—
Lin-Bo-Shi: Since you couldn't sleep all night, you are unable to get Shi-Han out of your mind. Go home now and sleep, everything will be fine.
Jun-Yu: Okay, sir.
**Without understanding the feeling of love, Jun-Yu follows the professor's words and leaves the lab. Professor Lin-Bo-Shi looks at Jun-Yu's departing figure and smiles faintly.
★★★
At the far edge of Nanjing city, the Foding Palace stands, cutting through the body of the mountains. When the morning light slowly spreads across the eastern sky, the mist over the hills wraps around the golden dome of the temple in such a way that it feels as if the sky itself is hiding a secret.
**Just after passing through the main gate of the temple, a long stone staircase comes into view. On both sides, cherry blossom trees gently sway in the wind, and pink petals fall step by step onto the stairs. It creates a scene as if time itself is absorbed in prayer. Shi-Han is walking upward along this staircase toward the inner area. Her loose hair falls over her face with the soft breeze, then moves away again. A few steps below Shi-Han stands Xiao-Tong.
**As they enter inside, the surroundings fill with the smell of incense. The sunlight reflecting from the huge golden dome on the roof seems like Buddha's blessing falling upon the visitors. The engraved thousand Buddha statues on the walls each seem to tell a different story—some are calm, some thoughtful, and some appear to be looking toward the future.
**In the central area of the temple lies the sacred relic chamber, where it is said that a partial relic of Buddha is still preserved. Inside, there is such deep silence that even the sound of one's own breathing feels sacred. A faint bell rings somewhere in the distance, and that sound spreads like waves through the walls of the entire palace. It feels like a momentary connection with souls beyond time.
The Foding Palace standing on the mountain is not just an ordinary structure, but a sanctuary of souls—where people come seeking liberation, trying to find a point of peace between their past, present, and future. However, they had come to meet a spiritual master named Mu-Lian.
**Mu-Lian is both a powerful spiritual guru and a Shaolin martial master. His purity calms the soul, while his martial skills bring victory in battle. He is currently ill and lying in a room inside the temple. Xiao-Tong and Shi-Han are sitting beside his bed.
Xiao-Tong: Master.
**Hearing Xiao-Tong call him, Mu-Lian wakes up. Xiao-Tong helps him sit up. Mu-Lian coughs lightly—
Mu-Lian: Xiao-Tong, Shi-Han, you both came?
Shi-Han: Master, how are you feeling now?
Mu-Lian: This is my last phase of life, little one. How I am feeling is not important. What matters is why I called you here.
Xiao-Tong: Master, you taught us discipline, selflessness, sacrifice, ideals, and harmony. Your well-being is our peace in life.
Mu-Lian: Xiao-Tong, today I want to tell you a deep truth. After hearing this truth, I may become someone you feel hatred toward instead of respect.
Xiao-Tong is shocked. What truth could possibly exist that would diminish the master?
Xiao-Tong: What truth is it, Master?
Mu-Lian: I am your uncle before I became your master.
**Xiao-Tong is even more shocked at Mu-Lian's words. She says in a serious tone— (Uncle).
Mu-Lian: Yes! Your mother Xiao-Yia was my own sister.
Shi-Han: Master, what are you saying? If you are Xiao-Tong's uncle, then why did you hide this identity all this time?
Mu-Lian: Little ones, everything has a deep reason. Today I called you here to reveal all those truths.
Xiao-Tong: Master, why did you hide this from me? Didn't you know that since childhood, most disciples in the temple used to insult me as illegitimate, parentless, a found child, and many more things?
**After learning Mu-Lian's true identity, Xiao-Tong's eyes fill with tears. She had suffered many things since childhood only because of this. Thinking this, Mu-Lian feels guilty inside. His head lowers in shame.
Shi-Han: Master, because of Xiao-Tong's birth identity, many monks in the temple used to say she is your illegitimate child. Then why didn't you tell them the truth back then?
Mu-Lian: Calm down. I know you both have mountains of questions in your hearts. Slowly, you will get all the answers. But before that, promise me that you will never reveal this truth to anyone as long as you live.
**Shi-Han looks at Xiao-Tong's face. Mu-Lian looks at them once again and coughs—
Mu-Lian: Since childhood, I have taught you martial arts. I have never asked anything from you. Today, as my guru dakshina, I only ask for one promise. Will you both give me your word?
Xiao-Tong: Master, we promise that as long as we live, we will never reveal this truth you have told us.
★★★
upcoming bonus chapter,,,,,,,
Shuan Gang! The Shuan Gang that exists today—was this same Shuan Gang present many years ago as well??
Shuan Gang exists across several countries, and no one knows its exact population. Even now, no legal authority has been able to completely destroy Shuan Gang.