Old Jin's cousin's fitness club was located in Seoul's most bustling Gangnam District, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking half of the Han River. The interior decoration featured an ultra-luxurious style that "looked very expensive at first glance," and the air was filled with the scents of aromatherapy and money.

The clients were exclusively young women.

From wealthy and attractive women carrying Hermès bags to top-tier young matrons wearing Van Cleef & Arpels, they walked with a breeze and a captivating fragrance.

The unit price for private training sessions started at six figures, and the annual membership fee could cover a local white-collar worker's salary for a year.

Prompted by Old Jin, Taeseok specially cleaned up and put on his only decent casual suit for the interview.

The pretty receptionist stared at him for quite a while, her gaze practically turning sultry.

"Oppa, please wait a moment, I will notify the director right away."

Her voice was sweet enough to squeeze honey out of.

Old Jin's cousin was named Kim Min-hee, in her early thirties, wearing professional Yoga attire with an hourglass figure.

According to Old Jin, his cousin used to be a top celebrity personal trainer and body management instructor on The Peninsula, having done body shaping training for quite a few female idols.

With extensive connections, after earning enough at a large company, she went out on her own and took over this club.

Kim Min-hee walked a circle around Taeseok, her gaze looking like she was evaluating a haute couture item.

She had Taeseok perform a few basic movements, measured his body fat and measurements, and finally stared at the physical test form and resume in silence for quite a while.

"You haven't systematically studied fitness theory?" She clearly didn't quite believe it.

"My major is related, I know some basics," Taeseok answered honestly.

"Your physical condition..." Kim Min-hee closed the folder and weighed her words. "Let's put it this way, in all my years in the industry, I've never seen a foundation this good."

"One-month probation period. You're my younger brother's classmate, so I won't treat you unfairly. I'll help you screen the clients, you just focus on teaching classes and providing service."

She paused and added meaningfully, "There is one thing you must remember: although the clients here aren't many, they are either extremely wealthy or noble, and very picky. What you need to do is not just help them lose weight and build muscle, but also provide emotional value and a sense of companionship, understand?"

Taeseok nodded, half-understanding.

But very soon, he understood completely.

And he understood it thoroughly.

His first client was an eighteen or nineteen-year-old chaebol heiress who came to the gym purely because "my best friend got a card, so I have to get one too."

She had zero interest in lifting weights, but especially liked having Taeseok help her stretch.

While enjoying the pleasure of physical relaxation, she complained to him, "Taeseok Oppa, my boyfriend actually forgot our anniversary!"

"Oppa, my best friend said the bag I newly bought looks like a high-imitation, it pisses me off to death!"

At first, Taeseok found these topics quite difficult to respond to.

After all, he hadn't been exposed to this circle before.

But gradually, he realized that wealthy and attractive women were essentially just girls too.

The practical experience he had accumulated from his past girlfriends and countless suitors still worked here just fine.

When the heiress complained that her boyfriend wasn't considerate, Taeseok would adjust the equipment for her while saying, "That's because he doesn't know how to cherish you. A girl who is both beautiful and self-disciplined like you deserves to be held in the palm of one's hand."

His tone was sincere, his gaze focused, paired with that face overflowing with boyfriend charm, its lethality was maxed out instantly.

The young lady renewed her private training classes for a year that very night.

The second client was a female radio host in her early thirties, divorced and single, dignified and elegant, with an exceptionally well-maintained figure.

She was very serious during classes, but after class she would always "conveniently" treat Taeseok to a cup of protein powder.

"An imported brand left behind by my husband... oh, ex-husband. I can't finish drinking it all by myself."

Taeseok didn't decline either.

When chatting about her ex-husband's annoying matters, he timely handed over a towel and a cup of iced Americano: "Only by leaving the wrong person can you make room for the right person. With you in such a great state right now, you will definitely meet someone who knows how to appreciate you better."

The next day, the female host introduced three beautiful female clients to him.

Reputation, in the circle of socialites, spread faster than a virus.

"...That new private trainer at Min-hee Unnie's club, named Lee Taeseok, is really deadly good-looking."

"His figure is also great, the kind that looks slim in clothes and muscular when stripped off."

"The key is that he is also exceptionally gentle, not perfunctory at all."

"Is that so? Then I'll go try it out tomorrow."

"Is he fully booked? I heard you have to wait a long time..."

When his one-year work anniversary arrived, Kim Min-hee looked at the report and clicked her tongue in wonder: "Taeseok, you are now the star of our club, your appointments are booked all the way to next quarter."

She turned a page and smiled with a half-smile: "Quite a few male trainers have opinions about you, you know."

Taeseok touched his nose, feeling somewhat helpless; this matter really couldn't be blamed on him.

Some wealthy and attractive clients would start making dinner dates right during class, start chatting about life while eating dinner, and while chatting about life propose "finding a quiet place to continue the party."

The places they went to were all top-floor suites of five-star hotels.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows was Seoul's dazzling night view, and high-end red wine of an unknown vintage was breathing on the coffee table.

Taeseok's principles were very simple: not proactive, not refusing, not taking responsibility.

Everyone was an adult; it was mutual willingness and each taking what they needed.

The clients got companionship, care, and the ultimate experience, while he got generous commissions and tips.

A win-win.

Winning twice.

At the celebration cocktail party for his two-year work anniversary, Taeseok received the Gold-Plated Signboard awarded by Sister Jin.

The expressions of the men present were complex, both envious of his performance and affinity with women, yet forced to acknowledge his capability.

With him around, even their own wives and girlfriends increased the frequency of coming to the gym.

Holding her champagne, Kim Min-hee said to him meaningfully: "Taeseok, you must remember, never truly fall in it. Their world is not one we can afford to play in."

Taeseok nodded: "Noona, don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

His thoughts were very simple: make money, pursue his career, but never catch genuine feelings.

Master Hongfa had taught him to "leave a margin in everything," and this margin was his backup plan.

Every week, Taeseok would have a phone call with Master Hongfa.

The Master still lived in that dilapidated ancestral hall, but it was said that the incense money had increased a bit because Taeseok would regularly remit funds.

One day, the person who answered the phone was an unfamiliar voice, saying that Master Hongfa had gone to Sakura a few days ago and was now staying temporarily at a rather popular temple in Kyoto.

Taeseok was greatly surprised.

He had never heard that the Master took on this kind of business.

He hurriedly made an overseas phone call.

"Moshi mosh?"

The Master's voice came through the earpiece, mixed with the chatter of young women in the background.

Taeseok was covered in black lines, his brain automatically playing some unhealthy images: "...Master, it's me, Taeseok, where are you? How come there are the voices of Sakura girls?"

"Oh, your teacher is temporarily staying at a small temple here in Kyoto," the Master's voice was as peaceful as ever, "What Sakura girls, those are female bodhisattvas coming to offer incense... No, female donors."

Taeseok: "..."

Fine, whatever you say goes.

"Taeseok, if you have time, come over and stay with your master for a while. The scenery in Kyoto is not bad, and by the way... some things can be given to you."

Well, the master has given an order, and it sounded like there was more to his words.

Coincidentally, Taeseok also felt that during his university years, apart from studying and working part-time, he hadn't enjoyed life at all. This opportunity must be cherished!

He submitted a report to Sister Jin.

Kim Min-hee was quite straightforward: "Fine, it's good for young people to see more of the world, but remember to protect yourself when traveling outside. There are plenty of female spirits in Sakura..."

In the summer of 2012, Taeseok embarked on his first trip to Sakura in his life.

Before leaving, he posted a status update: "The world is so big, I want to go and see it."

The attached picture was his plane ticket stub.

After getting off the plane, following the address, Taeseok found Kyoto Huguo Temple.

The place where the Master practiced asceticism in his imagination should have been an ancient temple deep in the mountains, devoid of human traces.

As a result, when he arrived and took a look—

Good heavens.

It was bustling with noise and excitement, comparable to a popular scenic spot!

Quite a few young and pretty Sakura girls among them were even holding their phones to secretly take pictures of him.

Taeseok squeezed through the crowd and met Master Hongfa in a secluded zen room in the backyard.

Different from his usual unconstrained image, the Master at this moment was dressed in a gold-threaded monastic robe, holding an ancient scripture, sitting upright in the main seat, expounding the Dharma to several incense-offering guests who looked extremely wealthy or noble.

His words were obscure, sounding like reading heavenly books.

Yet several guests nodded repeatedly, then opened their wallets generously, stuffing thick bundles of banknotes into the merit box like their lives depended on it.

After seeing off the guests, Taeseok went up to him: "Master, your business here is quite busy, huh?"

Master Hongfa signaled him to sit down and said calmly and leisurely: "Practicing asceticism is cultivation, guiding all living beings is also cultivation."

"Taeseok, it seems you know nothing about your master's fame in Sakura."

Lee Taeseok: "???"

After living in Sakura for a few days, through roundabout inquiries, Taeseok was thoroughly shocked.

Turns out that back when the Master was in Sakura in his early years, he was an absolute top traffic star!

The Eastern Esoteric teachings he practiced were regarded locally as the sole inheritance of orthodox Esoteric Sect teachings. Officially certified, its prestige was maxed out directly.

The Master himself was revered as the number one eminent monk of the Eastern Esoteric Sect, with fans covering political and business celebrities, cultural elites, and even quite a few celebrity wives' clubs.

The Master in his youth considered himself to have cleared the game in Sakura, so he headed to The Peninsula, preparing to scatter the seeds of the Eastern Esoteric Sect.

That trip lasted for more than a decade.

This time returning to Sakura was originally just to catch up with old friends and discuss the Dao, but the news leaked, directly setting the originally quiet temple on fire.

In just a few short days, the threshold of the main hall was almost trampled broken.

The abbot grinned from ear to ear, adding extra dishes for the Master every day.

"Master, this is a successful model of traffic monetization!" Taeseok gave a thumbs-up.

"From Sakura to The Peninsula, your internationalization route was brilliantly taken!"

"No wonder back then you suddenly came to China to wander around, did you feel The Peninsula market was saturated and came over to explore a new blue ocean?"

Master Hongfa smiled without a word.

Back then he felt his cultivation had encountered a bottleneck, as if touching a version suppression, his level was stuck, and he needed to switch servers to find an opportunity, which was why he went to China.

As a result, he picked up Taeseok as a disciple.

This was also his opportunity.

The Master told Taeseok that Sakura's Eastern Esoteric originated from China's Tang Esoteric. Ever since Emperor Wuzong of China's history carried out that Huichang Persecution of Buddhism, the Esoteric Sect's inheritance was basically cut off in China, and instead survived in Sakura.

"Therefore, sometimes flowers bloom inside the wall but their fragrance spreads outside, and cultural heritage is just like that," the Master took a sip of tea and sighed with emotion.

The following days were very leisurely.

Taeseok helped out in the temple during the day, his main task being to prevent some overly enthusiastic incense guests from disturbing the Master's ascetic practice, and occasionally listening along to the discussions on the Dao.

At night, he drank tea and chatted with his master, practicing Yoga physical techniques and breathing methods.

One night, Master Hongfa brought Taeseok to the inner room of the zen house, looking slightly solemn.

He took out a scripture wrapped in silk cloth from an antique wooden box.

"Taeseok, you and I have the destiny of master and disciple."

"This scripture is something I accidentally obtained during my early travels."

"It is said to be a classic passed down from the Tang Dynasty, ancient in age, and with a very deep origin with the Esoteric Sect."

"Today, I will let you observe it to see if you can gain any insights."

Taeseok cautiously took the scripture.

It felt quite light in hand, the pages were yellowed, and the handwriting on it was of that ancient seal script.

Many were already blurry and indistinguishable, exuding a strong sense of age.

Taeseok gently turned a page, his fingertips touching the rough paper surface.

At this very instant, an abnormal change suddenly occurred!

The yellowed book page seemed to suddenly come alive, a slight tingling sensation came from his fingertips, and immediately a cold airflow surged straight up his arm into his brain!

Taeseok's vision blurred.

Moonlight, zen room, wooden box... The surrounding scenery began to distort and flicker like a TV screen with bad signal.

Countless blurry and distorted characters, patterns, and indescribable Sanskrit chants exploded in his mind!

"What is the situation? Am I having hypoglycemia?" Taeseok ranted wildly in his heart, but his body couldn't move at all.

Following closely, a neither male nor female, cold and mechanical yet carrying a hint of strange solemn synthetic voice sounded directly in the depths of his mind:

【Detected special mental fluctuations and ancient inheritance medium... Compatibility determination in progress...】

【Compatibility: High.】

【Binding host...】

【Binding successful.】

【"Esoteric Sect Inheritance System" loaded.】

【Please have the host claim the newbie gift pack.】

At the same time, a button suddenly appeared in the void before him.

Taeseok tried to touch it with his hand, but grabbed empty air.

After a brief thought, he changed to using his mind to control a wisp of qi inside his body to gently touch the button, and this time it worked!

【Congratulations to the host for successfully claiming the newbie gift pack and obtaining the Vairocana Basic Visualization Method.】

【Vairocana Basic Visualization Method: Visualize Vairocana sitting upon a lotus throne in the sea of consciousness, enabling practitioners to realize their own Buddha nature, gain the blessing of Buddha power, and accelerate the cultivation process.】

【Detected that the host already has a cultivation foundation... Merging...】

【Vairocana Basic Visualization Method level upgraded to Initial Mastery.】

【Newbie Guidance Quest issued: Please operate the Vairocana Basic Visualization Method at a specific location during the Zi hour (23:00-1:00) to guide qi into the body.】

【Quest reward: Vajrasattva Root Mudra cultivation technique method.】

He managed to raise his head and looked at Master Hongfa opposite him.

He saw that there was not the slightest trace of surprise on the Master's face; instead, he nodded slowly with a gratified smile that seemed to say as expected and this old man guessed it long ago.

"Taeseok, operate the breathing method your master taught you, free your mind from distracting thoughts, and feel the connection between breathing and body and mind."

Without time to think, Taeseok operated the breathing method taught by Master Hongfa to the extreme, chanting the most basic few true words.

Unlike before, this time, the breath surging into his body from all around was like raging waves, breaking through heavy resistances in an instant and flowing to all limbs and bones.

After several cycles of circulation, the breath gathered in Taeseok's sea of consciousness, gradually materializing into the Dharmakaya of Vairocana.

"Indeed! Your master truly did not misjudge you!" Master Hongfa clapped his hands and laughed, "Taeseok, from now on, you are the orthodox successor of our sect!"

Taeseok looked at the Master in front of him who was smiling like an old fox, and then looked at the illusory Dharmakaya in his sea of consciousness, suddenly feeling that his life seemed to have truly begun from this very moment.