Chapter 85: Three-Element Sacred Flower (4)

It was expected, but Yi-gang received the highest score in the light footwork technique test.

The points awarded for high-grade spiritual herbs were about ten times higher than those for intermediate-grade spiritual herbs.

And in the case of the Three-Element Sacred Flower, the points were ten times higher than the average for high-grade spiritual herbs.

Yi-gang secured the first place with an overwhelming score.

The gap between his score and that of Yu Su-rin, who secured second place, was significant.

“Still, you can’t be complacent. There’s still the martial arts competition left, and then the next test.”

Yi-gang nodded at the advice given by Jin Ri-yeon.

In the light footwork technique test, he had widened the score gap significantly, but that only gave him a slight advantage over Yu Su-rin, who was in second place.

“Hahaha, but who would have thought you would take first place again this time. I really didn’t expect it.”

Jin Mu also laughed heartily. When Jin Mu himself had taken Yi-gang to Grass Flower Hall, he had not known that Yi-gang would discover the Three-Element Sacred Flower.

“I was just lucky.”

“Luck is also a skill.”

“I just followed the fox, that’s all.”

Yi-gang explained to them about the blue fox.

It was something that couldn’t be hidden. There were more than a couple of disciples who had been ambushed by the fox in Spirit Spring Valley.

However, Yi-gang didn’t tell them everything.

He simply explained that he saw the form of a blue fox and followed it. He also mentioned that the Three-Element Sacred Flower was growing in the place where the blue fox had disappeared. It wasn’t a complete lie, but it was a mix of distortion and omission.

The people of the Azure Forest believed Yi-gang’s statement as it was. Yi-gang was surprised by their ready acceptance.

“So… a fox, you say.”

They didn’t seem surprised by the mention of a blue fox. Especially Jin Mu and Jin Ri-yeon seemed to know something about it.

Jin Ri-yeon, who usually expressed less emotion, had a darkened complexion, and Jin Mu, always composed, showed a bitter smile.

“Did you… know about that fox?” Yi-gang asked them.

The second-generation disciples flinched at the question. Jin Mu, Jin Ri-yeon, and Yeop Su-nam just looked at each other’s faces.

As Jin Mu nodded, Jin Ri-yeon began to speak.

Her tone was somewhat cautious.

“Regarding the Grand Library Master…”

When they mentioned the Grand Library Master, they referred to Yu Jeong-shin. Hearing a person related to him suddenly mentioned, Yi-gang listened attentively.

“There was originally a disciple.”

“Honor flower disciple, are you referring to that?”

What Yi-gang was aiming for was neither the martial flower disciple nor the Taoist flower disciple, but the honor flower disciple.

A very small number of disciples could embroider purple flowers on their sleeves.

“Yes… He aspired to be an honor flower disciple.”

Jin Ri-yeon’s voice trailed off a bit. Although she was now known as a martial flower disciple, it was said she once aspired to be an honor flower disciple.

“Senior Brother Dam Hyun, was exceptional from a young age. His personality is a bit unique, but… he was talented. Despite his youth, he almost became the second to receive a Taoist name following the Great Senior Brother.”

Receiving a Taoist nickname was one thing, but almost receiving one was another.

Yi-gang soon guessed. It wasn’t just Yu Jeong-shin in the Grand Library Master’s position.

There was another honor flower disciple who committed a crime and was locked in the Penitence Hall.

“It’s been over two years since he’s been locked in the Repentance Cave.”

“How did he end up in the Repentance Cave…?”

Jin Ri-yeon soon told him the reason.

“He was bewitched by a fox and stabbed his master.”

Yi-gang’s eyes widened. A disciple trying to kill his master was unbelievable.

Moreover, the fact that he was bewitched by a mere animal was even more astonishing.

“That fox, could it be…”

“It might be related to the yokai that appeared this time. But we need to confirm it.”

If it was not an ordinary fox but the yokai Yi-gang had seen, it might be possible.

Still, to have stabbed his own master.

Yeop Su-nam ground his teeth and sneered, “Deceiving a master and destroying the ancestral lineage, no, it’s not just that level. If such an incident occurred in another sect…”

Even Shaolin, which advocated non-violence, would not let a disciple who tried to kill his master go unpunished. At the very least, they would break his dantian and cut his meridians before confining him.

“It only ended like that because of the Grand Library Master’s strong insistence. Otherwise, he would have been killed.”

“Su-nam, calm down.”

Jin Mu spoke softly. Yeop Su-nam closed his mouth with a sullen expression.

“Anyway, since you said you saw a fox yokai, there will be an investigation.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“If you become an honor flower disciple, you will enter the Grand Library… That’s why I’m telling you this.”

That’s why Jin Ri-yeon would have told Yi-gang such a story.

「The Azure Forest is doing quite well. Things are turning out very well,」 the Immortal Divine Sword sneered.

‘It’s better than our family, anyway.’

「…Ahem.」

Of course, as a member of the Baek Noble Clan, Yi-gang wasn’t greatly surprised by the crime of someone named Dam Hyun. He just took it as it was.

Jin Ri-yeon said with a worried tone, “Senior Brother Dam Hyun used to be…”

“Enough about that rotten guy.”

Someone interrupted Jin Ri-yeon’s words as they made their entrance.

It was Grass Flower Hall Head, Do Young. He looked at the second-generation disciples with disapproval.

Knowing the personality of the Grass Flower Hall Head, they bowed their heads and avoided his gaze.

“What good news is there to share with a kid who hasn’t even formally entered the sect?”

“I apologize, Hall Head.”

The Grass Flower Hall Head, clicking his tongue, then turned his attention to Yi-gang.

Yi-gang had already heard about the Grass Flower Hall Head from Yeop Su-nam. It seemed he regarded Yi-gang as a thorn in his side for regularly taking large quantities of spiritual herbs.

Indeed, the Grass Flower Hall Head’s glaring eyes had a certain intensity.

He stared at Yi-gang and then opened his mouth slightly, “A Treasure…”

“Yes…?”

The stern expression of the Grass Flower Hall Head quickly softened.

“With such a treasure in front of us. Hahaha!”

He laughed heartily, patting Yi-gang on the back. Even if the Grass Flower Hall Head had disliked Yi-gang, that was a thing of the past.

From the moment Yi-gang brought the Three-Element Sacred Flower to him, he had gained all of his affection.

“Haha…”

Yi-gang’s expression was half-forced, but he managed a smile. It wouldn’t hurt to make a good impression on the Grass Flower Hall Head, who would supply him with spiritual herbs in the future.

“Um, your expression seems a bit uncomfortable. Su-nam, go and bring a chair.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you. Hurry up and bring it!”

Suddenly, Yi-gang found himself sitting on a lavish chair brought by Yeop Su-nam, seemingly belonging to the Grass Flower Hall Head.

He knew the Three-Element Sacred Flower was valuable, but he didn’t expect to receive such hospitality.

Soon, the reason became clear. The Grass Flower Hall Head began to speak with satisfaction, “The Three-Element Sacred Flower obtained this time will be presented to the Imperial family.”

“The Imperial family!”

The second-generation disciples were impressed. The name of the Imperial family carried significant weight.

“Yes, the Imperial family has requested the Three-Element Sacred Flower several times before. It’s all thanks to you, young man.”

“I was just lucky.”

Yi-gang understood as well. The Three-Element Sacred Flower was precious enough to be earnestly desired by the Imperial family.

「It would have been regrettable if we hadn’t secured the roots.」

‘I almost handed it all over.’

Yi-gang felt a warmth in his heart. Hidden in his sleeping quarters were the roots of the Three-Element Sacred Flower. He had given the flowers and stems to the Azure Forest, but he had no intention of handing over the roots as well.

The roots were undoubtedly also spiritual herbs. Just thinking about consuming them made his mouth water.

“So, you want to know more about the Three-Element Sacred Flower that you collected?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Yi-gang quickly nodded at the Grass Flower Hall Head’s question. His visit to Grass Flower Hall was to learn more about the Three-Element Sacred Flower.

“The Three-Element Sacred Flower is a spiritual herb not well-known in the world. It’s found extremely rarely, only in places like Spirit Spring Valley or the northern regions…”

Information about spiritual herbs itself was precious, especially something like the Three-Element Sacred Flower, which only someone like the Grass Flower Hall Head would know in detail.

“I want to know about the methods of consumption and its effects. Also about any compatible medicinal ingredients.”

“Hmm? Well, I can tell you, but…”

Do Young looked at Yi-gang with a peculiar gaze.

There was no reason to ask about the method of consumption for a spiritual herb that would be presented to the Imperial family.

‘Ah, this boy… He must be thinking he’ll have another chance to find the Three-Element Sacred Flower someday.’

He concluded so internally.

From Yi-gang’s perspective, it must have been regrettable to hand over the Three-Element Sacred Flower as it was.

“Alright. I’ll explain it to you in detail.”

Finding such a rare spiritual herb like the Three-Element Sacred Flower again was near impossible.

Feeling somewhat sympathetic, the Grass Flower Hall Head began to explain in detail, “First, it’s better to refine it with other medicinal ingredients rather than consuming it raw. You’ll need a pot made of bronze, not just any pot. The most fundamental aspect of consuming a spiritual herb is…”

Yi-gang listened intently, memorizing every word of the leader’s explanation.

In the depths of the Grand Library—

The liquid in the bronze pot was boiling vigorously.

Yu Jeong-shin carefully inserted a long wooden tong into the pot.

“Eu-tcha.”

What he scooped up with the tongs looked like a sealed teapot. After setting the teapot down, he wrapped a towel around its handle and moved it.

Yu Jeong-shin focused his mind. The task ahead, necessary for healing Yi-gang’s body, was crucial and had to be successful.

He slowly poured the contents of the teapot into a mold. Inside the teapot was pure white beeswax. As the beeswax filled the mold, Yu Jeong-shin inserted a wick made from twisted cloth.

After hardening it with fanning, the finished product was a candle, cylindrical and ready to be lit at the wick.

There was a reason why Yu Jeong-shin, even as the Grand Library Master, was so dedicated to making candles.

“Hoo…”

In front of him was a splendid golden candlestick. It was a Treasure called the Heavenly God Candlestick, capable of holding nine candles.

The plan to enlighten the Immortal Divine Sword and use its spiritual energy to connect Yi-gang’s major meridians was no easy task.

Grand Library Master Yu Jeong-shin, along with the highly respected Golden Needle Phantom Do Hyu, one of the Four Great Divine Physicians, was diligently preparing.

“Now I have to make nine more.”

How much more preparation was needed, considering the valuable elixirs and numerous Treasures involved?

Especially the Heavenly God Candlestick in front of Yu Jeong-shin was a highly esteemed Treasure among Treasures. It was a forbidden Treasure that could never be used without the permission of the Forest Lord.

“This is no ordinary matter…”

Yu Jeong-shin let out a sigh after making one of the candles for the Treasure. The mental effort required was extraordinary. The task usually required an assistant, making it all the more difficult.

In such moments, he often felt a sense of regret.

“If only that child were here…”

Referring to the disciple with a tragic fate, now locked in the Repentance Cave.

Sting.

Yu Jeong-shin felt a pang of pain in his chest.

On his chest was a white scar the size of a thumb, inflicted by his disciple, Dam Hyun. The still vivid scar often ached.

Yu Jeong-shin coughed dryly and stood up.

Thinking of the former disciple now confined in the Repentance Cave offered no answers.

“I must heal Yi-gang’s body, no matter what.”

It was time to put more effort into preparing for the new disciple he would receive.

Yu Jeong-shin suddenly remembered, as if a thought had just occurred to him, and turned around.

“That child asked to borrow the bronze pot.”

The bronze pot was an essential item for purifying Treasures, and recently, Yi-gang had asked to borrow it.

When asked what he needed it for, Yi-gang stiffened and changed the subject, but Yu Jeong-shin soon figured out his intention.

“That boy… already starting to prepare for the test diligently.”

Yi-gang had been informed earlier about the remaining tests for becoming an honor flower disciple. One of these tests involved using the bronze pot to refine elixirs.

Yu Jeong-shin surmised that Yi-gang was preparing for that and asked him, ‘You’re preparing for the test, aren’t you!’

‘Ah… Yes, something like that.’

Yi-gang, seemingly embarrassed at having his intentions discovered, stuttered.

By now, Yi-gang would be practicing alchemy at his own residence. Yu Jeong-shin smiled contentedly.

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