Chapter 48: The Third Flower (1)
Forest Lord proposed to Yi-gang to enter the sect.
It wasn’t an ordinary matter. After all, it could mark the birth of someone from the Seven Great Clans and a disciple from the Azure Forest.
Yi-gang’s entrance wasn’t certain. However, yesterday, Forest Lord asked Yu Su-rin to guide Yi-gang.
Yu Su-rin answered with a smile on her face, saying she understood.
Although she felt a twinge of jealousy knowing that Jin Ri-yeon liked Yi-gang, she didn’t harbor any animosity towards him. That was Yu Su-rin’s nature.
A wrinkle-free and bright demeanor. Merely being around her invigorated the spirits, like an energy source.
“Hello!”
“Well… hello.”
Perhaps because of this, Yi-gang felt a bit awkward. People often felt more human-like when they showed some imperfections.
In any case, Yu Su-rin earnestly informed him about the Azure Forest.
“See, that blue building over there is Blue Flower Palace. The Master of Blue Flower Palace, Sage Ji Geom, is Forest Lord’s junior brother. A formidable martial master. Blue Flower Palace is responsible for the martial arts of the Azure Forest. The Blue Flower Palace Master might be the next great martial master after Forest Lord. He’s even considered to be the potential next Forest Lord.”
In the Azure Forest, only a few of the Ji line remain. Most have either retired or “ascended.” Of course, “ascended” meant they had passed away.
From Yu Su-rin’s perspective, the Blue Flower Palace Master would be like the teacher of her teacher’s teacher, a very distant relation.
“And the palace with that red flag hanging?”
“Snowflake Hermit Palace.”
“You remember.”
“You’ve told me three times already.”
“Did I mention it that many times? Then do you know what’s below Snowflake Hermit Palace?” Yu Su-rin asked with brimming confidence.
Of course, Yi-gang, who typically remembered things after hearing them just once, didn’t hesitate.
“Peach Blossom Pavilion, Shinmyung Platform, and…”
“That’s enough. You know it well.”
Hearing the precise answers, Yu Su-rin looked slightly gloomy. She remembered her younger days when she had been scolded several times for not being able to memorize things.
Yu Su-rin took Yi-gang on a full tour around the Azure Forest.
The distance between the buildings in the Azure Forest was quite vast, so the morning was entirely consumed just by touring.
As the sun reached its zenith, casting short shadows—
Yu Su-rin stopped with the tired Yi-gang in front of a building.
“Do you know what this place is?”
“I’m not sure.”
Then, Yu Su-rin proudly declared, “It’s called the Pleasure Meal Hall. If you ever join the Azure Forest, this will be one of the most important places for you.”
Even after hearing that explanation, nothing in particular came to mind.
After pondering for a moment, Yi-gang’s expression became intrigued.
It was because of a savory aroma wafting from somewhere.
“A restaurant?”
“Yes, exactly!”
Yi-gang looked up at the sky.
The crisp early winter air was being pierced by warm sunlight. He was just getting hungry.
“Let’s eat first. I’ll show you what the Azure Forest’s food is like.”
“That sounds good.”
Training, nutrition, rest. Among the three essential elements to become a martial master, this was related to nutrition. Food was important. Yi-gang, with a serious look on his face, followed Yu Su-rin inside.
Soon after, Yi-gang would face an unexpected challenge in the restaurant.
It’s said that there’s a social gathering of the young masters of prominent families in Beijing.
The participating families have elders holding at least a position of lower rank 4 consultant or magistrate. In terms of wealth, one has to be at least a wealthy merchant to join.
Such social gatherings occasionally recruited new members, and they always had a dining interview during such recruitments.
It’s because one’s character can be discerned by their eating habits. From casual chopstick movements to the grace with which they wipe their mouths with silk napkins, every little gesture revealed one’s level of refinement.
From that perspective, Yi-gang’s dining etiquette was exemplary. Without even trying, his noble demeanor naturally shone through.
In front of Yi-gang was a steamed chicken seasoned with soy sauce.
Click.
He picked up his chopsticks.
The sharp and elongated wooden chopsticks penetrated deep into the upper part of the chicken thigh. The meat was so tenderly cooked that it was soft right down to the bone.
The Azure Forest did not restrict the consumption of meat for its disciples, and the chef in charge of the Pleasure Meal Hall was exceptional. Yu Su-rin’s praise was not empty words.
Tug—
When Yi-gang lightly twisted his chopsticks, the thigh separated from the body astonishingly easily. It was because he precisely pierced through the cartilage. Naturally, there was no splattering of sauce or the like.
He picked up the meat, placed it in his mouth, and chewed. There was no sound at all.
“Wow.”
“What’s with that?”
Nearly ten young disciples around Yi-gang’s age, who were watching him, whispered amongst themselves.
That’s right. Surrounding where Yi-gang and Yu Su-rin were dining, a large group of young disciples gathered.
“Even his chopstick skills are different.”
“He eats without getting any sauce on his lips.”
“They say if you eat slowly and chew well, it’s good for digestion.”
Their murmurs were loud enough to be heard.
It was somewhat expected for Yi-gang to attract intense attention just by eating.
“He seems to be around our age. Is he joining us this time? If so, he’s our batchmate.”
“Didn’t they say he’s the young master of Baek Clan?”
“I was the young master in my household too.”
“What are you talking about? Don’t spout nonsense.”
From the beginning, Yi-gang’s appearance was quite conspicuous. He wore a red silk robe with a white mink lining and black leather shoes that shone.
Even though the Azure Forest was affluent, the disciples didn’t indulge in luxuries. Among them, Yi-gang stood out immensely. It was like a drop of red paint on a pristine white snowfield.
Yu Su-rin asked with a spirited look, “How is it? Amazing, right?”
Yi-gang took another piece of chicken meat into his mouth. The chewy texture was exquisite.
“It’s delicious.”
“Right?”
Perhaps joining the Azure Forest might not be a bad idea after all. Eating made him feel that way.
「He sure can eat well. He doesn’t seem bothered, even with all those stares.」
Yi-gang’s composed demeanor was so impressive that even the Immortal Divine Sword was in awe. Yi-gang wasn’t fazed at all by the murmuring and stares from those around him.
‘After all, they’re just kids. What’s the big deal? It must be intriguing to them to see a stranger eating in the restaurant.’
「Yes, that’s a good attitude. A tiger remains dignified even when surrounded by wild dogs.」
‘Comparing kids to wild dogs?’
「They’re just like pesky little pups.」
Yi-gang and Yu Su-rin finished their meal without any issues.
“Shall we go now?”
“Yes, there’s only one place left to visit.”
As Yi-gang and Yu Su-rin were about to leave—
Someone abruptly blocked Yi-gang’s path.
“Hold on.”
The person had a slightly rugged face. He was a boy, about a head taller than Yi-gang.
Everyone dining here was a third-generation disciple, and they were all peers of Yi-gang.
“What is it?”
Yi-gang assessed the boy who stood in his way.
He had a stern expression. He was big for his age, and his physique was well-built.
Was he trying to pick a fight?
Yi-gang instinctively became more cautious.
“Hey, nice to meet you. I’m Jun Myung.”
However, the boy said this with a broad smile.
It was an innocent smile, made even more so by the fact that he was missing one of his front teeth.
“Uh… Nice to meet you too. I’m Baek Yi-gang.”
Yi-gang nodded with a slightly bemused expression. He then passed by Jun Myung, with Yu Su-rin by his side, and headed towards the exit.
Jun Myung called out to the departing Yi-gang with a quick greeting.
“Take care!”
“Yeah.”
Without looking back, Yi-gang left.
Jun Myung, with a proud look on his face, glanced around.
“Did you see that?”
“Wow! I should have greeted him too…”
“When I looked into his eyes, he seemed like a good kid.”
For some reason, Jun Myung was brimming with confidence. And his peers didn’t find this behavior odd at all.
For them, who grew up in these woods with the Taoist priests, Yi-gang’s appearance was a shock in itself.
“I could feel it instantly. Just by looking into his eyes, there was this electric connection. He’s a good kid.”
Having only exchanged a brief greeting, Jun Myung smugly crossed his arms and nodded.
“Hey, Jun Myung.”
“Yeah? What?”
“You have some sauce on your lips.”
As he hastily wiped his mouth, the seasoning from the braised chicken was evident.
“Dang it! You should’ve told me sooner!”
Jun Myung then realized why Yi-gang had given him that peculiar look moments earlier.
Yu Su-rin walked with her chin held higher than usual. It seemed she took pride in the attention she was receiving.
Her peers would rush over and whisper, “Who is he?” into her ear.
Yu Su-rin would reply, “His name is Baek Yi-gang from the Baek Clan. I can’t say much more. Forest Lord has instructed so.” The children would then leave with even more curiosity.
To Yi-gang, it seemed like an amusing scene.
“They’re good kids.”
Yu Su-rin, who had been commenting, suddenly turned and said to Yi-gang.
“Who?”
“Jun Myung and all the third-generation disciples.”
Yi-gang nodded in agreement.
When that burly kid blocked his path earlier, for a moment, he had thought a quarrel was brewing. Even among the disciples of a martial arts sect, some juvenile posturing was only natural among young ones.
But the boy had simply smiled foolishly and greeted him. There likely wouldn’t be anyone picking a fight with braised chicken sauce smeared around their mouth.
“There are about 100 third-generation disciples. They haven’t formally entered the sect yet.”
Those who hadn’t been officially granted the title of first-flower weren’t considered official disciples.
Yi-gang’s mind raced.
Yu Su-rin and the others would officially become first-flower disciples next year. If Yi-gang were to join the Azure Forest a bit later, he might inevitably end up serving Yu Su-rin and the youngsters as their junior.
‘I need to hurry up.’
The thought was dizzying. Even that naive boy with sauce on his face earlier would become his senior.
“So, are we now heading to that place called the Five Flower Grand Library?” Yi-gang inquired, growing slightly impatient
“Yes. This place is actually not supposed to be revealed to outsiders,” Yu Su-rin spoke gravely.
“I’ve only been there three times myself.”
“Three times seems quite frequent.”
“The Grand Library Master is my father.”
“Oh.”
When one mentioned a library, it implied a place where books were stored. Perhaps the stringent security around the Azure Forest’s library was due to it housing the sect’s secret scriptures. However, according to Yu Su-rin’s explanation, it wasn’t just that.
“It’s because of the Treasures.”
“Treasures?”
“Yes, Treasures.”
The explanation was that the Five Flower Grand Library stored something called Treasures.
‘Is she referring to things like this necklace of the Pixiu?’
Yi-gang touched his necklace. When he met Forest Lord, he had shown the ring he received from Soryu along with the Pixiu’s necklace.
The necklace of the Pixiu possessed a unique ability. By infusing it with Qi, one could discern whether jewels or valuable items were genuine or counterfeits. It was an ability that suited the characteristics of the Pixiu, which consumed gems.
However, the ring from Soryu was nothing special. It was just an ordinary ring that the Immortal Divine Sword had worn for a very long time.
“I once wanted to become a librarian at the Five Flower Grand Library, following in my father’s footsteps,” Yu Su-rin murmured in a distant voice.
“A librarian?”
“Yes, it’s an incredibly honorable and significant role. In the past, even Senior Ri-yeon sought to become a librarian.”
“So it didn’t work out?”
“Yes, she kept failing the exams. That’s why currently, the only librarian at the Five Flower Grand Library is my father. He holds authority on par with Forest Lord, especially when it comes to the Treasures.”
It’s uncertain what items might be housed in the Azure Forest’s grand library, but they were undoubtedly not ordinary.
The Grand Library Master, who oversaw all these items, seemed to possess immense authority.
“Will you become a Taoist flower disciple, or perhaps a martial flower disciple?” asked Yu Su-rin suddenly.
In the Azure Forest, there were martial flower disciples who mainly practiced martial arts, and Taoist flower disciples who also studied academic disciplines and sorcery.
“Just for your information, both can learn martial arts. It’s just that Taoist flower disciples also learn sorcery.”
“You’re a Taoist flower disciple, right?”
On the hem of Yu Su-rin’s robe, there was an embroidered red flower, devoid of petals.
“Yes. Among the third-generation disciples, there are only seven Taoist flower disciples. It requires talent.”
“Hmm, I’ll probably become a martial flower disciple.”
Yi-gang had the Immortal Divine Sword and the sword techniques taught by the Immortal Divine Sword. He had no intention of giving them up even after joining the Azure Forest.
“Is that so? Phew.”
For some reason, Yu Su-rin let out a sigh of relief.
They walked in silence for quite a while, until the sight of the Five Flower Grand Library came into view. After a thoughtful pause, she hesitantly spoke, “…By the way, there aren’t just two types of flowers.”
“What?”
It was something he hadn’t heard from Jin Ri-yeon.
“To become a librarian of the Five Flower Grand Library, one must embody the third flower of the Azure Forest.”
“The third flower, you say?”
The blue flower, martial flower, which symbolized martial arts.
And the red flower, Taoist flower, which represented academic studies and sorcery.
“Yes, the purple flower.”
When blue and red combine, they form the color purple.
“The honor flower disciples. Among our third-generation disciples, there isn’t even one yet,” Yu Su-rin spoke with a somewhat cautious tone, as if worried that Yi-gang might take an interest.
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