Chapter 49: The Third Flower (2)
Yi-gang pondered deeply.
The martial artists of the Azure Forest were well-known in the world. Every time they appeared in Jianghu, they always attracted attention.
Numerous martial artists risked their lives on their swords and roamed Jianghu. Among them were third-rate wanderers who were no different than pirates, and there were also martial artists of renowned sects who enjoyed power and influence no less than high-ranking officials.
In the orthodox Murim, the most influential are undoubtedly the Nine Sects One Gang and the Seven Great Clans. However, the martial artists of the Azure Forest never lost their shine among them.
All of them had a few blue flowers embroidered on the hem of their clothes. They were the martial flower disciples.
Jin Ri-yeon, known by the nickname Azure Forest’s Peony, was one such example. She was even invited to the Dragon and Phoenix Conference of the Nine Sects One Gang and proved her martial arts there.
Most of the representative Azure Forest martial artists active in the martial world were martial flower disciples. And compared to them, the disciples with red flowers embroidered, called Taoist flowers, only became known recently.
‘A purple flower?’
But there was a third flower. They were called honor flower disciples.
Yi-gang had never even heard of it.
“Are you lying to me?”
“No, you… really,” Yu Su-rin spoke as if frustrated.
“Miss Jin never mentioned such a thing.”
“…Well, she wouldn’t. After all, Senior Ri-yeon tried to become an honor flower disciple and failed,” Yu Su-rin spoke with a hint of caution.
After all, if Jin Ri-yeon truly failed to become an honor flower disciple, it might have been a sore point for her.
「I wasn’t particularly interested, but it seems there were such people.」
‘So it’s true.’
It didn’t seem like a lie.
“So, what is it? Martial flower focuses on martial arts, and Taoist flower concentrates on sorcery and scholarship. Then what about honor flower?”
“Do you know how to make purple?”
“You mix red and blue to get purple.”
“You’re right.”
When Yi-gang answered easily, Yu Su-rin seemed a bit disappointed.
“Yes, an honor flower disciple must have the qualifications of both martial flower and Taoist flower. In other words, they must be skilled in martial arts and also have expertise in sorcery and scholarship.”
Yi-gang nodded slowly. In other words, one had to be a jack-of-all-trades.
“So Miss Jin lacked expertise in sorcery?”
“…What are you saying? That’s not it. Do you know how smart Senior Ri-yeon is?”
“Well, true. Then what about you?”
“Huh?”
“You said you also failed. In becoming an honor flower disciple.”
Yu Su-rin looked hurt by Yi-gang’s direct words.
“Me, I’m the same. I’m a Taoist flower disciple, but I wield a sword better than most.”
It seemed that way. From Yi-gang’s perspective, Yu Su-rin’s movements were far from ordinary.
“So besides martial arts and sorcery, there’s another element.”
“You’re annoying.”
Strangely, even though Yu Su-rin was the one explaining, she felt like she was constantly being led by Yi-gang.
“Yes, there’s a third criterion. It’s a bit hard for me to explain.”
“So how do they determine this third criterion?”
“There’s a test. My father, no, the Grand Library Master conducts a five-stage test.”
The place Yi-gang was currently headed to was exactly the Five Flower Grand Library.
“Senior Ri-yeon ultimately didn’t pass. And I… I failed once.”
Yu Su-rin showed a sorrowful smile.
Of course, Yi-gang was preoccupied with other thoughts and didn’t notice her smile.
“Your father is fair.”
“Huh?”
“You said the Library Master who oversees the test is your father.”
“That’s right.”
“It means he didn’t let personal feelings interfere. He must be impartial.”
“…Exactly!”
Yu Su-rin forced a smile. Yi-gang was right.
In the midst of their conversation, they finally arrived at the Five Flower Grand Library.
“It certainly doesn’t look like an ordinary library.”
“They’ve secured it thoroughly. Even if the Azure Forest were invaded and fell, one wouldn’t be able to access the Five Flower Grand Library.”
The Grand Library wasn’t a typical building.
Deep within a mountain range, nestled into a massive rock cliff, stood the Five Flower Grand Library.
“It used to be a cave. They built a library inside and then added buildings to its front. In case of emergencies, the buildings can be collapsed to block the entrance.”
It was as if the building was embedded in the cliff.
The massive gate was fortified with iron plates, looking sturdy. With no windows for thieves to enter through, it was almost like a fortress.
“To enter the Five Flower Grand Library, one needs permission from the pavilion masters or higher,” Yu Su-rin explained and then rang a bell next to the main gate.
Ding-ding-ding—
“It’s a bell to request entry. In about an hour or so, the Library Master will open the door.”
The gate had no visible handle. It didn’t look like something that would simply open with a push.
“How do you open this?”
“You have a keen eye. It’s not something just anyone can open. One shouldn’t even attempt to do so recklessly. There’s a formation array installed. If an unauthorized person tries to breach it, they’ll get seriously hurt.”
It was curious that there were no guards, but it seemed the security was stringent in other ways. Even the disciples couldn’t freely enter and exit, it seemed.
“Is it to protect the Treasures?”
“That’s part of it, but it’s more the other way around.”
“The other way?”
“To protect unprepared disciples from the Treasures. There are many dangerous Treasures.”
Her tone was laden with meaning.
Yi-gang recalled what Jin Ri-yeon had said. That the necklace of the Pixiu could drive its wearer mad if not careful. For some reason, Yi-gang seemed unaffected.
Yi-gang cautiously approached the gate.
“It won’t open with a push.”
“I’m not pushing.”
He touched the gate. Looking at the ground, there were no marks indicating the door had been opened or closed. Meaning it wasn’t a door that pushed or pulled open.
In that case…
「Be careful.」
That was the moment the Immortal Divine Sword warned him.
A tingling pain was felt on the palm. Yi-gang’s hair stood on end in an instant. It felt as though a sharp energy was trying to pierce through his hand.
However, that energy couldn’t penetrate Yi-gang’s body and was repelled back.
「How dare it.」
‘What was that?’
「Something seemed to be trying to examine your body. These Azure Forest folks…」
Then, the large gate suddenly began to part open from the center.
Crrrrrr—
“What, what’s happening?”
Yu Su-rin was taken aback.
“Already, Library Master. But… no one’s there.”
The door opened just wide enough for Yi-gang and Yu Su-rin to enter.
“This isn’t some automatic door.”
“Automatic… what? This is a formation combined with a protective array. It was personally designed by the previous Forest Lord.”
“So, we just enter through here?”
The slightly ajar gate revealed a dark interior. The distinct musty scent of old books wafted out.
“Hmm, a door that usually remains shut wouldn’t just open by itself. Did the Library Master open it from inside?”
It was something Yu Su-rin could have never imagined.
The engraved energy array on the metal plate of the gate to the Five Flower Grand Library.
The spell that determined the qualifications of the individual, based on the principles of Eight Trigrams and Nine Palaces, had probed Yi-gang.
And the energy that tried to probe Yi-gang had instead backfired, destroying the first barrier.
The Library Master of the Five Flower Grand Library, Yu Jeong-shin.
Since his youth, after his marriage, he had never been out in Jianghu. As he moved quietly even within Jianghu, he didn’t have a particular moniker.
He only held the title of Grand Library Master.
On his robe, six luminous purple flowers were embroidered, signifying that he was a sixth-flower disciple. It indicated that his skills were exceptional among the first-generation disciples.
Yet, such a man, Yu Jeong-shin, spent half his life alone in this dark Five Flower Grand Library.
“This is… quite the challenge.”
Yu Jeong-shin’s hands were smeared with something that looked like black ink.
What he was fidgeting with was a metal cube-shaped Treasure.
Every time he touched the Treasure, a whining noise resonated. Inside it were hundreds of enraged insects, Jinu insects.
This Treasure was a treasure for martial artists who utilized poisons. However, if the Jinu insects inside were to escape, it would be extremely dangerous. If bitten by one, a person would turn ferocious, and those of weak constitution would undoubtedly become murderers.
Maintaining the Treasure wasn’t a task just anyone could undertake. Even a third-rate martial artist, adorned with Treasures all over, would be a match for an entire martial arts sect.
“I really need to find a librarian soon.”
Grumbling, Yu Jeong-shin sprinkled charcoal powder on the Treasure. It was a process to detect where the air was leaking. This particular Treasure regularly developed small holes, releasing luminous bugs, so regular checks were needed.
‘Having an extra hand to help would indeed be nice.’
Yet, even with that thought, Yu Jeong-shin didn’t harbor much hope. Not just anyone could become an honor flower disciple.
Among the disciples chosen to become honor flowers, one had committed a crime and, in the end, was confined to the Repentance Cave. The other children, still lacking in skills, were performing other duties in place of the librarian role.
The most anticipated disciple, Jin Ri-yeon, lacked the qualities of an honor flower disciple. His daughter, Yu Su-rin, also desired to be an honor flower disciple, but, regrettably, she didn’t pass the exam.
Ding-Ding-Ding—
The sound of a bell, signaling a visitor, made Yu Jeong-shin lift his head.
“He arrived sooner than expected.”
Forest Lord Im Gi-hak spoke to him.
The young master of the Baek Clan might join the Azure Forest. Test him once. He’s exceptionally talented.
Given Forest Lord’s words, this surely wasn’t any ordinary child. However, Yu Jeong-shin wasn’t convinced the child could truly become an honor flower disciple.
The most essential quality of an honor flower disciple.
It wasn’t talent in martial arts or sorcery.
Inborn, innate temperament was the most crucial.
One must possess a core that never wavered, deep within their heart. Like a willow that, although its leaves might be shaken by a typhoon, never gets uprooted.
An unyielding spirit, unwavering perseverance, and pride that didn’t succumb to temptation. Above all, innate spiritual energy and the capacity of their upper dantian.
Such innate qualities genuinely empowered a person. Misguided entities dared not invade the hearts of such individuals. Only then could one resist the allure of the Treasures and control it.
“Just this one more to finish…”
Yu Jeong-shin continued to apply final touches to the Treasure, not moving from his spot. He was almost done with his task.
The moment he finished his touches and placed the Treasure on a silk cloth—
Grrrrrr—
An unexpected noise echoed. Yu Jeong-shin’s eyes widened as he turned to where the noise came from.
“Did the door just open?”
Only he and Forest Lord had the authority to open the gate of the Five Flower Grand Library. Yet, the door had seemingly opened on its own.
The defense mechanisms of the library weren’t limited to the gate. If an unauthorized person were to forcibly enter, traps designed to repel intruders would activate.
Sure enough, a scream pierced the air.
“Kyaaaaaaah!”
It was unmistakably his daughter’s scream.
Hearing the scream, Yu Jeong-shin immediately leaped from his spot, showcasing his swift martial arts.
His neck veins bulged in anxiety.
He couldn’t fathom why the door had opened. It wasn’t something that could be forcibly opened, and if it had been, there would have been a preceding noise.
“Su-rin!”
Now was not the time to delve into such matters.
His daughter was in danger. That alone could turn any parent blind with worry.
Faster than a galloping horse, Yu Jeong-shin arrived at the half-open grand door.
There stood his daughter, Yu Su-rin, and a boy he had never seen before.
“Father!”
As Yu Su-rin tried to run towards him, the boy, named Baek Yi-gang, stopped her.
“Don’t move.”
It was a fortunate turn of events.
“Su, Su-rin! Stay still!”
“Ye-yes!”
Upon Yu Jeong-shin’s shout, Yu Su-rin immediately halted.
Bright red straw ropes hung from the ceiling, surrounding both her and Yi-gang.
Even the slightest movement would likely cause them to touch these ropes.
“How should we proceed?”
Yi-gang asked Yu Jeong-shin with a calm demeanor, devoid of unnecessary greetings or inquiries about the situation.
“Ensure you don’t touch those straw ropes.”
If an unauthorized intruder entered, the straw ropes tied to the ceiling released and fell to the ground.
They too were a type of Treasure.
Known as Blood Archduke due to the inevitable bleeding when touched, they resembled fishing lines designed to draw blood.
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