Chapter 52: The Third Flower (5)
The test to become an honor flower disciple—
The first test was passed without even needing to take it, and the second test, which was originally supposed to take a whole day, ended as quickly as roasting beans over a flame.
Yu Jeong-shin’s lips split into a wide smile.
Of course, he was delighted. This Five Flower Grand Library was not a place to be compared with ordinary libraries. It was built at a point where the spiritual energy of Mount Heng was concentrated, and inside, it was full of Treasures. These Treasures, too, emitted spiritual energy.
That is, there was a problem where monsters like the Brush Eater naturally emerged. Finding and exterminating such creatures was a laborious task, but Yi-gang found the Brush Eater more easily than Yu Jeong-shin.
‘He’s a talent we absolutely need. A talent that can’t be found anywhere else in the entire Central Plains!’
Passion burned in Yu Jeong-shin’s eyes.
And there was another reason for his broad smile.
Yi-gang was taking the third test.
“Take three steps to the left from here.”
It was a space as bright as the outside, fully equipped with torches and night pots. It was a training hall within the Five Flower Grand Library, used for various purposes.
And on the stone floor, flags, jewels, and pieces of wood were arranged geometrically, their purpose unknown.
Qi Men Dun Jia, specifically the formation.
Yu Jeong-shin explained to Yi-gang that it was a basic form of the Mixed Illusion Formation.
Yi-gang was walking in the middle of that formation.
“From here, go forward. No, is this the Rest Gate?”
Yi-gang, who had been walking, stopped momentarily to contemplate.
Yu Jeong-shin watched Yi-gang with sweaty palms.
“Yes, from there. Just think a little more!”
He occasionally shouted advice.
Because Yi-gang wouldn’t hear him. To an onlooker, Yi-gang cautiously walking on the flat training ground might appear comical.
However, even if it’s basic, he’s right in the middle of the formation. Yu Jeong-shin’s words wouldn’t reach him, and Yi-gang’s vision would be obscured by fog.
Suddenly, Yi-gang began to backpedal.
“That’s right!”
Yu Jeong-shin couldn’t help but cheer.
Yi-gang had finally found the Life Gate.
The Mixed Illusion Formation was derived from the principles of Dual Polarity, that is, the concepts of heaven and earth. Those entrapped within the formation experienced disorientation, as if heaven and earth had reversed.
One lost their sense of direction, and their vision was obscured by fog. Various noises occurred everywhere, adding to the confusion.
There were two main ways to escape from the Mixed Illusion Formation.
The first was to muster one’s strength and physically break through the formation. The second was to understand the formation itself and find a way out.
Naturally, the test that Yu Jeong-shin had set for Yi-gang was the latter approach.
How then could Yi-gang escape from the Mixed Illusion Formation?
“It’s more complicated than I thought.”
“You did well!”
Yu Jeong-shin quickly checked the hourglass.
“Wow!”
It hadn’t been flipped over for long, so as he expected, most of the sand was still on top.
“This is a new record.”
An hourglass for one cycle. The fallen sand was just about half of the half.
Of the dozens of disciples who had taken this three-stage test so far, to Yu Jeong-shin’s knowledge, no one had broken the Mixed Illusion Formation in such a short time.
“How did you find the Life Gate so quickly?”
In response to Yu Jeong-shin’s question, Yi-gang answered nonchalantly, “At the beginning, didn’t you explain the method to break the Mixed Illusion Formation?”
“I did?”
“Yes. How to find the Life Gate and the principles of Dual Polarity.”
However, Yu Jeong-shin felt even more baffled by that answer.
“Of course, you need to know the theory, so I gave a brief explanation.”
What Yu Jeong-shin had explained to Yi-gang was not the method to break the Mixed Illusion Formation.
He simply explained what kind of formation the Mixed Illusion Formation was and gave a general explanation about the principles of the formation and how to deal with it.
If such explanations were considered as methods to break the formation, then all the disciples of the Azure Forest would be considered experts in formation techniques.
“Explain in more detail!”
“Well…”
Yi-gang elaborated on the method he used to break through the Mixed Illusion Formation. He had memorized everything Yu Jeong-shin had explained earlier and seemed to have understood it all.
Although the formation was made safe for the test, Yi-gang broke the Mixed Illusion Formation with remarkable comprehension and an almost instinctual sense.
When he finally found the last Life Gate, he said he felt the spiritual energy flowing like the wind within the formation and took a step back.
Upon hearing this, Yu Jeong-shin couldn’t help but sigh.
“It’s a divine comprehension…”
He really wanted to proceed with the fourth and fifth tests right away.
It was regrettable that Yi-gang was not even a disciple of the Azure Forest yet.
“For now, sit down, and let’s talk more. I’ll explain in detail about the position of honor flower disciple and the Five Flower Grand Library.”
“Ah, yes. It’s okay.”
“For starters… um, right. Do you like tea? I have a precious tea leaf called Da Hong Pao that I received from the Forest Lord. Let’s start with that!”
Yi-gang interrupted the excited Yu Jeong-shin.
“Do you have a moment?”
“Mm? Sure, you can tell me anything.”
Yi-gang whispered into Yu Jeong-shin’s ear.
Yu Jeong-shin’s bright smile suddenly froze.
‘My daughter seems upset.’
Yi-gang merely made that comment. Only then did Yu Jeong-shin realize he had completely forgotten about Yu Su-rin.
“Ah, right.”
Yi-gang quietly took a seat.
While Yu Jeong-shin seemed distracted, Yi-gang had noticed the situation long before.
From the moment Yi-gang easily passed the second test, Yu Su-rin’s expression had been off.
At first, she seemed dazed, but later on, she kept her mouth tightly shut.
It was even more so after Yu Jeong-shin began openly praising Yi-gang. The reason was obvious.
‘A stone that rolled in from who knows where suddenly dislodged the embedded stone.’
Yu Su-rin’s dream was to become an honor flower disciple. And she had tried five times but failed each time. Amidst all this, Yi-gang achieved such results.
Moreover, Yu Jeong-shin, her father and the Grand Library Master, couldn’t hide his delight.
She had never seen such a type of smile on her father’s face before.
「It seems like living in such a place has made him oblivious. Not noticing his daughter’s wrinkled expression.」
‘Isn’t that so?’
It seemed that the Immortal Divine Sword also understood the situation.
After hesitating for a while, Yu Jeong-shin spoke up, “I might have acted thoughtlessly, not considering our Su-rin’s feelings.”
“It’s okay, Library Master.”
“It’s just unfortunate that you had to witness that very test you failed and were upset about…”
“…”
For a moment, Yi-gang clenched his fists.
Could those be considered words of consolation? It was the worst kind of comment.
“Well, originally, no one passed the third test, so I was always disappointed. It’s not just you who failed. But then Yi-gang, this kid, passed it so quickly… It just made me feel better.”
His rambling was even worse. Wasn’t the very person who didn’t pass Yu Su-rin?
Yi-gang suspected that Yu Su-rin might burst into tears. From what he had seen so far, she seemed to be the emotional type. The careless words of her father must have deeply hurt her.
“Uh… Su-rin, would you like to have a cup of tea?”
“It’s fine, Library Master!”
However, Yu Su-rin’s reaction was contrary to Yi-gang’s expectations. She smiled brightly.
Moreover, she shared that smile with Yi-gang.
“Your achievement is truly incredible! Even Senior Ri-yeon failed the third test three times. You must be naturally talented.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
Yi-gang nodded in acknowledgment of the praise.
Feigning humility would have been more hurtful at this point.
Seeing Yu Su-rin’s cheerful demeanor, the previously pale-faced Yu Jeong-shin let out a sigh of relief.
“It’s good to see you in a better mood.”
“It’s nothing. However, I think I need to head out soon.”
“Oh? Hm…”
“Why don’t you continue your conversation with Yi-gang? It’s not far from here. Can you make it back on your own?”
Yi-gang waved his hand in response.
“See you tomorrow.”
“Alright, take care.”
“Sure, go ahead. Once the current Treasure inspection is over, I’ll treat you to something delicious.”
“Thank you!”
With that, Yu Su-rin left first. She seemed to be in a hurry, but Yu Jeong-shin seemed oblivious.
Yi-gang let out a silent sigh.
‘Ah, sigh.’
「Hm, at least she doesn’t seem to be in a bad mood. That’s a relief.」
Upon hearing the Immortal Divine Sword’s words, Yi-gang was taken aback.
‘Huh? What are you talking about?’
「She’s grinning from ear to ear, isn’t she happy?」
Yi-gang was at a loss for words.
Deep down, he felt that the Immortal Divine Sword probably wasn’t a great parent either.
Claiming to have urgent matters to attend to, Yu Su-rin hastily left the training hall.
It was an obvious lie.
Of course, even that blatant lie went unnoticed by her father, Yu Jeong-shin.
He was a kind man, gentle, and loved his daughter, Yu Su-rin. Or so it seemed.
Yu Su-rin paused for a moment at the place where Treasures were being inspected. She stopped to catch her breath.
There were Treasures here and there that appeared to be under repair.
Although it was the way out, it wasn’t a place where Yu Su-rin should be alone. But Yu Jeong-shin seemed oblivious to that.
“Huff!”
Yu Su-rin clenched her abdomen.
Her entire body felt like a water balloon filled with tears. It felt like the slightest poke would cause her tears to burst out.
For the first time in her life, she felt a surge of overpowering anger.
No one was in the wrong. If there was any blame to be placed, it was solely due to her own inadequacies.
As if shaking off those negative emotions, she shook her head.
“Let’s not cry!”
Yu Su-rin started running again.
There were rumors that Yu Su-rin had brought a young master from Baek Clan to show him around the Azure Forest. The rumors had already spread rapidly among the disciples of the Azure Forest.
Especially thanks to the commotion at the restaurant, the same-age third-generation disciples talked about it all day.
For them, Yi-gang, who came from the distant Shaanxi Province, was an object of curiosity.
Perhaps that’s why—
After their training, a few of the third-generation disciples acted out of curiosity.
“Why isn’t she coming out…”
They were waiting for Yu Su-rin beneath the path that descended from the Five Flower Grand Library to the main mountain of the Azure Forest.
They had been waiting since the time of the hour of the Monkey, but the sun was already setting.
They had waited longer than expected, but neither Yu Su-rin nor Yi-gang showed any sign of coming out.
“Brother Jun Myung, I feel like I’m going to freeze to death.”
“Why isn’t Su-rin coming? At this rate, we’ll collapse before we get a chance to surprise her.”
Two boys grumbled to Jun Myung.
It was none other than Jun Myung who had brought them to surprise Yu Su-rin and Yi-gang. He was the very boy who had greeted Yi-gang at the restaurant earlier that day.
“Just wait a little longer. They’ll come out soon.”
“Didn’t they finish and already leave?”
“If they had, we would’ve known by now.”
“They might just be having fun by themselves.”
At that, Jun Myung widened his eyes and glared.
“Su-chan, don’t make such baseless remarks.”
“It’s not entirely baseless, though. Why are you glaring at me like that?”
“Gla-glaring? What do you mean?”
Jun Myung quickly tried to flash an innocent smile.
He then lowered his head and nervously bit his nails.
‘Why aren’t they coming out? Could the two of them really…’
It was Jun Myung who had insisted on waiting, despite the younger ones’ constant whining about wanting to leave.
‘That guy called Yi-gang. He was indeed remarkably good-looking.’
While thinking so, he gently touched his rugged face.
‘But I’m taller, and I have more muscles.’
The real reason he had greeted Yi-gang earlier in the day was something no one knew: deep down, Jun Myung had a crush on Yu Su-rin.
The reason he was waiting for Yi-gang and Yu Su-rin was due to an inexplicable unease.
‘What if the two of them come down holding hands…’
Even the thought made his heart sink with anxiety.
Perhaps he was so lost in thought…
He didn’t notice when Yu Su-rin appeared.
It might also have been because Yu Su-rin was running at full speed using her lightness technique.
One of the boys that Jun Myung brought quickly dashed forward.
“Whoa, eek!”
And then he was struck by the surprised Yu Su-rin and was sent flying.
“Yikes! What a surprise! What are you doing! Why…”
Yu Su-rin inadvertently smacked Su-chan on the nose.
The plan to surprise her was a complete failure.
Jun Myung got up awkwardly to greet Yu Su-rin.
“Why were you all gathered here? You tried to scare me, didn’t you?”
“Ugh, because Sister didn’t come. Isn’t this a nosebleed?”
Yu Su-rin helped the boy up by taking his hand.
Indeed, at this point in time, there was no one who could surpass Yu Su-rin other than Jun Myung. Her movement was lightning-fast.
Jun Myung awkwardly scratched the back of his head.
“But, why are you alone?”
“Huh…?”
“I heard you went to the Five Flower Grand Library with that boy named Baek Yi-gang.”
Jun Myung was extremely curious about why Yu Su-rin came back alone. To hide his curiosity, he asked for another reason.
“Is the Library Master well? Did you really take him there for the honor flower disciple’s test?”
“Ah, um, yes, that’s right.”
Yu Su-rin smiled faintly.
For some reason, Jun Myung felt uneasy about that smile.
“So… Is he still there? Surely, he’s not still taking the test. Did he pass the first test, like you?”
“…Yes.”
“Huh? Really? Then why did you come out first?”
Yu Su-rin opened her mouth as if to answer, but then firmly closed it.
Jun Myung continued to scratch the back of his head, about to ask a question, but then he froze.
“…”
It was because Yu Su-rin’s eyes, firmly closed, had become moist.
She seemed to be holding back tears, but eventually, a tear rolled down her cheek.
The boy who had been pinching his nose to stop the bleeding chuckled.
“She starts crying out of the blue. What a crybaby.”
“Su-rin…”
And Jun Myung quickly approached Yu Su-rin.
Because he secretly harbored feelings for Yu Su-rin, he understood.
“What’s the matter? What happened!”
He realized that Yu Su-rin’s tears this time were different from the ones she usually shed.
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