Chapter 79: Spirit Spring Valley (1)
Grass Flower Hall Head, Do Young, strode in.
His expression looked rather unpleasant. It was understandable. He had been troubled today as well.
“Do Hyu, that bastard, taking this senior brother too lightly…”
Although Grass Flower Hall was responsible for the Azure Forest’s resources, this also brought many annoyances.
The Management Pavilion Master was constantly pressing for money, and Snowflake Hermit Palace was raiding Grass Flower Hall’s storehouse to make elixirs with herbs and other materials.
And today, even the Golden Needle Phantom Do Hyu took some spiritual herbs.
The reason was singular. It was to prepare for healing the body of Baek Yi-gang, the young master of the Baek Clan, who would soon be initiated.
When his disciple Yeop Su-nam told him that Baek Yi-gang had just visited, it made sense that the Grass Flower Hall Head frowned.
“Why him!”
“It was the command of the Forest Lord, Master. Hehe…”
Yeop Su-nam, sensing the bad mood of the Grass Flower Hall Head, was particularly obsequious.
“Oh well, if the Forest Lord says so, there’s nothing to be done… But, did he just take a quick look and leave?”
He said he showed Baek Yi-gang the herb samples of Spirit Spring Valley for the light footwork technique test.
That was fine. The other third-generation disciples had already memorized them, so it would be fair to give Yi-gang the same opportunity.
“Yes, he seemed to have seen them for a moment.”
“There are 99 types of spiritual herbs. But he just took a look for a moment and memorized them?”
“Uh…”
Yeop Su-nam’s mouth fell open in astonishment. Until a moment ago, he had just brushed it off as such.
“The kid is quite smart.”
“Humph, such an insolent child.”
Although Yeop Su-nam was merely relaying what Jin Mu had said, the Grass Flower Hall Head was grumbling for no reason.
“It’s obvious, he must have only looked at the 33 items on the right side.”
“Ah…”
The spiritual herbs in the right section were the most valuable and had the highest scores. The Grass Flower Hall Head concluded that Yi-gang must have memorized only these valuable spiritual herbs, ignoring the others.
Yeop Su-nam also agreed with the Grass Flower Hall Head’s speculation.
“That makes sense. After all, even I spent days wrapping my head around those spiritual herbs when I first memorized them.”
“Of course. No matter how smart one is, it’s difficult for an outsider to distinguish the features of those spiritual herbs. If he really memorized them, then we should bring him to Grass Flower Hall immediately.”
The Hall Head, smiling wryly, threw out a comment, “Open it up. Let’s check how well they have been maintained after such a long time.”
Yeop Su-nam was in charge of managing the samples.
He opened the box with a hearty laugh.
“I’ve been managing them meticulously, sir.”
“Let’s have a look.”
“Yes, right here, starting from the left to the right—ah!”
Yeop Su-nam screamed.
And then, the Grass Flower Hall Head smacked the back of his head with a loud smack.
“What? Meticulous?”
“Wh-why is this…!”
Among the top 33 spiritual herbs, there was the Ghost Soul Herb. The spiritual herb, which had bloomed vibrant blue flowers, was now withered and yellow.
Moreover, the Ghost Soul Herb was one of the samples that the Grass Flower Hall Head cherished the most.
“Do you know how much effort went into preserving this? You’ve killed it! You killed it!”
“Cough, Ma-master, this disciple is dying.”
Yeop Su-nam’s face turned blue as the Grass Flower Hall Head, who was grabbing and shaking his neck, scolded him.
“B-but it was fine just a moment ago.”
“Now you dare to insult your master with lies!”
Even while shedding tears of injustice, Yeop Su-nam could only think that he must have seen it wrong.
It was unimaginable that the Immortal Divine Sword, who had been by Yi-gang’s side, had consumed the Ghost Soul Herb for nourishment.
Time passed relentlessly.
Before long, the day to test the light footwork technique arrived.
Since Yi-gang came to the Azure Forest, all the third-generation disciples now recognized his face.
But time passing didn’t naturally integrate Yi-gang among them. They had been close since childhood, and Yi-gang was an outsider.
Of course, it wasn’t entirely their fault. Yi-gang himself did not try to be overly friendly.
Like a single camellia flower fallen on a snowy field, Yi-gang stood out conspicuously.
“Get ready!”
Yeop Su-nam, serving as the supervisor, shouted so.
Until a moment ago, he was explaining the rules of the test to the third-generation disciples gathered in front of Spirit Spring Valley.
The time limit was until sunset. Since it started at sunrise, it lasted all day. During this time, they had to gather spiritual herbs from Spirit Spring Valley.
The rarity and quantity of the spiritual herb would determine the scores, so the goal for the third-generation disciples was to gather as many valuable spiritual herbs as possible.
They were huddled together in small groups with their friends.
They would scatter once the test started, but until then, they were chattering and sharing plans for what lay ahead.
Yi-gang stood alone on a rock, like an isolated island. It was a spot overlooking Spirit Spring Valley.
「It’s quite a sight.」
It was just as the Immortal Divine Sword had said.
Though the sky was lightening, the sun had not yet risen. Now in full spring, Spirit Spring Valley was shrouded in blue dawn mist.
The shadowy, sunken valley terrain was a bit dark. The dense forest seemed to preserve its primordial form, appearing majestic.
「Do you feel it?」
‘Yes, I can clearly see it.’
However, Yi-gang was observing more than just the simple scenery. Or more accurately, he was feeling it.
‘There is a lot of spiritual energy here. It’s my first time seeing such a place.’
「The fact that the Azure Forest regularly supplies elixirs is amazing. To think they had hidden such a honey pot. Spiritual herbs that normally take a hundred years to grow could flourish in just ten.」
Spirit Spring Valley was a place dense with concentrated spiritual energy. He had heard according to Feng Shui geomancy it was a valley where the energy of Mount Heng converged. It’s not a lie that 99 varieties of spiritual herbs grow here.
「I’m drooling.」
“Ssip.”
Yi-gang swallowed his saliva and smacked his lips.
Suddenly, he felt the gaze of those around him.
Even though Yi-gang usually attracted attention, this time it was excessive. Almost everyone was glancing at Yi-gang and staring at him. Some seemed worried, while others smirked.
“Why are they looking at me like that?”
「Could it be that they’re wary of the descendant? If they have eyes, it’s natural for them to feel anxious.」
It didn’t seem like the Immortal Divine Sword was right.
Yu Su-rin, Jun Myung, and Son Hee-il’s group were also looking at Yi-gang. It was because Son Hee-il, whose eyes met Yi-gang’s, burst out laughing.
“Haha! What’s with that outfit?”
Yi-gang looked down at his own clothes. They were no different from his usual attire.
Then, he observed the attire of the other third-generation disciples.
“Ah.”
They weren’t in their usual clothes. They had their hair tightly tied, wore clothes with tight sleeves and ankles, and sported sturdy leather shoes. Around their waists, they carried equipment, including a hoe.
On the other hand, Yi-gang was…
“It looks like you’ve come for a picnic, wearing fluttering clothes.”
With Son Hee-il’s comment, laughter erupted from various places. Yi-gang wasn’t wearing anything more ornate than usual.
However, even his practice clothes were quite extravagant compared to the standard attire of the Azure Forest’s third-generation disciples. His outfit was hardly suitable for gathering spiritual herbs.
Son Hee-il’s mockery made sense. He and his friends were fully equipped.
Yi-gang, who had been inwardly on guard, was only carrying a small net bag and a hoe, which reassured Son Hee-il.
“I told you, he’s like a nerd, he doesn’t know anything.”
He looked back at Yu Su-rin and Jun Myung. Since they were also worried about Yi-gang, he felt relieved.
“How can he gather spiritual herbs all day dressed like that, right…?”
He asked for agreement, but his friends didn’t respond. They just stared at Son Hee-il with a strange look.
Jun Myung sighed, and Yu Su-rin shook her head disapprovingly.
Confused, Son Hee-il was addressed by Jun Myung.
“People come first, Hee-il.”
Jun Myung never imagined he’d hear such words from himself. Son Hee-il was so shocked that he froze.
Leaving him behind, Yu Su-rin and Jun Myung approached Yi-gang.
To Yi-gang, who stood there blankly, they began to share what they had.
“Here, take some jerked meat. Gathering spiritual herbs is more taxing than you think, so it’s better to have enough.”
“Tie this string tightly around your wrists and ankles. Actually, let me do it for you.”
“You need to blunt the end of the hoe by hitting it against a rock. If you damage the spiritual herb, the quality decreases.”
They crowded around Yi-gang, fixing and sharing various things with him.
Son Hee-il watched his friends with a mixed expression.
“Why are they doing that?”
He couldn’t understand why his friends, who had vowed not to lose to Yi-gang, were helping him like that.
Then, someone shouted, “It looks like the sun is about to rise!”
At the same time, the children rushed towards the cliff overlooking Spirit Spring Valley, where Yi-gang was standing. Son Hee-il hurried over as well.
“You guys, don’t be late. Get ready quickly.”
Now it really was time for everyone to fend for themselves.
There’s a limit to the number of spiritual herbs that can be gathered in Spirit Spring Valley. The first ones to rush there had an advantage.
And the first hurdle was this rocky cliff.
One needed to climb down this steep cliff as quickly as possible to enter Spirit Spring Valley.
Yeop Su-nam stood in front of the cliff with a flag.
“Every year, there are always a few who end up breaking arms and legs while descending. Be careful not to be one of them.”
His words were grim, though he said them with a chuckle. The third-generation disciples swallowed hard.
Finally, the sun peeked its head above the horizon.
Yeop Su-nam fluttered the flag high.
“Start!”
Immediately, the more impatient third-generation disciples began to descend the cliff first.
In the light footwork technique test, it’s not just speed that’s evaluated. Climbing up and down a cliff required various abilities.
Grip strength in the hands, muscle strength in the lower body. Stamina, internal energy. And above all, courage.
One must maintain composure and not be scared of the dangerous cliff. Only then can they enter Spirit Spring Valley without delay.
Yu Su-rin, Jun Myung, and Son Hee-il also wanted to start quickly.
But they couldn’t, as Yi-gang, their silent competitor, was still standing still on top of the cliff.
They thought he might be scared, but that didn’t seem to be the case. Yu Su-rin cautiously opened her mouth.
“…Won’t we be late if we don’t hurry?”
“It’s a relief we’re not starting from flat ground. I haven’t learned light body techniques.”
“What?”
Yi-gang, who made this unexpected remark, looked at Yu Su-rin. Having received kindness, he felt it was okay to give a piece of advice.
“Since you’ve also learned sorcery, it would be good to try and follow if you can.”
Yu Su-rin couldn’t understand what Yi-gang was talking about.
But Yi-gang soon explained with his actions.
Instead of bending his waist and going down the cliff like the other disciples, he leaped towards the cliff.
“Ah!”
Crying out involuntarily, Yu Su-rin ran to the edge of the cliff. It was high enough that a fall would be fatal.
However, Yi-gang didn’t fall and become a bloody mess.
He landed as lightly as a ball made of feathers. There wasn’t even a sound of impact.
Jun Myung and Son Hee-il were astonished.
“Wh-what is that?”
“Could it be…”
Even a master of light body techniques couldn’t defy gravity. So how did Yi-gang fall from the cliff and remain unharmed?
Yu Su-rin muttered in a dazed voice.
“Levitation…? No, did he make his body lighter instead?”
Yi-gang simply utilized the secret art of lightness, which he had learned from the Immortal Divine Sword. But to Yu Su-rin, it appeared almost like a sorcery spell.
Having landed on the ground, Yi-gang silently disappeared into the mist of Spirit Spring Valley.
Jun Myung and Son Hee-il hurriedly started climbing down the cliff.
“Su-rin, what are you doing! Hurry up and descend.”
“I am…”
Yu Su-rin hesitated for a moment and then nodded.
“I’ll go first too!”
Like Yi-gang, she leaped towards the cliff.
With a shout of her fighting spirit, Yu Su-rin’s falling speed significantly decreased.
In a slightly different way than Yi-gang, she managed to land safely on the ground.
She jumped up and down with joy at her success and then ran into the mist.
“Kuk, let’s go too.”
“Quickly!”
Jun Myung and Son Hee-il became more anxious and hurried even more.
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