Chapter 370
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## Chapter 370. Handsome Men Tend to Be Kind
For the disciples of the Baekhwa Palace, Yeon Namcheon was nothing more than a lucky man who had a stroke of luck.
And it wasn’t just them.
All the practitioners participating in the question and answer tests at the Palseon Palace shared the same perception.
Furthermore, the disciples of the Baekhwa Palace were members of the Murim.
The fact that a warrior like them had managed to overcome such an arduous test fueled their pride to the heavens.
To them, Yeon Namcheon seemed like someone who had received special treatment, as if he had fallen from the sky.
Even more so, knowing that there were companions still suffering in Haseongo (the Immortal Crane Test), they couldn’t help but feel a certain frustration whenever they saw him.
In those circumstances, it was difficult for them to feel the need to treat him with respect as a senior.
That’s why, when Yeohwagyeong, Sonyeonsu, and Banhwasun followed Yeon Namcheon while exchanging awkward glances, that feeling was fully justified.
—
Yeon Jeokha crossed the Seowon and stopped in front of a worn-out warehouse in a corner.
—Inside this warehouse, you will find firewood and lighters. Do the best you can.
Yeon Jeokha firmly believed that life was a matter of luck.
When he was the youngest disciple of Yeo Dongbin, it was summer, so there was no need to light bonfires.
The three disciples who arrived after him were also lucky.
Although they entered during a time of changing seasons, the weather did not require bonfires.
But the disciples of the Baekhwa Palace had the misfortune of being assigned to the duty of lighting bonfires as soon as they arrived.
They would have to perform that task every day until new disciples arrived to replace them.
Thinking about it gave Yeon Jeokha some satisfaction.
After watching the three disciples enter the warehouse, Yeon Jeokha turned around to leave.
It was then that a voice stopped him.
—Hey!
It was Yeohwagyeong who had called him.
—Since you’re helping, could you carry the firewood with us? It seems like it will be a lot of weight.
Naturally, she didn’t say it because it was too heavy for them.
She simply wanted to avoid the hassle of going back and forth several times.
If several people carried the firewood together, one time would be enough.
Yeohwagyeong was convinced that it wouldn’t be a burden for him and that he would agree to help.
But Yeon Namcheon didn’t stop or look back. He simply continued walking with long strides.
Yeohwagyeong observed his figure with a look of bewilderment.
In general, men used to strive to please women.
All the men she had met so far behaved like that without exception.
Of course, once married, things could change, but before that, women had the advantage and men the disadvantage…
Why?
Because it was the women who had the power to choose.
Even after reaching Wudang Mountain, this rule had not changed.
The male disciples of the Palseon Palace tried very hard to get the attention of the disciples of the Baekhwa Palace.
A simple casual comment from them was enough for the men to respond with all their enthusiasm.
—But how is it possible that we ask him something and he doesn’t even turn around?
Yeohwagyeong couldn’t understand it.
It seemed that not only his appearance was a problem, but also his attitude.
With that ungraceful face, he should consider himself lucky to be even in the same place as beautiful women…
Sonyeonsu poked her face out the door and commented:
—Wow! Did he really just ignore us like that?
Yeohwagyeong shook her head as she sighed.
If it had been an attractive man, she might have felt frustration.
But since it was Yeon Namcheon, she only felt bewilderment.
—His behavior seems to match his face. Most handsome men tend to be kind, don’t you think?
Hearing her, Sonyeonsu nodded.
—It’s true, Sa-jo (*older sister*). They are all kind, except for him. It’s better to ignore him. He has a face that even dogs wouldn’t want to look at.
—Pfft! He wouldn’t even get respect from a dog. Let’s just hope he doesn’t at least bite him.
Yeohwagyeong let out a light laugh, freeing herself from her discomfort.
Wasting emotions on such a petty man would be a waste.
—
The three women each picked up a pile of firewood and headed to the courtyard.
In the courtyard of the Seowon, the external disciples had already gathered and were sitting in a circle.
Yeohwagyeong, Sonyeonsu, and Banhwasun quickly placed the firewood in a pile in a corner.
Yeohwagyeong tried to light the firewood with a flint stone, but, perhaps due to nerves, she couldn’t do it.
—Tic, tic.
While she sweated crouched down, Cheong Cheonseok approached her.
He took out a fire-lighting talisman and threw it lightly over the pile of firewood.
—Fwoosh!
The fire from the talisman quickly spread to the firewood.
Yeohwagyeong, grateful, bowed her head respectfully.
—Thank you, Sa-hyung (*older brother*).
For Yeohwagyeong, who had just become an external disciple, everything was new.
Lighting fire with talismans… *This is truly the Five Dragons Palace.* (*Oryonggung*)
Sonyeonsu and Banhwasun also looked at Cheong Cheonseok with admiration.
Even the basic methods of sorcery he had shown seemed amazing and worthy of veneration to them.
Cheong Cheonseok smiled and returned to his place.
—
Shortly after, Master Ko Hak entered the Seowon from the Winter Gate.
Due to the cold weather, he chose to sit by the bonfire that was burning brightly.
Addressing the disciples of the Baekhwa Palace, he expressed words of appreciation:
—So you are the *Three Flowers of Baekhwa*. You have worked hard by lighting the fire on the first day. All those who arrived before you also did so, so endure this task even if it is difficult.
The master’s words made the three smile slightly as they nodded their heads.
It was a common practice in all sects: the disciples who arrived later assumed the most thankless tasks.
Even in the Baekhwa Palace, the newest disciples performed the most difficult tasks.
—
Then, Master Ko Hak turned his attention to the external disciples and began to teach.
—Today I will teach you the *Mantra of the Twelve Hands of the Supreme Spiritual Lingbao*. The first is the *Mantra of the Pearl of Desires of the Supreme Spiritual Lingbao*…
After teaching the twelve mantras, he explained the meaning of each.
—As Lingbao is one of the *Three Pure*, the power of these mantras is immense. However, if the practitioner’s mystical power is weak, the effects will be limited. So dedicate your effort to strengthening your mystical power. Understood?
—Yes!
The strong and resonant chorus of the disciples satisfied Master Ko Hak, who sketched a pleased smile.
Even after he left, the external disciples did not disperse.
On the contrary, they began to discuss and review what they had learned, aware that in the mantras, each word has great meaning and any error could be disastrous.
Naturally, the disciples approached the most prominent, Yeon Namcheon, seeking guidance.
Meanwhile, Yeohwagyeong wanted to review the mantras, but she couldn’t find anyone suitable to discuss them with.
—
Her two companions, Sonyeonsu and Banhwasun, were no better off than she was, so she ruled them out from the start.
As she looked around, her eyes stopped on Lee Doju, who had a clean and tidy appearance.
—Excuse me, Sa-hyung (*older brother*).
—¿Mmm? What do you need?
Lee Doju, who was walking quickly towards Yeon Namcheon to ask him for advice, turned his head.
—I wanted to ask you something about the *Mantra of the Twelve Hands of the Supreme Spiritual Lingbao* that we learned today. Do you have a moment?
Lee Doju took a quick glance towards Yeon Namcheon.
He saw him caught in a conversation with Baek Seolyeon and Cheong Cheonseok, so it seemed difficult to talk to him at that moment.
—I’ll have to look for him later —Lee Doju decided to himself before taking a step towards Yeohwagyeong.
—Don’t expect too much from me, I’m not an expert either.
—Don’t worry! If you help me a little, I’ll reward you double later.
Yeohwagyeong showed a courteous attitude, as she knew that Lee Doju came from a martial training (*muin*).
As soon as Yeohwagyeong approached Lee Doju, Sonyeonsu and Banhwasun, who were quick to seize opportunities, joined in as well.
Suddenly surrounded by the three disciples of the *Baekhwa Palace* (*Samhwa*), Lee Doju couldn’t help but open his mouth with a mixture of surprise and satisfaction.
While the three learned from Lee Doju, Banhwasun looked towards Yeon Namcheon.
—Why are Sa-hyung Cheong and Sa-jo Baek talking to someone like him? —she wondered with a frown.
Cheong Cheonseok and Baek Seolyeon were, without a doubt, the most outstanding external disciples of *Yeo Dongbin*.
She couldn’t understand why they would be related to someone like Yeon Namcheon, whom she considered a disagreeable man.
Curiously, Banhwasun asked:
—Sa-hyung (older brother), why are Cheong Sa-hyung and Baek Sa-jo (older sister) so close to Yeon Sa-hyung? They seem to have been together for a while.
Without noticing the disdain in her tone, Lee Doju replied naturally:
—Because Yeon Sa-hyung is the most talented of all in *Yeo Dongbin*.
—¿What? Yeon Sa-hyung is the most talented?
—Didn’t you know? Well, it makes sense, the disciples of *Yeo Dongbin* don’t usually talk about these things.
It was true that the disciples of *Yeo Dongbin* didn’t mix much with the other practitioners of the *Palseon Palace*.
Although they were external disciples of the *Wudang Sect*, they considered the other practitioners as strangers.
For that reason, stories about Yeon Namcheon didn’t usually come out of *Yeo Dongbin*.
—But Yeon Sa-hyung didn’t even go through the question and answer test.
Banhwasun looked at Lee Doju with an expression that reflected her confusion.
For practitioners, the question and answer test had become a key criterion for measuring a person’s abilities.
For Banhwasun and her companions, someone like Yeon Namcheon, who had avoided that test, occupied the lowest place in the hierarchy.
She couldn’t believe that someone like that was the most talented.
Lee Doju smiled slightly before explaining:
—Yeon Sa-hyung is the official disciple of Master Cheongbulno. Do you think Master Cheongbulno would accept anyone as his official disciple?
—So what’s the point of the question and answer test?
—It serves to filter out those who lack talent.
—¿And what else?
—Once, Master Ko Hak explained something interesting. He said that the test not only measures talent, but also the size of a person’s “container.” Yeon Sa-hyung is someone so exceptional that he doesn’t need to go through the test.
—Pfft. He doesn’t seem that great.
—You’ll know. Even Master Ko Hak takes Yeon Sa-hyung’s opinion into account when teaching sorcery.
—¿What? Is that true?
—Of course. Yeon Sa-hyung has come to be better than Master Ko Hak in some things.
—That sounds ridiculous.
Banhwasun pursed her lips, clearly thinking that Lee Doju was exaggerating to joke with them, since they were new.
Yeohwagyeong and Sonyeonsu also considered it an unbelievable comment.
—
Later, when Lee Doju withdrew, there was no one left in the Seowon.
The three disciples of the Baekhwa Palace cleaned the area where they had lit the bonfire and returned the leftover firewood to the warehouse.
When they finished cleaning, the sun was already beginning to set on the horizon.
At the well, while washing her ash-covered hands, Yeohwagyeong muttered to herself:
—¿Will it be true?
—¿What thing? —Sonyeonsu asked, looking at her sideways.
—That Yeon Namcheon is the best in sorcery among the external disciples.
—Don’t pay attention to him. Even if he’s good, he’s still an external disciple, nothing more.
Sonyeonsu’s comment made Yeohwagyeong nod her head.
It made sense. At the end of the day, he was still an external disciple, far from the Taoists of the Five Dragons Palace.
However, their prejudices about Yeon Namcheon would not last long.
—
The next day.
In the Seowon, during lesson time, Master Baek Un appeared holding a yellow paper.
—I suppose you all know what this is, don’t you?
—Yes, it’s Guiehuang paper! (*Yellow Talisman Paper*)
When the external disciples answered in a loud voice, Baek Un nodded in satisfaction.
—That’s right, this is the paper used to create talismans. Talismans are divided into two main types: those that enhance the positive and those that repel evil or bad luck. Common sorcerers can only aspire to those uses.
Baek Un’s eyes shone as he looked at the disciples.
—But we, the Taoists of the Five Dragons Palace, are not content with attracting fortune or blocking misfortune.
He paused for a moment, letting the disciples’ expectations rise.
Then, with a firm voice, he added:
—We, the Taoists of the Five Dragons Palace, are capable of unleashing storms, invoking chaos in the heavens, and repelling demons with a single talisman!
Baek Un took a brush and wrote the word “Thunder” (*ë²½ë ¥, Byeongryeok*) on the yellow paper before throwing it into the air.
—Boom!
A thunderclap echoed from the clear sky.
Although the sound was small, the three disciples of the Baekhwa Palace opened their eyes wide, amazed by the wonderful demonstration.