Chapter 371
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## Chapter 371. Do you know the Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens well?
Yeohwagyeong, Sonyeonsu, and Banhwasun gaped, unable to hide their astonishment.
For ordinary Murim warriors, talismans were more of a spiritual realm matter than something tangible.
For example, attracting good fortune or warding off evil spirits were invisible phenomena.
For this reason, even among the common people, sorcerers were often considered swindlers.
Similarly, the tendency among Murim warriors to despise sorcerers was not something that came out of nowhere.
However, the Five Dragons Palace (Oryonggung) was different.
Cheong Cheonseok had lit a bonfire with a talisman, and Baek Un Do-sa had unleashed chaos in the wind and clouds with his thunder talisman (Byeongryeokbu).
The three disciples of the White Flower Pavilion (Samhwa) couldn’t take their eyes off Baek Un Do-sa.
Rightly so!
The White Flower Pavilion, one of the Murim sects, had sent disciples to the Five Dragons Palace for a reason.
“Have you seen that?” Baek Un Do-sa looked at the external disciples with pride. “I have summoned thunder with the thunder talisman. Although my mystical power is limited, I could only achieve this result. But when my master, who has passed away, used this talisman, lightning often struck within a 15-meter range.”
The external disciples stared at Baek Un Do-sa with wide eyes, as if they were hypnotized rabbits.
Baek Un Do-sa sighed inwardly.
“If my mystical power were a little greater, I would have managed to make lightning strike.”
He remembered how he had run in fear at the sight of lightning for the first time when his master had used the same talisman.
Although he couldn’t recreate that amazing spectacle, the impact on the external disciples was still satisfying.
“Talismans, as you have learned, are generally created following the Seven Steps of the Talisman (Bujuchilbeop). But, once you have completely mastered the Seven Steps, you can use only the Buseo (the written part of the talisman) to manifest mystical powers. It’s like lighting a celestial incense (Seonhyang). Do you understand what I mean?”
Baek Un Do-sa examined the disciples, looking for the first one who could grasp his analogy.
Cheong Cheonseok raised his hand and replied:
“When celestial incense is lit, there are also methods and procedures to present it correctly. However, the fundamental thing is simply “to light the incense”. If one puts one’s heart and devotion into it, one can dispense with the procedures. I believe that is the idea you wanted to convey, Do-sa-nim.”
Baek Un Do-sa nodded in satisfaction.
“Correct. In the end, the Seven Steps of the Talisman are just forms and procedures for the sorcerer to concentrate his mind and heart. If you can concentrate completely with a single intention, the Buseo will be enough to produce an effect. As you have seen before, I created the talisman using only the Buseo, and yet I managed to summon thunder.”
Finally, the external disciples understood his words and nodded.
It was then that Yeohwa-jo asked a question with curiosity:
“Master-nim, this is a bit off topic, but… did the Taoists of the Five Dragons Palace participate in the Heaven and Earth Alliance (Cheonjimaeng)’s war against the Yoomyung Cult?”
She assumed that, given how advanced they were in sorcery, they would have played a significant role.
But the answer was unexpected.
“The Five Dragons Palace did not participate in the Heaven and Earth Alliance.”
“What? Why not?”
“The best sorcerers of the Five Dragons Palace are the Seven Dragon Sages (Oryongchilsa). However, there are only six left now, since Master Cheongbulno ascended to immortality. As you have seen, they are elders, which makes it difficult for them to participate in physical activities. In addition, their official disciples have not yet reached the necessary level to come down from the mountain. Therefore, we had no relationship with the Heaven and Earth Alliance.”
“Ah! What a pity. With the skills of the Taoists of the Five Dragons Palace, they would have surprised everyone in the Heaven and Earth Alliance.”
“Sorcery is not learned to show off. The Taoists of the Five Dragons Palace are respected for their rigor and high standards. Those who have passed the test of questions and answers should understand the importance of that difference.”
When Baek Un Do-sa mentioned the test of questions and answers, Yeohwa-jo nodded immediately.
Even among the external disciples, the selection process was rigorous.
If that was the standard for external disciples, sending a core disciple outside the palace must have been much more difficult.
“I am getting carried away. Now let’s focus on writing the Buseo. The talisman I will teach you will be the thunder talisman (Byeongryeokbu). But simply writing the word “thunder” will not work.”
The external disciples looked at him in amazement.
He said that the Buseo was enough, but now he claimed that it wasn’t enough.
Confused, they waited for him to explain.
Calmly, Baek Un Do-sa recited a formula:
“Oh, Supreme Lord of Thunder and the Nine Heavens, manifest yourself with your divine power and reveal your thunder.” (九天應元雷聲普化天尊 但慿霹靂威神力) Recite this formula while writing the Buseo. If you put your heart and will into the words, the Supreme Lord of Thunder and the Nine Heavens will answer.
The disciples began to murmur the formula, and soon the atmosphere calmed down as they memorized it.
Baek Un Do-sa distributed Guiehuang paper and red ink (jusa) among the disciples.
Although they already had the material in their hands, no one moved.
Baek Un Do-sa looked at them and said:
“The thunder talisman is just the beginning. From now on, you will have to learn to create all talismans using only the Buseo. Especially for those of you who plan to act in the outside world, there will be no time to perform the Seven Steps of the Talisman when you have an enemy in front of you.”
Baek Un Do-sa’s words made the three disciples of the White Flower Pavilion nod.
It was true. Especially in Murim, they wouldn’t have the luxury of following long procedures.
Boldly, Yeohwagyeong was the first to write “thunder” on the Guiehuang paper.
Baek Un Do-sa gestured for her to continue.
Yeohwagyeong threw her talisman into the air with all her might.
The talisman floated for a moment, but soon fell to the ground like a dry leaf.
“Hehe…” Yeohwagyeong scratched her head, embarrassed, as she picked up the talisman from the ground.
When she took the first step, Sonyeonsu and Banhwasun were also encouraged to try.
Both talismans flew into the air, but the result was the same.
They failed and picked up their talismans as they looked around.
The other external disciples looked at their Guiehuang paper with extreme seriousness, as if they were facing their greatest challenge.
Finally, Lee Doju and Yeohwa-jo completed their talismans almost at the same time.
Lee Doju threw his first.
Just then, a light breeze blew, but Lee Doju’s talisman didn’t even move.
There was no lightning either.
The talisman remained in the air for a moment before falling to the ground.
Yeohwa-jo’s talisman didn’t even manage to stay in the air, falling directly to the ground.
Baek Un Do-sa perceived a slight change in Lee Doju’s talisman and commented:
“Lee Doju, good work. Your studies at the Great Peace Palace (Taehwagung) have not been in vain. With a little more practice, you will achieve results. Never forget the mindset with which you wrote the Buseo.”
While Baek Un Do-sa praised Lee Doju, Yeohwa-jo bit her lips, frustrated.
Although she had arrived at the Yeo Dongbin Palace on the same day as Lee Doju, the results of both were abysmally different.
—
Yeohwagyeong, Sonyeonsu, and Banhwasun watched in silence, their attention caught by the events unfolding before them.
Despite the fact that a dozen more disciples tried to complete the thunder talisman (Byeongryeokbu), no one surpassed Lee Doju’s performance. Creating talismans by omitting the Seven Steps of the Talisman turned out to be more difficult than conventional mystical arts.
Finally, all eyes turned to a specific group.
It was where Cheong Cheonseok, Baek Seolyeon, and Yeon Namcheon were sitting, who were considered the most outstanding disciples of Yeo Dongbin.
Since returning from Seoan, the three had been constantly together.
To be exact, it seemed like Cheong Cheonseok and Baek Seolyeon were following Yeon Namcheon.
Cheong Cheonseok glanced quickly at Baek Seolyeon.
Lately, the two had been fiercely competing for the position of second best among Yeo Dongbin’s external disciples.
In the art of stealth (Eunhyeongsul), Baek Seolyeon had shown outstanding skill. However, Cheong Cheonseok didn’t want to be left behind in sorcery.
Cheong Cheonseok’s eyes sparkled with determination.
Concentrating, he began to recite the mantra of the Supreme Lord of Thunder and the Nine Heavens (Gucheon Eungwon Naeseong Bohwa Cheonjon), while writing the Buseo with firmness and precision.
When he finished, he stood up and threw his talisman.
“Boom!”
A soft thunder echoed among the white clouds.
Although it wasn’t as loud as the thunder that Baek Un Do-sa had summoned, it was clearly audible and a great success.
Filled with excitement, Cheong Cheonseok clenched his fists as he trembled slightly.
The external disciples shouted with enthusiasm.
Since it was one of their own who had achieved it, they all celebrated it as if it were their own achievement.
Baek Seolyeon, realizing that it was her turn, quickly averted her gaze to the Guiehuang paper in front of her.
Now that Cheong Cheonseok had finished, she couldn’t afford to hesitate any longer.
If she hesitated too long and Yeon Namcheon threw his talisman first, it would only show how insignificant she was in comparison.
Without delay, she dipped her brush in the red ink (jusa) and wrote with elegant and rapid calligraphy.
The external disciples held their breath as they watched Baek Seolyeon’s every move.
Finally, she stood up and threw her talisman with impeccable grace.
“Boom, boom!”
Although the sound was softer, the thunder echoed twice.
Cheong Cheonseok, who had been watching, let out a bitter smile.
Although Baek Seolyeon’s thunder was less powerful than his, she had managed to generate two impacts.
“Cheong Cheonseok, Baek Seolyeon, excellent work!” Baek Un Do-sa praised them. “You have shown skills that could make even the Taoists of the Five Dragons Palace nervous. With enough mystical power, you could become outstanding sorcerers in the future.”
Despite the master’s praise, Cheong Cheonseok and Baek Seolyeon maintained sober expressions.
They knew very well that, compared to Yeon Namcheon, their skills were nothing more than “insignificant”.
As expected, soon all eyes turned to Yeon Namcheon.
Even Baek Un Do-sa seemed a little nervous when he addressed him.
“Yeon Namcheon, are you ready?”
“Master-nim.”
“Yes?”
“Is it absolutely necessary to invoke the Supreme Lord of Thunder and the Nine Heavens?”
Yeon Namcheon’s unexpected question left Baek Un Do-sa momentarily bewildered.
In Taoism, there were many gods. Among them, the Supreme Lord of Thunder and the Nine Heavens was in charge of ruling thunder.
Therefore, it was logical to invoke him when using a thunder talisman.
“The Supreme Lord of Thunder and the Nine Heavens is the god who rules thunder. Who else should you invoke?”
The question provoked a restrained laugh among the three disciples of the White Flower Pavilion.
Even Lee Doju relaxed a little, thinking that perhaps Yeon Namcheon wasn’t as impressive as they said.
“Can I invoke the Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens (Gucheon Hyeonnyeo) instead?”
“Well… technically you can, since she is also one of the goddesses of Taoism. But for thunder, it would be more appropriate to ask the god of thunder, don’t you think?”
“His name is too long, and I’m not sure he’ll answer because I don’t know him well.”
“Hahaha.”
Baek Un Do-sa couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
Yeon Namcheon’s argument was that the name of the Supreme Lord of Thunder and the Nine Heavens was too long and that, not knowing him well, he wasn’t sure he would help him.
The mixture of innocence and cheekiness in his comment was so absurd that even Baek Un Do-sa didn’t know whether to take it as a joke or as naiveté.
“So, are you close to the Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens?”
Baek Un Do-sa’s joke provoked laughter among the external disciples, who were trying to hold back from bursting into laughter.
The solemn sorcery session had given way to a comical moment.
Yeohwagyeong whispered to her companions:
“It’s a mystery how someone like that became Master Cheongbulno’s official disciple.”
“Right? To say he can’t because the name is long… it’s ridiculous,” murmured Sonyeonsu, shaking her head.
It was then that Yeon Namcheon’s clear and confident voice echoed.
“Yes.”
For a moment, Banhwasun clutched her stomach from laughing so hard.
“Oh, please! Did I hear correctly? Did he really say “yes”? I’m going to die laughing!”
However, not all the disciples laughed as much as the three.
Yeon Namcheon’s skill level was well known, making it difficult to dismiss his words as mere nonsense.
Even Baek Un Do-sa stopped joking and became serious.
“Well, I’m not sure what the relationship is between the Supreme Lord of Thunder and the Nine Heavens and the Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens, but if you want to try, go ahead. If she doesn’t answer, you’ll have to invoke the right god next time.”
“Understood.”
With that answer, Yeon Namcheon recited a mantra fluently:
“Oh, Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens, please manifest your divine power and reveal the thunder.” (九天玄女 但慿霹靂威神力)
He took the brush, dipped it in the red ink, and calmly began to write the character “thunder” on the talisman, stroke by stroke.