Chapter 372
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Chapter 372. Do You See Yeon Namcheon as a Man?
Yeohwagyeong, observing Yeon Namcheon’s actions, let out a chuckle.
The external disciples of Yeo Dongbin were carefully selected individuals, and their skills were remarkable.
In Baek Seolyeon’s case, even her calligraphy was exceptional, and the other disciples also possessed impeccable handwriting.
However, Yeon Namcheon wrote clumsily, like a small child barely learning to write, his script a complete mess.
Finally, Sonyeonsu, unable to contain herself any longer, commented sarcastically:
—I could write better with my foot.
The comment, though made jokingly, was entirely sincere.
Yeohwagyeong and Banhwasun burst into laughter, but the other external disciples didn’t laugh.
Noticing the difference in reaction, the three disciples from the White Flower Pavilion quickly suppressed their laughter.
Meanwhile, Yeon Namcheon had finally finished his talisman.
Baek Un Do-sa observed him with an expression of curiosity.
Would it be possible for the talisman to work, despite having invoked a god different from the Supreme Lord of Thunder and the Nine Heavens?
If that turned out to be true, it would be an unprecedented event in the history of sorcery.
—Although… something like that shouldn’t be possible…
Baek Un Do-sa had barely finished thinking when the talisman left Yeon Namcheon’s hand.
Like the talismans of the other disciples, it flew gently towards the sky.
Suddenly, the talisman burst into flames.
—¡Fwoosh!
When a talisman burns, it can mean two things: either it has fulfilled its purpose, like a fire talisman (Balhwabu), or it has been offered to a deity.
At that moment, a strong wind began to blow over the West Garden (Seowon).
The wind pushed away the white clouds, replacing them with thick, dark clouds that rapidly spread across the sky.
Only the area around the West Garden was plunged into darkness, while the rest of the sky remained clear and bright.
This phenomenon occurred while Yeon Namcheon’s talisman burned to ashes, scattering with the wind.
Baek Un Do-sa and the sixteen external disciples watched the scene in shock.
Especially Baek Un Do-sa, who had never seen anything similar, not even with his master’s thunder talisman.
—Was this caused by the talisman… or is it simply a sudden change in the weather?
He tried to rationalize the event, as the magnitude of the phenomenon surpassed everything he knew about sorcery.
Suddenly, a thunderous roar echoed, and a lightning bolt struck within a radius of ten jang (approximately 30 meters).
—¡CRACK!
It was only the beginning.
Dozens of lightning bolts began to fall indiscriminately over the West Garden area.
—¡BOOM! ¡CRASH! ¡CRACK!
With lightning striking everywhere, Baek Un Do-sa and the external disciples began to scream and run desperately to protect themselves.
—¡Aaah!
—¡Please, someone save me!
—¡I’m sorry! Forgive me! Forgive me for everything!
Some even began to confess their sins amidst the chaos.
Yeon Namcheon, like the others, ran towards the nearest building for shelter.
Just as he reached the eaves of the roof, the lightning and storm that were lashing the West Garden disappeared as suddenly as they had begun.
The clear, bright sky reappeared, as if nothing had happened.
Baek Un Do-sa and the disciples, looking at the sky in disbelief, slowly began to return to their places.
Baek Un Do-sa remained silent for a while.
Although it was hard to believe, he couldn’t deny that what had happened was the work of Yeon Namcheon’s talisman and not simply a whim of the weather.
Despite feeling a pang of frustration at realizing that his disciple had achieved something he had never done, he quickly accepted it.
—After all, he is the official disciple of Master Cheongbulno. It’s natural for him to be different from the others.
Taking a deep breath, he turned to Yeon Namcheon and praised him aloud.
—Yeon Namcheon, truly impressive! You are worthy of being called the official disciple of Master Cheongbulno. Have you all seen what just happened? This is the true sorcery of the Five Dragons Palace! Remember that this power is in your hands if you work hard enough.
The external disciples nodded vigorously, as if their necks were about to break.
At that moment, they all had one wish: to reach a level of sorcery like Yeon Namcheon’s.
When the lesson ended and Baek Un Do-sa left, the disciples began to gather their tools.
However, once again, all eyes instinctively turned to Yeon Namcheon.
Although his face was grotesque, his sorcery skills were undoubtedly the best any of them had ever seen.
Everyone knew that Yeon Namcheon had only been at the Five Dragons Palace for a few months.
If he had reached this level in such a short time, how far could he go in a few years?
Banhwasun, glancing at Yeon Namcheon, muttered to herself:
—Sa-jo (older sister), with this level of skill, the face doesn’t matter anymore, right?
—What are you saying?
Sonyeonsu looked at her with a mixture of bewilderment and curiosity.
Although Banhwasun used to say strange things, this comment was particularly intriguing.
—I was thinking if it would be worth sacrificing myself for him.
—Sacrifice yourself? Do you mean… as a man? Do you see Yeon Namcheon as a man?
Sonyeonsu visibly shuddered at the thought.
However outstanding Yeon Namcheon’s skills were, his face remained… a problem.
—That’s why I said it would be a sacrifice. But I think someone like him would be useful to the White Flower Pavilion.
Sonyeonsu couldn’t reply.
She was right.
The White Flower Pavilion desperately needed someone like Yeon Namcheon.
Currently, the situation of the White Flower Pavilion was dire.
They had no assigned territories or significant influence, and they couldn’t even send disciples to the outside world due to their lack of strength.
If things continued like this, the sect might face dissolution.
Overhearing the conversation, Yeohwagyeong intervened:
—If it weren’t for the marks on his face, he would actually be a decent man. But, can you handle it?
—Couldn’t we treat his skin with the White Flower Pavilion’s medicines?
The White Flower Pavilion was better known for its medicine than its martial ability.
Although they didn’t compare to the Four Great Families or the Seven Great Sects, they were better than most common physicians.
In fact, their wound-healing ointment was highly valued in the Hoguang region.
Thanks to their medicinal skills, they had managed to keep the sect afloat until now.
—Wound-healing ointments and treatments for skin marks are completely different things. It would be difficult.
—It’s difficult —said Yeohwagyeong, referring to the idea of curing the marks on Yeon Namcheon’s face—. Wound ointments and medicines for skin problems are different.
Faced with her refusal, Sonyeonsu couldn’t help but retort:
—Sa-jo, I think there’s no medicine we can’t make in the White Flower Pavilion’s dispensary.
Yeohwagyeong sighed and nodded slightly.
—I suppose that if we dedicate time and effort, we could do it… someday.
She knew that the skills of the alchemists and physicians of the White Flower Pavilion were exceptional. If they were asked to develop a treatment for the marks, they would achieve it sooner or later.
But, would the White Flower Pavilion be willing to allocate time and resources for something like that?
After reflecting for a moment, Yeohwagyeong asked Banhwasun:
—Do you think Yeon Namcheon would capture our leader’s interest? Enough to order us to change our priorities in the dispensary?
—Yes, I think so. With his level of sorcery, they will accept us into the Infinite Heaven Alliance (Hocheonmaeng) without problems.
Banhwasun nodded confidently.
Joining the Infinite Heaven Alliance was one of the main objectives of the White Flower Pavilion. If that was possible thanks to Yeon Namcheon, convincing the leader wouldn’t be an obstacle.
At that moment, Sonyeonsu intervened.
—But… we should also hear his opinion, shouldn’t we?
—His opinion? —asked Banhwasun, with a surprised expression.
She wasn’t trying to boast, but the Three Flowers of the White Flower Pavilion were recognized as beauties throughout the Hoguang region. Even the Taoists of the Five Dragons Palace called them that.
—Do you think Yeon Namcheon could reject us? —asked Yeohwagyeong, incredulous.
It was absurd to think that Yeon Namcheon, with his scarred face, could reject someone like Banhwasun, one of the Three Flowers.
—Who knows what he thinks? He didn’t even look at us yesterday.
—That’s because he knows his place and preferred to stay away. There are many men like him.
—I’m not so sure. I don’t know if he did it because he was aware of his limitations or simply because he has no interest.
Yeohwagyeong pondered for a moment before making a decision.
—Banhwasun, go talk to him. Find out if you interest him or not.
Banhwasun got up from her seat with some insecurity.
Although she was convinced that Yeon Namcheon wouldn’t reject her, a small doubt remained within her, making her feel uncomfortable.
—But… I’m not ready to “sacrifice” myself yet.
With an unsure tone, Banhwasun looked at her two companions.
She had spoken lightly about sacrificing her life for someone like Yeon Namcheon, but now the possibility seemed too real.
When she showed hesitation, Yeohwagyeong frowned and spoke irritably:
—Didn’t you say we would cure his marks and everything would be fine? Now you change your mind.
—No, no… I was just saying it would be easier if we managed to cure him…
—But before you said you were willing to sacrifice yourself, didn’t you?
—Yes…
Pressured by Yeohwagyeong, Banhwasun had no choice but to walk slowly towards where Yeon Namcheon was.
—
Next to Yeon Namcheon were Cheong Cheonseok, Baek Seolyeon, and Lee Doju.
Baek Seolyeon, who was asking questions about sorcery, was the first to notice Banhwasun’s arrival.
—What’s going on, Sa-mae (martial sister)? —asked Baek Seolyeon, turning her head slightly.
—I’m coming to talk to Sa-hyung (older brother) Yeon about something personal.
—Something personal?
Baek Seolyeon raised an eyebrow, but didn’t insist further. If it was something personal, she had no reason to interfere.
Yeon Namcheon pointed to his own face with a finger and asked with a neutral expression:
—Me?
Banhwasun gritted her teeth and forced herself to look him directly in the face.
It was uncomfortable to see him up close, but she wasn’t going to show weakness.
—Yes, can you give me a moment?
When Yeon Namcheon got up and followed her, Banhwasun led him to the area behind the West Garden, near a rocky hill.
When he stopped, Yeon Namcheon frowned slightly.
—What do you want?
—Sa-hyung, you don’t have to speak to me so formally.
—Ah, okay. So what’s up?
Yeon Namcheon dropped the formality with ease, which surprised Banhwasun a little.
Until yesterday, he had called her “hey, you,” but now he seemed to treat her more kindly, as if something had changed.
Perhaps it was the impact of his thunder talisman.
On the other hand, Banhwasun felt somewhat disappointed to notice that Yeon Namcheon was treating her in a completely casual manner. Perhaps, as Sonyeonsu had suggested, he really wasn’t interested in her.
After hesitating for a few moments, she asked cautiously:
—Sa-hyung, are you already engaged or do you have someone you like?
—I have a fiancée. Why?
The direct answer left Banhwasun stunned.
—Oh… I see. Well, I had a feeling that someone like you would have a fiancée.
Her words were confusing and didn’t make much sense.
Yeon Namcheon tilted his head slightly, puzzled.
—Then, why did you want to talk to me?
Nervous, Banhwasun took out a small package wrapped in oiled paper.
—It’s this. When you have the opportunity, could you try it and tell me what you think?
—What is this?
Yeon Namcheon took the package, sniffed it lightly, and frowned at the faint scent of medicine.
—It’s a sample of our wound ointment, the Gold Wound Ointment. It’s a new formula from the White Flower Pavilion’s dispensary. We’d like to know if it works well.
—Why would a sorcerer need this? If a sorcerer gets wounded by a sword, it means he’s already finished.
Although he complained, Yeon Namcheon kept the package.
For him, it was better to have more medicines available, even if he didn’t use them immediately.
He put away the ointment and returned to his seat, walking unhurriedly.
—
Banhwasun, who had remained motionless for a moment, returned to where her companions were.
—What did he say?
Yeohwagyeong and Sonyeonsu looked at her expectantly, but Banhwasun lowered her voice and replied shyly:
—He said he’s not interested. He already has a fiancée.
An uncomfortable silence followed her words.
Finally, Yeohwagyeong broke the silence with a sigh.
—Wow… As the saying goes: even an old shoe has its pair. I wonder who the unfortunate one will be.
—She must be a saint —added Sonyeonsu, shaking her head.
Although it is said that “other people’s cake always seems bigger”, for Banhwasun’s two companions, the fact that someone was Yeon Namcheon’s partner seemed more surprising than anything else.
—