Chapter 50: The Third Flower (3)
Yi-gang calmly placed his hand on his sword.
Just a moment ago, when the gate opened on its own, Yi-gang and Yu Su-rin cautiously entered.
A firmly locked door shouldn’t open by itself. And Yi-gang hadn’t forced it open with his strength.
He wondered if it might be an automatic door from the distant future, but it didn’t seem like that either.
‘It must be a mechanical trap!’
‘Aren’t mechanical traps the ones where stepping on the wrong spot sends arrows flying?’
‘It’s not just that. Have you heard of the term Qi Men Dun Jia? The Grand Library Master is an expert in that and personally repaired the gate. It’s likely the Library Master opened it for us.’
That was Yu Su-rin’s explanation.
Yi-gang entered silently. He was unaware that the spell that had been engraved on the gate had been dissolved.
And the price for intruding into the library without permission was immediately demanded.
As they stepped into the common area inside the gate, the sound of something activating resonated.
Creak—
Then, red strings poured down from the ceiling. It looked like hundreds of bundles.
Only after they had fallen did they realize they were red strings.
At first, they thought red venomous snakes were falling. Or perhaps it was raining blood.
“Kyaaaaa!”
Yu Su-rin screamed out like that.
Even Yi-gang couldn’t help but want to scream.
Fortunately, when startled, Yi-gang was the type to scream internally.
‘Kkuaaaaak!’
「What a surprise!」
Only the Immortal Divine Sword, who could hear that internal scream, was also startled.
The hundreds of bundles of red strings were as thick as a little finger.
These strings, emitting a strangely sweet scent, surrounded both Yi-gang and Yu Su-rin.
“What, what is this?”
Yu Su-rin mumbled. It was clear that this was part of the mechanical traps set up for the security of the Five Flower Grand Library.
“Didn’t the Library Master open it for us?”
“I thought so too…”
If arrows had flown at them, it would have been easier to understand. Even if they ended up looking like a porcupine.
Yi-gang cautiously touched the red strings after drawing out Shooting Star Fang.
There was nothing special. At first glance, they might have just been ordinary red ropes.
「Hmm, it seems like something familiar.」
‘Do you recognize it?’
「I can’t quite recall.」
It’s wise not to touch something when you didn’t know what it was.
It wasn’t just rational judgment that held him back.
Yi-gang could feel it. The ominous sensation tingling on his skin.
‘I shouldn’t touch these red strings.’
It was a definite threat, more than just a mere intuition.
However, Yu Su-rin didn’t seem to feel the same way.
“Su-rin!”
When a middle-aged man burst out from the inner passage of the library, she reacted strongly.
“Father!”
That man must be Yu Jeong-shin, the Library Master of the Five Flower Grand Library.
Yi-gang, just in case, grabbed Yu Su-rin’s arm.
“Don’t move.”
Fortunately, Yu Su-rin didn’t do anything foolish like rushing forward.
Yi-gang asked Yu Jeong-shin, “How do we proceed?”
“Make sure you absolutely do not touch those, those straw ropes.”
Thankfully, both Yi-gang and Yu Su-rin followed the advice.
Yu Jeong-shin, sighing in relief, pulled a handle protruding from one side of the wall.
Drrrrrk—!
As the chain connected to the handle was pulled, the stretched red strings began to rise slowly.
Yi-gang observed the ascending red strings closely.
The hundreds of bundles of red strings all looked the same.
「It seems to be a formation to trap intruders. If one doesn’t know the Living Gate, they won’t be able to escape. Every other path would lead to the Death Gate.」
He had heard about the Eight Gates of Qi Men Dun Jia. Among them, the Living Gate signified the path of escape.
‘Don’t the strings on my top right diagonal look different?’
「Hmm? Oh. Perhaps, that’s the Living Gate then.」
The Immortal Divine Sword agreed with Yi-gang’s observation.
Among the red strings, there were some that did not give off an ominous aura. They seemed to be just colored red.
「You noticed it. It’s a very subtle difference.」
Now that the strings were pulled up to the ceiling, there was no way to verify.
“Father! No, Library Master!”
“Su-rin!”
The Grand Library Master ran over and embraced Yu Su-rin.
Based on what Yu Su-rin had said, the Grand Library Master seemed like a heartless martial artist. However, his actual demeanor was quite different.
“You should have been careful!”
His almost tearful, worrying appearance for his daughter was just like any ordinary father. Somehow, he appeared a bit fragile, making it evident where Yu Su-rin got her tearful nature from.
“My name is Baek Yi-gang.”
“Ah, ah, yes, I’ve heard from Forest Lord. I’m Yu Jeong-shin.”
As Yi-gang bowed in respect, Yu Jeong-shin hurriedly reciprocated the gesture.
He then noticed that the gate was still open.
“How on earth did you two get in here? Entering the Five Flower Grand Library like this.”
“Didn’t the Library Master open the gate for us?”
“Eh? I never did such a thing.”
Yu Jeong-shin had a baffled expression in response to Yi-gang’s answer.
It seemed that, contrary to Yi-gang and Yu Su-rin’s speculation, he hadn’t opened the gate for them.
He approached the gate and inspected it closely.
Then, Yu Jeong-shin’s eyes widened in shock.
“The spell inscribed on the main gate has been broken!”
The reason why the main gate of the library, which detected anyone trying to enter and could even block the explosion of a thunder crash bomb, was absurdly open.
It was because the spell that only allowed authorized individuals to enter had been destroyed.
“What have you done… Su-rin, was it you?”
It was natural for Yu Jeong-shin to suspect his daughter first. After all, she had previously entered the Five Flower Grand Library and was knowledgeable in sorcery to the extent that she could become a prospective Taoist flower disciple.
“I didn’t do anything!”
“Well, it’s not a spell you could tamper with yet.”
“But, still.”
Yu Su-rin explained hesitantly.
“Yi-gang touched the gate, and there was a metallic sound,” she said. “Then the gate opened.”
“He touched it?”
Yu Jeong-shin, in disbelief, touched the gate himself. After a while, he opened his mouth in shock.
“Could it be, did you touch here?”
“Per… haps?”
Yi-gang was taken aback by Yu Jeong-shin’s intense reaction.
However, in reality, Yu Jeong-shin was even more startled.
To open a door without a handle, he had engraved a complex spell on the gate. It was possible for him due to his profound knowledge of mechanical arts and sorcery.
When you touched the part where the spell was engraved, the energy of metal that constantly flowed through the gate entered through the hand. It identified the person’s identity.
The engraving that performs such a function was completely destroyed. Without tearing apart the metal plate, the reason could be discerned.
‘The energy must have backflowed. What kind of person caused the spell’s engraving to spontaneously break?’
The metal energy that was examining Yi-gang backflowed, causing the spell to shatter. An unthinkable event had occurred.
“Have you… learned any sorcery?”
“Do you mean me? I haven’t.”
“Heh.”
This must mean he’s naturally gifted.
To make the energy backflow itself wasn’t a significant feat. If prepared, not only Yu Jeong-shin but also Yu Su-rin could achieve it.
‘If they were prepared,’ that is.
The spell engraved on the gate was truly intricate. Those unfamiliar with its structure wouldn’t even realize they’re being examined.
Unless one was aware of the spell’s existence and prepared from the start, deliberately causing the metal energy to backflow was impossible.
“For now… let’s go inside together.”
When Forest Lord mentioned that the subject for the honor flower disciple appeared, Yu Jeong-shin didn’t immediately believe it.
But now he did.
“Sigh, fixing the gate will be a hassle.”
Yet, as he grumbled, Yu Jeong-shin’s hands trembled with anticipation.
“The Eye of the Pixiu. No wonder!”
Upon hearing Yi-gang’s story, Yu Jeong-shin smacked his forehead in realization.
“That’s right! Ri-yeon changed the color of the necklace. She’s improved her skills. She always had a good talent for sorcery.”
When the topic shifted to Jin Ri-yeon, both Yu Jeong-shin and Yu Su-rin seemed pleased.
Back then, when Jin Ri-yeon recognized Yi-gang’s necklace, she was alarmed. She had warned that if one casually wore the necklace of the Pixiu, they might go mad.
“Yes, I wore it around without knowing its dangers.”
The metal energy contained within the Eye of the Pixiu was too overwhelming for ordinary people to handle. Of course, Yi-gang hadn’t felt any problems.
“I see… Wait. You’ve been wearing the necklace even before it was purified?”
“Yes.”
“You’re lucky to be sane.”
So, the necklace of the Pixiu was that dangerous?
Yi-gang glared at the Immortal Divine Sword. The Immortal Divine Sword avoided his gaze and seemed to be intently observing a stain on the wall. Yi-gang sighed.
“Sigh, indeed. Fortunately, I remained unharmed.”
“Yes, that makes sense. Given that you were unharmed even by the Eye of the Pixiu and only such a spell was used on your healthy body. That means it’s truly immense…”
Yu Jeong-shin suddenly seemed to have an epiphany. He tapped his temple and began muttering to himself.
His demeanor, deeply engrossed in his thoughts, made him appear more like a scholar than a martial artist.
“You possess two Treasures. That in itself is extraordinary.”
“Two?”
“Yes?”
Among Yu Jeong-shin’s words, there was content that could not be overlooked.
“Yes, two Treasures.”
“I understand the necklace, but what’s the other one?”
“That would be your sword.”
Yi-gang looked down at his sword, the Shooting Star Fang. Although made from a meteorite, its appearance was quite ordinary. In fact, it was rusty and worn.
It wasn’t without reason that his father, Baek Ryu-san, and others couldn’t recognize the Shooting Star Fang.
“I thought you would realize that the sword isn’t just any ordinary sword.”
“Yes… well…”
Yi-gang fumbled his words.
‘The sword is a Treasure.’
「Since a spirit like me is attached to it, it must be a top-tier Treasure among Treasures.」
Ignoring the Immortal Divine Sword’s self-praise, it seemed the category of Treasures was broader than expected.
Yu Jeong-shin, leading Yi-gang and Yu Su-rin, arrived at the center of the library.
“It’s bright here,” Yi-gang mumbled.
The Five Flower Grand Library was located inside a cave. Meaning, the deeper you went, the darker it became. Even though there were torches placed here and there, and even precious night pearls embedded in various spots, it wasn’t particularly luminous.
However, this place was different. Clear sunlight poured down from the high ceiling above.
“Originally, there was an opening in the ceiling. I covered that opening with a crystal plate brought from Western Regions.”
The light passed through the crystal and illuminated the interior of the library. Underneath that beam of light were carpets, tables, and chairs, seemingly also imported from Western Regions.
It was a beautiful space.
“This is the place I cherish the most. Su-rin has been here a few times.”
“…Yes.”
For some reason, Yu Su-rin looked somber.
Yi-gang soon realized the reason.
“I know that it’s still uncertain if you’ll be initiated into the Azure Forest.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“If you are permitted to enter, you’ll also need to decide which path to take.”
“By path, you mean…”
“Whether to embroider your clothes with blue flowers or, like Su-rin, with red flowers. Or perhaps…”
Yi-gang noticed the six purple flowers embroidered on Yu Jeong-shin’s robe.
“Like me, perhaps you’ll have the purple flowers embroidered.”
Being a martial flower disciple or a Taoist flower disciple, both were honorable paths.
However, Yu Jeong-shin suggested a third way. Until just before arriving at the Azure Forest, it was something Yi-gang hadn’t even imagined.
Yu Su-rin, who had been watching, swallowed hard.
What she had only imagined was finally happening. The path of an honor flower disciple, which she had dreamed of throughout her 14 years of life, was being offered not to her, but to Yi-gang.
“So, by ‘purple flowers,’ you mean honor flower disciple.”
“Yes. Of course, it doesn’t mean you can become an honor flower disciple right away. There are five tests prepared to assess your aptitude.”
Yu Jeong-shin said and then picked up a book from one of the shelves. It was no ordinary book, bound with a leather cover.
“And this place is where the first test begins.”
As Yu Jeong-shin opened the book, he asked solemnly, “Are you prepared?”
For some reason, his voice was filled with anticipation.
Yu Su-rin, who was watching, clenched her fist tightly.
The two seemed to naturally expect Yi-gang to nod in determination.
“…No.”
“Well then, right now… What?”
Yu Jeong-shin froze in his posture, holding the book.
“I just want to be a martial flower disciple.”
“What, what do you mean?”
Yu Jeong-shin, who had always stayed at the Five Flower Grand Library—
Jin Ri-yeon, the most talented of the third-generation disciples, had attempted the honor flower disciple test over ten times. His daughter, Yu Su-rin, was also passionate about becoming an honor flower disciple. Hence, Yi-gang’s response was unexpected.
“I want to devote myself to the sword. I decline.”
And the Immortal Divine Sword, who had been listening, nodded with satisfaction.
“I also like the color blue.”
「Yes, that’s fitting for the descendant of the world’s greatest swordsman!」
Both Yu Jeong-shin and Yu Su-rin’s mouths dropped open.
Their faces, so similar as father and daughter, mirrored each other.
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