Chapter 52: The Third Flower (5)

Chapter 52: The Third Flower (5)

The test to become an honor flower disciple—

The first test was passed without even needing to take it, and the second test, which was originally supposed to take a whole day, ended as quickly as roasting beans over a flame.

Yu Jeong-shin’s lips split into a wide smile.

Of course, he was delighted. This Five Flower Grand Library was not a place to be compared with ordinary libraries. It was built at a point where the spiritual energy of Mount Heng was concentrated, and inside, it was full of Treasures. These Treasures, too, emitted spiritual energy.

That is, there was a problem where monsters like the Brush Eater naturally emerged. Finding and exterminating such creatures was a laborious task, but Yi-gang found the Brush Eater more easily than Yu Jeong-shin.

‘He’s a talent we absolutely need. A talent that can’t be found anywhere else in the entire Central Plains!’

Passion burned in Yu Jeong-shin’s eyes.

And there was another reason for his broad smile.

Yi-gang was taking the third test.

“Take three steps to the left from here.”

It was a space as bright as the outside, fully equipped with torches and night pots. It was a training hall within the Five Flower Grand Library, used for various purposes.

And on the stone floor, flags, jewels, and pieces of wood were arranged geometrically, their purpose unknown.

Qi Men Dun Jia, specifically the formation.

Yu Jeong-shin explained to Yi-gang that it was a basic form of the Mixed Illusion Formation.

Yi-gang was walking in the middle of that formation.

“From here, go forward. No, is this the Rest Gate?”

Yi-gang, who had been walking, stopped momentarily to contemplate.

Yu Jeong-shin watched Yi-gang with sweaty palms.

“Yes, from there. Just think a little more!”

He occasionally shouted advice.

Because Yi-gang wouldn’t hear him. To an onlooker, Yi-gang cautiously walking on the flat training ground might appear comical.

However, even if it’s basic, he’s right in the middle of the formation. Yu Jeong-shin’s words wouldn’t reach him, and Yi-gang’s vision would be obscured by fog.

Suddenly, Yi-gang began to backpedal.

“That’s right!”

Yu Jeong-shin couldn’t help but cheer.

Yi-gang had finally found the Life Gate.

The Mixed Illusion Formation was derived from the principles of Dual Polarity, that is, the concepts of heaven and earth. Those entrapped within the formation experienced disorientation, as if heaven and earth had reversed.

One lost their sense of direction, and their vision was obscured by fog. Various noises occurred everywhere, adding to the confusion.

There were two main ways to escape from the Mixed Illusion Formation.

The first was to muster one’s strength and physically break through the formation. The second was to understand the formation itself and find a way out.

Naturally, the test that Yu Jeong-shin had set for Yi-gang was the latter approach.

How then could Yi-gang escape from the Mixed Illusion Formation?

“It’s more complicated than I thought.”

“You did well!”

Yu Jeong-shin quickly checked the hourglass.

“Wow!”

It hadn’t been flipped over for long, so as he expected, most of the sand was still on top.

“This is a new record.”

An hourglass for one cycle. The fallen sand was just about half of the half.

Of the dozens of disciples who had taken this three-stage test so far, to Yu Jeong-shin’s knowledge, no one had broken the Mixed Illusion Formation in such a short time.

“How did you find the Life Gate so quickly?”

In response to Yu Jeong-shin’s question, Yi-gang answered nonchalantly, “At the beginning, didn’t you explain the method to break the Mixed Illusion Formation?”

“I did?”

“Yes. How to find the Life Gate and the principles of Dual Polarity.”

However, Yu Jeong-shin felt even more baffled by that answer.

“Of course, you need to know the theory, so I gave a brief explanation.”

What Yu Jeong-shin had explained to Yi-gang was not the method to break the Mixed Illusion Formation.

He simply explained what kind of formation the Mixed Illusion Formation was and gave a general explanation about the principles of the formation and how to deal with it.

If such explanations were considered as methods to break the formation, then all the disciples of the Azure Forest would be considered experts in formation techniques.

“Explain in more detail!”

“Well...”

Yi-gang elaborated on the method he used to break through the Mixed Illusion Formation. He had memorized everything Yu Jeong-shin had explained earlier and seemed to have understood it all.

Although the formation was made safe for the test, Yi-gang broke the Mixed Illusion Formation with remarkable comprehension and an almost instinctual sense.

When he finally found the last Life Gate, he said he felt the spiritual energy flowing like the wind within the formation and took a step back.

Upon hearing this, Yu Jeong-shin couldn’t help but sigh.

“It’s a divine comprehension...”

He really wanted to proceed with the fourth and fifth tests right away.

It was regrettable that Yi-gang was not even a disciple of the Azure Forest yet.

“For now, sit down, and let’s talk more. I’ll explain in detail about the position of honor flower disciple and the Five Flower Grand Library.”

“Ah, yes. It’s okay.”

“For starters... um, right. Do you like tea? I have a precious tea leaf called Da Hong Pao that I received from the Forest Lord. Let’s start with that!”

Yi-gang interrupted the excited Yu Jeong-shin.

“Do you have a moment?”

“Mm? Sure, you can tell me anything.”

Yi-gang whispered into Yu Jeong-shin’s ear.

Yu Jeong-shin’s bright smile suddenly froze.

‘My daughter seems upset.’



Perhaps that’s why—

After their training, a few of the third-generation disciples acted out of curiosity.

“Why isn’t she coming out...”

They were waiting for Yu Su-rin beneath the path that descended from the Five Flower Grand Library to the main mountain of the Azure Forest.

They had been waiting since the time of the hour of the Monkey, but the sun was already setting.

They had waited longer than expected, but neither Yu Su-rin nor Yi-gang showed any sign of coming out.

“Brother Jun Myung, I feel like I’m going to freeze to death.”

“Why isn’t Su-rin coming? At this rate, we’ll collapse before we get a chance to surprise her.”

Two boys grumbled to Jun Myung.

It was none other than Jun Myung who had brought them to surprise Yu Su-rin and Yi-gang. He was the very boy who had greeted Yi-gang at the restaurant earlier that day.

“Just wait a little longer. They’ll come out soon.”

“Didn’t they finish and already leave?”

“If they had, we would’ve known by now.”

“They might just be having fun by themselves.”

At that, Jun Myung widened his eyes and glared.

“Su-chan, don’t make such baseless remarks.”

“It’s not entirely baseless, though. Why are you glaring at me like that?”

“Gla-glaring? What do you mean?”

Jun Myung quickly tried to flash an innocent smile.

He then lowered his head and nervously bit his nails.

‘Why aren’t they coming out? Could the two of them really...’

It was Jun Myung who had insisted on waiting, despite the younger ones’ constant whining about wanting to leave.

‘That guy called Yi-gang. He was indeed remarkably good-looking.’

While thinking so, he gently touched his rugged face.

‘But I’m taller, and I have more muscles.’

The real reason he had greeted Yi-gang earlier in the day was something no one knew: deep down, Jun Myung had a crush on Yu Su-rin.

The reason he was waiting for Yi-gang and Yu Su-rin was due to an inexplicable unease.

‘What if the two of them come down holding hands...’

Even the thought made his heart sink with anxiety.

Perhaps he was so lost in thought...

He didn’t notice when Yu Su-rin appeared.

It might also have been because Yu Su-rin was running at full speed using her lightness technique.

One of the boys that Jun Myung brought quickly dashed forward.

“Whoa, eek!”

And then he was struck by the surprised Yu Su-rin and was sent flying.

“Yikes! What a surprise! What are you doing! Why...”

Yu Su-rin inadvertently smacked Su-chan on the nose.

The plan to surprise her was a complete failure.

Jun Myung got up awkwardly to greet Yu Su-rin.

“Why were you all gathered here? You tried to scare me, didn’t you?”

“Ugh, because Sister didn’t come. Isn’t this a nosebleed?”

Yu Su-rin helped the boy up by taking his hand.

Indeed, at this point in time, there was no one who could surpass Yu Su-rin other than Jun Myung. Her movement was lightning-fast.

Jun Myung awkwardly scratched the back of his head.

“But, why are you alone?”

“Huh...?”

“I heard you went to the Five Flower Grand Library with that boy named Baek Yi-gang.”

Jun Myung was extremely curious about why Yu Su-rin came back alone. To hide his curiosity, he asked for another reason.

“Is the Library Master well? Did you really take him there for the honor flower disciple’s test?”

“Ah, um, yes, that’s right.”

Yu Su-rin smiled faintly.

For some reason, Jun Myung felt uneasy about that smile.

“So... Is he still there? Surely, he’s not still taking the test. Did he pass the first test, like you?”

“...Yes.”

“Huh? Really? Then why did you come out first?”

Yu Su-rin opened her mouth as if to answer, but then firmly closed it.

Jun Myung continued to scratch the back of his head, about to ask a question, but then he froze.

“...”

It was because Yu Su-rin’s eyes, firmly closed, had become moist.

She seemed to be holding back tears, but eventually, a tear rolled down her cheek.

The boy who had been pinching his nose to stop the bleeding chuckled.

“She starts crying out of the blue. What a crybaby.”

“Su-rin...”

And Jun Myung quickly approached Yu Su-rin.

Because he secretly harbored feelings for Yu Su-rin, he understood.

“What’s the matter? What happened!”

He realized that Yu Su-rin’s tears this time were different from the ones she usually shed.