Chapter 98: Lotus (6)

Chapter 98: Lotus (6)/translatingnovice

Whooosh!

Facing the sandstorm of Cheon-saek City attached to the Heaven-Treading Desert, Cheongmun Ryeong and Cheongmun Dan packed a large cloth and scanned the area below.

If my memory serves right, that's where the lady lived..."

Cheongmun Ryeong's gaze turns to an alley.

Inside the alley is the White Magic Lotus Artifact Store that I have seen before.

There it is."

Could it be her?

I sigh softly, pondering what to do.

But Ryeong Hyung, aren't there other clans descendants in the alley?

Hmm, indeed.

As stated, the alley is packed with cultivators possessing consciousness.

Even cultivators appearing to be at the Qi Building stage are present.

These pathetic ones, chasing after a woman. Now that the Cheongmun Clan is involved, lets snatch her away as flamboyantly as possible.

Let's do that.

Then, Cheongmun Ryeong and Cheongmun Dan leap down from the flying magic artifact shaped like a ship, cutting through the sandstorm.

The Extraordinary Pattern Law Talent is required by our main house, we will take her to the Cheongmun Clan!

What..."

What is..."

At the booming shout of Cheongmun Dan, the surrounding cultivators flinch and look up at the sky.

No one dares to stand against the mid Qi Building aura of Cheongmun Dan.

Even a cultivator at the early Qi Building stage grimaces but remains still.

And when Cheongmun Dan unfurls the cloth,

I dont know what business my daughter has with you, but that will be a bit inconvenient."

Rumble!

A surge of white spiritual energy approaches.

Cheongmun Dan flinches, crossing his arms to block the wave of spiritual energy, which writhes and transforms into a huge tiger, blocking Cheongmun Dan and Cheongmun Ryeong.

The two retreat to the top of buildings, looking down at the tiger.

Kugugugu!

This is, Qi Building late stage!?

The tiger made of spiritual energy also leaps into the sky.

And from the dissipating spiritual energy tiger, a middle-aged man in white emerges.

He wears a white robe, a blue ring turned necklace around his neck, and various glass magic artifacts on his wrists.

I am the guest elder of the Gongmyo Clan, Buk Joong-ho. I'm unsure what the Cheongmun Clan wants with my daughter, but I ask for a formal request rather than such rash actions.

Hmm, a guest elder of the Gongmyo Clan."

The individual governing this Cheon-saek City.

Cheongmun Ryeong and Cheongmun Dan step back, and I remember him.

That Qi Building cultivator who tried to recruit me to the Gongmyo Clan...!

He was her father.

Our clan has come for..."

Cheongmun Ryeong slowly explains their purpose to Buk Joong-ho.

After listening for a while, Buk Joong-ho nods.

So, you tried to kidnap my daughter for that reason. I'm a bit angry, but Ill tolerate it for the sake of the Cheongmun Clan. Indeed, my daughter is in trouble because of the clan descendants..."

Buk Joong-ho frowns for a moment and then speaks.

However, even if I wanted to let my daughter go to the Cheongmun Clan, she will refuse to go."

Hmm? What do you mean?

Cheongmun Ryeong asks in surprise.

Buk Joong-ho rubs his temples, looking vexed.

Its due to her mothers last will. She told us to wait for a betrothed who promised to marry my daughter in Cheon-saek City and would come with a token. Hence, she wont leave Cheon-saek City to honor her mothers last will."

Hmm..."

Cheongmun Ryeong frowns and asks.

Is there no way? It's an important matter instructed by our clan head..."

If its for a few days, she might, but she wont leave Cheon-saek City for several months for such a matter. If you try to kidnap her against her will, youll have to fight me.

After pondering for a moment, Cheongmun Ryeong and Cheongmun Dan both sigh lightly.

We understand. We'll just have to study the magic artifacts in Cheon-saek City. What do you think, Daoist Seo?

I have no objections.

Well, then, let's do that..."

Cheongmun Ryeong commands the clan descendants gathered in the alley below.

You brats! The Extraordinary Pattern Law Talent artisan you're surrounding has an artifact commissioned by the formal order using the name of the Cheongmun Clan! It is a multi-year project, so anyone disturbing the artisan will be punished in the name of the Cheongmun Clan. Scram!"

Upon hearing that, most of the late-stage cultivators furrow their brows.

Its then.

Among the late-stage cultivators, one who looks to be of a similar physical age to me, floats into the air and respectfully greets Cheongmun Ryeong.

"It is an honor to meet Cultivator Cheongmun Ryeong, one of the three greats of Qi Building.."

"Yes, I am also honored to meet Cultivator Byeok Mun-seong, the most talented late-stage heir of the Byeok Clan. You just barely missed being selected for the official ascension group of the Righteous Path Alliance, didnt you?"

"Ha, I'm embarrassed."

Byuk Mun-seong, clad in a brown robe, strokes his unique long ponytail as he continues.

"However, I have something to say to Cultivator Cheongmun Ryeong. Regardless of the Cheongmun Clan's affair, right now, several late-stage cultivators from various clans and she are in the middle of a bet. Cheongmun Clan's matter is important, but the bet cannot be delayed. Could you please wait just a little longer?"

"A bet? What kind of bet?"

Cheongmun Ryeong furrows his brow and asks, to which Byuk Mun-seong replies with a sly smile.

"She has made a deal that if any of us late-stage cultivators can properly handle the magic artifact she's making, shell end her long seclusion in Cheon-saek City and go on a trip with the cultivator who handled the magic artifact properly."

"Huh, so you mean to say that right now, when the Cheongmun Clans affair is urgent, you plan to take the artifact artisan on a trip?"

Cheongmun Dan glares at Byeok Mun-seong with fiery eyes.

Byeok Mun-seong, still at early Qi Building, steps back with an awkward smile.

"That's not what I meant. Anyway, I just want to secure a promise. It's fine to go on the trip after the Cheongmun Clan's affair is settled."

"Hmm... Did Cultivator Buk not object to his daughter traveling with a young man?"

At Cheongmun Dan's words, Buk Joong-ho calmly speaks..New novel chapters are published on

"I allowed it. Im sad that my daughter is too confined to Cheon-saek City because of her mother's last words, so I told her to continue with the bet. Of course, I will accompany her."

Cheongmun Dan and Cheongmun Ryeong looks at me.

"Is it okay with you, Daoist Seo?"

I look at Byeok Mun-seong and ask.

"How long will this bet take, approximately?"

"Ah, well..."

That's when it happens.

Paaat!

A bright light bursts from within White Magic Lotus.

"Ah! It seems the magic artifacts have just been completed. If you could wait just half a day, the bet will be over..."

I nod.

"Alright. Thats fine..."

Cheongmun Dan and Cheongmun Ryeong also nod, and we decide to watch how the bet unfolds for half a day.

After a while, I feel spatial fluctuations from the space inside the magic artifact store.

'It feels similar to space compression... Perhaps the inside is larger than the outside.'

I recall when I went to kill the previous emperor of Yanguo.. Even the emperor who was only at the Qi Refining stage had hidden in a pavilion that was larger on the inside.

'Is that magic artifact store itself a kind of space-like artifact?'

After a while, the door of the magic artifact store opens, and the late-stage cultivators from various clans and Byeok Mun-seong enter the store.

Cheongmun Ryeong and Cheongmun Dan also enter the store after getting permission from Buk Joong-ho.

I too enter the store after getting permission.

Whooosh!

Wo-woong!

As the spatial feature on the store itself activates, the appearance of the store completely changes from the last time I entered.

On a large platform are flags, swords, mirrors, bells, scrolls, wheels, and more.

Numerous forms of magic artifacts are displayed, and as expected, she in white stands on the platform, looking down at us.

"Haha, indeed the magic artifacts of Miss Buk are different just from the aura they emit."

Byeok Mun-seong exclaims in admiration as he looks at the artifacts.

"Indeed, as promised. If someone can properly handle these magic artifacts, Cultivator Buk will agree to travel with that cultivator."

"Don't worry, Cultivator Byeok. However, as I mentioned earlier, I will set the standard for 'properly handling.'"

"Understood, I would like to hear the standards."

She lifts a bell-shaped magic artifact and infuses it with spiritual power.

Paaat!

A bright blue light emits from the bell, coloring the surroundings and casting a semi-transparent water curtain around her.

Ten stripes appear on this water curtain.

"The magic artifacts I have created will show one stripe for each tenth of their power unleashed. Thus, if any of you, with any magic artifact I made, can bring forth more than 60% of its power, I will consider the standards met."

"Hahaha, 60%?"

Byeok Mun-seong laughs aloud.

"How amusing. Even if the magic artifacts made by Cultivator Buk are impressive, do you think the distinguished heirs from various clans gathered here cannot draw out even 60% of a magic artifacts power?"

Not just Byeok Mun-seong, but snickers can be heard from around the room.

"This means everyone will likely draw out 60%, so we should determine the winner of the bet by who can enhance the magic artifact's performance the most."

A late-stage cultivator from the Gongmyo Clan chuckles.

However, she looks at him coldly and says,

"Well, I was worried that setting the standard at 60% might be too high and would be criticized. I wonder how many among you here can actually bring out even 20% of my magic artifacts power?"

"What, what...!"

The Gongmyo Clan cultivators face turns beet red upon hearing this.

"Are you mocking me!?"

"No, wasnt it you who started the mockery?"

Suddenly, her demeanor changes.

The soft and gentle look disappears, replaced by a fierce glare that dominates the room.

"How dare you stand before my magic artifacts and say that anyone can draw out 60% of their power? Do you think my magic artifacts are that easy?

If there are those among you who saw the failures displayed in White Magic Lotus and thought my magic artifacts are trivial, please leave now. I do not wish to speak with those who cannot recognize the true value of my magic artifacts."

Under her intense presence, the Gongmyo Clan heir seems to flinch and then, thumping his chest, steps forward.

"Fine, then I'll be the first to test the magic artifacts! After all, a magic artifact is just a magic artifact, how impressive can it be?"

He climbs onto the platform and grabs a flag-shaped magic artifact.

Wooong!

And after a while...

Fisss...

The magic artifact looks to light up but then, just as quickly, the light goes out, and it droops lifelessly.

"Wh-what?"

"Full of confidence, yet you can't even activate the magic artifact."

"No, no... Ugh! I'm just not used to a flag-shaped magic artifact!"

The late-stage cultivator from the Gongmyo Clan goes around, touching other magic artifacts and infusing them with spiritual power.

But, just like the first, none of the magic artifacts light up; they just fizzle out.

The only one that even showed a sparkle was the mirror-shaped magic artifact he bragged he was most familiar with, but even that failed to produce a single stripe indicating 10% power.

"Th-this is a scam! What kind of magic artifacts are these! It's not meant for use!"

He shouts at her, but she just smiles and replies,

"If you lack skill, at least have some manners. Please step down. There is not a single magic artifact here that you can handle."

"Ugh...!"

Spiritual power of the earth attribute escapes from around the Gongmyo Clan heir.

I look at Buk Joong-ho and ask,

"Shouldn't we intervene?"

But Buk Joong-ho clicks his tongue and crosses his arms.

"No need. My daughter's magic artifacts are all difficult to draw power from but..."

Kwaang!

The Gongmyo Clan cultivator, unable to hold back, casts a spell.

Kurururu...

However, his spell is blocked by the water curtain produced by her magic artifact, disappearing without a trace.

Ten stripes are floating on the water curtain.

"If you can properly draw them out, it boasts considerable performance... In fact, even I, her father, can only draw up to 80% of the power from my daughters magic artifacts."

Pride fills Buk Joong-ho's face.

Byeok Mun-seong beside me avoids my gaze with a look of defeat and anger.

Far away, Cheongmun Ryeong and Cheongmun Dan look astonished by my skills, while Buk Joong-ho looks at me with an expression of disbelief.

"...It seems the winner is decided. What is your name, sir?"

She momentarily looks at the sword I have handed her and then speaks to me.

"My name is Seo Eun-hyun, just call me Cultivator Seo. But initially, I was not a participant in this bet."

"Not a participant? From the moment you entered the magic artifact shop, you were a participant. Among the others here, is there anyone who can draw out the power of magic artifacts like Cultivator Seo?"

No one responds.

"It seems there isn't. Then, as Cultivator Byeok previously spoken, I shall give the right to Cultivator Seo."

"Do as you please."

Byeok Mun-seong spits out his words and then leaves the magic artifact shop.

Many late-stage cultivators also follow him, and among them, the descendants of the Cheongmun Clan are caught by Cheongmun Dan and begin receiving discipline in a corner of the magic artifact shop.

"Anyway, you have proven that you can handle my magic artifacts properly, so I will give all these magic artifacts to you."

She points to the artifacts on the stage, and I look at them for a moment before saying,

"I'm sorry, but I don't need them."

"Excuse me?"

"I don't use magic artifacts..."

With an overwhelmingly superior alternative like the Formless Sword, why would I use something like a magic artifact?

"By the way, do you remember me, Cultivator Buk? You once gave me water and clothes..."

"Are you ignoring my magic artifacts now?"

But my words change her mood.

Shes feeling humiliated.

"No, that's not it..."

"Didn't you say you were a sword cultivator? Not using my magic artifacts means you find them unsatisfactory, right?"

'What's this...? Does having a similar talent to Mad Lord also mean shes mad as well?'

I feel perplexed and try to explain, but she speaks with an angry expression.

"Wait a moment, if you're not satisfied with these flying swords, I'll give you something better. I'll show you my successful creations...!"

"No, that's not necessary..."

Whoosh!

She runs into the back of the magic artifact shop, and Buk Joong-ho approaches, clicking his tongue.

"My daughter is usually kind and gentle, but her personality changes a bit when it comes to magic artifacts. She has great pride in the magic artifacts she's created herself, so please understand."

"Isn't this reaction a bit too much?"

"Well, that's because you're the only one who has drawn out 120% of the power of her magic artifacts. Since you're the first person she's seen do this, it seems her pride won't allow her to accept you not using her magic artifacts."

Soon, she comes back from inside the shop, carrying an armful of sword magic artifacts, and lays them out in front of me.

Each one emits a respectable spiritual aura and are so splendid they take one's breath away.

"These are the sword magic artifacts I'm most proud of. Please try holding one and then decide!"

Her face is brimming with confidence.

Unable to bear her expression, I pick up one of the swords.

Woong!

As I infuse power into the sword, a rainbow of spiritual energy covers the inside of the magic artifact shop.

Although stripes do not appear like before, I feel that I am drawing out more power than the magic artifact has.

She too must feel it, as she looks at the sword I am holding with a mesmerized gaze.

"I apologize, but I really don't need magic artifacts."

"Excuse me?"

I flinch!

I sense a chill flash in her eyes.

Her confident smile cracks, and veins throb on her forehead.

"Hahaha, how do you feel crushing the pride of an artifact artisan, Daoist Seo?"

Cheongmun Ryeong flies onto the stage and speaks.

When two Qi Building cultivators stand before her, she conceals her chilling demeanor and changes her expression.

"Daoist Seo and I, would like to entrust the owner of White Magic Lotus and the person endowed with the Extraordinary Pattern Law Talent, with a task.

"What kind of task might that be?"

"Daoist Seo and I intend to develop a certain formation, and for that, we need to create formation magic artifacts. Can you help us?"

She nods in agreement.

"Of course. However, isn't formation development a field that takes quite some time?"

"That's right. Hence, Daoist Seo and I will stay in Cheon-saek City to work on this project with you. It might take several years."

After nodding, she looks at me.

"So, while developing the formation artifacts, Ill also develop something that will satisfy Daoist Seo."

"No, really, I don't need any..."

Cheongmun Ryeong pokes me in the waist to stop me.

His telepathy reached my ears.

[How much do you plan to crush the artisan's pride, Daoist Seo? Having a magic artifact wouldn't be bad, just accept it.]

"Alright then. I appreciate your effort, but I'm not in a position to afford such artifacts."

Since you didnt like the artifacts you won for the bet, Im making you a replacement. My pride is at stake and since Cultivator Seo has shown new potential for my artifacts, I will make it for free.

Speechless, I just stare at a spot in the magic artifact shop.

"Anyway, I look forward to working with you. My name is Buk Hyang-hwa."

"My name is Seo Eun-hyeon. I appreciate your cooperation."

"Stay strong, Cultivator Byeok."

"Our clan elders say that Cultivator Buk's talent corresponds to the Four-Pattern among the Extraordinary Pattern Law Talent. True demonic talent begins to manifest from One-Pattern. Four-Pattern is just considered a level of an outstanding prodigy, so there's no need to be too disheartened, right?"

Byeok Mun-seong is receiving consolation from the other cultivators.

"Haha, thank you for your consolation, friends..."

"Well, it's unfortunate this time, but if there's another fun event, please call me, Cultivator Byeok."

"I'll see you later!"

As Byeok Mun-seong's mood seems to brighten a bit, the cultivators each ride their flying artifacts and return to their clans.

Later.

Byeok Mun-seong's face suddenly contorts in anger.

"Fools... She's not just a simple Four-Pattern... Why did I drag those guys around, bothering and annoying her..."

Kwaang!

He stomps in anger and gnaws his teeth.

"I can't let some unknown guy take her... If I can make her, who possesses demonic talent like that monster, mine, becoming a clan head isn't just a dream...!"

He bites his lips and walks into an alley.

"Let's wait for her to go on a journey. I still have a chance..."

"Serving Command Palace...?"

In the inner meeting room of the magic artifact shop.

Buk Hyang-hwa, who received the formation diagram, is startled.

"The creation of the legendary artisan."

"Yes. We need to create a formation that will stimulate growth for a spiritual tree inside, and you must create the formation artifacts for that."

Cheongmun Ryeong, Buk Hyang-hwa. and I sit at a table, discussing the formation.

After a while, she asks seriously,

"Can we enter Serving Command Palace? If I could see the dragon veins and qualities with my own eyes, it would be easier to create suitable magic artifacts."

"Hmm..."

"Additionally, Serving Command Palace is known as a treasure. If we can borrow its power for the formation artifacts, we can create even more effective ones."

However, Cheongmun Ryeong shakes his head.

"Serving Command Palace only appears once every 400 years. It will be several hundred years before it appears again..."

"Ah, but I know a secret way to enter."

"!"

At my words, Cheongmun Ryeong looks surprised, and Buk Hyang-hwa's face brightens.

"What kind of method is it?"

"Ah, I just need to ask a friend of mine."

I take out a communication device connected to Seo Ran.

The day turns to evening.

I reached out to Seo Ran, and along with Cheongmun Ryeong, we continued to discuss and sketch out the formation diagrams.

Buk Hyang-hwa announced she would create the basic magic artifacts for the formation and entered her workshop.

"Sigh..."

After finishing the discussion with Cheongmun Ryeong, I briefly step out of the meeting room.

'He always has an overwhelming number of questions.'

Cheongmun Ryeong is known for his inquisitiveness, constantly asking, Why do you think that way? This habit persisted even during our discussions on formations.

His sharp questions can be piercing at times, but they also bring a sense of nostalgia, as if revisiting the past.

'The past, once gone, never returns.'

This fact remains true, even for someone who has experienced regression.

Lost in such gloomy thoughts, I hear a noise.

Clang, clang!

From Buk Hyang-hwa's workshop inside the magic artifact shop, the sound of a hammer striking echoes.

'Buk Hyang-hwa is quite remarkable.'

To create magic artifacts, she hammers away beside the intense heat of the flames, her being a woman notwithstanding.

I casually approach her workshop and stealthily observe her working.

Creak, creak...

Shes carefully engraving something on a formation flag artifact, and then she proceeds to hammer and shape something new.

Suddenly, I notice something blossoming on her face.

Fzzzt...

Its a four-colored pattern.

This pattern, resembling tree branches, boar colors of gold, purple, light pink, and black.

The black and purple patterns, interwoven, create a semi-blended appearance.

'That must be Four-Pattern...'

Amidst the sparks, her figure, forging magic artifacts while adorned with four colors, continually captivates my attention.

In the midst of this,

Suddenly, our eyes meet.

"Ah, Cultivator Seo, have you come? I have something to ask of you."

"What would that be?"

"Here."

Whoosh!

She goes deeper into her workshop and returns with a large box, placing it before me.

Creak...

Upon opening the box, it contains numerous unfinished sword magic artifacts.

"These are artifacts I made, inspired by seeing you with the previous swords."

'All these, crafted in just half a day?'

Buk Hyang-hwa, with a confident expression, adds,

"These are specially made for you, Cultivator Seo. They're not finished yet, but I bet they won't easily unleash their full power this time. Why not try infusing them with your spiritual power?"

With a slight smile, I pick up one of the swords.

Once again, I channel Pure Spiritual Force into the sword.

As expected, the sword glows, emitting more than 120% of its intended output.

'I wonder if she will be disappointed... I feel sorry for defying her expectations.'

As Im about to speak to her,

'Hmm?'

Buk Hyang-hwa, in a daze, watches the sword as it releases strength beyond its limits.

Her mouth continuously moves, muttering something about artifacts, and her eyes are fixated on the sword.

'She must have gained some inspiration...'

Just then,

Woong!

The four-colored pattern reappears on her skin.

'Four-Pattern may only be considered equivalent to the level of a prodigy, but it seems to be a talent far surpassing ordinary magic artifact artisans...'

Suddenly, I shudder, observing her in her trance-like state.

The intertwined purple and black patterns look to be merging together.

Translator Notes: These chapters can be so long. There were literally 3 times I thought it was over but no, theres more. Extra donated chapters coming soon.

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