Chapter 105: Lotus (13)

Dust scatters in the air.

I swing my sword.

Boom, boom, boom!

Three valleys appear in front, and what looked like a mountain range at the end split into three parts.

As Byeok Mun-seong panicks, I close in on him.

I reach out and grab one of the hundreds of flying swords trailing behind him.

Woosh!

Even just in the air, the Formless Sword exudes terrifying power, and when combined with a sword, its concentration increases even more.

As I overlay the Formless Sword onto the artifact, it activates and emitted spiritual energy.

Flash!

It seems like a fire attribute flying sword. As flames burst forth, the Formless Sword catches the flames, creating a massive fiery sword.

Whoosh!

Boom!

Swinging the artifact overlaid with the Formless Sword, a massive fiery slash flies out, turning the desert into a glassy wasteland.

Each swing brings Byeok Mun-seong closer due to his fear affecting his control of spiritual power.

I grab another flying sword and swing again.

A water attribute flying sword.

Swoosh!

The desert in front transforms into a swampy area.

I swing a wood attribute flying sword, corresponding to the Zhen trigram (☳), containing the attribute of thunder, and lightning strikes all around, melting parts of the desert into glass.

"Aaaargh!"

Caught in the lightning, Byeok Mun-seong screams and loses control of his flying sword, plummeting downwards.

Plunk!

He falls into a sand dune, and Buk Hyang-hwa, who had managed to escape from his grasp, summons her artifacts nearby and safely land on one.

"Hmm, you are unharmed."

"You could have just waited a bit and caught this guy, but you had to come and complicate things."

"Hmm, no matter how many artifacts you have, you shouldn't underestimate the power of a Qi Building cultivator."

I point at him, crawling out of the sand dune.

Sssss!

"Yin Soul Ghost Incantation."

Swoosh!

Several curse spells fly towards him, embedding directly into his head.

"Aaaargh!"

"Restrain!"

Screech!

The curse spell burrows into his upper dantian, creating a mental restraint.

He rolls his eyes back, foaming at the mouth, and collapses.

I approach him, forming hand seals.

"Why did you do this?"

"Hurrk... Ahh, ahh!"

"Answer, and the pain will lessen. Answer me."

"I, I..."

He starts babbling while drooling.

"I alone... recognize her true worth..."

"Hmm?"

"I alone... can help her grow!"

"So you kidnapped her for that?"

"That's... right...!"

Buk Hyang-hwa, who has approached, asks coldly.

"And what was that about being able to help me grow? What does that mean?"

"Answer."

Woosh!

I trigger the curse spell slightly, and Byeok Mun-seong, his eyes rolling back, replies.

"The, the Byeok Clan... recently, in the desert... found it..."

"What is it?"

"The, the ruins of... the Jo Clan..."

I ask curiously.

"The Jo Clan?"

What kind of clan is that?

I see Buk Hyang-hwa's face turn serious.

"You found the ruins of the Jo Clan?"

"Is the Jo Clan... a famous clan?"

I ask puzzlingly, and Buk Hyang-hwa nods gravely.

"Unless you've spent a long time in eastern Byeokra, you might not know. The Jo Clan, gone extinct a thousand years ago, was shrouded in all kinds of mysteries.

A thousand years ago, they were renowned in all areas of creation – artifacts, puppets, talismans, elixirs. The most well-known fact to the general public is…"

Her explanation makes me startled.

"The clan of the Mad Lord, Jo Yeon."

'The Mad Lord's clan...!'

I become astonished and look at Byeok Mun-seong.

"A thousand years ago, they ruled all of Byeokra, boasting tremendous power, then vanished overnight.

Some say the Mad Lord, in his madness, exterminated his own clan, but that seems implausible."

I recall what the Mad Lord had sobbed.

―I exterminated my own clan that killed her.

"..."

I fall silent, and Buk Hyang-hwa continues interrogating the delirious Byeok Mun-seong.

"So, what did you find at the Jo Clan ruins?"

"In the ruins of the Jo Clan... of the Mad Lord Jo Yeon, a special... elixir formula... was discovered that enhances the talent of descendants who possess the Extraordinary Pattern Law Talent, growing their abilities."

"A special elixir? What is it?"

With a groan of resistance, he starts to speak under my mental restraint.

"It's an elixir that, besides enhancing spiritual power, significantly amplifies 'emotions' by incorporating the resentful souls of the ingredients used in the Qi Building Pills in its refining process. The Extraordinary Pattern Law Talent has a nature where if 'emotions' fluctuate beyond a certain level or through the accumulation of experience over a long period of effort, 'growth of quality' is possible. From Seven-Patterns to six, from four to three, from two to one. For Buk Hyang-hwa, who is a Four-Pattern Extraordinary Pattern Law Talent, with enough effort accumulated, there's a possibility to reach the level of Three-Patterns!"

I remember the half-mixed patterns of black and purple that had appeared on her.

"I, only I can help her grow, awaken her talent..."

"Is there anything else you wish to ask?"

"No, that's enough."

I form a spell and place my hand on his head.

"What should we do with him?"

"I can turn him into an idiot if you want."

After pondering, she shakes her head.

"Let it be. He has shown me kindness before, so let's call it even."

Buk Hyang-hwa coldly looks down at Byeok Mun-seong.

"But this is it, Cultivator Byeok. There's nothing between you and me anymore, no next time."

"You hear that? Remember her words."

I softly trigger the curse.

Screaming, he passes out, likely retaining only the memory of Buk Hyang-hwa's final words.

"Let's go."

"Okay."

Buk Hyang-hwa gathers her flying sword artifacts and ascends on a flying artifact with me back to Cheon-saeok City.

Feeling the desert wind, I ask her.

"Aren't you curious about the formula for that elixir? It could be beneficial for a cultivator like you."

She gives an awkward smile.

"Most cultivators don't know, but do you know the main ingredient of the Qi Building Pill, Daoist Seo?"

"I'm aware."

"Then, it's easier to explain. My father told me that human life force and essence blood are used in the Qi Building Pill. That formula is based on it, so I'd rather not consume it."

"Most cultivators consume it knowingly. Why don't you?"

"Have you consumed any Qi Building Pills, Daoist Seo?"

I smile wryly.

"I haven't."

"Then you understand... I'd rather not."

"I see."

"And I've been thinking."

Buk Hyang-hwa gently touches the skin where her patterns were visible.

"If talent can grow through experience and effort, I'd prefer to grow that way."

"A wise choice."

We continue to talk about talent and cultivation on our way back to Cheon-saek City.

Upon returning, she embraced Buk Joong-ho, who finally relaxed and hugged her back.

When asked about the kidnapper, Buk Hyang-hwa didn't mention Byeok Mun-seong, only deciding to increase her room's security and protective artifacts.

Thus, the kidnapping incident concluded.

A few days later, we resumed our discussions on the formation method.

The remaining parts included the external and inner array methods conceived in Serving Command Palace and the coordination between the formation artifacts.

We spent months redesigning the formation method, now nearing completion.

"The last part is the most tedious and time-consuming. We need to focus on trial and error to finalize the formation."

What remained was for Buk Hyang-hwa to create the formation artifacts, attract dragon veins to support the Longevity Tree, and finely tune the formation to the Longevity Tree.

This is time-consuming due to gathering the dragon veins.

The formation artifacts were quickly completed.

Buk Hyang-hwa made seventy-two formation flags and thirty-six formation discs, which Cheongmun Ryeong and I adjusted to fit the formation alongside Buk Hyang-hwa.

Now, we just have to wait for the dragon veins to gather after installing the formation!

"We need a place for test trials..."

Cheongmun Ryeong suggests, and Buk Hyang-hwa, adjusting the formation artifacts, replies.

"Should we find a place rich in dragon veins?"

"That would be ideal. Any suggestions?"

She hesitates before responding.

"There is a place near Cheon-saek City..."

"Let's go there."

"To install the formation there, we need my father's permission."

"Is it his property?"

With a bittersweet smile, she says,

"It's my mother's grave."

Embarrassed, Cheongmun Ryeong coughs and looks away

"We can't do a formation experiment on your mother's grave. We should look for another location, even if it's a bit farther."

"I believe my father will grant permission."

Buk Hyang-hwa puts down the formation flags on the table.

"The purpose of this formation is to gather dragon veins to grow plants and trees, correct? Although my mother's grave is in a desolate desert, some small plants grow due to the dense dragon veins. If the formation could make my mother's grave more vibrant, I don't see why my father wouldn't agree. I'll ask for his permission."

Cheongmun Ryeong coughs and nods in agreement.

"Alright, then please do."

Buk Hyang-hwa leaves to seek permission from Buk Joong-ho, and soon after, he enters the conference room where we are designing the formation.

After hearing again about the formation's effects from Cheongmun Ryeong, he nods in approval.

"She would have liked it. I entrust this to you, Cultivator Cheongmun."

"If you say so."

Thus, the test trial site for the formation was decided to be the grave of Buk Hyang-hwa's mother, Buk Joong-ho's wife.

The spirit tablet is inscribed with the name Yeon (Lian / Lotus).

Buk Hyang-hwa's mother, Buk Joong-ho's wife.

Her name is Yeon.

Buk Joong-ho pours some liquor at Yeon's grave and then closes his eyes for a moment.

Yeon's grave is in a sandstone cave a little away from Cheon-saek City.

'Or maybe it's not ordinary sandstone.'

Due to the active dragon veins, the rocks seem to have transformed into a special ore infused with spiritual energy.

Whether Buk Joong-ho had created it or not, the cave's ceiling is open to the sky, letting in light.

Thanks to the light, various unknown flowers and grasses have sparsely grown inside the cave.

'This location...'

I recall the memory of Buk Hyang-hwa giving me water for the first time in my past lives. It seems she used to visit this cave even then.

"Please set up the formation, Cultivator Cheongmun."

"Understood."

Cheongmun Ryeong and I place formation flags and discs around the grave, outside, and at various distant spots.

The formation flags attract the surrounding spiritual energy and the formation discs gather the dragon veins.

Soon, spiritual energy gathers in the center of the grave, enhancing the vitality around.

The sparse grass and flowers begin to flourish more vigorously.

Cheongmun Ryeong and I complete the external formation setup and then move inside to adjust the inner formation.

"My wife had no cultivation talent in her life. It's fortunate she now rests in a place filled with spiritual energy."

Buk Joong-ho spoke while looking at the grave.

Cheongmun Ryeong looks at the spirit tablet and asks him.

"Yeon, that's a beautiful name. She must've been a lovely wife."

"Yes. My wife was beautiful. A good mother."

"What is her family name?"

Buk Joong-ho answers with a bittersweet expression.

"My wife has no family name. Not because she lacked a family, but because her family was too eminent to give her one."

He caresses his wife's grave as he speaks.

Buk Hyang-hwa also looks at her father's back with a melancholic expression.

"The esteemed cultivator from the Gongmyo Clan, Elder Gongmyo Cheon-saek. My wife was his illegitimate daughter."

A vein popped on Cheongmun Ryeong's forehead.

"That lustful man... causing trouble again..."

"I don't resent him. He was kind to me, and my wife, being a mortal without any cultivation potential... well, it wouldn't make sense for the Gongmyo Clan to give the clan name to an illegitimate mortal daughter..."

"I apologize on behalf of my friend for his mistake."

"No need. Thanks to Elder Gongmyo Cheon-saek, we have Cheon-saek City, and my wife and I could spend time here..."

After looking at the grave for a while, he takes out a small sapling of magnolia.

"Yeon loved magnolias. Please let this bloom."

"Certainly."

Cheongmun Ryeong plants the magnolia sapling behind the grave and connects the dragon veins of the formation to the magnolia.

"After 5 years, the dragon veins will accumulate spiritual energy, and then it will rapidly grow the magnolia. We can come back later to check on the dragon veins."

He sighs lightly and looks at Buk Hyang-hwa and me.

"Thank you all for your efforts. All that's left is to observe the formation for 5 years, solve minor issues, and conduct trial and error."

"5 years..."

Cheongmun Ryeong sighs softly.

"Even at this old age, instead of resting peacefully at the main house, I'm conducting tests on formations…"

"Haha, I apologize for that."

"No, Daoist Seo, you have nothing to be sorry for. It was our clan head's command after all."

Cheongmun Ryeong pats his back and leaves, while I briefly look at the Buk father-daughter pair and leave the grave with them.

And thus, five years passed.

In Buk Hyang-hwa's underground workshop.

In its secret chamber.

"Stay strong, Miss Buk."

"Hnngh!"

I placed my hand on Buk Hyang-hwa's back, infusing earth attribute spiritual power to support her.

"Not much longer now! With the techniques Cultivator Cheongmun and I taught you…"

Flash!

The next moment, a light bursts from her eyes, and clouds of spiritual energy billow from her mouth.

Woosh…

Possessing the roots of Earth, Wood, and Metal, Buk Hyang-hwa exhales and reabsorbs clouds of yellow, blue, and white spiritual energy.

Then, suddenly.

Rumble!

A sound like thunder seems to resound from her lower abdomen, indicating the circulation of Pure Spiritual Force within her.

For about five years, Buk Hyang-hwa had been taking spiritual elixirs provided by her father Buk Joong-ho. Additionally with the guidance of Cheongmun Ryeong, a leading authority in spiritual awakening, and my teachings, she had reached the peak of Qi Refining

Following my advice, she learned additional basic methods tailored to her spiritual roots, bringing them all to peak cultivation.

Along with her preparation and my help, she has finally reached the stage of Qi Building.

"Ah…! Pure Spiritual Force…"

She lifts her hand, showing the Pure Spiritual Force swirling around it, and lets out a small cry of joy.

"Thank you so much, Daoist Seo."

"It's nothing. It was a friend's request after all."

"Haha, Senior Cheongmun is somewhat of a friend too, isn't he? Yet, he said he wouldn't help, didn't he?"

"Well… Cultivator Cheongmun is a member of the Cheongmun Clan, so helping a non-Cheongmun cultivator with Qi Building might cause some gossip within his clan, right?"

"Hmm…"

She gives me a meaningful look, then opens the door of the secret chamber and walks out, laughing.

"Well, let's leave it at that. Now, let's visit the grave. It's time."

"…Alright."

Over the past five years, Cheongmun Ryeong, Buk Hyang-hwa, and I have grown closer.

And as I watch her walk away, I smile wryly.

Buk Hyang-hwa ascended to Qi Building, gaining an additional lifespan of 300 years. The spiritual energy accumulated in the dragon veins over five years activated the formation, rapidly growing the magnolia tree.

"Ah…"

We marvel at the purple magnolia blossoms inside Yeon's grave.

Especially Buk Joong-ho, who looks close to tears at the sight of the flourishing magnolia.

"…Thank you, Cultivator Cheongmun. Cultivator Seo. And thank you, Hyang-hwa."

"We should be thanking you for providing land rich in dragon veins."

Cheongmun Ryeong humbly accepts Buk Joong-ho's gratitude.

Unlike five years ago, the grave is now vibrant with dense spiritual energy, causing the inner grass and weeds to grow abundantly.

"There's no need to gather the formation artifacts we've spread out. We've confirmed this formation works, so we can just make more if needed."

"That's right."

"…Thank you."

Thanks to the formation designed by Cheongmun Ryeong and me, Yeon's grave will continue to be a place brimming with life.

After expressing his gratitude again, Buk Joong-ho exchanges pleasantries with us.

After the courtesies are done,

Cheongmun Ryeong looks at the formation and speaks.

"Now, I'll return to the Cheongmun Clan and prepare a place near there similar to the first floor of Serving Command Palace, with similar dragon veins and environment. I'll wait another five years and test the formation there. If it works as well as it did here, we'll finally install the formation at the actual location of Serving Command Palace."

"Please do, and thank you."

There's no need for Buk Hyang-hwa's or my help in the remaining process.

The formation artifacts are complete, and the formation is fully adjusted. What remains is Cheongmun Ryeong's test trial.

"Then, see you in five years, Daoist Seo. Now that you're at the same level, Cultivator Buk."

"Yes!"

"Understood."

Cheongmun Ryeong packs up his belongings and returns to the Cheongmun Clan.

"Aren't you leaving, Daoist Seo?"

"There's no need for further adjustment to the formation, so my presence there is unnecessary."

"So, it's just Senior Cheongmun leaving, and you're staying?"

"That seems to be the case."

"You could go somewhere else. Why insist on staying here?"

I can't find the words to respond and avoid her gaze.

She notices my reaction and gently chuckles, taking me by the arm.

"Alright. Since you're staying, for at least the next five years, you'll be in Cheon-saek City, right?"

"That seems likely."

"Then, how about we plant a new sapling in front of my mother's grave?"

"Suddenly?"

"You said you're staying, so let's commemorate that."

Unable to resist, I'm led by her to the market and somewhat bewilderingly buy a sapling.

"What kind of sapling did you get, Daoist Seo?"

"Ah... a quince tree."

I stroke the quince sapling.

My old master used to say I resembled a quince tree, so I bought it in his memory.

We each carry our saplings and enter Yeon's grave.

"Aren't you curious about the sapling I got?"

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"Haha, it's fine. My sapling is…"

She caresses a blooming magnolia flower.

"A white magnolia."

"White magnolia…"

"Just like my mother loved purple magnolias, I love white magnolias."

I feel she suits white magnolia, much like her preference for white attire.

We plant the quince and white magnolia saplings on either side of the purple magnolia tree.

The formation is aimed at the purple magnolia, so our saplings wouldn't grow rapidly but will gradually and naturally grow beside it.

"Why did you suddenly decide to plant saplings, Miss Buk?"

"I told you, didn't I?"

"That's true, but…"

I sense she has other, unspoken reasons, but can't bring myself to voice them first.

"Shall we head back?"

"...Let's do that."

We return to Cheon-saek City.

That evening, I once again sat on the walls of Cheon-saek City, facing the desert wind.

"You seem to enjoy contemplation, my friend."

Buk Joong-ho approaches me from behind, echoing a scenario similar to five years ago.

His question is similar as well.

"How is it going lately, getting closer to the young lady?"

I brush my face with one hand.

"Do you still have no feelings beyond friendship for my daughter?"

The same question as five years ago, but my answer has changed.

"...I find myself fond of the Miss."

"Hahaha, I knew it. My intuition was right."

He chuckles heartily and sits beside me.

"In fact, five years ago, you already liked my daughter."

"..."

"You were able to hide your feelings back then, but now your affection has grown too strong to conceal, hasn't it?"

He accurately guesses my inner turmoil.

I can't bring myself to remove the hand that covers my face.

Falling for someone.

He is right. Five years ago, I merely hid my feelings, but now they're too evident.

I like her, more than I can deceive myself.

"So, when will you confess to my daughter? From what I see, she won't reject you."

But.

"Sir…"

That is it.

"I have no intention of confessing to the Miss."

This love has to remain a beautiful memory.

If it becomes more than a memory, and the subject of that love vanishes beyond time,

I will surely go mad.

"Hmm…"

At my response, Buk Joong-ho gives me a puzzled look.

"Are you part of a specific religion that forbids romantic relationships?"

"No."

"Or perhaps you have a preference for men?"

"...No."

"Or maybe a special cultivation method that renders you incapable…"

"No!"

"Then why?"

He crosses his arms and asks me.

"Why are you making such efforts not to be with my daughter since five years ago?"

"..."

"Had you truly disliked my daughter, you would have left Cheon-saek City with Cultivator Cheongmun. But you stayed, knowing your own heart. Yet you insist on not being with her?"

He looks at me, unable to understand, and I resort to a shallow lie.

"...I practice a peculiar cultivation method."

I continue explaining.

"It's called the One Emotion Method. It's a method that intensifies a specific emotion to cultivate special powers. I'm using your daughter to amplify my emotions for faster cultivation. Staying here is just for advancing my cultivation…"

"You're lying."

"I do practice the One Emotion Method."

"No, no."

He looks me straight in the eyes.

"You said you use emotions for cultivation, right? If you were with my daughter, wouldn't your emotions deepen even more? Why wouldn't you choose that?"

"..."

"Wouldn't that be more beneficial for you?"

Indeed.

I practice the One Emotion Method to cultivate the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner, but the emotion I use isn't love.

Rather, it's calmness.

Every time I think of Buk Hyang-hwa and feel my heart flutter, I deliberately use calmness as the emotion for my cultivation.

But now, my affection has grown too strong, overshadowing my calmness.

"...Please give me some time."

"Hmm…"

I can't say anything more, and Buk Joong-ho looks at me with an unimpressed gaze.

"Fine. But I hope you make a decision quickly. My daughter has spent her life confined in the city, using her mother's last words as an excuse.

Her fate, as I see it, is you. Without you, she might never meet her fated and will continue to confine herself even more. I hope for a quick decision."

Buk Joong-ho descends the walls, and I close my eyes.

Days passed, and another pleasant visitor came from the west to stir my calmness.

"How have you been, Eun-hyun?"

It's Kim Young-hoon.

"Let's have a match."

Flash!

He draws his gold-bladed saber.