Chapter 204: Three Blue Flowers (1)
Chapter 203 – Three Blue Flowers (1)
While Tang Go-ryun nodded, Jo Geom-myeong narrowed his eyes and asked.
“Then, how did Young Hyup Namgung know about that unorthodox artist disguised as a server?”
In an instant, the clan leaders flinched and looked back at Namgung Cheon.
The Alliance Leader also narrowed his eyes, waiting for Namgung Cheon’s reply.
Had Namgung Cheon not clearly pretended to know that server first?
As the atmosphere flowed strangely, Namgung Pyo stepped forward slightly.
“It seems Clan Leader Jo is rebuking him somehow. If the Young Patriarch of our clan had not pointed out that server, it would have been truly dangerous.”
Although they had once been in conflict, were they not of the same kind, and is blood not thicker than water?
Moreover, Namgung Pyo had realized something after hearing Namgung Cheon’s statement this time.
When Namgung Pyo spoke relatively correct words, Jo Geom-myeong replied with a smirk.
“Of course, I think it is fortunate that we were able to escape a great crisis thanks to Young Hyup Namgung. However, it is also a point we must clarify. Young Hyup Namgung, I ask you again. Were you already acquainted with them?”
Namgung Cheon stared blankly at Jo Geom-myeong.
Was he acquainted?
Of course he was.
But in a situation where it was obvious what Jo Geom-myeong was aiming for, there was absolutely no need to say such a thing.
“We are completely strangers.”
“What? Then why did you point them out and call them over?”
“Isn’t it obvious if you just look?”
“Huh? What is?”
“While carrying food, their eyes kept watching us. They acted more leisurely than necessary. Usually, servers are afraid of martial artists, so they try to carry food and withdraw as quickly as possible. However, they were excessively relaxed. In addition, that attentiveness in observing each martial artist… I just thought they must have some ulterior motive.”
“So that is why you called that server?”
Tang Go-ryun asked with inward admiration.
Namgung Cheon nodded calmly.
“Yes, because it was strange, unlike the other servers.”
“Truly impressive. Impressive.”
Tang Go-ryun admired sincerely.
Actually, under normal circumstances, it would be nothing particularly grand.
Since it was like a habit of sorts for a martial artist to observe others closely.
However, unlike normal times, Namgung Cheon was in the middle of a duel.
To think he paid attention even to the server carrying food when concentrating all his nerves on his opponent in the duel was barely enough?
And yet, he did not fall behind at all.
On the contrary, did Yue Hu not look even more impatient?
Furthermore, even the other clan leaders did not care about the server’s actions because they were focusing on the duel of the two men.
Paying this much attention to the surroundings would be impossible unless one was a person who spent their entire life running away.
‘Yet, is he not barely twenty? He is truly a genius. There is no doubt he is a Hidden Dragon.’
Tang Go-ryun tucked away his thoughts and quietly nodded.
“At any rate, it seems you think they have a mastermind, and that mastermind must have built up a considerable force.”
“That is correct.”
Meanwhile, Alliance Leader Mok Cheon-ak also quietly kept his mouth shut and stared blankly at Namgung Cheon.
He was certainly clever.
He might well have been out of his mind after passing through an immense crisis by now, but he was coolly analyzing this entire situation.
The clan leaders still had excited expressions, but only Namgung Cheon was unchanged.
He was like a person living a peaceful daily life. No, it was to the extent that overcoming such a crisis appeared to be a daily routine that always occurred.
Just what kind of life did he live to become like that?
Was the stigma of being the child of the Great Killing Star such a perilous life?
If not, was he perhaps a born genius in every aspect?
‘As expected, I do not like him.’
Mok Cheon-ak slowly opened his mouth.
“Namgung Cheon’s words are not wrong. The Heavenly Brain Hall accepts that they have solidified their cohesion to a considerable degree.”
“To think…”
Jo Geom-myeong trailed off with an expression of not wanting to admit it.
Behind that reaction was his mind rejecting Namgung Cheon, but it was also because he knew well how terrifying it would be if unorthodox people united.
If the unorthodox people, who revered only absolute strength, united tightly, they would become an opponent no less trickier than the Demonic Cult.
Then it would also be the end of the era of peaceful times.
Murong Hwan threw a question with his usual cold expression.
“Then, how far have their movements been grasped?”
“Currently, I have heard reports that there are movements in the northeast and southwest.”
“If it is the northeast and southwest…”
“It is Hebei and Yunnan.”
“Hebei and Yunnan!”
“Heh, my goodness!”
The clan leaders repeatedly burst into groans and shook their heads.
And indeed, were they not in completely opposite directions from each other?
If it was Hebei, it could be seen as the northeast end of the Central Plains, and if it was Yunnan, it could be seen as the southwest end.
“If such signals came out simultaneously from two completely separated places, they might indeed be moving systematically.”
“Indeed.”
“Then is there no possibility of making a sound in the east and striking in the west?”
In short, it was a question of whether it was a trick of shouting in the east and striking in the west. In that case, only one of the two would be the truly critical place.
“There might be such a possibility.”
“Then we must distinguish which of the two is the real one. Of course, both could be real.”
“Since the Red Wave Corps and the Blue Wave Corps happened to be performing missions near Yunnan, I dispatched them there. Hebei has currently prepared for the Paeng Clan to face them.”
“The Seven Great Clans are ready to help the Alliance at any time. If you need strength, do not hesitate to speak. We will help the Alliance Leader with all our might.”
“We will help the Alliance Leader with all our might!”
The clan leaders simultaneously cupped their fists and repeated.
The Alliance Leader lightly stroked his beard and nodded.
“Thank you. Hearing that you think so gives me strength. At any rate, I came to inform you all of this matter and discuss countermeasures today.”
“It is naturally a matter to gather strength. This is not a problem of the Martial Alliance, but a matter of Jianghu peace.”
“Thank you.”
Alliance Leader Mok Cheon-ak nodded and continued his words on the detailed matters.
* * *
After the Seven Great Clans Conference ended safely at the Yellow Crane Tower, all the Namgung Clan members gathered at Namgung Pyo’s manor. Namgung Seol-hui had also arrived after receiving contact, and her eyes widened as if tearing when she heard the story of the Demonic Pill Valley.
“Elixirs from the Demonic Pill Valley? Did the Young Patriarch truly obtain them?”
“Yes.”
Even at Namgung Geom’s reply, Namgung Seol-hui wore an unbelievable expression.
‘Just what on earth is that child…’
Even for surprising a person, there was a limit.
He had surprised them by taking his own life, then resurrected out of nowhere to stun them out of their wits, and not only did he win the Joint Conference and occupy the position of Young Patriarch, but now even elixirs from the Demonic Pill Valley?
Just what kind of destiny was he born with to be like this?
At least, the saving grace was that the recent surprises all brought positive influences to the family.
“That is also why I called you. First, we plan to relocate all the elixirs to our clan, but we intend to consume one each here.”
“Ah…”
Elixirs.
How long has it been since they even smelled the fragrance of an elixir?
Since the decline of the family, it had been a long time since they saw an elixir.
Although she was already of an advanced age, if she could reach a slightly higher realm as a martial artist, what would she not covet?
Particularly, when her path was blocked and she wandered during closed-door training last year, she truly felt she would have no regrets if she could even smell Shaolin’s Lesser Returning Pill.
‘So that is why my brother had us gather in the training room.’
Initially, when called to the training room, she thought he was either going to lecture on internal energy cultivation methods or demonstrate a newly mastered internal energy method.
Yet, to think there were such circumstances.
“Everyone, take it.”
Namgung Geom set a small wooden box on the floor and pushed it gently.
The wooden boxes slid smoothly right in front of the people sitting in a circle.
Namgung Seol-hui, Namgung Pyo, Namgung Hyo, and Namgung Hwa.
Finally, one wooden box was allocated to Namgung Cheon as well.
Namgung Seol-hui swallowed hard and opened the wooden box.
Click.
In an instant, a pure fragrance filled the room.
As all six wooden boxes including Namgung Geom’s were opened, the fragrance alone cleared their minds and naturally lifted their spirits.
“Ah…”
Each of them let out low exclamations.
They could tell at a glance that these were no ordinary elixirs.
Namgung Geom let out a heavy voice.
“It is the Great Returning Pill. Shaolin’s pills possess good compatibility with our clan’s internal energy cultivation methods, so they will be of great help.”
“Thank you, Patriarch.”
When they opened their mouths in turn to express gratitude, Namgung Geom shook his head with a bitter smile.
“Direct your thanks to the Young Patriarch, not me.”
“…!”
Everyone hesitated and looked back and forth between Namgung Geom and Namgung Cheon.
Although it seemed like nothing major, looking at the current atmosphere, Namgung Geom appeared to completely recognize Namgung Cheon as the next clan leader.
The first to express it without hesitation was none other than Namgung Hyo.
“Young Patriarch! Thank you.”
His gaze looking at Namgung Cheon seemed to drip with honey. Namgung Cheon replied with a grin.
“Don’t mention it.”
“Thank you, Young Patriarch.”
“I shall consume it well.”
The others also expressed sincere thanks to Namgung Cheon in turn. Namgung Hwa did not utter the words aloud, but simply stared at Namgung Cheon with eyes full of emotion.
Namgung Geom continued after a brief pause.
“As everyone knows, the timing is bad. First, we shall consume the elixirs here, and then move the rest to our clan. We shall leave a portion behind to use for our clan’s elixir manufacturing research.”
“Understood, Patriarch.”
While everyone answered, Namgung Cheon stepped forward cautiously.
“I shall remain here to fill the rest of my observation period.”
“Do so.”
“And if you do not mind, I shall consume it separately.”
Namgung Geom frowned slightly.
And indeed, it was because if something went wrong while digesting the elixir alone, there would be no one to help him.
Because an elixir with powerful energy like the Great Returning Pill could run the risk of side effects.
However, Namgung Geom soon nodded and accepted.
Was it not time to send faith and trust rather than worry and anxiety now?
Just like at the Yellow Crane Tower today.
“Do so.”
“Thank you.”
Namgung Cheon bowed politely and stood up from his seat.
* * *
Returning to his room, Namgung Cheon sat cross-legged on the bed.
His insistence on consuming the elixir alone had no other reason than that it was more comfortable to circulate qi in a space with no one else around.
Since it was a habit solidified over dozens of years since his past life, what could he do?
‘Then shall we begin?’
For Namgung Cheon as well, an elixir that was hard to obtain like the Great Returning Pill was indeed a long time coming.
After taking a deep breath, he opened the lid of the wooden box, took out the pill harboring a pure fragrance, and popped it into his mouth. And he pushed the pill beneath his tongue for rapid absorption.
Sleeee.
A feeling of melting in the mouth must be what they say about this.
The round pill melted and disappeared like a lie. Simultaneously, he began to circulate energy.
The Azure Emerald Art.
If Namgung Cheon could have seen his own body through the First Sight Skill-Breaking Eyes, he would have witnessed blue streams of light rising from his dantian.
However, he was currently in a state of selflessness.
Namgung Cheon became a beam of light himself.
He became a blue, blue light and became one with the world.
Huuuuung!
As a warm breeze blew out from Namgung Cheon’s entire body, his long robes swelled greatly.
However, Namgung Cheon did not realize it himself.
Just as the phenomenon of floating in the air occurred when someone who reached a high realm circulated internal energy methods, Namgung Cheon’s body also began to grow lighter little by little.
Before long, Namgung Cheon forgot himself and simply became one with the air. He accepted even the surrounding noise as the flow of air, so it did not bother him at all.
The hems of his long robes billowed continuously, appearing to dance in the air. Even his hair rose strand by strand, as if weight had disappeared.
The essence of the lower dantian and the qi of the middle dantian gathered at the Yintang acupoint. The energy gathered at the Yintang acupoint soon mingled with the spirit of the upper dantian, and then rushed toward the heavenly palace.
And how many times did it repeat circulating along the Conception and Governing Vessels again?
Sarararara…
In an instant, Namgung Cheon felt his mind grow cool. A feeling of the essence, qi, and spirit becoming one, discharging through the crown of his head, and simultaneously accepting heavenly qi.
Above Namgung Cheon’s head, the azure of the sky unfolded.
Just then, the door opened, and Son U-gon entered with a highly excited expression.
“Young Patriarch! Lord! Did you really give us as well… Ugh!”
Son U-gon, who was pouring out his words, fell flat on his buttocks on the spot and looked up at Namgung Cheon.
On the crown of Namgung Cheon’s head, which floated slightly above the bed, three blue flowers were blooming gorgeously.
A sight that was perfectly described as wondrous.
Son U-gon raised a trembling finger to point.
“Th-Three Flowers Gatherings at The Crown…!”