Bu Eunseol’s brow furrowed as he listened silently to Namgung Un’s words.
“Why do you want to travel with me?”
“There may be stronger people in the martial world than you, brother,” Namgung Un said. “But at your age, few can match your knowledge of its ways.”
Namgung Un had instantly recognized that Bu Eunseol possessed not only exceptional martial world experience but also keen insight.
“I’m living as a mercenary now,” Bu Eunseol replied.
“I know. That’s why I registered as one too. I’m saying we should travel together.” Clearing his throat, Namgung Un continued, “Of course, I don’t need a share of the reward. If you want, I could even pay you.”
Bu Eunseol shook his head firmly. “I decline.”
“Think it over. I may lack martial world experience, but I can be very useful.”
“Lacking experience is the biggest problem. Traveling with a greenhorn would hinder any task.”
At the blunt rejection, Namgung Un’s head drooped. As a proud direct descendant of the Southern Palace, when had he ever been treated so dismissively?
But Black Leopard suddenly let out an “Ah.”
“Young master, why not accept him?”
“What do you mean?”
“The Divine Maiden Palace has close ties with the Southern Palace, doesn’t it?” Bu Eunseol let out a thoughtful hum.
Many of the Divine Maiden Palace’s masters were originally from the Southern Palace. As a result, despite the palace’s reclusive nature, it maintained significant ties with the Southern Palace.
“The Divine Maiden Palace?” Namgung Un blinked at Black Leopard’s words. “Did you receive a mission to oppose them?”
“No, nothing like that,” Black Leopard said quickly. “We were tasked with retrieving an item from the Divine Maiden Palace—a pearl, they say. You can obtain it by passing a test. But how are outsiders like us supposed to enter a place rigged with all sorts of formations?”
“Oh, that’s no big deal,” Namgung Un said, grinning and pointing to himself. “My aunt is in the Divine Maiden Palace, so I’ve visited often. Getting inside is no trouble for me.” He gave a faint smile. “If you allow me to join you, I’ll pull some strings to help with this job. What do you say?”
Bu Eunseol paused to consider.
With his current martial prowess, infiltrating the Divine Maiden Palace was impossible. For the first time since entering the martial world, he faced a task that couldn’t be solved with skill or wit alone. But if Namgung Un’s connections could resolve it, it wouldn’t be a bad deal.
“Fine,” Bu Eunseol said, nodding after a moment. “But only while I’m working as a mercenary for the Red Sky Veil.”
“Great!” Namgung Un said, smiling broadly. “By the way, I still don’t know your name, brother.”
“Seolso.”
Namgung Un grinned. “A pleasure to work with you, Seolso.”
***
The Divine Maiden Palace.
Located in Wushan, Hubei Province, it was often called the Wushan Divine Maiden Palace. Historically a sect exclusively for women, it had recently begun interacting with various righteous sects, particularly the Southern Palace, as many of its key figures were former Southern Palace members.
“I, Namgung Un, greet the Master of the Flower-Dissolving Hall,” Namgung Un said, bowing deeply inside the Flower-Dissolving Hall of the Divine Maiden Palace.
Namgung Sea, the Hall Master, smiled and shook her head. “I heard you were journeying through the martial world.”
Namgung Un had been a troublemaker since childhood, causing such chaos in the Southern Palace that he’d been disciplined harshly by the clan’s chief. Now, seeing him grown into a fine young man visiting the Divine Maiden Palace, Namgung Sea felt a wave of nostalgia.
“So, what brings you here? And who are they?”
“These are friends I made in the martial world, mercenaries of the Red Sky Veil. This is Seolso, and his attendant.”
“Mercenaries? Why are they here?”
“Well…” Namgung Un began to explain.
Namgung Sea’s brow furrowed slightly. Bringing men to the women-only Divine Maiden Palace to obtain a treasure?
Suppressing her irritation, she said, “We cannot give the palace’s treasures to outsiders.”
“I heard you can obtain a pearl by passing a test,” Namgung Un said.
“A test? You mean… the Divine Origin Pearl?”
Namgung Sea’s expression turned peculiar, as if she’d found a foreign object in her rice bowl. Unaware of her reaction, Namgung Un clapped his hands. “Exactly! If you give them a chance to take the test, they’d be deeply grateful.”
Namgung Sea studied Bu Eunseol and Black Leopard, then shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“What?”
“They’re too ordinary.”
“No, they’re not,” Namgung Un countered. “This man recently took down Wang Jeong, who terrorized the Buljeong Mountain area.”
Namgung Sea responded with an odd remark. “I’m not talking about martial skill…” Muttering something, she shook her head. “Regardless, it’s not possible.”
“Aunt,” Namgung Un said, clasping his hands and pleading. “To be honest, Seolso saved my life.”
“Your life?”
“Yes. I came here with him to repay that debt.”
“Hmm.” Namgung Sea sighed. As a hall master of the Divine Maiden Palace and a proud member of the Southern Palace, she couldn’t ignore her nephew’s life debt.
“Hm,” she said, staring at Bu Eunseol. “How old are you?”
“Twenty-three.”
“Are you married?”
“Not yet.”
“Hmm.” Namgung Sea nodded, studying Bu Eunseol’s disguised appearance. “Fine. I’ll make a request on your behalf.”
“Thank you, Aunt!” Namgung Un exclaimed.
“No need to thank me,” Namgung Sea said, sighing and shaking her head. “The test isn’t easy. You could lose your life.”
“That’s fine,” Bu Eunseol said calmly.
Namgung Sea nodded. “Then let’s go.”
Guided by Namgung Sea, the group entered the Silver Mystery Palace, where the Young Palace Master resided. The area featured a beautifully decorated garden and a unique, teardrop-shaped building.
Inside, a spacious hall led to a large door covered with a beaded curtain.
“Wait here,” a maid said, going inside to announce their arrival, suggesting the Young Palace Master received guests here.
“Hmm. This doesn’t feel right,” Namgung Sea muttered, glancing at Bu Eunseol. “I don’t know your background, but there’s no need to risk your life for vain ambition.”
“What are you talking about?” Bu Eunseol asked.
“Many talented individuals have tried to obtain the Divine Origin Pearl in the past. Most lost their lives.”
“Aunt,” Namgung Un interjected, stepping forward. “How about I try the test first?”
“What are you saying?”
“I owe Seolso a debt. If I pass the test and obtain the Divine Origin Pearl, I can repay him.”
Namgung Sea’s face hardened. “You absolutely cannot.”
“What?”
“It’s not just about skill. Obtaining the Divine Origin Pearl involves…”
A rustling sound came as a faint figure appeared behind the curtain—the Young Palace Master taking her seat.
“Young Palace Master,” Namgung Sea greeted lightly.
A soft voice came from behind the curtain. “What brings you here so suddenly, Master of the Flower-Dissolving Hall?”
Namgung Un and Black Leopard’s faces flushed slightly. The voice was sweet and gentle, like lips whispering against an earlobe.
“Who are they?” the Young Palace Master asked.
“My nephew and his friends. They wish to obtain the Divine Origin Pearl.”
The Young Palace Master spoke softly. “There are still those who remember that promise?”
“It seems so,” Namgung Sea replied, turning to Bu Eunseol with a subtle tone. “Step forward to the curtain.”
As Bu Eunseol approached, Namgung Un hurriedly followed. “Wait! I want to try too!”
“You!” Namgung Sea scolded with a stern look.
“Please, Aunt,” Namgung Un said, his voice meek.
“Un, you…” Namgung Sea wanted to slap him but restrained herself in the Young Palace Master’s presence. “Stay back and be quiet.”
Known as a fiery martial artist since childhood, Namgung Sea’s glare forced Namgung Un to retreat.
“Is it acceptable to give him a chance to obtain the Divine Origin Pearl?” Namgung Sea asked.
An unexpected reply came from behind the curtain. “Please don’t. It’s an impossible test.” For reasons unclear, the Young Palace Master’s voice carried resignation and regret. “Countless talents have tried and failed. I don’t want them to get hurt over something pointless.”
“Understood,” Namgung Sea said, nodding with a regretful expression.
“There’s no such thing as impossible,” Bu Eunseol declared, stepping forward confidently. “Give me the chance. I’ll pass.”
“Do you know what the test entails?” the Young Palace Master asked.
“No.”
“Then I’ll tell you. You must break through the Twenty-Four Heavenly General Formations, personally set by the Palace Master in the Purple Mist Cave.”
The Divine Maiden Palace was renowned for its mysterious formations. Though Bu Eunseol hadn’t heard of this specific one, if the Palace Master herself had set it, it was undoubtedly intricate and difficult.
“The Twenty-Four Heavenly General Formations consist of twenty-four of our finest formations, layered together, including a bewildering array that probes the mind,” the Young Palace Master said with a sigh. “Even someone skilled in martial arts or formations cannot break it alone. At best, you’d face illusions; at worst, you could fall into qi deviation.”
She paused, then continued, “I strongly advise against it. Please reconsider.”
“Give me the chance,” Bu Eunseol insisted.
“Even if it costs your life?”
“Yes.”
At Bu Eunseol’s resolute words, the Young Palace Master said softly, “If you desire it so strongly… Master of the Flower-Dissolving Hall, you may grant him the opportunity.”
“Understood.” Namgung Un, his reckless streak flaring, stepped forward, avoiding Namgung Sea’s gaze. “Young Palace Master, may I also have a chance?”
“You too?” she asked.
Namgung Sea’s eyes sharpened. “Un, I told you no!”
Unfazed, Namgung Un grinned. “You won’t know until you try, right?” He squared his shoulders confidently. “I’m journeying through the martial world. If I shy away from Tanger, I’ll never become a proud member of my clan.”
“Hmm,” Namgung Sea groaned, realizing it was a mistake to bring her wayward nephew here.
“Very well,” the Young Palace Master said calmly. “If you both wish it, go ahead and try.”
“Thank you!” Namgung Un exclaimed.
Namgung Sea bowed reluctantly. “Then we’ll head to the underground cave.”
“Wait,” the Young Palace Master said, slowly rising from behind the curtain. “I’ll come with you.”
“You, Young Palace Master?” Namgung Sea asked.
“With outsiders and the hall master’s nephew taking the test, how can I just watch?”
“Thank you for your care,” Namgung Sea said, visibly moved.
Bu Eunseol, Black Leopard, and Namgung Un exchanged puzzled glances. Is observing the test worth such gratitude?
As if reading their thoughts, Namgung Sea said quietly, “If the Young Palace Master observes, she can stop the formations midway. That way, you won’t lose your lives.”
“Oh, that’s a relief,” Namgung Un said, grinning.
Rustle.
The curtain parted, and a woman in snow-white robes stepped forward, flanked by two maids. Her face was veiled with fine silk, obscuring her features, but her large, clear eyes, tinged with a faint blue, radiated extreme beauty.
With just a pair of eyes, she seemed to embody all the world’s elegance.
Idk but this obscuring beauty cliche is really old