Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Yuseon Taoist (1)
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Before meeting the Yuseon Taoist, I gathered the two of them in the lodging and talked. I said I'd reveal one of my secrets.
It took a long time. Seo Yul-hye and I already had some trust built up between us, but with Seo Miryeo, we'd only known each other a short while, so I agonized for ages over whether to trust her or not.
I knew her secret too, and after seeing how she acted that evening, I decided to believe her—but it was no easy choice.
If word got out about a freak who could change his appearance at will, everyone I met from then on would look at me with suspicion first, right?
The whole fun of Santa is not knowing who it is.
Once you realize it's your parents in disguise, sure, you're grateful, but that initial thrill is gone.
Anyway, now that I'd built up a decent level of trust with both Seo Yul-hye and Seo Miryeo, I donned a white mask and overlaid a preset onto my body.
At once, my skin began to dye purple...
Hold on.
Not this one.
I hurriedly selected the preset again. This time, I double-checked. The pricey cash item I'd bought—probably enchanted with some powerful spell here—spread light that concealed my transformation. It felt like I had to yell "transform!" and battle a giant monster. After about thirty seconds, I'd become an arrogant-looking young noble, like some lofty celestial official from the heavens.
The facial change wasn't drastic. My base look was already handsome, so I'd just tweaked the skin and complexion to make myself seem overall younger.
Like my prime, peak-era self.
The standout features? Snow-white, flowing long hair and eyes that gleamed like polished gold.
Honestly, I hadn't put much thought into the mindset when creating this one.
A little part of me wanted to look cool for the other players.
To put it bluntly, this preset was made for showing off.
The mindset was rough around the edges, but the specs were solid—I always topped the damage charts in raids. Made purely to flex.
Overall ranking was, what, 12th or 13th? Decent fighter, great control; I even got some named-player status.
Ah, those sweet memories of glory days.
"...Insane."
The instant my form shifted, Seo Miryeo gaped wide-eyed and rushed right up to me. Her face screamed disbelief. A faint blush colored her cheeks.
"The handsomest guy I've ever seen... What is this? Is this what you looked like when you were young?"
"So this is what you looked like back in the day."
Seo Yul-hye, on the other hand, barely reacted. This was a face I'd crafted, handsome to the point of annoyance, but she just took it in stride.
She even leaned in close, inspecting me from every angle, then whispered right in my ear.
"Still, I like the current you better, old man."
...What an outrageously devoted old-man fangirl. Her tastes were rock-solid stubborn.
If my default "handsome uncle" vibe was anything to go by, this face could've launched a movie career, smashed ten million tickets, and jetted off to Hollywood.
A pointless shiver ran down my spine, so I pulled out the wing robe.
Time to change the subject.
True to its cash-item pedigree, the robe flowed with an ethereal, divine aura. The two of them eyed it curiously.
I eyed them up, picturing how it'd look on each, then spoke.
"From here on, I'll explain the plan in detail."
The Yuseon Taoist's petite frame floated up lightly, drifting along like a fish through water. It felt like swimming amid clouds brimming with stars. These fairies were powerful. Small as she was, she moved light as a feather on the wind.
Was the situation unfolding too abruptly? The Yuseon Taoist even momentarily forgot she needed to fetch medicine for her master right away, just surrendering to the floaty sensation.
She'd lived well over a century, but she'd spent most of it glued to a tree in meditation. This was far too stimulating an experience.
When would she ever get to be led by a beautiful hand through the skies?
Before long, they arrived in some space.
The floor gleamed pure white.
In the center, stairs led up to a chair shrouded at the end by lingering mist—no telling if someone sat there. But it was grand and ornate enough to deserve the term "jade throne." The vibe screamed "high heavenly lord resides here."
Yet the ceiling and walls were just ordinary cave interior. The moment suspicion flickered...
Thud.
The black-and-white fairies who'd guided her ascended the stairs, and the mist parted like a spring breeze.
The instant she beheld it, she knew.
'A... a real immortal...'
Crown atop his head, resplendent immortal robes, a face radiating equal parts arrogance and ennui.
All those were mere trivial details, woefully inadequate to capture the Celestial Lord's essence.
As a tree folk, she could sense it. Beyond this unknown space, the entire natural world resonated with his every gesture.
Like watching mountains and seas rise and walk of their own accord. An endless, colossal power that stole her breath away.
The Yuseon Taoist slammed her forehead to the floor in haste, her tiny shoulders trembling violently.
"H-Hello...!"
...She bit her tongue. Felt like crying.
Then a question bubbled up.
But why had the Celestial Lord summoned her? What business could he have with a half-baked nobody like me?
No. Not the time for that. Even as terror made her legs quake, her master's frail, ailing face surfaced in her mind—that pitiful flicker, like a candle in the wind.
This was an opportunity.
Whatever the reason he'd called her, she'd give it her all.
Then she'd weep and beg. Her master was gravely ill. He'd devoted his life to good deeds—please let him live just a bit longer. Heaven had surely seen his virtue; he'd understand.
But the Celestial Lord's words dashed all that.
"Taoist."
He called to her.
"Do you not resent your unchanging self?"
Her heart lurched.
"......"
It was bizarre. Those words alone brought tears unbidden.
Drip. Drip.
Head bowed, perhaps.
Teardrops welled in the Yuseon Taoist's eyes and fell unchecked.
She curled into herself to hide the stains.
...Truth be told, "Yuseon Taoist" was something of a slur.
Tree folk growth was... unique.
They needed only nature's qi to mature and grow strong. No dantian, like a martial artist ought to have. Naturally, they couldn't cultivate inner arts either.
So no matter how they trained with sword, spear, or fist, they never rose above third-rate.
For tree folk, true growth meant clinging to a tree or waterfall, absorbing the emitted natural qi.
Do that for a millennium, and you'd become a master naturally, or so they said.
Thus, the Yuseon Taoist always lived plastered to a plum tree.
Like a cicada.
When she first joined the Huashan Sect, she had friends, seniors, juniors. But after decades, most ignored or resented her. Just because she didn't age like them. Then they died. Those resentful voices faded to silence.
Never once touring the jianghu with them, never entrusting her back to a comrade—that lingered as regret.
Loathing her frailty, she'd trained every weapon under the sun for ages, yet never earned titles like sword master, spear master, or fist master.
Just "Yuseon"—for outliving them all—"with Taoist" tacked on, since she'd mastered longevity arts. A mocking moniker dripping with scorn and envy.
You can only live long; you're good for nothing else.
"I..."
There were times she'd wanted to die. Plenty when she'd considered fleeing to the western reaches. Why couldn't she resemble the things she loved? Her throat tightened then.
"Here is your chance."
One of the black-clad fairies flanking the Celestial Lord drew something from her bosom.
In an instant, the space filled with warm light; the Yuseon Taoist's golden hair bloomed brilliantly. Her large, clear eyes quivered in awe.
The legendary elixir, said to be sunlight solidified. A Transformation Pill. It lay right there in her palm.
Yet...
"Choose."
The Celestial Lord's voice was firm, merciless. His downcast gaze—forcing the choice from on high—compelled her.
And with it, the sweetest temptation.
"This is for you. Even for tree folk, centuries are no trifle. Consume it now, leap beyond those years, become the form you desire. No more days wasted clinging to trees, no more scorn from your sectmates. If you wish, roam this vast jianghu your whole life. I'll grant every possibility."
"......"
"Choose, Taoist. A fleeting extension of life... or centuries of joy. Which is right?"
For a moment, she gazed at her small, pale hand—then clenched it into a fist, resolute. No lengthy deliberation. That's how she'd been taught.
"I couldn't inherit martial arts due to my failings, but my master's will endures within me. He never hesitated to save lives, so how can I, his disciple? Celestial Lord, grant me leave to bestow this grace upon him."
And the Celestial Lord smiled.
"The correct answer."
From the other fairy's hand, a second Transformation Pill rose, bright as the breaking dawn.