The Men-Prohibited Zone (4)
"Hold on! We'll test it for poison first."
I'd offered the bowl to Seol Ye-rin with flair, but her nanny stepped forward and snatched the silver needle instead. Just to check if there was any toxin lurking within.
Come on, that's a bit much—not trusting people like that.
I felt a twinge of offense at first, but then I reconsidered. In their shoes, I'd do the same.
Swish!
The nanny ran the test several times, found no anomalies, and nodded. At last, the soup I'd brewed from grinding my very soul reached Seol Ye-rin.
"I trust this handsome big brother!"
In the midst of my lingering grievance, her innocent smile and faith melted it all away. Even though she'd been a headache, I felt relieved that saving her had been the right call.
I nodded with a satisfied grin at her trust, urging her to drink up.
Gulp, gulp!
And wouldn't you know it—Seol Ye-rin downed the medicinal broth without hesitation. She'd braced for the usual bitterness of her past remedies, but no such luck.
"Huh? It's not bitter at all!"
She drank it down like a champ, finishing it in one go—not quite a shot, but close enough. And she smiled, calling it delicious instead of bitter.
Of course it's sweet. Moon Spirit Grass coexists with Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng, absorbing its essence.
Having tasted the ginseng myself, it was only natural that the Moon Spirit Grass, sharing its energy, wouldn't be bitter.
Seol Ye-rin's surprise was fleeting. The real shock—and awe—was just beginning.
Whoosh!
No sooner had she consumed the broth infused with three roots of Moon Spirit Grass than a reaction stirred. Her pallid skin, utterly bloodless, began to change first.
The Taiyin Absolute Pulse was an incurable affliction that froze the body in extreme cold, its hallmark a ghostly white complexion. That eerie pallor flushed with color in an instant.
And that was just the start.
"Sweat... I'm sweating, Palace Lord."
She was astonished by something she'd never experienced in her life: perspiration. Even adults struggled against that chill; for Seol Ye-rin, sweating was uncharted territory.
Blood returning to her cheeks and sweat beading on her brow meant one thing.
Ooooooh!
The Moon Women Palace disciples erupted in cheers at their little palace lord's miraculous transformation. Anyone could see this was perfect healing—a stellar sign.
But the wonders kept coming. The icy marks on her skin, like frozen blood blossoms symbolizing the Taiyin Absolute Pulse, vanished as if washed away.
"Oh my!"
Even Seol Ye-rin herself sensed the change and beamed with joy, covering her mouth with her tiny, adorable hands. I swelled with pride.
"Physician! Summon the physician!"
Seol Jo-yeong, the Moon Women Palace Lord, was so stunned she forgot her dignity, calling for the palace doctor. A thorough examination and pulse diagnosis confirmed it.
"Cured! She's completely cured, Palace Lord!"
The physician gaped in shock before declaring full recovery.
Of course she is. It's a prescription from Chiwu Gaoyi, the world's greatest physician.
Failing to cure her would've been the real surprise. Thrilled that events unfolded as planned, I clenched my fist in triumph.
The palace folk, who'd eyed me with suspicion before, now gazed like I was a god of medicine. Hilarious.
"Ooh, ooooh. Ye-rin, my dear—are you truly alright?"
Seol Jo-yeong shed hot tears, casting aside her poise as the enigmatic Moon Women Palace Lord. Motherly love in its purest form.
"Yes, Palace Lord. I don't feel cold or suffocated anymore."
Seol Ye-rin flashed a radiant smile, her health better than ever. I grinned back, glad I'd altered the future.
"You're Cheon Myeong of Cheonmu Academy, right?"
Seol Jo-yeong, looking less like a mother and more like a legend even in tears, called for me in a voice brimming with joy.
"Yes."
I bowed politely before the palace lord, hands clasped in respect.
"You trespassed into our men-prohibited domain without permission, which merits strict punishment. But since it was all to save our Ye-rin, we'll show leniency. Moreover..."
Snap!
She flicked her fingers, signaling her subordinates. Moonlit Ice Sword Seol Jo-yeong's reward was upon us.
"You're no longer an outsider to our Moon Women Palace. Thus, I grant you this honorary disciple medallion."
Incredibly, she bestowed the Moon Women Medallion, symbolizing affiliation with the palace. No mere wooden plaque—this was a divine artifact proving I belonged.
Before, I was just a nameless servant at Cheonmu Academy. Now? Different story.
It means the Moon Women Palace backs me—a true disciple of a major sect.
The Moon Women Palace was secretive and insular, with ironclad bonds among its own. An outsider like me breaking in was near impossible, so honorary status was huge.
"Cheon Myeong, you're one of us now. If there's a martial art you desire, we'll arrange for you to learn it."
The rewards didn't stop. Seol Jo-yeong's generosity knew no bounds. Saving her dying daughter—the little palace lord—earned not just nominal status, but real perks: access to their arts.
"No way!"
I couldn't hide my shock at the offer, blurting it out loud.
The Moon Women Palace arts were advanced and elusive, underrated next to the Nine Great Sects or Five Great Families.
Perfect timing—I'd been eyeing one.
Ecstatic but composed, I bowed.
"No, it's too much."
"Nonsense. As a mother and palace lord, this is my gratitude. Don't refuse."
How could I say no now?
"Very well, then..."
I bowed deeply and named the pinnacle technique lauded throughout the Moon Women Palace.
"May I learn the Moon Palace Finger?"
It was one of their five supreme arts: Moon Palace Finger. Legend said it came from moon palace dwellers—subtle, razor-sharp, one of the Three Great Finger Arts of the martial world.
No wonder they say the palace excels in three things: swordsmanship, finger arts, and their women's beauty.
Not a swordsman, I fit perfectly with finger arts. As a fist and kick master using my whole body, nothing suited better.
"Moon Palace Finger... You've got an eye for quality."
Impressed by my discernment, Seol Jo-yeong graciously approved.
"Very well. I'll provide the incantation and basics—master them all before you go."
"Thank you!"
Astounded by her magnanimity, I bowed deeply. Saving the doomed Moon Women Sword Fairy Seol Ye-rin had secured the palace as allies. Plus, uprooting the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng that doomed them severed catastrophe's seed. One stone, three birds.
Peak Entry to Divinity is joy enough, but snagging one of the world's top finger arts too!
What grander vacation? Satisfied, I focused on mastering Moon Palace Finger during my short stay.
Luckily, it synergized perfectly. The ginseng's chill energy matched the art's cold-attribute foundation—ideal harmony.
"Incredible. I've never seen anyone pick up Moon Palace Finger this fast!"
Even Seol Ye-rin's nanny, who'd eyed me warily, praised my talent.
In two days, I'd grasped the basics, thanks to the ginseng and my marrow-cleansing rebirth.
Time to go.
After two days, with vacation ending, I announced my descent from Geum Mountain.
"Big brother Cheon Myeong, are you leaving?"
Seol Ye-rin approached, her big, clear eyes brimming with tears.
"Not forever—just stepping away for now. We'll meet again, so no tears."
I soothed her, stroking her soft silver hair. No longer an outsider, I could speak casually to the little palace lord. Her protector, perhaps?
"Cheon Myeong, come back anytime you're adrift. You're always welcome."
Seol Jo-yeong watched with regret, as did the nanny and other experts—a far cry from our first meeting.
"Thank you. I'll return."
With lingering goodbyes, I descended Geum Mountain and raced to Cheonmu Academy in Hebei.
Whoosh!
A journey that once took days now took under three. Proof of my growth.
"Huh? Cheon Myeong?"
Returning for vacation's end, showing my medallion at the gate, I bumped into another returnee: Little Dragon Blade Peng Jincheon, arms full of gifts.
"Long time no see?"
Reuniting with my closest friend thrilled me—especially since most gifts were mine.
"Cheon Myeong... what happened while you were gone?"
But Peng Jincheon's reaction was odd. He scanned my face, then my whole body, speaking as if I'd become a stranger.
"Huh? Why?"
"Your face is brighter. And your energy... deeper, more refined?"
Sharp as ever, he'd instinctively sensed my marrow cleansing.
"Yeah, a lot went down."
I couldn't spill everything but didn't want to lie. Smiling, I admitted it.
"Impressive. Upper class promotion exam's coming up."
His words reminded me of the test. Before, I'd have fretted; now? Piece of cake. Peak Entry to Divinity plus Moon Palace Finger made academy trials trivial.
"Gotta keep pushing forward."
I clapped his shoulder. For him, for me—this academy was too small a stage.