Chapter 109
Bu Eun-seol, who had been silently listening to Namgung Un's words, furrowed his brow.
"Why do you wish to travel with me?"
"There may be those stronger than you in the martial world. But few your age would be as well-versed in martial affairs as you are."
Namgung Un had instantly discerned that Bu Eun-seol possessed not only outstanding experience in the martial world but also exceptional insight.
"I'm currently living as a wandering martial artist."
"I know. That's why I registered as one too. I'm suggesting we travel together."
After clearing his throat, he continued.
"Of course, even if we travel together, I won't take a share of the money. If anything, I can even provide funds if needed."
Bu Eun-seol firmly shook his head.
"I must decline."
"Won't you reconsider? Though I lack experience in the martial world, I can be quite helpful."
"That lack of experience is precisely the problem. Having a fledgling tagging along would only hinder whatever work I take on."
At the blunt refusal, Namgung Un lowered his head.
When had he, a proud direct descendant of the Namgung Family, ever been treated so dismissively?
Then, Heuk-pyo suddenly let out an "Ah!"
"Young Master. What if you accepted him?"
"What do you mean?"
"Doesn't the Divine Maiden Palace have close ties with the Namgung Family?"
Bu Eun-seol made a thoughtful sound.
Many masters of the Divine Maiden Palace hailed from the Namgung Family. As a result, though the Divine Maiden Palace normally remained reclusive from the martial world, they maintained active exchanges with the Namgung Family.
"The Divine Maiden Palace?"
Namgung Un blinked at Heuk-pyo's words.
"Don't tell me you've taken on a mission hostile to the Divine Maiden Palace?"
"No, of course not."
Heuk-pyo quickly replied.
"There's a job to retrieve one of the items kept at the Divine Maiden Palace."
"An item?"
"Some sort of orb, I believe... They said it can be obtained by passing a test. But how could outsiders like us possibly enter the Divine Maiden Palace with all its strange formations in place?"
"Ah, that's nothing special."
Namgung Un grinned and pointed at himself with his thumb.
"My aunt resides at the Divine Maiden Palace, so I've visited often. Getting inside is no trouble at all for me."
Then he offered a faint smile.
"If you permit me to accompany you, I'll gladly assist with that matter. What do you say?"
Bu Eun-seol pondered briefly.
With his current martial arts level, forcing his way into the Divine Maiden Palace would be impossible.
For the first time since entering the martial world, he'd encountered a problem that couldn't be solved through martial prowess or his wits alone.
But if Namgung Un's words could resolve it, that was hardly a losing proposition.
"Very well."
After a moment's consideration, Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"Only for the duration of my work with the Silent Sky Lonely Earth, though."
"Agreed. Though I still don't know your name, brother."
"Seol-so."
At this, Namgung Un smiled crookedly.
"Then I look forward to working with you, Young Hero Seol."
The Divine Maiden Palace.
Located in Mount Wu of Hubei Province, it was often called the Mount Wu Divine Maiden Palace.
Long a sect forbidden to men, it had recently begun exchanges with various orthodox factions.
Particularly as women from the Namgung Family who had joined in the past now held key positions, maintaining close ties with the Namgung Family.
"Namgung Un pays his respects to the Master of Haehwa Palace."
Inside the Blossom Release Hall of the Divine Maiden Palace.
As Namgung Un bowed deeply, the Master of Haehwa Palace, Namgung Se-a, shook her head with a smile.
"I'd heard you'd taken to the martial world."
Namgung Un had been mischievous since childhood, and even when she resided with the Namgung Family, he'd caused enough trouble to warrant severe beatings from the hall masters.
Yet now here he stood as a grown man visiting the Divine Maiden Palace. Namgung Se-a felt a renewed sense of emotion.
"Well, what brings you here? And who are these others?"
"They're companions I met in the martial world—wandering martial artists from the Silent Sky Lonely Earth. Seol-so, Young Hero Seol, and his attendant."
"Wandering martial artists? Why have they come to our main palace?"
"The thing is, they..."
As Namgung Un explained further, Namgung Se-a slightly furrowed her brow.
"Our palace's treasure?"
That men had been brought to the Divine Maiden Palace—a sanctuary for women—to obtain one of its treasures?
She suppressed her anger and spoke with restraint.
"You cannot give our palace's treasures to outsiders."
"I heard that if one passes a test at the Divine Maiden Palace, they can obtain some kind of orb?"
"A test? Surely you don't mean... the Life-Preserving Divine Pearl?"
Namgung Se-a's expression twisted strangely.
It was the kind of face one makes when, in the middle of eating, they discover an unidentifiable foreign object in their rice bowl.
But before anyone could notice her expression, Namgung Un clapped his hands together.
"That's right. If you grant them the opportunity to take that test, they would be eternally grateful to you, Aunt."
Namgung Se-a, who had been scrutinizing Bu Eun-seol and Heuk-pyo's faces intently, shook her head.
"That won't be possible."
"Huh?"
"They're too ordinary."
"Ah, no, that's not the case. This man recently eliminated Wang Jeong, who had been terrorizing the Buddha's Crown Mountain region."
At Namgung Un's reply, Namgung Se-a said something unexpected.
"I wasn't referring to their martial prowess..."
Muttering something under her breath, she shook her head again.
"Regardless, it's out of the question."
"Aunt."
Namgung Un pressed his palms together and pleaded with her.
"To be honest, Young Hero Seol here saved my life."
"Your life?"
"Yes. I came here with him to repay that debt."
"Hmm."
Namgung Se-a let out a sigh.
Though she was the Hall Leader of the Divine Maiden Palace, she still took pride in being a member of the prestigious Namgung Clan.
If her nephew owed a life debt, she couldn't simply ignore it.
"Hm."
After a brief pause, Namgung Se-a stared intently at Bu Eun-seol and asked,
"How old are you?"
"Twenty-three."
"Are you married?"
"Not yet."
"Mmm."
She nodded slowly, still studying Bu Eun-seol's face—altered by the Face Changing and Bone-Shifting Art.
"Fine. I'll make the request for you."
"Thank you, Aunt!"
"There's no need for thanks."
Namgung Se-a exhaled deeply and shook her head.
"That test is no simple matter. You could lose your life if you're not careful."
"That's fine."
At Bu Eun-seol's indifferent reply, she nodded.
"Then let's go."
Following Namgung Se-a's lead, Bu Eun-seol's party entered the Palace of Hidden Visions, where the Young Palace Lord resided.
Inside, they found a beautifully arranged garden and a uniquely constructed building shaped like a water droplet.
Upon entering the structure, they were met with a spacious hall, beyond which hung a large beaded curtain.
"Please wait a moment."
An attendant, upon seeing Namgung Se-a, hurried inside to announce their arrival. It seemed the Young Palace Lord received guests here.
"Hmm. I still think this isn't a good idea."
Namgung Se-a sighed quietly as she looked at Bu Eun-seol.
"I don't know your background, but there's no need to stake your life on something as trivial as ambition."
"What do you mean all of a sudden?"
"In the past, many prodigies sought the Life-Preserving Divine Pearl. But most of them lost their lives."
"Aunt."
Hearing this, Namgung Un suddenly stepped forward.
"Then what if I attempt the trial first?"
"What nonsense are you spouting now?"
"I owe Young Hero Seol-a debt. If I pass the trial first and obtain the Life-Preserving Divine Pearl, wouldn't that give me a chance to repay him?"
Namgung Se-a's expression hardened.
"You must not step forward."
"Huh?"
"Skill alone isn't enough to succeed, but the truth is, obtaining the Life-Preserving Divine Pearl is..."
Just then, the soft rustling of beads echoed as a faint silhouette appeared behind the curtain.
The Young Palace Lord of the Divine Maiden Palace had taken her seat before it.
"Young Palace Lord."
Namgung Se-a greeted her lightly, and from behind the curtain, a delicate voice responded.
"What brings you here so suddenly, Master of Haehwa Palace?"
For a moment, Namgung Un and Heuk-pyo's faces flushed slightly.
The voice from behind the curtain was sweet and smooth, as if whispered directly against one's ear.
"And who are these people?"
"My nephew and his companions. They wish to obtain the Life-Preserving Divine Pearl..."
The Young Palace Lord spoke softly.
"So... there are still those who remember that promise?"
"It seems so."
Turning her head, Namgung Se-a murmured quietly to Bu Eun-seol.
"Step forward to the curtain."
As Bu Eun-seol approached, Namgung Un quickly stepped forward as well.
"Ah, right! I—I'd also like to attempt the challenge!"
"You brat!"
When Namgung Se-a scolded him with stern eyes, Namgung Un replied in a voice that shrank into itself.
"I beg of you, Aunt."
"Un, you little..."
Though she wanted to slap him right then and there, she couldn't act rashly in front of the Young Palace Lord.
"Be quiet and stay back."
Namgung Se-a had been called a warrior woman since childhood—her martial arts were peerless, and her temper was fiery.
Under her severe gaze, Namgung Un had no choice but to retreat again.
"Would it be acceptable to grant this young man the opportunity to obtain the Life-Preserving Divine Pearl?"
Yet an unexpected reply came from behind the curtain.
"Please don't. It's an impossible trial anyway, isn't it?"
For reasons unknown, the Young Palace Lord's voice was filled with resignation and pity.
"Countless prodigies have attempted the challenge so far, and all have failed. I don't wish to see them pointlessly injured over something so futile."
"Understood. In that case—"
Just as Namgung Se-a nodded with a regretful expression—
"There is no such thing as impossible."
Bu Eun-seol stepped forward and declared firmly.
"Grant me the chance. I will pass."
"Do you even know what the trial entails?"
"No."
"Then allow me to explain. You must break through the Twenty-Four Heavenly Generals Formation, personally installed by the Palace Lord in the Purple Mist Secret Cave."
The Divine Maiden Palace was renowned for its mysterious formations.
Though he had never heard of it before, if the Palace Lord had installed it herself, it was undoubtedly a bizarre and formidable battle formation.
"The Twenty-Four Heavenly Generals Formation consists of twenty-four supreme formations layered together, including a bewilderment array that preys upon the human spirit and mind."
The Young Palace Lord's voice from behind the curtain carried a sigh.
"Because of this, no matter how skilled one is in martial arts or formation study, it cannot be broken alone. At best, one may suffer hallucinations—at worst, qi deviation."
After a brief pause, she spoke again.
"I truly cannot recommend it. Please reconsider."
"Grant me the chance."
"Even if it costs you your life?"
"Yes."
At Bu Eun-seol's unwavering reply, the Young Palace Lord's voice lowered.
"If you desire it so strongly... then the Master of Haehwa Palace may grant you this opportunity."
"Understood."
Perhaps his stubborn nature flared up again, for Namgung Un suddenly stepped forward, avoiding Namgung Se-a's gaze.
"Young Palace Lord. Might I also be granted a chance?"
"You as well?"
Namgung Se-a's eyes sharpened.
"Un. I already told you—no!"
Even under her scolding, Namgung Un blustered on.
"You never know until you try, right?"
Then, squaring his shoulders, he declared boldly:
"I am currently on my journey through the martial world. If I shy away from danger and turn my back, I will never become a figure worthy of my family's name."
"Hmm."
Namgung Se-a fell into thought.
Only now did she realize that bringing her notoriously reckless nephew here had been a mistake.
"Very well."
Then, the Young Palace Lord's voice came calmly from behind the curtain.
"Very well. If you insist... then you may attempt it."
"Thank you!"
At Namgung Un's words, Namgung Se-a reluctantly bowed her head.
"Then we shall descend to the Purple Mist Secret Cave."
"Wait."
At that moment, the Young Palace Lord, who had been seated behind the curtain, slowly rose.
"I will accompany you."
"Young Palace Lord... did you say—?"
"Not only is an outsider attempting the trial, but the Master of Haehwa Palace's nephew as well. How could I simply stand by and watch?"
"That you would go so far for them... I am truly grateful."
As Namgung Se-a's face filled with emotion, Bu Eun-seol, Heuk-pyo, and Namgung Un exchanged puzzled glances.
—Was her presence as an observer really that significant?
As if reading their thoughts, Namgung Se-a murmured quietly:
"If the Young Palace Lord oversees the trial, she can halt the formation midway. That way, at the very least, none of you will lose your lives."
"Ah, I see. What a relief."
Just as Namgung Un grinned—
Rustle.
The curtain was drawn aside, and a woman clad in snow-white robes stepped out slowly, flanked by two attendants.
Her face was veiled with Heavenly Silkworm Silk, obscuring her features—but her large, clear eyes, faintly tinged with blue, were visible.
Beauty at its utmost limit.
With just those eyes alone, she seemed to embody all the beauty in the world.