Unkak Sect's Exchange Fair
After going through that bizarre ordeal, my mind was in turmoil, so I sat on my stone bed and meditated to calm myself. From now on, whenever I saw Nae Cheonha's disciples, I'd have to suspect that Nae Cheonha herself might be in disguise.
Once my heart settled, I resumed practicing the creation of Thunder Spirit Talismans, cultivating diligently through a monotonous routine. For the next half year, I focused solely on training, and no news came of Baekhwan Fruit entering the sect. The exchange fair was starting today on the northern plains of Unkak Sect. If I couldn't find Baekhwan Fruit there, I'd have to take on missions or scour the Gaun Mountains myself.
I'd stockpiled plenty of low-grade spirit stones—about 350 of them—which was more than enough to buy over a century-old Baekhwan Fruit. Among pill ingredients, the main components were the priciest, while auxiliary ones like Baekhwan Fruit were cheaper, so spirit stones shouldn't be an issue. If the seller didn't want spirit stones, I could offer my homemade beginner Thunderbolt Talismans or Protective Talismans in trade. I still had blood from those two demon beasts left; I could make more talismans if needed.
I boarded my boat-shaped flying artifact and headed to the northern plains of Unkak Sect. Held once a year, the exchange fair drew most Qi Refining and Core Formation disciples unless something urgent kept them away. With fewer external missions this year, even more people would show up, eager for resources.
Even Qi Refining disciples without spirit stones or trade goods benefited from browsing artifacts, pills, and spirit herbs to broaden their horizons.
As I flew on my boat, a carriage-shaped flying artifact approached from behind. It was Jo Mihyeon's. Inside rode Hwang Danha, Jo Mihyeon, and Kang Seolhui. Their clashing personalities made it odd to see Nae Cheonha's three disciples traveling together—all strong-willed types.
I gave them a quick greeting. "Greetings, seniors."
"Jo junior sister, Kang junior sister—go on ahead. I'll talk with Yuseong junior brother for a bit."
"Yes."
"Understood."
Jo Mihyeon and Kang Seolhui flew off first, and Hwang Danha transferred to my boat.
"I heard about it from Master."
What did she hear? Was it about Nae Cheonha disguising herself as Hwang Danha half a year ago?
"What do you mean...?"
Hwang Danha scowled. "About how you got fooled by Master."
"That... I'm sorry."
No, how was I supposed to know Nae Cheonha had disguised herself as you? Of course I fell for it!
"Master said she disguised herself as me at the shop just to test her new transformation technique."
"Why test it on me...?"
"Who knows? Maybe she wanted to scare you?"
It was hard to believe the cold, sharp Nae Cheonha had tried to prank me with disguise arts.
"Anyway, are you heading to the exchange fair too, Senior Hwang?"
"Yeah. I can't stay at Core Formation mid-stage forever, so I'm hoping to snag some decent pills or spirit herbs this time."
Even with pills and herbs from her master Nae Cheonha, she was still greedy.
"Let's go."
Hwang Danha casually handed control of the flying artifact to me and lounged back. When a Core Formation mid-stage senior gave an order, what choice did I have? I still had no defense against her soul attacks. For now, I'd play along. Just you wait.
I flew north with Hwang Danha aboard. The northern plains were already packed with over a thousand cultivators setting up stalls.
"I'll head out first."
"Yes. I hope you find the pills you're after at this exchange fair, Senior Hwang."
Hwang Danha smiled lightly at my words. "Hehe, I hope you get what you're looking for too, Yuseong junior brother."
After she left, I leisurely browsed the stalls. Unlike a mundane market, the fair was subdued—no loud hawking. People quietly examined goods, inquiring and trading only when interested. Of course, exceptions yelled to advertise their wares.
"Defense artifacts over here!"
"Materials from rank 1 and 2 demon beasts—plenty available!"
"Basic spell arts for sale—come check them out if interested."
I checked the basic spell stall and bought a Concealment Art for 30 spirit stones. Nothing else caught my eye. With most attendees being Qi Refining disciples, few items appealed to me.
Instead, the sect's female disciples stood out. Some were new faces since I'd joined. When our eyes met, they approached, calling me senior brother and greeting me sweetly. Having cute junior sisters nearby made the world brighter.
Sect Leader Wiyeon, Unkak Sect's future is bright!
I'd always bowed and scraped to senior brothers and sisters, but now I had juniors of my own. I wanted to give them advice.
"Ahem. Even if you're short on spirit stones, attend the annual exchange fair every year—it broadens your horizons."
"Yes, I'll remember that, senior brother."
"Got it, Senior Yuseong."
The pretty junior sisters replied in clear, chirping voices. Satisfied with their attentive posture, I gave more tips right there—from how to fight enemies to hunting demon beasts—spinning tales of my exploits.
"So anyway, I grabbed that Tak Ho-pyeong guy's head and said, 'Surrender?' His face twisted like he was about to die. Hahaha. You junior sisters should've seen it."
"I see."
"When I won the duel, the Tak Clan guys watching from the stands had priceless looks too. Hahaha."
"......"
"And get this—it's a secret just for you junior sisters—but that Tak Hwaryeon who went to the Tak Clan with me? I think she likes me. We just clicked, you know?"
"......"
One cute junior sister pointed behind me with a weird expression. "Senior Yuseong, behind you..."
Behind me? I turned to see Moyong Wol with arms crossed, eyes narrowed to slits.
"Yuseong. Come here a sec."
Her icy voice sent chills down my spine. I'd felt this shiver once before... when was it?
She dragged me to an empty corner. "What do you mean Tak Hwaryeon likes you?"
"Ahem, just that we get along well as friends."
"......"
Moyong Wol stared silently, and sweat beaded on my back.
"Haha, just joking in front of the junior sisters. Guys like bragging about that stuff."
"Really? Can I believe you?"
"Of course. Who else can you trust in this world if not me?"
She didn't fully drop her suspicion but softened her tone. "Fine. Go back now."
I returned with a straight face and confident stride. But the junior sisters I'd been talking to had vanished. I still had more wisdom to share! Glancing back, Moyong Wol watched from afar.
A real man doesn't get tied down by a woman! Anyway, time to hunt for Baekhwan Fruit.
I wandered the stalls but saw no sign of it. Leaving the Qi Refining crowd, I reached the Core Formation area. The goods here were far superior.
Baek Gong, the muscular old artisan, was there too, eyes closed in lotus position beside his wares.
"Senior Baek, you're at the exchange fair too."
He opened his eyes. "A Qi Refiner like me can't miss this. Planning to trade my artifacts and armor for pills and spirit herbs."
His stall gleamed with diverse artifacts and demon beast leather armor. As a master refiner with his own shop, Baek Gong was wealthier than most Core Formation disciples.
"Your crafting skills are impressive as always, senior brother. I'm looking for century-old Baekhwan Fruit—do you know a seller?"
"Baekhwan Fruit? The junior brother next to me has some."
Sure enough, the middle-aged man's stall nearby held glowing white fruits. Their aura and color confirmed they were over a century old.
"Yuseong greets you, Junior Brother So."
So Gong, lounging by his stall, replied, "You need Baekhwan Fruit?"
"Yes. Can I buy it with spirit stones?"
"I have enough spirit stones. Looking to trade for something else."
Trouble. No spirit stones meant a tough buy.
"What would you like in exchange for the Baekhwan Fruit?"
He sat up halfway. "Bring century-old Black Ironwood or a palm-sized Gold Crystal, and I'll trade for the century-old Baekhwan Fruit."
Century-old Black Ironwood or Gold Crystal... Slightly more valuable than the fruit, but not a bad deal.
"Understood. I don't have them on hand, so I'll search the fair and come back."
"Hurry—before someone else snaps it up. Lots of pill refiners want it for auxiliary ingredients."
Baekhwan Fruit wasn't just for Spirit Awakening Pills—it went into others too! I had to move fast.
Fewer Core Formation stalls meant quick browsing. I checked them all—no Black Ironwood or Gold Crystal.
As the last few stalls loomed, anxiety crept in. Then, at the final one, a palm-sized golden stone caught my eye. Could that be Gold Crystal?
The owner was Du Jeongsan, disciple of Inner Court Elder Gu Seongwan. We'd bumped into each other at sect events but hadn't talked much.
"Senior Du, long time no see."
He smiled faintly. "Yuseong junior brother. Need something?"
I pointed at the golden stone. "Is this Gold Crystal?"
"It is."
"I'd like to buy it with spirit stones."
He shook his head. "Sorry, no spirit stones."
Talismans maybe? I pulled out several Thunderbolt and Protective Talismans from my pouch and showed him.
"These are beginner Thunderbolt and Protective Talismans. Trade possible?"
"Ho, beginner-grade but the aura's stronger than average. Must be your superior talisman crafting or quality ink. How about ten Thunderbolt and ten Protective for the Gold Crystal?"
With rank 3 demon beast blood, I could make more anytime. Solid deal.
"Agreed."
Thank goodness—I'd secured the Gold Crystal from Du Jeongsan.