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Shortly after, Dongbang Mu-gyeol was seated at a large table, surrounded by the experts of the Thunder God Lineage. It was true that Dongbang Mu-gyeol was one of the Five Great Physicians and a renowned figure in the Martial World, and it was equally true that we had abducted him by force. Perhaps sensing the seriousness of the moment, Lee Kwang politely introduced himself.

“Nice to meet you. I am Lee Kwang.”

“It seems I am now face to face with the Azure Dragon who stirred the Shenxian Martial World.”

“I am equally pleased to see a person of such stature.”

After exchanging pleasantries, Dongbang Mu-gyeol spoke.

“What do you want to hear first?”

“Naturally, I want to hear everything.”

“Are you asking me to spill everything I know?”

“Isn’t that how it should be?”

Lee Kwang appeared composed, but under the surface lay a razor-sharp intensity. He was maintaining etiquette on the outside, yet it hinted at how quickly the atmosphere could turn dire. It would be foolish to treat Lee Kwang like an ordinary scholar. Sensing his true intentions, Dongbang Mu-gyeol smiled wryly.

“Alright. Let’s start with how I got involved with the White Lotus Sect.”

All eyes were fixed on him.

“This story goes back several decades. It was probably after you guys from the Thunder God Lineage were kicked out. I was roaming around, thinking the world was small, when curiosity led me to visit the White Lotus Sect’s main compound.”

“At that time, I considered joining the sect, but there was a strong atmosphere of rejection toward outsiders. So, I intended to just observe as a guest when the Master of the White Lotus Sect called out to me.”

“The Master of the White Lotus Sect?”

“He asked me to find the Dragon Flower Tree.”

Lee Kwang paused to think for a moment before replying,

“Isn’t the Dragon Flower Tree the legendary tree from Buddhism that signifies the future Buddha’s descent?”

“Exactly.”

“You better be careful if you’re joking around with me.”

Whoosh…

Lee Kwang radiated a murderous intent that made even the Thunder God Lineage disciples flinch. Dongbang Mu-gyeol’s face turned pale under the pressure, but he quickly regained his composure.

“I swear by my name. The Master clearly told me to find the Dragon Flower Tree.”

“… What did you say?”

“The tree where the Maitreya is prophesied to descend.”

Maitreya! The future Buddha, as mentioned in Buddhist teachings. Legend has it that after 5.67 billion years of Shakyamuni’s nirvana, the Maitreya will descend from Tuṣita Heaven to this world, and until then, he remains as a Bodhisattva teaching sentient beings.

However, with such an unfathomable timeframe, the Dragon Flower Tree had become little more than a myth. Temples honoring Buddhism might have structures like Dragon Flower Halls or Maitreya Halls, but even the greatest monks were uncertain if the tree actually existed.

Let alone the Master of the White Lotus Sect, known to be the supreme leader of the Martial World, asking to find it!

Lee Kwang seemed to calm down a bit and asked,

“So what did you say in response?”

“Of course, I said I would definitely find it. The Master assured me with his name that the Dragon Flower Tree exists.”

“… You mean, you actually…”

“From that day forth, I gained the freedom to come and go at the White Lotus Sect, and I could even converse, albeit awkwardly, with the Dharma Protectors. I traveled throughout the world in search of the existence of the Dragon Flower Tree.”

We, including Lee Kwang, had no choice but to listen in silence. Lee Kwang’s expression was quite displeased, seemingly shocked that the Master of the White Lotus Sect was so sure of the tree’s existence. After a moment of contemplation, he replied,

“There is a tree recognized as the Dragon Flower Tree in the Central Plains. It exists. You’re not telling me that you ventured all the way to the Southern Barbarian lands for that?”

Dongbang Mu-gyeol scoffed lightly.

“Ha, do you think I wouldn’t know that? While the common variety of the tree is rare, you can find some in different areas of the Central Plains. However, the Dragon Flower Tree the Master referred to is a primordial species that holds the divine power for the Maitreya’s descent. It is also a location where the divine being known as the Buddha can manifest.”

“Divine power? You mean you’re saying that the Master believes in such superstitions?”

“Don’t argue with me. I’m just repeating what the greatest Master of the White Lotus Sect assured me.”

Lee Kwang and the other experts from the Thunder God Lineage looked a bit uncomfortable. I, however, wasn’t surprised due to my familiarity with myths, sorcery, and extraordinary beings. If the Master of the White Lotus Sect was indeed the greatest, I thought there must be some connection with transcendent entities.

The discourse continued:

“So, I searched high and low across the Central Plains, following myths and legends, but found nothing. Then suddenly, I received a summons from the White Lotus Sect to treat the Young Master’s strange ailment.”

“So that was the occasion when the Five Great Physicians gathered together.”

“Yes. The others were also quite skilled in medical arts, so we thought we could heal any sickness in the world. Yet, this ailment was on a whole different level. It didn’t seem like a typical affliction from this world.”

With a heavy sigh, Dongbang Mu-gyeol continued,

“The rest you know; the Five Great Physicians received scornful glares from the Central Plains as we concluded our mission. However, unlike the others, I realized that this strange ailment was likely connected to sorcery or a curse, so I discussed it further with the Master of the White Lotus Sect.”

“What did he say?”

“He said that unless I brought back pure Sacred Lotus or neutralized the source of the curse, there was no hope.”

Lee Kwang crossed his arms, looking skeptical.

“Then why did you call the Five Great Physicians in the first place?”

“Because it was a shot in the dark. You never know; perhaps a medical approach could work. But the outcome was pretty much decided from the start.”

“I see… So you decided to set out for Tianzhu to seek the Dragon Flower Tree once more.”

“You got it.”

“What was the reason for stopping by the Southern Barbarian lands?”

Dongbang Mu-gyeol shrugged.

“While not to the same extent as Tianzhu, the various kingdoms of the Southern Barbarian lands are deeply intertwined with Buddhist mythology. Since I had decided to look for the Dragon Flower Tree, I figured I might as well search thoroughly.”

Lee Kwang’s eyes sharpened.

“You found some solution for that strange disease, didn’t you? That’s why you returned to the Central Plains.”

“You got it right. But I shouldn’t get my hopes up too high.”

“What’s this solution?”

In response to Lee Kwang’s question, Dongbang Mu-gyeol replied,

“I’ll tell you, but before that, I have a question of my own.”

“Go ahead.”

“Who is that kid over there?”

Dongbang Mu-gyeol’s gaze shifted towards me, and as everyone turned their eyes in my direction, he stared at me as if I were some kind of bizarre creature.

“With that Golden Eagle and Wooden Armor… Those artifacts are too extraordinary to merely be labeled sorcery. Plus, the level of martial arts you possess defies your age. Just who is this Baek Woong?”

After a moment of silence, Lee Kwang responded,

“Baek Woong is a disciple of the Thunder God Lineage. That’s the only fact that matters to me.”

“Aren’t you curious about the origins of those strange artifacts?”

“Hmm.”

Lee Kwang glanced at me and abruptly asked,

“Baek Woong, where did you get the Golden Eagle and Wooden Armor?”

It was a simple enough question, yet hard to answer. But since I intended to have Lee Kwang and the Thunder God Lineage allies join forces with the Bancheon Alliance, I figured it was a little too early to reveal everything. So I replied slowly,

“I acquired them after defeating a pirate.”

“Pirate?”

“I personally quelled the Blood Blade Group that had been seizing trade routes to Goryeo.”

And I framed it as if I had obtained the Golden Eagle and Wooden Armor from their headquarters. Naturally, I omitted how I got the Wooden Armor by capturing General Hwang Yeon in the Great Thunder Valley, as that would have led to discussions about Hwang Yeon or the Bancheon Alliance. Also, after recounting how I realized the efficiency of the Golden Eagle and Wooden Armor, Lee Kwang expressed admiration.

“You truly possess the spirit of a righteous hero! You helped others without expecting anything in return?”

“You’re overestimating me.”

Even as I replied, I felt it was a strange sensation. Not just Lee Kwang, but even Jin So-cheong and Guk-ho were genuinely looking at me with impressed expressions. It wasn’t because my adventure was entertaining but rather they were genuinely astonished by my righteousness.

‘What’s this? Was what I did really so noble?’

Such deeds seemed only natural based on what Mangnyang had told me. Hence, I didn’t feel like boasting or taking pride in it. While I was lost in my thoughts, Lee Kwang asked,

“Then why didn’t you mention this to me earlier?”

“There simply wasn’t a moment to explain.”

“Hmm… let’s talk about this later. Anyway, I understand.”

“Yes.”

Lee Kwang set the topic aside and turned his head back to Dongbang Mu-gyeol.

“From what I gather, this kid possesses remarkable talent and was only acting based on his own judgment. There’s no need to doubt that he is a disciple of the Thunder God Lineage.”

“Hmm…”

Dongbang Mu-gyeol gazed at me with a dubious expression before saying,

“In any case, I managed to find a solution in the Southern Kingdom of the Southern Barbarian lands. With the help of the Black Prince Naresuen, the king of the Southern Kingdom, I was able to examine an ancient library there where I learned the location of the Dragon Flower Tree and the legend of the Seven Luminaries.”

“You can speak the language of the Southern Kingdom?”

“I haven’t lived this long for nothing. I can understand the languages of all seven surrounding nations.”

As they continued their conversation, I was shocked to hear the mention of the Seven Luminaries.

The Seven Luminaries! Why on earth was there a discussion about the Seven Luminaries now? With curiosity piqued, I focused on Dongbang Mu-gyeol’s words.

“The Dragon Flower Tree is said to be the embodiment of the Fire Spirit, waiting eons while warming its seeds in the bonfire of the Fire Spirit’s treasure. Thus, if we can find the place where the Fire Spirit’s treasure is hidden, we can obtain the Dragon Flower Tree as well.”

“So, where is it?”

“…”

After a moment of hesitation, Dongbang Mu-gyeol replied,

“Well, how should I put this? It’s really, really far away.”

“So, where exactly?”

“If you go down from the Southern Kingdom, there’s a southern island nation archipelago, and if you keep heading south for several thousand li from there, you’ll reach the legendary continent where Shennong was exiled after being defeated by the Emperor.”

“…”

“…”

The room fell silent. Usually, even mentioning Southern Barbarian or Tianzhu conjured thoughts of unimaginable distances, but what Dongbang Mu-gyeol was suggesting was closer to myth or the end of the world. Perhaps sensing this, Lee Kwang expressed mild frustration.

“Are you seriously joking with me?”

“Dammit! This is precisely why I didn’t want to talk about it. If even the Master of the White Lotus Sect won’t believe it, who would? But this is all the result of my personal investigation and findings!”

“Ahem…”

Lee Kwang cleared his throat awkwardly. It seemed he caught onto the fact that Dongbang Mu-gyeol was speaking the ‘truth,’ making it hard for him to respond sternly. Suddenly, Jin So-cheong, who had been quietly listening, raised her hand to ask,

“You planned to go to the White Lotus Sect in Gansu and tell them this? Ultimately, what you found out is just that you have to go to the end of the world, which seems a little lacking, right?”

This made Dongbang Mu-gyeol look slightly embarrassed, so he nodded.

“I admit that. So, I brought back another legend for another treatment method.”

“What is it?”

“Specifically… where the pure primordial Sacred Lotus can be found!”

Lee Kwang interjected,

“Isn’t the Sacred Lotus an elixir exclusively cultivated by the White Lotus Sect? Does it matter whether it’s pure?”

“Hmm… well, the current Sacred Lotus of the White Lotus Sect is stripped of its divine nature to enhance production. If we can find the pure primordial Sacred Lotus, it would instantly cure the Young Master’s ailment, but the current version only serves to enhance internal power.”

After a brief pause, Dongbang Mu-gyeol’s eyes sparkled.

“According to what I learned in the ancient library of the Southern Kingdom, the pure primordial Sacred Lotus takes the form of the Black and White Lotus blooming near the ruins of Xuyou! The ruins of Xuyou must be somewhere in the Central Plains, and we can surely heal the Young Master’s strange ailment with the pure Black and White Lotus.”

Lee Kwang nodded in admiration at those words.

“That’s amazing… If what you’re saying is true, it’s invaluable information.”

“Hahaha.”

“So… where are these ruins of Xuyou?”

In response, Dongbang Mu-gyeol wore a blank expression.

“Oh, well… I don’t really know. I only got a clue about the ancient mountain that Jeon Wook, the Sovereign of the Three Sovereigns, left during his water control exploits in primordial times, but I’m not sure where it actually is…”

“Hmm. Got it.”

As they seemed to be wrapping up their discussion, I couldn’t help but itch to speak. Trying to stifle my laughter, I silently shouted,

‘So that’s what it was!’

It made sense why the Black and White Lotus that leaked from Goryeo ended up flowing into the White Lotus Sect, allowing it to thrive.

And it was clear why the Dharma Protectors had come all the way to Goryeo seeking the Black and White Lotus.

The cause and effect of what I’d experienced in my 10th reincarnation unraveled in this 14th one!

 

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