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00340 Celestial Realm ————————————————————————=

After my conversation with the Master of the White Lotus Sect, I headed towards where Jin So-cheong and Mangnyang were. With the Elder Council expert seemingly waiting for me, I had no trouble finding them near the garden. I took a quick glance at the Elder’s divine technique.

‘This guy is also a Peak Expert.’

There must be at least twenty members of the Elder Council. This means there are over twenty Peak Experts scattered across the Central Plains who could shake the world. Just the power of the Elder Council alone is enough to wreak havoc in the Central Plains. But what would happen if I added the masters of the Three Great Styles, the three Dharma Guardians, and the Sect Leader’s power to the mix?

As I pondered this, the Elder Council expert spoke up.

“We’re here.”

When I arrived, Mangnyang and Jin So-cheong were waiting. Upon seeing me, Mangnyang said,

“Baek Woong. This is the Young Master of the White Lotus Sect. Show your respect.”

Both Mangnyang and Jin So-cheong bowed. I followed suit and said,

“I am Baek Woong, appointed as the Dharma Guardian of the Thunder God Lineage, here to meet the Young Master.”

The Young Master then looked at me with a steady gaze.

“You don’t need to be formal with me.”

“Excuse me?”

“The Dharma Guardian and I are on the same level. So you can treat me as an equal.”

That made me scratch my head. I had no idea the Young Master shared such a relationship with the Dharma Guardian. But even after seeing the Master of the White Lotus Sect, I couldn’t shake off the feeling of not being able to treat the Young Master casually. So I had no choice but to reply politely.

“Ah… I understand.”

The Young Master smiled.

“Thanks to the Black and White Lotus you brought, I have been saved. I will definitely repay you for saving my life.”

“No, there’s no need to ask for anything in return for serving the sect.”

“Gratitude and enmity must be clearly defined.”

His words carried a hint of warmth. It seemed he genuinely felt thankful towards us. Mangnyang slightly raised himself and asked,

“Have you mastered the techniques of the Su Shin Sect?”

“Indeed.”

“That’s impressive… I was surprised by your True State of Martial Arts.”

In response to Mangnyang’s words, the Young Master answered with a bitter smile.

“There are five experts in the Su Shin Sect who surpass me. I feel embarrassed to call myself a Young Master with this level of skill.”

“Haha, you’re being overly humble for someone with such great talent.”

“No, I am not.”

The Young Master quickly denied Mangnyang’s compliment, but he didn’t look displeased at all. He naturally gained favor in our eyes. His gaze then turned towards Jin So-cheong, and he said,

“So you’re Jin So-cheong, the one rumored about lately. I heard stories about the Namgung Clan just recently as well.”

“I’m embarrassed; they are not so flattering.”

“No, I think they’re quite commendable.”

In an instant, the Young Master’s gaze sharpened.

“If I had known about that, I would have annihilated the nine clans of the Namgung Clan.”

“……”

That didn’t sound like a joke at all; it felt ominous.

Jin So-cheong spoke bitterly.

“That’s an unfortunate story. More importantly, I’d like to congratulate you again on your recovery.”

“Thank you. I must take my leave now, but where are you headed?”

“We have a mission given to us by the Sect Leader.”

“I wish you success in your endeavor.”

“Thank you.”

After that exchange, the Young Master departed with his entourage. A while after he disappeared, we finally began to move.

As I walked, I chatted with Mangnyang using Suspicious Fishhook. Since Secret Transmission was a high-level technique, it felt easier to converse in Suspicious Fishhook.

[Mangnyang. He seems to be fully recovered.]

[Indeed. From our conversation, it’s clear he has regained his health and seems to have enhanced his internal power thanks to the Black and White Lotus.]

[He must never have eaten Sacred Lotus freely, being the Young Master, right?]

[Well, it seems that the limit on the internal power generated solely from Sacred Lotus is somewhat alleviated by the Black and White Lotus. It looks like a complementary effect.]

[Hmm.]

I thought quietly to myself. So consuming Sacred Lotus alongside Black and White Lotus creates an enhancing effect? That was a revelation.

‘Then I can eat Sacred Lotus too.’

I had repeatedly consumed Black and White Lotus, but having reached my limit, the enhancing effect had diminished. If I might procure Sacred Lotus now that I had joined the White Lotus Sect, my internal power would progress even further.

Of course, Mangnyang must have already thought of this. Perhaps that’s why he didn’t bring it up and instead said something else.

[Baek Woong. Every move we make is being watched. Let’s communicate through Suspicious Fishhook or Secret Transmission within the White Lotus Sect.]

[But if we don’t talk at all, we might raise suspicions.]

At that, Mangnyang let out a chuckle.

“Baek Woong. Isn’t the Young Master remarkable?”

[Just say whatever seems appropriate.]

I caught on to the subtlety and responded suitably.

“I suppose… it seems like he was quite a remarkable figure.”

[I understand.]

I had experienced something similar when I was with the Sword Demon before. Perhaps Jin So-cheong noticed our cues, as she started to engage in a similar mixture of dialogue and Secret Transmission.

“Haha! You’ve already taken a liking to him?”

[When do you plan to leave the White Lotus Sect?]

“Don’t joke around.”

[First, let’s figure out the whereabouts of the Sacred Lotus. We can make moves after that.]

We exchanged dialogue and Secret Transmission cleverly, using Suspicious Fishhook to share our covert information. Originally, Mangnyang’s internal power was insufficient for continuous Secret Transmission, but with Suspicious Fishhook, we managed to converse for a considerable time.

After returning to our residence and getting some solid sleep, we began our serious actions the next day. We submitted a request through the Elder Council to acquire Sacred Lotus to boost our internal power, and it wasn’t long before the Master of the White Lotus Sect responded.

An Elder and guardian of the Hall of the Sect Leader, Sangro, spoke irritably.

“Follow me.”

As we followed Sangro, we exited the residential area of the White Lotus Sect and entered a rugged canyon area quite far away. After crossing several mountains and traveling for tens of li, Sangro finally stopped.

“You can enter this cave.”

Following Sangro’s words, we ventured deep into the cave, revealing a basin-like terrain where it seemed Sacred Lotus had once been obtained. There were five artificial ponds filled with pure snow-white lotus flowers.

Mangnyang gazed in awe.

“Is all of this Sacred Lotus?”

“Indeed.”

Sangro replied coldly.

“One Sacred Lotus per person! Nothing more!”

“Is that an order from the Sect Leader?”

Mangnyang inquired back, eliciting irritation from Sangro.

“Do you think it’s right to take more than one? Don’t be ridiculous. Sacred Lotus is a treasure of our sect, and I cannot just hand it over!”

“Just answer my question. Is it an order from the Sect Leader?”

“… No.”

At that, Mangnyang smirked.

“We received a mission from the Sect Leader. And the reason our petition for Sacred Lotus was accepted is precisely because the Sect Leader considers it necessary for our mission, no?”

“……”

“If our own desires were what we were after, it wouldn’t be an issue. But due to your unilateral decision, if we fail our mission because we weren’t properly prepared, I’m quite curious about how that would unfold.”

“Profit.”

Sangro couldn’t hold back and lashed out.

Clap!

In the next moment, Jin So-cheong and I stood in front of Mangnyang. Sangro’s hand stopped at the point of my blade, while Jin So-cheong had her hand poised at his throat. A split-second exchange occurred, completely blocking Sangro’s attack.

With a face full of despair, Sangro stepped back, and Jin So-cheong quietly said,

“You’re not here to fight, are you? Don’t be stubborn for no reason.”

“Then let me ask. Do you think you have the confidence to take multiple Sacred Lotus and accurately use them for your mission? If even a slight waste occurs, I swear by the Elder Council, I won’t go easy on you!”

Sangro roared with threat, and Mangnyang nodded.

“Of course! You think we’re not capable of managing that? So step aside already.”

“Ugh…!!”

Sangro clenched his fist in frustration, eventually letting out a deep sigh.

“Fine, I’ll be watching.”

Sangro’s reaction seemed overly anxious, but given the high-grade Spiritual Pill like Sacred Lotus, it was somewhat understandable. We were the ones forcefully taking more than our share in this deal. Still, it was much better to trust the Sect Leader’s tolerance and be bold, as Mangnyang calculated.

Thus, we managed to secure a total of ten roots of Sacred Lotus. Although the five ponds had hundreds of blooming flowers, after dredging up ten roots, it was clear to see the ponds had dwindled. Sangro’s expression changed at every moment as he watched this unfold.

Sangro glared at us fiercely until we sealed off the cave.

“Those guys… just wait and see…”

“……”

It seemed I unintentionally garnered Sangro’s ire, but there was no helping that. The value of those ten roots of Sacred Lotus was simply too significant. Back at the residence, we all consumed one root of Sacred Lotus and performed Qi Regulation Technique.

Wow!

“Whoa!”

I let out a cheer.

Because I felt the energy of the Black and White Lotus, previously settled in the Eight Extraordinary Vessels, react violently to the energy imbued with Yin and Yang! This was unprecedented, so I focused my mind to manage the flow of energy.

The cold and hot energies that had intertwined melted into a powerful current, wrapping my entire body like a massive volcano. Originally, it should have been a struggle with intense pain, but having grown accustomed to managing immense energy, I faced no issues. Eventually, as I fully harnessed the energy from the Sacred Lotus through Greater Circulation, I felt a significant enhancement in my power.

‘Incredible!’

While my internal power had been extraordinary to begin with, now it felt like I had advanced the limits of my output tremendously. I could confidently assert that I could gain a clear advantage over Lee Kwang in a fight now. I felt that there wouldn’t be another Peak Expert who could handle me in the world.

Mangnyang and Jin So-cheong also seemed to sense great growth in their internal power after consuming the Sacred Lotus. Not to the extent I experienced, but they wouldn’t now be ridiculed for their lack of power. No, compared to their peers, they would have several times the strength, effectively mirroring years of practicing True Sect Mastery.

Mangnyang smirked.

“Baek Woong, with this level, you can definitely get it done.”

“What do you mean?”

“Let’s attract the successors of the Thunder God Lineage using the Sacred Lotus.”

His eyes sparkled.

“With the Sacred Lotus and the final secret techniques of the Thunder God Lineage… they won’t be able to resist.”

Of course, this was merely a facade to appease the scrutiny. In reality, Mangnyang was sending a different Secret Transmission to Jin So-cheong and me.

[With this, we should be able to uncover the identity of the traitor who betrayed Lee Cheong-un.]

I pretended to be impressed while continuing the double talk.

“Indeed!”

[How will you figure out the traitor?]

Mangnyang smiled slyly.

“Heh. That’s great.”

[Because we will be observing the negotiation through the Sacred Lotus, it’s likely we will spot someone excessively eager to act. After all, they’ll be prompted by the change in the sect’s policy without their knowing, leading them to proactively contact us to inquire what’s happening. We can narrow down the suspects from there.]

I scratched my head.

“Oh, right. I need to eat dinner. I’m hungry.”

[But is it really necessary to pinpoint the traitor? That person doesn’t seem to serve any purpose to the nation, after all.]

“Let’s try the famous Ginseng Chicken Soup from Goryeo. I heard there’s a top chef of the White Lotus Sect who knows how to make it in the village below.”

[That’s not the case at all. We have to find the traitor so we can turn Lee Cheong-un to our side later.]

I was taken aback.

“What! Ginseng Chicken Soup?!”

[Are you saying you’ll save Lee Cheong-un without killing the Vermilion Bird?]

Mangnyang’s expression grew serious.

“Yeah… that Ginseng Chicken Soup!”

[I’m sure I’ll consider it. But as long as we find the traitor, you’ll have a chance to use it in your next life.]

“I never expected I’d be eating Ginseng Chicken Soup.”

[I didn’t even think that far.]

Mangnyang clenched his fist and boomed.

“Let’s enjoy it well!”

[Always keep your options open; that’s the code of strategy.]

“Whoa!”

[I’m always learning from you.]

“Ginseng Chicken Soup has been trending in Goryeo for over a decade, stemming from the Immortal Pot. It involves such valuable ginseng that it’s extremely difficult to prepare, making it a rare delicacy! It’s considered the top dish, with the utmost cooking expertise needed, especially with options among the red, blue, black, and white ones, where Hongchen Chef can only cook it! And it’s us who get to eat it!”

[Anyway, remember that well.]

“Absolutely…!!”

[Got it. I’ll keep that in mind now.]

Just as our double talk was reaching its end, Jin So-cheong, unable to hear our exchange due to the limitations of Suspicious Fishhook, tilted her head.

“Is Ginseng Chicken Soup really that delicious?”

“……”

I was at a loss for words and merely smacked my lips.

 

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