Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 303

304. Revisit to Myoeum Gate

It seemed that Geum-ui Jang Han and Heo Woon had failed to make a breakthrough, still stuck in the late stage of Qi Condensation despite the many years that had passed. When Han Li didn’t speak, his face dark, even the old monk became nervous.

Just as he hesitated and tried to say something, Han Li slowly opened his mouth.

“I am looking for the secret market hosted by Myoeum Gate. Does anyone here know when and where it’s held?”

“Senior, the Myoeum Gate secret market doesn’t open for another month. However, the location is confirmed to be Ssangbong Island, a few days west of here. Would you like us to guide you?”

“No need, just give me the sea map.”

He had no intention of staying with this group for long. These two were lucky to survive the demonic beast surge, but the others likely suffered misfortune.

“Yes! I’ll give you the sea map with the secret market’s location marked.”

Geum-ui Jang Han looked a little disappointed. It was rare to meet and form a connection with a Core Formation stage cultivator in the Outer Star Sea. Knowing even one high-level cultivator had many advantages.

However, at Han Li’s cold expression, Geum-ui Jang Han hurriedly took out a jade book from his chest, marked the location of the Myoeum Gate secret market, and handed it over. Han Li, after receiving the map, infused his consciousness into it, examined it, and then immediately flew up and disappeared.

The remaining group just watched with envious expressions as the blue light streak vanished. Without a high-level cultivator above the Core Formation stage, they didn’t dare to venture far from their residence.

* * *

He had heard the market would open in a month, but he had no intention of foolishly waiting that long. By then, Yeol Pungsu might catch up to him before he even found the teleportation array.

He planned to visit Madam Beom and Un Cheon-so directly to negotiate the price for using the teleportation array. Of course, if they were too greedy, it wouldn’t be difficult to force them to meet his conditions.

A few days later, Han Li arrived at Ssangbong Island. The island wasn’t very large, but he could see two huge mountain peaks of similar height rising up.

He circled it a few times and found the market entrance marked on the map.

After a moment’s thought, he changed his face to the one he had used when he visited the secret market last time and stopped under a huge tree.

Looking up at the giant tree, he immediately flicked his fingers and shot out three white lights.

Bang, bang, bang.

Soon, a green light flashed, and an entrance appeared in the tree. An old man in white robes, in the late stage of Qi Condensation, emerged. He had also guarded the market entrance in the past.

The old man recognized Han Li as a Core Formation stage cultivator. He had heard rumors that Han Li had overwhelmed a dozen cultivators of the same level during his last visit.

The old man, recognizing Han Li’s transformed face, bowed even more respectfully.

“Senior Ryeo, it is you. I almost committed a discourtesy by not recognizing you. But what brings you here? There is still some time before the market opens.”

The old man showed reverence but also looked puzzled. Han Li slightly raised his head and spoke arrogantly.

“I haven’t come to participate in the secret market, but to meet Madam Beom or Elder Un.”

The old man was startled for a moment and hesitated.

“Madam and Elder Un, you say?”

“What, is there something wrong with that?”

“No, there isn’t!”

The old man, with cold sweat running down his back, immediately put on a smile and erased his hesitation.

“If it were anyone else, it would be different, but Senior, you must have something important to discuss. I’ll report it right away, so please wait a moment. Madam Beom happens to be here overseeing the market affairs.”

“I hate waiting, so hurry up.”

“Yes! I’ll use a sound transmission talisman [a magical communication device] to inform them, so it will be just a moment!”

Since he couldn’t stop him even if the other party tried to force his way in, and he would only be throwing away his life, he quickly took out a sound transmission talisman and threw it into the tree cave. Han Li, watching, asked with a much gentler face.

“Where did Elder Un go? Why isn’t he here?”

The old man’s face darkened, and although he hesitated, he didn’t avoid answering.

“That is… I don’t know what happened to Elder Un. I only know that Madam Beom has been handling the market-related matters alone recently.”

How could Han Li not know what the other party was thinking with that expression? When he sneered and didn’t press further, the old man was greatly relieved.

After a while, the old man received another sound transmission talisman, checked the contents, and then said to Han Li.

“Please come inside. I’ll guide you.”

“Lead the way.”

The underground world inside the tree cave was no different from the previous rock and secret market. It was a two-story structure and larger than expected.

Only a dozen or so male and female disciples of Myoeum Gate were busily preparing something, and no one else was visible. The old man led Han Li to a stone chamber, and two beautiful female cultivators stood guard in front of it.

“We greet Senior Ryeo. Madam is waiting for you inside.”

The young women greeted Han Li, their beautiful faces overflowing with charm.

Han Li stroked his chin as he looked at the two women, but he didn’t say anything. One of them put her hand on the wall, and a blue light flickered, revealing a stone door.

The old man hurriedly bowed.

“Then I’ll escort you only this far and take my leave.”

Han Li ignored him and entered the room. After passing through a short corridor, a large hall soon appeared. Madam Beom, wearing a light green skirt and elegantly made up, was waiting for him in the center with a smile.

Madam Beom opened her peach blossom-like lips and greeted him.

“This humble one was unable to greet you properly, Senior.”

She guided Han Li to a seat with a beautiful gesture. Han Li raised his eyebrows as he looked at the chair made of sandalwood, but he walked over and sat down without hesitation.

“Madam, don’t you think my visit will harm your sect?”

“Haha, you’re good at joking. What would a cultivator of your level gain from bothering a mere late-stage Qi Condensation cultivator?”

Madam Beom walked gracefully and sat next to Han Li, then covered her mouth and burst into laughter. He slightly narrowed his brow, but his expression remained neutral. However, Madam Beom took her seat and began to examine Han Li with a strange expression.

Just as Han Li’s eyes turned cold and he was about to ask her intentions, a young woman with a clear face came in with tea. She placed the teacups in front of the two cultivators and stood demurely next to Madam Beom.

Although her expression didn’t change, Madam Beom’s eyes flashed with anger. Han Li, watching, thought something was strange. Madam Beom took a sip of tea and then asked very kindly.

“What brings you to our sect this time? If there’s anything we can help you with, we’ll do our best.”

“Since you said it first, I won’t beat around the bush. If the teleportation array your sect was preparing to return to the Inner Star Sea is ready, I intend to use it.”

Madam Beom seemed a little flustered, but after gathering her thoughts, she made an ambiguous expression.

“The teleportation array? I’m sorry to disappoint you, Senior. The teleportation array isn’t yet complete. Perhaps it will take more time…”

“So how much longer will it take?”

Madam Beom, who had placed the teacup back on the table, began to explain.

“It’s difficult to say exactly. As you know, Senior, we’re short of the Dream Stones needed to set up the teleportation array. Elder Un went to the Dream Stone mine with other seniors and returned, but it was only a small amount. Inevitably, Elder Un was planning the next action…”

“Ahem!”

The woman standing next to Madam Beom suddenly coughed. A moment of anger flashed across Madam Beom’s beautiful face, but she closed her mouth, perhaps out of concern for something.

Han Li, puzzled, shifted his gaze to the woman, who quickly lowered her head with a fearful expression. After organizing his thoughts for a moment, Han Li got up.

“If the teleportation array can’t be used in the near future, then there seems to be nothing more to say. I’ll leave first.”

At that moment, Madam Beom made an unexpected proposal.

“It’s a pity about the teleportation array, but our sect has never neglected Core Formation stage seniors! How about staying here for a day and leaving tomorrow?”

Han Li, about to refuse outright, changed his mind after looking into her eyes.

“One night? I will.”

“We’ll do our best to ensure you have a comfortable rest, Senior. Take Senior Ryeo to the best room.”

At the same time, another woman entered, and Han Li silently followed her out of the room. However, just before leaving the hall, he didn’t forget to look back once with a meaningful expression, as if he had thought of something.

The young woman, who had waited for Han Li to completely disappear, spoke to Madam Beom.

“Madam! Why did you risk leaving that person behind? Senior Ryeo refused our proposal last time, didn’t he?”

“Un-geum, you’re becoming more and more arrogant. It’s only natural to build a relationship with a cultivator as high as Senior Ryeo. Since when did you start interfering in the affairs of Myoeum Gate!”

“How dare I do that? I’m only acting as Elder Un instructed before he left, so I ask for your understanding, Madam.”

The young woman’s tone was humble, but she showed no intention of backing down, mentioning Un Cheon-so.

“Hmph, I’ll talk about this with Un Cheon-so when he returns. This Madam has a lot to do, so step aside!”

Madam Beom disappeared with a cold face, and only the young woman remained in the hall, frowning.

* * *

In the evening, Han Li, lying in a classic and secluded room, was lost in thought without blinking an eye.

He had suddenly ended up staying here for a night, but he wasn’t worried at all. He had already used his powerful consciousness to explore the surrounding situation. The highest cultivators here were late-stage Qi Condensation cultivators like Madam Beom, and there were no Nascent Soul stage cultivators, let alone Core Formation stage cultivators.

He was thinking about whether he should spend a few years crossing the sea to return to the Inner Star Sea.

Knock, knock.

At that moment, the sound of someone knocking on the door was heard. Han Li remained lying on the bed and said calmly. He already knew who had come to visit.

“Enter.”

As a result, a woman’s laughter was heard, and Madam Beom opened the door and entered. The woman’s white skin and black hair stood out as she walked gracefully into the room.

She sat close to the bed without hesitation, along with a fragrant scent, and said with a smile.

“It seems you expected me to come, as you’re not resting even at this late hour.”

“How could I not know when Madam Beom was so clearly giving me hints? I don’t know what you wanted to talk about by asking to see me separately, but know that I have no interest unless it’s related to the teleportation array.”

“I understand. It’s only natural that Elder Han wants to leave the Outer Star Sea and return, as he’s being chased by so many Nascent Soul old monsters.”

Han Li, who had been leaning back, straightened his back and stared at the woman with cold eyes.

“Elder Han, who are you talking about?”

“I’m referring to Elder Han of our sect.”

Han Li, who had been looking at her, now got up and sat upright.

“How did you recognize me? There’s no way you could have seen my real face with your cultivation.”

Madam Beom raised her white hand, covered her mouth, and laughed.

“I didn’t recognize you by seeing you, but by your scent.”

“By your scent?”

Han Li was puzzled.

“I’ve been sensitive to the scents of others since I was young, and I never forget a scent once I’ve smelled it. I had already memorized Elder Han’s scent a long time ago. When I saw you before, the distance between us was too far, and it was mixed with the scents of many cultivators, so I couldn’t distinguish it, but when I saw you separately in the hall today, I was able to recognize you right away.”

As she finished speaking, Madam Beom’s eyes became moist, and she showed a longing as if she were looking at a lover who had left long ago.

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