The Mending Studio - Chapter 24

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 24
He didn’t need to finish. The meaning was plain enough.
Yeon Cheon San narrowed his eyes.
A moment later, he nodded slowly, then shook his head just as deliberately.

“To worry isn’t wrong in itself.”

Yeon Yang Nyeon waited for more.

“But looking at the level of achievement this calligraphy reveals, I don’t believe he’d need to resort to such methods.”
“I am slow to understand. Forgive me.”

Yeon Yang Nyeon bowed.
Yeon Bing Sim watched the old man with curious eyes.
She had never doubted Yeop Jang Cheong.
But she wanted to know what grounds Yeon Cheon San had for such certainty.
Yeon Cheon San looked between them both.

“There are, without doubt, ancient monsters in this world who use the weak as stones on their board, weaving their own games.”

Yeon Yang Nyeon’s expression hardened.

“Most such creatures remain trapped at a bottleneck in their Realm—thousands or tens of thousands of years passing without a single step forward. When the mind crumbles along with it, they eventually seek a breakthrough through means that are far from righteous.”

Yeon Cheon San gestured lightly toward the scroll.

“But the one who wrote this is different.”

Admiration tinged his voice once more.

“Someone who has already reached the pinnacle in the Way of the Sword would have no need to exploit the weak and force open a path through desperation.”

Yeon Yang Nyeon listened in silence.

“They say a small hermit hides in the mountains, but a great hermit hides in the marketplace.”

A faint smile crossed Yeon Cheon San’s face.

“Someone at that level would find it perfectly natural to dwell among the mundane, observing the lives of ordinary people.”

He turned to Yeon Bing Sim.

“If my guess is right, this person must be gentle in appearance and put others at ease, yes?”

Yeon Bing Sim blinked.
The accuracy of his words was startling.

“Yes, that’s true.”

A warm smile bloomed across her face.

“Yeop is truly a gentle and peaceful person.”

Yeon Cheon San nodded as if he’d known it all along.
But Yeon Yang Nyeon still couldn’t let go of his doubts entirely.

“Master, still—if you would just look once more…….”

Before he could finish, Yeon Cheon San’s expression turned cold.

“That’s enough.”

Yeon Yang Nyeon’s shoulders flinched.

“If you won’t trust my words, then I’ll show you myself.”

Yeon Cheon San’s expression darkened as he raised both hands and swiftly wove a seal.
Whoosh!
In an instant, the spiritual energy surrounding the hall surged violently.
The invisible forces of heaven and earth trembled, and brilliant streams of Qi rose around Yeon Cheon San like flames.
Behind his back, a mysterious halo flickered faintly into view.
Ancient scripture-like markings appeared and vanished in succession, radiating brilliant light.
Yeon Bing Sim unconsciously held her breath.
Soon a Divine Seal manifested in the void.
Countless rays of light burst outward, and a radiant aura descended upon her.
Crack!
Pure white light enveloped her entire body.
Her long hair and robes billowed in the fierce current of Qi.
Then, at once, a cold that seemed to freeze bone marrow itself poured forth.
Yeon Yang Nyeon knew that aura well.
Extreme-Grade Ice Spiritual Root.
It was the innate gift Yeon Bing Sim had possessed since birth.
There was nothing strange about this.
But after several breaths, something changed.
Between the cold, white light, a blue radiance began to seep through.
At first, it was faint as a gossamer thread.
Yet soon a gentle, flowing energy spread like spring water, gradually tempering the savage chill.
Yeon Cheon San’s eyes widened.
Yeon Yang Nyeon went rigid.
Both of them grasped the same truth.
What radiated from Yeon Bing Sim’s body was no longer a single Spiritual Root alone.
An aura distinct from the Ice Spiritual Root.
An Extreme-Grade Water Spiritual Root.

“Elder…”

Yeon Yang Nyeon’s voice trembled.

“Bing Sim—how is this possible?”

Yeon Cheon San didn’t answer.
He gazed for a long moment at the two auras shrouding Yeon Bing Sim.
His brow furrowed deeply.
And at last, as if arriving at a conclusion, he spoke low and measured.

“This is…”

His gaze turned back to the calligraphic scroll.

“Undoubtedly a gift from that senior.”

A long silence fell over the hall.
To gift a Spiritual Root.
Even for Yeon Yang Nyeon and Yeon Cheon San, it was a notion scarcely within reach to accept.
In all the world, finding even one person born with two Spiritual Roots would require searching through millions.
Such a being walked no ordinary path from the moment of birth.
One need only look at Lee Jang Myeong as a nearby example.
When he was confirmed as a genius possessing Dual Spiritual Roots in the Tae Hyeon Seong Ji’s disciple selection, the entire sect was in upheaval.
Ten thousand disciples gathered at the main peak, and the sect’s high echelon came forth to the mountain gate to receive him.
Even one supreme elder who had been in retreat emerged for the occasion.
That was how rare Dual Spiritual Roots truly were.
Yeon Bing Sim had been a prodigy from birth, blessed with an Extreme-Grade Ice Spiritual Root.
By itself, that was a quality the Imperial family of Dae Yeon could take pride in.
But compared to someone who possessed Dual Spiritual Roots, the matter took on an entirely different light.
Yet now she possessed something she had never had before—a Water Spiritual Root had emerged within her.
Yeon Cheon San examined the blue energy flowing from Yeon Bing Sim with meticulous care.
It was pure, unsullied energy—almost free of all impurities.
His eyes wavered once more.

“A Water Spiritual Root… not merely approaching Extreme Grade, but Extreme Grade itself.”

Yeon Yang Nyeon held his breath.
An Extreme-Grade Ice Spiritual Root.
An Extreme-Grade Water Spiritual Root.
Both dwelling within a single body.
Yeon Bing Sim’s talent could no longer be discussed on the same footing as before.
A prodigy who might appear only once among millions.
A quality that would not suffer in comparison even to the Holy Sons and Daughters of the great sacred sites.
Yeon Yang Nyeon gazed at his daughter, disbelief written across his face.

“Father.”

His voice grew soft of its own accord.

“Who exactly is this senior Yeop for him to be able to bestow upon Bing Sim an additional Extreme-Grade Water Spiritual Root?”

His head shook slowly.

“It defies reason. Is such a thing even truly possible?”

Yeon Cheon San stirred from his thoughts at last.
He fixed his gaze upon Yeon Yang Nyeon with sudden coldness.
No trace of his earlier wonderment remained.

“Yeon Yang Nyeon.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Surely your own eyes have seen it now.”

A chill swept through his voice, and it reverberated through the hall.

“There is no suspicious mark left upon Bing Sim’s body by that senior.”

Yeon Yang Nyeon’s face hardened.
Yeon Cheon San emphasized each word with quiet force.

“Rather, an Extreme-Grade Water Spiritual Root has appeared where none existed before.”

Yeon Yang Nyeon could find no words to counter this.
As the nature of his own suspicion returned to him, shame flooded his face with heat.
A being capable of bestowing Spiritual Roots upon others.
It was beyond imagination what realm such a person must have reached.
And he had harbored doubts—wondered if that person meant to exploit his daughter.
Yeon Yang Nyeon’s knees touched the floor.
He lowered his body and pressed his forehead to the ground.

“Father.”

Deep regret colored his voice.

“I have done wrong.”

Yeon Cheon San let out a cold, mirthless laugh.

“Made a mistake, did you?”

Yeon Yang Nyeon could not raise his head.

“The Emperor of Dae Yeon cannot afford such a narrow mind.”

Yeon Cheon San’s displeasure deepened further.

“That senior has given our Dae Yeon one more rare genius. And yet you dared doubt his intentions.”

Yeon Yang Nyeon’s hands went rigid.
There was nothing to say in his defense.
At that moment, the light of the Divine Technique began to fade slowly.
Yeon Bing Sim’s hair and skirts settled gradually back into stillness.
She gazed at the kneeling Emperor, then bit her lip softly.
Just as Yeon Cheon San cherished her, the Emperor too had brought her here out of worry for her sake.
After a brief hesitation, Yeon Bing Sim spoke carefully.

“Grandfather.”

Yeon Cheon San turned to his granddaughter.

“The Emperor did this because he was worried about me. He is not naturally this way.”

Yeon Yang Nyeon remained prostrate, saying nothing.
In his mind, the things Yeop Jang Cheong had given them rose before him one by one.
Calligraphic works containing countless Sword Path techniques.
And the Extreme-Grade Water Spiritual Root that even they had not known they possessed.
He had created one more genius for Dae Yeon.
Yet after receiving such kindness, doubt was the first thing Yeon Yang Nyeon had harbored.
Shame flooded through him.
As Yeon Cheon San looked upon Yeon Bing Sim, his rigid expression softened slightly.

“Had it not been for your words, that fool would have had no reason to remain on the throne.”

Yeon Bing Sim’s eyes widened.
This time, Grandfather was truly angry.
A moment later, Yeon Cheon San spoke again.

“Yeon Yang Nyeon, listen well.”
“Yes.”
“That senior has bestowed a great favor upon our Dae Yeon.”

Yeon Cheon San’s voice rang heavy through the hall.

“To a master of such power, gold and silver and common treasures would mean nothing.”

Yeon Yang Nyeon listened in silence.

“Therefore, build a shrine for him on Je Do.”

Yeon Bing Sim stared at her grandfather in shock.
Yeon Cheon San did not pause.

“Erect a golden statue and have all the people offer incense and devotion before it. Let that be Dae Yeon’s answer—both to the grace we have received and to the disrespect shown today.”
“Grandfather, that is…….”

Yeon Bing Sim hesitated, then opened her mouth.
Yeon Cheon San explained to his granddaughter calmly this time.

“Bing Sim. You are still young, and your cultivation level is low.”

His eyes rested on the dual spiritual essence that lingered within Yeon Bing Sim.

“But precisely because you possess Extreme-Grade Dual Spiritual Roots, I can no longer say with certainty how far you will eventually rise.”

Yeon Bing Sim listened in silence.

“When you eventually reach a sufficiently high realm in the future, you will naturally understand why I made this decision today.”

Yeon Bing Sim, who had been pondering for a moment, nodded.

“I understand.”

Yeon Cheon San called for Yeon Yang Nyeon.

“Yeon Yang Nyeon. Did you hear?”

Only then did Yeon Yang Nyeon slowly lift his head.
Regret still lingered on his face.

“Yes. As soon as I leave this place, I will have someone construct a shrine in honor of Yeop Jang Cheong.”

Yeon Cheon San’s expression softened slightly.

“Then you may go first. Leave Bing Sim here for now. I have more to ask her.”

Yeon Yang Nyeon rose from his seat.
He bowed deeply to Yeon Cheon San.

“Then I shall take my leave.”

Just as he turned to go, Yeon Cheon San’s voice sounded again.

“And from now on, see that Bing Sim can enter and leave this place freely.”

Yeon Yang Nyeon paused for a moment, then bowed his head.

“It shall be done.”

Now Yeon Bing Sim possessed Extreme-Grade Dual Spiritual Roots.
With such talent, she had every possibility of one day surpassing even Yeon Cheon San.
After Yeon Yang Nyeon left the hall, the cold severity vanished entirely from Yeon Cheon San’s face.
He turned back to his granddaughter, smiling warmly.

“Bing Sim.”
“Yes, grandfather.”
“That senior mentioned earlier told you that you could visit him again anytime, did he not?”

Yeon Bing Sim nodded.

“He did.”
“When do you intend to return to So Ji Jin?”

Yeon Bing Sim hesitated for a moment.

“I plan to go a little later.”
“Why not leave at once?”
“During these months away, I haven’t seen Father or my eldest brother at all.”

Yeon Cheon San nodded as if he understood.

“I see.”

Yeon Bing Sim smiled faintly.
Yeon Cheon San fell silent for a moment.

“Then, the next time you visit that senior……”

Hope flickered in his eyes once more.

“Let me come along with you.”

Yeon Bing Sim looked at her father’s face, then nodded quietly.

“Very well.”

That night.
Upon returning to the Imperial Palace, Yeon Yang Nyeon immediately issued a decree to the Ministry of Public Works.
It was an order to build a shrine for Yeop Jang Cheong within Je Do.
The site was to be chosen before dawn, and construction was to begin the moment daylight broke.
The Emperor’s decree spread beyond the palace walls in an instant.
It did not take long for the entire Je Do to stir.
A shrine was being built for a single person.
And not for someone whose name appeared in historical chronicles, nor for anyone renowned in the cultivation world, nor for a master recognized in scholarly circles.
The shock among the court ministers and the notable figures of Je Do was hardly surprising.

“Why has His Majesty suddenly issued such an order?”
“Who exactly is this Yeop Jang Cheong?”
“There’s no record of him in the historical archives, and I’ve never heard of him in the cultivation world. I cannot fathom why a shrine would be built for such a person.”
“We must seek audience with His Majesty and ask the reason directly.”

From that night onward, memorial petitions began flooding into the Imperial Palace.
Even the most respected elder ministers and renowned figures of the scholarly world sought audience.
Yet curiously, the Guard Bureau alone remained silent.
In fact, the opposite sentiment flowed from there.
There were rumors that Commander Yu Jang Ha himself had issued an order.
Anyone who dared remonstrate with the Emperor or cause him trouble over this matter would be immediately cast out by the Guard Bureau.
Once the petitions began to accumulate, Yeon Yang Nyeon’s response was simple.
He commanded his attendants to burn all the memorial documents.
The elders and masters who had requested audience received the same answer in return.
It was but a single short statement.

“Dae Yeon will long prosper thanks to Yeop, my senior.”

Yeon Yang Nyeon’s words did not end within Je Do.
The news that the Emperor had spoken not only of one man named Yeop Jang Cheong but also of Dae Yeon’s future spread beyond the city walls in a flash.
At first, only the court ministers were stirred. Soon after, the spies of various nations hiding within Je Do and the branches of cultivation sects began to move.
Within days, the rumors spread beyond Dae Yeon across all of Joong Ju.

“Who in the world is this Yeop, this senior?”
“Yeon Yang Nyeon said such a thing?”
“For such a cautious man to publicly declare that Dae Yeon will prosper because of one person—that’s stranger still.”

The reason for people’s astonishment was simple. Yeon Yang Nyeon was the Emperor of Dae Yeon, commanding hundreds of millions of subjects.
The very fact that such a man had publicly elevated someone whose name was scarcely known was extraordinary. And to build a shrine for him besides—this was no ordinary matter.
The foreign spies hidden within Je Do sent dispatches night and day, and the branches of each sect moved one after another.
The letter flew straight toward the imperial capitals of each nation and the main temples of several great sects. Around the single name Yeop Jang Cheong, speculation erupted across Joong Ju.
Some claimed he was a recluse of great skill newly arrived at the Dae Yeon imperial court, while others suspected he might be connected to Yeon Cheon San’s impending tribulation.
There were even cruder theories circulating—that Dae Yeon was deliberately spreading confusion to shatter the delicate balance that had long defined Joong Ju’s powers.
The matter reached the ears of those in the Imperial Palace of Go Jin Guk as well.
Only a handful of trusted retainers remained in the Emperor’s private study.

“There’s no reason for Yeon Yang Nyeon to make such a statement suddenly.”
“I share that view.”

An elderly court official answered quietly.

“Could it be that the old master of the Dae Yeon imperial house is facing an impending tribulation?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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