Joo-won's gaze never wavered as Do Joon-soo's tale unfolded. The story of a love suspended between life and death stirred something within him. Moreover, he was also curious on the poison used to put her in that state; he is, after all, an alchemist.

He knew he had to help, but caution tempered his resolve. He has no experience in the real world. He was but a toddler when they moved to the Unforgiving Gorge.

Moreover, Joo-won couldn’t just prescribe a pill without examining her, First, he needed to see her, to unravel the mystery of her condition with his own eyes.

A poison so vile it laughed in the face of the Heavenly Clarity Pill? Some illness that mocked mortal medicine? Or perhaps a curse, woven by hands that danced with malice?

As the weight of Do Joon-soo's words settled over the room, Tae-yang's fingers brushed against something in his space wristband. The market... the strange vendor... Suddenly, he remembered.

"Joo-won," Tae-yang interrupted, fishing out a small, dark object. "I almost forgot. What do you make of this?"

Joo-won's eyes narrowed as he studied the seed. Despite his vast knowledge, cultivated through countless hours in the tower's archives, this was something entirely new. Its very existence seemed to whisper of hidden realms and forgotten lore.

"May I?" Joo-won asked, his voice hushed with barely contained excitement.

Tae-yang placed the seed in Joo-won's outstretched hand without hesitation. "It's yours," he said simply. "I have a feeling it belongs with you."

…

The hallways of the Han clan compound echoed with Joo-won's purposeful steps as he made his way to his father's quarters. Outside the study, he paused, taking a deep breath before knocking.

"Enter," came the muffled reply.

Joo-won stepped into a room awash with flickering candlelight. His father, Han Ji-myeong, sat behind a desk buried under a sea of parchments and scrolls. The clan leader's eyes, sharp despite the late hour, met his son's gaze.

"Father," Joo-won began, bowing low, "I seek your counsel on a matter of grave importance."

Ji-myeong set aside his brush. "Speak your mind, my son."

Joo-won's words tumbled out, painting a picture of betrayal, forbidden love, and a poison that defied explanation. "...and so, I must leave the clan to find a cure. With your blessing, of course."

A heavy silence fell. Ji-myeong's brow furrowed, the weight of leadership battling paternal concern. "The world beyond our walls is treacherous, Joo-won. Are you prepared for its dangers?"

"I am, what I lack now is experience" Joo-won replied, his voice steady. "The armor and sword I've commissioned will be ready within the month. And I swear to you, I will not bring shame to our clan's name."

Ji-myeong studied his son, seeing not just the boy he'd raised, but the man he was becoming. Finally, he nodded. "Very well. You have my permission... and my prayers for your safe return."

Joo-won bowed again, deeper this time. "Thank you, Father. I won't let you down."

The month flew by in a whirlwind of activity. Joo-won threw himself into his training, his blade singing through the air as he mastered the Hollylock technique. In the alchemist's lab, he bent over bubbling cauldrons, coaxing miracles from herbs and minerals.

But nothing filled him with more pride than watching Se-yeon's progress. She blazed through the third movement of the blade technique and dove headfirst into the fourth. What had taken him years to achieve, she was mastering in mere months. Her talent was undeniable.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

He thought of returning to the Tower, but he resisted. Without knowing what they might face, he couldn't risk wasting precious time on techniques that might prove useless.

As the day of departure dawned, Joo-won stood in the sun-drenched courtyard. Yu Han-eol approached, his face a map of pride and exhaustion. In his hands gleamed the fruits of a month's labor – a sword that seemed to drink in the light.

Joo-won's breath caught as he took the blade. Its balance was perfect, its edge impossibly keen. "This isn't just a weapon, it's a work of art."

The blacksmith's smile was weary but genuine, his body bearing the scars of his craft. Finally, he can be of some use again.

A flicker of movement caught Joo-won's eye. Se-yeon stood at the edge of the courtyard, her face a storm of emotions. The sting of being left behind was clear in her eyes.

"I should be going with you," she muttered, fingers curled into fists.

Joo-won's heart ached. He knew she was capable, but Tae-yang's words rang true – they couldn't afford to take risks. "When we return," he promised, "your training doubles. You'll be ready for the next adventure, I swear it."

Joo-won slipped on the gleaming armor, its weight both reassuring and daunting. The sword at his hip hummed with untapped power. With a nod to Do Joon-soo, he signaled his readiness.

Tae-yang and Yu Han-eol's farewells echoed in the courtyard. As Joo-won turned to leave, Tae-yang felt a surge of pride. The young master's shoulders seemed broader now, as if the very air around him had shifted to accommodate his growing strength.

…

The road stretched endlessly before them.

Joo-won's muscles screamed in protest, sweat soaking through his underclothes. Do Joon-soo's effortless stride was a constant reminder of the gap in their cultivation. Still, Joo-won pressed on, he took it as a lesson in endurance.

As they traveled, Joo-won's senses sharpened. He began to notice pockets where the poison hung thicker, like invisible fog. When he pointed these out, Do Joon-soo's face darkened. "The being responsible for this," he warned, "is beyond comprehensible."

A month of grueling travel later, the Grand City of Hwanmongsi rose before them like a mirage. Joo-won's breath caught in his throat as they passed through the massive gates.

Joo-won was too young to barely even remember this place before they were banished.

The city was a feast for the senses. Streets teemed with life, a cacophony of voices hawking wares and bartering prices. The air was thick with the scent of sizzling meats, exotic spices, and the ever-present undercurrent of incense.

Towering walls encircled the city, their surfaces alive with intricate carvings that seemed to dance in the flickering lantern light. Despite the chaos, there was an underlying order to the madness – clearly defined districts for commerce, residences, and spiritual pursuits.

As they wove through the crowds, Joo-won's eyes darted from one marvel to the next. Street performers breathed fire and walked on air, while cultivators from distant lands browsed shops filled with glowing elixirs and mystical artifacts.

The city's chaos swirled around Joo-won, a dizzying contrast to the tranquil life he'd known. Each step through the crowded streets felt like navigating a storm, but anticipation fluttered in his chest. Their destination: the docks, where a vessel awaited to carry them to Yeongyak Do.

At last, they stood before the "Tempest Runner," a sky ship that lived up to its name. Its sleek hull gleamed in the sunlight, intricate runes etched along its flanks pulsing with barely contained power. Joo-won's eyes widened as they boarded, drinking in every detail.

The deck thrummed with energy, both spiritual and mundane. Cultivators in flowing robes brushed shoulders with weather-beaten merchants, their voices a symphony of dialects from across the realm. Some lounged against the railings, swapping tales of distant lands, while others huddled over maps and ledgers, plotting their next big score.

Do Joon-soo led the way through the press of bodies, heading for the ship's prow. As they walked, he painted a picture of Yeongyak Do with his words. "Imagine," he said, his voice low and reverent, "forests where every leaf holds the essence of a different potion. Markets where you can trade a single scale for a king's ransom. And at its heart, the greatest alchemical academies in all the known world."

The Tempest Runner cleaved through clouds. Joo-won and Do Joon-soo leaned against the railing, swapping stories of their journey, when a shadow fell across them.

"Well met, Do Joon-soo," a voice cut through the wind. "The Alchemy Contest seems like a lifetime ago, doesn't it?"

Do Joon-soo's eyes narrowed in recognition. "Jeong-min of the Alchemist Union. What brings you to these skies?"

The newcomer's face darkened. "I wish it were better tidings. There's trouble brewing in Yeongyak Do, and I'm afraid your master's caught in the thick of it."

Joo-won felt the air grow heavy. Do Joon-soo's knuckles whitened on the railing. "Speak plainly," he growled.

Jeong-min's words fell like hammer blows. "They're saying he tried to poison the Union Head. He's been thrown in chains, Do Joon-soo."

"Impossible!" Do Joon-soo's roar startled nearby passengers. "My master would never do anything to harm the union!"