Chapter 296

Chapter 296
## Chapter 296. Returning Home in Silk Clothes (4)

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Our destination was not the grand feast room but rather the bathing quarters, which we needed to visit immediately.
Each round of scrubbing our skin with ground red bean and mung bean powder caused streams of dark, muddy water to cascade down. It required emptying and refilling the wash vessels three separate times before we could finally don fresh garments and make our way toward the celebratory gathering.
The moment we stepped across the threshold of the banquet hall in this refreshed state.
“Dae-sahyung!!”
“So-un!”
The disciples of the Tae-eul Sect, who had initially hesitated at a distance, rushed forward eagerly to welcome us and swap warm greetings.
The reception was somewhat overwhelming.
Particularly since I had already attempted to wash myself in a running river along the journey before our arrival.
Meanwhile, the three brothers, Geum, Eun, and Dong, who had been surrounded by their fellow martial siblings, broke away to approach their mother and father to offer respectful salutations.
“Heh-heh… the little boys who left our home as children have come back as grown men.”
“…Hic, ugh.”
Their parents struggled to hold back their weeping as they gazed upon their sons, who had matured so remarkably over the course of a single year.
And just beside that group.
“You have gone through so much hardship. Truly so much hardship.”
Mun-gi Hong stood there, wrapping Sa-ryeon in a tight, protective embrace.
Moving encounters of loved ones reuniting were unfolding in every corner of the festive hall.
A strange prickling sensation arose at the tip of my nose for no apparent reason.
Right at that moment, a very welcome voice reached my ears.
“Whether you are departing or making your return… you remain an utterly unpredictable lad.”
Turning around, I saw Geum-san Wang approaching me in the company of So-so Wang.
“Have you remained in good health during my absence?”
“Well… there has been an immense amount of business to oversee. I feel as though my life expectancy is dropping rapidly from the sheer exhaustion.”
“Word has reached me that the reputation of the Wang Family is echoing loudly not just through Gangnam, but deep into Gangbuk as well.”
“Haha, do not mock me; maintaining all of it is an absolute battle.”
Geum-san Wang observed me with a unique intensity in his eyes.
Shortly after, he hinted rather pointedly.
“Which is precisely why I am bringing this up… the returns you secure are simply too massive. Would it not be possible for you to operate with a bit more restraint at this point?”
For whatever reason, the eyes of Geum-san Wang were tinged with a genuine touch of desperation.
Be that as it may, business is business, and an agreement cannot simply be cast aside, can it?
“Merchant Leader, that request is a bit…”
Before I could even voice my refusal, a sharp reprimand from So-so Wang cut through the air.
“Father, honestly! You always claimed your lifelong ambition was to establish the grandest trading network under the heavens. You ought to be celebrating that you have advanced a massive stride closer to that aspiration all because of Oppa.”
“No… that was merely a foolish fantasy from my youth, and at this stage, I simply wish to step down, relax, and enjoy the playful antics of my future grandchildren.”
So-so Wang gently nudged her parent to the side and stepped directly in front of me.
“Oppa. Throughout the time that you, my Sajeo, and Geum-pyo Sahyung were traveling, I dedicated myself entirely to looking after the members of the Tae-eul Sect.”
Observing So-so Wang thrusting her forehead forward like a young child eager for a compliment, a chuckle escaped my lips as I gently ran my hand over her hair.
“You did an excellent job.”
“He-he.”
Sa-ryeon typically loathed this sort of interaction, making the current dynamic feel somewhat novel.
The expressions of the individuals I was observing after a year’s time had shifted dramatically from how they appeared twelve months ago.
The tension that once gripped them had dissipated, replaced by a visible sense of comfort.
They were openly enjoying the cheerful occasion without forcing themselves to suppress their genuine feelings.
It stood in stark contrast to the memories of this exact period from my previous life, during which they lived under constant dread, forced to curry favor with the tyrannical Gyeryong Merchant Group as that organization progressively withdrew its backing and behaved with total arrogance.
“Does the sight bring you comfort as well?”
Hearing the sudden query, I shifted my gaze to discover Mun-gi Hong taking in the exact same view beside me.
As our gazes connected, the corners of his mouth turned upward into a smile.
“This is a reality of your own making. This is a triumph you brought to fruition.”
“What have I truly accomplished? This success belongs entirely to the collective diligence of everyone here.”
My current frame was noticeably more slender compared to my prior existence.
The iron-hard musculature covering my body bore witness to how brutal the training regimen had been throughout that period.
Furthermore, there was a fierce intensity in my eyes that had never manifested even once during my past life.
He looked upon me with immense warmth through that steady, unyielding gaze.
Transformation was underway.
Both myself and the Tae-eul Sect were undergoing a profound shift.
It was unfolding in a completely different manner than it had in my past life.
“My gratitude to you.”
Following those words, Mun-gi Hong scanned the immediate area.
“Where has that rogue Tae-san disappeared to? His flesh and blood has come back looking incredibly noble.”
“Quite true. A son to be deeply proud of has come home.”
Possessing a strong inkling of where he might have retreated, I slipped away from the festive crowd carrying a vessel of spirits and a single drinking vessel.

Stepping outside the bustling celebration, I directed my path toward a quieter area.
The night sky was pitch black and devoid of illumination, yet navigating the route presented no challenge whatsoever.
It was a location I had noted earlier while walking toward the washing quarters.
Just as I suspected, within a secluded courtyard featuring a small body of water, my father stood silently contemplating the pond where the silver moonlight rippled across the surface.
“Have you already taken up such elegant pastimes simply because the family coffers have grown a bit wealthier?”
In response to my teasing remark, my father slightly turned his face toward me before returning his attention to the water.
“It serves a purpose for the visitors. They are often required to wait a considerable duration prior to meeting with me. If they were forced to wait without even a modest diversion to appreciate, would it not be terribly tedious?”
“Constructing a pond within the grounds of the Tae-eul Sect was likewise one of your long-held aspirations, Father.”
Mainly because maintaining a body of water demands a hefty financial investment.
Possessing the means to keep a functional pond served as an undeniable marker of financial security.
And my father had yearned for a pond for a very long time.
“Indeed. We now possess sufficient security to permit the creation of a pond inside the Tae-eul Sect.”
“We are still a long way from the ultimate goal. There ought to be one dedicated to every single hall.”
My father, whose gaze had been fixed on the water, shifted his eyes toward me and let out a soft chuckle.
“Is that truly the case?”
“Naturally, I am not suggesting you literally build them all. There is hardly a greater squandering of wealth than doing that.”
“What sort of person do you take the Hall Master of the External Hall for?”
I scrutinized my father’s appearance with close attention.
Much like Mun-gi Hong, he had shed a significant amount of weight, yet no defined musculature was apparent beneath his frame.
It was likely the result of having no personal time to maintain his physical conditioning while buried under endless administrative duties.
“…For what reason have you become so thin?”
A sudden wave of anxiety washed over me, fearing that my father had driven himself entirely too hard over the course of the past year.
Meeting my concerned inquiry, my father offered a lighthearted retort.
“I was informed that thinning down in this manner is quite fashionable these days.”
“…Merchant Leader Wang possesses an exceptionally robust frame, does he not?”
“That particular gentleman occupies a status where he has no requirement to follow passing fashions.”
“Have you not achieved that status quite yet, Father?”
“That is an accurate assessment.”
“In that case, you will simply have to exert yourself more diligently.”
“Quite so.”
Though our words amounted to trivial banter, neither my father nor I viewed this quiet interlude as a waste of a single moment.
I presented the container of alcohol I had brought along toward my father.
“Why don’t the two of us share a drink of this together—”
“Has this insolent brat reached the point where he openly invites his own father to consume alcohol with him?”
“Well… I have reached full adulthood by now, Father.”
The eyes of my father, which had widened in mock outrage, trembled slightly.
“…I suppose that is true.”
Accepting the small vessel, my father drained the liquid in a single fluid motion and then extended the empty container back toward me.
“How have things fared for you during this period away?”
In my mind, I traced back through the series of occurrences I had navigated since my awakening in this life one by one.
The treacherous Maryeong Plateau, the standard entrance trials for the Martial Academy, the violent Blood Affair of Sichuan, and the aggressive territorial posturing displayed by the Nine Sects and One Gang alongside the Five Great Families.
There were countless instances where I had come perilously close to losing my breath permanently.
This miserable affliction of retaining every single memory with absolute clarity ensured that each of those trials remained as stark and vivid as if they had unfolded mere moments ago.
While traversing those intense recollections, I offered a sincere summary of the internal state I had carried.
“Nothing out of the ordinary occurred.”
“…….”
My father’s hand, which had been actively refilling the drinking vessel, froze in midair for a brief second.
His fingers exhibited a subtle tremor.
I continued in a measured, even tone.
“In truth, nothing of great consequence happened.”
“…Is that so?”
I do not believe he had ever permitted a cup to fill past the brim to the point of spilling over, regardless of how joyous his mood might be.
“It is good to have you back.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Truly… I am glad you have returned.”
Without uttering another word, the two of us silently watched the colored carp breaking the surface of the quiet pond.

Once the welcoming celebration reached its conclusion, the vast majority of the attendees departed for their personal residences and the standard quarters of the Tae-eul Sect.
Inside the private quarters of Tae-san Jin, a mere six individuals remained present: Mun-gi Hong, Chae-seok Gang, Tae-san Jin, So-un Jin, Sa-ryeon, and Sama Jeong.
“…Gulp. So… this object is indeed that item…”
Mun-gi Hong swallowed hard, speaking with extreme hesitation as if even uttering its name required profound caution.
“It is the Five Spirit Immortal Flower Oil, Father.”
“…Yes. The very substance that is currently throwing the entire martial world into an uproar…”
“Word reached me that the Zhongnan Sect failed to secure it and completely sealed off Xi’an, provoking a torrent of outrage from various martial artists… How precisely did this substance manage to find its way to distant Hap-bi?”
“Just what sort of madness have you all been embroiled in while traveling the world…?”
Chae-seok Gang stared blankly at So-un and Sa-ryeon in utter bewilderment.
Then, in a sudden flash of realization, the image of the youngsters returning home resembling destitute vagrants clicked together with the presence of the Five Spirit Immortal Flower Oil.
“Could it be… did you end up looking like beggars precisely because of this prize?”
Sa-ryeon rubbed the edge of her nose with a finger and released a soft, self-conscious cough.
“Is the primary matter not the fact that the Five Spirit Immortal Flower Oil has successfully arrived within the Tae-eul Sect?”
“…For the immediate future, our absolute priority must be ironclad confidentiality.”
A single piece of rare spiritual medicine possessed the potential to bring about the utter annihilation of an entire settlement.
Throughout the annals of history, has blood not invariably drenched the earth whenever grand treasures and legendary medicines came to light?
“Rather than consuming the elixir without delay… I believe it would be wisest to let some time pass.”
“What sort of nonsense are you spouting, Sahyung! An item of such immense value has finally landed in our hands! Did you not declare it yourself back then? That it should be given immediately to the youngsters…”
Mun-gi Hong cut him off with a firm, unyielding shake of his head.
“If we act with reckless haste, whispers will inevitably leak out to the public.”
Securing a legendary medicinal treasure is undoubtedly vital, but safeguarding it against external greed is a far more critical obligation.
Given that Chae-seok Gang was thoroughly well-versed in the dangerous realities of the Jianghu, he clamped his mouth shut, his expression radiating intense frustration.
Shaking off the heavy quiet that had enveloped the room for a brief span, Tae-san Jin spoke up with measured care.
“Why do we not first solicit the professional evaluation of Physician Sama? Naturally, we accept the word of the youngsters as absolute truth, but we require an exact understanding of the precise grade of this spiritual substance…”
With that, he turned his eyes toward Sama Jeong, who sat quietly beside him.
As every individual in the room shifted their concentration toward him, Sama Jeong extended his hand across the wooden surface.
“Allow me to inspect it.”
He grasped the liquid container and unsealed the top.
“…!”
In an instant, an ethereal, otherworldly perfume permeated every corner of the private office.
Trickle.
He proceeded to tip the vessel with extreme care, catching a single, solitary bead of the Five Spirit Immortal Flower Oil inside a small cup to analyze its coloration.
The leadership of the Tae-eul Sect observed Sama Jeong’s facial expressions with breathless intensity, resembling common folk awaiting the appraisal of a priceless heirloom passed down through generations.
A considerable amount of time ticked away.
Sama Jeong eventually lowered the vessel onto the tabletop, a look of profound astonishment written across his features as he spoke.
“It is an authentic specimen… Furthermore, it represents a highly concentrated form of Immortal Flower Oil.”
“What exactly are the implications of it possessing high purity?”
“Typically, within the structures of the Martial Alliance, they utilize Five Spirit Immortal Flower Oil that has been diluted with Camphor Oil.”
“Then the absence of any Camphor Oil dilution indicates…”
Sama Jeong nodded his confirmation and elaborated.
“It will almost certainly manifest significantly greater medicinal potency.”
Hearing Sama Jeong’s professional assessment, Chae-seok Gang shifted in his seat with restless excitement.
“Sahyung—no, Sect Leader. Let us proceed with the compounding immediately, agreed? This is a premium component that even the great Martial Alliance cannot readily deploy, is it not?”
“Be that as it may…”
Tae-san Jin interjected, addressing the visibly torn Mun-gi Hong.
“I concur with the perspective that we should proceed with the preparation without delay.”
“What?”
Chae-seok Gang’s astonishment deepened, as Tae-san Jin was a man who traditionally maintained an incredibly cautious and conservative outlook on such delicate matters, much like Mun-gi Hong.
Tae-san Jin rapped his fingers against the wood and continued.
“In any event, have we not been diligently acquiring supplemental ingredients all this time for the express purpose of nourishing the youngsters? The acquisition of minor components will hardly trigger widespread gossip. Physician, what is your assessment?”
In response to Tae-san Jin’s query, Sama Jeong signaled his agreement.
“As the Merchant Leader noted, the core sovereign herbs are already securely in our possession, so even if we obtain the minor remaining elements by making standard inquiries, it is highly unlikely to draw any unwanted scrutiny.”
“If that is truly the case…”
Presently, Mun-gi Hong’s focus shifted squarely onto So-un Jin.
“So-un, what are your thoughts on this matter?”
It might have appeared unusual to request the counsel of a junior disciple regarding a vital decision impacting the entire organization, yet not a single soul in the chamber raised an objection.
“I firmly believe we ought to compound it immediately.”
“Hmm…? What leads you to that conclusion?”
So-un Jin gestured directly toward the vial holding the precious Five Spirit Immortal Flower Oil.
“Is there not a common proverb stating that if you hoard a resource for too long, it ultimately goes to waste?”
When Tae-san Jin knitted his brows in a look that clearly communicated “there he goes with his wild talk again.”
“Furthermore, the Tae-eul Sect is no longer the vulnerable entity it once was in the past, is it?”
Hearing So-un Jin’s bold assertion, Mun-gi Hong stared blankly for a split second before bursting into a hearty chuckle.
“Indeed, your assessment is entirely accurate. The Tae-eul Sect is no longer the weak organization of days gone by.”
With those words, he swept his gaze across every individual gathered in the room and issued his executive order.
“Therefore, let us initiate the compounding process immediately.”

Following a night of rest at the estate of the Dae-cheon Merchant Group, I paid a visit to the grounds of the Tae-eul Sect the following afternoon.
The very first individual to enthusiastically greet my arrival was none other than…
“Hyung-ni-i-i-im!!!!!!”
…It was Cheon-gi Jegal.
Whether he had undergone a massive growth spurt in the span of a single year, his former soft, childlike traits had entirely vanished.
Nevertheless, his disheveled garments and the smudges of black grease tracking across his cheeks instantly brought to mind the familiar image of the Cheon-gi Jegal from my previous lifetime.
“Have you been taking proper care of yourself?”
Though his height had increased significantly, I aggressively messed up his hair as he leaned his head forward like an eager pup.
Only after basking in the affection for a good while did he appear content, offering a bright, goofy grin.
My eyes dropped to the heavy mallet gripped in Cheon-gi’s hand, prompting me to inquire.
“Is the mechanical formation still remaining incomplete?”
The legendary mechanical formation that he had ultimately failed to bring to fruition in my past life.
Cheon-gi Jegal, who had been tirelessly striving to construct it, was currently attempting to engineer an entirely novel mechanical formation after collaborating with the mystical practitioners of the Mosan Sect.
“Not at all. Lately, I have been looking like this because I am actively setting up mechanical formations across the entirety of the Wang Family Manor.”
“Over at the Wang Family Manor?”
“Yes. Upon witnessing the defensive arrays implemented here at the Tae-eul Sect, the Merchant Leader personally requested that I replicate the security systems at the Wang Family Manor as well. However, due to the sheer scale of the estate, it appears the full installation will require a substantial amount of time to reach completion.”
If it were the wealthy Wang Family Merchant Leader, he possessed the capital to directly commission the prestigious Jegal Clan or the enigmatic Mosan Sect to handle the security arrays…
Discovering that he had specifically chosen to implement Cheon-gi Jegal’s personal mechanical formations made it impossible for me to even fathom what sort of miraculous defensive marvel the boy had managed to engineer.
‘A mastermind remains a mastermind regardless of age.’
Right after, Yeong-yeong, who had been standing quietly alongside Cheon-gi, offered a deep, respectful bow.
“Whispers regarding the young master’s exploits have reached my ears through various channels.”
Confronted by this unexpected appearance, I found it difficult to conceal my astonishment.
“Is it entirely safe for you to show your face openly in public now?”
Yeong-yeong cast a brief glance toward Cheon-gi Jegal before nodding firmly.
“Yes, it is.”
Did that imply that Cheon-gi Jegal had successfully attained a standard of martial prowess where he could adequately guarantee his own safety?
This lad has truly evolved significantly, hasn’t he?
“He-he!”
Cheon-gi Jegal rubbed the bridge of his nose in a display of boyish embarrassment.
“I applied myself with absolute dedication.”
Gazing at the young fellow who was beaming with pure joy, I realized that the moment had arrived to return what rightfully belonged to him.
“Are you free from duties at this exact moment?”
“Pardon? Right now?”
“Indeed.”
“…What sort of matter are we referring to?”
I ran my hand through his hair once more.
“Because I possess a particular gift to bestow upon you.”
I guided Cheon-gi, who was tilting his head in complete bewilderment, out toward the training fields.
“Hy-Hyung-nim… regardless of how consistently I have maintained my daily exercises, it is ut-utterly impossible for someone of my level to best Hyung-nim.”
Haha, this youngster has developed a touch of confidence after undergoing a bit of regimented training. To think his mind is already leaping to the concept of defeating me in combat.
I looked directly into the eyes of the visibly flustered boy.
The proper hour had finally arrived.
“I have an art to impart to you.”
The Jegal Three Styles originally traced back to the genius of Cheon-gi Jegal himself.
The time had come to restore them to their true master.
“Regard this exercise as a foundational element of your education.”
“Ye-yes.”
I tightened my grip around the hilt of the Black Dragon Sword resting in my palm.
Demonstrating that he had indeed stayed true to his training regimen just as he claimed, he assumed an upright, disciplined stance facing me with his weapon raised.
Tremble, tremble.
Be that as it may, the tip of his blade vibrated slightly, as though an undercurrent of anxiety was gripping his spirit.
“Pay close attention, I am commencing.”
“Ye-yes!”
And a mere breath later.
Clang.
The Black Dragon Sword slipped free and impacted the earth with a resounding metallic ring.
“…… shreds.”
“O-oh?”
Cheon-gi Jegal, who remained frozen in his sword-wielding posture, wore an expression of absolute confusion, completely unaware of how his weapon had been disarmed.
Whoa, did I perhaps overindulge in the spirits yesterday to the point that my grip lacks standard physical power…?
“Ah! My apologies, Cheon-gi. I must be suffering from the lingering effects of the alcohol I consumed yesterday.”
“…I-is that truly the reason?”
“Yes. Let us attempt… let us try the sequence once more.”
The most rapid and effective method to instruct someone in the Jegal Three Styles is to force them to analyze the principles by displaying the foundational sword forms and the adapted movements converted into the Jegal Three Styles in alternating succession.
For that exact reason, I intended to initially exhibit the Small Heaven Sword Technique and the Great Heaven Sword Technique, which comprise core martial forms of the Tae-eul Sect that he was already thoroughly acquainted with.
Clang.
Once more, the Black Dragon Sword was ripped away and struck the ground with a loud clatter.
…What exactly was occurring here?
“…Hy-Hyung-nim? You aren’t suffering from some hidden illness or injury, are you?”
“…….”
Cheon-gi was already unconsciously deploying the mechanics of the Pasa-sik (Destroying the Evil Style).
“Hyung-nim?”
Damn it. Just what under heaven is happening right now?