Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Baek Muryang’s brow furrowed in mild disapproval.
“Even though I agreed to the Master of Baekik Pavilion’s plea and took those men in as retainers, this direction feels ill-advised.”
Yanghwi shared the sentiment. Rogues of the dark path had earned their vile reputation honestly. Taking cutthroats, straightening out their crooked ways, and employing them productively was a fantasy far easier conceived than achieved. Those men were corrupt to the bone, having long abandoned honest labor in favor of preying upon the weak. While rare exceptions like Gu Ak did exist, the vast majority were worthless dregs. Reshaping scum of that caliber into respectable members of an orthodox sect would require someone intimately familiar with the underworld’s darkest corners—someone capable of watching them without blinking for a single heartbeat.
Yet, hadn’t heaven placed that precise candidate right before their eyes?
“The Records of the Grand Historian notes that favorable moments are difficult to grasp and remarkably swift to slip away.”
“A rare opening is hard to seize and trivial to squander. What point are you driving at?”
“Our clan currently stands at a dual crossroads. A golden opening and a grave dilemma.”
An opening to rise from the chaos left by the territorial clashes of the dark path, alongside a dilemma bred from the dangerous attention that rising would surely draw. To capitalize on the former while surviving the latter, they needed to swell their numbers through any viable avenue.
“You previously commanded the Master of Baekik Pavilion to commit a righteous act each day, Lord Father. What if we broadened that decree?”
Stripped to its essence, the scheme was straightforward: offer those who had grown weary of bloodshed and wickedness, just as Gu Ak had, a path to redemption. In doing so, they could employ the craft of pitting the dark path against itself, rapidly multiplying their martial strength.
“This recent territorial strife made plain to us the misery that illicit gangs visit upon ordinary folk.”
“That it did. I witnessed it all too clearly.”
“Then our moral mandate is already established. We shall practice righteousness through the stratagem of turning the dark path inward on itself.”
“Even granting that logic, how many vagabonds in the underworld would genuinely rally behind such a high-minded banner?”
Gu Ak stepped in to reply before Yanghwi could speak.
“Clan Patriarch, I suspect the number will be far from negligible.”
“Is that so?”
“In truth, multiple scoundrels—including subordinates who once served under me in the Honggyo Gang—have already come seeking my counsel.”
Months of brutal, unending turf skirmishes had worn down the spirits of those dark-path fighters. The relentless slaughter, paired with the constant dread that haunted their meals and disturbed their sleep, had taken its toll.
“They have simply been broken by fear, unable to endure that sinister path any longer. The moral mandate Little Brother proposes offers these desperate men a doorway to don the mantle of the orthodox path.”
“Is this your design, Hwi?”
“Brother Gu has pierced straight to the heart of my thoughts.”
“If we vet them rigorously and instill proper discipline, we might indeed forge a capable vanguard in short order.”
Baek Muryang weighed the notion in silence before fixing his gaze upon Gu Ak.
“Master of Baekik Pavilion. Can you shoulder this burden?”
“Give the word, and I shall see it accomplished.”
“So be it. Starting today, your title shall be the Master of the Reformation Pavilion. Master of the Reformation Pavilion, gather these former outlaws under your banner, forge them into shape, and assemble the Reformation Corps.”
“It shall be done!”
Yanghwi chimed in with a word of caution.
“I trust Brother Gu has his own methods, yet keep one principle sacred: rogues from the dark path cannot be swayed by politeness or gentle reasoning. Only unyielding discipline will keep them in line.”
Simply put, kind words fell on deaf ears, whereas the rod worked miracles. Although such blunt phrasing might have stung a former ruffian, Gu Ak merely broke into a savage grin.
“Rest easy, Little Brother. No one under heaven understands that better than I.”
Over in the central training grounds of the Baek Estate, Yanghwi sat with crossed legs, his two younger siblings beside him.
“Anchor this truth deep within your minds. The Harmonious Heaven Primordial Art. The foundation of aligning oneself with heaven and earth to nurture the primordial source.”
The Hundred and Eight Heaven-Splitting Swords demanded mastery over its initial three forms before one could even hope to fathom its deeper mechanics.
The Harmonious Heaven Primordial Art, however, was fundamentally different. Even though it had evolved from the Pear Blossom Six Harmonies Art, it was not an esoteric technique restricted by prerequisites, meaning immediate cultivation carried no danger. Since methods dedicated to accumulating internal energy yielded greater fruit the earlier one began, starting without delay was crucial. For that reason, Yanghwi was currently guiding his siblings through the steps of the Harmonious Heaven Primordial Art.
“Brother, how am I supposed to guide it through here?”
“Uhm, Brother, this part feels too difficult for Yeon…”
Patiently resolving Heonso’s doubts while offering gentle encouragement to Yeonyeon, Yanghwi immersed himself in his own cultivation.
Channeling the Harmonious Heaven Primordial Art through this youthful vessel allows me to condense and circulate true qi at a pace incomparable to my previous life.
In that former existence, the lingering trauma of qi deviation had continually hindered his internal circulation. Within this pristine, undamaged flesh, the contrast was staggering.
My progress this time will far outstrip the past.
Back then, he had stepped into the apex realm near his twentieth year. In this lifetime, perhaps…
Anchored by that ambition, Yanghwi sank deeper into spiritual stillness.
Gather every strand of energy under heaven into singular harmony.
Merge with heaven, return to the source.
Through measured breaths, he separated the distinct currents of worldly qi entering his body. Though it appeared unified on the surface, natural true qi contained the delicate balance of yin, yang, and the five elements. Blending every distinct trace into a true union, he refined them into pure Harmonious Heaven qi.
In that very breath…
Hm?
Yanghwi caught a sudden anomaly: the essence of the Harmonious Heaven qi coursing through his channels differed from the power he remembered.
What could this be?
At the focal center of his dantian where his internal reserves gathered, an unfamiliar presence made itself known—a minuscule seed that had never existed before. If forced to name it, he would call it a core heart.
Whence did this arise?
The pulsation drifting from this core heart felt completely foreign, intertwining with the Harmonious Heaven qi and granting it an extraordinary quality. It remained Harmonious Heaven qi, yet stood entirely apart from what he had cultivated in his past life.
Untainted, luminous, and undeniably noble.
It exuded a pristine, lofty majesty. The sheer depth of it transcended even the vast comprehension and enlightenment he had acquired upon reaching the apex realm in his previous life. The impression it gave was remarkably akin to…
Indeed. It was almost indistinguishable from the immortal qi said to emanate from transcendent Daoist masters—perhaps even deeper and more divine.
This was an unforeseen evolution. What had triggered such a shift? An instinctive suspicion whispered that it was tied to the mysterious phenomenon that had propelled him backward through time.
There is undoubtedly a link, even if the truth remains obscure for now.
Guiding the current through the minor heavenly cycle and subsequently completing the full heavenly cycle, the Harmonious Heaven qi rippling across his meridians settled back into his dantian. The core heart continued its quiet thrum at the center of the pool. Bearing such radiant energy, dubbing it an immortal core felt far more accurate.
Though the origin remains unknown, the result is undeniably a blessing.
That realization was sufficient for the moment. Racking his brain over it now would yield no swift answers anyway.
“Brother, have you finished?”
“You meditated for an exceptionally long spell today, Brother.”
“It simply unfolded that way.”
Gazing warmly upon his siblings, he said,
“We shall finish our practice for today.”
“Hooray!”
“Understood, Brother!”
Seeing Baek Heonso and Baek Yeonyeon collapse happily onto the earth filled Yanghwi with quiet contentment.
Keep growing strong and innocent, both of you, just as you are.
Suddenly, Yanghwi’s sharp senses detected raised voices echoing from the estate’s main gate.
“I am the chief steward… of the Baek clan…”
“My orders are… to deliver this into the Lord’s own hands…”
His brow creased, and Yanghwi glided swiftly toward the entrance. Through the parted gates, he found a stranger locked in an argument with Steward Han.
“Steward Han. What is the trouble here?”
“Ah, Young Master Hwi. A courier from the Suho Alliance has arrived, but he stubbornly insists that this missive must be handed directly to our Clan Patriarch.”
The Suho Alliance. Once counted among the four dominant factions of Ak’an County, they were now acknowledged as one of the Two Powers of Ak’an—a coalition formed by various small and medium sects claiming adherence to the orthodox path. Yanghwi read the situation instantly.
Dropping the name of the Zhuge clan has drawn the greedy flies out from hiding.
Over recent days, rumors had been subtly circulated that the young lord of the noble Zhuge family intended to pay a visit to the Baek Estate. That subtle maneuver had successfully deterred the Gyojin Gang from causing further strife, yet it had drawn the Suho Alliance buzzing to their doorstep instead.
“Courier, pass the letter to me.”
“That is impossible. My strict instructions were to place it directly into the hands of the Lord of the Baek Estate.”
Yanghwi saw no reason to waste his breath on a stubborn errand-runner.
“The Lord of the House has entered secluded cultivation and will not show himself for three full days. If your desire is to stand vigil out here until then, be our guest. Steward Han, we are leaving.”
It was a fabrication, though grounded in partial truth, as Baek Muryang had secluded himself recently to delve into the Hundred and Eight Heaven-Splitting Swords and the Harmonious Heaven Primordial Art. Steward Han, catching the cue immediately, spun around and barked toward the guard.
“Shut the gates!”
“At once, Steward!”
“…Wait, take it!”
Sneering faintly as the courier begrudgingly surrendered the packet, Yanghwi slit the envelope open on the spot. He leaned in alongside Steward Han to examine the script.
[To Lord Baek Muryang of the Baek Estate.]
[The Suho Alliance conveys its solemn lament regarding the recent chaos that has unsettled Ak’an County…]
[To forestall such calamity, the righteous intent of the orthodox factions must stand undivided…]
[To that end, we are convening the Yuhang Conference, extending our invitation to the direct scions and notable figures of our allied sects…]
[We are also arranging a martial tournament, providing a grand stage for the rising generation of our martial world to forge bonds and exchange wisdom…]
Reaching the final lines of the document, Steward Han looked up with an irritated scowl.
“What do you make of this, Young Master Hwi?”
“It is plain enough: they wish to leech off our ties with the young lord of the Zhuge family, and they are demanding our cooperation.”
“So it struck you the same way, Young Master Hwi?”
“Naturally. For what other reason would the Suho Alliance suddenly seek out our humble Baek Estate at such an hour?”
Although both the Suho Alliance and the Baek Estate belonged to the orthodox sphere within Ak’an County, there had historically been virtually no interaction between them. Because the Baek clan held negligible sway and was situated far out on the peripheral lands, the alliance had simply looked past them. For those very men to stretch forth a hand now could signify only one scheme.
“They intend to stage a lavish assembly under the guise of the Yuhang Conference, run a tournament to flaunt their emerging talents, and ride our coattails to establish ties with a premier martial clan.”
Beyond that, it was the Suho Alliance’s subtle attempt to rein in the Baek Estate. Their methods appeared polished because they claimed the orthodox path, yet underneath the veneer, their greed was no different from that of common underworld cutthroats.
Repaying a debt in the exact coin it was offered.
“Still, there is no cause for distress. Since they wish to play this game, we shall indulge them.”
Finishing his thought, Yanghwi let his gaze drift across the compound. Artisans and laborers were scattered about, diligently mending fractured tiles and weathered halls. All of it was meant to prepare a proper reception for Zhuge Seon, the young lord of the Zhuge family and sworn brother to the clan head, alongside his accompanying retinue.
Three days remaining, is it?
In three days, his uncle-by-oath Zhuge Seon would arrive at the Baek Estate accompanied by his daughter. The Yuhang Conference was scheduled for three days after that arrival. Were they to keep silent, Zhuge Seon would remain entirely oblivious to the event, making it effortless to ignore the gathering altogether. However…
This aligns with my wishes even better. I had already hoped to leave a more striking impression upon the Zhuge clan.
A visit from the Zhuge heir that had never transpired in his previous lifetime. The presence of Zhuge Seon’s second daughter, whom he had never once met back then. Furthermore, the Suho Alliance, which had stayed thoroughly passive in his past life, was now daring to intrude upon the board he had arranged, overreaching with petty schemes. To pivot these unexpected developments into advantages for the Baek clan…
Indeed, premature though it might feel, the earlier one carves out prestige and renown, the sweeter the harvest.
Yanghwi delivered a crisp slash with his wooden blade.
Whir!
A sharp resonance like the hum of a hornet’s wings vibrated through the air.
“Jeomsun, a wasp seems to have drifted into the courtyard. Drive it away before it troubles the young master or young lady.”
“Right away, Young Master!”
Yanghwi offered a soft chuckle as the maidservant hurried off with lively determination.
As dusk settled across the land, the central training grounds of the Baek Estate were filled with quiet anticipation.
Every retainer stood arrayed before the wide-flung main gates, clad in pristine ceremonial garments. Though their esteemed guests Yeo Hyeok and his daughter were absent, Gu Ak, now serving as the Master of the Reformation Pavilion, stood dutifully beside Baek Muryang, and even the frail matriarch of the clan, Jeong Inhwa, had come out to receive the guests.
“…Brother. Even if Father’s sworn brother is coming, isn’t such elaborate ceremony somewhat excessive? He is the younger brother in their oath, after all.”
Baek Heonso posed the question with a subtle pout as he stood beside Yanghwi. Sensing the boy’s worried eyes lingering on their ailing mother, Yanghwi offered a calm, soothing explanation.
“It is precisely because he is the younger sworn brother that we must honor him so.”
“What do you mean?”
Under conventional worldly customs, an elder brother naturally commanded seniority over a younger sibling. Yet the bond linking Baek Muryang and Zhuge Seon defied simple measurement. The Baek Estate was merely a third-rate martial clan unable to breach even the top ten powers of a solitary county, while the Crouching Dragon Zhuge family was a supreme noble titan commanding reverent awe throughout the entire land. Though both moved within the martial sphere, the chasm separating their houses was as profound as heaven above the dirt below. In spite of that gulf, the young master of that supreme clan had honored the head of a third-rate house as his sworn elder brother.
“Guan Yunchang recognized Liu Bei Xuande, his junior in age, as his lord and elder brother, yet Liu Bei Xuande embraced Guan Yunchang both as a younger brother and as a revered elder. Father is simply returning that very same honor.”
Baek Heonso could not fully grasp the intricate weight behind those words, yet he carved every syllable into his memory. Whatever his brother claimed was undeniably right.
“Brother, horses are appearing over the hill!”
Following Baek Yeonyeon’s eager whisper, the distant silhouettes gradually sharpened. Ten fine steeds, an ornate carriage, and nearly twenty escort warriors came into focus.
An exceedingly modest entourage for the heir of the esteemed Zhuge clan and his precious daughter.
It was plainly an expression of Uncle-by-oath Zhuge Seon’s humble temperament, as well as the genuine reverence he harbored toward his sworn elder brother. The convoy soon drew to a halt outside the grand gates of the Baek Estate. Without a second’s hesitation, a towering figure holding a slender young girl against his chest vaulted lightly across the barrier.
“Brother! Your younger brother has arrived!”
Still cradling the child with one arm, the massive warrior executed a crisp martial salute. Catching sight of Zhuge Seon’s broad, radiant grin, Baek Muryang could hold back no longer and bounded forward in kind.
“Brother! How many seasons has it been!”
As the two sworn brothers embraced in their long-awaited reunion, Yanghwi drew in a calm breath, released it slowly, and stirred his inner perception.
Whooosh —
He reached out with his senses toward Zhuge Seon’s eight extraordinary meridians and dantian, yet encountered only an unreadable void. It was entirely expected; at his current stage of cultivation, peering into an expert of the apex realm or higher was an impossibility. Yielding to reality, Yanghwi redirected his spiritual focus away from Zhuge Seon and toward the child held within his embrace.
She was a girl of delicate frame, her features shielded entirely behind a veil of immaculate white cloth. As he began tracing the faint qi trickling from her eight extraordinary meridians and dantian…
In that very fraction of an instant…
“…!”
The maiden, Zhuge Seolha, suddenly snapped her eyes wide and let her lips part in shock.
Startled by her reaction, Zhuge Seon boomed in a voice like rolling thunder,
“Seolha, what has happened!”
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