Chapter 57
Chapter 57: Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven
The high-ranking elders of the clan gathered in the main hall for the first time in quite a while.
Naturally, the single item on the agenda was determining who deserved to receive the newly concocted elixirs.
Having recently concluded his closed-door seclusion, Baek Muryang accepted the delicate container housing the pills, offered with deep deference by the Vice Chief of the Poison and Medicine Hall.
“Lord of the House. Among the twenty pills our compact promised, the initial five have been brought to completion.”
Crafting such remedies was a feat out of reach for anyone who lacked mastery in medicinal theory and the intricate craft of pill alchemy.
Furthermore, coaxing out the absolute peak of their restorative properties demanded tracking down scarce, exorbitant herbs and meticulously harmonizing their conflicting natural affinities through relentless devotion and labor.
On account of those immense demands, producing a mere five pills had consumed close to two full months.
“Vice Chief. You have borne an enormous burden to accomplish this.”
“Think nothing of it. Once a pact between allies is established, one is obliged to pledge absolute dedication. Taken from a broader vantage, this ultimately advances the welfare of my own clan as well.”
“Hearing such gracious sentiments brings me profound relief.”
The faintest trace of a grin graced the Vice Chief’s face as he offered his reply.
“Thanks to the supplementary capital provided to our halls, we succeeded in raising the inherent power of the elixirs by nearly a fifth. The internal reserves imparted to an adult through a single pill remain virtually unchanged, but when administered to a youth, it holds the secondary virtue of unsealing far greater latent reserves locked within their physical frame.”
As he spoke those words, the Vice Chief shifted his eyes in the direction of Yanghwi.
The lad bore a sharp, perceptive countenance, and the martial gifts coiled within him were plainly extraordinary.
To speak plain truth, unlike Young Lord Tang Gun, the Vice Chief had never harbored particularly lofty opinions regarding the humble Baek house.
He had inwardly doubted whether a distinguished, venerable lineage like the Tang Clan gained any meaningful advantage by yoking its name to such a household.
All the same…
Should they cultivate that child properly, even nourishing him with precious elixirs… that young man alone would justify every ounce of effort poured into this compact.
The most unyielding treaty under heaven had always been one cemented by shared blood.
From the Vice Chief’s perspective, absorbing that prodigy into their lineage — whether by taking him in as an esteemed son-in-law or through any suitable pretext — would ensure unimaginable prosperity.
In the meantime…
Baek Muryang studied the five pills nested within the receptacle, his brow furrowed in contemplation.
Every single figure seated in the elder council mirrored that precise demeanor of solemn calculation.
To whose hands should these available treasures be entrusted?
It was a choice bearing immense gravity for the future.
“…To begin. Master of Baekik Pavilion, Gu Ak.”
“This subordinate stands ready to heed your command, Lord of the House.”
“In acknowledgment of your dedicated service, I grant you one elixir.”
Instant, radiant delight washed over Gu Ak’s features.
“My eternal allegiance! I shall dedicate every breath of my remaining years to the glory of the Baek house!”
Murmurs of unified approval swept through the gathered elders. The man’s contributions had been so prominent that awarding him an elixir felt entirely warranted.
No observer looking upon him now would guess he had once stood as the chosen heir of an underworld sect until quite recently.
He steers our principal vanguard as Master of the Reformation Pavilion, so strengthening his foundation is only prudent.
Whispers say he has been thoroughly wearing himself out in the bedchamber with his lady lately. May this provide the vigor his constitution sorely requires.
He shouldered the harshest trials under Young Master Hwi… that solitary ordeal renders him worthy of compensation. My congratulations, Master of Baekik Pavilion.
With that, four pills remained. Baek Muryang drew two of them close to his seat.
“Setting aside false modesty, I intend to claim two of the four remaining pills for my own inadequate self.”
“None among us would dare call our Lord inadequate! Please consume them, Lord of the House, and attain the supreme pinnacle of your cultivation!”
“Attain the great perfection!”
Not a single soul voiced the slightest hesitation over Baek Muryang securing two pills for himself.
He stood fully deserving of the honor.
It was not merely an entitlement derived from the supreme authority of his station as Lord of the House.
Rather, it was an earned right founded upon genuine veneration, conceded to a patriarch who poured his heart out for the family and placed himself at the vanguard of every struggle.
“I offer my heartfelt thanks to all of you for such generous backing.”
“Speak no such thanks, Lord of the House. You are the enduring bedrock of our clan.”
Casting his eyes down toward the pair of pills left over, Baek Muryang turned his attention toward Yanghwi.
“Hwi.”
“Lord of the House, my path requires no aid from them.”
“Oh?”
“Did I not make this clear to you previously?”
Because the Vice Chief of the Tang Clan sat in their presence, Yanghwi offered only a terse reply alongside a discreet, knowing glance.
Yet Baek Muryang’s thoughts had taken a slightly divergent path from the youth’s assumption.
“Hwi, I leave the fate of these final two pills entirely to your judgment.”
“What did you say?”
“You have earned the right to dispose of them. You may ingest them for your own cultivation, or you may bestow them upon whomever you see fit.”
“…I am grateful.”
A subtle wave of warmth settled within Yanghwi’s chest. In truth, he had already marked a recipient for one of the doses.
First, I will look after that rascal Chudal with a pill.
The decision was not born of sentimental lingering from his previous existence.
If the discipline and structure of a house were to hold unbroken, the boundaries of reward and retribution needed to be drawn with absolute clarity.
Chudal had conducted himself remarkably well during their confrontation with the Namgeum Merchant Guild, meaning he had undeniably earned his share.
Heonso may harbor a bit of resentment upon seeing me grant favor to a newcomer ahead of my own flesh and blood… but there is no helping that.
Regardless, Heonso was the breed of youth who strove with renewed fury whenever envy pricked his pride.
Directed skillfully, that burning rivalry could effortlessly be turned into genuine progression.
As for the final pill… perhaps I should hold onto it for the time being? A dire crisis requiring the immediate restorative power of an elixir could easily emerge without warning.
“With that decided, I will return once again to my closed-door seclusion. Steward Han.”
“I am here, Lord of the House.”
“I place the administration of the compound in your dependable care. My reliance on your wisdom has never wavered.”
“Such praise is far beyond my poor station, but I shall exert every ounce of my strength.”
Upon those parting words, the council of elders drew to its conclusion.
Yanghwi departed immediately, making his way toward Yeo Hyeok’s pavilion, the dwelling where Chudal had taken up residence in recent days.
“Chudal, you insolent whelp… wait.”
He had been on the verge of shouting at the top of his lungs, but he swallowed his words and softened his tone in an instant.
Just outside the pavilion entrance, Chudal and Yeo Hyeok stood engrossed in discussion, their expressions weighed down by an uncharacteristic solemnity.
What could they be discussing so earnestly?
Concealing his vital energy entirely, Yanghwi drew near and attuned his ears to their voices.
“Hua.”
“I am listening, Master.”
Aha. Yanghwi had not found the leisure to properly inspect Chudal’s progress over the past month.
It appeared the brat had officially been accepted as the disciple of Old Man Yeo.
An outstanding turn of fortune. The true successor to the heritage of the Divine Thief would serve as the ideal linchpin for an overarching intelligence web in the days ahead.
“As the elder guiding your path, I must bestow upon you a stern admonition.”
“Speak, Master.”
“I am well aware you have driven your frame past reasonable limits under the mistaken thought that you earned this discipleship merely through the favor of Young Master Hwi. Yet you have overstepped the bounds of reason. You possess exceptional natural aptitude entirely suited to inherit my teachings, so you need not harbor such anxieties.”
“…”
Chudal held his tongue. Now that Yanghwi took a closer look, the boy’s physical state seemed thoroughly worn down.
Observing his carriage, he must have strained his tendons and joints to the breaking point through sheer recklessness.
To reduce his body to such a state in just four weeks meant he had cast aside all caution to brutalize himself with endless practice.
“Excessive cultivation brings nothing but poison to the meridians. You must hold your zeal in check henceforth. Have you taken my words to heart?”
“…Be that as it may, Master.”
Seeing the youth waver rather than simply submit to the rebuke, Yeo Hyeok allowed a gentle expression to soften his stern countenance.
“It seems my assumption failed to grasp the whole picture. What purpose drives you to court such ruin?”
“…”
“Hua, I hold a deep appreciation for your natural inclinations. Your underlying character, your moral center, even the innate alignment of your martial bones. All of it is tailor-made to carry the heritage of the Divine Thief forward. A marked difference from my own shortcomings, I might add.”
Even though the praise fell upon Chudal, it was Yanghwi who felt a surge of pride, swelling his chest in silent agreement.
I knew the old man would recognize his worth. Chudal was never a boy who lacked capability.
Back in their former lives, Chudal’s unmatched knack for vanishing without a trace or hunting down a quarry had stood beyond compare.
Yanghwi had maneuvered the boy toward the lineage of the Divine Thief precisely because he knew that peerless inclination better than anyone.
At any rate, that history held little weight in the present moment.
“Lay bare your heart, Hua.”
“…There is a debt of blood and mercy that I must settle.”
“A debt?”
“The nameless warrior who tore me free from the clutches of the Nameless Killing Valley. That sovereign possessed the terrifying strength to raze an entire order by his own hand. If I am to offer repayment for such a miraculous salvation, I cannot afford to remain weak. What is more…”
“What more?”
“I must also balance the immense mercy granted to me here within the walls of the Baek Estate. The elder brother who claimed me as family when I was nothing more than an assassin’s whelp. And the household that welcomed my presence without a sliver of doubt. The favors pressing down upon my shoulders are countless.”
Yeo Hyeok let out a resonant, gratified chuckle.
“Your master’s chest bears that selfsame weight of gratitude. Both of us owe an immeasurable sum to this house. Even so, sprinting blindly in your haste only to shatter your own limbs will leave you trailing far behind a man who advances with deliberate steps. I ask that you place your faith in this old master.”
Hearing those words, Chudal finally understood that driving his meridians to the brink of collapse had been an act of sheer folly.
“…I understand. Please forgive my rashness.”
“The legacy handed down through the Shadow Ghost Gate is more than illustrious enough to claim supremacy under the heavens. For what other reason would our lineage be revered throughout the world as the Divine Thief?”
He speaks the absolute truth. Though their direct arts of blade and spear might not stand at the pinnacle of pure devastation, the legend of the Divine Thief and the profound, untraceable nature of their movement methods cannot be belittled by anyone.
As those thoughts drifted through Yanghwi’s mind, Yeo Hyeok raised his voice once more.
“Place your trust in our heritage. Walk its path with patience. You shall not be left behind; indeed, you may soar far beyond my humble reach. Would you not agree, Young Master Hwi?”
So the veteran had caught his scent after all. It was only natural, given that Old Man Yeo stood as a renowned expert of the apex realm.
Rubbing the back of his neck with an embarrassed chuckle, Yanghwi strode out from the shadows.
“I had no design on eavesdropping on your conversation, but circumstances unfolded as they did. Forgive my intrusion, Elder.”
“Set that aside. Had the matter been one ill-suited for your ears, I would have chased you off long before you settled in. Putting that to rest, what errand delivers you to our steps?”
Yanghwi shifted his gaze between Yeo Hyeok and the apprentice for a fleeting moment.
As his eyes met Chudal’s, a mischievous smirk crept across his face.
The moment he saw that familiar grin, Chudal instinctively recoiled, feeling a sharp, ominous shudder ripple down his spine.
Who would have thought this little demon harbored such virtuous convictions in that head of his? I must be sure to wring every drop of labor out of him.
If one wished to wield an asset to the fullest, one first had to refine the material with absolute thoroughness.
Without ceremony, Yanghwi tossed a dark sphere straight toward Chudal’s chest.
“Woah, why fling a rock at my—wait, what in the world is this?”
“Does your vision fail you? If your sight is lacking, try drawing in its aroma.”
Lifting the pill near his nostrils, an intoxicating, heavenly fragrance washed over his senses.
Chudal’s eyes rounded in sheer disbelief.
“This cannot be real…”
“It is real. An authentic elixir. Shove it down your throat and temper your frame into something formidable, understand?”
“B-But…”
“I am granting this treasure to you well before Heonso or Yeonyeon ever lay eyes on one. It signifies that you must bridge the chasm left by your neglected years with haste, and it serves as proof of the high hopes I rest upon you. You will not fall short of my expectations, will you?”
“…”
Following a heavy pause, Chudal raised his gaze to meet Yanghwi’s.
For a fleeting second, the image before Yanghwi blurred, superimposing the visage of the young companion from his former incarnation over the youth standing before him.
“Boss. I swear on my life, I will never disappoint you!”
— Boss. Has this loyal brother ever fallen short in your eyes?
…Before his mind could even register the urge, Yanghwi’s palm flashed outward.
Smack!
“Ouch! What was that strike for!”
“You ungrateful wretch, you let me down at every possible turn back then.”
“When did I ever do such a thing! Honestly, you are making things up!”
“Making things up? Daring to talk back to your elder, are you?”
Smack!
“GYAAAH!”
Yeo Hyeok stroked his wispy beard with an affectionate grin, watching the pair trade blows and banter with youthful ferocity.
Young Master Hwi holds genuine tenderness for my little disciple. Those carefree years truly were the sweetest.
Time flowed on, and the eve of the new year drew near…
Even down in the southern stretches of Jiangxi, the winter chill had begun to bite sharply at the tip of the nose with the arrival of the season.
More than half a cycle of seasons has passed since I overturned the flow of time and took my first breath in the past.
Considering the scale of what had transpired, saying nearly an entire year had elapsed felt far closer to the mark than merely six months.
Throughout that span, the circumstances surrounding the Baek Estate had been thoroughly transformed.
I never dared to hope our family could push our reach outward with such terrifying speed. The wheels of destiny turned in our favor at every juncture.
Indeed, favorable circumstances had dovetailed into place with clockwork precision: the timely intervention of Yeo Unjuk, whose cunning turned white into black; plundering the spoils left behind by the feuds of the underworld; the complete capitulation of Gu Ak; the vital networks forged alongside the Zhuge family and the Sound Empress.
Owing to those remarkable shifts, when weighed against the desperate hour of Yanghwi’s return, the Baek Estate had expanded its martial forces threefold and multiplied its treasury dozens of times over.
We maintain sovereign control over four commercial establishments in all. The steady river of coin flowing from them yields roughly a thousand silver nyang each month, does it not?
Pouring mountains of coin into rebuilding the venues shattered by the underworld warfare had yielded magnificent returns.
Now, those enterprises generated peak profits while requiring the barest maintenance to operate.
Yet the expansion went far beyond mere coin.
The balance of martial dominance across Ak’an County had been entirely rewritten.
With the destruction of both the Cheongsa Gang and the Honggyo Gang, the territory had resolved into a tense, two-sided standoff pitting the Gyojin Gang against the Baek house, while the Suho Alliance held back in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike.
A neglected, third-rate martial clan that nobody had deigned to notice had surged to become the undisputed master of the county in under a year.
Hehehe, we must maintain this unrelenting stride. No, we must quicken our pace into a full sprint.
Yet the tides of mortal fortune were ever fickle.
Where great fortune planted its roots, shadow and calamity were certain to creep along behind.
“Catastrophe! The Gyojin Gang has launched a massive surprise raid against the forces of the Suho Alliance!”
“Over half the sects under the banner of the Suho Alliance have surrendered their colors, and the Gyojin Gang has taken possession of virtually all their strongholds and shops!”
The Gyojin Gang had finally made its decisive maneuver.
And they marched forward with the savage frenzy of predators resolved to swallow the region whole.
“Steward Han. Young Master Hwi. A messenger from the Gyojin Gang has arrived at the gates.”
“What message does he carry?”
“…They have delivered a declaration of a death match.”
Yi Hoyang, chieftain of the Gyojin Gang.
He had cast down the gauntlet of total annihilation against the Baek Estate, placing the entire fortune and existence of his clan upon the line.
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