Chapter 28

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Translated by Seoulbound

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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This was because Tang Jong-hyeok’s expression, which had seemed to look down on the Wudang Sect in the past, completely changed at my words.

“They said that the Wudang Sect’s cultivation method is the best among the internal arts of the orthodox Taoist sects, and today I have truly witnessed its wonderful application. Thank you for the precious sight, Young Hero Yeon.”

‘It was just a temporary improvisation, though.’

Of course, I did not bother to add any words.

And then my eyes met Tang Baek-seon’s.

A strange look.

It was a look that seemed to see right through my mind.

While a moment of tension flowed, Tang Baek-seon opened his mouth.

“Do you really have no intention of entering our Tang Family as a son-in-law?”

Tang Baek-seon was more persistent than I thought.

**

“I, too, was deeply impressed by the Tang Family’s poison arts and medicine. Thank you for detoxifying my senior brother and sister.”

At my reply, Tang Baek-seon smacked his lips in regret, and then opened his mouth.

“With this, can we consider the favor repaid?”

At his words, I tilted my head for a moment.

‘What favor?’

Then I recalled the moment before the Cloud-Climbing Step leap and glide, when there was an attack by the bandits. It was the incident where I pulled his sleeve to help Tang Baek-seon avoid a crossbow bolt flying toward his head.

‘Ah.’

Saving people who were ‘weaker’ than me.

I had only practiced the chivalry I learned from my sect, but Tang Baek-seon called it a favor.

‘Is this the difference between us and the noble clans?’

With the thought that the way of thinking was certainly different, just like the Zhuge Clan in the past, the potential energy of my Middle Dantian strangely rose and touched my Upper Dantian, and a faint smile naturally blossomed on my face.

“It seems you have repaid it excessively.”

At my answer, Tang Baek-seon replied firmly.

“No way. Could the value of my life be worth only a few pills?”

In a way, it was an arrogant statement, but.

‘Certainly.’

I thought that his poison arts—from finding the bandit camp of the Chaotic Heaven Green Forest, which could not easily be found even with the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition, to disposing of dozens of bandits in a single move—were worthy of pride.

“Indeed, that is true too.”

At my words, a satisfied smile appeared on Tang Baek-seon’s face.

Glancing at that sight, Tang Jong-hyeok spoke to me in his newly polite tone.

“Although my uncle did not explicitly say so, the pill given to Young Hero Yeon is a secret spiritual medicine of the Tang Family. Most poisons will probably be resisted with just one Flesh-Generating Tendon-Connecting Pill. Furthermore, it protects the acupoints and fine meridians…”

‘I knew it was no ordinary item.’

It seemed the item Tang Baek-seon pressed into my hand was indeed no ordinary pill.

Around the time the essence of my Middle Dantian reached the Hundred Convergences acupoint at the thought of having received an item far grander than expected just for pulling a sleeve once, Tang Baek-seon stopped Tang Jong-hyeok.

“Stop. We only repaid the favor we received, yet you talk too much.”

At Tang Baek-seon’s stern words, Tang Jong-hyeok immediately shut his mouth.

However, from Tang Jong-hyeok’s tone and the change in his attitude, I could grasp the true intent of his words. It was not arrogance demanding gratitude.

It was merely an expression asking to recognize the value of a precious item. In other words, it was a process of confirmation, as if saying, ‘We gave you something this precious, so our relationship has deepened that much, right?’

I mediated between the uncle and nephew who were not communicating smoothly.

“It seems Young Master Tang’s words were meant to suggest that our Wudang Sect and the Tang Family should cooperate more deeply in the future.”

Tang Baek-seon’s eyes widened at my words. At his expression that seemed to say, ‘Really?’, Tang Jong-hyeok nodded slightly.

“…Young Master Tang is correct. Favors are repaid twofold, and grudges tenfold. Is that not the family motto of our Tang Family?”

At Tang Jong-hyeok’s words, a satisfied smile returned to Tang Baek-seon’s face once again.

“So that’s what it was? Ahem. I misunderstood. Yes, Jong-hyeok, although you have a slightly narrow-minded side, you are not a child who doesn’t know basic manners.”

Even at the words that were confusing whether they were a compliment or an insult, Tang Jong-hyeok made an expression of letting it go. Looking at him, I comforted him with my eyes.

– You go through a lot.

– Thank you. When you come to the Tang Family next time, I will treat you properly.

While we secretly exchanged glances, the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar changed the subject.

“Well, settling the favor is one thing, but shouldn’t we pursue the mask? Even if it is an imitation, is he not a guy who knows the manufacturing method of the Immortal Ruiner? If we lose him, it will become a harm to the Jianghu.”

Everyone nodded at his words.

Since the detoxification was complete, we immediately began to search for the guy’s traces. However.

“The scent has cut off.”

“I cannot feel the aura of a martial artist either.”

Neither Tang Baek-seon’s sense of smell nor the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition could detect the Changyou-masked man’s presence. In the end, returning to the bandit camp, we began to clean up the situation.

Poisons and medicinal substances loaded on three carts.

The corpses wearing monkey masks fallen around them.

And the corpses of the bandit camp in the distance, along with the residual poison scattered here and there.

Even though we had lost the mask, there were many things to tidy up.

**

While Senior Sister Yi Chae-yang wrote the Netherworld Covenant, Senior Brother Myeong-hun, the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar, and I dug the graves.

While the people of the Tang Family collected the residual poison they had used, they organized the poisons plundered by the Chaotic Heaven Green Forest and loaded them onto the carts. A significant portion was missing from the amount originally ordered. It had been used by the bandits while manufacturing the poison.

After checking the collected poisons one by one, Tang Baek-seon nodded his head.

“It does not seem that any additional poison manufactured by them exists.”

Comparing the ingredients used with the amount of poison made, fortunately, it seemed that the poison that displayed proper performance (?) was only the one the Changyou-masked man had thrown before fleeing.

“Then, could you help dig the graves?”

At my words, Tang Jong-hyeok flinched, and

Tang Baek-seon…

“Sure.”

He rolled up his sleeves and dug the ground with a roughly made wooden shovel. I had asked someone who seemed likely to help, and since he helped so readily, I thought that I should respond to Tang Baek-seon’s invitation to entice me someday. Meanwhile.

“Jong-hyeok, what are you doing?”

The third young master, Tang Jong-hyeok, was also forced to dig the ground, getting dirt on his silk clothes.

Thanks to the six internal energy experts joining forces, the work of making the burial mounds and burying them could be completed without a hitch.

With the burial mounds completed and the burial of the Netherworld Covenants and corpses finished, we burned the Ghost-Suppressing Talismans and prayed for the rest of the deceased souls.

“…Wonshianjin.”

I finished the short funeral by softly chanting the Taoist phrase.

“Isn’t it strange? Praying for the peace of the enemies who were trying to take each other’s lives just a moment ago.”

At the question of Senior Brother Myeong-hun, I tilted my head.

‘Is there anything strange about it?’

I had thought so even when I tore out the throat of the Blood Selling Cult member who was taking the blood of powerless commoners in the past. For those who felt no qualms about exploiting others with their own strength, was there any reason to hesitate when I could take their lives with my power? None.

I merely thought that I had sent them back to where they rightfully belonged.

“Since they did not do a single good deed in life and ended up becoming good fertilizer in death, praying for their final peace is the least we can do.”

At my answer, Senior Brother Myeong-hun flinched and soon nodded his head.

“Indeed. Junior Brother has deep thoughts.”

It was something I said out of simple thoughts, but since he spoke like that, I was a bit flustered. To make matters worse, following Senior Brother Myeong-hun’s words, Senior Sister Yi Chae-yang also nodded.

“The body loses the soul, the qi scatters, and the essence returns to fertilizer, so in the end, it is that ‘what was naturally meant to happen occurred’ within the revolving cycle.”

Senior Sister Yi Chae-yang’s words were about the value that Taoists ultimately pursued, but…

‘I did not say it with such a deep meaning, though…’

I did not know that what I said—that finishing the end of a life with heavy demerits through merit as learned from the Ledger of Merits and Demerits in the sect would not be bad—would be interpreted this way. But.

“Wonshianjin, Wuwei Ziran.”

Chanting the Taoist phrase as naturally as possible, I even closed my eyes. It was thanks to having noticed early on that one must show sincerity in times like this to avoid suspicion.

And before long,

“Wonshianjin, Wuwei Ziran.”

Tang Baek-seon, Tang Jong-hyeok, and even the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar.

As they all quietly chanted the Taoist phrase and closed their eyes in front of the burial mound,

In the solemn atmosphere, I repeatedly assumed the posture of the Great Emptiness Form in my mind to calm my rising heart. It was a difficult time, as if I had returned to the days before I had the dreams in the Library Pavilion.

**

When the funeral was finished, a group of people emerged from the thicket where the Changyou-masked man had fled.

They were the senior brothers and sisters of the Greedy Wolf Unit.

Senior Sister Yoon Heun, who quickly grasped the situation, opened her mouth.

“We followed the secret signals left by Chae-yang, and it seems you have caused quite an incident.”

Actually, the mission received by Senior Brother Myeong-hun, Senior Sister Yi Chae-yang, and me was strictly reconnaissance. Turning the entire bandit camp into a shambles like this was out of the plan.

However, since all roads lead to Beijing, it was fine.

“The items wouldn’t have been released on the black market. Is that correct?”

At Senior Brother Myeong-hun’s question, Senior Brother Myeong-jing flinched and nodded his head.

“Yes.”

Senior Brother Myeong-hun and Senior Sister Yi Chae-yang shared the events here with the martial brothers of the Greedy Wolf Unit.

Although the senior brothers and sisters had come only with the suspicion that the bandits were trying to manufacture the Tang Family’s poison based on the plundered materials, their expressions turned serious upon hearing that the suspicion had become a certainty and that the poison was none other than the Immortal Ruiner, one of the Eight Ultimate Poisons of the Tang Family.

“The Immortal Ruiner?!”

“Heavens! If that is true, it is indeed an event that will turn the Jianghu upside down.”

The senior brothers and sisters responded in their own ways, and

Tang Baek-seon reassured the martial brothers of the Greedy Wolf Unit.

“Even so, it is just an imitation. Its power won’t even reach a quarter of the real Immortal Ruiner.”

“Even if that is true, it is an imitation of one of the Eight Ultimate Poisons of the Tang Family. We cannot take its power lightly.”

When Senior Brother Myeong-jing replied in a heavy voice, Tang Baek-seon nodded with a satisfied expression. Even if it was less than a quarter of the genuine product’s power, he was proud that a core disciple of Wudang, the South Revered, acknowledged their poison.

‘The more I look at him, the clearer of a person he is.’

It seemed that the reason he was not hateful, even though he occasionally seemed to show insidious intentions, was because of that. Because his inner thoughts were completely transparent.

And just like that thought, Tang Baek-seon brought up the main topic in a subtle tone that laid bare his thoughts.

“The one who plotted this must be the Great Sage Who Drives Spirits of the Chaotic Heaven Green Forest. Unless we deal with him, it means our Tang Family cannot sleep in peace for even a single day.”

There was no one here who did not know the meaning of those words. However, Senior Brother Myeong-jing did not give a definitive answer.

This was because the opponent Tang Baek-seon mentioned was the Great Sage Who Drives Spirits.

This was because he knew full well that an all-out war with the Great Sage Who Drives Spirits could soon turn into an all-out war with the Chaotic Heaven Green Forest.

No matter how much the Wudang Sect followed the path of chivalry and justice, touching one of the leaders of the Six Great Evils just to retrieve another sect’s property was not a decision Senior Brother Myeong-jing could make at his level.

Therefore, he had no choice but to reply like this.

“We must retrieve the stolen manufacturing method of the imitation Immortal Ruiner as soon as possible. I will report it to my sect as soon as we return.”

Tang Baek-seon, who did not receive an immediate answer, had a slightly disappointed face, and Tang Jong-hyeok stepped forward and clasped his hands as if he had expected it.

“We are extremely reassured that you would say even that much.”

Since the Immortal Ruiner was the Tang Family’s business, these words carried the underlying intent that they must take responsibility for it, but would also be grateful if they received help.

At Tang Jong-hyeok’s skillful rhetoric, Senior Brother Myeong-jing merely nodded slightly.

“Then we shall be off. Ah, Baek-jung, you must definitely visit the Tang Family later. Definitely!”

“Uncle, please stop.”

Tang Jong-hyeok, who stopped Tang Baek-seon, stood before us with a tired face.

“I held a wrong prejudice regarding Wudang’s martial arts, but thanks to the White Pine Maiden and the Heavy Cloud Sword, I was able to broaden my horizons. If I was impolite, I apologize even if it is late.”

Then Tang Jong-hyeok met my eyes and opened his mouth.

“And as for Young Hero Yeon… I feel I will hear news of you again in the near future. I do not think our relationship will end like this. Let’s share a drink the next time we meet.”

At his words, I showed respect with clasped hands.

“As long as it is confirmed that there is no poison inside Brother Tang’s sleeves, I will gladly accept as many cups of wine. Ah, but I do not know if my master will permit drinking before I reach adulthood.”

“Ha. Seeing Young Hero Yeon’s martial prowess, I did not know you were so young. It is truly a great fortune for Wudang. I look forward to your future. Let us meet again.”

Impressed by his tone, which was completely different from when we first met, I naturally bowed my head.

“I wish you a peaceful journey as well, Brother Tang.”

“Baek-jung, what about me?”

“Uncle!”

“I get it, you rascal. How dare you treat a family elder like this in front of others!”

Having recovered the carts from the bandits and the list of goods received from the Yoon Merchant Guild, the Tang Family departed, promising future encounters.

And.

“I shall go as well.”

The Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar also bid farewell.

Thus, the mission in Juksan, which felt both long and short, came to an end.

**

The Beggars’ Sect’s Juksan Branch Leader, who was lying down with his belly exposed taking an afternoon nap, sprang up like a frog waking from hibernation at the appearance of a big shot.

“Oh, Hall Leader.”

It was the Leader of the Hall of Rectitude, the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar.

The Juksan Branch Leader swallowed hard and tensed his gluteus muscles, waiting for a kick to fly at him.

This was because normally, if discipline was lax during the day like this, his characteristic fierce kicking technique was bound to fly.

Even if he tried to avoid it, he couldn’t, and if he dodged, he would be kicked harder for being insolent, so it was wise to get it over with in one go. However.

‘Huh?’

The Branch Leader, who had closed his eyes for a split second to endure the pain, thought he was dreaming. This was because the man who should have kicked him and poured a bucket of curses to make him snap out of it had vanished.

‘Huh? Where did this gentleman go?’

At that moment, a voice was heard from the Branch Leader’s office—though it was called that, it was merely a hut roughly made of straw mats.

“Bring a carrier pigeon to go to the main headquarters!”

At those words, the Juksan Branch Leader moved in a hurry.

While the Juksan Branch Leader went to get the carrier pigeon, the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar wrote down a short passage on a bamboo slip.

– “Great Sage Who Drives Spirits of the Chaotic Heaven Green Forest has secured the manufacturing method for the Tang Family’s imitation Immortal Ruiner. Adjustment of the Great Sage Who Drives Spirits’ risk level requested.”

While the ink on the bamboo slip dried, the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar took out a new bamboo slip. This time, his hand movement was slightly lighter.

– “Wudang Sect’s True Martial Pavilion disciple Yeon Baek-jung. Under twenty years of age. Outstanding qi sensitivity and talent for attributes. Defeated the Chaotic Heaven Green Forest’s Beast Sage mask alone. Detoxified the Tang Family’s deadly poison alone. Potential rating adjustment. Minimum Dragon class. Friendship and connection with the Beggars’ Sect’s high ranks requested.”

The Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar, who had drawn the final period, waited a moment for the ink to dry, and then suddenly picked up the brush again.

And then, the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar overwrote the two characters for ‘minimum’ and the character ‘Dragon’ behind it once more.