Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Jang Clan
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The Jang Clan's private residence was located in a relatively spacious mountain valley between Herb Prosperity Peak and Absolute Ground Peak.
The low-lying buildings, blending harmoniously with the serene landscape, gave off an air of elegant antiquity that suited the valley perfectly.
Despite its long history, the Jang Clan's residence wasn't particularly grand in scale.
With only a minimal staff and the direct lineage living modestly, there was no need to expand it further. Besides, as guests on the sect's land, they couldn't very well claim a large plot for themselves.
Still, the mere fact that the Jang Clan had its own residence within the Radiant Moon Sect spoke volumes about the special treatment they received.
A few servants bustled about on the spacious front porch, while in the largest room among the divided chambers, a man in cultivator's robes exuding an air of refinement sat imposingly at the head seat.
Flanking him were men of various ages—all elders of the Radiant Moon Sect.
The one reporting to the Jang Clan head and the elders was the youngest among them, the one with the lowest seniority here: Elder Jang Su-gi, who had recently been disciplined over the ruin-divination incident. He had a massive bruise around one eye, as if he'd taken a solid hit somewhere.
Elder Jang Su-gi reported respectfully.
"Clan Head, rumors about the Single Spiritual Root cultivator are spreading uncontrollably throughout the sect. His talent for reaching Response Qi 8th Stage in one go, winning the martial tournament... People are asking why we're not placing more emphasis on a Single Spiritual Root."
Elder Jang Su-gi continued.
"In the tournament for this Gathering Qi Ceremony, he even reached Half-Step Gathering Qi. How long has it been since he hit Response Qi 8th Stage? How are we supposed to handle this, Clan Head?"
"You're just supposed to report to the Clan Head. Why add all that commentary? You want to get hit again?"
Na Jang, the Clan Head's son-in-law and one of the elders, scolded Elder Jang Su-gi. The elder shot him a glare but, guilty as he was, couldn't retort.
The Clan Head, who had been listening quietly, opened his closed eyes.
The head of the Radiant Moon Sect's Enforcement Hall and the sect's Grand Elder.
Melodious Gentleman Jang Ga-wol.
Stroking his neatly groomed beard, he cut a dignified figure as a refined middle-aged man. True to his title of "Gentleman," he possessed an aura of elegance.
"...."
Gathered around the silent Clan Head were the high-ranking elders loyal to the Jang Clan.
With Elder Jang Su-gi and another five or six who had ties to the clan and enjoyed its protection, they boasted a presence rivaling the elders who gathered at the Sect Leader's Hall.
One elder with a toad-like face and a crumpled expression bellowed loudly.
"Clan Head, didn't I say we should pressure that kid more? Back when he was in the Miscellaneous Labor Quarter, we should've kicked him out. What was that steward thinking? Couldn't even chase off one fresh disciple! Useless fool."
Initiates who hadn't received proper cultivation methods could leave the sect of their own accord. Of course, even if they did, they'd remain bound as outer stewards.
But now that he'd formally joined the sect and cultivated the full Supreme Primordial Yang Chant Scripture, he couldn't just walk away to the outer sect anymore.
Single Spiritual Root, Single Spiritual Root!
Of all times, why did it have to be now?
The Jang Clan was staking its survival on this moment. Their eyes were so bloodshot with desperation that things like a Single Spiritual Root or the sect's interests barely registered.
The emergence of a legendary Single Spiritual Root cultivator should naturally have been a cause for celebration across the entire sect.
In normal circumstances, the Jang Clan might have pulled out all the stops to recruit him as a disciple. They might have even married off a direct-line daughter to bring him into the family.
But the situation was different now.
To the Jang Clan, the Single Spiritual Root cultivator was nothing short of an obstacle.
"We tried driving him out of the Miscellaneous Labor Quarter and suppressing rumors to slander him as a Single Spiritual Root... but that's not working anymore. What should we do, Clan Head?"
The Clan Head, who had remained silent throughout, finally spoke. His deep voice filled the room with authority.
"The Sect Leader views our clan's activities with displeasure."
"The Sect Leader...? Then the sect's official stance is...?"
The elders stirred at the mention of the Sect Leader's attitude.
No matter how closely tied they were to the Jang Clan, they were still Radiant Moon Sect elders.
The Clan Head eyed them coldly. How loyal were they, really? Probably not enough to abandon the sect for the clan.
Yet they remained loyal now because the Jang Clan provided them with tangible benefits.
Until now, the clan's interests hadn't clashed with the sect's.
But in this critical period for the Jang Clan, conflicts of interest could arise—like with this Single Spiritual Root cultivator.
Initially, three out of the six had argued for recruiting the Single Spiritual Root to their side. They hadn't exactly welcomed his decision to reject the boy.
That could lead to dissenting elders.
It was the Clan Head's job to manage that balance. Once the Old Ancestor emerged from seclusion, everything would sort itself out. Until then, he just had to keep things from boiling over.
Clan Head Ga-wol issued his command calmly.
"Halt all actions regarding the Single Spiritual Root for now. Let's observe the Sect Leader's moves and act accordingly."
The elders bowed their heads at the Clan Head's words.
With the order given, discussion of the Single Spiritual Root was tabled. It wasn't pleasant news that the topic had become a sensitive issue sect-wide.
The Clan Head moved on to the next matter, as if he had no interest in dwelling on the past.
"And the Old Ancestor?"
"The Old Ancestor has gone quiet again. But who knows when... As soon as Yeong-ok is ready, we need to..."
The Clan Head firmly cut off the trailing elder.
"No need to be impatient. The Old Ancestor has a century's reserves; there's still time."
"Of course. Once the Old Ancestor completes the grand technique and emerges... It's just that the cycles are accelerating..."
"We'll need Gathering Qi Pills, then. The Jang Clan must secure as many as possible from this batch."
The elder replied with a troubled expression.
"The Single Spiritual Root is on the verge of Gathering Qi Realm, and that stubborn Mok Jin-gwang from the Herb Hall... I'm not sure we can secure them."
The Clan Head's brow furrowed.
Mok Jin-gwang, head of the Herb Hall, was infamous in the sect for his inflexibility. He probably wouldn't listen to a word from the Jang Clan.
"I'll handle that myself. What about the Gathering Qi prisoners?"
"The Gathering Qi prisoners... The Old Ancestor is consuming them faster than expected..."
"Prepare as many as you can."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ In the pill-refining chamber of Elder Bu Bi-un, the Herb Hall's Poison Master.
Elder Bu had always considered absolute silence a core virtue during refinement, so for decades, the only sounds in his chamber had been the subtle noises of pill-making—no other disturbances.
But these past few days, an unwelcome visitor kept shattering that tranquility.
"Elder Bu, no, I clearly won twice, so why am I not on the Gathering Qi Ceremony roster? This is so weird, right? Elder, Elder! Does this make any sense?"
The intruder, Yuk-gyeong, was clinging to Elder Bu's sleeve and throwing a tantrum.
Practically draped over him like a child whining at their parents. To Yuk-gyeong, Elder Bu was the highest authority he knew and the most likely to help.
This doesn't make sense. I won twice—why aren't I on the Gathering Qi Ceremony list? Why?
Yuk-gyeong craved Gathering Qi Pills. He wanted to join the ceremony ASAP, gather all the materials, and convert them into pills.
Earthly Gathering Qi, Earthly Gathering Qi!
He knew Heavenly Gathering Qi was within reach, but Earthly Gathering Qi was a shortcut, so he wanted to stock up on at least some Gathering Qi Pills.
Elder Bu shook off his sleeve irritably and focused on the cauldron.
"The sect must have its reasons. Stop pestering me."
"But come on! This couldn't happen in a righteous orthodox sect. It's a fairness issue!"
"Fairness my foot. Go cultivate. Don't make a racket next to this elder. I need to refine—be quiet."
"Ah, Elder! Please lodge a protest for me. Protest! I can't storm the Sect Leader's Hall myself."
Unable to focus on the cauldron amid Yuk-gyeong's whining, Elder Bu finally bellowed. How could anyone concentrate with this kid glued to him?
"You insolent brat! Why would I protest that? Go cultivate quietly and achieve Heavenly Gathering Qi yourself!"
Elder Bu was frustrated in his own way. He couldn't say, "Gathering Qi Pills are already prepared for you." The Elder Hall had strictly forbidden mentioning it, since Yuk-gyeong might achieve Heavenly Gathering Qi there anyway.
If he could speak freely, he'd have kicked him out with, "You've got your pills—forget the ceremony and go cultivate."
What a nuisance.
"Heavenly Gathering Qi is great, sure. But Elder, there are other paths too. Heavenly Gathering Qi is so elusive—let me try a Gathering Qi Pill first."
Yuk-gyeong pouted at the elder's shout, grumbling. More than achieving Gathering Qi, it was about fairness. He won the spell tournament—why exclude him from the Gathering Qi Ceremony?
Elder Bu admonished him.
"You think insights into Heavenly Gathering Qi come from whining like this? They'll come if you seclude yourself and cultivate. You're out wandering instead of training—that's why no insights. Go cultivate. Dedicate yourself!"
"Fine, I'll cultivate. I will. But give me Gathering Qi Pills first, or I won't. I won't do it!"
"Someone get this punk out of here! He's too noisy—really!"
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