Chapter 226
Chapter 226
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 226
Chapter Title: Heaped High
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It was piled high.
No, "piled high" wasn't enough to describe it.
In the middle of the courtyard, treasures rose like an island.
Silver and gold were artfully arranged, with boxes of silk and jewels stacked in layers.
The sheer volume couldn't be carried off in just one or two carts.
"Heh heh heh, heh heh heh."
Namgung Hyuk flipped through the ledger page by page, letting out a sleazy chuckle.
With each item confirmed on the list, the corners of his mouth stretched wider.
"Those Black Dragon Sect bastards really gorged themselves."
As expected of a sect that had entrenched itself in the golden egg that was Hangzhou.
The densely packed ledger seemed endless.
Rustle, rustle!
Namgung Hyuk scanned the goods with the eyes of a hawk, muttering to himself.
"The back alleys are pretty much cleaned up, and if we take tribute from those guys while building up the First Line Society..."
The monthly income would rival a mid-tier sect's annual budget?
"Is this what it feels like to be rich?"
In his previous life, he'd lived as a martial god, but never as a rich man.
Having wealth piled up like this truly filled the belly with security.
'Now I can have it all.'
Martial god, riches, and ascension to immortality.
Perfect.
'Ascend while munching on rock-grain pills, or feast on meat first—it's ascension either way, right?'
Why bother shivering in a cave, gnawing on tasteless rock-grain pills in pursuit of enlightenment?
Ascension was ascension, no matter what.
Namgung Jangcheon gaped as he listened to Namgung Hyuk's mutterings.
"You've sorted out the back alleys?"
"Yes!"
"..."
"The underworld scum have been cleanly swept away. Now the Namgung family moves in, claims Hangzhou, and we're done!"
"A-already?"
"What do you mean 'already'? It took a full day longer than planned."
Namgung Jangcheon's eyes widened at Namgung Hyuk's nonchalant tone.
Was conquering a whole region as easy as emptying a rice bowl?
Namgung Jangcheon marveled once more at Namgung Hyuk's unimaginable speed.
Namgung Hyuk's efficiency far exceeded his expectations.
'That guy's a real demon when it comes to getting shit done.'
If only he had any common sense.
No, even calling him senseless didn't cover it—storming the Black Dragon Sect over stolen elixirs was straight-up unhinged.
'A lucky charm of a guy... but did he eat the wrong elixir? He's getting weirder by the day...'
Namgung Jangcheon let out a deep sigh.
Oblivious, Namgung Hyuk meticulously inspected the Black Dragon Sect's looted treasures.
"This must be the elixirs?"
Namgung Hyuk pulled a paper from his bosom.
It was the list of ingredients for the Golden Immortal Pills.
His eyes blazed as he checked off the elixir items that would become pill materials.
"Millennium Snow Herb, Crimson Fire Leaf, Spirit Cloud Mushroom, Heavenly Mountain Snow Ginseng..."
All present?
'Family Head Peng is a man of his word. All top-grade stuff. Feels like I've repaid about half now.'
Peng Cheonwi would've clutched his neck and foamed at the mouth hearing that, but Namgung Hyuk was simply delighted with the state of the elixirs for the Golden Immortal Pills.
'So what's left?'
Now for the Golden Immortal Pill's main ingredients.
Extremely rare and difficult to obtain items.
Azure Spirit Oil, the inner core of a ten-thousand-year fire serpent, the essence of a millennium crimson crane, the sap of the Thousand Buddha Diamond Tree.
He already had the Azure Spirit Oil, and the Beggars' Sect would bring info on the ten-thousand-year fire serpent soon.
With luck, some blind Beggars' Sect disciples might even reel one in at the Jade Lake Market.
'As for the Thousand Buddha Diamond Tree...'
That damn monk—had to make it filthy difficult, figures.
But the method to obtain it was meticulously detailed, so it was as good as in hand.
The monk's thoroughness shone here.
'A bit tricky, but...'
Okay, more than a bit, but the point was, he'd practically secured everything.
"...So the issue is the millennium crimson crane's essence?"
This one was a spirit beast.
Well, none of the Golden Immortal Pill ingredients lacked spirit qi, but the crimson crane was different.
"It needs a venomous creature?"
He'd confirmed the recipe multiple times, but it still amazed him every time.
To think a world's most harmful poison would go into something brimming with pure qi like the Golden Immortal Pill.
Truly profound.
They said nothing in the world was useless—maybe this was what they meant.
"Would a venomous thing like a millennium crimson crane even live in the Central Plains?"
Unlike the ten-thousand-year fire serpent that roamed rivers and mountains freely, the millennium crimson crane lingered long in one place.
But wherever it stayed turned into toxic land, so a beast that flashy should've set the Central Plains abuzz by now.
Yet the Central Plains were so quiet, it was practically peaceful.
Sure, minor incidents cropped up, but how could they compare to the Demonic Blood Tribulation?
"Millennium crimson crane... after all that, it better not fly off."
"What've you been muttering about?"
"Just checking the inventory."
Namgung Hyuk lightly brushed off Namgung Jangcheon's question and sank into thought.
His gaze fixed on the demonic sword hanging at his waist.
'Just who the hell are those guys?'
Talk of shadowy forces unifying the world or conquering the Central Plains would've bored post-Demonic Blood Tribulation Namgung Hyuk to tears, but suddenly, he was curious about these people.
A demonic sword from a demon lord slain in the Demonic Blood Tribulation had surfaced.
All these spoils combined couldn't match the value and symbolism of that single blade.
He'd just chuckled lightly when he got it, but it was no trivial item.
And beyond his target, there were elixirs galore...
"Damn, these bastards are suspicious as hell."
Thunder bombs, fire cannons, elixirs, demonic sword...
"Just what the fuck are they up to?"
Namgung Hyuk's pure curiosity turned toward those from the "Society."
These mysteriously persistent foes were finally coming into his sights, bit by bit.
* * *
The Commander gazed at Hangzhou's city streets, ablaze like an eternal nightless city.
Lanterns hung everywhere, and on West Lake, boats drifted with lotus lanterns aglow.
But the Commander's eyes held no emotion for the splendid, beautiful nightscape.
Suddenly, a shadow rose from the darkness.
"The Namgung family and North Hebei Peng family have begun seizing Hangzhou. It seems Silver Eagle and Shadow Eagle were blown up by thunder bombs at sea."
"Hmm..."
"What are your orders?"
The subordinate spoke in a low, chilling voice.
The goods meant for the Black Dragon Sect were still inside their stronghold.
They needed to reclaim them before the two families carted them off.
He believed they should resolve that before the families fully entrenched themselves by swallowing the Black Dragon Sect's interests.
He was even prepared to spill blood if needed.
He awaited the Commander's quiet response.
The Commander murmured.
"Namgung family and North Hebei Peng family."
"Before they grow suspicious..."
"No need."
The subordinate stepped back at the Commander's low voice.
He smirked faintly and opened the wooden box on the table.
Whoosh.
In an instant, the pitch-black interior seemed bathed in gold.
A fist-sized, round egg-like object inside the box emanated a mystical glow, spilling golden light.
"Thanks to those Black Dragon Sect fools, we obtained the Golden Turtle's inner core, didn't we?"
"..."
"We got what we wanted. Hangzhou can go to hell for all we care."
Finding the Golden Turtle hidden in the vast ocean had fulfilled the Black Dragon Sect's purpose.
The inner core alone justified coming to Hangzhou.
The unexpected interference from the Namgung and Peng families was no big deal.
They'd only snagged the sect's petty interests—in the end, he'd gotten what he desired.
The Commander formed a strange smile as he watched Hangzhou sink into the lights.
"What's the status with the Yangtze Waterway Stronghold?"
"Still deliberating. They'll need a bit more time."
"The boatmen have a lot on their minds."
"It won't take long, Commander."
"Good."
The Commander nodded coolly.
He closed the box's lid and rose.
"Once the Yangtze Waterway Stronghold submits to our Society, we'll focus straight on securing the ten-thousand-year fire serpent and millennium crimson crane."
"Yes!"
"With those two, our Society's great undertaking will be achieved."
The Commander eyed the box holding the Golden Turtle's inner core.
A bizarre ambition flickered in his eyes, then vanished.
"We're leaving."
The Commander turned away, withdrawing his gaze.
The two figures melted into the darkness as if sucked away.
The room they left behind was deathly silent.
As if no one had ever been there.
* * *
Peng Cheonwi sipped his tea, piercing gaze fixed on Peng Junghyuk across from him.
'This kid's eyes have changed while I wasn't looking.'
He'd been shocked and flustered at their first meeting in the Black Dragon Sect, but facing him now washed away that unease.
Peng Junghyuk, whom he'd half-thought mad for following Namgung Hyuk, was composed, his aura steady.
Peng Cheonwi instantly realized Peng Junghyuk had grown a step.
"You've made progress."
"A small enlightenment."
"Ha ha!"
Peng Cheonwi laughed heartily, pleased.
As expected, the greatest legacy a family left was its people.
How long had it been since attaching him to Namgung Hyuk? And he'd gained an insight ordinary folk might never achieve in a lifetime!
Worth more than any gold invested.
In a martial house, wasn't martial prowess the ultimate value?
"How is that Namgung Hyuk fellow up close?"
Peng Junghyuk flinched.
How was he?
How...
"...A madman."
"...Even this father knows that."
"And strong. Unimaginably strong."
Peng Junghyuk added gravely.
"His understanding of martial arts is on another level. A few words from him, and everyone gained insight, their skills advancing—I saw it with my own eyes. A first for me. Never dreamed such enlightenment could come..."
Recalling it, ecstasy naturally lit his face.
Peng Cheonwi betrayed subtle surprise.
'No way...'
Beyond martial gaps, granting insight with mere words like Namgung Hyuk was something else entirely.
Impossible without perfect mastery of martial arts and profound enlightenment.
'An enormous potential.'
Or was "potential" even the word?
Peng Cheonwi's eyes darkened.
Peng Junghyuk continued spilling about Namgung Hyuk.
"...His decisiveness is ruthless. Once he sets his mind, he sees it through. Jumps in without a second thought, and it always works out just as he said—it's absurd. The Black Dragon Sect mess, playing righteous thief on Black Wind Road..."
"Impressive, truly impressive."
"Yes!"
"You've suffered much. No easy feat, but you endured splendidly."
Peng Junghyuk beamed proudly at the praise.
It felt good to be acknowledged by his father after so long.
Reclaiming the goods, righteous thieving on Black Wind Road, toppling the Black Dragon Sect—praise was only natural.
Peng Junghyuk's eyes gleamed.
'Feels like I could head back to the family now?'
Sticking with Namgung Hyuk yielded too much.
Martial progress, experiences, and even elixirs handed out like candy—pure profit just by staying close.
But...
'...Gotta be alive to enjoy it.'
Trailing Namgung Hyuk meant tempting fate.
That was Peng Junghyuk's conclusion.
As for the King Demon Chronicles?
He'd figure it out later.
With this martial insight, he'd grow anyway...
Father seemed satisfied, so time to return.
A young master couldn't stay away too long.
"Father, then now..."
"Yes!"
"Ah! So I can finally return to the family!"
"Ha ha ha, did you eat the wrong elixir? What nonsense is that?"
Huh?
What?
This wasn't right?
Peng Cheonwi smiled warmly.
"Go back, son."
"...To where?"
"Where else? The Namgung family."
Father, my home is the North Hebei Peng family...
"Stick to him like glue and squeeze every last drop. Don't even think of coming back till you do."
"F-Father?"
"Go."
Peng Cheonwi was firm.
Dark clouds seemed to gather over Peng Junghyuk's head.
'Sh-shit!'
Peng Junghyuk stared at Peng Cheonwi in dismay.
"You're heading back to Anhui Province today—hurry after him. Don't dream of returning north!"
Peng Junghyuk's face turned ashen black at the final blow.