Chapter 16
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: To the Imperial Palace Martial Academy
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But the Thousand Gold Merchant Group could still make for a fine partner or solid backup plan for me, so I wanted to keep the lines open with them.
In modern terms, it was like playing the field, I suppose?
Anyway, I politely declined.
"I appreciate the offer. But I'm sorry, I plan to try for the Imperial Palace Martial Academy."
At the mention of the Imperial Palace Martial Academy, the head of the Thousand Gold Merchant Group widened his eyes, while the woman who had been quietly listening off to the side suddenly burst into laughter.
"Pfft!"
"D-Do you really need to go there?"
"I failed the Dragon Academy, so I have to aim for that one at least."
"In that case, we can pull some strings to get you back into the Dragon Academy. The folks there are probably regretting passing over a master like you already."
The idea of getting back in gave me a momentary twinge of temptation.
But relying on the Thousand Gold Merchant Group's help would be like handing them my leash.
I'd end up doing all sorts of things against my will, just like back when I was with the Shadow Squad.
Fortunately, I had another way to join the White-Clothed Youth Corps.
The Imperial Palace Martial Academy.
So there was no need to owe him one.
"Group Leader, I'm the type with a stubborn heart who hates being indebted to others. I'll gratefully accept your kind intentions and nothing more."
"A man of firm resolve, eh? Very well. If that's your decision..."
Right then, the woman who had been keeping her mouth shut until now finally spoke up.
"You're awfully rigid for someone so young."
Her tone was sharp and venomous.
"Baek-hap! Haha, I haven't introduced her yet. This is my granddaughter, Nip Baek-hap."
I fixed her with an emotionless, cold stare.
"What about it?"
"You could always take the easy route. Doesn't look like you have any solid connections anyway."
She clearly didn't like me much.
Her grandfather had come in person to recruit me, and I'd been nonchalant about it from start to finish. Watching silently must have finally gotten under her skin.
"I'll make some connections from now on."
"You think connections just drop out of the sky if you wait around?"
"Yes. Looks like one just did, Miss."
"What did you say?"
Tension crackled between us in an instant.
A chill like a northern blizzard emanated from her face.
If she weren't snarling so viciously, her cat-like features would have been quite cute, but I wasn't particularly interested.
"Haha, my Baek-hap grew up sheltered, so she's a bit clueless. Forgive her."
"Sheltered? You've tossed me around everywhere and worked me to the bone!"
"Hahaha! It's all for your own good! Anyway! Please accept the gift I brought. At least out of respect for this old man's journey here."
"......"
Refusing further would hurt his pride, so it was getting hard to say no.
Besides, I'd made my refusal clear enough already, so accepting now should be fine.
"Then I'll humbly accept your generosity, Group Leader."
I bowed deeply in thanks, forming the fist-and-palm salute, then swallowed the Thousand Ancient Pill right in front of him.
This was the greatest courtesy I could show him.
It meant I harbored not a shred of doubt toward him.
"I wish you great achievements ahead."
"Thank you. I won't forget this favor."
With that, the Group Leader and his granddaughter left the inn. I returned to my room, locked the door tight, and settled into meditation to circulate my energy.
"Hoo......"
I activated the Reverse Blood Great Law.
At this moment, I couldn't control the demonic energy emanating from my body, so using the Reverse Blood Great Law in this righteous faction territory was a huge risk.
Still, I absorbed the internal energy flowing from the Thousand Ancient Pill with the Reverse Blood Great Law, storing it in my dantian. Using the overflow, I forcibly expanded its size.
It came with some pain, but enlarging the dantian like this would let me hold and wield far more internal energy going forward.
Forcing the dantian to expand with internal energy—this was only possible thanks to the Reverse Blood Great Law.
No one knew if it would take a day, two days, or longer.
In the carriage heading back to the Thousand Gold Merchant Group, a thoroughly sulky Nip Baek-hap snapped at Nip Byeong-mun in a prickly tone.
"That was so expensive. What a waste."
"Hoarding it would just turn it to shit."
"To me, he didn't look like anyone special. I don't get why you're so fixated on him, Grandpa. There are martial artists like that all over the world."
"Hm. Think of him as an undiscovered gem."
"A g-gem? Him? To me, he looks like just another pebble on the street."
"Baek-hap, the world is full of people who have everything but never rise above the ordinary."
"You mean... he's not ordinary?"
"Exactly. And in the Central Plains, treasures without owners occasionally walk around like that. That's how this old man grew the Thousand Gold Merchant Group—thanks to my eye for spotting them."
"Still doesn't seem like a treasure trove to me. Maybe if he were chubby."
"You don't grasp how remarkable it is for a mere youth to reach that level of skill from a third-rate dojo. And his spirit? Who in the martial world would turn down a free elixir? You can see his pure passion and obsession for the martial way, free of selfish greed."
"How does someone without greed amass 65 gold taels at that age then?"
"Child, in the martial world, those who chase money get dragged by it. But for those who pursue the martial way, money comes to them."
"So you must have chased money hard, Grandpa. You're still getting dragged around by it..."
"You little brat!"
And so, Nip Baek-hap poked at her grandfather's sore spot once again today.
After meditating through the night, I opened my eyes to feel my internal energy at a whole new level.
'As expected, elixirs are incredible.'
I felt like a new person compared to yesterday. I might just become an elixir enthusiast from here on out.
Then my stomach rumbled like thunder.
Peeking outside, dawn was already breaking.
"Whew~ Morning already? Time for some food."
I headed straight down to the first-floor dining area for an early breakfast. But outside, things were getting rowdy from the crack of dawn.
An uneasy feeling crept in.
'No way?'
Sure enough, the Group Leader's words from yesterday—"don't let 'no way' kill you"—had come true.
As soon as the inn door opened, managers from big and small merchant groups in Xi'an, recruiters from minor and mid-tier sects, and headhunters flooded in, pressing the young errand boy.
"Kid! Is there a Hwang Tae-seong staying here?"
"Y-Yeah, but..."
"Where is he right now?"
"W-Well..."
The boy sneaked a glance at me.
I subtly shook my head.
"Here, take five coppers! Where is he?"
"Right over there!"
"......"
I take back what I said about teaching that kid martial arts.
The clueless boy, oblivious to the opportunity he'd blown, grinned at his five coppers.
The early morning visitors launched into their pitches without preamble.
"Good morning, warrior. We're here early for one reason: to offer you a position worthy of your talents."
"We're the Talent Referral Agency, Promotion Gate! Join our agency, and we'll match you with the perfect job tailored to your skills."
"We're the brand-new Xi'an's Greatest Sect. If you haven't settled on a place yet, how about ours?"
"Xi'an's Greatest Merchant Company offers you the chief escort position! Top pay in the industry, plus housing and servants!"
With so many people crowding in and yammering at once, the food I'd swallowed stuck in my throat.
I listened until I couldn't bear their demands anymore.
"Enough!"
I shouted with subtle internal energy behind it, my voice booming like thunder through the inn.
As the nonstop chatter died down, I spoke in a tone thick with irritation.
"Barging in at the crack of dawn and only spouting your own demands? None of you have any manners."
"Th-That's not..."
"If we've offended you, I apologize..."
"It's all in good faith..."
"I have zero interest in discussing my future with rude people like you. Thanks for coming all this way. Now if you'll excuse me."
I stood and headed back to my room, calling to the innkeeper.
"Innkeeper, I'm checking out today. Got a long journey ahead—pack some dried meat, rice, and water. Oh, water too."
"How many days' worth?"
"F-Four days, please."
"Right away, sir."
And so I brushed off the unwanted guests and hurriedly left the inn.
Before departing Xi'an, I stopped at a clothing shop first.
I didn't want those pesky flies buzzing around again, so I geared up properly this time.
To look unmistakably like a martial artist.
There, I bought the black robe and cloak favored by martial artists, along with a conical hat.
Thinking to change weapons too, I headed to a smithy.
My current one felt good in hand since I was used to it, but it was made by the Demonic Cult, and I didn't want to use it anymore.
Someone might recognize it as Demonic Cult craftsmanship.
The smith was surprisingly young.
"What can I get you, sir?"
"Show me some daggers and flying knives."
"What price range?"
"Nothing below top quality."
The smith brought out three daggers.
I picked each up, checking weight, balance, and grip.
I tossed them in the air, spun them, switched hands.
The smith watched, entranced by my masterful handling.
A satisfied smile spread across the craftsman's face.
No artisan wants their work used just for skinning boars or deer, after all.
The middle one caught my eye.
Less flashy, but the subtle red-tinged wooden hilt fit my hand perfectly, and the blade length was ideal for concealing in my robes.