Chapter 296
Chapter 296
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 296
Chapter Title: It'll Become Noticeable (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
After waking up, I spent about two days just eating meals and meditating to circulate my energy.
This was to fully assimilate the internal energy I'd gained from the Sichuan Tang Clan's procedure and to loosen the meridians in my body that had been overtaxed.
As I passed the time that way, it occurred to me that it would be good for my Eon Family juniors to receive the same treatment from the Tang Clan.
I immediately shared this thought with Elder Goe.
"Eon Yong-un, your constitution is a bit unusual, but if we check the others' pulses, there should be suitable procedures for their constitutions as well."
"Elder, your words are a little vague."
"Not right now."
"Why not?"
"Why? Because I already told you we'd sucked up all the spirit herbs you'd stockpiled!"
"I thought that was just some exaggeration on your part."
"There was some exaggeration, sure. But it's also true that we're out of spirit herbs. Opening up the channels for people like you who've already consumed plenty of premium spirit medicines essentially means drawing out the accumulated toxins from your bodies, and for that, we need Sa Jae Grass."
"Sa Jae Grass... I'm no expert on herbs, but that name rings a bell. Is it named after Dengsa Cliff?"
"Exactly. Long ago, when the Dengsa Clan crossed the Dapa Mountains into this Bashu region, the herb gatherers named it after them."
"...So it grows on cliffs?"
"That's right. We used it all up. It grows wild all over the cliffs of the Dapa Mountains, so it's not particularly rare as spirit herbs go. Ironically, that's why it's so hard to obtain."
"Hmm. Too dangerous, and no profit in it, so the herb gatherers won't bother harvesting it."
"Spot on. That's why we have to gather it ourselves, but as you know, the Tang Clan is swamped with this incident. It'll take some time to secure more."
"Then we'll go gather it."
"You will?"
"Yes. I was thinking it was about time to loosen up and catch up on training anyway. Perfect timing. Could you lend us seven herb baskets?"
"Herb baskets are no big deal. Of course."
"Oh, and do you have any shackles for ankles and wrists? Heavy ones made of profound iron would be ideal."
"...We have some for chaining prisoners, but why?"
"I have a use for them. Then seven sets. No, we need to include Senior Tang's too. Make it eight."
Having obtained the herb baskets and shackles from Elder Goe, I divided them up amicably among my Eon Family juniors and equipped them.
"Everyone, put these on. Ok-gi, go fetch Senior Jun-gi."
"......"
We headed to the Dapa Mountains, where sheer cliffs stood like folding screens.
Relying on fingers wrapped in internal energy and precarious plank roads, we traversed the cliffs to harvest Sa Jae Grass. Not long after we began,
rumble rumble roll.
A fairly large chunk of rock broke off from the plank road under Woo So-ryeong's foot.
"Eek!"
Woo So-ryeong yelped in fright, and Nangong Yun, following behind her, spoke up.
"You scared... Why is someone with world-class lightness skill freaking out like that?!"
"That's different from this. This is a sheer thousand-foot drop. And we're wearing these shackles. You're startled too, aren't you, Brother Nangong? And you're from the Nangong Family!"
"What does that have to...?"
Tang Jun-gi narrowed his eyes at the two of them.
"...Can you two stop bickering and move forward? I just heard a weird noise from the plank road I'm standing on."
Eun Ha-seong muttered to himself.
"It's only been about a week since we all barely survived death... Why are we doing this here of all places?"
Ye Hae-su kept apologizing nonstop to the others.
"Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry."
Jeong Hyeon spoke to her.
"What do you have to be sorry for, Senior?"
"No, it's my fault. I said I wanted to get stronger, and then you juniors..."
"It's fine. Experiencing these plank roads firsthand, I now understand why people have always spoken of the perils of Shu Roads since ancient times. It even reminds me of a historical anecdote. Back in the Warring States period, the King of Shu coveted a small gain and foolishly built a bridge across this treacherous ravine, only for enemies to use it to invade and destroy the kingdom—a tale of 'greed for petty gains leading to great loss'..."
Tang Ok-gi raised his voice at Jeong Hyeon.
"Just go forward!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ We traversed the cliffs for quite some time like that.
By the time our herb baskets were filled to the brim with Sa Jae Grass and other spirit herbs and medicines blooming on the cliffs, we descended the mountains and returned to the Tang Clan stronghold.
Waiting at the main gate was the Tang Clan's young lord, Tang Yun-gi, who spoke to me.
"You're back. I've been waiting."
"You were waiting for us?"
"Precisely for you. The elders from Ami and Cheongseong have arrived."
At Tang Yun-gi's words, my Eon Family juniors all brightened up.
"Then we should take this guy and go. Young Lord."
"Junior Nangong makes a good point. Brother, take Young Master Eon away quickly."
"W-We survived!"
"We can rest now!"
"Thank goodness. Thank goodness. Thank goodness."
"Prime Celestial Venerable."
I narrowed my eyes at them.
"Those of you who just brightened up—go empty your baskets at the medicine hall and climb back up once more. I left a scissor mark on the rock at the peak of the second mountain we climbed. Carve your thumbprint under it. I'll check."
As my juniors' faces turned ashen like they'd been struck by thunder from a clear sky,
Tang Ok-gi hurriedly spoke up.
"I didn't say anything! So I can go to my quarters now? I'm gonna sleep. Dead-to-the-world sleep. No one look for me."
"What are you talking about?"
"...?"
"Ok-gi, you need to wrap things up with the elders researching the Thousand Poison Pill. You haven't even touched it, have you? And now you're saying you're sleepy."
"Kyaak! As if I had time for that!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Leaving my juniors behind, I headed to the Family Head's hall.
As Tang Yun-gi had said, inside the hall sat not only Grand Marshal and the Tang Clan elders, but also Cheongseong Sect's Sim Deok True Person and Ami Sect's Gyeong-min Nun.
Among them, Sim Deok True Person rose from his seat and offered me a clasped-hands salute.
"Little Dragon, thanks to your ingenuity and courage, the people of Sichuan and Cheongseong's disciples were saved. My deepest gratitude."
"Without Cheongseong's disciples' help, I would have been in danger as well."
After returning Sim Deok True Person's salute,
Gyeong-min Nun returned Gyeong-hye Nun's jade plaque and offered a clasped-hands salute.
"Ami owes you a great debt as well. We will surely repay this favor."
Gyeong-min Nun.
She wasn't someone I particularly liked.
For good reason: during the freshman-senior orientation last semester, she'd tried to humiliate Yin Xia Lian by putting forward a disciple named Hye-jeong who hadn't even entered the pavilion.
'The kind of person whose lifelong ambition is to reclaim the Sword Empress title for Ami.'
However, her conduct this time was worthy of being called one of the pillars of righteous Murim.
I returned her salute politely as well.
"Gyeong-hye Nun has always looked after me kindly. If anything, I owe Ami a debt."
"Ho ho ho. My junior nun writes a line or two praising you in every letter, and now I see why she holds you so dear."
With that, Grand Marshal spoke up.
"Well, you've all exchanged greetings. Please take your seats. I'll brief you on the current situation. You too, Yong-un, sit there."
I sat in the prepared seat.
Grand Marshal then brought out a blackboard depicting Sichuan's terrain and explained that driving the Demonic Cult out of Sichuan had reached a conclusion for now.
"...Therefore, the demons mobilized for this incident and the remnants of Heavenly Poison Valley can be considered to have left the Sichuan branch. The matter with the Permit Clan has also been wrapped up. Yes, Gyeong-min Nun, your question?"
"The Permit Clan must have been delicate politically, so how exactly was it resolved?"
"There were various circumstantial evidences, so we used that as pretext to form a strike team and raid them. The clan head's family has gone missing."
"Hmm."
"We presume they've fully submitted to the Demonic Cult. The clan assembly will appoint a new head. The Tang Clan of Sichuan will keep watch on future movements. Does that answer your question?"
Gyeong-min Nun nodded.
"That's how the cleanup ends. But righteous Murim now faces a major task. The Demonic Cult's reserves are far from negligible. Righteous Murim needs to cooperate more than ever."
Grand Marshal spoke again.
"I'm sure the two sect leaders have felt this deeply from this incident. As you know, Alliance Leader has long advocated for righteous Murim's unity. If you two lend your support at the Orthodox Assembly, it will gain momentum."
"Prime Celestial Venerable."
"Amitabha."
"Now, we must discuss future measures. Before I speak, does anyone have good ideas?"
At Grand Marshal's follow-up, I quietly raised my hand.
"Yes, go ahead, Yong-un."
"First, a request for the Tang Clan."
Tang Ho-tae responded to my words.
"For us?"
"Yes."
The Nine Great Sects were basically mountain sects secluded in their peaks.
'Uniting their wills isn't easy.'
Grand Marshal had pleaded, and the Cheongseong and Ami leaders nodded here, but they had to consult the other elders back at their main sects.
Even if opinions aligned favorably, who knew when or how it would conclude at the Orthodox Assembly.
We couldn't rely solely on that; other paths needed pursuing too.
"I'd like the Tang Clan to open pharmacies in Hubei and Shanxi."
"Hubei and Shanxi?"
"Yes. They're where my main and maternal families are located, so if the Family Head gives the word, it can happen immediately."
"Hmm."
"Both areas are connected by the Han River route. If the Tang Clan establishes pharmacies to prepare for emergencies together, it benefits the world, and for the Tang Clan, it becomes a foothold for expanding the family's various ventures going forward, doesn't it?"
At my words, Grand Marshal added his own.
"That's a proposal that benefits everyone. Plus, with Tang Clan, Taiyuan Tang, Pearl Eon Family, and Hubei Pang Family uniting, whatever they achieve will inspire the other sects. Sounds like a good idea. Family Head?"
"I was already thinking it was a good idea."
"Then why the troubled look?"
"Ah, I was pondering who to send."
Grand Marshal chuckled at the response and shifted his gaze again, speaking.
"But you said 'first' while talking, so you have more ideas?"
"Yes. This is for the Tang Clan, Ami, and Cheongseong all."
With that opener, I calmly spoke amid the focused gazes.
"Many died or were injured in the battle with the Demonic Cult this time. The enemies were strong, but in my view, our lack of coordination caused even more bloodshed."
All present nodded at my words.
Among them, Sim Deok True Person and Gyeong-min Nun spoke in turn.
"Even this poor monk agrees."
"...Indeed. You and your comrades moved as one. If Ami's disciples had done the same, surely less blood would have been shed."
"That's why I was thinking of helping out while I'm in Sichuan."
"You, Little Dragon?"
"Yes. There's a place perfect for building courage and organization together. We've just started training ourselves, so if you send Ami and Cheongseong disciples, we can do it together."
My proposal seemed intriguing to Sim Deok True Person and Gyeong-min Nun.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ - This kid Yong-un is extending his influence, yet Buddha and Celestial Venerable are just sitting there.
'...Influence, you say.'
As I watched them, Master chimed in with a word,
Grand Marshal sent a transmission.
[Yong-un.]
[Yes?]
[While you're at it, include some poison arts training? Firearms countermeasures too. The Tang Clan has just the place and materials.]
[Ah! As expected of Grand Marshal!]
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Cheongseong and Ami sent their young disciples to the Tang Clan stronghold.
"Whole squad, link arms. On one, sit while shouting 'Sichuan!' On two, stand while shouting 'One!' One!!!"
"Sichuan!!"
"You climbed Cheongseong Mountain, and that's all the voice you've got?! If your standing shout is weak, next you'll climb Ami Mountain! Two!!!!"
"One!!!!!!"
Starting with instilling teamwork, I kindly taught them various exercises to train the obscure muscles that Murim warriors often neglect.
I also conducted firearms training, the first step in countering poison arts.
"To allow your sect brothers or comrades to respond quickly, the discoverer immediately shouts the code phrase I just taught you. What do you say?"
"Poison arts!! Poison arts!! Poison arts!!!"
Thus, immersed day and night in training Sichuan's young warriors and improving my own and my Eon Family juniors' skills, time flew by until it was time to return to Righteous Martial Academy.
On the day we departed.
Led by Sichuan Tang Clan's young lord Tang Yun-gi, Cheongseong Sect's senior disciple Sang-won, and Ami Sect's senior disciple Ok-yun.
"Fare. Well."
"May the King of Hell... no, Prime Celestial Venerable watch over you."
"Dan River Crossing at night was something to be cautious of in my memory. Might still be, so take care."
All those we'd trained with came to see us off.
'Worth the joint training. Everyone came to see us off.'
- ...They all look like they're grinding their teeth, though?
Ignoring Master's unfounded suspicion.
"Though it was short, we sweated together and ate from the same pot. Those who share rice are family."
I offered a deep clasped-hands salute to Sichuan's later-generation talents and spoke.
"In the battle with Dao-ol Wolf Demon, when Cheongseong and Ami disciples and Tang Clan folk shed blood, I felt pure respect as one warrior. But if those present here shed blood in the future, it would grieve me. Because we're family now. The enemy's blades are aimed at us. Please cultivate diligently and stay vigilant."
Those seeing us off returned clasped-hands salutes in unison.
My Eon Family juniors and I left that scene behind and set off toward Min River Crossing, gateway to the Yangtze.