Chapter 300
Chapter 300
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 300
Chapter Title: It's Going to Show (5)
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Nangong Clan's treasured daughter, Nangong Ying.
Following her older brother Nangong Yun, who had entered the academy last year, she now challenged the Righteous Martial Academy's entrance exam.
Not only as the daughter of the Nangong Clan, renowned as the world's greatest family, but also having been endlessly hailed as a genius since childhood—though not quite to the level of Nangong Yun.
The academy granted her the Grade-A Warrior rank.
Thus, exempt from the martial prowess trial, her first day should have held no schedule beyond unpacking at the dormitory.
Yet now, she chased after Eon Yong-un and Dang Ok-gi—who scaled Mount Wudang at a ferocious pace—alongside her fellow examinees.
'The level of "hiking because we're bored"...'
Prohibited from using internal energy, shackled head to toe in wrought iron, they had been bounding up the mountain for ages.
Her martial robes drenched in sweat, thoughts like 'Did my body even have muscles like these?' flashing through her mind over and over.
By the time they reached Mount Wudang's summit—with its broad clearing—Eon Yong-un finally halted.
Several of the examinees around Nangong Ying gasped ragged breaths and spoke up.
"Hah... huff..."
"I-Is... it over?"
"This is the academy's hike? What was all that I've known before?"
Defying the examinees' hopes, Eon Yong-un prepared not an end, but a new beginning.
"Dang Ok-gi. Lend me your sword for a bit."
Eon Yong-un borrowed a sword from Dang Ok-gi—now dubbed the Lone Peak—and continued.
"We're starting shuttle sprints now. Simple rules."
He drove Dang Ok-gi's sword and his own into the ground about twenty zhang apart, then spoke again.
"When I blow this whistle... the instructor—not that, anyway. Whenever I blow it, sprint full speed to the sword there. Blow again, sprint back here full speed."
He put the whistle in his mouth.
"Line up abreast. Counting down. Three. Two. One."
Preeeeeeeee!!!!
At the piercing whistle, the Grade-A examinees dashed desperately between the swords.
Eon Yong-un and Dang Ok-gi joined the shuttles too, leaving no one able to question or complain.
Preeeeek!!!!
The hellish whistles blared on relentlessly.
Right after summiting Mount Wudang—no time to catch their breath—and straight into this sprinting.
Even these Grade-A later-generation experts, who could pass as masters anywhere in the world, began retching.
"Urk!"
Eon Yong-un approached the cadets, meeting their eyes.
"Tired?"
"Huh...? Koff!"
"Haha. Can't tire out over this."
"...!"
"Kidding, kidding. This is a place of learning. We select entrants for potential. We won't fail you over stamina. Just came to chat."
Then Dang Ok-gi approached.
"Eon Yong... Chairman. Our training's always this ruthless. Mind if I check your pulses?"
Watching Dang Ok-gi and Eon Yong-un—untouched by fatigue despite full participation—Nangong Ying thought.
'They didn't have to join... yet they did. Approaching without hesitation even those vomiting.'
It embodied the Nangong Clan's motto: the walk of one who considers the world, heart encompassing heaven and earth.
'...Seniors. So cool.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Meanwhile, at Yi Manor in Taiwon, people gathered to discuss establishing Tang Clan apothecaries in Shansi and Hebei.
From Shansi: Yi Gil-hwan and Yi Yun-young.
From Sichuan: Dang Ja-un and Dang Ja-jin.
From Hebei: Eon Jeong-ung and Seok Geum-pil.
Two from each region.
The eldest, Yi Gil-hwan, eyed the Hebei guests and spoke.
"First time since your wedding to my daughter, Eon. And Seok Hall Leader—it's been ages."
"So many guests swarmed Yi Manor that day like clouds, yet you remember me. I'm amazed by your memory... and vitality."
"Haha. No flattery for this old man awaiting death."
"No flattery. Seeing Plum Blossom Madam's wisdom and young masters Yong-un and Yong-myeong's brilliance, I realize their origins. And spare talk of 'death's day.' You're the backbone for Shansi merchants and many more."
"You and your words. Thanks for coming, Eon."
"Yes."
Having greeted the Hebei guests, Yi Gil-hwan turned to those from Sichuan.
"Poison Freak, Freak Brother. Long journey—truly laborious. This old man bows in thanks. You saved Yong-un's life."
The Sichuan Twin Freaks flustered, clasping sleeves and bowing.
"Elder! Such excessive courtesy!"
"Nonsense. Poison Freak lost his left arm in this. Far from the rivers and lakes in my merchant life, but I know a warrior's arm's worth."
"Ja-un, stop him!"
"Elder. Incidents in Sichuan lands are the Tang Clan's duty. And saying we saved Yong-un embarrasses us. Rather, every Tang soul owes their life to his wits and courage—no exaggeration."
"Hrm. Really? Differs from the Martial Alliance's report."
"To avoid drawing Demonic Outsiders' eyes to Yong-un or the young ones, with the kids' consent, Alliance Leader and Grand Marshal tweaked the announcement slightly."
"Ja-un speaks true. As Family Head, I named Yong-un a Tang benefactor. Thus, Taiwon's Pearl Eon Family and yours are our allies and saviors."
At the Twin Freaks' words.
Yi Gil-hwan, Eon Jeong-ung, and Yi Yun-young's lips twitched in unison for a moment.
"Hrm."
"Poison Palm Sage called Yong-un that? Haha. That rascal's a rascal. Or not, Eon?"
"He's moody. For a righteous warrior's duty, no need to go that far. Hm."
Yi Yun-young, first to compose her smile, refocused.
"I yearn for full Sichuan details—thrilling and grave tales alike. Best over drinks. Sober, let's outline the apothecary establishments first."
All nodded at Yi Yun-young's words.
Eon Jeong-ung and Seok Geum-pil followed.
"As Seok Hall Leader's here shows, Hebei suits the Seok Clan best. Pre-Shansi, we held the Hebei Triad's regular meet—settled it there."
"Adding to Family Head Eon's words: Jinju's location is poor. North of Peng Clan lands risks needless friction with truce-held Moyong Clan—we avoid preemptively."
"Isolated beyond Great Pa Mountains, but we know Hebei and Liaodong matters. Understood."
"Ah. Freak Brother Elder. We Seok have a fitting manor for the site. You'll like it."
"Final call after seeing, but sounds right. Eh, Ja-jin?"
"Seok Clan... key nexus to Shansi, Honan, Shandong. Fits Yong-un's push. Sounds good."
With Hebei settled, Yi Gil-hwan spoke.
"Shansi has two prime spots. Yun-young, explain."
"Yes, Father, Sichuan Elders. Our group scouted two: Horse Market and Three Gate Gorge."
"Horse Market's rail end, Three Gate Gorge near Shanxi, hugging Yellow River?"
"Yes. If Tang has resources, recommend both. Merchants open multiples at once for buzz and quick influence."
"But both traffic/trade hubs—land prices must be astronomical..."
"Silver solves the easiest worldly matters. No money worries. Three Gate Gorge has one lay Buddhist sect under Zhongnan—handle that, Tang does the rest."
With apothecary outlines set.
"Now, a round each."
Famed Hwagchon liquor filled glasses.
Topic shifted.
"...Then Yong-un stepped up to lure the Great Demonic Hound. Old bones tried, but he argued point-by-point only he'd move it—speechless."
"Blind to his mother's day-night worries, pulling that gutsy stunt again..."
"For you as parents, a relief. But this Poison Freak forgot his place in awe. Right, Ja-un?"
"I grasped later than Ja-jin. Like Emperor Shao of Gohan calling Zhao Zilong 'body of iron scales.' Felt that. Yong-un's no less than righteous world's treasure."
"That kid. Who'd he take after..."
"Youngest was clever-cute from childhood, Father?"
"True!"
"Hm. Hrm."
Yi Gil-hwan beamed, Eon Jeong-ung's lips fluttered uncontrollably, banquet warming.
"I'll pour for you all."
As Yi Yun-young served the Twin Freaks and Seok Geum-pil.
Yi Gil-hwan signaled Eon Jeong-ung closer.
"Eon."
Eon Jeong-ung stilled his lips, approached reverently.
"Yes, father-in-law."
"You've met Southern Jiang Merchant King privately?"
"Ah. His children study with Yong-un at Cheongjuk Hall—thus acquainted. But why...?"
"Know roaring blue charcoal?"
"Fuel for smelting weapons?"
"Right. Sources: Yunnan, Nanman, Tianzhu. Prices lately abnormal."
"Is that so?"
Eon Jeong-ung tilted his head at Yi Gil-hwan's words.
As family operator, he'd seen roaring blue charcoal in ledgers.
But no sharp price spike felt.
Catching this, Yi Gil-hwan narrowed eyes.
"You don't see it either?"
"...Yes."
"At least say 'no' politely, you bear-like oaf."
"...Sorry."
"Not wildly fluctuating in coin, but feels off. Like North Sea chaos. Lifetime merchant gut—check it."
"But..."
"Better I step in?"
"Yes."
"Becomes Shansi merchants and Hui Merchant affair, ripples world prices. Senseless to cause sans proof."
"Won't do."
"Good. You arrange with Silver Master, talk."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After checking Grade-B warriors' prowess trials and Grade-A faces, back at student council room.
My junior Eons, roles done, trickled in.
Among them, Nangong Yun sidled up slyly.
"...Hey."
"What."
"What'd you do with Grade-As?"
"Light hike."
Master looked incredulous.
- ...Light?
Nangong Yun furrowed brows, head tilt.
"Light?"
Dang Ok-gi jumped, fuming.
"Kyaa! Light my ass! Couldn't show weakness before potential juniors—thought I'd die too!"
"...What'd you do?"
I cut off the brewing tales.
"Anyway, not important now. Everyone, spill suspicious stuff from proctoring."
"Hyung Eon. Even tiny details?"
"Yeah. Goes through me to ops committee profs for final call. Anything—spit it."
Thus, junior Eons listed cadets' names and oddities.
I noted all.
And added my suspects.
Grade-B Gongmyeong Sect's Sang Woo-cheong.
Grade-A Baekri Clan's Baekri Gyeom.
'Not originals—Dokgo Cheol near-certain too?'
Cornered suddenly to extremes, flipping innards, Blood Cult heart method trait showed in his pupils.
'Refused Dang Ok-gi's pulse too.'
Warriors rarely allow pulse checks, but dual suspicions neared certainty.
'Dokgo Cheol Blood Cult pawn... means cult splintered early?'
Demonic Cult plans foiled repeatedly.
Traitorous Heaven-Shaking Blood Demon scheming fit.
I rubbed my chin, pondering.
'...Could use this differently?'