Chapter 70: Pitch-Black Night Demon Shadow
While Cheong Hae was seeing off Namgung Singeon, the items Jeong Gwang had secretly swiped were quite impressive.
Impressive enough to revise his assessment of the Namgung family.
He'd thought they were just well-off, but they were seriously loaded.
What-so-u (He Shou Wu), Snow Ginseng, Nine-Leaf Branch Grass... All aged two to three hundred years.
It wasn't just spirit herbs, either.
There were promissory notes worth a hefty sum and lustrous jewels to boot. A lineup solid enough to shake even the heart of someone who prided themselves on the middle path.
This isn't a gift—it's a straight-up bribe.
A method utterly unworthy of the righteous faction.
Or maybe—just maybe—this was peak righteous faction behavior, since they hadn't threatened with blades.
Jeong Gwang felt no anger, only gratitude.
Saved me a bundle, thanks to this.
The spirit herbs he'd planned to buy with money were now free.
No—his pockets were actually fatter now.
And this wasn't even the end of it.
Namgung Singeon's group was knocking on the doors of yet another lodging.
Undoubtedly planning to pull the same stunt they'd done at the Cheongseongpa quarters.
Let's see. Jars: one, two, three...
The Namgung warriors were still carrying plenty of jars.
If those held the same caliber as before...
Even as hegemons of Anhui Province, this must be no small expense for the Namgung family.
Something Jeong Gwang would never do.
But thinking of Namgung Hwa-in's face, he could see why they might.
A nobleman chasing fame.
People like that didn't fear bleeding their clan dry.
Because they always put themselves first.
Once he becomes Alliance Leader, he'll grab even more.
He'd greedily snatch up as many benefits as possible.
To do that, he'd have to spread more bribes.
And in return, the support from those sects would solidify his power.
Then he wouldn't be just a figurehead leader.
He'd wield real strength.
Stronger than Pang Su-gwan, able to move the Murim Alliance more effectively.
Seen a slimy bastard like this before?
Jeong Gwang revised his view of Namgung Hwa-in too.
Pretty decent talent, actually.
You needed that level to seize what you wanted.
Compared to him, Master Pang is a bit...
A true righteous faction man, through and through.
Can't be helped, though.
For Kunlun's sake, Pang Su-gwan had to become leader.
For Jeong Gwang's sake, too.
Hands are gonna be full.
He'd long decided to intercept every last bribe from the Namgung family.
Jeong Gwang lifted a roof tile, stuffed away his haul, and stood.
He had to move fast to snag the rest.
Time to go.
His form blurred, melding seamlessly with the darkness.
A demonic art from his past life, used to hide in shadows and slaughter foes.
Look at me, turning righteous.
In this life, Jeong Gwang wielded it righteously—to lighten others' loads.
Baek Seung-mu, dead to the world from exhaustion, cracked his eyes open.
A foul stench tickled his nose.
Ugh... what the hell?
He flung open the door for air, only for another smell to waft in.
Wondering what now, he looked around—and there was Jeong Gwang, squatting by the brazier, fanning furiously.
"...Sajae-hyung. What're you doing this early?"
"Boiling decoction."
"...Why the sudden decoction?"
"To drink."
"..."
Who didn't know that?
Baek Seung-mu sighed inwardly.
His sahyung was utterly incomprehensible.
Ignore him and sleep.
But he couldn't.
"Sajae. Come fan."
"Sajae-hyung, I'm wiped out..."
"I'll share some."
And just like that, Baek Seung-mu was squatting beside him, fanning away.
"Like this?"
"Harder. Yeah. Perfect. Keep it steady."
"Got it, sahyung. Leave it to me."
Jeong Gwang nagged: add wood, stir the pot, etc.
Baek Seung-mu focused intently, boiling without complaint.
Time passed; the decoction thickened.
Jeong Gwang tasted it on his finger and nodded.
Baek Seung-mu's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"Sajae-hyung. It worked properly?"
"Nah. Tastes pretty good."
"...I see."
Jeong Gwang grinned.
He said that, but the effects would be spot-on too.
Worth all that running around.
Namgung Hwa-in had gone all-in, distributing Wall Valley Pill jars to a ton of sects.
Jeong Gwang had snagged them all, stashing nearby—the sheer volume was insane.
More than he needed; enough to share with Kunlun Taoists too.
About time.
Jeong Gwang sent Baek Seung-mu back and gathered qi in his palms.
Turning decoction into pills was simple.
Just knead, like he'd done for Grandmaster Un Hu's Half Immortal Pill.
Moments later.
Finger-sized pills were ready.
"Sajae-hyung. What's this pill called?"
"Haven't named it yet."
"...You invented it yourself? Like the one for Grandmaster?"
"Yeah. Try one, saje."
Baek Seung-mu recalled stories from other sahyungs.
What happened to the Mountain Goat after eating part of the Half Immortal Pill.
...It let out a mighty fart.
He wasn't stupid.
Why court that?
But.
...Afterward, it got faster and stronger than a leopard.
A fart was nothing.
If it meant getting stronger?
"Graciously accepted, sahyung."
Baek Seung-mu swallowed a pill.
He sat in lotus position, scanning his internals.
Spirit herbs were spirit herbs, alright.
Soon, hot energy stirred in his gut.
As expected of sahyung! Effects this fast!
Flawed personality, but a genius among geniuses.
And moments later.
Baek Seung-mu reconfirmed: classic Jeong Gwang.
The effects spread—instantly!
Not through his meridians—but downward!
Damn you, sahyung!
He clenched with all his might down there.
But it was beyond his control.
"...S-Sajae-hyung... p-please..."
"Already? Faster than I thought."
Jeong Gwang smiled, pleased.
The Namgung family had put real effort in; the herbs were top-notch.
"First effect expels impurities. Don't panic—head to the outhouse and let it rip."
Baek Seung-mu had no room for panic.
"...S-Save m..."
"Can't walk? I'll help."
Jeong Gwang hurled him toward the distant outhouse.
Baek Seung-mu soared, landing perfectly inside—and dropping his pants just in time.
Prrrrrrrt—
A horse-like whinny echoed as his impurities poured out.
By a hair's breadth.
Soon, he staggered out.
"N-Nearly died."
"People don't die that easy. Back to the room—circulate qi right away. You'll gain plenty."
That morning, every Kunlun disciple hit the outhouse, then circulated qi.
Expel the waste, claim the fortune.
True emptiness yields profound truth.
Jeong Gwang named his new elixir True Void Marvel Pill.
Namgung Hwa-in held one firm belief.
The more you give, the more you get.
Not some Taoist drivel about shedding greed for the Way.
Invest generously to reap real rewards.
He'd sent his brother Namgung Singeon to lavish gifts—no, bribes—and now strode confidently into the hall.
Countless eyes turned to him.
Exactly what he'd always craved.
He should've been thrilled...
But something felt off.
...What's this?
The faces of those he'd bribed via his brother were stiff as boards.
Namgung Hwa-in transmitted immediately.
-Did you handle things properly?
-Of course, family head.
-Then why the sour faces?
-...I'll check.
Namgung Singeon started toward them, then paused.
Taking bribes wasn't something to flaunt; it weighed on the conscience.
Even if everyone did it, you'd hide yours.
But talking openly? Everyone would know who'd taken what.
-...Family head. I'll ask via transmission during the meeting.
-Obviously. Get to it.
The meeting began.
Discussions on Alliance Leader election prep and organizational reforms.
Meanwhile, Namgung Singeon transmitted.
Starting with Cheongseongpa's Cheong Hae.
-True man. You look unwell—what happened?
-...You really asking?
-Wall Valley Pills not to your taste? We prepared sincerely...
Cold frost settled on Cheong Hae's face.
This bastard!
Boosts cultivation, helps sect finances—Wall Valley Pills, his ass.
He'd even tested one—just good taste, but actual Wall Valley Pills!
Mocking me?
He wanted to bellow, but couldn't.
Asking why the bribes sucked via transmission felt off.
He was a Taoist, after all.
Huu... Doesn't look like mockery...
Maybe the Namgung slipped and sent real Wall Valley Pills.
Yeah. Humans err...
...Bullshit. How incompetent are they!
Cheong Hae swallowed his rage and transmitted.
-...Wall Valley Pills don't suit me. I'll return them—forget we spoke.
-...!
Namgung Singeon forced calm.
Inwardly cursing.
This bald Taoist prick! Those precious herbs don't suit you? Need legendary Ten-Thousand-Year Ginseng King or Pure Azure Oil or what!
He'd always pegged him as shady, but this arrogant?
Wait. Could it be?
He transmitted to the others.
And despaired.
All reacting like Cheong Hae!
H-How?!
His brother was sharp.
One question, and hearing the answer, he nearly drew his sword.
No. Endure. Must endure!
Calming himself, his eyes gleamed.
Didn't realize they were this greedy.
Stealing it all? Unthinkable.
Fine. I'll test their capacity.
He'd prepare bigger bribes.
Visit personally at night.
Ask if it was still not enough.
A cold smile curled on Namgung Hwa-in's lips.
No one would dare claim insufficiency before him.
Jeong Gwang rolled on his bed until night deepened, then rose.
About time.
Soon, he appeared on a hall roof near the Namgung lodging.
Killing time, he spotted a few slipping out.
Oh ho. Family head's here too.
Confirming Namgung Hwa-in, Jeong Gwang nodded inwardly.
With the head personally involved, they'd prepped even better than yesterday.
Good I checked.
His form blurred, dissolving into darkness.
Flawlessly stealthy—no matter Namgung Hwa-in's fame, impossible to detect.
Wonder if there's more to swipe.
A thick smile spread across Jeong Gwang's face.