Later Waves of the Yangtze Push the Former Waves
Early morning.
Baek Seung-mu crouched by the furnace, fanning the flames for all he was worth.
"Ugh... Saje, do I really have to keep going?"
"Yep."
"How much longer?"
"Until I say stop."
"Haa... This is way tougher than yesterday. Is it because these are better pills?"
Jeong Gwang grinned.
He was spot on.
The Namgung folks held out better than I expected.
The loot he'd snatched from Namgung Hwa-in at dawn was far superior to yesterday's haul.
Better ingredients made for better pills—that was the rule.
These ones would outshine the True Void Marvel Pills from before in potency.
I'll hog these myself. The old batch can go to the others.
First, a few tailored to each Kunlun sect member's level.
Then the leftovers...
To Jang I and the other six.
The ordinary warriors he'd trained from the start. They had potential, and elixirs would cement their loyalty.
They'd serve as his eyes and ears in the Murim Alliance going forward.
Hm. That leaves four extras.
He considered the Kunlun Taoists but shook his head. Overdoing spirit pills wasn't wise—everyone had their limit based on capacity.
Ah, right. Give 'em to those guys.
They were useful enough; it wouldn't be a waste.
Decision made, Jeong Gwang patted Baek Seung-mu's shoulder.
"Good work, saje. My turn now."
"Huff... huff... Got it."
Jeong Gwang channeled his inner energy, shaping the thick decoction into neat pills.
Soon, sharp-scented elixirs were ready.
He rolled them on his palm, nodding in approval.
Perfect.
They'd help refine his Supreme Pure Unsurpassed Divine Art inner energy into the new technique, purging impurities and boosting his power.
Naturally, the face of his unwitting helper came to mind.
You really can't judge a book by its cover.
Namgung Hwa-in, you crafty bastard.
Next time they met, he'd flash a genuine smile of thanks—not a smirk.
Before training resumed, Jeong Gwang gathered Jang I and the six other ordinary warriors.
"Benefactor! What brings you here?"
They called him "Benefactor" from the heart, no empty formality.
"Take one each."
He handed out the True Void Marvel Pills. They stared at him, puzzled.
"...What are these, exactly...?"
"Spirit pills."
"...!"
As they gaped, Jeong Gwang explained.
"Take 'em on an empty stomach tomorrow morning. Somewhere near a latrine, ideally."
"Sp-sp-sp-spirit pills...?"
"Yeah."
"...Ha... hahaha..."
The seven young men, Jang I included, couldn't believe it.
Spirit pills! Something any warrior would risk life and limb for!
"Wh-why give treasures like these to the likes of us...?"
"Because you deserve 'em."
Complex emotions flickered in their eyes before they bowed deeply.
"We are eternally grateful, Benefactor. We'll never forget this grace."
"Don't just remember—pay it back tenfold."
"...!"
Straightening, they smiled faintly. A vague "no need" would've weighed heavier on their hearts.
But Jeong Gwang's demand for repayment lightened the load.
Yeah. Train hard and make good on it.
I can get stronger. Time to repay the Benefactor, even a little.
Resolve hardened, confidence bloomed. They pledged with packed sincerity—and loyalty fierce enough to stake their lives on.
"Of course, Benefactor. We'll shatter bones and grind marrow to do so."
"Good. Looking forward to it. See you later."
After sending them off, Jeong Gwang met the instructors: Yu Jeong-pung, Dang O-gun, Dang Ye-ji, and Eon Ui-jin.
"Palms out."
Puzzled but compliant, they extended their hands.
Soon, they gawked at the True Void Marvel Pills in their palms.
The Tang siblings, poison and medicine experts, sniffed deeply.
"Smells like hasuo and snow ginseng."
"And guyeopjaji grass too."
Comparing notes, Dang O-gun eyed Jeong Gwang.
"Little brother, these aren't ordinary herbs. Top-shelf spirit pills, I'd say."
"Not bad, right?"
"Where'd you get 'em?"
"Made 'em myself."
"...!"
Stone-faced Dang O-gun and icy Dang Ye-ji widened their eyes.
I figured his poison knowledge meant solid medicine skills, but...
Crafting spirit pills himself?
Mastering vast accumulated knowledge was hard enough. Creating anew? A whole other realm.
But they accepted it all too easily.
Makes sense for him.
His martial arts are like that—why not medicine?
It was Jeong Gwang. Mystery incarnate.
Shock faded to gratitude.
Prestige of Sacheon Tang Clan heirs, Jinju Eon family scion Eon Ui-jin—they weren't used to casual spirit pills, even with their status.
"...Thanks, little brother."
"...I'll repay you someday."
"...I'll savor it."
Jeong Gwang grinned, briefing them on usage. Dang Ye-ji and Eon Ui-jin paled at the latrine mention, but...
Small price for spirit pills!
Gratitude overflowed, but none matched Yu Jeong-pung's reaction.
He trembled at the pill in his palm.
...A spirit pill? Mine?
Beggars' Sect was mighty, yet beggars. Even a vice leader heir was just a "beggar prince" to outsiders.
When had a beggar ever seen a spirit pill?
No—Beggars' Sect poured pill money into aiding the poor!
That's what made them beggars!
All those times young elites bragged about elixirs... my heart ached. Now I've got a story too.
Yu Jeong-pung clasped hands formally toward Jeong Gwang.
"Little brother, thank you. I'll train with my life, live righteously as you intend."
"Just pay it back."
"..."
Classic Jeong Gwang.
His words pressed them all silently. Chuckles and nods followed; he clapped.
"Alright, trainees incoming. Let's prep."
Feeling closer to him, the four beamed.
"Got it!"
"Sure thing!"
A warm breeze swept the Grand Training Ground.
The elders' chamber was frigid.
Namgung Hwa-in's pleased entry froze solid.
...These bastards again?
Despite his dawn exertions in the cold wind.
Bribe recipients glared daggers!
What the hell happened?!
No direct reveals for face-saving, but he'd emphasized: these beat yesterday's.
Guaranteed satisfaction.
Yet...
They took 'em happily, now clamming up like this?
The bribes' value was immense—enough to plague Namgung family for months.
Strategic investment, gritted teeth... and this treatment?
Unbearable. But no sword dance here.
Time to probe. His eyes met Cheong Hae's icy stare.
—True Man, sour face? Trouble?
Cheong Hae's expression twisted.
—House Lord, spare me more humiliation!
—Humiliation? Explain.
—Don't play innocent!
—No idea. Misunderstanding—let's talk calmly.
—Forget it! Cheongseong looks elsewhere from Namgung!
Cheong Hae erupted; Namgung Hwa-in matched.
—What? Take it all, then this?
—Take what?!
—Wall Valley Pill jars!
—Hmph! Take 'em back!
—'That crap'? You done?
Transmissions escalated; auras flared unwittingly.
Onlookers sensed tension, watched curiously.
But others glared at Namgung Hwa-in with Cheong Hae's fury—the bribed ones.
Namgung Hwa-in snapped alert.
No way! All of them?
Greedy lot, but not all...
Something wrong with the jars, surely.
But...
I checked personally. Contents were fine.
Then...
Swapped after delivery?
He dismissed inwardly. Absurd.
Who could tamper unseen by him and Murim's heavyweights?
Unless...
...The Ten Supremes?
Only them. Hard to imagine supreme stealth from those geezers, but who else?
Those spiteful old coots backing Paeng Clan... maybe.
Rage boiled—pure hatred for dream-crushers.
He transmitted to brother Namgung Singeon.
—Track Poison Venerable, Beggar Venerable, Spear Venerable's moves last two days.
Namgung Singeon, sharp enough, got it.
—Understood, House Lord. What of these?
—Those greedy pigs need proof. I'll sort the misunderstanding; tell 'em to wait. You—dig up the Supremes!
Namgung Singeon replied grimly.
—With my life!
Tracking the cranky trio proved easy.
A few connections revealed their last two days' whereabouts.
In a tavern far from Alliance halls, drained Namgung Singeon pressed the waiter again.
"...So, they just drank here nonstop?"
"Y-yes."
"Why believe you?"
"Everyone around knows. Nonstop for days. Still going, see?"
True enough: Poison Venerable, Beggar Venerable, Spear Venerable guzzled away, flushed and grumbling.
"Insolent brat. Looks down on me? Learn quick, that's all."
"You're better off, earth-grubber. Mine won't even consider learning."
"Hah. We offer more teaching, and he teaches others instead. Never saw it coming."
Spear Venerable's words slammed Poison Venerable's fist down.
Crack!
"Exactly! And that calisthenics, body arts, Kunlun staff—what're those?! No ordinary stuff!"
Waiters cleared splintered tables, hauled new ones groaning.
Food and drink reset, Dang Gi-hwang handed the owner a voucher, apologizing.
"Sorry again. Just so furious."
"No worries. Smash away, elders."
Owner grinned off; elders ranted on.
"Damn monster kid. Made it himself, not learned? Absurd."
"Sigh... Later waves push the former, eh? That's us."
Fuming and lamenting, the trio stayed busy.
Namgung Singeon gaped, then startled—their eyes locked on him.
"Namgung's Clear Wind Sword Hero? Sightseeing our mess?"
"Tch. Old and disrespected—irks me. Chat?"
"Too lazy to come? Stay put—we'll go."
He bowed frantically, denied, fled verifying via witnesses.
Back at Namgung quarters, he reported. Listening Namgung Hwa-in roared in fury.
"Then who the hell was it?!"
Jeong Gwang paused qi circulation, scratched his ear.
Ack, itchy. Why's this guy here now?
The approaching presence was familiar.
Wonder what he wants?
Before a knock, Jeong Gwang flung the door wide.
"What brings you?"