Chapter 44
Chapter 44
Translator: Penny
Chapter 44
My Banquet Begins (2)
When I returned home, the house was in complete chaos.
News of my beating up Song Hwarin had already reached them. Song Ugyeong was also at our house.
"Idiot! You're the most pathetic man in the entire world!"
My mother rushed over and mercilessly slapped the back of my head. My father tried to restrain her.
"Wife, calm down!"
Come to think of it, this reminded me of the day I woke up in Byeok Ridan's body. Back then, I had also been beaten like this by my mother.
Ah, the pitiful lives of men—getting beaten whether they hit a woman or get hit by one.
"Why on earth did you do such a thing?"
My mother was truly furious. She had been desperately hoping for things to work out with Song Hwarin. Instead of bringing her gifts, I had beaten her to the ground. It was utterly shocking news.
My father and Song Ugyeong must have felt the same, even if they didn't show it outwardly.
Of course, Song Ugyeong was probably the angriest.
"I'm sorry," I said.
I actually thought it was a good thing. This might finally make my parents and Song Ugyeong let go of their lingering hopes for our marriage.
My father, in particular, looked utterly bewildered. The me who had comforted him and shared drinks with him after the Ma Jeongsu incident seemed a world away from the person who would act like this.
Song Ugyeong approached me. It wouldn't have been surprising if he'd thrown a punch. I was prepared to take it.
But instead of striking me, he asked calmly, "Why did you do it?"
"I wanted to spar with Lin-yi properly. She's so strong that I had to give it my all, and things just... escalated."
"Is that all there was to it?"
He was likely asking if I was seeking revenge for what happened last time. I had told Song Hwarin's guard, Suran, that it was revenge, but that was only to reach Ma Jeongsu's ears. I couldn't bring myself to say that to Song Ugyeong.
"Yes. That was all."
"Are you being sincere?"
"Yes."
Song Ugyeong stared at me for a moment, then his stern expression softened, and he burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahaha! Our son-in-law is quite formidable after all!"
I was utterly taken aback by this unexpected remark.
Song Ugyeong turned to my father and said, "As you know, our daughter's martial arts achievements are considerable. Yet Lin-yi completely overwhelmed her. Isn't that truly remarkable?"
Good heavens! He's actually praising me!
My father shook his head. "Still, injuring Hwarin was clearly wrong."
"Injuries are common during spars."
"Then he should have been more careful. He deserves to be punished."
Song Ugyeong nodded in agreement.
"Absolutely. He needs to be punished. Leave it to me."
He turned back to me.
"Are you prepared to face the consequences?"
"Of course."
"Good. Once Lin-yi recovers, we'll be seeing each other often. That's your punishment. Understand?"
In this tense atmosphere, I couldn't possibly refuse.
"I'll do my best."
My answer, though closer to a reluctant agreement, was met with a smile from Song Ugyeong.
"That's all I need to hear."
He turned to my father, his mood brightening.
"Let's have a drink together for old times' sake."
My mother, who had been watching anxiously, finally relaxed.
"I'll show off my cooking skills for you tonight. It's been a while since you've tasted my dishes, hasn't it?"
Song Ugyeong glanced at his father with a slightly awkward expression, a silent plea for help. His mother was wonderful in every way except for her cooking skills, which were, to put it kindly, "not great." That was a filial assessment; to be blunt, they were terrible.
His father looked back and forth between them, unable to say a word, before turning his gaze toward the window. His father's taste buds were no different from anyone else's; he simply couldn't bring himself to criticize his beloved wife.
Song Ugyeong spoke to his mother.
"There's really no need for you to go to all that trouble."
"You're looking at me like I'm a fiend trying to force-feed you poison."
"Heh heh. Of course not! You're misunderstanding."
Only when Song Ugyeong looked flustered did his mother finally smile.
"I was just joking. I know my cooking skills aren't exactly stellar. The only time my cooking is truly needed is when I'm preparing a feast for my enemies."
"It's not quite that bad," Song Ugyeong said, immediately regretting his words. His statement inadvertently revealed that his cooking skills were indeed terrible.
His mother smiled. "You're too easy to tease. It's no fun."
Song Ugyeong laughed heartily, belatedly. "Ha ha ha! I've always been a boring fish, haven't I?"
After this boisterous exchange, his parents left the room.
In truth, Song Ugyeong likely wasn't laughing so genuinely. What father could genuinely laugh when his daughter lay injured? He was likely trying to brush it off for the sake of his parents' friendship, since the incident had already occurred.
Regardless, it seemed clear that this incident wouldn't damage their friendship.
At dawn the next day, I sat in the mountain cave where I had once opened my Ren and Du Meridians. The cave's remote and secluded location made it my preferred refuge for handling critical matters.
During the banquet, I had uncovered two crucial truths:
First, the enemy was targeting Song Hwarin. Second, Ma Bonggi was the mastermind behind this scheme. In other words, the Heavenly Blade Gate, led by Ma Bonggi, had begun systematically expanding its influence across the Central Plains.
Could he have confined his operations to Shandong alone? I doubted it. I was certain his kin had scattered throughout the Central Plains, initiating similar plots in various regions.
Even when I suspected I might have been poisoned, I didn't fly into a vengeful rage. Part of the reason was my inability to recover my martial arts, but there was a deeper reason: I'd lived a full life and was ready to let go, to forget everything and start anew. I was willing to let most things slide...
But this was different.
This was the Central Plains I had guarded with sleepless nights.
How much effort had I poured into preventing those with money and power from bullying and trampling the weak? How could these bastards start causing trouble before the scent of my death had even faded?
Sighing alone wouldn't solve anything. I needed to regain my strength quickly and set things right. These sons of bitches will pay dearly.
Suppressing my boiling rage, I gazed down at the leather pouch before me.
It was the very one I had taken from Ma Jeongsu's vault—the first spoils of this battle. I had no idea what treasures lay hidden within, and that made my heart race even faster than it had when I first laid eyes on the Thousand-Year Sun Banana Herb.
Carefully, I opened the pouch.
The first thing that caught my eye was the Heavenly Creation Sword. I drew it out with a clang.
How long has it been since I last held this sword?
Truth be told, the Heavenly Creation Sword had never been my preferred weapon. It was a treasure sword passed down since the time of the Former Alliance Leader, and I had used it for a while. Afterward, it had been stored in the Martial Arts Alliance's treasury—until now, when it had found its way back into my hands.
Holding the Heavenly Creation Sword filled me with renewed emotion.
A treasure sword possesses a unique power. Just wielding this Heavenly Creation Sword would make me thirty percent stronger than using my current blade.
However, I couldn't use the Heavenly Creation Sword as it was, since so many people would recognize it.
I had three options:
1. Bury it in the cave floor.2. Sell it at the Black Market.3. Modify it beyond recognition.
I immediately ruled out selling it at the Black Market.
While I desperately needed money, selling the Heavenly Creation Sword felt too risky.
Its value as the former Alliance Leader's sword made it difficult to price. Even the Black Market, which prioritized customer safety and secrecy, might take an interest in me if I tried to sell it.
This was entirely different from buying an Elixir with a few tens of thousands of Taels.
I wasn't worried about Ma Jeongsu searching the Black Market. The organization was too vast to be intimidated by ordinary pressure.
To overthrow the Black Market, the Martial Arts Alliance would need to intervene. And since I'd be wearing the Human Skin Mask anyway, I had no fear of being tracked down.
Now, only two options remained: hide it or modify it?
In the end, I decided to modify it.
If this sword had been my unique weapon, the Asura Radiant King Sword, I would have hidden it in a safe place. I wouldn't have dared to tamper with it carelessly. I would have retrieved it later, once I had fully regained my martial arts prowess.
But the Heavenly Creation Sword wasn't as precious to me. It was simply a tool that could help me in my current situation.
With my internal energy still lacking, the Heavenly Creation Sword would be a great asset.
I set the sword aside and opened the Leather Pouch again.
This time, I pulled out the vouchers.
There were high-value vouchers and low-value vouchers. When I counted them, the total amount came to a staggering eighty-two thousand taels.
Fifty thousand taels were in high-value vouchers, while the remaining thirty-two thousand taels were in low-value vouchers that could be used immediately.
The high-value vouchers, being traceable, couldn't be used carelessly.
The only way to use them safely was to wear a mask, go to the Black Market, and buy something extremely expensive. While the Black Market was known for protecting customer confidentiality, it was best to prepare for any eventuality. Consuming an Elixir-like item that left no trace would be the safest approach.
I resolved to use the fifty thousand taels in this manner. The remaining thirty-two thousand taels would be kept in the Financial House as emergency funds for the battlefield.
I trusted Gong Suchan, but he could still make mistakes. Besides, I might need money myself. Asking him for funds every time would be a hassle. It was a shame I couldn't invest the money to grow it, but I needed emergency funds.
Next, I pulled out a few sheets of paper. Upon inspection, they turned out to be documents related to the establishment of the martial arts school.
These were completely useless to me, but Ma Jeongsu would feel uneasy without them. Of course, their disappearance wouldn't halt the school's establishment; he held all the power.
This time, I retrieved a box about the size of an adult's forearm.
A box with unknown contents must be opened with caution. It could explode or release poison.
But I didn't think this one was dangerous. They wouldn't store something so hazardous alongside money and documents.
Still, just in case, I held my breath and slowly opened the box.
"Ah!"
I gasped with delight at what I saw inside.
Nine azure leaves, their white veins distinct and mystical, revealed the contents: the Divine Nine-Leaf Herb.
This was a spiritual herb with even greater efficacy than the Thousand-Year Sun Banana Herb I had consumed earlier. While the latter granted ten to fifteen years of internal energy, the Divine Nine-Leaf Herb offered fifteen to twenty years of this vital force.
Having purchased the Thousand-Year Sun Banana Herb for forty-four thousand taels, this herb was undoubtedly worth at least seventy thousand taels.
It might have been a tribute from one of the Shandong Clans, or perhaps something the man had brought down with him this time. This was truly an unexpected windfall.
"Hahahaha!"
A joyous laugh burst forth. The thought that this belonged to Ma Jeongsu made the moment even sweeter. I felt like shouting "Hooray!"
After savoring the joy for a moment, I calmly gazed down at the herb.
I really want to give this to my parents and Gwangdu, but now is the time for me to grow stronger.
Unless their bodies can absorb it more efficiently than mine, my absorption rate remains incomparably superior.
I immediately consumed the Divine Nine-Leaf Herb.
Chewing and swallowing it meticulously, I didn't miss a single root or leaf, determined not to waste even a wisp of its essence. The pungent, medicinal flavor filled my mouth.
I immediately began circulating the Cheonmu Hoshim Gyeol, channeling the herb's energy into my body.
Ssssssssss.
The Divine Nine-Leaf Herb began to dissolve into my body.
Once again, I had completely absorbed all the benefits of the Divine Nine-Leaf Herb, this time even faster and more thoroughly than before. The Cheonmu Hoshim Gyeol had now perfectly adapted to Byeok Ridan's body.
After circulating True Qi through several cycles to regulate my body, I examined my dantian.
Originally, I possessed twenty-four years of internal energy.
At this moment, the internal energy within my dantian had reached forty-four years. I had absorbed a staggering twenty years of internal energy from the Divine Nine-Leaf Herb.
"Hahahahaha!"
Another burst of joyous laughter erupted from me.
Now, only sixteen years remained until I reached sixty years of internal energy. At my current rate of cultivation, I would achieve this in less than two years.
Moreover, I had fifty thousand Taels—money I planned to spend at the Black Market.
If I was fortunate enough to find an Elixir there, my internal energy would increase even further.
Please let there be an Elixir.
I struggled to suppress my surging excitement. Now more than ever, I needed to remain calm.
I checked the leather pouch again.
The remaining contents were various medicines: wound medicine, internal injury medicine, and antidotes for several common poisons—all top-grade. Even the wound medicine alone, contained in that small vial, was worth several hundred taels. Of course, their efficacy justified the price.
I'll make good use of these too.
All I needed to do was transfer them to different containers once I got down the mountain. Though incredibly expensive, these medicines were widely available throughout the Central Plains.
I burned all the documents to ashes. They were useless to me anyway, and possessing them would only cause trouble if I were caught. Let the bastard suffer the consequences.
After packing the sword, vouchers, and medicine vials into the leather pouch, I left the cave.
The sun was rising over the distant mountains, more radiant and uplifting than ever before.
I gazed at the sunrise for a moment before hurrying down the mountain.
There were many tasks to complete before the day ended.