Chapter 64
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: What Was Exchanged for the Heavenly Silkworm Thread
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Mak Yeohyeon spoke to the Dark Lord.
"Who should I assign to escort that scoundrel son of mine?"
"Wouldn't the Escort Corps suffice?"
"No. The Escort Corps alone is too weak. Attach the top twenty elites from the Hyuncheon Asura Corps, along with Division Leader Gwan Ryongjin. Scholar Cheon at least has some familiarity with Gwan Ryongjin."
"Pardon? Isn't that overkill? That's enough force to take over a minor sect."
"That's exactly why I'm assigning them. Jin-yul will go along too."
The Dark Lord vanished into thin air in surprise, his voice trailing off.
"......"
"What? Too much protection?"
"No, it's just... Can Scholar Cheon even handle overseeing two people like that?"
"Is that so? I believe Scholar Cheon is capable of that much. He's skilled enough to hide his internal energy even from me. And the reason I'm sending my spoiled brats is to stake our claim first."
"Stake our claim?"
The remark came out of nowhere, so the Dark Lord had to ask again.
"The Demonic Cult is going so far as to kill imperial inspectors. Do you think that's a simple matter? It reeks of serious money."
"Isn't it just about expanding their influence?"
"No. The Demonic Cult avoids clashing with the government at all costs. Historically, they keep decent relations with the authorities. For them to make such a reckless move means there's a massive payoff involved."
Mak Yeohyeon rose from his jade throne.
"But beyond that, what pisses me off is these bastards operating freely in my territory. In Jiangxi, no less—right by Poyang Lake. You going to sit back and watch rats infest our stronghold? It's an insult to our unorthodox pride."
"Indeed, Supreme One."
The Dark Lord, who usually addressed him as 'Lord,' found himself overwhelmed by Mak Yeohyeon's presence and called him 'Supreme One' without thinking.
"For something this important, is it really okay to leave it solely to Scholar Cheon?"
"Don't worry. He'll handle it fine. My instincts tell me so. You there—could you withstand my transcendent-level Soul-Exterminating Aura?"
The Soul-Exterminating Aura was one of the techniques Mak Yeohyeon had acquired in his later years.
"Do you remember when I unleashed transcendent-level Soul-Exterminating Aura on you, and you were bedridden for three days? You must have vomited at least a bowl's worth of blood."
Recalling the memory, the Dark Lord shuddered as he replied.
"It was right after I'd obtained the technique, and I tested it on you, making you suffer."
"No way! Was that energy you held back in the grand hall earlier the Soul-Exterminating Aura?"
He hadn't even noticed it had reached the stage where it could be compressed and focused.
"Yes, transcendent-level Soul-Exterminating Aura. But somehow, he dodged it in an instant."
A first-rate expert would vomit blood and collapse; a peak master might endure but would still be laid up for three or four days.
"Do you think someone who can conceal their internal energy could evade my Soul-Exterminating Aura so easily? So I pondered deeply. My conclusion? It's not a Murim Alliance technique. And then a vague memory surfaced."
"Where from?"
"That's the thing—I can't quite pin it down. It's on the tip of my tongue."
Feeling like he was being toyed with, the Dark Lord ignored Mak Yeohyeon's call and stayed silent.
I entered my room and gathered everyone.
"I have to head to Nanchang for a friend's matter. The three protectors, focus even more on the group's safety."
"Understood."
The three didn't mention they had already been informed and would follow.
Because if they did, there'd be no one left to guard the group, and I'd have to take them all.
"Oppa, I'm coming with you."
I was prepared for Yeoseol's insistence.
"Yeoseol, go into secluded training until I return. I'd love to come back and see you've mastered the techniques I taught you."
"Oppa, why do you keep teaching me martial arts? You're a scholar—you should be teaching me letters."
She was sulking because she wanted to come along.
"I'll teach you letters when I get back. Practice the techniques I showed you. Got it?"
Sensing the firm resolve in my eyes, Yeoseol didn't push further.
She must have realized I was off on something truly important.
"Then, if I get stronger, you'll take me with you?"
"Of course."
I mixed in a white lie to placate her.
"Okay. I'll start secluded training the moment you leave, Oppa."
"Eunbi, take good care of Yeoseol."
"Don't worry, sir."
Songran quietly spoke up.
"Could I be of any help, perhaps?"
I'd considered using her Soul-Charming Divine Eyes, but decided against it.
"The sect leader assigned elite escorts, so no need to worry. I'm just going to sort out some family trouble for a friend."
I kept the Demonic Cult out of it for the group.
I framed it as a minor squabble between a friend's family and some unorthodox sect.
"Lady Cheongyo, please grace the sect leader's banquet with your performance."
"Don't worry about me—just handle your business and come back."
I pulled a bolt of heavenly silkworm thread from my bosom.
"And this is heavenly silkworm thread. It'll be useful for you, Miss Song."
Songran trembled, as it was something she never dreamed of receiving.
It was so rare, they said not even a fortune could always buy it.
Knowing the circumstances, Cheongyo stroked Songran's back as she shook with emotion.
"This is wonderful, Ran. Thank you."
Cheongyo expressed her gratitude, sobering the mood for a moment, but Yeoseol pouted.
"Where's my present?"
"Huh?"
I hadn't anticipated Yeoseol's reaction.
Songran said to Yeoseol,
"Yeoseol, this is for unnie because she's sick. It's from Scholar Cheon. If there's any left over, I'll give it to you."
"Really?"
"Yes, this bolt is big enough that there should be some for you."
I was glad I'd brought plenty of heavenly silkworm thread.
"I'll be off soon. Stay vigilant until the sixtieth birthday banquet ends, and try to remain in the Eternal Pavilion as much as possible."
I left the Eternal Pavilion and immediately sought out Myeong Ujong.
"I'm ready. And the sect leader has provided reinforcements."
"That's a relief. Scholar Cheon alone is reassuring enough, but with troops too? It's like having a heavenly army."
"We have one stop to make first."
I stopped by a nearby shop and procured two coffins.
"What are these coffins for?"
Myeong Ujong eyed me curiously as I bought two coffins.
"They're weapons that will be a huge asset to us."
I explained about the corpse soldiers.
After listening at length about the corpse soldiers, Myeong Ujong let out an exclamation.
"They say the martial world is full of bizarre arts and artifacts, but this is real."
I headed to Hwayeong Village and placed the two corpse soldiers waiting in the ruined house into the coffins.
The villagers welcomed me warmly upon my arrival.
The village was more harmonious than expected.
They'd brought in all their household goods, finished cleaning, and were preparing dinner.
They invited me to join them, but I declined and hit the road.
Myeong Ujong figured the Ho Hyeonjang issue was tied to Poyang County anyway, so he moved with me.
Considering when the escort I'd sent on an errand would return, I had a message relayed to our group in advance.
Come to Ho Hyeonjang in Nanchang.
As the cart loaded with two coffins arrived before the Hyuncheon Sect gates, Gwan Ryongjin was waiting for me.
"Great Hero Gwan Ryong, I'll need your help."
"The Supreme One ordered me to assist fully. In case of battle, follow Scholar Cheon's lead."
"There are a few circumstances—I'll explain on the way. But who's that?"
I was looking at Mak Jimong.
"Isn't that the young sect leader?"
Gwan Ryongjin looked at me like he knew but was asking anyway.
"No, I mean the one next to the young sect leader."
"Ah, you must not have met her, Scholar Cheon. She's the young sect leader's sister."
I recalled Mak Yeohyeon's family ties.
"The young sect leader's sister would be Lady Mak Jin-yul, right? But I heard she's not currently at the Hyuncheon Sect."
Mak Jin-yul was known to have run away when her father, Mak Yeohyeon, tried to marry her off.
"Well, she returned for the sixtieth birthday banquet but has been in seclusion since."
"Then why is she here?"
"Didn't you know? She's accompanying the young sect leader this time."
"Haa......"
A sigh escaped me naturally.
"No wonder he handed over the heavenly silkworm thread so readily."
Mak Jimong and Mak Jin-yul were infamous as equally incorrigible scoundrels.
Jin-yul was supposedly milder since she was a woman, but to me, they seemed much the same.
She was known to be even more hopeless than Jimong.
"Hey! Scholar! You got a problem with me being here? Just so you know, I'm not thrilled about it either."
Though her brother, even Mak Jimong couldn't control Mak Jin-yul.
She outmatched him in skill and had inherited more of their father's techniques.
"What are you doing? Not leaving yet? Planning to stand here all day?"
Mak Jin-yul barked, not quite a shout but close.
I felt the need to sort her out.
"Hey, Mak Jimong's little sister."
"What?"
For a moment, her face flushed with confusion.
No one at the Hyuncheon Sect would dare call her 'hey.'
Mak Jimong tossed a casual remark at his sister.
"Told you, right? He's no ordinary scholar. Mess around too much, and you'll get disciplined."
Mak Jin-yul growled like an angry alley cat, genuinely pissed.
"Hey, you wanna die? Don't you know who I am?"
"I know. But if you keep picking fights with me, go cry to your dad. I won't take you along."
"What did you say?"
Hearing that, Mak Jin-yul looked troubled.
She seemed thrilled at the prospect of leaving the Hyuncheon Sect.
She'd come home reluctantly for her father's birthday, but it clearly wasn't comfortable.
"Go on! You're annoying!"
Division Leader Gwan Ryongjin closed his eyes, fidgeting amid our bickering.
"Division Leader! Bind that bastard. Throw him in the dungeon."
Her antics were even worse than Mak Jimong's thick-headedness.
Jimong at least maintained minimal decorum as young sect leader; Jin-yul was utterly shameless.
"What are you waiting for? Bind him now!"
I approached Mak Jin-yul as she brazenly yelled from horseback.
"You, go home! I can't take some whiny brat like you. Think we're going on a picnic?"
Hearing words she'd never encountered before, Mak Jin-yul dismounted and swung to slap my cheek.
"How dare you!"
Crack!
I grabbed her wrist and channeled spiritual energy to paralyze her.
"Huh? Wh-what! Why is my body suddenly numb?!"
Still holding her wrist, I shook it to make her own hand slap her cheek.
Smack!
"Eek!"
"I'm not hitting you. You're slapping yourself with your own hand."
Smack!
"Aaaah! Someone stop this lunatic!"
But no one stepped in to intervene.
From Gwan Ryongjin down to the twenty Hyuncheon Asura Corps warriors, they all turned away.
They all seemed secretly satisfied inside.
Having suffered at Mak Jin-yul's hands before, it wasn't just once or twice.
I granted them all amnesty.
"Everyone, stay back! The Supreme One has given me full authority to discipline Lady Mak Jin-yul."
It was a lie, but since he'd foisted these scoundrels on me without a word, I figured that was his intent.
If not, it was his responsibility anyway.
"Let go already!"
Smack!
'That scholar really isn't right in the head.'
Watching his sister's cheek redden as Mak Jimong shuddered.
He saw his own reflection in her plight.