Chapter 78
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: What I Gained
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I hadn't gained just a few things since arriving in Jiangxi.
I'd received land spanning a hundred thousand pyeong from Sovereign Mak, along with two Dragon Blood Pills.
And people, too.
I'd cured Jimong Mak's mania caused by the blocked energy of spirit medicines and gained a little brother named Meteor.
'Meteor might even become one of the world's strongest masters.'
Just having the world's strongest little brother made it feel like I'd stumbled upon a fortune greater than ten million gold pieces.
It was rewarding, too, knowing I'd prevented a future great killer in the making.
Above all, earning the favor of the Unorthodox Sovereign, Jimong Mak's father, was a treasure beyond any price.
Back in my room, I took the Silk Heavenly Scripture from Jimong Mak's mouth and tucked it into my bosom.
Then I removed all the needles from his body.
"Young Sovereign, rise and try circulating your energy now."
Jimong Mak had faithfully followed my instructions for the full ten days of treatment without fail.
He hadn't grumbled once or voiced a single complaint.
These might have been the most diligent days of his entire life.
"Scholar Cheon, please stand guard for me."
"Of course."
Though he had his own guards, it seemed he felt more at ease with me protecting him now.
After completing a full Lesser Heavenly Circuit in about half a shichen, Jimong Mak opened his eyes.
"Scholar Cheon."
His voice was weak, putting Cheon Taesan on edge.
"Speak."
"The energy is circulating. It's circulating."
As he said it, tears suddenly streamed from Jimong Mak's eyes.
His channels blocked, he'd been unable to circulate energy and had tried consuming more spirit medicines to fix it, only making things worse.
Unable to speak of it to anyone, he'd lived in agony.
In the unorthodox world, showing weakness invited wolves to tear you apart.
So he'd lived like a worthless cripple, not even reaching first-rate.
The shame of being the Unorthodox Sovereign's heir yet unfit as successor was a wound nothing could heal.
It had only twisted him further.
But today, at last...
"Scholar Cheon, you are my benefactor. My lifesaver."
Cheon Taesan gazed at him steadily.
"From now on, you are my sworn younger brother. Brother Cheon, we'll hold a grand sworn brothers ceremony when we return home."
"As you wish, brother."
At Cheon Taesan's agreement, Jimong Mak laughed heartily.
"Hahaha!"
Only now did Jimong Mak truly look like the son of the Unorthodox Sovereign.
After all, status held value only with power to back it.
Cheon Taesan said to him,
"Now that you're my sworn brother, may I offer some advice?"
"Of course, speak."
"With your bloodline restored, there will likely be those who try to harm you over it."
Those who'd written him off as a cripple after his long years of weakness would naturally seek to check him.
"I'm aware of that."
"So don't announce it right away. Tell only the Sovereign, recover gradually, and build your strength."
"Mm."
Originally, Jimong Mak had planned to tell everyone immediately.
To reclaim his tarnished honor.
"Absorb the shock bit by bit."
But upon reflection, the scholar was right.
"You're correct. That's why I want you as my strategist."
"Brother, when treading a dangerous path, don't look far ahead. Keep your eyes close, watch your feet, and you won't stumble."
Jimong Mak felt as if he'd been struck.
He'd been overjoyed, thinking the world was his now that energy flowed through his bloodline, but those words restored his reason.
"You're right, brother."
"The seat of the Unorthodox Sovereign's heir is a great one. How many covet it?"
Had he said this when Jimong Mak's bloodline was still blocked, it would have only sparked anger.
But with energy now flowing freely, his sharpened mind grasped Cheon Taesan's meaning.
"The reason the Unorthodox Sovereign sent both his cherished sons out into the world—wasn't it to let them see how it works?"
Jimong Mak had always wondered why his father sent both sons to Hopyeon Manor.
He hadn't realized this intent lay behind it.
"Brother, I've been regretting how terribly I treated you all this time."
As time passed, he felt guilty for acting like a wastrel toward Scholar Cheon.
He didn't care about his sectmates, but now that Scholar Cheon was his sworn brother, it gnawed at him.
"The moment you called me brother, all past grievances melted away like snow. If it still bothers you, just treat me well from now on, right?"
Jimong Mak burst into laughter at Cheon Taesan's words.
"Right. I'll treat you well starting now."
Jimong Mak grasped his hand.
"Thank you for letting me see the world clearly. Brother."
Cheon Taesan thought raising not just Meteor but Jimong Mak into a proper unorthodox figure would be rewarding work.
For the peace of the martial world.
'And if Jimong Mak becomes the next Unorthodox Sovereign, I'll suddenly be his little brother.'
Warriors from the Heavenly Gate Sect arrived to guard the gold mine.
Cheon Taesan recalled Gwanryongjin from the mine.
And Inspector Myeong Ujong, who'd been running around the government office dividing up the mine's ownership, made a rare appearance.
It was decided the mine would be jointly monitored and protected by government officials and Heavenly Gate Sect members.
The Jiangxi government considered it a windfall and didn't push for more.
Much of it was thanks to Inspector Myeong.
The Heavenly Gate Sect was pleased too, maintaining close ties with the government while gaining funds.
Sovereign Mak hadn't expected the casual poke at a seemingly money-making venture to yield a gold nugget.
Rumor had it Sovereign Mak now called Scholar Cheon a walking lucky charm.
With Jimong Mak's treatment complete, Cheon Taesan had no reason to linger in Hopyeon Manor.
He only regretted not spending more time with his friend Ho Hyeonbyeok.
"Next time, we'll have a proper drink."
Ho Hyeonbyeok couldn't hide his regret.
The Demonic Cult's ravages had left the manor in shambles, and repairs alone consumed his time.
Mak Jinyul inserted himself into the friends' farewell.
"Don't worry. Contact me if you need anything."
Ho Hyeonbyeok and Mak Jinyul had grown close, looking like affectionate siblings.
"My thanks for your words."
At the polite response, Mak Jinyul shot back,
"No need for such formality between us."
Inspector Myeong said to the departing Cheon Taesan,
"I'm sorry I couldn't help Scholar Cheon more with my busy schedule."
"Nonsense. Your efforts with the government office alone fill me with gratitude. Surely the Sovereign will thank you too, Inspector Myeong."
"I didn't do it for Great Hero Mak. It was all for the nation. But the government couldn't claim the whole mine, so we brought in Jiangxi's overlord. It's standard procedure anyway."
"I understand your position, Inspector Myeong."
Inspector Myeong didn't like sharing the mine's profits with the unorthodox either.
But realistically, the government couldn't take it all.
"Keep the Silver Inspector's seal handy—it's good anywhere in Jiangxi. I've already added your name to the inspection roster. Show it anywhere, and you can act as an inspector."
Inspector Myeong believed men like Scholar Cheon belonged in government service.
So he'd listed him on the roster to keep the connection alive.
"Thank you for your consideration."
Cheon Taesan gathered his people from Hopyeon Manor and set off for the Heavenly Gate Sect.
Hwaryeong Village—now called Sammu Realm—saw crowds pouring in daily.
Families arrived hauling cauldrons; swarms of slash-and-burn farmers followed.
Even martial artists occasionally came to settle.
Inns and shops boomed.
Tales from inns across major Jiangxi towns spread the word of Sammu Realm far and wide.
Even from neighboring Hunan, Hubei, Anhui, Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong, people trickled in.
The population swelled by nearly a thousand overnight.
At first, newcomers filled abandoned houses, but soon new ones had to be built.
The Heavenly Gate Sect headquarters distributed land to farmers and settlers.
It was Scholar Cheon's duty, but no one could stop it under Sovereign Mak's direct orders.
When real thieves and bandits appeared, they were hacked limb from limb and cast out per the Sovereign's decree.
They didn't last long, slain by their old enemies, boosting Sammu Realm's reputation further.
After heads rolled and limbs truly flew a few times, even amid the chaos of settlers, no more thieves or bandits appeared.
No brawls in shops or inns either.
They'd forged peace through sheer force.
Like preparing for war to desire peace—only overwhelming power sprouted true peace.
Songran stayed with Cheongyo in what had once been a small manor.
Her brilliant performance at Sovereign Mak's sixtieth birthday feast had earned his direct order to repair it.
Songran, veiled in silk gauze, stepped out with Cheongyo.
Passersby greeted them warmly.
Those knowing them as Scholar Cheon's acquaintances treated them with respect.
A far cry from their northern road treatment.
There, they'd been honored as musicians inside, but branded courtesans outside.
Here, Cheongyo and Songran were treated as nobility.
"Miss Cheongyo, have some of this before you go."
Passing a dumpling shop, Cheongyo shook her head at the owner's words.
"I just ate."
"Come next time. No charge."
Cheongyo knew their kindness stemmed not from her, but from Scholar Cheon, the land's true lord.
Still, receiving such warmth brought happiness.
Songran murmured,
"Kindness is like tree roots, spreading to birth new trees. Their fruits are happiness. Truly, Sammu Realm brims with joyful smiles that never cease."
"Indeed. One person's values can turn the world into hell or paradise."
Strolling contentedly, Songran suddenly halted.
"What's wrong?"
Wearing her thousand silkworm silk veil, Songran walked with eyes open.
Others saw her without falling to her soul-entrancing spell, thanks to the veil.
One benefit of open eyes: piercing others' true nature.
Her Soul-Enthralling Divine Eyes sensed essence.
"Those people—they're assassins. Sister, don't look. Just listen. The tea house on this floor. I sense assassin auras from three of its errand boys."
"Maybe assassins seeking a new life in Sammu Realm?"
Cheongyo thought positively.
"No. They're not here for a new life. That requires shedding killing intent, but theirs overflows. They're here to kill someone."
"Should we tell Young Hero Nangong Cheolwoong?"
Sammu Realm's security was handled by Heavenly Gate warriors, but overseen by Nangong Cheolwoong, Nangong Hwajun, and Nangong Pyo.
"No need. Scholar Cheon will arrive soon. We can tell him then."
"Right. Let Scholar Cheon handle it."
The two women quietly passed by.