Chapter 236
Chapter 236
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 236
Chapter Title: In Everyday Life (1)
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Bang! Bang! Bang!
Intense clashes rang out one after another.
The flashy movements and unyielding sparring had already dragged on for half a shichen.
Truly a perfect match.
A short distance from where Hahu Yeon and Dokgo Ryong were sparring, Baek Muhyeon sat on a broad rock, tilting his cup as he shook his empty glass and spoke.
Both of them have improved tremendously. They're advancing by leaps and bounds every single day.
Sima Geon refilled his cup, but Baek Muhyeon shook his head.
To be honest, that's not quite right. Just half a month ago, there was a clear gap between them.
It wasn't as big a difference as one might think.
I heard that kid obtained the final insights of Sword Ghost predecessor.
He left it behind for the Hahu Clan.
Predecessor truly left behind an outstanding heir.
Baek Muhyeon's gaze held a faint trace of envy as he watched Hahu Yeon swing his sword desperately, his body drenched in sweat.
And it was well-founded.
Hahu Yeon's rate of growth was astonishingly fast.
Dokgo Ryong had improved a great deal too, but it was nothing compared to Hahu Yeon.
Through spars with Dokgo Ryong that felt like real combat, Hahu Yeon had gained experience and refined his swordsmanship to a higher level of completion. In particular, the casual pointers from Baek Muhyeon and Sima Geon were like golden rules to him, to be treasured and followed without fail.
When he first sparred with Dokgo Ryong, his inexperience had been obvious, but now those flaws had all but vanished.
That kid's a genius, after all. And with that much effort, of course his skills improve.
I can see why Sword Ghost predecessor doted on him. But he's incomparable to anyone else. Indeed, no doubt about it.
Baek Muhyeon's gaze, brimming with pride, shifted to the left. Sima Geon turned his head to follow.
Cheol Woo and Sima Jin were sparring.
Their match wasn't as fierce as Hahu Yeon and Dokgo Ryong's, but its level was actually higher. Sima Jin's movements were so swift and varied that even Cheol Woo was struggling somewhat. Of course, Cheol Woo wasn't going all out.
Her internal energy is still lacking, so there's nothing for it. And she's so sturdy, too.
The experience gap is huge as well. She's sorely lacking in improvisation.
Give it a little more time, and things will change. And if she absorbs my internal energy... I can't even imagine how strong she'll become.
Baek Muhyeon's eyes grew dreamy and distant.
Are you still talking like that? Keep saying it, and the kids will get stressed out hearing it.
Sima Geon frowned as he spoke.
Hahaha! Who's saying right now? I'm just saying when the time comes, it will happen.
Instead of that nonsense, help Jin absorb the energy in her body faster. She's swallowed every elixir under the sun, from the Shaolin Great Reversion Pill to Celestial Pure Jade Milk. She just hasn't fully made it her own yet—if it weren't for your internal energy, she'd already be overflowing. You know that, so why pretend? Trying to show off?
Baek Muhyeon had been helping Sima Jin absorb the latent energy from the elixirs every time she meditated and circulated her qi. No one knew better than him just how much power lay dormant in her body.
Ahem! Show off? I'm just saying how it is.
Perhaps to hide his embarrassment, Baek Muhyeon slyly turned his head away.
Sima Geon was about to say more when Manchu returned from Hangzhou, where he'd gone on Beggar Clan business.
Elder! Brother!
Manchu, sweating profusely as he ran up, greeted Baek Muhyeon and Sima Geon happily.
Didn't you say you'd stay a few days?
There wasn't much to do there. Everyone's so busy, and I felt like I was in the way.
Manchu scratched the back of his head with an awkward grin.
He'd been like the local king in Hangzhou, but after nearly two years traveling with Sima Geon's group and staying away, things felt strangely off now.
Anyway, they're still at it.
Manchu chuckled, eyeing the spar between Dokgo Ryong and Hahu Yeon, which was reaching its climax.
It's routine. Once in the morning, once in the evening.
Manchu shook his head at Sima Geon's reply, as if exhausted just thinking about it.
Don't they ever get tired?
Their bodies ache and tire, but their skills grow accordingly, so they can't stop. And from now on, you'll be showing that kind of effort too.
Me too?
Manchu pointed at himself in surprise.
You grew rapidly for a while, but you've stagnated lately. Time to break through.
Manchu's eyes sharpened in an instant.
Please take good care of me, Brother.
He knew all too well how effective Sima Geon's guidance was, even if it was grueling. Manchu bowed deeply, almost excessively.
Sima Geon waved him off in alarm, and Manchu's body straightened against his will.
Enough of that. Tell us about Hangzhou. How's the situation with the Yeongho Clan? Isn't it getting fierce?
Yes. But it seems mostly settled now.
Settled?
How so?
Not just Sima Geon, but even Baek Muhyeon showed keen interest.
The Yeongho Clan's clan head has reclaimed control of the clan.
That's odd. You said the power gap was too big for that, right?
Sima Geon tilted his head.
Yes, it was. The overall forces were heavily imbalanced. I thought those who stayed in the clan would win for sure, but they lost. Even the elders at headquarters seemed pretty shaken.
What? The clan head won? Without any outside help?
Cheol Woo, who had finished sparring and approached, wiped the sweat from his brow and asked.
Yes, that's certain. Headquarters couldn't intervene directly in the fight, but they kept a close watch for any outside forces meddling. No traces of external involvement at all.
So he won through pure skill.
Cheol Woo grimaced, clearly displeased.
It's a pyrrhic victory at best. The fight was so brutal that the Yeongho Clan shrank to half its size.
Heh heh! Fair enough. Winning like that won't change the perception that they're Blood Cult lackeys.
No, that's not the case.
What do you mean?
Cheol Woo, who had burst out laughing, scowled and shot back.
It's been proven that the Yeongho Clan head has no significant ties to the Blood Cult.
How is that possible?
Sima Geon asked, his expression full of disbelief.
Remember I mentioned they called in healers from the Dang Clan and Living Immortal Medical House to treat the Marriage Venom?
Yeah, I remember.
Sima Geon and Cheol Woo nodded in unison.
They arrived after the fight ended.
Doesn't matter. He'd have killed everyone carrying the Marriage Venom by then.
Manchu shook his head at Cheol Woo's words.
No. The clan head requested they check him and every single person in the clan for the Marriage Venom.
How...? Oh, right. Blood Poison Pearl?
Sima Geon recalled what Dang Cheon-hwa had explained before.
Yes. They tested with the Blood Poison Pearl first, then the Living Immortal healers double-checked.
The Living Immortal has Blood Poison Pearls too?
No. They use acupuncture to confirm, or so I heard. Not sure on the details.
Acupuncture? What a bizarre skillset they have.
Cheol Woo's lips twisted slightly. His feelings toward the Living Immortal Medical House weren't great, especially after Sima Jin's past incident.
So there were no victims of Marriage Venom at all?
Baek Muhyeon gestured for Cheol Woo to quiet down as he asked.
Not quite. A few reacted to the Blood Poison Pearl. But they weren't all from one side—they came from both the clan head's faction and the rebels.
Ha! Things are getting interesting.
Yes. Testing in front of everyone with the Blood Poison Pearl—nothing more solid than that. So the clan head's cleared of the Blood Cult accusation for now. Instead, momentum's building that the ones who framed him were plotting to seize the throne he lost.
And the Jegal Clan that helped with that...
Manchu glanced at Sima Geon and Cheol Woo before continuing.
Your brothers are catching flak too.
What? Us?
Yes.
Those crazy bastards!
Cheol Woo shouted in anger, but Sima Geon showed no particular reaction.
What does the Beggar Clan think?
Sima Geon asked.
They're convinced he's a Blood Cult agent, or at least connected. But without proof, they can't push further. Plus, since Phoenix Mountain, they've been supporting the other side directly or indirectly, so relations with Yeongho Clan are at rock bottom.
What do you think, Elder?
Baek Muhyeon replied without hesitation.
If they planted it, they know how to remove it. No fool would leave it be. They probably purged the Marriage Venom before the test and left a few stragglers for credibility.
I think the same. Anyone opposing the clan head's will is gone anyway—no need for the poison anymore.
It's a headache either way. Regardless of the truth, now that Yeongho Clan's publicly cleared of Blood Cult ties, the Orthodox Alliance will raise their voice.
Manchu sighed.
Hah! Rat bastards! Stomp 'em and they just crawl back out.
Cheol Woo vented his frustration, grabbing a bottle of liquor.
Gulp, gulp. He drained it in one go. Baek Muhyeon and Manchu didn't look pleased watching him.
That was the last bottle...
Someone murmured.
Sister! Sister!
With no response despite calling several times, Noe Jeon's voice rose involuntarily.
Sister!
So Surin finally noticed Noe Jeon approaching.
Oh, you're back?
I called you so many times. What were you thinking so deeply about?
Did I?
Yes.
So Surin gave an apologetic look and pointed at Sima Geon.
It's the first time I've seen the Division Leader look so cheerful.
Noe Jeon turned to follow her gaze.
Sima Geon's younger brother, Sima Ho, who had returned from the ranch, was gesturing animatedly while praising the rampaging Black Wolf. A smile never left Sima Geon's face.
It is nice. Family really is the best.
Noe Jeon smiled faintly, though it carried a subtle loneliness.
Everything's so peaceful. That's why I can't bring myself to say let's go.
So Surin smiled weakly.
What are you talking about?
The Yin Thief Nest.
Noe Jeon's face hardened at the name.
Everyone's so comfortable and happy. I can't bear to shatter that.
So Surin and Noe Jeon fell silent for a long while, their eyes fixed on Sima Geon and his siblings.
So what do you want to do?
Noe Jeon asked quietly.
Maybe I should go alone, quietly. All I need to do is take the head of the Yin Thief Nest, after all.
Think you can?
Who knows.
Even if you could, do you think the Division Leader would allow it? It's not just about you. Those Poison Blood Demons they command—they were our comrades. And you passed on Elder Yeon Jeok-chu's dying words. He begged the Captain to end his suffering with his own hand.
Yeah.
Recalling Yeon Jeok-chu's face, So Surin nodded sadly.
Don't even think about doing something foolish. If you go, I'm going with you.
...
Sister!
Noe Jeon called out several times, but no words came from So Surin's lips.