The Biun Sect Delegation Arrives
Baek Cheong propped her chin on her hand and watched the internal whistleblowing with keen interest. It wasn't backed by the anonymity of Moomyeongbang, yet a torrent of outrageous secrets came spilling out—details too specific and weighty to brush off as mere childish prattle.
"Ah, everyone knows such amazing secrets."
Having been force-fed a crash course in every scandal and hidden truth plaguing the southern continent's cultivation world, Baek Cheong rose lightly from her seat with a benevolent, kindly smile.
"Uncle's calling me, so I'll be right back."
Slipping away while the children looked on with disappointment, she darted out of the group like an arrow. She wove busily through the bustling banquet hall, where guests mingled, and quietly approached her uncle from behind as he entertained them.
"Uncle."
When Baek Cheong tugged at his robe, Baek Muyoung turned his head.
"Oh, Cheong-ah. What is it?"
"Well, you see..."
Baek Cheong leaned close to her uncle's ear, lowering her voice. She began reciting the weaknesses, secrets, and serendipitous opportunities of various families and branches that she'd just overheard from the children's explosive confessions.
Even the unimaginable classified intel flowing from Baek Cheong's lips made Baek Muyoung's eyes shake like they were caught in an earthquake.
"How do you know all these inner workings...!"
"The kids told me everything?"
Seeing her uncle's stunned reaction eased the frustration Baek Cheong had built up during the banquet, leaving her in a good mood. With her goal achieved, she returned to her seat.
He must know this banquet is important, so that's why.
Meanwhile, left alone, Baek Muyoung gazed at his niece's retreating figure with admiration. He clenched his fist at the opportunity she'd handed him. Secrets from other families and branches that even the Baek family's intelligence network couldn't unearth had rolled right into his lap. As a merchant and acting family head, there was no finer weapon.
Baek Muyoung cleared his throat, composed his expression, and casually approached the delegation from Changmyeong Temple—the very group implicated in the info Baek Cheong had shared.
"Hoho, Elder of Changmyeong Temple. How's the expedition into the Yao King's secret realm going? I hear the formations are quite tricky."
"Kuhuk! How does Lord Baek know about that...!"
Leveraging the intelligence Baek Cheong had fetched, Baek Muyoung chatted with the delegations, seizing control of every conversation. With subtle pressure and masterful negotiation, he hammered out deal after deal overwhelmingly favorable to Yeonha Baek family. The banquet hall swiftly transformed into a stage for Baek Muyoung's merciless info warfare and salesmanship.
Baek Mu-ae, noticing the shift only after getting caught up in his own talks, smiled warmly once more.
Cheong must have schemed something again. What a clever child.
As the banquet reached its peak and the Baek family's prestige soared sky-high, a boisterous announcement echoed from the entrance.
"The Biun Sect delegation has arrived!"
All eyes turned to the door. The delegation marched in proudly, bearing the Biun Sect banner. Leading them was a dashing young man in splendid Biun Sect robes, exuding the aura of early Core Formation mid-stage.
"Baek Gyu!"
A joyful cry burst from his mother's lips. The eldest son of Yeonha Baek family, who had devoted long years to training at the branch sect, had returned.
"This humble one, Baek Gyu, comes to convey Biun Sect's will and offer long-overdue greetings upon returning to the family."
His mother rushed out barefoot and clasped the hands of her now-majestic grown son. Joy at reuniting with family shone on Baek Gyu's face.
"Mother, are you well? Where's Father?"
Her eyes welled up as she replied.
"Your father set aside family head duties a few days ago and entered long seclusion to form his Gold Core."
"Father's finally made his decision! A great blessing for the family!"
Baek Gyu nodded sincerely, thrilled by his father's resolve. After a brief reunion with his mother, he approached Baek Mu-ae at the head table and Baek Muyoung, who had been waiting, offering proper respects.
"Grandfather, Uncle. It's an honor to see you."
"Good, you've grown so stalwart. Your training at the branch sect has borne fruit."
"Your brother would have been overjoyed to see you."
After greetings, Baek Gyu introduced the Biun Sect delegation members who had entered with him.
"These are my fellow direct disciples under the sect leader's tutelage—my senior and junior brothers."
Handpicked by the sect leader himself, they were the pillars who would one day lead Biun Sect. Moreover, the current sect leader was a Transformation elder's direct disciple, making these youths virtual future overlords of the southern continent.
"An honor to meet Baek family's elders. Though unworthy, I, Wang Sam, serve as eldest senior brother due to my age among the disciples."
Wang Sam, leading the delegation, emanated profound late-stage Core Formation energy despite his youth—but he refrained from flaunting it, humbly showing respect. His junior brothers and sisters behind him boasted comparable auras and realms.
"And this is our youngest among the brothers, Junior Brother Jinwi. A prodigy among prodigies at Refining Qi late-stage, despite turning eleven this year."
At Baek Gyu's introduction, a boy around Baek Cheong's age stepped forward shyly from the back.
"Pleased to meet Baek family's elders."
His clear speech and polite bow naturally revealed his sharp wit. Baek Mu-ae's eyes lit up at the sight.
Refining Qi late-stage at that age... and his energy fixed solely on the great circle. Surely a prodigy with Heavenly Spiritual Roots.
The banquet buzzed at the appearance of a boy matching Baek Cheong's age yet at such an advanced realm. Once introductions wrapped, Wang Sam cleared his throat to settle the mood. He then proclaimed loudly enough for the entire hall to hear.
"Our presence today as Biun Sect's delegation at Baek family's banquet is to convey the sect leader's special intent. From this day, Yeonha Baek family enters under Biun Sect's full protection—we declare it here!"
A stunned silence fell over the hall like a bucket of cold water at Wang Sam's booming voice.
"Furthermore, any blood of Baek family may join Biun Sect as disciples at any time, regardless of talent!"
The ensuing words shattered the quiet into uncontrollable gasps and cheers. Branch family members, starved for Biun Sect entry, wept in gratitude, praising the sect. The branch children, privy to Baek Cheong's stories, weren't thrilled but hid their feelings. Baek Muyoung, the acting family head, reacted differently—stunned by the unprecedented favor yet etched with deep suspicion.
In the cultivation world, no favors came free. The reason a major sect granted such privileges to a single family was obvious.
The Five Elements Pill, no doubt.
The heaven-defying elixir elevating O-yeong-geun aptitude. Nor could they ignore the pill refiner residing in Baek family. Biun Sect feigned granting grand privileges while scheming for exclusive rights to the Five Elements Pill and ties to the pill refiner—on their terms.
Baek Muyoung's face clouded with grave concern. Baek Mu-ae harbored similar suspicions but raised his cup to Wang Sam with a serene smile.
"On behalf of Yeonha Baek family, I offer profound thanks for the sect leader's generous favor. Our esteemed guests have traveled far—please enjoy the banquet to your heart's content."
Baek Mu-ae's seasoned handling reignited the hall's warm, lively atmosphere. Branch families and minor clans swarmed the Biun Sect delegation like clouds to curry favor.
Meanwhile, Baek Gyu slipped away while his seniors sweated under the crowds, the youngest junior trailing him like a shadow. He headed straight for Baek Cheong, who sat alone in a corner munching sweets.
"Cheong-ah."
"Big Brother!"
Baek Cheong jumped up to greet him.
"Have you been well? I was over the moon hearing you'd broken through the 5-star barrier."
Baek Gyu affectionately ruffled her hair. Baek Cheong beamed at her reliable brother after so long.
"Big Brother's gotten so strong too. You really look like a major sect powerhouse now."
"Haha, still a long way off. Oh, say hello. This is my junior brother, Jinwi."
Jinwi bowed shyly at the introduction.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Jinwi."
Baek Cheong set down her sweets and stared at him. Despite being the same age, he radiated dense late-stage Refining Qi energy—a true prodigy with Heavenly Spiritual Roots, just as she'd heard.
"Pleased to meet you, Senior Brother Jinwi. I'm Baek Cheong."
A mischievous smile slipped out unbidden as she greeted him. To outsiders unaware of her thoughts, she seemed just a bright child. But to Jinwi, facing her smile head-on, it sparked an unprecedented flutter in his chest.
So he's a real Heavenly Spiritual Roots holder, huh?
To Baek Cheong, he was simply an amusing new toy.