Chapter 44
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Tiger's Den, Jin Clan Manor
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“Brother Seop.”
Lee Su of the Blue Moon Sword recognized me first and waved.
Since I had introduced myself as Seop Cheong of the Lightning Flash Sword, it was understandable that he called me Brother Seop, but it also felt awkward.
He didn't seem to have noticed the strange atmosphere of the Jin Clan Manor.
I slowly walked over and plopped down across from him.
“They took our weapons when we came in. It feels really unsettling. Damn.”
“It's to prevent people from getting drunk and causing big trouble. You're more sensitive than you look, Brother Seop. Here, have a drink.”
Before drinking the wine, I smelled it, tasted it, and then downed it.
In my past life, even though I was immune to all poisons, I was always cautious against potential assassinations or poison attacks.
That habit remained with me.
There seemed to be no poison or energy-scattering agents.
If it were a formless, odorless, and tasteless energy-scattering poison, I'd be helpless, but such poisons were difficult to obtain or create, and extremely expensive.
Therefore, I figured it would be difficult to use such a poison on this many martial artists and ruled out that possibility for now.
“Brother Jo, what do you think of that man, Heavy Sword?”
I asked as I poured a drink for Jo Chung-sang of the Red Moon Saber.
“He seemed like a bit of a jerk.”
“I thought so too.”
Hearing Jo Chung-sang's reply, I smiled faintly.
I got the feeling that, at the very least, these two had no connection to the Jin Clan Manor.
“Thank you for attending this old man's sixtieth birthday celebration.”
Jin Gyu-ong, the head of the Jin Clan Manor, stroked his beautiful beard and waved his hand.
“Gissi Prefecture is a truly beautiful place. I was born in Gissi Prefecture and have lived here my entire life. Some may call it the countryside, but I believe there is no better place to live. That is why I am a fortunate man.”
Jin Gyu-ong continued speaking with a smile.
“I will never leave Gissi Prefecture until the day I die. That is how much I love this place.”
The martial artists applauded Jin Gyu-ong's heartfelt words.
I clapped as well, but unlike the moved crowd, my heart remained cold.
‘Jin Gyu-ong is a master. And one who has learned demonic arts.’
I could feel the faint aura of demonic arts emanating from his body.
Having dedicated my past life to defeating the followers of the evil and demonic paths, no matter how well he concealed the aura of his demonic arts, he couldn't escape my senses.
“All of you who have gathered here today are fortunate. As you know, the Jin Clan Manor was able to accumulate its wealth by harvesting fine medicinal herbs from the Taihang Mountains and selling them in Henan and Hebei provinces for a great profit. That is why the Jin Clan Manor is extremely knowledgeable about medicinal herbs, especially elixirs.”
At the mention of elixirs, the boisterous crowd fell silent.
“Lord Jin. You said we were fortunate earlier. Are you perhaps planning to share some elixirs with us?”
A martial artist in black robes, sitting on the left, raised his hand and asked cautiously.
Jin Gyu-ong smiled faintly and replied.
“That's right. You have all come here for my sake, so how could I be stingy with elixirs? Besides, I have already earned a great deal of money. Therefore, I will give each of you one Jin Clan Pill.”
“Ooh.”
Cheers erupted from all around.
The Jin Clan Pill.
The Jin Clan Manor initially made a fortune by harvesting and selling medicinal herbs. Later, they achieved great success by creating and selling the Jin Clan Pill, made from the finest herbs of the Taihang Mountains.
While the Jin Clan Pill couldn't compare to the greatest elixirs like Shaolin's Great Restoration Pill, it was known to grant ten years' worth of internal energy upon consumption.
For martial artists who would covet even a single year of internal energy, their eyes became colored with greed upon hearing that the Jin Clan Pills would be given out.
‘Those Jin Clan Pills are likely fakes. Or perhaps they've added herbs that corrupt one with demonic nature, or highly addictive drugs, to the real ones. A single Jin Clan Pill costs roughly fifty thousand taels. Jin Gyu-ong isn't the type to just give them away to this many people. What on earth is he plotting?’
Looking around, the Twin Moons also seemed very excited, and the excitement of the other martial artists was palpable.
“Are they really Jin Clan Pills? It's strange that you would give real Jin Clan Pills to this many people.”
This time, a martial artist in blue robes sitting on the right shot up from his seat and raised a question.
“If you don't believe me, you may leave.”
Jin Gyu-ong mercilessly ordered the martial artist to leave.
“What are you doing? Leave at once. How dare you insult me, Jin Gyu-ong, in my own home. I will not tolerate it any longer.”
“I had no intention of insulting you. I was just puzzled because giving them away for free would result in a huge loss. If I have offended you, please forgive me.”
As the blue-robed martial artist apologized, Jin Gyu-ong's expression softened slightly.
He let out a short sigh and explained his reasoning.
“I understand completely. It's easy to misunderstand. But I swear to the heavens that I am offering these Jin Clan Pills to you all with pure intentions. When you receive your pill, smell it and taste it lightly. Then you will know that I am not lying.”
With a solemn expression, Jin Gyu-ong clapped his hands.
At that signal, five beautiful young women entered, carrying Jin Clan Pills on silver trays.
“Anyone who doesn't want one may refuse. I have no desire to give them to such people. These are extremely expensive pills; do you think I want to waste them like that?”
Jin Gyu-ong pressured the martial artists with his words.
Although he told them to refuse, it seemed not a single person would openly do so.
It was safe to say that no one would easily give up ten years of internal energy.
Of course, the amount of internal energy gained would vary depending on an individual's constitution and how many elixirs they had taken before.
But it would increase by at least five years, and that was enough to be worthy of being called an elixir.
“Brother Jo, Brother Lee. Are you going to take the Jin Clan Pill?”
“What, would you refuse such a great opportunity?”
Lee Su asked back, startled.
I didn't answer and looked at Jo Chung-sang.
“I'll take it.”
Jo Chung-sang hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
He too showed signs of unease, but his greed overcame it.
“What about you, Brother Seop?”
“I won't take it. I have a bad feeling about this.”
I shook my head.
In the meantime, the martial artists began taking the pills one by one, and some who had already taken them had entered a state of meditation to circulate their energy.
“Oops.”
The table was overturned.
I pretended it was a mistake, but I had flipped it intentionally.
The surrounding gazes focused on me.
“My apologies. I'm drunk.”
At my words, their gazes turned away.
No, their greed for the Jin Clan Pill made them turn away.
I hid five chopsticks in my sleeve and scanned my surroundings.
I planned to leave this place after confirming their objective, at the very least.
Lee Su and Jo Chung-sang also took the pills and began circulating their energy.
“Sir. Here is your Jin Clan Pill.”
“I will not take it.”
Since I was the first to refuse, her expression was filled with shock.
She turned her head to look at Jin Gyu-ong.
When Jin Gyu-ong gave a slight nod, she quickly passed by me.
“Ooh, my internal energy really increased.”
The martial artists who had taken it first exclaimed in admiration.
“Thank you, Lord Jin.”
Words of gratitude for Jin Gyu-ong flowed from all around.
I calmly drank some water and exhaled after circulating my internal energy for one full cycle.
Until everyone had finished circulating their energy, Jin Gyu-ong held the audience's attention with a kind expression, telling stories of his life.
The martial artists, who had already experienced an increase in their internal energy from the pills, focused on his words.
When the last person meditating opened his eyes, Jin Gyu-ong asked him.
“How is it?”
“Thank you. I've gained six years of internal energy.”
“Congratulations. By the way, Master Seop, why did you refuse the pill?”
As Jin Gyu-ong turned his gaze to me and asked, the stares of the other martial artists flew toward me, sharp and piercing.
“I have a peculiar constitution that doesn't agree with pills.”
“I've never heard of such a constitution.”
“What can I do? I was born this way.”
Most of the martial artists' suspicions were dispelled, but Jin Gyu-ong didn't withdraw his rat-like gaze.
“Peculiar constitution? Nonsense!”
Hearing a booming voice from behind, I turned to see it was the man called Heavy Sword.
“Master Seop, you may leave. The rest of you, please proceed to the inner room. Something even better is prepared.”
“What is this 'something better'?”
“I'll leave that to your imagination.”
Having already increased their power by taking the pills, even the suspicious martial artists couldn't suppress their greed and, one by one, headed into the room.
Perhaps their fates were sealed the moment they came here after hearing the rumor that the Jin Clan Manor was giving out rewards.
“Brother Seop. Let's meet again.”
Lee Su and Jo Chung-sang also entered the room, their eyes gleaming with greed.
Jin Gyu-ong gestured to Heavy Sword and Hu Eun-ryang before entering the room himself. Now, only the desolate feast table, Heavy Sword, his subordinates, and I remained in the rear garden.
Heavy Sword, as if determined to kill me, revealed his demonic energy without hesitation.
*Swish.*
I launched myself toward where Jin Gyu-ong had been standing.
“Stop him.”
At Heavy Sword's shout, two martial artists in front of me drew their swords in unison.
*Swish, swish, swish.*
I imbued the chopsticks I had prepared with internal energy and threw them.
*Clang, clang, clang.*
They parried the chopsticks with their swords, but the fierce power slowed their movements.
Not missing that brief moment, I converted the Thunderclap Finger Art into a finger strike and unleashed it.
*Thud, thud, thud.*
“Gah.”
“Ugh.”
The two of them collapsed on the spot.
I kicked the wrist of the man on the left, sending his sword flying into the air, and caught it.
After sending them to the next world, I turned around.
“You son of a bitch. You were hiding your true identity.”
As Heavy Sword ground his teeth and pushed his internal energy to its limit, Hu Eun-ryang, who had been blocking the entrance with him, stepped forward.
“By any chance, Master Seop, were you the one who destroyed the Shanxi branch?”
“The Shanxi branch? I have no idea what you're talking about.”
“Then what brings you to this remote place?”
It was a situation where crossing swords wouldn't be enough, and I didn't like engaging in such trivial conversation, but I decided to talk in hopes of gaining some information from them.
“I'm on my way to Taiyuan Prefecture.”
“Your martial arts seem very powerful. What is your affiliation?”
“I have no affiliation. It hasn't been long since I entered the martial world, so I'm inept at interpersonal relationships. So if I've made a mistake, please think of it that way.”
Hu Eun-ryang must have been higher in rank than Heavy Sword, as Heavy Sword could only glare disapprovingly at him for talking to me, unable to stop him.
“Then would you like to join our organization? We can guarantee you wealth and glory, and provide you with unparalleled martial arts and elixirs.”
“What organization is it?”
“First, take this. Then I will tell you.”
Hu Eun-ryang took out a pill with a bluish tint.
“I refuse. My master told me that the martial world is a dangerous place, and to refuse any kindness offered without reason.”
“What did I tell you? I didn't like this bastard from the start.”
Heavy Sword drew his sword and took a step forward.
“Listen here, Master Seop. Don't throw away your precious life.”
“We won't know until we cross blades.”
“I'll kill you!”
Heavy Sword launched himself forward, reaching me in the blink of an eye.
*Clang, clang, clang.*
His sword was heavy and powerful.
I focused only on blocking his sword, not counterattacking.
I faced Heavy Sword while cautiously observing, unsure of how Hu Eun-ryang and Jin Gyu-ong would react.
“You foxy bastard!”
Heavy Sword attacked fiercely, but when he failed to achieve any significant results, his anger flared to its peak.
I spotted his weaknesses several times but let them pass, buying time.
*Shhhk.*
*Slice.*
I slashed his side.
At the same time, I received a cut on my left arm.
“Stop.”
“It's not over yet.”
Heavy Sword flared up at Hu Eun-ryang's command.
“Do you intend to disobey my order?”
As Hu Eun-ryang's voice stiffened, the imposing Heavy Sword lowered his weapon and retreated.
“Get treated. That wound on your side is deep.”
Hu Eun-ryang offered him a short word of comfort before turning his gaze to me.
“Impressive. To fight on equal footing with Heavy Sword.”
“I also received a cut on my left arm.”
“To hold your own against Heavy Sword and force a draw with a counterattack is a display of incredible martial prowess. Truly a shame. Join the organization. It feels like a waste to kill you like this.”
Before I knew it, Hu Eun-ryang was slowly emitting demonic energy, and his tone had become overbearing.
“Tell me the name of the organization first. And as I said before, I have a peculiar constitution and do not take pills.”
“A pity.”
*Fwooooosh.*
A dense demonic energy rose from Hu Eun-ryang's body.
It was a demonic energy so dense it made one shudder.
‘This is the energy of the Dark Heavenly Cult. If Hu Eun-ryang is this strong, what about Jin Gyu-ong? First, let's subdue Hu Eun-ryang. He sees me as being on a similar level to Heavy Sword, so if I attack with all my strength, I should be able to overpower him. I must capture him alive.’
As I solidified my resolve, my dantian naturally opened, and true energy surged through my meridians.
I quickly pressed the pressure points on my left arm to prevent the wound from widening.