Chapter 36
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: It's a Good Thing for You
The five of them barely managed to chew and swallow the strangely flavored pills.
A faint glimmer of expectation lingered on their faces.
Why not? There were those stories—things that looked bizarre and tasted awful but surprisingly offered potent effects, like some elixir from a third-rate hero novel.
It might sound like something straight out of cheap street fiction, but they had secretly hoped for it anyway.
And the one who gave them the pills wasn't just anyone—it was Instructor Ha, a man whose true depths no one could fathom.
About an incense stick's worth of time passed like that.
"This is..."
"Hm..."
"Huh?"
Each let out an incomprehensible murmur.
It couldn't be helped.
There was no sensation, no change whatsoever. Just that bizarre taste and aroma lingering in their mouths for over an incense stick.
"I-Instructor. What in the world is..."
In the end, it was Dang Jin-san who spoke up again.
"Good enough."
Having confirmed they'd all consumed the pills, Ha Mu-baek simply nodded calmly.
That was it—just watching the five of them intently for the duration of one incense stick.
"W-What does that mean...?"
Dan Mok Un-roe ventured cautiously, but no answer came.
"Now, homework. During the rest of your break, pour everything into internal energy cultivation. Dedicate at least three hours a day to it. Oh, and don't slack on your other training."
With that, Ha Mu-baek turned briskly and walked away.
No more words, no further advice—he simply departed.
"I-Instructor!!"
Dang Jin-san cried out in panic, but Ha Mu-baek moved on without pause and soon vanished from sight.
Dang Jin-san stared blankly in the direction he'd disappeared, looking for all the world like someone who'd just been betrayed.
The others were just as stunned.
The first to snap out of it was Yeon Ha-min.
She found a suitable spot, sat cross-legged, and was about to close her eyes and begin meditating when...
"Huh? What're you doing?"
Dang Jin-san asked her.
"Internal energy cultivation. Adding three hours to my current training means no time left for sleep, so I've got to start now."
A surprisingly long answer, coming from her.
"Why?"
"Because the instructor said to."
"That's your reason?"
Without even sparing time to reply, Yeon Ha-min dove straight into meditation.
Naturally, it was the Three Talents Heart Method.
It was the only internal energy technique she knew.
At that sight, Baek Ri-pyeong immediately began cultivating the heart method as well. He, too, delved into the Three Talents Heart Method.
"Wha? Huh?"
As Dang Jin-san faltered at his squadmates' unexpected actions...
"What's wrong, Jin-san? You know it too. Doing exactly what the instructor says is bound to yield incredible results."
Dan Mok Un-roe left those words behind, sat cross-legged, and entered meditation.
Nak Woo-jin silently found his spot as well.
At the sight, Dang Jin-san let out a deep sigh.
"Hoo. I know, I get it. But still, couldn't he explain it a little nicer? What was with those pills that did absolutely nothing? Why push so hard on heart method cultivation? Tsk."
Muttering complaints like that, Dang Jin-san began cultivating the Three Talents Heart Method as well.
Dongting Lake.
The greatest lake under heaven.
Located in northern Hubei Province, it wasn't far from Wuchang, home of the Dragon Training Pavilion—just a boat ride away.
"Coming to the Dragon Training Pavilion has its perks at times like this. Nice and close."
Ha Mu-baek murmured calmly, standing at the bow and letting the river breeze wash over him.
From Wuchang to Yueyang was a mere one or two days by boat—even against the current of the Yangtze.
It was distant if you thought about it, but compared to his time at the Righteous Heaven Alliance headquarters, it felt like the next village over.
"Is this thanks to those old fogeys in the Elder Council? Maybe I should be grateful."
Ha Mu-baek chuckled softly to himself.
The harbor appeared faintly in the distance.
He'd nearly arrived at Yueyang before he knew it.
Yueyang was always bustling. Tourists flocking to see the lake's stunning vistas, and all those drawn by the money they spent.
Especially the hordes coming to climb Yueyang Tower once in their lives—Yueyang never knew a quiet moment all year round.
Ha Mu-baek passed through the crowded streets at an easy pace and found a suitably quiet inn.
After a simple meal, he took a room and lay down on the bed, closing his eyes.
A brief rest.
It lasted until the sun set and darkness blanketed everything.
Ha Mu-baek gathered his things and left the room.
"Ah, sir!"
The errand boy came scurrying over at the sight.
"Hm?"
"Heading out somewhere?"
"Nah, I'm checking out for good. You can clean the room now."
He pressed a single iron coin into the boy's hand. The room fee was already paid upfront, so he could just leave.
Watching Ha Mu-baek's retreating figure, the boy tilted his head.
"In the dead of night... Geez."
But he knew better than to let idle curiosity invite needless trouble. Yueyang, nestled by Dongting Lake, drew countless martial artists from the rivers and lakes.
Content with the extra iron coin thanks to his sharp eyes, the boy bustled off busily.
The night was deep, but Ha Mu-baek's steps held no hesitation. The pleasure quarters blazed with lights as if night itself didn't exist, but the path he took was utterly silent.
How long had he walked?
He arrived at the lakeshore, where only starlight reflected off the water.
"Wonder if he's still there."
Ha Mu-baek tilted his head.
"Probably."
Answering his own question, he headed to a secluded spot by the lake.
A patch thick with dense shrubs.
Ha Mu-baek approached with familiar steps—forward, back, side to side. Stepping through a complex pattern of directions, his figure vanished into the bushes.
"There you are."
It was a small, crude dock, as if someone had makeshift it.
Three small rowboats were tied to the pillars, oars at the ready.
Ha Mu-baek boarded one.
With practiced ease, he untied the rope and rowed. The little boat glided forward with a soft ripple.
Though it had been years since his last visit, his movements flowed without a hitch.
It felt like he'd been here just yesterday, drawing a smirk from Ha Mu-baek.
Dongting Lake was dotted with countless islands, large and small.
Some channels were labyrinthine.
Linked to the vast Yangtze, it teemed with isles—and thus, pirates and water bandits aplenty.
Ha Mu-baek rowed alone through it all.
On this moonless new moon night, the silence felt profound.
Half an hour of rowing later, he beached at a small island. Pulling the boat ashore, he moved swiftly from there.
It was an archipelago of tiny isles clustered together.
At the edge of one, another island loomed across—not too far. Ha Mu-baek kicked off the water and dashed straight across.
Leaping island to island in a intricate path, he at last reached his destination.
Qinglan Island.
An unnamed deserted isle at first, but named as such by a certain flower-loving fellow—and so it had been called ever since.
"You've come."
No sooner had his feet touched the island than a stern voice rang out.
Ha Mu-baek bowed toward the source.
"Yes, Master. I've finally arrived."
"Still, faster than I expected."
A clear-eyed elder with long white whiskers greeted him with a kindly smile.
"Lan's asleep."
"Understood."
As Master Wi Ji-gun turned and walked, Ha Mu-baek followed silently behind.
The island wasn't small.
Once a barren rock with no inhabitants, now it bore traces of human hands everywhere.
Passing three sturdy thatched huts, they walked a bit farther to a wide clearing.
The training tools scattered about marked it as a practice ground.
Darkness had settled thickly, but it posed no issue for Ha Mu-baek or Wi Ji-gun.
"Let me take a look."
At his master's words, Ha Mu-baek set his travel pouch aside and drew the sword from his belt.
He assumed the starting stance of the sect's swordsmanship his master had taught him—and held it.
"That's enough."
Wi Ji-gun's calm word made him lower the blade.
"The scent of blood still clings thickly."
Ha Mu-baek gave a wry smile at his master's remark.
It was the path he had no choice but to walk.
"Still, it's faded quite a bit compared to seven years ago."
It had been seven years since his last return home.
"Is that so?"
"Well, the war's been over a while now. Even so, it's lighter than that time would suggest—more than I predicted. What happened?"
At his master's question, Ha Mu-baek recalled the past three months.
"Something did happen."
"It's a good thing for you."
"I'm not so sure. Whether it's truly good."
"From the look of you now, it is."
Wi Ji-gun spoke with firm conviction.
"Rest, then. We'll hear the full story come morning—with Lan."
"Yes."
The two returned to the thatched huts they'd passed. They entered separate rooms in the largest one.
Ha Mu-baek's room was spotless, as if he'd stayed there yesterday.
Clear signs of daily cleaning and tidying.
"That rascal Lan."
The only one who'd keep his room like this was his little sister, Ha Seol-ran.
His master surely wouldn't bother.
Only the two of them lived on this island—master and Lan.
No one could approach the surrounding waters, sealed by his master's barrier formation.
Ha Mu-baek sank into deep, peaceful sleep on his bed for the first time in seven years.
The morning was sweltering with heat, but the breeze off the lake brought refreshing coolness.
Ha Mu-baek stretched as he stepped outside—and there she was, waiting.
He'd sensed her presence already.
"Lan."
Ha Mu-baek smiled warmly and spread his arms.
"Big brother!!"
The girl who'd barely reached his chest seven years ago now came up to his shoulder, burying herself in his embrace.
He'd only known of her illness's cure through his master's letter via courier station, but seeing her now—her complexion glowed with health.
If untreated, she would have died by now. Yet here she was, healthy and clinging to him.
His eyes reddened.
She was the last blood kin Ha Mu-baek had left in the world—precious beyond measure.
In the yard's corner, his master watched the siblings' reunion with a pleased smile.
'It has faded, indeed.'
Ha Mu-baek thought back to his last meeting with his sister.
Then, Ha Seol-ran hadn't been able to approach him easily. She desperately wanted to run to her big brother and hug him, but her body wouldn't move.
It was due to the thick blood-scent ingrained in him.
She'd sensed that killing intent on instinct.
But now, she approached without hesitation and hugged him tight. Part of it was her growth, but mostly because the bloody aura on him had lightened.
"Breakfast is ready. Let's eat."
At Wi Ji-gun's words, Ha Mu-baek bowed his head slightly.
"My apologies. I should have prepared it myself..."
"What's a meal for a disciple returning home after so long? Come on, let's go."
Urged by Wi Ji-gun, the three headed to the hut's small dining area.
A warm breakfast was already laid out.
The large clay-roast duck, steaming hot, made their mouths water on sight.
"Seems a bit much for breakfast."
"Think I don't know you? Enough nonsense—eat up."