Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Third-Rate Martial Family Becomes World's Best
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"Raise one disciple for fun. That's my only request."
"Yes. I have no other favors to ask."
"Hahaha."
Yeo Un-hyeok smiled softly as he gazed at Baek Yang-hui.
"You've done the Young Master and the Baek Clan Manor such immense favors. To be honest, this old man was prepared to accept anything you asked of me. But you won't even do that."
Baek Mu-ryang waved his hand dismissively.
"Just the two divine arts that Lord No returned to us have already brought great fortune to our clan. How could I possibly ask for more?"
"People say that those who possess such noble hearts walk the righteous path and are free of greed."
"I'm merely doing what feels natural."
Yeo Un-hyeok let out another hearty laugh. His smile brimmed with unmistakable satisfaction and joy.
"A disciple, eh. Though I've inherited this worthless blocked meridian body, I can't just take anyone as my disciple."
"I understand."
"At the Young Master's request, I'll raise a disciple as a pastime, but I can't guarantee it'll be that boy."
"Just test his aptitude and talent, Lord No. That will be enough."
'If it's Chui-dal, he'll definitely pass.'
If he were deemed lacking as disciple material, then what?
He could simply teach him the martial arts that Chui-dal himself had created and refined in his past life.
"Then let's review what you brought back from this excursion."
Chui-dal, that prodigy, plus ten thousand nyang in gold, and four roots of chilji samgwa sam.
And the spirit pill he'd already consumed, along with the revised profit-sharing contract from the Baek Book Merchant Group.
"Not just killing two birds with one stone or even three—this is five birds with one stone, Young Master Hui. Hahaha, truly the arrival of a divine strategist."
Combining the current state of the Baek Clan Manor with what Baek Yang-hui had obtained, their next steps became clear.
"The urgent funds are secured. How do you plan to use the remaining money, Clan Leader?"
"Hm. With our clan thriving so vigorously, expanding our businesses now would be ideal. But setting some aside as emergency funds for unforeseen circumstances is wise too. It's a dilemma, Chief Manager."
"Worrying because we have too much money—what a blessed problem."
"True enough, hahaha."
Baek Yang-hui raised his hand to speak and offered his opinion.
"For the time being, it might be best to hold onto it as emergency funds."
"Why is that, Young Master Hui?"
"Refining the chilji samgwa sam will cost money too."
More precisely, it was to attract the physicians who would visit Ak-an County in the future.
'Even setting aside the refinement, for Mother's sake alone, we need skilled physicians in the clan.'
Jeong In-hwa would leave this world in a few years due to a chronic illness she'd suffered from.
Baek Yang-hui had no intention of watching her pass early in this life either.
"Young Master Hui has a point. Nothing in excess is good, so we'll hold off on expanding businesses for now and proceed gradually."
After handling various other matters, the elders' meeting finally concluded.
'Whew. Finally, I can wash up and see my siblings.'
Baek Yang-hui left the office with Gu-ak, exchanging greetings.
"Brother Gu. Thanks for your hard work on the trip."
"Heh heh, enough of that. Now I can finally go see Rang-rang."
Gu-ak patted his chest. It was surely the hairpin he'd bought with part of their spoils before entering the manor.
Having been away for so long, he planned to gift it to soothe any lingering resentment from his little girl.
'What a good time in life.'
Watching Gu-ak stirred a curiosity in Baek Yang-hui about what a married life of a hundred harmonious years might be like.
In his previous life, he'd roamed the martial world and invented martial arts, never forming bonds with women.
Truth be told, most wanderers followed similar paths.
'In this life... maybe I should try marriage.'
With such thoughts, Baek Yang-hui hurried to his siblings' quarters.
"So! Yeon! I'm back!"
Baek Heon-so and Baek Yeon-yeon came rushing out at the sound of his voice.
"Big brother! You're back!"
"Brother!"
The bright, innocent faces of Baek Heon-so and Baek Yeon-yeon lit up as they ran toward him, but they paused upon spotting Chui-dal beside Baek Yang-hui.
"Ah, this is Chui-dal. He's officially part of the clan starting today."
"It's not Chui-dal, it's Hui-hu! Can't you even get my name right when introducing me?"
Chui-dal grumbled but politely bowed to Baek Heon-so and Baek Yeon-yeon.
"Young Master. Young Lady. My name is Hui-hu."
"Ah, okay."
"Hi!"
"You rascal, you're getting ruder to me by the day, but so polite to my siblings."
"Because you said I was adopted. Gotta impress the real family, right?"
Well, he wasn't wrong.
Baek Yang-hui chuckled and turned to his siblings.
"So, Yeon. I think of Chui-dal like a little brother. Get along with him, alright?"
"If big brother says so, got it."
"Okay, brother!"
"Perfect timing—So and Chui-dal are the same age, so some healthy rivalry would be good."
"Understood."
"Then you're my big brother too! I'll call you Brother Hui-hu from now on! Brother Hui-hu!"
As Baek Yeon-yeon bounced over excitedly, Chui-dal's face flushed red.
For someone with his unique past, this was all new, leaving him unexpectedly embarrassed.
"Oh, right. So-ya, have you been practicing the Demonic Heaven Steps diligently?"
"Of course, big brother! Want to see?"
Baek Heon-so shouted energetically and stepped forward with vigor.
Each step infused with subtle technique—clear proof of his diligent practice.
"Good job. You've done very well."
"Thank you, big brother!"
Chui-dal watched Baek Yang-hui ruffle Baek Heon-so's hair, feeling a strange pang.
'He nags and teases me all the time. But he's so gentle with his real brother?'
As if sensing the subtle jealousy, Baek Yang-hui turned to Chui-dal.
"You too, Chui-dal. Work hard to become Lady Yeo's disciple. I believe in you."
His tone was firm yet warm, different from before.
Chui-dal couldn't help but shout back.
"Yes, big brother!"
And so, the Baek Clan Manor's prodigies spent time strengthening their bonds.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ During the elders' meeting, Chief Manager Han had said Baek Yang-hui achieved five birds with one stone, but that wasn't entirely accurate.
Factoring in the information he couldn't disclose, it was truly seven birds with one stone.
Seated cross-legged on his bed, Baek Yang-hui pondered deeply.
'When I first returned through time, I thought knowledge of the future would guarantee smooth sailing. I need to be more cautious and prepare better.'
The two pieces of information he'd gained this time.
First: The merchant group that appeared after his regression was connected to Sword Sage Yeo Dong-bin.
Second: Starting now, the Blood Church and Bright Church were lurking in the shadows of the martial world. If not stopped, they would lead to the Demonic Cult Cataclysm twenty-five years from now.
'Both are just fragments of intel. No way to dig deeper or investigate further.'
Sword Sage Yeo Dong-bin was practically a legendary figure.
With their current intelligence capabilities, finding any leads on him was virtually impossible.
The Blood Church and Bright Church were the same. There was no way to stop them from building their forces in secret right now.
'In the end, the answer is to bolster our clan's strength as quickly as possible and solidify our foundation as a sect.'
It had been less than a year since his regression.
Though they'd grown faster than expected, there were still many shortcomings.
They lacked dedicated departments like medicine or intelligence to handle various tasks internally.
'The medicine hall can be filled once time passes. Intelligence is the issue. For now, should we rely on outside help?'
Building their own intelligence network was essential for rising as a true sect.
But it required vast time and money, so borrowing from groups like the Beggars' Sect or Hao Clan made sense for the moment.
'Still, things are going much smoother than expected.'
The most notable achievement was the expansion of their combat forces.
Gu-ak had been diligently reforming Black Dao thugs as the Reformation Gang Leader.
Accepting large numbers of Black Dao ruffians into a White Dao sect was risky, but with a trustworthy Black Dao master like Gu-ak, no major issues had arisen yet.
'Making Brother Gu a full member was a stroke of genius.'
He was useful in so many ways.
Just this trip alone would've been far more troublesome without him.
At this point, maybe stop treating him like a plaything and show some respect as a gang leader...
His reactions were too fun every time.
How could he give up this joy?
'Sorry, Brother Gu. Just hold out until Chui-dal gets used to me and starts fighting back.'
Baek Yang-hui, who would make Gu-ak explode with rage or even contemplate the afterlife if he heard this, began sketching his next blueprint.
'To grow our power faster in the current situation, there are two tasks to tackle.'
First: Eliminate the Advance Teaching Gang and Protection Assembly to make the Baek Clan Manor the undisputed overlord of Ak-an County.
Second: Refine the chilji samgwa sam to improve quality and quantity, then distribute to clan members for a power boost.
Logically, the second should come first, but there were obstacles.
'We need a physician skilled in both refinement and medicine—especially treating illnesses and injuries.'
Such physicians were rare across the land.
Most were renowned and commanded high prices, which was another problem.
Of course, Baek Yang-hui knew how to solve it.
'The issue is that it’ll take a few more months for that solution to arrive in Ak-an County.'
He stroked his chin thoughtfully.
About three or four months from now.
Nobles from Sichuan would arrive in Ak-an County—possessing exactly the capabilities the Baek Clan Manor needed.
'Sichuan Tang Family.'
Also known as the Sichuan Tang Clan.
A rising force that had surged in recent years, a White Dao martial family specializing in hidden weapons and poisons.
'The Tang Family naturally has many physicians.'
This was confirmed in his previous life.
Though not yet a major sect, in the future, they would proudly claim a spot among the Five Great Clans of the World as the Tang Clan or Tang Sect.
'Allying with the Tang Family brings many benefits. The opportunity is coming soon—I must seize it.'
A twinge of regret hit him. The Tang Family's tight-knit blood ties made recruiting members impossible.
Refinement and medicine—if only he could bring Tang people into the clan, it would be perfect.
'Hm? Wait.'
A brilliant idea struck.
A scheme to summon the Tang Family members arriving in Ak-an County in a few months right away and keep them planted in the clan.
Baek Yang-hui rushed straight to Baek Mu-ryang.
Fortunately, he was in his office.
"Heading out again? What nonsense is this, Hui?"
Baek Yang-hui met Baek Mu-ryang's worried gaze with confident resolve.
"For the peace of all under heaven, I'll catch one demon and return!"
It was the perfect move to lure the Tang Family's roaming warriors and physicians to Ak-an County and gain the upper hand in future negotiations.