Chapter 57
Chapter 57
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Distributing the Spirit Pills
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A clan elders' meeting was convened after quite some time.
The agenda was, naturally, deciding who would receive the Spirit Pills.
The Deputy Leader of the Elixir Hall, having emerged from secluded pill refining, respectfully presented the box containing the Spirit Pills to Baek Mu-ryang.
"Patriarch. Out of the twenty Spirit Pills we promised to make, five have been completed first."
Spirit Pills required profound knowledge of medicine and complete mastery of pill-refining techniques—something only a true expert could achieve.
Moreover, they demanded the utmost care to harmonize the energies of exorbitantly expensive ingredients, maximizing their potency.
And so, after nearly two months, only five pills had been produced in total.
"Deputy Leader, you've truly outdone yourself."
"Not at all. When an alliance is formed, one must provide full support. In the grand scheme, this benefits our own clan as well."
"I'm sincerely grateful for your words."
The Deputy Leader gave a subtle smile as he replied.
"By incorporating the additional funds, we've boosted the pills' potency by about thirty percent. The amount of internal energy gained from one pill is roughly the same, but for a child, it allows even greater potential to take root in the body."
With that, the Deputy Leader of the Elixir Hall turned his gaze to Yang-hui.
A child who appeared sharp at first glance, with talents far beyond the ordinary.
In truth, the Deputy Leader didn't hold the Baek Clan in particularly high regard, unlike Young Leader Tang-gun.
He had his doubts about whether a clan on the level of the Tangs truly needed an alliance with them.
But...
'If we raise him with Spirit Pills... then that child alone would make the alliance worthwhile.'
The strongest alliances were bound by blood, after all.
If they could bring the boy into their family through marriage or other means, it would bring immense fortune—that was the Deputy Leader's thinking.
Meanwhile,
Baek Mu-ryang stared at the five Spirit Pills in the box, his expression deep in thought.
This was the same for everyone else attending the clan elders' meeting.
Deciding who would receive the newly produced Spirit Pills.
It was a rather important matter.
"...First. Pavilion Leader Gu-ak of Baek Ik Pavilion."
"This lowly one awaits the Patriarch's command."
"In recognition of your contributions, I bestow upon you one Spirit Pill."
Gu-ak's face lit up with joy.
"Yes, sir! I shall devote my life to the Baek Clan henceforth!"
Everyone nodded in agreement. Gu-ak's merits made it feel only natural that he receive a pill—he had worked tirelessly for the clan in many ways.
Not a trace remained of his former life as heir to a black path faction.
'As the head of the Reformation Hall, he's a core force for the main clan now. It's right to support him.'
'I hear he's been exerting himself at night with his wife lately? Hope the tonic helps him recover well.'
'He's suffered the most under Young Master Hui... That alone qualifies him. Congratulations, Pavilion Leader.'
Four pills remained. Baek Mu-ryang placed two of them before himself.
"If you'll pardon my immodesty, I'd like to take two of the remaining four for this inadequate body of mine."
"No one considers you inadequate, Patriarch! Please take them and achieve great success!"
"Achieve great success!"
No one objected to Baek Mu-ryang claiming two Spirit Pills.
He was more than qualified.
This wasn't about the authority of his position as Patriarch.
It was the respectful qualification earned by one who gave to all and led from the front.
"Thank you all for being so gracious."
"Not at all, Patriarch. The head of the clan is the pillar of the family, after all."
Baek Mu-ryang glanced at Yang-hui as he looked at the remaining two Spirit Pills.
"Hui-ya."
"Patriarch, I don't need one."
"Hm?"
"I told you before."
He kept it brief since the Deputy Leader was present, giving a knowing glance instead.
But what Baek Mu-ryang intended was slightly different from Yang-hui's assumption.
"Hui-ya, you decide on the two pills."
"Pardon?"
"You have the qualifications. Take them yourself or give them to whomever you choose."
"...Thank you."
A touch of emotion welled up. He had already decided who to give them to.
'First, Chui-dal needs one.'
It wasn't out of sentiment from his past life.
For a clan's principles to stand firm, rewards and punishments must be clear.
He had earned merits at the Namgung Merchant Group, so a reward was fitting.
'Little So might get a bit jealous that I'm giving to someone else before her little brother... but oh well, can't be helped.'
Anyway, little So was the type to work even harder when jealous.
With a little coaxing, it could turn into something positive.
'As for the last one... I'll hold onto it for now. Emergencies might arise where a Spirit Pill is suddenly needed.'
"Then I'll return to seclusion. Chief Steward Han."
"Yes, Patriarch."
"I entrust the clan's affairs to you, great and small. I always rely on you."
"Your words are too kind, but I'll do my utmost."
With that, the clan elders' meeting concluded.
Yang-hui immediately headed to Yeo Un-hyeok's pavilion, where Chui-dal had been staying lately.
"Chui-dal, you rascal... Oh?"
He started to call out loudly but quickly lowered his voice.
Chui-dal and Yeo Un-hyeok were talking in front of the pavilion, and the atmosphere seemed serious.
'What are they discussing?'
He suppressed his presence and listened in.
"Hua-ya."
"Yes, Master."
Oh, it had been nearly a month since he'd properly checked on Chui-dal.
Fortunately, it seemed he'd successfully become the old man's disciple.
Good news. The heir to the Divine Projection lineage would make a perfect future head of the intelligence network.
"As your master, I must give you some instruction."
"I shall listen attentively."
"I know you've been working hard because you became my disciple by Young Master Hui's will. But it's too much. You are talented enough on your own to be my disciple—no need to worry."
"......"
Chui-dal fell silent. Now that he looked, the boy's condition wasn't great.
'He looks like he's pushed himself so hard his body's taken damage.'
To reach that state in a month meant he'd driven himself to the absolute limit.
"Excessive training can become poison. Moderate yourself from now on. Understood?"
"...But."
Even seeing Chui-dal hesitate to fully accept his master's words, Yeo Un-hyeok smiled gently.
"My guess isn't the whole reason. What drives you so?"
"......"
"I truly admire your aptitude, Hua-ya. Your innate talent, temperament, and even your meridians—they're all perfect for inheriting the Divine Projection lineage. Unlike me."
The praise was for Chui-dal, but Yang-hui was the one shrugging proudly.
'Knew he'd see it that way. Chui-dal's no slouch.'
Even in his past life, his skills in evasion and pursuit were top-notch.
That's why he'd recommended him as heir to the Divine Projection lineage in the first place.
Anyway, that wasn't important right now.
"Tell me, Hua-ya."
"...I must repay the favor."
"Favor?"
"The mysterious hero who saved me from the Nameless Murder Valley. He's strong enough to wipe out a sect single-handedly. To repay him in kind, I must grow strong quickly. And..."
"And?"
"I must repay the Baek Clan Manor's grace too. My brother who brought me here from being raised as an assassin. And everyone who accepted me so readily. I have much to repay."
Yeo Un-hyeok smiled in satisfaction.
"Your master feels the same. We've received great favors. But rushing and stumbling slows you more than steady steps—that's the way of the world. Won't you trust this master?"
Only then did Chui-dal realize that pushing himself despite his master's warnings wasn't right.
"...Yes. I'm sorry."
"Our Shadow Ghost Sect's martial arts are worthy of being called the world's best. Why else would it be passed down as the Divine Projection lineage?"
'He's right. Their swordsmanship may be mediocre, but the prestige of the Divine Projection and the profundity of their hidden vein techniques can't be ignored.'
As Yang-hui thought that, Yeo Un-hyeok continued.
"Trust me. Follow me. You won't fall behind. You might even surpass. Isn't that right, Young Master Hui?"
Ah, caught after all. Well, the old man was at the peak realm.
He scratched his head awkwardly and stepped forward.
"Didn't mean to eavesdrop—it just happened. Sorry, Elder."
"No matter. I'd have warned you if it were private. What brings you?"
Yang-hui looked at Yeo Un-hyeok and Chui-dal for a moment.
Especially at Chui-dal, lifting the corner of his mouth in a grin.
Seeing that, Chui-dal instinctively shrank back, feeling uneasy.
'You rascal, harboring such fine thoughts. I'll work you hard.'
To use him properly, he had to raise him right first.
Yang-hui tossed a Spirit Pill toward Chui-dal.
"Ack! Why throw a rock all of a sudd— Huh? What's this?"
"Can't you tell? If not, smell it."
As he brought it to his nose, a pure, fragrant aroma wafted out.
Chui-dal's eyes widened.
"No way?"
"Yeah. A Spirit Pill. Eat it and grow big and strong. Got it?"
"Uh, uh..."
"I'm giving it to you before So or Yeon-yeon. Catch up fast for how far behind you are—that's the expectation I'm placing on you. You can live up to it, right?"
"......"
Chui-dal, who had been silent, lifted his head.
Suddenly, Yang-hui saw the Chui-dal from his past life overlaid on the boy's face.
"Brother. I won't disappoint you!"
—Brother. Has this little brother ever disappointed you?
...His hand moved on its own.
Smack!
"Ow! Why'd you hit me!"
"You punk, you disappointed me plenty."
"When did I! Argh, seriously!"
"Seriously? This brat's getting cocky."
Smack!
"Aaaack!"
Yeo Un-hyeok watched the two boys bicker fondly, stroking his beard.
'Young Master Hui truly cherishes my disciple. What fine times these are.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The new year was just around the corner.
Even in Jiangxi, far to the south of the Central Plains, the air was starting to bite at the nose.
'It's already been over half a year since I turned back time.'
Over half a year—nearly a full year, really.
In that time, the Baek Clan Manor had changed tremendously.
'Didn't expect to grow our power this fast. Things have gone amazingly well all around.'
Indeed, Yeo Un-jeok the Fake Deer for Horse had appeared; they'd fished in troubled waters during the black path strife; Gu-ak had surrendered; the Zhuge Clan, Yin Hou, and more—events beneficial to the main clan had clicked together like gears.
Thanks to that, the Baek Clan Manor's manpower was now about three times what it was right after his return, and financially dozens of times greater.
'Four businesses under our control. Bringing in a thousand silver taels a month.'
He'd poured massive funds into repairing and restoring all the businesses ruined in the black path strife.
Now, they generated maximum profits with minimal maintenance costs.
And that was just the start.
The power structure in Wicked Eye County had been completely reshuffled.
The Blue Serpent Gang and Crimson Gang had collapsed, leaving the Advance Teaching Gang and Baek Clan Manor's faction in conflict, with the Protection Assembly eyeing opportunities.
A third-rate martial family no one paid attention to had ascended to a central power in the county in less than a year.
'Heh heh heh. Keep it going like this. No—let's charge ahead even faster.'
But life is unpredictable, as they say.
When fortune comes, misfortune follows.
"Emergency! The Advance Teaching Gang has ambushed the Protection Assembly!"
"Over half of the Protection Assembly's forces have surrendered, and most businesses have been taken over by the Advance Teaching Gang!"
The Advance Teaching Gang had made their move.
And with the momentum to see it through to the end.
"Chief Steward Han. And Young Master Hui. A messenger from the Advance Teaching Gang has arrived."
"What's the reason?"
"...A challenge to a life-and-death duel."
Advance Teaching Gang Leader Yi Ho-yang.
He had staked his entire clan on a life-and-death duel against the Baek Clan Manor.