Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: The Strictness of Law and Doctrine
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What does a clan need to stand firm?
The patriarch's dignity? An increase in family assets? Expansion of influence?
All are important, but above all else...
It is the strict enforcement of law and doctrine.
Then what exactly is this great law and doctrine?
Law and doctrine—literally, laws and principles.
In other words, family rules and precepts.
'The main house is currently grappling with two problems.'
First, the division between old and new members after accepting the black path warriors' surrender.
'And the gap in martial prowess is extreme. This is bound to cause conflict.'
At the very least, until new talents could be nurtured to become the clan's driving force, there needed to be a way to seal these conflicts.
Which brought up the second issue.
'We need someone to instill the strictness of our law and doctrine in everyone.'
Handing power to the existing retainers to balance the scales, while ensuring that person was someone the patriarch could trust more than anyone.
There was exactly one person who fit the bill perfectly.
'Gwak Mun.'
Born and raised in the Baek Clan Manor, he had held the highest martial prowess until Gu-ak and the other black path affiliates surrendered.
'His talent... honestly, it's average. But he's loyal.'
Trustworthy talent was just as crucial as exceptional ability.
In that regard, Gwak Mun was unparalleled in the Baek Clan Manor.
"Father, I have something to report."
"What is it? Speak freely."
"The main house has truly become the hegemon of Ak-an County. In terms of our forces' scale, and even in fame. Therefore, I believe we must establish laws and doctrines befitting that status."
Baek Mu-ryang's eyes gleamed as he looked at Yang-hui.
He had been pondering countermeasures ever since a spy emerged from the black path newcomers.
Having the itch scratched so perfectly was more than refreshing—it was delightful.
"Continue, Hui."
"Yes, Father."
He paused his work and cast his gaze toward Gwak Mun among the surrounding retainers.
"Having accomplished a great feat, we must enact rewards and punishments. I beseech you to honor the retainer with the greatest merit as an example to all."
"I see. Who do you think has the greatest merit?"
Yang-hui continued staring at Gwak Mun.
Though they shared a personal bond where he called him Uncle Gwak, now was not the time for such familiarity.
"The warrior Gwak Mun of our house. I request that you grant him two Spirit Pills and appoint him as head of the Discipline Division."
Gwak Mun's eyes widened at the sudden nomination.
"H-Hui Gongja. This one hasn't done anything particularly noteworthy..."
Gwak Mun trailed off.
And rightly so.
He had once been second only to the patriarch in martial skill, but now he couldn't even rank in the top ten.
"Warrior Gwak Mun has served the house for the longest time and is more versed in our law and doctrine than anyone. Thus, it is fitting to bestow upon him the position of Discipline Division head as his reward."
Baek Mu-ryang asked,
"Hui, what do you believe is the main house's law and doctrine?"
"I believe warrior Gwak Mun is better suited to answer that."
"You're not wrong. Gwak Mun, speak your thoughts."
All eyes focused on him. Overwhelmed by the pressure and tension, Gwak Mun stiffened.
That was when it happened.
-Uncle Gwak. Just speak comfortably.
-Look at the other retainers' eyes.
Yang-hui's sudden transmission.
Surveying his surroundings, Gwak Mun finally realized one key fact.
Aside from the Reformation Division members, every gaze held full trust in him.
In that instant, Gwak Mun understood his role.
'That's why Gongja Hui chose this Gwak...'
"The main house's law and doctrine lie in righteousness (俠), justice (義), and harmony (和)."
Gwak Mun continued in a slow but steadfast voice.
"Pursuing righteousness, upholding justice, and thus striving for harmony. This is the Baek Clan law and doctrine that this Gwak, born and raised here, has felt in his body and learned in his mind."
A deeply satisfied expression crossed Baek Mu-ryang's face.
"Gwak Mun—no, Discipline Division Head. Your words are correct. Righteousness and justice. Thus, harmony. Your words and deeds align perfectly with the house's will."
Law and doctrine were rules.
The promise all retainers must keep and the creed they must follow.
"Discipline Division Head, can you fulfill your duty?"
Gwak Mun dropped to one knee and performed a fist salute.
"If entrusted to me, I shall stake this life on it."
"Good. Hear me, all of you."
Baek Mu-ryang unleashed his full presence.
"In recognition of a lifetime of service to the house, I bestow two Spirit Pills upon Discipline Division Head Gwak Mun. Let any with objections step forward."
"......"
No one dared.
The Baek Clan Manor, a mere third-rate martial family just a year ago, had birthed a peak realm master.
'Excluding this old woman, he's undeniably the strongest in Ak-an.'
Baek Mu-ryang's dignity was enough to captivate every retainer.
"No objections, then. Let us continue with rewards and punishments."
Five new Spirit Pills had been produced in the past month.
The retainers' eyes gleamed.
"Reformation Division Head Gu-ak, step forward."
Gu-ak advanced silently and performed a fist salute.
"Though you possessed much, you forsook it all to join our house, and I am always grateful. I granted you a pill before, but deem it insufficient, so I bestow one more. Continue serving the house with loyalty."
"By your command!"
Next was, naturally, Yang-hui.
"Eldest Young Master Baek Yang-hui."
"Yes, Patriarch!"
"No need for long words—everyone knows. I grant you two Spirit Pills. Use them as you see fit."
"Thank you!"
Two pills remained. With the retainers' consent, Baek Mu-ryang gave one each to Baek Heon-so and Baek Yeon-yeon.
For the rest, he distributed wealth as rewards and punishments.
"This concludes it. Now that we've handled the important matters..."
Smiling, Baek Mu-ryang shouted loudly.
"It's time for the long-awaited feast! Drink until your noses twist today!"
"Yesssss!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Unifying all energies under heaven into harmony to benefit the origin.
Yang-hui, who had circulated his energy through a full cycle according to the Harmonious Heaven Principle Origin Art's mysteries, opened his eyes.
"Huuuuuu."
'My inner power has grown by five years' worth in that time.'
It was all thanks to the elixir left by Sword Immortal Yeo Dong-bin.
The pure immortal energy clustered in the elixir was gradually dispersing, expanding his dantian.
Though the immortal energy's influence on his Harmonious Heaven Energy was growing stronger—which was slightly worrisome—it didn't seem harmful, so he let it be for now.
'Immortal energy has resided in my dantian since my regression anyway. Given my constitution, the risk of harm is low.'
Even so, he needed to investigate the elixir's origins when the chance arose.
Well, he couldn't act on it immediately anyway.
'I should quickly establish an intelligence department.'
A tight information network was like blood vessels when building power.
To rise to clan status, they absolutely needed their own intelligence division.
'We've done so much already, yet there's still a mountain of tasks.'
From properly raising his siblings to training the new talents as warriors.
And he couldn't forget preventing the tragedies from his past life.
'I've found a way to improve Mother's condition. But Yeon-yeon's and Father's deaths... I haven't fully prevented those yet.'
She was innocent and pure now, but as time passed, Yeon-yeon would grow into a woman of refined, ethereal beauty.
Such a Yeon-yeon would draw lechers and ill-intentioned men aplenty.
The main house was incomparable to his past life's clan, but still insufficient.
After all, they were just hegemons of a single county.
'The one directly involved in Yeon-yeon's death was the underlord of the White Clothes Gate.'
White Clothes Gate—otherwise known as the Greatest Sect of Namchang.
As the name implied, it boasted the top power in Namchang.
Considering that gap, the main house was still far off.
'Father's case... can be considered mostly sealed, but I can't let my guard down.'
In his past life, Father had perished due to a disaster sparked by that rascal's misdeeds.
So it shouldn't happen again this time.
'A martial clan's patriarch is always at risk. When we fully claim Ju County later, even peak realm won't suffice.'
Thus, measures were needed here too.
Like continuing as a martial scholar or similar.
'Oh right, I need to investigate Advance Teaching Gang's backer. There must be a mastermind.'
A peak-level expert like Blood Night Wolf Blade had entered a life-or-death duel.
For such a request—not just any commission, but a duel— it would cost at least ten thousand silver taels.
The equivalent of handing over an entire legitimate business.
'Even to ensure victory, that's excessive.' Moreover, considering how the black path hegemons bullied the weak, something felt off.
They should have tucked tail upon learning of ties to the Zhuge Clan and Tang Clan, yet they escalated to a duel?
There had to be a backer covering their rear.
'Though it doesn't seem like a close relationship. Otherwise, they'd have provided more substantial support.'
Anyway, this needed looking into.
Wouldn't it be great to have an intelligence department already? The thought circled his mind... Ah, wait.
Come to think of it, in his past life, he'd heard thieves had their own information exchange network.
'Not as good as Beggar Clan or Haomen, but usable for now.'
Thieves valued information as much as any intelligence group.
They needed to scout rich targets and evade pursuit—without info, they'd get caught fast.
'Lady Yeo is the era's top thief scout. She must know.'
Yang-hui rushed to Yeo Un-hyeok's quarters and asked about his idea.
Yeo Un-hyeok nodded readily.
"You're talking about the Thieves' Net. Of course I can make contact."
Thieves' Net. Quite a fitting name.
"Elder, can we obtain the house's needed information through the Thieves' Net for the time being?"
"It's no trouble, but it costs a pretty penny to use."
As a thieves' information network, access was limited and prices high, Yeo Un-hyeok explained.
"Thieves treat even the fact that someone wants info as valuable intel. Haomen too, but Thieves' Net charges especially dearly."
"I see. Glad it's possible. Then, I have an immediate request."
"Speak."
"The source of funds Advance Teaching Gang used to hire Blood Night Wolf Blade."
"Got it."
Yeo Un-hyeok nodded and vanished in a flash.
One worry lifted.
'If they squeezed it from Advance Teaching Gang itself, fine. If a backer, we'll uncover them—either way, worth the intel fee.'
With that thought, he let out a short sigh.
'My head's throbbing from all the scheming.'
Time to tease Chui-dal and clear his mind.
While there, he'd check on the elder's martial arts too.
"Chui-dal! You rascal, where are you!"
Shouting as he wandered, another retainer—not Chui-dal—approached Yang-hui.
"Hui Gongja-nim. I have something to say."
"Hm? What is it?"
The servant handed over a sealed letter.
[Successor Little Hero (后傳小俠)]
Yang-hui's eyes widened slightly.
Later transmitted to the Little Hero.
The sender was none other than Yin Hu.