Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Return to Gukyeol Mountain
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Baek Yang-hui immediately tore open the seal and read the letter from Master Yin Hu.
To sum up the contents in a single phrase:
[Young hero. Even though I said you could go back and forth between the clan and Gukyeol Mountain as you please, aren't you taking it too far by not coming at all?]
[Do you want to be excommunicated?]
A troubled smile formed on his face, but he could understand Master Yin Hu's feelings.
'Well, it's been nearly half a year since I left Gukyeol Mountain.'
Though he'd become an external disciple who could receive instruction whenever he wanted, a disciple was still a disciple.
Come to think of it, aside from grasping the secrets of One Step to Heaven and inventing the Mystic Heaven Steps, he hadn't received any real instruction.
From Master Yin Hu's perspective, it was enough to make his blood boil.
'The clan matters are more or less wrapped up, so I should head to Gukyeol Mountain soon.'
He had passed on the Harmonious Heaven Principle Origin Art, the Heaven-Covering 108 Swords, and even the Mystic Heaven Steps, but the Baek Clan's core martial arts were still sorely lacking.
They wanted to rise to the ranks of a true sect, yet they only had three family arts?
Absurd.
Even third-rate martial families called sects possessed at least several dozen techniques.
This was due to various needs, like arts passed only to direct descendants, or ones that blood relatives and retainers could practice.
'Even the Jeon clan had unique martial arts for each combat unit and affiliated group.'
In the Baek Clan's case, with a mere three direct line arts, they had a long way to go.
With Master Yin Hu's guidance, he could gain insights and experiences to advance much faster.
'Yeah, I'll go to Gukyeol Mountain soon. After taking care of everything I need to handle first.'
With the thought in mind, he headed straight to Baek Mu-ryang's quarters to tie up that loose end.
It was then.
"Young Master Hui!"
Kwak Mun, who was instructing the soon-to-be Protection Assembly retainers and the newly recruited prodigies in the training grounds, called out to Baek Yang-hui.
"Oh. Uncle Kwak."
"Where are you headed?"
"To see Father."
"I see."
Kwak Mun turned his head and bellowed at the prodigies.
"This is Baek Yang-hui, the young master of our main house."
"Ooooh!"
"Young Master Hui! A pleasure to meet you!"
"That's the Hidden Dragon of the White Pond..."
"To lay eyes on the Hidden Dragon of the White Pond in person...!"
They ranged from as young as six to as old as fifteen.
These future pillars of the Baek Clan gazed at Baek Yang-hui with shining eyes.
He awkwardly scratched his cheek before suddenly realizing something.
"Hidden Dragon of the White Pond? Me?"
"You didn't know?"
"The rumors are spreading like wildfire in Akahn County's marketplace."
"They say you toyed with the Advance Teaching Gang's sub-branch leader, a man in his thirties, at just eight years old!"
Ah, so the rumors from the life-or-death duel had spread.
Hidden Dragon of the White Pond. The dragon slumbering in the Baek Clan's pond, eh?
'Quite grandiose for a nickname on a nine-year-old.'
But in a way, it was fitting.
An eight-year-old child overwhelmingly defeating a man in his thirties?
Impossible. At least for mid-to-small sects.
Something only possible for prodigies from great sects.
Those who truly lived in another world.
'A child from the Baek Clan, which was a third-rate martial family until recently, displaying prowess like a great sect prodigy. Enough to call him a dragon.'
Though the rumors had probably only spread as far as Akahn County.
"You're truly amazing!"
"To beat someone more than twice your age!"
"I want to be like you, Young Master Hui!"
Most people would feel awkward receiving such flattery to their face.
But Baek Yang-hui puffed out his chest proudly.
In his previous life, he'd been praised for his talent countless times.
"Ahem. Wanting to be like me? A fine aspiration."
"I want to be like you too, Young Master Hui!"
"How are you so strong at your age!?"
"Work hard at your training. You're the future of our clan, so keep at it."
"Yes!"
"I'll train every day without rest!"
Seeing their sparkling eyes, he chuckled and replied.
"You know they're still making Spirit Pills nonstop, right? Beg Father to bestow some on those who grow quickly."
"Ooooh!"
"Thank you for your grace!"
"We'll train really hard!"
After suitably motivating them, Baek Yang-hui greeted Kwak Mun and continued on his way.
Baek Mu-ryang was handling paperwork in his quarters.
"Father. It's Yang-hui."
"Come in."
Piles of documents filled the desk. Baek Mu-ryang, looking fatigued, set aside his papers and pressed his furrowed brow.
"Even after reaching the Peak Realm, paperwork is still exhausting."
It was understandable. Becoming Akahn County's overlord meant far more territory to manage.
Just the businesses seized from the Advance Teaching Gang numbered seven.
If they solidified influence over the scattered Protection Assembly, and the fallen Crimson Gang and Blue Serpent Gang territories, that number would double.
'That means more contracts, revenue reports, and paperwork.'
"Hui, what brings you? Here to help your old man?"
...Sorry, but no. Anything but paperwork.
"Father, I'm still too young for that."
"...Too young? You?"
"Yes! I'm only eight—no, nine now that the new year has passed."
"...Fine. I get it, you don't want to. So what is it?"
There were two things to tell Baek Mu-ryang.
"Master Yin Hu sent a letter. He wants me to come to Gukyeol Mountain soon."
"Mm. Even as an external disciple, it's been too long. Go ahead. But So and Yeon will be disappointed."
"Haha... I'll bring back lots of gifts."
Baek Yang-hui, who until recently acted like wandering outside was routine despite being eight.
Baek Heon-so and Baek Yeon-yeon never said it outright, but they were upset at not spending time together.
"But before going to Gukyeol Mountain, I have one request."
"A request?"
"I'd like to watch you treat Mother once."
Jeong In-hwa required periodic Purging Stagnant Blood therapy due to her constitution that accumulated impurities.
Since reaching the Peak Realm, Baek Mu-ryang performed it daily.
However, Purging Stagnant Blood was only temporary; for a full cure, she needed the Hundred Pulse Cleansing.
"We can't afford the million nyang for that."
"But?"
"There might be another way."
"Hm?"
Seeing Baek Mu-ryang's surprised face, he recalled the properties of pure qi.
'Ever since pure qi merged with Harmonious Heaven Energy, my body has been growing stronger.'
Not just from good food and diligent training.
His naturally sturdy frame was becoming even tougher and more resilient.
An adult man might even lose an arm-wrestling match to his nine-year-old body.
'Pure qi must have the power to improve the body itself.'
If so, and his guess was right, it could positively affect Jeong In-hwa's constitution too.
"Ever since eating the elixir left by the World's Greatest, a special qi has mixed into my energy."
After explaining, Baek Mu-ryang pondered briefly and nodded.
"Makes sense. No harm in trying."
They immediately went to Jeong In-hwa's quarters.
"My lady. May we enter?"
"It's not treatment time yet. You're early today, my lord."
"I just missed you terribly today."
"Not worn out from those piles of documents?"
"Haha, can't fool you, my lady."
After some light chatter, Baek Mu-ryang got to the point.
"Today, Yang-hui will join for the Purging Stagnant Blood."
Jeong In-hwa lay straight on the bed.
Baek Mu-ryang and Baek Yang-hui took positions on her left and right.
"We're starting now, but how exactly will you intervene?"
"Simple. After you do the Purging Stagnant Blood, I'll infuse qi into the same spots."
"Got it."
Purging Stagnant Blood involved massaging key points across the body to stimulate them with qi.
For Jeong In-hwa, it broke up the clumps of impurities in her meridians, improving her condition.
'We need to improve both the accumulated impurities and her constitution that builds them up. Otherwise, it's just a stopgap.'
Baek Mu-ryang began the Purging Stagnant Blood from the limbs.
Baek Yang-hui immediately infused pure qi-infused Harmonious Heaven Energy where Baek Mu-ryang's hands passed.
'Hm. The impurities don't vanish on contact with pure qi. So no effect as I thought?'
But the very next moment, Baek Yang-hui's mind flipped.
"Mmgh!"
"My lady, what's wrong?"
"My lord. My body feels so refreshingly cool."
Jeong In-hwa's reaction was completely different from when Baek Mu-ryang did it alone.
Pure qi was definitely having an effect.
"It always felt heavy, but now it's so clear and light."
"Is that so? Hui, it seems effective."
"Looks like it."
Pure qi couldn't eliminate the impurities.
But its ability to improve the body itself was clearly having a positive influence.
'This... could it be...?'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A few days passed since then.
Baek Mu-ryang gazed at Baek Yang-hui with eyes full of admiration.
"Hui. You're incredible. To think the elixir you took had such a hidden effect."
His guess had been spot on. After Baek Yang-hui joined the Purging Stagnant Blood sessions, Jeong In-hwa's condition improved dramatically.
'This proves pure qi enhances the body to a better state.'
This meant not just for his mother, but he should periodically infuse pure qi into his siblings too.
That way, they'd grow healthier and sturdier.
And perhaps achieve even greater martial feats than their talents suggested.
'Oh, can't forget Chui-dal.'
Chui-dal, now the official heir to the Divine Thrower lineage.
As the future head of the Baek Clan's intelligence network, he needed proper nurturing.
Anyway.
With that, all urgent matters were handled.
"Then I'll head to see Master at Gukyeol Mountain."
"Go ahead. According to the Tang family physician, the measures we've taken will hold for several months."
Baek Mu-ryang wanted to assign Blood Lord Gu-ak as an escort, but Baek Yang-hui declined.
Gu-ak had been busy with all sorts of tasks lately.
Lately, he'd been spending sweet nights with Rang-rang, exerting himself every evening.
'If I drag him along as an escort again, he'll get mad.'
He wanted to repay some of what he owed Gu-ak, but skipping it this time would have to do.
"As you know, though I'm young, I'm a second-rate expert. Taking care of myself is no issue."
In the jianghu, second-rate experts were considered capable of handling themselves.
A level usually reached in one's thirties.
"Hm. Your youth keeps slipping my mind. Alright."
With Baek Mu-ryang's permission, Baek Yang-hui returned to his quarters and packed.
Not much to take—a single bundle sufficed.
'Oh, the Spirit Pills too.'
The two Spirit Pills bestowed by Baek Mu-ryang during the merit awards.
Thanks to Sword Sage Yeo Dong-bin's legacy, he didn't need elixirs himself, so he'd use them to score points with Master Yin Hu.
'If I give one to Seol-ha, Master will be pleased, right?'
His opponent was none other than the Heavenly Martial Ten Venerables' Heaven-Shattering Yin Tiger.
A supreme expert who could obtain a thirty-year inner power elixir with a mere word.
"I'll be off then!"
"Be careful, and train hard."
Only a handful knew he was Master Yin Hu's disciple, including Baek Mu-ryang.
Thus, Baek Yang-hui made an excuse and secretly left Baek Clan Manor.
A few days later.
Upon arriving at Gukyeol Mountain, Baek Yang-hui headed straight for the Pure Sound Five Halls.
'He said he's staying in a residence nearby.'
It was at that moment.
"Hm!"
Baek Yang-hui instantly drew his sword.
Heaven-Covering 108 Swords, Third Stance.
Eagle Wing Return.
The defensive sword move sliced through empty air.
Clang!
A rebound force came from nothingness, followed by an explosive sound.
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