Seong Yuhyang
Having lost my job, I flew straight to the Mission Hall in the Unkak Sect, where one could receive sect missions.
Moments later, upon arriving at the Mission Hall, I politely greeted Senior Brother Park.
"Senior Brother Park, it's been a while."
Senior Brother Park Eung was a Core Formation initial stage cultivator who worked at the Mission Hall, assigning suitable missions to the outer sect disciples.
"Junior Brother Yuseong, I've heard the news. You got fired for mismanaging Elder Nae's herb garden."
I gave a wry smile in response.
"Yes, it was due to my own carelessness."
"So, you're here to pick up another mission, then?"
"That's right. Is there any easy mission with good rewards suitable for a Qi Refining 4th star cultivator?"
Park Eung flipped through a thick ledger, then made a troubled face.
"Junior Brother Yuseong, there aren't any like that."
"What about safe ones with modest rewards?"
"Hmm... You're only at Qi Refining 4th star, so hunting 2nd-grade spirit beasts might be too much... Oh? There's an opening here. How about helping out at the Medical Hall under the Hall Lord? The pay is one lower-grade spirit stone per month."
The Medical Hall Lord was renowned for her exceptional pill refining and medical skills, so assisting there would offer plenty to learn just by observing. Plus, one lower-grade spirit stone was worth ten lowest-grade ones. The work might be tougher than the herb garden, but the rewards were far better. And since she was Moyong Wol's master, I already felt a sense of familiarity.
"I'll take the Medical Hall job."
"Got it. Hand over your identity token."
I gave my identity token to Senior Brother Park. He wrote Yuseong in the empty spot in the ledger with a golden brush, then inscribed Medical Hall on the token.
"Here you go. You know where the Medical Hall is, right?"
"Yes, I do."
"Alright, off you go then."
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
I gave a formal cupped-fist salute and headed to the Medical Hall. It had to be better than Nae Cheonha's herb garden, infested with those foul-tempered women. Nae Cheonha, Kang Seolhui, Jo Mihyeon flashed through my mind. Still, they were pretty with great figures. Shaking off the lingering regret, I imagined a bright future at the Medical Hall.
After flying for a while, the Medical Hall's signboard came into view, and there stood the little kid I'd seen before.
"Whoa! Aren't you Senior Brother Yuseong, the one whose hand got cut off last time?"
I pressed a finger to my lips, signaling him to be quiet.
"Shh! Junior Brother So, you don't go blabbing about that."
The early-teen So Mu giggled.
"Word's already spread that you hit on Senior Sister Jo and got your hand chopped off."
Hit on Jo Mihyeon and lost my hand? Ridiculous... Well, no, I did make a move. With my dick. I sighed deeply and handed my token to So Mu.
"I'm going to be working at the Medical Hall from now on."
So Mu checked the token and handed it back.
"Welcome, Senior Brother Yuseong! I guarantee there's no better place than the Medical Hall. Let's go say hello to the Hall Lord first."
I followed So Mu inside the Medical Hall. A thick medicinal scent hung in the air, likely from treating patients. The interior had treatment rooms on both sides, and deeper in were the pill refining area and the Hall Lord's office.
Outside the office, So Mu called out.
"Hall Lord, Senior Brother Yuseong is here to work at the Medical Hall. May he come in?"
A warm, benevolent voice replied from within.
"So Mu, you can go. Yuseong, come in."
Entering the office, a middle-aged beauty gazed at me with gentle eyes. Seong Yuhyang, the Medical Hall Lord—a Nascent Soul stage expert said to have no equal in the sect for pill refining and medicine. Her soft personality and outstanding looks made her hugely popular with the male disciples. If Nae Cheonha and Seong Yuhyang competed for popularity among outer sect disciples, Seong Yuhyang might edge her out just barely.
"Yuseong pays respects to the Hall Lord. I've come to apply for work at the Medical Hall."
Seong Yuhyang smiled faintly with her eyes.
"No need to be so formal—relax. I'm not like Nae Cheonha."
Seong Yuhyang approached and lightly massaged my shoulders from behind. A thrilling tingle shot from my shoulders through my whole body. Her fragrance brushed my nose, and a sweet voice whispered in my ear.
"I heard you saved my disciple Moyong Wol. If there's anything you want, just say it."
'I want to spend a night with you, Hall Lord!' If I said that, my body would shatter and my soul scatter right here. What should I ask for? Learning pill refining seemed safe.
"I'd like to learn pill refining."
As if she'd expected it, Seong Yuhyang smoothly retrieved a book and a pill furnace from her storage ring.
"This book covers the basics of pill refining—study it. Use this furnace."
"Thank you, Hall Lord. I'll work hard."
"Good. You can go now. Start your duties tomorrow."
"Yes, Hall Lord. I'll take my leave."
I bowed and turned, stealing a glance at Seong Yuhyang's retreating figure. Her moon-like hips swayed enticingly with each step, as if tempting me. After sneaking one last look at her backside, I left the Medical Hall and headed to my cave.
Since Medical Hall work started tomorrow, I'd use the time to cultivate and study basic pill refining.
Back at the cave, I pulled out the pill furnace Seong Yuhyang had given me. It seemed made of red copper, inscribed with incantation scripts on the surface—beyond my shallow knowledge to decipher. Still, it looked like a quality furnace.
Sitting cross-legged, I opened the book labeled Basic Pill Refining and began reading. It covered knowledge for pill refining: fire temperature control, herb combinations, relationships between main and auxiliary ingredients—all in a woman's handwriting. Probably Seong Yuhyang's own. Even the basics had parts I didn't grasp, so I memorized it all first.
After committing Basic Pill Refining to memory, I began circulating my qi as usual. In the blink of an eye, day broke, and I headed to the Medical Hall where I'd start work today.
Working there meant I'd see Wol often. Upon arrival, So Mu was waiting.
"Senior Brother Yuseong, your task today is making Moksaeng Powder. The Hall Lord said it's doable with basic pill refining."
Moksaeng Powder was a powder that healed wounds. Last time my hand flew off, the Hall Lord's version made it regrow easily—normal ones weren't that potent.
"Where do I go?"
So Mu replied,
"I'll guide you to the refining room. The materials for today's quota are already prepared."
I followed So Mu to the refining room inside the Medical Hall.
"Here it is. I'll be going now, Senior Brother Yuseong."
I gave a casual nod and entered. Inside were the materials for Moksaeng Powder and a book detailing the process. It didn't look too hard. Fire control? I could use the Yin-Yang Art method Moyong Wol taught me. The issue was the quantity. Piles of materials suggested not just for today, but ongoing production. Outer sect disciples must go through a lot on missions.
I read the full process and mentally rehearsed it. Once familiar, I took out Seong Yuhyang's furnace, added materials, and cautiously lit the fire.
Having mastered the Yin-Yang Art, I was sensitive to yin and yang qi, controlling it precisely—the temperature was perfect. After half a shichen, success on the first try: a fist-sized lump of Moksaeng Powder. Not quite the Hall Lord's quality, but its green hue indicated good stuff.
Holding the powder, I murmured,
"You'll save countless outer sect disciples' lives."
Drained of mana and mental energy, I rested briefly before repeating. I pushed to my limit and collapsed. This should suffice—no quota specified, but I'd emptied my mana, so it had to be fine. I stored the powder in my storage ring and went to find Seong Yuhyang.
Unfortunately, she'd entered secluded cultivation and wouldn't be available for a while. Instead, I ran into Moyong Wol.
"Yuseong, I heard from So Mu you'll be working here for a bit. Manageable?"
Showing her my handmade Moksaeng Powder, I said,
"Doesn't this mean I have talent for pill refining too?"
Moyong Wol's eyes widened in surprise.
"Whoa, impressive! You made this quality on your first try?"
I struck a smug pose.
"That's your man's caliber."
She pinched my cheek.
"Carelessness is taboo in cultivation. Don't get arrogant—focus on training!"
"Got it. So, tonight too?"
She nodded silently.
For a year, I made Moksaeng Powder while cultivating the Yin-Yang Art with Wol. Taking Nongun Pills too, she reached Qi Refining 8th star, and I hit 6th star. But we'd used up the Nongun Pills, so now I needed pills helpful for Qi Refining 6th star.