8v2WiF0DFRJHj8SAqyDx2tUScWV0nh
FlKmhpywE5FsQ3LIF
RaZku6mYoaFh
RaZku6mYoaFh
Chapter 55
He didn’t know enough about the Baek Clan Manor to ask for their help in establishing a branch sect.
Even if he investigated everything thoroughly, it would still be impolite to set up a branch sect inside the estate of another martial clan like the Baek Clan.
But the reason Tang Gun immediately rejected the idea even before hearing all of Yang-hwi’s explanation was simple.
“If our Tang Clan settles in Baek Manor, there’s nothing in it for them.”
As soon as he heard the answer, Yang-hwi instantly understood what Tang Gun was thinking.
‘He’s worried the bad reputation of the Tang Clan might harm the Baek clan. Typical of Tang Hyung—he’s always been like this.’
If that’s all, persuading him would be easy.
“If that’s your only concern, it’s no problem, Tang Hyung. The main house doesn’t have the cleanest reputation either.”
The reason was straightforward.
“Lately, the rumor-mongers have been saying things about our main house too. That the Baek Clan, unable to bear its decline, has started accepting members of the Dark path into the household.”
“Hm? But isn’t Baek Manor part of the Righteous Path? And you’re saying they’ve accepted Dark path members?”
At Yang-hwi’s subtle signal, Gu-Ak rose from his seat.
“If I may, I, Gu-Ak, will explain, young master.”
Gu-Ak began speaking.
He explained how Akan-hyeon had once been a region dominated by the Dark path,
How the Baek Clan, guided by the principles of “poison to cure poison”, began reforming willing Dark path members,
And how he himself, once infamous as Blood Axe, had now earned a new name: One Good Deed a Day.
“The head of the main house granted me, a man once beyond redemption, a second chance at life. I owe him a great debt.”
A hint of admiration and emotion crossed Tang Gun’s face.
“Such noble intentions… and yet the gossipers judge it all based on appearances.”
“Aren’t the rumors about the Tang Clan the same? As long as the Tang Clan walks the path of righteousness, our Baek Manor cares nothing for such trivial talk.”
“I see…”
“To be honest, it’s true the Baek clan lacks the prestige to stand beside the Tang Clan. However, Tang Hyung—”
Yang-hwi gestured, and one of his servants brought over a map and unfurled it.
Now was the time to convince Tang Gun that joining hands with the Baek clan would bring the greatest benefit.
“The Tang Clan in Sichuan. The Baek Clan in Jiangxi. As you know, Jiangxi lacks any large-scale martial sect that commands the world’s respect. In other words, it’s the perfect place for the Tang Clan to establish a branch sect.”
“That’s true. You’re not wrong.”
“Furthermore, the head of the Baek clan is sworn brothers with Jegal Seon, the young master of the Jegal Clan. That means we could potentially receive their support as well.”
“Hmm. The Jegal Clan…”
Tang Gun’s expression hardened slightly.
The Jegal Clan held one of the five seats of the Five Great Families.
In other words, it was one of the houses that had once nurtured the Tang clan, but now worked to keep it in check.
“The Nine Sects, Five Families—they’re always mentioned together, but they’re not a single entity. Some pursue purity with upright principles, while others form and break alliances for gain.”
The Jegal Clan, like the Namgung clan, didn’t cross the line excessively in pursuit of profit.
Even if they did, the relationships already built would prevent major problems.
‘Besides, since they’ve already sent Seolha to become the disciple of Master Eunhu, they can’t pursue profit openly.’
He couldn’t reveal all of that, of course, but he shared just enough to sway Tang Gun with confidence.
Before long, Tang Gun’s expression grew intrigued.
“I see. Everything you’ve said so far makes sense. But I have one question.”
“Please, ask away, Tang Hyung.”
“If we go by your plan, your house would benefit immensely. But what does the Baek Clan gain from all this?”
Simple.
“Protection under a powerful ally. And a blood pact that will bring even greater rewards.”
“Protection, huh. So there’s an enemy force nearby?”
“Exactly.”
Ever since the Jegal Clan left the region, the Gyojin Sect had become the largest Dark Path sect nearby, and they were always looking for an opening.
‘We can’t crush them without justification, and they’re like a splinter under our nail—constantly irritating.’
If they had the Tang Clan at their back, there’d be no need to worry.
Even Gyojin Sect knew about the Tang Clan’s notorious reputation.
“Alright, I understand the protection part. But what about the greater reward you mentioned?”
Yes, this was the real heart of the matter.
Yang-hwi extended his finger and pointed to a region on the map of the world.
“Hunan.”
To the right of Sichuan and to the left of Jiangxi.
A province lying between the Tang and Baek clans, and one that had become a haven for the Dark path and demonic sects after the righteous sects fell into chaos following the Blood Massacre of the Sword King Tomb decades ago.
In other words, a feast ripe for the taking, without fear of righteous intervention.
“I give you my word. In ten years, our Baek Clan will grow strong enough to be worthy of being called allies of the Tang Clan. And together, we’ll prepare to claim Hunan as our shared territory.”
This plan—named The Ten-Year Grand Strategy—had been forming in Yang-hwi’s mind ever since his return.
“The Tang Clan from the left, the Baek Clan from the right. Tang Hyung, ten years from now, let’s devour Hunan together. Let the Tang Clan break free of its origin’s limits—and let our Baek Clan rise as a true great clan!”
Tang Gun stared wide-eyed at Yang-hwi.
Such a colossal vision… coming from the mouth of a mere child.
‘I knew he wasn’t an ordinary boy… but this is something else.’
Unintentionally, Tang Gun released his internal energy to probe Yang-hwi.
Though only fifteen, Yang-hwi stood as the same as the young master of the Tang Clan, and had already reached the Second-Class Realm. With just a wave of energy, Tang Gun could roughly sense his cultivation.
‘What?!’
In that moment, Tang Gun was again stunned—this time by Yang-hwi’s smirk as he nodded back.
“Brother Hwi… I’ve taken a dragon as my younger brother.”
“You flatter me, Tang Hyung.”
Second-Class Realm. A stage so advanced, no child under ten should be able to reach it.
No—impossible.
Even Tang Gun himself had only reached that level last year and was hailed as a once-in-a-generation prodigy.
“Hah… hahahaha. I was a frog in a well… no, the Tang Clan trapped in Sichuan. You’ve opened my eyes.”
There was now one more reason to ally with the Baek Clan.
No—perhaps the most important reason of all.
Baek Yang-hwi.
“Very well. Our Tang Clan will accept the Baek Clan’s proposal. Or rather, I’ll return to the main house and seek formal approval from the clan head.”
“That alone is more than enough. Thank you, Tang Hyung, for your generosity.”
“Generosity? If anything, I’m the one in your debt. Didn’t you offer up part of your estate?”
As a martial clan, offering one’s own estate to the warriors of another clan was not something to take pride in.
No doubt, the rumor-mongers would again jeer:
“So the Baek Clan has no shame?”
‘I don’t care. What matters most is consolidating power as quickly as possible.’
A bit of infamy was a small price to pay for that.
Besides, once the clan grew strong enough, that stigma would vanish on its own.
“Actually, there’s one more thing I’d like to ask.”
“I’m listening. I still owe the Baek Clan a favor—so I’ll try to grant it, as long as it’s within reason.”
“Um… As the vice head of the Poison Medic Division, your pill-crafting skills must be quite impressive, right?”
“Naturally. One of the reasons our Tang Clan was able to grow so quickly was because we specialized in alchemical breakthroughs using medicinal herbs and poisons. Though… it is costly.”
‘Costly, huh… tsk.’
Yang-hwi responded to that with a cheeky grin.
“Hehehe… Hyung~ Would you mind giving this little brother just one… just one elixir recipe?”
“...Huh?”
****
Unfortunately, Yang-hwi’s shameless puppy-dog act fell flat.
Tang Gun shut it down with a firm refusal.
He could not, under any circumstance, hand over the recipe for the spiritual elixir.
But instead, Tang Gun offered a counterproposal.
“While our main house is using the Baek Clan estate, as long as you bring the ingredients, I’ll craft as many pills as you need.”
Truthfully, that offer alone was a massive favor, far greater than simply capturing Lewd Fox or surrendering a portion of their estate for a branch sect.
On top of that, during their stay, they would take responsibility for treating Yang-hwi’s mother, Jeong In-Hwa’s health.
‘I’ve gained so much from all this. Things are going very well.’
He’d prevented his mother’s decline and her death.
He now had the backing of the Tang Clan and the protection that came with it.
And thanks to the elixirs crafted by the Tang Clan, the inner strength of the Baek Clan’s warriors had surged dramatically.
‘And I’ve laid the groundwork for the Ten-Year Grand Strategy.’
Of course, in the process… a new and rather urgent problem had arisen.
“KRRRAAAAGH!”
“You can’t spit on a smiling face.”
Upon hearing the loud shouting, Yang-hwi responded with the brightest, most innocent smile he could muster, doing his best to look like a harmless little boy.
“Even you, Young Master Hwi?! How could you do this to me?!”
Steward Han shouted so furiously, his spit sprayed across Yang-hwi’s face.
‘Ah. Not working.’
The “smiling face” strategy… had crashed and burned.
“Hehehe, steward Han, you see…”
“I believed you were the reincarnation of the God of Wealth! How could you do this?! You personally tore a hole in our treasury! And not just a hole—this is like smashing down an entire wall!”
There was no other choice.
Before the Tang Clan party returned to Sichuan, they needed to convert the Seven-Spirit-Root and Three Thick ginseng into spiritual elixirs.
Obviously, making such elixirs didn’t just require the core spirit herbs, they needed a wide range of other rare and expensive materials.
“It’s only been fifteen days since we finally plugged the financial hole! And you managed to land us in the same mess in just two weeks! AAARGH!”
‘Come on… We’re about to get twenty spiritual elixirs that boost inner power by ten years for just a few thousand nyang. Isn’t that a profit?’
Even while thinking that, Yang-hwi remained perfectly humble and respectfully grabbed Han Seok-Eon’s arm.
“Steward Han. No—Elder Han. Please, calm yourself…”
“Calm myself?! Calm myself, my foot! How long do you think we can keep conjuring money out of thin air?!”
There was a reason Han Seok-Eon was losing his mind.
“We threw banquets for three straight days to welcome the Tang Clan. That alone cost over a hundred nyang! I mean, sure, that was expected and necessary, so I let that slide. But! BUT!”
Han Seok-Eon paused, as if mentally re-calculating the money that Yang-hwi had siphoned off in the name of pill crafting.
Over 90% of their entire emergency treasury.
As general administrator, he had fiercely opposed it, but the clan head’s approval had already been given. In the end, he had no choice but to hand over the precious few thousand nyang.
‘Sure, we’re a martial family, but even that has its limits! Whenever anyone hears “inner power” or “elixir,” they all lose their minds!’
Han Seok-Eon shoved stacks of contracts into Yang-hwi’s face.
“In just three days, we need to pay 2,000 nyang! Two thousand! If we miss the deadline, one of our most important business ventures will collapse!”
Well… sure, businesses can always be rebuilt later, but spiritual elixirs? You don’t just get those every day, sir.
The sooner we boost our inner power and adapt, the faster we’ll progress in martial arts.
‘Ugh… is there any way to plug this financial hole?’
Yang-hwi combed through every memory from before his regression, but there was no method to earn 2,000 nyang in three days.
...At this point, should I just go rob a Dark Path sect?
Maybe I should ask Elder Yeo Woon-hyuk to teach me a bit of thieving?
‘Anyway, I’d better find an excuse to escape for now.’
If he stayed in Han Seok-Eon’s office any longer, he’d end up washing his face with spit.
Best to make an excuse, slip out, and return once the old man had calmed down.
Just as he was thinking that—
“Steward Han, sir.”
A servant entered, announcing a visitor, and Yang-hwi’s eyes lit up with joy.
‘Yes! An excuse to run away!’
“Steward-nim! We’ve got a guest, so I’ll be off now!”
Without waiting for a response, Yang-hwi dashed to the door.
But just as he reached it, he locked eyes with the visitor waiting outside.
‘Huh?’
Immediately, Yang-hwi spun on his heels.
He puffed out his chest, straightened his shoulders, and arrogantly lifted his chin.
“Steward-nim. Repeat after me.”
“Huh? What are you talking about, Young Master Hwi?”
Seeing Han Seok-Eon’s utterly confused expression, Yang-hwi held up his index finger and thumb in a perfect circle.
Han Seok-Eon quickly realized who the guest was.
“Don’t tell me…”
“Steward-nim, who am I?”
“The God of Wealth reincarnated! AHAHA! You are the real deal, Young Master Hwi!”
Han Seok-Eon rushed out barefoot to greet the guest.
“Welcome, Miss Chu!”
The visitor was none other than Chu Yongwol, the young deputy head of the White Scroll Merchant Guild.
“Young Master! Steward Han! This is huge!”
---The End Of The Chapter---
Join Patreon to support the translation and to read 20 chapters ahead of the release.
Comments