Chapter 128
After watching Cho Woo-Kyung absorb the fire qi beast core, Baek Mu-Gun visited Baek Cheon-Sang at the White Sword Pavillion and had a cup of tea with him.
“How do you plan to use the new batch of Heavenly Medicine Pills?” Cheon-Sang asked.
“It would be best to give three of them to the squad leaders who did not receive one last time.”
“I agree. What about the remaining two pills?”
“Personally, I would give them to the Young Patriarchs of the Justice Martial Sect and the Flying Lance Sect.”
“Why is that?”
“The Justice Martial Sect and the Flying Lance Sect will become the Baek Sword Sect’s arms in leading the Zhejiang Martial Alliance. Hence, strengthening them is just as important as strengthening the Baek Sword Sect.”
“Hmm, I see what you mean. Still, wouldn’t it be better to prioritize taking care of our sect’s direct bloodline? I have been thinking of giving Yong-Hwan and Jin-Ryong a Heavenly Medicine Pill each,” Cheon-Sang countered. Baek Yong-Hwan, son of Baek Cheon-Gi, and Baek Jin-Ryong, son of Baek Cheon-Ho, were the most talented individuals among the direct bloodline of the Baek Family, second only to Mu-Gun. Cheon-Sang wanted to develop their strength so they could help Mu-Gun in the future.
Mu-Gun was aware of Cheon-Sang’s intention and also agreed to some extent that they should nurture the Baek Family’s bloodline. However, he thought that it would be difficult for the Baek Sword Sect to achieve true growth if they kept favoring the Baek Family’s bloodline. Although the Baek Sword Sect’s development was also important, they should not be fixated on blood ties for them to truly grow. As the Zhejiang Martial Alliance leader, the Baek Sword Sect had to help the entire alliance grow stronger.
Hence, Mu-Gun planned to evenly distribute the Heavenly Medicine Pill between the Baek Sword Sect and the Zhejiang Martial Alliance. Since they had already agreed to give three of the Baek Sword Corps’ squad leaders a pill each, he thought that it was only right to use the other two pills to strengthen the Zhejiang Martial Alliance.
“Hmm...”
After listening to Mu-Gun’s explanation, Cheon-Sang tapped the armrest of his chair with his finger and pondered for a moment.
“Fine. Let’s do as you say,” Cheon-Sang eventually decided.
“You are the Baek Sword Sect Patriarch, Father. Please do what you truly desire. You don’t have to go out of your way to agree with me,” Mu-Gun firmly said. He had noticed that his father had been agreeing with his opinion for quite some time now.
Although it was great to always have his way, Cheon-Sang’s opinion as the Baek Sword Sect Patriarch was also important.
“I am following your suggestion because I find it the best course of action as well. As you said, the development of the Zhejiang Martial Alliance is just as important as the Baek Sword Sect’s growth. So, let’s give the Heavenly Medicine Pills to the acting patriarch of the Justice Martial Sect and the Flying Lance Sect.”
Mu-Gun’s explanation made Cheon-Sang realize that developing the power of the Zhejiang Martial Alliance was more urgent than progressing the growth of the Baek Sword Sect. The Baek Sword Sect had eight Absolute Realm masters—Cheon-Sang, Mu-Gun, and the six venerable elders. On the other hand, the other Ten Clans of Zhejiang didn’t have a single Absolute Realm master. Heavenly Medicine Pills alone would not be enough to create Absolute Realm masters, but it could at least increase the number of their Upper Peak Realm masters.
Since the Baek Sword Sect was in an alliance with the other Ten Clans of Zhejiang, they had to increase their allies’ power to some extent. Moreover, Cheon-Sang judged that using their constant supply of Heavenly Medicine Pills to help the highest-ranking martial artists of the Ten Clans of Zhejiang advance into the Upper Peak Realm would be best in the long run. Jeong Ho-Gun and Jo Won-Yee would still be far from reaching that realm even if they were to consume a Heavenly Medicine Pill, but Mu-Gun and Cheon-Sang decided to give the pills to them anyway since they were the future leaders of the Justice Martial Sect and the Flying Lance Sect.
Mu-Gun also planned to gather the Ten Clans of Zhejiang’s disciples and successors to form the Latent Dragon Squad. The squad’s objective would be to promote unity among the successors and establish a solid internal hierarchy that would put the Baek Sword Sect in control of the Zhejiang Martial Alliance. To prepare for that plan, nurturing Ho-Gun and Won-Yee’s skills was necessary.
Cheon-Sang permitted Mu-Gun to give the Heavenly Medicine Pills to Ho-Gun and Won-Yee. Not long after, Mu-Gun returned to his residence and summoned Ho-Gun and Won-Yee. The two were focused on their martial arts training with the Six White Wolves. They initially struggled to get used to the Six White Wolves’ training schedule since the Six White Wolves dedicated most of their time to training their martial arts. However, the two had since been immersed in martial arts training, which they thought was only natural. Their skills quickly progressed as a result.
Noticing the improvements in their skills, the two became so excited that they devoted even more of their time to martial arts training. They now practiced martial arts all day without anyone telling them to.
Ho-Gun and Won-Yee arrived at Mu-Gun’s residence a little over fifteen minutes after Mu-Gun sent someone to call them.
“Welcome.”
“Thank you. What could be so important that you had to summon us at this hour?” Ho-Gun asked curiously.
Mu-Gun was well aware that they were supposed to be training right now. The fact that he called for them anyway meant whatever they had to talk about was more important than martial arts training. After all, he normally did not disturb their training unless absolutely necessary.
“I have something for you two.”
“Something for us?”
“What do you think it is?” Mu-Gun played around.
“Well, looking at your expression, it doesn’t seem to be something bad,” Won-Yee said upon seeing the smile on Mu-Gun’s face.
“What is it? Stop beating around the bush and just tell us,” Ho-Gun urged.
“Here. Take it.”
Mu-Gun took out two leather pouches from his pockets and handed them to Won-Yee and Ho-Gun. The pouches contained a Heavenly Medicine Pill each.
“Isn’t this—!?”
“Is this perhaps a spiritual pill?”
Won-Yee and Ho-Gun looked at Mu-Gun in shock.
“That’s right. It’s the Heavenly Medicine Pill.”
“Isn’t that the same spiritual pill that our fathers received?”
“That’s right.”
“You’re giving us a spiritual pill that contains thirty years’ worth of energy?” Won-Yee asked in disbelief.
“Why? Is there a reason why I shouldn’t give them to you?”
“No, but I’m not sure if we deserve this.”
“You’re not wrong. Giving the Heavenly Medicine Pill to the masters of the Ten Clans of Zhejiang would yield far greater results. It might even be better to give those to the martial arts masters or talented members of the Baek Sword Sect.”
“Why are you giving these to us, then?”
“To show just how much I value you. I hope you both stay beside me and help me in the future.”
“In other words, it’s a bribe—no, it’s more appropriate to call it a shackle. Accepting this would mean we would have to obey you no matter what.”
“If you don’t want to, give it back.”
“Who said I didn’t want it?”
When Mu-Gun tried to take the leather pouches back, Ho-Gun quickly snatched one.
“What about you, Won-Yee?”
“I have already decided to follow you and the Baek Sword Sect, so it does not really make a difference to me.” Won-Yee shrugged. He then took the remaining leather pouch.
“I am giving those to you in hopes that you grow stronger a little faster. I am certain that this would not happen, but I might as well remind you not to neglect your martial arts training just because the pills improved your martial prowess a little.”
“How can we be satisfied when we have a monster like you around us? Don’t worry. Even if the only reason we have left is to not fall behind you, we won’t stop training until we reach the Absolute Realm.”
“You probably won’t be able to stop training until the day you die, then.”
“What, you brat!”
“I’m kidding. Just work as hard as you are doing now. I will do everything in my power to turn the two of you into martial arts masters.”
“The way you said that made it sound ominous.”
“Don’t tell me you’re going to make us train harder than we already are?” Won-Yee asked in fear.
“I wonder?” Mu-Gun smiled. Ho-Gun and Won-Yee felt goosebumps all over their bodies.
“Agh, damn it! Should we just not eat this?”
“Should we not?”
Ho-Gun and Won-Yee looked tearful as they stared at the leather pouch in their hands.
“Just eat it. There’s an old saying that a ghost who dies with a full stomach has color and charm[1].” Mu-Gun chuckled.
Mu-Gun knew that despite what they were saying, they would do their best to follow his orders no matter what he requested of them. Otherwise, he would never have given them Heavenly Medicine Pills no matter how close they were.
Later that evening, Ho-Gun and Won-Yee consumed the pills Mu-Gun had given them. After an entire day of circulating their qi to absorb the thirty years' worth of energy inside the pills, their internal energy reached the upper-intermediate level of the Peak Realm.
* * *
After giving the Heavenly Medicine Pills to Ho-Gun and Won-Yee, Mu-Gun called Yong-Hwan to the training hall. Yong-Hwan dropped everything he was doing and immediately ran over.
“Come on in.”
“Why did you call for me?” Yong-Hwan asked with an expectant look. The fact that Mu-Gun summoned him to the training hall, of all places, likely meant that he would teach him a special martial art.
Seeing Yong-Hwan’s expression made Mu-Gun smile. Not long after, he examined Yong-Hwan closely.
Unlike the other Baek Family members, who were all slender, Yong-Hwan had a great physique. His bones were large and strong, making him the perfect vessel for brute strength. Waiting silently as Mu-Gun carefully examined him, Yong-Hwan guessed that Mu-Gun was checking his bones and physical constitution. If his guess was right, then that would mean Mu-Gun was indeed about to teach him a special martial art.
Yong-Hwan’s expectations further increased.
‘A martial art that revolves around pure strength would certainly be more suitable for him than the Baek Sword Sect’s martial arts.’
Mu-Gun soon concluded that Yong-Hwan’s physique was better suited for martial arts that focused on strength than variability.
“Why do you think I called you?”
“I am not certain if this is too hasty of me, but I think you called me because you want to teach me a new martial art, Young Patriarch.”
“And you’re absolutely correct.”
“Really?”
“Yes. However, the martial art that I am about to teach you is not the Baek Sword Sect’s,” Mu-Gun revealed.
“Does that mean you’re going to teach me another clan’s martial arts?” Yong-Hwan asked, looking slightly flustered.
“I defeated Lulin Battle King Lee Ja-Gyung the other day and obtained his martial art as my spoils of war.”
“You’re going to teach me the Lulin Battle King’s martial art?” Yong-Hwan asked in shock.
“The Lulin Battle King’s martial art, the Bloodthirsty Black Wind Axe Art, can be regarded as a demonic art due to its overly destructive and murderous nature. However, it is an Upper-Ascension-Realm martial art, and its techniques and principles are superior to any of the Baek Sword Sect’s martial arts. Putting a slight restraint on its overly destructive and murderous techniques will be enough for it to pass as a righteous sect’s martial arts. That’s why I have decided to convert it from an axe art to a sword art.”
“How does that help?”
“Due to the characteristics of axes, axe arts are usually composed of destructive and cruel techniques. Sword arts are not as vile in comparison, so changing the Bloodthirsty Black Wind Axe Art’s techniques to sword techniques should be enough to make them more merciful. However, the problem is that it is naturally very difficult to change an axe art to a sword art.”
“But you managed to do it, didn’t you, Young Patriarch?”
“That’s right. I plan to teach you the Demon-Purging Black Wind Sword Art, which is the modified version of the Bloodthirsty Black Wind Axe Art. Would you like to see it?”
“Please teach me.”
“Shouldn’t you at least check out what kind of martial art it is before deciding to study it? Anyway, what I will be showing you is pure imitation, so take that into account as you observe.”
“Understood.”
With a sword in hand, Mu-Gun stood at the center of the training hall. After a brief moment, he began to demonstrate the Demon-Purging Black Wind Sword Art. Although it was derived from an axe art, the Demon-Purging Back Wind Sword Art still had the terrifying momentum of the Bloodthirsty Black Wind Axe Art.
Mu-Gun could not properly display the Demon-Purging Black Wind Sword Art's true power since he had not properly studied it, but Yong-Hwan could still see the unbelievable power it could unleash. Yong-Hwan’s heart pounded as he watched the demonstration. Considering Mu-Gun’s imitation of the Demon-Purging Black Wind Sword Art was already so strong, Yong-Hwan could not even begin to fathom how much more powerful it would become once it had been mastered.
Falling completely in love with the Demon-Purging Black Wind Sword Art, there was not a doubt in Yong-Hwan’s mind that he had to learn it. In all honesty, he was initially disappointed to hear that Mu-Gun wanted to teach him another clan’s martial art instead of the Baek Sword Sect’s Celestial Moonlight Sword Art, especially since Mu-Gun wanted him to practice the Lulin Battle King’s martial art. However, witnessing the Demon-Purging Black Wind Sword Art in action completely changed his mind. Be that as it may, he completely changed his mind after seeing it in action.
The Demon-Purging Black Wind Sword Art, which was purely based on power, suited him far better than the Celestial Moonlight Sword Art, which was based on variability and change. That was why Mu-Gun wanted to teach the former to him in the first place.
Mu-Gun sheathed his sword, ending his demonstration.
“What do you think?”
“It’s the best. I will do whatever it takes to master it.”
“That’s a relief. I was worried that you would refuse because it was Lulin’s martial art.”
“So what if it was? Wouldn’t it become a righteous martial art if I use it righteously?”
Mu-Gun chuckled at Yong-Hwan’s passionate response. He could sense just how much Yong-Hwan wanted to learn it.
“Great. I will teach you the Demon-Purging Black Wind Sword Art, then.”
“Thank you.”
“If you are, then do your best to master it. Don’t make me regret teaching it to you,” Mu-Gun encouraged Yong-Hwan.
“Understood.”
“Let’s begin, shall we?” Mu-Gun said, wanting to teach Yong-Hwan as soon as possible.
“Right now?”
“Why? Is there a problem?”
“No, there isn’t. I was just too elated,” Yong-Hwan responded. He was clearly excited.
“I will teach you the Bloodthirsty Black Wind Cultivation Technique first. It is the exclusive internal energy cultivation method of the Demon-Purging Black Wind Sword Art.”
Mu-Gun and Yong-Hwan’s training session began.
1. An expression used to stress the importance of eating. ?
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