Chapter 58

“Could it be that the entire family had left the Central Plains?”

For there had been no word whatsoever of Baek Moo-jin’s descendants appearing in the martial world during that time.

In response to Dan Woo-seong’s question, Baek Yak replied.

“Yes. That was the case.”

“Then I imagine they didn’t come simply for the Phoenix Grand Banquet.”

“We have only been active to the extent necessary to keep the lineage of martial arts left by the Heavenly Demon alive.”

Baekyak crossed his arms like Dan Wooseong and continued speaking.

Where we dwell, there are martial realms like Zhongyuan, yet none worthy of being called rivals. It is a barren land. Thus, there are no elixirs, nor any rivals or elements to compete fiercely against. Only the glorious splendor remains as legend. If things continue this way, the martial arts left behind by the Heavenly Demon Lord will surely vanish.

. That’s why I came to the Central Plains. To prevent what was passed down to me from being lost.”

“Then Miss Baek’s martial arts…”

Baekyak answered.

The White Flower Divine Art, the Ice Art. Though my descendants did nothing wrong, I feel as if I’m living in sin. Successors who mastered the White Flower Divine Art appeared across generations, but now we’ve reached the point where we must research and restore it once more. And upon coming to the Central Plains,

something to seize.”

Dan Woo-sung asked Baek Yak.

“What is it?”

“Personally, I find it utterly ridiculous that Lord Shichima keeps receiving reverence from later generations of sorcerers and their deranged followers. It was only much later that our clan learned of the turmoil they caused in the martial world. We are not sorcerers. That point…”

Baekyak tapped the table sharply with his finger as he spoke.

“I intend to demonstrate this through my actions in the Central Plains.”

It meant he would wipe them out with his own hands if any sorcerers appeared. Even during the time when Jin Xiao was the world’s greatest, the largest sorcerer faction was still the followers of Bai Wuzhen.

Dan Wuseong nodded.

“An excellent idea.”

As she spoke, Baekyak’s eyelids grew heavy. She glanced around with sleepy eyes and said,

“Well, I think I’ll head back to my lodgings now. Thank you for your hospitality today.”

“Let’s get up.”

Dan Wooseong quietly rose and escorted Baekyak to the gate. She was an important guest. Though their purposes differed, their views on the Demon Path aligned, making her both a crucial ally and a valuable asset. Moreover, she was a young lady with exceptional talent in martial arts.

It was necessary to treat her with proper courtesy, not because she was a descendant of Baek Moo-jin, but because she was a martial artist with righteous convictions.

Upon arriving at the gate and exchanging greetings, the guards she had seen before once again followed behind Baekyak as she walked alone. They were like shadow-like guards.

A woman named Baekran, who was both Baekyak’s cousin and one of her guards, approached and asked,

“Already feeling sleepy?”

Baekyak nodded.

“Yeah.”

“Then you should eat less.”

Baekyak waved her hand dismissively.

“That’s not something I can control. The food just tastes good.”

“It didn’t suit you sometimes? Look at your belly.”

“Stop teasing me. It hasn’t.”

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As Danwooseong turned around, Chief Officer Lee Hwa-eon emerged from inside with the martial artists of the Martial Arts Alliance and said,

“Brother, he says he’s leaving.”

The martial arts alliance warriors gathered around Dan Woosung, each offering their farewells.

“It’s fortunate that the Gu family’s affairs have been resolved well.”

“Congratulations again on your victory.”

Dan Woosung bowed respectfully to the warriors and replied.

“Thank you. I expect we shall meet again at the Martial Alliance in the future. Everyone, let us meet again then.”

The martial artists also expressed their goodwill to Chief Officer Yi Hwa-eon.

“Chief, we owe you a great debt. Thanks to you, it seems we’re returning with nothing but extra weight.”

Chief Commander Yi Hwa-eon smiled faintly.

“You’re too kind… If you happen to pass by during your mission, please stop by anytime. Not just you, but whenever you meet any Wulin Alliance members in the future, the entire Eunha Trading Company will always welcome you warmly.”

The brothers treated the Wulin Alliance warriors with utmost courtesy, and the warriors’ hearts felt considerably lighter as they departed.

Once all the external guests had departed, Yi Hwa-eon finally exhaled a long sigh of relief, as if the tension had finally lifted.

Dan Woo-sung patted Yi Hwa-eon on the back and said.

“You’ve been through a lot.”

Li Hua Yan gave a sly grin.

“Hard work? Brother, let’s go first. I’ll show you the way.”

“Where to?”

“I have something to show you in the warehouse.”

As they walked side by side, Lee Hwa-eon spoke.

“There were many twists and turns. Fortunately, Mok In-seop from the escort unit often helped me.”

“What?”

“You’ll see when you go.”

Something came to mind. He thought it might be the elixir. After all, the Galaxy Trading Company hadn’t actually spent any money to purchase the elixir.

The Galaxy Trading Company’s warehouse was massive. It served as both a quality inspection site for externally produced goods and a storage area for items awaiting sale. In terms of sheer space, it was the largest facility within the company.

The warehouse was divided into sections for high, medium, and low-grade goods. Lee Hwa-eon passed through all of them before opening the iron door to a private room at the very end.

“Please come in.”

The scent of medicinal herbs filled the air. Danwooseong surveyed the interior of the private room.

‘He really went overboard.’

The entire private room was filled with medicinal herbs. The quantity was excessive, almost to the point of being excessive.

Lee Hwa-eon explained.

“The elixirs in this section are He Shou Wu and Ling Dan that were traded at the Junggyeong Night Market. Even when buying elixirs at the market, you need luck. The only ones available for immediate purchase with money were low-grade elixirs. I bought them all.”

Dan Woo-sung smiled at Lee Hwa-eon’s generosity. Lee Hwa-eon continued.

Word spread to other night markets as well. Next, individual traders began visiting the Galaxy Trading Guild. There were peculiar individuals who mined only elixirs to make a living. Individual wholesalers called Medicine Merchants frequently came by. I couldn’t properly evaluate the quality

and often had to ask Danju Han Yeop. Sometimes he wasn’t available, so I just bought them anyway.”

Dan Woo-seong nodded.

“Even after being selective, you ended up with this much?”

“Yes. I’m considering hiring an expert and diving into this market altogether. I’ve invested in it, thinking of it as an education.”

“There’s no need to sell it again. I won’t ask how much you spent either. Let’s just eat it all. But I don’t need to touch what’s here.”

“Why not?”

Dan Wooseong said as he examined the elixir.

“My level has reached that point. First, feed the Heishouo slowly to the escort unit. Set aside some to send to Guohua Mountain. Then have them take the Hwandan and Yeongdan in that order.”

“Yes.”

Danwooseong, who had been speaking, brushed off the dirt clinging to the Polygonum multiflorum root and chewed it himself. He then selected one or two pieces from each product—the Youngdan, Hwandan, and others—and chewed them himself. While there was no risk of poisoning from the century-old ginseng, if any poison had been mixed in, Danwooseong would have felt it in his body.

Chewing a few Hwandan from the corner, Dan Woosung spat them onto the floor and said.

“Did you record who you bought them from?”

“Yes, it’s all in the ledger.”

“These bastards see us as suckers, so they’ll come back. Call me then. The one who brought these pills.”

“Understood.”

Dan Woo-sung nodded.

“Discard all the Hwandan on this side.”

Lee Hwa-eon nodded with a flushed expression.

“Yes.”

“Let’s go.”

As the two stepped out of the private room again, Lee Hwa-eon spoke.

“And among the herbalists, there was an elderly master of considerable age. But this master said he would only sell the elixir if he could see the person who needed it with his own eyes. He left after saying he would return.”

“Did he look like a martial artist?”

“I couldn’t tell. I’m not very observant in that regard. But his demeanor was calm, and he had a wonderful smile, so I naturally treated him with the utmost respect.”

Danwooseong halted his steps and explained to Lee Hwa-eon.

“Even if there’s no protruding blood vessels around the pupils or illness, if there’s a lot of murky energy, even martial artists are close to third-rate. Excluding the Samadui. They’re hard to judge by their eyes. Because the martial arts they’re practicing often affect their bodies.”

Lee Hwa-eon replied while scrutinizing his brother’s pupils.

“Yes, Brother, yours are clear.”

Dan Woo-sung gestured for her to examine the skin on his arms and entire face.

“It’s rare, but if someone appears older yet shows no blemishes on their skin and even seems to radiate a lustrous glow, that person is a rare master. It’s a sign of a body that has undergone a complete transformation, so be cautious.”

“Yes.”

Dan Woo-seong took a step back and looked at Lee Hwa-eon.

“Observe if there is any physical imbalance. People’s shoulders sit at different heights due to habit, and when still, their head or neck may tilt. Most find standing postures uncomfortable. One who shows none of this is nine times out of ten a martial artist.”

“Hmm…”

“By observing their gaze, skin, and posture together, and if you can sense their prayer, you can gauge their level.”

“What is aura?”

“That’s a bit difficult. Set it aside and try to remember again. Was the old master a martial artist?”

Being the sharp-witted Lee Hwa-eon, he briefly searched his memory and recalled the old master.

“He was a martial artist.”

Danwooseong nodded.

Lee Hwa-eon asked with a sullen expression.

“Anyway, I think I’ve wasted some money.”

“No. They’re worth every penny even if we only feed them to the escort and the Ssangbo brothers. The youngest should be grateful too. Leave the distribution of elixirs to Danju Han Yeop and don’t worry about it. You’ve got plenty on your plate as it is.”

“Understood.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

As soon as Danwooseong returned to his quarters after parting with Ihwaeon, he called out.

“Myeongbo! Jinbo!”

“Yes, brother.”

“Let’s go.”

Dan Woo-sung said as he headed toward the training grounds with the twin brothers.

“About that Baek lady earlier.”

“Yes.”

“She was stronger than both of you.”

Yuk Myeong-bo and Yuk Jin-bo exchanged glances. Then they replied.

“Understood.”

“I’ll have to work harder.”

Danwooseong nodded.

“I’ll pass on what I learned by observing Miss Baek. It wasn’t wasted time. Of course, you must have learned something from me too.”

More precisely, he intended to immediately apply the parts of Baekyak’s movements that could serve as reference points.

It wasn’t stolen knowledge, but a reinterpretation by the Sword King.

Therefore, the Shuangbo brothers received instruction at a level where they gained profound insights with every training session. Just as Martial Alliance Leader Yu Zhenghong regarded Dan Woosung as a hidden blade within the White Path, Dan Woosung intended to make these Shuangbo brothers two hidden blades within the Milky Way Alliance.

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Returning to the lodging, Baekyak headed toward the bedding and said to Baekran.

“You should go to sleep too.”

“I’m not going to sleep now. Who’s going to sleep already?”

“Me.”

“I’m not sleepy because I didn’t practice from dawn.”

Baekran asked, looking at Baekyak lying on the bedding.

“So how did the arm wrestling and martial arts go?”

“I lost the arm wrestling, and I couldn’t beat him in martial arts either.”

“Is he that strong?”

“What we saw at the Dragon-Phoenix Grand Assembly was just a tiny part. He’s rough and competitive. He copied my movements right away.”

“What about his personality?”

“He’s so blunt. He tried to slam me to the floor, you know.”

“Oh my… You just let him do that?”

“No? I asked him to let me see.”

“And then?”

“He let me.”

Baekran covered her face with one hand.

“Oh dear, what a disgrace to come all the way to the Central Plains for this. Why not settle it once and for all with martial arts?”

“That’s no ordinary matter. You know my martial arts are no joke.”

“I know. But just looking at that prince’s physique, he seems to have trained in external martial arts. Why would he challenge someone to an arm-wrestling match and spar with them? Did he train his internal energy just to use it while eating? It’s embarrassing. Next time I go, I’ll give him a good scolding…”

Baekran stopped mid-sentence. Baekyak was already snoring.

“…”

Baekran muttered as she tucked the blanket up to Baekyak’s chin.

“How do you plan to get married later? That snoring sound…”

At Baekran’s words, the snoring stopped of its own accord. She didn’t seem to have woken up. Baekran stared blankly at the sleeping Baekyak, her expression one of shock.

ⓒ Yoo Jin-seong