Chapter 28 Plum Blossom Gang (3)

Chapter 28 Plum Blossom Gang (3)

But the strange man alone understood Gu Yang-jeok’s actions.

Even though he was clearly a disciple he had met for the first time today, there was a certain kinship between them.

Starting with his blunt, straight-to-the-point way of speaking, he valued gain over pointlessly displaying grievances.

Seeing Baek Dan-hyeon’s stiff expression, he immediately offered the Jasmine Pill. Thankfully he did, or else he would have pressed the issue to the end.

‘Did that shaman’s sword guy say he was similar to me?’

That brat, who was just a kid when I was making a name for myself, now that he’s grown a bit and is called a true master, he’s starting to put on airs.

That thought lasted only a moment. Seeing Gu Yangjeok bowing respectfully there, the strange man felt amused.

‘Seems like he really is that sort.’

He was closer to a rogue than a Taoist, and his aura was more that of a warrior than a hermit.

Above all, look at that gaze—even while bowing, he was subtly glancing toward where the stranger might be.

The stranger’s lips curved into a smile deeper than a crescent moon.

“I’ll be watching you from now on.”

With those words, the unidentified stranger vanished.

As Baek Dan-hyeon wiped away cold sweat, Gu Yang-jeok’s eyes flashed sharply.

Zzzz, chirp!

The moon set and the sun began to rise.

* * *

Early in the morning, Baek Dan-hyeon visited the Plum Blossom Clinic.

He then made a concise request to Cheong Hwon.

“I wish to bestow the Jasmine Pill upon my disciple, Doctor Cheong.”

At those words, Qinghowen scratched his chin thoughtfully.

“Master Zhang, the rooster hasn’t even crowed yet… what are you talking about?”

He seemed to think Baek Dan-hyeon had come early in the morning just to crack a lame joke.

But when Baek Dan-hyeon reiterated his request for the Jasmine Pill and stated he intended to give it to Gu Yang-jeok, Qinghowen gasped in shock and asked again.

“What? The Jasmine Pill? Really?”

Though exhausted from tending to Ha Jin-ak until dawn, he couldn’t hide his astonishment.

It was quite an extraordinary request.

“Master, even if the enemy has shown strength recently, how can you consider bestowing a treasure of Huashan?”

“…Hmm.”

“Even for the Sect Leader, the Jasmine Pill is a treasure that requires half the members of the Plum Blossom Pavilion to dedicate nearly five years to refining it…”

“I know.”

Baek Dan-hyeon wore a worried expression over the task left by the Plum Blossom Pavilion.

‘How on earth can I give the Jasmine Pill using my personal discretion?’

Just thinking about it made Baek Dan-hyeon’s head throb and sighs pour out.

The reason for wanting Gu Yang-jeok to take the Jasmine Pill was something he could easily guess.

‘The immense internal energy left behind by Jin Aek… would be too much for anyone, even an enemy.’

The imbalance caused by it often led to cracks gradually forming in the body or the temperament becoming unstable.

They’d say to treat it with the Jasmine Pill, but…

“…Hmph.”

Baek Dan-hyeon stared intently at Gu Yang-jeok, who casually took Jo Hoon around and taught him sword techniques.

How could anyone treat that guy like a sick man?

Everyone saw him become even more energetic than before receiving the teachings, leaping nearly a zhang through spot-jumping.

Baek Dan-hyeon, unaware that Ha Jin-ak had even depleted his own vital energy to expand Gu Yang-jeok’s capacity, could only feel exasperated.

Worse still, he must now give Gu Yang-jeok the Zhaosudan, the treasure of the Huashan Sect, at his ‘discretion’.

‘I can’t disobey an order issued by the Plum Blossom Alliance.’

To Baek Dan-hyeon, today’s sky seemed an unnatural bright yellow.

‘I’ll just have to persuade the Guardians.’

Just as Baek Dan-hyeon resolved to try again later and was about to leave the Plum Blossom Clinic…

Thud.

“Hold on!”

Cheong Ho-won frowned at the three men who had walked in with muddy feet.

“I’ve said it before, but entering the Council with muddy feet is a breach of protocol, wouldn’t you agree?”

Though Cheonghowon held authority comparable to the Grand Master within the Plum Blossom Council, he couldn’t easily command those men.

The reason was clear.

Gwak Un-pae, Head of the Guest Hall.

Song Muk, Head of the Discipline Hall.

And even Cheol Geum-san, Head of the Enforcement Hall, famously rarely venturing outside.

Faced with this entirely unexpected appearance, Cheonghowon reiterated his point.

“I hadn’t realized the three elders took such an interest in Ha Jin-ak, but might you please remove your shoes first?”

“Well, we happened to overhear something you said while we were on our way here.”

Cheolgeumsan, the eldest among the elders, opened his usually taciturn mouth.

“Did the Grand Master say he wished to bestow the Jasodan to Master Gu Yang?”

“I did say that.”

“Then why did you not inform us in the slightest?”

“Well…”

Baek Dan-hyeon couldn’t bring himself to say he’d intended to bestow the Jasmine Pill without following proper protocol.

Moreover, the recipient was unsavory.

Mokseok Cheolhyeon (墨石鐵絃), or Mokhyeon (墨絃).

His iron-blooded resolve thoroughly thwarted Song Mok’s attempts to handle matters with leniency, and his martial prowess was formidable—he’d slain over ten demonic cultivators.

Among them was the notoriety of annihilating the entire village of the Demon-Exorcising Sect.

Baek Dan-hyeon let his expression sink coldly.

“It’s because the enemy’s condition is poor right now.”

At those words, Cheol Geum-san let out a sigh of realization.

“So it was true that all of Ha Saje’s internal energy was passed on to Gu Yang Saje.”

“That’s classified.”

“I understand the weight of that fact, Sect Leader. I’m actually a bit disappointed you didn’t tell me sooner.”

But Cheolgeum-san added, voicing the Enforcement Hall’s opinion.

“If he’s suffering from an excessive total amount of internal energy, he just needs to shed some. The internal injuries sustained in the process can be treated with other pills, even if not with the Zixiao Pill.”

So this is the official stance, then.

Baek Dan-hyeon frowned and confronted Cheolgumsan with his feelings.

“Do you even understand what the Chief Justice is saying? One’s own will is just that – will. Moreover, the internal energy Jin-ak has accumulated contains the essence of Hwasan. To discard that is…”

Cheolgumsan let that emotion slip.

“It is indeed a pity. For I once gave Jin’ak a single Jasodan pill.”

“……”

“That is precisely why it is more dangerous. Taking more than one pill containing the internal energy sealed within the Jasodan carries the risk of backflow.”

Cheolgimsan discussed the possibility of backflow, but the four martial artists present envisioned a different outcome.

Sojucheon, or metamorphosis.

Small Heavenly Circulation meant using immense internal energy and an even greater will as a vehicle to open the Ren and Du meridians.

Transformation, while not the legendary metamorphosis, was the culmination of external cultivation that transformed the human outer shell into something more resilient.

But how could that be easy?

Even merely failing at the Minor Heavenly Circuit and having it seep into the meridians throughout the body would yield sufficient merit.

Baek Dan-hyeon knew a peerless martial artist who could do that.

“The Dharma Protector will assist us.”

“……?!”

At those words, the three elders were startled, their eyebrows twitching.

“You mean the Dharma Protector?”

“Yes, I’ve already secured his permission.”

To be precise, Master Plum Grove had left word with the Guardian, but it wasn’t an inaccurate statement.

If he said it, the two Guardians would have to follow.

But Cheolgimsan shook his head.

“If we use that as an excuse to hand over the Jasmine Pill, it will set a precedent. In the worst case, someone might suddenly eat something like a hundred-year-old snow ginseng and come demanding the Jasmine Pill.”

He doubted such an extreme scenario would happen, but Cheolgimsan’s face held a strong conviction.

His eyes also held a hint of regret.

No matter how much the Hwasan Sect was regarded as a sacred place of Taoism, they were ultimately martial artists.

Their ambition was no less than that of other sects. They would surely try to push through such unreasonable demands.

‘Tsk, what can you do.’

Just as Baek Dan-hyeon’s voice was about to rise, sensing Cheolgeum-san would never concede,

Gwak Un-pae and Song Muk, who had been listening quietly, interjected.

“I believe we must hand over the Jaso Dan to the enemy, even if it sets a precedent.”

“What?”

“Because that child received everything from the senior master of Hwasan.”

Song Muk displayed unwavering resolve.

“Symbolism? It’s more than enough. If we tell that child to abandon his internal energy now, it would mean we’re telling him to abandon the legacy left by the senior master of Huashan. How do you think the other disciples and the secular family would react?”

“……”

As the profound words continued, Cheolgeumsan, at a loss for words, crossed his arms and fell into deep thought.

Then, as if his mind was made up, his gaze turned toward Qinghowen.

Guo Yunpei, seemingly sharing Song Mu’s thoughts, silently agreed.

With Bai Danxian’s gaze joining theirs, Qinghowen scratched the back of his head, looking troubled.

‘…Was Gu Yangjie’s virtue really this profound?’

Qinghowen let out a long sigh.

‘The Plum Blossom Clinic will be busy from today onward.’

Half an hour later.

Cheonghowon retrieved the Jasmine Pill from the secret vault and handed it to Baek Dan-hyeon.

* * *

Though controversies and much talk swirled around Gu Yang-jeok, the affairs proceeded steadily and methodically.

Baek Dan-hyeon, the sect leader, held firm resolve, but Baek Sang-jin, the law enforcer, was equally resolute.

Thus, contrary to Baek Dan-hyeon’s initial expectations, this matter became widely known throughout the entire Huashan sect.

And no wonder—since it involved Ha Jin-ak, the senior master of the Huashan sect, it was impossible to conceal it completely, no matter how hard they tried.

Initially, rumors about Gu Yang-jeok were somewhat unfavorable, but as his heroic efforts became known, they gradually turned favorable.

It was deeply impressive that the Grandmaster and two Elders had personally accompanied the unconscious Ha Jin-ak back.

One cultivator, eyes glistening with tears, remarked,

“Hwasan never abandons its disciples.”

The point was that even though Ha Jin-ak was hovering between life and death, Huashan refused to give up, striving to prevent even the internal energy he had left behind from being lost.

In fact, considering the considerable amount of gold required just to keep Ha Jin-ak alive, even a single Jiaosidan pill represented a significant expense.

‘If Gu Yangji hadn’t dealt with the Golden Ring Society earlier… ’

The Huashan Sect would have had no choice but to abandon Ha Jin’ak.

From this perspective, rumors began to spread that Gu Yangji possessed a kind of foresight.

However, Gu Yangji himself, the man at the center of it, firmly grabbed the collar of the person spreading the rumor.

“Please, do not spread such rumors.”

“Why, why are you doing this?”

“I merely deployed the Golden Water technique during sparring.”

It had occurred during a sparring session with many disciples present.

While this stopped the rumor from spreading, it also saddled Gu Yangjeok with the new label of being a bully.

His skill was good, but he lacked manners.

Since it wasn’t untrue, Gu Yangjeok accepted it. He wasn’t particularly annoyed either.

If someone uses the truth to cause trouble, it only shows the limits of their character.

Having let it go, Gu Yangjeok continued his usual life.

“Senior Brother Gu Yang, what will you teach us today?”

Seeing Jo Hun, who had suddenly gained weight, Gu Yangjeok chuckled softly.

Originally, this guy should be practicing mind-sword through seated meditation, yet he’s itching to stick close to me.

This too must be part of the change.

Today, Gu Yang-jeok felt the wooden sword stick firmly to his palm and asked himself.

Do you feel displeasure at this changed present?

‘No, maybe not.’

Whoosh, thud!

Gu Yangji clashed with Jo Hun’s somewhat more matured Plum Blossom Sword.

The day he could take the Jasmine Pill drew nearer.

One day, two days, four days, and before he knew it, a week had passed.

When the day finally arrived, Gu Yangji headed to the hermitage where the Dharma Protector resided, guided by Baek Danhyun.

“You’ve come?”

“Yes, Master Baek Sangjin.”

At those words, Baek Sangjin, or rather, Jeong Joong-san, let out a hearty laugh.

“What kind of ‘True Man’ are you? Fine. My secular name is Jeong Joong-san. Call me Mr. Jeong for short.”

“Understood.”

“Now, remove your outer robe, sit cross-legged before me, and lower your guard.”

Following Jeong Jung-san’s instruction, Gu Yang-jeok slowly moved, neatly folded his robe and placed it beside him, then sat cross-legged.

Before him lay a crimson wooden box.

‘Is that the Zixi Dan?’

Even at a glance, it seemed the box’s miraculous energy was seeping out through its thin cracks.

Gu Yangji calculated how many years’ worth of cultivation he could store within his dantian by combining his current internal energy with the essence contained within.

‘My senior brother originally gained thirty-five years of cultivation through the Earth Offering Method, the essence of the elixir is thirty years, and I have five years…’

That should far exceed a full cycle of sixty years.

Yet, Gu Yangji did not simply think this was good news.

Though the Zixi Dan was commonly believed to contain thirty years of cultivation, he could realistically expect to absorb only ten.

This was because the human body was inherently impure.

Absorbing pure natural essence—especially that refined over five years by numerous physicians—was practically impossible.

‘My senior brother must have taken the Zixi Dan once to reach thirty-five years.’

One couldn’t cultivate energy before birth, and now the energy in his dantian was reacting to the Jasodan.

That energy was the same as his own.

Gu Yangjeok calmly settled his mind, then a new thought struck him.

‘Could I push my luck?’

Energy, Qi, Spirit.

Until now, his internal energy had been insufficient, causing imbalance. But now, his internal energy was excessively large, making bodily harm highly likely.

Knowing this, he was likely trying to spread the Zixi Dan’s spiritual energy throughout his body to prevent disaster.

Gu Yangji decided to expand that very idea even further. He looked at Zheng Zhongshan and grinned.

“Mr. Zheng, since we’re at it, wouldn’t it be better to kill two birds with one stone?”

“……?”

Gulp.

The moment Gu Yangji swallowed the Jiasuo Pill, Zheng Zhongshan brought his hand to Gu Yangji’s back.

Seeing the strange phenomenon arising from Gu Yangji’s dantian, Zheng Zhongshan urgently sent a telepathic message.

-What are you trying to do?

-Didn’t I already tell you?

Thwack, thud!

Though his lips turned deathly pale from excessive energy depletion, Gu Yangji answered without losing his focus.

-Killing two birds with one stone. I’ll refrain from using telepathy anymore.

Thwack, thud!

The concentrated internal energy struck the wall.