Did You Bring It? (4)

“Have you swept it all up?”

“No. This… I need to sweep a little more…”

“Come out. Out! It’s time!”

“Already?”

The person sweeping the path between the pavilions saw the rising sun and quickly stepped aside to the roadside. In their tense view, that strange spectacle unfolded once again.

Bang! Bang!

The doors of the pavilions, silent as a mouse all night, opened simultaneously as if on cue. Those sweeping the path swallowed their dry saliva upon seeing this.

Soon, people staggered out through the open doors.

There was no sign of life at all. These figures, better described as corpses or ghosts rather than people, walked out listlessly.

“Oh dear…”

Those sweeping the path shuddered at the sight.

Though they had seen this scene daily recently, they still couldn’t get used to it. How could anyone adapt to a sight like corpses walking around?

Those who moved sluggishly, looking like half-cooked seaweed, were driven toward the training ground.

“It even feels like their glow has faded, it’s creepy.”

It wasn’t like this at first.

At first, those heading to the training ground were too lively, which was a problem. They pointed fingers at each other and, in severe cases, even fought and tangled up.

But recently, everyone moved toward the training ground like cattle being dragged to the slaughterhouse, half out of their minds and moving mindlessly. It’s more astonishing that they go reluctantly despite hating it so much.

How long will this continue?

My calves ache; I can’t live like this.

Of course, those watching this scene also struggled, but no matter what, it couldn’t compare to the suffering of those who had become like that.

The only thought filling the minds of those heading to the training groundno, the slaughterhousewas one thing.

I feel like I’m going to die…

I wish I could sleep just one more hour…

Can a real person not die doing this? Really?

They had heard countless times that if a real war broke out, they wouldn’t sleep properly for ten days, or even a whole month.

But few had seriously thought about what that meant until they experienced it themselves.

At least we get some sleep…

How can we keep doing it like this?

Now, feelings toward each other, anger at the sect leaders pushing themnone of that remained. All that was left was the primal desire to somehow close their eyes and rest. At least…

“I will die, young lord.”

“…It seems worse than during Plum Blossom Island?”

“You speak carelessly. It’s disrespectful to those who died there.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Namgung, having briefly experienced something similar, were definitely a bit more composed than the others.

Which made it all the more irritating.

If there were no comparisons, they might have cursed openly, saying they didn’t understand why they trained like this. But since that damn Namgung showed even a faint sign of vigor, they could see the effect of this training with their own eyes.

So they couldn’t openly curse but still suffered the pain, creating a frustrating situation. Moreover…

“Ugh, damn it. Just kill me cleanly.”

“Don’t speak carelessly. If Chung Myung heard, he might really do that.”

“It’s better to just die, what is this?”

“Isn’t it giving you what you want?”

“Huh?”

“If we keep enduring this, we’ll eventually die.”

Those around looked weakly at Mount Hua, who had spent a long time with Chung Myung. One question arose.

But why don’t those guys get tired?

They say that’s them being tired?

Do Mount Hua guys chew on century-old snow ginseng as snacks? They say Mount Hua is a famous mountain, but maybe all the herbs there are spiritual herbs?

But those guys only eat meat?

Is that okay for Taoists to do that?

Of course, Tang Family and Green Forest also suffered heavy blows, but the most ridiculous in this situation were none other than Beast Palace and Ice Palace.

How could this happen…

Beast Palace and Ice Palace were not lacking in realism. Outwardly, for pride, they often said they could stand against the famous powerful sects of Central Plains, but they knew their martial prowess was not on par with the Nine Great Sects or the Five Great Families.

But that was only in terms of ‘martial prowess.’

What firmly supported them was their pride in their physical strength and mental fortitude, forged by battling harsh and rugged nature.

But after experiencing it firsthand, they realized how futile that pride was.

I thought at least our mental strength… our mental strength wouldn’t fail…

Of course, if Chung Myung heard that, he would have retorted, “Mental strength is for training; in real combat, you only get out what you put in! Do slackers suddenly get strength when a knife is at their throat? Huh?” But what is obvious to some is not obvious to others.

Some bore hardship, some hardship and wounds, others subtle resentment, but regardless of their inner feelings, all arrived at the training ground with lifeless faces.

He’s already out there.

Let’s rest even for a moment, you damn bastards.

How does that guy get more energetic day by day? How?

The moment they spotted Chung Myung already settled in the training ground, everyone’s faces twisted in horror.

It was incomprehensible. Logically, those fighting against them should be at least as exhausted, if not more.

Indeed, the faces of Tang Gunak and Meng So standing beside Chung Myung showed clear signs of fatigue. Though they kept a straight posture before others, the roughened skin and shadows on their faces were undeniable.

But…

Why is that guy so shiny?

Chung Myung’s face was glowing. He even looked more vigorous now than when they first started training.

Is he really a monster?

Is he sucking off qi or something?

I’m scared he’ll appear in my dreams, really…

Life is a comedy from afar and a tragedy up close.

The Heavenly Friends Alliance members who had chuckled watching Mount Hua suffer from Chung Myung’s mischief were now paying a terrible price for their laughter.

But why is he settled like that today?

What is he going to make us do this time… Please, just let us do what we were doing… Please…

Just then, everyone looked anxiously at Chung Myung and the sect leaders standing beside him.

“Ahem.”

Uncharacteristically, Chung Myung covered his mouth with his fist and politely cleared his throat.

The disciples of Mount Hua recognized this as Chung Myung’s typical gesture when starting something grand. Anxiety clouded their faces like storm clouds.

“Everyone…”

Chung Myung scanned the gathered people and began to speak.

“You all have no spirit at all.”

Hearing this, they all bristled and glared at Chung Myung. Who was responsible for this, and he said it so calmly…

“Tsk tsk tsk.”

But Chung Myung openly clicked his tongue as if he didn’t care.

“Why are you already out of energy and panting? When I was your age, huh?”

“You’re the youngest one here, you bastard!”

“Ah, right.”

Startled by Jo Gul’s outburst, Chung Myung nodded.

“Anyway!”

Chung Myung looked at everyone with a disdainful expression and continued.

“Well… it’s not because I pity seeing you panting from exhaustion, but… if you put in some effort, your training efficiency will improve… and with better training efficiency, it’s easier to apply it. Right? That’s why…”

What is he saying?

Where’s that barking coming from?

What nonsense is he trying to make us do now?

As Chung Myung awkwardly rambled on, Tang Gunak finally sighed deeply and interrupted.

“Mount Hua’s Sword Saint.”

“Yes?”

“…Hurry up. It’s hard to just stand in here.”

Chung Myung silently pouted, then grabbed the bundle he had set down behind and began to unwrap it.

“Elders, please distribute these to the kids.”

“Understood.”

“One pill each! If you get caught hiding them, your hand gets cut off!”

The elders shook their heads and approached to take the pills inside the bundle. Then they distributed one pill each to the disciples.

“…What is this?”

“What are they giving?”

Those standing at the back, looking puzzled, hesitated but moved forward.

It seemed like something was happening, but with so many people, it was hard to figure out exactly what.

What is this?

A Beast Palace disciple tilted his head, watching an elder from Beast Palace approaching him.

Doesn’t seem like anything special.

If it were something great, they wouldn’t include Beast Palace and Ice Palace, right?

Before even discussing discrimination between Central Plains and the outer regions, Beast Palace and Ice Palace were not qualified to be included in the Heavenly Friends Alliance’s merit distribution. So it was best not to expect much…

“Take this.”

“What…”

The elder who approached him placed a pill awkwardly onto his outstretched hand without a word.

“What is this…”

The Beast Palace disciple, seeing the slightly purple pill, was about to tilt his head but flinched as if struck by lightning.

The indescribably pure fragrance wafting to his nose explained more clearly than words what it was.

“A, Spiritual… Spiritual Pill?”

Confirming the radiant purple pill with his eyes once more, his hands began to tremble. Fearing he might drop it, he quickly cupped it with both hands and looked around in shock.

“Oh my god. What is this?”

“Spiritual pill?”

“W-why are they suddenly giving this? And is it even allowed to have so many spiritual pills? Isn’t this cheating?”

Others reacted similarly.

What exactly is a spiritual pill? Even within a sect, only a tiny amount is made, and only core talents or those recognized for great achievements get to see them.

Of course, those who saved the country in a past life might find spiritual like Human Shaped Tuberous Roots or Millennial Old Snow Ginseng while climbing mountains, but such occurrences are rare, maybe once every ten years.

Even in Shaolin, the richest sect in the world, it is said that many never see a Great Vitality Pill or even a Small Vitality Pill in their lifetime.

But is it really possible to distribute such spiritual pills like snacks to a house dog?

Fortunately, there was someone here to answer their questions.

Everyone’s gaze reflexively turned sharply toward Tang Pae, the young lord of Sichuan Tang Family. He was staring blankly at the spiritual pill. After a moment of daze, he brought it close to his nose and sniffed, then murmured.

“…It’s a real spiritual pill. And a top-grade one.”

The surroundings fell silent as if a mouse had died.