I’ve Done Everything I Needed To. (1)

‘No, what kind of spiritual pills…’

There were too many things that didn’t make sense logically.

First of all, how on earth were these many spiritual pills made? But that was a problem that could be set aside for now. The more important question was why they were distributing these pills to them.

‘And those were spiritual pills that even Tang Family’s young lord evaluated so highly…’

Of course, the size was a bit small.

Generally, spiritual pills are said to be at least the size of a chestnut, but the pills in their hands now were about the size of a bean.

But so what?

Whether bean-sized or not, if it’s a top-grade spiritual pill, even one the size of a grain of rice can cause a bloodbath the moment it spreads in the murim world.

Martial artists risk their lives for martial prowess. If there’s any way to increase their power, they won’t hesitate to fight with swords. So whenever they hear that spirituals have appeared somewhere, they all clutch their weapons and rush to where the rumors came from. Even knowing their chances of obtaining the spiritual are slim, they can’t give up that small hope.

‘But to just scatter such spiritual pills like this?’

Everyone looked at Chung Myung with faces full of disbelief.

Though divided into small portions, the amount distributed to so many people would have been enough to give each Mount Hua disciple a full-sized spiritual pill and still have some left.

What sect leader in the world would share the spiritual pills meant for their own disciples with others?

“I-Is it really the spiritual pills?”

So even knowing, they couldn’t help but doubt.

“C-Could it be poison?”

“Why would they feed us poison!”

“We’re all weak lately, maybe they’re giving us poison to get us moving? Like, work hard if you don’t want to die…”

Those who were about to refute that looked back at Chung Myung with uneasy expressions. It was absurd, but with that person, it might really be possible…

“Tang family’s young lord said they’re spiritual pills!”

Ah, that’s right.

“No, wait. It’s Tang Family. They say those people even consume poison pills like spirituals? Then poison pills could also be called spiritual pills, right?”

“Huh?”

Thinking there might be some logic, everyone’s gaze turned back to Tang Pae. Then Tang Pae protested as if wronged.

“No matter what, do you think I can’t distinguish poison pills from spiritual pills? And the rumor that Tang people consume poison like spirituals is all nonsense!”

“…Is that true?”

“Then do sword sects eat swords instead of spiritual pills?”

“Then what about the Heavenly Poison Pills?”

“That’s a different matter! If just eating poison could increase inner power, we’d have more power than Shaolin! We’d be beating up Namgung too.”

“Why are we suddenly…”

Everyone nodded, clearly convinced by that explanation.

“So this really is spiritual pills…”

The doubt was resolved, but a bigger question arose. Sending him looks of disbelief yet seeking explanation, Chung Myung indifferently gestured.

“If you’ve all received them, then eat.”

“…”

“Don’t make it complicated by sharing them around; eat them all while the elders guard you and then cultivate your qi.”

“No…”

One from the Beast Palace looked at Chung Myung with a dazed expression and asked.

“I-is it really okay to eat this?”

“Would I have distributed something you can’t eat?”

“That’s not what I meant…”

Would everyone here be so modest as to just look at the spiritual pills in their hands without eating them?

They too thought that if the spiritual pills were right in front of them, they’d swallow them first and worry about the consequences later.

But all precious items require paying a fair price and going through a process to obtain. Yet these spiritual pills, which they never even dreamed of, just ended up in their hands.

Because of this, no one knew what to do or how to act.

If alone, they’d swallow without hesitation, but with so many others in the same situation, it was awkward to be the first to eat the spiritual pills.

“Ah, eat! Can’t you hear? These guys can’t even eat when given?”

Those holding the spiritual pills nervously exchanged glances at the scolding from the front. But no one could give a clear answer, so their gaze eventually turned to the sect leaders of the Heavenly Friends Alliance.

A brief chuckle escaped from Meng So. The robust Palace people were acting like restless puppies, anxiously looking this way, which was ridiculous.

‘Was it this bad?’

This reaction wasn’t just because they received spirituals. His archers fundamentally couldn’t understand receiving anything from Central Plains people without any cost.

Though they had talked about cooperating with Central Plains and nesting under the Heavenly Friends Alliance’s roof, the distrust in their hearts hadn’t dissipated.

In fact, the one who should have resolved this issue was none other than Meng So. He had been the most proactive about exchanges with Central Plains and should have taken the initiative first…

Meng So glanced at Chung Myung, frowning deeply as if annoyed.

‘It’s just his expression.’

Now he somewhat understood Chung Myung. This person, awkward in dealing with others, sharpens his edge when embarrassed or receiving flattery.

“Ahem.”

Meng So cleared his throat briefly and spoke.

“Those spiritual pills are…”

What should he say? Maeng So took in everyone looking at him and continued.

“They are spiritual pills prepared by the Heavenly Friends Alliance for you.”

This was the proper way to say it. It was certainly not wrong.

These spiritual pills are the essence of the Heavenly Friends Alliance, made from the ice crystals of the Northern Sea, the medicinal herb of the Beast Palace, and the efforts of Mount Hua.

If one stretches it, the financial power of Namgung family, the Green Forest’s facilitation of trade across the land, and even Tang Family’s alchemy techniques contributed.

No matter how great Mount Hua is, the Heavenly Violet Pill cannot be made by their power alone.

“So don’t look at it with such eyes. You are simply enjoying what you rightfully deserve.”

This is probably the official stance of the Heavenly Friends Alliance and Chung Myung’s position to break down walls among its members.

When one side gives something to another, there is inevitably a giver and a receiver. Chung Myung does not want that. Such a small difference in position eventually divides into superior and inferior.

Those belonging to the Heavenly Friends Alliance receive equal treatment regardless of their sect. Isn’t that the principle Chung Myung newly established?

So for Meng So, who must uphold this great principle, the only answer he could give was this. But…

“However…”

Meng So paused, glanced at Chung Myung, and smiled faintly.

‘I don’t necessarily have to follow your words, right?’

Since Chung Myung said there is no superior or inferior in the Heavenly Friends Alliance, using that contradiction isn’t necessarily wrong.

“Stripped of the fancy packaging, these spiritual pills were made by Mount Hua and distributed to you.”

“No, that’s…”

Just as Chung Myung was about to speak, Meng So quickly continued, cutting him off.

“There’s no need to refuse what is given. It’s not something small enough to refuse under the pretext of spiritual pills or whatever. But to greedily accept what is given without gratitude is not what a person with manners would do.”

Chung Myung glared at Meng So, but Meng So cleanly ignored the gaze.

“So you should be grateful to Mount Hua, who stayed up nights making the spiritual pills and selflessly gave them to you, and take them with that gratitude.”

Chung Myung’s eyes blazed.

“Ahem.”

Under a gaze as if he might devour him whole, Meng So quietly averted his eyes. Then Tang Gunak stepped up to support Meng So.

“The same goes for Tang Family.”

At those words, all Tang people stared at Tang Gunak.

“Some ill-natured people say they feed others well to exploit them, but everyone knows it’s not as easy as it sounds.”

“…”

“No need to say thank you. No, don’t try to excuse yourself with such easy words. The way to pay the price for these spiritual pills is both difficult and simple: to make sure that in the future, the spiritual pills you receive are judged to have been worth it. That will be enough. No one expects more than that.”

“…”

“However… be sure to have gratitude for the alliance leader and Mount Hua elders who collapsed exhausted making these spiritual pills for us. That is separate from this.”

The Tang people felt a weight in their hearts and nodded.

“Is that how it will be?”

Chung Myung gritted his teeth and asked, and Tang Gunak shrugged.

“Then what should I say? That it’s nothing?”

“It wasn’t actually that difficult.”

“You’re saying comforting words. Don’t you know that the moment you say that, we become fools who couldn’t even do that easy thing?”

“…”

“To avoid becoming incompetent fools, we have to speak up. Surely you don’t mean we should take criticism without even defending ourselves?”

“Ugh…”

Chung Myung groaned.

“No, that’s not what I meant…”

Then, as he casually turned his head, he flinched and stepped back.

It was because those who looked like zombies just moments ago were now staring at him with bright eyes, which was quite overwhelming.

Flustered, Chung Myung broke down.

“Uh, um…”

“Ah, really.”

At that moment, a savior appeared.

“This isn’t puppy training! Are you going to hold a ritual in front of the spiritual pills?”

Everyone’s gaze turned to the loud voice. Im So-Byeong was already sitting on the floor, having thrown away his fan and frowning.

“Whether you thank or repay the favor is up to you. First, show some manners. Once the honored guests finish their turn, let’s eat. Okay? My legs are shaking and I’m about to die. Is this the time to fuss over this?”

“Uh…”

That was certainly true.

“If you’re not going to eat, clear it away. I’m going to eat.”

Im So-Byeong immediately stuffed the Heavenly Violet Pill into his mouth and sat cross-legged.

Isn’t the hardest part always the first?

Once Im So-Byeong broke the ice, others also sat cross-legged one by one and pushed the Heavenly Violet Pill into their mouths.

“By the way, Chung Myung.”

Jo Gul raised his hand as if he didn’t understand something, but Chung Myung waved it off as if annoyed to listen.

“You all just eat it.”

“It’s not that…”

“Ah, just eat it. No need to save some for others. Everyone eats the same. Eating more won’t cause any harm.”

“No, that’s not what I meant!”

“Huh?”

Jo Gul held up his share of the Heavenly Violet Pill, his face twisted.

“Our share seems a bit smaller than the others’?”

“…”

“Are you sure they’re all the same?”

“…”

“Don’t cheat us, just tell the truth. If you say it now, I’ll go easy on you.”

Chung Myung, veins bulging on his forehead, rolled up his sleeves for the first time in a while.