1147 — I’ve Done Everything I Needed To. (2)

It is quiet.

It is rare enough to see a large number of martial artists gathered in a vast training ground, but seeing so many of them simultaneously sitting cross-legged and practicing qi cultivation is an even rarer sight beyond comparison.

‘How fascinating.’

Tang Gunak looked at the Heavenly Friends Alliance members practicing qi cultivation with a renewed sense of wonder.

To those unfamiliar with the life of martial artists, it might just seem fascinating, but for those who understand the nature of martial artists, this scene holds a special significance.

Basically, qi cultivation is usually done secretly away from others’ eyes. Why? It’s very simple. Martial artists become most vulnerable while cultivating qi.

Even those who can shatter rocks with a single strike or leap over rivers in a single step can fall into a trance from a child’s kick while cultivating qi.

Therefore, martial artists rarely show their qi cultivation to even their closest kin. Like a beast seeking a secret den before giving birth, hiding their vulnerable moments from others is almost instinctual.

But here, countless people are cultivating qi openly in the training ground where everyone watches.

‘Because there was an order?’

No way. Normally, even with orders from Tang Gunak or Chung Myung, they would have sought a quiet place to cultivate qi while holding their spiritual pills. At least, they would have done it in their own quarters.

That they are cultivating qi so casually in this vast training ground means they no longer perceive those around them as threats.

‘Who knows.’

Tang Gunak shook his head.

The word ‘trust’ is truly a strange thing.

No one denies the importance of mutual trust. Leaders of sects all wish their disciples to build trust among themselves. Hence, they establish hierarchies through numerous etiquettes and enforce many rules to fairly judge disputes among disciples.

Yet, trust is not easily built. People may appear to trust each other outwardly but choose differently at critical moments.

‘If I had done the same at the Tang family, could everyone really cultivate qi like this?’

He already knows the answer.

Therefore, it was uncertain. All they had done when gathered was fight fiercely, play tricks on each other, and unite against the sect leaders.

Was there even room for human interaction? Then what did they trust to turn their backs on each other and reveal their most vulnerable parts without hesitation?

Tang Gunak glanced at Chung Myung.

Every time, he realized anew that Mount Hua’s Sword Saint sees something he cannot. When will he be able to see what that person sees?

“Why is that?”

“I’m just a bit grumpy.”

“Huh?”

“…”

“Your temper has worsened. Or maybe it’s better than before?”

“Ugh.”

Tang Gunak shook his head vigorously. If only he could do something about that temperament, it would be perfect.

‘Anyway, it’s a good thing.’

Though he had traveled a long way, this scene seemed to tell him that the ‘relationships’ of the Heavenly Friends Alliance, which Mount Hua’s Sword Saint had worked so hard to build, were gradually being established.

“But you managed to make Spiritual pills for all those kids.”

“Ugh. Well…”

Chung Myung scratched his chin.

“Actually, it’s not a proper Spiritual pill. Every Spiritual pill has an appropriate dosage. But due to lack of ingredients, I had to reduce the size, so its effect is less than one-fifth compared to taking a proper Heavenly Violet Pill.”

“So it has at least one-fifth effect?”

“Hmm… It might be even less than that.”

“Did you say this Heavenly Violet Pill was made better than before?”

“Yes. So we can at least expect one-fifth of the effect.”

Chung Myung sighed deeply.

“They fight well only if they take it well.”

“You always do things others can’t even dream of, yet criticize yourself for being insufficient. You’re too harsh on yourself.”

“It’s not that I’m harsh on myself, but our situation is just harsh. Still, we can’t just die quietly because we’re outmatched, can we?”

“Hard to argue with that.”

Most people focus on the results of their actions. But Chung Myung only checks how close he is to his goals.

Watching him like that sometimes sends chills down one’s spine.

Tang Gunak thought it was fortunate not to have met Chung Myung as an enemy.

“By the way…”

A sigh escaped his lips.

“It’s the best thing from the Alliance’s perspective, but not entirely welcome from my side.”

“Hmm? Why?”

“Even if it’s one-fifth, a Spiritual pill is a Spiritual pill, right? Especially one-fifth of Mount Hua’s Heavenly Violet Pill is equivalent to a secret Spiritual pill of most sects…”

Tang Gunak groaned uncharacteristically.

“Their internal qi and stamina will increase, and I have to face such guys again.”

While it was desirable for the kids to bond and grow stronger through Spiritual pills, from the perspective of controlling them, it wasn’t entirely welcome.

He was already exhausted dealing with kids who hadn’t taken Spiritual pills, sometimes collapsing on the ground to sleep; how could he handle those who had taken them?

“Oh, you’re worrying too much. I prepared one separately for the clan head.”

“Huh?”

Chung Myung rummaged through his pouch and took out a well-packaged Spiritual pill.

“I prepared the most potent ones for the Family lord, the Palace lord, and So-Baek.”

Tang Gunak stared intently at the Spiritual pill in Chung Myung’s hand. It was a proper Heavenly Violet Pill, much larger than those given to the kids.

“This…”

“Don’t tell me to give more to the kids unnecessarily.”

“I would have said that for the sake of pride before, but now I’m not in a position to care about such things.”

“I’ll take care of this, so please take it separately tonight. Also, I prepared some smaller ones for the elders.”

Chung Myung was certainly meticulous in these matters.

“Wait a minute. You said for me and the two palace lords? Then what about… the Green Forest King?”

“Shh.”

Chung Myung looked around and whispered with his finger to his lips.

“I prepared it well; take it somewhere no one sees you. Got it?”

“…”

“Because a greedy Evil Sect bastard would bother us if he found out about this.”

Tang Gunak turned his head and looked at Im So-Byeong cultivating qi.

Im So-Byeong smiled oddly even while cultivating qi, seemingly happy to have received the Spiritual pill, which stirred a wave of pity in Tang Gunak’s heart.

‘Born in the Evil Sect by chance…’

No, more precisely, someone born in the Evil Sect who met Chung Myung…

Knowing Chung Myung’s deep-rooted and incurable hatred of the Evil Sect, Tang Gunak silently tucked the received Spiritual pill deep inside his pouch.

“…Understood.”

“Yes, hehe.”

Chung Myung turned his head and looked at those cultivating qi.

“It’s about time to finish.”

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

Wooooooong.

Namgung Do-Wei, who had been sinking deeper and deeper inside, pushed his qi up to the Hundred Union blood-point. The qi surged upward through his meridians like a soaring dragon ascending.

Kuuuuung!

At the same time, a loud bell-like sound echoed inside his head.

Black dead blood flowed from Namgung Do-Wei’s nose and mouth. It wasn’t an internal wound but the impurities damaged by long training being expelled from his body along with the dead blood.

‘Again!’

Kwahaaaaaang!

The qi surged again, hitting his Hundred Union blood-point with a brilliant explosion. The energy spreading throughout his body created an indescribable vitality.

“Hoo…”

Namgung Do-Wei slowly opened his eyes. At the same time, he saw Chung Myung standing ahead, arms behind his back, watching them.

‘It had to be now.’

The overflowing energy inside him seemed to say that if he had taken this Spiritual pill before starting training, he wouldn’t have achieved this much effect.

The Spiritual pill’s effect raises the internal qi. But more importantly, the moment one takes the Spiritual pill, they gain the chance to use a great qi they normally couldn’t.

How one utilizes this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is crucial.

Those who fight endlessly and realize their limits instinctively learn how to use that qi.

‘I’ve crossed one wall.’

Without the Spiritual pill’s help, who knows how long it would have taken. The Spiritual pill given at the right time drastically shortened that time. It was such an achievement that the newly accumulated internal qi felt insignificant.

He rose with a confident face. Pure light poured from his eyes.

Not long after he stood, Tang Pae also rose from his seat. His face was not much different from Namgung Do-Wei’s.

One by one.

Those sitting cross-legged began to stand up one by one. Before an hour had passed, all who had been cultivating qi stood and lined up.

Their gaze naturally turned to Chung Myung standing ahead.

They didn’t know what to say, but at this moment, they clearly knew who they should look at.

Receiving everyone’s gaze, Chung Myung nodded deeply.

Under his sharp gaze, everyone showed confident smiles.

Chung Myung spoke.

“First of all…”

“…”

“Ugh!”

“…Huh?”

Suddenly, Chung Myung gagged, grabbed his nose, and hurriedly stepped back.

“…Go wash up, please…”

Everyone flinched and checked themselves. Waste excreted from their pores had stuck and clumped, turning their clothes pitch black.

“Uh…”

“Ugh. What is this smell?”

“Ugh!”

Only then did those who smelled the foul stench coming from their bodies start groaning here and there.

Tang Gunak solemnly held his nose with one hand and raised his voice loudly.

“…Go to the river. Quickly!”

“…”

“Ah, just go!”

Those who had expected something great ran awkwardly toward the Yangtze River.

For several days afterward, people living near the Yangtze River suffered collective stomach pains, causing officials to investigate whether it was a sign of plague, a minor issue…

Regardless, the Yangtze River just flowed steadily onward.