Chapter 85 - Completely Weak
Chapter 85: Completely Weak
Byeok Taesan sat on his bed, reflecting on what had just occurred after the Heavenly Divine Healer left.
In the past, he would have crushed him on the spot.
The act of pretending to be pitiful would have made his mood even worse.
But today, for some reason, he didn’t mind.
So, he handed down an exceptionally lenient judgment.
Byeok Taesan carefully examined the pill in his hand, rolling it back and forth.
He didn’t know what medicinal ingredients were used, what ratios were applied, or how it was made.
But he could feel the energy and essence contained in the pill.
It was truly a special elixir.
It was something the Heavenly Divine Healer could be immensely proud of. Whether he made it alone or not, it must have been a product of his own research.
It was different from other spiritual pills.
This pill had a significant advantage: its durability.
“If there’s a downside, it’s that it’s completely useless to me.”
For Byeok Taesan, who practiced the Soul Augmenting Demonic Art, the pill had no practical value.
For him, even half-Jiangshi were better spiritual medicines.
For someone who had mastered the Soul Augmenting Demonic Art, a pill that could make a difference would need to be something as powerful as the Millennium Snow Ginseng.
If it wasn’t that potent, it wouldn’t have any effect at all.
It was similar to how poisons didn’t affect him.
Even if he consumed the finest spiritual medicines, the effects would be negligible.
There was no reason to take them. Instead, cultivating the Soul Augmenting Demonic Art for a few days would yield far greater benefits.
Nevertheless, the reason Byeok Taesan ordered the mass production of this pill was for the people he had taken under his wing.
“They’re completely weak.”
Thus, he intended to strengthen them through rigorous training. But with these spiritual pills, they could ascend to higher levels more quickly.
Moreover, this pill was especially effective for those undergoing intense training.
It would be incredibly beneficial in restoring their worn-out bodies and depleted stamina from relentless practice.
“I can push them a little harder now.”
Byeok Taesan smiled contentedly at the thought.
•||||
“Hey, you lunatic! Damn bastard!”
The Needle Master was shouting profanities at the top of his lungs.
The Heavenly Divine Healer casually picked at his ear with his finger and replied indifferently.
“Oh, come on, big brother. Why are you cursing like that? The kids can hear you.”
“And you think I wouldn’t curse?! Why did you drag me into this when I wasn’t even there?!”
“What else could I do? If I did it alone, I’d have ended up dead. Come on, big brother, let’s not waste time. Let’s go gather those clueless physicians. If we tie them up well, our lives will be much easier, don’t you think?”
“Ugh, you crazy bastard. Seriously.”
The Heavenly Divine Healer chuckled.
“Don’t get used to it. Let’s go now.”
“If I don’t die of old age, it’ll be all your fault.”
“Of course, it’s all my fault. I get it, so let’s go. We need to get started, don’t we? If we’re late, who do you think the Young Master will get mad at?”
“Are you saying it’ll be me?”
The Needle Master stared at the Heavenly Divine Healer with disbelief.
The Heavenly Divine Healer nodded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“If I just say you were slow, it’ll all come back to you, don’t you think?”
“You bastard! Come here! Let me snap your neck first, then we’ll talk.”
“Oh, snapping my neck will kill me. Big brother, your words are always so harsh. You need to tone it down a bit; if you overdo it, people won’t find it charming anymore.”
The Heavenly Divine Healer quickly started moving, sensing the Needle Master’s expression and gaze turning increasingly sinister.
If he provoked him any further, things could escalate.
“I’ll head out first! Catch up quickly!”
The Needle Master looked up at the sky, let out a deep sigh, and hung his head.
“Haah… How did I end up with someone like that…”
He trudged along, dragging his feet.
After all, it was a task given by Byeok Taesan. He had no choice but to do it.
The Heavenly Divine Healer might be annoying, but Byeok Taesan was terrifying.
Without realizing it, the Needle Master shuddered.
Two physicians from the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion were pacing nervously in front of an inn, their eyes hollow.
Their faces were full of worry.
Ever since Byeok Taesan left, just thinking about what would come next made their hearts tighten with anxiety.
It felt like they might die under the weight of the pressure.
Now that their relationship with Byeok Taesan had soured, it seemed their assigned duties were bound to fail.
If things continued like this, they wouldn’t even be able to return to the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion. Worse, they would face severe punishment.
Someone unaware of the situation might wonder what kind of punishment could come from such a small matter, but this was related to none other than the Poison Demon.
The mere thought of failing to capitalize on a lead related to the Poison Demon because of their mistake made their stomachs churn with fear.
Just then, they spotted two people approaching from a distance.
It was the Heavenly Divine Healer and the Needle Master.
For the first time, a glimmer of life returned to their eyes.
They ran toward them as fast as they could.
“Masters! Please, please help us!”
The Heavenly Divine Healer looked at them with a puzzled expression.
“What’s gotten into them?”
He hadn’t yet heard about what happened between them and Byeok Taesan, so his reaction was one of genuine confusion.
“We… we’ve upset the Young Master.”
The moment he heard those words, the Heavenly Divine Healer immediately turned around.
“It was nice knowing you.”
The Needle Master also turned without a word.
The two physicians panicked and grabbed onto their pant legs, clinging desperately.
“No, masters! Please, save us!”
“Hey, don’t do this. You should be the ones saving me.”
The two physicians clung tightly to the Heavenly Divine Healer’s legs, refusing to let go.
“We won’t let go! Not until you promise to save us!”
“Me neither! I’m not letting go!”
The Heavenly Divine Healer looked troubled. Of course, half of it was an act.
If this had happened before he met with Byeok Taesan, he would have shaken them off and left, no matter what they did.
But Byeok Taesan had clearly instructed him to use them.
That meant their insolence would be dealt with through the Heavenly Divine Healer, not directly by Byeok Taesan.
The Heavenly Divine Healer decided he would work them harder than he initially planned.
If the punishment was too weak, he might be the one to suffer.
Just imagining Byeok Taesan punishing him made him shudder involuntarily.
Seeing this, the physicians clung even tighter to his legs.
“Master! You can’t just leave us like this!”
The Heavenly Divine Healer sighed deeply.
“Fine. Can you do as I say?”
“Of course! Just give the orders! We’ll even pretend to die if you ask us to.”
“No, I won’t ask you to die. The Young Master needs medicine, so I need to make some. Can you help with that?”
“Absolutely! We’ll assist!”
“Medicine is the specialty of the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion! Just name it, and we’ll do it!”
A sly grin spread across the Heavenly Divine Healer’s face.
“You’re sure about that?”
“Yes, yes! We promise! Just spare us!”
“Alright. I’ll speak to the Young Master on your behalf. But you know, I need something to show for it, don’t I?”
“Of course! Just tell us when and where. What should we prepare? If it’s ingredients, we’ll bring everything you need.”
“Well… I’ll take care of the ingredients. You just need to help with a few simple tasks. After all, making medicine requires the utmost dedication, doesn’t it?”
“Of course, Master. The key to perfecting medicine is dedication.”
“I’m glad we see eye to eye. I’ll be borrowing that dedication.”
“As much as you need!”
The two physicians were still confident at that point.
Making medicine with dedication was something they had always done.
The Heavenly Divine Healer, seeing their relief, spoke.
“Since disappearing abruptly might alarm people, go inside and inform them you’ll be away for a while.”
“Yes, Master. Please wait just a moment.”
The two men rushed back inside, fearing the Heavenly Divine Healer might change his mind, and quickly informed Seomun Deok not to look for them for a while as they would be leaving. Then, they returned.
The Needle Master, who had been watching the sequence of events unfold, looked at the Heavenly Divine Healer with an utterly baffled expression.
Then, he cast a pitiful glance at the two physicians.
Though he was somewhat angered by the comment that they had been rude to Byeok Taesan, he figured they would likely pay for it tenfold anyway.
Recalling the method for concocting the medicine that the Heavenly Divine Healer had just explained, the Needle Master sighed deeply and shook his head.
Seo Daegun was walking down the corridor, his face haggard and worn.
He was currently in a massive pavilion. The reason he had come here today was to prepare for an upcoming mission.
In truth, he could have handled the task on his own.
However, this particular mission absolutely could not fail.
No matter how simple the mission seemed, he had to prepare thoroughly and double-check everything.
That was why he had come to this pavilion today.
At the end of the corridor, Seo Daegun opened a door and stepped inside, where he spotted a man deeply immersed in his work.
“Busy?” Seo Daegun asked.
“As you can see,” replied the man, Go Jun-kwang, without even glancing up, buried as he was under a mountain of documents.
In fact, Go Jun-kwang wasn’t in a good position himself right now.
“I came to ask for your help,” Seo Daegun said.
“Help?”
Go Jun-kwang raised his head, a sardonic smile curling on his lips as he looked at Seo Daegun.
“Can’t you see my current state? If anything, I should be the one asking for help.”
Seo Daegun frowned in confusion.
It was the first time Go Jun-kwang had shown this kind of vulnerability.
“What’s going on?”
Go Jun-kwang scratched the back of his head in frustration.
“There’s been a setback in the operation in Wuhan.”
“Wuhan?”
Seo Daegun tried to recall what kind of work was underway in Wuhan.
“If I remember correctly… Wasn’t it something with a merchant group?”
“More precisely, it’s the plan to seize control of Wuhan. The idea was to restructure Wuhan’s commercial world with the Golden Heavenly Alliance at its center, absorb the underworld factions, and expand influence. Then, using the Zhongli Clan as a tool, we would secretly dominate Wuhan.”
The explanation was somewhat simplified; the actual plan was far more intricate, but there was no need for further details.
“The Zhongli Clan? Didn’t they collapse recently?” Seo Daegun asked.
Go Jun-kwang shook his head.
“The fall of the Zhongli Clan doesn’t matter. We can always find another group to replace them. In fact, if we strategically divide the power, it becomes even harder for others to detect our hidden dominance.”
“So, what’s the problem?” Seo Daegun pressed.
Go Jun-kwang frowned deeply.
“The Golden Heavenly Alliance got crushed by the Golden Wall Merchants.”
Seo Daegun looked puzzled.
“Then why not just abandon the Golden Heavenly Alliance and switch to the Golden Wall Merchants?”
“They’re not the same. Unlike the Golden Heavenly Alliance, convincing and using the Golden Wall Merchants will require far more time and effort.”
“Even so, if it needs to be done, shouldn’t you do it? Or find another merchant group instead.”
“I’m already working on that.”
“Then what’s the real issue? All you need is to find a suitable group, and you can resume the plan.”
“Some lunatics have started absorbing Wuhan’s underworld factions.”
Seo Daegun’s lips curved into a faint smile.
Finally, he had found the connection to his purpose here.
“Why don’t we team up?” he suggested.
“Team up?”
“I don’t know who these lunatics taking over Wuhan’s underworld are, but let’s deal with them together. Surely, it’s better for two people to handle it than one, isn’t it?”
“Well, that’s true. What do you want in return?”
“A useful body.”
Go Jun-kwang’s eyes gleamed as he stroked his chin.
“That might be something we can solve as a byproduct. Surely, one of them will have a body suitable for containing a spirit in the Black Gourd, don’t you think?”
If not, they could always search for one slowly after taking over Wuhan.
“For now… I suppose finding a new merchant group is the priority. Should I try leveraging the Golden Wall Merchants instead? I’ll see if there’s anyone within their ranks I can use,” Go Jun-kwang murmured.
Seo Daegun smirked.
“You handle that. I’ll prepare to wipe them out.”
Seo Daegun left the place, pondering how many half-Jiangshi he would need to prepare this time.
•||||
The Owner of White Flower House was on her way back to Wuhan.
She had appointed a new branch manager in Yichang and helped her settle into her role before heading back to Wuhan.
Ordinarily, the Yichang branch was more critical than the Wuhan branch because of the Hubei Martial Alliance stationed in Yichang.
But for now, priorities had shifted.
The Owner of White Flower House’s status had risen significantly compared to her previous position.
After all, she was the key connection to Byeok Taesan for obtaining the Shadowstep Art.
Even within the Hao Clan, they could no longer treat her carelessly.
Moreover, there was a growing recognition of the need for new connections.
If the Owner of White Flower House desired something, it was becoming increasingly difficult to refuse.
Thus, when she was away from Wuhan, many sought opportunities to exploit her absence.
At this moment, a man with a goatee stepped into the Golden Wall Hall.
He was the leader of a small merchant group that traded with the Golden Wall Merchants and a member of the Hao Clan.
Without being tied to a specific faction, he was someone who accepted assignments as needed. This time, he had come here to negotiate a deal with Byeok Taesan.
The man met with the general manager of the Golden Wall Hall and exchanged cordial greetings before being escorted to the pavilion where Byeok Taesan was staying.
His name was Jo Taejoo, the son of the current leader of the Hao Clan.