Thunder God's Reincarnation

Chapter 57

In his past life, Baek Mu-Gun entrusted 200,000 silver nyang each to five different Central Plains vaults since he didn’t know which one would still be operating in his next reincarnation.

In short, it was to mitigate the risk.

Mu-Gun entrusted his money in his previous life to the Myriad Vault in Hebei Province, the Yellow River Vault in Henan Province, the East Lake Vault in Hubei Province, the Nest Lake Vault in Anhui Province, and the Myth Vault in Zhejiang Province. Out of the five vaults, only the Nest Lake Vault had gone out of business.

Although his 200,000 silver nyang in the Nest Lake Vault had disappeared into thin air, he still had a total of 800,000 silver nyang left at the other four vaults. Considering the interest accumulated over the past thirty years, the funds he could withdraw from the four vaults were close to two million silver nyang. With that amount, paying the Heavenly Secret Hall’s information fee was a trivial matter.

“If you insist, then let’s do it your way, Young Master Baek.”

“I’ll prepare a way to receive information from the Heavenly Secret Hall soon.”

“Noted.”

“Since I’m here, I’d like to get any intel related to the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. Is there anything in particular that I should be aware of?”

“Currently, the Great Namgung and Great Huangfu Families are demanding an investigation on the Taiyun and Lee Households.”

“An investigation, huh? For what purpose?”

“To determine whether they’re related to the Asura Cult. The Great Namgung and Great Huangfu Families have announced that they will begin investigations under the Shaolin Temple and the Wudang Sect’s observation.”

“What about the two households’ movements?”

“They refuse to be coercively investigated with force and have declared their intention to fight the Great Namgung and Great Huangfu Families to the death under the claim that they’re trying to use cunning tricks to take over Jiangsu Province.”

“Those two factions seem to be related to the Asura Cult, too.”

“That’s what we think as well.”

“Do you have any information about the forces that the Nine Celestial Demons Sect’s other factions have infiltrated?”

“We don’t have any clear evidence about that yet, but we’re paying close attention to sects and families that suddenly emerged in the past twenty years. We have a piece of summarized information about that. I’ll give it to you before you leave.”

“Thank you. I’d also like to know about the movements of the sects and families belonging to the Zhejiang Martial Alliance. Do you have any information worthy of attention?”

“We’re already paying close attention to them because your family is a part of that alliance, Young Master Baek. The Byeok Sword Manor is in the midst of expanding their forces with the funds it secured through marriage with the Hangzhou Merchant Company. Most of the people the Baek Sword Sect has kicked out in the past have joined them. Moreover, three of the Zhejiang Martial Alliance’s clans seem to have decided to fall under the Byeok Sword Manor’s leadership.”

“Which ones?”

“The Clear Sun Sect, the Iron Palm Sect, and the Mei Household.”

“For what reasons did they decide to follow the Byeok Sword Manor?”

“Money and the fact the Byeok Sword Manor has promised to share the authority with them if it becomes the Zhejiang Martial Alliance Leader.”

“In other words, the Byeok Sword Manor has aspirations to become the Zhejiang Martial Alliance Leader.”

“They think they can dominate the Zhejiang Martial Alliance now that their combat capabilities have improved and with the Hangzhou Merchant Company supporting them.”

“What about the Wind Saber Sect?”

“They’re focusing on establishing friendly relations to fight the Byeok Sword Manor, and the Kang Household and the Draconic Tiger Gang have decided to stand with them. They’re currently putting all their efforts into attracting the Flying Lance Sect to their faction.”

Mu-Gun guessed that the Byeok Sword Manor and Wind Saber Sect would soon attempt to invite the Baek Sword Sect and the Justice Martial Sect to their side. To become the Zhejiang Martial Alliance Leader, more than six of the Ten Clans of Zhejiang had to agree. If the Byeok Sword Manor managed to get the Baek Sword Sect and the Justice Martial Sect to their side, they’d be able to reach that position. The Wind Saber Sect also had a chance if they could attract the Baek Sword Sect and the Justice Martial Sect after bringing the Flying Lance Sect to their side.

However, the Baek Sword Sect had no intention to choose either side, making it impossible for the Byeok Sword Manor or the Wind Saber Sect to obtain a quorum and assume the position of alliance leader. In the meantime, if the Baek Sword Sect were to suggest determining the alliance leader’s status through the superiority of martial arts, the Byeok Sword Manor and Wind Saber Sect would have no other choice but to accept it.

“Please keep an eye on the situation revolving around the Zhejiang Martial Alliance.”

“Understood.”

“I also have a favor to ask of you.”

“What is it?”

“I have some funds stashed away that are hard to give a source to. I’d have to disclose their origin to use them, so would it be alright for me to use the Heavenly Secret Hall’s name?”

Mu-Gun meant the money he left at the four vaults. Withdrawing them wouldn’t be a problem, but if he wanted to use them, he would have to explain where they came from to his father. After much consideration, Mu-Gun decided to use the Heavenly Secret Hall’s name for it.

“How do you plan to use it?”

“I’d like to disguise the funds as having originally belonged to the Heavenly Secret Hall, and that I am borrowing it long-term at a low-interest rate. Would that be possible?”

“I think you know full well that nothing good could come from revealing our name to the world, Young Master Baek.”

“Don’t worry. I’m only revealing the funds’ source to my father, so nobody except him will know of your existence.”

“So not even the Baek Sword Sect’s patriarch knows about the money. Understood. You may use our name.”

Yu-Hwa was curious about where the money actually came from, but she didn’t bother to find out and just allowed Mu-Gun to use the Heavenly Secret Hall’s name as its source.

“Thank you. I’ll pay ten thousand silver nyang for borrowing the Heavenly Secret Hall’s name.”

“I’m not lending you our name for money.”

“I know. Consider it a token of my appreciation, so please just accept it.”

“Fine. I gratefully accept your sincerity.”

“I’m glad. I’ll be taking my leave now.”

"Be careful on your way back.”

Mu-Gun left Yu-Hwa’s room after finishing their conversation. Dan Seol-Young followed him out to see him off.

“You seem quite affectionate with the Putuo Sword Sect’s young matriarch. If I may ask, what kind of relationship do you have with her?” Seol-Young asked Mu-Gun, pertaining to his relationship with So Yeon-Hwa.

Mu-Gun sensed that she had already guessed the answer to that.

“She’s my lover.”

“I see.”

Seol-Young looked disappointed. The last time they were in Nanjing, Mu-Gun showed interest in her. She was also interested in Mu-Gun and actually looked forward to a more close-knitted relationship with him if they met again. However, Mu-Gun now had a lover. Though she was the Heavenly Secret Hall’s Vice Leader, she was just a gisaeng on the outside.

Meanwhile, Yeon-Hwa was the young matriarch of the Putuo Sword Sect, a renowned sect in murim. She was more suited for Mu-Gun. Hence, Seol-Young thought she should erase all feelings for Mu-Gun.

“Are you upset that I’m dating another woman after leaving you behind, Lady Dan?”

“There’s nothing for me to be upset about. I don’t have any special relationship with Young Master Baek.” Seol-Young tried to speak calmly.

Despite dating Yeon-Hwa, Mu-Gun hadn’t gotten rid of his favorable feelings for Seol-Young. He wanted to make her his woman. However, Seol-Young was hurt that Mu-Gun showed interest in her but went ahead and dated someone else. Rather than expressing his intention now, it would be better to wait for her pain to subside.

“You don’t have to see me off anymore. I can take it from here, so you can go back.”

“Then, be careful.”

Seol-Young watched Mu-Gun leave the Flower Honor Manor, heading back inside only when she couldn’t see him anymore.

***

After finishing his agenda at the Flower Honor Manor, Mu-Gun immediately headed to Baiyun Valley located deep inside Mount Yandang. It was where the Medicine King Family settled.

As soon as the Medicine King Family had settled down in Mount Yandang, they left a letter at Shanhai Tavern. After reading it last night, he decided to look for the Medicine King Family after his visit to the Flower Honor Manor. He found the Baiyun Valley without much difficulty, thanks to the map Seonwoo Kang had left with the letter.

As he entered Baiyun Valley, he saw the Medicine King Family’s people, whom he was acquainted with. Mu-Gun informed them of his visit, and they guided him to Seonwoo Pyo’s residence. It hadn’t been that long since they occupied this location, so their houses and buildings hadn’t been properly renovated yet. Nevertheless, the residence of Seonwoo Pyo, the Medicine King Family’s patriarch, was reasonably already furnished.

“Welcome,” Seonwoo Pyo greeted Mu-Gun.

“I’m a little relieved to see you’ve found a good location to settle in. I was secretly worried.”

“To be honest, we had a pretty hard time finding this place.”

“I see. I’m sorry I couldn’t be of help.”

“I didn’t say that to get your apology. We’ve managed to set up a new home in such a great location because of your recommendation, Young Master Baek. I’d like to thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“Have you resolved the other agenda you had in Nanjing?”

“Yes. Everything went well. I’m worried about what’s to come, however.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Have you ever heard of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect?”

“I know they’re considered one of the Three Greatest Demonic Sects along with the Hell-Blood Demon Sect, which executed a terrible massacre in murim thirty years ago. Did they perhaps prevail?”

“That’s right. We found out that Yangzhou’s Great Sima Family was controlled by the Asura Cult, one of the factions of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect, and that they were devising a scheme in the dark.”

“What happened to them, then?”

“The Great Namgung Family and the Great Huangfu Family banded together and annihilated the Great Sima Family. However, destroying the Great Sima Family doesn’t mean the situation has already been resolved. We can’t let our guards down just yet.”

“Still, now that we’ve discovered that the Nine Celestial Demons Sect still exists, wouldn’t it be fine for as long as we respond to their threats accordingly?”

“Looking back at murim’s history, the Nine Celestial Demons Sect devastated murim when they finally appeared. We discovered them before they could plot in the dark with their disguised forces this time, but their forces that are still in hiding are much greater than what we have annihilated. If they begin to make a move now, murim—no, the entire Central Plains would once again suffer a bloody tragedy.”

“Why are you going out of your way to tell me this?”

“I want to strengthen the Baek Sword Sect to counter the Nine Celestial Demons Sect’s threat. I would like the Medicine King Family to help me with that.”

“What services do you require of us?”

“If the Medicine King Family concocts medicinal pills for us, we would be able to swiftly enhance the Baek Sword Sect’s power.”

“You claim it’s to fight the Nine Celestial Demons Sect’s threat, Young Master Baek. However, I can’t help but feel that the Baek Sword Sect requires our family’s support to rise to a higher position in murim as well,” Seonwoo Pyo spoke without a hint of astonishment since he had already heard about it from Seonwoo Kang.

“To be honest, I hope that the Baek Sword Sect can join the Nine Prominent Sects and the Seven Great Families’ ranks. However, it’s also an undeniable truth that I want to stop the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. I can confidently tell you that as the Thunder God’s successor.”

“I have no doubt about that. I know very well that the Thunder God’s successor has fought the Three Greatest Demonic Sects generation after generation to protect murim. Nevertheless, if you really have to empower murim to fight the Nine Celestial Demons Sect, wouldn’t providing medicinal pills to the Nine Prominent Sects or the Seven Great Families, rather than the Baek Sword Sect, be a more sure-fire method?”

“The Nine Prominent Sects and the Seven Great Families have already been exposed, so the Nine Celestial Demons Sect is likely already watching them closely in the dark. If the Medicine King Family supports those factions with medicinal pills, you won’t be able to avoid the Nine Celestial Demons Sect’s eyes and ears. Hence, it will eventually put the Medicine King Family in danger. The Nine Prominent Sects and the Seven Great Families certainly wouldn’t want to lose their vested interests either. If they discover the Medicine King Family’s capabilities, they would definitely try to make your family bow down to them and become their subordinate. They will make it so that your medicinal pills wouldn’t reach other places. Should you reject them, they’d try to get rid of you altogether. If they couldn’t have the pills, they’d make sure nobody else could.”

“Isn’t that an excessive leap of an idea?”

“Do you know how the previous Thunder God’s successor died?”

“I heard he perished in the vicious battle against the Hell-Blood Demon.”

“That’s not what really happened. He defeated the Hell-Blood Demon. It was the Seven Great Families’ former patriarchs who killed him.”

“Why would the Seven Saints kill the previous Thunder God’s successor?” Seonwoo Pyo asked, confused.

“They were afraid the Thunder God’s successor would threaten the Seven Great Clan’s status and authority.”

“I find it hard to believe that the Seven Saints would kill the Heavenly Thunder God's Swordsman, whom they fought alongside, just to protect the Seven Great Families’ vested interests. How do you even know that, Young Master Baek? Even if you are the current Thunder God’s successor, you couldn’t have met the Heavenly Thunder God's Swordsman in person, and you couldn’t have been there to witness it either.”

“It’s difficult for me to explain to you the source of this information. However, what I just told you is the absolute truth.”

“You’re not falsely slandering them just to get support from our family, are you?”

“No. We do require the Medicine King Family’s pills, but I’m not so wicked to slander them for it. If you have even the slightest doubt about what I just said, I’d understand it if you don’t support our sect.”

Seonwoo Pyo determined Mu-Gun wasn’t lying due to his firm stance. Of course, it was impossible to ascertain his words’ authenticity using his expression or tone alone. Seonwoo Pyo believed in Mu-Gun’s personality, not his words. Although he had only met Mu-Gun recently, he believed that Mu-Gun wasn’t cunning enough to falsely frame others for his own benefit.

“I apologize if I offended you. I’m not doubting you, Young Master Baek. I simply had to ask you because I thought I should at least get clarification.”

“I understand. I didn’t tell you the exact details, so it’s inevitable for you to doubt it.”

“Let me ask you one more question. If we supply the Baek Sword Sect with medicinal pills, what will your sect do for us in return?”

“Please tell me what you want.”

“We want all of the Central Plains’ residents to be cured of any diseases through our medicine. To that end, we plan to set up clinics across its expanse under the Medicine King Family’s name. However, we require an extravagant amount of money and manpower for that. We would also need forces that can protect the clinics from external threats. If the Baek Sword Sect becomes more powerful with our support, I would like for your sect to support our plan in return.”

“I will spare no effort in providing help if it’s for the benefit of the world. Moreover, I don’t intend to get the medicinal pill supplies for free. I’ll pay based on their worth.”

Purchasing the Medicine King Family’s medicinal pills would cost around 200,000 nyang a year. Mu-Gun planned to solve this with the money he had left in the vaults as well.

“I don’t intend to make a lot of profit from selling them. You can just set the price according to the costs of ingredients and labor that goes into concocting them.”

“No. I’ll pay for how much the Medicine King Family determines their medicinal pills are worth. Think about it and let me know.”

Mu-Gun entrusted Seonwoo Pyo with the pricing. He had known Seonwoo Pyo since his previous life, so he was confident the latter wouldn’t charge an unreasonable price. That being said, all that mattered was that the Medicine King Family decided to supply them with medicinal pills. With their support, the Baek Sword Corps’ internal energy would improve drastically and ultimately increase their capabilities.

However, Mu-Gun didn’t intend to just blindly distribute the pills.

He wanted to see the loyalty the members had toward the Baek Sword Sect and their enthusiasm to improve their martial arts first. As he previously mentioned, Mu-Gun could tolerate a lack of talent, but he absolutely wouldn’t condone a lack of effort.

Those who never put in the effort would never be able to obtain anything. That was the Baek Sword Sect’s absolute principle that Mu-Gun had established.