Chapter 56: Agreement Money
The two largest palaces in the Azure Forest were Blue Flower Palace and Snowflake Hermit Palace. One handled martial arts, while the other managed sorcery.
However, an organization couldn’t run solely on that. There were various places like Five Flower Grand Library, Grass Flower Hall, Medical Hall, and Management Pavilion.
Among them, Grass Flower Hall significantly influenced the Azure Forest’s finances, mainly from the revenue perspective.
To handle the expenditures of the major sect Azure Forest, a large amount of money was required. The disciples of Grass Flower Hall traveled through various sacred mountains in Jianghu, collecting rare flowers and plants.
Selling those to other sects alone brought in considerable revenue. Wudang, Mount Hua, and Shaolin were some of the Azure Forest’s best customers in this regard.
Not everything was sold; a lot was also used by Snowflake Hermit Palace’s Alchemy House and Medical Hall to make elixirs.
The “Red-White Tuber Fleeceflower” Forest Lord mentioned was a precious elixir acquired from the Zhejiang region.
It’s an essential ingredient to make the shaman’s Jasodan.
“Forest Lord, the Red-White Tuber Fleeceflower… Wudang’s Sect Leader has specifically requested it. The delivery is set for next month.”
“Aha. They are also Taoists, aren’t they? I am well aware of the Sect Leader’s benevolent nature. I’m sure he’ll understand even if it’s delayed. Hehehe.”
Forest Lord chuckled. On the other hand, the head of Grass Flower Hall sweated nervously.
For Yi-gang, who was watching, it was an amusing sight.
‘The top of the top.’
「Top? What is that?」
‘It means he does as he pleases. He even delays the delivery date at will. He’s got a tight grip on the elixir supply.’
It seemed that the Azure Forest’s influence here was stronger than expected.
Both Shaolin and Wudang would pay a hefty price, but the real “top” controlling the elixir supply was Azure Forest.
‘The supply-dominated market. A nice company where you’d rarely get bossed around.’
「You’re making unusual remarks today.」
While Yi-gang was lost in such thoughts, another person stepped forward.
“Forest Lord, please forgive me for intervening.”
“What is it, Do Geum?”
It was Sage Do Geum, who was in charge of the Management Pavilion.
“If the delivery date is delayed, we should be charged a penalty. I estimate that the penalty alone would be at least a thousand silver nyang.”
“Ah!”
Forest Lord reprimanded Sage Do Geum.
“Should a Taoist be obsessed with money? Live like flowing water. It’s said, “The highest virtue is like water.”
“…Well, that’s my responsibility.”
“I am aware that the budget is more than sufficient.”
“Indeed, but still…”
“That’s settled then. No more words on this.”
The Management Pavilion Master was undoubtedly an excellent manager. It was evident because he seemed genuinely upset over the potential loss of a thousand silver nyang.
Yi-gang, on the other hand, was feeling even better.
‘So much money!’
His list of admirable points was growing.
No one else raised objections.
The Azure Forest Lord stroked his beard with satisfaction and said, “In that case, I will provide the Red-White Tuber Fleeceflower. You can take it later and prepare it as a decoction.”
“Thank you very much…”
“That won’t do!” a third party cried out.
Yi-gang witnessed Forest Lord’s expression harden and then relax in a very brief moment.
“Hehe, who might this be now?”
There was a subtle harshness in his voice.
“It’s me, Forest Lord.”
It wasn’t one of the first-generation disciples present in the room who spoke.
Someone opened the door of Kuiying Hall and appeared.
“Ah, Do Gyeon, it’s you.”
Do Gyeon, a name he had heard before.
Just the previous night, the two senior martial masters who had saved Yi-gang mentioned something like, “It’s fortunate that we have Junior Do Gyeon.”
However, Yi-gang was startled for another reason.
‘That person, for sure.’
The oddly coiled hair—
The long bamboo staff he carried around his waist. And on that bamboo staff, there were densely packed golden needles.
Definitely one of the World’s Four Divine Physicians. In the vast Jianghu, he was one of the most renowned doctors.
His acupuncture, using golden needles, was said to bring people back from the brink of death.
“The Golden Needle Phantom…”
Yi-gang unwittingly murmured. The Golden Needle Phantom chuckled as if he had heard it, saying, “This brat, calling a perfectly fine person a ‘phantom.’”
“Ah, the Golden Needle Luminary.”
“Hehe, you’re a funny one. Yes, I am that Golden Needle Luminary.”
In order to correct Yi-gang’s Great Yin Meridian Blockage, the Baek Clan had sought the help of numerous doctors.
Among the World’s Four Divine Physicians, those affiliated with the orthodox faction were the Heavenly Master Physician and the Golden Needle Phantom. But both were so elusive that they couldn’t be easily summoned.
But to meet him so unexpectedly like this…
“Do you know Do Gyeon, Yi-gang?”
“Yes, but I never expected someone from the Azure Forest.”
“Although Do Gyeon is in charge of the Medical Hall, he usually roams Jianghu. I was the one who summoned him.”
“Forest Lord!”
Had it been such a short time since Yi-gang sought out the Azure Forest, and they had already summoned him?
“That’s right, shouldn’t we check your condition?”
Yi-gang was deeply moved. The promise to cure him wasn’t an empty one after all.
“Such a mysterious physique.”
Just as he wondered whose voice that was, in an instant, the Golden Needle Phantom was checking Yi-gang’s pulse.
Even if Yi-gang had noticed, his swift movements would have been hard to evade.
“Truly a twisted fate. Born with a prodigious talent, yet with a fragile body on the brink.”
“More importantly, Do Gyeon, what do you mean by ‘it won’t do’?”
“If he takes the Red-White Tuber Fleeceflower, it will be poisonous to him.”
At that statement, the expressions of the others became peculiar.
Both the Grass Flower Hall Master and Forest Lord looked the same.
“Isn’t Red-White Tuber Fleeceflower a spiritual herb full of Yang energy?”
“Yes, and that’s why it’s particularly effective for a meridian blockage of weak Yang energy.”
The Tuber Fleeceflower was a plant full of Yang energy. Among them, the red-leaved Red-White Tuber Fleeceflower was the best elixir.
“So…”
“The Red-White Tuber Fleeceflower is rare among spiritual herbs for possessing the nature of the sun. It’s different from regular tuber fleeceflower.”
“Hmm.”
“Normally, his condition isn’t just a regular meridian blockage, but rather it’s the Great Yin Meridian Blockage. It might have been different if his condition was slightly better, but… based on my recent diagnosis, it might even be poisonous to him.”
“Do Gyeon, it seems your medical skills have improved.”
“I had some realizations.”
The Golden Needle Phantom tapped his own head while speaking.
“In that case, it seems I can’t offer the Red-White Tuber Fleeceflower as an apology.”
Upon hearing Forest Lord’s murmured words, the Grass Flower Hall Master’s face brightened. The Management Pavilion Master was uncharacteristically clenching his fist.
That was, until the Golden Needle Phantom added a comment.
“Well then, how about sending it as a gift to the Clan Head of the Baek Clan?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“While roaming Jianghu, I’ve heard about the chronic illness of the Clan Head Iron-blooded Merciless Baek Ryu-san.”
Yi-gang’s ears perked up.
His father had an incurable lung disease.
While his condition wasn’t as urgent as Yi-gang’s, if left untreated, the Clan Head would need to retire from his position due to this severe ailment. He had been receiving regular treatment, but complete healing remained elusive.
“He suffers from epigastric pain and chest knot symptoms, along with ischemia. Is that correct?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Yi-gang responded politely. Even though these were complicated medical terms, Yi-gang, having studied medicine, understood them.
“It seems like tuberculosis, or what’s called pulmonary tuberculosis. I’ve been researching this disease recently.”
“So, the Red-White Tuber Fleeceflower…”
“I believe the Red-White Tuber Fleeceflower will show exceptional efficacy for pulmonary tuberculosis. If you wish, I can prepare an elixir using it.”
“Haha! Do Gyeon, who used to just boast, you truly are a Taoist! Proceed with that.”
Yi-gang’s face brightened.
The expressions of the heads of Grass Flower Hall and Management Pavilion darkened once again.
However, having lost their moral high ground, they had nothing to say.
Yi-gang was pleased. Building a connection with one of the Four Divine Physicians was even more valuable than the Red-White Tuber Fleeceflower. On top of that, he would be getting medicine for his father, Baek Ryu-san.
The Golden Needle Phantom even inserted needles into Yi-gang’s leg on the spot.
“The bone isn’t entirely broken. It seems to have only cracked, so you need to boost the body’s healing ability. Does the spot where I inserted the needle hurt?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Interesting. You should be in pain, but you show no signs of discomfort.”
Indeed, the acupuncture techniques of the Golden Needle Phantom lived up to their reputation.
In a matter of moments, the pain in the leg significantly diminished. According to him, the bone would heal in a few weeks. There was no worry, as Yi-gang would be riding a carriage when he returned to the family estate.
“While the elixir might not completely cure pulmonary tuberculosis…”
The Golden Needle Phantom, who had retrieved his needles, spoke softly, “Once my tasks in the forest are done, I’ll probably be able to visit your clan estate next year.”
“In that case…”
“If I can heal the Baek Clan Head’s ailment, then I can repay the kindness you showed to Su-chan.”
“You mean that plump child?”
“Yes, that kid is the one I have my eye on for the Medical Hall. He’s got quite the sharp eye.”
The little kid named Yuk Su-chan had once charged at Yi-gang. Had Yi-gang drawn his sword then, Su-chan would have been seriously hurt.
The Golden Needle Phantom intended to repay his debt to Yi-gang.
The Immortal Divine Sword chuckled, 「Not drawing your sword out of stubbornness, somehow turned out to be helpful.」
‘Indeed.’
Yi-gang smiled slightly.
He was fortunate.
And about half a month passed. The bone in Yi-gang’s fractured shin had healed. Removing the splint felt incredibly refreshing.
Unable to use internal energy, Yi-gang’s physique was no different from an ordinary peasant. The short span of only half a month to mend his leg owed much to the expertise of the Golden Needle Phantom.
Yet there was another factor.
“Indeed, the medicinal efficacy of the Twin-Headed Ghost Tiger’s internal elixir is astounding.”
Yi-gang’s complexion wasn’t just radiant; it was glowing.
“Haha, so it seems?”
Neung Ji-pyeong responded with a gentle smile.
The Azure Forest, as promised, had purified the internal elixirs of the Twin-Headed Ghost Tiger for him. The Golden Needle Phantom even aided in Yi-gang’s consumption of the internal elixir with acupuncture.
Thanks to this, Yi-gang’s health had greatly improved, better than before he set off for the Azure Forest. He had even recovered from the exhaustion of the Innate True Qi caused by possession.
“Yes, I feel brimming with energy.”
Yi-gang’s obsession with the elixir was not in vain.
Even if one’s body was like a leaky pot, it mattered not, so long as it was properly filled with water, right?
The elixir was like water, akin to sweet nectar.
Furthermore, another spiritual pill resided in his possession. A precious elixir made by combining the internal elixir of the Red-White Tuber Fleeceflower and the Twin-Headed Ghost Tiger.
While Yi-gang had handed over one of the Twin-Headed Ghost Tiger’s internal elixirs to Jin Ri-yeon, surprisingly, Jin Ri-yeon gladly returned a purified one.
Upon hearing the news that Yi-gang was injured by Jun Myung’s party, a decision was made.
「You’re not thinking of eating that, are you?」
‘Why would I? It’s for my father.’
「Wipe the drool from your mouth before you speak.」
Yi-gang quickly wiped the corner of his mouth. Drooling was a physiological reaction, so it couldn’t be helped.
“Then, I shall depart, Young Master Yi-gang.”
“Yes.”
“Let’s go!”
Upon Neung Ji-pyeong’s command, the charioteer from the Biyeon Squad started the carriage.
When they set out from the clan, they had a much smaller party. Now, it was different. About ten members from the Biyeon Squad were escorting Yi-gang.
“Wait a moment!”
And then, someone started running towards them from afar.
Yi-gang gestured with his hand, signaling the carriage and his escorts to halt.
“What is it?”
“I heard you were leaving today, so I rushed over.”
Huddled in front of the carriage were three young boys.
Jun Myung, Yuk Su-Chan, and Myeong Geol.
Yi-gang rested his arm on the carriage window and looked down at them.
“Not practicing this morning?”
“We are… being disciplined.”
They looked no better than beggars.
Yu Su-rin had been disciplined for days. Even if it wasn’t their intention, they had attacked a guest while possessed by a rage insect, and as a result, they received severe punishment.
“You all look terrible.”
Yi-gang chuckled.
“We’re fine. More importantly, how’s your leg?”
“It’s healed.”
“That’s… that’s good.”
Clear guilt was evident on the relieved faces of the boys.
Yi-gang stared intently at Jun Myung.
“So, you came to say goodbye? If you have nothing to say, move aside.”
“This is…”
Jun Myung pulled something out of his clothes and handed it over. It was wrapped in paper and still felt warm.
“It’s a duck roasted with mud. Eat it on your journey.”
Only one duck, but it was undoubtedly warm.
In this chilly weather, to roast a duck in mud meant that they would have had to wake up at dawn. It was evident from the effort they took to rush all the way here.
“This is beef jerky made by our father.”
“We also have honey we collected ourselves.”
The three of them looked unusually disheveled, their faces seeming swollen as if stung by bees.
Without a word, Yi-gang accepted their offerings with a smile.
“Let’s go, Squad Leader Neung.”
“Yes.”
The carriage resumed its journey.
Yi-gang briefly stuck his face out of the window.
The three boys were timidly waving from behind.
Neung Ji-pyeong quietly said, “Those boys seem to have a lot of depth.”
“Yes, they do.”
“Having such individuals by one’s side wouldn’t be bad.”
Neung Ji-pyeong was aware that Yi-gang had received an initiation proposal from the Azure Forest.
“However, once you leave, Young Master Ha-jun will feel lonely.”
“Won’t Ha-jun manage fine on his own? He seemed to have done well even when I wasn’t around.”
Yi-gang thought of Baek Ha-jun.
The ages of the kids from the Azure Forest and Ha-jun were similar. In that aspect, Ha-jun seemed more trustworthy compared to them.
That’s why Yi-gang trusted him with the task, didn’t he? To gather information in collaboration with the Low Down Sect members.
However, Neung Ji-pyeong murmured with a subtle tone, “It’s not necessarily the case.”
“…Pardon?”
Yi-gang asked back, somewhat bothered by his tone.
But Neung Ji-pyeong just smiled.
Having taught Ha-jun, he knew. No matter how exceptional, Ha-jun was still a child.
「One who lives a second life should naturally be quick-witted. But what can you expect from a little brother who’s just twelve years old? Hehe,」 came the scoffing voice of the Immortal Divine Sword.
For a moment, Yi-gang became worried about Baek Ha-jun.
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