LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 98
Chapter 98: I Shall Ask the Young Master
Byeok Taesan was observing Heavenly Divine Healer and Needle Master, who were busy making medicine.
He had given them the largest garden near the residence to work in, and it was now overflowing with herbs.
Heavenly Divine Healer and Needle Master were cutting the herbs with great concentration.
By the looks of it, they hadn’t even finished half of the accumulated herbs yet.
At the edge of the garden, seven cauldrons were placed over the fire.
Two physicians from the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion were vigorously stirring the contents of the cauldrons with large ladles.
Byeok Taesan was surprisingly taken aback by the quietness of the garden.
Heavenly Divine Healer and Needle Master, unusually, had their mouths tightly shut and were fully focused on their work.
As Byeok Taesan stepped into the garden, exuding a powerful presence, both Heavenly Divine Healer and Needle Master turned their heads at the same time and looked at him.
“Ah? Young Master!”
“How come you’re here?”
The two of them let go of their knives and stood up.
Their manner towards him had grown entirely natural, giving off a clear sense of respect.
“Eh?”
Needle Master, who had stood up, widened his eyes. He stared blankly at Byeok Taesan.
Heavenly Divine Healer looked at Needle Master with a puzzled expression.
“What’s wrong?”
Needle Master didn’t respond.
“Why did you stop yourself from speaking? Are you trying to frustrate me on purpose?”
“Just hold on a second.”
Needle Master continued to stare at Byeok Taesan.
“Hyung, are you crazy? Why are you acting like this? When you stare at me like that, your gaze is so weird it makes me uncomfortable.”
Needle Master whipped his head around and glared at Heavenly Divine Healer.
But he didn’t say anything, instead returning his gaze to Byeok Taesan.
Heavenly Divine Healer, bracing himself for a potential slap, was taken aback when Needle Master didn’t react much, which only made him more curious.
“Ugh, seriously. Why is this so weird? Hyung, what’s going on?”
In the meantime, Byeok Taesan leisurely walked up and stood before the two.
“You have quite a lot of herbs.”
Heavenly Divine Healer almost cursed under his breath at Byeok Taesan’s comment.
Who gave the order for all this? And yet, when the person who gave the order makes such a remark, what’s he supposed to say?
But Heavenly Divine Healer held himself back. It wouldn’t be long now. Just a little longer, and it would be over.
Byeok Taesan, noticing Heavenly Divine Healer’s troubled expression, stared at him intently.
“Why? What’s wrong, Young Master?”
“Your face looks like you’re about to cause trouble.”
“Heh, honestly, have I ever caused trouble? When you think back, I’ve never caused trouble, not even once.”
Heavenly Divine Healer said this and, lowering his voice, added a single sentence.
“All the trouble was caused by you, Young Master.”
At those words, Byeok Taesan grinned and looked at Heavenly Divine Healer. The moment their eyes met, Heavenly Divine Healer felt a chill run through his chest.
“You really don’t know what trouble is, do you?”
“No, it’s fine if I don’t know. You don’t have to show me. I don’t doubt your abilities. Not at all.”
Heavenly Divine Healer quickly changed the subject.
“By the way, hyung, why are you acting like this? Are you feeling unwell?”
Heavenly Divine Healer made a circling gesture around his own temple with his finger.
However, the Needle Master didn’t even glance at him. His eyes were entirely focused on Byeok Taesan.
“Young Master… Could it be…?”
Needle Master cautiously began speaking.
“Could it be that you’ve cultivated internal energy?”
Byeok Taesan nodded.
“Well, I tried making some, just to test it.”
Though the words didn’t explain much, it was clear that Byeok Taesan had indeed cultivated internal energy.
Heavenly Divine Healer looked back and forth between Byeok Taesan and Needle Master, his expression one of confusion.
Needle Master continued to explain.
“Just a few days ago, when I looked at you, I couldn’t tell anything at all. Either you had no internal energy, or your level was so high I couldn’t grasp it—one of the two.”
Heavenly Divine Healer’s expression grew slightly serious.
“Honestly, I thought it was the latter. The things you’ve shown… they were so ridiculously impressive…”
Needle Master, looking bewildered, continued.
“But now, I can clearly sense that your internal power is within reach. So I have to ask… Did you really have no internal energy before?”
Byeok Taesan chuckled softly.
“Does it really matter?”
As Byeok Taesan spoke, the internal energy he had cultivated seemed to vanish completely from his body.
Needle Master’s eyes widened.
Then, the internal energy surged back, and this time, it was far greater than before.
The surge of internal energy quickly grew to the point where it exceeded Needle Master’s capacity to sense it.
Feeling the growth of the internal energy, Needle Master finally understood the difference between having no internal energy and not being able to perceive it.
“Ah…!”
Needle Master had a small epiphany through the shift in sensation.
The question he had been pondering for so long had finally clicked.
Needle Master fell into a state of deep contemplation.
Heavenly Divine Healer looked at him enviously, then quietly bowed his head slightly toward Byeok Taesan.
Byeok Taesan, seeing this, smiled softly and left the garden.
Needle Master slowly opened his eyes.
A gentle vortex of Qi formed around his body.
He felt a pressure in his dantian, as though it might burst.
The internal energy had been tightly compressed and filled his dantian. If he continued training like this, his dantian would expand, and his cultivation would rapidly improve.
“Hyung, are you back to your senses?”
Needle Master turned his head and looked at Heavenly Divine Healer. The sky had turned dark.
What had started in the morning as a journey of enlightenment had only ended now, at night.
And throughout that time, Heavenly Divine Healer had been there, guarding him.
“Well, I didn’t think it would take this long. Did you stand here all day?”
Needle Master’s words caused Heavenly Divine Healer to make an incredulous face.
“What nonsense are you spouting? A whole day? You’ve been unconscious for two full days.”
“What?”
Needle Master looked at Heavenly Divine Healer in disbelief.
But as he considered the sensation in his dantian, he realized that it made sense.
And a feeling of gratitude and guilt flooded his heart.
After all, Heavenly Divine Healer had been watching over him for two full days.
“Anyway, how’s your body? Do you feel full of strength now?”
“Well… yeah, I do feel better.”
“Good. You’ve been looking really pale lately; I thought you were going to collapse. Now, you should be the one finishing up those herbs.”
Heavenly Divine Healer chuckled.
Needle Master snapped back in annoyance.
“Hey, you brat! Why are you trying to dump all this work on me? Don’t you know I hate being made to do things?”
After yelling, he awkwardly cleared his throat.
“Ahem, ahem… well… thanks.”
Needle Master’s words made Heavenly Divine Healer laugh again.
“If you’re thankful, then finish up the herbs.”
“Ugh, seriously!”
Needle Master snapped again but ultimately broke into a reluctant laugh.
“By the way, has anything major happened while I was out?”
“Nothing major, but I’ll be meeting with those guys soon.”
“Those guys?”
“The Murim Alliance, Black Lotus, Namgung Clan, Zhuge Clan.”
Needle Master scowled.
“Why are you meeting with those guys?”
“What else can I do? Should I leave it all to our Young Master? Do you not see how that’ll turn out?”
Needle Master had no response.
“I’ll go with you. If they try to throw a punch, I’ll block it.”
“Oh, you’re too kind, you’re making me tear up. Fine, do whatever you want. Do you think I’m going there to fight? I’m just going to talk and enjoy the company of some courtesans.”
“Then let’s go together! While you’re having fun, do you expect me to sit here and cut herbs?”
At those words, the Heavenly Divine Healer grabbed his stomach and laughed.
••••
“Hahaha! You should have come to see me earlier. Anyway, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” Heavenly Divine Healer said, laughing heartily, as the four men’s expressions softened.
They were currently at White Flower House.
With the Heavenly Divine Healer were Jin Sahong, Jeong Gyeol Gyeong, Namgung Jun, and Zhuge Gwan.
Sitting next to the Heavenly Divine Healer was Needle Master.
The four of them had started a much more thorough investigation ever since their meeting with Byeok Taesan some time ago.
The whole matter had left a bad taste in their mouths.
Although there were some differences among them, the four were undoubtedly formidable experts.
There were few in the world who could compare to them.
After assuming that there was someone around Byeok Taesan who could apply pressure on them, they began their investigation in earnest to uncover the truth.
Amidst this, the Heavenly Divine Healer had contacted them.
He suggested they meet.
And now, they found themselves in this situation.
Beautiful courtesans had gathered on either side of the four men, serving them drinks and delicacies, while more courtesans played music from a distance.
In front of them were the Heavenly Divine Healer and Needle Master, figures whose names were known far and wide.
This was an experience few would ever have.
“Our Young Master had been terribly ill and only just recovered. His social skills have suffered as a result, so please do understand, respected seniors,” the Heavenly Divine Healer explained, as Needle Master nodded in agreement.
“It’s true that our Young Master is like that,” Needle Master added.
The four men looked at the Heavenly Divine Healer and Needle Master with curious expressions.
Finally, the most impatient of them, Gyeol Gyeong, spoke up.
“I can’t believe that the two of you are under Lord Byeok. How is that possible?”
Jin Sahong, picking up on Gyeol Gyeong’s question, added, “I can’t believe it either. You two are famous physicians, well-known across the world.”
Namgung Jun, usually taciturn, opened his mouth as well.
“Honestly, you two should be working in a much larger capacity.”
Among them, only Zhuge Gwan remained silent, carefully observing the situation without jumping to conclusions or speaking.
Once their words had settled, the Heavenly Divine Healer smiled gently.
“Our Young Master is not someone who can be judged by appearances. He has much more to him than what shows on the surface,” he said, his tone and gaze conveying sincerity.
The four men were slightly taken aback but couldn’t help but show intrigue in their eyes.
At first, they hadn’t believed that the Heavenly Divine Healer and Needle Master were actually under Byeok Taesan.
They had assumed there must be something else going on.
They thought that neither the Heavenly Divine Healer nor Needle Master were genuinely working under Byeok Taesan, and that they must want something from him.
And that something, they suspected, was related to the secret that allowed Byeok Taesan to achieve such feats in the Hubei Marital Alliance.
But judging by the current atmosphere, it seemed as though the Heavenly Divine Healer truly followed Byeok Taesan.
Naturally, curiosity began to grow.
“In any case, if you have anything to say, feel free to come find me. I’m sure things will go smoothly,” the Heavenly Divine Healer said, raising his cup.
The others followed suit, lifting their cups and drinking in unison.
As they chewed on the snacks the courtesans fed them, their expressions gradually relaxed.
Meanwhile, Needle Master, who had been watching the scene, secretly admired the Heavenly Divine Healer.
The Heavenly Divine Healer had complete control over the atmosphere, bending it to his will.
As the mood lifted, the conversation became more fluid, and sometimes, deeper thoughts slipped out.
They were at White Flower House, which was affiliated with the Hao Clan.
Naturally, the courtesans serving them were also part of the Hao Clan.
Although they served their guests as usual, the courtesans were also diligently listening to every word being said and committing it to memory.
Each one of them had their assigned tasks, ensuring they would remember every conversation with perfect accuracy.
As the night continued, various topics were brought up, but it was one casual remark by the Heavenly Divine Healer that shocked everyone.
He mentioned that Byeok Taesan was planning to become independent.
The first to react was Jin Sahong.
“Pardon? Does that mean Lord Byeok is leaving Golden Wall Merchants ?”
“He was never really involved with Golden Wall Merchants to begin with. He only holds a small stake for a few contributions he made,”
This referred to the share of profits from the business dealings with Hubei Marital Alliance.
Jin Sahong’s reaction was intense for a reason.
He had been the one to promise the most business dealings with Golden Wall Merchants when establishing the Martial Alliance’s Wuhan branch.
While the others had merely dipped their toes in, they hadn’t fully committed, leaving them free to pull out at any time.
But for Jin Sahong, pulling out was not an option. He had already staked his claim, believing that securing the deal early would give him the upper hand.
That had been the reason the other three had backed off.
Since the Mirim Alliance had made a strong push, they realized it would be hard to make a significant impression no matter what they did.
Gyeol Gyeong’s expression grew long.
“So, does that mean Lord Byeok will take control of the Merchants?”
“Isn’t that how it should be? After all, there’s a suitable candidate,” the Heavenly Divine Healer responded.
The four men’s eyes sparkled with interest.
“A suitable candidate? If I remember correctly, Lord Byeok hasn’t gathered that many people…” Jin Sahong started, but then his eyes widened in realization. “Ah! Could you be referring to his fiancée, Yeon Harin?”
The Heavenly Divine Healer chuckled softly and shook his head.
“Ah, if it were her, the Merchants would be in trouble. Young Lady Yeon is far more talented in martial arts.”
“So, who would it be then…?” Gyeol Gyeong asked, his curiosity piqued.
The four of them had done enough investigation to be familiar with the situation. But they still didn’t know how close Byeok Taesan was to the Hao Clan.
“Our Young Master has recently taken in a disciple named Ja Hyang,” the Heavenly Divine Healer revealed.
“Ja Hyang?” Jeong Gyeol Gyeong repeated.
The Heavenly Divine Healer smiled and nodded.
“Yes, it turns out this child has a considerable amount of talent. She’s currently studying diligently. I believe she will be of great help to our Young Master.”
A flicker of confusion appeared in the eyes of the four men.
The more they spoke, the less they seemed to understand.
Gyeol Gyeong suddenly spoke up. This was, in fact, the reason he had come today.
“When I visited Golden Wall Manor, do you know who the maid guiding me was?”
“Well… I wouldn’t know about that…”
Jeong Gyeol Gyeong, with an intense look in his eyes, spoke eagerly.
“Please find out for me. And I want to take that girl as my disciple. I’m asking this of you.”
“That’s not possible.”
The atmosphere immediately grew cold.
“I apologize. I don’t wish to leave room for negotiation. Those girls will not be handed over by force, not even by our young master.”
Gyeol Gyeong’s eyes gleamed.
“Then, you won’t stop her if she chooses to come of her own accord?”
The Heavenly Divine Healer’s gaze grew icy.
“Of course not. However… it would be troubling if any unfortunate incidents occurred during that process.”
Gyeol Gyeong grinned widely.
“Understood. I will take full responsibility. All I ask is that you arrange a meeting.”
The Heavenly Divine Healer smiled again.
“I’ll ask our Young Master.”
The mood grew cold once more.
But it didn’t last long. The courtesans suddenly turned the temperature of the room up with their lively performances.
The rest of the night continued in good spirits.