My Younger Siblings Are the Greatest Masters in the World - Chapter 157

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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157.

Hwang Dugong said.

“All the places that were robbed were the outer vaults of Ilwol Treasury, and the important inner vaults have never allowed a single intrusion.”

The inner vaults of Ilwol Treasury contained martial arts secret manuals that only the Cult Leader could learn.

Unlike the outer vaults, it was protected by mechanical formations, making intrusion nearly impossible.

Seol Changho said.

“They probably didn’t move Ilwol Treasury. There’s no one left who could create and install such intricate mechanisms.”

The mechanisms created by Singi-ja, a master of mechanical formations from six hundred years ago, are still considered the finest mechanical devices to this day.

Seol Mantong muttered, “Wouldn’t that thing be broken by now? It hasn’t operated even once in six hundred years.”

Hwang Dugong asked with a worried voice.

“But how do you plan to enter the treasury? The Cult Leader has the key. Do you perhaps know how to break the mechanisms?”

“How would we know that?”

“Then…?”

Seol Mantong said as if it were nothing.

“We’ll just break those mechanisms and go in.”

“So you have no plan whatsoever?”

“The mechanisms are a later problem. The key issue is whether we can even get there. Even if we enter Ilwolgung, we can’t move around freely.”

Originally, they were supposed to see the Cult Leader’s face once, have a meal, and then leave Ilwolgung.

“It would be nice if we could spend just one night there.”

Hwang Dugong said.

“I’ll try to find a way.”

Seol Changho poured cold tea into Hwang Dugong’s cup.

“I feel sorry for only causing trouble after coming here after so long.”

Hwang Dugong’s eyes widened as he was about to lift his cup.

“They say when a person changes, they die… but you’re too young to die.”

“What about me?”

“In the old days, you would have said ‘Do as I say, you bastard!'”

“Only Mantong-i talks like that, when did I ever…”

Ryeoseon said in passing, “Your personality was shitty too.”

“There really isn’t much time left before entering Ilwolgung.”

***

Jang Homyeong, the Sect Leader of Jongnampa known as Seojongil Sword, gazed down at his daughter Jang Taeyeon lying on her sickbed.

Every time she breathed, wheezing sounds flowed out like those of an eighty-year-old woman.

Taeeum Jeolmaek, a condition that only affects young women.

Most die before reaching twenty, but Jang Taeyeon had survived until this year at twenty-two thanks to Jang Homyeong’s devoted care.

However, the lamp of her life was so precarious it could be extinguished at any moment, and she spent most of her time bedridden like this.

Jang Homyeong hadn’t had a moment’s peace since his daughter fell ill at twelve years old.

He had searched every corner of the Central Plains looking for medicine that could cure Taeeum Jeolmaek.

And seven years ago, he finally learned of an herb that could cure Taeeum Jeolmaek.

Hwayangcho.

This herb that contained the yang energy of the earth was actually a rather useless plant.

At best, eating it would make you feel less cold in winter – nothing more, nothing less.

That was true for ordinary people, but for curing the disease called Taeeum Jeolmaek, it was a miracle cure.

The problem was that this Hwayangcho was more precious than ten-thousand-year snow ginseng or Gongcheong stone oil.

Since harvesting it brought no particular profit, no herb gatherers bothered to collect it.

The herb was rare and difficult to find, so he hadn’t been able to obtain it for over seven years.

But finally, a month ago, he discovered Hwayangcho.

As soon as he heard that an herb gatherer in Fufeng County, Shaanxi Province had harvested it, he rushed there, but the Hwayangcho had already passed into someone else’s hands.

He hurriedly sought out the person who had purchased the Hwayangcho, but couldn’t obtain it.

If it had already been consumed, he could at least give up, but the Hwayangcho was still in the possession of someone named Wang Baekgang.

Wang Baekgang had purchased the Hwayangcho from the herb gatherer for one silver coin.

But when Jang Homyeong tried to buy the one-silver-coin Hwayangcho, Wang Baekgang demanded one million silver coins.

When the disciple who went to purchase it told him this, he thought the disciple had misheard the amount.

But another disciple he sent also returned with the same figure.

No matter how much Jongnampa was one of the Gudaemunpa, one million silver coins would require disposing of forty percent of the sect’s assets.

He couldn’t pay one million silver coins just to save his daughter’s life.

Jongnampa wasn’t Jang Homyeong’s personal property either.

“Sect Leader. It’s time to go.”

Jang Homyeong stroked his daughter Jang Taeyeon’s cheek and said.

“No matter what happens, I will obtain the Hwayangcho.”

Having made that promise, Jang Homyeong rushed to Fufeng County with two disciples.

If they diligently used light body technique from Jongnam Mountain, it was a distance they could cover in half a day.

In his chest was a bank note worth three thousand silver coins, which could be considered Jang Homyeong’s entire fortune.

Wang Baekgang’s house was located in the center of an area in Fufeng County where only the wealthy lived.

The house with three buildings wasn’t very large, but it was well-built with a well in the courtyard and several fruit trees planted.

The servant who opened the door guided them to the building facing the front.

Since he didn’t particularly notify Wang Baekgang, it seemed he had been instructed to guide anyone from Jongnampa.

Once they settled in the reception room they were led to, a maid brought tea.

It was high-grade green tea worth one silver coin per geun.

Of course, Jang Homyeong had no leisure to enjoy tea.

Their wait continued until the tea had completely cooled.

After more than an hour had passed, Han Wonmyeong, one of the disciples who came with him, expressed his dissatisfaction.

“They’re making guests wait too long.”

“Indeed.”

Jang Homyeong, anxious at heart, felt anger slowly rising.

No matter how much Wang Baekgang possessed what he needed, to make the Sect Leader of Jongnampa wait like this.

And this was in Shaanxi Province, no less.

The other disciple, Gwak Susang, said.

“It seems he intends to raise the price of the Hwayangcho.”

“He already asked for one million silver coins, and he wants to raise it even more?”

“How could he seriously expect to receive one million silver coins? He’s probably planning to compromise at a reasonable amount.”

Jang Homyeong desperately hoped to resolve this within the three thousand silver coins he had brought.

Han Wonmyeong asked Jang Homyeong.

“Teacher, what will you do if this Wang Baekgang continues to demand an unreasonable price?”

Jang Homyeong, who had been turning his cold teacup for a moment, spoke like a monologue.

“No matter what happens, I must take the Hwayangcho.”

To save his daughter’s life, he could willingly give up his own life, so what couldn’t he do?

The two disciples said nothing, but they were prepared to do whatever Jang Homyeong ordered.

Even if it was something a righteous sect shouldn’t do.

Only after waiting another half hour could they finally meet Wang Baekgang.

“Oh my! I’m truly sorry for being so late!”

Wang Baekgang, with small narrow eyes, a hooked nose, thin lips, and even fat, appeared.

The moment he saw him, the thought ‘He looks greedy’ naturally came to mind.

Wang Baekgang, wearing a broad smile, sat across from Jang Homyeong.

“For the great Sect Leader of Jongnampa to personally visit such a humble place – it’s an honor for our family.”

Jang Homyeong got straight to the point with Wang Baekgang, who was being overly flattering.

“The reason I came all this way is because of the Hwayangcho.”

“Ah! Speaking of which, Jongnampa has visited twice already. What’s so great about some herb that drives away a bit of winter cold?”

“Didn’t the disciples who came explain why the Hwayang Herb is needed?”

Wang Baekgang wore a puzzled expression.

“I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

Han Wonmyeong, who had come previously, flared up and raised his voice.

“We came and told you just a few days ago!”

“Did you? Getting older, my memory is…”

Jang Homyeong said.

“We absolutely need the Hwayang Herb to save my daughter.”

“Ah! Now I remember. What a tragic situation indeed. Come to think of it, I believe I quoted a price back then?”

“That price was utterly unreasonable…”

Jang Homyeong frowned.

“Are you saying money is more important than your daughter’s life?”

“Of course not, but one million nyang is an amount that exceeds what I can possibly obtain.”

Daejongnamppa doesn’t even have that much money? I heard it was one of the Gudaemunpa, but it’s just an empty shell.”

“Watch your words.”

At Han Wonmyeong’s warning, Wang Baekgang feigned a surprised expression.

“Are you threatening me now?”

Jang Homyeong was also angry, but since his daughter’s life was at stake, he couldn’t easily show his anger.

“Wonmyeong. Apologize.”

Han Wonmyeong suppressed his anger and forced out the words “I’m sorry.”

“Actually, I’m not hurting for money either. As you can see.”

“That’s fortunate. Wouldn’t it be better to set the price within reasonable bounds?”

“That’s why it’s one million nyang. Isn’t the Sect Leader’s daughter’s life worth that much?”

“One million nyang for Hwayang Herb when it’s not even a legendary spiritual medicine! Do you think that makes sense!”

“The seller sets the price.”

“Even so…!”

“Of course, if you really don’t have the money, you could pay with something else.”

“Something else…?”

“I hear Jongnampa’s martial arts are quite useful. Especially the sword techniques. Hand over Jongnampa’s sword technique secret manuals. Then I’ll give you the Hwayang Herb.”

Jang Homyeong was speechless, his mouth hanging half open.

One million nyang was absurd, but asking for Jongnampa’s sword techniques!

Even though Wang Baekgang wasn’t a martial artist, he should know this was an absolutely unacceptable demand.

While everyone was too dumbfounded to speak, Wang Baekgang said.

“I don’t know if I mentioned this, but the Shaanxi Provincial Command Headquarters commander is my in-law. Jongnampa sword techniques would be perfect martial arts for the soldiers to learn.”

Wang Baekgang probably didn’t say this thinking they would actually give him the sword techniques.

It was likely meant to flaunt his connection to the Provincial Command Headquarters, but it was effective.

They had even considered forcibly taking the Hwayang Herb, but if he was the Provincial Command commander’s in-law, they couldn’t respond that way.

Attacking Wang Baekgang would mean making an enemy of the Provincial Command Headquarters, and if things went wrong, Jongnampa’s very existence could be at stake.

Jang Homyeong might be able to risk his own life, but he couldn’t risk Jongnampa itself.

As the conversation progressed to this point, Jang Homyeong realized Wang Baekgang had no intention of giving up the Hwayang Herb.

“Lord Wang. What is your reason for treating me this way?”

No matter how he thought about it, Wang Baekgang and Jongnampa had no relationship whatsoever.

Yet Wang Baekgang was treating Jongnampa as if they were mortal enemies.

The smile disappeared from Wang Baekgang’s smugly grinning face.

“The Provincial Command commander’s son fell from a tree at age ten and became paralyzed from the waist down. He became a useless cripple who couldn’t even function as a man. I married my daughter to such a worthless wretch. She was a daughter so precious I wouldn’t have minded if she poked my eyes out. Why do you think I did that?”

They couldn’t understand why Wang Baekgang had married off his daughter, let alone why he was telling them this story now.

“Do you remember the name Wang Dongju?”

As Wang Baekgang spoke the three-character name, an unmistakable rage could be felt from him.

“My son. My son Wang Dongju who died five years ago!”

“I don’t understand your purpose in telling us this story.”

“Of course you don’t. You people wouldn’t even remember my son. He spent a fortune to learn martial arts because he wanted to become a martial artist, and trained so diligently… but you Jongnampa killed him. For making one mistake, just one mistake while drunk. What was so terrible about raping some servant girl! You could have just pretended not to see and passed by! Playing the hero, you people… you Jongnampa killed my son who was supposed to continue our family line!”

During that long speech, Wang Baekgang’s eyes became bloodshot red, and phlegm-like saliva flew from his mouth.

Finally, they could understand what had happened.

They thought there was no grudge, but there was a grudge.

Since his son had died, Wang Baekgang and Jongnampa were bound by an irreconcilable hatred.

Still, he didn’t blame the Jongnam disciple who had killed his son.

Because it was the proper thing for a hero to do.

Jang Homyeong slowly stood up.

“I’m sorry about what happened to your son, but that was justice being served.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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