The Time-Limited Elixir of the Ruined Clan - Chapter 130

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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A Declining Clan’s Terminal Legacy · Chapter 130

“What…… what are you talking about?”
“Either you attain Enlightenment and become an Immortal, or you reach Buddha-nature through wisdom—or else you all must help one another and live together.”
“…….”
“That’s why your father said he would help me. Because even if I become wise enough to save you, even if I fulfill my role, someday will still come when I need another’s help.”
In that instant, light flashed before Dan Mok Ryeon’s eyes.

* Namgung Seo Geon’s Enlightenment *
* Namgung Seo Geon’s Emotional Transformation *
Luck/Fortune Value: 56 / 120 (9▲)

Momentarily dazed, Dan Mok Ryeon burst into laughter. Namgung Seo Geon, who had been sitting silently beside her, gave a slight frown.
“Why are you laughing again? I didn’t even say anything.”
“Looking at it closely, you’re kind to everyone else, but with me you’re always taking little jabs.”
“You…….”
Namgung Seo Geon, about to retort, simply scuffed at the dirt with his toe and turned away.
“I don’t know. We didn’t get along from the start anyway.”
“Is it because I wouldn’t say what you wanted to hear?”
“That’s right.”
Namgung Seo Geon answered with a slight grumble, but there was no real displeasure in it. Dan Mok Ryeon laughed again.
Drawn in by the sound of her laughter, Namgung Seo Geon turned his head and gazed blankly at the small girl’s profile, where the Lantern’s light traced a golden line—then suddenly caught himself and quickly looked away.
“……So tomorrow we’ll be leaving.”
“Yes. And don’t be difficult with Namgung Seo Jin. Be good to her.”
“I know…….”
Namgung Seo Geon kicked lightly at the ground with a faint complaint, but so gently that no dust rose.
“……Um, you…….”
“And since Blood Coral Valley might return again, think back on what Namgung Hwan said during lessons, and also…… what was I about to say?”
“No, never mind. I’ll work hard.”
“Good, good.”
Seeing Dan Mok Ryeon’s warm smile, Namgung Seo Geon only sighed deeply and said nothing more.
“Ah! The others are calling. Let’s go.”
“All right.”
Had another child been nearby, he might have added a word about watching their step since it was dark—but with Dan Mok Ryeon, such words somehow never came out.
Namgung Seo Geon simply sighed heavily and followed her.
In childhood, one can become fast friends within a single night, and all the more so when children have spent an entire week together, rubbing shoulders constantly, and then endured a dramatic ordeal at the end—they had already gathered around a Lantern and begun to cry.
“I’ll…… send you a letter…… Sniff.”
“You have to write back. I’ll wait. Until your reply comes…….”
It was Ak So Hyeong who was most openly tearful, though he made the excuse that soot had gotten in his eyes.
And the one wearing the most smug expression was Geum Jong Ha, who would return to Hang Zhou with Dan Mok Ryeon.
While Geum Jong Ha and Ak So Hyeong engaged in a sharp staring contest, Namgung Seo Jin clutched at Dan Mok Ryeon’s sleeve and burst into loud wailing buried against her chest, which displeased Dan Mok Bi.
“Hey! Stop crying.”
“Waaah, but…… if you leave now, hiccup…….”
“If you’re going to cry, go cry to your brother.”
“Our brother, hiccup, I see him every day.”
While the small children bickered, Paeng Ju Ran spoke with eyes slightly reddened, yet with a dignified bearing.
“Travel safely to Hang Zhou. Next time we meet, let’s roast sweet potatoes together. I’ll bring honey.”
“I, I’ll bring charcoal!”
Everyone called out eagerly that they would bring premium charcoal from their family kitchens, or procure iron grills for roasting.
‘Will no one think to bring the sweet potatoes?’
As if reading Dan Mok Ryeon’s thought, Moyong Seol Ho suddenly spoke up.
“Someone needs to bring the sweet potatoes, don’t they?”
“Ah…….”
“I’ll bring them.”
“No, I’ll bring the sweet potatoes too!”
“Me too, me too!”
The children erupted again, clamoring over who would fetch the sweet potatoes next. Moyong Seol Ho furrowed his brow and muttered under his breath.
“At this rate they’ll be eating sweet potatoes for the rest of their lives…….”

* * *

When the lanterns had burned down to embers and all the children had been led away by their guardians, Dan Mok Ryeon caught the presence of a lone figure standing quietly at the far end of the courtyard.
Dan Mok Ryeon sent the children ahead first. Dan Mok Seong had tried to stay behind with her, but recognizing that it was Moyong Chwi Ryeo waiting in the shadows, she relented.
“So you find it worthwhile to keep the children company?”
Once the surroundings had fallen silent, Moyong Chwi Ryeo asked gently. There was a hint of amusement in her soft voice.
“But I’m a child myself, aren’t I?”
When Dan Mok Ryeon deliberately parried the question, Moyong Chwi Ryeo laughed again.
It was a scene that would have astonished anyone else in the Moyong Clan. Moyong Chwi Ryeo was not a woman given to laughter—not unless her grandson Moyong Seol Ho was present.
“I hear you’ve taken up Go. Will you play a game with this old woman?”
Moyong Chwi Ryeo watched Dan Mok Ryeon’s eyes widen in surprise—”How did you know?”—and laughed as if charmed by her reaction.
But not long after, she found her brow drawn tight in concentration.
“……Shall I take back a move?”
“No! No! Wait. Just wait a moment.”
Moyong Chwi Ryeo quickly raised her hand to stay Dan Mok Ryeon’s fingers. Dan Mok Ryeon closed her eyes and smiled softly.
Between those closed lashes, starlight scattered.
But as they say, many a fool has been undone by their own deliberation.
“I’ve played Go all my life…….”
Moyong Chwi Ryeo muttered, her voice thick with despair, as she gazed down at the board.
It hadn’t been some extraordinary, brilliant move—just the usual give and take, and she’d thought they were playing well. But when she came to her senses, the white stones had been swept away.
Moyong Chwi Ryeo pressed her fingers to her brow for a moment.
“I knew well enough that your mother plays Go superbly…….”
“You…… knew?”
“Of course I knew. Hyeon Seong is my friend’s son, after all—nearly my nephew. When that boy took a wife, I was as overjoyed as I would have been at my own son’s wedding.”
Moyong Chwi Ryeo answered, deliberately tempering the bitterness of defeat.
“But that his daughter would grow so splendid and bring me to my knees—I never expected it.”
“No, it’s not quite that impressive.”
“It is precisely that impressive. ……What if I’d played it this way……?”
“Then I would place a black stone here, and you would place your stone here next, and then…….”
Moyong Chwi Ryeo’s eyes wavered precariously.
“Then this side would…….”
“I would place it here…….”
…….
Moyong Chwi Ryeo stared at the board with trembling eyes for a moment, then drew a deep breath and lifted her head.
“Since you’ve beaten me, you should receive a prize.”
“There’s no need for that…….”
“Why not? Afraid you’ll win every time and bankrupt this old woman?”
“Well, I can’t say that’s entirely untrue…….”
“Even an old woman like me has her pride. Next time won’t be so easy for you.”
“I’m sure of it.”
As Dan Mok Ryeon smiled brightly, Moyong Chwi Ryeo gazed down at the board with lingering reluctance, then with a sigh drew out something she’d brought with her.
“You have a keen eye for such things, even young as you are. I chose this carefully.”
“Ah…… this is…….”
A small box wrapped in pale silk. Dan Mok Ryeon slowly untied the silk knot and opened it, her eyes widening in astonishment at what lay inside.

An Ink Jade Ornament crafted by a master artisan, commissioned directly by the Hao Wen Master,

with the character for “Clear”

engraved upon it: Spiritual Force Capacity 15.
Can now hold Spiritual Energy.

“From the Hao Wen……?”
The glossy black jade ornament had a Spiritual Force Capacity of fifteen—which meant the ornament possessed exceptional value as a gemstone as well. That was what Dan Mok Ryeon had always considered her first priority when evaluating gemstones, but this moment was different.
‘An ornament commissioned directly by the Hao Wen Master himself? Then…….’
And surprising as it was for Dan Mok Ryeon, Moyong Chwi Ryeo herself was equally astonished.
“How could you… no, that’s not it. How could you fail to notice?”
“Pardon? No, that’s not… I mean, something like that…”
Ryeon waved her hands in haste and adjusted the Ink Jade Ornament.
Hao Wen ranked lowest among the Thirteen Heavens of Hek Cheon Ryeon, though strictly speaking, it was more accurate to say they simply didn’t know where to place Hao Wen within the ranks.
The location of the Secret Cave, which even Mu Young Shin Tu himself, the lord of Hek Cheon Ryeon, did not know—

Hao Wen Master apparently knew.
“Does it seem strange that I possess something belonging to Hao Wen Master?”
No matter how much the Martial Alliance had entangled Ma Cheon Gyo, Hek Cheon Ryeon, and Baek Do Meng together, the rifts between them ran deep.
They remained divided into three separate factions, which was why Namgung Hwan was so concerned.
“There was a time when I formed a connection with him, before he became Hao Wen Master.”
“Did you help him become Hao Wen Master?”
“Not exactly—I talked him out of it. A man with no connection to Hao Wen suddenly deciding to become its master? It’s hardly an easy matter. But what can you do… youth never listens to their elders.”
“I see.”
Ryeon heard this much and tried to return the ornament, but Moyong Chwi Ryeo shook her head.
“This isn’t a token of friendship between us. It’s merely a token that his strength can be borrowed when needed.”
Moyong Chwi Ryeo gazed at the Ink Jade Ornament with a peculiar expression, then straightened and spoke.
“With this, if there ever comes a time when they need it, help can be obtained without much difficulty.”
“I see.”
“They may be criticized by others for their sharp calculations and dirty schemes…”
Moyong Chwi Ryeo looked at Ryeon quietly.
It was the look of someone who believed that the young Ryeon already understood that life could not always be walked upon a path lined with silk.

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