The Time-Limited Elixir of the Ruined Clan - Chapter 82

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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 Fallen Clan’s Reprieve — Episode 82

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“What exactly is the meaning of all this?”
Dan Mok Hyeon Yo exhaled heavily. She hadn’t given way to anger largely because Dan Mok Seong, her daughter, had shown some capability in resolving this matter.
“What is there to make of it? The whole affair has been settled quite well.”
“Father! Can we really let this pass so easily? What will people think? They’ll say our family can’t even properly control a branch, and that’s why such trouble broke out during the disciple selection itself.”
Dan Mok Hyeon Yo spoke pointedly, her tone sharp with indignation. Dan Mok Cheon Gi clicked his tongue.
“If Kang Rip had been unable to remain in Se Ga because of this, then matters would be different.”
He had arrived late to the final trial, which already constituted grounds for deduction, and had he not realized his condition stemmed from another’s plot, that too would have warranted penalty.
‘It’s fortunate that Ryeon helped him.’
That was when Dan Mok Cheon Gi noticed it. The way Ryeon had smoothly seized Seo Geuk Rim’s wrist was precisely the Geum Na Soo
technique
itself.
Once before, when he had taken Ryeon’s wrist to assess her condition, he had glimpsed it only once — and now she had executed it perfectly.
In that moment, Dan Mok Cheon Gi had nearly leapt up and applauded without regard for the gravity of the situation. Only his rationality as the family head had held him back.
“Ah, well, that aside. How could the girl be so ruthless? I was truly startled. Still, I would have preferred it if the final trial had concluded and everything had been settled quietly, out of public view…”
Dan Mok Hyeon Yo murmured regretfully. Since it was none other than her daughter who had burst in shouting, her remorse was genuine, and she found no heart to reproach her.
“Seong has a spirited nature, and that is why she acts as she does. It is a noble quality — do not fault her for it.”
“Of course not. I know better than anyone how upright our Seong is! Which is why, in that respect…”
Dan Mok Hyeon Yo carefully concealed what she had found somewhat regrettable and continued.
“You immediately raised Ryeon up at that very moment, acknowledging all her effort. That’s not what typically happens.”
As a result, while Dan Mok Seong had done all the shouting and brought Dan Mok Jun to his knees, the one who emerged as truly remarkable was Dan Mok Ryeon.
‘Well… remarkable she was, certainly. But how did she know to send someone first?’
The moment she saw Seo Geuk Rim’s condition, how did she know his food poisoning was the result of foul play?
And how did she then discern that it was Dan Mok Jun who had done it?
‘Does she simply have some kind of instinct?’
In truth, Dan Mok Hyeon Yo rarely approved of people, so it was uncommon for her to assess a person at a glance and know immediately whether they were good or ill-natured.
Because of this, even her first meeting with Seok Ban An had nearly gone poorly.
But Dan Mok Hyeon Seong was different. When he glanced at someone and said, “This one is not a good person,” that person invariably caused trouble, and when he said, “On the surface, at least, they seem decent enough,” that person unfailingly proved true to his word.
Being the daughter of such a Dan Mok Hyeon Seong, did Dan Mok Ryeon possess that same gift of discernment?
“In any case, that branch should be completely expelled from our house! A child stealing meat and then thinking to serve it spoiled — the audacity!”
“That matter will be handled according to family law. And you have no objection to keeping these children as our disciples?”
Dan Mok Hyeon Yo simply nodded in agreement, while Dan Mok Hyeon U smiled with satisfaction. Finally, Dan Mok Han So scanned the list and replied.
“Yes. We may announce it as it stands.”
“There’s no need to show it to Ryeon, is there?”
Dan Mok Hyeon Yo, who had been silent until now, spoke with a slightly sharp edge to her voice.
Her own daughter had not even been permitted to set foot on the Training Ground platform because of her age, yet Dan Mok Ryeon had even served as an examiner. This sat poorly with her.
“I have already shown it to Ryeon.”
“What? When exactly?”
“You all agreed she had seen it, and now you speak differently? Does it matter when? What importance does the timing hold?”
“I thought Ryeon still hadn’t been shown it!”
Dan Mok Hyeon Yo protested sharply.
“So do you have objections to this list? Whom would you place and whom would you exclude? There must be sound reasoning, if so?”
“Oh, no. I have no objections. I was merely asking.”
Dan Mok Hyeon Yo spoke thus and pressed her lips firmly together. Dan Mok Cheon Gi shook his head slowly, rose to his feet, and gestured dismissively.
It was a signal for the others to leave. Once everyone else had withdrawn, Dan Mok Cheon Gi turned to Kang Rip, who stood beside him.
“Where is Ryeon?”
“She is still at the Medicine Hall, preparing decoctions.”
“There are so many ill that her concern for them is natural.”
“Indeed. The prescriptions are swift and the medicinal herbs of good quality, so it seems nearly everyone is recovering well already. It’s said Seo Geuk Rim especially has nearly made a complete recovery.”
“That boy… Ryeon was particularly…”
Recalling the pale, stricken face of his granddaughter as she had rushed toward the limping Seo Geuk Rim, Dan Mok Cheon Gi let out a sigh.
He had recognized that Seo Geuk Rim possessed brilliant talent the moment he had seen him face Dan Mok Hyeon U’s sword.
Even in such a weakened state, one could see the grit that had enabled him to accomplish so much. Seo Geuk Rim was precisely the kind of disciple who would become a pillar of Se Ga.
But had Seo Geuk Rim’s condition been any more severe—had he truly been unable to take the final test, and had no one thought to keep him—
I had a feeling that Dan Mok Ryeon would have used her authority to ensure he remained with Se Ga, saying something like, “You promised I could choose one disciple myself.”
“Yes, and he’s already been making quite a fuss, bowing and scraping before the young lady at every opportunity.”
“Ha.”
From Seo Geuk Rim’s perspective, there was no way he couldn’t feel grateful—Dan Mok Ryeon had pulled some string at the last moment to allow him to take the test at all.
Dan Mok Cheon Gi smiled inwardly with satisfaction, then caught Kang Rip’s gaze and quickly composed himself.
“Mm. Whether it’s heaven’s blessing or not, there are many children showing such brilliant talent already. My hopes run high.”
“The external branch leader and the Medicine Hall director are making extensive preparations so that we may teach them properly.”
“Good, good. But you…….”
As Dan Mok Cheon Gi was making his way toward the Medicine Hall to see Dan Mok Ryeon, something suddenly occurred to him, and he posed the question.
“How did you know that the breakfast at the Guest Hall that morning was chicken porridge?”
In that instant, Steward Kang Rip’s face stiffened slightly. He cleared his throat awkwardly and barely managed an answer in a small voice.
“The cook’s… culinary skills are truly excellent.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“Since the breakfast was porridge, she said one could add just a cup of water and make two more bowls, and recommended I take it…….”
“Did she recommend it, or did you ask for it?”
Kang Rip cleared his throat again, this time admitting the truth.
“In fact, that morning before dawn, she said meat was running short, so I went and procured a couple more pieces for her…….”
“And was that porridge tasty?”
“Yes, sir. The chicken was cooked until it fell apart so tender, and the rice was half-crushed and half left whole—warm and smooth on the tongue, with a wonderful texture to chew. Because she used chicken broth, the savory depth was truly…….”
“Ah, yes, tasty indeed, quite tasty.”
“Ahem, ahem. I have shown myself lacking. Please… please forgive me.”
“Tell the cook that she is responsible for negligent ingredient management, and she is to prepare appropriate meals until all the patients have recovered. Once they are well, she is to return to Wol Yeong Jae.”
“Yes, understood!”

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When the list of those accepted was announced, half the crowd sighed with disappointment and glistened with tears, while the other half made no effort to hide their joy.
Some who had already formed bonds with one another clasped hands and bounced up and down.
“We made it! We made it!”
“Ahhhhhhh! I passed!”
“I passed, sir! I passed!”
“Oh dear, what am I to do…….”
“Please don’t cry, young master…….”
Amid the mingled joy and sorrow, those who had failed found no particular reason to remain at the main house any longer, so they swallowed their disappointment and began preparing to leave.
In the meantime, Dan Mok Ryeon visited them one by one, pressing a small letter into each of their hands.
“Young lady? This… what is this?”
The girl Dan Mok Jin, her eyes reddened, had been gathering her belongings when she heard of Dan Mok Ryeon’s arrival and rushed out; she stared at the letter, her eyes only blinking.
“When I watched you swing your sword during the final test, I thought, wouldn’t it be better if you did it this way? So I wrote down a few thoughts…….”
Even as she spoke, Dan Mok Ryeon felt a little embarrassed and scratched her cheek.
There is a proper timing when learning martial arts. If one begins too late, the bones and muscles harden, and limits form in what can be achieved henceforth.
The children brought here today were already at a precarious age. Dan Mok Cheon Gi had said they might be brought back again with earnest effort, but truly, it would be difficult for that to come to pass.
Because she knew this was the last chance, her regret ran so deep.
“Whether one learns martial arts in Hang Zhou or elsewhere, if the mind is set right, what difference is there?”
She deliberately recited these wise words, hoping that doing so might inspire them to truly study the letter.
“Yes! I will train hard and without fail—I will definitely come back to see you again, young lady!”
Of the nine children leaving Se Ga, about four of them, being of the direct line whom Dan Mok Ryeon would continue to look after until the day she departed, were deeply moved and their eyes glistened with tears; three reacted as though they were dying to know what the letter contained; and two wore expressions of marked indifference.

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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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