The Time-Limited Elixir of the Ruined Clan - Chapter 96

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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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The Declining Clan’s Doomed Young Lord — Chapter 96

The man pressed deeper into the darkness as though oblivious to their stares, his footsteps unwavering.
And at last he reached a place where no eye could follow—far beneath the earth, into the depths of the underground.
Once he had disengaged the intricate lock known only to him and stepped inside, there stood a single cabinet, ancient and scarred by soot as though it had been consumed by flame,

solitary in that hollow space.
The man, who had advanced without hesitation until now, faltered before that cabinet for a moment, then wrenched open its doors with violent force.
On the shelf within lay exactly two things: a slender metal case, and a circular disc inscribed densely with characters.
The man pushed the disc aside and opened the metal case. His hands trembled slightly.
“It’s here again…….”
Inside the case lay only ash—the fine grey remains of incense burned away long ago, shaped like a thin cylinder. When the man’s fingertip pressed against the ash, it crumbled into a pale powder and scattered.
“Hahahaha…….”
Laughter spilled from the man’s lips, echoing through the underground chamber.
He simply stared at the ash clinging to his fingertips for a very long time.
And at last he tilted back his head and burst into wild laughter.
“Hahahaha, I have returned, returned! I am back!”
A great cry shook the underground space. The ash within the metal case trembled and scattered. In that same moment, the man hurled the case to the ground.
Clang!
The ash, barely holding its form, crumbled into powder, and the metal case rolled across the floor. The man brought his heel down upon it. At that instant, the ground cracked and the case warped and buckled.
“Haha, ah, hahahaha! Foolish Cheon Hwa Ryun! You thought all the world was yours! You thought you had vanquished me!”
The man’s wild laughter shook the very space around him.
“Ahahaha! By your hand I have returned! You burned me, thinking to annihilate me, yet never did you imagine that the Fan Hun Incense

was burned with me!”
His voice echoed and reverberated, and when it burst forth from that chamber into the open air, it struck only as a fearsome tremor that caused dread.
Those above who had been keeping watch over the residence, sensing the man’s presence even as his body remained below, all fell face-down to the earth in unison without a word.
From several blood pools came the wet, rhythmic sound of splashing.
After his wild laughter had subsided somewhat, the man’s gaze turned to the circular disc that lay beside the metal case.
“The Jishin Needle

—truly was a treasure of the sect’s legacy…….”

In that instant, the needle at the center of the disc began to spin violently, and soon it fixed itself pointing east.
The man’s eyes blazed with madness as he gazed down at the disc. He tucked it into his embrace and left the underground chamber. This time, unlike before, he left the door wide open, unsecured.
He emerged into the sunlight and examined his own forearm below his eyes.
Though the rotted, festering portions had improved somewhat, they remained scarred and tangled, still emanating a sickening stench.
“Burn more incense! And…….”
People swarmed around him. The man spoke.
“Send men eastward. There is something I must recover. Something most precious.”
In the very heart of the Middle Kingdom, the salt-stench of Dong Ting Lake drifted from afar. The man continued to laugh for a long while yet.

* * *

“As I am the Inner Sect Master, I shall remain here to oversee the clan,” Wi Ji Cheong said warmly, smiling. Dan Mok Hyeon Yo’s expression was somewhat guarded, but she said nothing.
This was the gathering to decide who from within the clan would attend the Gyeong Hang Martial Gathering, and who would remain to tend the estate.
Dan Mok Cheon Gi, who had spent the past time nearly secluded, had now resolved to travel to the Namgung Family Estate to meet with an old friend, and it had been decided that the children and the external branch leader would accompany him.
“Since there are so many young children, it would be good if the external branch leader and the Young Sect Master could travel with them and provide care,” she continued.
At those words, Dan Mok Hyeon U’s complexion paled noticeably, and he stirred uncomfortably.
“Ah, well—would it not be better for the Inner Sect Master to go instead? Dan Mok Ryeon is going too. I shall remain here and look after Dan Mok Bi.”
Dan Mok Bi had made quite a fuss about following her sister, but her youth had settled the matter—she would stay at the estate.
Wi Ji Cheong smiled faintly.
“Is not the purpose of the Gyeong Hang Martial Gathering for the clans to join their strength, to foster the exchange and advancement of the younger generation in martial arts? As the Young Sect Master visited only when you were but a small child, you must attend this gathering.”

The age gap between Dan Mok Hyeon Seong and Dan Mok Hyeon U was substantial enough that, standing side by side, Dan Mok Hyeon U resembled Wi Ji Cheong’s eldest son.
Dan Mok Hyeon Yo shot a look at her younger brother, who was nodding obediently to everything Wi Ji Cheong said, and swallowed back a sigh.
She’d started to say something, but Wi Ji Cheong simply shook his head with a faint smile.
“Seok Ban An and Yu Seong Do, along with Dan Mok Han So, will remain to help—there’s nothing to worry about, is there?”
Dan Mok Hyeon Yo’s husband Seok Ban An had recently become the external branch leader and assisted with recruiting collateral disciples, and he’d been going about the work with surprising enthusiasm.
“And while three disciples will depart, seven remain—they need tending to as well. Yu Seong Do will make a fine teacher, of course, but……”
Yu Seong Do and Dan Mok Han So were not men gifted with the patience required for nurturing children.
Everyone nodded in agreement, and so the party headed to Nam Jik Rye Seong was settled.

At dawn on the day of departure, the Dan Mok clan members gathered and made their way toward the Tian Fei Gong

in Hang Zhou.
It was customary to visit before embarking on a long voyage to pray for safe passage, but given that both the eldest grandchild and the Grand Patriarch had recently risen from their sickbeds, the visit felt doubly necessary before they set out.
“Would you rather ride in the carriage?”
Dan Mok Ryeon settled Dan Mok Hwa Ryun, whose face had grown rather stiff, into the carriage and peered around, speaking gently.
Ever since they’d departed to attend the Gyeong Hang Martial Gathering, Dan Mok Hwa Ryun’s expression had remained tense.
When Dan Mok Ryeon had suggested she stay behind if she didn’t want to go to the Namgung Family Estate, she’d refused that too, so Dan Mok Ryeon had brought her along—yet her face remained heavy.
“Hwa Ryun, you’re not feeling carriage-sick, are you?”
“No…… No, I’m all right.”
“Then rest inside the carriage. I’ll be back soon enough.”
“No, I want to go with you.”
“Are you afraid of being alone?”
Dan Mok Hwa Ryun made an exasperated face, then pressed her lips shut again.
Spring hadn’t fully arrived, and as a cool breeze slipped through the crack of the open door, Dan Mok Hwa Ryun reached for her newly made Pee Pung Robe.
It had been difficult to have such a fine garment made, but fortunately her nurse’s sister was skilled with a needle and had been able to help.
Dan Mok Hwa Ryun jumped down from the carriage first and offered her hand to Dan Mok Ryeon. Though Dan Mok Ryeon could have descended on her own, she took the offered hand.
“I’m not cold at all, truly—why don’t you wear it? Winter’s already passed.”
“What sort of nonsense is that? Even early spring is still winter.”
As she grumbled like this, she urged the Pee Pung Robe onto Dan Mok Ryeon, her lower lip jutting out.
Dan Mok Hwa Ryun gripped the hem of the robe lightly and pressed herself against Dan Mok Ryeon’s side.
No matter how Dan Mok Hwa Ryun tried to appear grown, Dan Mok Ryeon thought—arriving somewhere unfamiliar for the first time, she had every right to feel apprehensive. She swallowed her smile.

At the entrance to the Tian Fei Gong, Dan Mok Ryeon glanced up at her grandfather standing beside her, her expression somewhat uncertain.
‘Grandfather actually believes in such superstitions.’
The temple dedicated to Mazu, the ancient goddess of the sea, was crowded with passersby, but the moment people caught sight of Dan Mok Cheon Gi’s face, they all fell silent in an instant.
Half of them closed their mouths at the sight of the terrible scar that slashed across his features; the other half, recognizing him as the Grand Patriarch of the Dan Mok Clan.
“Why do you make such an expression?”
“I simply didn’t expect to visit a place like this.”
“Why? Does it surprise you that your old grandfather believes in superstitions?”
……
She’d thought it was a trait unique to her, but perhaps her grandfather possessed the same clairvoyance.
“When you reach my years, you’ll understand an old man’s heart.”
As Dan Mok Cheon Gi spoke in murmurs, the clan members entered the Tian Fei Gong, and the Daoist priests and acolytes rushed out to greet them.
“This is the Cheong Ryeon Water that our eldest grandchild made with her own hands, and this is the newly prepared Baek Yak Cheong. We’ve also brought several measures of grain and candles to light the night.”
As Dan Mok Hyeon Yo stepped forward to explain the offerings, the acolytes gazed at the arranged jars with undisguised delight.
The Cheong Ryeon Water—that legendary substance attached to tales of top-ranked provincial exam graduates—was command whatever price one asked for these days!
Only the one Daoist priest managing the temple remained unruffled, greeting them with measured warmth.
“My goodness, such precious gifts……please, come inside.”
The inner shrine where Mazu’s statue stood was far quieter than the outer grounds.
One of the acolytes offered incense to the group, and Dan Mok Cheon Gi, without need of any tool, lit the incense tip and distributed it among his family.
Gasp!
“Sammai True Fire……!”
The people surrounding them drew sharp breaths, their voices trembling with awe.

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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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