Chapter 51

Chapter 51
Chapter 51: Reunion (1)

“You’ve got even more wealth stashed away than I do!”

Cheon-geuk let out an airy, teasing remark, yet beneath her nonchalant tone ran a distinct tension. Right before her eyes, Baek So-cheon had laid out the entirety of his life’s fortune. An instinctive voice within told her that this exact junction marked another profound intertwining of their paths.

“Are you passing this to me because you figure your days might be numbered anyway? Looking for someone to blow through it on your behalf? You know I’m quite skilled at squandering funds.”

“Something along those lines.”

“And what’s the real aim?”

“Use all of it to purchase spirit medicines for me.”

Cheon-geuk’s eyes flared with sheer astonishment. Throughout her time knowing Baek So-cheon, she had witnessed plenty of jaw-dropping moments, but this completely eclipsed every single one.

“Are you serious?!”

Baek So-cheon merely nodded.

Even without the gesture, the realization was unmistakable. Liquidating every last coin of his accumulated fortune just to gather spirit medicines could only point to a single truth: his ruined dantian had been restored.

“Heavens above…”

A sudden tremor ran through Cheon-geuk. Perhaps better than anyone else alive, she grasped the sheer magnitude of what it meant for Baek So-cheon to regain his internal energy.

This signaled the emergence of an unparalleled variable capable of upending the entire balance of power throughout the Murim. And she was standing right in the center of it, partaking in this monumental, world-shifting turning point.

“Track down the ones with the most potent effects available. Even spiritual herbs that carry toxicity are perfectly fine. In fact, make those your priority if they deliver an equivalent boost.”

Medicinal herbs imbued with lingering poisons were considerably cheaper despite packing the same energetic punch. Because they were almost solely sought after by martial artists who practiced poison arts, they offered far superior value compared to the wildly popular, purer alternatives.

Now, his aim was to build his internal strength back up using high-grade spiritual medicines.

The sum he had placed in her hands amounted to an astonishing one million four hundred thousand nyang, yet top-tier medicinal treasures demanded astronomical sums. Once a prospective buyer materialized, their price was entirely at the whim of the current holder.

If fortune worked against them, an immense fortune like this might not even be enough to obtain a solitary stalk of Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng. It could simply be absent from the open market, or whoever held it might demand a wildly unreasonable price.

In essence, turning cold hard cash into such relics still demanded a stroke of fate. With enough luck on their side, that identical amount of silver might just as easily procure a legendary Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng.

It was entirely dictated by whether the treasure was currently up for grabs, the urgency of the seller to make a trade, and the prevailing market values of the hour. All these elements had to align.

Ordinary, lower-tier medicinal herbs could be traded through simple commerce, but true supreme treasures could only ever be claimed through destiny.

“If you throw away everything you own like this, what will you rely on in your twilight years? It’s not like you’re some wide-eyed youth anymore.”

Yet what good was a massive mountain of hard-won silver if his life was cut short? He had never once envisioned parting with his reserves in such a manner, but in his current reality, reclaiming supreme power took absolute precedence over hoarding coins.

“I’ll just rely on you and live off your coin.”

Cheon-geuk shot him a look of sheer, dry disbelief.

“I happen to be the Assassin Queen, not a walking charity for free-loaders!”

“Well, when that time arrives, you’ll simply be the former Assassin Queen.”

“Ha. A retired War God teaming up with a retired Assassin Queen… I suppose there are worse pairings.”

A shared, subdued chuckle passed between them.

Baek So-cheon’s expression turned pensive as his sight wandered back toward the pile of promissory notes resting upon the wooden surface.

“These papers represent every step of my journey.”

He had never been one to chase material riches, yet when all was settled, this remained the sole physical proof of his past. Looking upon it brought a quiet flood of memories regarding everything he had achieved and fought through.

“If it holds that much personal weight, why place it in my hands?”

“Because out of everyone, you are the only one I can genuinely rely on with this task.”

“You told me before that my judgment in men was lacking, but it seems your own judgment isn’t any better.”

Naturally, men like Hwang Il-bi, Im Choong, or Beon Saeng were beyond reproach when it came to loyalty. Not a single one would dream of betraying him for a mound of silver. However, they lacked the martial capability to defend such an obscene hoard. Should thieves or assassins come hunting for the treasure, they simply lacked the might to fend them off.

“The greatest bounty ever placed on your head reached three million nyang. What’s sitting here is practically half of that figure. Tell me, what’s stopping me from just pocketing the entire sum and slipping away? Surely that’s tempting enough.”

“If that happens, then I’ll simply bear the consequence of having placed my faith poorly.”

Living in this world inevitably forced a person to embrace high-stakes gambles time and time again. Venturing out to locate Ban Yun-saeng to undergo the Bone Transformation Great Law had been one such hazard; walking straight to Cheon-geuk was yet another.

There was no telling how many more wagers fate would demand of him before the end. He could only place his hopes on his instincts proving true.

“Why not track these down on your own?”

“There are too many eyes tracking my movements.”

It was not a solitary observer, but an entire web of watchful gazes. It went far beyond the reach of the Black Heaven Alliance alone. Were rumors to spread that he was actively hunting down high-grade spirit medicines, it would instantly invite catastrophic peril. There were far too many figures across the Central Plains who readily recognized his countenance.

“And suppose I manage to pull this off for you?”

“State your terms.”

Cheon-geuk took a brief moment to consider her response before voicing her request.

“Grant me a single request in the future.”

“Provided it falls within the realm of reason—nothing unrighteous or completely absurd—I accept.”

“A promise, then.”

She extended her palm outward. Baek So-cheon met her gesture, their hands clapping together three times in a firm pact.

“What sort of window do I have?”

Taking extra time was no guarantee of securing a greater haul. Fully aware that the entire endeavor rested on the whims of fortune, Baek So-cheon gave his answer without an ounce of hesitation.

“Bring them to me as swiftly as you possibly can.”

—

After parting ways with Cheon-geuk, Baek So-cheon began his journey back toward the central headquarters of the Murim Alliance.

He had left Hyun-cheon-dae unattended for a considerable stretch, leaving its progression entirely to the flow of circumstance.

“Captain! You’ve returned!”

Beon Saeng bounded over to meet him, looking as though he had just witnessed someone stepping out of a freshly dug grave.

“We were sick with worry.”

“A lad like you worrying over me? What for?”

“You may not be an inexperienced kid, but I certainly still am! To be completely honest, I was fretting over my own skin, not yours. What would happen to me if you just vanished and never came back?”

Baek So-cheon felt a quiet warmth at being greeted by their familiar, lighthearted banter after being away for so long.

Throughout his extended departure, both Im Choong and Beon Saeng had maintained their stations with thorough diligence. If anything, they had redoubled their daily efforts, terrified that any lapse on their end might invite harsh reprimands upon their captain.

Im Choong stepped forward, inquiring with measured care.

“Did your journey yield good results?”

Hyun-cheon-dae had been established roughly a month prior. For their leader to disappear for such a duration surely hinted at matters of paramount importance.

Baek So-cheon simply shook his head. While it weighed on him to withhold the full picture from these two, every single detail concerning the recovery of his internal power had to remain locked away in absolute secrecy. Shielding them from such explosive, life-threatening information was an act of mercy in itself.

“You managed to stay out of harm’s way, though?”

“Naturally.”

Out of harm’s way? In truth, he was experiencing the most electrifying and deeply gratifying surge of emotion he had felt across the past three agonizing years. Just sensing that raw, potent river of internal energy circulating within his core made him feel capable of ascending straight into the clouds.

Departing from the inner quarters of Hyun-cheon-dae, Baek So-cheon marched straight toward the open grounds reserved for martial practice.

The twenty-five assembled warriors were sweating profusely, moving through demanding drills under the direct supervision of Wang-ho.

“Captain, you’ve returned!”

The entire training regime came to an immediate halt the moment he stepped onto the field.

“Welcome back, Captain!”

Their collective shouts rumbled across the earth, their features visibly worn with deep exhaustion. Baek So-cheon had entrusted Wang-ho with an exceptionally brutal, punishing training program to enforce.

During the initial days, silent curses and bitter mutterings had practically flowed from their teeth.

Yet after enduring the first few grueling sessions, their bodies had begun to fall into rhythm, and they quickly realized just how profoundly calculated and brilliant the regiment really was. Over the course of four arduous weeks, the merciless exercises had fundamentally restructured their physical foundations.

“You have all endured a great deal of hardship.”

“It was nothing, Captain!”

Their collective, thundering retort brought a genuine, pleased upturn to Baek So-cheon’s lips.

He shifted his gaze toward Wang-ho.

“How does your body feel?”

“Completely restored. Right at the mark of one full month, just like an absolute miracle. Did you anticipate this exact timing?”

“Mere happenstance. Why would I calculate something like that?”

Not a single soul present truly believed his humble deflection. Although it had genuinely been an accidental alignment, the recovery period had matched the one-month duration to perfection. In the eyes of his subordinates, it appeared as nothing less than a masterfully orchestrated design—every single variable moving in precise accordance with their captain’s grand scheme.

“Would you care to inspect the fruits of our labor?”

“Let us see.”

Baek So-cheon settled off to the side, maintaining a steady, observant gaze.

The relentless sweat of the past month had clearly borne fruit: several had achieved notable leaps in their baseline stamina, while others showed crisper, cleaner blade handling. More than anything, the overwhelming majority had hardened their inner resolve and focus.

He called each martial artist forward one by one, instructing them to perform their stances so he could systematically correct their execution. They had braved considerable risks and hardships simply by choosing to stand under his banner; offering them this personal refinement was their rightful reward.

Every practitioner unwittingly carried at least one flawed mechanical habit—some were fully aware of their shortcomings, while others remained completely oblivious. Baek So-cheon pointed out each hidden imperfection with exacting clarity, demonstrating the precise adjustments required to mend them.

He went so far as to re-align the techniques of Wang-ho himself, despite the man serving as the direct overseer of the drills.

Whether they were high-ranking squad leaders, ordinary warriors, voluntary recruits, or assigned operatives dispatched from Bi-gak, he treated every individual with the exact same measure of attention. He corrected every posture and provided personalized guidance for their continued cultivation.

This profound, unfiltered dedication completely melted away whatever lingering hesitation remained among those who had initially joined the ranks with reluctance. Any latent unease dissolved into thin air; none among them were petty enough to hold onto reservations when faced with such earnest, unreserved mentorship.

As the training finally drew to a close, deep gratitude resonated from the assembly.

“Our deepest thanks, Captain.”

Whenever it pertained to matters of martial instruction, Baek So-cheon consistently offered the identical piece of wisdom.

“When you step onto the training field, ensure you depart without leaving behind a single regret.”

—

Baek So-cheon’s following destination took him into the depths of the Murim Alliance’s subterranean holding cells.

As he made his way closer to the iron bars of Goe-yeo’s containment, the pungent aroma of liquor drifted through the damp air. It was obvious that someone had been faithfully supplying her with daily jugs of alcohol.

The second her eyes caught sight of him approaching, Goe-yeo started with surprise.

“Look who it is! You actually showed your face again!”

“Have you been keeping well?”

Goe-yeo’s sharp eyes trailed over him from head to foot. Once she confirmed that there appeared to be no outward difference whatsoever in his presence, she threw back her head and barked out a boisterous laugh.

“Bwahahaha!”

She had openly mocked Ban Yun-saeng’s so-called Bone Transformation Great Law, dismissing the entire concept as nothing more than the deranged fantasy of a madman. Even so, somewhere deep within, she had nurtured a microscopic sliver of hope on Baek So-cheon’s behalf. Now, witnessing him stand before her looking entirely unchanged, even that faint trace of anticipation evaporated completely.

“I knew it was total nonsense right from the start.”

Smirking with undisguised amusement, Goe-yeo asked, “So, did you actually manage to track the old bastard down?”

“I did.”

“Well? Don’t leave me hanging! Spill every detail!”

“The sacred beast required to nurture the necessary spiritual flora never appeared.”

“You mean that White-Horned Golden Thread Deer?”

“You were already aware of it?”

“Of course I was. I had to sit there and tolerate his endless, droning lectures just to squeeze a drink out of him.”

“Without that creature, completing the procedure would have demanded waiting an additional three years. In the end, I had no choice but to turn back with nothing to show for the journey. Though, I suppose I didn’t come back completely empty-handed for your sake.”

“Eh? What’s that?”

Baek So-cheon reached into his robe and passed a vessel of liquor through the cold iron grates.

“Ban Yun-saeng asked me to deliver this to you.”

“Well, look at that!”

Goe-yeo snatched the container with unbridled joy, popped the wooden seal without a moment’s hesitation, took a deep, appreciative inhale of the escaping vapors, and tipped the jug straight into her mouth for a heavy swig. While the daily rations brought down to her cell were passable, nothing in the world could hold a candle to the exquisite spirits crafted by Ban Yun-saeng’s own hands.

She released an elongated, deeply contented breath.

“Ahhh! Absolutely magnificent! The old coot’s distilling talent remains unmatched under the heavens. Fancy taking a swallow yourself?”

“I’ll pass.”

Baek So-cheon chose to keep the truth buried; he made no mention of Ban Yun-saeng’s demise, nor did he let slip that the grand ritual had, against all odds, concluded in total success.

“Take good care of yourself.”

“Don’t you dare come knocking on my door again without bringing another bottle along!”

“I’ll make sure the jars keep finding their way here.”

The moment he turned his back to leave, Goe-yeo’s voice echoed loudly against the stone corridor behind him.

“The next time you cross paths with him, tell the old bastard that I drank every last drop with great pleasure!”

“I will let him know.”

He voiced the agreement aloud, yet a quiet, somber realization settled within his heart.

‘Neither you nor I will ever lay eyes on him again in this lifetime.’

Emerging from the depths of the underground prison and stepping back into the grounds of Hyun-cheon-dae, Baek So-cheon was immediately intercepted by Im Choong, who rushed toward him with palpable urgency written across his face.

“What has happened?”

“A summons just arrived directly from the central command—they demand your immediate presence.”

“Did the order originate from Hyun-cheon Pavilion?”

“It did not.”

Im Choong paused, inhaling deeply to steady his voice before delivering the rest.

“The summons came straight down from the Alliance Lord’s Hall.”