novelraw Chapter 134 : Chapter 134
Chapter 134 : Chapter 134
Chapter 134 - Lend Me Your Strength
The front of the main hall, shrouded in darkness, was utterly silent.
Sss.
Hoo.
The only thing he could hear was the sound of his own breathing.
Biyoung, who had quietly risen, looked around with sharp eyes.
‘Not a single ant in sight.’
Biyoung, who had ingested a spirit pill said to be given only to the sect leader and had opened his Governor and Conception Vessels.
His developed five senses confirmed that there was no one watching.
Biyoung slowly got up and went outside the main hall.
There was a good reason why he had insisted on drinking outside instead of in the warm room.
Over the course of a week, numerous people had passed by the front of the main hall, and Biyoung had been secretly observing them.
‘He definitely said it was once every three days.’
Three-Eyed Snake Soup.
A soup made by stewing a snake, it was a restorative medicine that Sedong drank every morning.
Its efficacy was so outstanding that Biyoung had told him never to skip it.
In fact, the yang energy circulating in Sedong’s body had noticeably improved.
But now, all of that was in the past.
‘That’s why it’s strange.’
Sedong had learned not only the basic breathing techniques but also the Diancang Sect’s fist and kicking arts and the Flying Eagle Steps.
Even without the Three-Eyed Snake Soup, his mind and body were bound to be healthier than other children his age.
In fact, his skills were good enough to demonstrate the Flying Eagle Steps to the junior disciples.
Unless something special happened, there was no reason for Sedong’s body to deteriorate to this extent.
That was why Biyoung had remained at the Yi Family Clan.
To find that special reason.
-Paat!
Biyoung leaped up and landed on the roof of a pavilion.
Even though he had lifted his body more than three zhang, not a single sound was heard.
‘It was definitely that place.’
Biyoung’s clear eyes were directed towards one building.
The hazy eyes intoxicated by alcohol poison and the flushed cheeks could no longer be found.
There was no need to use methods like the ‘Samadhi True Fire.’
Biyoung’s flawlessly clear and pure dantian was always ready to push out the alcohol poison.
After a dizzying scent of alcohol spread from his body once, not a single drop of alcohol remained within Biyoung.
“………….”
Biyoung sat perched on the roof for a long time as if he were not there.
The Three-Eyed Snake Soup was a decoction made by stewing various medicinal herbs and the Three-Eyed Snake for several days.
The fact that the servants delivered the ingredients once every three days must be for that reason.
If Biyoung’s calculations were correct, today was the day the Three-Eyed Snake Soup would be completed.
Sparkle.
Biyoung’s two eyes shone brighter than the moon in the sky.
The target he had been waiting for had appeared before his eyes.
Biyoung moved his body stealthily as he had done before, and once again, no sound was heard.
***
“Lady Jangan.”
The kitchen maid who was diligently fanning herself flinched her shoulders.
The stout middle-aged woman turned around with the eyes of a rabbit.
Then she soon smiled in relief.
“It was you, Steward. You surprised me.”
“My dear woman. Is there anywhere in this Yi Family Manor I cannot go?”
“Aigoo. That’s not what I meant……”
“Yes. I know what you mean. It’s a late hour to suddenly appear in the kitchen.”
In the kitchen, only the kitchen maid called Lady Jangan was working.
She was on duty, managing the decoction of the Three-Eyed Snake Soup.
It was rare for the steward to appear in the kitchen even during the day.
So it was no wonder that the kitchen maid was curious when such a person appeared in the middle of the night.
“It’s a bit embarrassing to say this… but when you get old, you lose sleep and your mouth gets bored. Isn’t it strange, even though I didn’t skip dinner?”
“Ah… In that case…”
The quick-witted Lady Jangan soon gave the desired answer.
“There is some scorched rice that I made after cooking dinner. If you don’t mind, would you like some…?”
“Hoho. There’s nothing like scorched rice for a late-night snack. It might be a bother, but could you bring some for me?”
“A bother? Don’t be ridiculous. I’ll prepare it for you right away.”
Lady Jangan quickly bowed and hurried her steps.
Soon, she would be busily moving the rice scoop and gathering the scorched rice.
Completely unaware of what was happening inside the kitchen.
“………….”
As soon as Lady Jangan went out of the kitchen, the kind-looking smile on So Hyeon’s face vanished as if washed away.
So Hyeon looked outside once and then took out a small piece of paper from his bosom.
When he untwisted and unfolded the paper, which was rolled up like a letter, it soon became as large as an adult’s palm.
On the unfolded paper, there was a pile of white powder.
He soon opened the lid of the decoction pot and poured all the powder in.
‘That son of a bitch…’
Sparks flew in the eyes of Biyoung, who was watching from a gap above the kitchen.
The man who had repeatedly bowed his head, asking him to take good care of Sedong.
Even Biyoung had not expected Steward Yi So Hyeon to do such a thing.
‘They say there’s no one to trust in this world.’
It was still unclear what the ingredients of that powder were.
But it was clear that it was by no means a good ingredient.
If it were good for the body, he wouldn’t have secretly sent someone away to do it, would he?
So Hyeon’s hardened face also clearly pointed to all the circumstances.
Sedong’s poor condition was surely because of that powder.
‘This is driving me crazy.’
Biyoung clicked his tongue inwardly.
Sedong was already a lonely existence in this Yi Family Clan.
In the eyes of others, he was the young master of a rich family, so he would seem to have nothing to envy in the world.
But the reality was completely different.
A half-brother who interfered with his business at every turn. And a father who knew about this and condoned it.
If there was any place he could find solace, he thought it would be with So Hyeon, who had been with him since he was young.
But to think that the very same So Hyeon was stabbing Sedong in the back.
Although he had found the mastermind, Biyoung’s heart felt even more frustrated.
The image of Sedong, who would be heartbroken upon learning the truth, already flickered in his mind.
‘If I had my way, I’d drag him by the hair right now, but…’
If he did that, it would be admitting that he had been snooping around the Yi Family Clan.
“Steward. Will this amount be enough?”
So Hyeon, who had been standing with his hands behind his back, feigning boredom, once again put on a kind smile.
“It’s just right. The task of brewing the decoction may be tedious, but since it is for Young Master Yi, please do it with all your heart.”
“Is there any doubt?”
So Hyeon patted the kitchen maid’s back once and came out.
The figure of Biyoung, who had been watching from the gap in the roof, had already disappeared.
***
“……So that’s what happened.”
Biyoung thought it was unexpected.
It was because there was no particular change in expression from Sedong, who had heard the story.
If he had burst into tears or bitten his lip, he would have understood.
This, in its own way, felt scary.
“There’s a saying that old man Hyeokri Chong used to say like a habit. The difference between a spirit pill and a poison is a fine line. The Three-Eyed Snake Soup is a rare restorative medicine in itself, but if other ingredients are mixed in, it can turn into a poison at any time.”
Strictly speaking, it wasn’t turned into a poison.
It just destabilized the qi and blood, and temporarily took away one’s intelligence.
In any case, the intention to interfere with Sedong’s work during the Awl Selection Period was clear.
But why?
Why would he stab Sedong, whom he had cared for since childhood, in the back?
“It would be best to stop the Three-Eyed Snake Soup for now. I’ve temporarily normalized your internal energy as a stopgap measure, but if you keep drinking it, your condition will worsen again.”
“Hmm……”
Sedong, who he thought would nod his head right away, postponed his answer.
“Biyoung. I have two favors to ask of you.”
“Favors? What are they?”
“First, I’d like you to leave this matter entirely to me. As you know, it’s the Awl Selection Period right now, right? I have to prove myself that I have the qualifications of a young family head.”
“Hmm. You’re not thinking of forgiving So Hyeon, are you?”
“I have no intention of doing so.”
Biyoung gazed at Sedong.
Then he soon smiled brightly.
His expression was good.
It resembled the faces of the junior disciples heading to Hunan.
“Alright. If it were up to my temper, I’d go to your father right away, but I’ll hold back for now.”
“Thank you. For now, I plan to continue taking the Three-Eyed Snake Soup.”
“You’re going to keep taking it?”
Biyoung blinked his eyes a couple of times.
At that reaction, Sedong smiled faintly.
“I said I’d take it, not that I’d drink it.”
“……Aha.”
Biyoung finally understood Sedong’s intention.
Right.
If he suddenly stopped drinking the restorative medicine, it might arouse suspicion.
He could just receive the decoction and pour it on the ground.
Those who didn’t know the inside story would be completely at ease.
The pure and innocent boy now knew how to use his wits.
A gentle smile formed on Biyoung’s lips.
“Sedong. You’re starting to look like your father now.”
“Is that…… a compliment or an insult?”
“For someone aiming to be the young family head, it’s the highest praise.”
“Hehe. I see.”
Seeing him scratch the back of his head like this, he was undeniably the Sedong of the past.
“Alright. I understand that the first favor is to let it pass quietly. What’s the other one?”
“Lend me your strength.”
“I’m already doing that.”
“I mean, literally lend me your strength. I need your sword. If your skills are enough to defeat the Ghost Face Gang, it should be more than possible.”
“Ho?”
He needed a sword.
Did that mean he needed someone to beat up?
The smile that had been on his lips deepened.
“That’s my specialty.”
“Thank you. I’ll repay this debt handsomely later.”
“Alright. Who is the target I need to use my strength on? If it’s just beating up a steward, there’s no need to use my sword.”
“Wait a moment.”
Sedong took out an old piece of paper from one side of his desk.
It was a map.
A map so worn out from being folded, unfolded, and written on that its original form was no longer visible.
“It’s this place.”
Sedong’s finger pointed to a region, and soon, a strange light appeared in Biyoung’s eyes.
“Hoooh?”
***
“Young Master Yi. It is So Hyeon.”
“Come in.”
So Hyeon entered the room with a slightly nervous face.
Since they saw each other day and night during the Awl Selection Period, it was nothing unusual.
But since it was rare for Sedong to look for him early in the morning, a sense of anxiety bloomed in a corner of his heart.
‘Could it be. Did Young Hero Biyoung say something unnecessary?’
But So Hyeon soon shook his head.
Although he had met Sedong briefly before he left, all he had done for a week was eat and drink all day.
What could such a person say regarding the Awl Selection Period?
Upon entering the room, So Hyeon first checked Sedong’s complexion.
It had become a habit after tampering with the Three-Eyed Snake Soup.
‘Still the same.’
So Hyeon smiled inwardly.
His complexion seemed to have improved a little, but that wasn’t what was important.
It was because Sedong’s face was full of impatience.
He was shaking one leg as if he couldn’t control his emotions, and torn pieces of paper were scattered here and there on the desk.
He looked like a puppy that needed to relieve itself.
“I’m sorry for asking to see you so early in the morning.”
“Don’t mention it. Isn’t it my job to assist you, Young Master Yi?”
“I don’t have much time, so I’ll get straight to the point. How are my profits and losses compared to my older brother’s right now?”
Was this the reason he seemed so rushed?
Indeed.
There was no other particular reason.
“The difference is not large, but it is confirmed that the First Young Master still has the upper hand.”
“This is a problem. There are only a few months left.”
Sedong covered his face with both palms.
Seeing him bow his head in discouragement, a smile naturally escaped.
Just then.
Unexpected words came out from between his cupped hands.
“This won’t do. I need to make a decisive move.”
“A decisive move… you say?”
“I need to break through that place you recommended before. Lijiang City.”
“Did you say Lijiang?”
So Hyeon almost clenched his fist.
Lijiang City, located in the upper western part of Yunnan.
As Sedong had said, So Hyeon had recommended trade with Lijiang City before.
He might not know well because he was still inexperienced, but that place was like a death trap for running a merchant caravan.
It was obvious that the moment Sedong touched the Lijiang trade, he would lose everything he had earned so far.
Lijiang was a region that even the seasoned merchants of Yunnan were all reluctant to trade with.
Although it was a region with several valuable specialty products, a big trap lay in wait for those who traded there.
‘He must be anxious since there’s not much time left.’
His intelligence was clouded, and the date was imminent.
It was only natural that Sedong would make a reckless choice.
“I will form a merchant caravan soon.”
Steward Yi So Hyeon bowed his head once.
As his gaze fell to the floor, Sedong’s anxious expression turned as cold as frost.
“I’m counting on you, Steward.”