ISS-Chapter 24

Chapter 24

The depths of the Baek Ri Family estate.

Thud!

“You’re causing unnecessary trouble, Outer Hall Master.”

At the words of the Family Head, spoken as he set down his teacup, the middle-aged swordsman who had been kneeling silently raised his gaze with cold eyes.

“Unnecessary trouble…?”

“I heard you’re preparing a Basic-Gong Plagiarism Review for a sect that hasn’t even held its Sect Establishment Ceremony yet.”

The swordsman remained silent at the Family Head’s low voice. The Family Head continued speaking to his unmoving form.

“I said there was no need to bother them. I said it would be like stirring up a hornet’s nest.”

“I’m sure you did, Family Head.”

The Baek Ri Family’s Outer Hall Master, Baek Ri-seong, let out a pishik laugh, looked directly at the Family Head, and continued.

“However, that was merely the Family Head’s unilateral decision. Don’t you see?”

“My firstborn, Seon-i, has no interest in martial arts. He has no talent and is weak. What about San-i? Of course, her talent is outstanding, but she’s impatient. Moreover, she is a daughter.”

“Even if she is a daughter, there is no problem with her inheriting the family. The Baek Ri Family has no such rule.”

“Yes. There is no problem. That is, if she were the only daughter. But there is no need to pass the Family Head position to San-i when there is a more outstanding child.”

The Family Head, Baek Ri-gang, quietly drank his tea and remained silent at Baek Ri-seong’s words. Growing more impatient, Baek Ri-seong pressed on.

“Why?”

“…What do you mean?”

“Why did you let that boy leave the family? Didn’t you cherish him? His talent, his intelligence, even his temperament were exceptional. He was so overwhelmingly superior that no one could voice any discontent. Woon-i.”

“…That’s true.”

At Baek Ri-seong’s words, Baek Ri-gang slowly recalled the past. The retreating back of his second son, who one day declared he would leave the family.

-……Was that all she was worth? To you, Family Head… was Mother worth only that much?

-Yes.

-……You are not even human.

-You are not wrong. I am, before being human… the Head of the Baek Ri Family.

He said he wanted to leave, so he was let go. With that personality, it was unlikely he would return on his own. Baek Ri-gang knew that better than anyone. Baek Ri-woon took especially after his mother more than himself.

However, it seemed Baek Ri-seong’s thoughts were different.

“We must show him where his rightful place is.”

“I will use this opportunity to show him that he can accomplish nothing outside the family. His foundation is ultimately the Baek Ri Family. The only way for one who carries the Baek Ri bloodline to establish a sect is by becoming the Head of the Baek Ri Family.”

Baek Ri-seong spoke as if making a declaration, his voice cold, and glared at Baek Ri-gang.

“It doesn’t matter what you say, Elder Brother. This is the consensus of the Elder Council and the Outer Halls.”

“…You’ve prepared a great deal.”

“Because it is an important matter.”

Baek Ri-gang, who had been silently gazing at Baek Ri-seong glaring at him, quietly nodded. The sincerity in Baek Ri-seong’s eyes.

Seeing those honest eyes, concerned solely with the future of the Baek Ri Family, Baek Ri-gang closed his eyes.

“…In the end, the flow cannot be stopped.”

He could stop it if he wanted. Because Baek Ri-gang was the Head of the Baek Ri Family.

No one doubted that authority. Even if the power of the Outer Halls and the Elder Council were combined, Baek Ri-gang could override them if he wished. To that extent, Baek Ri-gang reigned supreme over the Baek Ri Family. But.

How long would that last?

“…I made a promise.”

In front of his son, who said he would sever their ties, he had said he would not interfere. However, there was a promise he had made before that.

To fulfill his duty as a father.

That promise.

As Baek Ri-gang remained silent, the atmosphere grew heavy, and Baek Ri-seong clenched his fist tightly and closed his mouth. And then.

“Very well, proceed.”

At the permission that finally fell from Baek Ri-gang’s lips, Baek Ri-seong’s eyes widened.

“…Are you serious?”

“You said you would do it, but now that you have permission, you falter. You still haven’t fixed that habit. Foolish man.”

“But you’ve always stopped it until now.”

“That’s right. That was then.”

When Baek Ri-woon left the family.

Countless people raised their voices, saying Baek Ri-woon must be brought back. And Baek Ri-gang ignored all those opinions. For one reason only.

The simple fact that Baek Ri-woon could not become the Head of the Baek Ri Family.

“There is no need to stop it anymore.”

“…What does that mean?”

“It means he has been given sufficient opportunity.”

Baek Ri-gang spoke weightily, his eyes turning cold and hard.

“I have fulfilled my duty as a father. Establishing a sect means one must also know how to protect one’s sect from the grasp of others. He must be able to withstand tricks of this level.”

Baek Ri-gang had an idea of what Baek Ri-woon’s goal was, and because of that, he was certain. That it was nearly impossible.

The grace period was over. Bonds of blood are not so easily severed.

He had already been given more than enough opportunity to grow. It was a task impossible for an ordinary person, but if he couldn’t overcome even this task, it was clear he would never reach the goal Baek Ri-woon desired.

“Adversity is necessary for growth. If he crumbles under adversity, then that too is his limit.”

If someone had to provide that adversity, then he himself should take on that role.

-……Please, Woon-i……

There was no reason why the hatred received once could not be received a second time.

“In that case……”

“Go. Go and crush him thoroughly.”

Baek Ri-gang opened his mouth coldly, imprinting the blue sky visible outside the window into his eyes as he continued. A firm resolve settled in his gaze.

“Make him realize that no matter where he goes, he lives under the sky of the Baek Ri Family.”

At Baek Ri-gang’s command, Baek Ri-seong, who was still kneeling, bowed his head, his face brightening. And then.

“I will definitely bring Woon-i back to the family.”

Seeing Baek Ri-seong speaking with a smile, Baek Ri-gang closed his eyes. The small figure that remained like a brand, flickering in his vision.

-Father!

Thinking of the young Baek Ri-woon who was smiling, Baek Ri-gang…

“If that is possible.”

…quietly raised his teacup.

The preparations for the Sect Establishment Ceremony proceeded smoothly.

“Please put the materials over there!”

“The furniture? To the office…!”

“I’d like to order the uniforms in this size. Yes. Five sets each……”

Thanks to Iryang’s favor, who had experience overseeing such events, we could entrust the preparations for a relatively low cost. It also helped that the Sect Establishment Ceremony itself didn’t require much preparation to begin with.

At most, what needed preparation were the uniforms to be issued to the new disciples and the food to serve the guests on the day. The rest was just reorganizing the manor.

Uicheonmun, bustling with activity for the first time, gradually began to take the shape of a proper sect. And then.

Time passed like that, and as the Sect Establishment Ceremony approached within the week, what was I doing?

『Current Researchable List

Growth Promotion (Level 10)

When training within the manor,the probability of gaining enlightenment increases by a ‘very slight’ amount. The growth limit of muscles and bones for sect members is increased by 10%.

Spirit Concentration (Level 10)

When circulating energy within the manor,the rate of internal energy increase is boosted by 20%. Additionally, the purity of the accumulated internal energy becomes ‘very slightly’ more refined.』

“…Hmm. What to do.”

I had the status window open and was pondering repeatedly.

[Available Virtue Points : 80]

“What should I research next?”

Sitting at the desk in the office, I gauged my remaining Virtue Points and rested my chin on my hand, lost in thought. The remaining Virtue Points were 50. Only one research was possible.

“Both are functions I can’t just discard.”

In the case of Growth Promotion, it increases the growth limit of muscles and bones. What does that mean?

It means that even with the same muscle mass, one can use more strength. For Seohwa and Wang Pal, who are building their foundations, this effect would be worth its weight in gold. If this were the only option, I would have cosen Growth Promotion without hesitation. But.

“…The problem is that Spirit Concentration can’t be discarded either.”

Right. The problem is that Spirit Concentration is in no way inferior to the effects of Growth Promotion.

“To solve Wang Pal’s chronic problem, Spirit Concentration is necessary.”

Often, the presence or absence of internal energy plays a significant role in distinguishing whether one is a Murim practitioner or not. To that extent, internal energy itself is a crucial element for a Murim practitioner. But what about Wang Pal’s case?

The speed at which that internal energy accumulates is overwhelmingly slower than others. The energy others gain after a year of practice, Wang Pal would need to practice for over five years to barely obtain. For such a Wang Pal, Spirit Concentration is not an option but a necessity. Is that all?

“It says the internal energy becomes more refined.”

The purity of internal energy is as important as its quantity. No matter how much impure energy one has, it’s difficult to achieve proper efficiency.

If the internal energy becomes even slightly more refined, it would greatly benefit not only Wang Pal but also Seohwa. Ultimately, it’s an issue needed by both.

“…Hmm. It’s troubling.”

I let out a sigh while looking at the empty status window. I wish a way to obtain Virtue Points would just pop up.

『Virtue Points Acquisition Methods

Virtue Pointscan be obtained through a total of four methods: Challenge Quests, Faction Wars, Achievements, and increases in Individual Grades.』

Unfortunately, there was no immediate way to acquire Virtue Points. The Challenge Quests had dried up, and Faction Wars or Achievements weren’t feasible in our current situation, where we haven’t even held the Sect Establishment Ceremony.

It was fortunate, at least, that Uicheonmun’s reputation and clarity had increased slightly, allowing me to obtain 30 Virtue Points.

“I suppose I should start with Spirit Concentration for now.”

With a small smile at this somewhat happy dilemma, I closed the status window. If only I could get just 20 more Virtue Points from somewhere.

Well, that’s not the most important thing right now. Virtue Points will come in time as I live.

More importantly right now is…

Knock knock!

…this.

“Come in.”

As I spoke, sensing the presence, the door soon opened and Iryang entered the office, carrying a box.

“Replies have arrived from the messenger hawks we sent, so I’ve come to deliver them.”

“You didn’t have to come in person; you must be busy.”

“Haha. Actually, I’m not that busy. We’re not conducting any large-scale trade journeys for a while.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. It seems there’s a lot of unsettling news coming from various places these days……”

Iryang, wearing a wry smile, placed the box he was carrying in one hand onto the desk.

“Would you like some tea?”

“No, thank you. I just wanted to deliver this and then take a quick look at the progress of the Sect Establishment Ceremony preparations.”

“Is that so? There’s no need to trouble yourself so much.”

“Not at all. Since our Merchant Company has taken on the task, it’s important to do it properly.”

Seeing Iryang’s face with a refreshing smile, I also smiled back and nodded.

“I’m truly receiving a lot of help. If I have any need to use a Merchant Company in the future, I will definitely use the Haun Merchant Company.”

“Hahaha! There’s no need to be so grateful. This is a kind of investment, after all.”

“It seems like you’re giving away a lot for an investment.”

“A merchant wouldn’t do business at a loss, would he? Please consider it a small gift from me to build a friendship with you, Sect Master. Well then, I’ll be going.”

“Take care.”

Watching Iryang disappear outside with a faint smile, I glanced down and opened the box. Inside were piles of letters.

“That’s a lot I sent.”

I smiled wryly as I checked the names of the senders. The letters were piling up, needing to be checked slowly.

I needed to sort them out based on who was attending and who wasn’t, and prepare accordingly. At the very least, I needed to prepare seats for the guests.

Thinking that, I was slowly sorting through the letters when…

Thud!

“…This is…?”

Noticing a letter of a familiar shape in my hand, I narrowed my eyes.

“A Murim Alliance directive?”