I Am the Youngest Disciple of the Martial Arts World’s Mastermind
Chapter 59
Chapter 59
The Youngest Disciple of the Murim’s Hidden Mastermind
Episode 59
“There is a righteous path to follow even in the pursuit of strength. If you resort to wicked schemes, they will surely return to haunt you.”
At those words, Namgung Ryeong-hwa’s expression froze.
It felt as though her insolent intentions were being laid bare before the clear mirror of the Medicine Immortal.
As if reading her thoughts, the Medicine Immortal’s gaze pinned her with unerring precision.
“Greed sometimes consumes the soul.”
“…Yes.”
Caught in a situation where she could not avoid answering, Namgung Ryeong-hwa suppressed her humiliation, lowered her head, and bit her lip.
As if satisfied with that, the Medicine Immortal flicked his wrist and snapped the iron fan open.
Tak.
“Now, the decision rests with you.”
“……!”
Simultaneously, a violent gust of wind—one that shouldn’t have been possible inside a cave—blew through, and his form began to slowly blur.
“Master Medicine Immortal…!”
Dang Cheong-a cupped her hands in a fist salute and bowed her head as if possessed.
One by one, the other young experts followed suit, showing their respect.
Chwaaaa— A fierce wind whipped through the center of the cavern.
After the whirlwind subsided and their hair settled, the young experts raised their heads once more.
There…
Was nothing.
“Ugh.”
I returned through the secret passage and flopped onto the ground.
Success!
I had handed over items to Deung So-han and Dang Cheong-a, whom I had been watching particularly closely, things they must desperately need right now.
To Deung So-han, I gave a box containing a precious elixir that would be hard to find in the impoverished Hengshan Sect. For Dang Cheong-a, I pointed out an alchemy manual that would be highly useful for the Sichuan Tang Clan.
Dang Cheong-a, in particular, had identified most of the poison-laced mechanisms and formations on the way down to the cavern’s center.
Thanks to her, the group was able to proceed without major danger, so I gave her an especially large reward in recognition of her contribution.
‘Master said it’s important to foster the strength of the young experts of the Orthodox faction.’
And according to the game’s lore, this is the time when the Sichuan Tang Clan should be expanding its influence anyway.
I also handed out sword manuals or elixirs to others like Yeong-do and Yoo Chwi-san, depending on what they desired.
However, there were people I didn’t specifically pick out items for: Namgung Ryeong-hwa and Baekri Hyuk.
Well, Baekri Hyuk likely gained a lesson more precious than any elixir from this endeavor, so it should be fine.
As for Namgung Ryeong-hwa, she looked disgruntled even having to bow to me in the first place.
‘Though it seems her fear managed to overcome that nasty temper of hers….’
The sight of a young child suppressing a brilliant master in his twenties with nothing but palm force must have seemed bizarre to them.
Everyone likely believes I am the Medicine Immortal, having achieved the state of Rejuvenation.
‘I didn’t expect things to play out quite like this.’
And, of course, the hardest part was keeping Yongyong in check.
He kept puffing himself up as if he wanted to pounce on Namgung Ryeong-hwa, and I nearly exhausted myself trying to stop him.
“Phew.”
I wondered why Yongyong followed me; I never imagined such a nasty person would be mixed in among the young experts of the Orthodox faction….
‘Namgung Ryeong-hwa. And maybe Baekri Hyuk just a little….’
I thought of Baekri Hyuk and Namgung Ryeong-hwa at the same time, but decided to take Baekri Hyuk off the blacklist for now.
‘After everything I said. Besides, at the very end, it felt like he had some sort of realization.’
Although Baekri Hyuk wavered due to a momentary flash of greed, his natural talent was undoubtedly exceptional.
Now that I’ve steered him toward the right path like this, there shouldn’t be any major trouble in the future.
But I’ll have to keep a close eye on Namgung Ryeong-hwa.
I was already concerned about her because of Gwang-eum anyway.
‘Just what kind of family is the Namgung Clan…?’
It felt strange to personally encounter characters from a world I had only known through text.
“Phew.”
I brushed off the dust and deactivated all the trap mechanisms. Then, I confirmed that the young experts were safely finding the exit and leaving the depository.
“Good… they’re out!”
The six of them discussed things amongst themselves for a while and then left, taking only what was essential and a few unique items without being overly greedy with the depository’s contents.
It was behavior within the expected range.
‘They probably think they can come back later, which is why they’re acting that way.’
But, sorry.
As Master said….
‘I will leave behind an almost excessive amount of wealth to show off the Medicine Immortal’s prestige. However, if the brats sent by the Murim Alliance take everything sitting there, I’ll have to adjust the weight of the scales again. I must maintain the balance of power to some extent.’
Indeed. Balance is important.
“Balance. Balance.”
Humming to myself, I activated the mechanism that would collapse all the official exits of the depository.
I had already set the entrance-collapsing device in motion earlier.
Kwagagagwang!
Along with the satisfying sound, I heard a faint outcry from outside.
Now, this place can never be entered again, whether through the entrance or the exit.
‘Except for the secret passage made of mechanisms that only I know about!’
“Heave-ho.”
Shall we clean up, then?
I stepped out into the cavern and began organizing the treasures the young experts hadn’t taken, when I suddenly muttered to myself.
“…Wait, did Master say ‘balance’?”
Balance is English, isn’t it?
…How?
The escape route led to a pond.
The young man who emerged from the water was soaked to the bone, but the treasures inside the chest he held tightly in his arms were flawless.
The moment they confirmed that the treasures each had brought were safe, broad smiles spread across their faces.
But before those smiles could even fade—Kugugugung!
With a thunderous roar, the exit they had just escaped from collapsed in an instant.
“……!”
The faces of the young experts turned pale as they watched the entrance sink into the deep darkness of the pond and vanish.
As if a mirage were lifting, it disappeared as hollowly as if it had never existed in the first place.
At that moment, the sound of someone hurriedly pushing through the underbrush came from the opposite side.
“The young experts have come out over here!”
Hahou Yeon, who had come running out of breath, shouted in a voice filled with relief.
The Sword Pavilion Master appeared soon after, taking a deep breath.
“Ah, what a relief.”
However, Baekri Hyuk, his face still frozen, asked.
“…How did you find us so quickly?”
Hahou Yeon caught his breath and explained the situation.
“Immediately after you entered the depository, the entrance suddenly collapsed. It appeared as though it was designed to be accessed only once from the very beginning.”
“……!”
No sooner had he finished speaking than Namgung Ryeong-hwa’s face contorted behind him. And then, unable to contain herself, she let out a scream.
“Aaargh!”
It was because she, the only one scolded by the Medicine Immortal during this exploration, had come out with nothing in her hands.
She thought that since this depository was found using a treasure map secured by the Namgung Clan, she could return whenever she pleased. That was why she had tried to show a humble front this time to redeem her image, but…!
To lose such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—a chance to obtain artifacts that couldn’t be found anywhere else—just like this.
Namgung Ryeong-hwa’s fists trembled violently, and eventually, bright red blood trickled from her tightly bitten lip.
Yoo Chwi-san, standing nearby, cried out in alarm.
“Lady Namgung, you’re going to suffer a Qi Deviation at this rate!”
“Get lost!”
But Namgung Ryeong-hwa shoved even Yoo Chwi-san aside roughly and stalked away.
Watching Namgung Ryeong-hwa walk away with her back turned, Hahou Yeon cautiously asked the remaining group.
“…What happened inside?”
“…….”
Baekri Hyuk was also staring at Namgung Ryeong-hwa’s back.
Previously, he would have quickly followed and consoled her, the eldest daughter of the prestigious Namgung Clan.
“…I will tell you in detail. Once we return. I must also explain what was inside.”
Baekri Hyuk felt like a different person compared to who he was before entering the Medicine Immortal’s depository.
He quietly turned to Deung So-han and spoke.
“Young Hero Deung worked particularly hard in there.”
