Chapter 1146
– Chapter 1146. I did everything I could (1)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
‘No, why elixir….’
There were too many things that didn't make sense.
First, how did they manage to make so many elixirs? But this could be set aside for now. The more important question was why on earth did they distribute these elixirs to them.
‘And these elixirs are even valued as high by sogaju of Tang Family...’
Of course, the pills were somewhat small.
Typically, elixir were at least the size of chestnuts, but the ones they held were only the size of beans.
But so what?
Whether it's a bean or a grain of rice, if it's a top-notch elixir, isn't it common for even something as small as a grain of rice to cause a storm of blood the moment it's released into Kangho?
Martial artists are willing to risk their lives for martial prowess. If there is a way to improve their martial arts skills even a little, they will not hesitate to use their swords. That is why, when they hear that an elixir has appeared somewhere, they will all grab their weapons and rush to said place. Even though they know that their chances of obtaining the elixir with their own skills are slim, they cannot give up that small hope.
'But why do they distribute such elixirs like this?'
Everyone looked at Chung Myung with bewildered expressions.
Though the pills were divided into smaller portions, the amount distributed was enough to give each Mount Hua disciple a full-sized elixir, and there would still be some left over.
Which sect leader in the world would share the elixir meant for their own disciples to others?
“Is this really elixir?”
So, even knowing it, they couldn’t help but doubt.
“I- Is this poison?”
“Why would they feed us poison!”
“Maybe because we’ve been looking weak lately, they want to give us poison to make us grind harder? Saying if we don’t want to get screwed, we should work hard….”
Those who were about to refute that question looked back at Chung Myung uneasily. It was nonsense, but if it was Chung Myung, anything seemed possible...
“Tang Sogaju said it was elixir!”
Ah, right.
“N- No. It’s Tang Family. I heard those yangban eat poison pills like elixir. So couldn’t they just call poison pills elixir?”
"Huh?"
The crowd's gaze turned back to Tang Pae, as if they thought that made sense. Feeling wronged, Tang Pae protested.
“No matter what, how can I not distinguish between poison pill and elixir? And the rumor that the Tang take poison for elixir is all nonsense!”
“...Is that really true?”
“Then do sword sects eat swords instead of elixir?”
“What about the Heaven Poison Pill?”
“That’s a different matter! If eating poison could increase internal energy, we’d have more energy than Shaolin and beat up Namgung all the time!”
“No, why drag us into this...”
Everyone nodded as if they were convinced by what was said.
“Then this really is elixir...”
The question was resolved, but an even bigger one arose. Chung Myung nodded indifferently as they looked at him with a look of bewilderment, hoping for an explanation.
“If you’ve all received one, eat it.”
“….”
“Don’t bother splitting and sharing it; just eat it and cultivate while the elders are here to guard you.”
"No…."
One of the Beast Palace warriors looked at Chung Myung with a bewildered face and asked.
"Ca- Can I really eat this?"
“Do you think I’d give you something you can’t eat?”
“That’s not what I meant….”
Would all of these people here really can't eat elixir in their hands and just watch it due to modesty?
They, too, had thought that if an elixir was right in front of them, they’d swallow it first and worry about the consequences later.
However, all valuables are ultimately obtained by paying a fair price and going through a process. However, an elixir that they could not even dare dream of fell into their hands by just standing still.
At this, they were all at a loss for what to do.
If they were alone, they’d have swallowed it shamelessly. But with so many others in the same situation, it felt awkward to be the first to eat it.
“Ah, just eat it! Can’t you hear me? Don’t you know how to, even when it's handed right to you?”
Those who were fidgeting with their elixir in hand exchanged glances as they heard the nagging. However, since no one could give a clear answer, their gazes eventually turned to the heads of their sect leader.
A hollow laugh suddenly burst out of Maeng So's mouth. It was absurd to see these robust warriors looking like nervous puppies and desperately seeking guidance from him.
'Was it this bad?'
This wasn't a simple reaction to receiving an elixir. His warriors didn't understand the concept of receiving something from the people of Jungwon without any strings attached in the first place.
Although they have been talking about cooperating with Jungwon and building a nest together under the eaves of Heavenly Comrade Alliance, the distrust deep within them has not been dispelled.
In fact, it was none other than Maeng So who should have solved this problem. He, who had been the most proactive in advocating exchanges with Jungwon since the past, should have taken the initiative first….
Maeng So glanced back at Chung Myung. His face was furrowed as if he was deeply irritated.
‘It’s just his expression.’
By now, Maeng So had come to understand Chung Myung a bit. This person, who was strangely awkward in dealing with others, tended to act prickly when embarrassed or when given credit.
“Keuhum.”
Maeng So cleared his throat briefly and opened his mouth.
“That elixirs are….”
What should he say? Maeng So looked at everyone looking at him expectantly and continued.
“Elixirs prepared for you by Heavenly Comrade Alliance.”
It is correct to say this in a literal sense. It is certainly not wrong.
This is the crystallization of Heavenly Comrade Alliance, created by combining the ice crystal of North Sea, Beast Palace Palace's jamokcho, and the efforts of Mount Hua.
With a bit of a stretch, one could even say that Namgung's financial power and the logistics of Nokrim that facilitated trade all over the world, as well as Tang Family's concocting technique, also helped.
No matter how great Mount Hua is, they couldn’t have made these elixirs on their own.
“So there’s no need to look at me like that. You’re just receiving what you rightfully deserve.”
This is probably the official stance of Heavenly Comrade Alliance, and the stance of Chung Myung, who seeks to break down the walls between those who belong to Heavenly Comrade Alliance.
When one side gives something to another, it creates a division between the giver and the receiver. Chung Myung does not want that. Because that small difference in position is what ultimately divides the superior and inferior.
Those who belong to Heavenly Comrade Alliance are treated equally regardless of their sect. Isn't that the principle of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance that Chung Myung newly established?
So, as the one responsible for upholding this great principle, Maeng So had no choice but to respond this way. However...
“But also….”
Maeng So paused and glanced at Chung Myung with a small smile.
'I have no reason to do whatever you want me to, right?'
It was Chung Myung who said that there should be no such thing as a hierarchy in Heavenly Comrade Alliance, so using that contradiction against him wasn’t necessarily wrong.
“To strip away the fancy wrapping, these elixirs were made and shared to you by Mount Hua.”
“No, that’s….”
The moment Chung Myung was about to say something, Maeng So quickly continued, cutting him off.
“There is no need to refuse what is given. Elixir isn’t something that insignificant you can decline with excuses about honor or principle. However, it’s also not right to accept what is given to you without any gratitude.”
Chung Myung opened his eyes wide and glared at Maeng So, but Maeng So neatly turned away from his gaze.
“So, you should take these elixirs with a thankful heart for Mount Hua, who worked tirelessly for several nights to make these without any selfish intentions.”
Chung Myung's eyes were burning intensely.
“Keuhum.”
Maeng So slowly averted his eyes from the gaze that seemed as if it would eat him whole. Then, this time, Yang Gun-ak stepped forward to support Maeng So.
“The same goes for Tang Family.”
At those words, all Tang Family members stared at Tang Gun-ak.
“A certain someone with a bad personality might say that he’s feeding you well to make you work harder, but we all know that’s not as easy as it sounds.”
“….”
“There is no need to say thank you. No, don’t try to get away with it using such easy words. The way to repay these elixirs is both difficult and simple: ensure that the value of these pills is fully realized in your future achievements. That’s all we ask.”
“….”
“However… you must be grateful to the sect leader and the elders of Mount Hua who collapsed from exhaustion while creating these elixirs. That is a separate matter from this.”
The Tang Family members nodded, feeling a heavy feeling in their hearts.
“Are you serious?”
When Chung Myung asked through gritted teeth, Tang Gun-ak shrugged his shoulders.
“Then what else should we say? Should we say it’s nothing big?”
“It really wasn’t that difficult.”
“That’s easy for you to say. Don’t you know that the moment we say that, we become fools who weren't able to do even that easy thing for them?”
“….”
“To avoid looking like incompetent fools, we have to say what needs to be said. Surely, you don’t expect us to take the blame without any defense?”
“Ugh….”
Chung Myung groaned.
“No, that’s not what I meant...”
Then, when he turned his head absentmindedly, he flinched for a moment, taking a step back.
The sight of the previously pale and almost lifeless disciples now looking at him with bright, expectant eyes was unsettling.
The panicked Chung Myung faltered.
“That, uh….”
“Augh, really.”
At that moment, a savior appeared.
“We aren’t training a puppy! Are you going to hold a ceremony in front of elixir?”
Everyone's eyes turned to the place where the shout came from. Im Sobyeong was already sitting on the ground, frowning and throwing his fan aside.
“Whether you want to be grateful or repay the favor, handle those yourselves. Well, those who just have to put up manners before they can be at ease, just finish your manners fast so we can eat. Yes? My legs are trembling so badly I might collapse, is it really the time to be so picky?”
"Uh…."
That's definitely true.
“If you’re not going to eat, move aside. I’m going to eat mine.”
Im Sobyeong immediately put the Jasodan into his mouth and sat cross-legged.
The hardest part is always the first step, isn’t it?
With Im Sobyeong setting the example, the others began to follow suit, sitting down and swallowing their elixir.
“But, Chung Myung-ah.”
When Jo-Gol raised his hand as if he didn't understand something, Chung Myung waved his hand as if he didn't want to listen.
“You guys just eat it too.”
“That’s not it…”
“Oh, just eat it. No need to fuss. Everyone’s getting the same thing. Eating more won’t hurt you.”
“No, that’s not what I meant!”
"Hm?"
Jo-Gol distorted his face as he held up his share of elixir.
“I think our share is a little smaller than the others.”
“….”
“Are you sure we’re all getting the same thing?”
“….”
“Let’s speak honestly and not try to deceive. If you come out clean now, I’ll let you off easy.”
It was the moment when Chung Myung, with the veins on his forehead popped out, rolled up his sleeves for the first time in a while.
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