Chapter 56
Baek-Cheong rested her chin on her hand and watched the whistle blowing with interest.
They weren’t even guaranteed anonymity like in the Nameless Forum, yet massive secrets poured out, and the information constantly spilling forth was too specific and significant to be dismissed as mere childish blabbering.
“Aha, you all know some truly amazing secrets.”
Having somehow been forcefully injected with all sorts of corruption and secrets of the Cultivation World in the Southern Continent, Baek-Cheong gave a benevolent and gracious smile as she lightly stood up from her Seat.
“My uncle is calling for me, so I’ll be right back.”
Taking advantage of the children’s disappointment, Baek-Cheong slipped out of the group like a shot.
She then quietly approached her uncle from behind, who was busily moving around the Banquet Hall entertaining guests.
“Uncle.”
As Baek-Cheong tugged on his sleeve, Baek Mu-Yeong turned his head.
“Oh, Cheong-A. What is it?”
“Well, you see…”
Baek-Cheong brought her mouth close to her uncle’s ear and lowered her voice.
She then began to recite the weaknesses, secrets, and fortuitous encounter information of each Clan and Sect that she had just picked up from the children’s exposure battle.
Upon hearing the unimaginably top-secret information flowing from Baek-Cheong’s mouth, Baek Mu-Yeong’s eyes shook as if an earthquake had struck.
“How do you know such inside details…!”
“The kids told me everything.”
Seeing her uncle’s surprised reaction, Baek-Cheong felt good, which relieved the frustration that had built up during the banquet.
And having achieved what she wanted, she returned to her Seat.
“She must have done this knowing that this banquet is an important event.”
Meanwhile, left alone, Baek Mu-Yeong looked at his Niece’s retreating back with an admiring expression.
He then clenched his fists at the opportunity his Niece had brought him.
The hidden shameful secrets of other Clans and Sects, which even the Clan’s intelligence network hadn’t been able to dig up, had just rolled right into his lap.
As a merchant and the Acting Clan Head, he knew there was no greater weapon than this.
Baek Mu-Yeong immediately cleared his throat, composed his expression, and leisurely approached the Changmyeong Sect’s Delegation, the very subjects of the information Baek-Cheong had just recited.
“Haha, elder of the Changmyeong Sect. Is the exploration of the Demon King’s Secret Realm going smoothly? I heard the Formation is quite tricky.”
“Cough! How does Guild Master Baek know about that…!”
Using the information Baek-Cheong had fetched for him, Baek Mu-Yeong chatted with the delegations and seized control of the conversations.
With subtle pressure and masterful negotiation skills, he relentlessly secured trade conditions that were unilaterally advantageous to the Yeonha Baek Clan.
The Banquet Hall suddenly turned into a solo stage for Baek Mu-Yeong’s ruthless information warfare and business acumen.
Baek Mu-Ae, who noticed the change belatedly while conversing, smiled warmly once again.
“Cheong-A must have played some trick again. She truly is a clever child.”
As the banquet rushed toward its climax, the Baek Clan’s prestige soared as if to pierce the sky.
A loud announcement rang out from the entrance of the Banquet Hall.
“The Biun Sect’s Delegation is entering!”
Everyone’s gaze turned toward the entrance in unison.
The Delegation carrying the flag of the Biun Sect was majestically stepping into the Banquet Hall.
And at the forefront, a dignified young man draped in the splendid ceremonial robes of the Biun Sect led the way, exuding the aura of the Early Mid Foundation Establishment Stage.
“Baek Gyu!”
A glad cry burst from his mother’s mouth.
The Eldest Son of the Yeonha Baek Clan, who had devoted himself to Training in the Sect for many years, had returned.
“Your Humble Son Baek Gyu conveys the will of the Biun Sect and, having returned to the Clan after a long time, is Paying Respects.”
His mother ran out in her stocking feet and clasped the hands of her son, who had grown up so dignified.
Baek Gyu’s face was also filled with the joy of seeing his Family after such a long time.
“Mother, have you been well? But why do I not see father?”
His mother answered with reddened eyes.
“Your father laid down the affairs of the Clan Head a few days ago and entered a long closed-door Training to ascend to the Golden Core.”
“Father has finally made his decision! This is a great occasion for the Clan!”
Baek Gyu nodded, genuinely rejoicing at his father’s decision.
After finishing his brief reunion with his mother, he approached Baek Mu-Ae at the Seat of Honor and Baek Mu-Yeong, who was waiting his turn, and politely paid his respects.
“Grandfather, uncle. It is an honor to see you.”
“Yes, you have become truly dignified. It seems your Training in the Sect has borne fruit.”
“If my elder brother had seen you, he would surely have been delighted.”
Having finished his greetings, Baek Gyu went on to introduce the members of the Biun Sect’s Delegation who had entered the Banquet Hall with him.
“These are the true disciples and my Senior and Junior Disciples who are receiving the Sect Master’s teachings alongside me.”
Taken in as disciples directly by the Sect Master, they could be called the pillars who would lead the Sect in the future.
Furthermore, since the Current Sect Master of the Biun Sect was the True Disciple of the Soul Transformation Old Ancestor, they were practically the next successor who would command the Southern Continent.
“It is an honor to meet the Old Ancestor of the Baek Clan. I am lacking, but because I am older than my Junior Disciples, I hold the position of Eldest Senior Disciple Brother. I am called Wang Sam.”
Wang Sam, the leader of the Delegation standing at the very front, was already exuding the deep aura of the Very Late Foundation Establishment Stage despite his young age.
However, he did not show it off recklessly and lowered himself to show respect.
The junior disciples and Junior Disciple sisters standing behind him also boasted equally impressive auras and high realms.
“And this is Junior Disciple Jin-Wi, the Youngest among our Senior and Junior Disciples. Even though he turned eleven this year, he is a prodigy among prodigies at the Late Qi Condensation Stage.”
Following Baek Gyu’s introduction, a young boy around Baek-Cheong’s age stepped forward shyly from the back of the Delegation group.
“I am pleased to meet the Old Ancestor of the Baek Clan.”
As he opened his mouth, his brilliance was naturally revealed through his clear speech and polite manners.
Seeing this, Baek Mu-Ae’s eyes widened.
“He is in the Late Qi Condensation Stage at that age… Moreover, he has an aura looking toward the Great Perfection. He must surely be a prodigy with a Heavenly Spiritual Root.”
The Banquet Hall murmured at the appearance of a boy who had reached such a considerable realm despite being the same age as Baek-Cheong.
Soon, when all the introductions were finished, Wang Sam, who led the Delegation, cleared his throat and settled the atmosphere.
He then announced in a loud voice that echoed throughout the entire Banquet Hall.
“The reason we attended the Baek Clan’s banquet as the Biun Sect’s Delegation today is to convey the Sect Master’s special will. I declare here and now that as of today, the Yeonha Baek Clan will fall under the full protection of the Biun Sect!”
At Wang Sam’s resounding voice, a silence fell over the Banquet Hall as if cold water had been poured over it.
“Furthermore, anyone who has inherited the bloodline of the Baek Clan can enter as a Disciple of the Biun Sect at any time, regardless of their aptitude!”
Due to the words that followed, the silence turned into uncontrollable astonishment and cheers.
In particular, the Branch Lineage families, who had been thirsting to enter the Biun Sect, were so overwhelmed with emotion that they even shed tears while praising the Biun Sect.
The Branch Lineage children weren’t pleased because of the stories they had heard from Baek-Cheong, but they couldn’t reveal their true feelings.
On the other hand, the reaction of Baek Mu-Yeong, who was serving as the Acting Clan Head, was different.
While surprised by the Unprecedented treatment, he stood with a stiff expression, unable to erase his deep suspicions.
In the Cultivation World, there was no such thing as a favor without a price.
The reason a Great Sect would bestow such Unprecedented privileges upon a mere Clan was obvious.
‘It’s ten times out of ten because of the Five Elements Pill.’
The Heaven-Defying Pill that elevated the aptitude of a Five Spiritual Root.
And the presence of Yak-seon, who was staying at the Baek Clan, could not be ignored either.
The Biun Sect was pretending to grant the Baek Clan grandiose privileges, but in reality, its ulterior motive was likely to use the monopoly rights of the Five Elements Pill or the connection with Yak-seon to its advantage.
After Baek Mu-Yeong had calculated this far, deep worry settled on his face.
Similarly, Baek Mu-Ae had his own internal guesses, but he wore a peaceful smile and raised his glass toward Wang Sam.
“On behalf of the Yeonha Baek Clan, I express my deep gratitude for the Sect Master’s utmost goodwill. Since our precious guests have come a long way, please enjoy the Baek Clan’s banquet to your heart’s content today.”
Thanks to Baek Mu-Ae’s seasoned response, the atmosphere in the Banquet Hall heated up amicably once again.
The Branch Lineage families and cultivators from minor clans flocked like clouds to get on the good side of the Biun Sect’s Delegation.
Meanwhile, Baek Gyu quietly slipped away while his Senior and Junior Disciples were sweating from being surrounded by people.
By his side, his Youngest Junior Disciple was following him closely like a younger brother following his Older Brother.
He headed straight toward Baek-Cheong, who was eating sweets alone in the corner of the Banquet Hall.
“Cheong-A.”
“Eldest Brother!”
Baek-Cheong jumped up from her Seat and welcomed Baek Gyu.
“Have you been well? You have no idea how happy this Older Brother was to hear the news that you broke through the Barrier of the 5th star.”
Baek Gyu stroked Baek-Cheong’s head with an affectionate touch.
Baek-Cheong also smiled brightly at the reliable sight of Baek Gyu, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time.
“You’ve gotten incredibly strong too, Eldest Brother. You look like a real Great Sect Expert now.”
“Haha, I still have a long way to go. Oh right, say hello. This is my Junior Disciple, Jin-Wi.”
At Baek Gyu’s introduction, Jin-Wi shyly bowed his head and greeted her.
“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am called Jin-Wi.”
Baek-Cheong put down her sweets and stared intently at Jin-Wi.
One was exuding the dense aura of the Late Qi Condensation Stage despite being the same age.
He was a true prodigy with a Heavenly Spiritual Root, the likes of which she had only heard about.
“I greet senior Jin-Wi. This Young Girl is called Baek-Cheong.”
And as she offered her greeting, a smile full of mischief leaked out without her realizing it.
To the eyes of others who didn’t know her inner thoughts, she just looked like a bright child.
Above all, for Jin-Wi, who faced Baek-Cheong’s smile head-on, a fluttering arose in his heart that he had never experienced before.
‘So he’s a real, actual Heavenly Spiritual Root, right?’
To Baek-Cheong, it was merely the discovery of a fun new toy.