Chapter 64

Chapter 63. The Sect Leader! That Guy is the God of Wealth! (3)

"So... "

Hyun-jong could not hide his astonishment. The others in the room felt the same way.

There were only two people who did not react this way.

One was Huang Wenyao, sitting opposite Hyun-jong.

And Qingming, kneeling beside him.

"Are you saying that... Qingming treated Huang Sir's illness and averted the crisis of the trade caravan?"

"That's right."

"Wow."

Hyun-jong alternated his gaze between Qingming and Huang Wenyao.

It was simply unbelievable.

Although Qingming is a disciple of Huashan, he has only been a disciple for less than three months. In a sense, he is still just a fledgling.

How could such a child accomplish such an incredible feat?

"Is that really the truth?"

Huang Wenyao frowned at Hyun-yeong's heavily skeptical words.

"Are you doubting that I, Huang Wenyao, am lying?"

"Of course not, how could I?"

Hyun-yeong backed down.

The power of Huang Wenyao and the Yinheshangdian is so great that even Huashan cannot touch it.

Moreover, Huang Wenyao has consistently supported Huashan in the past. Without Huang Wenyao, Huashan's decline would have been twice as fast. That's why the previous sect leader treated Huang Wenyao as the most important guest of Huashan.

No matter how much Hyun-yeong is the leader of the Zaijing Hall and an elder of Huashan, he cannot treat Huang Wenyao casually.

"I am not a leisurely person."

Hyun-jong slightly frowned and looked at Hyun-yeong. Hyun-yeong, feeling a bit intimidated, spoke.

"I had no such intention. I will apologize, and I hope you will forgive me, Sir Huang."

"Hmm."

However, Huang Wenyao did not easily hide his displeasure.

Of course, he wasn't really upset. A merchant in a deal cannot afford to miss even the smallest opportunity. He would use this to his advantage...

"Ahem!"

Huang Wenyao glanced at the source of the fake cough. Qingming had an uncomfortable look on his face.

'What a bother.'

A third-generation disciple helping a senior elder who is being scolded. Where have you seen such a scene?

Unable to ignore Qingming's signal, Huang Wenyao softened his expression.

At that moment, Yunjian spoke up.

"I don't understand."

Huang Wenyao looked at him for a moment and asked.

"You are?"

"I am Yunjian of Huashan. I am the head of the Bai Mai Hall."

"I see. Master Yunjian. Do you also not believe my words, Master Yunjian?"

"It's not that, but I have fundamental doubts. Putting aside everything else, can Qingming really treat people's illnesses?"

"..."

A reasonable question.

Everyone looked at Qingming and Huang Wenyao with suspicion in their eyes. Huang Wenyao, at a loss for words, glanced at Qingming. This was something Qingming needed to explain.

"It's not that difficult."

"Can you explain?"

"Yes. As you all know, I was originally a beggar, right?"

"That's right."

"Beggars usually eat anything they can find, so they often get sick or poisoned."

"Foolish talk! If that were true, the leader of the world's poison experts would be the Beggar Sect, not the Si Chuan Tang Family."

"In specific cases, that's true. Beggars don't use poison, but they know quite a few ways to cure poisoning, especially when it comes to things they can eat."

Qingming took a deep breath and continued.

"There is a plant called Wu Yin Cao (Five Yin Grass). It looks almost identical to mugwort but is highly toxic. Accidents are rare because it's hard to spot, but beggars, who eat anything they can find, often eat this Wu Yin Cao and get poisoned. Once poisoned, they suffer and eventually die."

Everyone was engrossed in Qingming's words.

"However, the method to detoxify Wu Yin Cao is surprisingly simple. Doctors can't find a solution, but feeding them grated yam miraculously cures them."

"So, the poison that affected Sir Huang was from Wu Yin Cao?"

"Yes. The symptoms were so similar that I tried it out, and he recovered quickly."

"No..."

Xian Shang, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.

"I've heard a similar story before. It's said that the Beggar Sect has a lot of knowledge about poisoning."

"Hmm, is that so?"

Seeing the people who were unsure whether to believe him, Qingming inwardly smiled.

'Ask, you guys.'

Even if they rushed to the Beggar Sect to verify the truth, he wasn't worried because it was true.

War is a battle of logistics. But ensuring timely delivery of supplies amidst the chaos of war is one of the most difficult tasks in the world. Therefore, those on the front lines would eat anything they could find, and many fell ill.

Qingming's experience with Wu Yin Cao was real. The solution was given by the beggars of the Beggar Sect.

The poison that affected Huang Wenyao had nothing to do with Wu Yin Cao, but how would they know that?

'It just needs to sound plausible. That's all.'

Life is like that.

"Such a thing happened."

"Then it's definitely not a matter of not returning on time. When someone is dying right in front of you, what difference does a day or two make?"

"You've done a great deed. A great deed!"

Everyone looked at Qingming with the utmost admiration.

"Sect Leader."

Yunjian spoke up wisely.

"If this is true, it's not a matter of punishment but of reward, isn't it?"

"Hmm. Indeed."

Hyun-jong's eyes softened.

"Sect Leader."

Yunyan slightly raised his voice.

"Even if he acted for the greater good, disobeying the sect leader's order and not returning is a serious offense."

"Is my order more important than a person's life?"

"......That's......"

"Are you saying that we should praise a disciple for leaving a dying person and returning on time?"

Yunyan closed his mouth.

"Huashan is a sect that pursues righteousness. What could be more important than saving a person's life? Is my trivial order more important than establishing righteousness?"

"I was shortsighted."

Yunyan bowed deeply and stepped back.

In the meantime, Yunyan and Hyun-jong exchanged glances. Seeing Hyun-jong's angry face, Yunyan knew that others would not be able to discuss Qingming's punishment. Hyun-jong, guessing this intention, gave a slight nod to Yunyan and looked at Qingming.

"Qingming."

"Yes, Sect Leader."

"You've done well."

"Yes."

Qingming bowed deeply.

Seeing that the situation was settled, Huang Wenyao began to speak.

"Huang Wenyao and the Yinheshangdian have received great favors from Huashan. To be precise, I received help from Master Qingming, but Master Qingming attributed everything to the teachings of Huashan."

"Wow!"

"That child."

"Truly remarkable. Truly remarkable."

Huang Wenyao smiled slightly.

'He's covered all his bases, but...'

However, he couldn't tell the whole truth. From the perspective of the Yinheshangdian and Huang Wenyao, it was better for Qingming's position in Huashan to be solidified.

Seeing Qingming's face, which was shamelessly accepting the obvious lie, Huang Wenyao found it hard to suppress his laughter.

"Therefore, to repay Huashan, I would like to make a small investment in Huashan."

"You said investment?"

"Yes. The term 'investment' might not be quite right. 'Support' is more accurate. Investment implies expecting a return, but support is given without expecting anything in return, isn't it?"

"Ah, we are already grateful for everything you've given us..."

"Sect Leader."

Huang Wenyao looked at Hyun-jong.

"If I had only intended to clean my mouth, I wouldn't have come here with my family. I want to stake everything on Huashan."

Hyun-jong's eyes trembled.

"H, Sir Huang?"

Despite Hyun-jong's shocked response, Huang Wenyao only smiled.

"I've brought the executives of the trade caravan. Let's discuss it slowly. What does Huashan need, and what can we do to help?"

"Thank you. Truly, thank you, Sir Huang."

"You don't need to thank me. It's not enough to repay the favor of saving a life."

Huang Wenyao and Hyun-jong's gazes turned to Qingming.

Hyun-jong spoke with a very pleased expression.

"You've brought blessings to Huashan, and now you're helping a noble person to spread Huashan's name. I'm almost ashamed."

"Don't say that. If I hadn't learned from Huashan, how could I have done this?"

Huang Wenyao was impressed.

'His acting skills have improved.'

Look at his smooth talk. It's like oil flowing.

"Then, Zaijing Hall Leader and Yunyan, stay. The rest of you, please leave."

"Yes, Sect Leader."

Everyone stood up.

"And Qingming, I'll call you back later, so don't go far and wait."

"Yes."

Qingming slightly bowed and left with the others. As soon as they stepped outside, Xian Shang patted Qingming's shoulder.

"You've done well. Really, you've done well."

"Ah, it's not like I did something great or anything."

"It is great. How can it not be great? Just saving a person is commendable, and it's Sir Huang! Truly, a blessing has rolled into Huashan!"

The blessings rolled in with you guys.

I was originally a stone embedded here.

Seeing the young (?) ones claiming ownership despite being the ones who rolled in, Qingming sighed inwardly.

Yeah, yeah. If they feel good, what can I do?

At that moment, Yunjian spoke in a slightly stiff tone.

"Qingming."

"Yes, Hall Leader."

"I know you did a good thing, but it's also true that your handling was clumsy. Especially leaving Huashan without a word is a definite mistake."

"I was too hasty and didn't think that far."

"That can happen. Be more careful next time. This matter was more dangerous than you think."

"Yes, I will be careful."

"Disobeying the sect leader's order is also a fact. You can't always get away with excuses."

"Yes."

Qingming bowed.

But his lips pouted slightly, unseen.

'Why is this guy so uptight?'

After all I've done! If I hadn't done more, it would have been a disaster!

But Qingming's twisted heart softened the moment he looked up at Yunjian's face.

Yunjian's lips twitched. He couldn't help but smile.

"Ahem, hmm. You must always strive to improve."

'He's trying.'

Others also came up to Qingming, patted his shoulder, and praised his achievement. Qingming realized that Sir Huang was more significant to Huashan than he had thought.

After all, money talks.

"Looks like Huashan's luck is turning. Good things are happening one after another."

Is that Huashan's luck turning?

I came to Huashan.

Qingming sighed deeply.

When will I be able to revive Huashan with these brats?

'Oh, Senior Brother. My back hurts now too.'

It seemed that Qingwen was smiling broadly from above.