I Became the Successor of the Martial God Chapter 91

I Became the Successor of the Martial God

Chapter 91.

Yoo Tae-rang’s mansion is the second largest and most beautiful in the family, next only to Yoo Moo-hak’s mansion.  

Thanks to the long-awaited return of its master, the inside of the mansion was bustling with servants moving about.  

Yet, it was eerily quiet.  

“…….”  

“…….”  

Everyone moved as if holding their breath, as though making noise would lead to disaster.  

The room where Yoo Tae-rang stayed was even more so.  

Despite having been vacant for a long time, the spotless room was so silent that only the sound of him flipping through documents could be heard.  

“These are the findings on Yoo Baek-jun.”  

Ha Yeon-jeong broke the silence.  

She strode into the room and placed a stack of documents right in front of Yoo Tae-rang.  

Then, using the screen in the room, she displayed the materials she had prepared in advance.  

“You’ve investigated quite a lot.”  

“Yoo Baek-jun has been acting strangely, so others had already looked into him beforehand. I just sorted through their findings and brought them here.”  

“Since when exactly has he been like this?”  

“Two months ago. Right after you ordered Shin Woo-hyun to kill Yoo Baek-jun.”  

Yoo Tae-rang recalled the past.  

It had been quite some time since Shin Woo-hyun, Yoo Baek-jun’s direct instructor, began serving Yoo Tae-rang.  

Since then, he had faithfully worked for Yoo Tae-rang, who had given him a command before leaving.  

—Kill Yoo Baek-jun before I return.  

He had thought it wouldn’t be too difficult since the guy was weak and had already fallen out of the family’s favor.  

But who would have thought things would turn out like this?  

“Is this what they call a blessing in disguise?”  

“Perhaps. Anyway…”  

Beep! 

Ha Yeon-jeong switched the screen.  

The large screen displayed news reports from various broadcasters and newspaper articles.  

All of them were about Yoo Baek-jun.  

Their contents were quite extraordinary.  

“A hero?”  

Yoo Tae-rang muttered.  

It was a title so far removed and ill-fitting for the Yoo Baek-jun he knew.  

The articles were lavishly praising Yoo Baek-jun’s achievements to an almost embarrassing degree.  

“Before we returned, a Great invasion Gate appeared in Seoul, I heard. They say he prepared for it in advance and commanded the operation from start to finish.”  

“What kind of enemies were they?”  

“They were demons from Halpeon’s Underworld. They invaded, seeking a place to live and claiming land for themselves.”  

“And he stopped them?”  

“Yes.”  

Ha Yeon-jeong slightly furrowed her brows.  

The screen switched again. This time, it showed the massive landmass that had appeared over Seoul.  

“And the ownership of that land… was recognized by the government and the Hunter Association.”  

“There must have been quite a bit of opposition?”  

“Public opinion largely credits Yoo Baek-jun with playing the biggest role in resolving the crisis, and he’s been granted the authority to manipulate that land.”  

“And? Anything else?”  

“He said he’d use a portion of the profits for Seoul’s recovery efforts. He also made personal donations.”  

An article appeared on the screen.  

—Yoo Baek-jun of the Sword Saint Family Donates 50 Billion to Victims! ‘I only did what I had to do.’ 

—Dwarf Craftsman Bigtums: ‘The Underworld of the demon realm holds rare ores and magic stones.’ The Sword Saint Family announces they’ll use a portion of the profits for Seoul’s recovery.  

—Hunter Association and Government Considering Awarding Yoo Baek-jun a Medal…  

Yoo Tae-rang clicked his tongue softly.  

“Showmanship.”  

“But effective. The public sees their ‘hero’ as humble and dedicated to rebuilding Seoul.”  

“Is it true that there are ores and magic stones underground in that land? Has it been confirmed?”  

“They’re currently conducting explorations with the dwarves. Rumor has it that rare ores and magic stones have been discovered underground.”  

And now, that land belonged to Yoo Baek-jun.  

Ideas for seizing the land swirled in Yoo Tae-rang’s mind.  

The quickest method was—  

“Can’t we just kill him now?”  

“That might be difficult.”  

—exactly that.  

But Ha Yeon-jeong shook her head.  

“Yoo Baek-jun’s strength is unknown. At the very least, he’s A-rank. We should at least gauge his strength before making a move. Besides, Grandmaster Ja-yeon—”  

“What about Grandmaster Ja-yeon?”  

“She taught Yoo Baek-jun. There are even rumors that she’s taken a special interest in him recently.”  

Yoo Tae-rang’s eyes flickered for a moment.  

It was just a brief instant, but what flashed through them was intense jealousy.  

“…Grandmaster Ja-yeon, you say?”  

“Yes.”  

Even Yoo Tae-rang, hailed as the family’s genius, hadn’t been deemed worthy of her teachings.  

Had he been an ordinary disciple or instructor, he might have been taught, but as the family’s heir, stricter standards had been applied.  

And yet, that very person had taught Yoo Baek-jun.  

“I can’t understand this.”  

Ha Yeon-jeong quietly observed Yoo Tae-rang.  

She knew just how much he had yearned for Grandmaster Ja-yeon’s teachings.  

Silence lingered between them.  

“…I’ll have to test him.”  

Yoo Tae-rang murmured while looking out the window.  

* * *  

The next morning.  

Yoo Baek-jun visited the Pharmacy where Joo Jung-won was, early in the day. Surprised to see him so early, Joo Jung-won widened his eyes.  

“What brings you here at this hour?”  

“I came to make medicine, Master.”  

“You don’t look sick.”  

“I will be soon.”  

Yoo Baek-jun spread out the rare medicinal ingredients he had brought from the family’s storeroom on the desk.  

“You, this again…”  

“They’re here to be used when needed, aren’t they?”  

“I’m starting to feel ashamed to face the family head.”  

Joo Jung-won let out a sigh.  

But Yoo Baek-jun had even more ingredients to take out. From the Treasure Keeper’s pouch, he pulled out materials never seen before.  

“This is… what?”  

“Blood and a heart.”  

“Doesn’t look like an animal’s.”  

“No, it’s from a demon.”  

Joo Jung-won’s expression twisted slightly.  

“From Mephisto, the one who led the demons. I tested it, and their hearts and blood make incredibly potent ingredients.”  

“Oh, these ominous-looking things?”  

From Mephisto’s heart, a sinister black energy wildly seeped out.  

Demonic energy.  

“The more effective they are, the worse the side effects… you know that, right?”  

“Of course. Medicine is inherently like that. Is there no way to suppress the toxicity?”  

“There is, but not completely. Doing so would weaken the effects too much.”  

“Hmm…”  

Joo Jung-won touched the pitch-black heart.  

“Why would you want to use something so dangerous?”  

“Because I need to.”  

Yoo Baek-jun sighed.  

His dear elder brother, Yoo Tae-rang, had returned. 

Today, an event related to him will take place.  

First, <A Harmonious Family Meal>.  

Next, <Yoo Tae-rang’s Test, Part One>.  

‘To prepare for the test, I need to… bluff my way through by pumping up my current strength.’  

And there was one more event.  

An event related to the Golden Lion Guild—medicine for Song Dae-san, who was currently in a coma.  

Though it was closer to poison than medicine.  

“Anyway, Master, please help me.”  

“When have I ever refused you? Just tell me what you need. I’ll put in the effort.”  

“As expected of my master.”  

Based on a recipe perfected through countless playthroughs, Yoo Baek-jun created two types of medicine.  

[Ghost Revival Pill (A)]  

A potent elixir crafted from the heart and blood of a powerful demon, combined with rare ingredients.  

It possesses effects strong enough to recall a person’s soul. However…  

[Extreme Demon Pill (A)]  

A medicine made by combining the heart and blood of a powerful demon.  

Greatly enhances one’s strength for a limited time.  

It is a harsh concoction for humans to endure.  

Joo Jung-won clicked his tongue the moment he saw them.  

“You’re going to take this?”  

“It won’t kill me, will it?”  

“I’ve mitigated some of the side effects, so it won’t kill you, but this level…”  

“I’ll be bedridden for a few days, though.”  

Still, he had to use it.  

Yoo Baek-jun pocketed the medicines.  

“What now?”  

“Hmm…”  

Yoo Baek-jun turned his back.  

“I think I’ll have a family meal for the first time in a while.”  

* * *  

Yoo Moo-hak had gathered the entire family for the first time in a long while. It was to welcome Yoo Tae-rang’s return.  

The spacious dining hall of the family estate was filled with relatives, and the table was laden with luxurious dishes.  

“Eat comfortably.”  

Yoo Moo-hak, seated at the head of the table, spoke only those words before beginning the meal.  

Yoo Baek-jun chewed on a side dish while subtly glancing around.  

‘The servants are here, so it’s damn uncomfortable.’  

The family’s servants stood waiting on both sides of the dining hall. It was quite awkward.  

While the family members ate as usual…  

“…….”  

“…….”  

Silence filled the dining hall.  

Everyone ate quietly, and Yoo Kang-ho kept stealing glances at Yoo Tae-rang.  

‘I’ll get indigestion eating like this.’  

Yoo Baek-jun picked up his utensils.  

“Yoo Baek-jun.”  

Yoo Tae-rang suddenly addressed him.  

“You’ve changed quite a bit.”  

“That’s what everyone keeps telling me.”  

“What happened during the two months I was gone?”  

“What happened, you ask…”  

Yoo Baek-jun pondered briefly.  

“Ate healthy, focused on protein, and worked out hard?”  

“What?”  

Yoo Tae-rang’s face turned cold.  

It was clearly a joking tone, but it wasn’t exactly a lie either.  

“…Well, it’s not wrong.”  

“Yeah. He really did work out hard.”  

Yoo Min and Yoo Jung-yeon chimed in.  

Yoo Baek-jun’s recent training regimen has been astonishing. Even on normal days, he trained or sparred morning and night.  

“Training? You?”  

The image of Yoo Baek-jun in Yoo Tae-rang’s mind was that of a bookworm—far removed from physical activity.  

That made it even harder to comprehend.  

Noticing Yoo Tae-rang’s barely perceptible frown, Yoo Moo-hak called out to him.  

“Yoo Tae-rang.”  

“Yes, Father.”  

“What have you decided about the gnomes?”  

“I’ve had them stay in the guest mansion. They should be resting now.”  

“We can’t just leave them idle. Have you given any thought to how to utilize them?”  

“I plan to have them research magical technology using the family’s magic stones.”  

“Magic stones, huh.”  

“About half of those magic stones are gone, by the way.”  

At the interjection, Yoo Tae-rang turned to Yoo Baek-jun.  

“Half are gone?”  

“Yes, Brother. I needed them for something.”  

“For that incident in Seoul?”  

“That’s right.”  

The Sword Saint Family managed—effectively monopolized—the Gate at Seoraksan Mountain.  

Given the harsh environment, no one complained about the monopoly.  

In any case, it ensured a steady influx of magic stones.  

‘And I used up a ton of them.’  

There had been too many uses for the magic stones.  

Magical weaponry, barriers, the magic circles surrounding Seoul—there was no way they could have had any left over.  

“That’s a significant loss. Did the government or the Association agree to compensate for the damages?”  

Yoo Tae-rang’s gaze sharpened.  

“The family isn’t shouldering the entire burden, is it?”  

“Of course not. Through some… persuasion, they agreed to cover a substantial portion. It’ll take time, though.”  

“Hmm…”  

Yoo Tae-rang set down his chopsticks and stared at Yoo Baek-jun for a long moment.  

“Why did you get involved?”  

“The Seoul incident, you mean?”  

“Yes. Was it necessary for you to get involved?”  

“Was there any reason not to?”  

“Don’t answer a question with another question.”  

The atmosphere in the dining hall grew tense.  

Yoo Min sighed silently, while Yoo Jung-yeon kept her eyes fixed on Yoo Tae-rang.  

Yoo Kang-ho was sitting with his head down.  

“I thought there’d be benefits.”  

“Whose benefits? Yours?”  

“Mine and the family’s. Didn’t it yield results? The land, for instance.”  

Yoo Baek-jun continued eating leisurely, as if unfazed by the tension.  

His demeanor displeased Yoo Tae-rang.