Chapter 79: The Hunt Begins

The best way to raise people?

‘Flinging money around.’

It was surprisingly easy.

It was all about money.

While it might be difficult to push someone to the highest realms, capital could certainly bring them up to a certain level.

The reason why the great clans and sects of the Murim were so strong was precisely because they possessed such capital.

It was common sense that those destined to lead a sect would undergo Marrow Cleansing and be fed all sorts of elixirs from a young age to ensure they possessed the highest quality internal energy.

In extreme cases, there were even a few individuals in their teens who possessed at least sixty years of internal energy.

While superior Cultivation Heart Laws played a part, it was primarily due to that level of support.

‘That’s not all.’

Various methods were prepared to supplement the internal energy of those who were lacking.

Where there was a Daihwandan, there was bound to be a Small Restoration Pill, and below that, there were other elixirs.

‘Small-to-medium sects could never do this.’

They would use elixirs that increased internal energy by four or five years on their disciples.

This was where the gap between small and great sects widened.

A mere four or five years of internal energy might not seem like much, but what if it was distributed evenly among many disciples?

The overall difference in strength would inevitably grow.

When both the Cultivation Heart Laws and the level of support differed, the gap only continued to widen.

This was how an insurmountable distance was created between small sects and great powers.

Occasionally, an unprecedented genius would appear from a small sect and become a top-tier master, but…

‘They can’t become the greatest power.’

The reason it was difficult to create the largest possible force was because of those deep-rooted disparities.

Regardless, I possessed a way to create such a gap.

‘Since there’s not enough time to make elixirs…’

Making elixirs would come later.

I didn’t have the foundation or the research for that yet.

Instead, I had a method I had used before.

“Reton. Buy as many as you can.”

“Yes, sir!”

I used a significant portion of my capital.

I even briefly stopped purchasing shops along the Workshop Street.

Instead, I poured all that capital into buying just one thing.

“Wow… what is all this?”

“Don’t you have eyes? They’re Healing Potions.”

“But why so many…?”

Even Gajei, who rarely looked surprised, stood there with his jaw dropped.

An intermediate Healing Potion cost 100 gold coins.

I had gathered over 100 of those potions.

‘Even by Korean standards, that’s 100 million won each. It’s not a small amount of money.’

I had bought up every potion intended for the mercenaries active in Vilad, the dungeon village.

I also purchased a large number of potions circulating within the Earl’s Territory.

Potions were so rare that people joked they were worth the price of a life.

And now, they were piled up high.

“What do you plan to do with these?”

“I’m going to use them to make you all stronger. First, Gajei. You come forward.”

“…Yes, sir.”

I intended to use them to strengthen these men.

‘What’s so special about an elixir?’

If you consume it and get stronger, then it’s an elixir.

I had already experienced extracting Life Force from Healing Potions to use as True Qi.

The only difference this time was that I wasn’t the target.

‘The efficiency will drop. I wonder if one bottle will even increase their internal energy by three years? Even so, it’s not bad.’

I placed my hand on Gajei’s back as he sat down.

10,000.

“Mmm…”

“Don’t open your mouth from now on. Make sure to absorb every single drop of energy.”

“…”

There was no answer.

But Gajei did well.

He began to gradually absorb the energy of the intermediate Healing Potion he had just consumed.

In Gajei’s case, I fed him four potions.

He needed to be strong to lead the other squad members.

As for the parts where he couldn’t properly coordinate the energy…

‘Whoops! Careful… I have to be careful.’

Whirrrr—

I coordinated the internal energy within him.

True Qi Guidance.

It was a secret technique of using one’s own energy to move the energy of another.

It was a feat that could not be easily performed.

Perhaps because of that, sweat began to drip from me.

In return, however…

“Ah!”

“…It’s done.”

Gajei’s internal energy had surged in an instant.

“Th-thank you!”

“I can’t do this often. And even if I could, it’s better for you to solidify your foundation first.”

“…I will keep that in mind.”

“Then you can go. Next, Sian! Come here!”

“…Yes.”

Gajei’s turn ended quickly.

Sian, looking a bit bashful, was next.

*Gulp. Gulp.*

She also drank four potions immediately.

“Next!”

One by one.

One after another.

I personally performed True Qi Guidance to boost the internal energy of the Iron Fist members.

“First, there are 100 of you.”

All 100 men I was taking with me this time were able to properly plant internal energy through my True Qi Guidance.

‘I should pay more attention to them.’

While performing the True Qi Guidance, I was able to examine their conditions in detail.

Most of what they had learned was Active Cultivation.

I had taught them a method where internal energy accumulates through movement during training.

Except for someone like Gajei, not many within the Iron Fist had learned a proper Cultivation Heart Law.

Even so, they were quite strong, but the depth of their learning was still shallow.

‘I’m glad I figured out what needs to be supplemented.’

I would let it slide for now.

But I now knew exactly which direction to steer them in to make them stronger.

“Oh… I’ve gotten faster!”

“Hit me harder!”

BOOM!

“Ugh… this is useful.”

At any rate, the Iron Fist members who had finished their True Qi Guidance had clearly become stronger.

Though they didn’t say it, the eyes of those watching were filled with envy.

Whether their lives were on the line or not, everyone wanted to become stronger.

Especially these persistent types who believed in their own strength above all else.

It was only natural to be envious.

“Aren’t you going to do it for me?”

“Not yet.”

“Tsk… I’ve been working quite hard too, you know.”

Hoden went as far as to openly express his dissatisfaction.

“I know. I’ll take care of the squad leaders later, so don’t worry.”

“You better mean that.”

“Of course.”

I soothed Hoden and turned my gaze to the Iron Fist members who were sending looks of envy.

‘This might be a good opportunity.’

I set a condition for the envious ones.

“These 100 will be promoted to elites. You all know why. It’s because they are the strongest.”

Even before the True Qi Guidance, the 100 men chosen were stronger than anyone else.

Everyone knew this.

“Therefore, they are the elites. And I will give the rest of you a chance.”

“How so?”

‘Was his name Nine?’

He was a man in Hoden’s squad who was forging his own path with a sword.

His desire for strength was quite intense.

“All you have to do is get stronger. The moment you reach a certain realm, I will perform the procedure for you immediately.”

“…”

“Understood!”

I saw a few men whose eyes sparkled with renewed determination.

I memorized each of their faces.

‘There are quite a few guys worth looking forward to.’

Those with desire have no choice but to become strong.

Sometimes, desire manifests as greed.

Even if it was for the sake of a reward, they would surely grow stronger.

Later, when the scale of the Iron Fist grew larger, they would certainly occupy higher positions.

And I would be the one to select and lead them.

“Everyone, get to training!”

“Yes, sir!”

The Iron Fist members began to move to become stronger with even more enthusiasm than when they first started training with the Slave Stigma.

As they left, someone else approached.

It was Reton.

While moving to purchase the potions, he had received one more command from me: a search.

He had to find certain people.

‘Reton was the perfect choice.

Since he’s in charge of the underworld.’

The problem was that he hadn’t been able to find them for quite a while.

I was halfway ready to give up, but looking at Reton’s expression, that wasn’t the case.

“My Lord. I found them. It was only brief, but I’m certain.”

“Where?”

“I searched the underworld for ages thinking they were there, but they weren’t. They actually caught me off guard.”

“How so?”

“They had snuck into the Workshop Street. It seems they disguised themselves as new laborers. It’s more natural that way. After all, didn’t you once clean out the underworld in the south, My Lord?”

“That’s why it took so long.”

“Yes!”

I had been blindsided.

I thought they would be hiding in the underworld, but they were in a completely different place.

‘Training surely has paid off.’

They were said to be trained specifically for hiding.

They were certainly impressive.

“Well done. You can skip the Mana Stamping for today and rest.”

“Oh! Thank you!”

At the mention of a day’s rest, Reton looked delighted, as if he had forgotten all his hard work.

‘…What a slave mentality.’

Reton, who ruled the back alleys as a boss of the underworld on the outside…

I wondered what others would think if they knew he was this happy over a single day of rest.

It was beyond comprehension.

“Just give me the location.”

“I’ll attach a guide for you immediately!”

“Good.”

Having found the pieces I needed to make my move, I relocated.

Aka Smithy.

It was a very large blacksmith shop for one located in the Outercity.

“Pling. Let’s go in.”

“Yes. Should I call you Lord Investigator instead of Lord Administrative Officer?”

“Do as you wish. That’s not what’s important.”

“Well, that’s true. I’ll go in first.”

As soon as we opened the door…

Clang— clang—

The rhythmic sound of hammering echoed.

The sound was clear and deep.

It meant the blacksmith inside was a skilled craftsman.

I saw five individuals who looked like apprentices working under the blacksmith.

Usually, a smith has one or two apprentices, but he seemed to have many.

‘It must be because it’s a boom period.’

Currently, our territory was flooded with work for blacksmiths thanks to the iron from the refinery.

Even the Outercity blacksmiths, who were less skilled than those in the Inner City, were being mobilized to churn out weapons.

Since labor was short, it wasn’t strange for someone to suddenly take on many apprentices.

‘There are a lot.’

There were also many laborers attached to the apprentices.

Their number alone exceeded twenty.

Some of these men would become apprentices, while others would fail to endure and drop out.

Among the many people there, I read the energy.

‘Found them.’

I saw two individuals with unusual energy.

Whether they had already noticed me, the two of them looked like they were about to slip out the back door while carrying a cart.

Pling stepped forward perceptively.

“Stop! Stop right there!”

Clang—!

With the final strike of the hammer, the smithy went silent.

Everyone was looking at Pling and me.

“What’s going on?”

A blacksmith with thick muscles came over and asked.

He looked like a stubborn man.

I had no business with him.

“The Lord Investigator has arrived.”

“Ah… that…”

‘Did he recognize me?’

Even though he had done nothing wrong, the blacksmith looked frightened.

“I need to talk for a moment. Can you find us a place?”

“Yes, y-yes! I’ll prepare it immediately.”

He snapped to attention and quickly prepared a spot.

“This is just a place for smithing. I’m not sure how to…”

The blacksmith remained tense.

“There’s nothing special to prepare. I’ll compensate you for stopping your work while I’m here.”

“N-no! There’s no need for that…”

“It’s fine. Instead, could you leave us for a moment?”

“Of course!”

The blacksmith, waving his hands in dismissal, gestured to his apprentices.

Just as the apprentices were about to lead the laborers out…

“I’d like those two to stay.”

I said, looking exactly at the two I had first noticed.

“…”

“…Excuse me? Me? Why me…?”

One of the two trembled.

He looked completely terrified.

‘She’s a good actress.’

I replied with a smirk.

“Stop pretending.You’ve already been caught.”

“Ah. Well, then…”