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“What a surprising turn of events!”

It had been exactly five years since I joined the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School, and two years had flown by since that day. I had officially become an adult.

In the mornings, I took on the role of an instructor, guiding the students, and in my spare time, I dedicated myself to personal training. The more I delved into martial arts, the more I realized my shortcomings, and with my goal set on reaching the esteemed masters, my passion was as relentless as ever. Although getting direct teaching from Samjeol Lee Kwang became challenging, I never enjoyed my training sessions as much as I did now.

‘Just eight more years of training… then I’ll challenge the Iron Blood Gate…!!’

By then, I would be someone great. If I could defeat the Grand Elder of the Iron Blood Gate one-on-one, there would be few who could rival me in the martial world! Not to mention the fact that coming from the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School would likely deter any reckless attempts on my life during sparring matches like before.

After taking that powerhouse down, I planned to enjoy a life of honor and wealth. I understood my talent was limited for aiming any higher.

So here I was, grinding day and night, committed to my training for the next ten years.

But suddenly, my decade-long resolve hit a brick wall.

After one training session, Samjeol Lee Kwang called me to Waryong Hall.

Without any preamble, he said, “Baek Woong. You’ve been recommended to the Golden Eagle Guard with the help of my friend.”

“Huh?”

Did I mishear that? I asked again. But Samjeol Lee Kwang turned the page of the book he was reading without elaborating. It was typical of his communication style—cold, and just the facts. I quickly grasped reality and responded.

“But the Golden Eagle Guard is the highest martial arts position guarding the Imperial Palace and the imperial family, isn’t it? I heard only those with top-tier skills from the military examinations make it there. How could I…”

Indeed, there were barely a hundred military officers promoted during the annual Imperial military exams. Out of those, only a tenth would be selected for the Golden Eagle Guard. They underwent intense training afterward, transforming into elite warriors, so their abilities were beyond question.

Even in the renowned Twin Gate Sect of Luoyang, it was a fierce battle to send even a single disciple to the military exams, let alone the added competition for the Golden Eagle Guard! I had heard from Mangnyang that it was nearly the only position where even high officials couldn’t use bribes to get their offspring admitted. It was crucial to protect the imperial family, one couldn’t select just anyone.

Thus, my recommendation to the Golden Eagle Guard from the remote Azure Dragon Martial Arts School felt utterly absurd. As I was processing that, Samjeol Lee Kwang slowly closed his book and said, “In my eyes, your skills are sufficient. You might not be good enough to continue my legacy, but you’re comparable to a Vice Commander in the Golden Eagle Guard. You could outshine anyone working there.”

I was surprisingly flattered by Samjeol Lee Kwang’s assessment.

Vice Commander of the Golden Eagle Guard was the second-highest rank among the top four ranks—Commander, Vice Commander, Heavenly Tiger, and Masters of the Nobility. It was a position just below the leader of the Golden Eagle Guard. I had learned about the Golden Eagle Guard structure from Mangnyang when planning the infiltration of the palace in the past. It seemed I had grown considerably to be compared to a high-ranking officer.

However, it wasn’t my skills that puzzled me.

Typically, I was cautious with my words in front of Samjeol Lee Kwang, but I couldn’t help but ask again, “But… the Golden Eagle Guard? This feels so sudden. Why me?”

Samjeol Lee Kwang chuckled instead of getting angry and replied, “It’s so your senior, Jin So-cheong, can gain independence.”

“……?!”

What on earth did that mean? I stared at him with wide eyes, and Samjeol Lee Kwang calmly continued.

“You know your senior is too talented to be wasted as a mere military officer, right? She has grown to a level capable of making a name in the Central Plains.”

“… Yes, I do.”

I readily acknowledged Lee Kwang’s words. Reflecting on it, Jin So-cheong was beyond peak experts when I first met her five years ago. For her age, her speed of achievement was astonishing. Now, five years later, her prowess was beyond measurement. I was certain that if she were to roam the martial world, within a year, she could amass followers to form a great sect.

“However, she isn’t adept at using organizations or handling the schemes of others. Moreover, she is so upright that she may face unnecessary troubles or difficulties. That is a trial that cannot be overcome by individual wisdom alone; she’ll need someone to help her along the way.”

I caught on to the hidden meaning in Lee Kwang’s words and said, “You want me to go to the Golden Eagle Guard and help my senior in the future, don’t you?”

“Exactly. While maybe not the Commander, you could quickly rise to Heavenly Tiger or even become the Vice Commander. The Golden Eagle Guard operates under strict meritocracy. If you secure a solid position in the palace, you’ll be in a position to help your senior when she’s in trouble later.”

“……”

“And they seem suspicious, so you’ll need to keep an eye on them.”

Indeed, I had heard from Mangnyang that the power of high-ranking officers in the Golden Eagle Guard was substantial. Other than top ministers, most would flatter them to avoid falling out of favor, and even a considerable patrol force could be commandeered at will. It was almost a dream position for a military officer.

“At first, I thought to cultivate you into a remarkable instructor for military affairs. But your capabilities seem rather vague. It would be a waste to keep you as a mere military instructor, yet you lack much to become a successor of the Thunder God Lineage.”

Lee Kwang stroked his beard thoughtfully.

“So after a lot of consideration, I decided to use my connections to recommend you to the Golden Eagle Guard. You can make your mark in the world, and it helps your senior too.”

“Hmm…”

I let out a ponderous hum. Lee Kwang likely thought I was thrown off by his sudden proposal, but in reality, I was conflicted due to the unexpected choice.

‘Never thought an opportunity like this would fall into my lap.’

In this life, I had been solely focused on improving my martial arts, keeping the notion of interpreting the Heavenly Secret tucked away in the back of my mind.

But to do that, I needed to obtain the Nameless Ritual Book stored in the heart of the imperial family. That was the key to unraveling the secret of my reverse life.

However, infiltrating the heart of the palace, where even the emperor’s neck could be at risk, felt impossible for me, so I had pushed that thought aside. But now, an opportunity to join the Golden Eagle Guard had arisen! Out of nowhere!

If I could become a member of the Golden Eagle Guard, especially one where only the upper echelon could serve in palace guard duties, perhaps I might just acquire the Nameless Ritual Book. Moreover, I confidently believed my martial prowess had more than doubled since the day I died at the Iron Blood Gate.

‘… This might actually work. This could really happen.’

With an unusually calm gaze, Samjeol Lee Kwang looked at me.

“But if you don’t want this, I’ll let go of this proposal. I genuinely want to respect your wishes. If you prefer to continue living as an instructor, that’s fine.”

I set aside all hesitation and replied. This was a genuinely good opportunity.

“No, I want to give it a try.”

“Really? Are you sure you won’t regret it later?”

“Of course not.”

Lee Kwang seemed like he had nudged me towards this response. He nodded and handed me a tightly sealed letter.

“Then head to Luoyang tomorrow. Just show this letter to the Master of the Great Sword Gate.”

“T-the Master of the Great Sword Gate?”

“Yeah. He’s a long-time friend of mine.”

“……”

In that moment, I lost my words.

Luoyang’s Twin Gate Sect! Among them, particularly renowned was the Master of the Great Sword Gate, who had reportedly defeated the Elder of the Huashan Sect in just 100 seconds. It was mind-boggling to hear that a peak expert like Samjeol Lee Kwang was friends with such a figure.

But deep down, it also felt fitting. While his public fame may shine like the sun compared to fireflies, Samjeol Lee Kwang’s abilities had long surpassed that of a peak expert. Among all martial artists I’ve met in my life, none had been stronger than him. If the Master of the Great Sword Gate recognized Samjeol Lee Kwang’s true essence, it was only natural to greet him as an equal friend.

Calmly, Samjeol Lee Kwang stated, “You’ll be borrowing a spot from the Great Sword Gate to advance your career. Obviously, you must be extra cautious in both speech and action there.”

I finally realized what was happening. Samjeol Lee Kwang had made a request to his friend, the Master of the Great Sword Gate, who was likely ready to offer me a pre-designated spot within the Golden Eagle Guard. Regardless of the exact process, it felt reassuring seeing how confident Samjeol Lee Kwang was. Naturally, I figured the Great Sword Gate folks might not look on me very kindly.

‘Ugh, it’s gonna be a tough road ahead.’

But such challenges were obviously part of the journey. I spoke with conviction, “Yes. I will definitely bring back great results.”

“Great.”

“Oh, I should go greet my senior before I leave.”

“Of course, you should.”

I then went to find Jin So-cheong and informed her I would be joining the Golden Eagle Guard. She smiled warmly, as if she already knew, and congratulated me.

“That’s wonderful! With your abilities, you might just become a leader of the Golden Eagle Guard in the future.”

“Not quite.”

“Haha. This isn’t a joke. You truly have that level of talent.”

Hearing Jin So-cheong’s encouragement made me feel good. After all, with the martial arts skills I forged at the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School and my overwhelming internal power, it was evident that most martial artists wouldn’t stand a chance against me. Just as I was trying to suppress my smile from showing too much, Jin So-cheong added, “Just be careful. I’ve heard that the Golden Eagle Guard must not only repel outsiders but also be skilled in schemes and strategies. If the priest isn’t careful, no one will safeguard him.”

“Don’t worry. I’m keeping that in mind.”

Perhaps Lee Kwang sending me to the Golden Eagle Guard was due to this very reason. He had always mentioned I had qualities of the Heretical Sect, knowing I might become familiar with the dirty fights of scheming. He could be thinking that my sharp instincts and resourcefulness would be beneficial for ascending in that place.

The next day, I set off to Luoyang. Samjeol Lee Kwang wasn’t stingy; he handed me a hefty travel allowance of 80 silver coins, allowing me to travel leisurely without financial worries.

‘Oh right. There are two places I need to check out.’

First, I visited the village where the tragic event of human sacrifice occurred. As expected, the place had been completely burned to the ground, leaving only the remnants of a once-inhabited ruin behind in the mountains. Not a single gruesome corpse was in sight, indicating that the Men in Black had cleaned it up thoroughly. Even the secret passages and wells were all blocked with earth.

I looked for the Taejeong Temple nearby, but that too had vanished. I inquired with a villager living nearby about the temple’s whereabouts.

“The Taoist Master at Taejeong Temple? Ah, I believe there was such a person.”

“What happened to the Taoist and the disciples of Wudang Sect?”

“Five years ago, the neighboring village suddenly caught fire and burned down entirely. At that time, they disappeared as well. We thought maybe they had gone somewhere else…”

“……”

In other words, the whereabouts of the Wudang Sect’s Master Hyuncheon and his disciples were a mystery. They may have fled to the main base of the Wudang Sect, or perhaps the Master Hyuncheon died trying to stop the human sacrifice. Whichever the case, it left a bitter taste in my mouth as I shook my head.

‘It’s no use. I had no power back then.’

Making a choice to save them at the cost of my life was impossible. I might be selfish and mean, but that was the harsh reality. Burning all chances while opposing the Men in Black was a frightening thought. I hoped the Master Hyuncheon was still alive and continued my journey to Luoyang.

And there was one more place I needed to stop by.

I headed straight for Jinrang Valley, where Mangnyang lived. Even during this time, it seemed he was working as Master Mangnyang in the village. The Mangyun Formation seemed abandoned and broken down; I easily found my way to his doorstep.

Unlike last time, Mangnyang wasn’t with a woman. Instead, he was sprawled out under a tree, taking a leisurely nap.

“Hey! Mangnyang! Wake up!”

I shook his shoulder, drooling as he slept. Mangnyang jolted awake, his eyes wide open before recognizing me, and he panicked.

“Huh?! W-what do you want?!”

“Calm down. I came to ask you something and I’m not here to harm you.”

It took him a moment to calm down and fix his clothing. He held up his fan at his waist as if trying to create an air of mystery.

Woooosh!

Dark clouds swirled around him.

[I… am Master Mangnyang who received the Spirit Communication of the True Martial Emperor… What do you need from me…?]

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“You’re using the voice-changing technique and dark cloud technique from Qimen Dunjia, huh? No need to be so dramatic, let’s just speak normally.”

“Huh…”

Once he realized I was knowledgeable about Qimen Dunjia, he awkwardly dispelled the theatrics. Some techniques could be used even without special divine abilities, like the voice-changing technique and dark cloud technique he had just employed. He had often used these to create a sense of mystery when he read fortunes during our three years of training together.

Mangnyang spoke bluntly, “You seem quite versed in Qimen Dunjia. But I’m running a business here, so I can’t easily let you off.”

“I’m not here to disrupt your trade. Just a few questions, that’s all.”

“What are they?”

I quietly pulled out the Heavenly Secret that I always carried with me and held it out to Mangnyang.

“W-what is this?!”

What followed near exactly mirrored the rules of my past life.

Mangnyang, astonished by the peculiar wording of the Heavenly Secret, concluded that he needed the Nameless Ritual Book to interpret it. I quietly listened to him.

‘I already heard all this.’

Once I caught that, I decided to obtain different information from Mangnyang.

“Mangnyang, do you think this Heavenly Secret or the Nameless Ritual Book itself possesses some special powers?”

This was a question I had never asked before.

Mangnyang opened his eyes wide in surprise and said, “This isn’t a technique book. Unlike the spellbooks of the left path that hold divine powers for extraordinary feats, these kinds of books don’t have any real power on their own. Back when I was in the palace, I held numerous Nameless Ritual Books, but nothing ever happened.”

Exactly. That was the strange part.

I had grabbed the Heavenly Secret just before death to gain a new life. I had believed time manipulation itself was a capability of the Heavenly Secret. Yet Mangnyang, who had been in contact with countless Nameless Ritual Books containing similar strange phrases, had experienced none of those abilities.

Were the Heavenly Secret and Nameless Ritual Book created for different purposes? Or did they trigger their powers in different ways?

But why was that?

Maybe Mangnyang had acquired some special ability but was playing dumb, but that seemed highly unlikely. If that were the case, he could’ve just taken the Nameless Ritual Book from the palace, and there’d be no reason for him to obsessively teach me for three years.

I asked another question. “Have you heard about the village near Gyeongha River burning down five years ago?”

“Of course. I was running my business here at that time.”

“Hmm… Have you seen any monsters like this?”

I took out my writing brush to draw a picture—a terrifying, monstrous creature with hundreds of eyes and tentacles that had killed me the fourth time.

Mangnyang was taken aback when he saw the illustration of the creature wriggling with its many eyes and tentacles.

“Where on earth did you see this?!”

“……?”

His next words shocked me greatly.

“That monster happens to be illustrated in the third chapter of the Nameless Ritual Book!”

 

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