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Dark Heaven Village

I decided to take a short break at an inn after leaving Mangnyang and the village. Instead of rushing into something without understanding the current situation, I figured it would be better to take it slow.

Mangnyang, meanwhile, was munching on a chicken dish in a small room at the inn, mulling over things.

“Hmm… the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique, huh? So, you’re saying you don’t feel like you gained anything from it?”

“That’s right.”

“I’ve managed to unlock the Spirit Communication technique, which is quite fascinating.”

Mangnyang, with a chicken leg in hand, continued, “Listen carefully. Unlike before, you now have to make a ‘choice.’”

“A choice?”

“In my opinion, you have three options from here on.”

Mangnyang unfolded his fingers one by one.

“First. Work with me to establish the Bancheon Alliance right now. Your martial prowess and intellect are already at a sufficient level to be the leader of an organization, so if we combine our strengths, I believe we can create a large organization within three years.”

“Hmm.”

His index finger was now extended.

“Second. Infiltrate the Golden Eagle Guard. By working alongside them as a junior officer, you can gather valuable information for us. Also, if needed, you could sabotage them at a crucial moment.”

Setting down the chicken bone, Mangnyang voiced his final thought. “And third. Go to the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School to learn martial arts.”

“… Are you joking?”

I was so taken aback I couldn’t help but counter. Mangnyang, however, replied resolutely, “I am not joking. You should seriously consider the third option.”

“That’s…”

“Your heart is filled with resentment, so you can’t choose that path right now. But as you told me, the quickest way for you to reach peak expertise is to receive guidance from Lee Kwang. If your martial arts reaches that peak and you become a master of the Thunder God Lineage, everything will become significantly easier for you.”

I clenched my teeth.

“It’s easy to say, but I absolutely cannot do that. I doubt that Lee Kwang would teach me willingly.”

“Think carefully.”

“What do you mean?”

“You believe that Lee Kwang will kill you, but in reality, he has never directly killed you.”

“……”

“This implies that, despite his rage and fury, Lee Kwang is a person who has not lost his morality. Do you really think he would easily kill someone just because he was angry about a leak of his sect’s secrets? Of course, it’s possible, but I don’t think it would happen.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Think it over…” Mangnyang interlocked his fingers, resting his chin on his knuckles. Then he spoke softly, “Consider the two times that Lee Kwang was angry with you.”

“When I brought the letter of recommendation for the Fire Spirit Techniques and when my talent fell short of his expectations.”

“In the former case, he wasn’t angry with you personally, but rather irritated on behalf of the Thunder God Lineage regarding the Fire Spirit Techniques. The latter case is different. He was angry because he had ‘expectations’ of you.”

“That’s true.”

“In other words – yes. If I’m correct, Lee Kwang was sharpening his sword for revenge and decided to nurture you with that sword.”

I widened my eyes. I had never considered such a notion before. I only suspected he had harshly judged me based on arbitrary expectations. Never had I thought of it as being about ‘revenge.’

“Revenge? Isn’t that a stretch?”

“Not at all. Given the circumstances, it makes perfect sense. Lee Kwang must have been passionately intent on nurturing you despite the uncomfortable relationship with the Fire Spirit Techniques, for that is the only reason he would focus on raising you.”

“……”

I trembled my hands. From Mangnyang’s words, I could grasp who the ‘targets of revenge’ were.

“The White Lotus Sect. Lee Kwang taught me the Secret Technique and Decisive Enlightenment to seek revenge against the White Lotus Sect.”

Otherwise, one wouldn’t pass on such teachings to someone not of direct lineage. It indicated that a formidable enemy indeed existed, strong enough that all his teachings could barely suffice to overcome. Considering Lee Kwang’s abilities, that formidable entity could only be the White Lotus Sect, likely someone stronger than a Dharma Guardian.

Mangnyang smirked slightly.

“It’s unpleasant to think about, but if his target is indeed the Master of the White Lotus Sect, then it stands to reason that Lee Kwang’s anger would follow suit. He made a great gamble but ended up losing both opportunity and time.”

“Damn…”

I was utterly flabbergasted. How could I possibly be confronting the Master of the White Lotus Sect? Such absurdity was unfathomable! Even if I were to use the Great Destruction and Thunderclap simultaneously, I couldn’t guarantee the demise of a single Dharma Guardian. The idea that he considered me a worthy initial threat was unimaginable. Although Mangnyang’s story lacked substantial evidence, it held significant persuasiveness and was ringing loudly in my ears.

Mangnyang continued, “Regardless, even if you wish to ascertain your origins and re-enter the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School, I don’t think Lee Kwang would attempt to kill you. Isn’t he known for his emotionless demeanor? He’ll simply treat you like another disciple of the Thunder God Lineage. The kind of slight you experienced before won’t repeat, as he likely wouldn’t even be expecting anything from you.”

“Will it truly be like that?”

“If you keep your Thunderclap hidden, it’s entirely possible. Rather than thinking about learning anything beyond that from Lee Kwang, focus solely on honing your skills around peak expertise. With your wealth of real combat experiences, you can quickly improve under either Lee Kwang or Jin So-cheong.”

I pondered silently.

As I fell into deep thought, Mangnyang asked, “So, which of the three paths will you choose? All options are quite decent.”

Clang!

I placed my dish back on the table, crossed my arms, and said, “I’ll return to the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School. Somehow, I will reach a higher level.”

“Good decision.”

I realized that I had suffered too many losses by ignoring Mangnyang’s advice. Once again, he seemed to firmly recommend his third course of action. Choosing any other option felt like an unnecessary loss. It seemed that Mangnyang believed I still lacked the strength to face the Demon Subduing Hall with my current abilities.

Moreover, I had learned from experience that the more difficult the choice, the sweeter the rewards would eventually be. Clenching my teeth in contemplation, I then asked, “But first, I’d like to get my thoughts in order. Is there a good method for that?”

Logically speaking, it made sense to choose that method, yet emotionally, I just wasn’t inclined to it. I wanted to gather my thoughts after clearing my mind. sensing my mental state, Mangnyang smiled brightly and said.

“What’s there to worry about? Just head to Shandong and ride the Great Dragon Merchant Association’s fleet like you used to. With your current capabilities, you should find it much easier to deal with the Pirate Blood Blade Group than before.”

“Ah…”

He was suggesting I vent my frustrations by taking out my anger on the Blood Blade Group. It was not the kind of action a righteous sect would typically consider, but Mangnyang was just as ruthless when it came to the Samamma Clan.

“If you’re not planning to infiltrate the Golden Eagle Guard anyway, then you must prevent the consequences of gaining the Seven Luminaries. Though it’s unfortunate that you can’t identify the process or causes, it’s a must. You can treat it as a journey by boat. Then you can return and act according to your plans.”

“Understood.”

As I set my future plans, I felt a little lightened. It was as though the weight that had been clinging to me since the start of this rebirth had finally lifted.

Suddenly remembering something, I asked, “Could I hone my techniques further until I become a Sorcerer?”

“It’s not impossible. You’re already a novice Sorcerer, so if you find a good master and diligently train for about a decade, you could make quite a name for yourself.”

With that, Mangnyang slurped down some noodles.

“But remember this. Although you have only seen tremendous Sorcerers throughout your past lives, you might not have realized that without reaching an outstanding level, sorcery often amounts to nothing more than minor skills. When it comes to pure combat power, it cannot compare to martial arts skills. Simply put, even if you spend a decade or two grinding through Sorcery, applying it effectively in a battle will be tricky, as sorcery isn’t designed for fighting.”

“I see…”

It meant that without reaching an upper level, its efficiency would be diminished.

“Also, the information about the Water Element Divine Sword is fascinating,” Mangnyang said, stroking the sword buried in a dark cloth.

“It’s sealed, huh… Did I really say something like that?”

I nodded.

“Definitely.”

During my tenth rebirth, Mangnyang had taught me sorcery while he himself was active as Master Mangnyang, sharing the knowledge and information he gained during that time. In fact, that proved to be much more helpful than sorcery itself.

The most shocking of those revelations was that the Sky Dragon, who represented the Water Element Divine Sword in connection with the Seven Luminaries, was sealed. Mangnyang had spent time researching the Water Element Divine Sword, occasionally consulting his Master, Master Mangnyang. From that, he had uncovered the fact that the sword was unable to unleash its true power due to being sealed by an unknown entity.

“To this day, owning the Water Element Divine Sword, which could supposedly even wipe out a Great Immortal, while settling for forming the Bancheon Alliance, was due to this reason.”

“If it remains sealed, I doubt I can fully utilize the Water Element Divine Sword.”

“Then the seal must be associated with the inscription on the stele. Tell me the contents of the stele that were in the Seven Luminaries.”

“Here’s what it says: I recited the inscription on the stele to Mangnyang. Copying it into a scroll, he stared at it for a while before speaking in a tone that suggested he’d grasped something.

“… This is going to be a hassle. Are you really suggesting we can lift the seal of the Water Element Divine Sword here? This craziness… there’s a limit to what one can ask for.”

What on earth was impeding him? Yet Mangnyang wore a genuinely frustrated expression. He let out a long sigh before continuing.

“Haah… I’ll look into it. But don’t expect particularly favorable results.”

“I trust you.”

“In my opinion, gathering the Seven Luminaries is going to be one hell of an adventure…”

Mangnyang was mumbling, but he was someone who got things done, so I didn’t worry too much. I wanted to wrap up our conversation here, briefly glancing around to ensure no one was paying attention before sending a secret transmission to Mangnyang.

[It would be best if you consumed the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng.]

What I’d said earlier could easily sound like an idle chatter, but caution regarding the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng couldn’t be overemphasized. It was a preparation for potential eventualities.

“Cough! Cough! Huh…”

Mangnyang was enjoying his chicken when he suddenly coughed, clearly surprised. Wiping his mouth, he exclaimed, “What nonsense are you spouting?! Are you out of your mind?! You didn’t actually bring that from Mount Huang without consuming some, did you?”

“I did.”

“Huh, huh… No way…”

Mangnyang chuckled awkwardly. It was no wonder, considering the idea of bringing the world’s best spiritual pill, the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng, without eating it was simply unfathomable. Until moments ago, Mangnyang likely thought I had already consumed it back on Mount Huang.

“It wouldn’t have any effect if I took more.”

I then slid the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng forward towards Mangnyang. “If you take this alongside the Black and White Lotus, you’ll achieve a martial proficiency faster.”

“Y-yeah, of course. But…”

Mangnyang’s eyes were wide in shock, clearly taken aback. Then, regaining his composure, he stated with a calm, focused gaze, “No, that’s not it. Hmm… That’ll make it interesting.”

Mangnyang, tapping his head lightly, reached out and pushed the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng back toward me. I was stunned since I hadn’t expected him to turn it down. Who on earth would pass on the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng?

Mangnyang said, “You should keep it. I’m fine with what you initially promised me.”

“Why not…?”

“I believe that it’s more suitable for you to consume than for me. You need it more.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re relying too heavily on me right now. While it’s fine to invest for the future, that wouldn’t allow you to grow. It’s best for you to think for yourself and find a way to use it.”

He spoke with conviction, “If you invest this wisely, I believe it can yield tens of times the results. This is a gut feeling of mine.”

“……”

“If throughout this life you can’t find a worthy place to invest even after contemplating, then hand it over to me later. But I’m guessing there’ll definitely be a spot where it can be utilized.”

“Understood.”

Mangnyang essentially laid out a task for me. It seemed he had racked his brain and quickly figured out what a suitable ‘investment opportunity’ would be. And he believed it would be more fitting for me than for himself. Since the answer was right there, all I had to do was solve it myself.

The intention behind not revealing the answer directly was to inspire me to think for myself.

‘I’ll really have to think this through. The answer should already be apparent.’

I decided that in this life, I would solve the task Mangnyang had set for me. As he took the last piece of fried chicken with his chopsticks, he said, “I’ll also do my part in investigating the relationship between the Sacred Lotus and the Black and White Lotus. It seems to be a very significant secret.”

“Thank you.”

“Thanking me for that is odd. Anyway, let’s do our best from here on.”

I bid farewell to Mangnyang and parted ways that evening. What I provided to Mangnyang was all the flowers and roots of the Black and White Lotus, along with half of the gold bars from the Golden Casket. Now it was solely my responsibility to focus on cultivating my martial arts until Mangnyang achieved satisfactory results.

“Let’s go!”

I tucked the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng deep into my backpack and immediately headed towards Shandong. Unlike before, I had sealed my energy using the Heavenly Blood Sealing Technique, so there was no way that the Open Sect’s Sky Dragon would suspect or pursue me. I managed to reach Shandong smoothly, but the real issue began from that point.

“A child wants to come in without any identification? Get lost, you little beggar!”

“……”

The guards at the entrance to the castle shouted in anger, throwing me out. This place was a major harbor, filled with beggars and dark figures, making it particularly wary of suspicious individuals. Since I had previously gained easy access by using Master of the Teng Yu Alliance’s token, regret washed over me.

‘What the hell. Do I need to dish out a bribe?’

But the funds in my pocket wouldn’t even cover a bribe. If I used the gold bars, that would be direct and effective. However, using gold bars here would be too wasteful, and I had experienced enough in Luoyang to know what could go wrong with carelessly throwing wealth around.

I sat down in a slum near the fortress, pondering for what felt like an eternity, when suddenly, someone approached me.

“Hey there, little brother. Are you struggling to find a way to make a living?”

It was a beggar. Noticing he was part of the Open Sect, I replied, “Not particularly.”

“Hehe… You certainly don’t look it. You’re dressed quite nicely, and something feels off about you. But I can guess what’s troubling you.”

“What is it?”

“I know a way to sneak into the castle. Want to strike a deal with me?”

It seemed this beggar had witnessed my expulsion from the castle gate. I stared at him, considering my options.

“I really have no intention of doing that…”

“Huh? You really don’t? You’ll regret this.”

“Leave me be and don’t bother me.”

It was my plan to use Light Body Technique to scale the wall when night fell. I had learned that straying into unnecessary distractions would lead to trouble. Suddenly, the beggar frowned, saying, “Damn, this kid talks too much!”

Whoosh!

Without warning, he swung a Tagoobong at me. Seeing the heavy swing, I assessed he was just stepping into the first class of martial arts. I was a bit taken aback, realizing he thought I would just stand there for the attack, while others had usually been cautious even at peak mastery when encountering me. However, due to the Heavenly Blood Sealing Technique, it seemed like anyone was willing to take a swing at me.

I easily dodged the attack and, exuding killing intent, said, “If you attack me again, you won’t walk away unharmed.”

“Uh, uh-oh.”

The beggar froze, caught off guard by my killing intent. As he became aware I was hiding my full strength, he started trembling.

“You dare to challenge the Open Sect?”

“Scared of the Open Sect? Hardly. Dying is the only way you’ll learn!”

“Ugh!”

With that, the moment I mentioned death, he stumbled back and fled in confusion. I let out a sigh.

‘Hiding my abilities can be inconvenient sometimes; it draws in random troublemakers.’

But there was no helping it. That night, I activated Thunderclap and easily leaped over the castle gate. The guards didn’t seem to notice how quickly I passed by. Landing inside, I headed to the inn to book a room.

The next day, instead of going to the Great Dragon Merchant Association, I sought out the Seogung Escort Agency, applying for the position of an escort. As expected, the escort leaders and junior officers brushed me off with looks of disbelief.

“Just look closely.”

“What?”

Swoosh!

“Hrgh.”

“Whoa! No way…!!”

The crowd gasped in shock as I raised the massive wooden beam from the giant ship, which had been placed in front of the Seogung Escort Agency for its keel material. Many people didn’t believe that I could lift such a heavy item with one hand.

I grinned, saying, “I may be young, but I’ve got some strength.”

A moment later, the Lord of the Seogung Escort Agency rushed out. He could hardly believe his eyes as he saw me holding the wooden beam with a single hand, shouting, “W-What’s your name?”

“I’m Baek Woong.”

“You seem like a peak martial artist from Jianghu, so why do you want to be an escort?”

“Are you rejecting me, Lord of the Seogung Escort Agency?”

The Lord of the Seogung Escort Agency hastily shook his head.

“No, no! Of course not!! Welcome, Baek Woong, our new escort!”

Thus, in one night, I became a junior officer at the Seogung Escort Agency and joined their guild heading towards Goryeo. I had calculated that as long as I displayed my prowess, they would accept me as an escort without the need for any crafty maneuvering.

I spoke to the Lord of the Seogung Escort Agency, “Lord, I hear there are pirates of the Blood Blade Group operating nearby; could I get naval support?”

The Lord, busy supervising the transport of goods, replied, “No, no, we can’t do that! We don’t have any funds for that! Unless you bribe the officials, we cannot provide you with anything!”

“Hmm.”

I furrowed my brow. Sure, I could manage against the Blood Blade Group alone, but what had saved me against them last time was sheer luck.

‘This won’t do. I can’t rely on luck for the mission.’

Failing to keep our ships at long range against each other would be unmanageable. If the ships broke and sank, I’d have no way to face them. Worst case, while I was the only one left, all the escorts would perish, and I’d end up battling the pirates to death.

‘To prepare adequately, I absolutely need military support for at least one naval vessel.’

I mulled over my options. Knowing this mission was significantly linked to the whereabouts of the Seven Luminaries, I could not afford to handle it carelessly; even a small failure was unacceptable. Getting naval support had become a must.

‘I guess there’s no other choice. When else will I have this opportunity?’

I sought out Jeong Gi-tae, an official of rank six who managed the escort to Goryeo. Of course, he wasn’t someone who would rush out the moment I requested to see him, so I had to stand by the office door all day.

It wasn’t until dusk that I was allowed in to see Jeong Gi-tae. He wore a bored expression as he addressed me.

“What brings the junior escort from the Seogung Escort Agency to me?”

“I wish to show you a very pleasant gift that I’ve brought.”

His eyes lit up with curiosity. “A gift? What is it?”

“If you could lend me a few men…”

“Hmm… come this way.”

I followed Jeong Gi-tae into a private room. I slowly produced a gold bar in front of him.

“A very lovely gift.”

“Hiii! Pure gold!!”

Jeong Gi-tae was so surprised that he fell back. He quickly reached for the gold bar, but I deftly dodged his grab. Realizing it, Jeong Gi-tae hurriedly said, “What are your requests? I’ll help you within reason!”

“I want one naval vessel to escort us on this journey to Goryeo.”

Jeong Gi-tae wore a troubled expression. “A naval vessel… It’s not impossible, but it will be quite challenging. We need permission from General Jang Gyeong-ik.”

“Who’s General Jang Gyeong-ik?”

At my question, Jeong Gi-tae responded, “He has equal authority with the lord of Shandong and leads an army of 50,000 troops. Without his word, it’s impossible.”

“Then I’m out of luck. Let’s just forget this conversation…”

As I began tucking the gold bar away and turn to leave, Jeong Gi-tae quickly said, “No, no! I’ll see what I can do. If you give me the gold bar, I’ll use the funds to try talking to him. Does that work for you?”

“There’s no guarantee you’ll fulfill my request…”

“What do you want done?”

“I want you to allow me to meet General Jang Gyeong-ik one-on-one.”

“You want to persuade General Jang Gyeong-ik yourself?”

Surprised, Jeong Gi-tae couldn’t help but stare. After all, General Jang Gyeong-ik was a powerful figure who wielded control and authority over Shandong. The idea that a mere kid like me could successfully persuade him would seem ridiculous.

But in the end, Jeong Gi-tae had no choice but to entertain my request, as the temptation of the gold bar was too sweet. The following day, I followed Jeong Gi-tae to the General’s Office in Shandong, smoothly passing through the internal war without any issues.

“Ah, you’ve come, Jeong Tong-pan.”

“Yes, General.”

General Jang Gyeong-ik was a towering man with a fierce appearance and a distinctive eye. Clad in luxurious military attire, he projected the quintessential image of a commanding general with his arms crossed.

Jeong Gi-tae bowed, “This is Baek Woong, our junior escort from the Seogung Escort Agency, who wishes to request an audience with you.”

The general appeared disappointed, “Isn’t this just a child?”

“However… there are rumors floating about that he possesses tremendous strength, suggesting he is more than meets the eye.”

“Oh…?”

General Jang Gyeong-ik regarded me with interest, asking, “You’re Baek Woong, the junior escort? Why do you want naval support?”

I answered without hesitation, “I must go to Goryeo. Along the way, I wish to avoid any threats to my life. Therefore, I’m doing everything within my power.”

General Jang Gyeong-ik laughed jovially, “Ha ha ha… Then why not just take a road trip? Why trouble yourself, using a gold bar for fear of pirates, who may or may not even show up? You really are quite the peculiar person.”

I replied firmly, “Because I want to assist you, and you want to assist me. A single gold bar is nothing to me.”

“Oh… ho ho. So you think simply having ties with me is beneficial?”

As I slid two gold bars over towards him, Jang Gyeong-ik’s eyes widened in amazement.

“I hope you think so.”

“……”

While it was blatantly obvious, I was convinced this was worth it.

Even if I tried to hide my tracks, it was quite likely that the Golden Eagle Guard would catch onto them later. In that case, it was far better to flamboyantly strut around, increasing the success rates for beating the pirates while charmingly wooing the higher-ups.

Becoming noticeable was key. If I could use the gold bars to forge connections with the ‘important figures’, they might provide a safeguard for me later on.

Indeed.

I intended to make General Jang Gyeong-ik my connection.

Through this series of rebirths, I had experienced firsthand just how significant connections could be between people. If I could use gold bars to win over a powerful figure, there wasn’t a better situation to be in. General Jang Gyeong-ik gazed at me with intrigue and said, “Fascinating… I’ve never met a character with such distinctiveness since General Jin Cheon-hwi was alive.”

“……”

“I suspect you’re a young martial artist, but it’s true you’ve practiced martial arts?”

“That’s correct.”

“What sect?”

“Azure Dragon Martial Arts School.”

It was then that Jang Gyeong-ik’s face went pale, his eyes wide open in shock as he stuttered, “Y-You’re not saying you’re the disciple of Lord of the Azure Dragon, are you?”

Feigning ignorance, I responded, “Who is Lord of the Azure Dragon?”

“Uh… well, uh… that would be Samjeol Lee Kwang.”

“I’ve heard of him from my direct master. My lineage is Multiple Lineage, so he could also be considered a collateral master.”

“I see… interesting.”

Jang Gyeong-ik, clearing his throat, said, “I got it! I approve the dispatch of three naval vessels. You will join the Goryeo expedition as a protector.”

“Thank you.”

“Is there any other request?”

“Not particularly.”

I stood to leave, as my goal had been achieved. However, General Jang Gyeong-ik hastily called me back, “Let’s have a chat for a moment.”

“A chat? I don’t mind…”

He gestured for Jeong Gi-tae to leave. “He is free to go.”

“Yes, sir.”

As Jeong Gi-tae left, silence fell over the General’s Office. In this one-on-one meeting, there were no escorts in sight. After a long pause, Jang Gyeong-ik sighed and said, “Are you planning to go to Goryeo and never return?”

“No, not really. I plan to take a quick look at Goryeo and will return immediately afterward.”

In a quiet voice, Jang Gyeong-ik said, “I see. Good. In that case, will you do me a favor?”

“I will help with any requests you have, within my means.”

Jang Gyeong-ik nodded firmly. “Then, when you return from Goryeo, come find me. I will inform you of what you need to do.”

“What would that be?”

“It’s just a simple errand, so don’t worry.”

“An errand?”

I tilted my head, but I assuredly replied, “Understood.”

Thus, I established a pact with General Jang Gyeong-ik to execute his errands, and three days later, I boarded a merchant ship protected by naval forces heading towards Goryeo.

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