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Getting to Mangnyang was a long and rocky road. Well, it makes sense since Mangnyang lived near Jinrang Valley close to Luoyang, and to get there from my village, I had to hop over mountains and rivers a dozen times.

With 50 silver coins in my pocket, I trudged along monotonously day by day.

With no real entertainment, I just practiced the Thunder Dragon One Qi Technique in my free time. Maybe it was because I ate the spiritual pill for the second time, but just circulating the Lesser Circulation made me feel like thunder was crackling all over my body.

Boom!

The sound of thunder erupted. It wasn’t just a feeling; it felt like the outside world was picking up on it too. When I finished my training, sometimes the innkeeper would even burst in, startled.

“W-What’s going on?”

“Nothing’s happening.”

“But there was this flashing light…”

I feigned ignorance, and the innkeeper tilted his head, looking puzzled before leaving.

Hmm, now practicing feels like a burden.

Maybe it was the effect of the spiritual pill? Every time I elevated the Thunder Dragon technique, it seemed like the thunder energy was bubbling around me, visible to those nearby. I was curious about what was going on, but one thing was for sure: it wasn’t harmful to me.

As time passed, I noticed I could draw on my internal power as if I were scooping it up with a ladle, with the enormous energy from my dantian not decreasing at all. When I first took the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng, I felt like I was riding a fine steed, but now it was as if I were soaring through the skies on a dragon’s back.

That’s when I realized something was happening in my body.

The effect of the spiritual pill forced me to reach the true essence of the Thunder Dragon technique!

Every time I used the technique now, I was producing thunder energy, a feat that would normally require decades of practice. The first time I ate the ginseng, my meridians weren’t open enough for anything unusual to happen, but after the second dose, it felt like immeasurable natural spirit energy flooded my entire being, pushing the technique to the next level.

I had no idea what level my internal power had reached now.

Whoosh!

Tydaht

One thing was certain: I could run faster than most horses, even running 20 miles non-stop without breaking a sweat. I thought riding a horse was a waste of money, so I just bought a new pair of straw sandals instead.

Considering the terrain, it was much faster to cross the mountains directly rather than following the winding paths. So, I leaped up the mountain with ease. It didn’t even take me half a moment to cross one peak.

With just two steps, I leapt over a massive cliff that was easily over five meters high. Standing on the mountain crest, the view hit me—what an awe-inspiring moment. It sank in that I had gained superhuman abilities, and I felt a surge of life coursing through me.

Right. Forget about the massacre. Just focus on moving forward.

Just two more days, and I’d reach Jinrang Valley where Mangnyang lived. It had been at least five years since I last met him, so who knew if he still resided there? However, what mattered was I was now heading towards a goal.

While standing on the cliff, a voice suddenly echoed in my mind.

[You seem incredibly skilled. Who are you?]

I was caught off guard by the sudden voice while striking a pose on the rock, thinking I was alone. Who would’ve guessed a peak expert would reach out to me here?

Where are they?

I focused on detecting the presence of the speaker, bewildered. My Qi sense was just based on intuition; I had never formally trained it, so it was impossible to pinpoint a figure adept at hiding their aura.

Plus, I didn’t know how to transmit a voice back. So, standing silent on the mountain, I shouted,

“I am Baek Woong!!!”

Thunder rumbled as my shout transformed into a Lion’s Roar, echoing throughout the mountain range. The sound surely reached the nearby village too, as the shockwaves could be visually sensed.

Suddenly, the rock beneath me cracked like an egg and crumbled. I managed to land back on solid ground using my light body technique, but I heard the voice again, sounding shocked.

[Ugh…! You used the Lion’s Roar here?]

I knew he could hear me without me having to roar. But I did it to intimidate him. I replied coldly,

“I’ve revealed my identity as requested. I don’t wish to engage with you, so let’s part ways here.”

The other party clearly mistook me for a peak expert after seeing my light body technique. Whether he was confrontational or merely curious, I felt quite uncomfortable with his levels. It was best not to get into unnecessary trouble.

Just then, the individual stepped out from the bushes about three meters away, revealing themselves.

“Baek Woong. I’m not attempting to converse with any ill intentions.”

And then, I could see the person clearly.

A Taoist!

Not just any rogue like Mangnyang, but a proper Taoist dressed neatly in a Daoist robe—he looked to be in his early fifties, possessing an elegant and kind demeanor with a well-kept headpiece on. Above all, the aura emanating from him was incredibly pure, indicating he was indeed a high-level figure from the orthodox sect.

Keeping my guard up, I said,

“I don’t care about your intentions. I’m leaving, so don’t interfere.”

“Why the rush? I just want to chat a bit.”

“And what guarantee do I have that talking to you would benefit me?”

As I prepared to depart, he hurriedly waved his hands.

“No, in fact, I’ve come to ask for your help.”

…?

“I am Master Hyuncheon of Taejeong Temple.”

Surprise washed over me.

Master Hyuncheon!

That name belonged to a legendary figure from the most powerful Taoist sect, Wudang. While not as recognized as the Three Great Masters of the Orthodox Sect, he had made quite the name for himself by eliminating numerous heretics in Hubei, and even I, living as far as 40 miles from there, had heard tales of his exploits.

Is he still active in the martial world at this age?

The depth of his internal power would have to be extraordinary for someone in his fifties to still be active. I thought maybe this encounter might be a stroke of luck from my past life. So after a moment’s thought, I asked,

“What is it you need?”

“Would you like to hear my story?”

“Only if it’s not a waste of time…”

With a warm smile, Master Hyuncheon continued,

“I’ve been patrolling a shrine dedicated to the True Martial Emperor in this area. Recently, however, I’ve been troubled by an upwelling of evil energy from a nearby village.”

“Evil energy?”

“A heretical cult.”

Heretical cults. Of course, even within Buddhism or Taoism, strange behavior had occurred, but for one as high-ranking as Master Hyuncheon to label it as heretical, it couldn’t be anything typical. I racked my brain to remember if there was any record of heretical sects in martial history but drew a blank since I was too young back then.

Maybe it’s the White Lotus Sect?

I recalled that the White Lotus Sect had been banned and suppressed at a national level, being exiled all the way to the southern parts of the Central Plains. But that was all I knew, so I nervously asked,

“Could it be the White Lotus Sect?”

“I thought so at first, but that’s not it. The White Lotus Sect was oppressed by the Hongwu Emperor for political reasons, but fundamentally they were on the right path. This heretical group I’m speaking of is definitely performing human sacrifices.”

Human sacrifice!

The mere thought sent a shiver down my spine. Human sacrifice involved killing a person to offer them to one’s deity—a gruesome ritual often involving beheading or even disemboweling while still alive. I remembered witnessing a group of fanatics executed in haste for such crimes during my later years.

Could it possibly be… the Nine Lotus Sect?

My heart raced at the wild guess. I struggled to remember anything from that time, but I’d heard whispers of a mad cult emerging just as I was wrapping up my life as an escort. They called themselves the Nine Lotus Sect, notorious for human sacrifices, cannibalism, and bizarre dark arts. Rumors were that they had begun spreading from southern Central Plains, creating chaos everywhere, and eventually the government gathered forces to crush them, resulting in a bloody purge. I had kept a low profile in my escort life and suffered little consequence, but I heard there were regions where the security situation had spiraled into utter chaos.

But for the Nine Lotus Sect to appear now, over 40 years before its notorious upsurge, seemed totally absurd. As I remained silent, Master Hyuncheon continued,

“In the villages beyond the mountains, these sacrifices have already begun. I managed to eliminate some fanatics, but innocent lives have already been lost. If we don’t rush to quash their power, they will continue to spread like wildfire.”

“But heretics are still regular folks, aren’t they? You, Master Hyuncheon, could handle it alone, right?”

Trailing off, I hesitated. Indeed, the battle strength of a peak expert surpassed that of any regular group, no matter how large it might be. Even if several hundred well-equipped soldiers gathered, a lone peak expert would easily dispatch them. After all, Master Hyuncheon’s prowess was such that he could manipulate Qi in a tangible manner, comparing him easily to the likes of an assassination squad leader or an elder of the Iron Blood Gate.

So it seemed unlikely he would be troubled by a few heretics operating around a village.

But Master Hyuncheon shook his head.

“No… It’s quite embarrassing to admit, but I lacked the strength to suppress the evil forces in both villages in time, failing to eliminate the real culprit.”

“What do you mean?”

“They’re not just ordinary fanatics; I encountered an unearthly beast.”

Beasts!

That matched yet another lead on the Nine Lotus Sect’s notorious characteristics. They supposedly dealt with unimaginable horrors from another realm, which easily overwhelmed conventional military forces. I had heard tales about their grotesque forms being so appalling that mere sight could break one’s spirit.

Could it genuinely be the Nine Lotus Sect?

Master Hyuncheon’s serious visage continued,

“You may appear youthful, but you hold unmatched internal power. You might be a reincarnated master, but still, I humbly ask for your assistance. If you help me, I can surely take down the person controlling the beasts.”

“And who exactly is this person?”

“He seems to control the beasts using a flute and possesses the talisman of sound. I believe he’s the one stirring up this bloodstorm…”

My curiosity peaked. This was unlike anything I had experienced before. I thought perhaps this knowledge would help me in my next life if I ever reincarnated. But still, taking one more step back, I replied,

“Shouldn’t we inform the government?”

“Do you believe a mere Taoist could convince anyone about heretics in a village conducting sacrifices, even if you do speak? I’ve already been dismissed as a madman when I reported to the government… And now that I’ve seen your formidable light body technique here, it’s all the more reason I approached you.”

Hmm.

I paused for a moment, weighing my options, then nodded.

“Alright, I’ll help you.”

“Really? Thank you!”

“But there is a price.”

Master Hyuncheon’s expression shifted from joy to gravity. His face said he never expected me to ask for compensation.

“A price?”

“In exchange for my help, you must teach me the techniques of the Wudang Sect.”

…!!

His expression darkened further. With a piercing gaze, he said,

“You knew I was from the Wudang Sect?”

“It’s not like there are many Taoists with such refined martial arts!”

Master Hyuncheon appeared genuinely perplexed.

“…That’s impossible to agree to. The Wudang techniques are not something I can teach outside our sect. Only those formally initiated and licensed at our home mountain may receive personal tutelage.”

With a chuckle, I turned away.

“Well then, I’m off.”

“Wait just a moment! Anything else, within my power, I’ll agree to!”

I poked fun at him, saying,

“While innocent lives slip away and cults spread, you’re more concerned about your own safety? Can that really be considered an urgent request? Anyone else would doubt your word.”

…!!

My taunt seemed to hit home, as Master Hyuncheon’s expression shifted to shock, perhaps even enlightenment. He nodded gravely and firmly stated,

“Very well. If we succeed, I shall accept you as my disciple and teach you all the techniques! I will take full responsibility.”

What a twist! I was so stunned I almost let it show. Yet, I maintained my calm facade and smiled.

“Understood. I will lend my support to the best of my ability.”

Unexpectedly, a fine opportunity presented itself. If I could take down these heretics or whatever they were, I might gain the chance to learn martial arts from a peak expert of the Wudang Sect, rivaling the Three Great Masters of the Orthodox Sect. I didn’t know what this beast was about, but if things turned sour, I figured I could always extract myself from the situation.

And thus began my first mission against the Nine Lotus Sect.

 

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