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Two days later, Mangnyang brewed up a poison the size of a child, carefully mixing various additives in the workshop. After a few rounds of concocting, the air filled with a gunpowder-like stench, and soon a vial of deadly poison was completed. Mangnyang handed it over to me.

“Here you go.”

“What would happen if a human consumed this?”

Mangnyang chuckled softly. “After ten breaths, they’ll start to feel paralysis creeping in, and by the time they’ve taken another ten breaths, they’ll be completely immobile. Left alone for half an hour, they’ll be dead.”

“……”

“First, I want to hear your thoughts. Is this heretical sect truly wicked enough to warrant using this poison?”

I felt it was time to reveal the truth. After all, if I was going to accompany him to a town of tragedy, Mangnyang was currently my greatest ally. The more he knew, the more he could assist me. I calmly laid out the facts.

“They’re not just some average heretics. The Golden Eagle Guard is aiding them with sorcery.”

“……!!”

Mangnyang’s eyes widened. He had never heard of the Golden Eagle Guard being involved. His expression turned frantic as he started to think it over. After shooting me a glare, he asked, “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?”

“I needed time to watch you too.”

If I had poured everything out from the start, I would have risked him reacting too strongly. Furthermore, there was no guarantee that Mangnyang would act out of loyalty. I had to secure this poison first and observe whether I could trust him. And somehow, Mangnyang handed me the completed product. Sighing, he seemed to have grasped my mindset.

“Hah, it’s no big deal, but… so you’re okay with turning the Golden Eagle Guard and the Imperial Family into enemies?”

“They impose sacrifices upon others while risking nothing themselves. If I leave them be, things will get out of hand.”

Honestly, I laid out my thoughts on the Golden Eagle Guard and the Imperial Family, leading Mangnyang to nod in appreciation.

“You’re right. Still, it’s a shame you didn’t mention this earlier—I could have prepared more.”

“More preparations?”

“If they’re our enemies, I could have sought help from my master. But it’s too late now, so forget it.”

Master? Now that I thought about it, I realized I had no clue how Mangnyang had obtained such extraordinary knowledge and wisdom. I had assumed he was a genius who learned everything on his own, but apparently, he had a mentor. Curious, I inquired about this master, but he only stammered.

“Give me time to observe you too.”

“… Understood.”

It was a fair trade, after all. I shrugged and started explaining what I had seen and heard regarding the Golden Eagle Guard and the sorcerers. After processing the information, Mangnyang began calmly outlining what we needed to do next.

“If we ride, we should reach that town within three days. You seem convinced that a tragedy will occur there—what do you think the Golden Eagle Guard and the sorcerers will be up to by then?”

I was now at least ten days ahead in terms of time. No, maybe even fifteen! Thanks to my increased internal power and not stopping by my hometown for a pointless revenge spree, I had a lot of time left over. Compared to when I first faced the tragedy, it felt like an eternity had passed. Additionally, when Master Hyuncheon discovered their vile deeds, the human sacrifices hadn’t yet begun in earnest—they were only in the brainwashing phase. Considering all of this, I replied.

“It’s very likely they’re still scouting the town, looking for targets to assassinate. Or perhaps they haven’t even departed from Luoyang yet.”

“If what you say is true, then the Golden Eagle Guard only moves after the sound of the sorcerer’s flute. It certainly seems that intercepting the sorcerer in the village before the Golden Eagle Guard moves would be the best course of action.”

I nodded in agreement.

“Exactly. That’s why I was thinking that infiltrating the village as quickly as possible might be our best bet.”

“So you aim to take out the sorcerer the moment he shows up?”

“That’s the idea.”

After pondering for a moment, Mangnyang shook his head.

“Hmm, that’s not the best idea. It sounds good, but it’s a lower-tier strategy. We have time on our side, so we should look for a higher-tier strategy.”

“What do you mean?”

“Before I explain, is there anyone else you can recruit for this?”

I answered immediately.

“On the way here, I came across a Daoist Hall called Taejeong Temple. The abbot, Master Hyuncheon, is a peak expert from the Wudang Sect. If we can confirm the tragedy, he’s sure to help us.”

“I see. I was considering recruiting mercenaries from the Twin Gates, but someone of that caliber will suffice.”

“Mercenaries?”

“The Twin Gates of Luoyang, the Great Sword Gate and the Iron Blood Gate, occasionally send high-ranking disciples out to take on jobs elsewhere. It’s not common, but if you have connections, you can hire a first-class expert from the Twin Gates for a steep price. They may not work too hard, but there’s a rumor their services are worth the money.”

“……”

“The Four Families also sometimes operate for cash in the world, but their connections are quite closed off, making them hard to find.”

It brought to mind the leaders of the Iron Blood Gate or the Great Sword Gate. Experts with first-class martial prowess out on jobs, possibly even elders could be mercenaries.

Feeling adventurous, I said, “Mangnyang, why not use that silver bar to hire a mercenary?”

“That’s not a bad idea, but it’s already too late. We’re in a hurry, and when would we go all the way to Luoyang to hire someone? If it had been two days ago, I could have sent a message to my master for a hire that’d arrive on time.”

“……”

“But don’t worry. You and I, along with Master Hyuncheon will likely be enough.”

With a whoosh, Mangnyang pulled out a map he’d procured from somewhere. It was a detailed map showing the area surrounding the village of tragedy. I was taken aback.

“You didn’t draw this, did you?”

“Not a chance. I had one of my men at Jinrang Valley steal this confidential document from the government office two days ago. They always keep military maps on hand for emergencies.”

“……”

Once again, it seemed like Mangnyang had no qualms about using any means necessary. And upon hearing my words, he took action right away.

“What’s with that look? I’m just trying to prepare as best as I can.”

Pointing at a specific area on the map, he began explaining.

“Look here. The mid slope of this mountain connects to the Gyeongha River’s spring. The village is barely accessible from this spring, which leads directly to the well. It’s not just a simple structure for drawing groundwater. For the village to obtain water, they’d have to travel dozens of miles to the Gyeongha River to draw water.”

“I see.”

“If we find a point in the tributary and release the poison there, we can definitely incapacitate the village since all the wells are interconnected underground.”

Mangnyang grinned as he retracted his finger.

“Of course, this is if we arrive late and must forcibly subdue the village.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“If we can preemptively subdue them, then there’s a better way. This poison could easily kill a hundred people, and it’d be better to save everyone rather than pay with those sacrifices. This nerve poison doesn’t have a proper antidote.”

“……?”

What Mangnyang proposed next was utterly shocking.

“Let’s set the village on fire.”

Three days later, Mangnyang and I arrived on horseback at the front of the Taejeong Temple.

With squinting eyes, Mangnyang regarded the temple and then said, “I’m not really close with these Daoists.”

Despite being a master of Qimen Dunjia, he was more of a scamming fortune teller than a genuine Daoist, making it understandable for him to feel uneasy around the priests. I chuckled as I replied, “Master Hyuncheon is not a bad person, so you don’t need to worry.”

With that, we dismounted and walked forward, surprising the Daoist disciples standing before the temple. They quickly drew their Demon Subduing Swords and aimed them at us. Though the swords weren’t the best choice for real combat, they were still weapons that many priests carried for self-defense.

“Who are you?”

I smiled and said, “We’re here to see your temple leader, Master Hyuncheon. We come with no ill intent, so please grant us understanding.”

One of the disciples stammered, “Uh… Secret Transmission.”

Upon realizing my internal power was at least peak-expert level, they all froze with stiff faces. Though my appearance resembled that of a teen, it didn’t take them long to realize I was a Half-Transition Master. A particularly tense 20-something disciple began sweating profusely.

“We will escort you to the leader. Please remain still.”

“I swear I won’t cause a ruckus.”

“……”

It didn’t take long for them to bring out Master Hyuncheon. The way the transcendent figure, who had been living in seclusion, walked out was reminiscent of the celestial. After so long, seeing him filled me with nostalgia.

The Daoist gave me a cursory glance and said politely, “A high one graces us with their presence. From which sect do you hail?”

I didn’t feel the need to boast about my prowess to Master Hyuncheon; he could gauge my abilities just by looking. Instead, I opted to bow respectfully as I introduced myself.

“I am Baek Woong, and this is my friend Mangnyang. We’ve come seeking your help regarding a difficult matter.”

“Help…?”

Master Hyuncheon chuckled in disbelief, saying, “Ha-ha… Baek Woong, your internal power has reached an extraordinary level. Why on earth would you seek help from an old Daoist? I prefer to cultivate in nature with my disciples, so I wish to remain uninvolved in worldly affairs.”

Of course, I expected this response. Master Hyuncheon wouldn’t actively engage in force unless he witnessed a tragedy with his own eyes. He likely wouldn’t join unless persuaded otherwise with some substantial need. However, I needed his strength. Though my internal power and skills had significantly improved, dealing with even a single squad of Golden Eagle Guards was beyond what I could handle alone. They practiced both joint attacks and combined techniques, and one wrong move could spell doom for me. If Master Hyuncheon assisted, the endeavor would undoubtedly become much easier.

At that moment, Mangnyang stepped up.

“Master, can’t you read the heavenly secrets? A malevolent star looms over the sky, heralding calamity approaching shortly. How can you sit idly by, waiting for disaster?”

Master Hyuncheon regarded Mangnyang with deep eyes. “I have indeed sensed a disturbance in recent celestial events. However, such portents of great misfortune are beyond the influence of a fragile individual like myself. I have weighed my burdens carefully and am reluctant to be easily swayed by external coaxing.”

It seemed that they were both aware of the ominous signs. Perhaps both Mangnyang and Master Hyuncheon could interpret the stars, as they were evidently sensing an impending threat. As I took that information into account, Mangnyang casually added, “No matter your prowess, you can’t possibly see calamity better than I can. I can assure you, dark forces will soon rise around here.”

“What? Who are you to make such brazen claims?” Master Hyuncheon asked incredulously.

Mangnyang confidently retorted, “I am Mangnyang, the one you haven’t heard of?”

I was about to shout, “What the hell are you talking about?” Mangnyang calling himself a master was absurd. He was merely famous around Luoyang as a fortune-teller—people certainly didn’t recognize him as a master in any serious sense. I cringed, thinking I shouldn’t have brought this guy to persuade Master Hyuncheon.

But contrary to my expectations, Master Hyuncheon’s expression changed to one of shock. “Could it be you?!”

“I am indeed the Master of the Borderlands.”

“Ha-ha… Incredible… is it true that you are the highest sorcerer of the Left Path?”

“Correct.”

With a flourish, Mangnyang brandished his signature fan, the Five Fires and Seven Golds Line. Master Hyuncheon inspected it thoughtfully, examining every inch and detail.

After a moment, he let out a resigned sigh, “Indeed… the legend of a mortal receiving a treasure directly from an immortal is true. This is genuine treasure, far beyond human craftsmanship. I acknowledge you as Mangnyang.”

Wait, that was actually a treasure?! Coming from my perspective, I’d seen him scratch his ear with it. I couldn’t believe it.

“Thank you.”

“Follow me. As fellow Daoists, I’ll at least listen to your story.”

Master Hyuncheon may have been a peak expert, but it seemed he recognized the authority of a top-ranked figure from the Left Path. In a daze, I followed him inside the temple, utterly astonished. I had just presumed Mangnyang’s title was a casual nickname—not that there was truly an identity behind it, let alone that he was in fact the highest of the Left Path!

Wasn’t this guy supposed to be totally inept at using any genuine techniques?

With a quiet thought, I asked Mangnyang through a secret transmission, [How did this happen? Are you really the highest sorcerer?]

Mangnyang shot me a glance, suggesting we’d discuss it later. Reluctantly, I had no choice but to trust him and see this through to the end. Moments later, the three of us sat at a table in the reception room of the temple, enjoying tea.

Mangnyang began, “Master, I can stake my name on it; soon disaster will strike a village nearby, and it will be no natural disaster but a man-made one. I’ve seen through my fortunes that a nefarious sect is poised to use people as offerings.”

“Hmm… But why would this occur in that village specifically?”

“This area has lousy transportation, making it easy to isolate. The heretics likely seized on this opportunity.”

Mangnyang firmly pressed on, and Master Hyuncheon, unable to counter, was gradually becoming convinced. He had half-accepted Mangnyang’s viewpoint but turned to me, asking, “Baek Woong, your prowess has surely surpassed peak-expert status, and if so, you still require our help? Is the strength of the heretics that formidable?”

“They carry out human sacrifices and massacres without a thought. Plus, an unknown peak expert aids them from behind the scenes. While I’m formidable in my own right, I cannot handle them alone.”

Me, a guardian warrior? Seeing Mangnyang make up roles on the spot left me speechless, but it seemed to resonate with Master Hyuncheon. When he heard about the human sacrifice, he looked ready to explode with outrage.

“Such vile scoundrels… Are they receiving assistance from the Eight Demons of the Demon Path?”

“I can’t say. But hearing that at least two or three peak experts are honing their skills makes them no small threat.”

Master Hyuncheon expressed disbelief, “Such power is far from common.”

Indeed, it was unusual; there were only a few peak experts in the world, and finding several in a single sect was rare. To operate that many powerful individuals, a group like the Nine Great Sects would be necessary.

Mangnyang assembled his thoughts, saying, “We’re determined to lure out these vile individuals and deal with them before the public suffers any harm. We’ve sought martial artists around here, but they’ve all been avoiding us—so we definitely need your aid to uphold justice!”

“Very well! I shall lend you my assistance!”

In a heartbeat, Mangnyang had managed to curry Master Hyuncheon’s favor, stating that he would return tomorrow. Together, we left the temple. I marveled at how he had deceived Master Hyuncheon so effortlessly.

“What kind of lies did you tell? You’re hardly the top sorcerer…”

“Well, as you can see, I lack divine powers and can only use basic techniques.”

“Then what on Earth…”

Mangnyang gave a bittersweet smile. “It’s not all lies. The treasure is real, and the title of Mangnyang the Sorcerer exists, just not for me.”

What did that even mean? But Mangnyang merely shook his head.

“Explaining it all would just make things too complicated. Right now, we need to scout the village.”

“You’re right.”

Our top priority was clear: scout the village and assess its condition! Without that, we couldn’t proceed with our plans.

 

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