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“What in the world is going on here?”

The body’s owner stirs from a slumped position. From this pint-sized figure, the world appears vast, wide, and drenched in blood. Clashes of weapons and shouts echo all around, accompanied by the gruesome sounds of torn fabric scattering everywhere.

It quickly becomes clear that this sight originates from a battlefield.

I realized the owner of this vision was Yeodong-bin. This little boy, most likely, is Yeodong-bin at an age similar to when I first began my past life.

Yeodong-bin gripped a sword in one hand, gathering his strength. Suddenly, a soldier rushed at him, trying to stab him with a spear.

Smack!

“Gahhh…”

Yeodong-bin showed no mercy, plunging the blade deeper into the soldier’s throat, who gasped in agony as life faded from his eyes. Only after the man’s last breath did Yeodong-bin finally withdraw his sword.

He swiftly picked up the spear dropped by the fallen soldier, but apparently deemed it useless, tossing it aside as he gobbled up some dried meat and pocketed a dagger. Then he crawled into a mass of corpses to hide.

The chaos of war intensified, yet Yeodong-bin remained remarkably calm. Hiding in the pit of dead bodies, he surveyed the area, springing into action to ambush any soldier that got too close to the carcasses. He wouldn’t hesitate to aim for their vital points if needed. Amidst the swirling dirt and blood, Yeodong-bin was desperate to keep his life intact.

How much time passed in this dark place?

Yeodong-bin was starting to feel weak, his vision dimming. While tearing off dried meat beneath the corpse mound, he caught sight of a pair of beautiful feet above him. Looking up, he saw a stunning woman with black hair, wielding a massive scythe.

“Sang Gwanwna!”

I instantly recognized her, yet Yeodong-bin didn’t have a clue who she was. Though he tightened his grip on the sword, he made no move to attack. It was as if he instinctively understood the disparity in their strengths.

Sang Gwanwna spoke with an air of interest. “The ox will soon turn the world upside down and die. It will face a significant defeat in Henan’s Huaiyang and will commit suicide here in Mount Tai’s Langhu Valley. I came to observe the unfolding of my plan, and what a fascinating child I’ve found.”

“…”

Yeodong-bin didn’t respond. The moment he realized the surrounding clamor had quieted was why he held back, though Sang Gwanwna continued.

“I’ve been watching from the beginning; you’re quite impressive for a boy soldier set up as an expendable pawn. Just now, the ox committed suicide and the war has ended, yet you’ve killed more than a hundred people. Achieving a hundred kills is no easy feat for someone without martial arts training.”

Yeodong-bin replied in a dry voice, “Are you going to kill me?”

“Heh, if I wanted you dead, I would have done it already. You possess an intriguing fate and abundant talent; I wish to observe your future.”

“Who are you?”

She chuckled softly. “I am Sang Gwanwna. Impressed by your talent, I’ll grant you a wish. It’s a rare offer, one that comes around only once every hundred years.”

Without hesitation, Yeodong-bin answered, “I want to learn the world’s greatest martial arts.”

“Oh? Why?”

“I don’t want to remain weak any longer.”

With that declaration, Yeodong-bin clenched his fist tightly. “I want to become the overlord of the world, grasping all wealth, glory, and honor in my hands!! And I want the unrivaled strength to slay my foes.”

“I see.” I couldn’t help but find their dialogue absurdly amusing.

‘Wasn’t Yeodong-bin supposed to be the noblest and most righteous Sword Saint of all time?’

He had such noble thoughts as a child? I felt a strange fascination seeing this different side of Yeodong-bin, leading me to wonder what Sang Gwanwna would say next.

“As far as I know, there are three martial arts that can be claimed as the greatest in the world.”

Yeodong-bin leaned in, focusing intently on Sang Gwanwna’s words.

“The first is the Four Great Families of the White Lotus Sect. They recently emerged in the martial world, reigning supreme. The martial arts of all righteous sects in the Central Plains are beneath theirs, feared even in secret. Among them, the Thunder God Lineage and the Su Shin Sect are extraordinary.”

Gradually, the scent of blood on the battlefield faded away. Sang Gwanwna had used a technique to teleport herself and Yeodong-bin to another location—one filled with clear waters and the sound of birds under a beautiful waterfall.

Sang Gwanwna continued, “The second is the Gongsun Sword Technique from the Gongsun Clan. It can become the strongest if mastered fully, but it’s practically impossible for a human to reach its limits! Nonetheless, that sword technique is undeniably worthy of being called the greatest martial art in the world.”

“And the last?”

“The Heavenly Escape Sword Technique said to have been left behind by the Overlord in his later years. Those who master it supposedly gain the power of the ultimate overlord. If you wish, I can take you to the secret location where it lies.”

“…”

Sang Gwanwna slowly extended her hand. “Choose. I will take you wherever you wish to go.”

As my surroundings began to blur, I found myself drifting through a pitch-black void. Glancing around, the figure of Sword Saint Yeodong-bin appeared, speaking.

[ At that time, I chose the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique.]

[ Yeodong-bin.]

[ Coincidentally, the place I landed was a chaotic arena where martial artists were competing fiercely for the Overlord’s secret technique. Sang Gwanwna had thrown me into that scene.]

[ ……]

[ I had to survive to reach the innermost chamber where the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique was sealed.]

I was left speechless, thinking, ‘How on earth did he survive in such a place?’

Even though Yeodong-bin had achieved over a hundred kills as a mere child on the battlefield, he was still just a kid without martial arts skills. Falling into a chaotic space filled with martial artists fighting for the Overlord’s treasure? That spells doom no matter what.

Just as I was about to express my disbelief, the scene shifted back to Yeodong-bin’s memories.

Yeodong-bin was covered in wounds, yet miraculously, none were severe. Beside him stood a young man with a robust appearance, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

“Good heavens, I’m dying. Zhang Gwa-ro, where on earth is that Heavenly Escape Sword Technique?”

Then, an old man riding a donkey along a narrow trail scoffed.

“Zhongli Quan, why are you whining so much? If it bothers you so, why don’t you just use the teleportation technique and disappear from this Overlord’s tomb?”

“Ehh… just joking, just kidding.”

“Someone with such high cultivation shouldn’t be so impatient!”

“Aah, enough, enough…”

Zhongli Quan mumbled softly. “I heard from Zhang Gwa-ro that a senior can be rather petty.”

“Hmph.” Zhang Gwa-ro seemed to disregard the comment, turning to Yeodong-bin beside him.

“Kid, the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique, known as the treasure of the Overlord, isn’t some handy technique that martial artists think it is. It’s undoubtedly an important artifact we must reclaim for our Dao lineage, so give up any foolish desires.”

Yeodong-bin hesitated for a moment but then gave a determined fist pump.

“How can you conclude something you haven’t even seen? I can never forget the debt of gratitude I owe you for saving my life in this tomb and teaching me the fundamentals of martial arts. However, I have a wish to achieve recognition, so please don’t take me lightly.”

“Oh really?”

Zhang Gwa-ro chuckled and said, “Kid, why is that recognition so important? After all, everyone will die eventually!”

“Even with death as a certainty, living differently matters.”

“True… The world appears quite comfortable and cozy to the eyes of the strong. If that’s the world you wish to enjoy, I cannot say anything against it.”

As Zhang Gwa-ro took out a large pipe to smoke, he continued.

“However, tell me, what is the strongest existence in this world? Is it humans? Or nature? If one simply grows stronger and stronger—is that really the happiest path?”

“……”

“Having lived long and hidden away here in Zhongzhoshan, I’ve realized something. Even if one becomes an immortal, they cannot change the world itself. It’s better to take care of the weak ones you can embrace than to recklessly seek strength and turn evil.”

“Is that so…”

Yeodong-bin listened, but it was clear he didn’t fully grasp it.

After all, preaching the Dao’s righteous ideals to an orphan who had survived the battlefield wasn’t likely to resonate!

Just then, they seemed to arrive at the final gate of the tomb. It was a harsh terrain, blocked by red-hot lava, spanning dozens of layers; Zhang Gwa-ro simply hoisted Yeodong-bin onto his donkey’s back as if it were nothing. Riding, they strolled right across the air.

“Hey, Zhang! Wait for me!”

Zhongli Quan hurriedly leaped through the air, trying to join them, but then—

BOOM!!

“Zhongli Quan!!”

Zhang Gwa-ro called out in shock as Zhongli Quan barely evaded the immense force that barreled toward him, retreating to Zhang’s side but coughing up blood, looking worse for wear.

“Cough…”

Seeing Zhongli Quan injured, Zhang Gwa-ro glared ferociously, shouting, “Who dares to attack recklessly?”

Then a man slowly appeared on the opposite cliff.

“Isn’t it natural for a martial artist to desire the Overlord’s sword technique?”

“Identify yourself,” Zhang Gwa-ro commanded.

The man pulled off his hood, revealing himself. “I am Gongsun Byeok, the leader of the Gongsun Clan. If I pass this place, the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique will be mine.”

“……”

“Daoist, step aside. If you do, I’ll spare your life.”

As Zhang Gwa-ro eyed Gongsun Byeok, he noticed someone else standing beside him.

“And who are you?”

The figure crossed his arms, watching the situation unfold before commenting, “I am Lee Gun-ak, a Dharma Guardian of the White Lotus Sect, here to assist Gongsun.”

“Hmm… The top experts of the martial world engaging in such despicable ambushes.”

Lee Gun-ak remarked, “The Dao lineage and the martial world have little connection, right? If the Dao Master concedes the Overlord’s technique, there will be no more unnecessary trouble.”

In response, Zhang Gwa-ro unleashed a mighty shout, “You reckless fools! Your greed will cost you your lives!”

BOOM!

With a swing of his staff, the cave trembled violently. Simultaneously, Gongsun Byeok and Lee Gun-ak launched themselves at Zhang Gwa-ro, who began to fight back. In the midst of this, a voice reached Yeodong-bin from Zhang Gwa-ro.

[ Kid! Hurry and get the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique! You cannot allow it to fall into such greedy hands.]

Without a moment’s hesitation, Yeodong-bin urged his donkey and charged forward. He stepped into the sparkling interior filled with crystals, where, at the center, he spotted an astonishing divine sword exuding immense spirit energy.

Fire Dragon Sword!!

Yeodong-bin seized the sword. In the next moment, a voice echoed inside his head.

[ Who are you?]

Suddenly flustered, Yeodong-bin collected himself and replied, “I’m Yeodong-bin. Just Yeodong-bin!”

[ What do you seek by obtaining this sword?]

“To pursue my own recognition and become strong!”

[ ……]

After a pause, the Fire Dragon began to chuckle lightly, surprised.

[ Hahaha! A delightful little one! So refreshingly honest about your desires.]

“I, Yeodong-bin, would never deceive others with idle words, even if I must face death.”

[ Very well, I’m intrigued. Let me reshape your mental state!]

“Huh?!”

Whoosh!

“Aaaah!!!”

In the next moment, the Fire Dragon enveloped him with an overwhelming blaze of energy, causing Yeodong-bin to writhe in agony. Yet, the energy soon diminished, and the Fire Dragon became a part of his being. The Dragon maneuvered Yeodong-bin’s body, marveling.

[ Hmm. You don’t burn in my flames, indicating you’re honest about your desires, without an ounce of malice! Fascinating, indeed…]

Then, after reading through Yeodong-bin’s memories, the Fire Dragon’s eyes sparkled with menace.

[ Bad humans, are there? Time to teach them a lesson!!]

 

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