0101 : Dark Heaven Village
The 11th life has begun.
I lay there still, unable to move for quite some time. The pain from my death at the hands of the Great Scourge was too intense. It felt as if my entire body had been sliced apart, making me break out in a cold sweat, effectively paralyzing me.
“Huff… huff…”
Eventually, the realization of my death settled in, but I soon cleared my mind. After all, I would have died regardless in that state. Wasn’t it rather fortunate that I managed to land a hit before dying?
However, the resentment within me still lingered. There were too many scoundrels in this world that needed to be killed. I simmered in this hellish hatred for a long time, and as the pain subsided, my strength slowly waned. I then stood up and checked my physical condition.
‘Thank goodness. My cultivation remains the same.’
I felt that I had gained quite a lot in my 10th life.
Now, I could perform top-tier medical techniques, having mastered Hua’s 108 Needles and the Five Animals Play of Hua Tuo. Additionally, I had entered the basics of sorcery, and my potential had significantly increased due to a decade of training with sacred treasures. Most importantly, knowing the whereabouts of the Moon Luminary and the powers of the Protectors, along with understanding the strengths of the Twelve Rat Clan leaders and the Dharma Protector, was a tremendous achievement.
‘… But my thoughts are still disorganized.’
I decided not to leave the barn immediately and instead sat down to ponder.
There were still several unanswered questions swirling in my mind. I spent about one meal’s worth of time contemplating but couldn’t clarify those aspects. Thus, I resolved that I would have to borrow Mangnyang’s power once again.
“Oh right.”
As I was about to rush out of the barn towards the Heavenly Secret Manual, I suddenly stopped at the door.
Something felt off. So, I cautiously used the Concealment Technique to approach the Village Chief’s house. It was possible to sneak into the Village Chief’s room undetected in the early dawn while everyone was asleep.
“Hmm…”
I quietly observed the deeply sleeping Village Chief. For some reason, I didn’t feel much resentment towards him. Instead, I crossed my arms while looking down at him.
‘What would happen if I killed this guy and then left?’
Even if my resentment was assuaged, killing him was still an option. The Village Chief was quite a detestable figure to me, and I could easily smash his head open at any moment. However, this murderous thought didn’t stem from particularly hating the Village Chief too much.
Karma!
I had experienced how even the most trivial of actions could affect my fate. In reality, there had been several instances when I was abruptly held back by past events despite my flourishing progress. Hence, I found myself wanting to test this now.
What would happen if I were to commit the act of [killing the Village Chief at this moment]?
If I could find that out, I might be able to discern the potential variables that would arise in the future. In truth, even if I merely concentrated a bit of my cultivation to my foot, the Village Chief’s head would explode. I raised my foot gently and placed it above the Village Chief.
“……”
I withdrew my foot.
‘Forget it.’
I could test this, but it didn’t sit well with me. Most importantly, just because I could be resurrected didn’t mean I wanted to use that ability indefinitely. To preserve my humanity as much as possible, I should refrain from recklessly walking the path of the non-human or extra-ordinary.
‘There’s no need for senseless murder.’
This thought had arisen as I learned the path of medicine.
I resolved to never harm or kill the Village Chief or anyone from Dark Heaven Village without reason going forward. Instead, I decided to carefully use a deeper needle technique to examine the Village Chief’s health.
He had excess flesh, high blood pressure, and a high risk of stroke.
He also had turtle neck syndrome, with poor lung and liver conditions.
He was a typical case of a wealthy man’s ailment.
If I left him be, he would likely die within 15 years. Ordinary people, excluding doctors, often underestimated the detrimental effects of excessive meat consumption on health. In reality, the Village Chief didn’t live beyond his means in history and passed on his wealth to Kum Sanja.
I knew that there were unnecessary silver needles lying around in the Village Chief’s room. After disinfecting the tips of those needles using my cultivation energy, I slowly moved to insert the needles.
Hua’s 108 Needles
Life-Inclined Needle Method
I carefully targeted the twelve acupoints in the Village Chief’s body, expelling the turbid qi within and inserting the needles. As the needles penetrated, the negative energy within him dissipated, and his injured organs began to recover. I stabilized his internal state using acupuncture, then withdrew the needles and utilized the Five Animals Play of Hua Tuo to further stabilize his condition. With each press, his joints eased, and any stagnant blood vanished.
After a while, the Village Chief lay peacefully, snoring. I had infused him with my cultivation energy, ensuring that the Life-Inclined Needle Method had been executed with full effectiveness. As I got up, I muttered to myself,
“With this, your body, ruined by alcohol, meat, and lust, should endure for at least another five years.”
If he takes care of himself, he might even enjoy a long life. The secret of Hua’s 108 Needles was originally the finest medical technique in Hebei, making this quite simple. Thinking that I had repaid a bit for the past wrongs against the Village Chief, I made my way towards the Heavenly Secret Manual.
Upon acquiring the Heavenly Secret Manual, I rushed straight to Mount Huang.
‘Alright, let’s go!’
When I arrived at Mount Huang, I immediately prepared to obtain the spear and sword, as well as the Black and White Lotus, before entering the secret realm. The Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng was quickly found in the secret realm. Since obtaining it was very easy, before consuming the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng, I first jumped into the pond where the Black and White Lotus resided.
Splash!
After entering the ruins within the pond, I moved the golden casket outside again, then re-entered and made my way to the altar. I decided to reread the inscriptions on the stele.
Strangely, this time I understood it better. With the sporadic knowledge I had gained, I could almost read everything.
[ … The Song of Darkness… Those who pair… The Steps of Wind… The cold and white God of Silence… The Primordial North… The Arriver… No trials… But for those who wish to break the seal… Meet the God of Silence… Blood is drawn… Awaken and arrive… What is offered at this altar… Is the blood of the Arriver…]
“Ooooh…”
I felt a sense of wonder. After the strange sensation I felt in the ruins of the Moon Luminary, I appeared to have gained some ability to interpret the peculiar language. I couldn’t explain why, but in this situation, it was a very helpful ability. After reading it several more times to remember the content completely, I prepared to challenge the Trial of Hell.
Kruuung!
The wall opened, revealing a narrow bridge leading to Hell. Moments later, as a spider jumped up from below, I immediately activated the Raijin and Wind Needle Technique along with my preparation for acupuncture. Although the Raijin and Wind Needle technique required some preparation time for real combat, it wasn’t a problem since I had already inserted needles to ready my great technique.
The giant spider let out a thunderous roar, but I had already dashed in and thrust my spear with full force. With the extraordinary physical capabilities bestowed upon me, the giant spider could not even resist and had to take the first hit.
“Charge! I’ll strike!”
Bam!!!
[Screech!!!]
Although I had only stabbed five times, six of the gigantic spider’s legs fell off. Realizing it was no match for me, the spider released silk from its body again, but by that time, I had already charged and struck its vital points, tearing it apart.
Kaboom!
The spider’s blue blood gushed out. I gathered all my cultivation energy and hurled its body aside into the outer wall before it could fall.
Boom!
It smashed into the rocky wall with a deafening noise. It felt satisfying to see that hideous creature wedged there.
“Hmm, that was good.”
This was a complete victory. I realized that dealing with the giant spider alone was no longer a significant issue. Leisurely, I crossed the bridge, collected the materials from Hell, and glanced at the spider squirming against the wall.
“……”
Come to think of it, that creature was quite the demon beast, wasn’t it?
That means it might have an Inner Dan as well?
Swish!
On a hunch, I took out a dagger from my pocket and threw it. The dagger embedded itself between the spider’s eyes, and soon after, due to the overwhelming energy, the spider’s head exploded. After inflicting a fatal wound, the writhing spider finally fell still. After half a meal’s worth of time, I leaped toward the now motionless creature.
Shriik!
As I settled atop the dead spider, I carefully drew my sword and cracked open its outer shell. Blue blood erupted from within. I quickly avoided the splatter, noticing that the blood seemed acidic, as it was corroding the nearby rock wall. With the acidic blood gushing out, I grimaced and quickly retreated towards the entrance.
“Tch. This is going to be troublesome.”
Not only did I not know how to extract the Inner Dan, but the corrosive fluid filling the spider’s body made it dangerous to touch recklessly. I thought I’d have to bring a hunter or a medicinal expert with me later to study that spider properly.
After safely disposing of the spider and obtaining the materials from Hell and the golden casket, I ascended to the surface. I dug up the roots of the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng and Black and White Lotus and placed them in a large sack. Especially, I carefully wrapped the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng as it was precious, while I harvested eight roots of the Black and White Lotus this time, unlike before. As a bonus, I also gathered four lotus flowers, lightly dried them, and placed them carefully inside.
I will take as much as I can carry.
That’s right.
This time, I won’t eat the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng.
It seemed that consuming it wouldn’t significantly enhance my cultivation level, so instead of eating it myself, I thought about how I could utilize it. Unlike the Black and White Lotus, the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng held a very high external value, and if I could use it well, it might help me achieve my goals more easily.
Once I had collected everything I could from the secret realm, I sat on a rock in front of the waterfall to take a moment to rest. After a day of relentless action, I felt the need for a brief respite. As I sat and relaxed, I pondered,
‘The Huangshan Sect is associated with the Wind Spirit Sect.’
Moreover, the leader of the Huangshan Sect, Yong Jong-il, is likely closely connected to the Dharma Protector Swordsman of the Wind Spirit Sect. He was, after all, a disciple of that bastard who killed the Nine-Tailed Fox. I had been contemplating this since my previous life in the stable.
I hadn’t thought deeply about it before, but things are different now.
Why is the Huangshan Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects, a lineage of the Wind Spirit Sect?
It can’t simply be explained by the fact that the leader is a disciple of the Wind Spirit Sect. For that, the skills and martial arts practiced by the elders and disciples are all regarded as Zheng Zhong’s techniques in the world. The overwhelming impression of the Wind Spirit Sect’s martial arts that I had experienced felt almost negligible. Furthermore, although the Huangshan Sect is a newly emerged faction, it is said to have existed for over a century.
As I pondered, I murmured,
“No, I won’t act just yet. I can’t afford to mess things up by acting impulsively.”
It would be easy to infiltrate the Huangshan Sect or provoke them to satisfy my curiosity. However, that would make it harder to meet Mangnyang. It wouldn’t be too late to share the information I acquired in my tenth life with Mangnyang and listen to his opinion before taking action. I gazed at the distant base of the Huangshan Sect.
“I will definitely uncover your origins.”
After finishing my rest, I immediately began to run towards Jinrang Valley, where Mangnyang was. Along the way, I utilized both Raijin and acupuncture techniques to reach my destination even faster. I was confident that my current running speed surpassed that of any legendary steed, even the Celestial Horse.
I did not forget to stop by the Hua family in Taegyeong Village to grab the phoenix sculpture. Although I learned about the events of Balhae and decided it was unnecessary, there might be a chance I would need it later. I had hoped that the Hua family would be connected to Hua Sheming but, as expected, they appeared to be a distinct branch of the same name.
Upon arriving at Jinrang Valley, I climbed up to Mangnyang’s hut.
This time, I found Mangnyang passionately embracing a young village maiden by the well, sharing a deep kiss. With a tender gaze, Mangnyang caressed the maiden’s jawline and said,
“You are the only one for me… You know that, right…?”
“I’m so embarrassed…”
“When you smile like that, you’re even prettier.”
While Mangnyang was lost in his youthful romance, he suddenly noticed my presence and was taken aback.
“… Wh-What are you?! Who are you?!”
“Goodness!!”
Startled, Mangnyang stumbled back while the village maiden screamed in surprise. I quickly waved my hand.
“Don’t worry. I’m just a wandering martial expert passing by.”
But Mangnyang shouted back,
“No, that’s too suspicious! How did you get past the Mang Unjin?”
“Ugh…”
Mangnyang seemed somewhat angry, disturbed by his sweet personal moment being interrupted. Perhaps that was why he was more emotional and hostile than when we had met previously. I had no choice but to take out the golden casket from my bag and toss a gold ingot.
“Let’s talk after you take this.”
“Gasp!”
Catching the ingot hurriedly, Mangnyang fumbled.
“What is this…?”
The village maiden, startled, widened her eyes and approached Mangnyang. Upon Mangnyang glancing at her, he tightly held the gold ingot and pushed her hand away.
“This is mine.”
His tone was firm.
“… Tch…”
The village maiden puffed out her cheeks.
Suddenly, Mangnyang broke into a broad grin and said,
“Oh dear, little friend! What brings you here? Is there something you wish to ask of me?”
“……”
I realized that throwing gold at Mangnyang resulted in this kind of situation.
I nodded my head and then, glancing at the village maiden, said,
“I’d like to talk to you alone.”
Mangnyang understood.
“Alright. Xiao Xiang! Stay in the village.”
“Mangnyang…”
Xiao Xiang cautiously called out to him, her gaze fixed on the gold ingot nestled in Mangnyang’s arms.
“… It should be split, right?”
“……”
Mangnyang avoided Xiao Xiang’s gaze and tightened his grip on the ingot.
“Um…”
“……”
Xiao Xiang stared intently, but Mangnyang stubbornly turned away, spreading his arms like a butterfly and defending his prize. Eventually, thinking that conversation was futile, Xiao Xiang glanced at the gold ingot again before heading down to Jinrang Valley.
“Golden brat.”
Xiao Xiang’s last remark was striking.
Ignoring her words, Mangnyang confidently declared, as he spread his arms,
“Seeing that you’ve passed the Mang Unjin, you must be a formidable martial artist! If you need wisdom, you’ve come to the right place! I can solve anything, just tell me what you need.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at that, feeling a sense of familiarity.
Yes, Mangnyang was always this kind of friend.
“Well…”
I hesitated, pulling out the Hellish Scene to speak, but then stopped. The words Mangnyang had once said resurfaced in my mind.
[Then how about this? Next time you meet me, just say it’s an ‘investment for the future.’]
[Investment for the future?]
[I’m quite the calculating materialist, so if you give me that one line, I will work tirelessly to return the favor equivalent to the gift you provided. And when you face a great enemy in the future and need assistance, I will do my utmost to help you as much as I received. This way, we won’t owe each other unnecessary emotional debts.]
Mangnyang has always been wary of indiscriminate and immense goodwill. The fact that he explicitly insisted on this guideline back then signified his desire to trust me as a comrade. Moreover, this guideline served as a shortcut leading to the comprehension of Mangnyang as someone with whom one could communicate.
I pondered and then spoke.
“… Rather than a request, it would be more of an investment for the future.”
“Huh? Investment for the future?”
“Listen closely. This might be hard to believe.”
I slowly explained to Mangnyang that I was a reincarnator and that I had experienced a total of ten lives and deaths, with this being my eleventh life. As I narrated my story, Mangnyang initially wore a look as if he were regarding a fool, but when the tale of Cheon Woo-jin and Mangnyang arose, his expression hardened. Eventually, as I recounted the adventure chasing the Seven Luminaries, he became completely absorbed in the narrative.
When I showed him the Seven Luminaries Hellish Scene, he almost fainted, rushing off to a nearby tree to vomit in shock. When he returned, any trace of disbelief had vanished from his face.
After about thirty minutes of recounting my story, Mangnyang remained silent for a long while.
Then, he suddenly threw the gold ingot to the ground.
Clang!
“This story is far more precious than this gold! I truly enjoyed it.”
He wasn’t angry; instead, his face was filled with excitement, even tinged with a blush. My tale had ignited the grand ambition in his heart. Mangnyang chuckled and sat on the bench.
“Ahahaha, that’s incredible! Forming the Half-Celestial League and going against the imperial family? Awesome!”
“Of course, I can’t know what happened to you in my tenth life. What’s certain is that because of the Black and White Lotus root I leaked, the deputy leader of the White Lotus Sect recovered, and the leader was on the brink of invading the Central Plain, aiming to unify it within just a few years.”
“Hmm… Let me think about it.”
Mangnyang tapped his head with his arms for a moment.
After deep contemplation, he finally spoke.
“We can identify three major points.”
—————————= Author’s Note —————————=
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