Chapter 26
〈Executor of Heaven's Mandate. Choose one of the three paths.〉
The moment Jaseong unfolded the fourth chapter, "Secret Art," he suddenly heard these words.
What followed was that three choices appeared before him.
[First Path: Eye-Transformation Secret Art(化眼秘術) : Low Difficulty]
[Second Path: Full-Body Secret Art(渾身秘術) : Medium Difficulty]
[Third Path: Celestial Gate Opening Art(仙門開放術) : High Difficulty]
'A set of choices...? This is a phenomenon I've never seen before.'
The Heaven Evading Breathing Technique, the Heaven Evading Three Talents Sword Technique, and the Heaven Evading Phantom Step were not like this.
He simply learned the martial arts that were given to him.
Jaseong, puzzled as to why such options appeared only this time, examined each choice more closely.
[First Path: Eye-Transformation Secret Art(化眼秘術)
A secret art that can put an opponent into a state of paralysis just through eye contact.
It can cause the opponent to hallucinate in combat, disorienting or taking them by surprise.]
[Second Path: Full-Body Secret Art(渾身秘術)
Infuses internal energy into the skin, muscles, and micro-veins throughout the whole body, greatly increasing defense.]
[Third Path: Celestial Gate Opening Art(仙門開放術)
Opens the Immortl Gate within the body to create explosive power.
Temporarily grants a state where one can kill in a single strike.]
"... They're all incredible."
Each one was a remarkable secret art, on par with the most prized ultimate forms of the great sects.
Whichever he learned, Jaseong would become many times stronger than now.
But as Jaseong was examining these secret arts—
Whoosh!
Suddenly, an extraordinary wind surged around him.
'This is...'
He sensed the strange phenomenon he had already experienced twice before.
It was the same as when Baek Cheon-gwang, the seventh executor of Heaven's Mandate, and Hong Gukyul, the fifth executor of Heaven's Mandate, appeared before him.
Soon, the crown of his head grew hot, and his Samadhi Eyes activated by themselves.
Ssshh—
Jaseong's consciousness slipped into the Samadhi State, and he saw the air split open, spilling down rays of light.
From within that light, a figure slowly revealed itself.
'Who could it be... Is it perhaps Baek Cheon-gwang or Hong Gukyul?'
Whoever it was, Jaseong looked forward to seeing them.
Although brief, he had grown fond of those two.
However, as the rays of light faded, an unexpected sight appeared.
"Meow—."
The being that stepped out from the light meowed.
Of course, to Jaseong, it was just an incomprehensible cry.
"... A cat? Is this the transmission master sent this time?"
As Jaseong muttered, a black cat with yellow eyes sat before him.
Anyone would be taken aback by this sight.
At that moment, the yellow-eyed cat suddenly spoke.
"How rude."
"Excuse me...?"
"They said this executor of Heaven's Mandate was arrogant, and it seems they were right. To mistake this noble Night Cat Celestial Spirit for a stray, tsk."
Jaseong blinked.
It looked every bit the street cat, and yet called itself a noble spirit—
How was anyone supposed to know?
Regardless, since it was a being descended from the Celestial Realm, Jaseong properly paid his respects.
"... I greet you, Night Cat Celestial Spirit. But are you truly the one who will pass on the Sword Immortal's techniques to me?"
"Foolish child. How could a celestial spirit use human martial arts?"
"... Then why are you here?"
"The Sword Immortal sent me because an explanation is required regarding the three choices granted to you."
"An explanation...?"
The cat elegantly sat before Jaseong, drawing a paw across its face.
"These secret arts are on a different level from human martial arts; they are arts of the Celestial Realm. Master even one, and you'll be many times stronger than you are now."
"......!"
"Of course, as great as they are, they are incredibly difficult to acquire. Over two-thirds of past executors of Heaven's Mandate have failed to master these techniques."
"... More than two-thirds failed?"
"That's right."
"But the Eye-Transformation Secret Art(化眼秘術), the first path, is marked as low difficulty...?"
The Night Cat Celestial Spirit snorted, swishing its tail.
"That's based on the Sword Immortal's standard. By human standards, it's beyond daunting. Whatever you choose, even 'low difficulty' will be tough for you."
So, these secret arts were far more difficult than he could have guessed... He could not just be pleased.
"Still, there have been those who succeeded. The first path, the Eye-Transformation Secret Art(化眼秘術), was mastered by Baek Cheon-gwang, who taught you swordsmanship. If you choose the first path, he will be your transmission master and help you.
The second path, the Full-Body Secret Art(渾身秘術), was mastered by Hong Gukyul, who taught you movement techniques. Choose the second path, and he will guide you."
Baek Cheon-gwang and Hong Gukyul.
Both were trustworthy transmission masters.
But Jaseong's gaze lingered on the third path: Celestial Gate Opening Art(仙門開放術).
Its difficulty was highest, but thus, it would be the most powerful.
'The first and second paths are remarkable, but... If I am to exact my revenge on my enemies as soon as possible, I must master the strongest art of all.'
Muttering inwardly, Jaseong posed another question.
"Then if I pick the third path, who will come as the transmission master?"
The Night Cat Celestial Spirit suddenly unsheathed its claws into the air, speaking brusquely.
"I honestly don't recommend the third path."
"Pardon...?"
"No one among the previous executors of Heaven's Mandate has ever succeeded in mastering it."
"......!"
"There were those as arrogant as you, who dared to try. Yet not a single one managed it—they all gave up."
Executors of Heaven's Mandate are all beings of extraordinary talent.
And yet, none succeeded in mastering this art...
The difficulty was hard to believe.
"If I choose the third path, can't I try to master it later, once my might grows stronger?"
"Do you know why the fourth chapter of the Heaven Evading Way is classified as a secret art? There is a proper time for learning them. Unless you attempt them now, as your foundations are being established, the form of your mind will set and you'll lose the chance to master them."
"......!"
"At any rate, since none of the previous executors mastered the third path, there is no transmission master for you. You'll have to study the manual on your own, just as you did with the Heaven Evading Breathing Technique."
Jaseong couldn't help but agonize over the decision.
His heart yearned to master the most difficult and most powerful third secret art, the Celestial Gate Opening Art(仙門開放術),
But if he failed, he would lose his shot at growing stronger.
Lick—
As Jaseong sank into contemplation, the Night Cat Celestial Spirit licked its paw.
Then, it returned into the light and vanished.
"I shall grant you fifty days of respite. Deliberate well and then choose."
* * *
Meanwhile, after Jaseong had safely completed his third mandate, the "Elimination of Little Evil", a hot topic swept through every tavern in Guizhou City like wildfire.
Merchants drinking, passersby in back alleys, even courtesans in the Red Light District—
All of them were passing around the same story.
"Did you hear? Fierce Sky Faction wiped out the Kaiyang Society!"
"Kaiyang Society got crushed? Does that mean we won't see those bastards' faces again?!"
"Serves those scumbags right! Just thinking about what they did to our families...!"
In one corner of the tavern, a middle-aged commoner's face twisted in emotion.
Tears brimmed in his eyes, the pain he suffered under the Kaiyang Society plain to see.
"But the head of the Kaiyang Society was the infamous Seven Freaks of Zhejiang, wasn't he? I heard even the famed Mount Hua Sect's Master Cheonghwa couldn't handle them... So who could take those demons down?"
"Who else? It was Fierce Sky Faction's chief, of course!"
"I heard he used to be an upper-rank expert who nearly made the top hundred among the Evil Faction. Maybe it was true after all!"
At that, another merchant chimed in.
"But I heard it wasn't Fierce Sky Faction's chief who finished the Seven Freaks alone."
"What? Then who did it?"
"He has a young disciple, they say. Just a boy, about sixteen at most. That disciple killed Red Demon without shedding a single drop of blood!"
"What...? A boy that young took down Red Demon?!"
"What extraordinary talent! If he could defeat the Seven Freaks at his age, he'll become an expert known across the martial world in the future!"
The tavern erupted into clamor.
Drunken men raised their voices, all sharing tales of Jaseong.
Their eyes sparkled with awe and curiosity, and laughter celebrating the fall of the Kaiyang Society filled the room.
But at that very time, in another part of Guizhou City, the mood was utterly different.
In the study of the Mocheon Sect's sect leader, in Guizhou City.
The room, wreathed in lavish gold trim, was tenser than ever.
"Sect Leader. Confirmed."
"... What did you find?"
"As rumored, all of the Seven Freaks of Zhejiang have been wiped out."
Faceless Ghost bowed his head and reported.
At that, the teacup in Murong Dangcheon's hand trembled.
Next—
Crash!
The teacup flew toward Faceless Ghost's head, shattering to pieces.
Scalding tea splashed everywhere, and blood trickled down Faceless Ghost's forehead.
"You idiots! Didn't they earn their place in Killing Valley?"
"... Forgive me."
"How could seven men fail to subdue a one-legged old man?!"
Murong Dangcheon, yelling, had a critical need for the Fierce Sky Faction's business operations.
He had but a single dream:
To grow the Mocheon Sect until it outshone his main family, to make his name resound throughout the martial world.
That was the only way he could take revenge on those who robbed him of his elder's seat.
But growing a sect required one thing above all—money.
He had borrowed massive funds from various financiers all across the martial world to build the Mocheon Sect's grand halls, gates, and walls.
And now, even as he stood, that borrowed money was snowballing with interest.
So he coveted the Fierce Sky Faction's enterprises.
If he could gain control of that cash flow, the Mocheon Sect would shake off its current financial troubles and dominate the martial world.
But with the defeat of the Seven Freaks, all those plans turned to dust.
"Damn it all...!"
Murong Dangcheon gritted his teeth, muttering under his breath.
Suddenly, a sharp gleam flickered in his eyes.
Seized by inspiration, he barked at Faceless Ghost.
"Faceless Ghost. Go to the Kaiyang Society's headquarters, and retrieve all the carrier pigeons exchanged with our Mocheon Sect at once."
"... The carrier pigeons, sir?"
"Yes! If those notes spread through the martial world, our Mocheon Sect's reputation and honor will be utterly destroyed! Go burn them immediately!"
His tone had turned urgent.
If it became known that the Mocheon Sect had sided with the Kaiyang Society, their reputation would plummet.
The contempt of martial artists and even censure from the Murim Alliance would surely follow.
But then, Faceless Ghost's next words cast Murong Dangcheon into deeper despair.
"Well..."
"Why do you hesitate to speak?"
"They've already been stolen."
"What...?"
"This dawn, our subordinates returned from the Kaiyang Society's hall. But all the correspondence had already vanished...."
"......!"
Murong Dangcheon's eyes shook ever more violently.
"You mean Fierce Sky Faction's lackeys looted the Kaiyang Society's headquarters already?!"
"That was our initial guess. But... it appears it wasn't Fierce Sky Faction's doing."
"What...? Then who took the documents?!"
"Witnesses say that it was women wearing black clothes who visited, not any of Fierce Sky Faction's men."
Women in black clothes...?
Murong Dangcheon's face was marked by suspicion and escalating fear.
After all, unknown enemies are the most frightening of all.
His mind churned with wild speculation.
And the truth of those women's identities was known only to Jaseong, the master of the Hao Clan's Ansun branch.