Chapter 41
In the center of the open grounds for the Dark Path Sealing Reward Ceremony.
Golden ki emanated softly from Jaseong's entire body as he sat in the lotus position.
Watching this, the supervisors on guardian duty twitched their eyes.
'... He broke through the Gate of Life and Death in one go. Judging by how much his internal power has increased, it seems he absorbed almost the entire essence of the Humanoid Ginseng... Is such a thing even possible...?'
Chief Supervisor Wolryong barely managed to suppress his gasp of astonishment at Jaseong's talent.
He had roamed the martial world for over forty years and seen countless prodigies, but never absorption ability like this.
Most martial artists absorb only sixty percent of an elixir; the rest is wasted.
If the absorbed energy surpasses one's limit, it can actually damage one's meridians.
But Jaseong devoured the entire essence of the Humanoid Ginseng—
Made possible by the Heaven Evading Breathing Technique's pure circulation and the keen control of the Samadhi Eyes.
Thanks to this, at this very moment, power surged in his dantian, at a level incomparable to before.
Eventually, Jaseong opened his eyes and looked over at Wolryong.
"Chief Supervisor, I'll excuse myself for a moment."
"You wish to check the change in your internal power?"
"That's right."
"Go ahead. Your turn in the Dark Path Sealing Reward Ceremony is finished anyway."
Jaseong nodded and got up from his seat.
He then went into a nearby deserted forest.
To truly examine the change in his internal power, he needed to be away from prying eyes.
'Let's see, what should I test first...'
After pondering for a moment, Jaseong decided to start by activating his Samadhi Eyes.
*Saaa—*
The world slowed down, and Jaseong could see the various flows of energy in the forest.
He saw the refreshing green light exuded by the leaves, the black energy given off by an earthworm dying under a swarm of ants, and so on.
Though the effect was similar to before, there was one clear difference.
'The duration of Samadhi Eyes has increased compared to before. And there's also less dizziness.'
Even after maintaining it for over four hours, he did not feel even a trace of dizziness, unlike before.
'I expected as much... The Samadhi Eyes become stronger each time my internal energy rises.'
A sly smile crept onto Jaseong's lips.
There was something else he wanted to test next.
His secret art: the Celestial Gate Opening Art.
This was the surest way to check just how much his internal power had grown.
'First gate. Opening Gate—release.'
*Saaa—*
As the first gate opened, the air around Jaseong shimmered.
It was as if transparent ripples were spreading outward from him.
'Second gate. Resting Gate—release.'
*Kuaaa—*
With the second gate, the fallen leaves started floating up into the air one by one.
'Third gate. Life Gate—release.'
*Kwaaa—*
The air in the forest swirled under the pressure of his energy.
Even without any wind, his sleeves fluttered fiercely in the forest.
'... And this is just three gates open. I feel as if an explosive strength is rampaging through my whole body.'
Even before taking the Humanoid Ginseng, the Celestial Gate Opening Art emitted impressive energy.
But now, it exerted a power several times greater than before.
What was once a gentle breeze, now felt like a typhoon.
And then, when Jaseong opened the highest gate he could among the art's twelve—the Gate of Shock—
*Kwakwakwa!*
Suddenly, an immense force erupted from Jaseong's body, splitting the rock beneath his feet with sharp cracks.
It was a moment so astonishing that Jaseong himself was left speechless.
'... So this is the effect of the Humanoid Ginseng?'
His heart pounded wildly in his chest at his own unbelievable strength.
His power had increased so dramatically, he could barely believe it even as he saw it.
At last, when he collected himself,
*Sneer—*
A broad, involuntary grin formed on his face.
'With this power, I can reach them... The Murong family, the Peng Family in Hebei, the Zhongnan Sect—and the Demonic Cult. My enemies.'
In Jaseong's eyes, the flames of vengeance burned more fiercely than ever.
The rewards of victory at the Dark Path Duel Banquet were making him a monster of a wilder level.
* * *
After the Dark Path Sealing Reward Ceremony ended,
Leaving behind the excitement of the Dark Path Duel Banquet, Jaseong returned to Ansun.
Gu Janghu, the assassin, and Lee Rin, the young palace mistress from the North Sea Ice Palace, accompanied him.
Gu Janghu had decided to become his bodyguard, and Lee Rin needed somewhere to stay during her travels across the Central Plains.
*Ding diriring—ding—*
As they entered the Red Light District, the lanterns of brothels painted the night sky red.
Scents of perfume and liquor filled the air.
Melodious singing and the sound of pipa strings carried gently on the breeze in all directions.
"Wow... Nights in the Central Plains sure are different from the North Sea. The lanterns are so splendid, and there are so many people...."
Lee Rin from the North Sea Ice Palace couldn't hide her sense of wonder as she gazed at Ansun's Red Light District.
For a girl raised in the cold North Sea, this warmth and splendor must have seemed like a dream world.
'Looks like everything in the Central Plains amazes her.'
Watching Lee Rin's wide-eyed wonder, Jaseong let out a chuckle.
Soon, Jaseong led Lee Rin and Gu Janghu into an inn called "White Fragrant Pavilion".
This was the new base of the Hao Sect, Ansun branch.
Located a bit away from the Red Light District, it was a relatively quiet and refined place.
But as their group entered White Fragrant Pavilion, a conversation reached their ears.
"Have you heard about this Dark Path Duel Banquet? I heard a Hao Sect member won."
When Jaseong looked over, he saw some escort warriors from a dart bureau drinking.
"What? The Hao Sect? Isn't that the faction of courtesans and errand boys? How did a Hao Sect member win the terrifying Dark Path Duel Banquet...?"
"They say the Hao Sect boasts some 'leaders'. The winner this time is apparently the leader of the Hao Sect Ansun branch."
"The Ansun branch? You mean right here, Ansun?"
"Yeah. I heard the martial prowess of the Ansun branch's leader is monstrous."
"Monstrous? Just how strong are we talking?"
"I heard he took down a dozen competitors by himself—and even beat up a supervisor!"
... That must be about Kang Ryong.
The escort warriors kept drinking and gossiping about Jaseong, never suspecting that this very inn was the base of the Hao Sect Ansun branch.
Hyang-I, listening in, spoke teasingly to Jaseong.
"If you told those escort warriors that the leader of the Hao Sect Ansun branch was sitting right here, they'd faint."
"... Rumors at inns always get exaggerated. I wasn't the one who fought the supervisor, it was Kang Ryong."
"Even so, thanks to you, the reputation of our Ansun branch in Guizhou City will soar. Hehe."
Hyang-I sounded a little giddy.
To her words, Jaseong just gave a faint smile.
Then, he felt a peculiar gaze.
When he glanced sideways, he saw Lee Rin looking at him with a complex expression.
'Why is she making that face? Is she...hungry?'
Soon, errand boys brought out dish after dish.
Glossy, golden grilled bullfrog; a stew of fresh mitten crabs slow-cooked to perfection; crispy, chewy fried freshwater shrimp; and Huayang grain wine—a rare liquor from the southern Central Plains.
Jaseong picked up the wine bottle and poured his own glass first.
'Now it truly feels like I'm home at last.'
But just as he took a sip of the Huayang grain wine, Gu Janghu suddenly spoke up.
"... There's something I need to say."
"Hm?"
"I... had no idea you belonged to the Hao Sect. When I swore to be your bodyguard, I honestly mistook you for an heir to a renowned clan."
It was a natural misunderstanding.
After all, Jaseong's talent was that extraordinary.
"So, are you unhappy about joining the Hao Sect with me?"
Jaseong refilled his empty glass and asked.
"It's not that. But...."
"Yes?"
"I'm under a kill order from Killing Valley."
"A kill order?"
Gu Janghu spoke with difficulty.
"I... wanted to escape Killing Valley. That's why I entered the Dark Path Duel Banquet. If I placed high enough there, I might be able to enter the Evil Path Association. Once I join them, even Killing Valley wouldn't dare come after me so easily."
"......."
"But now that I'm with the Hao Sect, who knows how Killing Valley will react? The seniors from Killing Valley might chase me right to this branch."
Gu Janghu revealed everything honestly.
Listening beside him, Hyang-I maintained her composure, but inside she was tense.
A war could break out any day with Central Plains' largest assassin organization.
But Jaseong remained utterly calm.
"It doesn't matter."
"... What?"
"I already have a way to deal with it."
Jaseong replied smoothly as he picked up his chopsticks.
Gu Janghu was mystified by the casual attitude.
Lee Rin and Hyang-I were just as baffled.
The greatest assassin group in the Central Plains might attack—just what kind of method could he be so confident about?
"... You have a way to solve it? What is it?"
"I'll tell you eventually. But first, I want to ask you something."
"?"
"Do you want to join another sect of the Evil Path Association instead?"
Jaseong refilled his glass as he questioned.
Gu Janghu swallowed nervously and answered.
"Actually...no, I don't."
"Why not?"
"The other Evil Path Association sects might be as bad as Killing Valley. Since they're part of the Evil Faction, they could be even worse... To be honest, I feel at ease here with the Hao Sect."
"Then don't worry and just stay here. I'll handle anything Killing Valley throws at us."
"... You'll handle it?"
Jaseong's simple, confident words filled Gu Janghu's heart with emotion, even if he couldn't imagine how Jaseong would solve the problem.
Thanks to Jaseong, he'd placed third at the Dark Path Duel Banquet.
That alone was a debt of gratitude—but now Jaseong would even shield him from Killing Valley's kill order.
Never in his life had Gu Janghu met a benefactor like this.
* * *
In truth, Jaseong did possess a simple way to repel Killing Valley's kill order.
'There are plenty of ways to deal with Killing Valley.'
Jaseong muttered inwardly before looking at Hyang-I again.
"Hyang-I."
"Yes, leader?"
"When the meal is over, show Lee Rin and Gu Janghu around our Ansun branch."
"Of course, I'll do that."
"Oh, there's one thing I haven't told you all yet."
"Hm? Like what?"
"Lee Rin here is the young palace mistress of the North Sea Ice Palace."
"Wha...?!"
Hyang-I's eyes went round with shock.
She was so stunned, her chopsticks nearly fell from her hand.
'... Leader said that if we tied ourselves to the North Sea Ice Palace, our power would grow rapidly—but I never dreamed he'd bring back their young palace mistress...!'
Watching Hyang-I's amazement, Lee Rin smiled and bowed.
"It's nice to meet you. I'm Lee Rin, young palace mistress of the North Sea Ice Palace."
"... It's an honor, lady Palace Mistress. I'm Hyang, secretary of the Hao Sect Ansun branch."
"No need to be so formal. I might be a palace mistress back home, but here in the Central Plains, I'm just a guest."
"Not at all. I'll do my best to make sure you are comfortable. By the way..."
"Yes?"
"Where are your bodyguard officers, lady Palace Mistress? I should arrange rooms for them as well..."
It was a natural question.
There was no way the North Sea Ice Palace's young mistress had come without any guards.
They needed to be well lodged and treated to leave a good impression.
But Lee Rin looked flustered at the question.
"Haha... You don't need to worry. The escort officers will take care of their own food and lodging."
"But still..."
"Really, it's fine. But what's this dish called? I never had anything like this in the North Sea... haha..."
Lee Rin laughed awkwardly and hurriedly changed the subject.
Something seemed odd.
After the meal, Hyang-I guided Lee Rin and Gu Janghu on a tour of the Hao Sect Ansun branch.
Meanwhile, Jaseong headed out behind the inn, where there was a worn-looking main training yard, overgrown with grass.
It looked shabby but was a practice yard just for Jaseong.
There, he finally began what he had long awaited.
〈The fourth Heaven's Mandate has been fulfilled... Four seals of the Celestial Realm's restrictions have been lifted.〉
In Jaseong's ear, the Sword Immortal's magnificent voice resounded.
Then,
*Chwararak!*
A translucent manual spread open before Jaseong's eyes.
It was the Sword Immortal's manual—the Heaven Evading Way.
'At last, I'll learn the fifth technique of the Heaven Evading Way.'
With the Celestial Realm's restriction released, a new chapter was now open within the Heaven Evading Way—one Jaseong had never seen before.
And the moment he saw that new chapter,
"?!"
Jaseong's eyes widened in spite of himself.