Chapter 58
Once I completed the first phase of the Heaven Evading Alchemy—creating the vessel (Creation of Spiritual Veins)—the next step certainly became easier.
"If you've made the vessel for alchemy, you must now master the processing methods for the ingredients. Each ingredient has a slightly different processing method, which is detailed in the Heaven Evading Way manual. Then comes the final and most important step: uniting the processed ingredients into one, reciting the incantation and harmonizing your external ki and internal ki. For example..."
Unlike martial arts, which require constant practice and enlightenment, Heaven Evading Alchemy required no separate training—just memorization.
As Dongfang Hwabin said, "Once you get a sense of it, that's it."
However, obtaining the ingredients for Heaven Evading Alchemy was not easy.
"As the manual states, with your current level of alchemy, you can produce only three types of elixirs."
At Dongfang Hwabin's words, Jaseong turned his gaze to the Heaven Evading Way manual.
—Azure Spirit Pill (靑靈丹)
—Effect: Rapid recovery of dantian energy. Recovers stamina and wounds consumed during battle.
—Ingredients: Dang-Gui, Cheongun Leaf, and Baekhwa Bell.
'... It's merely a simple energy-restoring pill, yet it requires the costly Baekhwa Bell. Tsk.'
Still, the other two certainly had the qualities to be called elixirs.
—Meridian-Clearing Powder (通脈散)
—Effect: Clears blocked meridians and enhances the circulation of energy channels.
—Ingredients: Guyeop Spirit Mushroom, Thousand-Jin Vine, and Fire Dragon Grass imbued with Mount Hua's essence.
—Celestial Cloud Pill (天雲丹): Enhances internal energy.
—Effect: Amplifies the dantian's internal energy, surpassing even Shaolin's Minor Rejuvenation Pill.
—Ingredients: Heavenly Spirit Herb, Blood Phoenix Root, and Silver Spirit Flower imbued with Qinghai's essence.
If he took Meridian-Clearing Powder and Celestial Cloud Pill, they would no doubt provide tremendous aid to Jaseong's martial cultivation, especially since Celestial Cloud Pill was reputed to outclass Shaolin's "Minor Rejuvenation Pill".
However, as mentioned, acquiring the ingredients was no easy task.
'Just getting things like Thousand-Jin Vine, Heavenly Spirit Herb, and Blood Phoenix Root costs thousands of gold.... Not to mention Fire Dragon Grass with Mount Hua's essence, and Silver Spirit Flower imbued with Qinghai's spirit...'
Jaseong thought that once he returned to the Hao Sect Ansun branch, he should ask Hyang-I how much useful funds remained.
They had bought up over ten brothels and inns, which were generating immense monthly profits; perhaps it would be possible to gather the budget needed to collect elixir ingredients.
Thus, two days and nights passed.
Swaaa―
A stream of brilliant light split the air in front of Jaseong's eyes.
Dongfang Hwabin's Heaven Evading Alchemy transmission session had ended.
Because Heaven Evading Alchemy merely required understanding the method, the transmission time was extremely short.
As she prepared to return to the darkness of eternity, Dongfang Hwabin wore a bittersweet expression.
"It is already time for me to return. Heir of the Mandate."
Dongfang Hwabin spoke with a bittersweet face.
The sorrow of returning to eternal darkness after failing to fulfill Heaven's Mandate lingered on her features.
"Thank you for everything until now."
"You also did well. If you use the Heaven Evading Alchemy I taught you, your inner power will grow to a level incomparable to now."
"......!"
"Of course, the Heaven Evading Alchemy you've learned is only the most basic among those recorded in Heaven Evading Way."
"... Are there even higher forms of alchemy?"
"Of course. If you keep fulfilling Heaven's Mandate and unlock the advanced alchemical techniques, you'll be able to create even more potent elixirs—ultimately, even the Immortal Pills consumed by the Celestial Realm's immortals."
"......!!"
Jaseong's eyes widened.
If he could truly create Immortal Pills consumed by immortals, he would certainly earn the title of the "World's Greatest."
"And finally,"
"?"
"You are one who suits a healing needle more than a sword that kills."
Dongfang Hwabin's voice softened.
"If only I could have passed all my medical arts to a prodigy like you in my lifetime...."
With those words, Dongfang Hwabin's body gradually faded. The halo in the air enveloped her as her form slowly vanished.
"If there is ever a chance, let us meet again. And if the sword immortal permits it, I'll pass on my medical art then...."
That was the end. Dongfang Hwabin's form disappeared completely, and her voice returned to the darkness of eternity.
Chuk―
Jaseong performed a cupped fist salute toward where she had vanished, paying his respects.
He had to show respect to the former executor of Heaven's Mandate, the Immortal Physician who advanced the martial world's medicine and saved countless lives.
* * *
"The Immortal Physician's medical arts... If I could learn them, it would truly be incredible."
Jaseong muttered as he left the cave.
Outside, Lee Rin and Gu Janghu awaited him.
They had each been practicing the Shadowless Body Technique, a body movement manual obtained from the Shadowless Divine Thief cave.
"You're finally out, leader,"
Gu Janghu said, his movements evidently lighter than before.
"Great hero, did you have some kind of revelation to suddenly go into closed-door training?"
Lee Rin asked with a curious look.
"I learned a new technique."
"A technique? Out of nowhere?"
Jaseong didn't go into detail about Heaven Evading Alchemy. It was not yet the time.
'... There's still another evil in Middle Evil that must be eliminated.'
The fifth mandate: Eliminate Middle Evil.
After completing that, it would be proper timing to travel the martial world in search of ingredients for Heaven Evading Alchemy.
Flap― Flap―
At that instant, a black hawk flew down over Jaseong's head.
It was Hyang-I's carrier pigeon. Jaseong skillfully beckoned the bird, untied the knot on its leg, and took out the correspondence.
[We hope this correspondence reaches you safely, leader. Hao Sect Ansun branch's secretary, Hyang-I, reporting:
The news to report: The Hainan Sect's seven elders, the Seven Sages of the South Sea, have entered Guiyang in the capital of Guizhou City. They are currently staying at an inn called Chwiseonru.
An odd thing is that they are not heading to the Mocheon Sect immediately, but seem to be waiting for something. Cautious guess is that they are waiting for a message from the Murim Alliance.
It appears the charges of the Mocheon Sect have reached the Murim Alliance, and a formal investigation will begin. I will continue to observe the situation.]
"Great hero, what news is it?"
Lee Rin asked from beside Jaseong.
"The Seven Sages of the South Sea have entered Guiyang."
"Oh! So the Mocheon Sect will finally be punished!"
Lee Rin's face brightened at the news. At that, Jaseong paused in thought.
He was certain now of the identity of the 'second evil in Middle Evil' to be eliminated: the Mocheon Sect, colluding with Three Souls Hall.
But eliminating the Mocheon Sect was not only the way to fulfill Heaven's Mandate—it was also Jaseong's own path of personal vengeance.
'At last, I step forward against those enemies.'
With cold, sunken eyes, Jaseong recalled the past. The day of the massacre in the Red Light District.
The faces of the Righteous Faction experts who beat and humiliated him.
—You keep ranting about revenge, tsk. Know your place. Even revenge can only be uttered by those with the vessel to bear it. A lowly wretch like you shouldn't even speak of it.
The Murong clan head who mocked him. And the blood relatives of the Murong clan who followed him.
And the head and kin of the Peng Clan in Hebei. The leader of Zhongnan Sect and his disciples.
Jaseong could still vividly recall the faces of all those righteous faction experts.
'... If word spreads in the martial world that the Mocheon Sect conspired with Three Souls Hall, the reputation of their main house, the Murong clan, will be dragged through the mud. Then, I'll have even more chances for vengeance.'
Thus, crushing the Mocheon Sect would be Jaseong's first step on the path to revenge.
Finished with his thoughts, Jaseong turned his gaze to Gu Janghu and Lee Rin.
"Lee Rin. Gu Janghu. I have something to say."
"Something to say?"
"I'm grateful you helped defeat Three Souls Hall together in the Wandering Warrior Village. But my grudge against the Murong clan is personal. So... from here, I'll go alone."
"... What are you saying all of a sudden, great hero?"
"......."
"Is it because you want to complete your revenge alone? Or is it because you're afraid we'll be in danger?"
It was the latter.
If Gu Janghu and Lee Rin continued with Jaseong, they would become enemies of massive forces—the Murong clan, the Peng Clan in Hebei, the Zhongnan Sect, and even the Demonic Cult.
Terrible danger could befall them. That's why he had said he'd go alone, but...
Then Gu Janghu spoke with a resolute face.
"Leader. I already promised to become your most secret sword. Don't try to push me away now."
Lee Rin also pouted and spoke up.
"Since the Dark Path Duel Banquet, we've shared thick and thin and even took down Three Souls Hall—now you want us to back out? No way. I'll go with you no matter what. Thanks to you, great hero, I placed at the Dark Path Duel Banquet and even obtained the Shadowless Divine Thief movement manual."
Their answers left Jaseong a little choked up.
Even if he hadn't explained all the details, the two vaguely knew just how formidable his enemies were.
Yet, they wanted to stay by his side. Was this what the martial world called "loyalty"?
'... When this is all over, I'll have to give them plenty of elixirs from Heaven Evading Alchemy.'
He muttered these words—words that would've delighted Lee Rin and Gu Janghu—internally, and nodded slowly.
"Then let's all go together. To witness the fall of the Mocheon Sect."
* * *
A sunny morning. The subtle scent of juniper spread throughout the office hall of the Mocheon Sect leader's residence.
Portraits of successive sect leaders hung on the walls, and on one side, precious swords bestowed by the Murong clan were displayed.
Within, Murong Dangcheon was grinding ink on a jade inkstone, deep in thought.
More than ten days had already passed, yet there was no word from the Faceless Ghost or from Third Soul and Three Souls Hall.
Even his fourth son, Murong Jin, sent as a hostage to Three Souls Hall, had cut off all contact...
"... Could Three Souls Hall have betrayed us? But for the Faceless Ghost to be caught so easily by them makes no sense..."
Just then,
Knock―Knock―
"Leader."
A trembling voice came from outside the door. It was Oh Sang-chun, a trusted subordinate of Murong Dangcheon.
"Enter."
The door opened and a middle-aged warrior in splendid red martial robes entered. He was sweating, likely from rushing over.
Murong Dangcheon also leaned forward, knowing this was the news he'd been waiting for.
"So. What happened?"
"Three Souls Hall has been wiped out."
"What...?"
Murong Dangcheon doubted his ears.
"Wiped out? What do you mean, all of a sudden?"
"The Hao Sect Ansun branch leader took down all three heads and members of Three Souls Hall! Even the Faceless Ghost and our elites fell to that leader...!"
It was a completely unforeseen development for Murong Dangcheon. The brush in his hand snapped in two—crack!
"... Hao Sect Ansun branch—are those not the very ones who previously destroyed the Kaiyang Society with Fierce Sky Faction and ruined our operations?"
"T-that's correct...! Young master Murong Sam went to Ansun to monitor that leader but hadn't even seen him once. Turns out, that was because the leader had been in the Wandering Warrior Village..."
Crash!
Murong Dangcheon threw the inkstone to the floor.
"Eeek!"
"How did that branch leader know Three Souls Hall was there and seek them out?!"
"Most likely with the Hao Sect's information network...! Their martial force is weak, but their intelligence network rivals even the Beggar's Union...!"
"Then... Did they also realize what I planned to do with Three Souls Hall in the Wandering Warrior Village?"
"I-I could not confirm that..."
As he delivered his report, Oh Sang-chun trembled uncontrollably, knowing better than anyone how cruel Murong Dangcheon could be to his subordinates when angered.
Indeed, in the next instant—
Shrrring!
Murong Dangcheon drew his sword on the spot.
"No need to think further."
"......?!"
"I'll sweep away the Hao Sect Ansun branch. Right now."
Murong Dangcheon's eyes radiated a fierce murderous air.
To outsiders, his actions might seem rash—but in fact, this was the most reasonable course.
If the leader of the Hao Sect realized his connection with Three Souls Hall, even leaking it slightly to the Murim Alliance would spell great trouble for Murong Dangcheon.
Moreover, even if the Hao Sect branch leader hadn't figured it out, he couldn't let anyone who kept obstructing Mocheon Sect's affairs live.
'It's too hasty a decision, but... with the leader's skill, he could crush one branch of the Hao Sect in an instant!'
Watching the murderous Murong Dangcheon, Oh Sang-chun muttered internally.
And this was no empty boast.
Murong Dangcheon was one of the top swordsmen from the Murong clan, a Five Great Clans of the Central Plains.
He wielded sword aura as a peak-stage expert and became the youngest to attain elder status.
While Jaseong had grown tremendously, to be blunt he still wasn't enough to face Murong Dangcheon yet.
"Assemble all the top disciples of the Mocheon Sect right now."
A cold gleam of murderous intent shone in Murong Dangcheon's eyes.
"I'll completely uproot those eyesores once and for all."