Chapter 64
Jaseong's declaration to conquer the Dark Path.
Everyone present widened their eyes when they heard this.
After all, subjugating the Dark Path was not as easy as it sounded.
The Dark Path, literally 'black road', referred to the outlaws who operated in the underworld of the martial world.
At a glance, it seemed similar to the Evil Faction, but strictly speaking, it was very different.
The Evil Faction had its own ideology and rules, and its martial arts were inherited and passed down from generation to generation.
On the other hand, those on the Dark Path each used different martial arts and moved only for money and violence.
Thus, when a stronger individual appeared, those on the Dark Path would submit beneath him.
The law of the jungle—survival of the fittest.
Only that principle held absolute sway for the Dark Path.
For this reason, in the past, Lord of Black Blood Hall Do Unjang had recommended "subjugating the Dark Path" as a method for Jaseong to expand his influence.
"Subjugating the Dark Path of the martial world... Now, that sounds interesting, great hero."
Lee Rin spoke as she chewed on candied fruit for dessert.
The sugar-soaked fruit pieces melted sweetly in her mouth.
Gu Janghu also silently nodded.
However, his reaction was not as fascinated as Lee Rin's.
"Leader. Of the three Dark Path groups just mentioned, both the Black Wind Society and Viper Hall shouldn't be underestimated. Their numbers are enormous."
"......"
"Moreover, subjugating all the Dark Path across the Central Plains is hardly an easy feat. Some among them have formed alliances and grown into huge powers."
Jaseong, of course, knew this very well.
The Seventy-Two Branches of Green Forest Stronghold, River Pirates of the Yangtze, the World Society, and more.
There were gigantic Dark Path factions in the martial world, whose size rivaled even the Nine Great Sects or the Evil Path Association.
But that only made them even more alluring prey for Jaseong.
'With every one I swallow, my power will double.'
Of course, this wasn't the only way Jaseong could strengthen his influence.
He could seek recognition and more support from the Hao Sect's upper echelon,
Or meet with the Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace through Lee Rin and borrow the palace's power.
And one more—
Through the Heaven Evading Alchemy, recently acquired, he could craft elixirs to exponentially boost his members' internal energy.
"Hyang-I."
"Yes, leader."
"Get the herbs listed here as quickly and in as great a quantity as possible."
Jaseong pulled out a note from his pocket and handed it over.
It had written on it such rare herbs as [Baekhwa Bell, Thousand-Jin Vine, Heavenly Spirit Herb, Blood Phoenix Root...].
The moment she took the note, Hyang-I's eyes grew even wider than before.
'Th-these... Every single one of these herbs is worth as much as a whole ox...?!'
Moreover, the Fire Dragon Grass imbued with the energy of Mount Hua, and the Silver Spirit Flower containing the essence of the North Sea...
Even with money, these would be nearly impossible to find.
"Why? Is it difficult?"
Jaseong caught Hyang-I's expression and asked.
It was, of course, a daunting task, but Hyang-I didn't want to disappoint Jaseong.
"I'll do my best to find them, leader."
At her answer, Jaseong gave a faint smile.
"If it proves too difficult, just finding out where those herbs are will suffice. The rest, I can go and get myself. And one more thing."
"?"
"For the next three months, I will be entering closed-door cultivation."
"Closed-door cultivation, again?"
This time, not only Hyang-I but even Lee Rin beside her looked surprised.
In fact, these words had been ringing in Jaseong's ear for a while.
〈The fifth Heaven's Mandate has been accomplished... Six stages of the Celestial Realm's restrictions have been unlocked.〉
For Jaseong, it was an unavoidably exciting moment.
After all, each new skill he learned through the Heaven Evading Way changed him into a completely different person.
He, who was once a nobody from the bottom of the Red Light District, could now fell peak experts, so nothing more needed to be said.
Afterwards, Jaseong headed toward his own private main training yard, set up deep inside White Fragrant Pavilion.
He grasped the Heaven Evading Way in hand and turned to a new chapter.
Chwararak!
At that moment, Jaseong's eyes shot open.
[Seventh Chapter Breathing Technique—Intermediate-Rank]
* * *
'Intermediate Breathing Technique...?'
At the word 'breathing technique', Jaseong recalled his past.
The first martial art he'd learned from the Heaven Evading Way had been the Heaven Evading Breathing Technique.
Even now, every morning upon waking, he would spend more than 6 hours cultivating his internal energy with this method.
The more internal power he gained, the stronger his martial skills would become.
Unlike countless breathing techniques in the world, the Heaven Evading Breathing Technique was unique, using the breathing methods of celestial beings for an exclusive ki-gathering method.
By cultivating with this technique, not only could he accumulate internal energy at an incredible speed,
But he also obtained an extremely pure yet powerful true ki.
Thanks to this, Jaseong had been able to exhibit explosive strength even with modest reserves of internal power.
Yet now, there appeared to be a breathing technique surpassing even the Heaven Evading Breathing Technique...!
Jaseong gazed at the manual.
[Seventh Chapter—Heaven Evading Soul Transformation Formula (天遁化魂訣)]
[The Heaven Evading Soul Transformation Formula is the core internal energy technique of the Heaven Evading Way and a higher-rank method than the Heaven Evading Breathing Technique.
It was developed as an improvement of the previous breathing technique, so both ki-gathering speed and internal energy recovery rate are more than doubled.
It also greatly minimizes the side effects of secret techniques such as the Celestial Gate Opening Art, extending their duration.
Most notably, this breathing technique excels in its ability to purify toxins and evil energy.
It can incinerate all malignant ki within the body.]
Jaseong's eyes widened.
It was an extraordinary technique, truly.
Currently, his dantian contained such vast reserves of internal energy that even the rising stars of the Nine Great Sects could not hope to match him.
Partly thanks to the Humanoid Ginseng, but also due in large part to the Heaven Evading Breathing Technique's rapid ki gathering.
And now that speed would be doubled...!
'... If I master this Heaven Evading Soul Transformation Formula, I will grow even stronger at a terrifying pace...!'
Additionally, its ability to minimize the side effects and extend the duration of the Celestial Gate Opening Art—his signature move—was invaluable.
He would also be able to purify toxins and malignant energy,
Just as the Seven Sages of the South Sea had burned out Hell Bell Mushroom spores with their internal power in Gui Lin Valley.
'Truly, I've gained an amazing technique...!'
Jaseong immediately sat down cross-legged.
Then, following the lines of the Heaven Evading Way, he began to cultivate.
〈Student. Close your eyes and accept the energy of nature.〉
〈Draw the essence of heaven and earth, and condense it in your dantian.〉
〈As you inhale, filter out the turbid ki, and as you exhale, let out the clear energy.〉
〈Now, focus on chanting the following formulas:
Heaven's brilliance transforms all creation, returning to the source of purity.
Chaos and primordial void, all laws become one.
Celestial Gate attains the way, soul transforms and returns to purity....〉
Being a higher-level technique, the Heaven Evading Soul Transformation Formula shared much with the Heaven Evading Breathing Technique.
In particular, both used breathing methods unique to the Celestial Realm rather than those found in the world.
How much time had passed, he couldn't say.
Hwi-aaa!
Suddenly, a storm of golden wind whipped up around the cross-legged Jaseong.
The external ki of nature swirled around him as its vortex.
Then, Ki-gathering began at a much faster pace than before.
'This is the intermediate-rank breathing technique of the Heaven Evading Way, the Heaven Evading Soul Transformation Formula...!'
Feeling the vastly increased speed of ki gathering, Jaseong trembled inwardly.
At that moment, his eyes shone deep and clear, as though imbued with the essence of heaven and earth.
* * *
Three months later, Jaseong emerged from his closed-door cultivation and stepped into the training yard.
Gooo—
In just three months, the energy he exuded was even deeper and more profound than before.
It was all thanks to the Heaven Evading Soul Transformation Formula enveloping his entire being.
"Leader."
When Jaseong entered White Fragrant Pavilion's inner chamber, Hyang-I approached him as if she'd been waiting, her eyes sparkling like a puppy eager for its owner's praise.
"Is something the matter?"
"I have procured the herbs you mentioned before, leader."
"... Already?"
"Yes."
In her hand, Hyang-I held a carefully wrapped wooden box.
When she opened the lid, a subtle herbal fragrance spread out.
Dang-Gui, Cheongun Leaf, Baekhwa Bell, Thousand-Jin Vine, Heavenly Spirit Herb, Blood Phoenix Root...
Each herb was wrapped in silk and neatly arranged.
Seeing this, Jaseong gave a deeply satisfied smile.
"Well done."
At his praise, Hyang-I's lips twitched ever so slightly.
"However, I could not obtain the Fire Dragon Grass imbued with Mount Hua's essence and the Silver Spirit Flower containing the energy of the North Sea. They are extremely rare, and most are managed by the Mount Hua Sect and Kunlun Sect."
"... I see."
So he would have to visit Mount Hua or the Kunlun Sect in person...
"But, I did hear that all sorts of rare herbs and elixirs are secretly traded at the Guangxi Province black market. There's a chance they have Fire Dragon Grass and the Silver Spirit Flower."
"The Guangxi black market... Isn't that managed by the Black Wind Society?"
"Yes, that's right. It's one of the Dark Path groups you mentioned conquering, leader."
Jaseong thought this was perfect.
Two birds with one stone.
He could expand his influence while obtaining ingredients for the elixirs created by the Heaven Evading Alchemy.
"Leader. But...."
"?"
"These past three months, I investigated the Black Wind Society. But their numbers exceed eight hundred. In contrast, we are only twenty-three... Can our branch really subjugate the Black Wind Society?"
"......."
"Wouldn't it be better to request support from Fierce Sky Faction or other Hao Sect branches, even if we have to split the spoils?"
Hyang-I's concern was only natural.
Eight hundred versus twenty-three.
Anyone could see that the latter was at a disadvantage.
However, Jaseong was unfazed.
On the contrary, a greedy smile appeared on his face.
'Eight hundred, huh... Most of them are probably riff-raff, but if I swallow them up, the power of our Ansun branch will certainly become enormous.'
Of course, as Hyang-I said, their sheer numbers necessitated a strategy.
So, Jaseong first opened the Heaven Evading Way manual to look for a pill he could make with the ingredients Hyang-I had brought.
―Azure Spirit Pill (靑靈丹)
―Effect: Rapidly restores dantian energy; recovers stamina and even heals wounds during battle.
―Ingredients: Dang-Gui, Cheongun Leaf, Baekhwa Bell
'This could be very useful in outnumbered fights.'
Unfortunately, Baekhwa Bell was such an expensive herb that there were only a few.
Thus, only about four Azure Spirit Pills could be produced.
'... Only myself, Gu Janghu, and Lee Rin will be able to take them.'
Jaseong gathered the herbal ingredients and went into an empty inner room.
There, he began the Heaven Evading Alchemy.
The first step was to "create the vessel".
He placed an earthenware bowl in front of him and spread out both hands.
At that, golden ki streamed from his fingertips and permeated the bowl, forming a spiral-shaped path of internal power.
The second step was "melting the ingredients".
He carefully placed Dang-Gui, Cheongun Leaf, and Baekhwa Bell into the bowl where the internal energy path had formed.
Then, feeding Heaven Evading energy along the path,
Hwarureuk!
The ingredients began to slowly melt in the golden flames.
Now it was time for the final step.
'Heaven and earth creation, uniting medicinal properties...'
Chanting the formula of the Heaven Evading Alchemy, Jaseong harmonized the external ki with his own internal ki.
With that harmonized force, he blended the melted ingredients together.
Paaat—
The red of Dang-Gui, the blue of Cheongun Leaf, and the silver-white of Baekhwa Bell wove together in a mystical scene.
And that was it.
Moments later, as the heat in the earthenware bowl faded, inside was a newly completed, blue-green pill.
"So this is the Azure Spirit Pill...."
After creating the pill this way, Jaseong summoned all the fighters of the Ansun branch.
He handed out special black masks with two horns.
"From now on, this mask is the symbol of our Ansun branch of the Hao Sect."
Jaseong spoke softly.
Shrouded in black clothes, donning black masks, emanating an even deeper presence through the Heaven Evading Soul Transformation Formula.
"Our destination is the Black Wind Society of Yizhou in Guangxi Province. If anyone lacks the resolve, leave now. However, whoever joins will reap enormous rewards."
At Jaseong's overwhelming words, all twenty-three fighters gave a cupped fist salute in unison.
In their eyes was absolute trust in Jaseong.
"We receive the leader's command."
"We accept the command!"
Watching the twenty-three warriors saluting, Lee Rin beside Jaseong gave a faint smile.
'Great hero. Now he truly has the majesty of a sect leader.'
And so, led by Jaseong, the figures in black masks melted away into the moonlit streets of Ansun.
Their silhouettes disappearing into the night signaled a new tempest soon to sweep through the martial world.