Enshrinement as a God

Seo Won, a wealthy man of Qinghai who wanted for nothing, was leisurely savoring his tea, enjoying a rare moment of peace.

"Ah, this is good!"

Seo Won was originally from Chang'an, but in his prime, he had an epiphany about business and established a new base in Qinghai.

His business acumen was remarkable.

In just ten years, he was reborn as one of the wealthiest men in Hanzhong.

With wealth came power, and with wealth and power, there was nothing in the world to fear.

He established a security escort agency and dominated Qinghai province.

He was able to build connections, moving between the martial world, the government, and the merchant circles.

Thus, since starting his business in Qinghai, Seo Won had been enjoying his life without any major worries.

Except for one thing.

"Ahem!"

Was it true that good things don't necessarily bring more good things?

A short, dry cough was heard from inside the room. To Seo Won, it was like the presence of a tiger.

"My goodness, when did you arrive!"

An old man in a yellow robe, who had appeared behind Seo Won's back at some point, was stroking his beard awkwardly.

Seo Won had thought a light breeze had blown for a moment, but seeing the old man who had entered the room in that instant, the taste of the tea he had been savoring just moments before now tasted like dung.

Seo Won's inner feelings, as he excessively welcomed the man, were completely different from his outward appearance.

He was a ghost of an old man.

Outside, dozens of escorts, along with a head escort and personal guards hired at great expense, were swarming.

Yet, none of them had noticed this old man infiltrating his private chambers.

If the old man before him decided to harm him, who could possibly stop him?

Seeing the old man who had appeared before his eyes without a sound, Seo Won had to force a smile.

"Is there something urgent? I haven't seen you for a while..."

"I've become a disgrace to Master Seo again."

Seeing the old man who didn't seem disgraced at all, Seo Won had to swallow his resentment deep in his heart.

Five years ago.

This old man, who introduced himself as being from the Hong family, had laid waste to the Black Mountain Sect and the Ten Mountain Gates that had been tormenting him.

The fact that the two low-level sects, which had always committed vile acts, were annihilated overnight made Seo Won's timid heart, which only wished for a long, healthy, and peaceful life, shrink greatly.

Without anyone telling him to, Seo Won felt he had to express his gratitude to his benefactor, and he willingly gave a portion of the money that was originally supposed to be collected by the two sects to the old man.

But who would have known that the silver he gave as a token of gratitude would be the reason this ghost attached himself to him?

"Here it is."

Seo Won knew well that neither this old monster nor he himself liked to drag out conversations.

He handed over a small bundle of silver that he had prepared in advance.

Of course, the silver he had to offer up every year was a waste, but compared to the taxes he had paid to the two low-level sects for managing his business, it was a mere drop in the bucket.

"Ahem... I am always grateful for Master Seo's help."

"What are you saying, sir? It can't even be compared to what you've done for this Seo family."

"Is that so? Hohoho!"

"Hahaha."

Their loud laughter mingled. All that remained for Seo Won was the wish that this fearsome uninvited guest would just leave.

"But this time, I think you'll have to give me a little more."

"What?"

Seo Won's startled expression contorted rapidly. This had never happened in the past five years.

Fear first arose in Seo Won that the old monster had other intentions.

"It seems I'll be getting a new family member, so it's only natural that I need more money."

"A new family member, you say...?"

"I'm getting old and tired, so I'm planning to take in a child to run errands. Since he's still young, won't he eat like a cow? I need to prepare in advance."

"Is, is that so? Then I will give the order when preparing for the next escort mission."

"I'm always in your debt."

"Thanks to you, I obtain precious goods, so I'm only sorry that I can't give you more."

While bowing and scraping, Seo Won focused his mind and skillfully gauged the old monster's mood.

"I should get going now. If I don't head back soon, I might miss him."

The words of Old Man Hong, who stood up to leave, were the best news of all for Seo Won.

"Take care."

"You... aren't you a little too happy?"

"Not at all! Not at all."

A cold sweat ran down Seo Won's back as he flinched. Old Man Hong's lips curled up slightly.

"Let's see each other again soon."

"Yes, yes?"

When Seo Won, who had been bowing his head, looked up in surprise, Old Man Hong was already gone.

The words "see you again soon" were no different from saying to prepare that much money again soon.

On top of that, now that he was adding a family member, he didn't know how much more the annual tribute would increase.

How big does a child have to be to eat like a cow?

For Seo Won, who now had to worry about the appetite of not only the old monster but also his attendant, it was a situation to beat the ground and wail.

"Oh, that old man, I wonder if a blind tiger will come and take him away!"

Startled by the words that had escaped his mouth, Seo Won hurriedly covered his mouth and looked around.

* * *

The forced march that had continued since dawn was exhausting.

As the chilly, cutting wind blew at dawn, goosebumps rose all over his body. It was as if the wind was cutting his flesh. It was so cold that even his bones ached.

Sleeping curled up like a shrimp last night had doubled the pain throughout his body.

In fact, Agong hadn't been able to sleep easily.

His life had changed with a single word from Zhao Wei last night.

A martial artist.

He had thought he would grow old and live as a village bumpkin in the mountains.

He didn't know what kind of work they did or who they were.

But what did it matter if they were righteous heroes or scoundrels?

If he didn't follow them, they would kill him anyway, so he had no choice.

"You're very lucky."

One of the Slender Moon Squad members following Zhao Wei was looking at the rustling Agong.

"Isn't it the opposite?"

Agong retorted bluntly.

Life would be better than living in the mountains, but martial artists were people who lived with their lives on the line.

It was better to live with a hungry stomach than to die.

"I joined the Slender Moon Squad when I was younger than you."

"It doesn't look that great."

"It's an honorable life."

To Agong, honor was worth about as much as a warm steamed bun.

But seeing the man's proud expression, he felt that a careless reply would provoke his temper.

They were the ones who had treated him like he was invisible until now.

If not for a time like this, he wouldn't even have a chance to get information.

"Is there really a person in the Hermit's Valley?"

"You don't know anything about the Hermit's Valley."

"It's a place where if a healthy person goes in, nine out of ten die, and even if they come back alive, they're half-crippled."

The people from the escort agency that Agong had guided in the past had also met with disaster in the Hermit's Valley.

The man smirked.

It wasn't entirely wrong. Why else would a forbidden zone be a forbidden zone?

"Why do you think the 'Hermit' in Hermit's Valley is there?"

"I don't know how to read."

Agong had been too busy trying to survive to have the time or leisure to learn how to read.

But it wasn't something to be ashamed of.

At least around him, you could count the number of people who knew how to read on one hand.

"The reason it's called the Hermit's Valley is because it's a gathering place for reclusive martial arts masters."

"If they're masters, why do they live in seclusion?"

"It's a place where those who have reached the pinnacle of martial arts, regardless of whether they are righteous or evil, gather... Only they know why masters seek that place."

"You can just go and ask them the reason."

Agong didn't take this story at face value.

If they were such great masters who had reached the pinnacle of martial arts, they would live a life without envy, so it didn't make sense for them to come to a place of certain death on their own.

"Didn't you also say that if a healthy person goes in, nine out of ten die or become crippled? Most of those who seek the Hermit's Valley can't find its entrance."

"Then we might not be able to find the entrance this time either."

Agong's mission was only to guide them to the path leading to the Hermit's Valley. Agong himself had never been to the entrance of the Hermit's Valley they were looking for.

"As long as we arrive, there's a way."

It seemed he would soon find out what that way was.

If they went just a little further, they would arrive at the Hermit's Valley.

The thickening fog and the pungent smell of sulfur were proof of that.

"Huh?"

Agong, who had been walking lost in his own thoughts, suddenly realized that he could no longer hear the footsteps of the Slender Moon Squad members following him.

When he turned his head, they were standing there with calm expressions.

Shk!

When the leader, Zhao Wei, raised his hand, the other two drew their swords from their waists.

Agong looked at them in surprise.

He thought they had changed their minds and were going to kill him.

"We, we haven't arrived yet."

"Shh."

Seeing Zhao Wei's reaction, it didn't seem like they were going to break their promise and kill Agong.

The atmosphere was unusual, so Agong lowered his body and looked around.

Come to think of it, it was strangely quiet.

In a mountain this deep, he should at least be able to hear the sounds of mountain birds or insects.

Shing!

Zhao Wei also drew his sword.

Something began to appear one by one from within the fog.

"Deer?"

What emerged from the fog were roe deer, which could be found quite often in the mountains.

The deer, with their reddish fur, began to show themselves around the Slender Moon Squad and Agong.

Their numbers gradually increased until more than ten of them surrounded them.

"Get away!"

Seeing the deer, Agong was startled and warned the Slender Moon Squad, who seemed to have let their guard down.

Bark! Bark!

In an instant, the deer began to charge at them.

The herd of deer, baring their teeth and charging, was like a pack of mad dogs.

"Aaaah!"

"What, what is this!"

Agong had heard stories about the Hermit's Valley before.

The story was that the animals living around the Hermit's Valley, whether they were predators or grass-eating herbivores, all attacked people.

The Slender Moon Squad was flustered, but they quickly moved and swung their swords at the attacking deer.

Shlack!

Blood splattered, and the corpse of a deer, cut in half, fell to the ground.

The skill of the Slender Moon Squad, who had cut down three in an instant, was surprising, but what was more surprising was that the deer began to run wild even more, as if excited by the smell of blood.

Bark!

Agong covered his head and hid beside a tree.

As the animal blood sprayed, a warm and nauseating smell filled the surroundings.

No matter how ferocious the deer were, they were no match for the martial artists.

Among the Slender Moon Squad, who wielded their swords as if dancing, the most outstanding was Zhao Wei.

It looked like a simple motion of drawing and sheathing his sword, but when he swung his sword, only blood and flesh scattered around like rain.

Even in his fear, Agong was watching the scene clearly.

In the disgusting cloud of blood that rushed to his head, the scene was like a painting.

The corpses of the deer, cut down in an instant, piled up all around.

Even though the ground was soaked in blood, creating small streams, not a single drop of blood stained the clothes of the Slender Moon Squad.

The killing intent brought on by the excitement of battle still flowed from the eyes of the Slender Moon Squad.

"Agong."

For the first time, Zhao Wei called Agong's name.

He was demanding an explanation.

"From here on is the Hermit's Valley... where animals go mad for blood and even living people lose their minds and run wild..."

"Is that so, this is the Hermit's Valley?"

Zhao Wei, rather than being flustered by the unprecedented situation, showed a look of relief at the thought that they had finally arrived at the Hermit's Valley.

However, since their destination was the valley of the Hermit's Valley, they had not yet reached their destination.

The purpose of the Slender Moon Squad was the supreme master of their sect who had left for the Hermit's Valley.

One of the Twelve Honored Ones of the World.

One of the Four Unrivaled Swords.

It was to bring back the Black Qilin.

(End of Chapter)