Chapter 48: The Three Forbidden Grounds (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 48: The Three Forbidden Grounds (2)
'An opportunity?'
The word "opportunity" coming from Sama Chak’s mouth made me feel strangely uneasy.
If we weren't in a place like this, I might have been intrigued. I looked at Sama Yeong with suspicion. Her expression wasn't good. It would have been nice if she could give me a hint via Sound Transmission, but seeing as she remained silent, it seemed Sama Chak had taken measures against her.
-He probably sealed her pressure points so she can't use Sound Transmission.
It was as I expected. I asked the others.
'Did you guys hear anything?'
-No.
-I heard nothing.
-How are we supposed to hear anything when he leaves you behind and talks to her separately?
One person—no, one sword at a time, please. It’s chaotic when all three of you talk at once.
So, he made sure I couldn't hear even while I was unconscious.
'Is this a test?'
-A test?
Sama Chak said he would give me an opportunity. That meant he wasn't just giving me a chance to see her; there was definitely a hidden intention. The key was figuring out what it was.
As my mind raced, Sama Chak spoke to me with a faint smile.
"I will give you two opportunities. Whether you take them or not is up to you."
"...Up to me, you say?"
"Exactly. I am giving you the choice. If you want the opportunity, you accept. If not, you may give up."
Give up?
As I wondered what he meant, Sama Chak continued.
"However, if you do, you will never see my daughter again. You must also swear upon your life."
Ah...
Of course, there was a price. If I gave up, I would never see Sama Yeong again. Now I understood why she was looking at me with that expression. Sama Chak was testing me right now. If I readily gave up here, it would prove that my concern for myself was greater than my feelings for her.
"Will you take the opportunity? Or will you give up?"
He wasn't even going to tell me what the test was first? He really was a difficult man.
-Are you going to be okay? It doesn't look like he'll let you see his daughter that easily.
Probably not. But if I hesitated even for a second, I would be falling right into Sama Chak’s trap. I wished I could move my body, but I answered with a clear, firm voice instead.
"How could I possibly give up? I accept!"
At my words, the smile vanished from Sama Chak’s face. There was a hint of disappointment in his eyes. On the other hand, Sama Yeong’s lips twitched upward as if she were happy that I hadn't given up on her.
'...Did I pass the first hurdle?'
At the very least, I think I showed him my resolve to be with her. That’s why he reacted that way.
The problem was what came next.
Rumble, crash!
This hole, where the waterfall poured in from all sides like the entrance to hell, was terrifying. Just looking at it sent chills down my spine. The depth seemed immeasurable, like a bottomless abyss.
"You don't lack guts. Fine."
With those words, Sama Chak brought his hand out from behind his back. Then, the Blood Demon Sword tucked into my waist moved on its own and slid out.
-Wait, what?
The Blood Demon Sword flew straight into Sama Chak’s hand. I shouted urgently.
"You mustn't hold that sword!"
But Sama Chak’s hand had already gripped the hilt. The Blood Demon Sword was definitely going to throw a fit.
-Who dares lay their hands on me as they please! I'll burst every single one of your veins... Huh?
'!?'
What was happening? The Blood Demon Sword seemed to be fuming and trying to do something, but Sama Chak was perfectly fine. He showed no reaction at all. It looked as if he were holding an ordinary sword.
Instead, it was the Blood Demon Sword that reacted.
-Gah!
I heard the sword’s pained voice as its blade trembled violently. Sama Chak muttered to himself.
"A demon sword, I see."
"...Are you alright?"
"Did you think a mere demon sword could do anything to me?"
-Urgh! This human... Argh!
As Sama Chak applied his internal power, the Blood Demon Sword couldn't even budge, trapped in agony. It had met its natural enemy.
-My god... that's actually cool.
The Lesser Conversation Sword clicked its tongue in admiration. It seemed happy to see the Blood Demon Sword’s ego bruised.
But it really was incredible. Even Han Baek-ha, the Blood Hand Witch of the Six Blood Stars, couldn't endure holding that sword. I knew he had reached the realm of Superhumans, but I didn't realize the gap in status was this vast.
Sama Chak casually swung the Blood Demon Sword toward the valley water beneath the suspension bridge.
Swaaaaash!
The air shimmered like a heat haze from the sharp killing intent, and for a brief moment, the rushing rapids of the valley were split apart. It was a magnificent sight—to show such a feat with mere killing intent. He wasn't called a Superhuman for nothing.
Tremble!
The Blood Demon Sword shuddered, its blade vibrating. Sama Chak clicked his tongue.
"Tsk, tsk. A sword with such a strong ego is not a good sword. Relying on the power of a blade like this won't do you much good."
Clang!
Sama Chak let go of the Blood Demon Sword. It seemed that while he could suppress it, holding it for too long consumed his internal power.
-Damn it! That cursed human!
The Blood Demon Sword’s grumbling echoed in my head. It seemed quite resentful.
Then, Sama Chak approached me. He tapped a spot near my heart with his finger.
"You've learned a peculiar energy circulation method. To think someone who hasn't even broken through the wall has refined their original energy this much."
'!?'
I was momentarily speechless. Could he actually feel the Innate True Qi in my heart—my Middle Dantian? As I stood there in disbelief, Sama Chak spoke.
"Did you think I wouldn't know?"
"...You can feel it?"
"How could I not, when you've refined your original energy to this extent?"
That confirmed it. Sama Chak could sense the Innate True Qi. Once someone reached his level, could they even perceive that?
Sama Chak snorted.
"A fellow who can't even properly handle the 'Essence' of Essence-Energy-Spirit has piled up this much original energy."
"What do you mean by that?"
"In such an unbalanced state, you'll never surpass your current limits, let alone break through the wall."
"What?"
Before I could process his words, Sama Chak suddenly grabbed me by the scruff of my neck.
"Senior?"
Lifting me up, Sama Chak turned my face toward the abyss beneath the suspension bridge. The waterfall was being sucked into a hole that looked like a dark void. The pressure was incomparable to when I had just glanced at it; my heart hammered against my ribs.
"Do you know where this is?"
"...I do not."
"This place is now ruined, but it was once called the sacred ground of a certain martial clan."
'Sacred ground?'
A place like this? It didn't make sense, but seeing as there was a suspension bridge built here, there were clearly traces of human passage. Sama Chak’s voice continued.
"However, after that clan fell, it was left abandoned for a long time until the government began using it."
"May I ask for what purpose?"
"A prison."
...Now that made perfect sense. If someone fell into that bottomless pit, even a martial artist wouldn't be able to escape. How could anyone climb back up against that waterfall?
-Couldn't this monster do it? He was running on water earlier.
Running on water? If so, it might be possible for him, but it was impossible for me. Sama Chak pointed down into the hole.
"It is a place you can never leave without outside help. You've probably heard of it at least once. This is Bongnim Valley."
"B-Bongnim Valley?"
I recoiled in shock. I couldn't believe where I was.
-Why are you so surprised?
At the Lesser Conversation Sword’s question, I replied as if I were losing my mind.
'...It's one of the Three Forbidden Grounds.'
-The Three Forbidden Grounds? What's that?
There are many legends and tales in the Central Plains. One of them is the Three Forbidden Grounds—literally meaning three places one must never enter.
-This is one of them?
'...Yes.'
Unlike the Valley of the Wicked or Pagokya, which had been called forbidden for a long time, the infamy of Bongnim Valley began with the Golden Emperor’s persecution of the martial world. Bongnim Valley literally means "The Valley that Imprisons the Forest," but in reality, the "Forest" refers to the Murim—the martial world.
-You mean it's a place where they lock up martial artists?
Yes. I heard it was used for that purpose. Countless martial artists were imprisoned here back then. One might think it's just a prison, but rumors say that almost no martial artist who entered ever came out alive. It wasn't a place intended to keep people alive and release them like a normal prison.
-Are they still locking people up there?
That was hundreds of years ago. It shouldn't be happening now, but one thing bothered me. Looking at this suspension bridge, it was too well-maintained to be hundreds of years old. That meant it was still in use today.
Whoosh!
Sama Chak set me down and spoke.
"I shall see the extent of your resolve to be with my daughter."
I swallowed hard and asked.
"...Are you telling me to go in there and escape?"
"Even those who enter with their bodies intact cannot leave. Do you think someone of your skill could escape?"
"Pardon?"
In that instant—
Thud-thud-thud-thud!
Sama Chak struck my body with lightning-fast movements. As his hands touched my arms and legs, the long needles embedded in my pressure points were forced out by his internal power. Finally, unlike the other areas, he carefully touched my spine and pulled out a small needle.
Crack!
As the eight needles were removed, my muscles relaxed, and my stiff body could move again. It was a relief to finally feel some freedom. But there was a problem.
'This is...'
The internal energy in my dantian wouldn't move. Even the Innate True Qi in my heart—the Middle Dantian—was stuck as if blocked by something. I had no idea what kind of technique he had used.
"I have only removed eight of the thirty-six needles embedded in your body. You will not be able to use your internal energy or original energy at all."
"W-What does that mean?"
"In that state, survive in Bongnim Valley for one month."
'!!!'
This was insane. A curse almost flew out of my mouth. He wanted me to survive in Bongnim Valley for a month without being able to use internal energy or Innate True Qi? He was telling me to enter the abyss completely defenseless.
Sama Yeong screamed.
"This is too much! Telling him to go in there with his energy sealed is no different from telling him to die! What kind of test is this!"
"Do not complain. You were the one who asked me to give him a chance."
"I asked for a chance! I never told you to send him to his death!"
Sama Yeong shouted back defiantly. I found myself cheering for her in my head. I hoped she could somehow change Sama Chak’s ridiculous test. But Sama Chak’s stubbornness exceeded hers.
"Then give up. If he is so weak that he cannot survive a mere month in this place, I have no intention of acknowledging him."
"Then at least release the seal on his internal energy!"
"Why don't you just tell me not to give him a chance at all?"
"Are you saying it's fine if the man who could be your son-in-law dies? I cannot accept this test. Give him another chance!"
"Then defeat me. If he is a man stronger than your father, I will acknowledge him."
'......'
There was nothing to say to that. Defeat a monster who ranked among the top five of the Eight Great Masters and Four Great Villains? He was basically saying he would never give his permission.
As she bit her lip, unable to say anything, Sama Chak snorted.
"I refrained from throwing him in empty-handed. With one sword and one dagger, he has the basic requirements for survival."
Was he talking about the Namcheon Iron Sword and the Lesser Conversation Sword?
-Phew.
-Whew.
I heard the two of them sigh in relief at Sama Chak’s words.
-What about me!
The Blood Demon Sword’s cursing echoed in my head. Then, Sama Yeong spoke in a tearful voice.
"You're being cruel."
"Then give up. Live with your father for the rest of your life."
"I don't want to! Are you saying it's fine if I live as an old maid and die alone?"
"......Sigh."
Sama Chak pressed his hand to his forehead as if he had a headache. Then he spoke.
"I have made myself clear. One month. If this fellow survives for one month, I will not care whether you two meet or not."
Neither father nor daughter would back down. Looking at the tearful Sama Yeong, I let out a deep sigh and brought my hands together. I gave a fist-and-palm salute and spoke.
"I will gladly accept the opportunity you have given me, Senior."
"Young Master!"
"Please make sure to keep that promise."
I gave Sama Yeong a reassuring smile, telling her not to worry, and turned around. Her eyes widened in shock.
"Don't do it! Young Master, this really isn't right. If it's going to be like this, I'd rather gi—"
"My lady, it's alright. Please wait for me."
I had to endure this test to gain Sama Chak’s recognition and win Sama Yeong. If he had intended to kill me from the start, he wouldn't have done it this way. I had no choice but to accept.
-Hey! Are you really going to do this?
What choice do I have? At least having you guys with me is a comfort. I ran forward.
"Wait! No! You can't! Young Masteeeeer!"
Her scream rang in my ears, but I ignored it and forced myself to leap off the suspension bridge.
CRAAAAASH!
The waterfall sprayed in all directions, and the mist obscured my vision. Then, I heard the Namcheon Iron Sword’s voice.
-Un-hwi, look up.
I forced my body to flip as I fell.
'!!!'
Sama Yeong had jumped after me.
'Is she crazy!'
What was she thinking, jumping too?
"Lady Sama!"
My shout was drowned out by the roar of the waterfall. But then, a shadow appeared above. It was Sama Chak. Having followed immediately after her, he caught her mid-air. With incredible lightness skill, he kicked off the falling water and began to ascend back up. She struggled, but it was useless.
'What was she thinking...'
At least she was caught immediately. That was a relief. Just then, Sama Yeong threw something at me.
Whish!
It was the Blood Demon Sword. Because it was thrown with internal power, it flew accurately toward me as I fell.
'Ah!'
It seemed her real reason for jumping was to give me the Blood Demon Sword. My heart felt heavy knowing she did that, even though the sword’s bloodlust could have put her in danger.
-I knew she would do that, so I held back.
The Blood Demon Sword spoke as if it had done me a favor. In the distance, I saw Sama Chak shaking his head. But that only lasted a moment. As my body sank deeper into the dark hole, their figures became mere dots and then vanished.
SHHHHHHH!
I couldn't see anything because of the darkness and the mist from the waterfall. It truly was an abyss. I straightened my body as much as possible. If there was a waterfall, there had to be a pool or a river at the bottom. Even falling with internal energy or Innate True Qi would result in a massive impact; hitting the water with my whole body would cause serious injury.
-I see the bottom!
I grit my teeth to withstand the impact. Finally, my feet touched the water.
SPLASH!
As I broke the surface, the impact traveled rapidly up from my feet. Fortunately, thanks to my previous experience falling into a valley, I was prepared, so it didn't feel like my body was shattering like before. It might also be because I had been diligently training my external martial arts.
"Puh!"
After sinking deep, I struggled back to the surface. The current created by the waterfall began to pull me somewhere.
-You know we can't lose each other, right?
-Hold on tight, Un-hwi.
-Ugh! Of all the Blood Demons in history, you're the first one to make me suffer like this.
You've lived a pampered life. Consider it a good experience. It's not like I wanted to come to a place like this either.
Anyway, I can't see a thing. I'm being swept forward, but I have no idea where I'm heading. If only I could focus my Innate True Qi into my eyes...
-We can see! Un-hwi, if you go any further, there won't be any room to keep your head above water.
The Namcheon Iron Sword spoke to me.
'What do you mean?'
-The water is flowing into another hole-like passage.
'Damn it!'
I'm being swept away again? If that passage is deep, I could drown.
-Swim to the right! There's land on the right side.
At the Lesser Conversation Sword’s shout, I forced myself to swim through the current despite the lack of visibility. Even as the rapids pulled at me, I slowly moved sideways.
-Almost there! Hurry!
I know! The current is just too strong!
-You're there!
-Reach out and grab something!
At their urging, I reached out as far as I could. My hand caught something like a rock. After tossing the Blood Demon Sword, which I held in my left hand, forward, I gripped the protruding rock with my left hand. I pulled with all my might. My upper body, which was being swept away, rose above the water. As soon as I got my legs up, I rolled to the side.
Just as they said, there was land.
"Huff... huff... huff!"
-I thought we were going to be buried at sea together.
-Tell me about it.
-......Damn it. I should have acknowledged that girl Baek Ryeonha as my subordinate back then.
Listen to him. Regretting it now, are we?
Anyway, this is exhausting. I don't know how I survived before my regression without internal energy or Innate True Qi. Is there no way to get these things out of my body?
As I lay there catching my breath, I heard a low murmur from somewhere.
'What's that?'
I fumbled for the Blood Demon Sword and stood up. Even though my eyes were adjusting to the dark, there wasn't a single point of light, so I could see almost nothing.
'You hear that, right?'
-I hear it. It sounds like it's coming from that cave over there.
'A cave?'
There's another cave here?
Then, a faint light began to appear ahead. It was a yellow glow—a torch. There really was a cave-like place, and from it emerged three men with shaggy hair and beards, dressed in rags.
'There were people here?'
This was completely unexpected. Then, as they shone their torches and spotted me, the three men shouted simultaneously.
"A newcomer!"
"Clothes!"
"Weapons!"
'!?'
This didn't seem like a situation where I should be happy to see people. The three men approached me with greedy eyes. In their hands, they held stone axes and spears made of sharpened stone.
Now I understood why Sama Chak had let me bring the Namcheon Iron Sword and the dagger into Bongnim Valley. He wanted to see if I could survive a situation like this.
'Phew.'
However, there was one thing Sama Chak didn't know. I didn't just have a Middle and Lower Dantian.
Steadying my breath, I roused the Mental Focus of my Upper Dantian.
In that moment, Heavenly Authority—one of the seven Big Dipper spots on the back of my right hand—was dyed in a crimson light.