Stealing the Fortuitous Encounter (3)
The fourth room, boasting the highest difficulty of them all.
The moment I stepped inside, I was greeted by pitch-black darkness, devoid of even a sliver of light—like the void itself.
If I hadn't known the layout beforehand, I might have panicked. But I didn't. Not one bit.
The real challenge starts now.
I was already anticipating what came next. No sooner had the thought crossed my mind than a crimson red jade at the center of the black room erupted in beams of light, sensing the intruder and locking onto me.
Flash!
That's right. Those scarlet beams from the red jade were like modern lasers. The instant they touched a martial artist, they vaporized them without a trace.
I was still far enough away that the lasers moved sluggishly, but the moment I got closer, they'd go on full alert. No doubt about it.
Let's see what you've got.
I picked up a loose stone from the floor and tossed it into the red jade's light.
And sure enough—crackle-crunch!
The laser unleashed its terrifying cutting power, shredding the stone to dust in an instant. If it could pulverize solid rock like that, what chance did a human body have?
To martial artists ignorant of science, it must have seemed like a trial sent from the heavens.
And those lasers can pierce even the protective aura of peak Entry to Divinity masters.
Moreover, the beams didn't sweep in fixed patterns or hold still—they darted randomly, like they had a mind of their own, unpredictable and utterly terrifying.
This room's gimmick was actually a parody of a scene from one of my Maternal Uncle's favorite movies. Anyone in the know would recognize it, but the clueless folk of the Central Plains martial world fell victim to this "mysterious trap" without a prayer.
"No way I can charge through those lasers barehanded."
Unless I'd mastered Taeryeok Cheolgang Gong to the fifth stage or higher, it was impossible at my current third-stage level.
But I was confident. Because I knew the only way to crack this room.
There's just one method to beat this place.
The second I entered, I had to destroy that red jade spewing lasers—in a single strike.
Not twice. One shot, that's it. Fail, and a rain of scarlet beams would pour down, sealing my doom.
The problem is the distance. In modern terms, it's gotta be seven or eight meters away.
Smashing it from that far? No easy feat.
Martial artists with no clue about lasers or the jade's purpose? They'd just get massacred. But I was different.
One breath. That's all I get.
I held my breath, channeling every ounce of strength from my milk-drinking days.
Luckily, the Ho Jeop Bi Pyo I'd prepared just for today was rock-solid reliable.
Its fluttering, butterfly-like motion was soft enough to evade the red light's annihilation.
"Here goes."
Before the lasers could rain down, I drew the Ho Jeop Bi Pyo and hurled it.
Whoosh!
It accelerated smoothly, soon outpacing any dart or arrow, all while mimicking a butterfly's graceful dance—enough to dazzle the eye.
And finally, it hit its mark.
Crunch-crackle!
Like a swift butterfly sipping nectar, it shattered the red jade, spun around, and flew back to me.
One of the Ho Jeop Bi Pyo's best features: it always returned to its owner.
No inner energy required, easy retrieval—perfect for female assassins or even kids.
"Yes!"
With the red jade smashed, I clenched my fists in triumph, joy surging like never before.
Truth be told, I'd worried if I could wield it freely. I'd practiced nonstop on the ship's deck, fiddling with it constantly.
Seeing my efforts pay off? Pure elation.
Shooo...
The menacing scarlet lasers vanished the instant the jade broke, and lights flickered back on in the once-pitch-black room.
Proof I'd cleared the final trial.
"Huuuuh."
Tension melted away, exhaustion crashing in. From first gate to last, I'd bulldozed through without a hitch. But experiencing it for real—after just reading and theorizing—was mind-blowing and nerve-wracking.
If I'd been the original me, I'd have botched it from sheer nerves.
This insane courage? Protagonist halo, plus Cheon Myeong's innate bravery.
"Finally..."
With every trial conquered, I advanced. There, at the end, lay the entrance to the final chamber, where the Myth Heart Method manual slumbered.
Thinking of it melted away my fatigue and jitters.
Thud, thud. I hurried, wary of a cave-in or intruders.
Not that there'd be any. This place wouldn't surface for at least a week.
Found it!
The final room revealed the manual effortlessly. No hunting required—it hovered mid-air, radiating brilliant golden light, like a dungeon magic tome.
"Oh, my god."
Emotions welled up, tears pricking my eyes.
In the original Seven Falls, Eight Rises: The Invincible Fist King, the Myth Heart Method was an object of awe for everyone—especially Cheon Myeong's envy.
And now it's mine. This Cheon Myeong's.
Dreamlike. The Myth Heart Method, symbol of golden supremacy.
Snatching it before my archrival, the Heavenly Dragon Sovereign Sword Baek Muhon? My heart raced.
The original protagonist Cheon Myeong should be limping back to Cheonmu Academy in disgrace right now.
But I'd claimed the pinnacle external art, followed by the ultimate inner method. Overwhelming gratitude.
Swish!
I reached out, claiming the manual like I'd been waiting forever.
"Perfect timing—I've got time to spare."
Looking back, no safer spot existed. Better to memorize it here, initiate cultivation, then burn the manual to prevent leaks.
Let's dive in!
With conviction, I got to work.
What made the Myth Heart Method legendary? Like Buddhist sutras, it imprinted directly into your mind upon reading.
"Oh... ohhh!"
Astounded by the spectacle and teachings, I dropped into lotus position and followed its guidance.
Thus, I fully mastered the long-awaited Myth Heart Method.
No illusion.
Shimmer!
Golden haze rose from my body in lotus pose—a hallmark of the Myth Heart Method, the pinnacle of splendor.
In the original, it symbolized Baek Muhon. Not anymore.
It's mine from now on.
Baek Muhon was born with everything—rivaling, even surpassing, the protagonist at times. Absurd, right?
So my plan: monopolize every fortuitous encounter, elixir, and glory meant for him or other geniuses.
Right then—
"Huh?"
I'd only initiated the Myth Heart Method once, but suddenly my heart thundered, an indescribable power surging through me.
What the hell is this?
At first, panic—did I mess up? Side effect?
Worry faded as realization dawned.
"I see."
Gabul, who'd taught me Taeryeok Cheolgang Gong, said elite heart methods would supercharge this top external art, like giving it wings.
That's it. This power welling up? The Myth Heart Method resonating with, stimulating, Taeryeok Cheolgang Gong.
I paused the Myth Heart Method, checked my external art. Spot on.
"Hahaha!"
I leaped up, bursting into laughter.
Incredibly, Taeryeok Cheolgang Gong had broken past third stage into fourth.
Impossible? Even Gabul said short-term fourth stage was out of reach.
My superior bones and aptitude helped, but without formal training? Unheard of.
"Insane. Just one session with the Myth Heart Method, and boom—fourth stage."
Like a massive game level-up in one go.
It underscored the Myth Heart Method's greatness.
Then I recalled my Maternal Uncle's words about it:
—Know why the Myth Heart Method is terrifying? It synergizes massively with any martial art—even demonic arts or pure externals. No flaws, idiot-proof to learn. That's why it's the strongest. A perfect, cheat-level inner method.
"Early-game growth secured."
No more rushing. Taeryeok Cheolgang Gong as ultimate defense; Myth Heart Method as infinite growth engine.
With the world's rarest inner and outer arts both mine—what's to fear?
One alone rewrites fate; both? Game over.
Pity welled for Baek Muhon, my final-boss rival for the world's top spot.
"Still too early to relax."
No offensive techniques yet.
No complacency—I'd claim supreme footwork, lightness skills, elixirs, honors. All of it.
For the true remake my Maternal Uncle wanted.
"Aigoo, running late. Gotta hustle."
Deep in cultivation, time had flown. Spring neared; Cheonmu Academy would reopen soon.
Had to arrive beforehand, per my promise to the servant overseer.
Alright, offensive arts at Cheonmu Academy?
The original Cheon Myeong envied one thing heart-wrenchingly.
Heavenly Dragon Sovereign Sword Baek Muhon? Nah—he was untouchable, a star too distant to envy.
Cheon Myeong saw him as another realm entirely.
No, he coveted Cheonmu Academy students.
Despite his limp and bullying from Jang Sam and the servants, he stayed—for his dream of Cheonmu Academy.
Every ambitious martial artist yearned for it: graduate, shine at the Cheonmu Tournament, become a promising junior.
"Cheon Myeong. Don't worry. I'll make it all happen—everything you dreamed of, everything you longed for."
That's why I possessed this body, right?
And as the protagonist Cheon Myeong now, I'd monopolize it all. Seize everything.