Chapter 96
Chapter 96
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 27
>Chapter Title: Benefits (1)
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The Martial Pill always wore a lighthearted and bright expression, which lifted the spirits of those around him.
Even now, with a smile on his face, the morale of his squad members remained steadfast.
However, though he tried not to show it, the Martial Pill's eyes were secretly flicking toward Mok Kyung-un every few moments, unnoticed by anyone.
In the end, he had kept his squad members safe.
It could be said that he had excellently fulfilled his role as squad leader from the very first day.
'........Mok Kyung-un.'
The events of the previous night had been completely etched into his mind.
No, he was deeply bothered by it.
The Martial Pill recalled what had happened last night.
[No. I'm just debating whether it's better to kill you now or let you live.]
[Crazy bastard!]
[Do you even know what situation you're in?]
At Mok Kyung-un's absurd words, the Martial Pill's squad members were dumbfounded.
In this situation, Mok Kyung-un had no leverage.
If any one of them made a move, the entire group would be disqualified from the trial gate.
His attitude was nothing but a bluff.
[Do whatever you want!]
[If you're saying we're all getting disqualified, you think we'll just sit here?]
[Let's do this!]
Even his squad members, who had trusted and waited on the Martial Pill's strategy, could no longer hold back. They assumed combat stances, ready to fight.
Mok Yu-cheon was no different.
In contrast, the Martial Pill, who had devised the plan, silently stared at Mok Kyung-un without a word, unlike the others.
'What is it?'
What gave him the confidence to act this way?
The Martial Pill had heard from Mok Yu-cheon, his half-brother of sorts, about the events of the second trial gate, and realized that Mok Kyung-un was no ordinary person.
That was why he had crafted a plan with no apparent flaws.
'No matter how I think about it, this plan has no gaps. So what is that attitude?'
The Martial Pill had been exceptionally intelligent since childhood.
He was skilled at reading others' minds, deducing their emotions and thoughts from their eyes, actions, and various other cues.
Yet Mok Kyung-un's gaze and tone.
It was impossible to read his emotions at all.
'Bluff or genuine? I can't tell.'
What was it?
Had he simply lost control of his emotions and spoken rashly?
Even so, it seemed excessive for someone like Mok Kyung-un, who possessed cunning equal to his own.
In fact, though he hadn't revealed it to the others, if the first ploy had worked, he had planned to break the legs of Mok Kyung-un's squad members at dawn, as Mok Kyung-un himself had suggested.
That would naturally disqualify both him and his squad.
In the end, only Mok Kyung-un had seen through his intentions.
That was why the Martial Pill was hung up on Mok Kyung-un's recent words.
At that moment, Mok Kyung-un had stared straight at him, smirked, and said,
[Let's call it even this time.]
[What?]
Mok Yu-cheon scoffed in disbelief at Mok Kyung-un's words.
Was this guy, in an unfavorable position, talking as if he were granting mercy?
Though they had followed the Martial Pill's plan, they had three people who had reached the pinnacle realm here as well.
Yeon Mu-woong of the Secret Classic Gate guarding the hostages inside the room, the Martial Pill, and himself.
They had the numerical advantage over the other side, so if it came to a fight, they held the edge—no disadvantage at all.
[Don't bluff, Mok Kyung-un.]
[Think whatever you want, but send two of your people over here. We need to hold hostages until morning for fairness, you see.]
[The knife's in our hand, and you still...]
[Fine.]
[What?]
Just as he was about to refuse, the Martial Pill readily accepted the proposal.
His squad members, including Mok Yu-cheon, couldn't hide their bewilderment at his attitude.
They had no need to accommodate them—why was he doing this?
To them, the Martial Pill said,
[They've made a concession, so there's no gain in provoking them further.]
[But...]
[Trust me.]
In the end, both sides agreed to exchange hostages and hold them until morning, allowing the night to pass peacefully.
However, the Martial Pill overheard Mok Kyung-un quietly muttering,
[What a shame. I was hoping you wouldn't be so wise.]
-He flinched!
The moment he heard it, a chill ran down his spine for some reason.
What the hell was that guy?
He had prided himself that there was no one among his peers worth his attention.
Not even Yeon Mu-woong of the Secret Classic Gate, Yeom Ga of the Main Killing Valley, Mo Ha-rang of the Demon Flower Room, or even the newly acquainted Mok Yu-cheon struck him as special.
Yet, for the first time, wariness stirred in his heart toward someone.
That someone was Mok Kyung-un.
'If he becomes an enemy, I may have to kill him...'
* * *
Before the trial gates even began, an unprecedented incident where nearly a quarter of the initiates dropped out.
Though it sparked considerable controversy, since no rules had been broken, the trial gates proceeded without issue.
Of course, this incident led to one additional restriction.
"From now on, until all trial gates are complete, all private fights or harm between initiates are completely prohibited."
It was to prevent any further variables.
The third trial gate, as announced in advance, was to subdue the opponent using a sword formation.
The formation's name was the Heaven and Earth Eight Inscriptions Formation.
It was a formation based on the changes of the Eight Trigrams, created by the previous leader of the Heaven and Earth Society. Perfectly deploying it to subdue the opponent meant passage.
The practice period given was a mere three days.
Those three days passed in the blink of an eye.
The remaining two squads—sixteen people—were the top performers among all initiates who had entered the Blood Stream Valley.
Naturally, both squads passed the third trial gate with ease.
The one who received the top plaque for the third trial gate was not Mok Kyung-un, but the Martial Pill.
Mok Kyung-un's squad had also effectively used the formation to subdue their opponents, but the Martial Pill's squad had done so without a single injury, perfectly overpowering them with the formation alone.
In conclusion, it was flawless.
As a squad leader and in terms of judgment in operating the formation, he was deemed superior, allowing the Martial Pill to claim the top plaque for this gate.
* * *
The fourth trial gate was to pass through a sealed chamber filled with trap mechanisms in pitch darkness.
The criteria were simple.
Light an incense stick that measures time. Emerging before one-third burns grants qualification as a reserve platoon leader and passage to the final trial gate.
Emerging before two-thirds burns grants platoon leader qualification but forfeits eligibility for the next gate.
Naturally, failing to pass meant disqualification, though with the rank of senior warrior.
Originally, this gate was to use the iron beads obtained from the iron bead skirmish, but with only sixteen participants left, it was inevitably skipped to proceed directly to the fifth gate.
This played out exactly as Mok Kyung-un had intended.
Thus, the sixteen initiates undertook the fourth trial gate.
The results: 6 emerged within one-third.
5 within two-thirds.
5 failed to emerge within two-thirds, disqualifying a total of 10 from the final gate.
The 5 who failed were disappointed but had to settle for senior warrior rank, while the 5 within two-thirds at least gained platoon leader qualification.
Senior Warrior Gwak Moon-gi said to Valley Lord Lee Ji-yeom,
"There were two variables, but the passers are roughly as expected."
The two variables Gwak Moon-gi mentioned were the hostages from the Timber Sword Manor, forcibly brought by order of the Leader.
He had assumed those two would perish in the first or second gate.
But that prediction had been utterly shattered.
"I see. Them, huh."
The six standing side by side in the plaza.
Those who passed the fourth gate: Mok Kyung-un, Mok Yu-cheon, Yeom Ga of Main Killing Valley, Yeon Mu-woong of Secret Classic Gate, Mo Ha-rang of Demon Flower Room, and the Martial Pill.
"Who cleared the sealed chamber the fastest?"
"........Mok Kyung-un."
"Mok Kyung-un?"
'As expected, it's him.'
Lee Ji-yeom nodded as if he had anticipated it to some extent.
Even without recovering his former martial arts, it was natural that he would pass the gates easily.
"How much time did it take?"
"He emerged when not one-third, but about one-sixth of the incense had burned."
"One-sixth?"
Lee Ji-yeom's eyes gleamed at those words.
He had expected the fastest, but this was beyond imagination.
At this rate, it was as if he hadn't traversed a trap-filled sealed chamber but simply run straight across a flat plain.
"......Even I was quite shocked."
Gwak Moon-gi had been dumbfounded upon seeing the incense.
No matter how exceptional one's senses, this was ridiculous.
A guy who appeared to barely scrape by as a first-rate barely emerging before those at the pinnacle realm—it was incomprehensible.
'Hiding his martial arts?'
No, that couldn't be.
If so, he would need to be at a realm higher than himself, who had reached the pinnacle, but he was certain a mere seventeen-year-old Mok Kyung-un couldn't be.
What kind of monster was he?
As he pondered, Valley Lord Lee Ji-yeom clicked his tongue and soon asked,
"Who came out next fastest?"
"Yeom Ga of Main Killing Valley."
"Oh."
"Yeom Ga passed when nearly one-fifth had burned."
This was an extraordinary record as well.
In the history of the sealed chamber gate, no one had ever passed within one-fifth.
Today, Mok Kyung-un and Yeom Ga broke that record together.
The two had passed so quickly it was as if they had walked through broad daylight, not darkness.
"Main Killing Valley sent a proper talent this time."
"Seems so."
But this batch was unlucky.
He was being overshadowed by the complete monster named Mok Kyung-un.
"Third place?"
"The Martial Pill and Mo Ha-rang of Demon Flower Room passed before about one-fourth burned, while Mok Yu-cheon and Yeon Mu-woong of Secret Classic Gate passed within one-third."
"This year's level is exceptionally high."
Many variables were at play, but in all his time overseeing Blood Stream Valley, this was the first time more than one or two had passed within one-fourth.
In fact, passing within one-third alone marked exceptional senses.
From that perspective, this selection could be seen as successful for the executives seeking top talents.
"What will you do? The top plaque, surely..."
"It's already decided."
"......Yes, it is."
Senior Warrior Gwak Moon-gi answered reluctantly.
A hostage from the orthodox faction, forcibly dragged here, was poised to claim the top plaque three times, surpassing the society's own talents.
It was natural to feel displeased.
'Timber Sword Manor......'
How had he raised his sons for not one, but both to reach the final gate of Blood Stream Valley?
Yet, sent by the Leader's order and mere hostages, could the society's warriors accept them taking official positions?
-Thud!
Lee Ji-yeom, standing at the podium in the plaza, held up the top plaque and said,
"Mok Kyung-un, step forward."
"Yes."
Mok Kyung-un walked to the front of the podium.
Lee Ji-yeom gave a subtle glance and handed the top plaque to Mok Kyung-un.
Then, loud enough for all to hear, he declared,
"The fourth top plaque goes to Mok Kyung-un, who cleared the gate the fastest."
At his words, the five standing beside him looked at Mok Kyung-un with varied expressions.
In fact, this being the third time, most felt little excitement about receiving the top plaque.
But they couldn't help reacting to Lee Ji-yeom's next words.
"Before the final gate, rewards from this valley will be given to those who have received top plaques so far."
'!?'
Rewards?
Not just honorary?
Yet only two had received top plaques here.
Mok Kyung-un and the Martial Pill.
And three of them were in Mok Kyung-un's hands.
Whatever the benefits, it was practically a monopoly.
"Those with one top plaque receive as reward the Heaven and Earth Pill, a secret product of this society."
'!!!!!'
Yeon Mu-woong of Secret Classic Gate, Mo Ha-rang of Demon Flower Room, and others couldn't hide their inner shock.
They had heard the Heaven and Earth Pill was a spiritual medicine, a secret of the Heaven and Earth Society, taking ten years just to brew and mature.
Moreover, the ingredients for one were worth a fortune, making them extremely rare.
To think it would be given as a reward.
'Lucky bastard.'
The Martial Pill didn't show it, but he was pleased inside.
Consuming the refined spiritual medicine Heaven and Earth Pill granted nearly 10 to 15 years of internal energy.
-.......That damned guy. He changed the name.
'Name?'
Mok Kyung-un was puzzled by Cheong-ryeong's sudden remark in his head.
She snorted and said,
-Not Heaven and Earth Pill, it's Moonlight Pill. Heaven and Earth's secret my ass.
From her anger, there seemed to be some secret only she knew about this too.
Just then, Blood Stream Valley Lord Lee Ji-yeom continued,
"The benefit for those with two top plaques: enter the Blood Stream Valley Treasury and take one manual of choice. Naturally, most are advanced martial arts scriptures."
'Advanced martial arts!'
For the first time, everyone showed interest in the second benefit.
[End of Chapter 27: Benefits (1)]