Chapter 97
Chapter 97
-----------------------------------------------------------------
>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 27
>Chapter Title: Benefits (2)
>-----------------------------------------------------------------
‘Ah.......’
The mention of supreme martial arts made Mu Jang-yak wear a wistful expression.
It was only natural, as he had once heard rumors about the treasury of the Blood Trial Valley.
He had heard that it housed copies of numerous supreme martial arts manuals from the Heaven-Earth Society’s main headquarters, along with some secret manuals not even available there.
It would be stranger for a martial artist who trained in martial arts to show no interest.
‘Supreme martial arts of the Blood Trial Valley......’
Mok Yu-cheon shared the same curiosity.
He had always been passionate about martial arts, so it was impossible not to be intrigued.
These were the supreme martial arts of the Heaven-Earth Society, one of the three dominant powers in the current martial world.
He couldn’t help but wonder what they might be.
On the other hand,
‘Is it really anything special?’
Mok Kyung-un felt no particular excitement.
While he trained in martial arts and grew stronger for revenge, he doubted whether learning a ton of techniques would truly help.
-More is always better.
‘More is always better?’
As he puzzled over it, Cheongryeong spoke as if reading his thoughts.
-Learning many martial arts won’t make you overwhelmingly stronger, but the more you know, the broader your perspective and the wider your experience.
‘Hmm.’
A broader perspective, huh.
In that sense, maybe knowing as many martial arts as possible would be helpful?
Just then, Blood Trial Valley Lord Lee Ji-yeom spoke again from the platform.
“Three top plaques... it’s been quite a while.”
“It seems so. About eight years, right? That guy..... no, not him anymore. It’s been a long time since that lord.”
“I see. So this makes the third time.”
Since the establishment of the Blood Trial Valley, Mok Kyung-un was the third person to obtain three top plaques.
At that moment, Mok Kyung-un, standing in front, asked out of curiosity.
“Just out of curiosity, has anyone gotten four or more?”
The gateways of the Blood Trial Valley numbered six in total.
However, the fourth and final gateways didn’t actually have top plaques.
Thus, the maximum for one person was theoretically four.
At Mok Kyung-un’s question, Senior Warrior Gwak Mun-gi scowled unpleasantly.
“How dare you to the Valley Lord.....”
“Gwak Division Leader. He is now a provisional division leader.”
As he was about to berate him, Valley Lord Lee Ji-yeom reminded him.
Senior Warrior Gwak Mun-gi bit his lip hard.
A provisional division leader was a rank above even a division leader like himself, but in his mind, he still didn’t accept this punk.
However, he couldn’t afford a mistake in front of the Valley Lord, so he tempered his tone with some respect.
“Provisional Division Leader Mok. The gateways aren’t over yet, so please refrain from questioning the Valley Lord casually.”
At those words, Mok Kyung-un silently looked at Valley Lord Lee Ji-yeom.
Seeing this, Senior Warrior Gwak Mun-gi’s face twisted in disbelief,
“The Blood Trial Valley has been running since its founding, and only one person has ever obtained all the top plaques.....”
‘Valley Lord?’
Gwak Mun-gi looked at Lee Ji-yeom with a puzzled expression.
Normally, even on the verge of the final stage, he wouldn’t respond so indulgently or softly to disciples.
Yet here he was, answering such a question.
‘Why is he acting like this?’
Was he treating this punk as a spy sent by the Chairman?
That might explain some leniency, but would the Chairman really use a hostage from the righteous faction to test or monitor the Valley Lord?
In any case, the Valley Lord’s attitude was quite unexpected.
‘All of them?’
A glint appeared in Mok Kyung-un’s eyes.
He hadn’t gotten a top plaque in the inspection gateway because it was his first time dealing with formations and controlling people.
Yet someone had obtained them all...
‘Impressive.’
In truth, Mok Kyung-un himself hadn’t realized it, but obtaining this many top plaques without properly training in martial arts for long was already remarkable.
Had he trained properly from the start, he might have been the second person since the valley’s founding to claim them all.
‘Can’t get too cocky, though.’
Pure curiosity made him want to ask who it was, but with Senior Warrior Gwak Mun-gi glaring daggers, that seemed impossible.
Noticing this, Valley Lord Lee Ji-yeom said,
“If your questions are answered, I shall now explain the reward for obtaining three top plaques.”
“Yes.”
“The one who obtains three top plaques shall.....”
The disciples’ gazes focused on Lee Ji-yeom’s face.
Two top plaques had already brought such rewards—what benefits would three bring?
“Independent of the final gateway, you may seek guidance from one of the Heaven-Earth Society’s top experts: the Five Kings, the Three Elders, the Four Valley Lords, or the twelve masters.”
‘!!!!!!!!’
Everyone’s expressions changed instantly upon hearing this.
Of course, “everyone” meant those who reacted openly: Mu Jang-yak, Yeon Mu-ung of the Secret Scripture Sect, and Mo Ha-rang of the Flower Room.
Being under the Heaven-Earth Society, they knew better than anyone how tremendous this reward was.
‘Guidance from one of the society’s top experts?’
‘A reward this great?’
‘.......Ah.’
How often in life does one get guidance from master-level or absolute peak experts?
Moreover, these were among the Heaven-Earth Society’s elite.
It was impossible not to envy.
Even Mok Yu-cheon, who had listened indifferently at first, noticed their envious stares and realized what it meant.
‘Ah!’
Among the society’s executives were two of the Six Heavens and Eight Stars.
The Six Heavens and Eight Stars were called the greatest experts regardless of faction, and two of the Five Kings were part of the Eight Stars.
Transcendent masters who had broken through walls to reach the Transformation Realm.
Guidance from one of them...
‘Damn.’
Even leaving aside righteous faction loyalties, this was enviable.
Whether becoming a disciple or learning a specific technique, such an opportunity came once in a lifetime, if at all.
It was truly an incredible stroke of fortune.
-No need to think twice on this one, mortal.
No need to think?
-Two of them are in the Transformation Realm. Choose one and learn what even I can’t teach you. Those who’ve surpassed walls will greatly aid your enlightenment.
Cheongryeong seemed to think this was a pretty good reward too.
Not bad at all.
Then Valley Lord Lee Ji-yeom continued.
“If you have a preference, decide in advance. The opportunity will come once you enter the main headquarters.”
“Yes.”
“Tomorrow, upon arriving at headquarters, the final gateway will commence. Before then, the top plaque owners will receive their rewards, and the rest shall rest.”
With that, Valley Lord Lee Ji-yeom stepped down from the platform.
Then Mok Kyung-un spoke.
“May I ask what reward comes with obtaining all the top plaques?”
‘This punk again!’
Senior Warrior Gwak Mun-gi scowled.
Not knowing when to quit and questioning the Valley Lord again.
Truly unpleasant...
“You may receive guidance from the Chairman.”
Silence fell instantly.
Gwak Mun-gi couldn’t understand why the Valley Lord was showing this punk such leniency, but seeing their reactions was amusing.
He could tell what they were thinking from below the platform.
‘Why is he doing that?’
Meanwhile, Mok Kyung-un couldn’t fathom their shock.
Why were they so surprised?
“Since the Valley Lord has spoken, Provisional Division Leader Mok, please step down.”
To him, Senior Warrior Gwak Mun-gi said with strained politeness.
Mok Kyung-un descended and, puzzled, asked Mo Ha-rang of the Flower Room.
“Is receiving the Chairman’s guidance that surprising?”
‘!?’
Mo Ha-rang stared at him as if wondering how he could not know.
What was wrong with him?
In a slightly trembling voice, she said,
“The Chairman is one of the Six Heavens, called the pinnacle of the current martial world. Leaving everything else aside, receiving guidance from one of the six strongest in the world...”
She couldn’t finish.
The reward for all top plaques was that astonishing.
No one in this cohort had achieved it, but had they known from the start, they might have thrown themselves into the gateways with utter resolve.
The prestige of the Six Heavens was unmatched.
‘That impressive?’
Their reaction was even stronger than for executive guidance, so it must be huge for them.
Then Cheongryeong’s voice whispered in his ear.
-The Six Heavens? Hah.......
Her tone dripped with irritation.
She had just learned through Mo Ha-rang that the Heaven-Earth Society’s Chairman was one of the Six Heavens, the martial world’s pinnacle.
Knowing this clearly soured her mood.
It was understandable.
To her, the Chairman was the endpoint of her grudge, past or present.
‘.......This just got a lot trickier.’
Mok Kyung-un clicked his tongue inwardly.
The Heaven-Earth Society’s Chairman, near the martial world’s peak...
Revenge for Grandfather came first, unbound by loyalties, but fulfilling her grudge was growing harder.
* * *
In a forest not far from the Blood Trial Valley’s main lodge.
Mok Kyung-un followed Senior Warrior Gwak Mun-gi.
Gwak Mun-gi, distrustful of him, hadn’t said a word the whole way.
Soon they reached a steep cliff.
Pointing to it—a cliff too sheer even for lightness skill to scale easily—Gwak Mun-gi said without looking back.
“Follow closely.”
-Shwip!
Gwak Mun-gi unleashed his lightness skill and ascended the steep cliff.
He swiftly found footholds as if familiar, at impressive speed.
‘Let’s see if he can keep up properly.’
Come to think of it, he’d never properly seen the punk’s lightness skill.
Could he match this on such a cliff?
Then—
-Papapak!
‘Hm?’
Gwak Mun-gi glanced down.
Mok Kyung-un was already right below him.
‘This bastard.....’
It was absurd.
He could traverse the valley quickly due to years of familiarity, but this punk couldn’t.
And with mere fringe first-rate skill, how was he climbing at similar speed?
The reason was simple.
‘There, that spot.’
Mok Kyung-un memorized and followed Gwak Mun-gi’s footholds exactly.
Wherever Gwak Mun-gi stepped, there was always a proper ledge, so recalling them made it easy.
This irked Gwak Mun-gi, who kept clicking his tongue.
‘Damn punk.’
He’d tried to trip him up once, but it backfired, souring his mood further.
Had he failed to keep up, he’d have scolded the provisional leader for incompetence, but now it was pointless.
-Pak!
Finally, Gwak Mun-gi slipped into what looked like a blocked spot on the cliff.
The wall seemed solid, yet his body passed through naturally.
‘A formation?’
Thanks to the Sorcerer squad’s formation experience, Mok Kyung-un passed through the illusory cliff wall like Gwak Mun-gi without hesitation.
Inside,
-Fwoosh!
A vast cavern lit by torches everywhere revealed itself.
In the center, a scarred man in his fifties sat on a stone chair, arms crossed.
Gwak Mun-gi, who had entered first, stood before him.
‘Tch.’
He couldn’t hide his disappointment at Mok Kyung-un entering straight through the wall.
Then the scarred man stood and said,
“I wondered what it was, but it’s been a while.”
“Yes. Indeed.”
“About eight years since then, by the calendar?”
“Correct. I’ve brought him here to report for his reward and enter the treasury.”
At Gwak Mun-gi’s words, the scarred man turned to Mok Kyung-un.
With a puzzled look, he said,
“Quite the unusual fellow. He seems barely fringe first-rate at best—how did he get three top plaques?”
By his senses, Mok Kyung-un was just scraping first-rate.
Yet three top plaques were required here.
Impossible with such skill.
To him, Mok Kyung-un said,
“Pardon, but who might you be?”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“Hahaha. I am the treasury keeper of this Blood Trial Valley treasury.”
“Treasury keeper?”
At Mok Kyung-un’s question, Senior Warrior Gwak Mun-gi warned,
“This is Division Leader Yang Mu-won, in charge of the treasury. Displease him, and you could be trapped in the treasury’s mechanisms forever—show respect.....”
“Ahhh, enough. Since when have I cared about that?”
“......”
They just didn’t mesh.
Then the scarred man, Division Leader Yang Mu-won, waved his hand dismissively.
“You may go now.”
“Yes?”
“Or do you plan to wait here? You know that’s not allowed.”
“......Understood. I’ll withdraw and wait below.”
“Smart.”
At Treasury Keeper Yang Mu-won’s dismissal, Gwak Mun-gi exited through the formation’s illusory cliff wall.
Once he was gone, Division Leader Yang Mu-won asked Mok Kyung-un,
“Shall we finish what we were saying? How did you get three top plaques?”
Tilting his head slightly, Mok Kyung-un replied,
“Naturally, because I did better than the others.”
“......”
Yang Mu-won frowned, then burst into hearty laughter.
“Hahahahaha. True enough. Why would the Valley Lord give top plaques to some nobody?”
“......”
Mok Kyung-un showed no reaction.
This deflated Yang Mu-won’s laughter; he scratched his head awkwardly.
‘Sheesh.’
The guy from eight years ago at least engaged, but this one’s responses were so flat, no fun.
Pity, but his duty wasn’t chit-chat.
Turning, Division Leader Yang Mu-won beckoned.
“Follow me.”
“Yes.”
Mok Kyung-un followed.
Yang Mu-won pointed deeper into the cave.
“Inside there is the treasury of manuals. As you’ve heard, only one manual can be taken out. Even that must be copied here before leaving.”
“Yes.”
“You get about an hour to choose carefully. Fail to pick anything, and by rules, you leave empty-handed. Got it?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, and there are red lines marked—avoid those spots if possible.”
“Yes?”
To the questioning Mok Kyung-un, Division Leader Yang Mu-won said intimidatingly,
“Long ago, something happened there..... Never mind, you don’t need to know. Cross the red lines, and you’ll see something terrifying that’ll make your hair stand on end. Heed my warning.”
‘Something terrifying?’
Rambling nonsense.
Puzzled, he soon reached a massive iron door.
Yang Mu-won touched a blank wall beside it, fiddling with something,
-Kreeeeak! Thud!
The iron door opened on its own, revealing the interior.
A cavern far larger than the entrance, its walls entirely lined with manuals.
Pointing inside with a grin, Division Leader Yang Mu-won said,
“If you have no preference, just picking one will give you a headache. I’ll tell you when time’s up—remember, one hour.”
“Yes.”
“Go on in.”
As Mok Kyung-un stepped forward,
He paused and said,
“Ah! One thing—may I ask?”
“What?”
“Only one manual can be taken out, right?”
“That’s right.”
“But glancing through them is fine?”
“Why ask that? To pick a good one, you have to skim them. No issue with that.”
At this, Mok Kyung-un smirked.
“Good to know.”
[Chapter 27: Benefits (2)] End
ⓒ Han Jung-wol-ya