Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Embroidered Uniform Guard
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Rumble.
Cliff face and waterfall. Staring at the endless cascade pouring down from across the way, I felt a fresh wave of emotion. Right there on the opposite side, the Millennium Snow Ginseng lay dormant.
'Is there anyone else in the world who's eaten a spirit elixir twice besides me?'
The Millennium Snow Ginseng was a peerless elixir that appeared only once every century, sparking bloody battles across the martial world as countless people vied for it. The odds of consuming something as rare as that twice over were astronomically low. Shaking off stray thoughts, I stepped into the waterfall. Passing through the cave behind it brought me to the snowy garden where the Millennium Snow Ginseng slept.
I cleared away the snow from the garden and set down the water jar and cooking tools I'd roughly stolen from a nearby house. Just like last time, I had to blanch the leaves and roots of the black-and-white lotus root thoroughly before chewing them. Cooking utensils were essential.
Then I entered the ice cavern to once again admire the majesty of the Millennium Snow Ginseng. As expected, it stood unchanged, proudly displaying its elegant white lotus pattern. I sat beside it and began boiling the black-and-white lotus root, just as before.
Once everything was ready a short while later, I didn't hesitate to start chewing the root thoroughly. I'd thought this before, but it tasted just like potato. Not bad, but thinking of the ordeal to come after eating it filled me with tension.
"Ugh..."
Hiss...
A massive surge of yang energy began to creep up from my dantian. Recalling the hellish agony from last time, I gritted my teeth hard. But oddly, it didn't hurt as much as I'd expected. Previously, it had felt like my guts were melting in lava from my lower abdomen, but now it was just mild stomach pain.
'Huh? It doesn't hurt that bad?'
Even as the energy flooded me, my body seemed accustomed to large quantities of qi already. Still, leaving this enormous yang energy unchecked was out of the question, so I uprooted the Millennium Snow Ginseng beside me and crunched it down.
A cool yin energy slid refreshingly down my throat. Soon after, colossal yin and yang energies clashed inside me and began condensing as if on the verge of explosion. Last time, my eyes had rolled back, blood gushing from my nose, my skin peeling off inch by inch in agony—I couldn't help but tense up. The tension felt greater than facing a blade at my throat.
Rumble.
"......?"
But something felt off. The massive yin and yang energies whirling in my dantian, poised to erupt, instead dissipated naturally, soaking into the ground like spilled water. They melted away painlessly, leaving me bewildered. I'd prepared to struggle desperately with the Thunder Dragon One Qi Art and Horse-Step March as before, but simply circulating the Grand Celestial Circuit with the Thunder Dragon One Qi Art stabilized everything.
'What the hell?'
Just to be sure, I circulated my qi to probe the major meridians around the Life and Death Mysterious Pass. It remained open, as did the three surrounding meridians. But the vast energy filling my core no longer surged up to breach it.
I waited a long time, but aside from a slight buzz in my head, nothing happened.
"What is this? Strong or weak?"
I tried sensing my inner power, but it had always been immeasurable, and nothing had changed. No way to gauge it myself now. Could it be you can't consume elixirs multiple times? Worried I'd fallen into qi deviation, I lightly unleashed an initial stance of the Thunder Cloud Palm into the air.
Boom-crack!
"......!!"
That was the moment. Air exploded outward as thunder winds danced wildly in the void. Far more powerful than before—I instinctively knew my inner power had grown. Yet at the same time, crisis loomed.
"Urk, shit!"
My face drained of color.
As I cried out, the vast accumulated snow across the secret realm's peaks began writhing like a living thing. The sound and blast had resonated with the snow here, making it tremble violently.
Avalanche!
White death poured down to blanket the world. I bolted for the single narrow path, dodging desperately. No time to grab cooking tools—I just ran without looking back. My lightness skill was top-notch, yet it barely outpaced the avalanche. An ordinary person would've been buried long ago.
Rumble-rumble-rumble.
"Uwaaaah!"
Even after fifty paces, seeing the snow engulf the mountain filled me with despairing screams. Unreal for a secret realm, but where had this much snow hidden? After another thirty paces, the avalanche's front slowed. I slumped against a nearby rock to catch my breath.
"Huff... huff... almost died..."
Ridiculous. Ate the elixir, but nearly died testing my power with an avalanche. My mistake—this region around Mount Huang didn't get much snow, so I'd never considered it.
Calming down, I pondered if my power had doubled. But the Thunder Cloud Palm's increased might alone wasn't conclusive. More nagging was how the excruciating pain from the first ginseng had vanished, the process now bland. Weak? Unsure if stronger? Both unsettling.
What next? I'd secured the Heavenly Dark Secret Book and elixirs—essentials covered. Joining Azure Dragon Martial Hall to train sounded ideal, but unrealistic. I agonized.
Sudden irritation surged.
'Forget training—live easy for once?'
Ordinary martial artists would gasp in horror. With regression fortune and two Millennium Snow Ginsengs, such thoughts were blasphemy. But my journey to Mount Huang in this third regression bred doubt. All this suffering to build power, steal the Nameless Assassination Scripture—what meaning in the gains?
I'd suffered too much.
No one could stop me living comfortably.
I already had enough power.
"......"
Decision made after deliberation.
"Live comfortably."
No more tedious worries—indulge fully in what I wanted.
Nameless Assassination Scripture? Forget it for now.
One desire burned clear. Descending to Mount Huang's base village, I sneaked into Old Man Al's house, infamous for tormenting tenant farmers, and took 50 taels of silver.
'Enough for travel expenses.'
Flagrant theft, but I didn't care. He was despised, brutal to farmers. Sparing lives was mercy enough. Leaving the village, I pondered at the fork.
"......"
Where to? Hesitation gone, I chose east—backtracking to my home village, Little Yi Village.
Could visit Sa Gong Escort Agency, see Sa Gong-rin's pretty face again.
Or Mang Ryang for more Formation Escape and knowledge.
Options aplenty, but Little Yi it was.
No rush traveling leisurely without mountain paths—sticking to roads, renting carriages at post stations, sometimes riding horses. 50 taels made it feasible.
Entering Little Yi Village, I smirked coldly.
"Hahaha!"
Why return?
For long-awaited revenge. Obvious in hindsight—why hadn't I thought of it post-regression?
The mental shock from the Village Chief hiring assassins to kill me must've been huge. Terror made me rationalize away revenge. But now, post two elixirs, I felt relaxed, coldly rational.
Village Chief's aftermath? Kill them all.
Post-revenge pursuit? Flee.
No one'd believe Cow Dung massacred the Chief's family overnight.
'People should live doing what they want.'
Boosting qi in one arm, I strolled into the village, murder in my eyes. First fool I saw? Rip them apart as example.
Then.
"Cow Dung, you're back!"
"......?"
Bewildered by the friendly villager I'd barely met. Never properly spoken—just known as a tenant farmer paying the Chief. Didn't even know his name, so I mumbled back.
"Uh, yeah."
Murderous intent died. I'd hated everyone here—never expected greetings. The uncle handed me potatoes, saying.
"Why come back? Just live elsewhere."
"Huh?"
He clucked his tongue pityingly.
"Figured you fled the Chief from your hard life."
I was speechless.
Weren't villagers gleeful at my misery?
Sympathy left me wordless, clutching potatoes. He continued.
"If not for that plague killing your parents suddenly, you'd have grown like any village kid. World's cruel..."
Right. Plague took both parents young. Orphaned, villagers argued over raising me—Chief's family took me in. Lived as servant through teens.
Biting into a potato, I said.
"Came back to kill that Chief bastard."
"Hahaha, wouldn't that be nice?"
Bitter smile—he took it as venting. Who'd suspect a teen had world-class power? I had means and will for slaughter. Staring, I said.
"Don't remember your name, Uncle."
"Me? Jang Su."
"Plain name."
"Guys like me got plain names."
"Your son's name?"
"Jang Tae."
"......"
Knew Jang Tae, Jang Su's son. Joined village kids bullying me, kicked during group beatings. Splashed cold water waking me in the stable.
Naturally, first life revenge: kicked his head till it burst, stomped the dangling mess, laughed madly. That bastard was his son.
'Uncle seems nice—why's the son a psycho?'
Jang Su wasn't purely good. Ignored my abuse—none of his business. No power or right to interfere, so forgivable.
Pondering, I asked.
"Uncle, if you could relive life, how?"
"Relive? Go back in time?"
"Yeah."
"...No regrets, do what I want, live happy."
I nodded.
"Me too."
Thud.
Jang Su collapsed, unconscious. Quick acupoint strike—not deep, he'd wake in an hour. Propped him under a tree, muttering.
"Let's go."
No regrets.
Do what I want.
Live happy.
Simple, yet world's hardest. No more hesitation—I headed to the Chief's house atop the village. Early evening; family gathered prepping dinner.
Ordinary folk might find it heartwarming. But spotting the Chief, rage boiled up. Memory of assassin leader's sword qi slashing my throat merged with past life's mad scramble to survive, searing my heart.
Slowly approaching the Chief. He eyed me surprised, bellowed.
"You little shit Cow Dung! Running off and now..."
"Village Chief!!"
I roared—a mild Lion's Roar rumbling thunderously, freezing everyone. Chief sensed wrongness, backed away.
Spewing killing intent, I said.
"Pick one here you most want to save. That one's spared."
"......"
"Answer now."
Chief stammered, then coldly pointed himself.
"Me... me..."
"Knew it."
Splat-bam!!
Next instant, Thunder Cloud Palm blasted his head off. Brains splattered, flesh flew. Could've tormented, but Jang Su chat muddled me—wanted quick end.
"Kyaaaaah!!"
"Chief!! Aaaak!"
"Darling!!"
Chaos, screams. Some fled sensing doom—I flew, killing them first.
Thud.
Boom.
"Aaaah!!"
One punch per kill. After ten steps, one survivor amid blood sea. Me, unbloodied, fist clenched.
Geum Manjae stood dazed, uncomprehending the slaughter—or denying reality.
Approaching, I slapped his cheek hard.
"Krk."
Light inner power—his teeth flew, he toppled sideways. Controlled not to kill. Looming, I said.
"You don't get why this happened, huh?"
"Ah... uh... why... why..."
"I've got 50 years' grudge against you. First time paying it proper."
"......"
Geum Manjae trembled in terror and rage, speechless. If he'd been mentally tough, I wouldn't harbor such hate.
Grinning, I said.
"You spoiled fuck! Pigging out thanks to Daddy—too hard to be kind once?"
Thwack.
Geum Manjae clutched gut, choking, collapsed. No inner power, but painful enough. Seeing him writhe eased decades' pent-up frustration.
Memories vivid: ringleader inciting kids to shun and beat me, treated as servant nonstop, no human dignity. Hundreds of tearful sighs in the stable from a suffering kid.
First life as escort, worst wasn't daily survival grind. It was him thriving while I suffered—no way to retaliate. Now able, inner storm raged.
Vicious fury rose. Hated Geum Manjae's fearful gaze. So I did something even I couldn't fathom.
"Those eyes piss me off. Don't need 'em."
Rip.
"Kuaaaaaah!!"
Both eyeballs in my hand. Severed vessels, yanked them out—he howled, face blood-mess. Worst human pain imaginable.
"Live with just two balls too, Geum Manjae."
Revenge done, I left the slaughter site.
Entered Chief's house, triggered hidden mechanism, took gold-silver vault. Enough to live on forever.
Planned to massacre villagers too, but Jang Su encounter changed that. Without his humanity, village would've been bloodbath—I'd have torched it.
Step.
Step.
Outside village, set down vault, washed bloody hands in stream.
Mid-wash, hands shook wildly.
"......"
Reflection rippled in water.
'Am I happy now?'
Avenged decades' separation today, no afterthoughts. Geum Manjae might survive eyeless, but not humanly. Fully repaid assassin grudge and lifetime hate. No worries left.
Aftermath? Only matters if avengers have power. Plum Blossom Escort Agency or Beggars' Sect might peg me, but no duty to pursue forever. At best, search for Cow Dung lookalike nearby a year or two—then cold case.
Chief dead—I was worry-free. Overthought before.
But heart not refreshed. Unlike first youth-killing thrill, dark gloom settled. Self-reproach for cruel massacre pricked conscience.
Worst unease: Chief and kin died without true remorse. Killing easy, but cold corpses in blood left regret. Knot half-undone.
Not happy now.
Just annoyed.
Shaking head vigorously, I walked on.
This mood? Rebellion from lifelong hellish grind bursting out. Post-massacre, didn't care—let it flow.
Thinking coldly.
First, convert silver bars at money changer?
'Hmm, not right away. Hoard years, then exchange.'
Chief's family massacre draws Plum Blossom Escort and Beggars' Sect. They'd probe suspicious acts; kid suddenly swapping huge silver? Obvious trail. Needed years' aging.
Where to hide? Buried in familiar pine grove. Recognizable terrain—retrievable later. Planned: dig up in three years.
Real dilemma hit.
Where now?
Anywhere, thus harder choice.
"......"
Decided: Mang Ryang's house.
'Need wisdom now.'
Can't train at Azure Dragon Martial Hall for mastery—impossible situation. Earning living? No skills. Not bright, so consult Mang Ryang on my state.
Maybe he'd wise-crack Azure Dragon entry. No Nameless Assassination Scripture talk now. Fix immediate plight first.
Destination: Jin Rang Valley, Mang Ryang's home!
============================ Author's Note ============================
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