#152. Black Flame Dragon Amidst Chaos (2)
The position of Akyang branch chief was something Dang Hyeokjae had personally asked me about. If he were to submit his resignation and leave right away, they'd need someone to fill the spot—did I happen to know anyone? From our brief meeting, I could tell Dang Hyeokjae had a tendency to find most daily tasks a hassle. Just look at how he'd applied to the Murim Alliance on a whim to meet me, only to end up stuck as the Akyang branch chief.
Are all geniuses this weird? Jegal Cheongi, whom I considered the pinnacle of genius, was perfectly normal, so maybe not all of them. But they all had their quirks, that much was certain.
There's no one quite like my little brother Jegal Cheongi.
Anyway, I'd gotten this request from Dang Hyeokjae, but I didn't have anyone to recommend off the top of my head. There weren't any Tae-eul Gate members living at the Murim Alliance, and most of my connections were either hostile toward me or too prominent in the martial world to take a mere branch chief position.
That's when I thought of the Haomen.
Of course, even the Haomen wouldn't have people planted directly in the Murim Alliance. They were a faction for the dregs of society, after all. But there were a few individuals closely tied to them—people whose weaknesses they held, or those who shared profits with them.
Hae-ryeong said she'd pick out someone among them who could pull strings, and I agreed. If someone who had the Haomen's backing took the Akyang branch chief seat, it would naturally strengthen the Haomen's position in Akyang.
I was about to wrap up and leave when Hae-ryeong stopped me again.
"How about this? We'll give you five pun of the profits from the new Haomen lounges and inns in Akyang."
Her sudden proposal made me tilt my head.
"Out of nowhere?"
"The Akyang branch chief position and all its interests came about thanks to you, young master. We Haomen don't owe debts to our 'guests.'"
Before I could respond, Hae-ryeong declared it done and left the room.
"Guess I won't have to worry about money for a while."
Even five pun sounded substantial when you considered it was from the Haomen's businesses in Akyang—probably more than I imagined.
"Next up, you lot."
I picked up the Blood Jade Hand manual first from the two items on the table: the Nine Spirit Initial Herb and the Blood Jade Hand.
"Didn't expect to see you again here."
Blood Jade Hand. One of the Murim Alliance's designated Ten Great Forbidden Arts. It got its name because the practitioner's hands glow red like crimson pearls. Despite its beautiful appearance, the technique unleashes terrifying destructive power.
The Blood Jade Hand converts the user's internal energy into a unique energy called Blood Jade Force. Once converted, the dantian accumulates energy on its own without further training. But this bizarre force devours the user's will during the Three Flowers Gather at the Apex stage of dantian unification, turning them into a bloodthirsty demon.
Two hundred years ago, the Blood Jade Demon King single-handedly slaughtered ten thousand in Shanxi Province. A hundred and fifty years ago, a Blood Jade inheritor killed fifteen thousand in Jiangxi Province before the Murim Alliance banned it as a forbidden art and sealed it away in Shaolin Temple.
"And then it popped up in the most unexpected place."
The Righteous-Demonic War. Right when the Demonic Cult's Blood Demon Ghost Sword Squadron gathered to reduce Shaolin to ashes, a single monk warrior stood in their way. The squadron, which had already turned hundreds of monks into corpses, charged at him mockingly.
That day, half of the infamous Blood Demon Ghost Sword Squadron became lost souls under that monk's hands.
The monk's identity? None other than Ilgak, my fellow disciple and rival for the top seat. And the technique he'd used back then was the sealed Blood Jade Hand.
Even in that dire crisis, the martial world erupted in fierce protests over Ilgak using a demonic art. But Shaolin stood firm against the public outcry.
"The Blood Jade Hand, purified by Buddha's grace, shall become a shield to protect justice."
Many vowed to attack Shaolin the moment Ilgak lost his mind, but even after reaching the Super Peak realm, Ilgak never succumbed. In fact, his version of the Blood Jade Hand excelled at suppressing demons, making it highly effective against demonic cultivators.
People wondered how he'd mastered a demonic art without losing his sanity, but Shaolin never revealed the secret and safely reached the North Sea.
"Hae-ryeong must've given this to use as a weapon."
The Blood Jade Hand manual was like a "sword to use against others"—perfect for framing enemies as demonic art users. But it was useless against the heavyweights of the Nine Great Sects or the 108 Peaks.
"And like Ilgak, I won't lose my mind even if I use it."
Without hesitation, I quickly memorized the Blood Jade Hand. Then, following its formulas, I began circulating my energy.
My hands heated up red, and I set the manual ablaze.
Whoosh.
Not the crimson flames of the Blood Jade Hand, but a golden-yellow fire close to pure gold—the exact appearance of Shaolin's newly named Sacred Fire Demon-Exterminating Hand.
"Incredible. A demonic art like the Blood Jade Hand gaining demon-suppressing properties."
The secret lay in a superior energy like the Vajra Force. The Wudang's Supreme Ultimate Spirit and the Three Pure Ones Unfettered Sword's Three Pure Ones Force. The Vajra Force allowed the Blood Jade Hand to be used without side effects.
I swung my hand, and the brightly lit room plunged into instant darkness. Despite the scorching heat that could reduce paper to ash, my hand felt no warmth when I touched it.
"No wonder Shaolin guarded the secret despite the misunderstandings."
I might be the only one who could use the Blood Jade Hand now without raising suspicions. Who knew what the future held?
"But it sure consumes a ton of energy."
Converting dantian energy to Jade Pure Heavenly Star Force, then to Blood Jade Hand—something only someone with exceptional reserves could dream of.
I turned my gaze to the Nine Spirit Initial Herb. Here was a chance to bolster my energy reserves.
"But calling it 'good' is a stretch."
The Nine Spirit Initial Herb was an elixir brimming with spirit energy. Daoists even called it the Nine Immortal Herbs, naming each of its nine stems after a deity.
Oddly, it had to be absorbed whole. Picking stems separately shattered its spirit veins, nullifying the effects. Even skilled physicians hesitated to touch it.
In short, you had to consume it all at once—or risk death from the unchecked energy. That was why Yujeonmun's leader, a warrior himself, had tried bribing Jeomcheong with it instead of consuming it.
"The records say not to eat it."
The martial world's elixir compendium noted that the Sun Sword Emperor, a once-dominant figure, had turned into a puddle of blood after consuming it. With his reported four gapja of energy, the Nine Spirit Initial Herb seemed more poison than panacea.
I checked the Compendium of Myriad Herbs by the Life-and-Death Divine Physician, who wrote:
Upon finding the Nine Spirit Initial Herb, toss it into a furnace as kindling. It will burn steadily for half a year.
A classy way of saying, "Don't shove random shit in your mouth."
I stared at the herb with a bitter expression. I'd saved lives and received help thanks to the Life-and-Death Divine Physician's wisdom many times.
"Gotta heed the master's words."
My current energy was just over three gapja. Considering Yong So-a had reached three gapja at my age, I had a slight edge. Absorbing the Nine Spirit Initial Herb could surpass even the current Yong So-a's reserves.
But the master's warning...
After agonizing, I made my decision.
"...Master, forgive me. Dealing with so many demons must've loosened a few screws."
Apologizing to the Life-and-Death Divine Physician in my heart, I picked up the Nine Spirit Initial Herb. I had a plan.
If eating it didn't work, I'd absorb it. I'd mastered the Absorption Great Law, one of the Four Great Demonic Arts among the Ten Great Forbidden Arts.
"The Azure Dragon Ring should let me cut it off midway. You're all I got, Demonic Cult's divine relic."
I activated the Azure Dragon Ring. A cyan glow emanated from my wrist, the dragon pattern rising.
The ring sensed the herb's energy and began slowly drawing in the spirit force. I kept the speed low, ready to hurl it away anytime.
But.
"Uh-oh."
Against my will, the Azure Dragon Ring went berserk, sucking in the energy like it had found a feast. At the same time, the withered Nine Spirit Initial Herb regained its vitality.
Like a dead tree reviving—miraculous, but I had no time to marvel as my dantian filled to bursting.
Fuck.
No matter how I circulated the Minor or Major Heavenly Cycles, the energy influx didn't slow. It was like cramming Dongting Lake into a leather waterskin—utterly beyond capacity.
Need to cut it off.
But my body had stiffened rigid. With desperate will, I forced my fingers open.
Crack, craaaack.
When I pried my branch-like fingers apart, I gasped again.
What the hell is this?!
The Nine Spirit Initial Herb floated into the air on its own, still pumping energy. Insanity.
Damn it!
My dantian was on the verge of exploding, veins swelling with excess energy. Hands and feet grotesquely thickened, veins bulging monstrously.
I'm done for...
The Azure Dragon Ring purified the energy somewhat, but the sheer volume overwhelmed. I'd planned to absorb it this way to avoid this exact scenario, but the damn herb wouldn't allow even that.
If only someone could perform dual energy fusion, we could avert the worst.
But my rigid body and muscles silenced even a whisper.
Thud.
"Senior Brother!"
Then, Geum Pyo burst in like a streak of light, face flushed red.
Great, my junior bro...
"Hic. We're having a feast, and what're you doing alone?"
This guy's drunk...?
Geum Pyo, bottle in hand, half-lidded eyes scanning the room, spotted me and widened his.
Yes! Go get help!
I pleaded with my eyes, and he nodded as if understanding.
"Training even at this hour. Sorry to interrupt, Senior Brother."
No, that's not it!
"What a profound sight. Your junior here can't help but admire you more each day. I'll make sure no one disturbs you."
That's not it either!!!
I screamed with all my might.
Get people, you idiot!!
But Geum Pyo misinterpreted my desperate plea, gave a thumbs-up, and shut the door behind him.
It's over.
Qi deviation wouldn't even be the end—I'd turn into a bloody pulp like the Sun Sword Emperor.
Dying from an elixir? What bullshit.
I didn't want the nickname "The Guy Who Ate the 'Don't Eat' Elixir and Croaked." Desperately, I racked my brain. I needed to expel the overflowing energy without moving.
Fortunately, I'd mastered the Blood Jade Hand first.
Hummm.
I converted the energy to Jade Pure Heavenly Star Force and unleashed the Sacred Fire Demon-Exterminating Hand with all I had. Golden flames erupted from my right hand, burning the energy absorbed by the Azure Dragon Ring.
Phew.
At full power, the technique slowly drained the excess. I'd thought it too inefficient for frequent use like the Radiant Heaven Divine Palm, but right now, it was saving my life.
But relief was short-lived.
What the fuck.
Now the Nine Spirit Initial Herb began absorbing the Sacred Fire Demon-Exterminating Hand's heat. The ring then pulled in that enhanced energy.
An absurd, ridiculous loop. I let out a hollow laugh.
What the...
Worse, the incoming energy carried the scorching heat of the Sacred Fire Demon-Exterminating Hand. On top of near-explosion from overload, unbearable heat assaulted me.
Ah, so this is how the Sun Sword Emperor died.
I'd uncovered the hidden truth of his death, but felt no joy. My turn now.
I prayed my face stayed intact for a proper funeral when changes stirred inside.
Huh?
Unbearable, body-melting heat coursed through my veins, devouring blockages. It consumed residues in blood, latent, and subtle meridians.
As clogs cleared, incoming energy flowed smoothly. Overflowing beyond capacity, it seeped into wounded skin and muscles.
Crack, craaack, craaack.
Bones grinding, muscles tearing echoed endlessly, but I couldn't groan. No time—misroute the heat even slightly, and I'd be brain-dead or incinerated internally.
I might survive!
I focused utterly on the heat, ignoring my crumbling body. Finer control than wielding the Flying Dragon Claw.
Even after burning Conception and Governing Vessel residues, the heat persisted. I sent it through meridians to subtle channels.
Excruciating pain from imperceptible spots assaulted me—like needles pricking 84,000 pores, nerves seared by fire.
"Urgh..."
Agony forced a groan past my desperate silence.
Pop.
Something burst inside my mind. Before identifying it, explosions chained.
Boomboomboomboomboomboomboomboomboom.
With air-popping blasts, pore-piercing, nerve-searing pains vanished, replaced by cool relief.
"Haa..."
A long sigh expelled white smoke from my mouth. Simultaneously, steam vented from every pore.
Hiiiisss.
Like a boiling pot, my body floated lightly.
Amid this bizarre phenomenon, I sank into utter comfort. Crushing pressure, searing nerves, stabbing pores—all gone.
Rampaging energy gathered in my dantian; residual impurities spewed from opened pores.
Whoosh.
A gentle breeze of energy enveloped me like a flower bud, then scattered.
"Ah... so this is the Jade Petal Golden Flower stage?"
I'd only recently reached the Five Dragons Worshipping Sage stage, skipping Sun-Moon Convergence to achieve Jade Petal Golden Flower.
"..."
I clenched and opened my fist. Swung my arms, lifted and lowered legs. My body felt feather-light, free of a massive weight.
I drew my sword and unleashed sword aura. The technique, learned days ago, felt like second nature.
Moreover, my dantian brimmed with an absurd four gapja of energy. Not yet matching Bang Du-chil, but surpassing Yong So-a.
Quantity wasn't everything against that monster, but beating him in raw energy was something.
"What a serendipitous encounter..."
Joy welled from my chest depths.
"Life-and-Death Divine Physician, looks like I win this time. Haha!"
I could imagine him frowning and flicking my forehead, but the result was good. From now on, I'd enjoy Dongting Lake boat parties with lavish spending.
Of course, one pest to deal with first.
"Daring to drink while your senior brother trains his ass off?"
Not because he'd missed my near-death—he couldn't tell crisis from training at his level. But showing up drunk while I slaved away? Wrong.
This wasn't pettiness. As Tae-eul Gate's senior brother, I just wanted my juniors on the righteous path.
"You're dead meat!"