Sorting Fortunes
After returning to the family, a whirlwind of busy days passed.
Yang Gon, who had been the vice-leader of the Baekryongdae, was formally promoted to leader and began guiding the unit. Father rushed about handling the backlog of family affairs. Mother’s health had weakened considerably upon hearing the news of my collapse.
“Damn it all! Because of you…… my vacation!”
The moment she returned, Sister Seung-gyeong departed for the Heavenly Martial Academy. Her leave had never been long to begin with, and my collapse had forced her to remain on Mount Hua far longer than planned.
The family quickly returned to normal. The moment the Sword Venerable came back, everything found its place and began moving again.
I was currently in the training grounds with Muyoung.
Something feels off.
I had realized my body was strange while riding in the carriage on the way here. The internal energy coiled in my dantian was unnaturally docile. Moreover, it responded to my will with startling ease. To determine whether this change was beneficial or harmful, I had come straight to the training grounds without even resting.
I slowly raised my sword and drew up my qi. In time with my heartbeat, the middle dantian pulsed powerfully, and the cleanly refined, pure internal energy scattered into the air all at once.
Fourth Star.
The Jade Heaven Descending Dragon Qi had already reached the fourth star. Even considering that Father had now attained the ninth star, this was an extraordinary achievement.
The energy followed my intentions perfectly. The internal energy that had been absorbed inside the formation had all returned—rather, it had come back even larger. I now possessed an enormous reserve approaching three full cycles of sixty years.
When the tip of my sword sliced through the air, the atmosphere trembled. The forms of the Jade Heaven Descending Dragon Qi, which I had once needed to force into motion, now flowed out with perfect naturalness. The circulation of power continued without the slightest break, as though the movements had long been ingrained in my body.
“……This is……”
Light dust rose beneath my feet. It was not merely that my internal energy had increased. The speed at which the energy flowed, the rhythm with which it circulated through my entire body, and the will with which I controlled it had all risen by a level.
That day, something inside the formation had washed my energy clean. It felt as though every impurity and stray trace had been burned away, leaving only the purest essence. My body felt so unfamiliar that it was as if I had been reborn.
“Young Master.”
Muyoung approached from behind. He had been observing me for some time before stepping forward.
“Has your body fully recovered?”
“It has gone beyond recovery. It has improved.”
“That would be…… a fortuitous encounter.”
Muyoung smiled faintly.
“A fortuitous encounter without any price…… That is rather fortunate, is it not?”
At those words, I paused for a moment.
A fortuitous encounter without any price……
I wished the fortune I had received was simply good luck, but the existence I had met inside the formation surfaced in my mind.
Seize it. Grasp it and shake it. I shall watch with great interest to see how far the heaven-defying vortex you were born with will grow.
His words still echoed deeply in my thoughts.
Could that existence have granted me this fortune? Was meeting him truly a fortuitous encounter?
I do not know.
At any rate, becoming stronger was enough. For now, I would focus only on what needed to be done.
“Let us go.”
“Pardon? Where to? We have only just arrived.”
“That is precisely why we should go.”
Though he grumbled, Muyoung dutifully followed behind me. My body had recovered to a state of perfection that could not possibly improve further. It was now my turn to handle the tasks I had set aside.
Jiangxi, Nanchang.
Black King Sect headquarters, Geungnakru.
I headed to the uppermost floor of Geungnakru. My purpose was to meet Yeo Mong.
Having heard of my arrival, Yeo Mong soon found the room where I waited without needing to be summoned.
“You could have simply sent word. Why were you waiting?”
“I wanted to sell you something. Bring out some of the expensive items from here.”
“We are earning more than enough funds now. We have already entered a stable phase.”
I grinned at her words. It felt like only yesterday we had been struggling with insufficient funds, yet we had already reached stability. This could only be attributed to Yeo Mong’s exceptional management.
“More importantly, how are things progressing?”
At my question, Yeo Mong began to speak as though she had been prepared.
“We have completely seized control of Jiangxi. No matter where one goes—east, west, south, or north—nothing can escape our eyes. We have also expanded our influence somewhat into Hubei, Hunan, Zhejiang, and Anhui……”
“That last one is difficult, is it not?”
Especially Anhui Province.
“Yes. Anhui is……”
“The Namgung Family stands in the way?”
“Correct.”
Yeo Mong nodded obediently. It was not a matter of shame or insufficient ability. Anhui was home to the Namgung Family, the most prestigious among the great houses. They had reigned as the head of the Five Great Families for hundreds of years. Establishing a new information network in their territory was no simple task. One wrong move could make us a target of the Namgung Family.
“Proceed with caution. There is no need to rush. For now, avoid expanding into regions where the Five Great Families or the Nine Great Sects are present.”
“Understood.”
Conversation ceased, and a brief silence settled between us. After pondering for a while, I made my decision.
“Let us do it.”
“Pardon?”
“It is about time.”
Yeo Mong’s face flushed red.
“W-what are we doing? H-here, all of a sudden……”
“Your brother. It is time we found him.”
“Ah.”
Yeo Mong quickly composed her expression and sat properly. I had no particular desire to ask what she had been thinking.
“You must have already looked into your brother.”
“……Yes.”
She nodded. I had expected that once she obtained the information, it would reach her ears anyway.
“You even know why he is at the Blood King Pavilion.”
“I do not know the details. It seems rather dangerous……”
“It is. Dangerous.”
I gazed steadily at Yeo Mong.
“Your brother, Yeo Gwak, is currently hiding inside the Blood King Pavilion. The moment he leaves that place, he will be pursued by the Five Great Families.”
“……”
The Five Great Families were exactly that.
“This is a matter that would become complicated if I moved openly.”
The moment the head of the Ju Family intervened in the affairs of the Five Great Families, it would turn into a political confrontation. I would be stealing away the person they were targeting.
However, I had prepared for such a situation.
“I will move under the alias Jinwoo.”
It was merely my name reversed. Yet under that name, I had driven out the existing black path forces in Jiangxi and planted the Black King Sect’s banner in their place. Furthermore, I had seized the footholds in Hunan and Zhejiang that the Black King Sect needed to advance. Thanks to that, I had become something of a prominent figure within the black path martial world.
“Have there been any inquiries about me?”
“Yes. The Five Great Families have requested information on Jinwoo countless times. Not only the Blood Pavilion, but even the Nine Great Sects……”
They certainly were diligent. The appearance of a new rising expert always drew everyone’s attention, especially from the larger powers.
“In any case, it means they are interested in me.”
“That is correct. The Beggars’ Union is likely moving as well. Beggars have been stationed near every location where you operated under the alias Jinwoo.”
“Tsk. Fools.”
I chuckled. The fact that the Beggars’ Union had begun to move meant that the name Jinwoo had risen considerably in value. The martial world was now watching Jinwoo with great interest.
“We depart tomorrow. As promised, I will bring Yeo Gwak back safely.”
“Th-thank you, Young Master.”
“Ah, and one more thing.”
I interrupted her with a frown.
“Are you thinking of being reborn?”
“……Pardon?”
Yeo Mong’s eyes widened at the sudden question. With her small face and round eyes, she looked exactly like a rabbit.
“If you wish to be reborn, from now on call me ‘my lord.’ Also…… we will discard the name Black King Sect.”
The name Black King Sect was far too ominous. The king of the black path—what purpose would that serve? After a moment of thought, Yeo Mong smiled and nodded.
“Oh? That is the first time I have seen you smile.”
At my words, Yeo Mong’s expression stiffened abruptly. I had never seen her smile before, yet a single promise to find her brother had changed her face so dramatically. She truly was an easy woman to read.
I rose from my seat. From tomorrow onward, things would become rather tiring, so I needed to rest well today.
The next day.
I moved before the rooster had even crowed. Wearing the prepared dark black robes and mask, I woke Muyoung and left the family grounds immediately. We could not use a carriage, as it risked exposing our identities. Though the distance to the Blood King Pavilion was considerable, I decided to treat it as light exercise and moved at a leisurely pace, as though on a sightseeing trip.
Thus, we arrived in Hunan.
Hunan lay south of the Yangtze River and had been black path territory since ancient times. Its vast fertile plains, countless forests, and lands so expansive that no other region in the Central Plains could compare made it a place anyone would covet. Conversely, it was also the boundary that divided black from white. It was here that the Blood King Pavilion, where Yeo Gwak was hiding, stood.
“I have heard that Dongting Lake here is exceptionally beautiful. Would you not like to see it?”
At Muyoung’s words, I nodded.
“Indeed. Shall we take a look before we go?”
“Oh? Truly?”
Muyoung’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. There was no difficulty in it. Dongting Lake, alongside Poyang Lake in Nanchang, was one of the three great lakes of the Central Plains and was renowned for its unparalleled beauty. It was also the largest of the lakes, with countless waterways connecting to the Yangtze, drawing numerous travelers and even water bandits.
Even if water bandits roamed its waters, the scenery of Dongting Lake remained magnificent enough that it was a place one simply had to visit at least once in a lifetime.
Of course……
The Dongting Lake in my memories was not beautiful at all.
The Blood Messengers of Dongting Lake.
Countless water bandits had been slaughtered by the demonic practitioners of the Heavenly Demon Cult. Even the water bandits, who were said to fly across the water, could not withstand the demonic practitioners’ assault. Demonic practitioners had already infiltrated the ranks of the water bandits, and some even conducted dealings with them. Perhaps the black path possessed conditions more favorable for the demonic practitioners to establish their influence. After all, in the world of the black path, betrayal came as easily as eating a meal if one was offered what they desired.
Thus, the shores of Dongting Lake had been so crowded with the corpses of water bandits washed ashore that there was no place to set foot, and even the lake’s waters had turned crimson with blood.
That was all Dongting Lake had been in my memories.
“Whoa.”
Muyoung let out an exclamation of wonder. Dongting Lake boasted an overwhelming scenery that could not even be compared to Poyang Lake. The small reefs scattered throughout the lake were so massive they resembled islands, and when combined with the distant mountains, they created a breathtaking view as though one were gazing upon a painting of the immortal realm. The crowds so dense that there was scarcely room to step further emphasized why this place was considered the greatest lake in the Central Plains.
“I am glad we came.”
Since we were also hungry, we headed toward a nearby inn. Most of the inns here were luxurious establishments, yet the interior was packed with guests to the point of chaos. We leisurely found seats and placed our orders. I was also curious about the taste of Hunan cuisine. For once, I wanted to fully savor this relaxed atmosphere.
However……
Thud! Crash!
My contemplation did not last long.
Damn it.
“Come out, you bastard! I will not let this slide today!”
“Fine, you little shit. I will tear that filthy mouth of yours apart right now.”
This was Hunan. I had momentarily forgotten that the influence of the black path was far stronger here.