Mu Jang-yak always had a cheerful and bright disposition, which naturally lifted the spirits of those around him. Even now, he wore a smile, and so his group members' morale was solid. However, though he tried his best not to show it, Mu Jang-yak's eyes secretly darted toward Mok Gyeong-un from time to time.
In the end, he had kept his group members safe. One could say he had excellently fulfilled his role as a group leader from the very first day, but…
‘…Mok Gyeong-un.’
The events of last night had completely etched Mok Gyeong-un into his mind. No, he was quite preoccupied with him. Mu Jang-yak recalled the events of the previous night.
[No. I'm just contemplating whether it would be better to kill you now, or to let you live.]
[You're insane!]
[Do you even know what kind of situation you're in?]
Mu Jang-yak's group members were dumbfounded by Mok Gyeong-un's absurd words. In this situation, Mok Gyeong-un had no choice. If he touched even one of them, everyone would be eliminated from the gate.
For him to act like this could only be a bluff.
[Do as you please, you bastard!]
[If you're trying to get us all eliminated, do you think we'll just stand by and do nothing?]
[Let's do it!]
His group members, who had waited, trusting in Mu Jang-yak's strategy, could no longer hold back and took a ready stance, preparing to fight. Mok Yu-cheon was the same. In contrast, Mu Jang-yak, who had devised the plan, stared at Mok Gyeong-un in silence, unlike the others.
‘What is this?’
What on earth was he relying on to act this way? Mu Jang-yak had heard from Mok Yu-cheon, who could be called his half-brother, about what had happened during the second gate, and realized that Mok Gyeong-un was no ordinary person. That was why he had formulated such a flawless plan.
‘No matter how I think about it, this plan is perfect. But what is with that attitude?’
Mu Jang-yak had been clever since he was a child. He was adept at reading the minds of others, able to surmise their emotions and thoughts through their gaze, actions, and various other factors. But Mok Gyeong-un's gaze and tone…
It was incredibly difficult to read his emotions.
‘I can't tell if it's a bluff or if he's being sincere.’
What could it be? Was he just saying such things because he couldn't control his own emotions? To say that, while it was excessive, this fellow named Mok Gyeong-un had a disposition just as cunning as his own.
He hadn't revealed it to everyone, but if his first move had worked, he had planned to break the legs of Mok Gyeong-un's group members at dawn, just as Mok Gyeong-un had said. That way, he could naturally eliminate him and his group members. In the end, only Mok Gyeong-un had read his thoughts.
Perhaps that was why Mu Jang-yak was bothered by the words Mok Gyeong-un had just uttered. Just then, Mok Gyeong-un stared at him intently, then smirked and spoke.
[Let's end it here for now.]
[What?]
Mok Yu-cheon retorted at Mok Gyeong-un's words, as if finding them ridiculous. He was the one in the disadvantageous position, yet he was speaking as if he were bestowing mercy? Although they had followed Mu Jang-yak's plan, their side also had three people who had reached the Peak Realm.
Yeon Mu-ung of the Secret Mirror Sect, who was guarding the hostages inside the room, Mu Jang-yak, and himself. They were numerically superior, so if they fought, they would have the advantage, not be at a disadvantage.
[Stop bluffing, Mok Gyeong-un.]
[Think whatever you want, and send two of your people over here. It's only fair that we hold hostages until morning too.]
[We're the ones holding the knife, yet you're so...]
[Fine.]
[What?]
Just as he was about to refuse, Mu Jang-yak readily accepted the offer. At his attitude, Mok Yu-cheon and his group members couldn't hide their bewilderment. Why was he doing this when they didn't need to accommodate them?
Mu Jang-yak said to them.
[They've made a concession too, so there's nothing to be gained by provoking them further.]
[But…]
[Trust me.]
In the end, both sides agreed to exchange and hold hostages, and the night passed without incident. However, Mu Jang-yak had heard Mok Gyeong-un's quiet mutter.
[What a pity. I was hoping you wouldn't be so wise.]
Flinch!
The moment he heard that, a strange chill ran down his spine. What on earth was this guy? He had been confident that no one among his peers was worth his concern.
He didn't think Yeon Mu-ung of the Secret Mirror Sect, Yeom-ga of the Killing Curse Valley, Mo Ha-rang of the Ensnaring Flower Room, or even Mok Yu-cheon, whom he had just met, were special. But for the first time, a feeling of wariness toward someone had sprouted. And that someone was Mok Gyeong-un.
‘If he is to become an enemy, I might have to kill him…’
An unprecedented situation where about a quarter of the trainees were eliminated before the gates even began. This caused considerable controversy, but since no rules had been broken, the gates proceeded without making an issue of it. Of course, this incident led to one more restriction.
"From now on, until all gates are finished, any private fights or acts of harm among trainees are completely forbidden."
This was to prevent any further variables. The third gate, as previously announced, was a trial to subdue an opponent using a sword formation. The name of the sword formation was the Heaven and Earth Eight Inscription Formation.
It was a sword formation based on the changes of the Eight Trigrams, created by a former Lord of the Heaven and Earth Society. The trial was passed by perfectly deploying it to subdue an opponent. The time given for practice was a mere three days.
The three days passed quickly. The remaining two groups, sixteen people in total, were the most skilled among the trainees who had entered the Corpse Blood Valley. Naturally, both groups passed the third gate with ease.
The one who received the top rank token in the third gate was not Mok Gyeong-un, but Mu Jang-yak. Although Mok Gyeong-un's group also utilized the sword formation well to subdue their opponents, Mu Jang-yak's group had perfectly subdued theirs with the formation without a single scratch. In conclusion, he was flawless.
As a group leader and in his judgment in operating the sword formation, he was deemed superior, so Mu Jang-yak was able to obtain the top rank token for this gate.
The fourth gate was a test to pass through a deadly formation filled with mechanisms in complete darkness. The criteria were simple.
An incense stick that could measure time was lit, and if one came out before one-third of it had burned, they would receive the qualification of a provisional division master and pass the gate, allowing them to take the final gate.
If one came out before two-thirds of it had burned, they would receive the qualification of a squad leader, but their right to participate in the next gate would be revoked. Naturally, those who failed to pass within that time were eliminated with the qualification of a senior guard.
Originally, the gate to be held this time was a test using the steel beads obtained during the battle for the steel beads, but since there were only sixteen people, they inevitably had to move directly to the fifth gate. This was essentially what Mok Gyeong-un had intended. Thus, the sixteen trainees took the fourth gate.
The results were 6 people who finished within one-third of the time. 5 people who finished within two-thirds of the time. 5 people who failed to finish within two-thirds of the time.
In total, 10 people were unable to proceed to the final gate. The 5 who failed to pass the gate were disappointed but had to be satisfied with the qualification of a senior guard, and the 5 who finished within two-thirds of the time could at least receive the qualification of a squad leader.
Senior guard Gwak Mun-gi spoke to Valley Master Lee Ji-yeom.
"There were two variables, but the ones who passed were more or less as expected."
The two variables Gwak Mun-gi spoke of were the hostages from the righteous path's Lotuswood Sword Manor, sent by the Lord. He had naturally assumed that these two would not survive the first or second gate and would die. But that expectation was completely shattered.
"I see. So it's them."
The 6 people standing in a row in the square. Those who passed the fourth gate were Mok Gyeong-un, Mok Yu-cheon, Yeom-ga of the Killing Curse Valley, Yeon Mu-ung of the Secret Mirror Sect, Mo Ha-rang of the Ensnaring Flower Room, and Mu Jang-yak.
"Who passed through the deadly formation the fastest?"
"... It's Mok Gyeong-un."
"Mok Gyeong-un?"
‘As expected of him.’
Lee Ji-yeom nodded as if he had anticipated it to some extent. Even if he hadn't recovered his former martial arts, he naturally believed that he would pass the gate with ease.
"How much time did he take?"
"He came out when not one-third, but about one-sixth of the incense had burned."
"One-sixth?"
At those words, a glint appeared in Lee Ji-yeom's eyes. He had expected him to pass the fastest, but this was unexpected. At this rate, it was as if he hadn't gone through a deadly formation but had simply run straight across a flat field.
"... This subordinate was also very surprised."
Gwak Mun-gi had been dumbfounded when he saw the incense stick. No matter how excellent one's spiritual sense was, this was an absurd level. On the surface, he looked to be barely at the threshold of the first-rate realm; it was incomprehensible how he had come out before those who had reached the Peak Realm.
‘Is he hiding his martial arts?’
No, that couldn't be. If that were the case, he would have to be in a higher realm than himself, who had reached the Peak Realm, and he was sure that Mok Gyeong-un, who was only seventeen, could not be at that level. What kind of a person was he?
As he was thinking, Valley Master Lee Ji-yeom clicked his tongue and then asked.
"Who was the next one to come out?"
"Yeom-ga of the Killing Curse Valley."
"Hoh."
"Yeom-ga passed through the deadly formation when about one-fifth of the incense had burned."
This too was an incredible record. In fact, in the history of the deadly formation gate, no one had ever passed within one-fifth of the time. Today, Mok Gyeong-un and Yeom-ga had broken that record.
It was as if the two of them had passed through a brightly lit place, not darkness, they had passed so quickly.
"The Killing Curse Valley has sent a proper talent."
"It seems so."
However, it seemed this period was unlucky. Because of a complete monster like Mok Gyeong-un, he wasn't getting the spotlight.
"And the third?"
"Mu Jang-yak and Mo Ha-rang of the Ensnaring Flower Room passed before about a quarter of the incense had burned, and Mok Yu-cheon and Yeon Mu-ung of the Secret Mirror Sect passed within one-third of the time."
"The standards this year have risen quite a bit."
Although many variables were at play, this was the first time since he had been in charge of the Corpse Blood Valley that more than one or two people had passed within a quarter of the time. In fact, just passing within one-third of the time could be said to show an extremely outstanding spiritual sense.
In that respect, this selection could be considered a success for the executives who wanted the best talent.
"What will you do? The top rank token will surely..."
"Hasn't it already been decided?"
"... That's right."
Senior guard Gwak Mun-gi replied reluctantly. A hostage forcefully brought from the righteous path had surpassed all the talents of the Society and was about to receive the top rank token for the third time. It was only natural to feel displeased.
‘Lotuswood Sword Manor…’
How on earth did they teach their disciples that not just one, but both of them had reached the final gate of the Corpse Blood Valley? But if the two, who were sent by the Lord's order but were mere hostages, were to take positions in the Society, would the Society's guards truly accept it?
Thud!
Corpse Blood Valley Master Lee Ji-yeom, standing before the platform in the square, held up the top rank token and spoke.
"Mok Gyeong-un, step forward."
"Yes."
Mok Gyeong-un walked to the front of the platform. Lee Ji-yeom gave him a light glance and handed him the top rank token. Then, as if for all to hear, he said.
"The fourth top rank token is awarded to Mok Gyeong-un, who passed the gate the fastest."
At his words, the five people standing in a row looked at Mok Gyeong-un with different expressions. In fact, since this was his third time, most of them had no particular feelings about him receiving the top rank token. But they couldn't help but react to what Lee Ji-yeom said next.
"Before the final gate, this valley will provide a reward to those who have received top rank tokens so far."
‘!?’
A reward?
Wasn't it just given as a matter of honor? But here, only two people had received a top rank token. Mok Gyeong-un and Mu Jang-yak.
And three of them were in Mok Gyeong-un's hands. He didn't know what the benefit was, but it was as if he was monopolizing it.
"For one who has earned a single top rank token, the Society will provide a Heaven and Earth Pill, made with our secret methods, as a reward."
‘!!!!!’
At these words, Yeon Mu-ung of the Secret Mirror Sect and Mo Ha-rang of the Ensnaring Flower Room, among others, couldn't hide their inner surprise. The Heaven and Earth Pill was a spirit medicine made with the secret methods of the Heaven and Earth Society, and they had heard it took ten years just to make and age it.
Moreover, the medicinal herbs that went into a single pill were worth nearly a thousand gold coins, so they had heard the number was quite small. To think that would be given as a reward.
‘How fortunate.’
Mu Jang-yak didn't show it, but he was inwardly pleased. By consuming the refined spirit medicine, the Heaven and Earth Pill, one could gain nearly ten to fifteen years of internal energy. -…That damn bastard. He changed the name.
‘The name?’
Mok Gyeong-un was puzzled by Blue Spirit's sudden, out-of-the-blue remark. Then Blue Spirit snorted and said. -It's not the Heaven and Earth Pill, it's the Moon Bright Pill. The Heaven and Earth Society's secret method, what nonsense.
Seeing her anger, it seemed there was some secret story about this that only she knew. As he was thinking this, Corpse Blood Valley Master Lee Ji-yeom continued.
"This is the benefit for those who have two top rank tokens. You may enter the Corpse Blood Valley's treasure vault and take one secret manual of your choice. Naturally, most of them are secret manuals of profound martial arts."
‘A profound martial art!’
At the second benefit, for the first time, everyone showed interest.