‘Ah...’
At the mention of profound martial arts, Mu Jang-yak showed a disappointed expression. It was understandable, as he had heard rumors about the treasure vault of Corpse Blood Valley.
He heard that along with copies of the numerous profound martial art secret manuals from the Heaven and Earth Society’s main headquarters, there were also various martial arts secrets not even found at the main headquarters. For a martial artist who practices martial arts, it would be stranger not to be interested.
‘The profound martial arts of Corpse Blood Valley...’
Mok Yu-cheon also shared this interest. In his case, he had always been passionate about martial arts, so it was impossible for him not to be interested. It was the profound martial arts of none other than the Heaven and Earth Society, which currently divided the martial world into three.
He couldn't help but wonder what kind of arts there would be. On the other hand, ‘Is this really what you’d call a special reward?’ Mok Gyeong-un felt no particular excitement.
Although his goal was to learn martial arts and become stronger for revenge, he questioned whether learning many different things would actually be helpful. -The more, the better.
‘The more, the better?’
As he was wondering, Blue Spirit spoke as if she had read his thoughts. -Learning many martial arts doesn't necessarily make you overwhelmingly stronger, but the more you know, the broader your perspective and the wider your range of experience becomes.
‘Hmm.’
A broader perspective, huh. In that sense, would it be helpful to learn as many martial arts as possible? As he was thinking, Corpse Blood Valley Master Lee Ji-yeom, who was on the platform, spoke again.
“It has been quite a while since someone earned three top rank tokens.”
“It seems so. Has it been about eight years? That fellow... no, he’s not a fellow anymore. It’s been a long time since that person.”
“I see. Is this the third time?”
Since Corpse Blood Valley was established, Mok Gyeong-un was the third person to obtain three top rank tokens. At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un, who was standing at the front, asked out of curiosity.
“I’m just asking out of curiosity, but has there ever been anyone who obtained four or more?”
Looking at the gates themselves, Corpse Blood Valley has a total of six gates. However, the fourth and the final gates do not actually have top rank tokens. Therefore, the maximum number of top rank tokens a single person can obtain is four.
At Mok Gyeong-un’s question, senior guard Gwak Mun-gi frowned with displeasure and said.
“How dare you ask the Valley Master...”
“Squad Leader Gwak. He is now a provisional division master.”
Just as he was about to get angry, Corpse Blood Valley Master Lee Ji-yeom reminded him of this. At that, senior guard Gwak Mun-gi bit his lip tightly. A provisional division master was a higher rank than himself, a squad leader, but in his mind, he had not yet acknowledged this fellow.
However, he could not make a mistake in front of the Valley Master, so he adopted a somewhat polite tone.
“Provisional Division Master Mok. The gates are not yet finished, so please refrain from asking the Valley Master careless questions.”
At those words, Mok Gyeong-un silently looked at Valley Master Lee Ji-yeom. Seeing this, senior guard Gwak Mun-gi contorted his face into a fearsome scowl as if finding it absurd, when...
“Since Corpse Blood Valley began, there has been exactly one person who obtained all the top rank tokens.”
‘Valley Master?’
Gwak Mun-gi looked at Lee Ji-yeom with a somewhat bewildered expression. Normally, he would never treat the trainees gently or softly, no matter how close they were to the final stage. And yet, he was answering such a question.
‘Why on earth is he acting like this?’
Could it be because he thinks this fellow is an undercover agent sent by the Lord? If so, it would be understandable to show him some favor, but would the Lord really use a hostage brought from the righteous path to test or monitor the Valley Master? In any case, the Valley Master's attitude was quite unexpected.
‘He obtained all of them?’
A strange light flashed in Mok Gyeong-un's eyes. As for himself, since it was his first time experiencing a formation art and he had never controlled anyone before, he had not received a top rank token at the sword formation test. But to think there was someone who obtained all of them...
‘They must be amazing.’
In truth, although Mok Gyeong-un himself wasn't aware of it, it was truly remarkable that he had obtained this many top rank tokens despite having learned martial arts properly for only a short time.
Perhaps if he had learned martial arts properly from the beginning, he might have become the second person since Corpse Blood Valley was founded to obtain all the top rank tokens.
‘This is too intimidating.’
He wanted to ask who had obtained them out of pure curiosity, but senior guard Gwak Mun-gi was glaring at him with fire in his eyes, so it seemed difficult. Corpse Blood Valley Master Lee Ji-yeom, perhaps noticing this, spoke.
“If your question has been answered, I will now tell you the reward for obtaining three top rank tokens.”
“Yes.”
“The one who obtains three top rank tokens...”
The trainees’ gazes were fixed on Lee Ji-yeom’s face. If obtaining two top rank tokens granted such a reward, what kind of benefits would someone who obtained three receive?
“Separate from the final gate, you may request teachings from one of the twelve grand masters, the Five Kings, Three Division Masters, or Four Valley Masters, who can be called the greatest masters of our Society.”
‘!!!!!!!!’
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone’s expression changed drastically. Of course, among everyone, those who showed a direct reaction were Mu Jang-yak, Yeon Mu-ung of the Secret Mirror Sect, and Mo Ha-rang of the Ensnaring Flower Room. Since they were under the Heaven and Earth Society, they knew better than anyone how great this benefit was.
‘To be able to request teachings from one of the greatest masters of the Heaven and Earth Society?’
‘A reward of this magnitude is given?’
‘....... Ah.’
How many times in one's life would one have the chance to be taught by a grand master or a Supreme Realm master? Moreover, those great masters were among the most renowned in the Heaven and Earth Society. It was impossible not to be envious of this.
Mok Yu-cheon, who had initially listened without much thought, was puzzled by their envious gazes, and then suddenly realized.
‘Ah!’
Among the executives of the Heaven and Earth Society were two of the Six Heavens and Eight Stars. The Six Heavens and Eight Stars were called the greatest masters, regardless of the righteous or demonic paths, and two of the Five Kings were included among those Eight Stars.
A peerless master of the grand master level who had surpassed the wall and reached the Supreme Realm. If the benefit was to receive teachings from one such person...
‘Damn it.’
Leaving aside the righteous and demonic factions, this was quite enviable. It wasn't clear if it meant becoming a disciple or learning one of their martial arts, but the opportunity to receive teachings from such a peerless master was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
In fact, it could be called a tremendous fortuitous encounter. -There is no need to think about this, mortal. No need to think about it? -There are two masters of the Supreme Realm. Choose one of the two and learn what you cannot from this master.
Since they are beings who have surpassed the wall, it will be a great help to your enlightenment. Blue Spirit also seemed to consider this a rather good benefit. If that was the case, it wasn't bad.
As he was thinking, Corpse Blood Valley Master Lee Ji-yeom continued.
“If there is someone you desire, it would be best to think about it in advance. The opportunity will be given when you enter the main headquarters.”
“Yes.”
“When they arrive from the main headquarters tomorrow, the final gate will commence. Before that, the owners of the top rank tokens will receive their rewards, and the rest will have a break.”
With those words, Corpse Blood Valley Master Lee Ji-yeom was about to step down from the platform. Then, Mok Gyeong-un spoke.
“May I ask what benefits are given to the one who obtains all the top rank tokens?”
‘This brat again!’
Senior guard Gwak Mun-gi scowled. Not knowing when to stop, asking the Valley Master another question. I really don’t like...
“You can receive teachings from the Lord.”
At that moment, a silence fell. He didn't understand why the Valley Master was being so generous with this fellow, but seeing their reactions, it was quite amusing. In Gwak Mun-gi's eyes, he could see what those below the platform were thinking.
‘Why are they acting like that?’
On the other hand, Mok Gyeong-un couldn't understand their reactions. Why are they so surprised?
“The Valley Master has left, so Provisional Division Master Mok, you should also step down from the platform.”
Senior guard Gwak Mun-gi said to him, his voice firm. At that, Mok Gyeong-un went down and, puzzled, asked Mo Ha-rang of the Ensnaring Flower Room.
“Is receiving teachings from the Lord such a surprising thing?”
‘!?’
At his words, Mo Ha-rang looked at him with an expression that said, ‘Are you really asking because you don’t know?’ Just as he was wondering why, she spoke in a slightly trembling voice.
“The Lord is one of the Six Heavens, who are called the pinnacle of the current martial world. Leaving everything else aside, to receive teachings from one of the six said to be the strongest under the heavens is...”
She couldn't finish her sentence. The reward for obtaining all the top rank tokens was that astonishing. Of course, no one in this batch had achieved it, but if they had known this condition from the beginning, everyone might have faced the gates with the resolve to die.
That was how supreme the fame of the Six Heavens was.
‘Is it that amazing?’
Seeing them react even more strongly than when teachings from the executives were mentioned, it truly seemed to be a tremendous thing for them. Just then, Blue Spirit’s voice came to his ear. -Six Heavens?
Hah...
Her voice was filled with annoyance. In fact, she too had just learned from Mo Ha-rang’s words that the Lord of the Heaven and Earth Society was one of the Six Heavens, called the pinnacle of the current martial world. After learning this, she seemed quite displeased.
Well, it was understandable. To her, the Lord of the Heaven and Earth Society was the final destination of her grudge, whether in the past or the present.
‘....... The obstacle has become quite large.’
Mok Gyeong-un clicked his tongue inwardly. The Lord of the Heaven and Earth Society was someone near the pinnacle of the martial world... His grandfather’s revenge was the priority, so it didn't particularly constrain him, but resolving her grudge was becoming increasingly difficult.
In a forest not far from the main lodging building of Corpse Blood Valley. Mok Gyeong-un was following senior guard Gwak Mun-gi. Because he disliked Mok Gyeong-un, Gwak Mun-gi didn't say a single word the entire way.
Before long, they reached a steep cliff. Pointing at the cliff, which looked difficult to climb even with light body technique, Gwak Mun-gi spoke without looking back.
“Follow me closely.” -Phat!
Gwak Mun-gi unleashed his light body technique and ascended the steep cliff. As if he were familiar with it, he quickly found footholds and climbed, his speed quite fast.
‘Let’s see if he can follow properly.’
Come to think of it, he had never properly seen the fellow’s skill in light body technique. Just as he was wondering if he could really follow on such a steep cliff, it happened. -Papatak!
‘Huh?’
Gwak Mun-gi glanced down. Mok Gyeong-un had already caught up to right below him.
‘This brat...’
It was absurd. He himself had roamed all of Corpse Blood Valley for a very long time, so he could move faster than anyone, but this fellow was different. Besides, how was he climbing the cliff at a similar speed with martial prowess that was barely at the first-rate realm?
Of course, the reason was simple.
‘There, and there, I see.’
Mok Gyeong-un was simply remembering the spots Gwak Mun-gi stepped on and following them exactly. Wherever Gwak Mun-gi had passed, there was invariably a stepping stone, so remembering and following them wasn't particularly difficult. Because of this, Gwak Mun-gi, perhaps annoyed, clicked his tongue repeatedly.
‘Damn brat.’
He had tried to trick him once, but when it didn't work, his mood only soured. If he hadn't been able to follow, he had planned to scold him, saying, ‘A provisional division master can’t even do this?’, but it was now pointless. -Pak! Soon, Gwak Mun-gi, who was climbing the cliff, slipped into a blocked-off area.
The place was clearly blocked, yet his body passed through it naturally.
‘A formation art?’
Having experienced a formation art thanks to Occultist Jo Ui-gong, Mok Gyeong-un passed through the cliff and entered without any suspicion, just like senior guard Gwak Mun-gi. As he entered, -Hwarururuk! A large cavern with torches lit here and there came into view.
In the center, a scar-covered man who looked to be in his fifties was sitting on a stone chair with his arms crossed. Gwak Mun-gi, who had entered first, was in front of him, and ‘Tsk.’ He couldn't hide his disappointment seeing Mok Gyeong-un pass through the blocked wall in one go.
Just then, the scar-covered man stood up and spoke.
“I was wondering what was going on. It’s been a while.”
“Yes. It has.”
“It’s been about eight years since then, right?”
“That’s right. So, I have brought him here to let him into the treasure vault for his reward.”
At Gwak Mun-gi's words, the scar-covered man turned his gaze to Mok Gyeong-un. Then, he spoke with a puzzled expression.
“What a peculiar fellow. You look to be barely at the level of the first-rate realm, so how did you manage to obtain three top rank tokens?”
To the man’s spiritual sense, Mok Gyeong-un’s level had just barely reached the first-rate realm. Yet, to come here, one needed three top rank tokens. It wasn't something possible with just this level of martial prowess.
Mok Gyeong-un said to him.
“Excuse me, but who are you?”
“Me, you ask?”
“Yes.”
“Hahahahaha. I am the guardian of the treasure vault here in Corpse Blood Valley.”
“Guardian of the treasure vault?”
To the questioning Mok Gyeong-un, senior guard Gwak Mun-gi spoke in a warning tone.
“This is Division Master Yang Mu-won, who is in charge of the treasure vault. If you get on his bad side, you could be trapped in the vault’s trap formations, so show some respect...”
“Ah, ah, ah. That’s enough. Since when did I care about such things?”
“...”
They really don’t get along. As he was thinking this, the scar-covered man, Division Master Yang Mu-won, waved his hand dismissively and said.
“You can leave now.”
“Pardon?”
“Or are you planning to wait here? You should know that’s not allowed.”
“... Understood. I will withdraw and wait below.”
“Do so.”
At the order to leave from Yang Mu-won, the guardian of the treasure vault, Gwak Mun-gi soon passed through the illusory cliff wall created by the formation art and went outside. After he left, Division Master Yang Mu-won asked Mok Gyeong-un.
“Shall we finish our previous conversation? How did you obtain three top rank tokens?”
At his question, Mok Gyeong-un tilted his head slightly and said.
“I must have gotten them because I did better than others, right?”
“...”
At these words, Division Master Yang Mu-won, who had been frowning, soon burst into hearty laughter.
“Hahahahahat. Right. That’s true. Why would the Valley Master give top rank tokens to some nobody?”
“...”
Mok Gyeong-un showed no reaction. Seeing this, Division Master Yang Mu-won, who had been laughing heartily, scratched his head, looking embarrassed.
‘Good grief.’
The fellow who came eight years ago was at least talkative, but this one's reactions are so bland, he's no fun. Well, it was a shame, but his duty wasn't conversation. Division Master Yang Mu-won turned and gestured.
“Follow me.”
“Yes.”
Mok Gyeong-un walked behind him. Then, Division Master Yang Mu-won pointed toward the inside of the cave with his finger and said.
“If you go in there, you will find the treasure vault with the secret manuals. As you may have heard, you can only bring out one secret manual from the vault. And even that, you must bring out and copy here before you leave.”
“Yes.”
“You will be given about two hours to choose carefully. If you fail to choose anything within that time, according to the rules, you must just come out. Understand?”
“Yes.”
“Ah. And there’s a place marked with a red line. That place... it’s best if you don’t enter.”
“Pardon?”
To the questioning Mok Gyeong-un, Division Master Yang Mu-won spoke as if to scare him.
“In there, a long time ago... no. You don’t need to know about that, but anyway, if you cross the red line, you will see something terrifying enough to make your skin crawl. So don’t take my warning lightly.”
‘Something terrifying enough to make my skin crawl?’
He was rambling, so I couldn't understand what he was talking about. While he was puzzled, a large iron door suddenly came into view. Division Master Yang Mu-won placed his hand on an empty wall next to it and fiddled with something, and -Kiiiiiiik!
Kung!
The iron door opened on its own, revealing the inside. Inside was a cavern much larger than the entrance, and all of its walls were completely filled with secret manuals. Pointing inside with his hand, Division Master Yang Mu-won grinned and said.
“If you don’t have anything in mind, just choosing a secret manual you want will be quite a headache. I’ll let you know when the time is up, so remember you have two hours.”
“Yes.”
“Now, go on in.”
And so, Mok Gyeong-un was about to step inside. But he paused and said.
“Ah! May I ask just one thing?”
“What is it?”
“The rule is that I can only bring out one secret manual, right?”
“Right.”
“Just skimming through them is fine, I assume?”
“Why are you asking something like that? To choose a good secret manual, you naturally have to look through its contents. I won’t make an issue of something so trivial.”
At his words, the corner of Mok Gyeong-un’s mouth twitched as he said.
“That’s a relief.”