episode_0033

Cheongun is a transmigator.

As transmigrators often do, Cheongun could also see something akin to a status window.

To be precise, it wasn’t exactly a status window, but rather a skill list viewing.

It was a kind of heavenly ability that allowed him to explore the core formulas of all cultivation methods existing in the Jianghu.

So, the feeling of seeing these was truly strange.

It always felt real, yet the translucent blue window floating in the air was incredibly surreal.

This privilege, which allowed him to view all training methods for cultivation, including their core formulas, could truly be called an unprecedented fortunate encounter.

Among them, there was a cultivation method Cheongun immediately needed.

Its name was the Soul-Dominating Demonic Control Art (統魔制魂功).

It is a unique qigong that doesn’t completely eliminate the demonic energy within the body, but rather controls its flow and circulates it.

General anti-demonic cultivation methods usually focus on suppressing or eliminating demonic energy.

Therefore, they suppress the existing demonic energy and then begin accumulating new internal energy, storing it in the dantian, which is virtually equivalent to discarding all previously accumulated demonic energy.

Since one must choose between two energies that cannot coexist, the previously attained realm is inevitably lowered significantly.

However, the Soul-Dominating Demonic Control Art is a qigong that focuses not on suppressing demonic energy, but rather on utilizing it in reverse.

By circulating demonic energy backward along the meridians and converting it into positive energy, practitioners of demonic arts do not need to discard the demonic energy they originally possessed.

In the original work, it is a divine art obtainable from a hidden option that opens when one takes the apostate monk route.

But Cheongun had no need for that.

Because it was floating right before his eyes in the shape of a button.

[ Soul-Dominating Demonic Control Art ] [ View Details ]

Click.

Cheongun meticulously transcribed everything he saw before his eyes onto a secret manual.

And then he handed it to Jeok Hwaryeon.

“What is this?”

“It’s a secret manual.”

“What?”

“It’s a cultivation method called the Soul-Dominating Demonic Control Art. Ryeon, you should master it first and then teach it to the others.”

Jeok Hwaryeon blinked her eyes.

A secret manual, all of a sudden.

Moreover, its name was unusual from the start.

What? A cultivation method that controls demonic energy?

She had seen methods that suppressed demonic energy, but never heard of the concept of controlling it.

She quickly flipped through the secret manual and read it.

As a martial artist herself, Jeok Hwaryeon had a certain understanding of cultivation methods.

Thus, she could tell at a glance.

The energy circulation method for operating qi.

The path for circulating demonic energy.

The exhalation and inhalation method for accumulating internal energy.

Even the breathing technique, which involves taking in demonic energy, letting the turbid energy sink down to accumulate in the lower dantian, then raising only the essence of life force, and finally opening the Baihui point to rotate the energy.

This was no mere counterfeit.

It was truly a proper secret manual.

That’s why she couldn’t help but ask.

“…Did you steal it?”

“I made it.”

Jeok Hwaryeon asked again.

“You made a cultivation method? How?”

“There are ways.”

“Sect Leader, are you some kind of Grandmaster?”

“Grandmaster? That’s not bad.”

Cheongun answered vaguely.

After all, it wasn’t something he could explain in detail, step by step.

Would it be believable if he said he simply copied something floating before his eyes?

It would be quicker to convince her by saying he was simply a genius who whipped up a cultivation method.

“But it seems like the latter part is cut off?”

“I cut it off on purpose.”

“Why?”

“Why indeed. Why would I give away everything from the start, as if you’re so lovely? My subordinates have to show that much loyalty for me to reveal it little by little.”

Originally, favors should not be given all at once.

Because there are too many shameless people who take it as an undeniable right.

Even though Cheongun cherished demonic practitioners, he could distinguish that much.

“But why are you giving this to me? Couldn’t the Sect Leader teach it directly?”

“It’s a hassle. You learn it and pass it on.”

Jeok Hwaryeon blinked her eyes.

Giving her such a secret manual without any hesitation, and telling her to directly pass it on to others, was a clear sign of trust.

Cheongun truly trusted Jeok Hwaryeon.

He had even avenged her, fed her Gu Poison, and in the original work, even if Jeok Hwaryeon was eventually swallowed by demonic energy, she was not cunning.

“Sect Leader.”

Jeok Hwaryeon parted her lips.

“You like me, don’t you?”

“What?”

“It’s true, isn’t it? You avenged me, you gave me a secret manual, what is this? You’re trying to seduce me, aren’t you?”

Jeok Hwaryeon was convinced.

There was no such thing as kindness without reason in this world.

Above all, the Sect Leader was a man who was crazy in many ways.

For such a man to specifically raid the Black Forest Gate’s main base for her revenge, and moreover, even though the method was somewhat bizarre, he still allowed her to carry out her revenge with her own hands until the very end.

It had been strange ever since he first caught her.

He kept asking for her name.

And he even used such expensive Gu Poison just to keep her, who was merely a messenger, alive.

Now, she finally realized the reason.

The Sect Leader saw her as a potential romantic interest!

“Hmm.”

Jeok Hwaryeon subtly observed Cheongun’s face.

Sharp eyes and a firm jawline; though still a boy’s face, it was one that clearly promised a striking future.

Jeok Hwaryeon’s ears turned red.

She had lived her entire life wary of men, but for the first time, her heart fluttered as she looked at a man.

She confidently pushed out her chest.

With her ears flushed, she arched her back with a seductive expression.

And.

“The Sect Leader is quite acceptable.”

She said, feigning indifference, and smiled sweetly.

At her smile, Cheongun, uncharacteristically, chuckled kindly.

And then he pulled out the wooden moktak he had received from Bang Jongdae from his embrace.

A moment later.

—Thwack!

“Ugh!”

Jeok Hwaryeon’s scream burst out briefly.

And.

“I’m too good for you.”

…That was Cheongun, with his high self-esteem.

****

The Sichuan Tang Family is a prestigious family representing the Sichuan Province.

It is one of the Five Great Clans representing the Jianghu, often also called the Tang Sect.

Fortunately, the journey wasn’t far.

Because the distance from Chengdu to Sichuan Province wasn’t that great.

But for some reason, the path to the Tang Sect was uncomfortable in many ways.

This was because the vicinity of Sichuan Province was surrounded by such naturally rugged mountains.

But it was fine.

He had entrusted the Bloodline Pavilion to Jin Cheonwoo, and the Black Forest Gate to the reliable Ryeon and the Hong Soyeon-Baekseol duo, so there wouldn’t be any big problems.

Most importantly, his pockets were also full.

The Golden Plum he had put up for auction had finally sold for its proper price.

Since it was such an expensive item, it took quite a long time to sell.

Thus, Cheongun walked leisurely, more so than usual.

The rather warm spring sunlight caressed his face.

The scent of spring carried on the breeze made his whole body feel languid.

It was truly pleasant.

If there was one thing regrettable, it was that it was too peaceful.

Therefore, Cheongun deliberately walked ostentatiously.

With every step, the clear clinking sound of gold coins in his pocket echoed.

Clink.

Clink.

Clink.

And a moment later.

As expected.

“Hey, you there. Stop for a moment.”

The ruffians, drawn by the sound, swarmed and surrounded Cheongun in no time.

****

A man dressed in black walked.

He was a member of the Demonic Heavenly Cult.

Among them, he belonged to the Secret Demon Unit of the Inner Hall.

The Secret Demon Unit of the Inner Hall was like the shadow of the Demonic Heavenly Cult, an intelligence unit that obeyed only the direct orders of the Cult Leader.

The reason he was wandering near Sichuan Province was none other than to observe a boy named Cheongun.

‘…Quite young.’

The Black Forest Gate and the Bloodline Pavilion had been attacked.

From the cult’s perspective, which had been slowly taking control of the black faction forces, two core branches were suddenly attacked, so it was only right to designate Cheongun as an enemy.

But even so, the reason he painstakingly observed Cheongun from afar was due to a report he had heard one day.

‘He left all the demonic practitioners alive?’

‘Yes, he even says he cherishes demonic practitioners more than anyone.’

‘Wasn’t he said to be the disciple of the Sword Sovereign?’

‘Yes, but he’s also reportedly not affiliated with the righteous faction.’

…Confirmation was needed.

It often happened.

There were always those who caused such a fuss because they wanted to catch the cult’s eye, or wanted to belong to the cult.

The cult’s law: absolute reverence for the strong.

It was a rule too attractive for those with power.

Thus, it was just then that he was about to confirm.

What the fellow’s intentions were.

If the fellow was suitable for the talent profile the cult desired.

After observing and judging all of it, he planned to decide the fellow’s treatment.

Either quickly dispose of him.

Or, use every means to bring him to participate in the cult’s grand plan.

‘…Has he gotten into trouble?’

And coincidentally, the fellow named Cheongun got into trouble.

His opponents looked like ruffians or bandits.

There was a considerable number surrounding him, and the situation was clear at a glance.

They exchanged some words, and then the ruffians suddenly drew their weapons towards Cheongun.

In response, Cheongun also pulled out the fishing rod slung over his shoulder.

And as he swung it.

“!!!”

Whoosh!

The fishing line, imbued with sword energy, straightened stiffly, and instantly tore through the air with a piercing sound.

The extremely thin fishing line spiraled up as if it had a will of its own, and then successively pierced the foreheads of five men as if threading beads.

Simultaneously, a sharp current branched out along the fishing line, and then crackle—! It flickered with a loud roar.

It was truly in the blink of an eye.

In just one exchange, a whopping five men were electrocuted, foaming at the mouth, and collapsed.

He saw one man barely dodge the whipping fishing line and flee in terror.

Cheongun bent down and plucked a few strands of hair from the man who had fallen at his feet.

And then, he imbued them with sword energy and flicked them like throwing weapons.

The fleeing man’s cultivation realm must have been decent, as he dodged them skillfully.

Of course, Cheongun did not give up.

He continued to flick hair, and then pulled out a hidden weapon.

It was a silver dart.

Moreover, it was the unique hidden weapon of the Flying Shadow Gate.

‘Shadow Dart?!’

It flew, cleaving through the air with a whoosh.

He tried to deflect it with his sword, but the moment it touched the dart, the sword’s blade shattered like ice.

Then, the accelerating dart plunged into the man’s forehead.

Naturally, with a clean hole pierced straight through the middle of his forehead, the man died instantly.

Cheongun efficiently ransacked their pockets, took only the valuables, and departed.

“…”

The man observing him blinked his eyes blankly.