The Sleeping Dragon Forces—
It was the base of the Forces of Evil organization that controlled Hangzhou.
They had a splendidly built three story hall, which looked majestic. It was a building one would see too often in such a place, and not only the exterior but also the interior was amazing.
There were a couple areas and green land which had been delicately made.
Between the several pavilions and warriors, there seemed to be escort warriors going around the garden.
This was truly overwhelming wealth. The person who lived here was one of the richest people in Hangzhou.
Bang!
“What? What do you mean?”
An old man was sitting on a wonderful rosewood chair and hit the table.
His name was Kang Yong, the owner of the building and one of the 27 members of the Sleeping Dragon Forces.
However, in reality, it was safe to say that he was the real power of the place. His long term strength was not due to his martial arts but his keen eye, resourcefulness, and personal connections.
After keeping an eye on the high quality goods or custom ordered goods which came into Hangzhou, he would give instructions to the outstanding pickpockets or thieves to rob small warriors who were easy targets.
From a distance, official positions were given to him, and even the heads of the clans were included, so he had a naturally good growth.
“I will say it again. You didn’t get the news?”
“That… our regular contact is missing? It felt strange, I sent someone but I couldn’t find anything. Yu Jeok and Jinso are missing too.”
The person, Mae Gil, who was reporting it had a shocked expression.
His man who was sent in the morning had not been heard back since then, and Beom Dal also seemed to be missing.
Everything had been fine until then. Anyway, all the people who could be sent or should have held information were disappearing.
However, not being able to get back the pill meant that things had changed.
“How are we going to handle this now!”
At Kang Yong’s yelling, the vassal and five warriors in the room bowed their heads. Kang Yong, who was enraged, looked at the guards next to him and said,
“Wei Cheon.”
“Yes. Lord.”
“Take responsibility and find out what happened. If you find someone suspicious, bring them in right away.”
“I understand.”
He lowered his head and looked away, and the four of his subordinates bowed too.
Wei Cheon—
Among the members of the forces, he was part of the upper third of the higher captains, and was one of those who could move on their own. Whenever Kang Yong had a problem, they would step in and solve it.
“Let’s go!”
At Wei Cheon’s words, his subordinates followed.
After they disappeared Kang Yong asked his vassal,
“The Wudang Sect hasn’t moved yet, right?”
“It cannot be. The location of the pill has been kept secret. Even if the Beggars Union moved they would have no idea where it is.”
The vassal assured him.
After this incident came to light, all the beggars were driven out of the place. No matter how nice the Beggars Union was, they were only composed of beggars, and even if they were great when it came to gathering information, they still were not allowed to be here.
“And not the Lower District Sect right?”
However, Kang Yong did not think that the source of information could be blocked like that. This was because the roots of the Sleeping Dragon Forces were all made of third rate or higher warriors.
And they are everywhere… a courtesan, a clerk, or even a server in bars.
The light headed drunks would always say something after a couple drinks have gone down their throats. And their men who hear it when lurking to the side or anywhere else would relay it.
Even so, the vassal smiled.
“You worry about everything. There is no way the Wudang Sect would ask the Lower District Sect for help.”
The Wudang Sect was known to be on par with the Shaolin Sect and known to have a pride as high as their talent and self esteem.
It would be difficult for them to extend their hands to lower level people who do such measly things to live.
It would be a mess for them to even get down to that level.
Again, a warning sign rang in his head.
“Lord. Wouldn’t it be better to change the meeting time with disciple Myung Jin?”
When Mae Gil asked, Kang Yong shook his head.
“No. If we do, it may look like we are doing something. And have we not come to know that they are keeping their eyes out?”
The situation was one in which the Wudang’s goods had been stolen. And now when the people of Wudang came searching, these people contacted them—to return the item for a certain price.
The promise was that it would be fulfilled tomorrow afternoon. This was the situation that they decided to handle with meeting in a guest house.
After all this, if the item they were offering vanished and they asked for a change in time, how would the other side act?
“Mae Gil.”
“Yes. Hyung.”
“The Blade Dawning Two Forces are here?”
Mae Gil was surprised at it, and asked,
“You want to call them too?”
“Yes.”
“They will ask for a lot of money…”
“Yes, we will end up losing a lot. But we don’t have any other way. We have to do something. If things go wrong, it will not be just me but the entire force will be destroyed!”
The Blade Dawning Two Forces—
The ones considered part of Forces of Evil even if they were not fully on that side.
They were those who made a mess in the land and were super professional warriors who made a name for themselves by using unusual weapons.
“Alright. I will tell them to investigate this.”
Mae Gil could not shake the thought that this was too much, but soon decided to accept it. He knew as well.
Disciple Myung Jin—
As one of three greatest warriors on the rise, he had the power to take them down if he felt like it.
Returning to the residence, Seol-Hwi checked his spoils.
[Toolbox] 19,312G
The money earned was a little less than 20,000 gold. This was a good enough amount, but considering the things he had seen before, it seemed like a small amount considering that there were divine weapons with price tags that ranged in the millions.
“Then should we look at the books?”
Next, Seol-Hwi began to examine the things within the toolbox.
<Six Equilibrium Fist> Description: A type of martial arts that is said to block all directions [Sky, Earth, East, West, South, North]. Effect: A martial arts book compiled easily enough that even a third rate warrior can read that had been circulating around, but the characters that can be read in their true form are only found in this one.
“Shaolin’s Six Equilibrium Fist, Wudang’s sword technique…”
The importance of basics cannot be emphasized any further.
The reason he was able to come this far was because he did not forget the basics and continued to polish them.
Seol-Hwi recalled what happened in the martial arts book and then checked the next item.
<Gentleman’s Medicine> Description: The name was given to it because it does not cause harm to people like a gentleman and the effect is mild. Effect: It varies depending on the level of martial arts but usually shows an effect in which one cannot generate energy. <Crane Grass> Description: Poison extracted from a certain location. Effect: It is extremely poisonous, one rated higher than most known poisonous plants. The speed the poison spreads in the body is fast and detoxification is impossible.
“A paralyzing poison and one that is extremely poisonous.”
Seol-Hwi imprinted the two poisons into his mind at once. To strong people, the poison was an object of fear and panic. So you should be careful, but as much as that is there, one should be careful when using it too.
But with the way I am right now, how thoroughly can I learn it?
After organizing things, Seol-Hwi recalled the scene when he was fighting the man named Myung Jong.
As soon as he experienced all the forms of the Taiji Sword, the teachings and what he read came to his mind in an instant.
The position of arms when using it, the legs, and how to breathe.
If it was not for the system which intervened, he could not have seen that so clearly.
“I need to find out more. The secret to this system…”
Seol-Hwi felt that what he had already found was not enough. Now that he knew that everything he did, from life to decisions were influenced by the system, he tried to figure out how to use it.
“You will all be able to learn, Songhwa too.”
It was said that to become a Fangshi one has to have an innate skill for it, but that simply was what people thought.
Like warriors they too have walls they need to cross to perform difficult spells. Then, like he did, Songhwa would also be able to do that.
“And…”
Another thought popped into Seol-Hwi’s mind, and he wasn’t sure of the possibilities but—
“…Infinite lives.”
Until now, the lives had been a fixed number, but after meeting the AI and learning his story, his thoughts changed.
-Huh. Do you think that I am an idiot like you? To realize it I had to reincarnate around 3,212 times. Are you a mad man?
3,212 times.
The number of lives gained by killing someone or doing something and he was not referring to the number of lives he obtained either.
Then there was one thing he could think of.
A part where I can have infinite lives.
It could be a certain condition or situation, but there had to be such a thing.
He planned to ask the AI about this. But… the possibility that it was there could not be ruled out.
If so, how to know…
“Captain.”
A voice called out and it was Imugi.
“Come in.”
Drr
As soon as Seol-Hwi permitted, Imugi opened the door and came.
“That man was right. It is said that there is a group of Wudang men in the guest house spending time there.”
“Hmm.”
The information they got from Jo Yo-beom was right. Considering that he could have lied, Imugi went to the Lower District Sect to have it confirmed.
“I understand. Just in case, keep Songhwa by your side.”
“Uh? I think…”
“From my experience, I don’t think Kang Yong will stay still. Even if you do a little research, it will soon become clear that everything is related to Songhwa. He isn’t a child who can protect himself yet, so shouldn’t you be by his side?”
“Well.”
There were only a few people who had been eliminated by Seol-Hwi and Imugi, but it was a problem since they were captains.
It would be easy to find out that the incident started at Songhwa’s store.
“Uh, are you here?”
An unfamiliar voice came.
Seol-Hwi and Imugi got up from their places and went out.
“Uh?”
Seol-Hwi and Imugi, who had gone outside, hesitated. It was because Songhwa was smiling with people next to him.
“Ah. Nothing much… the store is closing and they wanted to see Master and hyung, so I brought them here.”
At that, Imugi was dumbfounded while Seol-Hwi smiled.
“You did good.”
“Now, let’s have a nice time.”
Songhwa moved to the room.
One in the group of people, Wei Cheon, looked at him as if they were speechless due to the calm response and then turned.
“Who is it? The one who took Yu Jeok and Jinso’s place?”
Shhh
At those words, Seol-Hwi looked at Imugi.
Phew
Imugi sighed.
“Ah. Really annoys me… every time…”
“So who did it?”
“Uh. This is the day I miss the hidden troops…”
At Imugi’s words, Wei Cheon looked at him and asked,
“Is it you?”
“Yes. It is me. So what?”
“Huh…”
After staring at Imugi like it was absurd, he turned serious.
“Do not kill them right away. Only half kill them and I will finish them off.”
“Yes.”
Pat
Imugi was rushed at. As the opponent momentarily approached, Wei Cheon hurriedly took out his sword. But then, a leg came close to his face.
Puak!
Wei Cheon’s form collapsed back as he was hit first.
Pupupupuck!
On the shoulder, thigh, and more with all his strength, on the back and the head—
And hitting on the chin with the leg. As he was pushed back with the most basic methods, Wei Cheon could not even swing the sword and was pushed back three times.
Tang!
“…”
The warriors were frozen.
Even when they saw Imugi close to them, they failed to respond. Since their captain could not use his sword even they could not respond.
“Get up. You cannot die from this.”
“Eukkk.”
At the words of Imugi, he held his stomach.
Aside from the pain, it was an attack that made it hard to even realize what happened.
“You want to continue?”
Wei Cheon could not answer Seol-Hwi.
He was unable to respond to anyone. But the man who asked him was lean. If he continued to fight, it would mean death.
So thinking he said,
“Surrender… kuak!”
But before he could finish it, he fell to the ground with someone stabbing him.
Who is it?
Imugi looked.
Behind. There were people walking in the dark.
“Hehehe. What… was he acting like an escort?”
“Normally the Sleeping Dragon Forces are of this level. Isn’t that why we were called?”
The appearance of those who killed Wei Cheon—
He had a shaved head with a half fallen red sleeve, skull ornaments, and ragged old clothes.
One held a lean steel knuckle buster and the other held something like a scalpel. They were not weapons which are usually seen.
The knuckle buster was what the fingers had wrapped around them .
The Blade Dawning Two Forces—
It was the appearance of those who were known as part of The Hundred Warriors.