Chapter 97

Moonless Void Sword – Moon Fragrance Defeating Sword.

The moment he imprinted this technique, Mok Gyeong-un saw someone with a pale face and a scholar-like appearance holding a sword and displaying the technique in his mind.

-Swish swish swish swish swish!

The sword path resembled a full moon, and upon seeing it, goosebumps rose all over Mok Gyeong-un’s body.

Since entering the Treasure Vault of Corpse Blood Valley, he had experienced a state of selflessness through imprinting the sword techniques Cheong-ryeong had told him to memorize, but this sword technique evoked an incomparable thrill compared to those.

Mok Gyeong-un stared blankly at the technique.

Watching Mok Gyeong-un, who was so immersed, Cheong-ryeong thought to herself,

‘He has just started, but to enter a state of selflessness immediately upon seeing it.’

His concentration is remarkable.

Judging from his trembling eyes, it seems this mortal brat is also quite astonished by the sword technique, which is on a different level from what he has seen so far.

It’s understandable.

Even she herself had marveled at it when she saw it during her lifetime.

Moonless Void Sword – Moon Fragrance Defeating Sword.

It was the sword technique of a peerless swordsman, one of the top five in the world, during the lost era of the Old Martial Arts World, which was known as the most fierce.

Although only two techniques remained, all of them damaged, she had gained so much enlightenment from seeing them that she completed her unfinished Sword Techniques of the Moon.

‘If he grasps even a little of the true value contained in the strokes, his insight into the sword will improve by leaps and bounds, regardless of the duration of his cultivation.’

Of course, it was uncertain to what extent Mok Gyeong-un’s level would allow him to discern it.

However, unlike before, the state of selflessness was considerably long.

Most of the other books had ended around thirty counts, but he was still gazing at this technique.

-Spark spark!

‘There’s no excess.’

Mok Gyeong-un kept exclaiming in admiration as he watched the middle-aged man perform this technique.

The sword technique techniques he had seen so far often had unnecessary movements or sword paths that caught his eye, but this sword technique had none of that.

Each trajectory was beautiful, but it was thoroughly focused on killing the opponent.

‘Ah…’

It was like looking at a work of art.

There was a charm to staring at it intently.

For Mok Gyeong-un, this sword technique possessed the aesthetics of the sword and death.

-Swish!

Mok Gyeong-un assimilated with the middle-aged man in scholar’s attire and began to display the sword technique together.

At that moment,

-Swoosh!

The energy of death, the death qi, flowed out from Mok Gyeong-un’s body.

-What?

While this wouldn’t be visible to the eyes of an ordinary person, it was clearly visible to Cheong-ryeong’s ghostly eyes.

The surging death qi was rapidly spreading to the surroundings.

-You…

Cheong-ryeong, who had been about to call out to Mok Gyeong-un, stopped.

Thinking about it, the death qi wasn’t something that living beings could perceive, and judging from Mok Gyeong-un’s current state, it seemed he had gone beyond a state of selflessness and attained some kind of enlightenment.

‘What did he realize to make the death qi flow out of his body and take shape?’

She was curious.

The flowing death qi swayed and rippled like waves.

Cheong-ryeong couldn’t hide her inner astonishment upon seeing this.

Although it appeared to be a simple ripple, to the eyes of those who had surpassed the peak and had depth in martial arts, like her, it looked like a sword qi.

‘This guy… Could it be?’

Was he assimilating with the strokes written in the sword technique and visualizing the technique in his mind?

Cheong-ryeong was dumbfounded.

It was something absolutely impossible at Mok Gyeong-un’s level.

Only when one reached the early pinnacle realm could they visualize and implant an image in their mind by looking at characters or sword traces.

Yet, Mok Gyeong-un, who hadn’t even attained enlightenment at the peak, was doing it?

‘…How many times is he going to surprise me in a single day?’

Drawing an image through the sword technique and gaining enlightenment from it.

Something she hadn’t expected at all was happening at this fellow’s level.

As Cheong-ryeong was waiting,

-Clank! Clank!

At the end of the third floor where the bookshelves were displayed, there was an entrance in the form of a cave excavated from the cavern to the inside.

A red line was drawn there, and one of the bookshelves inside started to make a clanking sound.

However, the sound wasn’t very loud, and neither Cheong-ryeong, who was inside the wooden doll, nor Mok Gyeong-un, who had entered a state of selflessness, heard it.

***

“Phew.”

Corpse Blood Valley’s Senior Warrior Gwak Mun-gi let out a sigh with an irritated expression.

Only he and Valley Master Lee Ji-yeom knew the location of this place in Corpse Blood Valley, so he had no choice but to guide them personally instead of ordering his subordinates.

As a result, he had to wait here for a sichen.

He was filled with dissatisfaction because he had to do this for a fellow who was not only a hostage from the righteous faction but also someone he didn’t particularly like.

‘I don’t understand. Why is the Sect Leader doing this, and why is the Valley Master acting like so?’

The Sect Leader’s whims were nothing new, so that could be overlooked, but Valley Master Lee Ji-yeom, although not openly showing it, didn’t really like the Sect Leader.

Yet, he couldn’t understand why he was extending courtesies to someone who could become an arrow aimed at him, unlike his usual self.

‘What could he be thinking?’

His mind was filled with doubts.

-Rustle!

‘!?’

At the sound of rustling leaves coming from somewhere, Gwak Mun-gi flinched and turned his head.

At that moment, his eyes widened.

Suddenly, behind him, there was someone with a slender build wearing a straw hat with a veil, and a handsome young man who appeared to be in his early twenties with a large sword on his back.

‘Who dares?’

This was Corpse Blood Valley.

Just who were these people to intrude here?

Gwak Mun-gi was about to move his hand to the sword hilt at his waist.

Right at that moment,

-Pak!

‘What?’

Before he could even draw his sword, the young man firmly pressed down on the back of his hand.

“This…”

“Judging from your belt, you seem to be a warrior of Corpse Blood Valley. Calm down.”

At the young man’s words, Senior Warrior Gwak Mun-gi frowned.

This young man knew his identity.

Not only did he possess extraordinary lightness skills to block him before he could draw his sword in an instant, but he also seemed to be a member of the main sect.

So, Gwak Mun-gi asked,

“Who are you?”

Then, the young man took out a plaque from his bosom and showed it to him.

‘!!!!!’

Upon seeing it, Gwak Mun-gi’s eyes widened.

The pattern engraved on that plaque was none other than the emblem of the Bright Blade King.

***

Sitting on a chair and staring intently at the incense stick, the guardian Unit Leader Yang Mu-won yawned loudly.

Then, he lowered his head diagonally and shifted his gaze away from the incense stick to somewhere else.

It was a treasure vault filled with secret manuals.

‘Hmm.’

The person he was looking at was Mok Gyeong-un, who was holding a book and staring at it intently.

Until now, he seemed to be skimming through the secret manuals rather carelessly.

However, unlike the other secret manuals, he was holding this one and concentrating on it, so it seemed he had finally found the right secret manual.

‘That’s good.’

He might have come out before completing a sichen.

Just then,

The person who had been watching Mok Gyeong-un flinched and stood up, looking behind him.

‘What is it?’

He felt someone’s presence.

It didn’t seem to be Senior Warrior Gwak Mun-gi who had come.

The person who had just entered was a master of a much higher level than Gwak Mun-gi.

At this level, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they were almost at the Unit Leader level.

‘Who could it be?’

If it wasn’t Gwak Mun-gi, who had entered?

-Step step!

As he was on guard, the sound of footsteps could be heard.

In his sight, he saw someone with a slender build wearing a straw hat with a veil, and a handsome young man walking slightly behind.

So, Unit Leader Yang Mu-won spoke in a voice loud enough for them to hear.

“Who are you?”

For now, there was a high probability that they had come from the main headquarters, considering they knew the location of this place.

However, even if they were from the main headquarters, no one could enter this place without permission.

At that moment, the handsome young man took something out from his bosom.

And showing it, he cupped his hands together in a salute and said,

“Are you the one in charge of the treasure vault? I am Yeop Wi-seon, a disciple of the Bright Blade King.”

‘A disciple of the Bright Blade King?’

Interest gleamed in Unit Leader Yang Mu-won’s eyes.

For a disciple of the Bright Blade King, one of the Five Kings who led the Heaven and Earth Society, to come here…

What is happened was going on?

‘To think he’s only in his early twenties and at this level.’

It was surprising.

The rumors that most of the Five Kings’ disciples were masters at the Unit Leader level or above were not unfounded.

Just based on his qi sensitivity, it seemed impossible to guarantee victory against him.

Then who was the person beside him?

‘…Even though they’re close by, their presence is barely detectable. I can’t even judge their level based on qi sensitivity.’

A master.

Even higher than himself, who was at the peak.

So, Unit Leader Yang Mu-won was about to ask who the person beside the disciple of the Bright Blade King was.

“I am Unit Leader Yang Mu-won, the guardian of the treasure vault. The person beside…”

“You’re the one in charge of the treasure vault, right? Then, there’s a secret manual I’m looking for inside. May I enter?”

Before he could even ask, the disciple of the Bright Blade King asked if he could enter the treasure vault to find something.

Unit Leader Yang Mu-won shook his head and replied,

“I apologize, but according to the rules, no one can enter this place freely.”

“Rules? Corpse Blood Valley’s…”

“No. The sect’s rules. I don’t know how you, a disciple of the Bright Blade King, found out about this location, but according to the rules, this place is not accessible except in special circumstances. If there’s something you’re looking for, please go to the treasure vault in the main headquarters…”

“I need the original.”

“…”

At Yeop Wi-seon’s words, Unit Leader Yang Mu-won’s eyes narrowed.

He didn’t know where they had obtained this information, but they knew the secret of this treasure vault.

Who had revealed this fact to them?

Wondering, Unit Leader Yang Mu-won shook his head again.

Even if they knew the truth that this was a treasure vault containing the originals, according to the rules, he couldn’t let them enter.

“I’m sorry. Even if you’re a disciple of one of the Five Kings, you can’t enter this place, so please leave…”

“Oh my. I really didn’t want to say this, but Unit Leader Yang. Do you know who this person in front of your eyes is?”

How could he know when their face was covered?

As he was puzzled, the person in the veiled straw hat lifted the hem of their robe and revealed a round plaque made of jade.

‘!!!!!!’

-Pak!

The moment he saw it, Yang Mu-won knelt on one knee.

Then, he cupped his hands together in a salute and said,

“Unit Leader Yang Mu-won greets the…”

“Shh. Quiet.”

The person in the straw hat revealed their voice.

It was the voice of a woman, not a man.

At the command of this veiled person, Unit Leader Yang Mu-won stopped speaking.

‘Why is she here?’

Although Unit Leader Yang Mu-won tried his best not to show it, he inwardly clicked his tongue.

Was this woman the famous one?

He had heard rumors about her, but it was quite surprising.

‘Was she at this level?’

Based on his qi sensitivity, it was impossible to gauge her level, so the circulating rumors were true.

Overwhelmed by the veiled woman’s imposing presence, the disciple of the Bright Blade King, Yeop Wi-seon, spoke,

“Then, may we enter?”

As he said that, he tried to enter with the veiled person, but,

-Pak!

Unit Leader Yang Mu-won hurriedly stood up and blocked them.

“What is the meaning of this?”

“I apologize. But inside, there is currently…”

“I know. Isn’t there a cadet who obtained top score plaques in the Corpse Blood Valley trials and entered to receive a martial arts secret manual?”

“How do you know that?”

“I heard it from the Senior Warrior of Corpse Blood Valley at the bottom of the cliff.”

They had already heard it from Senior Warrior Gwak Mun-gi.

So, Unit Leader Yang Mu-won said with a troubled expression,

“If you already know, could you please wait a little longer? Inside the treasure vault, at a time…”

“We will quietly find what this person is looking for and leave. Surely, Unit Leader, you’re not telling this person to wait just for a mere cadet to choose a secret manual?”

“That’s…”

Unit Leader Yang Mu-won was in a difficult position.

According to the rules, if someone was already inside the treasure vault, those who wanted to enter next had to wait.

However, Yang Mu-won couldn’t stop the veiled woman in front of him.

She possessed that level of authority.

“…I understand. Please enter. However, since there are rules, I kindly request that you quietly find what you’re looking for and leave. And…”

And try not to disturb the cadet who is selecting a secret manual.

He was about to say that but didn’t.

He judged that people of their caliber wouldn’t deliberately bother a cadet who had received top score plaques and come to receive a reward in Corpse Blood Valley.

“Hohoho. I understand. Let’s go in.”

And so, they finally entered the treasure vault.

They paid no heed to Unit Leader Yang Mu-won’s restless demeanor.

Once inside, the disciple of the Bright Blade King, Yeop Wi-seon, said to the veiled woman in amazement,

“Oh my. It’s really similar.”

“Indeed.”

The veiled woman also nodded in agreement.

She had heard that the structure of the main headquarters’ treasure vault had been replicated here, but it felt like it had been almost entirely transplanted.

As they looked around, they soon headed towards the upper floor of the treasure vault.

The secret manual they were looking for was on the second floor.

“That person up there seems to be the cadet who received three top score plaques.”

At that, the veiled woman’s gaze also turned to Mok Gyeong-un on the third floor.

Watching Mok Gyeong-un, who was concentrating on something, the veiled woman spoke,

“Three top score plaques in Corpse Blood Valley. That’s impressive.”

At her words, the eyebrows of Yeop Wi-seon, a disciple of the Bright Blade King, twitched slightly.

Then, he smiled and said, “He seems quite capable. However, among the disciples of the Five Kings, there is no one who couldn’t achieve that level. No, wouldn’t they have obtained more than three?”

“…”

Yeop Wi-seon naturally mentioned the disciples of the Five Kings, implying that if he, who was included among them, had participated in the Corpse Blood Valley trials, he would have obtained not just three, but all of the top score plaques.

Even though she understood his intention, the veiled woman showed no particular reaction.

Instead, she muttered while looking at Mok Gyeong-un, “A cadet who obtained three top score plaques is likely to become a disciple of one of the executives.”

“That’s…”

Probably true.

At the point of obtaining three top score plaques, he had the highest probability of being the most outstanding among the cadets.

With this level, he would likely pass the final trial smoothly and be chosen by one of the executives.

However, in response to her continued interest, Yeop Wi-seon replied, “If his abilities are truly exceptional, that may be the case. But the executives also have their own preferences, so it’s uncertain what will happen.”

“Still, for a talent of that caliber, it would be good to make his acquaintance lightly for the future.”

At her words, Yeop Wi-seon felt displeased inwardly.

He had gone through the trouble of creating this opportunity, but she was showing interest in a mere cadet who had participated in the Corpse Blood Valley trials, which didn’t sit well with him.

Yeop Wi-seon raised his head and looked at Mok Gyeong-un.

Seeing him concentrating on something, Yeop Wi-seon soon said to the veiled woman, “Then, Young Lady, please wait a moment.”

“There’s no need…”

“It’s beneath your dignity to personally approach a mere cadet. I will bring him to you.”

“…Alright.”

Having said that, Yeop Wi-seon went up to the third floor where the bookshelves were.

Upon reaching the top, Yeop Wi-seon snorted.

He had suspected it, but after coming up, he realized that this cadet fellow had fallen into a state of selflessness.

If that weren’t the case, he would have at least been aware and glanced at them on the lower floor, but he never directed his gaze at them even once.

Yeop Wi-seon found this strange.

‘What should I do?’

Yeop Wi-seon glanced at the veiled woman waiting on the lower floor.

He was displeased that she was showing interest in a mere cadet.

So, he was conflicted.

‘…Enlightenment, huh.’

The fact that he was staring at the book with such a blank expression, completely unaware of his presence even though he had come right next to him, meant that he had undoubtedly gained some kind of enlightenment.

It was likely in progress at the moment.

Usually, in such a situation, one would either not interfere or, if they had a close relationship, set up a protective formation to prevent anyone from disturbing him.

That’s because if the enlightenment was mistakenly disrupted while it was in progress, it could lead to becoming a living dead or, in severe cases, falling into a state of delusion.

‘…Well, it’s none of my business.’

His only intention was to bring this fellow to the Young Lady.

The Young Lady couldn’t wait for this bastard.

Yeop Wi-seon raised the corner of his mouth, smirking.

‘Don’t blame me. It was just your bad luck.’

If the Young Lady hadn’t shown interest, he wouldn’t have deliberately disrupted the enlightenment.

And so, Yeop Wi-seon reached out his hand towards Mok Gyeong-un.

‘Just a light touch, and that enlightenment…’

Right at that moment,

-Swish!

Mok Gyeong-un, who had been blankly concentrating on the secret manual, slowly turned his head to the side while keeping his upper body still and looked at him.

“What are you doing?”

‘Huh?’

For a moment, Yeop Wi-seon couldn’t hide his bewilderment as their eyes met.

Did this fellow’s consciousness return at this very moment?

This was extremely awkward.

It was right before his hand was about to touch Mok Gyeong-un’s head, so what should he say about this?

For now, he had to make up an excuse.

“Uh… This is…”

“Intentionally touching someone during a state of selflessness or visualization is said to be an act of deliberately inducing mental demons, isn’t it?”

“…”

For a moment, he was at a loss for words.

Why was this fellow, who had just emerged from visualization, so quick to grasp the situation?

Feeling like a thief whose foot was tingling, Yeop Wi-seon was perplexed about what to say, but,

“You did it knowingly, didn’t you?”

“Hey, Cadet. You’re misunderstanding something…”

“No need for discussion.”

“What?”

-Pak!

“Ack!”

There was no time to block or do anything.

In an instant, Yeop Wi-seon’s head was struck hard on the larynx by the blade of the hand between the thumb and index finger, causing his head to tilt back.