Chapter 3. I Plan to Make Him Mine.
After declaring my intention to take the Murim Alliance exam to my parents, I immediately began preparations.
While I believed it wouldn't be too difficult, that didn't mean I could pass the exam right away.
'My current level isn't that high.'
Just ten years of internal energy.
That's the amount of internal energy one could achieve by diligently practicing a basic inner cultivation technique for a set time each day for ten years.
Prestigious families possessed techniques at least twice as efficient, and depending on talent, some could achieve threefold efficiency.
In the case of Demonic Arts or unorthodox techniques, even greater efficiency was possible, so it's easy to see how meager ten years of internal energy is.
If we were to judge solely by internal energy, it meant that even after using the Primordial Energy Technique, I had barely reached the threshold of a third-rate martial artist.
'My physical condition isn't that great either.'
This was due to neglecting proper training because of the Jang brothers' enticements.
Moreover, the martial arts school I attended at this time was obsessed with the idea that internal energy was all that mattered, overlooking the fact that a strong physical foundation was essential.
It was understandable, as physical training was arduous. People naturally sought easier and more efficient paths.
However, even those who neglected physical training were in better shape than me. It's evident how much I had slacked off.
But regrets should be kept to a minimum. Otherwise, it's impossible to move forward.
I sat down cross-legged. First, I needed to address my internal energy.
The martial art I would practice in this life was also just one.
"Hellfire Divine Art."
Just saying it made the room feel scorching hot, a testament to its extreme Yang attribute.
The Hellfire Divine Art was an incomplete martial art that the Baek Family had generously bestowed upon me after I had made contributions as their puppet.
They probably never imagined that I would fully master the Hellfire Divine Art.
But I did, and eventually became the Heavenly Slaughter Demon.
Although I was defeated by them in the end, it was my defeat, not the defeat of the Hellfire Divine Art.
Due to the impure energy caused by excessive use of the Primordial Energy Technique, I was unable to achieve the Great Completion of the Hellfire Divine Art, as it hindered my progress beyond the Transcendent Realm.
However, this life is different.
'I will achieve the Great Completion of the Hellfire Divine Art and accomplish my desired goals.'
The Hellfire Divine Art is a complete martial art in itself, but it can also be divided into specific branches:
[Inner Cultivation Technique: Hellfire Ten-Layered Formula]
[Martial Arts Techniques: Hellfire 108 Combat Forms]
[Footwork: Heaven-Extinguishing Earth-Shattering Steps]
[Movement Technique: Hellfire Explosion Step]
Each of these, even if separated, could be considered top-tier martial arts in the Murim world.
In particular, the Hellfire Ten-Layered Formula was superior to the internal energy techniques of anyone I had encountered during my time as the Heavenly Slaughter Demon.
The Hellfire Ten-Layered Formula has ten levels of cultivation, each with a different color of fire.
However, even the first level requires ten years of internal energy, making it difficult to begin. Fortunately, with the help of the Jang brothers, I managed to reach the Red Flower stage last night.
But it was too early to be satisfied. To challenge the 8th-grade Murim Alliance exam, I needed to reach the level of a first-rate martial artist with at least thirty years of internal energy.
In terms of the Hellfire Ten-Layered Formula, I needed to break through to the third level and reach the Blue Flower stage.
'Even though the Hellfire Ten-Layered Formula is excellent, with only half a year until the next Murim Alliance exam, it's impossible to raise my internal energy solely through inner cultivation.'
Then, there were only two options:
Either seek the help of the Primordial Energy Technique or find elixirs.
However, it was best to refrain from using the Primordial Energy Technique. It was a Demonic Art in itself, and the more I used it, the more impure my energy would become, eventually becoming an obstacle.
Besides, I intended to use the Primordial Energy Technique only on villains, and if I faced them now, I would likely end up dead.
Therefore, I had to choose the latter.
'I guess I'll have to visit the Black Market.'
Prestigious families and great sects monopolized elixirs, causing the supply to dwindle and prices to skyrocket, but it wasn't impossible to find them.
Moreover, 'he' was currently at the Black Market, and if I could make him mine, he would be of great help.
That didn't mean I would sit idly by for now.
Whoosh!
While sitting cross-legged, I circulated the Microcosmic Orbit using my meager internal energy.
A hot flame coursed through my body, cleansing my meridians and awakening my physique.
I breathed deeply as if working a bellows, and after completing a few cycles of the Microcosmic Orbit, I could sense that the flame in my dantian had grown slightly larger.
When I opened my eyes, I could feel the room getting hotter. But I still didn't release my cross-legged posture.
'I need to work on the other martial arts as well.'
The Hellfire Ten-Layered Formula, the inner cultivation technique, and the Hellfire Explosion Step, the movement technique, were fine as they were, but the Hellfire 108 Combat Forms, the offensive techniques, and the Heaven-Extinguishing Earth-Shattering Steps, the footwork, needed to be revamped.
In particular, the Hellfire 108 Combat Forms, which could rip out an opponent's throat with the first move, were too brutal to use within the Murim Alliance.
The moment I used them, I would be labeled as a member of the Demonic Path or the Unorthodox Path.
The Heaven-Extinguishing Earth-Shattering Steps also emanated a sinister aura and resembled footwork used by assassins, so I needed to conceal it.
'It doesn't matter. I'll just create new ones.'
In my past life, perhaps as a side effect of the Solitude, I was exposed to and analyzed various martial arts to the point of being considered a martial arts maniac.
Although the Hellfire 108 Combat Forms and the Heaven-Extinguishing Earth-Shattering Steps were among the best martial arts I knew, it wasn't impossible to create new ones.
Once I passed the Murim Alliance exam, I would delve into the Murim Alliance library and create new martial arts.
Of course, until then, I would have to use them discreetly.
Thud, thud!
I organized my thoughts and finally stood up. It was time to move my body after using my head.
Time flew by quickly.
Summer passed, and autumn approached in leaps and bounds.
It felt like I had just blinked, and now it was winter again. The impermanence of time's passage was something I couldn't hold onto.
However, my transformation, in some ways, had caught up with the flow of time.
'My stamina has improved a lot.'
My daily routine began with running.
I would wake up at dawn and run around the village at a fast pace, and now I could run a couple of laps without getting out of breath.
'My body is almost complete.'
There's no end to physical training, but I was confident that I had built a body suitable for challenging the Murim Alliance exam.
The training method I used was extremely simple and repetitive: flipping rice sacks.
When I first regressed, I struggled to even flip a 50-geun rice sack.
Now, I could easily flip a rice sack filled with iron bars a hundred times.
Perhaps all of this progress was possible thanks to the Hellfire Divine Art.
'I've reached the second level of the Hellfire Ten-Layered Formula.'
I absorbed the latent energy of elixirs from various parts of my body and finally achieved fifteen years' worth of internal energy, reaching the Deep Red Flower stage.
As a result, I was able to expel waste products more efficiently and increase my body heat, which boosted my recovery ability. My physical condition improved rapidly after that.
It was because I diligently and consistently performed the same training every day without getting bored.
Even during my time as the Heavenly Slaughter Demon, I had realized that consistency and repetition were key to physical training.
However, I had reached a limit.
'Twenty days left until the Murim Alliance exam. But I'm not fully prepared. I haven't reached the thirty years of internal energy required for the 8th-grade exam.'
I had gathered the internal energy scattered throughout my body, but to pass the 8th-grade Murim Alliance exam, I needed at least thirty years' worth of internal energy.
In other words, I needed to reach the ranks of first-rate martial artists.
Even now, if I fought face-to-face, I could probably beat up a first-rate martial artist, but the inflexible examiners of the Murim Alliance would never pass me.
'But I can't lower myself to the 10th grade.'
Brother, come to your senses. Taking the 8th-grade exam? You're barely qualified for the 12th grade. Are you really going to make us sell another inn?
My younger sister had scolded me in the middle of the marketplace, so the whole village knew that I was challenging the 8th-grade Murim Alliance exam.
At this point, there was no turning back.
Because of my sister, my parents' honor was now at stake in my passing the 8th-grade exam.
Since they were supporting me, wouldn't it be a big deal if I failed the 8th-grade Murim Alliance exam?
Moreover, if I entered the Alliance as the top scorer, I would be able to choose the martial force I wanted to join.
So, I had no choice but to increase my internal energy.
The time had come to visit the Black Market as planned and acquire elixirs.
"Mother, Father, I would like to depart for the Murim Alliance in advance."
My parents looked hesitant at my words, spoken with twenty days left until the Murim Alliance exam.
"Why so soon? Isn't it just a day and a half away by boat?"
It was understandable. My hometown, Jagang County, was located about 300 li southwest of Wuhan, where the Murim Alliance was located, along the Yangtze River.
However, I had no intention of taking a boat on this journey. I needed to replenish my internal energy along the way.
"I'm thinking of going on foot."
"On foot?"
"Yes. I want to train my martial arts as well. After all, determination is important, isn't it?"
"300 li? Through the mountains?"
"..."
My parents nodded.
They had been my most ardent supporters, witnessing my recent training efforts.
"Do you need anything for the trip?"
"No."
"Didn't you take a lot of money last time? I heard the prices in Wuhan are high."
"It's alright. I have some money saved up, and I know where to get more."
"I see. But if you're doing this for our sake, you can tell us. We still have some leeway."
"I really don't need anything."
I kept refusing my parents' help.
I didn't actually have any money saved up, but I didn't really need it.
The reason I was going to the Black Market was to get elixirs, but petty money wouldn't be enough anyway.
I planned to acquire both money and elixirs through other means.
However, my parents seemed a little hurt that I didn't need their help.
"Mother, Father, your help so far has been more than enough. I've received too much, more than I deserve. So, from now on, please just watch over me."
"Siwoo..."
"My son..."
Their eyes welled up with tears. Mine were about to as well.
Why couldn't I have said these words in my past life? But it's okay, I can say them now.
"Don't worry and wait for me. I'll come back after passing the 8th-grade Murim Alliance exam."
"Don't put too much pressure on yourself."
"Pressure? It's nothing. It's easy."
"So, the seven times you failed never happened?"
"Haha...."
My father spoke.
"So you're leaving right away?"
"Yes, I just came to say goodbye."
"Wait a moment."
He went to prepare food for his son who was going on a long journey.
He filled a table with dishes in less than two hours.
"Eat and go."
"..."
"Be careful on your journey. And really, don't feel pressured. You're enough just as you are."
"..."
My parents' touch on the back of my hand was incredibly warm.
"Stop. This area is off-limits."
Two men blocked my path.
I was currently climbing a nameless mountain located between Jagang County and the Murim Alliance.
Despite being nameless, the mountain had a rugged terrain with a wide basin at its peak, and this year, the Black Market was being held here.
I followed the memories from my past life and came here, and judging by the men boldly disguised as guards blocking my way, I had arrived at the right place.
This was a place where human trafficking, assassination contracts, slave auctions, drug deals, and other such activities took place, so impersonating guards was child's play to them.
"I came here because I was curious about the highest place in the sky."
The men cleared the way at my words.
This was a kind of codeword, always used when the Black Market was held on the mountain. Since all sorts of people gathered here, the entrance inspection was just a formality.
"Go on in."
As I stepped inside and took a few steps, an astonishing sight unfolded before me, along with a large crowd of people.
A small village had been established right on the mountain peak.
At a glance, it seemed even larger than Jagang County where I grew up.
'It's still as mystical as ever.'
No one knew who opened and closed the Black Market.
Some said it was managed by the Imperial Family, while others claimed it was the Unorthodox Alliance, the largest alliance of unorthodox sects.
There were also rumors that it was a secret funding source for the Demonic Path or a backdoor for the Murim Alliance to manage criminals.
All of these were both true and false.
The reason the Black Market could be held in the Unorthodox Alliance's backyard, the Demonic Path's backdoor, or near the Murim Alliance was because everyone's interests were involved.
The prevailing theory was that the 'Great Evil,' one of the current Five Evils of Murim, oversaw the Black Market with their backing, but I didn't know for sure.
In my past life, when I tore apart and killed the 'Great Evil' and took their place, I wasn't particularly curious and didn't bother asking.
'I'll ask them when I meet them in this life.'
I don't know if I'll have the chance, but I'm bound to encounter them eventually while working as a member of the Murim Alliance.
Of course, now is the time to lay low. If I meet them now, it's not the Great Evil who will be torn apart, but me.
"You can find anything you desire here. We have strong Kunlun slaves and young children. Come and have a look."
"Do you want revenge but lack the strength? How about using poison? We have 108 different types of extreme poisons from Southern Barbarians."
"We can assist you with robbery, murder, rape, and anything else you desire. Just ask."
From the entrance of the Black Market, shouts filled with murderous intent could be heard.
As it was a seasonal business, they were actively trying to attract customers and make a profit.
Many people showed interest and entered the shops. But instead of heading towards the center of the Black Market, I walked around the outskirts.
The first reason I came to the Black Market was to meet a certain man, and he was doing business at the edge of the market.
"..."
As I walked, the tiled houses disappeared, and shops made of roughly assembled wood came into view.
Passing even those, I came upon shops that were simply wooden poles covered with cloth to block out the sun.
Among them, I entered a small shop with the scent of medicinal herbs, located in a particularly secluded area.
"Who are you?"
A man who was sorting medicinal herbs under a black cloth asked me. He was probably asking why I had come all the way here.
For a moment, I was speechless as I looked at the young man and peered into his past life.
'It's been a while.'
This man would become one of the most renowned elixir makers in the Murim world.
However, he didn't achieve fame because no one knew him. Only I knew.
His name was Bang Yak-Rip.
A tragic figure whose talent was wasted after being recruited by the Baek Family.
He had an exceptional talent for elixir making, was skilled in handling poisons and medicinal herbs, and was also an excellent physician.
And...
He was also the one who implanted Solitude in me in my past life.
Before the Baek Family could recruit him, I planned to make him mine.
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