Chapter 4. Truly a Place with Much to Learn.
My feelings towards Bang Yak-rip were extremely complex.
At first, I resented him, for he sowed the seeds of solitude within me.
Yet, upon learning of the circumstances that led him to the Baek Clan, I began to feel a sense of pity, and at times, even gratitude.
As one of the most renowned physicians in the martial world, he saved my life on multiple occasions.
However, I couldn’t suppress my anger, for the very life he preserved had trapped me in a cycle of misdeeds.
But now, I intend to bury all those past emotions.
The current Bang Yak-rip, untouched by the influence of the Baek Clan, has yet to instill in me the loneliness I once despised. His inherently kind nature makes it impossible for him to harm even the smallest creature.
Moreover, I needed Bang Yak-rip for my grand plan.
“I’m here to obtain elixirs.”
“The price?”
“It’s of no concern. I’m willing to pay any amount if the product is worthy.”
“Do you have the money?”
I merely smirked. How could I possibly have money?
But perhaps misunderstanding my smile as confirmation, Bang Yak-rip nodded and asked me to wait briefly before disappearing inside.
It wasn’t long before he returned, carrying several wooden boxes.
“Come closer. Let’s see. This is processed Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng, here is Myriad Jade, and this is Bicheongyo.”
“Did you craft them yourself?”
“Yes. There’s nothing in this shop in its original state. But rest assured, the efficacy has only improved.”
I had no doubts. The three elixirs he brought were all incredibly tempting.
I had expected his skills to have dulled since he left the Baek Clan, but if anything, they had grown sharper.
This was the Bang Yak-rip before he touched poison and solitude. If I took all three, I would gain at least five years’ worth of inner strength from each.
“How much?”
“Three thousand nyang each.”
“Silver?”
“Gold, of course. I also accept promissory notes. Will you make the deal?”
“Of course.”
Bang Yak-rip began wrapping the boxes in cloth with a blank expression, when I casually interjected.
“But I don’t have any money right now.”
For the first time, a frown creased Bang Yak-rip’s face.
“Are you joking with me? You asked to see the elixirs and inquired about the price without any money? No wonder you didn’t go to the central market.”
“...”
“You seem new to the Black Market, but I’m afraid such pranks don’t work here. You can’t steal the elixirs by force either, unless you want to be hunted by the martial world.”
It must have been frustrating for him. Coming here and talking without a penny to my name.
But I wasn’t without a plan. Surely, I wouldn’t come here without any measures in place.
I looked at Bang Yak-rip, who had started to unwrap the cloth he had just tied, and said calmly,
“I’ll capture Dok Angwi Wang Gipyo for you. How does that sound? Surely, that would be worth the price.”
Bang Yak-rip’s hands froze, as if turned to stone.
I recited the words he had spoken to me in a previous life.
“I heard that while you were away, that bastard humiliated and brutally murdered your wife and daughter. You wanted revenge, but he escaped to the Black Market, where you couldn’t reach him. Am I wrong?”
“How do you know that?”
Bang Yak-rip’s eyes trembled as if an earthquake had struck within them. Every word I spoke was true.
The Baek Clan had recognized Bang Yak-rip’s talents, avenged him, and brought him into their fold.
Although he followed the Baek Clan thereafter, it was not out of agreement with their cause.
His inherently kind nature tormented him with guilt for the atrocities committed with the poisons and concoctions he created.
In my past life, I hated and pitied him for this, and though I thought we could become friends, we never grew close.
This time, I would change that past.
“Dok Angwi Wang Gipyo is known as a champion of the ‘Tianha Mengtu,’ the Black Market’s arena. I may not be able to ambush and kill him, but I can join the tournament and kill him in the ring. So, let me kill him. In exchange, give me the elixirs. What do you say?”
“...”
“Since you can’t kill him yourself, you’ve been following the Black Market, hoping someone would do it for you, haven’t you? Let me be that someone.”
“...”
Bang Yak-rip remained silent. But that silence was answer enough.
“Then I’ll take it as a yes. I’ll bring you his head. Or you can come to the match yourself and watch me beat him to your heart’s content.”
“...”
I turned and walked out of the shop.
He hadn’t given a verbal reply, but I knew the deal was sealed.
* * *
As soon as I left Bang Yak-rip’s shop, I headed towards the heart of the Black Market.
Even though it was night, the center was as bright as day, unlike the outskirts.
Music drifted from all directions, mingling with the coquettish laughter of courtesans and the swaggering shouts of bandits.
It was hard to believe this place was nestled in a mountain valley.
“Here we have young, fresh boys for sale.”
“Young master, wouldn’t you like to buy a slave?”
“We sell all kinds of drugs. Just one taste and you’ll see visions.”
The only difference was that here, inhumane and illegal acts were rampant and blatant.
After the Baek Clan conquered the martial world, such Black Markets flourished across the land.
But there was no need to get excited yet. Causing a disturbance here wouldn’t solve anything, and drawing a weapon would mean death.
Perhaps if I had my former skills, but the overwhelming killing intent seeping from every corner would paralyze even the most seasoned masters.
‘There’s a strange presence all around.’
Though I still had the inner strength of a third-rate martial artist, I could sense the locations of those hidden.
It was due to the unique abilities of the Enma Divine Art, which excelled at detecting heat.
As long as one was human, they possessed heat, and unless they deliberately concealed themselves with extreme yin energy, they couldn’t escape my detection.
The sticky sensation was unpleasant, but I had no choice but to endure it for now, as they were beyond my current capabilities.
There would be a time to settle the score once I joined the Martial Alliance.
As I walked, I came across a shop selling masks and decided to stop by.
“How much is this?”
“It’s just a wooden mask. A single nyang of silver will do.”
I handed over the money and chose a red pig mask to wear, to conceal my identity.
Though the Black Market allowed both orthodox and unorthodox figures to operate freely, it wasn’t wise to be too conspicuous.
I would have to participate in the arena matches to avenge Bang Yak-rip, but it wouldn’t do for someone who intended to join the Martial Alliance to be seen openly.
‘Not that they would care much, perhaps?’
In my past life, some bold, later-generation warriors openly bragged about entering the arena, only to die.
Still, it was better to be cautious.
I continued deeper into the heart of the Black Market.
The number of lanterns increased, and more colorful and dazzling buildings lined the streets.
At the end stood a towering five-story pavilion. This was the true core of the Black Market.
This was where the Black Market’s most lucrative business took place.
‘Tianha Mengtu.’
It was also the official name of the arena where I would fight.
The two things people were most passionate about took place there: gambling and watching fights.
Orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic factions alike all fought for their lives with nothing but their bare hands. Who wouldn’t be thrilled by that?
Moreover, the fights in Tianha Mengtu were brutal.
Even renowned masters had to wear shackles made of precious Black Iron, which sealed their inner strength.
People went wild because it was a fight relying solely on brute strength.
‘Bang Yak-rip’s enemy is here.’
Dok Angwi, who violated and killed Bang Yak-rip’s wife and daughter, was an ultimate martial artist who reigned as the top fighter in the arena for years.
As an ultimate martial artist skilled in external techniques, there was no one who could stand against him.
But that would only be the story up until today. No matter how excellent his external techniques were, that was still the domain of lesser fighters.
‘For me, this is an opportunity.’
With their inner strength sealed, even though I had only trained my body for a few months, I was like a catfish in a pond with my superlative skills.
“What’s your business here? Not just anyone can enter. Do you have an invitation?”
As I tried to enter the pavilion labeled ‘Tianha Mengtu,’ the guards stopped me.
Even those who came to watch the bottom-tier fights and gamble had to be somewhat verified before they were allowed in.
But it was different for participants.
“I want to participate in the arena.”
“What’s your level?”
“My inner strength is third-rate. But my skill is supreme.”
The men burst into laughter. It wasn’t uncommon for people to claim their skills were excellent while their inner strength was weak.
They were likely grouping me with such people.
“Are you serious?”
“I am.”
“You look feeble.”
“Then I’ll just die quickly.”
“Well, I can’t argue with that. It’s your life after all. What about weapons?”
“A man should rely on his fists.”
“Wow. You’re quite something. Very well, your registration is accepted. We were short a few participants anyway.”
The man smirked and quickly jotted down a name I had invented.
Luck was on my side. Sometimes they tested skills, but it seemed they were short on participants today, allowing me to enter easily.
I was also being underestimated, which was just as well.
The more they underestimated me, the more the spectators would too, and if I won, it would catch their attention.
This meant I had a better chance of facing Dok Angwi Wang Gipyo, the top fighter, sooner.
Before I entered, I asked,
“Is it allowed to wear a mask during the fight?”
“Anything goes, as long as it draws the crowd. You’re an interesting fellow. I’ll be cheering for you. Go inside and head left. Keep your head down so you don’t upset any important guests.”
“I understand. One more thing.”
“What is it?”
“Will I get to fight Dok Angwi?”
“Well... You’ll have to survive first, won’t you? If you do, you’ll face him eventually.”
The man’s response was more than satisfactory.
* * *
“Everything’s in order. Wait here.”
“The accommodations aren’t exactly luxurious.”
“Just get in.”
A rough hand shoved me into a dark, windowless room.
They called it a waiting room, but it felt more like being thrown into a cell.
Creak. Clang!
The iron door behind me closed with a heavy thud, and the man who had pushed me in locked it.
“...?”
This didn’t happen in my previous life, so I was puzzled. Was this really necessary?
“They do it to prevent escape.”
One of the half-dozen men already inside the room spoke as I hesitated at the entrance.
“Escape? From here? Why?”
“Some sign up to participate, but then run off when they hear the screams outside. It creates gaps in the matches, which is a problem for the organizers.”
That explanation made some sense. But to flee from a fight? I couldn’t understand it.
“Even the lowest of the low value their lives, it seems.”
“Hahaha. True enough. But everyone has their reasons for ending up at the bottom.”
The man, who had responded to my muttering, laughed and continued. He was quite chatty.
“Reasons, you say...”
“That’s right. Take me, for instance. I was so broke I had to sell my wife and daughter. So, I decided to sell myself instead.”
“Is that so?”
Life at the bottom, indeed. I couldn’t quite sympathize.
He spoke as if he had nobly sacrificed himself, but it was likely his actions had led to that situation in the first place.
Looking at his face, he seemed to be well into his forties. He looked vaguely familiar...
“So, how about we introduce ourselves?”
“Here?”
“Why not? It’s fate that brought us together.”
“Alright then. My name is Jang Man-bok.”
I gave him a fake name. No one used their real name here anyway.
“Well, well, it seems we share the same family name. I’m Jang Gi-rip, from Hebei. So, what brought you here?”
“Well, it just happened. But I must say, your situation is unfortunate.”
Jang Gi-rip was quite talkative. I answered him with vague responses, and eventually, I let him do most of the talking.
To summarize his story, his circumstances were quite tragic.
But I felt no sympathy. If anything, I was slightly impressed.
‘I remember now. The Butcher of Men, Jang Gi-rip.’
This madman deliberately nicked his straight sword to make it catch on flesh like a saw.
I had met him when I was more active in my past life, and I knew he survived for a long time.
He was so cruel that it was said he enjoyed the taste of human flesh. His current display of seeking sympathy was just a tactic to make his opponents hesitate in battle.
Though he was speaking to me, I’m sure the other men in the room were also listening.
If anyone fought Jang Gi-rip, his words would affect them, even if just a little.
‘No wonder he’s survived this long despite being only first-rate.’
I couldn’t help but laugh, though I didn’t stop him. Jang Gi-rip might have a dazzling record, but the others here were likely no less dangerous.
Anyone who ended up fighting in the Black Market’s arena was almost certainly a human scum criminal.
But there was one exception. The young man listening to Jang Gi-rip with wide eyes, for instance.
“I’m in a similar situation. My mother is ill, so I came here to participate in the Tianha Mengtu. I used to do well at my local martial arts school, but now I’m scared...”
“Oh, really? You’ve had a tough time. But let’s do our best and earn some big money.”
“But our lives are on the line...”
“Don’t say that! Honestly, aside from you, me, and this friend here, the rest are probably criminals. Don’t let fear show in your movements. You can win.”
Jang Gi-rip comforted the young man who claimed he was fighting to earn money for his mother’s medicine.
But I noticed something else. Jang Gi-rip subtly signaled to someone outside through a small gap in the iron door.
I had assumed he survived through sympathy alone, but it seemed there was more to his scheme.
‘He’s working with an insider. This place is full of things to learn.’
Though I had been one of the Five Peaks of the Martial World in my past life, there was always more to learn.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Creak. Clang!
After a while, the iron door opened.
“Jang Gi-rip, it’s your turn.”
Jang Gi-rip looked aghast, his shoulders drooping as he stepped outside.
I had expected the young man who had spoken with him to be called next. Instead, the man calling names surprised me.
“Pig Mask, it’s your turn. Let’s see... Jang Man-bok?”
“......?”
“What’s the matter? Come out already. You haven’t even chosen a nickname yet?”
“......?”
It seemed I had been too attentive.
Apparently, they thought I was even easier prey than the young man who needed medicine money.
“Don’t worry, Man-bok. In the arena, not everyone dies. If you get cut, just pretend to be dead. You might survive that way. I’ll make sure of it.”
Jang Gi-rip, standing outside, beckoned to me, his innocent eyes twinkling as he tried to coax me out.
It was absurd, but in a way, this worked out well.
I had been annoyed by the rotten stench this man was emitting since earlier.
Besides, another person surnamed Jang. It seemed all the bad guys were named Jang.
I would consider it saving many lives, including that of the naive young man, who would have fallen to Jang Gi-rip in the future.
“Is that really true?”
“Of course. Just lie down as if you’re dead if you get hurt. I’ll take care of the rest.”
“Th-thank you. I’m so grateful.”
“Come now, no need to tremble.”
Jang Gi-rip patted my shoulder as he spoke. Was this a characteristic trait of those with the surname Jang?
It seemed I would have to pull this Jang’s arm out as well.
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