Chapter 5. I Already Got the Elixirs.
After a brief exchange with Jang Gi-rip, we parted ways since we would be entering the arena from opposite sides.
Following the man who called me, I walked down the familiar path to the arena. The clinging scent of blood wafting from a distance, the roar of the crowd, and the gamblers lined up along the path—it was all just as I remembered.
Soon enough, I arrived at the arena, where a host-cum-barker was waiting for me.
“You’re late. The previous match just ended, so you’ll need to go up immediately.”
“I understand.”
“What’s your nickname?”
“…?”
“Your nickname, what will it be? You need one for your introduction. You can go by Jang Man-bok, but it’s better to choose something flashy.”
So that was why they waited. It seemed they were holding off on my debut until now.
After a moment’s thought, I replied, “I’ll go with ‘Heaven’s Executioner.’”
My old nickname. No one else had claimed it in this lifetime, so there was no harm in using it. Despite the deeds I’d committed, that name had ultimately defined me.
“Heaven’s Executioner… It suits you. Survive, and you’ll make it worthwhile.”
The barker mumbled something under his breath as he shackled me with the black iron cuffs and then disappeared.
The small amount of inner strength I had was suppressed, leaving me with a sense of suffocation. But I would grow accustomed to it.
During that brief moment, I took the opportunity to survey the surroundings.
The octagonal arena was enclosed in iron mesh, with the ceiling open to the sky. This allowed the audience seated in the five-story structure around the arena to view the fight below.
Everything was exactly as I remembered, but I paid closer attention to the details.
The uneven, gravel-covered floor, the locations of several torn sections in the iron mesh—these were basic elements to observe before engaging in combat.
[Competitors, enter.]
As I walked into the arena, the iron door creaked open, and Jang Gi-rip emerged from the opposite side, wearing a friendly smile.
“Remember what I told you?”
“I remember.”
“Good. I’ll aim for your side, so pretend to charge at me and take the hit. I’ll avoid hitting any vital organs, so there should be no problem.”
“But it should look convincing to the spectators, right?”
“Exactly. You’re sharp.”
Jang Gi-rip still believed his ruse had worked. If this had been my first match, I might have fallen for it, but unfortunately for him, that wasn’t the case.
“By the way, have you placed any bets?”
“…Bets?”
“Participants can place bets too. If you bet on me, you could have earned a bit more. It’s a shame you didn’t.”
“…!”
To be honest, I’d forgotten about that. My goal wasn’t money, but now that I thought about it, if I had bet on myself in every match, I could have earned enough to buy another elixir.
“If there’s a next time, I’ll consider it.”
Jang Gi-rip pretended to be looking out for me until the very end, but this time, I didn’t bother to feign naivety.
‘Why is he telling me this now?’
My mood had soured.
Just then, the announcer, who had his lips pressed against a bronze trumpet, began to declare the start of the match.
[On the right, we have Jang Gi-rip, the Butcher of Men, who has been making waves in the Black Market’s Tianha Mengtu. He’s on a six-match winning streak this year—will he make it seven?]
Jang Gi-rip awkwardly waved to the crowd, glancing at me to gauge my reaction, but I didn’t respond.
[And on the left, hailing from Sichuan, is a newcomer to the arena. Though it’s his first match, his nickname is no less imposing—Heaven’s Executioner, Jang Man-bok!]
Ha-ha-ha-ha!
“What a grand nickname.”
“I’ve placed my bets on you, newbie. Do your best.”
Laughter and jeers poured down like the stars in the night sky. I paid them no mind.
[And now, let the match begin!]
The announcer signaled the start of the match.
“Come at me, just as we discussed.”
Jang Gi-rip winked at me.
I immediately sprinted forward.
“Good!”
He muttered approvingly as he swung his vicious sword with deadly intent.
Now that I think about it, the idea of a controlled stab with such a sword was absurd from the start.
Moreover, the ferocious energy with which he attacked wasn’t something you’d expect from someone trying to rig a match.
Jang Gi-rip’s lips curled into a sinister smile.
‘Just as I thought.’
I switched from a straight step to using my Melting Heaven Footwork.
Dodging left and right before suddenly dropping low, I evaded his sword, which sliced through the air.
Swish!
“What the…?”
Jang Gi-rip was startled by my sudden change in movement and tried to retreat. However—
Slash!
With a swift move, my hand executed the first strike of the Eighteen Strikes of Yama, tearing through Jang Gi-rip’s throat.
Splat!
Blood sprayed like a fountain.
Ah, that’s satisfying.
“What is that guy?”
Ma Jung-hyuk, the overseer of Tianha Mengtu in the Black Market, asked as he watched the match from the sidelines.
This was just a side match, held before the main event where renowned martial artists would battle with their inner strength sealed like beasts in the central arena.
But it had drawn his attention.
“What did I just say?”
“Uh… that…”
“Can’t you figure it out?”
“He registered as a participant about an hour ago. His inner strength was that of a third-rate warrior, so we didn’t bother investigating him further, assuming he’d die soon.”
“What?”
“It’s true. When we checked him before putting him in the waiting room, his inner strength was minuscule, and his physical training was on par with someone who’d only trained for a few years.”
“And yet, he’s doing this? A third-rate warrior easily defeating a first-rate expert?”
Ma Jung-hyuk raised an eyebrow at his subordinate’s response.
Jang Gi-rip, who was on a quest for a seventh consecutive victory, had been a candidate for promotion to the central arena.
Selected from the Black Market’s ranks, Jang Gi-rip had weak inner strength but exceptional external techniques, making him hard to defeat in one blow.
Yet, this guy had taken him down in one move, ripping out his throat with a mere grip.
And they had no information on him?
“Should I dig deeper?”
“Investigate further.”
Ma Jung-hyuk gave the order, sensing that he might have found a gem.
It wasn’t just about skill—having such a brutal and ferocious fighting style that could captivate the crowd was something one was born with, not something that could be acquired.
An unknown warrior with great mass appeal.
Moreover, his inner strength was insignificant, but his technique was formidable. He would be easy to manage.
Elixirs, women, money, treasures, martial arts—he must want one of these five things if he’s come all the way to the Black Market, so it should be easy to get him to follow orders.
“If there’s no one backing him, bring him to me. I need to meet him.”
Ma Jung-hyuk tried to calm the excitement stirring within him. It was too early to declare him a treasure.
But his instincts told him otherwise. This guy was a gem.
While coincidences rarely occurred in the martial world, there were still occasional strokes of fortune.
Hadn’t he, after all, recruited the supreme master Dok Angwi Wang Gipyo, who sought refuge in the Black Market, by offering him sanctuary?
This situation gave off a similar vibe to that moment.
‘Wang Gipyo has been getting more arrogant lately, causing more trouble than I can handle…’
His antics were escalating beyond Ma Jung-hyuk’s control.
If word of his actions reached higher authorities, both Wang Gipyo’s life and Ma Jung-hyuk’s position could be at risk.
The crowd roared with excitement as the masked man was showered with cheers.
The man who called himself Heaven’s Executioner had just ripped off one of Jang Gi-rip’s arms.
Ma Jung-hyuk momentarily forgot his concerns and became engrossed in the match.
‘It’s like watching a renowned fighter in action. This guy is the real deal.’
Overnight, my treatment had drastically improved.
From a stinking room where I had to wait with several other warriors, I was moved to a well-lit chamber where a lavish feast had been prepared for me after a few matches.
I was now in one of the top rooms of the pavilion where the Tianha Mengtu was held.
‘Well, it makes sense.’
I had already fought in these matches in a previous life and knew exactly how to make the crowd go wild as a fighter.
Be more brutal, more intense.
I didn’t hesitate to be ruthless. After all, it was a fight to the death. Everyone involved was fighting for their lives.
And I intended to continue that way. The longer I survived in the Black Market’s arena, the more likely it was that I would face some of the most notorious scoundrels.
If wickedness alone determined ranking, Jang Gi-rip would be among the lowest of the low.
Crunch Munch
This food is delicious. I feel guilty eating it without sharing with my parents.
“Isn’t that a bit too much for someone who says they feel guilty?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re eating quite heartily for someone who claims to feel guilty about not sharing with their parents.”
“It’s just a figure of speech. They’d want me to eat well. In a way, it’s a form of filial piety.”
“Oh…?”
Cho-ryeong, the courtesan who brought the food, was astonished, her cheeks blushing.
Initially, she was afraid of me, likely due to the lingering smell of blood, but after I washed up, she began treating me like a human being.
“Looks like you’re not scared of me anymore, huh? You’re even looking me straight in the eye.”
“Well, you’re not bad to look at. Most of the people who come here are pretty rough.”
“I’m wearing a mask, though.”
“I can tell just by looking at your jawline.”
“Really? But aren’t there more distinguished guests for you to attend to? Wouldn’t your life be better if you served them?”
“I don’t get to serve those kinds of guests. My senior sisters always get to them first. And those guests are usually quite old. But you’re young, which I prefer.”
“Ah-ha?”
Another lesson learned. There’s always something to learn, wherever you go.
But Cho-ryeong wasn’t bad-looking, and her figure wasn’t lacking either. The fact that she was serving me meant that her skills as a courtesan were probably lacking.
Perhaps she wasn’t well-versed in the art of conversation.
High-class courtesans were well-educated, often more so than scholars, with a deep understanding of poetry and music.
I wonder what brought this young girl to such a place. The life of a courtesan in the Black Market was far harsher than that of those in ordinary brothels.
I considered asking but decided against it. Everyone has a story.
“Would you like more wine? You’ve had quite a bit already, but you’re holding it well.”
Cho-ryeong offered, holding a wine bottle. But I waved my hand dismissively. Even if I wanted to drink more, the mood just wasn’t there.
It was a side effect of the Yama Divine Art. No matter how much I drank, my body would automatically detoxify the alcohol.
With its extreme yang energy, once the Yama Divine Art reached the seventh level, I would be immune to all poisons. Even now, I was probably immune to most toxins.
Wine like Bamboo Leaf Green was immediately burned away upon entering my body. A stronger drink might have an effect, but not this.
In any case, it was taking a while. Given the room they’d prepared, I expected someone like the overseer to show up.
“But, by the way.”
“Hmm?”
“Why did you come here? You don’t seem like a bad person, and you don’t look poor either. Do you have a story of your own?”
“I have something to take care of before the Martial Alliance tournament.”
I answered honestly.
Cho-ryeong laughed. Did she not believe me?
“Pfft, the Martial Alliance tournament? Not the Demonic Cult’s promising young star? You fought pretty brutally out there. Why’s that?”
“Becoming a chivalrous hero is my dream. To pursue justice, I need to join the Martial Alliance.”
I replied seriously.
Destroying the Baek Clan, stripping them of their fame.
That’s what a chivalrous hero does, isn’t it?
“Oh, pfft! Is that so?”
“You don’t believe me, do you?”
“Not one bit.”
“…You little!”
Thud!
Just as I was about to lecture Cho-ryeong, the door opened, and the news I had been waiting for arrived.
“The overseer would like to see you.”
“Tell him I’m coming.”
I closed my mouth and stood up.
There would be another chance to preach my philosophy of chivalry.
“Take care, chivalrous hero.”
Cho-ryeong’s playful voice followed me as I left the room.
“I’m Ma Jung-hyuk, the overseer.”
“I’m Heaven’s Executioner, Jang Man-bok.”
The man who summoned me was a middle-aged man. Though he was short, he had a strong presence and exuded the aura of someone from the dark side of martial arts.
Yet, his demeanor was more that of a merchant than a martial artist.
“Your nickname suits your fighting style well. Did you rest well? It must have been tiring.”
“I didn’t sleep since I wasn’t that tired.”
“Was it that easy for you?”
“After all, it was just a side match.”
“Oh-ho-“
Ma Jung-hyuk exclaimed in admiration. I was worried I might be underestimating him.
“So, are you planning to put me on the central stage?”
“What do you think?”
“You will.”
“And why is that?”
“I’ve heard that quite a bit of money was wagered on the side match. That indicates I have popular appeal.”
“And how do you know that?”
“I placed bets on myself starting from the second match.”
“Interesting. Very interesting.”
Ma Jung-hyuk looked at me as if I were a new breed of person. He likely saw me as someone who was open about money and eager to climb the ranks in the arena.
That was my strategy.
I had no intention of staying in the Black Market for long. The wickedness displayed here was child’s play compared to the atrocities I committed in my past life.
But I came here to walk a path entirely opposite to that of a villain, and just being among this crowd made my skin crawl.
So, I planned to achieve my goal quickly and leave with Bang Yak-rip.
Moreover, I knew they had already investigated me, and the longer I stayed, the more problematic it would become.
“Let’s stop beating around the bush and get to the point. I want to put you on the central stage, but you’ll need to prove yourself.”
“What kind of proof is required?”
“Fight a few more side matches. Jang Gi-rip was a talent I brought in from a previous Black Market event. Just because you beat him doesn’t mean you can go straight to the central stage.”
“I understand. But it can’t take too long.”
“If you prove your worth, you’ll be on the central stage as early as tomorrow. After all, we have to put on the fighters that the audience wants to see.”
That wouldn’t be difficult. In my past life, I held the position of top fighter for a long time.
I knew exactly what made the audience go wild.
Now it was my turn. It would be a shame to just fight as a participant and leave after achieving my goal.
“Very well. But if I satisfy the audience quickly, what’s in it for me?”
“Is a thousand nyang of silver per victory not enough? You can keep Cho-ryeong as well. You can continue using that room.”
“Wasn’t that just the groundwork for our conversation?”
Ma Jung-hyuk was more of a merchant than a martial artist. As my value increased, he would eventually have to offer something more.
Furthermore, to maintain his position as overseer, he needed to constantly produce results. I was probably quite appealing to him.
“What is it that you want?”
Finally, Ma Jung-hyuk asked.
“Do you have any elixirs? My inner strength is lacking compared to my skills. I may be fighting as a Black Market participant now, but I’d like to perform outside as well…”
“Hahaha. You’re quite ambitious. You don’t want to remain a mere Black Market fighter. No problem. Grow under my wing, and when you reach the central stage, I’ll gift you a five-hundred-year-old He Shou Wu. Keep performing well, and you’ll get whatever you desire.”
There seemed to be a misunderstanding, but I was satisfied with the response.
How dare you covet a martial artist destined to serve in the Martial Alliance?
I concealed my true intentions and bowed.
“Please take care of me.”
“The pleasure is mine.”
Good. That guarantees thirty years of inner strength.
But there was something I needed to ask before leaving.
“By the way, will I get to fight Dok Angwi Wang Gipyo? I understand he’s also one of your fighters.”
“You’re in quite a hurry.”
“I have to be. The higher I climb, the more I’ll earn. And I’ll get more opportunities.”
“No matter how skilled you are, there are procedures to follow. It won’t happen overnight. And he’s a supreme master. Value your life.”
It seemed that was the extent of his evaluation of me.
But with about ten days left, there was no problem.
“I understand. I’ll keep your advice in mind.”
“Glad to hear it. You may leave now.”
Arranging matches wasn’t solely within Ma Jung-hyuk’s control.
It took exactly three days for me to be placed on the central stage.
A short time if you consider it, yet long if you’re in a hurry.
But considering that an unknown fighter like me was stepping onto the stage where only the most famous martial artists competed, it was one of the rarest occurrences in Black Market history.
In those three days, I fought thirteen matches and displayed overwhelming skill in each, making this feat possible.
‘But this isn’t enough.’
I had promised Bang Yak-rip that I would take down Dok Angwi Wang Gipyo.
It wasn’t just about the elixirs; it was a promise to someone I had shared a bond with in a previous life.
But with fifty fighters registered on the central stage, the odds of me facing Wang Gipyo were slim.
I was ranked at the bottom, while he was the top fighter.
Although multiple matches were held on the central stage each day, fighters could only participate in one match per day, making it unlikely that I would face Wang Gipyo soon.
So I had to use my wits.
[Today’s central stage matchup is thrilling in many ways. On one side, we have the veteran fighter Black Death, who has fought thirty-two matches in the Black Market. On the other side, we have the terrifying newcomer Heaven’s Executioner, Jang Man-bok, who has won thirteen straight matches in just three days. Have you placed your bets?]
The announcer introduced me and my opponent through a bronze trumpet.
The man opposite me was dressed entirely in black cloth, fitting his nickname of Black Death.
His weapon of choice was an iron sword, and the bulge in his chest suggested he was wearing an iron plate beneath his clothes.
But that didn’t matter.
[Place your bets carefully, folks. The match begins now.]
At the announcer’s signal, I lunged forward. As expected of the central stage, Black Death reacted to my movement.
When I positioned myself to the right using Melting Heaven Footwork, he responded by moving to the left, aiming at my side.
In response, I kicked off the iron mesh, instantly changing direction.
Swish!
Black Death didn’t panic and slashed horizontally with his iron sword. He revealed his chest, likely relying on the iron plate beneath for protection.
I dodged the attack by ducking and then moved in as if to strike at his chest.
Thud!
Black Death, thinking I was caught, reversed his grip on the sword and swung it down at my back.
Although I was faster, he probably believed that his chest was safe because of the iron plate. But—
Crunch!
The moment my palm touched his chest, it collapsed inward. I also raised one hand to block his sword arm from coming down.
“H-how is this possible?”
The only visible part of Black Death’s face was his wide eyes. If I were to explain, I didn’t strike—I used a rotational force to press down with immense strength…
Guh!
Black Death spat out blood before collapsing, his body crumbling.
Waaahhh—
Heaven’s Executioner is the best!
How much will I win?
The crowd’s cheers rained down on me. I glanced around at them before raising my hand, indicating I had something to say.
If Ma Jung-hyuk wouldn’t put me on the central stage, I would force the issue.
The arena fell silent as I spoke.
“My inner strength may be third-rate, but my skill is supreme. I’m tired of fighting small fry. I’ve heard that Dok Angwi Wang Gipyo has reigned as the top fighter here for years. Let’s fight! If I’m weak, I’ll gladly lay down my life.”
After a brief pause, the arena exploded with noise.
Chants for Wang Gipyo and shouts for Heaven’s Executioner mingled in a chaotic roar.
‘There’s no avoiding this match now.’
In the distance, I could see Ma Jung-hyuk clutching his head. He might be angry with me, but it didn’t matter.
I already had the elixirs, and now all I needed was Wang Gipyo’s head.
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