Chapter 31: Fourth Stage: Amplification (1)

Unrestrained Saber, Peng Ga-heon.

In truth, he was called the Unrestrained Saber because he was said to brandish his saber indiscriminately, but this was a misleading alias.

The State of Harmony was not a realm so easily reached by brandishing a saber indiscriminately.

He was a man who skillfully used even the prejudices against him, so the nickname ‘Fox Bear’ represented him better than the alias ‘Unrestrained Saber’.

I chose my words carefully.

“How could I postpone a matter of stepping forward for the Jianghu Murim?”

Chwipung-gae, my father Dancheon Gang, and Uncle Yeo Baek.

There was something I learned from dealing with them.

The fact that when facing masters who had reached the Transcendent Peak, a direct approach was far more effective than petty tricks.

“Indeed, I can feel the spirit of a prestigious clan.”

Peng Ga-heon quietly nodded his head.

Nevertheless…….

“But wasn’t it reckless?”

“Pardon?”

“I’m asking what you would have done if these people had noticed and fled because you two rashly stepped forward.”

“That is…….”

Just as I was about to retort, Peng Ga-heon cut me off and continued.

“No. It would have been better if they had fled. The Murim Alliance could have hunted them down with its capabilities, one way or another. But what if you two had been defeated?”

Saying so, Peng Ga-heon looked at me.

“Severing Dragon Dancheon Myeong, I am aware that you have thoroughly proven your capabilities at the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.”

Then, he looked at Lee Chun-baek.

“Wanderer Lee Chun-baek, I heard that if you hadn't given up during the third test, one of the Dragon seats would have been yours, isn't that right?”

I was surprised.

I didn’t know he had grasped our details so thoroughly.

“You two are the pillars who will lead the new era of the Jianghu Murim. You must distinguish between recklessness and confidence.”

“…….”

While I was organizing my thoughts and a brief silence fell, Jao-gae of the Beggar's Gang, who had become my brother through a day's bond, stepped forward.

“Great Hero Peng, this Severing Dragon here is a master who has already reached the Transcendent Peak Realm, and Wanderer Lee Chun-baek is also a rising master who has reached the Transcendent Peak. It is not right to call the actions of Transcendent Peak masters reckless.”

As expected, the Beggar's Gang had figured out both me and Lee Chun-baek.

Anyway, Jao-gae snorted and continued.

“When the new pillars who will lead the Jianghu achieve such a brilliant feat, isn't it the duty of a senior to praise them? Great Hero Peng, what is this behavior now? Do you think you can act this way just because you’re the Shanxi Branch Chief?”

A bizarre scene unfolded where Jao-gae, a mere Three-Knot Beggar, confronted the Shanxi Branch Chief of the Murim Alliance.

Once a brother, always a brother.

The righteous and loyal Beggar’s Gang never betrays a brother.

For the sake of a brother, the righteous and loyal Beggar’s Gang would brave a mountain of swords and a forest of blades.

Jao-gae.

In his appearance, I saw an overlap with Chwipung-gae’s.

Yes.

This was what the Beggar's Gang was all about, and choosing the Beggar's Gang in my past life must have been a stroke of luck for the ages.

This was why I couldn't help but like the Beggar's Gang.

“Yes. I went too far. I apologize.”

When Jao-gae stepped forward, Peng Ga-heon took a step back.

Peng Ga-heon, he likely did so out of respect for the righteous and loyal Beggar's Gang.

As I gave Jao-gae a slight glance to express my gratitude, he secretly gave me a thumbs-up from his waist.

“First, we need to tidy up this place.”

Saying so, Peng Ga-heon walked past me.

At the same time, I could hear Peng Ga-heon’s telepathic message.

-You must have your own secrets, right?

His gaze was fixed on my chest, but I knew it was directed at the bulging box.

-Since I am the one who received help this time, I will let it pass. But be careful. The Jianghu Murim is not such an easy place.

I quietly nodded my head.

Better safe than sorry.

I felt the need to be more meticulous and cautious in carrying out my plans from now on.

* * *

A private room in a high-class tavern, available only for a hefty price.

There, I met with Lee Chun-baek, just the two of us.

“You, do you have a lot of money?”

“I do.”

Since I had almost all the money from selling the Immaculate Pomegranate to Yeo-wol of the Rogues’ Guild, I was indeed rich.

“Alright. Why did you bring me here?”

“I have something to say to you, Chun-baek hyung.”

“Hah, it's scary when someone who doesn't act this way suddenly does.”

The reason for finding a private room in a high-class tavern was, of course, to avoid the eyes and ears of the Beggar's Gang.

This tavern was managed by the Rogues’ Guild in the Shanxi region.

To completely avoid the attention of the Beggar's Gang, there was no better place than the Rogues’ Guild, was there?

Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle.

“Let's have a drink first.”

“Sounds good.”

I shared a high-quality Jiannanchun with him.

“Kyah-”

“Keuh-”

Lee Chun-baek, who used to grimace every time he drank cheap rice wine at a tavern, smiled brightly.

“Hold on a moment.”

This place allowed us to avoid the attention of the Beggar's Gang.

But instead, I knew that the eyes and ears of the Rogues’ Guild were here.

Having reached the Transcendent Peak, I could discern their eyes, but their ears were difficult to detect.

Woowoong.

By finely controlling my internal energy, I created a Qi membrane surrounding Lee Chun-baek and myself.

This was a skill also made possible by reaching the Transcendent Peak.

“Alright. Go ahead and speak.”

Unlike me, who was somewhat tense, Lee Chun-baek remained calm.

“Chun-baek hyung, are you interested in spiritual medicines?”

At my question, Lee Chun-baek chuckled.

“Is there any martial artist in the Jianghu Murim who isn't interested in spiritual medicines?”

He was right.

After a moment of contemplation, I decided to be honest.

It was partly because I didn't want to lie to him, my first truly sincere friend, and also due to a desire to resolve the distrust of people that had unknowingly settled in a corner of my heart.

I took the box out from my bosom.

Click.

I opened the box and showed it to Lee Chun-baek.

“What is this?”

“A Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Fleeceflower Root.”

“……!”

Although he knew it was a spiritual medicine, Lee Chun-baek's expression faltered for a moment, as if he hadn't expected such a grand name to be mentioned.

But perhaps because his self-cultivation was not shallow, Lee Chun-baek quickly regained his composure.

“As you might have guessed, Chun-baek hyung, I took this from the Heuksu Mun.”

“…….”

Before Lee Chun-baek could answer, I quickly continued speaking.

Perhaps a fear of how he might react still lingered in my heart.

“Chun-baek hyung, I will be honest with you. I truly need this. In return…….”

As I said that and was about to put my hand in my bosom.

“Take it.”

Not immediately understanding Lee Chun-baek's reply, I hesitated for a moment.

“I said, you can have it.”

Lee Chun-baek reaffirmed his answer.

“No, Chun-baek hyung. You can't decide so easily…….”

But I couldn't even finish that sentence.

“I did not act with the expectation of receiving a Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Fleeceflower Root or any reward.”

I could see the conviction in his eyes.

“I simply wanted to slay the Demonic Cult followers and help a friend.”

I felt the tension that had filled the private room dissipate.

“In fact, didn't you handle most of the work? I only lent a little of my strength. It is rightfully yours.”

Something surged in my chest, and I couldn't answer right away.

Countless thoughts raced through my head, but they got stuck in my throat, and I could only manage to squeeze out a single word to him.

“……Thank you.”

I thought I was fortunate to be able to say even that.

I believe my choice to be honest was the right one.

I think on this day, I made a friend for whom I could lend my life.

* * *

“Still, you should take this, Chun-baek hyung.”

I took out a fingernail-sized glass bottle from my bosom and tossed it to Lee Chun-baek.

It was a precious item that shouldn't be thrown carelessly, but I did so because it was the surest way to get the bottle into his hands.

There was no reason a master who had reached the Transcendent Peak couldn't catch a mere glass bottle, was there?

Snatch.

Lee Chun-baek, who caught the bottle, examined it and, not knowing what it was, asked me.

“What is this?”

“That is Immaculate Pomegranate.”

“Crazy.”

Lee Chun-baek's expression, which had barely maintained its composure in front of the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Fleeceflower Root, finally crumbled.

Seeing his true face was quite a refreshing feeling for me.

“Myeong, are you some kind of spiritual medicine warehouse?”

I didn't answer his question and just smiled.

“Right, this must be a secret too.”

“That's right.”

He nodded at my words.

He had now gotten to know me well enough.

“I cannot accept something so precious.”

I had anticipated that Lee Chun-baek would say this.

I ignored Lee Chun-baek's hand that offered the bottle back and continued speaking.

“I originally intended to pay for the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Fleeceflower Root with this.”

“Didn't I say that it was yours? So you don't need to pay for it.”

“You are right, Chun-baek hyung.”

Even while agreeing, I shook my head.

Because there was more to say.

“But didn't you say you'd just give me the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Fleeceflower Root, Chun-baek hyung? So I should also just give that to you.”

At my insistence, Lee Chun-baek wore a troubled expression.

“I cannot accept it.”

I met his eyes.

“Please accept it.”

“…….”

“It is my request.”

“Hoo-”

After a moment of contemplation, Lee Chun-baek finally sighed and stored the Immaculate Pomegranate in his bosom, only after I used the word ‘request’.

“Thank you. I will use it well.”

I know him.

I know well what kind of person the current Lee Chun-baek is.

And I also know how many common people and martial artists of the righteous faction he will save under the name of King of Wanderers in the future Great War of Righteousness and Evil.

Although I will create a future where the Great War of Righteousness and Evil does not happen, didn't they say better safe than sorry?

Whether it's the current Lee Chun-baek or the now-nonexistent hero of the Great War of Righteousness and Evil, the King of Wanderers.

I was confident that if he took the Immaculate Pomegranate, a slightly more desirable future would come.

However, I felt the need to make him a little more at ease.

“Just think of it as a gift from your younger brother.”

“Alright. Thank you, Myeong-ah.”

For the first time, Lee Chun-baek called me ‘Myeong-ah’ instead of ‘Myeong, you’.

“Haha. Make sure to take it. Don't even think about selling it for money.”

“I will.”

Even though we hadn't shared any more Jiannanchun, we looked at each other and smiled.

Now that I said it, I understood.

The future of Jianghu, preparations for the Great War of Righteousness and Evil.

My head thought that way, but it seems my heart did not.

I guess I just wanted to give the Immaculate Pomegranate to Lee Chun-baek.

To my first friend to whom I had completely given my heart.

“Let's have another glass of Jiannanchun.”

That was all there was to it.

* * *

Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art, Fourth Stage: Amplification.

I had finally obtained the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Fleeceflower Root needed to achieve it.

If it were up to me, I would have wanted to enter the Fourth Stage immediately, just as I did when I consumed the Immaculate Pomegranate, but I couldn't.

It was because of the Healing Sage's warning.

-This old master has told you that upon achieving the Fourth Stage: Amplification, you will merge your Essence, Qi, and Spirit to reach the Three Flowers Realm.

-However, there is something you must know. The Fourth Stage has a somewhat different mechanism from the previous stages.

A different mechanism.

This was the reason I couldn't immediately enter the Fourth Stage.

Therefore, I contemplated who could help me solve this problem.

And just now, I arrived at that person's residence.

To put it frankly, it would be more accurate to say I ‘infiltrated’ it.

For I had avoided the eyes of everyone else.

I saw that person's face and gave a slight wave.

That person stared at my face blankly for a moment and then…….

“You!”

She shouted.

She was still the same.

I brought my index finger to my nose to give a hand signal, and once she quieted down, I gently landed beside her using my lightness art.

“It's been a while.”

“What brings you here to see me?”

I understand her question.

It was the first time I had sought her out first.

“Something came up.”

“Have you finally learned the etiquette of visiting a lady first?”

“Let's just say that.”

It was none other than the second daughter of the Yang Clan, Yang Su-rin.