Recently, Hong Saryeon had been in a relatively good mood—but now, the character 川 (river) reappeared between her brows.
It was because Gye Cheolyeong, who had been lying low ever since Gye Yeonseung was expelled and a new head took over Busaeng Hall, had reverted to his old self and started flaunting again.
“What is Snow Plum Elixir, you ask? It’s a elixir that ranks just behind Purple Revitalization Elixir in effectiveness for enhancing internal energy, even within the Mount Hua Sect. In fact, when it comes to refining the body’s foundation, it surpasses even Shaolin’s elixir. That’s how miraculous this elixir is. Within the Mount Hua Sect, only the true disciples get the chance to receive even one of these precious elixirs.”
And naturally, what would follow was probably: ‘That priceless pill—my father and my uncle, a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect—secured it just for me.’
Hong Saryeon didn’t need to hear the rest to know what was coming.
After all, it had been several days now that she’d heard the exact same lines, in the exact same tone, to the point where it felt like a martial formula was etched into her mind without her ever having learned it.
“…Yes. That’s really amazing.”
“Right? So, about that…”
Truthfully, she wanted to yell, “And what do you want me to do about it, you idiot?!” But the boy in front of her was the precious son of a major sponsor.
That didn’t mean she wasn’t jealous of Gye Cheolyeong.
She was a martial artist through and through, and her longing for powerful elixirs was no less than anyone else’s.
But Saryeon had too much on her shoulders as the only daughter of the sect leader to wallow in feelings of deprivation or envy.
“Sister! Sister! What’s going to happen to Senior Jin?”
“Sister! Is Senior Sowoon really leaving the sect?”
“Sister! If I skip two meals… do you think Senior will come back?”
The younger disciples, like little chicks, were all waiting eagerly for their runaway senior brother to return. As for Senior Jin himself, despite asking the outer hall lord about his whereabouts, there hadn’t been a single piece of news.
That damned man.
Saryeon’s patience was already wearing thin from Gye Yeonseung and Gye Cheolyeong’s nonsense.
If Senior Jin hadn’t stepped up, she had been about to do it herself.
No—originally, it should have been her duty, not his.
After all, the future of the Taeulmun Sect would eventually rest on her shoulders.
Gye Cheolyeong was just an opportunist who had joined the martial academy for personal gain, and half of the younger disciples would probably end up inheriting their families’ businesses or, if lucky, get a decent job as an escort.
Although Senior Jin Sowoon was there, Saryeon wasn’t shameless enough to shove all the burdens of their sect’s bleak future onto him.
She had carried that weight since she was very young.
That’s why she had been blaming herself lately—blaming her fear of Gye Yeonseung’s martial prowess and Gye Yeonseok’s retaliation, for not stepping forward when she should have.
How did he even win?
Setting aside the mystery of how he defeated the Mount Hua Sect’s Plum Blossom Sword Art, his decision to leave the Taeulmun Sect without catching the notice of Gye Yeonseok—who’d been making daily appearances at their gates ever since the incident—was surely an act of consideration.
Everyone knew how petty and persistent Gye Yeonseok could be.
That must have been why Jin Sowoon left the sect on his own.
“Sister! Sister! Try this!”
“Sister! This meat is really tasty!”
The younger disciples, with their dog-like devotion, held up rice cakes and meat before her. Seeing them, Hong Saryeon forgot all about her worries and reached out to pat their heads.
A small feast was being held at the Taeulmun Sect to celebrate the visit of the Mount Hua Sect masters to the Gyeryong Merchant Group.
Of course, Gye Yeonseok and Gye Yeonseung were too busy entertaining those masters to stop by the Taeulmun Sect, which meant everyone there could enjoy the food in peace.
“But seriously, where did Senior Jin go? He really liked this rice cake…”
“Sister! Can we save this meat for him?”
One of the younger disciples, his eyes sparkling and mouth watering, asked in a voice full of restraint.
It’s probably the first time he’s seen meat in ages. Could he really give that up?
Feeling a twinge in her heart, Saryeon reached out and ruffled his hair roughly.
“By the time he’s back, the meat will be spoiled. So don’t hold back—go ahead and eat.”
“Then… when is Senior coming back?”
“He’ll be back soon.”
Pretending it was no big deal, Hong Saryeon stole a piece of meat and a rice cake from the young disciples.
Seriously, what are you doing out there, you damn bastard?
“Ten silver coins. That’s what I’ll give you.”
In his past life, he had always cursed his perfect memory—but it wasn’t without its benefits.
For example, in situations like this, when a shameless merchant tried to exploit changing market prices to lowball him, it was quite useful.
“Hah, what nonsense. In Zhejiang these days, they’re desperate for tiger hides. They start at thirty silver coins over there.”
Zhejiang, especially Hangzhou, was a major trading hub. Its market often influenced the surrounding provinces.
Even so, a twenty-coin gap between provinces was absurd.
“Well, that’s when the tiger hide is in good condition.”
“Take a good look. Not a single arrow hole in this pelt. You think you can offer ten coins and not get dragged off to the authorities?”
“Young man, you blind? You call this a good pelt?”
The merchant spread the tiger skin wide.
“What the hell did you do to it for it to dry out like this? I’m being generous offering ten coins. Anywhere else, you’d get half that!”
“….”
No matter how hard I searched my memory, there was no way to restore a withered hide.
So I gave in cleanly and took the ten silver coins.
I hadn’t planned on getting a tiger hide in the first place.
Ever since absorbing the inner core of the Human-faced Spider, I’d been faced with a serious problem.
“If this keeps up, I’m going to be mistaken for a demon.”
Among the Ten Forbidden Arts listed by the Martial Alliance, one was the Absorption Technique.
This technique was so feared that it had its own category—the Four Evil Arts.
Judging by how the Azure Dragon Ring absorbed the inner core, it was indistinguishable from the Absorption Technique, making it an urgent issue to deal with.
“I knew nothing good would come from a relic belonging to that damned Bloodthirsty Demon.”
Luckily, it didn’t indiscriminately absorb everything.
It couldn’t draw anything from plants or rocks.
But it could absorb energy from animals like deer or rabbits.
More than simple absorption—it converted their life energy into internal energy.
That put it right on par with the Bloodthirsty Demon—and made me an instant kill-on-sight target for the Martial Alliance.
Still, I hoped it might behave differently, so I risked my life going deep into the mountain where I found the tiger and tested the Azure Dragon Ring.
As you can see from the result… Jin Sowoon, the Absorption Cultivator, was born.
Bravo. Jin Sowoon returns from reincarnation and becomes a demonic cultivator. Bravo, indeed.
But my life wasn’t the only thing on the line.
If the Martial Alliance found out, not only me, but my father, the sect leader, the hall lords—everyone in the Taeulmun Sect would be dragged away and tortured.
The dungeons of the Martial Alliance are infamous for forcing confessions—guilty or not.
The young disciples would never last three days before confessing they learned the Absorption Technique from me.
“If I die again, will I get another chance…?”
Rather than rely on vague hope, I began researching the Azure Dragon Ring.
For starters, it followed my will fairly well.
I couldn’t afford to have it suddenly shine like before and draw suspicion again.
Still not trusting it, I wrapped my wrist in dark cloth the moment I entered town.
The reason I hadn’t cut off my left hand, despite everything, was because the energy it absorbed—whether life energy or internal energy—was converted into a form identical to my Taeulmun cultivation method.
More accurately, it was absorbed in an even purer state and merged seamlessly.
One major sign of the Absorption Technique is that it leaves residual traces of foreign energy.
But in my case, there were none.
Unless someone directly witnessed me draining someone’s energy, there was no way to tell from examining my dantian.
As long as I didn’t get caught, this was essentially a hidden trump card of enormous power.
Or at least… I decided to think of it that way.
Because the thought of ending up in the Martial Alliance’s torture chamber was too horrifying to bear.
“Do you sell traps by any chance?”
“Huh? Didn’t you come here for that? We’re the best hunting supply shop in Hefei.”
“Then I’ll take some general-use and bear traps, please.”
“Eh? Planning to hunt with traps? The hides will be ruined that way—you might as well keep that dried-out one.”
“I’m not trying to skin them.”
“Huh. Well, bear meat does sell for a good price these days. How many you want?”
“About… thirty or so.”
“…What?”
“The things I need to hunt are… not exactly ordinary.”
The Gyeryong Trading Group hosted a feast more extravagant than anything seen in recent times.
Whatever the reason, the visit of experts from the Mount Hua Sect was a golden opportunity to publicize their relationship with the sect.
They posted announcements across a 5 kilometer radius and served drinks and side dishes to all, regardless of status.
Those who had dealings with the trading group in the past, and who had always been treated stingily, were offended by the lavish generosity and chose not to attend. But local drinkers made sure to bring each other along, and the lights and music at the Gyeryong Trading Group didn’t go out until morning.
The highlight of the feast was a dance performance by Wolhyang, the most renowned courtesan in Hefei.
Even the most hardened drunkards, who clung to their seats for fear of losing them, gathered in the center of the trading group to catch a glimpse of the elusive Wolhyang.
“Show your respects. These are the finest warriors of the Mount Hua Sect.”
With exaggerated pride, Gye Yeonseok praised the two experts, and Wolhyang lowered her veil with a faint smile.
“I go by the name Wolhyang.”
Not just Gye Cheolyeong, seated next to Gye Yeonseok, but even the experts from the Mount Hua Sect struggled to keep a straight face.
Especially when, with each subtle movement of her dance, glimpses of her white skin appeared between the folds of her skirt—an indescribable sigh filled the hall.
And just when all attention was fixed on Wolhyang, the Phantom Thief slipped between the lanterns, unseen, and climbed over the wall of the Gyeryong Trading Group.
Success!
The Phantom Thief thought.
With this, the wretched life of stealing could finally end.
Thrown into the martial world at a young age without proper guidance, he’d picked up a few stray skills here and there.
Among them, his sleight of hand was the most refined, naturally leading him into a life of thievery—but this was never the life he desired.
Then, by sheer chance, he got his hands on the secret manual of the Guangcheon Divine Palm.
It was the final technique of the Guangcheon Divine Lord, known to have disappeared without a trace, leaving no disciples behind.
Though he had acquired the manual, it only contained the palm technique—not the vital internal energy cultivation method.
Moreover, the power of the technique was legendary, requiring immense internal energy to wield. For the Phantom Thief, it was like giving a lame horse a war saddle.
But now things are different! The martial world will witness the return of the Guangcheon Divine Lord!
With the Snow Plum Elixir and the Guangcheon Divine Palm in his possession, he had nothing left to fear.
“Hehehe.”
He chuckled to himself, unable to contain his joy.
“I told you he’d come this way.”
“Ha! He actually stole it.”
At the sudden voices, the Phantom Thief’s heart dropped.
“……”
He quickly activated his movement technique to flee, but the murderous aura the two had unleashed was so vast he couldn’t even tell which direction was safe.
“Isn’t this the part where we say, ‘Who’s there?’”
“Looks like he’s a quiet one. He’d do well in the Martial Alliance.”
The two men approached, speaking casually.
One carried a sword, his robe adorned with cloud patterns.
The Phantom Thief instantly realized he couldn’t take them on.
Jeomchang Sect!
His mind raced.
Should he try to negotiate?
Since they mentioned the Martial Alliance, they probably wouldn’t kill him.
Maybe he could just hand it over and slip away…
“Look at that, he’s thinking fast.”
“Hey. Move a single finger and we’ll slice your throat.”
At those words, the Phantom Thief gave up.
Better to wait for another chance than die like a dog here.
He immediately dropped to his knees.
“This fool, blinded by greed, did something foolish. Please, spare me.”
He pulled out a small wooden case and bowed low.
He knew he’d probably end up imprisoned by the Martial Alliance once they recovered the Snow Plum Elixir, but if these two were greedy for it, maybe—just maybe—they’d let him live.
“This is the Snow Plum Elixir?”
“Open it and check. You can’t trust a thief.”
“Let’s see.”
One of the men opened the wooden case.
Poof.
A fresh fragrance wafted into the Phantom Thief’s nose.
“It’s real.”
“Yeah?”
“I beg you, great warriors—may I offer a suggestion?”
“Hm?”
“Suppose I saw nothing at all. What do you say?”
“What’s he going on about?”
“The head of the Gyeryong Merchant Group is a greedy, arrogant man who doesn’t know how to be grateful. Even if you returned the pill, would he reward you? Wouldn’t it be better if you kept it for yourselves…”
“Ha! Look at this guy.”
“Heh. What do you take us for?”
Though they brushed off his suggestion, the glances exchanged between the two made the Phantom Thief certain.
I can get out of this alive.
“Well then, I’ll just…”
As he tried to stand, he realized his legs wouldn’t move.
“You really thought we’d leave a witness?”
“For a dark path rogue, you’re pretty naive. How did the name ‘Phantom Thief’ ever get famous?”
The Phantom Thief’s last words were a muttered curse before he collapsed.
“Let’s take care of this and go.”
“Wait. Guys like him always keep their greatest treasure on them. Look.”
The man pulled out a secret manual from the thief’s clothing.
“Check it later. They’ll probably notice the pill’s missing soon.”
Thud.
The man sent energy into the ground, creating a hole just big enough for a person.
They kicked the thief’s body into the pit and covered it loosely with dirt.
Rustle.
Just then, they heard a noise—one neither of them had made.
“Who’s there?”
“Step out or we’ll cut you down.”
A figure emerged from the forest—a young man, not yet twenty.
“Wh-Who are you?”
“Who you are is the real question. What brings you here at this hour?”
Could he have seen it? But the timing…
Their gazes grew wary and tangled.
“I heard the Gyeryong Merchant Group was throwing a feast with free booze. I was headed there, but… got a bit lost.”
“Did you… see anything?”
“See what?”
“……”
One man looked to the other. The second subtly shook his head.
“Come. I’ll show you the way to the merchant group.”
“Sorry, but this feels fishy. I’d prefer to find my own way.”
“……”
“……”
There was no more room for doubt. The kid had seen something.
The moment their eyes met, both men kicked off the ground and closed in.
“Bad luck. Don’t blame us.”
Just as one moved to strike—
The young man’s bewildered expression twisted into a demonic grin.
“You bastards have some nerve. Is this how Jeomchang trains its dogs?”
“Gah!”
The man swung his sword, holding nothing back—but to his shock, the strike was blocked.
The moment their blades met, searing pain shot through his joints, forcing him back.
Chomp!
“Gaaah!”
A sharp bite sank into his ankle.
Despite being a master of stealth, Gu Il-mu couldn’t stop himself from screaming.
“Who the hell are you?! Do you even know who we are?!”
He channeled all his internal energy to shake off the trap digging into his ankle, but the teeth had already sunk in too deep—he couldn’t muster proper strength.
The young man’s once-innocent face now wore a cold, amused grin.
“Who else? Just a guy robbing a couple of Jeomchang Sect’s thieves.”
“W… what’s your true identity?”
“The new owner of the Snow Plum Elixir.”
Jin Sowoon smiled faintly.