It took quite some time for Seol-Hwi to calm down and look out the window. After observing the twilight, he switched to looking around his room.
His gaze rested on the table.
Thinking about it, he was reminded that there was a crucial task left that could only be done at this place.
Seol-Hwi sat on the chair, picked up a brush, and began to write something.
Is this how it is?
He began to write down the Blood Hand Demonic Martial Arts. The reason was because of the combination of it with the Fiery Bare-handed Fist Martial Arts.
It might just be his simple thought, but Seol-Hwi felt that this martial art was similar to what he had, and could be controlled like that.
So, he wrote it down, and put it in the jade box where the martial arts could be combined.
“Normally, the energy of the body stays within the dantian. Through the concept of body, the energy will move. In this process, the energy in the body will move and transform into countless…”
Flames.
Both techniques use flames, which come from using the energy within the body. To be more specific, it burns down internal energy to produce them.
Seol-Hwi wrote down all the contents he could remember, and then started to write about the Fiery Bare-handed technique. This was because only two martial arts could be combined at once, according to the rule.
Time passed.
He put the two completed techniques inside the jade box and backed away. A question arose for him.
<Do you want to combine the martial arts? Accept/ Reject.>
Please…
Seol-Hwi took a deep breath. What type of technique would come if the two martial arts were combined?
No, could these two even be merged? He was filled with anxiety over the matter.
[Flame Aggregating Demonic Martial Arts has been completed.]
Seol-Hwi let out a small cry of shock. This was the Flame Aggregating Demonic Martial Arts! The best technique used by the Supreme Pavilion Lord!
How the hell did this box bring out such a technique?
Seol-Hwi nervously opened the jade box, and his eyes widened. Inside it was a book emitting a red and blue light.
Seol-Hwi picked it up.
[You have mastered the Flame Aggregating Demonic Martial Arts.]
“…!”
Numerous shadows began to appear before Seol-Hwi’s eyes. The largest shadow had flames covering its body.
The cultivation of energy was shown. At the same time, numerous forms of the technique unfolded, and each was engraved in Seol-Hwi’s mind.
Ah!
This was truly shocking. It’s even more incredible than the time when Seol-Hwi learned the Four Peak Demonic Martial Arts, which is known to stand on top of all.
Needless to say, there was a difference between when Seol-Hwi was learning in the past, and in the present. He had a very clear understanding of a technique now.
Still, Seol-Hwi couldn’t calm down. Many things were happening at once.
He saw the flames of purity, burning red and blue. And the last flame…It was neither red nor blue.
This…This is…!
The flame of another world.
A purple flame, like hellfire, that was uncontrollable.
It was difficult to even learn. Perhaps, it is an energy which can be unfolded by realizing the peak of fire energy and technique.
What’s my combat power?
Seol-Hwi was curious about his abilities now.
<Seol-Hwi> Health: 1.2 million Internal energy: 2.4 million Coin: 3 Lives Super Master Combat power: 7.99 million
It went up!
At that time, there was a reward for killing his two opponents before death, which resulted in an increase in combat power.
It wasn’t something which could increase on its own, but by acquiring two techniques before death.
Since he had already gotten two techniques, he had to look at the current combat power as a figure which included the increase of combat power.
…combat power does nothing.
The Earth Demon’s combat power wasn’t in the millions, and even Heukgu didn’t have a combat power of 10 million.
Seol-Hwi felt that the number next to combat power wasn’t that important. Such as the power he felt when fighting Lee Gu-myung. The power was much stronger than the combat power under Lee Gu-myung’s stats implied.
Well, I’ll find out one day…
Seol-Hwi looked at his hands; this wasn’t the end yet. He had one new technique. To prepare for the future, other martial arts need to be created or learned.
As the day gradually turned brighter, Seol-Hwi went out the door with two books in hand.
He walked to Imugi’s residence, which was nearby.
“What is it?”
Imugi opened the door with a ruffled look, as if he had just woken up.
“Take this.”
“What is…”
Imugi accepted the books Seol-Hwi gave him, and when he saw their name, he was surprised.
“Captain, this…”
“Right, it’s the Flame Aggregating Demonic Martial Arts and White Light Body Demonic Martial Arts.”
“W-why…”
Imugi seemed quite astonished.
The White Light Body Demonic Martial Arts is a famous martial art, and the Flame Aggregating Demonic Martial Arts was known to be a representative martial art of the sect.
He didn’t understand how he was being handed this. Even Seol-Hwi just having this didn’t make sense!
“I’ll be out for a while. So, you should copy this and share it with the others. When I get back, I’ll check how much you practised.”
“Where will the captain go?”
“I’ll tell you later.”
Seol-Hwi left Imugi standing blankly, and went back to his place.
While he wasn’t here, these would help them.
In particular, the Flame Aggregating technique will be of great use. This is because it is most needed when dealing with the Supreme Pavilion Lord.
Upon the arrival of a new morning…
<Please set a schedule for January, 98th year (28/36)>
As he stood in front of the door, a familiar phrase appeared in front of him. However, Seol-hwi didn’t take a mission this time.
▶ Warrior training
This. A way to get stronger.
In addition, how to carry out the mission without receiving the official request.
Unlike before, Seol-Hwi would move directly because he intended to deal with both the escort sent from the sect, and that merchant too.
<Where would you like to go?> ▷ East Sea ▷ Gansu ▶ Sichuan
He decided to head to Sichuan.
<Move to Sichuan>
The light shone before his eyes, and then Seol-Hwi was gone in a flash.
While moving to Sichuan, Seol-Hwi heard the reactions of his subordinates.
[Imugi]
“I wanted something like this. If this is the thing… I have confidence in getting stronger!”
[Yorim]
“Oh my… just! How did we get this? This will be a huge help.”
[Jeok Song]
“This is amazing! This… is he really giving this to us?”
[Yong Jin]
“This is it. Let’s start training right now! Captain! We will repay you with satisfactory results!”
[Seo Ryeong]
“How did the captain… I will do my best.”
Their reactions were all resolute.
<8th night, arrived in Chengdu.>
The evening was dark. There was a lamp hanging off a tree branch. He heard the voice of the coachman announce,
“We’re here.”
Seol-Hwi got off the wagon near Sichuan.
At the entrance to a building with soft pink light leaking out, the clerk, who heard the sound of someone walking in, looked to a certain place and shouted.
“Chil Duk, bring in the guest.”
“Yes.”
A middle-aged man came to the entrance, and bowed his head in front of this new person.
“Would you like to come in?”
“…”
The man didn’t answer.
Ah, a newcomer… Chil Duk, who had entered his 5th year of working there, recognized the man at once.
A stiff body and trembling eyes, awkward behaviour. Chil Duk was willing to let the man leave, but he showed patience.
And the sword around the man’s waist looked a bit unusual.
“Is this your first time coming to such a place?”
When asked so kindly, the man changed the topic.
“There, can I sit down and eat?”
The man pointed to where he wanted to go.
Unlike regular guest houses, this is the red light district. There was a space in the center where everyone could gather and embrace the atmosphere.
“Of course, follow me.”
Chil Duk guided the newcomer to the center. If the man wasn’t in a hurry, it’s beneficial to serve him and get some money.
The sword looks luxurious… This guest seems to have quite the deep pockets.
Meanwhile, Seol-Hwi was thinking.
He knew this was the red light district, but he accidentally found a brothel house instead of a guest house.
This atmosphere was unfamiliar to him. Seol-Hwi was about to turn away, but in the end, he decided to just enter.
“What would you like to eat?” The man who seated him asked Seol-Hwi.
This was a space where around a dozen people could sit, with tables separating them.
“Customer?”
Seol-Hwi didn’t respond. His gaze was focused on a woman.
<Friendly Group +1>
What is that?
A phrase floating above the head of an unknown woman…This was completely different from what he had seen until now.
Seol-Hwi was curious.
Friendly group?
“You want that?” Just then, Chil Duk asked him. “It’s quite expensive. Well, even if you have money, many people make reservations…”
“What do you mean?” Seol-Hwi tilted his head and asked.
“Ah, you don’t know? This woman is a professional one. The younger you are, the more money you need to pay.”
“…”
Seol-Hwi understood what he meant.
…She is a woman who sells her body.
“But, what kind of drink…customer?”
Chil Duk called out, but Seol-Hwi didn’t reply. Because he was already stepping closer to her.
“Oh? Who would you be? And what do you want?” The woman, who was sipping her drink, looked up and asked.
“Well, nothing much. I just wanted to sit here.”
Seeing her up close, she was attractive. No, maybe it was because of the lighting, but it felt like she would be beautiful either way.
As Seol-Hwi was trying to speak,
“Please leave.”
Some men approached them. And they weren’t ordinary men either. They had weapons behind their backs, and there was a tall man with a sword on his waist.
“Sorry. But your time is up.”
The woman got up from her seat, and after a moment’s hesitation, she offered Seol-Hwi one thing.
A plaque.
“If you’re interested, come here.”
And she walked away.
Seol-Hwi looked at the name written on the plaque.
Mistresses of Ming, Fifteenth…?
So the name of the place she was at is the Mistresses of Ming?
