As I stirred from a deep slumber, a fleeting thought crossed my mind.
'Could it be that the detox hasn't worked yet?'
Darkness enveloped my entire field of vision.
Yet, the shadow of unease quickly dissolved. A slender moonbeam slicing through the velvety night reassured me, and I grumbled under my breath.
"Fuck, at least wake me up before you go."
I had assumed my blindness was caused by the Powerful Blindness Powder, but it was merely the cloak of evening setting in.
Time had slipped away while I lay unconscious. Sprawled on the ground, I had been staring vacantly at the heavens before I managed to stagger to my feet.
'What on earth happened?'
I had moved unconsciously and had fainted due to poisoning from the Powerful Blindness Powder, so I hadn't seen what had happened. Groping across my dirt-smudged body, I pieced together the scant clues.
'It seems I was protected from injuries.'
I could piece together the outcome, though the sequence of events eluded me. How had I moved? Even straining to remember the sensations felt like grasping at mist.
But one thing was undeniably clear.
Ding.
Mission: Gain Recognition from [Mun Kyung] (Completed)
You have successfully completed the sudden quest, [Half-Baked Martial Artist]!
Quest completion rewards will be issued!
You have gained a substantial amount of experience points!
You have earned 10 points!
You have achieved the remarkable feat, [Poison Sommelier]!
You have tasted and detoxified more than a dozen specially prepared potent poisons. Respect is due to your sturdy body and detoxification skills!
Your [Poison Resistance] has greatly increased!
You have achieved the amazing feat, [Wow, You Bought This]!
At the brink of life and death, you have grasped a new thread of enlightenment!
Your [Qi Sense] has become sharper. Continue training to reach even higher realms!
A linked quest, [Half-Baked Martial Artist - Stage 2] has been generated!
The mission for the linked quest will be determined according to [Mun Kyung]'s future will!
Argh! [Note: a quick reminder - when this quest first appeared, instead of the Yes/No options, it showed Argh/No. So it seems the System is messing with the MC by using this instead of the celebratory 'Yes!'.]
"..."
I collapsed once more upon viewing the quest window, overwhelmed by the realization that I had nearly crossed the Jordan River. [Note: the Jordan River was the final barrier the Israelites crossed to enter the Promised Land after their 40 years of wandering in the desert. More broadly, the Jordan River symbolizes the final obstacle of a challenge.]
'A linked quest, huh?'
The thought alone was enough to stir a mix of anticipation and dread. If the first stage demanded evading a lethal strike while blindfolded, what diabolical challenges awaited in the second? At least the promise of significant rewards provided some solace.
'Still, is it worth it to keep putting in this effort?'
Although I didn't level up, I gained a substantial amount of experience points, and I even managed to recover the points I lost while poisoned by the Seven Steps Doom Powder.
And then...
'Who the hell came up with these achievement titles?'
[Poison Sommelier] and [Wow, You Bought This].
Despite their ridiculous names, these accolades were no small feats.
The acquired poison resistance was a godsend — my gratitude couldn't be overstated. The latter, while currently a bit vague, was undoubtedly also a profound boon.
'And a thread of enlightenment.'
This was particularly heartening. Recently, I had felt my progress stalling — an admission that might sound boastful considering my rapid advancement through quarterly doses of elixirs and mastering the formidable martial arts of the Scorching Clan.
'But a blockage is still a blockage.'
If you ask a Second- or Third-Rate martial artist what they need, the answer will almost always be manuals and elixirs. Yet, for a master at the Peak Realm or higher, the answer shifts.
'Enlightenment.'
This elusive state doesn't come easily — often not in decades, if at all. No matter the prowess of one's martial arts or the quantity of consumed elixirs, a ceiling always looms.
If taking elixirs alone made one a Transcendent Master or able to Return to Youth, who would bother sweating through rigorous training? It's this very limitation that drives our relentless pursuit.
Goong Gi-Bang once shared that many martial artists, seeking to broaden their consciousness and grasp enlightenment, turn to opium.
When asked why they would do such a thing, the answer was simple.
'Those fools know. They know they'll end up addicted to opium.'
'Why would they know that and still do it?'
'Because they're martial artists.'
A brief but telling statement.
Martial artists are such beings. In their quest for strength, they are prepared to risk almost anything. Their addiction runs deeper for martial arts and power than any narcotic. I am no exception.
'I want to become even stronger.'
Even now when I am stronger than I had ever dreamed, my drive remains unaltered. What sets me apart from others is my purpose: not to gain, but to protect.
'Had I been satisfied with my current state, I would never have embraced Mun Kyung's teachings.'
In that regard, acquiring even a thread of enlightenment is an immense milestone.
There's just one slight issue...
'Doctor, I don't remember anything.'
I have no idea what I did. This is some fucking shit.
Really, how did I manage to pull that off? It felt like a narrow escape, yet the details after that moment are just a blur.
'Will I understand if I keep training?'
I attempted to grasp the feeling of that critical moment, but it was as elusive as trying to catch mist. With a heavy sigh, I stood and dusted off my clothes. That's when it occurred.
Swoosh, bang!
In the distance, a streak of blue shot towards the sky and burst into a brilliant display.
'A signal firework?'
Driven by curiosity, I hastened from the training ground and met the guards.
"What's going on?"
"Ah, Master Jin. You've finally come out."
The figure, garbed in the frayed uniform of the Hubei branch of the Beggar Sect with two knots at his waist offered a casual shrug as he explained. [Note: the knots on a beggar's belt denotes how far up they are within the Sect. The Hugae, or the next Beggar Sect Leader, is an 'eigth-knot disciple'. Two knots would indicate that this person is not a beginner within the Sect, but does not really tell us much about his ranking within the Sect, as the branch leader for the Xi'an branch was a 'third-knot disciple'.]
"It seems to be a visitor, given the blue color. I had heard about it but they're later than expected."
"Visitor?"
This place is hardly a tourist destination.
Given the secrecy of this operation, the visitor could be linked to the gathered sects or perhaps a government affair. If it were just Beggar Sect reinforcements, they wouldn't be termed as visitors.
"Who has come? The Jaegal family? Or the Wudang Sect? Ah, has the Sect Leader finally arrived?"
"What?"
The guards, including the Beggar Sect member, stared at me with bewildered expressions.
"Uh, um. Didn't you hear?"
"Hear what?"
"The visitors who are coming."
"What are you talking about... Is it someone I know?"
Upon my inquiry, the Beggar Sect member nodded.
"Yes. It's the Jin family of Taiyuan."
"…What?"
Who?
* * *
Splash! Splash!
Under the moonlight casting silver reflections on the river, footsteps rhythmically pressed into the sandy shore.
As about fifty martial artists aligned and parted to either side, one figure steadily advanced through their ranks, halted, and then noticed me.
"It's been a while."
I couldn't help but smirk at the familiar face, with sharper eyes and more scars than ever, that I hadn't seen in over a year.
"Your face has become even more fierce. At this point, you might as well be called the Demon Face instead of the Sword Demon."
"There's more than one or two troublemakers who need handling. Since our home base has expanded, all sorts of riffraff have started to gather."
"Just tell me who they are. I'll handle them for you."
"No need. They've already moved on to a place beyond our reach. And..."
His eyes crinkled with a smile, and his voice warmed with both emotion and delight.
"There's no need for a Divine Dragon to bother with the likes of cows and pigs."
Sword Demon Wi Peng, Jin Wi-Kyung's trusted lieutenant and my former stern mentor, bowed deeply before me.
"Jin Dragon Squad Leader Wi Peng of the Great Jin family of Taiyuan greets the Third Young Master." [Note: when the MC left, Hyuk Mu-Jin was in charge of the Jin Dragon Squad. However, when Hyuk Mu-Jin left with the MC this time, Wi Peng became the Squad Leader.]
"Greetings to the Third Young Master!"
A robust cheer shattered the quiet of the night, echoing powerfully from the martial artists standing staunchly, each emblazoned with the "Jin Dragon" insignia on their chests.
'Wow, when did the Jin family of Taiyuan grow this much?'
It felt like just yesterday we were fretting over our dire lack of First-Rate martial artists in the skirmish against the Mount Heng Sword Sect. Observing the Jin Dragon Squad now, it was clear several among them were indeed First-Rate.
'Just looking at them fills me with pride. It's intoxicating.'
The prolonged absence of the Family head, a severe shortage of manpower, the Third Young Master's penchant for debauchery over duty, among other woes, had once nearly crippled the Jin family of Taiyuan. Witnessing their resurgence now stirred a deep sense of pride within me.
'Is this the joy of raising a family?'
While I took in the sight of Wi Peng and the Jin Dragon Squad, a boisterous voice erupted from behind him.
"Hey, you're giving me a fright. Why are you all yelling in the middle of the night? What if an old man with a weak heart like me is startled to death?"
That seemed unlikely, though.
Studying the old man, whose muscular frame belied his age, a memory slowly resurfaced.
"Are you Grandfather Tae-Bo?" [Note: Jang Tae-Bo is the old man who made the MC's spear. He first appeared in manhwa chapter 90 but features prominently in manhwa chapter 113.]
The former Leader of the Ironworks Sect, Jang Tae-Bo's face contorted in irritation. [Note: in manhwa chapter 111 and 113, this Sect was translated as "Iron Smithy" or "Steel Qi Clan". I usually like to keep the names the same, but based on how this word is used in the upcoming chapters, I have decided to change it to something closer to the raw translation.]
"Look at the way you speak. Am I your friend?"
Despite the significant reputation I'd cultivated over the past year, it seemed to matter little to the obstinate Jang Tae-Bo.
Perhaps that was why I felt an even greater affection and joy seeing him again. After all, it was thanks to the White Flames he had forged with such effort that I had managed to save my life several times.
"No, why are you here, sir?"
The answer didn't come from Jang Tae-Bo but from another source.
"I specially requested his presence."
The crowd, which had quickly assembled at the news of the Jin family of Taiyuan's arrival, now murmured and parted ways. The figure who emerged through this human aisle then provoked an even more thunderous acclaim.
"Jin Dragon Squad Leader Wi Peng of the Great Jin family of Taiyuan greets the Lesser Family Head."
"Lesser Family Head!"
"That's enough."
Under other circumstances, he might have grabbed Wi Peng's hand and launched into a waltz, but the many watchful eyes now held him in place. Jin Wi-Kyung, his demeanor solemn and composed, gestured subtly for silence and spoke with a deep, commanding tone.
"Jin Dragon Squad Leader. And Grandfather Jang. You must have had a hard journey."
"Not at all, Lesser Family Head."
"There's no need to fuss over this old man, Lesser Family Head."
Wi Peng, a trusted advisor, along with Jang Tae-Bo — who usually maintained a more casual air — both displayed due deference to Jin Wi-Kyung. Had Jang retired only to find himself drawn back into the orbit of the Jin family of Taiyuan through some consulting work?
Jin Wi-Kyung continued.
"The journey here must have been tiring; let's all move to another place." [Note: I was hoping that the second brother would be part of this ensemble, but it seems we'll have to wait to see him again.]
It was clear that "all" included myself, and I noted that the individual sprinting towards us was decidedly not part of this invitation.
"VJin Dragon Squad Vice Leader Hyuk Mu-Jin presenting for duty! I have just completed patrolling and have returned!"
"..."
Talking as if he's been on guard.
If you're going to lie, at least wipe the sleep from your eyes, you bastard.