Chapter 54 : Chapter 54

Chapter 54: The Condition

When the content of the Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art reaches the Fifth Stage, the Healing Sage’s message becomes truly long.

I surmise that it means the Fifth Stage is that important, and it is due to the Healing Sage's special affection for the successor who has achieved the Fourth Stage.

-It was said that the best among the elixirs of extreme yin is the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Snow Ginseng, so the practitioner will need to know about the elixir of extreme yang as well.

The name of the Fifth Stage is Union, so the harmony of yin and yang is also an important point.

Fire energy is common in nature, so there are countless corresponding elixirs.

The inner core of a ten-thousand-year-old fire lizard, ten-thousand-year-old fire spirit grass, fire spirit divine fruit, golden fire fruit, extreme fire spirit fruit…….

There are so many that come to mind right away, so this one also pondered for a long time which one would be the best choice.

And this one finally realized.

If extreme yin is the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Snow Ginseng, then extreme yang is the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Extreme Blood Treasure.

Although this one could not obtain the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Snow Ginseng and took the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Snow Spirit Grass, and thus took the corresponding Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Fire Spirit Grass, I hope that a miraculous encounter that surpasses this one will come to the practitioner.

Although the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Snow Spirit Grass and the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Fire Spirit Grass can be sufficiently called a Union, the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Snow Ginseng and the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Extreme Blood Treasure are the very essence of Union.

If the practitioner has achieved the Fourth Stage of the Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art, it means they are blessed with heavenly fortune, so I recommend you to aim for the best.

However, there is something the practitioner must know.

Extreme yang is said to resemble a calamitous fire, so just being near it will greatly harm the practitioner's body.

A treasure like the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Extreme Blood Treasure will easily penetrate the internal energy barrier of the State of Harmony, so I tell you not to be overconfident.

Therefore, what is needed is the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Snow Ginseng.

Utilizing the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Snow Ginseng…….

In the midst of reviewing the Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art in my head, enlightenment suddenly came to me.

Why did the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Snow Ginseng appear in the Jianghu Murim at just the right time?

Why, in this life, did I connect with outstanding figures like the Emperor Breaker and Singija so early?

Why was Singija explaining all these circumstances to me in such detail?

Perhaps…….

Wasn't everything a destiny to save the star that was Emperor Breaker Yeom Gi-ha?

It was just an assumption, but I couldn't help but have such a thought.

Just as an unknown power of fate had arranged my regression, perhaps it was moving to save Yeom Gi-ha.

My Spirit, which had begun to awaken after entering the State of Harmony, whispered so.

* * *

“By any chance, have you already secured the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Extreme Blood Treasure?”

Longing could be read in Singija's expression as he asked that.

No. I stand corrected. That was not longing, but rather should be described as a sense of duty.

It meant that he truly desired the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Extreme Blood Treasure for the peace of the Jianghu Murim, and wished for the well-being of the Alliance Leader Yeom Gi-ha.

At least, it looked that way to my eyes, so I answered Singija's question faithfully.

“No.”

Of course, I did not have the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Extreme Blood Treasure yet. Not yet.

Singija, who must have been as proficient in the Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art as I was, perhaps even more so, immediately realized his mistake.

“Oh dear. I admit my question was hasty. Having just obtained the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Snow Ginseng, you couldn't possibly have obtained the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Extreme Blood Treasure first.”

“That's right.”

Yeom Gi-ha, who had long since cast aside the dignity of an Alliance Leader, said with a chuckle.

“So you can be wrong too, Gija.”

“Shut up.”

“Hmph.”

“Because of whom do I suffer like this……”

“I know. I'm sorry.”

The stern scolding of Singija looked a little different.

It didn't look like a higher-up disciplining a lower-up, but like the concern of a mother worrying about her child.

In truth, it would be right to see Yeom Gi-ha’s state as similar to the son of the Peerless Might Demonic Emperor.

The point that he had gained resistance due to having already taken many elixirs was similar.

If there was a difference, it would be that unlike the son of the Peerless Might Demonic Emperor, Yeom Gi-ha could delay for a long time because his own martial arts reached the heavens.

However, it was also true that his life was fading, so Singija's haste was understandable.

“Do you know the whereabouts of the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Extreme Blood Treasure?”

The only way to save Yeom Gi-ha’s life was the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Extreme Blood Treasure, which the Healing Sage had guaranteed as the best among extreme yang.

It also meant that the Fire Spirit harbored by the Emperor Breaker was that powerful.

However…….

“……”

I did not answer Singija's desperate question right away. I did so because not answering was better for seizing the initiative.

Just because I knew the situation, I was not a sentimental person enough to reveal all my resources.

Instead of answering, I asked a question. It was an act possible because I was confident that the initiative was with me.

“More than that, is it not a problem that I have taken the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Snow Ginseng?”

Singija looked at me quizzically as I asked that and asked back.

“Did you, by any chance, forcibly take it from the Ice Palace?”

“Of course not.”

“Then what is the problem?”

Singija's expression as he answered was like a clear mirror. It meant that no wicked greed could be felt at all.

I knew that at least he was not a person mired in meaningless material desires.

“Without the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Snow Ginseng, you cannot obtain the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Extreme Blood Treasure. You know that, don't you?”

“So aren't I asking you for a favor?”

Ah. Perhaps Singija was an extreme pragmatist.

“The snow ginseng was just a means to obtain the extreme blood treasure. Rather, it is necessary for you who desire the Fourth Stage, so the precious object has found its rightful owner.”

While saying that, he didn't miss the nuance of having subtly bestowed a favor, so he was definitely not an easy person.

Anyway, I understood his choice.

He must have judged that persuading me, who knew the whereabouts of the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Extreme Blood Treasure and possessed the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Snow Ginseng, was a much faster method than taking the snow ginseng from me.

“Hmm.”

As I considered all the circumstances, my mind spun rapidly.

I was someone who wished to prevent the Great War of Righteousness and Evil more than anyone else.

It meant that saving the restraining force that was Emperor Breaker Yeom Gi-ha was an important matter not only for Singija but also for me.

However.

“If I save the Alliance Leader's life, what will you do for me?”

A much more appetizing smell was wafting, so how could I just pass by it, was what I meant.

My life as Myeong-gae had not been so pure and easy as to let go of an opportunity to get extra pay while doing my job.

Singija asked.

“Do you want gold and treasures?”

“I don't need them.”

I already had a lot of money.

“Do you want honor?”

“I need that, but I won't ask the Grand Marshal for it.”

I knew that honor originally had value only when earned by oneself.

“Don't you think we can stop testing the waters now?”

To conclude the sluggish conversation, I took the initiative for the first time.

Only then did Singija, with a triumphant smile, say.

“I will give you authority equivalent to a captain of the Murim Alliance's special operations unit. How about it?”

In truth, I knew that this was the main point.

“Oh.”

Even knowing, I couldn't hide my reaction.

“If you look towards the Sixth Stage of the Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art, beyond the Fifth Stage, I think it will be of great help……”

“I'll do it.”

Before Singija's words could even finish, I bit the bait. It was because it was an offer so attractive that it was a waste of time to weigh the pros and cons.

“I'm not saying I'll be the captain of the special operations unit. I'm saying I'll receive authority equivalent to it.”

“Of course.”

I couldn't help but feel pleased, yet annoyed, at Singija's 'I knew it' expression.

Singija was right.

Authority equivalent to a captain of the special operations unit.

This was not bad.

No, it would not be an exaggeration to see it as the best thing I could get.

* * *

The Murim Alliance Special Operations Unit.

It was an elite organization directly under the Murim Alliance's Grand Marshal Singija, and the predecessor of the Secret Pavilion where Myeong-gae had belonged during the Great War of Righteousness and Evil.

If you were to ask the people of Jianghu to name the best information organization, they would think of the Beggar's Gang and the Rogues’ Guild, but I, having been a member of the Secret Pavilion, knew.

The Murim Alliance Special Operations Unit was the very essence of an information organization.

Authority equivalent to a captain meant giving access rights to most of the information held by the Murim Alliance Special Operations Unit, so I knew its value could not be converted into money.

An unexpected clue that would allow me to smoothly approach the Sixth Stage of the Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art had come to me.

Considering the path of the Sixth Stage, which I was at a loss as to how to walk even after regressing, I would describe this as a miraculous encounter for me.

Unlike Singija or me, who were happy that the negotiations were concluded, there was one person with a sullen expression.

“It's about saving my life, so why are you the only one stepping up, Gija, you rascal.”

It was none other than Emperor Breaker Yeom Gi-ha.

A sullen expression on an absolute master was a truly frightening thing, but if you got the gist of what Yeom Gi-ha said, this was also good news for me.

“Is the Alliance Leader also planning to give something?”

“Isn't that obvious? How expensive do you think my life is?”

This felt like miraculous encounters were rolling in one after another.

“What is it?”

I asked the Emperor Breaker, pretending to be calm while hiding the fact that my mouth was going dry.

It was with the expectation that he, who could not be judged by the common sense of ordinary people, might give something amazing.

“If you save me, I will acknowledge you as my successor.”

“……!”

I could not answer right away.

As expected, the Emperor Breaker's reputation was not for nothing, as I had not even been able to fathom his magnanimity.

The position of Murim Alliance Leader was not a hereditary one. That being said, if you were to ask if the value of the honor of being the successor to the Murim Alliance Leader Yeom Gi-ha was small, I would say it was by no means so.

This was even more so because Yeom Gi-ha was a martial artist who had never raised a successor and had risen to the pinnacle of Jianghu all by himself.

Even if I did not inherit the Emperor Breaker's martial arts, at the very least, I and the Dancheon Clan had gained the backing of the current Murim Alliance Leader and the greatest under the heavens.

“Alliance Leader.”

Singija called out to Yeom Gi-ha, looking flustered.

“Gija-ya, this is my authority.”

“……I understand.”

It was the moment when the Alliance Leader, who had been consistently subdued by the Grand Marshal, regained his dignity for the first time.

“But there's a condition.”

“What is it?”

The one who asked the question was me, but Yeom Gi-ha’s gaze was not on me, but on Singija.

“Gija-ya.”

“What is it.”

Singija answered curtly.

“If he achieves the Fifth Stage of the Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art, what level would that be?”

“Hmm.”

Like someone who explores knowledge, Singija immediately gave an answer.

“Theoretically, he would have expanded his Spirit and started to handle intent, so it would be right to see it as somewhere between a mature State of Harmony and the beginning of the Profound Realm.”

It was the same as what I understood.

“It is the realm the Healing Sage reached, and a realm where one could aim for the greatest under the heavens if it were about two generations ago.”

The greatest under the heavens.

It was inevitable that Yeom Gi-ha would react to that word.

“Compared to me?”

“Hmm.”

After a moment of thought, Singija gave an answer.

“I think the Alliance Leader would be stronger. Quite a bit stronger.”

What was on Yeom Gi-ha’s face at that answer was best described as a slight disappointment.

“What about the Sixth Stage of the Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art?”

The Emperor Breaker asked again.

“The Sixth Stage of the Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art is a path that even the Healing Sage could not pioneer. It is right to describe it as a realm of imagination that exists only in theory.”

“Anyway, it's possible, isn't it?”

“……It probably is.”

What was on Yeom Gi-ha’s face as he asked that seemed to be anticipation.

“If he achieves the Sixth Stage, what level would that be?”

Sighing, Singija answered.

“Unprecedented. It would be right to see it as a human body reaching the station of an immortal.”

“The Realm of Life and Death?”

The Realm of Life and Death.

It was a legendary realm that was said to exist above the Profound Realm.

It could not be dismissed as a simple product of imagination, because the anecdote that Sword Immortal Lü Dongbin and the Three Peaks True Man had entered the Realm of Life and Death and ascended to immortality was still being passed down in the Jianghu Murim.

In truth, the Healing Sage’s martial art, the Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art, aimed not to receive a divine descent but to ascend to a divine station by oneself.

Its end being the Realm of Life and Death was inevitable.

Singija's head nodded heavily.

“It could be seen that way.”

Only after receiving that answer did Yeom Gi-ha smile.

“He could be stronger than me.”

“That's right.”

Only after receiving Singija's confirmation did Yeom Gi-ha’s gaze turn to me.

“I will state the conditions.”

Yeom Gi-ha held up his index finger.

“First, when you achieve the Fifth Stage, you will have frequent duels with me.”

Then he held up his middle finger as well.

“Second, when you reach the Sixth Stage, you will have a duel with me for the title of the greatest under the heavens.”

“Hmm.”

What was rising from Yeom Gi-ha’s entire body was best described as a fierce fighting spirit.

I felt like I had gotten a glimpse of the mechanism by which he had become the greatest under the heavens.

When you think about it, it was a condition with no loss for me.

In truth, it meant that Yeom Gi-ha would give me teachings, so it would not be an exaggeration to describe me as a successor.

“Alright.”

I accepted.

Having received this much, it was right for me to make a declaration as well. That would be the proper way for a human being.

“I know where the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Extreme Blood Treasure is.”

After meeting Singija, I opened my mouth with sincerity for the first time, not with calculation.

“I will save the Alliance Leader's life with it.”

And I will reach the Fifth Stage of the Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art.

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