The following day.
After finishing a brief ditation at dawn in the courtyard of the ho, Jaseong went to look for Lee Rin.
He held a small jade vial in his hand.
"Hmph. If you've co to apologize, you're way too late, you know? Where have you been all day that you're only showing up now?"
Lee Rin spoke, jutting out her lips.
"I was busy making this."
Jaseong extended the jade vial to her.
"... And what's this?"
"ridian-Clearing Powder."
"Huh...? Isn't that...! The elixir that the great hero Gu had last ti?!"
"That's right. It's a dicine particularly effective at opening the small ridians."
Lee Rin's reddened lips, which had been sticking out, quickly drew back in.
"Gasp... Great hero... Are you really giving such a precious elixir???"
"I'm giving it to you because it's precious."
"Great hero...."
Lee Rin asked, her expression filled with emotion. In front of such a precious elixir, she completely forgot about the humiliation(?) of the day before.
Well, for Jaseong, it was the obvious choice.
Even if he took another dose of ridian-Clearing Powder, the effects would be greatly reduced now that his small ridians were already open.
Rather than taking a second dose himself, it was better to give one to Lee Rin as a gift.
Just then, Lee Rin's nursemaid, Han Soweol, appeared behind them.
"That's the perfect elixir for our energetic young lady. Widening her small ridians will help calm her energy further...."
"......."
"Thank you so much, Ansun branch leader. The North Sea Ice Palace will surely repay this favor."
Han Soweol, who would hardly ever bow her head to outsiders, gave a polite bow to Jaseong in gratitude.
It was a rather promising pledge from Jaseong's perspective, since the North Sea Ice Palace surely had rare elixirs like Snow Ginseng as well.
'I'll have to visit the North Sea Ice Palace before long.'
Soon, Lee Rin took the ridian-Clearing Powder, surrounded by the guardians of the North Sea.
Jaseong watched her sweat as she expanded her ridians, then used the Shadowless Body Technique to head to the black market at Thousand Martial Pavilion again.
He wondered if there might be so dicinal ingredients he hadn't yet discovered there.
Since there was still ti before Guardian General Gal Seo-ryeong and the three hall lords were due to arrive, it would be best if he could make another elixir in the anti.
However, when Jaseong, dressed in the black dragon robe of the Tianxia Association leader, arrived at the black market at Thousand Martial Pavilion, one of the rank-and-file officers of the Tianxia Association hurried up with a report.
"Association Leader, the imprisoned rising stars of the three unorthodox sects are making a commotion, demanding to see you."
"A commotion?"
"Yes. In particular, the Third Young Master Kang Ryong of the Twin Dragon Clan is causing the greatest disturbance. He keeps shouting to bring you out...."
Jaseong nodded silently. He had planned to et them sooner or later anyway.
"All right. Go find the ingredients listed here and bring them to ."
"Ingredients? Yes, sir!"
Jaseong headed toward Kang Ryong first.
When he arrived at the underground prison, Kang Ryong's appearance was shocking, to say the least.
His massive fra was wrapped in thick chains, resembling a wild beast that had been captured alive.
Not only that, but iron shackles had been fastened to both his ankles and wrists.
Clank!
As soon as Jaseong stood before the iron bars, Kang Ryong jerked his head up.
"So you've finally co, leader of the Tianxia Association!"
"What is it you're so desperate to see about?"
"Last night, I couldn't sleep a wink, lost in thought. Kukuku."
"?"
"Haven't we t sowhere before?"
Kang Ryong twisted his lips into a smirk. It was a surprising statent, but Jaseong responded with a flat tone.
"What nonsense is this?"
"Kukuku. Your acting could use so work."
"......."
"According to our clan's intelligence, leader Gun Hanmaek of the Tianxia Association wasn't soone this body couldn't handle. But contrary to that information, you defeated not only but also Heuk Muguk with ease."
"......."
"Also, the report said that Leader Gun Hanmaek was a master of the spear. Yet you fought with a sword, not a spear."
"......."
"So, I ca to the following conclusion. You are not Gun Hanmaek, leader of the Tianxia Association!"
Kang Ryong's eyes glead with certainty as he shouted. His mad outburst continued.
"And that's not all! That peculiar sword technique and internal power you used! Those were definitely the sa as the guy I saw four years ago at the Dark Path Duel Banquet! And the woman with the white horned mask, who subdued the young lady of Poison Valley! She brazenly unleashed the cold energy of the North Sea Ice Palace! How could I possibly not realize it?! Kukukuku!"
"......."
"You are definitely that guy. The branch leader of Hao Sect who defeated at the Dark Path Duel Banquet, forcing to live in disgrace for years—Ansun of the Hao Sect!"
The manic light in Kang Ryong's eyes. Jaseong was a little surprised at his unexpected insight.
'... He looks like a dumb brute, but he's sharper than I thought.'
"Bwahaha! Your silence tells I'm right! But just what on earth happened in the past four years?! What kind of miraculous chance did you get to beco even stronger than you were back then?!"
Kang Ryong was agitated, as if he'd t his lifelong nesis.
But Jaseong felt no special emotion. Soone like Kang Ryong no longer even registered as an opponent in his eyes.
And even if Kang Ryong had figured out his identity at this point, it didn't matter.
Once his plan to seize control of the Tianxia Association was complete, Jaseong planned to reveal his true identity. As the new master of the Tianxia Association.
"Is that all you had to say?"
"What?"
"What a boisterous voice. Seems I could leave you unfed for another three days."
"... What do you an? I was just about to ask for more food, since there hasn't been enough as it is...?"
"Take this opportunity to lose a little weight."
"Ansun branch leader! You bastard!!"
Leaving the boar-like bellows of Kang Ryong behind, Jaseong moved on to Dokgo Yeon next.
* * *
Dokgo Yeon's cell, unlike Kang Ryong's, was silent.
Even in confinent, she exuded a mysterious beauty.
Her skin was as pale as moonlight, while her lips were blue-tinged yet red, like a frozen rose.
Her jawline and eyes were as sharp as a snake's.
Altogether, she radiated an aura that was both dangerous and captivating.
Jaseong activated the Samadhi Eyes when eting Dokgo Yeon.
As the daughter of Poison Valley, there was no telling what tricks she might have, so he had to be cautious.
Sss—
With Samadhi Eyes, he slowed down ti and ticulously examined her.
Fortunately, there appeared to be no tricks.
No hidden poison needles or powder, not even any unusual energy emanating from her body.
It seed that, having her Snake Spirit Flute confiscated, Dokgo Yeon was currently incapable of scheming anything.
"What is it you seek from ?"
At Jaseong's question, Dokgo Yeon tilted her head slightly.
"You have a remarkably young voice."
She studied Jaseong coldly and continued.
"I heard Leader Gun Hanmaek of the Tianxia Association was well over fifty—a middle-aged man. But your voice sounds similar in age to this lady."
"You're making repeat myself. Why did you want to see ?"
"I have a proposition for you."
"A proposition?"
"A proposal that would greatly benefit both the Tianxia Association and Poison Valley."
Dokgo Yeon leaned forward as she spoke.
"?"
"The Tianxia Association is surrounded by threats from various unorthodox sects. Blood Cult, Hyuncheon Sect, Black Star Sect, and other mbers of the Four Great Clans and Seven Sects are all targeting the Association. If one could wield the financial power of the Association freely, as the late Evil Path Association Leader Ma Yeongmyeol once did, it would allow for significant expansion."
"......."
"Likewise, I am in a similar position."
"What do you an?"
"I have three half-siblings, each senior to in birth order. Although the family head recognizes my talent, that puts a target on , and all of them desire the position of young head as well. If I ss up my very first assigned mission? They will be quick to cast bla."
Jaseong understood Dokgo Yeon's situation.
"What benefit is there to helping you?"
"In due ti, as head of Poison Valley, I would beco your strong supporter."
"Supporter?"
"Didn't the previous leader of the Evil Path Association always watch over the Tianxia Association? I an that Poison Valley would take over that role."
Leaning even closer, Dokgo Yeon continued.
"Think it over. For now, your martial arts allow you to defeat Poison Valley, Black Star Sect, and the Twin Dragon Clan. But you never know when a new, strong enemy will appear. Next could be the elders of my own family. And an unbacked Dark Path always collapses quickly. You'll lose all those hard-won pleasure district in no ti. Join hands with . With the countless secret poison techniques of Poison Valley, your enemies could be assassinated before they know it."
Even while imprisoned, she was making a plausible deal.
As he had observed before, Dokgo Yeon was highly intelligent.
More than that, he could see great ambition in the snake-like glint of her eyes.
Before her, Jaseong fell into brief contemplation.
In reality, the future Tianxia Association wouldn't need backers; he and the Hao Sect would be its secret owners, and several peak-level experts were in upper managent of the Hao Sect.
That was more than enough to defend the Association.
Yet, since he had now obtained the Evil Path Association Leader's Seal, Jaseong could set his sights on the position of Evil Path Association Leader in the future.
By increasing his martial arts to overwhelm all, absorbing an appropriate unorthodox sect, and taking its helm, he could prove himself qualified.
However, to beco the Evil Path Association Leader, one needed more than just personal strength; he would need supporting sects.
Therefore, turning Poison Valley into an ally now could be of great help in the future.
"What exactly do you want?"
"Unlike the others, Poison Valley isn't interested in conquering the Tianxia Association."
"Then?"
"Just announce to the Central Plains that the Tianxia Association is allied with Poison Valley. Of course, part of the profits from the pleasure district needs to be shared with us, but you did the sa for the forr Evil Path Association Leader, didn't you?"
"......."
"Even half of that sum is enough. That way, I gain the prestige I need in my family to be recognized as young head."
Jaseong pondered briefly, then nodded. Money wasn't his goal, after all.
"Heh. I knew you'd see reason."
A thrilled smile ford on Dokgo Yeon's lips. But at that mont—
"In return, take this as a token of our agreent."
Jaseong took sothing out and tossed it into Dokgo Yeon's mouth.
"Mmmpf?!"
Sothing slippery slid down Dokgo Yeon's throat, and the self-assurance vanished from her face.
"W-what is this?!"
She demanded, her voice deeply unsettled. Jaseong's reply was chilling.
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