Heavenly Black Sword Venerable looked at Jaseong and asked abruptly.
"Do you have a nickna?"
It was a sudden question.
Jaseong, with a slightly puzzled expression, answered.
"I do not have a nickna yet."
"In that case, I shall give you one."
"...?"
"Red Light Calamity (紅燈天災). It ans 'Calamity Sent from Heaven that has descended upon the Red Light District.'"
... To bestow a nickna out of the blue.
Jaseong could not quite grasp Heavenly Black Sword Venerable's intentions, so he felt perplexed.
Still, he soon nodded silently.
Red Light Calamity—Calamity of the Red Light District—was not a bad nickna.
And in the martial world, the greater the Prestige of the expert who gives you a nickna, the more formidable its authority becos.
For instance, a nickna given by a great hero of the world like Heavenly Black Sword Venerable alone would grant one such authority that martial artists of the world would dare not challenge the na.
'But... is that all? I'm sure Heavenly Black Sword Venerable ca here coveting the Evil Path Association Leader's Seal...'
Contrary to his expectations, heavenly Black Sword Venerable neither attacked Jaseong nor threatened him to hand over the Evil Path Association Leader's Seal.
Watching this, Gal Seo-ryeong and the three hall lords all wore equally puzzled expressions.
In truth, they had expected that after Jaseong had defeated the Blood Cult, he would have another struggle with the Twin Dragon Clan, the Black Star Sect, Poison Valley, and the unorthodox factions.
After all, they had all co this far here, coveting the Tianxia Association and the Evil Path Association Leader's Seal.
Yet Heavenly Black Sword Venerable simply gave him a nickna and turned to leave.
"It is the price for sparing my disciples."
That was Heavenly Black Sword Venerable's answer.
The disciples who nearly beca jiangshi of the Blood Cult were saved thanks to Jaseong, and so he was showing the minimum courtesy for that.
"Let us et again, young hero of the Hao Sect."
Heavenly Black Sword Venerable pressed down his black bamboo hat and turned around.
Heuk Muguk and the Black Star Sect's swordsn all turned with him in unison.
As he watched them, heavenly Black Sword Venerable spoke with a tone of dissatisfaction.
"You will need to train even harsher than ever before in our sect."
"As you command!!"
The Black Star Sect's swordsn all bowed deeply with a cupped fist salute.
Then, with a single stamp of Heavenly Black Sword Venerable's foot, the whole group used lightness skill and vanished in an instant.
At their grand exit, everyone gazed on, utterly awestruck.
"As expected of a sect ranked among the top three of the unorthodox factions. For everyone to possess such amazing lightness skills...."
Lee Rin exclaid in admiration.
In any case, as the highest expert at the gathering, heavenly Black Sword Venerable left with his disciples; the two other factions also began quietly preparing to depart.
Kang Ryong of the Twin Dragon Clan bid farewell to Jaseong.
"Hao Sect's Ansun branch leader. Every ti I et you, you cause quite the interesting trouble."
"......."
"If you ever have business in the Twin Dragon Clan, drop by. I'll personally treat you to our clan's fad wine."
Kang Ryong said this with his signature wild grin.
'... What's with this monster suddenly acting so friendly?'
Well, it was good for Jaseong.
The Twin Dragon Clan was the central family of the Evil Path Association, so building ties might one day prove useful.
When Kang Ryong left with the Twin Dragon Clan's martial artists, Dokgo Yeon was the last to approach Jaseong.
"Don't forget the promise between us. I'll beco the young family head of Poison Valley, and you will solidify your position as Association Leader of the Tianxia Association."
Dokgo Yeon drew close to Jaseong and whispered this in his ear, keeping her voice low so those around them could not hear.
To this, Jaseong silently nodded and answered.
"Don't forget to visit once a month. You'll need the antidote for gu poison."
"Hehe. If we see each other that often, I might end up enchanting you. Would you be alright with that?"
"Enough with the pointless talk. Just go."
"Ch. So stiff."
At Jaseong's indifferent reply, Dokgo Yeon withdrew, bringing her guardians with her.
Behind them, countless snakes followed with a hiss, hiss!
After seeing off the three unorthodox factions, Jaseong allowed a faint smile to cross his lips.
'Unexpected gains, indeed.'
Currently, Jaseong's goal was not simply to take control of the Tianxia Association.
Having acquired the Evil Path Association Leader's Seal, the Wicked Fla Sword, he might vie for the position of Evil Path Association Leader soday.
But now, with the Twin Dragon Clan, Black Star Sect, and Poison Valley—three of the Four Great Clans and Seven Sects—he had established friendly ties.
Their support would surely prove invaluable when Jaseong later sought the Leader's seat of the Evil Path Association.
'... Moreover, the Evil Path Association is currently in chaos due to internal strife. It's the perfect opportunity for to squeeze in. Especially, if I catch the culprit who assassinated the previous Evil Path Association Leader with my own hands... my justification would be undeniable.'
But at the mont when Jaseong was musing over all this, Lee Rin approached, eyes narrowed.
"What's with that look in your eyes?"
"What did you just talk about with that Poison Valley woman?"
"Why are you suddenly asking about that?"
"What could be so secretive for you to whisper in each other's ears like that?"
Lee Rin glared and questioned him.
Jaseong looked back with a 'what is with this woman now?' expression, then answered indifferently.
"Poison Valley agreed to help us."
"What...? Why would Poison Valley suddenly do that?"
"That's..."
Jaseong relayed his earlier conversation with Dokgo Yeon to Lee Rin.
Upon hearing this, Lee Rin's glare vanished and she grinned widely.
"As expected, anyone who makes a deal with the great hero ends up at a loss. Hehe."
"What are you smiling about now?"
"I just really disliked that woman for so reason."
"For what reason?"
"She's just one of those won I hate for no reason—uh, person, I an. In any case, even if you were a rchant, you'd have beco a great one."
"I don't really get what you an, but I'll take it as a complint."
"By the way, great hero."
"?"
"Why did you suddenly get so much gray hair overnight?"
At her question, gray hairs could be seen here and there among Jaseong's black hair.
At that mont, Jaseong recalled what the Wicked Fla Sword had told him.
—I shall take part of your lifespan as interest. That is the law of the Wicked Fla Sword.
'So this is the price for borrowing the power of the Wicked Fla Sword....'
Jaseong looked at the sword hanging at his waist.
He thought he had better be very cautious about using it.
If each awakening robbed him of his lifespan like this, he could die young before finishing his revenge or fulfilling Heaven's Mandate.
'Luckily, it doesn't seem to have taken too much, but... in any case, I'd best be careful.'
Just as Jaseong was examining the Wicked Fla Sword—
Swooooosh—
Suddenly, a fog of pure white mist rose before his eyes.
〈Student. You have completed the seventh Heaven's Mandate, 'Salvation'... The seventh restrictions of the Celestial Realm have now been released.〉
A majestic voice resounded in Jaseong's ear.
It was the proclamation that he had at last completed all his missions.
Only then did Jaseong truly relax.
With a relieved smile at his lips, he recalled the rewards gained from this round of Heaven's Mandate.
'The rewards from this Heaven's Mandate are the greatest thus far.'
First, amity with the great Evil Path Association sects.
While crushing the Blood Cult, he had cracked the Evil Path Association itself and ford collaborative or friendly relations with the Black Star Sect, Twin Dragon Clan, and Poison Valley.
This would be an imnse foundation for later dominating the unorthodox factions.
Second, he had devoured the greatest underworld force in the Central Plains—Tianxia Association.
Now, the Tianxia Association was under Ansun Branch of the Hao Sect, and its massive wealth and over a thousand underworld martial artists had all beco Jaseong's power.
Third, he had acquired the Evil Path Association Leader's Seal, the Wicked Fla Sword.
Though it demanded lifespan as a price, as one of the Eight Great Treasures of the martial world, the sword's power was enormous.
Moreover, the sword itself was the symbol of the Evil Path Association Leader.
Lastly, the achievent of Heaven's Mandate "Salvation".
Having saved the lives of countless civilians, he had thereby unlocked the restrictions of the Heaven Evading Way.
Jaseong would now be able to learn new martial arts in a higher realm.
'It was the toughest Heaven's Mandate yet... but the rewards are well worth it. If I just keep building up my power a little more....'
Recalling the beaming smiles of his eldest brother and his wife whenever he closed his eyes, Jaseong murmured inwardly.
* * *
A few days later.
A grand banquet was being held at the main Tianxia Association estate.
In fire pits set about the vast estate, lamb was roasting to a golden brown.
Each ti the fat dripped and sizzled, its savory aroma wafted through the air.
On the tables, delicacies such as dumplings and spring rolls made from various ingredients, or shredded pork with garlic sauce, were laid out.
Endless bottles of fine wine were lined up, whetting one's appetite just by the sight.
"Munch, munch. It's been a while since we've eaten real food. I chewed so much dried jerky that even looking at it makes sick. Munch, munch."
Lee Rin spoke while stuffing a well-cooked piece of lamb into her mouth.
True to her robust appetite, her face was full of satisfaction.
Beside her, Gu Janghu, the connoisseur, was sampling each of the fad wines of the Tianxia Association.
"Indeed, the taste of wine after completing a mission is the finest."
Murmuring contentedly, Gu Janghu seed to be enjoying this rare rest.
Despite the cheerful faces of Lee Rin and Gu Janghu, the atmosphere of the banquet was solemn.
The Tianxia Association's underworld martial artists, gathered across the vast estate, kept glancing toward the upper seats.
There, Jaseong sat side by side with the forr Tianxia Association Leader, Gun Hanmaek.
Yet it was Jaseong who drew the gaze of these underworld martial artists.
"He looks barely in his twenties, but that young man wiped out all those Blood Cult bastards?"
"... I just can't believe it."
"I heard he's about to beco the new Association Leader of Tianxia Association..."
"I wonder what fate awaits the Tianxia Association from now on...."
While the Tianxia Association's mbers whispered, the Guangxi Province underworld martial artists opposite them butted in.
"Hey! Tianxia Association people. The boss went through all this trouble to throw a banquet for you, so why the long faces?"
"What did you say?"
"If it's a banquet, drink and lighten up! Why all the mumbling?"
"... Looks like the bumpkins of Guangxi Province have grown bold."
The Tianxia Association and Guangxi Province martial artists snarled at each other like water and fire.
Just as a sharp atmosphere crackled between them, Gun Hanmaek rose.
Then, addressing all the martials gathered in the estate, he spoke.
"Our Tianxia Association was nearly destroyed recently by the combined attack of the Blood Cult, Poison Valley, Twin Dragon Clan, and Black Star Sect. However, it was with the help of these three distinguished ones here that our legacy was maintained."
Gun Hanmaek looked from Jaseong, to Lee Rin, to Gu Janghu seated in the place of honor.
"By the laws of the underworld, I shall step down as Association Leader of Tianxia Association and pass my seat on to the next generation."
"...!"
"This man seated here, the branch leader of Hao Sect's Ansun branch, the Red Light Calamity (紅燈天災)—Jaseong—who single-handedly defeated a thousand elite Blood Cult mbers, will from today serve as Association Leader of the Tianxia Association."
"...!!"
At Gun Hanmaek's proclamation, the gaze of the Tianxia Association's mbers turned to Jaseong once more.
Thousands of eyes, all at once.
Witnessing these countless stares, Jaseong gave a faint smile.
[So you're handing over the Leader's seat so openly?]
At Jaseong's telepathy, Gun Hanmaek smiled slyly.
[You would have dragged down by force if I hadn't stepped down myself, wouldn't you?]
[......]
[Better to retire willingly than be forced out disgracefully. At least that leaves a better impression.]
[That much is true.]
[In any case, you must keep your promise as well. Be sure to find the one who slew my brother, the forr Evil Path Association Leader.]
The white-clad master who killed the previous Evil Path Association Leader.
Jaseong was now determined to find out who he was.
[Don't worry. I've already mobilized all of the Hao Sect's intelligence network to search for him.]
With this final telepathic exchange, Jaseong rose from his seat.
He slowly addressed the endless ranks of martial artists assembled in the estate.
"You already know who I am. Let make this clear—my rewards and punishnts are absolute."
"...!"
"If you follow my orders and achieve success, you will earn gold enough to live in luxury for the rest of your lives."
'... Gold for a lifeti?!'
'Is he serious?!'
"But should you defy or betray my orders, you'll be bidding farewell to this world on the spot."
With these chilling words from Jaseong, an absolute master who had single-handedly defeated a thousand elite Blood Cult mbers, everyone in the estate froze instantly.
"We pledge our loyalty!"
"As you command!!"
"As you command!!"
"As you command!!"
"As you command!!"
Over a thousand Tianxia Association martial artists and five hundred from Guangxi Province all bowed deeply with a cupped fist salute.
It was like a mighty wave.
Seeing that grand sight, Jaseong truly felt that the largest underworld force in the Central Plains was now in his grasp.
The boy who once made a living carrying loads in the Red Light District had beco the leader of the greatest underworld organization in the martial world.
The prodigy of the Red Light District, calamity Sent from Heaven.
That nickna bestowed by Heavenly Black Sword Venerable would now swirl out, spreading like a tempest throughout the martial world.
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