Chapter 11

Chapter 10: Creating a Tool Box (3)

Why was I born?

Why do I feel nothing when I kill people?

Why do I strive to become stronger?

Everything began with a "why."

Not following the orders of a superior.

Cultivating dissatisfaction with the environment.

Receiving a "disqualification" despite ranking 12th in the Heavenly Fragrance Hall.

Becoming a scapegoat and wandering without a faction.

All of it started with the question "why."

I don't know if that was the cause.

The nature of martial arts that instills fear and obedience to an absolute ruler.

Perhaps my questioning of that nature led to the collapse of the martial arts brainwashing, resulting in my status as a mutant within the Cult.

That's why.

Perhaps that's why I incurred the wrath of the Taihuang Pavilion Master, Sima Gui.

* * *

The dark walls and gloomy ceiling.

The humid space was indeed my cultivation room.

I had expected it, but I really did return to that point in time.

"Arm..."

Xiaohui quickly raised his hand.

His right arm, which was intact, moved according to his will.

Relief lingered on Xiaohui's face, which had been anxious.

"Now I have two lives."

Xiaohui began to reflect on his current situation.

The number of lives he had gained from his past life.

And the possibility of changing the future.

The characters and symbols that seeped in like a curse.

They were the driving forces that now allowed him to dream of a completely different life.

When Xiaohui turned his gaze to the right,

The blurry color became clear, and text appeared.

It was the status window.

"Huh? Abilities?"

While checking the status window, Xiaohui noticed that some formulas had changed.

[State, Status]

Xiaohui [Low-Rank Squad Leader]

Physical Condition: Normal

[Value, Stats]

Health: 118/120

Martial Power: 250/250

[Skill, Abilities]

Core Martial Arts: Heavenly Demon Sword Cloud, Black Demon Seven Swords

Attack Skill: Sword Wind (劍風)

His health and martial power had slightly increased.

It seemed to be due to the regeneration of his right arm.

"Soul Absorption Martial Arts..."

The most noticeable change was the disappearance of the martial arts he had obtained through a fortuitous encounter.

"That's strange. I remember what the martial arts were."

Creak.

Xiaohui stood up.

He soon drew his sword and tried to recall the martial arts in his mind.

At that moment,

[You have obtained Soul Absorption Martial Arts.]

"Huh?"

As soon as he recalled the sword techniques of the Soul Absorption Martial Arts in his mind, the text appeared.

Without even performing the technique, its content was added.

[Skill, Abilities]

Core Martial Arts: Heavenly Demon Sword Cloud, Black Demon Seven Swords, Soul Absorption Martial Arts

'So, the ones I remember are displayed.'

Xiaohui nodded.

In a way, it made sense.

Since he clearly remembered the events of his past life, it was natural that he would remember the martial arts he possessed.

Xiaohui's eyes then moved to another section.

A newly created name.

[Tool, Tools]

Herbs + 1

Yan Yang Geng + 1

Map + 1 (New)

In a way, it was a new ability.

Xiaohui, out of curiosity, checked the status window and tried various things.

Since it was called a tool, he wondered how he could use what was inside.

As he glanced at the map,

[Do you want to take the map? Accept/Decline]

Thud.

Upon accepting, something was placed in Xiaohui's hand.

It was his secret diary, hidden within the mechanisms of the Taihuang Pavilion Master.

He saw the physical map.

Rustle.

Without hesitation, Xiaohui began to unfold the map. After flipping a few pages,

"Ha ha..."

Xiaohui's face lit up.

The place where he had met Huashan Sect's Jiu Zhong Ming.

The map of Huangjia Mountain and the records of Sima Gui were drawn there.

"Hold on, what are these?"

Xiaohui put the map back in his pocket and began to check the status window again.

When he focused on the herbs, a question asking if he wanted to see the detailed description appeared.

Naturally, he accepted.

[Herbs]

Description: Common herbs that grow anywhere.

Effect: Increases health by 2.

He chose to decline when asked if he wanted to take the herbs immediately.

Then, his gaze moved downward.

[Yan Yang Geng]

Description: A confection made by boiling red beans, straining them through a wooden sieve, and mixing them with flour and honey.

Effect: Increases health by 3.

Puff.

When asked if he wanted to take it, Xiaohui accepted, and something was placed in his hand.

It was a flat, long, but narrow object, covered in a soft material and a unique wrapper.

"Should I tear this and eat it?"

When Xiaohui tore it, a dark, soft cake-like shape appeared.

Munch, munch, munch.

He took a bite without thinking.

As he rolled his tongue to savor the taste,

"This is!"

He suddenly widened his eyes.

And with a surprised expression, he muttered,

"It has... flavor!"

The simple yet deep taste.

At the same time, a message appeared before his eyes.

[Health has been restored + 1]

Health: 119 (↑1)/120

"Heh heh..."

He felt amazed.

To think that among the fortuitous encounters he had gained, there were such things.

After eating a third of it, it seemed that if he ate the whole thing, his health would increase by +3, as the message indicated.

"Can I put this back?"

Swoosh.

Feeling a bit reluctant and thinking of saving it for later, the idea naturally came to him.

He blinked a few times at the Yan Yang Geng and moved his eyes quickly.

[Do you want to put it in the tool box?]

The text appeared as he brought the Yan Yang Geng to the visible tool box.

"Ha ha. So that's how it works."

[It has been safely stored in the tool box.]

Xiaohui clenched his fist and was very pleased.

"Was it here?"

While standing there, he heard a voice.

He could see a long-haired man walking towards the training ground.

It was Jieming, a character who had died in his previous life.

* * *

- Good technique.

- I just hit you. You were looking at me arrogantly.

- Why? Are you upset about getting hit? Just because you have a few subordinates, you think you deserve special treatment?

Xiaohui rubbed his chest and walked towards the Thousand Days Hall.

As expected, Jieming acted according to his previous memories.

He hit with his fist, gave a warning, and even mentioned that the Taihuang Pavilion Master had called him.

There was one difference, though.

'Two lives were lost.'

Perhaps because he had died once before, the word "lives" that had floated above his head was no longer visible.

This made it clear that such a mark could only be obtained once.

"Hmm."

When he finished his thoughts, the 12-story Thousand Days Hall was in front of Xiaohui.

He decided to come here instead of the Taihuang Pavilion to meet Kunma.

- I'm usually at the top of the Thousand Days Hall when I have nothing special to do. Does that answer your question?

The reason he asked Jieming before killing him was for this moment.

Concrete evidence of collusion with the enemy.

He needed it.

Xiaohui quickly walked to the first floor of the Thousand Days Hall.

"What is it?"

Duhong, the clerk, asked with his legs comfortably crossed on the desk.

His expression was bored, as expected of someone with a laid-back personality.

"I came at the request of Master Kunma."

"What?"

Duhong suddenly sat up. His gaze, which had been trying to figure something out, changed strangely.

'You know everything, don't you, you bastard.'

Xiaohui met his gaze with a confident expression.

"What for?"

Then, Duhong readily responded.

"It's important... Should we talk here?"

"Hmm."

Swoosh.

Duhong straightened his posture and pointed to a spot behind him.

"Go up there."

"Thank you."

Xiaohui bowed and moved towards the spot he pointed to.

* * *

In front of the 12th floor stairs of the Thousand Days Hall.

"Master Kunma. Squad Leader Xiaohui of the Miscellaneous Squad requests an audience."

Standing in front of the door, Xiaohui spoke.

He was worried that the martial artists guarding the Heavenly Horse Disciple might turn him away.

Fortunately, no one was in sight.

"Who did you say?"

Hearing a familiar voice, Xiaohui raised his voice a bit.

"I am a low-rank squad leader staying in the Taihuang Pavilion. I am called the Miscellaneous Squad because I am not assigned to any specific unit."

"Is that so?"

After a brief pause, he asked again.

"Why are you here to see me?"

"I have information that could greatly benefit the establishment of a great nation in the future."

"..."

Kunma did not answer immediately.

It was unclear whether he found something uncomfortable about Xiaohui's words or was intrigued.

"Come in."

Fortunately, he gave permission, and Xiaohui pushed the door open with all his strength.

Creak.

'Wide.'

Opening the door, the place he faced was like a beautiful painting.

To the right of the door, six large windows, each about ten feet (3 meters) high, were arranged in a row, with a total of 24 windows.

On the left, endless bookshelves and books seemed as numerous as those in the basement.

"You're an interesting person."

Kunma, walking leisurely, smiled.

The light shining through the windows met his smile, creating a beautiful scene.

"Indeed. What information do you have that could greatly benefit the establishment of a great nation?"

Xiaohui took a deep breath.

Then, he took out a book from his pocket and carefully handed it to him.

"What is this?"

"Read it and you'll know."

Kunma, taking the book Xiaohui handed him, leisurely opened it.

As he slowly read through the pages,

"..."

His eyes widened.

His pupils trembled, showing a look of disbelief even after seeing it with his own eyes.

"Is this... for sure?"

His tone suddenly changed to a familiar one.

"What makes you think you can do that?"

His tone was filled with displeasure.

But with the ambiguous tone, Xiaohui boldly looked up at him.

"I am a low-rank squad leader trying to align myself with Master Kunma."

"What for?"

Xiaohui did not hesitate.

If he asked such a similar question,

He had prepared what to say.

"I want to become stronger. Like others..."

A brief silence.

Kunma's puzzled nod.

And Kunma spoke to the anxious Xiaohui.

"If this is true."

Thud.

He closed the book. Then, he slowly approached and whispered in Xiaohui's ear.

"I'll give you what you want."

Kunma's answer was positive.

* * *

Three hours had passed.

Xiaohui was pacing around Kunma's room, waiting for him.

"I hope it works out..."

Out of habit, Xiaohui glanced at the door Kunma had left through.

The sudden unease was hard to shake off.

The business of the power institutions within the Cult.

The Hall (殿), Institute (院), Pavilion (閣), Party (黨), and Tower (樓).

How could he know about the political relationships within the main institution?

The only thing he knew was that the Taihuang Pavilion Master's line followed the first Heavenly Horse Disciple, Salma (殺魔), not the fourth disciple, Kunma.

'He's here.'

Thud.

The sound of footsteps made Xiaohui tense.

What would happen?

If he failed, how would he live his next life?

"Your name is Xiaohui, right?"

Kunma, standing in front of the door with a stern expression.

Xiaohui, tense, waited for his answer.

[Do you want to save?]

'What? Why suddenly...'

The text that appeared while waiting for the answer.

The "save" text he had seen when he was dying.

It finally appeared.

[At which point do you want to save?]

The text that had puzzled him before reappeared, and when he pointed to one of the points,

■ Year 95 of the Heavenly Power, Chapter 2. The Three Lives Kunma Offers

[Empty save slot]

[Empty save slot]

[Saved.]

The text appeared, confirming the save.

"Choose one of the three."

"Huh...?"

And just then, Kunma asked a question, but his voice was not heard.

Or rather, he definitely spoke, but the text replaced his voice.

▶ Become Kunma's core warrior

▷ Become Kunma's bodyguard

▷ Become Kunma's secret agent

Xiaohui felt it.

The text that had appeared so far was different in form.

Each text represented a completely different life.

Below, new text appeared, subtly indicating the difficulty of the choices.

▶ Become Kunma's core warrior

Join the Wu Guan and return as a vassal

Difficulty (★★)

▷ Become Kunma's bodyguard

Personal guidance from a Green Jade Hall elder, then close protection for Kunma

Difficulty (★★★)

▷ Become Kunma's secret agent

Assassinate a specific person in the martial world

Difficulty (★★★★★)