Chapter 46

Chapter 45. Blue Sea Martial Journey (1)

As soon as Seohwi entered the room, she changed her clothes and sat down in a chair.

She felt strange.

She was extremely tired, yet she also felt a refreshing sensation as if her body were about to take flight.

- Did I activate the Ren and Du meridians...

At first, only a warm energy circulated in her lower dantian.

Then suddenly, the heat that had been circulating in her dantian spread throughout her body.

The heat raced wildly through her head, chest, and dantian, causing intense pain.

However, the duration of the pain was extremely short.

This was because the vision before her eyes suddenly opened up, like an earthquake, and a convex shape formed.

- In the orthodox school, they say that the Life and Death Gate has been penetrated. Since this was the purpose of this training... there is no longer a need to practice.

Jeongpa, suppressing his emotions, handed her a book from his pocket.

[You have obtained the Traceless Ghost Step.]

- This is originally a stepping technique from the Four Great Extreme Magic Arts, which has been further developed to suit the Yin Ying Pill.

As he said, the Ghost Step was a stepping technique included in the Four Great Extreme Magic Arts. However, since the main focus was on magic arts, it only contained the necessary movements for instantaneous evasion.

It did not require stamina or provide a sustainable stepping technique.

This was the first time she had obtained a proper stepping technique.

- I don't need to teach you separately because I believe you can do it well without being told. You can easily reach the 7th level.

As Seohwi recalled the memories of Jeongpa, she noticed two lists floating at the top.

[Mind Reading]

<Continuous Skill> Intermediate Level (↑Advanced Level)

Mind Reading, one level higher than Intermediate.

Next to it, a list of martial arts appeared.

Thinking that something might have changed since she reached the peak of mastery, she selected it.

The result was as expected.

[Martial Arts List]

<One Origin Small Horse Magic Art> Advanced Level (↑Perfect)

<Small Heart Demon Magic Art> Imitation (↑Intermediate Level)

<Fiery Fist Demon Magic Art> Imitation (↑Intermediate Level)

<Four Great Extreme Magic Art Wind> Beginner (↑Basic Level)

"Learning many martial arts doesn't seem to help much."

Through this experience, Seohwi realized things she had never thought of before.

There isn't just one answer in strong martial arts.

Moreover, the way to become stronger isn't just found within martial arts.

The enlightenment of martial arts must be the starting point.

While practice is important, the fundamental exploration of martial arts is essential.

To grasp the true nature of martial arts is necessary to reach higher realms.

<Do you want to save?>

The familiar words that appear when lying on the bed.

After a brief moment of consideration, Seohwi declined and immediately went to sleep.

There was no particular sense of crisis yet.

* * *

Early morning.

Seohwi stood at the door to start her daily schedule.

<Set the schedule for February 96th year of the Cheonryeok era. (6/36)>

▶ Accept a mission

▷ Martial journey

▷ Explore the surroundings

‘It’s not there?’

Seohwi immediately noticed the change from before.

The ‘Learn Martial Arts’ option in the list was gone.

‘Then I should accept a mission.’

<From whom do you want to accept a mission?>

▶ Gonma (Fourth Disciple of Heavenly Demon)

▷ Heukgu (Head of Yin Ying Pill)

▷ Jeongpa (Head of Training Hall)

▷ The doctor who treated Seohwi

▷ The servant who serves meals

In fact, she wanted to choose to accept a mission from the beginning.

But she had avoided it due to the necessity of learning the basics.

‘Should I start with Gonma?’

Since she had reached the peak of mastery, it was better to choose Gonma’s mission.

<Do you want to accept a mission from Gonma?>

Seohwi proceeded with anticipation.

When she chose to accept, as expected, light began to envelop her body.

You have become much stronger. However, there are things you need to prepare. You cannot complete this mission with your current abilities.

- Come back when you are qualified.

“What...”

She found herself standing in front of the door.

After Gonma’s brief response, she instantly returned to this place.

Seohwi looked around for a moment and took a step forward to the door.

<Set the schedule for February 96th year of the Cheonryeok era. (7/36)>

The schedule appeared again.

Seohwi chose to accept a mission once more.

This time, she chose the Head of Yin Ying Pill.

The Head of the Training Hall said, “You have penetrated the Life and Death Gate? Truly, the more I see, the more amazed I am.”

- Unfortunately, the timing for the mission I have to give you is not appropriate now. Come back in a year.

“This is really...”

She was back in the room.

From the brief conversations, it seemed that the timing or qualifications were not right yet.

“Should I choose the one at the bottom?”

Seohwi’s gaze moved downward.

At the bottom of the mission list, she chose a rather unremarkable option.

▶ The servant who serves meals

“Is anyone there?”

‘Huh?’

Seohwi’s gaze fixed on the door.

Someone who had not been there before suddenly spoke to her.

“May I come in?”

The young man spoke again.

Seohwi, now accustomed to the situation, replied.

“Come in.”

* * *

He was the one who always brought her meals.

Even though it was not mealtime, he said he had come because he had something to tell her.

He introduced himself as Nosam (路森).

He added that he mainly served Elder Sima Baihun (司馬白魂).

The story was as follows.

One day, Sima Baihun went to the deputy leader’s office for personal matters.

While waiting, he accidentally looked into the brazier and found a secret manual that had not yet burned, unlike the other books that were completely ash.

He was conflicted about what to do and eventually picked up the manual, passing it to his confidant outside.

“What’s the problem?”

Seohwi asked, interrupting his explanation.

She wondered if stealing an unburned secret manual could cause such a big issue.

“The problem is... the confidant who received the manual suddenly disappeared.”

“What? Disappeared?”

Seohwi finally focused on Nosam’s words.

Disappeared did not mean he had hidden in the headquarters or a subordinate branch.

It meant he had left the headquarters and gone to the Central Plains.

“How could he escape the eyes of the headquarters?”

“I don’t know.”

“Or perhaps he was killed by someone, or the deputy leader dealt with it directly.”

“Since no body was found and the connection is weak, it’s unlikely. The one who visited the office was Elder Baihun, not the confidant.”

That made sense.

If there was a problem, pursuing the right target would easily solve it.

Nosam raised his gaze and continued.

“Elder Baihun wants to find his confidant but cannot move. If the deputy leader intentionally left the manual, getting involved would be dangerous.”

That also made sense.

If the deputy leader had set a trap?

Seohwi did not know much about the power struggles within the headquarters or Elder Baihun’s position, but it seemed he had thought that far.

“So, why are you telling me this?”

Nosam answered as if he had been waiting for the question.

“Elder Baihun’s concern is that if the confidant left the headquarters, someone needs to kill him, but there is no one to send immediately. Someone without power, not bound by political enemies, who can move freely and is not well-known. After searching for such a suitable person...”

“So, that’s why you came to me.”

The words were dressed up, but in reality, it meant someone who wouldn’t cause a stir even if they died.

Without a backing, there would be no repercussions.

Not bound by political enemies, there would be no unexpected harm.

Being able to move freely meant the headquarters wouldn’t pay attention.

Well, it didn’t matter.

She didn’t need to know who the confidant was; she just needed to kill him.

Since a separate mission appeared, it seemed there would be no repercussions.

“If I bring him back, what’s the reward?”

Seohwi asked the most important question.

Regardless of the status window’s reward, there should be a proper reward for the cleanup.

“Of course.”

Nosam answered as if he had been waiting.

“When Elder Baihun needs you, you will repay the debt of gratitude once.”

“Not bad.”

Seohwi, expecting a great sword or something, nodded reluctantly.

Being able to use a current elder once was not a bad condition.

At that moment,

A chime sounded, and words appeared before her eyes.

[You have accepted a mission from ‘Servant Nosam’.]

○ Mission: Elder Sima Baihun’s chief disciple, Yin Wuji (陰無忌), has fled to Qinghai with a secret manual. Capture him within a month to complete the mission.

Success: Gain the trust of Sima Baihun, ranked 31st.

Reward: Disguise Manual, a map of the leader’s secret manual (1/4) and a key.

‘He was the chief disciple.’

Nosam had called him a confidant, but it seemed he was a cherished disciple.

If so, it would be better to capture him alive rather than kill him.

‘If it’s a Disguise Manual... it’s probably a disguise technique?’

Seohwi, looking at the reward, thought for a moment.

She had heard before that among the headquarters’ secret manuals, there was a technique to change one’s face to any desired appearance.

However, she did not believe it.

After all, changing one’s face with inner energy had its limits.

Not just the facial structure, but skin color, hair, and eyes.

It was impossible to perfectly create tissue, not just bones and flesh.

But according to rumors, the Qi Qi Da Dai had created a secret manual that made it possible.

Though it was notoriously difficult to learn and had restrictions, she remembered hearing about it.

It seemed the deputy leader had such a manual.

‘If he’s giving a secret manual, there must be something more.’

Leaders usually have their own martial arts repository.

If it’s worth being a reward, there must be something significant.

Hmm? Wait...

His name is Yin Wuji? Something seems... off?

“Is the confidant of Elder Baihun, by any chance, a pervert?”

Nosam, taken aback by Seohwi’s question, answered.

“Ah? Ah... Yes, that’s correct.”

“Damn.”

Swearing came out naturally.

If a pervert had a disguise technique, it was natural for him to run away and not be found!

Changing his face and wandering around, it was natural that he couldn’t be found.

“Fine, I get it.”

But there was no need to tell Nosam this.

“Should I leave now?”

“Ah, there’s one more thing.”

“What is it?”

Seohwi asked, irritated.

“Well... if the person I chose accepts, Elder Baihun said he would send someone to go with them. He knows Yin Wuji well and can navigate outside the headquarters easily...”

‘He’s trying to keep an eye on me.’

Seohwi was irritated but did not argue.

“Who is it?”

“I’ll bring them now.”

* * *

The person Nosam brought.

Seohwi’s first