“I’ve come to ask for help. Please open the door!”

At the main gate leading into the middle of Wudang Mountain, I raised my voice.

I knew it was already too late. But I couldn’t do nothing.

If I could borrow the power of the Wudang Sect, I might be able to save Baek Hasin somehow.

As I waited for an answer in an exhausted state, the disciples of the Wudang Sect soon appeared from inside.

“What is it?”

“Are the elders Maeng Dong and Maeng Ha inside?”

When asking for a favor, there’s nothing like connections.

“Ah, yes. They’ve been here for a few days. May I ask about your business and relationship?”

“Please tell them that their disciple, Zhuge Cheonwu, has come to ask for help.”

“Hup! The Great Mage? I’ll be right back! Please wait for a moment!”

It seemed my prediction that they would have returned to the Wudang Sect for the vacation was correct.

And so, as I was waiting for Maeng Dong and Maeng Ha outside, I suddenly felt gazes glancing at me.

Judging by the gatekeeper’s reaction earlier, it seemed the rumors about me had spread throughout the Central Plains.

Because it was rare for a newcomer to stand out in a major war before even reaching the age of majority.

“You’re in a sorry state. Did something happen? Come in for now.”

Just then, I heard Maeng Dong’s voice.

Although every moment was urgent, it was obvious that the story would be long, so I first followed their guidance to the guest room.

“…This is what happened.”

“Heh, the Black Dragon Unit. The evil deeds of the Demonic Cult are truly cruel. To think they would abduct someone just because the Manjeon Merchant Guild was defeated.”

Since I had explained it, excluding Baek Hasin’s origin, the Demonic Cult’s intention was misunderstood, but I was able to convey all the intended content for now.

The fact that I needed troops, elite martial artists who could track and eliminate the Black Dragon Unit.

However, the answer that came back was cold.

“Support is not possible.”

“Why is that?”

“Not only is tracking itself difficult, but we also cannot dispatch elite troops that can suppress them. It’s unfortunate, but we can’t risk a war without a just cause.”

It was a realistic problem. The enemy was a Transformation Realm master. Even if they dispatched elite troops, there was a very high probability of casualties.

Maeng Dong continued his explanation.

“Besides, it’s already been more than half a shichen since the enemies disappeared. As you know from being captured, the mobility of the Demonic Cult’s elite unit is incredible. And what about their skill in hiding their tracks?”

Although he was speaking in a roundabout way, in the end, it was a story of giving up.

As if he had noticed my expression, Maeng Dong added in a soothing tone.

“It’s a pity about what happened. That child was also a talent born with the makings of a peerless master. For now, rest. That way, you can plan for the next step, right?”

– He’s right.

When I turned my head at the telepathic message, Go Du-gyeong was holding my shoulder from the side. My situation was such that I couldn’t even escape his grasp.

I cupped my fists towards the elder and expressed my gratitude.

“…Thank you for your kindness.”

“No. I’m just sorry I couldn’t be of help. Rest.”

As Go Du-gyeong also headed to the next guest room, I was left alone.

The black powerful qi of Nam Jeong-hwan came to mind. That martial prowess that was overwhelming even against three super-peak masters. I couldn’t face him head-on.

“Damn it.”

I knew it. To go alone now would just be a dog’s death. Since I had already suffered internal injuries and my mana was depleted, chasing them was reckless.

‘I need to get stronger.’

I forced my two eyes shut.

I came to my senses around noon the next day. It seemed I was very tired, as I had slept all day.

Because of that, my head was fuzzy, but one thing was certain.

‘I have to save Baek Hasin.’

It was a result of rational judgment. Because Baek Hasin was not dead.

And the sooner the rescue, the better.

‘Before the worst situation comes.’

One of the bad endings in the original story was Baek Hasin becoming the Heavenly Demon of the Demonic Cult.

The worst case scenario was when he was brainwashed, went mad with the demonic art, or had his body taken over by the Heavenly Demon through a grand ritual.

Because if the protagonist were to confront the orthodox faction, he would literally sweep through the Central Plains.

Naturally, clearing the game would also be out of the question.

There was no time to rest. I stood up from my seat.

“You’re up?”

As I left the guest room, Go Du-gyeong, who was on standby, greeted me.

“Have you been here all this time?”

“Yes, you are the one who will achieve our great task. I can’t just leave you alone.”

“Then please help me more. I need to get stronger. To the point where I can kill Nam Jeong-hwan single-handedly.”

“That’s what I was hoping for.”

Go Du-gyeong nodded his head and then added.

“Ah, by the way. I called the mountain keepers here while you were sleeping. Just in case. And as you said, I’ve sent a giant insect so that the story about Baek Hasin doesn’t spread, so don’t worry.”

It was no good for Baek Hasin’s story to spread far. Because it would interfere with the future plans.

I expressed my gratitude to him and then headed for the training ground.

While forming a plan for the future in my head.

‘I will rescue Baek Hasin one year from now.’

According to the original story, there would be a chance to escape then.

In the meantime, I was planning to improve my skills and go to rescue Baek Hasin, who was trapped in the Demonic Cult. Of course, it would be difficult alone, so I would have to gather forces.

Go Du-gyeong and the other mountain keepers were not enough.

Whether it was my family, the vast wealth I had acquired this time, or my past connections, I was planning to pull everything I needed.

After satisfying my hunger with a grain pill, when I arrived at the training ground, I saw a familiar face.

“I heard you went through a lot. How are you?”

It was Cho Min-ha. It seemed he had come to the Wudang Sect for the winter vacation.

“I’m fine.”

“I’m sorry about Baek Hasin. It’s sad that a promising junior ended up like that.”

“Then, if you have a chance, do you have any intention of saving him?”

“To the Demonic Cult? I understand your feelings, but unless you’re going to throw away your life, give it up. What kind of demonic realm is that?”

I understand. Because that person was in the Demonic Cult. The Heavenly Demon, a monster among monsters who was one of the candidates for the peerless master.

Since he was a stronger master than the Blood Demon even in the original story, it was not an exaggeration to see him as the final boss.

But the answer I wanted from him was not this.

“What if the Heavenly Demon is not there, and the super-masters from all over gather to strike the Demonic Cult, just like with the Blood Demon?”

“Your delusion is going too far.”

“If it really happens, will you help?”

“…You must be in great shock. If that’s the case, it’s worth considering, but it’s impossible. The Central Plains is already in a state of turmoil with the Blood Cult, the Heretic Alliance, and so on, who would touch the Demonic Cult?”

It was a sound argument.

However, that was also just words, not reality.

“If the situation proceeds as I think in the future, I would like you to participate in the Demonic Cult subjugation campaign. Staking the honor of the Wudang Sect.”

I deliberately pushed him hard. Because if Cho Min-ha, who was slated to be the next head of the Wudang Sect, stepped up, the elite of the Wudang Sect would also step up.

“You’re really going to do it. Are you really going to gather that many people?”

“Yes.”

Cho Min-ha, who had been contemplating for a moment at the immediate answer, soon pointed to this side.

“But there’s the biggest problem. You, the central figure, are weak.”

In the end, the Central Plains was a world of the strong. No matter how much will you had, if you didn’t have the martial power to protect and lead him, any slogan was meaningless.

Moreover, to lead a huge armed group that could strike the Demonic Cult, you needed an unrivaled power.

To the point where you had to be at least at the Transformation Realm.

For me now, it was out of the question.

‘Still, I have to do it.’

Suddenly, the book by Zhuge Goya that I had seen in the underground library came to mind.

The words that you have to face your own destiny.

By being possessed here, the destiny of the protagonist, Baek Hasin, had changed.

Then my role was one. To overcome this.

“Then how about a bet duel? If I win in a duel, you’ll lend me your strength in the future.”

“Hoo, with me?”

He asked back as if he couldn’t believe it.

It was understandable for a guy who had been struggling at the first-rate level until just half a year ago to challenge him to a bet duel.

But I now was clearly different from back then.

“Yes, so let’s have a bet duel. If I lose, how about one gold bar?”

“Heh.”

“Don’t tell me you’re scared.”

Cho Min-ha drew his sword instead of an answer. I also aimed the Demon-Slaying Sword with one hand and held the Daoist Scholar’s Fan with the other.

“Don’t go back on your word later.”

“You too.”

With a short question and answer, Cho Min-ha’s figure blurred.

A tremendous speed. Soon, the opponent’s sword, which was unfolded based on the Taiji Sword Art, fell, drawing a gentle curve.

But the power contained in it was surprisingly heavy.

Kaang!

Even though I deflected it by unfolding the Zixia Divine Art, my wrist tingled.

But the problem was from then on. The subtlety of the Taiji Sword Art was a continuous attack that was as unceasing as water. A breathtakingly fast and graceful offensive continued endlessly.

Certainly, in terms of swordsmanship, Cho Min-ha was one step above.

‘Just swordsmanship, that is.’

While I was blocking Cho Min-ha’s sword, a Flame Lightning First Blade Spear that had been turned behind his back was shot.

Kaang!

The opponent who immediately turned around on the spot and deflected my sword and the First Blade.

‘Amazing.’

The sword path seemed to draw the shape of a Taiji.

Although it was an amazing feat, the cards this side had were not all.

This time, I shot another Flame Lightning First Blade Spear that had been hidden behind my back.

A flash that rushed before Cho Min-ha could properly arrange his posture. Although he hastily twisted his wrist to defend, it was already too late.

The trajectory of the Flame Lightning First Blade Spear, which pierced through Cho Min-ha’s side, spread an electric shock.

“Keuk!”

As the electric current broke through his protective qi and paralyzed his muscles, his movements became sluggish.

I immediately rushed in and pressured Cho Min-ha.

In the meantime, I restrained his feet with ice magic and aimed a Flame Lightning First Blade Spear at his back.

Cho Min-ha also seemed flustered, as this kind of fight was unfamiliar.

Again, a Flame Lightning First Blade Spear was shot, and this time it cut through the side of his thigh. The opponent’s movements, which had become even slower.

At this rate, I could defeat Cho Min-ha in a few more moves.

But this was not enough. I had to give a clear impression.

As he said, to unite a force that could strike the Demonic Cult, I had to show an overwhelming ability.

I implemented one of the superior martial arts I had seen in the underground library.

The Taiji-Hye-Sword.

The moment my momentum changed, the tip of my sword flickered like a haze and drove at the opponent.

“How do you know this?!”

Cho Min-ha, who was blocking the sword strike, stepped back in surprise.

But I didn’t stop there.

The Yang-Yi-Heart-Art, implemented through my dantian, began to open up other possibilities.

The powerful qi of the Demon-Slaying Sword took on a purple hue. The subtlety of the Zixia Divine Art was exquisitely mixed by the Yang-Yi-Heart-Art.

‘I think I can go further.’

A sword strike of a suddenly changed trajectory drives at the opponent. Although Cho Min-ha also countered with the Taiji-Hye-Sword, the momentum had already completely shifted to this side.

By the time he adapted to the new swordsmanship, I had switched to the Emperor Sword Form as if mixing them.

In that change, I could feel Cho Min-ha’s bewilderment. A truly ever-changing attack.

Originally, it would have been an inefficient and dangerous transition, but under the subtlety of the Taiji-Hye-Sword, it was implemented as naturally as flowing water.

Kaang!

Finally, Cho Min-ha’s sword was deflected as if soaring into the sky, and the Demon-Slaying Sword reached his neck.

“I won.”

“I didn’t know you had gotten this strong.”

“Keep your promise.”

“…I will.”

In the midst of my panting breath, I felt a sense of exhilaration as my vision became clear.

I had finally grown enough to defeat Cho Min-ha.

But what was more surprising was that my realm had risen by one more level with the enlightenment from the battle just now.

I had finally reached the realm of a proficient super-peak level.

‘It’s thanks to growing while fighting with the same Taiji-Hye-Sword.’

At this point, it seemed I could leave Wudang Mountain and move on to the next plan.

As I withdrew the Demon-Slaying Sword and turned around, I heard Cho Min-ha’s question.

“So when are you going to strike the Demonic Cult?”

“Next year.”

“You’re kidding.”

Cho Min-ha laughed, as it was no different from saying he would destroy the Demonic Cult in just one year.

“But with a talent like yours, it might be possible. I’ll also get stronger.”

I had gained a reliable supporter. With this, the first button was well sewn.

As I was catching my breath for a moment, Go Du-gyeong came to find me.

“The mountain keepers have arrived.”

“Yes. Then I’ll be going now.”

“Alright. See you after the vacation.”

After finishing my farewells to Cho Min-ha and the others, I immediately headed for the entrance of Wudang Mountain.

There, about a dozen mountain keepers were standing.

“We greet the leader!”

“Although I gathered them in a hurry, this much should be useful.”

“It’s enough.”

I left the entrance of Wudang Mountain, escorted by them.

15 peak-level forces and two super-peak level masters. With this much, even if they couldn’t win against the Black Dragon Unit, they could at least escape.

Of course, the enemies had already left Hubei with Baek Hasin, but it was right after such an incident. There was no harm in being careful.

And so, as I was getting on the carriage prepared by the mountain keepers, Go Du-gyeong asked.

“So where are you going from now on?”

“To the Zhuge family.”

I leaned my arm on the window frame and looked at the endlessly stretching southern ridge of Hubei.

The next destination was the main house, which was both my biggest shackle and my source of strength.

(End of Chapter)

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep