I entered the village first to figure out what had happened. As I walked towards the square, I carefully observed if there were any suspicious signs. I roamed around the village for about two hours, but found nothing out of the ordinary.
"......"
It's too peaceful.
Feeling confused, I sat in an inn and pondered. This village is the 'first place' where the Jinyiwei and the sorcerer collaborated to perform a human sacrifice ritual. I naturally assumed it would be burning to the ground after three years. But nothing has happened!
'There must be a reason. There must be a reason for the change.'
I know the rules of reincarnation. If there are no variables, what happened once will surely happen again. If there is a change, it must be due to some reason. I held my head in my hands, trying to recall what changes I had attempted this time.
'I found a treasure, suspected to be the secret treasure of the Seven Stars, in Huangshan and entrusted it to Wangliang.'
That was the biggest change. I couldn't think of anything else significant. Obtaining the Tianyan Secret Book and eating the thousand-year-old ginseng were things I always did, so they couldn't be considered changes.
But I couldn't understand it. All I did was find an ancient treasure by breaking through the spider's interference. How could that prevent the Jinyiwei's human sacrifice plan? It seemed too unrelated, causing me confusion.
After a moment of contemplation, I stood up. If things were like this, I had to investigate directly.
"I need to go and see."
I headed towards the largest mansion in the village. It was the most prosperous and wealthy place in Taikyung Village, with a secret passage from the well leading to the kitchen. In my previous life, when the Jinyiwei attacked, this family, regardless of age, was completely massacred.
Four guards stood in front of the mansion. I glanced at them and thought.
'Should I force my way in or take it slowly...?'
I had a specific reason for entering this mansion. The wealthiest and most powerful family in the village would undoubtedly monopolize the biggest secrets and information. The master of this mansion would know best about what had happened and the trends over the past three years.
After some thought, I approached the guards directly. The guards raised their spears and warned me.
"Stop! Who are you?"
"I came here to become a guard."
"Hey, do you know this is the land of the Hua family?"
I nodded.
"Yes. I know this is the most affluent Hua family in Zhengzhou County, Taikyung Village, which is why I came here."
The name of this tragic village is Taikyung Village. I didn't use it much before, but it became necessary to use it for objectivity. The master of this mansion, the Hua family, was the wealthiest and most influential figure in the area, amassing wealth through the mining industry and various businesses.
The guard of the Hua family frowned and said.
"Do you think this family will hire anyone who asks? There's no place for a young punk like you!"
"That's not within your authority, is it...?"
"You...!!"
Just as the guard was about to attack in anger,
"What's the commotion?"
"Oh, Miss."
A young woman with a beautiful appearance was walking out from inside the mansion. She was wearing fine silk, and her demeanor suggested she was a lady of the Hua family. She looked to be in her early twenties. The guard stammered.
"This wandering guy suddenly asked to be hired as a guard..."
"Hmm...?"
She looked at me with curiosity. She wasn't a beauty like the ones I had seen before, such as Sagon Lin or Murong Yan, but she was attractive enough to make people turn their heads on the street. Moreover, she exuded a strange aura, making her likely the most beautiful woman in Taikyung Village.
She asked me.
"Are you a martial artist? You seem confident in your skills."
I replied tactfully.
"Yes. I ran out of money during my travels, so I came here to find a way to earn a living as a guard."
"I'm sorry, but we can't hire a wanderer whose identity we can't verify. It's a matter of trust, not skill. I apologize for the inconvenience."
The lady seemed to be politely dismissing me. Her words were reasonable, making it awkward to argue. Moreover, her position in the Hua family seemed significant, so after some thought, I said,
"In fact, I visited this village three years ago, and it was very peaceful and pleasant. I thought it would be nice to stay here during my travels, but it seems it wasn't meant to be. I apologize if I was rude."
I bowed and decided to leave. If I couldn't get high-level information directly from the Hua family, I would have to gather information from the village. Just as I was about to leave,
"Wait a moment. Are you really confident in your skills?"
"......? Yes."
The lady who had stopped me smiled gently and said,
"If that's the case, can you eliminate the Four Fiends of the Blue Demon who are causing trouble around Taikyung Village? If you can deal with them, we will hire you as a guard."
The guard captain beside her was shocked.
"Miss! They are vicious outlaws even the government has given up on. How can you..."
"Isn't it clear? This is a way to test both his chivalry and his skills."
"Hmm... If that's what you wish, Miss..."
I realized a new mission had been given to me. If I could eliminate the four outlaws causing trouble in the area, the Hua family would hire me as a guard. Since I needed to test my training results, I nodded.
"Alright. What is your name, Miss?"
"It's rude to ask a lady's name first. Please tell me your name first."
Her firm tone suggested a strong personality. I chuckled and replied,
"My name is Baek Woong."
"My name is Hwa Ryeon. Please come back later."
Hwa Ryeon said and returned to the mansion. After she left, the guard captain frowned and said,
"Hey, Baek Woong, right? You look like a kid who learned some martial arts at a military school. Give it up."
"What do you mean?"
"The Four Fiends of the Blue Demon are demons who broke away from the Blood Demon Sect of the Eight Sects of Black Magic. They have gathered a large band of bandits and built a stronghold, plundering travelers. They are so powerful that even the government is hesitant to act. It's impossible for you to eliminate them alone, so give it up."
The Eight Sects of Black Magic and the Blood Demon Sect!
They were a martial group that used unique blood qi techniques, unlike the Black Night Sect, which specialized in assassination. I suspected the Four Fiends of the Blue Demon were high-level experts from the Blood Demon Sect. Given that they had gathered a large number of bandits, their skills were certainly far beyond those of ordinary guards.
I ignored his words and asked,
"Have you been employed by the Hua family for a long time?"
"Huh? Why should I tell you?"
The guard captain, who had been speaking bluntly, continued reluctantly.
"Yes. I and my friends have been working here for five years. What's it to you?"
"Has anything unusual happened to Taikyung Village and the Hua family during this time?"
"You're a funny guy. If anything unusual had happened, would we be able to guard like this? Stop yapping and get lost, kid!"
"Yes, sir."
I turned and left the Hua family mansion.
For the next two hours, I wandered around Taikyung Village, asking various people to confirm what I had observed. I became certain of one fact.
'Nothing really happened here for three years.'
If it weren't for my memories from my previous life, Taikyung Village would seem like an ordinary village. It wasn't a place where fanatics would run rampant or where the blood of human sacrifices would flow. In other words, not only did no sorcerer appear, but the Jinyiwei didn't even show interest. It seemed they never approached at all.
What should I do now?
After much contemplation, I muttered,
"Perhaps I should visit Hyuncheon Taoist first."
By the time I arrived at Taizheng Hall, it was dusk. Standing in front of Taizheng Hall with the setting sun behind me, I noticed the disciples looking at me with caution. I bowed and said,
"My name is Baek Woong from the Qinglong Martial School in Guanzhong. I have come from afar to ask the Hall Master a question."
"Guanzhong? You came all the way from there?"
"Yes."
"The Hall Master is currently meditating. Please wait for half an hour."
I sat in the guest room and waited quietly. After more than an hour, Hyuncheon Taoist appeared. He still had the same vibrant complexion and the demeanor of a transcendent Taoist.
"Welcome. I am Hyuncheon of this Taoist sect."
When Hyuncheon Taoist sensed my qi, he seemed surprised and exclaimed,
"... Amitabha... A prodigy of the world. Have you perhaps achieved the elixir of immortality?"
"Not exactly. I just had a bit of good fortune."
"Hehe, seeing Baek Woong today is like opening my eyes."
Clank
While Hyuncheon Taoist was pouring warm tea, I asked,
"Have you noticed any evil qi or suspicious groups in the area over the past three years?"
"Hmm... I don't know your intentions, but I have no such memories. This place has been peaceful since I left Wudang. It's a good place to cultivate with nature."
Hyuncheon Taoist's Taizheng Hall had been suppressing bandits and outlaws in the area, and he himself wouldn't tolerate evil groups. If even Hyuncheon Taoist said this, Taikyung Village must have truly existed without any martial disturbances.
"I heard that the Four Fiends of the Blue Demon have been causing trouble nearby..."
"Not nearby. If you go 50 li further, you'll find a large valley where they have established their base."
"Will you not eliminate them, Taoist?"
Hyuncheon Taoist shook his head.
"I wish to, but all my actions are tied to Wudang's honor. If I fail, I can't bear the thought of those outlaws harming the villagers or the disciples of Taizheng Hall."
"I see."
"Hehe... I'm making excuses..."
Hyuncheon Taoist chuckled and sipped his tea. After a moment of thought, I asked,
"Have you ever heard of the secret treasures of the Seven Stars?"
"I know of them. They are legends of Daoism, on par with the Eight Immortals."
"Legends of Daoism?"
"Hehehe. But they can't possibly exist, can they? It's better to believe that Xufu dug up the elixir of immortality from the Eastern Sea."
Hyuncheon Taoist laughed, showing no serious interest in the secret treasures of the Seven Stars. This was in stark contrast to Wangliang the monk and Wangliang, who treated the treasures as real and handled them accordingly. Perhaps the Daoists of the Right Path focused more on internal cultivation and self-cultivation than the sorcerers who dealt directly with the Left Path sects.
"I know a sorcerer who said that if one obtains the secret treasures of the Seven Stars, even a novice in sorcery can gain power. Is that true?"
"Ah... They are just legends. Hmm..."
Hyuncheon Taoist, who seemed slightly flustered, composed himself and answered sincerely.
"The Seven Stars symbolize the fundamental elements of nature, from the Moon to the Sun. The secret treasures of the Seven Stars are said to be imbued with the power of the moon, fire, water, wood, metal, earth, and the sun, possessing immense strength. However, the legend of the Seven Stars has been passed down since ancient times, but no one has ever taken it seriously or searched for them."
"Why not?"
"Because it's too far-fetched. Especially the secret treasure of the Fire Star, which is said to contain the power of the Flame Emperor Shennong and can only be obtained at the southernmost end of the world. Who would seriously believe and search for that?"
"Shennong?"
"Yes."
Hyuncheon Taoist smiled wryly, as if finding it absurd.
"The secret treasures of the Seven Stars are said to contain the power of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. They are so mythical that even Sima Qian, the author of the Records of the Grand Historian, concluded they were mere legends. It's not a good idea to take them seriously."
"......"
But as I heard this, a chill ran down my spine.
'The power of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors...'
Ordinary people might not believe it, but I couldn't. The monk Wangliang, a transcendent sorcerer and semi-divine being, had confirmed the existence of the secret treasures of the Seven Stars, and I had successfully obtained a treasure suspected to be one of the Seven Stars. If the treasures truly contained the power of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, the story would change.
I must search for the secret treasures of the Seven Stars more actively!
With that thought, I said to Hyuncheon Taoist,
"Hyuncheon Taoist, can you grant me one last favor?"
"What is it?"
"I want to eliminate the Four Fiends of the Blue Demon. Please lend me your strength."
"......!!"
"If I can't do it alone, but with your help, we can certainly defeat them."
Hyuncheon Taoist, who had been hesitant to act against the Four Fiends of the Blue Demon, was now overjoyed and took my hand.
"Hehe, of course! With your help, those villains will be no problem."
He was hesitant because, even as a peak expert, it was difficult to take on a group of bandits and high-level experts who had gathered in a stronghold. As a human, there were limits to what he could do alone. But he must have thought that with my world-class internal strength, we could easily eliminate the Four Fiends of the Blue Demon.
"Let's go."
"Alright! We will uphold the justice of the martial world."
Baek Woong and Hyuncheon Taoist immediately gathered their equipment and set off for Qingma Mountain, where the Four Fiends of the Blue Demon were said to reside. The journey was about 50 li, but with our peak lightness skills, we arrived in less than half an hour.
Boom
It was completely dark. On the mountain, a well-constructed stronghold was visible, with torches flickering everywhere. Judging by the number of torches, there were at least a hundred bandits.
"There are really a lot of bandits. If there are this many on the outskirts, there must be even more inside."
"Perhaps several hundred. That's why the government is hesitant."
"But if we eliminate the Four Fiends of the Blue Demon, the rest won't be a problem."
"Hmm, I trust you."
"Let's go."
Whoosh
Baek Woong and Hyuncheon Taoist quickly approached the stronghold. The bandits, who suddenly saw us rushing in, were shocked.
"Intruders...!"
But before they could sound the alarm or blow a horn, my sword had already cut through their necks. Hyuncheon Taoist, using Wudang's supreme techniques, was also eliminating the bandits before they could react. We broke through the stronghold and leaped over the gate in less than ten seconds.
'That way.'
As soon as I entered the stronghold, I sensed a powerful aura. There were four of them, so it was easy to guess they were the Four Fiends of the Blue Demon. I led the way, using the Thundering Shadow Sword Technique to cut through the bandits, while Hyuncheon Taoist followed, clearing the path.
Boom
The four men, suspected to be the Four Fiends of the Blue Demon, looked at me with shock. Each of them seemed to be a high-level expert, and they were armed, having sensed the commotion outside. One of them, a thin man, glared and shouted,
"What are you doing here?!"
"......"
I noticed they were standing naked, holding only weapons, and the room reeked of a foul smell. Behind them, naked women were being violated with white fluid. They were likely captured from nearby villages or travelers, brought here to satisfy the fiends' lust.
Thud
Hyuncheon Taoist, who had just arrived, looked disgusted.
"Filthy scum!"
"Hyuncheon Taoist. I will deal with these two. Please eliminate the others."
"Of course."
Whoosh
Thundering qi swirled around my sword, and Hyuncheon Taoist's sword emitted a powerful sword qi. The Four Fiends of the Blue Demon, realizing we were peak experts, turned pale.
"Ah..."
Their combined strength was barely enough to face one of us, but two had appeared. One of them, sensing the situation, shouted in protest,
"Who are you?! We will give you gold, please spare us this once."
"I come from the realm of Yama. Surrender your heads quietly."
Whoosh
I mocked the Four Fiends of the Blue Demon and used the advanced technique of the Thundering Shadow Sword Technique to charge at them. Strangely, even as I swung my sword and cut through one of them, the others couldn't react.
Swish!
The sword path flowed, beheading one of the Four Fiends, and blood spurted out. I realized my speed had improved dramatically compared to before.
Hyuncheon Taoist was no slouch. He attacked the man with a mace, and after just a few sword movements, the man's wrist was severed. The massacre was swift, and within twenty seconds, the Four Fiends of the Blue Demon were all dead.
Hyuncheon Taoist, shaking the blood off his sword, said admiringly,
"Baek Woong's skills are truly remarkable. You are a blessing to the martial world."
"Thank you. But the subordinates will come soon."
"What should we do?"
I thought for a moment, then grabbed the head of one of the dead Four Fiends and said,
"If the bandits lose their leaders, they might lose control and plunder the nearby villages. We need to clean up thoroughly."
"Hmm... What do you mean?"
"If you are hesitant to kill, please take the women to safety. I will handle the rest."
Hyuncheon Taoist sighed.
"How can I burden a young man like you? Since I've made up my mind, I will see this through to the end