A few days after I attained enlightenment in martial arts, I met Han Baoling again, guided by Han Jinsheng. Strangely, this time Han Baoling was wearing a formal evening gown, as if she had just returned from somewhere. She said to me as soon as she saw me.
"I've been investigating, and it seems you're not Qinglong's disciple. He has a disciple named Jin So-cheong, who is also a genius not inferior to Jinsheng. Honestly, I was a bit envious."
I realized that Han Baoling had been silent for a while because she was investigating me. If she was confident enough to call me and speak so boldly, it must be because she had gathered enough information.
"Before we talk, I have a question for you."
Han Baoling looked at me with her emotionless, transparent eyes and said.
"Do you have no intention of becoming a member of our Han family, rather than just a guest?"
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm offering you the power you so desperately desire. I don't know who you want to take revenge on, but I can help you within a certain limit. In return, you must devote all your loyalty to the Han family and be willing to risk your life at times."
"......"
I thought for a moment and then said.
"Being a member means being related by blood, right? What you're saying is..."
"I intend to give you Zhihua as your partner. She is one of the Luoyang Four Flowers, a pride of our family, known for her exceptional beauty and talent. Honestly, I think she's too good for you."
"......!!"
I was taken aback. I had heard stories about her during my long stay as a guest in the Han family.
Luoyang Four Flowers!
They were the most noble and beautiful young ladies of the martial arts families in Luoyang. I had seen Han Zhihua from a distance before, and she had a voluptuous figure and a delicate, beautiful appearance, like a sculpture. If compared to a flower, she was as beautiful as a peony, a woman capable of making any young man's heart race.
Honestly, my appearance was quite ugly, though it wasn't obvious because I was still young. In a few years, my ugliness would become apparent, to the point where even ordinary girls would turn their heads in disgust. For someone with my appearance to marry one of the Luoyang Four Flowers was indeed an unbalanced proposition. I stammered.
"J-just a moment. Does she have any say in this?"
"Zhihua is prepared to do anything for the family. It's her duty as someone who has received great benefits from being born into the Han family. Of course, she is a kind and virtuous girl, and she will serve you without hesitation and assist you faithfully."
The idea of a beautiful young lady being obedient to me.
It was a temptation that no man could easily resist.
"......"
I glanced at Han Jinsheng's face. I thought he would react to such a significant matter, but as the young master of the Han family, he listened silently without any change in his expression, making it hard to gauge his feelings.
I clenched my teeth and said.
"That's a sudden proposal. I don't understand why you're being so generous. I'm only interested in practicing the martial arts of my school. Do you really think I can blend in with your family?"
"Of course, I'm not helping you for free. There are clear benefits to having you on our side. But the reason I want to make you a member of the family, even by giving you Zhihua, is that I like you as a person."
"Um?"
"Stop stalling and answer. Will you accept my offer or not?"
I thought for a long time. Han Baoling and Han Jinsheng knew this was a significant decision, so they waited patiently without rushing me. After a long while, I finally spoke.
"I refuse."
Han Baoling looked bewildered. Then she regained her composure.
"Is that so? Then it's settled. Let's pretend this conversation never happened."
"Thank you."
"However, I have one more question. Did you refuse because you don't like Zhihua? I'd like to know the reason."
I took a deep breath and calmly replied.
"The path I'm on is that of a demon. I don't have the luxury to look around until everything is resolved. Moreover, if she were to marry me under duress, both of us would be unhappy. Also, my revenge must be achieved by my own strength; relying solely on your power would make it meaningless. I can't make such a significant decision lightly."
That's right.
Of course, I would love to marry Han Zhihua, one of the Luoyang Four Flowers, and enjoy her body and the pleasures of a woman, living a happy life. But I have a goal of avenging myself against the Commander of the Jin Yi Wei and uncovering the palace's conspiracy. I've sworn to myself not to rest until I achieve this. I can't let myself be shackled by a forced marriage.
Moreover, if I were to marry her and live happily for a few years, and then die and be reborn, what would happen?
In my tenth or eleventh life, when I encounter the Han family again, I might not be able to remain calm. I would likely try to protect Han Zhihua, with whom I had a close relationship. If we had children, it would be even worse. My mental strength would be utterly drained.
The thought of being consumed by desire for the rest of my lives was unbearable.
At least, I wanted to choose a woman with whom I could share my feelings and live a comfortable life, by my own will. To do that, I needed to first accomplish the tasks and revenge at hand. Han Baoling seemed genuinely impressed by my answer.
"Remarkable. You have a strong will and determination, despite your inclination towards the evil path. You have the potential to achieve greatness wherever you go."
"Let's stop this talk. Is there anything else you want to discuss?"
"Even though you refused my offer, I still want to help you. It's because your school and I have a connection, and I want to assist you in some way."
"A connection?"
Han Baoling nodded and said.
"If you've heard from your master, you might know that our Han family is the inheritor of the Huashen School (火神流)."
"You can't mean...!!"
"That's right."
Han Baoling's answer made my eyes widen.
"I am the inheritor of the Huashen School. Like the Leishen School, I am a descendant of the White Lotus Sect."
"......!!"
White Lotus Sect!
I had suspected it, but I still gasped. If this were to become known, it would turn the world upside down. No wonder she possessed such an unbelievable martial art. Her internal energy was not much different from mine, who had consumed the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng multiple times, and she could perform world-class martial arts that seemed to transcend human limits!
But if she was on par with that 'monster' Li Guang, it made sense. She was a master of the Rejuvenation technique and a formidable presence.
Moreover, I realized why the Han family couldn't participate in the Imperial Martial Arts Competition. Even if they weren't recognized immediately, the more information accumulated, the more likely it would connect them to the White Lotus Sect, so they were trying to keep their martial arts hidden.
At the same time, I felt like I had become a mute who had eaten honey. A thought had crossed my mind.
'Could she be...'
I had many questions, but a deep sense of fear also crept in. Li Guang, the Commander of the Jin Yi Wei, had said he couldn't defeat the Law Guardian in a one-on-one fight. For me, in my current state, it was impossible to face such a supreme master. Seeing my hesitation, Han Baoling said.
"You must have many questions. However, since you refused to become a member of our family, I can't tell you more."
I regretted it internally. If I had just pretended to join the family, I could have heard the secret... But it was too late, so I regained my composure and said.
"I won't reveal this story to the martial arts world, if that's what you're worried about."
"Is there a need to?"
"What do you mean?"
"The Leishen School is also considered a heretical existence in the Central Plains martial arts world. If your true identity is revealed, you will be despised not only by the Central Plains martial arts world but also by the White Lotus Sect. We can simply move our base to the White Lotus Sect if that happens, but for you, it would be disastrous."
"......!!"
Han Baoling gave me a cold look.
"Of course, if you reveal the secret, I will personally find you and tear you apart. Understand?"
"... I understand."
I didn't think her words were a joke or a bluff. I had a feeling that the Han family's power could track me down even if I hid at the end of the world. Even if I intentionally revealed the secret during my next life, I would likely end up in a situation where I was seeking my own death.
'Until I have the strength to defeat her, I can't speak recklessly.'
As I mumbled to myself, Han Baoling said.
"I owe a debt of gratitude to the Leishen School. When the Leishen School was expelled from the White Lotus Sect, it was a rather absurd situation. If I had actively helped then, the Leishen School would still be the Law Guardian of the White Lotus Sect, which is a regret."
"Isn't that from half a century ago? You..."
"Can't you see I'm a Rejuvenation master? That happened when I was still active."
"......"
The sense of time was different. Han Baoling sighed and said.
"Alright. I will write a recommendation letter for you. Take this letter and go to the Qinglong Martial Hall in Guanzhong. The hall master, Li Guang, is a master of the Leishen School and will help you improve your martial arts."
"What? I was supposed to participate in the Imperial Martial Arts Competition, wasn't I?"
"Someone else will go instead. Learning from a fellow Leishen School disciple will be the fastest way to improve. Since your goal is to enhance your martial arts, it's better to follow my advice."
That made sense. If I could rejoin Li Guang as a disciple, there would be no need to risk my life by participating in the Imperial Martial Arts Competition and facing certain death. Feeling a bit dazed, I asked.
"Does he agree with this?"
"Of course. I know his master, and I have a connection with Li Guang. You don't need to worry about that."
I respectfully accepted the letter from Han Baoling. I felt that this was also a part of my destiny.
'Good. This will reduce the tension and allow me to rejoin Li Guang as a disciple.'
Although I was disappointed not to hear the rest of the Han family's secret, this was a significant opportunity for me, who had been pondering how to rejoin the Qinglong Martial Hall. If Han Baoling was confident enough to make such a recommendation, Li Guang would almost certainly accept me.
A few days later, I arrived at the Qinglong Martial Hall in Guanzhong.
"......"
This was my fourth time entering the hall. I felt more astonished than moved. I never imagined I would return here after all the adventures in Luoyang and receiving a recommendation from the Huashen School.
The Fangyi brothers were not guarding the main gate of the martial hall. As I walked confidently to the entrance of the Wulong Hall, the hall master, Sanjie Li Guang, was already there, sensing my presence. Master Jin So-cheong was nowhere to be seen.
Li Guang looked at me coldly and then extended his hand.
"Show me the letter."
I knew he meant the recommendation letter from Han Baoling, so I handed it to him without hesitation. Li Guang scanned it for about ten seconds and then burned it with the technique of Sanmei Zhenhuo (三魅眞火).
Whoosh
Li Guang, who had instantly destroyed the letter, spat out.
"... That old hag from the Huashen School is crazy. She ignored my master's crisis for her own benefit and now dares to recommend another Leishen School disciple to me?"
Something was off.
The atmosphere was strange.
'Oh shit... fuck...'
I had been incredibly lucky until now, so why was this happening? Seeing the clear killing intent in Li Guang's eyes, I felt my heart sink. If that monster went berserk, I had no chance of survival.
Li Guang suddenly threw a spear and a sword at me.
I caught them by reflex, and Li Guang said quietly, his eyes filled with genuine killing intent.
"It's a sparring match. If I don't find you acceptable, you will die here."
At that moment, I had a thought.
The luck from the Tai Xu Tian Zun only lasts for a relatively short time, and it might be consumable.