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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Search Atop the Cliff
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Maeng Ak, the Fist King of the Green Forest. He was often cited as the most difficult martial artist to face, regardless of faction.
To put it simply, the reason was: "He's too strong."
To elaborate, it was his external arts that had achieved the Indestructible Body, and an amount of internal energy greater than that of most masters from prominent clans or major sects.
And now, Maeng Ak was scaling a treacherous cliff to fulfill one of those two aspects.
* * *
Hah. Hah.
Even while circulating the Divine Arts of the Green Forest Tiger, I was gasping for breath.
The climb was treacherous, but the high altitude was a major factor.
No matter how deeply I inhaled, it wasn't enough.
But I couldn't give up. The most urgent need right now wasn't experience, external arts, or techniques—it was internal energy.
'Surely, a creature like that would be on top of a treacherous cliff like this…'
If it wasn't at the top of this cliff, it would be my third failure.
It was my first time climbing this mountain, but a mountain is still a mountain.
Twice might be acceptable, but my pride wouldn't allow a third failure.
"Hup!"
*Thud.*
By focusing energy in my dantian and squeezing out every last bit of strength, I finally reached the top of the third cliff.
Now it was time to excitedly check if its nest was there.
But contrary to my eager heart, my body wouldn't listen.
"Kuh!"
Even for me, I hadn't yet brought this new body to even half the level of my previous life.
As a result, my limbs were trembling from just climbing up and down two or three cliffs.
But the moment I stopped, everything would be for naught.
Gaining a new body, seizing the chance for revenge, and my subordinates who trust only me.
I gritted my teeth and poured strength into my right hand, which was gripping the edge of the precipice.
*Crack!*
My fingers dug into the rock, creating a slightly precarious situation, but thankfully I was able to pull myself up before the handhold crumbled.
"Hoo. Barely made it up."
Breathing a sigh of relief, I collapsed in a spread-eagle position. It felt like I didn't have a single ounce of strength left.
It was then.
*Ssssssssss.*
I heard a hissing sound, like air escaping.
"Hehehe. I found it this time."
Thanks to that sound, life returned to my body, which had felt completely immobile.
I turned my head and cast a greedy gaze.
Where my gaze landed, the source of the sound—the creature I was looking for—was coiled up.
Jade-colored, glistening scales and sharp fangs. And between them, a long tongue flickered in and out.
The creature was far too large to be an ordinary serpent, and its jade scales felt extraordinary.
"A High Jade Serpent. It's been a while. But was it always this big?"
Its name was High Jade Serpent, what is commonly known as a spirit beast.
It's a creature not widely known, as it nests at the top of treacherous, high mountain cliffs like this one.
However, I knew it very well. There was a time when I did all sorts of crazy things to achieve the Indestructible Body.
Among those things was climbing perilous cliffs, which is how I learned about it.
For a spirit beast, it's quite weak, but the effect of its internal core is truly immense.
Of course, the method of consumption is difficult and not well-known, so most die during digestion or suffer from qi deviation.
'I almost died the first time, too…'
But thanks to my experienced master, Maeng Eun-ho, I was able to save my life.
And this time, it will save my life.
"I was wondering how I'd get down with all my strength gone, so it's a real pleasure to see you. Yes."
*Sssssssssssss.*
As if burdened by my welcome, the creature slowly backed away.
But I wasn't about to let it get away. I threw the sword at my waist like a hidden weapon.
My proficiency with the Green Forest Demon-Subduing Sword had improved so much that I could throw it while lying spread-eagled.
The sword flew along the exact path I had envisioned in my mind.
I poured all my remaining energy into this one attack, and the sword maintained a speed so fast it could have been a hidden weapon.
*Swoosh. Thud!*
And just like that, it easily pierced through the creature's thick scales.
"Now, shall we have a taste?"
My body felt as heavy as a thousand pounds since I'd used up all my energy, but it didn't take long to approach the creature's carcass.
I wanted to consume the internal core as quickly as possible to recover my stamina and build up my lacking internal energy.
*Schlick.*
I pulled out the sword that was lodged precisely in the back of its head.
But was it because the creature was so large?
The sword's blade was damaged.
'Tch. I'll have to get a new sword when I get back. Wait…'
Beyond the damaged blade, the creature's massive fangs caught my eye.
Could I perhaps make a sword with these?
There isn't much information about this creature, so I had no choice but to try anything.
Without much expectation, I took the creature's fangs.
Then, to retrieve the all-important internal core, I plunged my arm deep into the creature's maw.
It was so deep that even with my arm in up to the shoulder, I couldn't quite grasp it.
In cases like this, it would be easier to just cut it open, but it would be disastrous if the core got damaged.
Pushing aside my impatience, I diligently rummaged around with my arm.
'This stickiness is quite unpleasant…'
The feeling of rummaging through the creature's innards wasn't pleasant. Just as I was about to feel sick…
My hand finally grasped something.
*Yank!*
With a joyful heart, I quickly pulled out my arm.
"Hah."
An exclamation of awe escaped my lips unknowingly.
Even though I had seen an internal core before in my past life. The brilliance of this one was on a different level from the one I had consumed back then.
The core shone with a jade color even brighter than the creature's scales, and none of the unpleasant slime that had stuck to my arm was on it.
*Gulp.*
I had tried to discard my impatience, but the internal core ignited my greed.
I had no choice but to sit down right there and assume a cross-legged position.
'First, I'll break off a small piece, consume it, and recover my stamina.'
*Tok.*
I broke off just a tiny piece from the top of the core and immediately popped it into my mouth.
'Ah. Not even the greatest delicacies in the world could compare to this moment!'
Despite being a tiny amount, the moment it touched my tongue, its fragrance enveloped my entire body.
Suddenly, I remembered what my master had said about its dangers.
- Maeng Ak. The core of a High Jade Serpent becomes a deadly poison if you don't know how to consume it. But do you know why people swallow it without any fear?
- If I knew, wouldn't I have just swallowed it without asking for your help, Master?
- Haha. Are you angry because I stopped you from eating it? Don't be. Of course, I understand. Its aroma and taste are so exquisite that even someone who tastes a minuscule amount to gauge it will find themselves swallowing the whole thing unknowingly.
- A terror that shatters one's reason with aroma and taste...
That's right. That was the terror of the High Jade Serpent's core. Its exquisite taste and aroma.
Anyone who doesn't know the proper method of consumption would surely die, unable to resist its allure.
'Kuh. I want to devour it all at once…!'
I was no different.
I wanted to shove the rest of the core before me into my mouth right away.
However, if I ate it now without fully recovering my stamina, I might not die, but I wouldn't be able to accumulate any internal energy.
I bit my lower lip hard to resist the temptation and quickly began to circulate my energy.
It was a small amount, but as expected of a superior core, its energy made the meridians throughout my body pulse.
I couldn't imagine what would happen if I put the rest of the core in my mouth.
'Stray thoughts are of no help. Let's slowly spread the energy throughout my body and absorb it!'
Pushing aside the rising thoughts, I spread the core's energy evenly from head to toe.
Then, something amazing happened.
As if a monster with a voracious appetite resided within me, my body began to absorb the energy on its own.
My dantian, in particular, churned violently. It felt like a wild beast that had starved for days had awakened inside my stomach.
'This is!!'
I couldn't help but widen my eyes at the sudden phenomenon.
'It seems the vessel of this new body is far greater than I thought.'
In fact, when the unique constitution of the Heaven and Earth Body, the demonic arts practiced by the body's original owner, and my Divine Arts of the Green Forest Tiger harmonized, I did feel a sense of emptiness somewhere.
To think that hollow feeling was because the vessel had grown larger.
It seems this already absurd body, the Heaven and Earth Body, has surpassed its limits by another level.
Judging by how it's indiscriminately devouring the energy that entered it.
'Looks like there won't be any side effects from this elixir.'
Originally, the side effects of elixirs occur because the body's vessel that contains them is weaker than the elixir itself.
But my current body, far from finding the elixir burdensome, was craving it.
There was no longer any reason to hold back. Stamina? That had already been recovered.
I quickly tossed the core before me into my mouth.
"Kuhh!"
An exclamation escaped me. It was incredible even when I ate a small amount, but this was beyond comparison.
It was so ecstatic that I worried if my tongue would ever be able to taste anything again.
Furthermore, it wasn't just my tongue that the core sent into ecstasy.
Starting with my dantian, which had been churning wildly demanding sustenance, my wide and sturdy meridians became even more robust.
Without even consciously trying to circulate my energy, my power swirled violently within my body.
I felt a vitality throughout my body comparable to when I had mastered the Divine Arts of the Green Forest Tiger and achieved the Indestructible Body.
"This is a fortuitous encounter…!"
One might say it's an obvious thing to say after eating a spirit beast's core, but I wasn't speaking idly.
I had truly, sincerely obtained a fortuitous encounter.
The grueling process of climbing up and down the cliff had pushed my body's limits, which were already on the verge of overflowing, and at that very moment, the highly effective core of the High Jade Serpent was before me.
After finishing that fortuitous energy circulation, I released my cross-legged position and stood up.
"Hoo. Shall I give it a test?"
Just by lightly clenching my fist, I could feel a difference from before.
So what would happen if I earnestly drew out my power?
Since I had to go down the cliff anyway, I focused my power into my legs.
*Kwoooosh!*
'Ha! This has a different flavor from the achievements of my past life.'
Just by drawing out my power, waves of energy erupted around me, pressing down on the ground.
I haven't caught up to my past life yet as my martial arts accomplishments are still lacking, but my growth rate is overwhelming.
Just in case, I clenched my fist with all my might.
*Fwoosh!*
'Fist Aura!'
This is insane. To this extent at such a young age.
Even though it was a state I myself had achieved, my jaw dropped at the unbelievable sight.
With this, I could now hold my own against most of the top masters of the Demonic Cult.
'My objective is achieved, so now I should go to my team members. Ah, wait. There are mountains everywhere, should I find more?'
I thought of my team members, who at this very moment would be diligently searching for secret manuals as per my orders.
They too possess extraordinary talent, but unlike the Five Phoenixes, One Dragon, they lack backing, so their growth is bound to have limits.
But still, they are my team members. I can't let them look shabby.
On my way back, I should look for some internal cores to give them.
Well, if I find a lot, I'll have another one myself.
* * *
At that same time, Maeng Ak's team, without Maeng Ak, was wandering the mountains in search of secret manuals. Feeling as if they were walking in circles, the impatient Jo Gwang-uk spoke up.
"Dammit. Chang On! Are you sure this is the right way?"
"It is, Jo Gwang-uk. If you can't trust me, you're free to go back. But you'd better think of an excuse to give our lord."
"Tch! What was the lord thinking, trusting a guy like this to lead?"
Seeing Jo Gwang-uk get a taste of his own medicine, Do Gwang snickered from behind and taunted him.
"Kekeke. Hey, big guy. I get that you're a muscle pig with a brain to match, but after walking this much, you should've noticed that one part of the mountain looks just like another. Huh?"
"What? I'm pretty sure I told you not to bring that up... Fine. The lord isn't here, let's have a go."
"Fine by me! Let's settle the pecking order once and for all."
*Grip!*
*Shing!*
Jo Gwang-uk and Do Gwang, who constantly clashed due to their aggressive personalities, finally drew their weapons on each other.
Jo Gwang-uk prepared his fist arts, which utilized his outstanding external skills, while Do Gwang prepared his blade arts, which capitalized on his prized speed.
However, before their weapons could clash, they were sheathed at Gung So-so's sharp rebuke.
"Both of you, stop! If you don't want an extra eye socket in the back of your heads, you'll quietly follow Chang On, won't you?"
As the oldest in the team, she handled the two ruffians quite well.
In particular, she was under Maeng Ak's special orders to cover the rear, staying at a distance and always watching the team's back.
Her threat was not an empty one. At that, Jo Gwang-uk and Do Gwang ended their squabble with a click of their tongues.
But then, Chang On's eyes suddenly widened as he gripped his spear.
Since he was normally the epitome of gentleness, his action was enough to alert the rest of the team.
Chang On was the one who sensed the presence, but it was Gung So-so, with her superior vision, who pinpointed the enemy's exact location.
Despite being at the very rear, she accurately fired an arrow toward the enemy's position and shouted to her teammates.
"Over there! Everyone, on your guard!"
*Fwoosh.*
The sound of the arrow cutting through the air reached everyone's ears.
At the same time, the sound of dry swallowing could also be heard.
*Gulp.*
The opponent, now close enough for his form to be vaguely visible. The energy emanating from him was no ordinary thing, which was why everyone swallowed nervously.
That energy was equal to their lord, Maeng Ak. No, it was even greater.