Chapter 72: Chapter 72

0072 : Demon Subduing Hall

I entered the Separate Room, recalling Han Baek-ryeong’s sword techniques. There were eyes watching over me, but soon after they disappeared from sight. After pondering the sword techniques for half an hour, I still found no answers and let out a sigh.

“Hmm…”

I was utterly confused.

‘Fire Spirit Sect?’

Like the Wind Spirit Sect, it was one of the martial schools supporting the White Lotus Sect. It wasn’t a situation where I could question it further, so I let it slide, but if that was the case, it implied that Han Baek-ryeong’s martial arts were also connected to the White Lotus Sect.

I hadn’t heard much about the Fire Spirit Sect from Lee Kwang. Unlike the insidious Wind Spirit Sect, which I considered a worthy adversary, the Fire Spirit Sect was merely mentioned in passing. In fact, whenever I brought it up, Lee Kwang looked visibly annoyed.

In hindsight, his response leaned more towards “I’d rather not talk about it” than “I don’t know.” This alone served as evidence that Lee Kwang actually knew quite a bit about the Fire Spirit Sect. I was lost in thought when suddenly,

“Bai Wung, you’re quite an interesting individual.”

The door of the Separate Room swung open, and Han Jin-seong, the Young Head of the Han Clan, entered. He still possessed an appearance so dazzling it was almost blinding. I found it strange that he had come to see me unexpectedly and slightly raised my body, but Han Jin-seong said,

“In the past ten years, our Head has shown interest in others only a handful of times. Furthermore, showing you a secret technique is truly remarkable.”

“What do you mean? Just seeing that one technique won’t enhance my martial arts. I’m not that extraordinary a genius.”

I snapped back. Han Jin-seong’s words felt like mockery to me.

There were only two days left until the Dark Realm Martial Arts Tournament. To think that I could grow stronger just from a glimpse of a sword technique was something seen only in novels. I even felt that both Han Baek-ryeong and Han Jin-seong were trying to make a fool of me.

However, Han Jin-seong smiled enigmatically and gestured with his fingers.

At that moment, two beautiful maidens walked in through the door, carrying a large wooden board, which they placed on the floor. I curiously looked to see that it had 19 lines drawn across it. Recognizing it, I muttered,

“Chess?”

It was a game where black and white stones alternated to contest each other’s territory, ultimately deciding the victor based on territorial dominance. While it might seem simple, it required considerable mental agility and judgment, making it a favored game among scholars. I had played a few games with Mangnyang to clear my head during my three years of study under him.

Han Jin-seong asked,

“Do you know how to play?”

“I only know the basics. But why have you brought this?”

“Pardon me, but I thought we might play a light game.”

I glanced down at the board, frowning.

“I don’t have the time. My head is hurting like crazy; why should I play this?”

“Ha ha. Haven’t you taken risks countless times up to now? If you take a moment to indulge me in this adventure, you might gain something valuable.”

“……”

I could tell Han Jin-seong had an ulterior motive for wanting to play chess. Thus, I reluctantly took a seat across from him. After all, my head was so muddled that I was eager for a light distraction.

“Alright.”

“You’ll play as black. I’ll manage with white.”

“Black has the advantage, are you sure about that?”

“You said you only know the basics, right?”

“I’m not that ignorant.”

Despite my usual losses to Mangnyang due to his exceptional skill, he had nonetheless praised my ability quite highly. Whether it was out of consideration or not, I was confident that my ability to strategize and observe during games was fairly decent. Han Jin-seong continued.

“Since simply playing would be boring, how about a wager?”

“What kind of wager?”

“The loser must grant the winner one wish.”

“… Alright.”

Han Jin-seong was the Young Head of the Han Clan. If he desired, taking my life would be as easy as breathing for him, so I accepted without much thought. After all, my life felt like it was on the brink of death, and I was somewhat resigned to that fate.

The game soon began. I started playing calmly, following the opening moves of the strategy. After about fifty moves, Han Jin-seong spoke as if surprised.

“Indeed, you play quite well. I might be one of the better players among the scholars in Luoyang…”

“Focus.”

“Ha ha…”

With a soft smile, Han Jin-seong placed a stone down.

“The great horse has begun.”

True to his words, the match on the board suddenly erupted into an intense struggle between my black stones and his white. This was purely because Han Jin-seong rejected a calm exchange and opted for an all-or-nothing confrontation. It was a battle where it was difficult to predict which side would win. I glanced at Han Jin-seong, and he said,

“Win or lose, it’s all or nothing.”

“I will survive.”

“Then, please continue.”

With a series of moves, the game evolved rapidly. I was playing at my usual skill level, but suddenly, the emergence of a crisis complicated matters. A “ko” situation arose, where both sides had to take turns playing to save their major piece. Amazingly, two such crises occurred, making it significantly harder for me.

“……”

As I pondered my next move, Han Jin-seong asked,

“Can you read the situation?”

“To be honest, I’m not sure.”

“Most players wouldn’t be able to read this situation. I intentionally made it complicated.”

My brows furrowed.

“It sounds like you meant to do this.”

“Indeed. I guided it this way.”

“Stop boasting. Do you think I wouldn’t have noticed if you had actually guided the situation?”

Han Jin-seong smiled brightly.

“If you don’t believe me, I can let this match end in a draw.”

“Impossible!”

That couldn’t be right. There had been no indication that such a conclusion was possible. I was determined to save my major piece and humiliate him, putting all my effort into thinking through my moves. About half an hour passed.

“……!!”

I felt a sense of dismay at Han Jin-seong’s move.

‘What?! A draw?’

I could tell without needing to play it out. While my major piece seemed doomed, it survived, and Han Jin-seong’s territory was restored as well. We managed to create identical boards, with even a partial difference, resulting in a perfect draw.

At a loss for words, Han Jin-seong spoke.

“What do you think? It worked out, didn’t it?”

“… So what does this mean? Did you just come here in the dead of night to brag about your chess skills?”

“Hmm… You still don’t understand.”

Han Jin-seong sighed softly and continued,

“After my life, then I kill. Before you can think of harming another, you must first secure your own survival. I didn’t manipulate the game per se; I simply prevented you from recklessly throwing yourself into attacks, allowing me to find a way to save your major piece.”

“……!!”

My face flushed. There was a piercing awareness in his words. I had thought I was making clever moves, yet all of them were already seen through by Han Jin-seong. It wasn’t just a difference in skill; it was a gap in attitude towards the game itself.

As I remained silent, Han Jin-seong added,

“Chess mirrors life. Winning is essential, but you must also learn how not to lose. Losing is tantamount to death; without creating your own path to survival, you can never hope to prevail over your opponent.”

“Are you trying to give me advice?”

“What if this were not a game of Go, but a showdown filled with martial prowess? Would you be able to accept your death if it meant you had fought with all your might? Is that what you would consider your life to be?”

“……”

I winced slightly, as I subconsciously recognized that feeling within me. I had often charged ahead like a wild boar, headlong and without looking back, leading to my own demise. Despite my repeated efforts to restrain myself, my temperament made it difficult.

Han Jin-seong continued,

“I do not know who the opponent you intend to face is. However, that person likely possesses immense strength, exceptional wisdom, and formidable power. Otherwise, you would not feel so anxious about your current martial abilities.

Given that you are facing such an adversary, you must find a way to survive even more. Every strong individual in this world has weaknesses. To exploit them, you need an icy calmness and exceptional patience. You should know that you cannot defeat such a person through sheer luck.”

His words were entirely correct. Moreover, they offered a perspective somewhat different from the advice I had received from Mangnyang. While Mangnyang’s counsel emphasized righteousness in the pursuit of chivalry, Han Jin-seong’s approach was characterized by a cold judgment that considered the broader context from a higher vantage point. As I focused on his words, he said,

“Remember this: surviving can be considered as winning.”

“Surviving can be winning…?”

That was a notion I had never contemplated before, leaving me momentarily dazed. Han Jin-seong nodded.

“What’s so difficult about rushing into a life-and-death struggle? Even a child can charge at an adult if they wield a knife. The critical part is deciding when and how to use that knife. Otherwise, you will simply be trampled by the strong, mocked, and your will to fight will be extinguished. That is life.”

“……”

“We at the Han Clan shall exercise our veto on your participation in the Dark Realm Martial Arts Tournament. Although the Shura Sect Leader seems to act forcibly against those who refuse to participate, that fellow cannot meddle with the Han Clan. From now on, remain in the separate room and focus on your training.”

The Mado Eight Gates was the largest and mightiest sect among the unorthodox factions; even the Shura Sect was a subordinate force under them. However, the fact that the Han Clan treated the Shura Sect Leader as an afterthought indicated their extraordinary capabilities. As I struggled to find words, Han Jin-seong cleared the board and casually remarked,

“You’re quite fortunate. By chance, you ended up striking out here and there, becoming a guest of the Han Clan, catching the attention of the head of the household, and even managing to draw a tie with us, receiving our aid to easily contend with the Mado Eight Gates… I’ve never seen someone as fortunate as you, so I wanted to offer you some advice.”

“……”

“Please rest easy.”

With that, Han Jin-seong left the separate room.

I contemplated his words carefully.

Luck?

“Ah… I really have been quite lucky this time.”

With the icy water plunging over my head, I realized that my journey since arriving in Luoyang had been a series of fortuitous events. If that official hadn’t mentioned the Han Clan, and if I hadn’t thought about becoming a guest of the Han Clan, what would have happened? By now, countless martial artists in Luoyang would have been fighting fiercely to kill me and seize my bounty. If elite members of the Shura Sect from the Mado Eight Gates had emerged, I would likely have ended up in a frenzied battle, perishing in some unknown place, just like before.

Avoiding such a future, receiving a safe shelter, obtaining information about the Dark Realm Martial Arts Tournament, and even getting a glimpse of the Fire Spirit Sect’s secret techniques can only be described as tremendous luck. If I had chosen any other path, I would have undoubtedly met my end.

Reflecting on it, the odds of millions had poured down upon me. Having undergone reincarnation up until now, I had scarcely felt such fortune, leaving me in a daze as I looked back on my past.

“… Could it be?”

In that moment, I recalled my conversation with Cheon Woo-jin from the past.

[Indeed. I expelled misfortune by offering Makya’s writings to Tai Xu Tian Zun. Thanks to that, you, the master of Makya, will receive a grand gift from Tai Xu Tian Zun.]

[Gift? What is it?]

[I do not know either. It is simply that Tai Xu Tian Zun is a deity who interferes with fate, so it might be related to that.]

“……!!”

I widened my eyes.

If this much luck were to exist, there could only be one explanation. Tai Xu Tian Zun had intervened in my fate to bestow luck upon me! Despite being careless as if it didn’t matter when I would die during battles, I was still alive and somehow grasping a thread of opportunity—that could be attributed to Tai Xu Tian Zun enhancing my fortune (幸運) due to Makya’s writings.

‘Oh, but still, could it be…?’

However, I soon found myself firm in this conclusion.

Paaaah!!

“……!!”

After spending about eight weeks meditating and training in the separate room while focusing on Han Baek-ryeong’s sword techniques, it seemed that some elite members from the Shura Sect had come to invite me to the Dark Realm Martial Arts Tournament. However, they had likely been overwhelmed by the Han Clan’s power and left without further incident. Just as I was stuck in an unending cycle of training, an unexpected revelation hit me.

I was astonished by the sudden clarity in my thoughts, it was almost artificially heightened, and I realized the portion I had been struggling with in the Nureongbo Cheonju-sal technique until now.

That’s right.

If my talent was lacking, I could simply adapt the Hyeoncheon Divine Art (玄天神功)!

Unlike the Nureongji technique, the Hyeoncheon Divine Art from the Woo Dang Sect supported another flow that sustained the energy channels in my body. Until now, I had merely utilized it as an additional conduit for energy due to its overwhelming abundance, but upon reflection, the Hyeoncheon Divine Art possessed the power to assist my brain’s functioning in easily comprehending the dual flow of energy. This is also a traditional characteristic of the Woo Dang Sect’s martial arts.

It works!

I tried expanding the Nureongbo Cheonju-sal while drawing upon the Hyeoncheon Divine Art’s formula, and my brain smoothly adapted to performing multiple operations at once. It made the complex switch of directions and adjustments to power in Nureongbo Cheonju-sal straightforward! I immediately realized I had reached a level of proficiency as if I had undergone years of training.

Moreover, the inspiration I felt from observing Han Baek-ryeong’s sword techniques seamlessly intertwined with the imperfections in the Nureong sword method, intensifying the elements of illusion (幻) and transformation (變). It felt as if all the clumsy stages I experienced until now were mere lies, and my martial prowess had surged forward in an instant.

This was not merely due to my brilliant intelligence. It genuinely felt like extreme luck—an inspiration that occurs once in hundreds of thousands of fortunes during fleeting moments! It was nothing less than apparent intervention.

“Damn…!!”

I cursed while tears streamed down my face, overwhelmed with joy.

It was indeed unexpected, but I instinctively felt that thanks to Makya, my fortune in this reincarnation would ease moving forward.