Chapter 5

Baek Mu-Gun used the ten days he had before leaving for the Dongtou Maritime Defense Base to train his Baek Sword Sect martial arts and the martial arts he had learned in his previous lives.

Excluding the internal energy cultivation method, the old Mu-Gun trained in three different Baek Sword Sect martial arts before he awakened: 36 Phantom Moon Blades, Moonlight Soul Breaking Palm, and Flight Steps.

Mu-Gun reached the 9-star realm in all three martial arts after three days of training.

He had excellent capabilities, but the standard of the Baek Sword Sect's martial arts itself was low. Mu-Gun again felt the need to elevate the Baek Sword Sect's martial arts standard to at least a level equivalent to his capabilities, if not to the highest realms.

After reaching the 9-star realm of the Baek Sword Sect's martial arts, he began to train the martial arts from his previous reincarnations in earnest.

He had dozens of mastered martial arts in his previous reincarnations. However, among them, there were seven martial arts that he absolutely had to relearn: Thunder God's Descent, Heavenly Descent Thunder God Sword, Heavenly-Descent Thunder Strike, Thunder God’s Sky-Soaring Steps, Thunder God's Shadow, Iron Blood Vajra Body Cultivation, and Vajra Exorcism Finger.

The first five martial arts were secret techniques of the Heavenly-Descent Thunder God Sect, and the last two were martial arts belonging to Iron House of the Shaolin Temple's inner circle.

Among those seven martial arts, the most important ones were the martial arts of the Heavenly-Descent Thunder God Sect. The Heavenly-Descent Thunder God Sect's martial arts, one of the Three Greatest Mysterious Sect, were of a different standard from the general martial arts. Its power was almost unbeatable.

However, it was as profound and intricate as it was powerful. One could hone it for their entire life, and still find it difficult to attain its peak. That applied to Mu-Gun as well.

He obtained the secret techniques of the Heavenly Descent Thunder God Sect during his fifth reincarnation, but he failed to reach their peak. Nevertheless, he still managed to defeat the Hell-Blood Demon in his previous life.

It was a glimpse of how great the martial arts of the Heavenly Descent Thunder God Sect were.

Though not comparable, the Iron House’s martial arts—the Iron Blood Vajra Body Cultivation and Vajra Exorcism Finger—were also techniques of the ascension realm. Cheol Woo-Saeng used them to rise to the ranks of the Ten Grand Masters.

Mu-Gun could learn other martial arts whenever necessary in the future, but for the time being, he trained intensively in the martial arts of the Heavenly-Descent Thunder God Sect and the Iron House.

Mu-Gun picked up martial arts extremely fast. Even if he didn’t reach their peak, he mastered them enough to be close to it.. Despite having changed vessels, it wasn't that difficult to relearn them since they were originally his.

Above all, Mu-Gun had so much talent for martial arts that he was revered as the greatest talent in the history of the Baek Sword Sect. That was why he wasn’t surprised by his ability to quickly master martial arts.

It was still difficult to smoothly execute techniques of the ascension realm due to his insufficient internal energy, but accumulating more internal energy should naturally resolve that.

"In my current state, reaching a higher realm with just my internal energy will be hard."

After training for five days without a break, Mu-Gun felt it would be useless to make any further attempts. In order to reach a higher realm, he had to improve his internal energy.

Doing such a feat wasn’t as simple as it sounded.

Compared to other internal energy cultivation methods, the Heavenly Thunder Constellation Divine Art allowed faster internal energy accumulation rate. However, it would require five years for him to obtain 30 years' worth of internal energy even if he used this technique. In order to improve his internal energy in a short period of time, he would have to ingest medicinal pills or elixirs. The problem was that it wasn't easy to procure such items.

"After resolving the Sea Dragon Gang issue, I should visit the Medicine King Family first."

The Medicine King Family claimed to be the descendants of Shennong[1], one of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. They considered it their destiny to study all the medicinal and sacred herbs that exist in this world and develop elixirs that could cure all diseases.

In his previous reincarnation, Mu-Gun formed a pact with the Medicine King Family and the Thunder God. The pact gave him a Divine Thunder Essence Pill, a pill that accumulated thunder qi within him whenever he was reincarnated.

Mu-Gun improved his internal energy in a short period of time through the Divine Thunder Essence Pill, allowing him to play an active role in murim. It wouldn't be any different in this lifetime too.

***

The day before the shift rotation between the White Wolf Squad and the White Dragon Squad, Baek Cheon-Sang summoned the White Wolf Squad leader, Baek Cheon-Ung, and gave him a single order: take Mu-Gun with him on the trip to Dongtou this time.

"You want me to take Mu-Gun along?"

Cheon-Sang’s instructions seemingly bewildered Cheon-Ung. He was Cheon-Sang’s third younger brother and Mu-Gun’s uncle.

"That's right."

"With all due respect, I can't bring Mu-Gun with me to the battlefield. He can't even take care of himself due to his qi deviation."

"I guess you haven't heard the news yet."

"What news?"

"Mu-Gun has recovered his martial prowess."

"Huh? What do you mean by that?"

"Like I said, Mu-Gun has recovered his martial prowess."

"Is what you're saying the truth?"

"I confirmed it myself."

"How did he recover from his qi deviation when even the family found it impossible to find a solution despite having used everything in our power?”

"He said a stranger he met by chance helped him."

"A stranger?"

Cheon-Ung gave Cheon-Sang a disbelieving look.

"I thought it was absurd as well, but it is an indisputable fact that Mu-Gun had fixed his qi deviation and recovered his martial arts. Hence, we have no choice but to believe in what he says."

"I’m glad Mu-Gun has recovered his martial arts, but isn't it too early to send him to the battlefield now? I think it would be better for him to recuperate further and refine his martial arts for the time being."

"You don't have to worry about that. Even from my perspective, it’s not unreasonable at all for him to charge into battle right away."

"Well, since that's what you think, I have no choice but to follow your orders, Elder Brother."

Acknowledging Cheon Sang’s firm belief, Cheon-Ung stopped objecting and followed his brother's instructions.

After a few more hours, the day for the White Wolf Squad and the White Dragon Squad to change shifts had arrived.Mu-Gun boarded a ship leaving for the Maritime Defense Base in Dongtou with the White Wolf Squad.

The White Wolf Squad couldn’t help but be surprised by Mu-Gun’s completely different appearance. Just until a month ago, he was skins and bones and lived his days hooked on alcohol and women.

However, the gentle aura flowing through his firm body made it seem as if he had trained in martial arts for a long time.

"Hoh, that's amazing. I heard from Elder Brother that you’ve regained your martial arts, but I didn't expect you to undergo such a drastic transformation."

Cheon-Ung was naturally stunned beyond belief.

"I can't afford to delay for a single moment if I want to make up for my indulgence in debauchery and abandonment of my duties."

"Even if so, don't be too hasty. It's great enough that you have returned to your rightful place. Even if you have to slow down, proceeding with caution to avoid problems should be more important, shouldn’t it?"

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Good, and though this is late, I'd like to sincerely congratulate you on fixing your qi deviation and recovering your martial prowess."

"Thank you."

"By the way, there aren't enough cabins, so you’d have to share one with the White Wolf Squad. Is that okay?"

"Sure. I think that would be a great opportunity to build relations with the squad members."

"It is definitely necessary to build ties with the martial artists of the family. However, you should refrain from being too casual with them. In a martial arts family, hierarchy is more important than anything else."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Good, then go to the cabin and rest up. We’ll reach Dongtou in two days."

"Understood."

Mu-Gun was guided to the cabin assigned to him, which was already occupied by five White Wolf Squad members.

"Greetings, First Young Master."

As Mu-Gun entered the cabin, the members of the White Wolf Squad stopped what they were doing and quickly greeted him.

"Please be at ease. And from now on, you don't have to greet me so politely. Think of me as one of the squad members and not the first young master, and let's get along comfortably."

"You're still the First Young Master, however. We cannot possibly do that."

"Although I am the First Young Master, I have done nothing for the sect in so long aside from tarnishing its dignity. I don't deserve to be greeted politely by those of you who have fought with your life on the line for the sect’s honor. So consider me a newcomer and treat me as you see fit."

Hearing Mu-Gun's words seemed to have surprised the squad members.

They thought he was just a debauchee and frequented the brothel day in and day out, making it a surprise to see him recognizing and respecting their contributions rather than abusing his authority as the first son.

"Can we really do that?"

"Would you believe me if I said this is an order coming from the First Young Master?"

"Understood. We will do as you say, First Young Master. First of all, let us introduce ourselves since you could be curious about our identity. I am Nak Il-Bang and this is my fifth year in the White Wolf Squad. I am 27 years old."

The other martial artists also introduced themselves.

Mu-Gun’s cabinmates were Neung Jo-Eun, Mak Dae-Pung, Sa Do-Kwang and Woo Byeok-San. They joined the White Wolf Squad around the same time as Nak Il-Bang and were between 25 and 27 years old.

The fact that they had survived many battles over the past five years meant they were skilled. Mu-Gun carefully examined them from top to bottom. They all had sturdy bodies, which were only possible with considerable training.

'Their physique isn't bad either.'

Everyone was above average, if not at the highest level. If they were properly trained, they could become quite useful martial artists. Mu-Gun knew the martial arts that would make them stronger. However, he had no intention of passing on those martial arts if they were not truly his followers. For starters, he had to prioritize getting them to follow him sincerely.

"Considering you’ve been with the White Wolf Squad for five years, you’ve probably had a lot of combat experience from fighting the Sea Dragon Gang."

"Yes. There are probably less than ten members with more combat experience than us within the White Wolf Squad," Il-Bang replied proudly. There were a hundred White Wolf Squad members. If they were ranked tenth within them, then they really had considerable combat experience.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to hear about your combat experience against the Sea Dragon Gang. Could you tell me?"

"Any time."

They spoke with gusto about their battles against the Sea Dragon Gang over the past five years. Mu-Gun responded from time to time while listening to their stories.

Their stories were mixed with some bravado, but thanks to that, he could envision how their battle with the Sea Dragon Gang went. Just like that, he became a little closer to the members.

***

Uncharted and surrounded by traps, the Sea Dragon Archipelago served as the Sea Dragon Gang’s headquarters. The reason why they hadn’t been eradicated for more than one hundred years and had maintained their legacy was due to the Sea Dragon Archipelago’s existence.

A pigeon flew down from the sky of the Sea Dragon Archipelago, which was covered in a fog all year round. It then flew down to the window frame of a house.

A literary man, who was drinking tea in the room, quickly approached the window when the pigeon landed. He then picked up the pigeon message tied to its legs and checked its content.

[Baek Sword Sect's First Young Master headed to Dongtou]

Upon reading it, the man quickly rushed to the Sea Dragon Palace. It was the residence of Ak Gun-Hyo, the leader of the Sea Dragon Gang.

"Boss! There's been news that the Baek Sword Sect’s First Young Master is coming to Dongtou."

"The First Young Master of the Baek Sword Sect? The one who fell into qi deviation and became a cripple?"

"Yes, and he’s been in that state until a month ago."

"Is that not the case now?"

"No. He has fixed his qi deviation and regained his martial arts. That's why he’s coming to Dongtou."

"Even if he recovered his martial arts, it's only been a month. What can that guy even do?"Ak Gun-Hyo said with indifference.

"What do you think about capturing him?"

"Baek Sword Sect’s First Young Master?"

"Yes. Capturing him would earn us a considerable amount of money through a ransom."

"Would the Baek Sword Sect pay a ransom for him when they had already given up on him before? "

"He was completely hopeless then, but it's different now. He was once considered to be the best talent in all of Baek Sword Sect’s history. Now that he has recovered his martial arts, they will try to protect him at all costs."

"Even if so, wouldn't we suffer too much damage if we had to capture him while going against the Baek Sword Corps?"

𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"Why don't we let the Fujian Three Murderers—those newcomers—work their worth? If they quickly capture him and retreat, we won't suffer too much of a loss."

The Fujian Three Murderers were three brothers who used to commit evil deeds in the Fujian area. People couldn’t oppose them recklessly due to their strong martial arts. Believing in their martial prowess, they tried to commit wicked acts until they accidentally killed a martial artist of the Guangdong Jin Family. Furious, the Guangdong Jin Family ordered the Fujian Three Murderers’ execution.

No matter how incredible the Fujian Three Murderers were, they were nothing against the Guangdong Jin Family, one of the Seven Great Clans. Hence, they left the Fujian Province to avoid the Guangdong Jin Family’s pursuit and joined the Sea Dragon Gang, which the hands of the Guangdong Jin Family could not reach.

The martial arts of the Fujian Three Murderers were First-rate Realm, and even a Peak Realm master would find it difficult to overpower them when the three of them worked together.

Ak Gun-Hyo thought it wouldn’t be that difficult for them to capture Mu-Gun.

"That'll do. Summon the Fujian Three Murderers."

Ak Gun-Hyo called for the Fujian Three Murderers and instructed them to capture Mu-Gun. As the Fujian Three Murderers had been staying free of charge inside the Sea Dragon Archipelago, they willingly accepted the proposal.

That night, two ships left the Sea Dragon Archipelago, carrying the Sea Dragon Gang’s martial arts corps known as the Black and Red Dragon Squads, and the Fujian Three Murderers.

1. Shennong was a mythological Chinese ruler known as the first Yan Emperor who had become a deity in Chinese folklore. Shennong had been thought to have taught the ancient Chinese not only their practices of agriculture, but also the use of herbal drugs. ?