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AR Chapter 52
If They Hate You as Much as You Hate Yourself
by BlossomTLAbsolute RegressionThe first place I visited was the inn in the village at the foot of Hongshan.
The inn was bustling with people, and the staff were frantically busy.
I stood at the entrance for a while, but no one came to greet me.
Then I noticed a small child carrying dishes between the kitchen and customers. Seeing that child brought a smile to my face.
In my previous life, when I came here to obtain the Sound Thunder Bell, that child had grown into an adult and greeted me. His face was exactly the same as when he was young.
The child, belatedly noticing me, scurried over to attend to me.
“Hello, warrior. As you can see, we have no seats available now.”
“Are there any rooms?”
“No, we’re out of rooms too. It’s because of the Blood God Festival, we’re swamped with guests.”
“When is the Blood God Festival held?”
“Exactly ten days from now. There’s another inn at the end of that street, but their situation is probably no different.”
The busy child left those words and ran off, called by another customer.
Ten days before the Blood God Festival – I had arrived at just the right time.
The Blood God Festival is the largest ceremony held once a year by the Heavenly Wind Cult to honor the Blood God.
This was also the reason why I needed two months for the third method to counter Soul-Seizing Demon’s dark arts.
The Blood God Festival.
Only on the day of this Blood God Festival could I obtain a method to subdue Soul-Seizing Demon. Fortunately, the festival was two months away; if the timing hadn’t matched, killing Soul-Seizing Demon might have been delayed by a year.
In the past, it took me several years to infiltrate the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader’s throne room where the Sound Thunder Bell was kept.
That was the time it took to discover the secret escape route used by the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader in emergencies.
Actually retrieving the sacred object once I infiltrated took less than half a quarter-hour, but it took that long to discover the secret passage.
Even after difficulty discovering the secret passage, stealing the Sound Thunder Bell was still not easy.
The problem was the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.
He spent most of his time in that place where his throne was.
He ate there, and even slept there. I couldn’t even use the short time when he relieved himself.
This was because an iron grate made of Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron descended over the place where sacred objects, including the Sound Thunder Bell, were kept.
Moreover, it wasn’t just the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader there; there was another person guarding the sacred objects.
He lived like an earthbound spirit[1] around the Sound Thunder Bell, wearing shackles made of Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron. He was not only skilled in martial arts but also born with an exceptionally keen sense of smell. He could immediately detect if someone approached and warn the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.
Therefore, it was impossible to steal the sacred object while evading the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader’s eyes.
In this situation, how could I have obtained the Sound Thunder Bell?
Once a year, there was a moment when the iron grate lifted and the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader briefly left his seat.
That was on the day of the Blood God Festival.
On this day, according to established rituals, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader leaves his throne to perform ceremonies in the great martial arts arena.
At that time, the shackled master guarding the Sound Thunder Bell rings the bell thirty-six times according to custom. What I aimed for was precisely the moment he struck the thirty-sixth and final ring.
After the last bell ring, it takes the time to drink one cup of tea for the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader to return from the great martial arts arena to his throne room.
In that brief interval of drinking one cup of tea, I achieved a miracle.
I had practiced escaping dozens of times, so I was able to flee while evading the pursuit of the Heavenly Wind Cult disciples.
Investigating, infiltrating, recruiting, fighting, practicing… the numerous events from that time flashed through my mind like a kaleidoscope.
My current target was kept in the same place as the Sound Thunder Bell. It was an even simpler task than stealing the bulky Sound Thunder Bell, so this Heavenly Wind Cult mission could be seen as a gift from my past life of hardship.
I stood in front of the inn for a while, watching the passing crowds.
When the Blood God Festival is held, numerous allied sects send congratulatory envoys to the Heavenly Wind Cult, so not only the inns but also the streets were packed with people.
This was what I wanted. With so many people, no one would remember my existence. Of course, even in this situation, I wore a bamboo hat pulled low to thoroughly conceal my identity. I would arrive quietly and disappear without a sound.
I bought some items needed for camping, basic provisions, and a medicinal decoction pot for brewing medicine from various shops in the marketplace.
The last place I visited was an herb shop.
“You’re asking for Wondrous First Blossom[2]?”
The old man at the herb shop looked at me with surprise.
“Wondrous First Blossom is expensive.”
Wondrous First Blossom was an herb that only grew in this area outside the borders and couldn’t be obtained in the Central Plains.
“How much is it per geun[3]?”
“How much do you need?”
“I need two geun.”
“It’s eighty taels per geun. I don’t know if you’re aware, but it’s a very rare herb.”
“I understand. I’ll take two geun at that price.”
“But what are you going to use the Wondrous First Blossom for?”
Since Wondrous First Blossom wasn’t commonly used, the old man looked at me again.
However, I had been wearing my bamboo hat pulled low since entering, so he couldn’t see my face. I was also using a voice different from my own.
“I don’t know either. I’m just buying it because I was ordered to.”
The old man didn’t ask any more questions and brought the Wondrous First Blossom. After letting me check the herb, he packaged it carefully. I paid the old man and left.
After leaving the herb shop, I went to another herb shop far away. This time I looked for Cherry Plums and crystals.
After obtaining these two ingredients there, I went to a herb shop in another distant village to buy Moonflower and White Sandalwood.
The reason for buying herbs from several places was simple. It was to prevent others from knowing what I was making by combining these herbs. There probably wouldn’t be a problem if I bought everything in one place, but I was preparing for the worst-case scenario.
It never hurts to be careful. In life, inconvenience might result in financial loss, but in the martial world, inconvenience can cost you your life.
After obtaining all the necessary herbs, I headed straight up the mountain.
Deep in the mountains, far from human habitation, the cave where I had stayed before was still there. I cleaned it thoroughly and started brewing the medicine.
Some ingredients had to be decocted separately, while others had to be brewed together. It would take at least a few days to brew.
This medicine was a secret drug that could numb the sense of smell of the shackled master. Since he had been captured since his youth and held for a lifetime, he would surely still be there. At the time, it had taken considerable time and expense to discover this secret method.
While brewing the medicine, I sat cross-legged and practiced the Heavenly Demonic Defense Art.
The Heavenly Demonic Defense Art, which nearly killed me when I first learned it, has now become an indispensable lifelong companion. The more I practice it, the more I feel its unique qualities.
Perhaps due to the nature of the Heavenly Demonic Defense Art? Because it awakens me in times of crisis and activates on its own, there are many times when the Heavenly Demonic Defense Art feels like a living martial art. I know it becomes even more powerful when combined with the Nine Calamities Demonic Arts, so I’m just looking forward to that day coming soon.
After practicing late into the night, I came out of the cave and looked up at the stars in the night sky.
I had stood here looking at the night sky in my previous life too, but there was one crucial difference in my feelings now.
Back then, I had only the thought of returning, but now that place of wanting to return has been replaced by longing for the people I want to see. In particular, I wondered if Seo Daeryong was learning martial arts well from Blood Heavens Saber Demon.
Those two who would both deny it, but are subtly similar.
‘They must be doing well?’
***
On the first day of training, Seo Daeryong was waiting for Blood Heavens Saber Demon in the courtyard.
He had arrived on time, but Blood Heavens Saber Demon had not yet come out.
Learning martial arts from Blood Heavens Saber Demon, he really felt like his heart was about to burst.
He tried swinging the sword by himself.
Without using inner energy, it was indeed too heavy.
Thinking he shouldn’t waste energy needlessly, he waited for Blood Heavens Saber Demon.
After waiting for a long time with no sign of him, Seo Daeryong cautiously approached Blood Heavens Saber Demon’s quarters.
As he was peeking inside through the gap in the closed window, he felt a cold presence beside him.
Startled, he turned to find Blood Heavens Saber Demon, who had appeared silently, also peering through the window.
“What are you peeking at so intently?”
“Ack!”
Startled Seo Daeryong let out a scream.
“I-I’m sorry! I was waiting and wondered if you might be inside.”
“I heard the Second Young Master has left the cult?”
“Yes.”
“It will take about two months?”
“You’ve heard.”
“Sufficient time for someone to go missing, or perhaps die in an accident.”
Seo Daeryong quickly said:
“Pavilion Master is such a brilliant person, he wouldn’t believe such a tragic event could occur in just two months.”
“A brilliant person would quickly forget even a tragedy that has already occurred.”
Blood Heavens Saber Demon made a gesture of gouging out eyeballs with his long, slender fingers.
“I will absolutely never peek again!”
“Then what are you doing here?”
“Ah, yes. I’m going!”
Seo Daeryong hurriedly ran to the center of the courtyard.
Blood Heavens Saber Demon showed Seo Daeryong how to grip and swing the sword.
Then, as he went inside, he said:
“A thousand times!”
Seo Daeryong was swinging the sword, his whole body drenched in sweat.
“Eight hundred fifty-three, eight hundred fifty-four…”
The sword felt as heavy as a thousand jin, and his arms felt like they would fall off.
‘Whew, I can’t do this anymore!’
Seo Daeryong collapsed flat on the ground. Even if Blood Heavens Saber Demon was watching, he couldn’t help it. He didn’t have the strength to move a finger.
Originally, this would have been the time he’d be lying on his bed reading a book while snacking at home.
‘Did I do something foolish?’
Now that his body was exhausted, regret washed over him.
‘No, no. I’ve already made up my mind!’
If he got kicked out for not completing his training on the first day, he wouldn’t be able to face Unrivaled Sword.
Seo Daeryong sprang up and swung the sword. He barely managed to complete a thousand swings.
“I did it!”
Sitting on the ground, Seo Daeryong looked down at the sword in his hand.
This cold, heavy feeling of the sword! Yes, if he followed this feeling, it would surely lead him to a better life than just rolling around aimlessly.
At that moment, the window opened and Blood Heavens Saber Demon appeared.
“If it’s too hard, quit. I won’t stop you.”
Seo Daeryong jumped to his feet. Though his arms felt like they would fall off, he spoke resolutely:
“I won’t quit.”
“Why?”
“Because an opportunity like this won’t come again in my lifetime.”
“I will never pass on my unique martial arts to you.”
“I don’t even hope for that. The opportunity I mentioned is the chance to learn martial arts from you, Demon Supreme. Later, when I have children, I’ll tell them. Your father, when he was young, learned martial arts from Blood Heavens Saber Demon. That’s enough. Living as a martial artist, having that kind of memory is sufficient.”
“So you’re thinking of marriage.”
“Yes, I want to.”
“Why?”
“I want to raise children. So I can give them the paternal love that my father never gave me even once.”
There was a story and sorrow felt in his words.
“What if your child hates you as much as you hate yourself?”
“Then… would you put my child through this training too?”
Blood Heavens Saber Demon smirked at Seo Daeryong’s words.
Thinking he had made Blood Heavens Saber Demon laugh, Seo Daeryong also smiled brightly, feeling oddly pleased.
As Blood Heavens Saber Demon closed the window, he said:
“A thousand more times!”
Navigate to Other Chapters
Regular Chapters
Batch 1: AR Chapter 1 - AR Chapter 25
- AR Chapter 1 - Send Me to the Past
- AR Chapter 2 - Did You Push Me?
- AR Chapter 3 - What's Your Wish?
- AR Chapter 4 - How Many Decades Since I've Had Noodles Soup?
- AR Chapter 5 - A Beast Doesn't Hide Its Claws
- AR Chapter 6 - If I Become the Heavenly Demon
- AR Chapter 7 - The Reason You Die Is...
- AR Chapter 8 - When the Blade Gleams in Moonlight
- AR Chapter 9 - The Demonic Path I Envision
- AR Chapter 10 - Getting Heated Means Losing
- AR Chapter 11 - One Day is Enough
- AR Chapter 12 - I'll Dance with My Sword Once
- AR Chapter 13 - My Temper is Even Worse
- AR Chapter 14 - These Days, the Educated are More Courageous
- AR Chapter 15 - They All Look Similarly Ugly
- AR Chapter 16 - The Answer Has Already Been Heard
- AR Chapter 17 - The Wicked Don't Get Excited
- AR Chapter 18 - Not Everyone Lives a Life of Revenge
- AR Chapter 19 - This Summer, We...
- AR Chapter 20 - We are Demons After All
- AR Chapter 21 - Four Steps are Enough
- AR Chapter 22 - Just Teach Me Secretly
- AR Chapter 23 - They Managed to Live Well Enough
- AR Chapter 24 - What Will Happen, Will Happen
- AR Chapter 25 - You've Come to the Right Place
Batch 2: AR Chapter 26 - AR Chapter 50
- AR Chapter 26 - The More You Take, The Deeper the Connection
- AR Chapter 27 - I Heard It
- AR Chapter 28 - Hold on Tight, We're Taking Off
- AR Chapter 29 - What Should We Fear
- AR Chapter 30 - Why the Sword Cries
- AR Chapter 31 - You're the Crazy One
- AR Chapter 32 - I Need Some Dishes
- AR Chapter 33 - Is That a New Protective Armor
- AR Chapter 34 - Than Facing a Single Tiger
- AR Chapter 35 - Rather, Don't Forget
- AR Chapter 36 - I am Already Loyal
- AR Chapter 37 - What Lies Beyond the Door
- AR Chapter 38 - I Will Overcharge Them
- AR Chapter 39 - This is How You Do in These Situations
- AR Chapter 40 - Become Strong! Lee Ahn!
- AR Chapter 41 - Elegant Yet Terrifying
- AR Chapter 42 - I've Faced Misfortune as Well
- AR Chapter 43 - My Sword is Faster than Her Eyes
- AR Chapter 44 - With a More Comfortable Face than the First Day
- AR Chapter 45 - Habits are Frightening
- AR Chapter 46 - Those Who Bewitch People
- AR Chapter 47 - You Fill the Void
- AR Chapter 48 - What's Lonely about Living Alone
- AR Chapter 49 - If You Don't Allow It, I'll Cling onto Your Leg's Trousers
- AR Chapter 50 - When the Rain Stops, the Birds Fly
Batch 3: AR Chapter 51 - AR Chapter 75
- AR Chapter 51 - That's All There is to It
- AR Chapter 52 - If They Hate You as Much as You Hate Yourself
- AR Chapter 53 - No Variables Allowed
- AR Chapter 54 - You're Not So Mysterious when You're Flustered
- AR Chapter 55 - I Know You
- AR Chapter 56 - Live Long Then
- AR Chapter 57 - Hoping No Other Monsters Emerge
- AR Chapter 58 - Don't Kill Anyone for a While
- AR Chapter 59 - Sometime the Shell is More Important than What's Inside
- AR Chapter 60 - I Have Many Hidden Tails
- AR Chapter 61 - Will You Eliminate Me Too?
- AR Chapter 62 - Give Me What You Don't Want to Give
- AR Chapter 63 - After Giving Away Something Valuable
- AR Chapter 64 - Come When Called, Go When Sent
- AR Chapter 65 - If You Refuse, You'll Be Dragged to Outer Regions
- AR Chapter 66 - All or Nothing
- AR Chapter 67 - This is the Age for Such Things
- AR Chapter 68 - Second Young Master until the End
- AR Chapter 69 - Petty Methods are Effective
- AR Chapter 70 - The Difference in Thoroughness
- AR Chapter 71 - Conspiring with Everyone
- AR Chapter 72 - You're Lucky to be the Latter Waves
- AR Chapter 73 - The More Skilled, the Simpler the Answer
- AR Chapter 74 - Trust Your Instinct
- AR Chapter 75 - I'll Have a Drink
Batch 4: AR Chapter 76 - AR Chapter 76
Advanced Chapters
Batch 1: AR Chapter 77 - AR Chapter 101
- 🔒50AR Chapter 77 - What if Someone Tries to Take that Position
- 🔒60AR Chapter 78 - They're All Crazy as a Group
- 🔒60AR Chapter 79 - I'm the Same
- 🔒60AR Chapter 80 - Even if I Become Predictable Someday
- 🔒60AR Chapter 81 - Let's Live Another Life
- 🔒60AR Chapter 82 - That Shackle Then, That Cult Leader Then
- 🔒60AR Chapter 83 - Like Two Meteors Meeting
- 🔒60AR Chapter 84 - That is My Regular Place
- 🔒60AR Chapter 85 - Family is the Greatest Enemy
- 🔒60AR Chapter 86 - Long Time No See, Brother
- 🔒60AR Chapter 87 - Blood Rains from the Sky
- 🔒60AR Chapter 88 - From the Moment the Umbilical Cord is Cut
- 🔒60AR Chapter 89 - I am Not a Caught Fish
- 🔒60AR Chapter 90 - A Relationship Worse Than Not Being Close
- 🔒60AR Chapter 91 - Is It Really That Obvious?
- 🔒60AR Chapter 92 - The Frightening Power of Words
- 🔒60AR Chapter 93 - Because Villains Understand Each Other Well
- 🔒60AR Chapter 94 - We Fight Because We Know Each Other
- 🔒60AR Chapter 95 - Then That's Good
- 🔒60AR Chapter 96 - There Was Nothing at the End of Your Life
- 🔒60AR Chapter 97 - Why Are You Obsessed with My Mask?
- 🔒60AR Chapter 98 - My World Will Be Boring
- 🔒60AR Chapter 99 - When We Return from This Journey
- 🔒60AR Chapter 100 - The Martial World Never Sleeps
- 🔒60AR Chapter 101 - Only My Eyes Can See It
Batch 2: AR Chapter 102 - AR Chapter 109
- 🔒60AR Chapter 102 - Its Better If You Survive
- 🔒60AR Chapter 103 - Everyone Has a Story or Two
- 🔒60AR Chapter 104 - Even If It's a Bit Frivolous
- 🔒60AR Chapter 105 - It's Not Easy
- 🔒60AR Chapter 106 - When the Sleeping Gambling God Awakens
- 🔒60AR Chapter 107 - Despite Being Ugly
- 🔒60AR Chapter 108 - If You Lose, You Have to Do What You Don't Want to Do
- 🔒60AR Chapter 109 - Is It You?