“Return”
What is the best way to impersonate someone in the jianghu (world of martial arts)?
It’s martial arts. If you want to pretend to be a Shaolin monk, you don’t need to chant sutras—you just demonstrate Shaolin martial arts. If you want to pose as a lackey of the Demonic Sect, you use demonic arts.
And if you want to impersonate a disciple of the Divine Physician, you use the Divine Physician’s martial arts. I wasn’t able to kill the Divine Physician myself, but I took the blood of someone claiming to be his disciple.
The Cheongnang Heart Technique.
A heart technique said to have been passed down from the legendary Divine Physician Hua Tuo of the Later Three Kingdoms era, it was a martial art that unified all existing medical arts into one.
From the medicine of that age all the way back to the mythical era.
The book that collected them all was called the Cheongnang Divine Manual.
Created from the obsession that one must save the wounded even while fighting the enemy, the art faded over time and died out—until it came into my hands.
So even if I can’t employ every remedy of the Divine Physician, I can at least perform basic acupuncture and concoct medicines. The memories and martial skill learned through blood are no illusion.
“There’s no better art for impersonation than a rare poisonous technique passed through a single line.”
I decided to pose as a disciple of the Divine Physician in order to get close to Peng Yuwol.
“Truly, Young Hero, you are a disciple of the Divine Physician?”
“M-My voice is loud.”
Peng Yuwol, excited, pressed her face close enough for me to feel her breath. I played the part of a young man thrilled to meet her, blood surging through my skin.
“The Divine Physician told me to hide your name. I came here simply because I heard rumors.”
“The Heavenly Replenishment Pill?”
“Yes, Young Lady. I’m dissecting one specimen to determine whether it’s genuine or counterfeit. I didn’t acquire it myself—the apothecary owner did.”
“Ha…”
The Heavenly Replenishment Pill, enough to buy a manor, lay disassembled like a child’s clay toy.
“So is it genuine? Or…I suppose it’s counterfeit?”
“That, I don’t yet know. I need to dissect it more.”
“I see…”
“But it is genuine.”
I flinched as Peng Yuwol’s hand stiffened. With an innocent smile, I picked up one of the pill fragments I’d hacked apart.
“You can’t doubt the Divine Physician’s formulation! Only he uses finely shredded Doll’s Ginseng root in his pills.”
“Doll’s Ginseng…”
Indeed, Doll’s Ginseng sounded like an ingredient worthy of the finest pill in the world. At my assurance that the pill was genuine, Peng Yuwol relaxed into a coy smile.
“Master Apothecary, forgive my impertinence…”
“Take it. I have no use for such a treasure.”
“Excuse me?”
The old man rolled up a sheet of herb and smoked it. His eyes were bitter as they rested on the pill.
“A rustic like me has no business handling such things. Medicines must be used by those who truly need them.”
“Sir…”
“I know your circumstances all too well. How many days has that scoundrel been spouting nonsense? I’m not one to lecture Peng Clan’s daughter, but please judge people carefully.”
At the old man’s repeated entreaties, Peng Yuwol’s eyes grew moist. She retrieved a wooden box containing the pill fragments, then presented two small jade tokens to the old man and me.
“These are tokens for the savior of the Peng Clan. We will never forget this kindness.”
Instead of folding her hands in salute, Peng Yuwol bowed at a ninety-degree angle, picked up the box, and departed. The lingering scent of her flower perfume tickled my nose and stirred my loins.
“Tsk. Gullible.”
The apothecary owner stubbed out his herb and scratched his head.
“To pay medicine with worthless tokens—robbery, plain and simple.”
“Why? Peng Clan’s tokens, while not as valuable as a Heavenly Replenishment Pill, are still worth a fair sum.”
“If I don’t use them, what of it? But tell me, what are you really? Do you truly know the Divine Physician’s arts?”
“I learned some by chance. I’m no disciple of his.”
The old man sneered at me. At least I had the decency not to call Shinui my master.
“I handed over the pill to Peng Yuwol at your request. Now what do you want me to do?”
“Either keep selling medicines here, or grind the pill into little pieces and sell them as miniature pills for a high price.”
I rapped on the hidden box behind me. The apothecary had agreed to this dangerous deal because of what lay inside.
“Even split into a hundred pieces, will the Heavenly Replenishment Pill still work?”
The pill I showed Peng Yuwol was just one fragment of many. Chu Sogwang had departed reassured it was fake—but this was the genuine pill.
A one-hundredth portion of the real thing.
“Of course. Do you need proof from my own mother? From simple fatigue relief to tonic to cure the incurable—the effects are limitless. Whether you take it whole or as a hundred tiny beads.”
“…I believe you. Damn it, I should’ve realized when you brought back Hundred-Year He Shou Wu each month.”
“Heh heh heh, then pay properly. Hand it over.”
I reached out confidently to collect my payment. Though I’d deceived Chu Sogwang and delivered a true pill to Peng Yuwol, the price for about ninety split beads seemed paltry.
“Is that really enough?”
“Come on, just give it. Everyone’s dragging their feet these days!”
“Fine. Here.”
The old man slid the desk aside and produced a small jar from beneath. In the shabby apothecary, the finely crafted glass jar held a pale pink liquid, its purpose obvious.
“What are you planning to use aphrodisiac and spring elixir for?”
“To achieve Yin and Yang unity. I’m not some lonely hack humping the moonlight.”
“Is that really worth the price of a manor? Who’s it for?”
“Heh heh. Medicines belong to those who need them.”
The apothecary scowled. I pocketed one of the split pill beads.
“If Samgu ever shows up, give him that. If he’s pierced by a blade, use it to heal his wound. The bastard thinks it’s mere Thousand-Year He Shou Wu—he’ll freak out. Heh heh heh.”
“You serve your master well, though you call him a slave.”
“I must repay kindness. He’s the second person ever to help me in my life.”
I dusted off my trousers and rose.
“By the way, where did you get these pills?”
“From that scoundrel Chu’s storage. Why else would he gild them? Did you see how none of them recognized the gold leaf?”
“...You madman. You stole from Chu’s stash? And he never noticed?”
“Something like that.”
I lit a leaf of tobacco and melted into the crowd.
“You dog!”
A dog’s son is rightfully called a dog’s son. I waved to the apothecary, who cursed me in return.
Now that Peng Yuwol held the pill, she’d make her move against Chu Sogwang.
“Heh, people will do anything for a taste of Peng Yuwol.”
I slipped back into Chu’s escort bureau. I learned its layout and structure, allowing me to sneak to Chu Sogwang’s quarters in no time.
“The Peng Clan’s guards are stationed outside.”
The warriors I’d seen earlier now stood in pairs before her bedchamber. They were so frightened they’d left the door open and fallen asleep.
“Ugh…ugh…snort…”
Mumbling in his sleep, one snored so loudly I offered my condolences to the unlucky shift to come. I crept into another room.
“What should I do?”
“You must annul the engagement, Miss.”
All the Peng Clan elders and retainers except the guards had gathered in her chamber for a strategy meeting. As clan members, they didn’t want to remain in such a repulsive place any longer than necessary.
“But what if this isn’t the real pill?”
“You saw it with your own eyes, Lady. Trust him.”
“It feels like he’s trying to trick me, just like Chu Sogwang.”
“Are you going to live under that fool for the rest of your life?”
Even the guards were divided.
To help them decide sooner, I exhaled a breath laced with subtle persuasion and whispered low. I had bound one stunned servant with a charmed needle to follow at my side.
“As for that warehouse…”
The guards fell silent. As I passed Peng Yuwol’s chamber, I restrained my laughter and continued.
“Apparently an intruder broke in there. If word got out…well, it could be quite serious. The pills might be fake…ahem.”
Footsteps echoed as I left the escort bureau, puppet’ing the servant behind me. Peng Yuwol and her clan’s spirits grew restless.
“Tomorrow, I shall verify it myself.”
Peng Yuwol’s firm voice rang out. From afar, I cheered her on.
“Breaking off a sham marriage is justified.”
The next day.
“I want to see the actual Heavenly Replenishment Pill.”
Chu Sogwang, eager to meet Peng Yuwol that morning, suddenly looked drained of color.
“W-What do you mean?”
“I’m sorry, but seeing the counterfeits yesterday made me worry. What if what you prepared isn’t genuine?”
“That is…!”
Normally he’d threaten her for doubting him, but he had no real pill to show. As Chu Sogwang faltered, Peng Yuwol sprinkled murderous qi and pressed him.
“Why can’t you show it? Surely it’s not fake?”
“Nonsense! The specimen we have is authenticated by Shaolin monks! Would we dare deceive someone’s life over it? Impossible!”
“Then show me proof. If it’s genuine, we can marry—or even share the bridal chamber—tomorrow. That way I can send the pill to Clan Patriarch immediately.”
Peng Yuwol threw down her gauntlet. Chu Sogwang had never inspired confidence, and every one of his actions stoked her suspicion.
“V-Very well! But you must come alone. Leave the Peng guards here!”
“…Agreed.”
With confidence restored, Peng Yuwol accepted the deal. Despite the odd circumstances—mysterious intruder, sudden injury, the pill’s appearance out of nowhere—she focused on annulling the engagement and receiving the pill.
“Follow me. I will show you the genuine article.”
Chu Sogwang led Peng Yuwol from the manor.
A wide clearing deep in the forest.
I drew the old saber I’d procured from the forge and assumed my stance. As soon as I settled into the martial posture, blood surged through me and whispered the secrets of the arts.
“Five Tigers Sever the Gate Saber is a might technique.”
From the outset, fierce and free. I stepped into True Awareness, leapt up, and swung the saber at the illusion before me.
“To cleave all barriers and enemies is true might.”
Slash! Slash!
The phantom foes were swept away. My downward strike sent dust flying in every direction, slicing through the heavy armor of elite external-protection experts.
“Therefore, Five Tigers Sever the Gate Saber is…”
“Ugh.”
My body froze. The memory cut off, and my saber technique stalled at only Three Stars.
“Come to think of it, I don’t recall clashing blades much with the Peng Clan.”
Perhaps because their vibrant style turned brutal when I ran amok as a Blood Jiangshi, the Peng Clan had been nearly exterminated.
Although Peng Yuwol revived her clan, so many Peng members—both main and collateral branches—had died that the distinctions blurred.
“Whose blood did I absorb?”
I could not remember. I had absorbed a dozen lives’ worth of blood and qi in a single day, and I’m pretty sure I’d lain with a Peng woman.
“I think I did, but…”
Having lain with so many women, the memory slipped. Perhaps I erased Peng Yuwol from my mind when I first saw her.
Anyway.
The Peng Clan’s Five Tigers Sever the Gate Saber was truly exhilarating.
“Their saber style is perfect for cutting people down.”
No wonder it earned its name “Swift Sabers Split Flesh.” In my days as a Demonic Sect lackey, elders joked they’d rather die fighting Peng Clan war hounds than any other enemy.
“I miss the old days.”
Mastering an art usually demands excruciating effort.
But as a Blood Jiangshi, I needed none of that. Thanks to the Blood-Drinking Technique, Absorb Yin Nourish Yang, and the Demonic Sect’s unique poisonous martial arts, I could absorb an opponent’s blood—and with it, their martial skills.
Just before my final death, I was also called the Blood Demon Scholar. All martial arts in the jianghu were recorded in my blood—I was a living secret manual.
No wonder so many sought me. Rumors claimed I wielded Zhang Sanfeng’s art, knew the Demonic Sect Leader’s poison arts, or even mastered the Celestial Reliance Sword of the Heaven-Defying Sword Saint from five centuries past.
“All of them died anyway.”
In this reborn timeline, the bloodline support is gone. But my memories remain intact. The secret manuals and arts I gained as a Blood Jiangshi are preserved perfectly in my mind.
Hebei Peng Clan.
Five Tigers Sever the Gate Saber.
Three Stars.
…the level I’d devoured from every jianghu master.
“Tsk. Stupid Blood Cult Leader. You should’ve let me consume the entire manual.”
If I’d eaten the whole secret manual, I might have mastered Five Tigers Sever the Gate Saber to its peak. Now, to learn it further, I must either infiltrate the Peng Clan or consume someone who’s mastered it beyond me.
The Supreme Yin-Yang Blood Heavens Technique.
The Blood Cult Leader—now a minor cult mistress or the like—had forced her own martial arts into my body, then controlled me with her blood.
While I can’t manipulate others’ minds, absorbing their blood does let me absorb their arts. But I refuse to repeat that fate.
“I refuse to become a hideous monster.”
My face has become handsome again. I don’t want it ruined. To seduce women, good looks are essential.
Even Peng Yuwol—she’d be captivated by my beauty—
“…Is this the right way?”
“……?”
I froze. In the distance, two figures walked along the mountain path at an angle.
Peng Yuwol and Chu Sogwang.
“They’ve finally arrived.”
The place where I’d trained was the warehouse of Chu’s escort bureau—the very spot I’d stolen the pill. They had come at last to verify it.
“Heh heh heh. Then it’s time…”
With a rustle, I donned my clandestine robes properly and flipped down my mask.
“It’s the libertine’s hour.”