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Chapter 6 …
The war between the Jekryu Sect and the Black Way Gang drew the attention of all of Hangzhou.
It was already a well-known fact that the Black Way Gang had abandoned Yeomwangchae and shifted its focus to a new line of business.
Depending on the outcome of this war, the movements of other evil sects would also be decided.
Most people predicted a 6:4 victory in favor of the Black Way Gang.
In terms of pure strength, they were evenly matched—but the Black Way Gang was infamous for its ruthless methods of debt collection, to the point where even if a debtor died, they would threaten their distant relatives, neighbors, and even second cousins to recover the money.
But then—
Surprisingly, the Jekryu Sect won.
The Jekryu Sect Leader defeated the Black Way Gang Leader.
Even though an assassination attempt was made during a one-on-one duel, it ultimately failed, leaving behind great disgrace.
“Tsk tsk. If you’re going to fail, you shouldn’t even try.”
“That’s what I’m saying. Oh, right. I heard a wandering martial artist played a huge role this time?”
“Ahh. You mean Gijeol Myobi (奇絕妙匕).”
“Gijeol Myobi?”
“He was given that nickname by the sect leader because his skill with throwing daggers was so astonishing and exquisite.”
“Ohhh. Just how astonishing and exquisite must it be…”
The rumor spread in less than a few hours.
* * *
Imgang forcibly relaxed his furrowed brow.
‘Gijeol Myobi? What a trash naming sense.’
It was the nickname given to him as a reward by the Jekryu Sect Leader for saving his life.
He already knew those evil sect bastards had terrible naming sense—but this was beyond awful.
He swallowed the words that rose to his throat.
The Jekryu Sect Leader had cut off the Black Way Gang Leader’s head and hung it on a pole at the main gate.
How could he possibly say the nickname was ugly and ask for a change now?
And that wasn’t all.
The reward wasn’t just that horrible nickname.
Clink.
The money pouch he received as a post-payment reward was extremely heavy.
And even that was only a small portion.
The real fortune was safely hidden inside his underwear.
‘They gave me silver coins for saving my life! Truly a man of great virtue!’
Why put it in his underwear?
Because even if the money pouch got stolen, the silver coins must not be taken.
One silver coin equals 1,000 copper coins.
And that many copper coins become so heavy they’re impossible to carry.
It can even cause wrist tendonitis.
There was a reason wealthy families and elite disciples only carried silver coins.
Finally—
[You have gained experience and grown.]
[You have obtained 5 skill points.]
[Proficiency in some skills has increased.]
[Total internal energy has slightly increased.]
[“Third-rate Throwing Dagger Technique” has been registered.]
“Owner, close shop! Shut the shutters!”
Despite his furrowed brow, a smile formed at the corners of his mouth for the reason above.
It was a literal level-up storm.
‘How good would it have been if it were like this in my previous life?’
He wanted to open the system window and check in detail, but—
“Hey! The banquet is starting! Stop grinning creepily in some dark corner and come sit down! Or you won’t get a seat later!”
It seemed like it was time to enjoy himself a little today.
The wandering martial artists who had been hiding everywhere rushed out all at once.
Free alcohol and food—who could resist that?
* * *
Imgang opened his eyes wide and checked his money pouch and silver coins.
“Phew. Still here.”
He had wanted to run wild last night, but barely held himself back.
There were many rules among wandering martial artists.
Rule 17: Never get completely drunk at a victory banquet.
Rule 18: Obey Rule 17.
Why?
Because if you get drunk, someone might rummage through your underwear and steal everything—or ambush you on the way back and rob you.
Rules are written in blood.
That must never be forgotten.
“Alright, whatever. It’s in the past.”
He wasn’t hungry since he had eaten a lot yesterday, so he skipped breakfast.
No hangover either, so noodles with meat topping around lunchtime would be enough.
He decided to think about what to do next.
First, he had made a lot of money.
Exactly 362 copper coins and 10 silver coins.
Converting silver coins to copper coins: 10,000 total.
In other words, if he lived frugally paying rent and expenses, he could live comfortably for four to five years.
If he spent recklessly, it could all disappear in a single day.
‘Who am I?’
A third-rate wandering martial artist.
He had to save as much as possible.
Well, now that he had awakened as a treasure hunter, he could technically earn money anytime.
‘Tsk. If I’m careless, I’ll get stabbed.’
He had also made a lot of enemies this time.
Some of the wandering martial artists who took Black Way Gang’s requests were basically potential assassins.
Even the ones who had been allies…
Think it’s a joke?
There are no people more likely to smile in front of you and stab you in the back than wandering martial artists.
Evil sect members wait for opportunities before striking.
Orthodox sect members at least need justification.
Wandering martial artists take the worst of both.
‘Best thing is to hide the money well and only carry what I need.’
But he couldn’t avoid spending completely.
Wandering martial artists… seriously, these guys are a problem.
Anyway, just thinking about them made his head hurt.
“…First, I need to get stronger.”
Wandering martial artists never target the strong.
Simple logic—if they mess with strong people, they die.
The reason no one was bothering Imgang right now, despite him being here, was because no one could accurately gauge his strength after seeing him kill second-rate fighters with throwing daggers.
Before anyone discovered he was just someone with weak internal energy who relied on dagger throwing and slightly above-average strength, he needed to grow quickly.
How?
‘With the Treasure Hunter skills.’
Imgang opened the system window.
Name: Imgang (Lv. 6)
Class: Third-rate Wanderer / Treasure Hunter
Internal Energy: 6 years 22 days
Skills: Third-rate Wind Fang Blade Technique, Second-rate Copper Body Skill… (More)
Skill Points: 5
Skills:
Third-rate Wind Fang Blade Technique (80% mastery), Second-rate Copper Body Skill (40%), Map Lv.1, Trap Detection Lv.1, Treasure Detection Lv.1, Appraisal Lv.1, Trap Disarm Lv.1, Lockpicking Lv.1, Stealth Lv.1, Ranged Attack Boost Lv.1, Ranged Guidance Lv.1, Peak Great Strength Overpowering Art (50%), Qi Sense, Third-rate Throwing Dagger Technique (10%) NEW!
Something had changed.
Imgang frowned and searched his memory.
Probably…
[You have gained experience and grown.]
[You have obtained 5 skill points.]
[Proficiency in some skills has increased.]
[Total internal energy has slightly increased.]
[“Third-rate Throwing Dagger Technique” has been registered.]
Yes, that must have been it.
His total internal energy had increased by 1 year.
Was it 0.2 years per level?
A very vague number, but if it was free internal energy, it was a huge profit.
From elixirs, from leveling up—his internal energy kept increasing rapidly.
‘Mom, I’m going to become a bee when I grow up! …Wait, what am I thinking.’
He cleared unnecessary thoughts and distributed his 5 skill points appropriately.
[Map Lv.1 → Map Lv.3]
[Treasure Detection Lv.1 → Treasure Detection Lv.4]
The Map skill increases range and accuracy with each level.
Range refers to how far the green circular map expands.
Accuracy refers to how precisely detected objects can be located.
Treasure Detection works similarly.
It expands detection range and allows more types of treasures to be found.
He didn’t invest in other skills because he had no intention of leaving Hangzhou.
Worried about wandering martial artists?
No.
Leaving Hangzhou was even more dangerous.
Even if the city was chaotic, at least there was some order.
If he tried to leave now, more than a dozen people would follow him.
This was personal experience.
So the plan was to stay in Hangzhou, grow stronger quickly, and search for opportunities (treasures).
Imgang finished planning, stood up, and lifted the floorboards.
That was where the Great Strength Overpowering Art manual was hidden.
He stored the coin pouch he had received yesterday and closed it carefully.
He also tidied the area so nothing looked suspicious.
The silver coins were still hidden inside his clothing.
He had enough money for food and treasure hunting expenses.
Before leaving, he lifted the cloth covering the window to check for surveillance.
‘Treasure Hunter. A hunter of treasures.’
He headed toward the streets of Hangzhou.
* * *
Imgang regretted his decision.
“Gijeol Myobi?”
“Hey! Isn’t that Gijeol Myobi?!”
Wandering martial artists on the street recognized him.
He frowned at the terrible nickname and turned his head away.
‘Damn it. They’re Black Way Gang-affiliated guys.’
Potential assassins.
At least the good part was that they weren’t the ones who had pierced holes in people with throwing daggers.
He stayed tense inside but kept a calm expression.
“You know about the other day, right?”
“Kahahaha! Of course I do. We were just on different sides, that’s all.”
“Next time let’s be on the same side. Oh right, some guys are grinding their teeth about you.”
“Huh? Who’d grind their teeth over someone like me?”
“Heh… what do you mean ‘someone like you’? You even have the nickname Gijeol Myobi. Anyway, I can’t say who…”
Normally, he would have acted sharp to avoid looking weak.
But not now.
If he acted arrogant, they might think, “Oh? You looking down on us?”
And next time they meet?
They would jump him in a group.
He had already seen cases where five people beat one person and ruined his future.
Wandering martial artists were truly too much.
Psychopaths.
“Let’s team up again next time and make a big haul.”
“Sounds good! That amazing dagger skill…”
Imgang half-listened and survived the conversation.
More wandering martial artists recognized him.
Luckily, some were from the Jekryu Sect side.
But they were checking whether he looked injured or not.
Eventually, mentally exhausted, he activated his skill.
[Treasure Detection skill activated.]
Thanks to leveling up twice, the map range increased from 10m to 14m.
And the treasure search began.
Drumroll…
White dots shimmered faintly across the map.
“…Ah.”
For now—
They were all junk.
