Zhang Yong set off again, this time toward the uninhabited area next to the Imperial Forest.
"This is where Dr. Stylish's facility is… he has a silly name," Zhang Yong said as he landed on a tree branch.
He then released the Eternal Dream Domain and looked around the place. "Nothing. I'll go deeper."
Zhang Yong leaped from tree to tree and continued searching for three full hours before finally reaching his destination.
Dr. Stylish's facility.
Zhang Yong noticed some monsters scattered around this area.
Guards made from his experiments. Zhang Yong felt disgusted just looking at them. This scoundrel had tampered with human life to this extent.
Zhang Yong descended from the tree and touched the ground.
Nine-Layered Eternal Ice Memory - First Layer: Ground Freeze
Ice spread rapidly across the ground, freezing all the humanoid monsters in place.
Inside Dr. Stylish's bunker, while he was conducting experiments on prisoners, a girl with large ears suddenly entered. "Dr. Stylish, there's a problem!"
Immediately, Stylish looked at her angrily. "I told you not to interrupt my experiments! The lab is off-limits to you!"
"M-My deepest apologies, Dr. Stylish, but the sound of cracking ice was heard nearby."
"Ice?" Dr. Stylish's expression changed when he heard that. "The only one with that ability is General Esdeath, but she's in the north now."
While Dr. Stylish was arguing with his assistant, the back door of the lab exploded into splinters under the force of a powerful ice impact.
White smoke rose, revealing a tall silhouette standing in the doorway, his purple eyes glowing in the darkness.
"W-Who... who are you?!" Stylish's voice trembled as he stepped back, his hand frantically searching for the alarm button.
Zhang Yong stepped forward slowly, each step releasing a wave of frost that froze beneath his feet. "Dr. Stylish, huh. I didn't expect to find you this quickly."
In the blink of an eye, Zhang Yong appeared behind Stylish, his hands on his shoulders. "But your experiments... are quite ugly."
"Kaku! Hana! Mei! Tobi! Trauma! Where are you?!" Dr. Stylish looked around frantically.
"Gone. They're all frozen. And now, so is this room," Zhang Yong smiled viciously.
"I'm looking for two things from you, Doctor," Zhang Yong said in a voice as calm as death. "First: all your research on human genetic modification. Second..."
Zhang Yong grabbed Dr. Stylish's face firmly. "Your soul. Killing you now would be useless."
Seven Emotions and Six Desires Path - Six Desires Mantra
After about half an hour, Zhang Yong and Dr. Stylish were sitting at a table drinking tea.
All the ice had disappeared, and the wall had been repaired by workers.
"Alright, I need electricity," Zhang Yong said as he stood and removed his clothes.
"I'll prepare the table," Dr. Stylish said, rising.
Then Zhang Yong lay down on the operating table. His arms were restrained, and electrical clamps were attached to his four limbs.
"Are you sure about this?" Dr. Stylish asked as he approached the shock control lever.
Zhang Yong nodded his head. "More than ever."
"Let's begin... now," Dr. Stylish whispered as he gripped the control lever.
ZZZZZZZZZ!
An electric wave violently shook Zhang Yong's body, causing his muscles to convulse like a fish out of water. His teeth clenched fiercely as his body arched in pain. His veins bulged beneath his skin.
Lightning Path - Disaster Charge
The lightning began to be absorbed by Zhang Yong's body rapidly.
[Host has reached Level 20]
[Host has reached Level 21]
[Host has reached Level 22]
[Host has reached Level 23]
Then Dr. Stylish turned off the machine. Smoke rose from Zhang Yong's body before the doctor rushed to release him.
Zhang Yong stood up. The smell of burnt skin emanated from him.
"Alright, I need two things from you. You collect the blood of many danger monsters for your research. Bring me ten blood samples of the second rank and ten of the first rank," Zhang Yong said calmly.
"Consider it done. And the second thing?" Dr. Stylish asked curiously.
"I want Wriggles. Bring them to me, no matter the means," Zhang Yong said in a serious tone.
After Zhang Yong left Dr. Stylish's facility, he carried a special bag containing twenty samples of dangerous monster blood – ten from the first rank and ten from the second rank.
His purple eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he examined the contents. It was enough for him to reach the third level of the Tyrant Body.
But the second thing he asked Dr. Stylish for was more complicated. They weren't mentioned in the original story but actually in the side-stories , and Zhang Yong didn't know if they could still be found.
If he had something to use for the cycle of life and death, he wouldn't need the Wriggles. Their method of operation was disgusting.
He then released his probes and began swinging between trees 'My time is running out these days. There isn't much time left until the Jaegers assemble. It's good that Dr. Stylish is by my side and will bring me information. Then there's dealing with Sheele's death in the coming days. I need to be there to take her soul'
Zhang Yong returned to the bunker and lay down on his bed.
"Yes, I'm back."
Zhang Yong looked at the rock in annoyance. "Seriously? Now?"
"I get it, I get it." Zhang Yong raised his body, took out a notebook, and began writing. In this notebook, he recorded the variables and details about each member of Night Raid and the Jaegers.
This way, he could determine who to kill and who to leave alive.
'To avoid future trouble, I will obtain each character's soul when their time comes to die; the force of cause and effect could be disastrous, especially with the possibility of the variable'
After finishing his notes, Zhang Yong put the book away and slept. Even with his strengthened body, he still needed sleep.
Zhang Yong woke with the first light of dawn, his purple eyes slowly opening as he watched the light creep through his window. He immediately activated the Mystic Heaven Technique and absorbed the remaining purple Qi, but it wasn't enough for him.
"It doesn't matter. I'm close to breaking through from the Origin Realm to the Void Realm." Zhang Yong looked out the window. A month had already passed since he came to this world.
"Today... I will complete the Tyrant Body," he whispered as he rose from bed. His muscles ached slightly from the strong electric shocks he had received yesterday.
He grabbed the bag containing the monster blood and opened it carefully. The strong metallic scents of the blood hit his nose fiercely.
"Ten of the first rank... and ten of the second rank. This is enough for the third stage."
Zhang Yong picked up the second-rank blood and began consuming it.
Internally, he was being squeezed and dissolved, his body rebuilt from the inside out. After about an hour, he opened his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief.
[Tyrant Body has risen to Level 2]
[Strength +50 / Endurance +100]
Then he grabbed the first-rank vials and absorbed them.
The pain was intense. He was being formed cell by cell. His veins swelled and turned black, while his skin cracked, revealing glowing muscles beneath.
He continued to suffer for three consecutive hours.
[Tyrant Body has risen to Level 3]
[Strength +50 / Endurance +100]
[Status:
Name: Zhang Yong
Age: 18
Body: Life-Death physique lvl7
Level 23 [50,000/123]
Strength: 168
Endurance: 311
Agility: 29
Intelligence: 137
Spiritual Energy: 23
Status Points: 48
Emotion Points: 8,182,182
Abilities
Skills | Shop | Storage | Missions | Gambling]
'Add all status points to Agility,' Zhang Yong thought seriously.
[Agility has risen to 77]
"Agility has increased, but compared to others... Although I practice my movement technique, in this case, I need to train my own movement techniques." Zhang Yong rose from bed and headed to the kitchen.
After preparing a meal for himself – the food was already on the table – he left the bunker and headed deep into the mountains.
He moved very quickly using Shadow Steps, heading toward the outskirts of the capital.
After arriving, he climbed the first tree he found and looked down from above. "Alright, this is supposedly where it is."
Then he immediately spotted a mountain temple, built in the Japanese style.
"Yes, that's it."
He jumped from the tree and headed toward the temple. This place was a sword training dojo, specifically for Iaido. There were no students, only four retired old men.
Zhang Yong planned to study this art in hopes of enhancing his speed, as well as the slim hope of comprehending the realm of Sword and Heart – that your heart beats for the sword.
Zhang Yong stood before the old wooden gate of the temple, his blue eyes examining the faded carvings on it.
The air was heavy with the scent of pine and moss, a deep silence enveloping the place.
Zhang Yong slowly pulled the door and entered.
The interior was simple: a wooden floor with a sliding door, training rooms in the back, and a small Japanese-style hearth in the center of the room.
In the middle sat an old man, dressed in samurai attire. He was bald, but his gray hair was long at the back of his head. He had a small mustache and a long beard.
He had a noticeable scar above his right eye, along with long eyebrows.
Behind him was a Buddhist statue depicting Buddha.
"An unexpected visitor," said Jinsai in his calm voice. "What dares a young man like you to disturb the peace of the elderly?"
Zhang Yong smiled, bowed slightly, then sat on his knees. "I want to learn the sword arts. I've come to learn."
"Heh heh. I wonder why you've come deep into the mountains to learn such a thing instead of joining the army," said Jinsai, tugging at his beard calmly.
"The capital is corrupt. Those in positions of power exploit everyone for their own pleasure. I know I can't change much, but at least I want the power to protect what I want to protect," Zhang Yong looked with determination.
Jinsai laughed sarcastically, but there was no real hostility in it. "Hah. With your power? I see you don't need our help."
Zhang Yong looked at him and understood. There was no use in lying. "Yes, but I meant the sword art. Even if I train my body, without a good teacher, it's impossible to extract an individual's full potential."
Jinsai stared deeply at Zhang Yong.
"Sword art is not child's play," he said quietly, raising his hands slowly. "Are you ready to die to understand it?"
Zhang Yong did not smile this time. His blue eyes met the old man's gaze without flinching.
"I understand you completely. You're Jinsai, aren't you?"
Jinsai smiled warmly. "Oh, I didn't expect anyone in the Empire to still know me."
"There was information that you retired and traveled the world. Now I'm even more certain. I want to learn from you," Zhang Yong said with a calm smile.
Suddenly, Shing!
Zhang Yong did not see the sword move. He only felt a cold breeze touch his throat.
One drop of blood... slid down his neck.
"This is Iaido," Jinsai whispered, his sword returned to its sheath as if it had never moved. "Killing in the blink of an eye... do you still want to learn?"
Zhang Yong did not touch his wound. He smiled with blood flowing down his neck. "This is fine by me."
Jinsai chuckled lightly. "Heh. You didn't even flinch. I won't ask about your background, but I will train you."
The two soon arrived at the training dojo. Zhang Yong looked at the collection of wooden swords on the side.
Jinsai walked toward the swords, picked up a wooden sword, and tossed another toward Zhang Yong. "You at least know how to hold a sword, don't you?"
Zhang Yong caught the sword and swung it a few times. "I learn quickly."
"Hahaha. You remind me of my youth. I'll teach you the basics. After that, you'll have to fight me," Jinsai laughed as he approached Zhang Yong.
For three consecutive hours, Jinsai made Zhang Yong repeat the basic movement: quick draw, horizontal cut, then returning the sword to the sheath. Each time, the same mistake repeated: a slight delay, a wrong angle, irregular breathing.
"Boring!" Jinsai suddenly shouted, hitting the ground with his stick. "You learn like a machine! Where is your spirit?!"
"Speed isn't everything," Jinsai said one morning as he circled Zhang Yong like a shadow. "Fighting with a sword is the art of reading intentions... and killing the intention before it's born."
Days passed, and Zhang Yong did not leave the temple except to sleep in the bunker. His body became covered in wounds and bruises.
"Faster! Before your opponent realizes anything, you must cut him!" Jinsai said as he attacked Zhang Yong relentlessly.
Zhang Yong moved quickly and began parrying while being pushed back. "Yes, sir!"
He immediately parried a strike, spun quickly, and swung his sword in a sideways cut. His wooden sword met Jinsai's sword.
'Opening!' Zhang Yong noticed immediately.
Then he took a step forward and began rushing toward Jinsai, but Jinsai did not step back.
"Be faster! You're still young!" Jinsai said, smiling vibrantly.
Zhang Yong experienced the joy of combat for the first time. He loved fighting with swords against this old man.
Although he had replayed the Path of the Sword many times, he had never experienced this. This was the true Path of the Sword.
A heart that beats for the sword. A heart that loves and adores the sword, swinging it because one must feel the union with the sword.
That was what Zhang Yong was missing. It wasn't hard work, nor talent in this moment, but his passion for the sword itself.
The sound of Zhang Yong's cutting changed immediately. The sound of cutting through the air was different this time – cleaner, faster, and a faint aura began to surround the sword. A change occurred in his middle Dantian.
When Jinsai noticed this, he moved quickly and made the sword fly from Zhang Yong's hand.
"Finally," he whispered.
Zhang Yong looked at his sword, then at Jinsai.
'The realm of Sword and Heart.' Zhang Yong felt happiness when he sensed that. That was what he was missing. 'I can now use Sword Qi!'
"Good boy. Now you can call yourself a swordsman," Jinsai smiled proudly.
At that moment, they heard a muffled laugh from the side of the door.
"Oh, what touching scenes."
Another old man appeared. He was bald with hair at the back of his head, and his eyebrows were long and connected. He wore an outfit similar to Jinsai's, but with a shoulder cover.
"Koki... you didn't come to mock me, did you?" Jinsai said in a grumbling tone.
"Of course not. But I was surprised to see you smiling like that after so long," Koki laughed as he stepped toward Zhang Yong. "Young man, you are impressive."
Zhang Yong bowed to him. "Thank you, Master Koki, for your praise."
Jinsai suddenly interjected. "Enough, Koki. He's not anything special yet. Boy, go and dress your wounds."
"Yes, sir." Zhang Yong bowed slightly and turned, leaving the place.
That night, while Zhang Yong was bandaging his wounds in his small room, he heard light footsteps outside.
The door slid open slowly, revealing Jinsai standing in the doorway, carrying an old bottle of sake.
"A young man like you... drinks?" he asked, shaking the bottle.
Zhang Yong smiled. "Why not?"
The two sat drinking in silence, moonlight streaming through the paper window.
"Why are you really here?" Jinsai asked suddenly, his piercing eyes fixed on Zhang Yong. "No one comes to these mountains just to learn the sword."
Zhang Yong took a large gulp of sake before answering. "I need power... to kill someone."
"Hah!" Jinsai laughed. "Finally, some honesty. And who is this unfortunate person?"
Zhang Yong shook his head. "I don't know them yet. But when I find them, I will erase them."
Jinsai smiled happily, feeling that he and Zhang Yong were similar in some way. "Hehe. If a person keeps killing, their heart will change into a demon's without them noticing."
Zhang Yong stood and took a gulp of sake, staring at the sky. "So what if a person becomes a demon? I don't need a reason to justify my actions. I will do what I want, however I want, and I won't care about others. Even if I dance on their graves."
Jinsai looked at Zhang Yong for a long time, then raised his cup. "Then let's drink... to living freely."
After a night of drinking and talking, Zhang Yong woke with the first light of dawn in the bunker.
His head ached slightly from the sake's effect, but his mind was clearer than ever.
"Today... I will test the power of the Sword and Heart realm," he whispered, gripping his wooden sword. He had fallen asleep holding it.
He left the room and headed to the nearby forest. Then he gripped his wooden sword. 'Sword and Heart.'
Zhang Yong closed his eyes and felt the Sword Qi flowing from his middle Dantian toward the edge of his sword. Then he swung his sword and split a tree in half.
One sharp, precise cut.
Heaven-Smashing Sword - Twilight Gleam
He immediately flew like a feather through the trees, leaving a trail of twilight-colored energy behind him. Soon, several trees fell at once.
Heaven-Smashing Sword - Horizon Severance
Zhang Yong's sword moved diagonally at a 45-degree angle and cut a tree in front of him with his wooden sword.
"Tiring, but wonderful. And it will become even more powerful at the Sword and Spirit realm." Zhang Yong looked at his hand and clenched it. The Sword and Spirit realm required his spirit to be at least at the mid-Void realm for him to reach it.
He continued practicing his technique for five long hours until he felt he could perform it without any problems.
Then he quietly returned to the bunker, opened the door, and saw Sheele sitting with a little girl.
"Oh, Zhang Yong, you're back," Sheele said with a gentle smile.
"Yeah, I'm back. Who is she?" Zhang Yong got straight to the point.
This place was Night Raid's hideout. It wasn't easy to bring civilians inside.
"Oh, this is Nia. Tatsumi and I found her, and we decided to help her," Sheele said as the girl named Nia bowed slightly.
The girl had black hair tied in two braids extending backward, with a white headband and a red scarf around her neck.
"I see." Zhang Yong approached the girl and patted her head. "You're lucky they found you. Don't worry, those two will help you. They're that kind of people," he said in a reassuring tone.
Nia looked at Zhang Yong with wide, cautious eyes, but she didn't step back.
After a moment of silence, she whispered in a faint voice:
"Th-Thank you... I don't want to be a burden to anyone."
Zhang Yong smiled lightly. "Don't worry about that." Then he turned to Seryu. "Where is Tatsumi now?"
Sheele nodded toward the back door. "In the training yard, as usual. That boy doesn't stop training these days."
Zhang Yong smiled. "Good. I'll go see him."