Chapter 101

It’s been over a year since I came to this world.

And right now, the Cheonma Shin-gyo is all abuzz with the return of the once-a-year Promotion Battle.

Yeah. Last year, Byung-il skyrocketed from Ho-beop to Tang-ju in one go during that Promotion Battle.

But the hottest topic right now is none other than Gumilmil.

The talk of the town is about Gyeong-yong’s daughter, especially since she brought back O Myeong-seong, who possesses the Cheonma Jiche, and declared she’ll challenge Cheonma in this Promotion Battle.

By the way, Cheonma Jiche refers to “Harvesting System.”

Somewhere along the line, people started calling the Harvesting System “Cheonma Jiche.” Since you can learn Cheonma Sin-gong when you have it, it’s not technically wrong.

Though someone too full of themselves can’t learn Cheonma Sin-gong. So even O Myeong-seong can’t use it.

But he can pull off moves like Eun-jai using his own internal energy technique.

Meaning it’s not an exclusive skill to just one person.

Still, weirdly enough, there aren’t any psychics around here. Is it because you don’t really need those powers in this wuxia world? Or maybe martial arts alone are enough?

In my faded memories, in this world of martial arts, psychic abilities don’t seem necessary. Or martial skills alone might suffice.

“Why have you come to such a place?”

Late afternoon. While Cheonma was training with Soo-oh, I returned to the village. Not long after arriving, In-sim-won hurried over.

He wasn’t wearing the usual full-body covering Moon-Jae-dang outfit.

Probably because there’s no longer a need to cover his face.

Originally, members of Moon-Jae-dang had more parasites inside them compared to regular Cheonma Shin-gyo folks. These parasites not only pressurize the body but also gradually turn it into something fishman-like.

That’s why they cover up entirely.

The reason he was inhaling smoke filled with painkillers ties into this as well.

By the way, diving into Daegon’s memories, these aren’t exactly bugs or parasites—they’re closer to bio-robots.

Of course, they can replicate, but doing so leads to genetic issues, weak souls, and stunted offspring. Their intelligence deteriorates over time, and their size shrinks.

If you make intelligent beings your kin, though, there are fewer side effects, or the next generation might even grow stronger.

Digging through Daegon’s memories reveals tons of stuff that could be translated as “soul science,” but we’ll chew on that later.

So, I replied to In-sim-won who approached me.

“To offer myself.”

For now, I’ve resolved most obstacles within Cheonma Shin-gyo, so if possible, I want to increase the number of Harvesting Systems.

But the population here is too small. Even turning everyone into a Harvester wouldn’t provide enough warmth. Barely over ten thousand.

After all the bloodshed, it’s simply not enough to gain warmth.

So I’m planning to head out.

Ideally, I’d like to turn the emperor who oversees this entire Jianghu realm into a Harvester. Learned from my first world—kings are efficient.

Because leaders are the only ones who can easily kill lots of people.

An emperor would be even better.

“In terms of blessings…”

“I can heal even irreversible injuries, right?”

Pointing at In-sim-won while speaking, he nodded in agreement. Both him and his girlfriend were revived by my blessings.

And by the way, I somehow managed to stick to the rule of healing only three people per day. Lucky it wasn’t a lie.

Anyway.

Based on my contemplations while Choseol’s body rested, repeatedly healing others allows me quick access to high-ranking individuals.

Who wouldn’t desire the ability to regenerate without question?

And very few would share such benefits willingly. Instead, someone blinded by greed would snatch me up faster.

Yeah.

Meeting high-ranking individuals will be simple without much thought.

Even in a world where physical regeneration is common, becoming a Harvester makes you stronger.

Not just physically, but mentally sharper too.

Who wouldn’t want that?

But this has to happen outside. It doesn’t hold much meaning here.

Still, preparation is key.

In case Cheonma loses to O Myeong-seong, or changes his mind and tries to eliminate me, I can’t just sit around waiting.

In-sim-won, perhaps seeing me heal others, quickly nodded. He told me to do as I please and stood behind me.

“Let’s handle business.”

“It’s my job to watch over you.”

That’s In-sim-won’s response. Meaning he’s keeping an eye on me. Naturally. That explains why the people who tried hiding me during my last visit to the village got hurt.

I moved away from the bustling center of the village and entered a secluded alleyway, starting my search.

If possible, I wanted to meet them.

However…

As I wandered around, the sun had already set.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find those people.

Even without specific orders from In-sim-won, he’s nowhere to be seen.

With the night deepening, if I stay out too late, Soo-oh will surely nag again.

So I decided to leave the village and headed toward the main road.

Strangely, sounds began fading from one direction, and silence spread.

Curious about what was happening, I looked toward the source of the silence.

There, in the center, stood a beauty.

“Seong-go…”

In-sim-won muttered softly. Seong-go.

To put it plainly, it means Holy Maiden—a highly regarded religious figure in Cheonma Shin-gyo. In other words, Gumilmil herself.

O Myeong-seong is currently conversing with the chief of the Ji-Gwan faction.

Meaning Gumilmil is alone.

If I approach her from a religious standpoint, she’d be my adversary.

Between the outsider claiming to be a heavenly human and the insider revered for generations, which would the people favor? Likely the latter. Turning her into a Harvester would bring great benefits.

Gumilmil, familiar with how people react to her, gently soothes them and helps them rise. As she does, those bowing before her lift their heads.

Through O Myeong-seong’s perspective, this person is kind-hearted but has adapted to a cruel environment, distorting notions of good and evil.

Ironically, maintaining such kindness in this world is commendable.

On the flip side, if she believes in the righteousness of her actions, she’d do anything to achieve them.

Thus, meeting her and forming connections would likely lead to more incidents in the future.

Hi hi.

I walked among the rising crowd.

After just a few steps, Gumilmil looked at me in surprise.

Well, if you’re a tall woman walking toward someone amid shorter people, it’s hard *not* to notice. I’m about as tall as a big guy.

Approaching her, In-sim-won, following behind me, seemed restless despite being a Moon-Jae faction leader.

This guy is kinda wishy-washy.

Before I even took a few steps, a path formed as people moved aside. I wonder what they were thinking when they cleared the way.

I expected it would take time to push through the crowd, but thanks to them, I easily reached her.

“Hello. Your name is Gumilmil, right?”

“And who are you?”

We’ve met once before, yet she doesn’t recognize me at all.

Makes sense. Back then, I was abnormally tall, with thin limbs, flat chest, and in a world where men often let their hair grow long, I was probably mistaken for a man.

Standing before her, I noticed our height difference—about two heads.

“My name is Choseol.”

“Choseol? Never heard of you.”

Hmm?

Oh yeah, we exchanged brief words but never names. We met briefly when Gyeong-yong passed away, but she didn’t get a clear look at me.

While Eun-chi dealt with them, I jumped down past them.

After the failed Cheonma attack, they immediately left Cheonma Shin-gyo, so there was no chance to meet.

“Do you have any business with me?”

Back then, I spoke with a gruff voice, but now it’s clearer.

She must be good at mimicking voices.

“Yeah, I do have business.”

Nothing major. Just putting my face out there to someone who might be the next power player.

Also…

“If you want to know about O Myeong-seong’s mutation, come visit the house in the northern part of Cheonma Shin-gyo.”

Informing people where I live.

Thought I already did this, but no one came.

If someone knows where I am, it’ll make future steps easier.

“The house in the north?”

She looks confused, unable to recall immediately.

Ah.

This should work.

“I live with a child. Feel free to drop by anytime. I welcome anyone.”

After giving a formal bow according to Cheonma Shin-gyo etiquette, I headed home.

“Why did you invite that person to your house?”

As soon as we left the village, In-sim-won, who had been silent before Gumilmil, immediately questioned me.

Whatever he’s thinking, his actions are observable.

So, to understand his thoughts, I told the truth.

“During the time Cheonma was male, we met by chance. I had medicine to remove the bugs inside the body, so I gave some to Soo-oh.”

At that, his expression hardened as he asked me,

“What do you think about the ‘samshi’?”

Samshi. The basic bugs inserted into the body to control people. Ah, come to think of it, even those nice folks had them inside.

It makes it tough to act against Cheonma Shin-gyo.

“Since it restricts freedom, I dislike it. I believe people should be free.”

“So… Are you planning to remove all the bugs?”

Hmm.

Important question. After careful consideration, I answered:

“If I can.”

Saying that, I waved goodbye to him and went home.

What choice will In-sim-won make?

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