Marco walks towards the stairs of the Martial palace, but the three girls suddenly block his way.

Marco’s face drops, even when he's not looking for trouble, it comes find him. He thought it was ridiculous how trouble seemed to follow the characters from anime and novels in his memory, but now he finally understands. If you walk through a grassy field long enough, you will eventually step in shit.

“The Martial palace is closed right now!” One of the girls, a brunette barks at him. She looks back at Rugel for some sort of...confirmation.

Rugel tucks his long hair behind his ear and smiles at the girl.

Marco shakes his head “It’s not closed, and I’m going in.”

“If we say it's closed! Then it’s closed!” A girl with dirty blonde hair steps forward, a frown on her face.

The last girl steps forward at this time “Scram! Who do you think you're dealing with!?!”

Marco takes a deep breath, trying his best to not kill these people, will the sect let him off again? How can he steal all the treasures and techniques from the inner court to build the foundations of his clan if he's kicked out?

“Listen, someone is waiting for me inside, so move aside…”

“The only person inside according to my information is Milly, I heard she was in trouble so I’m here to offer her the 4th position in my group.”

Marco’s face darkens as he slowly turns towards the source of the voice.

“I know who you are boy, don't think because you beat some trash that you are strong. I've had my eye on Milly for a long time, now that she's in trouble, the time is ripe, and I’m here to harvest.” A smug smile appears on his face.

Marco doesn't even bother responding. His body splits into four as he executes Body Flicker. He directly kicks all three girls in the stomach and punches Rugel in the face. His body recombines as all four arrive in front of the door, at the same time the three girls and Rugel are blown away.

Without even looking back he walks into the Martial palace.

To Marco this was an insignificant matter, with his Iron core and seven gates, what can any normal Qi gathering cultivator do to him? As for the spectators watching? How can this be an insignificant affair, while Rugel is a known playboy, he is still one of the top 30 of the outer court. They just saw him and his harem blown away by one guy, at the same time. While Marco didn't kill them, how can he go around calling himself one of the 30 now? Wasn't that guy just at the 7th gate?

As Marco walks inside the old man smiles at him “Sometimes showing restraint is an even greater punishment to your opponent. Remember, there are far worse things in this world than death.”

Marco listens to every word seriously and commits it to memory. In every anime and novel, isn't it the wise old men who give the best advice? If he has all these things in his memories he might as well learn from their experiences.

“Thank you, Elder, I will remember your words” Marco nods. As there is still some time left, Marco looks for a place to sit. Not finding anything he just moves to a corner of the room, takes off his bow, and sits on the floor. He keeps the bow in his lap so he can continue to pressure it with his Qi. Reaching into his bag he pulls out the book on fire.

Seeing his actions peaks the old man’s interest. “Trying to upgrade an Unranked treasure yourself?”

Hearing the old man’s words the corner of Marco’s lips slightly curls, if you weren't right in front of him you’d never even know they moved.

“Yes elder, I was told if you pressure an Unranked treasure then it will upgrade to Mortal rank.” he tries to be as polite as possible, isn't this old man a treasure trove of secrets?

“Oh? You're not wrong but at the same time, you're missing the most important part. When a treasure is created, it’s already in its completed form so how can it just upgrade?”

Hearing his words Marco’s brow raises. What the old man said is indeed true, and he has been wondering how a something can just upgrade.

“Then what am I doing wrong?”

“How can something advance, if it doesn't even have a destination? Just pressuring it with Qi will make it advance eventually, but into what? If all you want is a Mortal ranked treasure go buy one, but if you want a Mortal rank treasure that is your own, you need a destination. The secret of advancing a treasure is guiding it with your will and giving it what it needs.” speaking up to here the old man closes his eyes and goes back to meditating.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

A destination? Will? Marco’s brows scrunch together as he ponders the old man’s words.

After a while, his brow relaxes as a look of understanding appears on his face. Guide the bow into what he wants it to be? How would he know!?!? He's never even shot a bow! How does he even do it??

Looking at the bow he begins to think of a bow that shoots the fastest arrows, so fast that the opponent won't even know how they died! With that image in mind he continues to pressure the bow, but seeing no physical change he just shrugs his shoulders.

He opens the book and begins to read.

Fire, Fire is the beginning, Fire is the end, Fire is life, Fire is death. Men have spent their entire lives chasing the mystery of Fire, but Fire has no end. In the world, Fire is used by both Alchemist and Treasure smiths in their craft, but most will only ever use Mortal Fire. Different Fires exist in this world, and the Fire made by man is the worst. Next comes the fire made by the Earth, Earthly Fire. Some people have been able to harness these flames, store them in their body, borrow their power. Never think that they control this flame, for if they are not careful, it will burn them from the inside. Next is the Flames created by the Heavens, Heavenly Fire. These are living flames and possess a Blaze Spirit, those who have tried to tame this flame? There is no record of such events, but some have trapped these flames at a great cost.

The book comes to an end, besides listing the types of fire it told him nothing else. He now knows there are types of fire out there, but not where to find them or what they look like.

He looks at the old man, wondering if he should ask him.

Shaking his head he looks at the door, it should almost be time. As he thinks so, the door actually opens.

Milly walks out of the door, carrying a sleeping Ezra in her arms. The look on her face shows pure delight. Looking around she sees Demon in the corner, with a smile on her face she practically skips over.

Seeing her actions Marco feels a little warm inside, just how much does she like acquiring techniques? If she had his eyes, she'd probably die from happiness.

“Thanks, Demon, I don't know how long It would have taken to get another jade.” She pauses for a moment, her voice becomes smaller “I guess you do have some good points”

Marco smiles as he looks at his girls, reaching out he takes her hand in his.

“You will see more, as we spend more time together.”

Marco rises to his feet and slings the bow onto his back. Looking at the old man he nods his head.

“I’ll be back in a year, Elder, and I will definitely repay your kindness.”

Waiting for a few seconds he doesn't get a reply. Looking at Milly he nods towards the door and walks out.

Outside there are a few disciples watching the entrance to the Martial palace. When they walk out they begin to whisper and point.

“That's him, I heard he beat Rugel in a single blow.”

“Before that, I heard he killed a hundred disciples because he didn't want to be outdone by Elder Jun.”

“How can they let a murderer walk free in the sect?”

“What do you know!?! I heard he's going on the repentance mission, look he's even wearing battle gear.”

“Look at his eyes, so cool, so domineering.”

“When did Milly and he get together?”

“Fool! Is there any better match for the Martial freak Milly?”

Hearing their whispers Milly and Marco are a little stunned, are they some kind of sideshow?

Disregarding the crowd they begin walking towards the exit of the sect.

Looking at his back causes Milly to faintly smile. “I see you got a bow like I suggested.”

“I haven't had the time to shoot it yet, but I have a good feeling about it. Do you not use a weapon? I haven't seen one nor did I find one in your old bag.”

She clenches her tiny fist “My hands and feet are the only weapons I need!” due to her vigorous movements Ezra in her other hand wakes up.

“Chim kru Mrko!” she flies out of Milly’s hand and lands on his shoulder.

He touches her cheek with his finger. “You sure sleep a lot Ezra, for someone who never does much exercise.”

“Kurlmi!” she claps her hands together and pats his face.

“You two seem close” Milly watches their interactions.

Marco just smiles at her statement. “You don't feel disadvantaged by not having a weapon?”

“Sure I do, all the time, but this is the path I chose to follow.”

As they talk they get closer and closer to the entrance of the Sect. Marco sees the registry building and wonders if Chu is still inside. Walking a little further they arrive at the steps leading down the mountain.

Marco begins walking down the steps when he suddenly pauses, turning around he realizes Milly isn't following him.

Milly’s face is currently full of struggle. Her brows are constantly shifting and a frown appears and disappears from her face.

“I haven’t left the sect in years, not since my parent died.”

Marco is silent for a moment. “How did your parents die?”

Milly closes her eyes “We were just traveling about, going from town to town. My mother was really beautiful, and because of that, a fiendish cultivator that was in Zhu territory followed us. In the middle of the night when we stopped to rest because I was tired, the cultivator tried to grab my mom. My dad fought him but wasn't his match, my mom was badly wounded as she tried to save me from a stray strike. My dad gave up his life so we could get away, but when my mom got to the sect she still succumbed to her wounds and died.” Tears begin to stream from her closed eyes “I never cursed my own powerlessness more than I did on that day. Why did she have to get hurt to protect me. I spent every moment after that training, to defeat fiendish cultivators, and never feel powerless again. I vowed to carry out justice, to defeat every fiendish cultivator that I see, but then I met you.” Opening her eyes she looks at Marco, the sun setting behind her back “You defeated me so easily, told me justice was only for the strong to decide, then you took everything from me. All those years of training wasted, I couldn't even beat someone with a lower cultivation than my own. I couldn't even protect what my mom gave her life to save, but if you’ve already taken everything from me, what more do I have to lose? So I’ll see, see what it is you call justice.”

Hearing her story he's silent for a moment, her words bring a smile to his face. Once again, just like last time, he reaches out his hand.

This time Milly does not hesitate, her hand reaches out and grabs his.

The smile on his face turns into a sinister grin. The light of the setting sun reflects in his eyes, making them appear the color of blood.