It took Narin nearly one rak (15 minutes) of raging before she barely regained her composure.

Emotionally, it was impossible to accept, but upon careful consideration, it wasn’t entirely unreasonable.

After all, this world is a martial arts novel.

Assuming that premise, my situation is quite clear.

‘Of course, I must be a main character.’

Every novel in the world has character settings.

Among the characters, someone with the setting of an unknown white-haired child with tremendous martial arts talent (and even quite pretty) couldn’t possibly be just a passing supporting character.

Moreover, wasn’t there a clear foreshadowing with the same white hair as the Demonic Cult Leader?

‘The more I try to fit it, the stupider I feel.’

To realize this only after living ten times.

Sighing resignedly, Narin recalled the words “major branching point” written in the notification window.

Come to think of it, when I first decided to become a martial artist, it also appeared as a major branching point.

In the end, after going round and round, I finally found the right path.

“This life, I’m determined to join the Demonic Cult.”

Just because she made up her mind didn’t mean all problems were solved.

The Demonic Cult was terrifyingly far away.

Because the Demonic Cult’s headquarters, Mount Shiwan, was not in Gansu, not in Qinghai, not in Sichuan, but in the Xinjiang region!

Good heavens, Xinjiang!

Starting from Narin’s hometown in Shaanxi Province, it was like saying to traverse the Central Plains from east to west.

“Hmm. Is there any way to get there more easily?”

The first thing that came to mind was to raid an escort agency and ask to join a caravan, doing odd jobs while traveling to Xinjiang.

But soon Narin shook her head.

The types of merchants traveling between Shaanxi and Xinjiang from where she was now were limited.

‘Large escort agencies dealing with silk, spices, and tea.’

Such places wouldn’t be easy enough to take in an orphan of unknown origin, and carrying high-value goods, they were also very likely to be attacked.

Of course, the super strong Blood Plum Blossom Ju Na Rin wouldn’t be defeated by mere bandits.

But if she fought absentmindedly like that, she would eventually stand out, and then become known as an absolute three-year-old master thoroughly versed in Huashan sect martial arts to a suspicious degree.

If that happened, it was obvious that joining the Demonic Cult would have to be postponed to the next life.

‘Isn’t there somewhere? Someone who would take a white-haired orphan girl with no money, no guardian, and no identity verification to the Demonic Cult without asking questions.’

Narin chuckled.

There’s no way such a convenient mode of transportation exists…

“Huh?”

Does it exist?

“Huuuh?!”

It might!

Narin placed both index fingers on her temples and made a “hmm” sound as she racked her brain.

This was Narin’s habit when searching for desired information among layers of memories.

Not the 9th time, not the 8th time, not the 7th time… The 5th time! Yes, it’s the 5th time.

Narin’s eyes lit up as she searched for information.

“Yes! Kidnapping gang!”

You might think it’s a strange thing to say suddenly, but this was quite a reasonable idea.

According to Narin’s memories from her 5th life, the Demonic Cult kidnapped orphans indiscriminately to increase their followers.

And on quite a large scale at that.

‘If I could just slip in among the kidnapped orphans…’

Oh my, how perfect! This is the perfect mode of transportation that will take me directly to the Demonic Cult without spending a penny!

It was truly a secret plan. The best plan among secret plans.

Narin jumped up from her spot and scurried to her mother Ju Wol Yeong’s grave.

“Mother. Narin is going to the Demonic Cult. Stay heal… stay healthy?”

It seems strange to tell a dead person to stay healthy. Has she become confused about life and death from dying so many times?

“Anyway, stay still!”

Leaving those words to stay still like a proper grave, Narin left the cliff.

Why does it seem like Wol Yeong’s grave wants to say something as it watches Narin’s retreating figure?

[This is the timeline separator]

Jangsachon.

A small village on the outskirts of Shaanxi Province.

They say a plague swept through last year or the year before, killing those who were meant to die and causing all the survivors to leave the village, leaving only orphans with nowhere to go in Jangsachon.

In other words, it’s just the kind of place those Demonic Cult bastards would target.

“Yes. I’ll lie in wait here.”

Narin, her hair dyed black in the past few days, stood at the entrance of Jangsachon carrying six bundles so large they would overflow if held in one arm, on her head, lower back, and in both hands.

Not knowing how long she’d have to wait, she went to the nearest big city, Xi’an, and prepared everything she needed.

Well, it cost some money in the process, but it wasn’t too difficult. For Narin, Xi’an was like a personal vault.

‘It’s not like I’ve only robbed it once or twice.’

That doesn’t mean she stole, though. Even though she’s currently an aspiring Demonic Cult member, a disciple of a renowned righteous sect can’t break the law.

Narin just stood on the main road watching for an opportunity, and when just the right person appeared, she begged.

Yes. Just the right person.

“Oh my! Lord Choi! Are you the Lord Choi known as the richest man in Xi’an?”

“Hm? You know me?”

“Of course I do! Aren’t you famous for feeding all the orphans in Xi’an?”

Of course, the man called Lord Choi, the richest man in Xi’an, had never given alms to orphans.

But it’s obvious where the desires of a man who has attained wealth head next.

“My goodness, husband. You’ve been doing such good deeds without my knowledge?”

“I didn’t know, but you’re quite an admirable person.”

That’s right, honor.

“Eh? Ahem. Did I do that?”

A successful merchant never misses an opportunity before his eyes, so he’s bound to fall for it.

“Yes. Child. What business do you have with me?”

“I’m ashamed to say, but another famine has struck our village that you’ve been feeding, my lord.”

Narin said with tears dripping down, sniffling.

“If you could bestow your grace upon us once more, we would never forget it for the rest of our lives!”

With many eyes watching, Lord Choi quickly made his calculations.

That if he shows generous kindness here to make a good impression on the villagers, it would be a profitable business.

And that it would be very troublesome if this little one raised her voice saying she didn’t receive anything by mistake.

“Since you’ve come all this way, how could I send you away empty-handed.”

And so, a lump of silver legally passed into Narin’s hands.

What a peaceful and mutually beneficial affair this is!

Narin is happy to earn money, and Lord Choi is happy to gain goodwill.

Moreover, if I really use this money to give to orphans, no one will have been deceived.

This is the wisdom of life. Indeed.

‘That aside, it really is a bleak scene.’

Jangsachon, thick with the smell of death, showed no sign of smoke rising from cooking pots even as night fell, as if no one was making meals.

That’s why this body brought supplies.

“Well then.”

Narin went to an empty space in the center of Jangsachon and began unpacking her bundles one by one.

One bundle contained bone-dry firewood, quickly making a bonfire, and another bundle contained an iron pot and pot hanger.

By the time Narin opened the third bundle and poured mixed grains into the pot with a swish, human presence began to appear sporadically in Jangsachon, which had seemed deserted.

‘They’re not even wary stray cats.’

Though they must be on the verge of starvation, the orphans of Jangsachon didn’t easily reveal themselves. But it was all in the palm of her hand.

“If you want to eat, at least fetch some stream water.”

When Narin said that without even looking, before long a boy in his mid-teens appeared hesitantly.

“…If I bring water, will you share the food?”

Narin replied while opening the fourth bundle and taking out a water bucket, ladle, and wooden bowls.

“Not rice, but porridge.”

“Fine, porridge! Will you share it?”

“Yeah.”

“Re-really? But… why?”

It seemed he hadn’t received kindness without reason for quite some time.

A very desirable attitude for an orphan, indeed. The world is so harsh, who can you trust?

It’s just troublesome for the current Narin.

“What’s your name?”

“Huh? S-Seungwoo.”

“Seungwoo.”

Narin’s sharp gaze flew towards the boy.

“So, do you want to eat?”

“I want to eat.”

The boy covered his own mouth, more surprised by his sincere words that burst out.

Narin chuckled and said loudly enough for the other children to hear.

“There’s plenty. I’ll give it to everyone.”

“You’re really giving us food?”

“Not rice, but porridge…”

“Really? Just like that? For free?”

“Yeah.”

As the conversation with the older boy continued, other children gradually revealed themselves.

Time to spice things up a bit.

“But.”

Narin tapped the iron pot with the ladle as if to draw attention.

Tang tang! The sound of metal hitting metal rang out clearly.

“You have to be tough.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Narin whirled the ladle above her head, then spun it once more in front and back before stopping it sharply behind her waist.

Whoosh!

A wind arose, ruffling the hair of the Jangsachon children.

“Understand?”

Faced with martial arts as mysterious as magic, the Jangsachon children opened their eyes and mouths wide and nodded vigorously.

Yes. That’s how it should be.

‘I don’t have a hobby of beating up little kids either.’

Though Narin looked much younger on the outside, that was none of their business.

Having thus subdued both the stomachs and spirits of the Jangsachon children, Narin began preparing to settle down in this village.

[This is the timeline separator]

“Baby Village Chief! Baby Village Chief!”

A child who had barely shed his grime came running into the courtyard of the big house.

The porch of the village chief’s house, the largest in Jangsachon, was still shiny and polished even though the entire family had left the village.

This was because Narin, who now lived in this house, was particular about cleaning.

Therefore, Seungwoo, who was diligently scrubbing the village chief’s porch today as well, frowned at the boy who dared to rush into the esteemed Baby Village Chief’s house and said:

“The Baby Village Chief is taking a nap. What’s the noisy fuss about? Do you want to get scolded?”

“Fool! If you don’t wake her up right now, you’ll be the one getting scolded. Black-robed men have appeared at the village entrance!”

“Is that true?”

Seungwoo hurriedly ran into the inner room and shook awake Narin, who was deeply asleep like a child.

“Baby Village Chief, wake up.”

“Mmm, just one more rak…”

“The black-robed men have appeared now!”

Narin’s eyes, which had been in deep sleep, suddenly opened wide.

“…Black-robed men?”

“Yes. Didn’t you say to tell you right away if black-robed men appeared?”

Narin threw off the blanket with a bang and got up.

“Finally!”

A month and a half.

It had been a full month and a half since Narin settled in Jangsachon.

How anxious she had been, worrying that the Beggar’s Sect might come before the Demonic Cult.

‘Lazy bastards. But they’re here, so it’s fine.’

Narin quickly packed her belongings into one bundle and left the house.

Now I just have to stay still and breathe, and those Demonic Cult guys will escort me to Xinjiang themselves!

While having such pleasant thoughts.

“Baby Village Chief, are you leaving?”