The Red District

Gu Erin had arrived at the dorms, he didn't bother with anyone else, he was a loner before Heaven's Mercy. Hell, even during Heaven's Mercy he was an anti-socialite, he found that avoiding people and doing things his own way was far easier. Gu Erin moved to his dorm room, although it was slightly noisy here it was nothing compared to the backlines of an active battlefield. Having meditated in such places before, this setting proved to be of little consequence.

Closing the door behind him Gu Erin took in his dorm room once again. It was messy, though Gu Erin would have previously argued that everything had its place. But, the present Gu Erin saw this in a different light, he needed order around him, he was almost compelled to leave again and meditate in a park to avoid looking at his surroundings. Sighing Gu Erin took a few moments just to tidy up finding the actions mildly relaxing.

The action of doing something so, normal, really felt nice, for once the overbearing thoughts of the future disappeared as he made his surroundings completely clean. Without him knowing an entire hour passed, but Gu Erin didn't regret it. It was oddly cathartic and it settled his mind. Thinking of this he nearly laughed at the absurdity of it all.

Gu Erin finally sat down in the lotus position, he centered himself focusing on controlling his breathing. The sounds of obnoxious youths filtered out of his mind until there was only the sound of his exhaling breaths. He then slowly began to feel his body, a habit he often did before cultivating, making sure there were no hidden injuries that might affect him.

Gu Erin's skin felt hypersensitive as his hairs stood on end, even the slightest shifts in the air made him want to shiver. Focusing deeper he felt every muscle twitch, even though they weren't in use they were still active. Trying his best, he calmed them until his body was in a completely relaxed state. The only thing in his mind was breathing and keeping his posture.

Finally, Gu Erin moved past this and the world around him seemed to fade from his mind, he then began to ask the questions that plagued his mind and heart.

Was this all an illusion? A final fight before everything was extinguished? Was his soul just in the process of being combusted on the battlefield?

He did not know.

Was this really the past, or was this an alternate or parallel plane of existence? If so how did he get here, was it his soul exploding or was it something else? What else could do this, there was only a few options. The Heavens would not intercede on a mortal's behalf, it would break the order of fairness. Fate would not do this, Fate would and could not offer second chances. That only left the question of who or what allowed him this Heavens defying opportunity?

Gu Erin finally broke away from this line of questions, finding his mind was already clearing. Who or what no longer mattered, benevolent or malevolent he was here and there was no answer that would change that fact. It was best to focus on what was before him rather than what was behind him, he did not have the power to undo what has already been done, not yet at least.

His mind then shifted to the people around him, images and faces flashed by his mind, his parents, his sister, Lee Shio-Ming, Lee Tao, he had already met these people. He had altered their fate and they would take their first step with him into this new world.

He spent long moments that both passed within a few seconds but felt like an eternity, he paired all his knowledge with each of them and the opportunities that he knew of. Trying to figure which ones would benefit each.

He did not stop at these individuals, his mind shifted to the disciples, and the group Lee Shio-Ming would invite. None of them became monstrous geniuses in his past life, but they were all skilled, or at least the ones he knew of.

Gu Erin kept meditating like this for hours, the shadows in his dorm room growing longer with each hour that past by. If Lee Shio-Ming would have been here he would have been shocked. As minutes and hours past by Gu Erin's presence became sharper, like polishing a dull blade to reach its full potential.

The thoughts that muddled and clouded his mind all this time cleared one by one, as Gu Erin slowly addressed them all. He may not have had all the answers, but he had ways of reflecting upon the problems to help him focus and hone in on the future he desired and sought.

Gu Erin's eyes finally fluttered open; his black eyes that were originally focused had reached new heights. They were now sharp and domineering, most of all they were… cold. Yes they were completely and utterly devoid of any feeling or emotion. Because, the one thing Gu Erin had found and accepted within himself was that kindness was no longer an option. He needed power, and he would remove any and all obstacles that stood in his path without hesitation.

Gu Erin accepted that the lines he had once drawn for himself had to be redrawn, and he did so. However, if one were to have traveled with Gu Erin along his path of self-reflection they would have noticed, some of these lines may have been redrawn, but most, most were erased completely.

Gu Erin stood up, his body was slightly stiff, Gu Erin twisted and he felt satisfying pops and cracks release from his spine, making him groan in pleasure. Gu Erin then moved to his room's small fridge; he was thirsty after his meditation. The sound of gulping quickly filled the small dorm as Gu Erin quenched his parched throat.

His cold eyes then shifted to the window, the sun had already set and only its last lights filled the sky giving it an amber hue. Gu Erin took in this sight with no change in his expression, he was now fine with the idea of most of this coming to an end. He knew that no matter what he did many would die. The Earth would undergo an irreversible change that would scar all of its inhabitants. Gu Erin however, did not care about their feelings, if they were alive to feel that pain and loss it put them in a better position from his past timeline.

Gu Erin stripped showing his frail body, yet as he walked across his room the gate of his stride made him look like a predator within its territory, the feeling of absolute control was exuding from his body like waves upon the shore.

He proceeded to dress himself in his finest clothes, it was his last gift from his parents before he officially moved out. It was a sharp suit that fitted him incredibly well. With his presence and looks he would have easily passed for a rich second generation. Gu Erin knew that this final group would give him trouble in some way, although he knew one of its core members from his past life he had only heard a few words about the others.

However, Gu Erin was convinced that this group was necessary for his success. Unlike the two dojo's this group was a outfit of mercenaries, most of them tied together by blood or battle, they were incredibly tight knit. They held control over a large section of the underground forces in Jianghai City, as such they were far more cautious and wary of anyone who approaches them. Even more so with any information they receive, they had plenty of enemies, and even more who wanted information about the members of their core group.

Gu Erin made his way out of the dorms which had gotten even noisier now that students were coming back for the day from their studies. Gu Erin was certain that his absence was noticed by professors and a few certain students, he used to be a diligent student, but that no longer mattered.

Hailing another taxi Gu Erin told him a place that made the taxi driver frown, "young man you should stay away from that area, you should focus on your studies."

Gu Erin did not react, his gaze finally focusing on the middle-aged man, he looked like a kind uncle, but Gu Erin answered him indifferently. "Need I hail another taxi?" he asked.

The taxi driver frowned with displeasure, but noticing the young man's immovable confidence the uncle only sighed in defeat before revving his engine. The taxi's tires squeaked as they pulled away from the campus as it made its way to a very particular section of Jianghai.

This part of Jianghai was not clean, nor was it overly dirty, just before Gu Erin's taxi had stopped he had seen a young lady giving a man a blow job in an alley while he was smoking a cigarette. Gu Erin could see the discomfort on the kind uncles face. Not wanting to make this man stay here anymore he tossed the man his fare plus a hefty tip.

Without another word Gu Erin opened the taxi door and slammed it behind him. Rowdy shouts and loud music filled the air. The only thing more oppressive was the smell of sweat and smoke, bright lean light filled the street as the sun began to fade, the momentum of the area slowly growing as people of all walks of life started to fill the streets. Gu Erin passed a group of girls, the smell of cheap perfume nearly drowning his nostrils.

"Oh, Little brother why don't you spend some time with this big sister!" One of the girls called out.

"Hehe little boy why not spend time with this aunty instead?" The second girl solicited.

Gu Erin simply ignored them leaving them to click their tongues in annoyance, however, he wouldn't touch this low hanging fruit. Besides, one's virginity was important in the world of cultivation. It held different values depending on your physique or bloodline, but to most your virginity was an explosive burst of potential if you ever have the chance to dual cultivate.

Finally, Gu Erin arrive at his destination, The Devil's Den. The headquarters of the mercenary group the Blood Jackets.