Instant-Death Cultivation: Surviving in an Immortal World with Instant Kill - Chapter 114
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 114: Departure (2)
Many worried that they could become prey for the Taeul Yeokri Sect.
However, Cheon Woo-jin was actually thinking about hunting the Taeul Yeokri Sect instead.
“To you, they’re all the same, aren’t they.”
Seo Seol-ryeong spoke in a calm voice.
“Whether it’s the Taeul Yeokri Sect or the Flame Emperor Sect… whether it’s a major sect or an unknown sect, to you they’re all just the same prey.”
“The expression ‘prey’ is somewhat inappropriate.”
Cheon Woo-jin answered calmly.
“If there’s something to be gained, I simply don’t avoid conflict.”
“You’d clash with even a rock as massive as Mount Tai without hesitation.”
“If I have confidence that I can shatter that rock.”
Hitting a rock with an egg is foolish.
Even Cheon Woo-jin wouldn’t do such a thing.
However, if there existed even the slightest possibility of crushing a rock with an egg, Cheon Woo-jin wanted to bet on that possibility.
That experience would become an asset for shattering even mightier things in the future.
“I understand your thinking well.”
Seo Seol-ryeong nodded.
“I was thinking about what kind of refuge to recommend if you were seeking a hiding place out of fear of the Taeul Yeokri Sect, but it was pointless.”
“You really did something pointless.”
“I’m joking. Do I look like the type of woman who would waste her thoughts on such pointless things?”
“I was joking too.”
“You won’t concede even a single word.”
“It goes both ways.”
After exchanging such conversation, Seo Seol-ryeong spoke again.
“So what are you planning to do from now on? Surely you’re not thinking of directly attacking the Taeul Yeokri Sect.”
“That would be too reckless.”
Directly attacking the Taeul Yeokri Sect’s Main Hall would only result in a meaningless death.
Unlike mid-tier sects, several Nascent Soul Daoists were stationed there as well.
“But you can’t lure the Taeul Yeokri Sect to Ghost Head City either. Unlike the Flame Emperor Sect, they cannot enter Ghost Head City.”
The Taeul Yeokri Sect, Thirteen Alliances Under the Moon, and Blood World Demon Sect cannot directly intervene in Ghost Head City due to an old pact.
While secretly infiltrating one or two people is possible, coming in large numbers to capture Cheon Woo-jin is impossible.
“First, I want to meet someone.”
“Someone?”
“Gong Wu.”
That was the name of the most renowned Core Formation Realm mercenary in Central Mirror Town.
“You mean Master Gong of the Qilin clan?”
“I met him at Wolhong Pavilion last time.”
Back then, Cheon Woo-jin had met Gong Wu together with Na Chwi-ryang.
He remembered drinking the alcohol Gong Wu offered and having a conversation for a while.
“He told me to come find him again once I reached Core Formation Realm. He said we could have a deeper conversation then.”
“So you’ve already caught Master Gong’s attention too.”
“Are you close with him?”
“I’ve encountered him by chance and had conversations a few times before.”
Seo Seol-ryeong fell into thought for a moment.
“When you go to meet Master Gong, may I come along?”
“Come along?”
“I’d like to pay my respects after such a long time.”
Cheon Woo-jin briefly recalled the debauched atmosphere of Wolhong Pavilion.
Would it be alright to take this pure woman to such a place?
“The guys there might bother you.”
“I’ll handle it myself, so don’t worry.”
Seo Seol-ryeong replied in a cold voice.
“I’m not such a careless woman.”
* * *
The next day.
Before going to meet Gong Wu, Cheon Woo-jin met with Jang Ryang first.
He wanted him to take a look at the Zhurong Annihilation Sword.
“Fellow Daoist Cheon, welcome.”
“Are you alone in the shop? Where’s Fellow Daoist Won?”
“He went to buy some things.”
The place where Cheon Woo-jin met Jang Ryang was a talisman shop located in a corner of Central Mirror Town’s market.
It was a shop that Jang Ryang and Won Pil-so, who had decided to settle down on the 6th Floor, were preparing to open, but the interior was still messy as the opening preparations weren’t finished yet.
“First, I’d like you to take a look at this Dharma Artifact.”
“Isn’t this the Flame Emperor Sect Leader’s Dharma Artifact?”
When he took out the Zhurong Annihilation Sword, Jang Ryang showed a surprised expression.
“I want to disguise its identity so it can’t be recognized. Would that be possible?”
“Ah…”
Cheon Woo-jin was thinking of using the Zhu Rong World Annihilation Sword when he disguised his identity outside and acted as a flame arts practitioner.
However, if he drew the Zhu Rong World Annihilation Sword in front of others, there was a possibility they would discover he was Cheon Woo-jin.
That’s why he had consulted Jang Ryang, who was well-versed in this field.
“There’s a method of just wrapping it with sealing cloth or something like that… but then it wouldn’t be able to properly display its effects.”
Jang Ryang muttered while examining the Zhu Rong World Annihilation Sword.
“Let me try attaching a few talismans for a moment.”
When he drew and attached several talismans on the spot, the red blade changed to an ordinary silver color.
“Did it work?”
“No, it didn’t.”
When Jang Ryang injected a bit of spiritual power, the talismans burned away and it returned to its original appearance.
“If it were an ordinary mid-grade magical artifact, this would be sufficient for disguise, but with such a powerful magical artifact, the disguise would be undone every time it exerts its power.”
“Would it be useless even if we attached stronger talismans?”
“A very powerful disguise spell formation might be effective, but at that level, it would limit the artifact’s performance. In the end, it wouldn’t be much different from sealing it completely.”
Would it become the same state as when the Soul Devouring Spirit Flame Sword was sealed with silver cloth?
“Then is there no way?”
“No, that’s not the case.”
Jang Ryang spoke in a serious voice.
“Cheon Daoist, could you entrust it to me for a few days?”
“What are you planning to do?”
“I’ll try changing the artifact’s appearance itself.”
Changing a magical artifact’s appearance isn’t something just anyone can do.
Even the smallest decoration is part of the spell formation that operates the artifact.
If carelessly tampered with, it would be completely ruined.
But if it could succeed… he would be able to take it out and use it anytime without worrying about disguises.
“Is it possible?”
“Actually, I was someone more interested in magical artifact creation than talismans.”
Jang Ryang made an awkward expression.
“When I was at the Changhwa Sect, I aimed to become a magical artifact refiner.”
“Then why did you make talismans your specialty?”
“Among the Four Immortal Arts, magical artifact creation is most heavily influenced by funding and facilities. In the end, I had no choice but to focus on talismans.”
The Four Immortal Arts refers to elixir alchemy, magical artifact refining, talisman creation, and formation array installation.
Certainly among these four, talismans cost the least money.
“I did similar work at the Changhwa Sect. Please let me try once.”
“Then I’ll ask you to do it.”
Cheon Woo-jin entrusted the Zhu Rong World Annihilation Sword to Jang Ryang and left the shop.
Then he met Seo Seol-ryeong near the Wolhong Pavilion.
“You came right on time.”
“We agreed to meet at the exact hour.”
Replying thus, Cheon Woo-jin observed Seo Seol-ryeong’s outward appearance.
Usually Seo Seol-ryeong wore white wide-sleeved robes, making her look like a snow maiden, but today she was dressed in black deep robes with connected upper and lower garments.
Seo Seol-ryeong’s appearance in the deep robes, dark as a deep night, looked more elegant than usual.
“Please lead the way.”
“Let’s go.”
Cheon Woo-jin headed to the Wolhong Pavilion together with Seo Seol-ryeong.
Guarding the entrance were the same people as last time – a man with one large arm and a woman with monk-like hair.
But unlike last time, as soon as they saw Cheon Woo-jin, they lowered their posture and bowed obsequiously.
“Cheon Daoist, please come in.”
“Have a good time, great sir!”
Perhaps because they remembered being taught a lesson last time, both people looked at Cheon Woo-jin with fearful eyes.
Cheon Woo-jin nodded and entered the Wolhong Pavilion.
Unlike last time when he strode ahead alone like Na Chwi-ryang, he properly escorted Seo Seol-ryeong.
The interior of the Wolhong Pavilion was still splendid and boisterous.
Against the background of music played by musicians, various cultivators were enjoying different entertainments.
“Wait, that person…”
“Could that be Cheon Woo-jin?”
When someone recognized Cheon Woo-jin, the atmosphere completely changed.
People who were drinking put down their wine cups, those who were gambling put down their cards.
Even men and women who had been embracing each other left their partners and stared at Cheon Woo-jin.
“You’re quite popular, Cheon Daoist.”
“…”
He was receiving even more attention than when he visited with Na Chwi-ryang last time.
Word had already spread that he had reached the Core Formation Realm and defeated Jin Si-hyeok of the Flame Emperor Sect.
“For people who have been watching Cheon Daoist from before, reaching the Core Formation Realm would be more surprising than killing Jin Si-hyeok.”
“Is that so?”
“It hasn’t even been a year since Cheon Daoist reached the Qi Accumulation Stage. Yet you’ve already become Core Formation Realm.”
In fact, the mere fact that someone had reached the Core Formation Realm wasn’t particularly surprising.
Originally, the 6th Floor had many Foundation Establishment cultivators aiming for Core Formation. So new Core Formation cultivators were born almost daily.
But Cheon Woo-jin was different from them.
He had reached Core Formation in less than a year since attaining Foundation Establishment.
While others took as long as a hundred years.
This was definitely an exceptional case.
“Hey, you there!”
Just then, a shabby-looking old man approached Cheon Woo-jin.
It was Gal-wi, the Core Formation cultivator who had picked a fight with Na Chwi-ryang last time only to be knocked out in one blow.
He still wore clothes that looked like rags. But countless mechanical arms would be hidden within them.
“I heard you reached Core Formation, is that right?”
“That’s correct.”
“Huh, amazing.”
Gal-wi suddenly pulled out a mechanical arm.
But it wasn’t with the intention of attacking Cheon Woo-jin. The mechanical arm held a wine cup filled with murky liquor.
“For the genius cultivator achieving brilliant feats in our Ghost Head City!”
Using his mechanical arm to raise the wine cup high near the ceiling, Gal-wi shouted.
“Everyone, cheers!”
“Cheers!”
Quite a few people responded to Gal-wi by raising their wine cups and downing them in one gulp.
This Moon Red Wine House was a place where notable figures from the 6th Floor came to enjoy themselves.
There weren’t many people who harbored jealousy just because Cheon Woo-jin was showing exceptional growth.
Like Gal-wi, there were more people who acknowledged Cheon Woo-jin’s talent and offered praise.
“I knew it from when I heard you thoroughly cleaned out Na Chwi-ryang. This guy is destined for greatness, I said.”
Gal-wi patted Cheon Woo-jin’s shoulder with his face reddened from alcohol.
Then he looked at Seo Seol-ryeong beside Cheon Woo-jin and clicked his tongue.
“Tsk, you came with a woman today, worried the Pleasure Union Sect might wag their tails at you.”
Over Gal-wi’s shoulder, the female cultivators from the Pleasure Union Sect who had tried to seduce Cheon Woo-jin last time were visible.
They were glaring at Seo Seol-ryeong while biting their lips.
“They were all fired up this time, determined to seduce Cheon Woo-jin, but with such an ice-cold beauty clinging to his side, what can they do? Ah, I’m envious, so envious.”
“…”
As Cheon Woo-jin couldn’t say anything, Seo Seol-ryeong poked his side.
“I told you to correct any misunderstandings if people had them.”
“Then why don’t you correct it yourself…”
Just then, other cultivators approached and offered drinks.
“Come now, Fellow Daoist Cheon should also make a toast and say something cool!”
“You know three cups is the minimum, right? Drink boldly in front of your seniors!”
“How about the female cultivator there joins us too? We’ll bless the relationship between you two!”
The atmosphere took a strange turn.
What saved Cheon Woo-jin and Seo Seol-ryeong from this awkward situation was a voice from inside the wine house.
“Fellow Daoist Cheon, Fellow Daoist Seo, come this way.”
“…!”
The cultivators who had been holding onto Cheon Woo-jin and Seo Seol-ryeong all stepped back in unison.
Then they urgently gestured as if to say they were fine and to hurry along.
Eventually, Cheon Woo-jin headed toward the inner seating area with Seo Seol-ryeong, passing through the crowd.
In a space partitioned by bamboo curtains, sat a man with deer-like horns growing from his head.
“Did I do something unnecessary?”
“No, Fellow Daoist Gong.”
Cheon Woo-jin clasped his hands together in greeting.
“Thanks to you, I was able to escape an awkward situation. Thank you.”
“What’s there to thank me for.”
Gong-u, a Core Formation cultivator of the Qilin race who had lived for over 1200 years.
He smiled gently.
“Fellow Daoist Seo, it’s been a while too. How long has it been?”
“About ten years, I believe. Have you been well all this time, Fellow Daoist Gong?”
Seo Seol-ryeong politely greeted Gong-u.
Though both were Core Formation cultivators, Seo Seol-ryeong showed respect to Gong-u who had lived more than four times longer than her.
“Today is a pleasant day. To be able to see the faces of two friends I hold in high regard.”
Gong-u said with a smile.
“And both of you look much better than before. This means things are going well for both Fellow Daoist Cheon and Fellow Daoist Seo.”
“I don’t know about Fellow Daoist Cheon, but I’m just the same as usual.”
“Hehe, Fellow Daoist Seo underestimates my eyes too much.”
Gong-u smiled at Seo Seol-ryeong’s words.
“Others might think it’s just an expression as cold as a frozen lake, but that’s not how I see it. Unlike before, it’s definitely the expression of someone who has come to hold firm hope in their heart.”
“That’s…”
“It seems it’s thanks to finding someone who plants such hope. I suppose there’s no need to say who that is.”
“…”
Seo Seol-ryeong closed her mouth.
Gong Wu no longer mentioned Seo Seol-ryeong’s inner thoughts and turned his gaze to Cheon Woo-jin.
“I said we’d meet and talk again once you reached the Core Formation Realm… but it seems Cheon Daoist has separate business today. Let me hear that business first.”
Even though he hadn’t said anything yet, Gong Wu had already noticed that Cheon Woo-jin had a separate matter to discuss.
“There are two things I’d like to discuss with Fellow Daoist Gong.”
“Two whole things?”
Gong Wu smiled and leaned back against his chair.
“Wait a moment, let me guess.”
“…”
“First… you want to seek my opinion about the great calamity that will soon befall Wei Jin Kingdom, right? Bringing Seo Dou along seems to have that intention.”
It was accurate.
Gong Wu boasted the greatest information network among the mercenaries on the 6th Floor.
He would know the most about how Wei Jin Kingdom’s political situation was currently unfolding and what movements each sect was showing.
Cheon Woo-jin planned to hear stories from Gong Wu and compare them with his own in-game knowledge to determine his future course of action.
Since this was the most massive event he’d been involved in so far, thorough preparation was necessary.
“You got the first matter right. Your insight is truly remarkable.”
Cheon Woo-jin nodded as he spoke.
“Then try guessing the second matter as well.”
“Hehe, what could the second be…”
Gong Wu fell into thought in front of Cheon Woo-jin.
But even after a long while, he couldn’t find the answer and eventually raised the white flag.
“I have absolutely no idea about the second one. What do you want to discuss with me?”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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