Instant-Death Cultivation: Surviving in an Immortal World with Instant Kill - Chapter 124

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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 124: Gongryeong Island (1)

 

Who should inherit the imperial throne.

 

Even now, heated debates are raging over this issue.

 

First Prince Gong Ui-hwi.

 

Though the eldest son, he is sickly.

 

He is the next emperor most desired by the Dongri Family, who are both the Empress’s family and a capital family.

 

Second Prince Gong Ui-un.

 

He has achieved military merits such as suppressing rebel forces alongside the Won Family Clan, famous for their martial arts.

 

He is the person the Taeul Yeokri Gate seeks to install as the next emperor.

 

Third Prince Gong Ui-se.

 

He is praised for his outstanding scholarship and is openly supported by the Jongli Family, Wei Jin Kingdom’s most prestigious noble house.

 

Behind them exists the Guangming Sect, another prestigious Orthodox Sect.

 

Debates are raging everywhere about which of the three is most suitable as the next emperor.

 

But all of that is pointless.

 

Since the Cultivation World is involved, it will ultimately be decided by the logic of power.

 

‘If only one prince capable of inheriting the throne remains, the next emperor will be decided at that point.’

 

The Taeul Yeokri Gate plans to kill First Prince Gong Ui-hwi and Third Prince Gong Ui-se, leaving only Second Prince Gong Ui-un, their puppet.

 

The Guangming Sect plans to save the Third Prince and kill the remaining First and Second Princes, while the Dongri Family is also considering killing everyone except the First Prince.

 

‘Due to an ancient pact, cultivators of the Cultivation World cannot harm members of the imperial family. Breaking this pact results in divine punishment.’

 

The disciples of the Seonryeong Gate had briefly mentioned this at Myeongryun Harbor.

 

That pact is still in effect today.

 

Cheon Woo-jin would also receive divine punishment if he killed someone who inherited imperial blood.

 

However, the three princes competing for the throne are exceptions.

 

‘The current emperor, Gong Ui-ryun, was a man without seed. The reason he had no children with the Empress was because of this. So all the princes born from his concubines are not his biological children.’

 

First Prince Gong Ui-hwi is a child born from the Dongri Family’s seed.

 

They planned to dispose of him if the Empress ever had a child with the Emperor, even if late.

 

Second Prince Gong Ui-un inherited the blood of a Taeul Yeokri Gate Elder Ancestor.

 

They planned to place him on the throne to create a cultivator emperor, but the plan went awry when he wasn’t born with spiritual roots.

 

Third Prince Gong Ui-se is a son hastily created by the Guangming Sect after they realized the Taeul Yeokri Gate’s conspiracy.

 

This one was even born with spiritual roots.

 

‘They’re all children prepared to be made into the next emperor. So whoever becomes emperor, the Gong Ui family will lose their country.’

 

Wei Jin Kingdom is a nation established by the Gong Ui Family, who once boasted the continent’s strongest military power.

 

But now Wei Jin Kingdom was merely a chess board where Cultivation World forces played their power games.

 

Emperor Gong Ui-ryun also knows this fact.

 

That’s why he hasn’t announced who will inherit the throne and is allowing the chaos to continue.

 

‘Since these princes have no imperial blood mixed in, killing them won’t bring divine punishment. Everyone is trying to kill their competitors and leave only the prince they support.’

 

Ultimately, the succession war can only become a fight between cultivators targeting the princes’ lives.

 

Major sects and families including the Taeul Yeokri Gate are already preparing to fight to kill the other princes.

 

Their attempt to obtain the Heavenly Silkworm Shadow Cloak through Jin Si-hyeok was also preparation for this.

 

The Moonlight Thirteen Alliance and Blood World Demon Sect are also trying to interfere in this fight for profit, while disciples of minor sects and even mercenaries are lurking around trying to get their share.

 

‘That’s why… it became the biggest event of the early game in Spirit Path Cultivation Chronicle.’

 

Cheon Woo-jin recalled his memories of playing the game.

 

In the game, participation in this event was essentially mandatory.

 

No matter which faction you belonged to, you eventually had to enter the Imperial Succession Islands and participate in the bloody battle over the throne.

 

‘If you weren’t prepared at all, you’d just be manipulated by the major powers and become collateral damage in a fight between giants. But… if you moved independently and acted cleverly, you could gain much.’

 

Cheon Woo-jin didn’t come here simply to deal a blow to the Taeul Yeokri Gate.

 

Establishing a foundation to grow as a Core Formation cultivator and challenge the Nascent Soul Realm.

 

That was the most important task for Cheon Woo-jin.

 

‘All the Cultivation World’s experts gathering here…’

 

Looking down at the Guangming Sect and Moonlight Thirteen Alliance executives walking below the window, Cheon Woo-jin thought with a cold head.

 

‘Will become stepping stones for me to gain power.’

 

The Cultivation World, full of conspiracy and betrayal.

 

Seizing what he wanted in that Cultivation World was what Cheon Woo-jin did best.

 

* * *

 

Originally, Gwak Yu planned to test Cheon Woo-jin from multiple angles by assigning him various tasks.

 

But now the situation had changed.

 

Having discovered that the Guangming Sect had brought in the Moonlight Thirteen Alliance, he needed to meet with Sect Leader Song Mu-yeol to discuss future plans.

 

Gwak Yu left the remaining tasks to the disciples waiting on Pyeonghwang Island and headed to the next island with Cheon Woo-jin.

 

“From now on, we will enter Gongryeong Island.”

 

On the ship, Gwak Yu explained to Cheon Woo-jin.

 

“On Gongryeong Island, there are the imperial princes’ residences called Hwangja-jeo. We’ll be going to the second prince’s residence located on the western side.”

 

“Is it alright for someone like me to enter?”

 

“The prince’s residence is very spacious. Fellow Daoist Shin will only be able to enter as far as the outer hall.”

 

Eventually, Cheon Woo-jin arrived at Gongryeong Island.

 

If Pyeonghwang Island was where the common people of the Hwangryeol Archipelago gathered to live, Gongryeong Island was where the upper class, including high-ranking officials, resided.

 

The Dongri Family and Jongli Family also had their main houses on Gongryeong Island.

 

Therefore, Gongryeong Island had a different atmosphere from Pyeonghwang Island.

 

Magnificent mansions were lined up in orderly fashion, and the streets were quiet and clean.

 

There were no merchants selling goods to be seen, nor any cultivators wandering around looking for something to gain.

 

“This way.”

 

Gwak Yu led Cheon Woo-jin toward the western part of Gongryeong Island.

 

There stood a grand mansion that was no different from a small palace.

 

“Left Minister!”

 

As they entered inside, several cultivators wearing Daoist robes could be seen, and among them, one Foundation Establishment cultivator recognized Gwak Yu and came running over.

 

“What brings you here so early…”

 

“Is the sect master present?”

 

“He’s currently away. The others are also…”

 

He lowered his voice as he spoke.

 

“They went to conduct talks with the Dongri Family.”

 

“The Dongri Family?”

 

The empress’s family that sought to support the first prince.

 

Gwak Yu showed a surprised expression upon hearing they were meeting with them, who were also an independent capital family.

 

“Does he think it can be resolved through dialogue? If that’s possible, nothing could be better.”

 

If the first prince gave up succession to the throne, the Taeul Yeokri Sect would only need to think about eliminating the third prince.

 

That would make supporting the second prince much easier.

 

“Then what about His Highness the Prince?”

 

“He’s inside practicing martial arts with the warriors of the Won Family Clan.”

 

“Hmm… I see.”

 

Gwak Yu fell into thought for a moment.

 

Then he addressed Cheon Woo-jin.

 

“Fellow Daoist Shin, I’m sorry but I need to meet with His Highness the Prince, so I’ll be away briefly. Please wait here.”

 

“Understood.”

 

“I’m saying this out of concern, but don’t approach the inner hall.”

 

Gwak Yu pointed toward the interior of the mansion as he spoke.

 

“Our Taeul Yeokri Sect has set up a barrier there. Anyone who tries to enter without permission will be seriously injured, so stay quietly in the outer hall.”

 

After giving that warning, Gwak Yu headed inside with the other cultivators.

 

Watching their retreating figures, Cheon Woo-jin fell into thought.

 

‘It seems I haven’t gained sufficient trust yet.’

 

Cheon Woo-jin had entered Gongryeong Island earlier than originally expected.

 

Originally, Gongryeong Island was more difficult to enter than Pyeonghwang Island, but thanks to Gwak Yu vouching for his identity, he was able to pass through the inspection quickly.

 

However, that didn’t mean Gwak Yu completely trusted Cheon Woo-jin.

 

If that were the case, he wouldn’t have made him wait here but would have taken him inside to meet the prince face to face.

 

‘To gain sufficient trust from the Taeul Yeokri Sect, I need to achieve some kind of results.’

 

As Cheon Woo-jin was lost in such thoughts, a cultivator in Daoist robes approached him.

 

“Are you the mercenary called Shin Hyeok?”

 

He clasped his hands together in greeting.

 

“I’m Bang Jun, a True Transmission Disciple of the Taeul Yeokri Sect. Come this way. I’ll guide you to a room where you can rest.”

 

“…”

 

Cheon Woo-jin looked at Bang Jun for a moment.

 

Then he silently nodded and followed him.

 

“I heard about Fellow Daoist Shin through the young sect master.”

 

Walking through the prince’s residence, Bang Jun spoke to Cheon Woo-jin.

 

“I heard you’ve awakened True Fire. Is that true?”

 

“Why are you asking that?”

 

“Just curious.”

 

Bang Jun said with a smile.

 

“In the over three hundred years I’ve lived, I’ve never seen a single Core Formation cultivator who could use True Fire. Even the Flame Emperor Sect, which specializes in flames, hasn’t had anyone master True Fire for hundreds of years.”

 

“True Fire is indeed rare.”

 

“But for a mercenary not belonging to any sect to master True Fire is both amazing and enviable… Just how did you master True Fire?”

 

“Why should I tell you that?”

 

“No, I wasn’t trying to pry specifically…”

 

Bang Jun, who had been walking toward a secluded area, looked at Cheon Woo-jin.

 

“But your words have been quite short since earlier.”

 

“They have to be short.”

 

Cheon Woo-jin spoke in a cold voice.

 

“What’s the point of showing courtesy to someone who’s about to die?”

 

“…?”

 

Bang Jun made an expression as if caught off guard.

 

“What are you suddenly talking about?”

 

“You said your name was Bang Jun earlier.”

 

Cheon Woo-jin stared intently at Bang Jun just as he had before.

 

“But you’re not Bang Jun. You’re someone else wearing Bang Jun’s face.”

 

“Wh, what kind of ridiculous slander….”

 

Bang Jun retorted with an expression of bewilderment.

 

“I don’t know why you would think such a thing, but that’s impossible here on Flame Fierce Island. Since identity tokens are synchronized with soul wavelengths, such things would be immediately detected….”

 

“No, there is a way to avoid detection.”

 

Cheon Woo-jin maintained his cold expression as he spoke.

 

“If you obtained an identity token with a false identity from the beginning, then it wouldn’t matter.”

 

“…!”

 

Cheon Woo-jin was also someone who had obtained an identity token with a false identity.

 

When entering this Sky Ridge Island, he had authenticated his identity token but passed through the checkpoint without any problems.

 

“Before boarding the ferry, you must have killed the real Bang Jun and borrowed his face. You would have entered Flame Fierce Island after obtaining an identity token in Bang Jun’s name.”

 

“Th, that’s ridiculous….”

 

Looking at the man before him who continued to feign innocence to the end.

 

Cheon Woo-jin spoke in a low voice.

 

“To have your identity exposed so quickly, Heartless Demon won’t forgive this.”

 

“…!”

 

Heartless Demon.

 

A Won Yeong-gyeong Demonic Cultivator who leads the Hundred Faces Division of the Blood World Demon Sect.

 

When that name was mentioned, Bang Jun’s mask crumbled.

 

“How, how did you…!”

 

How he had seen through the disguise, Bang Jun would never be able to understand.

 

The Status Window was Cheon Woo-jin’s unique ability that no one else in this world possessed.

 

[Seok Pil-gyeon]

 

* Race: Human Race

 

* Age: 214 years

 

* Realm: Core Formation Realm (Early Stage)

 

* Constitution: Earth Metal Spiritual Root

 

* Faction: Demonic Path

 

* Affiliation: Blood World Demon Sect

 

* Destiny: Cruelty

 

He was a Demonic Cultivator of the Blood World Demon Sect, just like Dan U-ryeong from before.

 

And infiltrating Orthodox Sect forces with a changed face meant he was from the Hundred Faces Division.

 

The Hundred Faces Division possessed special Demonic Cultivation Methods that could even fool detection techniques like the Divine Eye Observation Method.

 

“Urgh…!”

 

Bang Jun, no, Seok Pil-gyeon gritted his teeth and raised his hand.

 

Then a Spiritual Energy Blade formed at his fingertips.

 

Sword Qi with a brilliant radiance that anyone would think came from cultivating Orthodox Sect methods.

 

But that bastard’s true identity was undoubtedly a subordinate of the Demonic Path.

 

In the demon-like eyes glaring at Cheon Woo-jin, the viciousness of the Demonic Path was clearly visible.

 

“Die!”

 

A blade filled with killing intent aimed for Cheon Woo-jin’s neck.

 

But the abilities of Cheon Woo-jin, who had grown through countless bloody battles in Ghost Head City, did not allow such an attack.

 

Crack!

 

Cheon Woo-jin caught Seok Pil-gyeon’s Sword Qi with his bare hand.

 

And simply by infiltrating spiritual energy, he completely shattered the blade.

 

“De, Destruction?!”

 

Before the shocked Seok Pil-gyeon, Cheon Woo-jin’s other hand rose up.

 

Now it was Cheon Woo-jin’s turn to display his power.

—————
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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