Instant-Death Cultivation: Surviving in an Immortal World with Instant Kill - Chapter 44

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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 44: Puppet (2)

 

 

“For now, I’d like to proceed with discussions with the Azure Cloud Trading Company.”

 

Hearing Cheon Woo-jin’s answer, Seo Seol-ryeong obediently nodded her head.

 

“Understood. They said they’re likely organizing a recapture force as well, so let’s make contact.”

“I’m counting on you.”

 

Seo Seol-ryeong didn’t particularly raise any objections.

Her attitude was that if Cheon Woo-jin had decided so, she would do her job as the intermediary.

 

“Cheon Daoist.”

 

However, she added one last thing.

 

“I don’t doubt your abilities. If it’s you, bringing back the Yin-Yang Mystic Pearl from the Blood Puppet Sect branch would be possible.”

“….”

“But… there’s a saying that the tree that stands out in the forest is sure to be broken by the wind. Please be careful.”

 

The reason Cheon Woo-jin had been able to operate relatively freely until now was because the true powerhouses hadn’t shown interest in him.

 

No matter how much Cheon Woo-jin achieved, from their perspective it was nothing more than the struggles of insects crawling on the ground.

But if that insect suddenly spread its wings and flew up to flutter before their eyes, they would have no choice but to react.

 

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

 

After answering thus, Cheon Woo-jin came out of the tent.

 

As Seo Seol-ryeong said, this time he needed to be careful.

He couldn’t think of it the same way as attacking small-scale Black Gate forces.

 

‘Especially the fact that the opponent is the Blood Puppet Sect is problematic.’

 

The Blood Puppet Sect was a sect that used puppets.

Puppets referred to marionette dolls, but in the righteous cultivation world, it was a general term for humanoid magical artifacts that moved according to their master’s commands.

 

However, all of the Blood Puppet Sect’s puppets were connected in consciousness to Blood Puppet Ancestor Gu Do-ryun.

Normally they were just like regular puppets, but when something special occurred, the situation would be immediately transmitted to Gu Do-ryun.

Then Gu Do-ryun would immediately ‘transmit’ his consciousness to intervene at the scene through the puppet.

 

If Cheon Woo-jin demonstrated his abilities and ravaged the Blood Puppet Sect branch, there was a high possibility that Gu Do-ryun would descend.

Though it wouldn’t be a direct confrontation with Gu Do-ryun himself, in any case, Gu Do-ryun would become aware of Cheon Woo-jin’s existence.

 

‘Moreover, since I won’t be facing Gu Do-ryun himself directly, the Instant Death Heaven Eye won’t work either.’

 

The Instant Death Heaven Eye only activated when directly facing the person himself.

Even if he used the Instant Death Heaven Eye on a puppet, it couldn’t have any effect on Gu Do-ryun himself.

 

‘If Gu Do-ryun becomes aware of my existence through this incident and dispatches powerful puppets to capture me… that would be the end.’

 

Gu Do-ryun was a Nascent Soul Cultivator.

Moreover, among the puppets Gu Do-ryun created, there were many with combat power above that of Core Formation Cultivators.

If attacked by such puppets, it would be difficult for Cheon Woo-jin to resist with his power.

 

‘However, I can’t give up the opportunity to obtain the Yin-Yang Mystic Pearl.’

 

The Yin-Yang Mystic Pearl had the best performance among the foundation spirit materials Cheon Woo-jin could obtain at this point.

If he combined the Five Elements spirit creatures he had gathered so far with the Yin-Yang Mystic Pearl to create a Foundation Building Pill, it would be of great help when ascending to the Foundation Establishment stage.

With the best item right before his eyes, he couldn’t pretend not to see it just because there were risks.

 

‘Then what should I do?’

 

Jumping in recklessly would be foolish.

 

He needed a plan.

 

* * *

 

Five days later.

Cheon Woo-jin headed to the 3rd Layer Southern District of Ghost Head City.

 

In the 3rd Layer Southern District, there was an area where a large hole in the outer wall connected to the outside.

At first glance it looked like just a cliff, but it was actually where flying transportation like Flying Vessels came and went.

Especially large Flying Vessels carrying cargo couldn’t enter through the 1st Layer entrance, so they used the dock here.

 

At that dock, one Flying Vessel was already moored.

It was a Flying Vessel of the Azure Cloud Trading Company that operated throughout the Wei Jin Kingdom, and today it was scheduled to depart carrying not cargo, but something else.

 

“Quite a lot have gathered.”

 

A tall woman inspected the personnel gathered in front of the Flying Vessel.

She was Bang Wi-sun, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator belonging to the Azure Cloud Trading Company.

 

“Thank you for volunteering for this recapture mission. You will attack the Blood Puppet Sect branch with me to retrieve the Azure Cloud Trading Company’s cargo.”

 

This time, the Azure Cloud Trading Company hired about twenty Scattered Cultivators.

 

They had also requested help from other sects, but everyone showed reluctance about facing the Blood Puppet Sect, so they ended up gathering only Scattered Cultivators.

 

“As you’ve already been informed, the Blood Puppet Sect branch we’ll be attacking only has a few Foundation Establishment and Qi Condensation Cultivators. The rest are all just puppets.”

“….”

“The Blood Puppet Sect’s puppets are stronger than those of other small sects. However, it’s already been confirmed that no superior puppets are stationed at that branch. Our combined strength is sufficient to capture it.”

 

Many people showed relieved expressions at Bang Wi-sun’s explanation.

They weren’t fighting the Blood Puppet Sect’s main force, but rather small fry who just stole cargo.

They couldn’t help but think it was a sufficiently manageable mission.

 

Of course, this was Bang Wi-sun deliberately explaining it that way to reassure people.

If they were weak enough to be defeated that easily, they wouldn’t have had their cargo plundered in the first place.

 

“Excuse me, let me ask just one thing.”

 

At that moment, an elderly mercenary raised his hand.

 

“What do you plan to do if the Blood Puppet Ancestor suddenly descends? I heard he’s connected to all his puppets…”

“The Blood Puppet Ancestor?”

 

Bang Wi-sun laughed as if it were absurd.

 

“Would the Blood Puppet Ancestor, one of the Thirteen Venerables, bother looking at a mere frontier like this? Even if all his puppets were annihilated, he wouldn’t care much. Don’t worry unnecessarily.”

“Hmm…”

“Then let’s depart now. Everyone board the flying vessel!”

 

The mercenaries lined up and boarded the flying vessel one by one.

After confirming that all twenty or so people had boarded, Bang Wi-sun raised her voice.

 

“Launch the ship!”

 

Then the cultivator in charge of operating the flying vessel raised the anchor and began chanting an incantation.

 

“Riding the Wind!”

 

With the final forceful words, the flying vessel began to move.

It started rising into the air.

 

The flying vessel that had begun flight exited Ghost Head City through a hole in the outer wall.

And it headed toward its destination, crossing the gray sky.

 

“…”

 

Cheon Woo-jin was watching this scene from the dock.

 

Cheon Woo-jin was not originally a participant in today’s operation.

Although he had some discussions with the Qingyun Trading Company, he ultimately did not accept the commission.

 

The reason he refused the commission was that the conditions weren’t very good.

Of course, in reality, he had other ulterior motives.

 

‘Then… I should start departing as well.’

 

Cheon Woo-jin drew a sword.

It wasn’t the Five Thunder Heaven-Shaking Sword, but a mid-grade magical artifact that had been lying around in Taesa Ryang’s cave dwelling.

 

First, he imbued the sword with spiritual power to make it float in the air.

Then he stepped onto it with both feet.

 

“It’s Sword Flight!”

 

Workers passing by admired Cheon Woo-jin as he soared into the air riding the sword.

However, since he was wearing different clothes than usual and had a hood pulled over his head, no one recognized Cheon Woo-jin.

 

‘For long-distance travel, Sword Flight is more comfortable than just flying.’

 

As a result of steadily cultivating the Taeul Mysterious Sword Art, Cheon Woo-jin had mastered even Sword Flight.

However, since there was no need to use Sword Flight within Ghost Head City, today was the first time he was properly using Sword Flight.

 

‘I need to follow while maintaining sufficient distance.’

 

Cheon Woo-jin exited Ghost Head City through a hole in the outer wall.

And he began flying in the same direction as the flying vessel.

 

His destination was the Blood Puppet Sect Branch, the same as the recovery team ahead.

 

However, he would not fight alongside them.

 

* * *

 

The next morning.

The recovery team led by Bang Wi-sun arrived at the valley where the Blood Puppet Sect Branch was located.

 

Since the flying vessel could not go any further, they descended to the ground and advanced.

But contrary to expectations, they couldn’t even properly approach the Blood Puppet Sect Branch.

This was because mechanism traps hidden throughout the valley activated and trapped the recovery team.

 

“There was no mention of such traps…!”

“D-don’t panic! We can break through this much…!”

 

Bang Wi-sun encouraged the participants, but the damage kept growing.

Since they hadn’t even fought the Blood Puppet Sect’s puppets yet but kept taking damage, the recovery team’s morale dropped significantly.

 

While advancing through fierce battles, a person appeared from inside the valley.

It was a Blood Puppet Sect cultivator who had finally revealed himself.

 

“Foolish ones, did you think we wouldn’t anticipate your attack?”

“What…!”

“These kinds of traps can be prepared overnight by mobilizing puppets. We made them in advance to prepare for your attack.”

 

He giggled while provoking the recovery team.

 

“We’ll dispose of the cargo properly and add it to the tribute we offer to the Blood Puppet Ancestor, so you should just give up.”

“You bastard…!”

 

Right after that, puppets began pouring out.

They were all dolls made of wood, shaped like humans but with no faces on their heads, giving them an eerie feeling.

 

The cultivators unleashed magic arts against the puppets that attacked by swinging large wooden fists.

But the puppets didn’t care whether their heads or limbs flew off and kept charging at the cultivators until the end.

When a sword cultivator unleashed sword qi to cut a puppet in half vertically, he was demoralized seeing the upper and lower halves move separately and resume their attack.

 

“These are different from ordinary puppets!”

“W-we should retreat for now! This isn’t working at all!”

“You there! Don’t fall back on your own…!”

 

Even Bang Wi-sun, who was in command, had fallen into confusion and couldn’t respond properly.

 

This operation is a failure.

Everyone thought so.

 

* * *

 

‘What a mess.’

 

Watching the situation from atop the ridge, Cheon Woo-jin clicked his tongue.

The Blood Puppet Sect was a sect with deep knowledge not only of puppets but also of mechanical devices.

It seemed the Azure Cloud Trading Company had thought too lightly of them.

 

‘I’d better move quickly too. That way those people can minimize their casualties.’

 

Thinking this, Cheon Woo-jin removed his hood.

 

The face revealed beneath was different from Cheon Woo-jin’s usual appearance.

This was because he was wearing a human skin mask used to conceal his face.

 

In fact, it was only called a human skin mask in name – it wasn’t actually made from human skin.

This was a human skin mask created by a skilled cultivator who combined various materials to replicate the texture of human skin, and it was much more natural than the human skin masks used by martial artists.

 

Cheon Woo-jin had even used the Disguise Transformation Technique on top of this.

The Disguise Transformation Technique was a method for changing one’s face or body shape, which Cheon Woo-jin had learned by reading books in Taesa Ryang’s cave dwelling.

 

Of course, since he was still at a beginner level, it wasn’t perfect.

However, since it was combined with the human skin mask, even someone capable of seeing through the Disguise Transformation Technique wouldn’t be able to discern Cheon Woo-jin’s real face.

 

‘And…’

 

Cheon Woo-jin took out a medicine bottle from his chest and poured it over his outer garments.

The dull-colored clothes immediately changed to an intense red color.

 

This medicine was something Cheon Woo-jin had recently manufactured himself.

He had made it using the pill furnace he obtained from Jo Hyu.

 

‘This should be enough.’

 

After checking his disguised state, Cheon Woo-jin stood up.

The Blood Puppet Sect side also noticed Cheon Woo-jin’s presence.

 

“Who goes there!”

 

A Blood Puppet Sect cultivator shouted and raised his hand.

More than ten puppets climbed up the slope and approached Cheon Woo-jin.

 

Watching this, Cheon Woo-jin put his hand inside his chest.

However, he didn’t draw out either the Five Thunder Heaven Piercing Sword or the Heavenly Armor Spirit Shield.

Today, he didn’t plan to draw out the Silver Spirit Steel Defense either.

Since these were dharma artifacts he had used frequently in front of others, taking them out here would make his carefully crafted disguise meaningless.

 

For the same reason, today he had no intention of using black lightning energy or sword qi either.

If he used such techniques, the Blood Puppet Ancestor Gu Do-ryun might notice Cheon Woo-jin’s true identity.

No matter how much Cheon Woo-jin disguised his spiritual energy, Gu Do-ryun’s abilities would likely see through it.

 

So was it possible to face the Blood Puppet Sect branch while sealing away the dharma artifacts and techniques he had mainly relied on until now?

It was possible.

 

“…”

 

Cheon Woo-jin took out a single talisman from his chest.

From the outside, it looked like just an ordinary talisman.

 

However, Cheon Woo-jin staked everything on that talisman and threw it forward.

 

‘True Fire is different from ordinary fire.’

 

‘When it meets wind it flourishes, when it meets water it becomes fierce, the more one tries to splash it the more it burns, and the more one tries to extinguish it the more vigorous it becomes.’

 

‘By refining essence, energy, and spirit to achieve Samadhi, nurture the essence of the Li trigram to burn and incinerate evil spirits.’

 

The magical treasure that manifested Samadhi True Fire, the Red Sea True Fire Spear.

A talisman treasure that extracted and stored that power within a talisman.

He unleashed that firepower he had saved for moments like this.

 

Whoooosh!

A wave of flames that seemed capable of burning everything in the world burst forth, brightly illuminating the entire valley.

The puppets that had been crawling up the hillside to capture Cheon Woo-jin instantly turned to ash, and even the Blood Ghost Sect cultivator who had been giving orders from beyond was consumed and erased from this world.

It even completely devoured the final massive mechanical device that had been hidden to deliver ultimate despair to the attackers, leaving nothing but pitch-black ash on the pathway leading to the main base.

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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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