Instant-Death Cultivation: Surviving in an Immortal World with Instant Kill - Chapter 55
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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 55: Guerrilla (1)
“Aaaah…!”
Lee Geuk-gyeol, whose lower body had been pierced, screamed in agony.
Distracted by his companions who had suddenly collapsed while vomiting blood, he failed to notice the shadow approaching from his blind spot.
Only after the jet-black blade that erupted from beneath his feet penetrated his lower body did he finally understand what was happening.
“You, you bastard…!”
Spitting out harsh words, Lee Geuk-gyeol tried to counterattack, but Cheon Woo-jin didn’t slow his offensive.
After all, as a cultivator, Lee Geuk-gyeol, who was at the Foundation Establishment Great Circle, was at a higher level.
He couldn’t give him time to properly use magic arts. He had to continuously press him with surprise attacks.
Knowing this, Cheon Woo-jin had already channeled lightning energy into the shadow.
“Kraaaah…!”
Lightning energy erupted from the black blade that pierced Lee Geuk-gyeol’s lower body.
A desperate scream burst from Lee Geuk-gyeol’s mouth as he was preparing magic arts.
Originally, with Lee Geuk-gyeol’s power, he could have defended against this level of lightning energy with spiritual power, but it was impossible with a hole in his body.
Lee Geuk-gyeol, electrocuted from inside his body, convulsed for a long time before finally going limp.
Cheon Woo-jin grabbed him by the nape of his neck and threw him out the wine house window.
Lee Geuk-gyeol, who fell from the 3rd floor height, crashed onto the main street.
He twitched a few times, but soon stopped moving altogether.
Passersby murmured, but soon an evil cultivator who dealt with corpses emerged from the back alley.
As he dragged Lee Geuk-gyeol’s corpse away somewhere with a grinning smile, people also went their separate ways.
‘The middle layer isn’t any different from the lower levels.’
He suddenly recalled the time when he had just entered Ghost Head City.
Back then, many people would mess with Cheon Woo-jin just for walking down the street.
But as time passed, people who bothered Cheon Woo-jin disappeared entirely.
This was because everyone in the lower levels came to know that messing with Cheon Woo-jin would lead to big trouble.
The middle layer was no different.
If someone picked a fight, he had to deal with them firmly.
If he acted humbly and kept his head down, he would continue to be despised for still smelling like the lower levels.
He had to prove to the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the middle layer that he was someone who shouldn’t be carelessly provoked.
“I, I say.”
Then Jang Ryang approached him, swallowing his saliva.
He looked overwhelmed by Cheon Woo-jin, who had suddenly launched an attack and subdued Lee Geuk-gyeol’s group.
“Your, your skills seem remarkable. I thought you were a junior, but perhaps not…?”
He still couldn’t recognize him.
Cheon Woo-jin chuckled.
* * *
“I was completely fooled!”
Thud!
Won Pil-so raised his voice as he set down his wine cup on the table.
After the earlier commotion had ended, they had moved to another place for a second round of drinks.
“Many people’s appearances change after reaching Foundation Establishment, but it’s the first time I’ve seen someone change as drastically as Cheon Daoist!”
“Still, if you look closely, the feeling of that old face remains. Honestly, I didn’t expect to meet you here, so there’s also the aspect that I didn’t notice. So don’t feel too hurt that I didn’t recognize you.”
Jang Ryang spoke to Cheon Woo-jin in a gentle voice.
“Hasn’t it been less than a year since we last met? To think you’ve reached Foundation Establishment in that time is truly surprising. How exactly did you do it?”
“I had some fortuitous encounters.”
“Fortuitous encounters, fortuitous encounters…”
Without prying further, Jang Ryang smiled.
“In any case, congratulations. I hope you continue to grow steadily.”
Even before, Jang Ryang had encouraged Cheon Woo-jin, saying he had the qualifications for Foundation Establishment and urging him to advance quickly.
He was genuinely celebrating Cheon Woo-jin’s growth.
“But why did Lee Geuk-gyeol pick a fight with you earlier?”
Won Pil-so asked from the side, downing a bowl of rice wine.
“From what I heard, it seemed like you made some kind of bet.”
“There was some business.”
Cheon Woo-jin briefly explained what had happened this time.
Both men’s jaws dropped.
“You mean such a thing happened?”
“Cheon Daoist, are you really at early Foundation Establishment?”
Both Jang Ryang and Won Pil-so were amazed by Cheon Woo-jin’s heroic tale.
For someone who had been in the middle layer for less than a month to defeat other cultivators and kill a Core Disciple at the Resolution Stage from the Ten Thousand Poison Six Evil Sect… it was shocking news even to these two who had been seasoned in the Cultivation World.
“Lee Geuk-gyeol was definitely in the wrong, but… I can understand his feelings. His pride must have been greatly wounded.”
Jang Ryang muttered with a bitter expression.
“Actually, Lee Geuk-gyeol is someone who has been stagnant at the Foundation Establishment Great Circle for 40 years. So he probably felt inferior when he saw Cheon Daoist suddenly appear.”
“Tsk, he should have acknowledged it and moved on. To bring a gang to trample on someone and end up losing his life instead.”
Won Pil-so also clicked his tongue in regret.
“But I didn’t know such a fierce battle was taking place between the Golden Seed Sect and the Ten Thousand Poison Six Evil Sect. I had heard that the Ten Thousand Poison Six Evil Sect was targeting the Golden Seed Sect’s magical treasure, but I didn’t know it had progressed that far.”
“You didn’t know about it until now?”
“I was outside Ghost Head City for several months.”
“So that’s why it was hard to see you around.”
I thought we hadn’t met because he was on a higher layer, but he had been outside Ghost Head City entirely.
“Were you carrying out a commission from Seo Seol-ryeong?”
“No, it wasn’t a commission introduced through Seo Dou. A large trading company was recruiting cargo escort personnel, so I went and applied directly.”
“Cargo escort?”
“The Wei Jin Kingdom has been in a generally chaotic situation lately. The Dark Gate bastards have been increasingly attacking trading companies’ cargo, so escort work has been on the rise.”
Not long ago, the Blue Cloud Trading Company was also attacked by the Blood Puppet Sect.
If similar incidents were occurring frequently everywhere, it seemed the time was approaching.
The day Cheon Woo-jin had been anticipating since he first came to this world… the great upheaval that would shake the entire Wei Jin Kingdom was drawing near.
“But it wasn’t a pleasant memory.”
Jang Ryang said with a bitter expression.
“They tried to change the conditions midway, tried to dump work different from what was promised… In the end, I didn’t even receive the full payment. They found various faults to reduce the compensation.”
“You just endured that and let it pass?”
“How could individual mercenaries like us stand up to a large trading company? Those without any backing have no choice but to bow their heads.”
This was actually one of the disadvantages of being a mercenary.
Without the backing of a sect, it was difficult to deal with unfair treatment.
“It was really different from when I received work through Seo Dou. Next time, I should ask Seo Dou to introduce me to work again.”
Seo Seol-ryeong operates on the 2nd Layer, but she’s someone who has connections in Ghost Head City’s upper levels as well.
Moreover, she doesn’t introduce work unless it’s from trustworthy places.
So when receiving commissions through Seo Seol-ryeong, there was no risk of being backstabbed.
“Cheon Daoist, if we work together again next time, please take care of me then.”
In front of Jang Ryang who spoke with a smile, Cheon Woo-jin slowly drank his alcohol.
* * *
Five days later.
Cheon Woo-jin visited Seo Seol-ryeong’s shop.
He wanted to proceed with work based on the information he had gathered during this time.
“Actually, the Golden Seed Sect side has been bringing up various matters.”
Seo Seol-ryeong said in a calm voice.
“But seeing that Cheon Daoist is bringing it up first, it seems you’ve already made up your mind.”
“That’s right.”
Cheon Woo-jin nodded.
“I plan to side with the Golden Seed Sect and strike at the Ten Thousand Poison Six Evil Sect.”
This was the conclusion Cheon Woo-jin had reached.
Although he had already formed a grudge with the Ten Thousand Poison Six Evil Sect since the auction house incident, apart from that, he judged this would be the most beneficial course of action.
“If the Ten Thousand Poison Six Evil Sect defeats the Golden Seed Sect and steals their magical treasure, they’ll be able to mass-produce any poison they want. Then the Ten Thousand Poison Six Evil Sect’s power will become too great.”
In fact, in the game, when you went up to Ghost Head City’s middle section, the Ten Thousand Poison Six Evil Sect was so strong it was troublesome.
It seemed to be because they had obtained the Golden Seed Sect’s magical treasure.
“If that happens, it’ll become difficult for me to operate in the middle section. I’ll have to watch the Ten Thousand Poison Six Evil Sect’s mood whenever I do anything.”
“That’s true.”
And… there were many things in the Ten Thousand Poison Six Evil Sect that Cheon Woo-jin could claim.
If he attacked the Ten Thousand Poison Six Evil Sect and collected the spoils well, he could gain great benefits.
Actually, the most valuable thing was the magical treasure the Golden Seed Sect possessed, but… that wasn’t something Cheon Woo-jin could handle.
He couldn’t farm the vast Cave Heaven with his strength alone.
“I’d like to receive rare seeds or saplings as compensation from the Golden Seed Sect. Would that be possible?”
“Seeds or saplings…”
Seo Seol-ryeong fell into thought.
“The Golden Seed Sect has a lot of money because they cultivate rare crops in their Cave Heaven and gain enormous profits. If you ask them to give up those seeds or saplings, they’ll show reluctance.”
“I’m not particularly planning to do business with them. I just want to be self-sufficient.”
“I understand. Then I’ll try making the request.”
This part could be left to Seo Seol-ryeong’s negotiation skills.
“And I’d like to refuse working with other mercenaries like last time.”
“I heard about your conflict with the mercenaries on the 4th Layer. Are you worried about such incidents happening again?”
“That’s also a problem, but they’re cumbersome on the battlefield.”
The Golden Seed Sect directly recruits mercenaries to use as soldiers.
But he wanted to avoid being deployed to the same battlefield as them.
“Then shall I ask them to let you move together with the Golden Seed Sect cultivators?”
“I’d like to decline that as well.”
“You want to fight alone? No matter how skilled Cheon Daoist is, fighting the Ten Thousand Poison Six Evil Sect alone is too dangerous.”
Cheon Woo-jin shook his head in front of Seo Seol-ryeong, who was expressing concern.
“I don’t intend to fight alone either.”
“Then….”
“Instead, I want to personally choose the people who will fight alongside me.”
Saying this, Cheon Woo-jin turned his head.
“It seems they’ve arrived.”
“What?”
Just then, two men entered the tent.
It was Jang Ryang and Won Pil-so, whom he had met on the 4th Layer five days ago.
“Seo Dou, it’s been a while.”
“Hmm, somehow this feels awkward.”
“You two… have returned to Ghost Head City.”
Seo Seol-ryeong showed a surprised expression at the sight of the two people entering while scratching their heads.
“I heard they were looking for work lately, so I suggested we work together.”
“Cheon Daoist… it’s troublesome when you act on your own like this.”
Seo Seol-ryeong spoke as if she found it absurd.
“This kind of coordination is my job.”
“Then I’ve lightened your workload.”
Seo Seol-ryeong sighed in front of Cheon Woo-jin, who replied with a nonchalant attitude.
“Why has this person become so fox-like… I miss your innocent appearance when you first came to find me.”
“Was I innocent?”
“Yes, compared to how you are now, you back then had an untainted feeling. You were even cute.”
“Thank you for finding me cute.”
Seeing Cheon Woo-jin respond calmly to Seo Seol-ryeong’s sarcasm, Jang Ryang tilted his head.
“You two seem quite close. Like siblings.”
“Senior Brother, let’s leave it alone.”
Won Pil-so waved his hand to make Jang Ryang shut his mouth.
“Seo Dou, I heard the general story from Cheon Daoist here. We’re also looking for work these days, so we’d be really grateful if you could connect us with the Golden Bell Sect.”
“I know both of your abilities. Introducing you to the Golden Bell Sect isn’t a problem, but… the fight against the Ten Thousand Poison Six Death Gate won’t be easy at all. You should know it’s dangerous work.”
“You introduced such dangerous work to Cheon Daoist?”
“Cheon Daoist is… someone who deliberately picks only such places to jump into.”
Won Pil-so chuckled at Seo Seol-ryeong’s answer.
“Even jumping into such places deliberately, he’s still alive until now. Indeed, it seems we don’t need to worry when we’re beside Cheon Daoist.”
“Mm, I also think it’s worth trying if I’m with Cheon Daoist.”
Seo Seol-ryeong nodded in front of the two people showing enthusiasm.
“I understand. If you two have such determination, I won’t say anything more.”
“We don’t need anything else, just give us plenty of Spirit Stones. We’ve been working elsewhere and didn’t get paid properly, so we’re a bit tight on funds lately.”
“Then I’ll tell the Golden Bell Sect accordingly.”
The negotiation of miscellaneous details could be left to Seo Seol-ryeong.
Now it was time to directly strike the Ten Thousand Poison Six Death Gate.
“I should tell the Golden Bell Sect to suggest a place where the three of you can attack together.”
“No, that’s not necessary.”
Cheon Woo-jin shook his head.
“I have a place in mind.”
* * *
Underground space in the northern 4th Layer.
Unlike the outside, countless mushrooms were growing in this enclosed space where the air was kept humid.
Of course, they weren’t ordinary mushrooms, but only poisonous mushrooms with powerful toxicity.
“Senior Brother, is it true that Senior Dan Mok-gil was defeated recently?”
Bok Si-wan, the manager of the poisonous mushroom cultivation facility, frowned at his junior disciple’s question.
“That’s what they say. The Golden Bell Sect attacked Spirit Mountain, burned all the poison herb fields, and killed Dan Mok-gil.”
“I can’t believe it. Senior Dan Mok-gil was someone with truly outstanding talent.”
“Probably Gwak Gyeong-in of the Golden Bell Sect led his subordinates in a coordinated attack to bring him down.”
Bok Si-wan spoke in a stiff voice.
“Although the Golden Bell Sect’s power has weakened considerably, skilled ones like Gwak Gyeong-in still remain. We need to be careful of their movements.”
“Senior Brother, will this place be okay?”
“There’s nothing to worry about here.”
The Ten Thousand Poison Six Death Gate cultivates raw materials for poisonous substances throughout the Ghost Head City middle section.
However, most locations are thoroughly hidden, so there’s no chance of being attacked.
This place is the same.
The recently attacked place was a mountain exposed to the outside, but this place is hidden deep underground.
“So don’t think about other things and just focus on work.”
Poisonous mushroom cultivation is also quite labor-intensive work.
It’s not something that can be done just by sprinkling mushroom spores on wooden blocks.
The environment must be continuously maintained with formations using Spirit Stones while steadily supplying spiritual energy.
Even when harvesting fully grown poisonous mushrooms through selection, one must use Spiritual Power.
Still, all the cultivators working here have a sense of mission.
The Ten Thousand Poison Six Evil Sect can exert such powerful strength as it does now because of the poisonous substances produced this way.
“The better poisonous mushrooms we create, the stronger our sect becomes. So just think about that and work diligently. Don’t worry about unnecessary things…”
When Bok Si-wan was saying such things.
A cool breeze suddenly blew through the underground space that had only been damp.
“Why is outside air coming in?”
“That’s strange. I’ll check it out.”
“Yes… No, wait!”
Kwa-kwa-kwang!
A violent storm of flames swept into the mushroom cultivation facility.
Seeing the well-growing mushrooms burning, Bok Si-wan opened his eyes wide.
“What’s happening?!”
“It’s, it’s an attack!”
Could it be the Golden Wing Sect?
There’s no way the Golden Wing Sect would know the location of this cultivation facility, right?
Feeling his heart pounding, when Bok Si-wan urgently tried to put out the fire.
Breaking through the storm of flames, a man with sharp features revealed himself.
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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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