Instant-Death Cultivation: Surviving in an Immortal World with Instant Kill - Chapter 86
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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 86: Central Mirror Town (1)
‘Was he still tracking me?’
I first met Na Chwi-ryang, a Core Formation Realm cultivator from the Shadow Scale Sunken Sect, in the underground waterway.
And we had fought over the Ghost Spirit Summoning Banner on the streets of Central Mirror Town as well.
With the tenacious vitality characteristic of the demon race, he kept charging at me, even shouting at Cheon Woo-jin, ‘I’ve memorized your scent! I’ll never let you escape!’
Originally, Na Chwi-ryang was a cultivator famous for his exceptional sense of smell.
Had he continued tracking Cheon Woo-jin and found this place?
‘This has become troublesome.’
If I fight Na Chwi-ryang here, Seo Seol-ryeong’s shop will be destroyed.
Although she hadn’t decided what kind of shop to run yet, Seo Seol-ryeong had still worked hard cleaning and organizing everything.
But if Na Chwi-ryang, who specializes in close combat, goes on a rampage, it will become chaos in an instant.
“How rude to enter someone’s shop and immediately say it smells, Fellow Daoist Na.”
But Seo Seol-ryeong’s attitude was too calm.
Seo Seol-ryeong had also fought Na Chwi-ryang in Central Mirror Town’s downtown area.
“What can I do if it smells?”
Na Chwi-ryang flicked his forked tongue as he entered the shop.
“Check the right drawer. It must be rotting and moldy.”
“I’ll take a look.”
“The smell is reaching outside. Throw it away immediately.”
Watching Seo Seol-ryeong and Na Chwi-ryang converse so casually, Cheon Woo-jin fell silent for a moment.
“Why are you staring like that?”
“What did you come here for?”
I thought he had caught my scent and come to attack.
But that didn’t seem to be the atmosphere.
“Is there another reason to visit a broker?”
“…”
Cheon Woo-jin was momentarily at a loss for words.
“I thought you hadn’t started business yet.”
“I just haven’t opened the doors of the cover shop.”
Seo Seol-ryeong spoke in a cold voice.
“I’m already receiving many inquiries from various places on the 6th Floor. Today is just when I start meeting clients in earnest.”
“…”
Na Chwi-ryang hadn’t come to capture Cheon Woo-jin.
He had simply come to meet Seo Seol-ryeong, the broker.
Looking now, there was no particular hostility in his eyes when looking at Cheon Woo-jin either.
It seemed he no longer had reason to target Cheon Woo-jin since the Ghost Spirit Summoning Banner had disappeared.
“I was barking up the wrong tree. Then I’ll step aside so I don’t interfere with your business talk.”
“Hey, where are you going?”
Na Chwi-ryang grabbed Cheon Woo-jin by the scruff of his neck.
“You sit down and join the conversation too.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to make a request to you.”
“…”
In front of the speechless Cheon Woo-jin, Na Chwi-ryang scratched his chin.
“Honestly, I wanted to make the request directly to you, but that woman has been going around everywhere emphasizing that requests must go through her.”
“…”
“There are women who originally want to directly manage everything about a man, kahaha!”
Na Chwi-ryang opened his mouth and laughed, revealing his jagged teeth.
Watching this, Seo Seol-ryeong frowned.
“Don’t say strange things. It’s because that person asked me to do it that way first.”
What is this about now?
“When did I say that?”
“You told me there were many difficulties when you received a request directly from the Heavenly Dragon Tower Master without going through me.”
“I did say that, but…”
“If you don’t like it, then receive and handle work by yourself from now on.”
As they were having that conversation, Na Chwi-ryang chuckled.
“You two get along well. Should I come back in about an hour?”
“That’s not necessary. Let’s start talking business.”
Seo Seol-ryeong spoke in a cold voice.
“Fellow Daoist Cheon, please sit back down as well. The client wants Fellow Daoist Cheon to be present too.”
“…”
I have no choice.
Cheon Woo-jin sat back down.
“Then let me formally introduce myself first. I am called Na Chwi-ryang of the Shadow Scale Sunken Sect. I received direct teachings from Elder Ancestor Yo Won-gyeon, the previous Sect Master.”
Na Chwi-ryang grinned, baring his teeth.
“I’d like to hear your name and background.”
“Cheon Woo-jin.”
Cheon Woo-jin answered in a cold voice.
“I’m a mercenary who entered Ghost Head City after living a wandering life. I’m a man without roots, so there’s nothing more to tell you.”
“Even a man without roots must have had a master. Who taught you?”
“A nameless figure. You wouldn’t know him even if I told you.”
“How ridiculous. A master who raised someone like you couldn’t possibly be unknown. He must have been an extraordinary person.”
“He really was a worthless human being.”
He spoke while recalling the days spent with Ghost Shadow.
“A master who died at his disciple’s hands while trying to kill his disciple.”
“….”
Na Chwi-ryang flinched momentarily at Cheon Woo-jin’s words.
Then he leaned forward and asked.
“Are you saying that disciple was you?”
“I’ll leave that to your imagination.”
“Kuhehe, what a killer start from the very beginning.”
Na Chwi-ryang slapped his knee with his hand and laughed.
“I like you, Cheon Woo-jin.”
“A few days ago you seemed to be growling that you’d never let me go, but your attitude changes quickly.”
“Back then we were fighting over the Ghost Spirit Radiance Domain Banner. Now that the Ghost Spirit Radiance Domain Banner is gone, there’s no need to fight over past matters.”
After saying that, Na Chwi-ryang narrowed his eyes.
“Of course, that’s only if you’ll be helpful to me from now on.”
“Whether I help you or not depends on what your business is.”
Cheon Woo-jin looked straight at Na Chwi-ryang and said.
“What exactly is this about that you came looking for me? The Shadow Scale Sunken Sect must have plenty of useful people.”
“This matter has nothing to do with the Shadow Scale Sunken Sect – it’s my personal business. That’s why I’m looking for someone outside the Shadow Scale Sunken Sect to help.”
Na Chwi-ryang answered while directing his gaze toward Seo Seol-ryeong.
“But I happened to hear that a guy with decent skills had newly established himself on the 6th Floor.”
“….”
“I’d rather use someone I’ve clashed with once than a complete stranger. That’s why I came to make this request directly.”
Now it made sense why he had specifically come to meet Cheon Woo-jin, who had been his enemy.
It was because he had directly experienced Cheon Woo-jin’s abilities.
“This matter is something I don’t want to spread around widely. That’s another reason I chose a mercenary and companion who just moved up to the 6th Floor.”
“Sounds like there’s something shady about this job.”
“You could say that.”
Na Chwi-ryang slowly began his explanation.
“Recently, an item came down from the Upper Levels of Ghost Head City. But it was attacked and stolen on the 6th Floor.”
“….”
“The ones who stole the item are called the Iron Calamity Crowd. Have you ever heard of them?”
At Na Chwi-ryang’s question, Seo Seol-ryeong nodded.
“You mean those who wander around various parts of Ghost Beast City Middle Section causing all sorts of trouble.”
“They’re not quite at the level of a sect – just a gang of gathered mercenaries. But lately their power has grown considerably. I heard they rival even Jangrim Stronghold on the 5th Layer.”
“Jangrim Stronghold… I heard it was recently destroyed.”
“There’s talk that the Iron Calamity Crowd might have attacked Jangrim Stronghold.”
Cheon Woo-jin didn’t join the conversation between the two.
While he was the one who destroyed Jangrim Stronghold, there was no reason to reveal that in front of these two.
“Anyway, the Iron Calamity Crowd are wanderers without a specific main base, so it’s difficult to know where they went with the stolen item. That’s why the people who lost the item are just stamping their feet in frustration.”
“So you’re saying I should investigate and retrieve it for them?”
“No, that’s undecided.”
Na Chwi-ryang grinned, baring his teeth.
“I will find the Iron Calamity Crowd and steal that item from them. But whether I return it to the original owner or dispose of it separately – I haven’t decided yet.”
“….”
Seo Seol-ryeong fell silent for a moment.
“So you weren’t directly asked by the people who lost the item.”
“The original owners seem to have their own shady aspects. That’s why they can’t easily ask others for help. And that’s where I come in.”
Cheon Woo-jin, who had been listening quietly, slowly opened his mouth.
“From what you’re saying, it sounds like quite a valuable item.”
It was an item valuable enough for Na Chwi-ryang to move personally.
Whether he returned it to the original owner for compensation or disposed of it separately, it would be an item that could bring great profit.
“Is it a dangerous item like the Ghost Spirit Radiance Domain Banner?”
“It’s a different type of item from the Ghost Spirit Radiance Domain Banner. But its utility is superior.”
“What kind of item is it exactly?”
“The Heavenly Silkworm Shadow Cloak.”
Hearing those words, Cheon Woo-jin was inwardly surprised.
It was a name he had encountered in the game.
“Without spatial perception abilities of mid-stage Nascent Soul or higher, it’s absolutely impossible to detect this powerful concealment magical treasure. Its whereabouts have been unknown for ages, but it seems it was in the Ghost Head City Upper Levels all along. Some bastards were trying to move it outside Ghost Head City when this incident occurred.”
“….”
If Cheon Woo-jin’s memory was correct, the Heavenly Silkworm Shadow Cloak indeed possessed that level of powerful performance.
However, in the game, it was impossible to obtain the Heavenly Silkworm Shadow Cloak.
It would be used in the future power struggle over the next emperor’s throne of Wei Jin Kingdom, only to disappear somewhere again.
‘If it was being taken out of Ghost Head City at this point in time… I can roughly guess what’s happening.’
As Cheon Woo-jin was reviewing this matter while recalling the game’s story.
“This is somewhat dangerous.”
Seo Seol-ryeong spoke in a cold voice.
“If you two move together, you should be able to handle someone like Cheol Hwa-jung easily enough. But from what you’re saying, it might not end with simply dealing with Cheol Hwa-jung.”
“Don’t worry. Once I take the Heavenly Silkworm Shadow Cloak from Cheol Hwa-jung, I’ll handle what comes after.”
“That would be ideal, but unexpected situations could arise. We need to consider those possibilities as well.”
“What, are you saying to consider that and add more to the compensation?”
Na Chwi-ryang stroked his chin.
“How much would it take? About a hundred thousand spirit stones?”
“That’s far too little. And originally….”
“Wait.”
Cheon Woo-jin cut off Seo Seol-ryeong’s words.
While Seo Seol-ryeong was showing a negative attitude toward this matter, Cheon Woo-jin’s thoughts were different.
“I’ll take on this job myself.”
“Ah, really?”
“Fellow Daoist!”
Na Chwi-ryang was pleased, while Seo Seol-ryeong objected.
However, Cheon Woo-jin maintained a cold attitude as he spoke.
“But that’s only if appropriate compensation is provided. I have no intention of moving for a pittance.”
“Hmm, how much do you need? A hundred and fifty thousand spirit stones?”
“That’s nowhere near enough.”
Seo Seol-ryeong was working hard to raise their price.
He couldn’t move for such pocket change.
And….
“This time, I’d like to receive compensation in something other than spirit stones.”
“Something else?”
Na Chwi-ryang scratched his chin and tilted his head.
“You seem to have Water Spirit Root, so shall I give you resources containing Water Spirit Energy? I just recently got my hands on the inner core of a thousand-year-old toad.”
“That’s not a bad offer either, but what I want is something different.”
Cheon Woo-jin spoke in a calm voice.
“I’ve been interested in body cultivation techniques lately, so I’d like you to give me a good cultivation manual.”
“What? Body cultivation techniques?”
Body cultivation techniques are methods for training the physical body.
They’re similar to martial arts practiced by martial artists.
Ever since demonic energy had settled in his lower dantian last time, Cheon Woo-jin had become interested in body cultivation techniques.
He realized he could strengthen his body with the power of demonic energy, just as martial artists utilize internal energy.
“Hmm, body cultivation techniques….”
Na Chwi-ryang muttered while touching his chin.
“Certainly, someone like you would need body cultivation techniques.”
“Is that so?”
“That’s what I thought watching you fight.”
Saying this, Na Chwi-ryang raised his finger.
“You don’t stay in one place but run around the battlefield freely while fighting. Sometimes you even leap alone into enemy lines.”
“That’s true.”
“If you were going to plant your feet in one spot and just spam magic arts, it wouldn’t be necessary, but fighting like you do makes body cultivation techniques essential. Even without engaging in close combat, you can improve your reaction speed.”
Na Chwi-ryang moved his right finger to mime striking his left hand.
“For example, let’s say there’s someone trying to ambush you from behind. Then you’d have to turn around while casting magic arts. If you learn body cultivation techniques, your turning speed increases too, so ultimately your ability to react to surprise attacks improves.”
“That makes sense.”
“If you want body cultivation techniques, I’ll give you the Six Extremes Dynamic Arts. I’ll give you the cultivation manual, so learn it on your own.”
Six Extremes Dynamic Arts was quite an excellent body cultivation technique.
It greatly enhanced physical abilities and could be combined with sword techniques or fist techniques.
Even in the game, it was quite a useful cultivation method.
However….
“That won’t be sufficient.”
“What?”
Na Chwi-ryang’s eyes widened at Cheon Woo-jin’s rejection.
“Hey, you’re not asking me to hand over the Shadow Scale Sunken Sect’s body cultivation techniques, are you? Six Extremes Dynamic Arts is a cultivation method I acquired separately, so there’s no problem giving it to you, but I can’t leak the sect’s unique cultivation methods outside.”
“I’m not asking for the Shadow Scale Sunken Sect’s unique cultivation methods.”
Cheon Woo-jin spoke in a cold voice.
“I’d like to learn not the Six Extremes Cultivation Art, but the Six Extremes Heavenly Gang Divine Art .”
Bang!
Na Chwi-ryang struck the table with his large fist.
The table shattered instantly, and the smell of old wooden furniture spread along with the dust.
“You bastard… where did you hear about that?”
Before Na Chwi-ryang, who was glaring as if ready to resume their previous fight at any moment, Cheon Woo-jin held his head high without showing the slightest sign of intimidation.
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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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