Instant-Death Cultivation: Surviving in an Immortal World with Instant Kill - Chapter 89

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 89: Central Mirror Town (4)

 

 

Duanjang Five Monster Wine.

It was wine made from five types of strange herbs including duanjang grass.

 

Duanjang grass was a legendary poisonous herb that supposedly drove the Flame Emperor Shennong, who had verified all medicinal and poisonous herbs in this world, to his death.

However, medicine and poison were originally two sides of the same coin. Duanjang grass also possessed medicinal effects that could remove the bad energy of rheumatism and clear blood vessels.

 

Duanjang Five Monster Wine was a spirit wine made from five highly toxic medicinal herbs based on this principle.

For someone who could properly digest its toxicity, it would be greatly beneficial, but for those who couldn’t, even a single sip could kill them by severing their intestines.

 

Gong Wu, the Core Formation Realm cultivator of the Qilin clan, was recommending such a dangerous drink.

 

“Hey, Cheon Woo-jin.”

 

At that moment, Na Chwi-ryang spoke up.

 

“Don’t act recklessly for no reason. You might end up going to see the King of Hell just like that.”

 

Saying this, Na Chwi-ryang lowered his posture in front of Gong Wu.

 

“Master Gong, this fellow has just ascended to the 6th Floor as a Foundation Establishment cultivator. He doesn’t have the body to withstand such strong liquor, so please show some consideration.”

“Cultivator Na, please stay quiet.”

 

However, Gong Wu didn’t even glance at Na Chwi-ryang and was only looking at Cheon Woo-jin.

 

“What will you do, young friend?”

“….”

“Will you show courage?”

 

Cheon Woo-jin looked down at the wine cup with his mouth closed.

 

The liquid swirling in the small cup was colorless and transparent.

However, a strong fragrance rose up and stung his nose, and an even more intense energy stimulated Cheon Woo-jin’s sensory organs.

Having experienced battles with the Ten Thousand Poison Six Evil Sect, Cheon Woo-jin could immediately recognize how dangerous this wine was.

 

Even knowing that.

Cheon Woo-jin reached for the wine cup.

 

“Hey, you….”

 

Na Chwi-ryang tried to say something.

But Cheon Woo-jin didn’t care and poured all the contents of the wine cup into his mouth.

 

“Hey!”

 

The taste itself wasn’t as stimulating as expected.

However, as it passed down his throat and flowed into his stomach, he could immediately feel intense poison being absorbed.

 

“Damn, he really is completely insane!”

 

Na Chwi-ryang urgently clenched his fist and tried to strike Cheon Woo-jin’s solar plexus.

He was trying to force him to vomit the wine before the poison could be absorbed.

 

However, Gong Wu’s bare-handed Sword Qi blocking Na Chwi-ryang’s fist was faster.

 

“Stay still, Cultivator Na.”

“…!”

 

Just moments ago, Na Chwi-ryang had shown reaction speed that surpassed Gal Wi, a cultivator of the same level.

But now Gong Wu showed divine speed that surpassed even Na Chwi-ryang.

It was a moment that revealed Gong Wu’s level was much higher than Na Chwi-ryang’s.

 

“Let’s watch for now. This is an interesting situation.”

“What….”

 

In front of the two men watching.

Cheon Woo-jin began to manipulate the poison absorbed through his stomach.

 

Using the same technique as when he had accepted the Suppressing Sea Demon Lord’s demonic energy not long ago.

 

‘I’ll harmonize this poison with my spiritual energy… and circulate it through the spiritual meridians of my entire body.’

 

The poison of Duanjang Five Monster Grass was certainly very dangerous.

However, compared to the demonic energy of the Suppressing Sea Demon Lord, a transcendent being of the Upper Realm, it was only slightly stimulating.

 

Cheon Woo-jin’s spiritual meridians, having become a Foundation Establishment Great Circle cultivator, could withstand this level of poison.

 

‘This way, I don’t need a complicated detoxification process either.’

 

Originally, one would need to understand the composition of the poison and neutralize each component one by one.

Only then would detoxification be possible without an antidote.

 

But with this method, there was no need for that.

He could blend the poison with his spiritual energy, circulate it throughout his body, and adapt it to his physical form.

By doing so, he would gradually be able to control the poison.

It was exactly the same as making the spiritual energy absorbed from elixirs his own through Qi Circulation Cultivation.

 

Once he reached this point, there were no more difficult parts.

He just needed to truly separate the poisonous energy from the medicinal energy, then expel only the poisonous energy.

 

“Whew….”

 

Cheon Woo-jin exhaled a small breath.

That breath contained the poison of Duanjang Five Monster Wine.

 

When he waved his hand to disperse it, the poison scattered in all directions.

However, since it was a component that couldn’t maintain its toxicity in the air, it just produced a stimulating smell and disappeared.

 

“I drank it well.”

“Hehe…”

 

Gong Wu smiled as he watched Cheon Woo-jin elegantly finish the Gallbladder Five Poison Wine.

 

“Drinking it all in one gulp! That was truly magnificent.”

 

After giving such praise, Gong Wu turned his gaze to Na Chwi-ryang.

 

“Cultivator Na, since your junior has magnificently drained it in one gulp, you don’t have to drink if you don’t want to.”

“This damn…”

 

Na Chwi-ryang swallowed the curse in his mouth and snatched the wine cup with an angry expression.

 

“Don’t underestimate me too much.”

 

Saying that, Na Chwi-ryang gulped down the Gallbladder Five Poison Wine in one go.

Then his eyes turned bright red… and he collapsed right there with a thud.

 

Cheon Woo-jin immediately tried to check Na Chwi-ryang’s condition, but Gong Wu stopped him.

 

“There’s nothing to worry about. If it’s Cultivator Na, he can definitely overcome this much.”

 

Gong Wu was smiling as he looked at the collapsed Na Chwi-ryang.

He seemed pleased that Na Chwi-ryang had stubbornly drunk the Gallbladder Five Poison Wine.

 

“One who walks the path of cultivation should have at least this much spirit. Don’t you think so?”

“I’m not sure.”

 

Cheon Woo-jin replied as he sat down.

 

“I drank it because I was confident, but Na Chwi-ryang seems to have drunk it purely to protect his pride.”

“That’s also a necessary virtue on the path of cultivation.”

“Taking risks because of pride?”

“Carrying through with being true to oneself.”

 

Saying that, Gong Wu casually sipped the Gallbladder Five Poison Wine as if it were nothing.

 

“Certainly, if we consider gains and losses, refusing the wine cup here would be the cleverer thing to do. But the memory of running away like that would remain in Cultivator Na’s heart forever. That would have a bad influence on the future he must advance toward. So in the long run, it would be a loss.”

“…”

“This is a more important aspect in the Cultivation World than you might think.”

 

Gong Wu spoke slowly.

 

“People often say that to reach high realms as a cultivator, you must throw away things like beliefs and use any means necessary. But is that really true?”

“…”

“Those who truly live without beliefs are most numerous in the lowest Qi Refining Stage. But most of them fail to break through the wall and meet their death in the Qi Refining Stage. Even though they used any means necessary.”

 

Cheon Woo-jin, who had been listening quietly, opened his mouth to ask.

 

“Isn’t that because they lack the resources to advance to Foundation Establishment? It seems like a matter that ultimately depends on luck.”

“Then how can one obtain that luck?”

 

Gong Wu asked in return.

 

“Luck is originally determined by heaven, but it can be changed by a person’s actions alone. A single step taken courageously without hesitation can sometimes help one avoid the fate of death.”

“…”

 

Suddenly, Cheon Woo-jin thought of when he first fell into this world.

It was because he had shaken off his fear in front of the Black Mist Dragon and attempted the Instant Death Heaven Eye that the current Cheon Woo-jin existed.

 

“To truly reach high realms, what’s needed most isn’t the cunning of using any means necessary… but rather the will to advance on one’s own path regardless of any danger and carry through with being true to oneself.”

“…”

“That’s what I think, Cultivator Cheon.”

 

Hearing those words.

Cheon Woo-jin realized Gong Wu’s true intention.

 

“Was offering the Gallbladder Five Poison Wine to confirm whether I had that kind of will?”

“I’m sorry for testing you, Cultivator Cheon.”

 

Gong Wu apologized with a smile.

 

“Actually, I already knew about Cultivator Cheon. I’m also aware of what kind of role you played in the fight over the Ghost Spirit Summoning Banner. Since such a Cultivator Cheon came to visit, I wanted to understand what kind of person you were, so I played a little prank.”

“That prank seemed too dangerous though.”

“I’m sorry. Still, if Cultivator Cheon’s life had been in danger after drinking the Gallbladder Five Poison Wine, I would have saved you. I had no intention of harming you.”

“I knew that.”

 

Cheon Woo-jin looked into Gong Wu’s eyes.

Despite being someone who had suddenly offered poison wine, his pupils contained benevolence.

 

“I’ve known about the Qilin clan’s nature since long ago.”

 

According to ancient texts, the qilin was called a benevolent beast.

The character for benevolence was made by combining the characters for person and two , and while various meanings were added in later generations, it originally referred to affection between people.

 

Perhaps because of this.

The Qilin clan always shows affectionate gazes toward others.

They have friendly feelings not only toward their own kind but toward all intelligent species.

This contrasts with the Dragon Clan, similar divine beasts who have a sense of superiority toward other species.

 

Most of the Qilin clan members who appeared in the game had such personalities too.

Gong Wu was the same – while he had mischievous aspects like testing people this way, he was normally a very benevolent NPC.

Cheon Woo-jin had received Gong Wu’s help more than once or twice during the game.

 

“Master Gong.”

 

Recalling the memories of being with Gong Wu in the game, Cheon Woo-jin called Gong Wu with an honorific title.

 

“Today we came to find Master Gong because we wanted to obtain information about the Iron Fire Bell.”

“Iron Flower Group.”

 

Gong Wu made a bitter expression.

 

“They’re pitiful children. Originally, they were Scattered Cultivators wandering without affiliation. But after banding together, they’ve gained a viciousness that rivals any Dark Gate organization.”

“Do you know where they’re currently staying?”

 

Gong Wu nodded at Cheon Woo-jin’s question.

 

“Right now, the Iron Flower Group is probably hiding in Anhui Valley. It’s a valley located in the Snow Mountain Region, where a good Spirit Spring flows.”

“Anhui Valley…”

“Are you going to seek them out and subjugate them?”

“It would be good if I could resolve my business without spilling blood, but there’s a high possibility that won’t happen.”

 

Gong Wu nodded at Cheon Woo-jin’s honest answer.

 

“Yes, that might be their fitting fate.”

 

Gong Wu was a qilin with a benevolent nature.

However, he wasn’t an extreme good person who tried to protect all life.

 

Perhaps because he had lived for over a thousand years and witnessed countless tragic scenes.

He had a detachment that accepted people killing and being killed by each other as it was.

 

“Mmgh…”

 

At that moment, Na Chwi-ryang, who had collapsed, made a groaning sound.

It seemed he was gradually overcoming the poison and trying to regain consciousness.

 

“Fellow Daoist Cheon.”

 

Watching Na Chwi-ryang wake up, Gong Wu spoke in a gentle voice.

 

“When you reach the Core Formation Realm soon, come visit me again. Then we’ll have a deeper conversation.”

 

It was a statement that seemed to prophesy that Cheon Woo-jin would reach the Core Formation Realm before long.

 

* * *

 

“Anhui Valley… To get there, it would be better to depart tomorrow morning. Let’s each finish our preparations and meet again.”

 

After leaving the Moon Red Tower, Cheon Woo-jin and Na Chwi-ryang dispersed for now.

Since they had already found out where the Iron Flower Group was hiding, they needed to make full preparations before setting out to subjugate them.

 

Cheon Woo-jin took sufficient rest in his Cave Dwelling, then checked his elixirs and talismans.

And when the next morning came, he headed to Seo Seol-ryeong’s shop.

This was because he had arranged to meet Na Chwi-ryang there.

 

“Anhui Valley is quite a dangerous place.”

 

Seo Seol-ryeong, who had heard the information Cheon Woo-jin obtained yesterday, expressed concern.

 

“If you rush in without sufficient preparation, even you and Na Chwi-ryang working together will struggle considerably. You might even fall into crisis if you’re not careful.”

“Actually, I am a bit anxious.”

 

The Iron Flower Group hiding in Anhui Valley was one thing, but the path to Anhui Valley itself was dangerous.

When he was discussing with Seo Seol-ryeong about how to break through there, the sound of knocking on the door was heard.

However, it wasn’t Na Chwi-ryang who showed his face at the shop.

 

“Has everyone been well?”

“Fellow Daoist Ho Yeon, please come in.”

 

It was Ho Yeon-rin from the Heavenly Dragon Tower.

She had been injured by Baek Gang-ryeon of the White Night Ice Palace, but now she had recovered completely.

 

“Here’s an opening gift.”

“Thank you.”

 

Receiving the bag of snacks Ho Yeon-rin handed over, Seo Seol-ryeong expressed her gratitude.

 

“An opening gift when you haven’t even decided what kind of shop to run yet?”

“Don’t meddle unnecessarily. I’ll figure it out myself.”

“Right, Fellow Daoist Cheon. It’s a space where she’ll be sitting all day, so consideration is necessary.”

 

When Cheon Woo-jin made a comment, Seo Seol-ryeong and Ho Yeon-rin both scolded him in unison.

 

“Ahem, anyway.”

 

Ho Yeon-rin cleared her throat and looked at Cheon Woo-jin.

 

“Fellow Daoist Cheon, about the reward for the last incident.”

 

The reward for the last incident.

Of course, it was about the reward for the Ghost Spirit Summoning Banner incident.

Cheon Woo-jin’s involvement in the Ghost Spirit Summoning Banner incident was because he had received a request from Oh Hwi-seong, the Heavenly Dragon Tower Master.

 

However, since Oh Hwi-seong had to coordinate opinions with the high-ranking members of the Dragon Clan, he hadn’t received the reward yet.

 

“Only at dawn today did we get permission from the higher-ups. So we can finally pay you the reward.”

“That’s welcome news to hear.”

 

Cheon Woo-jin answered calmly.

 

“I was just thinking I wanted to take something more with me.”

“Hmm? Did you have somewhere to go?”

“Yes, so you came at just the right time.”

 

If Ho Yeon-rin had come even a little later, he would have had to depart for Anhui Valley without receiving the compensation from the Heavenly Dragon Tower.

So she had come at perfect timing.

 

“I’d like you to hand over the items quickly.”

“Don’t rush me. I’ll hand them over one by one while explaining.”

 

Ho Yeon-rin said this as she took out a box from her storage bag.

 

“First, the reward I promised initially… I’ll hand over the treasure that Thunder Spirit True Person supposedly made himself.”

 

Thunder Spirit True Person, the genius thunder arts master of his generation who created the Thunder Spirit Great Evolution Art.

The treasure he left behind was precisely the first reward that Oh Hwi-seong had promised to Cheon Woo-jin.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————