Survival Guide for the Reincarnated - Chapter 333
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 333
Chapter 1
The sight of the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance envoy group ascending the steep mountain path of Yeom-ma Mountain was truly magnificent.
Led by Seol Woon-hwi, our party climbed the mountain in a carriage bearing the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance insignia.
The distinctive crimson rocks of Yeom-ma Mountain, bathed in the glow of sunset, created an illusion of raging flames—a spectacle that was genuinely breathtaking.
Manager Seong spoke quietly to me.
“Young Master. We’ll arrive soon.”
I gazed at the passing landscape through the carriage window and asked softly.
“Are you still worried?”
Manager Seong shook his head.
“No… it’s not that I don’t trust you, Young Master. I know who you are better than anyone else.”
Manager Seong knew that I was a reincarnate.
However, even for a reincarnate, remembering everything from the past was nearly impossible.
And yet, I had already reached a certain position before.
Since I could not have simply arrived at that position by chance, I could make optimal judgments based on limited information and the outcomes of the future that had unfolded.
Had there ever been anything ordinary among the things I had accomplished thus far?
Even if my judgment was optimal from my perspective, to Manager Seong and others, it appeared nothing but madness.
What Manager Seong worried about was that even as a reincarnate, I would still die if a blade pierced my throat.
“You push yourself too hard… honestly, since it’s me, my worry ends here, but if the Polar Descendants saw this, they would draw their swords to stop you. Desperately, at that.”
There was no exaggeration in Manager Seong’s added remark.
To anyone’s eyes, I was walking into a death trap.
Even with preparations made, this world was not a fairy tale.
The world exists because not everything flows smoothly according to plan.
I smiled silently, then turned my head to look at Dong Mu-rin.
“Are you nervous?”
“No, Master.”
The weight carried by that word was certainly different from what he had called me before.
That was the nature of the word “Master.”
“You already understand the importance of what you must do today.”
“….”
“Act as we discussed.”
Dong Mu-rin, his expression resolute, nodded.
As time passed, the carriage came to a halt before the main gate of the Mixed Path Demon Flame Palace.
Upon the grand stone gate, five characters reading “Mixed Path Demon Flame Palace” were carved in crimson script.
Those characters, as if written in blood, sent a chill through anyone who beheld them.
Hwa Mu-ryeong, who stood near my carriage, cried out in a loud voice.
“We have brought Cheon Ui Jung-jeong Seol Woon-hwi!”
Immediately after, the stone gate slowly opened, revealing the interior of the Mixed Path Demon Flame Palace.
Red flowers bloomed throughout the garden, and between them stood the martial artists of the Mixed Path Demon Flame Palace in formation, their expressions uniformly tense.
I descended from the carriage and surveyed my surroundings.
‘The most meager of treatments….’
On the surface, it appeared to be the highest courtesy, but my keen eyes discerned killing intent hidden throughout the grounds.
Archers concealed among the garden’s flowers, martial artists watching from the eaves of buildings.
This was not a welcome—it was an encirclement.
Manager Seong descended from the carriage, following me.
I glanced at Hwa Mu-ryeong. Complex emotions flickered across her expression.
Until we departed this place for the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance, she had merely hoped to be regarded as someone of significance within the Mixed Path Demon Flame Palace.
When she actually became Cheonsu-sa, she had first sought to consolidate control over her surroundings to elevate her position, then to raise the influence of the Mixed Path Demon Flame Palace.
She had been sincere to that degree, but now that she had returned, she would have to shed blood in this place.
“Are you wavering?”
At my question, Hwa Mu-ryeong shook her head.
Her eyes burned with resolve.
“Then that will suffice.”
Before long, a martial artist approached and spoke.
“It is an honor to meet Cheon Ui Jung-jeong. Please come this way. I shall guide you to the Palace Lord’s Hall.”
The martial artist’s voice was courteous, yet his gaze was sharp.
As our party proceeded toward the Palace Lord’s Hall, the martial artists of the Mixed Path Demon Flame Palace lined both sides, watching us. The atmosphere resembled an escort of prisoners.
I turned to look behind us.
The carriage would not wait at the Main Gate. Since we did not know how long we would remain, it was customary to station it at the stables, a nearby warehouse, or the Byeol Gwan.
Looking at the direction the carriage was heading, it was toward the warehouse. Several martial artists from the Mixed Path Demon Flame Palace had attached themselves around it, but I paid them no mind.
Having confirmed that much, I turned my head and proceeded slowly forward.
* * *
Inside the slowly moving carriage, someone spoke to Dong Mu-rin, who sat quietly with his eyes closed.
-When the time comes, I shall ensure that no one interferes.
It was Seo Hyo, disguised as a coachman.
He was now pulling the carriage while sending a transmission.
Dong Mu-rin opened his eyes.
“Thank you, Vice Alliance Leader.”
At those words, Seo Hyo let out a hollow laugh.
-Nothing has been decided yet. No matter how much the Great One wishes for me to take that seat, if I refuse, then it simply won’t happen, will it?
“Will you refuse?”
-How could I? Just as our Dong Xiao-xie entrusted his dreams to the Great One, I too have entrusted my dreams to him. We are ultimately in the same boat, and at a very close distance at that.
Dong Mu-rin laughed as well.
“It seems you’re trying to ease my tension, but there’s no need.”
-Still, I must help. You are someone the Great One cherishes, and someone destined to accomplish great things.
After a moment of thought, Dong Mu-rin asked Seo Hyo a question.
“But why do you speak so formally to me? You need not.”
-How could I? As I just said, you are someone the Great One cherishes. And I find this manner of speech comfortable.
Though Dong Mu-rin had rarely spent time directly with Seo Hyo, he understood well enough what kind of person he was.
Regardless of whether someone was young or old, of high or low status, he spoke formally to everyone he encountered.
For now, I let that matter rest.
Soon after, the carriage came to a halt.
As Seo Hyo made a light gesture, a small orb in front of Dong Mu-rin began to emit light.
-It’s expensive. It’s called a Dark Shadow Orb, and it has the effect of distorting not only presence but also the surrounding terrain. Please maintain the utmost composure.
Before those words could even finish, the carriage door swung open.
It was an unfamiliar face.
Thick eyebrows and a angular jaw.
And the emblem of the Mixed Path Demon Flame Palace inscribed upon his garments.
This man examined the interior of the carriage.
Dong Mu-rin was clearly seated there, yet he failed to notice his presence.
From behind him, Seo Hyo spoke.
“Ah, why are you even checking? Besides, that carriage isn’t just any carriage—it’s the exclusive conveyance of our Cheon Ui Jung-jeong, and if you go rummaging through it like that… he’ll be absolutely furious.”
The martial artist from the Mixed Path Demon Flame Palace flinched.
“…That would be… problematic.”
With those words, the martial artist closed the door again.
Soon, a martial artist’s voice could be heard from outside the carriage.
“All coachmen and porters of the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance, gather here. I will guide you to your lodgings.”
The sound of footsteps began to fade into the distance.
Dong Mu-rin, who had been watching the orb, closed his eyes once more.
It was not yet time to move.
* * *
When Seol Woon-hwi arrived at the Palace Lord’s Hall, the grand doors opened.
Inside the spacious hall, several figures were already seated, and one of them immediately caught my attention.
It was Shin Ju-eon, the Flame Sword Sovereign, seated in the place of honor at the front.
His crimson hair blazed like flames, and from his sharp eyes flowed a cold light.
Though the Longevity Technique granted him an appearance relatively youthful for his years, the oppressive aura emanating from his depths was that of a master honed through countless ages.
Beside him sat Jin Seong-hak, the Grand Elder of the Mixed Path Demon Flame Palace. He was a white-haired elder, yet his gaze remained as keen as ever.
As I surveyed the hall, my brow twitched slightly.
Shin Ju-yang and Shin Ju-je, the two sons of Shin Ju-eon, were nowhere to be seen.
At that moment, Shin Ju-eon rose from his seat and performed a light Embracing Fist salute.
“For the Cheon Ui Jung-jeong to come here in person—truly, it is an unparalleled honor.”
Though his courtesy appeared proper on the surface, a hint of sarcasm colored his voice.
“Thank you for the invitation.”
Shin Ju-eon, observing me as I returned the Embracing Fist salute, frowned slightly.
‘Excessively composed.’
Though puzzled, he paid it no mind.
Now that he had come here, everything would unfold according to Shin Ju-eon’s will.
“Please, be seated.”
At Shin Ju-eon’s gesture, my entourage took their prepared seats. Manager Seong positioned himself directly behind me, while Hwa Mu-ryeong settled herself at a slight distance.
A moment of silence fell over the hall.
Shin Ju-eon slowly poured tea and opened his mouth.
“But where is Dong Mu-rin?”
Shin Ju-eon cut straight to the point, skipping all pleasantries, and I lifted my teacup to respond.
“He is elsewhere.”
“Elsewhere? Is he not the central figure in this matter? How could you possibly keep such a person in another location?”
“Then where are your two sons, Sect Leader?”
At my counter-question, Shin Ju-eon’s lips curved into an enigmatic smile.
“I suppose I must say they are also elsewhere.”
The gazes of both men collided in the air.
On the surface, it was a tranquil conversation, but beneath lay a taut battle of wits.
Shin Ju-eon thought to himself.
‘This matter will unfold more easily than expected.’
He had already joined hands with the Martial Alliance.
That meant he could no longer walk the same path as me.
One who would not abandon Dong Mu-rin could only become his enemy in the end. Thus, it was more rational to kill me and swallow the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance whole.
Such was the nature of human desire, and Shin Ju-eon was a man who followed his instincts faithfully.
As Shin Ju-eon’s gaze grew sharper, I smiled gently and spoke.
“You need not lower your words. Though I hold the position of Cheon Ui Jung-jeong, you are surely my senior by far, are you not?”
“Heh heh… Very well then. Now tell me your reason.”
“What reason do you speak of?”
“Why were you keeping Dong Mu-rin?”
My answer was simple.
“Because he is my man.”
“Your man?”
Shin Ju-eon let out a derisive snort.
“Truly, you speak in amusing ways. Your connection with that fellow spans merely a few years at most. It is impossible for such a bond to form in so short a time unless you had shared a bed—a crude and vulgar insinuation indeed.”
It was a base and contemptible insult.
I merely smiled, but Manager Seong beside me bristled instead.
“Your words seem to have overstepped…”
I gently pressed Manager Seong’s shoulder.
This was not a moment for him to interject.
Manager Seong, his fists clenched, stepped back.
Tension filled the entire hall.
Shin Ju-eon slowly rotated his teacup, regarding me with mischievous delight gleaming in his eyes.
“What do you think I will do?”
“I cannot say.”
I took a sip of tea before answering.
“It seems your resolve has already been decided rather than seeking conversation, does it not?”
Shin Ju-eon burst into hearty laughter.
“Hahahaha! So they call you a genius, yet I never expected you to be merely this capable.”
His voice dripped with mockery.
Shin Ju-eon and Seol Woon-hwi had met for less than half a gak, yet a genius?
This too was sarcasm. The reason was trivial.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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