Survival Guide for the Reincarnated - Chapter 360

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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 360
Hundreds had reached the realm of Heaven-Human Unity, and nearly thirty martial artists had ascended to Dao Transformation Authority Truth and Great Void Formless.
Masters of Primordial Sole Existence had emerged—at least five of them.
It was truly the golden age of the Murim.
What made it even more remarkable was that these numbers represented only active martial artists who had not withdrawn from the world.
If one included those in seclusion or hiding their identities, the figure nearly doubled.
The term “golden age” could not have been more fitting.
Among those who rose to prominence during this period was Geum Mu-jeok, the Resplendent Sword Master.
A master among masters who would one day reach Great Void Formless.
A figure who would dominate the Mangwol Peak region and reign like a king before shifting his enmity to the Origin Blood Sect.
“So I finally lay eyes upon Cheon Ui Jung-jeong of the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance—the one they say has a heavy rear end.”
Geum Mu-jeok descended before Seol Woon-hwi.
“It seems much transpired within the Secret Realm. Those who emerged before me mentioned that Cheon Ui Jung-jeong Seol Woon-hwi would resolve the ‘problem.'”
A crimson gleam flickered across Geum Mu-jeok’s eyes.
“So then, where are the Spirit Pills I should receive?”
Seol Woon-hwi smiled faintly.
“What Spirit Pills are you referring to?”
“…What?”
“To be perfectly candid, I obtained both Spirit Pills and martial arts within the Secret Realm. Yet you never entered the Secret Realm yourself, Senior Geum, and you speak as though merely reclaiming something entrusted to you. I confess I find myself somewhat bewildered.”
“You’re playing with words. Did we not make an agreement?”
“The person who made that agreement is already dead, and it was not an agreement made with me. Why do you press this upon me?”
Geum Mu-jeok let out a hollow laugh.
“So you’re a shameless bastard after all. Stop wasting breath and hand it over.”
“You’re forcing me to repeat myself. Did you enter the Secret Realm?”
“….”
“When I think about it, it’s rather amusing. You didn’t enter the Secret Realm, yet you demand a third of the treasures? Everyone has their own way, they say, but you cling to a way I simply cannot respect.”
“You’re provoking me.”
“That may not be my intent, but it is undeniably ridiculous.”
Geum Mu-jeok burst into laughter.
“Then why didn’t you object back then? You agreed in that moment, and now you wish to pretend it never happened?”
“I merely went along with it because I wished to keep my identity concealed.”
“….”
“But now that my identity has been revealed, I have no choice but to alter the terms of our arrangement.”
It was not an unreasonable argument.
The situation when I was Mu Myeong with a hidden identity was entirely different from now, when I stand fully revealed as Cheon Ui Jung-jeong.
The weight of one’s position exists for a reason, and as Cheon Ui Jung-jeong, it is proper that I speak thus. To remain silent would invite rumors.
That Cheon Ui Jung-jeong values agreements yet possesses a foolish side.
Geum Mu-jeok clicked his tongue and asked.
“How do you intend to alter it?”
Seol Woon-hwi clasped his hands behind his back with composure.
“Just return to your quarters. Then there will be no problems.”
Geum Mu-jeok’s face crumpled.
“I told those men I sent outside that I would sell them the name Cheon Ui Jung-jeong and handle it directly. What is this nonsense now?”
“Isn’t that exactly what I’m doing right now?”
“…This?”
“Yes.”
“…You’ve left me speechless. Is this the vaunted method of Cheon Ui Jung-jeong?”
“Is my meaning unclear?”
“….”
“In truth, I initially intended to propose a deal most respectfully—one that would be quite favorable from Senior Geum’s perspective. But the moment you stole my man’s hidden dagger, everything changed.”
“Changed, you say….”
Geum Mu-jeok, who had been thinking for a moment, lightly tossed the hidden dagger in his hand. The blade was drawn into Manager Seong’s grasp as if by suction.
“Since I’ve returned the dagger, let me propose a deal that would be favorable from my perspective.”
Seol Woon-hwi laughed softly.
“Surprisingly reasonable, aren’t you? Very well. Let me present my proposal.”
Geum Mu-jeok was curious. What audacious words would spill from this insolent bastard’s mouth?
“I will help you secure one of the eight seats of the Cheonin Palzwa.”
“…What?”
“And if you transfer your enemies to the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance, I will entrust you with the administration of Mangwol Peak and the surrounding territories of the Cheong Ryong Hyeop.”
His jaw dropped.
Undoubtedly a favorable proposal. Yet this offer concealed a grave trap.
“…It sounds like you’re telling me to bow my head and enter.”
Precisely. This was unmistakable submission.
Bow your head and enter, and I will grant you position and authority. It was merely a roundabout way of saying the same thing.
“Your perception is quite sharp.”
“…Arrogant whelp, reaching for the heavens. No matter how formidable the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance’s influence, you threaten a senior of the Murim like this? You’re insane. Truly insane.”
“My proposal may displease you, but I cannot offer anything better.”
“And if I refuse?”
“You will die.”
A brief silence fell.
Then.
“Hahahahahaha—!!”
Geum Mu-jeok burst into raucous laughter.
“You truly see nothing. Even if you’ve founded a new realm called Samhyeon Realm, you don’t reach the Five Realms of Martial God—that much I know better than anyone….”
Geum Mu-jeok’s words trailed off.
“Wait… You… You?”
Upon reflection, this situation and this conversation—
The flow of all this felt strange.
Precisely, one thing was missing.
The source of Seol Woon-hwi’s confidence.
He was threatening to kill a martial artist of Heaven-Human Unity. Right before their eyes.
And not long ago, one martial artist of Heaven-Human Unity had died.
He was a master who had only half a step remaining before reaching Limitless Divine Manifestation, had made his mark in the Murim, and was even evaluated as the strongest among the Eight Seats of Heaven-Human.
Mae Wi-dong, the Alliance Leader of the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance.
He had fallen into Qi Deviation while elevating his realm, and Seol Woon-hwi had been injured trying to prevent it, or so the story went.
But if one looked at this differently, a different picture could be drawn.
Seol Woon-hwi and Mae Wi-dong had fought, and Seol Woon-hwi had been injured in the process of killing him—if that were true, it would explain the confidence Seol Woon-hwi was displaying now.
Seol Woon-hwi wore a subtle smile.
“Your perception is truly remarkable.”
“…You… now that I see it… you really are a terrifying one.”
Among those who had reached a certain realm through pure talent alone, they were foolish and foolish again, meeting a tragic death at some point.
But those who had cultivated their talents through intellect as well, blooming their own abilities to elevate their realm, never died easily.
Because their perception was sharp.
It was the same now.
“…From this moment when I learn of this, between you and me there exists only one of two outcomes—we become enemies or allies.”
“Exactly. So why didn’t you just leave when I told you to? Then you could have maintained neutrality.”
Seol Woon-hwi slowly drew the Jinwha Cheonryeong Sword from the Storage Bag where he had placed it.
It was just as Geum Mu-jeok, who had let out a sigh, was about to draw his sword.
“You never change, no matter how much time passes.”
Geum Mu-jeok, his entire face contorted, turned his head.
A middle-aged man was walking slowly toward them.
There was no one in this place who did not know him.
He gazed at Seol Woon-hwi and performed a respectful Embracing Fist salute.
“Dok Go-hyeon, Elder of the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance, pays respects to Cheon Ui Jung-jeong.”
Seol Woon-hwi returned the salute in kind.
“I greet you, Great Hero Dok-go. But what brings you here?”
Dok Go-hyeon chuckled softly.
“I am planning to enter closed door training soon. If that happens, I fear I will not be able to see off Cheon Ui Jung-jeong as you leave the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance, so I made time to come. However….”
Dok Go-hyeon’s gaze turned toward Geum Mu-jeok.
“Now that I see this, I’m glad I came. If I may be so bold, would it be acceptable for me to handle that one?”
“Is that what you wish, Great Hero Dok-go?”
“If I allow such a trivial matter to require Cheon Ui Jung-jeong to step forward, I could not hold my head high as one who has entrusted himself to the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance.”
This was truly an interesting way of speaking.
It elevated Seol Woon-hwi’s value, and in doing so, it revealed at once what values the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance pursued and what its internal hierarchical order was.
After a moment of thought, Seol Woon-hwi returned the Jinwha Cheonryeong Sword to the Storage Bag and took a step back.
“If Great Hero Dok-go has a stratagem, then yes, I shall trust and entrust this to you.”
The moment Seol Woon-hwi gave his permission, Dok Go-hyeon walked slowly toward Geum Mu-jeok.
“Geum Mu-jeok… I hear you’ve been making quite a name for yourself these days.”
Geum Mu-jeok’s face hardened.
“…It seems like it’s been a long time since we’ve met, but I never expected it would be under circumstances like this.”
“Since we’ve met, what can be done? We must each do what we must.”
Dok Go-hyeon.
A master who ranked among the upper echelons of the Cheonin Palzwa.
Geum Mu-jeok sighed once more, watching him.
“You’re truly going to do this?”
“Is there something wrong with that?”
“…Please don’t do this.”
Dok Go-hyeon smiled faintly.
“You’ve changed so much from that time when you came seeking enlightenment. Truly, you are not the same person.”
“…When are you talking about?”
“Precisely seven years and three months ago.”
“….”
“Even if you’ve gained great enlightenment since then and ascended to Heaven-Human Unity, you fool. In my eyes, you remain that same person from back then.”
“…Are all the people from the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance like you? Why do you speak so harshly? A blade has no eyes.”
Dok Go-hyeon slowly drew his sword. But he did not attack. He simply stood there, holding it.
In that instant, cold sweat broke across Geum Mu-jeok’s back.
‘What does this old man consume to remain so vigorous even now?’
The aura emanating from Dok Go-hyeon’s blade exceeded what Geum Mu-jeok had imagined. It was unlike an ordinary Heaven-Human Unity cultivator.
“Since you have indeed grown since then, I shall now grant you the respect you desire.”
At the change in his tone, Geum Mu-jeok swallowed hard.
“Master Geum. You have two choices before you.”
“…What are those two choices?”
“First, to engage me in a life-or-death duel right here. I cannot say whether your future is brighter than mine, but at least the outcome now is predictable.”
“….”
“You know it, and I know it.”
Geum Mu-jeok’s hands trembled slightly.
“…What is the second?”
“Second, to accept Cheon Ui Jung-jeong’s proposal.”
“…Is this coercion?”
“Coercion? No. This is advice. You are a perceptive man. You’ve already discerned the truth hidden behind Mae Wi-dong’s death, have you not? I trust that such a person as yourself would know what the best choice is in this situation.”
Geum Mu-jeok clenched his teeth. But he could not deny it.
Seol Woon-hwi, who killed Mae Wi-dong who had ascended to Heaven-Human Unity. And Dok Go-hyeon, an elder of the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance, treating that Woon-hwi with such deference.
“It sounds like you’re saying I could settle past gratitude and grudges…am I right?”
“As I told you back then, I ask nothing in return for the enlightenment I granted you. Do you not remember?”
I do.
Seven years ago, Geum Mu-jeok, the Gate Master of the Golden Sword Sect who was a martial artist of the Heaven-Human Realm, had sought out Dok Go-hyeon, a member of the Cheonin Palzwa, and asked for enlightenment.

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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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