Survival Guide for the Reincarnated - Chapter 394

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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 394
Seok Cheon-han was in a state of shock.
His hands trembled.
He demanded answers from the man before him.
“What do you mean, Vice Alliance Leader Zhuge Yeong-hyeon is dead?”
“…That is what I have heard as well.”
The man, Im Sang-seo, supervisor of the Martial Alliance’s Dragon Phoenix Gathering, bore an expression no different from Seok Cheon-han’s.
Ashen.
Unbelievable.
Zhuge Yeong-hyeon was dead.
The original plan had been thus:
When the second examination began, Im Sang-seo would lure Seol Yeon-hwa into a Formation Technique that Zhuge Yeong-hyeon had prepared separately, trapping her within.
This was the first step, and if successful, within approximately half a shichen, Seol Yeon-hwa would collapse from exhaustion. Confining her elsewhere would be the second step.
And when Zhuge Yeong-hyeon gave the signal, retrieving Seol Yeon-hwa would be the third.
A plan consisting of three stages in total.
So then, why was Seok Cheon-han, the Young Sect Master of the Path of Supremacy, involved in this?
It was simple.
Im Sang-seo had made another arrangement with Seok Cheon-han.
No one was unaware that Seok Cheon-han harbored dark intentions toward Seol Yeon-hwa.
It had been blatant since the Martial Alliance entrance examination.
Im Sang-seo had owed a debt to the Path of Supremacy long ago.
And he desired to cultivate a favorable relationship with Seok Cheon-han, who would become the next Sect Master of the Path of Supremacy.
So he had casually mentioned Zhuge Yeong-hyeon’s plan.
Naturally, Seok Cheon-han showed great interest.
Who was Zhuge Yeong-hyeon? The last descendant of the Zhuge Family.
Regarding Formation Techniques, there were scarcely anyone in the Murim who could rival him, so if he had calculated it, he would never have allowed Seol Yeon-hwa to awaken easily.
That was right.
Even if he violated the unconscious Seol Yeon-hwa, who would ever know?
Seok Cheon-han had stated it precisely thus.
That he wished to spend merely half a shichen with Seol Yeon-hwa.
Im Sang-seo had accepted this.
Of course, he had not accepted it merely with words.
Two hundred nyang in gold.
He had said he would provide that.
Greed.
That was what moved Im Sang-seo.
And this was not merely for two hundred nyang in gold.
Sharing secrets with Seok Cheon-han, the future Sect Master of the Path of Supremacy—this was far too alluring.
Im Sang-seo was a man who had long ago recognized his limitations as a martial artist of the Five Energy Harmonizing Origin, and if he were to align with someone of Seok Cheon-han’s caliber, he would surely receive a position far higher than that of a mere examination supervisor for the Martial Alliance.
But now everything had fallen apart.
“Th-this….”
Seok Cheon-han clutched at his hair in desperation.
“What in the world is happening!”
“Keep your voice down!”
Im Sang-seo hurriedly glanced around.
Fortunately, no one was present.
Soon the two men gathered their thoughts.
No one knew of this matter.
They could simply resolve it as it stood.
Im Sang-seo regarded Seok Cheon-han.
“Young Master Seok.”
“…What is it.”
“Let us agree that nothing happened here.”
“….”
“We have done nothing wrong ourselves. This was entirely the independent action of Vice Alliance Leader Zhuge Yeong-hyeon. If we settle it that way, no one will know that he attempted to harm Seol Yeon-hwa…no, her.”
Seok Cheon-han nodded.
“…Then let us proceed that way….”
Yet Seok Cheon-han could not finish his words.
Sensing something amiss, Im Sang-seo followed Seok Cheon-han’s gaze.
His eyes widened and he drew a sharp breath.
A man stood before them.
Since when had he been there.
How had he appeared.
They knew nothing.
He simply stood there.
“Seol…Seol Woon-hwi…?”
Im Sang-seo’s voice trembled.
Seol Woon-hwi spoke in a quiet voice.
“I thought of letting it rest.”
“….”
“But I find I cannot.”
Had he heard everything.
Though Im Sang-seo and Seok Cheon-han thought thus, it mattered not.
Seol Woon-hwi extended his hand.
He seized Im Sang-seo by the throat.
It was so natural that Im Sang-seo could not even comprehend what was happening.
Then he understood.
The tremendous killing intent emanating from Seol Woon-hwi’s eyes.
“Whether before or now.”
Seol Woon-hwi’s voice had grown cold and sharp.
“After more than twenty years of keeping them alive while torturing them, I can now read their thoughts just by looking at their faces.”
Im Sang-seo trembled violently.
Terror consumed him.
He could do nothing.
Seol Woon-hwi had once spoken of it.
In his previous life, he had captured and tortured everyone connected to Seol Yeon-hwa’s demise.
It was not mere torture.
He healed them, fed them Spirit Pills, and tortured them still.
Among them were these two.
Im Sang-seo and Seok Cheon-han.
Seol Woon-hwi tightened his grip.
Crack!
Im Sang-seo’s neck shattered, and he crumpled to the ground.
Seol Woon-hwi trampled his neck without hesitation.
Snap!
The head severed completely.
Blood sprayed in all directions.
As Seol Woon-hwi’s gaze shifted to Seok Cheon-han, the man instinctively staggered backward.
His legs gave way beneath him.
“I… I…”
It was then.
The sound of the hall doors bursting open echoed out.
Boom, boom, crash.
The Dharma Protectors of Paedo Gate who had been hiding nearby.
Three in total.
“How dare you strike our Young Sect Master!”
There was no need to learn their names.
One of them was at the Harmony Realm, two at the Body Establishment Boundary.
It truly made no difference.
They rushed toward Seol Woon-hwi.
Swords drawn.
Killing intent blazing.
Seol Woon-hwi fixed his gaze upon them.
The Void Manifestation Qi around him began to roil.
Whoosh—
White energy.
From his ashen hair, a ‘white radiance’ began to emanate.
Though brief, Manager Seong witnessed it clearly.
Then his eyes turned white.
He slowly extended his hand.
Heavenly Snow Domain.
Whoooosh—!
The energy rippling outward in all directions extended toward the three Dharma Protectors.
Their eyes widened.
They could not move.
Their bodies.
Their qi.
Everything froze solid.
They plummeted to the ground.
Crunch—!
With the sound of shattering glass, their corpses shattered completely.
Shards of ice that had been human moments before scattered in all directions.
Seok Cheon-han gazed upon the sight.
He could not believe it.
Three Dharma Protectors—martial artists of the Harmony Realm and Body Transcendence Realm—slain in a single technique.
No, was that even a technique?
He could not even distinguish if it qualified as one.
Seol Woon-hwi advanced.
Toward Seok Cheon-han.
Crunch. Crunch.
At the sound of footsteps upon ice, Seok Cheon-han collapsed where he stood.
Looking at those hands, it was certain he understood.
Seol Woon-hwi had slain Zhuge Yeong-hyeon, and surely he had learned something from him.
With that thought, Seok Cheon-han pleaded.
“P-please spare me….”
He trembled violently.
Seol Woon-hwi stood before him.
“All people possess their proper station.”
“I… I beg you….”
“You gazed upon what you should never have coveted, and the thoughts you harbored are so repugnant that there is nothing more to say.”
He flicked his finger.
Snap.
A beam of light shot forth and severed Seok Cheon-han’s right arm cleanly.
Slice!
“Aaaahhhhh—!”
Seok Cheon-han shrieked.
Agonizing pain flooded through him. Then Seol Woon-hwi flicked his finger once more.
This time it was his left arm.
Slice.
His left arm fell to the ground.
“Ah… Ahhh… Please….”
Seok Cheon-han wailed. Tears streamed down his face, but I paid them no mind.
“Your actions today determined not merely your own fate, but that of the Path of Supremacy itself.”
“Ah… No… This cannot be….”
“Do not expect an easy death.”
Thwip, thwip.
Two flicks of my fingers severed both of Seok Cheon-han’s legs.
Stripped of his limbs, Seok Cheon-han collapsed to the ground.
An enormous torrent of blood poured forth.
“Ugh… Ughhh… Ugghhh….”
Seok Cheon-han began to weep tears of blood. It was over.
Even if he survived, he would live the rest of his life like this. As a martial artist, he was finished. As a human being, he was finished.
Those who heard the screams rushed to this place.
They were the martial artists of the Martial Alliance and all those who had gathered for the celebration after the examination.
Their gazes were fixed upon me.
Impossible technique.
So that is the Snow Mountain Demon Lord of the Eternal Snow Palace.
Then I flicked my finger one final time.
With a thwip, the finger energy shot forth and struck Seok Cheon-han’s forehead with tremendous force.
With a sickening crack, Seok Cheon-han’s body crumpled to the ground.
The complete absence of movement made it clear he had lost consciousness.
I approached silently and applied hemostasis.
I had no intention of killing him immediately.
This wretch still had his uses.
I turned my head.
In the distance, I could see Elder Sister.
She too was gazing at me.
We did not need to speak.
Without words, we already understood what the other wished to say.
Seizing Seok Cheon-han by the hair, I spoke in a quiet voice.
“Manager Seong.”
At my call, Manager Seong rushed over promptly.
“There is a place I must visit briefly.”
“…Will you go alone?”
I nodded.
Then I spoke to Wang Mu-ha of the Rapid Blade Cooperative.
“Senior Wang.”
“…Speak.”
Wang Mu-ha regarded me, his gaze complex and unreadable.
His gaze was complicated.
“The position of Grand Elder in the Heavenly Righteousness Alliance has become vacant.”
“Hmm….”
“Would you be willing to assume that role?”
Wang Mu-ha scratched his head.
He was a man of keen perception.
He sent a Jeonum to Seol Woon-hwi.
-It sounds like you’re asking me not to get involved in what’s about to unfold. Am I right?
Seol Woon-hwi nodded.
Wang Mu-ha let out a sigh.
“Then, so be it.”
“Thank you.”
Wang Mu-ha turned and departed.
As he left, he sent one more Jeonum.
-Let’s play another game of Go sometime.
-Then you’ll need to hone your skills a bit more.
“Heheheh… hehehehehehe….”
Wang Mu-ha, who had been walking, suddenly burst into hearty laughter.
The people outside had no idea what the Jeonum contained.
To their eyes, Wang Mu-ha seemed equally unhinged.
Seol Woon-hwi slowly moved forward.
* * *
Seok Cheon-woong, who had been circulating his energy in his residence, opened his eyes.
Something was amiss.
A strange aura enveloped the entire Paedo Gate.
Cold yet scorching, serene yet tempestuous.
‘…What is this?’
As a master of Heaven-Human Unity, he sensed the anomaly clearly.
Rising from his bed, he grasped the blade resting in the corner.
He opened the door and stepped outside.
It was silent.
Far too silent.
Not even the footsteps of the patrolling disciples could be heard.
He walked slowly.
Toward the Sect Leader’s Hall.
The aura was emanating from that place.
It grew stronger as he drew near.
It was overwhelming.
‘…How dare anyone….’
The Paedo Gate.
One of the Five Great Families, renowned even throughout the Central Plains.
Though it was merely the lowest rank, the significance of being one of the Five Great Families could not be overlooked.
I arrived before the Sect Leader’s Hall.
The door stood open.
I stepped inside without hesitation. My brow furrowed naturally.
A man sat in the Sect Leader’s seat.
A remarkably young man with legs crossed, a long sword embedded in the ground to the right of his chair.
And ash-grey hair.
Pallid skin.
His sharp gaze turned toward Seok Cheon-woong.
In that instant, Seok Cheon-woong’s entire body erupted in goosebumps.
‘…That hair, that appearance, and that aura.’
There was no mistaking it.
Was this not the monster shaking the very foundations of Murim?
Though I was seeing him for the first time, his eyes held the gaze of one who had lived a thousand years.
Seol Woon-hwi opened his mouth.
“You are late.”
His voice was composed.
Yet the weight contained within it rivaled that of a mountain.
Seok Cheon-woong raised his blade.
He drew upon the Path of Supremacy’s ultimate technique—the Supremacy Heavenly Energy.
His entire being exploded with momentum.
But Seol Woon-hwi did not stir.
He merely flicked his finger on the opposite hand.
Then Seok Cheon-han, who sat to Seol Woon-hwi’s left, regained consciousness.
“Hah… hah… ah… ahhhhh….”
Seok Cheon-han, crying out in overwhelming agony, looked toward Seok Cheon-woong.

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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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