Chapter 315: One Step Forward, One Step Backward (2)
Gulp.
Soh Yoomyung swallowed dryly.
After being thoroughly thrashed by Jinhyuk over the past few days, he had come to fear Jinhyuk even more than his master, Soh Yuhyun.
Especially after seeing a formidable warrior like Chun Yoosung get his soul crushed before Jinhyuk, the fear that Soh Yoomyung felt was beyond imagination.
‘If I upset him, I might end up begging for death.’
He instinctively knew.
If there was one person in the world he should never cross…
It was that devil.
Right then.
Jinhyuk’s lips subtly moved.
“If you say anything unnecessary, you die.”
A chill ran down Soh Yoomyung’s spine.
“Th-There’s no mistake. He didn’t use any strange tricks. I saw with my own eyes how he decapitated that man using techniques that seemed to have been learned outside the tower. I guarantee it. You can trust me. Yes! Absolutely.”
Soh Yoomyung nodded his head more vigorously than ever before.
“Y-Yoomyung?”
Soh Yuhyun’s eyes widened.
His disciple, who was always calm and composed, was acting so uncharacteristically frantic.
“The first disciple of the Wudang Sect… something seems off about him today.”
“He was a promising talent even among the Soar Dragons. It seems the battle against the Heavenly Demon Cult was indeed intense.”
“Are you saying he’s scared?”
“Heh heh. Amitabha.”
The representatives from other sects looked at Soh Yoomyung in disbelief.
But Soh Yoomyung paid no attention to those looks.
Of course, he didn’t.
None of those people would come at him with a knife in the middle of the night.
None of them would force him to eat strange food or take pleasure in his agony.
“I swear on my name. This man… no, he is neither a spy for the Heavenly Demon Cult nor deceiving us with lies.”
Soh Yoomyung reiterated.
Driven solely by the instinct to survive.
＊＊＊
Thanks to Soh Yoomyung’s testimony, things progressed smoothly.
With the first disciple of the Wudang Sect vouching for Jinhyuk, who would dare question it?
To doubt his words was to doubt the Wudang Sect itself.
Many found such a stance displeasing, but none dared to openly express their hostility.
“Haha. Such generosity… I’ll put this to good use. Stop hesitating and hand it over. You too, over there.”
In the end, five treasures from the temporary storage of the Martial Alliance’s treasure vault disappeared.
Jinhyuk personally went to the vault and picked out the treasures he wanted.
While it was a bit disappointing to only receive five, it wasn’t a bad outcome overall.
‘What a feast for the eyes.’
Back in his private quarters provided by the Beggar Sect, Jinhyuk laid out the treasures on the bed.
The most striking among the five was a longsword with a blade as white as snow.
—
[The Plum Blossom Sword]
Attack Power: 26,400
Durability: 5,000 / 5,000
Details: This sword made of ten-thousand-year cold iron is a treasure bestowed upon those who have earned the title of Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign. As long as the wielder’s will remains unbroken, this sword will never shatter.
—
Ordinarily, obtaining the Hwamumaehwagum would be impossible.
Even in the face of annihilation, the pride of the Mount Hua Sect would never allow them to give it up.
However,
If it were about the future of the entire martial world, not just the fate of the Mount Hua Sect?
Would a single sword be more important than preventing everything under the Heavenly Demon Cult from turning to ashes?
The answer lay in Jinhyuk’s hands now.
Shink!
Jinhyuk drew the sword from its sheath.
The gleam from the blade was almost blinding.
‘It’s true that even someone without internal energy can use sword energy with this.’
There was no noticeable weight.
The balance was beyond perfect, evoking admiration.
Moreover,
The Wudang Sect’s ‘Jasodan’ and the Kunlun Sect’s ‘Unrobaegui (雲路白衣)’ were also rare items. [1] [2]
First, the Jasodan, when consumed, increased magic power by 75 points.
That’s equivalent to a 25-level increase.
No wonder the Wudang Sect cherished it so much.
On the other hand, the Unrobaegui increased movement speed by 30% and had a repelling effect against most sword energies.
‘There’s no way they’d hand over all this willingly.’
After putting out the immediate fire, they’d definitely come for their lost sword and treasures once things settled down.
Humans have a natural tendency to dispose of a hunting dog that’s no longer useful.
Jinhyuk had already glimpsed the killing intent in the eyes of Ha Ryeohwa and Dan Mokil.
But,
‘How cute. Trying so hard to scheme with their limited wits.’
The rosy future they envisioned would never come to pass.
In this war between the orthodox and unorthodox factions, the final victor had already been decided.
Jinhyuk activated his personal status window.
Ding!
——————————————————
Name: Kang Jinhyuk
Gender: Male
Age: 28
Level: 125
Strength: 109, Agility: 58, Stamina: 67, Magic: 294, Gap: 100, Luck: 10, Adaptive: 78, True Essence: 84.91
Stat Points: 9
Coins: 11,315,520
Occupation: Master of Runes
Unique Abilities: ‘Fusion (融合)’, ‘Grave of Swords’, ‘Blessing of the Stars’, ‘Judgment of Anubis’, ‘Blood Demon Energy (血魔氣)’, ‘Mandala (曼茶羅)’, ‘1-Second Invincibility’, ‘Thousand Poisons (千毒)’, ‘White Beast’, ‘Shared Fortune (萬祥共有)’, ‘Sanctuary of the Sun’, ‘Black Heaven Demon Emperor’s Art (黑天魔皇功)’, ‘Triple Magic’, ‘Giant’s Strike’, ‘Dragon’s Breath’, ‘High-Speed Sword (高速劍)’, ‘Tombgrave’s Right Arm’, ‘Berserker’, ‘Domain of Wind’, ‘Shadow Kill (陰影亟殺)’, ‘Blood Explosion (血爆)’, ‘Black Tears’, ‘Tombgrave’s Legs’, ‘Extraordinary Strength (怪力亂神)’, ‘Core of the Legion’, ‘Ancient Barrier’
——————————————————
First, he had to distribute the stats gained from defeating the Heart Demon Commander.
‘At this level, defeating a strong opponent like that only increases my level by three at most.’
The amount of experience required seemed absurdly high now.
[Agility increased from 58 to 67!]
Jinhyuk allocated all the stat points to Agility.
Considering Sama-ja’s characteristics, he needed to enhance his reaction speed and movement speed.
Next…
Jinhyuk’s gaze turned to the red pill.
‘Jasodan’
A miraculous elixir with exceptional effects on increasing internal energy.
‘Soh Yuhyun probably gave it to me thinking I wouldn’t be able to use it.’
The more potent the elixir, the more important the method of consumption.
Swallowing it carelessly could cause inner energy to reverse, leading to qi deviation or even making one a cripple.
“Phew.”
After calming his breathing, Jinhyuk placed the Jasodan in his mouth.
Contrary to its solid appearance, the Jasodan melted instantly upon touching his tongue.
A fragrant aroma filled his mouth.
[Lv7 ‘Pure Grand Mind Art’ is activated!]
A fiery ball began to whirl through his body along his esophagus.
This was where it got critical.
Sitting cross-legged, Jinhyuk began to control the absorbed inner energy.
A delicate task allowing no margin for error.
Only when the mind art and inner energy perfectly harmonized could the Jasodan be fully converted into magic power.
Of course, Jinhyuk had absorbed poisons far more potent than this before. He wasn’t going to be scared of something like this.
Rumble!
The refined inner energy grew fiercer.
His neck and back were drenched in cold sweat.
How much time had passed?
[Magic increased by 75!]
The scorching heat, like swallowing molten iron, disappeared as if it were a lie.
All the magic power had been perfectly absorbed.
‘Hmm.’
Raising a stat equivalent to 25 levels in one go certainly felt different from when he increased his agility.
How should I put it?
It felt like even his sensory perception had become sharper.
He could hear the buzzing of insects.
The quick movements of a rat on the ceiling.
And…
The sound of someone filled with rage running towards the door.
Huh? Someone filled with rage?
Jinhyuk tilted his head, then quickly threw himself aside.
BANG!
With a deafening crash, the door shattered into pieces.
“Finally found you, you damned bastard! I’ve endured, thinking only of slicing your head off!”
Chun Yoosung drew his sword, emitting a terrifying killing intent.
His body was covered in wounds, but it seemed he had saved enough strength to swing his sword.
“Yoosung! I’m so relieved you’re safe… I couldn’t sleep at night thinking something might have happened to you… sniff sniff.”
Jinhyuk’s eyes welled up with tears.
He even pretended to wipe his eyes with a handkerchief he had pulled out from somewhere.
“Enough of the insincere acting…! Do you think I’ll forget your atrocity of pushing me into the jaws of death?”
Whoosh!
Blue sword energy erupted from Chun Yoosung’s sword.
He was serious. Dead serious about killing him.
“Oh dear. Pushed you into the jaws of death? I prepared this for you, and you’re saying such hurtful things?”
Chun Yoosung, who had been raising his sword, froze.
“The Plum Blossom Sword… You’re giving it to me?”
Despite having little material desire, Chun Yoosung had one unique trait.
He had an extraordinary obsession with swords.
Since the Sokseong Sword, he hadn’t possessed a proper weapon. Acquiring a good weapon had been his top priority.
And now, he was being offered one of the best swords in the martial world…
His burning rage was quelled instantly.
The resolve to kill or be killed vanished into thin air.
Jinhyuk dangled the plum blossom-engraved sword before Chun Yoosung.
“You want it? Hm? Your house doesn’t have anything like this, does it?”
“…”
Whoosh!
As Chun Yoosung reached out to grab it, Jinhyuk swiftly pulled the sword back half a step.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Chun Yoosung quickly tried to grab it again, but once again, Jinhyuk was just a bit faster.
“Damn it! You said you’d give it to me, what’s this nonsense?”
“I’ll give it to you. But you have to do something for me first.”
“What now? I won’t do anything absurdly difficult or crazy.”
“What do you take me for…”
This time was different.
“You just need to play bodyguard for a night.”
“Bodyguard? For whom? It better not be you.”
“No. Not me. For Guma.”
Goguma, who had been hiding under the blanket, peeked out her head.
“Tweat!”
“Yeah, yeah. My little mosquito. Did you sleep well? Are you hungry?”
“Tweat, Tweat!”
At the mention of food, Goguma’s eyes sparkled.
Drool dribbled from her mouth.
“I’ll get you something delicious soon. See that annoying guy who looks like a parasite? He’ll guard you while you eat.”
“Wait! Guarding while eating? There’s no need for protection at a normal restaurant, is there?”
“It’s not a normal restaurant.”
“Then where?”
Well, of course…
“The treasure vault of the Martial Alliance.”
When he had gone earlier, he had noticed piles of magic stones stored as spoils of war from the Empire.
He wondered how strong Goguma would become after devouring all that…
He could barely contain his excitement.
“So… your pet will steal Martial Alliance property, and I’ll be the lookout?”
“Yes.”
“And if caught, I take all the blame?”
“Yes!”
Jinhyuk beamed brightly.
“Ah. One more thing. Goguma will retrieve something there, and you need to bring that back too.”
Unlike the very famous Plum Blossom Sword or Jasodan, this particular item was an unknown relic.
Hence, he hadn’t even asked for it earlier.
Asking would have just led to denial of its existence.
However, Goguma’s keen sense of smell could locate the relic hidden in a secret chamber.
“First theft, now burglary… And you want me to commit arson next?”
“If you’re going to do it, you might as well cover up the evidence. Instead of arson, something more creative. Something so shocking they won’t even think of responding.”
“Sigh… You’re going to end up in the hottest part of hell.”
“Then you’ll be right beside me.”
“…”
Realizing any further argument was pointless, Chun Yoosung sighed deeply.
“Fine. But I want the sword upfront.”
“Absolutely.”
Jinhyuk handed the Plum Blossom Sword to Chun Yoosung.
With that, his accomplice was secured.
＊ ＊ ＊
That night.
Terrifying cries of anguish echoed throughout the martial sects.
“What… What happened here?”
Dan Mokil of the Kunlun Sect collapsed, clutching his neck.
“How can I face our ancestors?”
“What wicked person could do this…”
“They will be punished! Severely punished!”
“Ahhh…”
Representatives from the other sects wept and wailed.
The sacred place where the illustrious histories and records of each sect were kept.
It had been completely defiled by someone.
Countless footprints soaked in ink had turned the interior into a chaotic mess.
With the guards having been ambushed and knocked out, there were no leads on the perpetrator.
The only clue was that the footprints resembled those of a small reptile.
Therefore,
No one noticed that the ‘Bracelet of Returnees’ hidden in the treasure vault had disappeared.
At least, not for now.
—
***
Footnotes:
[1] Jasodan (자소단): A potent elixir that enhances internal energy or magic power. Such pills are highly prized in martial arts for their ability to significantly boost a practitioner’s abilities.
[2] Unrobaegui (雲路白衣): A legendary garment known as the “White Robes of the Cloud Path.” This item not only enhances the wearer’s speed but also provides defensive properties against various attacks, making it a valuable artifact in martial arts lore.