The Black Serpent (7)
“This is all the history of the Geumshin Cheonroe Sect for today. Culture, language, etiquette in the Seongje Empire, and basic language, constellations, culture, and common knowledge of the Gwanghan Realm. All of it has been studied.”
“Understood.”
Jeon Myeong-hoon nodded.
It had been roughly a month since he had fallen into this strange world and been captured by Geum Byeok-ho in Deungsunhyang.
During that time, Jeon Myeong-hoon had learned many facts from Geum So-hae as she guided him through maps.
‘As I suspected, this world is one where the Sui-seop faction truly lives and breathes.’
In truth, falling into the Sui-seop world was not something to be celebrated.
To Jeon Myeong-hoon, who knew the lives of the Sui-seop better than anyone, the Sui-seop world was nothing short of a nightmare.
‘When I realized it wasn’t Yeojodo’s worldview, despair had gripped me… but it turned out all right.’
Jeon Myeong-hoon looked at his own body.
He had never known, but he had been told he possessed the mythical talent known as the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body.
Over the past month, he had listened carefully to the power of the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body from Geum So-hae while learning the history of the Geumshin Cheonroe Sect in Guryeong-gak.
‘A physique that reaches the end of the Sui path without ever once worrying about Heavenly Tribulations?’
Furthermore, the Heavenly Tribulation Qi assisted the training of the Thunder Dao Technique, allowing him to cultivate at twice the speed of a normal heavenly spiritual root bearer.
The legendary physiques of the Geumshin Cheonroe Sect—Thunder Body, Black Thunder Body, Seven-Colored True Thunder Body, and even the slightly inferior Wall Strength Body, True Origin Body, and Hongryeong Water Body—were all combined, and even then, none could match the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body.
Even the Thunder Body, which was said to be the very essence of lightning, had been artificially produced by Yang Su-jin, who had reached the peak of talent for the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body.
He could well understand why the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body was legendary.
‘From now on, my life in this world will be smooth sailing.’
Jeon Myeong-hoon smiled with satisfaction as he looked at Geum So-hae.
‘I should have her complete the technique for me too… and once I climb to the top of the Geumshin Cheonroe Sect, I can enjoy power to my heart’s content. That would be the best.’
Jeon Myeong-hoon had long abandoned any thought of returning home.
‘What awaited me back there was nothing but the power struggle of SJD Company… what a stupid thing it is to go polishing my uncle’s behind in that annoying mid-level company!’
He recalled the stories of Yang Su-jin, the founder of the Geumshin Cheonroe Sect.
During his travels through the Three Thousand Worlds, Yang Su-jin had ascended to the peak of the True Immortal realm and, after eliminating a few terrifying existences, no one had been able to stop his rampages.
Of course, Geum So-hae had described his actions as “rebellious,” but the actions Jeon Myeong-hoon had heard about of Yang Su-jin were similar to those in Earth’s China.
‘He’s the ancestor, so he’s rebellious? It must have been a big headache for the ones who had to deal with him.’
What made him feel a little safer was that Yang Su-jin had either completely eradicated anyone who touched him by uprooting their very roots, or had imposed a golden seal that prevented them from influencing the mortal realm again.
‘In any case, possessing power in this world means I can act like Yang Su-jin.’
And Jeon Myeong-hoon had been born with such a talent as Yang Su-jin.
‘From now on, the history of this world will revolve around me, Jeon Myeong-hoon.’
He smiled as he left the Guryeong-gak where he had lived with Geum So-hae for a month.
Ku-rung! Kuuu-rung!
Jeon Myeong-hoon and Geum So-hae headed toward Noeun-bong, the peak of the sect with the densest spiritual veins.
At the top of Noeun-bong stood the Bongroedang, where the Heavenly Thunder Banner was sealed, surrounded by Geum Byeok-ho, the sect master, and the elders, who were emitting Wall Strength.
Cultivators at the Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment realms and above did not need to walk on their two legs.
Therefore, when ascending a high place like Noeun-bong, no “stairs” were needed.
So Jeon Myeong-hoon, following the etiquette he had learned in Guryeong-gak, landed on Geum So-hae’s flying technique and stood in a solemn, motionless pose.
Geum So-hae’s flying technique slowly ascended Noeun-bong.
Below were disciples at the Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment realms.
In the middle were disciples at the Core Formation.
And at the peak, elders at the Nascent Soul realm sat or floated in the air.
Jeon Myeong-hoon, in his motionless pose, discreetly observed the faces of the Nascent Soul elders and the Heavenly Person elders.
‘I need to memorize the faces of the sect’s power hierarchy quickly.’
Opportunities come only to the prepared.
Jeon Myeong-hoon began using his experience from the company to quickly input the faces and features of the highest-ranking members into his mind.
Seo Eun-hyun had thought Jeon Myeong-hoon wasn’t working.
But that wasn’t true.
Jeon Myeong-hoon wasn’t just slacking off; he had been secretly working to get closer to the highest-ranking officials.
‘I don’t need to worry about the Core Formation disciples. From the Nascent Soul elders, the Heavenly Person elders, and especially becoming close to the Four Pillars Geum Byeok-ho-nim.’
Jeon Myeong-hoon’s mind turned rapidly.
‘From now on, I need to quickly identify and acquire the specialty products and rare resources of the Gwanghan Realm, and use them as bribes to become close with the upper echelons of the sect.’
His eyes drifted slightly toward Geum So-hae.
‘And since Geum So-hae is the descendant cherished by Geum Byeok-ho, it’s best to become even closer to her.’
Jeon Myeong-hoon smiled inwardly as he looked at her.
‘Honestly, she’s built like she wouldn’t melt under anyone’s touch. Given the unique characteristics of the Geumshin Cheonroe Sect’s dual cultivation, there’s a high probability that her dual cultivation partner will be me. I’ll completely break her down in bed.’
Jeon Myeong-hoon had been born a victor by nature.
SJD Company wasn’t a giant conglomerate, but it had still been a well-known bath product company in the industry.
Especially in soap manufacturing, it was innovative enough that no one could match it.
Jeon Myeong-hoon was born into the Pyongan Jeon family that controlled the lineage of SJD Company.
He had never lacked anything due to money, and unless he was from a truly powerful house, he had never bowed his head to anyone his age in his life.
Of course, after formally joining the company, his colleagues had given him some “eyes” from time to time, but because his uncle was Jeon Myeong-cheol, no one had openly said anything.
And Jeon Myeong-hoon had always believed his life would continue to soar.
With the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body now in hand, that was truly a future he could be certain of.
‘Oh, speaking of which… that guy fell too, right?’
Jeon Myeong-hoon thought for a moment and finally recalled the name “Seo Eun-hyun.”
‘Right, Seo Eun-hyun.’
Jeon Myeong-hoon chuckled as he recalled him.
They had joined at the same time, and they were the same age.
That was why Seo Eun-hyun had initially tried to befriend Jeon Myeong-hoon by talking to him a lot.
‘What an impertinent fellow.’
Of course, Jeon Myeong-hoon had no interest in some average, head-lowering, hardworking guy.
After all, he was someone not even worth the trouble.
So he had consistently ignored Seo Eun-hyun’s efforts.
‘What an irritating guy.’
The moment Jeon Myeong-hoon thought of Seo Eun-hyun, he felt a surge of irritation.
In the early days when they were at the same rank.
Initially, it seemed like interest was being shown in Jeon Myeong-hoon, the nephew of Jeon Myeong-cheol.
But soon, the interest shifted to Seo Eun-hyun, who was slightly less capable but worked incredibly hard, and to Kang Min-hee, who handled tasks quickly and flexibly despite lacking enthusiasm.
Kang Min-hee was someone Jeon Myeong-hoon could overlook.
She was a woman, after all.
She was one of the names on the list he had been working to acquire.
But the fact that Seo Eun-hyun, a man, kept showing interest annoyed him.
So after gaining rapid promotion thanks to Jeon Myeong-cheol’s influence, he began openly tormenting Seo Eun-hyun.
‘Get out of the company quickly.’
However, Seo Eun-hyun had not left and had stubbornly endured.
When the cute new hire Kim Yeon arrived, especially after he had openly tormented Seo Eun-hyun, for some reason Kim Yeon began openly showing affection toward Seo Eun-hyun at some point.
Jeon Myeong-hoon, Seo Eun-hyun had become infuriating.
‘Originally, I had planned to go to the workshop, drink, and then properly step on the bastard with the same colleague…’
He smiled with satisfaction.
‘Well, it turned out all right. Stepping on him to the point of irreparable damage in the Geumshin Cheonroe Sect would also be fun.’
After all, this was a world where human rights barely existed.
I can step on him even more thoroughly than in the company.’
Jeon Myeong-hoon decided to find Seo Eun-hyun once from the base of Noeun-bong.
‘Let’s see… the guy was said to have inherited the Thunder Dao Technique too, right? Geum So-hae said Seo Eun-hyun had also progressed quite far in the Sui-seop technique… so he should be among the Qi Condensation disciples?’
However, Seo Eun-hyun was not below.
‘Hmm, at the Foundation Establishment level for someone like him? He really did work hard, but still… I guess he never reached Foundation Establishment. Since he didn’t like me either…’
Jeon Myeong-hoon looked down and chuckled.
‘He probably hid because he didn’t like me attracting the sect’s attention like this. Hahaha…’
Jeon Myeong-hoon felt good.
If Seo Eun-hyun figured it out on his own and hid without showing his face, there would be no need to deliberately search him out and step on him.
Thinking this, he turned his gaze upward.
Gradually, the flying technique controlled by Geum So-hae approached the top of Noeun-bong and the Bongroedang.
‘All right, the ones who are crumpled below can just be ignored. My path is out there in the vast sky…’
“…”
‘…Eh?’
Jeon Myeong-hoon turned his eyes toward the top. For a moment, something didn’t make sense and he blinked in confusion.
“Huh?”
He froze in total incomprehension, momentarily forgetting etiquette and letting out a foolish sound.
Geum So-hae gave him a sidelong glance as if to say, “Pay attention.”
Jeon Myeong-hoon quickly closed his mouth, but his mind was full of questions.
‘What…? Why…?’
Uuuung!
Eventually, the flying technique on which Jeon Myeong-hoon and “that guy” were riding had reached the end of Noeun-bong.
And their gazes met.
A navy blue belt.
Seo Eun-hyun, who possessed the Core Formation Great Completion—a qualification certificate proving he had the ability to become one of the future elders—and stood among the Nascent Soul elders, smiled meaningfully as he looked at Jeon Myeong-hoon.
‘…???’
He couldn’t understand.
‘Why is that guy… there?’
And while he was still confused, the flying technique had reached the top of Noeun-bong.
In front of the Bongroedang, the Heavenly Person elders and Geum Byeok-ho, who had been floating above, sat down solemnly one by one in front of Jeon Myeong-hoon and declared in a formal tone.
【From today, our Geumshin Cheonroe Sect has recovered the Heavenly Thunder Banner, the sacred relic of our ancestors, and the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body, the origin of our ancestors’ power. The day when we can once again restore the name of the Geumshin Cheonroe Sect, which once shone across the entire Three Thousand Worlds in ancient times, is near!】
Geum Byeok-ho’s speech continued for a while, followed by a ceremony in which Geum Byeok-ho held the Heavenly Thunder Banner and prayed to the ancestor Yang Su-jin for blessings.
“…With this, the rites are complete. I hereby officially recognize Jeon Myeong-hoon as a formal disciple of the Geumshin Cheonroe Sect!”
And finally, Jeon Myeong-hoon became a formal disciple of the Geumshin Cheonroe Sect.
Jeon Myeong-hoon first greeted Geum Byeok-ho according to etiquette.
“I will receive the master’s words with utmost respect.”
Several more rites were performed, and after some time, Jeon Myeong-hoon finally received the long-awaited item.
“All right, Jeon Myeong-hoon. The basic technique you will learn from now on is the Red Thunder Technique. Your Heavenly Golden Thunder Body possesses the power to draw in Heaven and Earth Thunder Energy, so perhaps mastering the Red Thunder Technique will…”
‘Good, the real start begins now.’
Jeon Myeong-hoon smiled brightly.
‘Geum So-hae said that for ordinary heavenly spiritual root bearers, it takes two or three years to master the Red Thunder Technique and reach the peak of the Qi Condensation realm… I can do it in one year. If I’m lucky, six months.’
Jeon Myeong-hoon was full of confidence when Geum Byeok-ho spoke.
“Mastering the Red Thunder Technique? That’s a piece of cake, right? Heh heh…”
“…”
Jeon Myeong-hoon realized there was a slight gap between his own sense of time and that of Geum Byeok-ho and himself.
“The Red Thunder Technique is so fundamental that even for someone with the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body like you… it’s a technique at a level that’s honestly a bit embarrassing to teach. But as it’s the basic of the Geumshin Cheonroe Sect, you must learn it. Please understand.”
“Yes, yes… of course I should start from the basics… I think so.”
Jeon Myeong-hoon was a little bewildered, receiving Geum Byeok-ho’s expectation that he would master the Red Thunder Technique in “one or two shichen.”
‘What…? Is my Heavenly Golden Thunder Body really that monstrous of a physique?’
“Heh heh, I see you understand the importance of fundamentals well. Already my heart is at ease. I heard that the Seo Eun-hyun who entered before you, who has a lower talent than you, was your companion.”
“…Yes, that’s correct.”
‘Hah, Seo Eun-hyun. He’s my same bastard of a colleague? What an impertinent fellow…’
“That Seo Eun-hyun received the Red Thunder Technique in the morning and reached the sixth layer of the Qi Condensation realm by evening. The seventh layer took a little time due to procedural issues, but today is a perfect day for you, Jeon Myeong-hoon.”
“Eh?”
“In short, if you just reach the sixth layer of the Qi Condensation realm, you can immediately hold the Seven-Star Ceremony today.”
Geum Byeok-ho laughed heartily and patted Jeon Myeong-hoon’s shoulder, looking proud.
“I believe in you, my disciple.”
“…Y-yes.”
Jeon Myeong-hoon could only nod with a bewildered expression.
After the welcoming ceremony for the beginner Jeon Myeong-hoon with the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body ended, Jeon Myeong-hoon went to the assigned eastern room and began reading the core of the Red Thunder Technique.
“Um… um…”
Jeon Myeong-hoon’s face hardened.
‘Damn it, what kind of nonsense is this?’
Surprisingly, not a single character of the Red Thunder Technique’s core could Jeon Myeong-hoon understand.
***
The next day.
The Geumshin Cheonroe Sect was turned upside down.
“What?! What are you talking about?! Yesterday, Jeon Myeong-hoon’s Seven-Star Ceremony was not held?! I deliberately chose the perfect timing for him and bestowed the Red Thunder Technique yesterday!”
Geum Byeok-ho’s thunderous roar filled the Golden Thunder Hall where the sect handled its affairs.
Geum Jin-chan, one of the Heavenly Person elders and Jeon Myeong-hoon’s master, stepped forward and spoke.
“I apologize, Supreme Sect Master. However, unlike Seo Eun-hyun, Jeon Myeong-hoon seems to have been a complete ignoramus of the Sui-seop from the beginning. It appears he lacks a fundamental understanding of spiritual energy, law power, and the Sui-seop technique’s core.”
“Hmm…”
Geum Byeok-ho clicked his tongue.
“Indeed, I got too excited over the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body and forgot that the fellow was just a villain not long ago.”
Geum Byeok-ho nodded.
“Then, how long will it take to teach the basics of the Sui-seop technique and spiritual energy comprehension to make him reach the sixth layer of the Qi Condensation realm?”
Geum Jin-chan pondered for a moment and said, “I believe seven days and nights should be enough. Teaching the spiritual energy breathing method, the positions of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, and so on should take about five days, so a generous seven days should suffice.”
“Seven days and nights… well, all right. I must have asked too much from a child who was just a villain not long ago.”
Geum Byeok-ho spoke in a tone that suggested understanding, but clear disappointment filled his eyes.
“Then, after seven days and nights, I will hear of Jeon Myeong-hoon’s achievement. I hope he won’t fail to hold the Seven-Star Ceremony even then.”
“I will make sure he holds the Seven-Star Ceremony without fail within seven days and nights. Please do not worry.”
Geum Jin-chan said confidently.
And three months passed.
Jeon Myeong-hoon finally—
reached the Elixir Cultivation stage.
“Finally!”
Uuuung!
Jeon Myeong-hoon looked at the Law Flower Stage formed in his lower abdomen, teary-eyed with joy, while Geum Jin-chan, his master, adjusted his facial muscles as much as possible so as not to show his complicated expression.
“…Good. Well done, Myeong-hoon.”
Geum Jin-chan let out a small sigh so as not to be heard and spoke.
“…To report your achievement, let us go to the Supreme Sect Master.”
“Haha, yes. Understood.”
Jeon Myeong-hoon followed Geum Jin-chan, sending out Law Power from his fingertips as if he found the flowing spiritual energy fascinating.
‘Good, after three months of arduous training, I’ve grasped the feel of the Sui-seop technique. The Qi Condensation realm is a breeze now.’
And when Jeon Myeong-hoon, beaming with joy, followed Geum Jin-chan into the Golden Thunder Hall where Geum Byeok-ho was staying, a voice boomed from inside the hall.
“Hahaha! Well done, Seo Eun-hyun! No, Elder Seo!!”
Inside the Golden Thunder Hall, Geum Byeok-ho’s laughter echoed loudly.
Geum Jin-chan entered the Golden Thunder Hall with a complicated expression, bringing Jeon Myeong-hoon.
In the Golden Thunder Hall.
There, Jin-hwi stood proudly beside Seo Eun-hyun with an expression as if he would burst with pride.
“Ah, you’re here, Jin-chan. Hey. My disciple here reached the ninth stage of the Thunder Heaven Palace in three months and entered the Nascent Soul realm.”
Jeon Myeong-hoon’s master, Geum Jin-chan, had his expression twist horribly.
“You kept the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body closed for three months without showing it to anyone, and only now are you letting us see your face. So, has the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body also reached Core Formation? Or could that guy have already reached Nascent Soul like Seo Eun-hyun?”
Not only Geum Jin-chan, but even Geum Byeok-ho, who had been laughing, looked at Geum Jin-chan and Jeon Myeong-hoon with expectant eyes.
Geum Jin-chan gritted his teeth slightly and positioned Jeon Myeong-hoon in front of him.
“My disciple Jeon Myeong-hoon’s achievement is…”
And with Geum Jin-chan’s next words, the Golden Thunder Hall was turned upside down.
“What the hell?!”