Chapter 49
Ch. 49 .｡.:✧ Acquisition ✧:.｡.
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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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After walking with my younger sister for a while, I sent her back to the village at the foot of the mountain.
“Hmm…”
I pondered my next move.
I had already given Ha-seol a portion of the Red Lotus, enough to fulfill my part of the bargain.
Most people would consider this matter closed.
But having read the entire Deer Brand novel, I knew there was something more to be gained from the Heavenly Sword Sect’s hidden chamber.
‘The question is, how will Na Hee-rin’s master react if I take everything?’
I frowned.
Eliminating Na Hee-rin herself posed little threat.
The protagonist of the novel wasn’t particularly fond of her.
In fact, Han Cheon-woo likely harbored resentment towards her at this point in the story.
Recalling Na Hee-rin’s fate in the original novel, I could easily predict his reaction.
‘Han Cheon-woo saw her as a conquest, not a companion. He never intended to make her his wife, or even a concubine.’
Therefore, killing her wouldn’t have any significant negative repercussions, at least not from Han Cheon-woo.
However, dealing with the Heavenly Sword Sect’s potential retaliation was a different matter.
There were witnesses.
News of Na Hee-rin’s death at the hands of Eun Ha-seong of Mount Hua would likely reach her master.
He might even seek revenge.
I paced back and forth, lost in thought, then came to a decision.
“…I have to take it.”
The Heavenly Sword Sect’s treasures themselves wouldn’t be of much use to me.
Na Hee-rin had mentioned that they were artifacts the sect hadn’t been able to utilize or refine for decades.
But the manuals containing the essence of their martial arts… those were a different story.
‘Those could be invaluable.’
I nodded slowly.
Techniques like the Heavenly Sun Sword Art could significantly enhance my own martial prowess.
And as I mentioned earlier, the Heavenly Sword Sect’s martial arts specialized in the manipulation and projection of Yang energy.
Now that I had a clearer understanding of my own cultivation path, their techniques could provide the boost I needed to reach new heights.
‘I’ve almost completed recreating the twenty-four forms of the Plum Blossom Sword Technique—save for a few—the secret manual of the Heavenly Sword Sect will surely be a great help to me.”
And the violet qi that had recently begun to emanate from my sword…
Having glimpsed the essence of Violet Sword Qi, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to study techniques focused on extreme Yang cultivation.
The potential consequences were a concern, but I couldn’t ignore the chance to become stronger.
I nodded resolutely.
“…I need to find Na Hee-rin’s dwelling.”
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Locating Na Hee-rin’s thatched hut within the Heavenly Sword Sect’s hidden chamber wasn’t difficult.
After about an hour of searching using my lightness skill, I found it.
I didn’t bother inspecting the hut itself.
Instead, I focused on a tree stump in the yard.
‘She must have been chopping wood here. This is the place.’
Remembering a detail from the novel, I walked about three paces from the scarred tree stump, towards the west, using the sun as my guide.
I channeled qi into my right leg.
Hummm—
With a burst of power, I stomped on the ground.
Crack!
Dirt and dust erupted into the air.
‘Just as I thought.’
I smiled, satisfied that the novel’s details were accurate.
As the dust settled, a small, neatly dug pit was revealed.
Inside, wrapped in a dark brown cloth, was a bundle.
‘There it is.’
I bent down and retrieved the bundle and unwrapped the cloth to reveal its contents.
Rustle—
Inside, emitting a faint glow, were three metal ingots, resembling refined steel.
‘But their appearance is deceiving. Their true hardness is on a completely different level.’
I smiled, recognizing the material.
Cold Iron.
The foundation for crafting Myriad Year Cold Iron.
If I could find a skilled blacksmith and a suitable forge, these ingots could be crafted into weapons and armor rivaling divine artifacts.
I counted the ingots.
‘One, two, three… All three are here. Untouched.’
Na Hee-rin, despite her Peak Realm cultivation, wasn’t a blacksmith.
She likely hadn’t bothered trying to refine them.
‘And those obsessed with the Heavenly Evasion wouldn’t waste their time and effort on such mundane matters.’
I rewrapped the Cold Iron ingots and turned my attention to a few worn scrolls lying nearby.
They emanated a musty odor.
These were the manuals containing the Heavenly Sword Sect’s core techniques.
Two scrolls in total.
“The Heavenly Sun Sword Art, and the Heavenly Flame Combustion Technique…”
The Heavenly Sun Sword Art was a sword technique, while the presence of “flame” in the latter suggested a Yang-based cultivation method.
As described in the novel, mastering the Heavenly Flame Combustion Technique could grant one abilities like the Threefold Samadhi Fire.
I briefly considered examining them, but decided against it.
‘I’ll look at them later.’
Ha-seol and her guards were waiting for me.
Having acquired everything of value, I nodded in satisfaction.
‘Now I can finally relinquish my family’s legacy.’
It was time to return home and make my bedridden elder brother the rightful heir to the Silver River Trading Company.
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Before rejoining Ha-seol, I had an idea.
Activating the White Cloud Steps lightness skill, I sped away from Mount Yunhaeng, weaving through the dense forest.
‘I should deepen my connection with the Hao Clan.’
As my body moved swiftly, my mind raced, formulating a plan.
‘Owing a debt to the Hao Clan, Heavenly Slaughterer, and the Hidden Healer will be beneficial… for all of us.’
The Red Lotus was practically a panacea, a cure-all as depicted in the novel.
It was exactly what the Hao Clan Leader needed to cure his daughter, Hwa-ryeong, who suffered from the Nine Yin Blocked Meridians.
I smiled faintly.
‘But simply consuming the Red Lotus root won’t be enough to cure such a severe condition. She’ll need a Yang-based elixir to balance the Yin energy.’
Swish. Swish-
Having reached the Peak Realm, my lightness skill had improved significantly.
A journey that would normally take a full day was completed in just an hour.
I arrived at the Hidden Healer’s residence and took a deep breath.
“Even at this level, sprinting at full speed is exhausting…”
I groaned, my body weary from two hours of continuous exertion.
[…Who’s there? Identify yourself.]
“…”
The Hidden Healer, Dokgo Hyun’s voice, reached me through Sound Transmission.
I looked towards the building, realizing something.
‘He thinks I’m some random master barging into his residence.’
Dokgo Hyun hadn’t seen my face, so he hadn’t recognized me.
I quickly sent a message back.
[It’s me, Elder Dokgo. Eun Ha-seong of Mount Hua Sect. The son of the Silver River Trading Company’s head…]
[…?!]
[I am indebted to you. Don’t you remember?]
Dokgo Hyun’s qi flared in surprise.
He rushed out of the building.
“Y-You! But your cultivation… it’s completely different from before…!”
“…You flatter me.”
I smiled modestly.
Dokgo Hyun stared at me in disbelief, then murmured in awe,
“As expected of the prodigy acknowledged by Heavenly Slaughterer…”
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