Chapter 355
Chapter 355
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 355
Chapter Title: Sun's Counsel
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-Sun: Bro, come on in.
After killing time outside, I got a message from Sun and headed back to his place.
In the dingy studio apartment, Sun clutched a wad of cash in his hand, licking his fingers to count it.
"Holy shit, a real hustler lives here."
"If popping a boner relief gets me 400,000 won, I might as well give it up once. And I'm damn good at massages. Wanna give it a shot?"
"Pass."
After seeing what went down earlier, there was no way I was sitting on that bed.
I shoved the clumps of tissues aside with my foot and plopped down on the floor.
"Where's Aori?"
"How the hell should I know? Can't read that girl's mind at all."
"...You two actually live together?"
"We live together, sure, but she's just crashing here. Never paid me rent once. Fucking hell."
After rambling on with that casual chatter, Sun brought over some tea and snacks.
I wasn't expecting fancy china. The flower tea was in a disposable paper cup, but hey, it's the thought that counts. I took a sip right away.
Sun flashed a sly grin, bowing mockingly.
"So, what's the play this time? What mess are you about to stir up?"
The faint floral scent in my mouth calmed me down.
I laid out my situation for Sun.
The Cornerus Family's downfall, Sansu-yu's grim future, and what I needed to do caught between it all.
It was partly asking for his take, but mostly a heads-up.
"...So, you're out to snag the girl who's gonna be your wife, right?"
"Not wife."
"C'mon, bro. Let's be real. What other reason's a guy got for chasing a girl?"
If he twisted my quest to repay a debt into some sleazy ploy to bed a woman, what face was I supposed to make?
Noticing my expression hardening, Sun quickly switched topics.
"Flower and the World Tree both gunning for the Cornerus Family—you wanna swoop in and save 'em, yeah?"
"Just Sansu-yu."
"Right, right, just Sansu-yu sis. Point is, you've been dodging heat so far, but now you're gearing up to throw down with both factions head-on."
Sun summed it up and tilted his head.
It was reckless. Things were already tangled beyond belief, and with my growth stalled, any more detours could screw my future for good.
Tap, tap.
Sun drummed his fingers on the floor. His face turned dead serious as he looked at me.
"First off, I'm against it."
No sooner had he said it than, surprisingly, all the ambient noise around us vanished.
"Not gonna pull that 'plenty of fish in the sea' crap. I know how much you care about Sansu-yu sis—I've seen it up close."
Sun dragged it out, like he didn't want a smackdown.
I'd half-guessed his stance anyway.
The guy always thinks about my path to the top, no matter where we are.
He doesn't sweat the small stuff as long as it doesn't derail that.
But when it risks my life or future like this? He's hyper-sensitive.
"Your potential's limitless, bro. Why do you think you're still breathing? The World Tree and Flower—they're too busy sniping at each other to bother with us. That's why."
"And?"
"Help Sansu-yu girl, and you've got a 70% chance of getting fucked over."
Cold, hard logic.
Sun hammered the point home, spilling his thoughts.
"But you'll do whatever the hell you want anyway, right?"
"......"
"I got a knack for reading people, and you're not the type to back out here."
Spot on.
Guy must've chugged a mind-reading potion behind my back.
"What I can say for sure, though."
Sun raised a finger, smirking smugly.
"Your master, your crew—most of 'em, including me, will try to stop you from this shit."
"Why?"
"You can ask that 'cause you ain't been here long."
People get branded Wood Person cultists or heretics for good reason—and serious sins.
"This world's brainwashed from school onward about the World Tree's essence and power. Heretics? Fair game to beat to death... Even a pure, saintly image crumbles in a flash if you're labeled one. No evidence needed."
"Figures."
"Defending that? Protecting 'em? Can't wrap your head around it, right?"
No matter how tight-knit, people are still people.
Risking your life for some dude? Nah.
And if it tanks your own life, fine—but it won't look good to anyone else.
If Seyoung or Jindallae knew the full deal and what I planned? They'd drag me back kicking and screaming.
Hell, they might even fall into a trap trying to help.
'...Annoying.'
All these bonds I'd built—they were getting in the way.
Not that I hated it. Quite the opposite. I didn't want them dragged into my dumpster-fire future.
"Decision's always yours, bro. I'll follow it. Tell me to die, I die."
"Why?"
"That's why I bust my ass to survive."
I wasn't changing course.
If I could secure Sansu-yu without getting caught, I'd fake a new ID or go full ghost—plenty of ways.
Reading my face, Sun shrugged.
"I'll be ready to throw down anytime. I'll loop in Aori."
"It's a vassal's duty to make his lord's reckless shit work," he added.
"...Guy's already had his life wrecked by trees pulling strings. If he can't do what he wants, that'll just piss him off more."
Sun, who'd lost as much as he'd gained in the past.
Something about me stirred memories—his smile didn't reach his hollow eyes.
"Do what you want, bro."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Find a way.
Not like gathering seven Dragon Balls for a wish—solid leads weren't rolling in.
I'd scoured every known Cornerus haunt. Nothing.
Even deployed spirits to sniff out mana traces. Zilch.
Proving why it's one of the world's top families—they stonewalled the World Tree's secret probes and my moves too.
―Hidden Cornerus Tracks: Where the Hell Are They? [HOT]
Their funds dwarfed the World Tree Foundation.
Raided their partner corps and guilds—still nada.
Most of that cash funneled into R&D, so they weren't hoarding brute force.
'Can't find 'em.'
Makes sense—a millennium-old dynasty.
Flower's new blood; this meant they could slug it out with the World Tree and then some.
"...Disciple......"
Deep in thought. Was I really this powerless?
Jeong Si-woo once scored a tracker from the World Tree.
Gacha it, and with luck, maybe I could too.
Points stocked from overlapping with tons of trees in the Cradle. Doable.
But that'd mean the World Tree didn't know Sansu-yu's spot either.
Cornerus might've hunkered in a spot even the World Tree couldn't touch.
"Third-rate disciple."
Over a week sleepless. Body healed fine, but something was still clogged.
'...Time for hardball?'
Debating force as the dilemma brewed—
"Third-rate disciple!!!"
White Path's bellow rattled my eardrums.
"...Y-yes?"
"You drag your master here—what the hell you up to?"
Bang, bang!
She brandished her wooden flask, tapping the mouth.
Our Peach Sisters had just dropped by to check on me.
White Path had her own rough patches lately—must've led to the booze.
"Move it."
"Am I your can opener?"
"Tch! Ancients said 'honor the master,' turning a beast into a man—ain't this the least you owe?"
"What've you even taught me?"
Pretty much all from Heavenly Path.
"GO!!!!!!"
Ears ringing. How's this woman unchanged since I was a kid?
"Alright, alright. Gimme."
Click.
Damn woodpecker bitch. Craving a lesson.
World spinning for her too—tons to say, no breather otherwise. They'd snagged three days off.
Handed her a beer; she chugged happily. Her chill vibe cracked me up—I sipped mine too.
Beer dribbled from White Path's lips down her chin, splattering into her cleavage.
Glimpse of skin. Black bra.
Under the Black Dragon Robe: dolphin shorts and a white crop tee exposing her navel. Eyebrow-raising.
Tame next to full-body stockings, but zero martial artist vibes.
"Lee Siheon, you... hic, why you gotta be such a disappointment?"
"Huh?"
"Everything you do rubs me wrong. I wrapped up far-off work just to see you... no welcome, just spacing out."
Secretly sulking. Booze-fueled whining.
Hard to believe she's older, but post-past trip, her pouts seemed kinda cute.
Hate to admit, but she's a looker.
"Dumbass."
"......"
Today's extra prickly, though.
Reason why.
Airport pickup to hotel—Imperial Path grinned, "Statues, statues—check this wild shit," pulling trophies via space magic.
-Statue, statue. Wanna see something insane?
-Huh?
Solid gold trophy. Gaudy as hell—unforgettable once seen.
Center inscription:
[Miss Tree Contest Grand Prize]
And below:
[White Path]
Imperial Path's impulse bomb—White Path flailed to dodge, too late. Now I'm her lackey.
Yup. Sucked into the rotten peach tree's tantrum.
"Sigh."
Miss Tree whatever—her embarrassment, apparently.
"Water."
Face beet red, she smacked my back raw.
Handprints on me proved it.
Poured her iced water, said,
"Winning's good, right? Why the fuss? Mad at me over that?"
"Not mad......"
"Pouty lips away—wipe the spill."
True martial artists skip beauty contests judging looks, or so she philosophized.
"......Imperial Path signed me up on her own. Whaddya gonna do...!"
"Bitch, did I say shit? And four straight wins? Sounds like you enjoyed it."
"No......"
White Path bobbed her head sleepily, denying.
"Jeez."
Passed out soon after.
Who calls a tree like that pretty?
Hot face, big tits, soft thighs, slim waist—thinks that's all?
A woman's charm is her personality. Black-hearted like coal that won't scrub off? Nightmare.
'Pretty, though.'
Didn't expect global appeal.
Miss Tree Contest.
Outshone all those hot National Trees and Wood People for first place.
Four years running.
Some heavyweights skipped, sure, but still impressive.
Whatever.
In my eyes, total loser.
"...Nngh."
"Up."
Sighed, stood, scooped White Path up.
Strong peach scent filled my nose.
Arm around her tiny waist, hoisted her—leaned into me.
Arm over my neck for support; her body melted against mine.
Squish.
Stripped the Black Dragon Robe, laid her on the bed.
Her skin whiter than hotel sheets. Unreal.
'Just crash too.'
Sleepless nights piling up. Wanted to bolt, but eyelids drooped.
"...Nnh."
White Path flipped, scratching her belly.
Plump thighs smothered her lower half view.
Always—body's my type.
Why the personality, though?
Irked, smacked her thigh.
Slap!
"Eek!"
Short yelp. Great—tomorrow's handprint means she'll choke me.
I claimed the bed corner, crashed.
Sleep hit hard.
"...Statue."
Then, sultry Imperial Path's voice drifted in.