The Long Trek to Jangbaeksan
Things in the Solary World had settled into a solid groove. Now Greia and Lienna would snowball off the foundation I'd laid for them, propelling Coolong Territory even further ahead. Everything was going smooth as silk.
With my Solary World trip wrapped up, I'd shifted to the Extreme Sword Heavenly Immortal World this time. More precisely, another version of me—who'd been grinding away on a journey through that world—had summoned me here. At long last, the grueling trek to Jilin was over.
"Haa~! Fucking long."
"You would've gotten here ages ago if you hadn't stopped at every brothel."
"Give me a break. You ever see a sparrow fly past a mill without stopping?"
He couldn't argue with that—it was me saying it, after all.
Anyway, we'd made it to Jilin, so all that was left was climbing Jangbaeksan. The mountain hid countless opportunities for enlightenment. I had my eyes on just one, but snagging some minor side benefits along the way wouldn't hurt. Small fortunes might not match a big one, but pile enough together and they'd be plenty useful.
After syncing memories with my other self, I deactivated Multibody. Keeping the skill active came with a debuff that dropped my stats by 70%. Now that I was diving into serious training, I couldn't afford any handicaps. To break through my current realm, I needed to temper myself at full strength.
[The 'Multibody' skill level has increased.]
←Skill→
Multibody 2-star (A-rank)
↳↳Can split the body into up to 3. Clones retain 70% of the original's stats. Touching splits syncs memories, emotions, experiences, and all abilities. Stats sync to the highest value. However, bonus points, credits, and inventory are shared as one.
←Skill→
The Multibody skill had leveled up. The stat debuff was still there, but now I could make up to two clones. A solid spec boost. It'd be perfect for orgies, too.
Honestly, the orgy potential thrilled me more than the combat gains. I lived for sex.
I was at the foot of Jangbaeksan near Jilin City right now. We'd come from Hubei through Anhui, Shandong, Hebei, Tianjin, Liaoning, and finally Jilin. One hell of a haul.
Even shelling out big for the fastest carriage routes, it'd taken ages. Sure, my clone had handled most of it, but shared memories and experiences made it feel like I'd done it myself. Maybe because of that, a mental fatigue lingered in my head, like the shoulder strap of my bundle was digging in.
I'd ridden carriages the whole way, but the sheer length tricked my brain into thinking I'd marched the distance. I straightened the bundle slung diagonally across my back.
With an inventory, I didn't need the damn thing at all. But wandering long distances empty-handed draws weird looks. Sure, passing for a lunatic beggar would be easy, but I looked like a rich young master with my travel voucher. In the martial world, crawling with armed thugs, that screams "mug me." Especially without guards.
I could swat away small-time punks no sweat, but getting hassled at all was a pain in the ass. So I'd grabbed this bundle as a prop to advertise "hey, just a traveler!"
Even with it, all my valuables were in inventory. I'd stuffed it with junk like dildos and rotors for show.
Jangbaeksan was one of Jilin's famed peaks. Its rugged peaks teemed with rare herbs and spirit beasts, drawing nobles, big-name martial artists, ascetics, monks—you name it. I'd spotted plenty en route who reeked of that vibe.
Self-proclaimed Taoists gave off quack herb-peddler auras, and the officials screamed "demoted bureaucrat." Seemed like a spot for losers chasing a comeback in pristine nature, steeling their resolve.
For a popular mountain, Jangbaeksan lacked proper trails, but that didn't faze me. I followed the rough dirt paths upward.
Massive peaks and majestic ranges seemed to welcome me, standing tall like they owned the title of famed mountain. No wonder folks raved about it.
The higher I climbed, the fewer people around. Casual tourists had bailed ages ago. Even the training Taoists had vanished behind me. Suddenly, I was alone.
A bit lonely, but I hadn't planned on hiking with company anyway. With the quiet settling in, my pace quickened.
The dense forest brimmed with potent qi. Solary World's spirits would've loved it. A spirit king could hide here easy. Canon described notable spirit beasts lurking on Jangbaeksan.
'Including some dangerous fuckers. Best avoid 'em if possible.'
I'd started leisurely, taking in the sights. But the scenery got repetitive, so I focused on moving. My steps sped up.
I pushed up narrow paths. For such rugged terrain, the trails were decent—no getting lost.
But I couldn't just charge to the summit. That wasn't my goal.
'Canon doesn't pinpoint where he lives. Novels can't get into every detail.'
I was hunting the guy who lived on this mountain. Problem was, I had no clue where.
Jangbaeksan was huge. Rugged terrain, powerful spirit beasts everywhere. Needle-in-a-haystack without a plan? I'd die old and empty-handed.
Dumbasses might try that. Smart play? Use canon knowledge to find him easy.
'Don't know where he is, but I know how to meet him.'
Canon said he napped once a week at Biryubokpo. Find the waterfall, wait—he'd show.
Next hitch: no idea where Biryubokpo was. But spotting a waterfall beats hunting a hermit. Still, needed locals.
Jangbaeksan had slash-and-burn villagers. They'd know.
'Find folks who know the waterfall leading to the man. Simple.'
Straightforward: track people.
'Canon mentions slashers midway up.'
I scanned for human traces while walking. Beast tracks and shit aplenty, no people. Might take time.
Three hours of wandering, and fresh footprints appeared. I nearly danced for joy.
Not just prints—clear ones meant a settlement nearby.
Lots of prints, plus blood drips. Hunters heading home with a kill.
I followed. Ten minutes later, a small village appeared. Slashers for sure.
"Who goes there?"
As I neared, a low voice came from an outskirts hut. A guy strolled out leisurely.
Worn robe haphazardly thrown on, messy hair, ragged straw sandals, mid-yawn. Chill about an outsider.
These insular villages usually wary of strangers, but he was laid-back.
"Ain't nothin' worth stealin' here. From your look, you're a martial artist."
Sharp eye. Pegged me as murim from getup alone. No weapon even.
"You lot reek of blade-and-blood."
He smirked. I sniffed my sleeve. Blood? Bullshit, just sweat-stink.
"Kek! Fun guy."
He grinned at my antics. Easier laugh than expected.
I got to the point.
"Name's Jongchil from the Central Plains. Know a spot called Biryubokpo around here?"
He crossed arms, tilted head, pondered, nodded to himself, then smiled.
"No way you dragged from Central Plains for a cock-sized waterfall. Here for him, right?"
Nailed my reason. Nothing shady, so I nodded firm. Seemed sharp—no point lying. Didn't eye me hostile.
"Yeah. Here to see him."
"Third this month. If it's Big Bro, no need for the waterfall. I'll show his place."
Way easier than expected. Too smooth—suspicious.
"Thanks."
"No sweat. But word of advice: ditch false hopes."
"False hopes?"
"Here to be his disciple? I've seen cartloads try. Zero success. Big Bro's a leisurely phoenix and sky-ruling azure dragon. Picky eye for pupils."
True to canon. His first disciple was protagonist Gong Wuseon, years off. If I snagged it? Timeline nuked. Big time.
"Guess that makes me first."
He snorted.
"Everyone says that. Not one exception. Folks all the same. And same-old can't cut it for Big Bro."
"That so? I'm confident."
"They all were. Central Plains trekkers? Confidence overload. But Big Bro passed 'em all."
He led the way. I followed, recalling canon details.