Chapter 168 Azure Crimson Earrings (1)
Azure Crimson Earrings.
As Jin So-cheong had explained, they were a pair of earrings—one blue, the other red.
In Murim Returner, they were the items that Maeng Wi-hak always wore.
'So it turns out they actually originated from the Nangong family.'
Well, he is the Murim Alliance Leader, so that makes sense.
They weren't some world-shaking treasure just because the Sword Saint wore them.
On the contrary, Maeng Wi-hak, having reached such heights, didn't particularly like relying on exotic artifacts.
'Maeng Wi-hak is the complete opposite of me.'
I armed myself with gear to mask my weaknesses. In other words, without my treasures, my raw martial prowess wasn't all that impressive.
Even being able to take on peak experts was only possible thanks to the state-of-the-art murim AI sword, Pa Cheon.
Without Pa Cheon, fighting solo with just my body... I'd barely scrape by as first-rate, nothing more.
That's why Maeng Wi-hak despised flaunting gear. He trusted only himself—and thus, not even treasures.
So the reason he wore the Azure Crimson Earrings was simple.
'They allow wearers to share their status with each other.'
If the wearer's life was in danger or they willed a call, no matter the distance, the other could sense their condition.
And it didn't stop there—they even shared locations. A thread-like energy extended from the earrings, pinpointing the endangered wearer's position in real time.
Originally designed for self-defense or rescue.
Maeng Wi-hak wore one.
And the other—
'Was shared with Mu Jin.'
In Murim Returner, Mu Jin was the spy Maeng Wi-hak had dispatched to the Divine Cult. To monitor Mu Jin's activities and pinpoint the cult's location, Maeng Wi-hak had personally endured the hassle and shared them.
Though really, it was because he trusted no one else. Still, he had the confidence for it.
Once worn, the Azure Crimson Earrings couldn't be removed until the wearer died. Cruelly, even ripping them from one's ear forcibly wouldn't negate the effect. Only death released the bond.
'In the end, that's how he got caught in reverse.'
The clash between Maeng Wi-hak and Yi Se-ryeong didn't end in a single bout.
After several confrontations, unable to handle her, Maeng Wi-hak holed up in some nameless ruin, seemingly plotting a final gambit.
That's when Mu Jin reverse-tracked his position via the earrings and found him, sealing Maeng Wi-hak's doom.
'Gives me chills a bit.'
If it was fate, then fate—it felt like it had circled back to me now.
'That's that, and what's needed is needed.'
From my perspective, the Azure Crimson Earrings were incredibly useful.
[Do you really need them that badly?]
I hadn't shared the full backstory, but Pa Cheon questioned my insistence on the item.
'Yeah. I'll be facing a lot of danger ahead.'
This Murim Returner world ran on high risk, high reward.
The more crises I survived, the greater the fortunes I'd reap—and paradoxically, the better my odds of survival.
'So taking out insurance is a must.'
[Planning to give them to Sa Wol?]
'Yeah.'
In my current situation, the most reliable and useful card was Sa Wol.
'Back when you got trapped in that ruin, if we'd had something like the Azure Crimson Earrings, there wouldn't have been any real danger from the start.'
[Hmm—true, but still.]
'What? Any issues?'
[No. Safety first, can't argue there.]
'You're no fun.'
My top priority was survival. For that, I'd use every card I had.
I turned to Jin So-cheong. She wore that enigmatic faint smile, then bowed her head slightly as our eyes met.
"You can still reach the Blood Cult headquarters—or Ilmajon—right?"
"Yes, of course. If you need the Azure Crimson Earrings, shall I fetch the spirit beast? Or I could recast a blood spell on Namgung Jin and retrieve them."
"I said don't touch Namgung Jin. But there's a spirit beast too?"
Jin So-cheong smiled radiantly.
"If the Lord desires it, nothing is impossible."
Honestly, her words just creeped me out. I'd been searching for how to describe that feeling, and now I had it.
Yeah—like fattening up livestock right before the slaughterhouse.
Well, the Blood Cult Lord's seat was essentially the vessel for the Blood God, so it wasn't far off.
"Forget the spirit beast. I'll handle that myself."
"As you wish."
"Instead, investigate the North Sea Ice Palace. Especially the Little Palace Lord and her bloodline—in detail."
"Understood."
"Remember this, Blood Law Envoy."
I fixed her with a stern gaze.
"The Blood Cult didn't choose me. I chose the Blood Cult. Don't disappoint me."
"Ahh—I'll keep it in mind!"
Jin So-cheong bid me good night and left my room.
"Haa."
Dealing with someone whose eyes screamed unhinged was always exhausting.
As I let out a long sigh, Pa Cheon spoke up.
[By the way, monster.]
'What?'
[If those Azure Crimson Earrings are that important, don't you ultimately need the 'finest' spirit beast to claim them? You've already got Mu Geuk Cheon Hwa, so it might not qualify.]
'Obviously.'
[Yet you're so relaxed. Spirit beasts aren't something you just stumble upon.]
'True.'
Spirit beasts weren't ordinary animals. They were beings that had absorbed nature's qi, gaining spiritual essence through some catalyst.
Of course they weren't common, and capturing or taming one—even if you found it—was another matter entirely.
That's why Namgung Jin called it 'spirit beast hunting.'
[You're not thinking of bringing Cho Ryang, are you? Even if the hunt gives ample time, it's impossible.]
'No way. Bringing Cho Ryang would guarantee a win, but I can't drag in more cult members. Plus, he's still a kid.'
Even using Mu Geuk Cheon Hwa to fetch him risked exposing ties to the cult.
[Then what exactly are you planning?]
'I've got it all figured out. Just trust your bro.'
The next day arrived.
Namgung Jin had his men gather the juniors in one place. Around a hundred of them assembled in the banquet hall.
Namgung Jin's condition looked markedly improved. The faint anxiety and irritation that had tinged his face were gone, replaced by a subtle glow.
Probably the blood spell's release.
"Esteemed guests from the east, did you enjoy last night's entertainment? I hear free sparring is all the rage now. Our thanks once more to the Eastern Sword Dragon for introducing such fine amusement."
No sarcasm this time—it sounded genuine.
"And again, to the young master of Somyeongjang, So In-gyeol, for that splendid duel."
"Y-Yes? Yes!"
Applause poured for So In-gyeol, who fidgeted in confusion.
"Truth be told, up until yesterday was like a pre-festival for the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament. Today marks the true start."
As eyes turned to him, Namgung Jin continued.
"Thanks to your gracious dubbing of us as dragons and phoenixes, we've hosted this event. To honor that, we've prepared a special activity."
He snapped his fingers, and his subordinates entered with cloth-covered crates.
"These are modest gifts from the Nangong family to commemorate the occasion."
Five crates total—the prizes.
First place: the Azure Crimson Earrings, as expected. Second: a martial arts manual. Third and fourth: elixirs. Fifth: cash.
'Nangong family lives up to the hype.'
The greatest clan under heaven—the prize scale was unreal.
Even fifth prize could fund a small sect for a month.
Hard to convert exactly, but roughly a hundred million won in modern terms.
Not even a chaebol heir could toss that around lightly.
Naturally, reactions were electric. Though small clans and low-realm juniors shook their heads like, 'Figures.'
Seizing the moment, Namgung Jin pressed on.
"Most events like this divide prizes via friendly spars. But isn't that stale? So—"
Spirit beast hunting—the part I already knew.
"Hunt solo or in teams. Teams must agree on prize splits, of course."
The duration was long, as anticipated: a fortnight from tournament start.
Bonus points for live capture or taming; the finest judged by show of hands on-site.
Eyes gleamed.
Spars were one-on-one, making absolute power gaps insurmountable.
But hunting? Variables galore, no rules restricting partners—so teaming with skilled hunters opened possibilities.
Even splitting prizes meant a life-changing leap.
"Everyone looks eager. Off you go!"
The crowd surged out.
Left were the Five Dragons and Phoenixes, plus scions from notable sects and clans. One phoenix, Je Gal Hye, had been dragged off red-eyed by Paeng So So.
That's when it happened.
"Little lady."
Jin So-cheong approached Yi Seong Ryeong.
"Care to team up with me if you're interested in spirit beasts?"
"Ah, I—"
"No need to be shy! Let's do it! I'll round up some people! Yay!"
Her yesterday's madness gone, Jin So-cheong beamed innocently up at Yi Seong Ryeong—quite the height difference.
"……Sure."
"Hehehe! Let's make it fun! Spirit beasts sound so cute, right?"
[Monster.]
'What?'
[Jin So-cheong might act better than you.]
'……Hard to deny.'
Method acting award-sweeper.
Anyway, her skills seemed solid. I'd ordered intel on the Ice Palace and Yi Seong Ryeong, and she wasn't just delegating—she was jumping in herself.
Perfect fix for my cult intel worries, in the most unexpected way.
Jin So-cheong didn't stop at Yi Seong Ryeong; she roped in other juniors—including the still-dazed Namgung Jin, post-spell.
Taoists like Un Yeop Ja and Jang Yeong-o skipped the 'hunting' bit, opting to stay with the Tang Clan.
[So what's your plan?]
'Need you. My target spirit beast is trapped in a natural formation.'
[Such a place exists? What kind is it? Must be impressive.]
'Yeah. Super impressive—in cuteness.'
[Like Mu Geuk Cheon Hwa's auspicious powers?]
'I said it's cute.'
[……Cute?]
'There's a spirit beast whose power is cuteness.'
[What does that even mean?]
'Ever heard of panda? Sichuan's their main habitat.'
[……First time.]
'Yeah. The formation's kept 'em hidden. That's why I need you—you see through energies.'
Pa Cheon sighed.
[What are you even thinking? How can cuteness be a spirit beast's power?]
'You'll see.'
I was certain.
Because panda—
Was what the real world called pandas.
Pretending to Be the Heavenly Demon