Junggyeongjin (5)
"This is Master Thunder Spirit's Thunder Wheel Ring."
Inside the box Hoyeon Rin had brought lay a golden ring radiating a calm, steady light.
For reference, gye (戒) was the name attached to dharma artifacts in the form of rings—in other words, finger rings.
"At a glance, it's classified as a top-grade dharma artifact. But its actual performance transcends the limits of what an artifact should be capable of."
Dharma artifacts were graded into four tiers: low-grade, mid-grade, high-grade, and top-grade.
Among the artifacts Cheon Woo-jin possessed, the Silver Scale Strong Guard Shield and the Celestial Armor Flying Spirit were both top-grade.
And yet, every so often, an artifact would appear that surpassed even the standard of a top-grade artifact.
Treasures whose performance had been pushed beyond the natural limits of artifacts through special materials, or by infusing them with extraordinary power, or through any number of other methods.
Such items couldn't quite be treated as dharma treasures, so they were nominally classified as top-grade artifacts—but in practice, they performed on an entirely different level from ordinary top-grade equipment.
"Put it on and try feeding a little spiritual power into it."
Cheon Woo-jin slipped the golden ring onto his finger and sent a small trickle of spiritual power into it.
At once, a protective barrier of lightning energy unfolded before him.
It wasn't a spherical barrier like the Thousand Illusion Formation Art that shielded every direction, but it was more than large enough to defend his front.
"It layers the lightning energy in multiple sheets while generating a repulsive force that pushes outward. It could deflect just about any ordinary attack."
"……"
Vmmm.
Cheon Woo-jin gradually increased the flow of spiritual power, testing the barrier's strength.
Even a modest infusion of spiritual power formed a remarkably sturdy shield.
At this level…… it seemed even more powerful than the Silver Scale Strong Guard Shield, a top-grade defensive artifact.
"And that's not all. This artifact has one more function as well."
Hoyeon Rin said, arms crossed.
"They say that if you generate lightning energy while wearing the artifact, its power increases dramatically. The principle apparently accelerates the interplay of yin and yang to generate a stronger discharge."
"A defensive artifact with a function like that?"
Seo Seol-ryeong, watching from the side, looked astonished.
"Most defensive artifacts contain only defensive functions, in order to maximize their protective power."
"I'd guess the principle behind maximizing that defense is the same one that amplifies the lightning. I don't know much about lightning arts myself, so I can't speak to the details."
Listening to their exchange, Cheon Woo-jin casually raised a bolt of lightning energy.
When he provoked a collision of yin and yang according to the principles of the Thunder Spirit Great Derivation Art, he could feel the Thunder Wheel Ring respond, amplifying the discharge.
He wanted nothing more than to release the lightning right there and test its full power, but that wasn't an option.
If he unleashed a full-scale technique, Seo Seol-ryeong's new shop would be reduced to rubble.
This really is magnificent.
The Five Thunders Heaven-Piercing Sword he had been using until now was also an artifact capable of drawing out greater lightning power.
But compared to this Thunder Wheel Ring, it felt like a trinket.
That was how singular the ring's performance was.
It was equipment that surpassed top-grade—a piece that would deliver tremendous force in both offense and defense.
What was more, because it took the form of a ring, he could wear it at all times without a thought.
Artifacts like the Five Thunders Heaven-Piercing Sword had to be drawn out one by one whenever they were needed, but the Thunder Wheel Ring required no such ceremony, giving it a distinct advantage in convenience as well.
As expected of an artifact Master Thunder Spirit crafted with his own hands.
Master Thunder Spirit—the genius of lightning arts who had created the Thunder Spirit Great Derivation Art.
His greatness struck Cheon Woo-jin anew.
"I'll put it to good use. My thanks."
"It seems a bit early for thanks, honestly."
Hoyeon Rin drew a second box from her storage pouch.
"This is your second payment. Take a look."
This box was considerably larger.
When he lifted the wooden lid, he found a single banner inside.
"The Nine Dragons Mountain-Binding Banner. I'm told it's a top-grade artifact modeled after the legend of a nine-headed dragon that coiled its own body around a mountain to bind it."
Painted on the banner was a Dragon King with nine heads.
"When you plant this banner, nine dragon-headed streams of energy rise up and coil around any enemies within its effective range. Once they're caught, they're as helpless as prey constricted by a serpent."
"A binding artifact, then."
"It won't work well against a skilled cultivator…… but it should still be able to slow their movements."
This was an artifact with a variety of uses.
He could use it to bind a horde of lesser foes all at once, or to reduce a powerful enemy's speed in a one-on-one duel.
Its exact effectiveness would need to be verified, but it promised to be a formidable artifact indeed.
"But…… could this be an artifact that Pavilion Master Oh made himself?"
"It is. With the approval of those above him, the Pavilion Master crafted it personally. Quite a substantial amount of resources went into it."
Banner-type artifacts could be thought of as a kind of talisman.
Rather than inscribing formulas on paper, the formations were etched into banner cloth, and the artifact was completed by infusing it with the energy needed to manifest those formations.
Unlike talismans, however, banners weren't disposable—they had to remain usable semi-permanently, which meant enormous resources were consumed in their creation.
Not long ago, Jongri Un had slaughtered his own family and sealed their vengeful spirits inside the cloth to forge his Ghost Soul Banner.
This Nine Dragons Mountain-Binding Banner, too, was surely a banner completed by infusing it with some manner of potent energy.
"That's quite a feat."
At that moment, Seo Seol-ryeong spoke in a hard voice.
"The Dragon race does not ordinarily craft artifacts like this. They are a clan that despises borrowing power from things like artifacts and dharma treasures."
It stemmed from the Dragon race's characteristic sense of superiority.
Because the dragons considered themselves superior to every other race, they believed they had no need to lean on the power of artifacts or treasures.
And when a powerful dharma treasure emerged that might threaten the dragons' supremacy, they would move to seal it or destroy it.
"But it isn't always so. On rare occasions, they do craft artifacts by hand—when they wish to give a special gift to someone they count as a friend."
"Yes, and it's an honor reserved for only the most exceptional of circumstances."
This time, Oh Hwi-seong had gone so far as to obtain the permission of the Dragon faction's upper echelons to prepare a powerful artifact for Cheon Woo-jin.
What could that mean?
"Which means the Dragon faction has designated you, Taoist Cheon, as a specially managed asset."
Seo Seol-ryeong said in a cool, measured voice.
"Through this incident, the Dragon faction has become aware of your existence, Taoist Cheon. Even if they have no immediate scheme in mind, they're clearly cultivating a good relationship in advance so that they can call upon your strength someday."
"Probably so."
Cheon Woo-jin nodded.
He had been thinking the same thing as Seo Seol-ryeong for some time now.
"But accepting this doesn't put me in any particular debt to the dragons. I'll simply receive it gratefully."
With that, he turned his gaze toward Hoyeon Rin.
"I'll make good use of this artifact as well. I'd appreciate it if you'd relay my thanks to Pavilion Master Oh."
"Hmm, I'm glad it seems to be to your liking."
Hoyeon Rin smiled.
With this, the compensation for the Ghost Spirit Demon Banner incident was fully settled.
But Hoyeon Rin looked reluctant to part ways just yet.
"Hold on, then—what shall we do now? The three of us could have a meal together……"
"My apologies, but I'm afraid I have a prior engagement."
"A prior engagement?"
At Cheon Woo-jin's words, Hoyeon Rin tilted her head.
It was at that very moment that noisy footsteps sounded from outside.
"Hey, you ready to go or what?"
CRASH! BANG!
Smashing through the door, a hulking lizard cultivator stomped into the shop.
It was Na Chwi-ryang, who had made the appointment for today.
"Why is this door so flimsy? It breaks every single time."
"You'll be billed for the repairs, Cultivator Na."
Seo Seol-ryeong shot back in an icy voice.
At the sight of it, Hoyeon Rin's eyes went round.
In truth, Hoyeon Rin herself had nearly been on the receiving end of Na Chwi-ryang's attacks during the last battle.
"Don't tell me this 'prior engagement' of yours is with Na Chwi-ryang?"
"It is. The reason Taoist Cheon was waiting here today in the first place is that he'd promised to meet with Cultivator Na."
After explaining this much, Seo Seol-ryeong looked at Cheon Woo-jin.
"Then enjoy your time alone with Cultivator Na. I'll be having a meal with Taoist Hoyeon myself."
"That phrasing sounds a bit odd, Seo Seol-ryeong……"
Escorted out by the two women, Cheon Woo-jin left the shop with Na Chwi-ryang.
"Hey, look at that guy over there……"
"Yeah, that's definitely the one from the fight the other day……"
"They say he showed up at Wolhongnu with Na Chwi-ryang yesterday, too……"
Walking through the streets of Junggyeongjin, Cheon Woo-jin could feel the eyes upon him.
In the battle over the Ghost Spirit Demon Banner that had erupted here in Junggyeongjin, Cheon Woo-jin had put on a striking display against cultivators from numerous factions.
Word had already spread that he had also performed great feats in the Snow Mountain Region, felling Baek Shin-yeong of the Ten Thousand Nights Ice Palace.
Still, he wasn't so recognizable that a mere glance would give him away—yet it seemed the rumor of his visit to Wolhongru with Na Chwi-ryang yesterday had circulated.
Seeing him walking alongside Na Chwi-ryang, people had put two and two together: so that's that Cheon Woo-jin fellow.
Not everyone recognized him, but those who did were watching him with keen attention.
Their eyes seemed to be gauging what kind of influence Cheon Woo-jin might come to wield over the 6th Layer in the days to come.
"Hey, Cheon Woo-jin."
Then Na Chwi-ryang spoke up to him.
"Looked like you were planning to eat with those ladies a minute ago, but it fell through, huh."
Na Chwi-ryang chuckled, his voice teasing.
"Same as yesterday. Sticking around with an ugly brute like me instead of beauties like them—must be rough on the mood, keh keh."
"Not particularly."
Cheon Woo-jin replied in an even voice.
"Aren't we headed somewhere nice today?"
"What?"
Na Chwi-ryang blinked at him.
"What nonsense are you spouting? We're going to Anhui Valley today……"
"Anhui Valley is certainly dangerous. It's in the Snow Mountain Region, so it's freezing cold on top of that."
It was a region perilous enough that even Seo Seol-ryeong had voiced her concerns.
He had strengthened his forces by acquiring the Thunder Wheel Ring and the Nine Dragons Mountain-Binding Banner, but that was no reason to let his guard down.
"But that place has a fine spiritual spring, doesn't it?"
A spiritual spring meant a place where numinous waters flowed forth.
To train at such a place was to reap great attainment.
"And I hear it's a hot spring, with steaming water bubbling right up out of the earth."
"……!"
Na Chwi-ryang's eyes flew wide open.
"Imagine it. Snow swirling down around you in the heart of the mountains, and you sinking into a steaming hot spring. How would that feel?"
"……"
"And then, in that state, you take a sip of spirit wine…… What do you suppose that would be like?"
Saying this, Cheon Woo-jin drew a small gourd from his breast and gave it a shake.
It was the wine Gong U had slipped into his sleeve before they parted ways yesterday.
Naturally, it wasn't a lethal brew like the Bowel-Severing Five Strange Herbs Liquor.
It was a supreme-grade spirit wine, delicious and wholesome besides.
"Hnngh, you sly dog……"
Na Chwi-ryang punched Cheon Woo-jin on the shoulder.
"I always figured you were a humorless bastard, walking around with that blank face all day—turns out you've got a taste for the finer things after all."
"A man needs proper rest now and then to keep living."
The weariness of body and mind that no amount of pills and circulation training could dissolve.
To wash that away, rest of this sort was a necessity.
"Right then! Let's sweep those Iron Calamity bastards aside in a flash, then go soak and relax!"
"Just so."
Seo Seol-ryeong, Hoyeon Rin—you two go enjoy your meal together. I'll be off to the hot springs with my lizard friend here.
With light steps, Cheon Woo-jin set out for the Snow Mountain Region to the north.