Chapter 601
Chapter 601
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 601
Chapter Title: Radiant Ascension Path
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The premium potion's effects were undeniable.
Sung Ji-gon's abdominal wound from the sword slash began healing in less than ten seconds. He jolted in surprise, trying to sit up, but then settled back down onto the ground. Exhausted from the battle, he needed some rest.
"Jin. What was that potion? A fatal wound healing in an instant..."
"Just think of it as one of the spirit elixirs."
"Using something that precious on me..."
Sung Ji-gon's gaze held both respect and gratitude. Not bad at all. If he felt indebted to me, he'd listen to me more closely from now on.
"We've got a few hours until sunrise... Shall we finish what we started?"
I turned toward the women. They trembled at the sight of me, probably thinking I might kill them all.
"Strip. All of you. If you don't satisfy me before dawn... I'll slaughter every last one of you, just like those bandits scattered over there."
"......!!"
Desperate not to die, the women hurriedly began undressing. Soon enough, Sung Ji-gon joined in. Unlike me, he gathered the older women and got started.
We emerged from the bandit lair as the morning sun began to rise.
"But... are you really leaving the women alive? Shouldn't we kill them?"
Sung Ji-gon asked me.
"What? You want to?"
"No, it's just... we need to silence them. They'll blab about us..."
"We wore disguise masks. Even if rumors spread, they can't identify us. And killing the women would be a waste. If we run into them again, we can always have another go."
"You were already planning for round two?"
"Who knows what the future holds. Right?"
We moved far from the bandit lair and removed our disguise masks and outer clothes. The stuffy feeling from wearing the masks vanished.
"Satisfied, Jin?"
"Yeah. Totally, Gon."
We returned to the transport group's campsite.
The merchants were awake earlier than usual, preparing to flee. Seok Ji-don barked orders at them with a tense expression.
"Those Oyoung Bandits who tormented us won't just sit idle. We need to get out of here as fast as possible!"
With their stamina restored, the merchants moved faster than ever.
???
After a harrowing journey, we finally arrived at our destination: Panyang City.
Of course, we weren't staying long. The pilot transport's goal wasn't selling animal hides or mere delivery—it was to familiarize ourselves with the route to Panyang City. We'd more or less achieved that.
"We'll head back in two days. Rest up today and tomorrow. I don't care how you spend your time, as long as you don't cause trouble."
Seok Ji-don announced. He ordered the escorts to sell the animal hides to local merchants, then retreated into the inn with a weary face. He looked ready to crash and sleep the day away.
"Yu-jin. What now?"
"Dunno. Wander around a bit. If I want some action tonight, I need to scout where the beauties are."
Sung Ji-gon nodded.
Panyang City was about the same size as Hudan City, home to the Meteor Sword Sect. But unlike there, it had no major sect. There were smaller ones, but even combined, they couldn't match the Meteor Sword Sect.
"Weird. I thought a city this size would have at least one sect on our level."
"Until 150 years ago, there was one rivaling the Meteor Sword Sect."
"Really? What was it?"
"Nakwang Gate. Unlike our sword-focused sect, they specialized in sorcery—pure sorcerers."
"So why'd they vanish? Lose a war to another sect?"
"That would've been better. Nakwang Gate collapsed due to a succession dispute."
"Oof. Tough break."
Sung Ji-gon brushed it off casually.
In this world, sects rising and falling was commonplace. Even back at the Meteor Sword Sect, rumors of nearby sects collapsing were routine. I'd just never heard of Nakwang Gate since it fell 150 years ago.
"Same size city and all... but it feels different from Hudan. Lots of strange stuff around."
Sung Ji-gon pointed to an alley wall. It looked blue from the right, black from the left.
"Nakwang Gate's remnants. The city's dotted with their sorcery traces."
"All this from sorcery? Still active after 150 years?"
"If the sorcery type, caster's skill, and maintenance align, some last millennia."
"Whoa... Isn't sorcery stronger than martial arts then?"
"Nah. Martial arts and sorcery each have pros and cons."
As we walked, we both stopped in unison.
We'd reached the city's largest brothel. Open even in daylight, we could glimpse beauties through the windows—courtesans exposing shoulders and cleavage to lure men.
But Sung Ji-gon and I turned away.
"Let's hit the brothel at dawn tomorrow."
"Yeah. Yu-jin, buying courtesans doesn't do it for me."
"The thrill's different. But you good? Didn't spot your type earlier."
"Top floor. Looked about fifty, but refined—like an ex-courtesan."
I shrugged.
That night, masked up, we raided homes for women. At dawn, we hit the brothel for more.
???
A man entered a rundown shack on Panyang City's outskirts. His neat face, fine silk robes, and sword at his waist clashed with the hovel. He strode in without knocking.
"Wh-who are you?"
A terrified woman spoke. Behind her sat an old lady, dazed. She looked unwell.
Wi Jo-hee.
Wife of O Son-mo, leader of the Oyoung Bandits.
"I heard Oyoung vanished."
"W-we have nothing to do with them!"
"Wi Jo-hee, wife of the late O Son-mo. I know everything—don't lie. Promise: answer honestly, and no harm comes."
"......"
Wi Jo-hee nodded, sweat beading. Refusal meant trouble.
"Who killed O Son-mo and massacred Oyoung?"
"Two... two men."
"I know that. Spoke to another Oyoung woman already. Know they raped you too. I want clues to their identities."
"...No distinguishing marks. Except... one was huge... down there."
"Heard you were taken by a well-endowed man repeatedly. Anything else?"
Wi Jo-hee shuddered—in fear and shame. No revenge possible. Most pitiful.
"...Faces plain but awkward. Smiles distorted the whole face."
"Cheap disguise mask trait. Not enough. Anything more?"
"Names: Jin and Gon..."
"Masked men. Aliases, surely."
"Well..."
Wi Jo-hee trailed off. Trauma clouded recall.
Then the old lady—O Son-mo's mother—spoke up, voice booming with rage.
"Yu-jin!"
"As that rapist died, he called him Yu-jin. Clear as day!"
"Yu-jin... Real name? Valuable intel. Anything else?"
"They had miracle potions! His gut split open, but pink powder healed it instantly!"
"Heard that. If true, incredible elixir. Nothing more to learn here."
Wi Jo-hee tensed, fearing slaughter. But he kept his word and left.
From his view, killing them was pointless from the start.
Wi Jo-hee exhaled in relief. She guessed his identity but would never speak it.
???
Afternoon. Rising late, Sung Ji-gon and I ate a belated lunch at the inn when a man approached our table. A sharp-looking warrior.
"Fancy meeting Meteor Sword Sect's Sung Yu-jin and Sung Ji-gon here."
He knew our names.
Odd.
We were the sect leader's sons but nobodies. This pilot run was our debut—no heroics.
One explanation: he'd investigated us.
Sung Ji-gon glanced tense. We'd raped women last night.
"Who are you?"
I asked.
"Shin Gong-se, second son of the A-Hyun Clan. Know us?"
"A-Hyun's famed family in A-Hyun City. Heard the name."
"Ha. Good. Makes this easier."
He sat beside Sung Ji-gon uninvited, pulling a talisman. Mystical energy enveloped us.
I narrowed my eyes; he hurried.
"No harm intended. Soundproof barrier—no voices escape. Essential for sensitive talks."
"What's this about? We're not sect elders. Sect matters? Go to headquarters."
"Not the sect. You two."
"......Get to the point."
Shin Gong-se grinned.
"I know what you did at Oyoung."
"......!!"
Sung Ji-gon startled, eyes darting. Inexperienced. I stayed cool.
'How? Killed all men... Interrogated women? But masks, aliases. Sword traces? Even then, pinpointing us... Ah!'
Recalled: as Sung Ji-gon died, I used his real name? No—old lady heard "Yu-jin" as he faded. Eavesdropper told Shin Gong-se. Explained it.
"So? What now? Spreading rumors?"
I went bold. If rumors, no visit. He wanted something.
"No enmity. Proposing alliance."
"Alliance?"
"How much do you trust Jikga Escort Agency? Their sudden involvement suspicious?"
"They're using the Meteor Sword Sect. A bigger power reaching out screams agenda."
"Impressive. Most wouldn't question luck. Bright future for your sect."
He praised sincerely. But I knew from the original story—not my insight. Knew A-Hyun's aims too.
"Alliance means you want something."
"Your strength and those miracle potions."
"Miracle potions?"
"Pink powder, instant fatal wound heal. Tempting. Want to snatch them."
Potions.
"Potions, huh."
"Fitting name. Yes. Those. Won't be free—name your price."
"Don't have many."
"Too many would've raised flags. How many exactly?"
"Started with three, now two. Got 'em from a fortunate encounter."
"Give both to A-Hyun Clan. Compensation won't disappoint."