Chapter 607
Chapter 607
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 607
Chapter Title: Radiant Ascension Path
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The important guest who had come to see Shin Gong-se was a man draped in an indigo robe. His face was ghostly pale, with thick dark circles under his eyes. His pupils resembled those of a dead fish.
Shin Gong-se's relaxed expression hardened the instant he laid eyes on him.
"Lord Du. I'm in the middle of speaking with the guest who arrived first."
"The guest who arrived first... To my eyes, he looks more like a mark than a guest. What scheme were you cooking up this time?"
"How rude. I don't expect an apology, but at least withdraw for now."
We had been equally slighted, but Shin Gong-se couldn't care less. Just as the man said, he saw us as nothing more than suckers.
Ignoring it all, the man strode over to our side and took a seat in an empty chair.
"I'm Du Man-jeong, elder of Namji Gate. You two must be warriors from Meteor Sword Sect."
"Yes. That's right."
I answered.
"Lord Du!"
Shin Gong-se shouted sharply, but Du Man-jeong paid him no mind. Instead, he fixed me with a steady gaze. A golden gleam flickered in those dead-fish eyes.
Belatedly, I recalled what I knew about Du Man-jeong.
Du Man-jeong, elder of Namji Gate, was a sorcerer born with Insight Eye, a gaze that pierced straight to the essence. In this world, Insight Eye was a special sight that uncovered true natures. Among sorcerers, it ranked as one of the highest talents. In the original story, he died fighting the protagonist.
"This is surprising."
Du Man-jeong looked at me and smirked. I had no idea what he saw.
"Young Master Shin. I wish to speak with this man alone. Make it happen."
"What exactly are you scheming?"
"That's what I want to ask you."
"......What is your business?"
"The patience of Namji Gate's leader has reached its limit. We'll be stepping in soon. Within ten days, Namji Gate's Qingha Troop will arrive in Panyang City."
Du Man-jeong's actions were a blatant betrayal of Namji Gate. Unlike the original story, it seemed he'd been swayed by Shin Gong-se.
"......There's an unwritten rule in this situation. Ahyeon Divine Clan and Jikga Escort Bureau may snarl and clash with each other, but neither has any intention of yielding anything to Namji Gate. Does Namji Gate truly think it can handle both Ahyeon Divine Clan and Jikga Escort Bureau?"
"If we didn't, we wouldn't move."
"Then you're fools. We've already finished all preparations to strike Jikga Escort Bureau... Ha."
"If you secure Na-gang Sect's ritual artifact within a week, there'll be no need to fight."
"If it were that easy, sure."
"I've said what I came to say. Now, I want to speak with this man privately."
"Very well. Plenty to think about, so I'll clear the room. Young Master Sung Ji-gon. Step outside with me and wait."
He didn't bother asking our opinions. Shin Gong-se was treating us like marks, just as the man said.
Sung Ji-gon scowled. I patted his shoulder and nodded toward the door, signaling him to go with Shin Gong-se.
Now, only I and Du Man-jeong remained in the room.
"Sung Yu-jin of Meteor Sword Sect."
"Du Man-jeong of Namji Gate."
"What did you see in me?"
"Oh ho. So you know about my eyes."
"Insight Eye. The gaze that pierces essence. First time seeing it in person, but I've heard of it."
"More knowledgeable than I expected."
"What did you see in me, my lord?"
"It's not wrong to say Insight Eye pierces to the essence. But its effects vary slightly from person to person. In my case, I can see what's hidden in objects and spells. For people, I see their aptitudes."
"So you saw my aptitude. Must have been disappointing."
"Disappointing? Nonsense. I was stunned the moment I saw your aptitude. I've never met anyone with talent like yours."
"Pardon? You must be mistaken. I have no talent."
"My eyes don't lie. If you haven't realized your talent yet, it's because it hasn't awakened."
"You're saying things that pique my curiosity. Care to tell me what you saw?"
"Since it's my first time seeing someone like you, I'll tell you. I saw two things. One is lightning. Probably your attribute."
"Yes. I was born with the Thunder Spirit."
"Born with Thunder Spirit and no talent? You're good at fooling people."
"......"
"The other is star qi."
"......Star qi?"
"They say in this world, those born with star qi all become great figures of destiny. You haven't awakened yet. I don't know exactly which star qi you have, but once you do, you'll never say you lack talent again."
"Could you elaborate?"
"I don't know much about star qi myself. But there are a few examples. The most famous are Heavenly Slaughter Star and Purple Tenuity Star."
"Never heard of them."
"You have. It's the tale of the Emperor and the Slaughter God."
"......No way. The Emperor and Slaughter God?"
"Indeed. The Emperor was Purple Tenuity Star, and Slaughter God was Heavenly Slaughter Star."
The story of the Emperor and Slaughter God was so famous even the neighborhood kids knew it.
To sum it up briefly: About 700 years ago, Slaughter God unleashed a great catastrophe. The Emperor slew Slaughter God and restored peace to the world. He then founded the Jin Empire.
Panyang City, where I was now, and Hudan City, home of Meteor Sword Sect, both belonged to the Jin Empire. They were remote frontiers, far from the capital.
"Am I Heavenly Slaughter Star or Purple Tenuity Star?"
"Of course not. Purple Tenuity already had its Emperor, so it wouldn't choose you. If you were Heavenly Slaughter, I'd sense malice from you. That star is that powerful. Information on star qi is scarce. I only know from texts. I can't tell which star you have."
"Is star qi really that impressive?"
"No one born with star qi has failed to become a great figure."
"......Are you going to kill me?"
"I'm not so petty as to kill you out of jealousy over your star qi. I just wanted to talk to someone born with it."
"Satisfied?"
"No. Less entertaining and rewarding than hoped. Still, you humored my conversation, so here's your payment. You're after Na-gang Sect's ritual artifact, right?"
"Yes."
I had a rough idea where Na-gang Sect's ritual artifact was. But finding it was proving difficult. The original description was too vague.
"Na-gang Sect's ritual artifact is in a small mountain east of Panyang City. Hidden by a high-level barrier, so only sorcerers of at least Origin rank can spot it."
I knew that. The problem was pinpointing the entrance through the barrier. Digging ignored it, but digging randomly just wasted time.
Du Man-jeong pulled a talisman from his robe and handed it to me.
"With this talisman, you should see the barrier."
"A talisman to pierce the barrier?"
"My skills aren't that advanced. It just marks the entrance I saw. Head the direction the talisman's end points, dig, or smash the area, and you'll enter where Na-gang Sect's ritual artifact is."
"What is your goal, my lord? If you knew the location, why..."
"I have no interest in Na-gang Sect's trinket. I'm using this chance to leave. I'm sick of serving Namji Gate. If you want it, use the talisman. If you can handle Na-gang Sect's ritual artifact, that is."
"......Can I give it to someone else?"
"Doesn't matter."
Du Man-jeong rose abruptly. He strode out of the room. Moments later, Sung Ji-gon entered. Through the door crack, I saw Shin Gong-se chasing after Du Man-jeong.
"Yu-jin! Did that bastard threaten you?"
"No. Just had a chat."
Du Man-jeong's motives.
His deviation from the original story left my head spinning a bit. But I quickly refocused, pondering how to use this talisman.
"Sung Ji-gon. Let's head back to Jikga Escort Bureau."
We returned to Jikga Escort Bureau.
No sooner had we arrived than we ran into Seok Juk, the Third Elder of Meteor Sword Sect.
"Did you handle your business well?"
"Yes. The mission was successfully completed."
"Good to hear it succeeded. Young Master Shin Gong-se didn't leave any separate message for me?"
"No."
"Tch."
Seok Juk clicked his tongue and brushed past us.
'Does he think he's all that?'
What an absurd guy. I gave a smirk and headed with Sung Ji-gon to find Jik Seong-mi, the eldest daughter of Jikga Escort Bureau.
Jik Seong-mi sat at a table, quietly sipping green tea.
"You have important information regarding Na-gang Sect's ritual artifact?"
"Yes."
"Hmm. Honestly, I have zero trust in you, but since it's about Na-gang Sect's ritual artifact, I'll hear it out."
Jik Seong-mi spoke after taking a sip of her warm green tea. No expectations, just bored enough to listen for now.
Since we entered the room, she hadn't once set her tea down.
"I've found the location of Na-gang Sect's ritual artifact."
Thud!
The teacup slammed roughly onto the table. Tea splashed sideways, but Jik Seong-mi's dark eyes stayed fixed on me, unblinking.
"You're joking, right?"
"I'm not stupid enough to joke about this."
"If you're deceiving me, I won't forgive you."
"I stake my life on it."
"......What was your name again?"
"Sung Yu-jin. This is Sung Ji-gon, my brother."
"Sung... as in..."
"Yes. Our father is the head of Meteor Sword Sect."
Her demeanor grew even more serious than before.
"Tell me about Na-gang Sect's ritual artifact. How did you find its location? You'll share that too, of course?"
"First, the terms."
"Terms... Aren't Jikga Escort Bureau and Meteor Sword Sect allies?"
"Kuhuhu."
My low chuckle made Jik Seong-mi frown in displeasure.
"That was a good joke, Miss Jik. We came straight to you without reporting to Elder Seok. In a way, it's like betraying Meteor Sword Sect. So don't we deserve some profit?"
"Should I trust the words of sect betrayers?"
"Don't want to, then don't."
"......What are the terms?"
"Spirit medicines. Give us some right now, and I'll tell you Na-gang Sect ritual artifact's location."
"Jikga Escort Bureau hasn't fully settled in Panyang City yet. You think we have spirit medicines?"
"Didn't you bring a few? If not, we'll leave."
"And report to Meteor Sword Sect on your way out?"
"Reporting to Meteor Sword Sect gets us no spirit medicines. They have none right now. Elder Seok said as much. That's why we want to deal with you, Miss Jik."
"......Wait here. I'll be right back."
Jik Seong-mi was gone for about two hours before returning.
In her hands was a silk box. She set it on the table and unwrapped the silk.
Instantly, a fragrant aroma filled the room.
"This is..."
"Snow ginseng."
Two white ginseng roots. Up close, spiritual energy emanated from them. Sung Ji-gon and I swallowed hard. Far superior to the wood essence flower we'd eaten before.
"About 80 years grown. You know snow ginseng is exceptional as a spirit medicine? Hard to buy even with silver taels—worth at least three Heavenly Jades. We brought it for emergencies while settling in Panyang City."
"Na-gang Sect's ritual artifact is worth more, so no worries."
"If I didn't know that, I wouldn't bother."
"I'll tell you Na-gang Sect's ritual artifact location now. So the snow ginseng..."
"Hold on. Didn't I say I can't trust you? I'll give the snow ginseng after we find Na-gang Sect's ritual artifact."
"......This talisman will show where Na-gang Sect's ritual artifact is. So the snow ginseng..."
"You'll come with us. No reason to drag it out after getting the lead. We'll move with minimal personnel to avoid suspicion. Get ready."
Jik Seong-mi rewrapped the box in silk. I could only lick my lips.