Chapter 767
Chapter 767
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 767
Chapter Title: Radiant Ascension Path
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I entered one of the rooms on the fifth floor of the Moon Flower Tower with Shin Jong-woo and his group. The room wasn't my choice—Shin Jong-woo had picked it. Booking a fifth-floor room just for a meal without calling any courtesans was a sure sign they had plenty of money.
'Well, that old man's footing the bill anyway.'
Shin Jong-woo was at the center of the group, but Dun Mok-jeong was subtly steering and leading them. The powerless Divine Shadow Thrower. As someone called "Divine Thrower," he must have a fortune to his name. He naturally ordered the finest dishes.
That Dun Mok-jeong was eyeing me with eyes full of curiosity.
"Are you in the same situation as me?"
"The same as you? I don't know your circumstances. From your clothes, I can only guess you came to this world from Earth."
Shin Jong-woo and I conversed in Korean. It was a language that didn't exist in this world, so no one eavesdropping could understand, and there was no worry of the contents leaking.
"But is it okay to answer so openly? What's your relationship with those two?"
"Nothing special. We just ended up traveling together on the way here."
"Do they know you're from Earth?"
Shin Jong-woo let out a sigh and shook his head.
"No. I tried mentioning it to others at first, but they just treated me like a lunatic. Saying I came from a distant land actually made them accept it without suspicion."
The foundational backdrop of this world, [Radiant Ascension Path], was a xianxia tale. Xianxia worlds were vast by default. It wouldn't be strange if it was over ten times the size of Earth. So everyone just nodded along when he said he was from some far-off place.
"How did you end up in this world?"
"...I've been the one answering everything so far. Why don't you go first this time, Sung Yu-jin."
"Reincarnation."
"...Reincarnation? You mean you died on Earth and were born in this world?"
"Died in a car accident on Earth, and woke up as a baby here. Got some unusual abilities too. So how about you—how'd you get here?"
"...I touched an old book in a warehouse, and it transported me here. About two years ago. I was in a forest, but luckily there was a village nearby. I stayed there for a long time, training in martial arts."
"Why not stay put in the village and wander around? Trying to get back to Earth?"
"Yeah. I heard this world has mystical powers like spells and sorcery. Since I came here, there must be a way back too."
I recalled the ending of the original story Otherworldly Heavenly Demon, where he was the protagonist. In the end, Shin Jong-woo never returns to Earth. He reigns over the martial world as the Heavenly Demon, living happily ever after with his heroines. This world diverged a lot from the original, so I wasn't sure if it'd end the same way.
"Do you really need to go back to Earth?"
"...I thought that at first too. This world was uncomfortable at the beginning, but I adapted. But as time passed, I started missing my parents and friends on Earth more and more. I'd give anything just to see my parents one more time."
What a filial son. I held back the urge to mock him.
"Don't you want to go back to Earth, Sung Yu-jin?"
"I reincarnated here. This world is my world now. And for the reincarnated me to return to Earth... I'd have to end my life again. Do you want me to commit suicide?"
"No, that's not what I meant."
"I know. Just kidding."
"...Have you looked into any other ways to return to Earth on your own?"
"No. But it might not be entirely impossible. Do you know about Transfer Arts?"
Transfer Arts.
A spatial movement spell used by elite sorcerers. It required at least the Three Peaks realm. Of course, there were exceptions—sorcerers with exceptional talent in Transfer Arts could use it without reaching that level.
"I learned about it while researching various things. That's why I haven't given up hope. If spatial movement is possible through sorcery, then going back to Earth should be too."
"Transfer Arts comes with conditions. Like, you've been to the destination before, or you need a special item to pinpoint coordinates. The farther the distance, the more energy the spell requires. For Earth, you'd need the world's top sorcerer."
"...Yeah. That's what I think too, so I'm searching for the greatest sorcerer. The problem is, opinions vary on who that is, and they're not easy to find."
Knock knock knock.
A knocking sound came from the door.
"I've brought the food. May I come in?"
"Come in."
Dun Mok-jeong said. The door opened, and the servers politely greeted us before setting the dishes on the table. Every dish Dun Mok-jeong ordered was a luxurious feast for the eyes. And the taste was exquisite, of course. Even a picky eater like me loved the Moon Flower Tower's cuisine.
"Serious talks can wait until after we eat. Dig in first."
Shin Jong-woo shot Dun Mok-jeong a brief glare before nodding. That matched the early original story. Their relationship wasn't great at the start.
"Why aren't you picking up your chopsticks? Wait—why is there no food in front of you?"
Dun Mok-jeong asked.
"The dish I ordered hasn't come out yet."
"Every dish at the Moon Flower Tower is a delicacy. Ronin come from afar just to taste them. Have something else. I recommend the dongpo pork. Look at that shine—doesn't it stand out?"
Dun Mok-jeong had a knack for exposition. Once you let him start, he'd go on forever.
"I know. I'm a regular here—think I don't know the menu? Eat first. I'll have my own order."
"What did you order that you're ignoring all this?"
"I overdid the drinking yesterday, so I ordered something good for a hangover. Ah, here it comes."
A server set the dish in front of me.
A change came over Shin Jong-woo's face, which had been expressionless during our talk. His eyes widened, and his hands trembled.
The dish I'd ordered was pork kimchi stew.
"K-Kimchi?! How?!"
"It's just hard to find in this world—doesn't mean Earth ingredients aren't available."
I'd brought ingredients from the real world and sold them. Sold some recipes too to make money. Improved breeds from Earth fetched high prices for their superior taste.
"S-Server! I want the same dish!"
"S-Sir, it's unfamiliar, so it might take time."
"I don't care! I'll wait as long as it takes—just bring me kimchi stew! Hurry!"
Shin Jong-woo jumped up and shouted. I got it. Two years without a taste of home cooking. He probably hadn't even seen cabbage, let alone kimchi.
"Server. Bring some kimchi for this gentleman too."
"Y-Yes, right away."
The server left. Shin Jong-woo stared longingly at the kimchi stew on my table.
"I've never seen Jong-woo this excited. Must be food from his homeland."
Dun Mok-jeong's curious gaze turned to me.
"Not sharing. Order your own if you want some."
"Hm. Guess I will."
"Young Master Shin's hometown dish... Now I'm curious about the taste too."
Namgung Rin spoke up. She was the one who'd stayed silent until now. Even at the table, she wore her conical hat and veil, hiding her face. Her voice was husky. Husky enough to make my dick twitch.
They called the server and ordered pork kimchi stew. The table was already overflowing, but they didn't care. Rich folks in this world ordered enough to waste—that was normal. Beggars would clean up the leftovers.
I scooped up a spoonful of kimchi stew. The red broth and kimchi were a work of art. I shoved a big mouthful in. The stew's energy spread through my whole body.
Gulp gulp.
Shin Jong-woo kept swallowing hard as he watched. His bulging eyes looked ready to burst a vein.
'Doesn't mean I'm sharing mine with that punk.'
I took another spoonful of stew and followed it with a bite of pristine white rice. As expected, white rice and kimchi stew were a match made in heaven.
"Ahem. You sure eat well. Jong-woo, how about some other dish?"
"No. I'll wait. I want kimchi stew. I'm gonna stuff myself silly."
His words carried firm resolve.
"Kyaah!"
I shoveled the kimchi stew like there was no tomorrow.
Rattle.
The door slid open.
Shin Jong-woo whipped his head around. Sadly, it wasn't the server he'd been waiting for.
The ones entering were over ten armed warriors, all in matching uniforms with swords at their waists. The character "Namgung" was embroidered on their right forearms.
"Hey now, barging in like this—what's the meaning of this? You look like Namgung clan warriors. Why treat us with such disrespect?"
"Apologies, elder. But this matter outweighs any Namgung family business. Please understand."
The leader's attitude was rigid. He radiated that stubborn elder vibe—like he'd never back down no matter what. I kept eating.
He slowly approached Namgung Rin.
"Miss. The family head is waiting. Return to the clan with us."
"...Miss? What are you talking about? I have no connection to the Namgung clan."
The man sighed.
"Miss. We know everything."
"I'm not from the Namgung side. Please leave."
"The family head's orders were clear. If you resist, drag you back by force. We don't want to hurt you. Please cooperate."
"...Ha. Think you can take me by force? You're underestimating me."
Namgung Rin drew her sword from her waist. I knew she had spirit, but not this much.
"Miss...!"
The Namgung warriors gritted their teeth and drew their swords.
Shin Jong-woo started to rise from his chair, but Dun Mok-jeong grabbed his wrist.
"Jong-woo. This isn't our fight."
"...There are ten of them. You're saying leave Rin to fight alone?"
"You've guessed her identity by now. This is Namgung family business. Getting involved complicates things."
"......"
In the end, Shin Jong-woo sat back down.
Clang, clatter clang, clang.
Swords clashed. They were all highly skilled. Namgung Rin's swordsmanship alone surpassed mine. I doubted I'd last a hundred exchanges against her. The Namgung warriors were impressive too. Individually, they fell short of her. But they specialized in formations.
Two hands can't block ten for nothing. With Namgung Rin's skill not being overwhelming, the outcome was decided.
'Oh?'
In the midst of battle, her hat and veil fell off. My eyes went wide.
Jet-black hair like ebony, snow-white skin. Pink-tinged lips pursed tight. Her beauty outshone even the Moon Flower Tower's madam.
"H-Hey! Warriors! Stop this! This is the Moon Flower Tower!"
The servers carrying kimchi stew shouted. But the fight was already in full swing. Powerless servers could only watch.
Namgung Rin's stamina was plummeting. The blue sword aura on her blade flickered unsteadily.
"Miss. Give up. There are ten of us. Consider the family head's longing for you."
"I can't go back yet! I haven't found a way to save Seol-i!"
She didn't yield. She gritted her teeth and reset her stance.
Crackle.
Lightning sparked along her sword. Heavenly Thunder from Imperial Sovereign Divine Art. The warriors tensed.
"Miss Rin! How long do you plan to throw this tantrum?!"
"Tantrum? You think what I'm doing is just a tantrum? Don't make me laugh! The clan won't lift a finger, so I'm the one searching for a way!"
"...My apologies, miss. That was out of line. And you're misunderstanding some—Urk! B-Block it!"
Namgung Rin's sword swept in a wide arc, driving them back. They raised their swords to defend, then charged again.
Her palm strike landed on one man's abdomen. His body flew up, crashing into the servers and tumbling to the floor. Kimchi stew spilled everywhere.
And Shin Jong-woo shot to his feet.