Chapter 994
Chapter 994
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 994
Chapter Title: 0994 - 994.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
```html
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 994
Chapter Title: Glorious Ascension Path
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"..."
I floated listlessly on the ocean, raising a hand to shield my eyes from the scorching sunlight. The waves were ridiculously rough, making it damn near impossible to get any rest. Without the Blessing of Water skill, catching a break out on the open sea would've been nothing but a pipe dream.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Art's Demonic Dragon series was powerful, no doubt about it—but the insane drain on stamina and internal energy was its biggest flaw. Unleash it properly, and you wouldn't want to move a muscle for a good long while.
'It wasn't this bad back in the [God's Atlantis] world.'
Me from the [God's Atlantis] world versus me from the [Glorious Ascension Path] world—who's stronger? The [Glorious Ascension Path] version, hands down. The Cheon-gang-seong system helped, sure, but my Five Qi Realm was the real game-changer.
That said, if we're talking pure efficiency with the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, the [God's Atlantis] me had the edge. In that world, it got buffs as a trait and skill.
After resting for a good long while, I hauled myself up. I walked across the towering waves, heading toward the beach.
'Hwangbo Gahye and O Jimu probably haven't cleared the 17th floor trial yet. They'll stick around this island, gathering spirit herbs for as long as they can, then squeak through at the last second.'
That was the play for maximum gains. Especially for Hwangbo Gahye, who was downright obsessed with those herbs.
Leaving the massive waves behind, I plunged blindly into the island's interior once I hit the beach. No drones. The last thing I wanted was to tip off Hwangbo Gahye that I was still kicking.
'She might spot one and bolt to the next floor. Can't have that. Gotta settle this here and now.'
Wandering the island, I'd run into Hwangbo Gahye and those O Jimu bastards eventually.
'...But when the hell did Hwangbo Gahye link up with O Jimu? Before heading up to this floor? If he showed up at that exact timing and tossed the sword, means they crossed paths here at least once...'
There had been openings.
When she was pulling night watch. When she slipped away to take a leak. He'd exploited those gaps to meet her.
"Grrrrrr..."
As I entered the forest, a wild beast spotted me and let out a low growl.
'First that damn octopus, now this—what's with all the shit getting in my way?'
Whoosh!
The waterfall cascaded refreshingly. I walked across the flowing stream toward it. Jeong Bin, who had been meditating under the pounding water, snapped his eyes open.
"Amitabha! Young hero Sung Yu-jin! What a coincidence running into you here! Did you accomplish what you set out to do?!"
"Nah. Got backstabbed."
"Backstabbed?"
I filled Jeong Bin in on what had gone down two days ago. His eyes bulged as he heard how close I'd come to death.
"Th-this can't be! If that's true... Miss Hwangbo—no, Hwangbo Gahye is a truly wicked bitch! Trying to wipe out this world's greatest treasure...!"
"...This world's greatest treasure?"
"If you die, young hero Sung, all those amazing new foods vanish into thin air! No more cola or soda...! Amitabha!"
"Yeah, figured it'd be something like that."
"The Buddha must have protected you, young hero Sung—what a relief. As for Hwangbo Gahye and O Jimu... those vile scum will face my judgment."
"Cut the crap. My revenge is mine alone. Just so we're clear... lay a finger on Hwangbo Gahye, and no more food from me."
"Gasp!"
Jeong Bin inhaled sharply in shock, then shook his head furiously.
"N-no, I won't touch her! Absolutely not!"
Easy to handle, just like Sung Ji-gon.
"Speaking of, where's Sung Ji-gon? Weren't you two sticking together?"
"Amitabha. Young hero Sung Ji-gon is right behind me. I've been guarding him while meditating under the falls."
I peered where Jeong Bin pointed. There was a small space behind the waterfall. Sung Ji-gon sat cross-legged, eyes closed, circulating his energy. Qi flowed orderly around him.
"How long's he been at it?"
"Three days ago, he downed a ton of spirit herbs and inner cores, then entered meditation. He's consolidating his energy now. If he succeeds in forming his core this time... young hero Sung Ji-gon will reach the Five Qi Realm."
"Think he'll pull it off?"
"Young hero Sung Ji-gon's spirit aptitude is exceptional. He's put in the work, and he chose the Five Attracting Pill as his 16th-floor reward. He'll succeed."
The Five Attracting Pill aided the breakthrough to the Five Qi Realm. Unless something went wrong, Sung Ji-gon would make it.
"Why set up here, though? You know edibles are scarce on this island. Martial artists might come sniffing around and cause trouble."
"No choice. Most of young hero Sung Ji-gon's herbs and cores were fire-attuned. We picked this spot to help him control the fire qi more easily. Pure herbs wouldn't need it, but his were a bit mixed."
I nodded. He was already deep in cultivation—too late to complain now. And with Jeong Bin standing guard, nothing short of a disaster would interrupt.
"Young hero Sung. You leaving right away?"
"Gotta keep moving if I want revenge."
"...Young hero Sung. I haven't eaten anything but water for the past three days..."
"Couldn't you have caught a fish or foraged some greens? Plenty nearby."
"You know I can't stomach flavorless slop."
Jeong Bin had withered away. The guy whose nickname was Gourmet Monk loved food, yet here he was, skin and bones—because he flat-out refused anything that didn't taste good. Unless it was urgent, he wouldn't touch bland fare.
"So you want food. What're you craving?"
A smile crept across Jeong Bin's face.
"Today, I want to be a jjajang ramen chef."
"Fine. Knock my socks off."
Boom! Kaboom! Kablooey!
The volcano erupted. Ash choked the sky as hot lava rained down everywhere. I clicked my tongue and scanned the surroundings.
Today marked five days since I'd been backstabbed. Still no sign of Hwangbo Gahye or O Jimu.
'The Blazing Lotus Sword... O Jimu's got it, huh? Hwangbo Gahye fights with her fists anyway. Fuck, just imagining that bastard swinging my sword pisses me off.'
I could summon and unsummon items from my inventory. But the Blazing Lotus Sword was an exception right now—it hadn't been summoned; I'd pulled it straight from inventory. Trying to save mana and vitality on summons had cost me the sword.
'I've got Stormbreaker as a weapon... but it doesn't have the same feel as the Blazing Lotus Sword.'
I activated Heavenly Eye and slowly surveyed the area. No O Jimu or Hwangbo Gahye. Instead, I spotted a man heading my way. Ragged clothes, skin caked in grime—a beggar.
'Coming straight for me. Not even hiding his presence.'
I met the beggar soon enough. He grinned at me.
"Greetings, great hero Sung Yu-jin. Second time we've met, right?"
He greeted me casually. In his hand was an azure bamboo staff.
I racked my brain. Where do I know him from? Drew a blank.
"Don't remember? We locked eyes on the 5th floor."
"5th floor? That's years ago. Normal to forget. And even if I've seen you twice, this is our first chat."
"Figures. I remembered you 'cause you're such a big deal—turns out it was one-sided."
"Are you gay?"
"Just a joke, no need to get all serious."
"Three things I hate: gays, beggars, and weaklings who act cocky."
"Heh heh. Easy, easy—I didn't come to fight. Yeah, I'm a beggar, but not gay, and not trying to act big."
The beggar waved it off, signaling no fight. No lie there—zero fighting spirit from him.
"Then what's your angle? Fair warning: I'm in a shit mood."
"Straight to business—I came to make a deal."
I drew my sword. No reason to deal with this beggar. He looked alarmed as I whipped it out.
"Whoa! Put that away! I'm Jang Chun-mong, the Wandering Beggar of the Beggars' Sect. Folks call me that. Sect's the Beggars', obviously. Wandering Beggar."
I blinked in surprise.
"The Beggars' Sect's Wandering Beggar?"
"Yep. Heard of me?"
"Nope. First time."
"...Then why the shock?"
"Wandering Beggar sounds kinda girly. Like wandering girl."
"What?"
Jang Chun-mong stared like I'd spouted nonsense—which I had.
Anyway, I sheathed my sword. Might as well hear him out.
"A Beggars' Sect beggar only has one thing worth trading: info. You know what I want, huh?"
"If I didn't, I wouldn't be here. You want Hwangbo Gahye and O Jimu's location... right?"
"...Were you there that day?"
"You mean when she backstabbed you, pierced your heart, and dumped you in the sea? Yeah, that shocked me. Never thought you'd go down like that. Even more shocked seeing you alive and well days later. Mind sharing how you're still in one piece?"
"Not telling."
"Figured. Your ace in the hole."
I was puzzled. I'd used Heavenly Eye a ton since arriving on the island, but never clocked him tailing me.
'Some special tool?'
Curious, but not now. Priorities.
"This info solid?"
"Rock solid. Took real effort to get it. Oh, O Jimu's crew is still on the move."
"What's your price? Doesn't look like money or herbs..."
"Seeing you bounce back sealed it for me. Can't afford to be your enemy if I wanna conquer the Myriad Martial Tower. I wanna team up with you till we do."
"Next floor's trial might pit you and me against each other."
"Can't be helped. But it might not. Let's join forces. Promise it's no loss for you."
"Deal."
No downside for me. If he rubbed me wrong, deal's off—dead beggar.
"Straight shooter, huh."
"Info?"
"O Jimu's about 30 li east of here."
"Pretty far."
"Oh, that bastard was carrying your red sword."
My face twisted. The Blazing Lotus Sword. O Jimu had it, as expected.
"Don't make that face. He could barely use it."
"Barely use it? Why?"
"Beats me. You know that sword better than I do."
No clue. Just not using it?
Whatever—good news that O Jimu sucked with the Blazing Lotus Sword.
"And Hwangbo Gahye?"
"That woman's holed up 55 li from here. Entrance sealed with a barrier, guarded tight by two of O Jimu's goons. Took me over three days to pinpoint it."
"Holed up? Why?"
"Why else? Same goal as your friend."
Friend. Only Sung Ji-gon and Jeong Bin fit here.
"Hwangbo Gahye's gunning for Five Qi Realm, huh. Surprising. Thought she'd focus on hoarding herbs."
"The herb she got is Sun Flower. Loses spirit energy over time without special processing. To absorb it fully, she had to pop it quick."
That so? News to me.
'Anyway, Hwangbo Gahye and O Jimu are split up.'
Music to my ears.
"Where exactly is Hwangbo Gahye? Spill the precise spot."
"Follow me. I'll guide you right to it."
I trailed after Jang Chun-mong.
'Hwangbo Gahye, you fucking bitch! I'll turn you into my personal fucktoy no matter what!'
```