The Ultimate Bluff
Yeop Pung had originally intended to give his name as Maeng Chang-haeng. Yet every time he tried to open his mouth, some invisible force seemed to close around his throat, and the words died before they could leave it.
What the hell is going on?
That was it. Yeop Pung's mind snapped sharply into focus.
You must not alter another person's fate.
If Yeop Pung impersonated Maeng Chang-haeng here, the real Maeng Chang-haeng would surely be interrogated after he left — perhaps even punished. That would mean interfering with Maeng Chang-haeng's destiny a hundred years in the past, and that was absolutely forbidden.
Does that mean what I can actually do is ridiculously limited?
No. Yeop Pung recalled that every time Geumban mentioned a taboo, it had subtly, almost insistently, emphasized the word currently. In other words, just because he couldn't do something now did not mean he would never be able to. Even the restriction against carrying objects across time would one day be broken.
And the key to that breakthrough was exactly what Geumban had said at the end: The longer you stay, the more important you become to the Golden Disc!
Yeop Pung shifted his thinking at once. He could not afford to be crushed in a single blow by the Peak Master standing before him, the way he had been last time.
Fortunately, he had prepared several contingencies in advance. If the friendly approach failed, he had other methods.
"You! State your identity! Or today will be the day of your funeral!"
The Peak Master across from him condensed a thick killing intent in his palm, looking ready to smash Yeop Pung's skull at any moment.
Still on his knees, Yeop Pung slowly rose to his feet with a faintly mocking expression.
"Hmph. I didn't think I'd be found out this quickly. I really shouldn't have underestimated the Cheonun Sect."
What?
The Peak Master was baffled. This insignificant Profound Realm brat had been caught, and he still had the gall to stand there looking so composed? He was clearly insane.
"Insolent whelp! You dare spout such nonsense? Die!"
He poured Profound Qi from his hand like a waterfall, about to strike Yeop Pung down — and then a ringing voice cut across the air between them.
"Don't you want to know how I got into this forbidden zone?"
At those words, the Peak Master's palm froze in midair.
That was right. How had this brat gotten in?
Whatever others might think, he knew perfectly well that the Profound Qi Grand Formation of Nagun Peak was one of the most powerful formations in the entire Cheonun Sect. Even he could not casually trespass here. So how had this child gotten in?
Hmph.
The thought made the Peak Master change his palm into a claw and grasp at the empty air toward Yeop Pung. Instantly a powerful suction force tried to yank him off the ground.
"Don't move!"
But Yeop Pung, seeing the man's action, struck first with another line.
"I came here today precisely to tell you people of the Cheonun Sect this secret. Your formation has a fatal flaw. No one but me would ever be able to detect it!"
What?
The Peak Master's head spun.
There were people like this in the world? Someone who had deliberately come here to point out a flaw in the Cheonun Sect's formation?
If anyone else had said such a thing, he would have ignored them on the spot and smashed them to death with his palm. But the brat across from him had clearly entered the Grand Formation right before his eyes. This bizarre event had already happened, and no matter how much he did not want to believe it, he had no choice.
"You… who the hell are you?"
The Peak Master slowly lowered his hand.
What a load of garbage.
Yeop Pung clicked his tongue inwardly at the Peak Master's thoroughly bewildered expression. But he had no choice. His only goal was to last a single day, which meant he had to deceive his opponent as thoroughly as possible. When it came to bluffing, bigger was always better.
"Yeop Gucheon? Who's that?"
"Forget it. An ignorant fellow like you would never have heard of my reputation. I have no further interest in talking with you. Go fetch your Sect Master. I will personally explain the Grand Formation's flaw to him in detail."
"You dare demand an audience with the Sect Master of the Cheonun Sect? Don't make me laugh! What qualifications does a mere Profound Realm cultivator have to negotiate with me?"
The expert frowned, his voice turning threatening.
"That kind of tactic won't work. You'd do well to quietly bring the Sect Master here. I won't leak this secret to anyone but him. Attacking me is useless. But if something happens to the Nine Heavens Cloud-Spirit Wall later, you'll regret that I never gave the Cheonun Sect a chance."
Having said this, Yeop Pung walked boldly toward the Peak Master. He looked utterly fearless.
In truth, he was anything but. With every step his calves trembled, and cold sweat poured down the back of his neck like rain. He was holding himself together by sheer willpower alone, pretending nothing was wrong as he walked right past the Peak Master.
The Peak Master glared at Yeop Pung as he approached, fists clenched tight.
But in the end, he did not strike. He simply could not fathom this brat's true intentions. That calm, overflowing confidence did not look like empty posturing.
At the same time, another thought occurred to him. This kid was just a Profound Realm child. What could he possibly pull off? The Grand Formation of Nagun Peak was tied to the Cheonun Sect's highest secret arts. Not even the slightest mistake could be tolerated.
In the end, the strongest Peak Master in the Cheonun Sect — a man who could shake the entire sect — withdrew the killing intent from his entire body and gave Yeop Pung a cold snort.
"Follow me."
Yes!
Yeop Pung cheered inwardly, but outwardly he remained perfectly composed.
"Take me somewhere quiet. And prepare some fine spiritual tea. You ought to serve tea befitting my station."
This little bastard…
The Peak Master glared at Yeop Pung, but he swallowed it down.
Yeop Pung followed the Peak Master's lead through the once-magnificent Nagun Peak.
It truly was magnificent. Every palace here had been built from a strange blue spiritual wood, inscribed with complex, profound talismans. Even just brushing past them, one could feel the oppressive force of the powerful Profound Qi radiating from every pillar.
After passing several buildings, Yeop Pung could see the enormous palace at the center of Nagun Peak — the same palace that would be the only one left standing there a hundred years later.
A hundred years ago, it was even more imposing. Jet-black pillars inlaid with gold soared as if to pierce the heavens, and iridescent eaves stretched toward the sky. Look closely and every part was exquisitely carved. Those carvings came together as one, radiating a majesty that seemed ready to swallow the world — as if an absolute sovereign were gazing down upon the whole of Nagun Peak.
Above the palace gates hung a restriction far more powerful than the one a hundred years later. The terrifying aura pouring from that seal was so intense that Yeop Pung could scarcely breathe, even at this distance.
What on earth was sealed inside this palace? Was it something even more precious than the Nine Heavens Cloud-Spirit Scripture?
"Wait here."
The Peak Master suddenly stopped and pointed to the side. Yeop Pung saw where he was indicating and let out a dry chuckle.
You've got to be kidding. After all that walking, we're back here.
The place the expert pointed to was none other than the small courtyard where Old Man Maeng and Bone had lived. Except a hundred years ago, this place was a harmony of pavilions and ponds, filled with the fragrance of spiritual herbs — a true immortal's paradise. Compared to this, the place Yeop Pung currently lived in was little better than a pigsty.
More than ten Cheonun Sect disciples of powerful aura were already waiting in the garden. When the Peak Master entered, they all bowed in greeting.
The Peak Master nodded to them, then, without any further explanation, shoved open the door of the house where Old Man Maeng had lived. Inside, a table and chairs were arranged, and an antique atmosphere filled the room. It was, indeed, a place of considerable charm.
"Wait here. I'll send someone to fetch the Sect Master. Brat, don't try anything stupid. If you do, I won't let it slide."
"Hurry up and go. Don't dawdle."
Yeop Pung waved his hand as if he found the whole thing tedious.
"Hmph!"
The Peak Master glared at Yeop Pung, then went straight into the adjacent room. At the same time, he released Profound Qi to lock Yeop Pung in tightly, ensuring he could not possibly leave the courtyard.
Of course, Yeop Pung had no intention of running. At this point, his plan was already more than half successful. As long as he could pique the Cheonun Sect's curiosity, he could shamelessly stall his way through a full day.
The main mission was complete. All that remained was to see whether he could accomplish anything more before he had to return.
Yeop Pung's gaze swept the entire room. By his estimate, this was surely the Peak Master's usual residence. And a dwelling belonging to such a formidable expert couldn't possibly be without treasures, could it?
Yeop Pung's luck was good. After just a few glances around, he spotted a jade bottle sitting carelessly on the adjacent shelf. The lid was open, and a faint herbal fragrance drifted from within. At a glance, it didn't look like a particularly rare or precious spiritual elixir.
But that was only true for this Peak Master. Even if a Cheonun Sect Peak Master who had firmly reached the Spirit Sea Realm treated them like casual snacks, to Yeop Pung they would undoubtedly be incomparably precious spiritual pills.
What was he waiting for? In an instant Yeop Pung was beside the shelf. He plucked several pale-blue pills from the bottle and quickly hid them in his sleeve. Just then, footsteps sounded from outside.
"Young master, the tea has arrived!"
A Cheonun Sect disciple opened the door and entered. Yeop Pung was already sitting with proper composure, and said with an indifferent expression:
"Set it down. Tell them to hurry it up. I'm a busy man — I haven't the time to sit around waiting for your Sect Master."
At Yeop Pung's bluster, the Cheonun Sect disciple couldn't help swallowing. The look he gave Yeop Pung was filled with respect.
That person is clearly around my age, and he's already loudly demanding to meet the Sect Master, while I'm still here carrying tea. Why is the difference so huge?
Sighing, the Cheonun Sect disciple left. Yeop Pung slowly savored the spiritual tea known as U-eung-chun. The rich fragrance refreshed his mind, and pure Profound Qi flowed continuously into his body — an effect even better than Old Man Maeng's spiritual liquor. But Yeop Pung wasn't focused on that. He was searching every corner of the room.
When he had drunk about half the tea, footsteps sounded outside again. The Peak Master walked in with a dark expression.
"The Sect Master is currently refining a treasured elixir and cannot meet you tonight."
Perfect.
Yeop Pung was delighted inwardly. Today seemed to be a lucky day. But outwardly he frowned as if displeased.
"What? He can't meet me? Hmph. As I thought, the Cheonun Sect is hopeless. I came here in person, and not a single one of you has a shred of humility. Fine, fine! I have no desire to stay here any longer. Out of my way. I'm leaving!"
Leave? Not a chance.
The Peak Master's nostrils flared with rage at Yeop Pung.
"Sit back down!"
"What? You dare be rude to me? I have devoted my entire life to the study of formations, and my friends are beyond counting. A single word from me, and countless experts would bow their heads. You don't believe me?"
"I don't care who you are. Until you tell me how to break the formation, don't even think about taking half a step out of this room!"
"Is that so?"
"Enough nonsense! Go ahead and try!"
"Fine! I need to relieve myself. Are you telling me to just do it in your room?"
This little bastard!
The Peak Master barely swallowed back the blood that had surged up into his throat. He was so furious he could feel his insides twisting.