Chapter 90
Chapter 90
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 24
>Chapter Title: Prime Slaughter Pavilion Lord (5)
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“Do you not want the opportunity?”
The moment he heard those words, goosebumps rose all over his body.
That face smiling all the way up to his ears looked utterly filled with malice.
‘.......I underestimated this guy too much.’
He had thought of him as a talented but green novice who still had much to learn.
But now, it was clear that wasn’t the case.
This guy was no different from a ferocious beast that would rip out your throat at the slightest glimpse of your nape.
Sorcerer Jo Ui-gong’s eyes darted around.
-Kwaaaak!
The three Ghost Spirit Generals still bound by iron chains, unable to break free.
His master and the Prime Slaughter Pavilion Lord, In Seo-ok, turned into a living corpse ghost by the Sixfold Spirit Summoning Technique, stripped of her own will.
The fist clenched in Sorcerer Jo Ui-gong’s hand gradually loosened.
He did have a hidden trump card up his sleeve.
Yet, an inexplicable thought wrapped around his mind: it wouldn’t work on this guy at all.
‘My sleep has been restless lately.’
It must have been a premonition of something like this happening today.
A turning point in life, perhaps.
That seemed to be it.
Sorcerer Jo Ui-gong looked up at the sky for a moment and let out a long sigh before lowering his head and parting his lips.
“........If I accept the opportunity, what do I gain?”
“A wise choice.”
At these words, Mok Kyung-un nodded as if it were only natural and moved to approach.
“Do not come closer. I haven’t made my decision yet. Answer my question.”
“Didn’t I tell you earlier? I’ll help you become the Prime Slaughter Pavilion Lord.”
Mok Kyung-un gestured with his chin toward In Seo-ok, the Prime Slaughter Pavilion Lord.
At this, Sorcerer Jo Ui-gong’s eyes narrowed.
It seemed to mean he would manipulate his master and hand over the position to him.
But there was a problem here.
“Do you think Eldest Senior Brother won’t notice that Master has become a living corpse ghost?”
“Will he?”
“Eldest Senior Brother already rivals Master in internal energy and sorcery skills alone. If they meet face-to-face, he’ll surely notice.”
Eldest Senior Brother Jo Tae-cheong.
It was said that Prime Slaughter Pavilion Lord In Seo-ok had taken him as a disciple over thirty years ago.
His talent was so outstanding that it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he was already designated as the next Pavilion Lord, with internal energy of exceptional prowess.
Fooling the eyes and senses of such an Eldest Senior Brother was no easy task.
Mok Kyung-un smiled and replied.
“Wouldn’t Master handle making sure Grandmaster doesn’t meet her face-to-face until she passes on the position?”
“What?”
“I’ve set the table for you—do I have to spoon-feed you as well? I figured you could manage at least that much.”
At Mok Kyung-un’s words, Sorcerer Jo Ui-gong stared at him silently.
This meant he had to bear that level of risk.
Jo Ui-gong clicked his tongue inwardly without a word.
Then he spoke.
“Fine. If you partially transfer control of the living corpse ghost to me, I’ll handle it somehow.”
“Then we’re good?”
“No. There are two more things.”
“Two more?”
“Yes. Cooperating with you means I must be prepared to lose everything I’ve built up until now.”
“So you need more compensation for that?”
Mok Kyung-un’s voice grew slightly quieter.
It signified his emotions were starting to sour.
But Sorcerer Jo Ui-gong had no intention of backing down.
He believed that if he didn’t nail this down firmly here, he’d end up dragged along ambiguously by this guy.
“So what do you want?”
“The Sixfold Spirit Summoning Technique.”
“The Sixfold Spirit Summoning Technique?”
“I want the secret you possess.”
The Sixfold Spirit Summoning Technique that Mok Kyung-un had successfully performed despite lacking the essential yin energy of the dead.
Having witnessed it, Sorcerer Jo Ui-gong was inwardly stunned beyond measure.
What method had he used to make this possible?
It ignited a pure curiosity as a sorcerer.
‘I want to know.’
Mok Kyung-un’s version of the technique could be said to compensate for its existing weaknesses.
If it allowed skipping the immense sacrifices required to create even one living corpse ghost, no sorcery could match its utility.
‘Will he really teach it?’
Honestly, he was half-doubting.
If it were him or his master In Seo-ok, he wouldn’t share this secret with anyone.
Yet,
“If you want it that badly, I’ll teach you.”
“What?”
For a moment, Jo Ui-gong stared at Mok Kyung-un with blank eyes.
He’d teach it?
He had thrown it out there figuring it was worth a shot if he got it for free.
His real aim was what came next.
But he hadn’t expected Mok Kyung-un to actually agree to reveal the Sixfold Spirit Summoning Technique’s secret.
Excited, Jo Ui-gong asked with trembling eyes.
“.......Is that for real?”
“You said that’s your price.”
“Yes!”
Seeing the force in his voice, Mok Kyung-un smirked.
He really wanted the secret.
Of course, sharing it wasn’t difficult.
Just,
‘I wonder if he can even do it knowing it.’
Only he possessed the unique constitution to absorb deathly energy from the dead.
If the Blue Spirit’s words were correct, a living person couldn’t take in deathly energy.
So knowing it wouldn’t be of any use.
“What’s the third and final price?”
At Mok Kyung-un’s question, Sorcerer Jo Ui-gong, unable to hide his excitement, composed himself and said.
“Since we’re joining forces, swear an oath.”
“An oath? To what?”
“Swear you won’t harm me or seek my life, and I’ll help you with all sincerity.”
This was more important than the other prices.
From his experience with this guy, he had no hesitation in killing if needed.
That’s why he wanted to settle it firmly here.
Of course, he wouldn’t truly believe an oath made here.
But if he swore it, the guy would maintain it for a while to suit his needs, buying time.
‘And since I demanded this much compensation, he’ll believe I’m fully committed to following him.’
This was his true purpose.
He’d make the guy trust him, then prepare countermeasures.
How could he trust and follow a guy who casually killed even Grandmaster?
Hiding his true intentions, Sorcerer Jo Ui-gong said.
“What will you do?”
“If it puts you at ease, of course I’ll swear.”
“..........”
This guy’s words seemed polite, yet subtly scratched at his nerves.
But now was a situation where he had to humble himself, so he didn’t show it.
For the situation to flip like this in just half a month—it was truly uncanny.
Then,
“There’s a way to put Master at ease.”
“A way to put me at ease?”
What was he about to say?
As he wondered, Mok Kyung-un removed the Command Seal’s iron chain from his wrist, shook it, and said.
“Wear this and swear to me.”
“What?”
For a moment, Jo Ui-gong was dumbfounded.
Was he telling him to wear that and swear a Command Seal oath?
“You bastard, do you mean to say......”
“Bind him.”
-Cha-rang!
No sooner had the words left than iron chains from the ink spirit black sand surged from the floor, restraining his body.
‘Damn it!’
Jo Ui-gong tried to form a quick hand seal with his fingers,
-Tat!
It was right then.
“Huh?”
What? Before he could react, Mok Kyung-un was already in front of him.
He had been about ten paces away, yet he closed the distance in the blink of twice.
The flustered Jo Ui-gong hurriedly tried to complete the seal.
But Mok Kyung-un grabbed his wrist first.
-Kkuk!
“Hngh!”
The grip was so tight it felt like his wrist would shatter, seizing him in agony.
Struggling to breathe from the pain, Mok Kyung-un said.
“You seem to be misunderstanding something, so let me clarify: I’m giving you a chance to become a more willingly loyal dog.”
“L-Let... go......”
-Charang!
Mok Kyung-un fastened the Command Seal chain onto Jo Ui-gong’s pained wrist.
Then, smiling faintly, he said.
“If Master trusts and follows me, I’d have no reason to harm you, right? So swear it like I did last time.”
-Kwaaaak!
Jo Ui-gong twisted in agony with his wrist gripped.
It really felt like it would break.
“Or you can keep resisting. It might be fun breaking them one by one.”
‘Th-this bastard.....’
Looking up at Mok Kyung-un in pain, he was sneering back as if enjoying it.
Realizing he had no choice, Jo Ui-gong barely endured the pain and said.
“I.... I, Jo Ui-gong, will...... follow Mok Kyung-un’s will......”
“Ah. Not Mok Kyung-un—call me Jeong.”
“What!?”
Jo Ui-gong’s eyes shook.
‘Ha!’
Now the mystery was solved.
A Command Seal contract required one’s true name to bind the will.
Naturally, since he was Timber Sword Manor’s son and everyone called him Mok Kyung-un, he’d never suspected.
But he had been using a false name?
‘To fall for such a ridiculous trick......’
It was utterly deflating.
“Come on, stop being surprised and do it properly.”
-Kwaaaak!
Mok Kyung-un tightened his grip even more.
Jo Ui-gong hurriedly said.
“Urgh.... I..... I, Jo Ui-gong, will uphold Jeong’s will.”
No sooner had he finished than the chain rattled and vibrated.
Mok Kyung-un released his wrist.
“Hah.... Hah.....”
His face flushed red from the pain, drenched in sweat, Jo Ui-gong clutched his wrist and gritted his teeth.
To swear a Command Seal oath to a disciple he had taken in.
How had it come to this?
Mok Kyung-un placed a hand on his suffering shoulder and smiled.
“With Master helping your disciple like this, I don’t even know where to put myself.”
‘........What have I done?’
It seemed he had taken a demon as his disciple.
* * *
This was Hong Hye Pavilion, a brothel located on the outskirts of the Heavenly Alliance’s outer fortress.
There, a seductive and beautiful woman with half-lidded eyes strained to gaze at the distant mountains.
She was Ha Chae-rin, a candidate for leader of the Flying Death Sect, one of the three great assassin groups—or rather, Go Chan possessing her body.
‘Damn it. Where the hell do I even look?’
Go Chan was genuinely tormented.
With the courtesan master’s help, he had successfully applied makeup.
Ha Chae-rin’s face, already quite beautiful bare, transformed into an even more radiant flower under the expert hand of a brothel courtesan master worthy of a high-level expert.
‘I’m going mad.’
But the sole reason Go Chan felt this torment was simple.
There was nowhere safe to look.
He was in the communal waiting room for the brothel’s courtesans, and their clothes were all so thin that their insides were practically visible—a little stare and everything showed.
“Oh my. Sister, isn’t that a bit too much emphasis there?”
“You little. If you don’t emphasize on a day like today, when will you? And you’re one to talk—showing everything inside on purpose.”
“Kyaaahaha. You’re right. How could I miss a chance like today.”
Amid the courtesans’ conversation brimming with enthusiasm, Go Chan perked his ears while keeping his gaze fixed on the ceiling.
Apparently, some big shot had reserved them today.
He’d asked for the most skilled in seduction and the most beautiful courtesans, hence the preparations.
[A pretty high-ranking figure from the Heavenly Alliance is coming, they say.]
Hearing that from the courtesan master, he’d thought it perfect and asked to join, but now it was an awkward situation.
Out of the roughly forty courtesans here, only six could enter.
So even as they called each other “sister,” the rivalry was no joke.
Smiling while engaging in a battle of wills—it was exhausting.
Was it really necessary to infiltrate the Heavenly Alliance’s interior like this for his lord Mok Kyung-un? The thought even crossed his mind.
Then, someone approached Go Chan.
“You there.”
“......”
“Newbie. I’m talking to you.”
At the call, Go Chan pointed at himself with his hand.
The mature courtesan in her mid-twenties standing before him snorted and said.
“How rude—ignoring your sister when she speaks. What a newbie. Who told you to come into this room?”
“Uh..... Um.....”
What should he say to this?
He knew mid-twenties was old for a courtesan, but his actual age differed from this body.
So words didn’t come easily.
He clearly had to act the part, but saying “sister” grated against a man’s pride.
‘Damn it.’
To avoid pointless trouble, Go Chan bowed his head slightly.
“Won’t even answer to the end?”
At that, the twenties courtesan suddenly swung her hand toward Go Chan’s cheek.
With the body of a peak-level expert possessed, Go Chan naturally wouldn’t get slapped.
-Whish!
He easily dodged her incoming wrist.
The courtesan raised her eyebrow and raised her voice.
“Oh? Dodging your sister’s hand now?”
Judging further engagement would be tiring, Go Chan waved it off.
“Look here, miss. I’ve no desire to fight you. So let’s stop here.”
At Go Chan’s speech, the courtesan’s expression went blank.
“What....... That old-man talk?”
“......”
At her words, Go Chan realized his slip.
He should have mimicked young women’s speech somewhat, but in avoiding the hassle, he’d messed up.
Then the courtesan said.
“Dodge my hand again this time, and you’d better brace yourself.”
She seemed intent on landing that slap to satisfy herself.
Go Chan straightened up and said.
“You keep going on about sister this, sister that, but miss..... no, I’m older than you.”
“What?”
“Looks can be deceiving—I’m twenty-seven.”
Go Chan stated an age that seemed a bit older than hers.
Seeing her fuss over hierarchy with the sister talk, he figured claiming seniority might work.
He couldn’t afford to start a conflict here and ruin things.
But the courtesan snorted.
“Aha. Got it. Newbie, but older than you look, huh.”
“Ahem. So let’s drop the pointless battle of wills here.....”
-Swsh!
The courtesan rolled up both her sleeves high and announced for all to hear.
“Watch closely. This is a sister fight.”
“......”
Go Chan seriously contemplated aborting the plan.