Chapter 95
Chapter 95
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: gumo hwicg fumdik-95i
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: Anti-Demon Temple
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Was it reading Han Ibi's innermost thoughts?
The voice of Na Shin-su, the instructor, rang out.
"Those from the Zhuge Clan gathered here would know this well... but theory is truly vital when it comes to mechanisms and formation arrays. That's especially true for those who create them. However, for those breaking them apart, real combat experience matters even more. Only 'real practice' will stand by your side in dire situations."
Only then did Han Ibi's eyes sparkle.
'Finally, something worth listening to.'
"Therefore... this afternoon, instead of free training, we'll conduct a special 'mechanism and formation array escape drill'."
Oooh! A drill! A drill!
The young men, who had endured over thirty days of what was essentially imprisonment, began buzzing with excitement.
Zhuge Yeon from the Zhuge Clan shot his hand up.
"Instructor! Will the drill be held outside?"
Na Shin-su shook his head.
"It seems Chief Instructor Heo hasn't mentioned it yet."
The youths exchanged puzzled glances.
Na Shin-su, spotting this, addressed Heo Son-dam, who was listening in from the back of the lecture hall.
"Chief Instructor Heo. May I explain?"
Heo Son-dam nodded.
"Of course."
Na Shin-su nodded back.
"Very well. I'll explain. The place where you're all receiving training was extremely remote three hundred years ago. And that era saw the demonic cults rampant like never before in history."
Then, a trainee from the conference, Yi Hyuk-rip—no, wait, Yuk Hyun-rip—muttered knowingly.
"That was when the North Star Cult, kin to the demonic cults, was widespread. Of course, they were utterly annihilated in the Great War of Righteousness and Evil 298 years ago."
Na Shin-su smiled faintly.
"But whether they were truly wiped out is unknown. Unlike previous demonic cults, the North Star Cult disguised themselves and infiltrated the martial world and the common folk. So, both the martial alliances and the imperial court struggled to root them out."
Han Ibi thought.
'Oh ho. After all that boring talk, this is intriguing.'
Suddenly, he recalled his final mission: the 'Evil Spirit Lord'.
In volume 4 of the original Dream of the Ant Snake, there's a scene where Jong Ri-hyeok suspects the 'Evil Spirit Lord' might be from a demonic cult while uncovering its identity.
His mind sharpened in an instant.
This might not be something to just skim and learn.
At any rate, Na Shin-su's story continued.
"Behind Hyeon-gak Temple lies Five Sources Mountain, home to the ruins of the Anti-Demon Temple."
A woman's voice chimed in.
"Subduing demons? What a punchy name for a temple."
It was Yeo Nan-ju.
She really couldn't help butting in at the wrong times.
But Na Shin-su seemed amused, laughing heartily in response.
"Indeed. A splendid name. Moreover, that temple was... one operated by the North Star Cult in disguise."
Yeo Nan-ju gasped.
"What? A demonic cult running a temple called Anti-Demon Temple?"
Han Ibi interjected.
"Evil folk rarely know they're evil."
Na Shin-su chuckled, smoothing things over.
"Hahaha. Exactly. Though we label them with the character for 'demon', they've never called themselves that. They believe they're fighting evil in their own way."
Only then did the trainees nod in understanding.
Na Shin-su pressed on.
"They masqueraded perfectly as monks, and the villagers believed it too—until an insider exposed them."
Wang Cheong-rin spoke up.
"Man, those were some nasty bastards. How could they let that go on?"
Na Shin-su replied.
"Do you think they did? The moment their true nature was revealed, the Martial Alliance dispatched elite warriors to exterminate them. But..."
The youths' eyes fixed on Na Shin-su.
"...that led to heavy casualties."
Yeo Nan-ju said.
"Their martial arts must have been incredibly powerful."
Na Shin-su shook his head.
"Not at all. Most were ordinary, save a few."
This time, Wang Cheong-rin jumped in.
Somehow, she synced with Yeo Nan-ju.
"Then why so many sacrifices?"
Na Shin-su explained.
"They retreated into a secret underground cavern and resisted. Records say... it lasted nearly a month."
Yeo Nan-ju exclaimed.
"Aha! They used mechanisms."
Na Shin-su confirmed.
"Spot on. The founding abbot, Master Ja-hyeon—known in the secular world as Nam Mok-in—was renowned for his expertise in mechanisms and formations. Not only Anti-Demon Temple but the North Star Cult's main base mechanisms were all designed by him."
Wang Cheong-rin asked curiously.
"If the mechanisms were that formidable, how did the Martial Alliance conquer them?"
Na Shin-su's expression darkened.
"The Martial Alliance... requested aid from our Joyang Sect, masters of mechanisms. In that process... alas, countless seniors from the sect perished."
The room fell somber.
From the back, Heo Son-dam's voice rang out.
"That sacrifice was not in vain. It allowed our Joyang Sect, then unaffiliated with the Alliance, to join them—and establish our prestige in the world today."
Na Shin-su nodded.
"True... In any case, after exterminating the demonic cult, we thoroughly studied Anti-Demon Temple's mechanisms. Though smaller in scale, they encapsulated all demonic mechanism knowledge. It greatly aided the assault on their main base."
Bang Gwang-sil from Mount Hua Sect grumbled.
"Then why drag this story out so long?"
Meaning: Cut the talk, let's drill.
Na Shin-su smiled.
"Forgive my long-windedness. The point is: At the Martial Alliance's request, we repaired the dilapidated, rusted mechanisms of this abandoned Anti-Demon Temple."
Yeo Nan-ju's eyes widened like a rabbit's.
"What? You smashed them and rebuilt?"
"Precisely."
"Why?"
Na Shin-su winked.
"For your training. What could be more effective than practicing in actual demonic mechanisms?"
That was when it happened.
A 'ding' echoed in his ear—the system's voice.
[Difficulty ★★★★☆ : Escape the Anti-Demon Temple First]
🎁 Rewards: Strength +50, Agility +60, Wisdom +50, Various EXP Gains
📍 Additional: Unknown extra rewards available.
'So... even with the main quest active, sudden quests still pop up. Four stars too. What is this, a mattress ad...'
Han Ibi grumbled inwardly as he walked with the other youths.
Five Sources Mountain lay behind Hyeon-gak Temple.
It was more a large hill than a proper mountain.
They followed Na Shin-su and Heo Son-dam, walking and walking.
And finally, the ruined temple appeared!
The trainee youths' jaws dropped.
Once at its immense scale.
Then at the desolate sight, scarred and eroded by time.
Han Ibi, approaching Jong Ri-hyeok who walked ahead after a long while, struck up conversation.
'All this training, and we haven't talked much lately.'
"Bro. This temple must've been a big deal back then. Look at the size."
Jong Ri-hyeok merely nodded silently.
'Tch. Still so cold...'
Jong Ri-hyeok glanced at So Eun-ri, surrounded by other female trainees.
And that was one of the oddities.
Moderately pretty sparks envy; stunningly so, admiration.
Well, beauty wields a kind of 'power' in groups.
'Must hurt inside plenty. But at least treated better here than at Qingcheng. Yeo Nan-ju'll thrive anywhere...'
Then, Hye-jeong of Shaolin spoke.
"The layout... the layout is strange. Mostly collapsed, but... that looks like a compound wall."
Na Shin-su responded.
"Correct. As expected of a monk. Most temples are open layouts, but Anti-Demon Temple's closed fortress style is its hallmark."
Han Ibi thought.
'Right. The abbot planned this as a fortress from the start.'
A bridge led to what seemed the main gate ruins—likely the Bridge to the Other Shore.
The stream was shallow now, but rains would swell it fiercely.
Once the last youth crossed,
Heo Son-dam gathered them aside.
"Sects, confirm all your disciples are present."
The youths checked attendance.
After a moment, Heo Son-dam spoke.
"Once confirmed, let's proceed."
Someone asked.
"How does the drill work? Just escape?"
Na Shin-su answered instead.
"Yes. Quite simple."
But Han Ibi had a hunch it wouldn't be that easy.
Another question.
"All of us at once? Won't it be chaos?"
"Naturally. So, we'll do it in groups."
"Groups?"
"Yes. Ten groups of three to four, randomly formed. Each group escapes together. For fairness, we'll draw lots."
Han Ibi groaned inwardly.
'Fairness' my foot—it's pure luck.
Grouping with Joyang Sect or Zhuge Clan would make it a breeze.
'Damn. Praying's all I got...'
Heo Son-dam now held a bamboo tube like a pencil holder, stuffed with folded papers.
'Straight-up drawing lots.'
No order set.
Youths lined up, drawing and checking slips.
Han Ibi's turn came; heart pounding, he drew one.
Roomie Gil Son-rok from Joyang, his senior Bok Mu-sin, or Zhuge Yeon would be ideal.
Han Ibi prayed.
'Heavens, Earth, God, Allah—glory to all...'
- Hwap-i (化被)
Huh? What's this? Good draw...?
Na Shin-su announced.
"Same characters form a group. Compare and find yours. Time given. Since it's group-based, today, live or die together."
Trainees scattered, seeking members.
Han Ibi recalled college group projects.
Heart racing, he hurried to Gil Son-rok.
"Hey!"
Gil Son-rok greeted warmly.
"Ah! Jong Ri-mae bro."
Good vibes from that.
"You got Hwap-i too...?"
(To be continued)
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