Chapter 315: Back and Forth (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 315: Back and Forth (2)
Gulp.
Dry saliva slid down So Yu-myeong's throat.
Because he had been thoroughly tormented to the bone by Jinhyuk over the past few days, he had now reached a point where he feared Jinhyuk even more than So Yu-hyeon.
In particular, having witnessed Cheon Yu-seong, a formidable master, get his soul utterly crushed in front of Jinhyuk, the fear So Yu-myeong felt was beyond imagination.
'If I get on his bad side, I might end up begging him to just kill me.'
So Yu-myeong instinctively realized.
If there was one person in the world you should absolutely never cross...
It was that demon right there.
Right then.
Jinhyuk's lips subtly moved.
-One. wrong. word. and. you're. dead.
Shiver!
Goosebumps erupted all over So Yu-myeong's body.
"T-There is no mistake. He absolutely did not use any underhanded tricks, and I saw with my own two eyes that he severed that man's neck with a martial art he seemed to have learned outside the Tower. I guarantee it. So you can believe him. Yes! Absolutely."
So Yu-myeong nodded his head more frantically than anyone ever had in the world.
"Y-Yu-myeong?"
So Yu-hyeon's eyes widened.
This disciple was always calm and composed.
Yet here he was, acting so frivolously.
"A first-generation disciple of the Wudang Sect... is acting rather strange today."
"He was one of the highly anticipated talents among the Young Dragons, but the battle against the Heavenly Demon Cult must have been truly intense."
"Are you saying he's scared?"
"Haha. Amitabha."
The representatives of the other sects also looked at So Yu-myeong in disbelief.
However, So Yu-myeong didn't care about those looks at all.
Of course not.
They wouldn't come to his quarters tonight with a blade in hand.
They wouldn't force-feed him bizarre food or enjoy watching him writhe in agony.
"I promise on my name. This gentleman... no, this man is neither a spy for the Heavenly Demon Cult nor is he deceiving us with lies."
So Yu-myeong asserted once more.
Solely.
With the single-minded determination to survive filling his head.
* * *
Thanks to So Yu-myeong's testimony, things went quite smoothly.
Since a first-generation disciple of Wudang had vouched for Jinhyuk, who would dare object?
Doubting his words was tantamount to doubting Wudang itself.
Although many looked upon this displeasurably, at least they couldn't openly show their hostility.
"Haha. You shouldn't have... I will put these to very good use. Stop being so attached and hand them over. You over there, too."
In the end, five treasures disappeared from the temporary treasury kept by the Murim Alliance.
Jinhyuk had personally gone to the treasury to select the treasures he wanted.
It was a pity to only receive five, but this was a decent result.
'This is a real feast for the eyes.'
Returning to the private quarters provided by the Beggar's Sect, Jinhyuk immediately laid out the treasures he had obtained on the bed.
As expected, the most eye-catching of the five was a longsword with a blade as white as snow.
[Flower-Dance Plum-Blossom Sword]
Attack Power: 26,400
Durability: 5,000 / 5,000
Description: A sword made of Myriad-Year Cold Iron, this is a treasure among treasures given only to those who have received the title of Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign. As long as the wielder's will does not break, this sword will never shatter.
Normally, the Flower-Dance Plum-Blossom Sword was an unobtainable relic.
Even if they faced total annihilation, the Mount Hua Sect's pride would never allow them to give up this sword.
But,
What if it wasn't just the fate of Mount Hua, but the future of the entire Murim at stake?
Was a single sword more important than everything turning to ashes under the Heavenly Demon Cult?
The answer was now in his hands.
Shring!
Jinhyuk drew the sword from its scabbard.
A blinding sword-light poured out.
'The rumor that it allows even those without inner qi to use sword qi was true.'
It felt weightless.
The balance was also beyond perfect, drawing an involuntary exclamation of admiration.
Furthermore.
Wudang's 'Jasodan' and Kunlun's 'Cloud-Path White Robe' were also rare sights.
First, the Jasodan had the effect of increasing magic power by 75 stats upon consumption.
In terms of levels, it was equivalent to raising one's level by 25.
He could see why the Wudang Sect treasured it so much.
On the other hand, the Cloud-Path White Robe increased movement speed by 30% and possessed a repulsive force that could deflect most sword qi.
'There's no way those bastards will just let me keep all of this.'
Once the immediate fire was put out and the situation calmed down, they would bare their fangs to take back the stolen sword and sacred relics.
It is human nature to boil and eat a hunting dog once its usefulness is gone.
He had already glimpsed the murderous intent in the eyes of Ha Ryeo-hwa and Danmok Il.
However.
'How cute. Trying so hard to use those tiny brains of theirs.'
The rosy future they envisioned would not happen.
Because the one who would have the last laugh in this Orthodox-Unorthodox War had already been decided.
Jinhyuk activated his personal status window.
Tring!
——————————————————
Name: Kang Jinhyuk
Gender: Male
Age: 28
Level: 125
Strength: 109, Agility: 58, Stamina: 67, Magic Power: 294, Gap: 100, Luck: 10, Adaptive Stat: 78, Essence: 84.91
Available Stat Points: 9
Available Coins: 11,315,520
Class: Ruler of Runes
Unique Abilities: 'Fusion', 'Grave of Swords', 'Blessing of the Stars', 'Judgment of Anubis', 'Blood Demon Qi', 'Mandala', '1-Second Invincibility', 'Thousand Poisons', 'White Beast', 'Universal Sharing', 'Sanctuary of the Sun', 'Black Heaven Demonic Emperor Art', 'Triple Magic', 'Colossus Strike', 'Fire Dragon's Breath', 'High-Speed Sword', 'Tombgrave's Right Arm', 'Berserker', 'Domain of Wind', 'Shadow Extreme Kill', 'Blood Explosion', 'Black Tears', 'Tombgrave's Leg', 'Monstrous Strength and Chaotic Spirits', 'Core of the Legion', 'Ancient Barrier'
——————————————————
First, he had to distribute the stats obtained from defeating Shimmasaryong.
'Is it because of my level? Even after defeating such a powerful enemy, the limit is only about 3 levels.'
It seemed the required amount of experience had indeed skyrocketed ridiculously.
[Agility increases from 58 → 67!]
Jinhyuk invested all of his received stats into Agility.
Considering Samaja's characteristics, he needed to increase his reaction speed and movement speed.
Next was...
Jinhyuk's gaze turned toward the reddish pill.
'Jasodan'
An elixir with excellent effects in enhancing internal energy.
'So Yu-hyeon probably gave me this because he thought I wouldn't be able to consume it anyway.'
The more potent the elixir, the more important the method of consumption.
If one simply swallowed it blindly, the internal energy would flow backward, leading to qi deviation or leaving them crippled.
"Whew."
Calming his breathing, Jinhyuk put the Jasodan in his mouth.
Unlike its solid appearance, the moment the Jasodan touched his tongue, it melted away in an instant.
A fragrant aroma spread throughout his mouth.
[Lv7 'True Grand Purity Hwarang Heart Method' is activated!]
A hot ball of fire began to churn down his esophagus and into his body.
From here on, it was crucial.
Jinhyuk sat cross-legged in the lotus position and circulated the absorbed internal energy.
A delicate process that allowed for not a single mistake.
Only when the heart method and internal energy were in perfect harmony could the Jasodan be fully converted into magic power.
Of course, Jinhyuk had absorbed poisons far worse than the Jasodan before. He wasn't one to be frightened by something of this level.
Rumble!
The refined internal energy surged even more violently.
His neck and back were drenched in cold sweat.
How much time had passed?
[Magic Power increases by 75!]
The burning heat, which felt like he had swallowed molten iron, vanished as if it had been a lie.
All of the magic power had been perfectly absorbed.
'...Oh.'
Was it because he had raised stats equivalent to 25 levels all at once?
Unlike when he raised his Agility, the physical sensation was distinctly different.
How should he put it?
He felt as though his sensory perception had become incredibly sharp.
The buzzing of a flying insect.
The rustling of a mouse moving quickly across the ceiling.
And...
He could also hear the sound of someone filled with rage rushing toward his door.
Huh? Someone filled with rage?
Could it be...
Tilting his head, Jinhyuk hastily threw himself aside.
Crash!
With a thunderous roar, the door shattered into pieces.
"I finally found you, you son of a bitch! I endured and endured with only the thought of cutting off your head!"
Cheon Yu-seong drew his sword, radiating a terrifying murderous intent.
Though his body was covered in wounds, he seemed to have saved enough strength to swing his sword.
"Yu-seong! You're safe... I'm so, so glad. I couldn't even sleep at night, worried that something might have happened to you... sniff."
Jinhyuk's eyes welled with tears.
He even pretended to wipe his eyes with a handkerchief he had pulled out from somewhere.
"Cut the... pathetic acting! Do you think I'd forget your atrocity of driving me into the jaws of death?!"
Whoosh!
A blue aura flared up on Cheon Yu-seong's sword.
He was serious. He was trying to kill him with absolute sincerity.
"Whoa, whoa. Driving you into the jaws of death? What a cold thing to say when I prepared this for you after all your hard work."
Cheon Yu-seong paused.
He froze, his sword raised high.
"You're giving me... the Flower-Dance Plum-Blossom Sword? To me?"
Although Cheon Yu-seong had almost no material greed, there was one exception.
His greed for swords was extraordinary.
Since he hadn't had a decent weapon since his attribute sword, obtaining a good weapon was his top priority.
But to be offered one of the finest swords in the Murim...
His boiling rage ground to a halt.
His resolve to either die or kill had vanished into thin air.
Jinhyuk waved the plum-blossom-engraved sword in front of Cheon Yu-seong's eyes.
"Do you want it? Hmm? You don't have anything like this at home, do you?"
"..."
Whoosh!
Just as Cheon Yu-seong tried to snatch it, Jinhyuk pulled the sword back half a beat faster.
Swish! Whish!
Cheon Yu-seong quickly tried to grab it again, but once more, Jinhyuk was slightly faster.
"Tsk! You said you'd give it to me, so what is this nonsense?!"
"I'll give it to you. I said I would, right? But before that, there's one thing you need to do for me."
"What kind of ridiculous task are you trying to make me do this time? I will never do anything where the cost outweighs the benefit."
"What do you take me for..."
This time was different.
"You just need to act as a bodyguard for one night."
"A bodyguard? For whom? Surely not you?"
"No, not me. I'm talking about our Guma."
Goguma, who had been hiding under the blanket, poked his head out.
"Mogi!"
"Yes, yes. Our Mogi. Did you sleep well? Are you hungry?"
"Mogi-mogi!"
At the mention of food, Goguma's eyes sparkled. The drool dripping heavily from his mouth was a bonus.
"I'll let you eat your fill of delicious food soon. See this annoying pretty boy? He's going to protect you while you eat."
"Wait! What do you mean protect him while he eats? There's no reason he'd need protection while eating at a normal restaurant."
"Well, it's not exactly a normal restaurant."
"Then where is it?"
That would obviously be...
"The magic stones in the Murim Alliance's treasury."
When he visited earlier, he had confirmed that the magic stones kept as spoils of war from the Empire were piled up like a mountain.
If Goguma ate all of that, how strong would he become...?
He was already incredibly excited.
"...So, you want me to be a lookout while your pet steals and eats the Murim Alliance's property?"
"Yep."
"And if we get caught, I take the fall?"
"Yep!"
Jinhyuk smiled brightly.
"Ah, and one more thing. Our Guma is going to find something there, and I'd like you to bring that back as well."
Unlike the highly famous Flower-Dance Plum-Blossom Sword or the Jasodan, this was a relic whose very existence was unknown.
That was why he hadn't demanded it earlier.
Even if he had asked, they would have surely denied its existence.
However, with Goguma's sense of smell, he would be able to find the relic hidden in the secret chamber.
"First dining and dashing, and now theft... you want me to do all of it."
"While you're at it, please destroy the evidence too. Something more creative than arson would be nice. You know, something so shocking that they won't even think of retaliating."
"Sigh... You're going to be assigned the hottest spot in hell later."
"Then you'll be right next to me."
"..."
Realizing that talking any further would only raise his blood pressure, Cheon Yu-seong let out a long sigh.
"...In exchange, I will take the sword as an advance payment."
"Be my guest."
Jinhyuk handed the Flower-Dance Plum-Blossom Sword to Cheon Yu-seong.
With this, the recruitment of his accomplice was complete.
* * *
That night.
Terrible wails echoed from the various sects of the Murim.
"O-Oh my god. What on earth is the meaning of this?"
Kunlun's Danmok Il clutched the back of his neck and collapsed.
"H-How can I face our ancestors?"
"What evil bastard would do such a thing..."
"They will be struck by divine punishment! Divine punishment!"
"Aaaaah..."
The representatives of the other great families also wept tears of blood, crying out in grief.
The place where the books recording the long-standing achievements and history of each sect were kept.
That sacred place had been completely desecrated by someone.
Countless footprints drenched in ink had turned the interior into a complete disaster.
Because the guards had been ambushed and knocked unconscious, it was impossible to even guess who the culprit was.
The only clue was that the shape of the footprints belonged to a small reptile.
Therefore.
No one noticed that the 'Returnee's Bracelet' hidden in the treasury had gone missing.
At least, not for now.