Chapter 1143
Bu Eun-seol, who had transformed into the appearance of an ordinary man using the Darkness Secret Arts, headed toward Jiaozhi, where Pa Hon was said to be staying.
Jiaozhi was a place where various foreign cultures intermingled—a tropical climate with jungles and elephants, coexisting with diverse religions and numerous minority groups.
Upon arriving at the deepest reaches of Jiaozhi's northwestern border, a massive snow-capped mountain loomed before him.
To the east, a rugged mountain range rose like a colossal barrier, as if attempting to block any who dared enter.
Kwa-woo-woo!
Bu Eun-seol moved toward the river that coiled like a serpent between the mountains.
The current was fierce, and the river's width was unpredictable, making it nearly impossible for outsiders to approach by boat.
Tak.
The place he finally arrived at was—
A land of utter isolation, as if trapped within nature's vast prison.
Most people of the Central Plains were unaware of this place's very existence.
And even if they knew, they dismissed it as a land inhabited by savages no different from beasts.
'How fascinating.'
The villagers here had bizarre patterns painted on their faces.
The women, in particular, bore markings that resembled butterfly wings—
Or perhaps tightly woven nets, covering their foreheads, noses, cheeks, and chins.
Rather than beauty, it evoked strangeness and intimidation.
'Did they deliberately tattoo themselves to appear grotesque, to prevent women from being abducted?'
Nod.
Bu Eun-seol exchanged brief eye greetings with the tribespeople he passed as he entered the gorge.
Then, a thick, moisture-laden fog enveloped his entire body.
The mingled scents of damp earth, rotting leaves, and the sweet fragrance of unknown flowers made his head spin.
The village was sparsely scattered along the valley.
The houses were not built directly on the ground—instead, thick log pillars were driven into the earth, supporting structures haphazardly woven together about ten feet above the soil.
'Wisdom to avoid frequent rains and wild beasts, no doubt.'
The roofs were layered with broad leaves or tree bark,
And the houses were connected by precarious single-plank bridges or vine-woven suspension bridges.
'How peculiar.'
Bu Eun-seol stroked his chin.
In this primitive tribal land—
Could Pa Hon, one of the Three Attendants who had rejected his fate and hidden away, truly be here?
At the village's central clearing, a large fire pit burned ceaselessly, sending acrid smoke into the air.
Women with blue tattoos on their faces walked barefoot along the muddy path, carrying water jars toward the river.
Naked children tumbled and played, tangled with dogs.
Men with bows slung over their shoulders and swords at their waists—likely just returned from a hunt—
Glanced expressionlessly at the stranger, Bu Eun-seol, as they carried wild boar legs over their shoulders.
Their eyes were filled with wariness.
'No sign of the Wanderers' Market.'
When his Internal Energy had been intact, he had no need for a map.
He could simply look down from the sky.
But now, unable to do so, he had pushed his Lightness Art to its limits day and night, sweating profusely.
Unable to obtain a map of Jiaozhi, shrouded in dense jungle, he had been forced to ask around to find the Wanderers' Market.
"Hey, kid."
Bu Eun-seol took out a silver coin from his pocket and held it out to a passing boy.
Then, with gestures, he asked for directions to the Wanderers' Market.
Somehow, the boy understood and pointed first at the Ink Soul Sword at Bu Eun-seol's waist, then westward.
It seemed the market was likely in that direction.
"Thank you."
With a faint smile, he moved westward again.
After traveling for a while, a large village resembling Chengdu came into view.
There, martial artists dressed in Central Plains attire mingled with those bearing unique tattoos or wearing bizarre clothing.
Creak. Rattle.
Carts passed by incessantly.
As Bu Eun-seol observed the scene, he couldn't hide his surprise once more.
There, chained like livestock and crammed into cargo compartments—
Were people.
'Slaves...?'
Moving deeper into the town, he spotted more figures with shackles on their arms or legs.
They were all laboring or serving others.
"A Han Chinese."
But then, a group armed with weapons swarmed toward Bu Eun-seol like enforcers interrogating an outsider.
"If an outsider wishes to carry weapons here, they must register as a Hunter."
"A Hunter?"
"Similar to a wanderer."
"Where must I go?"
"Follow me."
They led Bu Eun-seol to a large building on the town's outskirts.
Though slightly different in style from Central Plains architecture, it unmistakably resembled a pavilion built for the Wanderers' Market.
"Thank you."
When Bu Eun-seol bowed, they extended their hands.
"You must pay the introduction fee."
Their expressions were arrogant and rude.
"If you want to settle here safely, that is."
They seemed to have assumed Bu Eun-seol had committed some grave crime and was seeking refuge here to live as a wanderer.
"Take it."
Bu Eun-seol retrieved a money pouch and tossed it to them.
"Straightforward. Seems you've got decent means."
Perhaps pleased by his bold attitude, they spoke more amiably.
"Head to the side of that building—there's an attendant who speaks Han Chinese well. Go there."
Bu Eun-seol nodded and made his way toward the Wanderers' Market.
At the entrance, unrecognizable characters were inscribed alongside the words "Black Serpent Tower".
It seemed the Central Plains people here had written its meaning beside it.
The moment he stepped inside, the foul animal odor, cheap liquor, and the foul sweat of countless men assaulted his nostrils.
Beyond the entrance, ramshackle tin shacks, bamboo huts, and tents haphazardly patched together with animal hides sprawled in chaotic disarray.
Yet far in the center stood several well-constructed buildings.
That was likely the Wanderers' Market.
As he strode forward, Yi merchants adorned with vibrant feather headpieces sold pelts, medicinal herbs, and rare birds.
In the alleyways, Central Plains men—some with deep scars across their faces, others wearing wide-brimmed hats pulled low to evade wanted posters—lurked in the shadows.
'A den of outcasts, just as they said.'
Most of the Central Plains men who had come to this remote frontier were criminals guilty of heinous crimes like human trafficking.
Bustling noise.
From all directions, a cacophony of unintelligible languages melded into an indecipherable clamor.
Though the Black Serpent Tower's exterior resembled a tavern serving food and drink,
in truth, it was the heart of the Wanderers' Market—where all jobs for wandering martial artists in this region gathered—
and also the name of the Jiaozhi Wanderers' Market itself.
Creak.
The moment he stepped inside, damp, stale air stabbed at his lungs.
Wanderers clad in all manner of attire were reading job postings on a wooden board along one wall,
though most weren't there to work—just idly chatting in small groups.
'Almost as if they're waiting for something.'
Wanderers didn't loiter in the market unless they were taking jobs.
Yet the Black Serpent Tower was packed with an unusually large crowd, as if every wanderer in the vicinity had gathered here.
"How may I assist you?"
A servant, noting Bu Eun-seol's attire, addressed him in fluent Han speech.
"I've come to register as a leaf hunter."
"Right now?"
The servant's bewildered expression made Bu Eun-seol's eyes glint.
"Is there a problem?"
The servant scratched his head before speaking in a low voice.
"You must be new here."
When Bu Eun-seol nodded, the servant continued.
"Around this time every year, the Ten-Thousand-Year Black Centipede appears in the forest. That's why all the renowned leaf hunters have gathered in Jiaozhi."
"Ten-Thousand-Year Black Centipede."
In the Central Plains, it was said that the Seven Fingers Demonic Blade Bu Jan-yang had hunted all the spirit beasts to extinction, wiping out their lineage.
Yet in this remote frontier, mystical creatures like the Ten-Thousand-Year Black Centipede still existed.
"You truly had no idea."
Bu Eun-seol nodded at the servant's words.
"I merely came to register as a leaf hunter and perhaps take up wandering work here."
"I see."
The servant nodded.
"To register as a leaf hunter in this tower, you must first complete one of the jobs posted there to prove your capability."
A simple yet effective way to gauge one's skill immediately.
"Very well."
Bu Eun-seol approached the wooden board where job notices were pinned.
As he carefully examined the posted requests, his gaze grew peculiar.
'So there really are spirit beasts here.'
While the Central Plains' spirit beasts had gone extinct,
the forests of Jiaozhi teemed with them—most of the jobs were requests for spirit beast captures.
'The Death Soul Squad's intelligence network couldn't possibly reach this far.'
Jiaozhi was a distant land beyond the frontier.
Moreover, it posed little threat to the Central Plains' martial world, being home to diverse ethnic tribes and clans.
Neither the Central Plains nor the frontier bothered keeping eyes or ears here.
'Golden Spirit Serpent King.'
His eyes lingered on one of the notices before plucking it from the board.
—Hahaha.
Laughter erupted from all around.
Bu Eun-seol frowned, scanning his surroundings, as the servant spoke with an awkward expression.
"Sir, that's a job even three or four masters with exceptional movement techniques would hesitate to take on together."
The Golden Spirit Serpent King wasn't an overwhelmingly powerful spirit beast, but it could detect human presence from dozens of zhang away—
and it burrowed underground, making capture extremely difficult.
"Sounds entertaining."
Bu Eun-seol left the Black Serpent Tower without another word.
Snickers followed in his wake.
"He'll wander around half a day and come back empty-handed. Trying to catch the Golden Spirit Serpent King alone?"
"He won't last long, by the looks of it."
The wanderers inside the tower stifled mocking laughs.
How much time had passed?
Click.
The Black Serpent Tower's door creaked open again, and a shadow clad in worn gray robes slowly stepped inside.
It was Bu Eun-seol.
—Hiss, hiss.
Coiled around his arm was a serpent adorned with golden scales.
The Golden Spirit Serpent King.
"Is this the one?"
When Bu Eun-seol extended his arm, the servant stammered in shock.
"Y-You're supposed to take captured spirit beasts to the Processing Pavilion across the way!"
"Understood."
After leaving the serpent at the designated pavilion, they handed him a slip of paper with the beast's name.
When he returned it to the servant,
the man gave him about five taels of silver.
'Truly not a profitable or easy task.'
Only because Bu Eun-seol wielded the power of the Saint Among Poisons had he captured it the moment he entered the forest.
"For ordinary mercenaries?"
It would have taken five or six people working together for about ten days of relentless pursuit to capture it.
But no one would go through that trouble for just five taels, which was why the Golden Spirit Serpent King's request had remained unclaimed.
"Please take this."
The attendant handed Bu Eun-seol a tassel dyed black.
"It's the mark of a mercenary belonging to this tower. As long as you wear this, no one will give you trouble for carrying weapons."
"So one cannot carry weapons without this mark?"
"Correct. That's the rule here."
The attendant smiled and bowed courteously.
"I hope you found our transaction satisfactory. Please visit us again anytime."
Despite the tower's sinister atmosphere, the attendant was remarkably polite.
Bu Eun-seol nodded and stepped outside, entering a large inn within the Wanderers' Market.
The place was bustling with mercenaries, most of whom were drinking sour-smelling liquor with peanuts as a side dish.
The server didn't speak Han Chinese, but through gestures, he somehow understood and brought over drinks and snacks.
"Hey."
Just then, a group of four approached him.
A giant man with tattoos of a primitive Jiaozhi tribe carved into his face, a young man from the Central Plains wielding a slender sword, a man with a leather pouch stuffed full of hidden weapons at his waist, and a Miao-dressed woman armed with a whip.
"We saw you capture the Golden Spirit Serpent King alone in one go. How on earth did you manage that?"
As the man with the leather pouch approached amiably, Bu Eun-seol's eyes flashed with wariness.
"Don't misunderstand. I didn't ask with ill intent."
The man grinned and bowed slightly.
"I'm Jeong Jin-bang, leader of the Thunder Strike Squad. And you are...?"
"Gumso."
"Ah, Hero Gum."
The man stepped closer and asked,
"Judging by your skills, you seem trained in Poison Arts. Are you from a Central Plains poison sect?"
'Here we go.'
Bu Eun-seol smiled inwardly.
The reason he had deliberately captured the Golden Centipede King so swiftly—
It was to instantly draw the mercenaries' attention and infiltrate a group.
"I have no intention of discussing my background."
"Right, that was an unnecessary question."
Misinterpreting Bu Eun-seol's pensive expression, Jeong Jin-bang looked apologetic.
"Who comes to Jiaozhi without their own story? I was just curious about your skills."
Jeong Jin-bang was eloquent and carried an air that put people at ease.
"To be honest, surviving alone as a mercenary here is impossible."
Before Bu Eun-seol could respond, he sat across from him and continued.
"You seem new to Jiaozhi. Planning to make a living here? If so, why not join our squad?"
He lowered his voice.
"There's no such thing as camaraderie among mercenaries here. If you wander alone, others will ambush you and take everything you have."
Then, gesturing to his companions, he added,
"But our Thunder Strike Squad is different. We have honor, and none of us are criminals."
"I see."
"Did you sign up for the Black Centipede subjugation?"
When Bu Eun-seol shook his head, Jeong Jin-bang brightened.
"If you're considering it, you'll have to join a squad. They don't accept solo participants."
He cleared his throat.
"How about teaming up with us? We'll split the profits equally."
When Bu Eun-seol remained silent, Jeong Jin-bang pressed on in a coaxing tone.
"I don't usually make offers like this, but we've been struggling to find a mercenary skilled in poison."
Having witnessed Bu Eun-seol capture the Golden Centipede King in one move, Jeong Jin-bang had concluded he was a Poison Arts specialist.
Now, he wanted to recruit him for the Black Centipede hunt.
'If I bite too eagerly, they'll grow suspicious.'
From Bu Eun-seol's perspective, joining a mercenary squad as soon as possible was crucial.
But revealing his eagerness might only invite their distrust.
"I have a condition."
"Name it."
Bu Eun-seol spoke flatly.
"First, give me detailed information about this place."
"That's easy."
Jeong Jin-bang began explaining the situation in Jiaozhi.
About a decade ago, spirit beasts had started appearing in the forests.
Along with the absurd rumor that a "Forest Demon" lurked within, creating these creatures.
Regardless, thanks to the spirit beasts' emergence,
both the local tribes and the many fugitives hiding here began hunting them for massive profits.
As the spirit beasts continued to multiply,
mercenaries from all over flocked to the rumors, eventually forming the massive Wanderers' Market known as Black Serpent Tower.
And in the forest, there was an invaluable spirit beast—the Ten-Thousand-Year Black Centipede, said to be the ruler of all spirit beasts.
It appeared every year on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
That was why mercenaries gathered in droves annually to hunt it.
'Spirit beasts don't just appear out of nowhere.'
"Has anyone actually seen this Forest Demon who supposedly creates them?"
"Someone must have. Why else would the rumor spread?"
Jeong Jin-bang shook his head.
"But no one's ever met the Forest Demon. And no one wants to."
"Why is that?"
"Because the moment he appears, the forest becomes an inescapable prison for ten days."
When the Forest Demon revealed himself,
an inexplicable force would engulf the forest, trapping everyone inside for ten days.
'Found you.'
Hearing this, Bu Eun-seol instantly knew.
'Pa Hon.'
The Forest Demon.
One destined to be among the Three Attendants, yet who rejected his fate and hid from the world.
He was almost certainly Pa Hon.