A Suitable Reward and an Unexpected Absence
Since Park Seryong had shown such a clear attitude, it was only natural to reward him. Han Yujin possessed an overwhelming abundance of resources, so bestowing a few gifts was hardly difficult.
First, given the setting, he decided to offer half a cup of Blood Spirit Crimson Flower Wine mixed with another spirit. It wasn’t out of stinginess; a full, undiluted cup might prove too much for Park Seryong at his current stage.
From the moment the alluring bottle with its extraordinary appearance appeared, Park Seryong’s focus had sharpened instinctively. When the liquid was truly poured for him, he couldn’t completely hide his anticipation.
Even the mere fragrance that wafted from it was enough for anyone to realize it was no ordinary brew.
Moreover, the contents within the cup he saw with his own eyes formed the shape of a crimson lotus on their own, creating an indescribably mystical sight.
“It’s called Blood Spirit Crimson Flower Wine. Drinking it and then cultivating should prove quite helpful.”
Park Seryong expressed his gratitude and drank it down. Soon after, his eyes widened slightly as he let out sincere, repeated exclamations of awe.
For some reason, this made Han Yujin feel far better than expected. He nearly pulled out some Galactic Empire nectar to let the man taste it as well.
Next, he presented him with an extra Spacer Ring. He had brought plenty precisely for this kind of gifting, so there was no harm in handing one over now.
After explaining the item’s name and functions, Park Seryong bowed repeatedly, swearing absolute loyalty as he realized it was a treasure that surpassed all imagination.
‘He may not be the most upright man, but he is certainly competent.’
Of course, more talented individuals could be found if he searched. However, raising anyone else to Park Seryong’s current level would require far more time and effort. Therefore, at this moment, Park Seryong was the most useful card he held.
If he could amplify his own air of mystery with just this level of reward while ensuring the other party harbored no disloyal thoughts, it was an incredibly profitable transaction.
“Once contact begins, this chaotic situation will resolve itself naturally. In the meantime, I have another task for you.”
“Please command me.”
“Regarding the introduction of scientific technology, form a think tank. The list of technologies I am currently considering for distribution is roughly as follows.”
He had categorized them into five major fields—technologies that were not overly advanced or radical, so their introduction would cause minimal societal shock.
In the first field of basic survival, he was considering water purification and desalination technology, genetically engineered grain and meat production, drone agriculture systems, and modular printing construction technology.
In the second field of industrial economy, solid-state battery technology, wireless power transmission, robotic automated production systems, and magnetic levitation technology.
In the third field of social systems, AI technology stripped of any potential to evolve into strong artificial intelligence, along with customized education assistance systems and drone policing assistance systems based on it.
In the fourth field of culture and information, augmented reality and virtual reality technology would suffice. There were endless applications, and it was already generating significant interest on Earth under the name metaverse.
In the fifth field of mana mysticism, he was thinking of introducing some glyph application technology. It would allow independent development in areas such as equipment crafting, elixir manufacturing, and environmental control.
As a side note, “glyph” was simply Earth’s term for dharma inscriptions. In any case, the technologies in this mana mysticism field would later serve as the cornerstone for Earth’s transition from an electricity-based civilization to a mana-based one.
“There are many more beyond these, but my current concern is that overly powerful effects might actually harm Earth’s development.”
Even the technologies already mentioned, once they began creating synergistic effects with one another, would produce results that were difficult to predict. Therefore, it was necessary to gather sufficient analysis and opinions from experts even at the initial introduction stage.
“Do you understand the precise purpose of forming this think tank?”
“...Yes, Teacher.”
His expression clearly showed curiosity about where and how such incredible knowledge had been obtained, but he didn’t dare ask, and Han Yujin had no intention of explaining in detail.
Such things were not information necessary for carrying out the immediate task. Moreover, he would naturally come to learn everything in due time.
“I will hand over the full information once we’ve cleaned up the Neo Dominion bastards. When forming the think tank, don’t struggle alone—make full use of your connections.”
“Understood.”
“If necessary, do not hesitate to recruit overseas talent. Maintaining secrecy is important, but fulfilling the think tank’s purpose is far more critical.”
He then added, as if something had just occurred to him.
“Material gains are not particularly important either. Pursue profit in the direction of securing mana stones, but if needed, you may boldly reduce the price or even give them away entirely.”
“I will keep that in mind and proceed accordingly.”
“However, be careful not to discount too heavily or give things away for free. The other party might grow suspicious or look down on us.”
That concluded the important discussion.
After finishing the meal and parting ways with Park Seryong, Han Yujin briefly reflected on his ‘grand plan.’
If the state was too backward, it would actually be more difficult to turn it into his territory. Moderately developing it would also align with his goal of earning karma.
A short while later.
Upon returning to the safe house, he entered to meet Mu-yong, who had been managing the spirit fields inside the Mountain Sea Pearl until now.
What he had installed right before entering for safety was not the conveniently used Phantom Phase Cube from before. Instead, it was a slightly more troublesome but far more effective smart tent known as the Nightveil Sanctum Obscura Dome.
Even a level 10 spiritualist would pass by without noticing if they weren’t paying close attention. It boasted exceptional concealment.
Of course, if discovered it would be mercilessly destroyed, but it could easily defend against spiritualists up to level 6. For portable equipment, its specs were practically the best.
Mu-yong was in the middle of practicing the White Cloud Moisture Art within the spirit fields.
The pure white clouds that covered the fields and gently moistened the spirit plants created a heartwarming sight.
“Aigoo, you’ve been working so hard!”
Jjik!
At Han Yujin’s appearance, Mu-yong abandoned her task, wagged her tail wildly, and came running. She leaped straight into his arms and kept glancing back toward the spirit fields.
“Yes, yes. You did incredibly well. I’ve been watching the whole time, you know?”
Jjik! Jjijik—!
“Since you did so well, would you like to drink some of this?”
Jjik!
In a good mood, he gave her a few drops of Blood Spirit Crimson Flower Wine mixed with Jade Dew Wine.
After settling down with Mu-yong in the bedroom of his residence at Mugeuk Manor, he activated his awakening ability with a light heart.
It was nothing complicated—he simply intended to retrieve the Ghost Soul Banner.
* * *
The Yeongryeon Continent after the Age of Dharma Decline, within the ruined Ohaeng Sect relic.
Han Yujin, appearing alongside Mu-yong, immediately activated the Five Elements Heavenly Escape Art and flew toward the inner gate area.
Passing through the rock and entering the cave, he stepped into the most austerely built rectangular structure. There, at the center, he laid eyes on the Ghost Soul Banner.
The various metal stakes and jade pillars embedded around it in a precise pattern had long since lost their power. It was only natural in a world ravaged by the calamity of the Dharma Decline.
Nevertheless, an extraordinary aura still lingered around the pitch-black, antique banner standing proudly on its stand. The densely engraved silver and ash-colored dharma patterns wrapping the pole evoked a very special and unique impression.
‘Even if I can’t immediately command Wonhee with it, it will be useful when visiting places like the Spirit Repair Realm.’
He must not forget that this was a Tongcheon Spiritual Treasure. Moreover, unlike the Ohaeng Spirit Stones, it was clearly crafted for combat—more so than any other Tongcheon Spiritual Treasure.
Due to the nature of Ghost Soul Banner-type treasures, it might be somewhat weak until it had devoured a large number of ghosts. Still, even in its empty, can-like initial state, it should display power on par with ordinary spiritual treasures.
Jjik—!
When he carefully pulled the banner from its stand and placed it inside the Spacer Ring, Mu-yong seemed to feel a sense of pride as well.
While stroking the little creature, instead of leaving immediately, he took a light lap around the interior of the Ohaeng Sect. There was no clear reason; it was simply a feeling that he should check just in case.
As he moved at high speed and swept through the uppermost floor of the Smoke Pavilion with his newly refined senses—
“......!!”
He felt a chill run down his spine and stopped abruptly. Mu-yong, connected to him through the Tongmyeong Eosu-gyeol, was equally startled. Her fur stood on end as she held her breath.
Swish—!
Transforming into a streak of light once more, he passed through the wall of the Smoke Pavilion building in the blink of an eye and stood on the top floor.
There, with a hardened expression, he stared at the empty spot where the Ohaeng Spirit Condensing Boulder should have been.
‘...Why is it gone?’
Jjik...
This was the first anomaly he had encountered since using his awakening ability.
‘Did someone come and take it?’
It was a natural thought, but he immediately dismissed it. In a world struck by the calamity of the Dharma Decline, no one could easily visit this place. Moreover, there had been no mistake in fixing the gate with his awakening ability.
‘Did my previous intervention get reflected?’
However, he already knew clearly that he could not re-intervene in any spacetime he had once visited.
‘Then... does that mean once a Tongcheon Spiritual Treasure like this is chosen as a harvest, it cannot be obtained again?’
Thinking this, he activated the Five Elements Heavenly Escape Art once more and shot off somewhere.
The place he arrived at in less than a few seconds was the very spot where he had first obtained the Sunset Sword, the Ohaeng Sword, and the Spirit Liquid Wine Bottle. It was the entrance to a certain cave—the exact location where a white, glossy, jade-like skeleton had been.
The three items remained exactly as he had first discovered them. Just as he had confirmed once before.
‘What is the standard?’
It couldn’t be that the Tongcheon Spiritual Treasure was precious while these were trivial, thus left behind. If that were the case, the Mountain Sea Pearl inside the cave should have disappeared as well. Although it was only at the spiritual treasure level, its nature as a grotto-heaven treasure made it incomparably valuable.
Therefore, only one cause came to mind.
‘The presence or absence of spiritual nature.’
More precisely, it should be called an artifact spirit since it resided within an object, but broadly speaking, it was spiritual nature.
‘If I had discovered the Ohaeng Spirit Condensing Boulder exactly as before, and chosen it as a harvest to bring back to reality...’
Two artifact spirits of the same mind would come into existence.
Therefore, to prevent such a situation in advance, the Ohaeng Spirit Condensing Boulder may have been completely erased from this world.
If his guess was correct, the same would hold true even if he visited other time periods.
‘Then... that means I won’t encounter a third Mu-yong in the Primordial Forest?’
A rabbit-weasel was a living being and naturally possessed spiritual nature. Although it was merely an ordinary beast and thus extremely faint, it still had a soul.
A sense of relief washed over him.
Yet at the same time, an unavoidable dark thought arose.
‘If Mu-yong were to disappear from reality… could I then find her again in the Primordial Forest?’
In that case, even if Mu-yong died in reality, he could simply visit the Primordial Forest and bring her back.
‘She is the second one, yet she possesses the memories of the first Mu-yong.’
Then perhaps the third Mu-yong could also possess the memories of both the first and second, becoming a perfectly identical being.
As an eerie chill ran down his spine and he pondered with discomfort, he suddenly realized something.
The reason the second Mu-yong could possess the first’s memories might be because all those events had unfolded only within the world visited through his awakening ability.
On the other hand, the second Mu-yong had already been brought to reality long ago when chosen as a harvest.
Therefore, the memories the second Mu-yong had accumulated in reality might not be inheritable by a third Mu-yong.
“......”
Of course, there was no way to test this hypothesis. The same applied even if he used the artifact spirit of the Ohaeng Spirit Stone instead.
How could he possibly treat that small, adorable, and pure little sparrow—the one who had obediently accepted his Samgyeong Johwa-gyeol—in such a manner? He had already grown very close to Mu-yong and considered her a friend.
Jjik!
Suddenly.
Mu-yong’s cry snapped him out of his thoughts.
“...Right. Last time I had similar thoughts and nearly fell into a heart demon.”
At the very least, this was clearly not a topic he should be casually pondering right now.
In any case, he had learned a little more about his own awakening ability.
Specifically, if he had chosen a being with spiritual nature as a harvest and brought it to reality, then upon revisiting the same world afterward, that being might be completely erased from existence.
He stroked Mu-yong and calmed his mind with the power of animal therapy.
Afterward, he finished touring the Ohaeng Sect ruins and returned to reality without any lingering attachment by activating an escape spell.
* * *
Roughly one week after he had restored the Ghost Soul Banner—a Tongcheon Spiritual Treasure whose karma consumption was by no means small—and chosen it as a harvest in its initial state.
A message arrived from Park Seryong.
Han Yujin smiled as he read the detailed information attached below the message.