A Transaction of Convenience
Han Yujin wasn’t particularly worried about Song Jamun seeing through his false identity.
If things went south in the worst possible way?
He had suffered terribly at the hands of those demon worshippers in Icapa Pangea, but the lesson that gambling without certainty led to poor outcomes had only made him more cautious. In the end, hadn’t he come out of it unscathed?
Besides, he could clearly sense goodwill from the other party. If that was all an act, the man deserved an award for best actor. It was also hard to imagine a Core Formation investigator putting on such a performance for no reason.
If he had truly wanted to do something malicious, he could have simply declared, “This guy’s a spy,” and dragged him away.
Anyway.
Song Jamun had let him go without fuss, saying they would talk again later. With a slightly unsettled mind, Han Yujin was able to leave the grand hall safely.
The fact that the man had made an offer to recruit him but given no specific details likely meant he was expected to keep attending the subsequent lectures.
‘That was my plan anyway, so no problem there.’
He had probably seen Yujin fall into enlightenment and decided to mark his territory first. If the man tested him a few more times and found him lacking, the offer would likely vanish as if it had never existed. That might even be the moment his false identity became an issue.
Of course, as he had thought earlier, it wasn’t something worth worrying about.
After walking for a while, lost in thought, he arrived at the location of the small exchange meeting he had scouted the day before. It was a pavilion inside a modest garden that was clearly used as a resting spot for investigators.
He sat down in an appropriate spot and waited. One by one, Foundation Establishment investigators who were interested in participating began to appear and take their seats. The middle-aged female host merely smiled and nodded at those who entered. She didn’t seem inclined to step forward until the meeting officially began.
Once roughly thirty investigators had arrived and settled onto their cushions,
“It seems everyone who intended to come has arrived. Greetings, everyone.”
After a very brief self-introduction, the host explained how the meeting would proceed, then immediately set the tone by taking out an item first.
It was a small jade bottle emitting a faint pink glow.
“This is the vital blood of a Nascent Soul equivalent demonic beast. I’d like to exchange it for three Clear Qi Pills or three Nourishing Essence Pills. If you wish to trade with spirit stones, please state your offer first.”
The Nascent Soul stage was equivalent to the investigators’ Dharma Soul realm. Demonic beast vital blood was mainly used in talisman crafting and pill refinement, though it occasionally appeared in artifact techniques as well.
“How about two Clear Qi Pills?” one investigator proposed. After a few exchanges, the deal was quickly settled.
Other investigators followed, and transactions continued smoothly. After about five exchanges, an item that caught Han Yujin’s interest finally appeared.
The one presenting it was a young, handsome male investigator. He bore a striking resemblance to a famous actor from reality, which Yujin found rather fascinating.
“The talisman I wish to trade is called a Scissor Talisman.”
“A Scissor Talisman…?”
Someone muttered softly, suggesting it wasn’t a particularly common item.
“When activated, it can emit the aura of a mid-Core Formation investigator for a short time. Depending on the situation, it can be extremely useful. I’d like to exchange it for an offensive artifact of mid-grade or higher.”
A brief silence followed. Several investigators glanced at one another and shook their heads. It seemed they didn’t see much value in it.
That was understandable.
This was the Cheonwon Castle Frontline, where large-scale, life-or-death battles against demonic beasts occurred regularly. Simply disguising one’s aura wasn’t enough to make powerful opponents retreat in such an environment.
In the worst case, it might even draw the attention of a truly powerful demonic beast.
‘It’s also awkward to use against other humans.’
There was no need to explain why that was awkward.
But for Han Yujin, it was different.
With his awakening ability, he could travel to all sorts of worlds. Sooner or later, there would surely come a moment when he needed to put on a convincing bluff.
“A talisman with such ambiguous uses in exchange for a mid-grade or higher offensive artifact…”
He spoke in a tone that suggested it was troublesome, yet left room for negotiation.
“I happen to have a mid-to-high-grade artifact I don’t use. Do you have anything else to offer?”
The handsome investigator’s expression remained unchanged, but his movements grew noticeably hurried. He pulled out seven or eight items at once from his storage artifact and laid them out.
All of them were unrelated to combat, making his goal of bolstering fighting strength obvious. Among them, what caught Yujin’s eye was a white jade gourd bottle.
It was an elegant item, adorned with a beautifully rendered cyan image of an orchid-like spiritual herb. It looked quite luxurious.
“What is that gourd bottle?”
“It’s called a Jade Dew Wine Vessel. Its effect is rather… modest, but it can nourish both body and soul even for Dharma Soul stage investigators.”
“Nourish body and soul? May I examine it?”
“By all means.”
Han Yujin caught the flying Jade Dew Wine Vessel and opened the stopper. Using a water manipulation technique, he drew out a single drop and inspected it.
The liquid glowed with a jade-like luster and carried an incredibly fragrant aroma.
After confirming there were no problems, he drank it directly. The effect became much clearer.
‘It’s an upgraded version of the Spiritual Liquid Wine Vessel artifact.’
Considering that the Spiritual Liquid Wine Vessel was a mid-grade artifact, this one was at least mid-to-high-grade, possibly even high-grade.
However, artifacts of this type inevitably held less value than combat-oriented ones. Their utility was almost at the level of a luxury item.
“Take a look. If you like it, let’s trade.”
Nevertheless, Yujin boldly took out the Five Elements Sword and handed it to the handsome investigator. The man’s face lit up with delight as he carefully examined it.
“Here you are.”
He handed over the Scissor Talisman and immediately stored the Five Elements Sword in his own artifact. His attitude suggested he was worried the other party might suddenly cancel the deal.
Fortunately, it wasn’t because the Scissor Talisman was fake. It was simply the carelessness of someone who felt they had gained greatly from the exchange.
All official talismans were designed so their authenticity could be verified by closely examining the dharma patterns on their surface. Naturally, simply looking at the patterns didn’t allow one to replicate them, and even determining authenticity required a certain level of knowledge.
But for Han Yujin, who possessed transcendent comprehension, verifying authenticity was child’s play. He even felt as though he could grasp the method of creation.
‘Looks like I have talent for talisman crafting too.’
As he watched the other investigators continue their trades, he continued his internal thoughts.
He didn’t feel the slightest regret about giving away the Five Elements Sword. After all, once this visit ended, he would automatically return to the waiting space.
His awakening ability was essentially a simulation. No matter how he used items given as initial settings within the simulation, everything would reset to its original state once the simulation ended.
In other words, he had effectively lost nothing in this trade.
That didn’t mean he had gained a completely free benefit, however.
‘In the end, I’ll still need to spend Karma to materialize both the Scissor Talisman and the Jade Dew Wine Vessel.’
The Scissor Talisman seemed like something that would prove genuinely useful at least once in the future. As for the Jade Dew Wine Vessel, it was entirely for Mu-yong.
From the small taste he had taken earlier, he had a feeling she would like it very much. So he had obtained it.
‘As long as it’s not too expensive…’
It would be a slight waste of Karma, but he had done the same when taking Mu-yong in, so it didn’t matter.
How could a person always spend with perfect calculation?
A short while later, another item that caught Han Yujin’s interest appeared. It was an artifact related to formations—the very reason he had come to Cheonwon Castle this time.
“It’s a restriction artifact for the Bewildering Illusion Formation, crafted by the Qilian Sect. You can freely arrange eight flags around this central formation plate. It activates well even without spirit stones, but if you use them, the power…”
The middle-aged male investigator with a somewhat impatient face explained at a rapid pace.
The Bewildering Illusion Formation was a restriction type that trapped enemies in illusions to subdue them. When activated with spirit stones, it apparently possessed lethal power that could threaten even investigators at the same Dharma Soul stage.
“I wish to exchange it for an artifact or technique capable of capturing a Nascent Soul equivalent demonic beast alive.”
After the explanation, several investigators stepped forward with offers. Formation-type artifacts were useful to have, after all.
But the middle-aged man kept shaking his head, seemingly dissatisfied with all of them. He even rejected Han Yujin’s Phoenix Feather Fan artifact.
‘Hmm.’
After thinking for a moment, Yujin took out the Illusory Dream Heart Escape technique book he had obtained from the Five Elements Sect ruins.
“How about this?”
The middle-aged man caught the book that flew gently toward him through a water manipulation technique. He skimmed the first few pages, then glanced at Han Yujin.
“…May I ask where you obtained this technique?”
“I picked it up from an old ruin, so there’s no need to worry about its origin.”
“Hmm.”
He read a bit more, then nodded.
“Let’s trade.”
Han Yujin smiled inwardly as he watched the Bewildering Illusion Formation artifact fly into his hand.
It was the eighth day since the Cheonwon Castle lectures had begun.
Just like during the previous pill refinement lectures, a similar phenomenon occurred in the formation technique class. Those who couldn’t keep up with the pace dropped out one after another.
The formation technique lectures were even more brutal in that regard.
Song Jamun conducted the class as if daring anyone to try and follow along, to the point that even a few Core Formation investigators in attendance looked somewhat strained.
Naturally, Han Yujin, who stubbornly continued to attend, stood out immensely. Among the few remaining Dharma Soul stage investigators, he was the only one who fully understood the content and kept pace.
During the lecture, Song Jamun openly directed several questions at him. Yujin didn’t waste any of these opportunities and displayed his knowledge to the fullest. He even asked a few questions of his own in return.
‘They say professors melt for students like this.’
His thought proved correct. Song Jamun kept bursting into laughter and used him even more actively to advance the lecture.
“That will be all for today.”
After yet another highly productive formation technique lecture ended, Han Yujin remained in his seat even as the others left the hall. Many of those departing glanced at him with eyes full of envy and jealousy.
‘Today is the day the demonic beasts will attack.’
Indifferent to their stares, Yujin waited until only he and Song Jamun remained. He then rose and bowed respectfully.
“Senior, this junior has a personal question.”
“First, take this.”
Song Jamun handed him a jade slip and said,
“It’s a jade slip I created long ago containing my explanations on array dao. You seem qualified to receive it.”
“Ah…”
From the name, he could roughly guess it was similar to the pill refinement primer he had received from Won Baekryeong during the previous alchemy lectures.
“Thank you sincerely, Senior. This will be of tremendous help to me.”
“Hahaha, good. You said you had something to ask?”
Steel himself, Han Yujin asked boldly.
“Knowing that I have disguised my identity, why do you not question it?”
“So that’s what you were curious about? I thought you were going to ask when I would take you in as an outer disciple.”
With a completely casual attitude, the elder continued.
“People like you appear from time to time. Loose cultivators who take the place of sect disciples trying to avoid military service with their petty schemes.”
For a moment, everything became crystal clear to Han Yujin.
As a side note, “loose cultivator” referred to unaffiliated wandering practitioners.
“In truth, since their interests align, it’s hard for such corruption not to occur. Powerful sect disciples don’t care about compensation and only want safety. Loose cultivators want to accumulate merits in this relatively safe place called Cheonwon Castle. And there will always be those who secretly connect the two sides to profit…”
After a brief hesitation, Yujin asked again.
“But… couldn’t I be a spy for the demonic beasts?”
“Of course that’s possible. You could even be a spy for the demonic sects rather than the beasts. However, it seems you haven’t heard many details since arriving here. You didn’t even know about the restrictions placed on the Heavenly Learning Hall.”
Yujin almost let out an “Ah.”
If there were restrictions in place that inflicted negative effects on those connected to the demonic beasts or demonic sects, it made sense that Song Jamun hadn’t been particularly wary upon discovering him here.
Just because the main restriction in the city center had been neutralized didn’t mean all the restrictions in the castle had been disabled, after all.
“And have you not heard of our Taeqing Palace’s Taemyeong Heart Sutra? What do you think that verification I mentioned at the beginning was?”
“The Taemyeong Heart Sutra… I see. Everything makes sense now.”
He naturally had no idea what exactly that item was.
But from the name, he could roughly infer it was some kind of mirror-type treasure that reflected one’s inner heart to detect lies.
“This junior has acted recklessly and committed a fault.”
“It’s fine as long as you understand. Even if you had other reasons, it wouldn’t matter. As long as you prove you hold no malice toward our Taeqing Palace in front of the Taemyeong Heart Sutra, everything is acceptable.”
“I am confident on that point.”
After speaking, Han Yujin glanced at the identity jade plaque hanging at his waist.
“Um, the original owner of this jade plaque…”
“From the moment you become an outer disciple of Taeqing Palace, such trivial matters no longer need to concern you. Whatever punishment that fellow receives later has nothing to do with you, who possesses talent in formation techniques. Are you close to him?”
“Not at all.”
At the swift answer, Song Jamun nodded in satisfaction.
“I will be leaving this place in about half a month, so prepare yourself.”
“Understood.”
“Just in case, do not use the merits recorded on that jade plaque.”
“I understand.”
It was obvious where he would be going.
As for the warning about the merits, it was likely because he knew the central restriction would be restored today. However, he naturally wouldn’t know that it was a trap and that a full-scale demonic beast offensive was coming.
‘Taeqing Palace, huh…’
After parting with Song Jamun and leaving the grand hall, Han Yujin felt as though a new route had opened up in the Cheonwon Castle Frontline.
If the need ever arose, he would be able to enter the colossal, supremely powerful orthodox cultivation sect known as Taeqing Palace in a similar manner. Of course, if he looked for it, there would surely be cleaner and more sophisticated methods as well.
But that wasn’t something to test right now.
‘The goal of this visit has been achieved.’
He had learned formation techniques, received a related jade slip from the formation master Song Jamun, and even obtained several useful items from the small exchange meeting among Dharma Soul stage investigators. Expanding his horizons had been an added bonus.
‘Besides, even if I joined Taeqing Palace, I wouldn’t be able to gain anything more.’
Whether it was cultivation progress or any other item, it would all consume Karma. Since his goal was to obtain the Dragon Heart, he needed to avoid such waste.
‘Fortunately, I learned that I can convert spirit stones into Karma in reality…’
The period of hiding his identity probably wouldn’t last very long. Just like how he had learned formation techniques this time, there might not be enough time to polish his skills in other areas either.
‘Then, as a final step, shall I check my current strength?’
The demonic beasts would soon attack. He would be able to fight them to his heart’s content and experience just how much he had changed since last time.
Naturally, his thoughts turned to the scorpion mantis demonic beast that had killed him during the previous visit. He was quite curious to see what would happen if he faced it again.
With light steps unbefitting someone about to enter battle, he headed toward the castle walls.