The Difference Between Nae Cheonha and Nae Simryeo
After flying on a flight artifact for half a shichen, they entered a cave that appeared deserted. Inside the cave, he pulled out the storage ring obtained from killing the Golden Sword Stronghold's investigators and checked its contents.
The first item was a low-grade Earthfire Talisman. Three mid-grade ones had been heavily depleted while blocking the Fire Dragon Formation, but they seemed usable a few more times, so he kept them. When he emptied everything from the storage ring, two hundred low-grade spirit stones tumbled out.
There weren't many spirit stones, but he was surprised to find items from the auction inside the ring. There was a Demon Gathering Pill that boosted both spell and body cultivation, a Yin Soul Bottle for collecting souls, and even a jade slip inscribed with information about ruins.
The Demon Gathering Pill would be perfect for the bottleneck from Qi Refining 10th star to Core Formation, and the Yin Soul Bottle might come in handy later. He stored both back in his own storage ring.
He read the jade slip about the ruins. It described the tomb of the North Wind Palace's founding palace lord hidden somewhere in the Gaun Mountains. There were no exact coordinates or paths—just that it was in the northernmost depths of the Gaun Mountains, a tomb untouched by light.
At his current level, the deep north of the Gaun Mountains was too dangerous, so he decided to go later once he had precise info or advanced his cultivation. He memorized the jade slip's contents and stored it away.
The golden longsword carried by the Golden Sword Stronghold investigators had an unknown seal when inspected with his divine sense, making it unusable. Since he couldn't wield it and it might even allow tracking from the stronghold, he decided to discard it.
There were also bottles of unidentified pills. He sniffed one and scanned it with divine sense—it seemed to be for healing internal injuries—so he pocketed them in the storage ring.
He burned all the useless items with a Fireball Spell and erased the traces. He buried the golden sword artifact and empty storage rings deep in a pit outside the cave.
After cleaning up thoroughly, instead of heading back to the Unkak Sect, he flew north for a good while until he was far from the cave, then turned toward the sect.
This Dancheol Fortress trip had yielded plenty beyond the formation artifact, lifting his mood. Back at the sect, he'd install the Vault Formation in the cave with the formation artifact, and commission Baek Gong to craft armor from the Three-Eyed White Tiger's hide.
His silver armor was riddled with holes and beyond repair—he needed something new. What to do about saving Nae Simryeo? Should he tell Nae Cheonha? They were blood sisters despite their bad blood; mentioning he'd saved her sister might earn some small reward.
No. Given Nae Cheonha's personality, who knew how she'd react? Better to think it over more.
He spent the day low-flying across the Gaun Mountains toward the Unkak Sect. When his spell power ran low, he'd duck into rocky areas or caves to circulate qi and recover before continuing. Fortunately, no flying beasts this time—he made it back to the sect in half a month.
No sooner had he arrived than he relocated the spirit herbs beside the cave, then took out the black disc and deployed the Vault Formation. He embedded spirit stones at the formation's core and key points, pinched a spell gesture, and activated it.
As the Vault Formation activated, the ground trembled, and a golden barrier rose, enveloping the cave. His divine sense couldn't pass through the golden film. Punching it hard sent a strong rebound shock through his fist.
Now, only he, with the black disc, could freely enter and exit the Vault Formation. With it in place, he could safely grow his own spirit herb field. The problem? He had nothing to plant.
After returning from Dancheol Fortress, fatigue had built up without him realizing. Lying on his stone bed, lost in idle thoughts, he dozed off.
He woke the next morning and headed to Baek Gong's shop in the sect's central area. On the way, he ran into Byeok Soseol for the first time in ages.
"Byeok Junior Sister, long time no see."
Byeok Soseol looked slightly startled as she replied, "Yuseong Senior Brother, your cultivation has advanced?"
"Haha, every breakthrough meant dodging death a few more times."
"...You don't mind if I stop calling you senior brother?"
"Of course not. Sure, there's a gap in our cultivation, but you don't have to call me senior brother."
"Heading to the shop?"
"Yeah, my silver armor's trashed beyond repair, so I'm commissioning new armor from Baek Gong. What about you?"
"I need pills, so I'm off to the Mission Hall."
"Got it. If you need help, just say the word—I'll assist if it's within my power."
"No need. I've already received plenty from you, Senior Brother Yuseong."
After a brief chat with Byeok Soseol, he flew on to Baek Gong's shop. She was heading to the Mission Hall—he hoped it wasn't anything dangerous.
He arrived shortly and waited as the attendant fetched Senior Brother Baek Gong.
"Junior Brother Yuseong, what's up? Here to repair the silver armor again?"
"No, it's too damaged. I need new armor."
He pulled the Three-Eyed White Tiger's glossy white hide from his storage ring. "It's from a Three-Eyed White Tiger, but it resisted fiercely when caught, so it's somewhat singed."
"Ho, you already hunted a Three-Eyed White Tiger? Impressive growth. But as you said, the hide's not pristine. How do you want repairs?"
"Make armor, and whatever hide's left?"
"Twenty low-grade spirit stones for that. Plus materials."
"Understood."
He handed over twenty low-grade spirit stones from his ring.
"I'll send it to your cave via attendant once done."
"Thanks. I'll head out."
Leaving Baek Gong's shop, he went to Mibong Shop, run by Nae Cheonha.
Entering, he saw Hwang Danha—Nae Cheonha's eldest disciple—reading a book without a title.
"Greetings, Senior Sister Hwang."
Her cheeks flushed slightly as she snapped the book shut. "Junior Brother Yuseong, what brings you?"
"Ran out of Wood Vitality Powder—here to buy more."
Hwang Danha smirked slyly. "Ho, last time you took it without paying a single spirit stone, and now you're offering to pay up?"
"I said I'd patronize often, so of course I'd pay fair price."
"Fine, then. I'll sell you the top-quality stuff that reattaches limbs."
She pulled out a pouch of Wood Vitality Powder. He gave her one low-grade spirit stone.
"Junior Brother, you messing with me?"
He handed over three more.
Only then did she pass the pouch. "Can this reattach a head if it flies off?"
She loomed menacingly. "Wanna test?"
"No, thanks."
As he finished the deal and turned to leave, he hesitated. Should he ask Hwang Danha about Nae Simryeo? She might know something.
"Junior Brother, need anything else?"
"Has Senior Sister Hwang heard anything about Elder Nae's younger sister?"
"Master's sister? Never heard Master mention a sister..."
She hadn't even told her own disciple? Feigning innocence, he said, "Just wondering. I'll be off."
Hwang Danha grabbed his arm urgently. "Wait—you know something? Spill before I use Soul Search on you."
Soul Search on a fellow disciple...? What did she think of him? He wanted to scold her properly as a proud man, but held back since she was Core Formation mid-stage.
"Not for free."
"Trying to haggle with me?"
"Exactly. I give info, you give fitting compensation."
Telling Nae Cheonha directly about saving her sister was likely to backfire given their rift, so he chose the curious Hwang Danha instead. She might trade other info.
She sneered. "Look at you, Junior Brother—grown bold? Feels like you've tasted the world's dangers outside the sect."
"Still miles from you, Senior Sister."
"Deal. You share, I compensate fairly."
One night as reward? How stimulating if her prim face melted in ecstasy.
"One night... no."
"One night? What? Speak clearly."
"I'll share about Elder Nae's sister, but don't tell her I told you."
"Obviously. You think I'd admit digging out of curiosity?"
"Then I'll tell you first—decide the reward after."
He said that near Dancheol Fortress, Nae Simryeo had fought mysterious investigators, gotten cornered, and he'd lightly helped save her. He omitted her being a North Wind Palace survivor, the Golden Sword Stronghold fight, and wiping them with Fire Dragon Formation.
"So she claimed to be Master's sister, looked similar, and you bought it?"
"Yes."
Hwang Danha stroked her chin. "A bit thin? Enough to confirm she's Master's sister?"
Unbelieving, he blurted excitedly, "See her yourself—you'd have no choice but to believe. Just a bit bigger chest and hips, and she'd be Elder Nae exactly."