A New Abode
Yin Ghost Senior, I hope you spend the rest of your life happily with your children.
"……."
He finished reading the book to the very end, then picked up another one. This next book described how the demonic cultivators of a sub-branch fled from the pursuit of Buddhist sects. The demonic cultivators of the sub-branch had hastily escaped from Feng Province, burying their cultivation resources in a cave there before leaving. The cave's location was Ganak Mountain in Feng Province.
If I have business in Fan Cheon Kingdom later, I'll go check out that cave on Ganak Mountain myself, he thought. It wasn't worth going right away—there was no guarantee the resources were still there, and leaving the Gaun Mountains for a distant place at his current realm would be too risky.
He shelved all the finished books and flew to the Library Pavilion to meet Yeop Inyeong. He wanted to ask her about the items he'd obtained from the training cave. With her vast knowledge, she might not know their uses, but at least their names.
As he climbed the stairs of the Library Pavilion, he greeted the monkey puppet.
"Hey? I'm Yeop Hall Lord's disciple now, so I can just go up, right?"
The monkey puppet stood silently. It no longer blocked his path.
Upon reaching the third floor of the Library Pavilion, he found Yeop Inyeong sipping tea.
"Greetings, Master."
"Yuseong, come have some tea."
"Yes."
He drank the tea she poured and recounted his trip to the training cave, then laid out his spoils: the vial of red liquid, the coin-shaped magic tool, the black ore, and the strangely shaped spirit herb he'd dug up again from the spirit herb field.
Yeop Inyeong examined the vial of red liquid first. She opened it, sniffed the contents, but shook her head as if she had no idea.
"I don't know this one either."
"Then, how do you use this coin-shaped magic tool…?"
Yeop Inyeong placed the coin on her palm and seemed to infuse it with mana. Moments later, it trembled and split into dozens of coins, flying around at high speed.
The magic tool that hadn't budged for him transformed into dazzling hidden weapons in her hands.
"You use it like hidden weapons."
"Why didn't it respond when I infused it with mana?"
"It's a magic tool that hasn't been used in ages. I've activated it now, so you should be able to handle it easily."
"I see."
At her gesture, the dozens of coins merged back into one. She handed it back to him and picked up the black ore.
"This is black light stone. It enhances the durability of magic tools when forging them. It's also usable in puppet cores, so save it for when you make puppets later."
So this is black light stone, he thought. He took it from Yeop Inyeong and showed her the odd spirit herb.
"What is this spirit herb?"
"This is… Soul Reversal Grass, thought to have gone extinct long ago. Cultivators use Soul Reversal Grass when they've lost their body and are seizing another's. It amplifies the power of their origin soul, making the possession smoother. Because it disrupts the order of the cultivation world, the major sects of the Seosan Continent eradicated it entirely."
"What should I do with this Soul Reversal Grass, since its spirit energy has all dissipated?"
"That's for you to decide."
He stored the Soul Reversal Grass in his storage ring to think about later. It was essentially dead anyway, with all its spirit energy gone.
"Thank you, Master. I've gained so much knowledge."
Yeop Inyeong smiled lightly.
"You're just going to use your master like this and leave?"
"Ah… no, how could I exploit someone as lofty as you, Master?"
"It feels like you're just picking my brain for what you want to know and then running off."
Her words hit the nail on the head. He'd planned to ask his questions and leave.
"I didn't want to waste your time…."
"Hoho, I have plenty of time, so don't worry."
In the end, he was held there listening to her stories for a full hour before being released. Had Yeop Inyeong always been so talkative? Or was she just happy to have a disciple?
Back at his cave, he entered the secret chamber for cultivation, practicing the consciousness training she'd taught him in his spare time. He needed to prepare steadily for when heart demons came.
While cultivating in the secret chamber, someone called from outside the cave. He paused his training and went out to find Park Eung, who always handled affairs at the Martial Hall.
"Senior Brother, aren't you busy with Martial Hall duties?"
"Yeop Hall Lord instructed me to come personally."
"Master's orders?"
"Yes. She said to give her disciple a new residence rich in spirit energy."
Thank you, Master!
Finally, time to leave this cave!
Park Eung pulled out a map of the Unkak Sect from his storage ring.
"The places rich in spirit energy are around Isolated Peak and Rock Peak. Which do you prefer, Junior Brother?"
The map showed many residences of Nascent Soul and Core Formation cultivators near Isolated Peak and Rock Peak. He didn't choose elsewhere just because they were crowded. He didn't need much space for cultivation—just a suitable spot for growing spirit herbs.
He pointed to a spot on Isolated Peak.
"This one."
"Excellent choice. You can move in right away—whatever suits you."
"Got it."
He dismantled the golden barrier formation, stored the formation magic tools in his ring, harvested all the spirit herbs from the field, and packed anything useful from the cave.
There wasn't much to pack, so preparations were quick. Leaving the familiar cave where he'd lived since joining the Unkak Sect felt a bit bittersweet.
"Farewell. I owe you a lot. Your next owner will be better than me."
He stroked the cave entrance, reminiscing briefly, then flew to Isolated Peak.
It wasn't as high as Sky Palace, where Sect Leader Wiyeon resided, but Isolated Peak was still quite lofty. Upon arrival, he sensed spirit energy different from his old cave.
First, he needed a spot for the spirit herb field. Exploring, he found the area near the pond richer in spirit energy. The soil there was firm and fertile, with no shade and plenty of sunlight.
Perfect for a spirit herb field.
He cleared the grass and rocks, then planted the spirit herbs from his old field at proper intervals.
He planted Hongsu, Radiant Mulberry Wood, Azure Heart Yin Herb, and Yellow Sea Mountain Herb in the new field, and finally the Soul Reversal Grass. He wasn't sure if it could revive, but he wanted to experiment. He planted it a bit away from the main field, camouflaging it among other grasses.
He watered them from the pond, then dug a cave for his new residence nearby. Wanting it larger than before, he summoned the turtle puppet to help dig.
He carefully crafted spaces for sleeping, cultivation, and entertaining guests. He set out stone bed, stone chairs, stone desk, and bookshelves in their places.
Stroking the turtle puppet's head, he said,
"Turtle, this is our new home. Like it?"
He manipulated it to nod.
"Hahaha, you like it too? I do as well."
Stepping outside, he admired the view. The pond brimmed with beautiful flowers and trees, surrounded by lush greenery. The spirit energy was far richer—his cultivation speed would accelerate.
But the entrance looked bare without a plaque. He'd make one himself. A nearby ginkgo tree was perfect. He cut a suitable piece, shaped it into a plaque, and took out a brush.
What to write? Master had given him this new place out of care for her disciple, so something like Hall of Master's Grace to remember her kindness.
With his talisman-script honed calligraphy, he elegantly inscribed "Hall of Master's Grace" on the plaque.
Now he had a residence and plaque. The spirit herb field was by the pond, but something still felt missing.
What is it? After pondering, he decided a pavilion by the pond would complete the scenery nicely.
He built the pavilion with nearby trees for steps and pillars, topping it with a curved roof that lifted slightly at the corners.
Finished, he sat in the pavilion admiring the vista—perfect. He left the pond's natural beauty untouched.
With the new abode complete, he thought of inviting his close senior and junior brothers for a celebratory banquet.
He roamed the Unkak Sect, asking who could attend a banquet in three days to mark his move. He'd expected no one due to cultivation, but surprisingly, many said yes: Hwang Danha, Jo Mihyeon, Byeok Soseol, Park Eung, Baek Gong, So Mu, I Dongbeon, and even Moyong Wol, who offered to help prepare.
It had been ages since he'd seen Byeok Soseol, so that was especially nice. Jo Mihyeon was the surprise—she'd overheard at Mibong Shop when he asked Hwang Danha and declared she'd come too.
Did she fall for me after I saved her life from Yin Ghost?
He kept the banquet small, hosting at the pavilion with food and drink. Gratefully, Moyong Wol volunteered to cook.
When did she learn to cook?
He left the food to Moyong Wol and bought liquor from various shops—worldly brews to spirit herb and fruit wines. The spirit wines were pricey, but fitting for the occasion.
Back home, he helped Moyong Wol with cooking.
"Yuseong, you'll ruin it—stay out of the way."
"Got it."
He left the food to her and cleaned the pavilion of dust.
Evening fell, and the banquet celebrating his new abode finally began.