Chapter 15 – Uninvited Guest

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Translated by Frog in the Well

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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Arriving at the wide wasteland, Jin So-myeong spread both arms wide.

Whoosh!

A cool wind brushed past his cheeks.

The flow of air, which he usually passed over without much thought, felt different today of all days.

The moment he concentrated his mind and cast the Wind Control Art.

The swirling gale mixed with the natural wind. It became a powerful wind and pushed his back.

Swish!

He did not go against the flow.

Simultaneously with kicking off the ground and leaping up, he reduced his body weight and floated riding the wind.

“…Ahahaha!”

His body drew a large parabola. Every time he stepped on the ground, the surrounding scenery swept past rapidly.

Whoosh!

It felt as if he had become one body with the strong wind that would shake even thick trees.

As time went on, acceleration was added and he became faster and faster.

Every time he took a breath, he advanced rapidly by 40 or 50 meters. It was a speed that was not easy for an ordinary person to even follow with the eyes.

Taat!

His elastic thigh muscles pushed off the ground, and his body, having floated in midair, shot like an arrow riding the wind.

“Ah!”

The feeling of being born on the ground and eventually rising to the sky was the best!

Would the feeling of riding the waves and splitting the sea be like this?

It felt as if he had become a bird soaring in the firmament.

He knew for the first time that spell cultivation was this fun. Indeed, a person felt rewarded when doing what they were good at.

‘What if I combine the Supreme Great Ability here too?’

The moment he, having gotten excited, consumed even a golden bead.

Whoosh—!

The surrounding scenery began to stretch out long. Because it was too fast, an optical illusion had occurred.

The resistance of the air that was blocking the front split by itself. It opened wide as if welcoming him.

‘Ugh!’

He, who almost lost his balance, barely managed to control his body. It was to the extent that it was difficult to maintain balance at the tremendous speed.

‘Amazing.’

He became faster by at least five-tenths!

He easily surpassed the mid-stage Qi Condensation level.

He did not know because he had never seen late-stage, but it seemed it would be difficult for them to catch up easily either.

“Hahahahaha!”

In the harsh world, his heart lightened at the fact that his means of self-defense had increased.

Now, something like mid-stage Qi Condensation was not scary at all.

Whoosh!

Jin So-myeong, who was floating in the sky while drawing a large parabola, shone his eyes.

To use the Wind Control Art in real combat, just being fast was meaningless. One had to be able to change direction at will.

He focused while looking at the ground that was rapidly closing in due to gravity.

Taat!

The brief instant when the soles of his feet stepped on the ground.

He twisted his entire body joints sharply. Ignoring the inertia that had tilted rapidly, he changed the running direction.

The broken balance was set straight using the wind.

‘Succeeded!’

It was a considerably unreasonable movement, but his strong body endured it.

While rejoicing, he continued to cast the Wind Control Art. He did not stop until the spiritual Qi in his dantian was about three-tenths remaining.

“Hua.”

Before he knew it, two hours had passed.

Because he cultivated enjoyably, he did not know how time passed.

With a pleasant feeling of exhaustion. Exactly when he returned to the cave dwelling in the Inner City.

He encountered an uninvited guest who was loitering in front of his house.

“Oh! It seems you went out. I thought Daoist was inside and pretending not to know. Hahaha!”

To the uninvited guest who approached relentlessly without room to avoid, Jin So-myeong asked with an expression full of vigilance.

“…Who are you?”

“I am a messenger who came to deliver a letter. I came to find Daoist Jin So-myeong, are you the person yourself?”

Jin So-myeong, who was frowning, shook his head.

Right now, he was disguised using the Faceless Mask. Of course, he had not transformed into a completely different appearance.

It slightly resembled Jin So-myeong’s original appearance, but exactly just that much.

He had disguised himself so that one could clearly know he was a different person if looked at closely.

This was because during the days when he did not know about the Faceless Mask, he had met Deacon Ju Hong while renting the cave dwelling.

He also raised his age to the mid-twenties.

This was because in the Red Yang Market, a young fifteen-year-old boy had aspects that were conspicuous in any case.

In any case, although he slightly resembled Jin So-myeong now, he was definitely a different person.

Infusing plenty of emotion full of annoyance, he said to the uninvited guest with a grimace.

“Jin So-myeong? I do not know who that is, but why are you looking for that person here?”

“Mmm… Is it really not? There was a story that Jin So-myeong entered this cave dwelling. For your information, the letter I have to deliver is very important.”

The man who claimed to be a messenger narrowed his eyes.

He openly began to scan Jin So-myeong’s face intently.

He even, rudely, cast the Spirit Eye Art to observe!

“Ha. What do you think you are doing now? You have no manners! Are you trying to pick a fight in the Inner City?”

“I am sorry. Please give me just a moment. I have a letter that I must deliver to Daoist Jin So-myeong.”

He was very stubborn.

He continued to examine regardless of Jin So-myeong’s expression turning fierce.

Almost over a minute.

Only after a terribly awkward time passed did the man smile bashfully and speak.

“My… It seems someone misunderstood because Daoist resembles Jin So-myeong. I am sorry for disturbing you. Then, I shall take my leave.”

Swish!

The uninvited guest who had suddenly visited left just like that. There was no proper explanation or compensation.

“…”

Standing still, Jin So-myeong, who was staring at the back of the messenger, frowned.

He could not let a suspicious fellow go like this.

Stealthily.

Consuming even the Supreme Great Ability, he cast the Breath Concealing Art with all his might.

In a state where his presence had faded like an invisible man. He quietly followed behind the man.

The fellow’s vigilance was quite outstanding.

He passed through complicated alleys several times and kept guarding his rear constantly.

However, he could not pierce through the stealth spell of the Supreme Great Ability. It was because his fundamental strength was lacking.

Jin So-myeong, who killed his presence, tracked him for quite a while.

Finally, he succeeded in finding out the messenger’s true identity and destination.

‘…Red Yang Sect?’

The man walked grandly toward the main gate of the Red Yang Sect.

“Brother Beom Chang. I have returned.”

“How is it. Did you check?”

Seeing his attitude of greeting the gatekeeper familiarly, it was clear he belonged to the Red Yang Sect.

Watching the two men, Jin So-myeong narrowed his eyes.

‘That bastard is…’

The face of the gatekeeper called Beom Chang was familiar.

It was that son of a bitch who had forced a slave contract on him a few months ago!

‘He was at the 5th layer of Qi Condensation.’

Was it because his realm had risen to the 3rd layer? The fellow’s realm, which was not visible before, was clearly felt.

After pondering for a moment, Jin So-myeong approached the main gate.

This was because he was curious about what conversation they would share.

“Brother. It seems he is not Yeo Dong-bin either. He slightly resembles Jin So-myeong, but that is all. He was definitely a different person.”

The expression of the gatekeeper called Beom Chang turned fierce. His already ugly face distorted suddenly.

“Not that guy either? Are you certain?”

“Yes. I verified it myself using even the Spirit Eye Art. The age is also different. Judging by the bone structure, Yeo Dong-bin is definitely over twenty years old.”

Beom Chang flared up while glaring at the messenger.

“Damn it! If it is not that guy either, then who on earth is it? Did you not say that Yeo Dong-bin was the last cultivator who newly appeared in the Red Yang Market after Jin So-myeong vanished!”

“Well… There are a few suspicious people, but in fact, the probability is extremely low. Starting from the realm, they are completely different from Jin So-myeong.”

“Pui!”

Beom Chang, who spat out thick phlegm, shouted.

“Damn it! I thought a barely usable slave was finally coming along!”

“Brother. Let’s just give up. That guy Jin So-myeong seems to have already died. No matter how much we search, there are no traces.”

“Jin So-myeong, that foolish bastard! To go up Mount Red Yang like an idiot and die! Aigoo, it’s such a waste I could die!”

Unable to overcome his anger, Beom Chang stomped the ground hard.

Up to his face turned red as if he were a person who had lost money.

The man who was rolling his eyeballs comforted him.

“Brother. Aren’t things like early Qi Condensation overflowing in the market? Let’s go with another person. The idiots contracted this month alone already exceed three.”

“Ha! Do not speak of what you do not know! Even if we trick clumsy fellows, how many spirit stones would we get? You do not know how tenacious that kid Jin So-myeong is, which is why you say such things!”

“Hey, Brother. I heard that guy is fifteen years old, but how tenacious can a kid be even if he is tenacious.”

“Hmph! It is true the guy has nothing to his name, but he is a fellow born with a talent for surviving in dangerous regions. Would you believe it if I said Jin So-myeong climbed Mount Red Yang for three years with a mortal body?”

The messenger’s eyes widened.

“Th-three years? That dangerous place?”

“Yes! If you show a little hope to those kinds of guys, they run in like dogs while even risking their lives! It would have been perfect to make him fetch a Foundation Establishment spiritual item from the Red Cloud Secret Realm that will open soon. What a waste, truly a waste!”

“Mmm… Brother. Could an early Qi Condensation fellow even survive with his life in the Red Cloud Secret Realm? In nine cases out of ten, he will die. The probability of fetching a Foundation Establishment spiritual item will not be even 10 percent, no, not even 1 percent.”

“Foolish! What does it matter if it is 1 percent? Since my life is not in danger, is there any reason not to send him?”

“…Yes?”

“If I gather dozens of guys like Jin So-myeong and drive them into the secret realm, it is not impossible for me to obtain a Foundation Establishment spiritual item either!”

The messenger, whose mouth gaped open, spoke as if he were truly admiring.

“Indeed! Younger brother has had his eyes opened today. As expected, Brother’s thinking itself is different from a fellow like me. You are truly amazing!”

“Hmph. If you understand, check the fellows suspected of being Jin So-myeong again.”

“Yes, Brother. Do not worry.”

The man who rolled his eyeballs while reading his mood spoke in an insinuating tone.

“Brother. Honestly, leave the fellow who has a high probability of having died to me, and let us go to a brothel together today.”

“Brothel…?”

Beom Chang, who smacked his lips several times, shook his head.

“No! A gentleman must keep away from female beauty. Since I must strive in cultivation, you go ahead and go a lot.”

“Are you really not going? There is a courtesan newly entered in the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, and her body is indeed superb.”

“…Just how great is it?”

“Hehe. Since she is a Drunken Immortal Pavilion courtesan in name, her body will naturally be perfect without needing mention. However, there is something more important separate. Do you know what that wench’s natal cultivation method is?”

“No matter how outstanding a courtesan’s cultivation method is, how great can it… Wait. Could it be?”

“That is right! She has learned a proper dual cultivation method flowed out from the Joyous Union Sect!”

“Dual Cultivation Method! Is it true?”

“Of course. Would I dare deceive Brother? If you dual cultivate with that woman, it is said your realm will rise as if you had cultivated for a full week!”

Leaving behind the guys who were chatting about women before they knew it.

Jin So-myeong left the place.

His eyes had turned cold like a sheet of ice long ago.

‘Red Yang Sect. If you bastards insist on touching me… I will not avoid it.’

Also, there was a fact he came to know through their conversation. It became almost certain that Bang Il, the owner of the Spirit Elixir Pavilion, had sold his information.

The people who knew the information that he had climbed Mount Red Yang for three years were few to begin with.

If there was a unique suspect, it was indeed Bang Il.

‘Pretending to be a trustworthy merchant. To sell a person for a mere penny of profit.’

However, it was also true that he had entered cultivation thanks to Bang Il. Thinking of the gratitude and resentment regarding him, he remembered it in a corner of his heart.

However, Beom Chang was different.

The fellow had forced a slave contract and threatened him. Even if he had stopped there, it would be the worst, but he had even made inquiries while harboring malice.

No matter how much he thought about it, there was not a single reason to let him off.

‘How should I handle him?’

Narrowing his eyes, Jin So-myeong sank into deep thought.

Fighting the entire Red Yang Sect head-on was merely a waste of time. They did not have that much value.

The most important thing was cultivation. He must never forget this fact.

‘However… there is no harm in dealing a moderate blow.’

Even a giant dam collapses from a single small hole.

He intended to harass him within a range that would not interfere with his cultivation.

The more chaotic the ruling powers of the Red Yang Market became, the more advantageous it was for him, a rogue cultivator.

‘The gatekeeper. Did they say that fellow’s name was Beom Chang.’

Jin So-myeong’s face, having stroked the Faceless Mask, changed completely.

Transforming into a magnanimous man in his mid-forties, he headed toward a tavern.

Beom Chang. Since he was a fellow who behaved with eyes atop his head, it was obvious he would have many enemies.

He intended to start from investigating the fellow.