Chapter 25 – Success of the Plan

===================
Translated by Frog in the Well

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
===================

Jin So-myeong, who looked at the wasteland turned into a mess by the battle, moved diligently.

He recovered the flying sword that had flown far away, and did not forget to take So Yo-gwang’s storage pouch as well.

‘…Poor fellow.’

Seeing the guy who had died without even being able to spit out a word of excuse to Beom Chang, he observed a moment of silence.

After that.

Jin So-myeong, who was about to erase at least his own traces as much as possible and leave the spot, faltered.

He turned back unconsciously, and a huge crack carved into the ground caught his gaze.

It was large and deep enough for a person to be buried.

Literally, the terrain had changed. One could know how powerful the might of a Rank 1 highest-grade dharma treasure was.

“…”

Even the level of Qi Condensation was like this, so how powerful would a single blow of the Foundation Establishment monsters be?

Leaving the suddenly arisen thoughts behind, Jin So-myeong turned his gaze.

Slung.

Slinging Beom Chang, who was completely suppressed and fainted, over his shoulder, he fell into thought while moving to a remote place.

‘Certainly… I see the reason why mortals’ martial arts are treated with contempt.’

He felt many things through this fight.

He especially realized the power of strong dharma treasures keenly, and could see why cultivators focused on long-distance combat.

Cultivators’ attacks were too strong and fierce. If hit without defense, one could not even gather one’s bones.

Also, Beom Chang failed to even react to his swift sword from beginning to end.

Nevertheless, he injured him through defensive dharma treasures and drove him to the brink of death.

If Jin So-myeong had made even a single mistake, the victory and defeat would have been reversed.

‘True. There is no reason to laboriously train in martial arts when there are superior weapons available.’

Jin So-myeong, who was murmuring, looked down at his palm.

The skin torn due to the repulsive force created by colliding with the Qi barrier was unsightly.

His ruined appearance seemed to show the limit of martial arts…

His footsteps, as he stared blankly at his palm, grew slower and slower. Before he knew it, he stood completely still and stared blankly at only his palm.

He won today because he was lucky, but would it be so next time?

Wouldn’t it be wise to discard martial arts before it was too late and practice handling dharma treasures instead…?

In this world of immortals, martial arts were ultimately third-rate. It was merely the miscellaneous tricks of mortals, not immortal arts.

An anxiety that he must not waste time crept up stealthily.

‘But I don’t want to give up on martial arts…’

The reason was simple.

In fact, it was not even rational. It was just because martial arts were the first talent he had discovered in this world.

Complex thoughts followed one after another.

How much time had passed on earth?

“Huh?”

Jin So-myeong, who was standing blankly, faltered. As focus was caught in his hazy vision, something that had been invisible was seen.

The appearance of the wound had changed.

Just as he felt an itchiness on the skin that had turned like a rag, it had recovered to a noticeable degree before he knew it.

The recovery capability amplified by the Supreme Great Ability revealed its presence.

“Ah…”

Suddenly, his heart felt lightened.

It was true that martial arts had weaknesses. However, that was not an unresolvable factor.

If the risk of the body being harmed was extremely high, it sufficed to train the physical body robustly!

Also.

The result proves everything.

Beom Chang, armed with all sorts of high-grade dharma treasures, was fainted and carried like baggage. The fellow would soon become a slave, and he had won.

Could he obtain a dharma treasure more powerful than Beom Chang’s with Jin So-myeong’s identity?

No way!

No matter how many spirit stones he offered, it was difficult to obtain a Rank 1 highest-grade dharma treasure like the Shadow-Shattering Bell.

Even if he managed to obtain it with difficulty, what was next?

A Rank 2 or higher containing Foundation Establishment level power was absolutely impossible. Even if he met an honest seller, the result was the same.

This was because the moment Jin So-myeong revealed his wealth, all sorts of robbers would visit him with blades.

“The disadvantage of martial arts can just be improved. I must keep learning it. It will become my own weapon someday.”

Of course, he would not ignore the utility of dharma treasures. If there was a powerful dharma treasure, there was no reason not to use it.

It was just that where he placed the center of his mind was important.

“Hmm?”

Jin So-myeong, who was about to move his steps lightly, faltered.

Suddenly, for some reason, the world seemed bright.

Whether it was an illusion, his senses themselves felt sharper. Even if he closed his eyes, he could vaguely feel what was around him.

After contemplating for a long while, he could think of a suspicious reason.

‘They say that when cultivators’ state of mind hardens, their divine soul also becomes stronger. Could it be that?’

The divine soul, which lay somewhere between mental strength and the soul, had a major connection with senses.

If the divine soul became stronger above a certain level, it would even transform into an actual sensory organ.

At any rate, since it was a good thing, there was nothing to object to. He was only briefly anxious because he could not know the reason.

At that moment of smiling at the unexpected harvest.

“Ugh…”

Beom Chang, who was carried on his shoulder, squirmed.

Since the fainted guy had woken up, he no longer needed to carry him.

Without a single second of hesitation, he threw him down.

Thud!

“Argh! Wh-What is it! What bastard dares!”

The fellow, who fell flat on the ground without even being able to execute a breakfall, scowled.

As if a person who had not fully woken up from sleep, he did not seem to grasp his own situation properly.

Slap!

Slapping the cheek of the fellow who could not collect his senses, he crouched down.

He stared blankly at the fellow’s two eyes without a word.

“Y-You are…?”

How much time had passed?

Beom Chang’s pupils shook wildly, and then he opened his mouth wide.

“I lost…? No way!”

He felt so wronged that his eyes were even bloodshot.

He screamed as if unable to believe it, but that did not change the situation.

“Damn it… damn it! How could I, to a lowly fellow!”

He patted the cheeks of the fellow who was going wild because he could not believe, or rather did not want to believe, the reality that had approached.

“Hey, wake up. Don’t act like a child, and look at this.”

Swish!

He shoved the soul contract in his face. It was a contract with all sorts of bad terms written on it!

“…Insane.”

“Sign it. You should know what happens if you don’t without me having to say it, right?”

The terms written on the Soul Contract were diverse.

Obeying commands was natural, and the clauses preventing betrayal were thorough.

‘Just harboring malice toward me will cause a headache. If you try to execute it while ignoring the pain, you will die at that moment.’

It was much more vicious than the contract he had handed to So Yo-gwang.

It was natural. Since Beom Chang was the nephew of the Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivator, he had to suppress him properly.

Of course, there was absolutely no reason to pity him.

“Recall what you bastards tried to do to me. No, what you already did. If I had not dealt with it properly, I would be exploited by you by now.”

“Th-That.”

Seeing him turned into a tongue-tied mute was delightful.

Teasing the fellow, he fluttered the contract in front of his eyes.

“At least you wouldn’t feel wronged, right?”

“Ugh! Go away! Just kill me if you’re going to! Do you think I would become a slave to a lowly rogue cultivator like you!”

“Oh.”

“It is better to die than to sign such a contract!”

The fellow who gritted his teeth as if renewing his resolve was seemingly confident.

A madness that discarded even life was felt, but Jin So-myeong did not believe it. This was because the more one possessed, the more one feared losing.

“Good, good. Sure, you must have at least that much bravado. Let’s see how long you can endure.”

Flick!

He delivered a forehead flick to the flat and tempting forehead.

How strong was a Qi Condensation cultivator’s physical strength? It was at least to the extent of smashing trees just by clenching a fist.

Exerting such power fully, he flicked his finger.

Flick!

He struck the forehead that instantly turned red again and again. Along with a sound as if his skull was splitting, the fellow’s expression contorted.

“Y-You damn bastard!”

Of course, pain was pain, but the wound to his pride would be greater.

Born as the nephew of the Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivator who ruled Red Yang Market, had he ever received such treatment?

Flick!

The fellow widened his eyes. As if protecting his pride, he did not even dodge.

This was because since his dantian was suppressed from the start, there was no point in dodging.

Gritting his teeth to the point of making a crunching sound and staring as if to kill was the entirety of his resistance.

“I swear! I will definitely kill you miserably someday! Even all of your family!”

“Well… it will probably be difficult.”

Jin So-myeong’s real parents were on Earth.

This world? He did not know and had no interest.

This was because from the time he awakened his past life, he had been living the life of a serf sold for a few coins.

Smirking, he kept hitting the forehead.

Flick! Flick…! Flick!!

How many times was it repeated?

When Beom Chang’s forehead swelled like a lump. A scream-like shout, filled with thick killing intent, was heard.

“You son of a bitch! Just kill me if you’re going to! How long are you going to tease me!”

“If you want to die, go ahead and die on your own. I did not tie your hands and feet, so why do you only speak?”

“Wh-What…?”

The startled Beom Chang opened his mouth blankly.

The fellow’s pupils shook violently, appearing to have realized his own inner thoughts.

“I, I…”

“Where in the world is a person who wants to die? Wanting to live is not something to be ashamed of.”

Beom Chang could not reply anything and only budged his lips.

The attitude of being unable to do this or that suggested he was almost there.

Flick!

Simultaneously with delivering the final forehead flick. The fellow, who gritted his teeth, shouted.

“Stop! I will sign, so stop!”

“Tsk, tsk. You still haven’t come to your senses. Whenever it is just the two of us, always treat me politely.”

Swish!

The moment he raised his hand as if to deliver a forehead flick.

The flinching Beom Chang shut his eyes tightly and bowed his head.

“…Yes.”

After yielding once, it was easy.

Just like when contracting with So Yo-gwang, he consumed all of his Supreme Great Ability to strengthen the contract.

“Ah.”

Beom Chang, who was sitting down unable to stand up like a person ruined by gambling, spoke as if muttering.

“…What should I call you? Surely I do not have to call you master.”

“Hmm. I do not wish to be called master by a fellow like you, and since you might make a mistake in front of others, ‘brother’ will be suitable.”

“Understood. By the way, I was curious since before we fought… how on earth did you become the 4th layer of Qi Condensation? It is a miracle that you already rose to the 3rd layer with your aptitude.”

“Is that important?”

“…”

He gave a command to Beom Chang, who shook his head with an expression of having realized something.

“Cut the useless talk, I want to enter the Red Yang Sect through you. Is it possible?”

“The Red Yang Sect…? Damn it! If you want to enter, you can just do it! Did you make me a slave for just such a matter!”

Flick!

After punishing the fellow who was already acting impudent with a forehead flick, he spoke while clicking his tongue.

“Of course, if I enter through someone other than you, the terms of the contract wouldn’t be the worst. But that is all it is. I wouldn’t be able to escape being treated as a laborer.”

“…That is.”

“I am trying to enter the Red Yang Sect to devote myself to cultivation. I have absolutely no intention of working there.”

To be more precise, it was to increase his strength even by a speck before the Red Cloud Secret Realm opened.

“Ugh! Do you think the Red Yang Sect is some kind of giant immortal sect! Disciples who only cultivate without miscellaneous duties are a tiny minority!”

“Oh, so they do exist?”

“…To only cultivate, one must become an inner disciple. To do that, one must offer a part of one’s divine soul to the sect to prove loyalty. Because an inner disciple must not disobey commands.”

Beom Chang, who hesitated briefly, spoke next.

“But there’s no way you would accept such conditions, brother.”

“Naturally… you have to solve such a problem on your own. Do I have to say it for you to know?”

As he spoke shamelessly, the fellow’s face burned bright red.

He trembled for a long time with an expression as if he wanted to pour out a torrent of curses.

But could he do so?

Beom Chang, with tendons standing out on his jaw, barely answered.

“Understood. I will handle that much. My reputation will be shaved, but it is possible.”

After discussing the detailed plan with Beom Chang, who had regained his composure before he knew it, he released the dantian seal and parted ways.

“Go ahead and prepare in advance. I will visit in a month.”

The date to enter the Red Yang Sect was set to one month later.

This was to fully recover his Supreme Great Ability, and also because there were things to prepare before entering.

‘I need an escape route.’

Entering the Red Yang Sect where the Foundation Establishment old monster reigned was certainly a dangerous thing.

Although the benefits could be large depending on his actions, he must not forget that he was walking a tightrope.

There was nothing bad about preparing for when things went wrong.

This was because crisis and opportunity always coexisted as one.

Of course. Up until now, things had progressed well according to plan.

‘I’m almost there… entering the Red Yang Sect will at least double the probability of achieving Foundation Establishment.’

Cultivation resources of various kinds including spiritual veins were naturally obtainable, so there was no need to worry.

What was truly important was the numerous experiences left behind by seniors.

The intangible wealth accumulated by a sect with all kinds of efforts would all fall into his grasp.

‘I will also be able to concretely know what is needed to challenge Foundation Establishment.’

Recalling the countless benefits that were hard to even count individually, Jin So-myeong harbored anticipation.