Chapter 28 – Just Give Me a Thousand Spirit Stones

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Translated by Frog in the Well

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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“Now we must assign your personal cave dwelling… I will recommend the best place possible.”

Unfurl!

The disciple, who unfurled a large scroll map, pointed to a certain spot.

“How about here? It is a Rank 1 mid-grade cave dwelling that became vacant recently, and it is quite a decent place.”

Surrounded by three spiritual mountains, the air was clear, and it was flat, making it a cave dwelling clearly good to live in at a glance.

“Rank 1 mid-grade… What is the rent?”

“Haha. Junior Brother Jin is quite an interesting person. Naturally, it is free. It is the basic welfare provided to inner disciples.”

“Basic welfare?”

“Yes. The Red Yang Sect is a place that rewards you as much as you show loyalty. If you perform your duties diligently, you will be supported with a cave dwelling as well as medicinal pills for cultivation every month.”

“…”

Do work?

Of course he had no intention of doing so. But he did not show it off particularly and merely nodded.

“Anyway, what will you do about the cave dwelling? The place I recommended should be the most decent. Shall we confirm this place?”

Jin So-myeong did not agree immediately and fell into thought.

What was the reason he entered the Red Yang Sect at the risk of danger?

It was to increase his cultivation speed exponentially. It was a pity to be satisfied with a mid-grade cave dwelling.

“Is it not possible to pay some spirit stones and change to a Rank 1 high-grade spiritual vein?”

“H-High-grade? It is possible, but you must pay contribution points instead of spirit stones. And contribution points can be obtained by performing duties assigned by the Red Yang Sect.”

“…”

“Junior Brother Jin has just entered, so naturally you wouldn’t have contribution points. I am sorry, but it is impossible.”

Jin So-myeong glanced sideways.

He stared blankly at Beom Chang, the slave he had painstakingly acquired.

He hoped that his brother would be quick-witted.

“…Ahem! Does it make sense for my brother to cultivate at a mere mid-grade spiritual vein? Change it to high-grade!”

“S-Senior Brother! That really won’t do! Do you not know that all high-grade spiritual veins are strictly managed!”

Whether those words were not a lie, even Beom Chang could not refute for a moment.

Hesitating for a very brief moment, he shouted loudly.

“Cannot I pay the contribution points instead! Proceed immediately!”

“Yes?”

“Did you not understand? Brother Jin is my brother, so I mean assign him to the best spiritual vein possible!”

“U-Understood.”

The disciple, who wore an expression of doubting whether his ears functioned properly, flinched.

Bowing his head submissively, he moved hurriedly.

Handing a wooden plaque to Jin So-myeong, he spoke.

“This is the formation plate of the high-grade cave dwelling. If you activate it in front of the cave dwelling, the entrance of the formation will open.”

“Thank you, Senior Brother.”

“It is my job, so there is no need to thank me. And… all inner disciples can choose two cultivation methods or spells from the Sutra Pavilion and learn them for free. Please keep that in mind.”

Telling him various pieces of advice he had not even asked for was very kind, but he did not make a mistake.

All that favor originated from Beom Chang’s status.

“Haha! Good. Now everything is finished. Brother Jin. Welcome to becoming a fellow disciple of the Red Yang Sect. Then, I shall now…”

“Brother Beom Chang. Actually, I have something important to tell you. Could you go with me to my cave dwelling?”

“…Sure, I will do that.”

He held back the slave fellow who was trying to leave as if fleeing as soon as the work was handled.

At that moment when he was heading to the new cave dwelling with Beom Chang, who looked as if he had chewed a sour persimmon.

Swish!

A blue sparrow flew over pattering and circled around Beom Chang.

Chirp!

The moment the bird let out a short chirp. It transformed into thick spiritual Qi and permeated into Beom Chang’s head.

‘It wasn’t a living bird?’

Just as Jin So-myeong narrowed his eyes. Beom Chang, startled, shouted in panic.

“Brother! My uncle suddenly called me, so I must go quickly.”

“Your uncle?”

The bird, which he had thought was a living creature for a moment because it was so natural, turned out to be merely a spell to transmit news.

At any rate, if it was Beom Chang’s uncle, it was a Foundation Establishment old monster.

Jin So-myeong, who was contemplating something, said with a bright smile.

“Since the Grand Cultivator calls you, of course you must go. Because you are a wise person, brother, I believe you know well how to behave.”

“O-Of course! Naturally.”

“Ah! The part about me having something to say is real. Once your business is done, please come find me.”

“…Yes.”

The flinching Beom Chang nodded his head and then hurriedly left the spot. He flew toward the depths of the Red Yang Sect.

*

“Whew… Damn it. Serving a kid is truly difficult.”

Beom Chang, who was grumbling, checked his attire. After inspecting his clothing, he squared his shoulders.

With a confident smile, he entered the grand hall that was as luxurious as a palace.

In the center of the main hall, wide enough for dozens of people to run and play.

Toward the man sitting cross-legged on a simple straw cushion, Beom Seong-jin, he bowed his head politely.

“I greet you, Uncle.”

“Have you come?”

Despite already being an old man close to eighty, the wrinkleless man who still looked like a middle-aged man opened his eyes slowly.

“…Hmm? What is wrong with your complexion? Did you perhaps get injured? Who on earth dared! Speak immediately! I will teach him a lesson!”

Beom Chang was flustered.

He thought he had hidden it as much as possible, but the observation capability of the Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivator was on a different level.

Gulp.

Swallowing his dry saliva, he conflicted. Should he reveal the truth to Uncle Beom Seong-jin even now?

An instant that was not even enough time to blink an eye.

“N-No. I just got slightly injured while hunting demonic beasts after a long time. Haha…”

His slowly opening mouth spat out different words.

This was because the soul contract situated deep between his eyebrows threatened him.

The power of the contract was powerful to an incomprehensible degree.

Just by harboring malice for a single moment, his heart felt tight.

It was clear that if he actually tried to betray his master, he would die before he could even utter a single word.

“Demonic beasts?”

“Yes. I am completely healed now, so you do not need to worry.”

Clicking his tongue, Beom Seong-jin spoke with a stern expression.

“Did I not say that since you are not of a trivial status, you do not need to do such hard work?”

“Uncle. I am also no longer a young ch—”

Beom Chang, who was about to reply something, suddenly shut his mouth.

This was because, recalling what he had experienced a month ago, he could by no means refute it.

“Hmm. Something has been strange since a moment ago. Beom Chang. Is it really because of demonic beasts?”

“…Actually. Under the pretext of hunting demonic beasts, I dealt with one of my subordinates.”

The Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivator who questioned persistently faltered. His expression turned serious.

“You dealt with a subordinate?”

“Yes. One named So Yo-gwang… Since he is a fellow with no backing or the like, you do not need to worry.”

Beom Seong-jin, who contemplated for a moment, spoke.

“I remember. You mean that kid who used to act haughty, claiming to be your right hand?”

“That is right. Since he kept talking back lately, appearing to have grown too big for his boots, I dealt with him under a suitable excuse.”

Even after hearing that he had killed a fellow disciple of the Red Yang Sect, the old man did not get angry.

Rather, he praised him with a solemn expression.

“Well done. Underlings must not be treated too well. Eventually, they try to sit on their master’s head. You must have felt it well this time.”

“Uncle’s words are correct. Had I known it would be like this, I should have handled him more severely…”

In a way, it was true.

This was because if he had gripped So Yo-gwang tightly, he would not have betrayed him so easily.

Self-mockery formed at Beom Chang’s mouth.

In his voice, regret that only those who realized through experience could feel was keenly contained.

The solemn Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivator’s expression relaxed slightly. Wearing a pleased smile, he spoke.

“It is fine as long as you understood. If you learned from this opportunity, it is rather a good thing for you. By the way, you took in another subordinate?”

“Yes. Uncle.”

Beom Chang, who swallowed his saliva, bowed his head politely.

The Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivator was indeed different.

While sitting quietly in his cave dwelling, he thoroughly saw through what was happening in the Red Yang Sect.

“Taking in a subordinate is good. But why did you spend even your contribution points to move his cave dwelling?”

“That is… since I plan to use him as my right hand for the time being, I gave him some bait. I also have my dignity, and wouldn’t it be embarrassing if my subordinate cultivated at a mid-grade spiritual vein? …Ahahaha.”

“Right hand? In place of that So boy you used before?”

“Yes.”

The Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivator frowned.

“You said it is Jin So-myeong. From what I looked into roughly, I heard that child luckily rose to the 3rd layer of Qi Condensation, but his aptitude is humble.”

“…So isn’t that even better? Since he has no talent, he will cling to me, his sole hope, and wag his tail.”

“Hmm. Is that all?”

At the attitude that was as if testing him, Beom Chang answered immediately.

“Since he has no possibility of achieving Foundation Establishment no matter how hard he tries, there will be no threat to me either. Even if I use him a bit roughly, he won’t be able to rebel.”

“As expected! Your thoughts are deep, worthy of my nephew. Good! Handle him well this time. Changing subordinates too frequently is also not good for your reputation. Even if you do not like him, do not discard him immediately; admonish him and try to correct and reuse him.”

“…Yes. Uncle.”

“This time, thanks to you, he must be touched after tasting a high-grade spiritual vein for the first time in his life. Remind him so he does not forget the grace. And you must absolutely not treat him well for the time being.”

“Do not treat him well?”

“Yes. Since you gave him bait once, you must strike the whip harshly to imprint fear deep into his bones.”

“…Understood. Do not worry. Your nephew will do well.”

Beom Chang’s expression and answer were polite, but his inner mind was rotting.

What on earth was he going to do well?

His life had already been ruined long ago.

Thinking of Jin So-myeong whom he had to serve as master made his head ache.

Far from admonishing that young kid, he had to ponder how to look good to him.

He felt stuffy as if something was blocked in his solar plexus, but he could not show it to anyone.

“Remember. It is convenient to handle underlings with fear.”

“Yes, Uncle.”

“Good. If you understood, go.”

Beom Chang, who bowed politely, withdrew.

Coming out of the palace-like cave dwelling of the Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivator, he walked tread-by-tread for a long time and looked up at the sky.

“…I really don’t want to live.”

The expression he had maintained calmly in front of his uncle collapsed. It contorted wildly as if he had chewed on a caterpillar while eating an apple.

“Jin So-myeong, this son of a bitch… Argh!?”

The moment he harbored even a slight hostility toward his master, the punishment of the contract arrived.

The intense pain, which felt as if his soul was being torn, choked his breath.

“Gurgle…”

Beom Chang, who writhed while unable to even breathe properly, hurriedly emptied his resentful mind.

Perspiring in cold sweat, he could regain a normal state only after a long time had passed.

“Damn brat. We’ll see, someday I will definitely tear your limbs… Argh!?”

Having been hit again like a fool, he hurriedly emptied his head. He stopped thinking altogether and focused only on breathing.

“Pant, pant!”

Shoveling breath roughly.

Beom Chang, who forced his mind to calm down, went to find Jin So-myeong.

Naturally he did not want to go, but there was no choice. If he did not want to die, he had to obey commands.

Although he walked as slowly as possible, he soon arrived at the cave dwelling and met the gaze of Jin So-myeong, who was inspecting the high-grade spiritual vein.

“…Brother. I have come. I went to see my uncle as you said earlier and came straight here.”

“What did the Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivator say?”

“It was nothing major. He just gave some routine nagging.”

“Is that so… Good. Putting that aside.”

Even before Beom Chang could finish his greeting properly. Jin So-myeong, who stared blankly at him, spoke in a light tone.

“Hey, brother. Do you have some spirit stones?”

“…Yes?”

It was as natural as asking about the weather, but the content was unusual.

“W-What did you just say…”

“Your brother entered the Red Yang Sect, so surely you don’t intend not to give a gift? I have an urgent use, so give me a thousand spirit stones.”

“Insane! H-How much?”

“One thousand! I mean a thousand, a thousand. You don’t understand my words well. Are my words hard?”

Beom Chang’s complexion turned yellow at Jin So-myeong’s shameless attitude.

An entry gift, what did that mean! Had he not already moved his cave dwelling.

A Rank 1 high-grade cave dwelling was not leased to others in the first place, but if one really were to rent it with spirit stones, one had to pay three hundred a month.

Yet he lent him such a valuable place!

At Jin So-myeong’s attitude of not even mentioning that matter, the back of his neck tingled.

‘Damn it!’

The words of his uncle that he must absolutely not treat him well for the time being came to mind, but what could he do.

He was not the superior, but merely a slave.