Chapter 4 – Bang Il’s Advice

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Translated by Frog in the Well

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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As Jin So-myeong waved his hand, the hologram-like status window dispersed.

‘Shall I head out soon?’

It had already been a month since he last went outside the house.

Since he had stabilized his realm by now and the food he had stored up had run out, it was time to go out.

‘Come to think of it, Bang Il, the owner of the Spirit Elixir Pavilion, told me to come visit once if I became a Qi Condensation cultivator.’

Thanks to Bang Il, he had obtained a Spirit Stone and stepped onto the path of cultivating immortality.

In fact, it was merely a fair transaction, but what he was grateful for was just that.

This was because in the cultivation world ruled by the law of the jungle and stained with violence, even such a ‘fair’ transaction itself was not easy.

Resolving to repay the favor to Bang Il someday when he had the opportunity, he left the house.

“Mm.”

Standing under the bright sun for the first time in a while, his emotions were deep; as he walked the streets in broad daylight, numerous changes caught his eye.

The stalls filling the streets looked different today of all days.

‘Is that… the Three-Color Herb?’

Although it was certainly a grass he had frequently seen, it felt unfamiliar; it was because his senses themselves had changed upon becoming a Qi Condensation cultivator.

Although it was the Three-Color Herb that he had previously just thought of as a colorful medicinal herb and left at that, he now properly realized the reason why it was called a spiritual herb.

The spiritual Qi condensed in the Three-Color Herb was so thick that it felt almost like a Spirit Stone in the shape of grass.

‘Indeed. Since spiritual Qi is so abundant like that, it must be used as an ingredient for pills.’

The change in his eyes was pleasing; as his spiritual perception grew sensitive, he became able to distinguish between miraculous ingredients and ordinary items.

Furthermore, he also became able to distinguish between mortals and cultivators.

The cultivators who had entered Qi Condensation all possessed an energy exuding like an aura.

He could naturally figure out the ratio of mortals and cultivators; four out of ten people were cultivators.

‘Only forty percent are cultivators?’

It was hard to believe because it was fewer than he had thought.

Despite the Red Yang Market being a town of cultivators, the proportion of mortals was high.

‘…No. It’s just that I cannot see through them with my ability; almost everyone is a cultivator.’

Before needlessly getting into a fight, he quietly turned his gaze away.

Among cultivators, there were many eccentric and violent people; a fight could be picked just because one looked at them.

Finishing his sightseeing, he hurried his steps.

At the moment he arrived at the Spirit Elixir Pavilion.

The Qi Condensation girl who was on the first floor spoke with wide eyes.

“Huh? You were definitely a mortal. When on earth did you become a Qi Condensation cultivator?”

“I luckily entered the stage not long ago.”

Pouting her lips, the girl scoffed softly with a ‘Hmph’.

“Even so, it’s just the first layer of Qi Condensation; I am already at the second layer. Anyway, did you come to sell dew again?”

“No. I came because Senior Bang Il called for me.”

“What? Hold on!”

Narrowing her cute brow as much as possible, the girl blocked the way.

Just as his steps naturally halted, a blue haze flickered in her eyes.

‘Spirit Eye Art!’

Startled, Jin So-myeong stood still, pretending to know nothing.

The Spirit Eye Art was an eye technique that enhanced eyesight to see through illusions and could also examine the talent of a cultivator’s Spiritual Root.

Of course, examining another person without permission was naturally an impolite act, but he merely sighed.

Being young and weak was a sin.

‘By the way, her talent is remarkable; to use a spell while only at the second layer of Qi Condensation.’

Although the Spirit Eye Art was a basic eye technique, it was not easy for early Qi Condensation cultivators to handle; since it was a spell associated with the optic nerve, there was a risk of vision damage if a mistake was made.

For a girl at the second layer of Qi Condensation to use an eye technique. It meant her talent was outstanding.

“What, it’s just a Mixed Spiritual Root. You are nothing compared to me, so why does he keep calling you? Surely he isn’t going to take you in as a disciple, is he?”

“Who knows.”

“…Hmph. Go up quickly; don’t keep Master waiting.”

Passing by her, he went up to the second floor of the Spirit Elixir Pavilion.

He did not wait long before someone came down from the third floor. It was Bang Il, the owner of the Spirit Elixir Pavilion, who wore a smile like a friendly merchant.

“The kid has co… No. Now that you have also entered Qi Condensation, I should call you Daoist friend.”

“No. Senior Bang Il, you may just call me kid.”

“Hmm? Really?”

“Yes.”

Examining Jin So-myeong as if observing him, Bang Il nodded with a satisfied expression. He seemed to like the polite attitude.

“Good. With that kind of attitude, you won’t suffer a great loss wherever you go; there is nothing bad about acting humbly.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Jin So-myeong nodded without a word, but in truth, his inner feelings were different.

Even from his past life, he possessed plenty of a rebellious temperament. He was by no means of an obedient disposition.

Acting submissive like this was a kind of survival strategy, and also because Bang Il had helped him.

In any case, he had no intention of sparking an argument with Bang Il by revealing his true feelings.

Although it was true that the man had helped, it was because he did not consider him as someone he could truly trust.

“Mhm! Good. I didn’t misjudge you.”

Pleased like a benevolent elder, Bang Il spoke.

“By the way, since you didn’t come for a month, I thought you were dead. I thought you went to Mount Red Yang while ignoring my words. Hehe.”

“I apologize for being late. Because it took me a whole month to stabilize my realm and adapt.”

“Ah… Usually, the more lacking one’s talent is, the harder it is to stabilize… Ahem! No. Forget it. It’s fine as long as you stabilized it. Anyway, congratulations on entering Qi Condensation.”

“Thank you. But…”

There was something strange in Bang Il’s words.

Hesitating slightly, he carefully opened his lips; one of the privileges of a child was asking questions.

“Senior, is there a problem with climbing Mount Red Yang? In fact, after meeting you, I was thinking of going to the mountain to harvest spiritual herbs.”

Mount Red Yang was a mountain he had climbed up and down countless times over the past three years. Although it was somewhat dangerous, he had traveled it well even when he was a mortal.

Now that he had become a Qi Condensation cultivator, it should have become safer, so why did Bang Il talk as if climbing Mount Red Yang was a suicidal act?

“Tsk, tsk! I knew you would do that. Consider yourself truly lucky; since you met a kind senior like me.”

Putting on quite an air, Bang Il spoke with a grin.

“A mortal climbing Mount Red Yang is completely different from a Qi Condensation cultivator going there. It is very, very different!”

“Pardon?”

“Kid. You must have never encountered a Rank 1 demonic beast over the past three years, right? Indeed, if you had met one, you would have died long ago, so there is no need to ask; at most, you would have only met ordinary beasts that failed to become demonic beasts.”

“Uh… That is correct. I have never met a Rank 1 demonic beast. I was lucky.”

“Luck? Well, that is not wrong. But luck is not everything; what is more important is that you were a mortal who did not possess spiritual Qi.”

“A mortal?”

“Yes. To a Rank 1 demonic beast, a mortal is tasteless and has no nutritional value. It means they are no different from a pebble or weed on the roadside.”

While his mouth hung open blankly at the ominous words, Bang Il’s explanation continued.

“If you were a tiger, would you deliberately seek out and eat weeds? Only when truly starving would you force yourself to eat them. Hehe! But the situation has changed now.”

“…Does your advice mean that because I became a Qi Condensation cultivator, I have become delicious food to the demonic beasts?”

“Yes! You understand well. Now you are not a simple pebble but fragrant food. Starving demonic beasts from all directions will gather. If you climb Mount Red Yang, that day will be no different from the day of your funeral. Hehehe.”

Jin So-myeong twitched his lips several times. He did not know what to answer.

Mount Red Yang was a precious workplace to him.

But to say that numerous demonic beasts would rush at him if he climbed the mountain now. It was hard to believe easily.

‘…There is no reason for Bang Il to deliberately lie to me.’

Although he did not want to believe it, the probability of it being the truth was high.

Also, looking at it another way, it was lucky.

If he had gone to Mount Red Yang without meeting Bang Il and knowing nothing, he might have met a Rank 1 demonic beast and died.

Although his chest felt stuffy at the reality that had become difficult in an instant, he stopped thinking for now.

Gathering his hands politely, he bowed.

“Thank you for letting me know, Senior.”

“Hmm? The source of income you relied on for three years has been blocked. Aren’t you disappointed?”

“I am disappointed, but… what can I do? I must face reality and find another way.”

An air of admiration flashed across Bang Il’s face.

“Indeed. To pull yourself together already. The character of this young kid is decent; if only your talent were better… Tsk.”

The following words were too quiet to be heard clearly. Smacking his lips as if in regret, Bang Il spoke.

“Well, if you want to go to Mount Red Yang, there is a way.”

“Yes?”

As if beating around the bush.

Pretending to look away, he grinned and pulled out a talisman from his sleeve.

“This is a Rank 1 low-grade talisman called the Breath Concealing Talisman . It has the effect of hiding the user’s presence. Of course, it works on Rank 1 demonic beasts too.”

“Breath Concealing Talisman! Does that mean I can climb Mount Red Yang if I have that?”

“Yes. Although our Spirit Elixir Pavilion is a shop that specializes in selling pills, we also sell talismans. Naturally, we sell the Breath Concealing Talisman too.”

He finally realized the reason why Bang Il had advised him. He was trying to do business, like a merchant.

If there was no special ulterior motive, it was rather reassuring.

“…What is the price?”

“It is not very expensive. Three Breath Concealing Talismans for one Spirit Stone.”

It was as he had suspected.

To the poor Jin So-myeong, it was a price that only made him sigh.

“Unfortunately, it is too expensive for me.”

“Haha! Do you think I don’t know that you are a pauper without a single Spirit Stone? I merely told you so that you would buy them later when you get Spirit Stones.”

“Well… Senior. Since we are on the topic of Spirit Stones, by any chance, would there be appropriate work for a Qi Condensation 1st layer cultivator like me?”

“Work? In fact, getting hired at a shop like our Spirit Elixir Pavilion to work as a clerk is best. You would be able to earn one or two Spirit Stones a month. However…”

Wearing a slightly awkward expression, Bang Il spoke.

“Finding a vacancy won’t be easy. Because as it is a safe and good job, the competition is fierce. I am sorry, but since I took in a disciple not long ago, I don’t have the spare capacity to hire you.”

“Ah, no. I have no intention of causing trouble to you to that extent. I was merely asking how ordinary rogue cultivators make a living.”

Nodding his head, Bang Il spoke with a pitying expression.

Of the reality of rogue cultivators without a proper backing.

“The first is to become a demonic beast hunter. Climbing the mountain at the risk of your life to fight demonic beasts. As dangerous as it is, the income is also large and it is free.”

“Second, it is to manufacture and sell things that help cultivation, such as talismans or pills. It is not dangerous and the income is very large, but I recommend that you do not even cast your eyes on this field.”

Although he tried to listen quietly, he could not hold back and asked a question.

“Senior. I heard that talisman masters who make talismans and elixir masters who make pills both hold very high status in the cultivation world. Since they must earn Spirit Stones well, why do you tell me not to even cast my eyes on it?”

“Haha. Kid. You know one thing but not the other. What do you think the reason they are respected is?”

“That is…”

“Of course, it’s because it is difficult to become one. Becoming a talisman master or elixir master without systematic education is close to impossible. Do you remember the Breath Concealing Talisman I showed you earlier?”

“Yes. You said it was a Rank 1 low-grade talisman.”

“The Breath Concealing Talisman is one of the most basic talismans, but it is not easy to draw. Even a person with genius talent must practice drawing over a hundred sheets to barely enter the gate. It means one must prepare enough materials to draw at least a hundred sheets to even begin practicing.”

“…What happens if one has no talent?”

“Naturally, it is difficult to enter the gate even if you draw a thousand or ten thousand sheets. The cost of materials to draw a thousand Breath Concealing Talismans would be about a hundred Spirit Stones. Even if you practice investing such massive capital, it is obvious that the production success rate won’t even reach ten percent.”

Listening blankly, Jin So-myeong calculated instinctively.

The Breath Concealing Talisman materials one could buy with one Spirit Stone totaled ten sheets.

The price of a Breath Concealing Talisman was three sheets per Spirit Stone.

‘…The production success rate must exceed at least thirty percent to break even. Before that, everything is a loss.’

It meant that to make money by becoming a talisman master, an initial capital of hundreds or thousands of Spirit Stones was required.

Practicing even a single sheet of the Breath Concealing Talisman, a basic talisman, was this difficult.

Without genius talent and support, becoming a talisman master was close to impossible.

“For your information, a talisman master is much easier compared to an elixir master. To become a Rank 1 elixir master like me, immense Spirit Stones and talent are required. Hehe.”

“Ah…”

Bang Il’s grinning expression was filled with pride.

As if showing off, he put on a great air and continued speaking.

“If you understand, fold your thoughts about becoming a talisman master. Frankly, I wouldn’t have become an elixir master either if I hadn’t received support.”

“Senior. Then in my case, do I have no choice but to climb Mount Red Yang and fight demonic beasts at the risk of my life?”

“Hmm… That is not so. There is a third way.”

He folded both hands politely. He perked up his ears in a listening posture, but the explanation did not continue.

“Senior?”

For some reason, Bang Il, who was hesitating, spoke with an expression as if he had no choice.

“Sigh, the third method is entering the Red Yang Sect. The Red Yang Sect is a sect created by rogue cultivators like you, and they don’t particularly filter qualifications; they accept anyone who applies.”

Come to think of it, he had a memory of hearing about it. It was one of the most powerful forces in the Red Yang Market.

Just as he was recalling the rumors about the Red Yang Sect, Bang Il’s explanation followed.

“Furthermore, since they teach basic spells once you enter, it will be of great help to you. However…”

“…Is there perhaps a problem?”

“To enter the Red Yang Sect, you must sign a contract. Since the minimum service period is on the longer side, you cannot work for just a year or two and leave. Of course, looking at it another way, this is also an advantage.”

“The service period being long is an advantage?”

“Yes. Because other places don’t have something like a service period to begin with. Orthodox sects that value the master-disciple relationship require you to share life and death from the moment you enter. If you say you want to leave the sect, you will be treated as a traitor.”

“…It means once you enter a sect, you cannot turn back.”

“Naturally. In fact, this condition is the same for most sects existing in the cultivation world. If you say you want to leave, your cultivation will be destroyed and the meridians of your limbs will be cut. Well, compared to that, the Red Yang Sect is a gentleman.”

*

Leaving the Spirit Elixir Pavilion, Jin So-myeong set out on the road.

He headed toward the inner city, which was the core district of the Red Yang Market.

Moving diligently while recalling Bang Il’s explanation, he was soon able to arrive in front of a massive gate that was three zhang high.

‘It’s incredibly huge.’

The mysterious patterns engraved on the grand gate caught his eye. It was in the shape of a mountain range wrapped in flames, and a burning heat could be felt from it.

Even though it was merely a drawing carved onto the gate, it was as vivid as if it were alive.

Jin So-myeong, who was admiring the majesty worthy of an Immortal sect, nodded. This place was none other than the Red Yang Sect.

“Hoo.”

Taking a light breath, he approached the gatekeeper. He intended to verify whether the information Bang Il had told him was the truth.