Chapter 87 – Hunting a Demon King

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Translated by Frog in the Well

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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Coming out of his cave dwelling, Jin So-myeong first checked the situation of Sky Island.

Since the Demon Kings had invaded and made a mess of the spiritual vein, he was curious about what had happened.

‘The spiritual vein that was Rank 3 Zenith-grade has lowered to high-grade…’

Its size, which was large enough to be called super-sized, also split into seven and scattered all over the sea.

It was both a good and a bad thing.

Although it was regrettable that the rank of the spiritual vein had lowered, the confrontation with the demonic beasts was dissolved thanks to the spiritual vein being split.

Because the state had changed from sharing one large spiritual vein to each occupying a small spiritual vein.

It was good that small clashes had decreased as the distance from the demonic beasts grew farther.

‘Mmm… Since the Demon Kings must have also scattered, it will be easier to hunt them one by one.’

Understanding the current situation, Jin So-myeong nodded.

Upon judging that there would be no problem even if he fought a Demon King, he immediately headed to Filial Moon City’s Deacon’s Office.

Because he needed to find out where the bastards were now.

Fortunately, this was extremely easy.

A place with thick spiritual Qi. That was precisely the place with the highest probability where a Demon King would be.

“Greetings to Senior!”

The deacons who unexpectedly welcomed a Golden Core Sage were startled. Without anyone needing to be first, they stood up in a flurry and bowed.

“Senior Jin! Congratulations on achieving the grand Golden Core!”

It seemed Jin So-myeong’s breakthrough to the Golden Core stage had spread widely throughout Sky Island.

Seeing their sparkling eyes, he somehow felt embarrassed. Waving his hand, he said.

“Thank you for the congratulations. Everyone, continue with your work.”

“Should we inform the other seniors that you have completed your closed-door cultivation?”

“There is no need to go that far. I just came because I want to know how they are distributed after the spiritual vein split.”

“Ah! Then I will give you a map recording the locations of the spiritual veins identified so far.”

He received the jade slip politely handed over by the Foundation Establishment deacon.

Looking at the spiritual veins scattered all over the sea, a perfectly suitable target was visible.

‘Ultra-small size and Rank 3 low-grade.’

The scale was small and the rank was also low. It was a place where only a single early Golden Core-grade Demon King could cultivate.

Since it was suitable as the first prey, he headed there immediately.

***

Three days later.

Jin So-myeong arrived at an island where sharp rocks sprouted like cactus thorns.

He consumed even his Supreme Great Ability along with his vast Divine Sense reaching 2 kilometers.

‘With this level of Divine Sense, unless they are at the late Golden Core stage, they will not be able to escape my senses.’

He circled around the island to observe, and as expected, there was only a single Demon King-grade presence.

It was perfect.

Since testing the Limitless Sword was his goal, just as he approached while openly revealing his presence.

“Who dares to approach my Pale Rock Island without permission!”

Along with a shout that vibrated the sky, a gust of wind raged from the island.

A giant eagle with a wingspan reaching 10 meters flew up and emitted demonic Qi.

‘It is the Black Night Eagle.’

Its strength was Rank 3 low-grade. It was an early Golden Core-grade Demon King, famous for its fast flight speed as expected of an avian demonic beast.

Since it was one of the Demon Kings that had attacked Sky Island two months ago, he felt they met at a good time.

The moment his eyes met the eagle that appeared while flapping its giant wings.

“You!”

The Black Night Eagle, whose eyes bulged, bent its direction vertically in the middle of flying up.

Without even room to share a single word, it flew across the sky and grew distant.

It had fled, abandoning even the island without even trying to fight.

Jin So-myeong, who knit his brows, was enveloped in lightning.

Boom!

He became a beam of light and pursued the Black Night Eagle.

Although it was quite fast as expected of a demonic beast with wings, it was not to the extent of the Lightning Escape Art that moved riding on lightning.

The distance between the two narrowed by the second.

When they finally became close enough for their Divine Senses to collide, the Black Night Eagle spewed anger.

“Eeeek! Do you really want to do this! Do you think I am fleeing because I fear the likes of you!”

“…Weren’t you?”

Then why was it fleeing? He had asked because he was truly curious, but a momentary silence flowed.

The Black Night Eagle, which could not answer, yelled.

“Damn it! Tyrannizing while trusting in a single divine ability! Despicable human bastard!”

“Divine ability? Ah, do you mean this?”

As he extended his fist lightly as if tapping the void, the startled fellow abruptly turned direction.

The Black Night Eagle, which almost crashed into the sea from the sudden movement, glared here with bloodshot eyes.

“You…!”

Just as the fellow was about to say something.

Swish.

As he extended his fist again, the house-sized eagle flapped its wings urgently.

Flinching every time he shook his fist, its wariness of the Light-Accumulating Destructive Vibration was extremely obvious.

Smiling slightly, he said.

“Do not worry. I will not use that divine ability you fear.”

“The likes of a human is mocking me!”

Perhaps thoroughly enraged, the Black Night Eagle, which had only been fleeing, came to a stop.

—Kyaaaaak!

Hearing the bizarre sound mixed with demonic Qi, the space between his eyebrows felt numb. Just as he pulled up his dharma power and parried the Divine Soul attack.

Whoosh!

A gust of wind strong enough to block his vision raged and filled the sky.

Instantly, the Black Night Eagle’s figure split into five.

‘Clones.’

From the felt energy to the outer appearance, they were all identical. He could not easily tell if it was an innate divine ability.

‘As expected of a Demon King.’

Just when he was inwardly admiring.

The giant eagle surrounding the area sneered.

“Now your divine ability is useless! Can you risk your life on a one-fifth probability!”

Certainly, in this kind of situation, it was hard to use the Light-Accumulating Destructive Vibration.

Because if he squeezed out all his power to pour out a blow and it turned out to be a clone, it would be a disaster.

However…

“I believe I said I would not use it.”

Since he had no intention to use it in the first place, it did not matter.

Shring.

Jin So-myeong, who drew the Limitless Sword, was wrapped in wind. He had cast even the Wind Transformation Body Force with a calm expression.

The moment he swept the straight sword blade with his sword hand sign.

Hummm!

The clear sword cry pierced the fierce wind and spread in all directions.

The gust of wind generated by the Black Night Eagle split without a sound.

Simultaneously, his figure vanished.

Clash!

When he appeared along with a thunderclap, one clone’s head had already flown off.

Too fast.

Fast enough that the Rank 3 Demon King, the Black Night Eagle, could not even react and lost a clone.

“You bastard!”

Who was faster and stronger was proven in just a single move.

Nevertheless, the Black Night Eagle’s momentum did not break.

Two of the four clones rushed forward with claws raised, while the remaining two flapped their giant wings and cast spells.

Whoosh!

Thousands of feathers wrapped in flames poured down.

The rain of feathers coloring the entire sky was magnificent. It was like a shower made of flames was falling.

His response to the spell that could be described as majestic was simple.

From left to right.

A slash resembling moonlight extended from the Limitless Sword drawn horizontally.

Slash!

A Sword Qi as vivid as if it had physical substance. It broke through all thousands of feathers and severed the necks of the two eagles simultaneously.

‘Were they fakes?’

He had thought that one of the two pouring spells from afar would be real, but both were clones.

Although somewhat unexpected, it had no great significance.

Because the figures of the remaining two rushing to engage in close combat were clearly visible.

The way they approached slowly was like slow motion.

Not only his figure reflected on the surface of the sharp claws, but each and every feather scattering in the wind was completely visible.

Casting the Wind Transformation Body Force and the Lightning Escape Art simultaneously, it felt like his very sense of speed had changed.

Swish!

The moment the Limitless Sword holding Sword Qi was swung exactly twice.

One of the eagles was split into three. The demonic Qi condensed in the void blocked the sword, but it could not endure even for a moment.

The last remaining main body. The Black Night Eagle did not retreat.

Unlike how it had fled as soon as they met, once it actually started fighting, it did not even spare its life.

As if proving it was a Demon King that had fought humans for a long time, it struggled desperately until the very end.

—Die!

The killing intent contained in the voice transmission turned like an awl and pierced between his eyebrows.

However, it could not shake the Divine Soul of Jin So-myeong, who had already reached the mid Golden Core level.

Boom!

The sharp wind that flew in as if a surprise attack at an ultra-close distance aimed at the nape of his neck, but it was neutralized and vanished by the Wind Transformation Body Force.

Simultaneously.

The figures of the two brushed past each other.

“…Damn it.”

With a brief final word as the end, the Black Night Eagle’s head fell with a plop.

It had died without even room to escape by putting its soul in its demon core.

Standing still and staring at the Limitless Sword in that place which had quietly settled before long, Jin So-myeong admired.

‘It is incredibly sharp… Despite being a Rank 3 Demon King, to cut it like tofu.’

He examined the sword blade in detail, but not a single chip had formed.

Although its outer appearance was the Five Elements Sword, once Limitless seeped in, the power itself reached a different dimension.

An early Golden Core-grade Demon King was no match.

It felt like he could slice up whoever appeared.

‘…I must make it my Natal Magic Treasure.’

Having made a decision, he packed all the byproducts including the Black Night Eagle’s corpse, then flew through the void and vanished.

***

Returning to Sky Island, Jin So-myeong was about to go straight into his cave dwelling but paused.

It was because a single voice transmission talisman was floating at the entrance.

It was a voice transmission talisman left by the Golden Core Sage with a generous build, In Hu-yeon, with the content asking him to contact him when he returned to his cave dwelling.

How long did he wait after replying?

Soon, In Hu-yeon flew over from beyond the sky and spoke in a friendly manner.

“You have finally come! Since you left your cave dwelling when it hasn’t even been 100 days since you became a Golden Core cultivator, I was worried if some problem had occurred.”

“It is nothing much. I just went and caught a Demon King because I had something to test for a moment.”

“…Huh?”

In Hu-yeon, who blinked his two eyes, smiled slightly.

“It seems you like jokes quite a lot. For a moment, I thought it was real.”

“But it is real.”

There was no need to particularly hide this kind of thing.

From Sky Island’s perspective, which was at war with the Demon Kings, there was a need to accurately grasp how many enemies remained.

“…You are serious?”

“Yes. I went to the Black Night Eagle that was in this spiritual vein and killed it.”

When he handed over the location contained in a jade slip, In Hu-yeon’s expression changed several times in an instant.

“Indeed. With that terrifying divine ability of yours, it would be fully possible to kill a single Demon King…”

In Hu-yeon, who was muttering blankly, spoke with a serious face.

“Still, be careful from next time. Your divine ability seems easy to fall into danger because the weakness is too clear.”

“Yes.”

Was there any need to take advice born of goodwill offensively? He just nodded his head.

“Ah, now we are both Golden Core cultivators and I was too excessively worried. Just act as if you did not hear it.”

“It is fine.”

“Cough. Anyway, the reason I sought you out this time is because I have something to ask.”

“Please speak.”

“Now that you have also become a true Golden Core Sage, shouldn’t you hold a Golden Core Grand Ceremony?”

The Golden Core Grand Ceremony was literally a celebration.

It referred to a feast to declare to all directions that one achieved the Golden Core stage, which could be called a high-ranking cultivator, and to receive congratulations and gifts.

Jin So-myeong, who pondered for a moment, shook his head.

“Since I do not have a family or an affiliated sect, it is a bit much to hold a Golden Core Grand Ceremony. It seems a little troublesome.”

“Indeed. Since you are a rogue cultivator, do as you please. Then what do you think about establishing a city?”

“A city?”

“If you choose a suitable location within Sky Island, we will help you build a city.”

In an instant, the hundreds of thousands of cultivators living in Filial Moon City came to mind.

At the proposal to become the master of such a giant city, he could not help but be dazed.

“Although you will suffer a bit in the early stage, once about 100 years pass, it will be helpful for your cultivation.”

Was it because he ascended to Golden Core in the realm of Qi Condensation rather than Body Tempering, which was treated as mainstream or auxiliary cultivation method? The treatment was different.

‘I become the master of a city?’

Becoming a city lord had clear pros and cons. First, obtaining resources became easier.

He could receive taxes or cave dwelling rent from the numerous cultivators who would live inside the city, and he could also take subordinates to gather the necessary spiritual objects.

However, all these advantages were not free. As much as he received help, he would be bound.

He had to manage security and guarantee safety from the demonic beasts that would constantly invade.

It could be said to be exchanging time and resources, so to speak.

‘Mmm…’

Although he was considerably attracted at first, upon thinking calmly, a judgment was formed on how to decide.

To him, who possessed the Secret Realm of the Mind where spirit stones constantly welled up, the position of city lord had more losses than gains.

“Since I like to roam alone, it seems too much for me to take charge of and manage a city.”

“Mmm? Since you have also become a Golden Core Sage now, it will be hard to cultivate alone.”

“I will try it alone for now.”

Perhaps this answer was somewhat unexpected, as In Hu-yeon, who was flustered, nodded his head.

“I understand. Just say the word whenever you want. Mmm… Originally I planned to speak at your Golden Core Grand Ceremony, but since you dislike troublesome things, I will just say it here.”

“…?”

“If you want, I will make a dharma treasure for you, only receiving the materials. As a congratulatory gift for achieving Golden Core.”

“Materials? By any chance, are you an Artifact Refiner?”

“Yes. I am a Rank 3 Artifact Refiner. My skill can be said to be the best on Sky Island.”

In Hu-yeon, who shined his shoulders and revealed his pride, laughed as if embarrassed.

“Cough. Actually, since I am the only Rank 3 Artifact Refiner on Sky Island, it is meaningless even if I call myself the best… but I am not a quack, so do not worry.”

Since he offered to manufacture a dharma treasure, it was naturally welcome.

There was also a dharma treasure that happened to come to mind just then. It was an object he had wanted since long ago but was harder to obtain than he thought.

“By any chance, is it also possible to manufacture a vehicle like a flying carriage?”

“A flying carriage? Of course it is possible, but to speak honestly, it is not a greatly useful dharma treasure. Unless made with special materials, it is slower than a Golden Core Sage flying at full power.”

“Is it so even if one uses high-grade spirit stones as power?”

In Hu-yeon’s expression became blank for an instant. He asked back like a person who had heard words he had never even imagined.

“High-grade spirit stones? You are going to use that precious object for a flying carriage?”

“Because if I have to move urgently in a situation where my dharma power is lacking, it will not be the time to save spirit stones.”

“Uh, well. That is so, but…”

In fact, the resource overflowing the most for Jin So-myeong was spirit stones. High-grade spirit stones, which were treated as valuables, were no exception.

‘When I fall into a state of exhaustion after using the Light-Accumulating Destructive Vibration, it will be helpful if there is a flying carriage running on spirit stones.’

Since it would also be used usefully for long-distance travel, there was no reason to hesitate.

“Will it really be fine?”

In Hu-yeon, who was hesitating, checked repeatedly several times, but he nodded firmly and took out the Black Night Eagle’s corpse as material.