WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Dionysus
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◈ Cultivating Underground ◈
Chapter 66
──────
Before dawn the next day, outside the cave abode at Cheongu Gorge.
Yi Hyeon lay with his fingers linked behind his head, listening to the waterfall as he watched the stars in the night sky.
‘A Nascent Soul cultivator was seriously injured...’
To a Foundation Establishment cultivator, a Nascent Soul cultivator was like a natural disaster, something they could never even think of resisting.
Yi Hyeon felt that dealing with a cultivator at Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment would not be difficult. Even so, he had never imagined he could face a Golden Core cultivator.
Long ago, he had witnessed a battle between Golden Core cultivators at the Jangchun Sect’s Oesa Market. Their techniques had been on an entirely different level.
He could not even imagine how powerful a Nascent Soul cultivator, a whole realm above them, would be.
Yet someone like that had returned injured.
What would happen if fourth-tier cultivation kingdoms went to war?
If Yi Hyeon joined the war and Nascent Soul cultivators began fighting nearby, even being grazed by the shock waves could threaten his life.
‘Would running away be best after all? It’s about time I left the Danso Sect...’
Around the time of his first assignment to Haemun Port, he had decided to remain in the Danso Sect for another fifty years at most.
That time was nearly up, but he could not simply leave without a care.
Yi Hyeon thought he had been lucky in his choice of sects. Both the Jangchun Sect and the Danso Sect had many good people.
He had grown attached to them. Turning his back and leaving did not sit quite right with him.
He thought he would feel better if he helped the Danso Sect a little, as long as he did not put himself in danger.
‘Let’s see how things develop first. There’s no guarantee a war will break out.’
...
A few days later, in the morning.
Bong...
A low bell sounded in the distance.
Its first chime spread between the mountain peaks, lingering in the air. A short while later, a second followed.
‘That’s the signal to assemble...’
...
The square before the Danso Grand Hall was packed.
Foundation Establishment cultivators stood in groups divided by peak. As more arrivals filled the gaps, their number soon approached a thousand.
Yi Hyeon headed toward the disciples of Yeonha Peak. Yu Jeong-won spotted him first.
“Senior Brother Yi! Over here.”
After joining the Yeonha Peak disciples, Yi Hyeon looked toward the Danso Grand Hall.
Golden Core elders stood on the stone platform before the building.
Dam Un-saeng was among them.
Instead of the plain robes usually worn during lectures, Dam Un-saeng wore an enchanted robe embroidered with clouds. A small gourd that Yi Hyeon had never seen before hung at the elder’s waist.
Around twenty Golden Core elders had appeared. This was Yi Hyeon’s first time seeing the elders of the various peaks and departments gathered in one place. Many were faces he had never seen before.
Quiet conversations continued among the inner sect disciples in the square.
“I heard one of the bases in the Chang Kingdom fell.”
“They say a Nascent Soul elder was injured.”
“Surely the Myriad Gu Sect wouldn’t fall so easily...”
A while later, the doors of the Danso Grand Hall opened, and the elders on the platform all turned.
A white-haired cultivator walked out, wearing a purple-gold enchanted robe with broad sleeves.
The noisy square fell silent.
Yi Hyeon unconsciously slowed his breathing.
The cultivator was not displaying any power. Perhaps because Yi Hyeon knew this was a Nascent Soul elder, he felt afraid of meeting the elder’s eyes.
The disciples all lowered their gazes.
Dam Un-saeng and the other elders brought their hands together.
“Greetings, Supreme Elder.”
The disciples gathered in the square also bowed in unison.
The white-haired cultivator stood at the front of the platform.
“Raise your heads.”
The voice was not loud, but it reached the far end of the square clearly.
“An envoy recently came from the Chang Kingdom’s Myriad Gu Sect. Various rumors have spread concerning this matter, so I will begin with the facts we have confirmed.”
A Golden Core elder standing at one side of the platform spread a sleeve. An enormous map floated into the air.
A long coastline running from north to south, mountain ranges, and numerous islands appeared in light. Red dots marked the southern part of the map, and one narrow waterway shone brightly among them.
“This is Cheongsu Strait, in the southern Chang Kingdom.”
The Supreme Elder pointed to it.
“Not content with occupying the Ram Kingdom long ago, cultivators of the Nammyeong Twelve-Sect Alliance have crossed the sea and advanced north, seizing this strait. Of the six major bases the Myriad Gu Sect established in the southern waters, four have already had their supply routes cut.”
Four points on the map turned red. Sharp breaths could be heard throughout the square.
The Supreme Elder continued.
“One of the Myriad Gu Sect’s Nascent Soul elders went to relieve an isolated base and fought a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator known as the Blood Sea Ancestor. The enemy had prepared a Blood Path formation near the strait. The Myriad Gu Sect elder’s life-bound spirit insect suffered severe damage there, and the elder returned with an injured nascent soul as well. We are told the elder will be unable to return to battle for some time.”
The disciples pressed their lips together.
The white-haired cultivator briefly studied their reactions before continuing.
“We estimate that the Nammyeong Twelve-Sect Alliance has at least twenty Nascent Soul cultivators in total.”
‘Twenty or more Nascent Soul cultivators?!’
The entire square stirred.
The Supreme Elder waited for the noise to settle.
“However, only three Nascent Soul cultivators have currently been confirmed in the Chang Kingdom region. We are still investigating who else may have crossed over.”
One of the Golden Core elders on the platform spoke.
“They must have left a considerable force in the Ram Kingdom as well.”
“Indeed. They must defend both their original territories beyond the Nammyeong Sea and their occupied lands in the Ram Kingdom. Nor do the interests of all twelve sects always agree. It will be difficult for them to send their entire strength here at once. They once fought fiercely among themselves, so maintaining unity will not be easy either.”
The Supreme Elder pointed to the northern part of the map.
The Chang Kingdom and the Gon Kingdom lit up in turn.
“The Myriad Gu Sect has three Nascent Soul cultivators, while our sect and the Byeokra Sect have two each. Even excluding the injured elder of the Myriad Gu Sect, that leaves six. By making use of our existing bases and grand defensive formations, and concentrating our forces where needed, we should be able to resist them. Furthermore...”
The Supreme Elder paused briefly before continuing.
“The royal house of the Geonyang Kingdom has also answered the Myriad Gu Sect’s request. They have agreed to send several Tier 3 gu adepts to help.”
If the Nammyeong Twelve-Sect Alliance advanced north, the Geonyang Kingdom, which bordered the Chang Kingdom, would also be affected. There was nothing strange about offering help.
The Supreme Elder looked around at the disciples.
“Of course, we cannot be certain that this will be enough to oppose the Nammyeong Twelve-Sect Alliance. For now, we will maintain the defenses of our main sect grounds while supplying personnel and materials to the Chang Kingdom. We will also strengthen the Gon Kingdom’s major bases.”
As the elder lowered a hand, the map slowly rolled up and vanished.
“Each of you will have a role to play. Until your assignments are decided, remain within the main sect grounds and await instructions from your peaks and departments.”
The disciples brought their hands together in unison.
“We obey!”
Their voices filled the square.
...
Three days later.
Six disciples, including Yi Hyeon and Yu Jeong-won, had gathered in Yeonha Peak’s lecture hall.
A newly issued deployment document lay on the table.
Dam Un-saeng looked at Yi Hyeon first.
“Dong-sam. You’ll need to coordinate the work this time.”
Yi Hyeon picked up the document.
「Support for Sammun Island, Chang Kingdom.」
Below it were lists of personnel, supplies, and assigned duties.
“Sammun... Is that an island?”
“That’s right.”
Dam Un-saeng spread out a map.
An island was marked in the broad waters north of Cheongsu Strait. Shipping routes of various sizes branched around it.
“It receives cultivators and supplies withdrawing from the southern bases. The Myriad Gu Sect has requested assistance. Our sect and the Byeokra Sect will each send people, and I’m told smaller local sects have already moved in.”
Yu Jeong-won asked a question.
“Could the enemy appear there too?”
“It isn’t the front line, but if the fighting in the strait continues, more wounded cultivators and fleeing merchants will arrive. It seems the local alchemists can’t manage on their own.”
Yi Hyeon studied the map.
‘This is practically the front line...’
Dam Un-saeng pointed to the section listing their duties.
“The greatest immediate demand is for Tier 2 Qi-Restoring Pills and Tier 2 Detoxification Pills. The local base will provide the medicinal ingredients needed for alchemy, and ingredients for these two alchemical pills will be allocated first. You’ll handle alchemy there and provide combat support if necessary.”
Yi Hyeon kept his eyes on the map.
Sammun Island was surrounded by the sea.
‘If I go there and the shipping routes are blocked...’
There would be no land where he could use the Earth Escape Spell.
Going down beneath the sea would not solve the problem either. He had no idea what might happen if he recklessly entered somewhere without knowing the water’s depth or the layers of earth below it.
If a Golden Core cultivator pursued him, escape would be difficult.
What if a Nascent Soul cultivator attacked the island?
‘There’s nothing I could do about that.’
Dam Un-saeng continued.
“Golden Core elders are stationed there. Members of our Dharma Protection Court will accompany you as well. Even so, you must prepare to protect yourselves.”
“When do we leave?”
“In fifteen days. Settle your current duties and inspect the medicinal ingredients and pill furnaces you’ll take.”
Yi Hyeon put down the deployment document.
“Understood.”
...
A few days later.
Yeonha Peak had become quite busy.
Work on the medicinal ingredients never stopped in the communal alchemy hall. Even at hours when they would normally rest in their quarters, disciples came out to seal jade bottles and medicine boxes.
Then a streak of light flew toward Yeonha Peak, and a Foundation Establishment steward landed.
“Are any of those being sent to Sammun Island here?”
Yi Hyeon looked up.
“What is it?”
“The Sammun Island deployment has been put on hold. Those assigned there are to remain at their respective peaks.”
The steward handed over a document and left. Yu Jeong-won approached Yi Hyeon.
“Senior Brother, has something happened?”
“I don’t know yet.”
Just then, Dam Un-saeng came down from the lecture hall, holding a Voice Transmission Talisman.
The disciples bowed.
“Master, the Sammun Island deployment...”
“I heard. The situation has changed.”
Dam Un-saeng looked at the disciples.
“The Geonyang Kingdom has sided with the Nammyeong Twelve-Sect Alliance.”
...
Even after all the disciples entered the lecture hall, no one spoke for a while.
Dam Un-saeng placed a jade slip on the table.
“I’m told the Geonyang royal house has broken its pact with the Myriad Gu Sect and sent an official letter declaring its submission to the Nammyeong Twelve-Sect Alliance.”
Yu Jeong-won asked a question.
“Is that true? Only a few days ago, they promised to send help...”
“It appears to have been a deception. Cultivators of the Nammyeong Twelve-Sect Alliance have appeared at Gu-Rearing Institutes throughout the Geonyang Kingdom.”
Dam Un-saeng let out a short breath.
“The problem is no longer losing the support of their Tier 3 gu adepts. We now face the task of subduing them.”
‘Hmm...’
Yi Hyeon recalled the terrain of the northern Geonyang Kingdom.
The long border it shared with the Anneung Kingdom, and the spirit veins and passes nearby.
‘If cultivators of the Nammyeong Twelve-Sect Alliance enter from that direction...’
They could choose to attack wherever the Gon Kingdom’s defenses were thin.
The road to Haemun Port and the Anneung Kingdom’s various cultivator markets would also be affected.
The Geonyang Kingdom occupied a broad stretch of land west of both the Gon and Chang Kingdoms, reaching the sea at its western edge. If left alone, it would threaten the routes carrying support from the Gon Kingdom to the Chang Kingdom. If the enemy advanced east and seized the key routes, the movement of supplies and personnel between the two kingdoms could be cut off.
One disciple asked cautiously.
“How could a mere third-tier martial kingdom like Geonyang betray the Chang and Gon Kingdoms? Wasn’t the Geonyang Kingdom the Myriad Gu Sect’s lackey?”
“It was. Even long ago, when the Geonyang Divine Demon killed a Golden Core cultivator from the Gon Kingdom, the Myriad Gu Sect intervened to prevent punishment.”
“Then why...?”
Dam Un-saeng looked at the jade slip.
“I’m told there is a sect called the Life-Sharing Sect (同命宗) within the Nammyeong Twelve-Sect Alliance.”
Yi Hyeon’s eyes widened.
Life-Sharing Sect! Weren’t those the same characters used in Life-Sharing Gu?
“The Geonyang royal house has kept its Gu Path cultivation methods strictly hidden from outsiders. However, the Life-Sharing Sect cultivators recently identified in the Geonyang Kingdom apparently used very similar techniques. Reports say that even their methods of handling symbiotic spirit insects and the signs that appear when they use the Gu Path resemble those of Geonyang’s gu adepts.”
Dam Un-saeng rested a fingertip on the jade slip.
“The inheritances have not yet been directly compared. Still, it seems likely that the Geonyang Divine Demon had some connection to the Life-Sharing Sect.”
“Wasn’t the Gu Path created for them by the Myriad Gu Sect?”
“There were such rumors, but the Myriad Gu Sect never actually claimed to have created it.”
Dam Un-saeng paused to choose the next words, then continued.
“If you think about it, their methods are entirely different. Handling gu doesn’t mean they all use the same techniques. The Myriad Gu Sect excels at raising and commanding spirit insects. They control various insect swarms around a powerful life-bound spirit insect, using different species for attack, defense, poison, and tracking.”
Yi Hyeon thought of the Fuzzbees.
Dam Un-saeng continued.
“At lower realms, they directly control a small number of spirit insects. At higher realms, they also use methods of directing a swarm through a lead insect. I’m told the Myriad Gu Sect’s Nascent Soul cultivators control tens of thousands this way. Of course, moving the swarms without letting them interfere with one another, while coordinating them with one’s own spells, requires deep skill in both insect control techniques and the use of spiritual sense. It’s an extremely difficult way to fight.”
“Then the Geonyang Kingdom’s Gu Path inheritance must have come from the Life-Sharing Sect, not the Myriad Gu Sect...”
“At present, that is the most reasonable conclusion. The Myriad Gu Sect has no Gu Path branch like the one in the Geonyang Kingdom. However, where an inheritance came from and whether someone belonged to that sect are separate questions.”
Dam Un-saeng looked around at the disciples.
“It seems the Myriad Gu Sect believes the Geonyang Divine Demon once traveled to the Nammyeong Sea. There is also talk that the Divine Demon fled the Life-Sharing Sect with an inheritance. If the Divine Demon never advanced beyond a Tier 3 gu adept, they would have reached the end of their lifespan by now. Those who inherited the teachings may have sought the Tier 4 gu adept inheritance they lacked. However, we have yet to confirm when the Geonyang royal house began secretly cooperating with the Nammyeong Twelve-Sect Alliance.”
Yi Hyeon sorted through his thoughts as he listened. Whatever the truth might be, one thing seemed certain: the Geonyang Kingdom’s gu adepts were enemies.
“Master.”
Yi Hyeon spoke.
“Some time ago, I sent spirit insects implanted in demonic beasts from Haemun Port to the main sect grounds. Could those insects also have been...?”
Dam Un-saeng nodded.
“I suspect that was probably the Life-Sharing Sect’s work.”
“I see.”
When the lecture hall fell silent again, Dam Un-saeng stood.
“The main sect will decide on a new response. Until then, stay nearby and wait.”
“Yes, Master.”
Yi Hyeon thought it was just as well that he no longer had to go to the southern island.
...
The main sect grounds grew even busier.
Lights remained on in the External Affairs Office and Wind-Hearing Hall until late at night. Far more Voice Transmission Talismans flew between the peaks.
Several Golden Core elders had already left the sect with disciples.
...
The next day, Dam Un-saeng summoned the disciples again.
“Our Yeonha Peak will go here.”
Dam Un-saeng’s finger stopped over the southeastern Anneung Kingdom on a floating map.
It was a short distance from the border with the Geonyang Kingdom.
“One of the Danso Sect and Byeokra Sect’s joint defensive bases will be established here.”
One disciple asked a question.
“Will you be going with us, Master?”
“Yes.”
Dam Un-saeng called out ten names in turn, including Yi Hyeon’s.
“You’ll follow me. Those remaining will handle alchemy duties at the main sect grounds. We’ll also take assistants from among the Qi Refining stage disciples.”
“What about support for the Myriad Gu Sect?”
“Some elders have already left for the Chang Kingdom, and medicinal ingredients and alchemical pills are being sent by other routes.”
Dam Un-saeng moved the small tokens on the map.
One moved south toward the Chang Kingdom. The others formed a close line along the border with the Geonyang Kingdom.
“Golden Core elders will lead the establishment of each base. The Nascent Soul elders will monitor and counter the movements of the enemy’s Nascent Soul cultivators.”
Yi Hyeon studied the terrain of his destination.
A long mountain range stretched to the east, while a supply route extended northwest. That road connected to the Anneung Kingdom’s various cultivator markets and led toward Haemun Port.
‘About twenty thousand li from Underground Hideout No. 3... I suppose this is a battlefield close to home for me.’
Dam Un-saeng continued.
“Our sect and the Byeokra Sect have also requested assistance from the Cheongun Sect, Taehyeon Sect, and Geumjeong Sect in the fourth-tier Hyeon Kingdom. If the Gon Kingdom faces a crisis, they won’t be able to rest easy either.”
Dam Un-saeng put away the map.
“We leave in ten days. Check your magical implements and alchemical pills before then. Once we deploy, there’s no knowing when we’ll return to the sect. Those who have saved contribution points should obtain what they need now. Don’t save them only to lose your chance to spend them.”
“We’ll remember.”
...
The following day.
Yi Hyeon visited the Equipment Hall out of curiosity, but Foundation Establishment cultivators were waiting their turn outside. Carts loaded with goods constantly came and went.
After asking around, he learned that stockpiles were shrinking rapidly as more supplies were sent to the front. The cost of bringing in replacements from outside had also risen. As a result, exchange prices had increased not only for combat implements, but also for various formation disks and formation implements, talismans, and alchemical pills.
Even so, disciples crowded in, making it difficult to obtain what they wanted.
‘Everyone’s thinking along the same lines.’
Yi Hyeon recalled his own possessions.
The Dark Palace-Gate Sword, six bronze flying swords, the black iron spear, the Dark-Scale Underarmor, the Dark Iron Buckler, and the Body-Guarding Bell. He also had the Nine-Bend Dust-Sand Formation, a Tier 2 defensive formation he could deploy in an emergency.
‘I’m not short of magical implements.’
...
Back at Cheongu Gorge, Yi Hyeon took jade boxes from his storage pouch and arranged them across the table and floor.
He removed the talismans one by one and examined the spiritual power remaining in their inscriptions.
Thanks to a large purchase he had made along the way, he still had quite a few usable ones.
He also opened the seals on his alchemical pills and checked their condition.
Working as a Tier 2 alchemist had left him with more than enough spare alchemical pills for his own use.
Next, he took the Bonefuzz puppets from his storage pouch.
Over the past forty-eight years, Yi Hyeon had expanded his collection through Bonefuzz No. 20. In addition to restrictions that activated the Fireball Spell, he had engraved each one with a flight-suppression restriction that used Earth-Origin Force.
These restrictions consumed spirit stones to operate. They were weaker than the Earth-Origin Force Yi Hyeon wielded himself, but several Bonefuzz puppets working together were quite useful.
After repeated training, the Tier 2 Fuzzbees had also grown used to activating both types of restrictions while moving the Bonefuzz puppets.
‘I probably won’t need to use the puppets...’
Finally, Yi Hyeon checked his identity token. After earning contribution points through alchemy duties and other work over the past fifty years, and spending them where needed, he had 1,780 points left.
‘They’ll be worth shit if I never use them, won’t they?’
...
The Inner Pavilion of the Scripture Repository.
There were more people here too, but it was not as noisy as the Equipment Hall. After all, reading a cultivation art or spell before the war did not mean one could use it right away.
Even so, several people had gathered around the catalog of combat spells near the entrance.
Yi Hyeon began by examining the sword path inheritance catalog beside it and found a familiar name.
The reading fee for the 《Supreme Unity Heavenly Dipper Sword Canon》 was still 370 contribution points.
Following the inheritance lineage listed below it, he found a similar name.
《Supreme Unity Earthly Fiend Sword Canon (太乙地煞劍典)》
A Tier 3 sword path inheritance for Golden Core cultivators.
The reading fee was a full 950 contribution points!
Yi Hyeon read the outline.
It continued the sword path at the Golden Core realm, building on the sword qi condensation and refinement, sword momentum, and light splitting learned from the Supreme Unity Heavenly Dipper Sword Canon.
‘I won’t be able to use it yet...’
But there was no guarantee he would have another chance to read it later.
Besides, it was the successor to the sword art he had already learned. Securing this would be better than learning a different sword path from the beginning after reaching Golden Core.
‘I’ll get this first. That leaves 830 contribution points.’
Yi Hyeon wrote down the name of the inheritance he wanted to read, then moved toward the craft inheritances.
‘The sect might fall, so I should also secure the inheritances I need to become a Tier 2 formation master and artifact refiner.’
Keeping his remaining contribution points in mind, he examined the catalogs in turn.
Inheritances containing collections of completed formation diagrams and secret ritual refinement methods for specific magical implements also caught his eye. However, he did not have enough contribution points to select those as well.
What he needed now were the foundations for advancing from Tier 1 to Tier 2. He could obtain more specialized inheritances later if the opportunity arose.
For formations, he first chose 《A Clear Guide to Formations》 and 《An Explanation of Formation Placement by Terrain》. They cost 120 and 140 points respectively.
The former covered the basics of the formation inscriptions and spiritual power control that made up Tier 2 formations. The latter explained how to study terrain and the flow of spirit veins when arranging formations. They seemed likely to deepen his understanding of the formations he had learned and help him improve those in his underground hideout.
From the artifact refining inheritances, he selected 《Spirit Material Refining Methods》, 《A Comprehensive Guide to Magical Implement Restrictions》, and 《Essentials of Restriction Inscription》.
They cost 160, 220, and 180 points respectively.
Together, these inheritances covered everything from refining spirit materials to the principles behind restrictions and the techniques for engraving them onto magical implements. They would also help him organize what he had learned while making the Bonefuzz puppets and fill the gaps in his knowledge.
Yi Hyeon added up the prices again.
The five craft inheritances cost 820 points. Adding the 950 points for the Supreme Unity Earthly Fiend Sword Canon brought the total to 1,770.
‘As for those last ten points...’
He had made good use of the rest.
Yi Hyeon put the Supreme Unity Earthly Fiend Sword Canon at the top of his list, followed by the two formation inheritances and the three artifact refining inheritances.
Once he had organized the list, he approached the cultivator in charge.
“I’d like to read these inheritances in this order. The Supreme Unity Earthly Fiend Sword Canon first, please.”
The cultivator glanced through the list and raised their eyebrows slightly.
“If you start studying these now, you’ll have trouble putting them to use before deployment.”
“I intend to study them later.”
Without asking anything more, the cultivator accepted his identity token and deducted the reading fees for all six inheritances.
Ten contribution points remained.
The cultivator handed back his identity token along with an inheritance chamber token.
“Go to Inheritance Chamber Two.”
...
Inside the inheritance chamber, Yi Hyeon received the jade slip containing the Supreme Unity Earthly Fiend Sword Canon and sent his spiritual sense into it.
The contents were vast and difficult, but for now, memorizing them mattered more than understanding them.
He then read the remaining inheritances in turn. After returning to Cheongu Gorge, he copied the complete contents of all six into blank jade slips and put them in his storage pouch.
...
During the time that remained, he inspected Yeonha Peak’s deployment supplies.
Working with the disciples responsible, Yi Hyeon checked the quantities and separated the prepared materials from those that had yet to be processed.
Yu Jeong-won closed a jade box and spoke.
“I bought a shield in the end.”
“Did you find one you liked?”
“Yes. It cost a lot of contribution points, but... I thought it would keep bothering me if I left without buying it.”
“You made the right choice. Have you finished ritually refining it?”
“I finished last night.”
Yi Hyeon nodded.
Yu Jeong-won hesitated briefly before continuing.
“You don’t seem very nervous, Senior Brother.”
“Me?”
“Yes. You seem just as you always do.”
“Being nervous won’t change anything.”
“...I see.”
“You’ll feel better if you clear your mind and focus on what you can do.”
...
The night before deployment.
Yi Hyeon slowly looked around Cheongu Gorge, removing the traces he had left in his home.
With the Cleansing Spell, he gathered and removed even the dust piled in the corners. He did not leave a single strand of hair behind.
...
The next morning.
Flying boats rose beneath the clouds over the Danso Mountains.
Golden Core elders rode in the ornate boat at the front. Behind it followed a line of boats carrying disciples and supplies.
Restrictions securing various materials and boxes of medicinal ingredients glowed faintly on the deck.
Yi Hyeon withdrew his hand after checking the final seal.
Yu Jeong-won and the other disciples also arranged their luggage. Inside the cabins, the Qi Refining stage disciples reread the cargo lists and their assigned duties.
A short while later, Dam Un-saeng crossed over from the leading boat and landed on the deck.
“Have you forgotten anything?”
“We’ve checked everything.”
Dam Un-saeng nodded, then stood by the railing and looked at Yeonha Peak as it receded into the distance.
The roof of the communal alchemy hall and the pine trees could be seen through the mist.
The elder turned to Yi Hyeon.
“Dong-sam.”
“Yes, Master.”
“You’re skilled in combat. I hope you’ll help your less experienced junior brothers. If an enemy appears whom you can’t handle, inform me.”
“Of course.”
Dam Un-saeng looked around at the senior disciples, including Song Gye-myeong, Ak Mu-gu, Mae So-gun, Bang Je-un, and Jin So-yeong.
“The same goes for all of you.”
“Yes.”
The disciples bowed their heads. The flying boat gradually picked up speed.
The peaks of the Danso Mountains fell away behind them, while broad forests and winding rivers spread out below.
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