WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Dionysus
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◈ Cultivating Underground ◈
Chapter 68
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Stone shattered beneath the gu adept’s feet.
Boom!
His crouching body shot forward just above the ground, his hand brushing the storage pouch at his waist. A broad-bladed saber appeared in his grip.
Hot energy surged from the man’s lower abdomen. The spiritual qi refined by his Life-Sharing Gu mixed with his own blood energy, and fierce, powerful gu-origin true qi flowed along both arms into the blade.
Hummm.
Saber aura burst out several jang from the blade, then rapidly thinned. Black light condensed into a single line along its edge.
He had been a martial arts grandmaster in the Profound realm even before taking in a Life-Sharing Gu.
He was different from the martial artists who entered the Gu-Rearing Institute and received spirit insects as soon as they reached the Transformation realm. He had spent decades wrestling with the question of how to fight cultivators and gu adepts with his limited internal energy.
Thanks to that, even when he was still a Profound realm martial artist, he had cut apart first-tier gu adepts and Qi Refining cultivators several times.
After entering the Gu Path, he had gained the power to freely use the martial arts he had honed all his life.
The saber in his hand now carried gu-origin true qi comparable to a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s spiritual power.
‘Take this!’
Whoosh!
The tip of the saber aura brushed the ground, drawing a black line across the solid bedrock.
A thunderous crash followed a moment later. The ground split, and piles of stone heaved on either side.
A chilling streak of saber light shot through the gap, aiming to cut Yi Hyeon diagonally from neck to flank.
Boundary-Dividing Saber, Ninth Form: One Line Severs a Mountain (一線斷嶽).
It was a supreme art left behind long ago by No Jik, a martial arts grandmaster of the Geonyang Kingdom.
By then, Yi Hyeon was already raising his sword at an angle.
The gu adept’s eyes widened.
It was an opening stance he knew all too well.
Clear light gathered over the Dark Palace-Gate Sword.
Flash!
The two streaks of light met, and sword light slipped with uncanny precision through a tiny gap where they did not quite align.
Clang!
The broad blade split in two.
A diagonal line then appeared across the gu adept’s Protective Spiritlight.
Spurt!
Blood burst from his chest.
The gu adept was pushed backward. Still clutching his broken saber, he staggered two steps. But that was as far as he went.
His knees struck the ground.
He looked down at his chest, then at the puppet master’s sword.
The form the puppet master had just used was unmistakably... the ninth form of Boundary-Dividing Saber. It was one of the legendary martial arts passed down in the Geonyang Kingdom since ancient times, and the very form he had just used.
Yet the level was so high that it seemed like something beyond the Boundary-Dividing Saber he knew.
‘He didn’t counter with a form that had an advantage over mine. He started the same form after me and deflected my strike... What kind of earth-shaking, ghostly technique is this...?’
“You... How could you... use Boundary-Dividing Saber like... How...?”
The turtle mask tilted slightly.
A voice tinged with regret came from beneath it.
“That’s not how you do it...”
The gu adept’s lips moved.
He tried to say more, but only blood came out. The broken saber fell from his hand, and his body slowly toppled sideways.
...
Yi Hyeon put away the Dark Palace-Gate Sword and looked south.
Faint fluctuations of spiritual power reached him from beyond the distant mountains. The Golden Core elders and Tier 3 gu adepts seemed to still be moving in that direction.
‘I’d better clean this up quickly.’
The lower abdomen of one fallen gu adept stirred. Thin strands of tissue writhed between torn clothes and an open wound, then a long white insect emerged.
Similar movements came from the other bodies.
The spirit insect pouch was already in an uproar.
The Fuzzbees inside the Bonefuzz puppets were much the same, but Yi Hyeon ordered them to yield. Instead of those that had already reached Tier 2, he would feed the Life-Sharing Gu to the Tier 1 Fuzzbees.
Bzz, bzz, bzz.
When Yi Hyeon opened the pouch, golden balls of fluff poured out.
A Life-Sharing Gu slipped from a wound and fell onto the dirt. It twisted, trying to burrow into a crack between the stones, but the Fuzzbees descended and latched onto it in an instant.
Without their hosts, the Life-Sharing Gu were rapidly weakening. Some struggled quite fiercely, but they were no match for the Fuzzbees.
Chirp, chirp!
The other bees scattered among the bodies as well.
While the bees ate, Yi Hyeon collected the eight storage pouches from the corpses.
He did not overlook the various spirit tokens worn beneath their clothes or the bracers on their wrists. He also gathered the broken saber, the fallen throwing knives, and the fragments of shattered shell and gourd.
After putting away the loot, Yi Hyeon retrieved the Bonefuzz puppets one by one.
By the time he had found and collected even the pieces cut from the puppets, the Fuzzbees began returning.
Their bellies swollen, they landed on his arms and shoulders.
“If you’re done eating, get inside.”
Chirp.
After checking that the last bee had entered the spirit insect pouch, Yi Hyeon waved his hand.
Whoosh.
Flames rose over the bodies.
He used the Soil-Turning Spell to turn over the earth and bury the remains deep below. He also churned up the places where blood had pooled.
After using the Cleansing Spell to remove the stains from his clothes and body, Yi Hyeon left.
...
Only after he was far from the valley did he remove his mask and black robe.
He changed into his familiar Danso Sect robe, tidied his disheveled hair, and lowered his body.
Soon, he was sliding over the ground in a reclining position.
Swishhh.
The grass rushed past him.
Using the Reclining Escape Art, Yi Hyeon crossed the lower slopes. When the ridges rose higher, he slipped into the earth and emerged on the other side. He made wide detours around any place where he sensed people.
‘I hope I get back before Senior Brother and Senior Sister...’
...
At the northern entrance to Cheongseok Market, Yi Hyeon presented his identity token. The disciple on guard checked the records.
“You’re back, Martial Uncle.”
“Has anything happened?”
“No.”
Yi Hyeon nodded and went inside.
He was returning from the area assigned to him. There was no need to avoid anyone’s gaze or appear hurried.
After stopping at his quarters to check his appearance again, Yi Hyeon headed to the alchemy hall used by the Yeonha Peak disciples.
The smell of medicinal ingredients being prepared came from inside.
A Qi Refining disciple approached with a jade case.
“Martial Uncle Yi, I’ve set aside the ingredients you mentioned earlier.”
“Good work.”
Yi Hyeon opened the lid and was examining the ingredients when hurried footsteps outside stopped at the door.
“Could we have some Blood-Staunching Powder and Tier 2 Qi-Restoring Pills? They’re for a Foundation Establishment cultivator.”
A moment later, Ak Mu-gu and Mae So-gun appeared in the doorway. Behind them, two Byeokra Sect cultivators stood by the road, supporting an injured fellow disciple.
Yi Hyeon set down the jade case.
“Are you badly hurt?”
“We’re fine. It’s that one we’re worried about.”
Ak Mu-gu let out a long breath.
Mae So-gun asked, “Has Master returned?”
“I haven’t seen Master yet.”
Mae So-gun nodded.
The bleeding from the Byeokra Sect cultivator’s thigh had barely been stopped.
Taking the medicine bottles the disciple brought, Mae So-gun went outside and handed them to the Byeokra Sect cultivators.
“Take your fellow disciple back to your quarters first. We’ll report to the elders.”
The Byeokra Sect cultivators briefly thanked them, then hurried away with the injured cultivator.
...
That evening.
Dam Un-saeng and a Golden Core elder of the Byeokra Sect sat inside a hall. Several disciples, including Song Gye-myeong and Yi Hyeon, stood at the back.
The injured Byeokra Sect cultivator sat leaning back in a chair after receiving treatment. Ak Mu-gu and Mae So-gun stood before the elders and explained what had happened.
“...So we set up a formation and held out. To escape on our own, we would’ve had to break through their lines, but the Mirage Tower Sect kept filling the area with mist. We could barely tell where the enemies were.”
When Mae So-gun finished, Ak Mu-gu added, “The first Voice Transmission Talisman we sent was cut apart right in front of us. We don’t know how far the others got. We tried sending up a signal too, but...”
Dam Un-saeng nodded.
“And then a puppet master appeared?”
“Yes. White bone puppets suddenly began crawling out of the ground and the cracks between the rocks.”
Ak Mu-gu spread his hands apart.
“They looked like ants about this big. Dozens poured out from every direction.”
“Dozens?”
The Byeokra Sect elder repeated the word.
Mae So-gun thought for a moment before answering.
“I think there were around twenty. We didn’t have time to count them properly.”
“When they all activated their restrictions at once, the gu adepts were driven into the ground. Then they poured fireballs onto them...”
Ak Mu-gu slapped the table once with his palm.
“Oh, and the puppet master said this was the land of the great Anneung Kingdom and told them to stop making so much noise.”
Silence fell for a moment.
The Byeokra Sect elder stroked his beard.
“The Anneung Kingdom...”
Ak Mu-gu continued.
“The Mirage Tower Sect cultivators called the puppet master someone from Skull Island. They seemed to think the person was on their side. But the puppet master attacked them straight away, so they seemed surprised too.”
The Byeokra Sect elder thought for a moment, then turned to Dam Un-saeng.
“The Anneung Kingdom sounds like a mere excuse. White bone puppets do match the methods of the Yin Bird Sect’s Skull Island branch. This cultivator is probably at late Foundation Establishment or Great Perfection. Perhaps even a heavenly prodigy they’re specially nurturing. There may have been a grudge against someone in the Mirage Tower Sect, or perhaps the puppet master wanted something they had. Just because twelve sects have gathered together doesn’t mean all their disciples get along.”
Dam Un-saeng agreed.
“Still, we can’t conclude that the sects have begun fighting one another.”
“Of course not.”
Dam Un-saeng looked around at the disciples.
“Don’t assume this person is an ally if you meet again. All we know is that the puppet master didn’t attack you this time.”
“We’ll remember that.”
...
In Yi Hyeon’s quarters.
A Bonefuzz puppet with one foreleg cut off lay on the table.
‘This will take a bit of work.’
A Fuzzbee climbed onto the back of Yi Hyeon’s hand. He had brought it out to watch for approaching gu adepts. Outside the spirit insect pouch, a Fuzzbee could detect spirit insects from farther away.
Chirp.
“You fought well too.”
The Fuzzbee’s antennae moved.
Yi Hyeon removed the spirit stone from the Bonefuzz puppet. Its light had grown considerably dimmer.
He took out the other Bonefuzz puppets one at a time and checked them too.
He did not bring them all out at once, in case someone suddenly entered his quarters. If he noticed anything strange, he was confident he could put a single Bonefuzz puppet back into his storage pouch immediately.
Next, he examined the loot.
After erasing the traces of spiritual sense left on the storage pouches and sorting their contents, he soon had the floor covered.
He counted the spirit stones first.
There were 186 mid-grade spirit stones and 2,740 low-grade spirit stones.
“Oh...”
A kindly look came over Yi Hyeon’s face.
The spirit stones were only the beginning.
Even after excluding the damaged ones, there were six usable high-grade magical implements: a set of curved throwing knives, a spare gourd, two shields, a pair of bracers, and a short spear. There were also several mid-grade magical implements and spare weapons.
The last gu adept’s saber had been quite a fine weapon, but it was already broken in two.
‘I’ll have to use it as spirit material when I practice implement refining.’
There were usable parts among the broken shells and gourds as well. He set aside the pieces with intact formation inscriptions.
One Mirage Tower Sect cultivator’s storage pouch also contained a shell magical implement whose restrictions had not yet been fully engraved. Beside it were several prepared pearls and various spirit materials.
There were seventeen Tier 2 talismans alone. Among them were attack talismans that released torrents of water and blades of ice, earth-element defensive talismans, and wind-element talismans that made the body lighter. Most had been tucked safely inside the storage pouches.
‘They probably didn’t have time to take them out.’
That was why he had been able to collect them like this.
There were plenty of alchemical pills too.
Along with Qi-Restoring Pills, Detoxification Pills, and Blood-Staunching Pills, he found several bottles of cultivation pills used by Foundation Establishment cultivators. The amount left in each bottle varied, but together they made a considerable quantity.
Some small, separately sealed bottles were mixed in among them. They contained fine powder flecked with red.
‘Dream-Illusion Coral?’
The gu adepts’ storage pouches held another kind of medicine bottle.
These contained medicinal powder made by mixing red crystals of solidified monster blood with herbs that replenished vitality. From the labels and the records found alongside them in the storage pouches, they were used to raise Life-Sharing Gu.
Yi Hyeon gathered them separately.
He also found no fewer than five jade slips. Apart from maps and trading records, two contained parts of inheritances.
One held the first half of the Mist-Condensing Art (凝霧訣), which had belonged to a Mirage Tower Sect cultivator. It described methods for using shells and pearls to create mist and gather it again after it had spread.
There was nothing about making a person appear as several overlapping figures or deceiving spiritual sense. Still, he thought he might learn something by studying it alongside the unfinished shell magical implement.
The other jade slip recorded methods for raising Life-Sharing Gu and the changes they underwent before and after molting.
The Gu Path’s core cultivation method was missing, but the ratios of medicinal ingredients mixed into their feed and the signs of weakness in the spirit insects were described in considerable detail. After reading a few passages, Yi Hyeon set the jade slip aside.
‘Unfortunately, nothing looks all that precious... They must all memorize their core inheritances.’
Adding the Dream-Illusion Coral powder, Mirage Clam (蜃蛤) pearls, shell fragments bearing formation inscriptions, and various spirit materials, even a rough estimate of the goods’ value took some time.
He could use the spirit stones right away, but it would be better to hold on to the implements bearing the Mirage Tower Sect’s distinctive features for a while. There was no reason to sell them nearby.
Not unless he wanted to advertise that he was the puppet master who had seemed to come from Skull Island.
Yi Hyeon did some quick calculations.
Considering the spirit stones and magical implements he had collected, he had not lost out in this battle. In fact, he had made quite a profit.
Whether he would have gained as much by fighting with only the Bonefuzz puppets was another matter.
Having several Bonefuzz puppets work together to hold down a Tier 2 gu adept while using Fireball Spells to break through the adept’s Protective Spiritlight consumed spirit stones far too quickly.
If he had not finished the enemies himself, there was no telling how many times more he would have spent. If even one or two Bonefuzz puppets had been completely destroyed in the process, he would also have needed to pay for new bone material and soul stones.
‘Auto-hunting is still nowhere near possible.’
Looking sleepy, the Fuzzbee lay belly-down against the back of his hand.
Yi Hyeon put it into the spirit insect pouch and brought out another Fuzzbee.
While the newly emerged bee climbed onto the corner of the table and raised its antennae, Yi Hyeon examined the Bonefuzz puppet’s body again and began writing down the improvements that came to mind.
...
For some time after that, daily life in Cheongseok Market remained largely unchanged.
The turtle-masked puppet master did not appear again.
* * *
When nearly half a year had passed since their arrival at Cheongseok Market, strange rumors began to spread.
New Nascent Soul cultivators had appeared among the Nammyeong Twelve-Sect Alliance, and a major battle had taken place in the direction of the Chang Kingdom.
At the same time, activity inside the market began to change little by little. For some reason, people seemed anxious.
...
A few days later.
The Foundation Establishment cultivators staying in Cheongseok Market gathered in the central hall.
Disciples of the Danso Sect and Byeokra Sect filled the hall alongside people from nearby small sects and cultivation families. The Golden Core elders sat at the front.
Dam Un-saeng stood.
“Orders have come from the main sect grounds. At dawn tomorrow, we withdraw from Cheongseok Market.”
Beside Yi Hyeon, Yu Jeong-won let out a quiet breath. It sounded as though his tension had eased.
But another elder immediately continued.
“We will withdraw northward, toward the Hyeon Kingdom.”
Yu Jeong-won’s expression stiffened.
Someone at the back of the hall asked, “Aren’t we returning to the main sect grounds?”
Dam Un-saeng shook their head.
“They’re preparing to withdraw from there as well.”
Many did not immediately understand.
“...Do you mean we’re abandoning the sect grounds?” a disciple in the front row asked.
Dam Un-saeng gave a short reply.
“Yes.”
The Byeokra Sect elder rose.
“Our seniors fought the Nammyeong Twelve-Sect Alliance. Those who came from the north also lent their strength, but they could not turn the tide.”
Dam Un-saeng added, “The Nammyeong Twelve-Sect Alliance had more Nascent Soul cultivators than we expected. We failed to properly assess how much stronger they had grown since taking the Ram Kingdom long ago. When those who crossed the sea later joined them, the balance shifted. One of our sect’s Supreme Elders also suffered bodily injuries. We’re told the elder will need time to recover.”
The Byeokra Sect elder continued.
“They discussed whether we could defend the main sect grounds if we kept fighting. In the end, they agreed on terms for our withdrawal.”
He gestured. A rolled sheet of paper on the table unfurled and floated into the air.
「The Myriad Gu Sect, Danso Sect, and Byeokra Sect shall surrender their main sect grounds and major strongholds within the appointed time. The Nammyeong Twelve-Sect Alliance shall not pursue the withdrawing Nascent Soul cultivators.」
The hall stirred.
“All the spirit veins...”
“We’re handing over even the main sect grounds?”
“Quiet.”
The voices faded.
The elder looked around at the disciples.
“For now, this applies to the fourth-tier spirit veins at the main sect grounds and the strongholds around them. Each sect is deciding the details of removing supplies and withdrawing personnel. Here, you need only prepare to leave Cheongseok Market. Until the withdrawal is complete, neither side’s Nascent Soul cultivators will interfere in battles involving Golden Core cultivators, Tier 3 gu adepts, or anyone below them.”
Song Gye-myeong asked, “Does that mean those below Nascent Soul can keep attacking?”
“Yes.”
One disciple asked, “Could the Supreme Elders travel with us...?”
“No,” Dam Un-saeng answered. “The agreement also states that Nascent Soul cultivators will not escort the retreating groups. The Supreme Elders have already withdrawn from the battlefield. We Golden Core elders will lead those who remain.”
Ak Mu-gu clenched the hand resting on his knee.
“Then even after taking the spirit veins, they’re going to chase us down and rob us?”
The Byeokra Sect elder did not deny it.
“The Nammyeong Twelve-Sect Alliance refused our demand to forbid their disciples from pursuing us. Many cultivators must have joined them hoping for military merit and loot. The twelve sects would hardly be willing to give up all of their followers’ shares as well. In any case, they won the war. This is not something we can decide.”
“...”
“In return, their Nascent Soul cultivators will not attack us either. Without this condition, we would have had to worry about Nascent Soul cultivators appearing along our withdrawal route. The Supreme Elders have done what they could to look out for you. The enemy also doesn’t want our Nascent Soul cultivators roaming around and slaughtering their disciples. In exchange, both sides have agreed to hold back.”
Yi Hyeon sorted through the terms in his mind.
The Nascent Soul cultivators would no longer interfere.
But they could still encounter Golden Core cultivators or Tier 3 gu adepts. Foundation Establishment cultivators and Tier 2 gu adepts would pursue them too.
To those people, the departing cultivators’ storage pouches and cargo would look like loot.
Dam Un-saeng’s voice was calm.
“That is all that has been decided. Our task now is to get out safely.”
With a wave of their hand, a map unfolded in the air.
The road leading north from Cheongseok Market lit up. Several strongholds were marked along the way.
“We will travel alongside the Byeokra Sect for part of the route. We’ll also join up with the people from nearby strongholds.”
Dam Un-saeng pointed to the first gathering point.
“The advance party will leave today to check the route. The rest will finish loading by tonight and depart before daybreak. We will keep the main formation active until the rear guard has withdrawn.”
An elder added, “Move the supplies that are already packed as they are. Don’t waste time dismantling equipment we can’t take. People and the supplies needed for travel come first.”
The elders explained where they would gather and the order in which they would move.
There were many questions.
Would they be able to meet their fellow disciples who remained at the main sect grounds?
Could cultivators from nearby cultivation families bring their families with them?
Where could they redeem the contribution points they had earned so far?
But the elders gave discouraging answers to most of them.
They did not know whether they would be able to join their fellow disciples from the main sect grounds. There was no time to fetch family members who were far away, and using their contribution points would be difficult as well.
...
After the meeting, the Yeonha Peak disciples followed Dam Un-saeng to a separate hall.
Once the door closed, Yu Jeong-won asked the question he had been holding back.
“Master, has the Hyeon Kingdom agreed to let us enter?”
“Yes. The Cheongun Sect, Taehyeon Sect, and Geumjeong Sect have allowed fleeing disciples to pass through their lands and stay for the time being. But they have not agreed to give us a new home.”
The disciples focused their attention on Dam Un-saeng again.
“The spirit veins there have owners too. They aren’t willing to give the three sects enough land to transplant their former power intact. If we want to obtain a spirit vein and settle, we’ll have to negotiate separately with its owners.”
Mae So-gun asked, “Then we still haven’t decided where we’ll stay?”
“That’s right.”
Silence fell for a moment.
Ak Mu-gu muttered, “If the Nammyeong Twelve-Sect Alliance pushes farther north, won’t the Hyeon Kingdom be in danger too? And having cultivators from the Chang and Gon Kingdoms cross over will cause them trouble as well. Why didn’t they help us more actively?”
“They aren’t as desperate as we are.”
Dam Un-saeng pointed to the upper part of the map.
Beyond the Chang and Gon Kingdoms, the land spread far to the east and west. The Hyeon Kingdom stood on that broader stretch of land, with several other borders around it.
“The peninsula ends with the Gon Kingdom. The Hyeon Kingdom lies at the edge of a continent that stretches far to the east and west, so its situation is different. Anyone attacking it would have to consider the movements of several neighboring cultivation kingdoms. Most of the surrounding sects lean toward the orthodox path. They won’t welcome demonic forces from across the sea settling beside them. The Nammyeong Twelve-Sect Alliance also needs to divide its newly seized spirit veins and defend its occupied lands. The Hyeon Kingdom probably believes the alliance can’t take on the extra burden of advancing north just yet.”
“But still...”
“They did send no fewer than three Nascent Soul cultivators. That was a considerable effort on their part. It seems they simply weren’t willing to risk serious injuries to their own Nascent Soul cultivators to defend our sect grounds.”
Ak Mu-gu could say no more.
Dam Un-saeng continued.
“The Hyeon Kingdom also secured a promise from the Nammyeong Twelve-Sect Alliance that they would not pursue us into its territory. First, we must get there.”
Song Gye-myeong looked at Dam Un-saeng.
“Where do you intend to go, Master?”
Dam Un-saeng did not answer at once.
After studying the map on the table for some time, the alchemist slowly spoke.
“First, I should find somewhere for you to rest.”
Dam Un-saeng looked around at the disciples.
“I’ve already sent messages to old acquaintances. But I still don’t know whether any of them can take in our Yeonha Peak family. I intend to look into other options too.”
Dam Un-saeng was a Golden Core cultivator and a Tier 3 alchemist. An alchemist of that level was rare in the cultivation world, so finding somewhere to stay alone would not be particularly difficult. There were more than enough factions in the human realm that would welcome Dam Un-saeng.
The problem was bringing along all the disciples who had followed. Most spirit veins suitable for settling safely already had owners, and few places could accept so many disciples at once.
Bang Je-un asked cautiously, “Should we find separate quarters...?”
“We can discuss that after reaching the north,” Dam Un-saeng cut in. “Don’t start worrying about splitting up yet. Just focus on getting out of here safely. Gye-myeong, check the list of disciples who came to Cheongseok Market and make sure everyone is accounted for.”
“Yes.”
“The rest of you, inspect the flying boats and the goods we’ll be carrying. Hurry.”
“Understood.”
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