WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

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Episode 20: Die Standing, Never Bow (3)

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* * *

Ryu Seonghan crossed the entrance to the Essence-Draining Ghost-Demon Valley's main stronghold.

The heart of a Nascent Soul Realm demonic sect.

The innermost depths of the demonic beasts' lair, encircled by five layers of walls.

A dense aura pressed down on the entire city, potent enough to make Ryu's skin prickle the moment they stepped inside.

Even an orthodox cultivator unable to see demonic qi could feel it.

Ryu controlled their expression and forced down their boiling tension as they walked forward.

After waiting near the main gate at the guard's direction, an early Foundation Establishment Realm demonic beast and a Qi Condensation Realm demonic beast came to greet them.

The Foundation Establishment demonic beast approached with a show of friendliness.

"I don't believe we've met before. Did you come alone this time? Don't you usually travel in teams of two?"

"The palace has been busy with many affairs lately, so only one person was assigned to each inspection this time."

"I see. You've had it rough."

It was a lie, of course.

Ryu had paid a vast tribute to the elder backing them and arranged to come alone.

At first, Ryu had considered disguising Ise as one member of a two-person team. Ise would take the Two Principles Return-to-Origin Art while Ryu caused a disturbance inside to draw attention.

But knowing Ise's nature, there was no way he would permit a plan that required Ryu to sacrifice themself while he escaped alone.

Ryu gave a pleasant smile and addressed the Foundation Establishment demonic beast.

"This is my first inspection assignment, so I'd like to be a little more thorough, according to the rules. I hope you'll excuse any inconvenience."

"Sure, whatever."

The demonic beast replied indifferently.

Ryu immediately activated a Formation-Detection Talisman toward the outer city's warding barrier.

It was a talisman used to identify the type of formation.

'A warding barrier that prevents unauthorized entry, flight arts, and the use of Escape Talismans, while also blocking attacks aimed at the city.'

Ryu firmly committed the information to memory.

'Using an Escape Talisman would scatter internal qi midway through and shred someone apart in midair. It would've been disastrous to use one without knowing. Escape is impossible except through the entrance.'

The Foundation Establishment demonic beast frowned at Ryu's abrupt use of the talisman.

"You're even inspecting the type of warding barrier?"

"That's the rule. Have the people who came before never done so?"

The question carried a hint of suspicion, as though the inspections until now had not been properly conducted.

The demonic beast glanced at the recording stone hanging around Ryu's neck, then hurriedly waved a hand in alarm.

Whenever a cultivator from the Heavenly Ice Palace came to inspect the place, it had been customary for them to bring courtesans and spend several days indulging themselves before returning.

Yet the person who had come this time was an unbearably fussy stickler for rules.

The demonic beast's expression remained displeased, but their voice grew much quieter.

"...You're not here to tour enemy territory. Let's move on."

Ryu was led to the Library Pavilion.

After examining Library Pavilions A and B in order, they entered Library Pavilion C.

Their gaze moved slowly along the shelves before stopping on a single cultivation manual.

Two Principles Return-to-Origin Art.

It sat carelessly among the other manuals without any notable protection.

'Its existence is confirmed.'

Ryu kept moving naturally, shifting only their gaze and divine sense.

'Can I take it?'

Impossible. Ryu immediately dismissed the thought.

The divine sense of the demonic beast who had greeted them followed their every move.

Checking the list of secret manuals was not something that took only a few hours.

Ryu deliberately dragged things out, moving slowly to bore them.

Even so, the Foundation Establishment demonic beast's divine sense never relaxed its surveillance.

Another Foundation Establishment demonic beast managing the Library Pavilion stood firm in a corner.

That was not all. A warding barrier to prevent theft had also been laid within the Library Pavilion.

Secretly concealing it and taking it away was out of the question.

A simple approach would never be enough to steal something from a sect.

That was Ryu Seonghan's conclusion.

Once they had examined the entire Library Pavilion, Ryu turned their attention inward and swept their gaze over the stronghold.

"Is there anywhere else where secret manuals are kept?"

"There isn't."

"I'll need to inspect the interior."

"Listen, Cultivator Ryu. I think you're crossing the line."

The demonic beast's voice dropped.

Without even trying to hide their hostility, they openly released ominous demonic qi.

"As I said, my assignment is to confirm whether there are any other cultivation methods that have not been reported. If you had intended to conceal them from the beginning, you wouldn't have placed them so openly in the Library Pavilion."

"Are you accusing the valley of harboring rebellious intentions and deliberately concealing cultivation methods? Is that truly the will of the Heavenly Ice Palace? Your actions will be reported to our superiors."

"Please do."

Ryu did not even blink.

"I will report it and inspect only the areas I am permitted to enter. But I will also report that there are areas being concealed, as well as the fact that a cultivator of the Heavenly Ice Palace was pressured and threatened."

"..."

The demonic beast finally sighed.

If Ryu was behaving this excessively, the young cultivator's intentions were obvious.

The demonic beast took a handful of mid-grade Spiritual Stones from their storage pouch and discreetly held them out.

"Will this do?"

"What are you doing?"

"A token of goodwill. Isn't this what you wanted?"

"Are you treating an agent of the Heavenly Ice Palace like a common thief?"

Ryu raised their voice.

'They won't take a bribe?'

Even if Ryu had only intended to do their assigned work, it was enough money to make anyone hesitate at least once.

Instead, Ryu had gotten angry in earnest. That meant they were an inflexible stickler for rules, someone who could not be reasoned with.

The demonic beast clicked their tongue inwardly.

'They say orthodox cultivators are stubborn hypocrites.'

It would be troublesome to make this matter any bigger.

If they gave the palace something to hold over them, their superior would not spare them a beating.

"You cannot inspect the residences of the great demonic beasts or the leadership's quarters. You can show that much respect for your seniors... can't you?"

"Of course."

Ryu took a step back.

"Thank you for your understanding. Once the inspection is complete, I will make sure to write in my report that Fellow Daoist and your junior cooperated admirably."

"Do whatever you want."

The demonic beast's attitude had turned even more sullen.

"May I see a map of the inner grounds? As I said, this is my first assignment. If you cooperate this time, I'll exercise some flexibility in the future as well."

The demonic beast signaled to the Qi Condensation Realm demonic beast beside them.

"...Give it to them."

Ryu slowly but thoroughly extended their divine sense, feeling their way through the Essence-Draining Ghost-Demon Valley's main stronghold.

Whenever their divine sense struck a warding barrier and bounced back, the demonic beast added only a brief explanation.

"That is a great cultivator's domain."

Ryu had lost count of how many times they had heard those words.

'Why are there so many great cultivators? They're as slippery as snakes.'

There were far too many places being concealed.

It was enough to make even someone with no intention of investigating suspicious.

Perhaps reading Ryu's thoughts, the Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator following them added awkwardly.

"Demonic beast culture differs somewhat from that of orthodox cultivators. They are reluctant to tell even their families what they are doing."

"I understand."

Digging any deeper would not change anything anyway.

It was almost a futile effort, but Ryu did not give up. They carefully committed every piece of information to memory.

Then Ryu's gaze stopped near a certain building.

"This is the Essence-Refining House, where the valley produces its Demon-Soul Stones, one of its resources..."

It was larger and rougher in appearance than any building Ryu had seen so far.

A place that gave off a more inauspicious aura than any other.

Screams and groans leaked out as though being squeezed from within.

"It isn't a pleasant sight for an orthodox cultivator."

"...It certainly doesn't look that way. I'll only take a brief look."

Ryu walked to the entrance of the Essence-Refining House and swept their divine sense through its interior.

Their expression hardened.

Mortals and crippled demonic cultivators bound in chains were having their vital essence drained while still alive.

Their withered bodies hung limp like bundles of straw.

On one side stood massive jars taller than a person, and ghostly wails rang out from within them without end.

It was a place that crushed the vital essence of the living and the souls of the dead, turning them into resources.

The vile sight made bile rise in Ryu's throat.

Then a familiar face caught their divine sense.

One member of the Ryu Clan was withering away inside, dried up into something barely distinguishable from a ghost.

Fierce anger surged up from the depths of Ryu's Dharma-Flower Dantian.

The urge to smash through the wall, sever those chains, and cut off every demonic beast's head made their fingertips tremble.

But Ryu endured.

Gritting their teeth, they barely forced down their rising fury.

Then they turned away as though nothing had happened.

Unable to bear it any longer, the Foundation Establishment cultivator glared at Ryu and spoke in a far rougher tone.

"Hey, enough already. It's been two days. Can't you see that poor Qi Condensation demonic beast following you around without sleep or food?"

Ryu stood quietly for a moment, considering it, then nodded.

"...Thank you for your cooperation. May I borrow a place to write my report?"

"Ah, fuck."

In the end, the demonic beast finally cursed.

Led to the guest hall, Ryu took a seat by the window.

"Please turn your attention elsewhere. I would also appreciate it if you withdrew your divine sense."

"Come on..."

"Don't worry. There was nothing unusual in the results of my inspection."

The two demonic beasts reluctantly withdrew their divine sense and turned their backs.

Both hoped that this troublesome cultivator who made everyone miserable would never set foot here again.

Pretending to write a report, Ryu quickly wrote out the information to send Ise.

Discard all other plans.

There was no gap in the valley's security.

If even an inspector from the Heavenly Ice Palace faced limits on access... there was only one method left.

Two Message Talismans soon flew out the window at the same time.

One was for Ise. The other was for Baek Gi and Cheongun, who were likely meeting the Grand Duke by now.

* * *

Ise's eyes quickly moved across the words as he unfolded the message sent by Ryu Seonghan.

It had arrived two days after Ryu entered the stronghold.

The Message Talisman's contents were quite extensive.

A rough overall map. The exact location of the Two Principles Return-to-Origin Art. The types of warding barriers and their traps. The cultivation realm of the demonic beast guarding Library Pavilion C. Even the recommended escape route if war broke out.

The information was organized without a single gap.

'At least Ryu seems to be safe.'

Though he breathed a sigh of relief, Ise could not settle his mind.

What exactly was Ryu planning?

He could not read Ryu's intentions at all.

Since there was no mention of evidence, it seemed Ryu had ultimately been unable to enter the core areas and had reached the limits of the investigation.

Without evidence, the justification for war would be weak.

Yet Ryu's message was clear.

War would happen without fail. Prepare.

It meant that even with weak justification, they intended to go through with it.

'What are they planning to do?'

He had already learned painfully at their farewell that there was no point trying to stop Ryu.

Then Ise had only one thing to do. Prepare whatever he could.

No sect fought a war in its own bedroom.

The moment war broke out, this place would surely be left unguarded.

When that happened, he would stir up even greater chaos inside Demon Valley City.

That confusion would create an opening for him to obtain the lower volume of the Two Principles Return-to-Origin Art and escape safely.

Ise rose to his feet.

* * *

Ryu Seonghan rose to their feet.

It was time to act on their decision.

Their fingertips trembled slightly.

They clenched and unclenched their fists, calming their heart.

Do not be afraid. Do not retreat.

Move steadfastly toward the goal you have chosen.

With quiet movements, Ryu swallowed a high-grade Bursting Spirit Pellet.

The spiritual energy within their body expanded as though exploding.

Before the demonic beasts could sense the change, a Wind Blade flew toward the neck of the Foundation Establishment cultivator, who had exposed their back without defense.

Their divine sense withdrawn, their back turned.

Carelessness born from the certainty that a cultivator of the Heavenly Ice Palace would never harm them.

And a spell honed to its peak through years of imagining, training, and tempering it over and over.

Slice.

The result was the severed head of a sworn enemy.

Footnotes:

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