WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Dionysus
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◈ Xianxia Cultivation with a Dragon Heart ◈
Chapter 68: A Successful Deal Begins
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Gold Lotus Manor was not open at all times to those wishing to trade. This not only reduced disruptions to training but also made it easier to screen out riffraff.
Today, though it was midwinter, the sky was blue and clear, and the warm sunlight offered what little warmth it could.
It was the day Gold Lotus Manor opened its gates.
From morning, renowned factions from all across the martial world and respected individuals proud of their own reputations had gathered before the manor.
“...Its reputation is well deserved.”
It was an expression like Earth’s “worthy of its reputation,” meaning that its fame was no lie.
The middle-aged man who muttered those words was a deputy sect leader of the Iron Blood Sect, having come from a distant place west of Jiangxi.
As a master at the Peak Realm, he was someone who could have been respected as a notable figure in a region or even established his own faction.
Yet after coming here and personally experiencing the manor’s rumored presence, he found himself doubting his own abilities and even questioning the honor and status he had enjoyed.
That was also why, despite members of nearly twenty factions, both orthodox and unorthodox, gathering here, not even a petty quarrel broke out.
When they felt the Golden Lotus Martial Venerable’s overwhelming presence, they could not even bring themselves to laugh at the few wandering martial artists who had come without any faction and were only around the First-Rate Realm.
They felt no different from them.
After a while.
When the time came, the gates opened, and the rumored Clear Stream White Phoenix, Eun Miryeong, and Jade-Faced Sword Dragon, Seogwang Gahu, emerged.
In the past, the two had merely been young rising talents who had gained some fame through their backgrounds in the Hyeonbaek Sect and Seogwang Clan. Their Dragon and Phoenix epithets had felt somewhat excessive.
But that was no longer the case.
They had accompanied the Golden Lotus Martial Venerable, a Life and Death Realm master, on his first venture into the martial world, and they still lived with him. Rumor even had it that they personally received instruction in martial arts from him. They were practically half-disciples of the Golden Lotus Martial Venerable.
For Seogwang Gahu, who came from a clan, that was one thing. But Eun Miryeong was already a disciple of the Hyeonbaek Sect, so it could have been a problem...
Naturally, no one in the martial world raised an objection.
‘Even the Hyeonbaek Sect itself is keeping quiet. Who would dare point it out and pick a fight?’
They had not even been definitively acknowledged as disciples, so there was still room to wait and see. Moreover, Eun Miryeong had always been famed for her beauty, and there was more than enough possibility that she could be tied to the Golden Lotus Martial Venerable in another kind of relationship.
Though the Hyeonbaek Sect carried on Daoist teachings, it did not forbid its disciples from marrying. On the contrary, it often encouraged it.
“Please, come in.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
Masters who had reached the Peak Realm or even the Supreme Peak Realm offered clasped-fist salutes to Seogwang Gahu and Eun Miryeong before entering. Some had even reached the Transformation Realm.
Seogwang Gahu and Eun Miryeong returned their greetings with utmost courtesy.
The place they were led to was an outdoor garden that could be called a separate residence. Though the weather was fine and most of the visitors were martial masters, it was difficult to understand why the manor intended to receive people outdoors in the middle of winter.
Yet the moment they entered the garden, they could clearly feel its warmth, and they could not help being quietly surprised.
‘A formation array?’
The Iron Blood Sect deputy sect leader was inwardly impressed as well.
Knowledge of martial arts and formation arrays were separate matters. For the Golden Lotus Martial Venerable, who did not even have a major faction behind him, to possess such an array in his garden meant he had considerable mastery of Formation Array Arts as well.
‘Could that rumor really be true?’
Surely, there had been at least some fools who had tried to infiltrate this manor.
Yet he had never heard of anyone successfully climbing its walls. There were even strange rumors that anyone who crossed the wall with ill intent would suddenly be shrouded in fog and wander lost for more than half a day.
If that was the Golden Lotus Martial Venerable’s formation array, it explained everything.
Once everyone had taken their seats, neatly dressed servants employed by the manor began bringing out refreshments.
When the atmosphere had been suitably prepared, the Golden Lotus Martial Venerable appeared.
Surprisingly few people had actually seen the renowned Golden Lotus Martial Venerable in person. If one went toward the Righteous Alliance rather than Okhan City, there would likely be more who had seen him during the exploration of the treasure map’s ancient tomb complex.
In any case.
The Golden Lotus Martial Venerable looked far younger than they had expected. His light blue robes suited him especially well, making him seem younger still.
The Iron Blood Sect deputy sect leader unconsciously narrowed his eyes, then quickly composed his expression.
‘If he has regained his youth, it feels as though he was never old to begin with... No. What could I possibly know about a master of that level?’
Then the Golden Lotus Martial Venerable, who had naturally drawn everyone’s attention, spoke.
“Thank you all for coming despite the trouble.”
Despite the strength and fame that shook the martial world, his manner was exceedingly humble and polite.
After exchanging a few more formal greetings, he seemed ready to get to the main subject.
“Please bring out the items you have prepared for trade. If you wish to avoid the attention of others, you may speak to me after the gathering concludes.”
This method of trading was already known throughout the martial world.
It was somewhat unusual, and some found the attention uncomfortable, but quite a few people were reassured that the whole process was open to view.
“Even if a trade does not succeed today, I hope you will enjoy your time here. There will surely be another opportunity.”
Having announced the start, the Golden Lotus Martial Venerable personally began moving from the first table onward, offering brief greetings as he looked over the goods.
The trades mattered, but this was also a chance to build ties with a Life and Death Realm master, so everyone was highly proactive.
After briefly consulting with the companions seated at his table, the Iron Blood Sect deputy sect leader placed the Iron Blood Sect’s martial arts manual before him.
Except for the core secret art that only the sect leader could learn, it was their finest martial art. It had been a difficult decision, but when he saw the items the other factions had brought, it almost seemed modest instead.
‘Those Black Cloud Sect bastards... Did they really bring the Light-Extinguishing Soul-Slaying Sword Method?’
The Black Cloud Sect belonged to the unorthodox faction. Though it had a short history, its strength rivaled many prestigious clans. It was impossible not to be astonished by the core martial art they had brought.
The large jade box placed before them by the Myeongbo Merchant Association, a famous merchant group in the martial world, was no ordinary thing either. Something stored in that manner had to be a spirit herb more than a thousand years old.
Just as the Iron Blood Sect deputy sect leader was beginning to lose confidence, the Golden Lotus Martial Venerable finally came to their table.
“It is a pleasure to meet you.”
“It is an honor to meet the esteemed Golden Lotus Martial Venerable.”
After several more exchanges that included introductions, the Golden Lotus Martial Venerable politely asked if he could examine the Iron Blood Sect’s martial arts manual. Naturally, the branch chief agreed.
The Golden Lotus Martial Venerable picked up the manual and, with proper courtesy, looked over only the opening portion. Then he closed his eyes and appeared to consider it.
He had not shown such a reaction at any previous table, so the attention of those covertly watching from other tables clearly turned toward him. The Iron Blood Sect deputy sect leader’s heart pounded.
‘It’s quite good...?’
That was what Han Yujin was thinking.
Though he had only looked through the opening section, he had actually examined the entire contents with Divine Sense at least twice before even picking it up, understanding everything he needed to understand.
For a small to medium sect, the Iron Blood Sect seemed to have a rather long history and solid foundations.
More importantly, perhaps because its first sect leader had come from the Imperial military, Han Yujin liked the characteristics of its martial arts very much.
They balanced attack and defense, while most movements were concise and efficient, making them highly practical. More than that, although they were martial arts for individual practitioners, there were traces of consideration for group combat.
‘It may not be the Iron Blood Sect’s greatest art, but perhaps that is exactly why it has these qualities.’
Even the Iron Blood Sect’s greatest art would surely be inferior to the high-grade ultimate arts of the Sun Gate, Hyeonbaek Sect, Unhae Sect, and others that he might obtain later.
That was why something with these distinctive qualities was better for Han Yujin. Of course, the Iron Blood Sect had not knowingly brought this martial art for that reason.
“Let us trade.”
The moment he spoke, the entire gathering stirred. After all, this was the first successful trade.
“R-Really?”
“Yes. Since your first sect leader came from the military, I believe there are things I can learn from it.”
A Life and Death Realm master said that himself, then took a book from his robes.
The bold calligraphy on its cover, Origin Power Heart Method, made the Iron Blood Sect deputy sect leader’s heart race wildly.
Even after coming all this way, he had not been very confident that they could truly make a trade.
“Th-Thank you, Martial Venerable...! Thank you so much!”
“You need not thank me so greatly. I am also very satisfied to have made a good trade.”
He handed over the Origin Power Heart Method and received the Iron Blood Sect’s Steel Force Blood Qi Sword Method in return.
“This goes without saying, but please take care that it does not leak.”
“Of course. How could we carelessly let something so precious be leaked?”
“If any problem you cannot handle arises in relation to this trade, come find me without hesitation.”
It was a public promise that if someone coveted the Golden Lotus Martial Venerable’s divine ultimate art and attacked the Iron Blood Sect for having traded with him fairly, he would personally step in and punish them.
‘Perhaps...?’
For a moment, the Iron Blood Sect deputy sect leader wondered whether he could make use of that promise, but he immediately forced the dangerous thought from his mind.
If he dared deceive and use a Life and Death Realm master, he would suffer enormous losses instead. He had to remember that this was the terrifying man who had killed three elders of the Dark Shadow Demon Cult in one place.
He could not possibly wish to experience the Golden Lotus Martial Venerable’s “golden lotus” for himself.
After a while.
Today truly seemed to be an unusual day.
The Black Cloud Sect’s core martial art, which had astonished the Iron Blood Sect deputy sect leader, was rejected. Yet the people from the Myeongbo Merchant Association became the second to succeed in making a trade.
They handed over the contents of every jade box they had brought and received the Origin Power Heart Method, their faces filled with joy.
Though they were merchants who should have been skilled at controlling their expressions, the corners of their lips trembled uncontrollably. As a merchant organization that was wealthy yet unavoidably weak in its martial foundations, it was understandable.
And so.
With only a few factions remaining and most of the visitors being wanderers, everyone thought the two trades would be the end of it.
“Let us trade.”
The Golden Lotus Martial Venerable made a shocking statement after examining a manual made from animal hide that one wanderer had brought.
The wanderer was unable to regain their senses for a while, then nearly prostrated themself on the ground.
“Th-Thank you, Martial Venerable...!”
“Now, why are you trying to prostrate yourself?”
Everyone was once again astonished to see him lightly stop a First-Rate Realm martial artist from kneeling with nothing more than a wave of his hand through the air. It was common knowledge that Remote Object Manipulation could not normally exert that much force.
“Please take the manual.”
“M-Martial Venerable, I have one request!”
The wanderer spoke in a solemn tone. It was the very atmosphere sometimes seen in the martial world when someone wished to be accepted as a disciple.
Several people behind them nearly clicked their tongues and shook their heads at once.
“Please... allow me to stay in this manor as a retainer!”
At the unexpected request, even the Golden Lotus Martial Venerable showed some interest.
“Instead of receiving the Origin Power Heart Method?”
“Yes! I... Even if I received it, I am not confident I could protect it, nor do I think I could learn it alone. If I can remain here and receive occasional instruction from Hero Dok Junseong, the Flash Thunder Sword, I will be satisfied!”
Han Yujin thought for a moment.
‘Well... There is no reason not to.’
The wanderer had brought a particularly unusual martial art, one created for hunters.
It had been made to fight bears, tigers, wild boars, and other beasts rather than people. Considering that Earth’s Hunters primarily fought monsters, there would surely be points worth studying.
Its level was not low, either.
“Let us have you stay for a year or two first. We can discuss what happens after that then. How does that sound?”
“Thank you, Martial Venerable!”
The wanderer unconsciously tried to prostrate themself again, giving Han Yujin more work.
After that, the gathering ended smoothly without any further surprises. A few people wished to make private trades in separate rooms, but there was no sign that any deals were actually made.
Even so, three trades had been completed in a single day.
It made even the slow-moving factions that had merely watched Gold Lotus Manor stir a little more.
* * *
The trading activity progressed far more smoothly than expected. The reputation Han Yujin had spent time properly building was paying off handsomely.
About half a year had passed since the first successful trade.
Han Yujin had obtained enough martial arts manuals to practically establish a Scripture Pavilion, along with a considerable quantity of aged spirit plants.
Feeling that it had been a long time, he used alchemy and successfully refined spiritual pills for Dok Junseong, Seogwang Gahu, and Eun Miryeong.
Thanks to that, Dok Junseong had become an excellent Entry Stage cultivator and advanced through almost one-tenth of his Dharma Soul sublimation.
Even considering that he could not always rely on spiritual pills and that sublimation would become slower and more difficult with time, it was a pace at which he could reasonably challenge the Dharma Soul Stage before his lifespan ran out.
He had also learned to clumsily cast a few basic spells, partially filling the gap in his combat strength created when he dismantled the martial arts he had originally learned.
But only partially.
Learning spells was inherently difficult, and becoming proficient in the spells one had learned was even more difficult.
There was a reason so many cultivators used magical artifacts as their primary weapons. They allowed attacks and defense that were much faster and more reliable than spells while consuming the same amount of spiritual energy.
Dok Junseong did not possess transcendent comprehension, so it was only natural that he would have many shortcomings without a magical artifact.
Thus, for Dok Junseong, who had continued to be highly capable and of great help to him, Han Yujin lent him the Five Elements Sword.
As an upper-middle-grade magical artifact, it would remain tremendously useful in this martial world even after Dok Junseong reached the Dharma Soul Stage.
As an aside, Dok Junseong made good use of the wanderer Han Yujin had accepted as a retainer, treating them almost like a subordinate. The wanderer also seemed very satisfied with receiving instruction far more frequently and closely than expected.
Since Seogwang Gahu had received the Origin Power Heart Method, which was not originally very difficult to learn, his strength improved day by day. It likely improved even faster because he could receive direct instruction from Han Yujin, the method’s creator.
He was still at the First-Rate Realm, but the Peak Realm was not far away. Once he reached the Peak Realm, the effects of origin power, an energy of a higher order than spiritual energy, would allow him to display strength close to the Supreme Peak Realm.
He might even be able to hold out briefly against a Transformation Realm master.
Eun Miryeong, on the other hand...
She was struggling greatly from the very step of changing from a martial artist into an Entry Stage cultivator. Naturally, she could not even attempt Dharma Soul sublimation.
Han Yujin could not help deeply considering his ties with them.
It was not merely a matter connected to his Dao Heart. It was also something that could affect the Heartless Tribulation.
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