Chapter 289

Chapter 289
## Chapter 289. Qualification to Hold the Opportunity (5)

—

“We do not belong to Jong-nam.”

Hearing my declaration, the vigilant warriors knitted their brows. Regardless of the circumstances, these weren’t individuals we were required to battle. Isn’t there a common saying that the adversary of your foe is your ally?

“Put away your weapons.”

Following my directive, the Sajes, who had been completely on edge, hesitated momentarily before sliding their blades back into their scabbards. The moment we demonstrated that we had no hostile intent, the surrounding martial artists likewise began dropping their stances one by one.

“What brings you out from that direction? And why do you look like that?”

Suspicion lingered among them, as an individual from the crowd flung an inquiry toward us. Still, was our current state truly that shocking? I shifted my gaze to inspect the Sajes.

…It was undeniably terrible.

“Ahem, our original destination was a completely different cavern, but we stumbled into this corridor entirely by accident.”

Even to my own ears, it sounded like a ridiculous fabrication, but what alternative did I have when no plausible explanation came to mind immediately? I simply had to brush past it. Fortunately, the explanation seemed to suffice.

“It appears you ventured into some dangerous zone out of avarice and endured a brutal trial.”

“Since they aren’t affiliated with Jong-nam, we have no reason to clash.”

“Locating the spirit medicine takes absolute precedence right now.”

The warriors accepted the flimsy excuse remarkably fast and promptly lost all fascination with our group. Every individual present was fully absorbed in pulling forth maps provided by the Beggars’ Union from inside their garments to chart their course.

“I am telling you, our route lies in this direction!”

“Absolutely not! The location where it previously materialized was not this spot!”

“Go that way by yourself if you are so certain!”

While they argued over the correct trajectory, we smoothly integrated into the gathering. A bit of healthy complexion finally returned to Dong-ryong’s features. As the immediate panic subsided, the state of the surrounding crowd drew my attention. But why did these fools look so entirely immaculate? Not a single person among them bore a speck of grime, let alone a drop of blood.

‘Is it possible they didn’t cross paths with a single operative from Jong-nam during their entire trek here?’

Only at that moment did I realize why their suspicion hadn’t been incredibly high when we, total strangers, suddenly emerged. Because they had advanced through unchallenging and safe corridors, their natural alertness had inevitably decayed.

“Dae-sa-hyeong, it appears they haven’t engaged in a single skirmish up to this point. That is likely why their vigilance dropped so effortlessly.”

As expected of Eun-ho-Lee. He perceived the underlying truth instantly. I ought to offer him praise—

“Had I known the situation would unfold like this, what was the point of forcing our way through the reverse side?”

Hmm? Did this rascal just project a glance of silent judgment toward his own Dae-sa-hyeong? It seems I am obligated to discipline this insolent child.

“Eun-ho-ya.”

As my voice rang out, the boy’s shoulders gave a sudden twitch. Observe that—look at how incredibly fragile his shoulder line remains. How can a practitioner of the sword possess such weak shoulders? Adopting a bright smile, I retrieved a pair of heavy iron rings from my travel pack and extended them toward Eun-ho-Lee.

“Put these on.”

“…I apologize…”

“Save it. Just wear them.”

The fellow, whose gaze was visibly vibrating with dismay, ultimately squeezed his fists shut.

“Does it truly make sense to place iron rings on my body when we aren’t even performing active forms? It lacks any logical foundation.”

My word, he truly possesses a talent for stating perfectly accurate facts. In that scenario,

“Would you prefer to experience a beating that lacks any logical foundation?”

“…….”

Left with no choice, Eun-ho-Lee took the iron rings. He appeared to debate internally whether to secure them around his wrists or his ankles, eventually fastening the iron rings around his lower limbs. Well, it wasn’t as though a meager amount of mass would pose a genuine struggle for him. I swept my gaze across our environment once more. At present, blending into the massive sea of people was paramount. With such a massive gathering observing, even Jong-nam would hesitate to act brazenly.

Signaling a command to the Sajes with a simple tilt of my head, right as I intended to plunge further into the thick of the crowd…

“…Wait?”

I collided directly with the precise individual I wished to avoid above all else at this moment. Grand ancestors, truly.

“Representative Jin, what on earth brings you to this spot?”

Why does this rascal Sun-jik-Cheol possess such an utterly miserable lack of situational awareness? Does he truly not comprehend when to insert himself and when to remain distant? I lowered the pitch of my voice to respond, determined not to trigger a scene.

“Ahem, circumstances simply aligned this way. But didn’t you claim that the Juk-hyeon-bang had no intention of arriving…”

“…There is no way.”

He went so far as to cut off my sentence. Sun-jik-Cheol, disregarding my words entirely, scanned our frames from head to toe and expressed sheer dread.

“Did you actually tunnel through the reverse wall to gain entry, only to wander all the way to this exact sector?”

Curse it all, this is precisely why I despise exceptionally perceptive bastards. Just as I prepared to pretend I had no idea what he meant—

“No, the moment we pierced through the portal, we advanced straight inside…”

“…Just as I suspected, the individual responsible for shattering the alternative entrance was none other than you, Representative Jin.”

Argh! I single-handedly admitted to tunneling through the entrance with my own mouth. Likely because my cognitive functions had momentarily locked up due to that accursed Jong-nam master, I failed to detect the cunning trap concealed within Sun-jik-Cheol’s phrasing. Now, there is no turning back.

“What of it? Are you planning to report this to Jong-nam?”

Because creating a massive disruption was out of the question, I subtly revealed a portion of the Black Dragon Sword from its sheath and cast a venomous glare at Sun-jik-Cheol.

“…That is uncharacteristic of you, Representative Jin. Flowing straight into intimidation.”

If you intend to mess with me, I will gladly step into the role of a ruffian on the spot.

“I asked a clear question: will you inform Jong-nam?”

“From the very beginning, my own infiltration into this cavern was executed without securing any approval from Jong-nam either.”

Ah, reflecting on the situation, that was entirely accurate. Jong-nam would undoubtedly be furious to discover a practitioner from the Juk-hyeon-bang—who was tasked with obstructing external martial artists at the newly breached passageway—roaming around the interior of the Thousand Copper Cave. As my initial irritation receded and rational, chilly air filled my thoughts, my intellect gradually reasserted itself.

“What sort of madness gave you the nerve to step inside here?”

Confronted by my inquiry, Sun-jik-Cheol let a highly complicated sentiment surface on his face.

“…I ventured inside because there was an event I required to witness firsthand.”

“An event you required to witness?”

The resonance of his voice was profoundly solemn.

“A particular matter exists.”

He is adopting an unnecessarily somber demeanor. Obviously, the sole spectacles one can behold within the depths of the Thousand Copper Cave, where an inevitable slaughter between independent warriors and Jong-nam is bound to unfold, are torrents of blood and butchered remnants, correct? In any case, I truly fail to comprehend the internal calculations of these calculating scoundrels.

“Then your purpose here wasn’t to track down the spirit medicine?”

“…From the start, such a prize isn’t destined for someone merely because they covet it, is it?”

Sun-jik-Cheol scowled intensely, looking thoroughly irritated by my line of questioning.

“If the opportunity to claim it arose, would you truly walk away empty-handed?”

“…What are you implying?”

Naturally, I didn’t buy his act for a second. Among those who have cultivated internal energy and clasped a weapon, how many could honestly remain detached when positioned before a legendary spirit medicine? Concluding this,

“You are going to execute a task alongside me.”

“…….”

It made far more sense to employ him for my own ends.

“If our endeavor bears fruit, I will grant you a five percent share of the Five Spirits Immortal Flower Oil.”

“…What sort of manipulative plot are you engineering this time?”

“A moderately bothersome individual is tracking our movements from the rear. Obstruct his path on my behalf.”

Upon hearing my request, Sun-jik-Cheol’s eyelids twitched upward slightly.

“Do you honestly believe… no, do you assume I possess the caliber of martial skill required for that?”

I twisted the edge of my lips into a knowing grin.

“Who ever instructed you to engage him in combat?”

“…?”

“You possess a specific talent. I am instructing you to stop him by utilizing that exact capability.”

“A capability I excel at?”

Sun-jik-Cheol questioned me in return, his curiosity piqued for the very first time.

“Manipulating crowds to herd them toward the precipice of ruin. Prompting them to willingly plunge into a blazing furnace—you are exceptionally gifted at that specific brand of mischief.”

“Representative Jin…”

Sun-jik-Cheol stared daggers at me, his expression radiating pure discontent. But what did it matter? In all honesty, I hadn’t uttered a single untruth. That had always been his primary area of expertise. Even so, Sun-jik-Cheol’s stare remained incredibly hostile. Sigh, there is no avoiding it.

“Very well, I shall be magnanimous. I will increase your cut to eight percent.”

Naturally, regardless of how effortless a chore it might be for Sun-jik-Cheol, he wouldn’t lift a finger for a worthless sum considering the immense peril involved. Knowing his nature, he would attempt to extort a minimum of thirty to forty percent. Thus, the objective was to finalize the negotiation at thirty percent at the absolute highest. This was because I required no less than seventy percent of the Five Spirits Immortal Flower Oil to compound one hundred medicine pills.

“I am not asking you to wager your existence in a duel; I am merely telling you to manipulate them into fighting one another. It isn’t even a challenging feat for a man of your talents.”

“…You describe it so casually, but do you comprehend the sheer complexity of such an undertaking?”

I anticipated this exact pushback. I lacked knowledge regarding whatever he came to witness, but Sun-jik-Cheol, who possessed lightning-fast analytical skills, was far from the type of person to ignore a chance at securing a legendary spirit medicine. Predictably, he proved to be a tough negotiator.

“Fine, then I will show generosity and—”

“Ten percent.”

“Hmm?”

What nonsense is this brat spouting? I cocked my head to the side, wondering if my hearing had failed me. Then the fellow pressed on.

“Should Representative Jin successfully secure the Five Spirits Immortal Flower Oil, allocate exactly ten percent to me. In exchange, I shall handle the unknown pursuer behind you.”

What could this mean? There was absolutely no logical reason for Sun-jik-Cheol to behave in this manner. The instant I extended the arrangement, he ought to have completed the full assessment of his personal gains and losses within his mind… yet he merely requested a meager ten percent? Exactly what game was he playing? Just as I prepared to press Sun-jik-Cheol for further clarification.

“…Dae-sa-hyeong.”

Dong-ryong gripped my forearm, his countenance completely drained of vitality. Dammit, has that monster already closed the distance? I was unable to fathom what malicious plot Sun-jik-Cheol was weaving, but because further hesitation was out of the question, I had no choice but to accept the terms immediately.

“Agreed. Ten percent.”

When I extended my palm to solidify our verbal pact, Sun-jik-Cheol gripped it. Following that, he fixed a hollow gaze upon me. Did this kid truly ingest something toxic…

“…Kindly ensure you remain among the living and… fulfill your end of the deal.”

Why must he utter such an ominous phrase at the very conclusion?

“I understand perfectly.”

…Without a doubt, he remains an individual I find thoroughly distasteful.

—

Sun-jik-Cheol, who kept his gaze fixed on So-un-Jin’s faction as they sprinted toward the alternate corridor, exhaled a muted breath.

‘Exactly what madness is moving through his intellect.’

Furthermore, what was the purpose of those heavy iron rings fastened around their upper and lower limbs in the midst of a lethal crisis? It had long been an established reality that conditioning with weighted sacks was completely useless for a warrior who manipulated internal energy. He was an enigma whom he could not comprehend from start to finish. Whenever he interacted with the man, he felt his own sanity slipping into strangeness as well. To think they were actively bartering over an asset that hadn’t even been secured yet.

‘Yet, what prompted me to agree to those terms?’

Just as one contemplation threatened to bleed into the next.

*Sliiiide—*

He was forced to halt his train of thought. He lacked knowledge regarding the identity of the “bothersome individual” So-un-Jin had highlighted, but he detected the approach of an entity radiating a truly horrific, oppressive aura.

“Good grief…”

A mocking laughter escaped his throat. Merely assessing the presence broadcasting from a distance, the approaching figure was clearly far beyond ordinary parameters. And yet, to categorize such a monster as merely a “bothersome individual.” Sun-jik-Cheol rapped the shoulder of the independent warrior positioned directly ahead of him. To the warrior who turned around with a bewildered look, he spoke in a hushed tone.

“Would you mind granting me a brief moment of your attention to hear a tale?”

Precisely as So-un-Jin had articulated, he possessed zero time to squander if he intended to verify whether the authentic Five Spirits Immortal Flower Oil ultimately arrived within his possession.

—

The brief palm strike that the Jong-nam blockhead had discharged earlier had sent massive shockwaves throughout the entirety of the Thousand Copper Cave.

“This route is entirely sealed off as well.”

“Dae-sa-hyeong, this path is also completely blocked.”

“This direction too…”

On account of that absolute moron, we were merely wandering in endless loops along identical pathways within the Thousand Copper Cave. Furthermore, because we continuously prioritized avoiding any encounters with Jong-nam personnel, we were completely blocked from drawing close to the location of the Five Spirits Immortal Flower Oil. As the hour for the materialization of the Five Spirits Immortal Flower Oil ticked closer, anxiety began to seep into my chest. To think I might walk away with absolutely nothing after orchestrating such an elaborate stage. It was a certainty that I would lose sleep for a solid six months out of pure bitter resentment.

“Let us take a brief intermission first.”

It is a well-known proverb that the more hurried your spirit, the more you ought to utilize the winding path. I directed the Sajes to gather their breath for the moment. Because it was highly probable that this brief respite would be our absolute last.

“Dae-sa-hyeong, is it truly impossible for us to simply cut a path through them as we advance?”

Dong-ryong offered the suggestion with immense caution. He appeared excessively stressed that he might present himself as some bloodthirsty maniac captivated by violence. Nevertheless, the demeanor of the remaining Sajes mirrored his own. To individuals whose combat capabilities had advanced dramatically courtesy of the Academy, the third or fourth-generation practitioners of Jong-nam wouldn’t register as particularly formidable adversaries.

“You are strictly forbidden from lethal combat. You must merely incapacitate them.”

“…What was that?”

Dong-ryong tilted his chin, thoroughly bewildered by the command.

“The operatives of Jong-nam must not perish during this conflict.”

“…….”

“They must not even suffer catastrophic harm.”

“…For what reason?”

Dong-ryong shifted his gaze back and forth, entirely unable to grasp the logic. At that moment, Eun-ho-Lee, who had been analyzing the situation, muttered aloud.

“Justification.”

“Precisely.”

It remained an undeniable reality that Jong-nam attempted to claim absolute dominion over the Thousand Copper Cave and monopolize the legendary spirit medicine based on a completely farcical premise. However, the instant a single disciple of Jong-nam loses their life within this cavern, the narrative shifts entirely.

“Should a disciple of Jong-nam perish, not a single soul will spare a thought for the tyranny Jong-nam is practicing right now. Instead, Jong-nam will utilize every conceivable mechanism and strategy to extract a price written in blood. Furthermore, every single person who crossed into this zone has been documented by the Beggars’ Union. The repercussions will inevitably descend upon their respective factions.”

“…Hieee!”

Hearing the warning that it would inflict severe damage upon the sect, Dong-ryong’s expression turned utterly pale once more. He bore the terrified look of a toddler being informed that a monstrous predator hunts in the dark.

“The vast majority of those who entered the Thousand Copper Cave are likely well aware of that reality. Additionally, this territory is practically identical to Jong-nam’s personal courtyard. Jong-nam’s collective pride will suffer a mortal wound if their disciple perishes on this ground. There is no predicting how much blood must be spilled to appease that fractured pride.”

We are barred from slaying Jong-nam, yet Jong-nam retains the absolute freedom to slaughter us. It is an incredibly infuriating paradigm, but it cannot be avoided. This is the reality of power politics. This is the structural framework of how civilization operates. It is an unyielding, harsh truth, but the younger generation must absorb it. Only through this can they acquire the wisdom to survive within this unforgiving world.

“Consequently, it is paramount that we bypass the Jong-nam disciples whenever feasible. Do you all comprehend?”

Dong-ryong offered a nod of agreement, appearing remorseful for having raised the point. Now, the hour was steadily approaching for the independent martial artists who entered via the third gateway to collide with the forces of Jong-nam. Jong-nam, who had been caught entirely flat-footed, would inevitably discover the truth that external elements had infiltrated their perimeter, and once that intelligence radiated through the entirety of Jong-nam, it was a mathematical certainty they would redeploy their disciples to establish a blockade.

If there was any silver lining, it lay in the fact that Jong-nam remained ignorant of the precise spot where the Five Spirits Immortal Flower Oil would manifest. That reality explained why Jong-nam had dispersed their disciples across every single corner of the cavern system. They possessed the ability to consolidate their scattered forces to repel the invading martial artists, but in doing so, it could be argued they significantly minimized the likelihood of Jong-nam stumbling upon the Five Spirits Immortal Flower Oil that was set to appear in the interim.

‘Furthermore, their own freedom of movement will steadily be restricted as well.’

One of the explicit reasons I shattered the third entrance was precisely because the greater the volume of external witnesses present, the less Jong-nam can execute drastic maneuvers openly. If it were a lone intruder infiltrating their private sect grounds without authorization, no entity would protest even if they were executed on the spot. However, if Jong-nam—who claimed they sealed the Thousand Copper Cave specifically to minimize human casualties—starts slaughtering people merely because they entered the public Thousand Copper Cave without explicit consent, that creates an entirely different political nightmare for them.

I shut my eyelids and channeled my internal energy directly into my auditory senses. From an immense distance away, the distinct resonance of colliding steel and human agonies reverberated through the stone. At long last, the moment I had anticipated had arrived. I retrieved a series of concealments from my travel pack one by one and handed them out to the Sajes.

“So we are formally stepping into the roles of bandits at this point.”

Eun-ho-Lee offered a dry quip as he secured his disguise in place. In any case, his audacity is expanding exponentially with each passing day, shifting closer to my own nature. I rapidly adjusted my own concealment as well. Given that I had already drawn the scrutiny of the Beggars’ Union, hiding my true identity flawlessly was an impossibility, but I was at least obligated to display the basic courtesy of providing a deniable facade.

“Let us press forward once more.”

I rallied the Sajes to their feet and resumed our advance. Now that open warfare had erupted, the disciples would commence mass movements, and as they mobilized, the scattered personnel throughout the cavern complex would inevitably congregate toward a centralized battlefield. And that specific deduction of mine proved accurate.

‘Well, it wasn’t an absolute bulls-eye, though.’

I could identify the distinct signatures of living souls within our target cavern, but the volume was undeniably sparse.

‘Exactly two individuals…’

Bearing in mind that six disciples traditionally comprised a single operational squad, this scenario was perfectly manageable. Furthermore, to access the specific cavern where the Five Spirits Immortal Flower Oil was destined to materialize, traversing this exact room was a non-negotiable requirement. Because if we avoided this corridor, we would be forced to navigate a massive, time-consuming detour. Provided our adversaries weren’t elite first-generation disciples, it was a gamble worth taking. Reviewing the structural compositions of the Jong-nam squads I had observed while journeying to this deep sector, there was simply no logical scenario where more than two first-generation elites would be stationed together.

Having finalized the strategic calculus, I locked eyes with Dong-ryong and transmitted a mental communication.

*- Close the distance utilizing the Turtle Breathing Movement and neutralize them in a single, fluid strike. They are undoubtedly maintaining a state of extreme readiness, so you must pinpoint their fatal blind spots and incapacitate them cleanly.*

Just as Dong-ryong prepared to launch forward at my directive, Sa-ryeon-Hong attempted to intercept the assignment, likely because she harbored reservations about thrusts being executed by the youngest among us, Dong-ryong. I shook my head firmly.

*- Dong-ryong is uniquely suited for this task. Because among our entire gathering, the most lethal and precise blade belongs to Dong-ryong.*

As Sa-ryeon-Hong pressed her lips together until they were nearly bloodless, Dong-ryong offered a reassuring nod to signal he was prepared. It might register as somewhat incomprehensible from her vantage point—why I was forcing the youngest Saje to execute such a ruthless assignment. Yet, if I can secure their survival by absorbing their misguided resentment and animosity, I am entirely indifferent to whatever mud and filth is flung upon my character.

‘I would infinitely prefer to behold a countenance contorted in absolute disdain than gaze upon their frigid, lifeless bodies.’

I steeled my resolve and crept forward at a measured pace alongside Dong-ryong. Elongated shadows cast by the flickering light of a meager torch danced erratically beneath our boots. I gave a sharp nod toward Dong-ryong, who gripped his massive blade, and at that precise instant, Dong-ryong and I plummeted toward our targets like striking vipers. In a flash, Dong-ryong’s sword flashed toward the adversary’s ankle, while my own weapon drove straight toward the second target’s pressure point. They wouldn’t lose their lives, but any capacity for further combat would be entirely shattered.

*Swish!*

*Swish!*

However, the expected impact against muscle and bone that should have materialized was entirely absent.

“……!”

Nothing but shredded fragments of fabric and stray strands of hair drifted lazily through the atmosphere. The critical issue was that the adversaries were already executing counter-thrusts with their swords right through the drifting cloth and hair.

*Whoosh—*

Deploying the evasive maneuvers of the Iron Plate Bridge technique, I narrowly avoided the incoming steel and yanked Dong-ryong backward out of harm’s way. While we escaped sustaining actual wounds, a segment of our garments—both my own and Dong-ryong’s—had been cleanly sheared away. In that exact heartbeat.

“Who goes there? What manner of fools possess the reckless audacity to actively disrupt an authorized operation of Jong-nam?”

A deep, suffocatingly arrogant tone manifested from the dimness. The silhouettes gradually solidified into focus. Two mature gentlemen, whose raven hair was heavily threaded with distinct streaks of silver.

“Word reached us that foreign elements had breached the perimeter, but did you genuinely execute a coordinated ambush while maintaining full awareness that we represent Jong-nam?”

Despite surviving a surprise assault, their expressions betrayed not a single hint of irritation or panic. And,

‘Curse it all…’

On the contrary, their complete lack of emotional agitation broadcasted an even more terrifying aura of absolute dominance. Remaining totally unshaken in the crucible of a crisis indicated they had navigated an immense volume of lethal encounters throughout their lives. I had desperately prayed to the heavens that they wouldn’t be first-generation disciples.

‘To think they are elite Hall Master level figures.’

This scenario is about to become exceptionally problematic. It is a absolute certainty that the vile hex of that Demonic God brat is still tightly bound to my fate.

—