Chapter 767 – 767. The Ascent To Radiance
767. The Ascent to Radiance
I entered one of the rooms on the fifth floor of the Flower Moon Tower with Shin Jong-woo and his group. Shin Jong-woo, not I, had chosen the room. The fact that he secured a room on the fifth floor just for a meal, without calling for any courtesans, meant he must have a lot of money.
‘Well, that old man will probably pay for it.’
Shin Jong-woo was the center of the group. However, it was Dunmokjeong who subtly led and took charge of the group. The once-mighty Shadowless Godly Fighter. As someone called a Godly Fighter, he must have a lot of money. He naturally ordered high-end dishes.
That Dunmokjeong was staring at me with curious eyes.
“Are you in the same situation as me?”
“Same situation as you? I don’t know what situation you’re in. I’m just guessing you came from Earth to this world based on the clothes you’re wearing.”
Shin Jong-woo and I were talking in Korean. It was a language that didn’t exist in this world, so even if someone overheard, they wouldn’t understand, meaning there was no worry about the content being leaked.
“But is it okay to answer so openly like this? What’s your relationship with those two?”
“We don’t have a special relationship. We just happened to be together while coming here.”
“Do they know you’re from Earth?”
Shin Jong-woo sighed and shook his head.
“They don’t know. At first, I tried telling other people, but they just treated me like a madman. Rather, when I said I came from a faraway place, they didn’t doubt it and understood.”
The basic background of this world, [The Ascent to Radiance], is a Xianxia setting. Basically, the Xianxia world is vast. It wouldn’t be strange if it were more than ten times the size of Earth. So, if you say you came from another faraway place, everyone just accepts it.
“How did you come to this world?”
“…You’ve been the only one answering since earlier. This time, why don’t you tell me first, Seong Yu-jin?”
“Reincarnation.”
“…Reincarnation? You mean you died on Earth and were born in this world?”
“I died in a traffic accident on Earth, and then I was born as a baby in this world. I also gained a slightly unique ability. How did you come to this world?”
“…I touched an old book in a warehouse, and then I was transported to this world. It was about two years ago. I was in a forest, but luckily, there was a village nearby, so I stayed there for a long time, receiving help and training in martial arts.”
“The reason you’re wandering around instead of staying in the village is to return to Earth?”
“Yes. They say there are mysterious powers like sorcery and Taoist arts in this world. Since I came to this world, I believe there must be a way to return.”
I recalled the ending of the original work, ‘Otherworld Heavenly Demon,’ where he was the protagonist. To put it simply, Shin Jong-woo doesn’t return to Earth. He ends up ruling the martial world as a Heavenly Demon, living happily with his heroines. This world is very different from the original setting, so I don’t know if it will end like the original.
“Is there really a need to return to Earth?”
“…I thought so too at one point. This world was uncomfortable at first, but I’ve adapted to it fairly well. But as time goes on, I increasingly think about my parents and friends on Earth. I just want to see my parents, even if it’s just once.”
What a filial son. I suppressed the urge to sneer.
“Seong Yu-jin, don’t you want to return to Earth?”
“I was reincarnated in this world. This world is my world now. And if I, who was reincarnated, want to return to Earth… I’d have to end my life again. Do you want me to commit suicide?”
“No, that’s not what I meant.”
“I know. I’m joking.”
“…Have you perhaps investigated any other ways to return to Earth?”
“No. But it might not be entirely impossible. Do you know about translocation magic?”
Translocation magic.
It was a space-moving magic used by outstanding sorcerers. It was said that you needed to be at least at the Three Peaks (三頂) level. Of course, there were exceptions. Sorcerers with exceptional talent in translocation magic could use it even if they weren’t at the Three Peaks level.
“I learned about it while investigating various things. The reason I haven’t given up hope is also because of translocation magic. If it’s possible to move through space with magic, then it should be possible to move to Earth as well.”
“There are several conditions attached to translocation magic. You have to have been to the place you’re moving to, or you need to specify the coordinates with a special item, and the further the distance, the more energy is needed for the magic. To go to a place like Earth, you’d have to find the world’s best sorcerer.”
“…Yes. I also think so, and I’m looking for the world’s best sorcerer. The problem is that people’s opinions on who the world’s best sorcerer is are divided, and it’s not easy to find them.”
Knock, knock.
There was a knock on the door.
“We’ve brought the food. May we come in?”
“Come in.”
Dunmokjeong said. The door opened, and the servers bowed politely as they arranged the dishes on the table. The dishes Dunmokjeong had ordered were all high-end dishes that were pleasing to the eye. Of course, the taste was also excellent. Even I, with my picky palate, enjoyed the food at the Flower Moon Tower.
“Serious and important stories can wait until after we eat. Let’s eat first.”
Shin Jong-woo glared at Dunmokjeong for a moment and then nodded. It was definitely the early part of the original story. Shin Jong-woo and Dunmokjeong’s relationship wasn’t that good in the beginning.
“Why aren’t you picking up your chopsticks? Wait. Why is there no food in front of you?”
Dunmokjeong asked.
“It’s because the dish I ordered hasn’t come out yet.”
“Every dish at the Flower Moon Tower is a masterpiece. There are even wanderers who come from far away just to taste the dishes here. Eat something else. I recommend this Dongpo pork. Look at it. The sheen alone is extraordinary, isn’t it?”
Dunmokjeong had an extraordinary tendency to explain things. Once you let him open his mouth, he would keep talking.
“I know. I’m a regular here at the Flower Moon Tower, do you think I don’t know the food? Please eat first. I’ll eat the dish I ordered separately.”
“What kind of dish did you order that you’re not touching all this food?”
“I had a bit too much to drink yesterday, so I ordered something good for a hangover. Ah, it’s coming.”
A server set the dish in front of me.
Shin Jong-woo, who had maintained a blank expression while talking to me, showed a change in his face. His eyes widened, and his hands trembled.
The dish I ordered was kimchi stew with pork.
“Ki, how did you get kimchi?!”
“It’s hard to find in this world, but almost all the ingredients from Earth exist here.”
I brought ingredients from reality and sold them. I also sold a few recipes to make money. The ingredients from reality were improved and had many excellent and delicious varieties, so they sold for a high price.
“S, server! I want the same dish as him!”
“S, sir. It’s an unfamiliar dish, so it will take some time.”
“I don’t care! I’ll wait as long as it takes, so please, give me kimchi stew! Hurry!”
Shin Jong-woo was standing up and shouting. I understood. He probably hadn’t been able to eat food from his hometown for two years. He probably hadn’t even seen kimchi, let alone cabbage.
“Server, bring some kimchi for this gentleman as well.”
“Ah, yes. I understand.”
The server left. Shin Jong-woo was staring intently at the kimchi stew on my table with longing eyes. His bulging eyes looked like they might become bloodshot.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen Jong-woo so excited. It seems to be Jong-woo’s hometown food.”
Dunmokjeong’s curious eyes turned to me.
“I’m not going to give it to you. If you want to eat it, order it separately.”
“Hmm. I guess I should.”
“Shin So-hyeop’s hometown food… I’m also curious about the taste.”
Namgung Rin, who had been silent all along, spoke. She was still wearing a bamboo hat and veil, so her face was not visible. Her voice was beautiful. Enough to make my dick throb.
They called a server and ordered kimchi stew with pork. There was too much food, but they didn’t care at all. It was normal for rich people in this world to order so much food that they left some behind. The discarded food would be taken care of by beggars.
I scooped a spoonful of kimchi stew. The red broth and kimchi were artistic. I swallowed a mouthful. The energy of the kimchi stew spread throughout my body.
Gulp, gulp.
Shin Jong-woo was swallowing hard while looking at me. His wide eyes looked like they might become bloodshot.
‘But there’s no reason for me to give my food to that bastard.’
I took another spoonful of kimchi stew and put some white rice in my mouth. As expected, the combination of white rice and kimchi stew was perfect.
“Ahem. You’re eating deliciously. Jong-woo, why don’t you eat something else?”
“No. I’ll wait. What I want to eat is kimchi stew. I’m going to eat my fill.”
Shin Jong-woo’s words were filled with firm determination.
“Kyaa!”
I diligently ate the kimchi stew.
Creak.
The door opened.
Shin Jong-woo quickly turned his head. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the server he was waiting for.
More than ten martial artists entered, all wearing the same martial uniform and carrying swords. The word “Namgung (南宮)” was engraved on their right arm.
“Ahem. You suddenly came in. What is the meaning of this? Judging by your appearance, you seem to be martial artists from Namgung, but why are you disrespecting us like this?”
“We apologize, elder. However, this matter is more important than any other matter of the Namgung family. Please understand.”
The attitude of the martial artist at the front was firm. I could feel the stubbornness that he wouldn’t back down no matter what. I continued to eat my meal.
He slowly walked towards Namgung Rin.
“Miss. The family head is waiting for you. Please return to the family with us.”
“…Miss? What are you talking about? I have no connection to the Namgung family.”
The man sighed.
“Miss. We know everything.”
“I’m not from the Namgung family. Please go back.”
“The family head has given an order. If you don’t come willingly, we are to bring you back by force. We don’t want to hurt you, Miss. Please cooperate.”
“…Ha. You think you can take me by force? You’re underestimating me too much.”
Namgung Rin drew her sword from her waist. I knew she was a woman with a temper, but I didn’t know it was to this extent.
“Miss…!”
The martial artists of the Namgung family gritted their teeth and drew their swords.
Dunmokjeong grabbed Shin Jong-woo’s wrist, stopping him from getting up from his chair.
“Jong-woo. This is the kind of thing we shouldn’t interfere with.”
“…There are ten of them. Are you saying we should leave Rin to fight alone?”
“You’ve probably already guessed Rin’s identity. This is a matter for the Namgung family. If we participate, things will become more complicated.”
“……”
In the end, Shin Jong-woo sat back down.
Clang, clang, clang.
The sound of swords clashing echoed. Their skills were all outstanding. Just considering Namgung Rin’s swordsmanship, she was better than me. If I fought her, I wouldn’t be confident in lasting more than 100 exchanges. The skills of the Namgung family’s martial artists were also impressive. Individually, their skills didn’t match Namgung Rin’s. However, they were specialized in teamwork.
It wasn’t for nothing that they said one hand can’t block ten. Namgung Rin’s skills weren’t overwhelming, so the result was already decided.
‘Oh?’
During the battle, her bamboo hat and veil fell off. My eyes widened.
Ebony black hair and snow-white skin. Rosy, tightly closed lips. She was definitely more beautiful than the Flower Moon Tower’s owner.
“H, hey! Martial artists! Please don’t do this! This is the Flower Moon Tower! Martial artists!”
The servers who were bringing the kimchi stew shouted. However, the battle had already intensified. As powerless servers, they could only watch.
Namgung Rin’s stamina began to drop rapidly. The blue sword energy on her sword was shaking unsteadily.
“Miss. Please give up. There are ten of us. Please consider the family head’s desire to see you.”
“I can’t go back yet! I haven’t found a way to save Seol-yi yet!”
She didn’t give up. She gritted her teeth and regained her stance.
Crackling.
Lightning crackled on her sword. It was the Heavenly Thunder (天雷) of the Emperor Godly Art (帝王神功). The martial artists tensed up.
“Miss Rin! How long are you going to keep acting like a child?!”
“Acting like a child? You think what I’m doing is just acting like a child? Don’t make me laugh! It’s because the family isn’t doing anything that I’m moving to find a way!”
“…We apologize, Miss. That was a slip of the tongue. And you’re misunderstanding something… Ack! B, block!”
Namgung Rin’s sword swept in a large circle, pushing them back. They raised their swords to focus on defense and then rushed at Namgung Rin again.
Namgung Rin’s palm strike landed on one man’s abdomen. The man’s body floated up and collided with the servers, rolling on the floor. The kimchi stew spilled on the floor.
And Shin Jong-woo jumped up from his seat.
Kimchi