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“Before I head out with Zhuge Sa to find the Zhuyong Tribe, I should check what I’ve got on me.”

Hey, since the barrier of Hua Yo is lifted, I can grab it at any moment, and it’s not like anyone’s going to risk a trip all the way to the remote southern continent just to retrieve it.

As I rummaged through my treasures one by one, Zhuge Sa looked them over and said, “Baek Woong, I might as well be looking at junk. Nothing’s useful here for me.”

I was taken aback, “What? Is this your treasure? What’s with the sudden change of heart?”

Zhuge Sa clicked his tongue, “Did you forget the capabilities of the Zhuyong Tribe? They’re the Great Race, stronger than any other sentient beings when it comes to mental abilities. They can even read your mind!”

I responded, “Oh.”

Zhuge Sa continued, “For some reason, you’ve got high mental defense, so they probably won’t pick up on your thoughts easily, but us mere human sorcerers are different. Standing in front of them? All your thoughts will be laid bare, and if they want, they’ll suppress your mind right then and there.”

This made sense.

When I asked the Zhuyong Tribe to deal with three peak experts including Dongbang Mu-gyeol, they knocked them out cold in no time. Proof that mere mental strength wasn’t enough to withstand their domination. It was only natural that even a top-notch sorcerer like Zhuge Sa wouldn’t feel confident resisting their mental attacks.

Zhuge Sa prodded through my treasures and then said, “These treasures are great and all, but none boost mental defense. If I accompany you, I’ll just be dead weight, right? They’ll read all my intentions before I even try to negotiate.”

I thought about it seriously and replied, “Hey, Zhuge Sa, didn’t you show no reaction when you stood before the prophet, the king of the Zhuyong Tribe?”

Zhuge Sa responded, “That being is the Old Ruler, the Tao King of Is, who can deal directly with the likes of that. It doesn’t matter whether I resist or not. I’m simply keeping calm.”

Suddenly, I realized just how mythical this prophet was. Zhuge Sa urgently advised, “Baek Woong, in your next life, make sure you find a demon artifact or treasure that boosts mental defense. Otherwise, when your companion stands before a high-level otherworldly race, they might as well not be there at all. Because it’s not just the Great Race that possesses mind-suppressing abilities.”

“Hmmm…”

Zhuge Sa continued, “Think about it. If one of your martial artist companions gets mentally suppressed and betrays you?”

This was a valid point.

I had empowered Jin So-cheong, the Sword Demon, and Master of Shadowless Sword through fortuitous encounters, only to have them turn against me and swing a sword at me because of mental suppression! The mental suppression of the otherworldly races seemed to work separately from the mental strength of martial artists, which could lead to serious danger.

Seeing my serious face, Zhuge Sa chuckled, “C’mon… The Great Race is an especially powerful one when it comes to mental abilities. There aren’t many races out there with that level of skill, so don’t stress too much.”

“So what are you going to do? If they can read memories, are you going to refuse to go with me?”

Zhuge Sa laughed, “You really think I’d sit back and let you get played like a fool? You have no idea how smart those guys are.”

“……”

“We have a plan, so let’s go find Hyun for a bit. I’ve got some things to fill him in on.”

And so, with Zhuge Sa, I headed to Jinrang Valley. Mangnyang had said he was going to hone himself at Jinrang Valley after gaining power from the Three Sovereigns’ Inner Gate. If he hadn’t left to climb the recruitment gate yet, he was probably there.

As we arrived in front of Mangnyang’s place in Jinrang Valley, I noticed a massive spirit energy extending from near the bamboo grove beyond the cabin.

Woosh…

“Huh!”

Seeing the spirit energy visible to the naked eye made me exhale quietly. This spirit energy was different from the pure qi practiced by martial artists; it was the phenomenon where a sorcerer’s power combined with mental strength, creating a burst of energy. Like ordinary qi, spirit energy was often used to strengthen oneself.

However, seeing spirit energy visible without innate talent or having studied sorcery wasn’t easy. That much spirit energy visible meant extraordinary power. I strode toward the bamboo grove.

Whoosh!

There, I saw Mangnyang sit cross-legged on a rock, chanting some unknown incantation while floating the Three Sovereigns’ Inner Gate in mid-air. To my astonishment, silver and gold flames were swirling around him in a spiral. He was sweating all over while diligently reciting the spell when he slowly diminished his energy.

Then he opened his half-closed eyes and looked over at us, beaming, “You came!”

“Sorry for interrupting your training.”

“No worries. This is just foundational training anyway.”

Just foundational training, you say?!? That insane spirit energy was just basic practice?!

Zhuge Sa, who was watching from the side, chimed in, “Looks like he’s absorbed quite a bit of power from the Three Sovereigns’ Inner Gate.”

“Still far from enough.”

“By the way, I need to talk to you for a second, come with me.”

With a nod, Mangnyang followed him. Seeing them, I felt a strange sense of satisfaction. In the past, Mangnyang would openly react with displeasure and disgust towards Zhuge Sa, but now he was treating him with equal respect, something I never could’ve imagined.

Soon after, I handed a piece of obsidian to Mangnyang, infused with all the memories up to now. He accepted the memories of the obsidian and said, “I see why you came. Here, take this.”

He pulled a suspicious fishhook from his possession and handed it to me.

“Thanks.”

“It’s nothing. It was originally yours anyway.”

I took the suspicious fishhook and gave one end to Zhuge Sa. Thus, the preparations were complete. Originally, I intended to hand it to Mangnyang and have him execute a different plan, but right now, it was urgent to uncover the Zhuyong Tribe’s information, so I was just borrowing it for the time being.

Curious, I asked Mangnyang, “So how’s the training going? Think you can break through that recruitment gate?”

He laughed, “Ha! It’s been how long since we parted? How cocky do you think you are discussing the recruitment gate? Those Taoist masters and Earth Immortals who have cultivated their whole lives end up as Earth Immortals, and only exceptional ones among them pass through the recruitment gate.”

Zhuge Sa, standing by the table with arms crossed, snickered, “Hehe. Hyun, you’re clearly a master of deceit. You’re oozing confidence after acquiring a peerless fortuitous encounter!”

Mangnyang gave an awkward laugh, “… Well, even so, I think it’ll take at least three years.”

Heh heh heh.

Zhuge Sa continued to chuckle at the situation, then looked at me, “Baek Woong, it looks like you’ll have to make a choice later on.”

Knowing what Zhuge Sa meant, I furrowed my brow. I gave a short nod.

“I’ll choose wisely. Or I can dig up another one.”

Zhuge Sa smirked, “If you’re going to do that, you might as well get the groundwork laid first. Go charm that fox.”

“……”

Mangnyang, sitting at the front, looked as if he understood everything, like it was a secret code.

“Don’t think too hard about it. After all, you can only begin something after getting Hua Yo, right? You can think about other trivial matters later, Baek Woong.”

“Thanks, Mangnyang.”

“I’ll keep training here, so come back later to return the suspicious fishhook!”

I soon parted with Mangnyang and took Zhuge Sa to Jangryeong Valley.

Zhuge Sa cast the Soul Exchange Technique and said, “Strike while the iron is hot. Go now.”

I felt a bit uneasy under the Soul Exchange Technique, but I nodded. I figured Zhuge Sa wouldn’t betray me right now, and even if the Soul Exchange Technique was strong, I believed I could resist it.

“Got it.”

Pow!

I organized my thoughts and utilized Golden Lamp to head to the Tower of Muwang. Originally, the place I met the Zhuyong Tribe was in the southern Ayutthaya Kingdom. However, there was no assurance that Dongbang Mu-gyeol and the others had arrived there, nor did I know if the Zhuyong Tribe would be there. The most certain method was to meet the Zhuyong Tribe members who were managing the tower, allowing intercontinental transfer.

Swish!

As I arrived at the Tower of Muwang, a desolate wind blew. Among the ruins of giants nearby, the tower stood tall, constructed from black stone with holes all around. I stood silently in front of the Tower of Muwang, waiting when an armored red-clad person emerged from the nearby ruins and called out to me.

“Human! You’ve used a demon artifact to come here. Are you a sorcerer?”

I replied while performing a gesture of martial authority, “I am Baek Woong. I’ve come to barter with you.”

Swish.

The red-clad person seemed to be surveying me, the other Zhuyong Tribe members around the ruins stared curiously in our direction. I suddenly felt quite pressured, but I decided to wait for the red-clad person’s response. The armored figure pondered before saying, “Interesting human. What kind of deal are you looking for?”

Awesome!

This simple question was loaded with meaning. The Zhuyong Tribe, which could read a human’s thoughts as easily as flipping a palm, had no reason to ask me about the deal. It might just be a ruse, but I felt certain it wasn’t. Even the Zhuyong Tribe couldn’t read or suppress my mind.

I cleared my throat and answered, “I want to know about the Dragon Flower Tree’s abilities and its exact location, shape, and if you could help with the weaknesses of its protector, Gong Gong.”

The armored person responded, “And why should we tell you that?”

I stammered for a moment, when suddenly, through the suspicious fishhook I had tucked away, Zhuge Sa’s voice echoed in my head.

[Looks like the moment has come. Say what I’ve instructed.]

[Understood.]

This was our operation.

Using the Soul Exchange Technique to share sight and sound, while communicating through the suspicious fishhook from a distance! This way, Zhuge Sa wouldn’t be in danger of having his thoughts read by the Zhuyong Tribe while negotiating. So, I began to relay Zhuge Sa’s instructions.

“I have come as the Apostle of Jeon Wook, authorized to possess and liberate the Dragon Flower Tree. Since the barriers have been fully lifted, I can retrieve it immediately.”

Whispers.

It seemed the surrounding Zhuyong Tribe members were shocked. The armored being in front of me offered a bewildered reply, “Is that true…?”

“You can verify this with your king.”

“……”

The armored figure stared at me with a wary expression, as if mentally communicating something. After a brief moment, he spoke again, “Apostle Baek Woong of Jeon Wook, I understand the situation. But what do you want us to do?”

There was a noticeable change in tone. My identity as the Apostle of the Three Sovereigns seemed to hold some weight in front of these lofty creatures of the Zhuyong Tribe. I adopted a more formal tone as well, “I’m not looking for anything for free. I’ll provide ample compensation, not just now, but in the future as well.”

“What kind of compensation are you speaking of?”

I conveyed Zhuge Sa’s words, “If you help me by providing information, as the Apostle of Jeon Wook, I’ll do my best to provide assistance to the Zhuyong Tribe whenever possible. You must know better than anyone what an Apostle means.”

“……”

I could sense the Zhuyong Tribe members stirring with uncertainty. Their pupils dilated, and finally, the armored figure responded, “Wait here. This is a big matter, and I must report it to our king.”

Just a prophet, right?

I chuckled inwardly and replied, “Do as you wish. But if the answer isn’t favorable, I’ll have no choice but to withdraw…”

Wiying –

A moment later, a silver ring appeared above the armored figure’s head, and beams of silver light began to shoot from his eyes. It seemed he was maximizing his mental abilities to establish communication with the king, the prophet of the Zhuyong Tribe. After a lengthy ‘conversation’, the armored figure finally spoke.

“Alright. I accept that proposal.”

“Good.”

“I will provide the information you seek.”

I grinned. ‘Kept my treasures safe.’

The strategy was to bargain with the name of an Apostle to negotiate with the Zhuyong Tribe! By promising them help as an Apostle in exchange for information, I wouldn’t even have to use my treasures.

Far better than worrying about how much I’d be swindled by these arrogant Zhuyong Tribe people. Plus, I’d reduce how many times I had to negotiate with them when searching for Chi You’s whereabouts. Of course, it might get tricky if they actually asked a favor of me, but even then, it would only change the timing of when I’d have to pay a price. It was undoubtedly effective to save the treasures I could already utilize by leveraging my status as an Apostle.

 

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