Episode 25: Return
At the mention of the Flying Divine Artifact, Jang So-cheon turned his gaze to Princess Umji.
"Your Highness! Is it true that this Flying Divine Artifact is crafted with Silver Essence?"
"That’s top secret information... Who told you that?"
"It was just a guess. I thought your frequent visits to the Red Fox Tribe might have something to do with Silver Essence."
"You're very perceptive. Yes, the Flying Divine Artifact is a pair of transparent wings made with Silver Essence. When you wear them and channel Law Power, you can fly through the sky at such speed that no Yao Tribe member could ever catch up."
"Not even with a flying magic device?"
"Of course not. You can adjust the size at will, so even Master Jang could wear it."
"And with Silver Essence, it wouldn’t break easily either."
"Naturally. Plus, with our Soyo Tribe’s spell system, you can equip or remove it with just a thought."
"If it’s that precious... I suppose you haven’t made many of them."
"That’s the only downside. So far, only three have ever been made."
"Are you saying you’d lend one to me?"
"Only to Master Jang. No matter how miraculous the Flying Divine Artifact is, it’s still just an external tool."
"Does its effectiveness increase as your realm advances?"
"Exactly. That’s why I could never give up the Sacred Pill."
"Then let’s do this."
"Do what?"
"How about you sell me the Flying Divine Artifact?"
"That’s impossible. The Flying Divine Artifact is a strategic asset of our tribe."
"I once heard someone say, a few months ago, that there’s nothing in this world that can’t be bought with money."
"That person was mistaken. I admit the Sacred Pill is rare and valuable—I want it desperately myself. But compared to the Flying Divine Artifact, its value is far lower, and that’s undeniable."
As she finished speaking, Princess Umji tapped her Heaven and Earth Pouch and took out the Flying Divine Artifact.
The Flying Divine Artifact was a transparent pair of wings.
Not only could you control their length and size with Law Power, but they were also so durable they could block even other magic devices.
"May I try it on?"
"Of course. It’s still a bit tricky to use, so let me help you."
"Please do."
Princess Umji raised her hand, and the wings instantly expanded.
They attached themselves to Jang So-cheon’s back, yet he could barely feel their weight.
If it could function like this...
The name ‘divine artifact’ hardly seemed enough.
"How does it feel to wear it yourself? Don’t you think it’s not something you could buy with a Sacred Pill?"
As Princess Umji removed the wings from Jang So-cheon’s back, he shook his head.
"No. No matter what, I must have this item. Please, sell it to me."
This time, it was Jang So-cheon who was being stubborn.
Even Eun Dan-bi’s attempts to dissuade him were useless.
That’s how much Jang So-cheon wanted the Flying Divine Artifact.
When Princess Umji tried to put the artifact back into her Heaven and Earth Pouch, Jang So-cheon hurriedly stopped her.
He then suggested they talk in the next room for a moment.
"It’s no use. This isn’t something that can be sold."
But after a brief conversation in the next room, her attitude had changed completely.
Eun Dan-bi, surprised, asked Princess Umji,
"Sister! Are you really selling the Flying Divine Artifact? You’re going to sell a strategic asset of the Soyo Tribe to a human?"
"Unni! I’d do anything for the advancement of the Soyo Tribe. No matter how important the Flying Divine Artifact is, there’s a condition that outweighs it."
"So you’ve really decided to sell it?"
"I’ve already handed it over."
"Already?"
"Yes. So don’t ask any more. You want Master Jang to make it safely out of the Yao territory, don’t you? Honestly, there’s no alternative except the Flying Divine Artifact."
"I suppose that’s true..."
As Eun Dan-bi looked back regretfully, Jang So-cheon gave her a Salute with Fist and Palm.
"Master Eun! I’ll never forget the kindness you’ve shown me. If you ever need anything, just ask. I’ll do my utmost to help."
"Really?"
"Of course. And before I cross into the human territory, I’d like to buy a large amount of medicinal herbs. Your Highness, could you help me?"
"If you ask Soso, she’ll help you."
"Thank you."
Jang So-cheon bowed once more to Eun Dan-bi and Princess Umji.
From that day on, Jang So-cheon began purchasing enormous quantities of herbs and medicinal ingredients.
He paid for them with Spirit Stones from the Auction House, and on the last day, he even put three Enhanced Spirit Energy Pills up for auction.
The rumor that the Sacred Alchemist had put up Sacred Pills suitable for Earth Yao Level cultivators spread through the Red Fox Tribe even before the auction...
After fierce competition among high-level cultivators, the pills sold for twelve premium Spirit Stones.
A high-level cultivator who took one achieved Realm Advancement in just three days, causing another uproar in the Red Fox Tribe...
Hearing the rumors, high-level cultivators stormed the Auction House, clamoring for more Sacred Pills from the Sacred Alchemist.
At that moment,
Jang So-cheon was leaving the Red Fox Tribe aboard Eun Dan-bi’s flying magic device.
"Master Eun! It’s not much, but please accept this as a token of my gratitude. I hope you’ll give them as gifts to those dear to the princess."
"Sacred Pills, I see. I shouldn’t, but I’ll accept them."
"And congratulations on your Realm Advancement."
"It’s all thanks to you. If I’d known how effective the Sacred Pill was, I’d have treated you even better."
"You’ve already done more than enough. And Lady Soso!"
"Yes, Young Master?"
"Thank you so much for helping me until the very end. From now on, I’ll take responsibility for your Elixir Pills, so come find me anytime."
"Really?"
"Of course."
"Master Jang! What about me?"
Princess Umji, who had been perched on Eun Dan-bi’s shoulder, soared into the sky.
Wearing the Flying Divine Artifact, her movements were so nimble they seemed almost magical.
She was there and gone in an instant.
As she ascended, only a faint afterimage could be seen.
"Your Highness, your name is at the very top of my client list, so you’ll always have first priority to buy Elixir Pills."
"Hohoho! That’s enough for me. I’ll visit soon, so be ready."
"Understood."
After taking the Elixir Pill Jang So-cheon had given her, Princess Umji’s realm had advanced as well.
Just gaining the opportunity to trade was enough to make her happy.
Inside her Heaven and Earth Pouch,
She now held the last Silver Essence Jang So-cheon had possessed.
That was enough to make several more Flying Divine Artifacts.
Wooooong.
As the flying magic device crossed the Red Fox Tribe’s border, Jang So-cheon gave the women who had seen him off one last Salute with Fist and Palm.
Swoosh!
Then, he attached the Flying Divine Artifact to his back and shot into the sky like a beam of light.
*
Screeeech!
Wearing the Flying Divine Artifact, Jang So-cheon soared into the sky like an eagle.
His speed was incomparable, even to the cultivators of the Chang-eung Tribe.
Breaking through the clouds and rising to the edge of the sky, Jang So-cheon looked down over the land.
He mapped out his route in his mind, then spread his wings wide and began to glide.
Whoosh!
His body accelerated in an instant, tearing through the air like a meteor.
Then, catching the wind, he gently flapped his wings and came to a sudden halt in midair.
Shhh!
Suddenly, an arrow shot up from the ground.
It was terrifyingly fast.
Tink.
But when Jang So-cheon struck it with his wing, the arrow snapped in two and fell harmlessly below.
Flap, flap.
Flapping his wings, Jang So-cheon soared back up above the clouds.
Then, hiding within the clouds, he slowly drifted toward the direction of the Guardian Fortress.
Three days later.
Below the clouds, a flying magic device belonging to the Yao Tribe was passing by.
It was enormous.
There were nearly a hundred Yao Tribe members aboard.
Outside the airship, flying Yao cultivators from the Chang-eung Tribe patrolled the skies...
At the prow, a sharp-eyed high-level Yao was keeping watch.
Yet none of them noticed Jang So-cheon hiding in the clouds above the airship.
Thanks to his Special Ability, Jang So-cheon could see everything outside the clouds clearly.
He could make out the size and shape of the flying magic device, and even the movements of the Yao aboard.
Most of the Yao on board were high-level cultivators.
He prayed he wouldn’t be discovered, but luck wasn’t on his side today.
"Who goes there?!"
The door of the flying magic device burst open, and out leapt a beast covered in red feathers.
A Yao who looked like a rooster glared up at the sky, then hurled the spear in his hand at Jang So-cheon.
Whiiir!
The golden spear sliced through the air, looking anything but ordinary.
Click, click.
Long, sharp wings sprouted from the sides of the spearhead, and its speed suddenly increased.
Realizing he’d been spotted, Jang So-cheon immediately shot out of the clouds.
He soared upward with all his might.
But the golden spear still pursued him.
Spin.
When Jang So-cheon banked in the air, the golden spear followed his every move.
A magic device.
And clearly a high-grade one used by elite cultivators.
Rumble.
In the distance, the flying magic device rose through the clouds.
Two Chang-eung Tribe cultivators were already closing in...
Yet Jang So-cheon kept circling in the air.
Then, when the tail of the magic device was exposed—
Grab!
He seized the shaft of the golden spear and powerfully flapped his wings, soaring even higher.
Buzz.
The magic device thrashed wildly, but Jang So-cheon refused to let go.
He poured all his strength into climbing higher and higher.
As he got farther from the flying magic device, the golden spear gradually stopped struggling.
But an intense chill began to seep into Jang So-cheon’s body.
He could barely keep flying.
Still, Jang So-cheon pushed through his limits and kept ascending.
Ugh!
He rose so high, he could barely breathe.
Finally, he turned his body and shot off in the opposite direction from the flying magic device.
Immediately—
Screeeech!
Jang So-cheon plummeted toward the ground at a terrifying speed.
The flying magic device couldn’t possibly keep up.
Folding his wings, Jang So-cheon dropped below the clouds and vanished from the Yao’s sight.
"After him! That thief stole my Golden Wheel Magic Spear!"
The rooster-like Yao bellowed at the top of his lungs...
But Jang So-cheon, now vanished below the clouds, was nowhere to be found.