Chronicles of the Demonic Cult Conversion-Chapter 43 : Chapter 43

Chapter 43. Soma Pill
“Hurry up and climb.”
“Thank you! Big brother!”
“Alright.”
Thanks to Jin Yeong-in’s help, the Blood Wolves were able to shake off their competitors from other groups and safely climb to the top of the cliff.
Among them were some who had given Jin Yeong-in a hard time, and Dae-ho was a prime example.
Dae-ho was stuck in the middle of the cliff, unable to move an inch.
“What are you doing here?”
“Bi-Big brother.”
Dae-ho answered Jin Yeong-in’s question, sweating profusely.
“I, I just can’t…… Heek!”
Dae-ho looked down and was terrified.
Seeing him tremble like an aspen leaf, it was clear that he was extremely afraid of heights.
“So you’re going to give up?”
“N-No, sir!”
“Then why are you here like this. Not climbing up quickly.”
“But…… Ugh!”
Dae-ho squeezed his eyes shut.
‘He has an instinctive fear of heights.’
Jin Yeong-in knew that some people had a pathological fear of heights from birth, so he could fully understand Dae-ho's reaction.
However, a martial artist must be able to fight anytime, anywhere.
If a situation were to occur in such a high place, it was as clear as day that Dae-ho would be a burden to his allies.
And there was no way the Blood Wolf Corps would make an exception for Dae-ho's personal circumstances.
“Climb.”
Jin Yeong-in said firmly.
“Are you going to give up your dream of becoming a warrior of our cult here?”
“That’s…….”
“I’m scared too.”
“I-Is that really true? Are you scared too, Big brother?”
“Yes.”
Jin Yeong-in nodded his head.
Of course, it was a lie…….
“I'll tell you a secret. Don't look down, and don't look up too much. Just look one inch ahead of you.”
“One inch ahead?”
“Yes, one inch ahead.”
Thwack, Jin Yeong-in answered, casually swatting away an incoming arrow.
“You don't need to look far ahead and worry. That's not something you can do anything about.”
“Ugh.”
“I’ll help you, so try climbing up step by step. You’ll find some composure as you do.”
“Y-Yes, sir.”
Following Jin Yeong-in's advice, Dae-ho focused his gaze only on where his hand could reach and began to climb the cliff step by step.
Jin Yeong-in helped Dae-ho by swatting away incoming arrows or blocking the approach of Blood Wolves from other groups so that he could climb the cliff.
“I-I’m here. Ugh.”
Dae-ho, who had reached the top of the cliff, collapsed in a star shape.
With Jin Yeong-in's help, he had managed to climb the cliff with great difficulty.
But Jin Yeong-in could not rest.
Jin Yeong-in went up and down the cliff several times, helping the Blood Wolves he led.
“Big brother, I'll help too.”
“Alright. Help those guys over there.”
“Yes.”
Namgung Sin, who had relatively outstanding skills and talent, also helped the Blood Wolves in the same group as Jin Yeong-in.
Thanks to this, the group led by Jin Yeong-in became the one with the most members who successfully completed the climb.
By proudly taking first place among the seven groups, they were able to secure a proper meal and a warm place to sleep tonight.
“As expected of Big brother!”
“Our Big brother is the best!”
“Wahahahaha!”
“Big brother! I respect you!”
The Blood Wolves praised and were proud of their Lead Blood Wolf, Jin Yeong-in.
It was a perfectly natural thing.
Jin Yeong-in had shown all the exemplary behavior that a Lead Blood Wolf leading a group could show.
Not only did he take first place in this test, but he also helped the Blood Wolves, so it was only natural that he would be respected by his followers.
“Number forty-four.”
“Sir.”
“Well done.”
Yi Mu-baek said, patting Jin Yeong-in on the shoulder.
“……!”
At Yi Mu-baek's praise, the watching instructors were startled.
How long has it been since the infamous Yi Mu-baek, the devil-like Commander of the Blood Wolf Corps, officially praised someone?
But that was only for a moment.
“Instructors, listen up.”
“Yes, Commander.”
“Ensure that those who passed the test get their rest, and as for those who failed……”
Yi Mu-baek gave a chilling smile and looked down at the bottom of the cliff.
“Work them like dogs. Until every single one of them throws up. Understood?”
“Yes, Commander.”
At Yi Mu-baek's command, the instructors rolled up their sleeves and headed towards the bottom of the cliff.
“Hehehe!”
“I’ll make them beg for death!”
The instructors seemed thrilled at the thought of working the failed Blood Wolves.
Jin Yeong-in couldn't readily judge whether this was a good thing for the failed Blood Wolves or not.
Judging by Yi Mu-baek's words, it seemed that the failed Blood Wolves would not be dismissed.
However, he couldn't even begin to imagine how much they would be worked like dogs, so he thought that maybe being dismissed would be better.
* * *
Yi Mu-baek kept his promise.
He allowed Jin Yeong-in and the Blood Wolves who followed him to build a bonfire so they could sleep warmly, and also provided additional mats for them to cover themselves.
That afternoon.
A feast broke out in the hut where Jin Yeong-in was staying.
It was thanks to Yi Mu-baek, who had provided alcohol and meat to Jin Yeong-in's group and had been considerate enough to let them enjoy it until they fell asleep.
“Big brother! It’s all thanks to you, Big brother!”
“Please have a drink!”
Jin Yeong-in enjoyed the alcohol and meat with the Blood Wolves who followed him.
In fact, even for Jin Yeong-in, chewing on grain pills every day was not a pleasant task, so the proper food he had encountered after a long time was a very welcome thing.
“Big brother, I’m really envious.”
Namgung Sin said, pouring a glass of alcohol into Jin Yeong-in’s cup.
“What are you envious of?”
“The Soma Pill.”
“Ah, this?”
Jin Yeong-in said, taking out the wooden box from his bosom.
“I heard it’s not common for the Blood Wolf Corps to provide a precious spiritual medicine like the Soma Pill?”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, it seems the timing was just right.”
“Haha.”
Jin Yeong-in felt slightly pleased after hearing Namgung Sin’s words.
‘Indeed. Even for our cult, it wouldn't be easy to provide Soma Pills to fledglings.’
How common could a spiritual medicine that allows one to gain a quarter of a half-cycle of internal energy be?
It was said that in the Central Plains, one would need a fortune like a thousand gold to obtain a spiritual medicine like the Soma Pill, and even with money, it was like plucking a star from the sky.
Even if one had money, if one lacked the information and background to buy it, it was a spiritual medicine that was almost impossible to obtain, so it was no exaggeration to say that Jin Yeong-in had obtained a small miraculous encounter.
“What are you?”
“Where do you think you’re going!”
At the sudden commotion, he turned his head to see the Blood Wolves and Na Mi-ho having a dispute.
The Blood Wolves who followed Jin Yeong-in seemed to think that she had come for revenge.
“Do you have some business with me?”
Jin Yeong-in approached Na Mi-ho and asked.
“I’m curious.”
Na Mi-ho replied.
“What are you curious about?”
“How were you able to imbue your fist with the subtleties of force generation in that situation?”
“You came all the way here because you were curious about that?”
“Yes.”
“Haha.”
Jin Yeong-in laughed.
He was genuinely impressed by her passion for martial arts.
“If it’s about that, I just showed you because you asked me to.”
“Because I asked you to? I did?”
“You asked me to see some of the Righteous Faction’s martial arts.”
Jin Yeong-in reminded Na Mi-ho of what she had said.
“It’s Shaolin martial arts.”
“I heard you’re not from Shaolin? You’re not bald, either.”
“Isn’t it a prejudice to say that all bald people are from Shaolin? There are secular disciples too.”
“So you’re a former secular disciple?”
“I learned it by stealing a glance?”
“…….”
“Anyway, if you’re really curious, come find me when you have time. I'll teach you.”
“R-Really?”
Na Mi-ho's eyes widened as if she hadn't expected Jin Yeong-in to offer his kindness so readily.
“Since I learned it by stealing a glance myself, there’s no reason I can’t teach it. It’s not that difficult either.”
“Not difficult?”
“Actually, it is difficult, but I think someone with your level of passion might learn it quickly.”
“Is that a compliment?”
“Half of one.”
Jin Yeong-in chuckled and waved his hand at Na Mi-ho.
“Anyway, you can go now. I don’t feel like teaching right now.”
“Alright.”
Na Mi-ho obediently backed away.
“Well then, I’ll come to learn when I have time.”
“Sure.”
After Na Mi-ho left.
“What, why are you all looking at me like that?”
Jin Yeong-in suddenly noticed the gazes of the Blood Wolves were fixed on him and frowned.
“Keu! As expected of Big brother!”
“Kyaa! To make such a pretty young lady come looking for him on her own!”
“I’m envious! Big brother!”
The Blood Wolves gave Jin Yeong-in a thumbs-up and each chattered a word.
Both Jin Yeong-in and Na Mi-ho had simply exchanged words out of a pure passion for martial arts, but in their eyes, it must have seemed like a romance was blooming between a hot-blooded man and woman.
“Stop with the nonsense and have a drink.”
“Yes! Big brother!”
The Blood Wolves shouted their reply with all their might.
* * *
Late in the evening.
Jin Yeong-in finished the gathering and trained in the Reverse Heaven Heart Art with the Blood Wolves.
Here in the Blood Wolf Corps, unless a special training or incident occurred, they were required to practice the Reverse Heaven Heart Art every night.
Indeed, since the most important thing during the hundred days of Blood Wolf Corps training was to learn the Reverse Heaven Heart Art, it was a sufficiently rational training method.
“Instructor, may I take the Soma Pill now?”
As the saying goes, strike while the iron is hot, and since it was awkward to carry the Soma Pill in his bosom, he intended to take it quickly.
“Now, you mean?”
The instructor was slightly surprised by Jin Yeong-in's question.
“Haven’t I already achieved the Small Heavenly Cycle of the Reverse Heaven Heart Art?”
“Mm. That’s true.”
He was the instructor who had previously confirmed Jin Yeong-in’s achievement, so he nodded his head as if he knew well.
“Indeed. Since you have already achieved the Small Heavenly Cycle of the Reverse Heaven Heart Art, it shouldn't matter if you take the Soma Pill now.”
“Then…….”
“I grant you permission to take it. If you need any help, let me know. I will stand guard for you.”
“Your words alone are thanks enough.”
Jin Yeong-in, who had performed a clasped hands greeting to the instructor, opened the wooden box, took out the Soma Pill inside, and swallowed it in one gulp.
“Slurp.”
“Umm.”
Even the instructors seemed envious of the Soma Pill, as they unconsciously licked their lips.
In fact, it was a rare thing to take a spiritual medicine even once in a lifetime.
Wouldn't an ordinary person usually close their eyes for the last time without ever having seen a spiritual medicine, let alone something similar to it?
Regardless of that, Jin Yeong-in immediately sat cross-legged and focused on circulating the Reverse Heaven Heart Art.
Seuuuuu!
Soon, a thick demonic qi emanated from Jin Yeong-in’s body and covered the hut.
“Heok!”
“K-Keuk!”
The Blood Wolves who were watching with curious eyes suddenly clutched their chests and collapsed.
The demonic qi emanating from Jin Yeong-in was so intense that the Blood Wolves simply could not withstand it.
“Keoheok!”
It was so extreme that there was even a Blood Wolf who rolled his eyes back and vomited blood.
“What is this!”
“N-No!”
It was so extreme that even the instructors were startled.
“Get away from him! Quickly!”
“Everyone, move out of the hut immediately!”
The instructors urgently surrounded Jin Yeong-in and shouted.
The person actually circulating qi was Jin Yeong-in, yet a farce unfolded where they stood guard not for him, but to protect the Blood Wolves nearby.
Hwaaaaaaak!
Meanwhile, an intensely powerful demonic qi continuously emanated from Jin Yeong-in, encroaching on the surroundings.
“What kind of monster is this?”
“Didn’t they say that guy defected from the Righteous Faction? How can a guy like that emit such demonic qi?”
The instructors looked at Jin Yeong-in with eyes full of astonishment, as if they couldn't believe it.
This was because, judging by the amount and concentration of the demonic qi emanating from Jin Yeong-in, it was impossible to see him as someone at the level of a prodigy.