23. Rewards!
[Corrupted Elder (Silver): Took Mo Yan’s Virginity. Parties Involved—Host, Gu Yue Mo Yan. Rewards Stored.]
Lo Jik nods.
[The First Target (Silver): Had Vaginal Sex With Mo Yan For The First Time. Parties Involved—Host, Gu Yue Mo Yan. Rewards Stored.]
Taking someone’s virginity and having sex for the first time net into two rewards. There aren’t any ‘virgin’ rewards for anal or oral. However, Lo Jik does receive the reward for doing different sexual acts with his partner for the first time, like—Oral, Boobjob, Anal, Buttjob, and even Footjob!
[Want Cream? (Silver): Creampied Mo Yan. Parties Involved—Host, Gu Yue Mo Yan. Rewards Stored.]
Creampies follow different rules. Lo Jik only gets one reward for it, like his partner’s orgasms. Cumming inside Mo Yan’s mouth or ass won’t provide him any achievements.
He continues to gaze through the list. Two other achievements remain.
[A Taboo Makeout (Bronze/Repeatable): Made out with Mo Yan. Parties Involved—Host, Gu Yue Mo Yan. Rewards Stored.]
[Scouting Booty Call (Bronze/Repeatable): Had Penetrative Sex With Mo Yan, Parties Involved—Host, Gu Yue Mo Yan. Rewards Stored.]
Three silver and two bronze-tier rewards!
The wait was worthwhile.
‘I only felt 80% sure about getting a silver-tier reward from Mo Yan. However, she went above and reached Rank 3! However, her rise in status and cultivation still couldn’t close the gaps for a Golden-tier reward. No matter. I must try and have a threesome with Mo Yan and Shen Cui before I try advancing into Rank 3.’
He clears his head and starts summoning his rewards.
‘Time to test my theory. Do I get rare Rank 1 Gu or Rank 2?’
He wills the first Bronze reward under his blanket.
A soft glow blooms inches from his forehead, covering a vague, almost elusive shadow within. Lo Jik watches the light fade, allowing a palm-sized fish with green scales to fall on his lap. The fish looks like a carp, flopping around. A small pair of feathered green wings shudder as the fish flops helplessly.
A Rank 2 Gu! His theory was correct!
Lo Jik observes the Gu, identifying it after spending a few minutes.
‘A Rank 2 Winged Carp. This Gu produces two palm-sized wings on the user’s back. It is useless for human use. It supports an infant’s weight at best. However, using it with Hollowbone Gu allows it to carry adults. A better use for it is to combine it with Rank 2 Windstep Grass Gu and Rank 1 Bamboo Boots Gu, creating Rank 3 Feathered Boots Gu. Winged Carp is the rarest material in this recipe. After all, it’s only present in aquatic regions at least 8000 meters under the ground level! Gu Yue Clan has several Bamboo Boots. Finding a Windstep Grass Gu shouldn’t be hard. It’s a standard movement Gu and occasionally appears in the Clan’s shop.’
However, Lo Jik sighs deeply.
‘This Gu consumes wavy weeds. There are a few missions to collect aquatic materials from the nearby stream, including the weeds. But their relatively low quantity makes them rare. It’s not even about the cost. I can’t brazenly feed the Gu without arousing suspicion. It’s already nerve-wracking to nurture the White Jade Gu. I’ll have to keep the Winged Carp in a state of modest hunger until I get other refining materials. Feathered Boots Gu is a top-notch Rank 3 Movement Gu.’
‘There’s a chance I might lose my investment due to natural risks in fusing the Gu. But what of it? I get to at least try attaining these Rare Gu, right?’ He snickers and lets the Winged Carp inside his Aperture.
The Gu quickly swims within his Primeval Sea before calming.
Lo Jik continues after heaving deeply.
A familiar light flashes before his eyes, allowing a brown earthworm to fall on his lap. The Rank 2 Gu squirms slightly before attentively raising its head.
‘Rank 2 Smell-Lock Gu,’ Lo Jik nods. ‘It’s also rare and handy in the wilds. The only recipe with the Smell-Lock Gu—in my knowledge—is the Rank 3 Sneaking Poison Gu. But that poison Gu needs two other Rank 2 Gu. This Gu is quite in demand during scouting missions. Its effects of containing the body’s odor for 30 minutes can also be applied to other Gu Masters. However, it doesn’t restrict the smell of Gu Master’s clothes and other artifacts. So, it’s best to use this Gu while lathering oneself with nearby soil or mud.’
Satisfied, Lo Jik refines and lets the earthworm inside his aperture as it floats on the surface.
‘Time for Silver rewards. Please! Don’t let it all be Red Steel Relic Gu!’
While suddenly reaching Rank 2 Peak Stage is titillating, Lo Jik feels his trait should have more options now. After all, several Rank 2 Gu are just as rare, if not more expensive than the Red Steel Relic Gu!
Light flashes. Seconds feel like minutes as Lo Jik observes the shadow behind the light is nowhere similar to a Relic Gu. His heart thumps as the orb of light fades and allows a…
He observes the azure root-like plant. It has hair-like thin roots growing from its primary body. A subtle scent of earth and grass fills the space under his blanket.
‘A 100-year-old Lunar Ginseng,’ Lo Jik muses. ‘It’s VERY wanted by others. While the Academy Elder didn’t say anything during our classes, he hinted that this plant is used as a material for refining many of Gu Yue’s Rank 3 Gu into Rank 4. It will effortlessly sell for 7000-8000 Primeval Stones.’
He never expects to receive material from Silver Rewards, but Lo Jik isn’t disappointed. Despite his current wealth, 7000 Primeval Stones isn’t something to scoff at.
Lo Jik promptly covers the Ginseng in several wraps of sheets before storing it safely. Exposure like that would eventually spread its scent and might attract trouble.
He returns to his blanket and promptly summons the second Silver Reward.
He thins his lips as the silhouette of the reward is too familiar!
A red-colored Red Steel Relic Gu sits on his lap.
‘Well,’ he sighs. ‘Ok.’
Putting the Gu into his aperture, Lo Jik summons the last reward.
He frowns as he also knows the silhouette of this Gu. It’s not a Relic Gu.
Its cocoon-like body seems encased in enamel despite possessing three sections for its head, body, and stomach.
The Rank 2 Bookworm Gu stays motionless as Lo Jik cannot help but doubt things.
‘A Bookworm’s rarity is comparable to White Boar or Liquor Worm. It should be a Bronze-tier Reward. It’s a storage Gu that stores knowledge. It feeds on ‘literature.’ So, feeding it bamboo paper will not suffice. The bamboo paper must have something written or drawn on it. I can look up the relative knowledge anytime once the Gu consumes it. Wait… knowledge.’
Lo Jik narrows his eyes, using the Gu and letting it rest within his brain beside the Battle Instinct Gu.
<<<>>>
“Congratulations, Elder Mo.”
“Hahaha! My Gu Yue Clan has another elder! What a joyous occasion!”
“Mo Yan is beautiful and talented. Say, Elder Mo, you’re so young. You must have someone you like, right?”
“Hmph, you’re shameless, Bi Ki! Find someone else for your wastrel Grandson!”
“What did you just say?!”
All sorts of voices fill the main hall within the Clan Leader’s pavilion after Mo Yan is officially promoted to Rank 3 with all its merits. Gu Yue Mo Chen is all smiles, stroking his beard with a proud expression. However, he feels conflicted. Others are no better. While everyone is smiling, several elders are scheming. Many elders under Mo Chen’s faction are also dissatisfied since Mo Yan’s advancement means they will have to cut another person into their stream of benefits!
Competition exists at every level!
There are also many elders probing her intentions through flattery. Old Mo Yan would be swept by all this. However, she learned a few painful lessons under her Grandfather’s teaching in the last month and modestly answered several questions.
Meanwhile, Mo Chen’s fierce rival, Gu Yue Chi Lian, looks frustrated.
He never expected Mo Yan to advance into Rank 3. How can he not know Mo Chen? They are true rivals, so they know each other better than their wives ever did! Mo Chen won’t let Mo Yan advance before Mo Bei!
‘The chances of Mo Yan disobeying Mo Chen is high. Sigh,’ Chi Lian groans inwardly. ‘I’ll have to allow Chi Shan to pull back and close the gap. Hmph, it all started with that Qing Shu!’
Chi Lian coldly stares at the back of the green-haired Elder leading Mo Yan away.
“Congratulations, Elder Mo,” Qing Shu smiles as he leads the girl under the Clan Pavilion for her free Rank 3 Gu from the Clan’s reserves.
“You’re quite talented,” Qing Shu continues. “Maybe our Gu Yue Clan will have our version of divine scouts, the ‘Ruined’ Brothers.”
Mo Yan snorts.
“Ease it with those compliments, Qing Shu. We’re peers, so I don’t have to act courteously. Ruined Brothers? Do you think I’m such a heavy gambler?”
Qing Shu glances at Mo Yan, shrugging.
“I was truly trying to compliment you.”
“Why?” Mo Yan narrows her eyes. “I’m not going to marry you for political gains.”
“I wouldn’t wish myself on my worst enemy,” Qing Shu chuckles. “It’s as you said, we’re peers. A generation’s gap divides us from other Elders. I dislike such political agendas. However, I understand their use in my growth. Since I can assist the Clan more by being more powerful, I must use similar methods as other competitors. Even if we belong to Clan Leader and Mo Factions, we won’t be treated equally.”
They chat and walk, traveling the underground hall beside the stream where the Clan conducts the awakening ceremony.
“I’m suggesting we compete but should present a unified front in matters that don’t directly involve our respective factions.”
They appear before the Gu room as the guards respectfully stand aside.
“I’ll consider it,” Mo Yan answers curtly before entering the small room.
<<<>>>
‘The Ruined Brothers?’
Lo Jik’s eyes almost pop open!
It’s one of the more intriguing legends in the Southern Border. Anyone knee-deep in Rock Gambling considers these two myths of the profession!
Legends state the Ruined Brothers were orphans. The Elder, Kang Tian-Yan, ruthlessly attacked anyone who dared hurt his younger brother, Kang Diqiu-Yan. These two mortal brothers awakened their apertures, and both possessed B-grade aptitudes. The siblings grew together and protected each other. The Elder was rough, using harsh methods to resolve his issues. The younger sibling used delicate means to de-escalate situations. The siblings soon started teaming together, sweeping through opposition and rising the ranks. Despite their contrasting disposition, the siblings were talented in refining the Gu. Both spent days together, spending precious resources to research several recipes and improve the existing ones.
Talented and ambitious, the brothers eventually stumbled upon their first innovation, using it to create another Gu. Those two Gu are still a mystery. The news about their creation only spread due to the Elder Brother’s negligence as he drank in the tavern. Allegedly, these two Gu worms make them masters in scouting! The two brothers completed several missions, allowing their clan to locate many precious resources, becoming the Clan Leader’s most loyal subordinates. The Clan Leader didn’t have children, so he eventually began treating these two as his blood.
It’s not uncommon. For instance, Qing Shu is Gu Yue Bo’s adoptive son.
Soon, the Clan Leader fell ill, helping the Eldest Brother reach Rank 4 before dying. Taking control of the clan, the brothers revealed the Clan Leader’s last wish to expand into the Rock Gambling business. The Brothers had to start slowly under other Elder’s unified resistance against the idea. However, the profits were immense! The Clan even held several Gambling ceremonies, inviting other clans and building political relationships. Other Clan Elders eventually accepted the idea. The Kang Clan became a mid-sized Rock Gambling point, attracting several caravans in months!
However, good times don’t last. The Brothers fell in love with the same woman and competed for her affection. Eventually, the woman chose the younger brother. Outraged, the Elder Brother killed his younger brother and escaped the clan. The Rock Gambling business didn’t last for long.
However, the short duration of their business earned them profits several times more than a large-sized gambling point, leaving their names as legends in the profession.
These Brothers grew together and were Ruined as one, too. After all, nobody found the Elder Brother.
Lo Jik sighs.
There is truth to every rumor. The Bookworm Gu is left by a Rank 4 Peak Stage Gu Master—Kang Tian-Yan.
The two Brother’s story is drastically different from the rumors.
While rough, Tian-Yan always loved his younger brother. However, unlike the legends, only Tian-Yan was the genius in Gu's refinement. The Elder Brother cared about two things—Diqiu-Yan and refining Gu. The former represented Tian-Yan’s dedication and love for his brother. Meanwhile, the latter expressed his fascination toward the Gu’s mysteries!
Still, Diqiu-Yan wasn’t useless. The younger brother schemed well. The youth planned so well that they displayed an honest duo of hardness and softness, rising through the ranks and conspiring against the Clan Leader. Letting Tian-Yan take the Clan Leader’s seat was his younger brother’s idea to expand their influence while he schemes from the dark. Their unique Gu allowed them to achieve great success! They wildly profited from the Rock Gambling business using their innovation.
However, things changed.
A woman.
Tian-Yan fell for her the second they met, eagerly accepting Diqiu’s scheme of fighting over her to create tension in the Kang Clan and rooting out the malicious elders in the dark. It worked too well.
Unlike the legends, the woman fell for Tian-Yan.
The events unfolding made Lo Jik sigh.
While possessing a cunning heart, Diqiu-Yan underestimated love and overestimated himself. He was used to planning with a partner-in-crime. This time was no different. The only difference was that Tian-Yan wasn’t his partner but his target! The woman was his partner.
How could a woman in love betray? Love was, is, and always will be unreasonable!
The woman told Tian-Yan the truth. Outraged, Tian-Yan confronted his brother.
Diqiu-Yan was no longer his gentle little brother as he revealed his vicious, jealous nature. Diqiu-Yan exposed how he always envied Tian-Yan’s strength and talent. That’s why he let the Clan Leader assist Tian-Yan in cultivation to reach Rank 4! It came with a price. Tian-Yan couldn’t cultivate! But why would Diqiu-Yan suddenly turn on his elder brother?
Because Tian-Yan revealed—he had another recipe for Gu using their two inventions.
Credits where credit is due—Diqiu-Yan DID assist in innovating their second recipe.
Unable to handle such difference in talent and hateful for years, Diqiu-Yan concocted a scheme to assassinate his Elder Brother. However, Tian-Yan could not kill his brother. He said he would leave the Clan and enter a self-imposed exile. Like Love, hatred is often unreasonable, too. Unable to bear his Elder Brother’s talents and generosity, Diqiu-Yan attacked his Elder Brother and his lover!
Bam!
Tian-Yan reveals a cultivation of Rank 4 Peak Stage!
Didn’t Tian-Yan lose his ability to cultivate?
The Elder Brother reveals he chanced upon a fortuitous Gu in the wild and wanted to surprise Diqiu-Yan when they root out malicious Elders.
Hateful, Hateful, Hateful!
The young brother changed his tactic and killed the defenseless Lover!
Blinded by rage, Tian-Yan killed his young brother!
Yet, the act scarred the generational talent. Tian-Yan left the Kang Clan and entered a self-imposed exile. The grief never compelled the man to commit suicide. Instead, he chose to live with guilt as his punishment, his only source of joy being refining and researching Gu.
At the end of his story, Tian-Yan states—
‘Congratulations, Inheritors. I’m a righteous man. However, my inheritance is crueler than the demonic Gu Masters’ imagination! This world is inhuman and tests brotherly bonds with every breath! You two must have unimaginable refining talent and awareness. Hahaha! I hope you two live better than me. I leave behind my Gu worms and this Book Gu that contains everything I researched, including my discoveries not yet known to the public. Use it well. Be selfish to others but kind to each other. I lost my brother and lover in one day. I sincerely wish the same fate never befalls you.’
Lo Jik exhales deeply.
What a story.
He still chooses to trust Tian-Yan’s side with a grain of salt. For all he knows, Tian-Yan might be a deceiving narrator who wants to leave a good name after his death.
Whatever the case, Lo Jik skims through the recipes.
His blood boils with excitement!
It isn’t like the ill-maintained journals with missing or half-crumbled pages. It’s a genuine Clan Leader’s informative Legacy!
The first few recipes already make him gape in surprise.
‘Adding a Boar’s tusk to White Jade Gu’s creation increases the refinement chances by 20%?’
{A/N: According to canon, this information should surface 150 years later as a ‘discovery.’ However, I’m using that lore to give the Ruined Brothers some substance.}
It’s wild!
He continues through Rank 2, 3, and 4 Gu recipes.
The start of the only Rank 5 recipe contains Tian-Yan’s words.
—‘Us brothers invented a pair of Eye Gu worms. I used the Heaven Piercing Eye, and my Yan’er used the Earth Piercing Eye. Both had complementary disadvantages. The Heaven Piercing Eye can see through anything except objects with Earth Qi. I could never look past the ground and Earth Path Gu. Meanwhile, Yan’er’s Earth Piercing Eye could ONLY see through the ground and earthen commodities. We used this Gu to establish our Rock Gambling business. Fearing retaliation from every Clan in Southern Border, we never revealed the truth. Yan’er even sent me to spread misinformation through my drunken facade. However, I had an idea to combine the two Rank 4 Gu into a TRUE legendary Rank 5 Gu. Despite being confident in my recipe, I completed it too late. I’m dying. I leave this promise to my inheritors. It’s the Rank 5 Gu Heaven and Earth Before My Eyes!’—
Lo Jik gulps.
He cannot reveal the information about these two Gu!
One makes him a master in scouting, and two make him a piece of delicious pie that others will love hunting!
He’ll get railed from all sides!
Lo Jik calms his rapidly beating heart as he slumps down.
Scouting…
Yeah, it’s a dangerous profession—more life-threatening than he expected.
‘This Rank 2 Bookworm Gu only represents half the inheritance. I wonder what the other half looks like.’
Still, he stops resting after a few minutes before delving into the hundreds of recipes.
Time waits for no man.
These recipes also have different points where Tian-Yan points out his private experiences and thoughts. It’s genuine guidance from an expert in the field! When Lo Jik feels mentally drained, he shifts to nurturing his aperture. He planned to use the relic Gu at Upper Stage unless he gets another one.
‘Mo Yan will have plenty of attention on herself for a while. I shouldn’t expect her anytime soon. My primary objective is to advance to the Middle Stage before the caravan’s arrival. The stronger I am, the less suspicion I will incur once I sell the rare materials that survived in my hands. But why is the Caravan arriving early this time? Did something happen?’
Lo Jik muses and cultivates, opting to stay inside and accrue more public infamy by not giving a rat’s ass about the Clan’s missions.
He doesn’t have to move unless it’s Clan Leader’s direct orders. Instead, he is willing to pay a fine and receive a bad evaluation for not completing his mission.
Venturing into the forest after the Bear King and Blood Hound Wolf intimidates Lo Jik. He isn’t the kind to crumble in fear. But he also won’t challenge his luck and take unnecessary risks by entering the wilds without cause!
***
Alternate Title: Corrupted Elder; The Creampie Rules and Regulations; More Sexual Acts To Go; Calling Rewards; Winged Carp Gu; A Scout’s Bestfriend—Smell-Lock; The Bookworm; Another Relic; Elders’ Competition; Mo Chen and Chi Lian Should Just Marry and Unite Their Houses; Qing Shu’s Offer; Another Elder; Daggers Behind Their Smiles; Keeping Pretense; Free Rank 3 Gu; The Ruined Brothers; Difference Between Legends And Narration; Talents; A Scheming Heart Seduced By Hate; Love and Hate Do Be Unreasonable; A Brotherly Quarrel; An Unknown Inheritance; Refining Expert That Was a Scout; The Eye That Sees All But a Human’s Heart; Heaven and Earth Cannot Measure Upto a Man’s Depths; Women Cause Wars Since Ancient Times; Eager; Unwilling to Test Luck; The New White Jade Recipe; Past and Future Is Heavily Misinformed