Instant Kill - Volume 7 - Chapter 7

Chapter 7

“Who is it? Ah! I’m coming . ” Yelled Yu Jie .

He hurriedly opened the door .

A big fatty came in and said, “Hey Old Yu, has your master come back yet? Oh! And who is this little kid?”

The big fatty was wearing a fuchsia robe .

Guo Shier was a slightly surprised . He knew that in the Chen Xiao Sect, people wearing fuchsia colored robes were in the same status as his master .

“Hello, Martial Uncle . I’m Guo Shier,” he said .

“Oh?!? You?!? Are you Ku Mu’s Personal Inheritance Disciple?” the fatty exclaimed .

“Yes,” Guo Shier said .

The big fatty looked surprised . “Whoa . Has this Mu-tou actually changed? Wow! This is interesting . Hey, Ku Mu! Ku Mu! Come out, my friend!”

(Note: Mu-tou is the same as calling someone “Woody” in English . Mu=Tree . )

Ku Mu came out and said, “Fatty, what are you yelling for?”

“Ku Mu, where have you been for the last six months?” the big fatty asked . “Hehe! Did you find another good place? Share it, man!”

“Share what? I just found a Disciple within the past six months . There is nothing to share,” Ku Mu replied .

The big fatty snorted . “Stingy as always, huh? Never mind . I’ll tell you something . Moni-er looked for you several times since you went away . She asked me to tell you to look for her when you come back . ”

“I don’t have any free time . What does she want from me?” Ku Mu wondered . “Anyway, Guo Shier, come . Let me introduce you to this fatty called Zhu Tien . Greet your Martial Uncle . ”

“Greetings, Martial Uncle!” said Guo Shier respectfully .

Beaming, Zhu Tien said, “Hey! Aren’t you a good kid . How old are you this year?”

“I am ten years old,” Guo Shier replied .

“So you really did take this Mu-Tou as your teacher, huh?” Zhu Tien said, while taking something out of his pocket . “Come here,” he continued . This is a gift from your Martial Uncle . ”

He handed Guo Shier a Glyph .

“Guo Shier pays his respect to Martial Uncle,” Guo Shier said as he carefully took the Glyph and tried to identify it . He lifted it unto his forehead and it instantly melted away . He then closed his eyes and took a closer look at the new Rune within his Innate Rune Orb .

Zhu Tien was taken aback . He asked, “You already have an Innate Rune?”

“That’s right, he already has an Innate Rune Orb,” said Ku Mu proudly .

Guo Shier was surprised . He never revealed anything about this to Ku Mu .  How did he know? Zhu Tien was visibly surprised that this child actually had an Innate Rune Orb .

In the Chen Xiao Sect, there should be no more than six people with an Innate Rune Orb—usually the famous fighters of the Sect . After all, these orbs came from an Advanced Rune World and are rare and precious .

Guo Shier remained calm and tried to identify the newly obtained Rune . It is a Storage Spirit Rune with about two cubic meters of space .

That’s twice the Storage Spirit Rune given by Ying Mo .

“Where did you get the Innate Rune Orb?” Zhu Tien asked .

“It was given to me by a predecessor . ”

Zhu Tien took a closer look at Guo Shier . The more he looked the more astonished—almost envious—he was .

“Ku Mu, where did you find a child with such potential?” he asked .

“Hey! Why would I look for a stupid apprentice?” Ku Mu chuckled .

“Hahaha!” Zhu Tien replied . “Shier, why don’t you become my formal apprentice instead? I’m richer than this guy here . This guy is so poor, he can’t even support a couple of people . ”

Guo Shier was speechless . It was his first time meeting someone who steals someone else’s apprentice so blatantly .

A tremendous amount of energy suddenly emerged from Ku Mu as he stepped forward between Guo Shier and Zhu Tien .

His angry face showed that he was ready to use violence even on his friend .

Zhu Tien immediately held his hands up . “Whoa! Whoa! I was just joking . Hehehe!”

“Shier, your master is a homicidal maniac,” he continued . “He’s crazy . You should be careful . Hehe!”

He then looked at Ku Mu . “My friend, you picked a wonderful treasure this time . ”

When Guo Shier heard this, he didn’t know if he wanted to laugh or cry .

“No matter who it is, I’ll kill anyone who steals Shier from me,” Ku Mu declared . “That includes you . ”

Zhu Tien was stunned . “Dammit, Ku Mu! You’re fucking crazy . You’re a fucking madman! Fine, okay, okay . Moni-er asked me to bring something for you here . I’ve done my job, I don’t care anymore . ”

“If that’s what you came for, you can leave now,” Ku Mu snapped .

Guo Shier didn’t know what to say . His master is completely ignorant of the ways of the world . Ku Mu is so rigid; if it wasn’t for his strength, he would have been beaten to death a long time ago .

Zhu Tien shook his head . “Shier if you have time, come over and play with Martial Uncle . ”

He pointed to a mountain not far away .

“Martial Uncle’s house is below that mountain . Come over whenever you are free . Martial Uncle’s home is much livelier than your Master’s . It’s not as cold and desolate as this place . ”

Ku Mu didn’t budge .

“Okay, okay, old man . I’m going,” Zhu Tien said .

“Scram!” Ku Mu shouted . “Hmmm… now that I think about it… Shier, if you think you’re having a difficult time with me then just go with this fat Martial Uncle . ”

Zhu Tien vehemently shook his head . “Forget it! I’m too lazy . I’m leaving . Don’t bother to send me out . ”

Guo Shier said, “Goodbye, Martial Uncle . ”

On his way out, Zhu Tien muttered to himself, “Ah, this really is a decent child . It’s unfortunate that his master is Ku Mu . What a pity . ”

He then quickly flew up into the sky . A fuchsia-colored light flashed and he disappeared without a trace .

“Shier, come with me,” Ku Mu said . “And you, what’s your name again?” he asked while pointing at Ying Mo . “Stay here and tidy up Shier’s house . ”

Ying Mo bitterly smiled . “My name is Ying Mo . ”

Guo Shier followed Ku Mu, who went into a house through a small courtyard . He walked nonstop, reaching the end of the house . He then opened the furthest door and continued out into the courtyard towards a little hut .

Before going in, he barked an order at Guo Shier . “Stay outside the door . Don’t move . ”

Guo Shier stopped and curiously looked around . Although the place was surrounded with very high walls, the hut was extremely small and consisted of only one room .

The ground was paved with white jade and was polished very smoothly . There were a lot of Sigil lines inlaid on it .

(Note: Sigils – Rune on static objects such as altars or gates . )

“Master, is this a Rune Array?” he couldn’t help asking .

Ku Mu nodded and started doing hand gestures to produce Runes out of thin air, “I have to do a total of 108 hand-casted Runes to open this Rune Array . You can also open this Rune Array . ”

Things happened so fast . By the time he finished talking, Ku Mu had already finished producing 108 Runes . After a short-wave fluctuation on the ground, a hole emerged with a stone staircase leading downwards .

“Follow me,” he ordered his apprentice .

Guo Shier did not hesitate to pass through the Rune Array and follow Ku Mu .

The master led the way down the staircase . They descended for about 20 minutes . Suddenly, the surroundings brightened and revealed a huge underground hall .

Guo Shier was surprised . The hall was as big as a football stadium . He had no idea how to dig up and build a place like this .

Once inside Guo Shier, felt very small compared to the hall .

“This is my underground Runic Hall . This is one of the best in the Chen Xiao Sect,” declared Ku Mu .

“It is divided into several areas . This is the specimen area . There are eight skeletal bones of Marked Beast Variants and one Exotic Beast Variant . ”

(Note: Just in case you forgot, Variants are basically mutated versions of the original marked beasts . )

“Among these Marked Beast Variants, there are three in Rank 5, two in Rank 6, one in Rank 7, one in Rank 8 and one in Rank 10 . ”

“There used to be a Rank 9 Marked Beast Variant here but unfortunately, I had to exchange it with people from the Advanced Rune World . ”

Guo Shier stared at the cheekbones and unusually large and thick bones of the Rank 10 Marked Beast Variant . The remains of this 60-meter long beast scared him .

“Master, were you the one that caught this?” he finally asked .

Ku Mu nodded . “I teamed up with other people to catch this Rank 10 Marked Beast Variant . I also teamed up to catch the Rank 8 Marked Beast Variant . As for the rest, I hunted them on my own . ”

Guo Shier has already encountered a Rank 7 Marked Beast Variant—he knew how vicious it was . That thing was so unnatural that it was hard to believe it even existed .

His thoughts raced .  His new master hunted a Rank 7 Marked Beast Variant on his own?!? No wonder Zhu Tien called him a madman and a homicidal maniac .

“I had no idea that my Master is more powerful than an Earth Dragon Variant,” he finally managed to say .

Ku Mu nodded . “With my ability consisting of my Martial Skills and expenses required to hunt, I can only hunt a Rank 7 Marked Beast Variant . Dealing with a Rank 8 Marked Beast Variant would be a little challenging . I could probably beat it but it would be very difficult to kill it . ”

Guo Shier was completely speechless . Defeating a Rank 8 Marked Beast Variant seemed impossible . How strong was Ku Mu?

“Master, what is an Exotic Marked Beast?” he asked .

“An Exotic Marked Beast is more powerful than a Marked Beast Variant,” Ku Mu answered . A low-level Exotic Marked Beast is equivalent to a level higher than a Rank 7 Marked Beast Variant . I’ve never hunted one before . There are very few such Marked Beasts within the local area . Only an Advanced Rune World would produce an Exotic Marked Beast . ”

“I exchanged the skeleton of this low-level Exotic Marked Beast with someone from the Advance Rune World,” he continued . “It cost me a lot of precious materials . ”

“Wow . Unbelievable,” Guo Shier sighed .

“This area is dedicated to the processing of Runic materials,” Ku Mu explained, pointing at a row of more than 10 dozen white jade cases full of various materials . It contained animals, plants and minerals .

In addition, there were a dozen Sigil ponds soaking various materials within .

Ku Mu pointed to another area . “This is a Rune Testing Area,” he explained . “This place is protected by a Rune Array . You are free to try any Rune without worrying about damaging other areas . ”

Guo Shier was very envious . This underground Runic Hall was mind blowing—just like the dilapidated houses outside .

Comparing his Master Luo Jie’s Runic Hall to this was like comparing cottages to villas . The gap was really too big .

“Come here, Shier . Let’s try out the Rune Testing Area and see how strong you are . ”

Guo Shier knew his Master wanted to know the extent of his knowledge and capabilities .

“Master, I’ve only studied for less than two years . My strength is very low,” he humbly said to temper Ku Mu’s expectations .

“I know,” answered Ku Mu . “Come here . ”

The two went into the Rune Test area . Ku Mu quickly activated the Rune Array to turn on the protection of the area .

“Shier, I will be your target . You can go ahead and attack me with whatever you have . I want to see what skills you have learned . ”

Guo Shier smiled bitterly . “I only have two Runes with me and they are very weak . ”

He actually had two more Runes—the Dark Winged Scorpion Insect Glyph and the Armored Bull Beast Glyph—but he didn’t dare take them out .

They would be useless . With the strength of his Master, killing a Marked Beast Variant would be like killing a chicken .

Guo Shier knew that it would be best to deliberately declare his weakness . He was now in a far more advanced Rune World . His current strength may mean nothing here .

He prepared himself to be beaten by his Master . Winning didn’t even cross his mind .

Translator: Glasses TangGu
Editor: M

“You don’t have to worry about your strength being too weak,” Ku Mu explained . “Feel free to bring out all your abilities and skills without reservation . I want to know your level so I can develop a learning process for you . ”

“Okay . Master, be careful,” Guo Shier answered .

He was ten meters away from Ku Mu . After he said his warning, he let out two lightning fast gold lines from his eyes, shooting straight towards his master .

Ku Mu was shocked . This was a typical sneak attack . This was also his first time to see an attack coming through the eyes . He quickly moved and teleported to a side .

Guo Shier smiled bitterly; he understood that his master had a Teleport Rune .

This was going to be a very difficult fight . Fortunately, Ku Mu did not fight back and just avoided being hit .

Guo Shier relied on the power of his soul to activate the Innate Rune Orb, which drove the Sword Glyph .

The Sword Glyph was not only powerful—it was also incredibly fast . The downside was that it required a large amount of energy to activate . This is why Guo Shier has never been able to fully utilize the full potential of the Glyph . He could only activate it through instinct; hence, its movements lacked agility . It was sluggish .

Nevertheless, Ku Mu was surprised by Guo Shier’s intense attack . He saw the golden lines transformed into huge blades of light . He couldn’t figure out what these Runes were and why they contained such amazing power .

Guo Shier couldn’t help but feel very small from this exercise . Ku Mu didn’t even bother to attack the flying light blade and just moved out of its way within the Rune Test Area .

He concentrated even deeper . Countless fire sparks surrounded him turning into seven or eight Firebirds in an instant . The Firebirds flew and tried to entangle Ku Mu .

“These are two good Runes!” Ku Mu cried out .

Guo Shier went all out, but he was utterly helpless against Ku Mu .

After some time, Ku Mu felt the slight decline in Guo Shier’s power . He took this chance to hit the light blades and Firebirds . In just a flash, they all turned into countless sparks of energy .

Ku Mu said, “Alright . Your strength is very good . ”

Guo Shier bitterly smiled . He was within the light sword’s strongest control distance, but Ku Mu nonchalantly destroyed it in just one strike .

“What is happening? Those moves are from a Marked Warrior Grandmaster . Did his master also learn to be a Marked Warrior?”

Ku Mu was very happy to have witnessed Guo Shier’s potential . This child was absolutely extraordinary . He was just ten years old and had only been studying to be an Artificer for two years . Although his attacks were a little shallow, he also had two decent Runes with enormous power . He did not expect these from Guo Shier . The more he learned about this child, the more pleased he became with himself for finding him .

Guo Shier was a bit frustrated . He unleashed his most powerful attack but his Master just broke them all without any effort . He couldn’t help but feel discouraged from this exercise .

Ku Mu saw Shier looking discouraged . “Your strength is good enough,” he said . “Even within the Chen Xiao Sect, your strength is not bad . You just lack knowledge and Runes . These are the reasons that you are fragile . You still have a lot to learn . ”

Guo Shier’s expression become firm . “Master, I’m going to study hard . ”

Ku Mu nodded . “Don’t worry . Since you are my only apprentice, I will teach you diligently . But you have to endure all the hardships . No matter how good your potential is, you won’t become strong if you don’t work hard . ”

Guo Shier understood his Master’s wise words . He nodded . “Master, I will work hard . ”

In this world, one must work hard to improve his strength . It’s the only way to survive and not be killed by others .

Guo Shier know that if he can stand at the top of the Rune Worlds, no one can threaten him .

Ku Mu was very satisfied . Guo Shier turned out to be the biggest gain from all of his explorations . He thought that he would have to force Guo Shier to be his disciple . Who knew that this cute child was well-behaved and obedient? He couldn’t help but be satisfied .

He knew that he was not good with communicating with people . If Guo Shier went against his wishes, the only means he has is by crushing the child’s spirit with his power . This would be a very big drawback—one that he must avoid .

Guo Shier was very curious about the ranking method used within the Chen Xiao Sect . “Master, how do you classify the Rune practitioners here?” he asked . “What is the level difference between us?”

“Shier, I don’t  know how you classify your practitioners in your World . Tell me about your system first . ”

Guo Shier gathered his thoughts, “We have four classifications: The Marked Warrior Class, Rune Smith Class, Caster Class, and Artificer Class . Each has its own system . ”

“Those in the Marked Warrior Class begin as Marked Warrior Apprentices, then advance to Marked Warrior Adepts, then further advance to Marked Warrior Masters and finally to a Marked Warrior Grandmasters, which is the top of our rankings,” he continued to explain .

Ku Mu was visibly surprised . “This is a different way to classify a Rune Practitioner . You actually divided the Artificer into two classes, then you have a separate Marked Warrior Class . It’s all a bit confusing . Fine, never mind… Shier, yours is not a normal Class system . ”

Guo Shier smiled wryly . What else could he say? The difference between their Worlds was huge . With Ku Mu’s strength, he could wipe out the entire North Rune Sect . No one can contend with him at all especially since he could fly . ”

“The Grandmaster level in your world is just the starting point here,” Ku Mu explained . “Our system here is much simpler and clearer than yours . If you split the power of an Artificer, into two, both powers would be weak . As for the Marked Warrior—why depend on another class? A true Marked Warrior does not depend on another class but is an independent practitioner . When a Marked Warrior reaches the peak, he is absolutely not weaker than an Artificer . ”

Guo Shier thought of Qi Nan Shan . After he advanced, he showed a strength more powerful than Luo Jie’s .

“The Chen Xiao Sect only has two Class systems: The Marked Warrior and Artificer Class . Your Master belongs to the Artificer Class,” Ku Mu said .

“But actually, in the Advanced Rune World, once you reach a higher level there would only be one kind of Class . That’s the Artificer Class,” he further explained .

(Note: I’m thinking of naming the unified class as ‘Rune Lord . ’ Tell me what you think in the comments . )

“Low-level disciples may be divided into Marked Warriors and Artificers . There are no Marked Warrior Classes once you advance . Artificers have the same body strength as Marked Warriors with the same physical attack ability,” Ku Mu added .

“So the lower-level Rune Worlds have more detailed Class divisions, eh? That is a very strange phenomenon,” he continued .

Guo Shier was beginning to understand the Class divisions within the Chen Xiao Sect . But he has yet to understand the process of further enhancing one’s strength . He wanted to bring a higher level of learning to his Master Luo Jie .

Currently, he had no affection towards Ku Mu, but it’s different for Luo Jie . After spending two years living together, he has developed a loyalty and fondness for Luo Jie and the others .

The Chen Xiao Sect had its own method of Class division . The same was true for other sects and clans . Each had its own set of systems, but their core was all the same . Once you reach a certain level, most people will not make the mistake of detecting the other party’s strength . It was hard to fool someone .

“Master, how far have you progressed?” Guo Shier asked . “Have you reached the top level within the Chen Xiao Sect?”

The amazing strength of Ku Mu has left a deep impression on Guo Shier .

Ku Mu’s blank face showed a hint of helplessness . He said, “The Grand Saint is the top level of my Class within the Chen Xiao Sect . I just need one more step to reach this level . But this last step is very difficult . Currently, my strength is one step down from the highest level within the Chen Xiao Sect . ”

Guo shier prodded on . “Master, is your current strength considered strong even in the Advanced Rune World?”

Ku Mu nodded . “Well, I’m only considered relatively strong . Not very strong compared to the Advanced Rune World’s top players . It’s the same as when top-Class practitioners of the lower-level Rune Worlds come to this place . Here, their strength can only be considered good but definitely not the top powerhouse . The power gap is still very obvious . ”

Guo Shier sighed . “Ugh! This is too complicated for me . Master, is there a power beyond the Advanced Rune World?”

“I don’t know,” Ku Mu answered honestly . “However, some people have seen unusually powerful practitioners in one of the Secret Realms . Their strength can no longer be described in words . ”

Guo Shier felt a little numb knowing this . He smiled bitterly and asked, “So how do you divide the Class levels within the Chen Xiao Sect?”

“It’s very simple,” Ku Mu explained . “The Marked Warrior Class levels are divided into Adept, Master, Grandmaster, Unbound Master, Saint, and Grand Saint . These six levels are further categorized into 3 levels . ”

“The Marked Warrior Adept and Marked Warrior Master is the lowest level Rank . The Marked Warrior Grandmaster and Marked Warrior Unbound Master are medium-level Ranks . The Marked Warrior Saint and Marked Warrior Grand Saint are high-level Ranks,” he continued .

That’s it! Grandpa Nan Shan advanced to Marked Warrior Unbound Master . It is only an Intermediate Rank here, Guo Shier thought to himself .

Ku Mu continued . “As for our class, the Artificer . There are also six levels . Adept, Master, Grandmaster, Unbound Master, Saint and Grand Saint . These are categorized into low, medium and high levels just like the Marked Warrior Class . ”

“Master, are you an Artificer Saint?” Guo Shier asked .

“Yes . I’ve been stuck in the advanced stage of Artificer Saint for the last 50 years . I only need one more step to progress into Artificer Grand Saint . That is the only way to enter the top Ranks of our Class . ”

Master Luo Jie should be at the early-stage of Artificer Unbound Master, Guo Shier thought .  However, he does not have the appropriate methods to cultivate at this stage . I should search for books and materials then find a way to send them to Master .

Guo Shier continued his investigation . “Master, does the Chen Xiao Sect have Grand Saint level practitioners?”

“Yes,” Ku Mu said . “But most of them have left the Sect Faction . In order to find a higher path for their Class, most of them went to the Advanced Rune World . ”

Guo Shier suddenly feared for his Master Luo Jie’s future . If he continues to stay in the low level Rune World, he would be forced to stay in his current level of strength—forever . Only by going on higher level Rune Worlds can he find a way to improve himself .

If only Guo Shier could find the relevant books and cultivation methods, he could help his Master Luo Jie further develop his strength .

Dooo! Dooo!

A strange alarm cried out .

Ku Mu was still in the process of casting Runes when they heard someone talking .

“Master! Someone is looking for you . ”

Guo Shier realized that it was the caretaker, Yu Jie .

Ku Mu asked, “Who is looking for me?”

“Master it’s Miss Moni-er,” Yu Jie said .

Ku Mu’s face suddenly changed, “I’m not here!”

They suddenly heard the visitor’s voice .

“Ku Mu, are you trying to hide? Do you think you can hide from me?”

Ku Mu clenched his fist angrily .

Guo Shier was taken aback and was forced to step away . He knew that he couldn’t utter a word at this moment . But he was secretly curious .

Who could make Master Ku Mu so angry?

Translator: Glasses TangGu
Editor: M