The Footprints I Left Behind (3)
I stared long and hard at the structural diagram of the Colorless Glass Sword that Buk Hyang-hwa had crafted, lost in admiration for her masterpiece.
Even I, who knew little about formations, found myself unable to suppress the surge of awe. It was an artistic design of the highest caliber.
It was a supreme formation treasure capable of amplifying the power of the Invisible Sword to ten, or even twelve, full layers.
This was precisely the structural diagram of the formation treasure she had left behind.
As I gazed upon it, a faint chuckle escaped my lips, and tears began to well in my eyes.
For a long time I sat there, tears flowing freely, laughing through sobs and sobbing through laughter.
And just before night fell and the next day dawned.
I set out for the Cheongmun Clan Estate.
To witness Cheongmun Ryeong’s funeral rites.
***
The funeral rites for Cheongmun Ryeong were held with great splendor.
He had been hailed as one of the three greatest Foundation Establishment experts in the entire Cheongmun Clan, its pride and glory.
At the same time, he was the nephew of the current clan head, Cheongmun Jung-jin. Therefore, under the leadership of the head, his funeral was conducted on an even grander scale.
Countless elders and veteran members of the Cheongmun Clan, along with late-stage disciples, gathered in solemn silence to observe the final sealing of his coffin.
I stood at a discreet distance behind Cheongmun Jung-jin, watching the scene unfold.
Tears no longer came easily these days.
All I could do now was to suppress the Yin Soul Ghost Curse with every ounce of my remaining strength, ensuring that no malevolent curse leaked out during the rites.
Creak…
The coffin lid closed. Cheongmun Ryeong was interred in the clan’s ancestral grave.
For a long while Cheongmun Jung-jin recited the ceremonial words, and I repeated them in my mind, imprinting his death deeply into my heart.
One day, I would collect every death—mine included—and return it to Won Rip.
That was my resolve.
The funeral rites continued for several weeks, and only after they concluded did Cheongmun Jung-jin gather the elders and veterans to hold a serious meeting regarding Cheongmun Ryeong’s death, the Dabcheon Desert Massacre, and the Blood Wood Daoist, Won Rip.
I, too, was permitted to attend as a Foundation Establishment-level expert who had been close to Cheongmun Ryeong.
“No… is it something else?”
As I watched Cheongmun Jung-jin unroll the formation he had developed with Cheongmun Ryeong and Buk Hyang-hwa, I found myself wondering.
“This matter has been kept secret from the elders of the clan until now. If it weren’t for this incident, it would have remained hidden… But given that the Bongmyeong Castle will appear in the eastern region of the Northern Desolate Continent in exactly two hundred years, now is the perfect time to announce it.”
He spoke with a grave expression.
“First, most of the valuable items inside the Bongmyeong Castle have already been taken by Heavenly Persons of the past. However, the elders know that if we use the formation Ryeong developed, we can harvest the Longevity Fruits that remain hidden within it.
Therefore, before two hundred years pass, I plan to enter the Bongmyeong Castle and gather the Longevity Fruits.”
He looked at me cautiously, as a leader of a group must.
“Seo Suhwa, I am saddened by Ryeong’s death, but the formation he and you created cannot be allowed to go to waste. Do you… perhaps have a way to return to the Bongmyeong Castle using the Seopmyeong Ship?”
While showing the utmost consideration for my emotions, he asked gently.
But the moment he uttered the name “Bongmyeong Castle,” one thought flashed through my mind like lightning.
“Bongmyeong Castle.”
“Hm?”
“Bongmyeong Castle… Bongmyeong Castle… Bongmyeong Castle…”
As I began to chant it like a madman, the Foundation Establishment elders and Cheongmun Jung-jin recoiled slightly and stared at me in shock.
I raised my voice, wild with the memory of that cursed island.
“Using the Bongmyeong Castle, I can catch Won Rip!!!”
Won Rip would enter the Bongmyeong Castle.
He had targeted the hidden “Bongmyeong-in” hidden in its upper floors.
This time, he would definitely enter it for that purpose.
“Clan Head, you should remember it too! The Bongmyeong Castle! What happens if you trigger its seal!”
Though my words were rambling, Cheongmun Jung-jin’s eyes lit up with sudden understanding.
“…! Does Seo Suhwa’s statement mean he wishes to pull Won Rip up to the Foundation Establishment realm?”
“Yes!”
I answered, eyes bloodshot.
“I can catch him! I can tear him apart piece by piece and avenge everyone he murdered!”
“…However, the method you describe would seal the cultivation of all beings inside the Bongmyeong Castle for a short time… and the seal would affect everyone. If the Northern Desolate Continent drops to Foundation Establishment, the other Core Formation experts would fall to Foundation Establishment as well. Nothing would change.”
I laughed dryly.
“I can catch him.”
“What?”
“My technique… even if the seal of the Bongmyeong Castle is pressed down, I can still exert full power inside it. That is why, when the clan head and Cheongmun Ryeong escaped through the Seopmyeong Ship, I too used that same technique to withstand the spatial pressure and leave. After activating the formation and pulling Won Rip to the Foundation Establishment realm, I will have no trouble killing him!”
Cheongmun Jung-jin looked startled, and the Foundation Establishment elders murmured among themselves.
Only the veterans of the Cheongmun Clan looked bewildered, unable to understand a word.
“…Can you truly guarantee that?”
“If you provide just a single Spirit Stone, I can ask Song Jin to ride the Seopmyeong Ship back to the Bongmyeong Castle and prove it to you.”
I recalled the groove Buk Hyang-hwa had touched.
I knew exactly how to activate it.
Cheongmun Jung-jin surveyed the crowd with a solemn face.
“…In the meeting of Core Formation experts that will open in ten years, I must bear witness to Seo Suhwa’s ability.”
He looked at me and continued.
“If this is true… Seo Suhwa’s role will be immense.”
“I understand. If proof is required, just give me a Spirit Stone. I will prove it anytime.”
Cheongmun Jung-jin explained the situation in detail to the elders and veterans, then discussed it with them.
After some time, we reached a consensus: we would return to the Bongmyeong Castle.
***
Kugugu!
Countless Invisibility Techniques sped through the sky.
This matter was not only about the Longevity Fruits—it was a chance to kill Won Rip, a Nascent Soul expert.
The clan head, Cheongmun Jung-jin, and only two elders of the Cheongmun Clan remained behind to guard the main estate. Four Foundation Establishment elders would accompany us.
Cheongmun Jung-jin placed me on a flight formation and traveled toward the Black Wind Sea at the same speed as the other elders’ Invisibility Techniques.
The Invisible Sword was faster in short distances and boasted speeds beyond Invisibility Techniques, but the Invisibility Technique had been developed for long-range travel while the Invisible Sword had been built for combat.
Therefore, even as a Foundation Establishment expert, it was far more stable to ride a flight formation for long distances.
“Once we enter the Bongmyeong Castle, we will lay the formation Ryeong and you created to fully grow the Longevity Fruits over five years, harvest every fruit, then present the plan to the other Core Formation experts and open the castle in five years. How does that sound?”
I nodded.
“If I can kill Won Rip, nothing else matters.”
“Very well. Understood.”
The Cheongmun Clan would monopolize the Longevity Fruits.
What did it matter? Originally, Kim Young-hoon had been killed into eight pieces anyway.
Kugugu!
The Core Formation elders of the Cheongmun Clan and I entered the Black Wind Sea, where the Seopmyeong Ship was anchored.
Whoosh!
After piercing the final barrier, we saw the Seopmyeong Ship floating in place. Sensing our presence, Song Jin stepped onto the deck.
And there stood Seo Ran in black mourning robes beside him.
The half-human, half-dragon appearance from before had revealed scales across his skin, but the current Seo Ran was almost human—except for the dragon horns sprouting from his forehead and the dragon tail behind him.
It was clear the technique Song Jin taught him was at work, and dark Yin qi swirled around him.
“He has reached the peak of Foundation Establishment.”
Moreover, he stood right on the threshold of Core Formation.
I nodded in greeting.
I wanted to return it properly, but my voice refused to come out in a bright tone under my current state.
Song Jin’s eyes widened in surprise as he looked me over and then surveyed the group.
Five Core Formation experts. Me, a being at the Foundation Establishment realm. And our expressionless faces.
He spoke to us in a strangely solemn tone.
[It is… somewhat troubling to have left the Bongmyeong Castle in my care last time.]
“…”
“…”
Cheongmun Jung-jin fell silent for a moment before speaking.
“We have not come to argue, Senior. The continent is in chaos, and everyone is approaching this with grave seriousness. We hope there will be no misunderstanding.”
“Hmm… If that is the case…”
He cleared his throat and shot me a glance.
[By the way, what has happened to the continent? I have read the constellations as well, but there has been a tremendous change in the heavenly qi. I do not know the details, but something unusual has occurred on the continent.]
At those words, I opened my mouth.
“The Blood Wood Daoist, Won Rip. That monster regained his Nascent Soul strength and carried out a slaughter on an unimaginable scale near the Dabcheon Desert. All of my precious ones died in that massacre.”
[What!?]
Song Jin turned to me in shock.
[The Blood Wood Daoist? The bastard reached Nascent Soul…? When we examined his talent in various sects and tribes, we judged him to be a Core Formation expert with little life left…]
“He deceived everyone. He had already reached Nascent Soul, split his soul into blood spirits through a technique, and scattered them near the Dabcheon Desert.”
I continued with hollow eyes.
“Even though all the Core Formation experts of the entire continent gathered to seal him after the Dabcheon Desert Massacre, the fact that the Bongmyeong Castle will surface exactly two hundred years later means every faction is preparing for a full-scale war against Nascent Soul experts.”
“Haa…”
Song Jin looked at Seo Ran.
[Damn it. Of all things, the most dangerous thing to the disciple is the master reaching Nascent Soul…? This is insanity.]
“Um…?”
I asked Song Jin and Seo Ran with hollow eyes. My intent burned brighter than ever.
“Why is he threatening Seo Hye-seo?”
The anger hidden in my voice made Song Jin and the elders of the Cheongmun Clan recoil.
Song Jin pointed at Seo Ran.
[Because of the blood demon technique he learned, Blood Demon Sealing Ocean Light. He extracts the true blood of water-attribute beasts—especially sea beasts—to maximize his body’s regeneration. He can also refine the souls of sea beasts using that technique. And the blood demon technique that suits him best… is the sea dragon race.]
Concern filled his eyes as he looked at Seo Ran.
[This is a story known only to those who know. Won Rip hunted a Core Formation sea dragon, and the sea dragon king Seo Hyel pursued him for three days and nights to discipline him. Out of mercy, the sea dragon king returned the sea dragon king’s soul and body to him, then pardoned him. This tale is famous among Heavenly Persons.
Seo Hyel is kind, but he has grown too soft. If it had been in Blue Ghost Bone Valley, the bastard who harmed the main disciple would have had his soul refined into a ghost and used as a spirit.]
‘I… returned the sea dragon king’s soul and body…?’
I recalled the blood dragon soul among the seven souls Won Rip had cast.
‘…If Seo Hyel received it, why is that soul still in Won Rip’s hands?’
[In any case, since Seo Hyel no longer exists… Won Rip no longer has to worry about the sea dragon king’s gaze. There is a possibility he will target Seo Ran in order to cultivate Blood Demon Sealing Ocean Light. Seo Ran is a half-dragon, yet still a royal descendant. Won Rip, who knows the value of that blood, will flip his eyes and rush at him…]
Song Jin crossed his arms, looking troubled.
At that moment, Cheongmun Jung-jin spoke.
“Anyway, given that Won Rip is likely to stain the entire continent with blood, the Core Formation experts of the whole continent have joined forces to prevent his return in two hundred years. And we have come to seek Senior’s assistance in preparing a plan to face him.”
Cheongmun Jung-jin explained the plan to utilize the Bongmyeong Castle to deal with Won Rip.
[You plan to pull his realm down from the Bongmyeong Castle and fight him to death?]
“Yes. That is correct.”
[It is risky.]
Song Jin said with concern.
[Whether you know it or not, the artifact called the Bongmyeong Castle—also known as the Palace of Liberation… is not the castle itself.]
“Eh?”
Confusion appeared on the faces of Cheongmun Jung-jin and the elders.
“What do you mean by that?”
[I do not know, but the Bongmyeong Castle, created by a heavenly artisan, was originally a palm-sized cylindrical seal of a small castle. The current castle is an enlarged version of that seal.]
Song Jin continued.
[The Bongmyeong-in, also called the Liberator, was designed before the Ascension Gate appeared to narrow the distance between the blessed subject and the will of the Upper Realm by granting non-ascent blessings and pulling the subject’s fate toward the Upper Realm’s attraction. However, its additional effect of imposing the will of fate… grants the possessor the power of heavenly luck.]
“Heavenly luck… you mean?”
[Correct. While you Core Formation experts may not fully understand fate, I, who once reached Heavenly Person, know the power of Heavenly Mandate. I am warning you: pulling him into the Bongmyeong Castle means he could obtain the Liberator and ride the Heavenly Mandate’s protection. No one would be able to stop him before that heavenly luck—not even the heavenly luck itself.]
“Fate… heavenly luck…”
Cheongmun Jung-jin looked as though he did not fully understand, but he still nodded.
Although he had dropped to Foundation Establishment, Song Jin was clearly the remnant soul of a Heavenly Person. His experience and wisdom were far beyond what Cheongmun Jung-jin could match.
“Wait. By the way, Senior. We did not know the information about that Liberator either. The probability that that monster knows…”
At that moment, one of the Cheongmun Clan elders asked Song Jin a question, only to realize the contradiction and trail off.
They could not be certain that a “monster” who lived longer than them knew nothing.
In fact, he already knew of the Liberator’s existence.
I told them.
“Won Rip knows of the Liberator’s existence. It is one of the pieces of information I acquired while surviving him.”
I spoke vaguely, unable to mention regression, but the elders’ expressions darkened.
Still, I looked at them and said.
“So, are you thinking of canceling the plan? If the problem is him obtaining the Liberator… then kill him before he obtains it.”
I scanned the surroundings with hollow eyes.
“You all seem unsure because we have not yet proven my words inside the Bongmyeong Castle. In any case, we are going to the Bongmyeong Castle to prove my words.”
Cheongmun Jung-jin also nodded at my words.
“Regardless of whether it is Seo Suhwa’s affair, we must harvest it. So we shall.”
Kwoom!
One elder placed a Spirit Stone in front of Song Jin.
“Senior, please use the Seopmyeong Ship to return to the Bongmyeong Castle. We have no choice but to go there ourselves.”
[Very well. If it is a Spirit Stone of that level…]
After confirming the Spirit Stone, Song Jin once again summoned the Seopmyeong Ship.
Kugugu!
The Seopmyeong Ship rose into the sky.
I scanned the surroundings with hollow eyes and approached Seo Ran.
“Seo Hye-seo.”
“Yes, Senior Seo.”
“You once promised that if I made any request, you would grant it, did you not?”
“That is correct.”
I took the Wave-Breaking Pearl from my pocket.
“Seo Hye-seo, there is one request I wish to make of you.”
“That is…?”
“Teach me how to activate this.”