The Eternal Oath
After Seo Eun-hyun was sealed, the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect had been in a state of confusion for the past few years due to the absence of the Heavenly Thunder Banner, a divine relic. But they quickly found their footing once more.
Jeon Myeong-hoon had stabilized his Heavenly Person realm and was actively searching for a way to eradicate the Five Elements Blood Curse Flag. Supreme Sect Master Geum Byeok-ho had rebuilt the Bongroedang and personally sealed the Heavenly Thunder Banner within it.
As the current sect leader, Geum Rin began preparations to pass the mantle to his son, Geum Jin-chan, while Jin-hwi took it upon himself to personally manage the sealing of the criminal Seo Eun-hyun.
The Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect now enjoyed a rare peace.
And in this newfound peace, the love between Geum So-hae and Jeon Myeong-hoon, symbols of peace and prosperity, finally reached its pinnacle.
“H-hey… shall we hold the wedding again?”
Geum So-hae’s face flushed crimson as she asked Jeon Myeong-hoon in surprise.
Jeon Myeong-hoon took her hand and replied, “Yes. When we sealed our bond before, we did so quite simply. Now I have accepted the Geum name, and the next sect leader position is secured… I feel a bit of regret for not having done it properly back then.”
“U-um…”
“This time, I want to marry you because I choose you, So-hae, not because the sect ordered it.”
At those words, Geum So-hae’s face grew even redder.
“I need a few years to stabilize the Heavenly Person realm after the intense battle with Seo Eun-hyun, but once I’ve fully settled it, I’d like to hold a proper wedding with you.”
“…Promise me.”
“Hm?”
She looked him in the eye, face still flushed, and said, “You didn’t expect Seo Eun-hyun to suddenly betray the sect, did you? So… Jeon Myeong-hoon. No, Geum Myeong-hoon. You must promise me you will never betray the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.”
Jeon Myeong-hoon nodded solemnly. “I will never betray my family.”
“…Yes.”
“I promise. Here…”
He extended his hand to Geum So-hae.
Jeon Myeong-hoon whispered, “The finger-binding seal we use in my hometown… It’s the bond between two people…”
The two locked their little fingers together and pressed their thumbs firmly.
“I promise, So-hae. I will never betray the sect.”
Jeon Myeong-hoon slowly leaned in until their foreheads touched.
After a moment, they separated.
Geum So-hae, clearly delighted, took Jeon Myeong-hoon’s hand and gazed down at the landscape of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
“B-by the way, Myeong-hoon… why did you just come back from the Demon Realm?”
“Eh?”
“After sealing Seo Eun-hyun and claiming the territory he occupied, it would’ve been fine if we’d turned it into a colony of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, right?”
“Well, the Bongrae Palace side was quite insistent.”
“The Bongrae Palace?”
“Yes. They threw huge bounties and sent the most people when they were hunting Seo Eun-hyun, so most of the profits from capturing him belong to them.”
“Aha… They even took the Four Pillars puppet. Greedy as always.”
“Yeah, that too…”
He recalled the First Elder of Bongrae Palace. “The First Elder of Bongrae Palace was severely punished by the array Geumwi placed. They said they had to claim the territory just to study the formation that was spread out there.”
“A formation?”
“Yes. It moves the dragon veins and activates the array. Seo Eun-hyun’s group set it up. They said they’d analyze it later and share the intent once they figure it out.”
“So the formation is still active?”
Jeon Myeong-hoon nodded. “It seems like it’s not a dangerous one like the Extinction Heavenly Void Array or the Yanming Array, so they said we don’t need to dismantle it.”
“Hmm… That’s good.”
Geum So-hae nodded and looked at him. “That aside, how are the golden seals in the Supreme Palace doing?”
“I’m looking for skilled unlocking masters from the other sects right now. They say the seals are deeply ingrained in the mind, so they have to be very careful.”
“I see… Well, now that Seo Eun-hyun is sealed, there’s no one left to trigger them anyway. We can take our time.”
She smiled faintly, and Jeon Myeong-hoon nodded. “Yeah… no rush now.”
Jeon Myeong-hoon looked up at the sky with a relaxed smile.
The Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect had entered a period of peace, prosperity, and optimism.
Everyone’s tension had loosened.
They had formed a joint venture with Bongrae Palace to hunt Seo Eun-hyun, reclaimed the Heavenly Thunder Banner, and sealed the sect’s betrayer.
The control of Noeryeong-do had become even firmer, and the sect’s size continued to grow.
Thus, the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect prospered in peace and leisure.
Eight years passed.
Uuuung!
In the eastern inner hall, the seated figure of Kim Po rose.
His surrounding consciousness domain trembled, then finally settled.
The man named Kim Myeong-hoon, eldest of Kim Po, opened his eyes and stood.
“Finally… I’ve fully stabilized the Heavenly Person realm.”
Because his mind had been completely tempered, it would no longer be swept away by the great currents of heaven and earth.
Jeon Myeong-hoon’s wildness was now the very essence of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
It was the resolve he had chosen: to protect and shelter the sect as if it were his own family.
Thud, thud…
Jeon Myeong-hoon stepped outside the eastern gate and smiled at the prosperous view of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
“Now… let’s go to So-hae.”
With the Heavenly Person realm fully mastered, it was time to receive the elders’ rites and the Elder Elder’s robe.
He would surely be given the Lightning Tribulation Coat of Arms made with the power of the Heavenly Thunder Banner.
He rose into the sky with the Heavenly Person realm’s strength, looking down at the Golden Thunder Hall below.
On the lower levels, Qi Condensation disciples held flag-shaped magical tools in formation, practicing the Thunder Do Spirit Method.
Nearby, Foundation Establishment disciples formed an orange flag with the Seven Thunder True Scripture. Core Formation disciples carried flag-shaped magical treasures everywhere.
The disciples they met greeted Jeon Myeong-hoon respectfully.
A peaceful, leisurely atmosphere hung over the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
Disciples with spare time prepared brushes and ink from various spots and began drawing flags.
Finally, Jeon Myeong-hoon arrived at Geum So-hae’s eastern hall. He called out, “So-hae!”
“Ah, Myeong-hoon?”
Geum So-hae burst out from the eastern inner hall with a startled face.
Seeing him, her eyes sparkled and she ran over, throwing herself into his arms.
“Welcome! You’ve finally stabilized the Heavenly Person realm?”
“Yes. I’m about to receive the Elder Elder’s formal rites.”
“Congratulations! You’ll become a Golden Thunder Elder!”
“Haha, I’ll go see the Supreme Sect Master first to get the Lightning Tribulation Coat of Arms.”
“Ah, the Coat of Arms. Right.”
Geum So-hae shook her head. “While you were in seclusion, they discussed the regulations for the Coat of Arms. It seems it’ll change within a month… came out at a rather awkward time.”
“What do you mean?”
“From now on, elders above the Hall Elder level will receive flag-shaped magical treasures instead of Coat of Arms. Even the Hall Elders who received them last time will be replaced with flag magical treasures.”
“Flag?”
Jeon Myeong-hoon recalled the scene he had seen on the way. “Now that I think about it, I saw a lot of flags in the main hall on the way here. Is there some connection?”
“Well, after you reclaimed the Heavenly Thunder Banner, your popularity rose, and seeing you come back with it made the sect’s desire for flag magical tools and treasures skyrocket.”
“Aah…”
‘It’s strange… as if the entire sect developed a flag fetish in just eight years.’
He chatted idly with Geum So-hae and walked into the eastern hall.
Inside, he found it filled with countless flags.
Golden Thunder Hall.
The sound of Geum Byeok-ho’s laughter echoed from inside.
“Finally, you have reached the Heavenly Person realm! Huahaha, congratulations! No, first…”
Geum Byeok-ho laughed heartily at the fully stabilized Jeon Myeong-hoon, then took a golden Coat of Arms from the Sunset Palace. “From next month onward, a new flag called the Golden Flag will be awarded to all elders above Hall Elder level.”
“Yes, I heard it from So-hae. Recently, the sect’s desire for flags has increased.”
He looked around. The Golden Thunder Hall was overflowing with flags.
“Exactly. Well, the main hall’s cultivation methods never had many ways to form Thunder Flags.”
“That’s true, but…”
Jeon Myeong-hoon frowned and scratched his head.
Geum Byeok-ho laughed. “Are you bothered by Seo Eun-hyun’s golden seal? Don’t worry. Recently, the Dragon King of the Water Realm, known for his benevolence and uprightness, heard about the seal stuck in your mind and is coming to unlock it for you. He said he’ll visit in about half a year, so just bear with it a little longer.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Yes. And in a month, you will receive the Thunder Flag and be formally made an elder.”
“I have something to say about that.”
“What is it?”
“After receiving the Elder status… I’d like to hold another wedding with So-hae.”
“Oh-ho…”
Jeon Myeong-hoon explained his reason, and Geum Byeok-ho laughed heartily and approved the remarriage between Geum Myeong-hoon and Geum So-hae.
One month passed once more.
The Elder Elder’s ceremony for Jeon Myeong-hoon and the grand awarding ceremony for the new Thunder Flags to elders and Hall Elders was scheduled on a massive scale.
Jeon Myeong-hoon stood atop Noeun Peak.
In front of the Bongroedang, he watched Geum Byeok-ho emerge from the shrine carrying the Heavenly Thunder Banner.
“At this awarding ceremony, we will begin from the Supreme Sect Master to honor the heavens. All the elders of the main hall will take turns swinging the Heavenly Thunder Banner. You will also swing it last and receive the Thunder Flag.”
“Understood.”
Noeun Peak was filled with elders and Hall Elders. The elders and Hall Elders receiving the Thunder Flag sat freely on the flat ground, choosing the best seats.
Jeon Myeong-hoon and Geum So-hae approached a wide flat rock.
“Let’s sit here.”
Geum So-hae, fiddling with the flag magical treasures she had recently made, chose the spot.
Jeon Myeong-hoon nodded and sat.
The two held hands, waiting for the wedding that would follow the ceremony.
Soon, all the elders of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect took their seats, and Geum Byeok-ho began his speech.
Geum So-hae, listening to the speech, suddenly glanced at Jeon Myeong-hoon.
“…Myeong-hoon.”
“Hm?”
She stared at him for a long time, then smiled bashfully. “You look so handsome today.”
“What? Suddenly?”
Jeon Myeong-hoon chuckled.
Geum So-hae gripped his hand tightly, her eyes full of affection, and said, “I love you.”
“Same here.”
Jeon Myeong-hoon smiled and held her hand back.
And finally, Geum Byeok-ho finished his speech.
“Now, the Thunder Flag awarding to the previous elders and Hall Elders begins! First, we start with the elders!”
Sub-sect leader Jin-hwi flew over to Geum Byeok-ho and took out the Sunset Palace.
As he opened it, countless golden Thunder Flags poured out from inside, floating above each elder’s head.
“Now, all the elders will swing the Heavenly Thunder Banner once, and then we will award you the Thunder Flags! The Thunder Flag awarding ceremony begins now!”
Boom!
Geum Byeok-ho swung the Heavenly Thunder Banner, and the banner summoned thunder.
Rumble!
At the same time, the golden Thunder Flags above the elders’ heads vibrated and followed the thunder.
Crack!
The Thunder Flag above the elder seated directly below Geum Byeok-ho received the thunder and spread it outward.
Splatter!
The thunder from the first Thunder Flag connected to the nearest one.
The second Thunder Flag’s thunder connected to the next.
In this way, the thunder moved according to the positions of the elders, linking one Thunder Flag to the next.
Looking down at the scene, Geum Byeok-ho thought with a puzzled expression, “It looks exactly like… some character.”
“Do you see it, Sub-sect leader?”
“Yes, I do. It’s amazing. The elders all chose their own seats freely, as if they were forming characters.”
“Hehe, what a truly miraculous event. Perhaps the heavens are giving some revelation to the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect. Let’s see what character it is.”
Geum Byeok-ho laughed and read the character that had appeared “by chance” below.
“Zheng… Encourage.”
Sect Leader Geum Rin looked at the Thunder Flag with dignity.
His son Geum Jin-chan was eagerly awaiting his ascension to sect leader.
Jeon Myeong-hoon and Geum So-hae leaned on each other’s shoulders, holding hands.
The Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect carried dreams of hope and prosperity.
And so, they saw “heaven.”
Heaven split.
Blink.
In the darkness.
I swung the Colorless Glass Sword endlessly in the deep, endless darkness.
It was to cross the River of Heaven, I told myself.
But in truth, it was to silence the demons constantly blooming in my heart.
How many times had I swung the sword? How many times?
A moment when I no longer noticed the passage of time.
Fwaaah!
Suddenly, the darkness lifted.
“…”
‘The seal… has been lifted?’
“I’m free?”
Fwaaah!
The first thing I saw upon escaping the seal was Hong Su-ryeong, her whole body coated in blood armor.
And the ‘gaze’ of that immense being above!!!
“…I see.”
I asked her, “Has the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect been destroyed?”
At my words, she smirked. “No. The destruction is underway. Once you go outside… don’t look at the sky.”
I asked her, “Are you here to help me escape?”
“No. Follow me.”
I followed her out.
The place I had been sealed was inside the Bongryeongjeon hall beside Sub-sect leader Jin-hwi’s eastern hall.
The moment I stepped outside, the gaze of the great being…
Plop!
Uuuung!
I activated Myeonsingeobcheon. I saw Hong Su-ryeong, in front of me, self-inflicting wounds to maintain her sanity.
“Kuh, hahaha… You’ve gone mad. Listen well, Seo Eun-hyun. Our Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect will fall very soon.”
“….”
“Before the fall, I came from the Form Thunder Cave to find you.”
I realized what she wanted.
“Now we’re all going to die. So…”
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
Sixteen Colorless Glass Swords rose around her.
At the same time, as she extended her hand, nine round beads appeared above it.
“That’s…”
“In the end, I want to duel with you.”
“….”
“Will you accept?”
I felt an indescribable emotion and drew the Colorless Glass Sword.
Words were unnecessary.
We each gripped our swords and, before the edge of doom, assumed the stance for the final martial duel.