Holding Hands (6)
The explosive roar of Quugugugu! pierced the air as I plunged into the depths of the Black Sea.
At its absolute center lay the sanctuary of Seo Ran and Song Jin—the Black Road itself.
After some time, a familiar presence greeted me once more.
Quugugugu!
Far ahead, a valley shaped much like the Black Ghost Valley emerged through the haze.
It made sense. Just as Song Jin had renamed the sea itself, this island had been twisted into the same spectral form.
Though there was no lingering yin qi here…
After all, the Black Ghost Valley was a High Realm ghost sect. Finding anything like that in Goryeok Realm or Water Realm was virtually impossible.
If Seo Ran had already ascended to Four Pillars and begun controlling the dragon veins, perhaps it would have been different.
But his cultivation lagged behind Siho’s, so the observation held no real weight.
Quugung!
Finally, Guang Eon-yeok arrived at Black Island.
“Ho-oh?”
Uuuung!
A powerful suction force erupted from Black Island, drawing in the qi of Guang Eon-yeok.
Inside Black Island, a formation woven from the island’s own qi began to spin, amplifying the energy even further.
Quugugugugu!
Soon, Black Island—true to its name—had become a truly sinister and perfect training ground for ghost cultivators.
Paaat!
Seo Ran burst out of his chamber in a panic, wiping sweat from his flushed face as he gazed down at the island.
“We have arrived at Black Island!”
“Indeed. Though about that formation on Black Island…”
“Ah, that’s Senior Master’s. He laid down one of the arrays from the Black Ghost Valley. Originally it was meant only to amplify qi within the island for our training and to ease Master’s body… but…”
He looked positively giddy.
“With this much qi…”
Quagagagak!
Suddenly, a massive qi vortex churned at the island’s center.
That qi…
It felt familiar.
After a moment, a familiar ghost cultivator emerged from the swirling vortex.
[Haa…!]
Song Jin.
He inhaled the qi with obvious pleasure, glanced at Seo Ran, then noticed me beside him and flinched.
Yet he sighed and spoke.
“…I have heard everything from Seo Ran, Senior. Please, come in.”
“Haha, calling me ‘Senior’? Please, treat me casually.”
“Haha… you jest. If you’re the one Senior Master, then you must have already lived for thousands of years. Yet you allowed me such disrespect in the Water Realm.”
Song Jin bowed deeply, still convinced I was some rogue cultivator hiding my true identity.
Well… if he insists, there’s nothing I can do about it.
At any rate, once he believed it, nothing I said would change his mind.
“…Very well. If that’s how you wish to treat me, then so be it. Speaking of which… is this Black Island one of the branches of the Black Ghost Valley?”
“Yes, that’s correct, Senior. Due to the nature of the Goryeok Realm, we cannot contact the main sect, so formal approval has not yet been granted.”
“I see. In that case, does it possess the same floating maintenance functions as the Black Ghost Valley in the Water Realm?”
The Black Ghost Valley had built a floating maintenance array so the Seopmyeong Ship could perform repairs even while hovering in empty space.
Even if the ship’s power source was shut down, the island’s own formation could lift the vessel and recharge it remotely.
“Yes, we have the same system installed on Black Island as well…”
“Excellent. I would like to borrow your floating platform to support Guang Eon-yeok for a while.”
“E-er…”
Song Jin glanced at Guang Eon-yeok and broke into a cold sweat.
“E-er… Senior. I must apologize, but that landmass is far larger than the Seopmyeong Ship. I’m not certain the functions will activate properly.”
“It will be fine. It will function adequately.”
Quugugugu!
I moved Guang Eon-yeok above Black Island and signaled Song Jin.
He sealed the formation with a chant, and the island lifted the entire Guang Eon-yeok region into the air.
“Hong Beom, cancel the floating array.”
I sent the command, and Hong Beom immediately halted the floating technique.
Kuuung!
The entire Black Island erupted with formation power. Six translucent shadow hands rose toward Guang Eon-yeok.
Each hand became clearer as they ascended, then transformed into massive, semi-transparent skeletal fingers.
Six giant bone hands hovered, flickering faintly as they supported the entire region.
Quuguguguk!
Of course, the island’s weight caused momentary cracks in the bones, but Guang Eon-yeok was no ordinary fragment—it was a piece torn directly from the Pure Land of the Ghost Realm.
Its qi was pure and abundant.
Tsutsutsut!
The skeletal hands, now consuming the Pure Land’s qi, became even more stable. The cracks and fractures along the arms healed themselves, and the support became rock-solid.
Song Jin watched for a moment, then coughed awkwardly.
“Senior… originally, three hands supported the Seopmyeong Ship itself, while the other three were used for maintenance. Now they are solely bearing Senior’s territory… so maintenance functions are impossible.”
“It’s fine. We’ll handle maintenance ourselves anyway.”
I had only used Black Island’s formation because Guang Eon-yeok had drifted too long in the air, requiring temporary stabilization.
“Well then, come in as well. It has been so long since I last saw your face. I am glad to greet you.”
We had not built the close relationship of an Elder and Disciple like Cheongmun Ryeong, but it was not a bad one either.
He hesitated for a moment, then finally stepped into Guang Eon-yeok.
***
Our reunion with Song Jin after so long was truly magnificent.
“That is truly wonderful!”
Song Jin had been on the verge of losing all his lifespan and about to be dragged into the Underworld when Guang Eon-yeok’s Pure qi surged into him. His life force had recovered dramatically.
“No, that won’t do at all. If you wish, I can grant you a new body through the ‘Arts’ and ‘Divine Blessings’ of the Mugeuk Sect.”
I pointed to one of the errands I performed in the Mugeuk Sect’s war room and explained the sect’s blessings.
Yet Song Jin shook his head, chuckling.
“Your kindness is deeply appreciated, but my body no longer needs anything beyond the Seopmyeong Ship. I have already opened a branch of the Black Ghost Valley in the Goryeok Realm by raising a fine disciple. I simply wish to live out my remaining days peacefully and then depart with a clear heart.”
“Hmph… I heard the Seopmyeong Ship can last a very long time once its power source is removed and repaired.”
That was the truth.
If Buk Hyang-hwa and Goe-gun had repaired the ship and filled it with qi from Guang Eon-yeok, Song Jin could live quite a long while.
Yet Song Jin laughed heartily.
“Simply speaking of the Seopmyeong Ship, yes. But… the Seopmyeong Ship carries history within it. And that history ended with the war against Hong Beom. The Black Ghost Valley disciples laughed and chattered, were born and raised aboard the ship, learned their arts, stole and pillaged, married, bore children, and entered the main sect themselves… The Seopmyeong Ship that once carried such peaceful memories is now gone.”
He smiled faintly.
“I am grateful that you granted me more life. With Senior’s blessing, I should be able to live another hundred years or so. But I… I wish only to enjoy the rest of my lifespan and then close my eyes aboard the ship. By then my disciple will have become a magnificent Heavenly Venerable like me, and I will have no regrets.”
“…Very well. I respect your wishes.”
I nodded to Song Jin as he refused the offer of a new body.
A hundred years was a long time, but to immortals it was fleeting.
Even the path to Bongrae Island opened only every one hundred and twenty years.
Song Jin would close his eyes long before then.
Yet even after hearing the explanation, Seo Ran showed no sign of changing his mind.
He truly wished to train the disciple and then depart.
A sudden thought struck me. I asked.
“One question.”
“Please, ask.”
“If you were asked to give up something precious to you—memories from Black Ghost Valley, the feelings you hold for your fellow disciples—would you discard it?”
Song Jin considered for a moment before replying.
“To discard Black Ghost Valley itself for the sake of Black Ghost Valley… that would be a duty if one belonged to the group.”
“Hmm…”
“But discarding something is an absurd notion. If I were to discard my feelings for Black Ghost Valley for its sake, would Black Ghost Valley then discard me?”
He smiled softly.
“Even if I forgot everything and became a monster, the sect would not abandon me. It remembers me. Therefore, I believe it is very difficult to truly ‘discard’ or ‘cut off’ something. Relationships are mutual connections. Even if one side breaks, if the other pulls, the connection endures.”
“…An excellent answer. Thank you.”
Heavenly Venerables were not simple fools.
They had condensed their own madness and reached a realm of enlightenment, each with their own beliefs and answers to life.
Even though Song Jin’s age and cultivation were lower than mine, his answer carried the weight of experience.
“It is rather embarrassing. I merely mixed a little of my own insight into the words of a past sage.”
“Ho-oh. Who taught you that sage’s words?”
Only a limited number of people had ever spoken with Song Jin while he was a Heavenly Venerable.
The elders of Black Ghost Valley, the elders of Changcheon Gaegamun or Geumsin Cheonroemun, or perhaps someone from the Dragon Race.
Yet the person who answered my question was not one I had expected.
“Seo Ran’s mother. The ghost disciple of the sect… the child.”
Song Jin gazed at Seo Ran with warm eyes.
He has changed quite a bit.
After two hundred years together, the once-snide remark about him being a dragon race member had vanished. Now he openly cherished Seo Ran.
Seo Ran returned a warm smile.
“Master once told me that whenever Mother came to ask about the Divine Arts, the two of you spoke at length.”
“Indeed… what a wonderful child. Yu O… that child was…”
As Song Jin and I continued our conversation, I spoke with Seo Ran and his mother Yu O.
“Heh heh, our talk has wandered far.”
“No, it is fine. It is a pleasant sight. Since you and I have already shared everything we needed to, the two of you may enjoy a long-desired conversation.”
I chuckled and gave the two masters some space.
The ghost cultivators of Guang Eon-yeok descended to Black Island and were currently teaching the Goryeok Realm Black Ghost Valley disciples who had come to train. It was a form of service.
A few cries of pain or screams drifted up from below, but ghost cultivators always made such noises, so I paid them no mind.
I descended to the underground of Mugeuk Sect and turned my gaze to the Salt Crystals guarded by Hong Beom and Yeon Wi.
“Is this the Salt Crystal obtained from Jeongryong Palace?”
“That is correct. The Lord of Jeongryong Palace willingly offered it.”
Hong Beom had already installed the hidden array with the Salt Crystal, allowing me to use it like Gongryeong-ji.
Yeon Wi clicked her tongue in displeasure.
“In my opinion, that bastard is definitely hiding more! Offering such a precious treasure so readily? That’s a one in ten thousand chance he’s trying to conceal something even more valuable! My eyes never lie!!”
She crossed her arms and glared at Hong Beom.
“No, listen. I told Hong Beom I’d feed him the Six Hundred Thousand Times Amplification Poison from Yuk Rin and torture him. He refused, saying it’s too dangerous even for an Integration Yao King. Do you think he’s just being cautious, or does he have other motives?”
“No, Venerable Yeon…”
Hong Beom scratched his cheek nervously.
“Six Hundred Thousand Times Amplification Poison carries a high risk of driving even an Integration Yao King mad. No matter how small the target, why would the Palace Lord endure such torture?”
I shook my head.
“Hong Beom is right. The poison is far too concentrated.”
He had not backstabbed us, yet I still saw no reason to ask for more hidden treasures through such cruelty.
Yeon Wi turned her head away, sulking.
“Hmph. If it’s Yuk Rin, he probably already ate the Imperial Inheritance from Dragon’s Palace. If he can obtain even that, why not a little more cruelty? Losing those treasures would hurt his pride… but…”
“Well, we’ll look for those enormous treasures later. For now, let’s focus on accumulating the Gangnyeong Axis.”
“Do as you like. Why ask an old man like me?”
She stormed out of the underground chamber in a huff.
I sighed and lowered my consciousness.
According to what I had heard from Yuk Rin, the Bongrae Island gate would open in approximately one hundred and twenty years.
Until then, I would obtain as much Gangnyeong Axis as possible.
***
Pyeong-won Continent.
In the distant fringes of the continent stood Yu Hwa Country, governed by three Core Formation Great Seonmas and a Half-God.
Among them was the only Foundation Establishment Half-God in Yu Hwa Country.
After Jeolgok Valley collapsed, the Foundation Establishment Seonma who had settled in Heukryong Valley prayed earnestly.
Ham-jin, the Battle God, knelt on a small altar in the eastern section of the country and placed a bowl of water before him, bowing with solemn devotion.
At that exact moment.
Skirl… skirl… skirl…
The water bowl began to shake violently. The liquid inside turned pitch black.
“Ha…!”
Ham-jin’s mind snapped back to reality.
He found himself pulled into an utterly white spiritual world.
In the center of that realm hovered a colossal Ghost King, gazing down at him.
Ham-jin bowed deeply before the Mugeuk Ghost King.
“Your Eminence, you summoned me?”
The Mugeuk Ghost King looked down at him.
“A matter requires your body. Is the Jade Token well preserved?”
“Yes, it has always remained close to my heart.”
“Good. Let us proceed at once.”
Ham-jin nodded, and the moment permission was granted, the Mugeuk Ghost King seized control of his flesh.
***
Tsutsut!
After possessing Ham-jin’s body, I tested his movements.
“Ho-oh, splendid.”
How many years had passed? Ham-jin had already reached the second stage of Foundation Establishment.
Honored recognition.
Ham-jin bowed in his heart, yet his talent truly shone.
By constantly invading his body, his inherent talent has awakened even further.
Whether his original talent was great or had been improved by me, the result was positive.
Just as I prepared to leave the eastern section of his body.
“Umm, Husband. Where are you going?”
A woman from another room in the eastern section called out, rubbing her eyes in disheveled clothes.
Ham-jin panicked internally.
Just… wave your hand and tell her to go away.
I followed his suggestion. The woman bowed respectfully and withdrew.
“Have you married?”
Ah, that is… even the Integration rogue cultivators had disciples or followers. But they bound their followers and disciples to die with them upon their own death. Because of that, only I remain in Yu Hwa Country… many noble families continue to send marriage proposals…
“Well, you can handle that yourself…”
“Husband, are you fasting this morning?”
Soon another woman emerged from another eastern room and asked Ham-jin the same question.
I waved my hand to dismiss her and tried to leave the eastern section.
Yet while leaving, I encountered yet another of Ham-jin’s wives in every room I passed.
“…You… what kind of life are you actually living?”
I banished the seventeenth wife and stepped outside the eastern section. Suddenly I felt ridiculous and asked.
Ham-jin coughed awkwardly, embarrassed.
I… I did not force it. These are genuine daughters sent from the noble families. They begged me not to abandon them for a younger wife in another country…
“…”
I stuck out my tongue and used Ham-jin’s body to manipulate qi, returning to the previous location.
Since Ham-jin had ascended to Foundation Establishment, he possessed far greater abilities.
Kkuguguk!
I clenched my fist in the air, twisting the qi.
I took the Jade Token from Ham-jin’s bosom and activated it.
After Jeolgok Valley disappeared, a vast open field appeared, and a green formation glowed.
After some time, I realized the surrounding space had undergone dimensional transformation and become a “Mid-Zone.”
Uuuung!
I read the flow of qi in the Mid-Zone and calculated the coordinates.
A Mid-Zone was not only a relay connecting the seas of Goryeok Realm but also a shortcut for crossing vast space.
In other words, the Thunder Star Sea region beyond the Mugeuk Kings was so incredibly distant that a Mid-Zone had to be built.
Wiieeing!
I connected the coordinates of Geonnae-jeon with qi and consciousness, then pulled them.
Quugugugu!
Instantly, Ham-jin’s flesh body leaped across the incomprehensible distance.
Ham-jin marveled at the sights through my eyes inside his mind.
Countless stars, nebulae, and galaxies of light swirled around him.
Seeing the true scale of the universe itself awakened his upper dantian further.
This fellow’s cultivation will advance even faster.
It was good news for me.
How far had we gone?
Finally, we reached the location indicated by the next coordinate.
Is this…?
Kurung, kururung!
Lightning struck everywhere.
Poisonous gases drifted through the air, and sandstorms raged across the arid desert.
A world where no life could survive.
Is this the Thunder Star Sea? Ah… no.
I realized another Mid-Zone had been installed here.
Ugugeuk!
I reactivated the Mid-Zone.
Ah, so that is why the Mugeuk Kings have built so many Mid-Zones. The Thunder Star Sea is simply too far.
It was impossible to reach without a Mid-Zone.
I activated qi again and jumped to the next coordinate.
Uuuung!
This time, there was no atmosphere.
The planet was like the Moon—gravity was weak, and the land was barren.
Life could not survive here either.
And…
Is this another Mid-Zone?
I was momentarily stunned.
How far was the Thunder Star Sea that even the Mugeuk Kings had to build multiple Mid-Zones?
Suddenly I remembered that Jang Ik, the one summoned by Baek-won, had sent a clone a thousand years later.
Perhaps… even the Mugeuk Kings who travel vast space with qi consider a thousand years a short distance…
That meant there could be many more such Mid-Zones ahead.
No, this is ridiculous. The coordinates clearly say ‘Thunder Star Sea’.
The Mugeuk Kings must have simply removed the words “Mid-Zone” from their travel routes and named them all “Thunder Star Sea”.
I must be precise. Well, since we’re here, we might as well keep going.
Uuuung!
I activated the Mid-Zone again.
After several jumps, I realized Ham-jin’s body could no longer endure it.
Ham-jin who accepted me is already failing.
Even though I wielded far greater power as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, the limits of a Foundation Establishment cultivator remained.
Even with the grand title of Half-God, he had not yet surpassed the limits of a human.
How do I handle this…
I arrived at a planet filled with poisonous gases and furrowed my brow.
Ham-jin’s law power and qi were depleting. Yet only barren planets served as Mid-Zones.
If his law power ran out completely, Ham-jin would die.
I could consume his life force to draw my own power and slightly reshape a portion of the planet… but
It would be too cruel to Ham-jin.
For now, let us continue.
I gritted my teeth and kept moving through the Mid-Zones.
After traveling many of them, despair settled on my face.
Damn it… is there no world where humans can survive except Ham-jin’s own?
All the Mid-Zones designated by the Mugeuk Kings were planets of extreme environments where life could not exist.
This won’t do… damn it. For now, we’ll replenish life force with Jangsaengwa later. First, let’s reshape an area with Ham-jin’s life force…
And just as I prepared to exert my full strength to transform the region into a habitable place.
“Using the transmission array of the Goryeok Realm from the beginning… was it you?”
“…”
I turned around at the voice that had appeared behind me without any sound.
This world was a hot planet whose surface would melt if not protected by law power.
The star was too close to the sun. Yet someone had taken a seat atop the scorching metal, staring at me without using any protective technique.
“This is most peculiar. You must be a subordinate of His Majesty. Yet the location is Goryeok Realm. Were there Heart Tribe members in Goryeok Realm as well?”
He was none other than Jang Ik, the Heaven-Sinking Venerable, wearing four green boxers behind me.
“Well, never mind that. The important thing is not that.”
Jang Ik smiled at me and pulled out a single box from behind his back.
“If you have seen an adult, you should greet him. Greet me. If you please me, I will make you the twenty-third disciple.”