With the Wind (8)
We gathered together with joyful hearts.
“Everyone, listen well. This is the true headquarters of the Wugeuk Sect, the true destination of our long wanderings through the realms. We are heading into the Gwanghan Realm!”
At my words, countless ghosts and beasts of the Wugeuk Sect erupted in resounding cheers. Those in the Goryeok Realm who had been swayed by the power of Conqueror Buk Hyang-hwa and the doctrines of the Wugeuk Sect roared their approval in their own voices.
We had already told the cultivators that the Gwanghan Realm was our origin, and that the Geumshin Cheonroe Sect was like a sister sect.
‘Honestly, Yeon Wi might find it hard to accept…’
The Wugeuk Sect, which she called a “fake sect,” had already grown so massive that it surpassed the combined strength of the hundred-odd sects from Geum-won’s era.
Uwoong—
While listening to the cultivators’ cheers, I absorbed the surging power and affinity surging through my entire body.
Su, Bu, Gangnyeong, Yu Ho-deok.
I had stacked all four of the Ogigiwak pillars.
It was the same as reaching the level of Seo Hyul, who had once shown me the first Ogigiwak.
Of course, under the current loop, Seo Hyul probably still hadn’t even formed his Ogigiwak pillars and was still stumbling blindly, so I was ahead of him.
‘And… the Ogigiwak pillars make it far easier to reach the Integration realm than the Ohaenggiwak.’
The qi wall formed by the Ogigiwak pillars was fundamentally no different from the initial dimensional membrane of the combined realm at the very beginning of Integration.
Those who built their pillars with Ogigiwak would enter the Integration realm overwhelmingly easily.
‘At the very least, even Yeon Wi would have entered the Integration realm long ago if she had considered Heon-won’s face and decided not to. She herself said she could enter at any time.’
In truth, even I had felt some strange disharmony between the Gwanghan Cheon-won and the Ogigiwak pillars, but regardless of that, the feeling that I could reach Integration anytime was overwhelming.
The strangest one was actually Seo Hyul.
‘Seo Hyul stacked all four pillars—Su, Bu, Gangnyeong, and Yu Ho-deok—yet he still never reached Integration.’
Even thinking back to the loop when he had been with Gyoryeon, it was strange.
If he hated marrying Gyoryeon, he could have simply entered Integration first and rejected her outright.
‘He still never reached Integration.’
No matter how I thought about it, that was strange.
Why did Seo Hyul stay at the Sachukgi level, clinging to the Ogigiwak pillars without ever climbing to Integration?
‘I will surely understand one day.’
In any case, upon arriving in the Gwanghan Realm, I planned to immediately promote to the Integration realm.
Upgrading in the narrow Deep Sea of the Goryeok Realm right now would be difficult, because the Thunder Tribulation’s destructive qi might injure the ghosts and beasts.
‘My Sitting Liberation and Standing Death was also becoming quite proficient. I could now use it dozens of times in a single strike without relying on my flesh.’
For a Heart Tribe member, that level was already Integration-grade.
In other words, if I simply raised the Su and Bu of the Cheonin and Sachuk stages to Integration-grade.
‘I can properly manifest the Triple Taiji of the Integration realm.’
Buk Hyang-hwa was also steadily growing stronger.
Recently, she had completely remodeled the entire Gwang-eum Realm into the “Gwang-eum Fortress” together with Kim Yeon.
Now the Gwang-eum Realm was no longer just a piece of land—it had become a moving fortress.
‘After remodeling the Integration puppet that Kim Yeon remembered into Buk Hyang-hwa’s style and transforming it into a “general,” we will be able to properly counter the Taiji Jinroe Shin.’
And that would mean—
Kuguk—
I clenched my fist.
In reality, my power had already transcended the level of a single Integration-grade powerhouse.
‘Even if the peak-stage [Her] from the prime era of the Terminating Ones came, I could probably take one of her arms.’
If every disciple of the Cheonji Clan reached Integration-grade, the peak-stage [Her] would fall.
‘…To defeat the peak-stage [Her], I must raise all the Triple Taiji to Integration-grade…’
For a moment a small sigh escaped me when I realized the fact, but I let it go.
The Terminating Ones at the time of the Heavenly Road’s collapse had swapped out two hundred or more Terminating Ones and Dao Kings to turn [Her] into disposable parts.
It wasn’t just because Jang Ik had said that the size of the qi was only Star Shattering.
‘In the end, we have Buk Hyang-hwa as well.’
Currently, Buk Hyang-hwa was only waiting for the opportunity to evolve into the Ilmun Dharma Refiner.
Once she grew, she would become a Ilmun Dharma Refiner like the Terminating Ones, so there was no problem.
Kuguguguguk!
I lifted the Salt Mountain Law Treasure, whose vibrations matched the waves of the Salt Crystal Palace, and chanted the reversed Taesan Yeolje Art’s incantation.
Paaaat!
The Salt Mountain and Salt Crystal Palace seemed to shrink, then transformed into something so small it could fit in my hand.
It was the miniature transformation technique commonly used by cultivators.
With only Cheonin level, at best one sect could be miniaturized. But at the Sachukgi level, compressing a mountain range of that size was no problem.
I poured the qi of the reversed Taesan Yeolje Art into the hand holding the Salt Mountain and Salt Crystal Palace.
Paaaarrrhat!
The Salt Mountain vibrated.
More intensely than ever!
“Uum.”
He came down as if trying not to touch the waves, then stood behind me.
Perhaps he had realized it was time to return.
It felt as light as if his shoulder was going to fly off.
I had fused the Salt Mountain to my vibration over all those years.
‘Now this Salt Mountain is practically my law treasure.’
The Salt Crystal Palace was not yet completely mine, but the Salt Mountain was.
[Self, then, my disciples of the Gwang-eum Fortress, are you all ready?]
I asked the entire sect as I returned to my Sachukgi main body.
Countless ghosts and beast cultivators answered in loud voices.
[Yes!!!]
I looked back at my companions.
Kim Young-hoon, Jeon Myeong-hoon, Oh Hyun-seok, Kim Yeon, Buk Hyang-hwa, Seo Ran, Siho, the old man holding the flower basket, Wisihoon, Eun-wa, Baek Rin…
“I have worked hard until now, everyone.”
If Yeon Wi had been here, it would have been perfect, but she should return to the Gwanghan Realm first and contact us again later.
I smiled as I looked at the eight companions who had been with me from the beginning.
They were all sturdy people.
“Well then. Let’s go. To the Gwanghan Realm.”
It had originally started as a plan to rescue only four disciples of the Geumshin Cheonroe Sect.
But now, so many bonds had accumulated.
Kuguguguguk!
I raised the Salt Mountain Law Treasure that spat out strong vibrations into the air.
The power of the Salt Mountain Law Treasure, which spewed pure white vibrations, neutralized the massive qi of calamity that had been wrapping around the surroundings of Bongrae Island.
[Departing!]
Kim Yeon and Buk Hyang-hwa activated the Gwang-eum Fortress.
Jeon Myeong-hoon and Oh Hyun-seok tightened the qi around the Gwang-eum Fortress with their bodies. Kim Young-hoon took the lead, and when dimension shifting occurred, he would be the one to cut down any appearing voids or Deep Sea beasts like before.
And I, as the sect leader, stood even farther ahead than Kim Young-hoon, connecting my qi with those in Jeungryong Jinin’s Pocket Dimension—Gyoyom, Baek Wi-ik, Rok-ju, and so on—and pulling them along.
Pull from the Gwanghan Realm, hold and escape from the Goryeok Realm.
Kuguguguguguk!
Kim Young-hoon split the Deep Sea dimension and cut down the beasts.
Through that gap, the Gwang-eum Fortress shot forward at high speed.
If we kept going like this, we would soon arrive at Jeungryong Jinin’s Pocket Dimension.
I talked with Kim Young-hoon, who was leading up front.
“Hyung-nim, the name ‘Sitting Liberation and Standing Death’…”
“Hm?”
“I also chose my own name.”
“Oh? What is it?”
I turned around.
Hong Beom pushed the old man holding the flower basket aside and brought a chair for me and Kim Young-hoon.
“Please sit while we talk.”
“Thank you.”
The companions, underlings, and disciples.
We had gained far too much.
Wisihoon and Eun-wa were still in their honeymoon phase, Buk Hyang-hwa and Kim Yeon had grown closer than when they first met, and Baek Rin seemed to have found peace of mind talking with Yuk Yo.
Jeon Myeong-hoon… hadn’t fully rescued the Geumshin Cheonroe Sect, but he was very different from the past when he was the Thunder Calamity. Oh Hyun-seok still hadn’t lost Changhoza, so he felt healthy.
Yeon Wi… honestly, until the root of Heon-won’s mental illness was removed, there was nothing she could do, but she was still being treated as an ancestor in the Geumshin Cheonroe Sect after clearing her name.
Seo Ran had sent Song Jin away, yet he got along well with Siho. Recently he had met Yeon-jin and asked about the Taiji Jinroe Shin… it seemed he was trying to accept Siho in some way. He was also a little greedy toward Yuk Yo, but I thought he should be satisfied with Siho alone. After all, Yuk Yo would be returning to Bongrae Kingdom anyway.
And everyone else had grown in cultivation, gained subordinates, or gained hope for the new territory of the Gwanghan Realm.
Everyone was carrying small happiness.
Baek Rin said the half-human, half-fish Yao beast that had been captured from Yuk Rin, Wi-yoon, had recently recovered his sanity and reunited with his parents.
Not just her—countless disciples of the Gwang-eum Fortress.
Yao race and ghosts living in harmony.
Those who trusted me.
All of them were nothing less than the greatest blessing bestowed upon me.
Yes, they were my hope.
I handed the chair to Hong Beom, who was about to fall under the Gwang-eum Fortress.
“Ah, thank you, Master.”
“Be careful. Also, your leg is caught.”
“Hm? It must be something from a dimensional shard in the Deep Sea.”
It was a bracelet shaped like the black snake that bit its tail.
“It’s like a law treasure… I will give it to you, Master.”
“The Goryeok Realm is definitely a dimension where treasures roll around.”
Kim Young-hoon laughed loudly.
“Hm, I had promised not to rely on the Sinwaji, but honestly, collecting demons or Yao beasts became a hobby, so I’ve been doing it often. The Deep Sea of the Goryeok Realm is full of stuff after just a little digging.”
“I picked up a sword recently. Do you need it? It’s a law treasure made from the Salt Crystal…”
“No need. You use it. Even if it’s what you picked up…”
I smiled lightly and looked ahead.
“…In any case, the original name of your realm, ‘Sitting Liberation and Standing Death,’ is written as ‘Standing Death,’ right?”
“That’s right.”
I kept a calm face and reached my hand toward the air.
“My realm name is… this.”
Paaat!
I held the Chongcheon-geom and quickly danced with the sword.
The sword moved, weaving characters in the air.
Sitting Liberation and Standing Death.
Not Standing Death, but Entering Hope.
The name that revealed my wish to enter through hope, not by standing and entering.
That was Sitting Liberation and Standing Death.
It had the same pronunciation as Kim Young-hoon’s realm name, but a completely different meaning.
Countless people’s blessings hung on my shoulders.
Therefore, I had to walk forward toward hope.
Even if only to not be ashamed before them.
This was my wish and at the same time my ambition.
And it was the moment I breathed wind into the name of Sitting Liberation and Standing Death.
Zzi-rit, zzi-rit—
I felt as if a voice was coming from the Salt Mountain in my hand.
‘This is…’
No, it wasn’t.
It wasn’t a voice coming from the Salt Mountain.
‘Inside me, I am the voice.’
The knowledge I had obtained after the Salt Pillar in the Water Realm remained in one corner of my mind.
That knowledge was dissolving.
I slowly raised my hand and lifted the Salt Mountain into the sky.
Without realizing it, a word slipped from my mouth.
“Cultivation is, in the end, the true practice…”
It was part of the Taesan Yeolje Art and the reversed Taesan Yeolje Art’s incantation.
“Just as tiny salt grains gather to form the sea…”
Uwoong—
Every time I chanted the incantation aloud, light spurted out even more intensely from the Salt Mountain.
“Through the true practice, stack the mountains… stacking only the mountains of salt is the fastest way to reach the heavens…”
Uwoong—
This was the incantation I had always chanted.
Kuguguguguguk—
“Uum, Eun-hyun-ah, that qi of calamity seems to be clinging. I don’t quite understand, but…”
Kim Young-hoon said worriedly from beside me.
As if to say, the qi of calamity was gradually wrapping around us near the Gwang-eum Fortress again.
The farther we escaped the Goryeok Realm, the stronger it became.
But I ignored it and chanted the other incantation I had dissolved in my mind a moment ago while holding the Salt Mountain higher.
[The same as…]
This was an incantation, but at the same time a song.
[Hold hands…]
This song spoke of bonds.
[In the sea, together with everyone…]
The ‘sea’ here was the same as the ‘sea’ in the first incantation.
The sea of tiny salt grains gathered.
The world of true practice and worldly desires.
[Drinking the salt…]
Salt was true practice.
All bonds, through cultivation together.
That was what the song was trying to say.
Not stealing from each other, but a world of cultivation that cared for each other.
[The wind together…]
I closed my eyes.
This song.
In other words, the second incantation of the reversed Taesan Yeolje Art suddenly appearing was no coincidence.
It was because I had held my wish in my heart.
The human heart, a human’s wish—its power was itself.
This incantation proved that by itself.
Just by holding the wind, without even raising the spirit qi, the words echoed and filled the air.
[Soar up.]
I recalled the last three lines of the incantation and slowly opened my eyes.
[That is… the method of reaching the peak of the mountain.]
Paaaarrrhat!
A pure white light burst from the Salt Mountain, dyeing the entire sky.
The qi of the heavens and earth, like grains, covered the Gwang-eum Fortress and neutralized the qi of calamity as it was.
It looked as if the pure white light was opening a gate to the sky from above my hand.
I smiled and opened my mouth to sing the remaining two lines.
I had come this far without abandoning anyone.
I would walk toward hope with my people.
Yeon Wi had said this world was only despair, but that was wrong.
If we keep hoping and yearning, hope is surely coming to us!
Beyond the pure white light.
The pitch-black sky was revealed.
A colossal, oppressive Tai Mountain, as if crushing the heavens and earth and the entire universe, appeared before my eyes.
That Tai Mountain was hardened blood of countless people, with countless bones and corpses embedded everywhere.
It was a mountain piled with despair, fear, greed, and pain.
The end of that Tai Mountain was so high it seemed to touch the edge of the universe.
And I faced eyes with the [something] at the peak of the Tai Mountain.
Tak!
A sound rang out.
The Wugeuk Sect behind me evaporated.
I returned to my main body, the qi wall vibrating with the intensity of the moment.
The Salt Mountain in my hand suddenly grew larger, its pure white vibrations wrapping around the entire sky and earth.
The qi of calamity that had clung to us was forcibly released.
The group of ghosts and beasts that had been following us looked at the sky in amazement.
At that moment, I felt a strange sensation in my chest.
It was as if something inside me had been waiting for this exact moment.
[Self, then, my disciples of the Gwang-eum Fortress, are you all ready?]
I asked the entire sect again.
[Yes!!!]
I looked at my companions one by one.
Kim Young-hoon, Jeon Myeong-hoon, Oh Hyun-seok, Kim Yeon, Buk Hyang-hwa, Seo Ran, Siho, the old man holding the flower basket, Wisihoon, Eun-wa, Baek Rin…
My people.
My hope.
And the wind that had guided us here.
The Salt Mountain Law Treasure, which had carried us across realms, now floated gently beside us as if it were alive.
I smiled.
The wind was blowing.
And it was with us.