A Heartfelt Reunion (Part 3)
The male saints who had borrowed strength from the Mortal Realm began to unleash their auras.
In truth, they were beings who had long since stepped into the realm of True Immortals.
Their auras alone caused the surrounding Heavenly Qi to flicker and warp in countless grotesque patterns.
*Once again, the Mortal Realm saints prove too much to handle.*
Male saints of the Star Realm and those of the Mortal Realm held roughly equal power within their respective domains.
Of course, even if equal, the Mortal Realm side held the edge.
But from an external perspective, the situation was entirely different.
A Mortal Realm saint, operating from outside the Mortal Realm, could deploy flawless defense through the complete body of the Mortal Realm itself and use the [Symbols] to open pathways even beyond the Mortal Realm’s borders, launching counterattacks against True Immortals in emergencies.
A Star Realm saint was different.
If attacked by a Gaeyeol-level True Immortal from outside, the Star Realm’s outer defense would crumble at once, leaving no chance of victory whatsoever.
This was because the very defense of the Star Realm, fused with its own existence, lacked absolute sanctity.
*If I want to defeat the saints…*
I recalled the Sword of Kunlun.
Without striking a blow that came within striking distance of the realm of “pure death” at the level of the Sword of Kunlun, there was simply no hope of victory against the saints of the Mortal Realm.
Suddenly, Jang Ik came to mind.
*Jang Ik… has never once feared Baek-woon.*
Perhaps the extreme Jang Ik, pushed to his limit, possessed one single move capable of grasping victory against the saints.
It was probably the same thing I had sensed hidden within him during our last encounter.
Of course, I had not been defeated by Baek-woon either.
But that was only thanks to the names of the swords and True Immortals I already knew, along with the mysterious knowledge I had foreseen.
If I had faced Baek-woon with nothing but my own pure physical power, I would have become nothing but firewood on that very day, ceasing to be Seo Eun-hyun.
Because of that, a basic, instinctive fear toward Baek-woon had always burned within me.
*Last time I tortured Baek-woon, it was only thanks to Yang Su-jin’s brain-crack and Jeon Myeong-hoon’s asymmetric forces. If I had done it alone, I never would have dared.*
I shook my head, savoring the chill of sweat on my skin as I watched the saints gradually build their momentum.
Anyone but a fool would understand.
They were not simply trying to “invite” me.
*They want to… capture me and turn me into a saint!*
In truth, aside from Ban-ta, every Seongban stage saint possessed a desire for successors, though not to this degree of fervor.
However, I had never imagined they would be this passionate.
Ban-ta growled.
**[Fifty thousand years. Fifty thousand years! The reason I have endured in this wretched Purple Gold Realm, naming my name Ban-ta and playing at being a king, is fifty thousand years! Baek-woon! At the time, one of the True Immortals who captured me and sat me in the Purple Gold Realm was you. How could you have such a conscience?!]**
Upon hearing those words, Baek-woon let out a scoff.
**[Fifty thousand years means nothing. In any case, every monk must become accustomed to eternity! It is not even a long period—do not make such a fuss. And you say I captured you? At the time you yourself did not object! You offered the entire Purple Gold Realm as a favor to my disciple’s cultivation, yet you blame me for not raising a successor. Rather, for the sake of true righteousness, I lowered my own realm one step and became a saint!]**
A faint voice interjected.
*[Forgive me, Venerable Baek-woon. Is not the saint’s righteousness the command of the Bright Eight Paths? I believe at the time there was no reason for you to take on the Mortal Realm. You merely followed the Bright Eight Paths that benefited you. To speak of righteousness when that is the case… seems somewhat improper.]*
*This brat… talking big as if he is my senior right now…*
The saints’ conversation had begun as simple bickering, but their momentum swelled.
And just as their auras were about to explode!
*[Do not do that. There is one good method.]*
*[What is it?]*
At Ja-eun’s words, the saints fell silent in unison.
He smiled faintly and looked at me.
*[That is…]*
Then, as if about to speak, he quickly reached out toward me.
*Shwaaaak!*
It looked as if a colossal sea dragon was flying at me!
I barely dodged Ja-eun’s palm strike, and the other saints realized something was amiss.
This was the classic situation where the first to act struck first!
*Kwuuuuuk!*
I panicked at this absurd turn of events and hurriedly retreated.
However, the saints all lit their eyes with fury and pursued me relentlessly.
*[Wait, wait, Seo Eun-hyun. Where do you think you’re going?]*
*[Look here, Seosaesa. Just let me visit Ban-ta for a moment. I’ve prepared a feast in your honor. Drop by Ban-ta, eat something, and leave!]*
*[Huhu, Seosaesa. Allow me to share a piece of important information. Would you listen? It is about Purple Soul Filling the Heavens…]*
They pushed and shoved one another with raw force and various spells, closing in on me.
And they hurled ritual constructs at me—an “something” formed from consciousness—and I could not avoid a few of them.
*This… is a Seongban cultivation method!?*
It was the Seongban cultivation methods given by the saints of each Mortal Realm.
*[Look, Seo Eun-hyun! Our Mortal Realm’s cultivation method is the most superior!]*
*[No, look at the Purple Gold Realm! What do you think I have been doing for fifty thousand years!? This is the Purple Gold Realm’s Seongban cultivation method that I researched for fifty thousand years. It is the most superior Seongban cultivation method!]*
They hurled Seongban cultivation methods at me and beckoned me to come over.
And finally, when they had closed in right before my eyes!
*As I thought… I am not a saint yet.*
First, protecting the Mortal Realm at the end was beyond what a beginner saint like me could handle.
*Now is the time to lay the foundation! Even if I become a saint, it should only be after the End of the World, during the Primordial Era!*
I smiled faintly and spoke to the saints.
*[Forgive me, juniors. This junior still feels the position of Mortal Realm saint is a bit premature. After wandering the Star Realm a little more, I will decide then.]*
Having spoken, I immediately pulled out the Colorless Glass Sword and drew it toward the void.
*Woldo Bicheon!*
*Pa-aat!*
In the instant that followed, I vanished from the saints’ eyes like a phantom.
The saints, momentarily at a loss, began to go berserk after a brief moment.
*[You bastard!!!]*
*[How could this happen!!!]*
Using the power of the Mortal Realm, their abilities began to devastate the surrounding area.
*Fast judgment.*
Seeing me vanish from sight in an instant, they guessed it was not a simple spatial shift or transmission technique but a kind of stealth method and cast a wide-area spell.
*But that was unfortunate.*
There was only one problem: their opponent was not a regular beginner Seongban saint, but me—Seo Eun-hyun who had reached Seongban through the Triple Taiji.
*Pi-yit!*
Even within the Yi Gwe realm, I hid in the most secret place and distanced myself from them.
On top of my Chongcheon-geom, which could cross the Yi Gwe, the Woldo Bicheon added another layer.
I had not merely sent myself into the Yi Gwe realm but had shifted my every trace and even every future sighting inside the Yi Gwe, temporarily hiding completely.
Even if only temporary, no history or foresight would be able to catch me.
This was a divine art even Jang Ik could not perform, made possible by the increased control over the Qi Gwe and the power over the Myeong Gwe after I became a Seongban.
I quickly escaped their grasp and headed toward the Star Path.
*First… I should inform the Venerables of the completion of the Symbol search in the Thunder Star Sea… arrange for their return through the Star Path… and then contact that guy.*
*Uuuung!*
The surrounding Heavenly Qi shifted.
The saints appeared to have set up camp.
Yet, unable to locate my form even with foresight, they looked bewildered.
*I have temporarily hidden in the Yi Gwe realm through Woldo Bicheon. Once that fades, they will pinpoint my exact location.*
I needed to act quickly.
*Pa-aat!*
I reached the Peace Realm, left a phantom body behind to observe the saints’ movements and ensure I would notice anything amiss, then immediately activated the Star Path and headed toward the Thunder Star Sea.
*Uuuung!*
I moved swiftly along the Star Path.
Unlike when I had used it in Venerable state, activating it at Seongban level allowed me to pass through far more waypoints in one go and activate transmission veins much faster.
I truly reached the Thunder Star Sea in an instant.
*First… I cannot enter the Thunder Star Sea right away.*
I would immediately encounter Geum-jin-jo.
I sent the phantom body inside the Thunder Star Sea.
A short while later, several In-yeon people emerged from outside the Thunder Star Sea.
The expedition force, including Hamcheon Venerable Jang Ik.
After explaining the situation, I told them that since I had already reactivated the Star Path, they could simply return through it.
At first they seemed suspicious, but seeing that the saints connected deeply to each Mortal Realm had vaguely sensed the return of the [Symbols] to the Mortal Realm, they readily agreed.
*[Understood. We will not be trifled with by a mere saint. Then we shall meet again in the Mortal Realm.]*
They boarded the Star Path and departed.
And Jang Ik met my gaze.
“You. What exactly did you do?”
Rather than anything else, his eyes sparkled as he looked at my realm.
*Even if we of the Sim Clan grow vigorously upon comprehending the realm, we still require a certain degree of gradual cultivation… yet how did that former Emperor’s inspector reach the Emperor’s realm along with the Heavenly and Earthly Twin Trees after a few hundred years?*
He looked somewhat puzzled.
I smiled and raised the Colorless Glass Sword.
*Shall we spar?*
*Hmmm…*
In my previous life I had been too terrified of the “perfect circle” shown by Hyeon-gwi to draw my sword.
Because of that, I had only been able to clash with Jang Ik at the level of chopsticks, leaving a lingering regret that I had never directly traded blows with him.
But in this life, it was possible!
As I gazed at him with a hidden expectation.
*…We shall do it later.*
*…Eh?*
I asked, slightly taken aback.
*Is Jang Ik actually going to let me have my way?*
A duel with me.
A duel with a superior.
However, Jang Ik’s next words made me understand the reason at once.
“You and I have now reached the level where we can properly share understanding of the Dao. In short, if we fight, one of us is certain to die. It is not a situation where either can hold back for the other.”
He clicked his tongue.
*Before I die, I should at least pass on my last words to the Three Wood Grove and visit the tombs of my other disciples who were killed by you. So today, regrettable as it is, let us settle this later.*
*…Understood.*
It was a reasonable statement, so I clicked my tongue and agreed to fight him a little later.
Jang Ik turned to head toward the Star Path but then suddenly looked back at me.
*You. Do you know why our Sim Clan territory is called the Three Wood Grove?*
*Eh? Isn’t it simply because there are many three woods?*
*So… why did they plant so many three woods in the Sim Clan territory? With my ability, I could have cleared the entire three-wood forest in an instant and planted any number of other beneficial crops instead. Yet they made the Three Wood Grove. What reason could there be?*
*Is there some kind of reason?*
*Of course. Details will come later…*
Jang Ik suddenly looked as if something had occurred to him and furrowed his brows.
But he shook his head vigorously and continued.
*…Go to the Peace Realm. The loyalty of the Green Sword Sect in the Peace Realm… you humans called it martial arts, did you not? Anyway, if you trace the origin of loyalty and martial arts in the Peace Realm, something interesting will come out.*
*Interesting?*
*The origin of martial arts?*
*Is there some connection with why Hyeon-gwi was blocking them in the Peace Realm?*
*Yes, I will look into it if I get the chance.*
*Do. I am certain you will. What exists in the Peace Realm… gave me enormous help in imagining the Emperor’s Three Paths realm.*
Having finished speaking, Jang Ik vanished beyond the Star Path.
*Was there such a secret in the Peace Realm…?*
I felt a flicker of surprise at Jang Ik’s words and briefly looked toward the Thunder Star Sea.
*All the Venerables have been sent back. The Mortal Realm powers should be stable until the End of the World.*
The Thunder Star Sea would not be entered for a while either.
*No, it would be best not to enter at all until I reach Gaeyeol with the Triple Taiji.*
If I entered, I would do so only through the phantom body.
Now the only thing left was one thing.
*“…Come out.”*
I looked into the darkness of the Star Realm and murmured.
*“Seo Hyul.”*
It had been a long, long time.
Now was the time to settle everything.
A familiar face suddenly emerged from the darkness of the Star Realm.
*As expected…*
Even though he had been a blue earthworm in my previous life, this life he had been restored.
The Mansang Inyeondo, which had felt a “twisted” sensation at the time of Seo Hyul’s erasure during the reversal of the white carriage wheels, had also recovered enough to feel at ease.
*I was truly surprised, Seodawo. Huhu, I never imagined that in only eight hundred years you would pull up to the level of sword arts and reach Seongban by raising the Three Paths to the limit, starting with having blooded you, then knocking out True Immortals and escaping all the Mortal Realm saints. That divine art was truly…*
*“Seo Hyul.”*
I cut him off.
Then I summoned Seo Ran in front of Seo Hyul.
Seo Ran looked around confusedly, as if unable to grasp the situation, while Seo Hyul sensed his aura and brightened.
*Oh, Ran. What is going on? It has been so long…*
And just as I saw Seo Hyul trying to approach us.
I suddenly grabbed Seo Ran’s neck roughly, then pressed his entire soul and body toward the Underworld.
Among the four worlds overlapping with the Star Realm, Seo Ran’s original soul and spirit twisted in anguish toward the Underworld.
A Seo Ran of low realm had no idea what was happening, but Seo Hyul and I immediately understood that his soul could drop into the Underworld at any moment.
A divine art made possible only after reaching Seongban level.
With something in my palm, I could release it anywhere— the Underworld, Origin River, East Heaven Flower Garden, or Void Space—whenever I wished.
*Do not move. I might accidentally “drop” Seo Ran.*
Of course, I had no intention of doing so.
Seo Ran was, after all, my ally.
It was truly regrettable for the guy, but this was the only way to see Seo Hyul’s most genuine face.
In fact, anyone who knew me well understood that I would never throw Seo Ran into the Underworld.
*Never.*
Because he was my ally.
To the Seo Ran of now, I was only a high-ranking senior, yet I felt deep connection with him.
In short, what I was doing was nothing more than obvious coercion.
A trivial coercion that even third-rate villains would not resort to.
And…
Seo Hyul completely wiped the smile from his face at this trivial coercion.
*“…What do you want?”*
*I already know. Seo Ran’s identity… I told you not to move!!! As soon as I use even a trace of Takhon Mancheon, I will let go immediately!!!*
Eyes appeared from every corner of the universe.
The gazes of the Takhon Mancheon that Seo Hyul had released.
Far stars.
Nearby stars.
All living beings there looked up in my direction with solemn faces, having stopped what they were doing.
*“…Senior? What are you… saying?”*
Seo Ran looked at me, slightly bewildered.
But neither I nor Seo Hyul said a word.
And after a while.
Finally, Seo Hyul, having shed all masks and shown a solemn face, spoke to me.
*“What do you want? Seo Eun-hyun.”*
*“All of you.”*
I had been the first in over a thousand lives to grab Seo Hyul’s neck.
Among a thousand and more lives, I was the one who held the advantage in our first direct confrontation, and I told him what I wanted.
*“Speak all your secrets. Seo Hyul.”*
Since your true form has been exposed, I have absolute superiority over you.
*I will make no deal. I will not trade anything. The moment I hear the word “deal,” I will “process” Seo Ran.*
*Uuuung!*
I distorted the surrounding space and instantly formed a small dimension.
Just like the reception room where Blood Eun had welcomed me, it was both a place for Seo Hyul to speak freely and a barrier that would not allow him to escape at will.
The surroundings were a world dotted with swords sprouting everywhere, like the Colorless Glass Sword.
And in the next moment.
*Boom!*
Seo Hyul, face expressionless, knelt before me for the first time.
The Seo Hyul who had reunited after a long time no longer seemed as imposing as before.
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