Seo Hyul's True Form (3)
The snap of his eyes opening sounded sharp.
‘…The chance… has finally arrived.’
The gaze that had relentlessly pursued him, Seo Hyeol, for so long—the one belonging to Seo Eun-hyun—had finally eased.
At the same time, he felt the surveillance on Seo Ran loosen noticeably.
‘Seo Eun-hyun… is deeply immersed in something important. Even if the artificial Celestial Boundary is complete, with the Successors burning with eyes, while they ignore me—something truly important would be…’
Seo Hyeol quickly predicted Seo Eun-hyun’s actions within the muddy soul that filled heaven, and a faint smile curved his lips.
“A Gaeyeol advancement… That must be it, after all…”
He glanced down at his own hand.
‘I’ve drained every secret art I possess… yet it’s still so exhausting.’
Seo Hyeol’s collapse was accelerating.
The connections between the muddy souls he had scattered across the universe were steadily fading.
‘That guy knows me well.’
Scarily, Seo Eun-hyun had suppressed him in the most optimized form possible—perfectly tuned to weaken Hyeol’s power.
Starting from a short-term infiltration of the Celestial Boundary while severed from Seo Ran’s link, avoiding the Successors’ eyes…
Then forcibly pulling in the stars of the Star Realm through the muddy soul to draw the stellar vein solely for Samokdo.
Every task had drained the muddy soul heavily, and each one caused the connections between the muddy souls to thin further.
If this continued, Seo Hyeol would collapse sooner than he expected.
Seo Eun-hyun might even have been counting on exactly that.
‘…Now is the time I must act.’
Seo Hyeol raised his vertical pupils and fell into thought.
He had two plans prepared for this moment.
The direct way to seize Seo Ran right now was Plan A.
Time was the only method to perfectly deceive Seo Eun-hyun and achieve his own goals—Plan B.
If only Plan A was followed, there was a four-in-ten chance of reclaiming Seo Ran from Seo Eun-hyun’s grasp.
But… if only Plan B, a nine-in-ten chance of deceiving Seo Eun-hyun.
‘Time is short, though. Moreover, the strange old monster is currently focused on Gaeyeol advancement—another opportunity may never come again. I must execute Plan A… yet…’
The problem was success probability.
Merely four in ten!
Or, even at the most optimistic estimate, after coldly recalculating the odds, only about one in five—still a dangerously low probability.
‘Is it truly worth gambling on such low odds?’
Seo Hyeol looked up at the quiet sky with his vertically slit pupils.
‘Is there truly no way to escape the hand of that old monster, Seo?’
He was searching for Seo Hye, yet… even if he found her, the old monster would surely have prepared some scheme. It might be far beyond the mere soul-splitting of the former Oh Hye-seo he once knew.
Then what in the world was he supposed to do…?
Seo Hyeol suddenly felt his breath grow short.
He had only been looking for a way to counter Seo Eun-hyun, yet every time he thought of him, no solution appeared, leaving him helpless.
‘To defeat Seo Eun-hyun right now… I need a variable. A single variable that could trick Seo Eun-hyun’s eyes… and…’
Shiver… shiver…
Seo Hyeol stared at his trembling arm and let out a faint sigh.
Following Seo Eun-hyun’s orders, he continued to aid Kim Yeon in the ongoing adjustments for Samokdo.
Samokdo, a world woven from countless sub-worlds and fragments of the Celestial Boundary, could only function through constant adjustment. Naturally, a few tens of thousands of years from now, the adjustments would finish and it would become stable… but for now, it required ceaseless care.
Hummm—
Kim Yeon’s consciousness touched Seo Hyeol’s muddy soul.
The thread of consciousness that had inherited Goe-gun’s Wondrous Castle Mind Scroll conveyed the command to Seo Hyeol.
Seo Hyeol felt oddly as if this very situation was like receiving orders from Goe-gun himself.
‘During his lifetime, he couldn’t touch Goe-gun himself, yet he controlled his direction. After Goe-gun’s death… I now control his disciples.’
It was strangely ironic.
And at that moment, Seo Hyeol’s muddy soul—still receiving Kim Yeon’s command—shook for the briefest instant.
‘…What is this?’
It was a mere flash of time.
Yet Seo Hyeol felt, through Kim Yeon, the ‘power of the Star Realm’ that Kim Yeon had been cultivating deep within Goe-gun’s Wondrous Castle.
The power that Hyun-eum and Hyeol-eum once called the ‘power of Gwanghan’.
Seo Hyeol temporarily perceived that power through Kim Yeon as his medium.
Nothing more.
But… that alone ignited an inspiration in his mind.
It was coincidence.
Or perhaps fate.
Yet the crucial point was that he had devised a completely new plan that he had never considered before, merely by glimpsing the power of Gwanghan.
‘…’
Seo Hyeol observed the plan that had surfaced in his mind for a moment.
And he realized it carried a far higher success rate than expected.
‘…Why didn’t I think of such a plan sooner?’
He soon understood the reason.
‘…That’s right. It’s the complete opposite of the thing I once swore upon my soul… I was worried my muddy soul would shake… and if I performed this plan, I might expose the secret of my muddy soul to Seo Ran. And Seo Ran has recently begun sensing the weakness of the muddy soul…’
A dangerously reckless plan that could shake his muddy soul and reveal its weakness to Seo Ran.
Yet Seo Hyeol judged that it was far better than simply proceeding with the old Plan A alone.
‘I will advance the old Plan A together with this new plan.’
This was the way, at last, to raise his odds against Seo Eun-hyun.
Seo Hyeol sharpened his vertical pupils even more sharply in the depths of his muddy soul and decided.
‘…Good. Though it’s a reckless plan, I must try it.’
He stood from his seat and headed toward the event being held in a corner of Samokdo.
And in the depths of Seo Hyeol’s muddy soul, a single ‘voice’ rang out.
-You’re completely insane, Hyeol. You’ve truly gone mad and been contaminated…
* * *
At the westernmost end of Samokdo.
Within the Golden Mountain Range, known as Geumjin Mountain, a grand audience hall had been built for someone.
Precisely the person holding the highest rank in the distribution from the Pure Heavenly Venerable sect—the hall prepared for Yeon-wi.
Yeon-wi lay upon the bed, gazing at the ceiling.
‘My time is nearly spent…’
Her true body was sealed as a soul fragment within the Geumsin Cheonroemun shrine of the Water Realm.
Here, the one present was merely a single thread of her soul-splitting.
Yet until now, lacking a place to dwell, she had constantly inhabited the body of her descendant, Yeon-jin. Now, since Seo Eun-hyun became a Successor, she had taken root in the human flesh crafted by Seo Eun-hyun, watching the cultivation of Jeon Myeong-hoon—the very future of the Pure Heavenly Venerable sect.
Creak, creak…
A group of figures entered the bedroom where Yeon-wi lay.
Several figures led by Jeon Myeong-hoon.
“Yeon-wi. Are you feeling well?”
Jeon Myeong-hoon asked as the senior of the Geumsin Cheonroemun sect.
Yeon-wi tried to rise and perform the usual greeting, but Jeon Myeong-hoon stopped her.
“Do not rise. This is an order. I heard your lifespan is rapidly approaching its end….”
“…Yes. It is so. Shamefully, as my lifespan dwindles, the strength of the Underworld’s power grows. I fear I will soon be dragged to the Underworld and pay the price for my sins.”
“…Yeon-wi.”
Jeon Myeong-hoon said with a bitter expression.
“The Lord now stands at the Star Shattering Void Refinement realm. Soon you may perform the Star Plate advancement ritual and become a Successor. And… once that happens, using the authority of a Successor, I can extend your lifespan. The Star Plate realm is of that caliber!”
“…It is fine. I have lived far too much in my lifetime. I have spent an immeasurable amount of time, witnessed the growth of the successor to the progenitor, the Heavenly Venerable Jeon Myeong-hoon. Now I simply wish to rest.”
“…Yeon-wi…”
Jeon Myeong-hoon, Kim Yeon, Oh Hyun-seok, and those who had gradually built a bond with Yeon-wi—Seo Ran and Hong Beom—wore deeply sorrowful expressions.
“…How much time remains?”
After reading the celestial phenomena, Yeon-wi answered Jeon Myeong-hoon’s question.
“Approximately seven years.”
Seven years.
A long time indeed for ordinary people.
Some might call it sufficient time to accomplish much.
Yet… for Yeon-wi, whose soul fragment bore the strength of a Wulin Immortal above Sachuk, seven years would be a torment filled only with endless resistance against the power of the Underworld.
Jeon Myeong-hoon closed his eyes and let out a sigh.
“…I pray your lifespan is lengthened.”
One by one, Kim Yeon, Oh Hyun-seok, Hong Beom, and Seo Ran joined Jeon Myeong-hoon in praying for Yeon-wi.
At that moment.
“May I also join this prayer?”
Seo Ran startled and stepped back, but Hong Beom blocked him.
Jeon Myeong-hoon scowled and looked toward the voice’s owner, while Kim Yeon glared at him with sharply alert eyes.
It was Seo Hyeol.
Jeon Myeong-hoon suppressed his irritation and asked.
“What is it? Sea Dragon King. What business brings you here?”
“I came here to pray for the well-being of Senior Yeon, as I mentioned moments ago.”
At those words, Kim Yeon spoke in a serious tone.
“Hummm…? Hummm… hummm… hummm… hummm… hummm… hummm… hummm…?”
“It seems you are doubting his sincerity.”
Hong Beom interpreted Kim Yeon’s words with concentrated effort and relayed them.
Seo Hyeol looked at Hong Beom.
More precisely, at the Seo Ran hidden behind him.
“From the Star Plate realm onward, beings capable of touching the names of the Underworld. Moreover… even the prayers of Star Plate cultivators alone can influence the names. A faint prayer might extend one’s allotted lifespan by one or two years.”
“Are you trying to extend Yeon-wi’s lifespan right now?”
“That is not my intent. I am merely offering a ‘favor.’ The favor of a Star Plate cultivator inherently carries the effect of lifespan extension… so I simply wish to pray while carrying my sincere heart.”
“Who are you to do this?”
“…I am a born Star Plate cultivator.”
Jeon Myeong-hoon, torn between slapping Seo Hyeol across the face and sighing, clicked his tongue.
“Do as you wish. If you do something suspicious, Seo Eun-hyun will stop you. But only if you display pure goodwill. If you reveal impure intentions, I will kill you on the spot—whether you are Seo Eun-hyun’s tool or his slave.”
“Huhu… hahaha…”
Jeon Myeong-hoon’s words were amusing to Seo Hyeol, who laughed.
Seo Hyeol briefly met Seo Ran’s eyes, then approached Yeon-wi, clasped his hands together in prayer, and bowed toward the land deities enshrined in the shrine as if praying.
He closed his eyes, erased the expression on his face, and opened his mouth.
“…For your well-being. I, Seo Hyeol, pray.”
Seo Hyeol slightly bowed his waist.
Yeon-wi nodded faintly in bewilderment, and Seo Hyeol smiled once more before turning and leaving the bedroom.
“Hey, Kim Yeon.”
Jeon Myeong-hoon asked, veins bulging on his face.
“I believe you specialize in consciousness. Did you sense any impure intention from Seo Hyeol just now?”
Yet Kim Yeon answered in a grave tone.
“Hummm… hummm… hummm… hummm… hummm… hummm… hummm…?”
“‘No. Surprisingly, that person was sincere.’”
Hong Beom strained his head and interpreted Kim Yeon’s language as best he could before conveying it to Jeon Myeong-hoon.
At that, Jeon Myeong-hoon glanced toward the direction Seo Hyeol had exited, visibly startled.
‘What…? His muddy soul was taken by Seo Eun-hyun. Even the tricks and schemes of that Sea Dragon King… Yet that insidious fellow just walked in and offered pure goodwill for Yeon-wi’s sake as if nothing happened?’
Jeon Myeong-hoon could not understand and stared at the place where Seo Hyeol had left.
* * *
After Seo Hyeol left, Seo Ran’s eyes sparkled.
‘…So that’s it.’
He approached Yeon-wi with a slightly excited expression and prayed with true sincerity.
‘Please, allow Senior Yeon’s lifespan to be extended even a little. O Heaven…’
Seo Hyeol had said.
‘That I am a born Star Plate cultivator.’
And Seo Ran was ‘Seo Hyeol’s true self.’
In other words, he was not yet aware.
Yet the words ‘Star Plate’ were spoken.
Therefore…
If Seo Ran prayed, it would surely be sufficient to extend Yeon-wi’s lifespan.
‘Kim Yeon-senpai couldn’t tell that Seo Hyeol was scheming. Moreover, Senior Seo Eun-hyun always watches me and Seo Hyeol closely, so if Seo Hyeol did anything, she would have noticed. Since neither of them said a word… it means it’s fine to pray as Seo Hyeol suggested!’
Seo Ran prayed for Yeon-wi with a heart of benevolence.
Please, let her remain a little longer by their side…
And at the same time, while reflecting on the heart of benevolence, Seo Ran realized one thing.
Seo Ran left Yeon-wi’s bedroom together with the others.
Jeon Myeong-hoon and the others soon left to resume their cultivation or assigned tasks, but Seo Ran detained one of them.
Kim Yeon.
“Kim Yeon-senpai. Now I finally understand.”
At those words, Kim Yeon—who had been about to leap into the sky—turned around and landed before Seo Ran once more.
“Hm?”
“…I don’t know why Seo Hyeol suddenly appeared right in front of me and showed himself openly. But… I think I finally understand now.”
Seo Ran felt oddly light.
“The weakness of the muddy soul… I have finally understood it. And… I believe I can finally be certain of the existence called ‘Seo Ran’.”
* * *
Somewhere far away in the Star Realm.
On one of the planets there, a woman was painting a picture.
She was the being named Seo Hye—split from Oh Hye-seo.
And suddenly, Seo Hye looked up at the sky.
“…Did you find the answer, Seo Ran?”
After splitting from Oh Hye-seo, she had pondered for thousands of years.
Alongside the muddy soul array of Seo Ran that clung to her soul.
She had connected with Seo Ran and pondered her own identity for so long.
And after thousands of years, she had learned the answer to Seo Ran’s existence.
* * *
In the depths of the muddy soul’s core.
Within the pitch-black darkness, an incarnation of Seo Hyeol clad in crimson-black robes—formed from the overlapping wills of countless Seo Hyeols—crawled across the floor and ground his teeth.
Crunch, crunch-crunch, crunch…
Black liquid flowed from his seven orifices and every part of his body.
The smile that had clung to Seo Hyeol’s lips had vanished, and he twisted his body in pain with a blank, emotionless expression.
Crunch-crunch…
Seo Hyeol grabbed his own chest and scraped the floor of the muddy soul’s core with his hand.
Each time, his nails tore out and black viscous fluid poured from his body.
Though his face remained expressionless, Seo Hyeol was undoubtedly suffering.
“…Have you established it, Seo Ran?”
* * *
Seo Ran stood before Kim Yeon with a face full of certainty.
Seo Eun-hyun, not performing an advancement ceremony—as a mortal race cultivator.
Seo Eun-hyun, as a Wulin martial artist.
Kim Yeon and Hong Beom, who stood there, listened together to Seo Ran’s answer.
“While spending time with the children of the Choryong clan… while remembering them and carrying them within my heart… while spending time with Seo Hye and with Siho… finally… today I have understood. No, rather, it was right that I have only now affirmed what I had already known.”
Seo Ran smiled brightly.
“The weakness of the muddy soul was benevolence. Although the muddy soul that rules the world… cannot invade the power of benevolence. That is why I was born into this world, receiving the benevolence and love of my mother.”
Kim Yeon smiled silently and took Seo Ran’s hand.
Hong Beom offered a slightly enigmatic smile while looking at Seo Ran.
“Even if I am not the true Seo Ran, it does not matter. I have already received and given countless benevolence and love from numerous connections. As long as the fact that I have shared benevolence remains… I am Seo Ran.”
Finally free from the burden that had long suppressed his heart.
Seo Ran smiled radiantly.
* * *
In a distant place in the Star Realm.
Through Seo Ran’s muddy soul array, Seo Hye—sharing Seo Ran’s enlightenment—shed tears.
“…I see, Seo Ran. Then… I am also Seo Hye.”
She looked at the stars in the sky with a face that felt strangely relieved.
“Thank you, Seo Ran…”
* * *
In the center of Yuri Samok Mountain.
Seo Eun-hyun smiled warmly while watching Seo Ran’s enlightenment together.
In his mind flickered the form of Seo Lip—his old friend from long ago, and at the same time, his child.
* * *
In the depths of the muddy soul’s core.
At that place, the suffering Seo Hyeol—vomiting black viscous fluid—finally gripped the floor and rose.
His pupils were so slit that they had become entirely crimson-black and shone dangerously.
“…Finally, I have reached it. The relic of the foreign dog.”
Crack! Boom!
Seo Hyeol gathered crimson light in his left hand, then clenched his left fist toward empty space.
When Seo Eun-hyun, Kim Yeon, and the others—upon obtaining great enlightenment—had finally uncovered the weakness of the muddy soul and begun establishing their own version, their focus had been entirely on Seo Ran.
Seo Hyeol deceived everyone’s gaze… and reached the ‘something’ he had targeted.
It might have been a stroke of luck that even Heaven’s Mandate could not have foreseen, yet Seo Hyeol had succeeded.
Seo Hyeol’s consciousness finally pierced deep into the inner space of Seo Eun-hyun’s mind world, which was weakened by the advancement.
He reached something buried in a deep corner of the colorless desert.
Long abandoned in a corner after becoming useless—Won Rip’s relic.
The blood body of Won Rip erupted with red light.
* * *
Inside the colorless desert.
Oh Hye-seo, who had wandered the barren land of the colorless desert for thousands of years, looked up at the sky with disheveled hair and shouted.
“Ah, aah? Aaaaaah!! A, uwaaaaaah!!”
Tears welled in her eyes.
Oh Hye-seo had always been emotionally sparse, yet the signal of thousands of years had forced even her sparse emotions to explode.
After wandering the barren land for thousands of years, half-mad with fear and loneliness toward Seo Eun-hyun, the moment the ‘signal of Seo Hyeol’ arrived.
Oh Hye-seo, who had almost forgotten human language, sat down in place and burst into tears.
Under the palm of the terrifying old monster Seo Eun-hyun, who sought to destroy the world.
The Sea Dragon King Seo Hyeol—who had inherited the blood of the divine Sea Dragon clan—had connected with the Holy Maiden Oh Hye-seo, the Sage of Ten Thousand Beasts who had been imprisoned for thousands of years.
Seo Hyeol, who had gambled his all for a thread of hope to become a body of freedom under Seo Eun-hyun’s hand that controlled the universe, now resolved to fight with all his might.
A desperate rebellion of Seo Hyeol began toward the being who had become like a god—Seo Eun-hyun.
===
Author’s Note: Seo Hyeol’s spring has begun.
??: Failure means rebellion…