Chapter 492
Chapter 492
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 492
Chapter Title: A Lost God of Thunder
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Whirrrrr.
Lei Bihun, who had been screaming at the top of his lungs, suddenly fell silent and began to tremble violently.
Thud.
He fainted on the spot.
“Brother Lei.”
Bu Eun-seol once again pressed against the Gate of Life acupoint and infused it with the Counter-Polarity True Ki.
After a while of pure true ki being injected,
Flash!
Lei Bihun’s eyes suddenly shot open, and he looked around with a dazed expression.
He looked as if he had just awoken from a long slumber.
“What happened here?”
Unlike before, his eyes were remarkably clear, and his voice was gentle.
He looked like a patient who had suffered from madness but had finally completed his treatment and recovered his original sanity.
“Where is this place? And who are you? Ugh.”
Lei Bihun, looking back and forth between Bu Eun-seol and Soyo, suddenly touched the crown of his head as if it were aching.
“Brother Lei, are you alright?”
“Brother Lei?”
Lei Bihun stared intently at Bu Eun-seol.
“Who… who am I?”
Lei Bihun’s eyes were clear, but he seemed unable to recall any memories.
“You mean to say you don’t even know who you are?”
“That is correct.”
Lei Bihun shook his head.
Then he stared fixedly at Bu Eun-seol’s face.
He had only seen Bu Eun-seol disguised as Seonwu Jin. He had never seen him as the rogue, Seol So.
“If I am your brother…”
Lei Bihun tilted his head.
“Does that mean you are my younger brother?”
With his madness gone, Lei Bihun’s eyes and tone were like those of an ordinary scholar.
Realizing his gaze and manner of speaking were completely different from usual, Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath.
*He’s lost all of his memories.*
Bu Eun-seol himself had once suffered a great shock, lost his memories, and become the beggar Mumu.
And now, Lei Bihun’s condition was a perfect match for his own when he had suffered from amnesia.
*Is it my turn to be the fatty now?*
Even though he had lost his memories after being defeated by Hyuk-ryeon Eung, he had been able to regain his original memories and power.
It was all thanks to a benefactor named Fatty.
Now, Lei Bihun had also lost his memories and all his power after being defeated by a descendant of the Sword Emperor.
It was now Bu Eun-seol's turn to become the benefactor and help him regain his strength.
“That’s right.”
Bu Eun-seol immediately changed his gaze and tone to be friendly and gentle.
“Are we not facing the same enemy?”
“The same enemy?”
“The Three Realms.”
“The Three Realms? Three…”
Upon hearing the words ‘Three Realms,’ Lei Bihun clutched his head in pain.
It seemed the tragic image of his child, who had been killed by the Three Realms, had come to mind.
*I should avoid that topic as much as possible.*
“But why am I in this forest like this?”
“Brother Lei, you were gravely injured while fighting a powerful foe. We must leave quickly.”
The Scorching River’s Purifying Ki had only reignited his life force.
There wasn't a single part of Lei Bihun’s body that was unharmed. If he wasn't treated soon, his body could suffer severe damage.
Float.
Bu Eun-seol used Void Grasp to lift Lei Bihun’s body into his arms and spoke calmly.
“Where are you planning to go?”
“Don’t we need to go to a physician?”
“A physician. Hmm.”
Lei Bihun, as if understanding, calmly entrusted his body to Bu Eun-seol.
Tap, tap.
Bu Eun-seol lightly pressed his acupoints.
Once he fell asleep,
Crack.
Bu Eun-seol’s face returned to its original form.
“Where are you going?”
Soyo asked worriedly.
After all, there weren’t many physicians in the world who could treat the Thunder God, especially one who had lost all his memories and power.
“Mount Geumwang.”
“So you’re going there.”
Soyo nodded.
The physician living on Mount Geumwang possessed the skill to treat the Thunder God, and fortunately, he resided not too far from their current location.
“That’s right. That’s the place.”
Bu Eun-seol immediately took off.
The place he headed for, carrying Lei Bihun in his arms,
was the estate of the King of Needles, Jongli Sahyeon.
Jongli Sahyeon was greatly surprised.
It was surprising enough that Bu Eun-seol, who had left after being slapped by him and his granddaughter, had returned to the estate.
But to suddenly bring an injured person and ask for treatment?
Moreover, that patient was none other than the man whose martial fame resounded throughout the world.
The Thunder God of the Four Gods and Seven Kings, Lei Bihun?
“I request your aid in his treatment.”
Without even asking about the situation, Jongli Sahyeon began to treat the deeply sleeping Lei Bihun.
He had immediately grasped the severity of his condition.
“No, this won’t do. I must first use the Primordial Golden Needle Technique.”
Jongli Sahyeon, who had been checking his meridians, noticed Lei Bihun’s breathing was uneven and brought him to the treatment room to begin applying golden needles.
As if to prove the gravity of his condition, Jongli Sahyeon’s movements as he inserted the needles were extremely cautious.
Finally, when he inserted a long golden needle into the Baihui point, Lei Bihun’s breathing stabilized.
Then, with a sigh, Jongli Sahyeon let out a deep breath and wiped away his sweat.
“What on earth happened?”
He asked again, looking at Lei Bihun who was deep in sleep, densely packed with golden needles.
“How did he end up in such a state?”
At Jongli Sahyeon’s question, Bu Eun-seol had no choice but to lie.
“I do not know. It seems he was ambushed by a formidable expert.”
“An ambush?”
“Yes.”
It was a lie for Lei Bihun’s sake as well.
He couldn’t bring himself to say that his family had been massacred by the Three Realms, which had driven him to madness.
But then, Jongli Sahyeon said something unexpected.
“Was it the Three Realms again?”
“You knew?”
“He has been chasing the Three Realms for a long time.”
Surprisingly, Jongli Sahyeon was well aware of Lei Bihun’s story, which was not known to the martial world.
“The reason he was afflicted with madness was that his family was massacred by the forces of the Three Realms.”
As Bu Eun-seol’s expression remained calm, Jongli Sahyeon’s eyes narrowed.
“You knew as well.”
“I did. I never imagined an elder like you would know of such circumstances.”
“I have spent half my life trying to eliminate the human puppets and soulless beings created by the Three Realms.”
Jongli Sahyeon smiled faintly.
“I have clashed with the Three Realms just as much as you have, you see.”
“Then you must have met Brother Lei while fighting the Three Realms.”
“Indeed. As I inevitably clashed with them, I naturally saw Lei Bihun, who was relentlessly pursuing them, quite often.”
Jongli Sahyeon wore a faint smile.
“You must have met him while clashing with the Three Realms as well. Is that not so?”
“That is correct. I received Brother Lei’s help several times.”
“Hahaha. To have formed a friendship with him while he was afflicted with madness. That is quite remarkable.”
“Is there no way to treat Brother Lei’s unstable mind?”
Jongli Sahyeon looked at the sleeping Lei Bihun and shook his head.
“In the past, his condition was not as severe as it is now. But no matter how hard he tried, he could not catch a trace of the Three Realms… and so his madness gradually worsened.”
He then let out a deep sigh.
“It is only thanks to the formidable recovery power rooted in his Thunder Spirit Arts that he is holding on. If he were an ordinary person, he would have gone completely mad long ago.”
“…”
“I heard he witnessed with his own two eyes his child’s and wife’s skulls being opened and their spinal fluid extracted. Yet even after all this time, he has not only failed to get revenge but has not even found the culprits… How could his mind remain intact?”
In a way, Lei Bihun’s story was similar to Bu Eun-seol’s.
Feeling a sense of pity, Bu Eun-seol asked.
“Then can his body be restored to its original state?”
Bu Eun-seol wore a serious expression.
“When I found him, he had completely lost his memories.”
“If he recovers his Thunder Spirit Arts, his memories will return as well. The damaged meridians in his brain will be restored by the Thunder Spirit Arts.”
Jongli Sahyeon pointed to the Baihui point on the sleeping Lei Bihun’s head.
“However, if his body recovers due to the Thunder Spirit Arts, his brain meridians will be shocked again.”
He clicked his tongue and said.
“Because of that, he will not remember the time he spent with amnesia. He will probably forget the fact that you saved him.”
*That’s even better.*
Bu Eun-seol had changed his face several times in front of the injured Lei Bihun.
If he were to forget all of that, it would actually be a good thing.
“However, that recovery is, in fact, an impossible task.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Bu Eun-seol wore a look of incomprehension.
“You said recovery is possible if his Thunder Spirit Arts are awakened.”
“Yes, I did.”
Jongli Sahyeon sighed and said.
“But the only thing that can awaken the Thunder Spirit Arts is the Thunder Spirit Arts themselves. Do you understand what I mean?”
“So… to awaken Brother Lei, another Thunder God who uses the Thunder Spirit Arts is needed?”
“Precisely.”
In short, to awaken his power, a person with Thunder Spirit Arts comparable to Lei Bihun’s was needed.
But in the entire martial world, the only person born with a Thunder Spirit Body was Lei Bihun…
Unless there was another Thunder God with the same power as him in the world, awakening the power of the Thunder Spirit Arts was an impossible task.
Bu Eun-seol thought for a moment, then his eyes flashed.
“The Thunder Spirit Arts are a force of nature. In that case, couldn’t we borrow the power of nature?”
“You are indeed clever.”
The King of Needles, Jongli Sahyeon, nodded.
“In the past, there was a Thunder God who reawakened his Thunder Spirit Arts in such a way.”
He shook his head and said.
“But it is no longer possible.”
“If a past Thunder God succeeded, we can succeed as well.”
“That is not what I mean.”
Jongli Sahyeon looked up at the sky in frustration.
“The lightning energy falling from the sky must be made to strike his body precisely, and a medium is needed to purify it and allow it to enter his body.”
Blinking as if trying to recall a distant memory, he shook his head.
“That is something that is impossible, even for you.”
“Is there anything impossible in this world?”
Bu Eun-seol said with an utterly serious expression.
“If you tell me the way, I will give it a try.”
“This is a matter that could shake your position. Do you understand what I mean?”
“It does not matter.”
“It does not matter?”
Jongli Sahyeon wore a look of bewilderment.
“Are you not the successor of the Demonic Palace? What is your reason for trying to help him, even at the risk of shaking that position?”
Bu Eun-seol also lost his family to the Three Realms, so he felt a great sense of kinship with Lei Bihun.
Not only that, but he had received his help several times.
Therefore, it was only right to repay that debt.
“As I said, I have received Brother Lei’s help several times. The enemies from the Three Realms attacked me, and Brother Lei helped me.”
“Such a thing happened?”
“Yes. Twice, in fact.”
Bu Eun-seol was the successor of the Demonic Palace; his movements were not revealed by the intelligence unit.
And when he traveled outside, he would always be accompanied by a suitable escort.
But for the Three Realms to directly target the successor of the Demonic Palace?
That was a story that made no sense.
“Sometimes I observe the state of the martial world without my subordinates.”
Bu Eun-seol, having seen through Jongli Sahyeon’s suspicion, calmly explained.
“And every time, they seize the opportunity to attack.”
“So that’s what happened.”
Jongli Sahyeon was originally a very suspicious person.
Although Bu Eun-seol’s words were full of holes, he did not press for details.
This was because he did not think of him as an outsider, but as a potential son-in-law for his beloved granddaughter.
For Jongli Sahyeon, who had walked the path of righteousness for generations, thinking of a demonic practitioner as a son-in-law was by no means an easy thing.
Perhaps it was only possible because he had met the free-spirited and unrestrained demonic swordsman, the Seven-Fingered Demonic Blade, Bu Jan-yang.
“But you must think carefully. This is not something that can be easily accomplished, even with your status.”
“I will surely succeed. Please tell me the way.”
As if he had no choice, Jongli Sahyeon opened his mouth.
“First, you must bring the treasure of the Beast Palace, the Divine Spirit Wood Staff. Only with it can you precisely draw the lightning from the sky—the lightning energy—into his body.”
The Beast Palace.
A mysterious sect in the southern lands, they use a mystical secret art called Mastery of Ten Thousand Beasts, allowing them to command all the animals in the world.
Not only that, but they were also famous for their Beast Martial Arts, created by mimicking the movements of beasts, and a secret technique called the Power of the Beast, which allowed them to wield the strength of animals.
The problem was that the Beast Palace did not interact with other sects at all, and they had a rule of never allowing outsiders inside.
“That is a difficult task.”
To enter the Beast Palace, which shuns contact with outsiders, and bring back the sacred treasure they revere.
But that was not all.
“Next, to receive the lightning energy from the sky into the body, you must go to the Soul-Forgetting Valley.”
“The Soul-Forgetting Valley, you say.”
“That’s right. You must obtain the Obsidian Leaf Stone there to be able to take the lightning energy into the body without damaging it.”
The Soul-Forgetting Valley.
That place was also located in the southern lands, and it was more of a community where people who live in harmony with nature gathered rather than a sect.
Only those who suffer from pain and agony can enter that place.
And once they enter, they are said to forget everything and live happily.
In the past, families or sects who doubted the true nature and intentions of the Soul-Forgetting Valley
had tried to forcibly enter the place several times.
—Does it make sense that they make you forget everything and let you live happily?
—The Soul-Forgetting Valley must be a heretical cult!
But the reality was completely different.
It was truly a beautiful place, like a paradise, where people cared for each other and lived simple lives.
And life there was so happy that once someone entered, they never wanted to leave the Soul-Forgetting Valley.
*The Beast Palace and the Soul-Forgetting Valley.*
Bu Eun-seol’s mouth fell open.
Jongli Sahyeon’s words about it being impossible were by no means an exaggeration.
“But if it were only this far, there might be a way.”
At that moment, Jongli Sahyeon’s lips parted.
“But it is because of the third thing you must do that I say it is an utterly impossible task.”
“What is it?”
“A place where powerful lightning energy frequently strikes. That place is the Sun-Scorched Dark Land, located within the Divine Water Palace.”
Bu Eun-seol inwardly gasped.
*So that’s why he said it was impossible.*
The Thunder God and the Water God had been on bad terms for generations.
The two powers were polar opposites, and the Thunder Spirit Clan and the Divine Water Palace had been feuding for ages.
There was no way the master of the Divine Water Palace would open the Sun-Scorched Dark Land to help revive the Thunder God.
“What do you think?”
“It is an impossible task… but I will see it done.”
“You really intend to do it.”
“I do.”
“You should think carefully.”
Seeing Bu Eun-seol’s eyes filled with unwavering conviction, Jongli Sahyeon took a deep breath.
“All three sects have no connection to the demonic path, and they possess formidable power and influence. If you act rashly, it could escalate into a problem between sects.”
“Thank you for your concern.”
But Bu Eun-seol’s expression did not change.
“I will definitely succeed.”
Bu Eun-seol had two reasons why he absolutely had to restore Lei Bihun’s power.
His injury was his fault. And before losing his memory, Lei Bihun had discovered the identity of the strange old man.
If Lei Bihun regained his power, that memory would also return.
Then he could identify the hidden identity of that strange old man, find him, and cut him down.
“There’s no helping it. I hope you succeed.”
“Thank you.”
Bu Eun-seol respectfully bowed his head and clasped his hands.
Even though Jongli Sahyeon was a member of the righteous faction, he had given him, a grandmaster of the demonic path, his unsparing advice and concern.
For that alone, he could bow his head without hesitation.
*Come to think of it, he’s different from last time.*
Only then did Jongli Sahyeon sense something was amiss.
When he came to apologize for deceiving him about his identity… his aura had somehow lightened.
And it seemed he hadn't made much progress in his martial arts.
But looking at him now, he was overflowing with the aura of a peerless grandmaster who looked down upon the world.
And wasn't his aura also completely relaxed, like the moonlight in the night sky?
*That kid, I really like him.*
Previously, although he had accepted the apology, he thought he was someone who could not be with Sayu.
But looking at him now, didn't he feel a desire to make him his son-in-law, even if it meant turning his back on the world?
“Ahem, come to think of it, I heard the story from Sayu before.”
Jongli Sahyeon cleared his throat.
“Have your thoughts changed since then?”
Bu Eun-seol had not heard a proper explanation from Seo Jin-ha.
But seeing that Jongli Sahyeon’s gaze was warm and favorable, he could feel that she hadn’t resolved things badly.
“It is… just as I said.”
As Bu Eun-seol mumbled, Jongli Sahyeon made a tutting sound.
“You are a frustrating one. How can the successor of the Ten Demonic Sects hesitate and act shy like a nun from a Daoist temple?”
As Bu Eun-seol’s eyes widened, Jongli Sahyeon spoke in a friendly voice.
“A flower’s beauty lasts but ten days. Youth and beauty are but a moment, they do not last long.”
“…”
“Otherwise, that girl will spend all her youthful days wandering the martial world, providing medical aid, just like she is now.”
For a moment, the bright smile of Seo Jin-ha as she left the Jongli estate flashed through Bu Eun-seol’s mind.
*Surely she didn’t make some kind of outlandish promise?*
“I have many things I must do.”
“Yes, that’s what you said. And Sayu understands that as well.”
From the reply, it seemed that fortunately, Seo Jin-ha had not made any empty promises.
“Lei Bihun’s body will recover soon.”
As if he had no choice, Jongli Sahyeon spoke in a low voice.
“But do not, under any circumstances, overdo it. They are, after all, sects outside the Central Plains, and meddling with them will only lead to troublesome matters.”
Bu Eun-seol once again respectfully clasped his hands.
“I understand. Thank you.”
Lei Bihun was sitting in the recovery room of the Jongli estate, having a meal.
Jongli Sahyeon’s acupuncture and medical skills were miraculous, having healed all the internal and external injuries he had sustained.
However, because the meridians in his brain were damaged and his Thunder Spirit Arts had disappeared, he had lost all his power and memories as the Thunder God.
Slurp. Slurp.
He was eating the warm, meat-filled noodles provided by the people of the Jongli estate.
As deliciously as someone who had starved for days.
He looked not like the Thunder God who made the world tremble, but like a simple scholar.
“Brother Lei.”
When Bu Eun-seol opened the door and entered, Lei Bihun wiped his mouth and smiled brightly.
“You’ve come.”
“Do you recognize me?”
From the appearance of Seonwu Jin to that of Seol So.
And now, even though he had changed to Bu Eun-seol’s appearance, he recognized him without any trouble.
“Of course, I do. You are my younger brother.”
Lei Bihun said with a low laugh.
“Changing faces is an easy task for martial artists.”
Looking at his pure smile, Bu Eun-seol suddenly felt a pang in his heart.
His body and mind had been broken by the Three Realms, and he had lived solely for revenge… only to end up losing all his memories.
But now, he looked like a gentle scholar with a bright, innocent smile.
As if… he had lived his whole life cherishing happy memories.
For a moment, a strange conflict arose in Bu Eun-seol’s mind.
*Is it truly the right thing to do, to help him regain his power?*
Having witnessed the gruesome deaths of his son and wife, Lei Bihun had lived as a madman under a great shock.
But now, with his memories gone, Lei Bihun’s expression was incomparably peaceful.
*Brother Lei.*
Bu Eun-seol bit his lip.
As much as he had lived in agony,
Lei Bihun had the right to forget it.
If someone wanted to forget their past, one should never interfere with that.
“You look like you’re about to cry.”
Just then, Lei Bihun said something strange.
“Like a child putting on a brave face, even though he’s sad.”