Chapter 496
Chapter 496
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 496
Chapter Title: Valley of Oblivion
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“Palace Lord.”
Dae Gu-hwi bowed his head, suppressing his pounding heart.
In the past, he had been favored, but after losing his Power of the Beast, Dae Gon had cut off all interest as if he were a different person.
Furthermore, despite knowing the many hardships Dae Gu-hwi faced due to his jealous brothers, he had never once offered help.
And now that he had won the Beast Tournament with the help of these two… Dae Gon might even find it displeasing.
“These two are.”
Just as Dae Gu-hwi began to speak with a stutter,
“Quiet.”
Dae Gon’s low, solemn voice was heard.
Dae Gu-hwi broke into a cold sweat and stepped back.
“Return for now.”
“What?”
Startled, Dae Gu-hwi lifted his head without thinking.
Dae Gon’s expression was hard, his piercing eyes blazing like the sun.
‘Is the Palace Lord angry?’
Is it because these two were suddenly invited outsiders? Or because I produced the winner?
Suppressing his complicated thoughts, Dae Gu-hwi courageously opened his mouth again.
“Palace Lord, I…”
“I told you to return.”
At Dae Gon’s solemn words, Dae Gu-hwi bit his lip.
He bowed his head and fled the tent as if escaping.
Once Dae Gu-hwi had left the tent, Dae Gon’s tiger-like eyes flashed as he looked at Noe Bi-hon.
“So.”
He snorted, his thick eyebrows twitching as he spoke.
“Why has the Thunder God, who holds sway over the Central Plains, hidden his identity to come to my palace?”
It turned out he had already identified Noe Bi-hon.
“You’d best answer well.”
An aura like that of Mount Tai poured from Dae Gon’s body.
“Unless you thought my palace was a place anyone could just come and stir up trouble.”
The Beast Tournament was a place to gauge the abilities of the successors.
He seemed to think that Noe Bi-hon had arbitrarily entered the Beast Palace and ruined the Beast Tournament.
“My younger brother will speak.”
Since Bu Eun-seol had planned everything, it seemed right to let him explain.
At Noe Bi-hon’s words, Bu Eun-seol nodded and stepped forward.
“Palace Lord, to be frank, Brother Noe has lost both his strength and his memories.”
Dae Gon’s eyes flashed.
The Thunder God, one of the Four Deities, whose fame was like the sun in the sky, had lost both his strength and memories?
Moreover, this was the main camp of the Beast Palace.
If Dae Gon had ill intentions, he could instantly gain the immense fame of having slain one of the Four Deities.
But Bu Eun-seol continued speaking with an unconcerned expression.
“And to restore Brother Noe’s power, we need the Palace Lord’s help.”
“Astonishing.”
Dae Gon stroked his chin.
“The great Thunder God has lost his power. And so, he needs my help… is that it?”
Stroking his chin, Dae Gon asked in an exceedingly low voice.
“Why tell me all this so honestly?”
The first thing to avoid in negotiations is showing all your cards.
“Since when did you trust me?”
“I don’t trust you, Palace Lord.”
“Then?”
Bu Eun-seol spoke without hesitation, full of confidence.
“Because this is the Beast Palace.”
This statement held many meanings.
In the Beast Palace, schemes and tricks were useless.
Generation after generation, the lords of the Beast Palace had led it by trusting their sharp, beast-like senses and instincts.
Bu Eun-seol was well aware of this, and he was saying that was why he had confessed everything honestly.
“You didn’t trust me, but the palace itself… I see.”
Dae Gon unknowingly let a pleased smile grace his lips.
As the lord who led the Beast Palace, and as a disciple of the Beast Palace, it was the highest of compliments.
“To say such a thing, you must have already grasped my personality as well.”
“That is correct.”
Through the Soul Annihilation Brigade, Bu Eun-seol had discerned that Dae Gon was filled with pride as the Lord of the Beast Palace and utterly despised strategists who solved everything with their minds.
What if Noe Bi-hon or Bu Eun-seol had revealed their identities and made a grand entrance, or tried to meet him through some scheme?
He would never have dealt with them.
But Bu Eun-seol and Noe Bi-hon had not revealed their identities until the very end, willingly following the laws of the Beast Palace.
And even in an unfair situation, they had silently competed in the Beast Tournament and finally stood in this place.
He had predicted that, seeing that alone, Dae Gon would acknowledge their efforts thus far.
“Is that so?”
Just then, Noe Bi-hon said something unexpected.
“I thought you trusted Gu-hwi.”
“Gu-hwi?”
Dae Gon frowned.
“It seems the great Thunder God’s insight has finally failed him.”
He then clicked his tongue and said,
“That boy can’t even manifest the Power of the Beast and is ostracized by his brothers. In short, he’s a scarecrow successor with no real power.”
“As his father, you know nothing.”
Noe Bi-hon said confidently.
“I don’t know if he has power or not, but Gu-hwi is a child of integrity and upright character. If you can’t trust a child like that in this world, your eyes are either for decoration or you’ve sprained them.”
“What did you just say?”
An indescribably powerful energy erupted from Dae Gon’s body.
The energy seemed to fill the massive tent and press down on Noe Bi-hon’s body.
“Are you deaf as well?”
At that, Noe Bi-hon’s perpetually gentle expression froze like a glacier.
“I said if you can’t trust a child like that, your eyes are either for decoration or you’ve sprained them.”
Silence fell for a while.
If Dae Gon’s anger were to explode here, Bu Eun-seol would have to face all thirty thousand disciples of the Beast Palace.
“Hoo hoo hoo. Hahahaha!”
Suddenly, Dae Gon burst into a roar of laughter.
His laughter was so thunderous that the entire tent seemed to shake.
“Yes, that’s right. If you can’t trust a child like that, your eyes must be for decoration.”
His laughter ceased, and he wore a bitter expression.
“It’s just that his talent was sealed away because his mother died a violent death, and he witnessed that gruesome end.”
Noe Bi-hon looked puzzled.
It seemed he cared for Dae Gu-hwi deeply, did he not?
“Knowing that, why didn’t you help the boy?”
“Before I am a father, I am the lord who leads the Beast Palace. I cannot devote special attention to just one child.”
He then sighed in a low voice.
“And to become a warrior who leads this palace, one must overcome any hardship on their own.”
Surprisingly, Dae Gon had believed in Dae Gu-hwi all along.
Because he had inherited outstanding talent.
He was certain that his son would escape despair on his own and once again display his amazing gifts.
“So, Brother Noe, what is it that you want?”
In truth, Dae Gon had instantly recognized that the flash of light Noe Bi-hon used to destroy the mechanism of the Beast Pen was the Divine Thunder Arts.
Yet he neither pointed it out nor questioned it.
It was because the great master of the Central Plains, the Thunder God, had lowered his status and body to serve under Dae Gu-hwi.
Considering the name and status of the Thunder God, no one would have objected if he had immediately requested a private audience.
Yet he had entered under his son’s command and competed in the Beast Tournament.
That sincerity alone was enough for Dae Gon to feel a liking for Noe Bi-hon.
Noe Bi-hon glanced at Bu Eun-seol, who immediately stepped forward.
“We need the Divine Spirit Staff.”
“The Divine Spirit Staff. I see.”
The Divine Spirit Staff, despite its name, was a smooth rod made of metal.
It was also equipped with a mechanism that allowed it to be folded in layers, so its length could be adjusted.
In the past, the Beast Palace used this Divine Spirit Staff to repel the evil energy lingering near the palace and to purify the land.
But since the power of lightning was no longer needed, it had been stored in the treasury.
“I’ll lend it to you.”
Dae Gon answered readily without further words.
What benefits would he receive for lending it? What would they do for him? He didn’t ask such questions.
This young man and Noe Bi-hon.
He could feel that they were the type of people who would surely repay a debt of gratitude.
‘What a relief.’
Bu Eun-seol let out an inward sigh of relief.
He had chosen the method of entering the Beast Palace by using Dae Gu-hwi, whom Dae Gon cherished.
Perhaps Dae Gon had guessed this entire scheme and could have been displeased.
But the gamble had paid off.
Dae Gon had understood their efforts and was subtly pleased that they had helped Dae Gu-hwi.
Because he secretly cared for him.
What if the Soul Annihilation Brigade hadn't obtained that information? Bu Eun-seol would never have acquired the Divine Spirit Staff so easily.
“However.”
Dae Gon rose to his feet and spoke.
“There is a condition.”
Dae Gon took a deep breath and said,
“Gu-hwi, that child, is a talent who can master the Way of the Beast of our palace to its very peak. But despite having outstanding talent, he has not been able to blossom.”
Standing up, Dae Gon’s presence was as overwhelming as a giant elephant.
“Take him with you and let him gain some experience. So that he can once again wield the Power of the Beast.”
“That is…”
Bu Eun-seol couldn’t answer easily.
This journey was less a trek through the perilous martial world and more a series of visits to hidden sects.
“The rest of our journey is not a perilous adventure in the martial world, but rather visiting sects to ask for their cooperation.”
“It doesn’t matter. I will be satisfied with you just taking him along.”
Dae Gon smiled faintly.
“You already have a track record of brilliantly making the talents of a young martial prodigy blossom, don’t you?”
In that moment, Bu Eun-seol realized that Dae Gon had figured out his identity.
‘It must be because of the Beast Arts.’
Thanks to learning the Beast Arts, Bu Eun-seol had been able to absorb the Beast Palace's martial arts at once.
And the only one who had mastered the Beast Arts at such a young age was Bu Eun-seol, the successor of Nangya Pavilion.
And the fact that Bu Eun-seol, the successor of Nangya Pavilion, had helped the talent of Hyeok So-jin, the successor of the Heaven-Severing Earth-Annihilating Sect, to blossom… was known throughout the martial world.
“In any case, you’ll need someone to retrieve the Divine Spirit Staff when you’re done with it, won’t you? I’m asking you for a favor.”
Bu Eun-seol sighed.
When the lord of the great Beast Palace put it like that, there was no longer any reason to refuse.
“I understand. However, I cannot guarantee that he will master the Way of the Beast during this journey.”
“Of course. As I said, I’ll be satisfied just by you taking him along.”
“Very well.”
As Bu Eun-seol nodded, Dae Gon spoke with an uncharacteristically gentle expression.
“I’m counting on you.”
It was a polite gesture, like a father sending his child to an excellent master.
Dae Gon. He truly cherished Dae Gu-hwi and was only lamenting that his talent had not yet blossomed.
But now that he had a good teacher, he was confident that his son would surely master the Way of the Beast.
“Palace Lord!”
At that moment, with a scream-like cry, Dae Gu-hwi burst into the tent.
The guards who were protecting the tent, flustered, tried to drag him out.
“Forgive us! We told him he couldn’t go back in, but he insisted…”
“It’s fine. Leave him be.”
Dae Gon dismissed the guards.
“What brings you here?”
“Well…”
Dae Gu-hwi looked at Bu Eun-seol and Noe Bi-hon.
When he heard Dae Gon’s roar of laughter, he was certain that something had gone terribly wrong.
—The Palace Lord did not want me to win.
He must have looked into the two men’s backgrounds and realized they weren’t his subordinates but hastily recruited help.
He thought the enraged Palace Lord had taken action against the two.
—I can’t just stand by and watch!
He couldn’t let the two who had trusted him and participated in the Beast Tournament die at the Palace Lord’s hands. He had risked his life and rushed back into the tent.
‘What’s going on?’
But now that he looked, nothing seemed to be wrong, and there was even a hint of a smile on the faces of the two men.
“Why did you return?”
At Dae Gon’s question, Dae Gu-hwi stammered.
“I… I thought you were displeased with these two and were going to take action against them.”
“What are you talking about?”
Dae Gu-hwi couldn’t meet Dae Gon’s solemn gaze and lowered his head.
“Because… you wouldn’t want me to win.”
Dae Gon furrowed his brow.
Only now did he realize that Dae Gu-hwi not only resented him but also held a deep misunderstanding.
It was a common misunderstanding that stoic fathers received from their children.
“All I did was… bring these two here to participate in the Beast Tournament and reap the benefits.”
“Meeting capable individuals like them is also a part of your ability.”
Dae Gon said in a low voice.
“I have waited a long time. For you to break through. And for a good connection to come your way.”
Dae Gon knew full well that Dae Gu-hwi was constantly being checked by his brothers.
And because of that, his subordinates who were supposed to participate in the Beast Tournament had been seriously injured.
But heaven helps those who help themselves.
Dae Gu-hwi did not despair and continued to strive, and by connecting with such outstanding individuals, he had won the Beast Tournament.
“Then why until now…”
Dae Gu-hwi bit his lip.
“Why did you treat me so coldly until now?”
Unable to contain the sorrow bursting from his heart, Dae Gu-hwi spoke as if accusing him.
“Why did you stand by while I received baseless jealousy and ostracism from my brothers?”
“Hah.”
Dae Gon let out a deep sigh, his expression complex as if various emotions had surfaced at once.
“To become a talent that can lead this palace, one must overcome trials on their own. Just because someone has special talent, the Palace Lord could not favor one person.”
Shaking his head, he looked down at Dae Gu-hwi.
“But now that you’ve won, you will gradually gain followers within the palace. Continue to work hard from now on.”
The answer was so unexpected that Dae Gu-hwi looked dumbfounded.
He had always resented Dae Gon’s cold attitude.
He had thought of him as a heartless father who couldn’t stand his child’s incompetence.
But the reality was… because he believed in him, and because he believed his son would break through the trials on his own.
He had been waiting calmly.
“Leave.”
Dae Gon, perhaps thinking he had spoken too much, said coldly again.
“My conversation isn’t over. If you interrupt again, you will be severely punished.”
Outside, Dae Gu-hwi stared at the distant sky as if in a dream.
‘Was I just a naive child?’
The next lord to lead the Beast Palace must not yield to any trial.
The father he had always resented had simply been believing and waiting. It was he who had twisted and misunderstood his intentions.
If so, he had to change from now on.
‘I… will try again.’
Dae Gu-hwi clenched his fists.
After losing the Power of the Beast, he had given up on becoming the Palace Lord from the start.
He had only wanted to protect his position as a successor because he wanted to be acknowledged as his father’s son.
But his mind had changed.
He would once again gather supporters and compete fairly with his brothers.
‘Mother, please watch over me.’
From now on, he would do his utmost to be able to wield the Power of the Beast again.
And if he could make his talent blossom once more… Dae Gu-hwi could become the successor who would lead the Beast Palace.
***
The Divine Spirit Staff, contrary to its name, was a smooth rod made of metal.
It was also equipped with a mechanism that allowed it to be folded in layers, so its length could be adjusted.
Under Dae Gon’s orders, Dae Gu-hwi was leaving the Beast Palace with the Divine Spirit Staff in hand, along with Bu Eun-seol and the others.
“I’m in your care, Great Warrior Noe, Young Master Seol.”
Dae Gu-hwi must have heard from Dae Gon that Noe Bi-hon was the Thunder God who looked down upon the martial world, as his attitude had become extremely cautious.
“What’s there to be in my care for?”
Noe Bi-hon showed an easygoing smile.
“You have already mastered a great martial art. You just need to draw it out again, so there’s no need to worry too much.”
“Thank you.”
The two talking affectionately looked like a father and son.
Bu Eun-seol gave a faint smile and nodded.
“Let’s depart.”
After leaving the Beast Palace, Bu Eun-seol’s party immediately headed for Yunnan.
There was a sect there that possessed the second sacred object that could revive Noe Bi-hon’s Divine Thunder Arts.
The Valley of Oblivion.
Contrary to its grim name, which suggested one would even forget their soul, it was a place where masters weary of the martial world went into seclusion.
Or where those suffering from anguish went to seek refuge.
This was because upon entering the Valley of Oblivion, one could forget all their painful memories and live in peace.
However, not just anyone could enter the Valley of Oblivion.
Only those who could naturally pass through the Ghost Valley Gate, set up by the Valley of Oblivion, could enter.
It was said that the Ghost Valley Gate was not meant to harm people but to select those who had a reason to enter the Valley… those with unforgettable pain.
If one was not qualified to enter the Valley of Oblivion, they would supposedly just wander around inside the Ghost Valley Gate and eventually exit naturally.
There was a time when many in the martial world wished to enter the Valley of Oblivion.
This was due to the rumor that once one set foot there, they could live so happily that they would never come out to the outside world again.
In fact, some of the martial masters who had entered the Valley of Oblivion had come out again at the request of their families and sects.
—I hate the outside. I will return to the Valley of Oblivion.
But without exception, those who came out of the Valley of Oblivion wished to go back in.
They said it was like a celestial realm where only happiness and beauty remained, a place incomparably blissful compared to the outside world.
In the end, those who had come out at the request of their sects and families returned to the Valley of Oblivion.
—Let’s go to the Valley of Oblivion too!
And as such rumors spread, countless people flocked to the Valley of Oblivion.
—There are conditions to enter the Valley of Oblivion.
Then, the Lord of the Valley of Oblivion spoke to the gathered people.
—First, you must be a martial artist who has fallen into despair, and second, you must pass through the Ghost Valley Gate to enter.
Despite these conditions, countless people still flocked to the Valley of Oblivion.
But contrary to expectations, all those who had rushed to enter the Valley of Oblivion came out again with disappointed expressions.
Life in the Valley of Oblivion, from the perspective of an ordinary person, was not prosperous at all and was far from happy.
—The legend of the Valley of Oblivion was a lie.
As the countless people who had entered spread this word, the fervent interest in the Valley of Oblivion vanished in an instant, and now, even the fact that such a place existed was forgotten.
On the mountainside of Mount Cheonpung in Yunnan, there was an uninhabited villa.
Perhaps due to the eerie atmosphere with fog rising from all directions, the closed gate of the villa looked like an entrance to hell.
*Thud, thud.*
But just then, three shadows walked through the fog. It was Bu Eun-seol’s party.
“So this is the mechanism that tests those who would enter the Valley of Oblivion.”
Noe Bi-hon muttered as he looked up at the villa, and Dae Gu-hwi wore a worried expression.
“Will we be able to enter?”
He also seemed to know the stories of the Valley of Oblivion, his expression anxious.
“According to the rumors back then, only martial artists full of worries and anxieties could enter.”
Then, Bu Eun-seol said calmly,
“If we can’t get in, we’ll have to make a way in.”
He had to enter the Valley of Oblivion and obtain the Profound Leaf Stone.
To find the descendant of the Blade Emperor.
And to find the true form of Noe Bi-hon, sealed in oblivion.
*Thud, thud.*
Bu Eun-seol walked towards the villa without hesitation.
*Creeak.*
As he went inside, the old door opened by itself.
The inside was filled with darkness, looking as if a giant monster had opened its cavernous mouth.
“Let’s go.”
At Bu Eun-seol’s words, Noe Bi-hon and Dae Gu-hwi followed him.
*Thud.*
The villa door closed.
Instantly, the surroundings were plunged into darkness.
It seemed a formation had been activated.
*Saaa.*
But at some point, a brilliant light began to appear before their eyes, and the surroundings started to turn white.
As the light gradually faded, an unbelievable scene unfolded before them.
The dark interior of the villa had suddenly transformed into a beautiful garden where bright flowers bloomed and a fragrant floral scent could be smelled.
*Whoosh.*
A soft, warm breeze blew from somewhere.
And every time that breeze brushed through their hair, faint memories began to flow into their minds.
They were the happiest moments from their lives so far. For Bu Eun-seol, they were memories of his time with Bu Zhan-yang.
‘Is this possible with a formation?’
Bu Eun-seol couldn’t hide his surprise.
He had reached the state of Spiritual Insight, allowing him to block any intrusion into his mind.
Yet just by looking at the surrounding scenery and smelling the fragrant flowers… it made him recall happy memories?
‘An illusion?’
A chill went down Bu Eun-seol’s spine.
Could it be that the one who set up this garden within the mechanism had reached the Transcendent Realm?
That just by entering this space, they were drawing out memories buried deep within one’s heart?