Chapter 135: Making a Decision
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 135: Making a Decision
"That’s impossible."
Sun-woo shook his head firmly.
While it was the most certain method, they were out of time. Using this incident as a pretext, the Five Great Clans would begin to tighten their noose around the Tang Clan. There was no way they would wait for Sun-woo to grow stronger.
Even if the Yin-Yang Demon helped him become stronger than Hwangbo Gang, by the time he achieved that, the Tang Clan would have already been swallowed whole or destroyed.
"And why is that?"
"By the time I possess enough martial power to surpass Hwangbo Gang, the Tang Clan will already be ruined."
"You needn't worry about that. Didn't I tell you? They will opt for subtle methods rather than overt pressure. The clan can hold out for at least a few months."
The Yin-Yang Demon continued as if it were no big deal.
"Even if they hold out for a few months, it’s still a problem. I don't have the confidence to surpass Hwangbo Gang in such a short time."
Sun-woo spoke with a lack of conviction. It was simply too much.
The Transcendent Realm was an incredibly lofty state of being. The gap between the Initial Stage and the Mid-Transcendent Realm was technically only one step, but climbing that step required enlightenment through relentless cultivation. This enlightenment was so profound that some could spend their entire lives training and never achieve it without the right catalyst.
And he was supposed to gain such enlightenment in just a few months? It was nonsense.
"Hehehehe."
It was then. The Yin-Yang Demon let out a sinister chuckle.
"My disciple, my foolish disciple. Do you really think I would suggest something impossible to you?"
The smile vanished from the Yin-Yang Demon's lips as he continued.
"Three months is plenty."
His voice was thick with confidence.
"That is all the time you need to look down on the likes of Hwangbo Gang."
The Yin-Yang Demon spoke with absolute certainty.
*
Sun-woo stared blankly at him.
To look down on Hwangbo Gang, being at the Initial Stage of the Transcendent Realm wasn't enough. He would need to reach at least the Mid-Stage, or perhaps even the Upper Stage, to truly stand above him.
Just what kind of confidence allowed the Yin-Yang Demon to make such a bold claim?
"Tsk, tsk. You suspicious brat."
As if reading Sun-woo’s thoughts, the Yin-Yang Demon clicked his tongue. It seemed this foolish disciple had zero respect for his master.
"Master, I appreciate you overestimating me, but I’ve only just reached the Initial Stage of the Transcendent Realm. How can I possibly look down on Hwangbo Gang, who has reached at least the Mid-Stage, in only three months?"
Sun-woo argued, finding the idea absurd. The peak of the Transcendent Realm was a level one might not reach even after a lifetime of cultivation. To achieve that in three months? Where did this confidence come from?
"It is true that surpassing Hwangbo Gang through conventional means is impossible. Even I don't have the confidence to raise someone who just entered the Transcendent Realm to its absolute peak in three months."
"See? I told you."
Sun-woo agreed with him.
"However, it is entirely possible through unconventional means."
"What do you mean by that?" Sun-woo asked, puzzled.
"The Great Shift of Heaven and Earth."
"What!?" Sun-woo blurted out in shock.
"If you learn the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth, it is well within your reach."
The Yin-Yang Demon wore a deep smirk as he watched Sun-woo’s bewildered expression.
*
The Great Shift of Heaven and Earth.
Originally transmitted from Persia, it was the supreme martial art of the West and a Cult Protection Martial Art that only the leaders of the Demonic Cult were permitted to learn.
As befitting a Cult Protection Martial Art, its utility was extraordinary. Simply learning it caused one's physical abilities to soar exponentially. Upon reaching mastery, one gained the divine technique to redirect any force, regardless of its nature.
Thus, many said that if there were more than ten people who mastered the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth, even the Emperor’s army of a million would have nothing to fear. That was how highly its power was regarded.
Sun-woo’s jaw dropped. He was stunned by the offer to teach him such a technique.
"Why no answer?" the Yin-Yang Demon asked.
"Can... can I really learn that?" Sun-woo stammered.
The Great Shift of Heaven and Earth! What kind of technique was it? It was a martial art so profound that no one below the rank of the Demonic Cult Leader was allowed to touch it. How could he possibly learn it?
"I learned it, so why should you be any different?" the Yin-Yang Demon replied nonchalantly.
"Wait, isn't that a martial art reserved only for the Cult Leader? How did you learn it?"
"I stole it," the Yin-Yang Demon answered clearly.
"What!?" Sun-woo asked again, stunned.
"I was planning on leaving the Demonic Cult anyway, and I felt it would be a shame to leave empty-handed. So, I stole it without a second thought."
"..."
Sun-woo was speechless at the sheer boldness of the Yin-Yang Demon, who had stolen a Cult Protection Martial Art just because he didn't want to leave "empty-handed."
"Anyway, if you can just master the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth, you'll be able to handle Hwangbo Gang with ease."
The Yin-Yang Demon ignored Sun-woo’s reaction and continued. Sun-woo nodded slowly. It was true—if he could master that technique, defeating someone like Hwangbo Gang might actually be possible. The Great Shift of Heaven and Earth was one of the most unique and alien martial arts in the history of the Murim. Its power was proven; it could exert utility that transcended one's actual realm.
But then, a problem occurred to him.
"Isn't the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth a martial art of the Demonic Cult?"
"It is."
"Then how does it make sense for the Tang Clan Head to be using it!"
He was right. If he were to perform the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth, the Cheonmu Alliance would brand him a puppet of the Demonic Cult and declare him a Public Enemy of the Murim.
"It’s fine. You’ll be focusing on physical enhancement rather than redirecting force anyway."
"Huh?"
Sun-woo was confused. Physical enhancement? What did that mean?
"As you know, the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth is a divine technique that redirects force. But that isn't its only use."
The Yin-Yang Demon walked slowly toward the corner of the cavern. He placed his hand against the wall and slowly dragged it across the surface.
Scritch, scritch, scritch.
The wall beneath his fingertips began to gouge out, and stone dust poured down.
"In this way, it can also drastically increase your physical capabilities."
Sun-woo’s mouth hung open. Without using a single drop of internal energy, the man had carved through a stone wall using nothing but the strength of his fingers. It was an unbelievable display of power and durability.
"If you learn it properly, you can gain power equivalent to your blood acceleration. And you can do it without any burden on your body."
Gulp.
Sun-woo instinctively swallowed hard. If what he said was true, defeating Hwangbo Gang wasn't just a dream. Sun-woo knew the power of his Awakening better than anyone. He also knew that the more he used it, the greater the strain on his body, literally shaving away his lifespan. Yet, the power was so seductive that he was willing to accept the risk.
But to gain the same effect as a constant Awakening without any burden? It was an utility so insane it defied words.
What if he used his Awakening while already empowered by the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth? What if he used the Bow-Body Shadow-Flicker in that state? He would possess terrifying martial prowess.
Sun-woo’s eyes began to sparkle like stars. Hope had returned.
"Can I really learn the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth in three months?" Sun-woo asked, his voice slightly trembling with anticipation. He wanted the technique desperately, but he lacked the confidence to master it so quickly.
"It’s impossible," the Yin-Yang Demon replied flatly.
Sun-woo looked bewildered. Didn't he just say it was possible?
"Under normal circumstances, that is."
The Yin-Yang Demon added a caveat with a smirk. This foolish disciple’s expressions changed so often that he was quite fun to tease.
"But there is a way."
Color returned to Sun-woo’s face.
"However, you must put your life on the line. I ask you now."
The Yin-Yang Demon locked eyes with Sun-woo.
"Are you prepared to risk your life?"
He asked in a tone of absolute gravity. The playful master was gone, replaced by a man with sharp eyes and an incredibly serious expression.
Gulp.
Facing that intensity, Sun-woo swallowed again. He wanted to say yes immediately, but the answer didn't come easily. Could he really risk his life? A question began to rise from the depths of his heart.
He had already saved the life of Ok-ryeong, the woman he loved most. Was there really a need to go this far? Wouldn't it be better to just let the Tang Clan fall and run away to live in hiding with Ok-ryeong?
That temptation swirled in his mind for a long time.
Then.
Slap!
Sun-woo struck his own cheek hard.
Slap! Slap! Slap!
One wasn't enough. He struck himself several more times before his hand finally stopped.
"Pah!"
His mouth was cut, and he spat out a mouthful of blood onto the floor.
I was being pathetic.
Sun-woo blamed himself for even considering such a thing. He apologized in his heart to Tang Seo-yoon and Madam Tang. He reflected on his foolishness for momentarily forgetting them and succumbing to temptation. He had already formed precious bonds beyond just Ok-ryeong. He couldn't abandon them for his own comfort.
"I'll do it. I'll risk my life," Sun-woo said firmly, looking at his master.
"Heh."
The Yin-Yang Demon burst into laughter. He thought to himself that the boy’s tendency to be led by his heart remained unchanged. He had stolen the Poison Essence to save one girl, and now he was going to fight the Hwangbo Clan to protect the Tang Clan. It was nothing short of delightful.
"Good. If you are willing to risk your life, I will ensure you master the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth."
The Yin-Yang Demon spoke with absolute conviction. It looked like it was going to be a very interesting three months.
*
Heavenly Moon Palace
"Sigh."
A woman sat in a chair and let out a long sigh. Dressed in silk robes as white as fallen snow, she was Joo So-yang, the Heavenly Sword Empress—the primary wife of the World's Greatest Martial Artist, Lee Jae-won, and the woman hailed as the Best Among Women.
Joo So-yang was currently in a very foul mood. Her beloved daughter refused to see her. Ever since returning from the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering in Gyunhyeon, she had locked herself in her quarters and refused to come out.
Joo So-yang was overcome with worry. Had she been rejected by a young master she liked? Or was she resentful because her mother had forced her to go to the gathering against her will? Various thoughts plagued her mind.
I shouldn't have sent her to the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering!
She was filled with deep regret. She didn't know what had happened, but something terrible must have occurred there. Otherwise, Lee Ye-seol, who never missed a day of paying her respects, wouldn't be acting like this.
Joo So-yang stood up. She couldn't take it anymore. She quickly made her way toward Lee Ye-seol’s room.
Step, step.
After walking for a short while, she arrived at the door.
Whew.
Joo So-yang took a deep breath before knocking.
Knock, knock.
She began to knock gently on the door.
"Seol-ah, it’s Mother. Won't you open the door?"
Joo So-yang spoke toward the room where her daughter was hiding.
"I want to be alone!"
Lee Ye-seol’s sharp voice drifted from inside. Joo So-yang felt dejected by the response, but she knocked again.
"My daughter, Mother is so worried about what happened in Gyunhyeon. Won't you tell me?"
Joo So-yang spoke soothingly, trying to coax her.
"Nothing happened!"
But Lee Ye-seol only replied with the same sharp tone. Joo So-yang fell into deep thought. She didn't know the details, but her daughter seemed deeply upset. In times like this, they needed to talk face-to-face. If she kept hiding and avoiding, the emotional rift would only widen.
Creeeeeak.
She tried to open the door.
Clunk.
But the latch was set; it wouldn't budge.
"Don't come in!!!!!"
As if hearing the attempt, Lee Ye-seol screamed.
"Daughter, Mother is coming in."
Crack!
Despite Lee Ye-seol’s screaming plea, Joo So-yang forcibly broke the door.
Creeeeeak.
With the latch shattered, the door slowly swung open. Joo So-yang looked inside for her daughter. Lee Ye-seol was huddled under her covers.
"Get out! Please! Mother!"
Lee Ye-seol shrieked at her. But Joo So-yang didn't care. In moments like this, one had to be firm. If she backed down now, their relationship would fall apart. She had to face her, even by force.
Joo So-yang walked over and pulled back the covers.
"Seol-ah! Do you really not want to see your mother’s face... Seol-ah!"
Joo So-yang, who had been prepared to give her daughter a lecture after uncovering her, was frozen in shock. The face of her one and only beloved daughter was a mess.
Her cheeks were covered in scabs, and in several places, the wounds had reopened, oozing fluid. It was a hideous sight, with no trace of her former beauty remaining.
Vrooooooom.
A concentrated murderous aura began to radiate from Joo So-yang’s body.
Who? What son of a bitch had done this to her daughter?
Joo So-yang’s elegant face began to transform into that of a vengeful demon.