Chapter 150: Travels in Jiangnan (1)
Chapter 150: Travels in Jiangnan (1)
The common thread among all Taoist sects and schools is 'longevity.' From there, they strive for eternal youth and longevity, and eventually, they take one step further to pursue true immortality.
Those who seek longevity while retaining their human form are classified as the Right-Path sects of the Way of the Celestial Masters. Those who emphasize individual discipline over immortality are categorized as the Quanzhen lineage of the Taiyi sect.
And those who discard their human shells to seek Corpse Liberation are classified as the Left-Path sects of the Shangqing lineage.
Unlike Buddhism, most of these sects do not emphasize opaque concepts like the 'afterlife' or 'nirvana.' They do not force one to live a simple and frugal life.
They spread teachings that focus on health, longevity, eternal youth, and reality—principles that anyone would naturally prefer. It is no surprise, then, that most sects that deceive the common folk belong to the Taoist lineages.
Most of them cause chaos with false sorcery and silver tongues, appearing for a season only to vanish in the next.
However, among them, there was one solitary sect that the Ming Imperial Court guarded against with exceptional vigilance: the Red-Stained Shamanic Way of Eternal Life and Immortality—the so-called Blood Cult.
There must be a reason for a nation to harbor such hatred and rejection. It was because the Red-Stained Shamanic Way could actually achieve eternal life and immortality.
"Eternal Life and Immortality, the Red-Stained Shamanic Way!"
"One Flower Spirit Flame, Heaven Submits!"
Everyone in the assembly bowed their heads. In the midst of a ritual where the blood of the sturdiest men was offered without stint, and hallucinogenic herbs were burned to send up clouds of Soul-Capturing Incense.
Intoxicated by drugs, religious fervor, and the manifestation of actual miracles, the believers slammed their foreheads against the stone floor—thud, thud—unaware that their skin was splitting open.
In a state where they could no longer tell if the pounding noise was the beating of their own hearts or the miraculous pulsing of the blood pooling on the floor.
—Rumble...
A sound like the low growl of a beast echoed from the center of the blood pool. Concentric circles formed within the pool, sending out ripples.
The Taoists in charge of the ritual danced wildly, chanting incantations in ecstasy. Even the protectors and messengers were intoxicated by the bloody energy, performing strange, involuntary dances.
"The Venerable One descends...!"
One elder shouted at the top of his lungs before slitting his own throat. He collapsed into the pool with a splash, like a puppet with its strings cut. His body was rapidly sucked into the depths of the pool and vanished.
Bubbles rose. And from between them, a snow-white hand suddenly appeared and gripped the stone floor.
"Oh, oh, oh—!"
Thousands cheered and wailed.
Born from blood, yet a noble figure with skin so white not a single drop stained him. Slowly, his form rose above the pool. A man with a physique as perfect as a stone statue of a heavenly general slowly stood up.
The Ming Imperial Court had rejected the Red-Stained Shamanic Way for a long time. They never ceased designating even the smallest uprising as a heretical cult to be exterminated.
There was only one reason. They could actually achieve eternal life and immortality. Based on that, they had survived by repeatedly deceiving the commoners and extorting their lives.
The long-held desire of many in power was eternal life and immortality. Thus, the Ming Imperial Court had also taken an interest in their sorcery, but the reason the Blood Cult was designated as a heretical cult in this era was different.
Their longevity was for only one person.
The reason they sucked the blood, flesh, and life-force of countless commoners was solely for the eternal life of one individual.
The strange techniques and martial arts they seemed to bestow so generously were merely parts of a sacrificial process prepared for the immortality of one person.
This sect itself was created for the eternal life of the Blood Cult Leader.
"What is the current era name of the Ming Empire?"
"It is Chenghua, O Venerable One."
"It has changed again in the meantime. Truly, the time of those who call themselves the Son of Heaven is quite amusing."
The man smiled palely, his face devoid of color.
He accepted the respectful gestures of the elders as they draped a red dragon robe over his body.
"Only the Venerable One has realized the Way of Longevity; how could mere mortals hope to follow?"
"You need no longer worry about the troubles of the mortal world."
The Blood Cult Leader spoke, looking down at the bowing crowd with a graceful gesture. As his lips parted, the same voice vibrated in everyone's ears.
『I have now fulfilled all that is required for Heaven to submit.』
At the sound of the Six Harmonies Resonance echoing through the hall, even the cultists kneeling at the furthest edge burst into tears and shouted at the top of their lungs.
"Eternal Life and Immortality, the Red-Stained Shamanic Way!"
"One Flower Spirit Flame, Heaven Submits!"
Was the Taiping Dao of the Great Teacher Zhang Jue during the Han Dynasty like this?
Before the thunderous cheers, the Blood Cult Leader smiled and whispered.
"It is the Heavenly Mandate."
The Blood Cult Leader had finally descended upon Yunnan.
From the summit of the scorched Mount Diancang, the rise of the Blood Cult had begun.
* * *
The journey south from Tianjin along the canal was surprisingly smooth. At this point, it was only natural to feel suspicious.
"Was Cheong-i the problem?"
Thinking back, I had been attacked on every single journey I took with Murong Cheong. And a large portion of those attacks were thanks to the brats of the Jinzhou Eon Family.
Now that three generations of the Eon family, including Brother Do-cheon, had begun their crossing of the River Styx, no one dared to block the great ship of the Dragon Slaying Alliance. Even government officials couldn't harass a vessel belonging to the Alliance.
Thus, the ship sailed past Jinan without hindrance, heading toward Lake Hongze in southern Shandong.
I had been on the boat for about seven days and nights. Since I couldn't exactly do information gathering for the Hao Clan while on a moving ship, the things I could do were limited.
And no, not making babies. That's still too early.
Sshhh.
The candle flickered out without a breeze. The senses that had been faintly pulsing slowly subsided. The True Qi that had been crackling over my heart grew quiet, and the Protection Aura that had been rustling over my skin vanished.
At the same time, I exhaled a deep breath.
"My eyes really hurt, man."
It turns out Brother Baek Seo-ui wasn't wrong. He said the Method of the Five Clarities was a secret technique of the Hao Clan Leader. I thought it was just a visual technique, but the more I practiced it, the more I felt it was a martial system of a much higher realm.
It wasn't just about seeing better. The essence of the Method of the Five Clarities was the synthesis of all perceptions through the eyes. It was at a level where I wondered if the Buddhist Heavenly Eye was like this.
Once the Method of the Five Clarities was utilized to its limit, and the Middle Dantian was fully opened, I could even see the flow of energy. It looked like faint blue streaks of light shimmering like a haze.
'Is it a little shorter than half an incense stick's time?'
In terms of actual feeling, I could achieve full opening of the Middle Dantian for about ten minutes. If I were in the middle of a fight using all my concentration, five minutes would be pushing it.
Regardless, for that duration, I could maintain the Method of the Five Clarities at its peak. I could see the flow of the opponent's energy coming and going.
At this point, I couldn't help but realize: if someone mastered this martial art, they would have no equal in the world when it came to simply retreating. If you can perceive the direction of an opponent's strike half a step faster, after all.
As I was gathering my energy, I felt a presence outside the door.
"My lord, I have brought a meal."
"Ah, I'll come out."
"No. Let us eat together inside."
The door to the cabin opened, and Hwa-yeong entered. With graceful hands, she set down the tableware and gestured outside. Soon, servants followed her with bowed heads, laying out dishes on the table.
She said she brought a meal, so I thought she might have brought a lunch box or something, but she had laid out a full course meal.
"I mean, you didn't have to go this far. I could have just gone down to eat."
"When a man is devoted to a great cause, how could I let him be bothered by something as trivial as a meal?"
"Uh... I'm grateful, but..."
It seemed it wasn't a coincidence that she opened the door as soon as I finished gathering my energy. She must have sensed my cultivation ending the moment the energy inside the room subsided.
It's nice.
I'm grateful.
But why is it so scary?
"We will be docking at Hongze soon. Why don't we take a stroll along the lakeshore together?"
"Sure, let's do that. My body's gotten a bit stiff from staying in the room too long."
The meal passed uneventfully. Hwa-yeong tended to eat with near-perfect etiquette, so the conversation never dragged on.
Yet, whenever my bowl or cup was empty, she would reach out before I knew it to refill them, giving me a small smile.
Seeing her like this, I couldn't help but think of the old days. When I first taught her how to use chopsticks, she was practically a beast, scratching and biting people. It was amazing that she could become this socialized in just ten years.
"Back then, you could barely even speak..."
When I muttered that, Hwa-yeong suddenly looked at me and smiled softly.
"That was thanks to you, my lord."
"No, all I did back then was teach you a few characters and play with you. You're the one who put in the effort."
"That effort... how could I have done it alone?"
Hwa-yeong reached out and lightly placed her fingers on the back of my hand. They were cool and soft.
"One only remembers to enlighten oneself when there is a purpose. If even beasts are so, how much more so for a human? Only, only..."
Her hand grew a bit heavier.
"Hwa-yeong...? Hwa-yeong? Lady Hwa-yeong...?"
"Only... I have done so, so many things for this very moment. I had to. And, even... I did them quite well..."
Realizing her own situation.
Her constitution as an Extreme Demonic Body, which would have led to her being dragged away and used as a medicinal ingredient if she lived as she was.
The process of killing her two older brothers one by one to escape that yoke.
The agonizingly horrific training of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
Gaining enlightenment, the way she handled Astral Energy.
All of it.
"Would it seem too trivial if I said it was all for this single moment?"
Hwa-yeong stared at me for a long time with eyes that burned with intensity before exhaling a deep breath.
She briefly covered her face to steady her breathing before lowering her hands again.
"Please finish your meal and come up. I will be preparing for our outing."
Before I knew it, Hwa-yeong's expression had returned to its usual soft and warm self.
She gave a polite bow and left the room.
*
Im Hwa-yeong slowly gripped the doorknob with trembling hands. Only after steadying her breath several times did she open the door to her own quarters and step inside.
A maid approached and bowed deeply.
"You have returned, Supreme Master."
"Give me more medicine."
"B-but..."
"Now."
The maid looked at Im Hwa-yeong's face and, with a terrified expression, quickly rummaged through a cabinet. She soon took out two small pills and carefully handed them to her master.
Only after Im Hwa-yeong swallowed the pills in silence and steadied her breathing did the maid manage to speak.
"They are not items that greatly harm your health, but you are taking them too frequently..."
"It is merely a Heart-Clearing Pill."
It was just a medicine to calm the mind. Heart-Clearing Pills were the kind of thing one could easily find in a common pharmacy. Of course, these were made with high-quality ingredients far superior to those, but the pill itself wasn't exactly a rare treasure.
However, the frequency of her dosage was too high. Even if it wasn't addictive or toxic.
But how could she not? She had almost crossed the line again.
Im Hwa-yeong gestured, trying her best to suppress the slight trembling that had begun in her hands again.
"Bring the finest silk. We are going on an outing."
"Yes, Supreme Master."
The maid bowed and withdrew. Left alone, Im Hwa-yeong bit her lip as she looked into the bronze mirror.
In the mirror, her snow-white face had eyes tinged with red. It was a countenance shaken by surging greed and desire. Should she call it a side effect of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art?
Or perhaps it was due to the utility of Demonic Energy itself. Becoming honest with all desires. It was because all types of desires, classified as the Five Desires in Buddhism, were maximized.
One becomes vulnerable to emotions and easily shaken by instincts. In that process, most demonic practitioners are swept away by their desires and fall into a state worse than beasts.
However, if one overcomes all those processes and controls the desires... the point at which one subjugates the Demonic Energy itself is called the Extreme Demonic. The process of achieving the Extreme Demonic is a continuous discipline of recognizing, accepting, and overcoming desire.
At first, only desire existed for her. When she was hungry, she filled her stomach; when she was angry, she harmed people. There were certainly moments when she was nothing more than a beast.
And then Peng Hyeon-hwi appeared. In every moment she spent by his side, listening to his words, she felt a refreshing sensation.
He was the only man who shone in a dry and violent world. Since she had never encountered anything like him anywhere else in the world—
How could she not covet him?
So she accepted the Demonic Energy and reached her current state. Only for that. For the longing that surpassed her first... simple desires.
Yet she yearned, feeling an even greater thirst.
Occasionally, exiles of the Heavenly Mountains are hung from poles in the desert. And every day at noon, a single drop of water is dropped onto their lips.
That is the ultimate punishment of the Heavenly Mountains. Amidst pain, hunger, and thirst, with only a single drop of hope. But with a level of hope that can never quench the thirst, a human heart is bound to be consumed by it.
To her, Peng Hyeon-hwi's existence was exactly like that. In the dry and lowly desires of this world, he was the only treasure that shone of its own accord.
To achieve the Extreme Demonic in the truest sense, she needed only him. If only he existed, that was enough. So, just a little more.
Without rushing.
Lest he be startled and run away. Since he had a history of running away twice, she had to be smarter this time.
Slowly, very gradually, very delicately.
With the sensation of taming a frightened beast, feeding him well, showing him beautiful places, whispering sweet words...
"Hah, sip."
Im Hwa-yeong had to quickly wipe away a bit of clear saliva that had trickled from the corner of her mouth and fix her expression. Perhaps the effect of the Heart-Clearing Pill was already wearing off, as the Demonic Energy was surging again.
She wanted to keep him by her side without locking him in a cage.
She wanted to be by his side even in the moments when he flew the highest and cried the furthest.
Freely. Yes, freely...
"..."
The maid quietly opened the door and entered, but seeing the Supreme Master biting her nails with a certain look on her face, she had to wait for a moment in fear.
*
"Whoa, what was that?"
My Peng family instincts were suddenly waving red flags all over the place.
Right now, this ship was in Shandong. The Shandong martial world had been clearly friendly toward the Dragon Slaying Alliance since the Great War of the Jinzhou Eon Family's Extermination. Furthermore, the Huangfu Family, the Shandong Yue Family, and the Mount Tai Sect—all considered the Three Stars of Shandong—were sects I had significant dealings with.
On top of that, warriors from the Dragon Slaying Alliance, the Jiangnan Heavenly Merchant Guild, and outer disciples of the Demonic Cult were guarding this ship. Even if Eon Do-cheon crossed back over the River Styx and personally blasted a Great Luo Sky-Annihilating Strike here, Hwa-yeong and I were strong enough to escape alive.
So why the sudden goosebumps?
"My lord, are you ready?"
"Oh, I'm coming out."
Rubbing my strangely chilly arms, I stepped out the door to find Hwa-yeong standing there with a warm smile, dressed in a magnificent palace robe.