Chapter 102
Chapter 102
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village
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I asked in return.
"Three things?"
"That's right. Let's start with the first one."
Mang Ryang gulped down the cold well water he'd drawn and continued.
"Originally, when there was no 'change,' the question is where the Embroidered Uniform Guard obtained the Seven Leaves from."
"That's something I've been truly curious about."
"If we can't figure that out, it's nothing but a waste of time."
I let out a groan. In fact, even while learning medicine, I'd been constantly tormented by that very worry. If history had followed its original course, the Embroidered Uniform Guard would have acquired the Seven Leaves on their own and strengthened their forces, but instead, they failed miserably and easily handed the Central Plains martial world over to the White Lotus Cult. Why had history changed like that? Mang Ryang continued.
"In my view, the only change is your actions. The very act of saving the Great Dragon Merchant Association and the West Palace Escort Agency when you went to Goryeo—that alone altered the future. In other words, if you hadn't saved them, they would have been captured by pirates, turned into slaves, or used as human sacrifices. That defeat must have had a decisive impact on the whereabouts of the Seven Leaves."
"Those pirates weren't one-time offenders, yet you're saying that single raid led all the way to the causal chain where the Embroidered Uniform Guard obtains the Seven Leaves?"
"Don't you feel it too? The starting point and endpoint of karma are beyond human wisdom to even guess at. Even peeking into it with divine powers requires the might of an immortal realm. That's why no one can know how that event flowed to reach the 'future.'"
Mang Ryang sighed deeply.
"If I had to speculate, the most realistic guess is that the Embroidered Uniform Guard joined hands with the Sea God Tribe. And it would be connected to the Sea God Tribe's raid on the western capital as well."
"Hmm..."
He pointed his fan at me.
"In short, no matter what, you need to save the Great Dragon Escort Agency from the pirates first. That alone greatly increases the chance of preventing the Embroidered Uniform Guard from acquiring the Seven Leaves."
"That... in terms of regression lifespans, it's too much of a waste. Saving lives is noble, but it means round-tripping the thousand-ri sea route to Goryeo."
"If you really hate that, then you'll have no choice but to investigate the process and cause of that karma yourself."
"Investigate it myself?"
"Exactly. There are two methods. The first is to join the Embroidered Uniform Guard yourself and watch from the side until you see exactly how they acquire the Seven Leaves. The second is to infiltrate the lair of those fish monsters and find out how the Seven Leaves are delivered. The first is easier and more likely to succeed."
"Hmm. In your previous regression, you strongly opposed me joining the Embroidered Uniform Guard, calling it dangerous."
As I grumbled, Mang Ryang chuckled.
"Back then, you had nothing but martial arts and a reckless personality that charged headfirst into everything, so from 'my' perspective, I didn't think you could survive to the end in a dragon's lair like the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Plus, you died so often that I wanted to give you time to refine yourself using the Queen Mother of the West's blessing."
"......"
"The Embroidered Uniform Guard's elite talents excel not just in martial arts, but in strategy and cunning as well. I've also heard there are hidden supreme experts whose existence isn't known to the public. If you're not careful, you could end up used and then tortured."
I had nothing to say.
It really felt like that would have happened.
"But things are different now. From what I've heard, you've become much more composed than before and learned to think with your own head. It's also true you've amassed knowledge superior to most people, and you possess not only martial arts but sorcery and medicine as well. With your current self, you could definitely infiltrate the Embroidered Uniform Guard and achieve your goal."
"Thanks for the praise."
In essence, the first option was recommending a lifetime infiltrating the Embroidered Uniform Guard to uncover their schemes and progress. As I listened intently to Mang Ryang, he continued.
"Now, let's address the second one."
"Go ahead."
"The second is something you've probably guessed already: the Twelve Rites Lord is an extremely insidious figure."
"I think so too."
"That two great monks, Master Seosan and Yu Jeong, were guarding the Seven Leaves' ruins without even knowing what it was, that he merely told you Wol Yo was in the Eastern Filth, and that he wore a puppet mask to hide his identity from you... No matter how you look at it, he lied, and he clearly doesn't trust you at all."
With that, Mang Ryang shifted his gaze to the wooden clapper.
"I've heard of the Twelve Rites Lord too. He's the supreme ruler dominating the Eastern martial world, the eternal leader of the Twelve Rites, and a great genius. I had no idea he knew my master, but regardless, someone of that caliber wouldn't lie without reason. He definitely has some ulterior motive, which is why he lied to you about Wol Yo."
"He clearly wanted to gather all the Seven Leaves."
The emotions of the Twelve Rites Lord I'd sensed back then felt genuine. But Mang Ryang shook his head.
"That might be true. But Baek Woong, don't blindly cling to a single premise. If the Twelve Rites Lord is as strategically brilliant and sly as a fox, he can cunningly mix countless truths without fixating on one. The emotions you saw were just one facet, so you can't be certain you've grasped his true intentions."
"......"
Hearing that only made me more confused.
I'd suspected the Twelve Rites Lord lied to me ever since entering the Wol Yo ruins. But why on earth did he lie? If I hadn't suddenly had to leave with Miho, I would have continued training in medicine and eventually headed to the Eastern Filth lands. Relying on the Queen Mother of the West's blessing, I might have searched those lands for a hundred or two hundred years and died someday.
'A chill runs down my spine.'
All sorts of scenarios flashed through my mind, but I pushed them down for now. Mang Ryang went on.
"But right now, you have neither the pretext nor the leisure to seek out the Twelve Rites Lord. It's something to investigate later, not the top priority. What you need to realize now is that you must never fully trust the Twelve Rites Lord or the Twelve Rites organization. Even if the individual leaders are righteous, the organization's will can shift at any moment under the Twelve Rites Lord's command."
"Got it."
"You can't obtain Wol Yo right away either. Just remember its location and go back for it later."
Mang Ryang finished there and went back to draw more water from the well. After taking a sip from the bowl, he said.
"Third. This is the most important: how do you plan to grow stronger from here?"
"Through my own training."
"You know that's not what I'm asking."
"......"
"Lee Gwang didn't teach you everything. He may have taught you all the visible martial arts, but he didn't share the true secrets. You must have realized that when you fought the Wind God's Flow Guardian Lion before dying."
"You're right."
I replied in a deflated voice.
The Wind God's Flow Guardian Lion's skill was on another level entirely. That much was certain. But beyond that dimensional gap, the types and levels of techniques it wielded were excessively different. Especially having seen the Wind God's Flow footwork, secret arts, and ultimate techniques firsthand—it left me unsettled.
Lee Gwang always boasted that at the same realm, Thunder God's Flow had over a 70% win rate against Wind God's Flow. Even if that was thanks to the Thunder Name, there was no doubt Thunder God's Flow had many secret arts I hadn't learned yet. Despite my countless real battles and sparring with peak experts, to synthesize those experiences and advance to the next level, I needed a master's guidance.
Mang Ryang looked at me with worried eyes.
"You seem to harbor a lot of fear and resentment toward Lee Gwang right now. That's why you can't bring yourself to return to the Azure Dragon Martial Hall."
"I can't help it."
I forced the words out.
"Do you know how terrifying it was to live under the killing intent and contempt of a supreme expert like Lee Gwang back then? Without a desperate sense of purpose, I would have killed myself or become a wreck long ago. Just recalling those memories still gives me nightmares."
"That bad?"
"Whether it takes a hundred years or a thousand, I lack the confidence to study under Lee Gwang again. That's my honest feeling."
Being scorned by Lee Gwang was truly agonizing. It was worse than the bullying from those dog-like senior escorts in my first life. For years, I felt like a frog before a snake. That's why, even knowing training under him was the most comfortable and fastest path to growth, I deliberately chose another way in the previous regression.
In truth, I had planned to return to Lee Gwang and train again, using acupuncture to make it feasible. But I couldn't muster the resolve to execute it and had been agonizing over it.
After thinking for a long while, Mang Ryang said.
"That's not good. Hmm, this really throws things off schedule... One body, but so many tasks piling up."
"......"
I clamped my mouth shut.
This was tied to mental trauma, so even I didn't think it could be easily resolved. Mang Ryang snapped his fingers.
"Then let's go offer the Demon Night's manual first. We can decide on a plan after seeing what blessing we get."
"Alright."
I headed to where Cheon Woo-jin was with Mang Ryang. This time too, I left the Heavenly Dark Secret Book in the pine forest before entering to meet him. As before, Cheon Woo-jin was displeased with me but was roughly persuaded by Mang Ryang to perform the ritual offering of the Demon Night's manual.
As he chanted the incantations and conducted the ritual, Cheon Woo-jin's face stiffened. He glared down at me sharply and said.
"Hmm... Spirit descent..."
"It seems the Supreme Void Heavenly Lord has words for me?"
Cheon Woo-jin's eyes widened round in surprise. But I was nonchalant. This was already the third time, so I roughly guessed what would come.
Moments later, Cheon Woo-jin's body glowed. His face turned bright red, and a brilliant light flowed from his eyes. It was the Supreme Void Heavenly Lord descending upon him. He stared piercingly at me and said.
[I've eaten the manual well, humans. But... this is strange. I wish to bestow blessings upon you and the one who presided over the offering, yet traces of my power already linger on you. Are you descendants of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors?]
"No, Supreme Void Heavenly Lord!"
Mang Ryang gave no oath-like response. Against someone who could discern lies, minimal answers sufficed.
[Groan... Definitely... I sense traces of my power...]
The Supreme Void Heavenly Lord groaned and pondered, then said.
[Then I shall replace the one bestowing power upon you with another entity.]
"Is that permissible?"
[Of course. Since it handles a different domain than I, the reward you receive will differ somewhat.]
I decided to twist a question here.
"If that one also finds bestowing a blessing awkward, what then?"
My question caught even the Supreme Void Heavenly Lord off guard, as Cheon Woo-jin's body swayed briefly. Moments later, he replied.
[That shan't happen... but if so, another deity shall be designated.]
"I see."
[Come forth, Queen Mother of the West.]
Whoosh—
Five-colored clouds flowed, and for an instant, the image of a beautiful woman was etched upon Cheon Woo-jin's body like an illusion. This time, the Queen Mother of the West had possessed him.
The Queen Mother of the West in Cheon Woo-jin whipped her gaze toward me. 'She' examined me closely and said.
[What is the meaning of this...?]
"Pardon?"
The Queen Mother of the West sounded genuinely perplexed.
[I sense the energy of the Peaches of Immortality from you... and at the same time, the energy of one of my former retainers lingers. Are you perchance connected to the Nine-Tailed Fox?]
I felt a surge of emotion. Memories of Miho's death suddenly flashed in my mind. Kneeling before the Queen Mother of the West, I said.
"Queen Mother! I am unworthy, but I was close to the Nine-Tailed Fox. Though she now commits evil deeds on earth, her true heart yearns only to return to the heavens. I beg you to give her a chance to repent her sins and return to the celestial realm."
[Could it be... that is your wish?]
"Yes, it is."
I didn't care about blessings from other gods. It would just mean a few more deaths. I wanted Miho saved, even a little.
[......]
Even the exalted Queen Mother of the West among the gods seemed taken aback and fell silent. After a moment, she spoke.
[I shall grant that request. However, it is separate from fulfilling the offering of the manual. Your matter I entrust to another deity.]
"That means..."
[I shall impose trials upon my Nine-Tailed Fox. I will see if that child can truly repent and ascend to the heavens.]
"Thank you."
I bowed deeply, surprised. This meant she was granting my request while still leaving the blessing opportunity. Could gods be this generous?
[I never imagined a human would speak in her defense.]
The Queen Mother of the West seemed to smile warmly as she said it. As I stared blankly at her, she raised her hand high moments later.
[Come forth, Nan Hua Lao Xian.]
Tremble—
Cheon Woo-jin's body shook. The Queen Mother of the West's presence departed, replaced by an enigmatic divine energy. Watching Mang Ryang shuddered in a trembling voice.
"Ugh... How could such..."
His master Mang Ryang the Hermit might not mind, but Mang Ryang clearly had reason to fear him. The summoned Nan Hua Lao Xian spoke curtly through Cheon Woo-jin's mouth.
[I didn't want to come either. To bestow a blessing on a human in a place where that terrifying Boundary Hermit Mang Ryang plays at being human? Hmph... This must be something extraordinary.]
I was startled by Nan Hua Lao Xian's tone. Setting aside why Mang Ryang feared him, from what I knew, Nan Hua Lao Xian was a legendary immortal from the Three Kingdoms era. I asked him.
"What do you mean 'Boundary's disciple Mang Ryang'?"
[That is...]
Ssssss—
[Urk, uwaaaah!]
In that instant, Nan Hua Lao Xian's energy visibly froze under chilling ice qi. It wasn't physical cold but energy directly striking the spirit, so Cheon Woo-jin's body remained fine while only Nan Hua Lao Xian's spirit was slowly being expelled. He cried out in alarm.
[S-stop! Stop! I understand, Hermit Mang Ryang! I'll do my duty and withdraw! I won't speak needless words!]
The icy assault ceased.
Nan Hua Lao Xian's spirit resettled into Cheon Woo-jin. He placed a hand on my shoulder and said.
[I shall give you the Compendium of Peaceful Demon Arts.]
Mang Ryang, who had been watching, interjected strongly.
"Hold on!"
[What?]
"Who doesn't know the Compendium of Peaceful Demon Arts is just a flashy-named miscellany?"
[What did you say?]
"I've heard it all from Master. The reason the Long Branch of Peaceful Way collapsed was because you handed down a fake scripture. Master is watching this place, so don't spout nonsense."
Nan Hua Lao Xian looked abashed. Then he said.
[Fine, then tell me. Why must I bestow an excessive blessing on this human? The manual is appreciated, but our blessings are merely ceremonial at most. He should be grateful even for the Compendium of Peaceful Demon Arts?]
I was dumbfounded by Nan Hua Lao Xian's words. The Supreme Void Heavenly Lord and Queen Mother of the West had given immense blessings, but Nan Hua Lao Xian was trying to brush it off lazily like it was a chore. From the situation, even Hermit Mang Ryang didn't seem inclined to interfere with what exactly he gave me.
I stepped forward and said to Nan Hua Lao Xian.
"Then pass it to another. I beg you."
[Understood.]
Nan Hua Lao Xian readily agreed to my request and waved his hand.
[Come forth, Lü Dongbin.]
Clatter clatter—
Cheon Woo-jin's body shook violently. I wondered if Cheon Woo-jin was okay after so many possessions, but since he was a unlucky bastard and it wasn't my problem, I ignored it. Moments later, Lü Dongbin descended upon Cheon Woo-jin and said.
[Are you a martial artist?]
"Yes."
[Then I shall impart the Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship to you.]
Flash—
Light flared and vanished. Cheon Woo-jin, his role done, collapsed to his knees in exhaustion. His panting words were a sight.
"W-within a hundred years, no one has taken in as many great immortal spirits as me..."
"Forget that—what blessing did I get?"
Cough cough—
Cheon Woo-jin, hacking up phlegm, said.
"You've obtained Sword Immortal Lü Dongbin's Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship. Congratulations."
"What are you talking about? I don't feel like I got anything."
I retorted in bewilderment.
I'd expected some memory imprint or sensation of a peerless divine art. But there was only a flash of light—nothing else. No trace related to martial arts.
As I stood there flabbergasted, Cheon Woo-jin said.
"I don't know the details, but I've heard the Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship isn't a human sword art but an immortal's. Meaning, there might be conditions to manifest it after obtaining it."
"So?"
"Just live with it for now. Lü Dongbin isn't a stingy god but a magnanimous one, so you'll soon grasp its essence."
"......"
In the end, hadn't I gotten nothing?
With a lingering unease, I left the village with Mang Ryang.
============================ Author's Note ============================
Note that this Heavenly Escape is different from the one in Tales of the Departed Soul Immortal and other works ㅠㅠ It should be shown in the story itself, but I'm mentioning it beforehand in case of misunderstandings preventing pure enjoyment of [Regression Sword Immortal]... Have a great day!
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