Chapter 118
Chapter 118
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The next day, Lee Gwang went to meet Deng Guo, the head of the Qingliu Society. As Lee Gwang's sworn brother, he seemed like he could help resolve this situation. I wanted to go with him, but Lee Gwang said the Qingliu Society was a group of upright officials armed with Confucian principles who didn't casually meet outsiders. He warned that if a strange boy like me tagged along, it could complicate things.
In fact, he hadn't even brought his prized disciple, Jin So-cheong. He went alone to meet Deng Guo. So I ended up waiting against my will, and during that time, I took the chance to meet Mang Ryang and talk.
Mang Ryang said,
"Seems like a lot has happened on both sides since we last met."
"Feels like we parted just recently, but you've already grown the Half Heaven Alliance this much?"
"I figured something like this might happen. Better to build up strength as quickly as possible."
Mang Ryang grinned as he said that.
"By the way, impressive work. Forming a connection with the Sword Demon and nearly marrying his daughter, the young lady Seomun Hye..."
I averted my eyes from Mang Ryang's teasing gaze.
"I turned it down for now. Felt like more than I could handle."
"Heh heh... You're really one of those people who's hard to figure out."
"More importantly, take a look at this."
I handed the golden tripod to Mang Ryang. He gazed at it curiously.
"So this is the legendary treasure..."
"I can hardly believe it myself, but it seems connected to the [Ancient Rulers]."
"That makes sense. Nothing like it even exists among the Immortal Realm's treasures."
Muttering to himself, Mang Ryang lightly rubbed the side of the tripod.
Shaaaaaa—!!
Suddenly, his entire body was enveloped in a purple glow. The light lasted about half an incense stick's time before vanishing as if washed away. Mang Ryang had gone through the exact same experience as me—sweat beaded on his forehead.
Then he coughed.
"Cough! Cough! Hah... hah..."
Thud.
Mang Ryang suddenly collapsed to the ground. He was clearly drained of stamina and energy. I rushed over in alarm and supported him.
"You alright?!"
"F-Fine... Just sat down from the scare for a moment."
"......"
Mang Ryang stared at me like I was a monster.
"You saw that and weren't fazed at all? You witnessed the ancient city guarded by the Fierce God, and even toured Dark Heaven Village..."
"Dark Heaven Village?"
"That bizarre continent at the end is what the Immortal Realm calls Dark Heaven Village, a realm from another world."
Mang Ryang tapped his head with the Five Flowers Seven Golden Lines treasure as if to steady his mind. It seemed to have a calming effect. After a pause, he continued.
"After the Ancient Rulers were largely banished from the mortal world, that's their stronghold, so to speak. Even immortals fear that place and wouldn't dream of going there."
"Why not?"
"It's said to house not just the Ancient Rulers but true Demon God-level beings! The odds of a human going there and coming back alive are practically zero."
"......!!"
Terrifying words. It meant swarms of beings like the Sea God or Fierce God lived clustered in Dark Heaven Village. As I stood speechless, Mang Ryang handed the golden tripod back to me and said,
"It's an incredible treasure, but normally, human willpower can't handle it. It's meant for alien shamans, and you're just unusually tough. Any ordinary person would go mad from mental corruption just from seeing those visions."
"Hmm..."
"The Brocade Guards must have allied with the Sea God tribe and obtained the tripod through them. They also seem to have acquired the Seven Essentials from that other realm."
Hearing Mang Ryang's deduction cleared my mind like a flash. I countered,
"You're saying the Seven Essentials might be in Dark Heaven Village?"
"Could be. Maybe the Sea God or Fierce God has them. But given the circumstances, one of the Seven Essentials is likely hidden somewhere in Dark Heaven Village. If it were already owned by an Ancient Ruler, the Brocade Guards could never have gotten it back."
"Hmm..."
I felt stunned.
Dark Heaven Village—an otherworld even immortals feared to enter!
Did that mean I had to go there to find the Seven Essentials? How many times would I die just getting there? As I groaned, Mang Ryang said,
"In any case, Dark Heaven Village is a place even the aliens left in the mortal world can't easily enter. That golden tripod is an extremely important treasure, so you must protect it at all costs."
"Got it."
"Next topic. Have you decided where to invest the Millennium Snow Ginseng?"
I thought it over carefully, then answered.
"Two options come to mind."
Mang Ryang smiled.
"Mind if I guess?"
"Go ahead."
"You're giving it to Lee Gwang or Jin So-cheong."
"Right."
I nodded plainly, then grumbled,
"I only thought of it after coming to Luoyang and meeting you. But you had that in mind from the start."
"The key was giving the Thunder God Style a motive to fight the Brocade Guards."
Mang Ryang unfurled the Five Flowers Seven Golden Lines treasure with a rustle. He fanned himself lightly as he continued.
"If I'd told you outright and you let it slip, Lee Gwang—patriotic soldier of Iron Blood Han—wouldn't look kindly on you. I wanted you to think it through carefully on your own."
"I see..."
"It worked out in the end. Thanks to you stepping up, Lee Gwang's motivated to rescue Hwang Yeon and won't shy away from clashing with the Brocade Guards. No one else in this world could have moved the Thunder God Style this far."
Mang Ryang was praising me. I felt a bit embarrassed and ashamed. He'd foreseen everything from our first meeting, but I couldn't even keep up with his thinking.
"You're embarrassing me."
"You can give the Millennium Snow Ginseng to whoever. Just explain the full situation to Lee Gwang and get his permission."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Mang Ryang said,
"By the way, we have another guest. I wanted to meet her too, so come in."
Snap!
Mang Ryang snapped his fingers, and space tore open in the air as Miho appeared via teleportation spell. She was in her stunning beauty form with voluptuous curves, as before. She'd been listening secretly from outside the barrier and entered when it opened.
Mang Ryang's expression flickered with awe for a moment before he cupped his hands in respect.
"The human Mang Ryang is honored to meet Lady Heavenly Fox."
Miho smiled coldly.
"Hmph... Mang Ryang? Borrowing your master's name, are you? Aren't you afraid, a mere human using Immortal Mang Ryang's name?"
Mang Ryang grinned cheekily.
"My master is an object of fear wherever he goes. If even this disciple fears him, what kind of disciple would that make me?"
"You've got a slick tongue, hmph."
Miho noticed my worried glance and snapped irritably,
"Don't worry. Even I wouldn't touch Immortal Mang Ryang's disciple. No upright sect would want to make an enemy of the border's Mang Ryang."
"Thanks, Miho."
Miho ignored my response. After an awkward silence, Mang Ryang spoke.
"Lady Miho, apologies, but would you cooperate with the Great Thunder Prison rescue operation?"
"What?"
"This is crucial. If mishandled, the Demon Subduing Hall's alien forces occupying the palace could plunge this world into chaos. Your help as a Heavenly Fox would be invaluable."
Miho openly scowled at the proposal.
"What do alien forces matter to me? My duty is aiding the human Baek Woong for ten years. Nothing else concerns me."
"Hmm... Can't be helped, then."
Mang Ryang's gaze subtly shifted to me. Catching his hint, I said to Miho,
"Miho, help us out."
Miho's face twisted. She looked genuinely displeased.
"Ugh... Knew it. Trying to outfox a fox, are you?"
"But you'll help anyway, right?"
"Hmph! Says who!"
"Aren't you helping me fulfill my ten years? You just gonna watch me head into deadly danger?"
Miho's expression grew fiercer. Without warning, she swung her hand, summoning the eerie spell that once slew the Wind God Captain. The translucent hand slashed through the air toward Mang Ryang.
Boom!
I dashed in and blocked Miho's spell. Channeling my sword flames to their limit and infusing them with internal energy, I managed to hold it off. Entering the super peak realm had surely helped a lot. I shouted at Miho,
"Miho! What the hell?!"
Whoosh.
Miho hovered in the air in her half-human, half-beast form, foxfire summoned around her. It starkly revealed her true nature as the great yokai gumiho. Her eyes were fierce three white eyes, and cold words flowed from her mouth in spirit tongue.
[I've changed my mind. I'll rip off that arrogant bastard's arm.]
"No, why are you doing this?!"
[Did you think I'd tolerate being toyed with by a human's silver tongue? Even if it means clashing with Immortal Mang Ryang, I'll teach that fool a lesson!]
Whoosh.
Immense killing intent poured from Miho. I flinched involuntarily.
'Last time in the capital, she was really just playing around...!!'
The great yokai Miho's true power was too much even for me now. I doubted I could take her down even using Heavenly Thunder. But I couldn't let her harm Mang Ryang, so as I hesitated anxiously,
Mang Ryang stepped forward from behind me and extended his arm.
"Here, take it."
[......]
"What's wrong? Shall I cut it off for you?"
Swish.
Mang Ryang raised a dagger to slice his shoulder without hesitation. With his internal energy, he could sever the arm in one go. At that moment, Miho swiftly grabbed his arm. Back in human form, she glared fiercely at Mang Ryang and demanded,
"What do you think you're doing?"
"If one arm can soothe the Heavenly Fox's grudge, it's a bargain."
"......"
Her hesitation suggested she never truly intended to harm him. It was just to scare him off. But when Mang Ryang offered his arm so resolutely, she was the one caught off guard.
"Lady Heavenly Fox, this isn't the time for leisure. I'll offer my life if need be, so please, help us."
Mang Ryang spoke calmly without a hint of fear, leaving Miho conflicted. She finally clicked her tongue and stepped back.
"I'll let it slide once since I heard you're a valuable comrade to Baek Woong. But try any more tricks, and I won't hold back."
"Thank you."
I sighed in relief watching the scene. Mang Ryang had somehow calmed Miho. Arms crossed, she said venomously,
"I know this is the gateway to your schemes. Whether you like it or not, the whirlpool of overlapping plots and grudges will continue. I won't stand by while you drag the human I must protect into that mire."
"You understand the situation perfectly."
Mang Ryang gave a wry smile and replied,
"Indeed. To be frank, the current situation is a gamble. But it's something we must face eventually. If one attempt can drastically turn the tables, it's worth trying."
"Is rescuing that Hwang Yeon human so vital?"
To the irritated Miho, Mang Ryang answered,
"Yes. Rescuing Hwang Yeon gives us [legitimacy]."
"......"
"Grand General Hwang Yeon is the hero who saved the Great Ming from national crisis, a famed commander revered as a god in the military. One word from him could unite the entire army, and he even has good relations with court officials."
Mang Ryang's eyes sharpened.
"If Grand General Hwang Yeon testifies to the darkness in the palace and condemns the Brocade Guards' and Eastern Depot's tyranny, it will shake the political world. Even the Demon Subduing Hall's demonic forces couldn't ignore that momentum. We'll use the opening to check and drive out their power."
Miho thought for a moment, then followed up,
"So that's why that Lee Gwang human is acting despite treason charges."
"Exactly. He's already in a tiger's bind—having earned the Brocade Guards' enmity, Lee Gwang and the Thunder God Style warriors will face treason charges sooner or later. As a fiercely loyal soldier, he questions the situation itself and seeks to confirm the emperor's safety personally."
"The emperor?"
"Yes. He ignores other imperial guards. His loyalty is solely to the emperor. That's why he's desperate enough to ally with a minor force like us to achieve his goal."
"Hmm..."
Listening to Mang Ryang and Miho's exchange sent chills down my spine.
'Mang Ryang, you read even that far?'
Mang Ryang had met Lee Gwang just yesterday. Yet he'd precisely discerned Lee Gwang's inner thoughts—ones I'd only vaguely sensed after years by his side. As Mang Ryang said, Lee Gwang often voiced worries about the emperor in private and ranted about slaughtering the corrupt officials for him. Mang Ryang had read the man's heart from a thousand miles away.
Miho said,
"I'll go to the Great Thunder Prison too."
"Thank you."
"But if Baek Woong is in danger, I'll only protect him."
"That's fine."
It seemed Miho and Mang Ryang's discussion had wrapped up.
I asked Mang Ryang something that had been burning in my mind.
"By the way, Mang Ryang, what's the Great Thunder Prison? Why is even Lee Gwang so tense about it..."
"The Great Thunder Prison is the worst prison ever created by Ming Taizu, Emperor Hongwu."
"Worst in history? I don't get how its security could be that ironclad."
A prison was just a building, after all. To super peak experts like Lee Gwang or Jin So-cheong, even an iron prison could be smashed with qi reinforcement. Mang Ryang answered my question with a grave look.
"The Great Thunder Prison is a living labyrinth guarded by formations rivaling the palace itself. No separate jailers guard it— they just block the entrance. No prisoner has ever escaped it in history."
"But we have Lee Gwang and Jin So-cheong."
"I know. But it's the same. Plenty of peerless experts have been imprisoned there throughout history, yet none ever emerged alive once inside."
"......"
"That's why Lee Gwang isn't challenging it head-on. He'll infiltrate via the designated life gate and rescue in the shortest time possible."
Stunned, I said,
"Wait, so you're saying the formations covering the palace itself are on par with the Great Thunder Prison?"
"Worse, actually. Because the palace's top sorcerer guards it..."
"......?"
"We'll talk about that later. We need to plan the operation before Lee Gwang returns to save time."
The three of us then memorized the plan under Mang Ryang's lead. Miho clearly disliked following his strategy but stayed quiet, as it was so logical. Seeing the clever gumiho comply silently confirmed Mang Ryang's plan was flawlessly meticulous.