Chapter 132
Chapter 132
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 132
Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village
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The next day, I thought news of the emperor's death would spread across the continent. But instead, the western sky was suddenly dyed blood-red. It was clearly an upheaval in Luoyang, so Mang Ryang wore an uneasy expression.
About half a day later, a messenger arrived at Jin Rang Valley. He seemed to be one of the Half Heaven Alliance informants Mang Ryang had placed to monitor Luoyang. The messenger said urgently.
"It's a disaster."
"What happened?"
"The emperor has passed away, and the crown prince has immediately ascended the throne."
"...As expected."
Mang Ryang and I were stunned by the messenger's next words.
"And the Na-in Cult has been declared the state religion, with an edict spreading nationwide to halt all worship and faith in Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism."
"......!!"
The Na-in Cult had become the state religion!
'Why is this happening?'
I was dumbfounded. The Na-in Cult, a cultish religion, was supposed to appear decades from now, only to be branded a heretical sect and exterminated without gaining proper recognition. From the circumstances, the Na-in Cult was clearly a gathering of evil worshippers of the [Ancient Rulers], undoubtedly connected to the Demon Subduing Hall.
But it was strange. Banning worship and faith in Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism wasn't as simple as it sounded. Confucianism was the foundational ideology upholding the Central Plains, while Buddhism and Taoism had deeply dominated people's minds for hundreds or thousands of years.
Prohibiting all of it and turning it into an enemy wasn't something the newly ascended crown prince could declare in a single day. Moreover, banning worship in Confucian shrines could provoke backlash from scholars. If mishandled, it could spark rebellions not just from court ministers but across the land.
Mang Ryang asked with a bizarre expression.
"Na-in Cult? What's that?"
"I'm sorry. We're investigating, but the atmosphere in the capital is far from normal. Blood-red clouds hang over the capital's sky, and mysterious fiends are wandering everywhere."
"Hmm."
Mang Ryang let out a sigh like deflating and waved his hand.
"I understand. Withdraw for now."
"Yes, sir!"
After the messenger left, Mang Ryang seemed lost in thought for a long while.
The silence made me uneasy, so I said to Mang Ryang.
"Mang Ryang. This is..."
"Baek Woong. Let's talk for a moment."
"Alright."
Mang Ryang opened the door to his hut and entered. I followed, and we sat facing each other alone in the room. Mang Ryang spoke calmly.
"Baek Woong. This must be the work of that怪人 you called the Alchemist."
Alchemist.
He was the figure beside the emperor when I stormed the imperial palace in my twelfth reincarnation and confronted him. Clad entirely in black robes, he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the emperor. As I recalled him, Mang Ryang continued.
"That Alchemist is likely the successor to the sorcerer who primarily used human sacrifices."
"Hmm."
"From the conversation with the emperor, they seemed to be allies cooperating for immortality. In exchange for providing immortality to the emperor, the emperor mobilized the palace forces to aid the Demon Subduing Hall and the Alchemist."
Mang Ryang sighed deeply.
"But from the circumstances, the emperor's sudden death has shattered that delicate alliance. It's safe to assume the entire palace and its forces are now under the Alchemist's control."
"That seems off."
Listening to Mang Ryang, I said.
"The emperor didn't seem to have trained in any martial arts. If the Alchemist belongs to Dark Heaven Village and wields immense power, he could have eliminated or controlled the emperor long ago. Why cooperate as equals until now and act only at this point? What's the reason?"
"It could mean the Vermilion Bird of the Four Divine Guards protecting the emperor was far more formidable than we thought... or that there were many protective charms and spells on the emperor. Especially with Inner Yellow Horn Leader Zhuge Bu there, they couldn't act rashly."
Mang Ryang sighed.
"Anyway, it's done. We need to plan our response from here."
"Will you tell General Hwang Yeon?"
"I suppose so."
Mang Ryang soon summoned General Hwang Yeon and informed him of the capital's events. The general was surprisingly nonchalant about the emperor's death but frowned at the mention of the Na-in Cult.
"Na-in Cult? What's that?"
"We don't know either. We only know a third force has seized the palace due to the emperor's sudden death."
"Nothing's certain, then."
"To gather intel from the capital now would risk our lives."
"......"
After a silence, General Hwang Yeon said.
"Half Heaven Alliance Leader. I have a proposal."
"What is it?"
"Rescue my clan imprisoned by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. If you do, I'll support you fully."
Mang Ryang replied.
"It's possible, but are you sure? It means direct confrontation with the Embroidered Uniform Guard."
"You're testing me unnecessarily. Even without your prompting, I'm prepared to fight them."
Mang Ryang smiled awkwardly at the general's stoic response.
"My apologies if I was rude."
"Can you do it?"
"Yes. It seems feasible. But I need one favor."
"What kind?"
Mang Ryang said.
"Write a letter to persuade one person."
An hour later, I received the letter from General Hwang and used the Flying Ship to teleport near the Guanzhong Azure Dragon Martial Hall. I went to the hall's entrance and said to gatekeeper Bang Il.
"I've come to see the Azure Dragon Martial Hall Master."
"This brat's lost his mind... You think you can see the Hall Master just because you want to?!"
"Tell him I've come on General Hwang Yeon's orders."
"......!!"
They seemed startled by the sudden mention of General Hwang Yeon. Realizing they couldn't handle it themselves, one rushed inside. The returning gatekeeper said.
"We'll escort you to Crouching Dragon Hall."
I went to Crouching Dragon Hall. Opening the door, I saw Lee Gwang and Jin So-cheong seated at a table. Lee Gwang still had his clear, refined features and an impassive expression. Jin So-cheong eyed me with curiosity.
I first clasped my hands in greeting and introduced myself.
"It's an honor to meet the renowned Azure Dragon Martial Hall Master of the world. I'm Baek Woong, sent by General Hwang."
Lee Gwang gazed at me with clear eyes for a moment before speaking.
"Sent by General Hwang?"
"Yes. The details are in this letter."
I held out the letter.
Lee Gwang took it and read. After a while, he said to me.
"Proof this letter is genuine?"
"General Hwang told me to relay this: 'A lone old man in raincoat and hat on a single boat (孤舟蓑笠翁) fishes alone in the snowy cold river (獨釣寒江雪).'"
"...It's real."
Lee Gwang hadn't trusted the letter, but reciting the five-character quatrain from General Hwang convinced him I was the messenger. It must have been a code from their shared history.
Lee Gwang said.
"General Hwang wrote in the letter that you're a trustworthy prodigy. Indeed, you seem so."
"You're too kind."
I felt embarrassed replying. My accumulated training wasn't in vain; I'd reached the level where Lee Gwang acknowledged my skill upon first meeting. Seizing the moment, I said to him.
"As a disciple of the Thunder God Style, I'm deeply moved to meet you, Lee Gwang."
"Thunder God Style? Surely you don't mean..."
"I too inherit the Thunder God Style."
"Ho, I'd like to see it."
I went to the training ground to prove my level. Since we'd act together soon, there was no point hiding our shared Thunder God Style lineage. As I demonstrated my swordsmanship, I showed stronger aspects by briefly using the Coiling Dragon Sword and Tianzhu Sword insights from Jang Sam-bong, drawing a surprised expression from Lee Gwang.
When my demonstration ended, Lee Gwang said.
"Your swordsmanship isn't pure Ten Thousand Victory Sword Formula. It incorporates insights from another school."
"My master chanced upon the insights of a past Wudang peak expert and integrated them to enhance the Thunder God Style's power."
"I see. Intriguing. Sword arts that twist space itself...?"
Lee Gwang rarely smiled, but he did so warmly and said.
"Good. Let's have a drink after the great undertaking."
I knew he had a habit of sharing drinks when showing favor. Sensing his goodwill toward me, I replied gladly.
"Yes."
We then headed straight to the Baogun area where General Hwang's clan was imprisoned. Mang Ryang had already pinpointed their location. Originally living in a grand capital mansion, the clan had been exiled to this rural backwater by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. At Baogun Village's entrance, Lee Gwang said.
"Didn't General Hwang once speak of 'exhausting loyalty to repay the country'?"
Exhausting loyalty to repay the country?
I searched my memory but shook my head.
"He didn't say that."
"I see... He's resolved, then."
Lee Gwang muttered bitterly and said.
"Then I have no choice but to steel myself."
What resolve did he mean?
Before I could ask, Lee Gwang shot forward like a beam of light. Jin So-cheong, following, said to me.
"I'll leave the rear to you. Enter after one hour."
"Understood."
I knew how terrifying their skills were. Even if ten companies of Embroidered Uniform Guard were here, they might not stop them. Waiting as Jin So-cheong instructed, soon explosions and screams echoed from the village.
One hour later, entering Baogun Village as told, I saw Embroidered Uniform Guard and secret service experts' corpses strewn everywhere. Some were pulverized without remains. Certain Lee Gwang and Jin So-cheong had eliminated all enemies, they were leading people out of buildings.
'They handled everything.'
Mang Ryang had planned to have Lee Gwang rescue them from the start. It pulled Lee Gwang to our side using General Hwang without wasting Half Heaven Alliance forces. Lee Gwang approached me.
"Baek Woong. Operation complete. How will you transport General Hwang's clan?"
Lee Gwang and Jin So-cheong both looked at me. They'd never worried about sweeping the guards but pondered safely escorting the clan. Since I'd brushed off their question on handling it, this was natural.
I silently gathered the people and explained.
"I'll transport you all now. Please cooperate without fear."
I first thrust my arm into the neck pouch and withdrew it.
"Ooh?!"
"As you see, it's safe and harmless inside. Wait a moment, and you'll be taken to safety."
"Alright."
Whoosh.
After putting the last clan member into the neck pouch, Lee Gwang and Jin So-cheong watching were astounded. Jin So-cheong trembled excitedly and shouted.
"Incredible!!"
"W-What is that item?"
I shrugged.
"A very good one."
"......"
"Would you like to enter too, Lee Gwang?"
"I'll decline. A martial artist doesn't entrust his life lightly to another."
"Yes, understood."
I bowed and said.
"Please come to Jin Rang Valley by tomorrow. I'll go ahead."
"Not together?"
"Sorry, but the situation seems urgent."
"Alright."
Once out of Lee Gwang and Jin So-cheong's sight, I used the Flying Ship to return to Jin Rang Valley. Releasing the people from the neck pouch, General Hwang Yeon confirmed them and looked shocked. He hadn't expected such speed.
"Impressive."
Mang Ryang pressed.
"General Hwang Yeon. You must decide now."
"...Very well."
General Hwang Yeon took a deep breath and continued.
"Move the army."
"Have you spoken with the others imprisoned in the Great Thunder Prison?"
"Of course. They've all agreed to follow my will."
Except for two or three, those in the Great Thunder Prison were 'dangerous elements' arbitrarily seized by the Embroidered Uniform Guard—nobles or high officials with great influence. Their support made things much easier.
Soon, General Hwang Yeon's authenticated manifesto flew to regions across the Central Plains. I handled delivery, secretly meeting garrison commanders in each city to pass the manifestos.
Distributing to nine cities took exactly three days. Travel was instant, but secrecy was challenging. Returning to Jin Rang Valley via Flying Ship, Mang Ryang said with a headache.
"Baek Woong... She came."
"Huh?"
A sharp, venomous voice rang out.
"You think you're Hong Gil-dong, you damned brat?!"
A familiar face was there. A voluptuous, peerless beauty glared with puffed cheeks. I shouted in surprise.
"Miho?!"
"Don't act familiar, you damned human!!"
Miho yelled furiously, pounding her chest with fists. Panting, she said.
"Ugh... I kept tracking you with detection spells and shikigami, but you zipped east and west nonstop! What the hell are you doing? If you weren't the one Queen Mother of the West chose, I'd have killed you already."
Seeing Miho after so long, I felt glad but realized I'd moved too fast. From her perspective, chasing me across the Central Plains must have felt impossible. Embarrassed, I scratched my head.
"Sorry, sorry. But thanks for coming, Miho."
"Ugh... I said don't act familiar. How do you even know about me?"
Mang Ryang must have explained everything to her to prevent her charm spell. I said to Miho.
"You might have heard from Mang Ryang, but I'm a reincarnator."
"......?!"
I explained everything to Miho in detail. Seated in the thatched hut, she listened for a long time. After covering recent events, she said incredulously.
"You writing novels? Expect me to believe that?"
"Believe or not, nothing else explains it."
"......"
Miho eyed me uncomfortably. Then she said.
"Whatever. I'm here to protect you, so I'll do that."
"Thanks!"
Hugging Miho tightly, she flushed and struggled.
"Ew, gross! Let go, you jerk."
I'd noticed before, but Miho was weak to hugs. Probably only I knew the greatest yokai, unmatched in charm spells, had this flaw. After grumbling a while, Miho promised to lend her power.
Miho said.
"Anyway, fun stuff right after arriving in the Central Plains. Just my favorite scenario."
"Fun? How is this dangerous situation fun?"
Scolding her, Miho laughed heartily.
"Ahaha! Don't you know what it means for Hwang Yeon to move the army and rally garrison commanders? That Mang Ryang guy didn't explain, huh?"
"What does it mean?"
Miho's words made my eyes widen.
"It means rebellion. Soon, a great army led by Hwang Yeon will march on Luoyang from nearby and clash with the imperial palace guards. The victor claims the world."