Chapter 162
Chapter 162
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 162
Chapter Title: Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors
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I brought Dongbang Mukeol to Jinrang Valley afterward.
Dongbang Mukeol had no idea what was happening when he was stuffed into the saddlebag to travel with me, but he soon wore a shocked expression when I suddenly struck his acupoints.
"No...!!"
Flash!
He tried to abruptly unleash his suppressed internal energy, but I was much faster.
I swiftly applied Master Hua's Hundred Eight Acupoint Sealing Technique, striking his sixteen key points and sealing his energy once more.
As Dongbang Mukeol flailed and collapsed in a heap, I looked down at him coldly and said,
"With my Extreme Tiger internal energy alone, I couldn't fully seal someone of your level. You must have been relaxed until now because you knew that, but this is different. With Master Hua's secret sealing art infused with my own energy, you won't break free."
"Ugh, what nonsense..."
Dongbang Mukeol tried to draw up more internal energy, but his face twisted in exhaustion, as if he'd been running with heavy weights chained to his limbs.
No matter how hard he tried, his energy scattered through the four limbs and one hundred acupoints, refusing to rise, which must have left him utterly bewildered.
I grinned and said,
"Give it up. Jinrang Valley has fine air and clear water, so rest easy here."
"You bastard...!! What do you think you're doing? Give me back my energy!"
"You just don't get it, do you?"
Swoosh
My Tiger Fist hovered above his forehead.
Feeling the threat, Dongbang Mukeol stopped thrashing and shut his mouth.
It was just the basic Tiger Fist stance, but he sensed that a flick like snapping someone on the forehead would shatter his skull.
I slowly relaxed my Tiger Fist and said,
"Lee Gwang wanted to lock you in the torture chamber and pry every last scrap of information out of you over days or weeks. But that seemed too inhumane, so we agreed to just seal your energy and confine you here. Thank the Anti-Heaven Alliance Leader for that."
"You... you filthy scum of the earth. Why are you doing this to me? What the hell did I do wrong!"
"Don't worry. We're not planning to keep you locked up for a thousand years. We'll release you when the time is right."
"Ugh... you bastard..."
Dongbang Mukeol groaned miserably, but with his energy sealed, he had no choice but to be thrown into lodging in Jinrang Valley.
From now on, he'd be using his medical skills for Jinrang Valley.
'Was that too harsh?'
From Dongbang Mukeol's perspective, he'd been wronged one-sidedly.
I felt a twinge of guilt, but once the Thunder God School officially opened and built up its forces, I was willing to let him go.
After stashing Dongbang Mukeol in his quarters, I went to find Mangnyang.
"Did it go well?"
"Lee Gwang agreed."
"I see."
Mangnyang nodded in satisfaction.
"Then you're all set to go as envoy to the White Lotus Church?"
"Of course."
After Mangnyang, Lee Gwang, and the Thunder God School experts gathered to discuss, they'd decided to pursue official founding negotiations with the White Lotus Church.
When debating who should go as envoy, Mangnyang nominated me as the best choice, Lee Gwang reviewed and approved it, and so I was sent to Jinrang Valley with Dongbang Mukeol.
Mangnyang said,
"You're the master of Flight, so you can always slip away if needed. No better choice than you."
"Hmm, so now we head to Gansu Province?"
I'd never been to Gansu Province since birth.
As I scratched my head at the thought of another long trek, Mangnyang shook his head.
"No. Marching straight to the White Lotus Church's front gate would be insane. Let's take the back route and reap some benefits along the way."
"What do you mean?"
"Now we head to Luoyang."
Luoyang?
I wondered what he meant, but soon understood from Mangnyang's explanation.
"The White Lotus Church already has an envoy right nearby, don't they?"
Flash!
I arrived in Luoyang shortly after.
Emerging in a deserted back alley, I stepped out onto the main street, walked a short distance, and spotted the main gate of the Han Clan manor.
Knowing that aside from the gatekeepers, elite experts lay in ambush around the Han Clan gate, I approached cautiously.
Soon, a gatekeeper asked me,
"Kid, what do you want?"
I answered as Mangnyang had instructed.
"I'm a guest from the most secretive quarter."
"Ah..."
The gatekeeper's face registered surprise, and he dashed inside.
Moments later, he returned and said,
"The Young House Lord is waiting. I'll escort you to the annex."
I followed the gatekeeper into the Han Clan manor.
It had been a while since my last visit, but the auras of hidden guests and experts everywhere made it impossible to stroll casually.
A wry smile tugged at my lips.
'Back then, I strutted around this dragon's den like I owned the place? Hard to believe.'
We soon reached the annex and entered a room, where the Han Clan's Young House Lord, Han Jinseong, awaited.
I'd seen Han Jinseong several times before, but this was likely our first meeting for him.
As I sat across from him, Han Jinseong said,
"A precious guest has arrived. How fares the Alliance Leader?"
As Mangnyang had said, the Anti-Heaven Alliance was receiving aid from the Han Clan.
By nature, the Anti-Heaven Alliance couldn't operate secretly in Luoyang, but thanks to the Han Clan, they gathered intel without exposure.
Of course, Mangnyang paid the Han Clan a fee in return.
It was a symbiotic relationship, but the Han Clan held the reins.
I reminded myself of that as I slowly replied to Han Jinseong,
"He's doing well."
"What brings you here today?"
His refined features were handsome enough to rival Song Ok or Ban An.
There was good reason he was counted among Luoyang's top beauties.
"I'm here to ask if you could serve as a bridge."
"What sort of bridge...?"
I looked Han Jinseong straight in the eye and said,
"I have words to deliver directly to the White Lotus Church Lord. Be that bridge."
"......!!"
Han Jinseong's face flickered with surprise.
Then he replied,
"I don't know what you're talking about. The White Lotus Church Lord is at the White Lotus Church in Gansu Province. Go there."
Exactly as Mangnyang had predicted.
Mangnyang knew the Han Clan was the family producing the White Lotus Church's Dharma Protectors and led the Incarnation School, but the Han Clan had never admitted it and never would.
I glanced around, then sent him a transmission.
[This concerns the Thunder God School and the Young Church Lord's strange illness. No joke—please answer.]
"......"
Han Jinseong's face paled briefly.
He seemed to ponder, then said,
"May I have your name and title, honored guest?"
"Baek Woong."
"Baek Woong. Follow me, please."
He led me to the rear garden of the Han Clan manor.
There stood the black-haired girl of doll-like beauty I'd seen before.
The girl, strolling in the deserted garden, responded curtly as Han Jinseong approached.
"Jinseong, what is it? I told you to handle Anti-Heaven Alliance envoys yourself."
Han Jinseong's lips moved—he was sending her a transmission.
After receiving it, the girl's eyes sharpened, and she glared fiercely at me.
"...Who are you? What the hell does the Anti-Heaven Alliance Leader want to say?"
I knew the girl before me was Han Baekryeong, one of the White Lotus Church's three great Dharma Protectors and leader of the Incarnation School.
Her skills might surpass Lee Gwang's, and with her infinite internal energy from the Heavenly Spirit Pill, she was an absolute peak expert on par with Half-Immortals.
Naturally, even I couldn't last a hundred exchanges against her right now.
Before Han Baekryeong could lash out, I hurriedly said,
"I'm Baek Woong. And as you heard, I've come to discuss the Thunder God School and the Young Church Lord's affliction."
"You damn fool... If this is bullshit, you won't leave alive."
Thud
In that instant, I felt the intangible aura pouring from Han Baekryeong wrap around my spirit like binding chains.
My whole body felt encased in spiderwebs, rendering me immobile.
Formless Aura!
This was on another level from a mere killing intent—it was a unique ability generated through sheer will.
Unleashed as killing intent, it could instantly slay those with weak spirits; it could dominate the mentally frail outright.
Worst of all, ordinary willpower couldn't withstand it, so victims often collapsed dead without even attempting a technique.
But I'd trained for years and heard Lee Gwang explain its nature, so I knew how to counter it.
I gathered energy at the crown acupoint, straightened my vital essence, focused intently, then glared wide-eyed and shattered the pressure.
Bang!
"Hoh...?"
As I broke free of the formless aura's bonds, Han Baekryeong's eyes gleamed with interest as she regarded me.
Han Jinseong stared in astonishment too.
I'd taken minor internal injuries just now, so I spat a faint cough of blood and said,
"Cough... This is no nonsense."
"Hmm."
Han Baekryeong pondered deeply.
"The Anti-Heaven Alliance Leader commands an expert like you? No... You're not some rejuvenated elder, yet your skill and energy are remarkable for your age. Whose disciple are you?"
Questions poured out like soliloquies.
I knew most were rhetorical but answered anyway.
"I'm disciple to Lee Gwang of the Thunder God School and a member of the Anti-Heaven Alliance."
"Lee Gwang! So that's it... He raised a disciple like you."
"Will you hear me out?"
"......"
Han Baekryeong hesitated, then said,
"I'll listen after testing your skill."
Whoooosh
At once, twin swords flew from somewhere in the garden via Empty Air Grasp, landing in Han Baekryeong's hands.
I gulped dryly, knowing those blades unleashed world-shaking power the moment they swung.
Especially her secret art, True Night Moon Shadow—I'd die unable to dodge or block.
"Please go easy on me."
"Heh heh, why would I go all out on a child like you? Come, try to withstand this."
Han Baekryeong laughed melodiously and swung one hand lightly.
Twelve blasts of sword wind erupted simultaneously, encircling me.
I'd never seen such sword mastery, so I desperately used the Wheel Turn method to slip through the barrier, retreating five steps—only for a ray of sword qi to streak toward me.
Clang!
I blocked the subtle strike, but its force was immense, shoving me back two more steps.
I crashed into a pillar behind with a thud that echoed through the vibrations, then planted my feet and drove the power into the ground.
Screeeeech
Sword wind surged again from Han Baekryeong's right hand.
I thought it a fluttering, slow attack at first, but realized it was a deadly web of sword flames and tensed.
Calmly drawing on Jang Sambong's insights, I used Bending Empty Sword to deflect her technique aside and reset my stance.
After blocking a dozen exchanges, Han Baekryeong laughed delightedly.
"Ahaha! Impressive. You've reached the wonders of the sword—such a prodigy exists in the world?"
"My skills are lacking. Please, call off the attack."
"Very well. You're quite accomplished."
Swoooosh
Han Baekryeong sheathed her twin swords and tossed them far to the ground.
Arms crossed after holstering her weapons, she said,
"Let's hear it, then. What about the Thunder God School and the Young Church Lord?"
I finally caught my breath and said,
"Lee Gwang, head of the Thunder God School, has decided to officially found the school. That's why we've come to the Han Clan to relay this to the White Lotus Church."
"......"
Han Baekryeong fell silent in disbelief, then said,
"Founding...? Lee Gwang truly said that?"
"Yes."
"Madness. To think I'd be the one to kill Lee Gwang."
Her murmur carried no emotion, making it all the more chilling.
This revealed she'd known of the Thunder God School all along but left it be out of old ties.
But she distinguished public from private.
If the Church Lord's subjugation order came, she'd lead the Incarnation School's full might without hesitation and annihilate the Thunder God School.
That couldn't happen.
I met Han Baekryeong's eyes squarely and said,
"And one more thing he mentioned."
"What?"
"He holds a clue to curing the Young Church Lord's strange illness, so he hopes the White Lotus Church refrains from interfering after the founding."
"......!!"
"He wants to negotiate."
Not just Han Baekryeong—even Han Jinseong's face twisted oddly.
Han Baekryeong glared at me and said,
"I can't believe it. Where's Lee Gwang? I need to speak to him directly."
"Why can't you believe it?"
"You lot hold a clue? What's your proof? I'll show you the White Lotus Church isn't so easily swayed by empty words."
"Ugh..."
I was baffled yet inwardly impressed.
This too was exactly as Mangnyang predicted.
Just as she moved to subdue me by force, I said,
"The Thunder God School has clung to righteousness to the end—why won't you give them even one chance?"
This was the 'line' Mangnyang gave me.
I had to stake everything on it.
Sure enough, Han Baekryeong froze mid-motion.
Her face mixed confusion and irritation as she demanded,
"What do you mean?"
"Just that. When the Thunder God School was exiled, the Incarnation School did nothing. Not even when their Dharma Protector died."
"Th-that was..."
Han Baekryeong visibly faltered.
I'd struck straight at the guilt she'd harbored toward the Thunder God School.
Meeting her eyes, I continued,
"But we in the Thunder God School never questioned that loyalty. We believed Han Baekryeong, leader of the Incarnation School, truly saw him as a friend. If we didn't still view the Incarnation School as potential allies, we wouldn't have come here as messengers."
"......"
"Kill me if you must, but answer straight: Will you give the Thunder God School no chance at all?"
Han Baekryeong stood stunned.
Han Jinseong seemed lost in deep thought.
Only after a long pause did Han Baekryeong reply.
"Not entirely."
"Then you'll grant a chance?"
"Hmm..."
Han Baekryeong furrowed her brow, then said,
"...Fine. If that's how it is, I'll arrange a meeting."
"Thank you."
"I'll relay the place and time to the Anti-Heaven Alliance Leader later."
With that, Han Baekryeong continued in a threatening tone.
"But mark this well. If your message is false or a lie... or if the Church Lord rejects your existence, there's nothing for it. You'll face the wrath of the world's greatest straight on."
"Understood."
I calmly accepted the threat and reached into my saddlebag.
Slowly, I drew out twin swords.
Divine blades radiating emerald light!
These were from the Great Thunder Jade Cavern, saved for a moment like this.
Han Baekryeong asked in surprise,
"What are those?"
"The twin hook swords of Shu Han's Benevolent Emperor Liu Bei. Also called the Paired Male-Female Greatswords."
"......!!"
"As thanks for bridging this negotiation, the Anti-Heaven Alliance wishes to show sincerity."
I respectfully offered the emerald-glowing twin hook swords to Han Baekryeong, who accepted them reflexively.
After stroking the blades at length, she sighed.
"Indeed... A famed sword rivaling my beloved blade. If these truly are the twin hook swords, the Anti-Heaven Alliance has given me a grand gift."
"Will you accept?"
"Of course. On my name, I'll ensure the meeting happens."
"Thank you."
Feeling the matter settled, I turned to leave without hesitation.
Then Han Baekryeong called me back.
"Baek Woong."
"Yes."
"You're a true prodigy. Wouldn't you consider serving under me someday?"
"......"
"I could grant you ranks of king, marquis, general, or prime minister."
It sounded grandiose for a mere martial clan, but it wasn't empty.
The Han Clan's wealth was unmatched, buying most offices with ease and pulling strings for key posts.
Even high officials trembled before the Han Clan over money flows.
And if the Young Church Lord were healed, the White Lotus Church would dominate the martial world, so Han Baekryeong's offer held real weight.
But I chuckled and said,
"I'm fine as is."
"I see..."
I left the Han Clan, leaving the regretful Han Baekryeong behind.
Returning to the Anti-Heaven Alliance, I reported the negotiation's success to Mangnyang.
He rejoiced greatly and said,
"Well done! That was a tough one, but you pulled it off. Now we can draw even greater aid from the Han Clan."
"What's next?"
"Naturally, negotiate with the righteous sects' leaders."
Mangnyang chuckled and casually handed over the next task.
"Now go claim the Wudang Sect first."
============================ Author's Afterword ============================
I read a novel called Northern Eight Families on Munpia, and the sad part is... even well-written wuxia like this struggles to rise these days ㅠㅠ