Chapter 164
Chapter 164
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 164
Chapter Title: Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors
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I had thought it was just the Thunder God Style doing group training at the Azure Dragon Martial Hall, but contrary to my expectations, the daily schedule was incredibly packed. I had to wake up at the crack of dawn, the very first one, wring every last insight from Jang Sambong in my head, and desperately train ahead of everyone else. The others would rise half a shichen later and mimic what I was doing.
And strangely enough, with me in the center, they formed a circular formation around me at a distance of about two zhang and began sparring. At first, I wondered why we were doing it this way, but by around the third day, as Sa Gong-rin and Jaehu got accustomed to the forms, I understood the reason.
The people surrounding the circle immersed themselves in martial arts, constantly pondering the forms and meanings of the sword techniques. At noon, they gathered to discuss. I joined the discussions too, and what surprised me was that Sa Gong-rin and Jaehu, whose realms were clearly lower than mine, made incredibly sharp observations.
Jin So-cheong, Geukho, Lee Gwang, Sa Gong-rin, Jaehu.
They were all once-in-a-thousand geniuses in martial arts, with innate senses for cultivation. Every time I demonstrated a form or variation from the Groaning Dragon Strike or the Heavenly Bamboo Sword, I shared their inspirations through discussion, swallowing hard.
'Incredible...'
What I would have just rattled off as forms alone, after one cycle of discussion, they were already approaching the profound intent. They even delved into linkages to the next forms hidden within or derivative techniques. I felt my head spinning and had to concentrate fully on the discussions.
But it was only natural. Martial arts progressed faster when cultivated in a group than alone, especially when innate geniuses shared their insights—no method could be more efficient. By around the seventh week of training, I realized the martial research had advanced to a level that would have taken me years alone.
"Huff... huff..."
But by then, my stamina was not just wrecked—it was in tatters. My endurance and mental fortitude had withstood a hundred thousand swings, but mindless swinging and actual sparring were worlds apart. Using the body consumed mental energy too, exhausting me several times over. Unable to endure, I rested under a tree for a moment when Lee Gwang said sternly.
"Get a grip! Do you think time is on your side?"
"Ugh... Sorry."
"I'll give you half a shichen for rest. Recover your stamina with meditation as much as possible by then."
"Yes."
"I warned you this training would be tough. I believe in your grit."
With Lee Gwang saying that, I had no choice. I gritted my teeth, recovered my stamina, and drew out the latent power of my internal energy. With bleary eyes, I looked at Sa Gong-rin and Jaehu still training over there.
'Amazing growth rate...'
They were rapidly advancing by embodying the Wudang insights. Normally, one's martial arts wouldn't improve in just seven weeks, but they had already broken through their shells and grown. They were finding the wondrous essence of the arts themselves and developing further. Their comprehension was incomparable to mine, sending chills down my spine.
It's tough.
My body and mind were exhausted, but especially my mind. Trying to hone martial arts amid these geniuses incomparable to a lump of clay like me made me shrink and suffer instinctively. At least the Azure Dragon Martial Hall had an open research atmosphere, but here they debated fiercely, cherishing every moment, making my lack of talent stand out even more.
And the misery I had hardly felt in this life swept through my heart like cold raindrops. I was facing again the lowly talent I had covered up with willpower. After another seven weeks, I was so utterly drained I holed up between rocks in the dead of night.
"......"
The results were definitely good. I could feel research that would take over five years alone accelerating through these geniuses. It was dozens of times faster. But at the same time, I was so frustrated and annoyed tears welled up.
Why am I so talentless?
It wasn't from lack of effort so far. Falling behind without effort is self-inflicted. But even in this reincarnation, I trained whenever I could. Yet when it came to research borrowing others' talents, self-loathing poured in like a waterfall. The jade and stone were clearly separated.
I missed Miho.
I wanted to chat nonsense with Miho and laugh.
I wanted to live this reincarnation flowing along with Mangnyang's words.
"...No."
But I steeled my heart.
Because I trust Mangnyang.
Why would Mangnyang, who knows everything, throw me into this hellish environment?
It must be because he believed I could overcome this inferiority and endure for the greater cause. If Mangnyang believed in me, I had to repay him. And if I didn't grow stronger quickly, even fiercer trials awaited ahead.
I clenched my fist, wiping away the tears that had welled up. My throat parched, I gulped stream water and stood.
I muttered the words Jin So-cheong once said to me.
"A man must make himself strong."
Good things can't always happen to me.
Sometimes tough times come. For great deeds, it's natural.
If this is the trial laid upon me, I'll overcome it too.
And about two months later, Mangnyang visited the temple.
The sun was high in the sky, and we were all training together. Mangnyang approached Lee Gwang and said.
"Lee Gwang. An envoy from the White Lotus Cult came and went."
Lee Gwang had been meditating, researching a sword form from the Groaning Dragon Strike. His eyes snapped open at Mangnyang's words.
"What did they say?"
"They said to meet at the Yellow Mountain Sect in four days at the shen hour."
"Yellow Mountain Sect? Why are they dragging the Nine Great Sects into this?"
When Lee Gwang questioned, Mangnyang said bitterly.
"The Yellow Mountain Sect is the Central Plains branch of the Wind God Style. You didn't know."
"......!!"
Lee Gwang's eyes widened. He shouted fiercely.
"Why didn't you tell me!"
Intense killing intent poured out, but Mangnyang, not idle in the meantime, calmly deflected it with peak expert internal energy momentum. Then he said calmly.
"What would you have done if I told you? With the Thunder God Style's founding imminent and negotiations with the White Lotus Cult at this crucial time, would you go smash the Wind God Style's Central Plains base?"
"That's..."
"I figured you'd know better than anyone that the important ones are the Dharma Protectors, not the small fry. So I saw no need to mention it."
Lee Gwang clamped his mouth shut, at a loss for words. But his subtle glare at Mangnyang suggested a hint of distrust. I was a bit worried about Lee Gwang, but the White Lotus Cult issue was more pressing right now.
A moment later, Lee Gwang said.
"Fine. Who’s coming as their envoy?"
"The White Lotus Cult Leader will bring all three Dharma Protectors."
"......!!"
"That's the force that could annihilate the Central Plains martial world, all gathered there."
Mangnyang muttered in a deflated voice, but everyone's faces in the group hardened.
White Lotus Cult Leader and Dharma Protectors!
If those four appeared in the Central Plains now, nothing could stop them. No—even one of them could overturn all Nine Great Sects. The White Lotus Cult Leader's prowess, said to handle three Dharma Protectors at once, was unimaginable.
Lee Gwang let out a hollow laugh.
"Heh heh. That old hag did too good a job. Who'd have thought enemies would gather in one place..."
"Planning to strike the White Lotus Cult Leader?"
"...No. I know my place. It's impossible there."
Surprisingly, Lee Gwang readily admitted reality. He continued coldly.
"But thanks to Baek Woong, honing transcendent sword forms has boosted my skills. Even if things go wrong, I think I can land one strike on the Cult Leader before dying."
"Good. That eases my mind."
Mangnyang replied lightly and continued.
"But there won't be need for force that day. The Cult Leader won't handle it so petty. He probably really intends to recognize the Thunder God Style's founding."
"So I should show a pleased reaction?"
When Lee Gwang replied curtly, Mangnyang pressed his temples with folded brows and said.
"It's something to be pleased about. We can secure one more gain then."
"Gain?"
"That day, first secure the Thunder God Style's founding promise, then find a pretext for a spar. Of course, you or Jin So-cheong will face a Dharma Protector."
"......!!"
"Of course, a friendly spar."
A spar with a Dharma Protector!
The gathered Thunder God Style disciples were shocked by the unexpected words. But Lee Gwang didn't flinch, closing his eyes calmly in thought. After a long pause, he said.
"A chance to gauge the Dharma Protectors' skills?"
"Yes. You don't know the Dharma Protectors' exact power or the might of their Heavenly Spirit Pills, do you? I know that in the expert realms, knowing your opponent's level versus not is worlds apart."
"You're right. Gauging their skills and forms would help greatly ahead."
"Thank you for understanding."
Lee Gwang said.
"But avoid the Water God Style. I'd prefer the Wind God Style if possible."
"I know. The Water God Style's Dharma Protector is extremely dangerous."
"Good. Then, Baek Woong..."
Lee Gwang turned to me, and I nodded.
"I've been to Yellow Mountain. We can fly there in an instant with the flying sword and wooden armor."
"Then keep honing your martial prowess until the day before."
"Yes."
After the discussion ended, Mangnyang called me aside. I talked with him in front of the hut.
"Baek Woong. How's the training? I didn't visit to avoid disrupting your focus, but any results?"
I smiled wryly at Mangnyang's question.
"It was quite agonizing."
"Hm... Sorry. It was expected, but unavoidable."
"No. If it's a necessary step, I endure."
I replied and continued.
"So far, I've just used the Groaning Dragon Strike and Heavenly Bamboo Sword straightforwardly, but now we're deriving variations and establishing them as a single swordsmanship. Jin So-cheong has already created somewhat new forms, fused with the Thunder God Style's secrets."
"Amazing... Such progress in just two months."
"With five geniuses gathered."
At the same time, the hardships and frustrations I'd endured flashed through my mind. The five didn't mock or disdain me, but their consideration made me uncomfortable. I'd pushed through my material shortcomings, barely sleeping, to endure. Thus, I'd undergone unprecedented training density over two months.
I said.
"And now, it seems we're at the stage to initiate the True Warrior Seven Ultimates Scripture, Mysterious Heaven Five Gods Formula, Supreme Ultimate Luminous Willow Sword, Seven Stars Shadow Escape, and Unrivaled Tyrant."
"......"
Hearing the arts' names, Mangnyang said with a drained look.
"What are those? Each one's a transcendent martial art?"
"Seems so."
"Jang Sambong the Daoist was a monstrous Daoist... Master just those properly, and you'll be a peerless expert under heaven."
"The problem is mastering even one properly."
Mastering each alone would take a century of delving and training. They're the supreme prodigy's insights from the righteous sects. Of course, Sword Immortal Yeo Dongbin embodied them like breathing, but as a great immortal and transcendent, incomparable to me.
Rubbing my sleepy eyes, I said.
"Anyway, at latest in a year, there'll be remarkable results in the Groaning Dragon Strike and Heavenly Bamboo Sword. Look forward to it."
"...Baek Woong."
"What?"
"Don't you think I always make excessive demands?"
I shook my head at Mangnyang's words.
"I trust your wisdom. That's enough."
"Thank you."
And when the promised day came, four days later, we slept and rested until the chen hour, then at noon flew to Yellow Mountain using the flying sword and wooden armor. We arrived at a peak I frequented, near the Yellow Mountain Sect, shrouded in mountain fog.
Including me, the Thunder God Style experts, Mangnyang, and Miho cleared the fog and headed toward the Yellow Mountain Sect. Plenty of time remained until the promised shen hour, but we arrived early to scout the enemy's home base.
Soon, reaching the peak of the Yellow Mountain Sect, we saw a large gate leading to it. The sect disciples at the gate politely cupped fists to us.
"We greet the Thunder God Style experts! This way, please."
We showed surprise in our eyes. Wind God Style and Thunder God Style were mortal enemies, so we hadn't expected such courtesy from the Yellow Mountain Sect, the Wind God Style's Central Plains branch. But conversely, knowing the Thunder God Style's explosive tempers, they were probing without provoking from the start.
Following the Yellow Mountain Sect disciples, a massive reception hall appeared. An impossibly vast and ornate great hall for a mountain sect, opposite which sat a middle-aged man in a chair.
A moment later, the middle-aged man rose, approached Lee Gwang, and cupped fists.
"Pleased to meet you. I am Do Ryong Shin Geom Yong Jung-il, head of the Yellow Mountain Sect."
Do Ryong Shin Geom Yong Jung-il!
A transcendent expert who appeared like a comet, head of the Nine Great Sects' Yellow Mountain Sect. Known as a master of fearsome illusory sword that could slay dragons with dancing sword qi, he had eradicated all unorthodox sects and demonic cults around Yellow Mountain. One of the top sword masters in the Nine Great Sects.
Lee Gwang let out a hum in response to Yong Jung-il's greeting.
"Hm... I am Lee Gwang. I've heard much of your fame."
"Our sect has past enmities with your predecessors, but let's set them aside today. It's an auspicious day, with the Cult Leader gracing us personally."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Surprisingly, Lee Gwang didn't provoke and accepted Yong Jung-il's greeting smoothly. But beneath his impassive expression lurked chilling killing intent, letting me know he was suppressing his explosive nature well. Yong Jung-il facing him probably gauged it somewhat too.
Light refreshments were served, and the Thunder God Style experts sat. Though all top-class dishes by master chefs, none of us touched them. No one was foolish enough to eat in enemy territory.
Mangnyang beside me said.
"Today will truly be a major hurdle."
"Indeed."
I agreed.
A moment later, musicians came out, playing light tunes to liven the mood, but the melody grew simpler and more solemn. Eventually, even the string instruments stopped, leaving only slow drumbeats.
Dong.
Dong.
After a long while, as the drums quieted, a Yellow Mountain Sect elder stepped forward and announced.
"The White Lotus Cult Leader arrives."
Saaat...
At that moment, my eyes turned to the distant entrance.
Now, the world's greatest expert, the White Lotus Cult Leader, would emerge from there.
Dudung
First came the Dharma Protectors in black tiger mask, silver fox mask, and golden dragon mask, walking slowly. Then, a presence slowly took a seat from beyond view. No strong expert aura, but everyone in the hall instinctively knew.
The one beyond the steps.
That was the White Lotus Cult Leader.
In the silent hall, the White Lotus Cult Leader's voice echoed throughout via Six Harmonies Resonance for the first time.
[It's been a while, Thunder God Style.]
A voice indeterminate as male or female. The only certainty: profound internal energy enabling Six Harmonies Resonance. Lee Gwang strained to analyze the voice for more insight into the Leader, then replied slowly.
"Indeed, Cult Leader."
[Do you seek independence?]
The Leader asked directly, without preamble. Lee Gwang, surprised but expression unchanged, answered.
"Of course. The Thunder God Style declares founding as an independent sect, no longer a subordinate style of the White Lotus Cult."
[In exchange for the plague cure clue, correct?]
"Nothing's changed."
Silence flowed.
After half a geng, the White Lotus Cult Leader replied.
[I recognize the Thunder God Style's independence and founding.]
But the condition following made all Thunder God Style experts' faces harden.
[Provided you possess the Thunder God Style's Final Secret.]