Chapter 165
Chapter 165
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 165
Chapter Title: Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors
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Thunder God Style's ultimate technique?
The Thunder God Style disciples were momentarily bewildered as they looked at Lee Gwang. While the Thunder God Style did have special, powerful techniques called secret arts or ultimate moves, Lee Gwang had never mentioned anything like a "final ultimate technique" before. Even Jin So-cheong looked puzzled, confirming that something unusual was afoot.
'Such a thing exists?'
Of course, I was the most shocked.
The time I had spent learning the Thunder God Style spanned nearly half a century—no, even longer. Aside from the decisive ultimate move Thunderclap, I had never heard Lee Gwang even hint at anything similar. As all eyes turned to him, he let out a heavy sigh.
"Hmm..."
After a moment of silence, Lee Gwang spoke.
"Cult Leader. That technique has been lost in practice for now, but once we establish the sect, we can recover it soon enough."
At Lee Gwang's response, the Cult Leader slowly transmitted telepathic sound, as if he had anticipated it.
[ I figured as much.]
"......"
[ Thunder God Style... You all must understand that my recognition of your sect's founding is tied to the history of the White Lotus Cult.]
What was this about?
As the room fell silent, focusing on the White Lotus Cult Leader's words, he continued.
[ The White Lotus Cult originated from the White Lotus Sect, but even before that, there was a profound lineage that worshipped the Eternal Mother. That included your Thunder God Style and the other four great styles, all stemming from that time. The lineage's founder dates back far before the Southern Song, to the late Tang dynasty, giving our history nearly a millennium.]
"I know."
[ The four great styles always united against external pressures, sharing a single doctrine and periodically producing a Cult Leader from their own ranks. Thus, the White Lotus Cult has no distinction between martial factions and religious ones; the four great styles were essentially equals. Thunder God Style, you are not mere guardian sects—you are the history of the White Lotus Cult itself.]
The Cult Leader's words seemed like obvious statements at first glance, but Mang Ryang's expression soured upon hearing them.
"Hmm. Don't tell me..."
He seemed to have realized something else from the Cult Leader's speech. The Cult Leader pressed on.
[ Regardless of your current power, to permit your sect's founding requires my own judgment. And the prerequisite for that judgment is that you possess the quintessence of the Thunder God Style's martial arts, spanning a thousand years. Otherwise, I cannot cast out the 'history' of the White Lotus Cult known as Thunder God Style.]
"......!!"
Lee Gwang ground his teeth. Then he shouted.
"What nonsense is this? If that's your stance, what was the purge of Thunder God Style? You'd be the one who trampled that glorious history with your own hands!!"
Though he was challenging the hegemon of the world, the White Lotus Cult Leader, no one in the hall seemed to find it rude except for the Dharma Protectors. Lee Gwang was the representative and strongest of Thunder God Style, and there was indeed a contradiction in the Cult Leader's words.
Perhaps because of that, the Cult Leader gestured to diffuse the Dharma Protectors' subtle movements to intervene. He replied.
[ I'll say that was an unavoidable circumstance. However, I harbor regret and pity for you of Thunder God Style, and I'm willing to take you back into the fold even now if you wish.]
"Heh heh... You expect us to believe that?"
[ This is not a choice—it's a necessity. Prove that your Thunder God Style possesses the final ultimate technique and stand independent, or join under my command here and now. That's why I came in person today.]
"......"
Only then did we all grasp the White Lotus Cult Leader's true intentions.
He had come himself to minimize conflict and absorb Thunder God Style!
The Cult Leader clearly harbored ambitions to extend his reach into the Central Plains' martial world, gathering forces for it. While subduing Thunder God Style with the White Lotus Cult's power wouldn't be hard, he had chosen absorption instead.
Naturally, for the Reverse Heaven Alliance or Mang Ryang, allying with the White Lotus Cult wasn't a bad deal. Their main enemy was the Imperial Palace, making it a shared foe in some ways. Thus, Mang Ryang saw no issue with Thunder God Style being absorbed here, but Lee Gwang's position differed. He still carried the grudge of being cast out by the Cult.
Seething with barely suppressed rage, Lee Gwang said.
"This is unfair."
[ What is unfair about it?]
"Thunder God Style, over its thousand-year martial history, had countless masters establish secret arts and ultimate moves. The sheer volume was too vast for one or two successors, so we adopted a multi-person transmission system. That's why, when rejected by the White Lotus Cult, our arts fragmented and scattered everywhere."
Lee Gwang glared fiercely at the Cult Leader and continued.
"You gave no prior notice of conditions, yet the side responsible for that fragmentation now demands the final ultimate technique? That's outrageous! At the very least, grant us sufficient time!"
[ ......]
The Cult Leader seemed to ponder for a moment.
[ I'll hear opinions on this.]
He abruptly turned to the Wind God Style Dharma Protector beside him.
[ Yong Bi-cheon. What do you think?]
The man in the black tiger mask—Yong Bi-cheon, leader of Wind God Style and its Dharma Protector—thought deeply at the Cult Leader's words. Then, with a cold sneer, he said.
"Lee Gwang's words are utterly irresponsible. Without a final ultimate technique or decisive ultimate move, a sect can't be properly formed—yet he blames us? We can ignore him entirely."
Anger surged on the faces of Lee Gwang and the gathered Thunder God Style disciples. With Wind God Style as mortal enemies of Thunder God Style, their leader's words were infuriating. But fighting Yong Bi-cheon here would be suicidal, so they held back.
[ Very well. Then what of Han Baek-ryeong?]
Han Baek-ryeong, leader of Fire God Style, wearing a silver fox mask, answered the Cult Leader's question.
"I find merit in it. And from what I know, these Thunder God Style folk have allied with the Reverse Heaven Alliance, who oppose the Imperial Palace. Granting a grace period lets them run free for a bit— it won't harm our cult."
[ Hmm... Reverse Heaven Alliance.]
The Cult Leader murmured, glancing at Mang Ryang.
[ Are you the Reverse Heaven Alliance Leader?]
Flash!
In that instant, Mang Ryang froze like a mouse before a cat, unable to speak. The Cult Leader's invisible pressure from the shadows had subdued his spirit.
'Damn!'
I hurriedly placed my hand on Mang Ryang's shoulder, pouring my internal energy into him like a waterfall. Moments later, he regained his senses. Clearing his throat after briefly losing consciousness, Mang Ryang replied.
"Yes, White Lotus Cult Leader."
[ Why do you oppose the Imperial Palace?]
"Because alien races lurk in its shadows, plunging the world into chaos."
Murmurs...
The hall buzzed at Mang Ryang's answer. The term "alien races" was quite unfamiliar even to Yellow Mountain Sect disciples and Thunder God Style members. Even the Cult Leader's elite guards seemed confused.
But the Cult Leader appeared intrigued by Mang Ryang's words. Retracting his subtle pressure, he said.
[ Alien races...? Are you certain of this?]
"The Imperial Guard and Embroidered Uniform already fall under their sway, long puppets of their power. Believing the common folk will suffer their atrocities, I rose for the sake of righteousness."
[ Ho...]
The Cult Leader said.
[ Interesting. Visit the White Lotus Cult anytime, and I'll receive you properly.]
"I certainly will."
The Dharma Protectors glanced back in surprise at those words.
It was that unexpected from the Cult Leader. He then turned to the golden dragon-masked Water God Style Dharma Protector.
[ Dokgo Jun. What do you think?]
Unlike the others, the Cult Leader addressed him casually—likely due to their shared style. Water God Style's Dharma Protector Dokgo Jun glanced at Lee Gwang and said.
"Granting a grace period isn't bad. Even if we absorb them now, they lack the final ultimate technique. Giving them time seems fine, no?"
[ Hmm. Indeed.]
After hearing from the three Dharma Protectors in turn, the Cult Leader addressed Lee Gwang.
[ Thunder God Style. I acknowledge my proposal was sudden. I grant you a grace period to acquire the final ultimate technique.]
"......"
[ Three years! Bring results within that time.]
Lee Gwang pressed his temples and shouted.
"Ten years are needed!"
[ You take ten years lightly? Time for mountains and rivers to change?"
"Damn it... As you know, Thunder God Style's final ultimate technique requires three masters for transmission. Starting now, scouring heaven and earth for them will take over ten years."
[ Hmm...]
At last, the Cult Leader said.
[ Fine... Five years. No more.]
"My thanks."
[ I'll permit provisional founding until then. Do your best.]
Was this half a victory?
Unexpectedly, the Cult Leader harbored no ill will toward Thunder God Style itself and was quite amenable to negotiation. Even the Wind God Style Dharma Protector scowled. Fire God Style and Water God Style showed no change.
Then Mang Ryang stood abruptly and cupped his fists.
"Great Sovereign of the White Lotus Cult, I have one request!"
All eyes turned to Mang Ryang. The Cult Leader was about to depart, but the mood shifted suddenly. Intrigued, the Cult Leader asked.
[ What is it?]
"You seem to doubt Thunder God Style's capabilities, so I propose something practical and beneficial to both sides—one you must accept."
Taking a deep breath, Mang Ryang said.
"I wish for a friendly spar between Thunder God Style and Wind God Style."
[ Friendly spar...?]
Nodding, Mang Ryang continued.
"Best of five matches, with each style's experts competing. You can gauge Thunder God Style's current power with your own eyes, and we can witness the famed White Lotus Cult Wind God Style's strength—what better opportunity?"
At Mang Ryang's proposal, Wind God Style Dharma Protector Yong Bi-cheon exclaimed in dismay.
"You bastard! What nonsense is this?"
"It's no nonsense. Or do you lack confidence...?"
"......!!"
Yong Bi-cheon's teeth-grinding echoed through the hall, tensing everyone. He was thoroughly provoked, but even as he seemed ready to lunge, he held back—likely due to the presence of the Cult Leader and fellow Dharma Protectors.
The Cult Leader said.
[ A friendly spar needs stakes for victory and defeat. What do you suggest?]
"If Thunder God Style wins, extend the grace period to ten years. If Wind God Style wins, Thunder God Style joins the White Lotus Cult immediately, no objections."
[ This could be entertaining.]
Yong Bi-cheon urgently turned to the Cult Leader in protest.
"Cult Leader! No need to accept these fools' proposal!"
[ Enough. Just win, no?]
"Th-that's..."
[ Unless you lack confidence... then refuse.]
Under the Cult Leader's subtle pressure, Yong Bi-cheon gritted his teeth and replied.
"No. Wind God Style will win."
[ That's the spirit.]
Thus, the friendly spar was set. The hall was too small, so they all moved to Yellow Mountain Sect's training ground. En route, Thunder God Style disciples, I, Mang Ryang, and Miho huddled to plan.
Lee Gwang said to Mang Ryang.
"Reverse Heaven Alliance Leader. Well spoken."
"No, it's going according to plan. Now we just need two wins."
"Time to show them a harsh lesson."
Lee Gwang stated firmly, scanning the group.
"Me, Jin So-cheong, and Baek Woong will go."
"Wouldn't Senior Brother Geuk-ho be better..."
I spoke modestly, but Lee Gwang hummed thoughtfully. Geuk-ho interjected with a chuckle.
"Aigoo, this punk trying to save face?"
"Senior Brother."
Geuk-ho slapped my back heartily.
"You idiot, with Thunder God Style's fate on the line, now's the time to worry about face? You're stronger than me, so fight well, win—that's how you honor me."
"Understood."
Lee Gwang, listening beside us, nodded.
"Their trio won't be pushovers either. Baek Woong, you must win."
"Don't worry, Master."
We devised a rough strategy and headed to the training ground. The viewing stands already held the Cult Leader's palanquin, two Dharma Protectors, elite guards, and swarms of Yellow Mountain Sect elders and disciples waiting.
The Yellow Mountain Sect elder overseeing judging and proceedings announced.
"Each style's three champions, step forward!"
I, Jin So-cheong, and Lee Gwang walked onto the sparring platform.
Opposite us, three Wind God Style experts emerged. Seeing them, worry crept in.
'Wind God Style Dharma Protector Yong Bi-cheon, Yellow Mountain Sect's leader Dragon Dragon Divine Sword Yong Jung-il, and that one...'
The third from Wind God Style was a one-eyed man with a curved ring saber at his waist. I expected a sect elder or Wind God Squad leader like Lee Yeo-song, but this man's martial prowess was clearly far superior. A super peak expert for sure—not an easy foe.
Moments later, we exchanged fist salutes and stepped down. The Yellow Mountain Sect elder at the platform's center bellowed.
"First match champion, step forward!"
Swish.
Wind God Style's one-eyed ring saber man stepped up first. Lee Gwang or Jin So-cheong could surely take a win, but it wasn't efficient, so I had to face him. I walked out, standing three zhang apart on the platform.
Cupping my fists, I said.
"I'm Baek Woong of Thunder God Style. Please advise."
The one-eyed man cupped his fists in return.
"I'm Dou Ma of Wind God Style."
"......!!"
I was stunned.
"You're the Asura Sect Leader of the Eight Demonic Sects?"
Dou Ma seemed conscious of the Cult Leader's presence, masking his arrogance as he replied.
"Heh heh, that's right."
This was no ordinary matter.
Eight Demonic Sects!
Among them, Asura Sect specialized in saber arts, as I knew. My direct encounters had only been with the Gold Saber Hall Leader when the Eight Demonic Sects ambushed me. Their leaders, the Eight Demonic Lords, were super peak experts dominating the unorthodox skies.
Dou Ma, Asura Sect Leader, was a battle maniac who even hosted Luoyang's Shadow Tournament. To think he was a Wind God Style disciple! As I faltered in surprise, Jin So-cheong sent me a transmission from below.
[ Junior brother, don't worry. You're far stronger—stay calm, and you'll win for sure!]
Jin So-cheong's words let me breathe deeply and steady myself. Wind swirled threateningly around Dou Ma's ring saber, but my spirits didn't falter. Confidence welled up instead.
'Right. Scared of some Eight Demonic Lord?'
My goal went beyond them. I had to clash head-on with the Imperial Palace forces several times stronger. Cowering here achieved nothing.
"Spar begins!"
Thus, my first bout with an Eight Demonic Lord commenced.