Chapter 191
Chapter 191
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 191
Chapter Title: Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors
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I returned to Jinrang Valley with Mangnyang. And Mangnyang spoke.
"From what you've told me, I can see that I've been devising the wrong strategy all this time."
"What do you mean?"
Mangnyang took a sip of warm tea before speaking.
"Until now, the 'Mangnyang' in me has left you to train on your own and seek out variables, while building up the Anti-Heaven Alliance to check the Imperial Palace and preparing to ally with the Thunder God Style if needed. It was the natural course, given that you possessed a powerful trump card called Huang Yan. In other words, I had prepared to seize the world at any moment.
But now that the existence of Dalgi has been revealed, that strategy has become useless. In short, with your fifteenth reincarnation upon us, it's time for a major revision of plans."
I tilted my head.
"What do you mean?"
"For example, suppose in your fourteenth reincarnation, we hadn't stolen the Portrait Automaton from the Imperial Palace and just let time pass. Dalgi wouldn't have intervened. But within a few years, the Portrait Automaton would have been completed enough for practical use. Press here, and there it flourishes. In other words, in a 'group' versus 'group' fight as things stand, we can never defeat the Imperial Palace side."
"But when I borrowed the power of the [Old Ruler] from the Dark Heaven Fragrance to assassinate the Emperor, we smoothly took over the palace."
"Yet we couldn't handle the Zhuge Division, the final defense, on our own power."
"Hmm..."
"Even if things went well and the Zhuge Division surrendered to us in that situation, attacking the Imperial Palace is tantamount to striking at the lower followers who serve the [Old Ruler]. It's only a matter of time before the [Old Ruler] intervenes in our affairs and dispatches Dalgi."
Mangnyang sighed after explaining that far.
"That's why I said I devised the strategy wrong. Until now, I planned to topple the imperial family and establish order before the [Old Ruler] could intervene. But if Dalgi's power is that immense, we must revise all plans. Above all, we still don't even know what the alchemists are doing, why, or how they're using demonic path spells."
"......"
I pondered Mangnyang's words deeply. Then I countered.
"What should we do?"
Mangnyang lifted the teapot and poured warm tea into my cup.
"The current situation has so much information that it's confusing what to do next. In my view, your will should take priority."
"My will?"
"I have logical solutions in mind, but I can't readily present them to you. Because with so many unknown truths, pushing ahead rashly could lead to fundamental errors or major mistakes like before."
Mangnyang gazed at me steadily as he continued.
"That's why your 'intuition' is crucial."
"My intuition isn't that great..."
"You've already repeated time regression fifteen times. You possess dozens of times the experience of an ordinary person. I believe you have a unique sense that only you can perceive."
"Um..."
Mangnyang spoke with such conviction that I let out a groan.
Intuition? Did I have such a thing?
Until now, I'd just charged at anything that looked promising and figured it out on the fly. I'd died a lot that way, so I couldn't trust my senses much. But since Mangnyang said it, I couldn't ignore it, so I thought it over carefully.
And I stated what I wanted most.
"First, after meeting Miho, I want to meet the White Lotus Cult Leader."
Mangnyang responded as if surprised.
"The White Lotus Cult Leader? Why do you think that?"
I felt awkward explaining my intuition to a genius like Mangnyang. It wasn't based on solid evidence. So, scratching my head, I replied.
"Well... it doesn't seem so bad to hand the world over to the White Lotus Church."
Whether the White Lotus Church dominated the martial world or not had nothing to do with me. Rather than picking a fight with them for no reason, I just wanted to leave them to do as they pleased.
"......"
Mangnyang's face stiffened. I fidgeted, wondering if I'd said something wrong, but soon he spoke with a sigh.
"Ah... now I can truly believe you're a reincarnator!"
"Uh..."
"What you said was one of the answers I had in mind, but an ordinary person could never come up with such an idea. Moreover, your approach is completely different from mine."
Mangnyang seemed genuinely impressed. I'd spent a long time with him, but I rarely saw this reaction, so I felt inexplicably pleased. Truth be told, I hadn't thought much about the consequences of handing the world to the White Lotus Church; it was like accidentally catching a rat while the ox backed up.
Mangnyang said.
"Indeed. In my view as well, that's the most worthwhile method to try now. Until now, we've tried to topple the Imperial Palace with our own strength, but it might be better to abandon control of the martial world and entrust everything to the White Lotus Church. The second-worst is better than the absolute worst."
"Good!"
"But that implies one fact... are you okay with it?"
"What's that?"
At Mangnyang's following words, my expression hardened.
"In this life, you won't be able to ally with Lee Gwang or receive his tutelage. He considers the White Lotus Church and all who aid them as enemies."
"......!!"
I hadn't thought of that!
Indeed, if we aided the White Lotus Church, we couldn't ally with the Thunder God Style, their sworn enemies. Moreover, it was questionable if I'd even have a chance to meet Lee Gwang again. I didn't particularly like him, but losing the opportunity to train with geniuses like Lee Gwang and Jin So-cheong was a painful blow.
After thinking, I replied.
"Hmm... what if we hand the world to the White Lotus Church, and I join the Thunder God Style to fight alongside them?"
"That's thinking only of what benefits you. Handing the world to the White Lotus Church means the Cult Leader mobilizes the full might of the Church for a conquest of the Central Plains. Do you think the Thunder God Style could even survive?"
"......"
"I can say for certain it will be completely different from facing the observant White Lotus Church of the previous life. It'll be enormously difficult."
"Um."
"It's not impossible to have both... but I'll leave that to your intuition as well."
It seemed I had to choose again.
I felt this was a major turning point. Until now, consulting Mangnyang always yielded a clear direction; he'd rarely left the 'choice' to me. That showed how critical this was.
I sipped my tea and pondered in silence for about an incense stick's time. Mangnyang drank his tea and silently waited, joining me in quiet. Soon, I answered.
"I'll abandon the Thunder God Style. But I want Jin So-cheong on our side."
Mangnyang looked bewildered at my response. Then he burst into laughter.
"Hahaha... you truly are an interesting person. I considered ten possibilities, and you pick the one that looks the hardest."
"It won't work?"
"What's not to work? Let's do it."
"Thanks..."
I felt grateful to Mangnyang. He said.
"Then I'll make preparations. You go fetch Miho first."
"Got it."
"Oh, and for now, forget about Aokigahara Lake. It might complicate things."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Mangnyang was probably worried I'd get curious and scout Aokigahara Lake, only to die. Indeed, in my current state of insufficient strength, I couldn't dive into such a demonic realm. This fifteenth life felt like preparation for a grand plan, so I resolved to act with utmost caution.
Soon, I used the Returning Flight to head to the Kyoto Imperial Palace.
Shwooo!
'Miho said from the next reincarnation onward, I'd fetch her myself.'
Recalling her request, I stepped into the Imperial Palace. If I didn't come to greet her personally, she'd have to travel thousands of li to the Central Plains to obey the Queen Mother of the West's command.
As I passed through a side chamber inside the palace and reached the large hall's courtyard, a chilling sound rang out.
Kiiiiing—
It was a mind-confounding tone. Knowing how to counter such sorcery, I sealed my hearing as much as possible and circulated my internal energy. The dizziness faded, allowing me to stand steady.
Boom! Boom!
At the same time, two goblin-like creatures appeared in the distance. I knew exactly what they were and muttered.
"Zenki and Goki."
The shikigami of the onmyoji that had nearly wiped out the Twelve Rites warriors when I first met Miho! Zenki and Goki's power scaled with the sorcerer's level, proving Miho's illusion arts were extraordinary. Of course, even I couldn't take them lightly now.
Zenki and Goki didn't attack first; they just glared at me. Then, a telepathic spell voice echoed from somewhere.
[Who are you? Who dares invade the Imperial Palace without fear?]
The tone was extremely familiar. Smirking, I replied.
"Miho! You've been waiting for me, right?"
[......]
"You heard from the Queen Mother of the West, so let's get to the point quickly."
Miho didn't respond for a long while. Then, suddenly, between Zenki and Goki, she revealed her half-human, half-yokai form. The beautiful yet bewitching fox yokai gazed at me warily and said.
"You're right. You're the human she mentioned."
"That's what I said."
"But I only received the oracle a day and a half ago. How did you find me so quickly?"
"First, dismiss your shikigami? I'm too scared to talk."
"Hmph..."
Poof!
Miho waved her hand, and Zenki and Goki were unsummoned. As she walked toward me, she said.
"You seem to be a Central Plains warrior. Tell me your circumstances."
"Of course. That's why I came to find you. Just believe everything I say."
"Hmm... believing is the hardest thing in the world."
"Don't believe if you don't want to. It won't change what you have to do anyway."
Miho's tail swished as she gave a sly smile.
"You're a strange one. Why talk like we're old acquaintances?"
"Because I've reincarnated."
"What?"
And just like with Mangnyang, I spent a full hour recounting everything that had happened. It was tiring to unravel fourteen lifetimes, even though I'd done it for Mangnyang. But Miho listened intently without boredom, her face grave throughout.
To bolster my credibility, I showed her the Returning Flight and the wooden armor. Seeing their powers firsthand startled her.
"My goodness... these are demonic relics! Incredible."
"Now do you believe me?"
"What a wondrous tale."
Miho asked various other questions. I answered sincerely as best I could. After about an incense stick's worth of Q&A, Miho sighed.
"It seems true. You don't look that clever, but there's no inconsistency in your story."
"......"
Her comment about me not looking clever stung a bit. Seeing my sullen expression, Miho hurriedly soothed me.
"Ah! No, I was just verifying the truth of your words."
"What do you mean?"
"Humans, no matter how they fabricate tales, reveal discrepancies in the details. But yours had none. So I believe it's fact."
"Well, yeah. It'd be hard to believe such a story outright."
Miho playfully stroked my cheek.
"Hehe, Baek Woong. So you came to fetch me so I wouldn't have to suffer traveling to the Central Plains?"
"Yeah. That was your request."
"Ahem... since it came up, why not just stay here? I could put you on the throne as Emperor of Dongyoung instead."
I shook my head at Miho's proposal.
"Sorry, but no. Leaving the Imperial Palace be would lead to a catastrophe."
After saying that, something occurred to me, and I asked Miho.
"Right! Miho, have you ever heard of a great yokai like Dalgi? It was a gumiho yokai like you."
"......"
Miho hesitated at my question. Then she replied.
"It's not been long since I descended to earth. I'm originally from the Heavenly Realm; in ancient times like the Yin-Zhou era, I didn't exist at all. This is the first I've heard of such a mighty gumiho yokai."
"Hmm... but gumiho yokai aren't that common, right? Even you're a Heavenly Fox."
When I objected, Miho said.
"The world is full of fox yokai; some must have cultivated to gain nine tails and reach the Heavenly Fox realm. Perhaps this Dalgi yokai cultivated for ages since the Yin-Zhou era to attain that power?"
Miho's explanation made sense. Yokai, like humans, could gain spiritual power through cultivation, so long practice would yield commensurate strength. I nodded and said.
"Then let's go. Looking forward to working with you."
"Ah! Wait a moment."
"Why?"
"After hearing your story, I want to bring some of my personal guard. They could greatly aid that Mangnyang person's plans."
"Personal guard...?"
"Yes. After bewitching the Emperor of Dongyoung, I handpicked some."
Curiosity piqued me.
'Come to think of it, Miho never considered bringing guards when planning to travel to the Central Plains alone.'
Now that she'd heard my tale and had the convenient Returning Flight for transport, she wanted to bring her guard along. Naturally, more allies were better, so I nodded readily.
"Sure! Who are they?"
Miho giggled.
"I'm thinking of just two."
"So who are they?"
Miho answered confidently.
"Miyamoto Musashi and Hattori Hanzo."