Chapter 200
Chapter 200
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 200
Chapter Title: Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors
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The library was definitely underground. A round, dark tunnel had been dug out, wide enough for people to pass through. The floor of the tunnel, which resembled a wormhole, was finished with a steel-like material, and there was hardly any smell of earth. It was eerie with no sign of human presence, but nothing to worry about too much.
Whirr—
A round door slid open. Unusually, it wasn't a sliding or hinged type; it opened automatically as we approached. It seemed to detect our presence and open on its own. Having never seen such technology, I marveled as I headed through the door.
Following the spiral staircase a bit further up, a round door leading to the surface came into view. Unlike the previous one, this door didn't open automatically even when we got close, so it appeared to be manual. Unsure how to open it, Miho and I pondered for a moment.
'How do you open this thing?'
A moment later, Miho glanced at a square device beside the door and said,
"Isn't it by placing a hand on that?"
"If it's a trap, we're done for."
"Don't worry. I'll keep watch."
"......"
No matter how superior a transcendent peak expert's dynamic vision and reflexes were, a pre-set trap could still catch them off-guard by a beat, leading to injury. But since Miho guaranteed it, I took the risk and placed my right hand on the square device beside the door.
Beep.
At that instant, the door's opening mechanism sank into the floor as if it had been waiting, and it opened.
Whirr.
"It opened."
It opened so matter-of-factly that it felt anticlimactic. Miho smiled and said,
"If there were a trap like that, it would be strange. It might make sense coming in from outside, but activating a trap when leaving from inside goes against common sense."
"You never know. Anyway, as long as we can get out."
Miho looked around the library exit and said,
"This library was certainly built by some other race. The internal partitions and door mechanisms use extremely advanced technology."
"Yeah. Who built this?"
The Seer had said that the other races weren't a single lumped-together species but consisted of hundreds or thousands of tribes within. So, the other race that built this library must be distinct. Feeling wonder, I headed for the exit.
Emerging outside, we found a dim basement. Miho and I spotted shamanistic Kirill characters engraved in various places in the basement. Miho examined each one closely and said,
"It's a seal. It prevents entry from outside."
"What do you mean?"
"This place is part of some building, and the local sorcerers have designated it as forbidden ground. They probably made it impossible to enter from outside and kept people away, thinking it was an other-race ruin."
I looked across the basement. It was barely three zhang away.
"There's a door—can't we just open it and leave?"
"Since we're going from inside to outside, there shouldn't be a problem. No direct-attack barriers are deployed. But there is a detection barrier, so the moment we do, the local sorcerers will know of our presence."
"That's annoying."
As Mang-ryang had said, it wasn't just about whether our movements were exposed outside. This location was likely Moscow, the capital of the Arasa Empire, and causing a commotion here would spell major trouble for heading to the North Pole later. I asked Miho,
"Any way to leave without being detected?"
"It seems difficult. I lack the skill to deftly unravel such complex shamanistic spells."
"Tch, no choice then. Let's just go."
"You sure?"
"If not, we run..."
I muttered casually as I approached and opened the door. At that moment, it felt like dozens of gazes swept over my body, accompanied by a slight electric tingle at my fingertips. Opening the door itself was fine, but with my latent shamanic power, I clearly sensed it.
'So that's it.'
Right now, the sorcerers in Moscow were undoubtedly rushing over. I shouted to Miho,
"Miho! Turn into an inanimate object."
"What?! You're going to break through alone?"
"It's better that way."
"Hmm... Don't overdo it."
We could just use the return pearl to go back to Jinrang Valley where Mang-ryang was, but that would be a waste. The distance from Moscow to the Central Plains was thousands of li, so scouting key spots here would save time next visit. Plus, fighting together with Miho might just complicate things.
As Miho transformed into necklace form, I exited the door and started running. This place indeed had architecture utterly different from the Central Plains.
'Is this a palace?'
It had a grand, majestic feel like an imperial palace. Confirming no presences around, I swiftly pierced through the interior. Using Annihilation Step, I reached the opposite side in less than ten breaths.
Flash.
Ascending the stairs, the surface came into view. No presences here either. I suddenly felt something off.
'Why no signs of life?'
My qi sense could easily detect nearby living beings, but even after reaching the surface from the palace basement, nothing. It was strange for such a massive palace to have zero people. Spotting the palace gate leading outside, I fell into dilemma.
'...Enter the interior or leave...'
There might be no chance to enter next time. That suggested ransacking inside first, but considering potential trouble, leaving it alone and exiting might be better. Both options had gains and risks, so I hesitated.
That was when it happened.
Whoosh.
A smoky phantom appeared before me. An insubstantial illusion created by sorcery; as I stared blankly, it soon took the form of an old man with a full beard wrapped in a cloak-like robe, leaning on a staff. The old man's lips moved.
[ [email protected]*한 자... @$*@@(*$인가...]
I couldn't understand, but I vaguely recognized it as Arasa Empire language. I'd learned it for three months from the North Sea Ice Palace Lord. But since I couldn't make it out properly, the old man must have used rather advanced vocabulary. So, I cupped my fists and replied in the basic Arasa I knew well.
"Hello, nice to meet you. My name is So-woong."
[ ......]
"Have you eaten?"
Was my pronunciation off...?
The old man fell silent, then seemed to catch on. He pondered deeply before speaking.
[ A person from Ming?]
Central Plains tongue. I inwardly sighed in relief and replied in Central Plains speech.
"Yes."
[ How on earth did you emerge from the seal? What is your purpose here?]
Fortunately, the old man spoke Central Plains fluently. His scholarly appearance gave it away. I answered cautiously.
"While traveling, I needed help from the Seer at the great temple in Astana. He transported me to the ancient library, and I just came out."
[ Astana's Seer... I see... Well, it's his tribe's library... So you're a traveler from Ming?]
"Yes. What happened?"
[ No choice but to trust...]
Muttering, the old man continued.
[ Leave this place at once. The Kremlin Palace has become a demonic capital—it's extremely dangerous.]
"This is the Kremlin Palace? Then who are you?"
[ I am Belov, Patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Church.]
Eastern Orthodox Church? Patriarch?
I didn't know much, but thanks to his fluent Central Plains, I caught his name as Belov. Not a hard pronunciation, so as I memorized it, Belov said,
[ No time for more talk. Escape the palace quickly. Delay, and there'll be no chance.]
I glanced at the dim palace interior.
"What's inside?"
[ The existence that drove Ivan IV to madness... a nightmare being.]
"......?"
[ Escape now! Demonic kin swarm everywhere, but I'll lend you the power of the icons.]
Flash.
Belov extended a divine energy toward me, and golden leaves seeped into my body the next instant. Startled it might harm me, but it didn't seem so.
'Like a blessing from a greater immortal?'
Belov's form had vanished. He'd likely exhausted his illusion sorcery after granting the golden leaves' blessing. Realizing it was no time to hesitate, I began exiting the Kremlin Palace. If this mysterious ally urged so strongly, the interior was surely dire.
Tadak.
The Kremlin Palace impressed with its white walls. Its scale rivaled the Central Plains imperial palace. As I scaled the inner walls toward the outer, a suspicious presence stirred.
'What is it?'
Not human. But definitely an animal presence laced with killing intent. Drawing my sword, I halted and scanned around. Sure enough, something slithered out around the gates.
Grrr...
They were beasts. Humanoid forms dripping blood with peeled skin, topped with mad wolf heads. One hand clutched an iron mace, marking them as weapon-users.
'What kind of monster is this?'
Anyway, intent on sweeping them, I unleashed sword qi. Simultaneously blasting oppressive inner force, but the beasts showed little reaction. Considering even transcendent peak experts couldn't ignore my inner force pressure, these lacked emotions or survival instincts.
In that instant, I grasped their nature. Odd to say, but they were already dead. Dead, so immune to survival-instinct techniques.
Slash!
Charging, I beheaded two beasts. They toppled, others lunged. But casually sidestepping with Annihilation Step, I unleashed Thunder Spirit Seal.
Boom.
The seal exploded, blasting three to pieces simultaneously. As their assault faltered, creating a gap, I observed the beasts and discovered something shocking.
"Regeneration?"
With a squelch, tentacles sprouted from the severed necks, rapidly pulling toward the torsos. Soon bodies reconnected, and the beast rose gripping its mace again. Even those pulverized by Thunder Spirit Seal sprouted tentacles from fragments, attempting regeneration.
Prolonged fight would just drain my qi. Grimacing, I fired another Thunder Spirit Seal and leaped forward with Annihilation Step.
Kaboom.
They shattered under the seal without even a scream. My guess they weren't living was correct—like the jiangshi from tales.
"Tch. Creepy."
Snow fell silently between heaven and earth. Leaping under a house's eaves, I shook it off with a qi membrane. Snow itself might carry sorcery. After dashing about ten li, a sinister laugh boomed.
[ Uhahaha...!!]
I hid under the house's eaves. Houses stood empty, devoid of human presence. This Moscow had no humans—utterly vanished. As laughter faded, a massive phantom appeared in the sky.
Flash.
A youth in luxurious robes. The wooden idol-like youth's illusion loomed dozens of zhang tall. Exuding eerie, potent aura, he bellowed,
[ An intruder in my palace tries to leave? Come here at once, barbarian!]
Telepathic-like, transcending language barriers, I understood.
'My palace? Then that guy's...'
From his words, I inferred his identity. This was Moscow, the palace I exited was central Kremlin, and only one ruled the capital self-proclaiming "I"—the youth in the illusion: Arasa Emperor Ivan IV.
But per North Sea Ice Palace Lord, Ivan IV was a senile geezer deep in madness, despite conquests, half-insane with rumors.
'No time for that!'
Fighting him now was too disadvantageous. His home turf, unknown powers. To use return pearl later, escape Moscow first. No point manifesting in demonic lair.
Tadak!
I intensified lightness skill, soaring with Annihilation Step—dozens of times arrow speed. Detecting me, Ivan IV's skyborne illusion thrust a colossal palm. Growing vaster, soon too huge even for Annihilation Step to evade.
"......!!"
Gritting teeth, I boosted lightness skill, explosively bursting inner force. Abruptly opening three of the Eight Gates without prep, nosebleed gushed, but transcended Annihilation Step limits temporarily.
Pop.
Space-ripping sound, evading the palm. Ivan IV's illusion, surprised at missing, chuckled.
[ Hoo... Entertaining, uhaha...]
Glancing back, houses crushed under palm pressure. Not mere illusion—wielded real physics. My attacks' effect on it uncertain. Fleeing was right.
Impulse to use return pearl surged. But not yet—escape demonic city first, or same spot.
Tang.
"What?!"
Scaling city walls, pitch-black darkness wall repelled me. So close! Sword flame infused with inner force bounced off harmlessly.
Ivan IV, pursuing slowly from sky, burst laughing.
[ Uhaha... My authority is vast... Accept your fate, barbarian.]
Irritated, I turned and yelled,
"What do you know of my fate, you bastard!"
[ ......]
Despite Central Plains tongue, Ivan IV seemed to understand, dumbfounded. Debating return pearl here, golden leaves burst from my chest—Belov's icon power.
Flash.
Golden leaves drilled a huge hole in darkness wall. Realizing sole escape, I dashed through. Behind, Ivan IV's mad laughter erupted.
[ Kehahaha.. Uhahaha!! Haha!!]
Swoosh.
Landing, I saw darkness wall reform around demonic Moscow. Ivan IV ceased pursuit beyond walls. Sighing in relief, a voice spoke.
"You're young yet an amazing martial artist. Escaping that..."
Central Plains speech. I eyed the old man emerging from snowy trees—exact match to prior illusion.
"Belov. Thanks."
He who claimed Eastern Orthodox Patriarch stood there. Stroking silver beard, he said,
"Ming youth. Follow me. We have much to discuss."
"Question first."
"What puzzles you?"
"Those beasts I faced and Ivan IV's illusion weren't demons. Yet they wielded immense power—how?"
Indeed. Ivan IV's illusion overpowered what I could handle now, but Yeo Dongbin hadn't reacted. Same with beasts. Meaning Ivan's power source wasn't demonic.
"You know what demonic kin are."
Belov, humming gravely, said,
"His power isn't from demonic force. It's from theosis."
"Theosis?"
"Decide anyway. Follow or not?"
Pondering, I replied.
"I'll follow."
Finding Demon Night important, but intuition said learn this too. If other races involved, key info at its end.