Chapter 218
Chapter 218
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 218
Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm
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Heavenly Realm
The sixteenth life had begun.
"Arrrghhhh!!"
I screamed like a madman.
This cry wasn't from pain. The agony had been so intense that my senses eventually went numb, allowing me to recover from the aftereffects quickly. The real reason I was howling raw, without even a lion's roar, was something else.
I was weak!
And there was no one I could trust!
It pierced my mind like a chisel, a torment far more lethal. Physical suffering could be endured through mental fortitude, but this was different. On my knees, I clutched the hay in the stable, tears streaming down my face.
"Damn it... fifteen times... fifteen goddamn times... I died...!!"
Yet nothing had improved.
My personal strength might have grown a bit, but I had no way to stand against the colossal force known as the Imperial Palace. If I couldn't crush them early on, they only grew stronger over time—what the hell was I supposed to do? I couldn't even borrow the White Lotus Cult's power, leaving me trapped with no way forward or back.
And now, even the blessings and protection of the Heavenly Realm were no longer reliable. I'd learned that the blessings of the Seven Calamities and the Great Ra Immortal were incompatible.
When the seal on a Calamity was broken, the [Old Ruler] assigned to it would infuse its soul into that Calamity. If I seized a Calamity while under the Great Ra Immortal's blessing, a backlash was inevitable. Especially for me, with Yeo Dongbin acting as a terminal that could descend anytime, it was infuriating.
What the hell was I supposed to do?
What had gone so wrong?
I tore at my hair, sitting there deep in thought for a long while. Then I muttered blankly.
"...I don't know. Should I just quit?"
I was sick of it all.
Why was I even bothering to fight the Imperial Palace? No one would appreciate it anyway, and it felt like everyone was itching to stab me in the back. Relying on Mangnyang and Miho as pillars of support wasn't wise either. If I died, they'd inevitably face miserable lives afterward.
But right now, quitting felt impossible because of Mangnyang's encouraging words echoing in my mind.
[You've done incredibly well so far, Baek Woong. You'll keep doing great.]
"......"
I clenched my fist tight. If Mangnyang hadn't said that, I would've thrown everything away right then and there.
'Yeah. After coming this far, backing down without achieving anything is worse than dying.'
No choice now—even if it meant dying not fifteen times but tenfold that, I had to see those Imperial Palace bastards drop dead. I wanted them to feel every ounce of the suffering and pain I'd endured.
My eyes flashed.
"I need to get stronger."
I had to get stronger. And for that, I needed time.
In all my previous lives, I'd tried to grab everything at once, but this fifteenth death had taught me that was too greedy. Worrying about external factors while training was just too much; with my limited talent, I could only focus on one thing at a time.
So, to buy time, what should I do?
After a moment, I gritted my teeth and muttered.
"This life... I'll cut all ties!!"
It felt like the right answer for me now. Mangnyang and Miho were allies far too capable and valuable for someone like me, but they were also chains holding me back. Mangnyang's chivalrous soul couldn't overlook the Imperial Palace's atrocities, and involving Miho meant she wouldn't endure seeing me in mortal danger. For true freedom, I had to abandon them as companions.
So, after cutting ties with Mangnyang and Miho, what next?
I pondered deeply, then muttered.
"First, I'll acquire the Intent Realm."
I could figure out the rest after that.
Making it my absolute priority, I immediately began the routine actions for each reincarnation.
Let's go!
I first obtained the Heavenly Dark Secret Book, then raced to Shandong to claim the Golden Winged Roc. Next, I headed to the Thunder Prison, slew the toad, secured the Wooden Armor and other treasures, and rescued the prisoners including General Hwang Yeon. After that, I went straight to Mount Huang to harvest the Black and White Lotus and the Millennium Snow Ginseng, then grabbed the Dark Night Sword and the gold ingot.
Using the Roc, I sailed to Pirate Island and massacred the pirates, rescuing their captives.
Slash!
"Arghhh!"
This time, fueled by my rage, the pirates were torn to shreds. Venting on human scum made me feel pathetic, but I couldn't help the fury. Grinding my teeth, I vowed to repay that false Great Ra Immortal tenfold someday.
After finishing that sequence, I went to Goryeo and freed the Goryeo prisoners. Normally, I'd head to Shandong to release the Central Plains captives, visit the Shadowless Gate, and then go to Mangnyang. But since I'd decided against seeing Mangnyang, I chose differently this time.
I went to the Guanzhong Azure Dragon Martial Hall. Under cover of night, in the empty rear garden, I released General Hwang Yeon and the other Thunder Prison inmates. They seemed startled by my sudden appearance, but I fled with the Roc before Lee Gwang or Jin So-cheong could show up.
Mangnyang didn't need to back them up. It'd be interesting to see how the Thunder God Style handled it.
"That should do for now. Time to unseal the Dark Night Sword's second seal."
I decided to head there next. With Seomun Hye and the other prisoners safely inside the time-frozen Wooden Armor, I wasn't worried.
"But first..."
I took out the Black and White Lotus and Millennium Snow Ginseng, swallowing one of each.
Rumble—
My inner energy surged wildly, stirring a massive storm as it completed the Great Celestial Circuit. The immense power I'd already amassed combined with the elixirs' effects. But since I'd been near my limit, the actual gain was minimal.
'Still better than nothing.'
Even if the efficiency was low, I wanted every edge. After absorbing the elixirs, I gathered my energy and headed north to unseal the Dark Night Sword's second layer.
Slash!
I fed it my blood and plunged it into the ground. As before, night fell, a brilliant light rose, and the ancient demon beast appeared, opening the path to the [Old Ruler] Ithaqua.
Arriving in the void space, Ithaqua spoke.
[Have you come to fulfill the contract?]
Facing Ithaqua for the second time, the pressure strangely felt less intense than before. Its power was the same, yet accepting its aura felt easier. Thanks to that, I could speak to it.
"Yes."
Ithaqua eyed me with surprise at my response, then said.
[I am Ithaqua. I shall fulfill the contract.]
Flash!
Soon, the second seal on the Dark Night Sword broke, and Ithaqua's soul dwelled within it.
"Good."
I swung the Dark Night Sword a few times, then glanced around just in case.
Suddenly, a spirit voice rang out.
[O Chosen One! Why have you unleashed such an ominous thing?]
The tone was accusatory.
I realized Yeo Dongbin had descended again, grumbling right next to my soul. With so much experience, I could now somewhat sense his emotions.
Sneering, I said.
"Are the Seven Calamities ominous? Still better than a Great Ra Immortal who keeps backstabbing me."
[O Chosen One. I don't understand what you mean, but please reconsider. Otherwise, I must erase you with divine flame.]
Irritated by Yeo Dongbin's desperate plea, I bellowed.
"That's the backstabbing! You move by the Heavenly Realm's will, calling me Chosen One, but have you ever treated the vessel as a person? You're just proving you're the Heavenly Realm's puppet and slave!"
[......]
"I'm no puppet. I'm human. A living human."
I unleashed the rage boiling inside me.
"Kill me if you dare! I'll reincarnate a hundred, a thousand times to slaughter everything in the Heavenly Realm!!"
Yeo Dongbin fell silent for a long time.
'Damn, is this the sixteenth death already?'
As I grimaced, awaiting death by divine flame, Yeo Dongbin finally spoke.
[O Chosen One. Let me explain why the Seven Calamities are dangerous.]
"......!!"
I was stunned.
Yeo Dongbin was volunteering crucial information. Surprised, I asked.
"Yeo Dongbin. Are you sure? Isn't this a secret of the Heavenly Realm, a heavenly mystery?"
[You've already broken the second seal on the Dark Night Sword, entangling yourself in a massive heavenly mystery. Even if I face punishment from the Supreme Emperor, it won't be severe.]
Yeo Dongbin answered calmly, as if resolved. Though he followed heavenly orders, he had his own will. My hatred for him eased slightly.
[The beings who created the Seven Calamities, the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, are no benevolent existences. They are great evils.
Yet they profoundly influenced the Heavenly Realm's birth and still wield immense power. That's why we merely seal the Calamities without touching their root—the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors.]
"Are the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors your superiors?"
[No. The relationship is worlds apart from what you imagine.]
"......?"
Yeo Dongbin sighed, then continued.
[The Seven Calamities are artifacts the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors created through contracts with those called [Old Rulers]. Each holds tremendous power, destined to awaken in the age of the end of the law. They were never meant to be released in this era.]
"What do you mean? The age of the end of the law?"
[If the Seven Calamities are freed, a catastrophe beyond any mortal rampage will descend. We must prevent that at all costs.]
With that explanation, Yeo Dongbin pleaded earnestly.
[O Chosen One! Reconsider. Even if it means unleashing the great yokai of the demon realm, the Seven Calamities must never be freed. It's still possible to reseal it now...!!]
"......"
I fell silent, then said.
"It's different for me."
[What...]
After a pause, I declared firmly.
"Get lost, Yeo Dongbin! Or I'll unleash the Calamity's power and bring calamity upon the world. You know the difference between intent and accident."
[I'll kill you with divine flame first.]
"Do as you like. Just know I have nothing to lose."
Rumble.
As I poured vast energy into the Dark Night Sword, I felt something [terrifying] slowly awakening within it. Yeo Dongbin hurriedly said.
[Fine... I'll withdraw! Exercise restraint.]
"That's not enough. Sever our bond completely and leave."
[Understood.]
Flash.
Yeo Dongbin snapped the karmic link connecting us and vanished. He'd likely destroyed the spell's terminal and returned to the Heavenly Realm. I figured he'd be no more trouble.
'Well, I lost my protective shield in the process...'
If it happened again, it'd be annoying.
The threat had worked this time by luck, but no guarantee it'd always.
Meaning, this life, I needed a way to detach Yeo Dongbin at will.
With the Dark Night Sword's second seal broken, I headed to Astana's prophet.
Flash!
Astana's prophet appeared on the great temple's altar, sensing my presence. He stared at me, then said.
[...The master of the Dark Night Sword is born... Congratulations...]
"Thanks."
I casually replied, then pulled out the Nine Stars Origin Scripture from the Wooden Armor and offered it.
"Trade for this. I want some answers."
[Ho...!]
"Is the price sufficient?"
[Of course...]
Astana's prophet happily took the Nine Stars Origin Scripture from me, then said.
[What do you wish to know...?]
"This Dark Night Sword is just an ancient sword for now. With the second seal broken, what power can it wield? And how do I activate it?"
[Hm... Simple.]
The prophet extended a tentacle-like arm toward me.
[Kill anything with the Dark Night Sword... That's it...]
"Kill?"
[Living being or spirit... Slay it with the Dark Night Sword unto death... It grows each time... Once growth completes, it can fully wield Ithaqua's power...]
"......!!"
I shuddered at the Dark Night Sword's true nature.
A growth-type weapon that strengthens with every kill!
And upon full growth, the ultimate weapon wielding an [Old Ruler]'s full authority.
I quickly asked.
"Could Ithaqua take over my mind or body?"
[Impossible... It's not the true body, but an avatar... The contract is unbreakable...]
"Avatar?"
[Most [Old Rulers] never recklessly reveal their true forms... Though as a contract, it holds several tenths of Ithaqua's full power...]
"I see."
With the prophet's guarantee, no worries about side effects.
'But kill... What do I kill?'
As I pondered, the prophet said.
[The payment seems to have surplus... What else do you want?]
It hit me, and I said.
"The Great Ra Immortal left a terminal in me for repeated descents via spell. Any way to remove it at will?"
[Hmm... Just use the Severance Incantation. I'll teach you.]
The prophet taught me the Severance Incantation. Transmitted through the obsidian, I instantly knew I could use it perfectly. Sensing its hidden true power, I said.
"This spell... It can exorcise evil spirits or spirits!"
[Indeed... Severance cuts all worldly bonds... A spirit incantation that denies them any foothold on earth... The Great Ra Immortal, as a spirit, is vulnerable to it...]
"Thanks!"
Now I had another way to attack ethereal beings.
"Oh, and what about the excess energy overflowing in the Dark Night Sword?"
[Give it to me. I'll put it to good use...]
"Huh? Works?"
[Of course... But processing it takes effort, so no more.]
"Hm, fair enough."
Astana's prophet looked at me oddly, then said.
[Strange...]
"What?"
[You're not... one of the other races...? No... human, yet...]
"Nope."
[Hm... Never mind... Begone...]
The prophet left those words and vanished.
"Whew, done."
My eyes gleamed as I muttered.
"Now, to the Shadowless Gate!"
At the Shadowless Gate, as before, I released Seomun Hye and the prisoners. Facing the Sword Demon, I declared outright.
"I wish to join the Shadowless Gate!"
"Join... Interesting."
The Sword Demon chuckled heartily.
"Your current skill could dominate the world for your age. Why join our sect?"
"Age doesn't matter for learning."
"That's not the saying's intent."
"As long as our ideals align."
"You're quite the free spirit."
The Sword Demon smirked, playing along with my banter.
"Very well. From now on, you'll serve as a Dharma Protector of the Shadowless Gate."
"Thank you."
Yes!!
I was relieved it went according to plan.
Now I could stay at the Shadowless Gate and train diligently for years if needed to reach the Intent Realm.
'I'll ignore worldly affairs this time.'
Reach Intent Realm first, then decide!
This life would be straightforward.
============================ Author's Note ============================
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