Chapter 239
Chapter 239
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 239
Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm
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Heavenly Realm
And so, the next day, I set off for Shin-dan Village.
'Arriving too quickly would raise suspicions.'
I had already walked to Shin-dan Village at the foot of Mount Baekdu once before, so if I put my mind to it, I could reach the area right away. But doing so would invite questions about how I got there so fast. So instead, I began my journey to Shin-dan Village at a leisurely pace, like a traveler sightseeing along the way.
Whoosh!
Using Annihilation Shadow Step to cross rivers and mountains, I could feel how several times faster and easier it was to traverse the terrain compared to before. Compared to the grueling journey to the North Pole, the land of Goryeo felt as flat as a plain. I wasn't going at full speed, stopping to rest whenever I felt like it, taking it easy.
Even dawdling along like that, I arrived near Shin-dan Village in about six weeks, thanks to how swift my movement technique was.
"Hmm..."
Shin-dan Village lay in the Gomi Basin of Mount Baekdu. Remembering the terrain, I had no trouble finding the basin, but after that came the problem.
"It was definitely around here."
It wasn't visible.
In my memory, I had found Shin-dan Village easily from the Gomi Basin, but this time, there wasn't even a glimpse of the village I remembered. That's when I suddenly recalled something the Twelve Laws Lord had said long ago.
[Haha. That's called the Shin-dan Tree. There's a legend that it connects to nine worlds. As you can see, it's as big as a mountain.]
[That's strange.]
[What is?]
[We crossed mountains to get here, but I didn't see a tree like that from afar. Why does it only appear after entering Shin-dan Village?]
[Because of the barrier. Ordinary people can't see the Shin-dan Tree. Only those permitted to enter Shin-dan Village can behold it.]
Come to think of it, Shin-dan Village was built beneath an enormous divine tree called the Shin-dan Tree. And the Twelve Laws Lord had said only those granted permission could see it. Recalling that, I realized with a start.
'Barrier! Permission!'
If Shin-dan Village was protected by a barrier, then naturally, the Shin-dan Tree—and the village itself—would be invisible to uninvited guests. Since I hadn't been granted entry, the barrier was keeping Shin-dan Village hidden from me. As I pondered what to do, agonizing over it for about half a shichen right there,
Whirrr!
A strange sound rang out, and the air split open. From the rift stepped a pale-faced man.
The man's appearance was distinctive. He wore unique attire unlike anything from Goryeo, yet it didn't quite feel like Central Plains garb either. Though handsome, his pallor made him seem like he might collapse at a touch. Yet his height was like a bamboo stalk, giving him an oddly striking presence.
The pale, lanky man looked at me and spoke.
"I am the Cloud Master. Are you the master of the Seven Luminaries?"
"......"
Cloud Master!
I had heard that name from Miho before. He wasn't well-known even among the Twelve Laws, but the Twelve Laws Lord had three terrifying retainers of formidable skill. They were the Three Masters: Wind Uncle, Rain Master, and Cloud Master. Miho had spoken of them with a shudder at the mere thought.
I answered cautiously.
"Yes. I am Baek Woong, protector of the Shadowless Gate."
"Secular titles mean nothing to me. What matters is that you are the master of the Seven Luminaries."
"What do you intend now?"
"My duty is to bring you to my lord. Follow me."
Swoosh.
With a wave of the Cloud Master's hand, a passageway of iridescent clouds formed in the air once more. Divine spiritual energy emanated from the clouds, putting one at ease. I instinctively knew the Cloud Master's sorcery was no ordinary feat. Before stepping into the passage, I asked him,
"May I ask one thing?"
"What?"
"By 'lord,' do you mean the Twelve Laws Lord, Ha Eun-cheon?"
"Half right, half wrong."
"......?"
"There's no reason to tell you more. Follow."
The Cloud Master left those words and strode into the iridescent cloud passage. With him vanishing inside, I had no choice but to follow. After walking about three zhang inside the passage, an exit appeared.
Emerging, I found myself at the small hut in the heart of Shin-dan Village, just as before. Glancing around, I saw the precarious terrain with cloud bridges strung across the heavenly gorge. The Cloud Master, who had arrived first, said,
"Enter."
An inexplicable pressure laced his words, not the aura of a martial artist but something like spiritual power. For it to weigh on me, who had attained enlightenment of intent, meant the Cloud Master was a master among masters. Realizing his prowess inwardly, I let out a low groan.
The Cloud Master's skill seemed comparable to Reincarnation Heavenly Dance Array. Did that mean Wind Uncle and Rain Master were equally formidable?
Putting stray thoughts aside, I stepped into the hut. As before, the interior was vast compared to the exterior—a magnificent space spanning thousands of pyeong, undoubtedly crafted by advanced sorcery. At the far end sat the Twelve Laws Lord, Ha Eun-cheon, wearing his puppy mask, awaiting me.
Seeing me, the Twelve Laws Lord waved cheerfully.
"Hey, over here, over here~"
"......"
Once again, the fluffy puppy mask. He seemed utterly enamored with it, even grooming the fur. I couldn't help but feel like laughing and scratched my head.
"Twelve Laws Lord. I have a question."
"Yeah? What?"
"Why the puppy mask?"
He replied,
"To protect me from the twisted flow of karma."
"......?"
"Heh heh, just think of it as the latest fashion."
He brushed it off lightly. But I sensed deeper meaning in his words and committed them to memory. Bowing once more, I clasped my hands in respect.
"Twelve Laws Lord. I am Baek Woong, protector of the Shadowless Gate. I have come late, as you once bade me visit."
"Good, good, you're here. Tough journey, huh~"
Propped on his chair, chin in hand, he continued.
"Baek Woong. First, tell me how you obtained the Seven Luminaries and freed them."
"Yes. It went like this..."
As I opened my mouth, he exclaimed,
"Oh, I must provide a seat for my guest!"
The moment his fingers snapped,
A lavish table and chairs appeared in the once-empty space, laden with a splendid banquet. It had to be some sorcery, but with my scant knowledge of such arts, I couldn't discern its nature. Still, I could tell the Twelve Laws Lord's mastery of sorcery was extraordinary.
Seating myself, I continued.
"I obtained Water Luminary Makya in a remote spot on Mount Huang. It was hidden behind a cliff, and I dove into a pond there by chance, discovering strange ruins. I defeated the spider guardian in those ruins and claimed Makya."
"That's not the whole story."
Arms crossed, the Twelve Laws Lord said,
"That spider wasn't the true guardian of the Seven Luminaries. Just a bonus mob. So you must have performed a second release elsewhere."
"......"
He knew the Seven Luminaries in detail. Wary inwardly, I replied,
"Yes. Knowing Makya bore an additional seal, I searched the world for a way to break it and eventually succeeded."
"How?"
"With respect, I hesitate to say..."
Calmly meeting his gaze, I said,
"Why do you wish to know, Twelve Laws Lord? You've greatly aided the Shadowless Gate's entry into the Twelve Laws, so I owe you an answer, but I'd like to know your reason."
"Hmm. Fair question."
Nodding, he said,
"How to answer... A sense of duty as the 23rd River Earl ruling Phoenix of the Ten Thousand River Spirit Gate of the Haedong Twelve Laws... Or as Dan-gun, steward of the Shin-dan Tree under the Three Sovereigns Supreme White, striving to broadly benefit humanity... Or mere curiosity as master of Wood Luminary Sea Seal toward another wielder of the Seven Luminaries..."
"......"
"Take it as you will."
His answer left me stunned.
'What? The Twelve Laws Lord holds other titles?'
Dan-gun!
It was a title and position I'd never heard in my life. From the Cloud Master's earlier words, it seemed his close retainers distinguished between Ha Eun-cheon as Twelve Laws Lord and as Dan-gun. Wondering at the difference, I said,
"I learned the method required going to the North Pole and offering blood to the earth. I was led to a designated space, inherited the contract, and freed Water Luminary Makya among the Seven Luminaries."
"Hmm, so that's how it was."
Uncrossing his arms, Twelve Laws Lord Ha Eun-cheon said,
"Even a single seal on Makya was that stringent..."
"You know something?"
"I know as much as anyone. But Baek Woong, you're impressive. A round trip to the North Pole."
As expected, he dodged revealing his secrets. I responded politely.
"Luck was on my side."
"Hmm... May I see Makya for a moment?"
"......"
Here it comes.
I might even lose Makya and get killed here. Grim thoughts flashed through my mind, but steeling myself, I handed Water Luminary Makya to the Twelve Laws Lord.
'If I die, I die.'
Just gauging his character would be achievement enough.
Seeing my tension as I handed it over, he said,
"Don't worry. No intention of taking it."
"If you wanted it, I'd have no say."
"True, but not now."
Grumbling peevishly, he slowly examined the blade of Water Luminary Makya. Spotting the inscribed characters, he said coldly,
"As expected, infused with the power of Four Emperors' Changhil. All Seven Luminaries like this?"
"......?"
Four Emperors' Changhil?
Come to think of it, Mangryang had mentioned Changhil, subordinate to Emperor Gongsun Heonwon, as a being of immense power—one of the gods right below the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, wielding fearsome authority in ancient times.
After inspecting Makya briefly, the Twelve Laws Lord returned it.
"Good look."
Taking it back, I felt dazed. I'd braced for him to keep it, but he handed it over readily. Seeing my wariness, he said,
"Understandable caution. The Seven Luminaries are treasures of that value. But I have no desire to seize them from another's hand."
I couldn't take his words at face value.
Because he had deceived me before, feigning truth. Unlike his claim that Moon Luminary was in Dongying, it was hidden on Mani Mountain in Ganghwa Island, guarded by high-powered monks like Seosan the Great and Yujeong under his orders. Trusting his words blindly would lead to disaster.
I said,
"You seem to use Wood Luminary Sea Seal to protect Yodong and the peninsula from the Yi clan..."
"Huh? Sharp. Correct."
"Was it you who summoned Phoenix when the Sea God landed in the western capital in the past?"
"Right. I stepped in then too."
As I thought.
Early in my past life, rumors spread of a phoenix in the western capital. Thinking it a clue to treasure, I'd gone there, only to learn it was summoned to repel the Sea God's invasion. I'd suspected the Twelve Laws Lord, and today confirmed it.
"Incredible. Phoenix is a top divine beast even in the heavenly realm, yet you summoned it unscathed..."
He seemed to chuckle.
"Haha. You'd think so. As you guessed, it was a miracle wrought borrowing Wood Luminary Sea Seal's power."
"Hmm..."
"As you know, the Seven Luminaries themselves can perform divine miracles. Summoning a phoenix isn't that impressive."
"......"
Those ignorant of sorcery might accept it.
But I had felt Yeo Dongbin, legendary Transcendent Immortal and Great Thunder Immortal, drawing full power from my eight gates multiple times to summon heavenly fire dragons.
Summoning heavenly realm's supreme divine beasts wasn't something ordinary humans could do. Even top sorcerers would need several sacrificing lives. Performing it unscathed proved Wood Luminary Sea Seal's tremendous power.
"Enough chatter."
The Twelve Laws Lord got to the point.
"You seem eager to borrow Makya's power against the imperial palace or White Lotus Cult. Do you wish the Twelve Laws' aid?"
He brought up the crux casually, as if chatting idly, yet pinpointing the heart of the matter. Having thought it through deeply, I answered promptly.
"I'd be grateful, but not at present."
"Oh? Why?"
"No one grants favors without recompense. The Shadowless Gate and I lack the collateral or stature for such a request now. I'll find my own way."
That was the right answer.
I had no strategist like Mangryang now; this was my phase of building personal strength. Involving the Twelve Laws prematurely would lead to haggling over duties and prices, inevitably demanding Water Luminary Makya as collateral. I wanted no such mess, so I answered decisively.
The Twelve Laws Lord fell silent for a long while. Then he spoke.
"Baek Woong. Do you know what a constellation is?"