Chapter 243
Chapter 243
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 243
Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm
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Sword Demon's words seemed to take Dugu Xing quite by surprise.
Whoosh—
Gradually, the massive clouds drifting over the mountaintop began to part, revealing a human figure clearly through the thinning mist. Until now, it had only been a vague sense of something beyond the fog, but now its true form was unmistakable.
Dugu Xing drew closer to us and spoke in a clear voice.
"Sword Demon. How do you know of the Thunder God Style?"
His murderous intent was extraordinary, but mingled strongly with it was a sense of bewilderment. I could feel it distinctly, so the sharp-witted Sword Demon surely noticed as well. Sword Demon chuckled and replied.
"I'm fairly well-versed in the Four Guardian Styles of the White Lotus Church. Especially since your Dharma Protectors went rampaging around, claiming to gauge the level of Central Plains experts—it was impossible not to know."
"Dharma Protectors? What are you talking about?"
"Starting with the Water God Style's Dharma Protector, there were three who clashed with Central Plains experts. You never lost once, and the terror of the White Lotus Church spread in the shadows. If you're a Thunder God Style man, there's no way you wouldn't know this."
Dugu Xing appeared even more flustered at Sword Demon's words. His voice carried a hint of impatience as he responded.
"Water... Water God Style. I see..."
"Answer my question. You are a Thunder God Style expert, correct?"
Dugu Xing replied as if he had no choice.
"Indeed. I am Dugu Xing of the Thunder God Style."
"So that's how it is. The swordsmanship you just used—was that the Thunder Shadow Swordsmanship of the Thunder God Style?"
"No."
"Then what was it?"
"......"
Dugu Xing fell silent. Then he took a bold step forward and said.
"Before prying into someone else's martial origins, don't you have something to say first, Sword Demon? What business do you have coming to this Dragon King Valley?"
He seemed to have regained his composure. A pale glint in his eyes mixed with the drifting clouds could be felt. Being so close, Dugu Xing's presence pressed down like an overwhelming force. As I swallowed hard, Sword Demon answered.
"Obviously, we came out of curiosity to meet the master of Dragon King Valley, whom even Sichuan's peak experts revere."
"I merely cultivate here. I do not meddle in the affairs of the martial world."
"That's none of my concern. I've simply confirmed that you are a far greater expert than you might think—and I'm satisfied."
Dugu Xing then said.
"Then leave at once. I do not wish for my cultivation to be disturbed by you."
"......"
Sword Demon pondered for a moment before speaking.
"Dugu Xing. Do you happen to know someone named Yi Gwang?"
"......!!"
Boom!
It happened in that instant. The thick clouds that had blanketed the area exploded outward as if from a blast. Dugu Xing's terrifying will had materialized, influencing the very natural world. In a flash, Dragon King Valley—once shrouded in mist—transformed into a clear sky bathed in sunlight.
And Dugu Xing's true appearance was revealed.
He appeared to be in his middle years, and outwardly, he didn't seem much older than Yi Gwang. Unlike Yi Gwang's scholarly elegance, Dugu Xing had the rugged look of a wild man who had lived harshly all his life, though his features were sharply defined. For someone cultivating in the mountains, he wore a remarkably clean white training robe.
Dugu Xing let out a thunderous roar.
[How do you know Yi Gwang!]
Rumble—
It was no mere roar. As the resounding shout erupted, thunderous waves burst forth, enveloping the entire Dragon King Valley, and the sounds of landslides echoed from all around. Dugu Xing's internal energy was profoundly deep, and it seemed he could wield the lion's roar as a technique of will. His might was so immense it altered nature itself.
Sword Demon naturally deflected Dugu Xing's momentum and said.
"Don't shout. Making noise in a perilous place like this gains you nothing."
"Urgh... Answer me. How do you know Yi Gwang?"
"I know because it's worth knowing. Yi Gwang may not have great fame in the martial world, but his skills place him among the top peak experts. How could I not know of such a key figure?"
"Fool! That's not what I mean."
Dugu Xing ground his teeth and said.
"The fact that you brought up Yi Gwang means you've confirmed his martial arts are also from the Thunder God Style. Isn't that right!"
"Of course. I already knew Yi Gwang was of the Thunder God Style."
Sword Demon replied nonchalantly with a chuckle.
"I know more than you think. I have quite a bit of information that would make you salivate."
"......"
Dugu Xing seemed to be racking his brains. Then he said.
"What do you want?"
"I originally planned just to gauge the Dragon King Valley master's strength and leave, but I've changed my mind. If you're of the Thunder God Style, this could be a chance for a deep conversation with my disciple."
"What? Disciple? That kid?"
"Exactly."
Dugu Xing and Sword Demon's gazes turned to me simultaneously. It was burdensome, but I endured their presences. Dugu Xing's eyes gleamed as he said.
"Don't tell me... that boy has also learned the Thunder God Style's arts?"
"Why do you think that?"
"Now I see—he's harboring a massive amount of Thunder Spirit Energy. Has he achieved the Thunder Spirit?"
Muttering to himself, Dugu Xing said.
"Don't tell me... the successor..."
Sword Demon said to him.
"This young man's name is Baek Woong. He has inherited the Thunder God Style's arts and is currently my disciple in training."
"Damn it..."
Dugu Xing glared at me with a displeased expression. But he didn't say much. While it was a sin for the Thunder God Style's successor to join another sect, the Thunder God Style wasn't in a position to nitpick such things. Moreover, Sword Demon's prowess was sufficient to convince him.
Sword Demon said.
"My disciple sought higher martial arts and became my student. However, no matter how much I teach him, I cannot guide him beyond a certain point in his original Thunder God Style arts. On this occasion, I wish you, Dugu Xing, would impart the Thunder God Style arts to my disciple."
"Hmph!"
Dugu Xing snorted.
"I acknowledge he has the qualifications to learn the Thunder God Style. He seems able to handle will as well. But why should I teach this boy?"
As Dugu Xing resisted, Sword Demon glanced at me and sent a transmission.
[From now on, speak for yourself.]
[Yes?]
[It's best if you personally convey your own value to Dugu Xing.]
I agreed with Sword Demon. He could advocate more for me and persuade Dugu Xing in the end, but that wouldn't reflect well on me. It was far better for me to step forward assertively now.
I clasped my hands in a fist salute and stepped ahead.
"I am Baek Woong, the successor of the Thunder God Style. I currently serve as a Dharma Protector of the Shadowless Sect. It is an honor to meet a senior of the Thunder God Style."
"......"
"If it's alright, may I demonstrate the Thunder God Style arts I know?"
"Show me."
I nodded and swiftly began demonstrating my arts. Up to now, under Sword Demon's guidance, I had focused on cultivating the Shadowless Soul-Severing Swordsmanship while gaining insights based on the Tianzhu Sword and Coiling Dragon Sword. But if I willed it, I could easily display the foundational techniques preserving the Thunder God Style's original form.
Flash-flash-flash—
I quickly unfolded the Thunder Shadow Swordsmanship and Ten Thousand Victory Sword Formula, then picked up a large nearby tree branch to demonstrate the Thunder Spirit Eight Forms and Heavenly Thunder Ultimate Spear. I also used Thunder Shadow Step and its variation Thunder Shadow Step Heaven-Earth Slaughter, along with the Thunder Spirit Seal, Magnetic Lightning Ghost Blade, Nine Abyss Gang Qi, and Dark King Hand. The latter techniques were ones I had learned from the Thunder God Style's Dharma Protectors, the Three Thunder Venerables—closer to their unique arts.
Unleashing martial arts atop the narrow mountain peak, Dugu Xing watched with a dazed expression. Only after a long while did he regain his senses and say.
"What... who did you learn from? How do you know so many arts... even the supreme techniques of the Ghost Soul Sect!"
"You recognized the Magnetic Lightning Ghost Blade and Nine Abyss Gang Qi?"
"Answer me. Those are arts only a handful in the Thunder God Style can learn. Is your master from the Ghost Soul Sect?"
"No. I learned these from individuals called the Three Thunder Venerables. But I only learned them in passing, so I haven't mastered beyond the forms."
"Three Thunder Venerables... Ah... those guys..."
Hearing my words, Dugu Xing seemed to dredge up faint memories and nodded in understanding. Seeing this, I was baffled.
'This man is undoubtedly a Thunder God Style expert, but what is his seniority? I can't even guess.'
And how does he know Yi Gwang?
Why react so strongly to Yi Gwang?
As I pondered, Sword Demon interjected.
"As you can see, my disciple is the impeccable successor of the Thunder God Style. If you help this child, it will undoubtedly greatly aid the Thunder God Style's revival."
At those words, Dugu Xing looked puzzled.
"Revival?"
"Wasn't your Thunder God Style utterly crushed by the White Lotus Church Lord? I was certain you were here trying to revive it."
"Ah... that's..."
Dugu Xing looked awkward. This contrasted sharply with the Thunder God Style experts I had met before, who burned with passion for the [Thunder God Style's revival]. After some thought, Dugu Xing said.
"...Be that as it may, Sword Demon, you're quite sly. Treating a Thunder God Style disciple so generously even after knowing what he is? You know the Thunder God Style aren't the type to forever bow and scrape under someone."
"Haha. Perhaps. But I wouldn't mind passing the Shadowless Sect to Protector Baek."
"What..."
"Anyway, please give me your answer to my proposal. Are you uninterested in Protector Baek?"
"That's not it."
Dugu Xing hesitated before continuing.
"But I need time to think. This is all too sudden for me to decide."
"If that's the case... how much time do you need?"
"Come back tomorrow. I'll give you my answer then."
"Very well."
Flash!
Sword Demon and I withdrew from Dragon King Valley. As we left, I glanced back suspiciously, wondering if Dugu Xing might ambush us, but he hadn't moved a step. As he said, the sudden situation seemed to require contemplation.
Sword Demon, running alongside me, said.
"That man is a bit peculiar. He feels very different from the Thunder God Style experts in your memories."
"Yes, he does."
"That's why you must keep your wits about you. I can never gain that Dugu Xing's trust, so you must uncover his story somehow. Otherwise, we'll miss out on an entire fortuitous encounter."
Sword Demon was right.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Dugu Xing was currently in a defensive stance. Though he shared the Thunder God Style's explosive temperament, he differed from the other disciples. It was in his attitude toward the Thunder God Style as a sect—like he was standing one step back, observing. His gaze even felt like that of a pure seeker of the Dao.
Sword Demon said.
"Wasting time like this won't do. Let's use the flight sword to head to Corpse Dragon Gorge."
"Urk... we're really going?"
"Of course."
Flash!
In the next moment, Sword Demon and I had used the flight sword to arrive at Zhuge Sa's residence, the lord of Corpse Dragon Gorge. It was the same serene building I had visited before with Mangnyang. I stayed alert, wary of traps or formations, but there were none.
Sword Demon grabbed a passing servant and asked.
"Hey. Where is Corpse Dragon Gorge Lord Zhuge Sa?"
"Eek."
The servant was startled to see us suddenly appear indoors. Realizing Sword Demon had no intent to harm him, he calmed down and answered.
"Lord Zhuge Sa passed away a few years ago... He's no longer with us."
"He's dead?"
"His grave is over there. It's just a mile away."
The servant pointed toward the bamboo grove beyond.
As expected, Zhuge Sa was dead.
"I see. But that's strange."
Sword Demon glanced around the building and said.
"The building is spotless, as is the surrounding landscaping, and someone like you is maintaining it. Normally, when a leader like Zhuge Sa dies, wouldn't Corpse Dragon Gorge fall into ruin?"
"Ah... You didn't know."
"What is it?"
"Corpse Dragon Gorge is now owned by someone else. I serve the new Corpse Dragon Gorge Lord, cleaning and maintaining this building and the graveyard daily. That's why it's as pristine as ever."
A strange pride colored the servant's words. Sword Demon stroked his chin thoughtfully before asking.
"What is the name of this new Corpse Dragon Gorge Lord?"
At the servant's next words, I felt like I'd been struck on the head.
"She's called Bi Ji-sang."
"What."
Even Sword Demon was shocked. The servant looked puzzled.
"Why are you surprised? Our lord isn't particularly famous in the martial world..."
"......"
Sword Demon and I exchanged glances.
We inwardly agreed this was big trouble.
The Gambling King, Bi Ji-sang!
Sichuan's top gambling queen, an ice-cold beauty of unparalleled allure and a peak expert—she had become the new lord of Corpse Dragon Gorge.