Chapter 262
Chapter 262
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 262
Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm
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Heavenly Realm
Paat!
We all entered the heart of the half-ruined Great Dragon Hall together. No one would normally venture into a space like this, shattered by Mangryang's treasures and on the verge of collapse at any moment, but this was precisely the reason Zhuge Sa had targeted the imperial palace in his attack. Dugu Cheng glanced around and said.
"It's dark."
"......"
Mangryang, lost in thought without a word, raised the Five Flames Seven Metals Thread and aimed it at a spot in the empty air. Then, without hesitation, he unleashed a powerful burst of flames.
Kwa-gwang!
"Hmm...!!"
We couldn't help but be astonished. There was nothing—no walls or anything—yet the spot Mangryang struck shattered the empty air itself, and suddenly the surroundings were enveloped in brilliant light. It felt as if the very space we stood in had been flipped inside out. The transformed space had become a labyrinthine maze leading somewhere, like a labyrinth.
Mangryang said.
"I'm short on time, so I forced the barrier open with raw power. It won't hold long, so we need to hurry and find Zhuge Sa."
"What do you mean?"
"This is the seal of the Imperial Jade Seal, passed down from the ancient imperial dynasty, and the final barrier. The Imperial Jade Seal lies at the end of that maze."
I looked at Mangryang with puzzled eyes. If so, this barrier wasn't created by alchemists or present-day sorcerers like Zhuge Fu—it had been passed down from ancient times. What on earth was the Imperial Jade Seal? Mangryang sighed.
"Haa. I'd like to explain, but we don't have time. Follow my path through the barrier closely from now on."
Chiriring!
As Mangryang swung his hand, a brilliant rainbow light accompanied the summoning of a massive bird formed of light. Mangryang mounted the bird and plunged into the maze at tremendous speed, leaving rainbow feathers in his wake as a trail.
The Sword Demon said.
"Hurry and follow. We can track the feathers."
"Yes."
We boosted our lightness skills and pursued Mangryang's trail. The maze barrier was far vaster than it appeared, and even at our rapid pace, we had to chase for over an incense stick's time. At last, we arrived in a vast cavern where Mangryang and Zhuge Sa faced off against each other.
Unlike before, Zhuge Sa wore an expression of clear irritation. He glared at Mangryang and said.
"You're really a pain. I never imagined you'd get in my way..."
"It's mere coincidence. But your intent to destroy the world is no coincidence."
Mangryang replied softly and continued.
"Everyone knows your uncle despaired at the fated heavenly mandate and turned to evil sorcery and magic. My father could have killed you but only stripped away your demonic powers for that reason."
"......"
"Stop this now. It will only bring misery to all."
Zhuge Sa chuckled darkly.
"Kuhuhu, what do you even know? What do you know of me to spout such nonsense about saving the world?"
"What..."
"Yes, it started with despair over the heavenly mandate that my life would end at thirty, leading me to forbidden arts. I simply wanted to live longer."
The golden box floating before Zhuge Sa glowed even more intensely.
"But after gaining the knowledge of the evil gods and the secrets of the world, my thinking changed. In this world's twisted myths... in the dealings between the [Elder Gods] and the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors... I grew disillusioned with humanity itself, established by the whims of petty gods."
Zhuge Sa smiled bitterly.
"Disillusioned?"
"If we liken this world's ancient history to a single day of twelve double hours, the human realm came into being in the mere blink of an instant at the hour of the rat. There are countless races greater and more powerful than humans, and even they feared and served the ancient gods."
With that, Zhuge Sa looked up at the empty air and said.
"When the stars in the heavens realign in the near future and R'lyeh rises, humanity is doomed to extinction anyway. Before that, I'll seize immense power, do whatever I want, and die. This is a golden opportunity."
Mangryang grew furious.
"The pact between the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors and the [Elder Gods] can be extended. A fixed time of destruction exists, but it's being hastened by degenerates like you who've fallen to the demonic path! Are you saying you're inviting demons into the world out of pure selfishness?"
"What do I care? If the end result is the same, it's no different. And you heavenly folk use the pretext of protecting humanity to line your own pockets."
Zhuge Sa shot back curtly, then turned to us and said.
"Things have gotten complicated, but I'm still on Sword Demon Liege's side. Let's take down that Mangryang together."
Neither I nor Dugu Cheng could step forward decisively. Circumstantially, Mangryang seemed in the right, but it was also true that Zhuge Sa had been our ally. Slashing him based solely on Mangryang's words warranted serious consideration.
The Sword Demon strode forward and said to Zhuge Sa.
"Zhuge Sa. They say there's an Imperial Jade Seal here. Why didn't you tell me you were attacking the imperial palace to seize it?"
Zhuge Sa looked as if struck at a vital point. After a long silence, he said.
"The Imperial Jade Seal is just a side benefit. What Liege desired and commanded from me was the destruction of the imperial palace, wasn't it? I thought as long as I accomplished that mission, I could handle the rest myself."
"You're thinking far too conveniently."
The Sword Demon rebuked coldly and continued.
"I may not know the details of sorcerers' affairs, but if the Imperial Jade Seal belongs to the imperial palace, you ought to offer it to me. It's spoils of our sect."
"Kukukuku... Impressive."
"Why? Is there a reason you can't hand it over?"
"Even if you had it, you couldn't use it. The Imperial Jade Seal is merely a stamp."
The Sword Demon smirked.
"You're in a bind, aren't you? That's a lame excuse."
"......"
"If it were truly just a stamp, you wouldn't be so desperate to sneak it away. Did you think I know nothing about the Imperial Jade Seal? I know it was the proof of the emperor's dominion, passed from one imperial dynasty to the next, from the Spring and Autumn Warring States era through the Mandate era. And sealed in such a powerful barrier? It clearly holds some tremendous power."
The sound of Zhuge Sa grinding his teeth echoed. The Sword Demon said leisurely.
"I'll say it now: if you abandon the Imperial Jade Seal and hand it over, I'll take your circumstances into account."
"I can't do that."
"I figured as much. Then we'll part ways here."
Shik!
"Kuhk!!"
Zhuge Sa staggered, trailing blood, and vanished from the spot. The Sword Demon had unleashed his Energy Sword in an instant, targeting him. I said to the Sword Demon.
"Did you finish him?"
"No. That barrier of his is annoying."
Mangryang said.
"As long as he possesses the golden box, he's immortal. He can use instant teleportation and barriers without limit—be careful!"
"Where did he go?"
"He's still in this space. He couldn't extract the Imperial Jade Seal yet."
Wuuung...
Soon, the cavern we stood in began to be overlaid with a divine white light. What had been a dim space enclosed by stone walls now felt like it was turning into an empty void. Mangryang's face darkened as he confirmed the phenomenon.
"The barrier is repairing itself. At this rate, we'll all be trapped..."
At that moment, Zhuge Sa's voice echoed through the cavern. He seemed to be hiding somewhere, using concealment arts to bide his time.
[He's right. This isn't a human-made seal—it's a divine barrier created by gods. We'll all die if this continues, so let's grab the Imperial Jade Seal first.]
"Insanity!!"
Mangryang bellowed.
"The Imperial Jade Seal is the proof of dominion over the Nine Provinces' royal lands. In this age where heaven and earth are severed, it's an unparalleled supreme treasure! Handing it to a demonic sorcerer like you would plunge the world into chaos."
Zhuge Sa laughed uproariously.
[ Kuhahaha... True enough. Even Zhuge Fu threw himself at the imperial palace for the Imperial Jade Seal's symbolism. It's undeniable proof of a hegemon who conquers the world. But neither emperors nor alchemists could use it properly, so they just left it sealed. What does it matter if I take it now?]
Mangryang shouted back.
"Don't fall for it. Zhuge Sa is the owner of the golden box now. With the power of that radiant irregular tetrahedron, he can activate the Imperial Jade Seal immediately."
Curious, I asked Mangryang.
"What happens if the Imperial Jade Seal is activated?"
"You gain the ability to freely survey the Nine Provinces' royal lands with heavenly sight, dominion over those lands, and immediate divine power. Plus, instant access to the [gates] the Purification Expedition has installed across the world."
"......!!"
"Don't be deceived. Even if it means dying here, we absolutely cannot yield the Imperial Jade Seal."
Then Zhuge Sa whispered secretly to me.
[ Master of the Demonic Craving, Baek Woong. I'll continue aiding Sword Demon Liege and you. With the Imperial Jade Seal's power, not only can we conquer the martial world, but finding the other Seven Cravings will be immensely easier. What Mangryang says is purely from the heavenly realm's perspective. He hasn't considered ours or Shadowless Sect's at all.]
"......"
[ Walk the path of hegemony together. You know full well that gaining power isn't a bad thing.]
Zhuge Sa's words made sense. If he obtained the Imperial Jade Seal and didn't betray us afterward, he'd be a massive asset. I glanced at the Sword Demon and Dugu Cheng beside me, but it seemed they couldn't hear—their senses were fully focused on locating Zhuge Sa.
I pondered.
And made my decision.
"Hah!"
Jjeng!
I swung Dark Night with full power into the space, its force cracking the dimension. At the same instant, the barrier's white overlay halted, and Zhuge Sa was flung out of the air.
"Kuhk..."
Zhuge Sa tried to hide again with concealment sorcery, but by then the Sword Demon and Dugu Cheng had rushed in and subdued him. As Zhuge Sa knelt with a hollow expression, Mangryang looked genuinely relieved.
"Thank you. I never could have caught Zhuge Sa alone."
Zhuge Sa said.
"A foolish choice... The heavenly realm will never be on your side."
"Better than letting you run wild."
I replied softly, and Zhuge Sa snapped irritably.
"You don't grasp what I mean. Fine, take responsibility for your choice."
"I'm always taking responsibility, so don't worry."
"......"
Zhuge Sa turned away as if he couldn't be bothered to respond, then said to the Sword Demon.
"Liege. I'll give you my honest advice now. I won't beg for my life, so kill Mangryang immediately."
"Why?"
"If you don't, the heavenly realm will never let Shadowless Sect be. Killing Mangryang is the only way to avert that disaster."
"......"
"Liege may not believe me, but I was sincere toward Shadowless Sect. This is my final counsel as your strategist."
The Sword Demon crossed his arms and fell silent. I stared at Zhuge Sa in disbelief.
'What nonsense is this? There's no way we'd kill Mangryang!'
Anyone could see it was a ploy to drag Mangryang down with him out of fear of dying alone. No one would think otherwise. The Sword Demon gazed at Zhuge Sa for a long moment before saying.
"White Protector. Execute Zhuge Sa."
"Yes?"
"Killing him myself yields little gain. Offer him as sacrifice to your Dark Night."
"Understood."
I raised Dark Night and stood before Zhuge Sa.
"I'll make it as painless as possible."
"Kuku... Fool."
Shik!
Zhuge Sa's head flew into the air mid-sneer. My ultra-swift strike had severed it in an instant, ensuring minimal pain. Zhuge Sa had been irritating, but he'd undeniably helped clean up the imperial palace.
It was then.
Wuuuuuu—
"......!!"
The golden box that had belonged to Zhuge Sa trembled violently before melting like liquid. The liquid adhered to Dark Night's blade and was absorbed, and in that moment, an immense power surged from the sword.
"Uuuuuht...!!"
An absurdly vast power!
But it wasn't internal energy. As my spiritual sense flared, a profound joy of enlightenment pulled me toward a deep realm of realization. A chilling spiritual energy filled my body with terrifying fullness.
This was a greater sense of fulfillment and enhancement than when I'd slain hundreds of yokai in the Aokigahara flood. I was stunned. Could killing Zhuge Sa have been this effective for strengthening the Demonic Craving?
'Right now, it feels like I could do anything.'
Mangryang said.
"Then let's get out of here."
Paat!
We used the golden teleportation to exit to the imperial palace. With the dragonkin, demons, and summoned beings that had swarmed it now gone, an eerie silence reigned. No signs of life could be felt. Walking through the ruins and stillness felt strangely surreal.
Then Mangryang said to me.
"Baek Woong. Come to Kunlun Mountain."
"What do you mean?"
"The imperial palace threat is over now. The other races won't threaten the world for a while. So, we intend to seal your Demonic Craving Dark Night in the heavenly realm."
"......!!"
I flinched in shock. I hadn't expected Mangryang to bring this up.
The Sword Demon beside me spoke.
"We met your demands, and now you hit us over the head?"
"It's not like that. Naturally, we'll give Baek Woong corresponding blessings or treasures in exchange for the Demonic Craving Dark Night. Zhuge Sa spoke extremely, but if you cooperate willingly, it won't come to that."
Mangryang continued calmly.
"Baek Woong. We've just accomplished the goal of your past lives: the destruction of the imperial palace. What use is keeping the Demonic Craving Dark Night now? Live the happy life of your own choosing from here on."
A happy life of my own.
My heart raced at those words. Indeed, the imperial palace destruction—our past lives' task—was fully achieved, and we'd slain the other races to our fill. Nothing more mattered to me, and there was no reason to cling to Dark Night.
Dugu Cheng agreed.
"Yeah! What's the point of holding onto that Dark Night or whatever? Just toss that troublesome otherworldly thing away."
"I see."
Convinced by Dugu Cheng, I lifted Dark Night to hand it to Mangryang.
It was right then.
Kirring!
The Sword Demon's spectral sword energy sliced through space. I barely dodged while trying to hand over Dark Night—the strike carried lethal intent that would kill instantly if it connected.
"Liege?!"
Sword Demon Seo Moon Daeryong glared fiercely at me and said.
"Baek Woong. You've strayed far."
"Yes?"
"That Mangryang isn't the one you knew. He's a heavenly apostle and earthly immortal who endured eight or nine years of trials and setbacks through extreme training. He's completely different from the [human] Mangryang you knew."
"That can't be."
"No matter how nicely it's phrased, seizure is seizure. You have no reason to let the heavenly realm take your Demonic Craving."
With that, the Sword Demon sighed.
"I misjudged. We shouldn't have killed Zhuge Sa."
"What do you..."
The Sword Demon stared piercingly at Mangryang and said.
"How about I introduce the friend who's been secretly blocking my killing intent on your behalf?"
The Sword Demon had apparently attempted to assassinate Mangryang with his mind blade several times already. But some entity was protecting him.
"...I see. I didn't intend to go this far."
Mangryang murmured softly and raised his hand.
"Reveal yourself."
Sseuuk.
Then, an immortal in daoist robes appeared behind Mangryang. He had sharp features and carried a sword on his back. The Sword Demon and Dugu Cheng looked puzzled, seeing him for the first time, but I was struck with shock the moment I laid eyes on him.
Why is that man here?!
"Final warning. If you don't hand over the Demonic Craving Dark Night, I'll have to restrain you."
Dugu Cheng scoffed.
"I don't know who that guy is, but even if guardian lions came, they couldn't handle us easily. What makes you so cocky?"
With a trembling voice, I said.
"N-No... That's not true."
"What?"
"It's dangerous."
Mangryang's eyes gleamed as he said.
"You know who this is, then."
"......"
I had no reply.
An overwhelming foe had appeared out of nowhere.
"Who is he?"
Curious, the Sword Demon asked, and I had no choice but to answer. Since he could only read my visual memories, he wouldn't know this being's true form. Only I did.
"Sword Immortal Lu Dongbin!"
The Battling Immortal and strongest of the Eight Immortals, the Dragon Flower Immortal!
The man I'd seen multiple times in my possessions now stood before me in the flesh, as an enemy.