Chapter 263
Chapter 263
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 263
Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm
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Heavenly Realm
Sword Immortal Yeo Dongbin was fixated on the Sword Demon.
He glanced briefly toward us before shifting his gaze to me.
Yeo Dongbin spoke.
"Yeonja. Can't you yield here?"
"......"
"What more are you trying to achieve? Wasn't your goal to drive away the Yi tribe and live a happy life?"
His words left my mind in turmoil.
That's right. Why am I protecting Suyao Moya even against the Heavenly Realm?
Even if I handed Moya over in this life, I could just start over in the next.
The thought of clashing with immortals like this filled me with fear.
But the Sword Demon's words bore down on my heart even more heavily.
No matter how you dress it up, theft is theft.
From my past life experiences, I could instinctively sense that yielding Suyao to the Heavenly Realm would never end well.
I realized the Sword Demon was right.
After taking a moment to collect my thoughts, I replied.
"I'm going to gather the Seven Essentials, liberate them, and defeat the [Old Ruler]."
"...What a grand dream."
Yeo Dongbin let out a sigh before continuing.
"And an impossible one. The Seven Essentials must never be freed."
"Why...?"
I ground my teeth.
"Doesn't the Heavenly Realm know the [Old Ruler] is the root cause? Then gathering the Seven Essentials—the power to oppose those beings—is the right path, isn't it? Why block my way?"
"You're right about the root cause."
Yeo Dongbin scanned the surroundings with profound eyes before speaking.
"But who can take responsibility for what happens next?"
"What do you mean?"
"The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors created the Seven Essentials, but only Emperor Gongsun Heonwon knows what occurs when they're all assembled. If freeing them hastens humanity's end...who answers for that?"
"......"
"Humanity has roughly five hundred years left. Releasing the Seven Essentials now is wrong."
I jolted in shock.
Humanity's destruction was fated—and he named the timeframe!
Coming from a Great Immortal, those words carried immense weight.
The Sword Demon and Dokgo Seong wore stunned expressions too.
I'd never imagined Zhuge Saja's mutterings about humanity's doom were true.
Regaining my wits after a moment, I pressed on.
"That doesn't make sense. If everything ends in five hundred years anyway, why is the Heavenly Realm fighting so hard to stop it?"
"I can't reveal that. But the Heavenly Realm has a plan for at least some respite. That is the Heavenly Mechanism—the best choice for all existence."
Yeo Dongbin spoke resolutely as he slowly drew his sword.
"I'll say it once more. Abandon your futile greed. Human strength has limits."
That was the moment.
Mangnyang, standing beside me, suddenly formed a strange hand seal.
"I seal you."
Flash!
"......!!"
In that instant, I realized I couldn't speak—my body frozen stiff.
As if on cue, Yeo Dongbin, the Sword Demon, and Dokgo Seong sprang into motion.
Peerless experts without earthly rivals clashed with an immortal in all-out combat.
Boom—
The Sword Demon's spirit sword collided with Yeo Dongbin's, ringing out an eerie sword cry.
Dokgo Seong's sword thunder streaked in belatedly, striking at Yeo Dongbin.
He dodged it effortlessly, conjuring three clones in a flash to claim the Three Talents' positions.
Helpless to move, I watched their duel unfold.
Mangnyang's transmission reached me.
[Sorry, Baek Woong, but I must seal your movements and spells with the Ox Step Method first. Your Absolute Insulation Incantation is far too dangerous.]
I'd been outmaneuvered!
Mangnyang's preemptive strike stung.
Yeo Dongbin's sudden arrival had stunned me into inaction, but I could've repelled him with a calm Absolute Insulation Incantation.
Having glimpsed my life via the black obsidian, Mangnyang had anticipated my best counter.
He stood motionless, eyes fixed on me—unable to move while sustaining the Ox Step Method.
I poured all my internal energy into breaking free, but nothing budged.
Veins bulged on my forehead.
Mangnyang transmitted again.
[Pointless. This Ox Step Method has reached immortal arts. Without infinite internal energy, you'll fail.]
[Damn it! Is this really necessary?]
My transmission came out like a howl.
[You've seen the black obsidian!! I'm just doing my utmost!]
[...I know. Enough to confirm those memories are real.]
Mangnyang fell silent briefly before replying.
[Even so, I have too much to protect. And after those memories...I truly want to grant you peace.]
[What?]
His gaze turned deadly serious.
[Give up Suyao Moya here, and a happy life is yours effortlessly. You've a fine master, the Shadowless Sect as base, a future wife lined up. The Royal Palace is gone. As one of Goryeo's Thirteen Laws, you can live ordinarily and joyfully from now on.]
[......!!]
[Don't you get it? I understood your suffering—that's why I want to ease it. If I meant true harm, that earlier strike would've sealed you outright. I'm holding back plenty.]
No bluff or jest.
Mangnyang's sorcery rivaled earthly immortals—leagues beyond mortal mages.
Perhaps surpassing even Zhugebu.
I had no choice but to rethink.
A happy life.
Was it truly within grasp?
Let go of Moya, and it'd be mine?
The despair of starting my sixteenth reincarnation resurfaced.
Without Mangnyang's words then, I'd have surrendered to hopelessness.
I'd clung to them like a lifeline, hauling myself this far.
Now that very friend—the one who'd given my life purpose—said it was fine to quit.
"......"
Happy life.
I repeated it inwardly.
As I wrestled with it, Mangnyang continued.
[Royal Palace fallen, the Yi tribe rampages westward. But the West has guardians—they'll handle it. No need for your path to stay mired in suffering.]
Boom!!
An explosion rocked the sky then.
I looked up.
A battle defying description raged there.
Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship
Six Intents Sacred Heaven Chart
Cloud Resolution
Thousands of qi sword phantoms bloomed around Yeo Dongbin instantly.
They poured down like a dense cloud of radiant blades, repelling the frontal lightning and flame waves.
A roar burst from Yeo Dongbin's hand, transcending space-time.
The supreme technique he'd used to slay demons before.
First time witnessing it firsthand as a bystander.
Yet its majesty made my heart plummet.
'Heavens...!!'
How could such martial prowess exist?
I'd barely grasped it before, but the Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship's Six Intents Sacred Heaven Chart wielded transcendent might.
Each qi sword brimmed with living intent—utterly beyond human arts.
Cloud Resolution pouring down? I'd stand no chance.
It spread through the air, assaulting the Sword Demon and Dokgo Seong.
They looked drained.
Barely a hundred exchanges with Yeo Dongbin, yet they frayed at the edges.
The Sword Demon bellowed.
"Haat!!"
Cloud Resolution scattered as his aura surged.
An unseen supreme art emerged—shaped like Taiji.
Coiling Public Sword and Heavenly Pivot Sword shifted fluidly with his will, compressing space and distance freely, shattering Cloud Resolution's vast momentum.
Dokgo Seong seized the opening, hurtling forth with sword thunder and divine sword unity to strike Yeo Dongbin.
The illusion pierced by sword thunder's speed—but Yeo Dongbin had relocated, summoning dozens of giant swords.
Boom boom boom
"Kuhuk!!"
Dokgo Seong wailed, hurled back.
He escaped grievous injury, but defeat etched his face.
His best shot—futile against Yeo Dongbin.
Knowing his caliber, chills raced through me.
'Heavens... Even Yongbitian or Han Baekryeong here couldn't manage that!'
Lightly dominating a two-on-one against Dokgo Seong and Sword Demon!
Now I grasped Yeo Dongbin's strength.
Untouchables before, unmeasurable.
But my growth allowed objective measure.
He eclipsed Heavenly Spirit Pill guardians—fundamentally beyond human martial arts.
Mangnyang, stealing a glance, transmitted.
[Yeo Dongbin's a Heavenly Realm powerhouse with scant peers. Survives Sun Wukong fights. Human peaks? Expected. White Lotus Cult Leader might match him. Wait—is he the monster? Already beyond immortals.]
[Kugh.]
[This drags on, Sword Demon and Dokgo Seong die for sure.]
My eyes saw it too.
Great Immortal and fighter Yeo Dongbin flung lethal and ultra-lethal moves unbound by internal energy or intent limits.
Sword Demon holding was the marvel.
[How'd Yeo Dongbin descend? Causality forbids it.]
[Your Suyao Moya's secondary liberation gave the Heavenly Realm massive pretext. Fighter Yeo Dongbin's advent—the world's check on your frenzy.]
[......]
[Now surrender. I can halt Yeo Dongbin.]
Cornered tighter.
Sword Demon or Dokgo Seong faced death.
Sword Demon endured somehow, winless.
Dokgo Seong neared breaking.
Eyes squeezed shut, I transmitted to concede.
[I yield Suyao Moya—]
That instant.
Kiiing!!
Suyao Moya glowed.
A colossal [something] within Moya addressed me.
[Yielding to those pests?
Dull.
I'll spice it up.]
Rumble...
"Ah."
Mangnyang's Ox Step Method shattered—my body freed.
But no time to adjust—a titanic overlay crashed into me, shuddering my frame.
Humanity couldn't fathom the presence crushing my soul.
"Kuuh...!!"
Mangnyang gasped in horror.
"Th-this...an [Old Ruler] descends...?!"
An vision materialized.
The massive skeleton giant from Moya's prior liberation.
Itaquah—one of the [Old Rulers], Moya's contractor.
Trembling in agony, Itaquah's soul spoke.
[You survived? What are you?]
Genuine bafflement.
No reply—Itaquah pressed.
[...No matter. I'll sweep all obstacles.
Such is I, Itaquah's, will.]
My awareness sank inward.
My form wielding Suyao Moya seemed another's.
[Begone!!]
Itaquah, puppeteering [my] flesh, unleashed Absolute Insulation Incantation.
[Kaaaak...]
Sword Immortal Yeo Dongbin—who'd battled Sword Demon and Dokgo Seong—vanished traceless.
Itaquah freely drew from my memory spells.
Flash
He invoked the Golden Gourd, relocating.
Subdued spiritual aura blanketed the mountains and wilds—like heaven and earth subdued!
I knew this spot.
Where Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors' Cheonuk rent sky from soil.
Heaven-Earth Interval—Xiang Yu's prior haunt with me.
Itaquah, in [my] shell, stood silent in the Interval.
A sinister grin split his face as he raised Suyao Moya skyward.
[Shatter!]
Boom
Heaven-Earth Interval's space fractured—rift yawning in void.
Beyond: a dreamlike otherworld akin to Peach Blossom Land or fabled Immortal Realm.
Itaquah strode in unhesitating.
Whooong...
Entry sensed: swarms incoming from all quarters.
Immortals, Taoists, heavenly nymphs.
The storied Heavenly Realm—theirs.
They sensed essence over form—universal dread.
Their vanguard, mighty immortal—Great Immortal soul-rank—roared.
[Old Ruler, invading Heavenly Realm! Defying Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors' pact!]
Itaquah grinned.
[Vermin ignorant of our Emperor pact.]
[What—]
[Die.]
Heavenly Ice
Just that.
One swing of Suyao Moya at empty air.
Moya's force iced space-time wholesale.
Soon, Heavenly Realm's expanse filled with frost.
White gleam swept—all froze.
[Kaaaak!]
[Flee!!]
Immortals shrieked, evading futilely.
Unblockable, undodgeable.
Spirit or deity—all slain by [Old Ruler] authority!
Hundreds of immortals and Great Immortals—gone or iced—in moments.
Rumble...
[Old Ruler, die!]
[Perish!!]
Potent immortals belatedly ringed Itaquah.
Dou Xian powerhouses among them, divine beasts too.
Simultaneous assault—Itaquah raised barrier.
Boom boom
Boom
Earth-shattering blasts—cities vaporized manifold—pummeled him.
Barrier dimmed gradual, unyielding.
[Bug vermin!]
Limits told—Itaquah annoyed, recast Heavenly Ice.
[Block...!!]
Wooo—
Heavenly Realm elites barriered jointly.
Some visibly crumbled under strain.
Shout boomed anew.
[Destruction's hour unripe!]
[Regret your hubris, Itaquah!!]
Swoosh
Fresh summons dotted the field.
Familiar: Taheo Cheonjon, Queen Mother of the West, Nanhwa Nosun.
Earth-faith gods mobilized to eradicate Itaquah.
Spotting Taheo Cheonjon, Itaquah faltered.
Defeated tone:
[You outplay me.]
Taheo Cheonjon's enigmatic smile—no words.
Fierce fray recommenced.
It concluded three days and nights hence.
I lost.
Death loomed.
Itaquah abruptly released possession, fled.
Regaining senses from takeover, blood-soaked, I knelt dazed mid-Heavenly Realm.
How'd it come to this?
Eight Trigrams array sealed around—a prison.
Great Immortals, Moya seized, jailed me pending judgment.
My guard: Mangnyang.
Back in Heavenly Realm, he eyed me pityingly.
"Baek Woong. Golden Gourd escape's impossible now. Heavenly Realm blocks demonic teleports."
"......"
He drew close, whispering.
"...Forget the Royal Palace. Shift goals."
"What?"
Whoooong
"......!!"
Our clasped hands flooded me with his sorcery lore and lore.
Stunned stare—he'd transmitted akin to black obsidian: memory inheritance spell.
Panting, he spoke.
"Hah... Hah... Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden's Corpse Liberation Technique... Worked well..."
My shocked gaze met his forlorn one.
"I'm... not your Mangnyang... Lived my life... Post-mission, secret from her awaited... But guilt... Can't..."
"What..."
"You'll neither die... eternal seal... So before..."
Blood-cough wracked him.
Last gasp:
"...Deepest Heavenly Realm... harbors darkness... Expose it..."
Thud
Mangnyang expired.
I grasped it.
Life traded—his memories, experiences to me!
Knowing death-regresses me, he'd wagered on [future] self.
'Likely... lacked nerve for that darkness alone.'
His memories: that shadow dwarfed an earthly immortal's probe.
Guilt mentioned.
My black obsidian transmission unaltered his core—but swayed him.
Blank stare at Mangnyang's corpse.
Unlike before, intricate feelings coiled within.
First enmity from him—possibility thereof—shattered me inwardly.
No blind grief or self-lash like outset.
What then?
How fulfill goal?
Best road?
"......"
I knew.
Sigh escaped.
"No choice."
Puk!
Heart meridian snapped.
Agony surged, blood erupted bodywide.
Futile versus prior suicides—but this bore scant choice.
My sixteenth death.