Chapter 265
Chapter 265
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 265
Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm
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Uwoooo
I took the entire Shadowless Sect with me on the Golden Winged Great Peng and headed straight for the Blood Path Group's pirate lair. Without hesitation, I released all the Shadowless Sect experts from the neck pouch right at their base. The experts pouring out of the neck pouch in droves looked quite bewildered, but soon the Sword Demon took command and spoke.
"Capturing the executives and killing all the grunts."
"Understood!"
"Don't let a single one escape."
Pababat
Soon, a dozen or so Shadowless Sect experts scattered in all directions across the pirate island. It might seem few compared to the hundreds of pirates on the island, but in truth, each one was a first-class expert or peak expert among the best in the unorthodox sects.
The Sword Demon glanced at me and said.
"Baek Protector, come with me to rescue Hyea."
"Yes."
It didn't take long to head to the pirates' underground prison with the Sword Demon, sweep away the guards, and release the seal on Seomun Hye. It was as I was supporting Seomun Hye out of the underground prison.
"Uwaaaak!!"
"Aaaak!!"
Sure enough, horrific screams soon echoed from all over the pirate island. The Shadowless Sect experts were slaughtering the pirates with effortless ease. Of course, even one or two of them could wipe out the island, so with the full force of the sect, it was only natural.
The slaughter ended in less than half a shichen, and the three leaders of the Blood Path Group along with their executives were lined up bound and kneeling. Some executives had limbs severed in resistance.
Terror was etched on every one of their faces. The Shadowless Sect experts had already set up poles and hung the severed heads of beheaded pirates to create an atmosphere of fear. Being from the unorthodox sects, the experts seemed unfazed by the gruesome sight.
The Sword Demon, seated on a chair and staring at them impassively, spoke.
"Are you four the ringleaders?"
"Y-Yes, that's right."
"Please spare us."
The Blood Path Group leaders were trembling violently. The Sword Demon seemed to guess their fish-like appearance and didn't bother removing their hoods. Instead, he stroked his chin and said.
"Tell me in detail about the ones who handed Hyea over to you."
"I-It was the Golden Guards."
The Sword Demon looked as if he had expected that much. Calm questions followed.
"The transaction location?"
"The coastal region of Henan."
"Right under our noses from the Shadowless Sect. Did you know Hyea was the branch leader of the main branch?"
"We didn't know! We swear we didn't! We just took her on the Golden Guards' request to hold her for a year! They told us not to touch her, so we left her alone!"
"......"
The Sword Demon wore a strange expression. Then he sent me a transmission.
[In your memories, Hyea preserved her virginity, right? No mistake there?]
[Yes. I clearly remember checking her qi and blood with the great sealing art.]
[Observe Hyea's condition once more.]
I sent qi into Seomun Hye's body and examined the meridian flow according to my medical knowledge. Then I answered with certainty.
[It's correct. The branch leader is definitely a virgin. No signs of abuse either.]
[Hmm...]
As I answered, I tilted my head.
Was it such a big deal that the pirates hadn't touched Seomun Hye? Of course, as a father with a beloved only daughter, it made sense, but the Sword Demon seemed focused on something else.
Soon the Sword Demon said.
"When is the next transaction with the Golden Guards?"
"Pardon? W-Well, there are no plans for the next three months..."
"Arrange the next transaction as soon as possible. If you obey well, I might spare you."
"Yes! We'll do that!!"
Spare them?
I felt something off about the Sword Demon's handling, but things proceeded smoothly from there. Following my memories, the Sword Demon swiftly secured all the gold, silver, treasures, gunpowder, explosives, and even the Yodo Muramasa sword from the island. He had the Blood Path Group leaders contact the Golden Guards, rescued the remaining pirate executives and pirate captives, and returned to the Shadowless Sect.
Back at the Shadowless Sect, the Sword Demon said.
"I'll handle the pirate matter and prisoner release. You hurry to meet Mangnyang."
Surprised by the unexpected words, I asked back.
"Is that alright?"
"Ending it by ripping those Blood Path Group scum apart like you would isn't enough. From now on, I'll focus on tracking their origins and uncovering the true masterminds. Your power isn't essential for that, so go take care of your own business."
The Sword Demon continued.
"I believe this life of yours will be the turning point for tremendous achievements. So go to Mangnyang to subdue the Demon Blade's spirit, and have a deep conversation with him."
"Understood."
If the Sword Demon handled the pirate side, it would save me a lot of effort. And from his consideration, I could tell he truly accepted the memories of my past lives.
I hurriedly used the Golden Winged Great Peng to head to Jinrang Valley. Entering Jinrang Valley, I sensed Mangnyang sleeping soundly in his room, so I slipped in quietly to wake him.
"Wake up."
Mangnyang waved his hand.
"Ah... leave me be... I'm sleeping..."
"Really."
I sighed and tickled his side.
"Hiiiieek?!"
Mangnyang jolted awake in shock, leaping up. Confirming the intruder—me—in the room, he panicked.
"Wh-Wh-Who are you?!"
I explained calmly.
"You won't believe it, but I'm a comrade who adventured with you over a dozen times. Name's Baek Woong."
"You're insane! Get out!"
Mangnyang seemed gripped by shock and fear. I waited for him to regain composure, then sat calmly on the floor and said.
"I need your help."
"What?"
When I held out the Seven Desires Demon Blade, Mangnyang's eyes sparkled. Even in his confusion, he recognized it as no ordinary item. Without hesitation, I handed the Demon Blade to Mangnyang and said.
"It's called the Seven Desires Demon Blade. Last time, I died because of this."
"This is the Seven Desires? What do you mean died?"
"It's a long story... but first, take this black obsidian."
Swish
"It's huge."
When I offered the massive black obsidian, Mangnyang took it bewilderedly. I had deliberately brought the largest from the obsidian mine. Seizing the moment, I cast the obsidian spell on Mangnyang.
Paaat
"......!!"
Mangnyang looked lost in a flood of memories, his face confused. It took about half a shichen for his color to return and reason to recover, and I waited silently.
Mangnyang sighed after a moment and said.
"Whew. Well, well... I was already caught in a massive current."
"Sorry. For dragging you into this."
"Don't say that. From the memories, I joined everything of my own accord anyway. But I do hesitate a bit."
He pondered briefly, then decided and said.
"...Alright. Let's go together this life too. Should be fun."
"Thanks."
Hearing that, I sighed in relief. Never had gaining a heavenly army and myriad demons felt so real. I had worried the weight of past lives might crush Mangnyang into refusing, but he agreed readily.
"No time to waste, so we should hurry to perform the rite for the Demon Blade's spirit. But first, let's talk."
"What about?"
Mangnyang crossed his arms cautiously and said.
"The life of [Mangnyang] who entered Kunlun Mountain, became a disciple of the Nine Heavens Fairy, and reached the Earth Immortal realm was transmitted to me through that black obsidian. It's true I instantly gained the spells and experiences from then. However, that doesn't make me a sorcerer on par with that [Mangnyang] right away."
"What do you mean? Didn't you gain the knowledge and experience of sorcery?"
"Because knowledge and magical power are different dimensions."
Mangnyang continued firmly.
"The Mangnyang who became the Nine Heavens Fairy's disciple grew his magical power at tremendous speed in the mysteriously potent Heavenly Realm. He had her full support and teachings, training only possible in the Heavenly Realm, even consuming divine beast essence. All told, no one in the human world could accumulate that much magical power even in two hundred years."
Two hundred years!
The Earth Immortal Mangnyang's sorcery required over two hundred years of asceticism. Mangnyang said with a headache.
"Unlike apostate curses or puppet arts, Earth Immortal Mangnyang's sorcery is a righteous orthodox school based on the Eight Trigrams. So while I have the knowledge and experience, matching that realm is extremely arduous."
"Hmm... I see the issue."
It made sense that inheriting memories alone wouldn't make one as strong as Earth Immortal Mangnyang. His power was top-tier among the strongest foes I'd faced—like a Dharma Protector Lion level in martial terms.
"But that's basic. The bigger problem is elsewhere."
"What problem?"
Mangnyang crossed his arms and said.
"Your goal has advanced from subjugating the imperial palace to targeting the Heavenly Realm. So after performing the rite on the Demon Blade's spirit, what blessing do you plan to receive?"
"......"
"After the second liberation of the Demon Blade, you'll gain karmic authority from the Heavenly Realm for greater intervention in the human world. In the sixteenth life, it manifested as Earth Immortal Mangnyang, but who knows what variable it will be this time."
I pondered deeply and said.
"I plan to receive Xiang Yu's blessing."
Mangnyang flinched in surprise at my answer.
"Xiang Yu! Why think of that?"
"Xiang Yu's power is deterrence. If the Heavenly Realm knows it dwells in me, they won't interfere lightly."
"It's a decent mid-tier strategy, but..."
Mangnyang thought and said.
"I think there's a better way."
"A better way?"
"Xiang Yu's authority, no matter how good, only activates after your death. That's not a proper blessing. We can't rely on that."
"Then what should we do?"
"There's a very good method. Just trust me."
Mangnyang grinned mischievously.
'Impressive.'
I couldn't help but admire Mangnyang's mental fortitude. Despite the heavy memories from my sixteen cycles, he accepted and adapted quickly enough to smile. Feeling a pang of guilt, I said to Mangnyang.
"...Sorry."
"What's there to be sorry about?"
"If I hadn't interfered in your life, you could have become an immortal..."
Mangnyang chuckled.
"That's just one possibility. In my past life, I despaired over lacking sorcery talent and entered Kunlun out of desperation, and it happened to work out. Even that ties to your second liberation of the Demon Blade, so I might have died without becoming an immortal anyway."
"I see."
"All things in this world are connected. And you're at the center of that karma, so I don't see following you as a loss."
Then we used the Golden Winged Great Peng to head straight to the village where Immortal Mangnyang resided. After separately burying the Heavenly Dark Secret Book and visiting the village, Cheonu Jin came out as before. Before Cheonu Jin could speak in his irritated tone, Mangnyang opened his mouth.
"Master! There's a grave matter, so open the path! Hurry!"
"Huh?"
"It's the rite for the Seven Desires Demon Blade's spirit. Your disciple begs you!"
Cheonu Jin panicked.
"Senior Brother, what's suddenly this? Don't you know how busy Master is?"
"I know, but you still need to step aside."
When Mangnyang stubbornly took a step forward,
Paang!
The fog-shrouded surroundings suddenly vanished, revealing an ordinary village. Clearly, Cheonu Jin's illusion had broken, so I was shocked, thinking Mangnyang had dispelled it. But no—Cheonu Jin said in dismay.
"No, Master?! What is this..."
Then he whipped his head to Mangnyang.
"Defying Master! I never thought you'd be like this, Senior Brother..."
Mangnyang said curtly.
"Master favors me, that's why. No time to argue with you—I'll apologize to Master later."
So Immortal Mangnyang had yielded to Mangnyang's stubbornness. As Cheonu Jin froze, Mangnyang strode unhesitatingly to the shrine. He placed the Seven Desires Demon Blade on the altar and began chanting the incantation.
"As for humans who fail to meet the harmony of the Five Elements, lose the law of the Nine Luminaries, encounter the clash of Punishments, meet all the divine killers, in movement and application—if they do not follow harmony in action and concealment, heaven will rage, earth will rebuke, the body will be lost, life endangered..."
Blue spiritual energy surged around Mangnyang's body.
Cheonu Jin, who had followed, exclaimed in shock upon seeing Mangnyang chant the invocation.
"Senior Brother!! What are you doing! Borrowing Supreme Void Heavenly Lord's power with just the incantation, no altar or formation?!"
I asked Cheonu Jin.
"What's the problem with that?"
"Of course there's a problem! Supreme Void Heavenly Lord governs fortune and is top-tier in Taoism! His power is immense—no one can serve him without properly controlling it with an altar and formation. He's in a completely different league from the motley immortals and spirits scattered about."
Cheonu Jin looked worriedly at Mangnyang and said.
"At this rate, Senior Brother will face backlash and die."
"......!!"
I realized the situation was dire. Come to think of it, even the Illusion Immortal Cheonu Jin, with his immense sorcery realm, always meticulously prepared formations and altars for the Demon Blade's spirit rite before chanting. As he said, invoking Supreme Void Heavenly Lord with just the incantation, skipping essentials, was extremely dangerous.
Rumble
Soon, dark clouds gathered in the sky. Then, brilliant golden light flowed from the Demon Blade on the altar. Oracle bone script clearly emerged, and the Demon Blade soared into the heavens. Moments later, it pierced the sky center, forming a massive pillar of light.
Kurrung
Shwaaaa - !!
Heavy rain began pouring down. Watching, Cheonu Jin muttered in a daze.
"Impossible... You enshrined Supreme Void Heavenly Lord's divinity with just the incantation? That can't be..."
"It's plenty possible, junior brother."
Mangnyang, finishing the rite, smiled and approached us.
"With that much knowledge and experience, it's feasible."
He had likely leveraged the sorcery knowledge and experience from his Earth Immortal days.
"......"
Say what you will—at least with Earth Immortal knowledge, current Mangnyang clearly surpassed his original sorcery realm by leaps and bounds. After all, earthly immortals were transcendent beings on the verge of Great Heavenly Immortals.
"By the way, can you lend power for the possession ritual? My magical power might fall short..."
Cheonu Jin shook his head and said.
"Senior Brother, you're truly outlandish. I'll lend my power for now."
"Thanks."