Chapter 289
Chapter 289
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 289
Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm
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Lee Gwang, leading the way, showed the pass permit to the gate soldiers. Soon enough, the officer commanding a hundred men emerged, followed by the pass overseer higher up the chain of command. It didn't take long.
The commander, who claimed to oversee Mount Tai's pass, stepped out. Though not a general, he carried himself with comparable authority, strutting arrogantly.
"Hmph! I am Bae Jin-bong. You say you have General Jang Kyung-ik's letter and a pass permit?"
"That's right."
At Lee Gwang's curt reply, he squinted and scanned our group.
"The permit is genuine, but..."
He then tore open the letter and began reading it slowly. After a long moment, Bae Jin-bong suddenly shuddered and cried out.
"Th-the, th-the Azure Dragon!!"
The letter dropped to the ground with a thud. Bae Jin-bong's hands and feet trembled, the color draining from his lips.
Murmurs rose.
As Bae Jin-bong panicked and struggled to compose himself, the nearby soldiers buzzed. Most wore puzzled expressions, but the higher officers who caught the words "Azure Dragon" turned as pale as he did.
Lee Gwang watched their reactions before speaking flatly.
"As the letter states, we're not just passing through this gate. We've been given a secret order to scout the area around Mount Tai. Prepare accommodations for us to stay a few days."
"O-of course! Naturally!!"
Bae Jin-bong hurriedly ordered the surrounding officers.
"Hey! Clean the VIP quarters immediately and summon the finest chef."
"Understood."
After issuing the command, Bae Jin-bong smirked faintly at Lee Gwang.
"I'll ensure you have no discomfort during your stay. Anything you need, just say the word."
"Hmm... We won't be here long."
Lee Gwang replied gruffly.
Watching this, I gained a fresh appreciation for Lee Gwang's influence in the military.
'Impressive indeed.'
Once commander of the 100,000 Imperial Palace Elite Guard, closest to the palace's power, and a pinnacle expert who reached the Death God Guard! In his prime, not even grand generals could breathe easily before him, and officials across the land watched his every move. Even now, his connections and influence remained, forcing even a mere regional commander's underling like this to grovel. Why else would Jang Kyung-ik, current general in Shandong, cower before him?
Lee Gwang didn't broach the main topic right away. Only after we'd unpacked, eaten a fine meal, and settled comfortably did he arrange a simple meeting and subtly raise the matter with Bae Jin-bong.
"We're actually searching for a rivers-and-lakes eccentric known as the Mount Tai Old Man."
Out of the soldiers' earshot, Lee Gwang's speech shifted to that of an equal. Bae Jin-bong seemed to take it as natural.
"Ah, the Mount Tai Old Man!"
"You know of him?"
Bae Jin-bong nodded vigorously.
"As Mount Tai's greatest eccentric, how could I not?"
"A vague answer. Has the Mount Tai Old Man ever visited this fortress?"
"Well..."
Bae Jin-bong looked troubled and averted his gaze. Lee Gwang stared at him for a moment before speaking.
"You know we're not here on some trivial order from Jang Kyung-ik. Far higher powers are backing us. Whatever the secret, hiding it won't do you any favors."
"......"
Pressured like a threat, Bae Jin-bong crossed his arms, lost in thought. Then he spoke.
"The Mount Tai Old Man is here at this pass right now."
"Where?"
"Before I tell you, I need one assurance."
"Speak."
Bae Jin-bong said cautiously.
"If the Embroidered Uniform Guard learns I leaked this secret, they won't let me off. Protect me."
Lee Gwang nodded confidently.
"Of course. I'm old friends with the White Tiger of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. You won't suffer for this. I'll leverage my military connections too."
"Thank you."
He sighed in relief and continued.
"He's currently staying and eating at the Heavenly Emperor Altar within the pass."
"What? Heavenly Emperor Altar?"
"As you see, this pass is vast for a mere gate—over twenty times larger than most. Near this gate encircling Mount Tai lies the ancient Heavenly Emperor Altar, where the Mount Tai Old Man resides day and night."
Lee Gwang frowned.
"Why? He's just a wild man of the rivers and lakes. Why let such a figure linger undisturbed by the garrison?"
Bae Jin-bong lowered his voice, speaking carefully, a trace of fear on his face.
"I don't know. But those overseeing Mount Tai's summit pass have always fully supported the Mount Tai Old Man generation after generation. And his presence here is kept strictly secret."
"Strange."
Bae Jin-bong stood.
"I'll take my leave. Handle the rest yourselves."
"Go on."
"Whatever happens today, I'm uninvolved."
Bae Jin-bong had clearly weighed his options. Defying someone like Lee Gwang over a secret would only harm him. Spilling it all and trusting Lee Gwang's protection was far wiser. Knowing this, Lee Gwang gave a cold smile.
"No need to worry."
We immediately headed for the Mount Tai Heavenly Emperor Altar. Before Dokgo Sung moved, he gathered us and cautioned.
"The opponent might use spells. Keep your mental strength heightened and focused! Use your Intent Severing Technique if possible to endure."
"Understood."
Hooves thundered.
It happened as we reached the peak believed to house the Mount Tai Heavenly Emperor Altar. Suddenly, hazy mist rolled in, blocking all visibility. Dokgo Sung roared.
"It's an illusion spell! Focus your intent!"
In that instant, the Thunder God Style experts simultaneously gathered and unleashed their intent. None lacked skill in intent, so a tremendous wave of formless intent energy erupted. The illusion fog, which clouded human eyes and manipulated senses, shattered like mist before an intangible pulse.
Amazed, I said to Dokgo Sung.
"How did you know this countermeasure?"
By common knowledge, dispelling a spell's illusion required ancient relics like the Five Poisons Barrier Breaker or countering with equivalent spells. Yet Dokgo Sung had opposed it with intent as if it were obvious. It seemed natural at first glance, but without experience, no one could react so fluidly.
Dokgo Sung chuckled.
"The White Lotus Cult has plenty of spellcasters and spell slaves. You'd never survive in the Thunder God Style surprised by this level."
"......"
Dokgo Sung was rich in spell battle experience. Perhaps he'd even slain several spellcasters. The more I thought, the less I could afford to underestimate him.
Then Lee Gwang, dragging his spear, said to Dokgo Sung.
"Elder. A formation is deployed."
"Is it?"
"We haven't entered deeply, and bouncing the illusion just now means we're fine for the moment."
Assessing the situation, Lee Gwang suggested.
"We could probably withdraw now. What do you say?"
Irritation laced Lee Gwang's tone. His vast combat experience and knowledge had detected traps ahead, so he resisted pushing further recklessly. But suggesting retreat to Dokgo Sung was futile; he could only advise gently.
Dokgo Sung pondered briefly before asking.
"Can you break the formation?"
Lee Gwang glanced beyond the mist at the hill.
"Difficult. It detects Wind-Moon level, but without a specialist formation master or spellcaster, it's beyond us. Masterful work."
"Even for a mere hundred paces to that hill?"
"As you know, once spells affect the mind, you can't trust your senses. One misstep in a formation is hell."
"Hmm... No choice then."
Dokgo Sung sighed faintly and sent me a transmission.
[Mount Tai Old Man is definitely there. Next time, bring your allies and return.]
[Understood.]
As Dokgo Sung surmised. Such powerful spell defenses meant someone occupied the Heavenly Emperor Altar at Mount Tai's summit. But with only martial artists, breaching the formation was impossible—we had to withdraw. Dokgo Sung likely figured he'd need help from my comrades like Mang Ryang or Cheon Woo-jin.
'Mang Ryang could break it.'
One step back for ten steps forward.
I thought that as I prepared to retreat.
That's when it happened.
[Familiar face. Lee Gwang, what brings you here?]
A voice came from beyond the illusion. We flinched, suspecting a mental attack, but sensed none. As the mysterious voice addressed Lee Gwang familiarly, eyes turned to him. He wore an odd expression, then bellowed like a lion.
"I don't know who you are! State your name and title."
[Huhu... You know who I am. And I know you. But even if I showed myself, you wouldn't believe it. Though we worked together for over a decade...]
"What nonsense..."
Lee Gwang scoffed, then suddenly realized something—his face hardened.
He glared beyond the mist.
"...Why are you here?"
[You figured it out. As expected, you're sharp.]
Lee Gwang seemed tense. Gripping his spear tightly unlike himself, he showed no leisure. It meant the voice's owner was profoundly sinister and dangerous.
"If you're who I think, you have no reason to be here. Shouldn't you be at His Majesty's closest side?"
The voice from the mist replied to Lee Gwang's question.
[I'm fulfilling my duties more loyally than anyone in the palace. Who's failing theirs? You, Lee Gwang?]
"What do you mean."
[I know you stepped down from Azure Dragon Guard due to inner contradictions. But you can't walk life's great path swept by impulse. Only His Majesty can resolve your contradictions.]
"......"
The voice continued.
[Return to the Death God Guard, Lee Gwang. If you do, the palace will give you the power to crush the White Lotus Cult anytime.]
"......!!"
I—and the surrounding Thunder God Style experts—were stunned. The voice spoke as if intimately knowing the Thunder God Style, White Lotus Cult, and Lee Gwang's circumstances. And as his acquaintance, it was shocking. Moreover, it seemed deeply aware of the demonic powers hidden in the palace.
'Who the hell?'
Lee Gwang stood silent for a long time.
Then he answered.
"Sorry, but I can't accept that offer. I'll gratefully accept the sentiment."
[Is that so... Then leave. This is an important place; I can't tolerate intruders longer.]
"Will do."
Lee Gwang turned. The others followed suit, as if by agreement, departing Mount Tai's summit. No way to pierce the illusion formation now, and an ominous air hung heavy. Though we didn't know the mist's occupant, it seemed Lee Gwang had stayed its hand against us.
Only back at the pass quarters did Lee Gwang speak.
"Elder, that was close. We mustn't attack rashly."
For the fearless, brash Lee Gwang to say this was rare. The Thunder God Style experts eyed him anew. At his words, Dokgo Sung stroked his chin thoughtfully before asking.
"Who was that? You know their identity."
"Yes. But if it's who I think, they're extremely dangerous."
"Who? A Dharma Guardian Lion?"
At Dokgo Sung's gruff question, Lee Gwang gave a wry smile.
"Not a Dharma Guardian Lion, but perhaps equally dangerous."
"Don't toy with me—spit it out. I hate riddles."
Lee Gwang nodded.
"He's a member of the Imperial Palace Death God Guard, the palace's strongest spellcaster: the Vermilion Bird. The true Guard of the Emperor—he's scarcely appeared even to fellow Death God Guards."
"A shadow powerhouse?"
"Yes."
"Compared to you, who's stronger?"
Cheong Wol muttered incredulously.
"Elder, such childish questions..."
"Shut it, you dullard. How can we plan ahead without knowing?"
Snapping at Cheong Wol, Dokgo Sung turned as Lee Gwang replied.
"In pure martial arts, I could fight him. But if he uses spells, I have no confidence."
"That level? Someone mastering both martial arts and spells to the pinnacle?"
Dokgo Sung was surprised. Rightly so—a Lee Gwang-level martial artist who was also a spell master was exceedingly rare. Most humans strained to master one to proficiency, let alone both. I, who'd struggled through 17 regressions to barely match Lee Gwang, knew this best.
Lee Gwang shook his head.
"Originally, the Guard of the Emperor was only the Vermilion Bird. The previous emperor created the Death God Guard to bolster imperial power and organize, but he's the eternal shadow guardian of the imperial house across generations."
Dokgo Sung grunted.
"Different league, eh..."
"......"
Lee Gwang crossed his arms, deep in thought for a while. Then he turned to me.
"Baek Woong. Step out and talk."
"Can't we talk here?"
"Come."
Lee Gwang rose abruptly and exited. I glanced around—everyone signaled I should follow. He showed courtesy due to hierarchy, but his unparalleled social prestige was undeniable. Even Dokgo Sung respected him accordingly.
No choice—I followed Lee Gwang to a secluded spot, where he waited, glaring sharply.
"Did you know the Vermilion Bird is the Mount Tai Old Man and lead us here?"
As expected, he suspected they were the same.
"It was Cheong Wol Dharma and Master Dokgo Sung who said to find the Mount Tai Old Man."
"But you've scouted the Heavenly Emperor Altar before, and I know you have ulterior motives. I don't think your presence here is coincidence."
Lee Gwang deeply suspected me.
Memories flashed—recent intel from Sa Gong-rin during our meeting.
[Master often wanders the land but frequents Mount Tai. That's why the martial world calls him the Mount Tai Old Man. But he actually circuits the Five Peaks often.]
[This silver plaque Master gave me before parting.]
"......"
Silently, I produced the silver plaque from Sa Gong-rin. It bore an intricate engraving of the Vermilion Bird.
The Mount Tai Old Man was indeed the Imperial Palace Death God Guard's Vermilion Bird.
I tossed the Vermilion Bird plaque to Lee Gwang.
"This is the silver plaque I got from Sa Gong-rin, the Mount Tai Old Man's disciple, while gathering intel. It all connects."
Lee Gwang caught and inspected it, his face impassive.
"I asked: Did you know?"
"No. If I did, I'd have shown that Vermilion Bird plaque earlier, and I wouldn't hand it to you now."
"......"
"Now's not the time for suspicion and infighting between us. We must uncover the Mount Tai Old Man... the Vermilion Bird's true nature."
"Why should we?"
Clang.
Lee Gwang hurled the plaque at his feet.
"Our priority is the Thunder God Style's revival and growth. If the Mount Tai Old Man is the Vermilion Bird, clashing means direct confrontation with palace forces. Why should the Thunder God Style risk that? No reason at all."
As expected.
I thought briefly before replying.
"Then why did you refuse the Vermilion Bird's invitation to return to the Death God Guard?"
"Because the Thunder God Style matters more to me now."
I scoffed.
"Don't lie. You just learned the Vermilion Bird's identity, panicked, and grew suspicious. You love using others but hate being used."
"......"
"With certainty of achieving your aims, you'd return to the palace in a heartbeat."
"Not true."
Denying it, I stared him down.
"Think coldly. Why is the Vermilion Bird, who should be in the palace, here at Mount Tai? And what ties does it have to the emperor? We need to find out."
"Why should I?!"
"Because..."
I grinned.
"You possess loyal patriotism."
"What?"
"Isn't absolute loyalty to the nation the banner of your life?"
"......"
I sensed the mask on Lee Gwang's face shatter. He faltered, unable to control his expression. Seizing the moment, I pressed.
"How can you claim loyalty to His Majesty without uncovering the Vermilion Bird's schemes? You must know if he and palace affairs aid the imperial house's peace. That's a loyal minister's duty."
"The Vermilion Bird guards His Majesty as Guard of the Emperor. I needn't worry about—"
In that instant, I knew his weak spot. A hunch from decades observing him.
"Forgot who killed General Jin Cheon-hwi?"
"......!!"
"Do you even know His Majesty's thoughts now? And you call yourself loyal?"
Crack.
Blood dripped from Lee Gwang's clenched fist. Suppressing surging emotions, he'd gripped too hard—blood splattered the ground. He might endure, but persistently striking his psychological weak points wore him down.
"As you say, if it's unrelated to the Thunder God Style, take everyone and leave. I'll cut all ties. I'll pierce the Mount Tai Old Man alone."
I continued.
"But I'd be disappointed in you. Just an empty shell without convictions."
Lee Gwang fell silent. With no reply, I turned to leave.
But instantly, he shouted.
"Stop!"
I halted mid-step. Lee Gwang's face twisted like a furious demon, barely containing boiling rage. He exhaled deeply to calm himself.
"As you say. But if I sense you're using us, I'll cut you down anytime."
"Do as you like."
I was certain. Though he'd hate me murderously now, he'd fight the palace to the end. Because he'd found his own reason to battle.
Yes.
Lee Gwang held fierce loyalty to the imperial house, but witnessing his friend General Jin Cheon-hwi slain by the emperor in a power struggle tormented him with contradictions. Nation first or emperor first? Turmoil.
That led him to flee to the rivers and lakes with the White Lotus Cult feud, becoming Azure Dragon Martial Hall Master Lee Gwang. Striking such a flawed man's weakness from the start was child's play.
As Lee Gwang and I returned, Dokgo Sung said.
"Talk done? Let's plan ahead."
"Yes."
"Cheong Wol and I will seek the Red Moon and Green Moon forces. I have leads—we'll find them within a year. Then unite their forces and gather Thunder God Style heirs, evading White Lotus Cult eyes."
"Too risky?"
Dokgo Sung chuckled.
"Not at all. My uncle won't pick unripe fruit. We can grow safely until he reaches out."
"What of the Wind God Style?"
"You handle their checks."
"Pardon?"
Meeting Dokgo Sung's meaningful gaze, I grasped it.
'As White Lotus Cult Lord's disciple, check the Wind God Style!'
Then, once the Thunder God Style grew enough, use Seven Deaths Village's assassination rights to kill the White Lotus Cult Lord. Amid the chaos, with the Thunder God Style matured, Dokgo Sung's plan would allow open independence.
Impressive strategy—I admired Dokgo Sung anew. How hadn't such a man become a Dharma Guardian Lion?
Finally, Dokgo Sung eyed Jin So-cheong. Then dropped thunder.
"And Jin So-cheong, from today, learn from Baek Woong."
"Pardon?"
"Pardon?!"
Jin So-cheong and I were stunned. But Dokgo Sung said as if obvious.
"Baek Woong is already a master of Thunder God Style martial arts. Under him, you'll advance tremendously."
"Hmm... Understood."
Jin So-cheong accepted readily, but my gut felt like swallowing a rock.
'Oh no...'
Teaching Jin So-cheong could spell disaster.
If he learned my Jang Sam-bong martial arts or insights, his potential was unfathomable. But refusing here was absurd, so I nodded reluctantly.
"Understood."