Chapter 292
Chapter 292
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 292
Chapter Title: Celestial Realm
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Paht!
Using the Bi Deung to arrive at Mount Tai, the same scenery as before came into view. The hilly terrain that Lee Gwang had declared an Absolute Array was right before my eyes. Cheon Woo-jin carefully examined the hill and said,
"It's a trap. And one crafted by a highly skilled individual."
"Can you break it?"
"Breaking it isn't the issue, but doing so would force a life-or-death battle with the array's master."
I tilted my head.
"What's the problem with that?"
I had to settle things with that entity, undoubtedly the Mount Tai Old Man or the Four Divine Beasts' Vermilion Bird. Only then could I uncover his secrets and gain an advantage in my next reincarnation. With the perfect location, justification, and strength in place, there was no reason to refuse.
Cheon Woo-jin narrowed his brows and said,
"Do you even know what this array is?"
"Not really..."
"Hmph. Even though you've learned basic spells and arrays, it's natural you wouldn't recognize it. This is the legendary Eight Array Diagram."
"......!!"
I was shocked by Cheon Woo-jin's words. I countered,
"You're saying this hill is laid out with the Eight Array Diagram? Are you certain?"
"Absolutely. Nothing else could harness the power of the Eight Trigrams this potently."
"That's..."
A bad premonition swept over me.
My experience was signaling danger.
'The Eight Array Diagram... I've encountered it before. And the one who deployed it was...'
Inner Yellow Pavilion Lord Zhuge Bu!
In a past life, the renowned sorcerer of the Central Plains, known as the Guardian of the Middle Kingdom, Zhuge Bu had used the Eight Array Diagram to protect the imperial palace. Back then, I'd neutralized it using the Bi Deung's power, but in truth, it was merely the aid of that fraudulent two-legged treasure. There was no guarantee I could breach a properly deployed Eight Array Diagram.
Did that mean Inner Yellow Pavilion Lord Zhuge Bu was here?
After deep thought, I concluded it was entirely possible. The Mount Tai Old Man had dealings with the imperial palace, which connected to Zhuge Bu. It wasn't strange at all for the Mount Tai Old Man, possibly the Four Divine Beasts' Vermilion Bird, and Zhuge Bu to be allied. Perhaps Zhuge Bu had come to Mount Tai to assist him.
As I pondered, Cheon Woo-jin spoke.
"This array is linked to the caster's life force. Proof of their tremendous resolve."
"What do you mean?"
Cheon Woo-jin sighed.
"Normal arrays aren't deployed this way. They're set so the installer remains unharmed even if broken. But they've bound their life to it as a blood oath, strengthening the array and ensuring their own death if it's breached."
"......"
"Knowing it'll kill them if the array falls, they'll defend it desperately."
Hearing Cheon Woo-jin's explanation, I realized we were in deep trouble.
I hadn't broken the Eight Array Diagram head-on before. If it was now reinforced with a blood oath, shattering it would be exceedingly difficult. Securing Mount Tai's Celestial Altar in this situation was a massive obstacle.
Jin So-cheong, listening beside us, spoke up at Cheon Woo-jin's words.
"It seems breaking the array falls to you, Cheon Woo-jin. No role for us?"
Cheon Woo-jin crossed his arms, thought briefly, and replied,
"Something feels off inside. I'll open the array's life gate—rush in, handle your business, and get out within one incense stick's time."
"You can't destroy the Eight Array Diagram?"
Cheon Woo-jin shook his head firmly.
"The one who set this is a master sorcerer. Even I can't dismantle an array they've staked their life on easily. It'd take at least a full day of rituals and toil."
"Hmm."
"I can buy you up to one incense stick to scout inside."
Even the Illusion God Cheon Woo-jin couldn't breach it easily. So, while he opened the path, we had to check what was happening within. As Jin So-cheong and I drew our weapons and prepared, Cheon Woo-jin formed hand seals and shouted,
"Haste, haste, as the律 orders!"
Whoooong!
With a bizarre sound, space seemed to warp and shimmer before us. Eyes closed, Cheon Woo-jin said softly,
"Don't stray sideways—go straight ahead. Deviate, and I can't guarantee your lives."
"Got it!"
Tadak!
Jin So-cheong and I charged toward the hill. Matching my pace with Extinction Soul Step, Jin So-cheong said,
"Mang Liang better be safe."
That was what I desperately hoped for. Harm to Mang Liang would be disastrous. Whether he was inside or not, things would complicate regardless. Soon, propelled by Extinction Soul Step's immense speed, we reached the hill's interior.
It's huge!
A vast basin lay below the hill, housing the Celestial Altar. Strangely, Mount Tai's altar was ten times larger and broader than others. Near it stood three figures, one familiar to me.
'Zhuge Bu!'
He was here, as expected.
Had Zhuge Bu set the Eight Array Diagram?
The other two wore wide-brimmed hats, hiding their faces. As we appeared atop the hill, they noticed us, gazes turning our way. Jin So-cheong, standing firm, said,
"Baek Woong. No time for talk with them. We kill them all."
"What are you saying?"
"We can't give them any leeway."
Jin So-cheong's face was grimly set. He'd already decided in his heart. His warrior's instinct screamed extreme danger.
"That's my gut. I'll take the one at the back—you handle the other two."
"Understood."
With him this resolute, we had no choice but all-out slaughter.
Kwarung!
Jin So-cheong leaped with thunderous speed, launching a qi-infused spear strike at the rearmost figure. So fast even I lost sight of him briefly. Delayed explosive winds followed.
'He's holding nothing back!'
I couldn't dawdle. Half a beat behind Jin So-cheong, I charged Zhuge Bu. Unlike typical sorcerers, Zhuge Bu possessed transcendent martial prowess; sensing my approach, he raised his hand, azure qi swirling around it.
Kwang!
Qi's clash cracked the air subtly. Distorted explosions rang out continuously as my sword pressed through his defenses, targeting vitals. Despite the sudden ambush, Zhuge Bu calmly countered with martial arts.
Shiiik!
Zhuge Bu seemed to retreat two steps, then rebounded with a thrust. Thinking it akin to a drunkard's sway, I deflected—only for him to unleash twin palms infused with Asura Heavenly Radiance Great Law.
'Impressive skill.'
Realizing a direct block could endanger me, I opted for defense with Coiling Dragon Strike first. Soon, his counter clashed against my sword path, creating an opening. I thrust in the first form of Thunder God Sword Dance.
"Haat!"
Chaat!
"Ugh!"
Zhuge Bu groaned in pain, staggering back. Unlike his prior eerie footwork, this was genuine distress—my strike had pierced a true flaw in his martial arts. Proof my skill outmatched his currently. But his defenses were too solid for Thunder Command yet. To kill instantly, I needed a better gap.
Amid rapid exchanges, I could press Zhuge Bu further but first glanced at the nearby stranger.
'Who is this guy?'
Even as we clashed, he made no joint attack move. Nor did he cast spells at me. He just stared blankly like a commoner. Early to mid-twenties, averagely tall youth. Wondering if Mang Liang, I studied his face—no match.
Thunder essence hummed faintly, staggering Zhuge Bu.
"Kuhk!"
Spitting blood, he said,
"You're a Thunder God Style expert...!!"
Guessed from forms alone? Or did he know my identity from the start?
Myriad thoughts swirled, but my body moved instinctively—habit from countless battles. No matter the mental chaos, fighting ensured survival.
'Die!'
My sword shot like a meteor in a straight line. Facing Thunder God Style's swift sword, Zhuge Bu bit his lip, drew his white whisk, infused it with qi, and swung.
Kakang!
Qi's collided fiercely mid-air. My superior internal energy sent him reeling three steps, blood trickling from his mouth.
'Huh?'
I'd expected instant teleportation escape. His spells outshone his martial arts, so I'd braced for the real fight ahead. Unexpectedly, he stood ground with weapon and martial combat—sealing his strengths. A boon for me, but puzzling.
'Not fleeing...'
Whatever the reason, it was opportunity. I surged killing intent to sever his head. Breath held, momentum peaked; I thrust with unprecedented force.
Pusht!
"Ugh!"
Piercing his flank acupoint, blood sprayed—he'd taken a near-fatal wound. One more form, and he'd be a corpse.
Then—
Fwoosh!
Belatedly, Zhuge Bu's form dissolved into a blazing streak, vanishing. He'd fled with hasty sorcery. Simultaneously, the enigmatic youth onlooker spoke.
"Young one with remarkable martial arts."
Pot calling kettle black, you youthful monster?
Irritated, I lunged to behead him. No qualms— all here must die. Fewer potential foes, the better.
"Wait..."
The stranger panicked at my relentless charge. But no talk. He was marked for death by presence alone.
Shuk!
My sword aura lopped his head cleanly. Despite calm watching, no notable martial arts or spells. As his head hit ground, I rushed to aid Jin So-cheong.
Jin So-cheong pressed relentlessly from his thunderous onset. His spear formed unique flows, whipping vortexes like storms against the foe. Terrifying power writhed, qi leaking—a consummate supreme technique in itself.
Kwang!!
"Haat!!"
The hat-wearing foe blocking Jin So-cheong bellowed a clear ki-yell, swinging his sword. Azure light gleamed from the blade, nullifying Jin So-cheong's qi while seamlessly attacking and defending. Realizing the profound subtlety, my face hardened.
"......!!"
An extraordinary master!
In just two months, Jin So-cheong had surpassed my realm, stepping into Ascendant True Realm. Even I couldn't guarantee handling his full-kill vortex onslaught. Yet the foe's swordplay perfectly transitioned offense-defense, azure white light clashing evenly. His martial arts warranted calling him a supreme expert of the martial world.
Soon, the hat-wearer faltered, blood dribbling from his mouth. Impressive, but inferior to current Jin So-cheong. Retreating, he shouted,
"Haha, come for father's vengeance? Utterly pointless, Jin So-cheong!"
What?!
He knew Jin So-cheong's identity?!
Stunned by the hat-wearer's words, I watched—but Jin So-cheong's expression unchanged. Like a killing machine, emotionless, he chained Heavenly Thunder Extremity Spear forms. Myriad spear phantoms assaulted from eighteen directions; the foe gritted teeth, wielding sword aura and barriers to block.
Kwagwang!
A bolt of lightning flashed. In an instant even I couldn't track, Jin So-cheong pierced, severing the hat-wearer's arm—it flew spinning. Before it landed, Jin So-cheong swept his spear tip wide for a lethal strike; the foe rolled ignobly, using Nayra Tagon evasion.
"Kuhuk. Can't even hold with Public Reverence Swordsmanship..."
As he rolled, Jin So-cheong's face chilled further. Raising his spear for the finish, one more form would kill or sever another limb!
But then—
"I command thee: cease."
"......!!"
Jin So-cheong stiffened rigidly. As if beyond his control, that soft decree halted him. He stirred again, but too late—the hat-wearer had escaped peril, regrouping.
The bizarre verbal incantation came not from the hat-wearer. Turning, I saw its source approaching from behind.
"Heh heh. Truly entertaining. Luxury invites calamity, indeed."
"Huk!!"
I froze, breathless.
The beheaded man walked, holding his own head!!
It was unmistakably the one I'd decisively decapitated. Severed body clutched the head, which chattered.
"Hmm... such a comfortable vessel."
Paralyzed by the inhuman sight, the youth reattached his head to the stump—it healed flawlessly. Coldly scanning Jin So-cheong and me, he said,
"Vermilion Bird. Capture them alive."
The sword-wielding supreme expert hat-wearer nodded.
"Worry not."
As expected—the hat-wearer was the Four Divine Beasts' Vermilion Bird, the Mount Tai Old Man.
Our primary blocker.
But things felt off. Jin So-cheong recovered from stiffness yet seemed dazed, sluggish. Lingering effects of the youth's verbal incantation.
'What the hell is he?'
Issuing orders to the Four Divine Beasts' Vermilion Bird?
Surviving decapitation, wielding eerie verbal spells—was he even human?
Regardless, fighting here was disadvantageous. Jin So-cheong's instinct rang true, but failing quick victory meant retreat. If Zhuge Bu returned, no escape.
"Let's go."
Using Bi Deung beside Jin So-cheong, I teleported us out.
Paht!
Escape succeeded, but tasting sudden defeat left me reeling. Jin So-cheong and I feared no Nine Great Sects—yet this freak turned tides abruptly. Checking Jin So-cheong's pupils, they trembled entranced, unconscious.
'Enspelled?'
The verbal incantation seemed potent sorcery. Self-recovery unlikely. I'd realized the enigmatic youth was a mighty Verbal Spell Master.
Confusion reigned over the turn of events. But idling impossible—I acted on what I could.
As we emerged, waiting Cheon Woo-jin exclaimed in shock,
"What happened?"
"No time to explain. Foes may pursue—flee..."
Then—
"Falling Soul Distinction Talismans!"
Chiriring!
The incantation rang; our twenty-zhang area swarmed by thousands of talismans. Trapped in sudden sorcery barrier, Cheon Woo-jin's face hardened. Slightly distant space warped—Zhuge Bu appeared via teleportation spell. Spotting Cheon Woo-jin, he smirked slyly,
"Heh heh... What brings the self-proclaimed Illusion God here? Even you, trapped in Falling Soul Distinction Talismans, face only death."
"Zhuge Bu!"
"Long time no see."
Zhuge Bu knew Cheon Woo-jin, who silently glared back. Surprisingly, my prior sword wound on Zhuge Bu had healed. Glancing at Jin So-cheong, Cheon Woo-jin growled fiercely,
"So that's it. Already completed the rite? By seizing the authority?"
Zhuge Bu grinned.
"Sharp as ever. Yes, the Consecration Rite is done."
"......!!"
"The Millennium Empire's foundation is laid."
What?!
Hesitant to grasp, Cheon Woo-jin's voice echoed in my mind.
[Worst-case scenario. Escapable here, so not absolute worst.]
[What happened?]
Cheon Woo-jin sighed mentally.
[Likely Mang Liang Senior captured; they stole the Consecration Rite's authority. The immortal monster is born.]
[Kugh...]
[Zhuge Bu got scraps too—his sorcery vastly empowered. Past him, I'd handle leisurely; now, unsure.]
I ground my teeth. The direst development unfolded.
Deeming no time for more, Cheon Woo-jin said lowly to Zhuge Bu,
"Where's Mang Liang Senior? We're here for him—return him, and we'll withdraw quietly."
Zhuge Bu burst into狂笑.
"Kuhahaha!! Mang Liang was always of the main house. No harm done—worry not."
"Ridiculous. Brainwashed into a puppet, surely. Still family?"
"Hmph... You'll follow soon enough."
Kikikiging!
Thousands upon myriads of encircling talismans glowed white. Zhuge Bu fully activated Falling Soul Distinction Talismans to slay us. Illusion God Cheon Woo-jin summoned illusions from his hand, but countering the onslaught seemed insufficient.
I wondered if despair could deepen.
Mang Liang hostage, Jin So-cheong enspelled, now Zhuge Bu's death trap!
'...No. Not true worst yet!'
Clenching teeth amid despair.
Death was easy.
Just surrender now, and likely die.
Crucial: how to die!
Paht!
Bi Deung to Cheon Woo-jin's side; in a flash, teleported us elsewhere with Jin So-cheong. White light flickered serially; coming to, we stood amid a dim vast building.
Cheon Woo-jin, Bi Deung-transported with me, staggered dizzily. He asked,
"Where is this?"
"...Thousands of li away. Think they can track here?"
This was Astana's Prophet's abode.
Instinct said, for blind flight, here over Jin Rang Valley.
Illusion God Cheon Woo-jin pondered, then replied,
"They'll catch up in half a gak. His tracking sorcery is unrivaled."
"Figured as much."
As expected. I'd endured Zhuge Bu's tenacious pursuit before. To use brief time wisely, I checked semi-unconscious Jin So-cheong first.
"What's with Jin So-cheong?"
Grumbling irritably, Cheon Woo-jin answered,
"Verbal incantation. Won't recover till the Verbal Spell Master's dead."
"Got that's verbal, but this potent normally?"
By my knowledge, verbal incantations weren't that mighty. At best, mixing environmental cues for hypnosis. Even specialists lacked great power—or so I'd heard. Nothing matched paralyzing a transcendent like Jin So-cheong instantly.
"Probably primeval verbal from [Ancient Ruler] trade in Consecration Rite. Likely the Four Sovereigns' Changhil authority."
"The one" meant the verbal-casting youth freak.
Pondering, I said to Cheon Woo-jin,
"Cheon Woo-jin. Don't tell me that youth is..."
"Your guess is probably right."
"Then..."
Reluctantly voicing my deduction. Piecing clues, one conclusion.
"That guy's... the Emperor?"