Chapter 318
Chapter 318
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 318
Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm
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Black Prince Naresuan was a stern-looking man with sharp features. He appeared to be in his mid-to-late thirties, his sturdy build and frame clearly marking him as a martial artist. His slightly dark skin, typical of the southern barbarians, was also striking.
Yet what surprised me even more than his appearance was his aura.
Naresuan's energy was incredibly potent. In terms of sheer presence, he was in no way inferior to Dongbang Mugeol. I could sense a mountain-like power slumbering within him. Given that his specialty was fists, his fist techniques must unleash tremendous might. He was undoubtedly one of the rare peak experts in the world.
'A fist master like this in the southern barbarians...'
Judging purely by level, he was on par with the top peak experts of the current martial world. As I marveled inwardly, Dongbang Mugeol spoke to him in the southern barbarian tongue.
"*&@ㅛ$#@*%#&..."
"#*%&@%&?"
"^%*$#%*..."
"......"
This was frustrating. I couldn't understand a word.
I regretted not preparing for their language. I knew nothing of it. Even if Dongbang Mugeol was joking around, I had no way to tell. The two conversed at length, with Naresuan seeming indifferent and Dongbang Mugeol desperate.
Then Naresuan suddenly glanced at me and said,
"Are you the one from the White Lotus Cult's elder council?"
Central Plains speech!
I was inwardly pleased but wary. I couldn't fathom why he suddenly addressed me fluently in our tongue. I replied slowly.
"Yes."
"Does that mean the White Lotus Cult is taking such an interest in our affairs?"
I thought for a moment before responding.
"How could someone like me presume to grasp the cult leader's profound intentions? I am merely an envoy."
Naresuan gave a wry smile.
"A shrewd answer. Hard to believe he's truly returned to his youth."
"If I've offended Your Highness, I apologize."
"Not at all. I hope we both get what we desire."
The conversation ended, and we followed the guards somewhere. We wound through the vast palace gardens multiple times until we reached a hill overlooking the city. A fresh natural breeze lingered in that garden, where three figures in red robes stood.
'Three of them?'
The three in red wore bizarre masks and were clad head to toe in their robes—more like wrapped in fabric than merely wearing clothes. Seeing them, Dongbang Mugeol cautiously sent me a transmission.
[Cease stray thoughts. Those are Zhu Rong tribesmen, with the ability to converse through minds.]
[What?]
[From now on, even our mental transmissions can be read by them.]
[......!!]
I was startled.
'They can eavesdrop on transmissions?'
From Dongbang Mugeol's tone, it seemed even fleeting thoughts were readable by the Zhu Rong tribe. If true, they possessed extraordinary mental powers. I focused on circulating the Thunder Essence Scripture to calm my mind into a serene state. Then the one in the center among the three spoke.
"A new human. Who are you?"
The question came to me. With all eyes on me, I cleared my throat and answered.
"I am Yeo Dongbin, envoy of the White Lotus Cult leader to the southern barbarians."
"Yeo Dongbin...? That sounds like the Great Lad Immortal. An alias?"
"......"
"Why have you come to our transaction site?"
"This matter is crucial to our cult's future. I couldn't leave it solely to Dongbang Mugeol, so I came as the elder council's envoy."
The Zhu Rong tribesman seemed to roll his eyes behind the mask at my response. He glanced at his companions before saying,
"You're an unusual human. I can't read your thoughts. No spell barrier, so how?"
Dongbang Mugeol looked at me in surprise. Unsure if the tribesman was bluffing, I replied calmly.
"Probably just your ability falling short."
The Zhu Rong tribesman fell silent, then said,
"That could be."
He rolled his eyes thoughtfully before continuing.
"Have you brought what we demanded?"
"Here it is."
Dongbang Mugeol stepped forward and offered the two pairs of black-and-white lotuses he carried. The Zhu Rong tribesman took them and examined them slowly for a long time. Finally, in a grating, hissing tone, he said,
"...Not the sacred lotuses given to Na. Re.su.an. What. Is this?"
It was an eerie, unpleasant speech, as if some non-human entity inhabited a shell. Dongbang Mugeol's face stiffened, at a loss for words. I had no choice but to interject.
"It's an improved version of the sacred lotuses. Taking black and white lotus together yields tremendous internal energy gains and resistance to curses. It's our cult's top secret—keep it confidential."
"......"
The Zhu Rong tribesman calmed, his emotions subdued. Then he said,
"Better effects, you mean?"
"I hear it's highly effective against curses."
"...Not some hack. Accurately discerning the elixir's effects..."
Muttering that, he finally said,
"Fine. We'll trust you and begin interpreting the ancient text you commissioned."
"How long will it take?"
"Three days suffice."
The three Zhu Rong tribesmen hurried off somewhere once the talk ended. Likely to the library in Naresuan's palace. As I glanced at their backs, Dongbang Mugeol sighed.
"Sorry. I froze up and couldn't speak."
"You, of all people, getting tense."
"Damn it... Don't mock me. They were unusually mild today. First meeting, I thought their mental powers were draining my soul."
Grumbling, Dongbang Mugeol clearly feared the Zhu Rong tribe. The White Origin Twin Fiends behind him were petrified, expressions frozen. I hadn't felt it much, but ordinary humans must face immense pressure from their mental abilities.
I said to Dongbang Mugeol,
"To reiterate, those new sacred lotuses are top secret. If the cult learns you leaked it, we'll both face severe punishment."
"Urk..."
Dongbang Mugeol looked guilty and sent a transmission.
[Enough pressure. Let's discuss realistic alternatives.]
[What alternatives?]
[Help me eliminate those two monkey guards at the right moment.]
[......]
Dongbang Mugeol apparently planned to silence the White Origin Twin Fiends he'd hired. Absurd as it was to kill companions who'd traveled so far, I was momentarily dumbfounded. For all his talk, he was a demonic path martial artist at heart.
[Not the time for that. We'll see later.]
[Understood.]
We returned to our palace lodgings guided by the guards. Befitting the southern barbarians' grandest empire's palace, the rooms were spacious and luxurious. The unfamiliar architecture was novel, but it was undeniably a refined space for comfortable rest. Lying back on the silk bedding, savoring its feel, I pondered leisurely.
'Progressing smoothly. But I took many risks to draw things here.'
Though Dongbang Mugeol schemed against the Twin Fiends, I too needed to eliminate him. If he returned alive to the White Lotus Cult, my cover could blow, prompting pursuit. To avoid my lies unraveling, he couldn't report back.
Killing Dongbang Mugeol posed issues, though. Despite lacking formal status, he was on the cult leader's prized secret mission. Prolonged silence would prompt the cult to send peak experts to investigate the south. Time lag aside, they'd uncover the truth.
"......"
But solutions existed. It seemed a dilemma, but fully resolvable. Having devised countermeasures, I sighed over another issue.
"Tch. The Zhu Rong tribe seems wary of me..."
That final glance was pure suspicion. If they distrusted me, I might lose the right Dongbang Mugeol originally secured: viewing the Tower of Boundless Creations. I'd come this far for that tower—failure would be a loss.
After deep thought, I bolted upright from bed.
"Time to move."
Instinct urged action to boost odds. First, I retrieved obsidian from my pouch and processed just enough.
I headed straight to Naresuan, but the guards said he was in private and unavailable. Denied, I requested guidance to the library.
The ancient library in the southern barbarians' lands. There, the three Zhu Rong tribesmen sat calmly perusing ancient tomes. Approaching, I said,
"I have something to say."
The apparent leader rose.
"Interrupting delays things."
"Sorry. But this is separate from earlier."
"Speak."
I took a deep breath and approached. Unwinding the bandages hiding my hand, I showed my palm. A gray pattern glowed faintly, startling the Zhu Rong tribesmen.
"......!!"
"This is!!"
Smirking at their shock, I said,
"As you see, a one-time use right for the Tower of Boundless Creations. You're kin to Astana's prophet, aren't you?"
The center one ceased human speech, sending mental words like a prophet.
[Only the tribal king can grant such rights. Have you met our king?]
"King or not, he granted it to me—fact."
[Absurd human. As if the king would give this to your kind...]
They seemed incredulous. Their tone revealed humans as inferior beings to them. They'd deal fairly but with clear superiority.
The left one said,
[Why not mention earlier?]
I shrugged.
"We're not full allies. We'll check each other when the time comes."
[I see. So what do you want from us?]
"That is..."
I stated my demands. They exchanged mental signals, then replied.
[Those two are easy. No issue granting, but no reason to.]
I grinned slyly.
"I have more black-and-white lotuses like those from before. One pair extra per deal. Plus, not aiding one exercising the king's right—awkward for your positions, no?"
[Hmm... A negotiating human. Impressive.]
The center one rolled his eyes.
[We accept.]
"My thanks."
[Betray us, and you'll regret it deeply.]
I returned to my room after the added negotiations.
Next day, I sought Naresuan early morning. He was present and graciously granted audience. The southern court apparently allowed the king ample personal time, not daily assemblies.
"A council peak expert so eager to see me. What is it?"
I stared at Naresuan, the southern barbarians' greatest hegemon and emperor. After gazing long at the hero called Black Prince, I said slowly,
"I hear from Dongbang Mugeol you frequently exchange with the western ten kingdoms."
"True. Their tech surpasses ours—must adopt. Their technology aids greatly."
"Truth is, I'm interested in western guns and culture. I came to you to learn how advanced their tech is."
Naresuan laughed heartily.
"Hahaha!! What you ask is state secret. New weapons, deeply tied to military—daring to query even me, the king?"
Seeming jovial, but subtle anger laced his tone. Unpredictable mood. Sensing it, I continued.
"Our White Lotus Cult targets the Ming Empire's court as a potential archenemy."
"......"
Naresuan's ire subsided as he focused on me. I pressed on.
"Recently learned: Ming colludes with an evil cult for human sacrifices, aiming to open gates worldwide for domination. Did Your Highness know?"
Naresuan grunted.
"Hmm... News to me. Sounds far-fetched. How to believe?"
"View memories via this obsidian, and you'll trust."
"......?"
I offered the obsidian; guards instantly blocked me. More poured in, forming ranks, guns trained.
Chachachak
Their speed and discipline marked elite training.
Tension peaked; Naresuan waved them back.
"Stand down."
Guards receded like ebbing tide. Naresuan leaned forward, chin propped.
"Outrageous fellow. What do you want?"
"Your Highness to believe me."
"Hmm... Believe... Know that's hardest in the world?"
I smiled wryly.
"Feel it daily."
"...Fine. Then show me, Sawasdee."
From behind, a beautiful girl emerged at his words. Pure, refined features, perfectly sculpted without flaw. Late teens, voluptuous figure.
"Her?"
"My concubine."
Sawasdee stood beside Naresuan; he glanced at her.
"Take the obsidian first."
"Yes."
She received it; memories transferred. Startled by the unfamiliar visions, she soon composed herself and said to Naresuan,
"Your Highness. This man walks a grand path."
"Hoo..."
"Worth trusting."
Only then did Naresuan show curiosity.
"Give it to me."
Flash
Memories flowed to him. Not my full past like others, but a summary of imperial palace forces. It detailed my battles, discoveries, death—omitting Heavenly Dark Secret Book and core secrets.
'But enough to suffice.'
Even 17th regression memories would alarm a monarch. Indeed, Naresuan grew solemn. Gravely, he said,
"You die repeatedly, warring to topple Ming—a warrior?"
"Yes."
"Hmm."
"As seen, current Ming emperor is mad. For ambition, he'd sacrifice a third of Central Plains to evil gods. Does this to own people—imagine conquest wars? How treat foreign subjects?"
"......"
Naresuan's expression soured. Fanning his unease, I said,
"Massacres. And as seen, armed Ming overwhelms Ayutthaya alone."
"...True. Guns useless against apostles."
Naresuan sighed, then said,
"Fine. Your goal: have me check Ming from now?"
"Yes. Also, share western gun and cultural intel. Their tech might hold clues against Ming."
"Hmm."
He pondered long, then said,
"Heard library translation finishes day after tomorrow. After your business, return. I'll arrange key meeting."
"Thank you."
Heart pounding, I left the audience chamber.
Impromptu action, but all per plan.