Chapter 415
Chapter 415
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 415
Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm
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Miho's appearance had changed slightly from before. Previously, she had embodied the glamorous consort of the Dongyoung Palace, but now she was a demure and refined beauty. Her curves were less pronounced than in the past, yet her allure had intensified, enough to captivate with a mere glance.
This was a transformation of Miho I had never seen before, but I recognized her instantly—not by her looks, but by her aura. After all, I had once borrowed her energy to learn the Flame Orb spell, so regardless of her exterior, I could identify her at a glance. Seeing her, I spoke in a trembling voice.
"You... you've been here."
Miho brushed back her flowing long hair and replied.
"Is there any reason I shouldn't be here? Were you perhaps searching for me?"
"......"
"Hehe, I'm joking. Truth be told, it was I who searched tirelessly for you..."
Miho's voice carried a hint of bitterness.
Unable to grasp the situation, I said to her.
"Miho. What happened? How are you here...?"
Miho responded.
"When you petitioned the Queen Mother of the West for my release, Baek Woong, I was given a mission. It was to follow and protect you for the next ten years."
"......"
"But no matter what divination, tracking spell, or spiritual power I used, I couldn't catch up to you. You were darting across the Four Directions like it was your backyard. Just when I thought I'd found you, you'd be thousands of ri away. What was I supposed to do?"
Stung by her sharp gaze, I fell silent.
"S... Sorry."
"Hehe. And whenever I finally tracked you down and approached cautiously, there'd be terrifying humans coiled up there. The White Lotus Church, was it? It was impossible for me to infiltrate with my power, so I hesitated nearby and ended up going to Master Mangnyang."
"To Master Mangnyang?"
"He's one of the few in the Central Plains with whom I have any rapport."
With that, Miho glanced out the window.
"Master Mangnyang said my power was insufficient and trained me in spells. Once I thought I had gained enough strength and set out, he told me to go to Shaolin Temple. He said if I stayed there, you would come."
"Me...?"
"His words were right. I waited, and here you are."
I felt bewildered. Even if Master Mangnyang training her was just personal whim, how had he predicted I would come to Shaolin? As I pondered, Zhuge Sa spoke disdainfully.
[With you appointed as the Heavenly Realm's emissary and rushing about everywhere, you'll surely need to manage the Heavenly Emperor Altars. The one on Mount Song is especially crucial, so of course he'd predict you'd show up if he waited.]
[Ah!]
That made sense. In fact, I had come here for the Heavenly Emperor Altar. As I mulled it over, Miho suddenly grasped my hand.
"Baek Woong. Stay here quietly for 49 days."
"......?!"
What was this now? Miho continued.
"The Heavenly Realm's descent upon the Heavenly Emperor Altar is something no human power can stop. Don't get caught in needless danger—stay with me, and then we'll go to Master Mangnyang. He can shield you from the Heavenly Realm's wrath."
"......"
Stunned by her words, I stood there before asking.
"Miho. What are you talking about? How do you know that? I haven't said anything yet, but you already know what's happened..."
Indeed, I had just spoken with the divine monk and come straight here. Even he had heard the full story less than half a shichen ago. Yet Miho, deep in this secluded hermitage, spoke as if she knew every detail.
Miho answered.
"Through training, my Six Supernatural Powers have strengthened. I already heard everything you discussed at the Heavenly Emperor Altar."
"Wha..."
I was mildly shocked. The distance from this hermitage to the Heavenly Emperor Altar was considerable—essentially an entire mountain away. To hear a conversation from that far surpassed not just human hearing, but even that of beasts. Miho's spell mastery had clearly reached an extraordinary level.
Gripping my hand tighter, Miho continued.
"I don't know what possessed you to wish for my release, and I don't like you pretending to know me for no reason. But you are my benefactor, so I can't just let you die like this."
"......"
So that's how she saw me now.
[A mysterious pervert you can't bring yourself to hate. How sweet~.]
Shut up!
Growling inwardly at Zhuge Sa, I calmly said to Miho.
"Miho. I'm truly sorry for my past rudeness. And thank you so much for waiting for me like this. But I can't easily accept your proposal right now."
"What's the matter?"
"First... can you trust me?"
With that opener, I pulled a piece of black obsidian from my bosom. Palm-sized, but it would suffice. Infusing it with my memories, I held it out to her.
"If you take this, my memories will transfer to you. If you trust me, please accept it."
"Hmm..."
Miho hesitated slightly. Then, in a wary tone.
"You're not trying to use this to arouse me and have your way, are you?"
"Gah... N-no, of course not!"
I stammered in panic—it was the last thing I'd considered. At the same time, I realized my impulsive hug back then had painted me as a lecher. Unable to contain a moment's emotion, I'd sown this misunderstanding. Face flushing beet red, I insisted desperately.
"Nothing like that. I swear."
"Really?"
"Yes!"
"Hmm... Fine, I'll bite."
Miho accepted the black obsidian.
Fwaaah
Once the memory transfer completed, Miho wore a dazed expression. Overwhelmed, her human disguise faltered for an instant, revealing a silver-furred fox face. Realizing her slip, she hastily reverted to human form.
Flustered, Miho said.
"Th-this... reincarnation? How can such a thing..."
"Believe it or not, it's all true."
"Mmm... mmm..."
After much deliberation, Miho blurted out.
"You're a real bastard. Was surviving ten years to ascend me really that hateful? You must've been bored to death."
"Gah...!!"
Miho crossed her arms and shook her head.
"How, in less than a century, nearly twenty times..."
Pierced to the core out of nowhere, I was speechless.
'Ugh... nothing to say...'
It was true. Cases where I'd survived over ten years were rare. I'd lasted decently this life, but not yet a full decade. In prior lives, bold experiments often led to sudden deaths. Thus, Miho had repeatedly failed to ascend, dying or being abandoned with me.
Then Miho burst into laughter.
"Ahaha... joking."
"That didn't sound like a joke at all..."
"Hehe. Of course it had some truth mixed in."
Brushing off the pointed jest, Miho continued.
"So now you're sharing thoughts with that Zhuge Sa fellow?"
"Yes."
"And he's hearing this conversation too."
"Yeah."
Miho frowned.
"Truly unpleasant. Doesn't it bother you? Sharing your mind with such a cantankerous man."
"It's not torment... I've just gotten used to it."
"Hmph. Ditch him soon."
Her irritated tone made Zhuge Sa chuckle inside.
[Kekeke... In a new body via reincarnation, that vixen...]
[What?! Are you insane?!]
[Ah, of course you'd go first. I'll yield that much.]
I sensed his malicious intent to rile me, but I couldn't help biting.
[Damn it. Cut it out! I won't forgive you badmouthing Miho.]
Despite enduring all of Zhuge Sa's barbs, I couldn't tolerate this. Furious, I raged internally, but he only laughed harder, amused.
[You're passing on Sa Gong-rin, Seomun Hye, the world's peerless beauties, for a gumiho? You're quite mad yourself, kekeke...]
[Who I like is none of your business. Just stop.]
Scowling inwardly, I said to Miho.
"Anyway, Miho. Right now, I'm helping the White Lotus Leader. The Heavenly Realm folks are highly suspicious, and I want to probe his true intentions and abilities further. So I must block their descent for 49 days as much as possible."
Miho replied curtly.
"Baek Woong. Do you truly not grasp the Heavenly Realm's power? Opposing them means death."
"The Leader defeated Namhwa Old Immortal, Ugil, and Janggak—three of them. His strength surpasses Great Luo Immortals already, so with the Twelve Yul Lords..."
"Hmph!"
Sneering, Miho said.
"Even Great Luo Immortals aren't Fighting Immortals. The Leader may be brimming with overconfidence, but thinking he'll shatter soon makes me laugh."
"Three of them—that's reason enough for confidence, no?"
"I'm from the Heavenly Realm. I've seen the gulf between Fighting Immortals and ordinary Great Luo Immortals plenty. Besides, Namhwa Old Immortal was all bluster, not truly revered as powerful. You're gravely underestimating the Heavenly Realm."
Squeezing my hand, Miho pressed on.
"Fine, Baek Woong. Say his plan works and they manage to hold off the Heavenly Realm. But do you owe that Leader such loyalty to risk it all? Is probing his secrets worth throwing your life into the meat grinder?"
"......"
"Quit here and offer the Seven Leaves to Master Mangnyang. He'll surely protect you from the Heavenly Realm, and you can live out your days in peace."
"That's..."
Her logic was sound; I struggled for a retort. Indeed, it guaranteed survival and future safety. The White Lotus Church might fall to the Heavenly Realm, but Mangnyang's protection was a win.
[Hey, respond like this...]
[No. I'll handle it.]
Zhuge Sa tried advising, but I refused firmly. I wanted to speak to Miho on my own terms. Even the world's wisest had blind spots. Sorting my thoughts, I told her.
"Miho. I don't want to give up too soon."
"What do you mean?"
"Whether we succeed or fail in 49 days, the experience gained will be invaluable. Plus, new info and clues during the effort. That'll let me lead the next fight against the Heavenly Realm more advantageously."
"......"
"And without the Seven Leaves, I can't do anything alone anyway."
Miho, hearing this, said incredulously.
"You... in this situation, you're thinking ahead to your next reincarnation? With a way to survive, you're risking death this life for efficiency?"
"Yeah. Why not?"
"You're mad! No matter how efficient, it's insane. Aren't you afraid to die?"
Miho seemed utterly baffled, jumping up.
"Yeah."
But I wouldn't budge on this.
"I've never been to the afterlife."
After all, getting this close as the Leader's confidant was unprecedented, yielding intel unknown across dozens of deaths. Hiding in the mountains for 49 days was easy, but no guarantee of repeating this life.
Bitterly, I told Miho.
"Miho. If you insist, I'll ask Master Mangnyang to send you back to the Heavenly Realm. Offering a few treasures should do it."
"No... that's..."
"So please don't interfere. I won't ask for your help."
I turned to leave the hermitage. Miho stopped me.
"Wait!"
Pausing, I heard her say.
"Baek Woong. One question."
"What?"
"If I help you... from now on, through every reincarnation, can you love only me?"
Her question startled me. Then, beaming broadly, I answered without hesitation.
"Forever!"
Whoosh
Miho's face flushed crimson in an instant. Regaining composure, she said haughtily.
"V-very well. Then I'll help you to the utmost, as long as your life isn't at risk."
"What? Changed your mind?"
"But if we can't stop them in 49 days, you do as I say. Got it?"
"Got it!"
With Miho as an ally, no need to stick with the White Lotus Church to the bitter end.
I could live out my remaining lives with her.
Thus, Miho joined me. Seated calmly in the hermitage, she said.
"First, we should speculate why the Heavenly Realm is raging so."
"Isn't it because the Leader and Twelve Yul Lords disrupted the heavenly balance?"
"I doubt it. Then why didn't they descend when the Imperial Palace controlled Luoyang?"
"Hmm."
An angle I'd never considered. As I pondered, Zhuge Sa snapped irritably.
[Damn, this is annoying. Hey, fetch a body and I'll use the Soul Transfer Art.]
Swish
Per his demand, I retrieved one of Zhuge Yuryong's remaining bodies and housed Zhuge Sa's soul in it. Moments later, he cracked open his eyes, rose, and abruptly addressed Miho.
"Fox bitch. Talking to this idiot will take all night. Talk to me."
"Hmph... You're that madman Zhuge Sa?"
"Kekekeke."
Zhuge Sa laughed, perching on the windowsill.
"Anyway, the reason the Heavenly Realm rages over the White Lotus Leader ruling Luoyang is surely the seal."
"Seal?"
"Hmm. Probably needless worry."
Muttering, Zhuge Sa continued.
"I'm not certain, but I've heard Luoyang harbors a grand seal maintained since ancient times. Likely, the Heavenly Realm fears it falling into the Leader's hands, hence their hardline stance."
"You knew, so Zhuque must have too?"
"Probably."
"Then why leave it when Zhuque ruled Luoyang, but not the Leader?"
"......"
Pondering Miho's query, Zhuge Sa finally said.
"That seal can't be broken by spells, but the Leader might— that's my guess."
Miho and I both went blank at his answer.
What riddle was that?
What difference existed between Zhuque and the Leader?
Yet it was the most plausible explanation now. As I processed it, a thought struck me, and I shouted.
"Xiangguan He!"
"Xiangguan He?"
Miho eyed me puzzled, but Zhuge Sa smiled meaningfully.
"Heh... Your instincts have sharpened."
"Only possibility left."
"True."
Zhuge Sa elaborated.
"The seal Uiseong's Xiangguan He cherished! High chance that's what alarms the Heavenly Realm."