Chapter 454
Chapter 454
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 454
Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Before setting out with Zhuge Sa to find the Zhurong Clan, I decided to first check over the items I had on hand. With the barrier around Huo Yao now lifted, I could retrieve it at any moment, and there was no one who could beat me to it all the way out in that remote corner of the southern continent.
As I rummaged through my treasures one by one, Zhuge Sa watched closely before speaking up.
"Baek Woong. Even if you could use these, there's nothing here I'd find useful."
I stared at him in disbelief.
"What? Aren't these your treasures? What are you talking about all of a sudden?"
Zhuge Sa clicked his tongue.
"Have you forgotten the abilities of the Zhurong Clan? They're one of the [Great Races], possessing mental powers stronger than any intelligent being. They can even read telepathic transmissions."
"Oh."
"For some reason, your mental defenses are high enough that they can't read you easily, but a human sorcerer like me is different. Standing before them would mean every thought laid bare, and if they wished it, I'd be under mental domination."
Zhuge Sa's words made sense.
In fact, when I'd asked the Zhurong Clan to subdue Dongbang Mugeuk and two other transcendent experts, they'd knocked them out with ease. It was proof that even the mental strength of transcendent experts couldn't withstand their dominance. It was only natural that even a skilled sorcerer like Zhuge Sa lacked confidence in resisting their mental attacks.
Zhuge Sa handled my treasures one by one before speaking.
"These are all excellent, but none boost mental defenses. Looks like I'd just be a liability if I came along. They'd read our intentions before we even started negotiating."
I pondered Zhuge Sa's words for a moment before replying.
"Zhuge Sa. When you stood before the Zhurong Clan's king, the Prophet, you didn't react much, right?"
"That being is the Sorcerer King of Yi, a high entity who deals directly even with the [Ancient Overlords]. Whether I resist or not makes no difference—it's just a matter of not letting it show."
"......"
It hit me anew just how mythical the Prophet was. Zhuge Sa gave me solemn advice.
"Baek Woong. In your future lives, make sure to seek out sorcery tools or talismans that enhance mental defenses. Otherwise, your companions will be worse than useless against high-ranking Yi Clan members. Not only the [Great Races] possess mental domination abilities."
"Hmm..."
"Think about it. One of your Murim companions getting mentally dominated and turning their blade on you."
Zhuge Sa's point was valid.
I'd gone to the trouble of granting fortuitous encounters to Jin So-cheong, the Sword Demon, the Shadowless Sword Emperor, and others to strengthen them, only for them to become enemies wielding swords at me due to mental domination! The Yi Clan's mental suppression seemed to operate independently of a Murim warrior's mental strength, making it incredibly dangerous. As my expression turned grave, Zhuge Sa chuckled.
"Well... the [Great Races] do have exceptionally strong mental abilities. Such powers are rare, so don't worry too much."
"So what are you going to do? You're not coming because they might read your memories?"
"As if. You think I'd just sit back and watch you get suckered again? Don't you know how clever those bastards are?"
"......"
"There's a way, so since we're at it, let's go see Hyeon-i for a bit. I can fill him in on everything in the meantime."
Soon after, I headed to Jin Rang Valley with Zhuge Sa. After obtaining the Three Sovereigns Inner Gate and Dao power from Mang Ryang, he'd decided to refine himself there first. Unless he'd already left to climb the Ascension Gate, the odds were high he'd still be in Jin Rang Valley.
When we arrived at Mang Ryang's dwelling in Jin Rang Valley, I sensed immense spiritual energy emanating from the bamboo grove beyond his hut.
Guuuu...
"Hmm!"
The spiritual energy was so dense I could see it with the naked eye, drawing a groan from me. Spiritual energy differed from the pure qi cultivated by Murim warriors—it was the phenomenon of a shaman's spell power synergizing with mental strength and bursting forth. Like normal qi, it could be used to strengthen oneself.
But spiritual energy was hard to even perceive without innate talent or study of sorcery. For it to be visible to the naked eye meant extraordinarily powerful spiritual force. I strode toward the bamboo grove.
Wuuuu...
There sat Mang Ryang on a rock in the lotus position, the Three Sovereigns Inner Gate floating before him as he chanted an inscrutable incantation. Astonishingly, silver and golden flames swirled and intertwined in spirals around his body. Sweat poured from him as he fervently chanted, but eventually, he gradually reined in his aura.
Mang Ryang opened his half-closed eyes, looked our way, and greeted us happily.
"You're here!"
"Sorry to interrupt your training."
"No, this was just basic conditioning anyway."
That insane spiritual energy was just basic conditioning?!
Zhuge Sa, who'd been watching from the side, spoke up.
"You've absorbed quite a bit of the Three Sovereigns Inner Gate's power."
"Still a long way to go."
"Anyway, we need to talk. Come with us for a bit."
Mang Ryang nodded. Seeing them like this stirred inexplicable emotions in me. The Mang Ryang who'd once openly despised and loathed anything involving Zhuge Sa was now treating him decently—an unimaginable change from before.
Shortly after, I chipped off a piece of obsidian, infused it with my memories up to now, and handed it to Mang Ryang. He absorbed the obsidian's memories, read them, and spoke.
"I see why you're here. Take this."
Mang Ryang pulled the Pure Language Pearls from his bosom and gave them to me.
"Thanks."
"No need. They're yours to begin with."
I took the Pure Language Pearls and handed one to Zhuge Sa. Now we were prepared. I'd originally planned to give them to Mang Ryang for other schemes, but learning the Zhurong Clan's secrets took priority, so this was just a temporary borrow.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I asked Mang Ryang.
"Mang Ryang. How's the training going? Think you can break through the Ascension Gate?"
"Ha ha. How long since we parted, and you're already talking big about the Ascension Gate? Even lifelong Daoists and cultivators shed their mortal forms to become earthly immortals, and only the exceptional among them pass the Ascension Gate."
Zhuge Sa, standing by the table with arms crossed, chuckled.
"Heh heh. Hyeon-i, you really are a master of bluffing. I can see the absolute fortuitous encounter boosting your confidence."
Mang Ryang gave an embarrassed smile.
"...Even so, it'll take at least three years, I think."
"Kuk kuk kuk."
Zhuge Sa kept laughing at whatever amused him, then turned to me.
"Baek Woong. You'll have to make a choice between them later."
I knew exactly what he meant, my face twisting in conflict. I gave a short nod.
"I'll choose carefully. Or I could just dig up another one."
"If you're digging another, better prep it now. Woo that fox over."
"......"
Mang Ryang, sitting across from us, looked like he'd understood our cryptic exchange perfectly.
"Hmm... Don't overthink it. You can't start anything until you get Huo Yao anyway, right? The rest can wait, Baek Woong."
"Thanks, Mang Ryang."
"I'll keep training here, so bring the Pure Language Pearls back later."
I soon parted with Mang Ryang and escorted Zhuge Sa back to Jang Ryong Valley.
Zhuge Sa cast the Telepathy Great Law on me as he spoke.
"Strike while the iron's hot. Go now."
The Telepathy Great Law left me feeling uneasy, but I nodded. I was confident Zhuge Sa wouldn't betray me right now, and even if the spell was at full strength, I could resist it.
"Got it."
Paat!
I gathered my thoughts and used Dimensional Shift to head to the Tower of Infinite Changes. The place where I'd first met the Zhurong Clan was the southern Ayutthaya Kingdom, but there was no guarantee Dongbang Mugeuk's group had arrived, or that the Zhurong Clan would be there. The surest way was to go to the Tower of Infinite Changes, which enabled intercontinental teleportation, and meet the Zhurong Clan member acting as administrator.
Whiiiing
A desolate wind blew as I arrived before the Tower of Infinite Changes. Giant ruins surrounded it, and right before me stood the pitch-black, hole-riddled stone tower. As I stood quietly waiting in front of the tower, a red-robed figure emerged from a nearby ruin and addressed me.
"Human. You've come here using a sorcery tool. Are you a sorcerer?"
I clasped my hands in greeting and replied.
"Zhurong tribesman. I am Baek Woong. I've come to make a deal with you."
Sssk
Ssssk
Red-robed figures began peering from various spots in the giant ruins. They were all likely Zhurong Clan. I felt no small pressure, but I waited for the one before me to respond first. The red-robe pondered deeply before speaking.
"You're a strange human. What kind of deal?"
Jackpot!
Simple words, but loaded with meaning. The Zhurong Clan could read human minds like flipping a palm—there was no need to ask what the deal was. It might be a bluff, but I was certain it wasn't. Even the Zhurong Clan couldn't read or dominate my mind.
I cleared my throat and answered.
"I know the function of the Dragon Flower Tree hidden near Huo Yao, its exact location, and appearance. And while we're at it, the weaknesses of Huo Yao's guardian, Gonggong."
"Why should we tell you that?"
"Well..."
I was at a loss for words when Zhuge Sa's voice echoed in my head through the Pure Language Pearl I'd tucked in my bosom.
[Here it comes. Say exactly what I tell you.]
[Got it.]
This was our plan.
By sharing sight and sound via the Telepathy Great Law, and exchanging thoughts over distance with the Pure Language Pearls! This let Zhuge Sa negotiate with the Zhurong Clan remotely, without risking having his mind read. I began relaying Zhuge Sa's words exactly.
"It's because I, as the apostle of the Five Sovereigns Emperor Zhuanxu, have been permitted ownership and liberation of Huo Yao. The barrier is fully lifted, so I could take it right now."
Murmur
The watching Zhurong Clan stirred in surprise. The one before me, caught off guard, replied.
"Is that true...?"
"You can check with your king."
"......"
The red-robe eyed me uncomfortably, then seemed to communicate mentally. Moments later, he spoke.
"Apostle Baek Woong of Zhuanxu. We understand the situation, but what do you expect us to do? Even as an apostle of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, we have no reason to give information for free."
His tone had clearly shifted. The title of Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors Apostle was something even haughty Great Race members couldn't ignore lightly. I matched his tone.
"I don't expect it for free. I'll offer ample compensation. Not just now, but ongoing."
"What compensation?"
I continued relaying Zhuge Sa's words.
"If you help me with this information, then as the apostle of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors Zhuanxu, I'll aid the Zhurong Clan to the best of my ability henceforth. You know better than I what the apostle's position entails."
"......"
I felt agitation from the Zhurong Clan scattered around. The red-robe's pupils trembled greatly before he responded.
"Wait. This is too major an issue—we must report to our king."
It's just the Prophet, after all?
I snorted inwardly and said.
"Do as you like. But if the answer's no, I'll have to give up..."
Wiiing—
Soon, a silver ring appeared above the red-robe's head, silver light beaming from his eyes. He seemed to be maximizing his mental powers to converse with the Zhurong Clan's king, the Prophet. After a long "conversation," the red-robe spoke.
"Very well. We accept your proposal."
"Good."
"We'll provide the information you want."
I grinned.
'We saved the treasures.'
The scheme was to leverage the apostle title in negotiations with the Zhurong Clan! Promising apostolic support in exchange for info meant no need to expend treasures directly.
Far better than haggling as a mere human over how many treasures to squeeze from arrogant Zhurong. It also minimized needless future negotiations when tracking Changhil's whereabouts. Sure, if they actually called in the favor, it might be trouble—but it was just deferring payment. We'd definitely saved usable treasures by trading on the apostle's name value.