Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Subduing Demon Hall
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Is this a dream?
I muttered to myself as I looked around. No matter where I looked, this was the village where I had been staying, but I knew this place was not reality. That was because my last memory of falling asleep was still vivid. In the hazy, dreamlike air, I felt even more convinced that this was not real.
At that moment, a voice came from down the road.
[Hello, uninvited guest. I am Mangnyang Seonsa.]
Walking into the middle of the small path—it was a black cat. The cat, who called itself Mangnyang Seonsa, looked up at me with its cute face. I was baffled, but since I knew this place wasn't reality but a dream, I managed to accept it.
"Mangnyang Seonsa? Why have you appeared in my dream?"
The black cat opened its mouth.
[It would be too dangerous to appear before you without borrowing the form of a lucid dream.]
"What?"
[Two months ago, the Lesser Evil feared the Greater Evil and even escaped through time and space. If I get caught in your karma, the same would happen to me.]
What is this guy talking about?
After spouting things I couldn't understand, the self-proclaimed Mangnyang Seonsa moved its small body onto a nearby warm rock. It curled up into a ball and stared at me as it continued.
[Let me be clear from the start. I have no intention of meeting you. I never have, and I never will. That's because all my power is already devoted to keeping watch over the darkness of the outer world.]
My strength drained away in an instant. I had come this far hoping for Mangnyang Seonsa's help, but the person himself had no intention of meeting or helping me! In anger, I shouted.
"What kind of reason is that? You've been saying nonsense I can't even understand!"
[Can you explain to a mere beast what you are doing?]
The black cat, Mangnyang Seonsa, twirled its tail around.
[It's the same. This matter has already surpassed human comprehension. But it encapsulates secrets of a world so terrifying that even explaining it to you is impossible.]
"......"
[Look closely.]
Wuuuuuuu
At that moment, I felt the entire dream shrink into darkness. Not only my body but even my soul seemed to be sucked somewhere. When I opened my eyes again, I was standing in the middle of the Milky Way, where the stars of heaven and earth shone brilliantly.
It was an unimaginably vast sight.
Star clusters scattered across the endless dark sky!
Tens of millions, hundreds of millions of stars!
As I stood there dumbfounded, overwhelmed by the sight, Mangnyang Seonsa spoke.
[Have you ever seen this universe in your lifetime? Do you have the confidence to explain this scenery to others?]
"......"
[The brain is merely a mirror. With a small gaze and small angle, nothing is visible.]
Only then did I realize.
'This guy... he's different! I can feel something transcendent...'
Mangnyang Seonsa was not a being that could be understood or explained from a martial artist's perspective. He had surpassed the realm of the greatest sorcerer and become a semi-divine existence, or perhaps he had already transcended something.
Unlike with Cheon Woo-jin, there was no comparing him to martial artists. From each word he spoke, I felt an aura that went beyond remoteness into a non-human realm.
That black cat was probably not a physical body but an incarnation. I had to accept that I was facing something more transcendent than anything I had ever seen. As I stiffened, the black cat spoke.
[However, I also do not wish for human existence to become playthings of the gods. Therefore, I intend to offer a little help to you, the most dangerous being in the world.]
"......?"
Swoosh
The black cat's front paw suddenly pointed at me. Suddenly, my head felt empty, and the pressure that had been weighing on one side of my mind vanished, leaving me refreshed. Some sticky, miserable annoyance had disappeared.
[I have removed the dark qi of the otherworld. For the time being, you won't go mad or become corrupted.]
"Corrupted?"
[The sorcerer you faced is not a being of this world. An alien race that happened to wander in. Merely encountering its spells or knowledge corrupts ordinary beings, causing them to degenerate and worship despair. My job is to prevent such wanderers from reaching this world, but this time luck wasn't on our side.]
I stood there blankly before realizing something and asking back.
"Wait, 'for the time being'? You mean there are more of those things?"
[Probably.]
"How do I purify this otherworld dark qi?"
[Seal away the evil energy or knowledge, or have the mental fortitude to endure it.]
"Hmm..."
As I pondered, the black cat slowly walked and dipped its paws into the cold stream. Enjoying the temperature of the stream water, the black cat began walking toward the other end of the path.
[Well, this is getting bothersome, so I'm off.]
It seemed ready to leave just like that.
Is he seriously just dropping bait and leaving like this?! Realizing that Mangnyang Seonsa had the same personality as his disciple Mangnyang, I was flabbergasted. I quickly jumped in front of the black cat and blocked its way.
"Wait! Hold on!"
[Is there more to say?]
"I get it! You just say your piece, have no intention of resolving the bait you drop, and do whatever you want without explaining anything!"
Mangnyang Seonsa replied as if impressed.
[Hmm... You know me well.]
"Still, just answer a few questions!"
[I won't answer what I can't.]
I nodded and asked.
"Do you know what the Heavenly Dark Secret Book is?"
[What's that?]
"Then why did you only show up after two months?"
[Because I felt like it.]
"What does it mean that I'm the most dangerous being in the world?"
[Just looks that way. And your face is ugly too.]
"......"
[What? Why? What?]
Seeing Mangnyang Seonsa twist awkwardly, I could tell he was indeed Mangnyang's master. I instinctively knew he wouldn't answer more questions about my situation, so I switched topics.
"Mangnyang Seonsa. I need to wipe out the Brocade Guards. Can't you help? Even if not you, your disciple Cheon Woo-jin would be a huge help."
The black cat yawned.
[Too bothersome, not my business, and I don't force my disciple's affairs. I don't care if Mangnyang hangs around with you. Similarly, if you want to make Cheon Woo-jin your ally, that's on you.]
"For someone like that, you took back the talismans: Five Flowers and Seven Golds."
[I permitted Mangnyang to use the talismans. But with that disciple's personality, he'd keep using them to help you. I couldn't stand by and watch his lifespan shorten and die young, so I ordered it taken back.]
"......"
Come to think of it, he had said that using talismans shortened Mangnyang's lifespan since he lacked talent. Was that why Mangnyang Seonsa reclaimed them? The black cat continued with a sharp glint in its eyes.
[My disciple's intellect is the best on the continent. In chaotic times, he could have been a Zhuge Liang or Xiao He. I sent him away for lacking sorcery talent, but I cherish his gifts. He's fine without talismans.]
"But to oppose the Brocade Guards, we need real power."
[Figure it out yourself. I don't interfere in worldly affairs.]
No reasoning with this. He was determined to watch the fire from across the river, no matter what. Helplessly, I asked the next question.
"If I bring you a certain book, can you interpret it?"
[If you're talking about the Nameless Ritual Book, impossible. Only otherworld beings can interpret it.]
"Mangnyang said he could interpret it if there was another similar book?"
[That's my disciple's delusion. It's not made by conventional linguistic rules or principles. No matter how smart, it's impossible.]
"......"
Only otherworld beings can interpret it.
That meant the Heavenly Dark Secret Book could be read by otherworld beings too. I had already confirmed this by showing the book to the sorcerer. The guy had blabbered all sorts of nonsense, but since I couldn't understand it, I ignored it. After a moment's thought, I said.
"If that's the case, then take me as your disciple too! Teach me sorcery..."
[Impossible. You seem talentless in martial arts, but even more so in sorcery. Give up.]
What an annoying guy. I yelled.
"Damn it! How can you be so sure?"
[I can just tell. And giving false hope to the talentless is more cruel. I'm being kind, actually.]
"You're really an unlucky bastard."
[I hear that often...]
Muttering that, Mangnyang Seonsa yawned and said.
[If you really want power, look for the Seven Luminaries Secret Treasures. With those, even a brute like you might grasp some sorcery.]
"Seven Luminaries Secret Treasures?"
[Like the talismans, relics left by immortals in this world. The difference is they have guardians. Even ordinary people without advanced sorcery can use them.]
My ears perked up. Such great items existed! Mangnyang Seonsa wouldn't lie about this, so I excitedly asked back.
"Oh... where can I get them?"
[I don't know.]
"Huh?!"
[If I knew, I'd have collected them all. Why would I tell a guy like you?]
"You're the one who doesn't know but brings it up out of nowhere? What's your angle?!"
[Idiot. Do I need to explain for you to get it?]
The black cat hopped onto a rooftop. It strolled leisurely and said.
[I don't know where the Seven Luminaries Secret Treasures are. But they are definitely guarded by guardians. In other words, find ruins with guardians. The guardians are also immortal relics.]
"Ah..."
[I've given plenty of advice. Investigate the rest yourself.]
With that, the black cat was walking down the path. This time, its brisk steps showed it wouldn't stop even if blocked.
[Well, goodbye.]
"Wait, hold on!"
Mangnyang Seonsa glanced back and left one last remark.
[Don't come seeking me again until that curse is lifted, idiot.]
"......"
As soon as I woke from the lucid dream—too vivid to be just a dream—I went to find Mangnyang. Visiting in the middle of the night, Mangnyang rubbed his eyes and got up.
"What's the matter?"
I told Mangnyang everything that happened. Hearing it all, he sighed as if he expected it.
"Master has no intention of helping us, it seems."
"What should we do?"
Mangnyang scratched his head.
"What can we do... Just stay in the village and build our strength."
It was an unexpected response. Shouldn't we set out immediately to find the Seven Luminaries Secret Treasures? Seeing the doubt in my eyes, Mangnyang explained further.
"This village is currently the safest place in the world. Not only protected by Master's power, but Junior Brother Cheon Woo-jin can drive out any intruders with barriers beforehand. There's no safer choice than building strength here."
"And the Seven Luminaries Secret Treasures?"
"I know what they are. Relics containing the powers of Moon, Fire, Water, Wood, Metal, Earth, and Sun. Unlike talismans, they're treasures even sorcery novices can wield powerfully."
Mangnyang shook his head.
"But the guardians protecting the Seven Luminaries are terrifyingly powerful. Defeating a guardian to claim a treasure is a pipe dream. Better to fight the Brocade Guards than chase guardians."
"What? But the guardians are immortal relics too, and they're that strong?"
"They're beings created in the mythic era with unimaginable sorcery power to guard the treasures directly. Even the Brocade Guards can't handle them, so treasure hunting is impossible. Just finding the Seven Luminaries ruins would take ages."
"......"
Mangnyang continued.
"You've been honing your skills through real battles and raising your martial prowess, right? If you master that fearsome inner power and refine your martial arts further, you'll be ready to face the Brocade Guards. Let's build strength steadily."
He was right. Through life-or-death battles wielding Thunder Spirit against the Brocade Guards, my skills had risen a level. Lately, as I fully assimilated my inner power, I felt the Thunder God Style techniques flowing more freely day by day. Even without talent, long training had burst the water droplet stage.
But impatience gnawed at me, and I shook my head.
"Who knows when the Brocade Guards will storm here? And I want to settle things before they grow stronger."
"With Junior Brother Cheon Woo-jin here, even a hundred thousand troops couldn't touch this place."
Mangnyang spoke definitively, then added.
"Brocade Guards are expendable; the palace can recruit more anytime. Think holding a martial exam gets first-class warriors are hard? The key is the Chief Commander and Deputy at the Brocade Guard core. Ignore the small fry and cultivate power to take them down."
Sound advice.
'But... I've left the Heavenly Dark Secret Book out too long. It's unsettling.'
If enemies breach the barrier and kill me, won't I fail to regress forever? The fear of death swept over me, fueling my haste.
Having the Heavenly Dark Secret Book reassures me.
Moreover, defiance welled up. Mangnyang's words were spot on, but I itched unbearably. Especially after being called an idiot by Mangnyang Seonsa, I burned to achieve something now. Gruffly, I replied.
"...I can't do that. The realm of No-Mind isn't reached so easily, and I can't stand rotting here eternally, growing complacent."
"Hmm... Junior Brother's illusions were just pranks. Don't take them seriously..."
"I want power faster. I'll seek the Seven Luminaries Secret Treasures, even alone."
Mangnyang sighed.
"No helping it... Much sooner than expected, but I'll go with you."
"You stay here. I can't afford to protect you too."
"Search the world blindly for Seven Luminaries ruins without my help? Like finding a needle in a desert."
"Think of it as warrior training."
"You're too impatient... Calm down and think rationally."
But in the end, Mangnyang grumbled yet left the village with me. After leaving, I immediately retrieved the Heavenly Dark Secret Book and tucked it away. Perhaps the impatience stemmed from separating from it.
It was midnight now.
A bit chilly, but having the Heavenly Dark Secret Book bolstered my courage.
'Good, now to find the Seven Luminaries Secret Treasures and move...'
As I discussed the first destination with Mangnyang,
"Oh, so the so-called White Lotus Cult Dharma Protector is here."
A cold voice echoed in the night darkness. Tracing the presence, I saw a figure in a white mask standing there. Flanking him were Brocade Guards lined up, torches already lit. I knew who he was.
"Brocade Guard Chief Commander!"
"Haha... Recognizing me at a glance. Impressive indeed."
The Brocade Guard supreme commander and palace's top expert laughed heartily.
Suddenly surrounded, I was flustered, but realized they had encircled the area from the start. Otherwise, the Brocade Guards popping out from pines everywhere couldn't number dozens.
The Chief Commander said leisurely.
"Tracking the murderer who massacred Brocade Guard Six Divisions by description, we learned you arrived here a month ago. But frontal assaults or infiltrations failed due to mysterious fog, leaving us stamping our feet with casualties. Then you walk out of the fortress yourself."
"......"
"The more we investigated, the more amusing. Posing as Yellow Mountain Sect's White Lotus Cult Dharma Protector? Hahaha."
I regretted deeply.
'Mangnyang was right.'
Two months of peace made me think pursuit ended, but no. They tracked me a month ago but watched helplessly due to Cheon Woo-jin's Illusion Barrier. The self-sufficient, closed village left no resident to exploit.
If I had refined Thunder Spirit Qi into pure sword qi, fully sublimating it, I wouldn't fear much. But impatience led to rash action, inviting disaster.
I gritted my teeth.
"Mangnyang, sorry."
Mangnyang smiled weakly, as if resigned.
"It's fine. Spilled water. I give up; you escape."
"......"
In this situation, protecting Mangnyang while breaking nine Brocade Guard divisions' encirclement was impossible. Even my life hung by a thread. To buy time, I addressed the Chief Commander.
"Haha, posing? How do you know if I'm a White Lotus Cult Dharma Protector or not?"
"You seem clueless. One of the three Dharma Protectors allied with us. We have extensive White Lotus Cult intel. Your features match none of them."
"......!!"
One White Lotus Cult Dharma Protector allied with Brocade Guards!
Shocked by the info, but it meant their intelligence uncovered even minute traces. The Chief Commander continued leisurely.
"The sorcerer's death halting rituals is regrettable, but no matter. With the Nameless Ritual Book interpreted, find someone with equivalent sorcery."
"Damn... What twisted thinking makes you commit such atrocities? Summoning demons via human sacrifice—worth it? What do you think happens to White Lotus Cult with demons!"
The Chief Commander, intent on killing us here, calmly revealed info.
"Of course not. Even a hundred demons can't touch the Cult Leader. Demons are mere offerings for the second ritual. Only then can we annihilate White Lotus Cult and achieve His Majesty's eternal glory."
"Second ritual?"
"Hahaha... Save the questions for the torture chamber. I have much I want to hear from you."
Swooooosh
Simultaneously, the encircling Brocade Guard experts surged like waves. Dozens of first-class and peak experts formed a unified formation in perfect sync. With my current skill, escaping impossible.
Then Mangnyang beside me said.
"...A favor."
"......"
"Cut off my head. I hate torture."
Mangnyang's calm words pierced my heart.
What a sight.
Every word Mangnyang said saved me from death multiple times, yet one moment's impatience led here! With debts to repay him aplenty, must I behead him myself to spare pain?!
I felt foolish and wretched, tears welling.
Suppressing tears, I said.
"Go first. I'll follow."
Mangnyang smirked. A smile I'd never forget.
"Heh... It was fun."
Schwick!
"No, such!"
The Chief Commander frowned. My sword arced gracefully, cleanly severing Mangnyang's head from body. My fastest strike, wrapped in Thunder Spirit Qi, ensured minimal pain.
I loathed myself unbearably. I bit my lips till they bled. Then said.
"Chief Commander! If you're the palace's top expert, fight me one-on-one! If I lose, I'll tell you everything!!"
Murmurs
The Brocade Guards stirred. The trapped target challenging the commander unexpectedly. The Chief Commander accepted readily.
"Good. I was curious about the skills of a self-proclaimed White Lotus Cult Dharma Protector."
"Shut up!"
"Your qi is disturbed. I'll yield three moves."
Swooooosh
Unconsciously, I summoned Thunder Spirit. My vast inner power permeated my body, converting to Thunder Spirit Qi. Instantly, lightning aura enveloped and boiled around me. Like sudden midnight thunder, sparks flew, startling nearby Brocade Guards.
"I heard inner power with elemental properties causes such at extremes, but impressive inner strength indeed."
Flash
I charged the calmly assessing Chief Commander. No tricks against an absolute expert; aim for the strongest strike. Since he offered three moves, split his skull without hesitation.
Zing—
Lightning gleamed, dancing in air. Sword path laden with Thunder Spirit Qi accelerated massively, slashing the Chief Commander's body ten times. Normally, this felled Brocade Guards instantly.
"One."
But his voice came from elsewhere. Seeing his form three zhang away, back turned leisurely, chills ran down my spine. Residual image or not, near-divine speed like cloning.
Screeech!
"Two."
Another attack, same result. Finally, I exploded Thunder Spirit Qi, charging head-on. Thunder Shadow Swordsmanship's ultimate, Thunder Shadow Heaven Breaker—even Jin So-cheong couldn't block.
"Three."
Clang!
"......!!"
His finger flicked; my blade shattered in two, flying off. Sword infused with Thunder Spirit Qi rivaled fine steel, yet broke easily. As I stood stunned, the Chief Commander said calmly.
"Speed and power decent, but martial arts crude. Dharma Protector... Far from claiming those monsters. Even I lack confidence one-on-one against them. You disrupted us with mere major sect elder-level arts?"
"......"
"The Cult Leader unbeatable by three Dharma Protectors combined is our real problem, heh."
No time to hesitate.
Urgh!
"No, damn it!!"
The Chief Commander panicked seeing blood gush madly from my mouth. Thinking my will to live strong, he had let his guard down. Seizing the instant gap, I severed my heart meridian, succeeding in suicide.
First suicide, feels awful.
Thud
All meridians burst, organs pulped. Crimson blood surged nonstop from throat. Enduring agony till consciousness faded, I knelt. My eyes saw Mangnyang's head on ground.
'Mangnyang, sorry.'
I'll never repeat this mistake.
No guarantee of revival, but if reborn, I'll avenge today.
Consciousness vanished.
My sixth death.
============================ Author's Note ============================
Slightly edited.