Chapter 501
Chapter 501
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 501
Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village
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I spoke to Jin So-cheong as soon as he awoke.
"Now is the time to grant my request."
Jin So-cheong looked at me with eyes full of disbelief.
"A master like you has a favor to ask of me...? Even my master couldn't match you."
"It's a very big request. And let me apologize in advance."
I subtly shifted my tone as I continued.
"I'm sorry for leaving you alone all this time."
"......?"
"Here. Take this."
Thud!
A moment later, I pulled a massive black obsidian from my wooden box. Jin So-cheong looked puzzled at the obsidian chunk several times larger than a normal person, but when I told him to touch it, his expression turned wary. I said to him,
"A man's word is heavier than a mountain of gold. I could have killed you when you fell—do you intend not to keep your own word?"
"Hmm... Very well."
Jin So-cheong sighed and placed his hand on the black obsidian.
Whoooong.
At that instant, I activated the obsidian's spell, transmitting my memories to him. This was far larger in volume than the simplified versions I'd shared with other comrades before. This time, I focused especially on pouring in all my knowledge and experience related to martial arts in detail.
"......!!"
Jin So-cheong trembled as if struck by lightning, then stilled. He pressed his temples as if his head throbbed, then said to me,
"So that's how it was...!! Baek Woong, you're a reincarnator. And you've met me many times before."
"That's right."
Jin So-cheong spoke with a hint of disappointment.
"But you've rarely ever taken me as a comrade until now."
"Well..."
I hesitated, then spoke honestly. No point hiding it—Jin So-cheong had received the obsidian's memories and would have guessed most of it anyway.
"It was because I secretly envied your talent and felt inferior to you."
"......"
"But I promise you. In future reincarnations, that won't happen."
Jin So-cheong laughed brightly.
"Hah. A man like you, who could seize all the wealth and power in the world if he wanted, is fighting godlike beings out of pure righteousness? That's a trifle. I'll forget it."
"Thank you for understanding."
"Baek Woong. Before we leave, I should bid farewell to my master."
"Uh, that's..."
I looked troubled at Jin So-cheong's request. Sensing my unease, he said,
"My master interferes in your affairs out of worry for me. But if I make my path clear to him, he won't."
Soon after, Jin So-cheong went to the Azure Dragon Martial Hall to greet Lee Gwang and returned. Since Lee Gwang didn't see him off personally, it seemed he'd accepted Jin So-cheong's martial progress. As we walked out of Guanzhong together, Jin So-cheong said,
"Baek Woong. How do you hope the Thunder God Style and White Lotus Cult resolve their grudge?"
"Hmm..."
I let out a groan. It was a complicated matter I'd been putting off since it wasn't urgent. But as Jin So-cheong said, it would need an answer eventually.
The reason it was complicated was that the Thunder God Style had to avenge itself against the White Lotus Cult no matter what. The humiliation of Protector Lion Lee Cheong-un's murder, their expulsion, and the countless deaths was something the Thunder God Style could never accept. Yet the White Lotus Cult Leader had his own sense of justice, and the current White Lotus Cult was a mighty force beyond the Thunder God Style's reach. That's why the issue hadn't surfaced until now.
But if I decided to raise Jin So-cheong in future reincarnations, things changed. If he grew properly, he could match the White Lotus Cult Leader, and then the Thunder God Style's fangs would reach the cult. If they clashed, it would be a great loss for me.
Still, telling Jin So-cheong—who'd been raised on ancestral grudges since childhood—not to seek revenge was also problematic. He'd immediately recognized this as a hot issue later on, which is why he brought it up now.
I spoke frankly.
"I hope the Thunder God Style forgets its grudge."
"As expected."
"Jin So-cheong. What do you want to do?"
Jin So-cheong gazed at the distant mountains and replied.
"For a martial artist, grudges and favors must be settled before life itself. Especially since my master, who raised me, stakes his life on avenging the Thunder God Style's grudge—I, as his disciple, must repay it."
Jin So-cheong continued.
"... But that's only from the perspective of having one life."
"What do you mean?"
"In your reincarnations, you've uncovered secrets of the Thunder God Style and White Lotus Cult that one lifetime could never reveal. Far more complex circumstances than what my master told me, and I've learned the Cult Leader is a being with his own convictions. Receiving your memories, I can no longer see the Thunder God Style's grudge as a simple vendetta."
"Hmm..."
"Think of the future where you saw Baek U-seon."
Baek U-seon?
I searched my memories.
"Ah, yes, I remember that."
"At that time, Baek U-seon said that even after achieving martial arts equal to the White Lotus Cult Leader, I didn't settle things with him. If Baek U-seon is a divination tool that reads deep karma to predict the future, why do you think he made that judgment?"
"No idea."
"Based on the information you've gathered so far, it means that as I approached the Absolute Realm, I realized killing the White Lotus Cult Leader was meaningless. The Thunder God Style's grudge as well..."
"......!!"
I'd never thought of that. It had felt off that Jin So-cheong, even at the Absolute Realm, didn't kill the Cult Leader, but I hadn't dwelled on it then. Jin So-cheong went on.
"I believe that emptiness came from realizing this world itself is twisted."
"Twisted..."
"Ascending to the Absolute Realm and becoming the martial world's supreme means inevitably touching the [Darkness of the World] you're uncovering. There's a flow where the Nine Yin Cult rampages and all perish if we do nothing, so it's unavoidable. Jin So-cheong at the Absolute Realm, willingly or not, would realize that twist in growing strong and calculate that the Cult Leader might be needed in the future."
"......"
"He'd instinctively feel his own power alone isn't enough against that twist."
This perspective was novel. No—perhaps only Jin So-cheong himself could reach it? It's the viewpoint only one who knows himself best could offer. Focusing on his words, I said,
"Then what do you want to do?"
Jin So-cheong stated firmly.
"I truly avenge the Thunder God Style by helping you. The Cult Leader attacking them was the result of his ambition to save the world gone astray. We must change this world itself that twisted him—that solves everything. The fastest way is to aid you, the reincarnator, in destroying the evil beings."
"... Excellent."
I couldn't help but admire him.
At a glance, Jin So-cheong seemed hot-headed, but that was the mindset of a great man and hero. Ordinary people couldn't think that way. Martial artists wash blood with blood, making it hard to transcend personal grudges for greater justice.
Moreover, considering he'd been a die-hard Thunder God Style warrior before accepting the obsidian, his thinking was remarkably flexible. For most, resolving their own contradictions to reach that conclusion would take over a decade.
Jin So-cheong said,
"Then let's go to Miho. You owe her an apology too."
I understood and nodded.
"Got it."
Flash!
I used Returning Flight with Jin So-cheong to head to the Heavenly Palace. As expected, the food spirits called Front Ghost and Rear Ghost appeared, deeming us intruders and trying to block us. But following Mangnyang's advice, I shouted loudly enough to make the Heavenly Palace reverberate.
[ I know a way for you, Miho, to return to the Queen Mother of the West! ]
Halt.
At that moment, Front and Rear Ghosts froze mid-attack. Then, from the darkness, Miho emerged, her sharp expression shifting as she transformed into a voluptuous beauty.
"Who are you?"
I gave my prepared response.
"I'm Baek Woong, and this is Jin So-cheong. And as you see, I'm the master of Fire Fox."
Ching!
As I drew Fire Fox and infused it with power, a fierce flame aura blasted out beyond the blade. The erupting energy refined into a clean form, producing a sound like a string instrument. Hearing it, Miho flinched. As a yokai, she felt Fire Fox's power more directly. Groaning, Miho said,
"Impressive... Why has one like you come to this small land?"
"As I said, I know a way for you, Miho, to return to the heavens where the Queen Mother of the West resides. I'm here to negotiate."
"Hmm... How do you know my situation?"
For a moment, I summoned Jang Sam-bong's aura around my body—not full possession, but the prior process to show Dae-ra Immortal's divine energy. I said to Miho,
"As you see, I communicate with Dae-ra Immortal. I'm well-informed on heavenly matters."
"I see. So what is that method?"
"There's one condition to revealing it."
"What?"
I tossed the large black obsidian to Miho. She caught it with her tail, and I said,
"That's black obsidian that transmits my memories. I'll send them now—just agree."
Miho scoffed.
"Don't make me laugh. Who knows what tricks are in it?"
As Miho moved to hurl the obsidian away, I said,
"The one in need isn't me—it's you."
"What?"
"Hundreds of years on earth, still no way back to the heavens, just stamping your feet in frustration? Desperate enough to scour Goryeo lands or hunt the legendary Moon Fox, right?"
"......!!"
"But I know for sure how you can return."
"Really?"
"First, accept the memories via the obsidian. Then I'll tell you."
"......"
"You know I'm the master of Seven Foxes. I won't cheat you."
Miho hesitated deeply.
Then, cautiously, she extended her snowy white tail to grasp the obsidian in her hand. At that instant, I transmitted the memories, and Miho shuddered violently as they flowed in.
A moment later, Miho looked at me with confused eyes. Then she said,
"You... you... Baek Woong..."
Assuming she'd received the memories, I immediately knelt and bowed my head to her.
"I'm sorry, Miho!!"
"......"
"I didn't give you the obsidian before because I couldn't bear watching you die. But things are too urgent now. Help this pathetic me."
"Th-this..."
Miho looked utterly flustered. Unlike with Jin So-cheong, she needed time to sort her emotions—she fidgeted, tail trembling in place. Only after about fifteen minutes did Miho speak.
"Why do you like me?"
Huh?
At the unexpected question, I looked at Miho. With a complex expression, she continued,
"You've met peerless beauties of the human race, some even fitting for a human like you. So why love a yokai like me so much?"
What a foolish question.
Without hesitation, I stepped closer to Miho and said,
"Do I need a reason to like you? If I must say, you approached me without prejudice, honestly. And I like that about you. It has to be you."
"......"
"I'll keep reincarnating... but I still like you."
Suddenly, Miho's face flushed red. She glanced around with a suppressed expression, then said,
"Hmph... Really?"
"Of course."
"... Fine. My head's still a mess, but..."
Miho smiled faintly.
"I think it'll be fun with you."
Yes!
"Thank you!!"
I couldn't hide my joy at recruiting Miho as a comrade too. That meant I'd gathered everyone recruitable this reincarnation. I asked Miho,
"Miho. Were you acquainted with the Tsuchimikado clan by any chance?"
"Hmm... Planning to pull in the Tsuchimikado to face Changhil's incarnation?"
"Yeah. Mangnyang's scheme."
I could enter Aokigahara Sea of Trees and meet the Abe clan directly, but I didn't want to risk such a dangerous place. And I needed any info Miho might have.
"Regrettably, this lady has little connection to that legendary onmyoji clan. Onmyoji are yokai's natural enemies—I wouldn't approach them. However..."
"However?"
Miho pondered, then said,
"I've heard the Emperor or the Shogun ruling current Toyo has some tie to them."
"Ah, that..."
The Emperor—Japan's Tenno. He was under Miho's Illusion Hex, but actually preserving his consciousness via Hong-mong's spell. I'd promised to guard his secret before, but now it was fully transmitted to Miho. As I looked troubled, Miho laughed.
"Hahaha. Don't worry. I won't harm the Emperor. If he shields himself from my illusion, he's worthy of talk."
"Got it."
We soon went to the Emperor. Staring blankly under the illusion, he didn't seem to have a normal person's ego. Even after Miho dispelled it, he looked dreamily vacant. Miho said mockingly,
"Wake up. I already know you're using Hong-mong's spell."
The Emperor's expression changed as he turned to us, then resigned.
"It's over... Kill or spare me as you will."
"Hehe. No need. Keep being the check on the Shogun as before. I promise no harm to you or your clan."
"R-really?"
"But you tell us everything you know about the Tsuchimikado clan."
"Understood."
From the Emperor, we learned about the onmyoji Tsuchimikado clan. Fitting his position, he had deep spiritual ties and held considerable secrets. Midway, Miho was shocked.
"No way... Abe no Seimei is alive?"
"Yes."
The Emperor said with sunken eyes.
"He's led all Toyo's onmyoji since the Heian era. They say he manages the deepest part of Aokigahara Sea of Trees, the Extinction Sea. Even fellow onmyoji fear the sealed area he guards—no one's seen him in centuries."
Miho replied incredulously.
"I heard he lived over five hundred years and died. Still alive? After all this time..."
"He's the Tsuchimikado clan's greatest genius ever. Said to far surpass human onmyoji limits."
Jin So-cheong, listening, said to me,
"Baek Woong. How about recruiting that onmyoji Abe no Seimei? A sorcerer like that could match Cheon Woo-jin."
"Hmm!"
Such a being would greatly aid against Changhil's incarnation. Thinking it a good plan, I said,
"Fine. Let's head to Long Spirit Valley for now. We're short on power—we need to get as strong as possible."
Flash!
I first took Miho and Jin So-cheong back to Long Spirit Valley. I introduced them to Mangnyang, Cheon Woo-jin, and Sword Demon, forming our full lineup. Mangnyang said with satisfaction,
"Jin So-cheong, train in Long Spirit Valley. With Baek Woong's Sacred Lotus and Black-White Lotus, your internal energy issue will resolve quickly. As training deepens, spar with Sword Demon to advance faster."
It was a two-birds-one-stone method. Sword Demon would also progress faster in his Seven Great Ultimates through debates with Jin So-cheong.
"Understood."
"Miho, learn sorcery from Cheon Woo-jin with me."
"Got it."
Mangnyang turned to me.
"Baek Woong, go negotiate with the White Lotus Cult Leader. We need their power to resolve this Demon King crisis."
"I have no confidence in persuading him easily."
I truly didn't. The Cult Leader, as the martial world's absolute, had immense martial arts and a cunning, inscrutable heart—he never revealed his true intentions easily. Explaining Changhil's incarnation and asking for aid would sound like nonsense. Or he'd pretend ignorance and exploit it for his own ends.
Mangnyang said,
"Show power, and he'll listen."
"Power? Right now, I have nothing but my own martial arts. Fire Dragon Immortal is injured..."
"If borrowing others' power, there's a more direct way."
Suddenly, Mangnyang spoke in Toyo dialect.
"Miyamoto Musashi, come forth."
Swish.
From empty space, Miyamoto Musashi appeared unbidden. He glanced at me and said,
"Twelfth Law Lord Baek Woong. As commanded, I'll aid you for ten years."
I understood. As I'd told Twelfth Law Lord Ha Eun-cheon before, Musashi was bound to serve me for ten years. And now, to help me, he was in Long Spirit Valley. Mangnyang hadn't sensed him but guessed the circumstances.
"You'll help me?"
Miyamoto Musashi nodded.
"Then let's go."
Flash!
I used Returning Flight with Musashi to arrive at the Cult Leader's hall where the White Lotus Cult Leader resided. I recalled Mangnyang's strategy from moments ago.
'I must rescue Ha Baek-ryeong somehow.'
For that, even a forceful show of arms was acceptable.
I steeled myself, prepared to die here, and walked into the hall with Musashi.
"......?"
Something was off.
By now, elders or Thunder Guard elites should have ambushed us. But the hall, always buzzing with masters like the Demon Subduing Hall, felt devoid of presence. Not even hidden—Musashi showed no reaction. No elder could mask their presence from an Absolute Realm master.
Miyamoto Musashi blurted,
"It's ominous."
As I looked at him, he said,
"A being of immense power lies ahead. Still going?"
His gaze pointed to the hall's innermost sanctum—the serene chamber where the Cult Leader usually stayed. I had a premonition the Cult Leader had gained tremendous martial arts via some fortuitous encounter. I hesitated.
'If the Cult Leader's grown stronger, can we win? Even talk?'
No guarantee.
Even with Miyamoto Musashi...
Faced with this sudden gamble, I gritted my teeth.
"... No time now. Let's go."
"Understood."
Even if the Leader became Apostle-level again, I could escape with Returning Flight and powers. Thinking that, I advanced another twenty paces.
Now the innermost chamber was visible. The door was open, and an unknown deathly aura surged from within.
Ooooooh.
The moment we entered.
"......!!"
I couldn't believe the sight and widened my eyes.
The White Lotus Cult Leader.
'H-he's... dead!'
Lying there in his faceless mask, a cold corpse—it was the White Lotus Cult Leader.
No visible external wounds; his limbs were shriveled like a mummy.
And in the Leader's former seat sat a bizarre 'something.'
The 'something' stared at us with glowing white eyes. It resembled a shriveled newborn infant, its body grotesquely malformed. No hair anywhere, skin smooth and bald; no human genitals visible.
But the instant our eyes met, an immense pressure made my breath catch.
What?
What... is that?
Too strange.
It feels detached from this world.
Unlike the alien feel from ordinary Otherworlders. Sweat drenched me; nausea rose from the dissonance. Before I could think, Miyamoto Musashi said,
"Run."
Glancing at him, I saw him grinding his teeth unusually hard.
"That's no human."
"I get that much—is it that strong?"
"Not about strength... Too ominous."
Swish.
Suddenly, the grotesque being extended a finger. Its mouth tore into a long grin as it giggled,
"Baek Woong. Baek-Woong. Baek Woong... Yes... That's the name..."
Why call me?
And at the next words, I froze in shock.
"Pleased... to meet... you... I am... the White Lotus Cult's Leader... Dokgo... Seol... "
I knew that voice.
It sounded like shrill chirping, but the unique cadence remained.
And that name—matched what I knew.
So I couldn't believe it.
"... Little Cult Leader?"