Chapter 529
Chapter 529
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 529
Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village
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Previously, I hadn't noticed it, but Mang Ryang's thatched hut truly felt cramped with three people inside instead of two. Geuk Ho seemed uncomfortable sitting down and simply stood up, while Mang Ryang spoke.
"Last time, there were so many twists and turns."
"Yeah."
"But in the end, we couldn't overcome the absolute lack of power..."
"......"
Mang Ryang muttered bitterly and continued.
"Then, in this life, let's aim for you to reach the Absolute Realm while preserving your life as much as possible."
"I think that's for the best too."
The Absolute Realm!
Reaching that state would allow one to single-handedly face an army of a hundred thousand, granting the power to contend even with Celestial Soldiers. Ascending to that ultimate realm, which few in history had ever attained, would vastly broaden the scope of my future maneuvers.
I took out the Three Emperors Inner Gate manual and handed it to Mang Ryang.
"Take this."
"Thank you."
"Mang Ryang. After the summoning ritual ends, you're planning to enter the Heavenly Realm's gates of employment?"
Mang Ryang nodded.
"I think that's the safest path."
"While you're at it, how about giving Cheon Woo-jin the black obsidian this time too..."
"No. That's not possible."
Mang Ryang shook his head.
"Woo-jin has an exceptionally strong wariness toward others. In the previous life, he only accepted it after a series of complicated circumstances. Normally, he would never take something as suspicious as a magical artifact like the black obsidian. Even if I, his senior brother, tried to persuade him, it wouldn't work."
"Hmm... I suppose so."
I'd suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed from Mang Ryang's mouth left a bitter taste. As expected, recruiting Cheon Woo-jin as a comrade wasn't that easy. Without the power to intimidate him, I couldn't just hand over the black obsidian and make him a companion on the spot.
Mang Ryang glanced at Geuk Ho, who was standing there, and said.
"You're really planning to make him a comrade?"
"Yes."
"He might come to resent you for dragging him into this perilous path of the asura."
I thought for a moment at those words before replying.
"In that case, I'll take his memories and send him back."
"The black obsidian's spell can do that too?"
"It's an advanced technique, but yes."
At that, Geuk Ho, who had been listening, plopped down irritably and said.
"I've got no idea what you two have been yapping about, but if you're gonna give me back my memories, do it quick. There's nothing more boring than listening to gibberish I can't understand."
"Hahaha, what a bold hero."
Mang Ryang burst into laughter before saying.
"Then, Geuk Ho. As Baek Woong's comrade, may I ask you something?"
"Is this some senior's lecture? Fine, lay it on me."
"What do you think of Lee Gwang?"
"He's the top expert in the Thunder God Style right now, the leader, the one most likely to get revenge, and the successor to the sect master."
That seemed to be Geuk Ho's current perception of Lee Gwang. Mang Ryang carefully observed Geuk Ho's expression before asking.
"If I or Baek Woong told you to cut down Lee Gwang, would you obey?"
"......!!"
Geuk Ho's face stiffened.
"You've probably guessed it, but Baek Woong isn't an ordinary man. He might be the most extraordinary existence in this world. If he wants to grant you power, you could surpass even a Dharma Protector Lion. So, this is entirely possible."
"Why cut down Master Lee Gwang? Got some grudge?"
"You'll understand once you receive Baek Woong's memories."
"......"
Geuk Ho seemed lost in thought for a long while. Then he said.
"I could. If it helps eliminate the White Lotus Cult."
"I see. Understood."
Mang Ryang nodded and turned to me.
"Baek Woong. Give him suitable martial arts and elixirs, then send Geuk Ho back to the Thunder God Style. I can't ally with him."
"......"
Sssss
I felt Geuk Ho's killing intent rising steadily as he sat there. Not knowing when he might strike and behead Mang Ryang, I tensed and kept a close watch on him. One wrong move, and Mang Ryang—an unarmed scholar—would lose his head to Geuk Ho. Though weaker than me now, Geuk Ho was still a peak transcendent expert, one of the strongest in the martial world and from the Thunder God Style.
"Calm down for a moment."
After warning Geuk Ho, I asked Mang Ryang.
"Why? Why can't you accept Geuk Ho?"
"Just now, Geuk Ho said he'd cut down even Lee Gwang, the successor to the Thunder God Style's sect master, if it meant destroying the White Lotus Cult. In other words, he'd use any means necessary to wipe them out."
Mang Ryang stared at Geuk Ho with endlessly cold eyes.
"No matter how much you explain the underside of the world to Geuk Ho, he won't let go of his hatred for the White Lotus Cult. It won't end with just killing Yong Bi-cheon, who tore his master apart. His flames of vengeance won't die until he eradicates the White Lotus Cult Leader... and everything else."
"......"
"Am I wrong, Geuk Ho? You can't accept even the slightest compromise with the White Lotus Cult, can you? That's why I can't take you as a comrade. You'd strike Baek Woong in the back the moment it conflicts with your goals."
Geuk Ho then said in an angry voice.
"What do you know to spout such nonsense? Do you know the helplessness of fleeing while your master is torn apart before your eyes, unable to do anything? Who are you to judge me?"
Boom
In an instant, my aura clashed with Geuk Ho's. Thanks to the drinking contest that had elevated my internal energy a step and the sharpened senses from real combat with the pirates, I sensed Geuk Ho's skills had grown. I could still restrain him for now, but if it went further, we'd have no choice but a life-or-death battle.
Even under that killing intent, Mang Ryang spoke in a cold voice.
"Who in this world doesn't want to kill someone? I and Baek Woong have enemies we'd love to tear apart—and not just one or two. But that's a different issue. The problem is you're the type obsessed with pure vengeance, incapable of compromise!"
"You sure talk big."
"Deny it then. If there was a plan to get revenge on them by compromising with the White Lotus Cult for just ten years, could you accept it?"
"......"
Geuk Ho didn't answer. But his unyielding killing intent made his refusal clear.
"But your resolve for vengeance is so strong you won't back down like this."
"Correct."
Mang Ryang continued.
"If that's the case, swear right here that killing the Wind God Style's Dharma Protector Lion, Yong Bi-cheon, will end all your vengeance—not just now, but in all future lives."
"What do you mean? Future lives?"
"Just as you can't compromise with the White Lotus Cult, we can't compromise on the risk of you stabbing us in the back."
Geuk Ho scowled, but I agreed with Mang Ryang's proposal. Looking at Geuk Ho, I said.
"Geuk Ho, make the promise. Swear it'll end with Yong Bi-cheon, and I'll ensure you get him—no matter what."
Geuk Ho's demeanor softened somewhat as he replied.
"Is there some reason I can't take revenge on the entire White Lotus Cult?"
"It's too tangled with complex issues."
"Hmm..."
He pondered for a while. Then he said.
"My only enemy is Yong Bi-cheon. Once he's dead, I want nothing more."
"Good thinking."
I held out the black obsidian to Geuk Ho. He seemed to realize it was the spell for transmitting memories, hesitating briefly before taking it. Soon after, I transmitted my past life memories to him, and Geuk Ho trembled like a fish thrashed all over.
"......!!"
Geuk Ho's expression shifted constantly. The massive volume of my reincarnation memories seemed to make him flail about. After a long while, he regained his senses and muttered.
"The world..."
"Geuk Ho. Do you understand my intent now?"
"Damn it. I've stepped into one hell of a gamble."
Geuk Ho spat curses before saying.
"You're all crazy. How many times have you done this madness? And you still don't give up? Fighting those terrifying bastards..."
"......"
"Baek Woong."
Geuk Ho looked at me and continued.
"I've lived solely for the resolve to eliminate Yong Bi-cheon, who tore my master apart that day. But I don't think my vengeance alone could endure dozens of deaths defying gods like you do. What drives you?"
"Hmm..."
Geuk Ho's question was unexpected.
What was driving me now?
For me, who had tasted crushing defeat in the previous cycle, it held great meaning. Mang Ryang stared at me curiously too. With no reason to hesitate, I answered.
"I haven't gathered all seven vials yet, haven't reached the Absolute Realm, and haven't mastered the spells."
"...What? That's your only reason?"
"I can't give up until I've tried everything possible."
"What if you've tried it all and still lack the power?"
I clenched my fist and replied.
"Then I'll strive to become a god."
"A god..."
"If even reaching the divine realm can't save us, then it's inevitable. But until then, I won't give up."
"......"
Not just Geuk Ho, but Mang Ryang looked dumbfounded hearing my words. Geuk Ho laughed hollowly before saying.
"Ha... I've become drinking buddies with one hell of a guy."
"What now? Gonna back out?"
"No."
Geuk Ho gripped his spear tightly and said.
"Fine. Let's go together then. Heaven or hell at the end..."
After the conversation ended, Mang Ryang said.
"Baek Woong. The calamity of the summoning scripture is approaching soon, so let's hurry and perform the summoning ritual first."
"Got it."
Flash
I gave Geuk Ho the Black-White Lotus to boost his internal energy, allowing him to cultivate the Seven Ultimate Severing Arts and Eight Immortal Divine Skill internally. Then, with Mang Ryang, I carried the summon and headed to Elder Mang Ryang's village. I avoided unnecessary talk with Cheon Woo-jin to prevent future backlash; Mang Ryang persuaded him, and we entered the village.
'As expected.'
Entering the village, the familiar sleepiness washed over me. I'd anticipated it and summoned Yeo Dong-bin through the oracle beforehand.
[My liege... Huh?]
Swoosh
While Yeo Dong-bin uttered a dazed sound, I fell asleep.
'Yeo Dong-bin. Meet Elder Mang Ryang yourself...'
I wondered what would happen.
The familiar mountain path.
Beyond it, Elder Mang Ryang approached calmly in the form of a cat. Yeo Dong-bin's spirit floated beside me, looking somewhat perplexed.
[This place...]
[Welcome to my space, Yeo Dong-bin.]
Elder Mang Ryang addressed Yeo Dong-bin.
[It's been a millennium, hasn't it?]
Yeo Dong-bin seemed to grasp the situation. He replied bitterly.
[I see. It's been a while, Great Immortal Master.]
Clap
Yeo Dong-bin unhesitatingly knelt before the black cat, Elder Mang Ryang, performing a proper bow. Watching from the side, I was a bit surprised. Yeo Dong-bin showed such deference only to his master, Immortal Huo Long, aside from anyone else.
Elder Mang Ryang looked at me and said.
[You're up to some clever mischief. Wanted me to meet Yeo Dong-bin?]
"Well... something like that..."
[We've met before. Back when he first obtained the Huo Long Divine Sword and was exorcising demons, he often received my help.]
"......!!"
Slightly surprised, I said.
"Then, the shrine to Yeo Dong-bin in this village isn't coincidence?"
[Correct. He handled some commissions for me back then, so I built his shrine as merit for that.]
Yeo Dong-bin, still kneeling, said calmly.
[Great Immortal Master. You're embarrassing me. Please stop.]
[Hmm. Have you been idle lately?]
[What is there for me to do against the Heavenly Realm's Celestial Soldiers? I diligently cultivate day and night to witness the Martial Ultimate I couldn't achieve.]
[Living diligently. Well done.]
While listening to their exchange, a sudden thought struck me, and I questioned Elder Mang Ryang.
"Hey! I've got a question!"
[What is it?]
"What the hell is this Martial God guy? An [Ancient Ruler]? Or an ancient god? Do you know why he appears out of nowhere to Celestial Soldiers or Absolute Realm experts?"
[......]
"You're a tremendous god. You must know."
At my words, not only Elder Mang Ryang but Yeo Dong-bin's attention focused on me. Yeo Dong-bin especially looked shocked at how I knew.
[...My liege. Cease your irreverence toward the Great Immortal Master.]
[No. It's a rare intriguing question.]
[Great Immortal Master.]
[Martial God... Yes... That one.]
Elder Mang Ryang hopped onto the rooftop. Then he said.
[He exists in the present, past, and future... everywhere. Far more godlike than some half-baked [Ancient Ruler]. But whether he's truly a god is uncertain.]
"What do you mean?"
[Because he doesn't oversee any domain.]
Elder Mang Ryang scratched behind his ear with his paw and shook his fur briefly.
[The abstract concept of 'martial'—can it truly be a component of the universe? Most divinities govern time, space, existence, annihilation, or the five elements like metal, wood, water, fire, earth... but whether 'martial' fits is unknown. Thus, even fellow divinities can't grasp his true nature.]
"Can't grasp his true nature..."
[Yeo Dong-bin knows better than I.]
I was startled by Elder Mang Ryang's following words.
[Because he faced the Martial God dozens of times directly in life.]