Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Subduing Demon Hall
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" What do you mean? Weren't Gan Jiang and Mo Ye swords from the Spring and Autumn Warring States period?"
They were far too famous as legendary swords from mythology for there to be any mistake.
Gan Jiang and Mo Ye!
Mang Liang grinned.
"You're right. Do you know the old tale?"
"Of course."
According to the Wu Yue Chunqiu and Yue Jue Shu, Gan Jiang was commissioned by King Chu to forge a famed sword as tribute.
The blacksmith Gan Jiang forged Gan Jiang and Mo Ye, but knowing he would be executed by King Chu for being late on the deadline, he presented only the male sword Mo Ye to the king. He hid the female sword Gan Jiang inside a pine tree standing atop a rock where South Mountain was visible from his home. This was a riddle referring to a wooden pillar atop a foundation stone. He instructed that when Mo Ye bore a child, the riddle would be solved to find the sword and avenge his death. Mo Ye did as told, and their son Zhibi found the female sword Gan Jiang and swore revenge.
King Chu witnessed this scene in a dream and grew anxious. He issued a wanted poster based on Zhibi's face from the dream and placed a bounty on his head. Suddenly wanted, Zhibi couldn't even enter his village and sang a sorrowful song. A passing swordsman heard it, pitied him, and offered to avenge him in exchange for the sword and Zhibi's head. Zhibi agreed, severed his own head, and stood tall. The swordsman swore to keep the promise, and only then did Zhibi collapse dead.
The swordsman presented Zhibi's head to King Chu, claiming the deep grudge required it to be boiled for three days. The king complied, but after three days, it still floated on the water, alive and about to leap from the pot. The swordsman suggested the king look closer. As the king peered in, the swordsman beheaded him.
The king's head fell into the pot. Surrounded by soldiers and knowing he wouldn't survive, the swordsman severed his own head, which also fell into the pot. The ministers hurriedly retrieved them, but the heads of Zhibi, King Chu, and the swordsman had boiled away instantly, indistinguishable from one another.
To honor Zhibi's self-sacrifice for revenge and the swordsman's bravery and righteousness in keeping his vow, the ministers buried the three heads together and named the tomb the Three Kings Temple.
This was a tale so famous I'd heard it even during my days as an escort warrior while sharing drinks. I'd learned more details studying classics, but any person of the Central Plains would have heard it at least once. Thus, it was absurd to claim this sword Mo Ye was forged in the Yin Dynasty.
Mang Liang said,
"But it's true. To be precise, both are correct."
"What do you mean?"
"It's just that the oral traditions diverged. Mo Ye was forged in the Yin Dynasty and passed down, then rediscovered in the Spring and Autumn period by the husband-and-wife smiths Gan Jiang and Mo Ye. In other words, it wasn't made by human hands to begin with."
"......"
I stared at Mang Liang in disbelief. Logically, it made sense, but it was too far-fetched. So I said,
"Do you have any basis for that claim?"
"I deciphered the oracle bone script itself in just a month. But to verify this hypothesis, I spent the time traveling mountains and rivers, collecting and investigating ancient texts. And I found the evidence."
"What evidence?"
Mang Liang went inside and returned with a stack of books—at least ten volumes, all reeking of mold. He spread them on the heated floor and said,
"These are books containing the tale of Gan Jiang and Mo Ye. All genuine ancient texts of great value. Examining them, though they differ slightly, reveals a common thread."
"A common thread?"
"[He hid it inside a pine tree standing atop a rock where South Mountain was visible from his home.]"
With that, Mang Liang set the treasured sword down and continued,
"The oracle bone script follows slightly different rules from those in other vast collections. Likely a grammar unique to Yin Dynasty royalty. Rearranging the common phrase from the ancient tales according to that grammar pointed to a single character: xun (殉)."
"Xun?"
"Yes. For some reason, those who created the Gan Jiang and Mo Ye tale hid the fact that this treasured sword was excavated from a site of human sacrifice using a broken character puzzle. Moreover, some ancient texts mention a similar tale already existed in the Yin Dynasty."
A tomb of human sacrifice.
Could the ruins where the treasured sword was unearthed have been a site of human burial sacrifice?
"That means..."
"The tale in Wu Yue Chunqiu of Gan Jiang and Mo Ye didn't actually happen in the Wu Yue period. The same events occurred in the Yin Dynasty, passed down over ages, and overlaid onto folklore with fictional characters. This is undoubtedly a sword from the Yin Dynasty."
"......!!"
I stared at Mang Liang in shock.
If true, the authenticity of every scripture in the Central Plains could be questioned! It would cause an uproar in scholarly circles studying ancient lore. The theory was so radical I couldn't speak for a while.
Mang Liang said,
"Of course, I have no intention of publishing this. No reason to, and it wouldn't be accepted. What's important is the danger implied by the character xun (殉)."
"Danger in xun?"
"Xun means burial accompanying a lord upon death. Accompanying whom? It's a polite term for massacre and sacrifice."
Mang Liang paused as if catching his breath. He drew cold water from the well, quenched his throat, and continued.
"Few know this, but the Yin Dynasty was rife with human sacrifice. As a custom of revering the divine, it persisted unchecked even into Confucius's time. Don't his books mention banning superstitious rites? Even then, rituals continued where slaves' heads were severed and offered to heaven and earth spirits."
"......."
Human sacrifice.
The term alone made bile rise in my throat. I'd witnessed that madness multiple times and knew its horrors better than anyone. It was a mad feast treating humans worse than livestock.
"Mainly using slaves or captives from rival tribes to offer sacrifices to heaven, the Yin had twelve methods of killing humans for rituals."
"Twelve...?!"
"Those twelve acts are passed down in the Qian Zi Wen. Things like peng (烹), min (民), ge (割), zha (炸), zheng (蒸), xun (燻), tang (湯), and so on. Boiling, frying, dismembering, burning, steaming, drying—such methods. They spared not even their own people for sacrificial rites."
I shook my head in dismay.
If true, Yin Dynasty humans were subhuman in cruelty. Irritated, I said,
"I don't want to hear more. So what if the character xun is dangerous?"
"The key is its connection to this oracle bone script.
[Offering sacrifice to heaven.
Severing the turtle's head and limbs to present to heaven.
The spirit is pleased.
O Three Sovereigns, Five Emperors, bestow blessings.
Thus received the water of the Seven Luminaries.]
Here, 'turtle' isn't a literal turtle but a human. A brutal human sacrifice tearing a person apart pleased the spirit. That spirit is likely what we call the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors—and this treasured sword symbolizes the sword of the Water Luminary they bestowed as reward."
"......"
I pondered Mang Liang's words, organizing my thoughts. Then I said,
"Hard to believe. Even if it's truly the Water Luminary's secret treasure, aren't the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors great figures in Central Plains history? Would they rejoice at human sacrifice and grant treasures?"
Mang Liang chuckled.
"The Three Sovereigns are Fuxi, Shennong, Nüwa. The Five Emperors are the Yellow Emperor, Zhuanxu, Emperor Ku, Yao, Shun. Know their common trait?"
"What?"
"They're recorded in human history solely as divine beings, with scant details on their reigns. Mythical figures. True human kings start with King Wu and King Tang."
"What are you getting at?"
"...The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors may not have been human at all from the start—not metaphorically, but literally."
"......"
I fell silent.
A spirit rejoicing in human sacrifice. A monstrous being transcending humanity.
It resembled the mad scene where the shaman birthed a demon beast using the village as offering!
Mang Liang pulled out the Classic of Mountains and Seas and said,
"The bizarre monsters in it might have been real beasts from the Yin Dynasty. Thousands of years ago, the Central Plains weren't the ordered land of today but a savage continent of dense jungles teeming with barbarians and monsters. How would humans survive there?
By offering sacrifices to divine beings like the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, gaining power to protect themselves. That's the secret treasure of the Seven Luminaries—the driving force behind humanity founding a kingdom in the ancient Yin era."
"Hmm... You seem convinced it's the Water Luminary Divine Sword Mo Ye. Then I'll believe it too."
I had no choice but to accept. A genius scholar like Mang Liang spending years gathering evidence on foot and summoning me confidently meant it was solid. I now acknowledged this as the Water Luminary Divine Sword Mo Ye.
Mang Liang said,
"Over nearly three years studying Mo Ye, I gained much. Not just martial arts, but divine powers hidden within taught me many sorceries. Mo Ye stimulates the upper dantian, making it a treasure for sorcerers."
"So, possessing Mo Ye lets even those without talent learn sorcery?"
Mang Liang nodded at my question.
"Naturally. Otherwise, I wouldn't have reached mid-level."
"Hmm...?!"
Mang Liang sighed.
"My three years of research conclude here. Now it's my turn to ask you."
"What?"
"Who exactly are you? Where did you get this Water Luminary Divine Sword Mo Ye, and what do you intend with it?"
Mang Liang seemed genuinely curious. After some thought, I decided to be honest.
"I... am a reincarnator."
No choice now. Tae Kyung Village had escaped the massacre, but I'd learned the Royal Guards were plotting something else. My wits alone couldn't uncover it, so honesty with Mang Liang was best. Besides, guilt over his past death left me feeling indebted.
I confessed everything: my eight reincarnations so far, and our shared history. Mang Liang's expression shifted constantly as he listened—a side of him I'd never seen.
"...And that's how it is."
"......"
"Believe me?"
Mang Liang staggered, covering his eyes. Then he said,
"Wait. I need to sort this out. Give me time."
He lay on the straw house veranda, staring blankly for a good incense stick's time. Then he rose, approached, and said,
"I have no choice but to believe you. Only that explains knowing so well about Heavenly Dark Secret Book, my junior Cheon Woo-jin, my master, and my circumstances. Ha... I've gotten tangled in something huge."
"Sorry for getting you killed last time."
Mang Liang shrugged.
"Well... even hearing it doesn't feel real. I don't know what I felt traveling with you back then. And wasn't it my choice to follow? Probably just thought I stepped in shit when I died."
"......"
"Hmm... Heavenly Dark Secret Book, Nameless Sacrificial Scripture... otherworldly shaman, Royal Guards... Hmm..."
Propped on his chin, deep in thought, Mang Liang said,
"So, you were diligently building strength at Azure Dragon Martial Hall to oppose the Royal Guard Chief, but visiting Tae Kyung Village revealed their demonic influence hadn't reached there?"
"Yes. I've been wondering why."
I asked gravely,
"Could it be because of the Water Luminary Divine Sword Mo Ye?"
"......"
Mang Liang glanced at Mo Ye. Then he replied,
"Unlikely. Though the massive storm when you came to me definitely happened because you unsealed Mo Ye."
"As I thought..."
"Millennia of water energy condensed in Mo Ye enough to upheave heaven and earth—natural disaster inevitable. I checked the stars the day before; their sudden shift struck me as odd."
Explaining, Mang Liang continued,
"But that otherworldly shaman can freely perform human sacrifice rituals on thousands. One Luminary moving wouldn't halt his plans. And if the Royal Guards didn't follow, only one conclusion."
"What?"
"The grand shaman escaped beyond time and space. If my master said so, it's likely true."
Escaped beyond time and space!
So surreal I stood dumbfounded. Mang Liang crossed his arms, elaborating.
"He was amassing sacrificial victims here for his goal. Seeing your Heavenly Dark Secret Book, he sensed something wrong. His self-destruction was likely a special sorcery abandoning body and soul to extract his spirit from this world."
"I-Is that possible?"
"No other explanation. He's nowhere in the palace or anywhere. Without the shaman, they can't interpret the Nameless Sacrificial Scripture, so the sacrifice plan was scrapped."
"......!!"
Shock mingled with joy.
The shaman can't interfere in my reincarnations now!
No need to worry about village massacres each life!
Showing the Heavenly Dark Secret Book was the right call.
As a smile spread across my face, Mang Liang wagged a finger.
"Too soon to relax. The Royal Guards are likely now moving to gather the Seven Luminaries' secret treasures."
"Hm...? I thought so too, but not certain."
"The sacrifices were probably just to shorten 'time.' The Royal Guards aimed for the Luminaries from the start. Means differ, but end goal unchanged. You still have much to do."
"Hmm."
I grew curious.
What was the Royal Guards' ultimate goal?
The Chief mentioned a [Second Ritual] after multiplying demon beasts via sacrifice, dismissing the White Lotus Cult as no issue. Perhaps using the Luminaries' treasures instead of sacrifices?
"Oh, right. Take a look at this."
Remembering suddenly, I handed him the silver phoenix fragment from the Hwa Clan in Tae Kyung Village. Mang Liang examined it closely, then exclaimed in surprise,
"Isn't this a relic from Balhae? Where did you get such a treasure?"
"What's Balhae?"
"A mighty eastern Dongyi kingdom. This seems tied to Balhae royalty—only they used phoenix fragments. And it's a three-legged crow form."
Mang Liang inspected the silver phoenix fragment carefully and said,
"Tiny lines form a sealed crevice. Likely a incantation unlocked in a set sequence. Fascinating relic."
"Can you decipher it?"
Mang Liang chuckled incredulously.
"Hahaha... I get you're a reincarnator, but trust me so easily? Honestly, when I realized it was the Water Luminary Divine Sword Mo Ye, I thought you'd lost it, handing over a heaven-upheaving divine sword. Never considered I might betray you?"
"I did."
I answered flatly.
"But if you did, that'd be fine too. It'd lighten the debt from killing you."
Mang Liang seemed stunned. Then he said dejectedly,
"That's some mindset... You're beyond ordinary human."
"I'll take it as praise."
Mang Liang laughed softly.
"Fine. I'll help you with all I have."
"Thanks."
"Once I decipher this silver phoenix fragment, I'll send word. Take the Water Luminary Divine Sword Mo Ye too."
I tilted my head.
"Isn't it needed to advance your sorcery?"
"The oracle script's deciphered. I've reaped all learning effects from Mo Ye. No progress in half a year— this is my limit. Take it now."
"Got it."
If as he said, carrying Mo Ye and learning Formations and Escapes could get me to mid-level sorcery. The issue of whether sorcery carried over post-death I'd ponder later.
Paat
Grasping Mo Ye, I descended Jin Rang Valley. Mang Liang's parting words echoed.
[If possible, seek the Fire Luminary's treasure first: Gan Jiang. High chance they were forged as twin husband-wife swords per history. Possessing both will grant immense power.]
I recalled Hyun Cheon Dao-in's words too.
'The Fire Luminary treasure holds Flame Emperor Shennong's power, at the world's southern end.'
World's southern end.
Never considered it before.
I knew heading south led to the southern barbarians Nanman, but what lay at the world's end? The thought of going someday excited me.
Leaving Jin Rang Valley, I headed straight for the Black Night Sect. Mysteries solved, commission to Mang Liang entrusted—now complete Master's task and leisurely return to Azure Dragon Martial Hall. Best mood in recent times.
Paaat...
But when half a day's journey remained to Jo-byeok Village for the Black Night Sect commission, midway up a mountain path, I sensed mighty auras deployed around.
'What?'
No ordinary power. Potent high expert presence, not to be underestimated. Realizing rash movement here invited massive attack, I drew my sword, calmly gathering strength.
Kugugugugu
Raising my inner power vibrated the mountains and trees. Sensing my might head-on, the ambushers stepped forward one by one.
Six in total.
Wary, I eyed them. The lead red-robed man said,
"You're Baek Woong. Indeed, worthy of slaying the Azure Demon Four Evils alone. Hard to believe at your age..."
Admiration laced his words.
"Who are you?"
"We are the Six Great Protectors of the Blood Demon Troops under the Eight Demonic Sects, to which your slain Azure Demon Four Evils belonged."
"......!!"
I'd tangled with the wrong grudge. Sensing each a peak expert, dread filled me. Even demonic sects should be weaker than righteous—why six peak experts?
"Here for revenge on the Azure Demon Four Evils?"
"Not so grand as revenge. Learning you're Azure Dragon's disciple, the Eight Demonic Sects' heavyweights convened. We reached one conclusion."
The red-robe's eyes gleamed fiercely.
"Kill the cub tiger while young."
Sasasasat
"......!!"
I sensed more experts approaching from afar—peak or first-class, over fifty strong. No confidence in escape.
"Wh-what... how many are there?"
"Decades ago, Azure Dragon inflicted massive blood debts on us unorthodox. Back then, Eight Demonic Sects' power tenfold today's—yet Azure Dragon consecutively crushed peak experts, beheading leaders like Black Moon Divine Demon, Spirit Sword Lord, White Sword Flowing Demon. Without that, we'd have challenged the Nine Great Sects' dominance."
The red-robe spat bitterly, then exuded fierce aura.
"Azure Dragon too strong for revenge at his hall, but a lone cub changes things. We'll sever your head, vent old grudges, inflict irrecoverable shame on Azure Dragon. Kuhahaha...!!"
Kuwoong
Gigantic palm force erupted from the red-robe's twin palms. Signal given, the Six Great Protectors attacked near-simultaneously. No choice—I unleashed Thunder Cloud Palms to counter.
Kukwakwakwa kwang
"Uwaaak...!!"
"Wh-what inner power..."
The Blood Demon Troops' Six Great Protectors screamed, blasted back by explosions. Easily repelled, I inwardly tsked.
'Lucky idiots.'
Peak experts striking weak points with subtlety wouldn't fall so easy, but they arrogantly trusted raw power, forcing inner force clash. My trial didn't end.
Shushushushuk!
Dark projectiles flew from all sides. I swung my sword, using Thunder Shadow Step's Heaven's Thread to evade—barely, even fully executed. The assailants surged from earth, shouting,
"Eight Demonic Sects Heaven and Earth Gate, led by Elder Jang Hoe, sixteen men! Here for past blood debts!"
Kakagang
Trained assassin swordsmen. Whirling Heavenly Thunder Blade to repel as I fought, dusky saber wielders suddenly assaulted from all directions.
"Eight Demonic Sects Asura Gate, Golden Saber Hall Master and seven men! Here for past blood debts!"
Kakagang! Kagang!
Mid-Thunder Shadow Swordsmanship deployment, my body pushed back. My inner force overwhelmed, but dozens of projectiles from first-class and peak experts unavoidable.
Desperately seeking escape, weaving frantically, a eerie voice rang.
"Eight Demonic Sects Mad Demon Alliance, Hidden Cards led by fifteen men! Here for past blood debts."
Kwagagagwang
Finally abandoning frontal sword clashes, I madly gathered inner force, firing Thunder Cloud Palms like cannonballs. Stupid method, but best area devastation. Over a dozen demonic experts tumbled, yet they swarmed like bees unrelentingly.
'Ugh, no... need escape chance...'
Stumbling back steps, a familiar voice sounded.
"Tsk tsk... You've made many enemies. Almost pitiable."
"You... you?"
Wheeng
A Bang Il-like man approached leisurely, sword aura rising calmly. A face unforgettable even in dreams. His mouth opened.
"Eight Demonic Sects Black Night Sect, Assassin Leader. With twenty assassins, aiding in collecting blood debt."
"You bastardshiiit!!!"
Yes, surely I could have survived.
Even surrounded by Eight Demonic Sects' first-class and peak experts grinding me, my monstrous inner power could carve a path. Dodging pursuit separate, survival here guaranteed.
But—something snapped. I charged the Assassin Leader.
"Kuhk."
His sword shattered; he vomited blood, flung back. Simultaneously, waiting assassins flew to impale me.
Kagagang
Repelled with Thunder Shadow Swordsmanship's Heavenly Thunder Blade, but next instant, despair. I'd forsaken that one escape moment—black-clad foes poured from everywhere.
"Damn it shiiit!!!"
Puwook
Puwook
"......"
Assassin Leader's face faintly visible.
Dozens of blades and projectiles pierced my body.
"Thought excessive force at first, but makes sense. Eight Demonic Sects elites over a hundred pouring attacks half an incense stick—finally dying..."
"Kuhk... Half my men down."
The Mad Demon Alliance's Hidden Cards ground teeth.
"But dying so easily!"
"Enough. He's a cub tiger. Capturing him is fortune."
"Damn..."
I was on death's door.
No, should be dead. They knew my vast inner power barely clung to life—no intent to save. Half-mad with pain, awaiting death.
"Grant a warrior's mercy. What sin has the youth?"
The Assassin Leader squatted before me, sword with blade aura in hand.
"Go easy. I'll send your head to your master as burden."
Chwak
That was my eighth death.
============================ Author's Note ============================
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