Chapter 67
Chapter 67
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Subduing Demons Hall
-----------------------------------------------------------------
It took less than a day and a half to reach the village near Luoyang where Cheon Woojin lived. Normally, it would take about three days on horseback, but since I had grabbed Mang Liang and crossed the mountains directly, we shortened the distance considerably.
Mang Liang lay behind me, panting heavily as he caught his breath. We had come too quickly.
"Huff... huff... What in the world is this..."
"I'm sorry about that. But we needed to save as much time as possible."
"Ah... I'm calming down now. By the way, who exactly are you? How do you know about my junior brother's affairs?"
"Wait a moment."
Instead of explaining, I went to a nearby pine grove and buried the Heavenly Dark Secret Book. There were no pursuers like the Embroidered Uniform Guard this time anyway, and it was obvious we'd be leaving quickly, so this was to avoid any unnecessary conflicts with Cheon Woojin. Then I returned and said to Mang Liang,
"I'm sorry things happened so suddenly. But once we prevent the Heavenly Calamity of Moye, I will explain everything."
"Hah, fine. I doubt you'd explain anyway in this situation."
I took the grumbling Mang Liang and entered the village where Cheon Woojin lived.
There, the shrine we had visited before appeared, and I strode straight toward it. It was the shrine where we had offered the Five Flowers and Seven Golds Relic.
Cheon Woojin stood in front of the shrine. Dressed as a farmer, he eyed me suspiciously and said,
"Who are you? You possess an extraordinary treasure."
"I am Baek Woong. Your senior brother told me that someone who could resolve this matter was here, so I came."
I spoke calmly, then drew Moye, the Water Desirer Sword, from my waist.
"This is Moye, the secret treasure of the Seven Luminaries. I succeeded in taking it from the seal, but because of that, I know a massive flood will ravage the land. To prevent that calamity, I heard we need to set up an altar for Moye and perform a rite to appease the heavens, so I sought you out, Cheon Woojin."
"......"
Cheon Woojin glanced at Mang Liang beside me. Mang Liang looked somewhat guilty and averted his eyes. Probably because he felt bad for bringing his junior brother unnecessary trouble. Soon, Cheon Woojin spoke.
"That sword is neutralizing my illusions. It's worthy of being called a treasure of the present world, so I believe it's the secret treasure of the Seven Luminaries, Moye. However, why should I help you with it?"
"The water energy condensed in Moye has been accumulating for thousands of years, and that's why disaster will strike the land soon."
"That's not what I mean. You barge in out of nowhere and ask me to clean up your mess—what reason do I have to help such a rude intruder?"
Cheon Woojin's words carried a cold sting. As I had seen before, Cheon Woojin had a completely different personality from Mang Liang. He wasn't exactly chivalrous; he never meddled in anything unrelated to his own affairs and only focused on protecting his own environment. Moreover, his temperament was extremely stern and ruthless.
'Well, that's probably what a normal genius looks like...'
I thought for a moment, then said,
"Then do you want to see the people of the land suffer from floods? The incident has already happened, and you're the only one who can stop it."
"Your words are correct, but first explain why you took the secret treasure of the Seven Luminaries from the seal. Isn't it purely your personal greed? If there's a root of the calamity, isn't it your own desire?"
"I won't deny that. However, I believed this Moye would greatly aid in preserving peace in the land, so I risked my life to retrieve it. If I were truly irresponsible, I wouldn't have come all this way to handle the aftermath."
At the same time, I knelt down. Surprise flashed in the eyes of both Cheon Woojin and Mang Liang. I pleaded earnestly,
"I beg you like this. Help me just this once."
"Hmm..."
Cheon Woojin frowned. Then he looked at Mang Liang beside him with unkind eyes and said,
"Senior Brother always brings me troublesome matters."
Mang Liang smiled awkwardly.
"Ahaha... Sorry, junior brother. But I agree with this Baek Woong fellow. If not you, then who in the land would handle this? Neither Golden Crow Island nor Kunlun Mountain wants to get involved in worldly affairs."
"That's true, but..."
After pondering, Cheon Woojin said,
"Wait one hour. I'll report this to Master and..."
Mid-sentence, Cheon Woojin suddenly paused. He stood still, nodding his head as if thinking deeply. Then he let out a deep sigh.
"...No, I'll do it myself. Senior Brother, assist me in preparing the altar with your formations and escapology."
"Understood."
"We'll set up the altar to the north and borrow the power of the Supreme Void Heavenly Venerable."
Then Mang Liang and Cheon Woojin began busily moving about. They set up formations around the shrine, pulling out flags and instruments and planting them. It seemed they intended to use the shrine itself as the altar. I stood there blankly, unsure what to do, when Cheon Woojin said,
"Step outside for a bit. Those who don't understand the formation will only hinder us."
"How long until it's ready?"
"Come back in one hour."
As he said, I spent the hour wandering aimlessly around the rural village. Since I had nothing else to do, it worked out well. The village operated on a self-sufficient principle, so the farmers only cultivated fields for their own food, with no separate landlords. Normally, this would lead to scarcity and hunger, but I remembered that because Cheon Woojin lived there, the harvests were always bountiful.
I had a simple meal at an inn before returning. Indeed, after one hour, Mang Liang and Cheon Woojin had finished setting up the altar for Moye. When I placed Moye on the altar, Cheon Woojin, who had changed from farmer's clothes to daoist robes, began chanting solemnly.
"When man fails to encounter the harmony of the Five Elements, or the Nine Luminaries lose their law, or encounters the clash of punishments, or meets all divine killers, it is in movement and application. If one does not follow harmony in action and concealment, greatly the heavens will rage, the earth will rebuke, the body will be lost, or life endangered. All this is due to the sovereignty of the Three Officials, Five Emperors, Four Sages, and Two Dippers turning fate. Man's disbenefit in the Five Elements and the chaos of the Nine Luminaries are due to the many divine killers.
Command the Six Gods in their duties: let the Heavenly Official release heavenly calamities, the Earthly Official release earthly calamities, the Water Official release water calamities; let the Five Emperors release calamities of the five directions, the Four Stars release calamities of the four seasons, the Southern Dipper release calamities of the natal fate, and the Northern Dipper release all calamities. Indeed, these Three Officials, Five Emperors, Four Stars, Southern Dipper and Northern Dipper are subject to the command of the Heavenly Venerable.
Thus, Upper Clarity is to let man know the expansive benevolence of the Heavenly Venerable's command. The net of heaven and earth cannot be escaped; when malign stars arrive, they must be utterly extinguished. With sincere heart, invoke the name of the Heavenly Venerable.
Thus, I, Cheon Woojin, proclaim to heaven and earth above that with the power of the Heavenly Venerable, we shall eradicate the calamities of heaven and earth!!"
Flash!
It was at that moment. A brilliant golden light flowed from Moye on the altar. Oracle bone inscriptions appeared clearly, and Moye soared into the sky. Soon after, it pierced the heavens, forming a massive pillar of light in the center of the sky. At that exact moment, Cheon Woojin frantically waved flags while stepping through footwork.
Mang Liang was no different. Assisting with the formation, he vigorously waved the flags of the Twelve Branch Gods from behind. But his supernatural power fell short; midway, he panted and fell on his butt. Cheon Woojin ignored it and completed all seventy-two steps. At that point, the sky suddenly darkened.
Rumble
Whoosh—!!
Dark clouds gathered, and heavy rain began pouring down. Cheon Woojin, standing in the rain, muttered,
"Success."
"It's done now?"
"Yes. We've offered Moye's water energy to the Supreme Void Heavenly Venerable and dispelled the calamity. As Moye's future master, you will receive a great gift from the Supreme Void Heavenly Venerable."
Surprised by the unexpected words, I blinked in confusion.
"A gift? What is it?"
"I don't know either. But since the Supreme Void Heavenly Venerable is a deity who interferes with fate, it might be related to that."
Cheon Woojin chuckled.
"Well... Senior Brother and I gained something too."
As expected, they had proceeded with the rite because they stood to gain something. I retrieved Moye from the altar and tucked it back into my waist. Then I said,
"Truly, thank you. I will repay this debt someday."
"Forget that and take Senior Brother and leave this village quickly. My master finds your presence very uncomfortable."
"Mang Liang the Venerable?"
"If you return here, he'll bar the doors. Farewell."
Flash
When I came to, Mang Liang and I were outside the village. Cheon Woojin must have used a spell to eject us. Fortunately, it wasn't raining outside the village, so I left the exhausted Mang Liang and retrieved the Heavenly Dark Secret Book from the pine grove.
Mang Liang said,
"That was quick, like cooking beans over lightning. Isn't it time you explained who you are and how this all happened?"
"Of course."
I saw no need to hide anything from Mang Liang.
"I am a reincarnator..."
By now, through my past lives, I had fully witnessed Mang Liang's sense of justice and loyalty. Moreover, I thought even if he betrayed me, it wouldn't matter, so I intended to share my secret with him as a comrade enduring this life.
Mang Liang listened calmly, looking quite shocked. He paced in circles as if organizing his thoughts, and only after about fifteen minutes did he calm down and speak.
"Wait... isn't this a huge nuisance?! So you're saying in your tenth reincarnation, you'll drag me like this again to my master's village out of nowhere!"
"Ah... you're right."
"'Ah you're right'? What a nuisance."
Clicking his tongue, Mang Liang said,
"Hmm, anyway, bring me along next time too. You need someone to assist."
"Understood."
"Cheon Woojin, my junior brother, performed the rite today under Master's orders, so he'll surely do it next time too."
"It was Mang Liang the Venerable's order?"
"Would my junior brother clean up someone else's mess otherwise? Master's voice echoed in our minds as a transmission. It was a command to prevent Moye's calamity if possible."
"I see."
Then I asked another question that puzzled me.
"Earlier, Cheon Woojin mentioned you two gained something from this rite."
"The Supreme Void Heavenly Venerable is famous for bestowing ample grace on those who offer sacrifices. Naturally, not just you, the treasure's master, but my junior brother and I also gained fortuitous encounters. He probably learned an ancient spell that was sealed and he couldn't cultivate before, and I feel like my talent for spells has unlocked to the next level."
"......!!"
"Uhahaha, you're welcome. Now I can finally enter intermediate spells."
Mang Liang grinned broadly, but I had no mind to care.
'A god bestowing blessings? Such a thing really exists?'
To me, the sorcery of the Leftward Path Sects was just somewhat mystical spellcraft, nothing more or less. But the existence of divine beings transcending humans, granting supernatural powers to mortals—it was downright absurd.
"I haven't learned sorcery, yet a gift from the Supreme Void Heavenly Venerable..."
"Hmm... I don't know either. But it's nothing bad, so just live as usual. If you undertake harsh adventures, it might prove immensely helpful."
I see.
I decided to let this matter go for now. No point overthinking something without answers. With the situation resolved, I said to Mang Liang,
"Then let me take you back to Jin Rang Valley. Sorry for dragging you away so suddenly."
"Ah, good. We can talk on the way."
Clop clop
Since there was no need to rush to Jin Rang Valley, we rented horses at a post station and rode. While riding, Mang Liang said,
"About what you said earlier, I think you don't need to return to Azure Dragon Martial Hall right away."
"What do you mean? I haven't fully mastered the Thunder God Style yet."
Mang Liang shook his head.
"Building strength is important, but understanding why you're building it is equally vital, isn't it? Your master, Lee Gwang, sent you on a wandering training to Black Night Sect to gain real combat experience anyway. You've already learned the basics of the Thunder God Style, so in this life, wouldn't it be good to wander the jianghu and pursue your own training?"
"......"
"You said your current state is lacking. Then escaping that inadequacy through independent training could be a method."
"Hmm."
"Besides, you don't even know where the Embroidered Uniform Guard is, what they're doing, or what they're after. Without figuring that out, building strength is just a waste of time."
Mang Liang's words made sense. Indeed, returning to Azure Dragon Martial Hall and risking death would just mean years of basic training either way. Wandering the jianghu to refine the secret arts I had learned might shorten the time more efficiently. Even if I later visited as the successor of the Thunder God Style, it wouldn't differ much. In fact, a young successor who had overly mastered secret arts would arouse less suspicion.
Moreover, Mang Liang's point about investigating the Embroidered Uniform Guard's movements hit the core. Right now, I only suspected on a hunch that they had abandoned human sacrifices for the Seven Luminaries, but nothing was certain. I had to scout the enemy's movements.
A few days later, Mang Liang and I arrived at Jin Rang Valley.
"Woohoo, home!"
To the delighted Mang Liang, finally back home, I said,
"Here's payment for this job."
I handed him one Black and White Lotus root each, two gold ingots, and Moye. Mang Liang stared blankly for a moment, then asked,
"What's this?"
"This Black and White Lotus holds extreme yang energy; brewing and consuming it yields internal energy gains comparable to Millennium Snow Ginseng. These are two gold ingots, and cultivating with Moye will further enhance your sorcery abilities."
"......!!"
As a bonus, I also gave him the silver phoenix carving from Bohai.
"And one more favor: decipher the secret hidden in this. Use Moye as much as you need, then return it to me. Now I'll go wander the jianghu for training."
Mang Liang looked at me in astonishment and called out,
"Wait, wait, wait!"
"Why?"
"Are you sure you can give a stranger like me such immense fortuitous encounters?! Don't you worry I'll regret it or stab you in the back?!"
"To me, these are things I don't particularly need right now. Eating the Black and White Lotus won't advance my internal energy much anymore, I still have plenty of gold ingots, and rather than sorcery training with Moye now, I want to advance my martial arts."
"That's not the point. We only met a few days ago—how can you just hand these over like this?"
"......?"
What was he talking about?
I tilted my head, but Mang Liang sighed deeply in exasperation. Then he said,
"Hah... Of course, I'm grateful for the gifts. I'll gladly accept and make good use of them. But remember this."
"What?"
Mang Liang raised a finger.
"To you, I may be a comrade who's overcome death countless times, but to me, I met you just days ago, and you seem nothing more than a bizarre eccentric. Even if you ask me to be your comrade, it's too burdensome for me."
"......"
I clamped my mouth shut.
He was right. From Mang Liang's perspective, even believing my reincarnation story, it would feel far too abrupt. I owed him an indelible debt of the heart, but he not only didn't remember it—he hadn't even experienced it. After much deliberation, I said,
"I have nothing to say. It's just my self-satisfaction..."
"Whew... You live a tough life. No wonder your mind is still intact."
Mang Liang shook his head and said,
"How about this? From next time, when you meet me, say it's an 'investment for the future.'"
"Investment for the future?"
"I'm quite a calculating materialist despite appearances, so if you say that, I'll work tirelessly to repay the value of the gifts. And when you face a great enemy and need an ally someday, I'll do my utmost to repay what I received."
Mang Liang smiled faintly.
"That way, we avoid needless emotional debts between us."
I see.
This was Mang Liang's own consideration.
At the same time, I realized how I should treat people in future reincarnations. Rather than blindly offering kindness based on my memories, keeping a slight distance and treating it as a transactional relationship was better. It might seem cold, but it was actually a way of considering the other party.
I clasped my hands in a fist salute to Mang Liang.
"Very well. Then, years from now, I'll come collect repayment equal to today's compensation. Be my comrade then."
"Understood."
And so, I left Jin Rang Valley.
My heart was set on one clear goal, leaving no room for rest.
My own wandering training!
'The Thunder Shadow Step's Heaven Piercing Kill and Heavenly Thunder Seal aren't perfect yet. I need to refine them in real combat for greater mastery. Once I judge my realm sufficient, then I'll visit Azure Dragon Martial Hall.'
At the same time, I wanted to attempt building my own faction or information network. Using the remaining two Black and White Lotus roots and gold ingots as practice for building a force. Such attempts yield vast differences in proficiency through trial and error, so I felt the urgent need to learn physiognomy and organization management quickly.
============================ Author's Note ============================
Slight content revisions made