Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: Subduing Demon Hall
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My tenth life had begun.
I sat leaning against the stable wall, staring blankly into space.
I seemed to recall my head exploding from that final tentacle attack by the monster, but surprisingly, there was no pain. Unlike the gruesome nature of the death, when you go out like that, you die before you even have a chance to feel it. Of course, my neck felt stiff and my eyes were bloodshot, but in a way, it could be seen as dying without pain.
What occupied my thoughts right then was, "Why did I do that?"
Why had I done something so foolish?
Mangnyang had warned me, and so had Han Jin-seong, yet why had I stubbornly gone off to fight that horde of demonic beasts? Was I truly an irredeemable fool? I'd handled everything so well up to that point—why make such a fatal mistake now?
After a long while, I realized the reason.
"I... wanted to die..."
That was it.
Life had become so agonizing that I wanted to escape.
Even as I trained in the long-awaited secret arts and honed my martial skills, the past few years of living under Lee Gwang's watchful eye had been utter torment. He treated me like a outright traitor for betraying his expectations, and every day was a struggle. I'd endured it all with the single-minded determination to grow stronger, but perhaps I'd reached my limit.
Then, in Mangnyang's presence, as I cut down those monsters and regained confidence in my power, I got carried away wanting to show off my strength to him more—and lost my judgment.
In hindsight, it was such a foolish choice, likely born from the psychological pressure that had driven me mad. Deep down, there had been a mindset whispering, [It'd be fine to die].
Only after actually dying and starting my tenth reincarnation did intense regret come crashing in.
If I'd listened to Mangnyang and dodged it, I could have heard more details from him about everything that had happened! I might have uncovered new clues about the phoenix fragment's secret or the time he'd spent building up until then!
A single moment of hot-blooded impulse, and I'd squandered so many opportunities.
And the self-loathing hit hard—despite all the advice from so many people, I'd still done something this stupid.
From then on, I didn't move for two shichen, just sitting there through the dawn. Normally, I'd be racing against time to fetch the Heavenly Dark Secret Book and swallow elixirs, but the self-recrimination and disgust were so overwhelming that my mind went blank.
"......"
Daylight came. Still leaning against the stable wall, I watched the morning sun rise. Squinting at the light through bleary eyes, I thought:
'What should I do now?'
Fetching the Heavenly Dark Secret Book, heading to Yellow Mountain Sect for the Millennium Snow Ginseng, retrieving the Demon Night sword from the ruins, and performing the ritual—that much was fixed. I'd have to move quickly after pulling out Demon Night, but that was manageable.
But after that?
I'd already mastered Thunder Roar breathing along with most of Azure Dragon Martial Hall's signature techniques. Sure, I couldn't wield them at a master's level, but I'd learned all the advanced skills. If I rejoined Azure Dragon Martial Hall now to train, it'd create massive suspicion.
'If they find out I know Thunder Roar breathing... Lee Gwang will definitely kill me.'
Even if I could hide my proficiency, it was no use. I'd endured years of his murderous disdain, to the point where I even felt like dying. In my current state, I had no desire to return to Azure Dragon Martial Hall. It would just drain me.
I shook my head and muttered:
"I don't know. I don't know a thing."
Fortunately, amid the misfortune, there were plenty of 'clues' I needed to uncover.
The organization called Subduing Demon Hall behind the Imperial Guards, how Subduing Demon Hall obtained the Seven Essentials, and what that [new otherworldly being] they summoned was. After mulling over these and more, I reached a conclusion.
"This time, no matter what, I'll live as long as possible. I'll act cautiously and trust Mangnyang's words unconditionally."
I deliberately voiced the policy aloud to solidify it in my mind. It felt like I wouldn't hold onto my sanity otherwise. With my resolve reforged, I stood up. This time, I vowed to survive at least twenty years.
'And I won't go back to Azure Dragon Martial Hall.'
At least not in this life. Unless I desperately needed more power, I couldn't even stand the sight of Lee Gwang right now. Having set my selfish course, I left the stable and started running.
Once I obtained the Heavenly Dark Secret Book, I bolted straight for Yellow Mountain Sect. Comparing my lightness skill speed to last time, weaving in Heavenly Slaughter Step and occasional Thunder Roar made it much faster. I shaved off another two days from my previous arrival time.
Creak.
I stopped on a mountaintop rock and gazed down at Yellow Mountain Sect. Thinking that this was already my tenth time doing this made me feel a bit nauseous. But I forced myself to steel my nerves and prepared once more to head into Yellow Mountain Sect's secret realm.
Entering the secret realm, I ate the Millennium Snow Ginseng and black-and-white lotus again. This time, there was no sensation of my three meridians opening—just a feeling of pure energy accumulating below my dantian. My three meridians must have been mostly cleared, shifting me into the accumulation stage. No progress felt tangible, leaving me hollow.
'From now on, even Millennium Snow Ginseng probably won't yield much advancement.'
The thought filled me with despair. Part of what had kept me going was the thrill of eating Millennium Snow Ginseng—without that, what was left to live for? Grumbling inwardly, I dove into the pond below.
Splash.
I descended to the Submerged Dragon ruins and stood before the altar again.
First, I moved the wooden box full of gold ingots outside, then returned and pondered:
'Why can I read these characters?'
Up to now, I'd been so focused on getting the Submerged Dragon Divine Sword Demon Night that I'd never questioned it. These were clearly otherworldly script, yet how could I read the inscriptions in the Submerged Dragon ruins? If I couldn't, I never would have thought to spill blood on the altar—I'd have wandered in circles forever.
Being able to read script I'd never learned. It was blatantly abnormal.
Rumble.
Lost in thought, I spilled blood on the altar and watched the stone wall open. This time, I prepared with a spear instead of a sword. Having imagined this dozens of times on the way here, I planned to break through the spider guardian differently.
"Here I go..."
Focusing Thunder Spirit Qi into the spearhead, I stood at the log bridge entrance and waited. Moments later, a massive explosion heralded the emergence of something black. The giant spider guardian leaped from the ceiling, spotted me, and rolled its blood-red eyes.
Screeeech—!!
I gritted my teeth. Strangely, the guardian didn't seem so fearsome anymore. Likely because just days ago, I'd been surrounded by hundreds of otherworldly monsters in a frenzy of combat. Venom gleaming in my eyes, I swung the spear.
Lan!
One of the spear art basics, Lan, shot out. The spider's front leg charging at me got caught in the self-rotating spear blade, tearing off with a ripping sound. Those front legs were incredibly tough, like solid steel—yet one application of Thunder Spirit Eight Forms' Lan sent it flying.
Without worrying about attack range, I easily created distance, deftly deflecting the guardian's incoming silk balls with Na technique, then advanced half a step and planted my forward stance.
"Hah!"
Boom!
The Cha thrust pierced the giant spider guardian's thick leg joint in one strike. The spear's rotation ballooned several times in size instantly, severing one of its eight massive legs clean off.
Screeeeech—!!!!
Kyaaaaah—
Multiple voices overlapped in a scream from the spider's maw. Confirming I'd landed an effective hit with my own power for the first time, I grinned.
"Hah... So that was its real face?"
Crunch crunch crunch.
Red bubbles suddenly erupted from the guardian giant spider's eyes, and a massive human face emerged between them. The distinctly human visage exuded an ominous, sinister aura.
Shhhk.
Shhh shhh shhhk!!
Truly enraged, the spider didn't bother weaving a web—instead, it spewed thousands of white threads from its entire body. This was the technique that had made me think I couldn't possibly win when I first faced it. I had no confidence in piercing that silk waterfall to kill the giant spider.
But I was different now. No reason to give it time to unleash all that silk. I activated my ultimate move right there.
Thunder Roar!
The world slowed. Thunder Spirit Qi surged through my body, my nerves turning to lightning. In the black-and-white haze, I leaped without hesitation and hurled the spear—the sole throwing technique in Thunder God Style.
Thud.
The spear arced slightly and speared straight through the spider's head. As more than half the shaft embedded—spearhead and handle alike—I closed in, sword already drawn.
Lightning coursed along the hilt. I poured all my qi into a downward slash. It was both a sword path from Ten Victorious Sword Principles and a supreme Heavenly Thunder Strike. All my cultivated qi converged at one point, cleaving the spider's head once more.
Spluuurt!!
It wasn't over with one slash. Dodging the spurting fluids in Thunder Roar's time, I channeled Jing into the blade, driving it deeper. Heavenly Thunder Qi pierced the resistance, ravaging the spider's innards. Not satisfied, I withdrew the sword and slashed again.
This was Ten Victorious Sword Principles' Swastika Principle.
Muttering that, I kept Thunder Roar breathing active, leaped onto the spider's body, and bounded to the other side. Normally, I'd fear its strikes, but in this split-second span, I'd inflicted multiple life-ending combos. With blood rising in slow motion, there was no worry.
I snatched Demon Night and turned, conjuring a massive Heavenly Thunder Qi into a sword wave and hurling it. Impossible for ordinary martial artists' qi, but five zhang-sized waves sent the guardian giant spider's body floating. I closed in, slashed once more, flipped in midair, and landed at the entrance.
That was one breath of Thunder Roar. As I exited, purple fluids erupted violently from the spider's body behind me.
Kii—eeeeek—!!!
Rumble rumble boom.
"What a tenacious bastard!"
Incredible vitality—even after all that, it thrashed, shaking the entire ruins. Grimacing, I drew a dagger from my bosom and threw it.
Boom.
The dagger slammed into the massive body, pushing it back again. Through Azure Dragon Martial Hall training, I'd mastered fully unleashing my qi, infusing tremendous repulsion into even a tiny dagger. Feeling the spider's frenzy gradually subside, I quietly exited the Submerged Dragon ruins.
Leaving the pond, I harvested three black-and-white lotus roots and stowed them in my bundle. Slinging it over my shoulder, I muttered:
"Next time, I should take some Millennium Snow Ginseng too."
I'd devoured it on instinct this time, but it no longer felt meaningful to eat more. Now, I wanted to try using it for other purposes.
I dashed straight for Zhenlang Valley. With precise mastery of Thunder Shadow Step and other Azure Dragon Martial Hall techniques, my lightness skill was even faster. Crossing plains at gale speeds, the wind howled belatedly. Leaping cliffs and rough terrain alike, there was no slowing down.
Of course, I didn't forget to stop by Taegyeong Village en route and retrieve the phoenix fragment hidden in the study.
Tadadak.
Arriving at Zhenlang Valley in broad daylight, I climbed to meet Mangnyang. He was alone, admiring a collection of spring paintings, and startled when I appeared out of nowhere.
"Gasp... Who are you..."
I gave a wry smile.
"The idiot who ignored your words and died."
"......?"
I'd run so fast this time that I had time to spare. With at least a day's buffer, I sat across from Mangnyang and calmly explained everything up to now. At first, he looked at me like I was mad; gradually, intrigue bloomed on his face; eventually, he listened intently.
"...So, I ignored your advice, died, and thus began my tenth reincarnation."
"Hmm... Baek Woong, was it? Why not try writing a novel? With storytelling like that, you'd be Luoyang's top tale-spinner in no time."
"You don't believe me, huh."
"Would you, if some unknown kid showed up spouting that? You seem like a rejuvenated master, so I'm humoring you—but honestly, it's too far-fetched."
"This might change your mind a bit."
I produced Demon Night, the phoenix fragment, and black-and-white lotus roots in sequence. Seeing the golden oracle script emerge on Demon Night, he looked utterly dumbfounded. With solid proof, he had no choice but to believe. Trembling, he took Demon Night.
"Wh... What. You mean all that was true?"
"Yes. And from what I recall, you formed the Anti-Heaven Alliance to fight the Subduing Demon Hall group, but they obtained the Seven Essentials, summoning a horde of otherworldly monsters that put you on the brink of death."
"Anti-Heaven Alliance... Ha."
Mangnyang laughed in disbelief.
"That was from a righteous adventure novel I scribbled in my youth..."
"Proof you created the group."
"Well... anyway, I'll believe you. Damn... what a life I lead."
After a moment's thought, Mangnyang said:
"But tell me— what do you plan to do next?"
"First, I'll go with you to Cheon Woo-jin to avert Demon Night's disaster."
"Not that. I'm asking how you'll take down Subduing Demon Hall."
"......?"
Mangnyang propped his chin on the table, looking pained. What he said next touched on something I'd never considered.
"Isn't the driving force behind Subduing Demon Hall manipulating the Imperial Guards to gather the Seven Essentials and plot their schemes the Nameless Ritual Scripture? And that scripture was interpreted via summoning an otherworldly being. So even if you luckily thwart their plot this time, won't you face Subduing Demon Hall and those otherworldly beings again in your next reincarnation?"
"......"
"The conclusion is this: It's not about toppling the Imperial Guards. It's about expelling that [otherworldly being] Subduing Demon Hall summoned in place of shamans from this world's time-space."
That's right!
I'd been wandering aimlessly this reincarnation, fighting without purpose and feeling empty. But Mangnyang's words revealed my true enemy: the [otherworldly being]. Like that bizarre shaman before, unless I banished it from this world, victory was impossible.
Mangnyang continued:
"But there's no guarantee showing that Heavenly Dark Secret Book to it will work again. Above all, we know nothing about what this otherworldly being even is."
"What should we do?"
"Let's think after averting Demon Night's disaster. No ideas come to me yet—I'll ponder on the way to Luoyang with you."
I rode with Mangnyang toward Luoyang outskirts. Arriving at Cheon Woo-jin's village, the same persuasion scene from before unfolded, followed by Mangnyang and Cheon Woo-jin reverently performing Demon Night's ritual.
But a problem arose here.
As Cheon Woo-jin chanted incantations and conducted the rite, his face stiffened. He glared sharply down at me and said:
"Hmm... Spirit descent is coming."
"What?"
"Supreme Void Heavenly Venerable seems to have words for you directly. Then..."
Flash.
Cheon Woo-jin's body glowed. His face flushed crimson, radiant light streaming from his eyes. It was the power commonly called spirit energy. Clearly, something else had possessed him, so I tensed and watched.
[The decree was well-received. Humans.]
A solemn voice not of this world emanated from Cheon Woo-jin's mouth.
[Yet it is strange. I wish to bestow blessings upon you and the rite's officiant, but traces of my power already linger on you. Are you kin to the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors?]
Stiffened by the unexpected turn, I heard Mangnyang, pacing in circumambulation beside me, cry out hastily:
"No, Supreme Void Heavenly Venerable! We swear this is our first such rite."
[That is true. I have the authority to detect lies. Yet unmistakably... I sense my power's trace...]
Confused, Supreme Void Heavenly Venerable continued.
[Then I shall replace the one bestowing power upon you.]
"Is that permissible?"
[Of course. Though it governs a different domain than I, the boon you receive will differ accordingly.]
I questioned Supreme Void Heavenly Venerable.
"Can't we just receive your blessing, Heavenly Venerable?"
[Silence. You feel disagreeable.]
"Yes..."
Rustle.
[Come forth, Queen Mother of the West.]
Flash.
Five-colored clouds flowed, and for an instant, a beautiful woman's visage imprinted phantom-like on Cheon Woo-jin's body. This time, it seemed Queen Mother of the West had possessed him.
Queen Mother of the West, inhabiting Cheon Woo-jin, glanced sharply my way. 'She' scrutinized me before speaking.
[I bestow upon you the Immortal Peach.]
That was all.
Once the rite ended and Cheon Woo-jin regained his senses, we checked our gains. Cheon Woo-jin and Mangnyang received ritual blessings as usual, and the shamans rejoiced wildly.
'What the hell?'
But I had no clue what I'd gotten. I asked Cheon Woo-jin.
"Hey. What does Queen Mother of the West granting the Immortal Peach mean?"
"Congratulations."
Unlike his usual vicious demeanor, Cheon Woo-jin beamed.
"You've become immortal now. That's Queen Mother of the West's blessing."
"Immortal...?"
"You'll live disease-free and hale to at least a hundred. Smoothly to two hundred. Slight aging around three hundred, but with immortal path cultivation, you can aim for half-immortal realm thereafter. What a magnificent deity to grant such a boon!"
"......"
I was speechless.
'What kind of blessing is that!!'
I'd just regress on death—so why grant immortality!!
Wronged but wordless, I gave up protesting.
"Damn it..."
No choice now but to live long and hard, as initially resolved.