Chapter 94
Chapter 94
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village
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Following the怪人 who called himself the Twelve Rites Lord, I entered the Divine Altar Village. As we went in, the Twelve Rites Lord said,
"Forgive the heavy fog. It's because of the formation array."
Just as he said, bridges like spiderwebs connected the cliffs everywhere in the village, and in the center stood a colossal tree that seemed to touch the mountains. Hardly any people were in sight, giving the place a somewhat eerie atmosphere.
The Twelve Rites Lord spoke to me casually, but I had no thought of complaining. He was an absolute existence even the King of Goryeo couldn't treat lightly. It was only natural for me to use honorifics. In truth, he was probably older than me as well.
The occasional passersby greeted the Twelve Rites Lord. They wore normal clothes, not mask costumes, though some had masks on.
"Pay up the money."
"No."
"Gonna make me gut you?"
"Heh heh."
After their friendly greetings ended, a woman burst into laughter.
"Kyahaha! Nice outfit today."
"Haha, thanks."
It probably wasn't a genuine compliment on his looks.
As I stared at his puppy mask, he turned the faceless mask toward me and said,
"Oh, right. Curious about that giant tree's name?"
"Not particularly, but it is huge."
My illusion of the Twelve Rites Lord shattered, I replied somewhat curtly. And rightly so—the tree at the village center was hundreds of feet tall, with an immense girth. It pierced the heavens, and one could say the village was built around its roots.
"Haha. It's called the Godly Sandalwood Tree. Legend says it reaches the nine worlds. As you see, it's as big as a mountain."
I thought for a moment, then said,
"That's strange."
"What is?"
"I crossed mountains to get here and didn't see any such tree from afar. Why does it only appear after entering the Divine Altar Village?"
"Because of the barrier. Ordinary eyes can't see the Godly Sandalwood Tree. Only those permitted to enter the Divine Altar can behold it."
"Why go to such lengths?"
The Twelve Rites Lord pointed at the Godly Sandalwood Tree.
"Without that tree, things would get really bad. We have no choice but to guard it with our lives."
"What kind of disaster?"
"Humanity couldn't remain human anymore. Something truly terrifying would happen."
"......?"
The Twelve Rites Lord spouted incomprehensible words. He turned to me and tilted his head.
"I thought you'd know, having clashed with the Sea God's kin."
"Sea God...!! You mean those pirate scum from the ocean?"
"At my level, information flows in without effort. I already knew you fought pirates worshiping the Sea God when you first entered Goryeo."
Only then did I grasp his meaning, and I said cautiously,
"So the Godly Sandalwood Tree is a divine tree protecting Goryeo's lands from the Sea God."
"Not just that, but close enough. Anything else you're curious about?"
The Twelve Rites Lord was peculiar. Unlike someone who'd received my challenge letter, he showed no intent to fight me—not even a speck. Instead, he seemed to hope I'd ask questions to draw out info? Suspicious, but I pressed on.
"Those pirates looked more like merfolk than humans. Why?"
"Those who worship the Sea God eventually lose their human form and transform like that. The pirate leaders are acquired, not innate—just a difference. A bloodline mixed with demons likely rules that area."
"Can't you just exterminate that Sea God? It reeks of evil demon beast."
"Demon beast... haha. Problem is, it's not something you can judge so simply."
Strolling leisurely across a cloud bridge between cliffs, the Twelve Rites Lord said,
"Regrettably, our clan's power can only protect this land from the Sea God and baleful gods' influence. Anything more would require at least the Heavenly Emperor's might."
"You're of the Altar Clan?"
"Yes. I'm both a Twelve Rites Lord and guardian of the Godly Sandalwood Tree."
Creak, creak.
The cloud bridge groaned uneasily, but I crossed without issue. It was a village forcibly built in a sheer gorge uninhabitable by humans. The Twelve Rites Lord entered a small hut and said,
"What are you doing? Come in."
"This doesn't look like a sparring ground..."
"Just come in."
"Understood."
My opponent was the supreme sovereign of Eastern Martial Arts, holder of ultimate authority. Even the Jeong and Lee clans reportedly treated Twelve Rites Lords with utmost caution—naturally, since they backed those clans' rise to power. I removed my shoes and entered the hut, only to find a vast space unfolding inside, far larger than the exterior.
Bigger on the inside!
".......!!"
I was stunned. The hut looked like it had maybe four rooms from outside, but this space spanned thousands of pyeong, palatial and ornate.
'This is definitely a high-level spell space.'
Amazed, I looked around as the Twelve Rites Lord sat in a chair and said,
"Before we spar, I'd like your impressions from fighting the Twelve Rites sect masters so far."
"My impressions?"
He poured green tea into a cup.
"Even Miyamoto Musashi, the supreme swordsman of the Eastern Lands, couldn't challenge the Twelve Rites. The Sawoolabi and Jowiseonin sect masters are terrifying folks. So he's content as the East's strongest for now."
I knew that.
I figured the Sawoolabi and Jowiseonin sect masters matched Lee Gwang's caliber. Their levels were beyond gauging. My bout with Sawoolabi ended in fifty seconds of brutal beating; Jowiseonin was similar. Unfathomable experts.
He chuckled.
"But to challenge every Twelve Rites sect master, even with the Jeong clan guaranteeing your safety... You're the first with such guts in Twelve Rites history."
"......"
"No pressure—just speak freely. Sit first."
"Hmm..."
I awkwardly sat opposite him. The mask hid any face, of course. But I took him for a man in his twenties from his voice and build. Clearing my throat, I shared my thoughts.
"Goryeo has incredibly many experts. To a baffling degree."
"Oh? Baffling, you say?"
"In the vast Central Plains, peak experts are rare, yet here super-peak experts number over a dozen... Do the Twelve Rites share teachings among yourselves?"
My impressions were honest so far. Normally, peak experts led major sects; elites were first-class at best. Central Plains peak experts were scarce. Yet the Twelve Rites sect masters rivaled or surpassed the Nine Great Sects' leaders—staggering.
He giggled at my words.
"Yeah. Our Altar Clan leads, guiding Twelve Rites martial arts and fostering experts. Having many peak and super-peak masters isn't odd. We pass down insights no single sect could attain."
A sudden realization hit me, and I shouted,
"You're planning to invade the Central Plains...!!"
"Huh? Why would we?"
Muttering disbelievingly, he shook his head and slipped the teacup into his mask's mouth.
"You've read too many wuxia novels."
"Well, not that I haven't... But raising so many experts screams ulterior motives."
He cracked his knuckles.
"Ulterior motives, huh. One question: Why do martial sects train experts?"
"To expand their power and flaunt their prowess."
"Fool. That's secondary. Fundamentally, they raise experts to pass down martial legacy."
With that, the Twelve Rites Lord continued,
"I harbor no thoughts of war or rivalry with Central Plains martial arts. We face foes too mighty for that. We train mighty warriors and sorcerers solely to contain upheavals if they arise."
"Who are these archenemies?"
He set down his cup and said,
"...Word is the White Lotus Cult has devoured forty percent of Central Plains martial arts. It's certain they'll conquer it within three years. You've heard, Baek Woong?"
"Yes. The North Sea Sect Master told me before coming here."
North Sea Sect of the Twelve Rites. Based in the frozen eastern tundra far north of Liaodong. Known in the Central Plains as the North Sea Ice Palace.
Due to their locale, some had Saimok bloodlines, so their sect master looked Western with golden hair and blue eyes. I lost pathetically to him in 100 seconds; as I barely rose, avoiding injury, he shared Central Plains news.
"If even the White Lotus Cult is minnows compared to our clan's foes...?"
".......!!"
I jolted. The White Lotus Cult's might was horrifying—how could he compare thus? Especially since he knew their power. Seeing my shock, he waved it off.
"Just saying. Those archenemies won't descend to the mortal realm anyway. We block their influence using the Godly Sandalwood Tree's power, eliminate cults worshiping baleful gods and evil beings. That's taxing enough."
"Hard to believe."
"Haha... It exists, that's all. Truly scary is knowing enemies lurk yet being powerless."
Truthfully, I vaguely knew the 'archenemies' he meant.
The [Ancient Rulers] Mangliang spoke of!
Mythic beings from eons ago, predating human or primate dominance. Colossal baleful gods viewing humans as insects. The Altar Clan clearly shielded Goryeo and Liaodong from ancient rulers' power via the Seven Luminaries Sea Seal and Godly Sandalwood Tree.
'With defenses like this, do I even need my own Sea Seal?'
Key was stopping the Imperial Guards from getting a Seven Luminary. I doubted they'd breach the Godly Sandalwood Tree's barrier and defeat the strongest Twelve Rites Lord and Altar Clan—unless every White Lotus Cult protector swarmed.
As I pondered, the Twelve Rites Lord said,
"You're wondering why I prattle this to you, Baek Woong."
"Yes."
(And why the mask, but I held back.)
He shook his puppy head and said,
"You bear the Queen Mother of the West's blessing. How'd you earn it? She's a lofty Daoist goddess, stingy with immortality blessings."
"......"
"From reports, I concluded you'd amassed vast merits. Checked with Mangliang Immortal, confirmed you enshrined the Seven Luminaries' Mokya."
"You know Mangliang Immortal?"
"I oversee Goryeo and Liaodong; he handles the Central Plains. Mutual aid is essential, no?"
"Hmm."
I let out a long sigh at the unexpected info.
Mangliang Immortal and the Twelve Rites Lord exchanging intel! Natural for guardians against baleful gods, perhaps. He said softly,
"I can guess why you're in Goryeo. Seeking a Seven Luminary Sea Seal?"
No need to lie here. His power could kill me effortlessly. So I answered honestly.
"Yes."
"Why seek the Seven Luminaries? The legend of immortality from the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors' relics?"
"No. Evil forces covet them, so I'm tracking to protect from those fiends."
"......"
The Twelve Rites Lord seemed to scrutinize me. Mask hid face and emotion. But unlike his chattiness, his words pierced to the core. Sitting there, he'd dissected me utterly—befitting Eastern Martial Arts' sovereign.
After long silence, he spoke.
"I know. Thieves who stole the Earth Luminary Eight Trigrams Chart from Balhae Empire stir the Central Plains court."
He grasped all Eastern happenings. Our prime foe with Mangliang: the Demon Subduing Hall. Mangliang now formed the Anti-Heaven Alliance in the Central Plains, locked in death struggles with them.
Emotion surging, I said,
"Then why not control them? They can summon demons or hold human sacrifices anytime. If unchecked, catastrophe looms."
"I'm not oblivious, sitting idle."
He crossed his arms.
"The Central Plains is Mangliang Immortal's domain. His power surpasses Great Thunder Immortal—ever wonder why he lets them be?"
"That's..."
I'd long questioned it in past lives. Even disciple Cheon Woo-jin reached mighty Illusion God realm—why did master Mangliang tolerate the Demon Subduing Hall? The Twelve Rites Lord said,
"Mangliang Immortal's seclusion near Luoyang isn't casual. Luoyang harbors history's worst demon; he devotes all power to contain it."
"History's worst... demon?"
"I don't know details. But as Daoism's guardian patrolling the Central Plains to suppress evil gods, his fixation on one spot means ongoing sealing. If he strays, a colossal demon rampages free, he says."
"......"
"Likely the power behind baleful god cults. I'm swamped containing the Sea God—no aid for Mangliang."
Gulp.
I swallowed hard.
Mangliang Immortal was appointed by the Jade Emperor or Great Thunder Immortal to guard the earthly realm. Per Mangliang, no Central Plains immortal dared defy him lightly.
Even his might desperately pinned Luoyang's demon! What inconceivable power?
With that, the Twelve Rites Lord said,
"One question. Will you keep collecting Seven Luminaries?"
"Of course. I'll uncover every one's location."
"Good spirit. And we have a match due."
Nodding, he muttered,
"How about this?"
Swoosh.
His form ghosted away. In an instant, he stood atop the central sparring platform. I hadn't sensed his movement—his lightness skill transcended Illusionary Shadow Swap.
Clatter!
He unfurled a nine-section chain whip in one hand and said,
"Baek Woong. Withstand three strikes from this Galactic Nine-Section Whip, and I'll reveal the Moon Luminary's location."