Chapter 29: Karmic Reversal Cult (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 29: Karmic Reversal Cult (2)
The slip of paper the Dharma Master showed him was densely packed with a mnemonic formula.
At first glance, it seemed to outline the doctrine the Karmic Reversal Cult Leader had just explained in his sermon, but it was unmistakably a martial art.
'This is no ordinary formula.'
Thanks to the memories of his past life as the Sword Emperor, who had achieved the Five Qis Converging at the Origin, Namgung Jun grasped the true value of the formula in an instant. It was far too advanced to be possessed by a mere follower of a newly formed cult, let alone someone who didn't belong to a great sect.
Namgung Jun's eyes grew cold as they reflected the text, but only for a fleeting moment. Feigning ignorance, he looked up at the Dharma Master with wide, curious eyes.
"This looks like a martial art mnemonic formula," he said.
"It is our cult's hidden martial art and doctrine. By mastering this formula, one can harvest the karma of others."
"Harvest karma?"
Namgung Jun feigned confusion, but the certainty blooming in his heart only grew stronger.
The way the Dharma Master and the commoners pressed their palms together.
The drained, exhausted state of the commoners afterward.
The abundant food provided to everyone.
The bizarre doctrine of reaching the Pure Land by exchanging karma.
Every piece of the puzzle clicked into place, pointing to a single conclusion.
'The Star-Absorbing Great Art.'
Various branches of the Star-Absorbing Great Art existed within the Demonic Path, and the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult possessed its own version: the Bright Gaze Devouring Art. It was a technique that drained a person's Yang and Yin Qi through physical contact.
It was also the very first Demonic Art that the Demonic Practitioners of the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult learned upon initiation.
Upon entering the cult, practitioners immediately used the Bright Gaze Devouring Art to fill their newly formed dantians. Instead of meditating with a heart method to refine Natural Qi into internal energy like ordinary martial artists, they extorted it from others.
'Once they build their foundation through absorption, their dantian adapts, becoming far more efficient at absorbing energy than circulating it through meditation.'
This was why the cult's practitioners clung so desperately to absorption. While they could still build internal energy through standard qi circulation, their rate of progress would lag far behind.
'Naturally, they begin to view human life as cheap, losing any hesitation to drain others.'
They gradually abandoned their humanity to feed their own desires.
It was the classic path of a demon.
'Demons who have abandoned their humanity.'
A sudden surge of killing intent toward the Demonic Practitioner boiled within him, but Namgung Jun maintained a calm composure and examined the formula once more. To hide its demonic roots, the text was cluttered with needlessly profound and abstract phrasing, and its absorption efficiency seemed heavily degraded.
Nevertheless, it was undeniably a branch of the Star-Absorbing Great Art.
Just as Namgung Jun tried to examine the formula in more detail, the Dharma Master reached out and pulled the paper back.
"If you join our cult, you will be permitted to learn this divine art and peerless technique. Your status, as well as that of the Hong Family Manor, will be elevated."
It was laughable to hear such a low-grade Demonic Art described as a "divine art and peerless technique," but Namgung Jun kept his face expressionless. He had found clear evidence, but this alone was not enough. He needed something more definitive.
'I need to dig deeper here...'
Having made his decision, Namgung Jun shook his head, deliberately putting on a hesitant expression. "I cannot make a decision on the spot."
As the Dharma Master's smile stiffened slightly at the noncommittal answer, Namgung Jun quickly added, "Instead, could you arrange lodging for me?"
"Lodging?"
"I would like to stay here and learn more about the Karmic Reversal Cult. It is not a decision to be made on a whim."
Only then did the Dharma Master's face brighten. "Very well. Initiating oneself into a new martial art and faith is indeed a momentous decision."
* * *
While Heo Il and Gong Jun-am conducted their own investigations into the Karmic Reversal Cult, Namgung Jun maintained constant contact with the Dharma Master. Under the guise of learning the cult's doctrines, he gradually pried for information about their Star-Absorbing Great Art.
"According to your teachings, Dharma Master, it seems one can easily increase their internal energy cultivation."
"Indeed. For someone of your caliber, Young Master, you could easily attain the rank of Dharma Master within a year," the Dharma Master coaxed at every opportunity.
However, he never revealed anything beyond a certain point. It was as if the deeper secrets would only be unveiled once Namgung Jun officially joined.
'According to Senior Heo, the number of people entering and leaving the Karmic Reversal Cult's main headquarters doesn't match.'
If so, it meant some of the commoners who entered were never coming back out. They were likely being detained, or worse, killed.
'Considering what happened in Tongling, there is a high probability that commoners are being brought here from all over Anhui Province.'
He had to find out what had happened to them. Although there was no time limit on his mission, the lives of the commoners were ticking away. He had to act quickly to save as many as possible.
'I can't drag this out any longer.'
Namgung Jun confronted the Dharma Master directly.
"Based on the doctrines and formulas I've heard so far, it would be accurate to say that the martial art you showed me is designed to drain an opponent's qi."
"Since you are a martial worlder, you use the term 'qi,' but by our cult's standards, 'karma' is the correct term."
At the Dharma Master's wordplay, Namgung Jun took a quiet breath before replying, "In the Jianghu, such techniques are called Demonic Arts. While I wish to join the Karmic Reversal Cult, I hesitate because of the risk of being branded a public enemy of the Jianghu."
Namgung Jun had openly used the term "Demonic Art."
Yet, the Dharma Master only offered a relaxed smile, as if he had dealt with this exact hesitation many times before. "It is merely a matter of perspective and application. Our cult's martial art undeniably saves the commoners."
The Dharma Master stroked the sword at his side. Within the main headquarters, only those who had attained the rank of Dharma Master were permitted to carry weapons.
"If you master our cult's martial art and use it to perform good deeds, who would dare criticize you? How you use it is what truly matters."
Namgung Jun closed his eyes, sitting cross-legged. Even with them shut, he could not hide his conflicted expression. The Dharma Master watched him with an amused, intrigued look.
After a long silence, Namgung Jun opened his eyes.
"You are right, Dharma Master."
"Young Master. You have finally understood."
"However, if you want not just me but the entire Hong Family Manor to convert to the Karmic Reversal Cult, I need a definitive reason to persuade my father."
"Hmm. You wish to personally witness the efficacy of our cult's martial art."
Namgung Jun nodded. After pondering for a moment, the Dharma Master offered a warm, gentle smile. "Then I must let you witness the joy of salvation firsthand, Young Master. Follow me."
* * *
The Dharma Master led the way toward the pavilion located deepest within the main headquarters. Feeling Namgung Jun's presence following close behind, he sneered inwardly.
'I've almost reeled him in.'
Although Namgung Jun had not officially committed, the Dharma Master knew exactly what was happening from past experience.
'This kid has already crossed over. He's just looking for a justification to rationalize it to himself.'
He had seen this play out countless times. They would read the formula, realize it was the Star-Absorbing Great Art, and hesitate. Easily accumulated internal energy versus stepping onto the Demonic Path. The moment they began to agonize between the two, they were already halfway lost.
Martial worlders could never easily turn away from internal energy. In fact, they were fanatically obsessed with it. It was only natural. No matter how much internal energy they possessed, a martial worlder always hungered for more.
Bringing Namgung Jun here was entirely calculated. If he showed someone who was already on the hook how easily they could grow stronger, the rest would be smooth sailing.
Just like now.
'If I can bring this kid and the entire Hong Family Manor into the fold, I will be rewarded with access to higher-level techniques.'
Suppressing his excitement, the Dharma Master spoke. "Look. The people kept here are all demons. They have accumulated a massive amount of karma."
"How are they demons?"
"They are those who dared to deny our cult's doctrines and tried to commit evil deeds."
Namgung Jun slowly looked around. Though it appeared to be an ordinary pavilion from the outside, the interior was a dungeon partitioned by countless iron bars. A significant number of people—men, women, young, and old—were locked inside. Among them, though few in number, were several martial worlders.
'They must be people who questioned or expressed dissatisfaction with the Karmic Reversal Cult.'
Though he didn't know the exact details, it was highly likely they were all innocent victims. Seeing the prisoners, their eyes hollow and devoid of any will to live, a hot anger surged deep within his chest.
'Whew.'
Suppressing his emotions, Namgung Jun spoke in a calm, measured voice. "Then we must harvest their karma."
"Exactly. Demons can never return to being ordinary people. Therefore, death is their only salvation."
The Dharma Master stole a glance at Namgung Jun, whose gaze was unwavering. He seemed to have already made up his mind.
"Haa!"
As if he had been waiting for this exact moment, the Dharma Master unleashed his Qi Wave. The massive reserve of internal energy he had accumulated through the Star-Absorbing Great Art flooded the dungeon all at once. It was an immense amount of power, far beyond what any ordinary martial artist his age could ever hope to accumulate. Perhaps only the elite disciples of great sects, pampered with rare spirit elixirs, could match it.
The Dharma Master looked at Namgung Jun with a smug, proud expression. "Behold. See how much stronger I become by saving these demons."
Just as the Dharma Master reached out toward the commoners in front of him, Namgung Jun spoke.
"Dharma Master. You said so earlier, didn't you?"
"Said what?"
"That it is merely a matter of perspective and application. And that how one uses a martial art is what truly matters."
The Dharma Master wondered why he was suddenly bringing this up, but he nodded in agreement. "That is correct."
"I think the exact same way."
Before the Dharma Master could even register the movement, Namgung Jun's hand reached his waist, gripping the hilt of the sword hanging from the Dharma Master's own belt. Even then, the man failed to perceive the motion.
It was only when his eyes slowly widened in realization—
"Your martial arts and your sword are used only to steal and kill. Only to serve your own selfish desires."
The fierce, powerful Qi Wave of the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Formula erupted from Namgung Jun's body, violently whipping the Dharma Master's robes.
'Now that I've located the dungeon, the rational choice is to withdraw and report the situation.'
But if he did that, the commoner right in front of him would die. Even if it was just one life, Namgung Jun could not bring himself to abandon them. A heart that refuses to look away—that was the very essence of his chivalry.
'It takes courage to grasp even the smallest things. Therefore, this too is chivalry.'
Recalling Lee Se-ha's definition of chivalry, Namgung Jun drew the sword without a shred of hesitation. As her disciple, he was determined to uphold his master's path of righteousness.
"Therefore, your martial arts are nothing but atrocities, and your sword is merely a piece of scrap metal."
With a fluid, reverse-grip draw, the blade sliced cleanly through the air as it soared upward.
Splat!
In a flash, Namgung Jun severed the Dharma Master's right arm, which had been reaching toward the commoner, sending it tumbling to the floor. It happened in the blink of an eye.
"Aaargh!"
As the Dharma Master stared in sheer disbelief, Namgung Jun's clear eyes shone with a razor-sharp, chilling light.
"Now that it is finally being used for the right cause..."
Crackle!
Blue Thunder Qi rippled along the blade in Namgung Jun's hand. It burst with a spotlessly clear light, illuminating the dark dungeon. Every single prisoner locked in the iron cages turned to look at him.
"Even your scrap metal can finally be called a sword."
The blade in Namgung Jun's hand was now pointed directly between the Dharma Master's eyes.